As Bram explained the plan, Zain thought it might work. Especially if he and the handful of other inoculated Protectors could work alongside the humans in the army.
Zain hated putting everyone's life on the shoulders of the British Army, but he didn't really have a choice. He only hoped that relations between the human and dragon-shifter soldiers had improved over the last decade. Because otherwise, they would have to think of a different plan, one that probably involved using Ivy as bait. And once his mate learned of how she could help, she'd bloody volunteer.
And there was no fucking way Zain would allow that to happen.
Ivy finished the last bite of her sandwich and pushed away the empty plate, engrossed with the information on the screen in front of her.
Could it be true? Had she finally found something that could help Zain and the others take down the Knights?
Wanting to be doubly sure, she reread the passage in question:
As more and more of the dragons fully recover from our chemical attacks, retreat and destroy plans need to be solidified so we can fight another day. The hardest part will be putting everything in place as quickly as possible, as the need to implement a network-wide plan increases by the day.
The most likely scenario to reach everyone will be to broadcast a phrase to all members at the same time, blasted through every form of communication possible, both in-house and through leaks to human news agencies. While concrete plans need to be made and approved, a reference to the true founder of the Dragon Knights, and mention of his sacrifice fighting off the dragons, is probably the best method. Every member learns early of the name and the sacrifice. And as far as we know, no dragon or human dragon ally will understand what it means.
Leaning back, Ivy let out the breath she'd been holding. No, most wouldn't know the information as it was a closely held secret, one only revealed to those who had completed all lessons and therapy sessions with the Friends of the Worlds, right before they were inducted to the Dragon Knights. The strict measures and involved steps ensured that outsiders didn't know the truth of how the Knights were founded.
But Ivy knew all of that, and more.
And it was easy to see how the others going through the information from the thumb drive would've dismissed the passage she'd just read. After all, outsiders would have no idea what the vague statements referenced.
Which meant that if Ivy leaked the information about the founder to the media and had Lucien and Nate blast it online through discreet channels, it might just trigger the Knights to scurry and try to flee. And if the dragon-shifters and DDA were waiting for them, they could be captured with minimal loss of life.
However, the plan wouldn't be completely free of death since some of the most devoted Knights would go down fighting until they took their last breath. Still, it was better than Stonefire and their allies going in blind and trying to fight their way to a victory.
And her gut said it would work.
So Ivy quickly opened a black document on her laptop and typed up everything Stonefire and the others would need to know to implement her idea. Sure, she planned to phone Sid and the others as soon as possible. But just in case she passed out again before she could share the information—there was always a chance it could happen until she was fully cured—her sending it now would ensure they had it.
As she typed like lives depended on it—which they did—the screen began to swim before her eyes. Shaking her head, she pushed on until she clicked the Send button in her email.
That done, she put her head in her hands and closed her eyes. The pounding in her head was akin to someone hammering her skull, and despite the fact she'd just eaten and had spent the last few hours sitting on a couch, she was lightheaded.
Something was wrong.
Ivy reached for the emergency alert button near the sofa to call either one of the doctors or trusted nurses looking after her. However, before she could reach it, the world went dark.
Chapter Eighteen
Zain sat with Kai, Bram, and Nikki, discussing the email Ivy had sent several of them—a brilliant bit of information that had shifted their plans—when someone knocked on the door and entered.
Jane looked around the room, her expression grim. Kai was the first to ask, "What's wrong, Janey?"
"It's Ivy—she's unconscious."
Standing, Zain barked, "Tell me everything, now."
Jane didn't even raise an eyebrow or scold him, which told him volumes. She replied, "There's not much to tell. Dr. Sid and Gregor are trying to figure out what happened. All I know is that one of the nurses found her unconscious on the floor and barely breathing."
He rushed up to Jane. "Where is Ivy now?"
"Somewhere in the surgery, but Dr. Sid is keeping her location a secret for now."
Ignoring his pounding heart—Zain wouldn't let fear overtake him—he turned to Kai. "I have to go check on her."
"Go. We have this covered."
Not waiting for another word, he raced out of Kai's office, down the corridors, and out of the building.