"Killian," she admonished.
"What? I thought honesty was another thing women liked."
"Well, I'm going to be honest as well—the doctors don't know what's wrong with you and that's a bit worrisome."
"But I suspect you have several plans in the works?"
"Maybe."
"And?" he prompted.
"I'm still waiting for approval before I share any of them."
"Considering they’re about me, I have a right to know." He paused and added, "You've been forthright with me to date, Brenna. Don't start holding back now."
Emotions warred on her face, as she struggled with what to do. He felt a bit of an arse for questioning her loyalties, but if Brenna started tiptoeing around him, he wasn't sure what he'd do.
Without any ties, it might be easier to leave and start over somewhere else. Then he wouldn't have to worry about what would happen if his memories returned.
Of course, he could also end up unconscious in the middle of the woods and die of exposure.
Brenna sighed. "I can share some of the information, at least. You've been mumbling in your sleep and we've been trying to figure out what they mean."
He frowned. "I didn't think sleep-talking could be used as factual statements."
She rolled her eyes. "I never said that. But sometimes, people mutter useful things in their sleep. And your mutterings ended up being a clue after all. Because when I opened your eyelid, your pupil looked like this."
Flashing a piece of paper toward him, he frowned at the rounded top of the pupil and the bottom, which curved to a point. "What the hell does that mean?"
"I honestly don't know. But I'm working to find out. It's possible that it's related to your inner dragon."
"I think I'd notice if I had a second someone talking inside my head," he stated.
She shook her head. "There are other ways for a dragon to make its presence known. After all, until a dragon-shifter is about six or seven years old, the dragon lurks in the mind and doesn't always come forward."
"Wait, how is that even possible? Your mind hides something from you?"
Brenna huffed. "Look, I'm not a bloody doctor or research scientist. I'm just telling you what I know."
"Let's say you're right, and it's related to this mysterious inner dragon. Does that mean anything?"
"I'm not sure. I'm going to ask some friends of mine for help." Brenna folded the piece of paper and tucked it into a trouser pocket. After quickly checking her mobile phone, she spoke again. "I have a meeting with Teagan soon. After that, I can share more details with you."
"So in the meantime, I just lie here and stare at the ceiling?" he drawled.
Tilting her head, she said, "Instead of complaining, how about making yourself useful?"
"How, exactly? The only thing I was good at since waking up without a memory is lifting heavy objects and kissing you. Right now, I'm unable to do either."
"Are you this infuriating on purpose?"
He shrugged one shoulder. "This is just what comes naturally."
"So, bastard mode is your default. Good to know." Leaning down, she never broke her gaze. "How about you stop belittling yourself and see what you're made of? Lost memory or no, you're intelligent and can figure things out. Use that to help me and your sister."
"How? I don't exactly have top-level clearance."
"Maybe not, but not everything is classified. I have an idea." She picked up a tablet from the nearby side table, tapped it a few times, and turned it toward him. "Let's see how well your memory works for non-personal things. We're trying to figure out how to tighten security against enemies, both living and machine, from ground intrusions as well as ones from the air. See if any weak points jump out at you and we can discuss it when I get back."