Bloody fantastic. He was going to spend the next two hours being interrogated.
Wanting to get the ride over with, he moved to the passenger side door but paused to meet Adrian's eyes again. "Call us if anything happens."
"Of course," Adrian answered without missing a beat.
He had no reason to trust the dragonman after such a short time, but his gut said the male would follow through.
Sliding into the car, he quickly buckled his seat belt. Jane and Cal did the same, and they were soon on their way.
Jane didn't waste any time. "So you lost your dragon, but have it again, right?" He grunted. "You're going to have to start giving me more detail than that. Trust me, I can question incessantly until you eventually give in anyway. You've nowhere to run for the next two hours."
He looked at the tall female. "You're fairly demanding for a human."
"Oh, you should meet my mate. He's the head Protector and quite growly. Compared to Kai, you're easy."
Since cooperating would put him in a positive light and give him a better chance of seeing Brenna on Stonefire, he sighed. "Fine, what do you want to know?"
As Jane began her line of questioning, Killian watched the clock. It was going to be a long car ride.
~~~
Adrian Conroy was grateful he hadn't been saddled with the reporter. Her brother had studied him from time to time during the journey to Stonefire, but had said little.
Which made sense. Stonefire no doubt had already pulled every file they could find on him and Cal.
It gave him time to prepare for their arrival. While traveling from one part of the UK to the other was allowed, the DDA often sent inspectors to monitor the interactions. Particularly between two clans who had been at odds, like his and Stonefire. He needed to pull out all his charm and convince the inspector that he wasn't looking for a fight or to cause any trouble.
His dragon spoke up. Your charm may not work. The ones back in Northern Ireland have always been resistant to our charms.
Ah, but it should be an English female. I'm sure I can wax on poetically about our clan and she may fall for it. After all, the DDA is notorious for not sharing information between branches.
I don't know. Ever since the new DDA director was installed, things have changed slowly.
Not too long ago the former director of the DDA had been caught in a scandal that involved murder and imprisonment. Rosalind Abbott took over his place and had made sweeping changes in policy and staff. Most of it had made it to Northern Ireland later than in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Adrian replied, Stop being so pessimistic. We'll do fine.
If you don't hit some of the Stonefire dragons first.
I'm not going to hit them.
So you say.
Ignoring his dragon, Adrian made the final turn. As they drove down the long, single carriageway, he had to admit the peaks and valleys were unlike those back near Northcastle. He loved his home, but the Lake District was beautiful in a different way.
Since Jane Hartley's car was ahead of his, the gates opened automatically and Adrian followed. She pulled off to the side. Rafe finally spoke up. "Park next to her."
It was on the tip of his tongue to make a quip, but Adrian resisted. His top concern was helping the female in the back seat, next to Rafe.
He didn't know Brenna Rossi that well, but no one deserved to be drugged into unconsciousness to avoid a frenzy. Adrian knew that from experience.
Not wanting to think on his past, he shut off the engine and exited the car. He moved to help Rafe, but the male was already out with Brenna in his arms.
A pregnant, somewhat short for a dragon-shifter female with black hair rushed up to Rafe. "Is she all right? Sid's just inside."
Rafe readjusted his grip on Brenna. "I don't know if fine is the right word, Nikki, but she's not in pain. Show me where Sid's waiting."
Killian went to Rafe's side, but the female named Nikki pushed him further away. "I'm sorry, but you need to stay away for now. Our head Protector, Kai, will take you three to a safe location."