Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 8)

Opening it, he began to read. Assuming he knew everything wouldn't do him any good with the Department of Dragon Affairs. After all, if they deemed him a threat, Killian would be locked away, possibly for life. He doubted Bram could stall the interview with the DDA inspector for more than a few days, so he'd have to make the most of the time he had.

Blue piped up. Remember, this is all for Brenna.

Yes, Black added. So don't fuck it up.

He resisted a sigh. I'm not the problem. You two maybe killing each other is.

Black huffed. We'll see. Maybe I can learn to live with him. Not because you asked me, but for Brenna.

Yes, for Brenna, Blue stated. The rest is up to you.

Rather than think on how his dragons had turned the situation around to him being the problem and not them, he blocked their muttering and began to study.

~~~

On her way to Bram's cottage, Brenna tried her best to pack aw

ay her worries. Sid would never willingly put herself and her unborn child in danger, meaning she never would have suggested being alone with Killian unless her gut said it would be all right.

Her dragon spoke up. Stop fussing. I think Killian's dragons hated each other for simply existing. But after the recent episode, I think they're learning to work together.

I hope so.

Besides, you should be happy. Killian is everything Cedric wasn't. He actually cares and thinks about us, without a secondary agenda.

She agreed, but rather than allowing hope to bloom, Brenna slowly forced all emotion from her face and mind. If her future ended up being on Stonefire, she needed to show she was still levelheaded and capable to Bram and Kai. Otherwise, she may spend the rest of her life behind a desk.

Just the thought of spending ten hours a day sitting inside made her shudder. She'd much rather stand watch in five feet of snow each day than endure that existence for forty-plus years.

She arrived at Bram's cottage, but she'd barely rapped a few times before Nikki Gray's smiling face greeted her. "Brenna!" The black-haired, brown-eyed female engulfed her in a hug. "It's good to see you home. There are so few of us female Protectors and I could use you at my side."

Nikki released her and Brenna answered, "More females are in training and should return home from the army before you know it. Much like with me, you're to thank for that."

Shaking her head, Nikki motioned inside. "Don't thank me. If not for Charlie, I never would have thought of signing up. She's the one we owe for the slowly growing female Protector numbers on Stonefire."

Charlie Wells had been Stonefire's first female Protector in decades. She'd died at the hands of dragon hunters, during her assignment to protect Evie Marshall.

Brenna bobbed her head. "She was a fantastic role model, and we need to keep her memory alive. Maybe the Protectors should host an annual seminar in her name, to encourage more females to join up in the future?"

Nikki guided her down the hall. "That's a brilliant idea. If there's ever enough of a lull in attacks or threats to the clan, maybe we can plan the event together. After all, as second-in-command of the Protectors, I have some sway with Kai."

The other dragonwoman winked and Brenna grinned. "And if you get Kai's mate on board, he won't stand a chance."

The door to Bram's office was open, and Kai spoke up from across the room. "I wish people would stop bloody planning things with my mate behind my back. I'm an open-minded bloke after all."

Nikki smiled at her boss. "You are, but it's fun to irritate you now and then. Also, it keeps Jane in the loop."

"Which then leads to trouble," Kai muttered, albeit with love in his eyes.

Bram sat at his desk and raised a hand. "Enough teasing. We have more important things to discuss right now."

Brenna looked at each of the three other people in the room in turn. "Dr. Sid mentioned an assignment, although she didn't elaborate on what. Has something happened that I'm unaware of?"

"As you know, Nikki has taken over the second-in-command role, leaving her old position vacant," Bram stated. "I know your future is uncertain right now, lass, but for the time being, I'd like you to take over daily sweeps and monitoring security disturbances."

She frowned. "I'd be honored, but aren't there other, more qualified Protectors?"

Nikki snorted. "You're more than qualified, Brenna. After all, you pretty much ran Glenlough's Protectors for a short while. If anything, this is almost a demotion."