The Dragon Guardian (Lochguard Highland Dragons 2)

Finn gave a shake of his head. “Not here. Come. This needs to be discussed in private.” Finn looked at his kin. “Although you lot can come, too, if Fergus and Gina allow it.”

Gina spoke before Fergus. “It’s fine with me. I’ve had to keep too many secrets as of late.” She looked up at Fergus. “I hope that’s okay.”

Fergus kissed her nose. “Of course.” Her dragonman looked to Finn. “Just hurry up and take us somewhere we can talk.”

Arabella walked a few paces and tugged Finn’s hand. “Let’s take them back here.”

As the entire MacKenzie and Stewart brood followed Arabella’s lead, Gina blinked to stop crying. No matter Finn’s news, it wouldn’t ruin the love and happiness running through her body. Her child would grow up among honorable dragon-shifters. Little Mac-squared would never turn out like his biological father; she’d make sure of that.

Arabella tugged open the door to a small building that sat about fifteen feet from the great hall. It was brick with two small windows. Judging by the moss and vines crawling up the side, it hadn’t been used in some time.

One by one they filed inside. A giant hearth took up the far side. Several brick ovens were built into the fireplace. While empty of furniture, Gina had an idea of what the building was. “This used to be the kitchen for the great hall.”

Finn nodded. “Aye, back before we installed a modern one in the hall.” He pulled Arabella to his side. “These days, it’s used for private moments.”

Arabella smiled as she hit his side. “Now we’ll have to find somewhere else.”

Finn winked. “Good thing we have a long list of locations.”

Fergus cleared his throat. “Cousin, tell us the news or I may have to pummel you.”

Lorna clicked her tongue. “Fergus is right. Save your amorous escapades for later. Why are we here, Finlay Bruce Stewart?”

Finn’s gaze moved to Gina. “It has to do with the results of your blood tests, lass.”

Gina frowned. “Why? What did they show?”

Finn answered, “A mixture of human and dragon-shifter DNA.”

She blinked. “I don’t understand. My parents are human. Even if my mum had a dalliance with a dragon-shifter, I’d have an inner dragon since dragon-shifter DNA is always dominant. And I don’t have one.”

Arabella jumped in. “Finn is being overly dramatic. The mixture is normal for a human who has been injected with dragon’s blood at some point in their lives. Are you sure no one in your family was a sacrifice and used it to save your life?”

Gina shook her head. “No. My whole family, except for my sister, hates dragon-shifters. All of my cousins are human, too.”

Fergus spoke up. “Then the only logical explanation is your parents purchased dragon’s blood from the black market, probably before you were old enough to remember.”

Gina frowned. “I don’t understand. Let’s say my parents did as you said. Why wouldn’t they tell me?”

Fergus answered, “A lot of humans are prejudiced against anything to do with the sacrifice system, which includes being injected with a dragon’s healing blood. They wanted you to be free from scorn.”

In that moment, her parents’ past actions made sense. “For years, they did everything in their power to vilify dragon-shifters. When I still became fascinated, my mom tried even harder to make me hate dragons.” She looked down at Jamie. “Despite everything, I still ended up tainted by association.”

Lorna moved in front of her and lifted her chin. “Not tainted, lass. You’re blessed.”

Gina asked, “But how?”

Holly answered. “Because I have a feeling being injected at a young age with dragon’s blood is the reason you had such an easy birth with wee Jamie. We might be able to try injections with other humans and see how it works.”

Lorna looked to Holly. “Aye, starting with you, Holly MacKenzie.”

“How did you—” Holly started.

Lorna cut her off. “I may be middle-aged, but my sense of smell is just as keen as when I was a young lass. You reek of Fraser.”

Fraser growled. “Mum.”

Lorna smiled. “Not in a bad way.” She looked back to Gina. “Thanks to you, my other daughter-in-law might have a greater chance of living a long life, surrounded by a horde of children.”