The Dragon's Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons 6)

Those words piqued her interest. "I don't keep secrets from Alistair, Meg. So don't ask me to do it, unless it's something on the level of a surprise party or something."

Meg knew the cottage well and went about making some tea. "This has to do with the director of the DDA, as well as my role here. The fewer people who know about what I'm doing, the better, aye? And since you're still technically an employee of the DDA, you have to keep this confidential."

Kiyana didn't like how Meg was spouting off DDA protocols, and yet her curiosity burned to know what exactly Meg did for the DDA.

It was true, she didn't keep secrets from Alistair. However, he had things he worked on that she couldn't know about yet, either. So using that rationale, she bobbed her head. "Okay, I can keep a DDA secret, provided it doesn't involve Alistair himself."

"Och, no, it doesn't involve my lad. I wouldn't ask that of you." The kettle clicked off and she poured the water. "To be honest, this is more about you than anyone else, even me."

She resisted growling, although she was starting to understand why Alistair did it sometimes around his mother. "Then tell me already what you came here to say. You don't like people beating around the bush, and you should give me the same courtesy."

Meg snorted. "You'll do well here, lass. Aye, you'll do." Kiyana raised her brows to remind of her question, and Meg continued, "First, I'll tell you what I do, and then I'll get to the bit about what you can do to help, too."

She resisted a sigh. No amount of browbeating would hurry Meg up, so Kiyana sat at the table in the dining nook. "Then tell me. At this rate, Alistair will be back, and you'll lose your chance."

The older dragonwoman took her mug of tea and sat across from Kiyana. "I mostly watch over the humans living here now, and report back to the DDA director about how they're doing."

Kiyana frowned. "I'm not sure Holly, Gina, or let alone Ross, would appreciate you spying on them."

"Maybe not, but Rosalind Abbott isn't about to let any of the humans suffer quietly, as too many have done in the past. And since I already know almost everything that's going on inside the clan, Finn put me up to it."

"Finn?"

"Aye. You'd think he'd have nominated his own aunt, given how she always claims to know more than I do. However, for whatever reason, he approached me. And since I want to help the clan as much as anyone, I agreed."

Kiyana didn't think Finn's Aunt Lorna would love hearing the truth, but it wasn't Kiyana's place to object. After all, she'd only spent a few months on Lochguard and Finn had lived his whole life here. He would know what was best.

She asked, "So then how am I supposed to help? I'm not big on clandestinely spying on people, or sorting through rumors. No offense, but that's just not who I am. If I'm observing someone, they know it and are usually a participant to a degree."

"No offense taken, lass. No, the director has bigger things planned for you—mainly she wants you to keep researching the Dettifoss Gathering and continue to develop plans and ideas to create a new one within the next few years."

For a few seconds, Kiyana merely stared at Meg. To many, a few years might seem a long time to put together an event. However, it had taken decades or even a century to finally get the dragon-shifters to agree the first time around.

Not to mention she'd have her baby before long, and her free time would be quite a bit less than what she had now.

As if sensing her thoughts, Meg spoke again. "Don't worry, you won't be working alone. That Max lad will help, as will others. Rosalind is testing the waters with her contacts, asking them to also nominate candidates to help research and plan the event."

While normally Kiyana would ask why Meg referred to the DDA director so casually, there were bigger things to worry about. "So she's serious about putting together a similar gathering, then. I didn't think it would rank so highly in her priorities."

Meg sipped her tea. "Aye, it's one of her top priorities. She vowed to change things for the better when she assumed her position, and she's doing her best to fulfill it, even taking steps to ensure her vision can continue if something happens to her. So, will you help, lass? I'm sure if you agree and fill out all the necessary paperwork, you can convince her to let a few select Lochguard people know about your project, including Alistair."

The request was massive. It would take a lot of work and coordination, not to mention Kiyana would have to abandon any other projects, such as writing books or papers.

And yet, to help something so historic become a reality would have a longer lasting effect than anything she could do on her own. It was impossible for her to refuse.

She answered, "Provided I can negotiate Alistair into helping me sometim

es, then yes, I'm up for it."

Meg reached across and took her hand. "I knew you would be, lass. Mothers, even mothers-to-be, often do whatever they can to make the future brighter for their children."

While she knew not all mothers were as dedicated as Meg or even her own, Kiyana was determined to be one. Her little half-dragon-shifter baby deserved the best chance at happiness, which meant living a life with less fear. After all, if the dragon-shifters worked together, they might be able to almost eradicate the dragon hunters and Dragon Knights. Sure, the internet would always exist and give dragon haters a place to gather, but they would cause a lot less damage and pain with fewer resources.

Not to mention that without a fully fledged organization with strong leaders, most plans and threats would never see the light of day.

Kiyana placed her free hand over her lower belly. "It'll not only help my baby, but it'll help so many others, as well."

Alistair had yet to tell his family the details surrounding Rachel and her sickness, let alone his vow to strengthen communication ties between the clans, but it was also true a gathering similar to the one in Dettifoss could help every dragon-shifter on the planet.