Fergus growled. “Faye Cleopatra.”
Faye whispered loudly, “You’d better go, Gina, or he might issue an edict he thinks you’ll follow.”
Gina chuckled, but headed toward the door. “See you later.”
Once they were alone, Faye spoke up again. “Grant needs an update on the traitors.”
“So you’re working on that too now, aye?”
“Unless you want an earful, don’t ask for the details.”
Fergus searched her eyes. “If he does anything to hurt you, Faye, tell me. I’ll straighten it out.”
Knowing her brother and his overprotectiveness, Faye merely forced a smile rather than waste time arguing. “The information, Fergus?”
He went to his desk and opened his laptop. “There’s not much, I’m afraid. While everyone remembers the battle near the Elgin NHS hospital, not many people have seen flying dragons in other parts of Scotland. The traitors must be hiding somewhere in their human forms.”
Faye plopped down in the chair in front of Fergus’s desk. “There are only so many places to hide for such a long period of time and not be noticed. Do you have a shortlist?”
“Aye, but why are you so keen? Grant didn’t enlist you as a tracker, did he? You’re strong, but not quite at full fighting strength”
Fergus’s doubt went straight to her heart, but Faye kept her face neutral to hide it. “My job is to get as much information as possible. You’re one source, but I have others.” She put out a hand. “Hand over the list.”
Picking up a piece of paper, Fergus searched her eyes. “Just be careful, Faye. We nearly lost you once, and you might not be as lucky next time.”
She snatched the piece of paper out of his hands and stood. “The accident and resulting injury weren’t my fault. No one knew the Dragon Knights would have electric blast guns that could take a dragon out of the sky. And when it comes to work, I’m always careful.”
Before Fergus could say another word, Faye marched out of his office and scanned the shortlist. She desperately wanted to check out a few places on her own, but her duty to the clan was stronger.
Still, as she exited Fergus’s house and headed back to the Protectors’ central command building, Faye had an idea. All she needed to do was convince Grant to go along with it.
~~~
Grant left the central command building and headed toward the rear landing area. Since he was waiting for information and didn’t have any appointments for an hour, he would take the time to fly and burn off some of his excess energy.
His beast was free again and asked, And why is that?
You bloody well know why.
Yes, but I want you to admit seeing Faye and working with her but not kissing her will be difficult. Maybe then you’ll see things my way.
As he debated answering or not, he turned a corner and smacked into Faye MacKenzie.
Out of instinct, he reached out to steady her, but unlike with anyone else, he didn’t release her shoulders. The rational part of his mind said it was so she didn’t run away, but his dragon merely snorted and said, It’s because you don’t want to let go.
It didn’t help that he wanted nothing more than to stroke the skin under his fingers and watch her eyes flash.
Clearing his throat, he asked, “Are you all right?”
“Grant McFarland, bumping into you isn’t going to break any bones.” She poked his chest. “You are being far too nice. Tell me what’s going on.” He opened his mouth to reply, but she beat him to it. “And something is going on. You’ve always told me the truth before, even if I didn’t like it. Don’t change that now.”
He studied the sprinkling of freckles on her nose before meeting her eyes. “In certain cases, the truth can be destructive.”
“Okay, now I’m more than merely curious. If you want the information I have from Fergus, then you’d better start talking.”
“Withholding information from a superior? That doesn’t sound like you.”
She raised her chin. “When it’s just you and me, there is no superior.”