Since the surgery was mostly soundproofed, Layla first dismissed the faint roars coming from the open doorway. Sometimes the Protectors did drills, both with each other and occasionally with Protectors from Stonefire in the North of England. It wasn't completely out of the ordinary.
She'd only just gotten her sister to sleep—Phillip, too, by setting up a bed right next to Yasmin's so they could lay together—and didn't want to wake her unnecessarily.
However, the instant Sid appeared in the doorway with one of the deepest frowns she'd ever seen on the dragonwoman, both female and beast knew something was wrong. "What happened?"
"I had to sedate and move Aimee to another location, there was no choice with all the commotion."
She quickly tamped down her worry for the female. There was nothing she could do until Aimee woke up anyway. "I sense there's more to that story, Sid."
Sid motioned into the hallway. Layla complied. Once she shut the door, she turned back to the dragonwoman. "What happened?"
"Several wings of dragons appeared in the sky, roaring nonstop. It was too much for Aimee, and she crumbled to the ground in hysterics. Once she was sedated, Holly suggested we move her to stay with Cat MacAllister temporarily."
Since Cat had been visiting Aimee twice a week and trying some art therapy, it was a good choice. Aimee knew the female well enough to not completely shut herself off again.
However, as much as Aimee being safe was important, something else made her stomach heavy. Even though Layla had a feeling she knew the answer, she still asked, "Which dragons are they?"
"No one has confirmed it, but we suspect they're from Iran."
Layla looked to the closed door and straightened the sleeves of her lab coat. "They can't know. Not yet. They're both in delicate conditions and need rest, not additional stress."
"Of course. But if the mysterious dragons are from Iran, they'll have to talk to them eventually."
"Maybe it won't come to that. Finn could negotiate a truce."
"Perhaps, but you can't keep them in the dark forever, Layla. You know that."
She did, but still, the urge to protect her younger sister hit full force. After all, Layla had failed to do that for the last five years, and she vowed to never let that happen again.
Her dragon raised her head to speak, but Chase turned down the corner and skidded to a halt next to her. If the dragons were from Iran, he'd probably know by now.
One glance at her face, and he grimaced. "You've heard about the Iranian dragons."
"So it is them, then."
He took one of her hands, his touch helping to ground her a wee bit more. He nodded. "Yes, and it gets worse. A few of them changed into their human forms and are demanding to talk with Yasmin's family. So unless you want your parents to speak for her, you need to come with me to the Protector's main security building straight away."
The thought of her parents apologizing and speaking for Yasmin—a daughter they hadn't cared enough about to visit after a five-year absence—made Layla want to extend her talons and hurt someone.
And she never hurt anyone. But for once she was tempted if it meant keeping her sister safe on Lochguard.
Chase strummed her thumb on the back of her hand, and she met his gaze as he said, "You know Finn won't simply hand her over, no matter what your parents say. Yasmin's an adult and can make her own choices."
Layla let out a long breath. "I know. However, I'm not sure how level-headed I'll remain when I see my parents, especially if they try to disparage Yasmin in any way."
He stepped an inch closer, his gaze fierce. "If you can remain calm when dozens of dragon-shifters are injured in an attack, you can do this. I can sit in if you wish." He glanced at Sid, and then back to her. "You know what future I want."
He was talking of being mates.
The rational side of her brain said it was all too soon. They should wait longer before making any sort of announcement. Especially since there hadn't been a frenzy yet, either.
Her dragon finally rose its head and said, You were afraid of him backing away without the frenzy, and now you're using the excuse?
She hesitated. Layla could handle her parents and the Iranian dragons if need be. And yet, having Chase by her side would make it easier. Especially if Azar Samadi held the views of his father, meaning the males had the final say in family-related matters. That much she remembered from the negotiations five years ago.
However, if she took this step, there would be no going back. A month ago, that would've scared her. But as Chase stared at her, his warm hand holding hers, she couldn't imagine being without him. So she touched his cheek and said, "Aye, you're my future mate. So of course you'll sit with me."
If Sid was surprised, she didn't show it. The dragonwoman grunted. "Then go. I'll hold down the fort here. Come find me when you have a chance. We still haven't had that chat."