Thanks to it being early summer, the sun set late. That would work to Lochguard’s advantage. Large groups could easily be spotted. If there were enemies, they definitely were moving in small groups under the cover of the trees.
I can’t wait to hear an update from Cooper, Faye said to her dragon.
We’re nearly there.
The landscape below told her they would arrive in a few minutes.
Ignoring the growing ache in her wing, Faye tried to tamp down her excitement. Not for the threat to the clan, but rather at seeing Finn and Arabella’s children. She’d loved being auntie to wee Jamie and looked forward to putting ideas into the heads of Finn’s kids. She could then sit back and watch it play out.
Her dragon spoke up again. You might want to be careful. Whatever you do to the others’ children, they will retaliate with our own.
Faye’s wings missed a beat. You’re getting ahead of yourself, dragon. I haven’t even kissed Grant. Let’s see how that goes before you start plotting out our future.
A kiss is all it will take. I hope you remember that.
She was about to reply when Faye noticed a quick, bright flash of light in one section of the Naver Forest. Since the forest was partially along the Strathnaver Trail, which was a series of stops related to local history, the light could’ve been a camera flash. But Faye wasn’t taking any chances.
Gliding down, she scanned the road for parked cars or motorcycles. There weren’t any.
That most likely ruled out tourists.
Faye wanted nothing more than to land, shift into her human form, and check out the light herself. But she wasn’t naïve. Since no one knew her exact location, she needed to land on Lochguard and set things in motion there.
She turned and quickly flew across Loch Naver toward Lochguard’s rear landing area.
Grant was already on the ground in his human form when she arrived. He spotted her in the air, moved to the edge, and Faye slowed her descent until her hind legs touched the ground.
Imagining her snout shrinking into a nose, her wings disappearing into her back, and her limbs changing into arms and legs, she soon stood in her human form. Grant strode over with a blanket he’d snatched from somewhere. He quickly laid it over her shoulders and said, “I didn’t see anything. For a second, I thought someone was swimming in the loch, but whatever it was dove down and remained there far too long for a human.”
“Unless they’re using scuba gear.”
“Aye, that’s true. We’ll keep an eye on it. If so, they won’t have enough air to stay down there too long and will have to emerge. I can send a few of the younger Protectors to take a cold swim and investigate.” He rearranged the blanket until it better covered her body. “What about you, lass?”
“I saw a flash of light in the forest. It could be a strong camera flash or it could be something else. I think we need to send a team over there to investigate, too.”
“After we check in with Cooper, I’ll send a team.” Grant paused a second before adding, “If you have some candidates in mind to check the forest, we can use them.”
Grant was yet again sharing his role with her.
Pushing aside her curiosity as to whether he would continue to share his responsibilities or not, she nodded toward the central command building. “Let’s hurry. If there is someone out there, they might’ve seen my dragon form. If we give them too much time, we might lose them.”
Grant nodded, and they both hurried toward the most fortified building on Lochguard.
~~~
Grant waited for Cooper to finish his report before saying, “I wish there was a better way to confirm there isn’t a large group of drones waiting to attack.”
Cooper replied, “We don’t have the funds for the expensive radar that can detect them. However, there hasn’t been any sign so far. And given that you and Faye just flew in, which would’ve been a perfect time to attack, we should be safe for the moment.”
Faye asked, “Any word from the DDA?”
“They received our concerns, but until we have proof, there’s nothing they will do,” Cooper answered. “Dragon-shifters have received threats for centuries. Besides, they don’t even take all of the threats towards their employees seriously. I doubt ours will receive any more attention without an attack or some other proof.”
Uncrossing his arms, Grant stood tall. “Aye, well we can look after ourselves for the time being. Send the two teams to investigate the forest and the loch before the sun sets.”
Cooper nodded. “Of course. Once you see Finn and check with Arabella, come find me. There are a few other ideas I’d like to share.”
Grant studied Cooper a second. The male had so far proved himself in a tense situation. Grant needed to delegate more to the dragonman in the future. “We shouldn’t be long. I’ll have my mobile if anything comes up.”