know how his
magic works and it would’ve taken intimate contact with you for him to save my
mate’s life.”
I drew in a shaky breath. I’d hoped no one knew about that.
His compassionate eyes caught my gaze. “It’s nothing to be
ashamed of and I’ll be forever grateful that you agreed to help him when he
asked. From watching the two of you interact that night, up to that point, I
know you have feelings for him, but I also know you weren’t ready to take that
step. The problem is, the two of you did take that step and Rook will never
forget it. He can’t go back to the way things were between you before that
night on my terrace and you’re unable or unwilling to move forward. So that
leaves him in a state of limbo that’s tearing him up inside.”
I blew out a breath and hung my head in my hands. “It’s
complicated.”
“I’m sure it is and it’s none of my business. I simply
wanted you to know how all this is affecting him. Rook has been a part of my
life since the day I was born, and that was a very long time ago. He’s been my
mentor and friend, and he will always be my protector, my Guardian. He means a
lot to me and I’d like to see him happy again one day soon,” Dragon told me
with his love for his friend vibrating in his voice.
I scrubbed my hands over my face and looked at Dragon. “I’ll
see what I can do; I don’t want him to suffer either.”
A small smile curved Dragon’s lips and he said quietly, “Thank
you, that’s all I can ask of you. Now, the second time you were on my terrace
for the gathering do you remember us mentioning a council?”
“Yes, I believe Rook said it was going to fall. I didn’t
understand the significance of that but it seemed to have all of you pretty
upset.”
“True.” He leaned back on the sofa and explained, “The
council was comprised of leaders from the different supernatural races and was
charged with two things, keeping peace in our world and hiding our existence
from humans. Garrek, who you knew as Senator Mitchell was head of that council
because he was the only one powerful enough to keep the other councilors in
line. When he died the council died with him.
The supernatural world has always been divided between those
who want to protect humans and keep our existence secret and those who believe
humans should be enslaved or hunted like prey animals. Without the council to
intervene tension between the two sides will continue to escalate as disputes
are settled with violence instead of diplomacy.”
“Which side of that line do you fall on?” I asked
cautiously.
Dragon scowled at me and leaned forward. “I believe that
openly preying on humans or trying to subjugate them would lead to a war we
couldn’t possibly win. Humans would eventually wipe us out with their
technology and overwhelming numbers. But even if that weren’t true, I have
always fought for humans because I think they should be allowed to live their
lives in peace. We may be stronger and faster, but in my mind that does not
necessarily make us superior. Unfortunately, not many supernaturals feel the way
I do.”
I met his eyes and told him honestly, “I apologize if I
offended you, that wasn’t my intention.”
He nodded then said, “You’ve had a lot to take in and it’s
understandable that you might have doubts about me and my people. Let me assure
you though, this resort was built as a safe haven for anyone in need of
protection and our doors will always be open to you and your family.
“Thank you, that’s very generous of you.”
“Now, I don’t want to keep you too long but I did want to
inform you that the murders you’re investigating are being committed by Travali
and his vampires.” Red flames flared in Dragon’s eyes for a second and I leaned
back fighting the urge to run from the room screaming.
When he got control of himself again he continued, “I won’t
go into all the details, but this is not the first time we’ve been at war
magic works and it would’ve taken intimate contact with you for him to save my
mate’s life.”
I drew in a shaky breath. I’d hoped no one knew about that.
His compassionate eyes caught my gaze. “It’s nothing to be
ashamed of and I’ll be forever grateful that you agreed to help him when he
asked. From watching the two of you interact that night, up to that point, I
know you have feelings for him, but I also know you weren’t ready to take that
step. The problem is, the two of you did take that step and Rook will never
forget it. He can’t go back to the way things were between you before that
night on my terrace and you’re unable or unwilling to move forward. So that
leaves him in a state of limbo that’s tearing him up inside.”
I blew out a breath and hung my head in my hands. “It’s
complicated.”
“I’m sure it is and it’s none of my business. I simply
wanted you to know how all this is affecting him. Rook has been a part of my
life since the day I was born, and that was a very long time ago. He’s been my
mentor and friend, and he will always be my protector, my Guardian. He means a
lot to me and I’d like to see him happy again one day soon,” Dragon told me
with his love for his friend vibrating in his voice.
I scrubbed my hands over my face and looked at Dragon. “I’ll
see what I can do; I don’t want him to suffer either.”
A small smile curved Dragon’s lips and he said quietly, “Thank
you, that’s all I can ask of you. Now, the second time you were on my terrace
for the gathering do you remember us mentioning a council?”
“Yes, I believe Rook said it was going to fall. I didn’t
understand the significance of that but it seemed to have all of you pretty
upset.”
“True.” He leaned back on the sofa and explained, “The
council was comprised of leaders from the different supernatural races and was
charged with two things, keeping peace in our world and hiding our existence
from humans. Garrek, who you knew as Senator Mitchell was head of that council
because he was the only one powerful enough to keep the other councilors in
line. When he died the council died with him.
The supernatural world has always been divided between those
who want to protect humans and keep our existence secret and those who believe
humans should be enslaved or hunted like prey animals. Without the council to
intervene tension between the two sides will continue to escalate as disputes
are settled with violence instead of diplomacy.”
“Which side of that line do you fall on?” I asked
cautiously.
Dragon scowled at me and leaned forward. “I believe that
openly preying on humans or trying to subjugate them would lead to a war we
couldn’t possibly win. Humans would eventually wipe us out with their
technology and overwhelming numbers. But even if that weren’t true, I have
always fought for humans because I think they should be allowed to live their
lives in peace. We may be stronger and faster, but in my mind that does not
necessarily make us superior. Unfortunately, not many supernaturals feel the way
I do.”
I met his eyes and told him honestly, “I apologize if I
offended you, that wasn’t my intention.”
He nodded then said, “You’ve had a lot to take in and it’s
understandable that you might have doubts about me and my people. Let me assure
you though, this resort was built as a safe haven for anyone in need of
protection and our doors will always be open to you and your family.
“Thank you, that’s very generous of you.”
“Now, I don’t want to keep you too long but I did want to
inform you that the murders you’re investigating are being committed by Travali
and his vampires.” Red flames flared in Dragon’s eyes for a second and I leaned
back fighting the urge to run from the room screaming.
When he got control of himself again he continued, “I won’t
go into all the details, but this is not the first time we’ve been at war
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