Chapter 12
Brad didn’t bother to argue. It was clear that neither Lyrian, nor her brothers, could see the reality of it. Maybe it was because they didn’t know humans, didn’t really recognise how persistent they could be. Or maybe it was simply because they didn’t want to believe it. Either way, he didn’t have time to convince them.
He was painfully aware that all this had already been recorded on tape or logged on a computer somewhere. Even if the police left, this area would forever be down on record as a possible place to find dragons.
And it was becoming more and more clear that dragons couldn’t completely hide their existence for much longer.
The only option was for them to convince the police that they had it wrong. That they were on a wild goose chase, and there were no dragons here.
Brad glanced over at his brother, wondering if this dragon speech thing worked on anyone but his mate. And if he could talk to someone else without her hearing. He had no idea how it all worked, and very little time to find out.
“Nate?” he thought at his brother. “How’d your mating go?”
If Lyrian overheard that, she would think nothing of it, but she didn’t even turn in his direction. She was talking to Taurian about how long he thought it would take the Trima dragon to arrive.
“Like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.” Nate’s dragon voice sounded amused, but his eyes were narrowed and fixed on Brad’s.
Brad took a deep breath. Either this was going to work, or it wasn’t. “You up for an adventure?”
“Anytime, you know that,” Nate said promptly. “What did you have in mind?”
Brad hesitated, but Lyrian was intent on her conversation. She was distracted for now, but they wouldn’t have long. “The dragon’s plan isn’t going to work and they can’t see that. We need to get out of here and talk those police into leaving.”
“I agree,” Nate said swiftly. “If we can get to that tunnel, we should be able to walk back around to the cars. We can tell them… tell them we got lost or something.”
Brad was relieved Nate was on the same page. He watched as his brother turned to his mate and communicated with her silently.
For a moment, Brad felt a spike of jealousy, that he could share what he was doing with his mate and have her accept it. But he reminded himself that the only reason Lyrian was objecting was that she was afraid of losing him. Unlike Nate and Kyrian, they’d had a very rocky start to their relationship. He shouldn’t blame her.
“Let’s go,” Nate said. Then he paused. “Do you have any idea how to find that tunnel?”
“No, but I have a good idea who does.”
Lyrian was so intent on her discussion with Taurian that she didn’t notice him and Nate slipping away. Once they were out of the main cavern, Brad and Nate hurried down one of the side tunnels where Brad had seen Ostrian disappear.
Trouble was, the area was a maze of tunnels, with rooms coming off each one. Dragons slept in these rooms, and Brad didn’t want to risk waking them. How was he supposed to find the old dragon?
What was the distance on this dragon voice anyway? Was there any way he could contact Ostrian with it?
Worth a try.
Brad focused on the old dragon, picturing him in his mind, then he thought the words. “Ostrian?”
There was a long silence. Just as Brad was beginning to think it hadn’t worked, a grumpy voice filled his mind. “What do you want?”
Brad thought he caught an echo of a voice, something about humans not understanding proper etiquette, but it was gone before he could catch hold of it. It didn’t matter anyway. He didn’t need the old dragon to like him, just to help him. And he was pretty sure he would.
“I need you to tell me where the tunnel is.”
Another long silence. “Why?” Ostrian asked eventually. “You wouldn’t be planning on disobeying the princes and princess, would you?”
Brad hesitated. Had he made a mistake in coming to the grumpy elder? He’d been sure he would be willing to help them. He hadn’t counted on him being a rule follower.
“I won’t be disobeying them,” Brad said firmly. “I’m one of them. Mating with Lyrian made me a prince.” His certainty wavered a little. “Didn’t it?”
Ostrian appeared in the hallway ahead of them, scrutinising them for a few moments. Brad had the uncomfortable feeling he was being judged and hoped he hadn’t made the wrong call. But he’d work it out somehow, he always did.
That thought gave him the confidence to say, “Are you going to help us or not?”
He spoke out loud without thinking, his voice echoing in the rocky hallway. Brad winced, and glanced at the doorways nearby, but nothing moved.
Ostrian strode down the passageway until he was close to them. “You are planning on giving yourself up to the humans?” he demanded, though he kept his voice low.
Brad nodded. “You’re right,” he said, hoping to play to the old man’s vanity. “The life dragon will never get here in time. This is the only way to keep the clan safe.”
Ostrian’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”
His question surprised Brad. He would have thought the answer was obvious. “Because it’s the only way to keep Lyrian and Anarian safe.”
“You love them enough that you are prepared to sacrifice your freedom for them?” Ostrian demanded, his voice disbelieving.
“Of course,” Brad said simply.
Ostrian looked to Nate. “You as well?”
Nate nodded, his expression determined. “Kyrian has already gone through so much, she doesn’t need more to deal with. I want her to be happy, no matter what it takes.”
Ostrian stared at them both for a long moment, while Brad held his breath. Finally, he nodded. “I’ll help you then. The tunnel is this way.”
Brad and Nate followed him through the maze of tunnels, having to walk quickly to keep up. He was quite spry for an old man.
“It’s just down here,” Ostrian said, turning one last corner.
“And just what do you think you’re doing?” a voice said, as they turned the corner to come face to face with Aunt Mary.
Frustration welled up in Brad. So close.
“Get out of my way, I’m on important, dragon business,” Ostrian said brusquely.
Brad winced. From what he’d seen of Aunt Mary (whose aunt was she anyway?), he didn’t think that was going to work.
He was right.
She put her hands on her hips and glared at all of them. “Since neither Taurian nor Verrian are here, I’m going to guess that whatever you’re doing doesn’t have their approval. Meaning it isn’t important, dragon business, it’s unsanctioned, probably troublesome business.”
Brad hid a grin. Normally, he would have agreed with Aunt Mary’s assumption. Just not right now.
“I asked for Ostrian’s help,” he said firmly. “While I have the utmost respect for Taurian and Verrian and their decisions, in this case, they’re wrong. The police have brought in sniffer dogs, and they’re going to find our scent in no time at all. If Nate and I don’t get out there and put them off the trail, there’s going to be no hiding the dragon lair. And I don’t need to tell you what a disaster that will be.”
Aunt Mary stared at him, her lips pursed.
Brad held his breath, trying not to shift impatiently. Every minute she delayed him, the police were one step closer to finding the lair. This whole thing could be in vain if they didn’t get a move on.
“And just what do your mates think of that?” she asked eventually, one eyebrow raised.
“Kyrian has no problem with it,” Nate said promptly. “She understands sacrifice for the clan.”
Brad said nothing, hoping she would take Nate’s answer.
Of course, she didn’t. “And what about Lyrian?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Sometimes these princes and princesses don’t know what’s good for them,” Ostrian interrupted. “That’s why the elders need to step in.”
Aunt Mary held up a hand in Ostrian’s direction and looked at Brad. “I was asking you.”
Brad heaved a sigh. “Lyrian is afraid of losing me,” he said softly. “She can’t see past that. I don’t want to hurt her, but I have to protect her and Anarian. If anything were to happen to them, if they are discovered by humans, I’d never forgive myself.”
He held his breath. That was the best he had. He just hoped it was enough.
Aunt Mary stared at all of them for a few moments, then gave one, sharp nod. “I’ll help you then.”
There was no time to spare. Brad hurried down the tunnel with the others, hoping there were no more roadblocks, or tunnelblocks in this case, to their exit. A guard waited at the end of the tunnel, of course, but he was only a minor warrior. Ostrian’s authority, combined with Brad’s, were enough to make him step aside, even if he did look uncertain.
Brad stared out at the bushland, trying to get his bearings.
“Turn right and follow the cliff face along until you get to the clearing,” Ostrian instructed him. The grumpy elder paused for a moment, then added gruffly, “And be careful.”
Brad stared at him in disbelief. It was the nicest thing he’d ever seen the old dragon say to anyone.
“That princess will be unbearable to be around if anything happens to you,” Ostrian added defensively. “She might even eat me.”
Brad stared at him for a moment, wondering if he’d just made a joke. It seemed unlikely, and yet…
He nodded. “Thank you.” He turned to Nate. “Let’s do this.”