By the next morning, Jamie Wolfe had arrived. Their little band, now one stronger, gathered in Dakota’s room over a McDonald’s breakfast. She wasn’t sure that a dozen Egg McMuffins would fill everyone up. Mostly because of Walker. Rats, it appeared, were hollow and could eat forever.
Jamie looked like Owen Jackson’s brother. Lithe, more slender than Michael, with rakish brown hair and emerald eyes. If he was injured, she couldn’t tell. He moved with a Dragon’s preternatural grace and ease.
“Well,” Tess said, “can we do anything with the curse tablet now that we have it?”
“No,” Dakota replied. “We tried last night. I can’t contact Megaera through it. Seems like she’s fully in the world now.”
“And devouring the rest of the Flight.” Michael tossed half of his sandwich aside. Immediately Walker pounced on it and popped it in his mouth.
“I do think Maya’s right: we can call her off. When I spoke to her she considered it – but got ticked off because I didn’t bring her any gifts.”
“Presents it is, then,” Michael said. “Okay, new plan. Tess, you need to grab more wine and, uh, Twinkies.”
The Adanai saluted. “Warrior Shopping Princess, at your command!”
“If we can’t contact Megaera out here, we have to sneak into the Wellspring this morning.”
Walker, busy scraping cheese bits off the sandwich wrappers, paused long enough to protest. “Easier to sneak at night.”
“The Flight may not live that long.”
“True,” the Rat sighed, “and there ain’t no use ‘rescuing’ dead people. But Dragon’s don’t sneak well, neither.”
“Jamie and I won’t be sneaking. We’ll be attacking the Fangs at the Stiles’ Farm.”
Tess pursed her lips. “I thought we agreed that wasn’t a good plan.”
“It isn’t.” Michael’s grim smile sent a chill down Dakota’s back. “But it’s a great distraction. We should be able to draw everyone away from the Wellspring.”
He was willing to be a ‘distraction’? To trust others to do the true work? Dakota’s heart swelled with pride. That was the mark of a real leader! “While you do that, I can talk to Megaera in safety.”
“No.”
And, just as quickly as that, he booted her off the team. “What! Why? No, don’t tell me. I know.” Her cheeks burned as she rose to her feet. “You still don’t trust me.”
“Dakota, wait.” He caught her and pulled her close, his strong arms wrapping around her. A prison she neither could (nor wanted) to escape. “I do trust you. But it’s too dangerous.”
“It’s my fault. I need to fix this.”
“You’re my Mate. You can’t ask me to send you into danger. I should be protecting you.”
Tess watched them, eyes sparkling. “Okay, hate to break up the cute argument…” Michael’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “…but who else can do it?”
“Walker is our best spy.”
“Oh hell no!” the Rat wailed. “Tell me we ain’t goin’ back to the ‘send the Rat in’ plan.”
“He’s also a man,” Dakota countered, “and Megaera focuses on women.”
“Not exclusively. She also avenges wronged families.”
“And you lot ain’t my kin!” Walker squeaked. “I am no relation of Dragons!”
A point that even Michael couldn’t argue against. “Tess then. She’s a woman.”
“Michael.” Dakota hugged him back, laying her cheek on his shoulder. “Megaera knows me. She called me her ‘petitioner’ and volunteered to avenge my death. We don’t even know if she’ll talk to Tess.”
He stood silent, refusing to melt in her embrace.
“We only get one shot at this. Let me do it.”
“Dakota, you’re my Mate…”
“We’re a team. We should work together. Besides,” she squeezed him tight, “if something happens to me, you’ll know. And you’ll be close.”
Despite all her logic and persuasion, the urge to protect her was too great. His Dragon simply would not let him allow her to take this risk. Light burned in his eyes, an angry, fiery blaze. Yet as he gazed down at her eager face, Michael sighed and shut his eyes.
When he opened them again, that light had vanished. He, not his Dragon, was in charge.
“Okay. Jamie and I are the bait. Tess, you’re with the Wellspring team in case we don’t pull all the guards away. Walker, can you get the women to the Wellspring safely?”
“Probably.”
“Probably?” he rumbled. “That’s not good enough.”
“Awright then.” The Rat snorted. “Kin I git them in? Hell yeah! No problem whatsoever.”
“That’s better.”
Walker rolled his eyes. “Sorry, boss. Didn’t realize I was supposed to be lying there.”
They all laughed. Even Michael smiled reluctantly.