Revealing the Dragons (Stonefire Dragons #2.5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

talking with each in turn.
    Despite the wide-eyed looks and fidgeting of the humans, any one of them could be carrying a weapon. All it would take was a good actor to fool the Protectors.
    However, with the distance and two of the most senior Protectors watching them, Tristan was satisfied he could move Mel in safety. If any of them tried to pull a gun, Tristan would have time enough to shift. A stray bullet didn’t stand a chance against a dragon’s hide.
    Tristan hugged his mate close and looked back to his leader just as Bram was ordering, “Don’t tell Evie about the scratch or she’ll find a way out here, Mel.”
    Melanie sighed. “Fine. But she’ll find out sooner or later.”
    Bram gave a wry smile. “Aye, and I’ll have hell to pay. I can handle it.” Bram looked to Tristan. “We really should go now. I can escort you to the gate, but not all the way to your cottage. I’m needed here.”
    Tristan nodded. “Right, then let’s go.”
    As they made their way to the front gates, Tristan’s dragon spoke up. I have memorized the faces of the threats. We can hunt them later.
    No. I’m a teacher, not a soldier.
    I don’t care. If another threat appears, I will fight you and take control.
    From his inner beast’s tone, Tristan knew his dragon wasn’t making idle threats. There will be no more threats. I will take our family to safety.
    His dragon grunted. She will never agree to that.
    That doesn’t mean I won’t try.
    Tristan tightened his grip on Mel’s shoulder. When she looked up at him in question, he shook his head. He would fight the battle with his mate in private.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
    Mel leaned against her mate the entire way home. His body was nearly as tense as hers, not that she could blame him.
    Tristan would care nothing for his own safety. The tension was for her.
    While a part of her loved him for his protectiveness, the rest of her wanted to sigh. A big fight was coming. Both man and beast didn’t like threats to her life. Knowing her mate as she did, he would want to lock her away until everything was safe again.
    Melanie didn’t have that kind of time. There was a small window between the attack at the press conference and the various media outlets putting their own spin on both her book and the shooters. She needed to find a way to sway stronger support to her side.
    An idea popped into her head, but she pushed it aside. She may want to change the world, but she wasn’t about to exploit any of her friends to do it.
    Try as she might, Mel still hadn’t thought of a different idea by the time they reached the door to their house. At the sight of the two-story stone cottage, the attack and ideas of change faded and all Mel could think of was seeing her babies.
    Rushing through the door past Evie and Samira, she raced into the living room and picked up her son. As she hugged the light, warm bundle to her chest and breathed in his baby-powder scent, Evie moved next to her. “Bram sent me a text, something about a shooting at the press conference. I pressed him for details, but haven’t received a reply. What the hell happened?”
    Since Tristan would embellish the danger, Mel recounted what happened minus Bram’s wound, just like she’d promised.
    Frowning, Evie crossed her arms over her chest. “I knew something like this would happen. I tried to persuade Bram to reach out and obtain permission to hold the press conference on Stonefire.”
    Opening her mouth, Tristan beat Mel to it. “That would’ve been even more dangerous. What if one of the shooters had slipped away? He or she could’ve gone after the young.”
    Evie was just as fierce with her reply. “I’m not daft, Tristan. They would’ve been subject to searches and pat downs.”
    Sensing a powder keg about to explode, Mel moved between them. “Stop it, you two. Not only will your shouting wake the babies, it’s pointless. The press conference is over and done with. Now, we need to think of the