Page 21 of Dragon 7

"I don't care about that, I want you safe —"

"I'm with your mother's people. I'm safer than anyone can be."

I stopped breathing. My mind spun. I had to shake my head to get it back in order. "What?"

"I'm with your mother’s people, and we have started a new ritual that will give you control of your dragon-shadow. We just need you here to finish it. This won't take too long. Yoichi is outside in the back waiting for you. He’ll bring you to me and then I’ll leave the island."

What the fuck?

The corridor blurred at the edges of my vision.

My mother's people.

"Tora. . ."

"Do you trust me?"

I closed my eyes for a fraction of a second. "Yes."

"Then, hurry so you can win this war."

The line clicked dead.

I opened my eyes, lowered the phone, and gripped it against my thigh hard enough that the casing creaked.

Everyone surrounded me.

Hiro watched my face. Reo watched my hand on the phone. The Claws and the Fangs stood in their positions and did not speak.

I let out a breath through my teeth. "Everyone get into position. I have to go with Yoichi. He’s outside waiting for me."

Reo's eyebrows came together. "Kenji—"

"Take the men. Set up where we have planned. I’ll be there." I pointed to Ichiro. “Take Totoro and go with them too.”

Reo gave me one long look that told me he was not pleased at all. Then, he headed off. “Let’s go, guys.”

The Fangs dutifully walked off with him.

Hiro and the Claws remained.

I sneered. “Go with Reo.”

Hiro crossed his arms over his chest. “Where’s Nyomi?”

“I’m going to meet her.”

Hiro gave a hand gesture to the Claws. A few sighed in annoyance, but all went in Reo’s direction.

I turned to head for the back entrance.

Then, Hiro fell into step beside me.

I glanced at him. “What are you doing?”

"Is something wrong with Nyomi?"

"No. She may have an advantage."