Page 19 of Red Marked

“Look at you.” Pride rounds out the words. “All that work is paying off.”

“It is.” I pause for a beat or two. “I owe a lot of that to you. Thank you for seeing potential in me. I know I was a bit of a hothead when I started with you all those years ago.”

“You have greatness in you, Flint. Your tenacity and drive to do the right thing – not to mention your leadership skills – will all stand you in good stead.”

“Keep those compliments flowing.” My voice is a little dull. My mind is still on those Draig females…on all the females on that mountain.

There is a beat of quiet on the line. “What’s wrong? You sound off.”

I sigh. “I spotted at least a dozen dragons in the ravine on the northern face of the mountains yesterday. They were airborne within a second. I’m sure they were females…all of them.”

“Females?” He sounds shocked. “Surely not.”

“I’m certain due to their size. Two of them had no red markings at all.” I close my eyes. “They were female too. I’d stake my life on them being two of the missing she-dragons who were taken in that raid.”

“Go on.”

“A captured feral male told me that females have lived up there for a very long time. Says the feral males who go looking for them don’t come back.” I drag a hand down my face. “A Council rep flew out today. He called the whole staff together and told us straight that there are no females in that range. He closed the entire northern face to our search for ferals, effective immediately.”

“And the head guy in charge. The psychologist. What’s his name? What did he have to say?”

“Dr. Pryce backed him. The prick didn’t even blink. They essentially promised us promotions in return for our cooperation. At least, that’s how it felt to me.”

“What the fuck?”

“My sentiments exactly.”

“Did this rep even mention the dragons without markings?” Magma asks.

“No, not once. He said it was bad lighting. He told us that we were mistaken.”

There is another silence, longer this time.

“You flew for me for many years, and you’ve never once misjudged a sighting.” He sighs. “I don’t like it one fucking bit. It sounds like a cover-up to me.”

“That’s exactly what it feels like to me too. My senses are pinging like mad.”

“I trust your instincts,” he tells me. “You are almost never wrong.”

“Can I record you saying that?”

He chokes out a laugh. “Not a chance. I said almost, Flint…not never.” He laughs again, quickly turning serious. “What now? What are you planning? Because if I know you, you’re planning something.”

“That’s why I called you. Something needs to be done. I want to go and see for myself. It’s risky, but it has to be done. I need permission to go into that ravine, completely against orders, and to see for myself. I need backing in case things go tits up.”

“Sit tight. Let me make a few calls.” His voice is gruff. “I’m calling Councilor Reed.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

He hangs up.

I sit there with the phone still against my ear for a second longer, then let it drop onto the bed.

I huff out a heavy breath. I grab the phone and stand.

Then I go shower and dress. I pace for a while, trying not to stare at the black screen on the table. When I fail, I try to watch some television, flicking through the various channels. I can’t concentrate, so I mute it and start pacing again, needing something to do.

My phone lights up forty long-ass minutes later.