Seducing the Dragon: Part Three by Jessie Donovan Read Free Book Online Page A

protecting the clan.”
    Mel piped in. “Then tell us what you were thinking, Evie. Sometimes voicing your thoughts helps to connect the dots. It also gives us the chance to help you, if you need it, since you’re new to Stonefire.”
    She glanced around at the quickly darkening sky. “I’d rather not do it outside.”
    Mel threaded her arms through Evie’s and increased her pace. “Then let’s hurry up. We’re nearly there.”
    Five minutes later, Mel shooed her mate away from the door and guided them inside. Before Tristan could do more than frown, Melanie said, “All right, now talk. I’m dying to know what you’re thinking.”
    Bram’s earlier statements about the extent of what Melanie would do to find out what she wanted was proving true. Not even Mel’s frowning mate could sway her from her current task.
    Evie looked at every person in the room before she said, “I may have an idea of why someone would want to take Murray. There’s always the possibility his father wanted him, but given that Neil hasn’t tried to take the boy in five months, my gut says it’s something else.”
    Mel allowed her mate to put an arm around her waist as she said, “Then tell us, already.”
    “The Carlisle dragon hunters are managed by Simon Bourne. That man has been under investigation for years for various accusations, although nothing has stuck. While I have no proof to back-up my claim, Bourne has the patience, resources, and intellect to implement long term plans.”
    Tristan grunted, “Get to the point.”
    She raised an eyebrow but it wasn’t the time to challenge the dragonman. “If Bourne started collecting children now, then in ten or twenty years he could have his own supply of dragon blood to sell. The money he earned over time would give him tremendous amounts of power.”
    Liam interjected, “But given what I know, the dragon hunter we captured yesterday wants you. That makes little sense with your theory. Why mention your name if they’re after the children? You might be Bram’s mate-to-be now, but you weren’t when you first stepped on this land.”
    It was hard to believe she’d only arrived yesterday. “Bram and I discussed this last night. If the hunters scare away people from applying to work for the DDA, the sacrifice system would crumble. Your numbers would dwindle, which would eventually lead to the loss of any power over the human governments.”
    Melanie finished her thought. “But if someone like Simon Bourne had a steady supply, he would have the power to ask for what he wanted from either the wealthy and desperate or the government.”
    “Exactly. Murray’s kidnapping could’ve been in the works for a while. Bourne no doubt has spies everywhere and a parentless dragon-shifter baby would be easy pickings for him.”
    Arabella, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up, “Tell us what you know of Simon Bourne, Evie. We might be able to find a weakness to pass on to Bram.”
    “First, someone needs to fetch a laptop so I can access the DDA database and then let’s all sit down. If Murray’s kidnapping is just the first wave of trouble tonight, then we need to save our energy. Standing around is an unnecessary waste.”
    A cry sounded from upstairs. Melanie looked up and said, “I need to check on my babies.” Looking back at Evie, she continued, “I’m bringing them downstairs, too, just to be safe. Tristan can find the laptop and get you settled in.”
    Melanie rushed up the stairs. As the group moved to Mel and Tristan’s living room, Evie took a deep breath. If Bram hadn’t found something during his own investigation on the attack, taking down Simon Bourne might very well fall to her. She only hoped she could still log into the DDA information database. Unless someone had tipped them off, it shouldn’t be a problem. If her access had been revoked, however, Bram’s clan might very well depend on her memory.
    Talk about pressure.

    ~~~

    Thanks to Evie’s information about