Free Revealing the Dragons (Stonefire Dragons #2.5) by Jessie Donovan Page A

able to do this?”
    She glanced over. “It’s not like I have a choice. Bram and Mel pretty much decided it.”
    Her brother’s eyes softened. “If there were anyone else, Ara, I would ask them. But this is the best chance at a decent future for my children. They, and all dragon-shifter children, need you to be strong.”
    She blinked. “Tristan MacLeod is giving talks of encouragement? Who are you and what did you do with my growly, verbally stunted brother?”
    When he growled, she laughed. Tristan smiled. “It’s nice to hear you laugh again, Arabella.”
    Being sentimental with her brother wasn’t Ara’s specialty, so she changed the subject. “I’m ready, Tristan. Let’s get this over with.”
    He nodded and as they walked in companionable silence, her tension eased and her worries faded. She even dared to hum inside her head for her dragon. Her inner beast hummed back and Arabella smiled. She would be honest during the interview and let the humans know about some of the horrors practiced on dragon-shifters. It was time for the human world to stop pretending the dragon hunters weren’t real.
    After that, she would soon have her freedom.
     
    ~~~
     
    Mel watched from the window as a group of dragons took turns flying passes over the front gate. She was no stranger to the sight of flying dragons, but the ones in the air above her had on a new kind of armor over their chests, bellies, and lower necks. Bram said the synthetic shields protected against air projectiles. Considering she’d seen the laser gun damage up close when Tristan had nearly died a year ago, she hoped the new armor was effective.
    Moving from the window, she went to the monitor displaying the front gate security feed. Bram had wanted to keep an eye on things, in case they turned south. Already, a crowd of about twenty people stood in front of Stonefire’s land.
    Sure, no one in the crowd was throwing grenades or launching firebombs, but it could happen any second. Or, maybe they were waiting to view the interviews and then react. Thanks to the convenience of technology, everyone would check out the live broadcast using their cell phones.
    A van drove up the single road leading to Stonefire’s main entrance. When it was close enough, the crowd cleared a pathway. She couldn’t see the side of the van, but it would be the BBC since no other interviews were scheduled for the day.
    Mel turned away from the monitor and paced. She’d prepped everyone except Arabella, who still hadn’t arrived. There was nothing for her to do but wait and it was driving her crazy.
    As she shook her hands and wrists to loosen up, there was a knock on the door. Bram entered with Murray in his arms. Blue eyes stared at her as he sucked his thumb. Mel smiled. “At least Murray seems in a good mood.”
    Bram shrugged. “He usually is. Nikki and Hudson are waiting downstairs with Evie. She’s doing her best to calm them, but maybe you can help. They’re nervous as hell.”
    “Any sign of Tristan and Arabella?”
    “No, but don’t worry, lass. Ara will come.”
    “I hope so.” She glanced to the monitor. The van was no longer there, which meant it had to be on Stonefire’s lands. “The interview crew will probably be here any second.”
    “Melanie.” She looked at Bram, his gaze steady and strong, every ounce the clan leader he was. “Whatever happens today, I want to say thank you for everything you’ve tried to do for our clan.”
    “Things could go very wrong, Bram. I wouldn’t be thanking me just yet.”
    He took a step toward her. “Even if planes appear in the sky and start dropping bombs, I’m still going to say thank you. You are giving it a try, which is more than anyone else has ever tried to do for my kind.”
    She tapped her hand against her thigh. Accepting praise had never been one of her strong points. “It’s a bit selfish, you know, since I’m mostly doing it for my children.”
    A corner of Bram’s mouth ticked up. “Tell