Free On the Accidental Wings of Dragons (Dragons of Eternity Book 1) by Julie Wetzel Page B

Michael’s recent activities. Apparently, Michael made several trips in the last few months, right around the time the dragons disappeared.”
    Michael thrashed in anger.
    Carissa’s arms came down, squishing Michael into her body, holding him still.
    “At that point, Michael hadn’t sent in a report, but he was always one to check his facts carefully and present them in person. I was going to question him when he came in. Everything Jareth found was circumstantial, and I had a hard time believing Michael could be involved with these abductions. I’ve known the man for a damn-long time.” Daniel let out a forlorn sigh before continuing. “Then Michael disappeared, too. Jareth said he went to get some coffee and never came back.
    “I wanted to believe that he had a reasonable explanation. Then you disappeared.” The tone of Daniel’s voice got bleaker, if that were even possible. “I spent hours going over the video surveillance from Baron Estivis’ ball. I couldn’t believe it when I saw him come out carrying you.”
    Michael squirmed against Carissa’s still form. He wanted to thrash someone. How could they make her believe he was responsible for her abduction? Her heart rate and breathing had gone up drastically. The coat puffed out as she squeezed her arms into the sides of the leather. Michael stretched to see her. Tears streamed from her eyes as she looked down at him. Hurt hung on every part of her beautiful face.
      Reaching a clawed foot up to touch the front of her corset, he met her accusing stare. No! Shaking his head, he tried to convince her of his innocence. He had not done what they were claiming. He wanted to boil out of his hiding spot and deny the accusations, but he didn’t have anything to offer as proof. Carissa’s hands over the leather convinced him to remain where he was.
    A wave of golden hair hid her face from everyone else as she considered him. She sniffed back tears before raising her head and nodding towards where Daniel must be seated.
    God, she had made some decision for him, but what was it?
    “Don’t worry, Carissa,” the king tried to calm his sister. “Justice will be quick for him.”
    Shit! That sounds like a royal decree! Had they already sentenced him without hearing his defense? Carissa must have picked up on the same note. Her back had gone very rigid.
    “No, no. We haven’t sentenced him yet.”
    Carissa must have mouthed something to him.
    “He’ll be given a proper trial if he turns himself in, but I have authorized Eternity to use force if he resists.”
    Oh, crap!
    “He’s an Elite, after all,” Daniel added.
    Well, thank you, boss! Michael chomped back down on the tip of his tail to keep from growling. He could just see how this was going to turn out. If it had only been the disappearances, he might have had a chance by turning himself in and fighting the charges, but Carissa’s kidnapping had ensured that the Elites would shoot first and ask questions later. He was as good as dead.

 
    9
     
    “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    Carissa pushed her brother’s hands away and took off to her private quarters without answering him. She needed to get away from everyone. She could feel Michael wrapped around her middle. He had let out a constant string of angry rumbles since Daniel had finished. Thankfully, the noise of the helicopter had drowned out the sound. Didn’t that man know the first thing about hiding? Had his coat been any tighter on her, his constant fidgeting would have been a dead giveaway. She was going to have words with him as soon as she could speak again.
    Slamming her door shut, Carissa yanked open Michael’s jacket and dumped him out on her bed.
    He rolled around in a tangle of wings before righting himself and chattering at her angrily.
    Like he had any right to be angry! She had protected him from her brother and Daniel. If he had done any of the things they had accused him of, then she was going to be in a world of trouble. She