Page 30 of Dragon Blood
Could one of these elders be the traitor?
As she stared at their faces, the possibility seemed unfathomable. Astred had known all of them for her entire life.
Regina had quietly worked to strengthen alliances with other paranormal communities and Joey Kane’s organizations.
The Consortium had indeed arrived on Aeleftherian shores and were as much of a threat as the male dragons ever had been.
Perhaps more so, since their long-term manipulations had been revealed.
How long?
And how long had they had their dirty hands in Aeleftherian politics?
Her gaze flicked to each of the councillor’s faces.
Her insides twisted, souring her palate as she considered the possibility that one—or more—of these lifelong councillors, dedicated to Aeleftheria and the protection of her queen, could be a traitor.
And responsible for my mother’s illness.
She doubted it would be any of the village elders. Though respected, their hands weren’t the ones at Aeleftheria’s helm.
These dragoness matrons were.
Chapter 11
Thecouncilmatronsstoodin a semicircle of the interrogation room, as Zayli Steelscale verbally repeated her written report at their center.
The guardian stood erect, head high, eyes forward, feet at hip width, hands resting behind her back, thoughts concealed behind the impassive set of her face.
The matrons grilled her, seeking deviation from her report. They found none.
One matron studied the guardian closer than the others, impressed that she didn’t bow under the pressure of her elders.
The righteous don’t.
Zayli Steelscale, though sometimes wayward, believed in the Council’s position.
Aeleftheria can never allow males to occupy this island. Never.
They held no value here.
Females mated beyond the borders, then returned home. Those that didn’t return were forgotten and struck from the annals and lineages.
A daughter was welcome.
A male offspring was not, and was to be cast off, as was her right and in any way she chose.
Nothing more required. The sperm need not even come from another dragon shifter, since Aeleftherian dragonesses determined the fates of their young.
No male had the right to dictate, or even influence, that dragoness’ choice. Not since they started the war.
A war that this matron remembered well. Too well.
So well that she would ensure this council never, ever wavered.
Even when the queen did.
The queen was young, her memory not so long, or infused with firsthand battles.
