Page 44 of Flesh and Fury
“They put us on reservations and took away our lands just like the Federal government has always done,” Andy growled. His frown was back.
“The U.S. government did that decades ago. It wasn’t the I.S.R. We’re marshals.”
“Still, you are the Federal government,” Red Crow said petulantly.
“Yes,” Eoghan said. “There have been too many injustices done to Native American nations explained away by the need for Caucasianquote unquote ‘progress.’”
“Our land was stolen by the Federal government. We were assigned barren land in deserts while the rolling green fields where some of our ancestors had hunted for thousands of years, were given to the white man,” Red Crow said.
Eoghan completely understood where the man was coming from. “I agree with you. There’s been a lot of good done as well, Red Crow. Once humans discovered paranormals, they wiped them out whenever possible. It wasn’t until Teddy Roosevelt decided the reservation model was the only viable way to assure that you all weren’t hunted into extinction. It sounds terrible, and your people have suffered,” Eoghan said.
“I agree—and I think Ari would agree—it’s not fair, but it’s what we have, Red Crow. We try to do our best and every single day, it’s my job to make sure that all of our shifter families as well as our vampire clans and werewolf clans are taken care of and protected.”
He abruptly turned his back and lifted his shirt to his shoulders, showing them all his scars. “That’s what I got for doing my job when a rogue werewolf nearly killed me.” He dropped his shirt and turned around. “I want you to know I’m also invested in being a representative for the U.S. government. The I.S.R. is not just a job to me.” He looked over at Ari who was nodding. “My partner feels the same. We are committed to helping all tribes and clans.”
“And yet, you still do this job?” Rana asked. “That’s remarkable.” She turned to Andy who’d gone pale at the sight of the scars Eoghan had shown them. “Are you convinced that these men, their chief, and our friends from Tahoe here are on a righteous path or are you going to go down in history as a brand-new clan leader who let old prejudices get in the way of what’s best?”
“Yes…I’m…yes, Rana, I’m convinced.” Red Crow turned to Eoghan and held out his hand. “I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have been necessary to show that to me. I should have listened to my elders and done the right thing without that. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay, Red Crow,” Eoghan said, feeling victorious. He turned and smiled at Ari before looking at the others. “We’ll be here at least overnight. Can we meet with you again this evening, or do you all have to get home right away?”
“We’re happy to come back tonight,” Rana said with a smile.
“Us too,” Joe said.
“Good, then, let’s plan on getting dinner here in the hotel around six?” Eoghan asked. “That’ll give us time to check inwith our chief and the dragons. We can find out how it went in Wyoming as well as whether she has a final plan in place for taking on this Bradshaw asshole yet.”
“Wyoming?” Rana asked as they shut out the conference room light and headed out of the business center.
“Dragons?” Andy asked.
“Invictus and Severin from Northern California are fire-breathing dragon shifters. They’re friends who will be helping eliminate the threat from Tillis Bradshaw’s clan,” Eoghan said. “They’ve been dispatched to Cheyenne, Wyoming to talk to the shifter clan leader there and get them on board with this plan.”
“Real dragons?” Red Crow asked as they stopped in front of the elevators. He looked at Joe and Alo who were nodding. “You know about them?”
“Oh, yeah,” Joe said, chuckling. “I sure as hell do know about them. They’re very real and they really do breathe fire…scary motherfuckers. I’ll say this. I’m glad they’re on our side.”
“I should say so,” Rana said as the elevator doors slid open soundlessly and they stepped inside the car. “By the way, yes, six is fine with us.” She punched the button for the lobby level and they all were quiet until it reached its destination. They said goodbye to Joe and Alo, telling them that they’d look forward to their dinner meeting that evening.
Eoghan and Ari turned toward Rana and Andy. Personally, Eoghan really liked Rana and hoped she’d become a good friend. Andy…well, he’d wait and see. He was a bit skeptical about the man but he’d be patient and see if he really had come around or if this was all an act. For now, though, he was optimistic. After Andy excused himself to go to the restroom, Rana looked at the two of them.
“So, how does one make sure they’re on this supposed no purge list?” she asked.
Eoghan started laughing along with Ari. “That was a bit of an exaggeration. We just wanted him to understand that he wouldn’t be getting any help from us when bad vamps overrun his reservation. The actual list doesn’t exist but the sentiment behind it really does,” Eoghan said.
She smirked. “I figured. That’s good. I have a whole bunch of eggs at home, and I was trying to decide where and how to hide them.”
“Jesus, you really are a lizard then?” Ari asked.
A second later, a foot-long, pale blue, forked tongue snaked out of her mouth and went right back in as she partially shifted. Eoghan gasped, feeling his heart pounding out of his chest. It was fucking terrifying, and he hadn’t been expecting that at all. Ari stiffened beside him.
She smirked as they both gaped at her.
“Does that answer your question?” She laughed.
Ari coughed, and all Eoghan could do was pat him on the back.
“Yes,” Eoghan said.