Whispers of Dragons

Chapter 11

I sat in silence as I allowed that thought to sink in. Sam leaned back in his chair, waiting as I worked everything out in my mind. After a couple moments, a frown worked its way onto Sam's face, and kept deepening as time went on. Sam leaned forward and opened his mouth to speak before closing it again. I watched his face as he fought with himself, before leaning forward once more and finally speaking.

"Why did you tell Jake you wanted no part in this organization?" I stared.

"My reasons are my own." I said cooly.

"Normally I would agree with you," Sam started. "However, if that reason is something that could put this whole group at risk, I need to know." He stated firmly. I stayed silent and rage flickered across his face. "You chose not to join this group even though you knew the good it was doing. Why would intentionally turn your back on the cause? Unless you're a traitor." He taunted.

I lost my temper. "Fine. I didn't want Jake to bring me here because it's dangerous, for both me and you." At Sam and Will's looks of confusion, I continued. "If I were to disappear without an explanation for hours at a time during the night, which is when you meet, someone would be sure to notice and inform the council. If the council started watching me closely, they would eventually track me here." I reasoned. "And, if they tracked me here, they would realize what this meeting is about and would have fair reason to kick me off the council by saying I was committing treason. And," I continued, my voice gaining in volume, "if I wasn't on the council, the mages would have no representative and the dragons would have been killed for sure since I wouldn't be there to stand up for them. But now, you've gone and brought me here, so congratulations, you probably just killed any chance the mages and dragons had to live in peace. Hope you're proud of yourselves." I said sarcastically, staring straight into Sam's eyes.

Sam looked down, his face red in embarrassment while Will just looked sad. I flinched when I felt a hand on my arm but relaxed when I realized it was just Jake. I was grateful he wasn't looking at me in pity, but in understanding. He knew why I chose not to participate and never pressured me to do otherwise. His blue eyes reassured me that I had made the right choice and that he understood why I was angry.

"So what do we do now?" Sam asked me, a slightly lost look on his face. My temper swelled up again.

"You mean you brought me here with no plan?" I asked, deathly calm. As I glared at Sam, Will finally spoke up.

"I brought you here. They didn't know you were coming. It was a last minute decision when I heard them coming after us." Will replied apologetically. A thought sparked in my mind.

"Why was the council coming after us anyways? Why did they choose today of all days to act?" I questioned, looking back at Will. He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"They were probably after me. Someone must have told the council that I was coming to these meetings. I wouldn't doubt that they were there to arrest me and denounce me from the council." My brow furrowed.

"Okay, I get why that would be bad for you," I emphasized. "But why did you have to drag me into this?" I questioned.

"I wouldn't have except for the fact that you were with me while they were coming. If I had left you, they would assume that we were in league with each other and capture you. I couldn't let that happen, especially because of how important you are."

I threw my hands up in indignation. "All of you keep going off about how important I am, but none of you will give me a straight answer on why I'm so important!" I said forcefully. Sam just sighed.

"I think we're done for today." Will stated, running a hand over his face. His tired eyes caused me to bite back my response and look away. Sam looked just as drained as Will.

"Yes, I agree completely." Sam said tiredly. I was going to argue back when Jake touched my arm and shook his head slightly. I sighed.

"Fine. Where should I stay?" I questioned, not really caring what the answer would be.

"Will can show you to your room. Jake, are you going to stay or go?" Sam asked easily, as if this was a question he asked every night. Jake looked at me for a couple long seconds before responding.

"I don't know. If I don't go back, the council will assume I am part of the Rational, but if I do go back, there's a chance I'll be arrested." Jake debated. After glancing at me one more time, he responded, "I'll go back. You need someone on the inside figuring out what the council's plans are and since Will can't be that person anymore, I will."

"But what if you get arrested?" I worried.

"Let's just hope it doesn't get to that." Jake stated firmly. I nodded my head and Jake stepped forward to pull me into a hug. I buried my face in his shoulder before he pulled away.

"Be safe." I told him.

"I will." Jake responded before walking out the door. As the door shut behind him, no one said a word. Finally, I broke the silence.

"So are you going to take me to my room or not?" I asked sharply. Instead of getting annoyed, Will stayed stoic as he walked to the door and held it open, gesturing for me to walk through it. I stepped into the hallway with Will behind me. As the door closed, the last thing I saw was Sam sitting back in his chair with a lost expression on his face that did nothing to reassure me.