Last Dragon Standing (Heartstrikers #5)(110)
“Wait, wait, wait,” Julius said, putting up his hands. “Fredrick got the Golden Emperor kicked out of China?”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure that part was Xian’s idea. I find it highly convenient that my children kicked me out at the exact same time as my ex’s subjects suddenly decided he needed a week off.”
Julius did too. “But you’re still going, right?”
“Of course I’m going,” she said. “I haven’t been to the Bahamas in a century, and Xian’s never been. It’ll be nice.”
He grinned. “Nice, huh?”
“Shut up,” his sister snapped. “This doesn’t mean anything. We’re not back together, we’re just… trying it out. A lot has changed, and we need to get to know each other again before anything can… you know…” She cut off with a growl. “Why am I even telling you this? Anyway, I just wanted you to know where I was in case you needed me. I still owe you a huge debt, so if you need help with anything, promise you’ll call.”
Julius crossed his heart. “I solemnly swear that I will not call you for any reason while you are vacationing in paradise with the Golden Emperor. Have fun. You deserve it.”
“Whatever,” Chelsie grumbled, her face red. “Just try not to let Justin throw anyone out of your window. I’ll be back in time for the all-clan meeting next week.”
“The what?”
“The all-clan meeting,” she repeated, giving him a funny look. “Didn’t they tell you?”
“No!” Julius cried. “No one tells me anything in here! What’s the all-clan meeting?”
“Exactly what it sounds like,” Chelsie said, leaning against his door. “The defense against the Leviathan was the first time all the dragon clans had been together in one place in ten thousand years. Miraculously, we got through the whole thing without killing each other, so Bethesda, Ian, Xian, Svena, and Marlin Drake banded together to organize a more formal meeting next week. They’re even holding it in the DFZ since this is still the only neutral territory in the world, though that’s sure to change now that Algonquin’s no longer around to keep everyone away. Between you and me, I think a big reason Bethesda pushed for the meeting is because she intends to claim the DFZ for Heartstriker. Seeing how we control the rest of North America, I don’t see how anyone could object to that, but they will.”
“Of course they will,” Julius said. “Even in ruins, the DFZ is one of the wealthiest, most magical cities in the world. No one’s going to let Bethesda just walk in and take it. She could start a war.”
“So make sure she doesn’t,” Chelsie replied, giving him a wry smile. “You’re on the Council, and you wanted something useful to do.”
Dealing with his mother was not on Julius’s preferred list of jobs. He’d much rather have helped Marci, or Amelia, or General Jackson, or literally anyone else. But his sister was right. He was one of the heads of Heartstriker, and the fact that Ian and Bethesda had planned this meeting without him even knowing proved it was time to get back to work.
“I like the idea of using the DFZ as neutral territory,” he said, thinking it through. “Has a human government claimed it yet? Because I know Algonquin’s out.” Even after her apology, the DFZ had made it very clear that the lake spirit was never to enter her city again.
“Not yet,” Chelsie said. “Plenty have tried. Canada’s pushing hard, and David’s bending over backward to make the case for Detroit rejoining the US. So far, though, the DFZ isn’t interested. It’s hard to tell a sentient city that she has to listen to a bunch of humans. Myron had to step in to convince her to let the UN troops stay so they could continue their disaster relief. It’s been a mess.”
Julius scowled. He hadn’t heard any of that, either. How much were the others keeping from him? But Chelsie’s report had set an idea spinning in his head. An idea that was rapidly forming into a plan. “Thanks for bringing me into the loop, Chelsie. I really appreciate it.”
“I knew you would. Just don’t tell Amelia. She’s got everyone on strict orders not to tell you anything upsetting, but I’m painfully familiar with your nosiness, so I figured I’d save us all the trouble and get everything out now.”
“Thank you,” he said again, reaching for his phone to do some research. “Tell Xian hello for me, and have fun on your vacation.”
His sister smiled. “I think I will,” she said, shutting the door behind her.
***
Chelsie didn’t come back from the Bahamas in time for the all-clan meeting.
“Where is she?” Julius asked nervously as Fredrick sewed him into the stupidly expensive jacket his mother was making him wear. “She was supposed to be back this morning!”
“If she hasn’t arrived yet, I don’t think she’s going to,” Fredrick said, holding Julius’s sleeve at the precise right length with one hand while he quickly stitched it in place with the other. “It seems the island has been besieged by freak magical storms. The airport and all forms of teleportation are shut down, and she and the Golden Emperor have been forced to take shelter in their hotel. Very unusual.”
“There’s nothing unusual about it,” Marci said with a snort. “Sounds to me like Mr. Magical Good Fortune didn’t want to leave his love nest to go to a meeting.” She grinned. “Would a ‘getting lucky’ joke be out of place?”