"Ah, you sweet summer child." Rose patted his arm, then gestured at the back of the pub. "The lads are up in the Fire room, of course. Give me a shout if anyone wants another drink." Rose headed off toward the bar, calling back over her shoulder, "Except Chase!"
Virginia flashed Dai a wry grin as she followed him through the bar area and up the staircase toward the private rooms. Dai's heart leapt. It was the first time she'd smiled at him since Bertram's visit.
"I take it this isn't an ordinary pub," she said.
"No," said Dai, smiling back at her. He ducked his head to avoid the heavy oak beams. For a shifter pub, The Full Moon had inconveniently low ceilings. "It's for people like me."
"Dragon hunters?" Virginia asked.
"Amongst other things," Dai said. "Dragons aren't the only type of shifter." He opened the door to the Fire room. "And I want you to meet some of them."
Chapter Nine
My God, Virginia thought in bemusement. It's full of muscles.
The small room was decorated in rich shades of red and gold, creating a warm and snug space that would have been perfect for an intimate private dinner. It was entirely unsuited to the sheer volume of rippling beefcake that currently occupied it. Five men were crammed around a circular table, their broad shoulders hunched over their drinks. The moment Virginia stepped into the room, she was pinned by five sets of interested eyes. She froze under the weight of so much focused attention.
"Dai!" A man with black curly hair sprang from his chair, nearly upsetting his drink into the lap of the blond man sitting next to him. He punched Dai playfully in the shoulder, flashing him the widest grin Virginia had ever seen.
"What took you so long?" the man asked in a strong Irish brogue. His bright, dark glance flitted to Virginia, and his smile widened even further. "Forget it, my question is answered." He made an elaborate bow in her direction. "Lovely lady of mystery, it's a joy to lay eyes on you at last. If you ever need any more midnight supplies, consider me forever at your service. I hope you enjoyed the—"
"Chase," Dai rumbled forbiddingly, and the smaller man shut up, still grinning.
Dai turned to Virginia. "This is my fire crew," he explained. There was something oddly shy in his expression, as if he was introducing her to his family. "My fellow fire fighters. Virginia, this is Chase, our driver. He's the one who brought me the clothes last night."
"In that case, thank you," Virginia said to Chase, shaking his hand. Under any other circumstances, she would have thought him tall and muscular, but standing next to Dai he appeared practically lithe. "And thank you for getting the crew to me so fast last night. Any later and I would have been in big trouble."
Chase's eyes brightened. "My pleasure. Always nice to meet someone who appreciates speed. Tell me, have you ever wanted to take a ride in a fire engine?"
Dai took a firm grip on Chase's arm, dragging him away. "Do not get into any form of vehicle with him. Ever."
"Spoilsport," Chase said, as Dai deposited him firmly back in his chair. He folded his arms in mock-petulance. "It was only one little crash."
Dai ignored this, gesturing to another man, who was sitting in a corner of the room a little apart from all the others. "You've already met Hugh, of course."
"How could I forget?" Virginia said, recognizing the silver-haired paramedic.
Now that she could see him properly, rather than in the confusion after the fire, she realized that he couldn't be any older than Dai. His fine, elegant features were young and unlined despite his prematurely white hair.
"I'm glad to have a chance to meet you in better circumstances." Crossing the room, she held out her hand to him. "Thank you for, well, saving my life."
"You are most welcome," Hugh said, leaning back a little. His tone was polite enough, but his upper-class English accent couldn't help reminding Virginia unpleasantly of Bertram. He made no move to take her hand.
Dai gently tapped her wrist. "It's nothing personal. Hugh's not really a hands-on sort of person."
"But I am, so let me make up for my colleague's rudeness," said one of the other men, rising. He was stocky, with a mane of shaggy blond hair framing a square, kind face.
His broad, calloused hand enfolded Virginia's in a warm grip. "Griff MacCormick," he introduced himself. "We have already met, in a way, though I'll be astonished if you remember me."
There was something familiar about that reassuring voice with its light Scottish burr.
"It was you on the phone!" Virginia exclaimed, realizing. "When I called the fire services!" She squeezed his hand gratefully before she released it. "You talked me through what to do, and kept me calm while I was waiting for rescue."
"Ah, wasn't much work for me, what with a brave lassie like you on the other end of the line." Griff smiled at her, laughter lines crinkling around his golden-brown eyes. "I've never heard anyone describe a dragon so thoroughly."
"I think I was in shock," Virginia admitted.
"And this is John Doe," Dai said, continuing the introductions.