“He's kind of a big deal in the shifter community,” Chase informed Connie, as though this wasn't obvious. “Oh, also, he can burn anything, and I mean anything. A slightly odd trait for a firefighter, if you ask me, but it's surprisingly handy.”
Moving on, Chase pointed in the direction of the handsome white-haired man in the corner. “Hugh here is our paramedic, and a puzzle wrapped in a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in an incredibly cranky attitude. Please question
him repeatedly and persistently about what sort of shifter he is, because he says if I ask him one more time, he'll never heal me again.”
Hugh leaned away from Chase's finger, his pained scowl deepening. “I am really looking forward to the next time you crash and break a bone.”
Chase ignored this. He waved his hand at the huge red-headed man. “And this is Daifydd Drake, but everyone calls him Dai because Welsh names are ridiculous, and I say that even as an Irishman. He's a red dragon—don't worry, he's a nice dragon, not like the one who attacked your plane, Connie. He's fireproof, which is a very useful thing for a firefighter to be, obviously. And next to him is Virginia, his lovely mate who isn't a firefighter or a shifter but who is extremely perceptive and clever and who incidentally I hope is only going to tell you good things about me.”
There was a moment of silence.
“And if you were able to follow all of that,” Dai said ruefully to Connie, “then you really must be his mate.”
Frighteningly, Connie had. Navigating through a conversation with Chase was like flying through a storm—there was no point trying to impose your own course. You just had to ride it out and see where you ended up.
“Everyone, this is my cousin Killian, who is a pegasus and Chief Financial Officer of Tiernach Enterprises,” Chase said, jerking his thumb casually at Killian. “Don't ask him about his job unless you’re suffering from insomnia. Really, don't.”
Killian lifted a hand in a brief, embarrassed wave. “Please let me reassure you all that I am nothing like my cousin.”
“And, saving the best for last, this is Connie West.” Chase made a sweeping gesture at Connie like a sculptor unveiling his masterpiece. “She is the most amazing and beautiful and brave woman in the entire world, and I'm going to marry her just as soon as she stops yelling at me whenever I propose.”
Connie jabbed him sharply in the arm with her elbow.
“Ow,” Chase said, cheerfully. “As you can see, I've got some way to go with that. Which is why I need all of your help. Oh, and also with the wyvern and the race and all, of course.”
“So I take it Chase has already told you about what happened with my plane?” Connie said, looking round at the group.
Commander Ash inclined his head. “Yes. Mythic shifters—those, like ourselves, who turn into creatures out of legend rather than ordinary animals—are able to communicate telepathically with each other. Chase has already briefed us on your situation. If there is anything we can do to assist, we are at your service.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that, truly.” She shot Chase a sidelong look. “Though I'm not sure how you can help. I don't know what Chase is thinking.”
“Who ever does?” murmured Killian. “Do you actually have a plan, Chase, or are you making it up as you go along as usual?”
“I have a plan,” Chase said indignantly. He hesitated. “Or… I did. Without Griff, I'm going to have to improvise a bit.”
Hugh rolled his eyes. “Oh, joy.”
“Who's this Griff?” Connie asked.
“Another member of our team,” Chase said. “Or, well, technically he was a member. He's a dispatcher now, since he had to retire from firefighting. I wanted him to come with me to talk to Sammy Smiles. He can tell if people are lying, you see.”
“So he's a shifter too?” Connie said.
All four firefighters exchanged glances. “Yes and no,” Ash said. “But that's for Griff to explain, if he wishes.”
“Chase, were you going to introduce her to John, too?” asked Dai. “Is he on his way?”
“No, he's tied up at the moment.” Chase turned to Connie. “John's the friend that I mentioned earlier, the one who I asked to watch over your Spitfire. He'll stand guard over it until we can get it out of the water. He's a sea dragon shifter, so he can stay underwater indefinitely.”
Commander Ash cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, that is not precisely true. John has duties on dry land, as do the rest of the crew. Ms. West, while we can help you in our free time, I am afraid that I cannot allow your predicament to compromise the safety of this city. Our responsibilities must come first.”
“But I need John to help with the plane,” Chase objected. “And that wyvern is still on the loose. I'll need Dai tomorrow to guard the race.”
Ash shook his head. “Alpha Fire Team is scheduled to be on duty tomorrow, and the crew must be at their stations.”
“But—”
“No.” Ash didn't raise his voice, but his tone was utterly final.