Chapter Eleven
Fire raced through Brenna's body and her eyes popped open as she gasped. A familiar, stern voice filled the room—Dr. Sid's. "Brenna, who's in control?"
Her dragon roared and spoke aloud. "I am. Where is he? I want Killian. He is mine to claim."
Sid cursed and Brenna tried to take control of her mind. However, her dragon must've constructed some sort of invisible prison because her hands came across a barrier that refused to budge. Let me out.
No. You'll let him get away.
Sid's voice cut off her reply. "Sorry about this, Brenna. But it's the only choice."
Something pricked her arm. Her dragon tried to sit up, but something restrained their body.
With each second that passed by, her dragon's strength waned a little more. When her dragon fell completely silent, Brenna tried pressing against the former barrier and her hands moved freely. After briefly checking on her snoring dragon, she took control of her body once more and looked at Sid. "Thank you."
"I prefer not to drug dragons into silence. Sorry I couldn't ask your permission beforehand."
Brenna knew that since Sid's dragon had been overdosed into silence for more than twenty years, she was always careful when it came to using drugs.
She replied, "It's okay, Sid. It had to be done." She raised a hand to her forehead. "Although I have an awful headache now."
"You're a little dehydrated, but we'll fix that. Are you well enough to tell me what happened? While I received a secondhand report, you might have details they missed."
At Sid's question, Brenna glanced about the room. "Where's Killian? They didn't send him back to Ireland, did they?"
Studying her, Sid shook her head. "No, he's with Kai and Bram right now. What happened? By all accounts, this wasn't your first kiss with him. So why did the frenzy erupt now? A few dragons can hide the pull from their human halves, but you've always been open with yours."
Her first impulse was to ask her dragon, but the sleeping form in her head reminded her it would be a day or two before her other half would be awake again.
She tried to sit up, but the leather restraints dug into her skin. Sid added, "They'll come off soon. I want to ensure your dragon is out for a while. Now, answer my question."
Sighing, Brenna looked to the ceiling. "I'm not sure. I've kissed him a few times. The only difference is the baby dragon is with him now." She met Sid's gaze. "Could that be the cause?"
"Possibly. Dragons don't place much stock in memories, but a dragon-shifter without their dragon half is an incomplete person. It's likely that your dragon only recognized him as your mate once the dragon returned."
She frowned. "But how is that possible? I never felt the pull in the months I worked with him before he had amnesia."
After jotting a few things down on the clipboard in her hand, Sid said, "Female dragons don't always notice a true mate until after a kiss. It's entirely possible the mate-claim frenzy pull would've started if he'd kissed you back then."
Dr. Gregor Innes, Sid's mate and a former Lochguard doctor, waltzed into the room and said, "Or, maybe not. Judging by Dr. Silver's notes from Killian's time on Northcastle, the wee dragon is described as blue with white patches. Killian had been a blue dragon before. Maybe a new dragon personality has emerged."
Sid jumped in. "Unless it split, as we discussed earlier."
Brenna looked at each of them. "What are you talking about?"
Gregor turned to face her. "It's just a guess, but I think the shadow dragon and the baby dragon form a whole, and together they comprise Killian's former dragon. Whatever drug was used on Killian could've split them into two. One of which holds his memories and the main thrust of his dragon's animal-like personality, and another that's more innocent and placid. Their goal might be to find a way to banish the more instinctual half and be left with the innocent side. A less angry and instinctual dragon makes for an easier catch."
"To harvest their blood," Sid added. "Although I'm not sure if it's the dragon hunters, Knights, or a new foe entirely. Dragon's blood on the black market is sold for small fortunes. An enterprising person could be trying their own hand at it. Although I suspect the person experimenting on dragons isn't fully aware of Killian's case, or they would be kidnapping more dragon-shifters to use as test subjects."
Despite everything going on, Brenna's mind put it all together. "If whoever did this finds out that it doesn't kill a dragon completely and successfully changed their personality, it won't be good. If enough dragons are kidnapped, then it could bring about one or more wars, especially if the DDA doesn't intervene as it should."
"Aye, that's possible," Gregor stated. "But let us and Kai worry about that. The question is what do you want to do about your current situation, Brenna? Repeatedly drugging your dragon into silence may end up hurting you both in the long run. Sending Killian away may be best, especially if it's to Lochguard so I can go and easily study him."
Sid crossed her arms. "Don't let Gregor's suggestion sway you one way or the other. This is your choice, Brenna. I can continue to administer drugs if you request it, but there are cases when either the dragon becomes slightly insane or gets so angry that your relationship will be rocky for years to come. Gregor's suggestion is the second option. The third is to have the frenzy. You need to make the decision soon, too. Otherwise, Bram may end up making it for you."
Going through the frenzy would be the easiest choice. She wouldn't have to give up Killian and her dragon would be pleased.
But having a child simply because it was easy for everyone else wasn't a good decision. Brenna was twenty-one and wanted to continue being a Protector. If Killian was sent away or, in a worst-case scenario, died, then she'd be on her own. A single mother would have a hard time remaining a Protector.
Unless she asked her parents for help. Her mother would enjoy that moment, she was sure.
Gregor cleared his throat. "You have a day or two to think about everything. I'll ensure Bram waits that long for an answer."
Sid drawled, "Because Bram listens to you so well."
"On medical matters, I can make him listen, Cassidy."
Shaking her head, Sid focused back on Brenna. "Now that you have the facts, I should let your parents in."
Her stomach dropped. "They're here?"
"Of course. They've been waiting since word reached them about you being brought to the surgery."
A part of her wanted to keep them away, but with everything going on between her and Killian, not to mention the looming frenzy and the unnatural silence of her beast, she needed to sort out matters with her parents. It would be one less thing to fret over.
Besides, she could do with hearing her dad's advice. "Show them in. The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can think about what to do regarding Killian."
Sid gestured at Gregor and he exited the room. Sid didn't waste time in removing the straps around Brenna's body as she said, "I can't fully disclose anything, but listen to what your parents have to say, Brenna. That's all I ask."
She barely resisted frowning at Sid's words when the door opened. Gregor ushered in Brenna's mum and dad.
Her mother, Sharon, came in first. While her blonde hair and brown eyes were the same, there was one major difference—she had to be eight or nine months pregnant.
Brenna opened her mouth, but her father, Gabriele, spoke up in his accented English. "We'll answer your questions in time, cara." Her father closed the distance to her bed and gently cupped her cheek. "Are you okay? The doctors have been vague about what's wrong with you."
She finally tore her gaze away from her pregnant mother and met her father's kind eyes. She'd never lied to her dad and she wasn't about to start now. "I kissed a male and it started the frenzy."
"And yet you look unhappy. Why?"
A small part of her wanted to fall into her father's arms and cry. But she refused to show weakness in front of her mother, so she slowly sat up and answered, "It's complicated. The short version is that the male who started it lost his memory and only recently regained his dragon." Her father's brows furrowed, but Brenna hurriedly asked her mother, "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"
Sharon Rossi placed her hands over her protruding belly. "Since I wasn't supposed to be able to have any more children, it was a surprise and high-risk. I didn't want you to worry."
"I'm not a child anymore, Mum. You should've told me."
Her mother smiled sadly. "But you are barely an adult, Brenna. And I didn't want you thinking I was trying to replace you."
As she tried to think of how to reply to that, her father spoke up. "Please no fighting right now. We came back to Stonefire to be closer to you, Brenna. Your brother should know his sister."
"Brother?" she echoed.
Her father stood tall. "Yes, I will finally have an ally."
She couldn't help but smile. "You will outnumber Mum this time around, Papa. After all, I won't be there."
"But I hope you will come around often," her father said softly.
Bram must not have told her parents about wanting to stay in Ireland. Although given recent events, Brenna wasn't entirely sure what she was going to do in the future.
However, as she looked at her mother again, she decided to be nicer to her. It was almost a miracle her mother had carried a baby to term; her parents had gone through several miscarriages after Brenna was born and had eventually stopped for her mother's health. No matter their rocky past, Brenna wasn't going to be the cause of any distress.
Although the fact she was about to have a brother twenty-one years younger than her would be strange. Not only that, if she went through the frenzy, her child and their uncle would be almost the same age.
The frenzy. She'd almost forgotten about her own complicated life.
Dr. Sid peeked into the room. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Bram wants to talk to you in about thirty minutes. Since I have some more tests to do, Sharon and Gabriele, you have about five more minutes with your daughter."
Her father bobbed his head. "Of course, Dr. Sid." He moved his gaze back to Brenna. "That should be just about enough time to tell us what is so complicated, cara."
From experience, she knew that trying to deny her father an explanation was pointless. While Gabriele Rossi was the kinder, more patient of her parents, he held a hidden core of steel. He might even do something foolish such as try to bar Bram from the room until Brenna explained her situation.
Sighing, she explained events from her time on Glenlough to the present as best she could. When she finished, her father asked, "And what do you want to do, Brenna?"
"I don't know. One decision can change my life in so many ways."
Patting her hand, her father said, "Whatever you decide, we will be here to help you."
She glanced between her parents. "You're not going back to Clan LupoForesta?"
Clan LupoForesta was one of the Italian dragon clans, located in the Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise National Park not far from Rome.
Her father shook his head. "No. LupoForesta sees Stonefire in a negative light now, after what happened with Aaron Caruso and his mother." Aaron had been kicked out of the clan and his mother had followed him. "But your mother and I knew we wanted our second child born here, near his sister. So, we will stay here."
Brenna glanced at her mum. The years of reliving the arguments with her mother, about Brenna not being strong enough to be a Protector, seemed to fade away as she took in her mother's pale face and dark circles under her eyes.
Killian's condition had taught her a few things about living in the moment and she wasn't about to waste what time she had with her family, especially over something that could be seen as a mother merely being protective of her only child.
Raising her hand, her mother came and took it. "We should talk more later."
Her mother smiled. "I'd like that. If you need to talk with someone about the frenzy, feel free to come find me.”
"Thanks, but I think talking with Killian will help."
Her mother squeezed her hand. "Once I have your brother and regain my strength, I'll help you any way that I can, Brenna. I'm sorry for not believing in you earlier. I was just afraid that I'd lose my only child."
"I somehow understand that now." Dr. Sid popped her head in the doorway, signaling it was time for her parents to leave. Brenna quickly added, "Go rest. I need to talk to my mate and figure out what to do next."
As her parents said their goodbyes and left, Brenna wanted nothing more than to talk with her dragon about her parents' return. The silence inside her head reminded her of why she was lying in a hospital bed to begin with.
The only question is whether she wanted to allow her dragon to come back and go through the frenzy, or continue to drug her for months until the mate-claim frenzy faded.
Maybe talking with Killian would make the decision easier.
~~~
Killian O'Shea followed Stonefire's head Protector into a cottage. Neither one spoke as they moved down the corridor to an open doorway, where Stonefire's leader, Bram Moore-Llewellyn, sat at a desk. The dark-haired male motioned toward the two chairs in front of his desk. "Sit."
While he may have been able to get away with acts of defiance back in Ireland, he was completely at the English dragon-shifter's mercy. Pissing him off wasn't an option, especially since it could mean never seeing Brenna again as a result.
His dragon spoke up. Then be nice.
Bram prevented Killian from replying to his beast. "It seems the Glenlough dragons are out to make my life difficult through stealing my clan members."
Killian frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Your sister took one of my Protectors, and now her brother is trying to do the same."
"I didn't—"
Bram raised a hand. "I know. It's called teasing. You'd better get used to it."
Killian's dragon spoke up. Maybe he's not so scary.
In my experience, the nicest ones at the beginning can turn out to be the most protective later on.
And how do you know that?
I'm not sure. I just do.
He barely had a second to wonder if some of his memories were coming back before Bram's voice filled the room again. "Look, I'll be honest—if it were solely up to me, I'd send you back home and keep you far away from Brenna. But Teagan says Brenna fancies you, so I'm going to give you a chance. However, with the Northcastle bloke fighting his own mate-claim frenzy pull with the human female, I have a lot going on and am going to place you into Tristan MacLeod's hands. You'll be staying with his family."
He frowned. "The teacher?"
"Aye, and he's going to help you. I can't risk your newfound dragon throwing a tantrum or going rogue. Tristan will ensure that you can get a grip on your inner beast. And before you think to overpower or trick Tristan and his mate, just know various Protectors are going to be watching you in shifts."
"But what about Brenna? When can I see her?" Killian asked.
Bram grunted. "I don't know. Possibly never, if she wills it."
Leaning forward, Killian ignored his instincts and growled, "I'm her mate. You can't keep me from her."
Raising his brows, Bram leaned back in his chair. "Can't I?"
His dragon whispered, Don't make him angry. Be nice and he may let us see her again.
Taking a deep breath, Killian let it out and tried again. "I want to see her for myself and make sure she's okay. Even if it's with a guard, it's better than nothing."
After a few beats, Bram nodded. "I might arrange that, provided your lessons with Tristan go well."
"And how am I supposed to concentrate while Brenna is suffering?"
Bram studied him a second. "Your sister may be right about you fancying Brenna."
Killian slapped a hand on the desk. "Of course I care for her. She's done more for me than anyone else. Why can't you believe that?"
"You have no idea who you really are and don't trust yourself. So, how am I supposed to trust you?"
Stonefire's leader was perceptive.
Killian wanted to deny it, but Bram's observation was correct. "Because regardless of the mess I am, Brenna is the one good thing in my life right now. Hurting her is the last thing I want to do."
Bram's pupils flashed. "I think I believe you. Still, you're going to Tristan's house and will stay there until you hear from me or one of my Protectors."
From the dominance in Bram's voice, Killian could tell the leader wouldn't budge. So he asked, "Then just tell me if Brenna is okay or is she suffering?"
Bram's gaze softened. "Sid will take care of her. Trust me on that."
That wasn't much of an answer, but Killian had a feeling that was all he was going to get.
He'd started to think he didn't care if his memories ever returned, but it seemed people would only trust him if they did.
His dragon spoke up. We are fine the way we are. And as long as the shadow dragon stays away, we are safe.
Wait, what are you talking about?
I don't know where that came from. But somehow I know that if he escapes the mirror lake and comes here, things will change.
Bram's voice interrupted his conversation. "Kai will take you to Tristan's right now."
Killian didn't stand. "What about my mother and sister? Can I talk to them soon? And no, I don't remember them. But Caitlin O'Shea gave up her freedom to help me. The least I can do is check up on her."
"You can have a video conference later, provided the Northcastle leader approves." Bram waved a hand in dismissal. "Take him away, Kai, and assign a guard."
Kai nodded his head and grunted. "Let's go, O'Shea."
Not wanting to risk the few privileges he'd won, Killian stood and followed Kai out of the cottage in silence.
As they walked past various clan members, they each paused to look at Killian. Some even whispered to their companions so low he couldn't make it out.
For the first time, he realized how lucky he'd been back on Glenlough. True, he may have had some restrictions but at least most people hadn't eyed him with suspicion or skepticism.
His beast chimed in. But didn't you hate how they tried to force memories on you? You are never happy.
I would be happy if I had Brenna by my side and we fled to some rural location where no one would bother us.
And Mum? What about her?
She has a new life to follow. An amnesiac son would only add complications and sorrow to it.
I wish you'd stop thinking we're a bother to everyone. People care about us. Why push them away?
He mentally grunted. And how can a baby dragon be such a philosopher?
I'm not a baby. And I'm clever. His dragon paused before adding, If they allow it, we could try shifting.
I think that requires knowledge and practice.
So you aren't ruling it out? his beast asked eagerly.
I suppose not. But shifting can be dangerous. I don't want to chance it.
And how do you know that? We've never tried.
I have no bloody idea. I just know.
So, you have more knowledge out of nowhere. Maybe the shadow dragon is slowly seeping into our mind.
Kai stopped at the doorstep of a cottage and Killian quickly said, We'll talk more about this later.
With a huff, his beast sat down and remained quiet.
Kai had barely knocked when the door opened to reveal a short, curvy female with a smile. A boy not much older than a year or so sat on her hip. The female looked at Kai and then Killian. "So this is Killian O'Shea."
The female's American accent made him blink. "You're American."
"Well, half American. I'm Melanie Hall-MacLeod." She jostled the boy at her hip and he giggled. "This is my son, Jack. Tristan is around somewhere. Once he catches Annabel, he'll find us." She stepped back and motioned with her head. "Come in."
The fact the female trusted a stranger into her home and around her children either made her stupid or extremely kind.
He had barely stepped inside the cottage before a tall dragonman carrying a little girl about the same age as Jack strode down the hall. He growled, "You weren't supposed to let them in yet, Mel."
Melanie shrugged one shoulder. "Kai's here, and I wasn't about to let them linger on the doorstep. After all, Killian's having a hard enough day as it is."
Tristan glared at Killian. "Harm anyone in this house and you'll pay with blood."
Melanie tsked. "Tristan." She looked at her son's wide eyes. "Daddy isn't going to hurt anyone. Fighting isn't always the answer."
Annabel chanted, "Pay, pay, pay."
Rolling her eyes, Melanie sighed. "I suspect she'll be going around the house soon, saying people will pay with blood."
Before Tristan could reply, Jack pointed at Killian. "Who he?"
Jumping on the distraction, he smiled at the little boy. "My name is Killian."
"Kill!" Jack shouted.
Melanie snorted. "That is an unfortunate nickname. But Killian is quite a mouthful for someone not yet two." She turned. "Come in and make yourself comfortable. I'm sure you have a lot of questions for Tristan."
The human seemed an odd choice of mate for the growly, glaring dragonman. But he wasn't going to insult the female who'd been kind to him, so Killian followed her. Tristan trailed two steps behind him.
Once they all settled down into a chair or sofa in the living room, with the children playing on the floor, Melanie spoke up again. "I've heard your story and want to let you know that you can ask Tristan anything without feeling stupid. Despite his growly exterior, he's good at helping students with their inner dragons. Trust him, and you'll have a well-behaved dragon soon enough."
His beast huffed. I'm already well-behaved.
Don't be offended. She's just trying to help.
Still, there isn't much I need to contain.
What about shifting? I have no idea what to expect.
Then ask him.
Killian met Tristan's gaze. The warning from earlier had vanished and had been replaced with curiosity. Tristan spoke before he could. "I've never seen a grown male with a young inner dragon before. Explain what he knows or doesn't and we can formulate a strategy from there."
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask why Tristan was offering his help so easily, but he resisted. Killian explained about the young dragon, shadow dragon, and how both Killian and his new dragon half both seemed to possess knowledge with no memory of how they had gained it.
When he finished, Tristan grunted. "You're in much better shape than Sid was. I think we should start with cooperation exercises and work our way up to shifting sections of your body, such as a hand or foot, before taking the next step."
Little Annabel stood, yelled, "Pay!" and attempted to body slam her brother.
Melanie and Tristan had just managed to each take a child in hand when Kai's voice filled the room. "That was Bram on my phone. I'm to take you back to the surgery, Killian."
He looked at the head Protector. "What? Why did he change his mind?"
Kai shrugged a shoulder. "Brenna wants to see you."
He stood and faced the head Protector. "She's awake?" Kai nodded, and Killian asked, "But won't me being near her stir the frenzy?"
"Her dragon has been drugged and will remain unconscious for a couple days."
As much as he wanted to learn more about being a dragon-shifter, Brenna was more important. "Then let's go."
Kai focused on Tristan and Melanie. "Someone will bring him back shortly. It'll give you more time to handle those two troublemakers."
Melanie grinned. "You know Annabel wants to start training as a Protector already, right? Maybe you should take her."
"Nice try, Mel. Your lively daughter is your concern." Kai motioned toward the door. "Let's go."
As they walked briskly back toward the surgery, Killian's heart rate ticked up. The upcoming conversation with Brenna wasn't going to be a light one. Somehow or another, he needed to find a way for him to stay with her. Having a child terrified him, but never seeing Brenna ever again made his heart heavy.
His dragon spoke up. I'm sure we can find a way to stay with her.
How? You say you have knowledge, but this seems unlikely.
Let me think on it.
By the time they reached the surgery, his beast still hadn't said anything else.
Before he knew it, Kai opened the door to Brenna's room. Killian rushed inside and Brenna instantly met his eyes.
While she was physically the same with her lovely olive skin and short hair that brought out her cheekbones and full lips, something seemed different about her gaze. He wondered if it had to do with her missing dragon.
His own chimed in. Where is her dragon? She seems different without it.
It will come back.
Are you sure? I don't like it. Maybe I should try to bring it back, like the kiss with Georgiana brought me back.
Kissing her right now is a bad idea. I suspect even drugged, her dragon could sense it and maybe wake up.
His beast huffed. I will hold back for now, but I'm going to work on solutions whilst you talk.
Brenna's voice prevented him from replying. "It's okay, Killian. Come sit next to me."
Dr. Sid added, "But no kissing or even hugging. I can't risk the dragon fighting off the drugs early."
Grunting his acknowledgment, Killian walked over and sat on the edge of Brenna's bed. As they stared into one another's eyes, he wanted nothing more than to pull her close, nuzzle her neck, and take a few seconds to memorize her feminine scent. After all, this could be the last time he ever saw her.
No. He refused to accept that outcome until Brenna specifically rejected him.
Killian cleared his throat and decided to get the conversation over with. "Well, it seems we have quite a few decisions to make. Let's start with the most important—what do you want to do about the frenzy?"