Chapter Seventeen
Killian's joy at Brenna agreeing to give him a chance was short-lived. He'd barely tasted her lips when the blasted Stonefire doctor gave her order.
Black and Blue had ended whatever game they'd been playing at the back of his mind, and Blue spoke up. Dr. Sid has been helping us. Be nice to her.
Not replying to his beast, Killian helped Brenna pull up her underwear and trousers. He gave one last lingering kiss before sitting beside Brenna on the bed and asking, "What's so bloody important, Dr. Sid?"
Sid turned around, her brows raised. "If you don't want my help, I can leave."
Brenna placed a hand on Killian's thigh. "No, no, we want you to stay, Sid. Did you find something new?"
The doctor glanced between them. "First, tell me what's happened with your dragons, Killian."
He shrugged a shoulder. "They mostly behave when Brenna's around. We've been testing boundaries."
"And?"
He gave the doctor credit—she didn't scold him for his experiment, but rather just wanted to know the results. "Brenna has worked miracles with them. I'm hoping we can chance shifting soon, to prove they can be trusted outside this cell."
"And that's why I'm here," Sid replied. She walked up to the bars, only stopping to pick up the key Brenna had thrown earlier. "Bram had to tell the DDA Inspector what's going on, and she wants to interview you."
Being angry at Bram for doing his job would accomplish nothing. His sister would've done the same if the situations were reversed. "Do you know what for?"
Sid unlocked the door. "To probably determine if you're stable, and to make a note of your situation. Ms. Day won't say whether there are other cases like yours or not. However, I almost guarantee that if you lash out at her, you'll be carried away to a DDA research facility somewhere and may never be released."
Wrapping an arm around Brenna's shoulders, he hugged her close. "I'm not going anywhere."
Sid rolled her eyes. "You can growl and protest as much as you like, but if you truly want to stay at Brenna's side, then you'd bloody well better cooperate and prove that you're not a threat. You can practice with me and allow me to talk with your dragons."
Brenna jumped in. "Before you do that, can you tell us if you've learned anything about similar cases from Alice?"
"No, she's still tracking down the ship's logs and trying to discover what the 16th-century dragon may have eaten."
Not wanting to dwell on the disappointment in his belly, Killian spoke to his beasts. Can you handle talking with Dr. Sid alone?
Black growled. I'm more than capable. It's the other one you have to worry about.
Blue grunted. I'm the good one, but I have a feeling he won't share and allow me to talk with the doctor.
Nodding, Black replied, Bloody right I don't want to share. You're young and immature. We have a better chance of passing any sort of test if I take charge.
If being young and immature is such a bad thing, then why were you playing with me just a few minutes ago?
Killian cut in. You two need to put aside your differences. If we fuck up with the DDA Inspector, we may never see Brenna again. Do you want that?
No, they both murmured.
He continued, Good. Then start working together. That's our only chance for the future we want.
Sid's voice interrupted his conversation. "I see you talking with your dragons, Killian. What do they say?"
Taking a deep breath, he removed his arm from Brenna's shoulders and stood. "They're up for trying to talk with you."
"Right, then it's probably best if Brenna leaves." He opened his mouth, but Sid cut him off. "You're not always going to have your mate by your side. This is the only way to see if you can be trusted with the DDA Inspector."
Brenna chimed in. "But what about you, Sid?"
Sid never took her gaze from his. "I doubt even his dragons would hurt a pregnant female since they don't appear to be rogue. Besides, I have a few tricks to protect myself, if need be."
Blue spoke up. Of course I wouldn't hurt her. I want to play with her baby when it's old enough.
Hopefully by then, you'll be mature enough not to want to do that, Black said. But she's right, I'd never hurt a pregnant female.
Killian asked, "Since pregnancy is a sort of protection, shouldn't we try it with your mate instead? After all, the DDA Inspector isn't pregnant and won't have that to protect her."
Sid shook her head. "No, let's start with me first. If you do well, then we'll try it with Gregor or even one of the Protectors." She moved to the side and motioned toward the exit. "To test this, I need you to leave, Brenna."
Brenna stood at his side. "Tell me as soon as you're done, Sid, so I can come back."
"You can work that out with Bram and Kai. They have a job for you and you're to report to Bram's cottage straight away."
He could sense Brenna's hesitation. Placing a hand on her lower back, he murmured, "Go. Your work is important to you. Besides, how are you supposed to charm Bram into letting me out of here if you don't see him?"
She smiled. "It will be easier to charm him without you growling all the time…"
Lightly swatting her bum, he said, "I like this cheeky side. She should come out more."
Brenna grinned and everything vanished but her smile.
With hard work and a little luck, he hoped to see that smile every day for the rest of his life.
Rather than think on how right that future sounded, he kissed her gently and stepped away. "Go, love. I'm sure that Sid will take care of me."
Before the doctor could open her mouth, Brenna winked and exited the room.
Sid turned her stare on him. "All right then, let's not waste any more time. I want to talk with your dragons."
He warned, Remember, behave. If you attack each other and make me go into another seizure, we'll never get out of here.
Once both his beasts grunted their agreement, Killian slowly retreated to the back of his mind. As seemed to be the norm, Black spoke first. "This is Black. I'm perfectly in control and stable."
Sid crossed her arms over her chest. "Is that so? What if you were in midflight, and something came up? Would you work together or simply make the decision?"
"Make the decision. I have more experience."
Sid didn't miss a beat. "Let me talk to Blue."
Mentally muttering, Black allowed Blue to say, "Hello, Dr. Sid. I don't think you're that scary."
Sid smiled. "I'm not, really, as long as people follow orders. But charm won't work with me, Blue. Same question: would you work with Black to make a split-second decision? Or, would you make it on your own?"
"I don't know. It depends. I know some things better, and so does he."
"You're the more level-headed one, then." Sid uncrossed her arms and took a step closer. "Being civil in a controlled environment is all well and good. However, we need to purposefully test you. I'll see what I can arrange."
Killian took control again. "And what do I do until then?"
"You stay here and train your dragons." She motioned toward a stack of books. "Tristan gave you those volumes for a reason."
"I know most of that information already," he grumbled.
"If I were you, I wouldn't take all this help for granted, Killian O'Shea. Read them. I guarantee there are things inside those books that you don't remember. Take in as much information as you can. After all, cockiness will only cause trouble for you later on."
With that, Sid exited the cell, locked it, and left the room.
Sighing, Killian picked up one of the books and glanced at the title: Learning to Live with your Inner Dragon: A Beginner's Guide.
Opening it, he began to read. Assuming he knew everything wouldn't do him any good with the Department of Dragon Affairs. After all, if they deemed him a threat, Killian would be locked away, possibly for life. He doubted Bram could stall the interview with the DDA inspector for more than a few days, so he'd have to make the most of the time he had.
Blue piped up. Remember, this is all for Brenna.
Yes, Black added. So don't fuck it up.
He resisted a sigh. I'm not the problem. You two maybe killing each other is.
Black huffed. We'll see. Maybe I can learn to live with him. Not because you asked me, but for Brenna.
Yes, for Brenna, Blue stated. The rest is up to you.
Rather than think on how his dragons had turned the situation around to him being the problem and not them, he blocked their muttering and began to study.
~~~
On her way to Bram's cottage, Brenna tried her best to pack away her worries. Sid would never willingly put herself and her unborn child in danger, meaning she never would have suggested being alone with Killian unless her gut said it would be all right.
Her dragon spoke up. Stop fussing. I think Killian's dragons hated each other for simply existing. But after the recent episode, I think they're learning to work together.
I hope so.
Besides, you should be happy. Killian is everything Cedric wasn't. He actually cares and thinks about us, without a secondary agenda.
She agreed, but rather than allowing hope to bloom, Brenna slowly forced all emotion from her face and mind. If her future ended up being on Stonefire, she needed to show she was still levelheaded and capable to Bram and Kai. Otherwise, she may spend the rest of her life behind a desk.
Just the thought of spending ten hours a day sitting inside made her shudder. She'd much rather stand watch in five feet of snow each day than endure that existence for forty-plus years.
She arrived at Bram's cottage, but she'd barely rapped a few times before Nikki Gray's smiling face greeted her. "Brenna!" The black-haired, brown-eyed female engulfed her in a hug. "It's good to see you home. There are so few of us female Protectors and I could use you at my side."
Nikki released her and Brenna answered, "More females are in training and should return home from the army before you know it. Much like with me, you're to thank for that."
Shaking her head, Nikki motioned inside. "Don't thank me. If not for Charlie, I never would have thought of signing up. She's the one we owe for the slowly growing female Protector numbers on Stonefire."
Charlie Wells had been Stonefire's first female Protector in decades. She'd died at the hands of dragon hunters, during her assignment to protect Evie Marshall.
Brenna bobbed her head. "She was a fantastic role model, and we need to keep her memory alive. Maybe the Protectors should host an annual seminar in her name, to encourage more females to join up in the future?"
Nikki guided her down the hall. "That's a brilliant idea. If there's ever enough of a lull in attacks or threats to the clan, maybe we can plan the event together. After all, as second-in-command of the Protectors, I have some sway with Kai."
The other dragonwoman winked and Brenna grinned. "And if you get Kai's mate on board, he won't stand a chance."
The door to Bram's office was open, and Kai spoke up from across the room. "I wish people would stop bloody planning things with my mate behind my back. I'm an open-minded bloke after all."
Nikki smiled at her boss. "You are, but it's fun to irritate you now and then. Also, it keeps Jane in the loop."
"Which then leads to trouble," Kai muttered, albeit with love in his eyes.
Bram sat at his desk and raised a hand. "Enough teasing. We have more important things to discuss right now."
Brenna looked at each of the three other people in the room in turn. "Dr. Sid mentioned an assignment, although she didn't elaborate on what. Has something happened that I'm unaware of?"
"As you know, Nikki has taken over the second-in-command role, leaving her old position vacant," Bram stated. "I know your future is uncertain right now, lass, but for the time being, I'd like you to take over daily sweeps and monitoring security disturbances."
She frowned. "I'd be honored, but aren't there other, more qualified Protectors?"
Nikki snorted. "You're more than qualified, Brenna. After all, you pretty much ran Glenlough's Protectors for a short while. If anything, this is almost a demotion."
To Brenna, it didn't feel like a demotion, but rather a great opportunity considering she'd been at the bottom of the ladder when she'd last lived on Stonefire.
Her heart skipped a beat in anticipation, but she had to be honest with her clan. "Are you sure about this? Until things are settled with Killian and we're sure there won't be any more episodes, I may not be as focused as usual."
Kai spoke up. "I understand the concern for your mate. After all, Jane is still healing from being stabbed in the shoulder. But as she always tells me, hovering only makes her crankier. Sometimes a little distance can do wonders for a relationship."
"Considering Killian has been unconscious quite often lately, distance isn't exactly high on my list," she drawled.
Bram chimed in. "I think what Kai is trying to say is that Tristan, Sid, and some of the others will need time alone with Killian, to work on controlling his dragons and to prove he's stable and not a threat. I've known you your whole life, Brenna, and you've never liked to sit idly by. Working whilst Killian is with the others will help use up some of your excess energy."
Nikki placed a hand on her shoulder. "Besides, you'll mostly deal with rebellious teenagers trying to sneak off the clan's lands. And giving them a lecture or two will help calm some of your stress. I'll miss that part, although scolding adult Protectors has its benefits, too."
Kai raised a brow. "Just make sure your mate stays away, Nikki. The others are holding back because he's human, but if Rafe goes too far, it won't end well."
Nikki rolled her eyes. "I can't help it." She placed a hand on her slightly swollen belly. "Until this baby is out, I think he'll only get worse."
Brenna should hold her tongue, but she blurted, "Isn't it an inconvenience to your career, being pregnant?"
Nikki smiled as she rubbed her abdomen. "I used to think it would ruin everything I'd worked for. Not trusting Bram and Kai's faith in me was one of the biggest mistakes I've made in a while. Will it be easy balancing parenthood with my job? No. But with the clan's help, I'll manage. My parents are especially looking forward to babysitting as much as possible."
At the mention of parents, Brenna remembered her own. Given how her mum was pregnant herself, Brenna didn't think that would be an option.
Her dragon spoke up. Killian isn't demanding a young. We have plenty of time.
Focusing back on Nikki, Brenna said, "I'll keep that in mind."
Bram grunted. "Well, will you be accepting the assignment, then?"
She nodded. "For now. But before I agree to any long-term commitment, I need to talk with Killian about the future. And I want to be able to contact Teagan, to give her a more personal update about her brother."
"Of course, as long as you don't mention any sensitive information without Kai's consent," Bram stated. "Now that's settled, you can begin straight away."
She blinked. "What if I had said no?"
Grinning, Bram shuffled through stacks of paper on his desk. "I knew you'd say yes."
Her dragon chimed in. As much as I admire Teagan, I've missed Bram's good nature.
The male in question held out a document and she took it. She read the heading, "Safe Zone Construction," and then the summary:
A neutral meeting location is needed on Stonefire's lands, but beyond the gates. An easily monitored and controlled location needs to be found and proposed. Once done, security protocols also need to be designed and tested.
Looking back up, she asked, "What is this for?"
Bram answered, "Clan Skyhunter is having their leadership trials anytime now. Once they have their new leader, I want to make contact and possibly form an alliance. But given how things have been functioning on that clan over the last few decades, I want to be cautious. If there is any malicious intent, I want to ensure it's away from the regular clan members."
Skyhunter was the dragon-shifter clan located in the south of England, and had been ruled by fear and an iron-fist until their leader had been arrested. They currently were without a leader and being held together by a variety of watchdogs.
Kai added, "The new safe zone space will also be used for meeting with other clan leaders and officials. If there's tighter security, more people may be willing to come and talk with our clan."
Brenna closed the folder. "It's a brilliant idea. One I'm sure Lochguard will emulate."
Bram muttered something, but Nikki spoke up. "Getting back to your assignment, finding the best location is your main concern. Once that's done, you'll be working with Nathan, Lucien, and Blake here on Stonefire to design all aspects of the security, from physical to technological."
Nathan was the Protectors' head IT person and someone Brenna had worked with before. The other two she knew only by name and appearance. "So Lucien was made the permanent IT head replacement for non-Protector matters?"
Bram grunted. "Aye. And Blake has a knack for inventing or coming up with solutions to tricky technological problems. He's a bit shy, but extremely clever."
Beyond Blake’s intelligence, she'd only heard that he mostly stayed indoors or in remote locations in his dragon form.
Her beast spoke up. I don't blame him for wanting to stay away from people. Everyone makes such a fuss over him being a white dragon with a black spot.
Even you were curious when we were children.
Yes, but adults should know better.
She focused on Kai. "Can you spare me two or three Protectors you trust to help with the initial scouting?"
"That should be fine for now," Kai answered. "Although if an emergency pops up, all of you will report back immediately, no questions asked."
A hum of excitement coursed through her body. "Sounds good to me." She paused and asked, "Can I tell Killian about this?"
Bram and Kai shared a look before Bram spoke again. "Not just yet. I want to trust him. He's your mate after all. However, until he's stable, I don't want to risk anything." Her excitement tamped down a fraction. It must've shown on her face because Bram added, "As soon as Sid and Gregor clear him and deem him stable, you can share the assignment with him. I should also add that I don't want to share this with any other clan, apart from a select few on Lochguard."
"Teagan is worth your trust, Bram," Brenna pointed out.
"Aaron selecting her as his mate tells me that, but given the number of leaks and disgruntled clan members the world over, I can't risk it right now. Otherwise, we'll never be a step ahead of the dragon hunter or Knights. I don't want them getting information about our security plans ahead of time, or the whole project will be for nothing."
Brenna frowned. "Can't they just monitor us with video drones?"
"Blake's already worked on a temporary fix for that, creating a sort of moveable field to block out feeds and networks. He can explain it better than I."
Nikki chimed in. "It does mean that you'll have to rely on older forms of communication, such as runners and the emergency landline telephones posted around the clan's lands, to regularly check in."
Brenna sensed she was about to be dismissed. And as anxious as she was to get back to work, she needed to ask something and spit out, "Before I start, I have a request, Bram." He raised his brows in question and she continued, "I want to test Killian's ability to shift in a controlled situation. However, it'll obviously have to be out of the jail cell since the small space is fortified against shifting dragons. Will you allow him out to try?"
"I will think on it." Bram leaned back in his chair. "Now, take the rest of the day off to spend with your mate. Report to the Protectors tomorrow morning, as soon as Tristan arrives to help Killian with his studies."
Some might push for a more concrete answer about Killian shifting, but Brenna knew Bram well enough to know that he wouldn't budge until everything was in place and safe for everyone.
She looked at each person in turn. "Thank you for this. I wasn't sure if you'd trust me again, after all that's happened."
Nikki waved a hand. "What happened to Killian wasn't your fault. And yes, you spent some time with Glenlough, but I think fostering is useful. It's why I keep pestering Bram about finally taking a foster from Lochguard, as he promised Finn ages ago."
Bram sighed. "It's on my list of things to do, but it's not a priority."
Nikki whispered loudly, "He just doesn't want to chance the foster candidate being someone like Finn or his cousins."
Kai grunted. "Regardless, it's necessary and overdue."
Not wanting to get in the middle of it, Brenna took a step back. "I should probably go check on Killian. I'll report tomorrow morning for work."
As soon as Nikki motioned with her head for Brenna to leave, the three dragon-shifters in the room started to argue.
Brenna exited the cottage and breathed a sigh of relief. She'd never understood Bram's hesitance regarding a Lochguard foster, but if anyone could persuade him, it would be Kai Sutherland.
Her dragon spoke up. I'm excited about our new job.
Me, too, although I wish Killian could be a part of it. He's brilliant with security.
Give it time. He's not ready to return to duty yet. Besides, you'll never be able to concentrate fully if you're always worrying about Killian falling unconscious at your side.
I know. Brenna picked up her pace. But I'm anxious to see him again.
And to think you wasted so much time avoiding him in recent weeks. You should listen to me. I have great instincts.
Not wanting to argue with her dragon, Brenna jogged the rest of the way to where Killian should be waiting for her.