Chapter Nineteen
Brenna Rossi finished ordering some Protectors to go to Teagan’s aid, hung up the phone, and looked to Orla at her side. “I’m not sure what else we can do right now but wait.”
The old dragonwoman banged her cane against the ground. “Sometimes, that’s all you can do. Sit down before you fall down, child.”
Taking advantage of the few moments of quiet, Brenna gulped down her coffee and sat down. She said to her dragon, I wish Killian was here.
Why? As much as I’d like to fuck him, there are more important things to worry about right now.
Glad to see you have your priorities straight, dragon.
Her beast huffed. Oh, if he doesn’t show up soon, then we’re going to find him.
No—
Don’t even try to stop me. Besides, it’s not just for scratching my itch. Glenlough needs him, too.
And they should, no, will find him. If he’s hurt, he’ll find a way to reach out to his clan. He lives and breathes Glenlough.
Her dragon grunted. Maybe. But he’s a stubborn arse who thinks his sole existence is to protect and nothing more. At some point, he needs to loosen up a bit.
Right, and you’re the one to do it?
But of course. I’ve done a fairly good job with you, after all.
Orla’s voice saved Brenna from trying to rationalize and argue with her dragon. “You’re doing well for one so young, Brenna Rossi.”
Brenna blinked. “Um, thank you?”
Orla frowned. “Own your accomplishments, child. Modesty won’t get you to where you want to be. I can see you being head Protector or clan leader in your own right someday.”
“I refuse to believe Killian won’t come back.”
“I never said you’d earn those roles here, or even straight away.” Orla studied her a second before stating, “I do think you fancy my grandson, am I right?”
Her cheeks flushed. “That’s not important. He’s a good Protector and your own blood. You should care a bit more about his well-being instead of interrogating me about something unimportant.”
Orla clicked her tongue. “Killian can take care of himself in these matters. However, he’s not so skilled in recognizing good potential mates. That’s why he needs me. Otherwise, he’ll never find one. He needs a little guidance.”
Brenna should let the matter drop, but she asked, “What are you talking about?”
Orla smiled. “You’ll see, child. You’ll see. If it’s the last thing I do on this earth, I will see both my grandchildren mated and happy.”
“Stop being silly, Orla. You’ll outlive us all.”
Orla shrugged. “I won’t live forever, nor do I want to. But I can ensure my immortality through the continuation of my line. I rather hope both Killian and Teagan end up with offspring like me, personality-wise. That would keep them on their toes.”
Her beast spoke up. Listen to her. Just because Killian is much older doesn’t matter.
It matters to him. He sees us as a child.
Her dragon growled. We’re twenty-one and have served two years in the British Army. Most middle-aged humans couldn’t stomach what we’ve been through.
Even putting the age issues aside, I’m not ready to settle down. Staying on Glenlough has inspired me. I want to do more than I’ve ever dreamed of before.
You can do it all. I, on the other hand, don’t care for celibacy.
Lyall rushed over. Brenna mentally sighed in relief and focused on the Protector. “What is it?”
“Kerrin is ready,” the older male replied. “Should he proceed?”
Kerrin Dunne was an electrical engineer and Glenlough’s best amateur inventor.
She stood and picked up the headset that patched through to Kerrin. “Kerrin, give me a minute to get everyone ready before we start.”
“Just give the word, Brenna. I’ll flip the switch as soon as you do,” Kerrin answered.
She looked to Lyall. “Is all of the vital equipment protected and the necessary shields placed around central command?” He nodded.
That meant if everything went according to plan, Kerrin’s device wouldn’t affect the protected electronics.
Brenna switched the frequency to one that would broadcast to the entire clan as well as to the observation platforms. “Jabberwocky.”
That was the current code word used for any clan emergency and signaled to everyone that something was about to happen. While it changed every few weeks, Brenna rather liked it. However, if she were in charge, she would have certain words for certain types of emergencies. She’d bring up the idea to Killian once he showed his face again.
She connected again with Kerrin. “Okay. Flip the switch in sixty seconds. Once it’s done, send out your volunteers to scour the area for downed machines.”
“Understood.”
Kerrin’s device would emit an electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, that should knock out any electronic device within a certain radius. He and his team had set them up at strategic locations around the clan and surrounding areas. The hope was that they could knock some of the machines—they didn’t yet know if they were drones—out of the sky and study them. Arabella MacLeod, on Lochguard, was waiting to try and hack the operating system and information of one of them, too, if Kerrin’s plan succeeded.
Crossing her fingers, she counted to sixty and waited for news from Kerrin. As the minutes ticked by, she wondered if something had gone wrong. Then a call came in on the main line and she answered it. “Yes?”
“This is Kerrin. It worked, although with a much smaller range than I had anticipated. I’ll have to tweak a few things later. Still, we’re going out to search now.”
“Update me every five minutes or with every find you come across,” Brenna said. “There may be enemies hiding in the forests. Be careful and don’t be afraid to signal a Protector for help. You have your set of flares, right? Since their mobile phones probably won’t work.”
“Yes, I have everything. You’ll hear from me soon.”
He hung up and Brenna let out a sigh of relief. She looked to Orla. “Kerrin said it was mostly a success. It seems the shields placed around central command worked, too. He and his teams are looking for any downed foreign objects now.”
Orla tilted her head. “Let’s hope they find one of those bloody things. If this Arabella can trace back locations, then we can take care of the pests.”
“Arabella said it was only maybe possible, depending on the sophistication of the hardware. It’s also not an exact science,” Brenna pointed out.
Orla waved a hand in dismissal. “No matter. These drone-whatever things can’t be cheap. If we confiscate a few and can set them back for a while, that’s good enough for now.” She pointed at Brenna. “Now, go eat something. You’ve been working nonstop and need the rest.”
“I can’t possibly—”
“Don’t argue with me, child. I won’t keel over in the next twenty minutes. I can keep an eye and ear on what’s going on. If there’s any change, I’ll send someone to fetch you.”
Her dragon spoke up. We can trust Orla. Make sure to take care of us, too. Glenlough needs us, and if you want to stay, we need to prove ourselves vital to them.
Too tired to argue, Brenna waved goodbye to Orla and trekked toward the storage area stocked with instant meals for Protectors on duty.
Orla was right, she needed the energy. The day was long from over and just because she hadn’t been born on Glenlough didn’t mean she didn’t care fiercely for the clan. Besides, if she couldn’t help keep it in one piece, she would be sent back to Stonefire. And as much as she loved her home, Brenna had several reasons for staying with Glenlough, both for herself and for achieving her desired future.
She couldn’t afford to fail them.
~~~
Teagan clicked off her phone and closed her eyes.
The DDA wasn’t happy.
Not just because two dragon-shifters were dead or that she’d had a public brawl with Hugh in dragon form, but the law dictated that the DDA would contact the other clans to report the deaths of their leaders.
Considering that the DDA preferred to stay out of clan politics, they were now going to be more involved than they had been in decades.
Her beast growled. It’s their job. They don’t deserve our worry.
Maybe not, but I’m more afraid of war.
I doubt it will come to that. Orin and Padraig betrayed us. That won’t sit well with most dragon-shifters.
“Most” being the key word.
The car driving Teagan back to Glenlough slowed down as the front gates opened. Because of the drugs she’d received, her pain was only a dull ache in both her leg and her neck. And thanks to the nurse who’d patched her up, Teagan was still conscious, which was quite a feat considering her blood loss.
Not for the first time she was glad dragon-shifters healed faster than humans.
Her dragon chimed in. If we had stayed in dragon form, we’d be even closer to being healed.
As much as you want to ride on the back of a lorry in dragon form, that would’ve drawn too much attention and taken too much time. Not to mention it would’ve made us a huge target.
With the three males taken care of and the darts probably not working on dragon hide, we would’ve been fine. At any rate, you can’t complain about the pain and had better stay awake until we see both Aaron and Killian.
At the mention of the two most important males in her life, emotion gathered in her throat. She was optimistic, but also a realist. If anything happened to either Aaron or Killian, she would be strong for the clan, but then cry her heart out in private. She couldn’t afford to let anything make her appear weak, especially in the current climate.
Needing a distraction and time to compose herself, Teagan focused outside the car window. As they cruised down the road, she noted that the streets and footpaths were empty. At least there wasn’t chaos inside her own clan.
Communication had been sparse since Teagan had contacted Brenna earlier, but Teagan had confidence that Brenna and Orla had implemented the security protocols and had things in hand.
Speaking of which, she tried dialing central command to check on things. Her calls hadn’t been going through during the drive because of something the clan had tried, probably to do with Kerrin. When Brenna finally answered, Teagan mentally sighed in relief. “Teagan?”
“Yes, it’s me. I’m sure you saw that the car I’m in has arrived, but I wanted to let you know that I’m going to the surgery first and then I’ll make my way over.”
“We can come to you,” Brenna answered. “Not only are you injured, but I’m sure you want to spend time with Aaron, too.”
Yes, Aaron. We need to hold him close, her dragon said.
Not until we have the time. There is much to do, and regardless of my own desires, it has to be done.
Teagan answered Brenna, “I’ll check in on Aaron whilst I’m there being examined, but until Dr. O’Brien tweaks the antidote, there’s little I can do for him. It’s more important to be brought up to date. Make sure to have a briefing ready for me when I arrive.”
“Of course.” Brenna paused and then added, “Just know that the clan has your back more than ever, Teagan. People keep calling in to ask how to help or to see if you’re okay, and in overwhelming numbers.” She lowered her voice. “Based on what I’ve witnessed, I’m fairly sure they’d support Aaron staying, too. His actions today are already well-known within the clan. Risking himself to save you is bloody heroic.”
“And I’m sure he’ll remind me every chance he gets when we’re in private,” Teagan muttered.
Brenna snorted. “I’m sure he will. But I’ve known Aaron most of my life. He’d do it again without batting an eyelash. It’s just who he is, which is a brilliant male to have at your side.”
Teagan opened her mouth to say she knew that already, but Orla’s voice came over the line. “Ignore the hero poppycock. You and Aaron being together is the worst-kept secret on Glenlough. No one cares that he’s English. Well, most don’t, at any rate. I suspect a few are jealous of your catch.”
Teagan sighed. “Gran, please. I don’t have time for this.”
Orla replied, “Just get yourself checked out and then check on your male. If anything changes, Brenna and I will let you know. Brenna’s quite the capable lass. If Killian ever decides to show his face again, he might have a rival for his position.”
A small part of Teagan was worried about Killian still being missing, but she trusted her brother to find a way home. She’d talk to some of the Protectors once she had a chance, as a precaution.
Her dragon spoke up. Killian would want us to focus on the clan first, so we should.
I know what he’d bloody want, but he’s family. I’ll give him a few more hours, but then I’m going to act on my worry and see if I can send some Protectors to search for him.
Brenna’s voice came back over the line, which prevented her dragon from arguing. “The adrenaline in your body is long gone by now, Teagan. See the doctor and take care of you and your male. We need both of you well. This is long from over. I think Glenlough has been added to the target list of at least the Dragon Knights, along with Stonefire and Lochguard. Not to mention already being targeted previously by the dragon hunters. We need you healthy.”
The line went dead and Teagan sighed before saying to her dragon, It didn’t take long to go from doing everything myself to having several strong-willed helpers.
Good. Maybe we’ll be able to do more than fill out paperwork or listen to arguments from now on. I want to fly more often.
We’ll see, dragon. We’ll see.
The car rolled into the back entrance of the surgery. As soon as the vehicle stopped, she opened the door and slowly inched toward the edge of the seat. Before she could reach it, Arlanna, one of Glenlough’s nurses, frowned at her before the other female’s gaze zeroed in on Teagan’s crudely bandaged thigh and then on her neck. “Don’t even think of standing on that leg or opening the wound on your neck again. You need to take it easy.” She snapped her fingers and a wheelchair appeared. “Come and sit here.”
Since each movement sent a stab of pain racing up her leg, not to mention the constant burning at her throat, Teagan complied. Once she was in the chair, Arlanna pushed her into the surgery. “For security purposes, you and Aaron will be sharing a room.”
Teagan doubted it had anything to do with security, but she wasn’t going to complain.
As Arlanna made her way down the corridor, each passing second made Teagan’s heart thump faster. With the main threats to her clan taken care of, she wanted to see Aaron.
And not just because he’d taken a dart for her or risked his life to warn her of the threat. No, she needed to see his rising and falling chest as well as feel his rough hand in hers.
Through all the shit coming her way, her gut told her he would support her, not to mention ensure she didn’t pull her hair out or give herself a heart attack from too much stress.
And selfish as it may be, she yearned for just a few seconds of his touch to ground her. After a few minutes with her male, Teagan would be ready to face anything and everything left to tackle.
Her dragon growled. And to think you chickened out in telling him we love him.
Teagan didn’t hesitate in answering, The second he wakes up, I’m telling him.
Good, because if you go on about him not wanting to fight some more or getting tired of us being in charge, then I may just have to take control and claim him as our mate myself until you see clearly.
No need for dramatics. I love Aaron and want him to stay, no matter the cost.
Good.
Arlanna finally wheeled her into one of the rooms. Her eyes instantly zeroed in on Aaron.
He lay unconscious on a bed.
It was strange to see her male motionless and looking helpless. And all of it was because he had sacrificed himself to protect her. She wasn’t about to say it was purely her fault since Aaron knew full well what he’d been doing, but it was her responsibility to ensure he woke up again.
The nurse stopped at Aaron’s side and said, “Take a moment with him. I’ll fetch the necessary supplies.”
Arlanna left.
Teagan took Aaron’s hand. She traced his knuckles and strong fingers. There was so much she had yet to feel and experience from his hands. So many years of pleasure and closeness.
Even when his digits were gnarled with gray hair on his knuckles because of old age, she wanted the chance to touch them whenever she wanted and remember every memory.
Bloody hell, how she wanted him. No, it was more than that. She loved him more than she’d loved anyone else before.
She finally threaded her fingers through his and gently squeezed. “You’d better wake up so I can punch you for your sacrifice and then kiss you to show how much I love you.” She lowered her voice. “I need you, Aaron. Please don’t leave me. If Killian doesn’t return…” She trailed off to squeeze her eyelids closed. She couldn’t afford to cry. If it were just her and Aaron, she wouldn’t hesitate. But the clan was counting on her.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and raised their clasped hands to her cheek. The warmth of his skin helped her muscles relax a fraction.
She was content to watch Aaron’s breathing and take comfort in his familiar scent and heat. He was alive, after all, and that was the most important factor.
Just as her eyelids kept drooping, Arlanna returned.
She pushed aside her sleepiness. However, Teagan didn’t drop Aaron’s hand and make excuses. She merely looked to Arlanna. The nurse nodded and said, “Any male who is willing to protect you is worth keeping around.”
“I agree.”
Arlanna held up her supplies. “I need to clean you up properly. We can’t risk either wound festering or who knows what else. The doctor is also going to take a look and run some tests. If you’re lucky, whatever grazed you wasn’t covered in some unknown chemical.”
Teagan kissed Aaron’s hand and gently laid it back on the bed. “Let’s hope not. Either way, whoever controlled the drones will now be a target of the Irish government as well.”
“Bastards. But whatever happens, you’ll find a way to keep us safe. I’m sure of it.”
Teagan smiled at Arlanna. The nurse’s gaze was warm and trusting. Between her people and Aaron, she could face the future.
How she ever thought she was alone, she didn’t know.
She watched Aaron’s face as Arlanna worked on cleaning her leg and neck wounds, the stings barely noticeable compared to the pain earlier.
With dreams of a happy future and a trusted male at her side, Teagan was more determined than ever to fight for her clan. Meeting with the DDA wasn’t going to be pleasant, but she would make them understand the threat and try to convince them to help. If the Dragon Knights were involved, or any other enemy, she was going to need to work together with as many allies as possible. Otherwise, there might not be a Clan Glenlough for much longer. Not even Teagan could stop attacks on all sides.
Now all she needed to do was allow herself time to heal. Then she could tackle all of it, with a little help from those she trusted.
And Killian had better be one of them. Because if he was still missing when she was mostly healed, she was going to track down her brother and kill him herself.