~

 

“Why does your dragon only awaken when there is a threat?” Vicky asked…

“Because dragons are long since dead and harder to hide than wolves, vampires, or other Fae … and then there is the balance thing…” Roloko growled.

He felt the hard sting of hatred within him for that decision … it wasn’t right – not for his beast.

“Not on top of the mountain…” Connor said back, eyeing the shifter, and trying to size him up…

“Now hold on a damn minute there…” Landon had shifted back into his human form the moment that he sensed which way the conversation was turning…

“It’s not the worst idea…” Connor said…

“It’s not the best damn idea either…” Landon growled…

“We’ve got pups here…” Justice growled – human again the moment that Landon had shifted…

“He’s not a monster…” Connor tossed a hand towards the man… “He’s just really … big.”

“Let’s do this…” George growled. His beast was more than ready for the fight to death…

“Hold your horses there true alpha…” Connor bit out.

“Hey…” George growled back.

“What?” Connor demanded, flustered right down to his very bones as he whipped around to face the man…

“I don’t know…” George growled back.

“Nice … logical argument,” Connor tossed his way, before he turned towards Roloko. “All I’m wondering is … do we have to get all claws and razor sharp fangs…?”

“I know if I don’t kill him then they’ll just send someone else to do it…” Roloko nodded towards George and the alpha growled back…

“Not if we hide him…” Vicky said with a small shrug off her shoulders.

“Like inside the castle?” Zana snorted. “That’s not going to work…”

“Like under magic…” Vicky offered back. “We’ve got enough witches on this mountain for more than one coven, between us we could come up with a spell that would – I don’t know – doom off the mountain and surrounding areas…”

“I still have to kill the dragon…” George growled with the anticipation of the fight that his beast was ready for…

“Geez, would someone toss a leash on him – maybe a muzzle…?” Connor rolled his head on his neck at the sound of another hard growl…

“What they can’t see or feel they can’t know about…” Zana offered back.

“What about him?” Landon motioned towards Roloko…

“While he’s alive, while I’m alive then my dragon will stay active inside of me…” Roloko looked to the vampire.

Connor could see that the man’s mind was already working. On what, he couldn’t be sure.

 

~

~

~

 

Roloko thought hard and fast. He was tempted by the witch’s idea, but only because the true alpha had a mate…

If I die it could be in vain…

What if the witches couldn’t hide the beast?

What if the ancestors could see through whatever kind of magical cloak they design?

How would they know?

I could allow myself a noble death only for the spell not to work … they would just waken another…

I don’t owe anything to these people…

And yet … he has a mate…

What would I give to be able to have that?

What would I give to live free with my dragon?

I’d need proof that it could work before I gave up my life…

“What about hiding the dragon as well?” Connor asked Vicky.

He’d looked into the man’s mind and listened to his thoughts. The shifter had half a life, a mere existence, and no chance at a mate…

“Same … principle…” Vicky shrugged…

“He’s a dragon…” Landon said again… “Does anyone else find that a little … oh, I don’t know … worrying?”

“I don’t need to live…” Roloko announced, more sure than he’d ever been that this could be a noble death that all dragons sought. “But, I do need to know this would work before I die.”

“Ok, now … what?” George growled.

“See …” Connor announced, tossing a hand up towards Roloko. “Good dragon…”

“There are good dragons?” Justice frowned.

“There are good vampires?” Connor tossed back.

“Not really, no…” Justice grinned.

“Butthead,” Connor grumbled.

“I have a plan…” Vicky announced and Connor groaned… “Excuse me?”

“Love you…” Connor offered back and she snorted.

“You’ll be paying for that remark later as well…” she muttered.

“Can’t wait, but in the meantime, sweetness of mine…” Connor nodded towards Roloko…

“Do you have a name?” Zana asked.

“Roloko…” he offered back with a small curt nod of his head, and George growled.

“Rolo!” Connor exclaimed. “I like it.”

“So what’s the plan?” Landon looked to Vicky and the witch had a crooked, mischievous look on her face.

“We kill George and the dragon…” she offered back.

“I’ve heard that story before, but I don’t think it ended that way…” Connor offered back.

“Well, it does now.”

“I think I’m getting a headache…” Landon grumbled.