Chapter Nine
Staring down at his sister’s unconscious form, Kai did his best to contain his desire to seek out those responsible and make them pay for harming a mere child.
His dragon chimed in. While I agree, the doctor needs our attention right now. It’s the best way to help Delia.
It took everything he had to focus on Dr. Perry’s words. “We don’t know if there will be any long-term effects from the drugs we found in her system. We’ve managed to flush out as much as we could. However, the good news is that all of her vital signs are normal now. She’ll pull through.”
Kai looked at the doctor. “How long until the results come back from the tests being run on the drugs?”
Dr. Perry answered, “Thanks to Trahern’s assistance on Stonefire, we should hopefully have them by tomorrow.”
Kai’s mother cleared her throat and touched the tender, pink skin that outlined Delia’s tattoo that had once been on her upper arm but was no longer there. “I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night, you call me the instant you know what’s going on, Maelon.”
“Of course, Lily,” Dr. Perry replied. “I’ll also make sure that a nurse brings you a cot and blankets since I know you’ll be staying here until your daughter wakes up.”
Kai’s mother bobbed her head and took Delia’s hand in hers.
At the sight of his mother and sister, the urge to punch the bastards responsible coursed through his body. Since the DDA now had the few humans Snowridge’s Protectors had captured at the farm—the three men from Arabella’s images plus a few others—in custody, seeing any of them was nigh impossible. All he could do was continue to assist Snowridge in piecing together the facts to find out what exactly had happened back on that farm.
In order to do that, he needed more information on what the doctor had discovered so far.
Looking at the doctor, Kai motioned with his head toward the hallway. Once they were both there and the door to Delia’s room was closed, Kai stated, “Tell me everything that you know, even if it’s only conjecture at this point.” When Maelon Perry hesitated, Kai added, “Rhydian already gave me the highest clearance regarding this matter. But I can’t do anything if people keep secrets from me.”
After checking that the hallway was empty, Maelon spoke in a low voice. “All of the children had the same drugs in their systems, according to preliminary tests. The kidnapped farmers’ children had higher toxicity levels, which means they’ve been exposed longer and I have no idea what effect that will have on them.”
If it was anything like the attacks on Stonefire, their inner dragons might go rogue.
His dragon spoke up. What about those too young to talk with their dragons yet?
Dragon-shifters usually started talking with their inner beasts around age six or seven. I don’t know. Let’s hope their dragons still emerge when they should.
Yes, otherwise that’ll be lonely for them.
Worse than that, dragon-shifters without inner dragons usually went insane .
Maelon’s voice interrupted Kai’s thoughts. “There is one positive so far, though. The only half-human and half dragon-shifter child had the same drugs in his system, but the boy appears unaffected.”
“Does that mean the drugs only affect pure-blooded dragon-shifters?”
“It’s too early to make a definitive statement, but it seems so. Or, at least, it works on dragon-shifters who only have a tiny percentage of human ancestry. Very few of us are genetically 100 percent dragon-shifter.”
Kai grunted. “Right, then maybe you should figure out at what point the drug becomes ineffective. That way we know who is at higher risk and then can decide who needs the most protection in future battles or attacks.”
Raising his brows, Maelon said, “I’m going to pretend that you didn’t just imply I’m not doing my job. We’re already working on it.”
His dragon spoke up. Be nice to the doctor. He’s helping Jane.
Kai was about to apologize for his curt tone when one of the male nurses rushed up to them. “Kai, your mate’s finally awake.”
Jane. Without a word, Kai raced down the hall to his mate’s room. He threw open the door to find Jane sitting up in her bed, frowning down at a bowl of soup.
Closing the distance between them, he stopped next to her bed and cupped her cheek. “Janey.”
She smiled up at him. “Hello there.”
He leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss. “I’m so sorry, love.”
Raising her brows, she slowly turned her upper body toward him, grunting as she did it. “What the hell are you apologizing for?”
“Kissing Maggie, for a start. Then there’s the fact that you’re injured and it’s all my fault.”
She tilted her head. “I’ll admit that I wanted to punch Maggie when you kissed her, but I understand why you did it. I might not be here to forgive you if not for that bloody kiss.”
“Jane, I—”
“Just stop, Kai. The only person at fault here is Maggie and her warped view of the world. To be honest, I’m just happy her kiss didn’t start a mate-claim frenzy. Care to explain that to a lowly human?” He growled and she smiled. “Okay, care to explain it to a brilliant, amazing human such as myself?”
His dragon spoke up. Her humor means that she’s okay.
Ignoring his beast, he replied, “It’s simple—I didn’t want her.”
“And?”
“Too much time had passed. All I need or want is you, Jane Hartley.”
“I hope that also means you know I’m going to stick around. If I can suffer someone piercing me with a talon and still love you, that’s saying something.”
He blinked. “Surely it can’t be that easy.”
“Why not? You’re the most honorable male I know. Although if you lord that over my brother, so help me, I will retaliate.”
He grinned. “Thanks for the idea.”
She rolled her eyes. “Speaking of Rafe, does he know what happened?”
“Yes. He was torn between staying with Nikki and seeing you. I told him to stay on Stonefire and that you’d do a video conference as soon as you’re strong enough.”
“I’d say I’m feeling well considering everything, but let’s not tell Rafe that just yet. I need to conserve my energy for that conversation.”
“If he upsets you, I will challenge him the next time I see him.”
She let out a breath. “Don’t waste time thinking about that. Just stay with me a while and fill me in on what happened. The nurse mentioned something about Delia being back, but then he left before I could ask anything.”
He pointed to the soup. “Only if you allow me to feed you some of that.”
She wrinkled her nose. “You know how much I hate soup. A meal shouldn’t be a liquid.”
Pulling a chair next to Jane’s bed, he sat down. “You’ll eat it or I won’t share any information.”
She clicked her tongue. “You know, if I were anyone else, I’d play on your guilt to get the information.”
He picked up the spoon and scooped up some soup. “But you aren’t and you won’t. Now, open up.”
With a sigh, she complied and choked down some soup. Kai merely shook his head. “And you say I’m a baby when I’m injured.” She opened her mouth to reply, but he beat her to it. “But enough of that. Let me tell you everything I know.”
As Kai explained about Delia, the children, the drugs, and Maelon Perry’s findings, Kai slowly forced Jane to eat her soup. When he finished the recap, he added, “And there’s one more thing I’m not sure anyone on Snowridge knows about.”
Curiosity danced in her eyes. “Oh? Do tell. I’d lean in close, but my shoulder bloody hurts, even with all the meds they have me on.”
A flare of concern flashed, but he pushed it away. The best medicine for Jane was to keep her brain active. The second he started to hide things, she’d get the crazy idea to get out of bed and start hunting for information on her own.
“Well, the drugs and Delia’s missing tattoo remind me of what happened to Killian O’Shea. They found him with no memory of his past life, his dragon, and he also had his tattoo lasered off.”
“Is Delia the same way?”
“I don’t know. The one difference is that the doctors were able to flush her system. We won’t know anything until she wakes up.”
“Oh, Kai. I have faith that she’ll wake up with her memory intact. Stubbornness does run in the blood, after all.”
He took her hand. “I hope so.”
She gently squeezed his fingers. “I can tell you’re anxious to do something to help. I can manage here, Kai. Go and help Snowridge’s Protectors.”
“I can’t. There’s something else you don’t know.” Kai explained about the corruption and Rhydian cleaning house before adding, “Sebastian and Zain are here already, helping them. Protecting you is my top priority, Janey. I’m not going anywhere.”
Jane tried to hide her yawn, but failed. He added, “You need to sleep, love.”
“I would argue, but I can barely keep my eyes open. Being stabbed really takes its toll on a person.”
“I know,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Oh? There’s a story I don’t know about. It can’t be worse than when you were shot.”
He smiled. “Sleep and I’ll tell you when you wake up—after a reasonable amount of time. No twenty-minute naps allowed.”
“My, someone’s bossy.”
He released her hand and crossed his arms over his chest. “I will channel Nurse Ginny if I have to.”
Ginny was the toughest nurse on Stonefire and handled all the most alpha patients.
Jane sighed. “As much as I’d like to see you wear a wig and put on a nurse’s outfit, even I will admit I need the sleep. Give me a gentle dragon cuddle and I’ll comply.”
His dragon spoke up. Yes, lots of dragon cuddles.
Kai ignored his beast to hug Jane as gently as he could, all while pressing his cheek to hers. “I love you, Janey.”
“I love you, too, Kai.”
After releasing his mate, he lightly traced her cheek. “Sweet dreams, love. The faster you heal, the faster I can take you home.”
Jane slowly laid down. “Not until Delia’s well.”
He was about to argue, but Jane’s eyes slid closed and she was out within seconds.
His beast said, I knew Jane would forgive us.
Kai grunted. I still wonder how I deserve her.
Maybe you don’t, but I do, his dragon teased.
Mentally giving his beast the double finger salute, Kai then watched the rise and fall of Jane’s chest. One part of his world looked to remain intact, but the question was whether his sister would fair the same way or not.
~~~
Rhydian Griffiths stared at Rian on the sofa in his office, fast asleep. The boy had lasted only a few minutes after eating his meal before passing out.
With his arms sprawled wide and his mouth open, it was hard to believe the boy had suffered so much recently. Although judging by his lack of hysterics, Rhydian had a feeling the boy didn’t truly understand that his parents weren’t coming back.
His dragon spoke up. We will look after him.
Only until I can find a relative. The boy mentioned his human aunt a few times. She may be his best chance at a normal life with someone who wants him.
I want him.
He’s not a pet that we can keep, dragon. Rian deserves someone who understands children and can raise him. I, on the other hand, can barely keep this clan together.
That’s only because you ignored my suggestions. The old ways are fading. We need to be like Stonefire.
He hated to admit that the bloody English dragon clan was leading the way with change. More like we need to be like the Welsh clans of old, when they helped lead the way among dragon-shifters in this region of the world.
Until the humans known as the Normans came and hunted us.
Both human and dragon-shifter had been hit hard by the Norman Conquest and ensuing castle-slash-fortification building that began in Wales during the 11th century. Unless the dragon hunters become more organized and formidable, we don’t have to worry about anyone else conquering our country. Rian rolled over in his sleep, garnering Rhydian’s attention once more. All that matters is creating a better future for the children. Now, let me get to work.
His beast retreated to the back of his mind.
Rhydian sat at his desk and brought up his video conference program. Trahern Lewis was due to call with an update in the next few minutes, regarding any new information about the drugs used on Delia and the others. While he had a feeling Trahern’s report wasn’t going to be good, Rhydian wasn’t about to worry more than he had to. Besides, worry was a distraction he couldn’t afford at the moment.
Rhydian eyed the stack of papers that his trusted Protector Wren had given him. Each packet represented a Protector who Wren believed wasn’t as loyal to Snowridge as they were to themselves. Replacing them was going to be difficult since each Protector needed two years with the British Army before joining the Protector ranks, according to formal agreements made with the Department of Dragon Affairs.
He wished there was a way to streamline the process, but even Rhydian understood the value of time spent in the army. Not only for the chance to work with and understand humans, but to also learn tactics the Snowridge Protectors might not know about.
He might just have to take up Bram’s offer to loan him a few of his Protectors for a while, and maybe take on a few from the Scottish clan as well.
If Rhydian had been looking for change, inviting the English and Scottish dragons to live with his clan definitely fit the bill.
But before he did that, he would find Rian’s aunt and finish his draft of the new clan charter. The rules would no longer be vague regarding humans and other clans. It was time to open his clan’s eyes to more of the world. Their remote location would no longer protect them in the ever-shrinking technological world.
Just as he began reading the first possible troublemaker’s file, his video conference application chimed. He quickly hit Receive and Trahern’s brown-eyed, black-haired form came online. Having known the male since he was a baby, Rhydian dispensed with formalities. “What new information do you have?”
Trahern didn’t hesitate with his reply. “We’re still waiting on a few test results, but I’m almost positive that the formula you provided is nearly a match for what was found in Killian O’Shea’s body.”
“But not the same as what was used on Dr. Sid and others on Stonefire?”
“It’s not a completely different composition, but more elements match Killian’s case. I should have the exact chemical make up of the samples tomorrow.”
“While I appreciate your quick work on this, Trahern, I’m hoping you have something that can help the children who were targeted and pumped full of these drugs.”
“Until I have the exact chemical makeup, I’m uncomfortable suggesting anything.”
Rhydian growled, “Doctor Davies, if you’re there, speak up.”
The slightly plump face of Dr. Emily Davies came on screen. While she had never been welcome on Snowridge in the past, Rhydian had become familiar with the Welsh human’s work on Stonefire recently. She said, “Trahern’s right to wait for the results.”
“I sense a ‘but,’ Doctor Davies.”
To her credit, the human took her time adjusting her glasses before saying anything. It seemed she’d grown accustomed to dragon-shifter dominance. “The moss we used here on Dr. Sid and the others can’t hurt. Even if it’s ineffective against the new compound, it’s harmless to all dragon-shifters.”
“What about half dragon-shifters?”
Dr. Davies leaned forward. “There was a half-human child? Why did no one mention this?” She looked to Trahern. “Did you know about this?”
“I only know what was in the records,” Trahern stated off-screen. “The full results tomorrow will reveal their genetics.”
Dr. Davies rolled her eyes. “Trahern, I wonder about you sometimes.”
Sensing the pair would keep chatting about the small detail, Rhydian barked, “Anything else? Otherwise, I need to attend to my clan.”
Dr. Davies sat up taller. “That’s all for now. We’ll let you know when the results are in.”
The screen went blank before Rhydian could so much as open his mouth.
Still, despite the human’s backbone and behavior, Rhydian’s desire to change his clan’s policy on humans didn’t waver. If anything, he appreciated her tendency to speak her mind. It was a hell of a lot easier than dealing with Trahern’s long, detailed conversations.
A groan came from the direction of the sofa. Rhydian noticed the boy frowning in his sleep and turning his head this way and that.
It was then that Rhydian noticed the toy rabbit on the floor. Rushing to the boy’s prized Mr. Cottontail, he snatched it up and pressed it against Rian’s chest. He instantly hugged the toy and his movements calmed down.
He hesitated a second before brushing the hair off Rian’s forehead. The boy wouldn’t stay on Snowridge forever, but as long as he did, he would drive Rhydian to work harder.
Moving to his desk, he began sorting through his paperwork. The sooner he cleaned house, the sooner he could put his clan on the path to a better future.