Doctor Dragon: Earth Dragons Series: Book 6

by Hartnady, Charlene

  He nodded once.

  “I’m glad we had this chat.” For the first time, it felt like they had actually communicated.

  “Me too.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her feeling even more off-balance than before. Things weren’t so black and white.

  Chapter 12

  That afternoon…

  Intelligent, yellow eyes peered at her. “How did things go with Vicky?”

  “Great,” Brittney said, smiling.

  “And all the tests? Was everything okay?” She looked concerned.

  “I can’t discuss it, I’m sorry, I would need her permission.” Brittney made a face. “It would be the same as far as any of your information was concerned. It’s all kept strictly private.”

  “I understand.” Cordia smiled, she was perched on the edge of the gurney style bed. Stone, her mate, sat next to her.

  “Makes sense,” Stone said, clutching his mate’s hand even tighter.

  “Shall we begin?” she asked, looking from Cordia to Stone and back again.

  Druze cleared his throat. “I wanted to check if you’re okay with the two of us being here?”

  Stone growled. He actually growled. An honest to god, deep-throated, low warning that had the hairs on her arms going up.

  “Stone! Stop doing that,” Cordia chided. Then she made these twittering noises that were not human at all.

  Druze put a hand up. “How about if we go over there? Out of the way.” He pointed to the other side of the room. “Would that work for you?”

  Stone gave his head a shake, like he was trying to dispel a headache. Then his expression grew sheepish. “I’m sorry, I’m just so overprotective at the moment.”

  “I completely understand.” Druze took to looking sheepish as well. “No, I don’t understand at all, but I can comprehend.” He kept his eyes on Stone who nodded once.

  “You can stay. Both of you…but you stay over there. Only Dr. Baker can touch my female.”

  There was a slapping noise as Cordia hit the side of Stone’s arm. He winced. “Ow! What was that, sweetheart? We’ve spoken about you hitting me. It hurts! You have no idea of your own strength. Eleven and counting. We don’t want to add any more to the tally, do we?”

  Cordia chewed her bottom lip. “I’m sorry, love. I just get frustrated with you. Only one of those eleven bones was broken out of anger. The rest were—”

  “I don’t think everyone here wants to know sweetie.” Stone looked around the room.

  Cordia blushed vividly. “You’re right.” She licked her lips. “Maybe we should begin.” She turned her eyes back to Brittney.

  Druze and Craig moved away. Craig had his iPad out and was ready to take notes.

  “I’d like a urine sample. You don’t have to give it right now…I’ll give you a container to take with you. I need to check things like your hCG level. hCG is a pregnancy hormone. I have to say,” she made a face, “that I’m not sure you’ll even have it in your system.”

  “It’s not present in avian. In fact, we use it in poultry to prevent chronic egg-laying,” Craig said. “So, it’s an inhibitor to poultry fertility, but as you said, who knows if it will be present in Cordia’s urine.”

  “Interesting,” Brittney remarked, nodding.

  “I have no idea what you just said,” Cordia said.

  “hCG is a hormone you would find in a typical human pregnancy. Without it, the female would lose the budding pregnancy.”

  Cordia’s eyes widened.

  “It’s not present when birds are forming eggs. In fact, it stops the eggs from forming, so it works as a contraceptive for birds. We’re not sure what to expect from your urine sample. That’s all.” She smiled. “We’re still learning about your kind.”

  Cordia nodded.

  “I’ll also test for proteins and sugar to make sure that your organs are functioning normally. Then I’ll screen for infections.”

  “You won’t find any. Feral, just like all species, have a quick healing ability.” Stone clasped his mate’s hand tighter.

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Britt said. “It’s just a precautionary step. I’ll still cover all bases and perform the checks anyway, just to be sure.”

  “Of course,” Stone replied.

  “I can’t believe you can tell so much from pee.” Cordia wrinkled her nose and smiled.

  “I know, incredible isn’t it?”

  Cordia nodded. “For sure. I wish we had known about your kind before…when the sickness hit. Maybe you could have found a cure then.” Her eyes had hazed over in both memory and with sadness. “We didn’t realize what humans were capable of. Up until recently, we had seen you as hunters, skilled at tracking and killing. We never realized how good you were as healers.”

  “I’m sorry. We can’t turn back the clock, but we can help you now.” She glanced at Craig, who nodded. “With that in mind, I wish I could perform an ultrasound but apparently it isn’t possible?”

  “No. Another doctor here, Meghan, has tried numerous times but the machine doesn’t work on a species pregnancy. It doesn’t work on humans carrying species children either.”

  “I heard.” Brittney pulled some hair behind her ear. “When was the last time your doctor tried?”

  “Yesterday,” Cordia said, eyebrows raised.

  “Okay. I won’t try again then. Not today at least, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try again in the future. You never know.” She shrugged.

  “Of course,” Cordia said. “Anything.” Her voice hitched just a little, giving away her emotion. Her fear.

  “We also can’t take any blood?” Britt remarked. This task wasn’t going to be easy with so little to go on.

  “No, a normal needle won’t pierce my skin and you can’t use silver.” She stroked her belly, which still looked almost flat. “The silver might harm my unborn children.”

  A low growl began to take residence in Talon’s chest, but he quickly cleared his throat, dispelling it. Everyone ignored him and the outburst.

  “I’d like to perform an abdominal palpation now, if that’s okay?” Brittney asked.

  “Sure. I don’t mind at all,” Cordia smiled.

  “One other thing before we continue. You have been seeing Dr. Meghan, do the three of us…” she gestured to where Craig and Druze were standing, “have your permission to access your file with any information she may have? And to discuss this case with her, if need be?”

  “Yes, like I said earlier, do whatever you need.” As before, her voice hitched just a touch. Talon ran a hand up his female’s arm, trying to soothe her.

  “Shall we begin?” Britt asked.

  Cordia nodded. “Should I lie down?” She looked behind her at the bed.

  “That would be great. It would also help if you could pull your shirt up…to just under your breasts,” she quickly added.

  Cordia did as she asked.

  “May I push your tights down a little, to round about your hip bones?”

  “Sure.” Cordia smiled. She lifted her hips, allowing the garment to be pulled down a few inches.

  “Great.” Brittney rubbed her hands together, even though it was warm and her hands felt fine. “Here goes,” she said before gently placing her hands on the other woman’s belly. It didn’t take long for her to feel the two lumps very similar in shape and size to Vicky’s. Except Vicky had three and Cordia only had two. There was nothing else to remark on. She felt herself wishing all over again that they could perform an ultrasound but, in the end, this was all they had to work with. It would have to do.

  “Would Dr. Burgess be permitted to perform a palpation of your stomach?”

  She watched Stone visibly bristle. His jaw tightened. His muscles roped. He looked like he was trying to hold himself back. Like he wanted to hurt Craig.

  Brittney tried again. “It would be very helpful if…”

  “It’s fine.” Cordia nodded once. “Please, my love. Look away if you have to. They are trying to help.”


  He nodded once, still not looking happy about it.

  Craig stepped forward. He walked slowly, taking his time. “Okay then.” He smiled. “I’ll make it quick.” He palpated her stomach, eyes lifted as he concentrated on what he was feeling. Then he locked eyes with Cordia and nodded his head. “Thank you.” It was clear that he had worked as quickly as he could.

  “You can straighten your clothing now,” Brittney said.

  “Why didn’t you perform a thorough exam?” Stone snarled at Craig. “You found something didn’t you?” He took a step towards Craig, whose eyes were wide. “Is everything okay?” Stone’s face was a mask of rage. His chest rose and fell as he breathed heavily.

  Craig stumbled back a step, face pale.

  “I said, is my female okay?” another snarled delivery.

  “Calm down, Stone.” Druze walked forward. “The male is just doing his job.”

  “He isn’t answering me!” Stone boomed, pointing at Craig who put his back against the far wall. Brittney didn’t blame him for being petrified.

  Cordia twittered, sounding angry and agitated.

  “You didn’t give him much of a chance,” Druze countered. “Now calm down a little and try to listen to what he has to say.”

  Stone closed the distance between him and Druze, bashing his chest against Druze’s chest.

  Brittney moved away as well at that point, afraid of getting caught in the cross-fire.

  “Don’t tell me what to do. I put you forward for this position,” Stone growled.

  “I am the best qualified dragon to run with this, so it makes sense that you put me forward.” Druze stood his full height. He was bigger than Stone by an inch or two and wider by the same. He kept his voice low and even. And yet it had a dangerous edge.

  “Stop it!” Cordia yelled.

  “That’s not why I chose you…or at least, not the only reason. Not the main reason.” Stone’s voice was still filled with rage. “And you know it!”

  “You’re not in the right headspace right now. Maybe we should save this conversation for another time.”

  “Please, Stone,” Cordia spoke in a gentle voice. “Listen to Druze.”

  She watched as Stone visibly calmed. Muscles relaxed and his hands unclenched. Stone nodded once.

  “We are doing everything in our power and will keep working on finding a cure. I know you fear for your female’s life. Believe it or not, I do understand that.” Druze spoke softly and carefully.

  “Do you?” Stone went back to growling, his eyes narrowed. “I don’t think so!” He shook his head. “I need you to keep her safe. You failed once, don’t fuck it up again.”

  “Don’t, Stone!” Cordia pulled on Stone’s arm. “Please just stop!”

  Druze seemed to shrink in on himself. “I won’t mess this up,” he all but whispered, bowing his head.

  “Good.” Stone still had his eyes narrowed, but relaxed otherwise.

  What had just gone down?

  Brittney glanced at Craig who shrugged. Whatever it was it was a big deal, that much was clear. It had to do with whatever had made Druze like he was. Suddenly, she felt sorry for him. He didn’t deserve pressure like this. Yes, Stone was worried about his mate but… No! Just no! That hadn’t been right. Whatever Druze had done, it couldn’t be that bad. Surely.

  Chapter 13

  Three days later…

  “You really don’t have any theories? After researching all the evidence, you have nothing?” She took a sip of her soda. “Did you really mean that earlier?” They’d met to discuss possible diseases that fit the clutch sickness profile.

  Craig finished the food in his mouth, chewing and swallowing. “Some birds develop a condition referred to as being ‘egg-bound’. Poultry who have a lack of calcium in their diet, or um…general malnutrition, are most at risk. It can also be due to an infection in the oviduct or an egg that is unusually large.” He shook his head looking grave. “I don’t believe it’s any of those things so I doubt it’s an egg-bound issue.”

  “There has to be something else?” Brittney tried. “We looked at those ultrasound images Dr. Meghan took of Cordia’s reproductive system, before she became pregnant, and her organs are definitely more avian than human.” She pushed her fork into a piece of meat.

  “Yeah but…” Craig made a face, “you need to remember that the way the Feral keep their eggs inside them after they are formed is not normal. Birds lay their clutch as soon as the eggs form. That holding onto the eggs, even after the baby has developed inside, is not normal avian behavior. It’s far more human than avian. Birds would lay and sit on their clutch until ready to hatch.”

  “Yeah, and like I said, Cordia definitely has a fully formed uterus. It has slightly different qualities to that of a human, but it’s there.” She put the food in her mouth; the sauce was delicious.

  “Whereas birds have a shell gland pouch.” Craig pushed his fork through his stir fry. “Most of the final production of the egg happens in there, after which it moves into the vagina. That’s it. The egg is formed and expelled. There is no incubation period inside the bird.”

  “Yet, Cordia only had one set of functioning ovaries, which is avian.” Brittney took a bite of her meal. “The second set was there but not formed…also avian.”

  “Yep, the rest is very similar to that of a bird. From the oviduct to the infundibulum right down to the shell gland. Then the eggs descend to a human uterus to be incubated.” He made a face. “That’s where things diverge from an avian reproductive system. It’s incredibly fascinating.” He put a forkful of food into his mouth, his eyes on the far side of the room, his mind clearly working.

  “Yes, it is fascinating! That’s where things went wrong with the Feral before. The eggs are incubated internally and once they’re ready to be laid, all hell breaks loose.”

  “Yes, that’s— Oh!” He locked eyes with her. “Don’t look now,” Craig said, looking down at his plate and scooping up some more food.

  “What?”

  “It’s Druze,” Craig whispered, probably still being too loud, even though the room they were in was filled with talking people. “He might be on his way over here.”

  “Probably wants to cut our lunchbreak short,” she grumbled. He more than likely wanted them to get back to work. Druze had been all fired up since his run-in with Stone. Not that she could blame him. She shoved another forkful of food into her mouth.

  “I doubt it since he’s carrying a plate of food himself.”

  What? Outside of work, he kept to himself.

  “He’s looking around the room. He’s looking at us.” Craig quickly looked back down at his food again, using his fork to play with the noodles on his plate.

  “Is this seat taken?” Druze asked.

  “Not at all,” Craig said.

  Britt noted that Druze had chosen the same dish she was eating.

  “Were you expecting someone, Dr. Baker?” Druze asked.

  “No, help yourself.” She gestured to the seat using her fork.

  Druze sat down. They were a dark blue today. His pants. They seemed to ride even lower on his hips…and it never got old. Why was he there? Their boss never sat with them. They all ate in silence for a few minutes. When she looked down, she’d finished half her food and couldn’t remember even eating it. The whole thing felt awkward.

  “So, um, you said you have a brother?” Craig asked, looking at her.

  Great! Now Craig was making polite conversation to try to fill the uncomfortable silence.

  “Yep.” She nodded. “He’s four years younger than me.”

  “That’s quite a big age gap. Did you guys get along?”

  “Yes, we did. I was so happy to finally have a sibling. I remember helping my mom by fetching her things for the baby. Ross was really good and so sweet as well. I, on the other hand, was apparently a nightmare as a baby and toddler.” She smiled when Craig laughed. Druze kept on eating his food, he didn’t look like he was paying much atten
tion.

  “I can’t believe that,” Craig teased, taking a sip of his drink.

  “It’s true.” She found herself smiling, the tension easing somewhat. Good old Craig. “I was a colicky baby. I used to cry in the evenings and apparently nothing would soothe me. I would scream and scream and scream. It drove my mom insane in those early months. My mother said she considered slitting her own wrists just so she wouldn’t have to listen to my crying any longer. She joked about it, but I suspect she was depressed. The baby blues and all that. Anyway, she took to bathing me at suicide hour – that’s what she called it – suicide hour. That time of the day when she almost couldn’t take it anymore.”

  Druze’s eyes snapped up, she noticed how tense he had become. His eyes were hard and cold and so intense she almost pushed her chair back to stand up. It looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t. The tension picked back up.

  Brittney quickly carried on with her story. “I didn’t enjoy solid food. I used to spit everything out. The only things I would eat were apple puree and milk. That was it. I wanted milk all day and all night. By the time I hit one, I would wake up three or four times a night, wetting my diaper through and sometimes even soaking the bed.” Brittney took a sip of her soda, noting that Druze had calmed down. He’d gone back to eating. “My parents were completely frazzled. They tried to get me to eat but I wouldn’t have it. It finally took sleep training and limiting my milk intake before I became a slightly better eater. My mom said that it was two weeks of utter hell.”

  “You must have been malnourished,” Craig remarked.

  “No, the opposite is true. You wouldn’t want to see toddler pictures of me, I was pudgy. A big round head on a big round body.”

  “I would love to see those pics,” Craig laughed.

  She thought she saw Druze smile, but she had to have been mistaken. It wasn’t like she could stare at him to check. “It’s a habit you never fully outgrew,” his deep voice sounded, making her almost drop her fork.

  “What habit is that?” She frowned.