Stryker: Dragon Protectors

by Benton, Ava

“My talent. You didn’t even tell Stryker. I could feel that, you know. And you chose your words carefully when speaking before my brothers.” His attention shifted to me, those opalescent blue eyes of his reflecting the light.

  “He said you’re a private bunch and it wasn’t my place to say anything.” I laughed. “Honestly, I just thought you were a glorified lie detector. Like you’d ask pointed questions and when I answered you could tell if it was the truth or not.”

  “Close.” He grinned, showing off perfect white teeth. “It’s that, but more. It’s not that I know you’re telling the truth or lying. I feel what you’re feeling. And while it would tell me if you’re lying or not, it does so much more.”

  He sat down in the dirt a few feet away from Stryker’s front talons. “When you told me I was the bad guy, I felt that radiating off you. It fucked with my head. And I went home, knowing I needed to figure out how to help Stryker… and you.”

  And he’d figured out how to help… for a short while, anyway.

  “You know,” he said, “there is another way.”

  I perked right up. “I’m listening.”

  16

  Stryker

  The headache hit me first.

  That sharp ringing sound in my ears and the taste of blood on my lips pulled me the rest of the way out of my slumber. I lifted my head, weak and aching.

  “Hey, easy now.” Kat’s voice filled my mind and I sat up. Her warmth stayed at my chest and her hands stroked me as pain screamed through my side. Fuck, he’d gotten me good, son of a bitch.

  “You’re hurt.” Her voice, soft and kind, soothed some of pain. “How can I help you?”

  I didn’t give a damn about myself. With every ounce of strength I had, I shifted back. “Are you okay?” I asked, feeling the pain ease and my breathing return to normal as I held her. I pulled back, looking for any sign of injury or damage to her, but she seemed fine.

  Draco’s scent hit me, and I bared my teeth at him. “Don’t you dare hurt her.”

  He spread his hands out at his sides and tilted his head back, like he was offering for me to go for his throat. Tempted, I growled.

  “I’m not going to hurt her.” His scent didn’t change, and I knew he wasn’t lying.

  Kat pulled out of my arms and looked up at me with great, soulful brown eyes. “He actually convinced them to not destroy me. I saw her, Stryker! I saw her.”

  Saw her? “What are you talking about?” I asked, glancing from her to Draco, confused.

  “The woman he’s trying to save.” Her face lit up and a smile played at the corners of her lips.” He won’t tell me her name, but that’s fine, I don’t need to know.”

  “You saw her?” What the heck did she mean? She hadn’t cleared it up at all.

  “The day you saved me! I saw her. And I remembered something that’s helpful to Draco. He’s been researching the whole time you’ve been taking a nap.” Her expression dropped a bit. “Well, most of the time, anyway. Your friend is still out.”

  She jerked her chin and I glanced over and saw the leader who’d attacked me. I growled and walked over to him. The teeth marks in his neck weren’t deep enough to puncture anything vital and I was almost sorry for that. I wanted him to bleed, to hear the rattle of his final, dying breath.

  “I would have won.” I knew what they’d done. They’d hit us with the whistler, a sound that knocks out our dragon forms. It was used only in emergencies, in extreme circumstances.

  I held my side, still feeling the ache, even in human form. Thankfully, the injuries didn’t carry over. Beyond an odd echo of pain, I’d be fine until I changed back. Typically when I’d been injured in my dragon form, I’d stay out of it until I’d had enough time to heal. I could only hope I had that luxury. “I could end you right now.”

  I spit on the ground at his feet and walked back toward Kat. Pulling her into my arms, I pressed my lips to her forehead. I’d almost lost her. And I still might lose her.

  “Why aren’t you off finding your girl?” I asked Draco.

  “She doesn’t want to be found. But I already know where she is and that she’s safe.” He chuckled. “Sounds like she’s as headstrong as this one.”

  “May the skies have mercy on you, brother.” I laughed and Kat smacked my shoulder.

  “I’m standing right here. I can hear you.” Her laughter died on her lips and she went serious for a few moments. “Draco had an idea how you could save me.” She shifted in my arms and I tightened my grip on her.

  I glanced at Draco, but he refused to meet my gaze. Suddenly uneasy, I glanced down at Kat and saw she too was refusing to look me in the eyes. “Okay. And what is it?”

  Still, no one said anything. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I meant that. I was willing to die to protect you, so it’s not like there’s anything worse than that.”

  Draco laughed. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

  “Hey!” Kat glared at him then pressed her forehead to my chest. Her heart was thumping too quickly, and her scent went super-hot and damp. Whatever the option was, it got her motor running. Which only made me more curious. What the heck had he come up with?

  I ran through everything I could think of and came up empty. I knew she could be spared if she had information that was deemed important. But he seemed to have used that option. How long could we drag that excuse out for, really? Once he had her in custody that reason was null and void. So if they’d come up with something permanent… I had no idea what it was.

  “Okay, guys. Fun’s over. What did you come up with?”

  I smelled the change in him before I heard him move. I turned to face the leader and shoved Kat behind me.

  Draco quickly stepped between us and the waking dragon.

  He shook his head and produced an odd, rattling sound as he breathed. Then he ticked into human form, holding his throat with one hand.

  “I invoked a stay of execution,” Draco said. “She saw my mark alive. I need her.”

  The leader glared at him, then his gaze swept to me.

  I tipped my chin at him. “Get a good nap, princess?”

  He bared his teeth and I silently dared him to charge me. Let him fucking come at me, I’d wreck him in a heartbeat.

  “You’re on the same side.” Kat glared up at me, then walked over to the leader and offered him her hand.

  He hesitated, looking at her like he didn’t trust her one bit. Then he took her hand. She braced, hauling him to his feet more in show than actual power. But I understood her intent; to unify us rather than drive a bigger wedge.

  Her path required more courage than my shit talking. So I followed her example. With slow, purposeful steps, I made my way to the leader and offered my hand.

  “Stryker.” Sure, he knew my name, but this time it put us on equal ground.

  He took my hand and gave it a sturdy shake. “Wrath.”

  “Your name suits you.” Like Draco, his name gave away that he was blue-blooded. Not that I took issue with that, there was just a certain expectation, certain clues that were present through every single one of those clans.

  He dipped his head in a gesture of respect while our hands both dropped to our sides.

  When he lifted his head again, he locked on Draco. “Clever fix. However, the stay will only last a short time. What is your next move to save her?” His eyes studied my mentor and I hung on every word like my life, not hers, rested on this.

  “Right here, guys. I can hear you discussing my death, so either keep it down or let me walk away.” Kat’s easy humor bothered me. She wasn’t taking this seriously at all. It almost seemed like she had no idea just how much danger she was really in. They’d kill her without thinking twice.

  “Actually, with Stryker’s agreement, a blood oath would save her life.” Draco’s eyes met mine and I cringed internally. A blood oath. I hadn’t thought of that. But he was absolutely correct. A blood oath would save her life. It would also change every aspect of my life.

 
Suddenly, their refusal to meet my gaze earlier made sense. This was their crazy damn plan. Fuck.

  “Interesting.” Wrath nodded at me, an eyebrow arched. “If she agrees, you’re right; she’ll be spared. But I think you have much to discuss.” With that, he shifted and took off. Moments later just the three of us remained.

  “How much did you tell her?” I glared at Draco.

  “Just that it’s a rite that’ll save both your lives.” He met my glare head on. “If you have a better idea, then by all means. But you fucked up, you have to live with the consequences. I’ll help you in any way I can, but my hands are tied too.”

  He lowered his voice as she peeked at us out of the window of the cabin. “I think you should go for it. But first, you need to really explain it to her. I told her you would when you came to.”

  Shit. I stared at her, loving the warmth in her eyes and the excitement in her features as she smiled at me. Was it enough, though?

  “What if something goes wrong?” I turned to Draco, who lifted both shoulders. He had no more answer than I did, and I knew I was just dragging my feet. I didn’t want to talk to her about this. Damn it, this was a mess.

  “You said you’d do anything to save her. This seems like a relatively small price to pay.” Draco’s tone convinced me he thought this was the only way and that it would work.

  “Are you sure she’ll be okay?”

  He nodded. “She saw through me.” His voice lowered and took on a wondering note. “She knew what I could do. I told her to persuade me to save her life. She chose not to. She could have manipulated my skill to save her life and she chose not to.” His eyes met mine. “She’s special. If you don’t save her, I might offer the blood oath.”

  Rage and jealousy reared up in me. “The fuck you will.” I’d sooner beat his ass than let him do anything like that.

  He grinned. “Then you better get in there and get talking.”

  17

  Kat

  The door closed and I glanced over at Stryker. His expression, so tight and almost angry, bothered me. I knew we needed to talk. That he needed to explain the whole blood oath thing to me. When Draco offered it, he’d merely said it was a rite and that I’d have to wait for Stryker to explain it.

  But Draco had been certain it would save my life, so how could I possibly say no?

  Stryker sat beside me on the couch but didn’t look at me. Nerves fluttered in my belly and I reached out to touch him. My hand rested on his thigh and he glanced at it, then finally lifted his eyes to look at me.

  I studied him, searching for answers in his eyes, but finding nothing. “So…” I wanted to ask. I wanted to come right out and ask what this thing that would save me was.

  “It’s really soon. We could both regret it. But it means we’ll be bound for the rest of our lives.” The words left his lips and he sounded almost… angry.

  “I wish we’d had more time.” He shoved his hands through his hair and left them resting on his head while he stood up and began to pace. “If we had more time then we’d know for sure. But this could be the biggest mistake of our lives.”

  “Well, if the alternative is death, how bad could it be?” Still, even as I said the words, fear tickled up my spine. What if it was something really bad? “Stryker.”

  He stopped pacing for a second and glanced at me.

  “What is a blood oath?” My voice almost failed me at the end, and I dragged in a deep breath. He eyed me, his lips pressed into a thin line.

  “A blood oath is our way of pledging to one another.” He eyed me carefully. “It follows the logic that two souls bound will never betray one another. But it would be permanent.”

  “Pledging to one another?” I must sound stupid, but I was pretty sure he was implying marriage.

  “It’s like a marriage ceremony. We’d be joining.” He stopped moving and just watched me, as if looking for my reaction. Warmth flooded through me at the thought of forever being with him. Sure, it was soon—we hadn’t known one another for all that long, but I knew deep down that he was the one for me.

  Call me crazy or stupid, whatever. My gut told me this would work. And I trusted my gut. So far it hadn’t steered me wrong.

  “I accept.”

  He stopped walking and stared at me.

  “I accept. Let’s do this.” I smiled up at him. He continued to stand there, staring at me in shock and I stood up. A few short steps later, I slipped my arms up around his shoulders and leaned into his hard warmth. “I know it’s sudden. Maybe it’s stupid. But I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it feels right.”

  There, I’d said it. Out loud, where he could hear me. And it did sound crazy. But it also rang with truth because I really did feel that way I’d pledge my life to him. I’d marry him. I’d do whatever I needed to for this blood oath.

  “I’m not afraid.” And the strange thing was that I really wasn’t scared. Not at all.

  “Are you sure?” He stared down at me. “There are some risks–”

  “The alternative is death. So let’s do this. What do we need to do?”

  He chuckled and his lips touched my forehead. “I need you to know that this was what I wanted. From the very beginning. My dragon knew. No, he insisted. And I knew, too. I could scent it on you; you were the right one for me.”

  “Are you serious?” I asked pushing him away and staring up at him. “Your talent is super smell?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Watch it, human. I could easily destroy you.”

  “With your super nose?” I laughed and the corners of his lips twitched.

  “I could smell your innocence. I know you’re currently ovulating. I know that you miss your parents, that you’re honestly not afraid, but you think you might be a little crazy or stupid.” He arched an eyebrow at me, and I struggled to hide that I was impressed. “I also know that you need more iron in your diet and that you’re in good overall health. And that you want babies.”

  “You can smell my desire to make babies?” That sounded too farfetched.

  He pulled me into his arms again and smiled down at me. “Okay, I might have exaggerated that last one. But you did give yourself away with that answer, though.” His lips touched my forehead and I squeezed my eyes closed, feeling at home, safe, loved, protected.

  “I was scared I’d lost you,” I whispered.

  “I was scared I’d lost you.” His lips tickled on my skin and I breathed a sigh of relief as the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders.

  “Seeing you bleeding out there, still, almost lifeless…” I shuddered and his arms tightened around me. Pain washed through me at the thought of him dying ad tears stung in my eyes.

  “Being unable to protect you terrified me.” His whisper filled my ears and I inhaled his thick, male scent.

  He stiffened up and I let him go. His worried eyes met mine. “They’re back.”

  Fear prickled up and down my arms. His fingers laced with mine and hand in hand, we walked toward the front door. Outside a semi-circle of dragons congregated. At the head, Draco spoke.

  “A blood oath is under discussion.” He turned around when we stepped outside. “However,” he said, eyeing us both. “I’ve also discovered another passage that allows me to invoke the right to work. If the blood oath is unacceptable, I’d like to formally offer that she join our ranks as one of our team.”

  “But she’s human.” Wrath spoke up, his thick eyebrows knitting together.

  “The rules do not explicitly state one must be a dragon to join our ranks.” I could hear Draco’s smile in his voice. He was damn proud of himself.

  I could feel Stryker’s eyes on me as if he was silently asking me if that was my wish, rather than the blood oath.

  “I’m grateful for the option,” I said, stepping forward. Draco’s eyes appraised me, and I nodded at him. “However, my place is at Stryker’s side. If he’ll have me. I gracefully left the option open for him to back out and throw me to the wolves. I could work for them. That
would be fine. It might break my heart to find out he didn’t want me how I wanted him, but I’d understand. We were new to one another. Maybe he’d need more time to really decide how he felt about me–

  “I, Stryker Darius, accept the terms of the blood oath.” He turned to me and my heart began to beat too fast. “Do you, Kat Hudson, formally promise to pledge your life to mine?”

  I nodded. “I formally promise.”

  He turned to the group. “Does anyone wish to challenge me?”

  I noticed his gaze lock on Draco, who narrowed his eyes and made as if to step forward.

  Instantly, Stryker shifted into his dragon form. The gaping wound on his side made me gasp. It looked terribly painful.

  Draco bowed his head and stayed in that position as Stryker scanned the group and lout out a loud roar, clearly challenging anyone to take him on.

  I turned to him. “I pledge my life to you because I love you. Not to save my life.” I needed to say those words and his eyes focused on me.

  He moved next to me and lowered himself as if inviting me to climb on his back and I remembered our conversation.

  So could I ride you like a horse?

  I guess you could. No one’s ever ridden me before. In dragon form, anyway.

  With a smile on my lips, I climbed on his back. I fit perfectly on his back. He scanned the group one more time. No one stepped forward or said a word, so he waited.

  Draco spoke up, a disappointed look in his eyes. “So she’ll become the first non-dragon addition to our team, should she accept.”

  Under me, Stryker stiffened.

  The semi-circle of dragon men began to glance at one another, murmur, and move around a bit, as if discussing this amongst themselves. Several sets of curious eyes locked on me, but I kept my chin held high as Stryker side stepped, moving me a pace away from Draco.

  “I accept. But only because I want to help people.” I lifted my chin an inch higher. “I’m still pledging to Stryker.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief that everything had wound up working out. I couldn’t be happier to be a member of the team.