The Dragon Guardian

by Jessie Donovan

  Something beeped on the front console and a voice came over the line, “Rogue dragon overhead. Prepare for an attack.”

  In the next second, the ground shook under them and Fergus angled his body to protect Gina as they fell to the ground.

  ~~~

  Everything happened in one long second. The ground shook, the lights flickered, and she was falling.

  At the last second, Fergus moved his body to take the brunt of the fall and Gina twisted to spare her stomach.

  Still, as they crashed down, a pain reverberated from the side of her abdomen and she cried out.

  Fergus asked, “What’s wrong, Gina? Tell me.”

  Another boom prevented her from saying anything. Faye and Fraser were yelling in the background, but she couldn’t make out what it was.

  Fergus turned her around to lay on the floor and he leaned over her body on his hands and knees. “Gina, are you okay?”

  Taking a deep breath, she focused on her belly and baby. But while there had been a pain originally, there was just a sore spot on the lower left. “I think so. I just had a scare.”

  He leaned his head down. “Don’t be strong right now, lass. If you hurt anywhere, tell me.”

  “I think I’m okay. But once we figure out what the hell is going on, we can have Holly and the doctor check me and our son out, okay?”

  Fergus stared at her a second before leaning back and taking her hands. As soon as he hauled them both upright again, he barked at his sister, “What’s happening, Faye?”

  “Give me a bloody second, Fergus,” Faye answered before bringing up the security feed.

  The screen was blank for a moment before it changed to a scene of dragons flying over Lochguard’s land and a few were dropping large bundles. They all watched as one fell and exploded on impact.

  The blood drained from Gina’s face. “Why are they bombing us? Isn’t that illegal?”

  Faye answered, “Aye, it is.” She did something to the controls and a few seconds later, Grant’s picture appeared. Faye asked, “Is the DDA going to help?”

  Grant nodded. “They’re watching the footage, but it’s still going to be fifteen minutes before the first helicopters land.”

  Fergus cursed. “By then, we might not have a clan left.”

  Grant met his gaze. “I already garnered permission to fight back.” Grant’s eyes moved to Faye. “I need you to lead a squad with the maneuver we’ve been practicing.”

  Fraser growled. “Faye is not bloody going out in this. She can barely fly straight.”

  Grant’s voice was steely. “She can and she will.”

  Fraser opened his mouth to reply, but Faye glared at her older brother. “If you trust me at all, Fraser, let it go. Each second we spend arguing is another second someone could be dying.”

  Grant added, “She’s right. Your sister is fit to fly this maneuver. You have my word on this.”

  Faye moved toward the door. “I don’t need your permission anyway. Take care of everyone here.”

  Faye left and all eyes moved to the screen. Grant raised an eyebrow. “Stay put. If any of you try to leave, my men there have permission to take you down.”

  The screen went blank and the room fell silent. Gina raised her gaze to meet Fergus’s. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

  Fergus squeezed her tighter against his side. “Aye, stay put.”

  Fraser walked up to his twin. “That’s a bloody stupid idea, Fergus. We should be helping.”

  Holly emerged from a side hallway. She rushed to Fraser’s side and poked him. “Don’t even think about going out in this. You were lucky at the hospital, but this is much worse.”

  Fraser ran a hand through his hair. “But I can’t just stay here and do nothing, honey. Every fiber of my being wants to join the fight.”

  Holly leaned against her mate. “We can do something. Get Dr. Innes and Layla on the line. We can start organizing a medical response team so that as soon as Grant and Faye take care of the threat, we can leap into action.”

  Fraser gave Holly a brief kiss. “There are so many reasons I love you, lass.”

  Holly kissed him again and then shoved him toward the console. “You get started. I’m going to check on Gina first.”

  With a nod, Fraser barked orders and the men up front listened.

  At the talk of dying and injuries, Gina buried her face against Fergus’s side. It was highly likely that all of this was her fault.

  Rubbing her back, Fergus whispered, “Even without you here, the attack was bound to happen sooner or later, Gina. Don’t beat yourself up over this.

  She raised her head. “That’s easy for you to say. But without the Americans, the attack would be a lot less powerful.”

  Fergus nodded. “Aye, you’re probably right. However, if Lochguard crumbles at a new challenge, then we aren’t worthy of being a clan in our own right. Trust me, lass. We’ve been through wars, clearances, and assassination attempts. A few Yanks with shiny toys aren’t going to be the ones to stop us.”

  Holly finally approached them. “He’s right, you know. I may not be a dragon-shifter, but tales of Lochguard’s survival have been passed down through the ages even over in Aberdeen. They’re nearly as hearty as the human highlanders.”

  Fergus grunted. “We’re heartier.”

  Holly rolled her eyes. “I’ll say yes just to end the debate.” She met Gina’s eyes. “Trust me, hen. If Lochguard took me in and welcomed me as one of their own after the fight at the hospital in Elgin, then they’ll do the same for you. A dragon’s true mate is a rare thing, so when one of the clan finds theirs, they work together to ensure their clanmate’s survival.”

  “Really?” Gina asked.

  Holly bobbed her head. “Aye, but it’s up to you to earn their respect and trust after the fact. And somehow, I think you’ll do fine.” Holly motioned toward her stomach. “May I examine you?”

  Gina murmured, “Sure.”

  As Holly moved her hands around her abdomen, Gina only hoped the woman was right about Lochguard accepting her. Gina wasn’t sure she could survive yet another rejection by those she’d come to think of as friends.

  ~~~

  Fergus was torn between comforting his mate and reaching out to contacts in the area for help. But as much as he cared for Gina, he couldn’t stand by and do nothing for his clan.

  Kissing her forehead, he said, “I might have some contacts who can help us. Is it all right for me to leave you with Holly for now?”

  Gina raised her chin. “Of course. I’ll be fine. If you can do anything to help them, then do it, Fergus.”

  He wanted to tell her how much he loved her spirit, support, and, hell, everything about her. But it wasn’t the time.

  His dragon spoke up. Protect the clan and we can take Gina to one of the back rooms and show her all the ways we love her.

  Bloody beast. We’re being attacked and Gina just suffered a fall. Stop thinking with your cock.

  His dragon huffed. I never suggested that.

  Ignoring his beast, Fergus placed a gentle kiss on Gina’s lips and moved to the front. He asked Fraser, “Did you contact Dr. Innes?”

  His twin answered, “He’s not picking up his mobile. But Layla is already assembling a team. As soon as we get the all-clear, I’m going to help her airlift any injured dragons to her makeshift surgery.”

  Fergus frowned. “Innes not answering his phone worries me, brother.”

  “Me, too. But we’re stuck here until the intruders are taken care of. Layla is going to try and see if Stonefire’s doctor can come up and help.”

  Fergus took out his mobile phone. “I might be able to help, too. I’m going to reach out to Seahaven.”

  Fraser looked askance at him. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You’ve only established communications with them in the last few months. They’re still quite bitter about the former leader tossing them out.”

  Seahaven was a small clan of former Lochguard dragon-shifters
. Under Duncan, the clan leader before Finn, anyone who had a human mate had been told to leave. They’d been granted a small parcel of land fifteen years ago and lived in harmony with the local humans. Fergus had spent the better part of a year trying to get the leader, Euan MacKay, to visit Lochguard. While it still hadn’t happened, the leader would at least take Fergus’s calls.

  If Fergus were lucky, Euan might help them out with the attack and recovery, too.

  He dialed Euan’s number and said to his brother. “I’m going to try.”

  After three rings, Euan’s voice filled the line. “Fergus?”

  “Look, Euan, I’m going to be quick. You may or may not know, but Lochguard is under attack.”

  The Seahaven leader was quiet a second before replying, “Aye, I know. But if you’re calling and asking us to help, the answer is no.”

  His dragon growled and Fergus kept his beast contained in the back of his mind. “I’m not asking anyone from Seahaven to fight, but—”

  Euan cut him off. “Look, lad, I know what you’re trying to do. But we’re a fraction of the size of Lochguard. If your traitors come here, we won’t stand a chance. I have a daughter to protect.”

  Gripping the phone tightly, Fergus kept his voice calm. “Let me finish and then turn me down, aye? I just want to know if we can borrow your doctor for a few days, once the battle is over. We’ve been talking about swapping medical information and this would be the perfect time to try that.”

  Fergus waited for an answer. As much as he wanted to tell the leader to hurry the hell up, that would only push Euan away. Exchanging medical practices and help was one of the points Fergus had been working on with Seahaven.

  Euan finally answered. “Let me talk to Dr. Daniel Keith and I’ll call back.”

  The line went dead and Fergus lowered his phone. Fraser didn’t waste time asking, “Well? Did ol’ Euan turn you down?”

  “He didn’t say yes but he didn’t say no. We’ll have to wait and see.” Fergus looked at the screen, which showed Lochguard’s dragons beginning to engage the intruders. “And for more than Seahaven’s response.”

  Fraser gripped his shoulder. “Aye, I’m worried about Faye, too. But she’s out there and all we can do is believe in her.”

  Fergus sighed. “As much as it pains me to say it, you’re right.”

  Fraser cupped his ear. “What was that? I didn’t hear you?”

  He growled. “I’m going to check on my mate.”

  Fraser winked at Fergus and turned back toward the control panel.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Faye MacKenzie stretched her wings one last time and deemed her muscles were warm enough to use without injury. Or, at least, without further injury.

  Her dragon growled. We will be fine. Let’s take down the bastards and help our clan.

  We will. But if we’re not careful, we’ll undo all the months of hard work and physical therapy.

  You worry too much. Our muscles are warm. Let’s go.

  Looking over the bright blue hide of her shoulder, Faye touched the tips of her wings together. The other dragons behind her followed suit, confirming the command to fly.

  She made sure to clutch the plastic canisters in her front claws firmly but not hard enough to break the seal. If any of the special powder touched her skin, it would be game over. Worse than that, she’d let Grant down. After his belief in her and support, she would rather die than fail.

  Her dragon growled. Then don’t fail. It’s simple.

  Crouching down, Faye leaped into the air. The first few beats of her wings were the hardest since the bones in her right wing ached with a pulsing pain. But once she was high enough to take advantage of the wind currents, the pain and the knots where her wings met her shoulders eased.

  It was time to protect the clan and take down the intruders.

  Her beast grunted. Yes, so hurry up.

  She ignored her dragon and took in the scene. Faye and her wing of dragons had taken off from a hidden area at the back of the clan’s lands. All of the attacks seemed to be focused on the front gate and the main living areas, which was where Lochguard’s Protectors were trying to defend the clan.

  At the edges of her vision, a few other dragon intruders let loose their bombs on other big structures dotted around the clan. The great hall was already partially destroyed and still under attack.

  Remembering all of the events and celebrations held in the great hall over the years, Faye narrowed her eyes and headed for the dragon attackers near the hall.

  She barely noticed the tightness in her back muscles as she flapped her wings faster. Timing and surprise was the only way the secret maneuver would work.

  Right before her wing of dragons would collide with a group of enemies, Faye and her team spread out to form a line. As they hovered in place, the enemies screeched and half of them turned to charge Faye and her compatriots. Yet Faye didn’t blink; they all held their line. It came down to timing.

  When she could see the black slitted pupils of the dragon coming at her, Faye tossed one of her canisters at him. From the corner of her eye, she saw the others in her team doing the same.

  The plastic cracked against the red dragon’s hide and the powder inside dispersed over the enemy dragon’s scales. The intruder looked unimpressed and reached out his forearm to attack when he flashed into his human form for a second, then his dragon, and human again as he sped toward the ground.

  All of the dragons hit with the canisters had the same reaction; the brief flashes of returning to a dragon allowed each target to slow down their descent with their wings. They might be injured when they crashed, but they should survive it.

  The modified periwinkle and mandrake root concoction was working.

  Not that Faye had doubted it. After all, she had been part of the test group with Grant and a few others. She knew firsthand that being forced to flash between forms bloody hurt. It was as if one’s bones and skin were stretched and then crumpled together, the cycle repeating itself for ten or fifteen minutes.

  Her beast growled. Stop dawdling. It’s time to finish the others.

  Snapped back to her task, Faye dove down to another group of enemies releasing bombs on the hall. She released her other canister before pulling up at the last moment. The capsule broke and soon, the same flashing between forms happened.

  Faye waited to see how the other intruders would react before making the decision to retreat and reload.

  The intruders farther away finally noticed what was happening. The leaders gave the signal to retreat and they turned around. As they fled, Grant and his wing of Protectors pursued them.

  She had always loved watching a group of dragons beating their wings with purpose as they dove and rose in their practiced maneuvers. When she’d been head Protector, drills had been top priority. Of course, the role had been taken from her when she’d been injured and unable to lead. Grant McFarland had taken her place.

  Even a few months ago, Faye would’ve burned with jealousy that Grant was performing her role and protecting the clan. But as she watched his retreating green dragon's form, she admired his strength as he nipped one of the intruders and sent the enemy crashing into a tree. He was no longer the young male who’d done everything in his power to put her down or undermine her.

  Grant’s belief in her after her injury had changed things between them.

  Her beast huffed. I don’t understand why. His dragon is too cocky.

  You say that, yet you challenge him every chance you get. You’re like a school child teasing on the play yard.

  Am not. Go secure the traitors.

  Satisfied she had won against her beast, Faye dove toward the flashing dragon intruders on the ground. Some of Lochguard’s Protectors were already there, securing them.

  Landing in a large open spot nearby, she imagined her wings shrinking into her back, her snout morphing into her nose, and her scales changing into skin. Ignoring the chilly January air, Faye started barking orders. She�
��d rather die of hypothermia than allow one of the intruders to escape. Grant and the clan were counting on her.

  If she had any say in the matter, Faye MacKenzie would never let either them or herself down ever again. It was a new year and she was ready to seize control of her life once more.

  ~~~

  Gina debated sitting down in the bunker’s command room when Fraser yelled, “Bloody hell. Look at Faye.”

  While Gina couldn’t identify many dragon-shifters in their dragon forms, she watched the group of dragons as they tossed something at the intruders. Within seconds, they flashed from dragon to human and back again. “What’s happening?”

  Fergus rubbed up and down her arm. “It’s a new thing Faye and Grant have been working on. It’s a combination of periwinkle and mandrake root that forces a dragon-shifter to shift back.”

  She leaned against Fergus. “Of course you knew about it. You seem to know everything.”

  Fergus chuckled. “I’d be careful with those words, lass, or my dragon will grow cocky.”

  She smacked his stomach. “You know what I mean. But why are they flashing? I thought that special powder prevented a shift for days.”

  Fergus placed a finger under her chin and raised her face to meet his eyes. “And how do you know that?”

  Even a week ago, Gina would’ve hesitated. But no longer. Fergus was her mate and she needed to trust him. “I may have purchased my own vial as a form of protection.”

  The corner of Fergus’s mouth ticked up. “So, that’s how you planned to stop me.”

  “Hey, don’t dismiss me yet. You should seriously train your younger Protectors better. One of them let me carry it right onto Lochguard. All I had to do was say it was some kind of special pregnancy tea mixture.”

  Fergus frowned. “I’ll have a word with Grant later. His Protectors should know better than to fall for a bonny lass’s charm.”