The Dragon and the Vampire

by A. K. Michaels

  Ronan followed her down the hallway. “The mission room has coffee and stuff to eat too. Wolves are freaking hungry all the time so there’s always plenty of food for them. There’ll be juice ‘n other stuff too so you’ll have a chance for breakfast. When we get there just help yourself and take a seat. I’ll start the briefing soon after arriving. Starr, my love, please don’t embarrass me by interrupting or disagreeing with anything I say, okay?”

  He tried to keep his tone light and friendly but as she turned her head to look at him, he saw a frown creep onto her face. She locked her eyes on his for a brief moment before briefly nodding her head stiffly.

  He wanted to explain, and hoped he wouldn’t make things worse. “Starr, I’m the director, everyone listens to me, and when I finish, if someone disagrees, they put their point forward. However, I still have the final say, so if they say something and I don’t agree, then things are still done my way. I’m afraid in the mission room it’s not a democracy, things aren’t put to the vote, Puff. Sorry, that’s just the way it is.”

  Starr made a ‘harrumph’ noise and he barely held in his snort of laughter. His mate sounded pissed off, as she stomped her feet, her ass moved from side to side, encased tightly in her jeans. God, how was he supposed to think rationally with her ass doing that in front of him?

  Ronan tore his eyes from her ass and refused to let them stray there again, managing to get to the briefing room almost his usual self. As they entered he saw Starr’s eyes widen at the sight of Creed and his men. All large, dark, dangerous and deadly, her footsteps faltered as she watched them carefully. With a hand at the base of her back, Ronan guided her to the table set up with coffee and breakfast items.

  “Have something to eat. It may be a long day. I can’t say when you’ll next have the opportunity to get something.”

  Ronan bent down, grabbing a spare mission pack from the end of the table. He unbuckled it, pulling out most of the items and placing them on the table. “Here check these out and see if you’re comfortable with anything, if you’ve never used something then don’t take it, whatever you choose you need to be at ease using. You might also want to wrap up some food and add it, with water ‘n stuff, though if we get on their trail you’ll be eating on the go so just add stuff that’s easy to get to and stuff in your mouth.”

  Starr looked up at him, seeing the twinkle of laughter in his eyes so she poked him hard in the ribs before whispering, “Hey, I need food, unlike you and your men, Fang!”

  Ronan grabbed her finger before she could prod him again, holding it in his massive hand. “Not all of the men are Vampires, we have a few Wolves along, oh yeah, we’ve got a Witch coming too, one of Esther’s, who she says is pretty good and he can contact her quickly if he needs her through some kind of mind link spell. Have to admit that sounds kinda freaky, but, if it gets Esther to us when we need her then all’s good. Okay, you grab something and take a seat, the briefing will be starting shortly.”

  He left her at the table and made his way to the front of the room, checking everyone that should be there was present. Ronan noted the way Creed was holding his body taut, as if he was upset, Ronan guessed the reason as he saw the extra two elite guards standing next to him.

  He changed direction and walked over to Creed, stopping only a foot or so away, his eyebrow raised as he spoke quietly. “You have a problem, Creed?”

  Creed’s dark eyes locked with his, no sign of emotion showing, “Why have I been forced to bring an extra two onto my team? You know my men and I work well together and adding people that we have not worked with before could be, at best problematic, at worst it could cause a mission failure. So...”

  Ronan cut him off, his voice like shards of ice. “This isn’t up for discussion, Creed. Your part in this mission is very straightforward, you keep my mate safe. At all costs. That, and only that, is what you and your men are to do. Do you understand me?”

  He moved in closer, crowding the slightly smaller man, his eyes boring into the black, inscrutable orbs, studying him intently. Ronan noted the tattoo on the other man’s face seemed to move, as Creed gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched tightly. It didn’t look as if Creed were going to back down, both standing toe to toe for long moments before Creed nodded. “Understood.”

  Ronan took a step back, his voice low as he answered, his tone telling Creed all he needed to know. “Thank you, Creed. As far as I’m concerned, this is your most important duty to date. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can happen to her.”

  Creed nodded again, the opposition completely gone from his stance and look in his eyes. Ronan felt himself relax somewhat, knowing that these six warriors would fight to the death to protect Starr. He felt as if he could focus on the mission knowing that he didn’t have to worry about protecting Starr from whatever they would come across.

  *****

  Starr finished eating a Danish quickly, before wrapping up another couple in napkins, then placing them in the backpack. She added a few bottles of water and some fresh fruit, thinking that would keep her going for most of the day. She then looked at some of the weapons on the table, lifting and wielding a nasty looking knife before placing it in the bag too. There were other weapons, including a handgun, which she ignored, but she saw a small black leather wrap, tied with a cord, which piqued her interest.

  Opening it, she saw a set of throwing knives, smallish, razor sharp and just her thing. She was excellent in throwing knives and she took them out of the wrap and placed them, in their sheaths, about her body. It had been some time since she lost the last of her own, so it felt good to have the welcome feeling of the weapons once more at her disposal. Her forte was placing the blade of a knife within the socket of an eye. Although gruesome and bloody it didn’t actually kill a Vampire, but it sure as hell slowed them down, a fact she had learned many years ago.

  As she had been placing the knives where she wanted them, her eyes followed her mate, as he veered off course and headed towards the extremely dangerous looking Vamp on the other side of the room. She had seen him the moment she entered and she was loath to admit that he scared the crap out of her. No, she wouldn’t admit that, but she would admit he was the scariest mother she had ever clapped eyes on.

  He was large, not quite as large as Ronan, but damn near it, with dark skin and hair. His eyes like black pools and she thought he had a tattoo on his face, but it was difficult to make out. She watched as Ronan stopped in front of him, clearly invading the man’s space, speaking down with a cold tone. Ronan’s voice was so low she didn’t quite catch the words but his body language and tone were clear; he was asking if the other had a problem.

  She held her breath as this man stared into Ronan’s face, everyone in the room could see the tension in the man’s body as he held Ronan’s gaze. It seemed like forever before the confrontation passed, though she was sure it was mere moments, before the man answered in the affirmative to whatever it was her mate had said to him. She let out a breath she didn’t even realize she held, as Ronan turned around and saw her watching.

  Starr frowned slightly, then raised an eyebrow in question of what the hell had just happened. Ronan didn’t respond, only making his way to the front of the room. Starr glanced at the man again and this time found him staring intently at her. A shiver ran through her body as his dark eyes continued to scrutinize her before he finally turned to the front of the room.

  Who was he and what the hell just happened? Her attention was drawn to Ronan as he started to speak, her thoughts still on the dark man on the opposite side of the room.

  *****

  Ronan took several deep breaths before lifting his head and addressing everyone. “We all know what we’re here for, we know what we’re after, so there’s not a lot I can add. Sam, is there any more intel on that Vampire?”

  Sam stepped forward from his place against the wall. “Kind of, Serge thinks he’s closing in, it’s further out of the city, in some abandoned buildings that are surrounded by a small forest. He
could clearly scent that Vampire and others in the area, but he says there’s dark magic there too. So, I would think this is exactly where we need to go today, we know the Vamps work with a Witch wielding dark magic, so everything points to this being where they’re hiding out. We can go in three vehicles and split up once we get there, come in from different directions, then hopefully, we’ll grab some of them.”

  Ronan grew excited at Sam’s words. If they managed to get the Vampire that attacked them the previous week, he was sure he would get a ton of information from him. If they also managed to nab one of the Witches, then he was certain they would get what they needed, which was who the hell was actually behind this and what was going on in the Rockies.

  Ronan agreed with everything Sam said. “Right, Starr, will come in one of the vehicles with me, Sam and Creed. The rest of you split up between the other vehicles. However, we’ll use four not three; if we manage to take any prisoners then we need the extra room to bring them back here. Okay guys, lock ‘n load.”

  *****

  Starr kept her eyes forward, forcing herself not to turn and see if the man was watching her. Her ears focusing on Ronan, then Sam. It looked like they had a target area they were heading out to and that was just fine with her. The sooner this was over the better. She just wanted to live a normal life, not having to worry about being attacked almost every day.

  If anyone could keep her safe, keep her out of the clutches of the Witches, she knew it would be Ronan. Her mate would move hell on earth to keep her safe, just as she would for him. As she realized this, her throat closed, a large lump forming to almost cut off her breathing. She had found her true mate and they would work together to ensure they had the future they deserved...together.

  Starr straightened her back, missing the last few sentences as her mind wandered, but fell in beside Ronan as they made their way out of the room and down to the parking garage.

  Sam jumped into the driver’s seat of one of the many, large, black SUV’s, Ronan holding the rear door for her to get in first, with him climbing in after her. Her breathing stuttered for a moment, as the dangerous looking Vampire from the briefing opened the front passenger door, then slid his large frame into the seat. His head turned and their eyes met, she knew hers were wide as she stared at his, before he inclined his head and swiveled around to stare out the front windshield.

  Starr turned to Ronan, as his hand found one of hers and giving it a small squeeze. “Starr, this is Creed. He’s the leader of one of our elite squads. It’s his job to keep you safe today, so please, try ‘n stay close to him and his men.”

  Creed turned. “Hello,” was all he said before once again turning away.

  Starr stuttered her reply. “Hi,” before raising an eyebrow towards her mate.

  “He’s the best.” Ronan said, and Starr didn’t doubt it for a minute. Being in the enclosed space of the vehicle had her heart hammering in her chest at being so close to Creed. He was dangerous and every pore in her body was telling her to run. Her hand tightened on Ronan’s, her mate’s touch calming her in a way she had never before experienced.

  As she sat back for the journey she let her mind wander to the previous night. Her sleep interrupted several times with strange dreams. Some were funny, some were scary and some were just plain strange, one was a mix of all three!

  A small giggle escaped her before she even realized it, Ronan looking down with a questioning look. She managed to stop the laughter as she whispered to him, “Sorry, had a lot of weird dreams last night and one just came back to me.”

  Ronan raised an eyebrow, as if telling her to continue. “Well, one was really weird, I was running and being chased by a Vamp. We were in what I thought was a forest but soon realized it was a jungle, after I saw a lion running in the distance. I was scared shitless when I saw it, more so than by the Vamp that was chasing me. I wanted to transform but there were too many trees ‘n stuff around, so I couldn’t. Anyway, I kept running and I broke free and there was a watering hole in front of me, but there was also a bar area set up to the side, and this is where it goes kinda weird, it’s what made me laugh. So, at the watering hole is a Zebra drinking it’s fill, but at the bar there’s two giraffes sipping cocktails through straws. They turned, looked at me, ‘n said “Want a lift?” so I ...”

  Starr stopped as Ronan and Sam’s laughter filled the vehicle, Sam hitting his hand on the steering wheel at the same time. Her face flushed and she punched Ronan in the side, before she joined in, laughter spilling from her mouth.

  The relief the laughter brought her was immense, but it didn’t pass her notice that Creed hadn’t joined in. Finally, all three of them got some semblance of control, Ronan speaking first.

  “Giraffes? Cocktails? Where the heck does your mind get stuff like that?”

  Starr blushed again. “How the hell do I know! It was a dream! I don’t have control over what I freaking dream, and that was the bit just before the Vamp shot out of the trees and stopped dead, then he started laughing–kinda like you two just did, so I took off running and left him far behind, though I could still hear him laughing.”

  Ronan’s face was still sporting a huge smile, laughter in his eyes. “Heck, that was some dream, grá mo chroí.”

  His voice softened at the end, his face moving down to place a chaste kiss on her lips, the moment broken by Sam’s voice. “Hey! No canoodling back there! Ya hear, this is a dangerous mission we’re going on so keep all that for afterward. Hell, I’m hoping to have some of that myself later! I’ve got a date with that new Wolf that just joined us. You know the one? She’s one of Serge’s trackers but she was up all night working so he told her to stay home today. So, guys, you know what that means, don’t ya?”

  Starr had no idea what he was talking about. “Nope, what?”

  Sam’s dirty chuckle had her smiling too. “Means she’s gonna be nice ‘n rested for my triumphant return!”

  Starr burst out laughing, a little breathless as she replied, “In your dreams, Sam, in your dreams.”

  As the laughter died down Starr moved closer into Ronan’s large body, his arm snaking around her shoulders to hold her close. Her head lolled on his shoulder for the rest of the journey and there was no more laughter, the car filled with various emotions.

  She was pensive and a little scared. She could feel Ronan’s apprehension mixed with excitement, Sam’s exuberance as he thought on his upcoming date, and then there was Creed. She found she couldn’t read anything from him at all. Starr hoped he was as good as Ronan said, at the same time as wishing that his services wouldn’t be required. She still wasn’t sure about this dark, dangerous, Vampire and the thought of her safety being in his hands had her trembling slightly.

  In any other circumstance, she would be running in the opposite direction to this Vampire, not staying close as Ronan had ordered.

  Chapter 15

  Ronan held Starr close, her eyelids drooping, until she fell over into sleep. The journey was going to take a while so he kept her cradled in his arms and let her rest. If her dreams were anything to go by, then she’d had a restless night, even if she never actually woke up. He smiled as he thought on her dreams, wondering what it would be like to have such totally weird things running through your head as you slept.

  He was like most Vampires, dreams not the usual occurrence as they rested. It was so long since he had one that it was a far distant memory and he couldn’t even remember what the dream had been about. He decided he was going to question Starr, on her night visions, and dream vicariously through his mate. Ronan wondered what she would come up with this evening, as he watched her eyelids, no sign of her eyes moving beneath them. At least she seemed to be having a proper rest at the moment, but he knew he would need to wake her soon.

  Sam looked in the rear-view mirror, their eyes meeting. “Not long now,” his friend said quietly, obviously aware Starr was asleep.

  “Okay, pull over and we’ll decide what we do from here.” Ronan gently sh
ook Starr awake, as Sam pulled to the side of the road.

  “Hey, we’re nearly there.” Ronan spoke quietly, not wanting to startle his mate.

  Starr looked up sleepily, a small smile playing on her mouth. “Okay, what’s the plan?” she asked as she sat up and stretched, before pulling a bottle of water out of her backpack and taking a sip.

  Ronan undid his seat-belt, opening the door and getting out, holding his hand out to her. “We’re just gonna discuss that, come on.”

  Starr took his hand and followed him, noting the other vehicles stopped behind them and everyone making their way forward. As soon as everyone was there Ronan took charge. “Serge, you’ve been here, so what’s the best way to approach this and how far out are we?”

  The stocky Wolf moved forward. “Right, there’s Drake, Nikos and I that were here last night. Our Wolf noses know where we’re going, so I say we split into three teams and head in from three different directions. We can then, hopefully, stop anyone from escaping and capture as many as possible. We’re about twenty minutes on foot, though I’m not sure how quickly Starr moves, so it may take her longer.”

  Ronan heard Starr’s snort as he looked to Drake, then found Nikos standing at the back. He was relatively new to the bureau, but Serge had given the man glowing reports. Nikos was much larger than the other two Wolves, well over six foot, with a broad, muscular body. His eyes were the most intelligent Ronan had seen in a long time and he put that fact to the side, thinking Nikos may be marked for much more than being a tracker. He nodded at him and got a smile in return, warm and friendly, as he moved forwards.

  Ronan nodded at the three Wolves. “Okay, first, Starr’s speed, I’ve seen her move and I think she’ll leave you Wolves standing, so don’t worry about that. However, I don’t think Jake will be able to keep up, so we need to go at his speed. The rest of the teams take note and we’ll time things for when we all arrive. How do we know everyone is in place before we move in?”