Dragon Protectors

by Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  “Bronx?” I say. “We’re on our way home. If you can hear me, be ready. We’re coming for you.”

  I don’t get a reply, but I hadn’t expected to. He’ll be waiting for us. I quickly send off a text to Noelle, too, letting her know we’re on our way back. Of course, it’s coded so I hope she can figure it out.

  “Get some sleep, Brooklyn,” Declan says. “We have six hours to go, and it’ll be the early morning when we land.”

  “What did your dad mean about remembering what you guys talked about?”

  “He’s reminding me to live up to the expectations of being your second. He still thinks we’re going to marry at the end of this, and I’m to ensure that it happens. He said that it’d be easier if we fell in love and then marriage would be the obvious next step, but also that I’m to help you with figuring out the Academy’s plans. In the long run, whatever they have planned might affect the rest of the Prides. All eyes are on us now. We’ve got to make it count.”

  It doesn’t go unnoticed that he’s said “we” and “us” in his speech. “But, remember, that we’re not a ‘we’ or ‘us’. You are my second and will not be anything more to me than a friend. I won’t marry you.” He seems to be a genuinely nice guy. Maybe I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop. The trip to Ireland and finding a PL to train me was just too easy. But everything that Sean said was obvious. There is no key or trick to being a good leader.

  My eyes are heavy, and I do need sleep. I hope that Bronx is resting, too, so I can see him again. I’m rewarded when I open my dream eyes and see him standing in his dark green dragon form.

  “Hello, Sweetheart.” Bronx lifts his head and watches me land onto the ground next to him. “I’ve been waiting for you. I got your message that you’re on your way back. I’m sorry I didn’t respond. You don’t want to know what they were doing, but I do have some news to share.”

  “I miss you, Bronx.” I nuzzle his neck. “And I have a feeling I know exactly what they are doing to you. I’ve been feeling phantom pains, and I think they’re coming from you.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t control some of it. It’s seeps out before I can stop it.” He returns my affection. “While they were ... never mind. I heard someone talking about the weapons facility. They are stock piling and creating something new.”

  “Besides the dart drones?”

  “Yes. But how did you know about those?”

  “Sean, the Irish PL, told me about it.”

  “Hmm. Okay. Allister is pulling every favor owed to him because production has been kicked into high gear. Prototypes are being made and tested out in the real world.”

  “What else besides the drones is he creating?”

  “Remember those titanium arrows that McQueen was shot down by? Something like those, but better.”

  How could that even be possible?

  “Do you know where the weapons facility is?” I ask.

  “No, they didn’t say.”

  “Maybe we can get Noelle to find out, if she doesn’t already know.”

  “We’re going to need to take that place offline. Cripple them to even the playing field.”

  I lift my head to gaze into his eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing for you to worry about.”

  “I still will, though.”

  “I know. Oh, hey, I felt you bond with Staten and Manny. That must have been a shock for Manny that you and I were bonded before him. Was he mad?”

  “No. Disappointed. But it’s all good between us.”

  “So that leaves McQueen.”

  “I guess it does.”

  He’s the only one I haven’t said I love you to, nor have we had sex. While I’m sure he would want to, there hasn’t been an opportunity, nor has it been on my mind. We’ve got other things to worry about than my love life.

  McQueen is also the newest member of my protectors. Even though I’ve lived with his family for a couple of days, I hardly know him. If Manny could feel when I bonded with Bronx and Staten, then McQueen must’ve felt it, too. I should at least discuss it with him and learn his thoughts on the matter. Maybe he doesn’t even want to be bonded to me like his brothers.

  We land at Kennedy Airport and have two vehicles waiting for us. Since it’s nearly three in the morning, Danzel didn’t think Allister would be watching us. Plus, Declan bought the tickets. Staten and McQueen instruct each driver to take the long way through the city. I’m in the vehicle sandwiched between McQueen and Declan. McQueen casually lays his arm around my shoulder, clearly a possessive gesture. I lean into him, giving my own sign to Declan.

  I check my phone for any messages from Noelle. It’s too early in the day, and she should be sleeping. She better respond by tomorrow. We need answers. Now.

  It takes us an hour to navigate around the city, making sure that no one is following us. We do spot a couple of drones out, so we’re extra cautious, sitting low in the backseats. I took a nap during most of the flight; now, I’m wide awake. By the time we arrive at McQueen’s house, I feel like exercising. I haven’t had a good workout in days, and my body is feeling it.

  “Hey before everyone goes their separate way, I need to tell you guys something,” I say. “I’m not sure how to say this ... so I’m just going to. They’re torturing Bronx. I spoke with him during the plane ride over the pond. He doesn’t know for sure who took him, but he thinks Allister is behind it. Those phantom pains I was having, it’s from him, because of our bond. So get some rest and later this morning, we’re hitting it hard and finding him. He’s priority number one.”

  “We should scout tonight,” Manny says.

  “No. We need rest. We’ve been traveling for a couple of days and we don’t know what we’ll run into when we find him. All of us need to be well-rested and keep our wits. I won’t have you guys going after him without thinking things through.” Staten smiles, showing me his dimples. “What?” I ask through our mental connection.

  “You’re becoming a true leader. Taking charge, giving us orders. It’s nice seeing a different side of you. It means you’re growing as a person.”

  “I agree with Brooklyn’s assessment of the situation,” Declan says. “I know you guys don’t know me well. But you trust her. I trust her. And she’s right. We don’t know enough to go barreling into anything half-cocked. We’ll only get ourselves hurt or dead.” He looks at each of them. “And I know you don’t want the latter.”

  McQueen nods and then shows Declan a room that is on the opposite side of the house from where our rooms are. Declan doesn’t say anything about it. And really, what’s to stop him from walking the length of the hallway to get to me? He bids us goodnight and closes the door.

  Manny and Staten opt to go to bed since they watched over me while I slept next to Declan. I’m alone in the gym, already done with stretching and about ready to step onto the treadmill.

  “Up for some company, Babe?” McQueen leans against the doorway.

  “Always.” I motion for him to join me. “I feel like we haven’t worked out in ages. I slept for most of the flight, so I might as well do something productive.”

  “It has been a while.” McQueen stretches.

  I start the machine and walk at a steady pace, waiting for McQueen to finish and match my strides. He jumps on and we’re off. The steady beat of our feet slapping the black track soothes me. McQueen keeps glancing my way. I know he wants to tell or ask me something but doesn’t.

  I’m guessing it’s about the bond.

  I don’t comment on it. If he wants to bring it up, then he has to break the ice. It’s weird that he hasn’t said anything yet, especially since he’s supposed to be brazen about things. But this trip has him off kilter. He’s been quiet and reserved. Plus, we haven’t had any real alone time until now. But now we’re back at his parents’ house doing exactly what we did before the mission. I wonder if things will change between us.

  The hour goes by, and we finally stop running. We decide to
do some strength conditioning. I think he’s pushing himself, and that’s pushing me harder. He spots me for a while, and then I do the same for him. After we’re both exhausted from lifting weights, we take a much-needed water break.

  It’s during this down time that I think McQueen is going to ask me about the bond. He doesn’t. Instead, he asks about my time with Sean. “What did he say to you?” he asks.

  “Nothing I didn’t already know.”

  It does make me wonder where Sean got all is information. He must have spies at the school or possibly even dragons that are friendly to his Pride. Neither would surprise me.

  McQueen calls it quits, telling me that I do need to sleep, even if I’m not tired. By the afternoon, I’ll be dragging. I tell him that I’m going back to my room to shower and change and possibly to lie down. He leaves me but lingers at his door as he watches me enter my room. Why hasn’t he said anything about the bond? I know he wants to. Perhaps he’s waiting for me to ask him. I do want to bond with all of my boys. They need to be part of me. They’re already on my mind all the time. They might as well be in my heart, too.

  As I get ready, I text Noelle again since it’s imperative that we talk or meet today.

  Me: Hey, I’ve been sick lately and need to be rescued from the house. Please kidnap me so we can have fun outside. Mom won’t let me go anywhere.

  It’s still early, and I don’t expect a response. My room is dark, and I’m busy looking at the phone screen. The tiny hairs on my arms rise.

  A shadow moves near my bed. I flip on the light, and Declan is standing there. My hand slaps over my mouth to stop the scream that’s on the tip of my lips. “Boroughs, you scared me.” I breathe in a deep breath. “Did you need something?”

  “No. I couldn’t sleep and didn’t know where you were, so I thought I’d wait here for you.” Okay, but that’s still sort of uber creepy if you ask me. “I don’t think your protectors would want me wandering around the house by myself. Then I thought that they probably wouldn’t want me waiting in here for you, either. I know they don’t trust me.”

  “I’m sorry, Declan. Someone should have showed you around.” I walk closer to the bed now that my heartbeat is under control. “Have you ever been to the States before?”

  He shakes his head. “No, I haven’t.”

  “All right. Later today, I’ll give you the dime tour. If it’s not safe for me to be out, then hopefully, my friend Noelle who is coming to the house can take you after she tells us about the drones, Allister’s plans, and anything else she’s found out.”

  “Is she an instructor or on the Council?” He gestures to the bed as if asking permission to sit. I nod.

  I busy myself with selecting clothes to change into. “No, she’s a student. But since the last battle that took place at the school, the dragons killed so many of them the Council had to scramble to get enough teachers, and I’m told they consolidated classes. Last I heard, Level Threes were taken out of missions and are solely learning about drones.”

  “I’d be interested in the drones’ tech.”

  “Same here, so I hope Noelle has much to tell us.” I hold up my arms with my clothes. “I’m going to take a shower. If you want to wait here you can, then we’ll go grab some breakfast.”

  “Aren’t you going to rest?”

  “No, maybe I’ll take a nap later today.”

  “All right.”

  I leave Declan sitting on my bed. Should I feel weird about that? Possibly. A stranger who is my second and who I’ve known all for forty-eight hours is in my bedroom while my boyfriend—boyfriends—are just down the hall. But there is something comforting about his presence.

  After I emerge from the bathroom, Declan and I go in search for food. We are still the only ones awake, and we rummage in the kitchen as quietly as we can. The only thing I know how to make is scrambled eggs, so that’s what I offer.

  He helps me crack the shells but keeps getting tiny bits in the mix. I can tell that he’s never done it before by the careful way he’s working. It’s not good. He keeps fishing out the little white flakes. Finally, I hand him a bowl and tell him to measure the flour, which I also hand him, and then the eggs mixture. He should be able to make pancakes.

  His whisking is too violent, and batter is tossed in all directions. It lands on the counter, on his face, and on my clothes. We laugh at our antics. I swipe a rather large doughy piece from his cheek. It doesn’t come clean off; instead, it makes it worse, which makes me double over in more laughter.

  And this is how my protectors see us when they walk into the kitchen.

  “What’s going on?” McQueen asks.

  “Um, sorry about the mess,” I say. “We were hungry and wanted to make breakfast for you guys.”

  “I guess we got a bit carried away,” Declan says. “I’ll clean it up.”

  Manny takes a dish towel and starts wiping the counters while McQueen takes out the large skillet and pours the batter into round circles. Staten opens the fridge and removes syrup, then takes out plates from the cabinet.

  The kitchen is silent, except for the rattling of cookware. I wish someone would start talking. My boys need to include Declan. He’s family now, whether we like it or not.

  Maybe that person should be me. “Declan was telling me that he’s never been here to New York. So after we hear from Noelle, I thought we’d go take him to see some sights. Of course, we’ll be on the lookout for the drones and we’ll use the tourist thing as a front to search for Bronx.” I take a bite of fluffy eggs. “When I talked with Bronx last night, he said he’s doing okay and knows that we’re back home and will start looking for him after we touch base with Noelle and Danzel. He doesn’t know where he is, and they’ve drugged him. All he knows is that he’s in a basement or underground dwelling. He said it’s musty smelling. During his time there, he’s managed to figure out something is going on with titanium arrows.” I look at McQueen. “You know, the kind they used on you. Bronx thinks they’re being mass-produced now.”

  “That’s not good if it’s true.” He cringes as he massages his chest where the arrow hit him a few weeks ago. “Nasty things. Wouldn’t want to wish that hell on anyone.”

  “Why?” Declan asks. “Was it made differently or something?”

  “The entire arrow and shaft were made of titanium. Normally, what we see over here are just the arrows tips made of metal. They alone cause enough damage. But now the shafts are coated or treated with it, and it makes getting hit all the more potent. I’m leaning toward coating since it flaked off, and some particles got stuck under the skin even while the arrow was removed. It weakened my body because we didn’t know fragments were still in there. I didn’t figure it out until the next day when I couldn’t heal all the way. Imagine a shot to a vital organ.” He shakes his head. “Not good.”

  The vibration of my cell phone draws my attention. Everyone else pats their pockets. I pull out mine and look at the screen.

  Noelle: YES! I’m coming over right now!! I’ve called an Uber, and we’ll see if we can do a covert op and get you out from under Mom’s nose. I have so much to catch you up on!!!

  Me: 710 Arrow Moon Sliver, Queens

  “Noelle is on her way here,” I say. “Not sure what she told the school to leave, but she said that she has lots to tell us.”

  Yes. Finally, I feel like we’re about to move forward instead of this waiting game. There are too many moving parts and not enough information to make any reasonable decisions.

  By the time we clean up breakfast and the dishes, the doorbell rings. I sprint down the hallway and into the foyer. McQueen is right behind me, using his long strides to catch up. I yank open the door, and there is my best friend. It’s only been a couple of days, but it feels way longer than that.

  She looks good. Rested, even. Noelle has light makeup on her face, her hair is styled, and she’s smiling. “Hiya, BFF!” She flings her arms around me. “Miss me? I sure missed you.” She peers around me. “Your guy
s, too. School is just not the same without all the drama going on.”

  “Of course, I missed you like crazy.” I turn my head, and all four guys are standing there. “Come on in.” I step aside to let her in through the door.

  “Oh, we’ve got plenty to keep us all busy, but nothing like what happened when you guys came into Brooklyn’s life,” Noelle continues. “Now that is a soap opera where I need front row seats, a bag of popcorn, and the rewind button hot at my fingertips.” We continue to the living room, and Noelle is still chatting. “How was wherever you went?” She sinks onto the couch and turns her attention to Declan. “I see you picked up a straggler on the way. Who are you?”

  “I’m Declan and Brooklyn’s second in command.”

  Her mouth drops open. “Wait, I thought that one of you guys,” she points to my protectors who have opted to sit around us in the chairs, “would be her second. If I were a betting gal, it would have been Staten.”

  “It was part of a deal I made with his PL,” I say.

  “PL?”

  “Pride Leader. It’s nothing for you to worry about. Just know that he’ll be hanging around from now on, and anything you say to me, he can be trusted so you can say in front of him, too.” Boroughs, I hope I’m not wrong about Declan.

  “Um, can I get some water or coffee? I kinda ran out of the school as soon as I could.”

  “Of course, Noelle.” Manny stands.

  “Oh, no.” She tugs my arm. “We’ll get it.”

  Subtle much? But I let her pull me up from the couch and haul me toward the kitchen.

  “Okay, for realz, who is that yummy man? Please do not tell me that he’s yours, too. I don’t think I can handle that.”

  “It’s not like that, Noelle. He’s just my second. He knows about my boys.”