by Julia Mills
Maddox snorted at the King of the Big Cats arrogance and turn of phrase. The one thing he could always count on was for Max to make a grand entrance. Unlocking the locks, the mad dragon pulled the huge door open, rolled his eyes, and teased, “Well, we’ve got no catnip but I’m guessing I can round up a bowl of milk if you need one.”
The King laughed out loud and then to his beautiful companion explained, “They blow a lot of smoke.” Max slid his eyes to Maddox and winked. “But they’re good people.”
Motioning for the tall woman with long brown hair and almond-shaped hazel eyes to enter in front of him, Max, “Gentleman, may I introduce Camille Danvers. She is the foremost brain surgeon in the world and specializes in brain stem reconstruction.”
Niall rushed forward and shook the doctor’s hand. “Welcome, Dr. Danvers. I’m Niall McGuinness, Clan Healer and physician. I am thrilled to meet you. I’ve read several of your articles.”
The doctor’s eyes widened and her smile broadened. “The Dr. Niall McGuinness, who invented dissolving screws for the bone repair in shifters?” Then quickly added, “And please, call me Camille.”
Maddox watched his old friend blush and had to hold back a chuckle. It had been a long time since he’d seen the old boy flustered. “Why thank you, Camille. That was many years ago,” the Healer quietly responded.
“But still being used and referenced in our training. It is I who am honored to meet you, doctor.” The young feline shifter was not only pretty, but poised and obviously well-educated. Maddox just hoped she was half as good as her hype since she’d be playing around in Kyran’s brain.
“Here is the patient and his chart,” Niall talked as he walked Camille towards the black dragon. While she studied the chart, Maddox shrugged at Kayne and then Drago before announcing, “I’m gonna head up and check on Calysta. Kayne, you wanna go? Drago?”
“I think I’ll stay and hear what the doc has to say,” the Assassin quickly answered, taking his seat on the opposite side of Kyran’s bed.
“I’m with you,” Kayne replied as he patted the black dragon’s shoulder and headed towards the door.
“Mind if I join you, gentlemen? Blood and guts is not my thing unless I’m the one causing it,” Max snickered, turning to fall in line with Maddox and Kayne even before they answered.
“The more the merrier,” the demi god snorted. “I’m sure Calysta would love the company.”
“Yeah,” the mad dragon chuckled.
Leaving the cell/hospital room, Maddox made sure the door was secure and reminded the young Guardsman, Wolfe, to stay alert and protect not only the patient, but Niall, Drago, and Dr. Danvers.
He had to hold back a smile as the young dragon stood tall and snapped, “Aye, sir.”
As they climbed the stairs, Max commented, “I hear congratulations are in order, Maddox. Well done. Your mate is a special woman. I wish you both much happiness.”
The mad dragon tamped down the jealousy immediately rising within him at the King’s mention of Calysta. It was instinct. He knew Max meant no harm, but it still happened every time any male other than those he was the closest with spoke of her, looked at her, or were even near her. Clearing his throat Maddox replied, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
Entering the clinic, Maddox excused himself to go find his little witch while the other two went in search of something to drink. Following Calysta’s scent, he found her in the room of the gargoyle sisters, Daphne and Lizzie. Standing outside the door, he listened as the Priestess talked the girls through calling their magic. He was surprised to learn that before being captured and used as guinea pigs, they were able to transform any time of day, not only at night. He’d been taught at a young age that gargoyles were the French cousins of the dragons, having been born from the ashes of La Gargouille, a seventh century dragon destroyed by St. Romanus, one of the founders of the hunter movement. Because of how they came about, legend stated they only had the ability to call their gargoyles in the dark of the night. Apparently, legends could be wrong.
Ya’ learn something new every day…
Listening to the compassion and care Calysta had for her patients only made him love her more. His mate was a truly special person and he was grateful every minute of every day for her presence in his life.
The sound of his name followed by feminine giggles, pulled the mad dragon from his thoughts. Striding into the room, he immediately stopped as the two young girls gasped and huddled together.
Reassuring the girls as she got up and stepped towards him, Calysta spoke in a low soothing tone. “Nothing to worry about, girls. This is my mate, Maddox.”
He watched as the girls looked him over from head to toe several times before slowly relaxing. The smaller of the two, with big grey eyes and long black hair, blurted out, “You’re huge,” before immediately slapping her hand over her mouth.
Her sister whispered a harsh, “Lizzie!” just as Maddox burst out laughing. The sound filled the room and for just a moment, the surprised girls were back in each other’s arms, but as Calysta joined in the fun, the girls again relaxed and started to giggle along.
Catching his breath, the mad dragon agreed, “Yeah, I am pretty big and I’m guessing the hair and scruffy face don’t help any.”
The taller of the girls, whose hair was almost white it was so blonde and her eyes the color of watered down whiskey, smiled. “But you have very pretty eyes and your voice is kind.”
Having never been very good at accepting compliments, Maddox had no idea what to say so he was incredibly relieved when Calysta winked at the girls and teased, “I know, right? And he’s all mine, so hands off, ladies.”
The mad dragon was glad to see the girls really laugh and feel comfortable around him. He used his grumpy exterior and bad attitude to mess with his boys but these little ones had been through enough. They needed his support.
Winking at the girls, he asked, “Do you mind if I borrow Calysta for just a minute? I promise to bring her right back.”
They both smiled and nodded while his mate assured, “I’ll just be a minute. Practice your meditation exercises while I’m gone and we’ll start from there when I get back.”
Following Callie out the door, he directed her to the end of the hall, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her soundly before leaning back and sighing. “I needed that.”
Patting his chest with a dreamy smile on her face, his little witch beamed, “Me too, mo ghrá, me too.” Laying another chaste kiss on his lips, she leaned back and asked, “Before we get too carried away, what did you need to tell me?”
“Oh, yeah,” he snickered. “Max’s doctor is downstairs with Niall examining Kyran. Seems Dr. Danvers was as impressed to meet our Healer as he was to meet her. It was a mutual admiration society down there for a while.”
“Wow, that was quick.” She paused then asked with wide eyes, “Dr. Camille Danvers?”
“Yeah, that’s the one. You know her too?”
Nodding, the Priestess confirmed. “Yes. If her published works are any indication, she’s brilliant.”
“Well, I’ll take your word for it. I just want her to fix our boy. If it takes brilliant to get that done, then I guess it’s good we have it.”
Caylsta’s brow was momentarily furrowed before she shrugged and commented, “I never had a clue she was a shifter.”
“Did you ever meet her in person?” Maddox inquired while giving into temptation and kissing along her jawline.
“No, just read her articles and her bio.” Calysta sighed and leaned into his body, enjoying his attention as much as he enjoyed giving it.
“I assure you, in person there’s no denyin’ she’s a cat,” he mumbled, more interested in kissing his mate than talking.
Pushing against his chest and leaning her head back, Calysta raised her eyebrows and asked, “I’m guessing she’s attractive?”
“I have no idea, mo chroí. I only have eyes for you,” Maddox quickly answered, leaning in to continue kissing h
er but not getting very far as she held him at bay with the palms of her hands against his pecs.
“Mmmmhmmmm, sure you do,” Calysta rolled her eyes and tsk’d at him.
He knew she was kidding but decided to have a little fun with her anyway. Using his enhanced reflexes, Maddox spun them around until her back was to the wall, shifted his hands to her sides, and began tickling her. Her peals of laughter filled the hallway as he said, “Repeat after me.”
Frantically shaking her head while laughing and trying to catch her breath, Calysta wheezed, “I…can’t…”
Easing up just a fraction, he once again commanded, “Repeat after me,” and then added, “Maddox loves only me.”
Squirming and fighting to get free, his little witch gasped, “Madddddox…llloves…only mmmmeeee,” before falling into another fit of giggles.
He was having so much fun, he had to ask, “What did you say?” When Niall’s voice broke through Calysta’s laughter.
His fingers stilled as the mad dragon focused on the Healer’s words while smiling at the flush on his mate’s cheeks and salivating at the way her ample bosom rose and fell as she fought to catch her breath. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he took a half step back to put some space between them and tapped the side of his head so Calysta knew to listen too as Niall repeated, “Camille wants to do the surgery immediately. We are preparing Kyran right now. Max has others from his pride bringing the additional medical equipment we need.” There was a quick pause and then, “The procedure will take about four hours, as long as there are no complications. I’m having Wolfe and Callum prepare the room Kyran is in for the surgery. I’m not comfortable moving him out of lockup.”
“No, I agree. Do you need Kayne and I there?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. Drago is staying with us and Camille has another sedative that she’s adding to ours. I’m sure the heavy dosage will keep him asleep for as long as we need him to be, but I would like you two to stay close as a precaution.”
“Sounds good. I’ll go find the pain in the butt demi god and we’ll be here if you need us. Good luck, Ni,” Maddox could only imagine what it was like for Niall, always having to patch up his friends and now performing brain surgery on one of them. It made the mad dragon thankful for his magic and his sword and his complete lack of all things scientific.
Looking at Calysta, he asked, “Did all that make sense to you?”
“Yes.” She patted his arm, “He’s in good hands, Maddy. There’s no one I trust more than Niall and with Camille Danvers heading the surgery, everything will be fine.”
Leaning forward, he kissed her slowly, showing his appreciation where his words would’ve failed. Pulling back when they were both breathless, he looked into her love-clouded eyes and breathed, “Is breá liom tú an méid sin.”
Smiling that smile he knew she saved just for him, his mate sighed. “And I love you, mo Dragon. Now, go find Kayne and let me get back to the girls. I’ll be here if you need me.”
Kissing the tip of her nose, he watched as she turned and headed back to the girls. Just the seductive sway of her hypnotic hips and the memory of the feel of her silken skin under his fingertips made it hard for him not to race down the hall, scoop her up, and take her home to bed. As usual, his fantasies were interrupted by a voice in his head, “Okay, loverboy, enough of the mushy stuff. Get out here and keep Max and I company. We’re gonna need your brute strength in about ten minutes when all the equipment Niall and the lovely doctor ordered arrives.”
Rolling his eyes, the mad dragon grumbled, “You just stay outta my mushy thoughts.” Then chuckling added, “Or better yet, get some of your own.”
“I shudder to think about that happening,” the demi god laughed out loud.
Maddox snickered, “We all do.” Then as he waved to Calysta and the girls on his way past their room, he confirmed, “I’m on my way.”
He’d just walked out the side door when Max stood and pointed to a large silver moving truck and said, “Just in time, Doxie. The machines are here.”
Punching Kayne in the shoulder as the demi god walked past, Maddox growled, “Just couldn’t keep your mouth shut, huh?” Turning and following the King and the demi god, the mad dragon mumbled, “Remember, paybacks are a bitch.”
Kayne snorted with laughter while sliding the door on the back of the truck open and climbing in. It took less than fifteen minutes for the three of them plus the two werepanthers who’d brought the equipment, Juan Carlos and Matías, to unload and install the four machines.
Niall quickly shooed them out, stating they had already given Kyran the anesthetic for surgery and needed to get started. Maddox looked to Drago, who gave a single nod confirming all was okay from the corner. Thank the Heavens there had been no complications, so far. The mad dragon then went back to watching the man they all called the Phantom.
Kyran was laying on his stomach with his long hair shoved into a blue paper hat resembling a shower cap. His arms were down at his sides with his wrists cuffed to the steel railing by cloth lined silver shackles as well as chained to huge hooks in the stone walls just like his ankles. They had taken every precaution to make sure he didn’t hurt himself or others in case he woke up.
Maddox followed Max and Kayne back to the surface and through the clinic. The smell of dinner being served to the patients made his stomach growl. “You guys hungry?”
“Always,” Kayne grinned.
“I could eat,” Max answered.
“Since Niall wants us close, it’s a delivery kinda night. So what sounds good, pizza or subs?” he asked.
“Pizza,” was the unanimous decision and less than an hour later, they were out behind the clinic eating and chatting on one of the picnic tables.
Time seemed to drone on as the demi god, the King, and the mad dragon discussed everything from politics - both human and shifter - to the O’Baoill twins and the elimination of hunters all together.
“There will always be evil. That is the one constant in our world,” Kayne commented, taking a drink of the iced tea Della had brought them out about an hour before. “Oh, and I’m sorry some of your panthers have gotten caught up in all of this. I thought maybe at least one of our groups had escaped the madness.”
“Thank you.” The King’s brow furrowed. “It’s a shame our people can’t live their lives without interference from tyrannical zealots who’ve been fed hate and rhetoric from the womb. Who kill without remorse or regret. And multiply faster than rabbits procreate. We flush out one group and three more take their place.” The fury in Max’s voice matched Maddox’s own as the King continued. “I love this modern age and all the advantages it affords us but I also hate that it gives our enemies the same advantages and that they somehow figure out a way to capitalize for their own nefarious ideals far better than we do in the pursuit of peace. The continued loss of life is utterly unacceptable.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Kayne agreed. “I’m hoping Brann and Lenn and some of the young guys can figure out a way to help us get out in front of our enemies. Those hateful bastards, more than the wizards, are using technology to advance their cause.”
“So…” The words died in Maddox’s mouth as an explosion rocked the ground where he sat.
Jumping to his feet, he ran at full speed, following the echoes of the blast. The sounds of Kayne and Max following close behind reached his ears as he burst through the well-manicured bushes and cleared the dense cover of the trees. Looking to the East, the mad dragon saw large billows of dark grey smoke filling the sky. Yelling through mindspeak as he raced towards the blast site, he commanded, “Kellan, Rian, Royce, Rian, get the boys. We’ve got trouble.”
Chapter Eleven
Reaching the far side of the lair just in time to see Eve press a red button atop the long silver tube she was gripping in her hand while bellowing out a war cry that would’ve made Sitting Bull proud, Maddox’s heart stopped in his chest. A collected gasp from his brethren so
unded in his mind as the side of the mountain containing their Sacred Healing Caves exploded.
Dirt, rock, and debris rained down from the heavens as a small platoon of fatigue-covered hunters being led by the male version of Eve and a small band of shifters in various stages of transformation advanced towards the dragons. The mad dragon could see two wolves, who looked more like the Wolfman from one of the old movies Declan was always watching than the werewolves he’d met over the years, racing towards him. On one side of the lupine was an absolutely enormous male black bear who moved with a speed and grace that defied his size and on the other, a fully grown silverback gorilla that Maddox had no doubt outweighed him by almost eighty pounds. When he stopped, stood on his back legs, and beat his chest, was almost as tall as the Guardsman.
“What the hell is happening out there?” Drago’s voice rang through his mind.
“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you,” Maddox quickly replied, running towards the enemy.
“Try me,” the Assassin demanded. “Niall and Camille are elbow deep in Kyran’s brain and it feels like a bomb went off.”
“And the old Commander gets it in one,” Kayne chimed in.
“Is it the bastards who did this to my lad?” Drago growled.
“Two for two, mo chara,” the demi god quipped then out loud to Max, who had taken off his suit coat and was preparing to call forth his panther, “Hey, King, nine o’clock, on the ridge, looks like three of your people.”
“I’m on my way,” the Assassin stated.
“Stay where you are. Keep us informed on Ky’s condition. We got this,” Maddox retorted. He could hear Drago’s resistance to his veiled orders but was glad when his old friend finally responded with a “Give ‘em hell, Doxie,” before severing their communication.
Looking to the left, the mad dragon confirmed a trio of big cats – a cheetah, a jaguar and a snow leopard - all creeping along the unaffected side of the mountain using the foliage and their natural camouflage for cover, just as Max uttered something in Spanish and was immediately a massive black panther. In a split second, his lieutenants, Juan Carlos and Matías, followed suit and called forth their golden brown panthers. Maddox was astounded by how fast the big cats moved and knew whoever got in their way was looking for an ass-kicking of epic proportions.
