Dracones Boxset Books 1-5

by Sheri-Lynn Marean

  “Wait!” the guy yelled, and raising his hands he started to back off when a strangling noise came from Thaniel, diverting Jax’s attention.

  With a feral scream, Thaniel twisted his whole body, reached up and tore the Were’s throat out.

  Moving toward Thaniel, Jax heard Kyrian shout in his head. “Jax, behind you!”

  He swung around and barely missed the knife headed for his back. Instead, the Were-bastard managed to knock the gun from his hand. I should have shot him when I had the chance!

  “Stop!” a voice commanded and all the Were-wolves immediately quit fighting. Jax turned and his rage exploded. A new Were-fucker who was at least three-hundred pounds of solid muscle, and who Jax figured must be Arlow, or at least his second, Raymund, judging by the amount of control he had over his pack, held a wicked-looking knife to Thaniel’s throat.

  No fucking way. This can’t be happening. The guy has the worst luck ever! The thought reverberated in Jax’s head a moment before he lost control. In a furious burst, his power hit the boiling point and exploded. His dragon surged through him and Jax shifted faster than he knew was possible. Shit, cat’s out of the bag now!

  “Let him go!” he bellowed, surprised he even had a voice in this form. He was even more stunned when the Were-wolf dropped the knife.

  Finally free, Thaniel backed himself deep underneath a thick pile of brush while the Were-wolf gaped at his hand in surprise, before looking at Jax with fear.

  Damn, I had no idea I had this kind of power! He’d always been good at compulsion, but this? In one giant leap, Jax attacked the Were-fucker who had threatened his buddy.

  Since the wolves and Ilyium had seen him in dragon form, Jax couldn’t let any of them leave. It wasn’t him he worried about so much as Tierney and Sami. Even though the master knew they were Dracones, that didn’t mean the rest of these low-lifes knew. With one swipe of his eight-inch claws, the Were’s head was rolling on the ground.

  With a breath of fire, Jax burned him to a crisp before turning to take care of the others.

  “Jax?” Kyrian said, getting his attention. “What do you intend to do with rest of them?”

  “None of them can be allowed to live and tell what I am. …”

  ***

  THANIEL BACKED as far under the brush as he could get, and now, trembling in fear as branches and twigs poked him from all sides and above, he wanted to gag at the stench of charred flesh. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off the pile of ash that was beginning to blow away, little by little, on the ground near his hiding place. Even his leopard was too terrified to move.

  Subconsciously, Thaniel understood that he was in shock. His friend had just turned into a massive blue-scaled, red-eyed, fire-breathing dragon. A dragon who was now turning everyone who wasn’t an ally, to ash.

  Jax shifted back into human form while Kyrian’s wolves helped the wounded to their feet.

  “Are you all okay?” Jax asked Kyrian as he inspected the clearing.

  “I’m not sure, not everyone is answering me,” Kyrian said, glancing worriedly at his wolves.

  Thaniel didn’t even register what they were saying. It didn’t matter because Jax had turned and was staring straight at Thaniel. He trembled even harder.

  “I have to go. Others are in trouble,” Kyrian said, and he and his wolves melted away, leaving Thaniel alone with Jax.

  Thaniel’s brain was screaming at him to bolt—run, as fast as his legs would take him, but he was frozen in place, unable to move as Jax approached.

  “Thaniel,” Jax said in a quiet, soothing voice as he crouched down, “I’m not going to hurt you, buddy.”

  Heart thudding like a drum pounding in his ears, somehow he heard Jax’s words. Yet after what he’d just witnessed, did he dare believe? Then he thought about how Jax had never raised a hand to him, never said a harsh word, and how fiercely his friend had fought. And why.

  He’d known, but the insight stunned him. Jax had fought for him, and while Thaniel knew he wasn’t worth fighting over, his friend could have let the Weres take him, but he hadn’t. An image of the anger and fear he had seen on Jax’s face as he fought the enemy, flashed through his mind. Suddenly he understood his friend hadn’t been afraid for himself. At the sudden realization that Jax had been scared for him, Thaniel’s resolve to keep everyone at a distance began to weaken.

  ***

  JAX'S HEART WAS BREAKING at the fear shining bright in Thaniel’s glowing blue eyes. “I’m sorry you found out what I am in this way. I wanted to tell you, show you sooner, but—” His friend should never have found out this way. Damnit!

  Thaniel continued to stare at him and Jax could feel the fear coming off him in waves and it only added to the deep guilt he carried inside himself. “It’s okay, buddy. No one’s going to hurt you now. Come on out.” Still the leopard didn’t move. “Come on, Kitty. Let’s go home, Tierney’s waiting for us.”

  Jax carefully parted the brush and reached in, very gently, he lifted the trembling leopard into his arms. Thaniel, slender at five-five, was equally small as a leopard.

  As he stood up, a set of long and very sharp claws swiped at him, cutting deep into his arm. Ignoring the blood welling up, Jax held Thaniel against his chest. “It’s okay. I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he repeated as the leopard in his arms stared back at him. Jax nodded. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, and Thaniel’s eyes stayed fixed on his all the way home.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Fall Out

  JAX MET UP WITH TIERNEY on the way back to the house.

  “Are you both all right?” she asked with a worried frown on her face that matched his own. He just shrugged, knowing she’d understand the answer was no.

  “And you?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. How is he?” she asked before reaching out and gently petting Thaniel. Jax could feel her pour reassurance into her touch.

  “Not so good,” Jax breathed and noticed Tierney bite her bottom lip. He could feel her guilt.

  “Don’t,” he warned as they hurried down the trail. He was an expert at guilt and knew none of this was her fault. He also knew it would do no good.

  Tierney didn’t say anything, but as they crossed the yard, they both frowned at the sight of Genna waiting for them.

  “Everything all right?” Tierney asked and Genna’s black brows pulled into a severe scowl. Then they relaxed and she shrugged.

  “You do know the old yellowy-hair human saw thingies, right?” she asked, nodding at the kitchen window behind her while she sucked on a popsicle.

  Tierney looked at the window Genna indicated and swore. “Shit!”

  Jax waited while Tierney held the door for him and he hurried inside with Thaniel still in his arms. As he entered the kitchen, he hesitated.

  ***

  TIERNEY MET CHLOE’S GAZE as soon as she stepped inside the kitchen. The woman stood pale and shaking a few feet away from the window with her arms wrapped around her chest.

  At the sight of the leopard in Jax’s arms, Chloe’s eyes grew even bigger. “Is that … is it dangerous?” she asked as she took a step back.

  “No, he’s not,” Jax said through gritted teeth. He glanced at Tierney and she nodded, then watched as he hurried through the kitchen and into the great room.

  “Take Thaniel up to our room. I’ll be up as soon as I can,” Tierney said to Jax while she watched Chloe.

  Chloe sucked in a breath when Lilly’s voice came to them from the great room.

  “Aw—Jax! That’s a really big kitty cat!” There was awe in Lilly’s voice.

  “Jax?” Bastien questioned as Jax answered Lilly.

  “Yeah, he is a big kitty.” Jax’s voice grew distant as he headed up the stairs.

  A moment later they heard Bastien once again, and it was obvious he was attempting to distract Lilly. “Hey, I bet I can beat you at the next game,” he taunted.

  “Nu-uh!” Lilly said, and Tierney let out a sigh.

  “What? How
—” Chloe started and stopped. She scanned the kitchen then looked back at Tierney.

  Tierney sighed inwardly—she didn’t have time for this. Then Chloe spotted the knives sheathed at her waist. Tierney wanted to groan as she remembered running through the kitchen with her Glock in hand as well. At least that was stuffed that in the back of her jeans. Good thing I didn’t bring any of our enemies weapons inside!

  “I know you saw some stuff—” she said, but Chloe just shook her head.

  “What are you people?” she asked in a horrified whisper.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about—” Tierney began.

  Chloe backed away from her and held up a hand. “Don’t!”

  Tierney bit her lip. Damn. They should have all been more careful. “Chloe––”

  “No. Don’t tell me I didn’t see what I saw—” Chloe blinked. “What was that? The wolves—they turned into people, then back into wolves, and, and I saw Thaniel. How—”

  Tierney wished Jax were here with her to compel the woman into forgetting what she saw, though after what happened with Chloe’s husband, she didn’t know if Jax would even consider using his gift. She’d have to do it herself. “Chloe, you and Lilly are safe. No one here is going to hurt you—” she said, drawing on her power, but it didn’t seem to have any effect and Chloe backed up even further, before turning and leaving the kitchen.

  “Chloe—” Tierney called and hurried after her into the great room, lowering her shields. She may not have been able to use her compulsion on Chloe, but she was able to pick up the woman’s panicked thoughts, and now they whipped through her mind in a frenzy.

  What the hell is going on around here? Am I crazy? I know what I saw. Those wolves … and Thaniel. That sweet young man just turned into a … oh my god, I’m losing my mind … Chloe’s gaze briefly flicked over at her daughter and then Bastien. Is he a normal boy, or something else, too? Oh man, I need to get Lilly out of here … I’ll just … go get our stuff first. Then she hurried down the hallway.

  Tierney called Chloe again, but her call went unanswered and then she heard Jax in her head at the same time Lilly spotted her.

  “Did you let Sami know that we’re okay?” Jax asked.

  “No, but I will,” she replied as Lilly ran up and grabbed her arm.

  “Did you see the kitty?” Lilly asked.

  Tierney smiled and nodded. “I did,” she said, and Lilly jumped up and down.

  “Jax took him away. Can I pet him, please?”

  Tierney smiled and shook her head. “Not right now. Kitty is a little scared of everyone.”

  “Oh,” Lilly said, looking disappointed.

  “Maybe another time,” Tierney added and lifting her chin, Lilly nodded.

  “Okay.” Then she skipped back over to Bastien and their game.

  “You might want to call Kyrian, too,” Jax added. “I think some of his wolves have been hurt.”

  “Shit. Okay, I will,” she said, heart in her throat at the thought as she watched Lilly. So precious. …

  “What’s that?” Jax asked.

  “Ah, nothing,” she said and then turned back to the hallway and sighed. Chloe was nowhere in sight.

  ***

  JAX GENTLY LAID THANIEL ON THE BED. The leopard still hadn’t taken his eyes from Jax’s and the look in them was so vulnerable.

  “You came for me.” The softly whispered, heart-wrenching words were a surprise in Jax’s mind. So far, they hadn’t been able to communicate telepathically with Thaniel since he had such good shields. Jax knew he hadn’t imagined them, and figured that Thaniel’s shields had just naturally lowered due to how overwhelmed he felt.

  “I will always come for you, Kitty,” Jax said back, swallowing the lump in his throat. Then, not sure what else to do, he climbed onto the bed and while Thaniel continued to stare into his eyes, he stroked the leopard’s soft white-and-black rosetted pelt.

  A moment later Kitty’s eyes closed.

  Feeling the trust, tears welled up in Jax’s eyes and he wiped them away. I will always come for you. He repeated the vow in his own head, knowing it was the truth.

  “You coming up soon?” he asked Tierney a moment later.

  ***

  TIERNEY PAUSED with her hand on the door. “I’m just checking on Dad. I’m sure he’ll need to be put back under, and I need to check in with Kyrian, as well as deal with Chloe.”

  “She’s pretty freaked,” Jax said.

  “Yeah, that’s an understatement. I don’t suppose you want to come down and erase what she saw, do you?” she asked, then wished she hadn’t.

  Jax was silent for a little too long and through their bond, Tierney could feel his guilt and self-hatred.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,” she said, wanting to kick herself now. “Just for the record, I’m still sure you did the right thing when you compelled the asshole,” she said, meaning Chloe’s husband.

  “Yeah, ah … I’m not sure I agree with you, but I’d really rather not mess with anyone else’s head right at the moment. Besides, I don’t want to leave Thaniel,” he said.

  “I know, babe, and I’m sorry I brought it up. I’m just not sure what to do. She knows about us,” she said.

  “It will be fine,” Jax said.

  Heart aching for him, Tierney sent him her love through their bond and turned the door handle leading into her dad’s room. She quietly pushed it open and stepped inside only to pull up sharply at the sight in front of her.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chloe

  TIERNEY HESITATED at the sight of Chloe wiping her dad’s forehead with a cloth. “Oh—”

  “Ah, I heard him. He was in pain and I just—” Chloe looked at her nervously and then turned away.

  “Well, thank you,” Tierney said, meaning it.

  Chloe just shrugged. He sounded like he was in pain. I couldn’t just leave him like that … and I need the distraction to figure out what to do. I know I should leave, but where will I go? I have no money. Fuck Jeff. I hate that bastard for putting me in this position. But really, it’s my own fault. I’m such an idiot! I should never have married him. …

  Tierney caught Chloe’s slew of recriminations and cringed in sympathy.

  “I thought maybe I could help,” Chloe added, not meeting her eyes.

  “I sure appreciate it. Thank you,” Tierney said again. After a moment, Chloe nodded and they both stared down at Zander. Though he was blocking her, Tierney could see the agony he was in. He was trying not to show it in front of Chloe as well, but somehow Tierney had an idea that the other woman knew anyway.

  “Tierney,” her dad said, looking at her pointedly. ‘She’s a human. She shouldn’t be here.’

  “I’ll go get some more water,” Chloe said as if feeling the tension. Then she grabbed the empty pitcher and they heard her cell phone ring as she slipped out of the room.

  “Dad, she knows about us,” Tierney said quietly, biting her lip in worry.

  “How?” he asked, a severe scowl drawing his black brows together.

  Tierney swallowed and gave him a condensed version of what had happened. “She has nowhere else to go. What do you want us to do with her? She has a little girl, we can’t just kick her out. Besides, Jax feels responsible for her.”

  Zander sighed. “I know he does, but her husband killing those girls is not Jax’s fault.”

  “I know that, and you know that, but try telling Jax that.” Tierney sighed as well, hoping for her mate’s sake that the compulsion Jax used on the serial killer really hadn’t contributed to the guy’s vile actions.

  “Fine, just—keep her away from me,” he said.

  Tierney started to ask why, when Chloe knocked and, looking like she was ready to cry, slipped back into Zander's room. Avoiding their gazes, she set the pitcher on the table and Tierney noticed the woman’s hands were shaking. Apparently Zander noticed as well.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked gruffly, and Tierney was surprised
at his worry for the human woman he just claimed he didn’t want around him.

  “Ahm, nothing,” Chloe said, still not looking at them.

  “Chloe, who was on the phone and what happened?” Tierney asked.

  Wringing her hands, Chloe finally looked at them and a tear leaked from her right eye. “I … I don’t know what to do.”

  “Does this have anything to do with what you witnessed a little while ago?” Zander asked.

  Chloe sniffled and shook her head. “No, not really, I mean—” She looked at Tierney then at Zander. “I mean, I—I’m still freaked out about that, but I got a call from my work. They—” She took a deep breath and let it out. “They let me go.”

  Zander swore.

  “No.” Anger filled Tierney at Chloe’s news. The woman had already lost so much. How could they take her job from her?

  The tears now flowed freely from Chloe’s eyes and she wiped at them. “They heard about what my husband did.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Tierney could feel the woman’s worry and hear her mess of thoughts as she wondered how she was going to take care of Lilly.

  “I don’t know what to do. I’m a nurse, but … I’m sure this was all over the news now. Who will hire me?” she asked, looking at them helplessly.

  Tierney turned to her dad. The woman was right. She’d have a really hard time getting another nursing job. At least anywhere near here.

  “I’m sure we could use a nurse here,” Zander said.

  At his words, Tierney gaped at her dad. He’d just told her to get rid of Chloe, and now he was offering to keep the human woman on and have her help him?

  No one noticed her jaw on the floor. Chloe looked at Zander skeptically, then glanced at Tierney and swallowed deeply.