However, she couldn't only blame her parents. Layla hadn't fought hard enough for her sister in the past—especially when it came to contacting her and ensuring she was well—but that was going to change. Layla just needed Logan to bloody tell her where Yasmin and Phillip were.
In that moment, all the years they'd worked together vanished, and Layla wanted nothing more than to put a talon to his throat and demand the truth.
She barely noticed Chase stand beside her. He spoke firmly, "Then tell me where they are, Logan. My best guess is that you're not supposed to tell Finn, Layla, the Protectors or any family. But I'm fairly sure they didn't include a young, brilliant, charming electrician in that list. Or, failing that, that you couldn't tell a human their location. I'll fetch one of the human females right now if need be."
Logan's pupils flashed, and after one long minute, he muttered, "They didn't mention you or the humans specifically."
Chase grunted. "Aye, well, then tell me where they are. The others are here merely by chance."
For a split second, all Layla could do was stare at Chase. Even without asking, he had her back.
She had a feeling he'd always have her back.
In the next beat, Logan looked at Faye and Grant. His voice interrupted Layla's thoughts. "First, promise me that you won't immediately turn them over to the DDA or let the clan know they're back."
Faye spoke. "We'll have to tell Finn and our most trusted Protectors to go with you, but I don't see why we couldn't wait to tell anyone else for a wee while, at least." She looked at Grant. "Right?" Her mate grunted his agreement, and she looked back to Logan. "You have our word. Now, tell Chase where they are."
Logan looked at Chase. "They're in the abandoned cottage in the nearby woods, where the old game hunter used to live."
Like everyone on Lochguard, Layla knew where it was. "And tell me everything I need to know about my sister's health, and quickly."
"Her blood pressure's high, she started having a fever late last night, and I'm worried her dragon might take over and do harm to the bairn before he or she's ready to come."
Layla muttered a curse. If a female tried to shift into a dragon during the last few weeks of pregnancy, it could trigger contractions. And any child born while a female was in dragon form usually died since the bairn couldn't shift until they were older, and a dragon's vaginal muscles were too strong for a child in human form.
Trying not to think of her sister's dragon inadvertently crushing the bairn to death, Layla moved to the door. "Anything else?" Logan listed off a few medications he'd administered. Once he finished, Layla motioned at Chase. "Come, I'm going to need your help carrying things from the surgery."
And your support, too, she thought to herself, doing her best not to run down the stairs and fall before dashing into the night.
Chapter Nine
Over the years, Layla had learned how to compartmentalize her life into two sections—one for her role as a doctor and the second for everything else. The ability was so ingrained that she easily packed away the fears, joy, and anger rolling inside her as she made her way toward the abandoned cottage in the forest where her sister should be.
Aye, she'd have words with her sister eventually. But first, she needed to ensure Yasmin was healthy and not in any immediate danger, meaning only her doctor's side could show right now.
Her dragon spoke up. If things were really dire, Logan would've let us know. So we don't really need to worry just yet anyway.
That seems a bit too easy. I need to be ready in case her condition worsens, or her bairn goes into distress.
Which could easily happen because of overwhelming stress. And since Logan's hesitation to share their location had been obvious, almost as if he truly believed he'd lose his brother again if he said something, stress was definitely a major concern.
Her beast huffed. If nothing else, emphasize protecting the bairn. Their dragons won't be able to ignore that.
Since dragon halves valued children above almost anything else, her beast was correct. Maybe. However, if Yas isn't doing well, the last thing we need to do is worry her further. I'll do whatever's necessary to keep both her and her bairn healthy, and if that means knocking her unconscious if she protests, I'll do it.
They reached the hill and she paused a beat. The cottage would be just at the top of it.
After nearly five years, she was moments away from seeing Yasmin again. The sister who had once been her greatest supporter of Layla's career choice, standing by her no matter what others said about female doctors being weaker.
Yasmin. Would she be the same? Or, appear a stranger? Layla had no idea.
Since her dragon had slightly crumbled the divide between her doctor's side and her true self, emotion choked her throat. See what you did? I need to focus on being a doctor right now, and nothing else. Don't weaken the walls again whilst we're here.
Her dragon curled into a ball and laid her head on her front paws, the usual position she took when Layla had to see or operate on patients.
As Layla tried to patch up the wall as she continued walking, Chase, who'd been quiet and taking her orders without blinking, finally spoke. "I'm still waiting for you to tell me what to do once we're there, lass."
Not slowing her pace, she seized on the question and answered, "I hope it doesn't come to it, but if Phillip tries to take Yasmin and run, I need you to prevent him from doing so."
"You want me to get between a male and his pregnant mate?" he asked a bit bewildered.
She glanced at him. "Aye, can you do it?"
He sighed. "I'll try, but I hope it doesn't come to it."
"Me, too," she murmured, fully aware she was asking a lot of Chase since he wasn't a warrior, soldier, or any sort of athlete. Aye, he was fit enough, but it was always dangerous to come between a male and his pregnant mate in the best of times. "But a few of the Protectors shouldn't be far behind. You just need to help me until they arrive."
He nodded without complaint.
Maybe she'd asked too much and should've waited an extra fifteen minutes for the Protectors to be roused. If Chase were hurt, she wouldn't be able to focus, and her sister and her mate could run.
However, she couldn't have waited around with Yasmin so close, no matter what. Her rational brain was on the blink right now.
Besides, there were a few tricks they could use to help their cause. And as Layla debated trying to teach him how to restrain Phillip with drugs instead of force, Chase asked softly, "Will you be okay, Layla?"
On the surface, of course she'd be fine. Medicine was a muscle she'd honed over time and could use under any circumstance without a thought.
However, after so many years had passed without a word, she was about to see her sister once more. Not only that, Layla could lose her again shortly after through either her running away or if there was some sort of complication during the birth.
She shouldn't be fine.
However, not wanting to crack her inner divide again, she blew out a breath and murmured, "I'll bloody well have to be."
Chase turned more toward her and reached out a hand to gently touch her shoulder. "I have faith in you, but we're still going to talk about this afterward."
Chase and his always wanting to talk about her, her feelings, and her past.
And yet, she couldn't help but smile a fraction. He pried because he cared. It'd been so long since someone had watched her so closely or dared to suggest she wasn't invincible. She knew most of the clan bloody well thought she was.
The more time she spent with Chase, the more she wondered if they would fit together in the end.
A small stone cottage with an old thatch roof that desperately needed replacing came into view. Hefting her doctor bag higher to better climb the incline, she reached the door in no time.
The urge to barge inside was strong, but she merely raised a hand and knocked. Nothing happened, so Layla raised her voice. "If you're in there, Yas, let me in. I can help."
After an indiscernible murmur, the door swung inward. The thin, wild-eyed form of Phillip Lamont greeted her. She barely noted how much older he looked than when she'd last seen him before he growled, "Logan wasn't supposed to tell you about us."
Used to dragonmen threatening her with growls and shouting, Layla merely raised her brows. "He didn't tell me. He told Chase, and I just happened to be standing there at the time. Now, let me in so I can help my sister."
Yasmin's soft voice drifted to her ears, weaker than she remembered it being. "Let them in, Phillip."
After narrowing his eyes, Phillip stepped aside and allowed her and Chase to enter.
Layla immediately noticed her sister lying on an old wooden bed frame, the mattress lumpy and not as clean as she would've liked.
Yasmin's face was pale under the tan color of her skin, her cheekbones too stark, and a protruding belly rose beneath the blanket. Her once black hair had threads of silver, and her face was lined with smile lines around her mouth and eyes.
However, the shadows under her sister's eyes immediately kicked her into action. Layla rushed to the bed and put her hand on her sister's brow. At the burning touch, she forgot about everything else but her newest patient. "Chase, bring the IV stand and bag here. Find the kit I told you about, the one with the needle to connect to the tubing."
Phillip stood on the other side of the bed. "What are you doing to her?"
"Helping her. She's had a fever for at least a day and is probably dehydrated. I want to give her fluids first before doing anything else." She finally looked at Yasmin again. "You haven't developed any allergies since you left, have you?"
Yasmin shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
In an ideal world, Layla would have Yasmin's medical history at her fingertips and could scan her yearly exams for any new information.
But she didn't have any of that. So after she inserted the needle and connected the IV drip, she murmured, "I'm going to examine you. Answer my questions as I go, aye? And don't hold anything back."
Yasmin nodded slightly as Layla placed her stethoscope on Yasmin's abdomen. Inwardly relieved at the wee one's quick, steady heartbeat, she then proceeded to touch and examine the rest of her sister's body, only pausing to tell Chase to turn around when she had to remove her sister's nightgown.
Once Yasmin was tucked back under the covers, Layla looked first at Yasmin, then at Phillip, and back again as she said in her best firm doctor voice, "Yasmin is at risk and needs the more modern equipment of my surgery. I can try to do what I can here, but without a steady source of electricity beyond that old generator outside, it will be extremely limited. And before you protest or threaten to run away, know this." She quickly retrieved a prefilled syringe, pushed out any air, and placed the needle near a vein on her sister's arm. "I can render Yas unconscious with one push if need be."
Phillip growled. "I don't like your threat."
She never flinched from the flashing eyes, full of anger and a wee bit of fear. "And I don't want my sister or your bairn to die."
They stared at each other for a few beats before Chase's voice filled the small space. "I know you two left under the old clan leader, but trust me, Finn Stewart is different. He'll welcome you back and do what he can to protect you. And whilst you probably don't know me, I'm unrelated to any of you and have the most objective stance. And so let me repeat—Finn will help you. So if that's your reason for hesitating, then ignore it."
Yasmin placed a hand on Layla's arm, and she instantly met her sister's gaze as she whispered, "But if Azar finds out I'm here, his clan will come after us. Anyone who helps us is in danger."
Azar Samadi was the male whom Yasmin had been arranged to mate. She didn't know much about him, to be honest. But if he still held a grudge after all these years, Layla would never be able to forgive him.
Her dragon whispered. Worry about that later. For now, focus on Yasmin.
Right, her sister, who looked so pale and frail.
Layla wanted nothing more than to comfort her sister, but she focused on the long term and kept the syringe where it was. Putting as much truth in her words as she could manage, Layla replied, "Finn is a good clan leader, one who's managed to get out of a lot of difficult situations over the last few years. He also has strong allies who will stand by him. So don't worry about putting us in danger, Yas. Finn will find a way to protect us all. Please, trust me on this, if nothing else."
Yasmin's pupils flashed to slits and back before she nodded. "I trust you." Her eyes moved to Phillip. "Let's try, Phillip. I'm so tired of running."
As Phillip stroked his mate's forehead and murmured soothing words, it was plain to see how much he loved Yasmin. His voice softer, Phillip finally spoke to Layla again. "Okay, we'll go. I'll carry her back to Lochguard."
Removing the needle from near Yasmin's arm, she nodded. "If you need to rest for a few minutes on the way back, just let us know."
"I won't have to rest," Phillip growled.
"Of course not," she murmured, not wishing to prickle a protective mate unnecessarily. "But let me help you arrange the IV drip once you have Yasmin in your arms. I don't want to take it out again."
And as she helped arrange her sister in Phillip's arms and then packed up her bag, Layla hoped Finn wouldn't murder her later on for speaking on his behalf.
Her dragon huffed. Of course not. He'll always help the clan when asked, even for those who have been gone a wee while.
Aye, I know. But I can't imagine he'll be happy with the news.
Well, it's a good thing we won't have to be the ones delivering it then. Faye and Grant will do it.
You're horrible, she replied with a half laugh inside her head.
Before she knew it, they were all making their way back toward Lochguard. And Layla did her best not to think about reunions, arguments, and everything else that would come later. For the moment, her sister was back and coming home. That was all that mattered.
Finlay Stewart crouched in front of the large, wooden desk inside his office and watched the baby golden dragon underneath as she scurried back and forth, daring him to snatch her. Every time he tried to catch his daughter, she scurried out of reach. For a baby dragon, she was bloody fast.
Using the soothing voice that worked best on his wee rascal, he said, "Freya, love, come on. Daddy needs to do some work."
He waited until she came a little bit closer before he tried to grab her. However, she dashed right by him and ran across the room.
His inner dragon laughed, the bastard.
Normally, Finn would love nothing more than to play with his daughter for a short while. But his near-daily conference call with Clan Stonefire's leader, Bram Moore-Llewellyn, was due to start in ten minutes. And if Freya remained in the room, she would undoubtedly jump into Finn's lap and try to steal the camera time for herself. For who knew what reason, she'd taken a shine to the other dragon clan leader, which meant she'd preen and try to charm him the entire time and nothing would get done.
His mate, Arabella, always smiled smugly when Finn complained of his daughter being too charming for her own good. His mate would then mention it was only fair—a charming daughter for a charming father.
Not about to let the wee rascal win this time, Finn scanned the room and devised a way to corner and catch his daughter. He was about to make his first move when the door opened, revealing Grant McFarland and Faye MacKenzie. At the sight of their tense jaws, he sighed. "Now what?"
Freya raced right past them into the hallway, and he heard his mate's voice say, "I have her!" before Faye and Grant walked into the room, shut the door, and Faye said, "You might want to sit down for this."
He searched his cousin's eyes. "Just tell me, Faye. Is it the hunters or Knights again?"
She shook her head, her wild hair bouncing around her face. "No. It has to do with Yasmin MacFie and Phillip Lamont."
Finn frowned as he tried to recall what he knew of the pair. "Didn't they both go missing, years be
fore I took over the clan?"
Grant grunted. "Aye, that's them and they've returned. And before you say that's a good thing, it's quite possible that keeping them on Lochguard means one of the Iranian dragon clans will come knocking at our door. And not in a good way."
Sliding into his chair, he sighed again. "Aye, I'll sit. Now, tell me everything."
Once Faye and Grant filled him in on Yasmin and Phillip's elopement, life on the run, and even their soon-to-be-born child, Grant asked, "What do you want to do, Finn?"
He spoke to his dragon, one of the few who ever heard him truly complain. I thought life was supposed to get easier the longer I'm in charge?
They need our help. That's all we need to know.
Of course his dragon was correct.
Finn glanced at the time and then back to Faye and Grant. "Aye, of course they'll stay here under our protection. Keep me apprised of everything that goes on, no matter how minor. I have a call with Bram in a matter of minutes, and I'll ask for his help just in case a group of angry dragon-shifters shows up on our doorstep soon."
Faye took a step forward. "Once that's done, maybe you can visit Yasmin and Phillip? They left under the old leader and I think meeting you will help to allay their fears."
"Considering the old bastard allowed the MacFies to all but sell off their daughter, I don't blame them." Finn studied Faye's face. "How's Layla handling it?"
He and Layla were close in age and had known each other their whole lives. However, he'd never heard her talk about her sister's disappearance, not even once. The dragonwoman took privacy to a whole new level.
Grant replied, "Shaken, but okay."
The male hesitated, but before Finn could ask him why, Faye jumped in. "Chase has been helping Layla and taking care of her. I think that helps heaps."
So, the young lad had finally made the doctor notice him.
His dragon spoke up. I told you they were true mates.
Aye, maybe. But I'm not going to press the issue to find out if that's the truth right now. The fact Layla is leaning on anyone is a bloody miracle. Hell, she never even let us help her unless we're basically under attack or some such shite.
The Dragon's Pursuit (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 7) Page 9
