by Cree Storm
Gio had to ignore his mate’s gasp with each word he had spoken. Gio needed to concentrate, or he could lose control of the electricity he had been gathering.
Taking a chance, Gio looked at Kace and noticed the man still had his hands in the air, but wasn’t really increasing his energy. Maybe his words were sinking in. So Gio continued to talk. “Did you even know I’m your brother, or that you have eight other brothers and three sisters?”
“I have no one!” Kace shouted in agitation.
“Yes, you do! I was born the son of Marceli Pasteli on August 13, 1990. I am the youngest of the Pasteli family and a multiplex elemental.” Gio snapped.
Gio would have missed the widening of Kace’s eyes and the slight gasp had he not been watching the man. Gio could tell the man was confused, shocked and a bit unsure, and his voice sounded not as forceful as it had when he first arrived. “No! I am Kace. Multiplex elemental for Marceli Pasteli. I have no family, I only have Marceli. He is my maker. He is—”
“A fucking liar! That is what Marceli is. You have brothers and sisters and grandfathers… hell, you even have a great-grandfather! Gods above, Kace, think! Marceli wouldn’t know how to tell the truth if it was painted on a two by four and slammed against his head.” Gio shouted.
Shaking his head, Kace snarled, “You can’t know we are related!”
“I can and do! We have the same eyes, the same nose, the same cheekbones. Hell, we have the same color hair. Besides, Marceli would never work with anyone that wasn’t from his bloodline. He couldn’t. He only wants children that can be multiplex elementals. He can’t have that if he just snatches someone from the streets. You are my brother, Kace. You are Teagan’s brother and Gunther’s and…”
Kace opened his hands in a hard punching way, shouting, “Liar!”
The power Kace was using damn near brought Gio to his knees. Pushing back with his own, to hold off any chance that a large funnel could form, ignoring the rain pouring down on him once more, and the lightning and thunder all around, Gio shouted out, “I don’t want to hurt you, Kace. Please by all the gods don’t make me hurt you!”
Once more Kace looked at Gio in confusion. Gio didn’t know what the man was thinking in that brief moment, but then Kace’s features darkened once more, and the wind picked up so strong Gio damn near lost his footing. When Gio almost lost his balance for the second time, and feeling Taco’s energy draining quickly, Gio knew he was left with no choice on what he would have to do. Glancing quickly towards Cobra, he shouted, “Get ready to go. This is only going to stop him for a few minutes.”
Nodding, Cobra ran to his bike and started the engine. Gio tried to reason with Kace once more, “Please, brother. I don’t want to harm you. Leave Marceli and come with me. I swear to you, he can’t get you in Drago. On my word of honor, I will help you be free from the evil we call father.”
“Marceli is my creator not my father and I will do as I have been created to do!” Kace shouted once again.
“You’re wrong, Kace. Marceli isn’t your creator, he is your sperm donor. He is a weak and pathetic fool who uses his children to do what he cannot, and for one thing and one thing only… power. He has to, because he has no power of his own. So, he used his seed to create what he can never be. You are a tool to him and nothing more, but you can be more. You can be my brother. You can be my family. You can be… loved. All you have to do is stop this and come with my sentience. Please, Kace.” Gio begged.
Kace looked as if he might agree, then sighed as he shook his head, “I cannot do what you ask of me, Giovani. I must do as I have been ordered. There is no other way.”
Gio sighed, knowing there was no way he was going to get his point across to his new brother. Resigned with that knowledge, Gio whispered, “Please forgive me.” Then dropped his arms and punched his fists straight at Kace, opening his hands at the last seconds. A large bolt of lightning shot through his fingers as well as the palm of his hands. Kace was lifted into the air and the force of the lightning carried Kace far away from the boulevard.
Taking a second to mourn a man he hadn’t even known existed, Gio felt his knees give out. He had nothing left in his system. Taking a moment to ensure Taco was okay, he was glad to feel the small budge of energy within, and knew Taco was weak, exhausted, but was also alive.
Gio was so damn tired he could lie in the middle of the street and just sleep. A slow burning heat came over Gio, causing him to gasp, then groan. The pain was so intense he didn’t hear Cobra’s motorcycle next to him, but he did feel as if he was floating, and then the soft whispered words of his mate, “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”
CHAPTER 12
Cobra had placed Gio in front of him, and held onto his mate as best he could. Cobra was scared and not afraid to admit it to himself. Gio was burning up. He could barely feel his maharishi within him, and he had no idea where Kace was, or how long it would take the son of a bitch to get to them.
He was about to call Taj when he noticed something in the air. The shimmer of color as the sun hit on the beast’s crystal-type body, normally had humans thinking they were seeing a glare from the sun, but Cobra knew it was Blade and his magnificent maharishi coming towards him, and he wasn’t alone. The skeletal dragon, flying fast and furious, had Cobra smiling for the first time in ages, and thank fuck, Sparky was on the beast’s back as well.
Quickly pulling over, Cobra shouted, “I am so glad to see you guys.”
“Is he alright?” Sparky asked, nodding towards Gio.
“He’s burning up and passed out after zapping Kace’s ass to gods knows where.” Cobra explained.
“Let me take him to Drago. Jude is waiting in case he is needed.” Blade said, in his typical no nonsense manner.
Cobra hesitated. He didn’t like handing his sentience over to anyone. The need to keep his mate close was almost overwhelming, but Cobra also knew his mate needed help and Jude was the only one that could provide it for him.
“Cobra, it won’t take us long to get back to Drago. Now come on. Hand Gio over to Blade.” Sparky insisted then looked around, “Where the hell is Taco? I would think he would be all over the two of you right now.”
Cobra swallowed hard, trying his best to keep his shit together. Gently running his hand down his sentience’s hair, Cobra really allowed himself to think about Taco and the situation he was in. Cobra and Taco were more than just maharishi and agent, they were best friends, and Taco had done something completely unheard of. His maharishi’s actions might have saved Gio and Cobra, but it was at the risk of the dragon’s own life. The thought that his dragon might be dying was a stab to his heart. “He… He is bound to Gio. He… he gave his power over to Gio to fight Kace.” Looking up, Cobra knew he was showing all his pain to his longtime friend, but there was no way Cobra could hide it. “I can barely feel him, Sparky. I don’t know if he’s going to make it. I might lose him.”
Sparky squeezed Cobra’s shoulder, “Give Gio to Blade, Cobra. I’ll follow you back in case there’s trouble. Pit and Bren are back, and maybe there’s something Bren can do. He’s a vet after all.”
Putting his kickstand down, Cobra got off his bike and walked to Blade. “Keep him safe, Blade.”
“With my life.” Blade replied sharply.
“I don’t know what’s causing the fever. Tell Jude he was countering whatever the hell his brother was trying to do and it took a lot of power. When he was done Gio collapsed. When I picked him up he was unconscious and burning up.” Cobra stated.
“I’ll tell him.” Blade growled, then took off into the air. All Cobra could do was watch as the two most important beings in his life flew off without him.
Spark slapped Cobra on the back, “Let’s get out of here before trouble follows.
Nodding, Cobra went to his bike and took off at top speed. The need to be with his sentience and his maharishi riding him hard. As promised, Sparky flying with his maharishi following, keeping up with Cobra was no problem, even though he
was pushing his bike as fast as it would go.
Not even bothering to go to the garage or take the time to stand up his bike, Cobra dropped it and ran inside. He could hear voices upstairs and took them two at a time.
Seeing everyone surrounding one of the rooms, Cobra knew his mate was beyond the doors. Pushing through, he came to a stop as he heard Jude arguing with Bren.
“I need to stabilize, Gio damn it.” Jude snapped.
“And I need to try and figure out how to get Taco to lift off of Gio in order to see what I can do to help him.” Bren argued back.
Jude hissed, “We tried. The stubborn dragon won’t leave Gio. Now back off. Maybe if I can stabilize Gio, Taco will listen, and then you can do whatever the hell you want.”
“What’s going on? Why are you two fighting?” Cobra asked, rushing to his mate.
Sighing, Jude replied, “I need to get Gio fluids. He’s seriously dehydrated and burning up with fever, but Bren won’t move out of my way. He’s trying to get Taco to lift off Gio so Bren can have a look at Taco and see what he might be able to do for him.”
Looking at his leader’s sentience, Cobra softly said, “Why don’t you let Jude do what he needs to, and I’ll see if I can get Taco to transfer off of Gio?”
Bren pursed his lips but nodded.
The second Bren moved, Jude got to work on Gio. Cobra leaned close, whispering, “Taco, please. You must transfer so we can help you.”
The maharishi didn’t stir or open his eyes. Cobra could feel his dragon’s energy fading. Panic set in and Cobra put a sternness in his voice he didn’t typically use with his maharishi, “Taco, transfer this instant. Jude needs to help Gio, and Bren needs to help you!”
Slowly Cobra watched as Taco opened his eyes. Slightly peeling his head from Gio’s body, the maharishi rasped, “Can’t. Too… too hot. Need… me.”
Shaking his head, Cobra argued, “He just needs fluids and rest, Taco. You need help. Now transfer so Bren can do that for you.”
“Hot… need me.” Taco said so softly Cobra damn near didn’t hear him.
“Wait!” Rylee shouted. “I know why he won’t do the transfer.”
Looking at Rylee, Cobra’s voice reflected the desperation he was feeling, “You know why?”
Nodding, Rylee looked at Taj, “Babe, do you have those herbs you used when you went into dragon heat?”
“Of course.” Taj stated.
“Can you get them.” Rylee asked.
Taj left the room to do as his sentience asked, Cobra saying, “Dragon heat?” Shaking his head, Cobra said, “No one is in dragon heat. Taco and I were confused about it, but for some reason none of us have gone into heat.”
Rylee gave a small smile. “I think neither you nor Taco went into heat, but Gio did.”
“He’s shown no signs of it since we’ve been together.” Cobra softly argued.
Jude finished hooking up the IV, saying, “It might have something to do with this multiplex elemental thing.”
Nodding, Rylee quickly added, “I was thinking the same thing. When that guy attacked us today he was trying to create a tornado. The air had become cooler and the rain and the clouds, then there was the funnel trying to form. However, Gio lifted his arms and the air warmed a bit and things got better. As an elemental, Gio has the ability to call on all the elements and I think he went into the dragon heat, but his body adjusted his body temperature, and that’s why he showed no signs of it. Remember, Jude, when he was shot and you were working on him he spiked a fever, but then his temperature started to go down when he started getting better.”
“Yeah I do.” Jude replied.
“So, what you’re saying is that his body has been regulating his body temperature, masking the dragon heat, but if that’s so, why isn’t it doing that now?” Sparky asked.
Jude looked at Sparky, replying, “Because, Gio used all his energy in the battle, and his body is too tired to regulate anything.”
Taj rushed into the room and handed the herbs to Rylee. Rylee walked over and handed them to Jude, saying, “Taco, Jude is going to give Gio the herbs to help hold off the heat. Now transfer so Bren can look you over.”
Taco didn’t move, so Cobra pushed past Jude and Rylee, looking down at his dragon, “If you don’t transfer off Gio you’re going to die. I can feel your energy draining fast, damn it. You have to transfer off Gio. Trust Jude to take care of Gio, because if you don’t and you die, it will kill not only me, but our sentience as well. We love you, Taco. You can’t just allow your death because you think you have to save our mate.”
When Taco still didn’t move, Cobra snapped, “If you die, Gio will be in pain. He will blame himself and gods knows what will happen to him and me. You have to transfer, Taco. Do you want Gio to blame himself? Do you want him to go through the rest of his life feeling as if he is the reason for your death? Because he will. You know I’m right, Taco. You know he will never forgive himself. Are you willing to allow our sentience to suffer for centuries to come?”
Taco opened his eyes and slower than before lifted his head, rasping. “To-too w-weak.”
Cobra gently placed his hands under Taco’s head, and just as gently peeled the maharishi from his mate’s arm like a sticker on a bottle.
Feeling his maharishi’s life force fading, Cobra didn’t know what to do. His dragon was more than just his best friend, he was part of Cobra’s very soul. They had been through so much together, fighting side by side, laughing at small pranks they would play on each other, and working together to bring down the bad guy.
Taco was more than just a fierce dragon. He had a brilliant mind and could see angles on a case that the other D.O.A. agents might miss or just not consider.
“Let me take a look, Cobra.” Bren said softly, his voice filled with compassion.
Cobra felt tears filling his eyes, rasping, “I don’t think there’s anything you can do for him Bren.”
“Maybe not, but…”
Bren wasn’t allowed to finish before Azul peeled himself from his mate and grew to Cobra’s height, then quickly snatched Taco from Cobra’s hands, rushing out the bedroom door.
Cobra gasped, “Hey!”
Cobra went to follow, but then remembered Gio. Turning towards his sentience, Cobra was torn. He needed to stay with his mate, but he needed his maharishi. If this was the last breath his dragon was to take, damn it, it should be in Cobra’s hands not another maharishi.
Jude had just hung up an IV bag and started taking Gio’s vitals. Feeling a gentle hand grip his forearm, Cobra looked up to see Bren’s sad eyes as he said, “There’s nothing you can do for Gio at the moment. Jude’s got him. Azul said Taco is in the back yard with the other dragons. Go. Taco needs you more right now.”
Cobra turned back to look at his mate, “Take care of him. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Of course.” Bren whispered.
Cobra left the bedroom with an even heavier heart. He didn’t like leaving his sentience, but Bren was right. His maharishi needed him more at this moment.
Picking up his pace, Cobra rushed into the back yard and immediately stopped in his tracks. The sight of all eleven dragons standing in a long line as Taco’s small flattened form lay next to the large pool was not something Cobra expected. Wiz’s dragon stood on top of Taco and just as Cobra was going to shout for the tiny fucker to get off his dragon, the little guy leaned down and a small puff of smoke wafted from the little bugger and into Taco’s face. The tiny dragon quickly hopped off Taco, then Spirit stepped forward, careful not to step on Taco. He leaned down and again a puff of smoke was blown into Taco’s face. Cobra had no idea what was happening, but he realized whatever it was, it was important. Whether it was a ritual the maharishi did to a dying dragon or a dead dragon, Cobra didn’t know, but he just knew that it was important.
Spirit stepped away from Taco, and made his way towards Cobra as Talpa stepped forward. Once Spirit stood next to Cobra he quietly said, “Taco has lost most of h
is magic. We are doing what we can to send him some of ours and hopefully, it will be enough to keep him alive long enough to recharge once more.”
“I don’t understand.” Cobra said, the sound of his pain and fear coming through for any and all to hear.
Spirit sighed, “Azul told us what Taco did to help you and your sentience. He also told us about the dragon heat and how Taco refused to transfer in order to maintain your sentience’s life.”
“Yes.” Cobra whispered.
“A dragon is magic. We are the purest magic, besides a unicorn of course. Our lives are not only long, but eternal because our magic keeps us so. Our magic is constantly regenerating. Think of it like a car battery. You have the battery, but it’s connected to the alternator to keep it charged as you drive. However, if something happens to the alternator eventually the battery dies. When Taco gifted your sentience with his magic, it was as if he disconnected his alternator and now the battery is dying.” Spirit explained.
“So, blowing that smoke into Taco is like jump-starting the battery?” Cobra asked.
Nodding, Spirit replied, “Exactly. However, as with any battery, we can only hope the damage done to it is not so far gone that Taco cannot recharge. The battle that was fought must have required a great deal of energy, add to that the dragon heat… the energy Taco used for that has almost completely drained him of all his magic.”
“I understand what you’re saying to a point, but I don’t understand how the dragon heat has affected Taco at all. Gio is the one in heat.” Cobra replied.
“I know that everyone thinks that a maharishi is just wired or made to attach to the one affected by the dragon heat because of the soul link, and to an extent that’s true. However, the truth is, we use our magic to help keep the one suffering cool, and if it is the maharishi affected by the heat, the dragon can attach to the human easier because their body temperature is so much lower than ours. The only problem with that is that we can overheat the human.” Spirit explained.
