“One more with you today,” she informed one pilot. “I’ve decided to come along.”
He nodded. Veronica’s eyes had widened and Sam leaned over her with concern.
“Are you okay?” she had time to ask, then four dragons dove out of the sky and attacked.
* * *
It had been too long.
Drake led the team, unable to restrain himself once he caught a glimpse of Veronica. She was strapped to a gurney, sealed inside some contraption, and he wanted to shred it. As planned, he flew straight for his mate and seized the entire gurney before flying high into the sky again.
“Drake!” Veronica gasped, but Drake concentrated on what had to be done. He could smell her pregnancy, the scent of child more stronger than it had been. The doctor shouted something, and the men on the helicopter pad cried out. They might have taken flight in pursuit, but Kristofer ripped off one of the helicopter blades, casting it aside like a toothpick that had been in his way. The orderlies cried out and scattered as Kristofer and Arach breathed fire to keep them at distance.
Theo pursued Drake to high altitude. He ripped off the protective covering from Veronica, and slashed at the straps that held her to the gurney with his talons. Drake held tightly to his mate, ensuring she didn’t fall, and Veronica clutched at him, obviously having the same concern.
“Good flight,” Theo said in old-speak and gave Drake a steady look before flying the empty gurney to the ground.
“Thunder again,” Veronica said, then scanned the sky. “Even though it’s perfectly clear.”
“That is not thunder but old-speak. It is too low for humans to understand.”
Veronica nodded, clearly having heard the thunder of old-speak before. There were no Slayers in the vicinity, which was a great relief to Drake, and the weather was clear. Still he was glad he had brought a blanket and he wrapped Veronica in it with care.
When he was done, she sighed with relief and leaned her cheek against his chest. She was feverish and looked so sick that he feared he had come too late. “You were right about the baby after all,” she said softly, her hand falling to the curve of her stomach.
“I will never lie to you.”
She searched his gaze for a long moment. “I hardly believed it when Niall said you’d come. Do you really have a cure?”
“Sloane thinks so.” Drake gathered her close, feeling cheated by the time she’d been lost to him. “How do you feel?”
“Hot and shivery at the same time,” she admitted. “I definitely have a fever.”
“Then haste must be made.” Drake set his course and flew hard to the west. He was aware of Kristofer and Arach falling into formation behind him, while Theo flew ahead to ensure the way was clear. They were too high for humans to notice them, though he didn’t doubt that someone had filmed Veronica’s rescue.
She was running her fingertip over the scales on his chest, her touch returning repeatedly to one spot. “I had this one,” she whispered. “But Jorge took it from me. Does that matter?”
Drake only knew that the mate could repair a scale, but little else. He saw, though, that she was worried about it and didn’t wish to cause her any concern. “I doubt it.”
“That’s good. I was afraid I’d made a mistake or been tricked out of something important. It doesn’t look as if one is growing back, though. Will you always have a gap in your armor?”
Her fear was clear and Drake tried to reassure her. “Scales grow slowly, especially when the Pyr in question is in less than good health.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Only that I have given great quantities of my blood to Sloane, that he might find a cure.” Drake shrugged. “My overall vigor would be affected by that.”
“That’s why you were gone.”
“I could not risk being investigated by humans. They would have discovered many things about my nature that are better hidden.” He tightened his grip upon her. “I did not stay away by choice, Veronica.”
She nodded, evidently satisfied. “Where are we going?”
“California.”
“How’s Timmy?”
“He does very well. He is happy with the Pattersons and has been teaching me much of making a home.” Drake frowned slightly, his normal equilibrium returning now that he had Veronica in his embrace. “I believe, however, that he may know the truth of my nature.”
Veronica laughed a little. “He must be thrilled. He was obsessed with those videos of the Pyr.”
“I would like to bring him to California, Veronica.”
“You should call me Ronnie,” she chided gently. “Everyone does.”
Drake nodded as he settled into a steady rhythm of flight. “I find beauty in your full name, though. It means ‘little truth’ and you have shown me much of what is true in this world and of myself.”
She smiled, though he didn’t like how shallow her breathing had become. “Then you can call me Veronica. My grandmother did, too.”
Her eyes were closing and Drake knew she would sleep soon. It would be best for her, although he yearned to learn everything she had seen and felt since they were parted. “I know you wish to see Timmy.”
Veronica sighed, her hand rising to tangle in that string of pearls. “But the doctors are right. It wouldn’t be safe for him to visit me. I wouldn’t want him to get this, too.” She coughed and the sound sent terror through Drake.
“When you tell me it’s time, I’ll get him. I pledge this to you.”
Her smile was less joyous than once it had been and he saw that her color was fading. “And you keep your promises, don’t you, Drake?”
“I try, with all that I have within me.”
“It’s all anyone can ask,” Veronica whispered, then her eyes closed and she slept in his embrace.
As he flew steadily west, Drake hoped, more than ever, that his best would be enough.
* * *
Dragons!
Sam stood on the helipad and glared up at the sky as her patient was captured by dragons.
“She’ll die!” she shouted after them in outrage, even though she didn’t think they could hear her. They certainly didn’t look back. Of course, Ronnie was going to die anyway, but this way, she’d probably infect a lot of other people first.
Dragons! How dare they meddle?
How dare they abduct a sick woman who was six month’s pregnant?
How dare these Pyr make so much trouble for the people she cared about? This was just more proof that all this nonsense about the Pyr defending humans as treasures of the earth was a lot of deceptive publicity. It was inexcusable that they’d seized Veronica Maitland in this state, and worse that they were responsible for her illness in the first place. The outbreak was going to get worse.
Sam flung herself back into the building. She wasn’t looking forward to telling Isaac what had happened, but there wasn’t much choice. If he learned from the news, there’d be hell to pay.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, debating her own choices. She’d still go to Atlanta, she decided, and continue searching for a cure. This had been going on so long that they had to catch a break soon.
Sam refused to think of all the other diseases and viruses that had never been cured and tried to focus on the positive.
She wouldn’t think about Sloane and about the tranquility she’d found in California. No, this was her place in the world and hunting this cure was the best use of her talents. What else did she have in her life except work anyway?
That sounded pathetic and didn’t help her forget the easy smile of one particular dark-haired man. She’d never see Sloane again, and she might as well get used to it.
The thought did just about nothing to improve her mood.
Talking to Isaac wasn’t going to help either. Sam took a deep breath and punched in the number.
* * *
Timmy waited by the phone after he saw the video of his mom being rescued by dragons. He’d recognized the dark grey dragon in the
group and he knew it was Drake.
Drake would call and tell him what was happening.
Timmy could hardly stand the wait. He tried to concentrate on his homework after school, his toes tapping all the while. He bolted his dinner, his gaze fixed on the clock. He groaned aloud when Mrs. Patterson got a phone call and settled in to chat with one of her friends about the crisis. He was consumed with impatience to hear Drake’s plans.
Finally, Mrs. Patterson was done.
The phone rang again almost the second she placed it back in the cradle. Timmy held his breath while she answered, then exhaled in relief at her first words.
“Drake! I’m so glad to hear from you. We’ve had terrible news…” Mrs. Patterson fell silent. “You already know. I see. And Ronnie is safe. But how…?” She glanced up, her gaze landing on Timmy where he hovered on the stairs. “Yes, I think you’re right. It would be best for you to talk to Timmy first.”
She held out the phone to him.
Timmy leapt down the stairs and seized the phone, unable to contain his excitement. “Drake! I knew you’d call.”
“I did not wish for you to worry, but I will not be around for a while.”
“Another mission, Drake?”
“Something like that.”
Mrs. Patterson went back to the kitchen, and Timmy waited until she was out of earshot. “I saw the video,” he whispered. “And it was completely awesome. It was you, wasn’t it? And Theo? Was that Arach and Kristofer, too?”
“I believe you know as much.”
Timmy nodded with satisfaction. “You’ve taken her to a secret location to cure her.”
“Something like that, yes. And she already improves with the antidote created by our Apothecary.”
“How’d he do it? The Apothecary?”
“He realized that I had not contracted the virus when I was with your mother. He sought the answer to the riddle in my blood, and after much searching, he believed he had found it. He tested his antidote upon samples of the virus, improving its potency and effectiveness each time.” Drake sighed. “He might have done more, but when your mother became ill, we had to act.”
Timmy nodded vigorously. “And now?”
“And now she is resting. Her fever is breaking. She wishes to see you, but not until it is certain that she can’t infect you.”
“Will you come get me?”
“I will. You mother will call Mrs. Patterson when it is time.”
Timmy bit his lip, knowing what he wanted more than anything but a bit afraid to ask. He decided to go for it. “I’ve been on an airplane, Drake, but never flown with a dragon.”
Drake chuckled and the sound was deep, exactly how Timmy thought a dragon should chuckle. “Then we will have to remedy that.”
Timmy sighed. “I wish I was a dragon shifter.”
Drake’s reply was firm and it surprised Timmy. “No, Timothy. You must never wish to be other than you are.”
“But…”
Drake was resolute and the tone of his voice made Timmy sit straighter. “Each of us has strengths and weaknesses yet each of us face the same challenge: to be better versions of ourselves tomorrow than we were yesterday.”
“I can’t believe you have weaknesses.” Timmy dropped his voice to a whisper. “Not when you’re a dragon.”
“Every one of us has weaknesses and makes mistakes, Timothy, and I am no different. The best men learn from their mistakes to keep from repeating them.”
“And to be better versions of themselves tomorrow than yesterday.”
“Indeed.” Timmy could hear the smile in Drake’s voice. “Your mother wishes to speak with you. She is better but still weak, so the call will be short today.”
“Thanks, Drake,” Timmy said quickly. “I’m glad you’re taking care of my mom.”
“She is my mate, my destiny and will be the mother of my son,” Drake said softly. “I would give my life for her.”
Timmy nodded to himself, liking the honor in Drake’s words. Before he could ask about having a brother, his mom was on the phone, her voice softer than usual. She asked him about school and Dashiell, just like everything was normal, and Timmy hoped it soon would be. They spoke for a few minutes, and she explained he was going to have a brother. Then she told him that she loved him, and asked to speak to Mrs. Patterson. Timmy returned to his homework, both reassured and excited.
A brother. That was interesting and would be a change. He supposed they would be a family, and he liked the idea of Drake being his new dad.
But a dragon flight and soon! That was seriously going to rock. He hoped his mom got better fast, both so that she was better and so that he got his ride sooner.
One thing was for sure: if Drake needed any help, Timmy was going to give it to him.
* * *
Jac told herself that she was ready to face dragons.
She couldn’t quite convince herself, which wasn’t a good sign.
Although at first she’d been surprised that Jorge wasn’t going to accompany her on her first journey to stalk dragons, in a way she was glad to have made the trip alone. He did give her the creeps. There were times when she found him watching her as if she’d make a nice light snack.
Jac shuddered and continued her unpacking. It was pretty awesome that he’d made all the travel arrangements and just showed up to hand her the tickets. She hadn’t even known where she’d be going until then, although she’d known she was going somewhere for the lunar eclipse.
That made her feel a bit like a spy or a secret agent in a movie. She’d trained, she’d followed Jorge’s instructions and tried to meet all of his physical challenges. She’d learned to throw a knife with pretty good accuracy and had taken to playing darts in the evenings at the corner bar. She wasn’t happy that her apartment had been robbed and that Sigmund’s book was the only thing missing, but she figured Marco had collected it. He’d given it to her in the first place and had known she was gone.
Jac had learned all she could from it, anyway.
The funny thing wasn’t that she hadn’t seen Marco at all, but that recently she’d a persistent sense he was around. She found herself turning around suddenly, expecting to find him just behind her. She’d been certain she’d caught the scent of his skin a hundred times and had spun around more often than that, convinced he’d be right there. She imagined often that she felt his breath under her ear in the night, but woke up every time to find herself alone. She’d seen a blue-green crackle of light in the periphery of her vision a number of times, then turned to find that it was a figment of her imagination.
Or that she hadn’t turned fast enough.
There hadn’t been any reply at his apartment after she came home from California, and that hadn’t changed. She’d gone looking for him when she’d discovered that Sigmund’s book was gone, and had tried again repeatedly with no results. Still, she had that stubborn feeling.
Just a few nights ago when she’d won a dart game, she’d been sure Marco was leaning against the far wall, smiling a little as he watched her. She’d hurried to the spot, even stepped outside to look up and down the street, but there had been no sign of him. Was he following her? Or was she obsessed with a man who had long ago moved on to other conquests? He’d intrigued her, seduced her, then told her off and abandoned her. She should forget him.
But Jac couldn’t.
This trip should straighten that out, because one thing was for sure: there was absolutely no chance of her running into Marco on the opposite side of the world. There was a depressing thought. She’d turned off her phone for the trip, and considered turning in on again, just in case he’d suddenly phoned her. That was crazy optimism, and a hope doomed to be disappointed. It wouldn’t be worth the roaming charge to find out, so she left the phone off.
It was kind of good to be off the grid. It kept her focused.
Jac hung up the last of her shirts, stretched, and wondered if she’d ever manage to switch her body rhythm to local time. The only
time she’d ever managed that in a hurry had been on Easter Island, and she knew that had been because of Marco.
Making love with him had been the perfect antidote to jet lag.
She couldn’t deny her sense that it would be the perfect antidote to a lot of things.
Why couldn’t he have just stayed the way he’d been at first?
Jorge had spared no expense in Jac’s travel arrangements. She’d flown first class, because he’d insisted that she needed to be rested and ready to fight when she arrived. He’d arranged for a rental SUV with every possible feature, and her accommodation was a luxurious private cottage. It looked a bit like a tent, but was elevated with a flight of stairs from the ground and a glass window made up one full wall. Jac didn’t even want to think about the room rate, but the view of Uluru was spectacular. The rock was turning red as the sun set and she could see it from the room. In fact, that window made it look as if the sky and Uluru were part of her room.
The place was romantic and made her aware she was alone.
Not that she would have wanted to share the room with Jorge, even though he was paying for it. She’d been relieved when he’d made his lack of physical interest in her clear. Given the way he’d been watching Maeve O’Neill in that restaurant on Easter Island, Jac had to guess that she wasn’t his type.
She had to wonder where he got his money, though.
Jac watched the great rock turn redder as the sun set. She couldn’t believe how hot it was. All day long she’d felt like she was standing in the middle of an inferno. Or maybe in the middle of the sun. She was melting, a steady trickle of perspiration running down her back and her mouth dry. It seemed that each day was hotter, even though the temperature wasn’t that high.
Maybe she’d been living in the Pacific Northwest too long.
No one else in Australia seemed to be affected in the same way, even the tourists.
The thermometer outside the cottage said it was seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Not chilly but not exactly blazing hot either. The room thermostat said that it was sixty-eight, which should have been comfortable.