by Mina Carter
Figures! The bastards have silver-tipped arrows.
It was no surprise that a group of misguided zealots had perfected a hundred ways to kill dragon shifters, and silver topped the list. It was the one true way, aside from taking the head of the man or the dragon, to assure a forever death.
Rayne stumbled, momentarily stunned by the influx of poison to his system. Falling into the wall, he cringed as brick scraped his already sensitive skin. Blood flowed down his back. His head bounced against the building so hard he saw stars. Only instinct and strength of will moved him forward. There was no time to worry about his injuries. His woman needed his protection, now more than ever before. The hunters were so much more of a threat than the petty scumbag he’d already dispatched.
Hunters not only sought out shifters but also exterminated anyone believed to have seen the magical creatures. They didn’t need proof, just the belief that someone may have witnessed something supernatural. The sight of them closing in on his redhead pushed the breath from his lungs. His dragon roared in his head.
The bastards were dressed in black from head-to-toe, hiding their faces under masks, like the cowards they were. If not for the monogram of the red scythe lying between their shoulder blades, they would’ve been completely undetectable to the human eye. Rayne thanked the Universe for his enhanced vision.
Hunching closer to the ground, his pain and weakness forgotten, he prepared for battle. No one would be allowed to hurt his mate. His dragon growled in agreement and lent his considerable strength to the fight to protect her.
She was their future. No one would take her from them.
Rayne launched himself onto the closest hunter, delivering a crushing blow to his throat. Although neutralized, the hunter had been able to call out to his compatriots before taking his final breath. The three remaining hunters surrounded Rayne. As they sized each other up, he sent out a silent call to his brethren. Rayne’s Force needed to know there were hunters in the area. It was their sworn duty as members of the elite Dragon Guard to protect the clan and all those who could not protect themselves.
The Guardsmen needed to scout the area to make sure none of those vermin had located their lair. It had been the home of their clan for centuries, and they protected it with their very lives. It was what they were trained to do. He also needed his brethren to clean up the mess he’d left in his wake. All his focus was on attending to the lovely creature he had every intention of claiming that very evening.
He studied his opponents. The one on his left had a slight limp. The others continued to glance at him, as if seeking his direction. Rayne grinned. Now he had a weakness that could be exploited. The injured man was obviously their leader.
Rayne threw himself at the wounded hunter and as he’d expected, they all rushed to the man’s aid. Using the momentum of his jump to throw himself and his opponent to the ground, Rayne gave one quick jerk to the leader’s neck, leaving him paralyzed and gasping for breath. Normally, he would’ve finished him off without any suffering, but he had little time. The two remaining hunters were at his back.
Spinning on his heels, Rayne kicked the third assailant in the chest. The black clad hunter crashed headfirst into the trunk of a large oak tree. The sound of a skull cracking against the unforgiving wood filled the wooded area, but there was no time to celebrate. The last hunter crept to his left while tugging an arrow from the quiver strapped to his back.
Strength waning, Rayne only had seconds to dispatch the last hunter and get to his mate. In a stroke of luck, the hunter’s foot landed in a hole. He toppled ass over teakettle. Rayne took advantage and was on him in an instant, quickly ending the danger to his mate.
Gathering up the bodies, he placed them with the criminal for disposal. His brethren would see the signs of struggle, smell the blood, and know he needed the area cleared to avoid detection by humans.
Just to be sure, he called to them, mind-to-mind. “I left the bodies just out of sight. Thank you for the cleanup.”
“Not a problem,” was their combined response.
His vision darkened, growing fuzzy around the edges, but he had to push on. Rayne raced in the last known direction of his mate. He was losing blood and needed to go into his healing sleep, but he would not succumb until he knew his mate was safe.
Spotting her just over the hedge that lined the sidewalk, he summoned what little strength he had left, willing himself to make it to her. Each step was slower than the last, his feet growing heavier. It felt as if weights were tied around his ankles. It took all his concentration to put one foot in front of the other.
He was close enough to inhale her scent… every wonderfully feminine note of it. A comfort he’d never known filled his soul. He thought of nothing but holding her in his arms, making love to her for days on end… and then his world went black.
As embarrassing as it was, that was how she found him… or rather… tripped over him. Had the amazing woman been paying attention to where she was walking, he might never have awakened. She would’ve surely gotten away.
He’d only been out a few seconds. Remembered grabbing her around the waist to keep her from marking her beautiful face. Then moving quickly to keep from dropping her before depleting his energy reserves and passing out for a second time. Pure strength of will was all that kept him from falling into the deep healing sleep of his kind. The same determination had awakened him just in time to stop her from leaving him. Grabbing her had scared her shitless, but there was no way in this life, or the next, he was letting her go.
CHAPTER THREE
“Please…”
She whipped her head around and stared at the stranger on the ground. It had been a whisper on the wind, but she’d heard his plea.
“I’m going to get help,” she barked, scared, tired, and more confused than she’d ever been.
“Not safe… Don’t… go…” His words were soft and slurred. He needed medical attention. She had to go, but he had a death grip on her ankle.
“I have to go. You’re bleeding. At the very least, you need a paramedic.”
“No. Just need… sleep…”
Rolling her eyes at the audacity of men to accept help, Kyndel responded, “I may not be a doctor, but you’re bleeding from your head. Sleep’s not going to help.”
He had to have a concussion. That was the only logical explanation for him thinking a nap would heal a head wound. She had to go… and quickly. Convincing him to let go of her ankle was the goal. Getting help was a necessity.
She twisted slowly, kneeling down the best she could. It would’ve been easier had she had control of her ankle, but he obviously was not letting go. Looking him right in the eye, she tried reason. “I know you’re scared and most definitely in pain. I can help with that. We can get you to the hospital. The doctors will fix you right up.”
He looked at her with such emotion, she was sure she’d made her point, but she’d celebrated too soon. Faster than she could track, he dropped the grip on her ankle and grabbed her hand. The crushing grip said he wasn’t letting her leave.
Well, shit. Now what am I gonna do?
On a positive note, her ankle was free so she could move her hips all the way around. It was especially a bonus since the big guy had decided to talk, and her feet were falling asleep in the other position.
The strain around his eyes and mouth highlighted what those few tiny movements cost him. She thought about pointing that out in an effort to argue her case, but decided to wait and see what he had to say first. Time ticked on. When he didn’t speak, her usual impatience took over.
“Okay, here’s the deal. There’s a convenience store right up the street.” She pointed as she talked. “We can head that way, talk as we walk, and use the phone when we get there. ’Kay?” She was using her best “talk the kitten out of the tree” voice.
“No! No doctors,” he growled through gritted teeth.
“Okay. Calm down.” She watched as he took a deep breath, then added, “At least t
ell me your name.”
He slowly lifted his head, looking her right in the eye, and paused. The effect was immediate and mesmerizing. His eyes were a magnificent violet, with flecks of silver that swirled with the depth of his emotions. Time stood still. His gaze a tether drawing her closer, holding her captive. She could feel him everywhere. In that one moment he had somehow become a part of her, of her very soul, a part she hadn’t known was missing until him.
“Rayne.” His low baritone wrapped around her.
She blinked and shook her head. Although she’d been released from his stare, she could still feel him inside, warming her, stoking the fire. A fire she had no business feeling for a man she’d just met.
“What did you say?” she asked, still reeling from his stare.
“Rayne. My name is Rayne.” He breathed, his eyes sliding closed. Agony etched in his rugged features. Even the death grip he had on her hand loosened.
“Oh, yea… Rayne.” She nodded, a little embarrassed that she’d forgotten the question she’d asked. “My name’s Kyndel. I know I sound like a nag, but you can’t just lay here on the sidewalk and sleep. At the very least, you need stitches. If you can’t make it to the phone, then let me go. I promise I’ll come right back and wait with you for the ambulance. I’ll even go with you to the hospital if you want. It’s getting colder by the minute out here. Not only are you hurt, but you need more clothes, dude.”
“No doctors.” His voice was surprisingly stern. “I can’t be seen. I just need sleep to heal.”
“Okay, Rayne. I’m not sure what your problem is with doctors and hospitals…” A terrifying thought crossed her mind. “Or is it with anyone seeing you? Are you on the run? Afraid of someone? OMG! Are you a criminal?” She panicked and tried to pull her hand from his.
His brow furrowed. He held tightly to her wrist, shook his head, and immediately sucked air through his teeth. All thoughts of anything but his well-being flew from her mind. Instinct took over. She placed her hand over his heart, rubbing little circles of comfort.
It took a moment, but he finally spoke. “I can’t go to a human hospital. I will heal, I promise you. All I need to do is sleep.”
“But you have to… Wait! Did you say human hospital? What do you mean ‘human’? I know you hit your head, but are you an alien or something?” Kyndel scoffed.
It wasn’t the best time to joke, but he’d started it, and she could really use a tension breaker. Between the death grip he had on her hand, the lack of blood getting to her feet from kneeling on the concrete, and the bleeding man on the ground, a joke was only a small part of what she needed. It was going to take a bottle of wine, a bubble bath, and a massage—in whatever order she could get them—to get anywhere near relaxed. She was thinking it might take a few rounds of shoe shopping to seal the deal.
“No, not alien… just different,” he answered. Continuing at little more than a whisper, Rayne pleaded, “Please, Kyndel. Help me. I just need a few hours’ sleep. I’ll explain everything to you when I wake up. I promise. Just. Please. Help me.”
The begging tone of his voice melted away at Kyndel’s resolve, not that it had been ironclad anyway. Sure, he was talking like an escaped mental patient, but it was probably just shock. And the sexy way her name rolled off his tongue definitely helped his cause.
“Okay. I’m giving you three hours, and if you’re not better, I’m calling the ambulance and having you forcibly taken to the hospital. You got that, bub? Nobody dies on my watch.”
He visibly relaxed at her acquiescence. She smiled, unable to help the butterflies his crooked grin created in her tummy.
Why the hell am I agreeing to this crap! Sure, he’s the best looking thing I’ve ever seen, but I swear if he dies at my house, I’ll kill him! Sexy voice or not, I’ll kick his ass.
She knew she was letting her heart make her decision when she should’ve been listening to her brain, but he was practically begging. There was just something about this guy that did it for her. She shouldn’t be thinking about his hot body, bedroom eyes, or his erotically calloused fingers wrapped around her wrist… but she was. There was no denying what she felt, no denying he was hot as homemade sin, and absolutely no denying she wanted to spend more time with him.
“All right, Rayne, you win. I live about five blocks from here. It’s the closest place for you to rest. We just have to figure out how to get you up and moving. Whatcha say we start with a sitting position and work our way up from there?”
She felt him take a huge breath before tugging on her wrist. In one swift but shaky move, he was sitting, shoulders hunched, trying to hide his pain. He was close enough that she felt his breath on her face, and her eyes closed of their own volition. She leaned closer to his very kissable lips. Imagined what it would feel like to finally make contact. Knew it would blow her mind… and then he groaned.
Moment shattered.
She knew she was blushing and prayed he hadn’t realized she’d almost kissed him. As awful as it was and as embarrassed as she was, Kyndel just couldn’t help her disappointment.
Snap out of it, girlie! What the hell is wrong with you! When all this is over, I have to get a date, have to get laid! I’m losing my mind!
A small streak of blood slid down his neck, ending her inner dialogue.
“Rayne, your head’s still bleeding.” She reached around him, grabbed her sweatshirt off the ground with her free hand, and gently pressed it to his head. Once again, she was within kissing distance and this time he was looking right at her. Attraction, hot and fiery, flared to life. She just knew he felt it, too.
They leaned in, their lips meeting. One simple touch unlike anything she’d ever felt. Electricity flashed between them. Kyndel moaned deep in her throat. She felt lightheaded from the contact and braced her hand on his chest to keep from falling into his lap again. His chest vibrated as he groaned. His heart beat against her palm, almost racing the longer they kissed. His chest rumbled again, and this time, she swore he growled.
Rayne jerked away, threw his head back, and sniffed the air around them.
What is he doing? Do I smell bad?
Just as she was about to be offended by the actions of the deranged man she’d just kissed, he looked her square in the eye and demanded, “We have to get out of here… now!”
Kyndel huffed her frustration. “That’s what I’ve been saying for the last half hour.” She paused, trying to figure out what to do next. “Can you get up? If not, we’re gonna need a miracle. There’s no way I can lift you.”
“I’ll get up.” He motioned with his hands for her to move back and added, “Take a step back, please.”
Please?
Well, at least he had manners, no matter his other oddities. Kyndel stood with a sigh, her knees balking at the movement. Not to mention the extra twenty pounds she carried was slowing her down a little bit. Before she was vertical, Rayne held her hands to help steady her.
How the hell did he get up so fast?
She would’ve sworn he didn’t have the strength to move his big toe by himself, let alone get up before her. Just as she opened her mouth to ask, he once again sniffed the air. His brows furrowed and he grumbled, “We really have to get going. Which way to your home?”
This guy really had some odd habits, but she figured it could be worse. He could eat with his hands or burp and fart in public. She snickered at her own joke and looked away when he glanced down at her.
I guess I can deal with sniffing.
The problem was, deep down inside she felt like she was missing something. Like she knew this man was different and that difference was somehow important to her. Being out of the loop irritated her at the best of times, but right now, it pissed her off. Even crazier was the fact that at that moment, he was staring at her like she was one brick shy of a load.
What the… ?
Pushing all her misconceptions aside, Kyndel pointed over her shoulder and said, “That way. Just shy of five blocks. You sure you can make
it?”
Rayne gave a single nod. “I will make it. Lead the way.”
She turned and he placed his hand on the small of her back. It warmed her to the tip of her toes. Biting the insides of her cheeks to keep from grinning like a loon, she headed towards her apartment.
It’s all gonna be okay. He’ll sleep. Wake up feeling fresh as a daisy and explain all this madness to me. In the meantime, I’ll find Grace and kill her for stranding me. Everything’s just great! Really! Just great! Wonder how long I have to say it to make it true? Oy Vey! Thank God it’s Friday!
CHAPTER FOUR
It was the longest almost five blocks he’d ever walked. Just when Rayne thought he couldn’t take one more step, Kyndel pointed to the next building on the right.
“I’m right there.” She looked up at him, concern flashing in her eyes. “Ya gonna make it?”
“Oh yes, I’ll make it, rest assured.” Pushing the confidence he didn’t feel into his words.
The quaint little abode fit what he knew of his mate perfectly. He could see it had been freshly painted a bright white. Frilly blue-checked curtains hung in the windows, giving the perfect backdrop to the flower-filled window boxes.
Four doors indicated four identical abodes, but Kyndel’s was by far the prettiest of them all. Flowering bushes lined the walk to the front door and some type of vine gently wrapped around her white picket gate. The house suited the woman that lived there.
“You must have a green thumb,” he mused.
“I guess. I’ve always been able to grow just about anything.” She smiled as she answered.
Her horticultural abilities were simply another sign she was indeed his mate. Dragon shifters’ mates had special abilities, even if they were human. Most never realized they had them, but the dragon who was the other half of their soul acknowledged it immediately, just as Rayne had with Kyndel, upon seeing her home.