Even though his overprotectiveness could be irritating at times, she smiled. He cared for her, and that made everything else worthwhile.
Although hopefully, after she showed him her work today, he might see her as more than an invalid. True, the doctors still hadn't found a way to cure her condition—poisoning someone with a kiss wasn't something to take lightly—but she believed the day would come.
After all, she'd worked so hard on her recovery, her formulas, and even helping Nate and Lucien with all the data on the thumb drive.
Two of those things might soon make it so that Stonefire could sleep a little easier at night.
Dr. Sid came up to her and placed a hand on her arm. "Maybe you should sit down until Zain gets here."
She sighed. "You of all people should know how much I hate sitting or lying still. Besides, I can stand for hours on my own now, and I'm never taking that for granted again."
Sid looked about ready to argue when a knock sounded on the door. Emily went to answer it, revealing Zain on the other side.
His gaze instantly found hers, and without thinking, she went to him. Zain put his hands on her waist as he asked, "I'm here. So what's going on?"
All she wanted to do was lean against him and revel in his heat and touch, but somehow Ivy stepped back and motioned toward where the three doctors sat around a high table. "Sit down and we'll explain."
She took his hand and guided him toward the table. He sat and tried to place her in his lap, but she shook her head. "Not right now." She murmured, "But definitely later."
Emily sighed happily, but Trahern merely studied the papers in front of him. Ivy knew the other human woman pined for the reclusive dragon doctor and wished she'd remembered that. Ivy didn't like parading what Emily didn't have right in front of her.
Pushing the thought aside, she cleared her throat. There were much bigger things to focus on right now. "Very few people know this information outside of this room, but here goes—I think I finally have a way to protect against any human drugs that can harm you."
Zain blinked. "What? You finally cracked the last part of your formula?"
Ivy nodded. "It uses human blood as one of the ingredients. Dr. Sid came up with something similar not long ago to help a dragonman on Lochguard, but this is for more than countering one specific drug. And whilst we're fairly sure it won't harm any dragon-shifters, the next step is to find volunteers to test it and make sure."
Dragon's blood could heal humans, and it was strange to think that now human blood could help protect the dragons. "Using nonscientific jargon, how is that possible?"
Emily spoke up. "Every drug so far made by the Knights focused on the differences in our dragon-shifter DNA, but they never attacked or affected humans the same way, probably as a safeguard against their own people. So by incorporating a small bit of human blood—along with some other elements to ensure your bodies don't reject it—it should protect dragon-shifters, too."
Ivy jumped in. "However, the difficult part will be in getting everyone to accept the treatment if the tests go well with the initial volunteers. Sid, Emily, and Trahern tell me that some dragon-shifters view humans like the humans inside the Knights view the dragons—as a lesser type of being, one to be scoffed at."
Zain replied, "It's true, although I don't think that's as much of a problem on Stonefire." He searched Ivy's eyes a second before asking, "But could it really be that simple?"
She shrugged. "I can't say for sure, hence the testing. Kai is secretly reaching out to trusted Protectors and asking them to volunteer for the initial trial. And whilst you're on that list, he said we could ask you in person."
Wily Kai, doing that. Zain would do almost anything Ivy asked of him. Still, he wanted to check with his dragon. Would you mind?
No, of course not. Ivy has been receiving shots of our blood for months. Why should I not want to do the same, if it can protect us against the biggest weapon the Dragon Knights have against us?
Zain grunted and spoke aloud once more. "Of course I'll do it, although I hope Kai is doing it in waves, so we're not vulnerable."
Sid answered, "Yes, we are. You and Sebastian are to be the first."
Ivy smiled. "Although you'll be the very first one."
He stood up. "Then let's get it over with."
Sid frowned. "We haven't even gone over the possible side effects yet."
He glanced at each of them in turn. "I trust everyone in this room, not only with my health but to look over Ivy, too. Am I wrong to do so?"
Sid growled. "Of course we'll bloody look over Ivy. I don't like what you imply otherwise."
Ivy placed a hand on Sid's shoulder. "It's okay. He's my mate, and you know how mated dragon males act."
In any other situation, he might've snorted because Ivy sounded more like a dragon-shifter by the day.
Trahern stood, went to the side of the room, and promptly returned with a needle and small vial. "Then let's start. The sooner Zain receives the shot, the sooner we can monitor how well it works."
Emily sighed. "Leave it to you to think only of the data."
Trahern blinked. "What else would I think of?"
Ivy walked over to Zain and touched his jaw. "Are you sure about this? I don't want you to think I'm forcing you, or guilt-tripping you, or some other such thing."
Placing a hand on her waist, he replied, "Don't be ridiculous. You wouldn't do anything to hurt me. Well, in the present. You might've tried to stab me that first day you woke up, if you'd had the chance."
She snorted. "Not likely, since I couldn't manage to hold a knife then. Maybe a few days later, if I'd had the opportunity and resources."
He loved how his female could joke about almost anything with him. "But truly, it's fine, I want to do this. Besides, if I end up being the first one inoculated against the Knights, then that means I can be on the front lines in taking them down as soon as we have our plan in place."
Ivy caressed his jaw, making both man and beast hum. Soon he could do more than merely touch her skin. He burned to claim her in all ways.
Before anyone could say more, Gregor burst into the room, sans child. He quickly shut the door, glanced at Ivy for a second before zeroing in on his mate. "Cassidy, there's a problem."
Zain stood and faced the Scottish doctor. "What's wrong?"
Gregor glanced at Ivy again before meeting Zain's eyes. "Ivy's picture and whereabouts are all over the human news."
He instinctively pulled Ivy against his side and growled, "Who the bloody hell leaked that?"
Gregor shook his head. "I don't know. But we need to get Ivy to the underground area of the surgery until Bram says otherwise."
Zain was one of the few who knew about the emergency facilities below the building. For Gregor to suggest Ivy had to wait there meant things were a hell of a lot worse than her being mentioned on a news report. "What aren't you telling us?"
Gregor stated, "According to Bram, messages and orders concerning Ivy have already started appearing on the Knights' hidden corners of the internet. It won't be long before they have videos, too, asking for her head. It won't be long before Ivy is going to be target number one."
Ivy leaned against him, and Zain tightened his grip. "Number one target or not, I won't let them take her." He glanced down at his mate. "I won't let them, Ivy. I promise."
He hated the fear in her eyes as well as the fact her voice broke as she said, "I want to be strong, and say it'll all be okay. But it might end up being better to hand me over than risk the entire clan."
He growled. "Don't be ridiculous. You're my mate, which means you're part of Stonefire, too. If you so much as think of running away to sacrifice yourself, I'll hunt you down and tie you to a chair for as long as it takes for sense to return to your head."
Her lips almost smiled. "You would, too."
Sid cleared her throat. "The sooner we get you downstairs, the better. Few know the underground bunker exists, which means you'll be better protected. And
whilst I can't guarantee it, it's less likely that whomever leaked the information will be able to give more information about your whereabouts."
Zain growled, "What if it's someone inside the surgery?"
Sid shook her head. "No, everyone who works here has been vetted several times, ever since humans started living on Stonefire. I trust my staff."
Gregor motioned down the hall. "Now, come on. We need to go."
As he and Ivy followed the doctor to a secret entrance, Zain never let go of Ivy. He'd trained nearly his entire adult life to protect the clan, and now he would use those skills to protect his mate.
After all, anyone who dared mess with a dragon-shifter in love was in for a surprise. Both Zain's human and dragon halves would work harder than ever, fighting for the future they'd long wanted but secretly denied.
Whether anyone realized it or not, this moment, right here, right now, was the beginning of the end of the Dragon Knights. Zain would ensure it.
The next hour flew by in a blur as Zain and the doctors secured Ivy in the secret bunker, brought her clothes and anything she'd need to keep working, and set her up for a long stay underground.
She did her best to push down her fears, not wanting to be a burden to anyone. However, when she and Zain were finally alone, she sighed and crumpled down onto the nearby chair. "Whilst I knew the Knights would eventually find out I'm alive and where I'm hiding, it's hard to believe the day is finally here."
Zain crouched down in front of her. He gently lifted her chin until she could meet his eyes. "I wasn't being overly dramatic earlier, Ivy. I will protect you any way I can, starting with me taking that injection you and the others came up with."
She cupped his cheek, needing the familiar heat and light stubble to help steady her. "No, you can't do that right now, Zain. I have no idea if you'll get weak at first, or have a negative reaction."
Zain pupils flashed to slits and back to round. "But without it, I'm too vulnerable. The Knights are bringing war to Stonefire, love. And we're going to have to protect ourselves as best we can."
As she stared into her dragonman's eyes, she wanted to say so much but couldn't. Zain didn't need any distractions, nor did she want to think of this as her last time being alone with him. A hastily said, "I love you," would almost seem as if she were giving up.
And while she had doubts, and probably always would, she had to believe in the dragons of Stonefire. Because if she didn't, then who could she ever believe in?
Zain cupped her cheek, and she leaned into his warm touch. "If you truly want to do it, we should inject you sooner rather than later, just in case there are some side effects. Because if they emerge, it will be within the first few hours, by our best calculations."
He smiled at her, and suddenly Ivy's world seemed a little less dark. No man had ever made her feel that way so easily.
Zain said, "One last thing—did you use your blood for the concoction?"
"No. I'm still poison to others, remember?" Zain looked like he wanted to say something, but Ivy pushed on. "All of the humans on Stonefire donated. This way, no one knows whose DNA is floating inside their veins. We figured that would help with jealous mates."
He smiled wider. "Look at how far you've come, love. Thinking automatically of mates, and their reactions."
She raised an eyebrow. "If that's a surprise to you, about how my views have shifted, then I might have to question your status as the most observant person on Stonefire."
He snorted. "Considering you mated me, and always look forward to scratching my dragon behind the ears, I think it's safe to say I know how far you've come."
Silence fell, and Ivy struggled with what to say. Even though she'd vowed after waking up from her coma not to take life for granted, she had done so to a degree.
Zain was brave and strong and highly skilled, but he could still die. After all, the Knights possessed advanced weaponry to use against dragon-shifters, in addition to their arsenal of drugs. True, the lasers and other anti-dragon guns weren't as reliable, but they could still kill.
She moved her hand from his cheek and reached for Zain's hand. He instantly curled his fingers around hers, the action bringing comfort. She searched his eyes as she said, "Just be careful, okay? I know how much you hate the Knights, but if Kai goes ahead with the plan to take them down once and for all, they will be fighting for their lives. And in that case, they'll try even harder to kill as many dragon-shifters as possible whilst they still can."
Zain brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed the back of them. Despite everything going on, his warm, wet lips against her skin made her sigh with longing.
What she would give to be able to at least kiss the man she loved.
His voice snapped her back to reality. "I've always been careful, but now I have even more reason to do so. You're my heart, Ivy. And they'll have to kill me to keep me from coming back to you."
Her heart skipped a beat—in a good way. "Then make sure you do. I have a surprise for you, but not until you come back to me after this is over."
"You know how I hate surprises."
She smiled. "I know, but you'll like this one, I promise."
He leaned closer and kissed her cheek, his lips lingering on her skin.
It took everything she had not to turn her head and kiss him properly.
Zain finally pulled back. "I don't want to leave you, but I have to go." She nodded, and he continued, "Stay strong for me, human. Okay?"
She teased, "Well, seeing as I'm going to be doing a lot of sitting whilst down here, forced to take it easy, that should at least make you and your dragon happy, right?"
He chuckled. "A little." Zain sobered. "But it won't be for long if I can help it. I won't let you be trapped in a new kind of prison after being in an unconscious one for so long."
Zain's gruff exterior hid the careful, sensitive man inside. Selfishly, she wanted to hold him and never let him go. However, she knew she couldn't do that, not if she ever wanted a semi-normal life in the future. "I believe in you, Zain. Now, go and come back to me safe and sound."
He kissed her cheek once more before rushing out of the room.
As the door closed, the sound echoed inside the small living area of the bunker.
Not wanting to dwell on her new underground home or how long she had to live there, Ivy powered up her laptop and returned to the decrypted data. Maybe there was something she'd missed, something crucial that could help Zain and the others defeat the Knights.
After all, if her man would risk his life to fight for her, then she wasn't about to sit and wallow about what could happen to her. No, Ivy would fight in her own way, using information and knowledge. She just had to find what she needed first.
Chapter Seventeen
Not for the first time, Zain was glad of his many years working as a Protector because it allowed him to slowly compartmentalize his feelings for Ivy.
He loved his human and had nearly told her so.
However, in the end, he'd decided to tell her after he'd eradicated her greatest enemies.
His dragon sighed. I don't understand humans at all. We love her. That's it. Why wait?
Seeing as we’re about to go to war, I think you'd adjust your priorities, dragon.
Our mate is just as important.
Not wanting to argue, he ignored his beast as he made his way toward the Protectors' main building.
Even though he'd received his experimental shot to protect against any of the Knights' drugs about an hour ago, he hadn't yet suffered any side effects. The doctors had ensured him it was fast acting and would take hold completely within a few hours.
So now all he had to do was work with Kai to devise a plan for both protecting Stonefire and attacking the Knights' hideouts. Then he could finally join the hunt for taking down one of their enemies. Even a few weeks ago, he would've put the dragon hunters at the top of his list because of what they'd done to his friend Charlie. However, the Knights were slightly ahead in the p
resent.
Zain needed to protect his mate. His late friend would've understood that.
He entered the main security building, nodding to his compatriots as he went. However, Zain managed to avoid any sort of conversation and arrived at Kai's office quickly. With one quick knock, Kai told him to enter, and he did.
Shutting the door, Zain sat in front of his boss’s desk, next to Stonefire's clan leader, Bram. Zain said without preamble, "Do you have a plan yet?"
Kai grunted. "No, we're still figuring it out. Much depends on if the protective injections work without killing or not."
Zain gestured toward himself. "I'm alive, aren't I?"
Bram raised his brows and said, "It's only been a few hours. But my stance hasn't changed regarding your mate. We'll protect Ivy no matter what it takes. Don't worry."
His dragon growled. As if there's any other option.
Kai prevented Zain from replying to his beast. "Protecting the human is the easy part. Attacking the Knights, and only the Knights, without harming any other humans is our biggest obstacle."
Zain frowned. "The DDA isn't changing their policy, are they?"
Kai shook his head. "No, we've been given permission to fight the Knights on our own and make temporary arrests as long as we alert the DDA as soon as we're done. However, from what Nate and Lucien deduced from the data, most of the Knights' hideouts are in populated areas. That's a massive problem."
Bram said, "There are two ways to handle this, but Zain won't like one of them since it involves Ivy."
Trying his best not to lash out at his clan leader, Zain forced his voice to remain even as he asked, "What's the option that doesn't include Ivy?"
Bram shrugged. "Asking the British Army for help. Rafe says he can probably make it happen, if we ask nicely."
Rafe Hartley was not only a former soldier but also the human mated to Nikki. He currently served as the army liaison between the humans and Stonefire. While Zain trusted the officers less than others because of his past, he might not have any other choice but to rely on them. After all, he wouldn't let anyone use Ivy as bait.
Persuading the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 12) Page 15