The Dragon's Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 6)

by Jessie Donovan

  The phone rang and someone finally answered. It was hard to concentrate as his beast's roar became more frantic, but he said quickly, "This is Alistair Boyd. I'm at Tongue village." The Protector tried to speak, but he didn't let him. "I don't have much time. You need to see if there's ever been a human-to-dragon blood transfusion. It may be a way to save me. Check with Nikki and Rafe. Hurry, I'll be here unconscious for you."

  His dragon's forearm burst through the prison, meaning Alistair had less than a minute left.

  Dropping the phone, he searched until he found a streetlamp. He needed to complete the last part of his plan.

  Even if it could end up killing him.

  His dragon's other forelimb broke free. Alistair pushed aside his trepidation and ran toward the pole. He needed to smack his head hard enough to knock himself out but not do lasting damage.

  However, he wasn't a doctor. It was quite possible he could die.

  Just as his dragon broke through, he stopped at the pole, turned his head for what he thought was a good angle, took a few steps back, and then rammed his head against the streetlamp.

  The world went blissfully silent. And his last waking thought was how he hoped it wasn't for the last time.

  ~~~

  Kiyana sat with Dr. Layla MacFie as they listened to the Stonefire doctors report their latest findings.

  Most of the medical science went over Kiyana's head, but she was desperate to hear anything.

  Even with sending the chemical makeup and data of the substance which had affected Alistair to as many clan doctors as they'd been able to reach, no one had yet found a cure. There was something related in the recently acquired Dragon Knights information, but all of the formulas had been written in some sort of code.

  One the Stonefire doctors and their associates hadn't been able to break yet.

  Finn burst into the room, glanced between Layla and the Stonefire doctors, and blurted, "Blood transfusions. Have there ever been ones from humans to dragons?"

  Dr. Sid, the female head doctor on Stonefire, replied instantly. "I've never heard of one. Which makes sense, given how human blood usually doesn't mix well inside our bodies despite how it's fine the other way around. It's become sort of taboo over the centuries, but it's also illegal in some countries."

  Finn didn't miss a beat. "Ask Rafe and Nikki if the army ever attempted it in the field. Alistair called the Protectors and said a transfusion might help since the drugs don't affect humans. Probably something specific he didn't have time to say, and I couldn't guess what it'd be."

  Layla jumped in. "While just hearsay, I thought doing that could affect a dragon-shifter's inner beast?"

  Finn shook his head. "That's not a good enough reason to avoid looking into it. Especially since I have people going to the village where Alistair called from, to see if they can find him. I'll need you to come, Layla, and have some dragon silence drugs on hand in case they bring him in."

  Layla stood. "We don't know how that'll affect him, though, given his current state."

  Finn grunted. "It's a risk we're going to have to take. It's been a week, and if his beast was canny enough to break the restraints and his bones, they'll be healed or nearly so. This may be our only chance to save him from the DDA's special dragon operations team."

  A million thoughts whirred through Kiyana's head. However, Dr. Sid spoke before she could make her mouth work. "I'll talk with Rafe and Nikki. My guess is that if it's been done before, it'll have been in the army during wartime when there was no other choice. Alistair's clever to have thought of that. And…wait a second." Sid looked at something, probably on a tablet in front of her, and then back at the screen. "That could account for why we couldn't break the code used for the formulas, if it's referencing human blood as part of the antidote. Let me and the other doctors take a look, but don't do anything until you hear from me again. I know I'm not your clan's doctor, but Lochguard is Gregor's family, and I want to save Alistair."

  Gregor was Sid's mate and a former Lochguard doctor. Kiyana finally made her mouth work. "Do you really think it could help?"

  "I don't know," Sid stated firmly. "I'll ring back as soon as I do."

  The screen went blank, and Kiyana tried her best to ignore the pounding of her heart.

  Leave it to Alistair to think outside the box and maybe find a way to save himself.

  And the rest of Finn's statement, about him being brought to Lochguard, sunk it. She turned toward Lochguard's leader. "Can I see him?"

  "Sorry, lass, but no. We can't risk his dragon waking or fighting the drugs to claim you. I need you to stay here and wait for any incoming video calls since this is one of two secure stations. Any number of people may contact us now, and if they do, you ring my mobile." Finn motioned toward the door. "Come on, Layla. We need to go."

  The pair left, and Kiyana clenched her fingers. She wanted to do something, anything, to help. And yet, she knew she wasn't a physician or medical researcher and would only get in the way.

  Arabella's voice reached her ears, along with a squeaky roar. "We're here to keep you company."

  Little Freya rushed over in her tiny dragon form and jumped up. Used to the move, Kiyana caught her with ease and then sat down so Freya could settle in her lap. As she stroked the baby dragon's back, she looked at Arabella. She fell back on humor to help deal with the enormity of the situation. "You just want a place without a big enough window for Freya to jump out of."

  Arabella glanced around Finn's office and smiled. "That's true enough, but that's not the reason. I know what it's like to worry about your male and if something will or won't happen to him. Finn may never have suffered any of the drugs manufactured by the Dragon Knights, but he's been in dangerous situations before. And it took me a while to realize how much having someone else around made the wait a little better."

  Kiyana focused on Freya, watching as she turned her head up for a chin scratch. As she complied, she murmured, "Thank you."

  And even though they sat in silence, with only the occasional squeak from Freya, Arabella was right. It helped make the wait about their future a little more bearable. Not much, but enough to keep her strong and from breaking down.

  ~~~

  Layla MacFie had long ago learned to focus on what she could do to solve a situation instead of focusing on the person she worked on.

  So as monitors beeped and Alistair's heart stopped working at one point, she did what she needed to revive him and get back to work on relieving the pressure around his brain from the swelling.

  Asking for instruments, using them, asking for the nurse's help to clean the area, and using the knowledge she'd amassed in medical school and from her experience working on Lochguard to try and save one of her clan members—those were the only things that mattered.

  Hours went by as she worked, adrenaline fueling her. When she finished, she murmured her usual, "There you go," and went to clean up. The words were more for her benefit than the patient's, but somehow helped her walk away to tackle the next stages of work.

  Namely, talking with friends and family about the surgery and what the outcomes could be.

  As she washed up, she ran through what she'd say. Since Lochguard was a close-knit community, reporting on her patients was harder than if she were working in a big, public hospital. She had to be more careful about her word choices, especially so as to not trigger anyone's inner dragon.

  Once she changed and quickly downed a coffee, she went into the private waiting room. Finn was there, as was Alistair's mother and brothers. Meg Boyd stood. "Well? How is he?"

  "The surgery went well, although it's too early to tell if there's any permanent brain damage." Meg opened her mouth, but Layla beat her to it. "As soon as I know anything, you'll know, too, Meg."

  "When can I see him?" the older dragonwoman demanded.

  Layla replied calmly, "In the morning. He's being monitored overnight."

  Because if he survived the night, Alistair would live. In that aspect, d
ragon-shifters were fortunate. They healed quickly but also died quickly. There was no lingering gray area.

  She looked at Finn. "Is there anything from Stonefire I need to look over?"

  Finn placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her around. "Not yet. So go take a wee nap, Layla. You've been on your feet for more than twelve hours today. Go home."

  If she hadn't been working long hours over the past week, trying to help the Stonefire doctors and others find a cure, she might've protested.

  But Finn was correct—she needed the sleep. Otherwise, she wouldn't be of use to anyone.

  Her dragon woke from her usual slumber—her beast didn't care about surgeries and became bored—and said, We'd sleep deeper if you found a male and rode him hard.

  There are more important things to worry about.

  I think not. Besides, there's a male who'd like to share our bed. Let him in.

  No.

  Ignoring her dragon, she answered a few more technical questions from Meg and her sons and then trudged out of the waiting room to the back rooms.

  Once her junior doctor had all the information she needed, Layla exited the building and headed toward her cottage.

  She debated stopping at the clan's restaurant for food, but didn't. Sleep was more important.

  Layla entered her cottage and froze. Some rustlings came from her kitchen.

  Her family never entered without her there, so she tiptoed quietly to see who it was. The Protectors watched the clan's lands closely, so it was most likely a child or teen looking for food, fulfilling a dare, or some other such thing.

  She poked her head around the doorway and blinked.

  Her table in the little dining nook was set, and food was being dished out onto a plate by a male she knew.

  Chase McFarland.

  "What are you doing in my kitchen?" she demanded.

  Chase turned, flashed her a grin with dimples that made her stomach flip, and gestured toward the food. "This is compliments of your staff."

  Her dragon perked up. He's in our kitchen. Kiss him, fuck him, eat, and then we'll have a good nap.

  She was good at ignoring her dragon. All doctors perfected that skill early on. "I didn't think you did restaurant deliveries."

  He shrugged. "Normally, no, I don't. But Logan's a friend of mine, and I owed him."

  Logan was one of her best nurses. And if not for the fact Chase always showed up at the surgery bearing food or drink, she might've believed him. "More like you and Logan have some scheme that I don't want to know about."

  He shrugged a shoulder, and she did her best to ignore his toned biceps or broad shoulders.

  Shoulders she shouldn't notice given he was over a decade younger than her.

  Chase replied, "Someone has to take care of you, Layla, since you don't seem to take care of yourself."

  If she had more energy, she'd argue. Or, maybe even scold. She'd let his infatuation go on long enough.

  However, with the scents of pasta and bread wafting through the air, all she could think about was how hungry she was. "Thank you for the food. You can leave now."

  Shaking his head, he sat across from her. "I promised Logan I'd stay and ensure you ate first."

  She drawled, "This is my house, you know."

  "I know, but you also deal with dragonmen every day. If one makes a promise, do you think they break it easily?"

  "No," she muttered. "Never would I think it a negative trait."

  She slid into the chair and picked up a fork. The faster she ate, the sooner Chase would leave.

  Her dragon jumped in again. Why? His eyes flashed. He's interested. Why not take what he offers?

  Because he probably wants more than I can give him, and you know it. Clan doctors rarely have mates, unless their mate is also a doctor who understands the long hours. Chase is an electrician, and it would never work.

  How do you know?

  Right now, I'm too tired to talk. Leave me alone.

  With a huff, her dragon curled up into a ball and ignored her.

  After a few bites, she glanced up. Chase watched her.

  He said, "Even with pasta sauce on your chin, you're beautiful, lass."

  Grabbing a napkin, she wiped her face. Enough. She handled the most stubborn of dragonmen on a daily basis. She would deal with the one currently in her kitchen. "Chase, you're not getting laid tonight, so save your time and go home."

  His pupils turned to slits and back. "Aye, well, I can wait. You're worth it."

  For the first time, she didn't think of Chase as the younger, easily impressionable male. No, his words were full of promise and determination.

  Time slowed as they stared at one another, and a rush of desire flooded her body at the image of Chase looking at her like that when he claimed her.

  Her dragon spoke up. You've never had a wild night in your life. Take it. He wants us. It'll be good.

  Her beast's words made her stand and back away. No, I can't. There's Alistair who might need us, and Finn is also counting on us.

  That's an excuse, and you know it.

  Chase moved to stand in front of her. She had to look up a few inches to meet his gaze, and did her best to ignore the heat radiating from his body. "I'm patient, Layla. Remember that."

  She half expected for him to kiss her, or touch her, or maybe even press her against the counter and lift her up.

  But all he did was wink and head out the door.

  When she heard the front door click closed, she slowly slid to the floor and rested her head on her knees.

  Not because she was sad Chase had left, although that was a wee bit true. No, more because for a split second, she'd envied the females who didn't have to dedicate sixty, eighty, or more hours a week to keep the clan healthy. Females who had time for males, dating, and even families.

  But Layla would most likely never be one of those females.

  Medicine had been her life for so long, and she could never abandon it. And since dragon-shifter doctors were in short supply, she would forever be a workaholic.

  Fifteen minutes ago, that hadn't mattered. However, now was a different story.

  Now it made her want to cry.

  Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to eat what was left of her dinner and head upstairs. She was exhausted, that was all. A solid four hours of sleep would do wonders for her mental state, and she'd stop being so silly.

  Layla was a doctor and would always be one. Clan came first, no matter what. That was the life she'd signed up for, and she'd best remember that.

  Chapter Thirteen

  A familiar cadence filtered into Alistair's ears, one he both loved and dreaded.

  His mother's.

  He couldn't quite make out the words. A fog settled over him, one that seemed to keep his eyelids or any other part of his body from working.

  Although the silence inside his head meant something had happened to his dragon.

  His first instinct was panic—as much as his dragon could be annoying, the thought of never talking with him again was unthinkable.

  Some part of his body must've moved because someone grabbed his hand and lightly squeezed. The words were fuzzy, but slowly he could understand them. "Alistair, lad, are you awake? Come on, open your eyes, even if just a wee bit, and let your mother know you're okay. You don't want to take more years off my life, aye?"

  Leave it to his mother to both worry about him and guilt trip him.

  However, that comforted him in a way. Enough to help push down his panic until he heard an explanation. Because surely there was one, otherwise he wouldn't be alive.

  Another familiar voice filled the room, that of Dr. Layla MacFie. "Alistair, if you're awake, either grunt or move a finger."

  His bloody finger wouldn't move, so he did his best to grunt. While it was barely audible, it was enough for Layla to order, "Meg, I need you to wait outside. Logan, good, you're here. Be at the ready, in case we need to tame his dragon again."

  He wanted to a
sk what could go wrong, and what be at the ready meant. While Alistair had been prepared to die earlier to protect Kiyana, he was alive now and didn't have it in him to sacrifice himself again.

  Kiyana. He wanted to ask where she was, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't speak.

  Layla continued, "I know you probably have questions, Alistair. Who wouldn't? But right now, I need to assess your situation. And to do that, I want you to try something simple, such as opening your eyes. If you're willing to try, make a noise again."

  Since he trusted Layla, he did as she asked because she would do everything to make him better as soon as possible, even if he didn't want to take it slow and easy.

  After attempting to grunt again, he focused on his eyelids. They were so bloody heavy, it was as if they were made out of concrete instead of flesh.

  But if he wanted answers, he needed to try.

  After what seemed like hours, he managed to squint a bit. The light blinded him at first, but Layla's face slowly came into focus. Good doctor that she was, she kept her expression welcoming and free of anything negative.

  Sometimes he wondered if Layla should've been a Protector instead of a doctor since she could keep her thoughts to herself better than almost anyone else he'd known.

  She did something with his eyes and a small torch. Normally, he'd know what it was called, but he was exhausted and not at his best.

  Putting her torch away, Layla nodded. "You're coming around. The initial danger has passed, but I'm going to be honest—I don't know what, if any, side effects will show up once you're healed.

  He croaked, "Why?"

  "Aye, well, the surgery was only the first step. Once you've recovered from that, we'll have to discuss your options."

  Doing the best he could, he asked, "Kiyana?"