The Dracons' Woman: Book 1 of the Soul-Linked Saga

by Laura Jo Phillips

  Faron rapidly informed Eldar Hamat of the situation. When he was finished, he immediately asked the question to which he most wanted an answer.

  “My first thought was that we were dealing with a shape changer,” he said. “But from what Dav told me it begins to look like a sugea. I recall from my school studies that sugeas are temperamental and egotistical, preferring to work alone. Is it possible that one would work with an adinare?”

  Eldar Hamat frowned as he considered everything Faron had told him. “Before the Dark Time it is true that the sugea would not deign to associate with any below their rank, and they were the highest ranking creature of Narrastia,” he said at last. “However, who knows what changes the centuries have wrought for any surviving Narrasti? I’m afraid we cannot depend on old knowledge in this matter.” Eldar Hamat shook his head. “This is most disturbing news,” he said. “I do not wish to intrude upon your authority Prime Guardian, but I think it would be best if I examined this body myself.”

  Relief rushed through Faron. “Eldar Hamat, I would be both pleased and honored for any help you are able to provide. That you would agree to come so far is more than I hoped for.”

  “I will need time to brief the council,” he said. “While I do that, my assistant will begin making arrangements for an air transport.” Eldar Hamat frowned. “I doubt I will be able to get there before morning,” he warned.

  “The body of the human male is in a stasis bag,” Faron told him. “It will keep until you arrive.”

  Eldar Hamat gave Faron his personal vox code so that he could be updated in the event of further developments. Faron thanked Eldar Hamat, wished him a safe and speedy journey, and closed the connection.

  Faron was a warrior, both by training and birth. He could, and would, take whatever was thrown at him and fight back with all of the courage and will he owned. He would never back down or turn from a battle.

  But this was too big for him to handle on his own and he knew it. He desperately needed Eldar Hamat’s experience and was immensely relieved that he would get it. Feeling better knowing that the Bearens and Eldar Hamat were on their way, he made his way back to the front of the house and resumed pacing as he waited for Ric to arrive with Pater.

  Several minutes later Billy once again approached him with the vox. “It’s your brothers,” Billy said as Faron took the device and clipped it to his ear. “Thanks,” he said, then paced away from the young man.

  “What?” he said into the mic.

  “We got us a mess here,” Dav said calmly, though Faron heard the underlying emotion in his brother’s voice.

  “Tell me,” he demanded.

  “We’re in the kitchen of the CoffeeSpot,” Dav told him. “Fera is unconscious but alive. She’s been beaten.” Dav paused for a long moment and Faron knew his brother was fighting down a blood-rage caused by the sight of the battered female. He held onto his patience and waited for his brother to collect himself.

  “There’s blood all over the place,” Dav continued finally. “I think its Lenno’s. His clothing is here, but there is no sign of his body.”

  Faron frowned, then felt his stomach lurch as he remembered Bearen’s search of the skyport and what he’d found. This whole mess just kept getting worse and worse.

  “Frith’s scent is here, as well as the scent of that thing I smelled outside the gate,” Dav continued. “From what I can piece together, it looks like one or both of them killed Lenno, and Frith beat his sister while the other thing…” Dav hesitated, but Faron already knew what his brother didn’t want to say.

  “The other thing ate Lenno,” he finished for Dav.

  “Yes,” Dav replied shortly.

  “Can you move Fera without causing further injury?” Faron asked.

  “Yes, we think so,” Dav replied. “Ban already called the human doctor here in town and told him that we were bringing her in. Ban’s going to carry her over there now. I’ll stay here and make sure the place is locked up tight.”

  “I’m going to call Jackson Bearen and tell him to stop there on his way in. That’s a crime scene and more his territory than ours. He’ll call the right people in. Just stay there until Jackson arrives, then you and Ban head on back here.”

  “Will do,” Dav replied. The line was silent for a moment before Dav cleared his throat and asked the question Faron was waiting for. “This is what I’m afraid it is, isn’t it?” Dav asked.

  “Yes. It is,” Faron replied.

  After he closed the call, Faron immediately called Jackson Bearen. He gave him a quick run-down on events since he’d last spoken to the security chief, including the possible sighting of a sugea. Faron had not realized how talented Jackson was when it came to creative swearing. He had to admit to himself that he was impressed.

  Jackson assured him that he would immediately call in the appropriate personnel to handle the crime scene. He also promised to stop at the café to scent it himself in order to determine for sure if it matched what he’d scented on the skyport. Faron suggested that he also scent the stolen ground-car and Bearen agreed.

  Now all Faron had to do was wait until Ric arrived with Pater. He was both anxious for them to arrive, and dreading it.

  Chapter 19

  The next few hours were the longest of Garen’s, Trey’s and Val’s lives as they fought to keep Lariah unconscious and unaware even as the pain in her body fought to waken her. The convulsions and contortions of her delicate form were so violent they feared her bones would break until finally, unable to help her any other way, they held her firmly to the bed, tears streaking all of their faces. When at last her body became still, they were almost afraid to believe it was over.

  Riata examined her yet again, and sighed. “It is complete,” she said. Never in her long life had she undergone such an agonizing experience. The pain Lariah’s body had experienced was mind breaking and she could not imagine what she would have done for her without the Dracons’ magical abilities.

  Trey went into the bathroom and came back with several damp cloths. He handed one to Val and they began cleansing Lariah’s body of the sweat that had poured from her during her ordeal. Garen watched for a moment, relieved that Lariah was at rest now, unwilling to do anything to change it. But, there was a problem and ignoring it would not make it go away. He turned to Riata.

  “There is an…oddity,” he said hesitantly, “that we are uncertain about. It may, or may not, be important”

  Riata’s brows rose. “What oddity?” she asked.

  “As I believe you now know, after two injections, our mating fangs are shed,” Garen said.

  “Yes, I am aware of this.”

  “After we gave Lariah the second injection, our mating fangs did not shed,” Garen told her.

  Riata stilled. Her eyes unfocused for long minutes, while Garen, Val and Trey watched quietly.

  Finally Riata’s eyes focused on Garen. “I believe that when your species of female is injected the first time, the first thing that occurs is that her regeneration ability is increased. This is necessary in order for the body to be capable of shifting from one form to another. Your females are not born shifters, so this step is vital. After that step, the genetic code is changed so that the female is capable of shifting into the clan of her mates. In human women, the potion altered serum stops the process after the regeneration step.” Riata was pacing as she spoke, her brow furrowed with concentration.

  “The second injection, in your species of female, alters the reproductive organs so that the female is capable of carrying children fathered by her specific clan of mates. It also sets up her body’s requirements to perform the soul-link, which causes the mating fever. In human women, the potion altered serum changes the reproductive organs, and then stops.”

  Riata stopped pacing, then went back to Lariah once more. “I believe that the oddity in Lariah’s genetic code acted as a sort of…timer, if you will. Once activated by your serum, it sped up her regenerative abilities, only from human to Jasani.
It then continued to correct her genetic code, much as it would in a woman of your own species, making it not just Jasani, but specifically dracon. The second injection, instead of altering just her reproductive organs, altered her tissues and organs to be Jasani. Now, a third injection is needed to complete the process, to set up her body’s requirements to perform the soul-link.”

  Garen stared at Riata, uncomprehendingly. “What are you saying?” he asked.

  “You must inject her a third time,” Riata said.

  Garen shook his head. “Another risk? I don’t think we could stand it Riata.”

  “Wait,” Trey exclaimed. “The three,” he gasped. Garen stared at him, uncomprehending.

  Trey frowned in thought for a moment before reciting, “Have they faith in the three, by the three shall all be blessed.”

  Garen’s eyes widened in sudden understanding. He looked to Val, and saw that he, too, understood. Was that right? He could think of no other explanation, but what if they were wrong? Garen felt tortured by indecision. He shook his head and turned to Riata who was looking at him in mild confusion.

  “It is a line from the prophecy,” he explained. “A line that has never been understood. It seems to indicate this is the right thing to do, but what if we are wrong?”

  Riata smiled. “You do not fully understand Highness,” she said. “Lariah is no longer a human female. She is fully a Jasani female, with all of the abilities of one. The first known Jasani female in three thousand years. What is more, she is dracon.”

  Garen, Trey and Val openly gaped at Riata, their mouths open for so long that Riata smiled. Finally Garen closed his mouth with a snap, Val and Trey immediately doing the same.

  “You are certain of this?” Garen asked, hardly able to make himself believe that what she had said could possibly be true. He had never even dreamed such a thing was possible. His wildest dreams had Lariah miraculously able to give them male children. No more. And for all of them, that would have been more than enough. Just Lariah herself without children would have been enough. But this….

  Riata stepped over to the bed and raised her hands over Lariah again. After several moments she lowered them and smiled. “Yes, I am certain. I believe that she will awaken shortly. When she does, the mating fever will rise in her.” She looked at the three men, all still staring at her in disbelief, though at least their mouths were closed. Her brows lowered sternly. “If you do not complete the soul-link triad with her, and inject her a third time, she will die,” she told them bluntly.

  That got their attention. “How much time do we have?” Trey asked.

  “Generally, the final injection must be completed within 24 hours. But, as you know, we are in new territory here. I would not recommend that you wait too long.”

  Garen and Trey exchanged worried glances. Val sighed. “Is there a problem?” she asked.

  “We have not explained to Lariah what a soul-link triad is,” Garen admitted. Riata arched a brow at him. “We didn’t think there was any reason to,” he said, wincing inwardly at the defensive note he heard in his own voice.

  “Do you have any reason to believe that she would…balk…?” Riata asked, knowing that for herself, she would die of embarrassment. But, she was not Jasani.

  “No,” Val answered. “But I must ask, are you certain that she is…capable of performing the soul-link triad with us? In the old way?”

  “I am certain, Highness,” she said firmly.

  Suddenly, Lariah’s eyes opened and she sat up in bed. “Oh,” she exclaimed. Garen, Trey and Val immediately scented her sudden, fierce arousal. Her face flushed with heat and her eyes widened. She swallowed hard.

  “What’s happening to me?” she asked, her voice husky and uncertain.

  “It is the mating heat,” Garen replied.

  Lariah shook her head, not understanding. “How?” she asked.

  “I will leave you now,” Riata interrupted.

  “Please, check her once more,” Garen asked. “To be sure she is well enough for this.”

  Riata opened her mouth, then closed it. There was no reason to argue. Garen was worried and after all that had happened, it was understandable. It would not hurt to check one more time. “Please lie down Lariah,” she said, her voice gentle. “This will take only a moment.”

  Lariah laid down slowly, the feel of the silky nightgown against her skin almost too much to bear. She bit her lip hard and forced herself to remain still even as her face reddened with embarrassment. She was so aroused she could hardly bear it, and she knew that the Healer would discern that easily.

  Riata held her hands over Lariah’s body, checking her carefully. The arousal the young woman felt was shocking to her but, as always, she kept her thoughts and feelings to herself. At last she finished, lowered her hands and stepped away from the bed.

  “She is well,” Riata said, “but the mating heat is very strong already. I urge you not to wait too long. I fear that if you do, she will suffer for it.”

  Garen’s hesitation and worry fled at once at those words. Lariah had been through more than enough. They would not do anything to make it worse.

  “We ask that you wait Healer, and check her for us once the ritual is complete,” Trey said.

  Riata nodded. “Of course Highness,” she replied. “I would not wish to do other.”

  “I will see you out,” Val offered, walking to the door and opening it for the Healer. After leading her into the living room and informing Suly that they had a guest, he returned to the bedroom. Garen and Trey were beside Lariah on the bed and he quickly joined them.

  “What is happening to me?” Lariah asked.

  “You are now Jasani,” Garen told her, knowing that they did not have time for long explanations. “You are also dracon,” he added.

  “Wow,” Lariah said, then her body shuddered uncontrollably and she moaned softly. “Okay, details later,” she panted. “What is happening to me now?”

  “Do you remember when we told you that Jasani women had to be injected within 24 hours or the mating fever would kill them?”

  Lariah’s eyes widened. “So this is the mating fever huh?

  Garen nodded. “Well, it’s um….intense.” she gasped as her body shuddered again. “So can we maybe do the injection thing soon?”

  “We must perform the soul-link triad,” Trey said.

  Lariah groaned again and began to shake, her small body moving the entire bed. “Hurry,” she gasped.

  “Do you want us to explain it to you?” Val asked as he stood up and began removing his clothes.

  Lariah quickly shook her head. “Hurry, please,” she gasped again. Garen was horrified to see tears running down her face. He leapt up, removed his clothes as fast as he could and reached for Lariah, pulling the nightgown off of her body in one swift motion.

  Her nipples were hard pebbles and her thighs were soaked with her fluids. He urged her to lie down as Val climbed onto the bed, spread her legs wide and lowered his mouth to her pulsing pussy. One lick and Lariah arched her back off the bed, nearly sobbing with the intensity of her arousal. She needed desperately to climax. Garen lowered his lips to hers and plunged his tongue into her mouth as his hands went to her breasts. He pinched her nipples firmly and took her deep shuddering moan into his mouth. She broke the kiss, panting and gasping, her eyes desperate.

  “Nip her,” Garen growled to Val, “she needs to come right now,”

  Val immediately nipped Lariah’s clit hard, the way she liked it after a couple of hours of play, hesitant to do it so quickly but trusting Garen. Garen pinched her nipples again at the same time and tugged on them. Lariah’s entire body arched off the bed, tight as a bow, her eyes squeezed shut and her mouth open in a silent scream as the strongest orgasm she’d ever had ripped through her.

  Her body relaxed and fell back to the bed, Lariah fighting for air, but the desperation gone from her eyes. Garen knew it would be a short respite. They very clearly did not have hours to complete the ritual. He
was afraid they had only minutes.

  “Val, get the ointment,” he ordered. “We have little time. Trey, take your place.”

  Trey hurried over and laid down on the bed, his hips near the edge, feet on the floor.

  Already Lariah was feeling the need rise again with frightening speed, and Garen could feel the growing tension in her body. He lifted her up and lowered her slowly over Trey. Lariah realized at once what they wanted and spread her legs wide, one knee on either side of Trey. Trey grasped her hips and guided her hot sheath over his cock.

  Lariah wanted to slam herself down on him, put Trey held her firmly. “Slowly baby,” he said. “we must wait for Garen and Val.”

  Lariah nodded, but the fever was growing quickly and she knew that if not for Trey holding her, she would not have been able to wait a single moment. Her body began to shudder again. “Hurry,” she whispered, “please hurry.”

  Val handed the jar of cream to Garen who yanked the lid off and tossed it to the floor in his haste. He scooped a dollop onto his fingers and generously applied it to Lariah’s rear opening. He was relieved that she felt relaxed there. He did not want her hurt, and he knew that in her current state pain would not slow her down. He placed the head of his large cock at the tender entrance and paused one moment to calm himself. He suddenly realized that, for all of the fear and worry and haste, he and his brothers were actually performing a ritual that had not been performed for millennia. One which none thought would ever be performed again. He allowed himself a moment of wonder. Then Lariah’s whispered “hurry,” the edge of panic in her voice, had him pressing into her slowly. She tried to force him in faster, but Trey was holding her in place, refusing to allow her to cause herself harm. Garen groaned at the heat engulfing his cock as he seated himself fully into her tight passage. He could not believe how hot she was, and spared a moment to worry about her again.

  “Now, Trey,” he gasped. He felt Trey lower Lariah until he was fully seated inside her as well. Val was on the bed, positioned so that Lariah could easily take his cock into her mouth by turning her head.