“No, he’s in the middle of a minor surgery and can’t leave. Since Sid’s still resting from the frenzy, you’re our second choice.”
Gregor decided not to comment on Aaron’s less-than-enthusiastic tone. “What do we know?”
“Not much. One of the nurses is checking her out now.”
“Who’s the patient?”
Aaron looked over with a grim expression. “My mother.”
He may not know Aaron well, but Gregor still gripped the dragonman’s shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll take care of her.” Aaron’s expression was emotionless, so Gregor focused on his new patient. “Why was she outside the clan’s lands?”
“There’s no restriction to leave, as long as it’s in human form. My mum had just returned from visiting friends in Italy. We’d checked the surrounding areas and even had a guard posted with my mother. However, she had the car window open and she was attacked that way.”
“If that’s so, either there’s a traitor inside the clan or people are monitoring who comes and goes.”
“I’m aware of that,” Aaron bit out.
Dismissing Aaron’s attitude due to being concerned for his mother, Gregor followed the dragonman to the back entrance. A dark SUV came into view. On the other side of the vehicle one of the younger nurses, Thea, sat next to the motionless form of a middle-aged dragonwoman on the ground.
Gregor jogged to his patient and squatted down. As he did a quick examination, the nurse said, “Her breathing and heart rate are steady, although her pupils are slitted.”
Opening the female’s eyelids, he saw her pupils hadn’t changed. “What about an entrance wound? The others had slivers in their heads.”
Thea shook her head. “I can’t find anything. Although there is a residue around her nose and mouth.”
Bloody hell. If the attackers had changed the dosage method to an aerial spray that simply needed to be inhaled, that would be dangerous.
Gregor motioned to Thea and another surgery employee. “Take her to the surgery, but make sure to isolate her from the others. I want blood samples as well as whatever residue is on her face. I’ll be there shortly to take over for Trahern and allow him to analyze the samples.”
Thea bobbed her head as the other surgery employee laid out the stretcher. As soon as they put Aaron’s mother on it, they carried her off.
Gregor turned to Aaron. “Was anyone else affected in the car?”
Aaron shook his head. “No. The two others are fine.”
“That’s good news. It probably means the substance only affects those who inhale it directly, in large quantities. However, to be safe, implement a quarantine on the clan. Until I know exactly how this new attack works, I don’t want to risk anyone carrying something with them or leaving to be gassed along the way.”
Aaron clenched his fingers. “Will she be all right?”
“As soon as I know more, I’ll call you. Just make sure everyone stays put for now and reach out to the Irish clan. If we had another attack, they might have too. The more information I have, the better a diagnosis I can make.”
Aaron nodded. “Straight away.” He paused a second and added, “And take care of my mother.”
“Of course.”
With that, Aaron ran in the direction of the Protectors’ central command building and Gregor moved toward the surgery.
He hoped whatever had been sprayed on Aaron’s mother wasn’t contagious. Until he knew for certain, he would maintain distance from Cassidy.
~~~
Aaron tapped his fingers against the desk. Why was Teagan O’Shea taking so bloody long to sign on to the video conference?
His dragon spoke up. I know you’re upset, but try to have patience. It’s only been a few minutes since you sent the text message. She’s clan leader and may be doing something else.
Then why would she say she’d be on right away? I don’t have time to waste, dragon.
Mum will be okay.
Aaron knew his dragon was right since Molly Caruso was a fighter. After all, she had survived the death of a mate and raised a son mostly on her own, but because of that Aaron was protective of his mother. From a young age, he’d vowed to take care of her. It didn’t sit well with him that he’d failed.
His dragon swished his tail, but the face of the dark-haired female leader of Clan Glenlough appeared on his computer screen. Her Irish accent filled the room. “Make it quick, Caruso. I have things to take care of.”
He leaned forward. “Was there another attack on your clan?”
Her eyes widened. “No, why?’
He pounded a fist on the desk. “The bastards just attacked my mother.”
Something flashed in her eyes, but it was gone before he could make out what it was. “I’m sorry to hear that, Aaron. But I’m not sure what I can do.”
“Their style of attack has changed. Our doctor thinks the chemical is shot into the face of the target and they inhale it.”
“Do you know this for certain?”
“Tests are being run, but there’s no sign of an entry point like with the previous splinters. I would bet money the drug is in spray form.”
“What’s Stonefire’s plan of action?”
Aaron hesitated. He hadn’t asked permission to share the latest attack yet.
His beast huffed. Bram and Kai aren’t going to like it if you tell her.
Ignoring his dragon, Aaron went with his gut feeling that Teagan wouldn’t betray them, although he ignored why he trusted her. “We’re implementing a lockdown. I’d suggest you doing the same. Even without a second attack, Glenlough was targeted before and could be again.”
“Still nothing from Lochguard or Snowridge?”
“No other clan has reported anything. However, it doesn’t mean this problem isn’t more widespread.”
Teagan nodded. “I’ll increase security. Let’s agree to share anything else that happens related to this problem from here on out. Text me ‘pigeon’ and I’ll find a secure line as soon as possible.”
“Pigeon?”
“As in carrier pigeon, like the days of old.”
Under normal circumstances, Aaron might tease the Irish leader for the corny password. In the present, however, he grunted. “Fine. I’ll be in touch.”
Closing the connection, Aaron raced out of the small, private communications room and checked on his team in the command main area. He needed to find out who would attack Stonefire twice but also Glenlough once. There had to be a connection. The sooner he figured it out, the sooner he could stop the bastards who had targeted his mother.
~~~
Gregor finished the appendectomy and scrubbed his hands at the sink. No one had updated him in the last twenty minutes of any changes to Molly Caruso. All they knew for certain was that Molly wasn’t contagious.
While he figured Trahern was lost in analysis and blood work, Gregor was going to have to implement some rules about checking in every so often, even if it meant strapping a bloody alarm to Trahern’s wrist.
He arrived at the laboratory and didn’t bother to knock. Opening the door, he blinked to see Cassidy sitting next to the Welsh doctor. She met his gaze and frowned. “Next time, you had better wake me to help.”
It took everything he had not to bark for her to go back to their cottage and rest. Keeping his voice calm, he asked, “What have you discovered?”
“The compound is almost exactly the same as the one found in Dr. Sid’s body, with only one or two minor differences,” Trahern answered. “However, the formula is less potent and I’m fairly certain it needs to be inhaled in a sizable dose and at close range to have any effect.”
“Fairly certain isn’t certain,” Gregor bit out.
Cassidy sighed. “Stop it, Gregor. I’m perfectly fine. My dragon is sleeping and I was going crazy back at the cottage.” She pointed a finger at him. “Next time, you’d bloody well better tell me what’s going on. Stonefire is my family.”
His dragon spoke up. I would’ve told h
er.
Not dignifying his beast with a response, Gregor moved to stand behind Trahern and Cassidy. “I’ll tell you next time. Now, tell me what else you found out.”
“One of the minor differences Trahern mentioned was an increase in the ratio of the unidentified compound to the other elements,” Cassidy answered. “The question is whether Molly Caruso inhaled enough to affect her dragon or not. If so, it will probably have a worse effect on her beast than the child on Glenlough.”
“Or yourself,” Gregor pointed out.
Cassidy shook her head. “My case has too many unknown variables to be used as a standard. It’s much easier to compare the Glenlough child and Mrs. Caruso.”
“That’s all well and good, but this drug might have long-term effects. We need to be vigilant,” Gregor said. “Speaking of which, I should check on Molly Caruso.”
Cassidy stood up. “I’m coming with you.”
Gregor’s beast chimed in again. If you don’t let her come, you might push her away.
Not locking Cassidy away until her dragon was tamed and their child was born was proving harder than he’d ever imagined.
But his beast was right. “Then let’s go. Lewis, we’ll be back later.”
Trahern barely acknowledged their exit. Once they were in the hall, Gregor whispered, “How’s your dragon?”
“I told you, she’s asleep.” He merely raised his brows and Cassidy continued, “She was a pain earlier, but I think she and I are at an impasse until closer to my due date. However, I have a theory.”
Gregor raised his brows. “Care to tell me what it is?”
Cassidy lowered her voice. “I think we need to approach my dragon as if she’s a teenager. She may be thirty-eight years old, but she hasn’t had a chance to grow since we were fourteen.”
“Interesting. We can discuss your theory in more depth later, although I’m worried about your dragon affecting your work. Are you sure it’s a wise idea to be in the surgery?”
His doctor narrowed her eyes. “Don’t try to lock me up, Gregor. Of course I need to be careful, but I don’t see why I can’t work. After all, I hid my episodes for years with no one the wiser. If anything goes horribly wrong, I’ll leave.”
He stopped them in the hall and leaned closer to her face. “Just promise me you won’t hide anything from me. I’m trying not to be overly protective, but I’ll never succeed if you keep secrets.”
“I won’t ever keep secrets from you again, Gregor. I need you to trust me.”
Shit. His protectiveness was getting him into trouble.
His dragon spoke up again. Just trust her. She will tell us when something’s wrong.
“I do trust you, love.” He cupped her cheek. “But also understand that I’m still afraid of what might happen.”
Her expression softened. “If we’re honest and open, then we can handle anything.”
“My clever lass.”
She raised her chin. “Of course I’m clever.”
He smiled. “Right, then let’s use the cleverness for good and help our clan.”
“Our clan?”
“Aye, our clan. Not only because of you, but the English dragon-shifters are growing on me.”
She snorted. “Don’t say it as if you’ve just smelled something rotten.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “That will take some time.” He took her hand. “Come on. We have a clan to protect.”
Chapter Eighteen
A few days later, Sid sat next to Molly Caruso’s bed and looked over the dragonwoman’s chart for the tenth time.
Molly remained unconscious.
Placing the chart back on the end of the bed, Sid opened the female’s eyelid and found her pupil slitted. Not once had they been round when anyone checked.
Her gut said that Molly’s dragon was in charge, but unable to wake up. Sid only hoped the situation wasn’t permanent. And not just because Molly was part of her clan and Aaron kept threatening to find the bastards who did this on his own, but also because if this chemical was distributed over an entire clan in a high enough dose, chaos would follow. Even if they all fell unconscious, some would eventually wake up and their dragons might be out of their minds.
Proof was the child on Glenlough, whose dragon took charge more often than not. Thinking of the poor boy as he fought with the dragon half he should be embracing and getting to know made Sid clench her fingers. Whoever had formulated the drug must not have a heart. Who in their right mind would target an innocent child?
Taking a deep breath, Sid pushed aside her anger. She needed to use her energy more wisely, especially since she had trouble working the long hours she once had. Gregor’s bloody baby was already making her life difficult.
Although imagining a little blond-haired boy grinning as he talked his way out of a reprimand made Sid smile. Regardless of how much trouble their child caused, she still looked forward to being a mother with her Scot at her side.
Her dragon stirred and she quickly wiped her thoughts. She didn’t want to fight an unnecessary battle with her beast over their future and use up what precious energy she had.
Just as Sid turned toward the door, the disheveled hair and dark, day-old beard of Trahern Lewis entered the room. He said without preamble, “Snowridge just sent the name of the rare moss Dr. Hughes used in that case we read about as well as Clyde’s notes on its uses.”
She guided him out of the room and shut the door before she ordered, “Tell me everything you know, including if you think it will help the victims?”
“Clyde seems to think it calms our inner dragons, regardless of the cause. An initial analysis told me it’s nontoxic.”
“The only question is what the side effects may be,” Sid murmured.
“Correct. While I’ve catalogued the side effects of every known substance I’ve come into contact with, this moss isn’t among them for obvious reasons,” Trahern replied.
“And how long will it take before you start discovering them?”
“I don’t know. By myself, it could take days, maybe even weeks, if I discount the long-term effects. If Dr. Emily Davies were here, I could pinpoint the main side effects much quicker.”
“She still hasn’t replied?” Trahern shook his head and Sid studied the dragonman. Her instinct said there was more to Emily and Trahern than former lab partners. But she didn’t have time to deal with that. “I’ll visit Bram if you hold the fort here.”
“What about Gregor?”
“He’s talking with Finn Stewart via video conference about staying. He should be back soon.”
Or so Sid hoped. Gregor had been away longer than she’d anticipated, but she refused to think Finn would deny his request to stay on Stonefire.
Trahern motioned down the hall with a hand. “Go find Bram and Gregor. I’ll go back to my laboratory until one of the nurses fetches me. I can look after any patients that need care.”
The dragonman basically lived in the laboratory, so she didn’t correct him about it being his. “I’ll have my mobile phone if you need me. Also, keep me updated on what you find.”
Trahern nodded and turned back toward the laboratory. Sid took that as her cue to leave.
While she should be excited about the possible moss to use for treatment, she was more concerned about Gregor. Conquering her beast would mean nothing if he was forced to leave Stonefire.
Yes, he drove her crazy with his overprotectiveness since the end of the frenzy, but he was already an integral part of her life. She couldn’t imagine waking up alone without his heat and scent at her side.
Maybe one day, she would have her mate, her child, and her dragon all living in peaceful harmony.
She blinked. Gregor’s optimism was definitely rubbing off on her.
Her beast flicked her tail but remained silent. Sid wasn’t sure if her dragon being trapped behind a wall or her being present but silent was worse.
Maybe Trahern’s moss would help.
Pushing the thought aside, she
increased her pace. She could daydream about a happy future later. For now, she needed to get Trahern the help he needed. Sid needed to talk with Bram before finding Gregor.
She soon knocked on Bram’s front door and Evie answered. The human sighed. “Please tell me there’s not another emergency.”
Sid raised her brows. “Another emergency?”
Evie motioned inside. As soon as Sid was inside, Evie shut the door and whispered, “Two humans showed up at the back entrance about twenty minutes ago.”
“Is there another threat? As clan doctor, I need to know that as soon as possible.”
Evie shook her head. “No. Bram would’ve sent a message if they had been.”
“Then who are they?” Sid asked.
“Dr. Emily Davies and Dr. Alice Darby.”
Trahern’s friend had arrived, but something niggled at the back of Sid’s mind. “The name Alice Darby sounds familiar.”
“That’s because she’s my friend who’s been missing for over a year.”
At Evie’s controlled tone, Sid asked, “Then why aren’t you in there with Bram? Surely he’d want you there.”
“Apparently not. Something about emotions and needing answers, such as how the bloody hell they found their way to our back entrance undetected, let alone how the two know each other.”
“I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”
Bram’s voice echoed down the hallway. “Aye, there is. Sid, take Dr. Davies to Trahern. Evie, come here.”
A short, slightly plump woman with dark hair moved past Bram as he said, “This is Dr. Emily Davies. Dr. Davies, this is Sid, our chief doctor. She’ll fill you in on what you need to know.”
Sid shared a glance with Bram and he bobbed his head imperceptibly. That was the all-clear to share information.
Emily’s Welsh accent garnered her attention. “Nice to meet you. I know I’m here unannounced, but I didn’t want to risk the DDA saying no. Showing up was my best option.”
At the female’s smile, Sid’s tension eased a fraction. She’d almost expected another recluse like Trahern. “All that matters is Bram cleared you. So, let’s go. I’ll fill you in on the way.”
Cured by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 8) Page 15