Never Dare a Dragon

by Ashlyn Chase

  Drake looked like he was trying to choke back tears. He strode to Amy and pulled her into a tight hug. “I don’t care what anyone says. I’ve found a sister.”

  The room was silent except for some sniffles. Rory and Conlan stared at each other. Kristine saw the look that passed between them.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  The elder dragons turned to her and smiled. Rory spoke up first. “Mayhaps we’ve all found each other at last.”

  “It was our uncle Faelen who left Ireland before the battle of Ballyhoo,” Conlan added.

  Kristine touched her widow’s peak. “I don’t know much about my father’s lineage. So at this point I would guess that our yellow mark, which matches Drake’s, probably belonged to his father—or his father’s father—and the slight bit of orange I can see in Conlan’s roots were probably indicative of his father’s line.”

  Conlan rose, strolled to the mirror over the fireplace, and inspected his widow’s peak. “I’ve been neglectin’ me appearance while on me quest.”

  “Rory? Do you have a mark?” Kristine asked.

  “Indeed. Me sisters and I all sport the red streak. Like you, we dyed it to match the rest of our hair. Chloe’s hair is blonde. Shannon’s is red—well, more like flame-orange. Not the soft strawberry-blonde hair you have.”

  Jayce finally said something. “Am I to understand that you’re all cousins from some royal family long ago?”

  Rory grinned. “It would appear so.”

  Amber said, “Let me try to put this together. Maybe a thousand years ago there were a couple of dragons who miraculously survived the original St. Patrick’s Day.”

  “More than a thousand, but yes,” Rory said. “St. Patrick lived in the fourth century.”

  Conlan set his whiskey on the mantelpiece. “When St. Patrick drove all snakes and serpents over the cliffs, our grandparents managed to grab hold of a rock or two and scramble into a cave as they went over the side. Mayhaps a few others survived in similar ways.”

  “Our kin became king and queen of the cliffs, living simply and in secret,” Rory said. “After St. Patrick died, they felt comfortable building their castle on the edge of that cliff over the caves. A few humans inhabited the castle aboveground, and only the dragons had access to the cliffs—flying at night to remain unseen.”

  “So the humans still thought all the dragons were gone?” Amber asked.

  Rory nodded. “For the most part. A trusted few may have known the truth.”

  “Okay. So the survivors…” Amber continued. “The king and queen had three sons. One had a red mark in his widow’s peak, one had an orange mark, and one had a yellow mark. Eventually, the twins—one with a red mark and one with an orange mark—challenged each other to take over as king when their father died or moved on or whatever. Right?”

  “That is correct.” Rory said.

  “So what happened to your grandparents? Why was the crown up for grabs?”

  “The same thing that happens to all dragons after a time. Humans became suspicious of their longevity. They had to say good-bye and settle somewhere else until all those humans passed away. Only then could they return—when they would no longer be recognized.”

  “Only they never returned,” Conlan said and took a sip of his whiskey. He smacked his lips and said, “Ahhh.”

  “So the crown passed to the eldest.” Rory adjusted in his seat. “Me father was assumed to be the eldest and ruled for many years. Then when the midwife became dotty with age, she seemed to think Conlan’s father was born first. That doubt caused the rift between the brothers. Some human knights aligned with one and some with the other, hopin’ to gain a powerful place in the court of the victor.”

  “I think we’ve gone over the rest,” Conlan said with finality.

  Kristine looked between her mother and now the men who were possibly her cousins. “So we’re Irish? But our last name is Scott.”

  Amy looked at her and shrugged. “Not very original, but if my father was trying to hide his Irish heritage, changing his name from Arish to Scott would make sense.”

  Drake said, “My mother died not long ago, so I canna confirm all the information. All I know is that I have found two I can call sister and niece when I thought I had no family left.”

  He laughed. “So I guess you outrank me in this convoluted heir-to-the-throne business if your father is the mysterious dragon who disappeared from Ballyhoo, Ireland.”

  “Not so fast,” Conlan said. “Rory’s younger sister, Chloe, is queen and living in the castle that she and her husband are restoring as we speak.”

  “So how did Chloe become queen when she’s not the oldest?” Amy asked.

  Rory and Conlan glanced at each other.

  “Rory is eldest, and I would be next in line…had everything gone smoothly,” Conlan explained. “Chloe was third. Rory abdicated the throne in order to stay here in Boston and open this B and B with his ladylove, Amber.”

  The two of them gazed at each other and exchanged loving smiles.

  Conlan continued, “Me brothers and I did not want to cause another rift like our fathers had, so we made no claim to the throne at Ballyhoo. We have our whiskey business in Belfast, and we live like kings there.”

  Amber gave Conlan a sly smile and wink. “And besides, the Ulster cousins have an important mission. They’re in search of a single female dragon in order to keep the line going. As you know, dragons can only create life with another dragon.”

  Conlan glanced at the two female dragons. “Perhaps there’s hope for the species yet.”

  Kristine held up her hands. “Don’t look at me…”

  “I’m not lookin’ at you, luv.” Conlan stared at Amy and Amy at Conlan.

  “But we might be cousins,” Amy whispered to him.

  “But we might not be.” Conlan waggled his eyebrows.

  Everyone in the room laughed.

  “There’s one more thing,” Drake said. “My parents met in Canada. It’s only a rumor or speculation, but I think my father’s family made it to Greenland a few centuries after the St. Patrick debacle…with the Vikings.”

  Rory slapped his leg. “Of course! The Vikings! Mayhaps they scooped up some survivors. They were sailin’ all around the North Atlantic. There’s evidence of their having made it to Greenland more than a thousand years ago.”

  “I wouldna be surprised to learn that they found some displaced dragons on outlying islands and brought them along,” Conlan said.

  “And who could survive a cold, hostile environment like Greenland?” Drake asked. “Dragons! I’ve always figured that Scotland had to be the origin of my father’s side simply because of my last name. And now my mother’s side—Scottish, Irish, or whatever—could be sitting right next to me.”

  Amy and Drake rose and hugged each other. Then Drake held one arm out to Kristine. She stepped into the group hug. She let out a sigh of relief. Not just that she may have found some legitimate family—but that the word legitimate didn’t come up in conversation.

  “And what about your father, Kristine?” Conlan asked.

  Suddenly Jayce jumped up and said, “I almost forgot. We have dinner reservations. If we leave right now, we’ll just make it before they give away our table.”

  Kristine gave him a grateful smile and followed him to the coat closet.

  “Quick thinking,” she whispered.

  “Actually, I was thinking about it all along but didn’t want to interrupt. It didn’t seem like the right time.”

  “Your timing was perfect.”

  * * *

  “So, Jayce,” his father said at the next Sunday dinner. “How was your vacation?”

  “It was great.” Jayce shoveled a good portion of lasagna in his mouth and chewed slowly.

  Antonio raised one eyebrow. “Is that so? You look like you
need a vacation from your vacation. Do I see a little gray in your temples?” Everyone looked at Jayce, as if they were checking him out for the first time.

  Jayce shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re inferring. We’re all getting older, you know…”

  “Oh, I know,” Antonio said sardonically. “But you look like you’ve aged a few years in just a few days. You haven’t been flying during your time away, have you?”

  Jayce just shoved a bigger piece of lasagna in his mouth and chewed. All his family members seemed to be holding their breaths and watching him, waiting to hear what he would say. They never lied to their father when he asked a question point-blank. Jayce wouldn’t either. He just hoped there would be a distraction…and yet the distraction that occurred was not what he wanted.

  Sandra doubled over and cried out in pain. Miguel grabbed her shoulder. “Are you all right?”

  “No. Something is wrong…with the baby.” Her free hand was cradling her baby bump.

  Gabriella Fierro shot to her feet. “Do something! We have six EMTs around this table. Surely one of you can help her.”

  Sandra leaned away from the table and glanced down. “Oh no…”

  “What is it, honey?” Miguel’s brow furrowed.

  “I think something awful has happened. I’m bleeding,” Sandra said with a shaky voice.

  Three cell phones punched in 911 at the same time. Antonio held up one hand. “I’ll call for an ambulance. Get yourselves out on the sidewalk…and move your cars to make room for the ambulance.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Miguel stated.

  “Of course not,” Gabriella said.

  “911, what is your emergency?”

  Jayce was just about to get up and join his brothers when his father put his hand over the microphone end. “Jayce. Stay put. You need to think about running the family when I leave, so you should see what it takes.”

  Jayce thought this was totally unnecessary but didn’t question or disagree with his father. He was going to be in enough hot water when the old man remembered he’d never answered his question about shifting and flying.

  “We have a pregnant woman in her second trimester, and she’s experiencing sudden sharp pains,” Antonio barked into the phone. “She said she’s bleeding.” Then he rattled off the address and gave his name and the name of the baby’s parents.

  Sandra was leaning against Miguel’s shoulder, and he was rubbing circles over her back.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Gabriella asked, wringing her hands.

  “Not until the ambulance gets here,” Miguel said.

  “I was asking Sandra.”

  “I… I don’t know. Could you get me a glass of ice water?” Sandra asked. Beads of sweat were popping out on her forehead.

  “Of course, darling. I’ll be right back.” Gabriella dashed to the kitchen.

  “No. Don’t drink water in case they have to do surgery,” Miguel said. “Just bring a cool, damp cloth, Mom.”

  Jayce felt helpless. His father was staying on the phone until the ambulance arrived. Miguel tried to keep Sandra calm. Gabriella returned with a damp washcloth. She bathed Sandra’s forehead and wrists with the cool cloth. He wasn’t needed on the sidewalk to help the ambulance. Four Fierros were certainly enough there.

  “It could just be Braxton-Hicks contractions,” Jayce said hopefully.

  Sandra gave him a sad smile. She probably knew it was too early for that.

  The sound of sirens was never more welcome in the Fierro household. In only a few minutes, two EMTs and two Fierros ran to Sandra’s side with a stretcher. Jayce and Miguel helped transfer Sandra from the chair to the stretcher. Blood on the chair didn’t escape the notice of the first responders.

  Noah removed her shoes and said, “Dante and Luca are standing in the parking spaces in front of the ambulance in case some numbskull decides to park there.”

  Gabe unfolded the blanket he held and laid it on top of her.

  “I’m going in the ambulance,” Miguel said.

  The EMTs nodded. Jayce didn’t know either of them, but they seemed to know what they were doing and didn’t give Miguel a hard time. Jayce felt assured that Sandra would get the care she needed as soon as possible.

  As they were wheeling her toward the front door, Jayce happened to glance over at his father. Antonio had put down his phone and gave Jayce a sad look.

  Gabriella had her hands folded in front of her and her eyes closed. He imagined she was praying, so he didn’t say anything that would interrupt her thoughts.

  When the second EMT had closed the front door, Antonio let out a deep breath. He rose and stood next to his wife as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. As soon as she was finished with her prayer, she turned into his embrace and let the tears fall.

  “She might not have lost it,” Jayce said. “It could be any number of things. She might be put on bed rest for a few weeks and still carry the baby to term.”

  Gabriella swiped at the tears on her cheeks. Jayce handed her his napkin, which was still clean, and she dried her eyes. “I hope you’re right, dear. She’s only twenty-four weeks, but babies have been born that early and survived.”

  The amount of blood on Sandra’s chair might suggest differently, but Jayce didn’t want to worry his mother. Mr. Fierro glanced over at the chair, which Jayce subtly pulled out enough for him to see, and he shook his head. He was so much taller than Gabriella that she didn’t see him.

  Chapter 11

  Kristine and her mother were at a nearby laundromat, taking care of the few clothes they had brought with them. Kristine cleared her throat and launched into the conversation she knew they needed to have alone.

  “I have to go home, Mom. Lieutenant Mahoney called and said there was a huge high-rise fire. Two guys were injured. They need me.”

  “Oh no, you don’t. It’s not safe to return yet. Is it?”

  “If Donkey Pizzle and company are looking for us, they probably know that we’re not in New York anymore.” Kristine tossed her thong onto the pile of granny panties she usually wore.

  Amy eyed the thong, and her eyebrows shot up. “Is that what I think it is?”

  “Not a word.”

  Amy chuckled. Soon she became serious. “I hope you’ll take a while to think about this. They’re bound to be furious that I got away, and I’m sure they’ll be looking for me.”

  “Well, they’re not going to find you because you’re staying here in Boston.”

  “But what about you? They could go after you next.”

  Kristine stuck her hand on her hip. “Let them try. I’m a freakin’ dragon.”

  “You aren’t thinking of doing anything stupid, like breathing fire in public, are you?” Amy folded her arms and stared at her daughter. “We don’t have the power to erase minds.”

  Kristine was determined. Her fellow firefighters needed her. She was the only one who was fireproof, not that they knew that. But she was always able to pull them out of danger, and if worst came to worst, she could fly out of any situation and shift back in the smoke before anyone saw her. At least that’s how it had turned out so far.

  Amy sighed. “You have that look on your face.”

  “What look?”

  “The one that says ‘Don’t bother…I know what I’m doing, and nothing you say will stop me.’”

  Kristine chuckled. “Yup. You know me well.”

  Amy shook her head and went back to folding socks. “I don’t suppose Jayce can go with you? Can he?”

  “I doubt it. He’s needed here in Boston. He just took a vacation, so I imagine he can’t get away again for a while.”

  “I wish you’d reconsider… I know you can protect yourself but not without using your supernatural powers, and you know why we can’t do that.”

  Kristine rolled her eyes. “Yes
, I know. People will see us as a threat. Then capture and study us or just outright kill us. People are stupid.”

  “No, people are human. They fear what they don’t understand, and trying to understand that dragons are real is beyond most modern thinkers. There’s really no point in arguing this,” Amy said. “It’s the only hard-and-fast rule I’ve ever demanded of you. That hasn’t changed.”

  Kristine dropped the T-shirt she had been about to fold. “Seriously? I’m an adult now. You really can’t tell me what to do or what not to do anymore.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  Kristine ignored the comment and returned to folding her FDNY T-shirt. When she couldn’t afford to finish college, the only saving grace was that she could become a firefighter. It was a noble calling, and it fulfilled her in a way she hadn’t expected.

  Still, a college degree would help her rise up the ladder. Not that she’d want to go so high she didn’t see any action at all. But becoming a lieutenant would be nice. As it was, she would have to start all over in Boston, but she really thought she could make a difference if she had a little more clout.

  Kristine had taken a few brave chances and demonstrated how valuable she was to her fellow FDNY firefighters. They had stopped questioning her abilities as a woman long ago, and she had proven herself many times over. She felt regretful for the high-rise getting so out of control. Had she been there, she might have been able to help. “I’m sorry, Mom, I have to go back.”

  Amy shook her head and remained silent.

  “On the plus side, while I’m there, I can search for a new apartment for us.”

  Amy bit her lip but still didn’t respond.

  Kristine had to wonder what was going on in her mother’s head. Did she want to stay in Boston, even though her job was in New York? She’d bet meeting Conlan had something to do with it. “So, should I look for a one bedroom or two?”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  Kristine slapped her hands over her eyes. “I don’t fucking believe this. You’re the one who wanted to stay in New York. Your job at the acting school was so important to you, and there’s nothing like that in Boston.”