Puzzles weren’t part of modern-day clan leader trials, but Teagan looked forward to it. In some ways, mental acuity was more important than ever in the present.
Her dragon huffed. I like the physical tests in the old way. My strength is important.
Of course it is. But I almost think it will sting their pride more if we beat them this way.
I don’t care how we do it, but we just need to win.
Before she could reply, a gong sounded and everyone quieted down as Colm took his place on a small raised dais. After another few beats, he spoke. “Orin Daly, Padraig O’Leary, and Hugh Burns have formally filed challenges against Glenlough’s current leader, Teagan O’Shea. To erase any doubts and to prevent war, Glenlough has decided to host a leadership challenge. However, this particular event will follow the challenges of old. Each participant will receive the first clue and must solve it and the subsequent ones in a certain order to find the hidden treasure at the end. To prevent cheating, each participant has a different set of clues, meaning the resulting treasures will be different. If any participant thinks to merely wait and steal another’s find, the judges will know. It is one of the ways for a person to be disqualified.
“Two others include killing or maiming an opponent. It should go without saying it’s forbidden, but I’m stating it for clarity. Observers have been stationed in key areas to ensure violence doesn’t occur. Any dragon who violates these rules will not only be disqualified, but will also stand trial on Glenlough once someone wins the challenge.
“Lastly, if any outside help is detected, the person in question will forfeit. This is a test of an individual’s skills alone.” Colm paused to look at them each in turn. “If the participants understand these stipulations, say aye.”
“Aye,” Teagan and the others answered.
Colm nodded. “There is no time limit to solve your set of clues. However, you must remain in the field and not take shelter or find food at any establishment or private residence. No other human or dragon-shifter is allowed to assist you, unless you are gravely injured and your life is in jeopardy. The puzzles will test your mental acuity, but you also must prove your survival skills.” Colm motioned to a group of people Teagan decided must be the judges since their faces were similar to the photographs she had received earlier. “Judges move into position to hand over the first clue.”
As the four individuals walked toward them, Teagan searched and found Aaron off to the side. He smiled and nodded at her.
Her dragon spoke up. He believes in us.
A female dragon-shifter with curly brown hair stopped in front of Teagan. It was Faye MacKenzie.
Even though they’d never been formally introduced, Faye smiled and the warmth reached her eyes. Teagan instantly knew she’d get along with the Scottish female.
We just have to win first, her dragon stated.
Colm’s voice filled the air again. “One final note—the humans have been barred from entering Glenveagh National Park and the surrounding areas for the duration of this contest. Anyone you see in the field is an observer or judge. They aren’t to be harmed.” He paused. Teagan and the others nodded. Colm added, “Right, then with everything laid out, it’s time to begin. Judges, hand over the clues and retreat back to your original spots.”
Faye handed over an envelope. The second it was in Teagan’s hands, she ripped it open and read the slip of paper inside:
Germany, Austria, and Mexico treasure me. However, Ireland killed me, but I was resurrected. Find your own possible rebirth in the tallest tree near the Derryveagh Mountains.
Teagan reread the clue before she pondered the meaning.
Germany and Austria both had eagles in their coat of arms. She didn’t know as much about Mexico, but there was a bird on the Mexican flag that resembled an eagle.
On top of that, eagles had been hunted to extinction in Ireland and were only reintroduced to County Donegal in 2001. In a way, that was a type of resurrection.
Her dragon spoke up. Then let’s find the nest in the tallest tree.
I only hope it’s a manmade one. I don’t want to harm the eagles. There are too few of them.
If Colm planned it, it will be a fake one. Now let’s go.
Teagan ran to a space big enough to shift, tore off her dress, and imagined her arm growing, her nose elongating into a snout, and wings sprouting from her back. Once she stood in her golden dragon form, she jumped into the sky and beat her wings.
One of the other competitors did the same a minute behind her, but Teagan focused on getting to the Derryveagh Mountains as quickly as possible. No doubt the next clue would be tougher, and she wanted to get started on it straight away.
~~~
Three hours later, Aaron stood next to Faye and Grant on the temporary viewing platform that had been constructed for the event. The challenges had been set up so that every participant would pass near one of the viewing platforms at least once. Well, if they solved the clues correctly at any rate.
However, no one had appeared near the northwest corner of Glenveagh National Park so far. The lack of activity made time move slower, especially since he wasn’t allowed to do anything but watch or talk with the judges.
His dragon huffed. Our luck, we won’t have anyone come by for days. I don’t want to camp that long.
Someone has gotten soft.
Look at the gray skies. You hate the rain as much as I do.
Instead of doing what his dragon asked, Aaron glanced over to see Faye leaning against Grant’s chest with Grant’s arms wrapped around her. His hands were protectively covering her lower belly.
Seeing the pair at such ease with each other made him miss Teagan all the more. He was anxious to hold his own female again, without worrying about their future. When she won the challenge, they could finally stop snatching a kiss or hug here or there and be open about it.
He hated the secrets, but he hadn’t lied earlier when he’d said that Teagan was worth waiting for. Even if the challenge took weeks, he’d manage.
His dragon spoke up. This challenge won’t take more than two days.
He tapped his fingers against his thigh. Even if that’s true, that’s still too bloody long.
“Where is she?” Aaron muttered. “I had expected her to be on the fourth clue by now, which would bring her our way.”
Grant spoke up. “Considering our first contender, Hugh Burns, hasn’t shown up, you’re being overly optimistic.”
Aaron met Grant’s gaze. “Hugh’s a bastard and not as brilliant as he claims to be. In my opinion, he might not be able to solve the clue at all and will never come this way.”
“Didn’t he challenge Teagan before and lose?” Faye asked. Aaron nodded and she added, “Then maybe he has something sinister planned.”
Aaron grunted. “If so, the other judges at their platforms and the Protectors flying overhead will catch him on it, and he’ll be thrown out of the contest. Once he forfeits, Teagan will have the power to banish him, and it’ll be one less thing for her to worry about.”
Grant jumped in. “Banishment may not be the best solution. Look what happened on Lochguard.”
The Scottish clan had asked the unsupportive members to leave. They had then formed a rogue band of dragon-shifters, which currently hid in Scotland. They often attacked and caused trouble.
Aaron shook his head. “I wouldn’t worry about it just yet. Teagan is the one to make the decision when it comes to banishing a clan member, and I’m not sure if she’d want to push anyone away. Unlike Finn, she’s been leader for almost five years, and there are only a handful of dissenters. Glenlough has had many female leaders in the past, including her grandmother. Speaking of which, Faye needs to meet her. She’s full of fire.”
Faye grinned. “That would be fantastic. While I’d never challenge Finn, maybe my daughter can lead the clan one day, and I could use all the pointers I can collect for her.”
“So you’ll be disappointed if we have a son?” Grant asked.
Faye rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t start that again. I’ll love any child we have. But let’s just say that I’m open to trying a few times to have a daughter. I’d like some balance in our cottage.”
“You already have balance,” Grant muttered. “I let you do what you wish with it.”
She sighed. “Except for the ridiculous amounts of security.”
“It’s necessary,” Grant stated.
As the pair continued to argue, Aaron gave them some privacy and scanned the skies yet again.
He tapped his fingers against the rail of the viewing platform. Come on, Teagan. Where are you?
His dragon answered, She’ll be here when she’s ready. Have faith.
Faye’s voice calling his name caught his attention. He looked at her and she asked, “Does anyone on Glenlough know that you love her, including Teagan herself?”
Aaron blinked. “How in the bloody hell do you know that I love her?”
Grant glared at him for his tone, but Aaron ignored him to focus on Faye’s reply. “Between the nonverbal exchange you two shared and how anxious you are right now with your flashing dragon eyes and constantly demanding to know where she is, it’s not that difficult to put it together. But I’m guessing you’re not true mates, aye?”
He could grunt and refuse to answer, but talking about it with the Scottish dragons wouldn’t do anything to harm Teagan’s reputation. He knew them well enough to know they could keep a secret, so he answered, “No, we’re not true mates. But I say fuck fate. Teagan is mine, and no one is going to take her from me.”
Grant grunted. “Be sure of your choice, Caruso, because if you try to change her, it won’t end well.”
Faye looked up and craned her neck to scowl at her mate. “So now you’re giving advice you can barely follow yourself?”
Grant kissed her nose. “I try to follow it, but I’m not always successful. It’s the effort that counts.”
Faye sighed. “I’m not sure I agree.” She looked back to Aaron. “But he’s right. If you’re hoping she’ll give up her clan to live an easier life, it won’t happen. I know Finn would rather die than hand it over, no matter how much stress it causes him and Arabella with three recent babies.”
Finn and his mate, Arabella, had recently had triplets.
Aaron scowled. “Of course I’m not going to bloody change her. And before you ask, I have no interest in being in charge myself. Do you know how much paperwork clan leaders have to fill out? She can have the leadership and the hand cramps that go with it. I’m content to protect her and the others in the clan. Together we make a good team.”
Faye smiled. “Good. It’s a bit selfish, but you living here gives me the chance to visit. Who knows what a few strong, clever females can come up with when they get together?”
Grant scowled, but before he could say anything, a red dragon appeared in the distance. Given the timing and order of the clues, as well as the fact that Hugh was the only red dragon participating, it had to be him.
Aaron growled out, “That’s the Glenlough bloke I told you about. The one who can’t let it go—Hugh Burns.”
The red dragon glided down and landed at the foot of a large hill nearby. Faye moved forward out of Grant’s arms. “Finally, something to do. Let’s see what this bastard is up to.”
According to the clue, Hugh should be digging in the ground. However, he sat on his haunches, raised his face, and roared into the sky.
“Something’s not right. There’s virtually no way for him to interpret the clue and think it means to roar.” Aaron tugged off his shirt and unbuttoned his trousers. “Just in case my hunch is correct, I’ll standby below, ready to shift and investigate. I need you two here as witnesses in case Hugh decides to fabricate a story of me attacking him unprovoked or some such bullshit.”
Grant took out his mobile phone. “If he does try to pull anything, I have Killian’s number ready to go.”
He was glad that he’d been assigned to the Lochguard pair. They had a history of working together, and he didn’t have to suffer arguments when it came to sound actions.
Aaron finished stripping and was also grateful that Grant didn’t make a fuss about Faye with a possible threat nearby. Even protective mates knew when to focus, especially when it came to Protectors.
Hugh roared again and Aaron scanned the sky. It was still empty. “I’m going down,” he stated as he climbed down the ladder to the ground. He wouldn’t shift unnecessarily, but he wanted to be ready.
After reaching the ground, he strained his ears. At first, nothing. But soon a faint buzzing became audible. It was too steady to be any insect he’d heard before. And even though he didn’t know all of the fauna in this part of Ireland, he’d bet everything he had it was a machine.
Drones, his dragon said. Hugh must be working with the Dragon Knights.
Since the bloody Knights had used a drone to drug Aaron’s mother and he’d nearly lost her, he kept an eye to the sky. But even after a minute, he still didn’t see anything. Where are they? I’m not going to rush into it just because of a buzzing sound.
His dragon replied, Maybe they’re tiny. Anything is possible.
Hugh roared again. He clearly wasn’t following the orders of his clues.
Part of his duty was to question participants if they acted strangely to ensure they hadn’t gone rogue, so Aaron ran straight for Hugh’s dragon form. While he had no proof, Aaron had a feeling the male would easily get rid of the judges, and maybe even the other participants, to take over Glenlough if he had help.
Too bad Bram had been instructed to hold off sending the second Stonefire Protector, Sebastian, until after the leadership challenge was complete. Aaron would’ve liked the male at his back.
Still, he trusted Faye and Grant, so Aaron shifted into his green dragon form. Once finished, Hugh met his eyes before jumping into the sky. Aaron crouched down to follow when Faye’s voice yelled with a hint of panic to her voice, “Grant!”
Torn between duties, Aaron finally looked back to the judges he was supposed to be guarding. Faye was crouched down and Grant lay on the floor of the platform.
Cursing, he ignored Hugh and raced to the raised structure. Quickly shifting back to his human form, he climbed the ladder. Once he reached the top, he saw Grant’s motionless body and demanded, “What happened?”
To Faye’s credit, she hadn’t started crying. But her voice did crack as she answered, “Something that looked like a bird flew close and the next minute Grant was down.” She lifted the small dart. “This was in his neck.”
Aaron clenched his fingers. “Lochguard didn’t have problems with the bloody drones, but Stonefire and Glenlough did. I bet it’s the same fucking bunch causing havoc and Hugh is involved. If so, Grant needs the antidote as soon as possible. The dart is no doubt filled with the serum that causes inner dragons to go mad and lose control. Let me reach out to Killian.”
Taking out his mobile phone, he dialed Killian. The rings continued until his voice mail picked up.
Ending the call, Aaron tried Brenna next, and she did pick up on the second ring. Before he could say a word, Brenna said, “Tell me no one has been attacked where you are.”
“Grant was targeted and is unconscious. Faye found a small dart in his neck. I suspect it’s related to the attacks that happened not too long ago on Stonefire and Glenlough. I need you to send Dr. O’Brien and a few Protectors here to help Grant, just to be safe.”
Dr. Ronan O’Brien was Glenlough’s head doctor. Aaron had first met him on Stonefire during a previous crisis.
Brenna cursed. “Then that makes up half the viewing platforms reporting an incident in the last few minutes.”
Aaron asked, “Were they also drugged with a dart?”
“That’s what we think,” Brenna replied, “although details are sketchy at best. The Protectors are on the move to guard each viewing platform’s occupants as we speak.”
Aaron grunted. “Has Hugh been spotted at e
ach of the locations, letting out a series of roars like he did here?”
“No,” Brenna said. “But Padraig and Orin each arrived near an observation platform and roared instead of doing what their clue required.”
Aaron growled. “Bloody bastards are probably working together. I hadn’t expected that. Has anyone spotted Teagan?”
“No. She’s near Glenveagh Castle, last I heard,” Brenna answered. “We didn’t put any observers there since the humans have security cameras all over the grounds and we didn’t think anyone would be stupid enough to make a move there.”
“Right, then I’m going to get Faye and Grant to the closest shelter and then look for Teagan myself. Since every participant knows about the security cameras at the castle, they’ll wait for her to leave. She’s bound to be a target. If I can get to her before she leaves the grounds, I can probably prevent her from being attacked. Given what she represents, the others might do more than drug her.”
His dragon snarled. No, we won’t let that happen.
Aaron ignored his beast to focus on Brenna’s reply. “I would try to stop you, but Killian is missing, and I’m not sure who to trust anymore. Just make sure to keep checking in, Aaron. As much as you think it sometimes, you’re not invincible.”
Aaron grunted. “I will keep in touch. And the Snowridge Protectors should be trustworthy and kept in the loop. Kai vetted them whilst I was in Scotland.”
Once Brenna gave her assent, Aaron hung up and looked to Faye. After he summed up his conversation with Brenna, he waved toward the hills in the distance. “There are some cave-like spaces just big enough for you and Grant to squeeze into nearby. If I mostly cover the entrance with rocks, you should be safe and still able to use your phone until help arrives.”
Faye nodded. “And I’ll make sure to reach out to Lochguard while we wait and update Finn. Do you want me to ring Stonefire, too, and do the same?”
“Yes,” he answered. “I need to find Teagan and can’t spare the time to answer Bram’s questions. If all three of the challengers are in a plot together, she and I need to focus on solving that problem before it spins out of control, especially if Killian’s been targeted, too.” He glanced to Grant and back to her eyes. “He should be all right. Stonefire shared their antidote formulas with Lochguard and Glenlough as soon as they found them. Even if the serum has been mutated slightly, Glenlough’s doctor should be able to figure it out. Ronan O’Brien was part of the original research team at the time.”
Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 9) Page 19