Dragon's Gap: Set Includes Stories 4-5 Plus Love's Impulse

by L M Lacee

  Charlie looked blandly at the female then Reighn. “She lies.”

  “As I thought!” Reighn dismissed her with a flick of his eyes. “Fin place her in the cells and Charlie take Frankie and Harper with you. Strip search her and give her something else to wear. Frankie, do the thing we talked about the other day.”

  “Oh! Do you think I am ready?” She asked him with a worried look in her eyes. He smiled at her. “More than ready, you can do this. I believe in you always sister.”

  “Oh!” She smiled at his praise, then shimmed her way out of the room with everyone watching her.

  Harper scowled. “Dear Goddess she will be unbearable now. Thanks my Lord.”

  “Whatever I can do to make your life interesting sister. I will.”

  “Bah!” She said as she strode from the room calling out to Frankie. Leaving Fin and Charlie to escort Faline Light-wind, between them. She said to Scarlett and Elijah just before they passed through the door way. “You realize this is in violation of the Elturnian code.”

  Reighn shrugged. “Who? I have no knowledge of who or what that is!” His voice hardened. “Because if there was such an organization they would have asked my permission before sending an agent into my territories.”

  “Faline.” Elijah said. “Cousin if you have a way of contacting them, now would be the time to share, do not wait until they come for you, that way ends in blood. You and they do not know who you are dealing with!”

  She smirked as she said. “Cousin it is the other way around. Explain to the Dragon Lord who and what we are and how he should be worried for when they do arrive, they will not be gentle!”

  “Oh sugar!” Charlie said, “We don’t know the meaning of gentle. Now move your ass.” She and the female went through the door. Fin walking after them he looked at Reighn. “Tomorrow will be interesting. Where is June?”

  “She went with Sage and Scarlett to the hatchlings.” Elijah told him.

  “Huh! How did I miss that?”

  “Exactly!” Reighn said as he nodded to the female walking beside Charlie. Fin grinned as he dipped his head before he left saying. “Forewarned is forearmed my Lord.”

  Elijah asked after the door was closed. “What is it Frankie can do?”

  “Something extraordinary, she can dampen a whole magical area. We have calculated she can influence five miles at the moment.”

  Elijah could not quite keep the laugh from his voice as he said.” So Faline thinks she will be able to communicate once she is in the cells?”

  “Yes and she will not.”

  “Does Frankie have to be close?”

  Reighn decided not to tell him everything they had practiced as he had told Frankie somethings it was better to keep close to their chests, it was safer.

  “We will see. But we do not think so.” He said instead of telling him that Frankie did not have to be anywhere near the place she had affected. Elijah whistled. “That is amazing.”

  Reighn rubbed his hands together. “Isn’t it, though?”

  “Fin knows of this?” Elijah asked. Reighn laughed as he told him. “It was his and Charlie’s idea. Now my friend what do you know about this group known as the Elturnian.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN:

  T hat night they were gathered in the large dining room usually used for Sunday family day. Harper called out. “Quiet down! I have shit to do tonight.”

  Reighn sighed as he stood at the head of the table. “Thank you Harper.”

  Harper grinned. “Not a problem let us just keep on track tonight.” She looked around as Ace said. “Please…Please let us stay on track, the moaning is annoying!”

  “Whose Harper’s?” Storm asked with a wicked look in his eyes.

  “No his!” Johner called out, which had everyone busting out a laugh. Ace grinned as Harper moaned loudly. “See? This is what I mean about staying on track!”

  Reighn raised a hand and the talking, and laughing slowed to a stop. “Okay so this is where we are at, for all of you who have not been directly involved. We have created a task force of specialized agents lead by Fin. Sire have you spoken to Andre`?”

  “I did so, he said he would think on it and let us know.”

  “Will he help us?”

  Rene smiled. “Of course he will.”

  Reighn grinned with him. “So as it stands, the task force will be led by Andre` Kingsley. Second will be Finlay Slorah who will take lead until Andre` joins us.” There were a few smiles at the mention of Andre` it seemed he was well liked. “Fin tell us who is in your unit.”

  Fin stood and inclined his head. “Good evening everyone, we are lucky enough to have four of my own team, please stand when I say your name so everyone can meet you and recognize you. Hines Doyle, Karsen Bryne, Casin Kelly and Lock Walsh these warriors are former shields who worked with me.” All four stood and nodded to Reighn and Fin then retook their seats, four harden warriors who looked like they had been front and center at too many battles.

  “Daru Senga and Mercca are, as you all know former guards to the Prince. They are first class investigators who were on loan to the Dragon’s Gap Grove but have relocated here permanently. And we are lucky enough that they have agreed to take the lead with their own teams. We are also fortunate to have the talents of Jenny Sander as well as Jordan and Ethan Reading. Who we all know, have unique gifts and are seasoned Unicorn warriors. As well as Jenny, who is well versed in politics which we will all need? And finally our ever patient office assistants Lady Lisa Peters and her sister Kera Peters along with Mike Johns.”

  Harper looked at the females. She was sure Lisa was one of her rescues. In fact the more she looked the more positive she was although she looked very different now. “Lisa is that you?”

  Lisa grinned her shiny red hair and clear blue eyes with a scattering of freckles belied the sorrowful frightened female Harper had picked up weeks ago. Lisa blushed slightly as she said. “Harper, it is. I know I look different.”

  “Wow, you do, I did not recognize you. We will get together after.” Lisa nodded as she retook her seat. Harper smiled as Charlie asked quietly. “One of your rescues?”

  “Yes, I wondered what had become of her.”

  Frankie lent over and whispered. “She and her sister are doing great. They have helped Claire and I out a few times and that was why I thought of them for Fin. They are discreet and very good at what they do.”

  “Thanks Frankie.” Harper said quietly, Frankie she whispered back. “It is what I do.”

  “So now you know my team. Let me tell you what we have learnt so far.” Fin went on to explain what took place the previous night and what had happened to June. He told them of the agent still in the cells below the castle and who she belonged to. He asked if anyone had dealings with the Elturnian. It seemed no one had other than Queen Scarlett and King Elijah. He finished by placing the white board up and explaining the reasoning behind it, finally he finished and retook his seat.

  Reighn stood. “So there you have it. What we suspect and what we know. Tomorrow at ten we will be convening court. A petition has been brought before the Dragon Lord by a Grove and a Luminia for the return of June and Fin’s daughters, Mirren and Breena.”

  Not one person moved or spoke. He nodded then said. “As you can imagine, they will not be leaving here with either of them.” Still no one moved. Conor Tower, lion, and sheriff of Dragon’s Gap said in his slow drawl. “If I was a betting lion, I would bet my life savings. Which are considerable.” There were a few laughs as everyone knew the lion gave more away than he kept, to help the people of his new home. “I would say tomorrow at ten would be an ideal time for an attempt to infiltrate Dragon’s Gap and kidnap or kill specific targets in the court. Also tonight would be an ideal time to snatch the agent. I have found organizations like this Elturnian have only two solutions to an agent being taken prisoner. Rescue or kill.” He smiled when he finished and sat as those around him stared at him then at Reighn. “If you were a betting lion?”
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  Charlie said. “That would be what you would bet on.”

  “Yes!” He grinned at her and asked. “What would you bet?”

  “That I would never bet against you.”

  People laughed at the smug look on the large males face and the shrewd look on Charlies. Ace agreed with Conor. “He is right!”

  Reighn nodded as he also agreed. “He is, and it is just as well as we have worked out a plan for tomorrow and if Conor and as many of his pride as he can spare would like to be included. We would welcome them.”

  Conor also nodded. “We would.”

  Olinda said. “The Unicorns are at your disposal they asked to be included in any plans.”

  Reighn smiled. “I thank you Conor and you Princess Olinda. Ash are you commanding?”

  “Myself and Conor.” Who smiled and saluted Ash agreeing to the command.

  “Well then Frankie give it out.” Reighn asked her.

  Frankie stood a bundle of papers in her hands. “These are magical instructions designed by Dragon Lady Sage. Read them commit them to memory when you have, the paper will disappear you have until we leave the room to do so.”

  She passed out the papers. Everyone there got one, regardless of if they were involved with court tomorrow or not. Each paper had their duties and where they were meant to be and by what time on it. Reighn said. “Grace you, and your family will have sole custody of all the young. Is that a concern for you?”

  “Where?” Ivan asked before Grace could comment.

  “Here in the stone apartment. It is reinforced with magic iron and stone all young, yours included will be there.”

  Ivan nodded as he looked at his mother and George. Storm told the brothers. “Select your people for inside and outside the apartment.”

  Ivan replied. “We will have them by eight o’clock tonight.”

  “Good, Keeper and my father will screen them as soon as you have them.”

  “Done!” George said. Reighn turned to Elijah and Scarlett. “You and your Grove may come under attack.”

  Elijah nodded. “We have sent everyone to the High Queens Grove. Warriors and guards remain only.” Sage asked. “You will stay here tonight?”

  “We will thank you.”

  “Sire, Conor and Storm, the people of Dragons Gap will have to be protected.” Reighn ordered.

  Conor said. “We have shifters and humans as well as Dragons that have a home they love. No one will willing give that up to any invaders.”

  Sage told him. “The young will be brought here along with anyone who wishes to come.”

  Conor nodded. “We will take the offer for the young. We the shifters and Unicorns can keep everyone else safe.”

  “You know the more it looks like we are unprepared, the more likely we can lure them in and grab them. A reverse trap!” Edith murmured.

  Reighn smiled at her as he agreed. “Edee is right and we will but I will not sacrifice our people.”

  “No of course not but we could ask them if they will help trap these people.”

  Conor said. “We will, my pride is doing that as we speak.”

  ”Crafty lion!” Harper muttered to Charlie who agreed. “And smart… very smart.”

  Sharm said. “I cannot empty out the medical units as much as I would like too!”

  Storm told him. “I will have it guarded and brother we can mix in Hunters and Shields with your people no one will tell the difference. As long as all the young are hidden, it will work.”

  “They will be brought here.” Sage ordered again.

  Conor told her. “Dragon Lady they will be here by seven in the morning.”

  “No tonight, they will be watching. “Ace said.” I would be.

  “Agreed, do it like that.” Reighn commanded. “So we all know what we are to do. Let us get to it.”

  “Yes my Lord. “They all called out.” We have eight hours until midnight. We need to have everything and everyone in place by then. Commanders work out a patrol for tonight and the morning.” Reighn’s commanding voice issued his final orders.

  “Yes my Lord.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

  H arper sat in the dark with her back against the stone wall in the main kitchen of the castle with Ace she could feel his warm body beside hers. “You know this is the part I hate. The waiting!”

  “I as well dislike this part.”

  Harper eyed her shadow “We could make out to pass the time?”

  Ace grinned. “We could, but how would it look to your sister if we allowed our quarry to slip by us?”

  Harper scowled at the thought. “Yep! Terrible idea.”

  Charlie sat with Storm. Her back also against the stone wall in the medical unit. Fin had reasoned that the French doors would be irresistible to the agents. One at least would try for them. “I am bored. I hate this!”

  Storm smiled as he softly responded. “I can see that my love. Maybe we could find something to occupy ourselves with while we wait?”

  Shocked he would think of sex now Charlie almost yelled only remembering to lower her voice at the last minute.

  “Oh my Goddess we cannot have sex on a stake out!” Storm eyebrows rose as he heard where her mind had jumped to which was amusing to him and his dragon. “I was thinking of playing cards.”

  Sheepishly Charlie mumbled. “Oh well yeah… we could do that!”

  “Although your idea has merit…”

  Axl and Ark sat together backs against the stone wall in Reighn’s office. Fin decided the agents would have instructions to search his office they would not pass up the chance to learn something about the Dragon Lord.

  Ark had been volunteered by his other brothers to ask Axl what his plans regarding Joy were. “So what’s up with you and Joy?”

  “It is getting harder to suppress my dragon.”

  “I feel for you brother. Do you have a plan?”

  “No, apart from kill every male here that is!”

  Ark smiled. “See that won’t work for me.”

  Axl rubbed his tired eyes and sighed. “So give me some brotherly advice?”

  Ark sucked in his breath between his teeth and told him what Rene` had advised them to tell him when he asked. “You know what you have to do. For her, for you, for all us innocent males.”

  “Shit…that will be so hard to do. I don’t know if I am ready yet.”

  “I get that but at least you can think about it now. I mean it is that or kill every male here.”

  “Yeah…yeah, leaving is such sweet sorrow.” He misquoted.

  “You know I know you aced English literature. Why do you persist in misquoting everything?”

  Axl grinned knowing how much he annoyed Ark with his bad quotes. “Life is too short to be confined by what was written incorrectly.”

  Ark sighed and shook his head. “You are a fool brother.”

  “A fool in love!” Axl sang softly.

  “Songs you get right.”

  Fin and Ash sat together backs against the stone wall on the level that housed the cells. They were far enough away that the agent Faline Light-Wind could not hear them. Ash asked. “Are you going to do something about the ones that June tagged?”

  Fin nodded. “Of course as soon as we have this cleared up.

  “Why?”

  “Ace came up with plan to take them out and maybe find out who was behind the attack on the twins parents.”

  Fin grinned just a quick slash of white teeth in the dark. “Please enlighten me and we can see if it meshes with mine.”

  Conor and his brother Saul sat together watching the five agents step from behind a curtain of blackness. Barely moving his lips Saul murmured. “Neat trick!”

  “Isn’t it, though? Now signal Fin.”

  They watched the five slink on silent feet towards the castle. Conor had guessed correctly that they would attempt a rescue tonight. Fin with careful deliberation had targeted this location as their starting point. Of course how they would get here no one knew or could gu
ess. So Conor sent his pride to circulate within the town while he and Saul elected to remain and watch. They were rewarded just on two o’clock in the morning with the five agents’ arrivals, and as predicted they split up into singles. Ace told them earlier at the briefing their leader would assume they would have more of a chance going in alone. It was no easy thing to slip into a castle undetected by the Dragon Lord or dragons hence the late hour.

  So as Conor and Saul watched the five split up Saul signaled Fin who signaled the teams throughout the castle as well as all the others waiting. He and Ace had placed the teams at what they had determined would be the logical points of entry to capture the invaders.

  At two o’clock precisely five agents slipped onto the castle grounds hoping they were undetected. Conor and Saul made their quiet way to where they spied an agent dressed in black from head to toe who had not disappeared into the night with the other agents. The agent looked up at the battlements where Reighn and Sage stood. Having thought she saw something as the others slipped into the cold dark waters of the moat she stared up trying to pierce the darkness, knowing something stared down at her. Only to have Saul and Conor softly pad up behind her and place a small mask over her face. Inside the canister attached was a potent sleeping gas. Sharm had devised with the help of Sage and the unicorn healer. It induced instant sleep and lasted for three to four hours. Long enough for the other teams to apprehend their targets and place them all in cells.

  Charlie and Storm had no trouble taking care of their target. A male. He never even knew they were there. One moment he was entering the French doors of the medical unit after a cold swim in the moat. The next thing he felt was a hand slap a mask over his face. Then blackness descended. Charlie smiled at Storm as he lowered the male to the floor. “That was easy you make a great partner my love.”