Dragon Scorned

12. River

“Hold on,” I screamed to Natalia as I pushed the gas pedal to the floor, dangerously close to snapping it with the pressure I was exerting on it.

I whipped the steering wheel, almost tilting my car on its side as I took the windy roads at a speed too high.

“River, who is it?” Natalia asked, spinning in her seat to try and get a look at the vehicle following us.

It was a black SUV with tinted windows so dark there was no way she could tell who it was.

“I’m not sure, but whoever it is, they are definitely not friends,” I told her, taking another bend at an insane speed. The SUV following me didn’t slow, barreling toward us.

The car jerked forward as they slammed into my bumper.

I don’t know if it was from fear or something else but my shield crumbled and Kai instantly flooded my mind. I felt his presence like cold water being thrown over me.

I’m going to make your ass raw for block…River, what”s wrong?

My fear slammed into him, giving him a clear picture of the situation we were in.

“Natalia can you do anything, make us disappear or something?” I asked her as Kai screamed in my mind, demanding to know where I was.

We’re on our way back to the house, about twenty minutes out.

I pushed the gas pedal a little harder, inching the needle on my speedometer a little bit further.

Make that fifteen minutes.

The car slammed into me again, jolting us forward.

“I can only conceal us to look like something else, and it only works against humans. If they are supernatural, they will see straight through it,” she said, fear coating her words.

She looked around at the SUV again just as it slammed into us once more.

The steering wheel jerked out of my hold, and the car went flying. We flipped on the side, tumbling down the road before screeching to a halt upside down.

My head smashed against the window, sending a ringing through my ears.

“Natalia.” I frantically reached for my bestie, she groaned, a stream of blood flowing from the gash on her head.

The SUV stopped just before slamming into us again. I elongated my claws, slicing through the seatbelt holding me hostage upside down.

A moan escaped me as I hit the roof of the car. I reached out to slice through Natalia”s seatbelt, grabbing onto her and easing her down.

I placed her head in my lap, watching her eyelids flutter against her too-pale face.

“Natalia, wake up,” I said, slapping her face.

She moved her head back and forth, murmuring something unintelligible.

Four doors slammed shut, and I looked back to see four men dressed in all black walking toward us, guns in their hands trained on me.

“Natalia,” I hissed, slapping her harder. “Wake up, we need to go right fucking now.”

I couldn”t breathe fire without risking fully shifting, and being trapped in this car did not give me a lot of room to shift. I could crush Natalia, so that was not an option. I needed her to wake up, to do some of her witchy badass shit, and help us out.

She slowly peeled her eyes open, so much fear and anger shined in her bright green eyes. She rolled in my lap, looking up to see the guys heading our way.

“We have been looking for you, galaxy dragon.” One of the men said in a screechy voice, like nails down a chalkboard. A smile spread across his face.

A shiver raced down my spine. How the fuck did they find me?

“Now would be an awesome time to use some of that witchy mojo,” I told her, glancing down. The sight of the cut on her head squeezed my heart. This was all my fault. She wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for me. The hunters were after me, not her.

Lifting her arm, she muttered something in a different language and thrust her hand forward.

Vibrant purple flames shot out of her fingertips, engulfing the men in a purple haze.

Screams hit my ears as they dropped to the ground, rolling around, trying to extinguish the fire coating their body.

I smiled down at Natalia, “Have I ever told you how fucking badass you are?”

“Plenty, can we get out of here now? That will only distract them for a minute. I don”t have enough strength to kill them.”

I nodded my head before gently placing her on the roof and climbing out of the car. I reached in to pull her out after me, steadying her on her feet.

She swayed a moment before catching her balance and nodding at me.

“Are you up for a flight?” I asked, the concern in my tone was unwavering.

She was in rough shape. I already felt my body stitching my wounds back together; it would take her a lot longer to heal, even with her healing herbs and spells.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” she told me in a stern tone.

That was all I needed to hear. I backed up from her and released my dragon. She burst out of her cage, shredding my clothes as the shift consumed me.

I dropped to my knees, allowing Natalia to use my claws as a step. She groaned as she climbed onto my back.

Once she was situated, she muttered more words in another language, and I felt the magic flow over me, concealing us from human sight.

I righted myself and pushed off against the ground, I flapped my wings, banking around and heading back toward the crash.

Releasing my fire in a long stream, engulfing everything in its path, before heading up into the sky.

“River,” Natalia screamed, slapping her hand on my scales.

I turned my head and blinked my violet eye at her, she pointed to the ground.

The black SUV was racing underneath us, driving at an insane speed.

Fuck, I missed one. We were so close to home, and I was leading him straight toward it. I couldn’t let them know where I lived. We would have to leave, and I was tired of fucking running.

I flew toward the ground, landing in front of the vehicle as it came to a screeching halt.

I opened my mouth, curling my tongue as the flame built in the back of my throat.

The same guy that spoke in a screechy voice stepped out of the car. His gun was raised, aimed directly at me, I released my fire the same time he pulled the trigger. He rolled out of the line of fire, missing my flames.

Bending my legs, I pushed off the ground, trying to escape the bullet flying toward me, but I wasn”t fast enough.

A roar left my throat as I flew into the sky. I looked back to see a blue dragon spitting red fire at the guy.

His screams hit my ears for a second before they cut off.

I stretched my wings and flew toward home, ignoring the ache in my left shoulder.

My vision began to blur, and I shook my head, trying to clear my sight.

“River, are you okay?” Natalia asked, leaning down to wrap her arms around my neck.

My vision swirled again, causing me to dip down before quickly righting myself.

I saw a flash of blue in my peripheral as Nikolai flew up next to me.

River!

Kai roared in my head as Natalia screamed from my back.

Then I was falling, and the world went black.

I heard voices yelling as I came back to consciousness. My head was pounding and I couldn’t seem to open my eyes.

Memories flooded into me, reminding me of what happened. The attack after we left my grandparents, Kai coming to help, then nothing.

Wait, not nothing, I was shot. Assessing my body, I couldn’t feel any injuries, but depending on how long I’ve been out, they could have healed already.

A door banged open, and the voices grew louder.

“Why didn’t you fucking help her, you”re bonded for crying out loud. You should have been there the second you felt her fear.”

Was that Tate? Who was he yelling at? He sounded furious.

A warm hand covered mine, sending a feeling of calm through my body.

“Kai did come. He burned the last guy alive.”

Natalia, relief coursed through me at the sound of her voice. She sounded weak, but at least she was alive.

I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if she was killed because of me.

“I also stopped her and Natalia from crashing to the ground when she passed out and shifted back to her human form mid-air. I caught her and carried her inside. I’m not the enemy here, Tate. If you want someone to be mad at, go after Moonbeam who put her in this situation in the first place.”

Kai stopped me from falling. My chest squeezed at the fact that he had saved us. I can’t recall anything after seeing Kai flying up next to me. Then everything went dark, and now I’m here, and I need to wake the fuck up.

“Why was she alone in the first place? There are too many people that would pay a ton of money to get their hands on her. It”s not safe for her to be alone.”

The sound of Jax’s voice was rough and gravelly, like he was on the brink of losing it from screaming. His tone was harsh.

I twitched my fingers in Natalia”s hold.

“Guys shut up, I think she”s waking up.” She shouted at the three men still arguing with one another.

A hand landed on my head, slicking back my hair. “Reviens-moi ma lune.” Jax whispered in my right ear. His harsh tone from earlier gone, replaced with nothing but caring concern. I felt his breath against the side of my face, sending a shiver throughout my body.

“She doesn”t know French, you chienne,” Natalia snapped from my left side.

My eyes fluttered as I tried to pry them open. Nikolai flowed into my head.

Open your eyes, my star. Let me see those beautiful ice-blue orbs.

Natalia squeezed my hand, determination coursed through me, and finally, my eyes burst open. Once they adjusted to the sudden bright light, I was looking up into four sets of eyes. Each one with a multitude of expressions between them.

“Hey guys,” I squeaked.

Natalia screeched and practically laid on top of me, wrapping my body in a hug.

“You”re going to smother her,” Nikolai growled.

I shot him a warning look over her shoulder, yelling at him in my mind.

Knock it off.

He gave me a disapproving look as I wrapped my arms around Natalia, pulling her in tighter against me.

“Don’t fucking scare me like that again, you bitch.” She sobbed into my hair before pulling back to glare at me.

“No promises.” I smiled at her, granting me a frown from not only her but the three broody men behind her.

My gaze roamed over all of them once Natalia released me, “What happened?”

“You were hit with a tranquilizer dart,” Kai said in a flat tone. He crossed his arms and leaned against the far wall of my room.

Natalia was lying in bed next to me, and Jax pulled up a chair to sit on the other side of me. Tate was perched at my desk at the foot of my bed.

“They weren”t trying to kill me. They had tranquilizer darts in their guns, not bullets.” Fear raced through my body. They were so close. If Kai didn’t show up when he did…I don’t even want to imagine what situation I would have been in right now.

“Yes, they were trying to tranq you so they could kidnap you,” Tate said.

“I don’t understand. What do they want with me?” I asked, knowing none of them would have the answers for me.

“We”re going to figure that out, ma lune.” Jax grabbed my hand, squeezing it tightly.

Warmth flowed up my arm from his connection, warming my body, comforting me.

It was a new feeling I wasn’t used to, and dare I say…nice.

Maybe having mates wouldn’t be a bad thing, so far it”s been a week and nothing bad has happened. Well other than Tate growling at every man that looked my way…and the hunters finding me, but I don’t think that was because of the guys.

If I had to guess, they were scoping out my grandparents, waiting for me to show up.

I snorted at the thought of Tate being a possessive asshole.

“What”s so funny?” Natalia asked, looking at me with a confused expression. “I don’t think actively having people trying to kidnap you is a laughing matter. This is serious, you overgrown lizard.”

I shook my head, chucking to myself. “No you”re right, it’s not. I was only thinking about Tate growling ‘mine’ to every guy that looked at me.”

Natalia gave me a dumbfounded look, probably wondering where that thought came from.

Ooh, if only you knew what went on in my head on a daily basis, I was fully convinced a therapist would have a field day digging through my deranged thoughts.

Your mind is not that bad, my star. Now, mine, on the other hand, they would lock me up and throw away the key.

A real laugh escaped me at that, and I turned my head to look at Kai.

I wouldn’t know. You won”t let me in your head.

He shook his head, shooting me a wicked smirk that sent butterflies exploding in my stomach.

You wouldn’t want to be in there. It’s a mess on a good day.

“Will you two stop having a silent mate-bond conversation and enlighten the world on your discussion,” Natalia snapped, bringing my attention to her.

I took the time to really look at her, she looked a lot better. The cut on her head had butterfly stitches on it and she had more color in her face. I wonder if Lainey helped her at all, the question was on the tip of my tongue before Tate spoke up.

“I have to go, are you sure you”re okay, River?” He asked, looking up from his phone before pocketing it and standing up.

I nodded my head, “Yeah I’m fine. Go do whatever you need to.”

He walked over, pushing the chair Jax was sitting on clear across the room.

“Putain de dragon possessif.” Jax cursed, causing a laugh to bubble out of my chest. I understood that phrase, and I wondered if Tate knew Jax just called him a fucking possessive dragon.

If he did, he didn’t let it show. Instead he ignored him, leaning down to place his lips on mine, gently kissing me before pulling away. “I’ll be back later.”

“Okay.” I whispered. He placed one last kiss on my lips before turning to leave.

“Where the hell is he going?” Natalia hissed as soon as Tate left the room.

I shrugged my shoulders, “You know as much as I do.”

She scoffed at me, “I figured you two were doing your little telepathic mate-bond communication like you and Kai do all the time.”

“That only happens when we complete the bond,” I explained to her. “Tate and Jax have not completed the bond with me, only initiated it. Therefore, no telepathic communication between us.”

Her gaze bounced between me and Kai. “So, how do you complete the bond?”

“You fuck,” Kai blurted out, as a huge grin spread across his face.

Her mouth dropped open, “I fucking knew something happened at that party, why didn’t you tell me bitch.”

Natalia slapped my shoulder, and I groaned. It was still tender from that damn dart the hunters shot me with.

Her hands went to her mouth as she gasped, “River, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”

“Fine,” I croaked, rubbing my shoulder.

Jax looked between Kai and me, fury burning in his eyes. “I didn’t know you guys completed the bond already.”

“It was on a need-to-know basis, and you didn’t make the cut.” Kai spat at him, the bright blue swirled in his eyes. Showing his beast just below the surface.

“Okay I think we could all use some space, and River needs to rest. So you two testosterone-filled assholes need to leave.” Natalia told the guys in her no questions tone.

Jax nodded his head, walking over to me and placing a kiss on my forehead. “I put my number in your phone, ma lune. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will,” I whispered, he gave me a longing look before righting himself and walking out of my room.

Nikolai stalked over to me like a man possessed, sending a shiver down my spine. “I won’t be far away. You know how to reach me, my star.”

He smashed his mouth to mine, devouring me with his lips. As quickly as it happened, he was gone, leaving Natalia and me alone in my room.

“Girl, you are going to have some serious trouble with those men.” Natalia laughed, lying down next to me.

I turned on my side to face her, groaning. “Don’t remind me. Are they ever not going to be possessive assholes? They act like it”s a damn competition.”

“Ooh no babes, I don’t think they will ever play nice with each other when it comes to you.”

We both laughed. When did my life become such a mess?

“What about Jax?” I asked her, wanting to know what she honestly thought of him.

“He has a lot of groveling to do if you ask me, babes. He did you dirty, not telling you about his dad before initiating the bond with you.”

“I know he did.” I groaned. How did I get mixed up with Killigan’s son? Of all the fucking bad luck in the world, I feel like I got every drop of it.

“It’ll all work out, and if he doesn’t prove himself worthy, I’ll burn him at the stake.” She let out a diabolical laugh.

“That’s kind of morbid coming from a witch, saying you’re going to burn someone at the stake, don’t you think?” I snorted.

This woman kills me, but I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it.

“Eeh, I’m a witch, I’m allowed to say shit like that.”

We both burst out in laughter.

“Let”s get some sleep, maybe the school will let us take a day or two off since we almost died.” She said, pulling the blankets around her and settling in.

“Wouldn’t that be nice,” I scoffed, rolling onto my back. It wasn’t long before sleep pulled me into her sweet embrace.