Chapter 18
Ashton
We pulled up to The Inn, the familiar warmth of its lights spilling out. I killed the engine, the sudden quiet making the lingering hum of the ride all the more noticeable. Erin slid off the back, her movements fluid despite the previous wobbliness.
I dismounted behind her, and with my hand at the small of her back walked her to the door.
"I had a great time, Ashton," she said, her voice a warm murmur.
"So did I," I replied, my hand reaching out to cup her jaw. Her skin was soft, warm beneath my palm. I leaned in, her scent, wild and sweet, filling my senses before my lips found hers. The kiss was brief, a soft press that tasted of lingering warmth and unspoken promises.
She gave me one last, lingering look before slipping inside, and I waited until the door clicked shut behind her.
The moment she was safely in, I put the bike in gear and drove the winding road up the mountain to the cabin where the bastard I'd killed upon waking had taken Erin.
It was eerie, how normal everything looked. Just days ago, this patch of earth had been a mess of churned soil and the remnants of violence. Now, the lawn was pristine, freshly reseeded, as if the ground itself had swallowed any trace of the deed.
The cabin itself, which had borne witness to the terror, stood restored, its weathered wood gleaming faintly as if newly built, a testament to Aurelia's potent witch magic.
Aurelia and the local wolf pack had outdone themselves.
Their efficiency was both a comfort and a chilling testament to the life we led.
A breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the faintest hint of lavender—Aurelia's signature. I nodded in silent thanks to the wind, knowing she'd understand. It was time to check on the others.
When I’d left the cave, Drake, Chance, Tyson, and Zaden lay still slumbering deeply within its silent depths.
I thought back to the last day we’d all been awake the heavy air in the cavern, thick with an unnatural silence.
The curse, insidious and relentless, had begun to pull us under, a suffocating blanket settling over mind and body.
I’d fought it, moving through the fading light, my scales heavy, my limbs sluggish.
Around me, my chosen clan, lay succumbing.
I watched, resisting the pull, to stay aware, to ensure their safety.
Drake, usually so vibrant, lay still, his vibrant purple scales dull, breath already shallow.
Chance, ever restless, fought it even then, his muscles twitching, making the light reflect off his silver scales before the inevitable drag finally claimed him.
Tyson, stoic as ever, seemed to settle into his forced rest with a grim acceptance, a silent sentinel even in sleep.
And Zaden agile and quick-witted, his brow furrowed as consciousness finally slipped away.
My own eyelids felt like lead. The cold embrace of the curse crept up my limbs, numbing them, pulling me down into the same silent void.
I turned my head, my vision blurring, to where Aurelia kneeled beside me, her expression grim but determined.
Skye stood just behind her, a steadfast presence.
Their eyes, wide and clear, untouched by the curse.
"We’ll keep you safe, Ashton." Aurelia’s voice, though tinged with sorrow, was firm, "Just like always"
Skye nodded, her gaze fierce and unwavering. "We won’t let anything harm you."
Their words were the last clear sounds before the darkness had claimed me. Then, nothing but the silent void until Erin’s scent had reached me and woken me.
Pushing off from the bike, I let the change ripple through me.
My bones shifted, muscles contorting, skin stretching into scales that glinted like midnight under the crescent moon.
A searing heat surged through my veins, pushing away the lingering human constraints, sharpening my senses until every rustle of leaves, every distant scent, was amplified.
The air tasted different, charged with potential.
Power coiled in my newly formed limbs and with a final lurch, I spread my wings, relishing the freedom that always came with the shift.
With a single, explosive movement, I launched myself skyward, the cool night air rushing past. Below, the cabin shrank away, becoming nothing more than a speck amidst the vast wilderness.
The flight was quick, just a few miles, but the cold clarity of the mountain air sharpened my senses. I soared over treetops, the world below an endless sea of shadows and silver where moonlight danced on leaves. The cave was up ahead, beckoning me home to my brothers.
Landing softly at the mouth of the cave, I let the shift wash back, the magic weaving itself into fabric, leaving me fully clothed.
The magic that clothed us didn’t work right away after our decades sleep, so Aurelia always stowed clothes in the cave for us to wear when we woke.
Stepping into the cool cavern, my boots crunched on the gravel as I navigated between shadows and stone.
The familiar scent of brimstone and earth filled my nostrils, a comforting blend that meant family, safety.
The vast chamber, carved from the heart of the mountain, wrapped around me like a protective shell.
Its ancient stone walls, unyielding and solid, rose high above.
Here, the air was always still and warm, a constant embrace that cradled my sleeping kin in their long slumber.
No human sound, no external threat could breach the safety of the cavern, not unless one knew the true secrets of its ancient design and the specific way to bypass the unseen wards of my kind.
Only then could it be circumvented, but that knowledge was guarded more fiercely than dragon gold.
Ahead, the four dragons lay in restful repose, their breath sending small puffs of smoke drifting up to the high ceiling where they dissipated into darkness.
I approached with silent steps, but it was Drake who caught my attention. His massive form, a dark purple so deep it almost swallowed the surrounding light, rose and fell with a steady rhythm. There was a change—a twitch of his wing, a flex of his claws. A sign he was coming to.
"Drake?" When I reached his head, I scratched his nose, the scales smooth and cool beneath my fingers. "Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey," I sing-songed.
A low rumble vibrated through the cave, the sound rich with amusement. One colossal eye, a swirling galaxy of purple and black, cracked open and fixed on me. The mental voice that followed was laced with feigned annoyance yet warm with affection. Who dares disturb my slumber?
"Only your favorite pain in the ass," I said with a grin, booping his enormous snoot playfully. "Come on, big guy, I've got news."
His eyes blinked slowly, a draconic chuckle echoing in my mind before he stirred.
Drake's form shimmered, the dark purple scales retracting and giving way to human skin.
He stood tall, muscles stretching, his broad shoulders rolled, and a faint, almost imperceptible sigh of relief escaping him as he settled back into his familiar human form.
He stood there completely unconcerned by his sudden nakedness.
I moved towards the sturdy chest tucked into a corner of the cavern, rummaging quickly. I pulled out a set of underwear, jeans, and a t-shirt that Aurelia had stored for him.
"Modesty, Drake." I tossed them to him, watching as he fumbled slightly to catch them, his mind still likely shaking off the last tendrils of the curse.
"Man, it's always better when you wake me up," he said, pulling on the clothes. He raked a hand through his auburn red hair, still disheveled from sleep. "I hate being the first one awake."
"Tell me about it." I cracked my neck from side to side. "I'm always super grumpy without someone else to take the edge off." Folding my arms, I watched him shake off the last vestiges of sleep. "It was a good thing I got to kill a guy when I woke up. Before I even shifted to my human form."
His eyes widened, surprise etching into his features as he stared at me. "Say what?"
"Long story. Fly with me to the manor, and I'll spill everything. I just have to stop and get my bike. "
I stopped and checked on the others, Chance’ shimmering silver scales, lay perfectly still, his massive body curled.
His usual restless energy was completely subdued by the curse.
Tyson lay next to him his deep, burnished bronze scales gleaming even in the dim light of the cavern.
I could feel the immense, fiercely loyal power coiled within him even in slumber.
Finally, Zaden, a sleek, deep green dragon, lay stretched out, his agile form resting in the heavy sleep.
His usual quick-witted spark was absent, his features relaxed in the deep sleep, waiting patiently for release
None had reacted to my presence and were still sound asleep, so we stepped outside the cave. Without hesitation, Drake and I let our forms change, bodies expanding and twisting until we were dragons again. Our wings unfurled, powerful and ready.
As we took to the sky, the wind rushed past us, and I shared my thoughts with Drake, sending them directly to his mind.
I found my mate, I began, the name alone conveying volumes. Then I told him about Erin and how she was kidnapped, which led to my awakening and ending the fucker's life. She'd become my world even if she didn't know yet.
The excitement bubbled through the telepathic link as Drake soaked in every detail. His mental voice came back loud and clear, tinged with enthusiasm. That's amazing news, brother.
We soared higher, the world below a patchwork of greens and browns, the thrill of flight mingling with the gravity of my revelations. We stopped off, and I shifted to grab my bike. Then Drake flew over as I sped toward the manor.
His massive form cast shadows over the manor as he descended, the earth welcoming him back with a familiar solidity underfoot. With practiced ease, he shifted back to human form.
Skye was already there to greet us. She stepped forward, arms open, and Drake moved into her embrace without hesitation. They hugged, and I could see the genuine affection between them. It was like that with all of us. One big family even though we weren't blood related.
"I've missed you." Skye pulled back just enough to look at him. The sentiment was sincere, a testament to their deep bond.
"Missed you too," Drake said, his smile broad and unguarded.
The moment was cut short by a blur of motion from the door. Aurelia burst out; her energy infectious as she launched herself at Drake. "Brother," she exclaimed, though they shared no blood—only years of camaraderie.
"Hey, Trouble," Drake greeted her, catching her in a hug that lifted her feet off the ground for a second before setting her down again.
"Come in, come in." Aurelia ushered us toward the house, her voice bubbling with excitement. "You have good timing. Skye has news about the mafia."
Drake's eyebrow quirked upward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh? Are we diversifying our portfolio into organized crime now? That's quite the pivot."
I chuckled, shaking my head at Drake's ability to find humor even in the face of danger. It was one of the things that made him invaluable when tension ran high. We followed the women inside, bracing ourselves for whatever Skye had uncovered.
We settled into the worn leather chairs in the big office we all shared, the walls lined with screens and monitors flickering with data. She clicked a few keys, bringing up images of two familiar faces—ones I'd last seen frozen in fear.
"Those are the guys I killed," I said, more for Drake's benefit. "What did you find out?"
"Lower to mid-level goons," Skye said as her fingers flew over the keyboard and she brought up more information. "They worked for someone with quite a reputation. The head of this branch is known for his brutality. Climbed the ladder by eliminating competition—permanently."
"Sounds like a charmer." Drake leaned back in his chair and stared at the screen with a critical eye.
"Charm isn't his weapon," Skye said dryly. "It's fear. He's good at wielding it."
"Any idea if he'll come looking for Erin?" I asked, my mind already racing through defensive strategies.
"No specifics." She shook her head slightly. "But lack of evidence doesn't equal safety."
"Then I guess I'm on extended bodyguard duty." I couldn't suppress the smile that came with the thought of spending more time with Erin. "Not that I'm complaining."
"Stay sharp, Ashton," Skye said. "This guy's dangerous. Unpredictable."
"Understood," I nodded, the seriousness of the situation anchoring itself in my chest. Protecting Erin wasn't just about desire—it was a necessity.
"Got a name?" Drake asked, locked on the image.
"None that sticks." Skye brought up more images of the guy. "He's slippery, changes aliases like we change clothes."
"Great, a ghost with a vendetta," I said. I felt that itch, the one you get when trouble's brewing and you know it's looking for you.
"More like a demon, by the sounds of it," Drake said. He wasn't wrong.
"Either way, he doesn't know who he's messing with," I said. My dragon was going insane, ready to rip this guy to shreds. Anybody who even thought about touching her would die. Erin was my fated mate, and I'd move heaven and earth to keep her safe.
"Still, don't underestimate him," Skye said. Her gaze met mine, serious and sharp. "This guy doesn't play by the rules."
"Neither do we," I said. "We have something he doesn't."
"Which is?" Skye tilted her head, curious despite the tension.
"Each other," I said simply.
"Plus, we've got surprise on our side," Drake said. "He thinks he's hunting prey, not knowing he's dealing with real predators."