Chapter 10
Glancing across his study, Rogan smiled at the sight of Brooks in a leather chair, engrossed in a book. His mate had found the bookshelf with mysteries and thrillers from the past and present and dived in. Managing his estate still took several hours a week. Rogan had delayed attending to things while Brooks settled into his new life.
“Finish that chapter, Adventurer, and we’ll go into town.” The dragons had set up a rotation where they dropped in to help at the square. Rescue missions had ended by this point. The dragons had either found those Wyverns caught outside the town by the tech failure, or they had returned by their own power.
“Can I go see my grandmother?”
“Of course. She’d love to visit with you.”
A short time later, Brooks climbed onto Rogan’s back. Even in dragon form, Rogan loved the hug that Brooks delivered to his neck as he settled into position. His mate… Rogan couldn’t sum up how much he cared for Brooks. Love didn’t seem to encompass all the feelings inside him.
Stop being a sappy dragon.
Daddy? I missed that message.
Sorry, Adventurer. That was me thinking too hard. I want to remember to talk to my herd master when we get back.
I’ll remind you.
Thank you, Brooks. I need to land at the square. Are you okay walking to your grandmother’s house?
Of course. I don’t think the big bad wolf is going to be at grandma’s house.
If he is, punch him in the nose and get out of there.
Got it. Punch and run.
Rogan hovered over the square. Alerted by the beat of his wings, the crowd looked up and automatically parted to create a landing zone. He settled onto the ground. Immediately, several community leaders approached. He could tell they had something to discuss. This might take longer than he thought.
Brooks, call me if you need me. I may be tied up for a while.
I will. Take your time. And oooh! Tying you up sounds good.
You’re tempting me, Adventurer.
Brooks’s answering grin told him he knew exactly what he was doing.
Rogan shifted before his mate, aroused by him too much. The crowd did not need to see an erect dragon.
“Rogan! We’re glad to see you. We need some help to melt scrap metal to create some tools. Could you lend us your fire?”
“Of course. Show me what you’re doing first,” he requested.
A movement to his right caught his attention. Rogan turned to see the alleyway was empty. On a hunch, he excused himself and headed for the passage. No one. Rogan walked between the buildings, checking for hiding spots or doorways.
Behind a dumpster, he spotted a small panel that was slightly ajar. He shoved the large metal bin out of the way. Sensing the heat through the wall, he guessed one person lurked inside. “Come out,” he roared.
No one answered. Of course not.
“If I have to come get you, that doesn’t bode well for you,” he growled.
The panel moved slightly, and a young female voice asked, “You won’t eat me?”
“No.”
Seconds ticked by. The gap widened and a young teenager dressed in an overcoat stepped out with one hand stuffed in her pocket. “What do you want, dragon?” The fear in her eyes erased the bravado in her words.
It was way too hot to merit a coat. “Tell me your name.” He memorized her appearance—matted brown hair, blue eyes, hollow cheeks, and a slight form. She hadn’t been eating regularly.
“Puddintane. Ask me again and I’ll tell you the same.”
He noticed she angled herself away from him to distract him from her hidden hand. “It is not wise to mess with dragons,” Rogan reminded her with a steely stare. “Tell me your name.”
The teenager swallowed hard and admitted, “May.”
“Thank you, May. Now, pull that hand slowly out of your pocket.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Why?”
“Please don’t make me,” she whispered.
He could tell she wavered between two choices. “May, what is your family name? Do you need help?”
She shook her head frantically. “No. I’m fine.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“No.”
“Then I’ll have no choice but to take you to people who will help figure this out,” Rogan explained.
“Don’t make me do this.”
“What’s going on, May?”
“I’m not one of them. I like dragons.”
“Is someone forcing you to do something against dragons, May?” Rogan asked.
She nodded. “If I don’t, they’ll hurt my brother.”
“We need to avoid that. Is anyone watching us?”
“They’re inside the building. Where it’s safe. They can’t see.” She spit out the words in disgust. They’d sent a kid to do a job they were too scared to do themselves.
“Where’s your brother? Is he in the building, too?”
“No. They took him away. He’s only three.”
Anyone near the square? Rogan sent to the horde. I have a problem here.
And I thought you were a big, tough dragon.
Keres. Of course. Rogan mentally shook his head. He’d have to rely on the black dragon. Fair warning. I believe I have someone that’s involved with the attacks on dragons.
“May, I promise you I’m going to help you and your brother. Can you tell me if you have powder in your pocket?” Rogan asked, refocusing quickly on the teenager.
“I don’t know. That’s what it might be. They gave me a packet and told me to throw it at you.”
“Did they tell you it would kill you as well?”
She stared at him hard. “Are you telling me the truth?”
“Dragons don’t lie, May.”
“Will you help my brother?”
“I promise I will try. First, I need to help you. Take your hand out of your pocket.”
“If I do, the dust will fly.”
Rogan debated quickly. In this small alleyway, the effects of the powder would affect May and himself. It was best to take care of this here.
“Want me to take her out?” Keres voice growled from behind Rogan.
“What?” May cried, dodging behind the dumpster.
“Keres. Stay at the mouth of the alley. Keep everyone out,” Rogan directed as he maintained his focus on the young woman.
“May. That’s Keres. He’s an ass who always says the wrong thing. He won’t hurt you.”
“Promise?”
“I won’t let anyone hurt you, May.”
To Rogan’s relief, May stepped out from behind the dumpster to face him once again.
“Let’s get that coat off you. Slide your arm out of the sleeve.”
May slowly followed his directions. Soon the coat dangled from one shoulder. It was way too big. Maybe there would be enough material to wrap around her hand to trap the chemicals in the fabric instead of releasing them into the air.
“I’m going to come closer and wrap the coat around your hand. Then you’re going to pull your hand out slowly. How did they get your hand in this?” Rogan asked to give her something else to focus on. She was already stiff with fear. He wound the coat tightly around her hand.
“They’d already stuffed a bag in the pocket when they put it on me. They made me put on a glove and then slide my hand into the container. I was supposed to grab a handful, or the whole packet, and throw it at you.”
“You’re too close, Rogan,” Keres called.
Rogan waved him off. Tell me something I don’t know. There’s no other way to do this.
“Okay, at the count of five, I’m going to pull this off you. Keep your fingers straight. Once your hand is free from the pocket, wiggle them around to wipe off any powder clinging to your hand.”
Brooks. I have a situation here. Stay where you are. I’m taking care of it. I love you, Adventurer.
“One. Two.”
Daddy?
“Three. Four.”
I love you!
“Five.”
Rogan whisked off the coat and stared at the strips coated with powder attached to the glove. They’d added double-stick tape to make sure she pulled out some of the lethal substance. He stripped the glove off and dropped it. Grabbing May’s arm, he ran toward Keres.
Gray tinged the edges of his vision, and Rogan lost his orientation to the space around him as everything whirled chaotically. Pushing May in front of him as he fell, Rogan called, “Take her, Keres.”
Daddy!