Chapter 2
Dragons Return
Krispin
My eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light in the hotel lobby. Cameron and Jackson stood on either side of me, and I was grateful for their presence. Only a fool walked into a vampire coven without at least a sliver of trepidation, even if we were there to help them.
A gargoyle had injured one of their number and was not healing, no matter how much blood he had been given. That's where Cameron and I came into play. As the paranormal community's leading toxicologists, we had been asked to evaluate what could be causing the vampire not to heal.
Jackson was the Head Enforcer of the Belle Fort Wolf Pack in eastern Montana.
He had a large frame, standing taller than six feet, with powerful arms, and dark mocha skin, short black hair, and gorgeous coal-black eyes.
He had been sent as protection for both Cameron and me, as if I needed it.
However, neither of them knew my secret.
No one knew my secret. To them, I was just another human.
I had met Cam five years ago, at a doctor’s conference, and we had become close friends.
He was shorter, under six feet, but still had an athletic body.
He was toned, with tan skin, and shaggy black hair and light blue eyes.
Damn! He had a sexy body, and I’d enjoyed fucking his tight ass that weekend we’d met.
That was the weekend I had "discovered" that he was a wolf and that paranormals existed. We had been best friends with benefits for two years before he’d met his fated mate in Jackson.
The two were perfect for each other, and while I missed the sex, I was happy for my friend.
He had found his match, and Jackson was an okay guy.
"Dr. James, I presume?" An elegant vampire appeared in front of us. "The toxicologist?"
"Yes, I'm Dr. Cameron James. This is Head Enforcer Jackson Turner, and my good friend and associate, Dr. Krispin Adair," Cam responded.
"Great, my name is Carson Matthews. I’m the head tracker for the coven. Please follow me. I’ll take you up to the infirmary to see Master Stephen."
The vampire turned toward the elevators, and we followed him.
He had a nice ass and perhaps I could try it out later, but vampires liked to bite, and I wasn't about to give up my blood.
We got on the elevator and rode up in silence.
All the while I was giving the vampire an appraising look.
He had black hair and a slender build, with long legs I bet would be perfect for wrapping around my waist as I fucked him.
He wore a black suit that fitted him perfectly, accentuating his assets.
By the size of his bulge he had a nice size cock.
My own cock thickened as I thought of bending the vamp over and plunging deep inside him.
I was sure my scent had changed because the vampire turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.
Jackson cleared his throat and Cameron mouthed, behave!
I didn't want to behave. I’d been feeling very horny these past few months, I couldn't understand my need to fuck so much.
It was like I could not be sated. I had multiple partners, threesomes, and foursomes.
Sometimes I came four or five times in one night.
It didn't matter how much I came or how many men I had; something was missing.
I had to have more to fill the insatiable need.
I was brought out of my thoughts of pounding the sexy vampire's ass when the elevator stopped and the doors opened.
We continued down the hall toward the infirmary, and as we were nearing, we heard loud, angry voices. "Who the fuck does Sonod think he is? I am the elder assigned to this. Why would he send you here?"
"Elder Sonod is a good friend of mine, and as the injuries aren’t healing, he believes I may be able to help. He asked if I would come and evaluate the situation," an even-tempered voice replied.
"Elder Atticus, I realize you’re here to investigate this gargoyle attack, but my first priority is to my enforcer. You have said that you can do nothing for him. I will welcome all who believe they can help," a voice that held power added.
As we walked into the room, the tension was thick, and the men there were staring daggers at each other.
There was a big gargoyle who looked furious and two other gargoyles by his side.
On the other side, a smartly dressed man with short blond hair and dark brown eyes that almost looked black radiated power.
That had to be the vampire master. A few others waited behind the master, and a single man stood in the middle of the room.
"Elder Atticus, perhaps I can show you to your rooms and the dining hall so you can get some rest. It was a long journey," one man near the master said.
"Very well, you will see this is a waste of time," the elder gargoyle grumbled as he turned and stormed from the room. The remaining gargoyles and the man who had suggested the room and rest went with him.
"Master Stephen, this is Dr. James and his associates from the Belle Fort Pack," our guide stated.
"Thank you, Carson. Welcome, I apologize for the rude greeting. I am Stephen Riggs, Master of the Walden Coven. Any and all help is valued and appreciated," Master Stephen said.
As Cameron and Jackson introduced themselves, I studied the room.
I took in the energy and the scents. The energy and power in the room were still strong.
Besides the master, there were four other vampires.
Three wore black tailored suits, and each had potent power, much like the master but less.
If I had to guess, these were his second in command and enforcers.
The female vampire had on a doctor’s coat, and while she was smaller than the others, she held the same strength as some of the men.
There was another man standing very close to the master. He was a wolf, around five foot six, and had wild brown hair. He was nearly tucked into the master's side. By their combined scent, they had to be mates.
It was the man who stood in the middle of the room, however, who held my attention. He had bright red hair and gleaming green eyes. He stood around six foot two, was heavily built, and if I was not mistaken, his scent and power told me he was a dragon.
It was rare for a dragon to associate with anyone.
Most hid their scent. The days of dragons were long past, and since it was uncommon to deal with them, most in the paranormal world wouldn't recognize their smell.
Those here probably didn't know what he was.
They probably just knew he had power. I was glad I continued to cloak my scent and power, so no one could find out what or who I was.
I didn't want to deal with the reminders of my past.
I was just about to speak when a most alluring scent hit my nostrils.
I closed my eyes, breathed deep, and instantly became hard as a rock.
It was the smell of honey and wildflowers.
It called to me, and I wanted to devour it.
I opened my eyes with a start, looking, searching for the source of the odor.
My eyes landed on the man on the bed. I raced forward and started looking at his wounds.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" the female vampire asked.
I ignored her as I continued to investigate.
"This was not made by a gargoyle claw. How was this done?" I demanded after I lifted the bandage covering the wound to his gut.
"He was stabbed with something that the gargoyle had. We don't know what," she stated.
I leaned in and smelled the wound. Basilisk venom. I quickly checked his eyes. They were dilated and his breathing was labored.
"How long has he been like this?" I asked urgently.
"Kris, what's going—" Cameron began.
I abruptly cut him off and asked again, "How long has he been like this?"
"About thirty-six hours," the vampire doctor stated. Thirty-six hours. There was no time. I quickly turned to the dragon.
"What is your condition?" I asked
"My condition?" he asked, confused.
"Your caste? What is it?"
With a look of surprise and shock, he answered, "Roarke of the Red Caste, son of Alister, Lord of the Red Caste. How did you know?"
I felt my body change and my power surge. My Cardia, my heart, my fated mate, was dying, and I had to save him. My eyes glowed as I answered.
"I am Krispin Adair, Last of the Golden Caste, Guardian of the Sacred Fire, King and Sovereign of High Garden. This man is my Cardia—my heart. He was stabbed by a Keneke blade. I call you into service, Roarke of the Red Caste."
His eyes widened, and he bowed. "I answer the call of service."
He turned quickly to the others in the room as I returned to my mate.
I felt my power and my dragon coming to the front, growing even more impatient.
I let loose a mighty roar that shook the very foundations.
I vaguely heard yelling in the background.
The mating heat was coming, and everyone in this room needed to leave except for this man in front of me.
Roarke
I stood in stunned disbelief. The Dragon King, here in this place.
I not only met him, but he had called me into service.
This was too much of a shock. If my brothers and parents could see me now.
I was the youngest and smallest of my caste, and my brothers picked on me all the time.
Yet, the Dragon King had seen fit to honor me with this sacred duty.
"What the hell was that?" someone asked.
"What's going on?" another said at the same time.
"Why did you get us out of there? If my man dies, I will kill you!" Master Stephen all but shouted.
"How is this possible? He's human. I don't understand," the little wolf shifter said.
"Everyone. Calm down. Your man is the safest one in this building and certainly in that room.
He was stabbed by a Keneke. It's a blade from the ancient days. It’s coated with basilisk venom.
" Before I continued, wide eyes looked at me.
I was going to have to reveal the secret of my people.
Hopefully, the king would have mercy on me.
"Basilisk venom will usually kill within thirty-six hours. It will kill humans and paranormal alike; none are immune, save dragons."
"Dragons? There are no dragons. What the hell are you talking about?" the bigger wolf asked. I believe his name was Jackson.
"I am a dragon. Your friend is a dragon," I said matter-of-factly. I turned to Master Stephen. "And your man is his Cardia—his heart. Vampires have beloveds, wolves have fated mates, and dragons have Cardias or hearts.”
The shocked eyes stared at me again. They were fully absorbing the information that was being shared. They continued to look at me and said nothing, so I carried on.
“Your man was very sick, near dying. The king could not allow his mate to die. So, he started the bonding process."
"Bonding process? Ben’s in no condition to bond with anyone, and this dragon is bonding to him without his permission," Devin, the vampire second-in-command, yelled in anger.
"Would you rather he dies? There is no other way to save him than to bond with him. The king has started the bonding process by sharing his blood with his mate. His blood will destroy the venom that is now circulating in your friend’s body and killing him," I replied, staring back at him.
He locked eyes with me and finally looked away, apparently conceding this was better than death.
“Why did we have to leave?” the small wolf, whose name I couldn’t remember, asked.
"The mating heat will come on them. No one, male or female, friend or family, mated or unmated—no one would be safe in there until the bonding is complete. His dragon will kill any nearby person and view them as a threat to his claim. That’s why he called me into service.
A dragon, normally, when they find their mate, they will take that mate to their lair.
Then they will call their trusted dragons into service, protecting the entrance from any entering.
It’s my sacred duty to ensure their solitude until the mating heat and bonding is complete," I explained.
"As I said Ben isn't well enough for a claiming. What’s this dragon going to do? Fuck an unconscious man?" Devin said angrily.
"No, he’s giving his blood now, which in fact, since your friend is so sick, he will need plenty of.
It will weaken the king. He will need food brought to replenish his blood cells.
After your friend is healed, they will then complete the bond.
The process is started however, and with your friend being so sick, it could take days before it’s complete," I responded.
"Carson, go to the dining hall. Have them prepare food and bring it back. We’ll push it into the room on the food cart, so we don't have to enter. Basil, you’ll stand guard first with Roarke. We’ll take shifts. No one is to enter," Master Stephen commanded.
Carson left to carry out his master's orders, and Basil took position at the side of the door.
"Why didn't I know Kris was a dragon? Why hide it? He knew I was a wolf," the small wolf asked quietly.
I sighed. I didn't know the full reason for the law, but dragons as a whole didn’t associate or reveal themselves to anyone save their own kind and their mates. I was considered an oddity with my friendship to Elder Sonod. Granted, my caste and father didn’t know. If they did, I would be punished.
"I can only give you the short answer, as I don't know the full story. The king can give the full answer," I said.
He looked at me and nodded.
"Dragons were ordered to hide what they are from humans and paranormals alike, save their mates and other dragons. To reveal themselves is against the law."
"Are you going to get in trouble for telling us this? Is Kris?" he asked.
I looked at him and shrugged. "I don't know."