Reawakening the Dragon: Part Four (3 page)

His beast paused and finally replied,
I do like secrets.

Good. Then hush.

Kai’s silence was finally rewarded when Jane spoke again. “It was my first exciting assignment. After a few years of reporting on things such as dangerous weeds for children or senior citizen art shows, I was more than ready to investigate an arson. My boss at the time said it was a test—if I could handle the story, I would move up from local inconveniences and events to crime.

“Back then, I thought crime was where I wanted to be, so I dug in and went to work.” Jane laid her head on her hands and continued, “I did what I would do with any story and reached out to my police contacts, interviewed witnesses, and eventually discovered the two men suspected of the crime as well as a third person of interest.

“I tracked down the person of interest first. He was determined to clear his name and so he agreed to do an interview.

“Fast forward two days and my story was in the newspaper. The story did well and my boss promoted me. It should’ve been a fantastic day.”

Kai’s voice was quiet when he asked, “So what went wrong?”

Jane closed her eyes a second and then opened them again. “While everything the suspect, Tom Smith, had told me was true, I didn’t provide the whole context.”

“How did that slip past your editors? Or were you working for a tabloid?”

Jane shook her head. “It wasn’t a tabloid, but it was a smaller newspaper with a limited number of staff. Our fact checkers were overworked and some things slipped through from time to time. And my story was one of them.”

He rubbed Jane’s lower back. “What exactly did you say and what happened as a result?”

“Tom had told me about how he picked up his two friends from the nightclub and drove them to a local train station to catch the last southbound train for the night. Since they were students at the University of Manchester with him, he just assumed they were going home for the break and thought nothing of it. He had no idea his friends had just committed arson.”

Kai interjected, “But arson itself isn’t that bad of a crime, compared to others.”

“That’s true, but two of the injured died the next day and it became a homicide case.”

“Right, so what did you leave out and why does it still linger with you?”

Her brows furrowed. “How did you know that?”

“Jane, it’s my job to notice changes in behavior. Ever since you got the idea to tell me about this story, you’ve lost most of your confidence. That tells me something happened and it left a lasting impression on you. So tell me what it is.”

When she didn’t even try to argue back, Kai knew he was right. “Well, I mentioned Tom knowing the suspects and driving them to the train station. However, I didn’t quite mention that he had no idea what was going on. My conscience ate at me and I forced a correction two days later. But by then, the damage had been done. Everyone accused Tom of being a part of the crime. He lost his part-time job and eventually dropped out of uni. He couldn’t take the stares and accusations.”

Kai frowned. “No one bothered to read the retraction, I take it. But the bigger question is whether he ever was convicted or not.”

“Tom was deemed not guilty and cleared of any charges. However, it was all because of me that Tom’s life went off track. I tried to hunt him down, talk to his employer, and make things right. But while I was trying to do that, Tom committed suicide.”

“Jane.”

Jane rolled off him and sat up. Hugging her chest, she continued, “It took me years to get past that, but I vowed that I would never misdirect the public again. With my new work ethic, I switched jobs and worked on fluff pieces again. When my next shot came, I took it. But never again did I not disclose the full truth and distort the narrative to fit my goals.”

Kai wanted to hug his human close, but sensed Jane didn’t want it quite yet. “That’s why you were so upset when I accused you of using the dragon-shifters only to further your career and that you didn’t give a shit.”

She bobbed her head. “Helping the dragon-shifters was risky, but I knew I could help make a difference. Telling the truth would do all dragon-shifters good. In some small way, I thought it might help make up for ruining someone else’s life.”

Kai sat up slowly and reached out a hand to touch her bicep. “You have helped.”

“Not nearly enough.”

He grunted. “I agree. You need to do more.”

Jane unfolded her arms and leaned forward. “If you’re ordering me to work harder, that’s not what I need right now.”

“Wrong. It’s exactly what you need.” Kai cupped Jane’s cheek firmly and leaned closer. “I think your podcast idea from earlier is brilliant and only you can pull it off.” He pressed his forehead against Jane’s. “So you’d better stick around long enough to see it through.”

Jane raised an eyebrow. “So you can make those decisions now, huh, instead of Bram about who gets to stay or not?”

He shrugged his good shoulder, knowing it might stir her fire even more. He’d do anything to keep her from doubting herself again. “If I recommend you, then Bram won’t think twice about letting you stay.”

There was a question in Jane’s eyes. Instead of asking it, she scooted over to Kai and leaned against his chest. “We’ll see. I think my first real test will be luring the Dragon Knights to a specific location so you can deal with them. The combined Lochguard and DDA attack last month helped to thin out their numbers, but one more major takedown should do it. At least, in the UK. I wish there was a way to help the other clans around the world, too.”

He laid his head on top of Jane’s. “Clans are territorial. Hell, I can’t remember the last time we even talked with any of the clans on the Continent, let alone America.”

“That’s going to change, I think.”

He snorted. “Oh, really? Are you a psychic now, too?”

She pulled back and looked up at him. “I would almost think you’re teasing me.”

The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Kai Sutherland doesn’t have a sense of humor. That’s what everyone says.”

“I think he does. It’s just a bit rusty.”

She tickled his good side and a bark of laughter escaped before he could stop it. Jane removed her hand and grinned. “That laugh sounded pretty rusty, too. I’m going to have to coax it out of you some more.”

“I have a better idea.”

He flipped Jane onto her back and tickled her side. As her laughter rang out, he couldn’t help smiling.
 

Then she kicked him in the balls and pain shot through his body. “Bloody hell, woman, are you trying to make me a eunuch?”

Jane’s eyes were bright and she put on a look of fake innocence. “I can’t control my legs when you tickle me. It’s your own fault.”

Ignoring the dull pain in his balls, Kai removed his condom, tossed it aside, and then laid on top of Jane. “Then we’ll just have to make sure you’re restrained.”

“Don’t you dare, Kai.”

As he tickled her again, he enjoyed the feel of her body wiggling under his. Only because his dick was still soft from Jane’s kick did he not put on another condom and take her again.

Instead, he switched to caressing her side and nibbling her neck. His female started to relax and he murmured, “You’re going to ride me again as an apology, Jane. But first, I’m going to make you come again.”

“Kai, you just can’t—“

He shut her up with a kiss. Jane melted as he devoured the inside of her mouth. Raising his hips, she moved her legs to wrap around his waist.
 

The time for talking was over. Kai was ready to play.

Chapter Two

Ten days later, Jane stood on the edge of one of the dragon landing areas and watched as her dragonman performed a series of dives, twirls, and escape maneuvers in the air. Bram, Dr. Sid, and Aaron, Kai’s second-in-command, were at her side.

To Jane, Kai looked to be in full fighting-force again. But she wasn’t a dragon-shifter, so she glanced at Bram and Sid. Their faces were unreadable as always, so she looked to Aaron.

While she was still getting to know the dragonman, Aaron Caruso was one of the more approachable clan members she’d met so far. He always had a smile and liked to tease everyone. Of course, there had to be more to him than he allowed Jane to see.

Still, Kai trusted Aaron despite the fact the dragonman had only recently returned from living abroad with his mother for a few years. If Kai trusted him, then so would she.

Before she could ask her question, Aaron looked over at her and raised his brows. “Is it killing you yet, not knowing whether he’s cleared to fly again for missions?”

Jane frowned. “What do you think?”

Aaron grinned. “I think you can wonder a bit longer.”

Bram grunted. “Aaron, what do you think will happen if I tell Kai you’re flirting with his female?”

Aaron looked innocent. “What are you talking about? I would never do that.”

Bram murmured, “Remind me to strangle my cousin for bringing you back from Italy. You should’ve stayed there.”

Aaron shrugged. “Mum said she missed the rain. Not that I understand how that’s possible.”

Jane knew their stay in Italy had had something to do with Aaron’s mother, but she hadn’t found out what it was just yet.

Still, her curiosity about Aaron would have to wait. Jane spoke up. “How much longer are we going to watch Kai?”

Sid answered, “I need to test his stamina. So probably another twenty minutes.”

Jane resisted a sigh. She had a million things to do for both her and Kai’s plan for the Dragon Knights as well as for her podcast pitch scheduled next week with Bram, Evie, and Melanie.
 

Yet as she watched Kai’s golden dragon move through the sky, she knew her place was here, supporting him. Her tasks could wait twenty minutes. She would never be able to concentrate if she walked away anyway.

She was about to ask another question when Nikki jogged up to where they were standing. The dragonwoman wasn’t even breathing hard as she said, “Sorry I’m late. The human male was being a pain in my arse again.”

Bram glanced to Nikki. “Regardless of his arsehole status, how is Rafe’s monitoring going?”

Nikki shrugged. “Same as before. The former Carlisle-based hunters have settled near Birmingham. Rafe still thinks it’s partly so the hunters can focus on both our clan and Skyhunter’s without stretching their resources too thin.”

Bram shook his head. “I would try to warn the southern clan, but Skyhunter is unstable right now. Until there’s a new clan leader, I don’t think they’ll listen to anything I have to say, let alone work with us against a common enemy.”

Nikki nodded. “I know. But at least we’re aware of their general location. Rafe’s working on a more precise set of coordinates. His gut says they’ve split into two or three camps.”

Kai dove down toward them and only pulled up when he was fifteen feet from the ground. The whoosh of the wind sent Jane’s hair every which way. Once Kai was back in the air, Bram stated, “We still have time to find out more information. Rafe, Finn, and I have expanded our reach via our contacts. If there is even a whisper of trouble, I’ll know about it.”
 

Aaron answered, “Add in the extra security—both in terms of dragonman- and woman-power and security alarms and cameras—and it’s going to be bloody difficult for anyone to slip through like when they took Evie and little Murray.”

Bram met Aaron’s gaze. “Let’s hope so. I’m not about to be too cocky. There’s always someone worming their way into one clan or another. Lochguard has the additional threat of clan deserters. If Finn needs our help, he has it.”

Aaron grunted. “I still need to meet the Scottish bastard.”

“He has a pregnant mate and is trying to heal the divide in his clan. He has better things to do than challenge you to who can out-alpha and out-charm each other.” Bram looked up to Kai in the air. “For now, I want to take care of the easier threat—the Dragon Knights.”

Sid spoke up. “I’m not going to rush this, Bram. I need to test Kai’s limits or it could cost Kai his life.”

“No one’s rushing you, Sid. I just hope he’s ready,” Bram murmured.

Every one fell silent as they watched the huge golden dragon in the sky test out his wings.

~~~

Kai stretched his wings and beat them faster until he nearly reached the clouds. Then he dove back down and twirled off to the side.

Normally, he loved flying more than anything. But he had yet to take Jane up into the air. If he was cleared, he would find a time as soon as possible to bring her.

His dragon spoke up.
We’re fine. Not tired, our muscles don’t hurt. I don’t know why Sid makes such a fuss.

It’s her job to make a fuss. How many times have we had to pester younger Protectors until they admit the full truth of their injuries?

Maybe. But we’re different. If we lie, then we could put the whole clan in danger.

Just a little longer. Think of Jane. She’s watching us and I know you want to impress her.

Jane. Yes, she must see how skilled we are.

As his beast concentrated on impressing their female, it gave Kai time to remember the way she looked when she woke up with her hair mussed and her eyes heavy with sleep. Or, how her lips parted when she came before screaming his name.

But his favorite was when fire flashed in her eyes as she argued with him.

The past week and a half had been a blur of planning, talking, and fucking. He’d told his female more about his mother and little sister, Delia, than anyone else alive. He knew she wanted to meet them, but Jane hadn’t pressed the issue yet.

She would eventually. Family was important to Jane and she thought he should visit his mum and Delia more often.

His dragon pulled them up from another roll maneuver just before they would hit one of the mountains. Kai grunted.
That was close. You’re acting like a reckless teenager.

The difference is that I know what I’m doing.

His beast had just started to ascend when Bram gave the signal for Kai to land.

Even as his dragon began their descent, he grumbled,
I have so many more moves to show Jane.