The Imprisoned Dragon and the Witch (14 page)

Ronan sighed, knowing himself how difficult it was to resist a mate. “I’m not overjoyed at this news Serge, however, I know first-hand what it’s like, so let’s just put this behind us. Of course you can ask your Alpha and I’m sure he’ll conduct the ceremony. We can hold a party once we’ve got all this
Na Cúnant Dorcha
business under control. Let Kyra know you’re off the hook, please, tell her welcome from me and Starr. Now, is there anything you two need, ‘cause as soon as I tell Starr, she’ll be wanting to get you a gift and it’s better if it’s something you will actually use or need.”

Serge laughed, “Well, Kyra says I need new stuff for the bed. She doesn’t like my covers ‘n stuff, says she wants something more ‘girly’ if that makes any sense.”

Ronan knew exactly what she meant, Starr having changed theirs some time ago. “Oh yeah, I know, tell you what, get Kyra to let Starr know what she’s after and we’ll get it for you. Although, I can’t see you in a bed covered in pink flowers!”

The low growl that came from Serge surprised him. “Flowers? Pink flowers? No, definitely not having that!”

As Serge finished, Ronan chuckled. “Oh, trust me, Serge, you’ll have whatever the hell she wants, so suck it up.”

Serge stood up, muttering, “Pink flowers?” before he stopped, a bemused look on his face. “Yeah, guess I will have whatever she wants. Just don’t tell anyone if she does ask for pink flowers. I’d never live it down.”

“Your secret will be safe with me. I wouldn’t want folks to know I’ve got dark purple satin sheets now either!” Ronan laughed out loud at the end, remembering when Starr had put the new bedding on their bed. He had been as bemused as Serge looked right now.

“Shit!” Serge cursed as he left the office, “See you tomorrow,” he threw over his shoulder as he continued down the hall.

“Yes, you will and let’s just hope we all make it back unscathed,” Ronan said quietly, more to himself than Serge.

Chapter 14

It was another few hours before Starr stuck her head in the door. “Time for some rest. We’ve got a big day tomorrow, Fang.”

Ronan looked up, confused. “What? Is it late?”

Starr grinned. “It sure is. Everyone else left hours ago, so come on home. You’ve gone over and over everything, it’s all set, so come home with me,
grá mo chroí
. I need to be in your arms, feeling safe.”

Ronan scrutinized his mate, noting the tension around her eyes. Seeing the grief that she held in check. “Of course,” he said quickly, moving to stand in front of her.

He leaned down, kissing her gently, before leading her away and up to their apartment. As he closed the door he remembered to ask. “Are you hungry? Have you eaten anything?”

“I had a sandwich earlier but I’m not hungry. I just want to have a nice long shower and go to bed.”

Starr held his hand and led him towards their room, where she started to undress. By the time they had reached the shower, both of them were naked. The tension wasn’t just around Starr’s eyes – Ronan saw her muscles strung tight as a bow. With the water falling over them, he reached for the soap and started to wash her. His hands massaging as he went, it still took some time before her body responded, relaxing into his touch.

Ronan moved his hands around her, one caressing a soft breast as the other soaped her belly. Moving downwards, she gasped, as his soapy fingers found her sensitive spot. His lips kissed along the back of her shoulders, one side to the other, before gently nipping her neck. Starr’s hips were now moving forwards, looking for more contact...which he gave willingly.

Soft moans escaped her throat as he brought her to orgasm and as it hit, his fangs sank deeply within her soft skin. The result of his bite having her scream his name in one long howl, her legs shaking and her body trembling within his grasp.

“Hope you feel a little more relaxed now?” Ronan grinned down at her upturned face.

“I sure do but I think you need to take me to bed and make me even more
relaxed
, Fang.”

He picked her up, leaving the shower. “Grab those towels,” he said gruffly, his own passion ignited.

She grabbed onto them as he carried her past, before lowering her to her feet at the side of the bed. Taking one of the towels, he started to dry Starr as she stood still, watching with hooded eyes. By the time he was finished, he was almost dry himself, almost but not quite. As she reached forward to reciprocate, he threw the towel down. “I’m dry enough, now why don’t I get started on
relaxing
you some more,” he whispered as his mouth closed over hers.

He made the next hour his mission to bring his mate to multiple orgasms, her moans, sighs, screams, taking him higher and higher. Finally, he allowed his own release as he buried himself deep inside her warm, inviting sheath. His own roar joining her screams.

“Sleep, I need sleep.” Starr laughed as they cleaned up, her face holding none of the tension it had earlier.

Ronan still saw grief in her eyes but that was to be expected. Once this was over, he would take her away, talk about Talon, and allow her to grieve her loss. For now, he nodded. “Yeah, let’s get some rest.” He smiled as he crawled back into bed, holding her tightly within his arms.

“I feel safe now,” Starr whispered as her lids gently closed, taking her over into sleep.

He watched her sleep, her breaths hot on his chest as he held her close. “I’ll always keep you safe,” he whispered as he tried to rest.

That rest did not come. His mind wandering to the operation they were embarking on time and again. More importantly, the fact that Starr would not be close to him so he could protect her. He shook his head,
“For fuck sake! Get a grip! She’s a Dragon, not some weak human with no powers!”
He mentally slapped himself, knowing she was strong, knowing she was pretty kick-ass, but also knowing he would never be able to stop worrying about her. Ever.

As dawn drew nearer, he slipped his arms from around Starr and went to the kitchen. He prepared her favorite, strong coffee and made her some toast and eggs. Placing it on a tray, he carried it back through to their room. Starr stirring as he entered.

“Morning, hope you slept okay?” he asked, knowing she had.

“Hmm, what time is it?” she asked sleepily, her mouth turning up into a smile when she saw the tray in his hands.

“We’ve got about an hour before we leave, thought you would need some breakfast first.” He waited until she sat up before placing the tray on her lap.

“Breakfast in bed, what more could a girl ask for?” she yawned as she tucked in.

“To win the lottery?” Ronan quipped as he started to dress, pulling on his combat gear quickly.

“Possibly, but I think I’m lucky enough, we should let someone else win it.” As Ronan finished lacing up his combat boots, Starr finished her eggs, only eating a small piece of toast. “I’m all done,” she said as she held out the tray to him.

He took it from her, noting she looked far more rested than she had the previous day. “Okay, get up and moving and we can head down early to go over and check everything, again.”

“I’m up, I’m awake, just give me a minute or two and I’ll be ready, willing and able. Go do the washing up and by time you’re finished, I’ll be all set.” Starr’s eyes twinkled, knowing how he hated any kind of domesticity.

“We have a dishwasher, Starr,” he reminded her as she pushed the covers away and got out of bed.

“It’s only a plate and a cup, I’m sure you can manage that.” She chuckled as she disappeared into their closet.

“Yes, I can, or rather could, but I don’t see the point so they’re going in the dishwasher,” he mumbled as he left the room.

By the time he had cleared away the things he had used to make breakfast and loaded up the dishwasher, Starr was at the door watching him. “All done,” he smirked as she gave him a scowl.

“Lazy bones,” she said as he grinned.

“Let’s get downstairs, I want to call the other teams, and Josef, to make sure everything’s set and good to go.” Ronan was obsessing, he knew that, but couldn’t help himself.

They absolutely
had
to take down Quintas Crane and
Na Cúnant Dorcha
. Today. Or else he was sure his “boss” would take matters into his own hands.

When they reached the conference room, it was already packed with the members that were going on their own take down. Creed stood at the front, organizing the five Elite squads that were joining them. His tone clipped as he barked out orders.

Sam stood with Esther and her sister, Judith. The differences between them so great, Ronan would never have guessed they were related. Where Esther was smallish and a little plump, Judith was tall and reed thin. Esther’s hair was long, though she usually kept it up in a bun, whereas Judith’s was cut so short you could almost see her scalp. Judith also wore a lot of jewelry, with several pairs of earrings in each ear. Her skin so very pale, while Esther’s was tanned and healthy looking. Judith looked more like a survivor from a concentration camp than a powerful Witch.

Looking around the room, he saw everyone was there that should be, so he moved to the front. “Listen up! I see we’re all here, we have a little time before we head out so if anyone needs food or coffee, please go get it now. While you’re doing that I’ll go over everything...again!”

As some Wolves, including Serge and Drake moved to the table with coffee, juice and various pastries set up on it, Ronan started to talk. Going over every minute detail, again and again. Near the end he turned towards Esther, Judith at her side. “You two good to go? We’re not certain how many dark magic Witches will be there, but at the last report, Quintas was there, together with at least two more Witches. Whether they use dark magic or not is anyone’s guess, but, if I were to put money on it, I’d say yes. He will keep his strongest people close to him so it looks like you are up against three.”

Esther nodded, but it was Judith that spoke, her voice so soft even he had to concentrate to hear her. “We will be fine, do not worry about us.”

He inclined his head. “Good to know. Now, let’s get this over and done with. Remember, Quintas Crane does
not
get away!”

Everyone filed out, most taking the stairs down to the garage with only Esther and Judith taking the elevator.

It didn’t take long for the convoy of vehicles to be on their way. Sam driving theirs and Serge joining them. The journey was done in relative silence, with Serge asking a few questions before they arrived. They were in place, at their allocated entry point with ten minutes until the incursion.

Serge moved off to the rear of their vehicle, stripping down and placing his clothes in the back before transforming. The noise of his bones breaking and realigning sounded loud in the silence.

Creed joined him and Starr as she finished speaking. “I’ll change just before we go in, and yes, I know, stay behind you all.

Creed’s face was hard as he looked between Starr and him. “She’s going Dragon? That wasn’t in the brief.”

Ronan stared into those impossibly blue eyes in a dark ebony face, his own almost as hard. “My decision. She’ll stay well back until we breach, but it will be good to have a set of eyes up in the sky. She’ll see things that we may miss on the ground.”

Esther chimed in. “Good thinking, Ronan. If we miss anyone attempting to get away, then Starr should see them.”

Creed’s face turned to the Witch, staring at her as if she were some form of alien life. “Perhaps. Or her Dragon could get in the way of my men. I don’t want them burned to a crisp by an over excited Dragon hell bent on revenge.”

Starr gasped, his words hitting a sore spot inside her. “Just you wait a fucking minute…”

Ronan cut her off. “Creed! Sorry, but I must’ve missed the notification from the
President
telling me I was dismissed and you were taking my place. Oh wait, that didn’t happen! In light of that you will carry out your orders and the rest of us will do what we came to do. Do
not
argue on this or I’ll hand over the Elites to someone who can follow my instructions and decisions better than you.”

Starr’s face was scarlet as she stared at the dangerous Vampire, Ronan’s own face showing his anger as Creed smirked. “Fine, but if she gets in the way and ends up hurt, don’t blame me.”

Creed about turned, his large body stalking away, his anger obvious to everyone. Esther placed a hand on Starr’s arm. “Don’t mind him. He’s got a rod stuffed so far up his ass that he can’t sit down.”

Ronan saw the mischievous glint in Esther’s eyes as Starr snorted. “Yeah, he probably does,” Starr said quietly, before turning back around.

“I’ll go Dragon now, Fang. See you when it’s over.” She moved forward, placing a small kiss on the side of his mouth before going over to a large area that held nothing more than some weeds.

Everyone turned to watch, most of them never having seen a Dragon, far less witnessing a transformation. If they thought it was going to be anything like Wolves changing, they were in for a surprise. Ronan took in the rapt attention as Starr shimmered and disappeared. Her massive Dragon taking up the space as its tail whipped from side to side, the nasty spikes on the end whipping up dust.

There were various exclamations, from, “Holy shit!” to “What the fuck?” to “Why can’t
we
change like that!”

Ronan smiled, at the comments, but also at seeing the magnificent beast before them. He had come to know it well since they had first met and he liked nothing more than to ride on her back as she flew through the night sky.
“Well there is something I like more!”
He thought as Starr’s clawed feet scratched the ground.

He walked over, the massive head lowering until he placed his palm on the side of it. “Be safe,
A chuisle mo chroí
. I don’t want to have to tan your hide when we get home,” he said quietly before placing a kiss on its scaly face.

As he moved away the Dragon snorted, throwing dust up around him. His knowledge of her beast telling him she was doing the equivalent of laughing.

Ronan checked his watch and saw there was less than a minute to go. As they were some way away from the actual ranch, their team had to move now. “Let’s roll,” he shouted and they took off, Esther and Judith staying where they were.

They had agreed to wait until Ronan was in sight of the ranch and he would then say three words they had given him to say. Making him repeat them over and over until they were certain he pronounced them properly. This was like a magical phone call, except it allowed them to hone in on exactly where he was, quickly. Neither of them were fit enough to keep up with Vampires and Wolves running at almost full speed.

Ronan heard the flap of massive wings and knew that Starr was in the air. Sneaking a quick glance he saw that she was sticking to her word, so far, and staying well behind their team. The other teams on each side of the ranch would be making their way forward and would probably see her, but unless someone was outside and looking to the sky, then they were safe from detection. For now.