The Imprisoned Dragon and the Witch (16 page)

As her color returned, his worry lessened, though she still had a glassy look in her eyes. “Yup, we’re heading out tomorrow. Everything else can be handled by Sam and I’m sorry but we’ll probably miss Serge’s mating ceremony, but we’re going. You need this Starr, you need to take the time to grieve for Talon.”

Starr’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded. “I know,” she whispered as he led her away.

“Oh, wait! Quintas! What happened to Quintas? Did he get away?” Her voice rose in panic as she stopped dead.

Ronan pulled her onward before answering, “No, we got him. He won’t be using his hands for much of anything from now though, especially not magic. You don’t need to worry about him, baby.”

Starr’s face was a mask of relief as he continued to steer her back towards their vehicles. “Thank the Goddess. If he’d gotten away, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

“I know, baby, but he didn’t and he’s not going to hurt anyone else again. Now, let’s get you home and you can start packing for our trip while I get the paperwork for this done and dusted. Hell, I need to call the ‘boss’ and let him know too.”

Starr’s snort of laughter made his lips twitch up at the sides. “Hey, it’s not funny. Wonder if I could get Sam to make the call?”

“I doubt it. Plus, do you
really
want Sam talking to the President? Think ‘bout it for a moment. Sam and the President. I think you should keep those two far apart!” Starr’s eyes held a twinkle as she looked up at him and he squeezed her closer.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Hell, I’m gonna need this break as much as you at this rate!” Ronan moaned as they reached the vehicles, or rather, one vehicle. Everyone else had left, leaving Sam sitting waiting on them.

“Jump aboard and I’ll get ya home! I’m Sam and I am your designated driver today.”

Ronan helped Starr up into the back of the SUV, noting her grimace as she moved. “You’re sounding awfully chipper, Sam.”

Sam turned around, a huge smile on his face. “Hell yeah. We got the bad guys, lost a couple of ours, but it could’ve been much worse without Starr’s help
and
our gorgeous Dragon is still with us after being hit by a bolt of dark magic. I’d say that’s a good end to the day.”

Ronan scowled. “Well, you might not be feeling quite as happy once you’ve done all the paperwork for this operation.”

Sam’s eyes widened, looking at Ronan as if he had grown another head. “What? Paperwork? Me? No, you’ve got that wrong, surely?”

As Sam started up the vehicle and pulled away Ronan smirked. “Nope. You’re doing it all, my friend. Starr and I are heading out tomorrow for a holiday so you’ll need to do it. I’ll let everyone know that you’ll be in charge ‘til I’m back. You’ve also got a mating to organize for Serge and Kyra. Sorry we’ll miss that, but, Starr needs to recuperate and, for once, I’m putting us before everything else. I’ll call the ‘boss’ and let him know how things went today though. I don’t think any of us want you dealing with him.”

Starr tried hard not to smile as Sam growled. “Me, in charge, hell that’s just not right! I hope those Alphas that were misbehaving don’t start up again ‘cause I tell ya, I won’t be diplomatic in dealing with them.”

“I hear ya, Sam, and you have my blessing to kick their asses if they do start up again. I’m sure you’ll be fine, but you need to start coordinating with our offices worldwide to take down any outstanding
Na C
ú
nant Dorcha
bases. We need to ensure we’ve taken them out completely, Sam.”

Starr’s head was on his shoulder and his arm around her shoulders held her close. As he looked down he saw her eyes fluttering closed. “Starr, you okay?” he asked, worried.

“Hmm, I’m just tired, is all.”

Ronan’s worry increased, hoping it was just fatigue and not something more serious. Sam’s voice caught his attention.

“I’ll get on that in the morning. How long you two gonna be away?”

As he looked down at his mate Ronan’s words surprised even him. “Not sure. I’m keeping Starr away until she’s okay. Both physically and mentally. She needs to heal her body as well as her soul.”

Sam turned his eyes to the rearview mirror, catching Ronan’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll do my best and take your time. I’ll take care of things and you concentrate on helping your mate.”

Ronan nodded, “Thank you,” he said to his best friend.

“No thanks necessary, just get Starr back to us soon. I’m gonna miss her.”

As Sam grinned at him over his shoulder Ronan chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll do my best. In the meantime you take things slow with Charmaine. You don’t want to spook her into running. It may be a good idea to start looking for something she can do, either in our offices, or possibly, helping Esther.”

“I’ll talk to her tonight and see what she’s interested in and yeah, I know to take things slow. I think I have to heal
her
soul before we take things any further. She needs to learn to trust me and know she’s safe. She still jumps at unexpected noises like a skittish kitten.” Sam’s face looked thoughtful as he finished and Ronan was sure his mind had gone to the young Witch.

“I hope you two manage to work things out. Oh, if you do, work things out, before we’re back, well, unless you want Starr to kick your ass. She’ll want in on organizing your party.” Ronan spoke quietly, not wanting to disturb Starr.

“Ronan, dude, do you honestly think I would have a mating party without you? Or Starr? Wouldn’t happen and you are way off base for event hinting at that.”

Sam’s voice was shocked and all his usual cheery banter was nowhere to be found. “I’m sorry, just wanted to make sure ‘cause Starr would probably kick my ass too.”

Sam laughed, “Hell, yeah, she would! Now, let’s get her back to base and we’ll go over what I need to do ‘til you’re back.”

“Thank you, Sam.” Ronan moved to clasp one of Sam’s shoulders, “I appreciate you stepping up and I promise we’ll be back as soon as I think Starr is recovered.”

Sam’s voice was quiet, “I know, my friend, I know.”

Chapter 16

Starr woke up as they bumped down into the garage, her eyes sleepy as she rubbed them. “Hey, beautiful, we’re back.” Ronan watched her closely, again noting her grimace as she moved, but knowing she would only say she was fine if he asked.

Ronan gave her a soft smile. “I’m going to the office to clear my desk and make sure nothing needs my attention before our trip. Why don’t you go on up and pack for us? It’s hot as Hades at the ranch right now, but we’ll need jeans ‘n such if we decide to go riding.”

Starr yawned. “Hmm, okay, so just shorts, t-shirts ‘n stuff or should I put in some dressy stuff, just in case?”

As he helped Starr out and over to the elevator, he ran a finger down the side of her face. “Maybe a couple of ‘just in case’ outfits. I may take you into Vegas, or rather, I’m sure Josef will invite us and his normal hangouts aren’t jeans ‘n t-shirt types of places.”

“Okay, see you in a bit.” Starr pressed the button for their floor as he and Sam took the stairs.

Sam kept pace with him as he jogged upwards, neither of them speaking until they reached their offices. Ronan moving on to his as Sam stopped outside his own.

Ronan’s tone was deadly serious as he spoke while walking, knowing Sam would hear every word. “I’ll phone the ‘boss’ first then get emails fired off to all heads of departments and let them know you’re in charge. One thing, Sam, ‘bout Quintas Crane, I want him kept in a windowless room underground and spelled so he can’t practice any magic whatsoever. Basic rations and he’s to be dealt with only by Vamps, the scarier the better. Don’t take any chances with him until I get back. I want to take my time to decide what to do with him. Get Esther to help with the magical side of things and see if any of the weaker Witches are redeemable.”

Sam’s tone was just as serious. “Will do, I’ll get started on the paperwork for the mission and fire off emails to our offices everywhere near even the slightest link to Quintas and his merry band. See ya in a bit.”

As Sam disappeared through his door Ronan reached his own, going in, and sitting down behind his desk. He placed his hands on top of the desk and saw them trembling. He fisted each and gritted his teeth.
“That was too fucking close!”
he thought, his hands continued shaking as he replayed the moment Starr’s Dragon fell to the ground.

He took several deep breaths to steady himself before reaching for his phone. “May as well get this over with,” he spoke aloud as he hit speed dial for the President.

It took much longer than even he thought it would, his “boss” keeping him on the line for over an hour. When, finally, he replaced the phone he let out a pent up sigh, before turning to his laptop.
“Still a lot to do,”
he thought as he started to send emails.

His door was pushed open later, Ronan looked up, surprised to note it was dark outside. Sam standing just inside his office. “I’ve started the reports and contacted most of our offices about the further raids. Some of them aren’t available since it’s the middle of the night in their time zones, but I’ll get on them tomorrow. Now, Ronan, it’s late, go home and tell Starr I said to have a good time.”

Ronan checked his watch, seeing it was indeed late and closing down his laptop. “Thanks, Sam. I’ll see you when we get back and you’ve got my mobile for emergencies. I also emailed you with the contact details for the ranch, together with Josef’s mobile number in case you can’t reach me. Now, I’m going to check on Starr, I expected her to come and drag me away before now.”

As he reached the door Sam slapped him on the back. “I’m sure she’s fine. Hey, don’t try and hide it...you’re worried.”

As Sam finished, Ronan realized that his friend was right. He was worried, and his steps sped up. “Yeah, I am. Thanks, see you soon. Remember and take care of Charmaine”

Sam grinned. “Oh, I will!”

Ronan continued on, getting to their apartment quickly, opening the door to darkness. Sending his senses out, he felt his mate, in bed, asleep. He made his way to their room, one of the lamps on casting a soft glow over Starr lying in their bed. She was naked and murmuring in her sleep, she tossed over onto her back and Ronan’s heart stopped dead.

A massive bruise covered her torso, even her perfect breasts were dark and sore looking. He stood still, his eyes raking over the marks marring her skin. Fear, worry and...anger...overtook him. He watched her breathing, her chest rising and falling, for a few moments more, trying to get his feelings under control before turning and heading to the bar in the living room. Grabbing a bottle of his favorite bourbon and a glass, he returned to the bedroom.

Sitting in a chair opposite the bed he poured himself a full glass, downing the amber liquid in fast gulps. His eyes never leaving his mate. The sight of the damage to her bringing his emotions crashing down on top of him. The fear and worry he understood but the anger that was burning inside, well that was something he was going have to think on.

So he sat, drinking and thinking as he watched over Starr. It took some time to admit it was indeed anger he was feeling towards her. Anger that she had gone against what they had agreed...she was to keep watch from above and alert them if anyone managed to escape them unnoticed. She was
not
to become engaged in the raid.

She was
not
to put herself in harms way, but...she had. He was sure it was pure luck that she had survived and he was angry at her for almost causing him to be alone. Again. He spent centuries on his own and he knew he could not, under no circumstances, return to that.

Starr had put their mating in jeopardy and his anger was gnawing away inside him.
“This is something we’re going to have to discuss,”
he thought as he continued his vigil. The injury visible on her causing his stomach to clench tightly with regularity throughout the night.

Long before dawn, Ronan had finished the bourbon but still sat immobile, his eyes locked on Starr as she slept. Finally, he pulled himself out of the chair, stretched his long frame, before heading to the bathroom. A hot shower and a good scrubbing of his teeth made him feel slightly better and he moved to get dressed and going to the kitchen.

Once again, he made Starr breakfast in bed and returning to their room, he saw she was awake, a frown on her face. Her eyes met his as she sat up, pulling the covers up to hide the marks on her body. “You didn’t sleep here? Why?”

Ronan tried to hide his feelings, smirking as he answered. “Well, the view from the chair was rather spectacular and I didn’t want to wake you. You needed the rest. Here’s some breakfast before we get on the road.”

Starr cocked her head to the side. “The road? We’re driving?”

He handed her the tray, with a toasted bagel and orange juice. “No, just a saying. We’ll fly and land at the private strip outside Vegas, the local office will have a vehicle waiting for us.”

As she nibbled on one half of the bagel she stared up at him. “What’s up, Fang?”

“Nothing, I’m fine, though I see you’re not. That’s a hell of a bruise you’ve got there. No wonder you were wincing yesterday when you were getting in and out of the SUV. Must hurt like a bitch.”

Starr’s eyes lowered. “I’m fine, just stiff is all.”

Ronan let out a small snarl, not able to stop it. “Starr, your entire front is covered in bruising. It’s gotta hurt and it shows just how close you were to leaving me. Esther and Judith used a healing spell on you, so, for you to still be bruised like that shows the severity of the injury.”

He watched as she replaced the bagel on the plate before lifting her eyes. “I know. I’m sorry…”

Ronan stalked over to the two packed suitcases in the corner. “We’ll discuss it another time. You’re still hurt, now’s not the time.”

He could feel Starr’s eyes bore into his back as he left the room. He felt bad for obviously upsetting her, but the anger just would
not
leave him.
“I hope this holiday helps us both to get over stuff,”
he thought as he left the cases as the front door.

When his enhanced hearing heard the shower running, he went back through, retrieving the tray and noticing Starr hadn’t eaten anything. Returning to the kitchen, he threw the uneaten food into the trash, bagging it up and putting it beside the cases, before placing the dishes in the dishwasher and turning it on.

The fridge was almost empty, but the few items still inside went into another garbage bag and joined the other at the front door. He took both to the chute in the hallway, dumping them in and almost slamming the metal back in place. Breathing deeply to regain control of his anger that threatened to boil over and out of control.

Entering the apartment, he saw Starr struggling to get a denim jacket on, her face a mask of pain. He moved with speed, a blur, and helped her. “Here, let me help,” he said quietly as she groaned slightly.

“Thank you,” she said, as her arms made it into the sleeves while he pulled the jacket up and over her shoulders.

“Ready?” he asked and she nodded, her face paler than normal. “Okay, let’s go. We’ll take it slow, no rush.”

Picking up their cases, they left their apartment, Starr walking gingerly beside him.

*****

Sam watched while Charmaine ate her breakfast, smiling widely as he did so. She laughed when she saw him. “What’s got you smiling like a madman?”

He took in every part of her, noting her gorgeous red locks were shiny and glossy now. “I just feel happy this morning. After our talk last night, I’m feeling on top of the world.”

Charmaine ate another bite of toast, washing it down with coffee. “Oh, I see, well our talk helped me too. I don’t feel as scared now and the thought of working really appeals to me, but I’m glad you agreed to only part time. I know it’s not politically correct nowadays for me to say I like taking care of you and the apartment, but I do. I enjoy doing it. If I worked full time, I wouldn’t be able to do it as well as I would like to, so not having that pressure is a kind of relief for me. Plus, the whole, ‘I’ll never let anyone harm you again’ talk kinda helped too.”

Sam grinned. “I meant every word. I’ll make sure you’re safe, babe. Always. Now, I was wondering, tonight, after work, maybe you should see me properly. Fangs ‘n all?”

Charmaine looked thoughtful for a moment, her eyes staying on his. “I think I’d like that, Sam.”

“Good, I want you to get used to me, like that I mean, ‘cause, well, when things
progress
between us, then you’ll need to be okay with them. My fangs that is…” Sam smiled sheepishly as her eyes widened, though not in fear. He was pretty sure she looked excited.

“I see. So, when we
progress
, just what do you do with these fangs?” she asked breathlessly.

“A lot, but mostly you’ll get pleasure from my bite. Hope that doesn’t scare you?” He watched as her pupils dilated, slightly, but it was a start.

“You don’t scare me, so we’ll take things nice and slow and see where we get to.” Charmaine’s face flushed slightly as she stood up to do the breakfast dishes.

Sam moved up behind her, not allowing his body to touch hers. “Okay, babe, we’ll take it as slow as you want. I can do slow, it can be just as good as fast.”

She gasped at his words before looking over her shoulder. “You are so bad, Mr. Vampire.”

He chuckled. “Darn right I am and I’m all yours. Now, I think we better get going or I might just kiss that delectable mouth of yours and then I’d be late for my first day as the boss.”

While she dried her hands, she kept peeking up at him. “I’ll come with you to try and help. I used to be quite good at accounts and computer work in school. Maybe I can be useful to you while Ronan’s away.”

“Great! Come on, we better get going, my sexy little Witch!” Sam grabbed one of her hands and they made their way out of the apartment, on their way to work...together.