The Imprisoned Dragon and the Witch (17 page)

Chapter 17

Charmaine sat at her hastily assembled workplace in the corner of Sam’s office. A small desk with laptop in front of her and angled so she had a clear view of Sam. The Vampire hard at work while she tried to sort through everything that had happened since her rescue from the hell she’d been living for six years.

“I can’t believe that animal had me for six years! Six years!”
she thought time and time again. Not quite believing how long she had been kept prisoner. The images that had plagued her for as far back as she could remember now fading...thanks to Esther.

On her second day here, Esther had taken her to her own office, “Just for a chat,” the old Witch said, but as soon as they sat down and Esther smiled at her, Charmaine had lost all self-control and started sobbing. Esther passed over a box of tissues but other than that she sat and let her cry.

It seemed like forever, but in all honesty, was probably only an hour or so. All the time Esther watching her with friendly eyes. Once Charmaine got hold of herself, Esther offered to help her...by doing a spell that would slightly alter her memories. Not that she would forget, only dampen down her reaction.

Charmaine jumped at the chance to rid herself of the gut wrenching fear she lived with on a daily basis. It took only a few moments for Esther to cast the spell and Charmaine felt the difference instantly. Her memory clear, her feelings for them faded. Her thanks being swept aside as Esther replied, “Happy to help, little one.”

Sam sighed and brought Charmaine out of her daydreaming, noting a frown on his face as he typed quickly on his keyboard. She watched as his fingers sped across the letters and a small smile twitched at her mouth.
“Jeez, he’s so handsome! And apparently he’s mine.”
She couldn’t quite believe it, even as she prayed it were true.

She had never even met a Vampire before, but as soon as he touched her, she felt something she hadn’t for a very long time – safe. Charmaine looked down, her face flushed, safe wasn’t the only thing she felt, but her nerves and fear held her in check. She had never willingly had sex, or made love, with anyone and she couldn’t stop wondering what it would be like.

“Too soon, it’s too soon,”
she told herself time and again, wondering when it wouldn’t be, too soon, that is. A week? A fortnight? A month?
“Shoot, I hope not, a month is a long way away!”
She stifled the laughter that threatened to erupt as she thought on seeing Sam naked for the first time.

A couple of times she had caught glimpses of him with just a towel wrapped around his hips and boy, did he look good. Lean but strong, a hairless chest and skin that looked soft to the touch. Her fingers twitched just thinking about feeling him beneath her hands. Her heart rate picked up, a frisson of fear and excitement running down her back. Her face blushing scarlet as Sam’s head whipped around, his eyes locking with hers.

“You okay?” he queried. “You’re heart beat just shot up. You feeling ill?”

Charmaine looked up at him through her lashes, full of embarrassment at being caught in her dirty daydream. “Yup, I’m fine, carry on. You’ve got a lot to do today.”

Sam stared hard at her for a few seconds more before he went back to work. She let out a pent up breath, as she tried to focus on what she was supposed to be doing; helping Sam.
“I think I’m going to be ready soon. Yeah, definitely soon!”
she realized as she went back to work.

*****

Starr fell asleep almost as soon as the jet took off, curled inwards to his side. Ronan held her close for the entire flight, not disturbing her until they had touched down. Gently shaking her awake, “Starr, we’ve landed, wake up.”

Her sleepy eyes blinked several times before she sat up, a slight groan escaping her mouth. A groan that had his stomach clench tightly. Again, part worry and part anger.
“If she’d done as they’d agreed she wouldn’t have gotten hurt and I wouldn’t have nearly lost her!”
The thought rolling round and round in his mind.

“Here, let me help,” he said instead as he took her hand. She grabbed on, letting his strength lift her out of the seat.

“Thanks, I’m just stiff, that’s all,” she said quietly, not meeting his eye.

Ronan frowned, his eyes raking over her entire body. “Yeah, right. Stiff, not sore, not hurting like hell. You’ve gotta know, Puff, you are
not
a good liar, not with me anyway.”

A soft blush crept up her cheeks as he turned to get their luggage while the pilot opened the door and released the stairs. Starr going down gingerly in front of him. The pain she was in very clear in the way she held her body, taut and straight, trying not to move it any more than she had to.

Ronan followed, seeing Paul, his Agent in Charge for the Vegas area. “Hi, Paul. This is Starr, my mate. Everything go as planned yesterday?”

Since Josef hadn’t called to tell him any different, he assumed it was a success. Paul grinned widely before answering, “Nice to meet you, Starr.”

Paul held his hand out and Starr shook it, “Hi,” was all she said, while she held herself stiffly.

Paul turned his attention back to Ronan. “Hell yeah, boss. It was some sight, seeing Peri in action and fuck,...oh sorry, excuse my French,” he said quickly to Starr, “but that Sire of yours is deadly! So is Gabe! I’m certain I’ve never seen a Wolf as big as he is and the way he can dispatch folk is kinda scary, even for me.”

As Paul finished, Ronan couldn’t help grinning. “I know. He’s one scary Wolf and, Josef, well, not a lot to be said for him except...don’t piss him off. I’ve seen Peri’s magic up close and she is very powerful. I’m glad she’s on our side or we’d be in a heap of trouble.”

Starr stood quietly, her face much whiter than normal. “I’m glad everything’s taken care of this end, Paul, but we need to get going. Starr was injured yesterday and she needs to rest.”

His mate didn’t even look up as Paul stammered, “Oh, right, of course, your vehicle is over here. I drove it up and one of my men followed, once you’re done with it, just let me know where you’ve left it and I’ll get it picked up. Enjoy yourselves and hope you feel better soon, Starr.”

Starr muttered a quick, “Thanks,” and they made their way over to one of their standard issue black SUV’s. Ronan placing the luggage in the rear then helping her up into the front passenger seat.

Walking round the front of the vehicle, he kept his eyes on Starr, her face seemingly getting paler by the minute. His worry went up a few notches as he got in, turning to face her. “Baby, you’re really pale and don’t look so good. Tell me, what’s wrong?”

Starr’s head turned slowly, her mouth in a tight line as she obviously tried to hide her pain. “I’ll be okay. Please, Fang, please, can we just get going.”

Ronan looked at her a moment longer before starting up the engine and driving off. He knew the way to the ranch and soon they were flying along the highway. It was more than half an hour before the silence was broken by Starr.

“I know you’re angry with me, but I don’t have the energy to have an argument with you just now.”

He looked over, seeing her face even whiter and his stomach somersaulted as he worried something far more serious was going on. “Starr, you need to be honest with me right now. What’s wrong? You’re as white as I’ve ever seen you and you’re obviously in pain.”

She tried to smile, but failed. “I’m sore, ever part of me is sore, inside and out. I need to get to the ranch and I need to try and turn. My Dragon heals much faster than my human form. Fang, can you hurry?”

Ronan snarled as his foot pressed down on the pedal, the SUV taking off like a bullet, he sped down the road. It would be another hour before they reached the ranch and he did his best to get them there as quickly as he could. “Hang on, baby, hang on.”

His voice was low, almost a whisper, as Starr had, once again, fallen asleep. His worry now so high, his heart was beating wildly in his chest. He drove like a demon, the tires eating up the highway and finally they were on the long stretch of road that led past the ranch. This road almost deserted so he drove even faster, using his Vampire abilities to keep complete control of the speeding vehicle.

“There better not be any cops about!”
he thought as the vehicle hit its maximum speed. He knew he wouldn’t stop, not until he got Starr to the ranch, no matter who tried to halt him. His relief when his enhanced sight saw the turn for the ranch up ahead was enormous. Slowing down only enough to take the corner without rolling the vehicle before putting his foot to the floor again.

As he roared past the paddocks the noise caused the horses to bolt, running in all directions and neighing loudly. He didn’t care, only slamming on the brakes as they reached the front of the ranch house, kicking up a cloud of dust and stones. Ronan jumped out, rushing around and opening the passenger door, shaking his mate. “Starr, wake up, we’re here. Starr! Wake up, baby!”

His voice rising as he watched her head loll to the side. “Fuck!” he roared as other voices entered his consciousness.

A lady’s high pitched voice hitting him first. “Oh my! What’s wrong? Can I help?”

Then a rumbling that sounded like it was coming from a mountain ready to erupt. “Jest whit the feck is goin’ on here! Who the hell scared ma horses?”

Ronan felt a hand on his arm, turning to look down into the eyes of Margaret, the lady who ran the house for Josef. “What’s wrong? Is the girl hurt? Can I help?”

Finbar was at their side a moment later, his face like thunder as he took in the scene. Ronan ignored the large, gruff, Irish Vampire, focusing on Margaret. “She was hurt yesterday, I thought she was healing but I can’t wake her. I don’t know what to do.”

He knew his utter desperation was showing in his voice but couldn’t control his panic. Finbar moved forward, “Whit’s wrong wae the lass? And just whit the hell is she? She’s nae Witch, nor human, Wolf or Vampire. Whit is she and
who
is she?”

Ronan snarled at Finbar’s close proximity to Starr. “She’s my mate, so if I were you I’d move your ass back a few steps!”

Finbar stepped back slowly, “Okay, laddie, calm down. Now, Maggie, why don’t you show the lad here where tae take his mate. I think she’ll be more comfy in a bed and I’ll bring ye yer luggage. If ye’ve no figured oot how to help her by the time I’m there...I’ll tell ye.”

Ronan growled low in his throat, scowling at the large Irishman. “
Damnú air
! Tell me now!”

Finbar stared him down, no fear at all in his face. “Ye know whit tae dae, yer jest no thinkin’ straight. Take her inside and hopefully yer brain will engage again!”

Maggie placed a small hand on his arm. “Come inside, let’s make her comfortable. I assume her name is Starr? That’s what Mr. Josef said, Ronan was bringing his mate, Starr?”

Ronan looked into the kindly face of Margaret, her touch almost calming him. Almost, but not quite. “Yes, her name is Starr, and she’s a Dragon.”

Finbar whistled through his teeth. “A Dragon? Ye don’t say!”

Margaret turned to the huge Vampire. “Finbar, stop it. Get the luggage and follow us in. Now, Ronan, get Starr and come this way.”

Ronan unbuckled the seat-belt and picked up his mate, cradling her in his arms as he followed the small human. His long legs having to slow down so as not to knock into Margaret. He followed her inside, up the staircase to the landing.

Margaret turned left, talking over her shoulder. “I’ve put you in the corner suite, it’s almost as nice as the master one. Only Mr. Josef and his party stay in that, so this is second best but I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Ronan didn’t answer, he didn’t give a fuck where they went, so long as he could wake Starr. He continued on behind Margaret as she reached a set of double doors, opening them and going inside. He walked on, through a large lounge area and into a bedroom. Large, lavish, exquisite, as only Josef’s property could be.

He moved quickly to the enormous bed, laying Starr gently on the soft mattress, before standing up and looking down at her. Her pallor as pale as he had ever seen it, worry gnawing at his guts.
“How the hell do I help her?”
  he thought as Finbar joined them, placing their cases on the floor in the corner, near the walk-in closet.

Josef’s ranch manager turned, his bushy beard making him appear a little unkempt as his eyes locked with Ronan’s. “So, have ye figured it out?”

Ronan shook his head, not in reply, but to clear his head. Thinking hard and trying to figure out what the Irishman was trying to tell him. He looked to Starr and back to Finbar. “No,” he said through clenched teeth.

“Yer blood, give her some oh yer blood. It should help tae heal her. Yes?” Finbar walked over, clapping him on the shoulder before leaving, Margaret following.

As they reached the door Margaret stopped. “If you need our help, please just give us a shout.”

Ronan nodded before slapping a hand against his head.
“Stupid! I should’ve thought of that!”
he chastised himself as he allowed his fangs to erupt and slashed at his wrist, holding it against her cold lips, he massaged her throat to make her ingest his dark red blood. So dark it was almost black as it dribbled into her mouth.