Part 18 (1/2)

”Leukemia.”

Rafe knew full well dragon's blood couldn't cure cancer, but arguing with the woman wasn't going to help him stay alive. ”I'm truly sorry to hear that, miss. You have my condolences.”

Tears filled the woman's eyes. ”He was only eight years old. And yet the selfish dragons wouldn't even try to save him.”

”What was your son's name?”

For a second, he didn't think the woman would answer. But eventually, she whispered, ”Alfie.”

Rafe spotted movement just behind the woman. He needed to keep her focused on him. ”I'm fairly sure Alfie wouldn't want you to kill on his behalf.”

”How would you know? You probably don't have any children and don't understand what it's like to lose a piece of your heart.”

Just as he opened his mouth to reply, Aaron pulled the woman back at the same time Rafe dove to the side. A laser blast sailed a few inches over his shoulder.

Taking a deep breath, Rafe stood. Aaron had the woman with her chest to the ground and her hands tied together with a zip tie. Tape over her mouth kept her quiet.

”Thanks.”

Aaron nodded in acknowledgment before moving to the gun. ”As much as I don't want this thing on Stonefire's land, we should probably bring it back with us. Then you can have your colleagues cart it away.”

Staying away from the end of the barrel, Rafe peered at the controls. Considering Aaron had saved his life, Rafe didn't hold back. ”They've been wanting one of these ever since Tristan MacLeod was injured almost two years ago. The word is someone in Russia designed it and exchanged the blueprints for a few vials of dragon's blood.”

Aaron peered down at the weapon. ”I don't care who designed it.” He looked up. ”As long as your people can find a way to defend against it, that's all I care about. I hope you will keep me in the loop.”

”I can't guarantee it, but I'll make my best case about including Stonefire on the research.” Rafe moved his gaze to the woman on the ground. ”Do you know who they allied themselves with? The Dragon Knights or the hunters?”

”I don't know. But if anyone can find out, Zain can.” Aaron motioned toward the two unconscious men. ”Secure them.”

Following Aaron's order, he asked, ”What of the others?”

Aaron pulled out his mobile phone from a pocket and checked it. ”The other teams have finished, although one Protector was injured and one of the attackers managed to escape. The dragons in the sky will alert us if they find any more enemies nearby.”

”Good.”

Aaron studied him a second before replying, ”Nikki will be fine. Sid let me know.”

For one of the first times in his life, Rafe wished he could just run off and leave an a.s.signment behind. But Nikki would never approve. And, to be honest, Rafe would hate himself for it later.

Still, he counted the minutes until his relief arrived. Not caring what the others thought of him, once his duty was completed, he ran all the way to Stonefire's outside infirmary. He needed to see Nikki.

To better help Nikki's wing heal, Sid had put it into a type of splint to keep it extended. While it rested on the ground to prevent straining her shoulder muscles, it was b.l.o.o.d.y uncomfortable. She was stuck sleeping on her belly instead of her side.

Her dragon huffed. So much for being a warrior.

Considering the males whine more than me, you shouldn't complain.

The sound of pounding feet garnered her attention. Since she was trapped inside a tent, she couldn't see what was happening. Was there another attack?

As she debated the best way to move without hurting her wing, Rafe rushed into her tent. His eyes darted to her splint before he walked slowly around her body. Since his face was neutral, she had no idea what he was thinking.

He finally stopped in front of her. After a second, he flicked her snout with his fingers, and she narrowed her eyes.

Bracing herself for a telling-off, one corner of Rafe's mouth ticked up. ”Next time, try not to get yourself injured. If we need to set up a challenge of who can remain injury-free the longest, I can do that.”

Nikki let out a breath. Rafe hadn't yelled at her to never take such a stupid risk again.

At least, not yet.

Laying a hand on her snout, Rafe stroked it in slow, gentle movements. ”Don't look at me like that. Just because you can't speak right now doesn't mean I can't read what's in your eyes. Stop doubting me, Nikola Gray.” She grunted and he continued, ”I'll be honest and say watching you fall toward the ground nearly stopped my heart. And seeing you in pain makes me wish I could do something to take the burden from you.” He stopped stroking and took her snout in between his hands. ”Do I want to yell and growl at you? I'd be lying if I said no. But asking you never to fly a mission again or to give up your Protector position would slowly kill you. Am I right?”

She nodded.

”Then just know when I tell you never to do that again, I'm saying it because I care. Not because I'm trying to throw ultimatums or to force you into a mold that would destroy you.”

Tears p.r.i.c.kled her eyes. She wanted to believe Rafe. She really did. No dragon-s.h.i.+fter male soldier she'd ever met would be so understanding with a pregnant female.

Her beast spoke up. Don't doubt him. He cares for us. His honesty should convince you.

In that second, she decided to believe Rafe until he gave her a reason not to. Letting go of her doubts and excuses, she acted on impulse and gently pulled him close to hug him. His warmth and scent helped her to forget about the pain in her wing.

Just like he'd help to ease her fear of going to sleep.

It seemed her human was proving to be the best medicine she ever could've hoped for.

Rafe chuckled, interrupting her thoughts. ”Careful, Nikki. I'm man enough to admit you're stronger than me right this second.” She loosened her grip a fraction and Rafe met one of her eyes. ”But once you can s.h.i.+ft into a human again, I challenge you to a sparring match so I can pin you beneath me again.”

Nikki snorted.

Her dragon spoke up. You want to keep him, too. Admit it.

Let's see how this week goes first.

Although, if Rafe kept up his acceptance of her, she just might start doing more than merely fancying him.

Then he leaned forward and kissed her snout. The gesture touched her.

”I'll take your expression as a yes.” Rafe patted her snout and his voice filled the tent again. ”Now that I know you're okay, I'm going to fill you in on what happened.” Nikki tilted her head and he continued, ”We found one of the guns that fired at you. We're unsure if it's the only one, but one of your engineers is taking a look at it right now before I call in some of my army colleagues. Our hope is to find a way to defend against it.”

Bobbing her head, Nikki pushed aside her feelings about Rafe and switched into work mode. She traced a word in the dirt floor with a talon. ”Who?”

Rafe shook his head. ”I don't know yet.” He met her eye again. ”But one of the women I met troubles me. She seemed to think dragon's blood can cure cancer. As successful as Melanie's book was last year, I'm starting to think its popularity is beginning to fade.”

Tracing a few more letters, Nikki moved her paw away and Rafe looked at the words ”Jane can help” scratched into the ground.

”I was thinking about that too,” Rafe answered. ”My sister keeps talking about launching her videocast but hasn't accomplished it yet. A human from Lochguard, Gina MacDonald, has started offering marketing ideas. But with Gina's new child and a protective mate, the project isn't going as quickly as it could be.” Rafe grimaced. ”As much as I hate to think of the danger Jane could be in, I'm going to suggest for her to go up to Scotland to finalize things. The trouble will be getting Kai on board.”