Only For Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 6)(22)

“Wonder if it has something to do with the magic you found?”

“Might be. We’ll have to tell Kyra and Siobhan.”

“Yeah, I will.”

He knew she would. She was going about this the same way she did diagnosing a patient. He’d heard her thinking about it. Making a chart in her head. Mentally documenting everything she learned. It may not all make sense to her, but she was open-minded and serious about learning about her origins.

Rory walked in with a plate in each hand, signaling for Rian to follow him to the only two empty chairs left at the huge oak dining table. Once they were seated, Rayne stood and looked around the table.

Oh damn, this can’t be good.

“It seems we were in the right place. Andrew is on that mountain, just doing a good job at hiding from us. Rian and Lennox were able to catch a few of his thoughts today. His dragon is trying hard to be heard but the little bas… I mean traitor…” he quickly corrected, smiling at his son and Sydney, “is working even harder to keep him at bay. That is good news. It means the black magic has burned off and he’s also low on earth magic. He won’t be able to hide forever and I want him caught sooner rather than later.”

“Here! Here!” was heard from everyone around the table, even the kids.

Looking at each Guardsman individually, then at Siobhan, the Commander began again. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like us to discuss a strategy for catching that little piece of sh…crap once and for all, as soon as we’re finished eating.”

“Whatever you need. You know that, son,” Siobhan answered while everyone else was agreeing, as well.

Rayne went on, “Rian and I believe Andrew has found a way to hone in on our dragons, and maybe even our thoughts, without us knowing. He is the Special One, and because of his dalliance with black magic, we have no idea what that has done to the extra abilities he has.”

“I’m certain he’s almost on overload at this point,” Rian took up where Rayne had stopped. “Kellan also found more fresh blood, so we know he’s either injured again, not healing, or both. Kyra is sure that’s because of all the conflicting types of magic he’s subjected himself to. We have to use this to our advantage. We’re only gonna get one more chance.”

“Is there something more we can do?” Aidan asked Rian, pointing at Aaron.

Kyra answered, “Aunt Della found a spell to create a focus for the power of twins. She and some of the stronger ladies at the coven are crafting it now. That’s gonna give you Wonder Twins the extra juice you need to hear and see the traitor before he knows you’re anywhere around.”

Aidan gave Aaron another quick look before switching his attention back to Rian, who was already talking. “All right, y’all eat up. Lennox, Kellan, and Brannoc are on their way over. Brannoc has been looking at every map he could get his hands and has found a way for us to approach the mountain without being seen by anyone.”

The leader of the Blue Thunder Clan sat back down just as the others of his Force came through the front door.

“Damn, it smells good in here,” Lennox called out, making a beeline for the kitchen.

Brannoc dropped an armload of maps on the couch as he yelled into the dining room, “Hey in there. Pardon my manners, but I’m starving.” Aaron could hear his footsteps on the tile of the kitchen floor.

Kellan, the silent, scary one of the group, dropped a duffle just inside the door, nodded his hello, and followed his comrades into the kitchen. Kyndel and Sam were up getting the kids cleaned up and making room for the Guardsmen that had just come in to sit down. Others followed suit until all the ladies were in the kitchen and the men around the table.

Any other time, Aaron would’ve made a smartass comment, but figured those days were long past. Charlie would kick his ass in front of everyone and smile while she did it. He grinned to himself, standing and taking his plate to the kitchen.

“Lookie there, you’ve already domesticated him, Charlie,” Grace teased.

“Good job!” Kyndel added, squeezing his arm as he passed by.

“Y’all just keep it up. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve,” Aaron joked in return.

“But he’ll keep them to himself,” Charlie said in mock authority, right before busting out laughing.

All the women followed suit, still laughing when he left the room.

“I see the girls are giving you the hell you deserve,” Rory commented.

“Just wait loud mouth, your turns comin’,” Aaron responded while everyone at the table chuckled along.

The men talked amongst themselves while the late arrivals ate, but Aaron couldn’t help listening to Charlie’s conversation in the kitchen. The ladies were all telling her about how they’d met their mates, at least the stories she hadn’t already heard. Kyndel told the story of her and Rayne’s mating ceremony. Aaron was happy to hear the excitement in Charlie’s voice and had to laugh at her surprise that he was the one that planned everything…not her.

There was a lull in their conversation and then he heard Anya speak. Her voice was low and filled with trepidation, but she was a real trooper and said what she obviously thought was important. “Charlie, I want to apologize for what you saw the night of my mating ceremony. I promise I had no idea that was going to happen and I would do anything to take back the fear I’m sure you felt. I can’t even imagine what it was like for you.” Anya’s nervous chuckle was hard to hear but reinforced how strong she really was. “Heavens knows I wish I’d had a little advance warning. I just wanted you to know how happy I am that you accepted us and especially the butthead I’m sure is out there listening in. Surprises are pretty much the rule around here, but you get used to it, I promise, and these people are so worth the angst.”

“No worries, really. I admit to being completely freaked out and contemplating my own sanity for a few days, but it’s all good now. I totally agree with you about the surprises. I guess I have a few of my own I knew nothing about...no dragons, but maybe a little magic. I want to thank y’all for not giving up on me. As for the butthead…I think I’ll keep him.”

The ladies all laughed, promising to share the most embarrassing story they knew about him with her. The sneaks even went so far as to tell her they were sure she would need the ammunition.

Oh, I just can’t wait.

He continued to eavesdrop, hoping to catch one of the stories, when a dinner roll hit him in the face.

“Snap out of it, Romeo. She’s fine and you don’t need to be eavesdropping. That shit will get you sleeping in the doghouse faster than anything else,” Aidan said.

“Damn sure will,” Lance agreed, and Aaron could tell he was speaking from experience.

No surprise there.

Kellan took his, Brannoc’s, and Lennox’s plate to the kitchen, surprising Aaron but apparently no one else. That man was a true enigma; one Aaron hoped he never had to figure out. Royce, Rian, and Rory trusted him and that was all Aaron needed to know. He was just damn glad the retired marine was on their side.

Brannoc spread the maps out on the freshly cleaned table, explaining as he went about the trail he’d located. It looked like if they came from the industrial park that backed up to a patch of woods behind the mountain, there was no way anyone would be able to see them. It appeared as if no one knew the land existed. It had taken Brannoc hacking into a government database to find the map they were looking at.

“Why couldn’t we see it on a fly over?” Lance asked.

“No clue,” Brannoc answered. “I’m guessing heavy cloaking magic, which makes me wonder what the hell they’re hiding in there. The maps don’t show any land mines or any other protection devices that we need to worry about. Royce said Kyra can null out whatever’s being used magically. We’ll be good to get in, get the bastard, and get out.”

Rayne and Lance both popped their heads up, looked into the kitchen where Jay and Sydney were playing, and sat back down when they saw the kids were out of earshot.

“It’s about time,” Aidan mumbled, examining the path Brannoc had highlighted.

Their strategy session went on for several hours during which Charlie spoke directly into his mind several times. He was glad she was using their special form of communication, especially when she told him she was going to Siobhan’s study with Kyra and the Healer to start looking for info on her birthmark and pendant.

Aaron showed her how to leave their connection open so he could listen in on their findings while also being a part of the hunt for his younger brother. It was shocking when it actually worked. Their connection was almost complete and they hadn’t been officially mated or even together for very long.

“Tell the ladies that we are able to have an open connection,” he sent directly into her mind.

“I’m guessing that’s important…”

“Yeah. Sorry should’ve said that first, Dr. Gallagher. It appears your magic, although tiny in size, packs a wallop. That’s the only reason I know of that would make our bond so strong in such a short period of time. Not that I’m complaining in the slightest. I like having you in my head. It’s cozy in here.”