&
nbsp; It wasn’t just Bram she was worried about. Murray could still be in the hands of the hunters; it also killed her not knowing which female Protector was still alive.
Her throat closed up and Evie closed her eyes. Tears wouldn’t help anyone. If anything, it would sap what little strength she had left. No, she should focus on what needed to be done once she landed. Even if everyone was whole and hearty, there was a lot of shit still to tackle. Stonefire was her clan and she wasn’t about to see them fall because of her or the stupidity of the dragon hunters. Her main concern, apart from everyone being alive, was that it was past her deadline to check in with the DDA. While she rather doubted it given the DDA’s track record, they could be lying in wait at Stonefire’s gates. Handling them wouldn’t be easy, but she could do it.
No, she was more afraid of the media circus that could also be waiting. Given everything that had just happened with the dragon hunters, she didn’t want the media to make any connection between the incident in Carlisle and Clan Stonefire. Any act of violence, even in most cases of self-defense, ended in a suspension of the sacrifice program, sometimes indefinitely. While Bram would be strong for the clan if that happened, she knew it would devastate him.
Bram. Her dragonman had bloody well better be alive. Life without him would be lonely. She’d miss his humor, his cleverness, and, she wasn’t afraid to say, his cock. Stonefire’s leader was the whole package and had ruined her for all other men. Since she had no plans of living as a nun, her will alone would ensure his safety. She knew that was impossible, but her willing him alive with every cell of her body couldn’t hurt, especially since she was falling in love with him.
Already she dreamed of adopting Murray and starting a family with Bram. If they could ever spend some time together without another threat to the clan or her life, she would fall hard and fast for her dragonman.
Finn made his final descent. Opening her eyes, she clung to the hope that Bram would be there to greet her. Bram, please be alive. I don’t know if I can help pick up the pieces of your clan and mobilize them without you.
The Scottish leader slowed his wings and much like Bram had surprised her with his agile movements, Finn was the same way as he rotated his grip on Evie until she was no longer horizontal with her stomach facing down but vertical.
She had just enough time to notice a large tent off to the side of the secondary landing area before the windy backlash forced her eyes shut.
Her feet touched the ground. Before she could open her eyes, Finn released his grip. As the sound of him flying away filled her ears, she wobbled and opened her eyes.
Despite the spinning sensation in her head, Evie scanned the area. When she looked toward the tent, a familiar face raced toward her.
It was Nikki.
She could barely string together the fact Charlie must be dead before the young dragonwoman embraced her in a one-armed hug and said, “Evie! You’re alive.” Nikki hugged her more tightly. “I’m so sorry we failed to protect you. Bram’s words about the place being secure had put me off my guard.” The woman leaned back and her brown eyes searched Evie’s. “But even so, the fault is mine. I’m done being naive and stupid. If you give me another chance, I will protect you with my life next time.”
Tears prickled Evie’s eyes. “Don’t be daft. You have nothing to prove to me. I’m just glad you’re alive.” She squeezed the dragonwoman’s good shoulder. “Charlie didn’t make it, did she?”
Nikki’s face shuttered. “No, they killed her.”
Sensing the young dragonwoman’s guilt, Evie gave her friend a little shake and said, “Blaming yourself won’t accomplish anything. Channel your anger and sadness toward defeating the dragon hunters. Understand?”
Nikki searched her eyes. Her voice was quiet when she said, “You sound like Bram.”
“Well, I like to think he sounds like me.” Nikki gave a small smile and Evie was glad. She continued, “What about Murray? And speaking of Bram, where is he?”
Nikki motioned with her head toward the tent. “Bram hasn’t returned yet, but Murray’s over there. Kai’s wing of dragons rescued him from the fleeing scientists. He’s fine, but Dr. Sid is checking him over one last time inside the medical tent just to be sure.”
Rather than think on why Bram hadn’t returned yet, the desire to see Murray to verify he was okay rushed through her body. The little boy was alone, both of his biological parents dead. He needed a family, and Evie wanted to be his new family.
Giving her friend one last squeeze, Evie ran across the field and into the open-air tent. Scanning the interior, she saw Dr. Sid’s trademark ponytail and rushed over to her side. Murray was lying in a makeshift cradle and drooling in his sleep. The sight of him alive eased the tightness around her heart a fraction.
Her voice cracked. “Murray.” She looked to Dr. Sid. “Can I hold him? Please?”
Dr. Sid studied her a second before she replied, “I can’t find anything wrong with him, apart from needing some sleep. Just be careful not to wake him up.”
Nodding, Evie gently lifted Murray’s little body and laid him against her shoulder. She breathed in his warm baby scent and closed her eyes to keep herself from crying. The baby might be sleeping and oblivious, but holding his warm weight in her arms brought on a fierce protectiveness she couldn’t describe. Maybe the feeling was what mothers felt when holding their children.
Squeezing him tighter, she vowed to make sure Murray, and all of the other dragon-shifter children, would have a much safer future. Whatever Melanie Hall-MacLeod needed to help launch her book and make it successful, she would do it. There was no bloody way she’d allow them to be used as blood slaves.
Evie had no idea how long she stood there with her eyes closed, holding Murray’s warm little body, but the sudden shouting behind her snapped Evie out of her bubble of baby bliss. Opening her eyes, she looked toward the commotion and saw a wing of dragons approaching. One of them even carried a basket.
She wanted to hold Murray and never let go, but Evie forced herself to lay the little boy down. He would be safe enough with all the medical staff and other dragon clan members watching over him inside the tent. With one last brush of his soft, chubby cheek, Evie moved toward the crowd in front of the medical tent.
Scanning the dragons in the sky, she saw one blue beast, but the size and shape was off. It wasn’t her dragonman.
Her heart hammered in her chest. Where was he? If Kai and Finn had both returned, then the dragons in the sky should be the final wave. Bram should be with them. Unless he was hurt and being carried in the basket.
Or, worse, he could be dead.