Weapons that couldn't be stopped with any serum or other drug to protect the dragon-shifters.
Dacian's voice was even faster as he spoke again. "Clans Glenlough and Northcastle managed to surround the Knights' bases not far from the border, near Donegal in Ireland. A few of the Knights tried using a long-range flamethrower, but Glenlough's team managed to dodge and set off the aerosol sedatives before dropping them below." A few beats passed and Dacian spoke again, "All of the Knights near it are down for the count. Oh, but now Lochguard is fighting off a major laser attack at the location near Edinburgh in Scotland! One Lochguard dragon was hit, although not fatally. They're trying to regroup, but, wait, they don't need to! A team on foot was able to use tranquilizer darts to subdue them! The Scottish facility is…wait…some have entered the building, trying to save it in case anyone wants to blow it up and destroy any evidence."
Dacian paused once more, and Ivy growled. What was happening? Would they get the facility? It was one of the most important, where research she hadn't even been privy to was conducted. If the Knights managed to blow it up, so much information would be lost, information that could help the Knights reform their organization and go after the dragon-shifters again.
Zain merely rubbed her arm in calming strokes. And while he appeared not bothered, she could feel the tension of his muscles under her fingers.
Dacian finally spoke again, this time a little less hurried than before. "One of the rear buildings on the Scottish compound did explode, but Lochguard caught a handful of researchers about to set off the main building just in time. Even though it should be safe, they're quickly evacuating everyone until a more thorough sweep can be done."
Zain shared a look with her and murmured, "So hopefully, that one is saved."
"Let's hope so."
Ivy itched to get her hands on additional data and continue her work with both the IT dragon-shifters and the doctor researchers.
Because even if they managed to destroy the vast amount of Dragon Knight strongholds, hideouts, and various facilities in the massive raid today, there would always be rogue members working alone or in small groups who would try to bring down the dragons.
While no one could help those isolated individuals filled with hatred and lies, thinking their sole purpose was to destroy dragonkind, Ivy had hope for the Knights captured during the raids. After all, Dr. Rossi had helped Ivy tremendously, and the dragonwoman had coordinated with the other dragon-shifter and human psychologists to put a large-scale exit counseling plan in place.
Dacian's voice boomed out again. "And finally, what we've all been waiting for. Stonefire launched their maneuver and are reporting the results. Nikki's wing survived intact—successfully dodging the lasers shot at them—providing the much-needed distraction for Kai's group to invade from the ground, working with Rafe and some of the British Army forces. The series of buildings disguised as a group of warehouses were all attacked at the same time. One was captured successfully, but two of the others…two of the others are threatening hostages. It seems some of the rogue dragon-shifters that had been hiding out in Scotland were captured and imprisoned by the Knights to be used for testing."
Ivy only knew the bare minimum about the so-called rogue dragon-shifters. During all the changes over the last few years in the UK, some of the clan members hadn't agreed with accepting humans onto their lands. Over time, those dragons had trickled out or been kicked out of the various clans and had been hiding in the wild. Zain said there was more to the story, but he couldn't share the information in case someone was listening for it inside Stonefire. One minor information leak could destroy months of work the Protectors and Bram had put into place to contain those enemies, too.
Zain held Ivy a little tighter against his side, letting her know that while he cared about how all of the operations had gone, the news about Stonefire was the most important.
After all, it was his friends and colleagues risking their lives.
Dacian cheered before speaking. "The DDA came through. The mole the DDA director had placed inside the Knights' ranks months ago managed to trigger the sprinkler system for a few minutes, distracting everyone long enough for him to release the chemical into the air vents once the water turned off. That knocked everyone out."
Ivy nearly cheered herself. Bram, Kai, and Zain had taken the warning about traitors within the DDA's ranks seriously. However, they'd eventually cleared the DDA Director, Rosalind Abbott, and had conducted some secret meetings with her. Not even Ivy knew what they'd been about, but apparently, the human director had held up her end of whatever deal they'd struck.
Dacian’s voice rushed out from the speakers. "Wait, they discovered one individual locked in a panic room. They're not sure if they'll be able to get him or her out for quite a while."
She shared a glance with Zain. There were tunnels under many of the most high-profile facilities, and it was entirely possible that the panic room actually had an exit somewhere.
Think of the bigger picture, Ivy. One runaway wouldn't be able to rebuild the entire organization. The worst thing that could happen was if the individual ran to the dragon hunt
ers, hoping to find refuge.
As Dacian went on to explain all the operations had finished, and nearly all of them were successful—along with no loss of life on the dragon/DDA side but a few serious injuries—she sighed in relief. Only when Dacian signed off, saying an update would be provided later, did she finally speak to Zain again. "So, it's done, then."
He took her chin in his fingers and gently moved her head upward to better meet his gaze. "In part, thanks to you, love."
"Only a tiny bit. Most of the hard work was done by those today who risked their lives."
"But you risked yours, too, when you found your way to Stonefire."
It was hard to remember all those months ago—more than a year—when she'd constantly been looking over her shoulder as she made her way north. "Selfishly, though. I had wanted to live, and maybe wanted to get revenge for my brother, but it most definitely wasn't to help dragon-shifters for the sake of it."
He traced her bottom lip before replying, "Regardless, it took strength to make it all the way up here. I only wish I could've held up my end of the bargain when it came to finding your brother's killers specifically."
She shook her head. "Don't worry about it. At the time, that was the only connection I had left. But whilst I'll always miss my brother and David, I have a new family now. And helping and protecting them is more important than sacrificing lives to hold onto the past."
He stroked her skin, and Ivy leaned into the touch. She'd never tire of it, ever. He murmured, "I love you, Ivy Passmore. And as soon as we can get out of this bloody bed and go home again, we can start enjoying that future more."
She laughed. "I somehow see us not leaving the cottage for days after arriving, right?"
"I'd say weeks, but there's still so much for us both to do in the near future. I can't be too much of a selfish bastard and keep you all to myself."