The Dragon Guardian (21 page)

Fergus frowned. “I’ll have a word with Grant later. His Protectors should know better than to fall for a bonny lass’s charm.”

Before Gina could think of how to reply to Fergus’s roundabout compliment, Fraser’s voice filled the room. “Shut it, you two. There’s an incoming video call from Stonefire.”

Finn and Bram’s faces appeared on screen. Finn spoke without preamble. “Since Faye and Grant are otherwise occupied, I need you lot to coordinate clean-up.”

Fergus asked, “While we’ve been watching the security feed, we can’t see everything. Are you positive there aren’t any more dragons with bombs nearby?”

“Aye,” Finn answered. “Iris has the surrounding area contained and the DDA is already working with her to clean-up any threats within a ten-mile radius of Lochguard. I know these types of drills aren’t your usual duties, but I trust you two. And right now, I need to be careful of who I trust.”

Gina blurted out, “Why?”

Finn didn’t miss a beat. “They knew our location and vulnerabilities a little too well. The warehouses are new, and it makes me think someone is sharing information.”

Bram muttered at his side, “Always the bloody traitors in the midst.”

Finn glanced at Bram. “Not for long.” He met Fergus’s gaze again. “Once everyone injured or homeless is taken care of, I want you to come up with a list of those who would never betray the clan.” Finn waved toward the two dragon-shifters manning the console. “Ian and Emma MacAllister I handpicked along with Grant. Everyone currently in that bunker is cleared. The sooner you can put together a list, Fergus, the better.”

Gina looked to her mate and he nodded. “Consider it done.”

Finn sighed. “Right, then I need to get back to wrangling with the DDA. I’ll check back in a little while.”

The screen went black.

Without thinking, Gina whispered, “Finn trusts me.”

Fergus squeezed her shoulders gently. “It appears so, not that I’m surprised.”

She wanted nothing more than to lean against Fergus and revel in the safety of his arms. But to do so in that moment would be selfish. With great effort, she leaned back until Fergus released her. “Go help your brother.”

He lightly caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “Are you sure, lass?”

Standing taller, Gina motioned toward the front. “Go and help the clan. I should check on Arabella and your mother anyway.”

Fergus looked as if he wanted to say something, but instead, he leaned forward and kissed her. When he pulled away, he murmured, “I’ll come to you as soon as I’m done.”

As they gazed into each other’s eyes, Gina’s heart warmed. Not caring that his brother was listening, she said, “I’m glad you swooped down that day to check on me. If I were still living at my grandmother’s cottage, I might be captured or worse.”

Fergus’s pupils turned to slits and back. “But you’re alive, and you’re my mate. Anyone who tries to take you away will face the entire collective wrath of Lochguard. Never doubt that, Gina MacDonald.”

“After today, I’m starting to believe you.”

He smiled. “Stubborn female.” He gave her one more quick kiss and added, “I should help my twin. Go to Ara. She’s probably bored of my mum’s chatter by now.”

With a nod, Gina moved toward the hall. “And I might just mention your words to your mom.”

Fergus growled and Gina laughed. Not wanting to delay her dragonman any more, she dashed down the hall to the only door not open. She knocked. A muffled, “Come in” made it through the door and Gina entered.

Inside, Arabella was upright on the sole bed, watching Lorna and Ross. The pair didn’t even notice Gina standing in the doorway.

Lorna frowned. “You try to leave this bunker and I will drag your arse back to this room and tie you to the chair.”

Ross took a step toward Lorna. “I’m not an invalid and I want to help.”

“You’ve only stopped the treatments a few weeks ago. Don’t be daft, Ross. You’re staying.”

“I have four years on you, Lorna MacKenzie. You should listen to your elders. I’m going.”

Lorna snorted. “Idle threat, human. I may be female, but even a dragon-shifter female is stronger than a human male.”

Motioning Lorna forward, Ross replied, “Then try me, woman.”

Arabella met Gina’s gaze and rolled her eyes. Apparently, Arabella had tried to stop them to no avail.

As Lorna geared up to charge Ross, Gina rushed between them and held up her hands. Thankfully, they blinked and didn’t try to run over a heavily pregnant woman. Gina pointed to one and then the other. “Stop it. Finn ordered us to stay put. Are you really going to defy him?”

Lorna crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell that to the human. He’s the one who wants to leave.”

Ross growled. “I was a volunteer firefighter as a young lad, when I lived in the country before moving to Aberdeen. I can help.”

Gina interjected, “How about this? The next time Finn touches base, you can ask him if you can help?”

Ross frowned. “Is there nothing I can do right now? I don’t like cowering in this bunker.”

Lorna rolled her eyes. “You’re sixty-five, Ross, not a young man.”

Gina jumped in again. “Ross, sir, how about you go out and see if Fergus, Fraser, and Holly need your help? They’re coordinating the clean up and medical teams. I’m sure they have something for you to do, if you ask.”

Ross grunted. “As long as they don’t dismiss me as an old man, as Lorna does.”

Lorna walked up to Ross. “There’s nothing wrong with admitting your age—”

“Save it, Lorna. We can discuss this later,” Ross replied before moving to the doorway. “But you have my word that I won’t try to leave until Finn gives permission.”

With that, Ross left.

Arabella sighed. “I never thought they’d stop. Thanks for coming to the rescue, Gina.”

Lorna harrumphed. “I’ll let that slide as you’ve been quite ill today. Besides, it’s not my fault. That blasted male lives to irritate me.”

Gina fought a smile. “I’m sure you’ll be irritating each other for many years to come.”

Lorna waved a hand. “Leave it, child. I’m not in the mood to suffer your teasing. Tell us everything that Finn said.”

Gina looked to Arabella. “He didn’t call you?”

Arabella answered, “I got a very brief call to make sure I was okay, but that was it.”

Gina grunted. “That’s not very devoted of him, given how sick you’ve been.”

Arabella shrugged. “He’s clan leader. If all he did was dote on me, then Lochguard would be vulnerable to attacks and possibly be eradicated.” She patted an open spot on the bed next to her. “Come sit, Gina. You’re pale and I don’t like it.”

The adrenaline from the attack was fading, not that Gina would admit it. After all, who knew how many Lochguard clan members had been injured or worse, and it was partly because of her presence here.

However, she needed to keep healthy for her son’s sake. She’d already tumbled over once today; she didn’t need to do it again. Gina moved to the bed and sat down. “Finn didn’t say much, I’m afraid. But you should’ve seen Faye.”

Gina explained Faye’s actions in battle and Lorna spoke up. “I want to believe Faye is hearty and whole, but I don’t like her out fighting just yet.”

Arabella looked to Lorna. “Faye is clever. She never would’ve risked the clan by going out if she wasn’t ready.”

Lorna sighed. “I know. But she’s my baby girl, and I just want her safe.”

Gina nodded. “I know, but she’ll be fine.” She paused, and then added, “Oh, and I forgot to tell you. Fergus and I are mated now.”

“What?” Both women demanded at the same time.

For a split second, doubt clouded her heart. Pushing it away, Gina sat up tall. “We are. And while you haven’t known me long, I will take care of him.”

Lorna snorted. “Fergus has been taking care of himself and everyone else since he could walk.”

Gina frowned. “You know what I mean. I care for him and he for me.”

Studying her, Lorna murmured, “Aye, and I bet it’s more than mere caring.”

As Gina tried to think of how to respond, her cheeks flushed. She cared for Fergus, she really did. But it had only been a little over a week. There was no way she was in love with him. Sure, she was falling, but they had so much to learn about each other.

Scrambling her brain for how to respond, pain ripped across Gina’s abdomen. She cried out and closed her eyes.

Lorna’s comforting hands landed on her shoulders. “What’s wrong, hen? Tell me.”

Gritting her teeth against the pain, Gina couldn’t form a response. It was in that moment, her water broke.

Once Fergus settled Ross into his role of keeping track of the injured, he took out his phone and dialed Euan MacKay’s number. Dr. Innes had been found lying under some bricks, shielding a child. The doctor was alive, but unconscious. Cassidy Jackson from Stonefire was coming, but Lochguard needed help from Clan Seahaven, too.

Euan finally answered. “Fergus, I’m still talking with my doctor here.”

Fergus decided the time for roundabout pleasantries was over. “Look, Euan, our head doctor was hurt and our junior doctor is overwhelmed. If ever there was a time we need your help, it’s now.”

Euan paused a second and asked, “And what does Finn say of this?”

“He gave me full control over relations with Seahaven. This is my call. If anything goes wrong, the responsibility is mine.”

“Give me a second.” The line went silent for about thirty seconds before Euan’s voice came over the line again. “Daniel Keith will go, provided he returns tomorrow.”

Fergus would take what he could get. “Done.”

“Right, he’ll fly in. I’ll send a picture of his dragon, so your Protectors know who to look out for.”

Fergus should let it drop, but his curiosity got the better of him. “Why did you change your mind?”

“Daniel is a distant cousin of Gregor Innes. Regardless of the past, he can’t turn his back on family, no matter if others have.”

Euan’s words were a stark reminder of Lochguard’s former leader and his harsh edicts to those with human mates or immediate family with human mates. “Thank you, Euan. I’m sure this will be the first step toward mending relations.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Euan muttered before the line went dead.

Fergus looked to Fraser. “It worked. Daniel Keith of Seahaven is coming. Euan is sending his picture so we know it’s not another traitor.”

Fraser clapped his shoulder. “Your patience and diplomatic crap has its uses.”

“Fraser, let me remind you of how many time my ‘patience and diplomatic crap’ has saved your arse.”

Fraser opened his mouth to reply just as Lorna raced into the room and grabbed Holly’s hand. “Come, child. We need your help.”

Holly frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Lorna met Fergus’s eyes. “Gina's in labor.”

Fergus’s dragon woke up from dozing and roared.
She needs our help.

Fraser spoke up. “Go, Fergus. With Ross here, we can coordinate everything fine.”

He glanced to his brother. “Thanks, Fraser.”

Not waiting to hear what his twin said, Fergus rushed down the hall and followed Holly and his mum into the far room. Gina lay on a bed with her eyes closed; Arabella held her hand at the bedside.

Fergus tried to reach Gina, but Holly waved him away. “I know you’re concerned, but I need to see her first. Talk to her. That will help.”

“Gina, lass.” His mate opened her eyes and his dragon growled at the pain he saw there. “Your bairn has impeccable timing, I’ll give him that.”

“Now is not the time to tease me, Fergus MacKenzie. Even if it’s not your sperm that created our son, I’m still going to blame you for him.”

Both man and beast stood taller at that remark. “Then do your worst, lass. I can take it.” She raised her middle finger and he chuckled. “I’m not sure if that’s the first thing you want the bairn to see on the way out.”

Arabella released Gina’s hand and stood up. “Sit down, Fergus.” He hesitated, not wanting to deprive Arabella of a seat. She rolled her eyes and pointed behind him. “I can sit over there. Will that appease your protective male nature?”

He grunted and Arabella scurried away. Not that he could blame the lass—she would be going through the same process herself later in the year, except three times. Gina’s pain would only remind her of what was to come.

At least Arabella was a female dragon-shifter and should have an easy enough time. With humans carrying a dragon-shifter child, it could go smoothly or turn dire.

His dragon chimed in.
She will be fine. Gina is young and strong.

Age makes little difference compared to genetics.

His beast huffed.
Stop being rational for once and think positively. Gina will sense your unease and doubt, which might worsen the situation.

Admitting his dragon was right, Fergus slipped into the seat and took Gina’s hand in his. He used the other one to smooth her brow. Even though he was looking at his mate, his question was directed at Holly. “How far along is she, Holly?”

Holly answered, “Farther along than I’d like, given our lack of resources. But we’re going to make the most of it.”

Fergus tried not to focus on Holly’s ‘lack of resources’ comment. Instead, he kissed the back of Gina’s hand and willed his strength to flow into his female.

Gina smiled at him. “Promise to stay with me.”

He nodded. “Wild dogs couldn’t drag me away.”

She gave a half-laugh. “I still say I need to test that theory.”

Fergus opened his mouth to reply, but a contraction washed over his mate. Gina gripped his hand as she growled. Leave it to his stubborn lass to not yell out at the pain.

When it passed and Gina’s body relaxed, Fergus chanced a glance at Holly. To strangers, her face was calm and collected. However, Fergus spotted the tightness at the corner of her eyes, which signaled Holly's worry.

He debated how to broach the subject without scaring Gina. However, his lass spoke up first. “What aren’t you telling me, Holly? I can sense something is bothering you.”

Fergus forced his gaze to his brother’s mate as she answered, “The delivery could be tricky if your dragon-shifter hormone levels spike or your blood pressure gets too high. The hard part will be monitoring them here instead of at the surgery.”