The Guardian's Bond (10 page)

Livi tensed when one of the real Hunters spoke.

“You’re not going anywhere until we check her out.”

“Excuse me?” Tommy said as he narrowed his gaze.

“You heard me. Lay it down so we can skin it properly.”

Livi gasped as one of Alston’s Hunters leaned forward. “Man, is this part of the show?” he whispered.

“No,” Tommy whispered back. “Dude, I don’t know who you are, but you’re ruining the show,” he hissed. “Skin the Dragon?” he said loudly, turning in a circle for the ‘on-lookers’. “Since when do we skin Dragons, my friend?” Turning back toward the Hunter he went to walk past when two more stepped in his way. “Man, you’re ruining the show, step the fuck back,” he growled.

Livi had already released all the land’s energy so when a Hunter tossed a charm on her, she peeped an eye open. “Can we get moving, I’m getting sore,” she whispered.

“I knew you weren’t dead,” the Hunter hissed.

“No shit, dip wad, it’s a magic show. Now move your ass before you ruin it for everyone,” she snapped.

“Look, mommy, the Dragon’s not dead!” a child’s voice said.

“Yeah, she’s moving,” another piped in.

“What kind of show are you people running here?” Kalana said as she stepped forward with her youngest son. “I bring my kids to a magic show and you ruin it. I want my money back and I’m never coming to this town again!”

“Yeah me too, this is a joke!”

Livi held back her smile as her mother and Aunt Kasey left in a huff with the kids trailing behind them. Gods, she loved her family. When everyone had just about cleared out Tommy set her on her feet. “You sons of bitches! You ruined my show! You’re paying for any tickets I have to refund!” Livi gasped when the Hunter grabbed her by the arm, hauling her to his side. “Let me go!”

“Man, get your hands off her!” Tommy said as he stepped forward.

“Who the hell do you think you are? You come to my show and ruin it! Where are the police, I want him arrested for…for ruining my show and grabbing me!”

“Sir,” one of the Dragon Hunters said as he stepped forward. “If she was tainted, the charm tossed on her would have shown her true self.”

“What the fuck are you people talking about? My true self? I’ll show you my true self when I have you all in court for ruining my business!” Livi yelled. “This is how I make my living every year!”

“Show?” the Dragon Hunter yelled in her face. “Then you explain how the ground shook.”

Livi stomped over to the area where they all had been standing and moved the fake grass out of the way as she lifted a pad with electrical stimulators. “This. It’s an illusion, jerk face, or haven’t you ever been to a magic show before?” Dropping the pad she stepped back when another charm hit her on the chest. Growling, she picked it up tucking it into her back pocket. “Stop hitting me with shit! Sheriff! Someone get me the Sheriff!”

“I’m here,” Galen said as he stepped forward with five deputies. “What in the hell is going on over here? I have pissed off visitors yelling for their money back over a sham of a show.”

“This asshole ruined my show. He wants to skin me, he grabbed me and he keeps throwing stuff at me!” Livi said as she pointed to the Hunter who’d came after them.

“Really,” Galen said as he turned. “Sir, what do you have to say about this?”

“She’s hiding something,” the Hunter said.

“Yeah, I’m hiding the baseball bat I’m going to smack you with!” Livi yelled.

“Now, settle down Mrs. Moilanin.” Galen said as he stopped Livi from going forward. “Sir, did you grab her and throw items at her?”

“Yes,” the Hunter said.

“Then I suggest you leave before she wants to press charges instead of going after you with a bat.”

“She is a Dragon and I’ll prove it,” he growled as he stepped forward withdrawing a Dragon Hunter Athame and slicing it across Livi’s chest.

Livi gasped, her hand flying up to her chest as Galen and another deputy grabbed the Hunter. Glancing over she met Tommy’s eyes when he yanked off his shirt to press against her wound.

“Medic! I need a medic!” Tommy yelled as he laid her down on the grass.

“He cut me! He fucking cut me!’ Livi cried as she rolled her eyes at Tommy.

“It’ll be alright, baby, the medics are coming,” Tommy said.

Livi glanced around him to see Galen handcuffing the Hunter as the others stood there in shock, staring at her with wide eyes. When the paramedics ran up and started treating her, Tommy stayed close by as the Deputies took everyone aside for questioning, getting the names and addresses of every single Dragon Hunter there. When they loaded her onto the stretcher, she held Tommy’s hand as they wheeled her to the ambulance. Only when they were secured in the back did she chuckle. “Damn, that was good.”

“Stay down,” Tommy said as the ambulance moved.

“I know. Damn, I didn’t think he had the balls to pull an Athame out and come after me.”

“No shit, honey, I think the rest of them were shocked as hell too. Did you see their faces when you didn’t turn Dragon and die?”

“Priceless.”

“Okay, babe, just take it easy until we get to the hospital.”

Livi smiled as he leaned down brushing his lips gently over hers. “I just hope they take this as we showed it and don’t bother us anymore.”

“Me too, because if they don’t stop, they’re going to see how pissed the rest of us can get.”

* * * *

Livi smiled as reports from all over the world came in over the next few days. While the Dragon Hunters where being entertained here, Other Kin the world over were releasing captured Dragons from the Hunter strongholds. What the Hunters didn’t know was that any charm they made from a Dragon could be used as a way to find the Dragon or individual with Dragon blood. That’s why she kept the charms the Hunters who came to Alston had tossed at her—to track down the ones they’d imprisoned. The security force had released Barrett and the other Hunter with a little mind wipe and suggestive implant. Barrett had been arrested for his assault on her in the woods and had been left to remember that she’d mentioned the eyes and breath were magician tricks. Turning her head when hands settled on her hips she met Tommy’s gaze.

“We’ve had some more good reports. Triton just checked in, all Dragon Bloods from Asia have been freed.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“It wouldn’t have happened without you, Livi.”

Livi closed her eyes as she sank back against his strong chest. “No, it wouldn’t have happened without all here on Alston, and those out there endangering their lives to free our friends.”

“You look tired, love. I think it’s time to retire for the night,” he said as he kissed her temple.

“I’m good, Tommy. I just want to stay up a bit longer.”

Tommy turned her, lifting her into his arms. “I said bed, woman, and I meant it. If anything major happens, Peter will come get us.”

“Don’t worry, Livi, I’ll hold down the fort,” Peter called out.

Livi glanced his way briefly before meeting her mate’s eyes. “Ok, Tommy.” Laying her head against his chest, she started drifting off with the even thump of his heartbeat.

Tommy smiled as he headed for the door and up the stairs of Roven Manor.

“She’s out like a light, huh?” Drake asked.

“Yes sir. She tried fighting it.” Tommy smiled as he stepped up to his father in-law and Alpha. “If it’s alright with you, I think we’ll bed down here for the night.”

“Definitely. There’s never a need to ask, Tommy,” Kalana said as she came out of the study smiling.

Tommy grinned as Kalana stepped up and brushed Livi’s hair off her face. He loved the motherly concern she showed for her daughter.

“Go ahead and get her up to bed, we’ll see you in the morning.” Drake smiled.

Tommy smiled as he set Livi on the bed. Leaning down he brushed his lips gently across hers, surprised when she kissed him back. He lifted his head. “Hey you, I thought you were sleeping.”

Livi smiled sleepily. “I was, but then you kissed me.”

“Hmmm, well why don’t you go back to sleep? I’m going to undress you and then lay down.”

“Promise?”

“Absolutely.”

Livi smiled. “Love you, Tommy.”

“I love you too, Livi,” he whispered as her eyes fluttered shut.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erotic Romance Author C.A. Salo, loves to write Science Fiction and Paranormal Romances.

When not writing, C.A. enjoys home schooling her son, traveling, movie night with her family, and digging with her hands in the soil to grow flowers, organic vegetables, and herbs.

She also enjoys watching her cat and longhaired red dachshund as they run around and play, like the kids they are.

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