Page 2 of Singing the Dragon’s Heart

Chapter

Two

“ R eno! Incoming!” The bellow from Triton made Reno scramble to the edge of the decking that ran around the outside pool, his heart pounding.

He looked up at where Triton was pointing, and he was stunned to see a dragon, laboring through the wards, pushing down from the mountains to the west.

The sanctuary sat in a bowl ringed in mountains from all directions. It was pretty much perfectly defensible, but someone, a huge alpha from the looks of it, had broken through.

He has a civilian with him. In his claws. What do we do? That was one of the young alphas who was guarding the heights, sounding completely panicked.

“Let him land.”

Reno turned to stare at Triton’s omega mate, Elowyn, his eyebrows rising. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Triton groaned. “Hailee…”

“We are a sanctuary, are we not?” That delicate chin set in a hard line.

“Yes, but?—”

“No, man,” Reno said with a chuckle. “Don’t argue with your mate. I have seen bad, bad things happen to braaken who did.” He crossed his arms, watching the big dragon falter and dip, then valiantly try to stay the course.

Triton squinted, his face taking on a stony cast. “It can’t?—”

“What’s the matter, my friend?” Reno felt damn bad for the big intruder, actually. He looked exhausted, his scales nearly transparent. But he couldn’t offer help. Not until he knew if this one was friend or foe.

But Triton trumpeted suddenly, shifting and leaping into the air, and Reno was more than a little worried that he’d lost his shit.

The guy had been through a lot.

But Reno couldn’t let him just attack, so he shifted as well, arrowing after Triton.

Triton! You have to stop!

No! No, I know him! Triton flew faster than Reno had ever seen him, circling around behind the struggling dragon to come up under his belly, supporting him as he started to drop.

Okay, shit. Clearly Triton was gonna help this alpha land, so Reno went to lend a wing.

Which was a damn good thing, because as Triton took most of the dragon’s weight, those wings went limp, and the dragon drooped onto Triton’s back.

His claw opened, and a slight human form tumbled out, and Reno roared, putting on a burst of speed so he could catch the man who shook loose when the dragon stopped supporting his own weight.

Reno just managed to open a claw to catch the omega, who was thin and unconscious and cold, before the limp guy fell right into the lake.

Cradling the omega in his claw, Reno spiraled down to the ground right near the outdoor kitchen, his heart pounding, his clawed paw shaking.

“What happened?” Several alphas came running, his best friends Boone and Durango among them.

“He was carrying this one. Triton says he knows the alpha. He’ll need help.”

“Got it.” Durango broke into a run again, racing out to where Triton landed, the huge alpha rolling off his back and onto the ground with a thud.

The medical staff swarmed in. The new doctor followed by a handful of others.

“What the hell is going on?” Dr. Glace snapped, and Reno rolled his eyes. Glace’s skill was command, but the young son of a bitch forgot how to use it, and he tended to freeze a room rather than getting answers.

“The big bastard came in carrying this one. Neither one looks like they’re gonna make it until the morning.” Which was a damn shame, given that the omega in his arms was amazing, even in his weakened state. Ebony hair, leathered skin, whip-cord lean—the scars screamed that he was a warrior, but he was icy cold and so pale.

“All right, well, let’s get that one down to medical. I can’t move the dragon, so I’ll deal with him up here. We’ll get him warmed up and see what we can do for him. What the hell is up with Triton?”

Elowyn stood there, the little guy looking just about stunned, and he could hear Cerran hollering from the back of the crowd, demanding to be let through, three babies trailing behind him like a train. “Those are my mates! What the hell is going on?”

“Triton says it’s his brother!” Elowyn swayed, sucking air. “Cerran! I need you. Triton says this is his brother.”

Well, that was a shock. He’d heard stories about Triton’s brother. Not a lot, but some, as much as they ever spoke about what they’d lost, when they left their old keeps behind. Of course, his brother had been gone before Triton ever escaped his keep. Still, it would be fascinating to find out whether or not the brother was friend or foe.

Not really his call.

That was up to the keep’s seers.

Reno just lifted the little guy up, and they started heading downstairs, two medics following him.

He liked Izzy. She was a round, happy omega that managed to keep the peace and organize the medical staff with an iron hand at the same time.

“We’ll take him down into one of the open rooms. There are lots, today. There’s been precious few emergencies, so we’re doing all right,” Izzy said, winking at him, but Reno wasn’t in the mood to joke.

“He’s cold as ice.”

“Well, we’ll get him warmed up, see what we can do. He looks like he’s been through a war.” She clucked softly, shaking her head. “Is he an omega warrior? Are those a thing in the old keeps?”

“It doesn’t happen often, if ever.” He’d never heard of it, but that meant as little as the thought that buzzed through his brain. He hadn’t heard of many things, and that didn’t make them less true. He hadn’t heard of k’gra—evil, magical dragons that existed only to cause pain and fear—but they had come after Elowyn and their babies, hadn’t they?

“He doesn’t look happy, that’s for sure. At least we can get him warm and comfortable, even if the worst scenario happens.

“Don’t say that,” Reno snapped at her. “Don’t you dare say that.” No way this little one was going to show up, land in his claws all battle-hardened and fierce, and then just die like some coward. No way.

His—this—omega was a warrior.

“All right, alpha. Of course. I’m sorry.” Izzy shot him a quizzical look. “We’re almost there. You can just leave him with us; it’ll be all right.”

He hated that humoring-the-lunatic tone. “I’m not leaving him.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I said, I’m not leaving him. He’ll need to know he has a friend when he wakes up.”

He needed to know that Reno wasn’t going to let anybody die. Not on his watch. Not this one.

This little one was going to live.

Do you hear me, fighter? I have decided that you will live.

What? The mental voice was painfully soft, yet it rocketed through him, clear and crisp and utterly shocked. Who are you to decide anything?

I am Reno. I am your braaken, hailee, and I have decided that I will not lose you, so prepare to heal.

He heard a soft mental snort. I’m so tired, though.

You can rest all you need to, but I’m not letting you go.

You and Talon. There was a soft sigh. It’s not really up to you.

Doubt assailed him. Talon? That’s the big guy?

Talon. Yes.

Shit. Was Talon this one’s mate? Surely not. There was no way Reno could feel this way about someone else’s mate.

Let’s get you warm.

We flew so far…

“You’re safe here,” he said aloud, because Izzy was staring.

Are the others safe? the omega asked.

“The others? What others?” What the hell was he talking about?

We were supposed to send transport for them. We were supposed to help them.

You and this Talon?

Yes, me and Talon. We have been rescuing omegas. We were supposed to send transport and get them out. Did they come here?

Izzy started wrapping the man in blankets, and as soon as he began to get warm, his teeth began to chatter. “You’re going to be fine. You’ll warm up.”

How could he hear this man, this omega, so easily if he had a mate? What was going on?

Was this like Triton and Cerran? Where they were both going to mate with their omega? Reno wasn’t sure that his ability to share was quite that large.

He didn’t feel a connection, a draw toward the new dragon upstairs, but what did he know?

Are you listening to me? I need you to find out what happened to them. I didn’t give up my heartstone so that they would just die in a hotel room in the human lands. Go get them.

Well, if nothing else, Reno would say that this little omega was firm and demanding.

It was kind of hot, even if it made him want to pop him on the butt and yell, don’t tell me what to do.

Which Reno would never do because he wasn’t a child, but he wanted to.

“I’m going to go see what the hell this omega’s talking about. You’ve got this under control?”

Izzy looked at him like he was a little insane but nodded. “Yes, sir, we’ve got it under control. You go do you, Boo. If you see Doc, tell him that I’ve got another room ready for the big guy. Once he is, you know, smaller.”

“Copy.” He strode out of the infirmary, heading up to see if he could find Cain. If anyone knew that a group of omegas was due imminently, it would be their seer. He had no doubt.

He found Cain with the good doctor, who stood with his hands on the side of the big dragon, who looked to be barely breathing as he lay on the terrace.

“Boss. A word?”

“Of course.” Cain walked over to him, half his attention still on the downed dragon.

“I was down at the infirmary. The omega that came in with him says there was a coterie of omegas and children who were supposed to be picked up and brought here. They helped them to escape.”

Cain’s eyebrows rose. “I assumed they had decided to go elsewhere.”

“So wait, you knew they were meant to be coming?”

“Yes, but when they didn’t arrive, I sent a message through the intermediary. I never heard back…” Cain scowled. “They’re still out there?”

“It appears so.”

“Damn.” Cain whirled and stared at the big dragon. “We need to find them, Reno.”

“That’s what I do best, boss. Oh, and the omega said something about giving up his heartstone.” And Reno was going to need Cain to find the guy a new one.

ASAP.

“So he’s awake. I should go speak to him.”

“No. No, he’s still unconscious.”

Cain’s eyebrows flew up, the white melding with his hair. “Then how did you talk with him?”

“I, uh, can hear him. But, you know, he looks like a fighter, not a healer or a seer. Maybe that’s why. Warrior communication.”

“Interesting.” Cain glanced at the big dragon again. “Can you hear him?”

“Huh? No.” He flushed, because he’d already thought of that, hadn’t he? “I mean, I haven’t tried too hard.”

“And did you try with the—with the omega?” Cain was back to watching him carefully.

“No. I mean, I guess I was just thinking really loud.”

“Maybe.”

Glace growled, the sound drawing their attention. “Will someone get me the sedative I asked for! He won’t shift unless I give it to him.”

“Yes, braaken!” Someone went running, and he and Cain moved over to stand by Triton, who rested a big hand on the huge dragon’s head.

“He’s really your brother?” Reno asked.

Triton nodded. “Talon. He has many more scars, but?—”

“But it’s definitely him,” Cerran put in, standing close to his alpha mate.

“I thought he was dead.” Triton’s voice had dropped to a whisper. “I didn’t know.”

“You would never have stopped looking if you had,” Elowyn said.

“I would not have.” Triton swallowed hard. “Cain?—”

“Dr. Glace can help him.”

“I can. He’s exhausted from flying, and I would say he’s had some sort of magical trauma recently as well. But if I can get him to the medical bay, we’ll be fine.”

“Here, Doc.” The kid who had run off came back with a huge syringe loaded with a cloudy liquid.

“Thank you.” The Doc moved to stand where Talon’s foreleg met his chest. “I need to get in here between the scales. Triton, if you could keep an eye on both teeth and tail?”

“I’ll help,” Reno said.

An injured alpha could be a real danger. Reno knew it from personal experience. So he stepped up to guard Doc’s back.

Triton slid between his brother’s head and Doc, and then Doc jabbed the guy with the needle.

The very earth beneath their feet rumbled, and Triton made soft noises. “It’s all right, Talon. We’re trying to help you, not hurt you.”

“Shhhh.” Doc patted the big forearm, then pulled free with the syringe.

“Ouch,” Reno murmured.

“Yeah, but it’s for his own good.” Doc sighed. “Come on, big guy. Shrink.”

“I’ve been trying to reach him, but he’s so deeply out…” Triton looked agonized.

Cain moved closer, then put a hand next to Triton’s on Talon’s body. He closed his eyes, and a deep groan reverberated through the still dragon before the guy shifted in a heartbeat.

“That did it. Thanks, Cain.” Doc waved forward a set of dragons, who wrapped the big guy in a blanket and lifted him onto a stretcher.

“Triton, Cerran. Go with Doc. Reno, Boone, Durango? With me.” Cain marched off without waiting to see if they were coming.

“What’s up, Reno?” Durango asked.

“A group of omegas and kids has gone missing.”

“Shit. And these guys have something to do with it?”

“The omega told me we had to find them. That he and Talon had arranged transport here.”

“Then why didn’t our guys go pick them up?”

It was good question that Boone was asking. They had three retrieval teams now, and another in training. Why would anyone send a group from one of the keeps they patrolled via regular transport?

“Cain said he thought they had decided not to come.”

“That is what I thought,” Cain murmured as he led them into his office. “I did try to double-check, but I kept getting no answer.”

“Damn. What keep were they coming from?”

“A remote one on the West Coast. Right up near Victoria.”

“So we send a team. Let them canvass the area.”

“I want you to take point, Reno.”

“Huh?” He didn’t run rescues anymore.

“I need you on it. The omega clearly connected with you.”

“Well, I mean, he told me that there were omegas and stuff, yeah. He also told me that he gave his heartstone away. I didn’t even think it was a thing.”

Durango stared at him. “It’s not a thing.”

“See, that’s what I thought.” Reno felt vindicated, a little bit. “It’s not a thing, but that’s what he said.”

“It’s a thing.” Cain didn’t sound impressed. And if it was a thing, shouldn’t Cain sound impressed? It seemed like it would be a hard thing. “The omega has to have a huge amount of will.”

“Yeah, he’s kind of strident.”

Hey! I’m not strident. I just need you to go and do what I told you to do.

“Quit talking to me. You’re not supposed to be able to talk to me.” Reno didn’t like this. Not one bit.

“Did you get hit in the head by the big dragon?” Durango asked. “I think maybe… Cain? Can someone look at his head?”

Boone sort of blinked at them all. “What am I missing? I don’t… I’m pretty sure that I was supposed to be doing something else. Right now, not whatever this is.”

“I’m going to send you all to Borneo permanently,” Cain snapped.

Boone stared at Cain. “I have six children. Six. Like one more than five. Do you honestly think that Borneo is a threat? Six babies, five of whom are toddlers. I would go in a heartbeat.”

“All right. Will you all please just calm down?”

Oh, Reno hated it when Cain pulled the whole ‘charm the wild alpha’ thing.

“Look, I did not ask to be listening to this strident omega who doesn’t like to be called strident.”

“So stop calling him strident.” Durango wasn’t helping.

I’m going to kick your ass.

“You can try.”

“Who the fuck is Reno talking to?” Boone asked. “I don’t understand.”

Durango’s eyes began to twinkle. “Really, bro, you gotta catch up. I think maybe having all of those diapers around your house has made you a little stupid.”

Boone arched one eyebrow. “Do you want me to tell Eyv what you just said? Because I will.”

“Worse,” Reno pointed out. “You could tell Eyv that Durango wants more babies. That he’s ready. They’ve only got three. They’ve got four to catch up to you.”

He needed a hamburger.

Cain took a deep breath, then let it out. The sudden smell of something golden, like cleansing light, filled the air.

Boss was frustrated.

We left them at a hotel. They were supposed to be picked up there. The omega in his head sent him a name and a set of coordinates.

That made my head hurt.

You think yours does.

How does someone give up their heartstone, anyway?

“Reno!”

“Don’t yell, boss. Not a good look for a seer who’s supposed to be all Zen.”

“I am going to kill you.”

“And then I won’t be able to go get those damn omegas.”

Boone sighed. “I’m going to tell Lake that this is all your fault. If you suddenly are deposed by Skye, you know why.”

“Thanks. Go get the omegas, please? Fast and easy. There are children.”

“We’re on it, boss. No worries.” Reno and his team were the best, after all.

“So—” Boone glanced all around. “Am I in the field?”

“Neither of you have to go,” Reno said. “I can take the other guys.”

“No. No, this is going to require all of you, including the two newer members.”

“My mate is going to kill me,” Boone moaned.

“They can all stay together like a slumber party,” Durango put in. “We’ll be home in no time.”

“You better hope so,” Boone said. “Or you’re all going down. Including the seer.”