Dragon in Distress Read online

  “This place is being shut down for selling stolen merchandise.”

  People close enough to hear him began to stampede as far from the door as they could get. It worked wonders for reducing the crowd. When he pulled out the crime tape to cordon off the entrance, people pushed and shoved to get to the other side of it before he got it in place.

  Those exiting with purchases stopped and stared. A few brave souls slipped under the tape making a run for it. No one chased them, they weren’t after customers, they were after those running things. Now that most customers were gone, they moved into the store. A suave dude approached Annie giving her a sales spiel.

  “Do you refund my money if the police come to take my purchases back?” She asked.

  “What? Who are you?” He asked and Dae flashed a badge again.

  “Man, I just work here. I don’t know about any illegal activities.”

  “We’ll need to get your personal information and run a check on you.” Dae explained.

  The kid found a seat and just sat there dumbstruck. He probably never imagined his day would turn out like this. Other employees tried to flee, but they had no luck. Dae had plenty of officers covering every possible avenue.

  Knossos helped restrain several employees that were fighting or trying to escape. Ram and Dae were also on top of things. Annie and Sophie were in separate rooms using their skills and a truth spell as a last resort. It was impossible for him not to check on how Sophie was doing whenever he could. That’s how he saw the male in the room with her had taken her captive.

  He must not have been restrained correctly and now he had his hands wrapped around her throat. Dropping the male he’d just restrained to the floor without a care, he ran to get to his mate before harm could be done. Knossos was too late because Sophie lay on the floor where the male had dropped her.

  “You next?” The guy said as if he had a chance against him.

  The male was a fool and he was about to die. Knossos didn’t shift, it wasn’t necessary. Even in his human form he had many of the abilities of his dragon half. Rage and pain ran through him at the thought that this worthless scum had hurt or even killed his mate. There was no way to prevent it even had he wanted to. Which he didn’t.

  A stream of scorching fire erupted from his mouth spraying straight at the idiot who was stupid enough to poke someone without knowing what they were. He was consumed by it so quickly, he started to scream, but never finished. With that done, Knossos dropped to his knees at his mate’s side and checked finding a thready pulse. Strength, power, and healing surged through him as he held her hand.

  Healing was a power many dragons had in limited amounts. Close relatives or mates could bring it out strong enough to do some good. Never having had an interest in healing before, would it come to him now when he needed it so desperately? Sophie coughed as if she was choking.

  “Goddess that hurt!” She rasped. Knossos held her still sending healing thoughts her way. He never wanted to endure a life without her now that he’d found her.

  No one would have ever believed with his wild youth, he would now want nothing more than his mate. Dragons were funny that way. When he’d been single, he’d committed himself to partying and having fun. Now that life was behind him and he never wanted to go back to it again.

  “Are you okay?” He asked worriedly.

  “I think so. I just felt so odd and weak. Then it was almost like power rushed through me.” Sophie admitted.

  Knossos shook with fear as he thought about the danger she was in helping with their work. It made him glad she wasn’t like Annie. Her cousin would be in the forefront in every raid. Even though Sophie wasn’t given the toughest criminals, he’d almost lost her. How could Ram stand the worry? He now wished Sophie had never started helping them. Was there any way he could get her out of this? She wouldn’t want to stop, but his heart couldn’t survive the risks that were now much clearer.

  “Are you okay?” Sophie asked seeing his fear.

  “As long as you are.” Knossos admitted.

  “What’s that awful burnt smell?” Sophie questioned looking around. She saw a pile that looked like burned plastic. “Something catch on fire?”

  “You could say that. Let me get you out of here. I need a healer to look at you.”

  Sophie tried to stand but she was weak. “Okay. I can’t argue with that. I’m sorry I wasn’t much help this time. I can’t even remember what happened.”

  “Sophie!” Annie screamed. “Are you alright?”

  “I’m just a bit dizzy. Sorry we have to go. Knossos is taking me to a healer.” Annie threw herself at Sophie hanging on to her.

  “Don’t you worry about a thing. We’ve got everything under control.”

  Now everyone else was gathering in the small room. “Are you okay?” Ram asked. “Damn it smells in here.”

  “I just need to get her out of here.” Knossos insisted.

  Everyone moved out of the way giving him a clear shot to the door. Adrenaline pumped through his body as his hands shook even though he held her tight. He wasn’t sure if he could handle this love thing. Had he known how hard it would be on him, he would have hidden better and had a spell cast on his cave so no spell could find him. Dragons didn’t handle fear well and he was still scared for his mate.

  He drove her to the swamp witch because rumor had it that she was the best healer around. She’d been teaching Sophie magic so he’d wanted to meet her anyway. Once he settled Sophie in the passenger seat and belted her in, he got in the driver’s seat and they took off as fast as he dared drive.

  “What’s the swamp witch’s address?” He asked. Knossos knew he was driving in the general direction.

  Sophie whispered it to him, her voice still raspy. As he set the GPS, he heard her say something else. “Her name is Althea Witherspoon.”

  He’d known the swamp witch wasn’t her name, but no one ever called her anything else. Sophie didn’t talk about her lessons although he wasn’t sure why. They would be there in twenty minutes according to the GPS. It would seem much longer to him. It was a miracle she was alive. That horrible man had tried to end her. He’d never end anyone else again.

  As casual as that hoodlum had been about killing a sweet woman told him that he was a murdered who could never be redeemed. Knossos didn’t feel the least bit bad that he’d burned the man to death, but he worried about how his sweet Sophie would feel about what he’d done. As they arrived at the home of Althea Witherspoon, he pulled as close as he could.

  Rushing around to Sophie, he got her out and carried her to the door which opened as if by magic. Of course it did and it was. “What happened?” Althea asked.

  “A criminal tried to choke her to death.” Knossos admitted. Sophie gasped.

  Chapter 9

  The Ball

  Sophie couldn’t remember what had happened to her earlier and Knossos explanation was upsetting to say the least. Althea was using some of her special crystals to see what damage she might have and what could be done to help her.

  “You used dragon magic in her. She was almost gone and you brought her back. Love gives our healing a strength that’s unmatchable.” Althea admitted.

  “Our? You’re a dragon?” Knossos asked.

  “No, I meant healers. I’m just a witch, no shifter in me. More’s the pity.”

  “How is my mate?”

  “Her throat was crushed, it will take a few days to heal. I’ll get you a bottle of something she can gargle that will soothe her throat. Her life force is back to its normal strength or nearly so. There’s just not anything else to be done. She needs to eat well, sleep as much as possible, gargle when her throat bothers her, and she should be fine in three days to a week.”

  “Thank the goddess.” Knossos praised.

  “Indeed. She was looking out for both of you.” Althea offered.

  Listening intently, Sophie realized Knossos had saved her life. It was good to finally know what had happened, but it was annoyi
ng to be ignored. “You both remember me right? I’m the patient.” Knossos eyes turned to her and they were a terrible red. Althea also looked with nothing but sympathy. “So the pile of smoldering debris was a bad guy?” Knossos nodded. “One less evil jerk to deal with.”

  “Sometimes a person simply needs to die.” Althea agreed. “Take your mate home and fuss over her.”

  “I intend to.” Knossos said as he picked Sophie up in his arms carrying her out the automatically opening door. “Thank you.” He said over his shoulder.

  “You’re welcome.” Althea said as she disappeared from sight.

  Knossos set Sophie back down in the seat fastening her belt. She watched as he walked around getting into the driver’s seat before he got ready to take off. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember what had happened, but she still drew a blank. She could feel the SUV moving and she was sure they were headed for Knossos room at Ram’s place.

  She wondered if everyone, but she knew what had occurred. Maybe nearly dying had messed with her brain. That would be understandable. Sophie must have dozed off, but she woke when the SUV came to a stop. Opening her eyes showed her assumption had been correct. The rest of the team was still at work because none of the others SUVs were around.

  Again her mate carried her in and up the stairs. Once inside his room he carefully laid her on his bed. Sophie wanted to talk to him and go through what had happened, but instead she fell asleep. She woke in the morning shocked to see that according to the clock she would be late for work. Jumping up, she grabbed her clothing.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Knossos asked.

  “Work, I must get to work.”

  “Someone else is filling in for you. You’re to rest and recuperate. We’ll go to breakfast after our shower. No arguments. Annie brought you some clothes.”

  “Annie is a saint. It’s even my own clothes.”

  “Enough for a week. That’s when the bruises will be gone.”

  Sophie moved to the mirror looking at the dark bruises on her neck that showed a pair of hands had squeezed her. “Oh, my goddess! I can make out his fingers.” It was almost enough to make her want to cry.

  She’d never dealt with that kind of anger and hate before. People usually liked her. It was something she would have to deal with if she planned to out on more missions. Sophie had done so well until now.

  “You are thinking too much. I don’t like it when you worry.” Knossos said.

  “I’m a Virgo. It can’t be helped.”

  “I’ve been told I’m a Virgo also. I manage not to worry.”

  Sophie choked. “The hell you say. All you do is worry and work. You don’t even have a job selected, but you put all your efforts into working with Ram against the evil threat. I would think you’d be more understanding. It will be hard on me not to do my job.”

  “I truly gave that a lot of thought. What do you think the first thing a customer will say is?” Knossos asked.

  “They usually tell me what they need me to do.”

  “The customers today would wonder what happened to you.”

  Sophie gave that some thought. She could use glamour, but she wasn’t really strong enough to keep it in place while she cast other spells. Sighing deeply, she looked at her mate. “I suppose you’re right. I know I would ask if I were a customer.”

  “It’s human nature. Especially the way you’re bruises stand out. They look black. No one could miss them. Get ready and we’ll have breakfast. Food will help you recover.”

  Sophie hated that he was right. She felt odd not being at work since she never missed. The money wasn’t a big deal since she lived at home. Thank the goddess for that. Grabbing some clothes, she made her way to the bathroom. When she looked up, Knossos had followed her.

  “Hey, Sophie. How about a little shower sex?” he asked with a naughty look on his face. “I need you right now. She knew he was trying to distract her, but damn, it was working.

  She went into the bathroom turning on the shower and setting the temperature just so. Sophie stepped into the water and let out a moan. Knossos stepped into it after her, the water was the way he liked it too. Maybe not as hot as he liked it and that was why she’d hurried to set the temperature. She chuckled at the thought. They both got wet, lathered up, rinsed and then she was ready for more. Her mate lifted her into his arms so she could wrap her legs around his waist as he sank deep inside her. She fit him like a glove and she’d never felt more like they belonged together.

  He stopped for a second as he gave her a passionate kiss before he turned loose. Knossos hammered into her to bring them both a quick orgasm. She felt herself tighten around him as she made sweet whimpering sounds. Sophie was pressed against the shower wall while he impaled himself into her wet heat over and over until she felt her release upon her. He rolled his hips hitting a different spot causing her to come undone. Her legs squeezed him then her channel clenched tight as it squeezed the very essence right out of him. Spurt after spurt of hot cum filled her until there was no more.

  She felt weak and he slowly dropped her to the floor making sure she could stand before he let her go. She was dizzy with that incredible release and she wanted to start every morning just that way. The hot water and sex had relaxed her and getting clean did make her feel better.

  Once they were finished and dressed, she felt almost normal except for a few aches she suspected would be with her for a few days. As they headed down the stairs, the aroma of good food greeted them. Coffee and bacon were the first smells she could separate from the rest. Her stomach growled like a monster. Knossos fussed over her getting a plate and filling it for her before getting his own. Once he had his too, they both ate quickly until they were full.

  “Ready to go look at the next house?” He asked.

  “Sure. Where is this one?”

  “It’s in the opposite direction, but not far either. All the houses that meet our requirements seem to be nearby.” Knossos admitted.

  “This area is middle to high income. They would have the money to build the kind of house you’re looking for.”

  “We’re looking for not just me. I want a house that pleases you.”

  “Okay. You’re right.” She agreed.

  They were through eating so they cleaned up their area before heading out to the SUV. Knossos spun out as he left the parking lot after they got in. He seemed to be more excited about this house than the last one. They were out in the country when they took a narrow road and drove a few more miles. The house sat off to the right and was so large, they could see it at a distance. Whatever sat behind it was easily hidden and the house itself was attention getting. It reminded her of a manor house because it was stone. It had chimneys on the sides she could see which wasn’t as common here where there wasn’t much of a winter.

  She saw a river, but was unsure if the land it ran through was part of the estate they were looking at. Knossos pulled up to the house and they got out. The entryway was formal with a large porch and steps that swept across half the front of the house. Huge double doors, heavy and solid, stood directly in the center. A large door knocker with a dragon on it was centered on each door.

  Sophie suspected a dragon had owned this house and that was what excited Knossos. He opened the door and everything she saw inside seemed oversized. A stairway was in front of them with the kind of staircase older mansions had. It had to be twelve feet wide and had a large rail, the type that made you want to walk to the top so you could slide to the bottom.

  The house was lovely and supersized. Even the windows were floor to ceiling, at least in the entryway. As they moved through the house, they made it to a massive double door. When Knossos opened the door, a huge grin split his face. This room’s ceiling went to the roof.

  “It’s a dragon’s playroom. I could fly in here if the need hit.”

  The room resembled a greenhouse with lovely flowers everywhere and a fountain with a dragon in the center. “It’s beautiful.”


  “They are rare, especially around here.”

  “How rare?”

  “This is the only one I’ve heard of.” Knossos admitted.

  They toured the rest of the house, which was nice, but formal. Because of the dragon playroom, she preferred it to the first house. Happy dragon means no surprise fires, right? She liked the happy Knossos that she now had. He was a huge improvement on the irritable grouch.

  “Are you going to give it a go?”

  “Right now?” Knossos asked appearing intrigued.

  “Let’s have another look at your dragon.” Sophie encouraged.

  Knossos moved into an empty space just off the center of the room. In a flash, a red and gold dragon stood there. He stretched his winds and they nearly touched the walls. It looked like a tight fit. He’d explained to her dragons came in different sizes and as king, he’d be the biggest one of all. She had to admit, his was a magnificent beast. The dragon lifted off the ground avoided hitting the walls with his wings. As he reached the far wall, he pulled his wings in and flipped. It was an impressive move showing how skillful her mate was.

  Sophie laughed as she watched his aerial maneuvers, his banks and rolls, as he flew in the space that was small compared to his size. After about thirty minutes, he rolled and landed back in the space he’d lifted off from. His massive body shrank until his human form stood there once again. Damn! Her mate was incredible.

  Now that they’d toured the house, they went to the closest town to eat lunch. It was barely a spot in the road with only one diner. They ordered the meatloaf special and it came quickly. “This isn’t bad.” Knossos admitted.

  “I’d say it’s good. Haven’t you ever had meatloaf before?”

  “I haven’t, but I’ll eat it again. I didn’t expect much from such a small diner.”

  “Sometimes the small out of the way places are the best.” They finished eating before they headed back.

  “You know the ball will be on us quickly.”

  “I know. I have my dress and other things ordered already. I’ll be going to the salon with a group of relatives and friends the morning before the ball. We did that for Annie’s too.”