Page 45 of Dragon's Honor

“You haven’t decided not to claim her either,” Gavin said. “I had my own battle. You think I made the decision lightly? Things were much different, a hundred years ago, fifty years ago, even twenty years ago. Ask your friend, Ryker.”

The name struck him hard. Ryker had been a good friend of his. They’d grown up together. Learned to protect the Tourmaline Clan together. Ryker found a mate, a human mate, and turned his back on everyone to be with her. They flew away together and though Ash heard from him a couple of times, their friendship had been severed. Ash always wondered if he could’ve convinced Ryker to stay, but he knew the clan would not accept his human mate. Ash knew, even he wouldn’t have.

He should’ve fought for his friend. Ash had been a coward then. It was hard not to be a coward now.

“Gavin?”

Ash spun around and saw a tall, curvy woman in blue scrubs. Gavin stepped forward. Ash could feel the protective nature of his friend wanting to wrap up his mate.

“Pru, love, is she okay?” Gavin asked.

Ash waited, all but tapping his foot or snapping his fingers waiting for Pru to answer.

Pru glanced around as if she was making sure no one was listening. “Her wounds are superficial, but she’s burning up. Her fever is high, nearly one hundred and five. That’s a good way to get your brain cooked.”

“Is that how doctors normally speak?” Henrik asked.

Pru shot him a glare.

Ash stepped forward. “I want to see her.”

Pru gestured for them to follow her. They headed into Finley’s room.

Ash gripped the railing at the foot of her bed, staring at her. Finley looked horrible. Her face was red and splotchy. Sweat beaded all over every inch of skin that was visible and had drenched her hospital gown.

“What’s wrong with her?”

“I did a blood tox screen. She has Dragon Fire in her system.”

Ash’s head snapped to Pru. “Still?”

“What do you mean ‘still?’”

“She was dosed two months ago,” Ash explained.

Henrik and Ash exchanged a look of concern.

“It’s a magical substance. I suppose it can stay in her system indefinitely. Her temperature isn’t going down,” Pru said. “She can’t stay here much longer. I’ve kept the nurses out, but they’re going to read her stats and have major concerns.”

Ash wanted to scoop her up and pull her into his arms. She would be safe with him. “We’ll take her to my place. I’ll call Syrena. She’s the only one who can help.”

“I agree with that,” Pru stated quietly. “There’s just one more thing.”

Ash glanced back her. “What?”

“I’ve been trying to figure out Dragon Fire since it showed up. I finally figured out one of the elements. They’re using actual dragons, not just dragon essence like we thought.”

“What do you mean, actual dragons?” Henrik asked.

“Meaning dragon parts. From the look of it, scales. Tourmaline scales.”

Ash and Henrik both snarled. “What?!”

“I’m afraid so. If there is anyone who can help, it has to be Syrena. She’s the tourmaline witch,” Pru replied.

Ash gripped the railing and twisted toward Pru. His entire body was tight with tension. He felt the metal of the railing crunch under his tight grip. His shoulders bobbed with his heavy breathing. It took everything he had to keep the dragon inside.

Dragons had been murdered and put into a drug that was killing people all over the world. It was completely insane to him. What dragon could possibly do that to another?

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