Page 18 of Monster

Deacon’s gaze returned to his.“The two dragons who came back with me… I sense one is incredibly strong, mentally. He could wade inside your father’s mind… and maybe help find a path out.”

“He might not be my father,” Bull said. He desperately wanted it to be the truth, but there was no way he could get his hopes up.

“Regardless, this beast is in pain and needs our help.I think Drake could be the answer.”

“You barely know him,” Bull said.

“We spent days trying to get here. They could’ve left and gone their own way—especially after I started to get sick.They could’ve left me and that creature somewhere out in the middle of nowhere. They didn’t. They took care of me and made sure we got home safe.I trust them.”

“Why aren’t they like him?” Bull asked.If they’d come out of Project Zed’s prison, shouldn’t they have been as messed up?

“Dragons are immune to the drugs… and the neural implants.” Deacon paused, brushing a hand over the blanket and straightening some of the folds. He lifted his stare and the man looked exhausted. “Trust me, both Drake and Jaeger suffered at Lore’s hands… they saw a lot of suffering in there. Drake understands some of what the beast has been through.”

Bull wasn’t sure, but he trusted Deacon with his life.And the life of his father.

If he’s my father.

“Okay.But I want to be there,” Bull said.“I want to see what he does and how my… the creature reacts.”

Deacon smiled slightly.“I’ll talk to him and see if he’s willing.”

Glenn walked into the room, food in hand—followed by Emmanuel, also toting dinner.

“Tomorrow,” Deacon added.“As I’m sure my mates won’t let me leave this bed for more than two seconds for the rest of the night.”

“That’s correct,” Glenn said before turning to glare at Bull.

Bull rose to his feet and lifted his hands in mock surrender.“You don’t have to give me the evil eye.I know when I’m not wanted.”

“You can see him tomorrow, if you need him—once he’s had a good night’s rest,” Glenn said.“But just for a few minutes. He needs to heal.”

“As if you can rein in our dragon,” Emmanuel said with a laugh before shoving a chicken leg between his teeth.

“Our dragon needs to be reined in for a while,” Glenn spat.

“Oh, one last thing, Deacon.There’s a new elemental. He arrived moments before I got here,” Bull said, turning from the door.

“Water’s here, hmm? So the quartet is complete.”

“Not exactly.He arrived on a bolt of lightning. Tossed me on my ass.”

“I’ll be the next to toss you on your ass,” Glenn said, eyeing him.“He needs to rest.”

Deacon ignored his mate. “Lightning?” he asked, frowning.

“Don’t ask me. I don’t really understand all that metaphysical shit.” Bull sighed.“What I do know is he’s burnt pretty badly and Killian and Finn arrived just before I left to find you.”

“They bringing him here?” Deacon asked.

Bull nodded. “More than likely.”

“I need to check in on what’s going on.”

“No. You don’t. You need rest,” Emmanuel spat before turning to glare at Bull.

“Goodnight,” Bull said before nodding to Deacon and putting some distance between him and the ferocious mates.

“Keep an eye on him… and don’t let his mates smother him too much,” Bull said to Gator as he passed.

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