Free Seducing the Dragon: Part Four by Jessie Donovan Page A

was going to die on his watch if he could help it.

    ~~~

    Evie had no idea how long she and Finn had been flying before she recognized some of the surrounding peaks and valleys. They were approaching Stonefire’s land.
    She was nearly home.
    Evie blinked back tears. The adrenaline had mostly worn off during the long flight. After two days of little sleep or food, she was on the verge of crashing.
    Yet if she gave in and crashed, she would have to wait even longer to find out who was still alive. Finn mentioned Bram serving as a distraction. Had her dragonman survived? Sure, she believed in him, but after what had happened with Nikki and Charlie, it would only take one canister of periwinkle and mandrake root to bring down the leader of Clan Stonefire.
    It wasn’t just Bram she was worried about. Murray could still be in the hands of the hunters; it also killed her not knowing which female Protector was still alive.
    Her throat closed up and Evie closed her eyes. Tears wouldn’t help anyone. If anything, it would sap what little strength she had left. No, she should focus on what needed to be done once she landed. Even if everyone was whole and hearty, there was a lot of shit still to tackle. Stonefire was her clan and she wasn’t about to see them fall because of her or the stupidity of the dragon hunters. Her main concern, apart from everyone being alive, was that it was past her deadline to check in with the DDA. While she rather doubted it given the DDA’s track record, they could be lying in wait at Stonefire’s gates. Handling them wouldn’t be easy, but she could do it.  
    No, she was more afraid of the media circus that could also be waiting. Given everything that had just happened with the dragon hunters, she didn’t want the media to make any connection between the incident in Carlisle and Clan Stonefire. Any act of violence, even in most cases of self-defense, ended in a suspension of the sacrifice program, sometimes indefinitely. While Bram would be strong for the clan if that happened, she knew it would devastate him.
    Bram. Her dragonman had bloody well better be alive. Life without him would be lonely. She’d miss his humor, his cleverness, and, she wasn’t afraid to say, his cock. Stonefire’s leader was the whole package and had ruined her for all other men. Since she had no plans of living as a nun, her will alone would ensure his safety. She knew that was impossible, but her willing him alive with every cell of her body couldn’t hurt, especially since she was falling in love with him.  
    Already she dreamed of adopting Murray and starting a family with Bram. If they could ever spend some time together without another threat to the clan or her life, she would fall hard and fast for her dragonman.
    Finn made his final descent. Opening her eyes, she clung to the hope that Bram would be there to greet her. Bram, please be alive. I don’t know if I can help pick up the pieces of your clan and mobilize them without you.
    The Scottish leader slowed his wings and much like Bram had surprised her with his agile movements, Finn was the same way as he rotated his grip on Evie until she was no longer horizontal with her stomach facing down but vertical.
    She had just enough time to notice a large tent off to the side of the secondary landing area before the windy backlash forced her eyes shut.
    Her feet touched the ground. Before she could open her eyes, Finn released his grip. As the sound of him flying away filled her ears, she wobbled and opened her eyes.  
    Despite the spinning sensation in her head, Evie scanned the area. When she looked toward the tent, a familiar face raced toward her.
    It was Nikki.
    She could barely string together the fact Charlie must be dead before the young dragonwoman embraced her in a one-armed hug and said, “Evie! You’re alive.” Nikki hugged her more tightly. “I’m so sorry we failed to protect you. Bram’s words about the place being secure had put me off my