Free Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) by Diane Rapp Page B

son was possessed by the man she hated most in the world.  She turned to run but Anthony’s small voice cried, “Mama, don’t leave me alone with him.” 
    She wrapped her arms around the small body and wept.  For a precious few moments Jarrack allowed the boy to remain in control, just long enough to trap the vulnerable young woman. 
    Suddenly the boy’s body pushed her away, and Jarrack said, “You will obey my commands.” 
    Tanya stiffened at the cold expression in her son’s eyes.  “What do you want me to do?” Tanya asked.
    “Do nothing to hamper me and say nothing to anyone.  You’re the mother of a sweet little boy, so don’t cross me again or Anthony will die,” he hissed. 
    Tanya tore her gaze from Jarrack’s hypnotic stare.  “I won’t do anything that will harm Anthony,” she said. 
    “Fix dinner,” he demanded.
    Tanya methodically cooked, her hands chopping and stirring while her mind raced.  How could she get rid of Jarrack without harming her son?  He dozed as she went outside to fetch water.  A black shape appeared at the well, and Tanya nearly dropped the bucket.
    The wolf stared at her with glowing gold eyes and hope welled within her breast.  Wolves guarded the royal family and joined the attack last year.  Could wolves do something to help?  As she stared into the golden eyes, she realized the wolf was her only hope. 
    A single thought formed inside her mind.  She must wait patiently and watch for a signal from the wolves.  She gazed at the cottage as the wolf melted into the forest.
    For the next few days Tanya watched Anthony, hoping to see her son, but Jarrack maintained tight control over the boy’s body. 
    She nearly lost hope until Kriegen arrived with Tendra.  She didn’t notice the wolves until they stood in the open doorway staring at her. Jarrack screamed, “Get them out!  Get them away from me or I’ll kill the boy!” 
    Tanya froze, unable to react. Kriegen stepped into the cottage with Tendra at his shoulder, and Jarrack’s eyes filled with terror. 
    “Don’t kill him, Kriegen,” Tanya begged.  “My son’s still alive.”  Staring intently at the boy, Kriegen flicked his ears and Tendra cast the woman a knowing glance.  Tanya moved aside, willing to let the wolves handle Jarrack.
    “If you come any closer, I’ll kill him!”  Jarrack shouted.
    The wolves crept forward.  When they stood with the child between their large bodies, Tanya heard her son’s voice for the first time in days. 
    “Good boy,” he crooned and patted Kriegen’s head with chubby fingers.  “Don’t worry, Mama.  Kriegen and Tendra made Jarrack hide.  He’s afraid to come out, and they won’t let him hurt me.”
    Tanya embraced her son with tears streaming down her face.  “I’m so relieved you’re all right.”  She asked, “What can we do?  Is there a way to take his mind out of my son?”
    Anthony said, “Kriegen says his pack can make the man go away.  We must go to his cave.”
    Tanya smiled.  “If there’s hope of saving Anthony, we’ll go with you, Kriegen.”
    Tendra licked Anthony’s hand.  He said, “I like them.  Tendra says they have cubs I can play with at the cave.”
    Tanya shoved food and clothes into a pack.  “Get ready to leave.  We can’t waste time.”

8 ~ SICKNESS IN THE KINGDOM
     
    Dr. Alexander’s hands hovered over the patient, an expression of pain and concern in his eyes.  “This is the fifth case you’ve seen in a month, Lance?”  He led the tall young healer into another room.
    Lance looked grave.  “At first I thought it was the flu with symptoms of vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.  But skin lesions broke out and each one died!  It happened too fast.”
    “This patient suffers acute radiation sickness, so you could do nothing.”  Alex rubbed his fingers, trying to erase the pain from his empathic link with the patient.  The fear of this type of contact once made him hide away in medical