Page 30 of Stryker

And he’d figured out how to help… for a short while, anyway.

“You know,” he said, “there is another way.”

I perked right up. “I’m listening.”

16

Stryker

The headache hit me first.

That sharp ringing sound in my ears and the taste of blood on my lips pulled me the rest of the way out of my slumber. I lifted my head, weak and aching.

“Hey, easy now.” Kat’s voice filled my mind and I sat up. Her warmth stayed at my chest and her hands stroked me as pain screamed through my side. Fuck, he’d gotten me good, son of a bitch.

“You’re hurt.” Her voice, soft and kind, soothed some of pain. “How can I help you?”

I didn’t give a damn about myself. With every ounce of strength I had, I shifted back. “Are you okay?” I asked, feeling the pain ease and my breathing return to normal as I held her. I pulled back, looking for any sign of injury or damage to her, but she seemed fine.

Draco’s scent hit me, and I bared my teeth at him. “Don’t you dare hurt her.”

He spread his hands out at his sides and tilted his head back, like he was offering for me to go for his throat. Tempted, I growled.

“I’m not going to hurt her.” His scent didn’t change, and I knew he wasn’t lying.

Kat pulled out of my arms and looked up at me with great, soulful brown eyes. “He actually convinced them to not destroy me. I saw her, Stryker! I saw her.”

Saw her? “What are you talking about?” I asked, glancing from her to Draco, confused.

“The woman he’s trying to save.” Her face lit up and a smile played at the corners of her lips.” He won’t tell me her name, but that’s fine, I don’t need to know.”

“You saw her?” What the heck did she mean? She hadn’t cleared it up at all.

“The day you saved me! I saw her. And I remembered something that’s helpful to Draco. He’s been researching the whole time you’ve been taking a nap.” Her expression dropped a bit. “Well, most of the time, anyway. Your friend is still out.”

She jerked her chin and I glanced over and saw the leader who’d attacked me. I growled and walked over to him. The teeth marks in his neck weren’t deep enough to puncture anything vital and I was almost sorry for that. I wanted him to bleed, to hear the rattle of his final, dying breath.

“I would have won.” I knew what they’d done. They’d hit us with the whistler, a sound that knocks out our dragon forms. It was used only in emergencies, in extreme circumstances.

I held my side, still feeling the ache, even in human form. Thankfully, the injuries didn’t carry over. Beyond an odd echo of pain, I’d be fine until I changed back. Typically when I’d been injured in my dragon form, I’d stay out of it until I’d had enough time to heal. I could only hope I had that luxury. “I could end you right now.”

I spit on the ground at his feet and walked back toward Kat. Pulling her into my arms, I pressed my lips to her forehead. I’d almost lost her. And I still might lose her.

“Why aren’t you off finding your girl?” I asked Draco.

“She doesn’t want to be found. But I already know where she is and that she’s safe.” He chuckled. “Sounds like she’s as headstrong as this one.”

“May the skies have mercy on you, brother.” I laughed and Kat smacked my shoulder.

“I’m standing right here. I can hear you.” Her laughter died on her lips and she went serious for a few moments. “Draco had an idea how you could save me.” She shifted in my arms and I tightened my grip on her.

I glanced at Draco, but he refused to meet my gaze. Suddenly uneasy, I glanced down at Kat and saw she too was refusing to look me in the eyes. “Okay. And what is it?”

Still, no one said anything. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I meant that. I was willing to die to protect you, so it’s not like there’s anything worse than that.”

Draco laughed. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“Hey!” Kat glared at him then pressed her forehead to my chest. Her heart was thumping too quickly, and her scent went super-hot and damp. Whatever the option was, it got her motor running. Which only made me more curious. What the heck had he come up with?

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