Chapter 7

Vander stalked through his castle toward the sunroom, where Feno and Jodos waited for him. His weekend had been spent locked up in his city condo with Faye. His dragon hated leaving her, but he had to attend to business. Hunting down Gamair was still a top priority.

"Gentlemen," he greeted them and burst through the door. He knew his brother hated to be kept waiting, but Faye was worth any ass chewing from his older sibling.

"It's about damn time," Feno growled from where he paced by the oversized window.

His brother shot him a stern look as he walked toward him. Vander held out his hand, which his brother grasped in a firm handshake.

"Hello to you, too, big brother." Vander chuckled.

Feno walked over to the couch. Vander could tell his brother was pissed because he grumbled under his breath. Vander caught the words, "no respect" and took a seat on the couch.

"And how is your female?" Jodos asked and slapped him on the back.

"She's everything that I could imagine," he admitted, memories of the weekend flashing before his eyes. His favorite part was seeing her naked with only his pendant on, just as he had dreamed she would look. The real deal proved to be much better than anything he could have ever imagined. His dragon huffed at the thought that she now wore their pendant, which symbolized that she was to be protected by them.

"Mother would be proud that you have found your mate. When will the mating ceremony be?" Feno asked with a raised eyebrow.

Vander paused. He hadn't shared with Faye that she was his mate. He'd told a slight fib when he'd told her the dragon eye was just a gift. It wasn't just any gift but a symbol of his claim on her.

"We hadn't made it that far," Vander admitted sheepishly. He took a seat in his oversized recliner.

"Oh?"

Feno and Jodos shared a quick look. Vander wasn't worried. He knew she was just as crazy about him as he was her. There was no rush. They could take their time. He had certain matters to take care of first, and then she would be his.

"She's a human. She's not accustomed to our ways. We have plenty of time. Once we destroy Gamair, there will be nothing standing in my way of claiming her."

"Sounds like a good plan." Feno nodded and relaxed against the couch.

A dragon always protected their mate to the death. His beast was ready to prepare the castle for her arrival, and it had to be perfect for her. Everything that he possessed would be hers. Over his long life, he had collected precious jewels, priceless artworks, and more money than any human could possibly need.

It would all be hers.

"After you went down, I followed him going north, toward Canada," Jodos began.

Vander knew Gamair loved to hide in the remote mountainous regions of the northern country. There were many dense areas of the country that were favorites of many dragons, due to the remote locations and low human populations.

"And while you were playing the helpless patient in the hospital, I spoke to a few of the farmers from the village," Feno advised.

"How are they?" Vander leaned forward. It was because of the destruction of Gamair that these people were displaced and had to start over.

"They're shaken up, but they're resilient. They're prepared to rebuild their community."

"Whatever they need, we will supply," Vander volunteered. They would help the peaceful human community rebuild and prosper. "Whatever the cost."

* * *

"What are you doing today?" Angela asked as they left the break room.

Unfortunately, Faye had to return to reality. Her weekend with Vander had been amazing, but she couldn't stay in bed with the dragon shifter forever. Reality waited for her when she returned home. She had bills to pay and a life to lead.

Memories of him walking her to her door burst forth. The kiss that he'd given her left her knees weak. He made her promise that he could see her again, but there was no need to even think on it. Her immediate answer was yes.

Of course she wanted to see him again.

His pendent weighed heavy against her chest; it fit snug beneath her scrub top. He insisted that she never remove it. As beautiful as it was, she had no problem keeping that promise.

"My couch is calling me." She laughed, thinking that she had barely gotten any sleep, thanks to Vander. Today, when she got off work, she would be catching up on some much-needed sleep. She was still running off adrenaline and her excitement. "My blanket and the couch will be my best friend as soon as I get home."

The operator's voice broke through the intercom, announcing a trauma was on the way to the hospital. They both took off jogging back toward the emergency department. Faye wasn't happy that someone's life was in danger, but it looked as if the rest of the shift would fly by for her. A few more hours, and she would be homebound.

The medics met them in the bay area with the latest trauma patient. Working a coding patient was second nature to Faye. In their town, the hospital stayed busy, and she had enough experience with the acutely ill patients. The team worked tirelessly on the motor vehicle accident victim, but unfortunately, the man did not survive.

Losing a patient was never easy for Faye, but she believed if it was a person's time to go, no amount of human intervention would change that.

"I'm going out for a breather," Faye announced. She spun on her heel and left from the room. She just needed to clear her mind from the past hour. The patient was young, and they had worked on him for a long time in hopes that they would be able to bring him back, but they were unsuccessful.

"I'm coming with you," Teresa announced and followed behind Faye. "I need a fucking smoke after that."

"Sure," Faye muttered. She walked down the hallways of the hospital that led to the back.

She had wanted a few minutes by herself, just to clear her mind. The sound of his wife's tortured scream echoed through her head, when the physician had informed her that her husband didn't make it.

"Wow, look at those stars," Teresa exclaimed.

They exited the hospital. The smoke hut was set away from the building, giving employees and visitors a place to smoke. It reminded her of a bus stop, only those sitting inside were waiting for their next nicotine fix.

"It is beautiful." Faye stared at the clear dark sky. Not a cloud was in sight, just the twinkle of stars lining the beautiful canvas of night. "Hey, I'm going to sit over here," she motioned to a bench outside the hut. She hated the smell of cigarette smoke and didn't want to chance it getting on her while her friend lit up.

She plopped down on the bench and breathed a sigh of relief. The faint tinge of cigarette smoke lingered in the air. Teresa sat quietly, enjoying her nicotine fix.

"You all right out there?" Teresa's voice broke through the quiet.

"Yeah, I'm good," Faye replied and closed her eyes for a brief moment.

She would be all right. Not only was this a part of nursing, but it was a part of life. Everyone had to die at some point. No one lived forever.

A cool breeze drifted by, calming her nerves, but it didn't last long. The hairs on the back of her neck rose; an uncomfortable feeling overcame her. A light noise caught her attention. She opened her eyes and found a dark, menacing figure standing near the entrance of the building.

Faye's eyes locked on him, while her body froze in place. She squinted at the figure, trying to see if it was an employee of the hospital, but no one who had to wear a suit would be at the hospital at this time of night.

"Can I help you?" she called out. She reached down into the pocket of her scrubs and was comforted by the feel of her cellphone.

"Just needed some fresh air," the deep voice answered.

His excuse still didn't sit well with her. In order to exit the building from that door, the person would have had to swipe out of the building. Thanks to the hospital's security, employees had to swipe in and out of certain doors. If he had walked from the other side of the hospital, she would have heard his footsteps.

Red flags.

"Who the hell is that?" Teresa asked from the hut's entrance.

"Someone who needed air," Faye replied, not taking her eyes off the figure. She made a mental note to complain to the higher-ups of the hospital about better lighting in the area. The once-serene feeling she had was gone, and she was left feeling creeped out.

"You're Faye Adams, aren't you?" he asked and slowly made his way to her.

Oh, hell no. Time to call security.

"Don't come any closer," she shouted and pulled her phone from her pocket.

"There's no use in calling anyone," he warned, still walking toward her.

"What in the—?" She tried hitting the screen of her smartphone, but it remained black. It was as if it had gone dead, but she distinctly remembered charging it earlier. "Hey, do you have your phone?"

She turned to her friend but let loose a scream. Teresa was frozen in place, staring unblinking at the figure.

"As I said, it's useless calling for help. No one would be able to hear you." His haughty voice floated through the air.

"What do you want from me?" she hardened her voice. She hoped that she gave off the appearance that she was unafraid of him. But, to be honest, she was scared shitless and prayed her voice didn't shake.

"Feisty and beautiful. I love it. No wonder Vander is smitten with you." He came to stand near her.

She braced herself, ready to run if she needed to.

She could finally make out his features. He was tall and well-dressed. His suit was tailored perfectly to him, denoting a body that was well taken care of. His dark hair was combed back perfectly from his face. Even with the slight breeze blowing, his hair didn't budge.

With all of the bad vibes radiating from the man, Faye didn't want to admit to anything, especially to knowing Vander. The man in front of her was pure evil. It didn't take a psychic to realize it.

"Who?"

"Don't play coy with me." He chuckled. He stood there and placed his hands in his pockets.

"I'm not sure what you're speaking of."

"Keep trying to deny it, but I know the truth. I also know that he will never be able to stop me, but I want you to do me a favor."

"What would that be?" she asked wearily. She glanced at Teresa, who was still frozen in the same spot. Faye's heart rate increased, her fear mounting.

Whoever, or whatever he was, he was powerful. Who could just freeze someone?

"Tell him to cease his pursuit of me," he said and turned, walking away.

"Or what?" she asked. She just had to know. Was he like Vander? Was he a dragon shifter, too?

"He will lose something of extreme value."

She blinked, and he was gone. How the hell could he have disappeared into thin air?

"What's going on?" Teresa asked.

Faye turned to her friend with her eyes wide. Teresa looked at her, patiently waiting for an answer, but Faye just stared at her in shock. It dawned on her that Teresa had no recollection that she had been frozen in place. There was no way that Faye could tell her, though. She would never believe it. She glanced back to where the stranger had stood and still didn't see any sign of him in the parking lot.

What the hell?