Before he could say anything else, the shadow dragon rushed at them and crashed into the baby dragon's chest. The little one roared as the entire cloud entered his body before he collapsed.
Kneeling next to his beast, he instinctively checked the artery on the little one's neck. At the soft thump under his fingers, he let out a breath. "You're still alive." The base of the baby dragon's neck vibrated. "What the fuck?"
Taking a step back, Killian watched as something grew from the dragon's hide. First, in the shape of a new bud or branch of a tree, until it was nearly as long as the dragon's neck, and then another head appeared.
When the black dragon's head opened its eyes, a rush of memories came into his brain.
Killian learning of his father's death and vowing to protect his mother.
Thrashing about in a reinforced cottage to keep his distance from Georgiana.
Growling at Aaron Caruso for courting his sister.
Brenna working with him on security and drills on Glenlough.
Waking up strapped to a table as humans pumped him full of drugs.
The black dragon head growled. "Now we are one."
In the next instant, the blue and white dragon head opened his eyes. And before he could do anything, the two-headed dragon flew through the sky toward an exit point and Killian lost consciousness.
~~~
Brenna stood to the side of the room as Sid and Gregor checked over Killian's limp form on the hospital bed.
She hated being useless. Brenna was a Protector for many reasons, but one of them was because she liked to act. Be it in safeguarding the clan against future attacks or participating in a search for a missing clan member, she wanted to be doing something.
And yet here she was, standing to the side and wringing her hands.
It took everything she had not to ask for an update. While Killian was pale, he was alive and wasn't bleeding from his ears or anywhere else. She only hoped that was a good sign.
In moments like these, her dragon usually helped comfort her. The unnatural silence inside her mind only made matters worse.
If not for her mother's delicate health, she would reach out to her parents. While Brenna had tried to pretend she was grown and didn't need her parents' support, she missed her father's gentle hugs.
Instead, she hugged her upper body and watched Sid and Gregor work. The pair were mates, but they were partners in all ways and worked together seamlessly.
After what seemed like an hour, Sid turned toward Brenna and crossed the distance to her. "He's stable, but something is certainly going on inside his mind."
Gregor joined them. "Aye, it reminds me of a video I saw, of a child patient struggling with his rogue dragon." He motioned toward Killian, who was still being watched by a nurse named Ginny. "He's suffering mini-seizures every few minutes."
She glanced at Killian. "Will they kill him?"
Gregor shook his head. "At this point, I don't think so. But we need to watch him closely and ensure they don't intensify."
Brenna watched Killian's face twitch a few times before going slack again. She looked back at the doctors. "I know little about how to help rogue dragons beyond drugs and a slow reintroduction with coaching from an expert. But do you think a kiss from his true mate might help?"
Sid searched her gaze. "Before I answer, is this what you want? Helping Killian is noble, but there will be consequences, Brenna. Ones that will probably result in a child."
Looking between Sid and Gregor, she answered, "Gregor did the same to help your dragon, Sid. Do you regret it?"
"No," she said slowly. "But the situation was different. I had wanted children but had thought I'd never have them. After all, I had been afraid of going insane. You are clearly reluctant."
"If it can help Killian, then I'll do it. Besides, I always have the choice to give the child up for adoption if Killian's condition worsens and he needs me."
Gregor chimed in. "You're willing to do a fair bit for a male you barely know."
She stood tall. "I'm his mate, which means he's my responsibility."