Taking a deep breath, she leaned down and studied the scratch. The blood had already clotted and there was no apparent redness or puffiness. “Were there drones or special guns fired at you?”
“No. I saw Kai try to crawl through a barn window, and next thing I know, he fell to the ground. While I didn’t have time to investigate the barn, there was a strange chemical smell wafting from it. Maybe long exposure to it knocked him out.”
“Possibly.” Jane moved her hand up his chest, his neck, and finally cupped his strong jaw. “I’d highly suggest a blood test and reaching out to Dr. Cassidy Jackson on Stonefire. I can’t be sure, but this might be something we’ve dealt with before.”
Before Carys could answer, Rhydian Griffith’s voice filled the area. “I think we need to talk, Ms. Hartley.”
Jane glanced up. “If you think I’m going to leave Kai’s side, then I’m sorry, I’m going to have to say no, even if it means defying your orders.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything else of Kai’s mate. But whilst the doctors examine him, you’re going to tell me everything you think you know about this situation. Hovering at his side will only get in their way and delay their treatment. A clever female like yourself knows better.”
The steel in Rhydian’s voice made Jane want to bob her head, but as she stroked the late-day stubble on Kai’s cheek, she found the strength to say, “I’ll share as much as I can without asking my clan leader’s permission.”
Rhydian smiled. “Good girl. You might be human, but you seem to mostly understand our ways.”
She nearly growled out she wasn’t a girl, but instead, bit the inside of her cheek to keep silent. Certain battles weren’t worth it.
A male wearing a white lab coat, denoting him as a clan doctor, rushed to the scene. Two other males carrying a stretcher trailed behind him. The doctor said, “I understand your concern for your mate, but we need to get him to my surgery as quickly as possible. Please stand aside.”
Jane reluctantly backed away and watched as the three men maneuvered Kai onto a stretcher. Even though all dragon-shifters were naturally stronger than humans, the two males with the stretcher between them had to grunt with effort to carry her muscled mate away.
Rhydian motioned for her to precede him. She should say something diplomatic, but all she cared about was Kai’s well-being, and she half ran to keep up with the dragon medical staff.
They carried him to a different entrance off the landing area that Jane hadn’t noticed before. Inside was a large cavern stocked with medical equipment. One large dragon slept at the far side.
She’d barely noted the rare white hide of the sleeping beast before she followed the staff into a room.
The doctor motioned for Jane to keep her distance. “Let me do my job.”
Jane crossed her arms and watched as the doctor started his examination. Rhydian’s voice filled her ear. “From everything I know about Kai, he’ll be fine. He may not be of my clan, but Lily is an important part of Snowridge and I’ll do anything to help her. She’s given my cousin happiness I never thought he’d have.”
She glanced at Snowridge’s leader. Sincerity shone in his eyes. “Are you talking about Lily’s mate, Gareth? He’s your cousin?”
“Yes. Now, tell me as much as you’re able about all of this and your guesses as to what caused his condition.”
Jane looked at Kai and watched the medical staff work as she answered, “All of the British and Irish dragon clans know of the drone attacks on Stonefire, which means you should, too.”
“Yes, the ones that shot drugs into dragons, making them go wild.”
“For the most part,” Jane replied. “The dragon halves took over and reverted to their animalistic instincts. Trahern reached out to a doctor here for a possible cure. Some sort of moss that’s found in Wales.”
Dr. Trahern Lewis was a Snowridge doctor who had moved to Stonefire earlier in the year.
When Rhydian grunted for her to continue, she did. “Carys mentioned a strong chemical smell coming from the barn they were investigating. Kai has a scratch on his arm, and while it’s just a guess at this point, it could be that the same or a similar chemical got into his bloodstream via the scratch.” She darted a look at Rhydian. “I’m not sure if you can answer my question, but have your Protectors found anything related to the drone attacks or dragons going wild around here?”
“We’ve never been attacked this way before, that much I can tell you,” Rhydian stated.
“I’m not going to try to order you to do anything, sir, as I respect your role as clan leader, but I think more Protectors should be sent to investigate the area.”
Rhydian smiled. “You’re unlike any human female I’ve met before. Aren’t you afraid of overstepping your bounds and causing strife between our clans?”
“If you’re smiling, then no, I think I’m okay.”
The dragonman snorted. “You’re definitely an odd human.” She growled and he put up a hand. “More Protectors are already on the way. If something can take down your mate this easily, my guess is that there is more to the farm than the smell of chemicals. Someone means to harm my clan, and I won’t allow it.”
“And what about reaching out to Dr. Sid on Stonefire?”
Sighing, Rhydian replied, “Let’s hear what our doctor has to say first. After all, he knows about the moss and ensuing compound that was used on Stonefire. Trahern may be with Stonefire now, but he still shares medical knowledge with our clan. Something to do with your Dr. Sid’s ambitious, worldwide plan.” He moved his gaze to the doctor’s back. “Maelon, what did you find?”