Chapter 116: Roxy

There is only one place the bastard can be and it's the last room at the end of the long corridor. I've tried sending a telepathic message to Laryn but there's been no response. It's just me and Pepper. I can't think about Ashrac right now. Rage doesn't help you keep your cool and defeat your enemy. I refuse to give into the overwhelming sorrow that waits when this is over.
"Ladies," the whisper comes from behind us and we both jump a foot in the air. It's the vampire, Dmitri. "I have your backs. Can you sense him?"
The vampire is a warrior like me and even though I'm not entirely comfortable around him, I trust him. "Only the smallest bit, something interferes with our magic."
Pepper breaks into our discussion. "I must get to him before he harms my son. We must hurry."
She charges the door and it flies backwards when her body slams into it. Dust flies in all directions when the door hits the cement floor. There's movement in the farthest corner of the room.
Drakon sits with his back against the wall. The egg is on his lap as he caresses it and whispering soft words of endearment. His hair is a tangled mass and he's naked. A cord is around his neck with a small bag attached at the bottom.
Strange.
Pepper moans and the egg lights up as the baby inside senses the nearness of his mother. Drakon looks up and smiles. That smile on his handsome face is scarier than anything I've ever seen.
"I'm explaining to my son that he will be the mightiest dragon ever born. He understands and he's ready to take his place beside me."
Drakon is insane. We all knew it but I suddenly realize his crazy is half a cracker short of a crayon box.
"He's my son you bastard," Pepper snaps. I grab her arm when she starts to move closer.
"I challenge you for the egg Drakon." The words spill from my mouth because it's our only chance. Pepper's head jerks my way. I very subtly shake my head.
"You have no right to challenge me," Drakon thunders as he gets to his feet.
We turn our full attention to him. "Are you afraid of a blue female dragon? I'll fight you hand to hand as human you son of a bitch and you still won't defeat me."
His eyes go from me to Pepper and back to me. "This female with yellow eyes," he cocks his head toward Pepper, "is unworthy to be my child's mother."
My hand tightens on Pepper's arm to keep her from replying. "She's a lover not a fighter. I'm a worthier opponent for someone as noble as yourself." You need to die a horrible death you mother fucker, I think inside my head.
Drakon's eyes sweep up and down my body. I'm solid, toned muscle. I train hours each day to stay this way. Drakon nods at the door. "She will remain over there until you're dead. Then I will end her life and share her heart with my son after I open the egg and free him."
"Hold it together Pepper," I telepathically send into her head and hope she hears the message. Something is seriously wrong with our magic. Her body is tense but she steps backward to the door and doesn't take her bright yellow eyes off Drakon.
He caresses the top of the egg then kisses it sending chills across my arms. Very carefully he sets it down on the cold floor but I don't have time to worry about that. This room has a short ceiling making it illogical to shift to dragon. It's perfect for me because even with his larger build and greater strength, I'm a worthy opponent in human form.
Drakon heads to the center of the room with his back to the egg. I want him as far away from Pepper's son as possible. Drakon's silver eyes give away his intent a second before he charges in low. I leap over him and turn. My foot is up and I land a solid kick to his back which sends him toward Pepper.
She's ready and with his forward hunched over momentum, she's able to land a hard blow to his nose with her foot. We need to get the egg out of here and into Dmitri's hands. Drakon's roar of pain is music to my ears. He focuses on Pepper as I grab the egg.
"Look what I've got you son of a bitch." I yell.
He turns his back to Pepper and charges me again. I've kept the egg low. I pull my arm back and send it sliding across the floor a split second before Drakon rams me with his body and my back makes jarring impact with the solid stone wall. Then my head hits and I see stars. I'm just able to send a message to Pepper, "Get your son to Dmitri and tell him to get out of here." Drakon's fist plows into my jaw.
***

Sierra
Dmitri bursts through the door carrying the dragon egg. It's shining brightly and my stomach flip flops with relief. The waiting has been the hardest part. I'm facing Dmitri and feel my mate behind me for the first time since this horror began. All four male dragons have returned.
Laryn takes a quick look around and heads up the stairs as I tell everyone that Drakon is below. "Don't wait for me, get to your mates," Laryn says as the others run past Dmitri.
A few moments later Laryn runs back down carrying a halberd.
I feel utterly useless. Dragon fire will kill a shifter and vampire. We are at a complete disadvantage and have no way to help our friends. The best we can do is protect the children with our lives. Dmitri hands me the egg.
"We need a secure room with a low ceiling. If that beast escapes the dragons we don't have a chance if he shifts."
The great room where we're standing has a massive vaulted ceiling. If we head upstairs and Drakon incinerates the house we're in trouble. "The refrigeration room off the kitchen will be the easiest place to defend," I yell as I usher Cantor in front of me. He hasn't released his baby brother.
The lock is on the outside of the walk-in refrigeration room but for safety reasons it can be temperature controlled and unlocked from the inside. I turn the unit off as Dmitri closes the door. The other two bear shifters remain in the kitchen which also has a low ceiling and they will defend from there. Drakon can still breathe fire in his human form. The bears know what they face. Cantor and Lex help me keep the egg warm by wrapping our arms around it.
We wait.