Heart of the Dragon Read online

  His hands held onto my shoulders and his eyes stayed locked on mine. “You are the Kindra.”

  His words hit me hard and I struggled to breathe, “No. It’s not possible. No.”

  His hands moved to my face and he held my cheeks, caressing them with his fingers. “Kiana, it’s the truth, and I know this because you are my soulmate.”

  I moved his hands and stepped away from him. “But...” I couldn’t form a rational thought.

  “I know this is a lot to take in.” He could say that again. I laughed lightly. It wasn’t funny, just unreal.

  “Kiana, I can’t tell you the answers you are looking for. I don’t know how you got to your parents, but baby, know that they are your parents.”

  I nodded, absorbing what he had said. He was right, it didn’t matter how I got to my parents, what mattered was that they loved me. Before they were taken from me and Carri, we were loved. “Never did look much like Carri.”

  He shook his head and gave me a smile. “I agree.”

  I let out a sigh, “So what does this all mean?” I was the Kindra. What exactly did that mean, though?

  “It means that your safety is my responsibility. It means I’m going to do everything I have to in order to protect you,” he growled. The fierce protectiveness I thought I had always felt was clearly evident now.

  “As the Kindra, though, what role do I play?” I needed to know this. I knew the legend, but since I always saw it as just a tale parents told kids, I needed to understand what it meant to be the Kindra.

  Kemoth was going crazy. He knew everyone saw it and he knew he needed to do something drastic to ensure the destruction of the Kindra without anyone on the outside catching on. The Bearded Dragons were growing in numbers and Kemoth feared a takeover.

  “Jaco, we can’t let them win!” He slammed his fist against his desk.

  Jaco puffed out some smoke from his nose and mouth. “I know how to keep certain ones in line and use them to our advantage until we can find the Kindra and destroy it.”

  Kemoth nodded. “The Kindra destruction is the most important thing. I trust you, Jaco. I trust you to step up to the plate. Lennon is smart and strong, but he’s not old enough.”

  “Yet,” Jaco added, knowing he’d have to destroy the Kindra and Lennon to ensure his place. Kemoth wouldn’t last much longer, Jaco was seeing to that and then he’d just have to bide his time. Use Lennon to his advantage to secure the Kindra’s destruction. It was all that mattered now.

  I couldn’t really answer her question in a way I felt would satisfy her. My whole world felt like it was being ripped away from me before I even had a chance to digest anything. “I’m not...” My phone rang, interrupting me and I put my finger to her lips before answering it.

  “Go ahead, Sniper,” I barked as my eyes stayed locked on Kiana.

  “Tank, what the fuck did you do?” he hissed.

  “I protected what’s mine,” I growled.

  “Man, I get that. I totally do. I would’ve done the same for Liz, but you could’ve been a little more sly about it. You are the top fucking spy in the unit.”

  “I know dude, but I just...” I let my eyes fall away from Kiana and I turned my back.

  “You love her, Tank. You always have. This is not news to me, to you, and likely not even to her.”

  “I need you to protect her man. I need you and Liz to watch out for her.” I looked over my shoulder and her hand was covering her mouth. The look of confusion in her eyes was killing me.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m turning myself in tomorrow.” Kiana gasped and I knew Sniper was about to explode.

  “No, you are fucking not!"

  "Yes, I am. Since arriving at the underground cave, I've been racking my brain and I know it's the only way to keep the heat off Kiana."

  "How do you figure that? Lennon fucking knows, he'll tell Jaco."

  I nodded, this was true, but they didn't know where she was now and breaking me wasn't going to happen. "They'll have to break me to get her location and I'm not going to break."

  "Okay, Tank, I'll watch over her. Liz and I both." He snickered a second before adding, "Time to fill in Liz."

  "Leave nothing out." I chanced a look at Kiana as I muttered those words to Sniper.

  "Leave nothing out," Sniper repeated, ending our call.

  Kiana just stared at me. Her gaze piercing me completely. I was so lost in her eyes that I didn't notice her hand raising until it connected with my cheek. "What the fuck?" I hissed, unable to control my anger.

  "You aren't turning yourself in." I grabbed her wrist and laid her palm across my stinging cheek, covering her hand with mine to hold it in place.

  "I love you." She closed her eyes and nodded. "I have to protect you."

  "But I don't want them to take you from me."

  I moved my hand and pulled her into my chest, running my fingers through her hair. "I am always going to be with you. Even if they kill me. I'm never leaving you."

  "Kelvin...” she sobbed.

  "Shhh..." I whispered. "I've got you."

  I moved us to the bed and laid us down, still holding her tight to me. I loved her and I didn't want to leave her in the care of someone else, but I didn't see any other choice. As she drifted to sleep in my arms, I silently prayed that one day, I'd be around to give her forever.

  When I woke up in the large bed, immediately, I knew he was gone. A sound coming from another part of the house gave me hope. I saw a robe hanging on the chair and I put it around me before I went in search of Kelvin.

  I saw something I'd never seen before in him and I didn't want that to end. I wanted him. I knew he wanted me, but also knowing just how long I had his love and protection floored me. "He's always loved me," I whispered, exiting the bedroom.

  I saw someone in the kitchen, his back to me, but it wasn't Kelvin. "Where's Kelvin?" I asked, trying not to panic.

  The guy turned and faced me, "HI, Kiana. I'm Max." I nodded, that didn't answer my question.

  "Max, did your buddy Tank leave," a female voice called from behind. I turned to see her walking toward us. I looked back at the guy who was watching her with a smile on his face.

  "You're Sniper. Kelvin ummm... Tank talked with you last night," I stated, putting the pieces together.

  "Call me Max and don't be afraid."

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, "He's gone, isn't he?" Max nodded at me and my legs gave out.

  I felt the female join me on the floor, her arms wrapping around me. "It'll be okay," she tried to reassure.

  I shook my head as I questioned, "Liz, right?"

  "That's right, Kiana." I could hear the smile in her voice.

  I looked up at Max, "Where did he go?" Max frowned at me and I had my answer before he even spoke.

  "To his parents' house to turn himself in." My eyes widened.

  "They'll protect him. They'll keep him safe." I was feeling much better about the situation knowing Kelvin had gone there first.

  Max walked toward us and dropped to a knee in front of me. The serious look on his face made my heart race in fear. "His father will happily hand him over."

  I put my hands over my face and sobbed. Liz's arms tightened around me and I could hear them arguing in a whisper. I couldn't understand the words because it felt like my world had just shattered beyond repair.

  Walking up to the house I grew up in, I held my breath. I knew the fallout would be bad, but to me, it was worth every ounce of pain if it meant Kiana was alive. I knocked on the door for the first time ever and my mother answered, a solemn look on her face as she reached out to embrace me.

  "Why Kelvin?" she whispered.

  "I don't have a choice," I whispered back.

  "You love her?"

  "More than myself," I replied softly back.

  "Miranda, get away from the fucking traitor!" my father hissed from behind and my mother let me go.

  "I'm not sorry," I said with no emotion. I wasn't sorry
for hiding Kiana. I wasn't sorry for the secrets I held. Kiana was my life and I could never regret my actions when it came to protecting her.

  He surged forward and I allowed him to grab me. I wasn't going to protest. I wouldn't change into Bearded Dragon form. If I changed and escaped, they would only devote their lives to hunting me down. I wouldn't put Kiana in that kind of danger.

  Tying me to a post, he lifted my shirt. "We've always been a loyal family," he said, striking me with the whip that had been at his hip. "We will not be traitors." Another crack against my back had me biting my lip to keep from screaming in pain.

  "I didn't have a choice," I gritted out.

  "Sam, please stop!" I knew my mother's pleas wouldn't help.

  "He's a traitor," my father hissed.

  "I'm not the traitor!" I snapped as another crack of the whip landed on my back. I heard my father’s heavy breathing as the whip landed at my feet.

  He untied me and turned me around to face him. His eyes swirling with anger and hurt. “What did you say?”

  “I’m not the traitor. Do you know what destroying the Kindra would do to our kind?” I tossed his way. His eyes widened and he looked my mother’s way before nodding slightly.

  “Yes,” he whispered.

  “And you’ve done nothing but help them, so who’s the Goddamn traitor?”

  “Sam?” my mother gasped.

  “I did it to protect us. To protect my family,” my father admitted.

  “I know. Call Jaco.” He stared at me, clearly understanding what I wanted.

  “Son?” he questioned.

  “Call him. I want to protect this family too. I need to protect Kiana.” My father frowned but nodded and made the call. The marks on my back would show my family’s loyalty to the Volcanic Dragons. I would be deemed a traitor and I knew what that meant, but for Kiana and my family, I’d give anything.

  I was pacing back and forth in the bedroom, trying to digest everything. I had told Max and Liz I was going to take a shower, but it’s over an hour later and I still hadn’t. I heard Max’s muffled voice coming close to the bedroom door so before he got the chance to knock, I opened it. He stood in front of me, the phone to his ear.

  “Yeah Tank, she’s standing in front of me.”

  He handed me the phone and walked away with a wink. I closed myself back in the bedroom Kelvin and I shared just last night. “Kelvin,” I said softly.

  “Hey, Kiana,” he said and I could hear the strain in his voice.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I know you are safe, so I’ll be okay.” I could hear the pain.

  “What happened?” I pressed.

  “I would rather not tell you,” he admitted.

  “Kelvin,” I warned.

  “No baby, please.”

  “Okay, when am I going to see you again?”

  “I don’t know. They are on their way to get me.”

  I swallowed, “What would be the charges?”

  “Betrayal. I’ll be marked as a traitor, which isn’t good.”

  The tears began to roll down my face. I didn’t want him to do this for me. “Please don’t sacrifice yourself for me. Please, Kelvin, I'm not worth it."

  "Kiana. You. Are. Worth. It." He stressed every word and I choked back a sob, unsure of how to proceed. "I love you."

  "I love you too," I replied, knowing he likely needed those words. The call ended and I stared at it in my hands for a long while before setting it down on the bed and slowly making my way to the bathroom.

  After ending my call with Kiana, I forced myself to walk outside. I didn't want an audience for this. My parents were still inside and I forced them away from the windows as Jaco's men came up the driveway.

  "I'm not going to fight," I gritted out as Jaco walked toward me with a smile, but his men were moving toward me cautiously.

  "I knew this day would come, Tank," Jaco said amused.

  I nodded, "Yes sir, but I assure you, I did this on my own."

  Jaco rubbed his chin, "I believe you. Tell me was it worth it, traitor?"

  "Yes," I answered without hesitation. What no one would ever understand is that Kiana was worth this and more.

  The wired cuffs dug into my wrists. They were the cuffs used when they didn't want the person shifting and if I shifted, I would be gone and they knew that. I wasn't planning on changing into my coveted Bearded Dragon form so I could slip away, but I was expecting them to not take any chances.

  "You know where to put him?" Maniac had a hold of me and he quickly gave me a glance. I was hoping my eyes told him what I needed him to say.

  "Yes Jaco, sir." Jaco nodded and walked toward my parents’ door. I looked back toward the door and then shot Maniac a look. He shrugged at me and that only heightened my nerves as I was pulled away.

  This was it. I was officially going to be marked a traitor. I would be branded forever, but if Kiana was safe, it was worth it.

  Slowly, I came out of the bedroom. I heard Max’s and Liz's muffled voices as I neared the living room. "Hi." I cleared my throat and they both looked my way.

  "Are you doing okay?" Liz's kind voice rang out first.

  "That's a relative term. I'm alive, but Kelvin is in trouble because of me."

  Max stood and walked toward me. As he reached me, he gripped my shoulders, staring me directly in the eye. "Tank has no regrets." I bit my lip and nodded. I felt that. I knew Kelvin had no regrets, but it also didn't ease my guilt.

  "I know. But..." I choked on the words. "What if I never see him again?" I started sobbing.

  "I don't know his plan. I honestly think he's making it up as he goes, but I promise you, I'm going to get him back for you." Max's determination gave me hope.

  "I miss him," I whispered.

  He smiled at me, "Me too." The common ground was freeing for me. I let some of the guilt go. This was Kelvin's choice. Something he did for me and I silently vowed, right then, that when I saw him next, he'd know how grateful I was that he was in my life.

  Maniac was trying to keep his emotions in check, but I could see how hard it was for him. Once we were in the hallway for the cell, he released my wrists. "Okay, get your ass out of here," He mumbled low.

  "No." He shot me a glance of confusion. "Don't," I warned, "finish your job."

  "Man, no girl is worth this. You know damn well what's in store for you. Get out of here."

  I shook my head. "She is worth it and much more. If I escape, they'll know you helped and that puts you at risk. Not to mention, they'll spend their lives looking for me and Kiana. I won't do that. She's too important."

  He shook his head and led me to the end of the long corridor of cells. The final door was the seclusion chamber. A cell meant to prevent shifting. If a Volcanic Dragon shifted, one puff could burn a hole right through the wall. If a Bearded Dragon shifted, they could easily slip out of the cell. This room was surrounded by an alarm that sounded if powers were used but also had a way to hunt the shifter down and kill them.

  "I'll have plenty of time to think of a plan in here,” I said with an amused tone.

  “Where can I find, Sniper?" I snapped my eyes to him. His tone was different than it had been.

  "Call him, he'll meet you at base," I answered.

  "You are so clueless. Tell me where she is!" he howled, pushing me against the wall.

  “Not a fucking chance," I roared.

  He tightened a hand on my neck. My breathing slowing. "Maniac!" Jaco's voice rang out, allowing me to get some much-needed air when his hand dropped away.

  "Sorry, sir."

  Jaco nodded and then walked out. Maniac looked back at me. "Don't," I warned. I didn't want to hear him try to justify what had just occurred.

  "I'm on the Bearded Dragons' side," he said, ignoring my warning.

  "No, you're on your side, whatever side suits you at the moment," I hissed then walked to the other side of the chamber, staring out the glass window.

  Maniac didn't say anything else. I
heard him let out a hasty breath before his footsteps went to the door. Once I was locked in, I sunk to my knees. Trusting was hard for me. I only trusted two people, Sniper and Kiana. I was still worried about Liz, but Sniper trusted her, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt.

  When my phone started ringing, I went for it, but Max took it before I could answer it. "I'm blocking our location."

  I nodded then looked at my missed call list, "It was my sister Carri." I watched him as he smiled and I took that as permission to answer my phone.

  "You can make calls and answer calls without permission now," he smirked.

  "Kiana!" Carri shouted in my ear.

  "Hi Carri," I tried to answer calmly.

  "It's all over the news," she panted.

  "What is?" I looked toward Max and Liz.

  "Kelvin's arrest. They're calling him a traitor."

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I know." I wanted to tell her he had done it for me, but as I continued to look at Max, he slowly shook his head. I nodded as tears pricked my eyes. "I saw it too," I lied.

  Kelvin was in this position to save me and I couldn't even tell my own sister why he had been arrested. "It's unbelievable. Kelvin has always been a patriot,” Carri replied in shock still.

  “I was shocked as well, Carri."

  "Well, I guess I'm glad that nothing happened between you two."

  I had to swallow again. "Carri, I have to go," I said in haste, wanting nothing more than to end this call.

  "Okay Kiana, stay safe."

  "I will," I promised, quickly hanging up. I looked over to Liz and her eyes were glistening with tears. I lost it, burying my face in my hands, I sobbed. My body quaked and my breath was ragged as the sobs ripped through me.