Dragon Protectors Read online

  Dragon Protectors

  Slayers & Protectors Series,

  Book Three

  This is a reverse harem urban fantasy - paranormal romance series appropriate for ages 16+.

  Mild language/swearing, open mouth kissing, low burn behind closed-door sex scenes,

  while the 17yo main character is dating four guys.

  If you want to ease yourself into reverse harem, find out what the hype is all about, then this Dragon’s Story series is right for you!

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  Kasian Publishing LLC

  11923 NE Sumner St, STE 759356

  Portland, OR 97220

  www.KristinVanRisseghem.com

  Copyright © 2018 Kristin D. Van Risseghem

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Edited by

  Rebecca Jaycox

  Cover design by Rebecca Norinne

  Irish Ink Cover Design

  Author photograph by Jessica Krueger Photography

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 978-1-943207-90-9 (Kindle)

  Other works by Kristin D. Van Risseghem:

  Dragon Slayer Series:

  Dragon Magic, Prequel

  Dragon Slayers, Book One

  Dragon Wars, Book Two

  Dragon Protectors, Book Three

  Enlighten Series:

  Swords & Stilettos, Book One

  Daggers & Dresses, Book Two

  Wars & Wings, Book Three

  Enlighten Series Novellas:

  Fires & Fairies, Sidelle’s Story

  Arrows & Angels, Kieran’s Story

  Enlighten Series Short Stories:

  Poisons & Princes, Finn’s Story

  Ninjas & Nephilims, Shay’s Story

  Sign up to the Six Queens’s Roundtable

  Newsletter and get a FREE

  exclusive set of short stories.

  Go to: www.KristinVanRisseghem.com

  BROOKLYN IS FLEEING York Academy.

  Blamed for the deaths of fallen slayers, Brooklyn has been labeled a traitor. People she once considered her friends are now hunting her, and the death of the city’s Pride Leader has left her picking up the pieces. Brooklyn is neither ready nor prepared to become the new chief of dragons.

  Until the worst happens.

  One of her Protectors is being held hostage— and if Brooklyn doesn’t comply with the kidnapper’s demands, she might lose him forever.

  Brooklyn needs more training. She needs a mentor. She needs more time.

  But time is running out, for both Brooklyn and her Protectors.

  Love might not be enough to save them this time.

  THE THIRD BOOK IN THE Slayers & Protectors series, Dragon Protectors is a reverse harem paranormal romance featuring a strong heroine trying to save her boys and prevent an all-out war. Find out what everyone’s been talking about and become immersed in this magical fantasy readers call suspenseful and addicting.

  Appropriate for ages 16+.

  IF YOU WANT TO EASE yourself into reverse harem or find out what the hype is all about, then this new Dragon Story is right for you!

  This is a reverse harem urban fantasy - paranormal romance series appropriate for ages 16+.

  Mild language/swearing, open mouth kissing, low burn behind closed-door sex scenes alluded, while the female 17-year-old main character dates multiple guys at once.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Epilogue

  Letter to Reader

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  I’m a what now? I thought someone said that I’m the new Pride Leader.

  The voices in my head confirm everything my four boys said to me before I went into the Slayers Council meeting.

  And speaking of which, all went more than okay during the gathering. My pleas were heard, and they acquiesced to my demands. The bloodshed will end; they granted the dragons land to live on while in human form. Something isn’t right, though. That was way too easy. Best be on our toes for the other shoe to drop.

  I walk in a daze from the Administration building. My parents and Mr. Lorimer follow behind. I’m sure there will be more meetings in the coming weeks, hashing out exactly which islands the dragons will live on. Maybe I won’t need to be part of those discussions. But then again, the leaders of the Dragon Council wouldn’t want to show their human faces. I didn’t want to either, but I hadn’t even tried getting out of it. In fact, it was me who said that I’d go. A part of me regrets outing myself, but what’s done is done.

  Because I’m a dragon, my parents now understand why I’m an ex-dragon slayer. I revealed my true form to them right before we went into the Slayers meeting. If I hadn’t, my folks would be slaughtering my own kin. They would be gunning for the likes of me—their own daughter.

  I raise my hand to wave them off, trying to silence the chattering in my mind. It’s not like the voices can see me waving at them to stop.

  Mom steps to my side. “Are you okay?” she asks. “You don’t look well.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to rest. Today’s been an emotional day with the funeral this morning, the battle, and then the council meeting.” I sigh. “I’m exhausted.”

  “Are you coming home?” Dad asks.

  “Why?”

  “You just outed yourself to the Slayers Council,” Mr. Lorimer says. “I don’t think they’ll welcome you back as a student.”

  “Oh. I guess I didn’t think of that.” What am I going to do now? I don’t want to leave after I found myself. Noelle needs me as much as I need her. She’s going to be grumpy about it. Plus, my boys are staying here at York. Oh, boroughs.

  “You’re always welcome at the penthouse, honey,” Mom says. “It’ll be just like old times, before Slayer School.”

  Yes, but so much as changed. I’ve changed—literally into a dragon. I need to see this transfer of land through. Mr. Astor was the only one who voiced his disagreement. He is the head of the Slayers School and his hatred of the dragons could be why. Maybe there
were others, too, who were scared to vote against the majority. What sway does he have alone? My parents are the highest-ranking members, and many of the council members follow their lead. Does that mean they’ll side with my parents, even though they don’t have a daughter to protect? And if they don’t, what then? A coup?

  As we walk across the campus lawn, up ahead my boys are coming to meet us. The courtyard has been cleaned up as best as it could be in such a short time. At least all the bodies have been moved, and the bloodstains on the sidewalks washed away. I don’t have to look at my fallen comrades and remember how they died. I want to remember their smiles and their young lives. Celebrate life. As for the exterior buildings’ damage, that’s still a work in progress. Stones can be replaced. People cannot be. Not a day will pass when I won’t recall this day.

  “How did the meeting go?” Manny asks. Like always, he’s dressed in dark jeans and a shirt rolled to the elbows. He’s my sweet, home-town boy.

  “Hi, guys.” I wave. Should I hug Manny and Bronx in front of my parents? I know Staten wouldn’t want me to show my affection in front of others. My folks only know I’m dating Manny. Am I even dating Staten? “Mom, Dad, you remember Manny? He and his parents were at the same restaurant I had my birthday dinner at.” I point to the other three guys. “And this is Bronx, and Staten, and McQueen. Staten is my magic instructor.”

  “Hello,” Dad says as he shakes all their hands. “I hope Brooklyn has been a superb student for all of you.”

  “She has,” Staten says. “Took a bit to figure out how she learns best, but eventually we got it. We need to continue her sessions, though.”

  “Brooklyn,” John says. “You’ll need to start packing your things tonight.”

  The boys blanch. “Why is that?” Bronx asks. “I thought the meeting went well.”

  “It did,” I say. “They agreed to give us land.”

  “But,” John says, “Allister is none too happy about it, and I’d hate to see Brooklyn caught in the crossfire when things go to shit.”

  “Are you thinking he’ll back out of the deal?” Staten asks.

  John shakes his head. “I don’t think so. Everyone except Allister agreed on the truce, but a few of the Council members weren’t there. He does have some friends. I’d just hate to have Brooklyn be at the end of his anger. That’s all.”

  “I agree, John,” Dad says as he turns to me. “You’ll move back home.”

  I deflate. How can an eighteen-year-old move back home with her parents while dating multiple guys? What would they say about that? It’s not like they said I couldn’t go out nor date. I never had a curfew. I think it’s just going to be different. And besides, I don’t want to have my parents receive any backlash if Mr. Astor does renege on our deal.

  “I’ll think about it tonight and my options,” I say. “But I will pack some of my belongings when I get back to my room in case I have to leave in a hurry. I have to tell Noelle if I decide to leave the school. She deserves to hear it from me in person.”

  “I wish you would reconsider moving home,” Mom says. “But you’re an adult now, and it’s your choice. If you think you should stay at school, be careful. Our home is always open to you. We may not like your decision, but we’ll respect it.”

  “I’ll send your security team in the morning,” Dad says.

  “Thanks.” I hug both my parents and then do an awkward dance with Mr. Lorimer. They veer off, heading back to their suite, while the boys and I make our way to my dorm.

  The events from the meeting weigh heavily on my body and mind. I can’t help but feel that Mr. Lorimer is right. Something is coming, and we have to be ready. The Council agreed too fast in giving me everything I asked for.

  I’m a dragon, and not just any dragon, but their leader.

  “Tell us what really happened during the meeting,” Staten says as he leans against the wall. McQueen takes the chair while I sit on my bed, Manny and Bronx next to me.

  They wait, and for a long time, I don’t speak. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it all. What it means for the dragons and for me. If tonight is my last night at York Academy, I want to be surrounded by my friends. My boys. And think about what’s next for us. How do we move on from here?

  “It went fine,” I finally say.

  Then I tell them how I explained to Mr. Astor that I was sent on behalf of the dragons, and they will stop killing slayers if the Council would grant the land. I tell them how he tried to force magic onto me, but it didn’t do anything. My parents sensed what he was doing and interceded on my behalf. A vote was called to kick my family out of the meeting because of their bias, but no one seconded the motion. Mrs. Mercer asked for assurances. She asked me if I was one of them, and without any hesitation, I confirmed it. That was when an internal blast of magic filled me, and I saw colored flames mix with mine. I thought magic was pulled from the Council members into me. But what I felt was something entirely different. My body started to change. I gained control and stopped the shift. After that, I could hear the dragons in my mind. My parents were the first to agree to giving us land, and eventually the rest of the room voted yes.

  We are silent, my boys absorbing my words. I stand and find my luggage. Slowly, I pack my shoes and duster bags. I feel their eyes on me, following my movements. In the closeness within my room, not only can I hear my boys’ thoughts of shock and hope, but there are others that fill my head now, too. None of the new voices are talking to each other, just voicing their internal thoughts. I don’t know how I know the difference, but I do. Will I ever have a moment’s quiet again?

  Leaving them to their thoughts, I continue placing clothes into another bag. Then I begin gathering dresses.

  “You’re really leaving?” Manny asks.

  I nod. “I think Mr. Lor—I mean John—is right. Tomorrow when the sun rises and Mr. Astor has time to think about what happened during the meeting, he’ll want to silence me. I can’t be here. Do you think he’ll go after my parents directly?”

  Sure, I’m scared, but they come first. I can’t go home. I need to protect my family. That would put them in danger. If Mr. Astor comes for me, I won’t put them in harm’s way. I’ll have to get word to them once I figure out where I’m going to stay while things get sorted, and Mr. Astor makes the first move—if he does.

  “I don’t know,” Manny says. “But he won’t hurt you, Brooklyn. Not while we’re here to protect you. He’ll have to go through us.”

  “Yeah, that’s right, Sweetheart,” Bronx says.

  “We’ve got your back, Babe,” McQueen says.

  “I don’t want to put a downer on that, but he could send someone to take her out,” Staten says. “Or tell the students and let them do the work for him. And of course I stand with my brothers.”

  I smile. Of course, my boys, my protectors, would have my best interests in their hearts. Continuing folding jeans, pants, and shorts, I’m about finished emptying my room of my belongings.

  “Thank you,” I say. “You know I love you guys, right?”

  “Yes,” they say.

  “I’m not going home. I can’t put my folks in danger. If Allister sends someone to kill me, what’s to stop him from sending someone to kill them?”

  “Where are you going to live?” Bronx asks.

  “Not sure yet. A hotel, maybe, until I can figure something else out.” I shrug. “Maybe Dad will rent me a place.”

  “Nonsense.” McQueen stands before me and takes my hands. “Come live with my family. You can continue training with magic and skills with me. I can show you more about dragon shifting. Plus, my dad will want to discuss things with you now that you’re the Pride Leader. Or you could live where you want. Someone within the Pride will take you in. They’d be honored to have you as a guest until a more permanent solution arises.”

  “How did you know about me being the leader?”

  “We felt the change,” Staten says. “After Regan died, his power and magic transferred to you, d
idn’t it?” I nod. “The dragons have been floundering for a bit, and Dad has stepped in to take that roll, plus his High Councilman duties. But you’re now here to take back what you are meant to do. I think I speak for everyone here when I say we knew the moment you embraced your true self this evening. Our magic merged with yours, claiming you as our leader. So not only are you a part of us on a protector level, but we gave you more of ourselves when you finally acknowledged your birthright.”

  “I think you should go live with McQueen,” Manny says. “Any one of our folks would offer you to stay with them, but he said it first. That way, McQueen can continue working with you while we’re here learning about Allister’s plans, and maybe with our mental connections, we’ll be able to warn you ahead of time.” Everyone nods. “I’ll let you finish packing and go find Noelle for you.”

  What am I going to say to her? I know I should tell her ... and I will. Oh boroughs, she’s going to freak out. And that’s making me anxious. “Thank you.” I stand and gently kiss his check. He’s sweet to remember I wanted to say goodbye to my best friend. “Make sure you come find me in the morning before I leave.”

  “I will.”

  “Great. I’ll let Dad know and prepare a room for you,” McQueen says. “I’ll text you my address, so just come over when you’re ready. I assume the boys will help you load your car in the morning. If it doesn’t all fit, we’ll send for the rest.”

  That leaves Staten and Bronx with me tonight. Never once has Staten volunteered to watch over me, so this’ll be interesting. Sure he kinda watches over me when we’re asleep and he brings me into the dragon dream realm, but that’s not the same thing as being physically next to me or even in the same room. Since the cabin, I find him a bit standoffish. Perhaps that’s me reading into it. The closeness I have with his brothers will come with him, too. There’s no need to rush it. I know he cares for me. He doesn’t always vocalize it or show it, but I know from the few tender touches he’s made. I should tell and show him more, so he gets comfortable hearing it from me.

  “I’ll find out what Allister is thinking,” Staten says. “He won’t trust John anymore, and I’m the next best magic user he has.” He stands by the door with his brothers.