Dragon Guard: Earth Dragons Series: Book 1 Read online

  Dragon Guard

  Earth Dragons Series: Book 1

  Charlene Hartnady

  Copyright © March 2019, Charlene Hartnady

  Cover Art by Melody Simmons

  Copy Edited by KR

  Proofread by [email protected]

  Produced in South Africa

  [email protected]

  Dragon Guard is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in writing from the author.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  About the Author

  Also by Charlene Hartnady

  Excerpt

  Chapter 1

  “Why do you need to take another vacation?” her boss asked. “You just took one.” He shook his head, looking irritated. “You know how anxious I get when you’re not here.”

  More like, her stingy-ass boss didn’t like having to pay a temp. Losing cash made him anxious. It had nothing to do with her not being there.

  She pushed out a breath, trying not to look or sound upset, because she sure as hell was feeling a little upset. “I took two days a couple of weeks back.” Two measly days! “I needed to go to a training class, so it wasn’t a real break.”

  “It’s just that…well… it’s a bad time of year.”

  It was always a bad time of year. “I understand. I have so many days owing to me though. HR advised…”

  “I will speak to Tamara.” Sheldon rolled his shoulders, looking stressed. “Couldn’t you postpone for two weeks?” It was always the same. The only time he ever signed off on her leave was when Shaun intervened, which wasn’t happening this time. He went on before she could answer. “Just think about it. It would be a great help to me.” Funny how he was making it sound like she actually had a choice in the matter.

  She wanted to scream the word ‘no’. To tell him to go to hell. Erin had always bent over backwards for the Jones family. Her whole life had changed after meeting Shaun. Things would have been so different if they hadn’t gotten together. They’d be different now too if he hadn’t— She pushed that thought aside. “Okay,” she conceded. “I’ll think about it.” What choice did she have?

  Sheldon’s face lit up. “I’m sure that nephew of mine will come to his senses really soon. You’re a catch, Erin. A real catch.”

  “Thank you,” she mumbled. This was definitely a conversation she didn’t want to have. Certainly not with her boss, who just happened to be her fiancé…her ex fiancé’s uncle. She needed to stop thinking of Shaun as hers. He wasn’t! They might never get back together.

  “I just put a pile of orders on your desk.” He pointed to her already cluttered work surface. Hinting that she should hop to it and right then.

  “My lunch hour started a few minutes ago.” She forced a smile.

  “They’re urgent.” He widened his. eyes

  “I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “I have plans that I can’t cancel. I will get it done by the end of business.”

  “Fine,” he groaned, looking hard done by.

  Erin turned and walked out, holding back an eye-roll of epic proportions. It was rare for her to take lunch. She normally ate at her desk, working between bites. Yet he was acting like he was doing her a favor by letting her go.

  Once she made it to her car, she dug in her purse and pulled out the burner phone tucked away in the side pocket. There was only one number programed into the device. Erin dialed it.

  “Hey,” a voice on the other end answered after a couple of rings. “How are you? I’m so looking forward to…”

  “I’m postponing the mission.”

  “What? I thought we had everything all planned out. We were looking forward to seeing you…both of you. To having you join our group.”

  “Me too,” she said. “I’m having trouble getting off work.”

  “Leave. Pack a bag and walk out. There’s nothing keeping you there anymore, is there?”

  That made Erin think of Shaun. Was she being silly holding out? Maybe Deborah was right. Maybe she should just walk out. Start over.

  “I’d prefer to do this my way,” she finally said. “My boss has promised I can take the time I need in two weeks. I’ve done the training. The prep. I’m ready. Two weeks is all I’m asking for. Unless there’s been some news?” She heard a desperate edge to her voice.

  “No. It’s like she’s in the wind.”

  “That’s good though, isn’t it?”

  ‘Yeah, no news is good news.

  “Two weeks,” Erin said.

  There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “Okay.”

  “We’ll talk soon.”

  “Definitely.” The line went dead. Erin tucked the phone back in her bag, still wondering if she was being stupid. Shit! She checked the time. At this rate she was going to be late.

  It was Jenna’s birthday. Her best friend was celebrating with her family that evening, so it was now or never if she wanted to spend some time with her. She did! She didn’t have many people in her life. In fact, Jenna was ‘it’ right then. Her eyes stung, and her chest felt tight. She blinked a few times, holding back tears.

  She headed for her car and drove to Java Hut, which was a few blocks up the road. Her phone buzzed with a message as she pulled into a parking space.

  Jenna: Be there in one. Please wait for me.

  Erin typed back that she would. She couldn’t help smiling. Of course she would wait. She would never think of going in without her friend. Jenna had always been like that. She didn’t like walking into a place alone. Erin worked hard at being on time for their get-togethers because invariably Jenna would end up sitting in her car until she got there. She’d once waited for almost half an hour for Erin to arrive. It was just a quirk. Jenna had never given any real reason, just that she didn’t like going into places alone.

  Almost a minute later, Jenna pulled in next to Erin who grinned and waved. They got out of their cars and hugged. “Happy birthday,” she said.

  “Thank you! Although, this is a birthday I could’ve done without.” They let go of one another. “I’m thirty next year. Did you know that? Thirty!” Jenna widened her eyes. Like it was the worst thing ever. Erin was twenty-eight and single…well, sort of. Lately, she’d heard the ticking of her clock. Especially late at night while the world was sleeping. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

  Erin pushed her glasses back into place and laughed. “Of course I know your age. It’s just a number though. No biggie.”

  “You’re right.” Jenna smiled. “It’s just that I’m a year older and still have this bucket list that’s a mile long.” Jenna gave her an odd look. “Talking about things on bucket lists, I still can’t believe you know how to fly a helicopter.�
��

  Erin shrugged. “Yeah…well…”

  “Don’t say it’s no biggie because it is. Not many people can say they know how to fly one of those things.”

  She almost wished she hadn’t told Jenna about it, but her friend had asked about the training class she was taking and well, she’d told her. It was a two-day pilot refresher training program. She needed to be prepared. “I haven’t flown in years. I didn’t want my license to expire, that’s all,” she mumbled, hoping Jenna would change the subject. Thing was, her friend knew very little about her past. Like the fact that she not only could use a gun but could disassemble one in under ten seconds. She allowed her eyes to drift over the parking lot and stiffened as she caught sight of the white Range Rover a few spaces over. Surely not?

  “What is it?” Jenna followed her gaze.

  “I doubt it’s even his.” Erin giggled sounding nervous, which she was. She adjusted her glasses and walked a little further into the lot so that she could get a look at the license plate number, and sure as hell…it was his.

  Her shoulders must have slumped because Jenna said, “Shit! It’s him isn’t it?”

  Erin nodded. “Yes, but that’s okay. I don’t mind.” She pretended not to care. It was no big deal. “I know how much you love Java Hut’s frozen coffees and how you’d kill for their double chocolate cake.” She forced a smile. “I also love it…as does Shaun.”

  Jenna made a face. “Okay, so we love it, but—”

  “But nothing,” Erin interjected. “It’s your birthday. I’m out celebrating with you. Let’s go have the cake. So what if Shaun’s here. We’re adults, and besides, we’re on good terms.” She began walking in the direction of the coffee shop, but Jenna clasped her arm before she could take more than a step.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Erin snorted, waving a hand as if it was nothing. It was nothing!

  “I know how your break-up has affected you. You’ve cried on my shoulder far too many times over the last two months.” Jenna looked worried, she was frowning heavily.

  “We’re not broken up…I mean we are, but…it’s complicated.” She sighed.

  “I wish you’d just move on.” Jenna got that ‘schoolmistress’ look. “That man doesn’t deserve you.”

  “We’re on a break,” Erin tried, knowing it would fall on deaf ears. “We’re going to get back together soon.”

  “You know my feelings on this.”

  “I do.” Only too well. “Let’s not argue about this. Not on your birthday.” If they continued with this conversation, they would argue. Erin took her friend’s hand. “Do you want that double chocolate cake or what?”

  Jenna looked skeptical for a moment and then nodded. “I do.”

  “Let’s go then.” Erin pulled her shoulders back and they headed for Java Hut.

  “So how is…” Jenna faltered, then pulled in a sharp breath, putting herself between the door and Erin. “Actually,” her voice had a weird edge to it, “I don’t feel like the cake, and the frozen coffee gave me heartburn last time. Let’s go for sushi.” She spoke quickly. Too quickly. Her smile was wide. A little too wide. “Cake isn’t even real food.”

  “Since when has that ever stopped us? What is it?”

  “Nothing!” Jenna took her arm and tried to turn her around. “I feel like sushi. That’s all.” She sounded too upbeat.

  “What’s going on?” Erin tried for the last time, being firmer with her tone of voice. “I know you, and I know something is up.”

  Jenna sighed, stepping to the side. “It looks like Shaun is moving on,” she replied. “He’s here with another woman.”

  Erin felt her heart beat faster as she spotted them. Shaun was indeed with another woman. Oh god! He was with a stunner of a woman. A younger woman. She was pert and toned and wearing an amazing suit. She was gorgeous.

  They were sitting in the booth she and Shaun used to sit at. She felt her heart sink…to be more accurate, it plummeted.

  “I’m so sorry,” Jenna whispered.

  They weren’t touching but they were sitting close, facing one another. Shaun was looking at the woman like…like…he had once looked at Erin. Even worse, a sticky cinnamon bun sat untouched between them. Why did it have to be a cinnamon bun? That was their thing. Coming to this place was their thing and he was here with another woman.

  The woman in question laughed at something he said, and Erin’s heart felt like it was pumping blood laced with shards of glass. The tiny splintered kind. The piercing kind. She made a weird noise, quickly clearing her throat to try to cover it up.

  “Let’s go,” her friend urged, using a soft tone.

  Shaun glanced up and they locked eyes for a moment. His widened with recognition. Then he smiled and went right back to talking. Just like that. Like she didn’t exist. Like the last seven years had never happened.

  “I’m so sorry,” Jenna whispered again.

  “It’s not your fault.” Erin sniffed, trying not to sound like her heart was being ripped to pieces. “Sushi sounds fantastic.” She allowed herself to be turned back towards the parking lot.

  “You don’t have to pretend with me,” Jenna said.

  It was her friend’s birthday. She wasn’t ruining it over Shaun. She’d spent too many hours crying over that man already. She was going to suck it up for Jenna. “Nah! I’m fine. Let’s go. I’ll follow you. I love sushi. You know that.”

  “That is true,” her friend said as Erin’s phone vibrated in her hand. She looked down at the screen.

  Shaun: Daniella’s a friend from work. Hope you are well xx

  “It’s a message from Shaun,” she explained, showing the text to Jenna.

  “You don’t believe him, do you?” Her friend sounded sad.

  “I don’t know.” It was the truth. She was so confused right then she didn’t know what to do. What to believe. “I want to.” Also the truth.

  “You shouldn’t,” Jenna countered. “There was something between them.”

  “Let’s go to lunch,” Erin changed the subject. Jenna had never liked Shaun. That didn’t make her the most objective person in this instance. She loved her friend though and didn’t want to ruin her birthday by arguing over this again.

  One thing was for sure, she needed to take that week off work. Sheldon could fire her if he wanted. There was something important she needed to do. The sense of urgency suddenly grew. Her life was a mess. There were things from her past that needed sorting out. Wrongs that needed righting. She knew that she’d be in a better position to deal with all of this when she came back.

  Chapter 2

  The next day…

  King Blaze stepped forward and a hush fell over the large crowd. Males elbowed their friends and comrades, who quickly closed their traps and turned to face the front. The hum of excitement was electric. There was this buzz in the air that caused gooseflesh to rise on his arms.

  “Welcome to the hunt!” Blaze yelled.

  The crowd erupted. Males growled, snarled and shouted. Many raised a fist or stomped on the ground. Mountain didn’t so much as move a muscle. He kept his eyes on the Fire king. This was a time for focus and determination. The noise around him died down almost as soon as it began.

  “As is tradition, the human females have a head start,” Blaze continued, his voice booming across the sea of males. All four tribes were assembled. “They are out there as we speak.” He gestured to the vast wilderness behind them.

  Several males hollered or bellowed. Just hearing the words made blood rush through Mountain’s veins.

  Human.

  Female.

  Blood pumped harder through his veins. He so badly wanted to win one. Judging by the cat-calls and the general scent of testosterone in the air, he could tell every other red-blooded male felt the same. There had to be hundreds in the crowd around him.

  Blaze held up a hand, signaling for silence. Once again, a hush befell the crowd. He was certain that a pin could be heard dropping ju
st then. “I know you’ve all heard this a good couple of times but please pay attention,” Blaze went on. “I need to go through the rules. You will have to remain in your skin for the duration of the hunt, including on the return leg with your newly won female in tow. The only time you may change into your dragon form, is when you are at the base of your lair. Shift, even for a second, before that, and you forfeit your opportunity at mating a female.”

  A male jostled in next to him, throwing in an elbow. Mountain scowled at the son of a…it was Shale. The male grinned. “What did I miss?” the Earth prince asked. Shale was both his superior and his friend, which could be annoying.

  Mountain nodded once in greeting. “Nothing,” he mouthed, before looking ahead. He wasn’t sure why Shale was even there. The male was the only prince who had partaken in the last few hunts. He should have won a female a long time ago. He’d given away an opportunity, at least one time that Mountain knew of. It was clear, he didn’t actually want to take a mate, so why did he keep going through the motions?

  “Good, you know how bad my FOMO is,” Shale whispered. “That’s fear of missing out, in case you didn’t know.”

  “Furthermore,” Blaze raised his voice, sending the Earth prince a dirty look, “the Fire dragons may not use their abilities.” That elicited grumbles and moans. Largely because the rest of the tribes were still permitted to use their abilities. “You may not use your fire-breathing ability under any circumstances. None of you are permitted to take or use weapons of any kind. Hand-to-hand combat only, and then only if the females are at a safe distance. You need to keep in mind at all times that the safety of the much weaker humans is paramount. No one wants to see a female harmed in any way. Are we in agreement?”