Magnus: Dragon Warrior: Dragon Warrior, #3

By Jamie Phoenix and Ashley West

Kali Harlow lived for her job. As a physician serving at the Empire's Military Medical Facility, she had achieved her ultimate goal. Her dedication to her patients and the Empire coupled with her unwavering integrity were her most valued personal traits.

She's about to have those traits called into question, though, when the last thing anyone ever expected takes place. An attack. Not just an attack from any alien race. An attack from the Samou—the dragon-shifters Earth had made peace with two and half decades before.

Magnus, the warrior who takes her captive, is among the highest ranking members of his group—strong, confident, and intimidating. Kali doesn't let his imposing size and unchecked strength intimidate her, though.

Things become more complicated the more time Magnus and Kali spend together. Sparks fly, and passion consumes them both. Neither of them are prepared for the adventure they're about to embark on together—whether they want to or not.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monster Media LLC
• Release date: Dec 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386584988

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Magnus

Dragon Warrior

Jamie Phoenix

Ashley West

Chapter 1: The Attack

Good morning, Doctor Harlow, the head nurse’s always cheerful voice greeted her as she walked into the ICU.

Good morning, Lony, Kali replied, her voice still slightly groggy from just recently waking up. Anything new today?

No, nothing new, the middle-aged woman replied, handing her the patient roster.

Kali flipped on the tablet, and scanned through the names and information for each of her patients, checking their vitals, stats, and medication logs quickly.

It looks like Major Jepson still hasn’t received his injection for the day, Kali replied, looking up from the device in her hands.

He’s refusing treatment, Lony said with a shrug. Says he doesn’t think it’s working.

He thinks the treatment’s not working? Kali replied. The fact that his condition has been improving is a sign of the treatment not working?

He says it’s not working fast enough.

Kali rolled her eyes, so refusing to take it will somehow make him recover faster? Why are soldiers always so stubborn? It’s as if they believe they can simply will their bodies to heal instantaneously simply out of sheer obstinance.

The nurse laughed and nodded her head in agreement. He’s in room 207, she said, looking down the hall in the direction of the indicated room, if you want to try to change his mind.

Looks like I’m going to have to, Kali said, handing the tablet back to the nurse and pulling on her lab coat.

If anyone can, it’s you, Lony said, giving her another quick smile before turning her attention back to the holo-screen in front of her.

Kali had only been working at the Empire Military Medical Facility as a fully-licensed physician for two years, but she had already earned a reputation for herself. Everyone that worked with her knew her, not only as the youngest doctor to work there but also as the most tenacious of any employee in the military medical staff.

Kali had decided she wanted to be a doctor at a very young age and she didn't let anything stop her from achieving that goal as soon as possible. She advanced relatively quickly through her medical schooling. This was not only because of her natural intelligence but also because of her headstrong commitment and never-say-die mentality.

She also knew very early on that she wanted to work with the Empire's Military Forces. Although she had no desire to fight in any wars or battles herself, she believed wholeheartedly in the men and women who did. Ever since President Meagan rose to power, the Empire had focused its energy on preserving peace throughout the Galaxy, a drastic change from their previous status as galactic oppressors.

Still, Earth engaged in military-related operations, sometimes even wars. But, humans only intervened when the local population asked them for help. They only participated in combat when the reasons for doing so were just.

Her whole-hearted dedication to her career and the Empire didn't come without a cost, though. Given her constant workload both during school and after, she rarely had time for social activities. She spent any free time she had with her family, her parents. She had acquaintances, people she went out for drinks after a long shift at work, but no best friend. Not to mention, she hadn't been on a date since high school. It didn't bother her, though. She had her job and she was happy with it.

Even when her job included convincing stubborn military men to take their medicine.

Walking through the door to Major Rory Jepson’s room, she found him, sitting up his bed with his arms crossed over his chest. His dark brown eyes flitted in her direction the second she walked in.

I see they sent the pretty doctor in to try to convince me to take my meds, Rory observed. It’s not going to work.

Kali fought the urge to roll her eyes. She didn’t appreciate her patients making comments on her physical attributes. Tall, with long blond hair and big blue eyes, she had always found it harder than it should have been to earn her colleagues’ respect. Most didn’t believe an attractive woman could be smart. She quickly proved them wrong, though. A fact she still took great pride in.

Choosing to ignore his comment about her physical appearance, Kali moved to the side of Rory’s bed and checked the monitor hanging overhead.

They’re not working, Rory continued.

You’re improving, Kali objected, keeping her voice calm.

Barely!

Major Jepson, she said firmly, you contracted a rare muscular disease while out on one of the other planets. It’s a unique strand, and is more resistant to our medications—that doesn’t mean it’s completely resistant. It simply means that the medication will take longer to work. But, it has been working. You’ve gotten stronger; you’re able to get up, move around on your own now. How can you tell me you’re not improving?

Rory shrugged, opening his mouth to respond.

He wasn't able to, though because in that instant the ground beneath them started to shake violently.

Kali was thrown forward, slightly, regaining her balance before she went tumbling over on top of him. It was as if the entire hospital had been picked up and was being shaken around like a child’s toy. The machines and equipment rattled back and forth, and the monitor hanging just over Kali’s head shook loose, barely missing her as it plummeted to the ground, exploding on impact.

Her instincts kicked in. Grabbing hold of Rory's hand, she pulled him to his feet, quickly disconnecting the IV line piercing into the back of his hand and tugging him out of the room.

What the hell is going on? she yelled, watching as nurses and patients ran back and forth wildly.

Lony came running down the hall, her short brown hair bobbing at her chin and her dark brown eyes filled with fear and terror.

It’s an attack! she yelled. We’re under attack!

An attack? Kali replied, still holding onto Rory’s arm, trying to stabilize him.

The large, robust soldier was like a rag-doll, too weak to support himself as the floor under their feet continued to tremble. Kali struggled to hold him up; he was notably larger than her both in height and in size, and his clumsy, harsh movements threatened to cause both of them to go tumbling over.

Maybe you should have taken your treatment today, huh, Rory? she quipped at him as she draped his arm around her shoulders to get a better hold of him.

Lony rushed up to his other side, grabbing hold of his waist and helping Kali lead him towards the Medical Facility’s safe-room. That was protocol—get to the safe-room; get as many patients as possible to the safe-room. Every military building on the Base was equipped with one. The risk that an attack would happen was low, but given that the Empire had become a favorite destination for many alien races looking for protection or refuge, it was still there.

And, it would appear that it was much greater than Kali had ever imagined.

With Lony’s help, they were able to get Rory to the safe-room, a large, cement-walled room, lined with beds bolted down to the concrete floor and emergency medical equipment stashed in the heavy, metal, cabinets spotting the spaces between them.

There were already a dozen other patients there. Kali pushed their trio forward, finding an open bed and letting Rory slump down onto it. Once free of her burden, she straightened up and eyed the head nurse again.

What do you mean an attack? she asked, still not believing it could be true, despite the fact that the ground continued to shake and the faint sounds of explosions were beginning to ring out.

One of the soldiers from the Landing Bay came running in, yelling about an attack, and things just started to happen, Lony explained.

The Landing Bay was where all extraterrestrial vessels were expected to enter Earth. It was the heart of the Military Base and located just four buildings down from the Medical Facility.

How? Kali asked. Why? Who?

You know as much as I do, she replied.

It didn’t make sense. The Empire had been at peace for nearly 25 years. Why would someone attack now? Intergalactic relations were at an all-time high. Humans had been living side-by-side with various alien races for decades. The fact that the attack originated in the Landing Bay could only mean one thing, though—an incoming group of aliens was responsible.

The building shuddered and the walls let out a screeching groan. The floor began to shake more violently than before, and panic spread quickly through the room.

We need to get the other patients! Kali said, marching out into the hall again.

The entire Medical building seemed to be in a state of chaos. The patients who were still in their rooms were unable to move on their own. Nurses worked desperately trying to find a way to move them, all the while bounding out of the way of the equipment being tossed about wildly around them.

Together, Kali and Lony moved three more patients. As they worked, the tension increased and the conditions worsened. It was obvious that the attack was no longer confined to the Landing Bay, and was, instead, raging just outside the building they were desperately trying to clear.

We have to stay here! Lony objected as Kali once again pulled her towards the safe-room’s exit. It’s too dangerous out there now!

Just seconds before, they heard the doors to the hospital crash open. They knew whoever was wreaking havoc on the Military Base was now inside the building with them. A chill ran up Kali’s spine as she thought of the possibility of forgotten patients, still sitting helplessly in their beds just down the hall from where they were.

No! she objected. We have to check for others!

It’s suicide!

They were shouting now, not because of the heated moment going on around them, but because the sounds of destruction had become nearly deafening.

We have to stay here, Doctor.

You stay, Kali said, pushing past the woman and heading for the door. I have a responsibility to them. I have to at least try.

You can’t. We need a doctor here, she objected.

She had a point. That early in the morning, Kali was the only physician working in the ICU. There were others, below and above them, hopefully working as desperately as they were to save their patients. Kali scanned the room, the faces of the people filled with terror, their eyes wide and their hands clenched. She knew she needed to stay with them, to look after them, to tend to them until rescue came. But still, the numbers rang in her mind. Twenty-one—there were 21 patients in the safe-room with them. They had 22 on their floor.

I’m going back out there, Kali said determinedly. There’s one more.

The nurse didn’t object this time. She knew not to. When Kali had her heart set on something, she did it—everyone knew that about her.

As she emerged back into the hall, the air, filled with smoke, rushed into her lungs causing her to cough and her eyes to water. Ducking lower, she tried to escape the heat that was swirling around above her as she dove deeper into the heart of the hospital.

She moved on all fours, the smoke becoming thicker and heavier the further she went. Her stomach turned nervously as she realized that the tile felt warm under her hands. Fire—the floor beneath her was on fire.

She felt a slight twinge of panic work its way through her, threatening to propel her backward, to send her running for safety. No, she scolded herself. You will not leave anyone behind!

Lunging forward before the growing sense of fear building up in her stomach had the chance to convince her otherwise, she held her breath as she pushed herself to her feet. She began running into room after room, searching for the lone, missing patient.

She had searched nearly half the rooms to no avail when she heard a small, scared voice call out to her. Spinning around, she darted back to one of the rooms she had previously investigated. The voice called out again, this time with more force.

Scanning the once sterile room, now littered with debris and filled with the heavy smoke that had consumed the entire hospital, she spotted a woman tucked under the bed. Kali raced towards her, reaching her hand out for the woman to take.

My husband, the red-headed woman choked. Where’s my husband?

The woman looked at Kali with large, green eyes, pleading with her for help and answers. What do you mean? Kali asked as she pulled the woman out from under the bed.

It was then that she noticed that the woman was in civilian clothes—she wasn’t wearing a hospital gown. She wasn’t military; she wasn’t the patient.

The nurse came to take him for tests, the woman sobbed. I was here waiting and… her voice cut off as she choked back a terrified sob.

Another explosion rang out, this time closer than before. The reverberations rippled through her, causing panic to once again build up in her stomach.

We have to get you out of here, Kali said, pulling the woman forward.

But, my husband! the woman objected.

Kali’s mind reeled. She knew the lab was in the opposite direction of the safe-room. There’s no time! she yelled out as the sound of equipment being thrown against the wall echoed loudly around them.

They emerged back into the hall and ran as quickly as they could towards the safe-room. The woman continued to protest, and Kali weighed the risk of going back to search for the woman’s husband.

Those thoughts dropped instantly from her mind when a ball of heat came rushing at them. The air, already heated from the smoke, became sweltering. She sensed the danger before she saw it. Her body reacted before her mind could.

She grabbed hold of the woman, wrapping her arms around her shoulders and taking her quickly to the ground with her. Just as they fell, a stream of fire raced over their heads. The door to the safe-room was only ten feet in front of them, and it was all that Kali could see.

She let out a loud, wordless cry as she pushed herself to her feet again, dragging the now hysterical woman along behind her. Again, the feeling of heat propelling towards them consumed her senses. Not letting her fear overwhelm her, she lunged forward just as the door in front of them went flying open.

Collapsing into the room, Kali glanced back, searching for the source of the flame. Her eyes caught a glimpse of the assailant just as Lony threw the door shut, simultaneously throwing on the safe-room’s electronic force field, which buzzed around the room, securing them safely inside.

It can’t be, Kali gasped still staring at the closed door in front of her, the image of their attacker seared into her mind. It can’t be!

Chapter 2: Useful

But, it was. It was exactly that. It was the one thing she never expected to happen—the one race she never anticipated attacking.

Why would the Samou turn on us? one of the men in the room asked as they sat, huddled together, listening and waiting.

The sounds of chaos outside continued to rage on. For a while, the beast that had stalked Kali and the red-haired woman down the hall focused his energies on breaking down the door separating the scared group from his lethal attacks. He was unsuccessful, but not detoured. Still, they could hear him stalking around the ICU, pacing about, occasionally going into a fit of rage, destroying whatever object came into his path.

Are you sure it was a dragon? another patient asked.

Yes, Kali said with a sure nod.

The woman Kali had saved let out a loud sob as if punctuating the fact with her cries of desperation. The sound was shrill and caused Kali to shrink back involuntarily.

I bet this was their plan all along, someone said. They were just lulling us into a false sense of security, all the while planning this.

Why would Chronos do that? Why would any of them do that? We’ve made peace with them!

I never trusted them.

They had me fooled.

The voices started to melt together around her. Eventually, Kali stopped listening to them. She was thinking about her family. Hopefully, they were safe. Hopefully, the military was able to contain the attack to the Base. Hopefully, this was all a horrible dream that would be over soon.

Although Kali was alive during the infamous Samou attack on the Capital which took place over two and a half decades before, she was only three years old and had no clear memory of it.

Her parents told her stories, though. Accounts of the fierce dragon shifters storming through the streets, searching for the President, ready to unleash their attack on the man who had single-handedly governed the Empire with an iron fist during the height of its most tumultuous rule to date.

Although Kali's parents had lived their entire lives in the Capital, they were always doubtful of their former leader's methods and ideologies. When the alien race invaded their home with the mission to overthrow the President, free their home planet, and simultaneously bring equality to Earth, the Harlow's didn't hesitate to join in their cause. They believed in their purpose and their sincerity. More than that, they believed in the new Empire that the Samou's victory brought in—the Empire they were now living in; the Empire ruled by not only a human woman but also by her mate and husband Chronos, a Samou warrior.

But now it seemed like all of that was gone. It felt like everything they had worked to achieve was being undone, quickly and with full force. Why had the Samou turned on them?

It’s gone quiet, the head nurse’s voice broke into her thoughts. It’s quiet in the hall.

Kali pushed herself up off the edge of the bed she was sitting on and inched forward, listening for any movement outside. There were already two men standing, their ears pressed to the heavy, metal, and thankfully flame-retardant door.

One of them looked back at her and nodded. It’s quiet.

Should we open the door? the other asked.

No, Kali said firmly. We wait. That’s protocol. We wait until someone comes to get us.

They wouldn’t have to wait long. The