Caelin waited for Dalton to be calm. There was something amiss, something that Caelin couldn’t help him with, so he waited. He did not want to disturb whatever thought process was going on with Dalton.
I can feel you there. Like a bad meal. What is it? Caelin told him that he could wait. No, tell me. If you distract me enough, maybe I can figure out this scene. I have two people dead, and I’m not sure what happened other than what it’s supposed to look like.
I know not what that means, my lord, but I would like to ask you about the jewelry. Her ladyship hasn’t put it to her flesh yet. I know what she has, but cannot clearly see what she is thinking. Dalton told him he thought that was the point of her not wearing them. She thinks I will pest her.
Pester, and yes, that’s pretty much it. She said you bother her enough as it is. Gabriela said that if she were to put them in her hair that you’d never leave her alone. Is she right? Caelin didn’t answer him, but he still laughed. If it will help you I can have her open the box, though I have to tell you, I don’t think I’m going to have any luck at all making her do anything she doesn’t want to. It wasn’t fair of you to send the gift to her office, don’t you think?
I did not send her anything. I don’t know how she received it. Without the jewelry connected to her, I only know that she is close to it and nothing more. Who did she say sent it to her? He told him what he knew. I don’t know a Mr. Peterson. Nor the name Waterson. I will have to search to see what I can find out.
You do that. In the meantime, what can you tell me about the men chasing her? There are a couple of different groups, I think. He told him that he only knew that she’d been shot at, nothing more. There was a boy too, I don’t know if she ever told me his name, but he was related to Waterson. Grandson, I think.
Caelin really was limited to what he knew because she refused to wear the hair combs. She was most stubborn. There were only three pieces left; the brooch—which Caelin had a feeling was going to be the hardest to find—the necklace, and the hair combs that the lady Gabe had. He wondered briefly if he’d been mistaken about her having the combs, and dismissed that almost immediately. He could speak to her now, and the only way that could work was if she was the mate to one of the dragons.
I will search. If you could perhaps get the young miss to open the box and maybe touch it for me, I can tell you what its powers are. Sometimes there are others than just what I have a knowledge of. As you know, the more of the pieces that are brought to your family, the stronger you get. And those that wish to have them, they are getting desperate as well. Dalton said he had figured that out too. Also, my lord, the reason that I have connected with you today, is I have been contacted by two dragons.
I’m sorry, what? He repeated himself. What do you mean, you’ve been contacted by other dragons? I didn’t know there were others. Are they related to us?
In a way. They’re dragons, sir. As I am. He knew the moment that Dalton realized what he was saying. I’m sorry, sir, I thought you knew there would be others coming.
Here? They’re coming here? Caelin felt Dalton’s stress level rise, and wasn’t sure how to handle it. What are we going to do with dragons coming to visit?
I think they mean to live there, sir. Dalton told him he wasn’t helping. I’m sorry. But you must give them permission to come here. They cannot come without it. I tried to ask Lord Kenton, but he is busy with a surgery. And Lord Jorden is working as well, and has threatened me should I bother him when he is painting. He said that I mess with his muse and he’ll murder me when I come forth for doing so.
And Grady? What’s he doing that he can’t be bothered? Caelin wasn’t going to tell him the man was having sex. Again. He and his missus seemed to be constantly having sex. Caelin?
He is procreating. It was nicer to say that, Caelin thought, then the other term that he’d heard the men say. Should I bother him now, I think he will do me harm. Lord Jorden has given me enough to worry with, but I think young Grady will...he was most explicit in what he would do to me.
Laughter burst from Dalton’s mouth. He could feel it, the good humor that washed over the man. It made Caelin smile, gave him a nice feeling all over his body. And when he still laughed a few minutes later, Caelin hated to beg again for an answer.
Tell them to come here. I’m not sure what we’ll do with them, but tell them they’ll be welcome. As much as we can make them, anyway. But not to come all at once. We can hide them better one at a time rather than two. All right? Caelin said that he would tell them. Now, I have to solve this case or I’m not going to get to go home and try to procreate myself. If I can talk my mate into it.
Touch something that you cannot see. Dalton asked him what that meant. Is there a weapon? Blood perhaps? If you touch something that you cannot...not see, but I mean, you cannot believe it to be right. Touch it and you can see it.
The moment that he touched the item, Caelin felt it as well. He could see what the dead man had, seen the killer’s face, as well as everything that had happened just before he’d been killed. Caelin knew, too, that Dalton was aware of who the murderer was, and the reason that he’d done such a horrific thing.
Can my brothers do this too, touch something and see what happened to it? Caelin told him he thought so, but hadn’t been sure it would work until then. Is it the jewelry you think, what Gabriela brought here?
I would say yes. If this is the magic that came with them, it would be the hair combs. They will strengthen the blood that flows through you, thus enhancing your powers of perception. Dalton asked him how. Your blood is stronger, richer from the magic. And in turn, it will flow faster over your mind, heart, and brain. That will bring stronger awareness to you. The ability to touch and feel, another trait with richer blood, is that you’re more sensitive to those things you touch.
Everything? Caelin told him that things like spilled blood or violence with a weapon would have the most power. The rest, he’d feel something, but it might not always be so clear. I’ll get her to open the box tonight. This is.... I’m not sure if I should be freaked out or happy about this. It will certainly make my job a great deal easier, for as long as I work at it anyway.
Caelin thanked him and left him to his job. He had stuff to do as well; Caelin was also preparing things. If the hair combs were indeed in the box, then that left only the brooch and necklace to be brought here. He knew that Grady and Harper could find them and bring them to the safety of the McCades, but to do so would mess with the events that would come from the women finding them. There had to be mates with them to make the magic work. Caelin curled into his form and thought.
The McCades had suffered so much over the years. More than he thought that even the queen had envisioned. He saw her now, in his thoughts. The stronger the men got with the jewelry, the more he was remembering. Warrior, he’d been called so long ago, and the child that he’d been set to protect was the real Caelin.
The queen’s child had been a wonder to him. A smaller version of his mother, strong and full of magic, he’d been kind to Warrior. Never pulling at his scales. Not teasing him with his tail. Warrior even remembered the days leading up to his departure from the castle. The queen had trained young Caelin, then had taken Warrior’s magic, all of him, and separated it into the jewels to save for the boy. Warrior had given his life for the child, and would do so again if necessary.
“You will need to be a great warrior, my son. Someone that will carry the seeds of your family for generations to come.” He’d been but a child, no more than seven or so, when he nodded at his mother. “I know that it is a great deal to ask of you…you should be playing with other kids, enjoying your childhood. But should he find you, he will kill you.”
“I will avenge your exile, my mother.” It had surprised them both that he knew. That a child hidden away from his father from his first breath would have known that his sire was a monster. And that he was going to try and murder his mother. “You will be safely hidden away and I will come for you. Someday, we will be together.”
Women of this world were nothing like the ones of his time. Not that he was disappointed in them. Nay, they were stronger for their years. And sassier as well. Smiling, he thought of the young miss that had joined them, and her telling him off. He knew that phrase now; Dalton had explained it to him.
She is stubborn to a fault. Dalton had told him that she was indeed that. I think you believe this to be funny. I was simply telling her how much more I could do for her if she would just wear the jewelry, and she was very cross with me.
She told you off. He asked him the meaning. Well, you wanted her to do something that went against anything that she believes in. Or that she felt comfortable with. So she told you—not so nicely, I’m betting—to leave her alone, that she had a handle on it, and that she made her own decisions.
Do not forget that she said that I was a pain in her ass. I was nowhere near that part of her person, nor would I ever be. What a thing to say to someone who is only trying to help her. Dalton wanted to know if he’d asked her or had he bullied her.
He’d learned the difference then…not only that he’d been bullying all the women, but that he’d been very annoying, a word that he’d never been called before in his lifetimes. But he could see that he hadn’t been the best of help to any of them. Caelin had information for them, even ideas at times, but Dalton had explained to him that it was his execution of how he gave out the things he knew that was the problem.
What I’d do, and this would be just me, I’d tell one of us whatever it is you’ve found out and ask them to tell the others. You know as well as I that you’ve interrupted some private times with my brothers. And have talked over them when they’re having a conversation with someone who might not know about you. Unless it’s extremely important, I think it’s safe to say it can wait. Caelin asked for an example. Yesterday when I was working on that case, you knew I was busy. Yet you wanted to let me know that you’d found a flower that you’d long since thought to be dead.
I see. My excitement does not mean you will feel the same. Dalton told him that he thought it was wonderful about the flower; however, Caelin’s timing was off. Yes, I can see that now. I will contain myself better.
And he had, too. It wasn’t even as hard as he thought it might be. And everyone seemed genuinely happy to hear his information when he had it because he had not stressed them out. That was what he’d been doing, he knew this.
Oh my lady. Where are you when I need you? He knew, however, or at least he thought he did. She had merged her magic to that of Lady Harper. And when her female child was born and her name bestowed upon her, the child would be the greatest witch of all time. A new Prisane would be born.
~~~
Gabe watched Harper work. It was amazing to her to see a ball of clay formed into a tall cylinder. And even more fascinating was the fact that when she was finished getting it to the height that she wanted, Harper would, using only a sponge, make the shape something new and wonderful. When Shawn fussed a little, she realized she was paying less attention to his needs than she should have been.
“I appreciate you feeding him while I work. I wanted to get these four pieces thrown today and let them dry out. Jorden was here earlier, but he got called away.” Gabe told her that she was enjoying herself. “I’m sure you are. Isn’t it amazing that a little baby can make a person, an otherwise normal adult, turn into such a sap?”
“Yes, even Aisha. She is this strong, vibrant woman who can tear into someone like she’s hell on wheels. I mean, I’ve witnessed it, so I know what I’m talking about. That salesman that came to her door will think twice before he knocks on a door again, I think. But once she has Shawn in her arms, she’s this mushy, insane woman who can’t even talk above a whisper. Not to mention, the goofy expressions on her face.”
“You mean like you have now?” Gabe laughed and kissed the baby on its fat cheek. “Have you noticed how many pregnant women there are around? I mean, sheesh, it’s like it’s in the water around here or something. And they’re so different in the way they handle everything. I was just cumbersome and clumsy. Some of these ladies, I bet they could walk a tight wire and never fall.”
They both agreed the pack women appeared to have it right. They never seemed to have swollen ankles, they were fit and strong, and one of them, when she’d examined her a couple of days ago, had told Gabe that when she had her baby, she was headed right back to work. Gabe thought it was a shifter thing.
“There were three women on my staff that got pregnant at the same time. One of them was an old pro at it—she had three others at home—but the other two were as different as night and day during it.” She thought of the women and smiled. “Carly was younger, and I’m sure that had a lot to do with it, but she would run circles around the rest of us, sit down and literally pass out for a few minutes, then get up and do it all again. Sharon, she was a pampered girl…her parents had done everything for her when she’d been younger, and she would whine and complain about every little change in her body. Oh, and she would measure her belly several times a day. I think she was overly worried about getting her body back.”
The noise downstairs made them both grow still.
“You expecting anyone?” Harper said she wasn’t, that she’d locked the door when they came in. “Okay, that reaching thing…tell someone what’s going on, and take Shawn to the other room.”
“What about you?” Gabe said that she was used to this more than she might be. “Used to what? Break-ins?”
“Yes.”
Helping Harper into the office, telling her to hide under the desk, Gabe pulled her gun from her purse. She had no idea if she could actually use it on anyone, but she sure as shit wasn’t going to wish she had it when the shit hit the fan. Going to the stairwell, Gabe made sure that she was well back in the event they looked up.
The man was dressed all in black. Gabe started to shout down to him that she had a gun when she saw the other two. She might have been able to scare one person, but three? Not so much. Gabe nearly screamed when Caelin spoke to her.
I should like to help you. She told him she’d take all she could get right now. Thank you, my lady. You have the ability to call the dragons.
I.... You know what? I don’t care how I have that, but you go ahead and tell me how to get them. He paused. Caelin, Shawn is here, and so is Harper. I’d very much like to be the hero and not the dead one either.
You don’t have the gift on your person. Those fucking hair things? He was bringing that up again? Before she could tell him to fuck off, he spoke once more. They give you the strength that you need, my lady. The ability to call the dragons. Also to heal faster. You will need them, now more than ever before, if this should turn out badly.
If you’re lying to me I’m going to be really pissed off. He told her that he could no more lie to her than he could any of the others. All right. I’m doing this, but I swear to you, Caelin, I’m not happy.
She made her way to her purse, careful of not making any noises that would alert them that she was doing anything. Pulling out the box that Peterson had given her, Gabe tried to think how best to put them in. Taking them out of the box, her breath caught when she saw them for the first time.
They were wings. The wings of a dragon, she’d bet her last nickel. And as she pulled them out of the box, one at a time, she felt the first jolt of power. It frightened and excited her at the same time. Clipping the first one into her hair, she knew the moment that the others felt it; their connection to her was tight, unbreakable. And when the second one was sitting upon her head, Gabe had to hold onto the table so as not to fall over as the strength of something washed over her.
She looked in the mirror near the stairs and could only stare at her reflection. The hair combs were now blue streaks in her hair. From the top to the very bottom, a dark two-inch-wide strip of blue glistened in the overhead lighting. And Gabe would bet anything it would be there for the rest of her…for what she hoped was a very long life.
Going to the stairs again, she looked down. Gabe couldn’t see anyone, but when she closed her eyes, not only did she see the men there, but she knew what they’d come there for as well; to kill the baby and take both her and Harper. Uttering the words that she knew instinctively would bring her the dragons, Gabe held her breath and waited.
They were just suddenly there. She touched them both, ran her fingers along their heads and felt the connection. It was so strong that she wondered for a moment if she’d turned into one of them. But almost as soon as the thought entered her head, she knew it was because of the magic of the jewels.
“There are three or more men downstairs that are going to kill the baby and then hurt Harper and I. Do you know what to do?” The larger of the two dragons nodded. “Just...I was going to tell you to be careful, but I think you’ll be just fine.”
We will save you all. She nodded and moved back when the dragons flew down the stairs. Gabe was wondering if she should follow them or not when Harper quietly called her name.
“He left me.” Gabe asked her what she meant. “My dragon. Grady and I, we each have a dragon that moves over our bodies, and it.... What did you do?”
“I don’t...are you hurt? Did...? I have no idea. Caelin told me that I could call the dragons to me. I thought...I guess I assumed that he meant the McCades. Then these little guys showed up and—”
The scream from below them was cut off. There was a crash, the sound of gunfire. Then silence. Harper grabbed her hand, and they were headed back to the other room when the dragons were in the room with them, this time sitting on the floor.
They were no bigger than a medium sized dog. Their wings, she knew, made them appear much larger, but they were far from as cuddly as a dog would be. Each of them had sharp spikes at their backs, and horns on their heads. The larger of the two was bluer than the other…not darker, just bluer. There were other differences between the two, but all she wanted to know now was how they had helped.
“What happened to the men?” Neither of them said anything, but she knew, as surely as she was standing there, they were all dead. “What will the police say when they show up? I mean, if you killed them. I need to come up with a story that won’t have them taking me away in a straitjacket, nor have me put to death by lethal injection.”
They are no more. Gabe looked at Harper, then back at the dragons. You will be safe. No one will ever know that they were here, my lady. I know of this straitjacket you speak of, but you should rest assured that you’ll never be put in one of them. Nor will anyone kill you for the death of those men.
She wasn’t sure what to say at this point. The men were dead, and she was uncharacteristically happy. It was her job to make sure that people lived, not to be thrilled when they were killed. Of course, these men had been more than willing to kill her and Harper, and the baby, but right now, she didn’t want to think of that. Instead, she thought of how they’d come to her.
“You belong to Harper and Grady, don’t you? I mean, you’re the dragons that were on their bodies? Harper said that you were gone from her. You didn’t harm her when you left her, did you? I mean, she’ll be all right without you there?”
The dragons looked at one another, then nodded. Yes, my lady, they are both unharmed because we have left them. But we belong to no one. We serve you all. She asked him if only she could call them. I know not, my lady. We are here to serve you and the others, in any way that we can.
“So what happens to you now?” He asked Harper what she meant. Gabe wondered as well. “You’ve come to our aid. Killed those men before they hurt us or killed my son. Do you get into trouble because of that? I mean, do you have someone to answer to?”
Also, did she send them back? Did they have to find a place for them to live? How would they account for missing men, if it ever came up? There were so many questions running through her head, and for every one that she thought of, Gabe was sure that there were ten times that many that would eventually come up.
The only one we answer to is the McCade family. No one rules us but you. We have helped. Now that you are safe, we will return. Before she could ask him where that might be to, they disappeared. Looking at Harper, Gabe knew that hers was back on her body.
“That is some fucked up shit.” Harper laughed. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink. I don’t even care that it’s only ten in the morning.”
“If I wasn’t still nursing Shawn, I might join you. But I do think we need to go and see what happened downstairs. Oh, and the men are on their way. For whatever reason, I wasn’t able to contact them. But Grady said he was on his way with Dalton and the others. I don’t think he’s really thrilled about any of this either. Mostly he’s pissed that he didn’t know you were in danger and couldn’t help you.”
Great, she thought. She’d just ordered the hit of several men, and she wasn’t even sure what had happened to them. Dalton was pissed off because.... Well, she wasn’t really positive why he was upset that she’d taken care of the problem on her own, but there it was. And she’d summoned two dragons to her. Gabe wondered if anything else could go wrong today.