Chapter Eleven
“Slow down, Ryker. Where are we going?” Camille laughed, huffing as she tried to keep up with his long strides.
“The ocean. You showed me yours, now I get to show you mine.” He winked.
“Uhm, I think you’ve already showed me yours. So much so I think I could pick your private parts out in a line up.” Cami laughed. “Where are you taking me? We’ve been hiking for hours.”
He tsked. “Such dirty talk. I think you need to cool off before I show you my surprise!” Without warning, he bent and scooped her over his shoulder.
“Ryker!” she squealed as he ran with her down a paved path lined with gorgeous flowering bushes. “What are you doing?” Camille laughed out loud.
He slowed his pace and let her slide into his arms from his shoulder. “So, where are these falls you promised?”
He grinned again. The two turned on the path and there in a secluded hollow above the beach were three magnificent waterfalls.”
“Ryker! You weren’t kidding. This is amazing!” Rainbows were everywhere in the churned up spray, and it was easy to see how anyone could imagine this as home to magic.
He put her down, but kept his arms around her waist. Dipping his head to kiss her, he nipped her lip. “I’m glad you like this place, but the falls aren’t your surprise.” He turned her around and then pointed toward the beach where two people walked toward them.
Camille squinted to get a better look. “Looks like Gerri’s back from latest her trip home.” She raised her hand to wave, but then froze, straining harder to see. “Oh my God! VALERIE!”
Ryker laughed, watching as she raced down the carved stone steps to the beach, her shrieks lost to the sound of the waves.
***
Valerie looked over her shoulder as Arin and Xavier walked ten steps behind her and Gerri. The pink surf washed onto the sand dotted with smooth magenta crystals and they sparkled like pink diamonds in the bright sun.
“This place is off the chain! Besides Ryker being hot and handy, no wonder Camille traded the streets of New York and her stuffy library for this!” Val lifted her face to the warm rays, her body alighting with energy.
Gerri hooked her arm with Valerie’s and kicked the surf, sending pink bubbles into the air. She traded her Chanel for a pair of pastel pedal pushers and a floral tunic. “The water has healing properties. Can’t you just feel the toxins leaving your body?”
“Mmhmm. I haven’t felt this good in ages. Almost better than sex!” Valerie glanced at her two hunks again and laughed. “Actually, it’s not even close. Those boys are going to wear me out.” The flesh between her legs ached, and she winced as they walked, but the secret smile on her face spoke volumes. She couldn’t wait to tell Camille all about it.
She left her juicy sweats on the floor in her bedroom where Arin dropped them, deciding to be comfortable in a pair of capri leggings and tank top instead. Not that she’d be able to wear them again. Not unless crotchless sweats were a thing. Yeah, thanks, guys. Did Gerri say there were shopping malls or not? She couldn’t remember.
A shriek of laughter so familiar it made her heart squeeze echoed off the sides of the tall cliffs. Valerie shielded her eyes, and in seconds spotted her friend as she ran down the steps toward the beach.
“Stupid idiot! She’s gonna fall and kill herself before I even get to her.” She spared a look for Gerri and then took off, kicking up pink sand as she ran.
“Cami!” she screamed, waving like a crazy woman. Valerie raced to the bottom of the stairs, her fingers digging into her flesh from the stitch in her side. “You crazy girl,” she panted as Camille flung herself into her arms. “You’re too clumsy to run down stone steps!”
Camille squeezed her hard, tears on her cheeks. “Not as crazy as you! You took that god-awful jump just to see me?”
“Yup, but it wasn’t too bad considering who Gerri picked out to be my traveling companions,” Val hinted.
Cami pushed back, but held onto Val’s arms, her eyes going wide. “You’re kidding me! Damn that woman is good!”
“Twice as good as you think, actually.” Valerie raised an eyebrow and gestured with her head to the two hotties walking down the beach toward them. ‘To be honest, once I saw you and ran off, I half expected one of them to tackle me. Are they all so protective?”
She laughed. “Yup, but you’ll get used to it.”
“Get used to what?” a male voice said, making them both turn.
Camille’s face lit up and a huge smile spread on her lips. “Valerie, this is Ryker Dragos. My mate.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” he said, holding his hand out.
Valerie slipped her fingers into his palm and was immediately pulled into a giant bear hug with Camille, his big arms engulfing them both.
As if their gaze weighed hundreds of pounds, she felt both Arin and Xavier’s eyes on her as they approached. She disentangled herself from Ryker and Camille and stepped back.
Camille knitted her fingers with Ryker’s and stood with him side-by-side with Gerri as Valerie walked to greet the Gemini. Val stood between them waiting to introduce them to her friend, their sheer size as compared to her making her giggle.
“I know,” Cami laughed as well. “Makes you feel small, right?”
Valerie nodded with a grin. “For like the first time in my life…ever.” Her smile went ear-to-ear, but when she looked up to introduce them, it paled at their pokerfaced expressions.
“Guys,” she began slowly. “This is Camille. My best friend in the whole world.” When neither said a word, Valerie flicked her eyes to Gerri for help. The older woman didn’t budge, just stood as deadpan as the Gemini, as though waiting.
“Nice to meet you both,” Camille said, exchanging a look with her friend.
Arin and Xavier each shook Cami’s hand, their eyes moving from her smiling face to Ryker. “Do you know who we are?” Xavier started, only to have Ryker lift his hand, stopping him.
He nodded. “I’ve only heard stories about you, but yes, I know who you are.” Ryker looked at Arin, his eyes conflicted. “Especially you. There’s much of Calliope in you.”
Arin’s jaw tightened and Valerie slipped her hand into his palm. “It’s okay, babe. That’s a good thing. A compliment.”
“Calliope?” Camille questioned.
Ryker kept his eyes on Arin. “My sister,” he replied.
Camille’s mouth dropped. “Your sister? We’ve been together for months, and you never bothered to mention you have a sister? Let alone a nephew your same age?” Her brows tensed and she looked to Gerri and Val for explanation.
“Had a sister,” Ryker replied. “She died before I was cursed.”
Valerie squeezed Arin’s fingers again, and this time Xavier slipped his hand onto the alpha’s shoulder.
“I think you mean she was murdered before you were cursed. Right, Dragos?” Arin corrected, his voice low.
Gerri stepped between the two men, her eyes changing color. Both men took the warning and relaxed. She eyed them both, but kept her attention focused mainly on Ryker. “Arin has more of Calliope than just her features,” she offered. “He has her fire and her determination. After years watching him grow and thrive on Earth, I can attest to that no question.”
Breaking eye contact with Ryker, Arin spared a cautious glance for the matchmaker. “Since I never knew my mother, I’ll have to take your word for it, Mrs. Wilder. That pleasure was robbed from me by Ores a long time ago.”
At his father’s name, Ryker’s jaw tightened. “My father was a hard man. He ruled Dragosland with an iron grip and didn’t hesitate to bring that heavy fist down on anyone who crossed him. Including me. You’re right.” He nodded. “Calliope was murdered by his hand, and for that I grieved for centuries. Had I not been so preoccupied with my dick, I might have saved her and spared us both that heartache.”
Arin’s gaze stayed locked with his, the sound of the waves behind them keeping time.
“Maybe we should leave the rest of this conversation for another time,” Camille started, but Ryker shook his head.
Arin took a step, and Xavier’s hand tightened on his shoulder. He looked at his omega and shook his head. “It’s okay, bro. I’m okay. I got this.” He leaned down and kissed Valerie’s cheek, unlacing her fingers from his hand.
Taking another step, Arin extended his hand. “Dragos, that you felt the same loss over the years is something I never considered. For that, I’m sorry. So for Calliope’s sake, I offer peace.”
Ryker nodded and clasped Arin’s arm like brothers.
“Well, dude. Thank God their brains aren’t in their biceps,” Camille said, sliding her arm around her friend’s shoulders. “One less man mess for us to clean up.”
Val laughed. “Preach, bookworm. Preach.”
Xavier scooted in beside Arin and covered Ryker’s grip with his hand. “Don’t leave me hanging alone. With those two we really need a band of brothers.”
“Three,” Gerri said, slipping in on Valerie’s opposite side. “Definitely.”
Ryker grinned. “Like the Stygian witches. Dangerous.”
“Isn’t this the tempting picture,” a gruff voice said from the rocky cove at the base of the stone steps. “I sacrificed lifetimes waiting for the Gemini alpha and omega to return, only to find them in a willing embrace with our enemy!”
The man that approached was older than dirt. Dressed in a green robe the color of Arin and Xavier’s eyes, he approached with a quick steady gait, as if the years shown on his face were a mask. He carried a knotted staff, tall and timeworn. It was carved with unusual symbols and an orb at the top with two empty indentations on either side.
Gerri stepped forward to stand between them and the newcomer. “Malus. I expected you’d turn up at some point, but I didn’t think your bloodhounds were that fast.”
“Dragosarra. Still defending the sins of your masters, eh?” he replied with a wheezy chuckle. “Move aside, woman, and let me pass. I have a destiny to fulfil.” He pointed his staff toward the small group, but then lowered it again, his eyes finding Valerie. A yellowed grin broke across his wrinkled face, and he turned a shrewd eye toward the matchmaker.
“It seems you’ve redeemed yourself after all. Not only freeing the Dragos wastrel, but now finding a mate to complete the ordained Gemini triad. Well done. Even for a Dragos bitch.” He coughed again.
Ryker’s eyes flamed red and he took a step forward. “Watch your mouth, old man. We may be on neutral ground, but our Dragosarra is a particular favorite of the king, and he might look the other way when I tear your arms off and feed them to the sharks.”
Arin stepped forward with Xavier, but not before slipping Valerie behind him. A single nod from Xavier had Ryker pulling Valerie to his side along with Camille. The three men were in full protective shifter caveman mode. No one knew this man other than Gerri, and he’d already insulted her twice.
“Who are you and what do you want with us?” Arin demanded. “You wear the robes of a Gemini elder, but the staff you carry is not yours. I recognize the mark just below the medallion orb. Where is Castor?”
Malus’s cagey eyes narrowed. “I see your years on Earth haven’t polluted your memory as much as it has your loyalty. Your old tutor is not well. He was removed from his post for his health and I have taken over as master elder.”
“Taken over? By whose order? Only an alpha and omega can appoint a new master,” Xavier said, eyeing the man warily.
Malus shrugged. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
“Your business is no concern of ours, old man. Until we hear from Castor, you are no Gemini elder.” Arin folded his arms and took a step forward.
He raised the elder’s staff and the wind blew, gusting rough enough to whip their hair. “My business is your concern. Our people have languished in darkness long enough! You must return with me with your mate so the Triad Rite can be performed. It’s time to unleash our power. Take revenge on the Dragos scum. Not embrace them!”
Valerie slipped under Ryker’s arm and stalked forward, pushing right past Arin and Xavier. “Listen up, you. I don’t know who you are or what you’re trying to accomplish, but peace was just declared in your so-called war. You ought to be thrilled! Not ranting about revenge. No one here gives a rat’s ass about revenge. That kind of negative never got anyone anywhere and it certainly won’t get me to join your frequent flyer club. I’m happy right here.” She folded her arms as well, mimicking both Arin and Xavier’s stance, and both men had to stifle the urge to laugh.
Arin shrugged. “What can I say? She’s got a mind of her own. Something Castor would have appreciated and cherished. Like I said earlier, until we hear from the only elder we know and trust, we stay put with our mate.”
“Agreed.” Xavier nodded, but then his eyes narrowed and he inhaled. “You’re not even a dragon. You have no fire, no flight. How is it you are a Gemini elder?”
Pushing Valerie behind them again, the two tensed, their bodies coiled for the unknown. Malus raised his staff again, but this time the sky darkened and the winds eddied and churned. Pink waves crashed with violent force and Xavier turned, jerking his thumb toward the cove. “Take the women to the palace and alert the king!” he said, yelling over the torrent.
Green eyes flashed, streaked with red fire. Their backs hunched as muscles rippled with the need to shift. Malus laughed, striking the soft ground with the base of his staff. Sand swirled, engulfing him, raging in a tornado until he disappeared and all was still again.
Arin straightened, his body still tense as he scanned the beach. “You okay?” he asked, keeping Xavier in his peripheral vision.
“Yeah. You?” Xavier dusted the sand from his clothes. “That was freaky.”
The alpha nodded. “You can say that again.” He exhaled, stretching his neck. “You know this means we have to find Castor. My gut is roiling, and it’s never wrong. He’s in trouble, man.”
“I know.” Xavier glanced up at the palace looming above the rocky cove. “What about this Malus guy? What are we going to do about him? I don’t trust him and I don’t want Valerie any place he can just show up.”
Arin nodded. “Alyx won’t let that happen again.”
“Perhaps. He’s the king. He’s got more to worry about than one human girl and her dragons. Isn’t his wife about to have a baby?” Xavier pointed out.
Arin crossed his arms. “Just spit it out. What?”
“Maybe the best thing would be for us to take Valerie somewhere Malus wouldn’t think to go. Not that he’d get it, magic or not,” Xavier replied.
“Okay, I’ll bite. Where?”
Xavier looked at him and shrugged. “Dragosland. She could leave in the morning with Ryker and Vikter. Camille will go wherever Ryker goes, and that’ll be enough for Valerie. In the meantime that will give us time and peace of mind to find Castor and figure out what’s going on.”
“You know,” Arin slipped his arm around Xavier’s shoulders. “You’re pretty smart for an omega. Castor knew what he was doing when he chose you.”
Xavier snorted. “Yeah, right. He chose me because someone needed someone with cool intelligence to keep your impulsive ass in check. Now let’s go find our girl and get this search party started.