“He denied knowledge of the plants,” Cassie said.
Emma’s forehead puckered in a frown. “Did you believe him?”
“Yeah, I did. He asked me if I thought the people who planted the crop were the ones who had broken into my house. I hadn’t considered that angle.”
Hone exchanged a skeptical glance with Jack. “If that’s the case, the alarm would have alerted them. They’ll be here soon.”
“It’s possible they’ve been watching and trying to scare you off,” Jack added.
“Ring the cops. You’ve reported getting run off the road and the clown incident. Ring the cops now before someone tries to pin this on you,” Emma said.
“But I knew nothing about the plants.”
“Difficult to prove that,” Jack said.
Cassie plucked the local cop’s card from her handbag. The phone rang for a long time before the man answered. She explained about what they’d found.
“I’ll be straight there.”
When the cop arrived, they walked down to the plot they’d discovered. The cop took photos and rang for a team to clear the plants.
Cassie walked the edge of the plot with Hone. She brushed past a shoulder-height pine and came face-to-face with a clown. A shriek emerged, echoing under the trees before she calmed enough to realize it was merely a mask nailed to a post. She patted her chest, her breathing fast and choppy. “Man, I hate clowns.”
Hone slipped his arm around her shoulders and hugged her against his side. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She peered closer at the smirking clown mask. “The mask is brand new. It’s not weathered by the sun or rain.” She walked a few steps farther. “Someone has harvested the plants in a hurry. See. And look. Footprints.” She pointed them out to Hone.
“Hey, I’m the private investigator. Give me a chance.”
Cassie wrinkled her nose. “I can’t believe this was growing here all the time.”
“A sophisticated operation,” the cop commented, taking yet more photos. “You said you’d spoken to your neighbor?”
“Yes, he’s a businessman with a young son. He said the trees on his land don’t need much in the way of care, and they don’t check on them often.”
“Do you have his number?”
“Yes, he said to give it to you.”
“I’ll speak with him and the other neighbors. Ask around and see if anyone has noticed anything.”
“Someone managed to vandalize my house without attracting attention. Most of the properties are down long driveways with plenty of trees to ensure privacy.”
It was nearly two hours before the police left, taking the plants with them for disposal. Cassie watched the last vehicle pull from the driveway with something like relief. “Well, that should be that. If the plants are no longer there, hopefully the owners of the crop will leave me alone. It should be safe here now. Anyone for a drink? I’ll bring out the chips and dip. I’m starving.”
“Fire up the barbecue, Jack,” Emma suggested. “I’m hungry too.”
The scent of steak cooking on the grill had Hone licking his lips. He crunched on a vegetable hunk loaded with dip and sipped his beer straight from the bottle.
“Food always tastes better outdoors.” Emma waved a carrot stick in front of Jack’s nose. “Even the healthy stuff.”
Jack growled and showed his teeth. Cassie didn’t see the hint of taniwha but longing sprang to life in Hone. Did she really intend to leave? And how would she react to learning of the existence of dragons? He liked to think she’d take the truth in her stride and accept him, want to stay with him in New Zealand, but who knew?
Kind of funny. Fate and his previous girlfriends would die laughing.
“What’s the time?” Emma asked.
Hone checked his phone. “Eight thirty.”
Cassie placed a lettuce salad and a potato salad on the outdoor table. “No wonder I’m hungry.”
“Steaks are done.” Jack used a pair of tongs to transfer the meat to a platter held by Emma.
“I’ll get the garlic bread,” Cassie said.
Hone watched her arse until she disappeared from sight and Emma dug him in the ribs.
“You said you didn’t do serious.”
Hone turned to meet her gaze. “So everyone says.”
“And?”
“Cassie is different. I like her. She makes me laugh. She makes me happy.”
“She says she’s leaving,” Emma said.
“Yeah.”
Emma nudged his ribs with her elbow and almost lost a steak.
“Watch the meat.” Jack rescued the platter and placed it on the table.
“Well, what are you going to do about it?” Emma demanded.
“Not sure yet,” Hone said. “We haven’t known each other long.” He shifted his gaze, Jack’s jerk of head warning him of Cassie’s return, not that he needed the heads-up. His taniwha kept him appraised of Cassie’s whereabouts. “The garlic bread smells good.”
“My mother’s recipe. She uses herbs along with the garlic and tasty cheese. Mum doesn’t approve of me eating it.” Mischief lurked in the curve of her mouth, the tiny dimple digging into her cheek. “I might have more than one piece tonight.”
“I like your curves,” Hone said. “Although it smells so good you might have to arm wrestle me for seconds.”
Her laughter filled the air, and Hone had never felt happier.
You can’t let her leave.
He and his taniwha were of one accord. His phone vibrated, and he almost didn’t bother answering in favor of eating first. He followed the others to dig into the food before guilt and curiosity got the better of him. His phone ceased its summons. A missed call. Manu. He stood back and let the others fill their plates while he rang his cousin.
“What’s up?”
“Ma’s gone. She was here and seemed back to normal, bossing us all around. I left for two minutes to take a phone call. Dad was with her. He relaxed his vigilance and Ma disappeared. Hone, she’s vanished. Her vehicle is still here.”
“Is she walking?” Please let her be on foot.
“I think she’s flying.”
“Does she have one of your inventions?”
“No.”
“Crap.” A range of possibilities raced through his mind. Foremost, would June be stupid enough to shift and fly here? His aunt didn’t lack intelligence. If she hadn’t learned of Cassie’s location already, it would be easy enough to guess. Surely, she wouldn’t continue her crusade against Cassie? “What do you need us to do?”
“Stay where you are. I’ll call if I need you.”
Jack and Emma were watching him. Cassie, thank goodness, was serving up two plates of food. One for him. Her generosity and care filled him with pleasure, but the idea of June on the loose overrode the feel-good factor. Terror slashed him, gripped his chest, checked his breathing. He struggled to center himself, fighting the snarl of his taniwha. “Anything you need, Manu. Jack and I are here for you.”
“Thanks.”
The knowledge of what Manu must be going through muted his fear and anger. No matter what Manu did, he couldn’t win.
He lowered his voice. “We’ll keep an eye out, contact you if we see anything. If you need us, we’re there.”
Jack sidled closer while Emma distracted Cassie. “What’s up?”
“June is on the loose again.”
“How?”
“Manu didn’t say exactly, but Samuel is between a rock and a determined dragon. He was watching her and let down his guard.”
“Does he need us to help?”
“Manu said to sit tight. He didn’t say it, but June might still be angry at Cassie.”
“You can’t go home with her tonight,” Jack said. “You need to stay here with me and Emma.”
“Safety in numbers.” Hone sighed as he caught a glimpse of the rising moon. Blood red again. Given the circumstances, it was creepy and apt. “I might ring Dad. He’ll want to know and might be able to help.”
“Hone, your dinner is ready.” Cassie turned, a plate of food in each hand. His woman. His. His heart practically turned over in his chest, and his taniwha gave a tiny groan before transmitting messages of lust to every corner of his body. His dick twitched.
Jack shook his head. “You’re gone, man.”
“You can talk,” Hone replied, not even trying to deny the truth.
“You’d better get over there. I’ll ring George.”
“Thanks.” Hone strode over to Cassie and leaned close to kiss her cheek before accepting a plate. “You didn’t have to get my food for me.”
Her cheeks flushed. “No problem.”
He followed her over to where Emma sat at a second picnic table, one he and Jack had rescued from Jack’s place.
“What’s Jack doing?” Emma asked, her gaze sharp and her shoulders tense. She mightn’t have taniwha genes but she’d developed good senses from working as an investigator and spending time with him and Jack.
“A work thing,” Hone said. “He’s talking to Dad.”
Cassie helped herself to garlic bread. “You guys work long hours.” She crunched into the bread and moaned.
Emma laughed aloud. “That sort of ecstatic groaning should only come from the bedroom.”
Hone snorted. “Have to agree, sweetheart.”
Cassie swallowed a mouthful of bread and waved the rest of the piece in the air. “Please. We’re eating dinner,” she admonished.
“What’s so funny?” Jack asked.
“Cassie is making love with her garlic bread,” Emma said.
“If it tastes as good as it smells, I might do the same.”
“See,” Cassie said, giving an approving nod to Jack. “Someone who appreciates the good things. Who wants another glass of wine or a beer?”
“Stay there. I’ll get the drinks.” Emma bounded up and trotted inside the house.
“Do you think my problems have ended now that the police have taken away the plants?” Cassie asked.
“I hope so,” Jack said. “I noticed one thing when we visited the second time.”
“Some of the plants were gone and the alarm system had been ripped out.”
Cassie froze. “I noticed someone had plucked off parts of the plants, but I didn’t notice the alarm. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We’re telling you now,” Hone said.
Cassie frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means we suspect your neighbor had a hand in this. He was the only one close enough. The alarm system was meant to give him warning,” Hone said.
“But he denied it. He sounded… I believed him. The cop said he was going to speak with Matthew.”
“The man is intelligent,” Jack said. “The cops won’t find anything on his property.”
“But shouldn’t we say something?” Cassie asked.
“There’s no proof. Did you notice he had sheep grazing in some areas but others were fenced off?” Hone received a head-tilt of agreement from Jack. “The fencing around the plants on Cassie’s land was built to keep out the sheep.”
Jack forked up potato salad. “Yeah. If the cops realize and ask, he’ll have an excuse. That he’s rotating the grazing or something similar.”
“Cassie, don’t worry. Sometimes the bad guys get away. Nothing anyone can do about it. The owner has lost his plants and that will hit his pocket.”
Cassie gaped at them. “But I liked Matthew. He has a son.”
Hone chuckled. “Takes all sorts, sweetheart.”
Emma returned and dispersed drinks, and the conversation drifted to Cassie’s music.
“Have you decided which songs you’re doing for the show next weekend?” Emma asked.
“Yes, I was going to ask if I could run through the songs tonight. I want to check the timing.”
“Dinner and free entertainment. Score.” Emma lifted her glass of wine in salute.
Cassie cocked her head as she stared past Emma. Her brows drew together. “What is that? Do you see it?”
Hone turned in the direction she indicated. Horror interfered with his breathing. He speed dialed his father. Crap. Answer the phone, dammit. “In the house. Cassie. Emma. Jack—”
Jack was two steps ahead, phone in hand. “Manu, June is here in Clevedon at Cassie’s house.” He rattled off the address. “Hurry. Inside. Cassie, now.”
“But what is that? It looks like…” she trailed off as Emma grasped her upper arm and propelled her indoors.
George Taniwha took longer to answer. “Yeah?”
“Dad, June is here, at Cassie’s place.”
“Dragon form?”
“Yes.” Hone didn’t take his gaze off aunt. June in taniwha form was a fearsome sight, her jade hide gleaming, her scales and horns glinting under the early moon. She let out a roar, flames shooting from her giant maw as jade green wings brought her ever closer.
“Hell. Where’s Manu?”
“On his way.” Hopefully. As a water taniwha, Jack could shift, but he didn’t have fire in his arsenal. His abilities were swimming and close combat fighting. It also took him longer to return to human form.
“Leaving now,” his father said.
Hone ran inside to check on Jack and the girls. Emma clutched a permitted gun while Jack closed windows and curtains, searching for the best place for cover.
Hone’s dragon fought for escape. He couldn’t contain the growls and rumbles. June intended to hurt his mate. Not gonna happen. He ripped off his shirt and kicked off his sandals.
“What are you doing? What was that? A dragon? But that’s impossible…” Cassie trailed off, frowning. “Hone, what is up with your tattoo? It’s glowing red.”
“Stand back, Cassie,” Emma snapped.
Hone knew he should shift, but he hesitated. “Cassie.” He embraced her before giving her a swift kiss. “I love you, Cassie. Do whatever Emma and Jack tell you.”
Walking away was the hardest thing he’d ever done.
Cassie pressed her fingers to her lips. “What’s going on?” Jack and Emma jumped into action, expressions tense as if they were preparing for war. “Why are you brandishing a gun? I didn’t think guns were legal in New Zealand. What is Hone doing? Did you see his tattoo?” She wandered toward the door. “I saw a dragon. It was a dragon. Did you see it?”
“Cassie.” Jack’s sharpness had her freezing three steps from the door. “We’ll explain everything later. Right now you need to stay with us. Get behind those chairs.”
A high-pitched shriek filled the air. Spine-chilling. The tiny hairs at the back of Cassie’s neck lifted, and when the screech repeated, she took half a step back. Second thought, she didn’t want to know.
“What if she burns down the house?” Emma asked. “It’s not safe in here either.”
“Who? What are you talking about?” Cassie demanded.
“She’ll pick us off one by one if we’re outside where she can see us. Hopefully, Hone can keep her busy until Manu and his brothers arrive.
A roar thundered through the air, deeper and fiercer than the first shriek.
“W-what is that?”
“They’re both in the air now. Emma, you remember where to aim?”
“The head, between the eyes.”
“Good. Don’t take any risks, babe. And don’t shoot Hone by mistake.”
“I won’t. I’ve been practicing.”
“Cassie, stay behind us and out of sight. I don’t want Hone distracted,” Jack ordered.
“But—”
Emma gripped her upper arm with her gun-free hand. “Promise, Cassie. This is important. Promise.”
The tension in the room grew, and Cassie dragged a jerky hand through her hair. Something…a d-dragon…
“Cassie!”
She nodded mutely at her friend. Hone’s dragon tattoo…
Jack strode for the door, and Cassie realized he carried a gun too. Emma trailed him, alert and weapon at the ready. A harrowing scream rippled over the landscape and trepidation liquefied her limbs.
Cassie staggered, gripped the kitchen counter and swallowed hard. What the hell was happening?
Jack and Emma disappeared.
A shot rang out.
Cassie winced. She couldn’t stay here, wondering what was happening. She inched toward the door, switching off the light at the last second. Twilight had fallen, and it took a few seconds for her to focus.
Jack and Emma had separated. Emma stood against the wall of the house to her right. She couldn’t see Jack since he wore dark clothes and blended with the evening light.
Another of those horrid shrieks—enraged and frustrated—had every hair on her body standing to attention. Her gaze rose skyward, seeking the source.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
Two, no three dragons battled in the skies above her property.
Her breath burst in and out, and she pinched herself. No. Still there.
Freakin’ big dragons.
The jade dragon she’d seen first, a black-and-mainly red dragon and an inky black dragon she hadn’t noticed initially.
Fire spurted from the jade dragon’s mouth. The other two dragons separated. The black dragon zipped closer and nipped the jade dragon on the tail. The red dragon screamed as the flames struck its flank. It faltered slightly and plummeted before beating its wings again. Another dragon entered the fray. This one also black. Together, the three dragons attacked the jade one. Heavy drops of rain fell to the ground.
Jack appeared at her side. “I told you to stay out of sight. You’ll make things worse.”
“Me? What’s happening? Why aren’t you and Emma surprised? No, wait. What did you put in my drink? Did I inhale some of those drugs?” Words and questions tumbled from her, but Jack didn’t answer, his attention on the fight in the sky above her house.
Emma appeared on her other side. “Why are you outside?”
“I didn’t think cannabis was that strong,” Cassie muttered in reply.
It started raining again. Cassie stared at the drops, splattering the ground.
She gasped. “T-that’s blood.”
“Hell, there’s Samuel,” Jack said, tension radiating from him. “His presence will make things more difficult.”
“Where are Manu’s brothers?” Emma scanned the sky.
Cassie gaped as two new black dragons blinked into sight. Together, they muscled a black dragon away from the fight. Flames lit the evening sky, the rumbles and roars reminding Cassie of thunder. A furious scream rippled through the air, and she clapped her hands over her ears. A fight to the death. Cassie didn’t know for sure, but instinct told her this was serious.
“That is Manu and his brothers,” she whispered, aghast.
“The whole family is there,” Jack acknowledged.
“Hone?” He’d said he loved her. Her eyes widened as she replayed his words. He’d thought he might die! She turned to Jack and yanked on his shirttail. “Is that Hone up there? The one raining blood.”
“Let me concentrate,” Jack snapped.
Dragons. Fire-breathing dragons. The fire spurting from their giant maws reduced. Maybe they were tiring. Dragons. Great big fictional creatures, right in front of her. The jade dragon seemed strong and agile. The creature whipped its tail, maneuvered so fast the other dragons flew past. Then the jade dragon flew at the red one, claws outstretched. They collided mid-air, the impact sending the red dragon plummeting.
Cassie gasped.
The jade dragon cackled, the hoarse reverberation making Cassie flinch. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins, her fear as real as the dragons soaring through the sky. A scream formed in her throat, fighting, struggling for release. She held it back as the red dragon hit the ground.
The jade dragon screeched in triumph and swooped. Three black dragons barreled after the victorious creature.
“Samuel is trying to interfere,” Emma cried.
Another dragon hurtled through the air, coming from nowhere. Black scales glittered. It…he—the dragon’s fierceness implied a male…maybe… Cassie shook herself. One of the black dragons cut off the new arrival, driving him back.
A keening cry pulled her attention to the dragon on the ground. She took two steps before Emma grabbed her and wrenched her to a halt.
“Don’t let June see you.”
“Why?”
“She blames you.”
“Blames me for what?”
“Breaking up with Manu.”
Cassie gaped at her friend. “What are you talking about? Manu and I are friends.” Her gaze sought out the fallen dragon. “Is that Hone? Watch out!” she screamed.
The jade dragon swiveled its head, big glowing jade stare turned in her direction. They blazed with fury. The creature landed gracefully and prowled toward her, tail swishing in rapid beats.
Cassie backed up rapidly. Run. Run! She turned to flee and flames rushed past her, near enough for the heat to sear her skin. The grass and a tree danced with sparks.
A black dragon landed. Fingers grasped the waistband of her trousers.
“Cassie.” Jack shoved her behind him. Emma stood at his side and both of them fired at the jade dragon.
“Stand. Out. Of. The. Way.” The jade dragon roared. “Give. Her. To. Me.”
Emma and Jack kept shooting. Bang. Bang. Bang.
The jade dragon screamed and tossed its head. Blood splattered to the ground, but the beast didn’t hesitate. It smirked, long, sharp teeth protruding from its jaws. Cassie couldn’t rip her horrified gaze away. Scary beautiful. The beast snorted, drew in a deep gust of air.
“Don’t do this, June. Don’t hurt Jack. I love him, and this will be murder,” Emma shouted.
“Move. Away.” The whispery words emerged separately. Menacing. Determined.
Jack fired, shooting high to miss. Cassie thought it was a warning. “No, June. You’ll have to kill us to get to Cassie.”
Cassie gasped. This was because of her. What had she done? Wait. They’d said June was angry. She hadn’t realized the depths of the woman’s fury.
The dragon sucked in a huge breath. Smoke curled from her nostrils. The surrounding air sizzled as flames shot to their right.
Oh, god. This dragon—June—was sending her own warning.
“We’re not moving,” Jack shouted.
Tension radiated off Emma.
The hostility emanating from Jack went off the charts. “Fire,” he shouted.
Cassie flinched. Unable to help herself, she peered past Jack’s shoulder. One by one, the dragons landed behind June. Two of the black dragons muscled another away. Angry snarls filled the air.
June, the jade dragon, sucked in another breath. “Last. Chance.”
Fear paralyzed her, and Cassie couldn’t move. The red dragon struggled to its feet and staggered closer, but the black one turned its head and snarled ferociously. Without warning, light glowed around his shadowy body and a very naked Manu stood in the dragon’s place brandishing a sword.
Cassie clapped a hand over her mouth. Jack and Emma didn’t budge, holding their united front.
“Don’t do this, Ma. Cassie didn’t do anything wrong.”
June—Cassie had accepted this was June—dragged in more air. Smoke whooshed from her nostrils and she let rip with flames.