by S. E. Smith
Asim nodded, and turned his head to press a kiss against her palm before moving with quiet sure strides toward the edge of the forest. He would cut around the meadow so he wasn’t seen.
Chapter 8
“Zohar! Zohar!” Spring and Phoenix called out.
The two girls darted through the crowd of adults. They both skidded to a stop when their mom and dad stepped in front of them and knelt down. Phoenix shifted first, falling into her dad’s arms with a breathless gasp.
“Daddy, you have to help us,” Phoenix cried.
“What’s wrong?” Carmen asked, hugging Spring.
“The Great Easter Bunnies have Jabir’s eggs,” Spring said.
“The Great Easter…,” Creon started to say before stopped and looked at Carmen with a confused frown.
“It’s true, Daddy. We saw them. They was in the woods. They have Jabir’s eggs,” Phoenix anxiously said, reaching up to cup Creon’s cheeks between her tiny hands. “Please, you have to help us. Jabir says he heard them chirping.”
“He heard what chirping? The bunnies?” Carmen asked.
Spring shook her head. “No, the eggs. They took his big eggs, not the little ones like what we made. These are really big,” she said, holding her hands out wide.
“He is afraid that they will gets eaten,” Phoenix explained, turning dark, golden eyes to her father. “You’ll help us, won’t you, Daddy? You’ll save Jabir’s eggs.”
“Where is Jabir?” Carmen asked, glancing around.
“He’s in the woods. He says he’s going to stop the Great Easter Bunnies from giving his eggs away,” Spring replied.
“Creon…,” Carmen murmured, turning to gaze at her mate.
“I’ll get the other men together and we’ll find him,” Creon promised, setting Phoenix on the ground.
“I knew you would,” Phoenix exclaimed in relief.
“I’ll let the women know what is going on,” Carmen said. “These creatures that took the eggs….”
Creon glanced at Carmen. “We’ll find them,” he promised.
“Yay!” Spring said, pulling away from Carmen.
Both girls watched as Creon motioned to Kelan, Mandra, Zoran, Viper, and Paul. They turned and hurried over to where the other kids were playing. They still needed to tell Zohar, Alice, and Roam what was going on. While the daddies hunted for the Great Easter Bunnies, they would find Jabir. No dragonlings would ever be left behind or alone.
“What’s wrong?” Zohar asked.
“Jabir’s in trouble,” Spring announced.
Bálint turned with a low snarl. The sound was so unexpected that even Morah and Leo stopped to stare at him. Alice stepped closer to Bálint and slid her hand into his.
“What happened?” Alice asked with a worried expression.
“It’s the Great Easter Bunnies. They took his eggs. He is chasing them in the woods,” Phoenix explained.
“Yeah, our daddies is going to go catch them,” Spring added.
“But we still gots to go help Jabir get his eggs back,” Phoenix insisted.
“You’re right. Spring, can you gets us to the woods?” Zohar asked.
“I already gots a tunnel,” she said.
“We’ll needs weapons,” Roam suggested.
“I can make those,” Alice said, waving her hand. A small bow appeared.
“Bálint, can you tracks the Great Easter Bunnies?” Zohar asked.
“Yes,” Bálint nodded.
“I wants to goes,” Leo said, rubbing his nose. “I’s good at finding stuffs too.”
Roam started to protest before he looked at his cousin’s wide eyes. No dragonling – or cub – gets left behind or forgotten. He turned to gaze at Bálint. The other boy understood his silent plea and nodded.
“Come on, Leo, you can help me,” Bálint instructed. “You gots to be quiet and listens.”
“I can listens really good. I’m a panther,” Leo stated, shifting into his panther form.
“What about me? Daddy teaches me how to hunts,” Morah said, her lip trembling.
“You can help us girls. We can makes lots of traps,” Amber and Jade said with a grin.
Morah’s eyes lit up with delight. “I can make good traps!” she promised.
“The daddies are going,” Zohar said, watching the men taking off across the meadow.
“Let’s go. Bálint and Leo are already in the tunnel,” Roam said.
“I’s going on my first adventure,” Morah excitedly whispered. “Mommy and Daddy is goings to loves this!”
Chapter 9
“Hold up, I think I dropped another egg,” Trelon complained.
“You’re supposed to drop them,” Vox said before he cursed. “One of my ears is stuck again.” He dropped his basket and knapsack onto the ground by his feet so he could try to free his ear from where it was caught on a low branch.
“You should have gotten the floppy ones. I’m not having any trouble with them,” Trelon chuckled, brushing a pink paw down over one of his floppy ears.
Vox tried to turn, but he couldn’t. “Would you mind helping me? I don’t want to rip the ear off,” he said with a loud sigh.
“I swear, I can’t take you anywhere anymore,” Trelon joked, setting down his basket and shrugging off the knapsack filled with green eggs. “I only have four eggs. I did drop one.”
“We’ll go back and look for it. I think we are far enough in to leave them. We need to get back and start hiding the others,” Vox said.
“That sounds good to me. This thing is getting hot,” Trelon complained. “Your ear is free.”
“Thanks,” Vox said.
Trelon turned to hop back over to where he had left the basket and knapsack. “I have to admit, this is a good workout,” he said before he stopped to glance around him with a frown.
“What’s wrong?” Vox asked.
“My knapsack is missing,” Trelon replied, turning in a slow circle.
Trelon muttered under his breath. His paw moved toward the ground, re-enacting his movements from just a moment ago. He lifted a paw and absently scratched his cheek. It took a moment for him to realize that he couldn’t reach the real itch.
“You’ve lost all your eggs?” Vox asked in disbelief.
Trelon shook his head. “No, just the knapsack – the basket of eggs is still here,” he said.
Vox hopped stepped closer and gazed around. “You just put it down,” he said.
Trelon glared at Vox. “I know I just put it down. Now it is gone,” he stated.
“Well, that takes care of that,” Vox replied.
Trelon shook his head. “How can you… Something has your knapsack!” he exclaimed, pointing a paw at where Vox’s knapsack was moving through the ferns.
Vox awkwardly turned to see what Trelon was pointing at. He stumbled forward, his large foot catching on the other. His arms circled as he tried to keep his balance, but it was a futile gesture. He fell face-first into the high ferns lining the path. Reaching out, he grabbed the bottom of the knapsack, trying to hold onto it.
“What is it?” Trelon asked, trying to maneuver around Vox’s prone form.
“I can’t see,” Vox growled, pulling on the bag as best he could with the thick, furry paws around his hands.
Trelon awkwardly lowered himself down next to Vox, trying to see into the shadows of the bush. A low snarl escaped the animal pulling on the bag. With a tug, it slipped from Vox’s paws.
“Oh no, you don’t,” Trelon snapped.
He reached into the brush to pull the bag back out before he emitted a muffled curse and withdrew his paw. He lifted it, wincing when the sharp teeth pinched the skin of his hand. Hanging from his paw was a small, chubby, blue dragonling with flashing gold eyes.
“Jabir?!” Trelon exclaimed in surprise.
Jabir released Trelon’s hand and dropped down to the ground. With a threatening snarl, he backed into the bush and disappeared. It took a moment for the surprise to evaporate and the knowledge that they
had been caught to sink in.
“Vox, get up,” Trelon ordered, struggling to stand up.
“I’m trying! It isn’t easy moving around in this thing,” Vox snapped. “How did Jabir find us? Do you think the others are here?”
Trelon smoothed his dress and turned. He wanted to rip the head off his costume, but was afraid of scaring the dragonlings if he did. He glanced back toward the bush.
“Jabir, come out. We aren’t going to hurt you,” Trelon said. “Jabir? Jabir?”
Vox knelt in the ferns and bent to peer down into the bush. The boy and the eggs were gone. He pushed up off the ground until he could stand.
“He’s gone,” Vox said, looking around. “There! The ferns are moving.”
“We’ve got to get him,” Trelon said, snatching up the basket of colorful eggs as he half-hopped, half-stumbled by it.
Jabir’s heart raced. He had stowed the two bags he had taken inside a hollow tree. He knew from watching the animals on the farm that the parents often would hide their young and lead the predators away from them.
He raced through the ferns as fast as he could, trying to make as much noise as he went. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the two huge rabbits chasing him. A soft cry escaped him when his back leg caught in a vine and he tripped and rolled. He struggled to kick it off, but it was tangled.
“I’ve got you,” Bálint said, slicing through the vine with a sharp rock.
Leo hissed at the two approaching creatures.
“This way,” Bálint instructed. “Leo, takes them to the others.”
The tiny purple and black cub sneezed and turned. Jabir glanced at Bálint once more, but the little boy had already shifted into his dragon form. He watched Bálint lift up off the ground with a single bounce. Turning, he raced after Leo.
Bálint knew he needed to slow the two bunnies down. The others weren’t far behind them. When he was racing toward Jabir, he had noticed a Whisper Fly nest. The creatures wouldn’t hurt the bunnies, but they would swarm them if their nest was disturbed.
Flying up to the branch, he waited until the two rabbits were almost directly under him before he turned and kicked the nest. Bouncing up onto the limb, he pushed off, going higher so they wouldn’t see him. He made it to the fork in the tree and pulled a section of leaves in front of him to shield him.
A dark swarm emerged from the bottom of the hive. The small winged insects paused before narrowing in on the two large rabbits under their nest. The swarm started forward again, swirling down in a spiral until it covered the heads of the fluffy bunnies.
Satisfied that they would be delayed for several minutes, Bálint pushed away from the tree and soared back down to the forest floor in the direction that Leo and Jabir had gone. It wouldn’t take him long to catch up with them. He stayed low, only glancing back once to make sure that the bunnies couldn’t see him.
“Ouch!” Trelon groaned, falling backwards.
“Sorry, Trelon, I was aiming for the swarm,” Vox said, tossing the branch he had been swinging to the side.
“Have I told you that this is a very bad plan?” Trelon growled as he rocked back and forth, trying to get up. Why did he let Asim and Vox talk him into this? When was he going to learn that Earth holidays were a dangerous time for him? He should be with his mate, not running through the woods in a costume from the bowels of a Super Nova.
“Here,” Vox said, reaching a paw down.
“What are we going to do now? We can’t leave Jabir alone in the woods,” Trelon said, brushing the leaves off of his dress before he bent to pick up the eggs he had scattered when he dropped his basket. “Where’s your basket of eggs?”
“Cat’s tail! I forgot it back on the trail,” Vox muttered.
“Go get it. I’ll see if I can find Jabir,” Trelon said.
“It’s not far,” Vox replied, turning to go back to where they had been just a few minutes before.
Trelon shook his head. He dropped the last egg into the basket, wincing when he heard a crack. Of course, that was the moment his dragon decided to perk up.
Eggs? his dragon murmured.
“Not yet, I’ll wake you when it’s time,” Trelon promised.
I likes colorful eggs, his dragon murmured in approval.
“I know you do, my friend. I just wish it didn’t come with a holiday,” Trelon chuckled with a shake of his head. “When will I ever learn?”
Chapter 10
Paul paused, blinked, and shook his head.
This is going to be another one of those adventures, he couldn’t help but think to himself.
He silently watched the two Easter Bunnies bounce in separate directions.
We watch? his dragon asked.
Oh, yes. We are just going to sit back and enjoy this show, Paul said.
In his solid gold dragon form, no one could see him. Creon was very close to being invisible as well. The biggest difference was Paul could reflect his surrounds while Creon needed to stay in the shadows.
Paul had moved out into the front, tracking the large prints that looked oddly familiar, yet strange. He had arrived just in time to see the swarm of Whisper Flies surround the two men. A moment later, Bálint had appeared. Pride washed through him at his grandson’s resourcefulness. He had also been amused to see Leo had joined with the other kids. He was just thankful Morah wasn’t old enough yet.
Focusing, he reached out for his mate. Almost immediately, he could feel her warmth surround him. He was about to pull away when he felt her amusement and exasperation.
What is it? he asked.
Have you seen the younglings? They are missing, Morian asked.
Paul’s silent chuckle was answer enough. He felt her sigh. Curious, he waited.
Morah is missing, Morian said.
Morah…. Her symbiot? Paul asked, his gaze sweeping the thick ferns.
She is with Alice. They are making traps to catch the Great Easter Bunnies, Morian replied.
Paul turned his gaze to the two large rabbits. I think I know why Ha’ven said he would stay and protect the women, he replied in a dry tone.
Morian’s laughter washed through him. I think the only ones missing are Asim, Vox, and Trelon. If I had to guess….
From the curses, Vox and Trelon, Paul responded, landing on a large limb.
The women are going to love this. Are you going to tell the other men? Morian asked.
Not in a million years, Paul chuckled.
Find Morah, but let her have fun, Morian whispered, pulling away.
I will, Paul replied.
This way, his dragon murmured, turning his head back toward a thick bed of ferns in a small opening in the forest.
Paul knew his dragon was connected to Morah’s symbiot. The small bracelets and earrings had become a constant companion after witnessing what the other dragonlings, Alice, and Roam had been up to. It was only to be expected that Morah would follow in their footsteps. She was, after all, just like her older sister and mother – strong, beautiful, and full of curiosity.
Paul lifted off the branch and glided through the large trees. He would observe, but not interfere unless he was needed. He had taught Bálint and the others just like he had taught Trisha. They were younger, but had a natural instinct bred into them from their dragons. He also knew that each had a small part of their symbiots with them.
Landing in another tree, he turned his head. In the distance, he could hear the men moving through the forest. He had played tag enough times to recognize the slight difference in the sounds. If he had to choose who to be more concerned about – the kids or the men – his bet would be on the men. They had no idea that the kids were planning on a little hunting of their own.
You got bad sense of humor, his dragon snorted.
I don’t see you making any noise to warn the men, Paul retorted dryly.
I part of you. I have bad sense of humor, too, his dragon replied, folding his wings in and settling down on the branch. This be fun to watch.
&nb
sp; “They are what?!” the group of women all said at the same time, staring at Morian in disbelief.
Morian couldn’t control her laughter. “I don’t know why any of us are surprised anymore. Whose idea was the Easter Bunny costumes? They are obviously not the ones we made, Abby. These look much more detailed,” she said.
The women all looked at each other with a puzzled expression. It wasn’t until Emma laughed out loud that they turned to her. She was staring at a very uncomfortable looking Ha’ven.
“You didn’t,” Emma murmured, stepping up to rest her hands on his chest.
“I deny everything,” Ha’ven replied with a glitter of amusement in his eyes.
“You are so bad,” Emma giggled.
“What? Oh man, the only ones missing are Trelon and Vox. Those two are worse than the kids!” Cara chuckled before she released a moan and rubbed her belly.
“We have got to see this,” Riley said. “Cara, I’m totally taking a vidcom of it so you can blast it out to the universe. I just hope they don’t take the costumes off before I get a chance.”
“You’re on! Just let me have this baby first,” Cara chuckled.
“Oh, you’ll have plenty of time, Riley. I didn’t put any fasteners on the costumes when I created them. I just crafted the outfits around them in one piece. They’ll either have to be cut out or be very nice to me,” Ha’ven grinned.
“Oh, that is good,” Ariel and Trisha said at the same time.
“Yes, it is,” Ha’ven chuckled.
Chapter 11
Zoran held his hand up and the others with him froze. He waited, hearing the muffled sound of what sounded suspiciously like curses. He glanced over when Kelan stepped closer to him.
“I saw – something,” Kelan murmured, his voice low and uncertain.
“White?” Zoran asked.
Kelan nodded. “With pink in it,” he added.
“I saw it as well,” Creon said. “I don’t know where Paul went, but I’m going in closer.”
“Be quiet,” Zoran cautioned.
“I will,” Creon responded just before he shifted.