Manu placed a plate with bacon, eggs, and fried bread in front of her. Her stomach rumbled, and he laughed. “Eat your breakfast while I call Hone to give him instructions.”
“What is the hurry? Eating more seems to help my control.”
“For now,” Manu said, his tone foreboding. “There is one thing I haven’t mentioned about the taniwha species. Once a taniwha enters his or her late teens, the moon controls them. As the full moon approaches, it exerts a pull on us. There are two ways to deal with this problem. We can either shift, which isn’t always practical in these modern times or appease our taniwha with sex. Lots of sex,” he said with his attention focused on her.
“You’re kidding.” Was he was making up stories to scare her? Her gaze did a quick up-and-down scan, and she shivered. No. No. Definitely not.
“Ask Jack and Hone if you don’t believe me.”
Okaaay, perhaps he was speaking the truth.
“I can’t ask them about sex.” Jessalyn ignored the girlish chortle echoing through her mind. “If this is true, why haven’t I…er…?” She hesitated, trying to find the words she needed. Huh. No matter how she phrased this, it would be embarrassing. “Why haven’t I become hot and bothered every full moon? Wait, will I try to throw myself at every man I see?”
“No, of course not. You’ll still be aware and capable of giving your consent. It’s not rape. Do you understand? You always have the option of saying no, and from what I’ve heard, some of the single taniwha women lock themselves in their rooms with a vibrator.”
Jessalyn wrinkled her nose. “That’s reassuring.”
“I’m assuming the moon hasn’t affected you because your taniwha has been sleeping. Now that she is waking, you should prepare.”
“I can’t shift,” Jessalyn whispered.
“No.” His gaze was watchful, his expression unreadable.
Jessalyn turned the options over in her mind and came up with one. “So you’re telling me I’ll turn into a sex addict?” Her words arrived at a screech, and they echoed for long moments afterward.
“I’m here for you.”
If he hadn’t cracked a smile, she might’ve managed more control. Instead, she jumped to her feet and advanced on him, temper a ball of heat in her gut.
“I like him,” the crazy voice said, and Jessalyn’s eyelashes fluttered without her permission. Fluttered!
Her temper ratcheted up another notch, and she pounded her fist into Manu’s chest. White flashed before her eyes until she blinked hard enough to focus. Manu’s arms wrapped around her, and her entire body softened, fitting her curves to his muscles. It softened. Then somehow, without having a clue how it happened, their lips met in a fiery kiss that reverberated heat through her from her head to the tip of her toes.
Jessalyn clung to the edges of her sanity and forced instructions through her brain. Stop. Stop! She wrenched away and scuttled back two giant steps.
“Why did you kiss me?” she yelled.
“Because you fluttered your lashes at me and puckered your lips.”
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Jessalyn cried. “Am I going to go around planting kisses on every strange man I meet?”
“Knock-knock!” a feminine voice called. “Is it safe for me and Hone to come in?”
“Please. Someone needs to save me from myself,” Jessalyn muttered.
Manu grinned and her hands fisted. The urge to strike him again pummeled her mind, but it wasn’t right to hit others. Her father had explained that to her when he’d taught her to fight. Only in extenuating circumstances, he’d told her. She was to use her words before her fists.
“Stand next to Hone,” Manu said. “See if you get the urge to kiss him.”
“But that’s his wife,” Jessalyn said.
“If there’s any kissing going on with Hone, I’d rather see it than have you do it behind my back,” the woman said. “I’m Cassie, by the way. You must be Jessalyn.”
The woman wasn’t what she’d expected since she had distinct curves and was pretty in a girl-next-door kind of way.
“Hello,” Jessalyn said. “Ah, is it all right if I stand by your husband?”
“Please.” Cassie gestured, her interest bright and curious.
Jessalyn studied the woman for a beat longer before rounding the table to stand beside Hone. She gazed at him, and he returned her regard with clear interest. When the urge to kiss him remained absent, the tension released from Jessalyn’s shoulders. Until Hone leaned closer and sniffed her.
“Hone,” Cassie chided.
Jessalyn jerked away and stomped back to her half-eaten breakfast. “What is amiss with you men? The men in Piha beat their chests a lot, but they didn’t go around sniffing me. I did have a shower this morning.”
“Well?” Manu asked.
“I get a faint whiff of taniwha,” Hone said. “It wasn’t there last night.”
“She is making herself heard. Jess is aware of her now.”
“I’m right here,” Jessalyn snapped. “I hate this. Cassie, you’re not a taniwha, are you? I think Manu told me you’re a human. You’re lucky. This breathing fire and kissing without my permission is most disconcerting. And that’s the polite description for the out-of-control sensation.”
“It must be difficult,” Cassie said. “Especially if you knew nothing of this part of your heritage. But at least there is one plus to come from this.”
“I can’t think of one,” Jessalyn muttered.
“You’re helping Manu,” Cassie said. “You’ve given him purpose.”
Jessalyn shot him an aggrieved scowl. “I don’t enjoy being anyone’s project.”
Manu blinked. Cassie was right. Since Jess’s arrival, his moods weren’t as dark, but it would be all for naught if he couldn’t aid her to control her dragon. Although the additional food and their presence had helped her last night, it was obvious her taniwha was stretching and testing her power. There’d be times when Jess had no way of remaining in charge. This coming full moon would test them all. Shoving aside his uneasiness, he forced a confident smile.
“Eat your breakfast,” he said to Jess. “Can we have keys for your house?”
“Yes. Are you going today?”
“The sooner, the better. I’ve decided to go with Hone and Cassie. Jack will try to trace your mother from the information you’ve given me.”
“Is it all right to waltz into the Waaka’s territory?” Jess asked after swallowing a mouthful of egg. “I get the impression they mightn’t welcome your presence.”
“No problem,” Manu said. “We’ll use sneakiness.”
“How—?”
“Don’t worry. Eat your breakfast.”
“Bossy much?” Jessalyn mumbled into her plate, but Manu’s quiet laugh told her his hearing was exceptional.
Manu strode over to Hone and they spoke together in low voices.
“Hone, do you want coffee?” Cassie asked.
“You’ll have to put on the coffeemaker. I made tea this morning since Jess prefers it to coffee.”
“He’s sexy. Mine.”
The voice was so loud and clear, Jessalyn jumped and her fork flew from her left hand and clattered to the floor.
“Something wrong?” Manu asked.
“No, just clumsy,” Jessalyn muttered, heat filling her cheeks.
Cassie bustled around the kitchen and started the coffee before pulling out the other chair at the table and joining Jessalyn. “I saw that. You were staring at Manu’s backside.”
“Mine.” The word was a shout inside her head, and a growl emerged from her mouth as she started to speak. She clacked her teeth together.
“Jessalyn is growling at me,” Cassie said cheerfully.
Manu and Hone broke off their conversation to focus on her.
Cassie beamed. “I mentioned Manu’s backside.”
An identical growl broke from Hone, and Manu frowned. “Cut that out. Cassie is
your mate. She loves you. You know that, dickhead.”
Cassie winked at her and did a creditable job of copying Hone’s growl. “Don’t call my husband a dickhead.”
Manu rolled his eyes. “Cute comedy act. The pair of you need to knock it off.”
“Payback,” Hone stated.
“Yeah. Yeah. Jess, you’re welcome to stare at me. Touching me will help to control your dragon.”
“Is he telling the truth or does he want me to cop a feel?” Jessalyn asked Hone.
“He’s saying it how it is. Your taniwha is possessive of him, perhaps because he’s helping you.”
“You’ve stayed with me for two nights, and I haven’t put a toe out of line,” Manu said, his tone pissed. “You’re safe with me.” He checked his watch. “We’d better get moving. We’ll drop you off at work on the way. Are there neighbors who might wonder what is going on?”
“No, the properties on my road aren’t close together. Mature native trees surround the houses,” Jessalyn said. “When you get there, you won’t see my nearest neighbor. The only way anyone will learn of your presence is if they’re watching my place.”
“Hone and I should be able to load your father’s tools and the other personal stuff in my truck then. We should sense if there are other dragons nearby,” Manu said.
“But won’t they sense you too?” Cassie asked.
“Yes, we’ll play things by ear. Jess, do you have your stash of chocolate bars and fruit?”
“Yes, Manu.”
“Excellent.”
Manu drove and when they reached The Viaduct area, he pulled into one of the residential streets on the Wynyard Quarter side. “Won’t be long,” he said to Hone.
He climbed from the vehicle and opened the door for her. Bemused, she exited and slipped her daypack over one shoulder.
Manu crowded her against the side of his truck and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. The voice inside her purred while Jessalyn concentrated on locking her knees to support her weight instead of leaning on the vehicle.
A confident man-comfortable-in-his-skin smile curved his lips and brightened his eyes. “I’m going to kiss you, Jess. If you don’t want me to, tell me now.”
“I—” She broke off and swallowed the lie she’d intended to spout. The truth—she did want his kiss.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
His lips met hers seconds later, and any argument she’d intended to marshal fell by the wayside. His lips were soft yet bold, his touch pushing a roar of desire through her body. Unbidden, her hands lifted to his shoulders, and she sank into his embrace. It was Manu who pulled back, pausing to press his forehead against hers before he stepped away.
Jessalyn stared at him, gaped at his intimate yet charming grin and shook her head. “I’d better hurry or I’ll be late.”
He stepped closer again and ran the backs of his fingers over her cheek. “I’ll be here to pick you up after work. I’ll meet you at the rear door.”
“You don’t have to babysit me.”
“I’m helping because I want to, not because I have to,” he said. “Remember that.” With a wave, he climbed back into his vehicle and drove away.
“What are you thinking, Jessalyn? You don’t need a man to complicate your life.” Jessalyn headed toward the pub where she worked. “Your life is already complicated enough.”
A woman wearing a smart black business suit sent Jessalyn a strange look and detoured around her.
With a wry smile, Jessalyn entered the pub via the rear entrance. “And things are worse than you admitted because you’re hearing voices in your head and talking to yourself.”
* * * * *
“Does Jessalyn know she’s your true mate?” Hone asked.
“Her taniwha knows,” Manu said. “Every time Jess checks me out her taniwha shouts mine, mine, mine. She’s broadcasting and doesn’t realize it. I’m giving Jess time to catch up because all of this is new to her.”
“Is that why you haven’t moved Jessalyn into Hone’s place in Red Hill?” Cassie asked.
“Dad and the others hassle me there. I’d prefer to keep them away from Jessalyn. If I can keep her a secret until we train her to manage her taniwha, so much the better.”
“You’re lucky you kept your ownership of the warehouse a secret,” Hone said. “It’s a wonder the tribe hasn’t tracked you down there.”
Manu shrugged. “It’s far enough away from Papakura that no one has considered the location. I’ve been leaving my vehicle here and flying across the estuary if I have to conduct business. My stealth units are ready for market, but I’m reluctant to release them at present, given the drama within our tribe.”
“What are you working on now?” Hone asked.
“An addition to the stealth units to mask the taniwha scent. We’ll be trialing it today when we enter Waaka territory.”
“How bad could this get if they discover you and Hone?” Cassie asked.
“A challenge to the death at worst,” Hone said, his tone grim.
“And best-case scenario?” Cassie asked.
“An old-fashioned whopping,” Manu said. “But don’t worry. Hone and I will have the upper hand. We’ll be invisible, and even if my latest tweaks for scent don’t work, the foreign aroma will confuse anyone who notices because they won’t see us.”
“Reassuring,” Cassie said with a roll of her eyes.
Once they left the metropolis of Auckland and turned onto the road leading to Piha and the surf beach it was famous for, the traffic grew lighter.
“We’re lucky it’s Thursday and not the weekend,” Hone said.
“Yeah, that’s why I wanted to come today rather than wait,” Manu said. “I’m hoping most people will be at work rather than paying attention.”
Manu’s phone rang, and he answered it with his hands-free unit. “Manu speaking.”
“Are you alone?” Jack’s voice.
“I’m with Hone and Cassie. We’re going to Piha now. Have you got something for me?”
“I have more information regarding Jessalyn’s mother. She’s a direct descendant of one of the families from the first canoe. Her maiden name was Kupe.”
“They allowed her to marry a white man?” Hone asked.
“Not exactly,” Manu said, rifling through the family history and the knowledge of his people. “She didn’t have a true mate so her family arranged a marriage with a Waaka.”
“That’s right,” Jack said. “I found a copy of the engagement notice. They meant her to marry Ngahoe Waaka, Nelson’s older brother. I couldn’t find a notice of marriage.”
“Is her marriage to Brown close to the date of the engagement? Didn’t Ngahoe die?”
“Yes, he was decapitated in a freak accident at work. Humarie was twenty-one when she married Brown. Reading between the lines, I believe the marriage was against her family’s wishes. They still intended for her to marry into the Waaka family. She died when she was twenty-four. According to the newspaper story I dug up, they never found her body. They declared her legally dead at a later date,” Jack said.
“I wonder if her relations tried to get custody of Jessalyn,” Hone said. “Twenty-odd years ago a man alone would’ve had difficulty raising a daughter on his own.”
“I’d say not.” Manu glimpsed the sea as he slowed for a tractor turning into a paddock. “Jessalyn didn’t mention relations. She told me both her parents were lone children. My guess is Humarie’s tribe didn’t ask for Jessalyn because of her white blood. To their mind, she would never shift to taniwha and was therefore below their notice.”
“Here’s another question,” Jack said. “Doesn’t the oldest female in the Kupe line have guardianship of the relic?”
Manu swore. “I believe it left the family once and went to a Waaka male. Mum told us it reverted to the Kupe family.”
“What’s the relic?” Cassie asked. “Ooh! What a great view. The waves look tiny from here.”
“The surfers are out in forc
e,” Hone said. “And those waves are bigger than they appear.”
Manu took a moment to appreciate the panorama of ocean, white waves, and Lion Rock, the silent giant sentinel that looked over the sandy beach. He pulled over at the next outlook point. The ocean always exerted a pull over him, and he never tired of skimming the waves in his dragon form. “Cassie, can you drive from here? Hone and I will go invisible.”
“Sure,” Cassie said and exited his truck.
Once Cassie sat behind the wheel and he and Hone activated the stealth units, they continued their journey to Piha.
“Tell me about this relic,” Cassie said.
“The stories say an old taniwha—one known for his bravery, cunning, and prophecies—guided the first canoe to the land of the long white cloud. When that well-respected taniwha died, the tribe kept his jawbone because they thought it contained power. According to the taniwha’s wishes, and because of his friendship with a young Kupe maiden, they declared the Kupe family guardians charged with keeping the relic safe.
“The Kupe’s prospered, and other tribes declared their interest in keeping the relic, so they too, could grow rich from the magic of this well-respected taniwha. Tribes fought over the relic. Our tribe went to war with the North and returned with our tails between our legs. As far as I know, the Kupe family only once relinquished their hold on the guardianship. They recovered the relic, and it passed down through the females of the family.”
“Why the female line?” Cassie asked. “Why not the male side?”
“The original taniwha trusted and respected the Kupe maiden. He stated his wishes to the tribe and promised dire consequences if anything different happened. For generations, the people adhered to his request, but after a while, jealousy entered the equation,” Manu said.
“I don’t understand. If the Kupe family came from the north, wouldn’t they be part of the Waaka tribe?”
“No, the family followed the taniwha’s edicts to the letter. They classed them as independent of the tribe. They declared the holder of the relic a tohunga. That’s an expert in his or her chosen field,” Manu explained before Cassie could ask. “Powerful tohunga are a law unto themselves. Their rules said no matter who the holder of the relic is or who they marry, the relic will always return to the Kupe family.”
Black Moon Dragon Page 10