Jessalyn didn’t reply but strode to the lone seat, facing the crowd. She sat and the men scrambled to take their own seats. Ah! Now that she studied the arrangement, she could see the five separate areas—one for each tribe.
In a traditional powhiri, there would be speeches and songs, and she—the visitor—would offer a koha or gift. They would greet each other with a hongi by pressing their noses together.
Not this time.
“They do not respect us,” her taniwha stated.
Silence fell, and the slow-burning anger in the pit of Jessalyn’s stomach flared higher.
“Calm,” her taniwha whispered.
“Don’t let them get to you,” Cassie whispered. “Imagine them naked.”
They were already half naked. Imagining them nude pushed her mind to sex.
Her taniwha hissed, and Jessalyn forced herself to relax and wait.
Let the games begin.
Anxiety filled Manu as he studied Jessalyn. He couldn’t read her mood, but he imagined she might feel overwhelmed at appearing amongst the people who’d rejected her half-blood pedigree. Perhaps smugness or a take-that thought or two. Definitely stress. Yet she broadcast none of her emotions to the crowd of judgy taniwha. Pride had settled on him as she’d walked onto the marae, her dignity and calm settling his taniwha’s unease.
From the moment she’d left his place, he’d missed her presence and his taniwha had moped. Stupid beast. Both of them needed their A-game today. And now, Hone had threatened him with dire consequences if Cassie got hurt in the cross-fire. His two favorite ladies stood in danger today, and somehow, he had to trounce the leaders of the other tribes in such a way that the peace deals brokered half a century ago remained intact.
Yeah, he could do that without breaking a sweat.
“She is impressive,” his brother Kahurangi said at his side. “She looks like a queen.”
Nothing less than the truth. She wore a matching bronze jacket and trousers with a blouse that reminded him of the color of the full moon. The bronze of her suit made her eyes glow amber, and his tongue had tangled briefly while offering the welcome. Her black hair was long and loose but the front was braided, giving her a more feminine look. She wore the relic in the open, the bone-and-jade pendant attracting attention.
Nelson Waaka stood, cockiness in his expression and body language as he strutted his way to the front. He approached Jessalyn, and every muscle in Manu’s body tensed.
“Stop there. No closer to the guardian.”
Nelson halted at the barked order from Cassie. Manu restrained a laugh at the burst of astonished whispers.
“Her mouth didn’t move,” a man from his tribe whispered. The man’s awe resounded through the tribes.
Manu had hesitated on hearing Cassie’s suggestion via Hone, but now he was fiercely glad. If his invention gave Jessalyn an edge, all the better.
He leaned closer to Hone. “What other magic do they have in store?”
“They refused to tell me, but they have a strategy.”
“You mock us with stunts and trickery,” Nelson Waaka spat.
“You will respect the guardian,” Cassie stated, her voice lower than normal. “Please begin. Others have the right to speak, and I do not wish to be here all night.”
“Fuck.” Hone tensed at his side, only relaxing when the audience of taniwha murmured their agreement.
“This woman comes from my tribe, and I demand you return her to us. She was engaged to one of my tribesmen, but someone murdered him during his visit to his fiancée. I believe a member of the Auckland tribe committed the murder, and I fear for her safety in this territory.”
A wave of objections came from the audience, but Manu remained stone-faced, not rising to the bait.
“Quiet,” Cassie ordered.
The men fell silent, most uneasy with this ghostly voice issuing orders. Jessalyn stared over the audience, her expression impassive, her carriage proud.
“Have you finished?” Cassie prompted.
“N-not yet.” Nelson Waaka gathered himself. “The guardian was promised to my ancestor, and I believe that now the relic has reappeared, the holder…” He raked his gaze over Jessalyn, his distaste clear. “The holder of the relic should make good on her mother’s promise.” With his piece said, Nelson returned to his seat.
Jason Hohepa who led the southern-most tribe rose and walked to the spot Nelson had recently vacated. “My name is Jason Hohepa, and I lead the Southern Otago taniwha tribe. I believe each tribe should choose a candidate as a prospective mate for the guardian.”
He retreated, his position claimed by another leader.
“My name is Hemi Hoete. I’m the leader of the Southern Canterbury taniwha tribe. I agree with Jason Hohepa’s suggestion.
The North Wairarapa leader repeated Jason’s suggestion. Helpless to do anything else, Manu stood.
“My name is Manu Taniwha, and I’m responsible for the Auckland taniwha tribe. I have had the honor of meeting the guardian, and I believe her fair and able to make her own decision as to a mate.” God, this politics crap was so hard. His taniwha growled softly, the sound ringing through Manu’s head. They were of one accord. Each wanted to snatch Jess and take her to a place of safety where they could make love to her until she fell with child.
“Caveman, much,” he muttered as he returned to his seat.
Shouts rang out, the various entourages shouting their opinions. Manu didn’t take his gaze off Jess, worry for her curdling his gut. This situation would not end well. That, he knew with certainty.
Jessalyn rose, her contempt for them showing in the curl of her lips. She held up her right hand in a stop motion and waited for the shouting men to notice her demand for silence.
Finally, she rolled her eyes. “Enough!” she roared, her voice deeper than normal and holding a magnetic power that drew him.
Every other taniwha too. Several men gaped. Most regarded her with more respect, and they fell silent.
“I have listened to your posturing. I’m aware some of you wish to hold the relic and nothing will stop you in your quest. Lying. Stealing. Cheating. Murder.”
Jess’s voice rang out, mesmerizing him and every man in the meeting house. He wanted this woman at his side but had no idea of how to achieve his desire without causing a war. His shoulders drooped momentarily. Snatching her and fleeing to Australia was looking good right now.
“You believe I should give up the relic because I bear mixed blood, but understand this. The relic called me. The relic claimed me.” She thumped her chest with her fist. “Me. A half-caste.”
“Your mother cheated our tribe of the relic,” Nelson shouted.
“Quiet!”
When the hubbub didn’t die, Jess threw back her head and blew a stream of fire toward the ceiling of the meeting house. The flames danced along the carved ceiling before flickering out, and the scent of smoke filled the air. Shocked whispers, uneasy whispers, urgent whispers spread among the delegates.
Admiration surged in Manu. While he’d seen her fire before, he’d never seen her control it in that manner.
“It is my preference not to ally myself with any tribe. The guardian should remain an impartial outsider, his or her presence for the benefit of every tribe. While this is my preference, I understand the Waaka tribe feels hard done by because of my mother’s decision to marry another instead of going ahead with the arranged marriage. I understand they and others will not rest until I have a mate and the relic comes under male protection.”
Her tone stressed the word male with disgust. She’d lost respect for the taniwha males present and it showed in her demeanor.
“Each tribe will select two men—two candidates to put forward as my mate. I will let the relic choose from amongst those selected.”
Shouts and protests filled the room.
Jess shot another stream of fire above their heads, and the flames arranged themselves in the shape of a fiery dragon. The meeting house grew quiet�
�the silence absolute.
“That is my final decision. Choose your candidates. I will wait outside in the sun. You and you.” Jess pointed at Hone and a man from the Southern Otago tribe. “Bring ten chairs and arrange them outside in a line. When my alarm sounds in half an hour, your candidates will have their backsides on those chairs. After I switch off my alarm, any empty seats will remain that way.”
With that announcement, Jess strode from the meeting house and disappeared outside.
Hone scooped up five chairs and followed in her wake, no doubt to check on Cassie.
“Who will you choose?” his father asked.
Manu stood and gestured his tribesman closer. “Volunteers?” he murmured.
“You, as the leader, must be a candidate,” his father stated.
To Manu’s relief, the others all radiated approval of the suggestion. “All right. One more from among the unmated males.”
At least half of the men stepped back.
“I’m not sure I want this drama,” one man said and joined the ranks of the mated.
The remaining ten men, including his two brothers Kahurangi and Tane, weren’t exactly leaping to volunteer. Time was ticking, and Manu needed someone from his tribe at his side.
“Right.” Manu came to a decision. “I’m giving you all a number. One. Two. Three.” He continued around the group. “Change positions and mingle so you’re out of order.” He strode over to his father and his father’s offsiders.
“Joseph,” he said to the nearest man. “Pick a number between one and ten.”
“Three,” Joseph said.
Manu returned to the group. “Who was number three?”
Each of the men stepped back, leaving Kahurangi in the line of one.
“Crap,” Kahurangi said. “My bad juju senses are spiking.”
“Mine too,” Manu muttered. “Let’s go.”
Manu exited the meeting house to find all but two chairs taken. Kahurangi took one, leaving the final on the end for him. Behind Manu, the other tribesmen flowed outside. Nelson Waaka and his oldest son sat near him and Kahurangi. Now a widower, the man was determined to seize the relic by honest competition or far worse. Fear took hold of Manu. He had no idea what Jess had planned. Whatever it was, he prayed it was enough to beat Nelson.
“You will remain behind this line,” Cassie stated in a firm voice.
A stick floated from Jessalyn’s side and every taniwha watched as a line formed on the gravel between the row of chairs and the meeting house. Uneasy murmurs filled the air, and Manu ignored Kahurangi’s elbow to his ribs. Surreptitiously, he dragged in a lungful of air and tested it for scent. There was nothing to suggest Cassie was behind the voice even though he knew she was.
“Are you ready?” Jessalyn rose and removed the relic from around her neck.
Once again, the group of taniwha males fell silent, and Manu along with the others held his breath.
Jessalyn scanned the row of taniwha males. Each appeared interested. Eager. Curious. She met the gaze of Nelson Waaka who sneered at her, confidence oozing off the man who always snatched any prize he desired. Others backed down and made way for him because of his status.
His oldest son Hika sat at his side, and it was clear he held little respect for her either. Hika was several years older than her and had always treated her like something nasty on the sole of his boots.
Her stomach did a rollercoaster swoop, and she swallowed hard. If her idea didn’t work, she refused to mate with either male. Somehow, she’d escape their clutches. Her gaze darted back to Nelson, and she met his stony expression with a respectful nod. Never let it be said she didn’t possess manners.
Nelson’s scorn blazed in her direction, highlighted by his hands across his broad chest and his wide stance even when seated. Jessalyn fantasized about stalking over to him and slapping that derogatory attitude of his right off his ugly mug.
“He’s wearing underwear,” her taniwha whispered. “Thank goodness. Bet his dick is as old and shriveled as his face. We’re not letting it near us.”
She choked back a nervous laugh. Pfft! She needed to scrub her mind free of that thought.
“Focus,” her taniwha chided. “Let us begin.”
“You. Number One. Stand and state your name and tribe,” Jessalyn said. Somehow, she kept her voice steady while inside, she was a whirling mass of anxiety and trepidation. What if her idea failed? What if she ended up trapped with a man she loathed, nothing more than a broodmare?
A tremor spread through her. What if a Waaka won her?
“John Ake. Southern Otago tribe.”
Like all the ten chosen taniwha, he was a big, strong man in his prime.
“Unlike some of you,” Jessalyn said. “I believe the relic chooses me to be its guardian. I also believe the relic will guide me to choose a worthy taniwha to stand at my side.” At least, that was what she hoped. This idea of hers might go spectacularly wrong. “To that end, I will send the pendant to each of you. If the relic rejects you, please leave your position in the row and return to your tribesmen.”
Jessalyn forced herself to meet the gaze of each of the ten chosen men. Last was Manu, and she couldn’t read him. Her skin prickled, and she wrenched her gaze free, strangely breathless. She gave herself a mental shake.
“Let us begin.” Jessalyn held the pendant until she bumped Cassie’s invisible outstretched hand. “John Ake, hold out your right hand. Once the pendant settles on your palm, you may close your hand.”
If Jessalyn hadn’t known of Cassie’s presence, she would’ve crossed herself against magic and evil spirits. Instead, she watched her pendant float through the air and drop onto John Ake’s hand.
He closed his hand over the ancient bone and greenstone pendant, then let out a strangled yelp. The relic floated back to her and settled on her hand, and some of her tension drained away. She straightened further as confidence flowed through her.
This might just work.
“Number two,” Jessalyn prompted as the first man rejoined the large group of taniwha. “Name and tribe.”
“Arepeta Davis, Southern Otago.”
“I’m standing right in front of you,” Cassie whispered.
They made the transfer and once again, the relic allowed Cassie to transport it to Arepeta Davis. He held the relic for longer, but then, he too released a shout of pain.
She and Cassie continued the process until there were four taniwha left: Hika and Nelson Waaka and Kahurangi and Manu.
Hika stood without Jessalyn’s prompting. “Hika Waaka, Northland tribe.”
The man held out his right hand with an arrogance that echoed his father’s.
Cassie carried the pendant to Hika. Every taniwha focused on the unfolding scene, the pregnant silence sending ripples of unease skittering across Jessalyn’s skin. Cassie dropped the relic on Hika’s palm and his strong fingers enclosed the bone. A smug expression filled him when nothing happened, and he lifted his triumphant gaze.
His initial celebration left and strain etched onto his handsome features. Smoke poured from the fist that clenched the relic. Hika fought. A growl burst from his straining throat and he fell to his knees.
Whispers flooded the marae as the pendant slipped from Hika’s grasp and darted back to Jessalyn. Hika slinked over to join his tribe.
Jessalyn swallowed and turned to Nelson Waaka.
The man showed not a shred of concern for his son. “Girl, you know who I am. Send the relic.”
Nelson was fit and she supposed handsome for his age. He had myriad tattoos etched into his skin. Still confident. Overconfident, actually, after his son’s failure. Avarice hardened his features along with impatience.
“Please don’t let the relic choose him. Please,” she muttered under her breath. She reached up to seek the calming touch of her pendant and her hand froze halfway to her neck when she remembered she wasn’t wearing the relic. Instead, she rolled her shoulders in a quick release of tension.
Cas
sie walked toward Nelson. Halfway to the man, the relic lifted off her hand and floated back to Jessalyn.
Someone, from amongst the group of taniwha, laughed, and Nelson snarled his displeasure.
“Give me a proper opportunity,” he snapped.
Jessalyn handed the relic to Cassie. She walked two steps this time before the pendant sailed to Jessalyn.
“Stop fooling around,” Nelson snarled at her. His beast glittered in his eyes as enraged as his human side.
“I’ll take it myself,” Jessalyn murmured.
She ambled toward the man, each step slow and steady. His top lip curled, the lack of respect he showed to her on par with the way he treated other women. In his imperious way, he stuck out his left hand and waited for her to give him the relic.
Tension filled her limbs, an unwillingness to hand over the pendant. She wet her lips, knowing she had to continue despite every part of her screaming this was wrong.
“Go on, girl.”
His words, his expression taunted her and goaded her to rudeness.
Jessalyn inhaled and let the pendant settle on his palm, managing not to touch him during the transfer. She turned and strode away from the man, her skin writhing in aversion at his proximity.
Behind her, a man laughed. A second man laughed. An infuriated roar had her whirling. Oh! The relic had followed her back.
Her taniwha sniffed. “The relic refused that taniwha outright.”
Nelson’s face flushed and Jessalyn saw the whites of his eyes. His chest swelled, his nostrils flared and his lip curled upward to display his sharp teeth. “I will have the relic!” Nelson thundered.
Uh-oh. Jessalyn backed up as Nelson’s taniwha exploded from his body—an olive-green beast with malicious intent.
“Kahurangi!” Manu shouted.
Manu sprinted toward her, flinging his body to cover hers as Nelson spat fire.
A red dragon attacked from the side, shoving Nelson before he could gather breath for more fire.
Manu had fallen, burned by Nelson’s flames. Jessalyn rushed to him, anger filling her on seeing the blisters already forming on his bare chest. His piupiu bore scorch marks and several flax strands had dropped free of the waistband to reveal his black undershorts.
Black Moon Dragon Page 23