Black Ruins Falls

by Karen DuBose

  “Be safe. Any sign of trouble get out of there. Oh, and why is Zora crying her eyes out? All she said was your name and hasn’t spoken another word.”

  Great! Why am I such an ass? “Have no clue. Talk to you in a little while.”

  I cut the link before he could ask any more questions. I don’t need that right now.

  “I let Bruno know what’s going on.” Kevion nods his head, he leads the way into the town.

  We walk as quietly as we can. I keep a lookout for any sign of anything really. I don’t want to be surprised. Kevion stops and holds his fist up, letting me know he wants me to stop.

  I listen for any sounds. I’m about to say something when I hear it. Rustling in the distance. I focus harder to try and find where it’s coming from. We hear it again. I look up and jumped into the tree in front of me to see if I could see anyone. Kevion does the same thing.

  I jump from tree to tree as I scan the ground. Six trees later, I finally spot the person and she is hiding behind a bush. If we would have kept going she would have ambushed us. What kind of town is this?

  Looking over at Kevion, I point to the girl. He nods his head, letting me know that he sees her. I jump to the tree that is behind her. One good thing I have learned and mastered is jumping in trees without making a sound. She must not have been trained, she never even looks up.

  I signal to Kevion that I’m jumping down. I count down to three and jump. I tackle her and bond her hands behind her back and cover mouth so no one hears her scream. To my surprise, she doesn’t struggle or scream.

  Kevion steps in front of her and kneels down. “What are you doing here and what in this town called?”

  Kevion nods for me to take my hand off her mouth. At first, she doesn’t say anything. “This is my home. It’s called Nanom.” She doesn’t even act like she is scared of us. Matter of fact, she isn’t showing any emotions.

  I pull her up to a sitting position. “Why are you not scared?”

  She turns her head toward me. “Because I don’t feel. That is why they wanted me out here. I don’t feel any emotions. The way everyone has been acting lately, I’m kind of glad.”

  I’ve never heard of that before. “How long have you not felt anything inside?”

  She turns her head and hangs it low, letting her dirty blonde hair fall forward hiding her light brown eyes. “Since my father was murdered ten cycles ago.”

  My heart sinks at her words. “May I ask you your name?”

  “They call me Brandy, but I go by Bran. It’s what my dad always called me. It keeps him close. Even though I don’t feel it.”

  “Ok. Bran. Has there been any newcomers besides us that have come to town?”

  She looks back at me and nods her head. “Yes, there are two new people in town. Both men. I haven’t gotten a chance to know their names. I’d rather be out here alone.”

  “Thank you for your help. I’m going to release you now.”

  I let her go and stand up. She looks up at me. “I wouldn’t go in there without back up. This town doesn’t like newcomers and the new ones in there have to threaten all of us if we tell anyone they are there. I could care less either way.”

  She stands up and walks over to the tree. “I won’t tell them you were here. I just ask one favor. Get my sisters out of there if you can. They are too young to understand what is going on.”

  “What are their names? I will do my best to get them when we come back.”

  “Ghazel and Mara. They are eight and ten. They can’t be caught up in this war that seems to be going on.” I give her a sad look. “I may be from this hidden town, but I’m not stupid. I know when something is wrong.”

  “I never thought you to be stupid. Actually, you’re very smart. Thank you for your help. We will be back soon, I promise.”

  Giving her one last look, we walk back the way we came. I just hope I will be able to get her sisters out before all hell breaks loose. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be her. To never feel anything inside. I think I would go crazy.

  Kevion stops me again. “Do you think she is telling the truth?”

  I give him a quizzing look. “What makes you think she isn’t?”

  He turns back to look at where we came from. “I just get this feeling she isn’t telling us the whole truth. Something isn’t right.”

  I look back too. “How so?”

  “I can’t explain it. It’s like she was hiding something, something big. I can just feel it.”

  “We will soon find out when we get the rest here. This is the first real lead we’ve had. We will go in prepared for anything.”

  I don’t waste any more time. I take off toward the cabin. I just hope I’m going in the right direction. I let my dragon guide me. He always knows where to go. “I wish I could let you fly. This grounded shit is getting old. I miss flying with you.”

  “Don’t fret. We will fly soon. We can last a little longer. I have a feeling things are about to get so much worse very soon.”

  I don’t ask him to explain. I already had that feeling. It’s time to get this over with. I want our lives back. Dragons aren’t meant to stay grounded. Not for this long. It must be nice to be an Elder right now, they get to do whatever the hell they want.

  “Are you going to run past the cabin?” Kevion says with a smile.

  I look up and see the cabin come into view. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

  Slowing down to a walk, I open the link to Bruno. “We’re back and have news.”

  “I will be down in a second.”

  I don’t come out of the tree line. I don’t want to see Zora or her to see me. I will see what happens when all of this over. I know if I see tears in her eyes, I will come unglued.

  “What did you find out?” Bruno asks startling me. I really need to get out of my head. At this rate, I will get myself killed.

  “We found a small hidden town called Nanom. There was a girl we found. She told us there are two newcomers, both male and they have threatened the town to keep their secret. We didn’t go in, she warned us not to without backup.”

  He stares up at the sky before he looks at us. “Let’s get everyone together and figure out if it’s Kelso and the Seer.” We’re about to go get everyone when Bruno stops me. “Can we talk?”

  I shrug my shoulders. “What’s up?” He looks around to make sure we are alone.

  “I know you and Zora are true mates. I can sense it in both of you. Why are you stopping yourself from being with her?”

  I thought I was hiding it pretty well, but I guess not. “It’s none of anyone’s business but mine. Leave it alone.” I walk away from him. I go and wait for the others at the edge of the woods. I need to figure out how to deal with this before they all play matchmaker.

  Kevion’s voice makes me look over at him. “Don’t wait too long. If you do, you will both go crazy. That’s all I’m going to say about it, so, don’t bite my head off.”

  My anger shows its face for the first time in a long time. “How can you say that? You’re not even mated. Don’t stand there and give me advice you know nothing about.” I walk away from him before things get worse. I don’t even know why I’m getting so angry for. Over something so small, too. What the hell is going on with me?

  I hear his voice in my head. “I’m sorry for saying anything. I was just trying to be helpful. I know because it happened to my brother, who killed himself. He didn’t want to be mated either. I just don’t want to lose someone else.”

  I let out a deep sigh. “Thank you for telling me and I’m sorry for losing my temper. I will figure this out. I just need time.”

  “I understand. I’m here if you need to talk.”

  Kevion broke the link. You know what, I’m going to solve this right now. I take off to the cabin. I ignore everyone as I search for Zora. When I find her in the kitchen with Eimear still crying, I lose it. “Get away from her!” Eimear looks at me and steps back.

  Watching her cry breaks something in m
e. I will never be the cause of her crying again. I walk over to her and kneel down in front of her. I look at her begging to hear me out. “I’m so sorry for being such a dick. I’m scared. Scared I would lose you in all of this. Please forgive me and be my mate. I can’t stay away from you any longer.”

  She looks at me with tears streaking her face. I wipe them away and the jolt I felt earlier is ten times stronger. I fall backward and stare at her. “You have been an ass. You think I’m just going to forgive you and be your mate just like that. No! That’s not going to happen. You need to prove this is what you want and not something that is making you do it. I won’t mate with someone who can change their mind so quickly.” I watch her stand up and walk away. I’m left there in disbelief.

  I thought this is what she wanted. How am I going to prove to her this is what I want too?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Errol

  As much as I love all the action, I miss my boring life. At least then I knew what to expect. Don’t get me wrong, I will protect Dariya and her family with all I have. That will never change. Now that Runes is here, I feel even more protective.

  That little girl has gotten all of us wrapped around her little finger. She is so beautiful and powerful just like her mother. I can’t believe Kiernan made such a beauty. I give him shit for it all the time, but I’m happy for them.

  Kai walks over to me. “I know that look. You’re thinking about Runes again, aren’t you?”

  I can’t hide anything from Kai. We have gotten close since we left the forest. We aren’t true mates, but I would love to have her for a mate. She is smart, beautiful, and funny. Her short brown hair and chocolate brown eyes are just the icing on the cake for me.

  “You caught me,” I laugh. “How can you not think about her? She is something else. The only happiness we have right now.”

  She gives me a sad smile. “You’re right. What do you say we go for a walk? I need to get out of here for a little while.”

  I grab her hand. “Sounds like a plan.”

  We walk in silence for a few minutes. It’s nice being here with her. Now if I can just get the courage to ask her to be my mate, this would be even better.

  She turns to me, swinging our arms. “What’s your town like?”

  I smile at her. “It’s amazing. The people there get along for the most part. There wasn’t that much crime and if there was it was petty. Mainly younglings getting into trouble for the fun of it. My favorite spot is right outside the town. There is a garden there that will blow your mind. The colors explode when the flowers bloom.”

  She gives me a weird smile. “It sounds lovely. I didn’t see you as a garden type.”

  “What kind of person do you see me as?” I laugh.

  “Oh, I don’t know maybe a blaster man. Someone who could see the beauty in the different types of blasters.” This throws me for a loop.

  “I have never been a blaster man as you call it. I love nature, I always have.”

  “That’s interesting to know. What else don’t I know about you?”

  I stop and pull her into my arms. Our lips are only centimeters away. The urge to kiss her is strong. “I guess you will have to find out,” I say in a deep voice.

  If she gets any closer, she will find out how much I want her. I take a step back from her and turn around so she doesn’t see. I start to walk down by the small lake we found when we first started our walk.

  She quickly catches up. Grabbing my shoulder, she tries to turn me toward her. I don’t allow it. Not until I can get a grip on myself. “Did I do something wrong?”

  I turn my head toward her. “Why would you think that?”

  She crosses her arms over her chest and gives me an angry look. “Because every time I think we are getting close you back away. Is there a reason you do that?”

  If she only knew why. “No, I’m giving you the respect you deserve. I would never do anything you don’t want me to do.”

  She drops her hands and walks up to me and kisses me. I’m in too much shock to kiss her back right away. When my brain finally catches up, I grab the back of her head and kiss her with all the pent-up feelings I have for her.

  When I break the kiss, we are both breathless. I stare into her memorizing eyes and give her a seductive smile. “How long have you been waiting to do that?”

  She gives me a sexy smile that makes me quiver. “Since I first laid eyes on you back in the forest. I wanted you then and I sure as hell want you to know.”

  I didn’t get to say anything. Her lips were on mine once again. I slowly lay her down on the grass. I lay half on her supporting myself with the other half, so I don’t hurt her.

  She wraps her fingers in my hair, pulling me closer. I don’t protest. The taste of her lips is addicting. I want to do more, but I hold back. I want to be mated to her before we go any further.

  I pull back to stare at her and to catch my breath. “Kai, you make me feel things I never thought possible. Don’t take this the wrong way when I say I don’t want to have sex with you right now. I want to make sure what we have is real and not because we have been stuck with each other. I guess what I’m trying to say is.” I swallow hard. It’s now or never. “Will you be my mate?”

  I hold my breath waiting for her answer. My heart feels like it’s going to thump out of my chest. When she just stares at me, I feel disappointment settle in.

  She sits up, pushing me off of her. She gets on her knees and squeals. “Yes! Yes! I will be your mate!” She wraps her arms around my neck. I’m once again in shock by her actions. I thought for sure she was going to say no.

  She leans back and smiles at me. “I had to draw it out. I have been waiting for you to ask me for months now. What took you so long?”

  I couldn’t really think. She said yes! I stand up with her in my arms and swing her around. My heart feels like it’s soring. “I didn’t know what you would say. Thank you for making me the happiest man.”

  We laugh and hold each other. This day couldn’t have gotten any better. We sit down on the ground still holding each other and just enjoying our time. “Do you think we should do it soon or after this is all over with?”

  I pull her in tighter. “I think we should do it when we can. We don’t know what the future holds. I want to claim you as my mate asap.”

  She giggles. “Needy much?”

  I turn her to face me. “Not at all, I know what I want.”

  She kisses me slow at first. She straddles me and takes control. I don’t mind it one bit. I get lost in her kiss, wrapping in my arms even tighter. I can’t believe this beautiful woman is mine.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Cicero

  I’m about to go stir crazy and so is my dragon. I know Dariya needs to rest but does that have to mean we have to sit and wait? There are things we can do while she is. Don’t get me wrong, I love her and Runes. I want her to rest up. That woman has gone through hell and back.

  I need to do something before I end up hurting someone I don’t mean to. I pace back and forth out back. I don’t want them to know I’m about to lose my shit. I need something productive to do.

  “Seems like you’re about to do something stupid.”

  I whip around to see Pim standing there. “When did you decide to come back?” He has been gone for days now.

  He eyes me like I’m a rabid lion. “When I found the answers I needed. Want to spare?”

  “What answers were those?”

  He laughs. “All in good time my friend, all in good time.”

  I really do need to get this pent-up energy out. “Sure, let’s do this.”

  I get into position and twist my neck from side-to-side. He doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t need to. I saw him move before he even came at me. I step to the left and whirl around, kicking him in the back of the leg. He goes down, but not for long.

  We fight for hours. Not really hurting each other just getting practice in. It helps with my mood. I feel a little better. I’
m still on edge, just not as much. We call it quits after another hour or so.

  “Nice workout. Do you feel any better?”

  I grab a towel someone left out for us. “A little. Don’t know for how long. I know your dragon is feeling it too. Mine can’t be the only one about to burst through.”

  He nods his head agreeing with me. “He is, but you have to control him. It’s not time yet. Very soon you will be able to unleash him and once you do, you will see why I say wait and control him.”

  Sometimes I really hate when he talks in riddles. It’s annoying. “Whatever you say, man. What am I going to do until then?”

  He gives me a smile. “I’m sure you can figure that out on your own.” He turns and walks away while whistling.

  I swear that guy drives me insane most days. I bend down and pick up another towel to wipe my face. When I’m done, I toss it over my shoulder and sit on a fallen log. Putting my elbows on my knees, I bring my face into my hands. I can’t keep going like this.

  “Hey, stranger! What you up to?”

  I look up to see Delfina walking towards me with her hands in her back pockets. “Hey! Nothing trying to get some pent-up energy out. What are you up to?” I haven’t seen her in a few days. She has been helping Dariya with Runes.

  She gestures to the log. “Oh yeah, take a seat, sorry.”

  She sits as close to me as she can without it looking like she isn’t trying to. I know she has a crush on me. If I’m honest with myself, I have one on her too.

  “Taking a break from the everyone. Since the baby and Dariya are asleep I decided to take a much-needed break. I never knew how much attention babies need.”

  I look over at her and give her a smirk. “Oh! Come on they aren’t that bad. Don’t you want to have some, someday?”

  She looks at me with a shy smile. “Yeah! One day. Just not now. I’m too young to be thinking about babies. Besides, I don’t even have a mate.”

  I nudge her with my shoulder. “You’re never too young to have babies.”