All I could do now was wait. I didn’t have to sit to do that. Drago perked up when he realized I was ready to take a flight. It would be best to cloak until we ascended high enough, but using my magic had been difficult and unpredictable the last few times. My senses reached out and found no one close, so I simply shifted and took to the skies. Up here there were no worries. The cool crisp air cleared my head, and I let my dragon take over. I flapped my strong wings, pushing my heavy body higher to search for a point where I could pass over the barrier. I needed to catch a glimpse of what I was being kept out of. When I turned to try again, the stubbornly persistent Drago veered us back toward our hiding spot.
I tried to start an internal dialogue with him. “Dammit—”
“It’s not safe.”
“I don’t have time to wait. We need to move on.”
“Not without mate.”
I sighed, knowing I would get nowhere with him. We landed softly, and I redressed after shifting. “We need to move sometime as our supplies are almost depleted,” I said out loud.
“Supplies coming.” Was his only response.
The wind shifted, bringing a familiar scent—one I didn’t think I would find here high in the mountain but one I was happy to recognize.
“Hello?” a soft voice called from the edge of the trees. “Wyatt, you here?”
“Come on out, Stephen. A welcome sight you are.”
The omega—or omega-in-training—of Jerome’s pack walked past the tree line with a bulging backpack on his shoulder. He stopped just short of my bike and tilted his head, taking a deep breath before dropping the bag. He looked around, noticing the small shack I was using as shelter before looking back at me. “You have everything you need?”
I nodded at the backpack. “As long as that has food in it, I do.” I lifted a corner of my mouth in a smirk. “What are you doing here? I thought you were off somewhere training.”
“I was—well, I am,” Stephen stuttered. “This is part of my training, I am told.” He swayed in place. “Can we sit?”
I strode forward, trying to keep my frustration on a tight leash. He still flinched when I reached toward him, but a sigh escaped his lips when I simply grabbed the pack and turned to go into the shack. “Yeah, come on.”
Stephen followed me in, and for the first time, I really looked at the ramshackle place I had chosen. I had no seating and no table, but at least I had moved my Harley outside and under the tiny awning. It looked like a bum had made a nest where I had slept. I set the pack down, grabbed the few pieces of broken furniture, busted them a bit more, and put them in the fireplace. I prayed as I began building a fire for the chimney not to be blocked. I gently blew on the spark, coaxing it into a tiny flame that licked at the dry twigs lying beneath the bits of dried furniture. It took only moments before a solid flame was flickering.
“I’m sorry I don’t have chairs or anything.” I shrugged. Hospitality wasn’t my strong suit and had not been on my mind when I found this place. Shelter had been, and this place was just fine for me. I shook my head and turned toward Stephen. “What’s going on?”
He reached out for me, but I jerked back. I didn’t want him leeching any of my feelings away right now. Anger fueled me and frustration nourished me, and I didn’t want to lose either one. Fate or destiny or whatever is out there screwing with me could go fly a kite. I just needed to get my dragon on track so we could move on.
Stephen dropped his hand, straightened his shoulders, and met my eyes. “I just had a wonderful evening talking with your mate and her mother.”
His statement hung in the air, a verbal confirmation of what my inner dragon and dreams had been telling me. What my own instincts had been telling me. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“I said, you have a mate.” Stephen’s confidence grew with each sentence. “Your refusal to accept that fact is why the original omega sent me.”
“I don’t have a fucking mate.” It was becoming harder to control the anger and fear coursing through my veins. I felt my body heat from the inside, and I am sure my eyes had begun to turn.
“I know you thought you didn’t, that you were the last of your kind, but what does your dragon say?”
“He’s just as crazy as you.” I stomped out the door, needing open space before I exploded. My fire was boiling beneath my skin, but my dragon was resting, content to watch me have a fit.
Stephen followed me. “We aren’t crazy. Her name is Natalie. She lives with her mother and is a rather lovely girl.” He smiled. “I you are scared to hope Wyatt, but your mate waits for you.”
My dragon raised his head, and his growl rumbled in my chest. I stomped my foot like a petulant child. “So you growl at that, but not at the stupid idea that we have a mate?” I glared at Stephen. “You need to stop this nonsense. There are no more dragon mates. I am the last dragon in existence. The rest were wiped out. You know that, Leo knows it… hell, the whole shifter council knows it now.” I crossed my arms. The air around me chilled, and the hairs on my arm stood on end. Magic tickled my senses, and Drago and I went on high alert.
“Get back in the shack, Stephen.” My body moved seamlessly to a defensive stance, back toward the cabin so I could see all entry points around me. “Who’s there? Show yourself.” I let Drago rise to just below the surface, ready to shift if needed.
Stephen walked around me and into the small clearing. “It’s okay, Wyatt. I invited them.”
“What the fuck are you doing?” I reached to grab him and pull him back, but the moment I touched his skin, Drago calmed and all my anger fled. I pulled my fingers back as if burned. “You asshole.”
He turned and smiled over his shoulder. “You like my new trick? It was one of the first things I learned. My control has gotten drastically better in just the last few days.”
“That was a shit move.”
“Neevie, come on out and bring your friend. It’s safe.”
“Are you sure?” an aged voice echoed around us.
Stephen looked back at me with a raised eyebrow. This kid had not only learned to wield his power but grew some balls as well over the last few days.
I nodded once, unhappy to be a threat to an old woman.
“They’ll need verbal assurance,” he whispered.
“Yes, it’s safe. I will not hurt you while we speak.” I raised my voice over the wind that now swirled around us. I watched as two images formed across the clearing, appearing almost out of thin air. I felt the magic flow as it faded from their cloaking spell. It shook me how someone could hide themselves so well from me. I hadn’t encountered magic that good in years.
Two women made their way toward us. One was short, shoulders rounded with age, white hair tied back in a bun, and a cane in one hand helping her step. Her eyes were cloudy but still bright with intelligence. The other was taller, walking straight with flowing skirts and a bright shirt. Her amber hair was unencumbered as it flowed just past her shoulders. Her skin was tinged with a touch of sun, and her eyes were bright and clear blue.
Stephen turned with a smile on his face. “Wyatt, I want you to meet Neevie and her granddaughter.” He extended a hand to help the old woman join us, keeping it on her elbow as they stood in front of me.
“It’s nice to finally meet you.” The older woman’s voice was strong, though smoky with age. “I have envisioned this meeting in many forms throughout the years.”
The younger woman smiled lovingly at the old woman. “Gran, I am sure he doesn’t want to hear about your visions.” She extended her hand. “I am Selena. I am sorry I haven’t returned your call, but you can see why now. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I looked from her hand to her face and back until she gracefully withdrew it. “So you are the leader of the local coven?”
She nodded and smiled.
“I would suggest the next time one of Leo’s men calls, you don’t wait so long to respond.” I clasped my hands behind my back, my irritation radiating off me. Steph
en’s little trick hadn’t removed all my emotions, thank heavens. My need to rip something apart was still gone though.
Neevie laughed. “I told you he would be prickly, dear.” She patted Selena on the arm. “Come, this old lady needs to sit, and it’s time Wyatt hears what he has been waiting for.”
Before I could admit I had no real furniture, the young witch weaved a spell and produced a table and chairs for us along with a full tea service and a tray of little cakes.
“Oh, dear, don’t let him rile you. No need to show off like that.” Neevie smiled as she sat. “We are here to help him. Stop and think how you would react being told your mate is out there after centuries of believing it could never be.” She turned her cloudy eyes toward me, and her smile fell. I fidgeted beneath her gaze. It was full of knowledge, and I felt that she could see past all the walls and barriers I had built throughout my life, straight to my soul. She sat there like that for what seemed like hours. I couldn’t turn my gaze away, it was locked with hers.
“Young man—and yes I can call you that because compared to what I hold inside me, you are young—you need to let go of the anger.” She took the cup her granddaughter held for her and took a sip. “Drink your tea.” She motioned with her hand. I noticed her knuckles were enlarged, and two fingers on each hand were turned in, a sign of arthritis I had seen many times over the years as I watched people I cared for age and die.
I sighed and took the cup offered. I sniffed first, trying to determine if it was laced with anything I recognized. Once again, Drago slumbered happily in his corner of my mind. I figured he would perk up if this drink would kill us. I took a sip and found a favorable dark tea and nothing more. It wasn’t as strong as the coffee I preferred, but it was palatable.
“This is nice and all, but I really don’t have time to sit and sip tea.”
“We know, child. I thank you for humoring this old lady.” She set her cup on the saucer. “What you have been told is true. Your mate lives just down the mountain in that little town.” She smiled. “But thanks to an ancient coven, you can’t cross the barrier to get to her, and if she comes in search of you, her eyes will be blind to you. It’s a curse that was placed on your union centuries ago.” She took a long breath. “The how and why is a story we don’t have time for, and honestly, I feel you already know.”
I nodded at her astute comment, encouraging her to go on.
“My granddaughter and I think we have found a way around the barrier. At least to let you past the warding.” She pushed a ring across the table to me. “One drop of your blood on that stone is the last ingredient needed. That will seal the spell. Then simply wear it whenever you want to cross the barrier. It must be in contact with your skin though, not in a pocket or on a chain. It has to connect to both you and your dragon’s essence to work.”
I picked up the ring, and the large black stone on it shimmered in the light. “How?” Magical spells and items always made me nervous and skeptical.
“The how is complicated, the why is more important,” Selena said haughtily. “You could show a bit of gratefulness for our work.” Her attitude needed a sharp adjustment soon. Woman or not, I wouldn’t be treated like an insolent child. I began to stand when Stephen jumped in.
“If you want to claim your mate, she needs to be recognized. In reality as well as in your dreams.” His words stopped me, and I dropped back down in my seat.
“Go on.” I had told no one about the dreams.
Stephen prodded me. “Your dragon already recognizes her essence, right?”
“Yes,” I grumbled. My damned dragon is why I was still hanging out in the freaking woods of a mountain.
“And you have dreamed of her without realizing it was her?” He didn’t wait for my confirmation. “She has dreamed of you, but it only began recently. Something triggered the need to find her mate, and in turn it triggered the beginning of your mate bond. She can feel you in her dreams, knows you, and searches for you and for your acceptance.”
Neevie’s voice continued. “You must accept her. In the real world as well as the dream world. Not only your dragon half, but your human half as well.”
The snotty voice of Selena grated on my ears as she finished their collective thoughts. “If you don’t, then your line will end with you, and your life will be consumed by the need to search for something just out of your reach, forever. Your dragon will drive you to do so until death.” She sat back and crossed her arms. She made her displeasure at helping me well known.
“Start small.” Stephen’s calm voice was a welcome change from the harpy across the table. “Take a walk down the mountain and have a hot meal at the diner. Get a feel for the town. See what draws you.”
“Good advice, son.” Neevie leaned on her cane to stand. “We have taken up enough of your time and given you lots to think on.”
Her granddaughter quickly stood and moved to her side, helping her rise.
“We will leave you to decide what fate you will choose.” She smiled at me, her eyes again reaching my soul. “If you need anything, you call.” She nodded at the phone still lying on the ground by my bike. “Call me this time though. I promise to pick up.”
I chuckled at the sour look the comment had placed on Selena’s face. I felt there was more behind it than she let on. A proper chastising, I hoped. I rose to my feet and bowed to Neevie. “Thank you, and yours will be the first I call if I need.” I smiled and watched her slowly make her way to the tree line with the help of her granddaughter. She paused before completely disappearing in the foliage and turned toward me.
“May I ask a question?” Her voice held a bit of hope.
“Yes.” I took a couple steps toward her.
“May I see your other half sometime?” Hope and awe glowed in her aged eyes, and that look melted a tiny sliver of my heart, making me yearn for my own family for the first time in decades.
“We shall see what we can do.” It was the only response I could give. I couldn’t promise it, but if the time was right, Drago would be happy to oblige.
“I think my life would be complete after that.” She smiled wistfully, then she and Selena wrapped magic around themselves and were gone.
“I must go as well.” Stephen stepped up next to me. “Natalie is expecting me at the library to help her research.” He glanced up at me. “You good?”
I searched inside, a bit shocked to find a calm contemplative Drago. He and I needed to have a deep discussion. “Yes, friend, I’m good. Go and keep an eye on her. I feel my life will soon revolve around her safety and happiness rather than mine, whether I like it or not.”
I dismissed him without another word as I turned. My ears perked up at a whispered word, carried to me on the wind sending my heart racing.
“Hurry.”
13
When the last note of movement disappeared, I decided it was time to have a heart-to-heart with Drago. I couldn’t let his need to find this woman override the common sense we had. I wasn’t going to throw all my training out the window to chase some exciting tail.
“Drago.” I spoke out loud, not caring if the surrounding wildlife heard. My heart beat skipped as I felt his dragon claws stretch inside me. “Retract the claws. They won’t help you right now.” In all honesty, if he wanted control, he could take it. We had always had an accord, a mutual agreement and respect. I could count on one hand how many times I had to fight to take control back, but I’d realized he always relinquished to me. My humanity had never really won. He calmed inside and waited.
“Help me understand.” I paced in the shadows by the small rundown cabin. “I remember Gram’s stories but gave up a long time ago that we were among the blessed to have a mate.” I breathed heavily, the true possibility beginning to hit. Adrenaline leaked into my blood stream at the idea. “We gave up years ago that the goddess smiled on us. Now, at the worst time in shifter history, you are telling me she is here. Right down this mountain if what Stephen says is to be believed.”
&
nbsp; Drago had been silent, lying calm inside while I worked out what he already knew. His smugness rang in my head when he snorted at my words. His breath warmed me from the inside. The air around me warmed as well and began to feel heavy, tingling along my skin. It put both Drago and I on alert. Magic was near and getting stronger. The hairs on my arms raised with the influx. The woods around me became silent, the woodland critters hiding from the threat that hung in the air.
I let Drago come forth to help locate the source and be ready to take it out. With my eyesight and hearing enhanced, thanks to Drago, I followed the low chanting I could now make out on the slight breeze. As I crept through the underbrush, navigating on instinct and without a sound, the stench that hit my nostrils made both Drago and I recoil. The scent of unnatural death could only indicate one species, vampires.
“Danger. Protect her.” Drago’s urge to destroy what lay ahead of us was overwhelming. My fingernails lengthened and began to shift to talons with his need to eliminate anything that threatened who he saw as our mate. I pulled on the meditation techniques taught to me long ago to calm him. Shifting before we knew the whole of what lie ahead of us was a young dragonling move. I reigned him in with the promise that he could do as he wished once we could verify they were in fact a danger to the town below.
I kept all senses on alert as I made my way closer, constantly scanning for any traps or perimeter alarms. Whoever was meeting this high up the mountain felt confident they were hidden well, as nothing caught my eye. Stupid vampires. I couldn’t understand why they would be chanting though. As undead, they couldn’t work magic. The closer I got, the more my skin crawled with the oily feeling of the magic swirling in the air. Dark magic felt like that. From the feeling of what slithered along my exposed flesh, I knew it was what we were dealing with—not a good sign. I circled wide, searching for a good spot to observe from and making sure to be upwind of the clearing. A grouping of trees and rocks served as the perfect camouflage.
Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels Page 283