by Bonnie Vanak
The gentle stroke against her skin continued, skimming a line down to her chin. Justin lifted her face to meet his bleak gaze.
“Maybe if I had grieved, and released all my anger, I wouldn’t have turned against the one woman whose heart allowed her to see me as I truly am. I’m sorry for what I said, Ariel. I’m sorry for walking away and leaving you alone and not giving you a chance to explain about the dragon cave and why the Mages knew about it.”
Ariel closed her eyes. His thumb was calloused and yet each caress of her skin felt like lamb’s wool because he touched her with such care. He’d been like that in bed her first time as well, before passion claimed them both.
Her eyes flew open. “It’s too late for apologies, Justin. Leave me alone. This is my special time with my mother.”
Hurt flickered in his gaze before it became hooded. “All right. Just tell me where the key is.”
For a moment she didn’t know what he meant, then it struck her. Of course. He hadn’t returned out of feelings or concern for her. Only for his own selfish needs.
She laughed, the sound hollow. “All you care about is yourself, Justin. The key is inside the house. Feel free to search for it. Say hi to my father while you’re there. Maybe the two of you can go out for drinks.”
“I can’t. I need you to go with me.” He touched her arm and her skin tingled, remembering his slow, passionate strokes as they’d made love. “I’ll fly you to a ledge close to the cave, far away from the Drogmire. But you must go with me.”
“Why? You don’t need me.” Ariel stood and blew out the candle. What was the point anyway, having a birthday party for a dead woman? It was silly.
“I do need you, in more ways than you know,” he said quietly.
Anger boiled and frothed inside her. “That’s crap, Justin and we know it!”
Never had she hit another person in her life, but she had to lash out. Ariel drew back her hand to strike him.
“Your fingers,” he said, his gaze wide.
Something was dreadfully wrong. She stared at her fingers. Instead of smooth skin, scales had erupted there, and webbing formed between each digit.
“I’ve seen this once before - in a dragon shifter who struggled to make the first change into a dragon. It can happen.” Justin’s expression turned solemn. “It’s more common in half-breeds.”
Her heart raced. She could barely move, barely think at his next words.
“This means only one thing, little bird. You have dragon blood in you, just like me.”
18
It wasn’t possible. She was Mage. Her parents were full-blooded Mages. If she had dragon blood in her, surely it was from something Leo had infused into the crystal.
Ariel plopped back to the grass, her body shaking. “This isn’t happening. I’m Mage. Nothing else. You told me my magick was puny. And after we made love, I was certain powers vanished. Father warned me they would disappear if I wasn’t a virgin anymore.”
Justin joined her, gently examining her hands. “Ariel, was your mother a dragon?”
She shook her head. “No, she was Mage like my father.”
Ariel yanked her hand away, afraid to touch him, to share a new connection she didn’t want. “It must have happened when I used the crystal Father infused with your magick.”
“Impossible. Dragon DNA can’t be absorbed. Only our magick can. And if you absorbed my magick, it wouldn’t change your body chemistry, only make you more powerful.”
“My mother wasn’t dragon,” she burst out. “They told me they were both Mage. Dragons shift and they can fly!”
“When they wish. If they stay in skin, you’d never tell them apart from Others.”
“Dragons need warm weather and sunshine…” Her voice broke. Sedona. Heat. Always the sun. One time when she was younger, she’d asked her father if they could visit his relatives in New York during the winter so she could see snow.
“No, honey, cold weather doesn’t agree with your mama,” Leo had insisted. “And I’m not inclined to visit my family.”
“She hated the cold. The nights were the worst,” she murmured, staring at the cupcake.
Everything made sense now. The mysterious relatives who fought them in court for Mama’s money, relatives Ariel had never met. No cousins, aunts, uncles. Always just the three of them, content to be alone.
And the money – money that her mother said was her inheritance, but she danced around the source of it.
“Gold,” she whispered. “The money we were living on was gold. Father said it was gold acquired from investments.”
Justin flexed his hands, his expression pitying. “They deceived you, Ariel. Dragons hoard gold and pass it on to their families. It explains why your relatives were eager to sue to reclaim it, especially if they didn’t have a good relationship with your father. They were willing to let your mother have the gold as long as she was alive, but once she died, it reverted back to the dragon family. It’s typical for dragon clans to not pass on wealth to offspring of mixed marriages.”
Ariel flung the cupcake at a tree. It smashed into it, smearing pink goo onto the bark. “You lied to me, Mama! Why did you lie!”
Justin was there, enfolding her into his embrace as she sobbed. Such betrayal. Her mother was a dragon, a fact her parents had hidden from her all these years. Desperation filled her. Ariel was in unknown territory, with a body she no longer understood.
It felt so good to be held, to be comforted by someone who understood what it felt like to have your world tipped upside down. Ariel struggled to be free. He released her.
Relying on Justin was the worst thing she could do now. She could not trust him with this knowledge.
Who could she trust?
Only yourself.
“She was a dragon.” He touched the webbing between her fingers. “You’re not Mage, Ariel Harrington. You’re half-dragon. Not just any dragon like me. You’re a dragon with Mage abilities. You can read Others auras and determine their energy.”
He gave a rueful smile. “Even as a half-breed, your dragon abilities are powerful. Ariel, you have the incredible ability to cleanse negative energy from a room filled with it.”
“Impossible. I’m past the age when shifters change into their animal form. I would have known by now.”
“Not if your father suppressed your ability because he feared it.” He sighed. “Leo knew what your mother was, and brought you up to believe you were Mage, like him.”
Cleansing negative energy? Her mind whirled with this revelation. She thought of the jars of salt water and vinegar placed around the workshop after Justin’s escape to heal the horrible emotions still lingering in the air, the ghostly echoes of pain and anguish.
“How do I get rid of this?” She wriggled her fingers.
“Close your eyes and calm yourself. Violent emotions can trigger a shift before you’re ready.”
She did so, thinking of the soothing energy of the vortexes and the lumina pool. To her relief, the webbing had vanished from her fingers and her hands were smooth when she opened her eyes again.
“You said you needed the key to open the cavern door where the baby dragons hid.” Ariel made a snap decision. “I’ll give you the key, if you take me with you.”
His expression turned guarded. “Why do you wish to enter the cave?”
“I have to find out the truth. All the books I’ve read about dragons, the ancient texts, say that real dragons respond to the touch of dragon shifters. It’s not until they are grown that real dragons can tolerate Others riding them. A baby dragon will easily tolerate a dragon shifter, even a half-breed, touching them.”
How she wished she had her own defense mechanism – something to erect a hard shell around herself so she wouldn’t hurt any longer. If she did have dragon blood, why couldn’t she have scales around her heart?
Justin didn’t look convinced. “It’s too dangerous. I won’t risk it.”
Ariel shrugged. “Then I won’t tell you where the
key is.”
He jammed his hands into his jeans pockets. “All right. Get the key.”
19
Riding on Justin’s back this time gave Ariel no joy as they soared through the air. How much pleasure she’d experienced with the wind in her hair, the coolness rushing against her cheeks, the sheer delight as Justin dipped a wing and dove and then gained altitude.
It wasn’t only Justin and the way he’d left her. Too many questions swirled in her mind. Would she be able to fly as well when she shifted into a dragon?
If she could shift? The books hadn’t said much about half-breeds and she didn’t dare ask her father. Even Justin, when she asked, had no clue.
When they arrived at a ledge below the summit, Justin stopped. Ariel’s fingers tightened around his neck. “No, I’m not getting off. I told you, I need to get into that cave.”
And I told you, it’s too dangerous.
The voice sounded inside her head. Ariel rubbed her temple. Was she imagining things?
I’m talking to you, little bird.
Maybe having dragon blood enabled her to speak telepathically to Justin. What the hell. And I need to get into that cave, monster or no monster. So either we stay here all day or you take me there.
He lifted off again with a roar and a flap of wings.
When they landed, he shifted and clothed himself through magick. Justin glared at her. “You’re stubborn, little bird.”
“And you spoke inside my mind. How did we do that? Is it a dragon thing?”
Justin’s expression turned guarded. “I don’t know. I’ve never heard of it happening, except…”
“Except?”
“Never mind. Stay here while I deal with this thing. Drust told me it sleeps after noon, but anything could happen.”
“You doubt the words of a wizard?”
“Yes,” he muttered.
The sun was still high in the sky as they proceeded. Staying behind Justin, she inched along the two-foot wide ledge until they reached the flat area before the cave. Justin didn’t gesture for her to stay back. Instead, he put a finger to his lips.
Ariel blinked. The Drogmire was fast asleep, its sides heaving. Pity touched her. As frightening as the beast was, she suspected it wasn’t evil. Hideous, yes. It looked tired and old. Weary. The air around them smelled of old bones, blood and age.
The creature’s skin looked green and mottled, as if it aged since they last saw it.
Is this thing the guardian of the cave? She asked Justin, using their mental pathway.
I believe so. Where’s the key?
She fished it out of her pocket and handed it to him. They tip-toed past the sleeping creature.
The key fit perfectly into a slot on the rock wall marked with two runes. He handed back the key and then pushed at the wall and it groaned open. Ariel glanced over her shoulder, but the Drogmire slept on.
Once they were inside, Justin pushed the wall back, sealing them inside.
The air inside the cave smelled clean and fresh as clear water gushing down a mountainside. Shafts of sunlight, beaming through a slit in the rock wall above them, shone down on the rock floor. Dozens, no, hundreds of glittering purple amethyst crystals lined the floor. The geodes sparkled and gave off an ethereal glow of their own, illuminating the cave with lavender light. Shadows danced over Justin’s face.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
Justin reached out to touch a crystal. It sparked, and then the same lavender glow engulfed his hand. He laughed.
“What does it feel like?” she asked.
“It tickles. In a good way.”
They were infused with dragon magick, Ariel realized. Real dragons, not shifters like Justin.
Justin clasped her hand, but she shrugged it off. After the way he’d left, without giving her a chance to explain, she wasn’t ready to resume trusting him again.
He sighed. “Come on.”
In the next room they found a cache of citrine, lapis, turquoise, quartz, and rose quartz crystals. They wandered to another cavern. Justin’s breath hitched. He squatted next to a red stone and picked it up.
“What is it?” The crystal was beautiful, glowing and seeming to emit energy.
“Red diamond. Drust told me about them. They’re worth a lot of money.” He picked up one diamond. “Whoa. That feels… amazing.”
Ariel picked up another red diamond. Energy pulsed through her, raw and primitive. So much power she felt heady with it. And more than a little scared.
They set down the gemstones.
Nearby, the baby dragons slumbered. Two dozen, all curled up next to each other in an alcove, fast asleep.
Large as German shepherd puppies, each dark green dragon had its tails curled around him, resting his head on his front legs. Tiny jeweled horns grew from their heads. Not jewels, Ariel realized. Crystals, the same kind that littered the cavern floor.
Wonder filled his expression as Justin squatted down to observe the sleeping babies. “The dragons are connected to the crystals. Drust told me the babies eat the rock walls, carving out the cavern and enlarging it and after they absorb the minerals, they spit out the rest, turning the extra into crystals.”
Ariel wrinkled her nose. “You mean all this is dragon vomit?”
His deep laugh reverberated throughout the cave. “In a way.”
Fascinated, she hunkered down next to him, careful to stay back from the dragons. It was wonderful to see them, but she wasn’t certain if they wouldn’t be grumpy and snap if awakened.
He seemed to read her thoughts. “Go on. Pet one.”
“I’d be safer petting an alligator.” But this was why she came here. Only one way to find out what she was…
“It won’t hurt you.” Justin reached out, stroked a sleeping dragon. It gave a purring sound and snuggled against its neighbor.
“All right. But if I lose my hand to those sharp teeth, you’re paying the medical bill.” Wary, she reached out and touched the same dragon Justin had.
Two reptilian eyes opened. Yellow as citrine, the baby dragon blinked at her. She drew back. It crawled closer, lifting its head.
“Touch him again,” Justin encouraged.
Enthralled, she stroked its head. The baby dragon purred again and when she pulled away, playfully butted her hand.
“More?” Ariel laughed. “All right, little fella.”
To her shock, the dragon crawled over to her and put its paws on her knee, like a dog begging to be petted. Ariel lifted it up into her arms and stroked its body.
“It feels like soft leather,” she marveled, running her hands along the dragon’s length.
“Their scales won’t turn hard for another ten years. They’re vulnerable until then, which is why they hide in these caves. In about twenty years, they’ll leave the nest and seek out mage communities that need crystals for healing or meditation purposes. The dragons make the crystals and in return, the communities look after the dragons.”
“No mothers or fathers. Poor babies.”
“They have a guardian, who is supposed to look after them, hold them, and when they are older, teach them to fly. Like us, they’re invisible to Skins.”
It bothered her to think they were alone, only that creature outside for company. “So this means I’m really a dragon. Half dragon, anyway.”
“Didn’t you really want to know?” he asked quietly.
Ariel swallowed hard. “Yes.”
As she continued to pet the baby dragon, Justin straightened and walked the perimeter of the cave. He sifted through the piles of glittering crystals.
“What are you searching for?” she asked him.
“A rare amber crystal. Drust charged me with finding out if it’s here.”
Her heart skipped a beat. I know where it is. Ariel winced. Did Justin hear that thought? But he seemed oblivious. Maybe the mind connection only worked when they directed thoughts at each other.
Thirty minutes later, Justin had finished sweepin
g the cave and the cache of gems. Ariel set the dragon back amongst its brethren.
“It’s not here.” He dusted off his hands.
“Did Drust say it would be found here?” Perhaps there was more than one amber crystal.
“No. He seemed ambiguous about it. I can’t find it, so I suppose someone took it already.”
“Maybe. We should be returning. My father will wonder where I am.”
“Let him worry.” Justin snorted. “I don’t give a damn what he thinks.”
“I do.” Ariel gave him a pointed look. “He’s my dad.”
They made their way outside, careful to close and lock the cave door behind them. The Drogmire still slumbered on a flat rock, snoring loudly.
“It’s so beautiful up here,” she whispered, shivering a little with the cold. “I bet it’s wonderful at night. So many stars.”
Shadows etched Justin’s face in ghostly hues. He craned his neck to look upward. “I love flying at night. Sometimes I go so high, it feels as if I could touch them.”
As much as she liked it here, she knew it was best to leave and return home. “Let’s get down. We need to talk.”
They flew back down to the ground. On the hiking path, she climbed off Justin’s back and he transformed back into Skin, wearing jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt. Clouds blocked the sun and a chill wind swept over them. She shivered with the cold, her senses on overdrive.
“You should return to the house and warm up,” he told her, rubbing her arms.
“I don’t get it. The cold never bothered me as much before. Why am I sensitive now?”
“Once you acknowledged your dragon blood, it made you more sensitive. Until you experienced your first shift and learn to control your body temperature, you’ll be more vulnerable.”
Ariel bit her lip. “Will I shift into a dragon?” The thought once would have thrilled her. Now she wasn’t certain. Everything was unknown.
“I don’t know.” His expression turned serious. “Maybe making love with me triggered something. It depends on how strong the dragon blood is inside you.”