by C. D. Gorri
Waterlocked:
A Zodiac Shifters Book: Paranormal Romance: Cancer
The Wardens of Terra 2
by C.D. Gorri
Copyright 2019 C.D. Gorri
Edited by Tammy Payne
Cover Design by Ravenborn https://www.facebook.com/RavenbornCovers/
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, places, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either part of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights are reserved. No part of this book is to be reproduced, scanned, downloaded, printed, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of any materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Title Page
Synopsis
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
About the Author
Connect
Other Works
Note
Welcome to the Wardens of Terra, an elite group of Zodiac Shifters destined to save humankind!
The Hounds of God have been disbanded by the Catholic Church, leaving a terrible void in the fight to save humankind. As a result, a much older organization returns to power and takes up the reins to fight to save the Earth from the evil that stalks it.
They are the Wardens of Terra, an elite force of Zodiac Shifters each carrying the power of their sign to aid them in the never-ending battle against the forces of darkness.
Alone they are fierce warriors. Once they’ve found their true mates, they become an unstoppable force. These are their stories.
Tagline:
Will Nathan Silvertongue, a cranky SeaDragon, change his attitude after he gets trapped by sassy Witch and Junior Station Master, Phoebe Bright?
Synopsis:
Nathan Silvertongue is a Dragon Shifter, bound to the sign Cancer, and a Warden of Terra. Called into duty upon the disbanding of the Hounds of God, Nathan ignores the first few attempts of the Heralds to get in touch with him. Living on a tiny unmarked island, the SeaDragon left mainstream life decades ago, preferring his isolation and solitude, but that all changes when she shows up.
Phoebe Bright has been promoted to the rank of Junior Station Master by the Heralds of Terra. Her job is to wrangle and confirm assignments for her charge. If only she could find him!
Tracking down the elusive SeaDragon hasn’t been easy, but this Witch isn’t about to give up. Not even when he slams the door in her face. Literally.
If he won’t talk to her, he won’t talk to anyone! Phoebe conjures a spell that leaves the two of them on his island without any means to communicate with the outside world until they come to an agreement.
Sparks fly as tempers and lusts grow wilder with each passing day, will they survive being waterlocked with only each other?
PROLOGUE
Present day, Roanoke, North Carolina.
The Heralds have gathered once again to discuss the upcoming events impacting the Earth they swore to protect. The Wardens have been reinstated, but are they all willing? That is the question at hand.
“Do you have the Scroll of the Parcae?”
“Aye.”
“Let’s hear it then.”
“Here it is: ‘Heed me, you Shifters of the Zodiac, we are the Parcae, the three sisters whose needlework determines your lifespans. We, the Fates, have halved your souls, the missing piece of each of you lies within your one true mate. The Wardens of Terra have been thusly designed with the intention of balancing your powers and focus. You have been truly blessed with the signs of the Zodiac above all others. Your fated mates have been written in the stars. Your destiny spelled out across the heavens. Follow your path to your other half for you will not know truth until that mate is found. Your strength as Shifters of the Zodiac will increase when the claiming is complete. Power will flow in abundance in the veins of you Wardens, and your mates shall bask in the glow of such strength. You have only to speak your vows aloud and ask us for blessings, if granted you shall be bound for eternity. Stake your claim, but strike with care, for once complete, none can destroy your matebond. Blessings to you who embrace the powers of your Zodiac sign and the one true mate fated for you.’”
The ancient Herald tucked the timeworn scroll back into its leather tube, where it had been encased for nigh on a thousand years. His almost completely white eyes fell on the nearest of his brethren before he opened his thin lips to speak.
“And this will aid us how?” Interrupted one of the younger Heralds. The Wolf had only two centuries but proved his loyalty beyond doubt.
“’Tis Simple. We must bring the Silvertongue back to the fold,” the damp, brick walls of the darkened room seemed to swallow the sound of the ancient Herald’s voice. Though, he did not worry that those gathered had any difficulty hearing his words.
It was once again time for the monthly meeting of The Twelve. The New Moon was upon them and the Wardens of Terra had officially begun their chase to beat back the evil that threatened the Earth once again.
Yes, there was talk of a new leader rising to take over the Hounds, but the Heralds would not relent the position of the Wardens ever again. A meeting would have to be called. A truce to be made. But that could wait. There were other items that needed tending first.
The foremost being the new threat that loomed over the Earth like a dark, ominous cloud. And like all new threats, this one must be dealt with forthwith. The Twelve responded as they did, by selecting the Warden most equipped to deal with the evil that lurked.
“Silvertongue must return to active duty.”
“The SeaDragon has renounced his responsibilities. He has closed himself off on that infernal island of his.”
“It is not for him to shirk his duty. ‘Twas placed upon him by the Three.”
“Yes, the Parcae have chosen his path.”
“And the Demon has chosen his puppet. Ao Guang is back and he is gaining speed. He has already begun creating storms and tempests near the SeaDragon’s own dwelling.”
“The Green Dragon of the East is not at peak strength yet, but Silvertongue must act soon! To wait is foolish.”
“Aye, but still he denies both us and his calling.”
“Fear not, Heralds. I am sending someone he cannot turn away as easily as he does us, old men that we are.” The ancient one smiled with his thin, cracked lips. He had a surprise for the arrogant SeaDragon. One that had been revealed to him by the Parcae themselves! Those powerful weavers of fate have chosen the Wardens as their very own warriors and he would not let them down.
“Praise to the Parcae, for showing us the way!”
“Yes.”
“Good. He shall have no choice. The Silvertongue must accept his place.”
“And he will, Heralds, for the Wardens of Terra are needed again.”
CHAPTER 1
A thousand years I have dwelled on this solitary rock. Completely alone on this deserted island. My own private paradise. Ha! Yet true. I am better off away from the tailless monkeys and their trivial lives. The last SeaDragon has survived this long unattended, and I shall continue to do so till I draw my last breath.
Nathan Silvertongue repeated the words to himself, inside the hollows of his brain, as he slowly woke to the familiar sounds of rushin
g water. His cave, well, mansion actually, was deep in the belly of the island he’d claimed centuries ago.
Shielded by a cloaking spell it’d remained undetected by normals and most supernaturals for as long as he’d been there. It was perfect for him. His own place where he could roam as both man and his beast, and, more to the point, where he could live his life the way he wanted to.
Not as some puppet on a string answering the whims of those treacherous fates and their puppets! The Heralds have done well to leave me alone these last thousand years, he thought to himself as he stretched his enormous body.
Yes, he’d mostly slept the time away. Dragons did not hibernate exactly, but he was able to slumber for years, even decades if he chose to do so. This last sleeping spell was a few measly weeks, but what else was there to do when the sole purpose of your existence was taken from you?
Bloody Wardens and their bloody duties. Well, he’d more than done his duty! He frowned at his thoughts while he checked on his supplies. Hmm. Need to place an order on Prime stat. His last round of improvements to his manse were nearly complete. He’d needed to wait for the cement to cure to continue, so he’d napped away the time.
Life went on, he supposed. He began the process of making coffee and scrounging up some meat from his freezer before firing up his computer. Who knew a SeaDragon would be so dang computer savvy?
He loved the speed and infinite possibilities surfing the internet gave him. He enjoyed placing orders and keeping an eye on the weather and such. No need at all for anyone else. Not on my perfect island.
Though, in truth, he did miss actual interaction. The comradery he’d had with the other Wardens. Heck, he even missed fighting with his Station Master when things got very dark out in the middle of nowhere. No one knows where I am. I am forgotten. The thought was damn depressing. No. Not depressing. I like being alone.
In his day, he’d defeated every water witch and demon that had tried to worm its way into the Earth. He’d done so for centuries. I was really something back then. But Nathan had lost himself somewhere along the long and winding road of his life. I like my life how it is. Alone is better.
True, he missed the activity of battle. The mental and physical preparedness that came with simply being a Warden. He sometimes wondered how he’d fair in a fight these days. Note to self, start a morning work-out routine.
Muscles notwithstanding, he hadn’t engaged in anything resembling warfare in centuries. Nathan was not lazy exactly, but he simply hadn’t had much contact with others in the past thousand years. Once upon a time, he’d spilled blood, sweat, and tears in the process of fulfilling his vows. Sometimes his own.
He’d used his powers of Cancer to control the water. An element that was as volatile as it was powerful. Aware with each moment that it could so easily turn on him. Nothing was as invigorating as invoking his powers!
Most Dragons did not swim. More comfortable in the air, were his brethren, where he’d always felt the seas were his true home. What brethren? They were all gone now.
He was the last. He’d been the last SeaDragon for eons. But now he was the very last Dragon Shifter as well. Sadness and fear gripped his heart, but he refused to give in to the panic as he stood and stretched his large body before sauntering forward.
It was a hard truth. Nathan had not heard the trumpeting sound of his kind in centuries. He would go on being the last Dragon Shifter on Earth until his final breath. Which would not come for a long, long while, provided he stayed on his island.
It was not like the Heralds of Terra had much use for a dried-up Warden like himself. Hadn’t for almost a millennium. Not when the Christian God took over and the Hounds claimed the Earth their territory. Those dogs had some serious issues when it came to territory.
Bastards had called his magic blasphemy. Declared all other supernaturals evil. The nerve of those shaggy flea-bitten mongrels! Nathan felt the fire of his beast rouse inside his chest. He took two deep breaths to calm himself then proceeded to get on with his day.
He scrolled along the website, double checking his order and readying himself to read the world news while sipping the dark Italian roast he enjoyed so much. The dark, heavenly scent made even his Dragon growl in anticipation.
Being isolated didn’t mean he didn’t know anything about life. Hell, he did have a Prime account after all. What am I, a barbarian? He scoffed at the idea.
All Dragons loved their creature comforts. Even SeaDragons. His hoard consisted of many irreplaceable treasures and precious gems, gold bricks, stocks and bonds, and all the usual wealth. It also happened to hold every techie gadget he could get his hands on. Something that was a little difficult considering he lived completely off the grid.
In the beginning, he’d mostly relied upon lost ships and later, airplanes for his supplies. His ability to traverse over both the water and the air made it easy for him to find such cargo.
With the revolutionary advancements in industry and other areas over the last century, it had become almost impossible for Nathan to simply ignore the world. So he did what he did best, he adapted.
Nathan had spent months setting up various accounts all over the world under several aliases. Using addresses in nearby islands, and some on the mainland, he’d ordered and shipped his goods to those isolated destinations every month or so. Then, after slipping into his other skin, he’d go pick them up.
Simple really. He always travelled in the dead of night, when there was little chance of being seen or heard, using his special cloaking magic, of course. Nathan had amassed quite the hoard over the years.
Not just material possessions and money, Nathan had also studied architecture and design. Building his own castle or manse, as it were, with his own bare, er, dragon hands. Just because he preferred his own company, didn’t mean he couldn’t live in luxury.
Not at all. In fact, he’d managed to set himself up rather nicely. His cave was more like a true Dracan Castle these days. The Castles of the Dragon’sDragons of old were truly a sight to behold. In that tradition, the ways of the Dracan, he’d used both muscle and claw to carve his abode from the rough rock formations that made up his sandy isle.
Nathan had always had a gift for the artistic. Now, with over sixty thousand square feet of space, that is three full stories with floor to ceiling, hurricane proof glass facing outward to the seas, Nathan lived in his very own castle. He frowned at the thought that he, the last Silvertongue, had accomplished so much, and yet would never share it with anyone else.
Sipping from his mug, he perused the security cameras set up around the island from the monitors on his desk. From them he saw his castle, glittering like a diamond on the topmost peak of the volcanic mountain that made up the island.
He’d installed solar panels and wind turbines for electrical power, along with a large machine that utilized the current from the nearby waterfall to generate electricity. Satisfied, he set his gaze to the weather. The program beeped and glowed bright blue and green as it charted some unusual storms and winds headed his way.
“Damn, I’ll need to head out sooner than I thought,” he muttered to himself as he checked on the steak he’d just put in the broiler. Nothing better than a charred porterhouse for breakfast! Normally, he’d add sliced tomatoes, but he’d only just awakened. Note to self, check the gardens.
Nathan enjoyed every modern amenity, including plumbing, satellite, and a variety of extreme sporting equipment like his treasured ATVs and Jet Skis. He also had a greenhouse, several yards of outdoor gardens, a mini orchard, and a smokehouse. All he lacked was company.
He frowned hard at himself for the wayward thought. I am not lonely. I like my life as it is.
He poured himself a second cup of coffee, sweetened it with just a teaspoon of the dark coconut sugar he preferred and sat down to his steak. Famished, he finished without hardly skipping a beat and was just washing the dishes when a tinkling sound alerted him to something amiss.
He sat up, not bothering to
dress as he followed the sound of the melodious chimes towards his front door. There was no lock. No doorbell either. No reason to lock things when I am the sole dweller of this island, he thought. Nathan scowled when, to his surprise, the handle began to turn.
He tensed as he readied himself for an attack. Perhaps some animal thinks to break in? Unlikely. He’d fought any predatory beasts off the land centuries ago. Besides, what beastie could open doors, much less, best a Dragon?
The tinkling sound grew louder as his door flew open to reveal a blinding yellow light. Nathan lifted a hand to shade his eyes against the brilliant light that momentarily blinded him. The brightness dimmed after a second, but he still had to blink to stop his eyes from watering. Dammit!
“Who dares enter my domain without permission?”
Nathan leapt forward, claws extended, and growled the question. Every cell in his perfectly honed body ready to defend his fortress. Guess I don’t need to work out after all, he thought smugly as his muscle memory tensed in anticipation of the upcoming scuffle.
His Dragon rose to the front of his mind, ready to Shift at a moment’s notice, until he inhaled. Nathan froze. He’d just tasted the most tantalizing bouquet on his forked tongue. He hissed as his body reacted rather unpredictably.
Silver eyes focused, he took in the shape of his mysterious visitor. Not an animal. Indeed not. A pair of shapely ankles teased his vision as he took in the curvaceous form before him. A very female form. Grrr.
He cut off the growl that had sounded from his chest without permission. Frisky Dragon. He would not succumb to temptation, no matter how lovely the woman who’d broken his solitude was. And she was lovely.
Large blue eyes opened wider, if possible, as she perused his naked formbody. He hardly bothered with clothing, especially when he slept. He’d only just woken. Her smooth, creamy skin seemed to go pink as she stared.