Paranormal Dating Agency: Taming Their Talons (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Marianne Morea

  They kept moving, following the path as best they could as it turned sharply around a blind bend in the rock.

  “Hello, ladies,” Arin said, jumping from an outcrop. “Fancy meeting you here.”

  Vikter slid into a defensive stance, lifting a hand for the others to stop. “Arin, this is not what it looks like. We’ve been trying to find you.”

  “Funny, because I thought we left our mate in your care,” Xavier said, dropping from a thick branch to land behind Vikter. “So which is it? Are you looking for us or are you watching over Valerie?”

  Ryker growled from down the path, pushing past the trackers. “We’ve been looking for you because Valerie was taken, you asshole. Malus conjured a storm after we left the palace. Lightning broke our formation and the Gemini border guards ambushed Vikter.”

  Arin’s eyes flashed and his hand shot for Vikter’s throat. Ryker vaulted over Xavier and knocked Arin back, pinning him to the ground. “You really are a stubborn, impulsive ass. We found out a lot, if you’d dial down that dragon fire for a moment and listen.”

  “Found out what?” Xavier asked, pulling Ryker off Arin’s chest.

  Vikter raked a hand through his hair. “Look, I’m sorry we were ambushed. It was as if they knew we were coming. Either there’s a mole in the palace or Malus is psychic. Anyway, I remembered one of our older elders was Castor’s half-brother. It was never spoken of, for obvious reasons, but I made him try to reach Castor. He was able to, and from there he found Castor’s link to you two. That’s how we knew how to find you. Castor is in a state of suspended animation. Pollux said he’s in a state of limbo, floating between life and death. While in that state, Malus can control Castor’s staff and channel both their powers. We found out afterwards Malus’s bond with Caster is reciprocal.”

  “Reciprocal?” Arin grabbed Vikter’s shirt. “Are you telling us our mentor, our elder is in cahoots with that sorcerer asshole?”

  Vikter shoved him off. “No, what I’m telling you is while the two are bound, Malus can’t be hurt, not without hurting Castor as well.”

  “Fuck!” Arin ground out, kicking a rock. “We have to break that bond.” His gaze shot to Vikter. “Does Malus have Valerie?”

  He returned Arin’s gaze, and shook his head. “Our best guess is yes. To be honest, you said it yourself. He wants your medallions. Once he has them he can rule the Gemini.”

  “Yeah, but he’ll need us to claim Valerie first.” Xavier exhaled. “Without a completed triad the crystal cavern grotto can’t be opened.”

  “Where would he keep her?” Ryker asked. “Malus knows you’ll come for Valerie, so it would have to be some place you’d think to look. Some place where he’ll feel safe from you shifting into dragon form.”

  Arin looked at Ryker and nodded. “The caves.” He frowned, clenching his fists. “When I find Malus, I’m going to slit his throat.”

  Xavier wrapped his hand over Arin’s shoulder. “Not if I get to him first.”

  ***

  “Are you sure you remember where you’re going? It’s been a while,” Ryker asked. “I know from my own experience. Things don’t exactly stay the same after so much time.”

  Xavier shot him a look that said shut up. “Your experience was of your own making, Dragos. Arin and I were collateral damage because of your insane father.”

  “Point taken. I’ll shut up. Still, do you know where you’re going?” he asked, dodging a quick cuff.

  The four waded through knee-deep water filling the mouth of an outer cave. “Fuck, this is cold,” Vikter said with a shiver.

  “They’re called the Ice Mountains for a reason, Sherlock,” Arin chuckled back.

  Xavier pushed ahead, climbing up on a rocky ledge with the mouth of another cave beyond. He turned with a skeptical look on his face. “Guys, I gotta ask. How’re you at holding your breath?”

  “Why?” Vikter asked, climbing up ahead of the others. He walked to the inside cave’s mouth and whistled low. “Jeez Loueez. That’s deep.”

  Xavier nodded. “And long. Who knows if there are air pockets once you get past that far point.”

  Arin and Ryker brought up the rear, dripping with the others as they looked across the expansive underground lake.

  “Well, it’s certainly pretty,” Arin said. “The water’s Gemini green.” He pointed toward a flicker of color reflected off the far surface. “We must be close, because those have to be crystals. If I remember what Castor taught, the outer crystals feed the grotto, giving it life where there otherwise is none.”

  Vikter looked at him, curious. “A self-sustaining power source?”

  “Yes, but don’t get any ideas. Once tapped, everything goes dark. The Gemini tried that eons ago and nearly razed the Ice Mountains in the process.”

  Vikter snorted. “Good to know.”

  “Enough talk. We need to get from here to past that far point and whatever’s beyond.” Xavier extended an arm. “We’ve got four pretty smart heads, let’s put them together and figure this out before Malus kills Valerie.”

  Ryker looked at Xavier, nodding.

  “What?”

  He lifted a shoulder, supposing. “You said you and Castor had a tighter bond that Arin because he chose you for the omega.”

  “Yeah, and?”

  Ryker tapped the side of his head. “Did you ever think to try that link? Maybe you could reach him in a way Malus hasn’t thought of.”

  “No,” Arin shook his head. “That’s the first thing Malus would expect. The bond with your elder he’d have no way of knowing, but our bond? He’d have learned that from Castor without even trying.”

  The water dripped from the stalactites on the cave ceiling and the sound echoed. All at once, one cracked and fell to the green water, sending glistening waves cresting their way. The water dipped in places, and drew in a quick breath.

  “There!” He pointed to one of the cave walls. “There’s something carved into the rock.”

  Xavier didn’t wait. He dove into the cold emerald water and swam out to the far wall. Diving under, he disappeared from sight.

  “It might be nothing, but at least he can peek at whether or not the lake stays below ceiling level or if the cave is completely submerged,” Ryker added.

  Xavier’s head broke the water. Before they could call out to him, he dove back under.

  “Jesus, what’s under there, a manuscript?” Vikter said.

  Arin shot them a look. “Cork it. That water’s so cold Xavier’s nuts have probably retreated up. I didn’t see you offering to go spelunking.”

  Xavier’s blond hair floated on the water’s surface, but he didn’t resurface. Arin curled his toes over the edge, ready to jump when Xavier shot up, dragging in a ragged breath.

  “Loser! I thought you drowned!” Arin kicked a huge splash at the man as he swam back. He held his hand out and Xavier grabbed it, climbing onto the ledge.

  Ryker smirked. “Aw, man, I would have so yanked him in with me.”

  “Another time, definitely,” Xavier said. “But we don’t have time for games now. I got our answer. The water goes all the way to the ceiling beyond that ridge. The only way to lower the water level enough for us to breathe is to evaporate enough for us to pass.”

  Arin looked at him for explanation. “How? What did the carving say? Was it just graffiti?”

  “No,” he shook his head. “It was a message. From Castor. He saw this coming right after he chose me. It’s like a prophecy.”

  Arin shook his head. “It’s too convenient. If Malus is in Castor’s head, then he knows everything.”

  “Not this. Not from my private link with him. What did Castor call me when we were little? Only the three of us know.” Xavier raised an eyebrow, nodding.

  “The carving is addressed that way?” Arin asked, doubtful.

  Xavier nodded.

  “So what’s the message, then?” Vikter asked. “What are we to do?”

  Xavier closed his eyes, remembering. “Four b
ellies of flame. Four bringers of right. When fires converge, no power can fight. Enemy mine. Enemy thine. Set fire to the rain, so none can confine.”

  “Well at least it rhymes” Ryker replied. “But what the hell does it mean?”

  “It means we need to combine our fire and set fire to the rain,” Xavier answered. He threw his hand out. “The water. We need to heat the water. Maybe it’ll evaporate enough to give us air pockets or maybe something else will happen.”

  Ryker snorted. “Like the ceiling collapsing.”

  “Are you in or not?” Arin folded his arms. “The message said four bellies of flame, not a belly full of hot air.”

  “I’m in. Camille will kill me if I don’t help save her best friend.” He shrugged. “Besides that, after this is all over we’re going to be family.”

  Xavier rubbed his hands together. “Then let’s do this. On three?”

  The each sucked in a breath and linking hands, they closed their eyes to channel their inner dragons, Dragos and Gemini alike. Fire boiled in their bellies and without pain or injury, they opened their mouths and flames blew across the surface.

  The water steamed and condensation formed as the green surface bubbled and churned. Their eyes snapped open at the sound of cracks and splits in the rock, only to see the cave walls widened as the liquid expanded. Water levels dropped, and beyond the far edge of the cave they saw a previously submerged cove.

  “Natural barriers. Isn’t that what our tracker said earlier? They mind the perimeter for you,” Ryker said, awed.

  Arin nodded. “Now only if Malus didn’t see this coming.”

  “We can’t worry about that now. Let’s go get our girl,” Xavier said. “Anyone for a dip in a hot spring?” He dove in with a sharp yelp before breaking the surface with a grin on his face. “Thank God we’re dragons, because it’s hotter than a wet pussy. Feels good after being so cold, though.” He backstroked, kicking a splash their way. “Coming, ladies?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  They made it to the previously submerged cove, following a path carved by eons of erosion. The crystals were sparse at first, but then grew in number. They glowed as they passed, as if the presence of the Gemini alpha and omega released an inner power in them.

  Arin closed his eyes, and when he opened them again they were more yellow than green. Ryker looked at him and then at Xavier. “Your eyes,” he said, gesturing with his hand.

  “What about them?” Arin asked.

  Ryker looked at Vikter, unsure. “They’re yellowish. I don’t know what that means for a Gemini. Dragos eyes are only gold when aroused.”

  Vikter took a step back.

  “Oh, dude. You wish.” Xavier snorted. “It must mean we’re close and that Valerie is nearby.”

  Arin nodded. “I feel her.” He touched Xavier’s arm. “Don’t you?”

  “How? You haven’t claimed her yet,” Vikter asked.

  Shrugging, Xavier shook his head. “I don’t know. She’s destined to be ours, so maybe that’s it.”

  “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but Camille got her to admit her feelings for you two.” He nodded. “From what she’s told me, Val is pretty hard-headed and snarky, so for what it’s worth right now, it says a lot.”

  Arin and Xavier shared a look and the crystals glowed even brighter.

  “C’mon,” Arin said, breaking a crystal off the wall. “I think I know where to go from here.”

  The passageway was a maze of twists and turns, each one dripping with water and covered with a moss that seemed to crawl along with them. The crystal glowed in Arin’s hand, and he seemed to take on a luminescence of his own, holding it.

  “Are you sure you should have taken that from the mountain?” Vikter asked. “We have superstitions about that.”

  Xavier nodded. “The Ice Mountains are part of us. If it wasn’t permitted or we broke a compact with the living energy in the crystals, they would have dimmed completely, leaving us trapped in total darkness.”

  The path widened, big enough for a dragon’s wings and another cave mouth opened at its end. They followed Arin and the aperture led to a huge inner cavern alight with crystals of every color, shape and size. Another underground lake, smaller than the one they evaporated lay at the center one hundred yards below.

  Vikter inhaled. “Other shifters have been here.”

  “I know.” Arin nodded. “This isn’t our sacred grotto, but it is close. I feel it.”

  Laugher echoed from below, and the four glanced down. Valerie was tied to an X-shaped post like something out of an S&M movie. Her arms and legs were spread, but at least she was clothed.

  Arin’s body tensed and his back hunched, ready to shift. Xavier grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Arin, no! That’s what he wants. Don’t give it to him.” He leaned over the edge. “And speaking of giving…hey, asshole! The medallions aren’t here. You’re plan failed.”

  Malus lifted the staff and pointed it at Valerie. With an evil smile, he brought the shaft down in single sweep. The shaft didn’t touch her, but a welt formed across her face and chest nonetheless. He laughed again. “You see, I don’t have to lift a finger to hurt her, and I’ll keep hurting her until you give me those medallions willingly.”

  “Fuck Castor! I’ll kill this son of a bitch with my bare hands!” Arin growled, jerking from Xavier’s grip.

  He grabbed his arm again. “Right. Malus is one hundred yards down. Val will be dead before we even get to her.”

  “Okay, then what?” he asked. “Any bright ideas of your own or you just going shoot mine down?”

  Vikter angled his head with a thought. “We have to bargain with him. Let him think he’s won so we can get him off guard.”

  “I didn’t mean what I said about Castor. He’d know what to do,” Arin muttered.

  Xavier’s head popped up. “That’s it. Like the message in the lake.” He whirled around to Vikter. “Your elder had a connection to Castor that Malus didn’t know about. Is there any way you could contact him? Do the Dragos have telepathy?”

  Vikter shook his head. “Not outside our mates…” His eyes lit up. “Becca. I could get her to speak to Pollux.”

  “Camille, too. She’ll throttle the old bastard if he refuses.” Ryker nodded as well.

  Vikter moved to the wall and squatted down, closing his eyes.

  “What are you doing? Taking a nap?” Arin asked.

  Ryker did the same, but on the opposite wall. “We need calm and quiet. This kind of connection isn’t easy, so shut up.” He closed his eyes. “Why don’t you two keep the happy Houdini talking? Preferably from one level down. If Vikter can’t reach Becca, then I need to be ready to jump in with Camille.”

  “Stay here in case they need help or answers or something. I’ll backtrack and find a way down.” Xavier leaned over the chasm edge. “We’re coming down, Malus. We need to talk.”

  “You can talk all you want,” the sorcerer laughed. “It won’t do you any good. You’re fate is sealed.”

  Vikter shook his head. “That’s his fatal flaw. Hubris. Foolish overconfidence.” He cracked an eye open and looked at Arin. “This will work. Just give us a sec.”

  Becca…babe, it’s me. I need you.

  Vikter, now is not the time for interstellar phone sex.

  He chuckled. I wish. No, we need you and Camille to find Pollux. We need him and his secret connection to his brother.

  Why?

  Woman! For once, please just do what I ask. You’ll understand soon enough.

  Jeez Loueez, okay.

  Vikter took deep breaths, his focus solely on keeping the mental link with Becca clear and free of distraction. His thighs burned, but it was too late to think his wall sit position.

  Vikter…I’m in the elders’ sanctuary. Pollux is very weak.

  Panic sluiced through him. This was the only way to make it right with the Gemini for losing Valerie in the first place. Pollux had to help make this happen.

  Why? What happened?


  He must have had the same thought as you. He’s traded his mind for Castor’s.

  What? No! I won’t allow it.

  The acolytes say he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  Listen to me, love. This is very important.

  What?

  Tell the acolytes they have to break the bond Pollux has with Malus at the moment I say. Not a moment before or after. If we time this right, we might be able to save both elders.

  But Castor is already free of Malus. Pollux completed the link just minutes ago.

  Minutes?

  Yes.

  Okay, love. Stay there and when I link with you again, have them break his connection with Malus. Even if it means bashing the poor old guy over the head.

  Vikter severed the link with Becca. He straightened, wincing at the burn in his thighs. “I gotta get more exercise. Married life is making me soft.”

  “What happened?” Arin asked.

  He filled the two of them in, and the three went to find Xavier.

  It was go time.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The four of them wound their way down a side tunnel, wading through waist-high standing water before exiting straight into the outer crystal cavern.

  Ryker and Vikter stayed back, if everything went south it was their job to rescue Valerie and get her back to Dragosland. Vikter knelt in the wet dirt.

  Bec, you still there?

  I’m here.

  How’s he doing?

  Holding his own. The acolytes are on board. Just say when.

  Good.

  I’m going to have such a headache after this. You owe me.

  He felt her laugher cross his mind and he smiled.

  You got it, babe. Whatever you want.

  I’m gonna hold you to it.

  I wouldn’t want it any other way.

  He broke the connection again, and listened.

  ***

  “Malus!” Firelight flickered ahead, and Arin narrowed his gaze in the great expanse. His voice echoed off the walls. No wonder the asshole was able to hear and be heard earlier.