by Kali Willows
“The ledge is three feet wide.” Kaida settled with her back against the bricks and her legs stretched out before her. “What are you, chicken?”
He snarled, but climbed out to join her. How unusual…what was he up to?
“Atta boy.”
He inched along, clinging to the wall with one hand and his mug with the other, and slid down beside her with a grunt.
“What is the appeal out here, anyway?”
“I’m not sure. It’s so serene, high above the clatter of the city, far from everything and everyone. The ledge is the one place I feel at peace.”
“Not much of a view, a vacant side street.”
“On the contrary, dear cousin, cast your gaze at the city lights glowing in the night sky. It’s incredible.” She beamed at him. “And see that building across the way?”
“Sure.”
“The one with the beautiful glass rooftop and terrace?”
“The Castillo Hotel?”
“Yes. Look up there at the potted evergreens, the soft lights along the patio—so luxurious. I can picture myself there.”
“But you’re here.”
With a tsk, she glared at him. “Is it always necessary to burst my bubble? Can’t I have a little bit of bubble?”
“My bad.” He winked. “You’re right, it is a gorgeous view.”
“Well, that’s the hotel where my date will be on Saturday.”
“Are you sure it should be so close to where you live?”
“I don’t plan on bringing the guy home with me.”
“But still—”
“Bubble!”
“Gotcha.” He sipped his tea.
“Good evening, Miss Kaida,” a gentle voice called.
“Good evening, Gershom.” She smiled at her neighbor framed in his window.
“Are you enjoying the clear night, my dear?”
“Always. Would you care to join us? The kettle is hot. I could make you some tea.”
“No, no, but thank you. An old man like me on the ledge? They would call the loony bin to take me away.” He tittered.
“I’d never let that happen. It’s hard to find good neighbors.”
“No worries. This old fossil will be here for a very long time. Who’s your friend?”
“This is my cousin Yong.” She elbowed him in the side and whispered, “Say hi.”
“Hello,” he called, and waved.
“Don’t let me interrupt. I’m sure you have important matters to discuss.”
“Have a good night, Gershom.”
“You, too, my dear, and please,” he murmured, “be so very careful out there. It’s dangerous.”
“Thank you.” Yong nudged her arm.
She gritted her teeth through a smile. “Bubble.”
“Good to meet you, young man.”
“Take care.” Yong lifted his cup toward the old man who ducked his head back inside his apartment. “He seems cool.”
“Yeah, he’s always happy, has kind things to say. He reminds me a little of grandfather.”
Yong glanced toward the lit window. “I can see that. He’s a wise man. After all, he agrees with me about your insane need to be out here.”
She pressed her lips together and shot him a fierce stare.
“Come on, Kaida. You’ve always been the daredevil of the family. Your dark side scares the shit out of me, but I love you like a little sister.”
“I’m your age.”
“Regardless, I feel a sense of responsibility for you, and if I didn’t razz you, I wouldn’t be me.”
“True,” she scoffed. “And if I didn’t defy you, I wouldn’t be me.”
Kaida shifted to sit cross-legged.
“You’ve been in this building for years. You’re still happy here?”
“Yeah, I love my neighbors and the spacious studio loft with the ceilings high enough for me to practice my arts.”
“It’s pretty old.” He patted their concrete seat.
“Its age is half the charm. The architecture is remarkable.”
“Does that include your big friend over there?” Yong pointed to her confidant at her side. “What is he, your boyfriend?”
“Go ahead and tease. This is the one guy who’s never stood me up or disappointed me. He’s always here when I need to talk.”
“Sweetheart, he’s grotesque.”
“He is not. I find him enchanting.” She smoothed her palm over a cool stone talon.
“A gargoyle? Come on.”
“Laugh all you want. At least I don’t intimidate him.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure stone is fireproof.” He jabbed her with his elbow.
“Here’s to high hopes.”
“Tatsu and grandfather asked me to talk to you about something.”
“What would that be?” Here it comes.
“We’re concerned.”
“Because of my lifestyle,” Kaida retorted.
“The fire eating—”
“Performance art.”
“You know what I mean. You sleep all day, work all night when you do these shows, and wander the streets of New York City, alone in the dark….” Yong tilted his head with furrowed brows.
“I can take care of myself. No one will mess with me.”
“Your brown belt in karate doesn’t keep you out of danger. Avoidance does.”
“Are you suggesting I ask for trouble because I work at night?” She gritted her teeth.
“That’s not what I mean, but I think it’s too risky.”
“So, when’s your flight home? I don’t mind you camping out in my office, but I’m sure Cindy misses you.” Kaida lifted her cup to sip.
“All right. I’ll lay off.”
“Thank you.”
“On one condition.”
“Which would be?”
“Slow down a little?” His voice softened.
“Fine.” Kaida traced the encrusted amulet on the neck of her treasured sculpture.
“He seems so lifelike, it’s kinda creepy.” Yong studied the statue at her side.
“I know, but I’m never alone when I’m around him.”
***
“I can’t believe how cold it is,” Kaida mumbled, teeth chattering. The straps of the bulky duffle bag slipped down her arm. She slung it back over her shoulder and quickened her pace.
Scaling the brick and mortar behind her, several stories above, he jerked his head up at the echoes of multiple footsteps. The thud of three other heartbeats filled his ears, and the smell of evil burned his nose.
“You, head around there and cut her off at the next block,” A chubby man whispered, tugging his lumber jacket closer. A bald thug in a leather coat ran through the alley.
“I’ll grab the bag, and you get her from behind.” The first guy kept his voice low, and the third hoodlum shoved his greasy black hair out of his eyes, nodding.
With no time to waste, Roark descended a few stories closer to her position.
I have to help her. Don’t be stupid, you can’t afford to be seen by anyone—above all her.
The first man bolted out in front of her. “Hey, sexy lady, where are you off to in such a rush?”
Kaida’s heart rate soared. “Get out of my way.” She barged past him, fearless as usual.
“Not so fast.” He grabbed her arm.
Red flooded Roark’s vision. Stay calm. She can take care of herself.
“I recommend you take your slimy paws off me,” she snarled.
“Or else what?”
She dropped her bag to the ground and raised her fists and stood with her feet shoulder-width apart, ready for action.
That’s my girl.
The feisty brunette launched a roundhouse kick and knocked her assailant to the ground.
“Is that all you got, bitch?” He scrambled to his feet, clutching his stomach.
“It’s a start. You don’t want to know about the rest.” Sliding one foot forward, she bent slightly at the knees in defensive posture.
&n
bsp; Pounding feet raced toward her—the other two attackers. Roark inched down to the ground and hid in the shadows, ready to pounce.
“Get her!” the bald guy yelled. They grabbed her arms and wrists before she could strike out again.
The portly thug kicked the sack. “What have we here? That’s a heavy bag for such a pretty girl.”
“I’m warning you, let go of me, right now.” She stomped on the foot of the greasy thug behind her and slammed her elbow into the ribs of the thug on her right. They huffed, but it didn’t break their grip on her.
“Sure, my little Asian dumpling, you put on the brave front.” The oily hoodlum behind grasped her chin as the bald one at her side began to unbutton her overcoat.
“Bastards.” She struggled and kicked, but they held her fast.
Not yet—she can still take them.
“Shut her up,” the chunky thug growled.
The hairless goon to her left whipped a blunt object out of his coat and smashed her in the back of her head. She yelped then slumped, limp, between them.
Kaida!
Enraged, he crouched in attack mode. About to charge, he paused when the violent pounding of her heart permeated his hearing. Her skyrocketing body temperature glowed in his nocturnal vision.
That’s it baby, let ’em have it.
“I said, don’t touch me.” Her eyes blazed luminescent orange.
“What the hell?” The greaser dropped her arm. “She burned me.”
The leather-clad hooligan reeled back, holding up his steaming fingers, his jaw agape.
“Burn this!” The leader pulled out a pistol.
Consumed by rage, Roark leapt and landed between her and the attackers. As the click of the safety sounded, Roark spanned his wings, forming a protective wall between Kaida and the weapon.
“What the fuck is that?”
“Shoot it!” the bald one hollered.
A spray of bullets bounced off the leathery surface of his wings. “I’ve got you. It’s okay.” He didn’t have much time to deal with the attackers and get her out of there; she clung to him, motionless and searing hot.
Four, five, six shots. Click, click, click.
Additional projectiles—trash cans?—ricocheting off his wings engulfed him with fury. He flapped hard and smiled as shrieks from behind him ended in crashes and a dull thump.
Holding her molten body in one arm, he scaled up to the rooftop and safety.
“I’ll get you home. Everything will be okay, little dragon.”
Roark stepped through her open window, carried her to the couch, and shifted into his human form.
“You won’t remember any of this, Kaida. Cool down now. You’re safe.”
Roark grabbed a towel in the kitchen and returned to smooth the wet strands of ebony hair from her face and dab the beads of perspiration away.
“You’re still in shock. I should have stepped in sooner. I’m so sorry.” Her glowing irises returned to cool jade, and her temperature subsided. “That’s it.”
“Kaida, is that you? What’s going on? I didn’t hear you come in.”
The knob to the office door turned. She reached up and touched his amulet, blinking.
Her cousin will know what to do. She said he is a dragon, too. Roark traced the line of her brow with his forefinger, longing for more of her. He brushed at his blurry vision and fled out the window.
Chapter Two
It’s even more beautiful than I imagined.
Kaida studied the vast glass atrium ceiling surrounded by the view of the Manhattan skyline. The darkness of the night enhanced the bright city lights.
Opulent black leather sofas and contemporary chairs and tables furnished the rooftop penthouse. She approached a brilliant cascading wall piece and held her fingers under the trickles of water, fascinated by the sapphire backlight.
Wandering into the bedroom she prepared for her date. A quick sweep of her brush through her hair and touch up to her makeup and Kaida had done everything possible to spruce up for the night. She spritzed herself with her favorite Christian Dior, savoring the heady scent of gardenia and sandalwood.
Unease shrouded her as she frowned at the reflection in the tall mirror and sucked in a breath. You can do this. Dropping her overnight bag into the cupboard, she glanced at the digital clock on the night stand in anticipation. Still twenty minutes to wait.
Kaida skimmed her fingers along the four poster bed adorned with luxurious white linens and teeming with pillows. The room’s majestic quality and flawless detail was so out of her realm. A large fireplace spanned half of the bedroom wall, topped with a sleek ebony marble mantel. The second side of the same fireplace faced the living room.
I haven’t even seen a picture of him. God, what will I do if I don’t find him attractive? Rubbing her forehead with shaky fingers, she tried to ease her nerves. Maybe a change of scene would be a wise choice.
In the living room, Kaida sat down on a leather chair, and gritted her teeth at the impossibly slow-moving second hand of the clock on the wall. Eighteen minutes. She groaned.
The soft beep of a security card in the door ended her wait. The knob turned and a colossal dark silhouette filled the doorway, a small bag hanging from his shoulder.
“Hi there.”
Frozen in place, she tucked her hands under her legs and gripped the edge of the cushion.
“Hello. Please, come in. I’m Kaida.”
He closed the door behind him.
“Roark. How do you do?” The light of a few tabletop lamps filled his face when he stepped forward, revealing high cheek bones, a defined jaw line, and smoldering chestnut eyes. So much for worry about an unattractive date.
“A little tense, to be honest.” She stood to greet him.
“If it’s any consolation, I’m also nervous.” He accepted her hand, leaned down, and kissed her knuckles, his shiny, blond shoulder-length locks cascading around his face.
Gorgeous and a gentleman. Hope he doesn’t scare easy.
“You are beautiful.” He scanned the length of her mini dress.
“Your first impression is working to my benefit.” Smoothing her hair back, she drew in a slow deep breath.
“Indeed, it is.”
Kaida sucked in her bottom lip, frowning.
“Is anything wrong?” he asked.
“No, it’s fine, but…have we met before?”
He took a step back. “I don’t believe so.”
“Sorry, it’s just that….”
“What?”
“There’s something, familiar about you.”
“I’m sure if we had met, I wouldn’t have forgotten.”
“Oh, well….” She stammered and her cheeks flooded with heat. “My mistake.”
Now what? Do we jump right into the sack?
“Would you care to join me downstairs for a cocktail and perhaps get acquainted?”
Kaida exhaled and let her tight shoulders sag. “That would be great. Roark, is it?”
“It is.” He flashed a sexy grin. “I should put my things away, I suppose?”
Speechless, she gawked at him.
“Um, where…?” He lifted the bag.
“Oh, excuse me.” She flattened the sides of her dress down with shaky hands and nodded toward an open door. “The bedroom is over there.”
He strode away, granting Kaida a view of the width of his powerful shoulders and tapered torso from behind.
Her date returned and held out his arm. Kaida grabbed her purse from the table, and he escorted her to the elevator.
***
Soft classical music filled the piano lounge. Clanking wine glasses, faint chatter, and an occasional cackle from a flirtatious woman at the end of the bar completed the atmosphere.
They followed the maître d to a quaint little table for two beside a picturesque stone hearth aglow with a crackling fire. The handsome stranger pulled Kaida’s chair out, and she slid into the seat.
“Thank you.” She inhaled, savori
ng the delectable fragrance of Armani.
She felt like a princess, being catered to, with the opening of doors and a gentleman’s smile, and the night had just begun.
A peppy young waitress arrived. “May I get you drinks?” Ignoring Kaida, she focused her attention on Roark.
“Kaida?”
“A Manhattan please.”
“I’ll have a cognac.”
“Very good.” The blonde dashed to the bar.
Shutting the pushy server out of her thoughts, Kaida turned her attention to Roark. “I know this is for one night, but would it be taboo to make small talk with some personal questions?”
“I don’t think so. I did propose we get to know each other. What would you like to discuss?” He slid his blazer down his shoulders and rested it over the back of his chair.
She ogled the ripped muscles through his slim-fitting black button-down shirt. “That’s a good question.” Finding it difficult to sit still, she crossed her ankles under the table. “I love your accent. Where are you from?”
“Here we go.” The energetic waitress placed their drinks on coasters. Turning to leave, she rubbernecked Roark’s biceps. Kaida cleared her throat and Blondie drifted away.
He smiled at her. “I’m from Dublin, Ireland.”
“When did you move to New York?”
“It seems like an eternity ago.”
She studied his expressions, anxious to know him better. “I’ve always wanted to travel, but I’ve never taken the time. It must be so beautiful in Ireland.”
“Yes…it is.”
Then why did you leave?”
“It’s difficult to put into words; I just found no further joy being there.”
“That’s too bad.”
“There is nothing left there for me anymore.” He frowned and toyed with a cocktail napkin.
“No family?”
“Not for a long time.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“No need.” He shook his head and flashed her another killer smile. “I have what I would call kin here. They made me feel right at home.”
“Where do you work?”
“I, uh, work….” He scanned the room. “In security.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“As a rule, it’s night work.” He fiddled with his glass.
“Are you a night watchman or a guard?”