“This is an original song from their new album,” Everly whispered. “She and Aiden are going on tour soon. Winnifred and Dax are going with them. We’re going to miss them while they’re gone.”
“They certainly are talented.”
“The album has gone triple platinum. We never imagined it when we produced it in the basement. We are all so proud of them. Dax and Aiden have even stopped fighting. A little bit.”
“How long will they be gone?”
“The worldwide tour goes on for months. But they’ve promised to return home every few weeks to visit.”
“Your family must be really close.”
“We can’t live without them.”
JoJo saw the smirk on Everly’s face and wasn’t quite sure what she meant. She was beginning to think that the family had some strange codependency. They were all adults, so she didn’t understand why they would need to return home for visits every few weeks. But the questions dissipated as the music rose in her ears. She couldn’t help but feel the familiar tingling sensation of magic sweeping through her body. It sparked and burned as it whirled inside her. She’d never felt her magic activated like that before, and something about the song made her think that maybe Aria had magic too. It was a strange thought but one JoJo couldn’t dismiss.
When the burgers and hot dogs were served, everyone sat around the big patio table under the shade of the overhang. JoJo sat beside Tor’s high chair and fed him a smashed avocado, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Everly helped Ember eat the same thing across the table. The women’s eyes met, and they smiled at each other. Kian held baby Ray and fed her a bottle.
JoJo could hear snippets of conversations around her. Zephyr, Cato, Penelope, Yuki, and Flora were talking about genetic manipulation and vaccinations. JoJo had no idea what they were talking about, but it all sounded so fascinating, she couldn’t help but listen. It seemed the five of them were working on something they considered highly important, something that could save the world. She tried to pick up what exactly the vaccination was for, but every time they were about to broach the subject, one of them glanced at her then said something vague.
After everyone was done eating, a few of the guests decided to get into the pool. Dax and Aria were the first to jump in, followed by Aiden and Winifred. Raiden Storm did a cannonball, splashing everyone within range. Yuki and Ragnar stepped in a moment later, holding both of Krista’s hands, but Akash remained at the table with Kian.
Everly changed into a suit and stepped into the shallow end of the pool with her daughter. Ember splashed and giggled as the others threw a beach ball back and forth.
The scientists continued their conversation, and their discussion became more specific. At one point, JoJo thought she heard them say the words “dragon soul blood,” which didn’t make any sense. Maybe it was code for something else, something they didn’t want her to know about.
Flora, Penelope’s sister, kept stealing glances at Raiden in the pool. JoJo got the feeling the two of them were having some type of clandestine relationship. They had done the same thing at the table but hadn’t been openly affectionate with each other.
By the time the party was over, JoJo was feeling thoroughly confused by these families. They were the oddest, most attractive, most intelligent people she’d ever met. But there was something off about them, something she couldn’t quite place her finger on. After spending a lifetime concealing her own magic, JoJo was beginning to wonder if they had something similar themselves.
As the sun began to set, Hanish and the others bid their guests farewell at the front door, and JoJo took Tor upstairs to put him to bed. After a day like today, JoJo wasn’t any closer to making a decision about whether or not to stay. Krista had told her she should refrain from doing so because there might be more surprises on the horizon. But after meeting Hanish’s friends, she wasn’t sure she was prepared to find out exactly what those surprises might be.
Chapter 7
“Thank you for coming, Aria,” Hanish said out in the roundabout driveway. “We appreciate you making the extra trip.”
“I can’t leave without giving the House of Storms the buffer of my magic.”
“We’ll be back soon,” Dax said, putting his arm around her waist. “We’ve made all the arrangements to return at least every two weeks.”
“We just hope that’s enough,” Aiden said.
“We have important work to do out on the road,” Winifred said. “Your music is a balm that soothes the soul of humanity.”
“But without Aria and her music, we’re left nearly defenseless,” Akash said.
“With the new antibodies added to our weapons, we are far from defenseless,” Cato corrected.
“But every day without the speed buffer Aria’s music gives us, it becomes more difficult to connect with the vampires,” Yuki added.
“This is true,” Zephyr said. “But we calculated that we can get by with only being re-buffered every two weeks. This should be enough.”
“If there are any problems,” Aiden said, “we’ll call off the tour.”
“We don’t want you to do that,” Kian said, strapping his children into their car seats. “We all understand how important this tour is.”
“But not as important as protecting our own,” Aria said.
“It’s time to go,” Ragnar said. “Krista needs her rest.”
“Good night, everyone.” Hanish waved at his friends.
“How long are we going to be able to keep up the pretense with Ms. Morris in the house?” Zephyr asked.
“As long as it takes,” Hanish said.
“Captain Hanish, I have the results of the mating analysis,” Azure said through his mental link.
“What is it?” Hanish demanded.
“The meeting analysis of Captain Hanish of the House of Storms and JoJo Morris is positive. She is your fated mate.”
“I knew it,” Hanish said aloud, gripping his fist and clenching his teeth.
“How do you plan to proceed, Captain?” Zephyr asked him, having heard the same news through his own mental link.
“I’m going to make her mine,” Hanish said.
“Have you been studying the courting materials provided by Cato?”
“Briefly.”
“I suggest you give these materials extensive study, sir. Human courtship is… delicate.”
“The human is my fated mate. How difficult could it possibly be?” Hanish strode into the house, leaving his science officer standing in the front driveway. Hanish was not a man who liked to wait. He preferred to act. But in all his years as the captain of his ship and squadron, he had always listened to Zephyr’s advice. As much as he wanted to ignore it and rush up the stairs to JoJo’s room, throw open the door, and declare his undying love, he knew that was probably a mistake.
He growled as he stomped up the stairs and made his way to his bedroom, trying not to slam the door behind him. Then he collapsed in the big, comfortable chair in his sitting room and turned on the television.
“Azure,” he said through the mental link. “Please run the courtship materials provided by Cato.”
“Here are a list of resources,” Azure said.
Hanish waved his hand. “Just start with the first movie on the list.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The film began to play, and Hanish rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness that passed for comedy for humans. But as the on-screen couple began to connect and grow closer, he felt a seed of tenderness growing in his heart. By the time the film was over, he had to dab the corners of his eyes to keep the tears from flowing down his cheeks.
“Emergency alert,” Azure intoned through the mental link. “Security breach at the southernmost edge of the property. The intruders have vampiric signatures.”
“Sir,” Zephyr said through the mental link, “we’re under attack.”
“I’ll get JoJo and Tor down to the safe room. Zephyr, Raiden, meet me on the back lawn.”
He s
prang to his feet and hurried down the hall to the nursery. After scooping Tor out of his crib, he knocked on the adjoining door to JoJo’s bedroom.
She answered the door a moment later, wearing a bathrobe, and her hair was loose down her back. She blinked at him from behind her glasses, more than a little confused. “What is it, Hanish? Why are you waking up Tor? Is he ill?” She felt the child’s forehead for fever.
“We’re having a safety drill,” he said, taking her hand. “I need you to follow me.”
“A safety drill? What for?”
“In case of an attack,” he said on the way down the stairs.
“In case of an attack from whom?”
“I don’t have time to explain.”
They proceeded down to the basement, where he opened the door to the safe room and told her how to lock it behind her. The safe room had been outfitted with everything a dozen humans would need to live for six months. It was a large, comfortable space with many beds, couches, and a full kitchen with a stocked pantry. There was even a private nursery for Tor.
“You’ll be safe down here,” he said. “I want you to lock the door behind me, and don’t open it until I come back. I’ll call you through the intercom on the other side of the door.”
“Hanish, please explain what is going on.” She sounded nearly panicked.
“I can’t explain now. I have other drills I must perform. I’ll tell you everything soon. I promise.”
He had the deep impulse to kiss her confused mouth but instead turned and walked out the door. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure she closed and locked the door behind him. She did as he had instructed without any further questions. He nodded, grateful his mate was a rational and responsible person. He charged up the stairs to the first floor, burst out onto the lawn, and shifted immediately into his electric-pink storm dragon form.
“Status update,” Hanish said through his mental link to his two remaining crewmates.
“There is a group of at least two dozen vampires attacking our compound from three sides. They can’t attack from the west because of the cliff on that side, but they essentially have us surrounded,” Raiden told him.
“The group to the north is made up of more vampires, but from Azure’s analysis, we know they are young and weak,” Zephyr said. “The group to the south has fewer individuals, but an elder is among them. The group to the east is headed by the remaining coven leader named Victor. We know who he is from facial recognition and from the data I received from the House of Flames.”
“Zephyr, you will go to the east and keep Victor occupied. Raiden, you take on the large group of young vampires. I will take on the elder.”
“Yes, sir,” they both said, hurrying off to their posts.
Hanish hurried to the south side of his compound and landed inside the barrier. With all of the tests and upgrades Cato had performed before their arrival, the Storms’ security was impeccable. But every time the dragons upgraded their technology, the vampires did the same with their magic.
The elder vampire and three others stood and smiled at him maniacally on the other side of the barrier. Hanish dropped into his half-shift form. His wings protruded from his back, and his humanoid legs stood on solid ground.
“Well, if it isn’t Captain Hanish, the prince of the House of Storms. It is so good to make your acquaintance. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Byron, elder of this region. My long slumber has filled me with strength. I was overjoyed to find the dragons here on earth when I was awoken. What a treat to feast on pure dragon blood, when all we’ve had to drink all this time was the blood of your sweet little Dragon Souls. I believe you have one in the house with you now.”
The thought of this disgusting beast touching his beautiful JoJo made Hanish furious. He jumped into full-dragon form and burst through the barrier, blowing sparks of lightning and rain from his mouth.
Electricity surged through the vampires, who were caught off guard by Hanish’s quick and relentless attack. But as soon as Byron fell, he was up again, dancing away as a wisp of smoke. The elder was strong—stronger than the other two. They fell and burned under the onslaught of Hanish’s lightning strike.
Byron flitted back, materializing again right out of striking range. “Nice try, dragon. We had come to strike a bargain, but I see that the dragons of the House of Storms are too impulsive to make treaties.”
Hanish shrank back into his half-shift form, which would allow him to speak. “What sort of treaty?”
“Oh,” Byron said, inspecting his nails, “it’s too late for that.” He lunged forward with his teeth bared. He dematerialized then materialized again only inches from Hanish’s neck. Hanish sidestepped the monster and produced his laser sword, swinging fiercely at the vampire.
Byron jumped away but not fast enough to avoid the swing of Hanish’s sword. It sliced across the vampire’s arm, nicking the skin. The sword was imbued with the antibodies of a mated Dragon Soul, which was poison to vampires. Byron screamed and gripped his arm then disappeared in a puff of smoke.
“The vampires are retreating,” Zephyr said through the mental link.
Hanish stepped to the barrier and retracted his sword, feeling as if he had failed somehow. Had the vampires really wanted to ask for a treaty? From what he knew about vampires, it was unlikely. The dragons of the House of Flames had told them the vampires had proposed treaties multiple times, but each meeting had only ever been cover for a surprise attack.
The vampires didn’t want peace. They wanted blood—dragon blood, Dragon Soul blood, and human blood. They wanted anything but the blood of creatures who were not a highly intelligent, sophisticated, civilized species, such as wild animals or domesticated livestock. No, the vampires wanted to feed on the most advanced creatures they could find. Not through blood banks, but through murder and coercion. They always had. They loved nothing more than feasting on a dragon. Hanish had seen more than a few of his men taken down during the endless battles they’d fought against the vampires in his home sector.
Now that they were all on Earth, Hanish had no hope that things would ever be any different. The vampires lacked a desire for peace. They had no such thing as family. Vampires were created through bites, not reproduction. They had nothing to protect peace for—no children of their own. They could create more of their numbers by offering eternal life to whatever species they decided to feed upon. Back on Dragonia, the vampires had looked slightly different, as they’d been made up of the native species from his home quadrant. But over time, they had become more and more humanlike. This caused their magic to change as well. Their attacks were far weaker than they once were, but their speed was much greater. That was why the dragons needed the magic of Aria’s song. Without it, they couldn’t even make contact with the weakest vampire among them.
Raiden and Zephyr met him on the back lawn. They had disposed of the creatures on their sides of the barrier. Raiden had killed at least a dozen on his own, and Zephyr had shot at Victor but had failed to make contact. However, he had taken down several of Victor’s companions.
“They seem to be testing our defenses, Captain,” Zephyr said.
“I would agree with that,” Hanish said. “The elder, Byron, suggested they had come for a treaty meeting, but I’m sure that was a lie.”
“None of the others mentioned anything of the sort,” Zephyr said.
“I must retrieve JoJo from the safe room and let her know she can go back to bed now that our drills are over.”
“Sir,” Zephyr said. “It is critical that JoJo be mated soon. She remains vulnerable to the vampires until her blood is changed through the mating bite.”
“I intend to make her mine as soon as possible.”
Chapter 8
Hanish shut the door behind JoJo and left her in the basement with Tor. Her jaw dropped, and her eyes went wide with astonishment. She had known many wealthy people who had safe rooms in their houses, but she had never been ushered into one so rudely and abruptly in all of
her years as a nanny. She held Tor on her hip and paced back and forth across the large room. A big, open space served as a living room, dining room, and kitchen. Then there were additional rooms off to the side that served as bedrooms. She checked the kitchen and found a well-stocked pantry with everything the family would need to survive for months.
“At least Hanish is taking his survival and security seriously,” she muttered.
She rolled her eyes and took Tor to the bedroom that was furnished with a crib. Instead of letting him get off his schedule, she went ahead and put him down. After she sang him a lullaby, Tor burbled and drifted off to sleep.
Seeing that the child was well situated, JoJo left the room and closed the door behind her. There was a small library in the living room, so she chose a book, sat down on an armchair, and began to read. Being locked in a basement was not high on her list of acceptable practices and treatments from an employer. She considered again whether or not she should leave. Hanish’s behavior was troubling. Then she thought of Tor, the sweet little boy who truly deserved someone competent to take care of him. At that moment, she didn’t believe his father was capable of doing it.
She let out a deep sigh. Hanish was irritating, and in many regards, she did not like him at all. However, as much as she tried, she couldn’t reverse the growing attraction she felt for the infuriating man. It only deepened every time they interacted, no matter how much they disagreed. JoJo had never felt that way about any man before and had no idea how to handle it. Her every instinct was screaming for her to pack her bags and leave. Her feelings were unprofessional and unacceptable. The situation could not end well. But she just couldn’t bring herself to leave Tor… or Hanish.
Part of her felt as though the Storm house was where she truly belonged, and after several hours of sitting in the basement, she finally had her answer. She’d come to a decision. She was going to stay, no matter how exasperating Hanish might be. She also decided that she was going to deal with her feelings for the man, whatever it took. She just wasn’t sure yet if that would involve admitting them or ultimately succeeding in suppressing them.
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