I looked to Nathan, who said, “I’ll try to keep Patrick in town for your sessions. I know you’d prefer Tyler, but I want a supernatural on you.”
“Ya’ll haven’t told Aaron, have you?”
He shook his head. “He has a lot going on right now and we can handle this without bringing him in.”
“I approve,” I told them. “He needs more time with…” I didn’t know if everyone knew about Sophia, so I stopped myself and said, “He needs more time.” I looked to Nathan. “What can I do to help find the human?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think there’s anything you can do, unfortunately. Mordecai’s brought all of his people into it, I’ve got as many people as I can spare researching him, and Abbott and Randall both have their networks looking as well.”
“What if I talked to Aquila? Is there a way to make that happen?”
Every man in the room except Nathan said, “No,” at the same time.
Nathan, however, asked, “What would you say to him?”
“I’d let him know I was curious about there being another human like me, and I’d agree to go to their lair if it meant I could talk to the human — and then once they got me to their secret lair I’d kill every one of them.” Because killing them might be the only way for Lauren and me to have a normal life.
Abbott again said, “No,” but everyone else looked to Nathan, who said, “We’ll need a better plan than that, but I’m not opposed to brainstorming the idea and seeing if we can find a way to do it that guarantees your safety.”
“They won’t turn me in this realm, at least not until they’re prepared to fight and bring everyone here — and you’ve said you don’t think they have access to other realms.”
“We don’t know that for a fact,” said Abbott, “and if they took you to another realm we might not be able to find you. Even if you killed them all and escaped, you might not be able to find your way home.”
“Not to mention deals are constantly being made, remade, and traded in the Hell realm,” said Mordecai, his expression dark. “My contacts should inform me if you become at risk for being taken there again, but if my contacts don’t know, they can’t warn me.”
And that thought struck terror through my veins, but I couldn’t let it debilitate me. I put the thought from my head and asked, “So what’s the next step?”
“Nothing’s going to happen right away,” said Nathan, “and I’ll have to bring Aaron into the planning stages — I know what I can get away with keeping him in the dark on, and using you as bait isn’t one of those things. Let me brainstorm with a few people at Drake, see if we think it’s feasible, and then I’ll read Aaron in on everything and give him some time to get used to the idea, because you have to know he’ll say no, at first.”
“They won’t turn me evil,” I assured the room. “I know I can’t kill them with my light weapons, but apparently certain kinds of wood can kill them? So, I’ll just need to take some wooden stakes with me, right?” I’d heard Xaephan threaten Aquila with a sword of oak, but I hadn’t told anyone what I knew. They seemed intent on keeping me in the dark so I figured I’d let them.
“If you disable them with your light weapons, we can come in with the stakes and kill them true,” said Mordecai, his expression thoughtful. “I don’t like the idea of handing you over to them, but you’re right that you can be formidable. If we plan it carefully enough we might be able to pull it off.”
“Is there a way to temporarily leash me to this realm, so I can’t be taken out for a specified period of time? If I can be leashed for a week or two, they wouldn’t know it’s temporary, right?” I was still convinced altering me so I couldn’t leave the human realm would somehow affect me negatively, but I wouldn’t be opposed to doing it short term.
Everyone looked to Mordecai for an answer, and he said, “If they get blood on you or in you, Aquila will know your thoughts. I know you did a decent job of keeping him out of your head with your internal singing, but…” He shook his head. “Let me see if I can get permission to break a few rules, and I’ll let Nathan know what I can and can’t do.”
Mordecai needed permission? Before I could ask, he changed the subject. “For the short term, either Cora or another supernatural will be with her at all times, correct? Even when she’s in the restroom?”
“Perhaps Cora can be just outside the restroom?”
Mordecai looked to Cora, who said, “We’ll work out the specific logistics, but I’ll be close enough to ensure her safety.”
He nodded and shifted his gaze back to me. “I wanted to give you some more time before we had another training session, but I’m afraid I’ve given you all I can. Please clear your schedule so we can meet at Drake this Saturday morning.”
I’d thought my time in the Underworld had changed things enough Mordecai would no longer train me, and I took a few seconds to decide if I wanted to continue.
As soon as I considered it, I knew I had to. I’d learned so much from him already and there was so much more he could teach me. Not to mention, I need to learn to hold as much energy as possible, and no one else could increase my capacity as he could.
As soon as I made up my mind, my heart rose into my throat as fear spiked through my system, but I nodded and told him, “Done. Ten on Saturday morning?”
He looked at Nathan. “Can you take care of her when we’re finished?”
Nathan nodded, his face grim. “Yes, though I wish we didn’t have to put her through it.”
“Why does she smell terrified?” asked Abbott.
I took a breath and tried to calm my physical responses. I’d had nearly two weeks away, but it was time to jump back in with both feet. “Training isn’t always pleasant,” I told Abbott. “No pain no gain isn’t just for football players and dancers. I’ll be fine — I’m just not looking forward to it.”
I stood and took a step toward the front door. “I drove, but I’m betting Cora rode with Randall so she could ride back down the mountain with me?”
She laughed. “Yep, and my bags are packed and ready to move into your trunk.”
* * *
I drove, and Cora and I cut up and laughed on the way home. I could tell she was in bodyguard mode, looking around more often, more aware of our surroundings than was normal when we were just hanging out. I’d rather have her with me than anyone else, though, and I was glad Nathan had assigned her to me.
“I’ve noted no one has given me a wooden stake capable of killing a Celrau. Why is that? Do you have one?”
She shook her head. “They want to question them later. We’re to disassemble them enough they can’t heal before someone arrives to take them to be questioned. I can get their blood on me and then change to clear it from my system, so if things get messy and you know I can handle the situation, back away so you don’t risk getting any on you, okay?”
“Only if I know you can handle the problem without my help.”
“Of course. We’re a team. We play to each other’s strengths.”
“Speaking of teamwork — Lauren had a first date with her new boyfriend last weekend, and they’re going out again tomorrow night. I threatened to be sitting on the floor cleaning my gun when he picked her up the first night, but let her talk me out of it. I’m thinking maybe the two of us can have our guns broken down and be cleaning them when he arrives?”
She laughed. “I need mine on my hip and accessible, but I can break one of yours down, so we’re both cleaning one.”
“You’re really okay with staying with me, twenty-four-seven, for the foreseeable future? I mean, I know you aren’t dating anyone right now, but still, if you need some time off please let me know so we can bring someone else in for a while, okay?”
“I’m fine with it. Whatever bond we have makes me miss you when I go more than a few days without seeing you. I’m looking forward to seeing how it reacts with us together full time, and I’m kind of hoping you’ll be okay with playing around with some magics, to see what h
appens if we combine our energy with purpose.”
We were off the mountain and onto straight roads, so I glanced at her a second before looking back at the road. “You think we can do more with our combined energies?”
“I don’t know, but I’d like to play around with it and see.”
“Okay. If you think it’s important, we’ll see what we can do.”
* * *
Thirty minutes later we walked into the family room to see Lauren and Xiaolan both busy with homework. Once again, I reflected on how this was the most important thing in my life — my family, my daughter.
Like it or not, keeping her safe and creating a world I want her to grow up in is paramount. If, indeed, there’s some kind of war between good and evil brewing, I owe it to my daughter to be sure the good guys win.
I’ll just have to figure out how to be both mom and warrior.
The End
Also by Candace Blevins
If you enjoyed Gonzo, you may also like the other books set in the same universe, though in different series.
Chattanooga Supernaturals series, paranormal romance:
The Dragon King (Aaron Drake’s story, and the first time we meet Duke and Brain)
Riding the Storm
Acceptable Risk
Only Human series, urban fantasy
Only Human
An Unhuman Journey
Inhuman Acts (late 2016)
Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Series
Duke
Brain
Bash Volume I
Bash Volume II
Bash Volume III
Horse
Gonzo
Nix (summer 2016)
Ghost (2016)
Dark Erotica Shorts from the world of The Chattanooga Supernaturals
Pride (A short story featuring The Lion King)
Indentured Freedom: Owned by the Vampire
The Safeword series, intense BDSM contemporary romance
Safeword Rainbow
Safeword: Davenport
Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon
Safeword: Quinacridone
Safeword: Matte
Safeword: Matte – In Training
No Safeword: Matte – The Honeymoon
No Safeword: Matte – Happily Ever After
Safeword: Arabesque
Safeword: Mayday (TBA)
Check out other books by Candace Blevins at candaceblevins.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Dragon King.
The Dragon King
By Candace Blevins
Prologue
Aaron
Sophia is the most adorable two year old I’ve ever seen. Fluffy blonde hair, rosy chubby cheeks, and a laugh that makes my heart sore.
I turned to her father, the Swan King, and chose my words carefully. “Raul, you’re sure this is the best course of action? I know you’re still grieving over Angelique’s death, but can you truly prepare Sophia for a life of leading your people if you keep her a prisoner in your home her entire life?”
I could only get away with asking this question because I’d helped raise and train Raul, helped prepare him to take the crown when he beat his brothers and won the throne.
“I did my best to protect my wife from supernaturals, and a damned human hunter took her out. Sophia won’t leave the walls of the castle until she marries, and hopefully whoever wins her will follow my lead and also keep her behind protective walls. She won’t see the same fate as Angelique.” His voice was firm, didn’t waver, and let me know further conversation on the matter would be met with hostility.
Sophia is the first Swan Princess without at least one brother since before I was born, and by my best guess I’m around nine thousand years old. Give or take a thousand.
Swan Princesses are usually given to other royalty as a way to unite families and sometimes species, but they never have a hope of the throne. Their brothers are required to fight each other for power, the strongest and most cunning winning the crown.
Instead of finding another wife to give him sons, Raul is arranging for a contest between the other Swan royalty, with the strongest being allowed to care for her until she turns twenty five, and then marry her and eventually take the crown. Personally, I think Raul wants to step down and find a way to join his dead wife. The grief of her death still holds him.
I’ve trained the past seven Swan Kings, including Sophia’s father, Raul. I know him well, and I know he loves his daughter. However, he’s still feels such pain over his wife’s slaughter, I worry about the decisions he’s making.
There is precedence amongst some other supernatural species for his keeping Sophia in seclusion, finding a suitable King, and not giving her a choice in who she’ll marry. However, watching the toddler play and laugh and flirt, my heart hurts with the knowledge she’ll grow up with no control of her major life choices. Or, likely the minor ones, either.
She’s such a happy baby, so full of life and adventure. I hope her life turns out better than most fairy tales.
* * *
Ten years later, my heart aches as the court Herald announces me into the Swan King’s mansion for Sophia’s final unchaperoned lesson. I’ve been coming to the mansion once a week for a four hour session since she was six, but this must stop once she becomes a teenager, which in swan lore makes her a woman.
I’ll be allowed to come four times a year for an all-day review session, but will never again be alone with her. After today she’ll have a chaperone or minder with her anytime she’s with a man besides her father — or husband, once she’s married.
I’m going to miss my time with her. In my busy life, my half-days with the Swan Princess have been the sunshine of my week. Sophia is a special child, so smart, so willing to learn, and a joy to be around. My heart is happy when I’m with her, and we most often go to our spot near a manmade waterfall on their property so we can talk without worrying so much about being overheard. Someone from the house can see us, but our words are drowned out. Sometimes, though, my favorite part of the day is her smile when I arrive and she skips to me for a hug. Today will be the last time she’ll be allowed to hug me for no reason, just because she’s happy I’ve arrived. My heart hurts as I wrap my arms around her and tell her I’m happy to see her.
We walk to our spot, sit on our rock and I open a few books as I give her another to hold. The rushing waters may provide white noise to block our voices, but we still need to appear as if I’m teaching her.
“You know this is the last time we’ll be alone, right, Soph?”
Sophia looks down, takes a breath, and raises her gaze back to mine. “I know. I’ll miss my time with you.”
“And I’ll miss you, but you’re a Princess, and one day you’ll be Queen, and this is the way it has to be. I’ll be back to review the important stuff, but there are some things I’ve taught you that I won’t be able to review with you out loud. I’ll try to write it in a notebook and let you read it, so you’ll remember, but there is some danger in that, so I won’t do it every time.”
“Why take the risk? If I’ll never rule, never make a difference, why put yourself in danger?”
“Because I’m grooming you for power, Princess. No one knows for sure what the future holds, and to fully do my job I can’t just teach you the palatable parts of your history. I understand your family wishes to shield you and protect you, but I can see the strength in you.”
Sophia sighed. “I’ll still see you at social occasions? Not just the four times a year you’ll be allowed to come for review?”
“Yes, and I may or may not be allowed a dance with you. I will certainly not be able to take you outside for a conversation.”
She nodded, and I carefully said, “Sophia, if ever you find yourself in need of a protector, get a message to me. Your father and Cyrano will look after you, but if you find yourself without their protection I hope you’ll feel comfortable letting me keep you safe.”
Shaking her head, Sophia said,
“Cyrano scares me. My latest Governess tells me when I’m a woman I’ll appreciate him for his strength and resolve, and I must remain meek and quiet around him while I’m a child.”
I wanted to wring Cyrano’s neck for frightening her, as well as the Governess’s for giving crap advice, but I had to walk a fine line. “I’m sorry he scares you, Princess. I would advise you to speak to your father about it, see if he can intercede on your behalf.”
“You always do that.”
I tilted my head and let my eyebrows raise, and Sophia explained. “When we’re just talking, I’m Soph or Sophia, but when you’re thinking politically, you call me Princess.”
“Yes, because this is the way an elder speaks to someone of royalty. I’m your teacher, I know more than you, but I must also show respect. It’s a balance, Sophia.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what you are, and my father either doesn’t know or won’t tell me, but I’m positive you’re royalty, too. I’ve learned to tell the difference in someone with their own power who addresses me and my father as an equal while using all the right words, and someone with no power who addresses us with the same words but a completely different energy.”
I hoped my smile showed how pleased I was with her insight. “You make me proud, Sophia. I hope you’ll keep your suppositions to yourself, though.”
She nodded. “Of course, and I hope someday you’ll trust me enough to tell me what and who you really are.”
I needed to be sure she understood my offer, so I repeated it. “Do you understand what I’m saying, Soph? If you ever need help, a protector, a friend, an advisor…If you’re ever in trouble I hope you’ll find a way to get a message to me.”
* * *
Chapter One
An Unhuman Journey Page 17