Finding Monsters

by Liss Thomas

  “I’ve got her, but she’s exhausted,” Charlie said.

  Atian led them back into the dragons’ cave. Missy smiled as she saw two of the babies up and about, their wings restored. The third lay listlessly in the nest. She had her wings but she didn’t stir. Mau, Calico, Sophie, and Elyen were all attending to the sick infant. Drina sat nervously to one side watching the progress with Drago taking his place beside her. Elyen looked up and saw Missy. She whispered something to Sophie and rushed to where Charlie held her. She touched her cheek and forehead.

  “She’s ok, Elyen. She just needs rest. How’s the baby dragon?”

  “Not good. There’s nothing else we can do to help,” she said on a sob. “Once they saw how weak she had become, Drina had no choice but to pull this weak one’s life force away from the other two babies. It’s only a matter of time now.”

  “Take me over there,” Missy whispered.

  Charlie complied and set her down by his mother and Drago. Missy reached out and touched the baby dragon, who gasped shallow breaths. She sensed a faint emotion of peace from the baby and then it started to fade until all thought and emotion fell silent. Drina shook with silent sobs. Missy had no energy left to shield herself from the emotional parents. The powerful grief shocked the air and all felt it. Tears spilled down Missy’s cheeks as feelings of failure tugged at her insides.

  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

  “You did all you could, little one, for that we are grateful,” Drago replied.

  Sophie put her arms around her and pulled her close.

  A slow glow of red engulfed the infant. The appearance of flames rippled over the small body. Drago and Drina glanced at each other in silent communication. Drina gave an almost imperceptible nod. Missy saw the exchange but could not guess its meaning. Drago touched his nose to the red flames and they turned shimmering blue. The light flashed brilliant white then faded, leaving the nest empty.

  “Come here, child,” Drago said to Missy.

  Missy rose unsteady to her feet. Charlie stood close behind to assist but she managed without help.

  “You have shown incredible courage, fortitude, and intelligence. You have also gone well beyond what we expected of you, even risking your own life to save my children.” Drago pulled up the blue shimmering light again and leaned his head into Missy. She put her hands on his snout.

  “Drina and I have decided to grant you the powers of the dragon,” he said. The blue light engulfed Drago and Missy. She felt the warmth it always provided. When the light faded, the warmth of the flames remained.

  “Rest now, child. Your next quest will come quicker than any of us would wish for you. Hyenas are not smart enough to have managed what we’ve witness today. We can only imagine the jackals are involved and have become powerful, manipulating and using the hyenas for their schemes. It is now apparent that they are getting tools and possibly weapons from other worlds. Your next quest will be in Jackal Territory. We have to find out how they are getting through to other worlds so we can stop them.”

  “Thank you, Great Father,” Missy said.

  “Our pleasure, daughter,” Drago said on a bow. Drina leaned in and Missy gave her a hug. Charlie came up behind her and scooped her into his arms again. She didn’t fight the fatigue or the darkness that came up to meet her.

  Chapter 20

  “How long have I been out?” Missy asked, still groggy with sleep.

  “Awhile,” Charlie answered.

  She looked around. The room seemed vaguely familiar, their new dwelling. “How long is awhile?” she asked.

  He hesitated, pushing the hair from her eyes and running his hands down her arms. “About ten days,” he replied. He helped her to sit up, took a cup from the dresser, and helped her to drink.

  “Thank you. I feel better, although a little strange.”

  “What do you mean?” Charlie asked.

  “Warm,” she said.

  Charlie chuckled. “Do you want to eat in the courtyard?”

  “Sure, but what’s so funny?” she asked.

  “Nothing, my dear,” Charlie said. “Get dressed.” He left to fetch the sundress his mother had made for her. When he returned, he found her standing near the window looking out into the courtyard, the sheet draped around her.

  “My mother made this for you,” he said, showing her the dress.

  “Your mother is remarkable.” She dropped the sheet to the floor and walked over to the bed to lay it out. She caught Charlie staring and beckoned him over. He flushed hotly then walked up behind her. She stepped into the dress, and he helped her button up the back. Charlie planted a small kiss on her shoulder before he twirled her around and caught her in a small embrace putting another small kiss on her lips. His lips hovered over hers for another second before he pulled back. Missy wanted to pull him closer but knew he struggled with being close to her. She struggled too. Missy realized she was holding her breath and let it out in a slow sigh.

  “Oh, my. I think my temperature went up another ten degrees,” Missy whispered.

  “No kidding,” Charlie said, breathless. He closed his eyes and waited for his heart to slow. “Come on. Let’s go to the courtyard before we burst into flames.” Charlie took her hand, kissed it, and then walked her through the private patio they had to the courtyard. Charlie opened the gate and they walked the path to the gazebo. A picnic basket sat on the table. Missy gazed back at Charlie.

  “Magic?” she asked.

  “Extremely careful planning,” Charlie said on a smile. Missy laughed. They devoured the packed lunch and drank from the sweet nectar the flowers poured for them.

  “So what did I miss as I slept away the days,” Missy asked after lunch.

  “Not much. I sat and watched you every day. Elyen would have watched you every day too except she stayed home hovering over Vrag instead.”

  “How is he? Did you know he gave me his strength before leaving through the mirror?” she asked.

  “We didn’t know until we got through. We’d never seen him so weak. He literally gave you all of his strength. It took him almost as long to recoup as it took you. He’s out of bed now but Elyen still watches him carefully. She made me promise to send reports of your recovery. She will be pleased to know you’re up and around,” he said. “Oh and there is one more thing you should see for yourself.” Charlie chuckled again as he led Missy through the archway leading into the Bullclan complex. He took her quickly pass the cooking fires, where she waved a hasty hello to Dredge. He rushed her toward the outer door and opened it. She walked out into the crisp air. She smiled as they made their way toward the cabayo pen. Charlie felt the change starting and glanced at Missy. She smiled as his features turned back into his true bull form.

  “You’re changing, my dear,” she said.

  “So are you, my love,” he teased.

  She touched the top of her head and felt the little horns. She smiled. Then she felt something else happening. She looked back at Charlie.

  “Oh no, now what?” she asked. Charlie took her to the stables where he’d set up a large mirror. Missy walked over and glanced at the reflection. She felt more changes occurring and then she caught a glimpse of something unusual. Turning sideways, she flexed her back. Dragon wings unfolded from her spine. “Charlie,” she gasped. “Did you know?”

  “I guessed,” Charlie said.

  Missy slid to the floor in front of the mirror, staring, stunned and speechless. Charlie moved in behind her and sat staring also at her reflection.

  “It must have been hard for him to give you those but he thought you deserved them.”

  “I… I have wings, her wings, Charlie,” Missy gasped.

  “Drago thinks of you as a daughter now. He gave you something no one has ever received before. Oh and remember how you used the fire to make the mirror?” he added.

  “You’re kidding right?”

  “Try it,” Charlie said.

  Missy held her hands out and concentrated. She f
elt heat rising within her. She stared at her hands as flames erupted and licked around them. She relaxed and the flames subsided. Charlie got to his feet and pulled Missy up with him. They stared at each other. Missy shook all over, not sure how to feel about the gifts of the dragon.

  “What’s wrong?” Charlie asked. “What can I do?”

  “Just tell me it’s ok. Tell me I can do this,” she said, through tears. “Tell me … how much you love me.” She fell into his arms. “I should be dead, Charlie. Did I deserve this second chance at life? What did I do that was so extraordinary, that you picked me?”

  Charlie held Missy and let her cry. He swept kisses onto her neck as she wept and whispered in her hair. “It will be ok, Missy. You are the strongest, human I’ve ever met, the most beautiful and worthy of life. I love you beyond words, beyond reason, beyond the boundaries of all worlds.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m just … overwhelmed, I guess,” Missy managed. Charlie coaxed her from the stables and back inside. He found the shortest passage back to their quarters. Once inside, the wings, horns, and his bull-like appearance faded. Charlie led her back to bed.

  “Rest, my love,” he said, lying down beside her. Missy turned over and nestled herself into his chest, the tears diminishing. “Do you need anything?” Charlie asked.

  “I’ve got everything I need right here.” She sighed in complete contentment.

  The weather finally turned warmer in Bullclan territory. Missy sighed, grateful for the change, although since moving near the courtyard, she rarely ventured outside the walls unless visiting Egan. She still had presents to open from the joining ceremony. The latest had been left by the door earlier in the day before dawn. She set it beside the bed unopened as Charlie rushed her from their dwelling intent on taking a ride in the country. When they returned that evening, Charlie didn’t need to lure her into the bathing room. She slipped into the warm waters and swam to the far side.

  “Charlie, I never see anyone else here. Why do they call it a public bathing room?”

  Charlie chuckled. “It used to be a public bath before we moved into the neighborhood. Father commissioned another built so that we would have privacy. This massive bathing room is all ours, my dear,” Charlie said. Missy laughed, the sound filling the warm sauna-like room with echoes. She swam nearer to Charlie and leaned against the railing between them.

  “I love your laugh,” he said. His eyes lingered on her glistening skin visible above the water line. Missy couldn’t keep her eyes from taking him in as well. Charlie’s human form was well tanned and muscular. She liked watching him the best when he woke in the morning, his dark hair in disarray about his face, the tips curling ever so slightly. He’d bury his head in the pillow giving her a view of his sculptured back and shoulders. She’d comb his hair with her fingers and it would put him back to sleep for a few more minutes. She’d laugh to herself then run to bathe and dress. It seemed better that way since they’d agreed to wait until after her quests to mate. She would feel it when his emotions strained against his resolve, and she didn’t want to cause him added pains. Missy felt it now as Charlie’s heated stares raked over her body. She felt her own temperature rising as their eyes locked. She would give in soon, she thought, not much longer to wait. Missy leaned forward and planted a small kiss on Charlie’s lips then rushed from the waters wrapping herself in the thick white robe.

  Missy came from the bathing room first. She plopped down on the bed and opened the gift she’d left there. She giggled when she saw the lacy red lingerie pajama top. She stifled a yawn, dried her body and hair, and slipped it on. The silky material made her skin cool, producing goose bumps down her back. She pulled her normal dressing gown out to change when Charlie walked through from the bathing room. He wore his robe and his hair looked partly dry. His smile faltered when he saw her. Missy felt the emotions surging through his body causing a trickle of panic in her stomach.

  The attack was swift. Before she knew it, he’d pinned her to the bed. Her arms ached from his vice grip. She wanted to scream but he muffled the sound with his mouth on hers, planting searing kisses to her mouth and neck. When she tried to scream again, he covered her lips with his, plunging his tongue into her mouth with unbridled hunger. Missy wrenched her face away from his.

  “Charlie, stop!” she yelled. He growled low in his throat but didn’t stop. Her panic sent an uncontrolled tremble over her body, so violent she screamed. Charlie froze. He clamped his eyes shut, his breathing coming in heavy pants.

  “You’re hurting my arms,” Missy whispered, almost afraid to speak. Charlie released one arm then the other. He pulled his body up away from hers and hissed between clinched teeth.

  “Get out of the bed and take off the damned red shirt.”

  Missy scrambled from the bed. She slipped the shirt over her head and quickly shoved it under the bed. She slipped on a plain white tank top and moved to the doorway for a quick escape before she spoke.

  “Ok, the shirt is gone,” she said. Charlie opened his eyes and expelled a shaking breath. He moved from the bed, slouching in a chair in the corner of the room covering his eyes with his hand, shaking violently with rage.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” Missy began but Charlie cut across her words.

  “Where did you get it?” he yelled, not looking up. His words struck her hard.

  “It was delivered as a present. I thought maybe Elyen or Ginger sent it.”

  “They would know better! Where did it come from?” Charlie continued to roar at her, his bull personality coming through even in his human form.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. Charlie left his chair in one swift movement crossing the room in two strides. Missy cringed back against the wall, too stunned to run. He pinned her against the wall, careful not to touch the bruises already forming on her arms.

  “I could have killed you. I’m a bull, Missy. I may look like a human but that is just an illusion. Red and bulls don’t mix. That myth is real here,” Charlie said. He’d stopped yelling now, and the anger began melting away to grief. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I couldn’t control myself. I saw that color and something inside took over.” He gently stroked her arms. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m sorry, Charlie. I truly didn’t know,” Missy said, relieved to sense his emotions back to normal.

  “I’ll stay in the sitting room tonight. Get some sleep.”

  Missy blocked his way. “No. Why?” she pleaded.

  “I’m still coming down from the rush. Please, I don’t want to do something else I’ll regret,” Charlie said averting his gaze from her face.

  “Please stay, Charlie, you won’t regret it and neither will I.” Reaching up she took his face in her hands and kissed him. He couldn’t resist her touch, her kiss, her scent. Charlie wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. His mouth never left hers as he moved her back toward the bed. He broke off abruptly and released her.

  “I can’t stay,” Charlie panted, closing his eyes, falling to his knees and raking his hands through his hair. “Sometimes having you close is more intoxicating than the red. I made you a promise. But if I start, I won’t be able to stop.”

  Missy stood back as Charlie struggled to collect his composure. She gathered clothing and covered herself fully, even pulling a long sleeved shirt over her tank. She watched and felt the warring emotions rolling off Charlie like tidal waves until only one emotion remained, guilt. She wanted to apologize again but nothing came from her lips but a small sob.

  Charlie’s head snapped up at the sound. His eyes scanned the room searching until he found her tucked in a corner, her eyes wide with fear. Charlie moaned inwardly. She had never been afraid of him, until now. Wanting to comfort her, he stood abruptly and moved toward her but halted when she dropped her gaze and pushed back even further into the unyielding space. He moved slower this time until he stood only inches away, his hands out in surrender. There were no words he could say that would undo what he’d done, that would disp
el the fear. He could only show her. Wordlessly, he let his hands rest on her waist. She flinched but did not pull away from him. Her quickened breaths roared in his ears. Cursing himself again, he lightly kissed her forehead. Feeling her relax in his arms, he pushed the long sleeved shirt off her shoulders until if fell away completely, revealing the tender skin marred with dark purple bruises. The lingering rush from the red evaporated as he examined what he’d done to her. He lowered his head and lightly kissed her shoulder, and lighter still the bruised skin of her upper arms.

  “I am so sorry,” he said, his words thick with emotions. “I will never, never hurt you again, I promise.”

  Missy lifted her eyes to meet his, the fear gone.

  “I know,” Missy said. “I know.”

  Chapter 21

  Tension filled the room like a low thundercloud. Atian paced the floor, not making eye contact with either of them. Sophie looked pained. A knock on the door hit like a lightning strike; everyone jumped. Atian walked to the door and opened it. Vrag and Elyen entered and took seats across from the young couple.

  “Ok, we’re here. Let’s hear it,” Vrag grumbled.

  “There was an incident last night,” Atian began. “It appears Missy received a mysterious gift.” He looked at Missy and nodded to the package heavily wrapped in brown paper. The bulls averted their eyes while she opened the paper to reveal the red camisole. Vrag growled as Elyen sucked in a shuddered breath.

  “Where did this come from?” Vrag boomed. Missy quickly re-wrapped the garment and tucked it away again.

  “It’s put away now,” she whispered but no one seemed to relax.

  “We don’t know who sent it, but it is not from this world,” Sophie offered.

  Elyen’s big doe eyes widened as she turned to Missy. “You didn’t wear that, did you?”

  “I didn’t know!” Missy wailed. “I’d just tried it on when Charlie walked in and saw it.” She could not hold back the buildup of tears any longer.