by Verna Clay
The lights dimmed and he relaxed into his plush chair as much as he could with the barracuda next to him trying to make body contact.
The music began softly and Davide watched Zoe's mastery of her instrument. Near the end of the evening's performance, she stood and took center stage. The spotlight focused on her alone as the room darkened. Her dark blond curls glowed under the light and he lifted his theater glasses to watch his dearest friend.
Zoe closed her eyes and played her Stradivarius and the haunting melody captured Davide's spirit. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as his heart rate accelerated. In Zoe's music he heard the sounds from his dream: wind, rain, birds, insects. When she rested and the music rose in a crescendo, he heard turmoil. Then she lifted her violin again and the first note calmed the turmoil, bringing peace and resolution. Davide's breathing quickened at the sight of his childhood friend becoming one with her song. He longed to…
The irritating woman spoke close to his ear. "Do you know her? You seem enraptured."
Suddenly, Davide had the answer as to how to get Magdalena to leave him alone. "Yes, I know her. She's my wife." Magdalena sucked a breath and leaned back in her seat.
The last note of the violin rang out, which ended the performance, and when accolades broke out, Magdalena stood and stepped in front of him, not joining in the enthusiastic response. Leaning down so that he had a distinct view of her perfect breasts, she touched her lips to his ear. "Too bad you're married. We could have made incredible music together." She trailed her lips to the corner of his mouth and when he didn't respond, she chuckled and moved past him with Raoul following.
CHAPTER 9:
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Zoe eased her bow over the last note and lowered her head. Silence filled the auditorium for several seconds and then clapping and accolades. She lifted her head and smiled. A strange sensation flowed through her and she glanced into the balconies, squinting against the stage lights. Of course, multitudes of colors assaulted her senses as she took in the auras of the audience. She usually refrained from looking into the crush of people so as not to become distracted, but just as she started to look away, she thought she saw a golden aura. When she blinked, it was gone. You've got to stop thinking about him. She stood for her bow.
She bowed again with the other musicians and the curtains closed, but reopened because of the enthusiasm of the audience. Keeping her eyes averted from the crowd, she bowed one last time before the curtains final closure. The imagined glimpse of the golden aura had made her sad and she blinked back tears while packing away her instrument.
Her fellow musicians came to congratulate her on a superb performance and she graciously accepted their heartfelt enthusiasm. Jose asked if she was going to join Hilliard and the party gang, and she declined. Walking backstage, she handed her instrument to the caretaker to be locked away, and then started toward the hallway to the back entrance. She intended to walk to her hotel since it was only across the street. She had stayed at the Casa de Madrid before and always enjoyed the lovely accommodations. She had just started down the hallway when she heard her name being called.
Turning, she smiled at Veta Jean, a cello player. "Hi Veta Jean, what's up?"
"There's someone asking for you, and since security wouldn't let him backstage and he was getting frustrated—but mostly because he's a 'hottie'—I decided to check him out. He asked that I find you and send you to the auditorium."
"Did he give his name?"
"Nope. I rushed away because I wanted to catch you before you left. I think you have an admirer…or a stalker. Of course, if you don't want him stalking you, you can tell him to stalk me." Veta Jean laughed.
Zoe shook her head. "Jeannie, you're a kick. I guess I'll go check out mystery man." She walked past her friend and turned toward the stairs leading to the auditorium. In her mind's eye, she saw the golden aura again. Naw, Davide wouldn’t be here.
She stepped beyond the two guards and into the magnificent room. A few people still milled about but she didn't see a "hot" guy among them. She turned toward her left and glanced at the far wall; nothing. She turned toward her right and scanned the people at the closer wall. Her heart jumped and then pumped itself into overdrive. A man surrounded by a golden aura leaned against a decorative column and his intent gaze heated her flesh. Her mouth dropped and Davide pushed away from the column. His crooked smile as he walked toward her made her belly do somersaults. No matter how much she'd tried to convince herself otherwise, she would never stop craving Davide Roth Beowolf.
"Hello, Zoe." The deep timbre of his voice turned her knees to mush. She hadn't seen him in two years and his masculine appeal had skyrocketed past the moon. Black hair, now cropped short, enhanced his angular bone structure and eyes the color of blue fire now looked her up and down. His half grin matured into a full one, showcasing beautiful teeth that resisted perfection because of a slightly crooked one. Because of his slight imperfection, Davide looked like a god made human. She longed to throw her arms around his neck and touch her lips to his ear, whispering how much she'd missed him, but instead, she said matter-of-factly, "Davide, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, of course, since you've forgotten me these past two years. No letters; not even a postcard. At least I wrote to you and left voicemails. Now you've missed my birthday two years in a row. What gives, Zoe?"
Zoe feigned a laugh. "I'm a world traveler. I can't just up and leave my job whenever I want."
"You've been a world traveler for years. It never stopped you before. Your excuse just doesn't wash and I'm going to get to the bottom of this sooner or later."
Over my dead body. Zoe changed the subject. "What did you think of tonight's performance?"
Davide's face softened and he leaned so close she could feel his breath. "Do you realize this is the first time I've heard you play violin. My God, Zoe, you're incredible. I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven."
Zoe blushed profusely. Not so much from his words, but from his nearness. If she turned her head slightly, her lips would touch his.
He straightened. "What hotel are you staying at?"
"Across the street at the Casa de Madrid."
"Excellent. I'm staying there myself. Let's walk over together. We can stop in the lounge for a drink and catch up on the past two years."
"Okay, sure."
CHAPTER 10:
PERSUASION
Zoe watched Davide make his way across the lounge carrying two drinks. Several women turned their heads to follow his progress. She sighed and wondered if there was a bathing suit event going on in the city. The women were all tall, young, beautiful, and curvy. Zoe felt like a shapeless stick.
"Here ya go." Davide placed her virgin strawberry daiquiri in front of her. At that moment, she wished she liked the taste of alcohol; anything to numb her breaking heart.
Davide had opted for something stronger. "What are you drinking?" she inquired.
"Scotch."
"Sounds strong."
"Would you like a taste?" he offered, and held the drink out to her.
She started to decline but then changed her mind. "Sure, why not?"
Ignoring her outstretched hand, he lifted the glass to her lips and gently tipped it, never taking his eyes from hers. She gasped at the strong taste and some of the drink dribbled down her chin. Before she could wipe the liquid away, Davide was skimming the drops away with his fingertips. She felt her face flame and couldn't draw her gaze away from his. The moment passed and she ducked her head to the side, grabbed a napkin and blotted her chin. "I think I'll stick with virgins." She heard Davide chuckle.
"Um, Zoe, I don't think I have a response for that."
She felt her face flame brighter and realized that she sounded and looked like a nervous schoolgirl. Trying to regain some semblance of dignity, she said, "Okay, Davide, why are you here?" She lifted her eyes to his and thought she saw a glimmer of attraction, but dismissed it as wishful thinking.
&nb
sp; He studied his fingers tapping the side of his glass. "I need your help."
The unexpected admission took her by surprise. What on earth could Davide need from her? She waited for him to continue.
Instead of blatantly telling her what he wanted, he said, "You know about prophesy of me being…" he bent forward and said softly, "…the so-called Great Prince."
Zoe nodded.
"When I was a child, I believed what I was told, and I did everything in my power to live up to that prophesy. I diligently practiced my focus exercises, listened to my father's teachings, and prayed to Source that I would be worthy of my calling." He lifted his scotch and tossed back a swallow. "When I reached my teens, my lack of ability to shift began weighing heavily on me."
Zoe nodded again and sipped her daiquiri, waiting for his revelation.
He glanced around the room, seemingly forestalling what he wanted to say. "I've often begged my father to draw a map to the Cave of Thirteen so I could confront the co-Princes and personally tell them not to count on me to become their prophesied prince. How can a shapeling of mixed blood who has no shifting ability be the Great Prince? And anyway, I've never been told what this prince is supposed to do or accomplish." Again, he swigged his scotch. "About two weeks ago, my father and mother returned from the Cave of Thirteen and immediately wanted to see me. They told me they were willing to reveal the way to the cave."
Zoe gasped.
"Of course, I was elated until they told me their stipulation."
"What is it?" Zoe leaned in.
Davide sucked a breath. "I must first travel to Uluru in Australia and go on a walkabout."
"Davide, you can do that. You–"
"Wait, Zoe…there's more." He glanced down and drummed his fingers on the table. Finally, lifting his head and reaching into the depths of her eyes with his own, he said, "You have to come with me, both to Uluru and the Cave of Thirteen."
"What!" she shouted. Several heads turned to look at them. Leaning forward she said low, "What the hell are you saying, Davide?"
"You heard me, Zoe," he whispered fiercely back. The stipulation for me to be given directions to the place I've longed to visit, is that you must accompany me to Uluru and then to the cave. It's as simple as that."
"No Davide, that's not simple. I can't just pack up and travel to Australia. I have a job."
"Tonight was your last night for several weeks."
"So you've already checked my schedule!"
"Of course."
Although Zoe's heart longed for the adventure of being with Davide, she knew it would exponentially increase her heartbreak. "I simply cannot go," she said quietly, while staring at her daiquiri and circling the rim of the glass with her finger. She chanced a glance at Davide to see him watching her hand. Stilling the movement she waited for his response.
"Zoe, I need you."
His simple words made her want to cry and she blinked rapidly. Don't do this to me, Davide. She didn't respond.
Finally, he sighed and relaxed. "You know what I was going to do if you refused?"
She shook her head, unable to speak.
"Kidnap you."
Her jaw dropped.
"But of course, I won't do that." He slid out of the booth. "Honey, whatever I did to upset you so much that you don't want to be around me, I'm sorry." He tossed a tip on the table. "I had no right to expect this of you. I'm leaving tomorrow night on a commercial flight for Australia. I've decided to go on the walkabout anyway. You have a great life, kiddo." He started to walk away but paused. "Maybe you can find time for next year's birthday party."
Zoe stared after him gulping back sobs.
CHAPTER 11:
DECISION
Zoe tossed all night. Eventually, giving up on sleep, she padded to her window. Lifting a hand to massage her temple in hope of easing a massive headache, she stared at a full moon and listened to the tick of her clock. The light from a passing vehicle two stories below pulled her gaze from heaven back to earth. She pressed her fists into her eyes. What should I do? The thought of spending time with Davide thrilled her, but she knew her heart could not take another hit.
To distract her thoughts she walked to the bathroom, flipped on the light, and studied her reflection in the floor to ceiling mirror. Starting at her feet, she worked her way upward. She'd always been small and growing into womanhood had not changed that. At 4'11" she was skinny with a flat chest, although a tiny waist gave her some curves. She studied her eyes. Their redeeming quality was their color, a rich mahogany. She often received comments about them. Her gaze drifted to her mouth. Although a little fuller than average, it still wasn't striking. She turned her head back and forth viewing her nose: average, straight and thin, without any cute tilt. Smoothing a hand over her cheeks, she decided her best feature was probably her complexion, creamy with a light dusting of freckles over her nose. Lastly, she stared at her dreaded hair and the springy, muddy-blond mass that refused taming. Her curls had been the bane of her existence. She cringed when she remembered some of her nannies before Fawn. Even now, she could feel the pain of a brush being mercilessly pulled through her hair. Fawn loved her hair and had taught her to accept the curls, allowing them to do their own thing. She sighed and turned from the mirror. She would never measure up to the kind of beauty Davide was destined for.
What should I do? The thought repeated itself. Returning to her bed she sat Indian style in the center and put her head in her hands. You know exactly what you're going to do. The moment you saw Davide's aura fade when you refused him, you were a goner.
She fell back against her pillows and actually dozed after admitting that she had to help Davide. She rose early, dressed hastily, and rode the elevator to the ground floor. At the front desk she said, "Good morning. I'd like the room number for Davide Beowolf, please."
"I'm sorry; we are not allowed to release room numbers. I can call his room however and let him know someone is seeking him."
"Yes, please do that."
The clerk glanced at his watch. "I'll have to wait until eight to make the call. Right now it's seven."
Darn. "Oh, okay, I'll come back then." She turned to walk away.
"Excuse me, Miss. You said the last name is Beowolf?"
She turned back around. "Yes."
The clerk was staring at his computer. "It looks like Mr. Beowolf checked out right before I arrived, which was a few minutes ago."
Zoe's heart thumped her rib cage. "Damn!" She raced toward the entrance, impatiently circumventing an early riser. On the sidewalk she glanced up and down the street, her heart pounding furiously while tears threatened.
"Zoe?"
She turned and saw Davide leaning against the building, his backpack sitting on the ground beside him.
Relief almost made her run and throw her arms around him. Breathing deeply, she started toward him and he picked up his backpack, covering the distance.
"You're up early after a late night, kiddo."
Without prelude she said, "Okay, I'll go with you."
After studying her eyes for a long moment, Davide's sensual mouth quirked into a lopsided grin. "Thank you."
"I thought you said your plane leaves tonight."
"It does, I was going to wander the city for a while. Want to wander with me?"
"Sure. But what about an airline ticket for me? You're traveling commercial, right?"
Davide grinned sheepishly. "I already have a ticket for you. My family is very adept at getting whatever they want. I even have your Australian Visitor's Visa approved. Remember, I was going to kidnap you if you said no."
Zoe shook her head, feigning exasperation.
"Let's get you packed," Davide suggested, and waved his hand toward the hotel entrance. Zoe was elated to see his aura was once again bright.
* * *
Rainey watched Roth answer his cell phone and when he motioned that it was the call they had been waiting for from fellow shapelings Magadalena and Raoul Santiago, she rush
ed to sit beside him on the bed and listen to the one-sided conversation.
He asked a few questions, listened for several minutes, and then thanked the caller and hung up. He kept his face expressionless.
Rainey said, "Did Davide fall for the ruse? Tell me what happened."
He suddenly grinned. "Seems Magdalena pulled out every trick in the book to entice Davide, but he just wouldn't take the bait. He couldn't keep his eyes off Zoe."
Rainey squealed. "Oh, this is exciting!"
"It gets even better."
"What? What?"
"When Magdalena gave it her last best shot…are you ready for this…Davide said Zoe was his wife."
Rainey squealed again. "Now we know something's up with him. Magdalena is irresistible. What a great idea you had to ask the Santiagos to go undercover." She giggled. "Just out of curiosity, what were they going to do if Davide succumbed to Magdalena's charms?"
Roth laughed heartily. "Raoul said he was going to ask another shapeling to show up and act like Magdalena's lover, and then he was going to make sure the lover punched Davide in the mouth."
"Goodness. It just shows what a mess a web of deceit can spawn. Anyway, I'm glad of the outcome. I can't wait to tell Mom, Dad, and Beth."
CHAPTER 12:
WELCOME TO AUSSIE LAND
Zoe closed her eyes and rested her head against her airline seat. I can't believe I'm flying to Australia with Davide. Beside her, he moved and the contact of his shoulder flooded her with warmth. To stop the contact, she shifted in her seat and acted like she was trying to find a more comfortable position.
Hours later, Zoe heard whispering in her ear, low and sensual. She turned her head toward the sound and her lips touched something rough and sandpapery.
She heard the voice again. "Zoe, wake up, sweetie. We're descending into Adelaide Airport."
She opened her eyes to see Davide's face next to hers. Her lips were resting on his five-o'clock shadow. She jerked upright and felt pinpricks racing up and down her arm.