Ivan nodded and turned on his heel. His palms were clammy as he strode after his mom. “I’ll have to listen to what Mom has to say and then get to the kitchen.”
“I get the feeling that whatever has happened might be more important than whether your diners have their meals served on time or not.” Larisa stroked his back soothingly.
“You’re right.” He blinked a couple of times as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. “If Elise has left the kitchen, then there must be something very wrong.”
“Maybe she’s just sick,” Larisa suggested, although her tone told him she wasn’t convinced the problem was that simple.
“There you are!” Valerie called impatiently from the hallway of her apartment.
“What’s going on?” Ivan asked. “Why the secrecy?”
“Because I don’t want everyone knowing our business,” Valerie hissed.
“Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll make some nice tea,” Larisa put her arm around Valerie’s waist and the older woman leaned into her.
“Mom.” Ivan was by Valerie’s side and half-guiding, half-carrying her to her favorite chair in the sitting room.
“Tea can wait,” Valerie croaked as she sat down heavily in her chair.
“Where’s Elise?” Ivan hunkered down next to his mom.
“She’s with Caleb.” Valerie’s jaw clenched and she cupped Ivan’s face in her hand.
“Where are they?” Ivan asked again.
“Silas came last night.” Valerie swallowed hard.
“Silas took them?” Ivan fought to keep his dragon contained. If the vampire had hurt his family, he’d go over to the vampire’s lair and tear his head from his shoulders or rip out his heart. Or both.
“No,” Valerie said quickly. “He came for his promises.”
“His promises?” Larisa asked.
“A while back Silas helped Helena. In return they owed him. Like a favor,” Ivan explained.
“Caleb and Aiden offered to fulfill the favors. Helena and Penny are about to have their babies...” Valerie sniffed loudly.
“What did he ask them to do?” Ivan croaked.
“Caleb and Elise have gone to see Grandma Hannah. And Aiden and Flora have gone to fetch Fiona,” Valerie explained.
“Fiona?” Ivan frowned. “What does she have to do with all this?”
“Silas didn’t say. But I know it’s got to do with the dragon on dragon isle.” She choked back tears. “I always thought I could keep you all safe.”
“You did keep us safe,” Ivan told her as he wrapped his arms around her fragile body.
“It’s me who brought trouble to your family,” Larisa said. “But I’ll put it right.”
Larisa spun around and headed for the door.
“No!” Ivan sprang up and slipped past her to block her way.
“We agreed this is what we need to do,” she protested.
“We did,” he agreed. “But maybe whatever Silas has planned is our other way.”
“A vampire? You’re going to trust a vampire? One who forced your brothers to make promises.” She shook her head. “What if he’s not on your side?”
“Then I’ll kill him, and we’ll go back to plan A,” Ivan said simply.
Chapter Twenty-Nine – Larisa
“You’re going to kill a vampire?” Larisa didn’t like the idea of Ivan killing anyone, either in his human form or as a dragon.
“If he’s a threat to us or my family.” Ivan stood up but Valerie caught hold of his hand and pulled him back to her.
“Before you do anything, you need to consider the repercussions. Silas has always been a good friend to this family.” Valerie’s eyes sparkled with tears as she stared at her son.
“I know, Mom. But things change. We don’t know what he plans to ask in return for the other two promises.” Ivan leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Valerie. “I won’t do anything unless I have to. Unless he forces my hand.”
“You haven’t told me what happened in the fae realm.” Valerie changed the subject and the atmosphere in the room lightened. “Did you find out who the pendant belonged to?”
“Grandma Hannah did a location spell. The pendant belongs to a dragon on the dragon isle. She sent us to see a fae elder. She said he might be able to help us,” Karros began but as he fell silent, he glanced at Ivan.
“And did he?” Valerie switched her full attention to Ivan who stood up once more and paced the room. “Ivan?”
“I found my treasure.” Ivan stared out of the window as he spoke.
“Your treasure,” Valerie pushed herself awkwardly out of the chair. “How?”
“Once the concealment spell wore off, I could sense it.” Ivan looked tired and drawn, Larisa wanted to go to him and soothe his troubles, but he needed to talk to his mom.
She backed out of the room, hating the emotions this whole episode had dredged up, while filled with fear of what might happen when Ivan’s brothers returned. Silas was pulling the strings now and none of them had any idea what his motives were.
“The fae’s name is Gilliam. He met my father when he was younger, and they became friends. When my father was banished from the dragon isle, Gilliam helped hide his treasure. It’s been hidden under a palace ever since and Gilliam has guarded it all this time.” Ivan’s voice cracked and Valerie wrapped her arms around her son and pulled him close.
As her mate held onto his mom, Larisa turned around, grabbed the map out of Ivan’s pack, which he’d dropped in the hallway. Her cheeks flamed red as she shoved the map into her pack and left the apartment. She was going to stick to the plan Gilliam had come up with. It was their best chance at resolving this without many more people getting involved. And possibly getting hurt.
If she could go to the dragon isle and find her way to meet with this dragon, she might be able to persuade him to talk, to tell his secrets.
She hitched the pack on her shoulder and fought to ignore the wave of guilt that swept over her. She’d stolen the map from her mate. Telling herself this was for the best, she kept walking. Ivan would never have gotten involved in any of this if it weren’t for her. If it wasn’t for her family.
That wasn’t true but she chose to ignore the fact that Ivan was involved in this from the moment his father was banished from the dragon isle. The murder of Ivan’s parents had simply deepened his involvement.
He deserved the truth. He deserved justice.
Larisa didn’t want him to get caught up in a downward spiral of revenge that would wreck his life in Wishing Moon Bay.
Hurrying back into the hotel reception, she locked eyes with Jeremy. She slowed down and smiled easily. “I’m just going to get some fresh air.”
“Are you okay?” Jeremy put down his pen and came around the reception desk. Would he try to stop her?
“Yes.” She nodded and raked her hand through her hair. “It’s been a long couple of days. You don’t find out you’re the mate of a dragon shifter every day.” She forced a smile on her lips. “And then there are the witches and wizards... Vampires and fae.”
“It must be a shock.” He studied her closely. “Can I get you anything?”
“No. Thank you.” She grabbed her phone from her pocket. “I’m just going to call my dad and let him know I’m okay.”
“Take care.” Jeremy watched as she headed for the door and pushed it open.
“I will.” She turned from him and hurried down the steps. As she walked away, she was certain he was still watching her. Would he go tell Ivan she’d left?
A couple were getting out of a car as she crossed the parking lot. As they headed toward the hotel, Larisa saw her chance to slip away unseen. She took it.
With a longing look at the truck, she jogged down the street, heading toward the beach. If she were going to take a boat that was the best place to start her search.
Aware that Ivan would be able to sense her, she picked up the pace. How far did his senses stretch when it came to her? A mile, two miles.
Or would he be able to find her wherever she was in the world?
At least this world. Was the bond with her the same as the one with his treasure? If she crossed into the fae realm, would the connection fail?
She ran on, her mouth dry and her stomach rumbling. If only she’d grabbed some water and food before she left. The scent of fresh bread reached her as she neared a cluster of stores, but she didn’t stop. She needed to keep going. Her mind was made up and she didn’t want Ivan catching up to her and persuading her to wait.
This was the best plan, she kept reminding herself even though it felt as if she was betraying Ivan.
Larisa tightened her hand around her phone. She should call her dad and let him know she was safe. Once she was on a boat, she’d do just that.
She hitched the pack on her shoulder and slowed down. How exactly did she plan on getting a lift on a boat? She had a little cash on her but not much.
She’d deal with that problem when she had to. One step at a time. There was no use worrying about the future.
Like how Argothorn could kill her with one swipe of his dragon claws. Or maybe he would incinerate her on the spot. That would cover his tracks.
She swallowed hard, tasting the salty tang of the ocean on her lips. The beach was close.
Recalling her visit with Ivan, she headed away from the parking lot and went right. From what she remembered, there was no sign of boats or a harbor to the left, only a long stretch of beach and cliffs that blended into the mountains.
Her feet ached as she ran but she kept going. There must be a harbor somewhere. Ivan had mentioned his brother sending candy to the dragon isle.
The sounds of gulls as they circled in the distance gave her hope. They were opportunists who were hoping to catch a free meal from the haul of fishing boats.
A tall mast appeared above an outcrop a few hundred feet along the beachfront and Larisa dug deep to find the stamina to keep going when her muscles burned with each stride. Damp strands of hair stuck to her clammy neck and forehead. As she reached the rocky outcrop, she welcomed the cool sea breeze that blew in across the ocean.
“What the hell!” Before she rounded the outcrop, a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark, somehow familiar features stepped out to block her path.
She expected him to step back and apologize for startling her. He didn’t. Instead, he stepped forward, his gaze raking her body. She shivered and stepped backward but he was fast and sprang forward, grabbing her arm.
Before she had a chance to scream, he covered her mouth with his hand and lifted her off her feet.
Larisa struggled, lashing out at him as he carried her toward the outcrop.
“Shh. Stop struggling,” he muttered in her ear. “I’m trying to help you.”
Larisa lashed out at him, wriggled in his arms, and aimed a kick at his shins. This was not her idea of help.
“Do you know what you have?” He stuck his hand in her pocket and pulled out the pendant.
Her eyes widened as he held it up in front of her eyes. She blinked several times as she tried to figure out what the hell was going on and how he knew about the pendant.
Damn it! She was so stupid. In her haste to find a boat to take her to the dragon isle, she’d forgotten to check the map.
She’d been caught by Argothorn.
Carrying her effortlessly, her captor took her along the side of the outcrop but instead of rounding the point, he headed along the side of it until he reached a small, shallow cave.
“If I let you go, will you promise me you won’t scream or run away until we’ve talked?” He waited for her to nod before he slowly released her. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
She rubbed her wrists as she backed away from him and scanned the cave for a way to escape. “Who are you?”
“That doesn’t matter.” He held up the pendant. “This is what matters. Where did you get it from?”
“I found it,” she lied smoothly.
“Where?” He stalked toward her, and she darted to the right but there was no way to pass him.
“In the world beyond.” She stood still, there was no point wasting her energy. She’d figure a way out of this. Or Ivan would sense her and come rescue her.
If he could sense where she was.
“And you brought it here? You brought it to Wishing Moon Bay?” His eyes glowed a faint amber, confirming her suspicion that he was a dragon shifter.
“I did.”
“When?” His intense gaze didn’t intimidate her. This guy wanted answers. Well, she wanted some of her own.
“How did you know about the pendant?” she asked.
He stared at her, the glow in his eyes deepening. “I sensed it.”
“So it’s yours?” Larisa had expected Argothorn to be older. The man before her looked closer to Ivan’s age.
“When did you bring the pendant to Wishing Moon Bay?” he growled.
“If you sensed it, then you know when.”
“I sensed it a couple of days ago. But only briefly, then it disappeared. Until today.” His eyes bored into hers, the glow eerie in the darkness of the cave.
“I brought it to Wishing Moon Bay and then I left again. I got back a few hours ago.” She wasn’t lying but she felt as if she were. Would he be able to tell by her increased heart rate and the heat that crept across her cheeks?
“Where did you go?”
“Is the pendant yours?” She tilted her head to one side.
“It belonged to my father.” His admission knocked the wind out of her lungs.
“Belonged to. So he’s dead?” This put a different spin on things. Perhaps the location spell hadn’t moved because the dragon the pendant belonged to was dead. His body might be buried in the tower.
Could she trust this dragon shifter? Was he evil like his father?
“He is dead.” The man averted his eyes and stared down at the cave floor.
“I’m sorry.” She wasn’t sorry the evil dragon was dead, but she was sorry to see the grief in the man’s eyes. Larisa couldn’t imagine the grief of losing a father. She dreaded the day her own dad was no longer here to talk to and hug. And love.
But then love never died.
“It’s not your fault.” He held up the pendant. “He was murdered by the thief who stole this.”
“Oh!” Larisa didn’t mask her shock. They might just be on the same side. But the man in front of her didn’t look as if he’d come here to make friends.
“Where did you find it?” he ground out.
“Okay, we need to simmer down a little.” She put her hand over her mouth and paced up and down as she tried to figure out the puzzle surrounding the pendant.
“Tell me,” he demanded.
“Okay.” There was nothing for it. She was going to come clean. “The pendant was lost for a long while. I’ve been trying to find it for years. The person who we thought it belonged to left a trail of bodies behind.”
He shook his head and frowned then his eyes widened, and the orange glow turned a deep red. “Argothorn.”
“You know him?” Larisa asked warily.
“Yes. He’s my uncle.”
“Your uncle killed your father?” She needed to make sure she had this right. There was no room for mistakes if they were going to work together.
“There was never any proof. My uncle is too good at deceit and lies to leave a trail.” He turned his back to her and stared out at the ocean. She could push past him and make a run for it.
Instead, she said, “I think you should come with me. We need to talk.”
Chapter Thirty – Ivan
Larisa was gone.
How had he missed her leaving?
“She’s probably just going out for some fresh air or time alone to think,” Valerie assured him.
“I can’t sense her.” He turned around on the spot, pushing his senses out to their limit. Had the concealment spell left a residual effect? It should have completely worn off when he shifted.
�
�Maybe she’s gone to the beach,” Zara suggested.
Ivan stopped still and lifted his head before turning from side to side as if trying to tune in a radio. “Got her.”
He rushed out of the apartment and sprinted through the hotel reception before coming to a halt in the parking lot.
She’s coming this way, his dragon said.
She is. Ivan’s brow creased in confusion. She’s not alone.
No. She’s not alone, his dragon confirmed. She’s with another shifter. The scales along his spine bristled like a dog with raised hackles. A dragon shifter.
Do you think... She has the pendant! Ivan ran down the street and shifted mid-stride. As soon as his dragon came into the world, he leaped in the air and flew toward the beach.
They had made plans on how to coax the dragon from the tower, but they hadn’t prepared for Argothorn bringing the fight to them. Now it was too late, he had Ivan’s mate.
We should have kept a close watch on the map, his dragon ground out.
There is no point beating ourselves up over it, Ivan replied.
No, I’m going to beat Argothorn up instead. His dragon flew faster, they were closing in on their target.
But how would Argothorn react? What if he simply killed Larisa in front of Ivan knowing it would break the dragon shifter?
It was too late to take the potion to conceal their true identity. Their fate was out of their hands. For now, at least.
There! Ivan’s dragon swooped down, landing heavily on the road, his talons raking across the asphalt.
“Ivan!” Larisa broke away from the stranger beside her and ran toward him. “It’s okay. This is Egan. He’s come to help us.”
Ivan’s dragon reeled back, the fire building in his throat as he sensed a threat toward their mate.
“Please. His father was also murdered by Argothorn.” She held out her hands and approached the dragon, talking in a soothing tone. “He can help us. He wants justice, too.”
We should listen to what he has to say, Ivan told his dragon.
I would rather burn him where he stands. But the dragon bowed his head and rubbed his face on Larisa’s thigh.
The Dragon Shifter's Desire: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance Page 20