Call of the Dragon: Flight of Dragons

by Victoria Pinder

  * * *

  Where was Mrs. Adams? The flight from Italy and the hours of driving through Maine had taken its toll and my energy was flagging. Tea would revive my spirits and keep me going until dinner.

  Deciding to explore my new home, after some refreshment, I opened the door Mrs. Adams had left from, realizing immediately that the dark path was a service hallway. I kept one finger on the plain wooden walls as I walked cautiously forward. Dim light beckoned beneath a closed door that I guessed might be the kitchen from the smell of cooked chicken.

  I overheard a masculine voice ask, “Who is she, Adams?”

  I shivered, knowing that Mrs. Adams would find me if she opened the door. There was no place to hide in the narrow corridor.

  "Your brother's new wife," the housekeeper answered in what I assumed was a heaping side of judgment.

  Brother? Robert had a brother? I crept closer to the door. The floor squeaked. I froze and hoped no one heard me.

  "He married that fast?"

  He sounded shocked. Aura had warned me. Jitters made my skin jumpy.

  The sound of plates being set echoed in my ear as Mrs. Adams said, "So it would seem."

  "She must be one."

  "I doubt it. She's rather plain compared to Serena."

  "You don't have the nose for it," he said.

  “True enough.”

  I decided to retreat before I heard anything else that might be hurtful, but my foot hit the back wall. The sound echoed and I knew I was caught.

  "Who’s there?" Ms. Adams called out.

  Squaring my shoulders, I swallowed my pride and then opened the door into an adjacent room next to the kitchen that had a white table overlooking a bay window. "It's me. Daphne."

  Mrs. Adams crossed her arms as she gazed down her imperious nose. "Were you spying, ma'am?"

  I entered the kitchen hoping she couldn’t see my racing pulse. "I wasn't spying. I was looking for my tea."

  "I will set it immediately." She motioned with her hands for me to go to the sitting room. The open window had no sash or screen. I glanced at the man outside the window who had a similar profile to Robert's though his hair was a lighter brown, more like mine. "Mrs. De Marco, this is Grayson De Marco, one of your husband's brothers."

  "There are more of you?" How much more about my husband didn't I know? The question reverberated within me. None of the secrets had been horrible, but why hadn’t he told me? I should have asked more at the restaurant on our awful first date. He said his mom had abandoned him and his dad worked in Hollywood and didn’t approve of Serena. Robert hadn’t mentioned siblings, or children. "Grayson, why are you outside the window?"

  Mrs. Adams footsteps sounded behind me as she left the room and I breathed easier.

  "I dropped by to see my niece and nephew and then came to gossip about you.” He winked at me and I swear he wanted to laugh with me, not at me. I let my shoulders slump. He seemed nice. “Robert never mentioned a girlfriend or a wife to me."

  We hadn't dated so Grayson's observation was justified. “Everything happened so fast.” At least Grayson didn't make my skin crawl, like a certain housekeeper. I uncrossed my arms and waved him in. "It's getting cold. Come inside."

  "I'm not cold." He leaned against the window. A breeze rustled the pine trees behind him.

  I stood near the window. "Still, don't get sick on my account."

  He narrowed his gaze as if I’d said the most shocking thing. Maybe he and Robert didn’t get along? Why would family sneak around the house?

  He lifted one leg to climb inside but stopped half-way. "Are you sure?"

  The temperature outside felt twenty degrees colder then when I’d arrived an hour ago, not that it truly bothered me. I stepped to the side to let him through. "Yes, of course."

  Once in the sitting room he righted his suit pants, took off his hat and gloves, and then extended his hand. "As Mrs. Adams said, I'm Grayson. The youngest of us is Logan."

  “Three of you?” I covered my mouth with my palm.

  He laughed. “Robert didn’t mention us?”

  “No. He told me that your mother left him with your father.”

  “Our mother left all three of us with our father.”

  “Ahh.” At least he hadn’t lied. I shook Grayson’s warm fingers. While he might have a warm outer shell, the children didn’t and I worried about them at the beach. I quickly brought my hand back. "I'm Daphne. Did you see your niece and nephew? They shouldn't be outside like this."

  "Samantha is like a mother wolf these days. She'll not let harm come to them."

  Wolf was a strange term to describe a woman. I pursed my lips and tried to figure out how to ask why he would use that word. Perhaps I should let it go.

  Mrs. Adams came in with teacups and the pot of tea which she placed on the table without a word. I closed the window and shivered. To keep myself warm, I curled my hands around my waist. Once Ms. Adams left, I let my arms fall to my sides. Grayson made himself at home, and poured us both tea. Once he was done, he offered a cup to me. "How did you meet my brother?"

  The steam from the boiling water helped unleash the chill from my limbs. I took my saucer and then sat next to the table and stared at the teal walls to collect my thoughts. Grayson sat at the other end and we kept the teapot between us. I sipped my black tea and my nerves returned. "In Florence."

  "He went to Italy?"

  Grayson's voice pitched higher at the end. I lifted my eyebrows as I glanced at him. "You two don't talk much, do you?"

  He had the same dimples as his brother, only it appeared Grayson used his more. "Is it obvious?"

  My tingling spine insisted that I ask more questions. Picking up the curved handle of my teacup I asked casually, "Do you live around here?"

  He motioned toward the window and I saw a path near the trees that led south. "My cabin, Broodmare, borders this but it's nothing compared to Hallimore."

  "And Logan's?"

  He pointed in the opposite direction, so we must be in the middle. "His home, Dumont, is also here. We are waiting to find the rest of the flight."

  "Flight?” My grandmother had muttered the same word as I’d held her hand for the last time. I swallowed. “My grandmother used that word when she died. What do you mean find your flight?"

  "This explains everything.” Grayson tugged his ear as his eyes widened in comprehension. Then he snapped his fingers. “You don't remember."

  "Remember what?"

  "I won't spoil the fun. Tell me where you grew up."

  Nothing was fun about being ignorant. I had to tread carefully, but steel seemed to cement to my bones. Everyone had secret information on me that they weren’t sharing, including Robert. I had to be polite as this was my new home. I lowered my gaze and tried to be kind. "The entire town could fit inside Hallimore."

  "Where is Robert?"

  I needed answers. "He had the urge to write something."

  Grayson stirred sugar in his cup. Then he sipped his tea though his gaze felt like he judged me. "He did?"

  I massaged my neck as I stood awkwardly near my seat. "Yes. He is a writer. I thought that was normal."

  He took another drink. "This past year he's struggled. He hasn’t been happy and then Serena died. Glad to hear my brother is becoming his old self again, though I think it has something to do with you."

  "With me?" Unhappy? She sat down again as the weight of that statement dug into her heart. It wasn’t sunlight and roses all the time with Serena then.

  "Perhaps you're his good luck charm."

  He’d saved me from being all alone. I picked up a sugar cookie and bit into it. "And what is it you do, Grayson?"

  "I live off our family's money.” He followed my action and took a cookie.

  “Robert’s money or your father’s?”

  “Our dad lives in Hollywood. We grew up here and bought all the estates on the coast. The De Marco’s money goes back much further than our father’s though. We’ve always been well off.�
�

  Rich. I can’t imagine. “So how do you fill your day other than gossiping with Mrs. Adams?”

  “Hard to imagine doing nothing I suppose.” He stole another cookie which was funny because he, like Robert, was well-built and clearly spent his day in the gym. Once he finished, he said, “I know that makes me sound like a horrible person, but I've never wanted to do anything except fight..."

  Was there a local boxing club? I tried to understand and leaned forward. "Fight who?"

  "Never mind."

  I picked up my tea and savored the drink. Wolves, dog faces. In my dreams I sometimes saw werewolves, who were loyal to the dragons, but that was silly and nonsense. I couldn't let Grayson see how he rattled me so I changed the topic. I'd rather ask Robert anyway, even though he’d clearly kept secrets from me. I’d chosen to marry him.

  I put my cup down. "You described your house as a cabin, but it has a name. Most homes don't have names. I don't see how someone who is rich lives in a cabin?"

  "It's a lodge to be exact." He shrugged, finished his last sip and placed the cup on the tray. "Most of the homes around here are from the gilded age, families that made loads of money a hundred years ago. Now none of us have to do much around here during the daytime."

  Things changed at night? Mrs. Adams mentioned vampires. Perhaps the whole house was on some hallucinogenic.

  Grandma always said if I was in the dark, I had to cover myself so no one could find me. Growing up I had a routine to ensure all the windows and doors were locked and Grandma and I pulled all the curtains so that the house was completely dark. Even my bed had coverings so no one could ever see me. Now I wondered if there was more to the story.

  I poured more tea. "Why choose Maine to live? I’ve read that the winters are harsh. Most people retire to Florida."

  His eyes widened with surprise. "Do I look old enough to retire?"

  He looked older than me but younger than Robert. "No, but with so much free time, Florida has better weather."

  "What part of Florida are you from then? Palm Beach?"

  "No. Ocala, where nothing happens."

  "Sisters?"

  "I don't have any relatives except a great aunt who would be nearing a hundred." His gaze fell and I swear he was disappointed.

  "Too bad." He leaned forward in his chair. "Can I ask you a question?"

  My muscles clenched. He’d asked plenty already. I placed the teacup in the saucer. "Sure."

  "Why did you marry my brother? He's not exactly someone with kindness in his veins. He wears that scowl of his as a badge of honor."

  “Robert is kind. The day we went to Pisa, he bought me an ice cream and we laughed, a lot.” My soul surged into my chest every time we were together, though technically he never bought me that ice cream as we went to the hotel. I couldn't exactly explain our bond. "You don't know your brother."

  "And you do?"

  “Yes.”

  He stared at me with pity. I wanted to disappear and never show my face again as I trembled. What did I know, really?

  "What do you see in him?" he asked.

  Part of myself. I hedged on what I'd share with Grayson. I felt like my entire stomach was lined with battery acid as I thought about all the secrets. Then I remembered how Robert arranged for me to get a wedding dress and the ring on my finger was part of who I was. "Robert can be charming."

  "I'd love to see that. Robert is usually so matter-of-fact about everything. It was something Serena complained about, all the time."

  Serena was everywhere and in everyone's thoughts. Maybe Robert was right and we should have stayed in Italy. Voices echoed in the hallway. I jumped out of my seat and headed to the door, eager to escape. "The children must be back from the ocean. Will you join us for dinner?"

  "Night is coming.” He stared down his nose at me and I stood and rubbed my arms. “It's best if I prepare. Robert will find me if he needs me."

  Night sounded like a nightmare. More insinuations from the household that I didn't know what was going on. I clenched my jaw as I turned from the door. "You’ve scared me about tonight."

  He headed toward the window. Strange. I pointed in the other direction. “The door is this way.”

  He shrugged. “The path home is through here.”Grayson jumped out. I followed him. "Don’t be scared,” he said. “Stick with Robert and you'll learn to take flight."

  I heard people in the hall. I shivered though I wasn’t cold and nodded goodbye. He bowed. "It was nice meeting you, Daphne."

  I clutched the sill. "You too, Grayson."

  As soon as he was out of sight, I closed and locked the window. Then I pulled the curtains tight. No one should come in from windows anymore. I prefer the doors. What happened at night? Was the nightmare Grayson hinted at the reason Serena died? Light-headed, I fought the urge to faint, or curl under my blankets to disappear.

  Perhaps Aura had been right about running away. But I couldn’t equate Robert with danger.

  I’d married Robert because I felt a part of myself in him. I loved him, but even more than love—the secret that involved me was somehow bigger than that.

  I exited the room and went into the massive hallway. Candles decorated the walls like we were in the middle ages and not the present. I turned left though I wasn't sure where I was going. Robert had pointed up the stairs so I assumed our bedroom would be there.

  I massaged my temples, looking for my husband. If someone as perfect as Serena had died, how would I survive?

  9

  Darkness loomed in the distance as late afternoon turned into night.

  Small footsteps rang to my right. I peered down the massive hallway and then ran toward the laughter of children. Laughter meant I was closer to finding Robert. I needed to ask him questions, get to know what happened and stick to his side.

  As my feet pounded onto the polished hardwood floors, I heard louder giggles. I turned the corner and saw Robert’s kids with a beautiful young blonde who looked like the portraits all around Hallimore.

  The huge playroom was littered with fantasy portraits instead of headshots of old family members. The entire house could be a museum I thought. As I stood in the doorway, all three of them stared at me like I was the intruder. Granted, we’d driven past the children but I had no idea if they’d even seen me with their father. Robert should have introduced us, but it was too late now. The children stiffened as the woman placed her hand on her hip. "Who are you?"

  I glanced into the blonde's blue eyes. She was magnificent in appearance. Even dressed in a non-fitted winter jacket, the puffiness didn't take away from the brilliance of beauty. I lowered my gaze. "Daphne De Marco."

  "Are you related to Robert?"

  Her innocent question had me reeling. I coughed and cleared my throat. "I'm his wife."

  Her face went white as she gathered the children closer to her. "He's married again so fast. Are you one?"

  What was with these odd questions? Did she think I was rich? "One what?"

  "I can't say.” Her voice held a sharp edge. “When did you get married?"

  Clearly no one in this house knew about me before our arrival. I shrugged, wishing Robert was at my side. "Yesterday." I offered my hand in greeting. “Are you Samantha?”

  “Yes.” Whatever had happened to her sister, Serena, I needed to know. Aura had warned me that there was a mystery to be solved, Grayson scared me, as did Mrs. Adams. If I could make friends with someone, maybe Samantha, then I’d have an ally. I then glanced at the children who stared at me like I had wings or something else. I tilted my head. "Robert told me about all of you."

  She crossed her arms. "I wish he'd told us about you ahead of time. I'd have prepared the pups."

  “Pups” was not a nice connotation. I studied them. "His children."

  "But they are not his kind.” She rubbed Helen’s arm like she was trying to comfort the girl, but the girl stayed stiff next to her as Samantha said, “They have their mother in them."

  The scowl
on her face made me pause. If she was on the defensive, she wouldn’t tell me what I wanted to know. I bowed my head. "The kids are beautiful, as are you."

  "I'm trying very hard to be the new alpha, but Serena was the best." The sniff in the air told me without me looking up that she’d upturned her nose.

  What the heck did she mean “the new alpha”? Everyone in the house talked in euphemisms—if anyone was top dog, it would be my husband as it was his house and his children. The boy tugged on Samantha's white winter shirt. "Auntie, who is this?"

  “Harper.” Samantha placed her hand on the boy’s back in a gesture meant to comfort and protect him. "This is your new stepmother."

  His blue eyes pierced through me. I’d guess he was eight and Helen about six. Then he turned away and stared at his sister. "I don't want one of those."

  Though smaller, Helen nodded her agreement.

  Samantha hugged the girl too and knelt down to speak to the children. "It seems your father remarried."

  Harper glared at me. "Why?"

  I sucked in my breath, unsure what to say. Love didn’t seem the appropriate answer to an eight-year-old as it would lead down the path to more questions.

  Samantha placed her hand on his shoulder as if to encourage the boy. "Why don't you ask her what she truly is?"

  The question made it seem like I didn't know myself, but I couldn't let Samantha get to me. I went down on one knee, despite my skirt, to be eye level with the children. The boy stood in front of his younger sister like a protector, so I focused my attention on him. "Are you Harper?"

  He looked like Robert only with lighter hair. "Yeah."

  I gestured with my head toward his sister behind him. "And the lovely girl behind you is Helen, your sister?"

  He crossed his arms as if to block my view of Helen. "We don’t want a stepmother."

  Samantha made a noise of disapproval aimed at me. I had to ensure I spent more one on one time with them.