“We’re here.”
The words vibrated through her. Maya’s head rested on a chest that should not have been comfortable to lie upon, but it was. Reluctantly, she pushed her body off Draakar and looked around the empty car. They were parked on the tarmac near an airplane with a Celtic design of a black dragon painted on its tail. It could only belong to Draakar.
“Our things have already been loaded and everyone has just boarded. They’re only waiting for us. Are you ready?”
“Yes, yes,” she said, brushing her hair away from her face. “Ah, what about customs?” He gave her a direct stare and raised one dark empirical eyebrow. “Yeah. Right. Forgot about that mind thing.”
He touched her hand and she froze, turning her gaze back to his. In what seemed like slow motion, he lowered his lips to meet hers as she raised them to his. This kiss, while not as all consuming as their first one, in some ways packed even more heat because of its gentleness, its awareness. A promise. Something shifted inside her. Unsure what, she pulled away from him.
“We’d better go.”
I am here, Maya, always.
I know. I am starting to believe it.
He stepped out of the limo first and then helped her out. They did not have far to walk together to get to the stairs of the airplane. Once onboard, they found Ian in the cockpit and to Maya’s surprise, Draakar took the empty seat next to his.
He could read the question as it formed so answered before she could verbalize it. “Yes, I am going to sit with you, but I need to watch Ian’s take off. I have the knowledge to fly this thing but I wanted to see how it’s done firsthand. Once we’re in the air I’ll relinquish my seat to Darryl. He wants to learn to fly too. This is the closest he’ll come while on earth. After we’re stable I’ll come and sit with you. Unless you’d prefer I sit with you during take off? I’d let you sit up here but as you can see there is only room for two. Next time I’ll get a bigger plane.”
“No, that’s okay. I’m fine.” She managed a smile. Such a guy thing leaning to fly, but come to think of it, she wouldn’t mind learning either, but not today. “You go on and help fly the plane. Just get me home in one piece. That’s all I ask.”
He smiled and stood. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your seat and buckle you in.”
Taking her elbow, he guided her to her seat. The plane had all the comforts of a commercial airline. While not as large as the one she crossed the Atlantic on, it was not exactly small either. Twenty spacious leather seats filled the aisle with enough legroom for a seven-foot man to stretch out. From the way Cass laid on hers, they reclined to a comfortable lying position too. Two people could walk side-by-side down the aisle, and the rear held a bar with a kitchen. Draakar gave her a quick kiss and had turned to leave when she stopped him with a mere touch on his arm.
“I just remembered. I left my purse with my passport back at the castle.”
“No you didn’t. Look under the seat.”
She leaned over, placing her hand under her seat. She felt a familiar shaped bag. “My purse!” she exclaimed. “I should have known.”
He inclined his head. “You are welcome. Now sit back and try to relax. I will be back to join you once this thing is in the air.”
Draakar returned after awhile. Even though the take off and rise to the necessary altitude seemed flawless, Maya’s nerves stood on edge and she found herself glad for his company. She hadn’t realized she wanted company until he sat beside her and took her hand. Even though the others sat a few feet behind her and if she wanted companionship, all she had to do was join them. In truth, she wanted his company.
“Is this the first time you’ve flown?” she asked.
Draakar grinned. “No, of course not.”
“You know what I mean.”
“It is not the first time I’ve flown. However, it is the first time I have been flown.”
Maya smiled, enjoying his sense of humor. “This must be strange for you, having to rely on a machine to fly.”
“Yes, it is a little strange but exciting. I promise, though, it would be even more exciting to be able to show you how to fly, to cut through the wind with you at my side.”
For the first time since she got the phone call, Maya allowed herself to relax. “I don’t think that would be such a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I won’t want to be mistaken for a UFO.”
“Ah,” Draakar replied straight-faced. “Not a problem, I can cloak us.”
“Cloak us?” She frowned. “As in make us invisible?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. You might be able to do that also.”
“I would like that.”
“I will show you how after your mother is well. Why don’t you try to get some rest? Even though we’re flying faster than this plane normally can, it will still be some time before we reach our destination, Dulles Airport.”
“What about fuel? Does this plane hold enough to get us there or will we have to stop and refuel?”
“That’s not a problem either for us.”
“Yeah. I guess I have to restructure my entire way of thinking, my expectations of how of things worked before I was aware of magicks, and my expectations with the use of it.”
“It is as natural to you as breathing. Your brain merely has to let your instincts take over and you will be fine.”
“Promise me something.”
Without hesitation he said, “Anything.”
“Be careful what you promise me, Draakar. Promise you can make her well.” She read his thoughts; he understood she referred to her mother and what she expected him to be able to do.
I will not disappoint you. “As long as she is alive when I get there, I can keep her well,” he spoke aloud. “Now get some rest.”
“I don’t think I can sleep. I’ve got so much on my mind.”
“I know, but your mind and your body needs the rest. These seats go pretty far back.” He touched the button angling both of their seats into recliners and raised the armrest between them. Removing the barriers, he placed his arm around her and drew her against his side. “Put your head on my shoulder.”
For once, Maya did as he asked and promptly fell asleep wrapped in his arms.
Is she sleeping? James sent to Draakar.
Yes. I think I’ll let her sleep until we land.
That’s probably a good idea. Um, I’ve been thinking. I’m a bit of a gambling man, and I’m thinking it would be pretty high odds there would be two hit and run accidents in the same family. Maya told us on the hike her grandmother was killed in a hit and run. Even for Americans that’s a tad much for both grandmother and mother.
Draakar smiled, but a cold one he knew did not reach his eyes. Yes, the thought had occurred to me, but I think Maya believes it to be just a coincidence. With a silver dragon loose in the world, I am reserving judgment, and until I learn otherwise I will not say anything to Maya.
Then neither will I.
Get some rest. I am afraid that we will all need it.
Chapter Nineteen
Early on a cold March morning, the little girl stood dry-eyed beside the open ground. She stopped watching the oak-colored coffin the moment it lowered into the hole. A man’s pale large hand held her small tan one and on the other side, a woman’s soft dainty hand enclosed her other. She looked up at them both. She’d already said her goodbyes to her mother the day before. This small ceremony was a mere formality. Her mother died telling her how much she loved her, and how much her father and his wife loved her already. These people would be her parents now, her family. They were the only ones at the graveside.
“Daddy,” the child said, in her soft little girl voice.
The child watched tears puddle in the corner of his eyes because she’d called him Daddy.
“Yes, angel?”
“I think we should leave now. Mommy’s gone to heaven to be with the real angels.”
A little over six feet tall and built like a wrestler,
Arthur dropped to his hunches and hugged his daughter, who barely reached his waist. “Yes, angel, she’s your angel now and will always be watching over you.”
The child briefly returned his hug before pulling back. “I know, but can we go now?” the child asked again, a little more anxiously this time.
“Yes, Arthur,” his wife said, giving the child’s hand a brief squeeze in support. “I think it’s time to go. The bags are already in the car; everything is taken care of. We can head straight to the airport from here.”
Arthur stood up and gathered his small family to him. He looked into the grave holding his last ties to America, to his youthful self. Silently he said goodbye to the woman he had once loved and who had given him their precious child. He turned with one arm around each of the women in his life and said, “Let’s go home.”
Their rental car had just driven out of sight when a black SUV with tinted windows drove through the gates of the cemetery from the opposite direction. The car drove down a windy trail until it came to the walking path leading to the freshly dug grave. There it stopped and the driver stepped out, a man about average height with a slender yet muscular built. He wore stonewashed black jeans and a brown leather jacket cut to reach his thighs. The brown leather cap perched at an angle on the side of his head obscured his face.
Standing silently before the hole in the ground, with one red rose held loosely in a dark brown hand. He watched the grounds’ people fill it with dirt. He twirled the flower once then threw it into the grave. He had arrived a day too late. “You haven’t won yet, li’l sis. Sooner or later, I’ll find her.” After uttering those softly spoken words, the man walked back to his car and drove off.
All eyes tracked the progress of the two women and five men as they seemed to glide through the terminal in Dulles Airport. They looked like something right out of a science fiction movie. One of them stood out from the group. He wore a black leather coat, the bottom brushing against his ankles. His extremely long hair blended with the dark coat so perfectly you couldn’t tell where it ended and the coat began. If possible, he looked even more disturbing than the others.
A stunningly beautiful woman with a rich almond complexion walked alongside him. Her hair hung in a wild mass of loose curls framing an oval face. It spread downward to nestle around her shoulders on a shape hugging, golden-bronze, floor-length leather coat. The two walked slightly ahead of the others who seemed to flank them. Those others appeared to be more than a mere entourage. They also wore long leather jackets but in different, interesting, and striking colors that seemed to flow as they moved through the terminal. Exactly who or what they were remained unclear, but people instinctually stepped out of their way.
Behind the group were three porters with suitcases on carts. It seemed at first the group would continue non-stop until they left the building, moving in synchronicity, headed for some unknown mission. No one would dare to hinder them, but suddenly they stopped. Everyone else went back to whatever they had been doing, pointedly ignoring the group.
A little girl between the age of ten and twelve, with her hair in two thick braids hanging down her back, stood in front of a magazine rack about ten feet away from Draakar. She had drawn his attention. He knew what she was and suspected her connection to his son. He stood immobile in shock when he felt her probe his mind.
Greetings, Dark Lord!
The voice in his head belonged to a child, but with a lot of raw strength behind the probe. More than most adults had. When fully matured the young lady would be very powerful. He continued to stare at the back of her head as she thumbed through her magazine, seemingly oblivious to his presence behind her.
Do you know who I am, little one? Even when he responded, she still didn’t turn toward him, but continued to look through her magazine.
Yes. I think so. You’re the Dark Dragon Lord. I’ve been dreaming about you. Sometimes it’s a little confusing, and weird. I think there are also others, another—one of gold.
Do not be afraid of your dreams, little one.
I’m not—sometimes they’re kinda cool, even if I don’t always understand them.
You will understand everything in time.
I tried explaining them to my mommy, but she said the same thing you just did. My mommy died yesterday and my daddy is taking me to live with him and my new mommy. We’re going to fly on a plane. I’ve never been on a plane before. Will I be able to fly someday?
I am sorry about your mother. And yes, I think one day you will fly.
Is it okay to tell my daddy about my dreams?
If you want. But do not worry if he finds them confusing, too.
Maybe I’ll wait until I understand them a little better.
The young girl put the magazine she read back on the rack and turned her head in the opposite direction, as if she were watching someone.
I’ve got to go now. That’s my daddy. See ya later, Dark Lord.
Till we meet again, little one. If you ever have need of me, just call to me and I will come.
Cool!
Draakar watched as a man stopped before the little girl and took her hand. They walked away from the brethren. As they moved farther off, the child turned around and looked right at him, then turned to face forward again, leaving Draakar feeling as though he’d taken a punch to his gut.
“What the hell?” Maya exclaimed.
They all watched the little girl skipping happily along beside her father. They had also seen the flash of silver in the child’s eyes. “Yes, I know,” Draakar said. “Come on, let’s get in the limo.”
The brethren continued moving as though nothing unusual had happened. But something had. They walked out of the airport. A black limousine sat at the curb near the exit with the rear doors standing open. The driver had already placed their luggage in the trunk. The group had barely settled in their seats before the questions began, for everyone had felt the child’s probe and heard her thoughts to Draakar.
“What in both of our worlds was that?” Maya asked.
“Earth magicks at work would be my guess,” Draakar responded. “I told you, when the brethren drained their magicks into the earth, both Earth magicks and human brethren were changed somehow. The brethren of Earth are now…different. It’s the only thing that explains this.”
“Ah, did everyone notice the lass had silver eyes,” James said, shaking his head in confusion. “How could she have silver eyes?”
“Does this mean she’s a silver dragon?” Maya asked confused. “The silver dragon we’re looking for? But she’s just a child.”
“This makes no sense,” Cass said.
“I believe she is a silver dragon,” Draakar said, “but she is not the one we are looking for, and interestingly, she’s female. A first in memory, and probably due to the influence of Earth magicks. There has never been a female silver dragon in brethren memory. Nonetheless, the one we are looking for is definitely an adult male. The girl also doesn’t have the scent of corruption about her. Nor does she carry the scent the male on the mountain left behind.”
“That’s true,” Maya replied. “I sensed none of the things I sensed about the other presence. But who is she?”
“I believe she’s Talon’s mate.”
“His what?” Maya and Cass cried in unison.
“His mate. The one he came to Earth to find.”
“Ah,” Maya said, nodding her head. “It’s making sense now. This is the ‘she’ Talon kept referring to.”
“Wait a minute,” Cass said, “she’s just a little girl.”
“Yes,” Draakar replied, “but she’s still his mate and besides, by earth standards, Talon is only a teenager.”
Maya sent a mental picture of Talon to Cass, who nodded. “Ah,” Cass said, “I get it now. They’ll make a cute couple…in about twelve years.”
“Well, where’s Talon?” Maya asked. “He must be here somewhere searching for her.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. In fact I’m sure he’s o
n this side of the Atlantic.”
“But…she just left,” a puzzled Cass said, “and they were headed to the international section, so that means she’s leaving the country.”
“That’s right,” Draakar conceded. “No matter, I should be able to find her again now that I’ve established a link with her.”
“Wow! What a coincidence, that we’d run into her here,” Ian stated.
“I don’t believe in coincidence,” Draakar responded. “Not for brethren. I am beginning to suspect things have been set in motion of which I have been unaware, maybe even before Talon’s arrival. Our coming here at this time is no fluke.” He pushed his hair behind his ear. “Let’s focus on one thing at a time. We’re headed straight to the hospital. Maya, Ian, and I will stay there and the rest of you can go on to the house I own here and settle in. After I heal Maya’s mother, we’ll meet you there. I will communicate with the Stones and Mother Earth then and see if they can shed any light on this.”
Maya’s tone held surprise when she asked, “You can communicate with the Stones from here?”
“Yes, from anywhere on Terra. My power for now is linked to them.” Most of the powers he now possessed were borrowed from Earth magicks to enhance his own. He needed his mate to be able to call forth all of his own powers. He needed Maya, and they were rapidly running out of time.
Chapter Twenty
Maya sat next to him and silently reached over to squeeze his thigh. At least she tried to. Might as well have tried to squeeze a bowling ball. Absolutely no give existed in those muscles beneath her fingers. When she would have withdrawn her hand, Draakar placed his over hers. He kept it there for the short ride from the airport to the hospital. She didn’t bother to try removing it; she knew it would be pointless. Besides, she enjoyed the sensation of her hand engulfed by his, like he held something precious to him and he would take care of her.
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