Clue and the Sea Dragon (The Clue Taylor Series Book 2)

by Wendie Nordgren

  By the time I had cleaned the kitchen and my bathroom, all of the previous events caught up to me. Curled up with Daisy, I fell asleep.

  A familiar deep, guttural, furious snarling woke me. Knowing who it was, I pulled my pillow over my head and said, “Tadashi, go to sleep.” I groaned when around the edges of my pillow, I saw the lights come on. Squinting in preparation, I pushed the pillow behind me and sat up. Tadashi, in his Okami spirit wolf form of brown and white, stood on all fours in the center of my bed. His fury was focused on Snappy, who had snuck into bed with me. Snappy blinked tiredly at him with his short blue hair going messily in every direction. “Tadashi, this is Snappy. I tucked him in downstairs. He must have gotten scared. He’s just a baby. Don’t hurt him.”

  When I said, “baby,” Tadashi cocked his head at me like I was crazy and made a weird yowl-like whimpering sound.

  Cosmo and Gregory stood nearby with alarmed expressions. Carefully, Cosmo stepped over to Snappy. “Hey, buddy. You can sleep with me. Everything is okay. Tadashi is a friend. He’s protecting Clue. You understand that, right?”

  Snappy got out of my bed. Tadashi leapt and shimmered into human form. His muscles seemed to twitch under his skin as though he were ready to fight. I crawled from bed wearing pajamas and mismatched socks to stumble and yawn my way into my bathroom. Tadashi glared at Snappy and followed me.

  “Damn! What the hell happened to your back?” Cosmo asked.

  I circled around Tadashi’s naked body and looked. When I realized the claw marks covering Tadashi’s back were mine, I turned scarlet. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.”

  “I’m not,” Tadashi said as he grabbed me.

  Gregory and Cosmo grumbled unhappily on their way out shutting my door behind them. Tadashi started tickling me. “No! I have to pee. Let me go.” I went into the bathroom. He followed. “Um….” He turned his back. I pulled my pajama bottoms down and went. “So, how’d the meeting go?”

  “The community has agreed to a series of warning sirens for seeking higher elevation, sheltering in place, and evacuation. After public announcements are made, Scorpius will have drills. Did the powerful Azure Dragon to whom you erroneously refer to as a baby impart any updates on Umibozu?”

  Washing my hands, I said, “No, when he showed up, I ran him a bath, fed him, and tucked him in. The poor baby was so tired. I hope you didn’t scare him.”

  “Scare him? If he were to sit on me in his spirit form, it would take me months to heal. You he could gobble up like a snack.” Tadashi grinned and nibbled at my neck. I laughed as he carried me to my bed.

  “What about my dad?” I whispered.

  “I do not think he will continue to interfere in our relationship.” Tadashi hushed my other questions with his lips while he made me as naked as he was. He began kissing me from my neck down.

  “Tadashi!” The lights were still on. Tadashi grinned up at me from between my legs. Then, as I watched in embarrassed shock, he licked me. I drew in a deep breath. “Tadashi, no, you can’t do that!”

  I tried to pull him up to me by his hair, but he continued to prove me wrong. He could and would continue with his scandalous behavior. As I frantically writhed on my bed, he enthralled me with helpless ecstasy. When he pushed his tongue into me, I screamed with my release. Tadashi roamed up my body and entered me slowly. Then, he rolled us placing himself beneath me. His eyes glowed around his brown irises in anticipation. I had made two careful motions when a knock sounded at my door.

  “Clue, are you alright?” Cosmo asked.

  I turned my head when I heard the door open a tiny crack. “Get out!” I yelled. Seeing us, Cosmo’s eyes widened, and he closed the door.

  Tadashi pulled the covers up to my waist. “Are you alright?” he asked. “He probably feared us to be arguing.”

  I lifted carefully up and then lowered myself experimentally. “I’ve been thinking about us.” At my declaration, fear entered Tadashi’s eyes, and I didn’t like the look. I never wanted to see his fear again. “I don’t ever want to fight with you again. I want to spend my time loving you and finding out everything I can about you. I don’t want to lose you over being stupid or self-involved. I can try to change.”

  Worry replaced the fear in his eyes. He scooted us back and tensed his stomach muscles to sit up while remaining inside of me and keeping me positioned over him. “There is a misunderstanding between us. I don’t want you to change,” he said as he combed his fingers through my hair. “I love you now as you are. I will love you tomorrow and the day after that. When your mind or feelings change about the smallest thing and it subtly changes you, I will continue to love you. I don’t wish to form who you are. I want to love who you are now and who you become as you grow.”

  “Tadashi,” I choked out. He wiped my wet emotional response from my cheeks.

  “You love Daisy and wish to protect her,” Tadashi said as he lifted her form the bed. “Imagine her alone on the train, in a boat, or in a transport. She is surrounded by strangers who could do anything to her while you are nowhere near. How would you feel?”

  Frowning and thinking about my baby all alone, I answered. “I’d be pissed. She’s mine and should be safe with me.” Tadashi calmly watched my eyes. “Oh.”

  He didn’t speak. He began to move beneath me. Fascinated by his movements, I felt myself clench and spasm around his hardness. An animalistic sound of pleasure escaped me. Then, Tadashi was above me moving with speed and power until he too gained his pleasure.

  The next morning, I woke up warm, naked, and boneless in Tadashi’s arms. “I like waking up beside you and watching you sleep. The blissful smile upon your lips is more beautiful than the sunrise.”

  “I’m smiling because you are beside me.”

  He kissed me and pulled the covers up around me. “I will check in with my lord and return to you soon.”

  Stretching, I yawned. “I need to go to work. There are probably all kinds of dumb errands he needs me to run.” We dressed and went downstairs.

  “Finally,” Cosmo grumbled. I walked Tadashi to the door and kissed him goodbye. “Gregory is coming to the docks with me. Snappy doesn’t want to come with us.”

  Cosmo and Gregory seemed more accepting of my relationship with Tadashi this morning. They, along with Snappy and Winks, followed me with their eyes from where they sat around the dining table. I grabbed a bottle of sweet tea and whistled to myself while making a bowl of berries with milk and sugar.

  In his deep quiet voice, Gregory said, “You’re in a good mood.”

  “Yes, I’m in a very good mood. A very, very good mood.”

  “I should just go ahead and give you two permission to marry,” Winks said.

  “Whatever. I don’t even think it matters. Tadashi is the one who thinks it’s a big deal. Aside from Gregory’s parents, I don’t recall having been around any married people. Momma sure wasn’t big on the notion of it. I mean, I told Tadashi I’d marry him, and I will. What difference does it matter when? We haven’t even known each other for very long.” I looked over at Winks from where I stood eating at the counter. The only individual, whose countenance was not transformed into a visage of horror, was Snappy.

  “It damn sure is important. You’re having an honest and legal union with Shimizu, and the sooner the better,” Winks said in outrage.

  I shrugged and held up my hand. “We’re engaged. It’s obvious I’m not just a piece of side ass.” I shoved a spoonful of berries into my mouth and gestured at Cosmo and Gregory for support.

  “Like hell. I’m going to the Wisteria. I’m renting the damn place out. You’re having the fanciest wedding Scorpius has ever seen. I’ll invite the whole town. Then, I’m going to buy a bigger table and some bunk beds.”

  While I didn’t believe he was serious about allowing Tadashi and me to marry, I thought he could be serious about the furniture. “How about an extra chair in the living room? Could we move this table in there? I could play my shell game on it.”

&n
bsp; Winks’ face softened. “Sure, baby.”

  “Daddy, before you go, I want to give you something. Wait.” I ran upstairs. When I got back downstairs, I gave him the bag I had hidden in the safe. “I got it as a welcome home gift, but then things got hectic.” Winks took out the boxes and opened them. “They’re….”

  “I know what they are,” he said gruffly.

  “Home is set here for both of us, and we’ll always be able to find each other. I hope that’s okay with your work and all.”

  “It’s okay, baby girl.” Winks’ head was down as he put it on.

  “We’re going to the docks. See you at dinner,” Cosmo said as their chairs scraped back, they got their jackets, and left.

  Winks took my matching GPS bracelet from its box and fastened it on my left wrist. He kissed my forehead. “You like it?” He nodded. “Good. I’m considering it an early Coldest Day gift. I’ve never given one before.”

  “That’s right. This is your first Coldest Day.”

  “Don’t you think it’s weird to celebrate weather fluctuations?”

  “No,” he said as he grinned at me.

  “It’s too cold for my hover board, and anyway I’ve got Snappy with me. Can you drop us off? Maybe Mr. Tavora will get his driver to take me to do his errands.”

  “Sure. Let me go get Snappy a warm jacket.” Winks vanished.

  “Snappy, thank you for what you did. You brought Daddy, Cosmo, and Gregory straight to me. I don’t want them to know, but I was scared. I wasn’t sure Fergus was really going to keep his word and let me go.”

  “Here you go,” Winks said from right behind me. I wasn’t sure how much he had heard. Snappy put on the jacket. I lifted mine off of a peg in the laundry room. “Come on, kids. I’ve got things to do.”

  Winks dropped us off at Tavora Shipping and waved goodbye to us. I took Snappy’s hand. “We have to be on our best manners here. Okay?” I held the door open for Snappy and followed him inside. Cora sat at her desk and gave me a radiant smile. I smiled back. I was glad the crying had stopped. “Cora, this is Snappy. He’s an out of town guest, and it would be rude of me to leave him at home.”

  “Hello, It’s nice to meet you. I doubt Mr. Tavora will mind.”

  Relieved, I turned to lead Snappy into the waiting area and froze. Clean, but looking like they were playing dress-up and not enjoying it, the pirates were seated around the room. Newt was missing. Snappy acted oblivious. I sauntered over and took a seat. “Well, well, well. You’re clean, clipped, and disguised as well-mannered civilians. Nice bruise, Fergus.” Half of his face was covered in a purpling bruise. I smiled.

  “I met your boyfriend.”

  “Fiancé,” I corrected.

  “Gentlemen, Mr. Tavora will see you now,” Cora said sweetly. When she gestured, I noticed the yellow diamond ring sparkling on her finger. Joy for Cora filled my heart. When I turned my head to him, Snappy seemed to have made himself smaller. Captain Fergus, Pony, Declan, and Will entered Mr. Tavora’s office.

  After the door closed, I asked Cora in an angry hiss of a whisper, “What are those fuckers doing here? Mr. Tavora is aware that they are pirates who have been stealing from him, right?”

  Cora gave me a knowing smile, a nod of her blonde head, and placed an index finger to her lips.

  “Do you know what that piece of shit, Fergus, did to me?” I whispered.

  “Yes, Ivan told Mr. Tavora personally.”

  “Oh.”

  Mr. Tavora came out of his office. He closed the door behind him and went to Cora. “Get me the Harbor Master. The Black Bounty is down a hand and won’t go out without someone who can be in charge of the life rafts.” Mr. Tavora turned. He looked as though he had just been doused in ice water. He stared not at me but at Snappy. With what seemed like reverence, Mr. Tavora approached. He went down to his knees at Snappy’s feet and bowed his head.

  Snappy made a deep chuffing sound at him. Mr. Tavora lifted his head slightly. His eyes glowed amber. Snappy and Mr. Tavora spoke without words. In breathless silence, Cora and I observed them.

  “Forget that, Cora. Master Talvi and Miss Taylor will offer their assistance on the Black Bounty.”

  “Mr. Tavora, I can’t do that. My dad would be furious. I don’t even want to imagine how my fiancé would react. Furthermore, there is no way I’m letting Snappy go alone on a boat with those shits.”

  “Snappy?” Mr. Tavora asked me. He looked fearfully at Snappy.

  It was my turn to look at Mr. Tavora like he was crazy. I patted Snappy’s hand. “It’s okay, sweetie. Don’t worry. You don’t have to go anywhere.” Snappy blinked and smiled sweetly at me. “You are such a sweet boy.”

  “Miss Taylor, you are obviously suffering from extensive confusion. You treat the father of the seas as you would a child. It is of paramount importance that the two of you participate in this undertaking. Master Talvi will protect you as he has previously demonstrated. Perhaps Lord Tanaka can assure you of the necessity of this venture.”

  I laughed. Mr. Tavora looked at me in disbelief and sent his driver to the Wisteria. Then, he returned to his office. I made cups of coffee for Snappy and myself. “Is Talvi really your name?” He didn’t answer. “I won’t risk what I have with Tadashi for some stupid job, even if it does pay two hundred credits a day. If I slip us out of here, don’t be upset.”

  When the driver returned, he held open the door. I expected either Winks or Lord Tanaka to come inside and order me home. I was not expecting Tadashi to walk in on four legs in the form of his brown and white Okami spirit wolf. He approached me with a lowered head and a gently wagging tail. “Hey, boy. I was expecting Daddy to come and get us.”

  Tadashi sat at my feet and rested his head on my knees. He let his tongue loll. I laughed and scratched behind his ears.

  “What is this?”

  A baby blue collar was around his neck with a name tag that read, “Coco Bear.” I busted out laughing. Tadashi barked,

  “Aww, I see he has arrived.”

  “Mr. Tavora, with respect, sir, I don’t want a dog and a kid on my boat. What if they get hurt?”

  Mr. Tavora looked coldly at the men who had followed him from his office. “If you want to work for me, you will keep them safe. Furthermore, my personal assistant is afraid of you. What woman wouldn’t be afraid of a man who had beaten her?” Shame made me lower my face. Tadashi licked my nose and face, so I hugged his neck. “She loves that dog and will feel safe if he remains with her. As for the boy, he is her apprentice. Socializing with others may help him to overcome his shyness. Keep them safe, chart Umibozu’s territory, and report back to me immediately,” Mr. Tavora ordered.

  Mr. Tavora’s driver handed me a backpack. Recognizing it as my own, I slung it over my shoulder. What did Winks, Lord Tanaka, and Mr. Tavora have planned?

  “I know you are apprehensive about this assignment, Miss Taylor. However, do a good job for Captain Fergus, and I will add enough credits into your account to cover your first semester classes.”

  I perked up at that. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Safe journeys,” Mr. Tavora said as we left.

  Chapter Eleven

  Mr. Tavora’s driver took all of us to the Black Bounty’s berth at the Marina. I kept one of my hands in Tadashi’s fur. I was sure he could feel the irrational tremble of my fingers. The silence in the transport was uncomfortable until Pony broke it. “What’s that?” he asked of my GPS bracelet. I told him. “Your daddy was the one with the blaster cannon and the fucking sea dragon? Shit.”

  “Yes, and he’ll know exactly where I am at all times now,” I warned.

  Fergus had been silently looking out of the window.

  Declan and Will boarded the ship and began scurrying about. Fergus stopped me. Coco Bear padded up to my right side positioning his head under my hand. I rested my fingers on the back of his neck. “Clue, I truly am sorry. Are you really afraid of me?” I shrugged. “That makes me feel sick inside. Will you look at me?”
I lifted my eyes doing my best to show him fearless defiance. “Clue, I was in the wrong. It won’t ever happen again. Can we start over?”

  I shrugged again. “You’ve met my Daddy and my fiancé. Associate with me at your own risk.”

  Fergus laughed and helped me board the ship by steadying me with his hand on my ass. Coco Bear growled and snapped at him. “Shit! He bites?” I smiled sweetly and shrugged. “You three can stow your stuff in Newt’s old cabin. He won’t be back,” Fergus said.

  “Poor bastard,” Pony responded.

  “Yeah, he was a good guy,” Declan added.

  “What happened to him?” I asked fearful that the pirates had discovered he had been Mr. Tavora’s spy. I kept one eye on Snappy as he wandered around the deck.

  “Family problems,” Pony said.

  “What happened?”

  “He knocked his girl up. Now, he has to support her,” Declan said with a sad shake of his head.

  I was surprised Ivan had told them part of the truth, but then that did always make a lie more believable. Coco Bear and I went down to the cabin Fergus had assigned to me. I checked the backpack and turned to Tadashi.

  “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

  Coco Bear panted at me.

  In the bag were two toothbrushes and a change of clothes each for Snappy and me. I checked it twice to be sure. The Black Bounty had started moving. The Marina had become a speck in the distance by the time I made it up to the deck. There, Will began drilling Snappy and me on inflating and stowing life rafts. After the sixth drill, we had it down. Luckily, the day was uneventful.