by Tiffany Wood
Crap. I had to think fast. “No, when I was sick last night I was light headed and fell. I must’ve hit my neck off of something. Is it bad?”
She gets closer to get a better look. “No, I guess it doesn’t look that bad. Do you remember what you hit?” She was going to take my story.
“No, I don’t even remember if it was in the bathroom or my bedroom.” I knew exactly where and how it happened. Damian must have sealed the bite marks when he licked it but I never thought to check for marks. I was definitely going to razz him for this. “Since I’m feeling better, I was wondering if you would mind me meeting Damian tomorrow to rehearse for the play. He called after school and said he could go over everything I missed today. He even picked up my homework.” Hopefully I didn’t sound overly enthused by all of that. I don’t want her to know that Damian and I have become more than just friends.
“I suppose that would be alright. Will Thai be driving you?”
That was easy. “No, Damian said he could pick me up. We were going to go to the library but I don’t know how we would rehearse there. His parents will be home though, so we were just going to rehearse at his place.”
She has that look in her eyes. “Really, I’d like to talk to them. Are they home now? What’s their number?” Think fast Sara. “No, they won’t be home till late tonight. They’re returning from a business trip. I’ll have them call you during lunch at the office, okay?” She looked a little skeptical, but she nodded in agreement.
Chapter Fifteen
“Dad, I know that I wasn’t supposed to make contact with the victim. You can punish me when this is over. Will you just listen for a minute? Dad! She’s a member of the royals!” I didn’t mean to shout it at him but he wasn’t going to listen any other way.
“Alright Damian, I’m listening. Which royal family do you suspect this girl is related to?”
“This girl is the granddaughter of the last heir of the Taurs Hawk Clan. Their family went off the radar after her uncle was kidnapped and her grandfather passed before the council could get their location. Her name is Sara Payano. She has to be Ezequiel Payano’s granddaughter.”
My father is quiet for a moment. “I assume that you are reading about the Payano family in the archives. Son give this up it is a lost cause. Even if you can prove who her grandfather was without asking her parents, they will never admit to it.”I had to make him see. “Dad, her parents died when she was six. Ezequiel had two sons and the Borne Blood’s kidnapped one. The only family she has left is her mortal aunt. We need to help her. She’s transforming without making the choice. They’re after her. I need your help Dad, please?”
The room is filled with silence. “I’ll be there in the morning. Bring her over and I’ll see what I can find. I’m not promising anything. If she truly is the heir, we’ll approach that after we coach her transformation. I’ll bring your mother with me. Don’t do anything stupid.”
With that my father hangs up the phone. He’s not happy with what I’ve told him, but he knows we can’t bring this to the council’s attention yet. It would be too dangerous for her. If she goes to council before she transforms and inherits her family traits, they’ll eat her alive. I wouldn’t let that happen.
Sara’s POV
The phone rings and Aunt Lynn answers it, “Hello? Just a second, Sara, Damian is on the phone.”
I pick up the line in my bedroom, “I got it.” When my aunt hangs up, I continue. “I miss you. I told my aunt that we’re going to your place to do homework and rehearse for the play tomorrow. I had to tell her your parents will be there and that they’ll call her during her lunch at work.”
He breaks in, “Slow down Sara. I miss you too. I hate to tell you this, but my parents will be here tomorrow. They’re going to try to figure out why you’re changing so quickly. If you have any information on your dad’s family, like a journal or family pictures, that would help. Do you know what your grandfather’s name was?”
Ask me a hard question. “Yeah, we visited him a lot before Dad died. Now Aunt Lynn refuses to take me up there, but I still call him.”
I could hear Damian’s excitement. “Where’s he at? What’s his name? Maybe we can go see him tomorrow.”
I laugh, “And you said I needed to slow down. His name’s Zeke. He’s in a home about twenty minutes outside of town. He was in a different home for a few years, but we had to move him. I don’t remember why. He had stroked and was in a coma for about three years before he woke up. Dad always told me that grandpa was crazy.”I wonder why he’s so excited about Grandpa.
“I don’t want to upset you, but what do you know about your dad?”
I got quite for a minute. “His name was Bob. We moved around a lot when I was little. Then, when they passed away, Aunt Lynn said she wasn’t going to uproot me anymore, that I needed something more stable.” I was trying not to cry.
“Sara, I’m sorry. Do you want me to come over there? I didn’t mean to upset you. Please don’t cry.”
He was always so concerned with how I felt. “I do miss you, but if you come over and then have to leave again, is that going to make it worse? I mean, will we be able to handle separating again? I felt how hard it was for you this afternoon.”
There was a foul smell. Where was that coming from? “Damian, how fast can you be here?” I was trying not to sound alarmed.
“I’m on my way. I’ll call you right back on my cell.” He hung up and I just put down the phone when it rang again.
“I got it. Are you there?” The smell was getting worse.
“I’m on my way. I can be there in ten minutes without speeding. How long do I have?”He must have heard the urgency in my voice.
When I didn’t answer, “I’ll be there in three. Don’t hang up. As long as you’re talking to me, I’ll stay calm.” As he got closer I could feel the link getting stronger. “Oh you’re right, that really reeks. I’m about a block away.” I could feel his heart pounding. He was running.
“Damian, why didn’t you just drive?” I could hear his impatience.
“I thought about it, but then you didn’t answer how soon I need to be there and decided running was faster. I don’t have to drive around trees that way.” He was being sarcastic to keep himself calm.
“I love you Damian. I mean that you know?” The phone went dead.
I heard him shouting mentally, “Sara, are you still alright.” It sounded more like a whisper.
“Where are you? I don’t know what happened to the phones.” I responded through the link.
His mind was stronger now. “Is the front door locked?”
I thought, “Yeah, but the deadbolt isn’t. Damian I’m scared.” I run to the front door without even thinking about it and lock the deadbolt. I run back to my room and get in the closet. “I’m coming up; don’t open the door unless you sense that I know it’s safe.”
He breaks the link. I can’t hear his thoughts. Aunt Lynn had gone to bed. I hear scratching on my bedroom window. I start to open the closet door but stop. Damian said not to open the door. That meant he was coming up the stairs.
“Damian, please hear me. I think Bane’s outside my window.” I stay in the closet and the smell surrounds me. If I didn’t know better, I would say it was in my closet. I hear my window shatter. “Damian, he’s here!”
I hear several dogs snarling in my room. I smell, but don’t recognize any of them. I can tell that there are two males and one female. The female transforms and heads to my door. She runs out and opens the front door and I smell Damian immediately. The males transform and Damian runs into the room.
“I told you they were trying to hurt her.”
The male helping Damian protect me glares at Bane. “Show some respect for royalty. Do you not know who you stand before?”
Bane looks around astounded. “Royalty, he’s no more than a pup.”
That was his mistake. The male snarls, “You dare disrespect my family you filthy mutt.”
Damian whales
him across the face. He starts to raise his hand to hit Damian back when the other man steps in.
“Fool, did I say that I was speaking of the pup?”
Damian backs up toward the closet and bows. “My Lord and Lady, I live to serve you.”
Bane turns in disbelief.
“I am the Lady Katrina Lykaios, daughter of Devon Lachapelle, Crowned King of the Dragon Guard Clan. Do you doubt my heritage?”
His eyes shot to the ground and he dropped on all fours. “Forgive me your highness; I didn’t realize the child was under your protection.”
She looks to her husband. “This is my husband Crowned Prince Curtis Lykaios, son of Crowned King Richard Lykaios of the Knight Wolves Clan. You have insulted us by your ignorance. You have disgraced yourself by attacking our son, Damian. I think that the one who needs protection here is fast becoming you.”
Wait, Damian is royalty. This is crazy.
“My Lord and Lady Lykaios, please forgive any misconception. I was not openly attacking the prince. I was simply doing my duty to my own clan.”
The Lady lunged at him and lifted him by his throat. “Silence filth! Do not assume you may demean the Prince’s word by your treachery.”
I decide that I trust Damian to keep me safe, and open the closet. I kneel down in front of his parents. “My Lord and Lady Lykaios, if I may speak I can attest to the events the prince has told you of.”
Damian turns to me and offers me his hand. As I take it, his parents flash smiles at me briefly.
“I presume this must be young Sara Payano. Have you spoken with her of your discoveries yet?” His father glanced at him and then back to me. “If you wish son, but she will know. Young one, you need fear not. This filth will not approach you again.”
The Lady drops him and turns to me. But Bane is having none of it, “Wait, I mean my Lord, I have claimed this child as my mate. You cannot keep her from me.”
Lady Katrina spins around slapping his face. “Insolent fool, you would dare try to claim a child of such heritage? You have no rights to her, swine.”
I look to Damian; he briefly shares his mind, “This is not the proper way of speaking in front of my parents in this situation, but I will explain it all after this is over, I promise.” With that he closed his mind again.
“My Lady, I am promised this child as my mate by her uncle, Zachaeus Payano, heir of the Taurs Hawk Clan.”
Everyone looks to Lord Lykaios. “Even if that were true, she would still have a choice since he is not her legal guardian.”
He turns to Damian, “Then I challenge the prince, on the grounds that I saw her first.” Damian grabs my arm and pulls me behind him.
Lady Katrina growls, “What right do you claim to challenge a prince? You have no claim to the royal bloodlines and that gives you no claim to mate with royalty.” Before I can question what she is talking about two more men jump in my window.
“My lady, you summoned us.” The wolves say in unison as they bow to Damian’s parents.
She motions to Damian and me. “Chance, take these two back to the manor. Seth will stay with us. We will be along shortly.”
I look to Damian, “What about…”
He shakes his head, “They’ll protect her. We have to leave.”
Bane snarls, “You wouldn’t dare turn down my challenge? I will take this to the council.”
Damian turns back but his father raises his hand. “If you truly wish to challenge my son, you will do it on our terms. It will be at a place and time of our choosing.”
Bane knows he is fast losing this battle, “I agree to your terms but respectfully request that key members of my clan and her uncle be present as well.”
Lady Katrina simply replies, “Have them call at the manor. I will discuss with your representative our terms. The young one will be with us until then. Do not try to come after her or her aunt or your challenge and life will be forfeit.” With that she turns to me, “Child, wake your aunt. I will explain that we had stopped to meet you and your aunt on our way back from our trip and someone broke into your bedroom while we were talking. We will invite her to stay at the manor with us for the moment being. She doesn’t need to be told all of the details as I’m sure you’d prefer it that way.”
I gracefully curtsy and run to my aunt’s room to wake her. After Lady Katrina explains most of the night’s events, we pack a few days worth of clothing and are on our way.
Chapter Sixteen
Damian’s POV
“Dad, I tried to explain all of this to you on the phone. He hadn’t said anything about her uncle until you showed up. They planned this.”
My father just frowned. “Damian, I’m glad you called us when you realized he was there. You were very lucky we had made it to town when we did. You need to decide where you want to go with this. You’ve complicated her choices by tonight’s actions.”
My mother steps in, “You’ll be happy to know that Sara and her aunt are both sleeping quite comfortably. I wish we could say the same for us. I’m laying down the ground rules now Damian. You are not to go in her bedroom unless that fool breaks in. Until we’ve had a chance to straighten this all out, you are to refrain from any emotional contact. You must try to avoid using your mind link with her. That bond needs to fade so that we know her true feelings. If you cannot follow these rules I will send you to your cousin’s until this is resolved. If you will not go to your cousin’s at that point, we will quit helping and you will be on your own. Do you understand me?”
I look down, “Yes mother.”
She raises my chin, “We love you dear but you understand the consequences in this. Now you must let us see precisely what the two of you have experienced. We will get her views of it tomorrow after her aunt leaves for work.” I open my mind to my parents and after they have viewed all of my memories, they send me to bed. I knew they would be up for hours.
Sara’s POV
The sun comes streaming into my room as Damian’s mom opens the curtains. “Good morning child.”
I sit up, “Good morning milady.”
She laughs lightly, “Please here you can call me Kat unless someone informs you that we are having a more formal function. Did you sleep alright?” She was so kind.
“Yes m’…, I mean Kat. Is my aunt up?” I begin to get out of bed.
“Oh yes dear. She left an hour ago. We thought you may need just a little more sleep with all of the excitement. Do you mind if I dress you?”
I looked at her kind of shocked. No one had ever asked if they could dress me. “If that would please you m’…, I mean Kat.”
She laughs. “Dear Sara, I have never had a daughter. I was just hoping that you would allow me to possibly put you in a dress. It’s not as fun to dress a boy.” We both laugh at that one.
“You don’t want to put me in like a ball gown do you?”
She smiles, “Not today. I was thinking more of a sundress.” She holds up a beautiful blue sundress.
“I would be honored to wear that dress for you.” She helps me put it on and zips it up in the back.
She has a pair of flat dress shoes to match. “I didn’t see any heels in your closet last night so I thought you may be more comfortable with these. If you would like, we can go shopping for some other clothes later this evening.”
I look at her with a huge smile. “I would love that. My aunt never really took me shopping. She either buys me clothes I won’t wear, or gives me cash to buy my own clothes.”
She smiles back, “It’s settled then. Now let’s head downstairs, breakfast is waiting.”
Damian’s POV
Dad and I are waiting patiently at the breakfast table. Mom said she was going to get Sara up for breakfast and that they would be down in about ten minutes. Dad clears his throat as mom enters the room. We stand up and I look over to see Sara. I’m speechless. I’ve never seen her as beautiful as she looks right now. My mother had given her a beautiful sundress and has pulled her hair back into a bun. “Dam
ian, put your tongue back in your mouth son, you’re soaking the floor.”
I clear my throat and run over to pull out Sara’s chair. “Thank you.”
As I slide her in I lean down to her ear, “You look amazing.” I rush back to my seat as my mother sends me a warning glance. I shoot her a thought, “You never said I couldn’t compliment her. You’re not exactly making it easy you know.” We both laugh at our private conversation.
“Would the two of you like to share with the class? It’s not polite to have private conversations at the breakfast table.” Dad growls lightly. Mom sends dad a private thought of her own. “I stand corrected. It’s not polite for children to hold private conversations.” We all laugh at that. “How did you sleep Sara?”
She looks down at her plate, “Soundly my lord.”
Mom and Dad are both laughing. “Sara, I’m glad that you are so eager to please. You can call me Curt here. From what Damian has told us, you’ve had a very eventful week and unfortunately, it’s not over yet. We would like to try to link with your mind so that we can see from your perspective the events that have occurred. I assure you it doesn’t hurt and it takes very little effort on your part. Will you allow us to attempt this so we can have a better understanding of what happened?” Dad was desperate for answers but he would not force her to show them. “If that would help you m- Curt, then I would be happy to allow it.” He smiles up at her. “It’s settled then. After breakfast, we’ll retire to the sitting room and begin.”
As we enter the sitting room, Mom informs us that she is going to retire for a short while to get rid of her jet lag. I knew that meant she had stayed up late with Dad figuring out how best to handle the situation. “Sara, if you’ll have a seat. Just sit back and relax.” Dad tries to link for a minute. “Sara, is there something wrong?”
She looks up, “I’m just having a little bit of trouble relaxing. I’ll try again.”