by Cree Storm
With a slight hesitation Lon nodded. “Yes.”
“I’ve decided to take him up on his offer. I’m packed and ready. I was going to ask Suneth if someone might be able to give me a lift to Maddox,” Deja replied.
Casius gasped, “Deja…”
Holding up his hand, Deja stopped his brothers from saying anything else. “This is the best solution, Cas, and if you think about it you will understand. Mates want nothing but happiness for their other half and Shadow is my mate. He needs time… and my constant presence is causing him pain. I have to go and give him the space he needs. I hate leaving you guys, but I have to think about my mate. Tell me Cas, wouldn’t you do the same for your mates if the tables were turned?”
Casius nodded. “Yes, I would.”
“We’ll take you,” Asbuth replied, grabbing Deja’s bag.
Nodding, Deja whispered, “I’ll be down in a minute.”
Everyone left, and Deja looked out the window again seeing Shadow had not left his perch. A deep need to cleanse himself filled him and Deja thought for a moment. Feeling the need to let his mate know he wasn’t leaving him, just giving Shadow what he asked for.
It didn’t take him long to think of the perfect goodbye to his mate. David Cook’s “Come Back to Me” said it all.
Deja sang with all his heart and soul, never looking away from his panther. He could swear the beast was listening, but the distance made that highly unlikely, “I’ll let you go, I’ll set you free… when you find you, come back to me.”
The tears began to roll down his cheeks as he stepped closer to the window, singing a little louder. As the words ran through him like they were his own, Deja reached up and placed his palm flat on the cool surface of the glass, his gaze locked on the panther as he sang, “I can’t fix you, I can’t save you, it’s something you’ll have to do.”
When the last word was sung, a soft sob escaped and Deja’s shoulders drooped as the tears rained freely down his face. With one last look at the stunning beast that was his mate, Deja turned away, walked out of his room, down the stairs, and directly to Asbuth’s waiting SUV. Climbing inside, Deja sat up straight, wiped his cheeks and raised his chin as he took a deep steadying breath. And he never looked back as Asbuth drove away.
CHAPTER 6
“What I don’t get is if two of your brothers are dragon shifters and dragons leave gems behind when they shift back into humans, how did you never have money?” Ollie asked, then took a sip of his drink.
Deja smiled at his new friend and took a sip from his own glass before answering. “Casius and Lon very rarely shifted into their dragon forms. Being gypsies people didn’t trust us, so there were always eyes on us and no jeweler we ever found would deal with them. They always suspected we stole the gems and would call the police, so Casius and Lon took to storing them away until we were desperate, then we would find a not so up and up pawn shop. Which of course never gave us nearly what the gems were worth.”
“Damn that sucks. So most of the time you struggled because of people’s bigotries?” Pascal asked.
“Yes. Cas once told me that long before Vano and I were born, he and Lon hadn’t even realized they had left gems behind. It wasn’t until Vano and I were around ten and found one after Lon shifted. And even then, they had no idea they were real. One of our fortune tellers was the one who finally convinced Casius to go to a jewelry shop to have one looked at. Then when the man called the police, Casius ran, leaving the gem behind,” Deja replied.
“Shit, that’s like being stranded in a boat in the middle of the ocean. Tons of water but not a drop to drink.,” Ollie said, then gave Deja a big smile as he said, “But hey, now things are looking up, right? You have this great job here at the club, a fabulous loft apartment upstairs, and tonight will be your first performance. That must be exciting.”
Deja smiled nervously. “It is, but honestly, I’m really nervous. I mean, I know when I sing most of the time all of a sudden, I find I have an audience around me, but this is different. There will be a few hundred people sitting out here and all eyes will be on me.”
“Then they will be getting the treat of their lives, because you are one hell of a looker, Deja,” Blake said as he brought out a tray with food and began placing the plates in front of each of them, before sitting in the empty seat and pulling it in.
Deja blushed as he smiled at Blake. He had never really had friends before. Sure, he had Lon, Vano, and Casius, and there were a few others his age when they traveled with their gypsy family, but Pascal, Ollie, and Blake were different. They were real friends, not someone he was related to. “Thanks, Blake. So, are you ready for tonight?”
Blake chuckled as he picked up his knife and fork and began drumming on the table and dishes, creating a wonderful beat that had them all clapping to the rhythm and laughing. After a few minutes Blake stopped and chuckled. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be I guess. You guys should have seen Deja at practice this morning, damn can he sing. We’re gonna blow the doors off this place.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Deja said as he stabbed a tomato with his fork, then brought it to his lips.
“I don’t know, from what Jagger was telling my mate, Zen says he expects to be sold out tonight and that is something that has never happened here before. Of course, it’s been strictly a dance club up until now, and tonight is the first official show where people had to buy tickets and all, but Jagger said they sold out in like four hours,” Pascal said, then picked up his chicken wrap and took a bite.
“Oh my gods, Blake, this roast pork is to die for,” Ollie mumbled around a mouthful of food.
“Thanks,” Blake replied as he beamed.
“So, it’s not going to be too hard on you to be the chef in the kitchen and play the drums for Deja’s band?” Pas asked.
“Nah. Jagger has me doing only the shows on those nights we perform, then in the kitchen when we don’t have a show. It’s a lot of extra work, but I’m loving it. Playing with Deja is a pleasure not work.”
“Stop, you’re making me blush,” Deja replied as he looked down at his salad.
“And it looks very sexy on you,” Jackson, one of the bouncers said as he came to their table.
Deja gave the large man a shy smile as he mumbled his thanks. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was something about Jackson that just didn’t sit well with him. Maybe it was the way the man seemed to always be watching him over the past two weeks he had been here rehearsing with the band and getting settled. He wasn’t certain what that hinky feeling was whenever the guy was around, but Deja was no fool, he always listened to his gut, and the thing was telling him to watch this one.
“Was there something you needed, Jackson?” Blake asked in a tight voice that made Deja look to his friend. Once his gaze landed on Blake, Deja could see he was clenching his jaw and the little vein in his temple was throbbing. Deja wondered what that was all about. He would have to remember to ask Blake later.
“I came to ask Pascal if he knew where his mate was. Zen said he would drop by to show me and the boys what Jagger wanted with the large crowd expected here tonight to watch our little Songbird.”
Pascal wiped his mouth on his napkin before answering, “I didn’t know that. Zen never said anything to me about it. As far as I know he’s supervising our guys with a big order for Destrain down by the waterfront today.” Pascal reached back and slid his phone from his pocket. “I’ll give him a call right now.”
“No, no, don’t worry about it. Jagger is due back soon, so I can just ask him and if we need any further instruction I’ll call Zen myself. Thanks, Pas,” Jackson replied, then turned and walked away.
“Is it just me or does that guy give you the creeps?” Ollie whispered. Each of them nodded in agreement, then went back to eating their lunch and their conversation.
* * * *
“So, what are you up to today?” Snake asked as he joined Shadow in the gym.
Shadow gripped the bar tighter
as he pushed up with his legs, thigh muscles flexing and burning until he stood straight, then slowly bent his legs, lowering again as he breathed out through his mouth.
“Nothing. It’s my day off, so after this I was going to head to the firing range, then I’ll be heading home to join Asbuth’s class this afternoon.”
Snake stood close by, spotting him as Shadow lunged again with the three hundred-pound weights on his shoulders. “Oh, yeah? I didn’t know he was teaching something today. What’s he doing?”
“Krav Maga. His mates want to learn defense and Asbuth thought maybe I could help with that,” Shadow replied as he lowered again.
“Well, you are the perfect one for it considering you have, what, Grandmaster status in like ten different forms of Martial Arts?” Snake replied as he gripped the bar in the middle and guided it back to the rack as Shadow returned it.
“Thanks for the spot, man,” Shadow replied as he grabbed his towel then wiped it across his sweaty face. “Yeah, I figured it would be a good thing teaching some of these others a few tricks on how to fight and defend themselves. Asbuth is thinking about starting up a few weekly classes, teaching different levels. Suneth is totally on board. I’m surprised they haven’t asked you to help out.”
“Yeah, Suneth and Wade actually did ask. I think it’s a fantastic idea seeing as we’re always under attack from one thing or another. I think more of the residents of Crystal should be prepared. Rory and Donny said they were interested in taking a few classes.”
“Why don’t you call your mate and have him come by today? I know Rory already knows the basics, but more doesn’t hurt and I know Asbuth would be okay with more people showing up,” Shadow replied as he opened his water bottle, then put it to his lips and guzzled the whole thing.
“And what about your own mate?” Snake asked cautiously, and Shadow froze. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Shadow crushed the plastic bottle in his hand then tossed it across the room. It hit the wall and bounced into the recycling bin. “Nope,” he simply replied as he grabbed his towel and headed for the door.
“Come on, man, I’m your best friend. If you can’t talk to me about this shit, then who can you talk to? Look, I know you, Shadow. I know your history and what you’ve been through. There’s no judgment here, and I promise I won’t try to talk you into going to Deja and claiming him. Matings are personal and no one other than the beings involved should have any say. So you won’t get any of that from me, I promise. But I am here for you if you want to talk. A few of the guys mentioned how grumpy you seem to be lately and said you’ve been getting worse since Deja left two weeks ago. So…” Snake let out a long, hard sigh. “I’m here if you need me.”
Shadow really didn’t want to talk to anyone about his mate or what he was feeling about that subject, but he also knew that if he didn’t get a few things off his chest he would only become more of an asshole to be around, and none of the guys deserved that. Releasing a heavy sigh, Shadow turned back toward Snake, then walked across the room and dropped down onto one of the weight benches. “I don’t want to talk about him, man.”
Snake moved closer and sat on the floor a few feet away. “Okay, then don’t. So what else is bothering you? And don’t tell me nothing because I can see you have a ton on your mind.”
Shadow ran a hand down his face, then took in a deep breath and released it. “I’m bored, man. I mean like really fucking bored. I know police work is honorable and it’s a good thing and I have nothing but respect for the men and women who do it, but…” he trailed off.
“But, it’s not for you. You’re used to being a soldier, man. I understand that and where you’re coming from. It’s hard on all of us to now live this life after the one we were living before. We can all relate. Policework isn’t high on my list either to be honest, but it makes Rory happy to know that I’m close by, and even though Oz hasn’t said it, I know it’s less stressful for him too. If we were still going out on Black Op missions, my mates would be nuts.”
“So that’s it? You just do something you don’t like for the rest of your life to make your mates happy?” Shadow asked, incredulous.
“It’s not that I don’t like it, but like you, I find it a bit boring here in Crystal. Which is one of the reasons why I jumped at the chance to help out with the classes. It gives me some of that… that…”
“Oomph? Passion?” Shadow finished for him.
Snake’s eyes lit up and he laughed. “Yeah, that’s it, that oomph. That something that just feels right, like I’m doing what I was put on this planet for.”
“Maybe these classes will be the answer for me too?” Shadow replied, but he knew it wouldn’t. Yes, he loved teaching others about the forms of Martial Arts he knew and giving something back to others in the form of helping them learn how to help themselves, but policing then teaching was just not… was not gonna cut it. Maybe he needed to join up again and serve the country?
“I know that look. You’ve done enough for this country, man. Let someone else do it for a while. Look, buddy, I don’t think being a cop and teaching self defense is really what you’re looking for, so don’t try to force it. Maybe you need to take some time off, go on a trip for a week or two and clear your head? I don’t know. But what I do know is you’re not happy right now and if somethings not working for you in your life, then fix it, change it. Isn’t that what you’re always telling us?”
Shadow let out a small humorless laugh as he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, take a trip for a few weeks, that’ll really go over well. I’m already in the dog house with his brothers, I don’t need any more of their crap.”
“Who? Deja’s?”
“Yeah, who else do you think, asshole?” Shadow replied with a growl as he stood and began pacing.
“They’re just worried about their brother and that’s understandable, but again, they have nothing to do with it, so just ignore them.”
“Ignore them? Like that can happen. Every time I see Lon he gives me the stink eye or threatens to shift into his dragon and eat me,” Shadow grumbled.
Snake chuckled. “And what, you, the ultimate badass is afraid of him?
Shadow turned around to face his friend. “Shut up, asshole. Like I would ever be afraid of Lon. Sure he’s a dragon, but that’s all he’s got. I know a hundred different ways to kill him with just my thumbs.”
“Then what’s the problem? Just either ignore him or take him to school and teach him the error of his ways,” Snake suggested.
“Yeah, and then if I hurt him, my mate’s other brothers will be all over my ass like stink on a skunk and Deja will hate me,” Shadow huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Well, seeing as you don’t want your mate that’s really a moot point, don’t you think?” Snake asked, then stood and gave Shadow a knowing smirk. “Unless of course you really do want your mate yet are too stuck in your past to do anything about it but are still afraid of losing him.”
“I’m not afraid of anything, man,” Shadow insisted as he glared at Snake.
“Oh, so then you’re going to see Deja perform at the club tonight? It’s his first show. I’m taking my mates. We can leave a seat open for you. It’s all by tickets, but I bought a whole table so there’s room for one more.”
Shadow stared at Snake for a minute trying to come up with any reason he could find to not go, but also for a reason to actually go and still stick to his no mate decision. If he didn’t go, everyone would be even more pissed at him for not being there to support his mate on such an important night, but if he did go, then they, and his mate would read too much into it and come up with the wrong conclusion. Although, he would like to hear that mesmerizing voice again. Deja’s voice was so soothing like waves on a beach and when he sang it just… Shit, stop that. No, you are not going.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass. I gotta get going, but thanks for the talk,” Shadow said, then turned and left the room.
CHAPTER 7
“
Oh gods I can’t do this,” Marion muttered, pushing up his black rimmed glasses, then adjusting his electric-blue blinking bow tie and matching suspenders.
“The place is packed. What was I thinking when I agreed to this shit?” Trace rhetorically asked, running his hands over his bright red corset-front mini dress.
Deja peaked out the curtains. He could see his brothers as well as Rob, Asbuth, and Benji sitting at the front table he had made sure was reserved for them. Deja knew he would be nervous, this was opening night. However, he knew that as long as his family was right there, he would be alright… at least he hoped so. What surprised him was to see the entire clutch, as well as all of Wade’s men also in the audience… well all but Shadow. Deja felt sadness, but not surprise. He had hoped, but he knew it had been more wishful thinking than anything else.
“Oh by the gods, the king and his mates are here,” Orchid rasped flapping his arms up and down rapidly twirling around in his hot pink tutu with matching leggings and sleeveless white top.
Deja placed his hand on the poor guy’s shoulder, softly saying, “Calm down, Orchid. It’s going to be alright. We practiced for this and you know every step and move and every song by heart. You are going to do great.” Looking at all the men in his newly formed group, Deja smiled. “You all are.”
“What if they don’t like us? What if they laugh or throw things?” Lockland whispered nervously checking his makeup and hair in the mirror, then lifted his brightly polished emerald green fingernails, all of which matched his emerald green attire. “I need someone to zip me up.”
Shaking his head, Deja went to the tall lanky man he now called friend and band member. “That is not going to happen, Loch.” Zipping up Lockland’s long sleeve, turtle neck, sheer lace and chiffon dance top.
Letting out a long breath, Lockland whispered, “Thank you,” as he patted down his matching emerald green long chic velour dance pants.
“How do you know? I mean look at us. We are so not the norm when it comes to a singing and dancing group, Deja. They are always so beautiful and sexy. Deja, you might be sex on a stick, but look at me. I am not someone that calls to a man no matter what I might wear. I still haven’t figured out why you picked us for your group. We do not fit into what all those magazines use for models,” Cliffton muttered running his fingers over his jagged-scarred face.