Arkadia (Halfway House Series Book 1)

by Dzintra Sullivan

  Arkadia smiled contently as she said, “I was born ready.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Letting her legs swing over the edge of the cliff, Arkadia sipped her cappuccino. As the cool night breeze caressed her shoulders, she knew her idea to stop off for a couple of coffees was worth it. She shivered slightly, and right on cue, Bohdan’s arm went around her, pulling her against him as she snuggled in. His body heat was just amazing. “Is that a dragon thing? Or a shifter thing?” Arkadia asked.

  “Is what a dragon thing?” He tilted his head, and curiosity crept across his brow.

  “How hot you are?” Even as it came out of her mouth, Arkadia knew Bohdan had taken it on a different level.

  He immediately puffed out his chest and chuckling, said, “That’s just a Bohdan thing.”

  Arkadia smacked his leg lightly. “You know what I mean.”

  He nodded and took a sip of his coffee. “Yes, I know, my queen. In answer to your question, it is our body’s natural coping mechanism of being a shifter. When we require our bodies to shift shape, it makes the heart pump faster and raises our body temperature.” He pulled her closer to his body, dragon purring with her scent tickling his senses. “So, being HOT is a dragon thing, a shifter thing, AND a Bohdan thing.”

  Arkadia’s voice dropped to a whisper, “Can we stay here forever just you and I? The police can’t get me, the council can’t get me, and my psycho stalker can’t get me. This is so perfect right here, right now. Can we stay?” her voice wavered with raw emotion. Never had she been threatened from every angle before.

  Bohdan listened, and it hurt him to hear the fear in her voice. He could hear dragon demanding he protect their mate; his favorite word when it came to Arkadia was MINE! Bohdan looked at Arkadia and said, “We both know what’s going wrong. Can you name three things that are going right?” Arkadia sat up. She had to think; her brains were so occupied with the ‘woe’ in her life right now, that she hadn’t looked for any ‘whoa’.

  “Good, huh?” Arkadia raised a single eyebrow as she often did when thinking. “Well, one good thing is Eloise.” This surprised Arkadia; she felt a love and support from Eloise she had never had from her own mother. “I am very grateful Eloise came to the house. I needed her. I wasn’t aware of how much I needed her until she arrived and showed me.”

  Bohdan nodded in agreement. “She loves you like a daughter.” He had the threat to his dragonhood to confirm that.

  Arkadia smiled. “And then there is my magic.” She looked up at the night sky. She had never seen so many stars; to try and count them would prove futile, for there wasn’t a number great enough. “Ever since I started caring less about myself and more about others, the goddess has been looking upon me with kindness and compassion. Every day I feel stronger. Every day I find more success with my magic.”

  Bohdan smiled as he watched the love of his life start to glow softly in the moonlight. Giving her a little nod, he said, “You have switched on your inner night light my queen.” Looking down at herself, she sighed with a contented feeling, her head rising up to look deep into Bohdan’s eyes. Arkadia didn’t know how, but when she gazed into Bohdan’s eyes, she saw both his and dragon’s, and right now they both looked like they were swimming with love. “Number three is easy,” she said. Arkadia turned around carefully, and crawled over Bohdan to straddle his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “It’s you and dragon. I never thought love was ever going to be a part of my life. Growing up where I did, love came out of a bottle, a baggie, or from the end of a fist.” She winced a little; the things she saw growing up were horrific. “I think I was about seven when I phoned an ambulance for my mother, after her boyfriend had beaten her almost to the point of death and left her in the corner of the kitchen. That’s when I decided that love wasn’t for me. I didn’t want anything to do with love, because from what I could see, love hurt.”

  Bohdan’s arms tightened around her, dragon whimpering as he felt her pain. Arkadia wiped a single tear as it tried to escape down her cheek, giving her head a small shake. “Then into my life walked this amazing man, and there was something about him that made me tingle.” Arkadia pushed herself up harder against Bohdan. She needed to feel as close to him as she physically could be.

  “This amazing man had better be me,” Bohdan groaned with pleasure as he felt her heat against him.

  “Yes it’s you and dragon.” Arkadia’s eyes sparkled as she felt more than dragon wake up. “Words fail me when I go to describe how deeply my love goes. I am yet to find one single word that accurately describes how I feel about you.”

  Cupping his chiseled jaw in her hands, her thumb traveled across his lips, her eyes seeking his. “I can speak clearer through interpretive dance.”

  Bohdan’s head tilted and his brow creased. “Say what now?”

  Arkadia chuckled sexily. “You heard me. Perhaps a slow waltz?” Arkadia started to slowly move her hips in a one-two-three tempo. Side to side, she slowly rubbed against his growing interest. Bohdan’s eyes rolled back in his head as he groaned. “Or perhaps you’re more into a Rumba?” Arkadia quickened the tempo to a 4/4 beat as she rotated her hips in a figure eight on top of his lap. Arkadia had expected Bohdan to react, but not at the speed in which he launched himself at her, his lips finding hers and kissing her hard and passionately, his tongue invading her mouth and finding his own rhythm as it danced with hers. One of Bohdan’s hands cupped her ass and squeezed it tightly, while his other hand had risen to the back of her head and entwined into her long, soft, blonde curls. The dance only stopped when oxygen became a necessity.

  Words were a form of communication highly valued amongst people, whether they are human or paranormal. However, tonight they were obsolete, and all communication was done using all of the other senses. On this perfect clear night, in that simple cave, they touched, smelled, heard, and tasted each other. The only sound other than Mother Nature all around them, was dragon doing his own dance and chanting, “MINE! MINE! MINE!”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Arkadia stopped off at Bohdan's house for a shower before going home. She could have had a shower at home, but she would take any excuse not to leave him. Arkadia was now strolling home. It was maybe a ten-minute walk, so not enough to work up a sweat, but enough to clear her head before having to deal with reality again. The night away with Bohdan was exactly what she needed. His “special place” was fast becoming hers as well. She had left the sleeping dragon on the sofa as he looked so content and peaceful, and she hadn’t the heart to tell him she was going home. Although he shouldn’t be too confused as he only had to read the post-it note she had left stuck to his forehead.

  The wind picked up and whipped across her face with gentle force; it had certainly gotten a chill to it the last few days. Winter was most definitely on its way. Arkadia loved winter, the snow, the open fires, and the excuse to snuggle on the sofa all day because you couldn’t get out of the house due to an overnight snowstorm. Arkadia sighed; she loved winter.

  Arkadia felt very content with herself on this glorious Sunday. When Bohdan had prompted her to recognize what was positive and wonderful around her, she had felt like there was a crack in the dark cloud that had been surrounding her head. Arkadia could see blue sky. It may have only been a crack that opened up, but it was enough to keep her focused on what was worth looking at, and letting the rest fall as it would. She was eager to tell Eloise about the mirror spell she had successfully performed on the cup of water, although she was going to leave out the little details of whom she was looking at; his buns were for her eyes only, but it was a tricky spell, and she knew Eloise would be proud.

  Arkadia placed her jacket on the hook as she came into the house, left her boots on the rack, and wandered into the kitchen looking for Eloise. She was at the table reading a very large, and what appeared to be older than God, book. Arkadia said with an excited trill, “Eloise!” She took a seat next to her, and said, “Oh, Eloise, I did a
mirror spell, on a cup of water, and it worked, it really worked. Did you know they can see back through the mirror? Scared the beejeebers out of me, and I got such a shock that I drank the water.” Arkadia spoke rapidly and ended with a laugh at her own silliness. Eloise looked at her, her eyes were tired and red from an all-night reading session, yet the pride still shone though.

  “That’s wonderful, Arkadia, I am so incredibly proud of you! And yes, I was aware the mirror is two way. I can just imagine your face, priceless.” Eloise chuckled to herself.

  “What’s with the book, ‘cause you look like crap?” Eloise’s eyes snapped up to Arkadia and a frown appeared on her face. “No, no, no, I just mean, ummmm, would you like a cup of tea?” Arkadia backtracked, a sweet smile on her face, trying to make Eloise’s frown go away.

  “IF I do look like crap, as you say, then it would be because of you,” Eloise snorted and reopened the book, “And yes, I would very much like a cup of tea, strong, TWO sugars.”

  Arkadia flicked the button on the kettle and went in search of the tea bags. “What did I do now?” Arkadia asked as she returned, tea bag in hand, looking for a mug.

  “It’s not what YOU did. This book is older than I am, and it’s a personally kept record book of events that changed the status quo. It was kept by my mother, her mother, her mother, and so on; it goes back so far, I am not sure how many ‘greats’ I would need to be accurate, just suffice it to say, it’s REALLY old.”

  “Still not following what it has to do with me,” Arkadia said as she placed the finished cup of tea on the table next to Eloise.

  “Thank you, my dear, and this book has everything to do with everyone.”

  The women in my family have always been scribes. This isn’t a book of my family; it is a book of all families.” Eloise closed the cover of the book, placing both hands on the unique insignia on the front. It was made of the darkest red leather Arkadia had ever seen. The energy around the book felt like it was drawing her hands to touch it, and Arkadia slipped her hands under her butt, so the growing temptation could be controlled.

  “See this insignia, Arkadia?” Eloise’s voice had taken on a very soft honey-like sound, smooth and intoxicating. Eloise moved her hands away from the cover to allow Arkadia to look. Arkadia gazed at the silver insignia. It was three pirouetting swirls all radiating from the same central point.

  In the center was what Arkadia thought looked like a ruby. She couldn’t resist, and her hand shot out and the tip of her pointer finger began to caress and trace the swirls.

  Eloise asked, “What do you feel?”

  Arkadia thought, closing her eyes to correctly read the information her mind was receiving. “At first, it is just heat, but as I listen I can hear voices, millions of them, chatting and conversing; some I can understand, but there are some that are in tongues that I don’t speak.” Arkadia’s finger traced to the center, finding its home on the glorious red stone. “And this,” Arkadia continued, “has a heartbeat. I can hear it: ga-gum, ga-gum, ga-gum.”

  Arkadia opened her eyes as she removed her hands from the book, and looked at Eloise, who was sitting back. The look of pride on Eloise’s face made Arkadia beam. It had been a long time, if ever, that a mother figure had looked at her with that much pride, and she wanted more of it.

  “You’re going to be a very powerful witch, my gorgeous girl,” Eloise said as she leaned in to place her hands back on the book. “Now let me tell you about this book and why it’s the only one you will ever see.”

  Arkadia listened intently as Eloise explained that way back, and she meant way back, her family had been entrusted with this book, to become the scribes of all paranormal creatures. The book was, of course, magical, and had become a way of life, a job if you like, that her female relations took very seriously.

  Arkadia took a sip of her tea and listened to Eloise continue to explain that they were requested to record all significant details in the paranormal world, for as long as their family lineage continued, that was what they were requested to do.

  “The logistics seem unrealistic Eloise … how can your family record all families? And define ‘significant’ and that’s only one book, where are the other editions?”

  Eloise nodded as Arkadia barreled off her questions, putting her hand up to signal enough. “I am explaining, Arkadia. Patience, my child.”

  Eloise explained that as the book was magic, it certainly didn’t behave like normal books. It was a life form of its own, and when significant information was recorded on the paper, the book, for lack of a better explanation, ‘swallowed it,’ and the pages were blank again. The information was not lost, it was just filed. Eloise explained the voices Arkadia heard were of the millions of stories and events that had been recorded.

  When someone required certain information about a family or event, they simply shut the cover, and asked the book. It would flick the cover open, and the words would magically start to scroll up on the paper, as if being written by an invisible hand. Just as Arkadia thought she had heard it all, Eloise continued to tell Arkadia that a lot of her family was, and are, telepathic, and if they were a distance away from the book, they could do it through the mind connection they have with each other.

  Arkadia asked, “So if your Aunt Mable, for example, said something that needed to be recorded, she could do it all through the mind?”

  Eloise smiled as she spoke. “That is exactly what I am saying, so no matter where we are or what we are doing, this book can and will record our messages.”

  Arkadia sighed. “That is one special book.”

  Eloise nodded. “We have information sent to us from heaven above in the form of dreams. The book would file the event or information away under the related family’s file.

  “Why your family?” Arkadia asked.

  “Why not? It was assigned over one thousand years ago; my family was just the lucky ones I guess,” Eloise said. “And now you asked what was I doing with it out?” Arkadia nodded to answer Eloise’s question. “Well, my darling, the information I require about Violet should all be here.”

  “Aaaahhhh,” Arkadia said as she sat back in her chair. It all made sense now as to why Eloise had the book out. Arkadia was fascinated by the book. She would have loved to sit there and ask it many, many questions, mainly about her own family. She would love to know more members of her family; she was it as far as she knew.

  Eloise had read her mind, and spoke softly, yet again another change in the tone of her voice, and this time, it had gone dark and foreboding. “You must never touch this book without me being present. If you have questions, which you obviously do, I am more than happy to help you get answers. However, this book can only be controlled by my family line, and has been known to have fatal consequences when others tried to play with it.” Eloise shuddered as she remembered the tale she was told as a small child, of the woman and man that were forever swallowed up into the book, lost for eternity to float around in suspended animation. They had gotten a hold of the book, and tried to bring up some information. The book realized it wasn’t the correct bloodline, and simply swallowed them. To this day, they remain on the paranormal missing persons list.

  “Another time then, Eloise?” Arkadia asked, “I would like to know if there are any more family members I have missed out on knowing. Mom wasn’t big on the family introductions, and certainly had never done the Thanksgiving family feast.”

  Eloise smiled. “It would be my pleasure to help you in any way possible.”

  Arkadia grabbed her mug and placed it in the sink, and slowly turning, she said, “That would be awesome, thank you. Now I am going up to my room. I know for my PSEs, the exam will require I demonstrate a spell that shows I can control Earth, Air, Water, and Fire.” Arkadia walked over the stairs and said, “I am going to do some studying and practice up in the room.”

  Eloise called after her, “Show control on the small things, I don’t need the firemen out here this afternoon.” Arkadia nodded as she walke
d up the stairs, and chuckled as she shut her bedroom door.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Arkadia spent the next few hours in her bedroom; she knew Eloise didn’t want her to be hanging around while she looked in her special book. She thought by making herself scarce, it might give Eloise some breathing room. Arkadia was beginning to rely on Eloise being around; trust was something that she never had the devastation of losing, because she never gave it to start with. Yet here she was, after a mere few months of knowing Eloise, she trusted her implicitly, and not just Eloise, but Bohdan as well. Arkadia hoped both her heart and head knew what they were doing, because if it all fell apart now, she may have to be admitted for losing her mind.

  Pushing those thoughts from her mind, she walked over to the window and pulled the blinds, darkening the room dramatically. She went over to the closet and pulled out the shoebox filled with her special and most favorite candles. On her way back to the red shag pile rug in the middle of her floor, she grabbed some matches, a cup, and a feather. As she sat cross-legged on the rug, Arkadia carefully placed the spice-scented candles on the four points of north, south, east, and west, which symbolized earth, fire, air, and water. Arkadia sat in the middle, for she contained spirit, the link of all four elements.

  Arkadia centered herself and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath through her nose, held it for three seconds, and then released it slowly through her mouth. She repeated this four times before she felt as though the outside world no longer existed. It was just her in this room right now.