Lincoln_The Manning Dragons

by Kathi S. Barton

  Howard answered the questions put to him. He had gone over the file twice to make sure that he’d not missed anything, and then familiarized himself with the estate. There was more to it, but he knew for now it was enough that she understood she was a wealthy woman. Howard was sure the Mannings would help her more than any attorney could.

  As he was leaving the home, he thought about young Walton. He was skating on very thin ice if he messed with these men. It was rumored that they were dragons. Howard didn’t know about that, but he did know they were men of worth. They were also richer than Ms. Rice by a great deal. He knew that she was going to be just fine.

  Stopping at the town’s only light, he felt the sting of something hitting him in the face. He looked around, wiping at something running over his cheek. There he stood, Walton Conrad, with a gun pointed right at him. Reaching for his phone, he took several pictures and sent them to the first number that came up. The second shot took his breath away when it hit him in the chest. He was going to die. Howard should have known Walton would be pissed and come after him. Well, it was too late now.

  “You mother fucker, where is my money?” He was dying anyway, so he told him to fuck off. Blood poured from his mouth as he spoke. “I want you to tell me where it is. You never called me.”

  “I told you…I would if your name was mentioned in her will.” He asked him whose will he was talking about. “Your mother’s. I told you all this.”

  “You said that you’d call me, and you didn’t. I want to know what my father’s will said.” Howard was fading fast, but wanted to keep the young woman safe, so he said only that Molly had outlived his father and it was all hers. “But she’s dead too. What did my mother leave me? Dad would have taken care of me.”

  “They both left you nothing. You were never mentioned in either will.” The shot hit him in the shoulder, like he was trying to prolong this act he was a part of. “Killing me won’t get you anything but a longer sentence. You have to know that.”

  “What I know is you cheated me out of the estate. Are you keeping it all for yourself?” He said that he got only his fees. Howard was no longer hurting, but he was weak. “Where is my money?”

  “I keep telling you there isn’t any, Walton. Your parents set up their wills so that you got nothing regardless of what order they died.” He closed his eyes then, thinking this was the end. The next bullet hit him in the chest again, and he didn’t even have the strength to touch the wound. He looked at his cell phone when it started ringing.

  “They’re coming for you, Walton.” Howard coughed up blood and it poured from his mouth and nose. “They’re going to send you away for the rest of your fucking life.”

  He aimed the gun again, and Howard never felt it enter his head.

  Chapter 8

  Grace walked through the house with her sister. It was huge. And she thought museums would have been jealous of the things inside it. When Ginger turned to her, she thought she was going to tell her that it was perfect.

  “I hate this place.” They both laughed. “I mean, besides the fact that Walton and his parents lived here. Look at all this stuff. What the heck were they going to do with it? Watch it grow older? And it’s so crowded too. No room to move.”

  “This is only the first floor; maybe it’ll get better.” Like her, she no more believed that than the tooth faerie. Although, she’d have to check on that one. Who knew there were unicorns? Not her, that’s for sure.

  The rest was as bad if not worse. The master suite had so many dressers in it that she wondered if they were ever used. But a quick peek into a couple told her that each held a specific color for the man. One was filled with blue socks, shirts, and handkerchiefs. Another with gray. Not to be confused with a shade or two of darker gray in a separate dresser. And she noticed, there was nothing of Molly’s.

  It was obvious which room was hers as soon as they walked in. There was a single dresser, a closet full of dresses of beautiful colors, as well as hats. She must have loved to wear them, because Grace thought there could have easily been over a hundred. Some in boxes, others in plastic. And they matched the dresses too. Her heart broke once again for the sad woman.

  “I can’t live here. Could you?” Grace told Ginger that it wasn’t for her to decide. “I’m not asking that. Would you?”

  “Oh, hell no.” They laughed again, but her sister did sit on the bed. “I’m guessing you’re going to sell it all.”

  “Yes, but not like it is. I want to have an auction. This stuff must be worth something to someone. I wouldn’t know how to go about it, but I’m sure one of the Mannings do.” She said she was sure they’d been around long enough to invent it. “I still can’t believe that this is all real. I’ve never had money. Now we have more than we could ever hope to spend. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be stupid with it. I don’t want to end up in a ditch after all this.”

  “You? Never. You’re the most frugal person I know. Not to mention, I think you are the smartest as well. You’ll be keeping books of your books before you know it.” She sat on the bed with her. “You don’t mind living with us until we get Walton out of the picture, do you?”

  “I love it there. And Lincoln is so good with the kids.” She looked at her. “Are you going to have any?”

  “No. I mean, we can’t since I’m human and he’s a dragon. Because of how they became, they’d need to be born in an egg. We’ll adopt, but I can’t have his child. Carson was able to get pregnant because of some magic given to her. I’m not even sure how that would work.”

  “You two will make great parents. I know it. And any child that comes into your life will be so lucky to have you.” She hugged her. “Okay, this house is toast, and we need to get rid of this crap. I cannot believe that man had that many suits. Did he wear one every day for a year? Whatever. What do you think I could do with them?”

  “I was just thinking that you could donate them to the local shelter. There might be someone that could use one for an interview or something. The shirts too. I don’t know about the socks—I guess the same thing. I don’t know, maybe someone could cut them down and make rag runs out of them for every house in the county.” Ginger laughed again. “It’s been so long since you seemed this happy. I’m so pleased for you and the children. You’re finally getting all that you deserve.”

  “Thanks. It’s because of you.” She asked how that was even possible. “You gave me the strength to go on after all that with Walton. And you looked for me so hard, I know you did. How were you to know that I was right under your nose with that monster?”

  “The police were so sick of seeing me. I think I was there nearly every day to ask about you. Getting away like you did, that might have saved both you and the children’s lives. I’m so grateful to Winnie, too, for getting you to safety after Wendall was shot.” Grace hugged her sister tightly again. “I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t around for me to hug when I want.”

  “Okay, enough of this. Let’s get this place emptied, then sold. I’m perfectly happy with the house that I have, and I’ll use the money from this to pay back Lincoln for the one that I’m in. And if he doesn’t allow me to do that, then I’m going to move and take his niece and nephew with me.” Grace told her that she’d make him take it then. “I knew you would. Okay, how about lunch? You can buy, because I’m just too wealthy to carry around cash.”

  They were still laughing when they got to the bottom of the stairs. Just as they were headed to the front door, it started to rattle. While she didn’t have a definite idea who it might be, she had a feeling that it was Walton. He would have seen her car out front.

  “Go back upstairs and hide.” Ginger said she wasn’t leaving her. “Yes, you will. You have those babies to care for and…and I’m an immortal.”

  “Well, that does trump me. All right, but if you get hurt, I’ll never forgive you.” She told her she wouldn’t either. “Call out to the men. I’m pretty sure you can do that too.”

 
; “Winnie. I need Winnie.” And almost as if she was standing there all along, she was with them. “We’re in deep shit here. Can you help us?”

  “Sure, but I really think she should do this herself.” They both looked at Ginger, then back at the door when the windows at the side of it rattled. “You can do this. I’ll be right here with you should it turn out badly. And, so you know, you’re as much an immortal as the rest of the Mannings. You just have to not get shot in the heart.”

  “Well, I don’t know about you two, but I’d really like not to.” Ginger looked at her then started down the stairs, still talking. “I’m a fool. An idiot. I’m actually going down there and talk to a bigger idiot. What the hell is wrong with me?”

  Grace looked at Winnie. “Don’t let my sister be hurt. Please?” Winnie promised her that she wouldn’t and went to the door too. Grace didn’t have any idea why she was doing this and thought she should get her head examined. This was insane.

  Ginger opened the door just as she stood beside her. Walton glanced at her, then drew back his fist to hit her. One of them anyway, but all he did was stand there when Ginger spoke.

  “I’m not afraid of you any more, Walton. You hurt me once; you hit me this time, and I will stop at nothing to kill you.” He looked like he might have believed her and put his fist down. “What do you want?”

  “Besides into my home? I want my son. Where is he? And don’t think you’ll go unpunished for lying to me about him.” She lifted her chin, and in that moment, Grace knew her sister had this. “What are you doing here anyway? This is my family home.”

  “It’s mine. All of it. And my son’s. We’ve decided to sell it all, however.” Walton started forward. Grace wasn’t sure what his intentions were, but almost as soon as he took a step, he took one back. Then another. Winnie had stepped behind Ginger, and he was afraid of the other woman. “What’s the matter, Walton? You afraid of women? Have you decided that we might not be as helpless as you thought?”

  “Yeah, you’re really brave when you have someone to help you, aren’t you, Ginger? Well, I want you to mark my words—I don’t know how you got my home, but I’ll get it back. And my son too.” She stared him down, and when he moved to leave, Grace decided that she didn’t care for being brave, she wanted her mate with her. And his big assed dragon. But when he turned back, Walton looked mean. “I’m coming for you, Ginger. And we’ll have a grand old time.”

  The sirens could be heard then, and he looked toward the road before smacking his fist to his hand and then taking off. She was going to keep an eye on the asshole just to make sure that he didn’t come in the back door or something. As soon as the cruiser came into the yard, Winnie took over. She was directing them to where he went and what he’d said. Ginger just collapsed on the floor.

  “You did really well.” Ginger shook her head. “No, you really did. When he was about to hit you, you could have knocked me over when you told him off. I’m very proud of you, Ginger. You stood up to your bully.”

  “If he could have seen my knees, he’d have seen just how afraid of him I was. Oh, Grace, he wants Wendall. What if he gets past us and hurts him?” Grace told her that he didn’t want to, just her. “Well, that’s comforting. But you’re right. I need to keep the kids out of harm’s way. I don’t know how yet, but they’re the ones he’s going to target from now on. Don’t you think?”

  “Yes. He’ll go for the weakest. But if he gets to Wendall, he’ll leave the rest alone, I believe.” Winnie joined them on the floor. She looked…well, she strangely happy. “What have you done?”

  “Why is that the first thing out of everyone’s mouth? Okay, I did do something, but it was for the good of the family. They’re not going to find him because I don’t want them to.” Ginger asked why not. “Because he is going to be dealt with by the family of dragons. And that will get him out of our lives permanently.”

  “You mean they’ll kill him.” Ginger looked at her, then back at Winnie. “You know what? I don’t care how so long as he is gone. I don’t want to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. And even in jail, I don’t trust that he’d leave us alone.”

  “I want you to have someone with you at all times. This is Sky. She is a faerie of considerable age and power. She will be with you for the rest of your days, but especially during this time with Walton.” Ginger nodded to the little faerie. Grace’s own were there as well, sitting on her shoulders. “Trust her enough to do what she tells you at all times. If she says run, do it like your life depends on it. If you’re told to climb a tree, I want you to be assured that it’s the best course of action for you. All right?”

  “Yes. But will she be hurt with this? I don’t want anyone else hurt because of Walton.” Winnie told her that Sky was an earth faerie and could call upon it to help them both. “That didn’t answer my question, but I’m assuming she can protect all of us because of that.”

  “Yes, and your children will each have a faerie as well. And know that they’ll kill whatever comes after them with ill will. And that includes taking them from you.” Ginger nodded. “Trust me, Ginger, you’re going to be just fine. We’re a family that takes care of its own.”

  As they drove home, Ginger was very quiet. Grace wasn’t sure if she was thinking or in shock. Sky sat on her sister’s lap and watched her. It was kind of creepy at first, but she had a feeling that she was getting to know her through a mind thingy. There was too much going on for her to be figuring out the mind of a faerie too.

  ~~~

  Sadie watched the young man sneak around the property. She wasn’t worried about him but enjoyed his attempts at being quiet. He was making more noise than it would take to wake the dead. He was a distraction for her though, so she put him to sleep. It would only last a few hours, but that was enough time for her to think about her dragons.

  She so missed Coop. He’d been a good king, and a better leader than she’d ever worked with. His son was becoming the same. They were all good men and Coop would be proud of them.

  Coop had come to her in desperation one night. He had told her of the things that he’d felt were going to happen. She had known he was right, but didn’t want him making rash decisions. His lady wife had only just been murdered.

  “I’m not being rash, my lady.” He was the only one that had ever called her that. “I wish to make it so that my sons will be able to live among the humans. They will need this, or they’ll be killed and butchered as their mother was.”

  “But to walk with the humans every day, Coop, will take some powerful magic. More than I have.” He nodded and sat down on the floor. He was much too large for the only chair that she had. “I can work on something to keep them hidden, but that’s the best I can do.”

  “I give you all that I am.” She backed away from such power and told him to be serious. “I have never been more than I am right now. You may take my body and do with it as you please. The magic alone will do for you what no one else can. You and I both know that even should I give some other witch my magic, then it would be for naught. You are the strongest and kindest I know. I give this to you.”

  “Let me work on something.” He told her this was all that he wanted. Coop said that he wanted his sons safe. “It will take me a few days to get what I will need, Coop. Just give me until the next full moon.”

  The month hadn’t been nearly enough for her to work out something else to save the children of the dragon king. And no matter what she tried, it wasn’t strong enough for them to be safe. It had to be his way, or it would never save them.

  The morning of the full moon brought him to her door again. It was getting worse than it ever had. A dragon was being murdered every day. Even his brother’s wife had been killed, along with their three children. Coop had been right—it was getting too much for a dragon not to walk with the humans.

  “I have tried all that I could to make it work.” He said that he knew she would. “There is a meeting with the dragons tonight. We’ll practice the
words here, then when the it’s over and they’re still lingering around, we’ll borrow some of each of their magic, so that you’ll be able to do this. I shall give you mine too, then hide away for some time to recuperate.”

  “I cannot thank you enough for this, my lady. My children will know what a kind and wonderful—”

  “Nay, no one can know what has happened here today. You may tell them that I helped, but not what you have given me. I will, I promise, bring it back to them once they are at a stage in their lives they can handle it.” He agreed with her and handed her a thick leather-bound book. “What is this? Is this the book of dragons?”

  “No, a family history if you may. Words that would be to them and them alone. I wish for you to give it to Cooper when he’s king. He’ll not thank you, I think, for I tell him all, but he’ll understand what we did here this night.” She told him she’d do it. “Thank you, Sadie. You have saved my family, and for that, I give you all that I am.”

  They practiced through the day. And when he had it, she made him do it more. There could be no mistakes on this. He would kill his sons if this didn’t go as planned. But she had confidence in him to do the right thing. Coop’s children would be the very first shifters of their kind. Perhaps the only.

  “They’ll not be able to breed should they find their mate is a human.” He said that he understood that, but they’d still find love. “Yes, I believe they will. They’ll be handsome humans, as their dragons are. Are you sure about this, Coop?”

  “Yes, as sure as I am about anything in the world. I want them to have a life without fear. Without someone hunting them down like animals. I want them to find a love like I had with their mother. A life full of wonder and fun.” He was such a good man, and Sadie had wondered if the children would be as well.