The Lady Prefers Dragons

by Katalina Leon

  The man darted away from her, and she was left with trembling knees and the feeling she’d been abandoned by the world. Devon sat down on the orange chair and drew her carry-on bag close to her chest. From here on out she had to watch her back. Things were pretty fucked-up.

  Finally, it occurred to her that she could link with Beau. She hadn’t had a moment to herself to do it, and now the allure of sharing a private thought with Beau and at least feeling close to Jace was irresistible. She drew a deep breath and tried to calm her mind. “Beau, can you hear me?”

  Moments later Beau answered. “Devon, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but I’m being followed. Commander Vorden chased Kibo and me back to camp. A news crew spooked him and he left, but some creep inside the airport just accosted me. I’m sure he’s one of them, whoever they are. So far I’ve been able to ditch them pretty easily, but I have a bad feeling it’s going to get a lot harder.”

  “Devon, I’m so sorry. It was never meant to be this way.”

  “I have to warn you. Kibo told a local police station and the whole village about seeing the Marduko. Now dragons are all over the news. People are flocking to Kilimanjaro to get a look. You’ll have to get off the mountain.”

  “We’re already off. We’re on the ground in human form. We’ll fly again tonight. Jace thinks we should go to Johannesburg and catch a flight home.”

  Her heart ached. “How is Jace?”

  For a moment, Beau’s thoughts scattered and were hard to read. “Not good. He’s upset and blames himself for snapping at Kibo. He refuses to link with me, so I’m just letting him chill.”

  “I miss you both already. I wish we were together.”

  “So do I—and I know Jace feels the same.”

  “Beau, the last few hours have really opened my eyes. Did you see all the guns and gear Commander Vorden had on hand to kill dragons? If I hadn’t walked down to the pool first, you’d both be dead. I arrive at the airport, and a few minutes later I’m being confronted again. They’re watching me, and they’re close, and I have the distinct feeling they are going to remain close until they get what they want.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I can’t go near you or Jace in man or dragon form, and you can’t come near me, at least not for a while. It’s not safe.”

  “No, Devon, listen, Jace will—“

  “Jace will what? Be upset? I won’t be responsible for leading these men straight to you. Don’t ask me to carry that burden on my conscience. Be smart and stay away from me! Do you think I want to watch you both get shot right in front of my eyes?”

  “Jace won’t like it.”

  “Make him understand that I won’t be used as bait. If a fraction of what I feel for both of you is real, it will still be real in a few months’ time when all this dies down. I’m willing to wait. Are you?”

  “Devon, there’s something important you don’t understand.”

  “I’m quitting the magazine, so you won’t be running into me at work. Don’t argue about it. It makes sense. I’ll claim sick leave based on trauma from the trip, blah, blah, blah. I’m not taking any risks that could get both of you killed.”

  “I won’t lie to you, Devon. We will be in contact. We’ll find a way. Jace has to have contact with you. He doesn’t have a choice. He physically needs it.”

  “Don’t, Beau! This isn’t easy for me. I won’t be contacting you, not even in a link, not until we’re safe. That’s my final decision, and I hope you’ll honor it.”

  “Devon, our link is temporary. It’s going to fade in a few hours or days. For God’s sake, don’t shut me out.”

  “Why, so I can suffer or be tempted to locate you and lead these idiots to your front door? I don’t think so. It hurts too much.”

  “Devon, don’t do it!”

  “Good-bye, Beau. Take care of Jace.”

  Devon glanced up and saw a man dressed in a Safari Air uniform step behind the ticket counter. “Sir!” she called out to him as she bolted from the chair and ran toward the counter. “I need to exchange my ticket. My trip’s been cut short. I have to get home.”

  The man gave Devon a thorough head-to-toe examination. He pointed toward a television monitor that displayed a terrible passport photo of Devon that made her look drowsy. The screen crackled. “This is the American photojournalist believed to be at the heart of this elaborate hoax that many are now calling a brash publicity scheme to increase tourism....”

  The man eyed Devon with a sour expression. “Is that you? Did you start the dragon hoax?”

  She bit her lip, not knowing how to answer. “That’s my picture.”

  “Thank you a thousand times over!” A huge smile burst across the man’s broad face. “Business is booming. What can I do for you?”

  “I want the next States-bound flight.” She thought of Mr. Beer Farts. “And I’d like a seat on a row that’s not too crowded, if that’s possible.”

  “All flights are full, miss.”

  “Fine.” She thought of the thrill of riding on Jace’s back and what a life-changing experience that had been. “I’ll take a window seat. I want to look out.”

  The man winked at Devon and typed something on the keyboard. “My goodness, look at this.” He feigned surprise. “Safari Air management is giving you an upgrade to first class.” He handed her the new tickets. “Enjoy.”

  Devon held the tickets close to her heart. “Thank you.”

  The man motioned toward the row of orange chairs. “Have a seat. I’ll call a steward to bring you to the VIP lounge. It’s more comfortable there.”

  “That’s very kind of you.” Devon returned to the plastic chair and sat down to wait, wondering if she should use the time to buy a book or magazine to help keep her mind off Beau and Jace, but she couldn’t muster the energy to budge. Worry set in. “Don’t do this to yourself,” she muttered. They were grown men and they could take care of themselves. Not contacting them and drawing unwanted attention their way was the smartest, most selfless thing she could do, but damn, it was hard not to wonder.

  Part of her wished they wouldn’t risk shifting to dragon form and simply find their way home as men. She half considered linking with Beau and telling him exactly that, but stopped herself. The best thing she could do for Beau and Jace was to leave them alone until the world was no longer watching her like a hawk.

  A crisply uniformed steward approached. “Miss Mitchell, may I escort you to the VIP lounge?” He bowed with a flourish.

  Devon rose and followed the steward to a private elevator that opened to an elegant room decorated in soothing shades of tan and coffee brown, overlooking the runway.

  Gesturing toward a cushy chair, the steward motioned for her to sit. “Would miss care for some champagne?”

  Wow, this was almost too good to be true. “Yes, I would love some.” Devon glanced around in awe. This place was nice.

  The steward walked away to get the champagne.

  Devon sat and allowed herself to sink deep into the comfortable chair, closing her eyes.

  “Is this seat taken?” A woman with a soft French accent stood near.

  Devon glanced up to see a chic, middle-aged woman with upswept dark hair with a flick of gray. The woman was dressed in a black pantsuit, interrupted by a single splash of colorful silk artfully knotted around her throat. Her large, oval sunglasses lent her the overall appearance of Jacqueline Onassis on holiday.

  Despite the many empty chairs nearby, the woman selected a seat directly beside Devon and pointed at Devon’s carry-on luggage. “May I?” She reached toward the bag.

  “Hey! What are doing?” Devon’s first impulse was to defensively clutch the bag against her chest. What the hell did this woman want with her luggage?

  “Please, I’m here to help,” the woman insisted. She spoke with such confident reassurance Devon found herself easing her grip on the bag and handing it over to the lady.

  The woman thrust her hand into the unzipped b
ag and blindly searched for something. “Ah, here it is.” She smiled and pulled her hand from the bag, displaying a flat silver disk the size of a tiny button in the center of her palm. “You’re being tracked. The man who approached you in the terminal was very clumsy. Most aren’t. You must learn to spot them and never give them the opportunity to plant homing devices such as these on your person. This device is quite large. I’ve seen them the size of a pinhead.”

  The woman dropped the silver disk into a cup of fizzing soda water. She leaned closer. “What about your memory card? Have you checked and deleted its contents from your camera?”

  Her mouth gaped. “Who are you?”

  “Someone who understands what you’re going through.”

  “That’s not a name.”

  The woman crossed her long legs with grace. “If there is a secret society devoted to the persecution of dragons, is it so hard to believe that there is a covert underground society of women equally devoted to protecting the Marduko’s secrets?”

  Devon froze. Maybe she wasn’t alone. A burst of hope welled to the surface. There were others in the same situation. She noticed the woman wore two chunky gold wedding bands on her left hand. “What should I do?”

  “I can’t tell you what to do. You’ll have to make your own choices, but I will share this: despite trouble and tragedy, I would do it all again. I would rather have a brief taste of something wonderful than a lot of dullness. But I’m French, and we say that kind of thing even if we don’t always mean it.” The lady flashed a brief but dazzling smile. “I wish we could simply sit and talk. We have so much to share, but this is not the time or place.” Rising, she smoothed her pants. “We are finished for now, but we will meet again. I must leave. I have a few false trails to lay so Commander Vorden can waste a little more of his misguided life chasing them.” She strolled toward the elevator.

  “Wait!” Devon stood. “You didn’t tell me your name.”

  “I don’t need to.” The woman lifted her sunglasses and gazed back at her with dramatic brown eyes that looked exactly like Jace’s. She lowered her sunglasses, turned, and walked inside the elevator. A moment later the doors closed, and the woman disappeared.

  The steward strode into the lounge carrying a tray with a champagne flute balanced on it. He walked up to Devon and offered her the beverage.

  “Thank you.” Devon reached for the slender flute and sipped. The champagne was fruity, dry, and so very light, but what she needed now were a few throat-burning shots of tequila.

  Chapter 14

  Devon woke in her apartment feeling disoriented and very jet-lagged. It had been a huge mistake to drink all the free champagne she’d been offered in first class, and she was paying the price now.

  For a moment she wished she were in her sun-warmed hut about to be greeted by a group of giggling children. She ached at the thought of how far away Jace and Beau were. Most likely they were still on the African continent, which might as well have been the far side of the galaxy.

  Dragging herself out of bed, she slipped her arms through her bathrobe sleeves, and prayed she had some home-roasted coffee beans in her freezer. She sighed with relief when she saw a full bag. Coffee was the first thing on her list of necessities; everything else could wait. She made a pot of fragrant brew, poured a cup, and began to believe the world might not fall apart.

  Her phone rang loudly on the dock. Arcona’s number displayed; she always saw the logical aspects of issues and told her exactly what she thought. Snatching the phone, she hoped she didn’t sound as needy as she felt. “Hello, I’m so glad you called!”

  “Devon, I’ve been so worried about you. What is all this stuff on the news? Do you even know what I’m talking about? I read that Kibo the bush guide has a new reality show. He’s the next Bachelor! It’s dragon mania everywhere you look. What the hell is going on?”

  “Do I get to talk?” Devon laughed. She almost started to cry at the sound of a familiar voice. “Or are you just going to ask questions?”

  Arcona sounded agitated, “I had this weird feeling that something was seriously wrong. I’m so relieved to hear your voice. I’m calming down now, and I’m ready to listen. Please tell me your side of the story, and tell me you’re all right.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “Thank God. Do you think there is a connection between all this and that weird shop we visited in Salem?”

  Even though there was no one close, Devon cupped her hand around the phone and whispered, “Without doubt there’s a connection.”

  “Wow.” Arcona gulped a deep breath. “So, it happened to you too?”

  “What do you mean, it happened to me too? Why are you being so cryptic?”

  “I mean the wish stone. What happened after you made the wish?”

  Devon exhaled. “Where do I start? If I don’t choose my words carefully, I’ll sound like a nutcase.”

  “Nope. I promise you won’t sound nutty to me.”

  Arcona’s voice was like loving reassurance to Devon’s ears. “I haven’t told you anything yet, but I already feel so much better just knowing I can. Basically, I’m just a little shaken. I had to return early and had a bump on the head. Nothing serious, but I’m okay now.”

  “And what else?” Arcona’s words hung heavy.

  Where to start? “I fell in love. To be honest, I think I’ve been in love for a little while.”

  “That was fast. With who?”

  “Two wonderful men.” There, she said it, and it wasn’t that difficult.

  “Two?” Arcona giggled. “Aren’t you being a tad greedy? Do I know them?”

  “No. They’re something different. You’ve never met two men like this.”

  “Don’t be so sure. Lately I’ve met some very unusual men, emphasis on unusual.”

  What was Arcona getting at? “These guys are on the far edge of unusual.”

  “So far I’m with you one hundred percent. You can tell me anything. I’m shockproof. Watching the news, I’m not sure when you found the time to fall in love. Why did you leave Kenya? Did your new guys come home with you?”

  “They couldn’t.” Devon sighed. “We had to travel separately.”

  “Why?”

  “Because there are some bad men who want to kill them—”

  “Oh.” Arcona’s voice sank and her tone expressed so much.

  “Yeah, it’s bad. I don’t even know if I should be saying anything into an unsecured phone.”

  “What? Now you’re sounding paranoid. I knew something was terribly wrong when you came home early.”

  Devon smiled at her friend’s exasperation. “You didn’t ask about the good stuff—and it was damn good.”

  “I’m just happy to hear your voice and know you’re okay. You’re really okay, right? Those wish stones can be a pretty crazy ride, but I don’t need to tell you that, do I?”

  She might as well say it. “Something extraordinary happened to me. I’ll need time to figure it all out, but it’s so hard. I just want to be with them so badly.”

  “Then go to them.”

  “I can’t.” Her voice quivered. “It’s too dangerous for them.”

  A moment of silence followed on Arcona’s side. “Good Lord, what have you gotten yourself into?”

  “Do you know that feeling when you’re certain you would risk pain or death, anything to spare someone you care about from harm?”

  “I do know that feeling.”

  “I’m feeling it now. Part of me wants to run outside the apartment and find them, and part of me knows if I do that, I might cause a lot of trouble for them. I’m so torn.”

  “Just tell me what the situation is. I won’t judge you.”

  Ha! If Arcona only knew what the problem was, she wouldn’t be so quick to say she wouldn’t judge. “You promise to be open-minded? My story gets a little weird.”

  “I’m going to count to ten. If you don’t start talking by then, I’ll hang up, and the next time we speak will be face-to-face.
Don’t make me drive to the airport. I’m your best friend. I know where to find you.”

  Devon knew immediately that Arcona wasn’t joking. She released a tense breath before beginning. “I’m going to tell you, but you’re not going to believe me.”

  “Trust me. I have my own epic story to tell that seems outlandish even to me, and I lived it. Someday when we are sitting together, I’ll tell you everything. So, go ahead, tell me your story.”

  Now Devon was intrigued by Arcona’s comment. “Did you meet that new man you’re seeing, Tyr, through the wish stone and not at some stupid car rally like you told me?”

  “Um. Uh. Yes.” Arcona sounded smug. “Actually, Tyr’s moved in. He’s definitely a keeper, like keep him forever.”

  “Are you thinking of getting marri—”

  “Yep, we’re thinking sometime in the spring. This one’s the one. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

  She had to ask. “You said he was unusual. How unusual? Wish stone unusual?”

  “Tyr was a Dacian gladiator in ancient Pompeii.” Arcona said it like she was reading a grocery list.

  “Shut up! No way.” Okay, maybe telling Arcona about her two dragons wasn’t going to be so difficult after all.

  “It’s true. He’s a man from another age and he’s the perfect guy for me.”

  Whoa! Were the wish stones capable of this? “How can any of this be possible?”

  “Who knows?” Arcona sounded jubilant. “Call it magic or parallel worlds. It feels real. Does it need a label? I swear that shop in Salem is a door to another realm, and I’m damn glad I walked through it! My life has totally changed. Tyr’s the man I always wanted. He’s a whiz at work too. You should see how fast he identifies ancient objects on the university’s sorting tables. All my coworkers are jealous, for a number of reasons.”

  Relief welled inside Devon. Now she was ready to spill her guts. “You and Tyr are genuinely happy? Things are working?” she asked with caution.

  “Yes.”

  “I wonder if things can work for me? I want them to, but there are issues.”

  “What issues? Do the guys treat you well?”