Releasing the Dragon: Myths and Legends, Book One (6 page)

"You were right this morning," I informed him
bluntly.

"I usually am, but about what in particular
this time." His tone was serious, not cocky.

I glanced over at him and replied,
"Everything." His eyes widened a little and I kept going, "I was in
Mystique last night when I first saw the human dancer, Serafina.
She was in way over her head on the dance floor. By the time I got
there she had one male feasting on her breasts and another about to
impale her from behind. It happens all the time in Mystique, but
something inside me snapped. I couldn't let it happen this time,
not to her. But then, I almost fell on her myself. I didn't even
know why I went to Mystique; I never go in there, not unless I have
to. Now I understand, it was the same instinct that had me scouring
the resort looking for her tonight." My eyes returned to the door
where Serafina had disappeared. The need to be with her was nearly
overwhelming. The kiss had been a mistake. If Rook hadn't shown
up…

"Now it makes more sense," Rook commented.
"She'd told me things didn't go well in Mystique and would have
been worse if someone hadn't distracted her."

I shook myself and started walking back down
the path towards the main entrance. If I didn't put some distance
between me and Serafina I'd be upstairs thrusting into her body
within seconds. Rook fell in step beside me.

"I went to see Claire after I left your
office this morning. I already knew what she'd say, I'd felt it in
Mystique, but I wouldn't let myself believe it. Now there is no
denying it, not once I felt her in my arms. The instant I touched
her I knew it was true." I knew I was rambling, but now that I was
moving away from Serafina the implications of her discovery were
bombarding my mind.

Rook grabbed my arm and turned me towards
him. "Dragon, what do you mean, what did Claire tell you."

I looked into the eyes of my best friend, one
of very few beings I would trust with this information and
answered, "Claire told me that Serafina is the Phoenix, which
means, she invited Serafina here because she's my mate, and because
she's destined to set my dragon free."

Rook dropped my arm and a crease formed
between his brows. "I understand why Claire believes she's the
Phoenix but why are you suddenly so sure? I know how you feel about
the Phoenix Prophecy and it surprises me that you would accept her
as your mate so easily."

"I can feel it Rook," I put my hand up over
my heart, "right here. I felt it the first time I looked into her
eyes, but it was weak, something I could chalk up to the atmosphere
in Mystique. And I did, because I didn't want to get my hopes up
again. Then tonight when I held her in my arms for the first time
the dragon came to life inside of me. I don't know how he can sense
her or how I felt him, because the spell is most definitely still
in full force, but I can't deny who she is any longer. Serafina is
my mate."

"I believe you, and I'm happy for you, but we
both know she will be in a lot of danger once word of this gets
around. Travali does not want his spell broken and most
interpretations of the Phoenix Prophecy surmise that your mate is
the one who must be found in order to break it. That bloodsucker
will send ever assassin he can find out to hunt her down and
slaughter her before the prophecy can be fulfilled," Rook said, not
to be unkind, but to remind me of the danger that would soon be
taking over our lives.

"I'm going to need your help. I don't know if
I'll be able to protect her from the danger she's in. When I'm near
her I can't think clearly. I can barely focus on anything but her,
and getting inside of her." I started walking again. Once I started
thinking about sinking into her body images of our naked bodies
sliding together started flashing through my mind. I had to get a
grip or she wouldn't live long enough for my fantasies to come
true.

Rook followed, chuckling beside me. "I'd
forgotten how much fun it is to watch shapeshifters when they first
find their mates. If it weren't for the danger she's in I would
thoroughly enjoy watching you struggle through the mating
frenzy."

I gave him an annoyed glance.

"Cheer up, once you actually claim her you'll
be able to think with your big head again." He laughed.

"But that might just create even more
problems." I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. "I don't
know what will happen when I try to claim her. I'm sure we'll have
glorious sex, but what will happen afterwards? Will the Dragon's
magic be strong enough to break through the spell? How do you think
she'll react if it is? She's a human with no knowledge of the
supernatural world surrounding her. I have to tell her everything
before I let things go that far, but how can I tell her about
myself without making her run away screaming?"

Rook shrugged, "Don't tell her; show
her."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't think flashing her
my fangs, is the way to go here, and since my dragon still can't
come out to play that's not an option either,"

"That's not what I meant. Have Solomon tell
her your story."

I thought about that for a moment, excited by
the idea. "That just might work and she's already meeting me for
dinner at The Gateway Friday evening. Do you have any idea where he
is now?"

"The last time I saw him he was thrashing
around in the mosh pit at The Catacombs," Rook answered with
amusement. In our eyes Solomon would always be the studious young
alchemist that came to us in the middle ages. But times have
changed, and Solomon along with them.

"As much as I hate to interrupt him, this
can't wait until tomorrow. With any luck, he'll have enough time to
make the necessary changes. His magic will open Serafina's eyes for
me. Then I just have to find a way to open her mind." I picked up
my pace and Rook followed beside me as we made our way to The
Catacombs.

We found Solomon sitting at the bar with a
young female vampire straddling his lap. He was sucking on her
nipple through the thin material of her shirt. By the way she was
moving her hips it was obvious her skirt was hiding more than just
her feminine secrets. After a moment she noticed me and Rook
standing behind Solomon and froze like she'd been caught with her
hand in the cookie jar. When she stilled, Solomon looked over his
shoulder then swore under his breath as he lifted her off his lap
and fastened his pants. He whispered something in her ear that made
her eyes close with a groan, then he smacked her on the ass and she
hurried off.

I clapped him on the back and took a seat
next to him. "Sorry about the interruption, I would have waited
until you were finished." I couldn't help but laugh a little at how
much he had changed over the years.

Rook sat on his other side scanning the crowd
for anyone we wouldn't want listening in on our conversation.

"You know the young ones are all terrified of
you. There's no way she'd stay here and finish what we started with
you looking over my shoulder," Solomon said as he readjusted his
pants. When he was more comfortable he said, "So tell me, why are
my balls going to be aching for the rest of the night?"

I leaned in to avoid being overheard. "I
found my mate." It felt so good to say that out loud.

Solomon's eyes widened and he sat up
straighter. "Bloody hell, how is that possible without the curse
being broken?"

I shook my head. "I don't know how it's
possible, but I know it's true. The problem is, she's human. She
doesn't know anything about our world and I need to fill her in
before I can claim her."

Solomon burst out laughing, then, still
chuckling said, "Oh, that must suck. How long do you think you can
hold out before you give up and rip her clothes off? I think I
should start a betting pool."

Beside him Rook tried to cover his laughter
with a cough.

"Ha-ha. I'm sure you and Doyle would have
loads of fun with that, but we need to try and keep this quiet as
long as possible. We don't want the vampires to get wind of this
before the spell is broken. She will always be in danger as my
mate, but until we're free of the curse she will be the number one
priority for Travali and every assassin he has at his command."

Solomon sobered a little and asked, "Is she
here at the resort, who is she?"

I felt myself smile. "Her name is Serafina,
Serafina Leroux."

"The human dancer Scarlett just hired?" I
nodded and Solomon said, "I'd been wondering why we would hire a
human who doesn't have the first clue about anything that goes on
behind the scenes here. She's a fantastic dancer. I wanted her for
The Gateway but it's not safe for her to be onstage with the magic
going, not if she doesn't understand how dangerous it can be. As it
is, I had to tell Scarlett to assign her to Lilith's, but that is
such a waste of her talent."

Hearing Solomon praise my mate filled me with
pride.

"Soon enough she will know all about the very
real myths and legends at this resort and the magic that surrounds
them. Then she can dance at The Gateway or anywhere else you might
need her." I rubbed my hands together. "Now, I came here tonight to
ask you for a favor. I need you to use your show Friday night to
tell her our story. Make her see beyond the monsters humans believe
us to be. Show her our world and help her understand what has been
done to us." If anyone could do what I needed it was Solomon.

Solomon sat quietly for a while then said,
"That shouldn't be a problem since we'll have a week to put it all
together."

"Thank you Solomon, you're a good friend and
I will owe you for this." I felt truly grateful to have friends
like Solomon and Rook. It had taken me a long time to learn how to
trust again. But second guessing the motives of everyone around me
had taken its toll. I had to start trusting again or risk losing
the love and loyalty of all the people who follow me. In the end,
my people meant more to me than the betrayal I had suffered.

"You will not owe me anything, it's my honor
to serve you as always," Solomon said as he fisted his hand over
his heart.

I returned the gesture and stood to leave.
"Please have my table set for two. Serafina will be meeting me in
front of The Gateway at eight o'clock Friday evening." After a nod
from Solomon I turned to leave, Rook followed me out of the
club

Once we were past the crowds Rook said, "I
will instruct everyone on the security staff to alert me
immediately if anything out of the ordinary involving Serafina
happens. They’ll think I want to keep an eye on her because she's
human so it shouldn't raise any red flags."

"I have no doubt she will be safe in your
hands. Thank you my old friend." We clasped hands and I pulled him
into a one armed hug slapping him on the back.

When he stepped back he said, "No thanks
necessary. If what you say is true, you'll need all the help you
can get. You need only to ask, and I will be there for you." He
started to walk away but stopped and turned back after only a few
steps. "By the way, congratulations; I know you're a long way from
mated bliss but now that you've found her, you have a shot at
something most of us will never experience."

"Your time will come. If I can find my mate
after all these years, then anything is possible." Rook didn't
argue but his sad smile clearly said he didn't agree with me.
Shapeshifters find their mates with relative ease when their
instincts are not being smothered by magic. The same could not be
said for beings with Rook's ancestry. Yet even with the odds
stacked against him, I had to believe fate would eventually reward
such a worthy male.

We went our separate ways after that; Rook
checking in at the security office and me heading back to my
apartment to get some sleep. Not that I really thought I'd be able
to sleep, but it was worth a shot.

Monday morning when I reported for work
Scarlett informed me that I would be assigned to Lilith's for the
first week, then I would most likely rotate to one of the other
clubs. She didn't mention The Gateway but I hoped that one day I
would earn a place on that stage. The shows at The Gateway varied
greatly and included well known comedians, Claire's psychic
readings, and elaborate dance productions. Having the lead role in
a show at The Gateway would make all of my dreams come true.

It was Wednesday night and I was outside
Lilith's reading vampire legends before my shift started. For the
past few days I'd spent most of my free time exploring the resort
and reading the various legends plastered on the walls. Some of the
information seemed to be based in truth but much of it was a little
far-fetched. After several days of reading the stories, I came to
the conclusion that unless I actually meet a shapeshifter or
vampire I will never be able to discern fact from fiction.

I hadn't seen or heard from Dragon since we
said goodbye last weekend and I regretted not getting a phone
number to contact him. It was only dumb luck that I didn't have to
work on Friday when I'm supposed to be meeting him at The Gateway.
More than that though, I wanted a way to reach out to him, a way to
feel the connection I'd felt when he held me in his arms. I knew I
shouldn't let myself get attached so quickly, but there was just
something about him...

"The gift shop sells an excellent hardcover
book that contains every myth and legend found on the walls of this
resort."

His voice came from behind me, a gentle
caress I felt deep inside my body. I closed my eyes letting the
sensation fill me with warmth. How could such an innocent thing
affect me so intimately?

"I might just have to look into that," I said
as I spun around smiling. "I'm starting to get kinks in my neck
from starring up at walls all day."