Tempting the Dragon (10 page)

Mystified, Jade struggled to clear her admittedly still-sleep-fogged mind. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea what she meant,” she admitted. Then, horrified, she remembered Amber asking her if she was pregnant. For the love of...“Um, I’ll see if I can find out tonight at dinner.”

“Dinner. About that...”

Her heart skipped a beat. Was he about to ask her out? “We have a family meeting tonight,” she said, before he could. She sat up and swallowed. Mercifully, she no longer felt as if she could upend the contents of her stomach at any moment.

“Another one? How often do you have those things?”

“I didn’t call this one,” she admitted. “Libby did. It seems she’s upset. I’m reasonably sure it’s because she needed something while I was in Fae.”

“Unless she somehow knows you agreed to let me meet her,” he said, amusement coloring his voice.

Would she ever get used to his sexy Southern accent? Still, despite Libby asking to meet him, Jade wasn’t ready yet. She wasn’t sure exactly why, just a gut feeling she had. When the right time came, she’d know. Then she’d set up the meeting.

“I hadn’t thought of that,” she said. “Libby does often know things ahead of time.”

“Well, when you see her tonight, why don’t you ask her? I’d be interested to know the answer.”

She murmured something she hoped sounded like agreement and hung up. Though she really just wanted to lie back down and pull the blanket over her head, she forced herself to get up and head into the shower.

Whatever the reason for Libby calling the meeting, she figured it would be about her.

One hour later, cleaned up, hair dried, makeup applied, Jade put on one of her maxi dresses. She felt the need to wear something other than her usual jeans and T-shirt.

When she got downstairs, she saw that almost everyone in the family had apparently experienced the same urge to dress up a little. Everyone except the twins, who wore what they always did—unrelenting black for Pearl and psychedelic seventies attire for Sapph.

The instant Jade walked into the dining room, all conversation ceased. Silent, everyone openly stared, their faces wearing mixed expressions ranging from trepidation to curiosity. As usual, the buffet had been set up and the table groaned under the weight of the food. Briefly, Jade felt thankful that tonight her mother and grandmother hadn’t gotten together and made their usual inedible offering. Instead, she had that delicious lasagna to look forward to.

A quick glance around showed that Auntie Em and Di were the only ones not in attendance. Of course, Jade imagined they had a lot to catch up on.

“Oh, come on now,” Jade said, looking around. “This is ridiculous. You all need to act normally.”

“Do we?” Her grandmother studied her, one perfectly painted eyebrow raised. “Do you have any idea how unusual this is?”

“That Libby would call a family meeting,” Amber clarified, in case Jade missed the point.

“I’m aware Libby doesn’t call meetings very often...”

“Never,” Amber interrupted.

Jade stifled a huge sigh. “Fine, Libby never calls meetings. Thank you, Mom. Now if you’ll just let me continue, have you ever considered this might not be a bad thing? I imagine it gets very lonely for her sometimes, living all by herself in a cabin up by the lake. Maybe, just maybe, she’s making the time to get to know the family from where her Guardians come.”

Though Amber gave a loud snort and rolled her eyes, several others were murmuring among themselves and smiling.

“I’d really like that,” Sapphire enthused. “I think Libby is the most interesting thing about this town.”

“Me, too,” Pearl put in, not to be outdone by her twin.

The doorbell rang, the deep melodic chimes echoing through the house. Since no one in the family bothered ringing the bell, this had the effect of causing everyone to go silent again. A few people—probably the teenage crowd—tittered nervously.

Jade started toward the door. “I’ll get it,” she announced, in case it wasn’t obvious.

Opening the heavy oak door, she found Libby standing on the front porch. Looking small and determined and somewhat nervous. And as beautiful and otherworldly as ever.

“How did you get here?” Jade asked.

“I called a cab.”

Giving in to impulse, Jade hugged her. “Come on in.”

Instead of stepping into the foyer, Libby tilted her head, her amethyst gaze searching Jade’s face. “That’s the second time you’ve done that. Why?”

Jade smiled. “Because both times you looked like you could use a hug. Now come on in and meet the family.”

Though she stepped forward, Libby gripped Jade’s arm. “Stay close to me. There is something I want to talk to you about.”

As they walked into the dining room, once again an awkward silence fell. Ignoring this, Jade led Libby over to her mother since they already knew each other.

“Amber.” Libby held out her hand gracefully. “It’s good to see you again.”

Even though both women knew this wasn’t true, Amber of course responded in kind. “You look wonderful, dear Libby. Having my daughter as your Guardian has obviously agreed with you.”

Knowing her mother, Jade suspected that this last statement was meant as a slight dig. If so, Libby didn’t acknowledge it as such. Instead, she beamed at Amber. “You did a good job raising Jade, my dear Amber. She and I have become really close.”

Trying to not bask in the glow from the compliment, Jade finally decided what the heck. She liked Libby, liked her a lot. As a matter of fact, Jade actually considered Libby her best friend.

Expression sour, Amber excused herself to go check on something in the kitchen.

“Who do you want to meet next?” Jade asked.

“Where’s your cousin Diamond?” Libby asked, scanning the room. “I know you rescued her.”

“I don’t know. I’d assumed she’d be here with her mother. Libby, I have a question. When I found her, she seemed fine. Yet you told me she was in danger. Grave danger.”

Libby shook her head. “Did you not see what Prince Cai has done? He’s using his Fae powers to ensnare young women and then he gets them with child. Did Diamond not believe she carried the heir to the kingdom?”

“Yes. Yes, she did.” Jade took a deep breath. “Libby, you should know I nearly got sick from that trip. Apparently your other realm theory wasn’t true.”

Regarding her, Libby sighed. “I’m sorry.”

Pearl and Sapphire approached, each of them regarding Libby with blatant curiosity shining in their matching green eyes.

Clearly, this conversation would have to continue later.

“Girls, this is Libby. Libby, these are my younger sisters, Sapphire and Pearl.”

Pearl dropped into a half curtsy, as if meeting a queen. Sapphire shook her head and rolled her eyes at her sister. “Stop acting like a dork,” she said, holding out her hand instead. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Libby.”

The two shook hands, Libby’s expression impassive, though a ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. Pearl hung back, her eyes wide, apparently still in awe.

“Come here,” Libby said, holding out her hand for Pearl to shake. Instead, Pearl rushed over and wrapped her arms around Libby and gave her a quick hug. When Pearl stepped away, her face had turned pink with embarrassment.

“She takes after you, I see,” Libby said, smiling. “Please, Jade, introduce me to the rest of your family.”

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly, despite everyone’s worrying. Once they got used to the idea that Libby didn’t want to be treated like royalty, the family relaxed. When Jade gave the signal to eat, everyone mobbed the buffet line exactly as they always did.

Jade and Libby joined the end of the line, where Jade whispered to Libby how she’d lucked out. “Normally, I’d have to give you a warning about the deceptive appearance and terrible taste of whatever concoction Amber and Opal had cooked up. This time, Opal made lasagna, without any help from my mother. This means it will be delicious.”

Libby frowned. “Does that mean Amber is the bad cook?”

“Shhh.” Furtively, Jade glanced around. “We never say that out loud. But I think it has to be her. When Opal cooks alone, we all discourage Amber from making anything on her own.”

“Did she tonight?

“I don’t know. Hopefully not. If she did, believe me, you’ll know.”

“And no one has any idea which one it is?” Libby asked. At Jade’s nod, she shook her head. “That’s easy enough to fix. Amber,” she called out. “Jade has been telling me what a marvelous cook you are. Please, which one of these delectable dishes is yours?”

Amber smiled coyly. “You’ll have to try them all and then guess.”

“Yes, be surprised like the rest of us,” Jade murmured. “Don’t think you’re getting off that easily.”

Libby laughed. “I guess it will be kind of fun to find out.”

“That’s one way to put it.”

Later, after the meal had been eaten and the buffet cleared away, Libby said her goodbyes. Jade walked her outside, full and content. This had been a very enjoyable evening.

“Walk with me?” Libby asked, smiling fondly.

“Sure.” Inhaling the pine scented air, Jade smiled back.

Once they were away from the house, Libby stopped. “There’s something I need to discuss with you,” she said.

“Ah, the real reason you called this meeting?”

One perfectly arched brow rose. “I called this meeting because I wanted to meet your family. I’m tired of living like an outcast, all alone with no one to talk to. I’m glad I did.”

“I’m glad, too.” Jade squeezed Libby’s arm.

“Yes, well... There is someone else I’d like to meet.”

Jade waited. When Libby didn’t continue, she smiled. “Who?”

“Your man.”

“I don’t have a man.” Jade’s response came automatically. “But I’m guessing you mean Rance Sleighter.”

“Yes. Ever since he arrived in town, I’ve been troubled.”

Now this was news. “Can you use your psychic ability to find out why?”

“I’ve tried.” Sadness tinged Libby’s voice. “But for whatever reason, the answer remains hidden from me.”

“I see.” Jade considered, and then decided to tell Libby the truth. “He wants to meet you, too. As a matter of fact, I agreed to let him if he accompanied me to the land of the Fae. He did, so we need to set something up.”

Pleased, Libby clapped her hands. “So he senses it, too.”

“Senses what?”

“A connection of some sort. I haven’t been able to determine exactly what kind.”

A connection. Swallowing back mingled feelings of dismay and, yes, jealousy, Jade nodded. “Well, I guess you’ll find out soon enough. When would you like me to bring him by?”

“Day after tomorrow.” Libby’s instant reply made Jade feel even worse. “How about the day after tomorrow, around one. Can you do that?”

Jade pretended to have to think. “You know I’ve been away from Dogs Off Leash awhile, right?”

“Yes, and I also know you frequently leave during the day.” Libby broke up her firm tone with a soft smile. Clearly, she had given Jade an order.

Relenting, Jade smiled back. “Fine. We’ll be there at one. Day after tomorrow.”

* * *

The phone call woke him before dawn. Seeing Eve’s father Jim’s number on the caller ID made his stomach drop and he could barely catch his breath enough to answer.

“I’ve called in hospice.” Jim’s broken voice brought an answering lump to Rance’s throat. “She’s in a lot of pain and is in and out of consciousness.”

It took a moment before Rance could make his voice work. “How long?” he asked, choking on the words.

“It’s difficult to predict. But the doctors say it won’t be long now. Days or weeks, at the most.”

Brushing at his suddenly stinging eyes, Rance promised to get there as soon as he could. He called the airline, changed his plane reservation and packed his suitcase. As he was about to go down to the front desk to check out, his phone rang again.

This time, when he saw Jim’s caller ID, he nearly fell to his knees. Not even thirty minutes had passed. Surely...

“Jim? What’s going on?”

“She’s gone,” the other man said, openly weeping. “No need for you to rush home now.”

Rance dropped his phone. Somehow, he made it to the bed, where he curled up and let the waves of sorrow carry him away.

The next few hours passed in a blur. At some point, he got up, grabbed the car keys and drove out to the lake. Parking near the cliffs, he climbed from the car, shedding his clothing as he went. For the first time he could remember, he didn’t take his camera with him. For now, maybe forever, telling stories with photographs no longer appealed.

Near the edge, he lifted his face to the sky and silently screamed out his sorrow before stepping off the edge.

Chapter 10

O
n the way down, Rance changed. Swiftly, violently, his body going from man to Drakkor so fast the pain nearly made him lose consciousness. But the shock of hitting the cold water revived him. As dragon, he dove as deep as his grief, frightening fish and turtles with his powerful wings churning water out of his way.

And he swam. Moving through the lake until his muscles screamed with exhaustion. And still he kept on. Though it was dangerous to be in his dragon form in broad daylight, he knew if he kept to the depths of the lake, he’d be all right. No one would see him. At this point, he didn’t really care if someone did.

He’d hoped the utter silence would soothe the shrieking inside his head. Instead, he could see nothing but Eve. Eve as she’d been when healthy and whole, a sweet, active child always ready to laugh and play.

Gone. Her light snuffed out by one gust, a single blow of fate.

He snarled, surfacing once for air, before going under again. Usually, even in his dragon form, he kept the man foremost, aware of the need to think rationally. Not now. Not this time. This time, the dragon would own the body.

Giving himself over to his beast, he pushed all human thoughts and emotions away, concentrating on the here and now. Only by living in the moment—that very instant of time, frame by frame—could he keep the pain from spiraling into madness.

Hours passed. Or so he thought. When he finally let the conscious part of him resurface, he saw he’d fed and fed well. Sated, the dragon coasted just below the surface, occasionally raising his massive head to eye the nearly full moon shining in the midnight sky.

A day, then. He dove once more, needing to escape the world a little longer, grateful for the quiet and grace of the underwater world.

And then...he saw her. A flash of scales, the water too murky to see more. Was this Libby? With a swirl of muddy water, she disappeared. Normally, he would have pursued her, but not today. Not with so much sorrow coiling inside him, ensnaring him as tightly as a fisherman’s net.

So he spun in the opposite direction. Swimming fast, he took off toward the cliffs, hoping she wouldn’t follow.

When he reached his destination, he turned. And found himself alone.

Launching himself out of the lake, he flew, shaking off the water, his body aching. Aware his shaky wings would not support a long flight, he landed at the top of the cliff, dropping to the ground and initiating the change back to man.

This time, the shape-shifting went slower, the change equally painful, but more excruciating as it took longer.

Still dripping, he found his clothes and stepped back into his jeans. On the way back to the hotel, he almost stopped at a package store and purchased a bottle of Patrón and a shot glass, but at the last moment, he continued on past. While he definitely didn’t want to think at all tonight, he knew if he took that slippery slope, he might lose himself forever.

The next morning, head aching not from a killer hangover, but from a night of tossing and turning and what promised to be the beginning of a terrible migraine, Rance headed to Burnett House.

Despite the knowledge that he needed food and coffee, in that order, he didn’t want to take the time to stop for breakfast. In fact, he probably needed Advil more than anything, but if he wanted to catch Jade, he’d have to hurry. He left his motel just as the sun came over the horizon. He knew Jade would head into her doggy day care early to meet the folks dropping off their dogs before going to work. He wanted to make sure and catch her before she left.

After all, he needed to tell her goodbye. He wasn’t sure where he’d go after Eve’s funeral or what he’d do. No doubt he’d eventually find another hot story to pursue the hell out of. Distraction might be the one thing that would help him with the pain. But right now, he didn’t have the heart to touch his camera. Good photographs were nothing without joy.

He parked the Mustang around the corner at the bottom of the hill, eyeing the stately house Jade’s family called home. As he started to walk toward the steps leading to the front door, he spied Jade on the porch, watching him.

The sight of her made his aching heart skip a beat. Heartened, he picked up his pace. More than anything, he wished he could share his sorrow with her, but old habits died hard. He’d always been a private man and kept his emotions close to the vest.

As a result, he’d do his best to pretend nothing had changed in his world.

“Good morning,” he said, climbing the steps up onto the front porch and trying to inhale deeply. Even breathing hurt. He needed to focus on something else, something good. “The scent of fresh hot coffee has to be the best thing about mornings.” He tried for a smile. “I figured you always take yours out here in the morning. Am I right?”

She shrugged and took a sip. “Whenever possible. Of course, I can’t in the winter. But the rest of the year, yes. Since it’s covered, I can even sit here when it’s raining, as long as the wind’s not blowing.”

Since his throat had closed up again and he didn’t want to risk speaking, he simply nodded. The movement didn’t help his pounding head any.

Jade eyed him. “Would you like to join me? Mind you, I have to be leaving for work soon so I don’t have very long.”

Grateful for small kindnesses, he took a seat next to her on the swing. The fragrant aroma of hot coffee made his mouth water.

“Would you like a cup?” she asked, noticing the way his gaze wandered to her mug.

“Sure. If it’s not too much trouble.”

“It’s not.” Pushing to her feet, she set her coffee down on a decorative barrel that apparently served as a table. “Do you take cream and sugar or black?”

“Black, please.”

After she vanished inside, he kicked back a little, sending the swing in motion. There were very few places on this earth where he felt at peace, and this porch in the front of this house on the hill had been, oddly enough, one of them. He couldn’t help but wonder how much of that had to do with Jade.

A moment later she returned with his coffee. She moved with a sensual grace, apparently completely unaware of her allure. Still desperate for distraction, he tried to imagine her other form; no doubt whatever kind of beast she became, she would retain her human beauty. At the thought, his own dragon stirred inside him. Sluggish, yes, due to the amount of pain building up behind his eyes.

“Thank you.” Accepting the mug, he drank gratefully, squinting bleary-eyed at the rising sun. At least the sting of his burned tongue helped him stop thinking about how much he’d like to twine his fingers in Jade’s thick silver hair and pull her close for a kiss. Sort of.

Realizing he was only looking for a distraction, anything to help him not think about Eve, he knew he needed to focus if he wanted to keep from breaking down. “I didn’t have time to get caffeinated before I came here.”

Nodding, she retrieved her own coffee. “Are you all right?” she asked. “You look a little green around the gills.”

He started to nod, but stopped himself. “Not really. I’ve only had a few migraines in my lifetime, but whatever is building up in my head promises to be the mother of all headaches.”

“I’m sorry. Maybe the coffee will help.”

“Perhaps it will,” he said, taking a sip.

“I thought possibly you were hungover. Like you might have gotten bored and hit up the pub last night.”

Which would be the last thing he’d do, but she didn’t know that. Right now, with his entire body aching with pain, he knew how easily it would be to drink himself into oblivion and just stay there. “No.”

She watched him, her emerald eyes wiser than her years. “Why are you here, Rance? What do you need?”

You.
The thought came unbidden, the sudden sureness of it making him drink too deeply of the hot coffee than he should have. He winced as he burned his mouth, swallowing quickly and trying not to choke as the pain continued down his throat.

One cough turned into two. Eyes watering, he looked away.

“Are you all right?”

No.

Wordlessly nodding, he swallowed again before forcing his gaze up to her face.

Glancing at her watch, she stood. “Well, I’ve got to go. I have to be at work before the first drop-offs of the day.”

Pushing to his feet, he drained the last of his coffee and put the cup down on the railing. “I need to meet Libby as soon as possible. There are photographs I’ve got to take.” Damned if he’d give up on his promise to Eve, just because she was... No. He forced his mind to go blank. He’d get through this, do what he had to do and then go to a place that would never again be his home.

“I haven’t forgotten.” Wrinkling her nose, Jade smiled at him, unaware of his inner turmoil. Despite Libby asking her to bring him around at one o’clock, she still wasn’t ready. “I’m just trying to work out the logistics.” Stalling, true. But something still felt...off.

“I’ve got to leave town,” he blurted, trying like hell to keep his tone ordinary, normal. Though Jim had yet to relay funeral arrangements, he figured it would be in the next two or three days.

Her smile slowly disappeared. “Oh. When?”

“I’m not sure yet,” he lied, not wanting to tell her he’d already purchased a ticket for a flight. “Soon. Within the next few days.”

“I see.” She looked away. “Libby had asked me to set up a meeting with you. You leaving changes things.”

“Why?” he asked, crossing his arms. “That shouldn’t make any difference.” Slowly she nodded. He got the distinct impression he wasn’t the only one withholding information.

“It shouldn’t be that difficult. Just let her know and take me there. Unless you think she’d have objections...” He knew his saying this was like offering her an escape route, a way to avoid keeping the promise she’d made. While he knew he really shouldn’t care, to his surprise he did. Taking a picture of a lake monster had been Eve’s last request. Damned if he wouldn’t do his best to honor it, even if the idea of using his camera still made him feel nauseated.

“No, she won’t object. Like I said, she actually wants to meet you. She even set up a time. But Libby wants the meeting to be while she’s in her human form, and you...from what you said about taking photographs, I think you want to meet her after she shape-shifts into the lake creature.”

He couldn’t say why, but this statement flummoxed him. Still, that aching, pain-filled part of him felt glad of the distraction. “Wait a minute. Libby’s a shape-shifter?”

Jade stared back at him, her own shock plain on her beautiful face. “Surely you didn’t think she stayed as a lake creature all the time?”

Put that way, he could see why she was astonished.

“I didn’t really think about it,” he admitted, his mind whirling. “Part of me supposed if humans could be nothing more than human, then a lake beast could do the same.”

While Jade didn’t outright laugh at him, he could see her struggling not to. To his shock, he felt an answering smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

“I’d like to meet her as human, then,” he said.

She grinned. “Would you?”

“Yes. If that’s what she wants to do, then I’m game. I’d like to ask her permission to take her picture and I don’t imagine we’d be able to talk if I met her in her lake beast form.”

Now Jade snickered. “No, you wouldn’t. Just like when you or I change into our beasts. We can’t talk to humans, only to our own kind.”

“Of course not.” He sighed. “I got it. Now, when can you set it up?”

“Give me a minute.” Pulling out her phone, she sent a text. “She suggested a time and I want to make sure it’s still all right.” A moment later, a chime indicated an answer. “Okay. Libby says you can meet her later today.”

As distractions went, this was a doozy. He nodded. “Fine. What time?”

Again she glanced at her watch, still watching him closely, as if she somehow sensed something was wrong. Unsmiling, she finally answered, “How about one o’clock? We can grab a bite to eat on the way.”

As if he could eat. He took a deep breath as another wave of grief threatened to overwhelm him. Though meeting Libby would, under any other circumstances, be awesome, the encounter had come too late. Eve was gone.

Because his eyes stung, he looked away. He tried to clear a suddenly aching thoat. All he could think about was how on earth he’d manage to fill the time until then. He had to stay busy; otherwise, the hours would stretch out bleakly, ready to constantly remind him of his loss. And he wasn’t sure he was strong enough to face it alone. Not just yet.

“Sounds good.” He thought he succeeded at sounding casual. Normal. As if his entire world hadn’t been shattered. Keep busy, that would be the key. “Jade, do you mind if I hang out with you until then? I can help at your doggy day care if you need an extra set of hands.”

Tilting her head, she eyed him. “Sure. Let me go inside and grab a few things and then we’ll go.”

Out of reflex, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, meaning to call Eve and tell her he was finally going to meet a lake monster. With the phone in his hand, he froze. Eve could no longer take his calls.

Dizzy, he closed his eyes, riding out the wave of grief. Maybe in time, he’d grow used to this. Maybe not. But right now, the loss felt all too fresh, and way too painful.

“Are you all right?” Jade touched his arm. Somehow, without intending to, he turned into her and pulled her close, holding on as tightly as if his life depended on it.

“Yes,” he managed. “Just fine.” Even though, clearly, he was not.

Jade stood still, holding him and letting him take what he needed from her embrace. He blinked several times to clear his eyes, cleared his throat and, finally, when he thought he had himself under control, released her.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, her gaze searching his face.

He shook his head and averted his eyes. “No. I don’t.”

“Come on,” she said, taking his arm and steering him toward her car. “If you want to talk, you can tell me about it on the way to DOL.”

Instead, he sat in the front seat as she drove, doing his best to pretend all was just hunky-dory in his world.