Cole: House of Wilkshire ― Paranormal Dragon Shifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “Hello, Devon.”

  ~*~

  Devon put the phone back in the cradle and sat there for several minutes. Rocking his daughter was a great deal of fun, but he knew he’d have to put her down to conduct the business at hand. He hated that more than anything. Having time with his daughter was the highlight of his afternoon.

  After putting her into her playpen, he picked up the roster that had all the names of the dragons in it. There were addresses too, but a great many of them hadn’t been updated for fifty or so years. Finding the address was easy enough. A dragon did live there too.

  How did he go about telling the dragon that was supposed to have lived there that he’d been found? Thinking about it had him making notes on the subject, only to cross them out and put down something else. It was a delicate operation, finding out who lived in the house. He reached out for Nicole, the protector of them all, and asked her to come by his office. Please.

  I’m sort of in the middle of something right now. Is it important? He told her just what Ryan had told him. I’ll be right there. Don’t laugh at what I’m wearing either. Or so help me, I’ll make you regret it.

  As soon as she popped into his office, he had to cover his mouth. The glare that she gave him had him hoping he could keep from getting himself hurt. But he did find himself curious as to why she’d be dressed as a clown in the middle of the day. Finally, it was just too much for him, and he had to ask.

  “Remember about six months ago? We hired this guy to go around to the schools to give away toothbrushes and paste to all the kids?” Devon said he didn’t know they’d been dressing up. “I didn’t either when I told him I’d cover for him today. All he told me was that my uniform would be brought over to me. By the way, we’re going to get him a better costume. The one he brought me smelled like old shoes that had been in a locker for six months. Also, while I think candy with a toothbrush would be an oxymoron, I think we should give them something besides this little bag of shit.”

  “I like the one you have on. I’m assuming you made it?” She said she’d rather not have to wear the one he’d brought her. “I don’t blame you. I’ll get on finding something to go with the baggies. But this thing with the Feds, we need to figure out what else this agent knew, as well as where he might well have gotten his information. Even if there isn’t a dragon there, he was looking.”

  “I’ve sent one of the ghosts that work with Roxanna to see what they can figure out with the files. This may be just a one time thing, and we’ll not have to worry overly much, but I’m not willing to take that chance.”

  He said that he was not either.

  When Newt showed up in the room with him, Devon knew they had more than just a little problem.

  “They got themselves a whole fistful of them suckers. I’m just getting to be able to read, but they was marked important. I got me a looksee into one of them, and there is also mention of witches thereabout.” Devon asked the kid would he be able to bring the files to him. “Not unless you are a wanting me to get my butt kicked around. I’m not to take stuff from those kinds of buildings. They got themselves a lot of cameras and such. While they can’t see me, they can see the stuff I’m moving around. Makes it harder on the ones that live there to be doing that to them. Bringing attention, I mean.”

  “There are ghosts living in the Fed building?” Newt grinned at him and told him what they were. “Oh. Followers. I guess they’re hanging around with the ones they knew before. All right. We’ll have to do something about this. If for no other reason than to warn the others that they’re being watched.”

  It took them three hours to get a plan worked out. It might well have been quicker if Newt hadn’t kept waking up his daughter and wanting to play with her. Even Nicole, dressed now in jeans, was having fun playing with the child. Finally, they sent one of the faeries to the house to have a look around.

  When Bubble returned, she didn’t look happy. Asking her if she’d been harmed by the others, she said that their living conditions were poor and that they were unemployed as well. Devon asked her what he could do for them.

  “They need a home that can accommodate them, your lordship. Right now, there are five adult dragons living in the little house, with no way of making sure they have a place to be themselves. Dragons need a place that they can be quiet in. Also, I found this to be fretful; there is not one faerie there to help them with their needs. I think them to be hurting for that as well.” He asked her if there were faeries that could be sent to them. “Yes. I can line up several now that can go and spread some magic around the house so they’ll have more room. I do believe them to need jobs also. There is very little work there for them.”

  After she was able to send out some emergency help, he called on Dillon to come and see what sort of dragon owned businesses were in the area. Having the younger man around had been extremely helpful in the last few days. Not only had he been helping with investments, but he was making up a chart for them to use when they were asking questions about companies that wanted to come to the area.

  In less than another hour, they had faeries at the home as well as enough magic to keep them all safe. They were being fed now, which hadn’t been something the other dragons had a great deal of money for. Also, and this pleased him a great deal, Dillon was able to not only set them up jobs, but he also made sure they had transportation. Now they only had to see what other names were on files at the Fed building.

  Devon was still at his desk when they got word from the offices. Not only did they have about fifty addresses for dragons and other creatures, but the agents also had a list of people they thought would help them identify shifters. While a great many people knew what they were, there were people still out there looking for a way to capture a shifter for the money they’d bring on the open market. Devon wanted to save them all.

  “I’ve made a few dozen phone calls on your behalf.” He thanked Ryan for her help. “Don’t thank me just yet. There are several issues that only you can take care of. Or ordain me or something so that when I speak for you, they know it. The fuckers said that since I’m with the king ding dong, then I should know the rules.”

  “They didn’t actually call me king ding dong, did they?” Ryan only shrugged. “I think you’re a bigger pain in the ass than any two of the others living around here. Also, I don’t ordain you. That’s a religious thing. But I can make it so that they know your word is the same as mine. So long as you clear up the fact that I’m not a ding dong.”

  “You know what you are? A fun sucker.” Devon laughed with her. “There are two dragons that need their asses kicked too. Once I started speaking to them, they started making noises about how you owe them. I never quite got what you owed them or why, but they’re pissy about it. I’m going to take Kelly with me the next time I go there. Oh, they have a meeting hall that they use. It’s covered in magic, so they only look like some kind of idiot’s club for men. They don’t allow the womenfolk—their words, not mine—to know about things that go on in the meeting.”

  “It used to be that way until someone figured out that the females knew more about survival than the males did. After that, they conducted the meetings and also made sure that people were taken care of. These dragons, where did you find them?” She told him. “Not that far. You’d think I’d have more to do with them than just figuring out they’re unsatisfied with my work. I think you’re right about giving you the power you need to make them know that what you’re saying is from me.”

  “I was joking.” He nodded. “You’ve already done it, haven’t you? Given me some shit that is going to make me pissed off.”

  “Everything I do pisses you off. But yes, I’ve done it. Also, I would like for you to take Kelly with you. Also, Jackson or Nicole. If that doesn’t work, then I’m going to go with you. They’re not going to be happy if that happens.”

  When she left him, he went about setting up
meetings all around the world that he could send Ryan to. She wasn’t diplomatic, but she did make people understand their situation. Bubble had told him a little about the meeting she’d had, and he knew she was the right person for the job. He only hoped she didn’t have to use the power she now had. She could kill a dragon with just a snap of her fingers.

  Chapter 7

  “I think I have a way for you to get the book of all dragons updated, as well as getting with all the dragons on that list.” Cole got a much-needed kiss from Ryan as he sat down in Devon’s office. “It’s not my idea entirely, but the faeries that have been helping me gather things up. Basically, we call to all the faeries that have died that had the care of a dragon. All dragons.”

  “Will calling them work?” Cole told Devon he was having Jackson and Nicole work on it right now. “That might well be a lot of faeries. Don’t you think?”

  “Yes. But with the magic of bringing them to the book, they’ve already worked out with Bryce and Noah that all the faerie has to do to give the information to the book is to touch it. It will automatically fill out whatever they have in their mind. That part works. Bryce said that if we can get the other part to work, the knowledge to be brought to us by the dead, she’s going to use it for her books as well. I think this is going to be a great tool for now and in the future.” Cole looked over at Ryan and could tell she’d been crying. “What’s wrong, honey? Did Devon say something to you?”

  “No. I mean, yes, he did, but it’s fine now. It wasn’t mean, you know like he usually can be.” Devon said she wasn’t nice. “I just found out some of the things Sandra did to some friends of mine while she was still married to Dillon. I’m just thankful he was able to survive her. She wasn’t ever a nice person.”

  “That’s an understatement. Ryan was also talking to me about her windfall. She and her brother and sister are going to pool the money and put it towards something for the community. We were going over a few things I have here that they can work on as a team.” As Devon spoke, Ryan handed Cole a couple of the sheets he’d not noticed on her lap. “Those are the ones she wants to present to the other two. They’re going to do this smartly and only put in one-third of what they have, and invest the rest so it can keep up with whatever projects they decide on.”

  Cole looked at Devon when Ryan got up to leave. She said she’d be back, but he could tell she was crying again. Devon waited for the door to his office to close before he spoke to him. It was in low tones, so he doubted that Ryan would hear.

  “She just found out that Sandra had taken out life insurance policies on Dillon, as well as her and Rylie. They had the same rider on them that said there would be twice the amount if they were killed in an accident.” Cole asked him why he’d not waited on him to tell her that. “I didn’t tell her. She found out from the insurance company this morning when they called. I guess that is why they didn’t mind paying the three of them the money. With them living, the company didn’t have to pay out money for the deaths of such nice people. It’s hurt her to know that they meant so little to Sandra.”

  “I can see that.” Devon asked him about the magic. After telling him everything they were doing with it, Ryan came back to join them. She’d been crying again, but knowing what it was about, while it didn’t appease him much, he did understand it better. “I have a job for you should you want to take it on. It’s not that big of a deal, but I have to get it done. It’s only four months until the holidays, and we need to start heading up some of the charities we usually do for the community. Actually, we should have already started on them, but with the way things have been going, I got a little behind.”

  “What he’s not telling you is that he forgot about it. Since he’s been all wrapped up with having a baby around, the rest of the world has ceased to exist.” Devon didn’t even deny what Cole said. He grinned like a loon, then asked if they wanted to see some pictures. The baby was sleeping next to the desk as it was now. Pictures were necessary. “Well, I have three things I have to get done before noon. So, if you want to meet me for lunch in town, Ryan, I’d love it. Unless you’re too busy.”

  “I’m never too busy for the love of my life. You let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll be there for you.” She kissed him on the mouth and nearly skipped out of the room.

  Cole looked at Devon. “What were the two plans? If you don’t mind telling me. I didn’t even look at what she handed me. I was so concerned with her crying.”

  “One of them is a gathering place for senior citizens. It won’t be a nursing home, but a place that all seniors can visit and be around people their own age. However, she is talking with some of the pack and other shifters to see if they’ll have some of the older people in their groups come out and work with them on crafts and the like. She seems to think that since the pack takes such good care of their elderly, they’ll enjoy having a little bit of time to get busy.” Cole said he liked that idea. “I do, as well. I told her that if she and the others didn’t pick that one, I’d do it. The other job is a good one too. I think that in order to get them both taken care of, even though she really is leaning toward this one, she’ll convince the other two that they can get two for the price of one. It’s to do with putting in a large pool and snack house for the community. Remember the one we had here about fifty years ago? It finally had to be filled in when it got to the point no one wanted to go there anymore. It was a done deal before I found out, or I might well have already put in a pool for the town.”

  They talked for another hour. Cole did get around to asking him if he’d spoken to William or Rylie, and he told him the only person to have spoken to either of them was Ryan. She seemed pleased that they were so happy.

  “Ryan is going to try matchmaking with her brother next.” They both groaned. “I agree with you on that. But it’s not setting him up on blind dates. It’s getting him out of the house and office so he can see others. She’s afraid he’ll close himself off from the world and not be a part of it. I guess he’s done this before. He is afraid of getting hurt again.”

  “Him being married to Sandra must have been difficult on them all. I did remember to tell him about the magic she had. But I guess he’d already figured that out.” Devon looked at the door, then back at him. “I still see her in the courtroom. The way she just started to dry up. I think the worst part was when she reached out to Bryce there at the end, her fingers pointing then just falling off. Christ, I hope never to see something like that ever again. Every time I see a pile of ash, I will think of that woman.”

  Jackson came into the room in his usual way, banging the door open so it hit the wall on the other side and speaking like they were already part of the conversation when he started it. It took them both three tries to get him to slow down and bring them up to date on what he’d been talking about when entering the room.

  “Christ, I wish you two would pay attention. We got it to work.” Devon looked at him again, and Cole could see the confusion on his face. The same look, he’d bet, that was on his own face. “The magic to bring the faeries to us. We—well, mostly Nicole—got it to work. She is not only able to bring forth the watchers of the dead, but also a way for them to tell her where the dragons are so their resting places can be taken care of by the living.”

  “Is that in the book?” Jackson said it wasn’t, but there was a section for notes. “So that’s what you put in there. Brilliant. And like you said, once we know where the dead are, we can make sure they’re taken care of, much like they did for the world when they were living.”

  By the time they had worked out all the details for the book, Cole was ready to call it a day. He loved all his friends, would do anything for them. But spending a lot of time with them in one sitting was hard on a body. Sometimes it was the laughing so hard that he hurt or anger at something that had happened. It was exhausting, but he didn’t think he could live without them around. Getting up, he told Devon he’d do t
he project that he needed.

  Cole was sitting at his desk, going over the things that were needed for the upcoming holidays, when he felt someone in the room with him. When he looked around, there wasn’t anyone that he could see immediately and decided that since he was a big assed dragon, he could command the person to show themselves. If he didn’t like them, he’d just have to—

  “You’re strange.” The pixie was sitting on his blotter, looking up at him. “I have come to see you about a few matters pertaining to the dead that are being called forth.”

  “I’m not the one in charge of that. I’m not saying I can’t answer your concerns, but I want you to know it’s for the betterment of the dragons left behind.” She said it wasn’t about that. “Then what’s on your mind? And what is your name, please?”

  “Rankheart. Will there be recrimination to the ones that come to you?” Cole asked her what she meant. “Some of them need to know that they didn’t fail the dragons they were watching over. A great many of them, living and dead, are shameful of the fact that their charges were killed or murdered. They’re in hiding now, and when they are called, they might end their lives rather than face the consequences. What will happen to those that feel as if they did wrong by allowing their dragon to die?”

  “No one needs to feel that they failed anyone.” She just stared at him. “I’m serious. There were times when, if not for my faerie when I was at war or even going about my daily chores, I might well have foolhardily harmed both of us. It wouldn’t have been her responsibility if I had gone ahead and acted without her input.”

  “The faeries, they are thinking that once they are brought before the king to lay their information on the book, they will be destroyed.” Cole told Rankheart that would never happen. “You are sure of that? The king of dragons, he is said to be a monster. That he killed our kind by making them suffer in ways that no one will be able to witness with a strong gut.”