Theodore: Xavier’s Hatchlings ― Paranormal Dragon Shifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “Good. Now, there is one more thing I would like for you to try. This is important on a lot of levels, but it was something that Rachel got when she was mated to my brother Finn. I want you to put out your hand and—”

  “What are you? I mean, I understand that you’re a dragon, but I know nothing more than that. George told me he wasn’t a dragon, but he had all the magic of one. He also told me that Finn is a red dragon. One that can melt even the hardest of material.” He told her what he was. “Pearl? I don’t know what that is either, I guess.”

  “I can shift for you. There is more than enough room for me to do it here.” She nodded, then shook her head. “What do you want me to do, Pem? Like Bubble, I’m yours to command.”

  “You’re very large, aren’t you?” He said he was and left it at that. “I’d love to see your dragon, but I don’t want anyone to notice this huge dragon or whatever you might turn into in Grandma’s yard.”

  “No one but you will see me.” He moved out into the yard, excited to be able to do this for her. “Be careful of my tail. While my dragon won’t mean to harm you, it’s large, and he forgets sometimes.” She nodded.

  Shifting from himself to dragon was like being reborn to him. It wasn’t painful, not at all, but he became whole. Every cut or scratch he’d gotten while being a man would simply heal and disappear. His body felt like he’d been given a thorough cleaning, a shower like none other. Theo was very careful when Pem came closer to him.

  ~*~

  Pem didn’t know what she had expected when he became the dragon, but he was much larger than she’d thought he’d be. When she was close enough to touch him, Bubble cautioned her to be careful of his spikes.

  “They’re very sharp, my lady, and since you’re so much smaller than they are, they could slice through you without a second warning.” She told Bubble she was careful. “He’s a pearl dragon, mistress. Only you can see him because of you being his mate. I can because we’re together. But he is blended into the grass and trees around him so that no one could see him if he was right in front of them.”

  She could see it then. The way that when he took a breath, the trees in the yard would shift and change. Pem put out her hand and touched his snout. He was warm, not hot, but she thought he could get hotter when necessary.

  “When I was a child, I always thought of a dragon that would rescue me from my family. One that would pick me up and carry me away when it was too much for me. And now, here you are.” Theo asked her, in her mind, if she’d like to take a ride. “Can I? I mean, can you—how would that even work?”

  Theo put out his clawed hand, and she was startled that just one of his great sharp claws was bigger than she was. Stepping into the middle of his paw, she held on tightly to his finger. They were airborne in seconds. Pem couldn’t have dreamed anything like this. Never in her wildest dreams could she have ever thought she’d one day really be riding on a dragon.

  The wind on her face was wonderful. Pulling the holder out of her hair, she left it to blow too. There were all kinds of things to see from this height. Pem had never thought the town was so spread out as it was. From this height, too, she was able to see the tops of houses, some of them in terrible repair.

  Pem saw yards that had children playing in them without any toys. She knew she should be thinking of the beauty of the things she was seeing. But all Pem could see was how much more the Manning Foundation could be doing in simple things for the older generation. When they landed atop a mountain, she was careful getting off his hand. Her mind was buzzing with things she wanted to say to him.

  Wait. Nodding, she watched his face as he seemed to be listening to someone. My Aunt Carson is telling me something we both should be aware of. She wants to know if she can connect with you.

  “I suppose. What does she have to do?” The woman was laughing when Pem felt her inside her head. Well, I guess that question is answered. I’m Pem.

  Yes, child, I know. I have a couple of things that you need to be aware of before you go into this meeting tomorrow. Nothing you can’t handle, I’m sure, but you should be made aware of it. If you don’t mind, I’ve invited the others, your new brothers-in-law, Rachel, and Theo, to listen too. Theo nodded, then there were other voices of people she didn’t know. Each of them told her their name. All right, we’re all here. Tomorrow I want you to be on your guard with the people in the jail with you. One of them that has been talking to your dad is Sandra Merkle. She’s trouble of the worst kind. That isn’t what I wanted to tell you, but something you should be told about. I’ll leave that up to you, Rachel.

  I can do that. There was a short discussion about Sandra’s trial coming up and how they couldn’t wait for her to be another name in the books. Also, I’ve yet to meet you, Pem, but I’m sure we’re going to get along well. Will you be coming to dinner at our house tonight?

  Yes. She looked at Theo, who sat down next to her in the grass. I can wait to meet you all, however. I’m not sure what you expect, but don’t expect too much.

  You’re going to fit in perfectly. Now, we need to talk about tomorrow. She could tell that Carson was a hard ass, but it seemed to her that she had a sense of humor too. While I’m not going to be in the room with you when the will is read, I’ve already broken into the camera system at the jail—particularly the room you will be using. So, don’t be surprised if I speak to you.

  Do you expect trouble? Carson told her she always did and that Pem more than likely did as well with her training. Yes, well, if someone pulls out a knife to kill someone, I can sew them back together. That’s about as far as my training goes, I’m afraid.

  That will be useful. However, I think you have a great many skills you can pull out as well. I’ve read the reports, the real ones, of the trouble you ran into that got you shot.

  Pem didn’t know what to say to that but did look at Theo. When she got up to go and sit closer to him, he wrapped her into his arms and set her on his lap. Pem thought at first, she was going to fight him about taking over like this, but it was about the most comfortable place she could have been right now.

  All right. Your grandma carries a gun, did you know that? Pem told Carson she did. Don’t let her take it tomorrow. First, it’s against the law. But for some reason, I don’t know yet, it is going to be important she’s not carrying. I don’t know why—sometimes I only get bits and pieces of what is going to happen.

  After twenty minutes of Carson telling them what she knew was going to happen tomorrow, she cautioned them about not letting their guard down. She also said, several times to Theo, to remain calm. While Pem didn’t know why that was so important, Theo promised her he’d do his best.

  The connection was closed when Carson told them she’d see them tonight. Neither she nor Theo moved to go back home, so she just looked around where they were. It was a beautiful place up here. She thought she would come here a lot if she could fly.

  “Are you all right?” She nodded at Theo when he finally spoke. “I’m worried more than I was before about tomorrow. If something gets out of hand, I’d very much like it if you were to cover your grandma, if need be, with your body. I’ll have you, but I don’t want anything to happen to her either.”

  “I will gladly do that.” She watched his face. “There is more that you’re not telling me, isn’t there? Something you need for me to know, but you don’t want me to freak out. Right?”

  “Pretty much. One thing I’ve been thinking of for the last few days. I want you to hear me out before you agree or disagree. I have a home. It’s huge. My family bought each of us one when we moved here. I would like for you and your grandma to come there to live. I won’t push you into anything, but I would feel much better if you were someplace safer than you are.” She told him yes. “I’m sorry. Yes, to what?”

  “I’ve seen, thanks to you, how far we are from the next home. Also, the police station is further away than I’d
like to think about should we need them in a hurry. Last night when I was taking a shower, the hot water went out three times. I know they’ve been living here all their adult lives, but after my family took what they had, there wasn’t enough to fix things when they broke down. I don’t think the house is worth more than it would cost to fix it up. I might be wrong, but it’s not a sound house either.” He told her it wasn’t. Even the foundation was falling in. “Yes, I saw that when I had to go down and turn the breaker back on. What will happen to this place once we move out?”

  “There are several members of the pack that we can have roaming the yard to keep people out. That’s not a big deal. But I think at some point, someone is going to have to make the decision if they want to keep paying taxes on this place or just turn it back to farmland.” She asked him what he’d do. “Burn the house out and to the ground. Not by me, but with the fire department in charge. They could use it as a training house. Or we can fix it up enough that you could rent it out should you need the income. Which you don’t. We have more than enough money that neither of us would have to work again and would still be able to spend a great deal daily and not make a dent.”

  “I have to work.” He told her he understood that need as well. “Then there’s the land. What would you do if it belonged to you? I’m sure you’ve thought of that.”

  “Yes. There are several options there. The one that might make your grandma feel the best is where she sells it outright to someone—my family would purchase it—and let us use it for the new hospital this area needs.” Standing up, she looked down at the town below her while Theo continued speaking. “We’ve been working to find enough room to build since we moved here. On the land, there would be a hospital, a clinic, some office buildings, as well as a few homes. With the amount the land is worth, your grandma could feel as if she were helping the town rather than just leaving the only home she’s ever known.”

  “I’m so happy that we don’t have to wait until the will is read tomorrow.” He said he knew that. “The only thing I can think of right now is that, by selling the land, Grandma would be a target of my family. I don’t want her hurt.”

  “I’ve not told her yet, but she’s immortal as well. I’ve given her enough magic, however, that if she wishes to join Harold, she can do that as well.” She looked at him with a cocked brow. “I gave it to you as well. You could end your life should you really want to. But I’d like it if you gave me a chance first in making you happy. Or at least not as depressed as I know you’ve been.”

  “I’ve never been happy, not until the last few days. I’d have a moment or two of some feeling, but nothing like I’ve had with you.” She looked back down at the town. “I’m not in love with you, Theo. I don’t know that I know that feeling. But I do feel something profound for you. And you have made me feel so much better that I’ve not had to take my medication since arriving here.”

  “You’ve no idea how good that makes me feel.” She nodded. “Pem, one more thing. You can say no to it if you wish, but this is serious business. I would very much like it if you were to marry me. Today, if possible. Not only will it make you safer when it comes to your family, but they will have me to reckon with if they get the least bit out of line. It would also make it so that you can distance yourself from them. Manning is a name that opens doors. But it can also be counted on to slam the fucker shut should it need to.”

  “All right.” He laughed, and she turned back to him. “Did you expect me to say no? Or were you hoping that?”

  “No. I’m thrilled. Mom will be too when they arrive.” She nodded, then jokingly asked him if he had a ring. “I do, as a matter of fact. My dad gave it to me when they were here for Finn’s marriage.”

  When he pulled out a small leather sack, she was almost afraid to see what it would look like. Pem wasn’t one to want diamonds or big rings. But she thought that if she were able to pick out what she wanted in an engagement ring, it would be emeralds. They were her favorite gem.

  “My mom, as I told you, can see bits and pieces of the future. Most of my family can do that. Also, she and my dad have a direct contact with the dead. It’s come in handy more times than I think she likes to admit. She said this would make the woman I fell in love with sparkle like this does when the sun is shining on it.” The ring was an emerald. She turned to him when he moved to her on his knees. “Pembroke Black Manning, will you be my wife? Keep me safe? Protect me from myself? In turn, I will pamper you, love you, and make sure you come first in all things. As you do now.”

  “Oh, Theo.” The ring slid onto her finger as if it had been measured for just her. The emerald was as big as a nickel and surrounded by several smaller diamonds. The weight of it wasn’t heavy, as she thought it would be, but felt like it had been made for her. “Yes. I’ll marry you. Anytime. You certainly know how to make a woman swoon, don’t you? I love this. Thank you so much for it.”

  As he shifted and took them down the mountain, she wished that she’d kissed him. Pem had a feeling it would be something more than just a kiss between two people, but a claiming of sorts between the two of them. As soon as they landed in the yard, Grandma came out of the house. Showing her the ring was like having it put on her finger once again. Grandma hugged them both before telling them they needed to get going. The tears in her grandma’s eyes made her hug her tighter.

  “You look so good together as a couple. I cannot believe how lucky we are to have such a man in our lives.” Pem agreed with her. “Oh child, he’s going to keep us safe. I just know it.”

  She had to take a few minutes to gather herself. Pem had always had her emotions take her under at times, but this was nothing like that. She was happy. She felt better than she had in years. Pem only hoped that Theo would not rush her. There was just too much going on for her to deal with a pushy man.

  Chapter 3

  MaryBeth wasn’t sure what the holdup was, but she figured they had a good reason for making them wait for so long. They’d been asked to show up at the jail at nine. They’d been a little early and had been in town since eight, which had afforded them time to have a nice breakfast with the Manning family again. They were leaving to go back home. MaryBeth was going to miss them.

  Thinking about the dinner she’d had with Theo’s family last night made her smile. Such good people. People that she was glad to be a part of. There was plenty enough food, that was for sure, and the conversation was loud and fun. MaryBeth thought she might have had more fun at that dinner than she’d had at any Thanksgiving with her own family. Yes, she thought, they were nice people.

  Theo’s mom, Cindi, was such a wonderful person. She was older than her, by a great deal as it turned out, but she looked like she could have been Theo’s sister rather than mother. She also told her that she could and did speak to the dead and help them with some things that might have been left undone. Xavier, Theo’s father, did as well.

  MaryBeth thought of her having all those boys at one time while growing up. But not a one of them were disrespectful to anyone. They were polite and even helped with dinner preparation and clean up without being asked.

  When they began talking about the trial, Carson came to sit with her and Pem.

  “Two things that I want you to know about tomorrow. I’ve already asked that neither of you carry into the jail tomorrow. They’ll check you and ask, but things have been known to get by even the best of places. Also, after the will is read, try very hard not to engage with your dad. He’s off his noodle if you ask me and doesn’t deserve anyone being nice to him. I’m sorry to say that, but it’s true.” MaryBeth had told her that was all right. She knew it as well. “Good. He’s going to be getting out the day after tomorrow. There are a few things I can tell you that I know for sure, but they can wait until later. We’re going to be leaving as soon as we can in the morning to get back home. You two take care of yourself. Please?”

  Now here they were, waiti
ng for Patrick to be brought into the room with them. She looked over at her grandsons. The two of them hadn’t acknowledged her at all, not a hug or even a look in her directions when she’d said hello to them. Stanley came to stand in front of her, almost as if he realized she was thinking of him.

  “I want some money. Dad said you’d have some.” MaryBeth told him that wasn’t the way to ask for something. “Like I care. Give me some money so I can get me a pop to drink. Now.”

  “I will not.” He jerked her purse from her, and she took it back. “What do you think you’re doing? You do not take my purse.”

  Before she could put her purse behind her on the seat so he couldn’t get to it, he jerked it from her once again. This time he not only broke the strap, but he emptied the contents on the table where it had been. All she could think about was that had she had her gun with her, he might well have found it.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Pem jerked the purse from Stanley, put the things back in it, and did put it behind her. “Go back over there and—”

  The slap to Pem’s face startled MaryBeth as much as it looked like it had Pem. Pem slapped the boy back, not only hard enough to leave a mark on his face, but he was knocked to the floor as well. The look he gave his aunt was enough to make her glad she’d not hit him as she’d wanted to. The child was evil. A terrible thing to say, but he was.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing hitting my child?” Caroline snatched up Stanley while he still glared at them. When she looked at Stanley, the red mark on his face was turning purplish even as his mother continued. “I’ll have your butt for this, Pem. See if I don’t. We don’t hit our children. We talk calmly to them and discuss what sort of behavior we condone or not.”

  “That little fucker needs his ass beat. I don’t care for talking like that’s going to solve something when he takes things that don’t belong to him.” Pem looked at her. “Are you all right, Grandma? Did he hurt you?”