Damaged Daddy Dragon

by Leela Ash

  And with that, Apollo crouched down, his eyes flashing with a reptilian gleam, and attacked. They were about to find out what all this was about.

  ***

  The session had gone better than expected. Frank and Mike had managed to take Apollo down, but they hadn’t done it by working together. Regardless, he could tell he was starting to get through to them. It wouldn’t do any of them good to be divided. They were intelligent men; they knew it was crucial to work together. But erasing a centuries old bias against one another was a whole other story. Still, they were working on it. It was progress.

  Apollo’s stomach rumbled and he inhaled the scent of the bed and breakfast’s dining hall deeply. But there was something else in the air. What the fuck?

  He looked up sharply just as he felt the heavy gaze settle upon him. A non-human gaze. And it wasn’t Vera or the other men either.

  “You’ve got to be shitting me,” Apollo groaned.

  He froze, stunned as he took in the sight of Vera’s mother for the first time in two years. He had been minding his own business, taking advantage of the free breakfasts that Winters offered. He had a heaping plate of food for himself and a smaller one for Vera, who was waiting at his cabin with Mike supervising for a brief period.

  It was a shock to say the least to look up from a dish of hash browns and suddenly be face to face with his ex. It almost physically repulsed him. She didn’t look bad, per se. There was some age behind her eyes, and she had gained some weight, which was a wonderful thing honestly. When she’d left, she had been skin and bones. His stomach churned when he saw firsthand how much Vera was beginning to favor her mother. He might quite happily have forgotten. But there it was, right in front of him.

  “I want to see her.”

  A hot spike of anger surged through Apollo when he heard the statement. She hadn’t even bothered to say hello to him. What kind of nerve did this woman have to run out on them, abandon their kid, then show up without warning making demands like this? He hadn’t ever anticipated dealing with anyone like this, and yet there she was. Somehow back in his life causing hell all over again. Well fuck that. “After all this time that’s all you can say to me?”

  Heidi frowned at Apollo, her eyes serious and cold. She took a glance around the dining room, where there was only one other person eating and someone coming back and forth to refill the food. “Let’s go speak somewhere privately.”

  “You’re the one who ambushed me in a public place and now you’re all concerned about privacy?”

  Still, Heidi had a point. He didn’t want any of the humans in the area to overhear them. It wasn’t going to be an enjoyable conversation. And especially not an easy conversation.

  He led her outside after setting his heaping plates of food on a vacant table in the dining area. He led her around to the back of the bed and breakfast and out a little way away so that Vera wouldn’t be able to overhear them either. She had an uncanny tendency to tune in to Apollo and what he was doing at times, unless she was sleeping or distracted. Fortunately, she was becoming far more independent now than she had been as a young thing, so he was starting to get a little bit of privacy. He could usually tell when she was listening.

  When they finally reached a spot where Apollo felt comfortable speaking his mind, Apollo let his words loose.

  “So, what in the hell do you think you’re doing here, Heidi? We haven’t heard from you in years and you think you can show up now telling me you want to see my daughter?”

  Heidi didn’t acknowledge Apollo’s comment. The stern look was still etched into her cool features. “What you’re doing isn’t right, Apollo.”

  “Who the hell are you to judge right and wrong, you hypocrite? You wouldn’t know what’s right if it hit you in the face. And just what in the hell am I doing that you think isn’t right?”

  Apollo’s anger was turning to rage. One more step and it would be fury. Then they would both be dealing with the dragon. And that wouldn’t be good. He knew he was overreacting, but he had no power to stop himself from unleashing exactly what he was thinking in the moment.

  He wanted to make her face the reality of their lives. The consequences of her actions. Why the hell did she think it was reasonable for her to show up this way?

  If he was going to be honest with himself, be a man and go for the objective and unemotional, he wished he could just embrace the woman and ask her what in the hell she had been up to. Not even in a romantic context. She had been his friend for so long and now she suddenly reappeared.

  In a way it had been good to look up and suddenly see Heidi there. It had felt like a relief. He knew she was alive, that she was taking care of herself physically at least. That whatever she had chosen to do in the world had been what suited her best. And the man that actually cared for her, who wanted to be her friend first before being her lover, was thrilled that she seemed to be thriving.

  But he wasn’t just a friend of an ex. He was a father. The father of a child who was abandoned mercilessly by this woman. A child who had cried for months on end for her mother and now had such major separation anxiety when Apollo left that he had nearly broken his wrist punching the wall when he was forced to leave her with Gavin’s family because he was so worried about how she was going to handle the separation.

  The hell that Heidi had put them through was inexcusable. And one thing he knew for certain was that she had no place to make any demands on either of their time. Especially Vera’s.

  “Putting Vera in danger like this. She should be safe. Somewhere stable. She should be with me.”

  “Like hell!” Apollo’s voice boomed from deep within, startling Heidi and probably anyone else within a twenty-mile radius. “And how in the hell do you know anything about danger?”

  “It’s hardly a secret, Apollo. All the elders can talk about is evil forces and the men who may push them back. Everyone on Fiora knows you were chosen as the champion. Please don’t make this any harder than it has to be. You know I love her.”

  Apollo prickled. “You have a funny way of showing it.”

  Heidi sighed, and Apollo caught sight of that same damn vulnerability that had drawn him to protect her once. He had loved her. But she’d changed everything.

  “I know I will never be able to live down what I did. And who you think I am because of it. And yes, it was the most selfish thing that I could ever do. But I did it anyway. And I won’t even try to justify that. I’m sorry for the pain I caused both of you. But I can’t sit back and do nothing knowing that my baby girl is constantly at risk by being with you. “

  “She’s not!” Apollo barked. “I protect her! Just like I always have. And far better than you ever would.”

  “But what if you can’t protect her from everything, Apollo? I left thinking that she couldn’t be in better hands. I could sleep well knowing that of all the men in the universe, you were her father. But that isn’t a comfort anymore. It haunts me. I’m not an idiot. I know the kind of danger you get yourself into. What if you get killed? What if something happens while you’re off fighting evil? I want her to be safe. I want a chance to know her and to make up for what I’ve done. I’d like to be a mother again.”

  “You hated being a mother. And you will never make up for what you have done to that child. She isn’t your responsibility anymore. You made damned good sure of that. And she isn’t your family anymore. You walked away then, and you need to walk away now, before I get really angry."

  Heidi studied him for a moment and shook her head, immediately realizing that he wasn’t going to budge. “You always were a stubborn man. I just hope that it doesn’t cost you what it is you value most.”

  Heidi shook her head and turned away. Apollo watched her leave suspiciously. He had a feeling that this wasn’t over. A sharp stress pain shot through his chest and he sighed, his mind reluctantly turning to yoga. Maybe a pose or two couldn’t hurt.

  In a blind force of emotion that was completely unlike himself, Apollo headed
to Quinn’s cabin.

  12.

  “Apollo, what’s wrong?”

  Quinn was immediately alarmed to find Apollo outside her cabin, his face ashen and taught with an emotion she couldn’t read. She had been so angry at him. But seeing him vulnerable this way? What could possibly have happened?

  “Is Vera okay?”

  Which was extremely concerning considering how great of a poker face he usually had. Daisy went to him with her tail wagging profusely, as if she, too, could sense the odd energy.

  “She’s fine,” Apollo muttered. “Do you have any of that stuff you put on my head before? The relaxing shit?”

  “What’s going on?” Quinn ventured to ask again, moving closer to him despite knowing that it was unlikely that Apollo would share his troubles with her. Why was it that her anger toward him managed to dissolve instantly this way? He was a jerk, wasn’t he? She couldn’t be pulled back and forth. She wouldn’t. Especially when he wouldn’t even tell her anything about himself. How could she ever trust him?

  However, he surprised her, and himself as well it seemed, when he answered.

  “Vera’s mother showed up.”

  Quinn’s stomach dropped. “Her mother? I thought she was out of the picture.”

  “So did I. And if she gets anywhere near Vera it’s really going to mess with her head. Kind of like…” he trailed off, his expression as close to helpless as she had ever seen it. “Kind of like how it’s messing with yours?”

  Apollo sighed heavily. “Not for the reasons that you might think. I have zero tolerance for that woman, let alone feelings. I’m just worried…”

  Apollo trailed off and Quinn could almost feel the physical embodiment of his stress. “What are you worried about? “

  “What if she’s right?” Apollo finally said. Quinn furrowed her brow. “What if Vera is better off with her mother?”

  “If that were true then why would you be having me teach her self-defense?”

  Apollo shrugged, clearly overwhelmed. He wanted to speak freely with her, that was clear, but he was struggling with it. There was too much he kept to himself. Again, Quinn found herself wondering if maybe Apollo and the other men were outlaws. Were they on the run? Was there someone bad after them who might cause Vera to be in serious danger?

  “I need to make sure she’s safe. She’s all I have.”

  Quinn furrowed her brow and moved toward Apollo. She touched his cheek without reservation, and only realized it might be inappropriate after the fact. But it was too late now. They were together now, and Apollo was closing his eyes, letting out a deep breath he hadn’t even seemed to realize he was holding.

  “I know one thing for sure, Apollo. You’re a great father. And whatever you’re thinking? That’s probably shit she put in your head because she knew it would mess with you and give her what she wants.”

  “That or she’s genuinely concerned about our daughter.” Apollo sighed. “She shouldn’t be here. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Why is it too dangerous?” Quinn asked. God, she wished she knew the answer. It would put her mind at ease. She would finally feel like she was falling for a man who wasn’t just emotionally unavailable, but who wasn’t actually a criminal on the run.

  “The less you know the safer all of us will be,” Apollo murmured.

  Quinn sighed. Apparently caring about him would just never be a good idea.

  “Either way I know you do everything you can to make sure she’s safe. And if her mother wanted to be around her, she would have been before now.”

  Apollo shrugged. “She’s not a hundred percent bad. Nobody is.”

  Quinn pursed her lips. “That’s true. But I don’t think you would be this upset to see her if you really thought that she was a good fit for your daughter.”

  “That’s true.” Apollo inhaled deeply and stood a little taller. He held his hand up and pressed hers a little more firmly against his cheek. It was stubbled. He hadn’t had a chance to shave yet that morning. For some reason, the sensation sent a little thrill through her body and she froze there, waiting for Apollo’s next move. She wanted it too much. So much that she didn’t want it at all. She had to make sure it was healthy.

  “I appreciate you being here for us, Quinn. I want you to be on extra high alert from now on. We have something important to work on. A couple more guys to check in for a few days, but they’ll be gone soon. I’m picking them up this afternoon. Please take care of Vera, okay? I trust you implicitly.”

  More men? A big important project? Who the hell were these people?! But for some reason, she couldn’t say no to him.

  “I will, Apollo. I swear.”

  Apollo nodded, then kissed her hand and left.

  ***

  “Sure, I can watch her for a while, Quinn. Don’t worry.”

  “Great, thanks Sandy.”

  “No problem.”

  “Just be sure that neither of you go anywhere, okay? She has to stay here. If someone comes along looking for her and claiming that it’s her mother, just stay firm. In fact, don’t even answer the door.”

  Sandy looked suddenly concerned. “I’m not sure how I feel about that, Quinn.”

  Quinn sighed. “I know. That’s why I’m doing this. I don’t know if I trust Apollo or those other two guys. I have to figure out what they’re really doing here.”

  “What? Well, be careful, okay?”

  “I’ll be fine. And even if I get hurt it’s better than being stuck in this oblivious mind trap that’s been driving me crazy.”

  “Or you could just let it go, you know. I thought you taught yoga.”

  Sandy raised an eyebrow at her friend and Quinn couldn’t help but laugh. She had a point.

  “Well, for whatever reason it’s been really hard for me to let this go.”

  Sandy sighed. “Well, I’ll watch the child for you. But if anything happens, I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t know as much self-defense as you do, Quinn. I can’t protect her. If something goes wrong, Apollo will be beyond pissed. And speaking as someone who has had her own child, I would hardly be able to blame him.”

  Quinn had already considered that. But it was a risk that she was willing to take. Sandy was capable, intelligent, and trustworthy. There was little that could go wrong by leaving Vera in her care. And if it turned out that Apollo was putting them all in danger because of his own selfish, criminal intentions, then she was doing everybody a favor. How the hell else would he have gotten all that money? It certainly didn’t fall out of the sky, and he never mentioned any form of employment specifically. A community of craftsmen would never make the sum that he had offered so easily for the renovations to Winters. There had to be more to it than that.

  “I appreciate it, Sandy. I’m gonna get going though, I don’t want to miss my chance to figure this out.”

  “Okay. Well… good luck.”

  Quinn set her jaw in determination and ducked to an empty cabin, where she could see Apollo, Frank, and Mike standing outside speaking. She couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying, but soon there were two other men she didn’t recognize standing outside with them. He hadn’t checked them into the bed and breakfast yet, but these were probably the guys that he had mentioned earlier.

  They all had the same strange energy about them. The strangers looked a lot like Mike, in that they were tall and brawny folks with a lot of facial hair. The strangest thing about them was that their names rhymed. Almost like they were aliases. Moe, Joe, Beau, and Snow. They even dressed similarly. Maybe they were brothers. Or at least family of some kind. In either case, it was suspicious as hell. Just what were they doing out there?

  She continued watching, feeling a little guilty as she did so, as Apollo nodded toward the dense woods surrounding the bed and breakfast and the men began to trek out. But she had a plan. She was going to follow them and find out finally, exactly what was going on. Maybe then she would be able to find some closure.

  ***

  “I knew
it! They’re on the move!”

  Ashen grinned evilly at his right-hand man, Gorbelle, who was busy taking notes on everything that the group of shifters was doing.

  “Yes, our calculations were spot-on,” Gorbelle agreed, his tone monotonous and bored sounding.

  “Well show some enthusiasm for once, Gorb. We’re making progress. Do you know how pleased the others are going to be when we tell them we’ve found the location of the Portal Room?”

  “But we haven’t found the location of the Portal Room. We’ve only found the path of other people who are looking for the Portal Room.”

  “Oh, same difference. This is the leader. If anyone is going to find it, it’s going to be him.”

  “Of course.”

  They hovered over the trees, watching the men trekking through the forest until finally they stopped at a large boulder. They paused to listen.

  “Mike and Frank, I’m going to need you both to head back to Winters. This is important and you need to keep guard. You two, stay here with me and keep an eye out while I try to get this thing to work.”

  The men nodded obediently, and Mike and Frank left almost as soon as the order had been issued. The two Certa watched the exchange thoughtfully. So, the men were on to something. Best to be quiet and observe.

  “It’s a good thing we have Gavin,” Apollo said, glancing down at the device in his hands. “Otherwise we would have no idea how to trace the lines of energy that might lead to the portal.”

  Ashen’s eyes widened and he looked to Gorbelle excitedly. Gorbelle’s gaze remained steady on Apollo. “We need to get that device. Immediately,” he said.

  “You’re right,” Ashen agreed. “Shall we strike?”

  “Wait a moment. It looks like he is heading away from his guards. That would be the ideal opportunity.”

  “Yes, good.”

  The Certa hovered above Apollo’s head invisibly, following him through the trees as they focused their power. This fight would be easy with the two of them against one shifter. Especially if he didn’t see the attack coming. They would get the device and locate the portals. Then everything would finally be in their favor, and the Dark Ones would reign. At last.