No one spoke to anyone as they were seated and given menus. Finn ordered a large glass of water, as did the rest of them. They’d not drink theirs but would hand it to Finn to help him cool off. The more he looked at Finn, the more he realized he wasn’t going to need it. He looked as well as he had before they’d left the house.
“May I ask you a question?” He nodded at Milo when he spoke to Finn. “Why did you call us? I mean, it looked to me like you had things well under control. I was surprised, I will tell you, but I think you did just what needed to be done. I think—and this is just me—but I think I’m going to stop being such a pussy and take charge as you did today.”
“I hated that.” Milo told Finn he was glad he hated it. “I know. I don’t want to have to show that side of me ever again. I know I will have to going forward, but it’ll be less and less as they understand we’re here to do a job the same as they are. However, I do agree with you, Milo. I think we do need to show enough of ourselves to make these people we’re trying to help see that we’re not pushovers.”
“I don’t think they’ll think of you as a pushover again.” Hadley laughed when he spoke. “Did you noticed Kimble pissed himself?” George asked who that was. “The guy in the yellow shirt. I swear to Christ, when you tossed those wires at them, I nearly pissed myself. Laughing hard had never felt so good before.”
When the water was brought to them, Finn said he was fine, he didn’t need theirs. George asked him about that, why he’d been so quick to cool down. His answer surprised him—surprised them all, George thought.
“I wasn’t ever angry. I was upset, yes, but never angry. I was walking up there and told myself I was going to walk away angry. However, in picking up the iron, which I was going to toss in the dumpster as we walked by it, I thought, I can end this shit right now.” Finn laughed a little more. “You won’t believe how easy it was to control the fire too. I’ve never had much control over myself. Ever. It was as if I let a little out there to show them I wasn’t fucking around. Then after a little bit of steam was let off, I had unbelievable control. I think I could have shot my flames at something and hit it. I’m thinking this is exactly what Dad was trying to tell me when he said I needed to focus not on what I could do if it got away from me, but what I could do if I could control it.”
By the time their orders were taken, word must have gotten around about what had happened at the job site. The waitress asked them if they’d really set fire to Kimble’s truck, and Finn told her he had a job to do, and Kimble wasn’t doing it. Afterwards, several people came by to ask them if any of them could fire Kimble up to do the jobs he’d been paid for by them. Things people had been waiting on longer than the Mannings had on this particular job.
George realized as they were being brought their salads that not one of the people had asked them what they were, or how Finn had been able to do what he’d done. They were just glad, it seemed, that someone had stood up to a bully, and come out on top.
The stories they were being told about Kimble and his men were much of the same thing—jobs being paid for up front and never finished. It was also pointed out to them that no one even bid against Kimble on jobs anymore because they’d lose out on things.
“What sort of things?” The man, he thought his name was Rider, said he’d lost his garage when something was tossed into it. Another man and his wife said the tires on their car had been slashed. Theo was shaking his head when he continued speaking. “We don’t condone their sort of work ethics. I want you to know that right now. I tell you what, if you can have everyone bring me a list of the things that aren’t finished, I’ll make sure they are. We’ll even bring in a crew of our own men to do it.”
Before they left the restaurant, they had five names of people who had been dealt a shitty hand by Kimble. Theo was going to put together the list when he got as many names as he could and then would take care of them. Dover told Finn he’d work on getting another crew lined up, and George suggested he call Carson and see if the pack there wanted to work with the one here.
“What a good idea. I know our old pack was working construction. If they could come here and get these guys trained if they need it, that’ll make things so much easier for the next contract.” Dover looked at him. “Thanks, George. I have to say, we might have hit on something here. We’ve been working at separate jobs here while trying to get things moving. Maybe we need to pool our knowledge and ideas and work as a unit. I know I’ve gotten more done since we sat here than I have in a while. What do you think, brothers? We’re a team or a failure in this?”
Team, of course. Tomorrow morning George was going to have a video meeting with Carson. Then they were going to work together from now on. George thought this was the only way they were going to make this work. To work as a team while getting the foundation set up to help people who really needed it.
Chapter 2
It had taken him most of the day to get things organized the way his new secretary had told him to figure out. Finn had balked at first, thinking it should have been her job, but April had a good point. How would he find things if she were to have a day off if he didn’t know the system? So he’d figured out what worked best for him, and tomorrow he’d show her what he’d figured out. It was a great deal more work than he’d thought it would have been.
“Master?” He looked at Bell, not even trying to get her to stop calling him master anymore. “I have some information on the other buildings Lady Carson asked us to have a look at. The men from the pack are there working today. Not only that, they have done quite a bit more than I thought they should have for such a job.”
“Good. I’m glad we were able to talk to the pack leader last night. He did tell us his men would take over the jobs we needed and do a good job of it.” Bell told him it was very fortuitous they also had a pack that needed money. “I don’t know if I’d call it fortuitous or not, but it will help both of us that they need work. I think we’re going to be able to do a lot of things for the pack, and in return, they’ll be a great help to us as well.”
Peter Duncan had a medium sized pack. However, it was almost all older people. Peter had told him there were only three couples still able to breed, and with that, he thought in a couple of years he’d have to find places for the people that were left.
“There aren’t any jobs out there the men in my pack can do.” Finn had thought they’d not be able to make it work between the two groups, but Peter brightened up for a second. “Unless you know someone who can hire some older men that have been working with their hands for most of their lives. Most of the pack was in construction. There isn’t much of that going on around here.”
“Great.” Peter just stared at him. “This is exactly what we need. Construction and finishers. I have three buildings that need some work done on them. I had thought we’d have to start over on the lot of them, but one of my uncles came to look at the buildings and told me not only were they sound, but they should last for a great many more years. The pay is very good, and there are benefit packages to those who would like to have them. Like retirement and incentives they can participate in. Insurance is included as well.”
“Are you seriously offering my pack jobs? And willing to pay them?” Finn had told him he was, as a matter of fact. “You have no idea…. When I heard a group of dragons had moved here, I had a feeling it was to take my pack from me. I have no idea why it entered my head, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I mean, I’ve heard of larger groups, not necessarily dragons, coming in and taking over smaller packs of any shifter, and using them as farmhands and whatever else they needed.”
“We’d never do anything of the kind. My family, we’ve been around for some time now, and we want to make things better for the surrounding areas. Hire locals when we can. Not only improve the land around us but bring in jobs. More than we can provide. My dad and uncles have a great setup with the pack near
them.” Peter asked why they’d come here. “To diversify. My brothers and I are the first to leave the family in order to see if there are more of our kind out there who need help to, as I said, improve the area they’re in. To me, it’s a win-win situation for all of us.”
That had been last night. So the fact the men were working out at the first job site already showed him how much what Peter had said was true. The pack needed jobs—if not for the money, which they did need, then for the work. Being idle, his dad had told him, could lead to all kinds of trouble for anyone.
Standing up and stretching, Finn made his way to the kitchen. The new cook, Peter’s mother, Mildred, was standing at the stove speaking to someone. It wasn’t until he came all the way into the room that he noticed it was a faerie. Finn smiled when they both looked at him, and then Mildred asked him to have a seat, she needed to speak with him.
Sitting down, he saw a plate of sugar cubes on a small plate, as well as flower petals. He looked at the faerie when he didn’t touch the treat. Something wasn’t right here. Finn asked Mildred if she was getting along all right. He watched Sheppard, the new faerie to the house, as he sat there looking dejected.
“I’m not sure, sir. I’ve never worked with a little person before. But this one said he can help me in any way I wish. I’m not sure what that means, as he is having a bit of trouble making me understand. It’s not his fault. I just don’t understand, if he can do all he says he can, why you might need me around.” The faerie introduced himself as Sheppard to Mildred. “I’m not trying to make any trouble here.”
“Nay. You’re not. Working with a faerie is something that can be difficult to a new person. Yes, he can cook for me and the rest of the family, but it’s not his specialty.” Finn was hoping she’d get it without him having to insult poor Sheppard. Again. “You see, his name is Sheppard for a reason. He’s a herder of sheep and other animals. Not that he can do the job of a dog, but he does remind the animals when they need it to keep with the rest of their herd.”
Mildred nodded, but he could tell she still didn’t understand Sheppard was the worst cook he’d ever had in a kitchen. The grilled cheese he’d made for Finn just the other day had been covered in honey, and cookies were in the middle along with the cheese. Finn and his brother Milo had gagged several times, hurting the little man’s feelings terribly.
He looked at Mildred when she laughed just a little.
“Oh. He’s not—Sheppard here isn’t used to cooking for such large men. Yes, I can see where that would be a problem with dragons in the home.” She winked at him. “Oh Sheppard, I think the two of us will get along fabulously. Yes. With your talent of getting me fresh herbs and vegetables year round, I think the two of us will keep these men full all the time.”
When she put out her hand for him, Finn was worried Sheppard wasn’t going to take it. But he touched his hand to her finger and smiled. Finn was so happy with the outcome he wanted to get up and jump for joy. For the first time in days, he’d been able to solve a problem.
Not really, but it was beginning to feel something akin to it. He’d been a failure, in his own eyes, over this move. Things weren’t moving as quickly as he’d hoped they would. His fear was he’d disappoint his family, especially his parents.
After having some lunch of roast beef subs and French fries, he was ready to tackle the next thing on his list. It wasn’t as daunting as the filing cabinet had been, but it was just as time consuming. When he went to get into his car, his brother Theo was there smiling a huge smile.
“What have you been up to?” Theo told him he was so glad he’d asked. He had good news. “Well, share it, Brother. I’m needing some great news about now.”
“The three buildings that were going to be taken down near the orchard are now ours. I know we were going to move slowly, but I have an idea to expand the orchard and then have the faeries working on it. It’s far enough off the beaten path no one will notice it’s producing so quickly, and the stall in the front of it is large enough I think we could sell off some of the other products they’ve been working on.” Finn asked him what products. “Oh, I forgot. When we were trying our best to make this work separately, I started a garden. It’s a lot larger than I thought when I first had the idea. You know how faeries can be when they’re excited. Anyway, I have corn and tomatoes, plus some potatoes that have been just waiting for me to find a place to put them. I don’t want to sell them for money, but Holly told me if I were to give them away, the people would fear there was something wrong with it. Or, and this one surprised me, they’d think we were thinking they couldn’t afford it, and it would hurt their feelings. I don’t want to start off on a bad note.”
They rode over to the place Theo was talking about. The buildings were in bad repair, but he’d learned a couple of things from when his dad had been here testing the wellness of a building. It really wasn’t the wellness, he supposed, but something more like its strength. The first one he touched was sad and ready to be torn down. He told Theo what he’d felt.
“I can’t do that.” Finn told him it was the first time he’d done it since they’d been here. “Tell me what the other two are doing, and we’ll work from there. I want to get started on the stall as soon as possible. The faeries are inundating me with foodstuff.”
The second building had a strong foundation, but the roof needed to be replaced as well as the electrical components. The electrical was something he could do easily, and the roof would be repaired by the faeries. Almost as if he had called for them, they were there in force to fix not just the roof, but the interior as well. While they worked on that with Theo, he went to the third building.
As soon as he touched it, it was as if he’d been slapped hard in the face. Staggering back from the feeling, he sat there watching the building as something rose from the ground in front of it and stood before him. Finn quickly got onto his knees and bowed his head to show he’d meant no harm.
“There is darkness inside my walls, young dragon. You have awakened it.” He told her he was sorry to have disturbed it. “I will allow it to you if you were to clear the darkness from within. It has been there for more years than I can remember now.”
“I am a young dragon, my lady, but I will do whatever you wish to rid you of the darkness. It was only my intent to see how strong your walls were, so I might decide to use it again.” She told him her name was Shadow, the Watcher of the Dead. “I will admit to you I’ve yet to have heard of you. I’m sorry for it as well.”
“Rise up, Red Dragon, and let me have a look at your worth.” Theo and his faerie came out of the first building, and Theo got down on his knees as well. “I’ve not seen dragons around for many years. I thought them all to be gone but a few. The Manning Dragons, as a matter of fact.”
“We’re sons of Xavier Manning, brother to the king and queen.” She bowed before them. “Tell us what it is you need, my lady, and we’ll take care it is fixed for you. So long as there will be no consequences other than the ones we have agreed upon.”
“I wish for the darkness to be taken from my body here in this building. Once it happens, I will be free to help you for so long as you need me.” Theo asked her what she would wish in return. “You are smart to ask. But all I wish is to be set free. To be able to work with such dragons as yourself, it will be my pleasure.”
Finn didn’t want to fuck this up. He didn’t know why, but he thought if he simply released her, he’d be releasing more than just Shadow. Reaching for Dawn, the lady of the earth, he told her where he was and what creature was with him.
Hello, my dragon friend. How are you—? I see you have found Shadow, Watcher of the Dead. She is mostly harmless. What is it she asks of you? He told her what she’d said, and tried very hard to remember what it was he’d said to her, the wording of his promise. Dawn laughed. You are much smarter than even you think you are, Finn, the Red Dragon. Yes, you are smart to tell her she ca
nnot harm others if you were to release her. I don’t know she would, to be honest with you. As she has said, it has been a great many years since she has been heard of.
He looked at the lady before him. She was beautiful, he thought. And while he didn’t completely trust her, Finn prided himself on being able to word promises so any loopholes would mostly be covered.
“I shall release you from your burden so long you keep your promise to me that no one, magical or human, will be hurt by your magic. We’ve been sent here to take care the area is built up. I won’t allow you or anyone else to take any more from the creatures living here.” She stood there, her face as serene as Dawn’s was when he spoke to her. When Shadow smiled at him, he wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or more frightened.
“You have called on Dawn, Queen of the Earth. I hadn’t any idea you knew her. I should have, you being a dragon. She has warned me as well that she will hunt me down should I harm you or her dragons. You have captured her eye and heart like no other, Finn, Red Dragon.” He glanced at his brother, hoping he knew what she meant. “You free me, and I will do everything within my powers to not just help you in your tasks, but I shall also be beholden to you for the rest of your life.”
“Then, I shall release you.” She nodded and asked him to enter the building. Turning to his brother, he thought about the consequences of doing this if she wasn’t on the up and up. “Theo, she said there is darkness in her body. I’m not at all sure what that means exactly, but keep your cell phone ready in case we need to call the police.”
“I’ll be right here. I won’t leave you.”
Finn entered the building and carefully sought out where he was supposed to go. He’d never released anyone before. He heard Theo tell him he’d called Dad too, just in case. Whatever it might mean, Finn thanked him.
Finn: Xavier’s Hatchlings ― Paranormal Dragon Shifter Romance (Xavier's Hatchlings Book 1) Page 3
