by L M Lacee
She had the box on a trolley, so all she had to do was push it calmly from the building, along the street. She slowly moved not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to herself as she moved down the street, she even nodded to several people she saw on the way. Calmly she made it to the van she had parked and placed the box inside then she drove from the town.
Loa had a cabin in the mountains, it wasn’t much but it was all she needed. It took her with careful driving, forty-five minutes to make it to the cabin.
She drove in under the lean to and parked. The cabin door opened as she turned the engine off. He stood there the most hunted male in the world. Definiao Kiltern, the only person who knew who she really was!
“How did it go?” He asked as he stepped down the two steps. She got out and walked to the side of the van, opening the door, “Great, as we expected!”
Together they pulled the box out and took it inside. They had made some modifications to the two bedroom rustic cabin. Not only did it have a bathroom and running water as well as power, it boasted it’s very own cell. They placed Ocean on the bed provided and locked the barred door behind them as they left.
“I need coffee.” Loa moaned as she walked into what was the main part of the cabin, a big open room with a small wood burner. “That was stressful!”
“Did you leave the note as I told you too, so he will find it when he returns?”
She looked over at Definiao, annoyed he was questioning her. He always seemed to be doing that as if she was a fool. “I said it went great.”
He snorted as he paced. “Yes well, you would not be the first to have missed something, left something behind!”
“Please.” She waved him off as she went to the kitchen and poured her coffee. Definiao shook his head when she lifted the pot in his direction. “I left nothing. I used gloves and was careful, no one could detect my scent and no one saw me talking to her. When I took her, it went like clockwork. Easy, now settle down. I got you here and have kept you safe, haven’t I? While they have been chasing their tails out there looking for you.”
Definiao nodded. “True although…”
Loa moved to the lounge chair. “What now?”
“That damn journal. If you had been able to get it, we would not have had to step up our timetable we could have waited until the others could get here.”
Loa sighed as if they had not discussed this since she found out about the damn journal, again she said. “Well, we were not to know Horton would be caught or that he had the bloody journal or even that Reighn would lock down the place. Now did we?”
“No, well, I would not know how the dragon would react. I thought you had, as you have been here supposedly studying him!”
Loa bit her tongue and shrugged, instead of yelling at him. “The book is gibberish I had a quick look.” She had not, but refused to give him any more ammunition to take digs at her with. “No one will be able to break Horton’s code, it was for him alone.”
She hoped she was right. The plan called for her to return to the Grove tonight to be in place when the note was discovered so she could direct the hunt away from here. Definiao asked as he had a hundred times already. “Are you sure? He was not the cleverest agent we had?”
Loa again waved her hand, “I recruited him for that reason alone. I knew what he could do and no, before you ask I am not surprised he cracked. The dragons are masters at breaking down their prisoners.”
Definiao frowned but changed the subject she was just saying what she had said before. “How long until she comes around?” He nodded to where Ocean lay on the bed. Loa shrugged as she too looked towards the barred door. “Who knows? Maybe never. Do you care?”
Definiao smirked as Loa snorted. “Please, you can forgo your fun. Even I will insist she be awake.”
“Well true. I suppose it is more fun that way?” Definiao grinned at her.
“Seriously cousin enough! Let’s start thinking about what you are going to do once you become the overlord. When that happens, you can have all the females you want!”
“And what of you?”
“Do not worry. I have my eye on a few males that interest me.”
“You are very sure they will capitulate.” Definiao said as he watched her from sharp, mistrustful eyes.
Loa was aware of the scrutiny and countered with “Are you not?”
“Of course I am. This is my plan, to seize the lock and hold her against the dragons they will give me anything I ask for, to have her back. Not that it will do them much good but hope is a motivator.”
They both laughed until Loa asked. “True, although what of the Elementals?”
Definiao flicked his hand as though he was swatting a fly away. “Have they intervened yet?”
“Well no.”
“They will not, they serve the one in power. They will serve me.”
Loa grinned. “This is going to be fun.”
“It is going to be outstanding, to finally reach my true destiny. To do what our family were incapable of accomplishing. I have risen above travesty to be here at this time. To be Overlord.”
Loa frowned as she said. “We! Do not forget who helped you get here cousin?”
“Yes …yes of course. Were you not preparing food?” Loa grunted as she finished her coffee, sometimes she wondered if Del’ really thought about her like she did him. But as she passed the room with the unconscious Ocean in, she shrugged. It was too late now, she and Del’s fates were fixed. Tomorrow they would rule the world, if not the universes.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE:
A ndre` slammed into Reighn’s office it was ten minutes past three in the afternoon. “They have targeted Ocean!” He placed the note carefully on Reighn’s desk.
When Andre` had found it, he had grabbed a tissue and picked the paper up with that. His heart may have stopped when he read the note but his brain still worked. Evidence was important.
Reighn used a knife blade to turn the note around taking his lead from how Andre` held the note so carefully, as Lars read over his shoulder. “Conor will go crazy.” Lars warned.
“He is not the only one.” Andre` growled as his dragon rose to the surface. Reighn stood. “Lars call Conor.”
“Do not bother, he is on his way. I have sent Harper to the school, and he has Kai and Saul going to his home.” Andre` told them.
Reighn asked. “Who Andre… Who has her?”
Conor walked in. “Definiao Kiltern. It can only be him.”
“Here at Dragon’s Gap?” Johner asked as he walked in behind him with Storm.
“Yes! Someone or many someone’s have not only passed information on, they have smuggled him in and are protecting him here.” Conor growled, barely keeping his lion from his voice.
Lars asked. “Who could do such a thing without being caught?”
“That is a good question?” Conor murmured.
Reighn asked. “What do we know?”
Andre` answered. “Fin is searching the castle and grounds for a trace of the person who left the note.”
Conor told Reighn. “Birdy said Ocean was in town photographing, she left about two and said she would be home before the girls.”
Claire walked in she was pale and trembling. Lars moved to her. “My love, what do you know?”
“I saw Ocean. She was walking and then she was worried as though something suddenly happened to upset her. Then everything went black. I am sorry Conor I swear I just saw this. My gift is not always time sensitive.”
“I understand, it is not your fault Seer.”
Andre` said. “So they knocked her out somewhere.” Reighn ordered, “Johner start searching quietly, let’s not cause a panic or give our hand away. They may not have counted on us learning about this so fast.”
“Yes my Lord, he and Stanvis, who had just arrived left, passing Queen Scarlett, King Elijah and Sparrow along with Rumoh and Dumoh as they all entered Reighn’s office. “Reighn, is it correct that Lady Ocean has been kidnapped?”
“Yes Elijah she has.”
Sage came in with Charlie and Frankie from her office as Birdy her arms protectively around Parker arrived with Saul and Kai as escorts. “Leo. We have brought Parker.”
Conor walked to Birdy. “I thank you Birdy, will you remain with her?”
“I will Leo, none shall touch her. Any word yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“Where shall we go?” She asked Conor. Sage answered before he could. “We will go to the stone apartment.” Just then Harper walked in with Ace, Ark and Phoebe all in battle gear. “The girls are in the apartment.” She told Conor to his relief.
She then looked at Sage, Charlie and Frankie. “Where you all are meant to be, all the grandparents are already there. Ash and Keeper are rounding up the others and their young. So move it along now!”
Sage nodded. “Yes…yes, we are going. Scarlett you too!”
“Of course.” She agreed. Birdy nodded to Conor and left with Harper, who stopped long enough to tell Conor. “She will be alright, she is no push over.”
“Thank you Harper.” She nodded as she shepherded her charges from the room.
“It is a good protocol you have put in place.” Elijah told Reighn as he watched his ‘Light’, leave with the others. Reighn agreed as he watched the Battle brothers greet Ash. “I wish I could take credit for it, but this is Sage’s idea she and her team organized this. Harper, Phoebe and Charlie and our parents, scoop up quietly all the young and females and they all go to the stone apartment. With Thorn here now, it is even easier as his warriors help guard them while my Shields and Hunters and Conor’s shifters secure the town and people.”
Elijah quietly said. “While we send all our warriors to scout the town.”
Reighn nodded. “Yes, it seems to be working well so far but as we discussed as we train we will do better.”
“Agreed practice makes us sharper.”
Fin came in. “No sign of any entry.”
“Alright are we all here?”
“Mostly.” Storm agreed.
“Alright, we can fill the others in later. We are here because Ocean Towers has been kidnapped. We know this because of the note which Fin if you would please read it out.”
“Yes my Lord. It states; by now you will know we have the Lock.
Unless you want her to die.
You will hand over the world to me.
You have until midnight.”
Ace murmured to Conor. “You are remarkably controlled my friend.”
Conor turned darkened amber eyes on him. Ace just stopped himself from stepping back away from the Lion. “Yes although destroying the world to get my mate back may be counterproductive!”
Ace kicked up his top lip, “I can see that, you just keep on being reasonable. My giant friend!”
Elijah asked Andre`. “When were you due back into your office?”
“What are you thinking?” Reighn asked as he saw the frown on his face, Elijah shrugged as he asked. “Don’t you think it is far too early for the note to be found?”
Andre` also frowning answered. “Midnight.”
What are you getting at?” Reighn asked Elijah again. He rubbed his face as he asked. “Why give us so much time, it seems too long.”
“He is right. They know us. They know we would not wait to look for her or them?” Storm said from where he leaned against the wall.
“Because they are confident we cannot find her?” Ash put forward.
“Are they? Were we even meant to be looking for her yet?” Storm asked them all.
“Well no. If you think about it. The timing seems to be wrong.” Ash agreed.
Fin said. “They miscalculated somehow.”
Andre` looked at Fin. “I am back early. I told everyone on Sunday I would be away until after dinner Monday.”
Reighn asked. “Why are you back so early then?”
Andre` shrugged. “My contact never showed, so I came home.”
Lars asked. “Would you have gone to your office when you returned?”
“Yes, I always do, if I have been away.”
Lars nodded, as he murmured. “Where you would have found the note?”
“Yes, as I did.”
“Hold on, how did they know no one else would have found the note?” Kai asked Andre`
Fin answered. “Because we lock our offices while we are away.”
Saul said. “So someone knew that?”
“Yes.” Fin agreed slowly. “Which narrows down the field somewhat?”
“Oh, because not everyone knows you do that?”
Saul grinned as Fin nodded saying. “Exactly.”
“So they think we will not be looking for them until later tonight.” Keeper mused as he walked in.
“Yes, we are actually ahead of them.” Andre` stated, then asked. “The problems we have are threefold as I see it. First: how do we find out who took her? Second. Find out where she is being held. Thirdly get to where they are without being seen or heard.”
“I can do two of those. The third is up to you Reighn!” Conor told them as Reighn gave him a nod they all turned to him as he spoke, he had been so quiet they had almost forgotten he was there.
Keeper said. “I did not think you had the same connection we as dragons have?”
“I do not. What I have is a nose.”
Fin said. “We detected nothing.”
Conor’s eyes went bright amber as he said. “You are not a ‘First!”
“Ahh I see. Of course, my apologies.” Fin bowed his head to Conor, who asked Reighn, “Pass me the note please.”
Reighn pushed it across the desk. Conor lifted it to his nose and sniffed. Then he closed his eyes and sniffed again, suddenly his body stilled and remained that way for minutes as they watched. Reighn was not sure he was even breathing.
Conor’s forehead creased and then he sniffed again, they heard a snarl softly rumble out of him that picked up sound until it was felt more than heard. He lifted his head and stared at Elijah. “One of yours. Loa!”
“No!” Sparrow said shocked, “No! You are wrong?”
Conor’s amber eyes locked on hers. “I am never wrong.”
“Well, you are now!” She snarled at him. “Loa is loyal to her Queen, to the people of Dragon’s Gap.”
“I am never wrong!” Conor stated simply as he placed the note down again.
Sparrow turned to Elijah. “My King, he is wrong.”
“If he is, where is she? We called our guards to us. Where is she Sparrow?” Elijah asked softly, anger riding his tone. Sparrow’s voice filled with desperation along with a touch of despair as she told him. “She went into town to shop.”
Johner came in, he gave Elijah and his guards a quick look then said to Reighn. “My Lord, Captain Loa was seen talking to Lady Ocean before she, Captain Loa was seen pushing a large box on a trolley and then loading it into a green van. Which she was reported driving up into the mountains.”
“Thank you Johner, remain here please.” He turned to Elijah. “Do you require any more proof?”
Elijah shook his head. “No, there is enough proof, Commander Sparrow?”
Sparrow’s eyes were filled with bewildered rage as she asked anger and hurt in her voice. “How could she do this? Why would she? Her life was not hard!”
“Because she is a traitor to us, to our home.” Stated Elijah.
“I will kill her!” Sparrow vowed. No one doubted her words. Elijah placed a hand on her arm. “No Commander you will do your duty and bring her to justice. She will confess her crimes and tell us everything she knows. Then she dies.”
“As you will my King.” Sparrow agreed as her eyes hardened into determination.
Reighn asked. “Conor, can you find her?”
He smiled without humor as he looked at Elijah then Reighn. “My Lord, where my paws have touched. I know what is happening, and who is on the land.”
Andre commanded. “So find her!”
He nodded. “I will.
First though my Lord, you know she is not alone?”
Reighn eyes gleamed as he agreed. “Yes, he will be there!” There was a stunned silence as everyone assimilated what they were both saying. Then Fin suggested. “It could be a feint?”
Lars agreed. “We rush around chasing ghosts and he steals in and scoops up someone else.”
“No, I think he has who he wants!” Reighn told them. “What makes you think that?” Johner asked.
“The note!” Reighn said, “He calls her the Lock, he knows, we will move the world for her.”
“Well okay that seems definite then.” Lars growled as he said. “He is here Definiao Kiltern. Which means Loa has been hiding and protecting him.”
“I will kill her!” Kai stated as he glared around him.
“Me first!” Sparrow hissed.
Conor nodded to Saul and Kai. “Let’s go!”
Reighn called. “Wait Conor please, Johner I leave you the castle, secure it protocol one.”
“As you will my Lord.”
“Brother remain alive.”
Johner smiled at Reighn and Storm, then looked around at all the males there. “I will and I beg of you all, stay alive your shadows terrify me.”
“Storm, Ace, gather units to accompany us.” Reighn ordered as he walked to Conor. “Find me where they are, and I will open a portal.” Conor nodded as he and Saul with Kai walked outside but stopped as Rumoh told Reighn. “They will know my Lord, Delfinao will feel it, as we do!”
Reighn smiled. “No, he will not. I am the Dragon Lord you only feel what I allow you too. Conor?”
“On my way.” He along with Saul and Kai carried on from the room. They slipped through the castle until they reached the back grass meadow where he nodded to the Unicorn Stallion, who stood back waiting. Seconds later he shifted. “Leo, we will protect the castle.”
“I thank you my friend.”
Conor shifted to his Lion. He snuffled and snorted, then walked further onto the grass and placed his large dinner sized paws on the green blades of grass and closed his eyes becoming silent and as still as a statue. “What is he doing?” Elijah asked.
“Searching.” Saul said. “He has covered this whole place from corner to corner. East to West, North to South. Not one bit of earth has he not placed his paws on.”
