The Dragon Finds Forever (Nocturne Falls Book 7)

by Kristen Painter

  There was no way her rolling bag was going to make it through the drifts ahead of her, so she hoisted the whole thing on top of her head and waded toward the door.

  She was almost there when it swung wide and a familiar face appeared.

  Bridget.

  The werewolf shook her head. “What are you doing out in this mess? Where’s Van?”

  Monalisa made it inside and put the suitcase down. She stomped the snow off her boots. “It’s a long story.”

  “How about we start with a hot drink?”

  “That would be great. I wasn’t sure you’d be open. The airport’s closed.”

  “Why didn’t you go back to Van’s?”

  Monalisa sighed. “That’s part of the long story.”

  “C’mon,” Bridget said with a wave. “Let’s get you that hot drink, and you can start from the beginning. Leave your suitcase behind the hostess stand. It’ll be all right there. I don’t think anyone else will be coming in.”

  “Thanks.” She tucked it behind the counter that held menus and a seating chart, then followed Bridget. The place was almost empty. Because most people weren’t morons. Like her. She took the first empty chair at the bar and settled in.

  Bridget was already behind the bar. “What’ll it be? Irish coffee?”

  Monalisa made a face without meaning to. “No, thanks. That reminds me of someone I’d rather not be reminded of.”

  “How about an adult hot chocolate?”

  Monalisa nodded. “Perfect.”

  She’d never been much of a drinker. The two beers she’d had at Van’s had been unusual. But now, getting a little sloshed seemed like the best decision she could make. Maybe she’d pass out and wake up to find this had all been a dream.

  A really, really bad dream.

  Van stood fixed before the fireplace. The slowly dying embers burned red-hot under their coating of ash. Time ticked by. Their glow faded as he stood there. His gaze wavered as his mind grappled with what had just happened.

  What had he done?

  Essentially, he knew the answer to that question. He’d thrown Lisa out. Just like that, without asking any questions. Without letting her give her side of the story.

  But then, she hadn’t fought back. Hadn’t tried to explain. It was like she’d known this was coming. Had been anticipating it.

  How? Why?

  He swallowed against the knot in his throat, but it stuck. His actions were unacceptable. He had to go talk to her. Had to get answers. But still he stood there, staring into the fire, mesmerized by the dying flames, unable to move for reasons beyond his leg.

  He couldn’t shake the sickening feeling of betrayal. Couldn’t rid himself of the rest of the questions swirling around in his head. Why had she distracted him at the fight? She’d said she had no choice. But that didn’t make sense to him. Why hadn’t she had a choice? Had she been forced to do it? If so, by who? Or had she done it for some personal benefit? Could she have bet on the fight?

  That must be it. She’d bet on the fight. Bet against him.

  But then she would have had a choice. And why the hell had she come out here to his house? Did she really work for the League? That would be easy enough to find out with a phone call in the morning.

  He blew out a long breath. The hard way was to talk to her. It was also the right thing to do. He tried to make his feet move. To go talk to the woman who had ruined his life. To find out why.

  As angry as he was, how desperate had she been to come here? And why? What was her ultimate goal? His hoard? He had to understand why she’d done what she’d done. At least then he might have some closure.

  He rolled his shoulders, at last breaking free of the fire’s mesmerizing effects. Grom lay a few feet away, watching Van with a curious expression. Grom knew something was wrong. Van nodded. “Da, there is trouble.”

  How had he fallen for a woman who been hiding so much from him?

  He’d thought she’d been keeping something from him. Now he knew just how right he’d been. He’d just never expected it was something this awful.

  He limped to the door and wrenched it open. “Lisa, come inside. We need to talk.”

  There was no answer. He stuck his head out and looked around. There was no sign of her on the porch. “Lisa?”

  No answer. The car must have come for her already. But there were no tracks in the driveway.

  Had she left another way? What would that way be? Could she have used her supernatural powers to disappear? What kind of supernatural did she say she was? A Will-o’-the-Wisp? He knew nothing about that sort of creature. What kind of powers did they have that would allow them to disappear into a snowstorm?

  That just showed how little he knew about her. Her name might not even be Lisa. She had said she was from Vegas. Which was the right thing to say if he was supposed to believe she worked for the TFL. And she said she was Irish. She looked it. But what did that matter in the scheme of things? He would call the League tomorrow morning and ask some questions about her. At least get that much truth. But that would be hours from now.

  At the moment, he had a different problem on his hands. He didn’t know where she was, and the snow showed no signs of stopping. He sighed and looked at Grom. “I have to go look for her.”

  Grom tipped his big head at Van and woofed.

  Van reached for his coat hanging beside the door. “Don’t worry, I will find her. I might be angry, but I can’t let her get hurt because of this. She could die in this kind of weather.”

  He pulled his jacket on, grabbed his crutch, and headed onto the porch. Grom whined to follow, but Van shut the door. Then he stood on the porch and inhaled, searching for her scent, for some clue of where she might have gone.

  But there was nothing. The snow had blanketed everything in a thick layer, taking with it any chance of finding Lisa.

  And it was still coming down.

  Frustration built in him, doubling what he already felt. He was angry now, not just with her, but at himself. He’d acted rashly, out of emotion. That was the dragon in him. But his human side knew better.

  Didn’t it? He wanted to think so. Trouble was, both sides liked Lisa a lot, and right now, both sides were hurting. It was impossible to separate man from beast when it came to matters of the heart like this.

  He walked to the edge of the porch to look for tracks again. Nothing. No car tires, no footprints. Unbelievable. He peered down the drive, trying to see through the falling flakes for any indication of where she might have gone.

  His phone vibrated. Could that be her? He yanked it out of his back pocket to check the screen.

  Not her. Pandora. He answered. “Hello.”

  “Hi there. What are you doing?”

  Standing outside, feeling like an idiot. “Nothing. What are you doing?”

  “Watching your pretty rehab therapist get nice and toasted at Howler’s. What did you do?”

  “What?” She was at Howler’s. That was good. Safe. Warm. But getting drunk did not seem like Lisa. Not that he knew her. “I did not do anything.”

  “Really? Because she told Bridget you kicked her out.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and sighed. “I did.”

  “Are you serious? If I was there, I would punch you. And not in a kind, loving manner. Why on earth would you do that in this weather?”

  “Long story.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Why are you at Howler’s? Shouldn’t you be home with Cole?”

  “Charisma came home when she found out about us getting engaged, so we’re having a girls’ night out. We came here so we could hang with Bridget for a bit too.”

  “We?”

  “Me, Charisma, Marigold, Willa, and Roxy. We invited Delaney and Ivy too, but they’re occupied with babies. Well, Ivy’s not yet, but she thinks it could be any minute, so she bowed out.”

  He didn’t care if she was hanging out with Elenora Ellingham herself. “Good. Keep Lisa there until I get there. I
am on my way.”

  “Hold up, buddy boy. Stay right where you are.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, smarty-pants, you kicked her out. She may not want to see you. Ever think about that?”

  He hadn’t. “But we need to talk.”

  “I’m sure you do, but you’re not doing it here until I talk to her first and make sure she wants your company.”

  He groaned. Women.

  “I’m serious,” she said. “You walk into this joint before I tell you it’s okay, and I’ll turn you into a salamander.”

  His eyes widened. “You have such a mean streak, kotyonok.”

  “Don’t call me kitten. I don’t know what you’ve done yet.”

  “I did not do—” He groaned. “Fine. Talk to her. But I would like a chance to speak with her before she leaves town.”

  “Well, you’ve got some time. Airport’s closed because of the weather. She’ll be here at least another day.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ll call you as soon as I know where her head’s at.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Give my love to Gromit.” She hung up.

  He tucked the phone away, took hold of his crutch, and went back inside. Grom looked at him expectantly. “We are not going anywhere. Aunt Pandora is a pain in my zhopa. Also, she says she loves you.”

  Grom knew very well who Pandora was. He let out a little bark.

  Van nodded. “Yes, just you. Me, she is not so happy with.”

  “Lisa?”

  Monalisa looked up from her second spiked hot chocolate to see a familiar face. “Hmm? Oh, yes. Well, it’s Monalisa, actually.” No point in keeping up the charade now. “And you’re Pandora. The woman with the ring.” She smiled sadly. “How nice for you.”

  “Yep, that’s me.” She hooked her thumb toward the woman beside her. “And this is my sister, Charisma.”

  Monalisa glanced at the other woman. She was sharply dressed in a silk blouse and black riding leggings tucked into black riding boots. Her tweed jacket added a nice touch. Like she’d just stepped off the cover of some British horse magazine. Her sleek brunette bob was nothing like Pandora’s red hair, but Monalisa could see the resemblance in the shape of their eyes. “Nice to meet you.”

  Charisma stuck out her hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you as well. Pandora tells me you’re a rehab therapist here to get Ivan out of the dumps and back in the ring.”

  Monalisa barked out a laugh, startling them both. “Yeah, no.”

  “No?” Pandora asked.

  Bridget came over before Monalisa could answer. “You ladies need another round back there? Might as well, seeing as how we’re snowed in.”

  Pandora nodded. “Sure, and considering that we’re basically the only customers in here, why don’t you join us?”

  Bridget laughed. “One of us has to be the adult here. Besides, I’m working.” She tossed a bar towel over her shoulder. “Refills coming up. I’ll run them back there in a second. Lisa, you ready for round three?”

  She put her hand over the mug. “Yes, but no more hot chocolate. Something…stronger. I just don’t know what yet.”

  Bridget gave her a nod. “I’ll get it for you the minute you do.”

  Charisma leaned her arm on the bar. “Why don’t you join us in the back room? We’re celebrating Pandora’s engagement, but you look like you need to talk, and we’re all exceptional listeners.”

  Monalisa opened her mouth to explain why she couldn’t, but nothing came out.

  Charisma smiled. “And, as added incentive, Pandora’s fiancé is footing the bill.”

  Finally, Monalisa found some words. “I don’t think you want your fun evening spoiled by the sordid details of what just happened between Van and me.”

  Pandora hopped onto the seat between Charisma and Monalisa, her back to the bar. “On the contrary. This is a girls’ night out! We’re here to laugh and cry and commiserate. Also, if I can be perfectly honest, we’re not really the billiards and darts crowd. It’s getting a little dull back there.”

  “Hey,” Bridget said. “You knew what that back room was for before you got here.”

  Pandora looked over her shoulder. “True, but we came here for the cheap drinks more than anything.”

  Bridget snorted and shook her head as she kept mixing cocktails.

  Pandora leaned her elbows on the bar. “So what do you say? Join us? We’re a tame group. I’m a realtor, Charisma’s a life coach, Marigold’s a florist, Willa’s a jeweler, and Roxy is a writer. But above all that, we’re women, we’re supernaturals, and we all know how awful—and wonderful—men can be. And you look like you could use some sympathetic company.”

  Monalisa stared at her empty mug. The urge to unburden herself grew stronger. But she didn’t know these women. Although, that was sort of a plus. So was the fact that she’d never see them again after tonight.

  Pandora elbowed her gently. “C’mon. You might feel better.”

  Monalisa glanced up at Bridget. “Shot of Jameson, neat.”

  “Coming up,” Bridget answered.

  Monalisa slid off her seat. “I’ll have it in the back. With the others.”

  Van knew he was supposed to wait until Pandora called him. He decided the best place to do that was the back room of Howler’s. That way he’d be right there when Lisa decided she was ready to talk.

  He just had to figure out how to get to Howler’s with eighteen inches of snow on the ground and more joining it with every passing second.

  He also had his bad leg to contend with.

  That meant driving was out. Not that the roads were passable anyway.

  And he couldn’t shift into his dragon form because of the venom lingering in his system. He’d tried right after the injury had happened and had succeeded only in causing himself so much pain he’d blacked out. So flying was out.

  At least for him.

  He dialed Nick Hardwin’s number. He’d only met the guy once, at the Black & Orange Halloween Ball, but they’d hit it off talking about fighting techniques. Nick was a former Army Ranger and had some interesting ideas about hand-to-hand.

  Also, they were two of the largest supernaturals in town, both could fly, and Nick’s girlfriend, Willa, was one of Pandora’s best friends. The two women had decided Van and Nick should be friends too.

  Right after the ball, Van had left for a round of training and fights. But he liked the guy. Now he just hoped Nick remembered him.

  Nick answered on the third ring. “Hello.”

  “Nick, this is Ivan Tsvetkov. I was hoping you would remem—”

  “Van, hey, man, what’s up?”

  Van let out a sigh of relief. “So much. I hope you are well.”

  “I am.” Nick hesitated. “I heard about what happened at your last fight. Really sorry about that. I should have called you, but Willa said Pandora said you weren’t up to visitors, so…”

  “No problem. I was not feeling very friendly, that is true.”

  “Everything okay now? It’s kind of late. But it’s cool you called. I was up.”

  Van took a breath and uttered the second-hardest three words he could imagine. “I need help.”

  “Yeah? Okay, what can I do?”

  “This is an odd request.”

  Nick laughed softly. “I was an Army Ranger. You wouldn’t believe some of the stuff I’ve done.”

  “I suppose that is true.” Van collected his thoughts, trying to figure out where to start. “My injury makes it impossible for me to shift right now. And the weather is very bad. Also, I cannot drive anyway. So, I was wondering…”

  He couldn’t quite make himself say it. It just sounded so odd. “That is, I was thinking…” Again, the words wouldn’t come out. “Could you…” Disgusted with himself for wasting time, he spat out what he meant to say. “I need you to fly me to Howler’s. It is an odd thing to ask, I know, but I am desperate.”

  “I’m guessing this involves a woman, because no one nee
ds to drink that bad.”

  Van closed his eyes. Instantly, Lisa’s pretty, deceitful face appeared in his mind. “Yes, it is about a woman.”

  “’Nuff said.” There was a smile in Nick’s voice. “You know the girls are over there having a night out?”

  “Yes. Pandora is supposed to be keeping Lisa occupied until I get there.”

  “I see. This Lisa must be something else for you to want to see her this bad.”

  He grunted. “Something else is right.”

  Nick chuckled. “Okay, I’ll be over. You live up near the ridgeline, right? That big chalet-style house?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll be there in about ten minutes. Dress warm, it’s going to be a cold ride.”

  Van snorted. “I will be fine.”

  They both hung up, then Van got Grom to go out. “You must. I am leaving.”

  Grom stood at the top of the steps, staring into the white abyss. He glanced back at Van.

  “Give me a moment.” Van eased down the porch stairs and made his way a little deeper into the snow. Then he fired up his internal furnace and let the heat radiate out of him.

  As the snow began to melt, he turned in a widening circle. When he was done, he had a patch about fifteen feet wide cleared. He looked up at Grom. “There.” He pointed at the space he’d made. “Now you go.”

  Grom trotted down and started running around in the circle and biting at the falling snowflakes.

  Van laughed. “You are something, dog.”

  Then Grom took off into the drifts with a big leap. He sank up to his chest, but he kept going, plowing through, and running around as best he could. The trails he left behind looked like they’d been made by a drunken lunatic.

  Van frowned. “That is enough. Back in the house, silly dog.”

  Grom perked up at the word house. That seemed to motivate him. He came back into the area Van had cleared, lifted his leg and peed, then dashed back onto the porch.

  Van laughed and went in after him. He grabbed an old towel from the stack in the closet kept there for this exact purpose and rubbed Grom down as best he could. Van threw another log on the fire and prodded the embers a little. Grom loved a good fire to sleep by.