by Kari Thomas
All she had to do, though, was recall one tiny detail, and her body would flush with heat and desire and tingle all over. It was as if Slade’s dream touch had actually been real and her body was remembering the caresses.
There was something about the man that instinctively called to her. It was as though he was somehow a part of a memory long buried deep inside her. Although she’d been furious with him she still felt an undeniable pull to him. As though their souls recognized in each other a kindred spirit.
Stop it right there. Summer sat up in bed and leaned back against the pillows and headboard. Going there would only bring back painful memories. Try as hard as she could, she wasn’t able to stop the flow of thoughts.
The Fabrizio Gypsy Clan had been preternatural Healers. Blessed at birth with abnormally long life spans and a healing power beyond modern comprehension, each member knew his or her life’s destiny was to be in the service of the Shamara Dragon Clans as their Healers. Centuries ago, the two Clans commingled, sharing the island with others. Circumstances, events too old to remember, had forced the two Clans to form a life-and-death necessitated pact. The Shamara dragons would be their protectors, their guardians, and the Fabrizio gypsies would in turn be their Healers. They had lived that way in peace for centuries. Until that fateful night.
Summer was too young to remember the events leading up to that night, but she would be scarred forever by the memory of what happened after.
Somehow, she had survived the horrific slaughter of her entire Clan and family. Her grandmother, Rawnie—ancient even in gypsy years—had managed to save four-year-old Summer by hiding her in a veil of magic. Although no one could see the tiny child, Summer could see all that happened. She had watched in horrified shock as her family was cruelly slaughtered by the horde of Air Dragons.
The very dragons sworn to protect them.
After the massacre Rawnie fled in secrecy with Summer, taking her to the mainland. Fearing she wouldn’t live long enough to raise the child, Rawnie taught her everything she needed to know of her history, her Clan’s laws, and of her healing powers. Highly intelligent for her age, Summer soaked up the valuable information and stored it away in her memories.
When she turned five, Rawnie told her it was time for her to go to another home. Summer could vaguely recall her grandmother being very tense and worried during that time. As a child of five, it scared her but wasn’t something she dwelled on. Then, one day a man came, and her whole life changed forever. Reed Bowen claimed he was a distant relative. Rawnie handed Summer over to him without protest.
Summer could still hear Rawnie’s last words to her: “Be brave, child. Stay hidden. Never let anyone know of your heritage. Never. Learn to live this new life you’re going to. Be safe. And always remember I love you.”
Although Reed never once mentioned anything of Summer’s secret, she never discussed it with him. Rawnie had told her that Reed was human and wouldn’t understand. He didn’t even know the story behind her being an orphan except for that her family had all been killed in one night.
Summer grew up keeping a precious life-or-death secret from Reed and from the world.
That secret had kept her isolated from everyone around her. It was no wonder she was having too-vivid sex dreams about a man she’d just met. Slade was the first man she’d ever felt physically attracted to. She’d dated in college, but never had a serious relationship. Once home and set up as a child psychiatrist, she’d devoted her life to helping children and had used work as an excuse not to date. She was always too busy. Yeah, right. Too scared is more truthful.
If she didn’t date, then she wouldn’t be drawn into a relationship, and she wouldn’t have to purposely keep a secret from a man she cared about. Ha. What sane man would believe the story anyway? Oh, by the way, I’m the last survivor of an ancient gypsy clan that once lived with a clan of dragons. Yes, dear, I said dragons. And did I mention I have supernatural healing powers?
Instantly Slade’s handsome face came into her mind. It didn’t take much to imagine what he’d think if she ever told him that story. He appeared to be a no-nonsense guy, one who faced a situation head on, figured out the solution, and fixed the problem all by beating the hell out of someone if he had to.
No, it was definitely better to stay clear of any attachment to that enigmatic man. She couldn’t risk it. She sighed. Until this situation with the stalker was solved, she’d have to put up with Slade being around.
She could only hope she had the strength to ignore the strange pull he had on her. Heaven help me. That is one sexy man.
Leo made a grumbling noise as he awoke and stretched. The big cat slept at the foot of her bed every night and usually woke in the mornings before she did. She got out of bed and walked over to give him his morning belly rub. That’s when she saw the dirty paw prints on her light beige carpet.
“Leo, did you go back out last night after I went to bed?” In all the years she’d had the cat, she’d talked to him as though he could understand every word she said. Most of the time she swore he could, with the exception of those times when she was scolding him or ordering him around; he ignored her then.
She glanced at her closed bedroom door. Had Reed let the cat out? How would he know Leo wanted out in the first place? Summer shook her head. Lately nothing was making much sense. She still couldn’t fathom the idea she had a mysterious, dangerous stalker and a heart-melting sexy bodyguard.
An hour later, she cleaned up the breakfast dishes and then went in search of Reed. He was outside inventorying his freezer contents. She cringed. She knew that look on his face. He was ready for another hunting trip.
“Uh-oh.”
Reed looked up from his counting. “Hey, honey. Why the uh-oh?”
“You’re planning another hunting trip aren’t you?”
Reed looked away from her. “I’d thought about it. We’re low on fresh meat.”
“Why can’t you just buy it at the grocers like normal people?” It was the same conversation they had each time before he announced his trip.
“What’s the fun in that?”
“None for the innocent animals. Loads for you.”
“You’re too soft-hearted.”
I give up. “When are you planning to go?” Was he so confident in Slade’s protection skills he would leave her while there was a stalker hovering?
Reed closed the freezer and walked past her, still avoiding looking directly at her. He always did that when he was being non-committal about something and didn’t want her to ask questions. Why so secretive about a potential hunting trip? Add it to my I’m-having-a-strange-week list.
“I wouldn’t even think of leaving you if I didn’t have Slade here watching over you. You know that, honey. That’s how much I trust the man.”
Summer’s heart skipped a few beats. “What exactly do you mean having Slade here to watch over me?” Surely he isn’t saying!
“He’ll be staying in the quest room while I’m gone.”
No! Of all the crazy things happening lately, this was definitely the final straw! “Tell me you’re teasing.”
Reed shook his head. “I’ll only be gone for two to three days. Actually, this isn’t my normal hunting trip. I wouldn’t be leaving town right now in the middle of a serious case or with you in danger if it wasn’t necessary.”
“What’s going on?” She didn’t like the strange vibes she was getting from Reed. He was hiding something.
“I can’t tell you everything. We’ve been there before. Suffice to say, this hunting trip is going to be a little different.”
His tone meant no more questions, and she decided to drop it. It was probably something to do with the case, and he was using the pretend hunting trip as a cover. She thought about it the rest of the day. First, she had discovered she had a stalker and then the almost-attack the night Slade had showed up. Now, Reed was acting strange and entrusting her to a man she knew nothing about while he disappeared to who-knew-where for a cou
ple of days.
Despite that it was almost evening Summer decided to take Leo for a walk. She needed to clear her head. Ha. And prepare for Slade’s arrival. I can’t believe this is happening. Just the thought of him had her breath escalating and her heart racing. How the heck was she supposed to have him so close in the same house for a couple of days? She prayed she wouldn’t do anything foolish, like accidentally showing him how much he affected her. Okay, clearing mind now. That thought led right back to the hot dream last night.
The woods behind the house were thick and dark, and she’d never been brave enough to venture into them, even in the daylight. Instead, she and Leo took the walking trail that skirted the boundary of the woods. As always, Leo trotted a few feet ahead of her. He constantly sniffed the air and moved his head side to side, scouting the area.
“You can relax once in awhile, Leo,” she teased. “What person in their right mind would dare come close to me with you stalking around?” Leo’s answer was an indignant chuff.
Summer glanced at the slowly darkening evening sky. “We should head back to the house now.” She hated-hated-the debilitating vulnerability. It controlled everything she did in her life. Lately she’d been feeling restless, wanting more. She wanted to be like everyone else. She wanted friends and…
Don’t even go there. She frowned. Maybe it was time to see a professional and get some long-overdue help. For some reason, Reed had always discouraged it. He’d told her she would eventually outgrow the fear and leave the horrific memories behind. She’d wanted to believe him. But now? Maybe the stalker situation was a wake-up call. Maybe it was time to start taking control.
Just as they started across the back lawn leading to the house, a dark shadow passed overhead. Both Summer and Leo looked up. It was so quick—more shadow than solid—and gone before Summer could even catch her breath and freeze. Leo roared, taking a running leap into the air as though he could catch the already-gone shadow. He continued to roar, fury and frustration evident. He circled Summer, roaring and staring at the sky.
Summer tried to remember to breathe. No. I didn’t see it. It wasn’t real. It’s not possible. The denial repeated over and over in her head like a mocking litany. Icy chills raced over her body, and she gasped in some much-needed air. Her legs felt rubbery. I won’t faint. It wasn’t real! She shook her head. It wasn’t anything more than a large bird. I shouldn’t have been thinking about my past. My imagination was stimulated. That’s all.
Leo pushed hard against her, urging her toward the house. He was growling low now instead of roaring. He kept up the constant push against her legs until she was safely inside. Then he paced back and forth, agitated, in front of the sliding glass doors. Summer sank into the nearest chair, unable to stand a moment longer. She tried to slow her breathing. If she didn’t get control right now, she’d have another panic attack.
Finally she calmed and leaned her head back against the chair’s soft-cushioned headrest. Upset that she’d panicked so easily over something as simple as a bird’s shadow, she clenched her hands into fists. Tomorrow she was going to seek help. It was time.
She didn’t tell Reed her decision. She didn’t want to upset him, especially with all he had on his mind with the case and trip. Later that night, he said good night after giving her a stern warning to stay close to Slade while he was gone, and Summer promised she’d make Leo behave. She took a shower and then went to bed, exhausted from the emotional strain earlier, and yet tense and restless with the thought that tomorrow Slade would be moving in.
She blamed it on the incident with the bird shadow. As soon as she was asleep the nightmare came. Vivid. Horrific.
Air Dragons flew over the village, multi-colored, multiple sizes and shapes. The wind howled with their magic: trees breaking, rooftops crumbling, people being thrown from one place to another with the unnatural force of wind. Rain poured like a running faucet, mixing with the wind, creating instant havoc. The dragons roared as they soared, swooping low and then high again. Unable to breathe fire like the other dragons, magic was their weapon, and they used it to create a maelstrom of panic and chaos.
Mollia, Summer’s mother, hurriedly bundled her daughter in a heavy coat. “Baby, I want you to stay close to Rawnie. No matter what happens. Understand?”
Scared beyond comprehension, four-year-old Summer nodded her head and allowed the elderly woman to take her from her mother’s arms. Her father, Jons, rushed in and handed Mollia a gun. “It won’t penetrate their hides, but maybe it will cause them enough sting to hesitate while our elders try using reciprocating magic. Rawnie, hide Summer now.” Summer’s last glance of her parents was as they hurried out the door, determined looks on their faces.
Rawnie stumbled over upturned rocks, scattered tree limbs, broken pieces of homes, and even lifeless bodies as she carried Summer to the far end of the village where a small cave sat. They used the cool, shallow spot for keeping their healing remedies cold during the hot days of the year. Only six feet deep, five feet wide, and four feet tall, the cave’s entrance was conveniently covered by a tall weeping willow.
There, Rawnie cast an old gypsy spell of invisibility to protect the cave’s location. It drained her, and she slumped over in exhaustion. Summer, shaking hard, crawled over to the cave’s entrance and peered out. What she saw would forever scar her.
Dragons swooped, striking running, screaming people. Their long, sharp talons effortlessly ripped bodies to shreds. Blood and gore splattered the air, mixing with the muddied destruction on the ground. Some of the clan was trying to fight back. They shot at the dragons, but were unable to even slow them. Others used arrows, some hitting their mark. The arrows would break as they hit the impenetrable hides.
Summer searched for her parents and saw them standing shoulder to shoulder with several of her aunts and uncles. They were firing off rapid gunshots as they braced against the ferocious wind and rain.
Then the huge shadow came. Looking up, Summer saw the largest Air Dragon she’d ever seen in her life. He was beyond huge. His wingspan had to have been over sixty feet. His bright, multi-colored hide was indication that he was royalty.
Summer had learned early in life the specific colors for each dragon element. Fire dragons always had red as their main color. Water dragons’ main colors were blues. Earth dragons had greens and browns. The Air Dragons though, had multi-colors, representing the elements of every facet of their magic. The rarest were the royal line of Air Dragons. Their colors sparkled as though covered in brilliant, high-gloss glitter, their hues richer, their scales larger.
She watched in horrified fascination as the royal Air Dragon flew over the battle below him. He coasted through the air as though he had all the time in the world. She got the impression he was searching for something, or someone.
She knew she was right the moment he spotted her parents. Summer’s throat closed; she couldn’t even scream. She saw the dragon immediately swoop toward them, his black eyes gleaming with an extremely bright, evil light that would have frozen her to the spot if she weren’t already too scared to move.
She saw his huge talons extend down. Saw him reach for her parents. Saw him grab them together. Saw him fly upward with a stunning lurch of power.
Saw him tear them both to shreds in mid air.
Summer woke with a horrified scream, lunging up in bed.
She collided with a solid chest, and then felt strong arms surround her.
God help her, the dragon had come for her too!
Chapter Seven
It was the last place he should be. It was the only place he wanted to be. The realization stunned him even as he gathered Summer closer and whispered words of comfort. Slade resolutely made the effort to ignore how right it felt holding her in his arms, but he lost the battle within moments. Protective instincts vied with primal, and he couldn’t tell which was the strongest. All he knew was this woman fit into his arms like she’d always belonged there.
“Shh, Summer. You’re safe.�
�� He ran his hands up and down her slender back, slow and caressing. “It was only a nightmare.”
She shivered and clung to him, choking back tears and trying to catch her breath. Finally she hiccupped and slowly raised her head. Slade’s heart stopped for a moment. He hated seeing the tears in her beautiful eyes. The look of vulnerability struck him like a physical blow.
She blinked away tears and focused on him. Then, she gave a hard push against his chest and tried to pull free from his arms. “You’d better have a very good reason for being in my bedroom, Slade Stryker, or you’re a dead man.”
So much for vulnerable. Slade held back his grin. “Define good,” he told her. She shoved him again, and he reluctantly let his arms drop from around her. He watched as her lovely features blushed a soft pink hue.
“What are you doing in here?”
He couldn’t help it, he grinned. Then he chuckled. Her spunk was as attractive as her on-and-off vulnerability. “I was playing hero and came to the rescue of a screaming damsel.”
“Screaming?” She suddenly paled. Whatever that nightmare had been, it had affected her deeply. He wanted to ask, but decided against it.
“Reed left around midnight, and I’ve been here since. I heard you scream and came in to check on you.” He touched her cheek, sliding his fingers across her silky skin. “It was just a nightmare, Summer. It’s over now.”
She gasped softly at his touch. Slade’s heart beat faster. She was just as aware of this attraction between them as he was. He frowned. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. He’d known agreeing to stay with her for a couple of days was going to be a hell of a job, especially with the way his body was reacting to her. He hadn’t counted on his primal side taking over his better sense and pushing at him to take this further.
