“Do you know where they are?”
“Not yet, but we’re getting closer.”
* * * *
Cat’s senses felt the pull of the moon. Her undead body was in sync with the tides and as the hungry waves ate up the shore, she needed to feed. She felt her flesh grow tight, and her nerves jumped at the night sounds that amplified with the moon’s passing. Each of Anna’s mortal systems cried out to be quieted. Cat’s hunger was a tight string plucked by Anna’s heartbeat and breaths. The roadmaps of blood were now teaming just inches from Cat. Is it better to strike and feed, or warn her and scare her to death? Rick never put her in this situation. Hell, I’m not even prepared for this. Do I sip a bit each hour?
“I don’t want to scare you.” Cat bowed her head so Anna would not see the impatient vampire before her.
“I’m not scared. Are you scared?”
“Yes, I am, Anna. I need to feed and I can’t tell how the hallucinogen is going to affect my control.”
“Ohhh. You’re afraid you’re going to turn me and Rick will miss out.” Anna swayed against Cat.
“Oh, honey, if it were only that simple. I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop. I don’t know how to turn anyone.”
Anna’s gaze left Cat’s as it appeared she was hearing another conversation. Cat ground her jaw and prayed silently.
Anna tilted her head and shook her hair from her neck as best she could. “The Creator gives life, the Creator takes life. You don’t have that power. Lean on her strength and trust.”
Veronique knew exactly what horrors could be inflicted with these tight chains. It left Cat only a limited area from which to feed. If unchecked, Anna’s death would be close up and psychedelic.
* * * *
Rick was head down over his driver. I was a clear night and the portable tee box was situated to aim golf balls off the west side of the castle. He cried an angry, “Fore!” The club head made contact with a mighty thwack! And the ball disappeared into the night. “Why don’t they call?”
Matt shook his head, his hands deep in his jeans pockets as he paced well behind Rick’s golf stance. “There’s nothing to call about, I guess.”
When the bucket of balls was empty, Rick pounded the club head into the roof floor. “When I find Veronique, I’ll kill her.” He gripped the club handle and the shaft near the head and bent the club in a pretzel.
“Get in line.” Matt gazed dully into the distance.
Rick sighed and walked to his friend. “We have two and a half hours before we pull the trigger. I have a courier downstairs. We’ll do it, Matt, because we won’t have a choice if it comes to that, but I’m afraid it will seal their fates.”
“Don’t give up, buddy, I’ve seen cases turn on a dime.”
“I wasn’t at the Colosseum, but I’d swear, Veronique and Caligula were cut from the same cloth.”
* * * *
Adam landed, his mind filled with the images the Orcas generated. The girls were on an island, or at least land near the sea. In the moonlight, Adam caught the sight of an infinitesimal golden shape undulating toward him. The shape formulated the closer it flew. Leathery golden wings moved gracefully in the icy air, closer and closer.
“Is that you, Adam?” The voice in his mind was unmistakably feminine and vaguely familiar.
“Who are you?” He paced the beach anxiously as the dragon drew closer. She was stunning. Ombre shades of shimmering white to yellow to rose gold graced her athletic form. He was certain he’d remember seeing her before. The scales and plates of her feminine form moved over agile withers and flanks. Her long neck moved in nimble observation and he heard a pleased sigh when their gazes met.
“Adam Lachlan, Prince of Flight’s End.” He heard affection in her voice.
“And you are?” He was enchanted but perturbed by her evasion.
“Nessa Clark, Princess of Fisherfield Forest.” Her clawed feet caught the damp sand as she settled to earth silently.
“Cousin, you were a mere hatchling when last I saw you. What a beautiful lass you’ve become.”
“And you are as handsome as the old women say. How did you tap into these feminine laments?”
“I didn’t. These women are my dear friend’s mates. I began an aerial search and heard the eagle and Orca songs.”
“I believe I know where they are. A golden eagle confirmed the fears that distracted me from feeding. She’s circled over Lamb Island and shown me the shapes restrained in a well.”
“Can you show me?”
“Of course.”
“My skills are rusty. This is only the second time I’ve shifted in two hundred years. If I can carry rescuers back, could you guard them until we arrive?”
“Hurry, Adam, I fear they have little time.” Nessa nodded and launched herself over the Sea.
* * * *
Rick’s head snapped up as Adam shot into the room. “What?”
“I’ve found them.” He turned to Matt. “Send the responders to Lamb Island, there’s a well behind the church.” He turned to Rick. “You bring lengths of rope and bolt cutters, both of you meet me on the West Lawn. Hurry.”
There was a whirlwind of activity around them, and in the few minutes it took them to do his bidding, the men were met by a gold and carmine fire dragon. Matt shot Rick a look of amazement. “A minute ago he was naked in the study, and now he’s going to carry us over water to an island?”
“You were the one who asked him to shift.” Rick shrugged and scrambled up the great beast’s proffered leg. They scarcely caught their grips when he lifted up, winging eastward, following the images in his mind’s eye.
* * * *
What do you do when the only person who can save your life will lose theirs doing it? Cat could bite Anna now and regulate her draw, or she could put it off and lose all control. The night animals went to their nests and Cat’s fangs dropped reflexively, scenting their blood. It’s been too long since feeding. She dreaded the changing colors in the sky, signaling the approaching dawn. Although Anna insisted she could cover her and deflect the sun’s rays, Cat feared they would not last the day. She shook her shoulders, waking Anna from another mind-expanding dream.
Anna’s head lolled. “What?”
Cat hid her opalescent eyes and whispered, “Anna, I’m so sorry…I need to feed.”
Anna was as gentle as a lamb to the slaughter. “I said it was okay.”
Cat summoned her strength to bite cleanly and draw evenly. The sound of fang on flesh sickened her, but Anna simply fell toward her and sighed Rick’s name. Cat’s resilience reemerged and she measured Anna’s steady heartbeat.
I need to stop. She dug deep for the willpower and her fangs retracted seconds before the drug twisted and pulled her into a dark mire of regret. With all her heart, she wished she had asked more questions and prepared to be on her own. Cat twisted her face away from Anna as soon as she felt the colors of Anna’s light course through her undead body.
She knew the sensation of flowing light was the result of the drug. But, how did she explain the huge golden dragon above them?
* * * *
Veronique grumbled in frustration when she realized her vamp body temperature hindered the use of her iPhone. “You!” She summoned the surprised receptionist. “Reach into my bag and grab my stylus. My nails are wet.” The offended young woman did as requested with little enthusiasm. Veronique harrumphed again. There was no message waiting and no call from her solicitor. What did this mean? She couldn’t believe those two Neanderthals would let their women die. Where is chivalry?
* * * *
Cat was plagued by hunger. The hallucinogen displayed Anna’s life force flagrantly, at the same time removing Cat’s restraint. Her need was mounting from fevered to frenzied. The compulsion to drop fangs won. The bite was ugly, Anna keened a mournful wail.
Nessa’s wings shaded Cat from the rising sun’s rays. She quivered at their torment, feeling Cat’s remorse and Anna’s fear. Her mind reached out to
Adam. “Where are you?”
Adam’s wings beat furiously as he gained the island’s shoreline. “Moments away.” His enormous shadow appeared at Nessa’s side, and then she saw two men drop and roll to their feet.
* * * *
Rick ran to the well’s edge. He used his Dom voice. “Cat! Stop!” Matt thrust the end of the rope into his hands, and slipped down the well wall.
Cat startled at his arrival. “I can’t stop,” she pleaded, “help me.”
Matt insinuated himself between the two women. “I’m here, baby, you’ll be fine. Breathe with me.”
Matt listened carefully to Anna’s heartbeat, they’d arrived in the nick of time. He tried to make eye contact with her.
“She’s hallucinating. The woman who brought us here gave her drugs. It’s in me too…be careful…”
Matt nodded and bit his own wrist but held it above Anna’s mouth. He caught her neck and whispered. “Anna, drink this.” His blood flowed with the pressure exerted. Her thirsty tongue caught every drop. His arm rapidly healed and he re-bit to feed his mate. “Cat, baby, take what you need.” His other arm encircled her lovingly.
Throughout the tense minutes Rick hovered over the well. “Matt? What’s happening? Are they okay?”
Matt lifted his head from Cat’s shoulder. “Working on it, buddy. They’re chained together and attached to a bolt down here. If you’ll carefully slide the bolt cutters down, we can ask Adam to lift us out.”
“What about Anna, is she okay?” Rick insisted.
Matt reassessed Anna’s appearance. “She’s pretty shaken and disoriented. Nothing you can’t help her with.”
* * * *
Nessa’s wings umbrellaed over them as Adam drew them steadily up to the ground. Rick belayed the rope, and then caught Anna into his arms. He brushed her snarled hair back, and held her face between his hands. Relief swept over him. “Oh, Cupcake, I thought I’d lost you!” He rocked her against him, aware of her vaguely unfocused eyes.
“You’re such a beautiful little boy. The girls are going to eat you up one day! You’re so cute!”
Rick’s smile froze and he glanced up at Matt. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Veronique drugged her. And I’ve fed her some of my blood. Just don’t take any of hers.”
Rick studied her gaze and expression. “Well dear, this should be an interesting night.” While he held her close, he watched Matt carry Cat to Nessa.
Cat peered up at the massive golden dragon. “I know you must have been the one who heard us. Words can’t be enough, we’re forever indebted to you. Thank you.” Nessa bowed her regal head in response and one twinkling golden eye winked at them.
Matt begged back. “Excuse us, I have to get her inside. Thank you for keeping her safe.”
Rick nodded and waved at Nessa as he followed the others into the chapel. Once he laid Anna on a pew he searched for abandoned clothes, and ran out to Adam. “Thousands of years of being and you guys haven’t developed a pouch to carry some clothes? We’ve got two uninitiated women who are gonna freak out when they see you shift back!” Adam nodded with a chuff as Rick strode back to the chapel.
Anna, Cat and Matt stood at the window watching Nessa and Adam say their goodbyes. Anna looked around with wide-eyed innocence. “They’re dragons.”
Cat nodded. “I know, sweetie, they’re dragons.”
The men shook their heads. “The chopper’s here. We can head home.”
Lieutenant Jan Kulczyk was the first of the responders to reach the chapel. “Good morning, Sirs.” He saluted Rick and Matt. “I’m glad to see things ended well. I have good news. We have a bead on Veronique Moreau. We were able to hack into her tablet.”
“How close is she?” Matt asked angrily.
“She’s traveling a side road in the middle of a national park in Scotland.”
Adam stepped forward. “I know that area. It’s wilderness.”
Rick nodded, his voice grim. “Perfect.” He turned to Adam. “Will you see our ladies home and get them settled?”
“No worries.” Adam patted Rick’s shoulder.
Rick embraced Anna. “I have to take care of this, Cupcake. I’m sorry to leave you, but if I don’t put and an end to this problem, it will come back to haunt us again. So, Adam will take good care of you, okay?” He watched as Matt gave Cat a similar goodbye embrace and they headed for Kulczyk’s helicopter.
* * * *
It was a blessedly foggy and overcast morning in the Scottish Highlands. With any luck, this weather would hold until Veronique reached the airport at Inverness and was on her way to France. Bocelli’s rendition of Nessun Dorma blasted through the speakers as she enjoyed her victory over Rick Hiatt. She’d received confirmation from her solicitor no more than two hours ago that the Articles of Incorporation had been received. She was instantaneously an incredibly wealthy woman, and she had bested that condescending son of a bitch! Plans for the future would include…
“Damn! Why is this car coasting to a stop?” Why can nothing ever be easy? She steered to the shoulder of the road and riffled through the console for the rental papers.
Dialing her cell phone, she filed a formal request for roadside assistance.
“I regret it may be as long as forty-five minutes because of your remote location.”
“Fine. I’ll wait. I don’t have much choice.” She cut off the call and slammed the phone into the passenger’s seat, and then billionaire dreams flew through her mind.
* * * *
“The electromagnetic pulse has disabled her car. We’re about six-and-a-half kilometers from her,” Kulczyk announced through their headphones.
Private McDonald handed Rick and Matt their Kevlar vests. “There’s a TEC-9 with a fifty-round magazine. They’re silver rounds, so, don’t cross your streams.” The Private winked.
Rick examined the gun and frowned. “I want something for closer quarters.” McDonald passed Rick and Matt sheathed machetes. Rick nodded. “That should do the trick.”
Kulczyk circled the copter to land in front of Veronique’s sedan. Rick and Matt jumped from the sliding door, caps pulled low, and windbreakers covering their vests.
Veronique waved and called out. “I had no idea they’d send a helicopter. Can you take me all the way to Inverness?”
Rick held up a hand and nodded, keeping his face low until they were upon her.
As soon as she recognized her visitors, her eyes grew round and she poised to run. Rick’s steely grasp held her in place. “Veronique Moreau, as a duly elected member of the Vampire Council, under their authority, I exercise the penalty for your confessed use of Humanité. The penalty is termination.”
Matt stepped forward from behind her and with one swift slice her head lay on the ground. He glared at her collapsing body, devoid of regret. “That seems anticlimactic.”
Rick gave him a sardonic look. “That’s what it’s like when you take out the trash.”
They climbed into the chopper in time to hear Kulczyk on the radio. “We need a clean-up team to the following coordinates…”
Chapter 22
Anna got back into the car at the private terminal. “I guess it will be a while before I see them. It was wonderful for Mom, Dad and Wyatt to have the run of the place. Player will be busy, don’t you think?” Player, hearing his name, insinuated his giant head from the back seat.
“Don’t slobber on the new car,” Rick reprimanded.
“He’s not slobbering, he’s a good boy.” Anna settled into her seat and turned back to Adam. “Are you ready for home and all it entails?”
Adam stretched crossways, battling the dog for backseat space. “When one of your people says the Queen is calling for you, you go. Especially when the Queen is your mother.”
Anna shook her head in awe. “I had no idea I was surrounded by so much royalty. I’m sorry there’s unrest within your clan.”
Adam grew thoughtful. “It’s not the unrest that disturbs me, it’s that mother i
s refusing the normal right of succession and naming me king. I’m sure there’s more to this summons than I know.”
Anna’s jaw dropped. “King?” The men smiled.
Rick glanced up to the rearview mirror and nodded. “You know you have our support, old man.”
“I’ve always felt that in my heart, Rick. I’ll message you when I arrive.”
Rick pulled the car up to departing flights and the tall man unfolded from the back with his one suitcase.
As Rick pulled the car into traffic, the Bluetooth rang, incoming call. “Matt’s calling.”
“Hey brother, I’ve got a big job on my hands. Sure we can’t call the King back to our payroll?
“Nice try, Matt, we just dropped him off at the terminal. What’s up? You don’t need me, do you?”
Matt hesitated. “I think you are going to have your own hands full for the next few weeks. You get to handle a fledgling.” Matt let out a maniacal laugh.
“Hey! I’m in the car,” Anna protested.
Cat piped up. “Everything will be fine, Annie. Don’t listen to the men.”
Rick turned the car off the motorway as Matt continued. “The Gaoler in Cannes is a hot mess.”
Cat cut in, “But the ocean is beautiful.”
“Whatever. I have about three weeks of work here, but we’re headed back, so Anna will have company.”
Rick caught Anna’s hand and gave it a quick kiss. “Okay, brother, we’ll see you when we see you.”
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