The Dragon of Croatia

by Valerie Everhart

  "Fuck you. Find them out the hard way."

  Gavriel lunged at her, hauling her up by her shirt. “If he is your brother, then you have dragon blood running through you. What is your ability?"

  "I don't."

  "All dragons have power."

  "No. I don't have dragon blood. He's not my brother."

  Gavriel let loose of her and she caught herself on the rock, before sprawling to the ground.

  "So you lied."

  "As did you. We are working on the same side, Gav."

  "Not with me. Stay here. I have work to be done, men to find, and you need to get the hell out of my sight."

  "I have this.” She held out the dagger.

  If looks could kill, she'd have died. The coldness in his eyes made her shiver.

  "Return it to the cave with the tablet once the smugglers have been contained."

  She dropped it on the ground between them. “You return it,” she challenged.

  He stared down at the dagger a moment, looked up at her, and without answering, walked toward Halsten lounging against a boulder. Halsten stood as he came closer, and Gavriel punched Halsten in the stomach, doubling him.

  "We finish this operation. Then you will leave my country."

  Calie sucked in her breath. She knew Halsten wouldn't let him get away with that. Halsten glared at her, but followed Gavriel.

  Gavriel didn't like the quiet one bit. His men had everything under control when he went out scouting for Calie. That she would show up he had no doubt. That she would bring the man that she called her brother, was another matter. It never occurred to him that the man was a dragon. He'd gotten lax around her. She blinded him to being aware of things like that. He didn't trust Halsten. He knew it was mutual.

  They entered the cave entrance. It was dark, and there should have been light from the lanterns. The cave radiated energy, so he knew there were humans in here. But he didn't know where they hid, yet.

  Halsten whispered to him, “They're still in there. But we can't go in shooting, we'll kill your men, too. Any ideas?"

  Gavriel thought for a moment. “You and she will be decoys. Walk in and call to the Conte to hold his fire. That I will trade my men for his two agents."

  "You are willing to use her for bait. Is that what you think—that we are agents for the Conte?"

  "Walk where I can still see you and bring Calie in."

  Halsten returned with Calie. She didn't question what he expected of her, but stared at him with no expression in her eyes. He didn't bother to acknowledge her. His heart felt heavy, that she had betrayed him so badly. He never learned. This time it was harder. He could have cared less if he was the one used for bait. He motioned Halsten to move forward, and she followed. The dragon roared its possession of her, and he wanted to give in. If only she could be trusted. He was probably making the biggest mistake of his life in trusting her again. He sighed heavily.

  "Calie. Wait."

  She blinked her eyes several times, then took a deep breath. He watched her chest rise and fall, and he wanted her. Still.

  "Gav?” she whispered. Her eyes beseeched him. He held his hand to her, and she showed him the glove she held in one hand, the dagger in another. He reached for the glove and started to slip it on when she stopped him..

  "I can keep them for you.” She motioned to his other hand. He slid the other glove off and gave her both.

  Halsten interrupted them. “If you two are done making up, can we do something about a smuggling operation here?"

  "Later, boy, you and I will meet,” Gavriel said gruffly. “Right now, I need your help in getting my men back out and the smugglers recaptured.” He still watched her. “Will you?"

  "I'm on your side, Gav."

  He grunted, he'd had enough of her lies, but he needed her help. He spoke to Halsten, “Spook dog, have a light ready. Calie, stay close to him."

  "Spook dog? Man, I already owe you for the sucker punch. Don't make me kill you."

  "Halsten, shut up.” Calie said.

  Gavriel walked beside them into the cave. Halsten stopped and motioned to a body on the ground. Calie peered down, then scrambled closer. Gavriel jerked her back up and hissed, “Not now."

  "Gav, its Josip. Let go."

  He released her and she crouched over the body, touching his throat, then sighed. He saw her run her hands over his head. She stood and moved closer to him. Her breasts pushed against his arm, and he repressed a shiver that coursed through his abdomen. He leaned down and whispered, “He is alive?"

  She nodded. He took the opportunity to take in her scent. He shook his head of such foolish thoughts, even as his balls throbbed at her nearness.

  She whispered up to him, “He's still breathing, but has a bump to the head. We have to get him out of here.” Halsten cleared his throat, and Gavriel raised his head and growled.

  He wasn't about to let her out of his sight. “Leave him. He'll be fine until we secure the area. Move."

  Chapter Eight

  Calie decided she would see what Gavriel had for a plan of action, then do it her way. To the right of her, Halsten looked around nonchalantly, as if he didn't care what they did. When in fact, he probably did, he hated to be bested. With Gavriel brandishing the rifle, he was the man in control, something not likely to settle with Halsten.

  She walked around Josip cautiously in the dark. Once past the entrance, Gavriel motioned Halsten to light the lantern. With the light, it was easy to see that no one was in the center hall. Halsten crossed in front of them and checked the chapel, but it was empty. After splitting up, they searched the whole cavern, and found it abandoned. They circled back around and Gavriel motioned for Halsten to pick up the boy.

  "Wait,” Calie said. “Let's see if he'll come to.” She gently nudged him, calling his name. Gradually, he regained consciousness and sat up. “Easy. You're safe.” A look of relief came over his face, and then his eyes flew to Gavriel.

  "The tablet. He took our tablet.” He struggled to stand up. Gavriel leaned down and helped him. Calie was still kneeling; Halsten smirked at her, as he helped her up.

  Gavriel spoke to Josip, “Do you know where they went?"

  "No. He took Petar and the other two men. He made them all carry the artifacts out. Conte carried the tablet. I didn't understand at first, why he didn't make me carry anything, but then he hit me and knocked me out."

  "If they had what artifacts they came for, they would make for the water, then."

  Calie interrupted. “Unless he thought that is what you would think, and took another route."

  Gavriel narrowed his eyes at her, assessing what she had said. He probably thought she knew this as a fact, but it was easy enough to see that is what he would do.

  "Gav, if I were in this deal with him would I tell you what he was doing? So you could confront him, actually ask him, and have it confirmed? Get real. This is serious and we need to find them."

  "We're wasting time."

  They walked out of the cave, with Josip looking dazed, but he declined any offer of help. They took the path leading past the monastery that she and Josip first stayed in. The night was filled with tension. Once near the monastery, a small creak alerted her that someone was inside, or nearby. She glanced at Gavriel, and noticed he felt the same. The darkness now, was too quiet.

  The tiny church no longer seemed an empty shell. They paused and she peered through the bushes, but nothing moved. The air hung, expectantly. There was too much suspense in the wind for this to be an empty church. The Conte and his men were either here, or had been just recently. The path ran past the church and curved around it, the bend out of site behind the church.

  She grabbed Gavriel's arm, and whispered. “Over there. Behind the church, I saw someone. He's gone now. They're here, ready to ambush us as we go by."

  He nodded, his eyes darted. She could see he was going over the possibilities in his mind to stay ahead of the smugglers.

  "Since I can summon the dragon, he w
ill possibly trade my life for your men. We could make him think he can have the tablet and the person who can summon the dragon."

  He settled his gaze on her. “So, you have been told of the power you control."

  "I have been told that I released the dragon, which protects the village, and every few years a woman does so. That I am not the only woman for, but a passing diversion—one of many, and it will continue to be like that. You will return to your time at the end of the hundred days.” She still whispered, getting softer the longer she spoke, but she knew he heard every word.

  He didn't refute what she said. Her heart thudded with the realization that she really was just a diversion to him. But she refused to let him see the effect his lack of denial had on her. She made the decision, she would find the tablet, and see what his thinking was then.

  "Too risky."

  "Damn it, Gav. It is the only way. We can do this. Halsten will back me up."

  "I don't need his help."

  "He is good at what he does."

  "What does he do, Calie. For that matter, what do you do?"

  It was a standoff—a power struggle that neither would win.

  "You should be thinking of your men, instead of questioning my every move.” She glared at him.

  "You have the audacity to lecture me?"

  "When you're being thick headed, yes."

  "We will discuss this matter at a later date. I can see no other way. Halsten stays here to cover us both. I will take you into the Conte."

  That was as far as he would concede, she knew.

  "I'm going to cloak you with a protection shield, but you have to remain touching me to be protected. Once we are not connected by touch, the shield will only be about me. Is this understood?"

  She nodded, impressed.

  Gavriel latched onto her upper arm, and pulled out a gun that he kept aimed on her, to further the drama that she was his prisoner. They walked toward the monastery, but didn't go in.

  Gavriel called out, “Conte. I wish to have my men returned."

  There was only silence at first, as the echo of his voice died off.

  Then a voice called back, “Stay where you are Dimitrios. The men serve a purpose for us this night."

  "The girl will serve a better purpose. Give me my men."

  It didn't take long before a man appeared around the corner of the church and the door opened and another appeared. Neither of them were the Conte. Both had guns trained on she and Gavriel.

  Gavriel called out again, “I deal with the Conte, or not at all. If he wishes the girl and control of the tablet, he needs to face me, and I want to see my men."

  Calie knew Halsten well enough to know he would be circling around the area, but she wasn't sure of what Josip would be doing, or how Gavriel would react. There were too many uncontrolled variables, but a dragon on your side evened things out. She hoped.

  It wasn't long before they saw Gavriel's men ushered out of the church by another man with a gun aimed at them. Finally, the Conte came out last, and stood to the side, away from Gavriel's men.

  The Conte stared at her. So, he did want her.

  "Where is the tablet?” Gavriel growled.

  "Not where you will find it. What is your plan, once I have the girl and you have your men?"

  "Once I have my men, I wish for you to leave the village in peace."

  "And of the tablet?"

  "You will do what you will with it. I have never had control of its whereabouts. I will be returned whether you have it or not. It will make no difference."

  Calie knew she would try to make the difference this time, if the two men didn't talk each other to death first. This was turning into a B-rate gangster movie, with a bad script.

  She heard the hoot of an owl and knew Halsten was in position.

  "Gav,” she hissed. “Be done with this."

  He never looked at her. Then she felt him tense beside her. She looked beyond the Conte, saw a brief shadow and knew Halsten was creeping toward the Conte.

  "Make the trade now,” she hissed.

  If it was at all possible, he tensed more. The grip on her arm became painful, but she didn't move. It was all about to explode any moment.

  She and Gavriel took several more steps closer until the Conte called for them to stop.

  His attention was focused completely on her, as she wanted it to, and she tugged on her arm for Gavriel to let her loose.

  He shook his head and glared even though his eyes never left the Conte.

  "Let go. He'll not harm me."

  The Conte heard her. “Let her come to me, Dimitrios. Once she is here you can have your men, and we will part."

  "Calie,” Gavriel warned. “No. It is not what we agreed."

  "It is the only way. Trust me.” She knew that was the last thing he wanted to do.

  She twisted out of his grasp, and walked toward the Conte. Her eyes never strayed behind the man but stared steadily on his gun, as if she were afraid.

  It worked and she saw the Conte relax, the closer she got. Just as she reached his side, a commotion behind him erupted. Startled, the Conte grabbed her arm, and whirled her around into his embrace. He brought the gun across her, and fired into the bushes where Halsten was concealed. She lunged against the Conte, but he anticipated her move and swung with his other arm, a glancing blow that connected with the side of her head.

  He fired again. However, she wasn't able to see where, as she scrambled against his legs, knocking him off balance. Through the brush, she saw another man near Halsten, and recognized the monk, Mratin.

  He ran toward the men holding Gavriel's men, and she saw Gavriel in a hand-to-hand battle with them. Why in the world did he not shoot them, or use his fire? They would not have lost another thought in doing the same to him.

  It was happening way to fast, and with little control on her part. She found herself brought up to the Conte's body to protect him. He backed away from the melee. She drug her feet hoping to keep him off balance. He stood with her until the place became quiet as one by one they realized who had control. She looked around. Gavriel glared—,murder in his eyes. Halsten leaned half-out of the bushes, face down and unmoving, which scared her. Mratin crouched beside the boy, Josip. All of the Conte's men were knocked out, or dead. This night had not gone down as expected.

  Gavriel looked dangerous and out of control.

  He was close to losing control of the dragon. He recognized the snarling and surging adrenalin rush. The wildness in him grew dangerous, as the dragon fought for freedom, fought to claim its prize. The woman.

  He saw the fear in her eyes, beseeching him, and wondered if he was mistaken in believing she had a hand in this affair with the Conte. Things had not worked out for her either.

  He saw that Halsten was still alive, but wasn't sure he could be depended on to help, or if he would be capable of it. Mratin had lost his gun in the fray, and his cover was blown. Gavriel was protecting the village men very badly this night, and contemplated that it would be no worse to let the dragon loose.

  The Conte spoke, “Dimitrios, stay as you are. I have what I want, and we leave. Be glad I do not kill all that remain. In several days time, you will belong to me, and we will do well together.” He laughed and stepped back. Then a gurgle escaped his lips.

  Gavriel realized what happened.

  Calie had used the Conte's inattention on her, to grasp her dagger from her boot as she'd sagged against him. She lost no time in planting it in his side, just below his rib cage.

  Gavriel saw her hand reach across her body and imbed in his chest, she attempted to pull away, but the man's strength held her still to him. Incredulous, his eyes bugged out at her. He swore and made a swipe at her across the temples. She lurched away, his blow just glancing off her shoulder. He fell to the ground; she pulled the dagger from him, and held it bloody before her.

  "Where is the tablet?"

  The Conte shook his head, refusing to answer her.

  "Tell me
."

  He laughed.

  Gavriel stood there, looking around at the mess. He had failed. The smugglers didn't get the goods, but at what expense. In three months time he would be summoned back through the tablet and gone for another one hundred years. He would never see her again.

  Mratin stepped closer to Calie. Gavriel walked over at the same time. The Conte was breathing his last breath, and still refused to say. Mratin reached out and touched the girl on her shoulder. “Miss, I believe I know."

  Gavriel shook his head, trying to stop Mratin's speech, but it was too late, she whirled around. What could be her game now?

  "Enough Mratin. We will locate it and make sure it is hidden from all, but for Josip and his descendant to know. For now, let's get the artifacts and see them to the museum, and find out who all needs medical attention.” He was ready to get this affair out of the way, with the way it was fouled up.

  He was surprised when Calie didn't press the issue to find the tablet, but instead shrugged and walked over to Halsten. It was to be expected, she hunkered down and spoke to him. Gavriel didn't bother to hear what she said.

  He turned away and motioning to Mratin, took charge of seeing the men down the mountain.

  Chapter Nine

  It was now time to enjoy her vacation. If enjoy was something she would be able to do. She kept looking over her shoulder, waiting for when Gavriel would find out she had the tablet. It hadn't been hard to feign disinterest while he was caught up with the details of the artifacts being turned into the government officials. It had taken some coercion on Mratin to get him to reveal where it was hidden. She then confronted Petar with the exposure of his part in the crime, with the killing of one of the smugglers, and he'd given it over to her.

  Halsten had a gunshot wound to the thigh. He stretched out on the lounge chair next to her, his leg bandaged, and all he seemed capable of doing was grumbling.

  "For the umpteenth time, Halsten, shut up. It was a graze for god's sake. Took a few stitches, and you're acting as if you got it shot off. If you keep complaining, I'll shoot it off, and then maybe you'll be happy."

  He grumbled some more and leaned down, picked up the tanning oil and held it out to her. “Want to rub some on me, again?"