Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale

by Pressley James

  “Dad, I love you,” she mumbled through her tears, and then hugged him close. “I love you, both. Can you ever forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said hoarsely. “Now, we can all live. Kassie would want that.”

  Several moments later, she was alone again.

  The sterile scents wafted up her nose.

  The wall clock counted off the minutes as the second hand ticked loudly.

  She closed her eyes.

  “Please, let it work this time,” she prayed. “And I do have faith that you can make things right. Please, God, make things better---please let me see again.”

  A hush settled over the room.

  Immediately, she was filled with an inner peace.

  And in her heart, she knew that things would turn out fine.

  The door creaked softly.

  “Mom, Dad---are you back already?” she asked with a small laugh. “I’m fine. I---”

  “It’s me.”

  She stilled in the small bed.

  Her heart leapt in her chest.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Yes,” she whispered tremulously, keeping her back to the door.

  Xander closed the door behind him.

  She stiffened as he stopped alongside the bed.

  “Can I sit down?” he asked hesitantly.

  She nodded her head.

  Then, she turned to face him.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” she whispered quietly. “And you, how-w are you?”

  He sighed heavily.

  “Good,” he finally said. “Has Prince driven you crazy yet? I know that he can be quite difficult in his thinking at times.”

  “Prince has been great,” she said with a smile. “And he’s taken real good care of me.” Hesitation played in her voice. “I can never thank you enough for everything that you’ve done for me. I know that we didn’t part on the best of terms, and I’m sorry about that.”

  “Don’t apologize. If there was anyone to blame, it was me.”

  Fresh tears sprung to her eyes.

  “Well, there’s no point in us talking about what’s happened. Let’s leave it there,” she added with regret and gripped the sheet tighter in her hands. “And thank you for supporting me through this.”

  Her heart leapt as he grasped her hand in his.

  “I’ll always be here for you, Nicole. No matter what.”

  “Thank you,” she said hoarsely, and her eyes swelled with fresh tears. “Look at me. You’d think that I’d have myself together by now. I just can’t stop crying.”

  “It’s okay to be scared. And I don’t want you to ever think that you have to hide anything from me.”

  “Which Xander am I with now?” she asked softly, “the Xander who wants to be with me, or the one who’s trying to run from me as fast as he can?” Her hand tightened around his. “I’m sorry. I promised myself that I wouldn’t pressure you any longer.”

  With reluctance, she released his hand.

  His sigh was heavy. “I see that your parents are here. Are things okay with them?”

  She frowned.

  Why wasn’t she surprised that he was evading the real issue?

  Their feelings.

  “Yes, they are. We’ve made peace, and, finally, now, I can face my tomorrows with no regrets.”

  “It seems like your life is turning around, and you’re getting everything that you’ve ever wanted. I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured again, and then hesitated. “Will you be here when I awaken?”

  “I’ll be here,” he vowed, and hesitation played in his own voice. “Nicole, there are some things that we need clear up between us. You have a right to know where we stand--”

  His words ended abruptly as the surgeon sailed into the room.

  “How’s everyone doing?” the surgeon asked brightly, flipping back the chart before sifting through the sheaf of papers. He peered over his gold-rimmed glasses as he stared at Nicole in the bed. “Are you ready to get this over with young lady?”

  “Yes,” she gulped slowly. “More ready than I’ll ever be.”

  “That’s exactly what I want to hear,” the doctor said cheerfully, moving for the door again. “We’ll be going in a few minutes. Take a little more time with your husband.”

  The door closed behind him again.

  “I’m sorry, Xander. I should have told him---”

  He placed a finger against her lips to hush her. “Shhh, it’s okay. I don’t need or want you to worry about anything.”

  “Xander, I’m scared.”

  “Come here,” he murmured, pulling her into his arms, and then hugged her close. He rested his chin against her head. “Everything’s going to work out just like you’ve wanted.”

  “You promise?” she whispered against his chest.

  “Promise.”

  And in her heart, she prayed that her ‘everything’ included him.

  ***

  Xander glanced through the solar panel overhead.

  Evening had finally come.

  The hazy film of clouds waltzed across the darkened sky like a graceful dancer, partially hiding the pale, quarter moon.

  The emergency bell pealed lightly.

  And then a nurse nasally made an announcement over the intercom.

  Through the waiting room’s glass window, the long narrow hallway seemed endless. With interest, he noted the physicians and nurses as they scurried along it hurriedly. Intermittently, they’d converse and compare charts before speeding away again with heart monitors or some other medical device.

  A pensive feeling swept through him.

  He hated hospitals.

  Too much pain and heartbreak danced along the spotless corridors.

  And he’d witnessed enough today, that he’d had his fill.

  He frowned as the lights flickered overhead.

  Strange, he mulled quietly.

  For the past few hours, they’d been dancing precariously.

  His gaze swung around the waiting room.

  Nursing steaming cups of coffee, her parents huddled at the pay phone. Mary stared up at her husband tearfully as he consoled her.

  His eyes snapped away from them.

  Leslie lay curled up on the short taupe sofa sound asleep.

  And interestingly enough, Princeton’s dark stare was riveted on her.

  Xander straightened in the armchair.

  Finally, Princeton looked his way.

  The lights flickered again.

  “I’m going to check things out,” he said uneasily, moving to stand.

  “No. Stay here,” Princeton ordered sternly. “When they come out with news about Nicole, you need to be here.”

  “You’re right,” he agreed with a curt nod.

  The cool breeze rushed past him as Princeton departed.

  Finally, Dr. Peters and the surgeon trailed down the long hallway.

  Within seconds, they’d joined them in the waiting room.

  “I have some good news,” the surgeon said, peering over his gold-rimmed glasses. “Nicole pulled through surgery just fine.”

  “Thank God,” Mary whispered on the verge of tears. She gripped her husband’s hand tightly. “Will she see again?”

  Holding his breath, he stood up slowly, holding his breath.

  Please, he whispered silently.

  His relief was palpable as both doctors gave pleased smiles.

  “Nicole will make a full recovery. We’re not being presumptuous. In the next day or so, we’ll remove her full bandages. And the world is hers again,” Dr. Peters answered, his voice thick with emotion.

  “Thank you for all that you’ve done,” John said, clasping the doctor’s hand tightly. “We’re indebted to you forever.”

  “There’s a good girl that you’ve got there,” Dr. Peters said affectionately. “And I’m glad that our miracle finally happened. Right now, she’s in recovery, and once she’s out, we’ll be movin
g her to the 18th floor. Then, she’ll be allowed visitors. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

  Both doctors nodded before they departed.

  “Oh, John,” Mary murmured, finally dissolving into relieved tears.

  “It’s all over, sweetheart. She’ll be fine. Come on, let’s take a walk,” John said, embracing his wife. Surprisingly, the man nodded at him courteously before they departed the waiting room.

  “Is everything okay?” Leslie asked anxiously as she sat up. Then, she stood. “Is Nicole out of surgery?”

  “Yes, she is,” he answered. “She pulled through it just fine, and the doctors expect a full recovery.”

  “Thank God,” Leslie said teary-eyed as she stood up. “I’m going to get some fresh coffee. Want some?”

  “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

  Finally, he was alone.

  He sagged down into the armchair again.

  Relief surged through him, and finally, he smiled.

  She’d be okay.

  ***

  She struggled past the dense fog of unconsciousness. “Xander? she mumbled in confusion, and then awakened fully.

  She winced as the pain split through her head.

  Then, her thoughts cleared.

  She was out of surgery.

  And out of recovery.

  Her hands shook as she reached up.

  She touched the edges of the thick bandage.

  Carefully, it was positioned around the middle of her head, finally wounding around to shield her eyes. Beneath it, some of her hair was plastered to her skull while the remaining tresses touched her shoulders.

  She sucked in a hard breath.

  Her lips were cracked.

  And a part of her face still felt numb.

  She tensed as the silence seemed to deafen her.

  A foreboding feeling snaked over her as she sat up in the hospital bed.

  Cautiously, she wiggled her cramped fingers.

  Unsurprisingly, the adhesive tape kept the intravenous tube carefully positioned on her left hand.

  She pulled at the gown’s neckline with her free hand.

  Even now, she felt stifled.

  Clumsily, she searched for the nurse’s call button.

  The door came open slowly.

  Then, it closed softly.

  Soft footsteps treaded into the room.

  “Thank-k you, nurse. I was just about to call you,” she mumbled groggily. “Could you please get me some water to drink?”

  Strangely, the nurse stayed quiet.

  “I-I need water,” she repeated again. “My throat is dry.”

  A ragged cough racked through her as she shifted in the bed.

  “Nicole,” Jessie said meekly. “It’s me.”

  Stunned surprise shot through her.

  “Jessie?” she asked quietly, confusion marring her features, and then gasped as the violent pain exploded in her head again. “Is that you?”

  “Yes,” the child mumbled tearfully. “You’re still my friend, aren’t you?”

  “Of course,” Nicole said gently, trying to smile. “We’ll always be friends. Are you visiting someone in the hospital?”

  “Yes,” Jessie said meekly again. “We came to see you.”

  She suppressed a frown.

  Why?

  It’s not if they were close family or anything.

  “Where are your parents?” she inquired instead.

  “It’s just Mom and me.”

  “Ms. Williamson,” Jessie’s mother interrupted. “We apologize for inconveniencing you, but this couldn’t wait.”

  “O-okay,” she stammered uncomfortably.

  Suddenly, she felt exposed.

  She dragged the sheet higher over her thin gown.

  “I’m Brooke White. I hate that we’re just formally meeting. While we’ve run into you before, it wasn’t of the right circumstances,” the woman apologized, grasping her hand in hers. “At least not on our parts.”

  The apprehension filled her as she pulled free. “Why are you here?”

  “Can I sit down?” Brooke inquired softly.

  “Please,” she nodded, sitting up in the bed.

  “Thank you,” Brooke offered politely, falling into the chair. “Jessie, I want you to wait over there by the window.”

  “But, Mom---”

  “Jessie, just do as I say,” the woman said sharply.

  As she heard the child scuffle away, she frowned. “Is something wrong?” she asked, ignoring the sharp pain as it split through her again.

  “I’m afraid everything is,” Brooke laughed humorlessly. “And I know that what I’m about to say to you isn’t going to make any sense, or even seem plausible.”

  “I don’t have any reason not to believe you---”

  “What I’m about to tell you is incredible, far-fetched, unbelievable,” Brooke went on in a hurried rush. “I just pray that you’ll be open to what I’m about to say. It’s about Larry---”

  “Larry?” she cut in sharply.

  An alarm bell went off in her head.

  “My husband,” the woman hedged cautiously. “Larry Gates.”

  “No,” she said, taking a deep breath as she shook her head. The faintness threatened to take her under as she swooned in the bed.

  “Ms. Williamson!” Brooke shouted in concerned, jumping up, and grabbed hold of her quickly. “Take it---”

  “I’m going to call the police!” she said trembling, shoving the woman away. Her hands shook as she jabbed for the nurse’s call button. “He has to be stopped---”

  “I know! I know!” Brooke said frantically, knocking the small chair over as she backed away. “That’s why I’m here. There are things that you must know about---”

  “Please, Nicole!” Jessie cried out, running to the bed. The child’s hands shook violently as she grabbed hers. “Please, just listen to Mom. You’ll understand then. I tried to tell you before, but you wouldn’t listen. No one would listen!”

  Jessie threw herself across her in helpless sobs.

  “Shhh, it’s okay. I’m listening now,” she consoled the child gently, her own chin quivering. “Mrs. White, go on. But, after you’ve had your say, I’m going to tell the police everything. Do you understand me?”

  “You will never understand the magnitude of this,” Brooke whispered tearfully, her voice now sounding far away. And judging from it, she was now at the window. “For nights now, I’ve been plagued with nightmares. The surreal nature of them is too real, and what’s even more horrifying is that when you wake up, the nightmare still rages. I don’t know if I can live with what I’ve done or with what’s happened.”

  “I understand the feeling,” she agreed faintly. “In these last months, I’ve had my own share of night terrors. There’s nothing more horrifying than that feeling of entrapment. It’s so suffocating---like you’re facing the end.”

  “Six months ago, I met Larry,” Brooke went on indistinctly. “And when a man like him approaches you, you don’t turn away from him, you run to him. Back then, he seemed like every woman’s dream---sophisticated, handsome, and charming. He exuded a deadly sex appeal that devoured me.”

  The silence was deafening in the room now.

  “I thought I’d landed the perfect man. I mean, here I was working tables at the local café, and in walks my Mr. Wonderful. He was to die for. Black haired, blue-eyed, sexy…well, you get the picture. I was smitten. Nothing and anything mattered but him.” She cleared her throat nervously. “But, from the beginning, Jessie warned me about him, and she’s always been a sharp kid. She saw past the façade and saw him for the monster that he really is.”

  “Before now, has he ever shown any signs that he was unstable?” she asked pointedly, smoothing Jessie’s soft tresses as she quieted.

  “I don’t want to be graphic, especially since there’s a child in the room,” Brooke added cryptically, setting the chair upright before pulling it alongside the bed again. “Sweetie, are you okay, now? Never will I put a
nything before you again. Not ever. Come here.” The child broke into fresh sobs as her mother pulled her into her arms. “You will always come first.”

  As she listened to their exchange, she swallowed past the lump in her throat. It was more than evident that Brooke loved her daughter.

  “Now, I want you to a good girl, and go blow your nose, okay?” Brooke suggested gently. “Take a potty break, too. It’s been hours since you’ve been to the restroom.”

  “Ok, Mom,” Jessie agreed with a renewed meekness before bolting for the adjoining bathroom, and then slammed the door shut behind her.

  “My poor baby has been through enough because of me,” Brooke continued with a sigh. “And I can at least spare her some of the sordid details. I just didn’t want her to hear this.”

  “Tell me,” she demanded, eager to learn more about the stalker that eluded them for weeks. “I want to know everything.”

  “In the beginning, our relationship started out blissful enough. We were just like any other couple. It’s just been this last month or so when things have changed, especially our sex life. Admittedly, I’m no saint. And when it comes to sex games, I can get pretty kinky myself,” the woman said, and she heard the embarrassment in her tone. “When it started, I didn’t want to admit that these new games Larry and I were playing were just too weird, if that’s even possible.”

  She frowned again. “I’m not trying to pry nor do I need a full apt description of your sexual exploits, but what kinds of things?”

  “He’d make me pretend that I was about to cross into the afterlife. After he’d secure me to the bed fully naked, he’d anchor stakes at my heels and chant a strange riddle that I couldn’t make sense of,” Brooke offered quietly. “At first, I was turned on by it. But, then it always turned creepy. He’d always tie a sash around my eyes. The mystery of everything is what makes sex great, he’d say. Then, he’d instruct me to go by my feelings. And that’s when it started---his feedings.”

  “Feedings?” she asked confusedly. “What do you mean feedings?”

  “My blood. He fed on it like it was fresh nectar. And it left him in an elated state that’s totally unexplainable.”

  “Your blood? Was he trying to live out some hyped-up cannibalistic lifestyle through kinky sex?” she broke in sharply.