Devon held the tickets close to her heart. “Thank you.”
The man motioned toward the row of orange chairs. “Have a seat. I’ll call a steward to bring you to the VIP lounge. It’s more comfortable there.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Devon returned to the plastic chair and sat down to wait, wondering if she should use the time to buy a book or magazine to help keep her mind off Beau and Jace, but she couldn’t muster the energy to budge. Worry set in. “Don’t do this to yourself,” she muttered. They were grown men and they could take care of themselves. Not contacting them and drawing unwanted attention their way was the smartest, most selfless thing she could do, but damn, it was hard not to wonder.
Part of her wished they wouldn’t risk shifting to dragon form and simply find their way home as men. She half considered linking with Beau and telling him exactly that, but stopped herself. The best thing she could do for Beau and Jace was to leave them alone until the world was no longer watching her like a hawk.
A crisply uniformed steward approached. “Miss Mitchell, may I escort you to the VIP lounge?” He bowed with a flourish.
Devon rose and followed the steward to a private elevator that opened to an elegant room decorated in soothing shades of tan and coffee brown, overlooking the runway.
Gesturing toward a cushy chair, the steward motioned for her to sit. “Would miss care for some champagne?”
Wow, this was almost too good to be true. “Yes, I would love some.” Devon glanced around in awe. This place was nice.
The steward walked away to get the champagne.
Devon sat and allowed herself to sink deep into the comfortable chair, closing her eyes.
“Is this seat taken?” A woman with a soft French accent stood near.
Devon glanced up to see a chic, middle-aged woman with upswept dark hair with a flick of gray. The woman was dressed in a black pantsuit, interrupted by a single splash of colorful silk artfully knotted around her throat. Her large, oval sunglasses lent her the overall appearance of Jacqueline Onassis on holiday.
Despite the many empty chairs nearby, the woman selected a seat directly beside Devon and pointed at Devon’s carry-on luggage. “May I?” She reached toward the bag.
“Hey! What are doing?” Devon’s first impulse was to defensively clutch the bag against her chest. What the hell did this woman want with her luggage?
“Please, I’m here to help,” the woman insisted. She spoke with such confident reassurance Devon found herself easing her grip on the bag and handing it over to the lady.
The woman thrust her hand into the unzipped bag and blindly searched for something. “Ah, here it is.” She smiled and pulled her hand from the bag, displaying a flat silver disk the size of a tiny button in the center of her palm. “You’re being tracked. The man who approached you in the terminal was very clumsy. Most aren’t. You must learn to spot them and never give them the opportunity to plant homing devices such as these on your person. This device is quite large. I’ve seen them the size of a pinhead.”
The woman dropped the silver disk into a cup of fizzing soda water. She leaned closer. “What about your memory card? Have you checked and deleted its contents from your camera?”
Her mouth gaped. “Who are you?”
“Someone who understands what you’re going through.”
“That’s not a name.”
The woman crossed her long legs with grace. “If there is a secret society devoted to the persecution of dragons, is it so hard to believe that there is a covert underground society of women equally devoted to protecting the Marduko’s secrets?”
Devon froze. Maybe she wasn’t alone. A burst of hope welled to the surface. There were others in the same situation. She noticed the woman wore two chunky gold wedding bands on her left hand. “What should I do?”
“I can’t tell you what to do. You’ll have to make your own choices, but I will share this: despite trouble and tragedy, I would do it all again. I would rather have a brief taste of something wonderful than a lot of dullness. But I’m French, and we say that kind of thing even if we don’t always mean it.” The lady flashed a brief but dazzling smile. “I wish we could simply sit and talk. We have so much to share, but this is not the time or place.” Rising, she smoothed her pants. “We are finished for now, but we will meet again. I must leave. I have a few false trails to lay so Commander Vorden can waste a little more of his misguided life chasing them.” She strolled toward the elevator.
“Wait!” Devon stood. “You didn’t tell me your name.”
“I don’t need to.” The woman lifted her sunglasses and gazed back at her with dramatic brown eyes that looked exactly like Jace’s. She lowered her sunglasses, turned, and walked inside the elevator. A moment later the doors closed, and the woman disappeared.
The steward strode into the lounge carrying a tray with a champagne flute balanced on it. He walked up to Devon and offered her the beverage.
“Thank you.” Devon reached for the slender flute and sipped. The champagne was fruity, dry, and so very light, but what she needed now were a few throat-burning shots of tequila.
14
Devon woke in her apartment feeling disoriented and very jet-lagged. It had been a huge mistake to drink all the free champagne she’d been offered in first class, and she was paying the price now.
For a moment she wished she were in her sun-warmed hut about to be greeted by a group of giggling children. She ached at the thought of how far away Jace and Beau were. Most likely they were still on the African continent, which might as well have been the far side of the galaxy.
Dragging herself out of bed, she slipped her arms through her bathrobe sleeves, and prayed she had some home-roasted coffee beans in her freezer. She sighed with relief when she saw a full bag. Coffee was the first thing on her list of necessities; everything else could wait. She made a pot of fragrant brew, poured a cup, and began to believe the world might not fall apart.
Her phone rang loudly on the dock. Arcona’s number displayed; she always saw the logical aspects of issues and told her exactly what she thought. Snatching the phone, she hoped she didn’t sound as needy as she felt. “Hello, I’m so glad you called!”
“Devon, I’ve been so worried about you. What is all this stuff on the news? Do you even know what I’m talking about? I read that Kibo the bush guide has a new reality show. He’s the next Bachelor! It’s dragon mania everywhere you look. What the hell is going on?”
“Do I get to talk?” Devon laughed. She almost started to cry at the sound of a familiar voice. “Or are you just going to ask questions?”
Arcona sounded agitated, “I had this weird feeling that something was seriously wrong. I’m so relieved to hear your voice. I’m calming down now, and I’m ready to listen. Please tell me your side of the story, and tell me you’re all right.”
“I’m okay.”
“Thank God. Do you think there is a connection between all this and that weird shop we visited in Salem?”
Even though there was no one close, Devon cupped her hand around the phone and whispered, “Without doubt there’s a connection.”
“Wow.” Arcona gulped a deep breath. “So, it happened to you too?”
“What do you mean, it happened to me too? Why are you being so cryptic?”
“I mean the wish stone. What happened after you made the wish?”
Devon exhaled. “Where do I start? If I don’t choose my words carefully, I’ll sound like a nutcase.”
“Nope. I promise you won’t sound nutty to me.”
Arcona’s voice was like loving reassurance to Devon’s ears. “I haven’t told you anything yet, but I already feel so much better just knowing I can. Basically, I’m just a little shaken. I had to return early and had a bump on the head. Nothing serious, but I’m okay now.”
“And what else?” Arcona’s words hung heavy.
Where to start? “I fell in love. To be honest, I think I’ve been in love for a little while
.”
“That was fast. With who?”
“Two wonderful men.” There, she said it, and it wasn’t that difficult.
“Two?” Arcona giggled. “Aren’t you being a tad greedy? Do I know them?”
“No. They’re something different. You’ve never met two men like this.”
“Don’t be so sure. Lately I’ve met some very unusual men, emphasis on unusual.”
What was Arcona getting at? “These guys are on the far edge of unusual.”
“So far I’m with you one hundred percent. You can tell me anything. I’m shockproof. Watching the news, I’m not sure when you found the time to fall in love. Why did you leave Kenya? Did your new guys come home with you?”
“They couldn’t.” Devon sighed. “We had to travel separately.”
“Why?”
“Because there are some bad men who want to kill them—”
“Oh.” Arcona’s voice sank and her tone expressed so much.
“Yeah, it’s bad. I don’t even know if I should be saying anything into an unsecured phone.”
“What? Now you’re sounding paranoid. I knew something was terribly wrong when you came home early.”
Devon smiled at her friend’s exasperation. “You didn’t ask about the good stuff—and it was damn good.”
“I’m just happy to hear your voice and know you’re okay. You’re really okay, right? Those wish stones can be a pretty crazy ride, but I don’t need to tell you that, do I?”
She might as well say it. “Something extraordinary happened to me. I’ll need time to figure it all out, but it’s so hard. I just want to be with them so badly.”
“Then go to them.”
“I can’t.” Her voice quivered. “It’s too dangerous for them.”
A moment of silence followed on Arcona’s side. “Good Lord, what have you gotten yourself into?”
“Do you know that feeling when you’re certain you would risk pain or death, anything to spare someone you care about from harm?”
“I do know that feeling.”
“I’m feeling it now. Part of me wants to run outside the apartment and find them, and part of me knows if I do that, I might cause a lot of trouble for them. I’m so torn.”
“Just tell me what the situation is. I won’t judge you.”
Ha! If Arcona only knew what the problem was, she wouldn’t be so quick to say she wouldn’t judge. “You promise to be open-minded? My story gets a little weird.”
“I’m going to count to ten. If you don’t start talking by then, I’ll hang up, and the next time we speak will be face-to-face. Don’t make me drive to the airport. I’m your best friend. I know where to find you.”
Devon knew immediately that Arcona wasn’t joking. She released a tense breath before beginning. “I’m going to tell you, but you’re not going to believe me.”
“Trust me. I have my own epic story to tell that seems outlandish even to me, and I lived it. Someday when we are sitting together, I’ll tell you everything. So, go ahead, tell me your story.”
Now Devon was intrigued by Arcona’s comment. “Did you meet that new man you’re seeing, Tyr, through the wish stone and not at some stupid car rally like you told me?”
“Um. Uh. Yes.” Arcona sounded smug. “Actually, Tyr’s moved in. He’s definitely a keeper, like keep him forever.”
“Are you thinking of getting marri—”
“Yep, we’re thinking sometime in the spring. This one’s the one. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
She had to ask. “You said he was unusual. How unusual? Wish stone unusual?”
“Tyr was a Dacian gladiator in ancient Pompeii.” Arcona said it like she was reading a grocery list.
“Shut up! No way.” Okay, maybe telling Arcona about her two dragons wasn’t going to be so difficult after all.
“It’s true. He’s a man from another age and he’s the perfect guy for me.”
Whoa! Were the wish stones capable of this? “How can any of this be possible?”
“Who knows?” Arcona sounded jubilant. “Call it magic or parallel worlds. It feels real. Does it need a label? I swear that shop in Salem is a door to another realm, and I’m damn glad I walked through it! My life has totally changed. Tyr’s the man I always wanted. He’s a whiz at work too. You should see how fast he identifies ancient objects on the university’s sorting tables. All my coworkers are jealous, for a number of reasons.”
Relief welled inside Devon. Now she was ready to spill her guts. “You and Tyr are genuinely happy? Things are working?” she asked with caution.
“Yes.”
“I wonder if things can work for me? I want them to, but there are issues.”
“What issues? Do the guys treat you well?”
“We haven’t spent much time together, but so far they’ve been amazing. It feels—” She hesitated. “—natural to be with them both, as if this should always have been. I’m probably a fool for speaking so early.”
“Don’t say that. I don’t feel foolish about accepting Tyr into my life. It’s the best thing I ever did. Can I tell you something I discovered? It seems we spend our lives chasing our destinies, longing for the perfect fit and something special, but when we catch up to it, it’s never what we were expecting. It’s a little scary, isn’t it, to be handed a big surprise?”
Devon bit down on her lip. “It’s very scary. My two guys definitely come with conditions to deal with. What’s interesting is they seem so sure about me. They’ve already opened up and expressed that they want a commitment.”
“So soon?” Arcona sounded wary. “Why?”
Was she ready to say dragons and hear Arcona scream? No. “They’re from a different culture.”
“I shouldn’t be saying so soon to you. It’s not fair in this situation. I knew after my first night with Tyr that what I felt for him was real. How does it feel with your fellows? Are you ready for more?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it feels right. Isn’t that funny? All my life I’ve struggled to commit to one partner, and now I can’t wait to commit to two! Am I insane?”
“Damn. Two men.” Arcona whistled into the phone. “I thought I was lucky, but you, you found two men who want to cherish you and fulfill your every desire. So what are the cultural differences?”
“They’re sophisticated, professional types.” Devon braced. How could she put this? “They’re also bisexual dragon shifters from a dying alien world who happen to be only half human.”
“Holy fuck!” Arcona’s breath sputtered. “What have you done!”
For the first time in a long time, Devon laughed. All her fears and trepidations rolled out in laughter, to the point she became hysterical and started hyperventilating.
“Devon, are you okay? Devon, answer me, or I’m going to call 911.”
Devon tried to reassure her friend she was okay but had difficulty. Nerves, exhaustion, and the full outrageousness of her situation poured forth in a loud burst of sobbing, hysterical laughter that rolled on and on. She finally composed herself, tears trickling down her cheeks. “It’s all good. I’m okay.”
“You scared the crap out of me. It sounds so bad over the phone. Like madness. I didn’t know what to do. I know it’s early on, but you wouldn’t be willing to take risks for these men if you didn’t see the possibility of this love lasting, right?”
“I want something that lasts, but this situation is complicated. I just don’t know what to hope for. Do I really want this to work, or do I want to put this in the wow, that was interesting but I’m glad it’s over’ column?”
“Speaking for myself, the wish-stone experience was a blessing. I am qualified to say it is a once-in-many-lifetimes opportunity that won’t be offered again. My advice is don’t waste it. Just accept what’s been offered and make it work for you.”
“What will people think of me for being in love with and committed to two men?”
“I don’t know. Should it matter what stra
ngers think if it’s the right thing for you? I guess you need to get comfortable with the idea and start believing you deserve this. By the way, what are you going to tell your mother?”
“What did you tell yours?” Devon laughed harder.
“I lied. I had to, at least for now. But she’s met Tyr and loves him. She even made him her pineapple upside-down cake.”
“So you think this situation is a good one?” Devon still had a hard time accepting the fact that her best friend found her unusual circumstances workable.
“I say go for it, Devon. You’ll regret it forever if you don’t give it a fair chance. The only thing that matters is what’s in your heart. Do you truly think this could be love?”
“I’m not sure. There’s a heavy side to all this, and a lot of risk. Everything is so new. I’m still getting used to it. I care for both of them in different ways.”
“Why not explore those feelings? What’s the rush? I’m taking it one day at a time with Tyr, and it’s working. He’s such a good man, and he’s so smart. I swear, you will faint the first time you see him without a shirt. I want you to meet him in person.”
Now she felt buoyed. “You do realize you’re bragging shamelessly.”
“I know!” Arcona hesitated. “But I am so glad I followed my heart and took a chance on the unknown. Now as for you, no one said you had to get married and start a family eight o’clock Monday morning. Do it as a trial run. If you like it, you can continue. If you don’t, no harm, no foul.”
“True.”
“It might be a good thing to slow down a little.”
Hadn’t she been saying that to Jace all along? “This could be the best thing that ever happened to me, or the worst. I’m offering my heart to two men who seem to be on some fanatical group’s hit list.”
“Why don’t you just lie low for a while and see if you have a change of heart?”
“You’re right. I think I need to pull back and think about this for at least a few days. Why am I pressuring myself to make a commitment? There’s no rush.”
“That’s my girl. Now you’re making the right decision.”
Sirens and Scales Page 438
