Finding the Dragon (Dásreach Council Book 1)

by Josette Reuel

  Al felt for her friend. It was so difficult for Nat to open up. Making connections had led to her being hurt so many times in her life. She always seemed so larger than life to Al, but seeing her like this made Nat real, made her approachable. Al reached over and hugged her.

  “I’m glad I met you.” She whispered. “I went downstairs before falling asleep. I ran in to Kai and he kissed me.” Al mumbled into her friends shoulder.

  “What?” Rogue clapped. “Did she just say what I think she said?”

  “I do believe she did.” Nat patted Al’s back. Al hadn’t stopped hugging her friend. It made it so much easier to say what she needed to say.

  “It was just a kiss, but it felt like so much more. I’m not sure where it would have gone… if Malkum hadn’t interrupted us.”

  “Aw, that’s amazin’. Damn, I would love a chance to kiss Malkum and find out if the chemistry is as strong as I think it is.” Rogue shared with them.

  “So what does all of this mean to us and us being locked up in this house?” Nat pushed Al away, not letting her hide in the hug anymore.

  “I have no idea.” Al really wished she did, but she didn’t. “I think all we can do is wait and see what Kai tells us tomorrow. He promised he would have information in the morning for us.”

  “So, we’re just supposed to sit back and accept all of this? Let them tell us what to do?” Nat demanded as she struggled to get up from the bed.

  “Nat, I know you don’t like bein’ told what to do, who does? But, I don’t think we have much of a choice. I’ve been thinkin’ about it since they showed us to the bedrooms, and I think we are safer here.” Rogue got to her knees on the bottom half of the bed closer to Nat.

  “I agree,” Al watched as Nat paced at the foot of the bed. “When we were in the alley it dawned on me, I think everything bad that has happened is connected to those men in the black fatigues. If I’m right, I don’t think they are attacking because of the guys. I think they want one or all of us for some reason.”

  They all went quiet. Al hoped her friends could see the connecting lines between everything the way she did. She didn’t want to be right, she’d much rather be wrong and think they had some chance to finish their vacation as planned and go home. If these men were really after them, how could they be safe?

  Nat stopped, “The one thing I want to know, are we prisoners here? If I choose to leave, will they let me?”

  “What can we do if we are prisoners?” Rogue asked, her concern evident.

  “I hate to say this, but I don’t think there is much we can do until we get answers and the threat those men in black pose is taken care of. We can only hope that it ends quickly.” Al wasn’t sure if she should hope to be a prisoner or if she should be outraged at being forced to the house and then left in this bedroom for hours on her own without the answers that Kai had promised.

  The three of them continued to discuss the events of the last several days in more detail. None of them could figure out any reason why men who were obviously trained would be out for them. Men like them would be employed by someone who pulled the strings. Al could only hope that Kai had some answers. The sooner she was able to get back to her life the better. She felt off kilter. She was confused and unfocused. She missed her routine and being able to talk to the other Book Worms. Not to mention her twisted up gut and tender heart caused by an almost 7-foot man that showed her compassion and humor – making her feel safe at every turn, he was making her depend on him. What would happen when the danger was over and Kai was bored with the mousy girl from Ohio?

  Chapter 14

  Al awoke to a beautiful morning on the bayou and someone knocking on her door. When she had finally fallen asleep again after the gals had left, her rest had been filled with dreams and nightmares, as she had relived every moment since she had left Ohio. She had startled awake several times in the few hours she had lain in the bed. Coming awake with her heart rushing and not immediately knowing where she was. Then Kai’s masculine scent would wrap around her and center her again in the real world. In the light of day, Al wasn’t sure the real world was where she wanted to be.

  Knock. Knock. Knock.

  “Alvena, wake up lass, it’s time for breakfast.” Kai called from the other side of the door.

  Al pulled the covers over her head. She was not ready to confront her emotions about the man behind that door.

  Knock. Knock. Knock.

  “Alvena, come on lass, you’re friends are already in the kitchen having breakfast.”

  Al turned on her back and whipped the blanket off of her upper half. Fine!

  “I’m up.” She huffed as she rolled over and got out of the bed. She stormed to the door and pulled it open. “I’m up!”

  “Good. See you below, lass.” Kai laughed as he held out his hand which was holding her suitcase that she had left at the hotel yesterday. “We had one of the men go and retrieve your bags. Figured you would want your things.”

  Al stood with her arms crossed. She looked at the bag in Kai’s hand, then at his face and to his hand, then the floor. Her life was out of her control and she was not happy about it. This man better give her answers or she was walking out of the damn bayou if she had to. She was so tired of people placating her and making her decisions. She had been rational the night before with her friends, but in the light of day, she was cranky from the lack of sleep and pissed off to realize that once again she was dependent on others.

  “Alvena?” Kai raised his empty hand to her cheek, lightly running his fingers down her jaw before dropping his arm. “We have a lot to talk about and I wanted you to be comfortable. That’s all.”

  Al looked into Kai’s eyes, the bright blue swallowing her. Damn man! Her brain turned to mush every time he was within two feet of her. It made her want to growl and stomp like a wild animal, the way he could make her soften and her blood warm, made her want to do something to dissuade him from acting on their attraction. That or maybe she wanted to pull him in and throw him down on the bed behind her. Instead, she grabbed the suitcase from his hand and slammed the door in his face without saying a word. She heard him laughing as he walked away. The deep chuckling laugh, tugged at all of the places that she tried to ignore.

  *

  After a shower, Al found herself in the large kitchen. The table had been set and someone had made eggs, bacon, and toast. Orange juice sat in a large pitcher in the center of the table. Her friends sat in two chairs on one side, Nat’s plate was empty, but Rogue sat with her fork in hand just moving the food around on her own. Malkum and the other man who had been in the alley sat across from them. Kai was in the process of sitting down beside the blond man as she walked in.

  Al had purposely taken her time, taking a shower and blow drying her hair. She had even applied some eyeliner and eye shadow – the extent of her makeup wearing. She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t done it all to look her best for Kai. Her shower had been a cold one thanks to the man that sat and motioned for her to take a seat across from him in a chair next to Nat. Guys always talked of having to take cold showers and with her blood burning for this man, she had figured anything was worth a try. The freezing water had woken her up and cleared her lack of sleep addled mind. Now, at the sight of him, she was back to the lust filled daze. And, her only wish was for him to feel a fraction of what she was feeling every time she looked at him, but he simply looked down at his plate and began to eat.

  “Good morning, Alvena.” Malkum welcomed her. “Charlie has made scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast. Would you like some coffee?"

  Al stared at Kai, refusing to sit or eat. The man would talk to her or she was leaving. No way was he going to turn her life upside down and then ignore her. She gritted her teeth, crossed her arms, and set her feet. She would give him until the count of ten. Yes, ten. One. Two. Three. Four…

  ***

  Kai was eating a second helping of eggs which were settling in his gut just as well as the first. He heard Malkum gre
et his mate, but she didn’t respond and didn’t sit. After her reaction to her bag, he was afraid she was upset. Now he knew she was.

  He looked up into dark, practically black eyes. The storms of her fury blowing across them like a storm across the ocean. Shite. Her friends had been quiet, but they had sat and ate. Not his mate. She stood staring him down, much like a warrior would. His mate may have started this trip out being easily shocked, but something had changed and she had found her strength. Damn. She looks sexy as hell.

  “Alvena...” he choked out, coughing on a bit of egg that caught in his throat. Charlie pounded him on his back until he waved him off. “Alvena, please eat, lass. I promise we’re going to talk afterwards.”

  She stood for a few more moments before finally sitting stiffly in her seat. He watched as she poured a small amount of juice and grabbed a piece of toast.

  “Who made breakfast?” She asked coolly while looking at Malkum.

  “Charlie did.” He said and motioned to the man that sat between him and Kai.

  Alvena stood back up, leaned over the table and offered Charlie her hand.

  “I saw you last night, but we weren’t introduced. I’m Alvena Anderson.” Charlie glanced quickly at Kai and then took her hand in his.

  “Charlie Gavin.” He said as he quickly shook her hand.

  “Thank you for breakfast Charlie, but I’m not all that hungry this morning.”

  “Alvena, I really wish you would eat something.” Kai said.

  “You know, I really don’t give a flying purple people eater what you want, Kai Darrow. I’ve asked for answers, was promised answers, and I still don't have answers.”

  Kai felt his muscles tense. His mate was more than upset, she was royally pissed.

  “And you will get them, lass. But, we have a lot to cover and I want you to be fortified to handle what we have to tell you.” He looked at Nat and Rogue for some help, but only found two more hostile stares looking in his direction. Having mates was going to be harder than Kai ever thought.

  “You know. Instead of acting like you know what I need. Why don’t we forget the crap and just get down to the information?” Alvena demanded.

  “Here, Here.” He heard Nat mumble.

  Kai looked at his mate. She was the one woman that could make him the happiest or most miserable man on the earth. He had a feeling that she was going to keep him on his toes, that was for sure. He had never seen this side of her, not that he had known her long, but she had always seemed so polite and sweet. He had to admit that he liked this side of her.

  “Alright,” he hesitated, “as you wish.”

  Al looked down her side of the table, first at one friend and then the other. After each nodded at her, all three turned to Kai with determined looks.

  “Okay, we want answers. Who were those men? What do they want? And why are they after us?”

  At that moment, Charlie’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen.

  “It’s the council. Should I answer it?” He looked at Kai.

  “No. No more distractions, the lasses have been patient and deserve the information I promised.” Kai smiled across at Alvena.

  “Maybe it’s not important, yours didn’t ring.” Charlie placed his mobile on the table.

  Kai began to pat his pockets looking for his phone. “Maybe… or maybe I left mine in the office.” He grinned at Charlie.

  “For fucks sake, Kai, you always forget your mobile. How are we ever going to reach you when we need to, if you’re constantly forgetting the thing?” Charlie laughed at his friend. “I swear you do it on purpose.”

  “Yeah, just like forgetting that we’re waiting.” Al huffed.

  “Sorry, love.” Charlie said.

  “Aye, sorry lass.” He looked down the table at Charlie and Malkum. “Why don’t you both turn off your mobiles so we’re not interrupted again?”

  Kai waited until both Charlie and Malkum powered off their phones and Charlie sat his back on the table top and Malkum slipped his into his pocket. No more distractions, no more delays. They really should have discussed how to tell the lasses about the Dásreach, all his friends had done was tell Kai that he should do the talking. Sigh.

  “First I must ask you to listen to everything I have to say, please… just listen and don’t judge until I am done.” Kai said wearily. For being part of the next Council, he and his brothers sure sucked at talking to their mates.

  He wasn’t sure how the women would react, but they had to be told. They needed to fully understand the danger they were in, and how important the three of them were to the three men sitting at the table with them. Kai’s gut twisted. How was he to tell them everything? He had not only his mate, his life, on the line, but that of two of his brothers. So, with another resigned sigh, he began to tell the three women the legend of the first Thirteen and the Dásreach.

  When Kai finished, all three women were staring at him. Their faces showing a multitude of emotions as they digested the story he had told them about his people. He still has so much to tell them. He had to tell them why the mercenaries were after them, which meant he needed to tell them who they were to him and his brothers.

  Alvena looked at her friends and back at Kai, he thought she was going to say something and then she sat back in her seat and just peered across the table at him. Her mouth would open like she was going to speak and then it would immediately snap back shut. This could be good or it could be bad. He took it as a good sign that she wasn’t yelling or running, but it didn't mean she accepted what he told her.

  Nat’s hand smacking down on the table drew everyone’s attention.

  “So.” She began and then stopped to take a breath. “You’re telling us that you believe that you are part of a group of shapeshifters that have been charged with protecting the earth.” Nat stopped and looked at Kai and then at Charlie sitting across from her.

  “Do you believe this?” Nat asked Charlie.

  “Yes, this is our life.” Charlie answered.

  “You know, I have a friend that you men can speak to. I graduated with him when I went back for my psychology degree.” Nat said as she looked at them with compassion.

  “We’re not crazy.” Malkum responded, his eyes never leaving Rogue.

  “This is the truth, Love.” Charlie said to Nat while reaching over to stroke her fingers where they lay splayed on the table top. “I know it's a lot to take in, but you have to understand.”

  “Understand what?” Rogue asked. “That we’ve been kidnapped by a bunch of crazy men?”

  “We’re not crazy.” Malkum reiterated. “We can prove it!" He stated as he stood. His chair slid back with a loud scrape across the wood floor of the kitchen.

  “Malkum.” Kai stopped his friend with the one word. Malkum stood completely still with his hands fisted.

  Rogue stood up, “No one ever thinks they’re crazy, doesn’t mean they’re not.”

  “You sayin’ you don’t believe in things that you can’t explain, cher? I heard about the trip to Miss Cleo.”

  “You… how… you know what, I do believe in the supernatural, but that doesn’t mean I have to believe this.” She slammed back in her seat, glaring at the man across from her.

  “Kai, we need them to believe.” He looked into Rogue’s eyes. “Your safety depends on it.” Malkum grated out through clenched teeth.

  Kai knew his friends were struggling, he understood it, because he felt the same way. His animal guide scratched at his insides, demanding that he take charge and take what was his. But, Kai knew that with women like these, that would not be taken well and they might end up losing them. He would not take that chance. The thought of losing Alvena made him shake with fear and longing.

  “Why?” Alvena said quietly, drawing every gaze to her. Her worried eyes searching Kai’s face for something that he was afraid she wouldn't find. He prayed to the Great Spirit that she would give him the chance to tell her the rest and to explain and show her so
much more.

  “Why what, lass?” Kai asked back.

  “Why…” Alvena stopped and cleared her throat. “Why do you need us to believe? And, why does our safety depend on it?" She asked with more confidence.

  Kai looked over at his friends, his brothers. Malkum still stood. Charlie was sitting back in his chair.

  “Malkum, sit.” Kai said. His friend took in a breath, gave him a nod, and then pulled the chair back to the table with his booted foot and sat.

  Kai looked across the table from his friends. Rogue sat with her seat pushed away from the table looking across it at Malkum, she appeared to be in her own thoughts after the altercation. Nat was focused on her hand that she had clenched to her chest. Last he looked at Alvena. His sweet, spunky, sexy Alvena. He needed the right words. He couldn’t lose her just when he found her. Please Great Spirit, guide my words so that she will know them as truth and accept them.

  “We don’t have all of the facts yet, but those men or men hired by the same man, blew out your tire and planned to explode the gas tank on the car, when it failed they attacked you…” Kai began.

  “Wait, blew out our tire? Explode the gas tank? What are you talking about?” Nat demanded.

  “Rogue’s tire was blown out on I-55 with a small explosive device, love.” Charlie replied.

  “And, another device had been by the gas tank, but had malfunctioned.” Malkum added.

  “And, how do you know that?” Nat asked.

  “I was there when the tire blew and we checked it when you arrived in New Orleans. One of our men found the remnants of the first explosive and, as Malkum said, the other malfunctioned and was still attached to the car. The tire did not blow out from wear or something picked up on the road like you thought.” Charlie said while looking directly in Nat’s eyes. Kai watched the emotions play out on Nat’s face before she shut them down.

  “Why were you there?” She asked coolly.

  “To protect Kai’s mate.” Charlie replied. Shite. Charlie immediately realized what he had said and looked at Kai. Kai gave him a nod to let him know it was alright.