“Why are you afraid, Blake?” Zoe asks
“Because you might kill me for what I am about to tell you. Because I truly do want the life that the half-bloods at Kaiden’s home have. Because I do want my sister to have a happy and full life. Because I want to be a part of your family.”
“You heard us then in the car?” You took off the headphones?”
“Yes”
“Now or after he speaks?” John asks
“You better start talking half-blood before you have three very pissed off Dragons beating you to a pulp.” Gabe hisses at him
“There were two different plans that we were given the night we were sent to the cabin. The initial plan was to kill Kaiden and Justine and capture Zoe. But father knew you had someone watching over you since two of my brothers kept getting beat up without seeing anyone do the actual beating. Father knew that you would try to take one or all of us alive. We were to tell you just enough for you to take us with you. I am supposed to find Vivi and where the Ireland Sect is located, and then, lead you all into his camp.” Blake hesitates taking a drink of his juice. He then stares at his plate and begins again.
“As soon as I called and told him she was dead he knew I was lying. It was a code word. Kyle and Kael was the code word. My brothers were Jacob and Sean. I don’t want to lead any of you to his camp. Marcus isn’t even held at his base camp. Marcus is at the secondary camp where he will send all the pregnant mothers and the small children. Any child under twelve will be there.”
Blake looked at the others, the two new ones were gripping the table, and were full of rage. They were very young, but he knew they were strong. Zoe looked hurt and so did Justine. Kaiden looked like he knew Blake was lying and Gabe looked like he was about to murder him.
“I am sorry. My father is in Alaska. He is near Bristol Bay just on the south side of town. The secondary location is east of town. The secondary location will have no guards as I am supposed to lead you to the main location. If you send in the right people you can have her father out tomorrow. And there is something else.”
Kaiden’s phone rang then breaking the tension in the room. It was Mr. Steinman.
“Hello?”
“That is great news let me put Mary on with you she can give you the address and can you have them overnight the stuff here? Thank you”
Kaiden hands the phone to Mary and she quickly gives him the address. Kaiden looks to John and Tia and smiles at them
“Your packages have been located and hopefully will be here tomorrow.” He tells them but they just nod and stare at Blake.
“The something else?” Zoe asks
“How many days has it been since I made the call?”
“Four”
“Ok well all my brothers and sisters have been called in. They would all be in Alaska by now. So if you turned you would be safe to fly. Also-”
He was cut off again by Kaiden’s phone.
“Hello?” he didn’t even look at the caller id this time
“Kaiden its Charles”
This time they all could hear the deep voice on the other line and Kaiden sat there and continued the conversation. Blake and Mary were the only ones that could not hear.
“Charles my favorite man I have some news for you”
“Save your news son, I have some of my own. What is the closest airport to you?”
“What? Why?”
“I need to know where you are, I am coming to you.”
“Hot Springs” Gabe whispers so Blake would not hear
“Did you get that Charles?”
“Loud and clear, I hired a jet I will see you tonight. Kaiden I have reports that the Half-bloods here have all left and ones in other countries are gone too.”
“Yes it seems we have been set up again and played a fool, they have all been called home and are awaiting our arrival.”
“Hmm well that is good and bad news. Don’t let him speak anymore I will talk to him when I get there. Have you gotten a location?”
“We can do that and yes we know where his father is.”
Blake pales and looks down at his plate. He feels sick now and just wants to crawl in a hole.
“See you soon Charles.”
“Kaiden do me a favor and go turn I am bringing some friends and some need to be turned for what I have planned.”
“Oh? You’re not going to tell me are you?
“Nope, see you soon kiddo the jet is waiting.”
Chapter 29
“Sorry Blake but you don’t get to finish talking.” Gabe says and stands to take him back downstairs.
Blake starts to cry and hangs his head low he whispers because he can’t talk any louder “I am truly sorry please believe me. I just want to save my sister.”
Gabe takes him back downstairs and chains him back to the floor and walks back upstairs. The women are all cleaning the kitchen and the table. And John and Kaiden are sitting in the living room. Gabe walks to the living room to join the men.
“What do you think that is about?” Gabe asked
“Well it has to be good. Charles has never once told me it was ok to turn. He always told me that it wasn’t safe unless I was home. I am just so confused right now I don’t know which way to go.”
“Well man if he says to turn what the hell you waiting for, go take her back there and get busy.” John laughs
“I am nervous ok? She is well, and I am not, and I don’t want to force it, and I would really like to fly. I really miss that feeling.”
“Dude you have flown?” John asks
“Yes I told you my parents used to take me up.”
“Right, sorry man was a lot to take in.” John says
They all stand their staring at the girls and lost in thought. Gabe has to be in town in a couple hours and is torn at his choices. Gabe stares outside at the sunny blue sky and exhales loudly.
“Well I guess I need to start heading to town. Either way we can’t do it until tonight when the midnight sky will hide us from the humans.” And as he finished his sentence, a rumble filled the air, and the loud crack that followed made them jump. The sky turned black in a second and the heavens started to cry big fat wet tears.
Gabe and Kaiden looked at each other and smiled.
“I think this is a sign that we need to turn and like right now.” Gabe said and Justine turned around and just stared at him a silly grin sliding into her lips. She runs to Gabe and they are off and down the hall before Kaiden can look to Zoe.
Zoe is also grinning and Tia swats her on the butt. Zoe takes a step toward Kaiden and then launches herself across the room and into his arms.
John and Tia just stand there grinning at each other. They know what is about to happen and they go to the backyard to get ready. Mary is confused and stands at the window to watch the two teens dance in the rain.
The sky is still black and the rain does not seem to have an end. The thunder is loud and the lightning is fierce. It cracks through the sky and illuminates the hills. There is a loud commotion in the back and soon Justine and Gabe are running outside almost naked as the day they were born. Soon after them Zoe and Kaiden come barreling down the hall and through the back door. Mary watches in amazement as six large Dragons appear on her lawn. She rushes outside, tears streaming her face as they take flight and soar through the air. It is fascinating to watch from the ground.
A second later she is swooped into the air and cradled in huge black talons. Mary cannot tell if this is Gabe or Justine, but she truly doesn’t care. She is flying in the rain and it feels so incredible. She is going up and down and side to side and then is placed back on the ground and a loud roar rips the air.
The skies were once again blue and sunny. Gabe and Justine lay in the grass with Kaiden and Zoe next to them. Tia and John were still dancing away. They were all excited and in a perpetual bliss.
Mary broke the moment by yelling at them to get some clothes on. The boys laughed and got up. They took the girls inside and the
y all got dressed and were out in the living room. Gabe looked over at the clock and swore.
“Shit I am supposed to be at Mateo’s right now. I need to call him.” Gabe jumped up and to the phone. He was back a second later. “Well when the storm hit Mateo got worried and he is on his way. I guess he got a bad feeling with the sudden rain and left when it started so he should be here any minute. I didn’t realize until I looked at the clock that we were outside for almost two hours.”
John laughed “That sounds like him, he is one superstitious guy.”
The sound of tires on gravel caught their attention. Gabe went to the door and as soon as Mary noticed she grabbed the shotgun and followed him out. It was a delivery van coming over the small hill. Mary pointed the shotgun and the man driving the van stopped. He rolled down the window and yelled out “Got a package here for Mr. Michaels”
“Mary that is Kaiden its ok, plus his eyes are normal. All the half-bloods have been called home remember?”
“Never too sure Schatzi.” Mary lowered the shotgun and walked back inside.
Gabe walked to the van and signed for the packages. The van quickly turned around and left. Gabe walked inside and handed the packages over to Kaiden. Kaiden looked at the packages and handed the one from Florida to Tia and the one from Canada to John. They ripped them open and started reading away.
Tia’s face lit up and she started to giggle. John had a very stern look on his face. Tia looked to him and stopped laughing
“What’s wrong baby?”
“Well I am rich but there is no birth certificate or anything. You have one they have one I don’t. So how and I supposed to claim all this money?”
“We will get you one John. Charles will be here soon and he knows what to do in that situation.” Kaiden reassured him
“Well that is good news, thought I was going to have to mooch off baby girl here.” He laughed and nudged her.
Mary started lunch and left the kids do their thing. Soon Justine and Zoe both slid in the kitchen to help. They made another huge feast and were now all seated at the table. Gabe had taken a plate to Blake before they all sat down. Before they could even make their plates they heard another car coming up the drive. Gabe went to the door and Mary was right behind him grabbing the gun. Gabe did not recognize this vehicle but as soon as the glare cleared the windshield he could see Mateo clearly.
Mateo rented a large van to carry all the weapons. When the storm hit he knew that Gabe would not be coming. He did not want to make his new boss distrust him, so he came on his own. This was also a big step for Mateo as these weapons have been in his family for generations. He is the last of his family and they are very special to him.
“Just in time for lunch man.” Gabe called out
“I could use food after that drive.” Mateo replied. Relief flooded him as soon as his eyes landed on Gabe.
They all went in and had a nice relaxing lunch. Mateo could tell right away that something was different about all of them.
“What happened?” Mateo asked
“Got a phone call, some semi good news about our situation, some friends are on their way and we turned. Could you pass the corn?” Gabe asked
Mateo choked a little and coughed his food into his plate. When he recovered he stared at them in shock. The four of them just shrugged their shoulders and kept eating. Slight smiles lit the boy’s faces.
After lunch they unloaded all the weapons into the workshop which was also Gabe’s training area. Once they were unloaded John and Gabe sparred for a while and the others stood around and watched. John and Gabe were quite a good match to watch. John was quick and aggressive where Gabe was patient and graceful. John was starting to get a little frustrated that he could not pin Gabe and his moves were getting sloppy. Gabe took advantage of that and had John pinned to the ground pretty quickly.
John called a rematch, but they both needed some water, and a small break. Justine and Zoe had left a little while before to watch a movie. Tia swooped into John’s arms and she told him she wanted to watch the movie too. Soon everyone was in the living room watching a movie.
As the movie ended Zoe got up and put another in. She loved being curled up in Kaiden’s arms. Zoe looked around the room and into all the peaceful faces. Tia and Justine were both curled up into the arms of their soul mates. Happiness filled the air and she knew then that she was among family.
John asked to use a car to go to town, he wanted to tell his father he was not coming with them, and to grab his and Tia’s things. Mary let them take her car and they were out the door. Justine had fallen asleep in Gabe’s arms and he was slowly falling asleep too.
Kaiden and Zoe decided to walk to the pond and talk.
“Thank you for being gentle with me”
“My Angel I will always be gentle with you.”
“Flying was amazing wasn’t it?” she asked
“Yes it was. You know it is so much different than being on my parents’ backs. It was a freedom I have never felt.”
“I can’t wait to do it all the time and whenever I want.”
Kaiden paused and looked behind him. “Do you feel that?”
Zoe stiffened at his words and threw her senses out. “Dragons” she whispered.
“Yes Dragons, I know one is Charles, there are at least six others with him, and a full-blood. Let’s go.” And he stood and pulled Zoe up with him. They were not close but they could still feel them. And they started running in the direction of them. Over hills and through the tall grass they ran. The others were also on foot and walking towards them as the pull was getting stronger. They ran a little faster and they had gotten about ten miles when they stopped.
In the distance Kaiden saw Charles and Six others with him. Charles also had about five half-bloods with him. As soon as Charles spotted Kaiden he started to run to him.
“Kaiden good to see you boy!” Charles boomed
“Charles good to see you too and you definitely brought friends. This is Zoe my Queen.”
Charles and the others all bowed to Kaiden and Zoe. Zoe’s cheeks flared red.
“Please do not bow. We are family I would not have my family bow to me.” She stammered
“Spoken like a true queen.” Charles said “We must do something before I introduce you and please Zoe, do not stop this.”
As Kaiden and Zoe stood there everyone else got down on a knee and vowed their lives to Kaiden and Zoe the last King and Queen of the Dragon race.
Zoe was in shock and awe she felt the power ripple through the air and her Dragon responded and claimed them as her Dragons. This bunch was now hers and Kaiden’s Sect.
“Now my Queen may I make introductions?”
Kaiden laughed and gestured him to go on. He recognized two of the couples right away.
“This is Bradley and Monica Sherwood, and this little guy is Ben. I believe if you study them closely you will know who they belong too.”
Zoe looked at them and then back and forth between them and burst into tears. She grabbed them in a hug and wept. They both held her and let her get it all out. They were saving their tears. Ben just looked between them a little lost.
“This is Michael and Rosa Stein. Once again look hard.” She didn’t have to look hard she knew who these two belonged too. Her tears had not left her and she was in their arms too. They were also saving their tears.
“This is Sebastian and Camilla Perez.”
Zoe and Kaiden’s eyes both went wide and they looked at each other and then to the couple before them. Camilla noticed and her eyes went wide with hope.
“What is it?”
“I haven’t been able to tell Charles yet, he told me to save my news. Right now I am going to save my news.” Kaiden replied, he wanted to surprise her just as much as these parents were about to surprise their children.
“Well can we go to the house? I know some of us are eager to see some people.” Charles said
Zoe was bouncing in place and grinned wide “Can
we run? I can’t wait to see her face.” She was beaming with happiness and was having a hard time containing it.
Zoe ran as fast as she could Kaiden was catching up to her but also hanging back with the others. When they neared the house she slowed down and bounced in place again. Her excitement was overflowing. Gabe came out the back door as Zoe was bouncing there. He walked down to her and stood there staring at the people coming closer. He had felt a familiar, but stronger pull and it woke him from his nap. He did not wake Justine though, he left her sleeping peacefully on the couch.
“Mama? Papa?” Gabe whispered he would know their faces anywhere and he ran to them. The five year old little boy came out and he was in their arms. They all fell to the ground in sobs of relief and joy.
Justine came flying out of the house as soon as she felt Gabe’s overwhelming emotions woke her. As she got to the bottom of the deck she stopped in her tracks when she saw him in his parent’s arms. She then heard the whispered words. “Justine my baby?” Justine looked to the voice then to the man next to her. She then looked down and saw a little boy that could be her twin.
“You lived?” You’re alive?” and she crumpled to the ground sobbing, all her hopes and dreams have just come true. That little slice she was holding onto was now standing before her. Monica swooped in and caught her before she fell. “Oh baby I am so sorry. I am so sorry. We looked and looked and the family that got you gave you up. We couldn’t find you. We had to stay hidden we knew you were alive still and so we stayed hidden. I am so sorry baby. I never wanted to leave you. As soon as the half-blood we were watching left we went straight to Ireland. When Charles told us you were here we came right away. I love you Justine.” And they wept and wept, Bradley and Ben had joined the hugging and crying as soon as Monica caught her.
Camilla looked around and her dismay was written all over her face. Mary came out of the house to see what the commotion was about. As soon as she saw Gabe and Michael she ran to them. Rosa looked up at Mary and grabbed her tight.
The Pearls Page 19
