by Leilani Love
Chase watches his friend from the window before turning to Eryk. “Get some sleep, I have a funny feeling it won’t be long before they try again.”
Eryk kicks off his shoes, crawling under the blankets, still dressed. Chase sighs, leaning his head against the window frame. The relief his dragon felt when Violca approached him and touched him almost made him roar he was so happy.
Chase rubs the side of his neck where Violca bit him earlier. He was surprised when she broke the skin, but the surge of pleasure that went through him called to his animal instinct and he bit her in kind.
Chase felt so much fear when he saw the side of the house ripped away and the demon, Micah, approaching the girls. He was so outnumbered all he could do was watch from the corner of his eye. If needed, he would have lit the entire forest on fire to keep her safe. It was engrained in them early on to always be careful with their flame and only in rare circumstances were they allowed to use it.
Chase rubs his necks again. The superficial wounds he received during the fight had healed during the attack, but he can still feel her teeth marks in his skin. Through it, he is able to feel Violca using her power. It is a pulsing sensation he feels even as his dragon. At this moment, he feels like they are connected and that she is drawing power from him.
He finds he likes feeling connected. Even with a wall between them, he can feel her. Sighing, he crawls in the other bed knowing that when Scott gets back, he will wake him up to take the next watch.
Chapter 44
Violca wakes up to the sound of voices and stretches. Recognizing Chase and Brandon’s voice, she smiles and looks toward the door. Brandon is standing in the doorway and before she can make out what they are saying, he closes the door.
“They are going to get breakfast and will come over with it so we can talk in private,” Brandon tells her, seeing the curious look on her face.
Nodding, she looks around the room and realizes she doesn’t have a toothbrush or toothpaste. In her haste, she only grabbed a few things. Getting up, she heads to the girls’ room to see if Kati or Eva were smart enough to bring one.
Walking into the adjoining room, she sees Kati is the only one really awake and whispers, “Hey, did any of you think to grab a toothbrush and toothpaste?”
Kati reaches over into Eva’s backpack and pulls them out.
“I will bring them right back. The guys are going to bring us breakfast so we can talk.”
Kati looks around the room. “I will wake up the girls when you come back with the tooth brush.”
Violca heads back to her room, brushes her teeth and runs her fingers through her hair. Feeling better, she brings the toothbrush and toothpaste back and helps wake up the little ones.
“Ugh, I hope we go home and grab clothes. I understand why we wanted to hurry, but I hate sleeping in my clothes and then wearing them next day,” Eva says, straightening her shirt.
“’I’ll ask Brandon. If not, then we will have to find a store,” Violca tells her, looking up when she hears a knock on the other door. “That should be our food.”
Violca stands between the two rooms watching Chase, Scott, and Eryk come in, carrying several bags of food. Eryk smiles at her. “We decided to get everyone French toast, sausage, and orange juice.”
“Sounds good,” Violca says.
“Hey Sari, Angel, do you want to eat breakfast with me?” Eryk asks, approaching the table and unpacking the plastic containers. The two girls eagerly run to him.
Eva and Kati follow Violca into the other room and Brandon pushes the door so they can still keep an eye on the girls but keep them from hearing too much. Violca looks up at Chase to feel him watching her. An image of him transforming into the dragon last night plays in her head. She knows she should be afraid of him, but she realizes that she is not. When she finally smiles at him, she sees his shoulders relax and his eyes light up as he smiles back. “We figured Eryk could keep the girls busy while we talk.”
“Good idea,” Brandon says, helping Scott unpack the bags he brought in. Once everyone is settled, all eyes turn to Chase as if silently, everyone decided he is the one who should start. Chase clears his throat, looking at Violca, his golden brown eyes appearing more golden this morning. “There is a legend that says the gods made dragons to help destroy the titans. They were so big that when they stood on their back legs and stretched their wings, they could touch the sky.” He pauses for a second before continuing, “Once the titans were destroyed, the story goes that the gods killed all the dragons and they were never seen again. Although the story ends there, it is just the start of the story of my people.
“When the dragons fought the titans, one was wounded. As he lay in a field, a farm girl came out and she healed him. When the gods came to kill the dragon she stood in front of him and cried, telling the gods she loved him. The farm girl’s plea touched the gods and they gave the dragon a choice, he could stay and live among the humans but he would never be as strong. He would be given a human form and the dragon would share the body. The gods made the dragons smaller and took away some of their powers. The powers the gods took from the dragon went into a stone that is called the Dragon’s Ruby. This stone is believed to be buried deep inside a mountain, hidden from the world.”
The room is silent and Violca and her sisters listen intently. When Chase pauses, Violca frowns. “I don’t understand what any of this has to do with us.”
Chase smiles. “When the gods buried the Dragon’s Ruby, we were given the warning that we could live among humans as long as we never tried to find it. Over a hundred years ago our king’s younger brother Dmitri decided it was time for all supernaturals to come out. To rule the world, so to speak. In his quest he found a prophecy that stated there would be a time when the earth would try to balance itself and for the first time five earth witches from the original line would be born and save him, give him what he desires most.” He looks between her and her sisters. “You and your sisters are the last of her line.”
Violca sits back in the chair, her eyes going to her sisters. There is a part of her that wants to tell Chase to leave. How could he make up such a huge story? It’s the craziest pick up line ever.
But deep down, Violca knows he’s telling the truth. She saw him change into a dragon, the dreams of her mother, the book, and the message on the inside. The parts of the book she flipped through and read stuck with her and made what he said seem very possible. Reaching up she rubs the side of her neck where her skin itches, and she frowns when she feels the marks still there from where Chase bit her last night. When she moves her hand, she sees Chase rubbing his neck as well, his eyes meeting hers.
“You are all shape shifting dragons?” Kati asks, looking at Scott then lowering her eyes when he looks at her.
Scott pauses for a moment before finally replying, “No, me and my brother are werepanthers, we shift into blank panthers.”
“So you are trying to tell us that some shape shifting dragons are after Violca and her sisters in order to become stronger and you are just here to…protect them out of the goodness of your hearts?” Brandon asks, not even trying to keep the skepticism from his voice.
“When the gods made the Dragon Ruby we had a warning that if we went looking for it or if we uncovered it we would be made to pay. Since Dmitri’s been looking for it, many of our kind have gotten sick and are dying.”
Violca chews on her bottom lip before finally asking, “So Scott got a job in my office, and you and I met so you could make sure we were these sisters.”
Chase looks across the room at her and she can actually feel everyone waiting for his answer. Violca almost wishes she can take it back but finds she needs to know. “Part of my job was to meet you and your sisters.”
Violca nods, looking down at her partially eaten breakfast. Her stomach cramps at the idea of eating anymore and she closes the box. The room is quiet and she feels all eyes on her as she looks around. “So what are we going to do now, about the people who are try
ing to capture us?”
Scott answers, “Our king, Viktor, wants us to take you to our house and he will join us there in a few days and then we can discuss options.”
“What about school? Violca only pulled us out for the trip and we are only excused for a few more days,” Eva asks, looking back and forth between Violca and the guys.
“Don’t worry about that,” Brandon answers calmly. “V, you need to call your work and I’ll call mine, come up with some kind of family emergency.” Violca nods at him. “Look, it shouldn’t take long to get ready to go. Meet us outside in thirty minutes. Then we will follow you.”
The guys nod and Violca can feel Chase come up behind her. He lightly touches her lower back, and Violca fights the urge to lean back into his touch.
“Chase, you don’t have to be nice to me anymore. You already got what you wanted,” she whispers before he moves away from her and she hears the door click.
Chapter 45
Chase lets Scott drive the entire way back to their place. He wonders how long until they can expect the next attack. Sighing, putting his head back, he thinks about the look on Violca’s face when he confessed he met her because he needed to verify who she was.
He fights the urge to tell her that he slept with her because he wanted to. Chase did not think that confessing to her that he was drawn to her before he even met her was appropriate. But the first chance he had to get her alone, he would explain it to her. If he could get her alone, that is.
Looking in the side mirror, he sees Violca in the van behind them. She is looking out the window, her lips moving and he wonders if she is singing to the radio or talking. He reaches up to his neck, rubbing it, still feeling her teeth marks, and he sees her doing the same. He wonders if she can still feel his bite too and then wonders, with his healing ability, why it hasn’t healed yet.
They stop a few times along the way to get gas and food. During lunch everyone is mostly quiet except for Angyalka and Sari who are very excited to spend the night at a boys house. By the time they pull up to Scott and Eryk’s, the sun has started to go down.
Scott and Eryk lead everyone in and Chase stays behind. When Violca walks up the stairs, he grabs her by the hand. Startled, she looks up and he sees doubt cross her eyes before she masks it. “Take a walk with me.” When she pauses, he squeezes her hand, trying to be reassuring. “Please, the guys will take care of the girls.”
His heart almost stops as she pauses before she nods and lets him lead her around the house. Chase wants to go far enough away so no matter what is said, Scott and Eryk won’t be able to hear, but close enough that if anything happens they can get back fast.
When they reach the tree line behind the house, he stops. Chase turns to look at her and waits for her to look up at him. Chase reaches up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear, and he fights the urge to kiss her when he notices her biting her lip, nervously. Before he can say anything Violca interrupts him. “Was it all an act?”
Chase shakes his head, taking a deep breath, running his fingers through his hair. “Violca, I won’t lie and say I didn’t orchestrate meeting you.” The look on her face shows him how much his words hurt before she looks down. His hand comes up and he makes her look up. “I have been drawn to you since seeing your picture. I volunteered to come out here because I couldn’t stand the idea that someone else would. I needed to meet you, to be near you and everything that has happened since meeting you has been about my desire to be near you.”
Chase can’t help but smile as he thinks about how content he has been since meeting her, and his hands come up to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing across her cheek. “I promise, nothing I have done since meeting you was what I was sent here to do.”
Violca fights the urge to lean into his touch. Her eyes close as she thinks about what he said. The whole drive she couldn’t help thinking about everything that has happened. Not only did she find out that there are witches but she is, in fact, one of them. Violca is also trying to wrap her mind around the fact that dragons, animal shifters and other things that go bump in the night are real.
Opening her eyes, she sees Chase is watching her. “Did you put those nails in my…” The look on his face tells her he did. “You should have told me the truth before we…” Taking a deep breath, she shudders. “I can’t focus on that now, I need to make sure my sisters are safe first and figure out what is going on.” She pulls away from him, needing to create a little space.
The look that crosses Chase’s face says he notices her reaction. “I get it, it’s a lot to take in at once.” He frowns. “Can I ask you why you decided to suddenly go up to your mom’s cabin?”
Violca bites her lip, thinking of what exactly to tell him. After everything that happened, can she really trust him? Realizing at this point she has no choice, she decides she must. “I have been having dreams of my mother. The cabin was one of those places where I could feel close to her.”
Chase nods in understanding. “Can I ask what you dug up in the yard?”
Violca frowns, angry he was spying on her. After everything that came out, she should have realized it. “It was a book of my moms. I,” she pauses, chewing on her lip. “I didn’t know anything about any of this, and suddenly I have a book, declaring us earth witches, people hunting us, and a group of guys who were sent to spy on us to make sure we are the right ones.”
Chase winces at her words before nodding. “I hope you don’t see everything that has happened as bad.” He brushes his thumb back and forth against her hand and Violca shivers in response.
Needing to think about everything that happened, she turns to look at the house, “We should head back, I want to check on the girls.” She feels Chase walking beside her. “I need to go to the house and get some clean clothes for us. Brandon made us pack in a hurry, and I am afraid I left pretty much all our clothes.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. They will probably be watching.” Chase pauses for a moment. “It would probably be best if Scott and I go out to a store, we can buy what you need for a few days until Viktor is able to get out here.”
Stopping, Violca waits for him to stop and look at her. “No, my sisters have gone through a lot and right now aren’t even allowed to go home. I have agreed to stay here for a few days, but they need some normalcy. You can go with us if you’d like or I can go by myself.”
Chase sighs loudly, running his fingers through his hair before finally agreeing. “Fine, give me and Scott a chance to make sure it is okay and tomorrow night we will take you, and if needed, one of your sisters can come with us.” He holds one finger. “Only one to help you figure out what you need and if there is a hint of danger, we leave, understand?”
Knowing he is not at all happy about the situation, she simply whispers, “Thank you.” Turning, she continues to walk back to the house, her step a little lighter. She knows it shouldn’t, but winning that little fight makes her feel better. When she enters into the house, she smells food cooking in the kitchen. Her stomach growls and she hears Chase chuckle.
Brandon steps out from the kitchen, his eyes instantly looking over Violca. She appreciates that he is fighting his protective urge so he can get along with everyone and keep them safe. “You okay?”
“Just hungry and ready for a long, hot shower.”
Brandon smiles at her. “Well, I can help with one. I already started dinner.”
Brandon goes back into the kitchen. Hearing her sisters squealing as they run from room to room, she walks upstairs to see what they are doing. When she gets to the top, she turns to see Chase watching her, still standing where she left him. She nods at him before turning and following the sounds of her sisters.
Chapter 46
Kati and Eva share Scott’s room. The guys, having decided that they were going to take turns patrolling the area and would sleep in the living room, the girls all took different rooms. Kati sits in the chair near the window with a small light, finishing up her picture of a panther fight
ing a man. She started the picture last week and is just finishing up the details. The man’s body is covered in tattoos. Even his bald head has a tattoo. The tattoo is of a snake wrapped around his chest, around part of his neck, so the snake looks like it’s going to come out and bite you from the back of his skull.
Eva lies snoring softly in bed and Kati gets up quietly, putting her sketchpad away. Hearing a noise outside, she goes to the window and parts the blinds. Seeing a movement in the yard below, she finds Scott standing up after removing his pants. Her eyes caress his naked back, widening when she sees his butt. The moonlight shines on his body and she gasps when he glances up at her. Her cheeks heat as she drops the blinds, praying he didn’t see her. Taking several deep breaths, she parts the blinds again to see a black panther looking up at her window. The panther seems to bow its head at her before turning and quickly dashing off into the woods behind the house.
Kati watches, unable to look away. The moonlight shining on his black fur looks amazing, and Kati tries to put the image to memory to draw later. She wishes she were closer to take a better look at him in this form. For the last year, several of her drawings have been of a panther. Not that anyone has seen those drawings. For some reason they always felt too personal to share with anyone.
When Kati is no longer able to see him, she slowly makes her way to the bed. Curling up on her side, she holds the pillow tight. Breathing in Scott’s scent, she smiles to herself. Realizing she is developing crush on him, she bites her lip and holds her pillow tighter as she drifts into a deep sleep.
