“So within the border it is safe from humans and this bad guy?” Quinn asked
“Yes, but objects can get through. We haven’t figured out a spell to stop those yet. Actually a big reason we have come is because he recently sent a missile. He killed fifteen of his own children and we lost a few men and women too. There is a mound where they were all killed now and we let the flowers that grow in the ashes grow. It is our memorial to them.” Zoe replied
“Sound beautiful and horrible at the same time.” Oliver said
The rest of the flight was spent in quiet conversation or sleep. Quinn sat in silence and wonder until sleep pulled him under. He awoke hours later to the jet descending in altitude. His ears popped like crazy and all he wanted to do was get back on the ground, to feel the earth under his feet once again and find his woman.
“So you mentioned I am an Earth Dragon right? So my soul mate would surround herself in the mountains, like I did right?” Quinn asked
“She is indeed in the mountains according to this dot. We are going to follow it until you feel her and then you will lead the way to her. You will feel her Pull long before we do.” Kaiden responded
“Sounds good” Quinn smirked as he helped load the cart back up with the supplies.
Once again they were in for a long hike. The good thing was that it was early morning and the sun was still not up. They all decided to not sleep and get the show on the road so that they could get home quicker. In and out is how they all wanted to be. Once the supplies were ready and the team was ready to head out, Kevin locked himself inside the jet. He planned on sleeping as much as he could before the flight home.
The team headed southeast towards the mountain range. Kevin had to land the jet on flat terrain and there were lots of mountains in Afghanistan so that led them to a long hike. They all knew the dangers of the area. It was well known that there was lots of civil unrest in the country for years. So they were all on the lookout. Quinn was very anxious and walked with a smile plastered to his face.
Two hours into walking Justine could not take it anymore and had to stop to eat. “Hey Quinn, food time, I can’t walk another step without some protein in me.”
“Sorry just anxious, I have never been so nervous in my life.”
“No worries there, we have all felt the same way.” Justine laughed as she plopped down on a rock and grabbed some fruit out of the cart.
The team stopped and ate for an hour telling Quinn and Oliver about life back in Ireland. Both men seemed generally excited about getting there and settling in. Zoe and the girls decided to keep the fact that Quinn and his mate would have a suite. Zoe loved to see the surprise on people’s faces when she showed them around the house and then told them the suite was theirs. This would be the last time she was able to do that so she really wanted to keep it a surprise.
They had cleaned up their eating area and headed back out. After another two hours Quinn picked up his speed without saying anything. They all followed and an hour later they understood why. But when Quinn took to climbing they all got surprised.
“Quinn stop! We need to come up with a plan. We all feel her, but we don’t want to walk into a trap like we did with you.” Zoe raised her voice to get his attention.
“But…”
“We will follow you, but not carrying this cart up a mountain again. How far do you think she is?” Kaiden asked
“Ten miles up at the most….How do I know that?” Quinn asked
“Comes with the terrain man, let’s hide this cart and then we will follow you up. We just want to make sure we have plenty of water.” Gabe told him
“Ok, toss me up two?”
Gabe tossed him two water bottles and then handed everyone else two bottles also. He hid the cart between two rocks and then placed a flat boulder on top hiding the cart. Quinn led the way with Oliver behind him then Finley and her parents. John went after with Kaiden and then Zoe. Tia followed Zoe and Justine followed her with Gabe bringing up the rear. They hiked in single file up the terrain. At times they went up, then flat and then down, then back up again. The hike was taxing for Oliver and Finley, but that is because they have not gone through the training yet.
After an hour of hiking Quinn found a cave and walked right in. A second later there was a high pitch scream and Quinn cam flying out of the cave backwards into Oliver. Zoe ran forward and passed a worried looking Oliver who was holding Quinn. Justine ran after Zoe.
“Honey we are not going to hurt you. We just want to talk to you.” Zoe told the cave in a calm voice.
“GO AWAY!” a very freighted voice yelled out.
“My name is Zoe and I have a group of people here. We came to get you and take you home.”
“THIS IS MY HOME….GO AWAY!”
“Do you know what you are and what we are?” Justine asked
“Yes I know what I am. I know that was my soul mate that I pushed out but I am not leaving this cave!”
“Then I will stay with you here.” Quinn said
“You can’t they will kill you too.”
“My name is Quinn, what is your name?”
“Morgan”
“Morgan can we come in and talk to you? Since you know you are a Dragon then you must know what is happening?” Zoe asked.
“Only you three, I know there are more of you, but no more than three will fit in here.”
Quinn, Zoe and Justine all entered the cave. Justine could see right away as the cave was pitch black and a very disheveled girl was sitting in the very back of the cave.
“Oh honey what happened to you?” Justine asked rushing over to Morgan and crouching down beside her.
“They killed my parents. We were out getting food and those damn men with their guns shot them down.” Tears were running down her face. “My dad shoved me down and then fell on top of me. We stayed that way for hours and then he just turned to ash. I know that is what happens, but I happened on me. When it got dark I climbed out and came back here. I haven’t left since.” She sobbed.
“Oh honey I am so sorry. How long ago did this happen?” Zoe knelt down and asked her.
“Eight months ago.” She hiccupped
“How do you eat? I am very glad you are alive, but how?” Quinn asked
“Oh umm, my parents thought it was a miracle, but I can make food grow. Anything that grows in the earth I can make it grow in here or anywhere, as long as there is dirt.” Morgan shyly admitted.
“You are amazing Morgan.” Quinn said in awe.
“Will you hold me?” Morgan asked Quinn
“Forever” Quinn replied as he scooped her up into his arms. She cried into his shoulder for a long time while Quinn rubbed her back and held her close to him. Justine and Zoe let them have their moment. After twenty minutes Zoe felt it was time to ask the big question.
“Morgan, will you come with us? It is safe where we live. It is protected by a magical border and no one can get it but us.” Zoe asked
“If I leave they will find me”
“No one will hurt you while I am around.” Quinn insisted
“They have guns and they are everywhere, all over the mountain.” Morgan was panicked again.
“What if I cover you and carry you out? No one will harm you in anyway while you are with me. I promise you that. I have been alone my whole life. I just found out what I am yesterday and they tell me that I have a soul mate, someone who will love me no matter what. No one has ever loved me and I need you. I would love to go to Ireland with these guys. It actually sounds like a lot of fun and there are two other Earth couples there. We won’t be the only ones. They have beds, like real beds that are soft. I have only ever slept on straw.”
“Me too, my parents told me about them though. After their sect was destroyed they came here and had me. For eighteen years we have lived in this very cave. I kept us alive during the winters and we hunted in the spring and summer.”
“So you want to come and sleep in a bed? Get cleaned up and some real cl
othes on?” Justine asked. Justine was the only one who could really see Morgan. The girl had very long brown hair, but her hair was also caked in dirt. She had yellow eyes with hazel swirls and green flecks. Pouty full lips and a small cute nose and her big eyes were perfect on her heart shaped face. Justine could tell the girl was small. Quinn was going to tower over her small frame.
“I don’t want to look, I don’t want to see outside until we are safe or I won’t go.” Morgan cringed into Quinn.
“I have a coat we can put over her head and Quinn I think you can handle her weight. Once we are on the jet we will get her all cleaned up.” Justine said
“You can see her? I can see a little, but really only what the opening allows. I just followed you guys and guessed where she was.” Quinn said amazed once again.
“Well I am an Onyx Dragon, we excel at night. She is a beautiful girl with lots of dirt accompanying her.” Justine smiled
“This feeling I have well honestly she could be a ox and I wouldn’t care.” Quinn answered as he took the coat Justine handed him and gave it to Morgan. He felt the material cross over his chest, when she held on a little tighter and gave him a nod. He stood and walked out of the cave.
Chapter 23
Dirty Girl
Justine grabbed Zoe’s hand and led her out behind Quinn. Back outside Quinn passed them all and walked quickly passed everyone. Emery and Kendal both nodded at Quinn as he passed and the team followed in silence too afraid to spook Morgan. They had all heard the conversation that took place inside the cave.
Quinn set a fast pace back to the jet. Oliver had noticed that Finley was getting tired so he picked Finley up and gave her a piggy back ride. Within three hours they saw the jet in the distance. They also saw a group of men about 500 feet from the jet approaching from the east. Gabe saw the men and pointed them out to John.
“Run full speed they are not half-bloods but they have weapons. We need to get in the air NOW!” John barked out and they all took off running. They got to the jet and banged on the door, Kevin was already in the cockpit starting the engine. The door opened and they all piled in. Kaiden shut the door as quick as he could.
“GO!” Kaiden yelled to Kevin. The jet shot forward and then into the air. They all heard the shots that rang out around the jet as it took off, but not one hit its mark. Once Kevin got to a proper altitude and leveled out the plane Quinn took Morgan to the bathroom and uncovered her head. He was shocked at what he saw and all he could do was smile down at the dirt covered beauty before him.
“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyed upon.” He told her
“Quinn where are we?” Morgan hung her head as she spoke so Quinn gently lifted her face up with his finger under her chin.
“We are headed home. I am told it is our true home. Right now we are in the bathroom of the jet and it is just me and you right now. I was hoping that I could wash you. You make dirt a beautiful thing.”
“I….I haven’t washed in months. I haven’t left that cave because I have been so scared.”
“There is nothing to fear anymore. The people out there haven’t told me much and well I don’t know anything about what I am. I was hoping I could wash you and then go out there. They wanted to wait to tell me everything until we found you. Just in case you didn’t know you were a Dragon too, but it seems I am the only one who didn’t know.”
“I will tell you all I know too. Getting clean sounds good, but I am a little shy. Would you mind sending Zoe or Justine in? I would feel better around another girl. You know same parts and all. I mean I know what we are and stuff, my parents always told me you would come looking for me and I wouldn’t be able to deny it and I am not. It’s just well….I’m ugly right now.”
“You are anything but ugly. But I will send one of the girls in, the last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable.” Quinn wanted to wrap her back in his arms and kiss her he felt so lost. But he did not want her anymore frightened then she was at that moment. “Sit here. This is a toilet and when you open the lid you are supposed to relieve yourself in it. Kind of odd, but that is what they told me it did. Anyway sit here and I will go get Zoe for you. She is the Queen.”
“Thank you Quinn.” Morgan whispered to him
Quinn didn’t want to go but he made himself turn and leave the bathroom. He closed the door behind him and then went to where Zoe was sitting.
“Zoe would you mind helping Morgan wash? She wants another girl to help her and asked for you or Justine.” Quinn hung his head as he spoke.
“I would love too, do you think she would mind if both of us helped? She appeared a little fragile and well you will learn our history soon, once we are all home at dinner we like to have what we call Share and Tell. It helps all of us get over our pasts.”
“I don’t think she would mind. But would you mind asking her first? She is scared.” Quinn hesitated
“Of course, go sit and I will bring her out once we are done. Justine? Can you help me please? But let me ask her first.” Zoe asked
“Yep” Justine replied happily
Zoe made her way down the jet to the back, grabbing her backpack first. She was taller that Morgan, but Morgan was slim like Zoe so her clothes should fit. Justine followed but stopped at the little pantry and pulled out a couple bottles and a brush. Zoe looked at her confused and Justine just shrugged nodding towards the door.
Zoe knocked and opened the door and peeked her head inside. Morgan looked up and Zoe saw then why all the bottles Justine had grabbed were needed. “Hey honey would you mind if Justine helped too?”
“I would like that. I know I am a mess. I looked in that thing above the bowl thing and I look a mess. My mom would be humiliated by me right now.” Morgan said while shaking her head side to side scolding herself, dirt rained down around her.
“Great we will have you all clean and dressed shortly.” Zoe said as she walked through the door allowing Justine to follow and then closed the door behind them both. Zoe turned on the shower while Justine helped take the clothes off Morgan. They were crusty and stuck to the girl’s body in some places. The clothes ripped in some places they were so worn.
Justine coaxed Morgan into the shower and Morgan stood under the water with a smile on her face. Zoe and Justine guessed she never had a hot shower. None of them spoke as they washed Morgan. Justine worked on her hair while Zoe rubbed the dirt off her body. Justine let the water run for a bit and then used her fingers and hands to break up the clumps. Morgan’s hair was long like theirs and Justine was hoping they would have to cut it. Once the clumps were broken up enough Justine filled her hands with soap and started to scrub. Morgan moaned a bit and the girls could tell she loved this.
Justine went through three bottles of shampoos before she could start to see Morgan’s hair color. Justine smiled to herself because she was right and the girl had chestnut brown hair with highlights of red and blond throughout. After another bottle of shampoo the dirt was all out and Justine was able to condition her hair.
Zoe was scrubbing the dirt off Morgan’s body using a course loofa sponge covered in soap. After she had all the dirt off Morgan and her nails cleaned out she rinsed out the loofa and added a Lavender body wash she had yet to use. Zoe was amazed once they were done washing Morgan and proceeded to dry her off. She was drop dead gorgeous. Zoe handed her the clothing as Justine dried her hair with the towel.
Morgan got dressed and when she put the pants on Zoe bent to roll the legs. Zoe looked up at Morgan with a smile. “We will get you clothes that fit properly once we get home. I must say though Morgan. You are gorgeous and put the rest of us to shame.”
“Thank you my dad said I looked like my mom, but I don’t think so. She was so beautiful and unique looking. I miss her so much Zoe.” Morgan’s eyes filled with tears but she held them in and did not allow them to fall.
“Well now the hard part comes. We need to brush this out and it might hurt.” Justine interrupted them. “Why don’t you sit an
d turn to the left and Zoe and I will take sides and have it done in no time.”
“Not a problem, I hate brushing this mop.” Morgan teased
Morgan sat like they asked and once again closed her eyes as the girls worked. Justine attempted to make two sections, but the knots were so bad she couldn’t. Zoe laughed and grabbed a fine tooth comb and handed another to Justine. They grabbed a knot each and began to brush them out. An hour later they had the knots worked out to a point they could part her hair and properly brush it out.
Once her hair was smooth and knots were all gone Justine ran her hands through Morgan’s hair and the hair started to bounce into curls. Lovely, big curls which fit the small girl perfectly. Justine pulled out the hair dryer and turned it on. Morgan jumped off the toilet in shock.
“Oh honey this will just blow out warm air that will dry your hair faster, nothing to be afraid of.” Justine assured her. Morgan just nodded and sat back down looking scared, until the warm air and hum of the hairdryer calmed her down. Justine focused on the curls and made them bounce.
When they were done the coaxed Morgan in front of the mirror again to see how beautiful she was. Morgan stared for a long moment and then her eyes filled with tears again and her bottom lip started to quiver. She turned and looked at the girls who helped her.
“I look just like my mom.” She lets her tears loose then and Zoe wrapped her into a hug.
“Are you ready to meet everyone now?” Zoe asked
“I think so. I know I am ready for Quinn to see me now.” Morgan responded
“Let’s do this then. I think you are going to drop mouths honey.” Justine teased
Zoe opened the door and walked out grabbing Morgan’s hand, Justine followed. The others were all in quiet conversations, but all of them were awake and looked to be waiting to meet Morgan. As the stepped out fully, mouths did indeed drop and some people gasped. Zoe stopped in the isle and told Morgan everyone’s names as she pointed at them.
“And everyone this is Morgan.” Zoe finished
Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) Page 13
