A dragon with a love of hospitality meets a unicorn who won’t take get bent for an answer.
Mak is a unicorn on a mission to find a woman who doesn’t fall all over herself to get his attention. The moment he meets the owner of the Open Heart B and B, he realises that this woman has no need to lean on him for self-importance. She is a force to be reckoned with all on her own. But what the hell is she?
Dira has been at the Crossroads since its inception. She gave her heart and soul to the place and has watched hundreds of couples meet their match. Being pursued is a novel experience, but of course, it takes a guy with a horn to make an impression on her. Mythical shifters are not thick on the ground and a unicorn is the most tempting offering she has seen in centuries.
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Dragon Around
Copyright © 2013 Zenina Masters
ISBN: 978-1-77111-536-0
Cover art by Carmen Waters
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by eXtasy Books
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Dragon Around
Shifting Crossroads Book Four
By
Zenina Masters
Chapter One
Mak finished his shower and wrapped a towel around his waist before he finished packing his bag. Today, the transporter was going to send him to the Shifting Crossroads, and he would be on his way to finding the woman for him.
“And let’s just make sure that I have the samples.” He dug in the pocket of his coat and pulled out the hoof chips from his parents and the piece from his own hoof. They were together in a small vial and that much unicorn hoof could buy someone a small island in the pacific. If it had been unicorn horn, the price would go up exponentially, but no one in Mak’s family was up for a horn trim, including him.
Whistling, he zipped up his bag, got dressed and quickly brushed his hair. He was nervous but excited. This day was the day he went to the Crossroads, and once there he might just find the woman who made his senses sing instead of being on the giving end all the time.
It was great being a unicorn, women loved him, men loved him, luck was his constant companion and his car never got towed. He wanted more out of life. He wanted a mate to stand at his side and not beg to be under him every moment of every day. It got old quickly once the initial rush of lust wore away.
He locked his door and got in his car, driving across town to the home of the transporter. Andio was waiting for him, the trip to the Crossroads was going to take place in an hour. It was a very good thing that he hit every green light.
Andio Richards greeted him warmly. “I am so happy that you are on time, Mak. As you know, I have a finite window for the transport.”
“I know. Here are the samples you asked for.” Mak held up the vial.
Andio stepped aside to allow Mak entry to his office. “Please, come in.”
Mak walked into the office next to the small bungalow. It was as tidy as it had been the last time he had visited, during the initial consult.
As per the instructions, he had made arrangements for his car to be picked up in a few days. With this bag and the payment, he was set. All that remained was for him to sign contracts, complete his financial information for the payment of all incidentals at the Crossroads and he was good to go.
Andio walked him through the procedure. “So, you sign the contract and hand over the samples, I enter your financial information into the system and give you an icon to wear around your wrist to pay for any transactions.”
“Right, and then I stand in the circle and you send me to the Crossroads.”
Andio grinned. “Precisely. Now, on to the contract.”
The next thirty minutes were filled with bureaucracy that was shockingly familiar to Mak. As the advertising executive for his family’s company, he had worked out his fair share of the mind-numbing paperwork. This was different. This paperwork was the gateway to the possibility of a mate.
“Are you sure you want to be doing this, Mak?” The transporter surprised him an instant before he signed the paperwork.
Mak looked at him, and Andio blushed. “I mean, a man like you has women lining up for him.”
Mak signed with a flourish, flicked over his account paperwork and fastened the charm on his wrist. He set the precious vial of unicorn trimmings on the table. “Those women are not the one I am looking for. I want a mate not a sex toy and I am willing to put some effort into finding one.”
Andio sighed, but his eyes said he was having a problem following the logic. He nodded, took the bits of hoof and filed it away in a cabinet that appeared with a wave of his hand.
Mak got to his feet and lifted his bag. “Is it time?”
Andio nodded and showed him to the circle enamelled into the floor. “Stand there, and when you arrive, the raven’s name is Tony. He will take you where you need to be.”
Mak felt the surge of magic a moment before the world brightened around him. He was on his way to the Crossroads, and it was too late to change his mind now.
* * * *
Dira hummed to herself as the check-in time for her newest guest drew near. The thrum of the portal in the Meditation Centre told her that he was right on time.
She cocked her head as she finished mixing her batch of cookies. There was a lot of power in this one. She could feel it from where she stood.
One by one, she spooned the cookies out onto the pan before lifting it in her hands and baking them in a column of hot air that she created as easily as breathing. She watched the cookie dough melt and turn golden brown, and with a smile, she set the pan onto the cooling rack. “Ta-da!”
It was sad that she did her best work when no one was watching, but baking without electricity was an art form that she enjoyed mastering. She had not met another dragon for years, and she was content with her lot in life as a proprietor of the Open Heart Bed and Breakfast.
She enjoyed all the trappings of the modern age, including the spatula that she used to slide the cookies onto a charming plate with images of animals capering about the edge in a lovely pattern.
When the cookies were arranged just so, she carried them into the entryway where her antique desk was waiting for her. She read the reservation slip and frowned slightly.
“What kind of a name is Enker Thosos Makiel Norwin?”
* * * *
Mak stood on shaky legs as he took in his surroundings. A man and a woman were waiting for him. The male stepped forward. “Enker Thos—“
Mak held up his hand. “Call me Mak.”
“Mak, my name is Anthony. Call me Tony. This is my mate, Teal.” The man extended his hand, and Mak took in the filigree silver band he wore. It matched the one on Teal.
Mak shook the man’s hand and felt the power in his grip. Despite being somewhat smaller in stature, there was an ancient magic in Tony. One that was al
most as strong as Mak’s.
“How are you feeling?”
Mak tested his limbs and grinned. “Good. Stable. Shall we proceed?”
“We shall. Welcome to the Crossroads.” Tony opened the large doors that ponderously swung wide to reveal an actual crossing of two roads.
Looking around, Mak raised his head. The winds brought him knowledge of the local predator and prey species, the amount of women to men and the unmistakable scent of cookies. He loved cookies.
Tony took him on a tour of the common areas. The café, restaurant, general store, first aid centre and, of course, the bar were shown to him one by one.
Mak received his fair share of attention from interested women and hostile men. It was part of being a unicorn, and thankfully, he knew how to defend himself against any number of hostile species. Of course, a touch of his hand would calm them, but where was the fun in that?
“And down this road is the Bed and Breakfast that has been booked for you. The Open Heart has the best that this bubble of magic can offer.” Tony grinned.
Mak raised his head and focussed on the Victorian-style building from which the enticing scent of cookies wafted. As an equine, he loved sugar, but there were so few socially acceptable means to binge on it in the human world. Cookies provided that means, and the proprietor was offering cookies. He was going to like it here.
Chapter Two
Dira looked up as Tony came through the door with the new arrival. She blinked in surprise. She knew that cocky set of the head, the flowing golden hair and the soft brown eyes. Everything about him said that he would be an engaging companion and an excellent lover. He was a unicorn.
“Good afternoon, Dira. This is your new guest, he goes by Mak.” Tony inclined his head and stole two cookies from the plate.
“Thanks, Tony. Welcome to the Open Heart, Mak. Do you want some refreshments, or should I show you to your room?”
Mak came forward and smiled at her. His eyes took in her curves with appreciation. “Thank you for your hospitality. I believe a snack is called for.”
She grinned at him. Unicorns loved sweets. “Juice? Or are you a milk person?”
“Coffee if you have it, sugar and cream.”
Dira beckoned him into the dining room. “I have him, Tony. You are free to go. If he has any questions, I will answer them.”
“Thanks, Dira. Behave, Mak. She will make sure you do if you don’t want to at first.”
Mak looked a little befuddled, but he followed her into the dining room, and Dira knew it was because she was carrying the plate of cookies.
She made the coffee in a French press, put it and two cups on a tray as well as a bowl of sugar and jug of cream.
She stifled a laugh as she came in to see half the cookies gone and one rapidly disappearing into his mouth. “I will make more.”
Dira set the coffee down and pressed the plunger before pouring a cup for him and one for her. “So, Mak, why are you here to find a mate?”
He grimaced. “Because there are precious few unicorns around. We occur randomly in the population as you no doubt know.”
She added two sugars and cream to her coffee, stirring it with a small spoon. He added four. “I have heard something like that. That mythical beasts occur infrequently and very rarely to parents who had that ancient form themselves.”
He cocked his head at her. “What are you?”
Dira blinked and leaned back. “None of your business. You are looking for a mate, and I just work here.”
“You are mated?”
She shook her head. “No, all mated pairs here wear the bracelets that you saw on Tony and Teal. It saves on confusion. I am merely a proprietress of a B and B. No more, no less.”
He looked closely at her once again. “You won’t tell me what you are? I mean, I feel power, lots of power. More than any person I have ever seen in my life, so what are you?”
Dira sighed and finished her coffee. “I am the person who will show you to your room. Breakfast will be served between seven and ten. There are three other guests on the floors above. You may fraternize as you wish.”
“Thank you. Where may I go if I have need of a run?”
“There is a path across the way leading to the shifter’s meadow. You can enter a changing room that will keep your clothing secure, shift and exit. The charm on your wrist will shift with you, so you don’t need to worry about losing it.” As she spoke, Dira got to her feet and lifted Mak’s bag.
She retrieved his key from her desk and headed up the stairs. She didn’t need a key in her home, it was an extension of her. Her unconscious mind made up the rooms and changed the bedding faster than any living being could. She was very good at being a hostess.
* * * *
Mak followed Dira up the stairs, a stack of cookies in his hand. Her long black hair swished over the base of her spine and teased his gaze to the round curve of her buttocks. She looked back at him and the green eyes shifted to gold before she continued her walk up the second flight of stairs. She swayed down the hall with easy steps and paused in front of a door.
He snorted when he saw the horseshoe mark on the brass plate next to the door. “Very nice. I won’t forget where I am supposed to be.”
She handed him his key. “Would you like me to unpack for you?”
“No, thank you. But, will you be available for me to ask questions?” He was tentative when he asked. He wasn’t used to women declaring him off limits the moment they saw him, but she had more than enough drawing power of her own to deter his charm.
It was strange, and he felt unsettled at her lack of interest. Sure, she was lovely and spoke to him politely, but if he knew what she was, he could tailor a seduction to draw her in.
He paused as he walked into the room and looked around to cover his shock. He wanted to seduce his hostess. His erection was pressing on the inside of his jeans, and his heartbeat was fast when he thought of her. Those two things combined astonished him.
Imagine what he would be like if she actually turned him down cold.
The door shut behind her and left him alone with his thoughts.
Every single thought in his head revolved around Dira and that was going to be a problem.
He changed clothing and got dressed for a far more casual environment. His snowy white shirt was elegant, his jeans were fitted and the running shoes he wore were a gift from an ex-lover.
With his appearance casual yet approachable, he left his room and headed downstairs to see if he could interest Dira in a drink.
* * * *
Dira finished her requisition for new sheets and looked up as someone stood in front of her desk. She could feel Mak’s impatience but calmly set her requisition in a folder and put it aside.
“Yes?”
“I was wondering if you would do the honour of accompanying me to the Star Crossed bar?”
Dira sighed and folded her hands on her paperwork. “It is the Crossed Star, not the Star Crossed. No, I respectfully decline your invitation. Aside from the occasional glass of wine, I don’t enjoy alcohol.” She evaporated it as soon as she drank it, so she couldn’t get drunk, though it did make her fire a little hotter. Dira sighed.
Mak grinned. “Perhaps later we can share a bottle of wine.”
Dira stifled her mental wince at how tempting that thought was. “I am sure you will find someone to spend your evening with. May you find what you seek.”
It was a dismissal, and Mak picked up on that. He inclined his head, and he sauntered out with an absent call. “Enjoy your paperwork.”
Her unfortunate reflex was to watch him walk away, and his human form was truly a thing of beauty. Her inner dragon thought him to be a very tasty morsel, and it was begging for just one lick.
She shook her head and returned to her work but instead of requisitions for replacement towels, all she saw was Mak’s dark gaze and winning smile. She exhaled heavily and rubbed at her neck. “I guess it is time to go shopping.”
; All of her guests were out for the night, so she grabbed a lovely wicker shopping basket that one of her previous guests had given to her, and she headed out to the General Store.
Retail therapy was something that her guests often spoke about, but Dira rarely needed to make the effort to calm her nerves. She was almost fifteen hundred, her nerves were as calm as they were going to get.
She walked into the General Store, holding the door open for a vixen with an armload of purchases. “Good evening.”
The young woman blushed and nodded. “Good evening.”
Entering the store, Dira scented the air. “Andy, it seems that high-percentage chocolate has come in.”
Andy looked up from making notations on the counter. “You are good. Now, do you know where I have hidden them?”
Dira sighed. “Here is my basket. Fill it with the usual while I go on the hunt.”
She looked around to make sure that they were alone before she flicked out her dragon’s tongue and tasted the air. With direct strides, she found the first of the bars hidden under a stack of women’s magazines. The next was inside the men’s underwear mannequin and the last was right behind Andy.
Her imported chocolate was her one true vice, and the two-pound bars were the basis for most of the cookies and muffins that she baked for guests.
“That is still freaky. We have managed to subdue most senses in the store. Yours are always so sharp. How do you do it?”
Dira smiled at the young beaver. “Years of practice hunting out chocolate. I used to get it right from the cocoa trees. Even roasted the beans myself.”
“How do you do that?”
She winked, swiped her tag over the payment mark and hefted the basket. It weighed over sixty pounds, but with a slight channelling of her other form, she could lift it easily.
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