by Jan Dockter
“Ryan?”
He couldn’t take the plaintiveness in her voice or the sadness on her face. She had to leave, now. Because if she didn’t he wasn’t sure he could let her go.
“Ms. Brooks,” he said as steadily as he could, “you’re fired.”
Steph blinked as if she couldn’t believe what he said. But she stood and crawled backwards down the dragon’s leg. Thankfully, the man in the scrubs caught her. Ryan looked away, not wanting to see pleading in her eyes asking him not to go.
Ryan!
The final plea in his head was too much.
“Let’s go, dragon,” he yelled.
The dragon took several steps to the ledge of the building and leaped. With powerful sweeps of his wings he rose higher toward the clouds. The air grew chill. The dragon looked over his shoulder toward Ryan and the young man got the idea. He clutched the ridge that rose before him and the dragon dove. Ryan held his breath as absolute cold clothed him like a shroud. But this dragon, unlike Ryan, knew exactly what he was doing. Before Ryan could blink, they were diving into atmosphere again.
They leveled out over a mountain range and they swept over the majestic snowcapped peaks. Ryan was cold, and the air was thin but the view was breathtaking. If he didn’t feel the tug at his heart for leaving behind Steph, he would be gloriously happy. There was a reason this dragon came for him and Ryan hoped he would get answers to his many questions.
Soon enough a line of broken buildings broke into view. The crumbling walls circled a large grassy area. The dragon backstroked slowing his descent, and then lightly landed on the grass. Ryan was amazed at the grace that the large dragon displayed. The dragon trumpeted and then shifted to human form.
The human form of the dragon was dark skinned and had piercing black eyes. With a shock Ryan recognized him as Calvin Porter, one of the dragons that escaped from English prison. The man crossed quickly to a large stone table in the center and put on a cloak that covered his naked body. Then he turned to Ryan.
“The queen comes,” he said urgently. “When she arrives bow before her.”
Before Ryan could ask question, a woman swept out from shadows in the ruins. She was tall, and stately, and her perfectly proportioned face was framed by long blonde hair that flowed like a waterfall down her shoulders. But though her face was lovely, her eyes were cold and Ryan thought she could make ice freeze with her gaze. She stopped before the dragon and Ryan. The dragon bowed and remembering his words, Ryan bowed as well.
“Rise, Captain. And this is one of our weyrlings?”
“Yes, your majesty,” said the captain. He has the name Ryan Kaur.”
“Rise Ryan Kaur. Welcome home. Long have we missed you.”
Ryan stood as she circled him looking him over.
“You’ve grown well in the care of humans.”
“He does not know our language,” said Calvin.
“That is to be expected. Do you know who I am, boy?”
Ryan bristled at being called a boy. “Your captain here called you the queen of the dragons.”
“That’s right. My name is Rhea Gentrix. It is acceptable that you don’t know my name. I am also your parent.”
“Parent, as in mother?”
“If you want to use the human term.” She spoke in a bored tone, as if the subject was not important.
“And my father?”
“Dragons reproduce in different ways, as those of our kind can. Females have the ability to reproduce asexually. You have no father, Ryan. Your genome is mine and only mine.”
“Now let me think back on biology class. Asexual reproduction produces only females.”
“In other species, yes. Not dragons. In a sense, we are both male and female though one gender tends to assert itself more than the other.”
“My lady,” said Calvin. “The lad’s past few days have been strenuous.”
“Of course. You will come to dinner later and tell me about your life in the human world. My captain will see to your needs.”
“Excuse me, your majesty,” said Ryan. He found it difficult to keep sarcasm from his voice. “I appreciate the offer but I must get going. My father will be very worried.”
“And did I not just explain to you that I am your family? Captain, did the weyrling get hit in the head?”
“Not that I’m aware, my queen. Go and attend to other matters. I will talk to the boy.”
Rhea Gentrix nodded and walked serenely away from them. When she receded into the shadows of the building Calvin turned to him swiftly.
“Do not anger the queen!” said Calvin. “You may be her child, but you are one of many. She does not have the instincts of human mothers, but a dragon’s. If you prove to be a problem she will have no problem ending your life.”
“Well, gee, Cap. Thanks for the warning. This sounds like the perfect time for me to take off.”
“You do not understand. You have placed your seneschal in grave danger. The queen has many connections in the human world, one of them the law firm in which your seneschal is employed. She needs to send but one message and your seneschal shall be murdered. Rhea is aware that Stephanie Brooks is a seneschal from the reports she receives from her contacts. It was her that arranged for Ms. Brooks to work with you hoping that the bond between seneschal and dragon would form. That would give her leverage against you. The thing that Rhea does not know is that you mated the seneschal. Never, never let Rhea know this. She will kill both of you.”
“I don’t understand. You said she wanted a bond to form between Steph and me.”
“Dragon and servant only. Not the bond of mates. That is against Rhea’s law.”
Ryan threw up his hands. “Where on this earth am I not fucked?” He began to pace a patch of grass now worried sick he delivered Steph into the hands of people that could do her more harm than good. His concern grew for his father who faced more enemies than he knew.
“Stop, weyrling. This will do you no good. There are things you must learn and it is best you do it here. Your Steph will be safe as long as you remain at this palace and you refrain from saying or thinking stupid things. Remember, here a great many dragons can read your thoughts. Not all of them, but many.”
“Like Rhea.”
“Most certainly Rhea. I will teach you to shield your thoughts, but it will take time. And I will teach you other things, like how to travel between dimensions so you can travel anywhere in the world.
“Why do I get the sense you aren’t entirely the faithful captain Rhea seems to think you are?”
“Make no assumptions about dragon loyalties, Ryan. The situation here is complex. Many threads are pulled at the loom of fate. When the final threads are pulled, we may all be surprised at the result.”
Ryan blew out a long breath. “Well then, I won’t be placing any bets.”
“It is best not too,” said Calvin.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Steph
For a second time in two days Steph found herself tied to tubes and wires. It infuriated her along with Ryan leaving her behind.
You’re fired.
The words tore a deep hole in her heart. She took shallow breaths to hold on against the pain in her body and soul. Steph wouldn’t give into the spiral of dark despair that Ryan abandoned her. She would hold on and survive.
Improvise, adapt, overcome.
Yeah. And when she caught up with Ryan Kaur again, he’d find out his stupidity in flying off without her.
A woman in light blue scrubs with a stethoscope hanging off her neck pulled the curtain around the bed.
“I’m Doctor Matthews, Ms. Brooks. How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” said Stephanie succinctly.
“I can imagine. Three cracked ribs, multiple bruises. No clear breaks though. Let me check a couple things.” The doctor took out a pencil thin flashlight from her pocket and flashed it in Steph’s eyes. She then asked Steph to hold out her arms and touch her nose. Steph was no stranger to these tests. Any Marine
in a combat zone got similar screening by a medic after a bomb blast. And the Marines taught her to self-assess her fitness level. She was sore and had flashes of pain in her side but she was okay.
“What’s the verdict, doc?”
“For what you’ve been through you are in good shape.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you have someone to watch you tonight?”
“Yes,” said a voice from the doorway.
Both the doctor and Steph shot looks in that direction. A blond-haired man dressed in a close-cut Italian suit stood in the doorframe. His neutral expression betrayed no warmth, just cool efficiency.
“I’m Jared Harrison and I work for the same firm as Ms. Brooks. They sent me here to take her home.”
The doctor studied Jared Harrison but apparently decided he was okay. Maybe it was the suit. Or the otherwise nondescript expression on his face. He looked normal.
But working for Mr. Watins, a man who adopted out dragon babies, she had an inkling he wasn’t that.
“She shouldn’t be alone tonight,” said the doctor. “Someone needs to wake her every hour.”
“We’ve booked a private duty nurse for Ms. Brooks. Nothing is too good for our associates.”
“It’s up to you, Ms. Brooks,” said the doctor. “You can stay overnight for observation or go home.”
Steph cast another glance at Jared who impassively waited for her answer. It surprised her that Mr. Watins sent him, especially since she could not reach Mr. Watins or Jared by phone. And now they hired a private duty nurse? This was extraordinary and Steph’s inner warning radar blared. She was a first-year associate, the lowest of the low, and they do that? In any other universe that would make no sense at all.
But in a world where dragons existed and were the clients of a high-end law firm? How could she disbelieve anything now?
Steph decided that she was too rattled by the events of the past two days to make judgments on anything. She had been handed an impossible assignment, involved in not one but two car crashes, met a dragon and then went to bed with him. Sure. It was perfectly normal for her law firm to hire her a private duty nurse.
Jared gave no hint or clue to his thoughts in his expression, and the doctor was waiting for her answer. If she left, Ryan wouldn’t know where she went. But then he did fire her, didn’t he?
“I’ll go home.”
“Fine, I’ll write the orders and send a nurse in to remove the IV’s. Then you can get dressed.
“Thanks,” said Steph.
“I’ll wait in the hall,” said Jared.
It took an hour before she was ready to leave. But she was glad to be wearing her own, or rather, Mrs. Kaurs’ clothes, and exiting the hospital. Jared opened the door for her to a limousine. She glanced uncertainly at Jared.
“A limo? Seriously?”
“You’ve had a difficult couple days. We want to make sure you return home with as little stress as possible.”
“Very considerate,” She said, “but I’m not worth all this attention.”
“I’m following Mr. Watins instructions, Ms. Brooks. He is deeply regretful he sent you into a dangerous situation. That was not his intention.”
“Oh,” said Steph settling into the back of the limo. What did Mr. Watins think when he sent her to babysit a dragon? A petulant man-child dragon at that. Did Mr. Watins think she'd sue the firm? Crazy. Career suicide. No. Stephanie Brooks did not sue employers.
“Would you like something to drink?” asked Jared.
“No. Thanks.”
“Lunch?”
The thought of food made her queasy.
“No. Thanks.”
Jared sat back in the leather seats of the limo.
“Have you’ve been working for Mr. Watins long?” asked Steph.
“Since graduating law school,” he replied.
The answer didn't help Steph place the man's age. Jared had a nondescript face where he could be in twenties or thirties.
“I graduated last year,” she offered.
“Yes,” said Jared stiffly. “I work with Mr. Watins on selecting the new associates.”
“What was the tipping point,” she asked. “I mean, I had a good grade point average, but my school wasn’t on the order of Harvard or Columbia.”
“Not all hires are on the basis of their school affiliations or grades,” said Jared neutrally.
“So what was it?”
“You should talk to Mr. Watins about that.”
Steph pursed her lips. “I see. Well, I hoped to get enough experience so that I could practice trial law. But my supervisor told me that once Mr. Watins selected someone for special assignments, they would be working exclusively for him.”
“Supervisor?”
“Darcy Meara.”
Jared sucked air through his mouth with a look of disapproval. It was the most expression she saw from him so far.
“She shouldn’t have said that,” said Jared.
“So, it’s not true then? And I’ll go back to the pit?”
“You've not finished your assignment with Ryan Ms. Brooks.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible. He left and made his desire known he didn’t want to see me anymore.”
“You should discuss this with Mr. Watins.”
She was tired of hearing this. Steph became determined to get answers. “Then take me to Mr. Watins.”
“Those are not my instructions.”
“Look, Mr. Harrison. I’m a trained soldier and if I wanted to I could go deep to ground. Do you understand?”
“You were in the artillery unit.”
“Which requires camouflage. And I was especially good at that. So you can forget my assignment with Ryan Kaur if you don’t take me to see him right now.” Steph's jaw tightened as she projected resolve she did not feel. She wasn't entirely sure about her ability to evade a large law firm with deep pockets and plenty of connections. However, she grew tired of Watins and crew pushing her into actions she didn’t want to take.
“You are making a mistake, Ms. Brooks,” said Jared.
“It’s mine to make.”
“Quite so,” he replied looking away. He took out his phone and punched at it with his fingers.
But instead of heading into the office, they continued through the countryside. When they pulled into a long gravel lined driveway, she realized with a shock she returned to Ryan’s house.
“What is this?” demanded Steph.
“What you wanted. Meeting Mr. Watins. At this moment, he is conferring with his client, Ivan Kaur.” The limo stopped and Jared got out and pointed to the front door.
“Mr. Kaur is waiting for you,” he said blandly.
With her jaw set and muttering curse words she walked the steps to the front door and pressed the doorbell. A butler greeted her. He led her to the study where Steph had met the elder Mr. Kaur yesterday. Ryan’s father stood behind his desk with an unhappy expression on his face. Mr. Watins sat in a leather chair before the desk. He turned when the study’s doors opened. Both men’s eyes were on her and she balled her fists as her side.
Two powerful and rich men had more say over her life than she did.
Steph didn’t like it one bit.
“Ah, Ms. Brooks,” said Mr. Watins. “Take a seat.” He patted the leather chair next to his.
“Thank you, I’ll stand.”
“Sit,” he said more firmly. “We have matters to discuss.”
Steph stepped forward though every instinct told her to flee. This was a mistake.
She sat in the chair.
“I was telling Mr. Kaur that you have an unusual relationship with Ryan.”
“Oh,” said Steph.
“Yes. You do not know this but you have abilities that most people do not. You are part of ancient race, the seneschals. These humans can speak telepathically to dragons.”
“Oh, I know,” said Steph coldly. “And is this why you hired me?”
“Yes.”
&nb
sp; “So you could pair me with one of your clients’ dragon children?”
"I told you, Ivan, that Steph would be a tremendous asset.”
“What do you mean, pair?” said Mr. Kaur.
“As Steph has undoubtedly found out, the bond between seneschal and dragon is strong. The seneschals act as intermediaries between dragons and humans. In a successful pairing the seneschal has great influence over the dragon, helps him to perceive matters in a more human centric way.”
“And you want me to influence Ryan Kaur how?” Steph spoke these words coldly.
“Well, what his father wants for him, to settle into the role of heir of Kaur Industries, to become the successor that Ivan here always wanted.”
“So you can pull the puppet strings?” asked Steph.
“Come now. It’s not as bad as that. We want to make sure that any weapons that Kaur Industries develops can’t seriously injure dragons. We also want to see the research the government has on dragons.”
“What you are talking about is treason,” said Steph indignantly.
“Come now, Ms. Brooks. Technically, no. You should know this. We are not doing these things as agents of a foreign power."
He was right. But that made no difference to Stephanie. “No. Just against the interests of our country.”
“Please, Ms. Brooks. We live in a multinational world. The concerns of one nation is not more important than the rest.”
“No. The interests of your client is paramount whether or not they mesh with the nation's.”
“Quite so,” her employer said. “And your client as well. You are part of the firm, Ms. Brooks.”
“Am I?” said Stephanie. “Let's fix that. I quit.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ryan
“May I enter?” said a feminine voice.
Ryan turned from his examination to see a woman that looked like a younger carbon copy of the queen of the dragons.
“Hello,” said Ryan.
The woman smiled. “It is nice to meet you, brother.”
“I guess that isn’t a surprise. You look exactly like the queen. What’s your name?”
“Reanne.”
“Reanne. Not Princess Reanne?”
