by L M Lacee
Joy stood wide eyed as she watched Johner slowly turn red and Frankie storm away. “Oh wow!”
Ace agreed with her, Frankie in a temper was impressive. “So I have a spare room.” Before she could speak he said. “You know Clint lives with me, my shadow and I will enjoy having you with us. Now when Clint is healed together you will collect your things and go with him to my place, and make sure he does nothing else to have himself knocked out.”
Joy giggled and said. “Oh you mean, stupid?”
“Yes that too!”
“He is a gentle male.” She said. “He wants to be a healer.”
Ace could hear the concern in her voice. To waylay any more worries, he told her. “He is one of the finest males I know. He will also be a healer now what do you wish for?”
She ducked her head and toed the dirt. Softly with a slight hesitation in her voice she told him. “I want to go to school. I like learning.”
Ace smiled. “That is great, I as well like to learn. You young lady have joined the right pack, we all love a good book. You do like books?”
She giggled again. “Yep I love the library.”
Ace nodded. “Good. So off you go and he held out some money. “Get more food, do not.” He looked at her seriously. “Go hungry, eat. If you run out of money find me or my brothers or Olinda. They will give you more also find something nice to dress in. You and Clint will be required at family dinner tonight.”
“Oh but… He held his hand up to stop her words.
Lady Verity is not to be trifled with, she will know. She like Lady Charlie knows everything.” Joy giggled again showing her youth once more. “Oh okay so I should buy something…?
Claire came over. “It is okay Ace I will sort it out.”
“Thank you Claire.” She looked at Joy and then Ace, “No thank you, she will thrive beyond belief now.”
Ace smiled. “Good, it is all I can ask for.”
Joy looked at the hundred dollar note he held out to her and then his face, then back at the money.
“That is lot of money!” Ace opened her hand and placed the note in it. “Good it will be enough to feed you and find you something to wear. If not Claire will pay and I will pay her back. Do not worry Joy you are not alone anymore.”
She sobbed and tears flowed down her face and before he realized it she was in his arms sobbing her relief and fear away. With a look of wonder and sympathy shared with Claire, his arms hugged Joy and hers held him tight. After a few minutes she sniffed then said. “Okay,” she wheezed out, “Okay. Thanks Ace.”
“It is my pleasure welcome to my family little wolf.”
She released him and went with Claire who smiled and told him.” She will be okay.”
He sighed as his dragon said. We claimed her? Of course we did.
His dragon smiled. Hope our Shadow likes teenagers?
Ace hoped so as well! He looked around and realized he was the only one there. As he was about to continue on with his journey he felt someone at his back. Turning he came face to face with two faerie warriors, they looked hard and unyielding. Both were dressed in black leathers with swords sheathed on their backs. The only difference between the two was one was taller than the other otherwise they were carbon copies. With long brown hair, weathered faces and dark eyes. Ace knew these faeries were from the Forest Dwellers Grove, the most vicious of fighters.
Ace felt his dragon shift to watch them from his eyes. “Warriors!”
“Commander Battle.” The one on the left greeted him.
“Do I know you Warriors?”
The one on the left smiled. “I do not think we have been introduced. I am guard captain Daru, this is captain Mercca.”
“What can I do for you?”
“We are looking for Prince Tarin.”
“Huh I see. Would be about this high.” He raised his hand close to his nose height. “A faerie with long brown hair, needs a wash. Rumpled clothes, blood coming from his ears with several bruises around his throat in the shape of a hand print?”
“Captain Daru nodded. “Yes that would just about describe him, minus the blood and bruisers.”
Ace nodded. “Good, last I saw of him he was on his way to medical.”
“We thank you for your help Commander Battle.” Said Captain Mercca.
“Would you know what caused all those bruises and blood you spoke of?” Captain Daru asked.
Ace nodded. “A young female wolf aged thirteen.”
Daru frowned anger pulsed from him and the other warrior their eyes looked like flint as he said. “Female wolves are vicious. I have heard.”
“Especially ones that have been claimed.” The other warrior named Mercca agreed.
“That is so, now gentlemen please call me Ace. I am not sure if you a familiar with my brother Ash?”
Daru nodded. “We have not met but we know of the Battle brothers.”
Ace bet they did, as warriors and guards they would have felt it was their duty to know everyone who could be a danger to the Grove or their charge.” Well Ash and I have a weekly poker game. Do you play?”
They both grinned and nodded. “We do.”
“Next Friday at Ark’s place.”
“We will be there.” Said Daru. They saluted Ace then they shrunk and flew towards the medical center. Ace grinned and shoved his hands into his pockets and continued his stroll. He was no closer to any answers. His dragon told him. But we were entertained and have another to look after!
Ace agreed. That we were my friend and yes we do!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
W hile the family was gathering for dinner at the end of family Sunday. Ace was again telling more people of what had taken placed earlier in the day and when Clint and Joy both arrived they were embraced by the family.
With Claire’s help Joy had shopped and she was positive she spent far more than the hundred dollars Ace gave her but Claire kept telling her it was okay and that Ace would be fine with it, so she just brought items Claire told her she looked good in. She had picked out a dress in green and a nice pair of bronze shoes with a little heel to come to dinner in. She felt clean for the first time in days, her hair was washed and trimmed and she felt like a million dollars.
She looked a little amazed at the welcome she received. Her eyes shy she stared openly at everything around her. Axl and Clint seemed to be her guards which amused Ace.
Clint, being a teenager took all the adulation as his due for being a hero. Joy was overwhelmed until Frankie took her under her wing and gently introduced her to everyone and with one look at Verity Ace knew she was smitten.
“You did good.” said Edith. “Mama Verity is in love and Papa Rene` has her enrolled in school already.”
Ace smiled. “She likes school.”
“She is delightful, I and Sage will take her shopping tomorrow and get her more clothes and some school clothes.” He looked at her as he said. “Thank you Edee.” She grinned. “She likes art, you might want to remember that.”
“I will.”
Harper drove through the tunnel of trees and quietly laughed to herself. She remembered how she had left weeks earlier and wondered what became of the dragon she had encountered, and if Reighn had cooled off in the time she had been gone.
In the weeks she had been away she traveled to England with retrievers and Hunters where they took down a cartel of humans and shifters while rescuing several hundred males, females and children. She then went on four more rescues and joined with teams who were involved in breaking up several traffickers, and she personally sent at least fifteen males and females, who thought it was good idea to sell young female shifters, to the afterlife.
She then worked two more jobs until she felt the darkness residing inside her was starting to try and break free. She knew it was time to call it quits for a while, to center herself once more. Harper needed home. She had informed her team she would do this one last pick up and return to the Gap.
The night was dark, no moon showed
through the clouds as she drove her car full of physically and emotionally battered and bruised females to the center. She had rescued them from some depraved humans who thought they ruled their small corner of the world and were within their rights to hold shifters they wrongfully captured. When Harper and several retrievers eventually located the town where they rescued the females and the young from and before they left the town the commander of the retrievers called in the Hunters and in this instance it was the flaming dragon unit who arrived to administer the Dragon Lord’s Justice. Harper and her group of retrievers could see the flames of destruction for miles as they drove away.
Putting all that to the back of her mind she let herself be here in the moment and sighed as she looked out the window and saw the tunnel coming to its end. She loved the way the trees formed the tunnel and even loved the barrier of Dragon magic she passed through, she was so glad to be home. This was home, she may as well admit it even if it was only to herself, since she and Frankie had come to Dragon’s Gap to confront, or some might say yell at her sister, Charlie.
They had found not only Charlie but a safe place, a haven for all their kind. Yeah she had found Charlie she sighed again but it was sigh of happiness, she and Charlie were well on their way to fixing their relationship. She adored Charlie’s kids and they actually loved her.
Her love for Charlie was a more mature one now, it felt right and as for Storm she thought he was the most honest male she had ever met. Blunt and straight forward there was no hidden agenda within him, he was what he was, a male that adored his young and loved his shadow to her bones. It made Harper happy to know Charlie got it right.
Her relationship with the Queen and King of the Faerie Grove was more complicated, of her own making and now it was time to repair what she had broken.
She knew she needed to talk to Scarlett, needed to explain. It was just hard to do, to drag up all that happened in the past. But she told herself, needs must and she would fix it this time while she was home.
Frankie was right not much good came from hiding in her work, be that her barn where her art was or out on the road. Even if she really liked what she did.
Clearing the tunnel, something heavy lifted from her shoulders. Music sang in her mind, it stirred her blood and made her think of long ago places and flying dragons returning home from battle. It was a song of welcome.
Then a softer, more enticing tune over shadowed the other, it was filled with longing and hope of a promise, the feel of it almost made her heart stop, tears filled her eyes. She had never heard either song before but every time she returned something new was happening at the Gap. So music yeah! She could live with that.
Sighing in relief she let herself feel home where people knew her, cared about her, loved her. Harper felt lighter and it was not all with exhaustion. She had a home, a place that wanted her, that adored her so much it sung to her.
As her passengers all started to wake from their exhausted sleep as she drove up towards the building that held people who were waiting to care and see to all their needs. To welcome them home!
Harper was hurting, her body had taken a beating from wrestling these wonderful females from the people who had them hidden away. The thought of the males who had held the females captive made her teeth ache as well as a rib or two. They were probably broken, she thought she had bruised kidneys as well. Some males thought hitting a female was a good choice. Unfortunately for them Harper was not one to allow such behavior to go unpunished. They would hit no more females or young ones ever…
She turned her eyes to the wide eyed fearful females as they started to murmur tearfully and softly she told them. “Calm we are at Dragon’s Gap a safe haven for your kind.”
The female beside her who was maybe in her forties said. “We thank you for your kindness, you mean our kind right?”
Harper grinned which was becoming easier to do, another thing that amused her. “Close enough. You will be going to the center where people will help you and answer all your questions. They will make sure you are well and fed. You are safe here, my name is Harper if you should need me.”
“We thank you again Harper. My name is Lisa.”
Harper pulled up in front of the center as people silently and slowly moved from within. “No thanks are necessary, it is what I do and Lisa I mean it, if you need me ask for me or ask for Frankie she will know where I am.”
“Do you do this for all your rescues?”
“Yep everyone, so far no one has had to ask for my help but I like to put it out there.” She pointed to the people coming closer. “These people are really kind, more than you have ever known.” The doors were opened and soft voices urged the occupants out. Harper nodded to Lisa. “Go, get what you need, that is why they are here.”
“It is hard to trust.” Lisa said quietly.
“Then don’t, just do the days. Each one will bring something new and trust will come in time.”
“Yeah!” Lisa breathed out on a sigh. “Yeah we can do the days.”
With that it seemed all the females and young gathered their courage and exited her car, when the last one had closed the door. Harper eased her foot onto the accelerated and moved slowly from the center and drove to the castle.
Frankie and Johner were installed in the family upper level of the castle, as he was a son and brother to the past and present Dragon Lord. Which made Frankie Royalty. It amused Harper greatly thinking of Frankie trying to come to terms with that while she had been away.
Harper lived alone in her barn. She loved it but without Frankie it was lonesome not that she would admit that to anyone. Least of all to Charlie or Frankie, and never to Reighn who for some weird reason had decided she needed a big brother. She thought maybe that was why she stayed away, she was lonely. Which seemed weird, she had never been so before.
Harper got out of the car and gingerly stretched, she had been in her vehicle for a total of nineteen hours this time, and away almost two weeks. She looked up at the sky and saw dragons flying, the sight was enough to catch the breath in her throat.
“You have been away a long time.” Reighn said the Lord of Dragons in his deep voice. Harper had known he was there in the shadows, she always knew where dragons were it was a quirk she had developed since she came to live here.
She said now. “I have, it took a while to take down the cartel and fish out the others and then to make this run. I think I need home and this seems to be home.”
Reighn laughed softly. “Why the tone of surprise? All know this but you apparently! Anyway you have been missed.”
Harper debated the wisdom of scoffing at the idea that anyone other than the loved up Frankie had missed her and shrugged. She was tired and too sore to go another round with Reighn instead she said. “Okay so what is for dinner, it is Sunday right?”
“Yes.”
Sunday was family day, meaning everyone that was considered family by Verity and that included Harper attended if possible.
Reighn stepped from the shadows. “The usual, you have thirty minutes, then she will come hunting you.”
“Yeah I figured.” She hugged him a spontaneous act, something she had never done before. Reighn frowned, he adored Harper she amused and entertained Reighn constantly, what she never did was hug. “Harper little one, what happened?”
“Music so sad and graceful it hurt my heart and soul. I have never heard a tune like that before.”
“Hum it for me sister.” He asked.
She did and was amazed the tune came so readily to mind. “Dragon song!” Reighn said and laughed softly. “Someone has marked you for their shadow.”
Harper pulled away and laughed. “No way! You are kidding me right?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Sorry Harper you are officially betrothed.”
“No! That is not happening. I refuse!”
Reighn walked beside her as they entered the castle. “Is it just because you are contrary or scared.”
Harper growled. “Bo
th, and Reighn you know I am right. Death greets me at every turn. Why would I want to place someone in the middle of that?”
“Maybe because they can stand between you and death, sweet girl. Now I have a question for you. Claire advised you of your shadow, why are you now surprised?”
“She shrugged uncomfortable with the question. “I don’t know I figured she was wrong. I mean what are the odds seriously?”
“Claire is never wrong and the odds were always in your favor, he is here! Think on that as you change for dinner. I will send Ella to you.”
“Yeah… Yeah! Don’t send Ella. I will be okay, give me fifteen and I will be there promise.”
“As you will Harper. I wish for you to remain home for a while you have not worked in your barn for weeks. The family misses you.”
“As I have missed them.”
“Stay home, do your art.”
“I will, I need too. I appreciate it you know?” She sighed. “More than I thought I ever would.”
He ran his hand down her back, feeling the bruisers and tenderness of her skin. “I know you do Harper.”
“See you soon.” She waved over her shoulder as she walked down the long hallway that would cut through the castle to her barn. She could have parked her car closer to it, but she too needed to be greeted by someone who wanted to see her and would be glad she was home. Plus she had wanted the hug. Damn it she was becoming addicted.
She sighed, she had forgotten to ask him about the song that came from the stones, friggin hell!
She left a quietly amused and pleased Dragon Lord behind. He turned his head acknowledging the fire Dragon as he came from the shadows.
“She is receptive to your song and hungers for the bond of a shadow but she is libel to kill you before you get to the mating.”
“It is a challenge!” Ace replied in his deep voice, his dragon riding close to the surface with his shadow now home. “She was hurt?”
“Yes it is normal for her. Harper fights hard with swords or knives, failing that hand to hand. She has no half measures.”
