Dragon's Gap: Set Includes Stories 4-5 Plus Love's Impulse

by L M Lacee

  “So we can play now?”

  Charlie eyed her shadow. “We are not talking cards now are we?”

  He smiled like the dragon he was as she grinned like the assassin she was as he said. “No, we are not.”

  Ace and Harper moved at Fin’s signal. Harper went into the large walk in pantry and Ace blended into the shadows in the large kitchen knowing the agent would not turn on lights. Their wait was rewarded as someone entered the kitchen from the outside door. Harper watched them move stealthily, from the door which had barely opened, along the wall until the person was nearly at the pantry’s entrance. Then Harper jumped out and waved her arms around as Ace slid up behind the startled male and slipped the mask over his face. As the male’s body slumped in his arms he asked. “What was that?”

  Harper jumped up on to the counter. “I decided to try a new tactic.”

  Ace moved to cage her body between his legs and arms. “Why?”

  She looped her arms around his neck. “It seemed the thing to do!”

  “Well do not do so again my heart cannot take it.”

  “Oh...want to make out?”

  “Of course.”

  Axl and Ark were more direct. One minute the female agent was walking down the darken hallway leading to Reighn’s office when she felt a wind surround her and Ark and Axl were on either side of her. “Greetings!” Axl said as the females head turned towards him astonishment on her face. Ark slapped the mask over her nose and mouth and seconds later she passed into sleep. “Easy as pie!” Axl stated. Ark snorted in disgust. “Truly I thought these were some type of hardened agents.” Axl grinned as he hefted the dead weight of the female onto his shoulder. “Well to be fair they have never come up against us or Frankie’s non magical abilities before!”

  “True we are unique. I wonder if this stuff gives them a headache.”

  Axl grinned as he offered. “I could try it on you, and you could tell us when you woke?”

  “Brother I am not amused.”

  Fin and Ash waited, they knew all the other targets had been subdued. Fin had positioned them closest to the cells. Frankie and Johner stood in a room to their left. If the male was able to get passed the dragons, Johner would drop him with a special blow dart. Made just for this sort of thing by Storm and Sharm. Frankie tightened her sphere of influence to null the magic’s of the male coming stealthily down the hallway.

  Fin and Ash had moved farther along the corridor towards the cell the agent Faline was incarcerated in. Fin was fairly sure the male coming towards them was the leader it was in the careful way he moved. The precision as he scouted the darken hall before moving, he moved like a leader. Fin caught sight of Faline moving closer to the bars of the cell. They had deliberately placed her in the cell with a door of bars as opposed to the solid wooden doors. He and Ash watched the male slip from one patch of darkness to another when he was almost at the cell he hissed out. “Faline Light-Wind?”

  She whispered back. “London Dark-Child I cannot believe they sent you?”

  “And I cannot believe you got yourself caught!”

  “Well!” She shrugged. “You have not come up against the Elementals, until you do keep your comments to yourself. Now get me out!”

  London leaned against the bars. His senses ranging out around him. He did not realize Frankie’s ability was making his senses only read the area an inch or so from his body. Therefore, he allowed himself to relax as he was not sensing any danger. “What are you doing? Release me.” Faline demanded.

  London, she knew could be so annoying especially if he felt he had the upper hand it was not often Faline was ever bested by London Dark-child an extraordinary human male. Descended, if one wanted to believe the rumors from great Native American chieftains. Not that he would admit or deny the truth but he was an exemplary example of the human race with his bronze skin tone and long black hair. Black eyes, wiry muscled body and sharp intelligent mind said it all. “All in good time… all in good time. First though I wish to know how you were caught?”

  “Why?”

  “It is obvious is it not?” He drawled. “So I do not fall into the same trap of course!”

  “Huh you assume it was a trap?”

  “Well…”

  “Well what? They did not know we were there. We were completely be-spelled until the Elemental arrived then I could not call my magic.”

  London stood up straight from the relaxed position he had been leaning against the bars of the cell. He snapped out. “Say again?”

  Faline said with exaggerated patience. “I said no magic. Now get me out of here!”

  All his cockiness disappeared. “Yes…yes of course.” London touched the lock on the door and pushed with his magic, and nothing happened he tried again. Desperate he looked at Faline who looked back at him with the same desperation in her eyes. “Try again!” She hissed.

  He did then asked. “What is going on?”

  Faline groaned. “Please say you came with a lock pick?”

  London shook his head. “Why would I? They are only dragons?”

  Her head dropped just as a hand grabbed London’s shoulder and another hand slid a mask over his face. “Dragons are sneaky you should remember that?” Fin told Faline as they both watched as Ash allowed the male to drop to the floor with a soft groan. Fin nodded to a stunned Faline who asked. “You knew?”

  Fin smiled. “Of course this is our home. Our Dragon Lord knows whenever a portal is opened. We may be dragons but we have lived a very long time, you may want to remember that too if you survive. That is!”

  He moved aside as one after the others of his team deposited the Elturnian rescue team into cells on either side of Faline. Ash picked up the one known as London and placed him in the cell with Faline who stood back beside the wall as the door was opened. She was no fool there was no way she would try to run for it, she would end up dead if she tried.

  After the prisoners were placed in the cells and the teams had dispersed to their beds. Fin looked at Johner and Frankie. “You will be alright here for the night?” Frankie had elected to remain close to the agents as no one knew what their gifts were, she held tight to her dampening spell. Frankie grinned “Yep Johner said we will be.”

  Fin told them. “Someone will be down to relieve you in a few hours, so you can change for court. “Sleep well my friends.”

  “You too.” They chorused.

  Fin nodded to the agent as she stared at him. “Rest you will need your wits about you for court tomorrow.”

  She did not answer him. With one more satisfied look at the cells filled with the sleeping agents. Fin his hands in the pockets of his jeans strolled from her view. Faline slowly sank down onto the floor looking at the comatose male in the bed opposite her. Life she feared was about to change forever. The problem she worried over, was it to be for the better or worse for the Elturnian and what changes would come for her, if she survived.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

  T he next morning June and Fin were up early. Neither of them had slept much after Fin returned to their bed once the agents were all captured. And in truth there had not been much of the night left.

  After they had fed and changed the twins, they wandered into the dining room with them, where June ate her breakfast or at least tried to. She drank several cups of coffee. She was tired and wired not a good combination for her or her wolf. Fin looked at her over the table. “Little wolf are you with me still?”

  June took her eyes of the baby in her arms, and Fin could see the wildness in her eyes. He refused to call it crazy as it started to fade from her eyes. She took in a breath and let it out slowly, “I am… I am good. They will be safe! You and I will live. No one will die today or get hurt. We will be a happy family!”

  He smiled. “Tall order but doable!”

  She laughed. “You really are mixing with humans and shifters too much.”

  He shrugged. “I love the way they express themselves. It is enlightening and confuses the nobles.
Which as Ace says is always a bonus!”

  June shook her head and scolded. “You two really?” Fin smiled relieved. She was smiling now and relaxing, the feeling of wildness was easing within her as she asked. “So what is Andre` like?”

  Fin thought a moment. “Nothing like Rene` that is for sure. He was all our trainer at one time or another. There was no one better to train us. He was tough but fair and patient, which for some of the recruits was a blessing. He, like Storm does not suffer fools.”

  “Uhuh! I meant, what does he look like?”

  “Why?” He frowned at her question seeing no reason for it.

  “Well does he looked like Rene`?”

  “Oh… oh, I see what you mean. No, he is the light to Rene`s dark.”

  “Oh different mothers.”

  Fin smiled at her assumption. “No just different, they had the same Dam and Sire. It is just they are very visibly different but very much the same personality.”

  June looked at him and shook her head she was still none the wiser as to what Andre` looked like “And you call yourself an investigator!”

  “I have no idea what you mean?”

  “I know!” She stood. “Well, we better get ready.” Knock…Knock

  “Who is that?” June asked Fin as he rose with the baby in his arms and went to answer the door. “It should be Harper and Charlie your escorts for the day.”

  “My what?” Was all she got out as Harper and Charlie strode in, Harper cutting off anymore talking when she asked Fin. “Why are you still here? And why are you not dressed?” She asked June. She and Charlie were encased in leather pants and tops with long coats. Harper’s leathers were a dark blue she wore knives strapped to her thighs as opposed to Charlie who wore black leathers and guns strapped to her thighs.

  “Wow, you guys look great. Are those outfits specially made?”

  “Yeah, Storm and Ace ordered them a while ago.” Charlie told her.

  “You have guns?” Fin asked June. She grinned as she said. “You know I do.”

  “Wear them, and I will also order you a pair of leathers.” June grinned wider. “Yippee for me.”

  Fin smiled as he handed the baby to Charlie, then shrugged into his sword harness. He, like Harper and Charlie wore leather armor protection. He kissed June then said. “Take the girls to the stone apartment. I will see you in the courtroom. Do not do anything rash!”

  She looked up at him. “I will not I promise.” He looked down into her eyes. “Please do not go anywhere without Harper or Charlie.”

  “I will not.”

  He looked at Charlie. “Keep Claire safe, you know they will be hunting her first.”

  Harper nodded as she poured her and Charlie some coffee. “We have them all with Sage they are safe. Edith is with them as well what did Claire see?”

  Fin told them. “She saw a force of fifty to a hundred. She thinks this is a push. She saw no blood which she says means they could be scouting.”

  Charlie grimaced. “It is what I would do to see what our defenses are.”

  “Yeah Johner said the same as did Ace.” Harper agreed. “Also, it is what I would do too.”

  “Shit I hate this!” June moaned softly.

  “We know, we all do. Stay safe.” Fin said as he left. Charlie nodded to Harper. June handed her the baby and went to shower and change. “We will get the girls ready.”

  “Okay thank you guys.” Harper frowned down at the sleeping baby girl in her arms. “What we do for family.”

  “Yeah, it is.” June murmured before she left to dress.

  Within fifteen minutes, the three females and two babies walked swiftly towards the stone apartment. June carried both babies in her arms as Charlie and Harper escorted her.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN:

  C ourt was quiet, over a hundred people were present more than June thought would have been there. June walked in between Harper and Charlie. They followed Sage who walked beside Claire with Edith on her other side. They were surrounded by castle guards.

  When they reached Fin, June stood beside him as Harper and Charlie went to where their shadows stood. Edith moved to Sharm who smiled as she joined him. Sage carried on walking to the podium and stood beside Reighn. Stanvis called the court to order. “Court is closed. Guards seal the room.”

  They waited while the guards closed and stood in front of the doors. Other guards lined the walls and windows Stanvis with a nod from Johner called out. “Be seated!”

  Stanvis stood back as Lars came forward when everyone had taken a seat, Lars unrolled his scroll. “We are here today to determine the validity of the claims from Casadaine Grove and Banatorr Luminia for the young who have been claimed by Finlay and June Slorah. Please come forward representatives from the Banatorr Luminia.”

  It was easy to see they were Pixies. They shone with vitality both had long light pink hair and green eyes they were tall and slim. Golden skin tone graced both females who wore light flowing calf length dresses of reds and yellows. They looked serene and carried a peaceful energy around them. June nudged Fin. “They look like the girl’s mother.”

  He nodded as he watched the females approach. Reighn stood as they came to stand on the small witness platform. “Greetings Dragon Lord.” Said the female on the left. “I am Mauve Bana and this is my sister Neve Bana, we are the cousins of the one named Marria. Who passed through the veil of clouds leaving behind, two daughters.”

  The one named Neve said. “We come in harmony to petition for the offspring.”

  Reighn inclined his head. “Thank you, we greet you in harmony. I must ask, why do you have a right to the daughters left behind?”

  Mauve replied. “They are of our blood as distant as that is. We feel the connection as faint as it is.”

  Reighn asked. “Are they the only reasons?”

  “Is there any other than duty? They are Pixie therefore they should be raised as Pixie.”

  “Your petition is denied.”

  Neve looked at her sister then asked. “May we have clarity on your decision?”

  Reighn waved his hand over to where June sat by Fin. “There is your reason. June Slorah answered the song of the mother and daughters. She suffered life threatening injuries caused by those that took the lives of the twin’s father and mother to fulfil her promise to the one you call Marria. To bring her daughters to her shadow and Dragon’s Gap.”

  The two females bowed to Reighn then turned and bowed to June and Fin. “We withdraw our petition. There is no better mother and father for the daughters of Marria than the ones they have now.”

  June and Fin stood and bowed back. “We thank you.”

  When Reighn excused them, they silently walked to the door that was opened by a guard and escorted to a portal. June blew out a breath as Fin murmured, “One down. One to go!”

  Stan called out. “Casadaine Grove please step forward and state your petition.”

  Two faeries, male and female stood and walked to the small platform. They were dark in coloring as though they had both been dipped, clothes and all in chocolate. They both bowed to Reighn then the male introduced himself and the female with him. “Dragon Lord Reighn, may I introduce Councilor Carmel Waysong adviser to Queen Mist Mesa. I am Montel Mesa, brother and adviser to King Palto Mesa of Casadaine Grove.”

  “Why has your Grove laid claim to the hatchlings?”

  “On behalf of our Queen and King, we bequest the infants be given into our care to be raised as Faerie.”

  Reighn frowned as he said. “Yet you heard the evidence of the call the birth mother made along with infants to Lady June and you also know of the trials she endured to rescue both young?”

  “We did.”

  “You still wish to proceed?”

  “We do.”

  “Why?”

  “I beg your pardon Dragon Lord.”

  Sage stood and walked to stand beside Reighn. “I as Dragon Lady ask why? Your petition is frivolous, at best. Downright insulting at worse and s
o I ask why?”

  The male inclined his head as the female remained silent. “It has come to our Queen and King’s attention you have harbored grey ones here. They feel the infants would be unsafe to remain here due to the inherent dangerous nature of those types of half-breeds.”

  Harper whispered to Charlie. “Does he mean us?”

  “He does.”

  “Well, that is rude should I explain to him how rude that is?”

  Ace said without taking his eyes off the male and female. “Do not yet my soul let us see what the Dragon Lady does.”

  “Well okay but any more slights and my feelings will get hurt.”

  “I am aware.”

  Sage asked quietly. “Can you explain that please?”

  The female finally spoke her voice was cultured and very refined. “Dragon Lady our Queen rightly worries about the infants. It is a well-known fact that grey ones are notoriously unstable.”

  Sage raised an eyebrow. “Really? We have not found that. I was assured the information that the grey ones were no longer named as such had been sent to all the Groves by the High Queen and King. Are you saying that your own Groves Queen and King are spreading misinformation or are you implying the High Queen and King are lying?”

  The male went a shade darker as the female drew in a sharp breath. Sage tipped her head to the side. “You cannot have it both ways. Either your Queen and King are trying to embarrass the High Queen and King by challenging for infants that do not belong to your Grove, or your Royal pair are just misguided and need the High Queen and King to send a recall and close your Grove.”

  “You have no rights to make such scurrilous suppositions!” Stated the female.

  “She may not but I do!” The High Queen said as she was escorted into the court by her light, King Zale and followed by Scarlett and Elijah. The faeries dropped to their knees. “High Queen and High King.”

  Reighn and Sage smiled as Reighn greeted their guests. “Queen Meadow and King Zale, we welcome you to our court.”