Dragon Dreams: Book 2: Prophecy of the Dragons (9 page)

"Ben, Andi, time for dinner," Trent called from downstairs.

"Coming!" Andi yelled back. She closed the browser on her computer. She smiled down at Ben, who lay next to the bed, engrossed in his writing book. He'd already filled a couple of pages in his new notebook. She'd spent more time watching him than browsing the Internet. She could watch him do anything for hours — Mom told her to get used to it since even after all these centuries, she still did the same thing with Dad — but when he wrote, his sexiness factor went up tenfold. The way he concentrated while creating stories or poems was unlike any look he had doing anything else. It took every ounce of her willpower to not crawl into his lap and devour his mouth. Not that she needed it today as they'd had an intense make-out session as soon as they'd got home from ring shopping.

She shuddered with delight. She had an engagement ring, and it was so pretty. And sparkly. Okay, maybe she didn't have it at the moment, but in two days, when it was resized, she'd be wearing it. Because of the style, she wouldn't have to take it off often, either. And when she transformed into her true form, it would blend in like her clothes, necklace, and earrings did. She also couldn't wait to see what Melissa had to say. Most kids probably wouldn't notice or know the significance, but Melissa would. She might be her friend at school, but her spoiled, childish behavior made these little twists so much fun. Now she'd really throw herself at Ben; what she couldn't have, she would want more than ever. Andi should warn him, but that could wait until their drive to school on the first day back. No need to have him dwell on it.

They'd obviously taken too long because Dad shouted up the stairs this time. "Alexandria! Benjamin! Dinner!" No doubt he figured they were making out. At least he didn't make too much of a big deal out of it anymore.

"Ben," she said, "we should go down before Dad gives himself an aneurism."

He nodded, read for a few seconds more, and then marked his place. Dang, that was hot. She hurried him out before Dad burst in and dragged them down to the table, but Mom must've told him to calm down, as he was already seated when they got down to the dining room.

"I want to hear all about the adventure today," Dad said. "Since you two have been unavailable all afternoon."

"Chill out, Daddy. Ben spent most of that time reading and writing."

"Yeah, and at the beginning, she jumped me."

Both moms snorted laughter while their dads groaned. She couldn't help letting out a giggle, but she still smacked him in the shoulder for throwing her under the bus. Then they sat down while Mom placed lasagna in the middle of the table, and Heidi poured everyone milk.

"So?" Dad said before anyone could dish up a helping of dinner.

"I noticed a strange-looking guy following us, and Ben confirmed he was evil, so we led him outside."

"You noticed him before Ben?" She enjoyed the pleased tone in Dad's voice.

"Yeah, he was totally stalking."

"He said he was from the Nightmare Syndicate," Ben added, "and that his group has the Demon of Dreams held captive."

"They're going to perform some sort of ritual to turn all dreams into nightmares, and if we try to interfere, they'll kill us."

"They can try," Dad said.

"That's what I said," Mom said.

"Besides," Dad said, "it's not like we have a choice. Our pact with Rico compels us to undertake the mission whether we want to or not."

"Ugh," Heidi muttered. "You guys don't know how hard it is to sit here and listen to you talk so nonchalantly about monsters trying to kill you."

Trent nodded his agreement.

"Sorry, Mom," Ben said. "We'll try not to bum you out by talking about the dangers of our lives." He said it sarcastically while smiling, but Andi felt a spark of anger inside of him. She gripped his knee to calm him down, and Mom shot him a look.

"Well, it's true," Heidi said. "I feel so helpless. I'm your mother, and I'm supposed to protect you, but I don't have a prayer of doing anything about any of this."

"And what sort of fatherly advice am I supposed to give?" Trent said. "I can't even begin to understand what my kid can do."

"If it makes you feel any better," Mom said, "they've outgrown our powers, too."

Dad gave her and Ben a stern look, but she could see the smile underneath. "Though I have plenty of advice for both of them."

Everyone had a hearty laugh at that, though Ben merely gave a polite chuckle. She found it amusing how Dad could still intimidate him. At least they got along now.

"Anyway," Andi said, "those shadow creatures came after us again when we were in the jewelry store. I guess the Nightmare Syndicate didn't like what we said to their little toady."

"They were easy enough to get rid of," Ben said. "Like the ones at Christmas."

"But these were different," Mom said. "You felt them, right, Heidi?"

"Yeah, but I didn't see anything. All I felt was a cold crushing heaviness in there."

"Everyone else did, too," Mom said. "When they were gone, everybody was in an instant good mood."

"These were different from the Shadow Spies," Andi said. "They're called Shadow Warriors, and they can attack normal people the same as they can magical ones."

"Really?" Dad said. He closed his eyes for a second, and then nodded. "Yes, those are quite formidable. I've never heard of them before. Another reason to not only secure the Demon of Dreams when the time comes, but to take down the Nightmare Syndicate."

"I wish we knew what Rico has planned for the two of you," Andi said.

Mom shrugged. "If it's something to help with the big rescue mission, it doesn't matter. As we've said before, he always gives us fair deals."

"How come you won't tell me what you had to do for him?" Andi asked. "Is it a big secret or something?"

Mom and Dad shared a look that was too quick for her to read.

"Of course it's no secret," Dad said. "We went on a retrieval mission and had to kill a demon to get it."

"We didn't tell you before because you two needed to concentrate on the task of the time," Mom said. "It was no big deal."

Both quickly went back to their dinners, and though Andi knew they were lying, she didn't call them on it. There was plenty of time to dig later. Maybe they didn't want Heidi and Trent to be any more spooked than they already were. That made sense. They'd tell her sometime when Ben's parents weren't around. With that thought comforting her, she joined everyone else in chowing down on dinner.

*****

Cassie gasped and found herself in Rico's realm. Lee stood next to her. The demon sat at his desk, smiling at them.

"Geez, Rico, a little warning would be nice."

"In my defense, Cassandra, I did tell your daughter and her mate to inform you I'd be calling soon."

"You know what I mean."

The demon chuckled at that and stood. "I'm happy to see you both. I have a task that should pose no problems for the great slayers, Leon and Cassandra."

"Our turn with a pirate necromancer?" Lee asked with a grin.

"No, he's gone for good," Rico said, more terse than he ever spoke to them. "Your little son-in-law saw to that."

Cassie hadn't been quite sure that she believed the kids when they said Rico was afraid of Ben, but now there was no doubt. Whatever he had done to kill the pirate necromancer, he could do to Rico, and Rico didn't like being reminded of it. At least that's what she took from this.

"So what do you have planned for us?" Lee asked.

"A simple but necessary mission. I'm sending you to retrieve the key to open the Realm of Dreams. I'd let you four do this when you start your main mission, but I want to make sure this is the correct key. Plus," Rico said with a wink, "why make that night any harder than it will already be?"

He handed them a shimmering silver pouch, which Cassie took. She didn't open it, but juggled it in her hands. It felt like it held a key of its own. She gave it to Lee, who also ran it through his fingers before placing it in his pocket.

"There's an identical pouch on one of the guards. Kill all six, switch the two, and speak this incantation." He placed one hand on each of their foreheads, and the magical word popped into their minds. "This will keep the guards' cosmic masters from realizing there's a problem. It will not only give you the ability to enter the Realm of Dreams, but also create a clear path when I deem everything is ready to go. Assuming, of course, it's the correct key, but that's not your concern. Get this one to me and your debt is repaid."

"Sounds good," Cassie said. "Quick heads-up on what we're fighting?"

"Six goons with more brawn than brains. I'm not certain they're bright enough to even know how to use weapons. Don't get overconfident, and it'll be an easy fight. And it's best not to burn them with acid in case that melts the key. Ready?"

She and Lee exchanged glances and nods.

"Ready," Lee said, and Rico snapped his fingers. They found themselves on a dusty path in the middle of a green field that led to an enormous brick wall, easily as tall as the foothills that led to the San Bernardino Mountains. The ruby red sky above proved this was not their home realm. Up ahead, six humanoids, standing roughly eight feet tall, with thick, green-tinted skin, guarded a gem-encrusted gate that ran halfway up the wall. Great, Lee had already taken a shine to that sparkly gate. Ugh, dragons!

"Come on, Lee, snap out of it. I'll let you drool over it for as long as you'd like after we complete our mission."

He shook his head and blinked rapidly a few times. "Sorry, Cassie. I don't know what came over me." She rolled her eyes as he transformed into his natural blue state.

"They haven't seen us yet," she said, pulling out her twin short blades. "With luck we'll put them down two each before they can react."

"Don't get overconfident, Cassandra. Remember, I can't use my acid breath."

"Like I ever let overconfidence get in the way."

He grunted, it coming from his long throat rather than her mind. She leapt onto his back, and they rocketed forward. Rico had been right; these monstrosities had been hired for their muscles, not their minds, as they didn't notice Lee streaking towards them until the last second.

Cassie somersaulted off and buried her twin blades in the neck of the first guard, severing its head with a quick flick of her wrist. Seconds later, Lee confirmed his first kill, though she didn't dare let go of her concentration to see what he did.

As unobservant as the muscle-bound guards were, they were quick enough to react. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she had to twist out of the way of both fists of the next closest guard. She launched herself at the third, but he swatted her away before she could stick it with her blades. She wasn't hurt, but she had to take her eyes off her foes to land safely.

"Cassie?"

"I'm fine, not even bruised. How are you fairing?"

"These beasts are proving tougher than I imagined. As you discovered, their necks are their weak points, and, unfortunately, they guard them well."

As Lee talked, she flipped in between two, drew double attacks, and slashed at their necks as she maneuvered to safety. Both swatted her blades away, and she landed in a defensive position, ready for the next attack, which came immediately. Only her amazing dexterity kept her from being crushed like a bug under the joint assault of the two big baddies. Before she launched herself into battle again, she saw her next move in the form of a softball-sized stone at the base of the wall.

The two guards flowed as one at her, and she back-flipped out of the way before sidestepping to the wall. In one quick motion, she picked up the rock and took aim. With her proficiency at turning anything into a weapon, she could bean one easily enough, and quite possibly ricochet the shot with enough force to stun the second, but that wasn't her plan. She built up energy inside the stone and hurled it at the beasts' feet. The small explosion took both by surprise, and they couldn't defend themselves this time as she slashed her blades across their throats. They didn't die immediately, but neither did they have the ability to throw any more attacks her way.

She turned her attention back to Lee and saw he still had two to contend with.

"Thought you'd be done by now."

"No, but your little showoff move gave me an idea."

"Showoff? That was strictly expert strategy."

He turned to her, a twinkle in his eye. "Perhaps you'd like to put blade to flesh with these two? Be ready."

Without another word, he turned to his adversaries and blasted acid at their feet. Like with her exploding stone, they weren't hit, but the acid drew their attention enough to where they didn't see Cassie until too late. This time her swords dug deep enough to kill the brutes almost at once. She wiped the blades clean on the creatures' hides, and then turned to Lee, who was already back in his human form.

"Piece of cake."

He grunted. "I suppose now overconfidence is allowed."

"It's not overconfidence if we've already won," she said, and kissed him on the cheek.