Dragon Legacy (7 page)

*

Grace moaned. She stumbled and slumped on a large, flat rock. She let her head drop between her knees. “Grace, you've hurt yourself.” Lukas knelt in front of her, one strong hand pushed her head towards the ground as his other massaged her back. “Stay like this until it passes.” Grace raised her head.

“Better. I don’t know what happened. I couldn't speak. My vision clouded with bright white stars in shadowy fuzz."

Lukas looked around. He didn't see anyone, but someone's psychic energy lurked there.

“It started like a bad migraine and left me with dizziness and nausea.”

“Xavier must be the culprit. The pain and it’s after effects must be his projected anger when he found you rather than Fleur.”

“So I'm collateral damage?"

"Yes."

"At least I’ve protected Fleur for now, but he will search elsewhere,” Grace said as her eyes glazed over. She held onto Lukas. He waited. When her eyes normalized, she looked devastated.

"What is it?"

"Xavier has found Fleur."

"I'll warn Zane.”

Lukas closed his eyes and concentrated. The silver wolf picture filled his mind. The image glowed and heated as Lukas transferred his psychic message to Zane. The image faded and disappeared. He refocused, but an impenetrable black barrier formed. He opened his eyes.

Grace looked worried. “You didn’t reach him.”

“I’m not sure. Someone broke the link.”

“Xavier?"

“Yes.”

Grace stood on her still-wobbly legs and struggled with her balance. Lukas looked around him. He didn't recognise any landmarks. The mine changed the landscape.

“Lukas?”

“Let’s go.”

Grace sighed. “Come on. If we follow this path, we should be at the woods in twenty minutes."

∞

“This is the right area. The trees grew after the dragons buried the dragon egg.” Fleur smiled. Zane rested his hand on Jasmine’s shoulder as they examined the map.

“You must look here as well.” Zane measured the distance. “We’ll dig at both sites. The other site is due north."

Jasmine examined the map and found a footpath.

"Let's get started."

Fleur unpacked the collapsible spades from Jasmine’s rucksack. Zane declined Fleur's offer of help. “I don't understand how Lukas knew about this place.”

Zane looked puzzled then smiled. "Of course. You didn't see the plans Grace found."

"No, but I overheard Lukas say he buried the dragon egg."

"Grace has two sets of plans: the house and the land prior to the build. Lukas recognized certain areas. The ley lines go through this wood and intercept here. Their spiritual and psychic strength helped keep the dragon egg hidden from evil.”

Jasmine shuddered. “Too bad the magic failed.”

“
You don’t know if it did,” Fleur interjected. “Perhaps it's time the dragon egg hatched?”

Zane and Jasmine exchanged a puzzled look.

Zane dug the hole with effortless grace. The two women watched his muscles ripple in unison as he worked. Zane examined the hole for the dragon egg.

“He's fit.” Jasmine licked her lips in a purely feminine way.

Fleur looked at the other woman and shook her head. “So even a sassy witch is easy prey for a paranormal predator?”

Jasmine shrugged her shoulders. “Well, I’m human, aren’t I?”

Zane jumped out of the hole. “It’s empty.”

She watched a despondent Zane as he refilled the hole. Jasmine passed her a spade, and they helped him without further comment. When they’d finished, Zane threw himself on the forest floor. His expression reminded Fleur of a dog before he rolled over. “Time to move on, I guess.”

“Wait, hang on a minute!” Zane squatted and closed his eyes “Oh.”

“Zane, is something wrong?" Fleur tapped him on the shoulder, worried.

Zane opened his eyes and stood. “Lukas contacted me, but someone blocked his energy.”

“Perhaps you should try and contact him.”

“No. We must find the dragon egg.”

They continued through the woods.

Their destination lay at the bottom of a dark, rock-covered hill. Jagged, smaller boulders peppered the landscape, and gorse bushes clung tenuously. The wind whipped up, and the rain fell in large heavy droplets.

“Well, this is great, isn’t it? I can't see the hills, let alone decide if this is the right area.” Jasmine threw her rucksack onto a large flat rock as she fastened her jacket.

Fleur pulled her rain jacket from its bag and pulled it on. “Let's shelter in the woods.”

Zane looked at the sky as he shook his head and dislodged long damp strands of hair from his eyes.

“It will pass. If we shelter over there, under the overhang of rocks, at least we’ll be protected from the wind.”

*

Xavier stopped inside the woods and took cover behind a large tree. Through the tree canopy, he saw the rain clouds diminish. The dragon’s woman, Fleur, huddled against a rock. She looked ordinary, so human. Her appearance deceived him before. She held the power. Perhaps he should abduct her. Alone, she would be at her most vulnerable, at his mercy. She would reveal her hidden depths and dark secrets. His sex stirred, excited not from physical attraction, but the power of her aura. If he killed her, the power would flow into to him. He licked his full lips and savored the possibility.

The human need for revenge still gnawed at him. The inner demon raged. It craved the aura. Xavier wanted to possess the woman and destroy his enemy. If he kidnapped the dragon's most revered possession, it would it give him the revenge he craved. The chance for vengeance over Lukas accelerated his decision-making. He would watch the dragon lord suffer as he destroyed his soul mate. The woman would be his. Eager, Xavier honed in on Lukas’ psychic signature. The resultant vision showed the dragon and the guardian witch close by. He must act now. The sudden pain in his face started the process.

*

Despite the boisterous north wind, Zane wanted to dig.

“The rain’s eased now. If we dig between the large flat rocks we should cover all this." He indicated the area of map they marked.

"We could start over here,” Jasmine said.

“You don’t have to.”

“We’ll be warmer if we dig." The ground, soft from the recent rainfall, made digging hard. They struggled.

Deep in conversation, Fleur and Jasmine didn’t notice the man appear from the nearby woods until he stood over them. Fleur's neck hairs prickled. She raised her head. Her suspicious look disappeared as she recognized the visitor. Part of her was still surprised she didn't sense his presence earlier. Since they connected on the bus, her body always sensed him, but not this time. She smiled. "Lukas. I’m so glad you’re safe. Grace isn't with you?”

“Hi, Fleur, Jasmine,” Lukas said.

Fleur wiped her muddy rain jacket and launched herself at him. “I’ve missed you, and I’ve been so worried. Zane couldn't understand your message. What did you want to tell him?” Lukas pulled her a little closer. She enjoyed the contrast of her soft curves against his hardness.

“You’re full of questions. Now let me see. Grace is still at the mine. We've found signs of the dragon egg.”

Jasmine interrupted, “Really?”

"Have you found any dragon egg evidence here?”

“Not yet. You can lend a hand if you like,” Zane shouted across from the hole he dug.

“I’m occupied at the moment, thanks.” Lukas caught hold of Fleur’s chin and brought his mouth down on her expectant lips.

Fleur responded to his hard kiss, parting her lips. His tongue invaded her mouth with little finesse. She gagged and pulled back before he choked her. She created a little distance between their bodies. His face was taut with annoyance at her reticence. She must be mistaken. She closed her eyes and waited. Lucas swooped in for another assault. His brutal kiss drew a reluctant response from her, but it lacked heart and commitment. “Something's wrong, Lukas.” She saw the same flash of annoyance in his eyes, quickly masked. He obviously wanted verbal communication kept to a minimum.

“I’m fine.”

Fleur pushed against his arms, uneasy. If he wouldn't tell her, she wouldn't embarrass herself with an audience. “Not here. We can’t. I feel uncomfortable. We’re not alone you know.” She batted his hands away from where they groped her breasts and stepped away from him.

Lukas ignored her reasonable request. He pulled her closer and held her so tight it became painful. He wouldn't let go and disgusted her when he ground his erection into her soft body. Fleur searched his face. His lustful look rendered her speechless. His disregard of her wishes upset her. No wonder he repulsed her. The expression in Lukas’ eyes was unreadable. His eyes looked different, black rather than the shades of gold. She pushed against his muscular shoulders with little real effect. She couldn't hide her disgust, and her distress reached him. He loosened his hold. His face contorted. Fleur took advantage of his relaxed embrace and pushed hard against his arms. She stepped away from him when he released her.

"Are you okay?"

Personal space restored, Fleur smiled half-heartedly at Jasmine. "I am now.” Her face flushed as she struggled with her temper. She didn't want further embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Fleur."

Fleur tugged Lukas towards the trees. "Come on, breathe."

Lukas smiled. "Yes, you're right."

“I can't believe you let him treat you like that,” Jasmine said.

“Jasmine, please don’t interfere. It doesn't concern you.” Fleur looked at the sky, iron grey but without discernible rain clouds. She must discover why he behaved so badly. “Do you guys mind if I go with Lukas? You know I’ll be safe with him.”

“Lukas, we agreed Fleur should stay with Zane for her safety.”

Fleur interrupted. “Concentrate on the dragon egg, not me. I'm a big girl who can make her own decisions."

Zane jumped out the hole. He dusted his clothes as he spoke. “Sure, the decision’s yours. We want you safe from Xavier. Demons have no souls. They’re pure evil. You’d never survive if it gets hold of you.”

Fleur walked across to Zane and gave him a grateful hug. “I know you’re right, but this is Lukas, and he’s a dragon, isn’t he? What can happen to me with him?”

Zane relented. “You're right. We’ll see you later. If we find the dragon egg, Jasmine will send you a text."

Lukas smiled. “Hope you can manage a short climb. If we follow the path, I’m sure there used to be a beautiful waterfall not too far away.”

Fleur smiled. Her step light at Lukas' side. She’d asserted herself and won. Now she was bored with the danger she faced and the restrictions it imposed on her. She wanted somewhere romantic to spend time with Lukas. An ancient waterfall sounded pretty. “Lead the way.” Lukas took Fleur’s hand in his as they walked along the rough path. Five minutes later, they’d disappeared from view and straight into Fleur’s first taste of hell.

*

The deluge of rain continued. Cold raindrops dripped down the collar of Xavier’s inadequate coat. He must act like Lukas or she would realise. The demon clawed at him impatiently, demanding action. He took a deep breath and forced it back. Revenge required the trace of humanity still left inside him. Scalded from the inside out, the demon’s force compared with nuclear reaction. The greatest heat and destruction at the center before it radiated its pain outwards. Impatient for release, his inner demon clawed at flesh and shredded organs voraciously, causing the mayhem and devastation it needed for survival. Xavier's control disintegrated. His humanity vanished. He became a seething mass of hate and lust.

*

Once the path reached the hillside, it became steeper and rougher underfoot. Fleur stumbled as she negotiated the inhospitable terrain covered with vegetation and small irregular-shaped pebbles. The temporary respite from the rain ended. The resultant downpour soaked Fleur until she shivered despite her rain jacket and walking boots. She looked at Lukas, but he didn't acknowledge her. The damp contact between their hands was his only communication since they left Zane and Jasmine. Charming Lukas, who made her blush and encouraged her into sensual danger, had disappeared, replaced by a dour stranger. She couldn't breach the walls he erected between them. Tired of oppressive silence, tears of frustration filled her eyes. Angry, Fleur dashed them away. She’d already spent a year of her life with a lover who punished her with silence whenever she disappointed him. When she met Lukas yesterday, the runaway attraction they experienced made her believe she could share her life with someone again. What a fool! After only a day, he treated her in the same cruel way.

The path split in two. Cold from the rain, Fleur let go of Lukas' hand. She walked towards a small wood. The network of twigs and branches above protected her from the forceful rain. Lukas didn't follow her. He stood alone, lost in thought, oblivious to the deluge. Fleur shook her head. His behavior resembled a sulky child. She wouldn't let him bully her. She'd done nothing wrong. He needed insight into his own conduct before they could move on.

“Finally! He notices me.” Despite her tree refuge, Fleur shivered from the damp and cold. Lukas' shuttered face was devoid of expression and showed none of the regret and embarrassment she expected. A wave of disquiet ran through her. Fear clawed at the edges of her subconscious. Edgy, her heartbeat raced. Lukas headed in her direction. She squared her shoulders determined not to back down. She wanted an apology for his shabby treatment.

Impatient, she brushed wet strands of hair from her eyes. Her vision clearer, she saw Lukas’ face change. He took a step nearer, and the familiarity of his features disappeared, replaced by the cold unemotional mask of Xavier.

Hide,
her instincts screamed. Fleur closed her eyes, afraid. Her breathing quickened. The sudden surge of acid from her stomach burnt her esophagus as the nausea overcame her. Her hands gripped onto the solid tree trunk. Her intuition proved correct and the reality terrified her. The difference in his kiss, his carelessness of her feelings, and the uncommunicative attitude seemed odd because it wasn’t Lukas. Her mind questioned Xavier's clever deception. Zane’s words drifted back to her:
Demons have no souls
,
pure evil
,
never survive
. Xavier the demon closed in on her.

Move!
Her mind screamed. Desperate, Fleur looked for a safe haven. Random thoughts skittered across her mind. Why didn't he run towards and cut off her escape route? The reason for his inaction stared her in the face. His body contorted. The crack of bones, tearing of muscle, and the snap of tendons and ligaments surrounded her. Alienated in a vacuum, a separate world with two inhabitants—her and the disfigured creature.

She ran. Her delicate skin scraped on sharp branches. Her ankle twisted on the uneven ground. Xavier, or the creature he'd become, remained in close pursuit. The wood echoed with the slither of the monster on the hard ground. Her hand burned. A slimy wet patch covered her skin. Horrified, she vomited. Her escape attempt seemed futile. Her legs felt so heavy, like she was running in concrete. She wouldn't give up and risked a glance behind her. A dark shadowy snake-like creature pursued her. Panic sapped her body's energy. Every step hurt as lactic acid burned her leg muscles.
An inhuman screech amid the crash of fallen branches gave her impetus. The end of the wood. What would happen in the open? Maybe she should zigzag back into the wood. Another quick glance. Hampered by the tree branches, the distance between her and the snake creature increased.