Shane: Dragon’s Savior – Ménage Erotic Fantasy (Dragon's Savior Book 4) (16 page)

As he moved to the front of them again, he looked at the legs and had to hide his reaction when he realized what they were. They were fashioned into rhino feet, four of them, with hooves and all. Shane thought he might hurt tomorrow from holding in his laughter every time he thought of Essie and Asher sitting up here.

He was still laughing when Lelani entered the room. She took one look at the pair of chairs and stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh dear Lord. What the hell are those? Did someone actually save those for you guys?”

“No, I bought them for this room.” Lelani just stared at Dad then back at the chairs. “What do you think of them?”

“Think? I think they’re the ugliest things I ever saw. I mean, Christ almighty, I can’t believe someone didn’t hit you when you went to pick them up. Please tell me that you didn’t pay anything for them. Hell, I’m not sure why you weren’t paid to take them away. Those are horrid.” Shane started toward her when it was obvious to him that she was going to continue to talk badly about his dad’s purchase. “Jacob, I think you need to get out more if you think this is high fashion.”

His dad started dancing around the room and laughing then. “I knew it. I just knew it. I told Elbert it would be you that told me I was off my noodle. You were a mite nicer about it than I thought you’d be, however. But he owes me ten dollars.” Asher asked him if it had been a joke all along. “Well of course it was. You don’t think I have that poor of taste, do you? My goodness, son, I’m not addled.”

Shane couldn’t help it, he laughed so hard and for so long that he had to lay on the hard floor to breathe. And he might have been all right sooner, but every time he looked at the chairs, he laughed again. Christ, they really were the ugliest things he’d ever seen.

His dad looked so sad for a moment, and he was sure that they’d hurt his feelings despite the fact that he’d told them it was a joke. Sitting up, he asked his dad if he was all right. With a short nod, he started talking.

“When the king was in this room that night, there were curtains made of the purest silk that hung in long streams that touched the floor. I was nervous, you know, but I did have a chance to have me a look-see. They weren’t too practical, but they sure were pretty. The other room, the only other one I’d been in back then, had tapestries on each wall as big as a man. It was said that they were brought to the castle so long before King Anthony came there that it was surprising that they’d not been sold off or destroyed.” His dad looked around the room, and Shane thought of the only other time he’d been here. The night that he’d met his wife, mother to Shane and the rest of them. “Sally and I were thrown together that night. The king sat me right down on his lady wife’s chair and spoke to me like he’d known me all my life. I guess he did in a way, since he was one to come and visit a person when they needed it. He was a good man. A better leader than we’d ever seen before.”

“The night that he was killed, you said you could hear the doors being pushed against. Do you remember how long after you were taken away that you knew that he had fallen?” Asher sat on the big chair, then got up and sat on the floor. It was funny really, but Shane didn’t say anything. Before his dad could answer Asher, the rest of them, all of them, joined them in the room. They brought in lawn chairs and food to munch on. The table, the massive one that had been made for this room, was the only other piece of furniture besides the chairs.

The furniture that had been built by the specifications in the book had been delivered just yesterday. And some of the bigger pieces, like this one, had to be assembled in the castle. The only way that those pieces would ever leave here would be either to burn them or to take them apart again. And they were heavy too. Running his hand over the smooth glossy surface of the table, he listened to his father tell the story he’d heard a thousand times over the years.

“He was nearly gone by the time I was brought to him. He’d been stabbed several times as he tried to save his queen. Elbert said that the king was hurt and that there wasn’t much time when he came to my home to get me. When I was near enough to him to touch, I saw the pool of blood in his lap and under his chair. He held on, I’m sure, to talk to me and my Sally. At first, when I heard the big doors shake, I thought for sure that he’d brought me there to stand beside him when the men came in. And they were coming in too. The walls to the keep had been breached already. It was only a matter of time before they were in this chamber with us.” Dad walked to the dais and sat on the highest step. “He knew; I know that now. Knew beforehand that he’d die, that Queen Eve would as well. I oftentimes wonder what might have been going through their heads then. How they would have coped with knowing that they’d never see some of the things that they’d put here come to fruition. Their children would have been killed had anyone known about them, so they had taken steps to assure that no one knew of them. Even the fact that the queen had given birth to six hatchlings would have been something that the fanatics—yes, we had them even then—would have launched on quick enough. Then there is the fact that they moved all the things from their home to the lower levels, a little at a time and without anyone knowing what they were about, to save it for you. Can you imagine the kind of other things that were going on in their heads? I can’t. Not even a little. I would have only been thinking of my children and not being able to see them grow into men.”

“The vision that they had only showed them that the castle had fallen. Not that they would perish, nor did they know what was to become of their children.” Caroline took up the story from Dad. “Then the morning after she’d given birth, as she lay there with them, she saw it all, she told me. The women in their lives, the children that they would have. She cried that day and well into the next, telling me bits and pieces of what she had learned.”

“She knew they were to die then?” Caroline nodded at Keion. “Wasn’t there anything they could have done? Could one of them been saved to have been here with us?”

“Oh no. Not with those two. Their love was a match for all time. While they knew that they’d miss their children and seeing them grow up, they knew that they could ensure that they’d be all right and live through the people that they set in your paths. But they would never leave this earth without the other. Anthony told me once, long ago, that he only breathed because of his Eve. That his heart only beat because hers did. He was a romantic too.” Shane pulled Lelani closer to him, and Keion moved closer to them as well. “Every spring he’d take her to the top of the mountain and they’d watch the blossoms open on the cherry tree there. I was so pleased when one was planted to replace it.”

“The mountain asked for it.”

Caroline nodded, as if she had figured that out. And when they were ready to move through the castle, they did so as a group, taking each floor, each room, as a family. A family that was bound together by the people who had made this all possible.

Chapter 10

Gracie Hobbs unloaded her backpack and pulled out her sleeping bag. It was colder in the mountains than she’d thought it would be, but it was still wonderful to be here. As she lay on the bag, she looked up at the cloudless sky and thought of her journey so far. And it had been one.

It had taken a great deal of nerve for her to start out, but now that she was a month into her adventure, she was so glad that she’d done it. Backpacking across the United States had given her the perfect way to relax, and to remove herself from life for a little while.

Her mother was going through a time. Gracie wasn’t really sure what she meant when she told her and her sister that. Just that she was selling the house that they’d grown up in and moving. She had no destination in mind, nor how she was going to get there if she did. Nor did she know what she was going to do for a place to live when she returned. She was just doing it.

“I think Mom is off her rocker.” Gracie asked her sister, Cora, why she thought that. Not that she didn’t think the same thing, but maybe she had a solid reason for thinking that. “Did you know that she’s cashed in all Dad’s stocks, and means to empty her accounts too?”

“Well, it’s sort of her money. Her house too, really. It’s not like either of us lived there anymore. And she did give us what we wanted out of it.” Cora just rolled her eyes. Gracie had noted to herself just the week before how Cora did that a great deal when she didn’t like her answers. “Mom always lands on her feet. I’m sure this won’t be any different.”

“Well, I’m not going to be taking her in if she comes back broke and dumber.” Gracie said nothing. “And if you think to bully me into it, I’ll be really pissed at you.”

“Okay, first? I have never in my life bullied you into anything. You have always done as you pleased regardless of how it might affect others.” Cora lifted her chin as if to say, so what. “Secondly, as I said, Mom will be fine. If she wants to run off to some country or join a cult, I’m sure that she’ll have more fun than you do at your stupid country club meetings and mommy groups.”

Cora had laughed. “You’re jealous. Oh my God, how did I not see this before? You’re jealous because I have a wonderful life, a great husband and children, and money to burn. You hate me for that.” Gracie said she didn’t hate anyone. “Of course not. You go right on thinking that. And in the meantime, I want you to think about your own life and how it’s so messed up.”

Two weeks after their mom left for Rome and other countries, Gracie stored her few belongings in a storage locker, bought a book on backpacking, and left. She had a nice hefty savings account and all her bills were caught up. She was going to use her money to have some “me” time. Cora had called her two days later, when Gracie had decided that she’d had enough of walking and hurting.

“You fool.” Gracie sat up on her sleeping bag and had asked Cora what she meant. “You’re just doing this to piss me off. Come home and forget this foolishness. I swear to Christ, am I the only sane one in this family? Get home and we’ll discuss how stupid you’ve been to just quit your job and sell your things. And then I want you to check yourself into one of those health spas. Not the one I go to, but one that is cheaper for you.”

“Why on earth would I do any of that? Just because you told me to?” Her sister said it was better than what she was doing now. “I see. Better for you or for me?”

“Do you have any idea what my friends are saying right now? I can’t control my mother. I can’t control you. I don’t have time to keep bailing you out of every little scrap you get into.” Gracie asked her what scraps she was talking about. “Well this, for one thing. You’ve quit your job and moved out of your home. I suppose you’re going to expect me to bail you out of this, aren’t you?”

“I’m on vacation right now, my rent is paid up, and no, I’m not expecting any more out of you now than I usually get. You’ve not been very involved in my life for longer than I can remember, so this shouldn’t surprise you when I say, back off. I don’t need to be bailed out. I’m a grown woman who can make up her own mind without you harping on me all the time.” Cora told her to act like it and get back to reality. “Believe it or not, until you called, I was ready to do just that. But thankfully you called and made me change my mind.”

“You mean you’re coming home. Good. I don’t want to have to call the police and have them bring you back. You’re being completely immature, and I think you’re being very cruel to me.” Gracie was so shocked by her statement that she wasn’t sure what to say. “I’ll expect you to be back in the morning, Gracie. And then we’ll talk about your behavior.”

“Good-bye, Cora. Don’t call me again.”

After hanging up, she sat there in her tent and wondered how her sister had gotten so high and mighty about herself. When her cell phone rang again, Gracie directed the call to voice mail then turned her phone off.

She’d not turned her phone back on once since then, preferring to use a pay phone with a card to call her mom and find out how she was enjoying herself. Neither of them mentioned Cora, and it was never brought up how they were going to live when they got home. They both, by silent mutual agreement, decided that the times they spoke were for them.

Gracie wiped at the tears that she’d thought she was done shedding. While she was having a wonderful time, she did miss having someone to share it with.

Pulling out her journal, she wrote what she was feeling and what things she had seen today. She was nearly finished with the entry when she heard a branch break very close to where she was.

Gracie wasn’t a fool; she had a gun and a permit to carry it. And she’d taken a lot of self-defense classes over the years. She could fight with the best of them. There was also a knife in her pocket at all times, and one in her boot. Her job as a freelance detective had given her a lot of moves that most people never got to learn.

The kid—he couldn’t have been any more than about seven or eight—stepped out into the clearing where she was. He hadn’t seen her yet, at least she didn’t think so, but she watched him all the same. There was no reason for her to believe that he was as innocent as he looked, nor that he was alone. When he saw her, Gracie pulled out her gun and put it just under her leg. She never took chances.

As he made his way to her, she was careful to look around to see if anyone was following him. When he simply sat down on the edge of her sleeping bag, she just stared at him. For a kid, he was very brave.

“Do you have any idea where I am?” It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that he was with her, but she didn’t think he’d get the humor. “I’ve been lost for hours. And my phone don’t work.”

“Doesn’t. And I have GPS on my tablet, but all I can tell you is that we’re in Ohio. Are your parents camping too?” He told her no, they lived close by. “But you don’t know where you are?”

“I have Peck, but he’s been called away. I think he might have lost me too.” Gracie offered him a bottle of water. “Thanks. I should have been smarter and not left the place where we were. I think they’re going to be really worried about me.”

“I’m sure they are. I don’t have a phone that works anymore.” She had one, but had had it cut off a few days ago when Cora would call and leave her so many messages that she’d not be able to get through them all. And then there was the added fact that it was hard to charge it when out here. “Do you know which direction Peck went?”

His pointing straight up didn’t help. “He told me to stay where he’d left me, but I had to pee and I got all turned around when I went back. I’m pretty sure I’m going to die out here and they’ll never find me.” She wanted to laugh; the kid could do drama pretty good. “Do you think you can help me?”

“Sure. But as I said, I don’t know this area any better than you do.” He nodded and laid back on the grass. “Do you remember what time it was when you left home?”

“Nine-thirty. I ate and then Peck and I decided to have an adventure.” He turned his head and looked at her. “Is that what you’re doing? Having an adventure?”

“I am, as a matter of fact. I’ve been walking since I left my home over a month ago. I had no idea how out of shape I’d been before that.” He nodded and closed his eyes. “Hey, kid, we have to get you back. No napping right now.”

As she gathered up her things again, he helped her. Mostly by being in the way, but he did tell her that she’d left her knife on the ground. As they made their way in the general direction he’d been coming from when she’d seen him, he told her who he was and about anything else that popped into his head.

“My name is Mark Herald. Not for long though. My mom is dead; her name was Lynne. So is my dad. His name was Robert. My mom killed him because he was going to burn a bunch of women on a stick.” Gracie thought that someone should curb this kid’s television watching time. “I’ve been living with Lelani, Shane, and Keion for a month now, and they want to adopt me. I can’t wait.”

“I bet you can’t.” Gracie pulled out her compass and looked at the sky. “I really wish I had a better way to get you home, buddy, but since you don’t know where that might be, we could be walking in the wrong direction. I’ve been out and about for so long, I don’t even think I’d remember how to drive a car. I’m sowing my wild oats at thirty.”

“It’s all right, we’re going okay. I remember that rock over there.” Which to her looked like every other rock in the forest. “I’m hungry too.”

She handed him a candy bar and ate the last one she had for herself. Her plan had been to find a nice body of water, take a long bath, then go fishing. A week ago she’d done that and hadn’t enjoyed a finer meal in all her life. Gracie asked Mark where a lake or pond was.

He had no idea, he told her, and she suddenly found herself being tossed away from him and the kid being dragged away by.... Well, she wasn’t sure what it was. Standing up and trying her best to ignore the pain in her ribs and head, she pulled her gun out and shot three times at the thing. When he dropped Mark, she moved to stand over him as the thing stood up on its hind legs and roared at her.

If she remembered her mythology correctly, what was standing there was a griffin. But her mind kept telling her they were mythical. As in not real. Yet here he stood, glaring at her as if she’d taken his toy away.

“Don’t move.” Sounded like good advice, and she started to turn to see who had spoken to her. “He’ll attack you again if you move. Right now he can’t see you very well. Smell you either, for that matter. You’re downwind from him.”

He was mostly lion, the creature in front of her. His body, tail, and hind legs were very lion-like. However, he had wings and the head of an eagle. And his front legs were large talons of the same eagle. She’d read in college that the griffin was thought to be the king of all creatures, and guarded a treasure along with some priceless possessions.

“He came out of nowhere. I think Mark is hurt pretty badly.” The man told her he’d be fine for now. “For now? You mean, he could eventually die?”

“I’m going to shift. But don’t freak out or run. I have enough going on with Herbert here, and running after you is not going to make me very happy.” He sounded bossy, like her sister, and when she turned to look at him, she fell back on her ass.

The dragon was staring at her like she was.... “Are you going to eat me? Or burn me...? Mark said that his dad was burning people on a stick. Are you his dad?”

Nothing. But when he took a step in her direction, she pointed her gun at him. Gracie had no idea whether it would keep him back or not, but she wasn’t going to just lay here and hope he didn’t have her for his dinner. But he turned to the large beast that had attacked them in the first place and roared at him.

Moving quickly, she made sure that Mark was all right. His head had a nasty bump on it, and there were some cuts on his face and arms, but it was the bite mark on his leg that concerned her. It was deep and wide. She was pulling out her first aid kit when she realized that the griffin and the dragon were both gone.

~~~

Shane felt his knees go weak when he saw his son. Christ, they’d been looking for him for over three hours, and not even the earth had been able to find him. Then Keion had heard the roar of something and said he was going to investigate. And a few minutes later, he’d told him where to find Mark. And a woman.

She was wrapping gauze around Mark’s leg when he got to them. When she lifted her gun up and pointed it at him, Shane stopped. The first thing he noticed was that she was as comfortable holding it as she was administering aid to his son.

“My name is Shane Benson. That’s Mark, my son.” She asked him what his dead mother’s name was. “Mine is Sally, his is Lynne. She committed suicide a few weeks back.”

The gun went down but not far from her. “He was hurt. I’m not even going to tell you what did it or what saved our asses. Just suffice it to say, I’m going to go and see someone after this.”

“You’re hurt.” She didn’t say anything, but he did go to his knees by Mark. “Keion said that he’d been bitten, but he didn’t know how badly.”

“I don’t know who that is. Other than the kid and the.... Other than the human kid here, I’ve not seen anyone else.” She wasn’t going to believe him, so he said nothing. “You should be able to move him. He has a nasty bump on his head, but I think there’s no bleeding there. And as I don’t have the means to stitch him up, I did tape the wound together a little so he’d stop bleeding. I cleaned it as best I could as well.”