The Queen's Flight (Emerging Queens) (21 page)

“Not good enough. I want to be able to shift back into human whenever I want.”

Kira tilted her head. “I like having a body.”

“I want to have privacy with my mate.”

“So while you’re in dragon form, you’ll allow me use of this head?”

“As long as when I’m human you’re out of my head,” Viola countered.

“I’m not sure I want to have a half life.”

“Not even to fly again?”

Kira frowned. “I’d rather have my own body.”

“You can’t have Viola’s or one of the babies’,” Sergei growled.

“Why are you so eager to get off this glacier, anyway? You’ve got your mate and musk ox. Who could ask for anything more?” Kira sneered.

“There are one hundred missing Queens,” Viola said, hoping to appeal to her sense of righteousness.

“How does one misplace one hundred Queens?” Kira cried.

“The night we all shifted, they were kidnapped. I can find them in the weave. Once we find them, we rescue them.”

“What about the studs who dared touch them?”

“It’s up to the kidnapped Queen.”

“Mei Hua had her rapists hunted down and executed,” Kira said. “I liked that about her.” She glared at Sergei. “Fine. I have no desire to experience rutting with this thug anyway.”

“Okay,” Viola smiled at Sergei. “Let’s get off this rock and go save some Queens. I want to head back to Vermont. That was where I felt Margery the strongest. I think I’m stronger in my own lair.”

“This is your lair,” Kira said.

“No, this is
your
lair,” Viola corrected.

“True. Maybe one day I can come back to it.”

The thought filled Viola with a quaking terror. The world wasn’t ready for either Kira or Amaranthe.

Chapter Twenty-Four

By the time they got to Vermont, Viola was so exhausted that when her feet hit the ground, she tumbled into human form. She was slightly aware of Sergei carrying her to their bedroom and curling up next to her. Viola halfheartedly moved to grope him, but fell asleep before her hand ever reached him.

She knew she was dreaming because she was swimming through the weave. Viola floated for a moment to get her bearing and then felt Margery pulling her. And suddenly, she wasn’t in the weave anymore, but in a dark hole with the sky dragon.

Margery was slumped in a corner, her gossamer scales shed around her. She resembled a hairless cat with droopy wings. Her life force was leeching into the weave, dissipating her energy.

Hold
, Kira told her. Her powerful energy boosted clarity into the vision.

“Hold her?” Viola asked. After weeks of searching and the barest contact, Kira’s power amped the vision. Viola spun around, determined to take in every detail she could.

This isn’t a hole in the ground. It’s a ship’s hold.

“Margery, can you hear me?”

Margery could barely lift her head. “Dying.”

“Can you give us any information on how to find you?” Viola’s heart beat sped up. She couldn’t lose her now. They were too close.

“Champ,” Margery coughed. “Lane.”

“Can you show me the faces of your captors?”

Margery sank her head down to the filthy deck and faded even more into the shadows.

“I’ve got to help her,” Viola said, searching around for any other clue. Frustrated, she sank deeper into the weave, but it slingshot her out and she woke up in bed with a shout.

“Mmm,” Sergei said and curved his palm around her breast.

“Not now,” she said, smacking his hand. “But definitely later. In fact, I’ll give you a world-class blow job if you know where Champ Lane is. It’s by a body of water.”

Sergei propped himself up on his elbow, smiling down at her. He blew a breath across her nipples to see them pucker. “Is this a trick question? Because I’m not going to stop you if you want to go down on me.”

“You know where it is?” Viola grabbed on to his shoulders. “Tell me. Margery is in the hold of a ship near Champ Lane.”

“Or is she on Lake Champlain?”

“You’re a genius.” Viola kissed him hard on the mouth, breaking it off when his fingers dipped between her legs. “And I’m an idiot.” She twisted away from him and started to get dressed. “I knew she was nearby, but I was searching on land.”

“We haven’t eaten since the whale yesterday,” he reminded her.

“Sergei, she’s dying.”

“Okay,” he sobered up. “Let’s go.”

They were soon flying over Lake Champlain.

“What’s this ship look like?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t even know it was a ship until Kira pointed it out to me.”

Kira’s head was too busy scanning the surface of the water to make a smug comment. They soared over the lake and over the bridge, coming down low in the water when they spotted the ferries and the passenger boats. Viola shook her head, even as her picture was being taken by tourists and commuters.

“This is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” Kira said, angling her face to enjoy the breeze.

“It’s not like Champ to do something like this,” Sergei said. “I don’t know him well, but he seems a good sort.”

“Who?” Viola said.

“Champ lives in the lake. He’s a water dragon. A bit of a loner, like me. The Queens have no use for him because he can’t fly. He can only swim.”

“Wouldn’t that be an excellent reason for trapping a Queen of his own?” Viola could name a few studs who’d leap at a chance.

“Not every stud is evil,” Sergei said.

“There,” Viola said, pointing to a boat that was anchored in the lake. It appeared to be a ferry boat reconditioned as a pleasure boat. A few men stood on the bow peering up at them with binoculars. “She’s there.”

Sergei swooped in and Viola followed, trumpeting a battle cry that echoed off the lake’s surface.

“So much for stealth,” he said in disgust.

“Everyone knows we’re here,” Viola said. “Let’s give them a show.”

“Die!” Kira shouted at the scurrying humans below.

They were brandishing assault rifles and shooting up at them. Sergei angled himself as her shield as they headed down.

“Don’t take any risks,” he said, grimacing as a rain of bullets punctured him.

She trumpeted, making the humans drop their weapons to clamp their hands over their ears. They landed on the wide, open deck, which rocked menacingly as something large and angry rose out of the water.

It had a long neck and even though its teeth weren’t pointed, they were big and sharp.

“It’s the Loch Ness monster!” Viola said.

“That was his mother,” Kira said. “Lovely lady.”

“Why do you attack the humans on my lake,” he growled out, banging his bulk against the ship so the humans fell and rolled away from Sergei’s stinging tail.

“They have a Queen trapped in the hold,” Viola cried out.

“Impossible,” he said, water sluicing from his shaking head.

“Champ, this is my Queen. She speaks the truth. She’s heard her cries for help,” Sergei said.

“She’s dying, you oaf,” Viola yelled. “Her name is Margery. She’s a sky dragon and they locked her in a dark, dirty place.”

“If you’re lying,” he warned.

“If she dies,” Viola growled back.

Champ lowered his bulk under water. A mighty push from below had Sergei and Viola taking back into the air as the humans went flying into the lake. The ship was overturned.

“Holy crap,” Viola said. “He tossed that like it was a toy sailboat.”

Coiling his body around the ship, Champ rammed his head into the underside of the ship. He dented it enough to put in a small tear in the metal. Then he used his jaws to rip open the bottom of the boat like he was peeling a banana.

“Margery!” Viola cried.

For an awful moment there wasn’t a sound.

Champ turned to Sergei with a menacing growl. Then he stopped and sniffed the air. Turning around as the sky dragon peeked her head out, the river dragon’s mouth dropped open in shock.

She was weak, but she dragged herself toward the sunlight. Her scales were badly damaged and she resembled a plucked chicken. Her wings flopped uselessly and her wide blue eyes filled with tears. In her arm was a stuffed toy that had seen better days.

Viola did a double take. It was a Talon Industry Smooshie. One of the toys. Were those things everywhere? She shook her head. Smythe would click his pen to death if they caught it on camera with her.

“You found me,” Margery said, blinking at Viola. “You’re real.”

“You’re safe now.”

Margery gave her a weak smile.

Viola asked, “Champ, can you do something about the pleasure boats coming in to investigate? And help me round up the crew in the water. We need some answers.”

“Yes, yes we do,” Champ said. “Ma’am, my name is Remy. This is my lake and I offer you my protection while you’re on it and in my territory.”

She nodded. “I’m not sure about the dragon formalities. I’m an investigative reporter—or I was until I shifted. I’m not feeling very well.”

“Come with me,” Viola said. “We can get you to safety.”

“They were going to sell me to the river monster in exchange for him looking the other way while they smuggled drugs across the border.” Margery coughed.

He reared his head back, affronted. “I’m not a monster, and I would never have allowed that, ma’am. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I just returned from Scotland this morning.”

“I have so many questions. I need to call my editor.” Her eyes rolled back into her head and she neatly slid into the water. Her body collapsed in on itself and she was a naked woman about to drown in the lake. Ducking his head, Champ pushed her back to the surface. Viola grabbed her and flew her to shore.

“I got her, now.” Champ said, emerging from the lake as a human. His clothes weren’t even damp. He tossed his Lake Monster ball cap on top of Margery and it shifted into a one piece bathing suit. “I’ll take her someplace safe. If you don’t mind keeping the tourists away, that is?”

Viola pushed herself up into the air. “Leave it to me.”

They did it! They saved her! And it was easy. Well, easy for her. Margery had a longer road ahead.

Viola beamed at Sergei—they’d done it together.

Unlike the majority of humans, Champ’s fans seemed oddly protective of him and kept the tourists away as he carried the Margery toward his truck. Sergei physically blocked the road from anyone who followed, and Viola roared at the more tenacious ones that tried to go around him on foot.

After about an hour, people for the most part lost interest, especially since Sergei and Viola reverted into their human forms when the tourists went back to their vacations. Sergei was on the phone with Reed, filling him in on the details, so Viola decided to test the weave again to see if there were any other Queens in the area.

All was quiet. From the pulses in the weave, she couldn’t detect any disturbances. Viola left the weave, not wanting to probe any further. Kira and she could do some more investigative work tomorrow. They were going to save more Queens.

“Yes.” Viola pumped her fist.

The harbor patrol had picked up the slavers from the water and was questioning them. What she wouldn’t have given to be in on that conversation. As she stared out on the lake, she noticed bobbing stuffed animals around the breached barge. Squinting, Viola saw they were more Smooshies. Why would the ship be carrying Smooshies? It’s like the damned things were haunting her.

It took forever for Sergei to get free of all the bureaucrats and paperwork. Viola plunked herself down and pulled out her knitting from her jacket pocket. She was getting wise to the dragon shifting and made sure she always had a project on her. Because they were in such a rush to save Margery, Viola had only the time to grab a dishcloth she was working on. By the time Sergei got through squaring everything with everybody, she’d finished it.

“Want to go for a ride?” Sergei said, pulling her to her feet.

“Depends. Where are we going? To check on Champ and Margery?” Viola swung their hands and could have skipped with happiness as they made their way to the parking lot.

“Reed’s on his way. I told him we have bigger issues of our own.”

“I hope that’s a euphemism for you claiming the world-class hummer I promised,” she teased.

He blew out a big sigh. “If only.” Sergei reached into his pocket and took out a set of keys. He pressed the button, and Viola saw headlights flash on a Fat Boy Harley.

“Sweet,” she said. “How did that get here?”

“I keep a few bikes scattered around places. You never know when you’re going to need one.” Sergei threw his leg over and started the motorcycle up.

“Why aren’t we flying?”

“I don’t want to share you with Kira and that other psychotic nightmare just yet.”

His phone buzzed as an incoming text popped up.

“Shit.” Sergei drew out the word so it was five syllables.

Viola climbed onto the bike behind him. “I’m assuming that isn’t your reaction to taking me back to our farm and having your wild way with me.” She held on, copping a quick feel.

“No, I’m rather all for that idea. Reed wants us to stay here for a few days.” Sergei slipped the phone into his pocket and put her hand back on his dick.

“Why? Do you think Margery will need us?” Viola focused as she sought out the newly rescued Queen in the weave. She was unconscious. “I think she needs a doctor more than she needs us. At least Champ knew enough to put her out in the sun.”

“Do you sense any other Queens in danger?”

“Not at the moment,” she admitted. “But that could change any minute. Now that Kira can amplify my detection, we’re going to kick some ass.”

“Are you sure?” Sergei wheedled.

Viola nodded and leaned her cheek on his shoulder blades. “Why? So eager to get back into battle. That’s a switch.”

“Reed said your mother is at the Hartford embassy raising hell.”

“Why? I’m dead to her,” Viola snorted.

“Apparently, your father came home after twenty-three years of exile. They want to meet with you and talk about repairing your parent-child bond. Reed’s words, not mine.”

Viola gripped him hard around his chest. “That’s not going to be a fun time. Can we stall?”

“I told Reed that we were going to wind things up here with Champ and Margery. He’s interested in the drug angle that Margery was talking about. So far the only thing on board the boat was a shipment of those dumb dragon dolls.”

Holy Shit.

Viola hopped off the bike.

“Where the hell are you going?” Sergei called. “I can get us out of here with the bike faster than you can run. Besides, you’re going the wrong way.”

Viola tore off toward the edge of the water, searching for one of the Smooshies. She rubbed her side where a sharp pain sprung up in her mad sprint. She needed to get in more exercise if that quick burst of speed winded her.

“What?” Sergei said, coming up behind her. Jerk wasn’t even out of breath.

“I need one of those dolls. Smythe Industries make them.”

“Why? They’re not made out of yarn.”

Viola elbowed him. “No. If Margery was taken because these guys were smuggling drugs, they could have hidden them in the Smooshies.”

Sergei helped her search, but in the end whatever the police or Reed’s men missed, the bystanders must have scooped up.

“I can’t see Smythe as a drug smuggler,” Sergei said, as they made their way back to the

bike.

“I wouldn’t put anything past him.” Viola trudged back up the hill.

“If he is, Reed will handle it.”

“Why does he get to have all the fun?”

Sergei’s phone buzzed again.

“So your parents are headed up here to meet us for dinner tomorrow,” Sergei told her in a voice that was usually reserved for informing someone that their dear Aunt Agatha had passed away. On Christmas. In bed with the butler. And a midget. And twenty pounds of uncut cocaine.

“Oh Sergei. It’s terrible,” Viola said, mock horror in her voice.