Dragon 1 Chapter 25 (Patreon)

Shots continued to pepper into the paper target, which had more holes than paper at this point. I held my hand out for more, but unlike before, Morgana didn’t hand me a filled magazine.

“You’re done Zach. I thought you were going to rest after just a few.” There was a knowing smirk on her face. I had said that, but I had so much unused tension filling my body, and it wasn’t like I could run it off. My body needed to heal.

When I’d found out she had a shooting range, I wasn’t even surprised. She had a bit of everything in the odd twisting building. And after the day we had, I was starting to recognize the need to have better aim.

“I’ll be fine. Just a few more.”

Morgana gave me a look and didn’t produce a loaded magazine. “You have shot enough. Let your body heal; take time away from the range for the work you’ve done today to settle in. If you keep firing, you are just going to learn bad habits. Resting is part of training.” I went to grab my own, but her face made it clear that she wasn’t budging.

I let out a sigh and put the gun down. Staying active had been helping me avoid thinking about what had happened.

“Besides, you have a visitor.” Morgana said it cryptically, stepping away and opening the door. Jadelyn was on the other side, her hand raised to knock.

“Oh. Hi. I had one of your people bring me in, Morgana. I was hoping to hire you. Both of you.” She fumbled around with her words. She looked tired and more than a little frazzled.

“You know my rates?” Morgana smiled.

“Yes. Happy to pay them. I’d like some extra guard on me tonight. There’s a party at my sorority house and…” she trailed off.

She didn’t need to say more. She was scared of Chad, or more specifically, what he might do.

“No luck finding Chad?” I asked.

Jadelyn shook her head, sending her platinum blond hair into the air around her. “No. He disappeared after he left Nicetown. They haven’t been able to find him yet.” Her eyes searched mine, looking for hope.

I’d told the council everything that had happened. After way more questions than it should have taken, the elves had begun mass producing the type of potion Tee had made. We were hopeful we could stop a future incident and reduce the need for slaughter. Although the elves didn’t seem too concerned about the lives of the werewolves, they agreed to help. It was in everybody’s best interest. Even if the elves were snoots, they could put it down from time to time for the greater good.

The council believed Chad would make a move to gain more power, using his growing pack. There were differences of opinion on if he’d focus on taking down high value targets or work to amass a larger army by absorbing more packs, but either wasn’t a good outcome for the council.

They had no other obvious solution besides reaching out and trying to locate other packs in the area. Brent would have known where they were off hand, but with him gone, the council was having to do some hunting to pick up those connections to other packs.

Morgana and I were on call as a result. If they located a nearby pack, and they were in trouble, we’d be sent out. This time, I promised myself that I’d do more. I still hated how feeble I’d felt laying on the ground while the battle played out.

“So, about the protection detail?” As Jadelyn spoke, I realized there’s been a long pause after her question, and Morgana seemed to be waiting for me to decide.

“This is the same party on Tuesday that Scarlett invited me to?” I asked.

Jadelyn nodded. “The same. And it’s already Tuesday, Zach. Bring your swimsuit. You can hang out with Scarlett; that would make a perfect cover.”

“I guess that leaves me hanging in the shadows. Always in the shadows.” Morgana said it overly dramatically, but I could see the twinkle in her eye. I wasn’t so foolish to think she really had a problem with it.

“You just blend in with the shadows better than my pale ass.” I teased back before returning my focus to Jadelyn. “We’ll be there. Sounds like I’m missing classes again today to get some rest.” A part of me groaned at all the work I had to catch up on, but this was more important.

Jadelyn gave me a weak smile. “Things have been crazy the last few days. It is a rough introduction to the para world, but I swear it isn’t always this crazy. Thank you both. I need to get back.” She bowed slightly and left.

“So I get to spy on your date tonight?” Morgana’s smile was one of wicked delight. I remembered feeling her eyes on us when we had dinner at Bumps. Creeper. Though I didn’t hate the idea of her looking out for me, and even more importantly, Scarlett and Jadelyn.

“I guess, but keep your eyes out for Chad. It sounds like I’m going to be in the middle of a sorority party.” How I was going to keep my eyes out during that, I wasn’t sure. I knew Scarlett was going to be one hell of a distraction.

“Don’t worry so much. Her father no doubt has a small army watching out as well. We are mostly there in case they don’t have enough firepower to deal with what comes. If Chad comes, he might be more than guns and enchantments can handle.”

I swallowed at the thought of a werewolf pack crashing the party. It was not a pleasant image. “Okay, so I just head to a date at a sorority party. To protect a girl I like from the potential of being ripped to shreds by werewolves. Just a regular Tuesday night.” I ran my hand through my hair.

Morgana slapped me on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit! I’m sure you’ll find a way to enjoy yourself. I hear there’s a pretty kitsune there that might have a thing for you.”

***

“Hey, Zach. Come on in.” Scarlett greeted me at the door to the sorority house. It fit the mold of what you’d picture, a large Greek-styled manor with grand columns.

Looking past Scarlett, I could see girls giggling and pointing at the interaction. Scarlett noticed my attention. “Sorry, there really aren’t any secrets in the house. Just ignore them.”

She rolled her eyes, which looked extra bright at that moment. But she also seemed to be wearing a bit more makeup, making her features even more stunning than normal. I smiled that she’d gone to the extra effort.

Scarlett wore a tight tube top and a dangerously short shirt that liked to swish as she led me into the house.

Her sorority sisters gawked, and I felt a little like a zoo animal on display. “Have somewhere a little less…” I struggled for an apt word, my mind re-centering on the zoo analogy.

“Public?” Scarlett offered, smiling. “That’s kind of how a sorority house works. We mostly have large public spaces. We even all sleep in the same cold room. But Jadelyn and I share a study room. I’ll take you up there.” She gave a dramatic wave to the girls that were gawking and took my hand, pulling me up the stairs.

As we walked away, I heard a fresh wave of eager gossip trailing behind us.

When we got to her study room, she pushed me inside and closed the door, leaning against it with a blush that made her look adorable. Her ears and tails popped out. “Sometimes they can be pretty embarrassing.”

“What’s to be embarrassed about?” I teased, walking over and running my finger along her ear. “This is business, after all. We are here to protect Jadelyn tonight, right?” She gave a little shiver as I stroked her ear.

“Right.” The way she stretched out the word wasn’t convincing.

I smiled, leaning in to kiss her soft lips, my body pressing hers against the door. As it thumped with our weight, I could hear voices in the hall laughing, but they really didn’t matter to me at that moment.

Scarlett wrapped her arms around my head to prevent me from pulling back, and her tongue came out to play. Nobody else existed as I focused on Scarlett and her lovely lips.

By the time we broke apart, we were both breathing heavily. “Best guard duty ever.” Scarlett beamed up at me in response.

“We should probably get the business talk out of the way, huh?” Scarlett bit her lip, clearly not happy with herself for saying it.

I nodded. “Get the important things done in case we get distracted. Because right now I find myself incredibly distracted.” I let her watch as I ran my eyes up and down her body. She was stunning, and I was feeling like a lucky man. The electricity between the two of us at that moment was intense. I had to remind myself we were still early in the relationship and I shouldn’t get too carried away.

The beast snorted inside of me. He wanted to get carried away.

Scarlett cracked the door, making sure the eavesdroppers were gone. She seemed satisfied, so they must have just wanted confirmation of what I was to Scarlett. “Okay. So her father finally got on board with a protection detail tonight. We have two paramilitary teams out there watching. They are focusing on the entrances, and we have two working the main entrance as bouncers.”

Pushing down my desire to continue where we’d paused, I focused on what she was saying. “Can they take down a werewolf?”

I pulled her over to the couch and sat down, pulling her into my lap. But I hadn’t missed that there was a pull out daybed under the couch.

The room was simple. It had two desks next to each other in the corner, which clearly showed how close they must be, and a single seating area that was the daybed we were on. It wasn’t set up to do much other than study and relax.

“A few, sure. If a whole pack comes? Not a chance. They’re more detection than anything. If the pack comes, I’m on extraction while you and Morgana deal with any heavy hitters to buy us time.”

Keeping up with her, I nodded, but I wasn’t sure where my limits were. “Uh, thoughts on how destructive I should be? I could accidentally torch this whole place if I breathe fire.”

Scarlett paused, her eyes wide. “Can you control it? I know you said you were having—” She giggled. “— Performance issues.”

I frowned, not loving the choice of her words. But the glee she clearly felt at getting that reaction made it worth it. “It’s gotten better, but not completely clear. I can do one ability on command now.” My eye shifted, and I saw Scarlett along with her magic.

This time, I could see the magic in her tails as they swished around. Her magic was a ghostly blue and came off of her like fire. “Your magic looks awesome. Like blue fire.”

Now it was Scarlett’s turn to be surprised. “You can see it? What does this look like?” She made an illusion Scarlett next to me. With my dragon eye out, it was plainly obvious that it wasn’t real. It was made up entirely of magic.

I smiled, pleased I could see the difference. “Nice. This’ll be useful if you try to play too many tricks.”

“No fun.” Scarlett pouted. “But that’s a pretty neat trick.” The illusion puffed away like a cloud of spent smoke. “If there really is a problem tonight and you want to breathe fire, just try not to kill anyone but the wolves.”

“I’ll do my best. So far I’ve melted a car and concrete flooring, so I can’t promise furniture and landscaping won’t be harmed in the process.”

“Damn.” Scarlett breathed. “I hope you know that you packing that kind of firepower is stupid sexy. Also, it is painfully hard not to brag to Jadelyn that I’m dating a mother fucking dragon.” She whispered the last part.

At the same time, the door to her study room opened. “What about me? I hope you aren’t spreading anything embarrassing.” Jadelyn closed the door behind her and slapped down a pile of books.

“Never.” Scarlett spun around with a mischievous grin as her tails swished behind her and bumped against my chest. I shifted my eye back before Jadelyn looked up.

Jadelyn was in her signature form-fitting white jeans and a hoodie for the cool fall weather. “The girls are getting everything setup poolside. Do you want to help or stay hermited up here with him for now?”

The siren didn’t look like she was in the mood to party. There were bags under her eyes that spoke of a restless night last night. I wanted to collect her and give her a comforting hug, but that would be inappropriate. I was here to be with Scarlett.

But it didn’t stop me from trying to cheer her up. “So Jade, tell me some dirt on Scarlett.”

That brought a smile to her face. “So her first boyfriend—” A second Scarlett appeared behind Jadelyn, wrapping her hands over her mouth, but apparently Jadelyn was used to that, because she bit the illusion hand and popped it, continuing her story. “He was a guy in college, when she was in highschool. He came home for the first time in biking leathers, that looked like he belonged to a biker gang. Her father was absolutely apocalyptic.” She laughed.

Scarlett grabbed her ears and pulled them down while she covered her eyes with her wrists. “It was a prank on my father. He told me to get my own ride. I wanted a bike, so I just dated him that one time to go for a ride.”

“You guys have quite the history. Did you live together?” It sounded like Jadelyn was there when Scarlett had brought him home.

“Okay, this is going to sound insensitive.” Jadelyn started. I waited, my interest piqued. I couldn’t wait to hear what was going to follow that statement.

“She was literally born for me.” As Jadelyn finished saying it, she looked slightly sheepish.

My eyebrows climbed into my hairline. “What?”

Scarlett stopped hiding behind her hands and sighed, starting with an explanation. “When they found out Jadelyn’s mother was pregnant, my father purposefully had a kid. We were raised together. I was trained to be an assassin to protect her. It’s how our two families have always been.”

Jadelyn waved her hands, like she wanted to stop before this got too far. “It’s not like I had any say in it. I love Scarlett like a sister. We just have our own roles to play. I’d never impede her life too much.”

I remembered what their fathers had said. Given that they literally viewed Scarlett as made to protect Jadelyn, it made even more sense. I let out a sigh. They were bound to keep interfering, as they thought I had a strong pull on Scarlett.

Both of their faces fell at my sigh, and Scarlett wiggled into me, clearly distraught. Jadelyn started babbling quickly. “I promise not to get between you two, Zach. I think you’re fantastic for Scarlett. And I’m really excited for you both. Our dads don’t get to control our whole lives, despite how much they try...”

I held up my hand to stop her. “No. It’s fine.” Collecting Scarlett’s hands in mine, I pulled her attention to me. “I understand your obligation. No, that’s a lie. I don’t really, but I can conceptualize it. I’m screwing this up. What I want to say is that it’s okay. I don’t scare that easily. I am a d—” I cut myself off, realizing Jadelyn was still there.

Scarlett’s ears perked back up. They were really quite expressive. “Really? I’m going to have to do things for her constantly. It’ll mess up dates or plans we have.”

“You already do that. Besides, that is just more reason for me to make sure you have time to be happy.” Jadelyn tried again. “There will be family matters, but I’ll work with you the best I can.” It was a plea not only to Scarlett, but to me too.

“Besides, Zach and I are friends. I can hire him and Morg, send you all away on the same missions.”

Scarlett snorted. “Their rates will break even your bank.”

“You’d be surprised. I think it can rival a dragon's horde now.” Jadelyn smiled, seeing her best friend perk back up.

I froze a little at the reference to the dragon's horde. Scarlett and I shared a look at it and burst out laughing.

“What?” Jadelyn looked between the two of us, confused.

“Nothing.” I supplied between chuckles. “Just a joke between us about dragons.”

Jadelyn nodded slowly. She didn’t understand, but that was okay.

Scarlett pushed herself off my lap. “I think I should go check on our friend hiding in the shadows. I’ll come back with drinks, then we party?”

“Don’t make them too strong. We might have work tonight.” I called after her, feeling a little at a loss.

“She just wants a little alone time.” Jadelyn said quietly after Scarlett had left. I nodded; Jadelyn knew her well.

Jadelyn looked down at her hands. “She had plans for tonight, and I’m afraid I may have just spoiled them.”

That got my attention. “Plans?”

Jadelyn smirked and shook her head. “Sworn to keep her secrets. You aren’t getting a thing out of me.” She stopped standing in the middle of the room and came to join me on the couch, keeping a friendly distance. “I’m a little jealous of you both. Something like you have would be nice.”

I wanted to console her, but apparently my brain and mouth weren’t working well together at that moment as I tried to console her by saying, “Well, I might end up killing Chad.”

The look on her face was priceless. Surprise was followed by hope, fear and longing so quickly that I nearly missed them before she slammed down her neutral mask.

“You don’t have to hide all that from me. Friends, right?” I nudged her.

She sighed and let go of the mask, her expression still a swirl of emotions. “It’s been a hard day. Honestly? Getting the engagement with Chad broken is something I’m completely okay with, but there’s fear too.”

“We’ll get him.” I offered and pulled her close to comfort her.

“No— eh yeah.” She started to object, but seemed to decide just to go with what I’d said. I could tell I’d misunderstood, but I couldn’t figure out how. If she wasn’t afraid of Chad, then what was it?

With Chad out of the picture, she’d be free to be with who she wanted.

But then it hit me. That wasn’t true. Her father controlled her life to the point that he had a bodyguard created for her. He would just arrange the next-best engagement for his own advantage. “Your father is going to engage you again.”

She nodded weakly and leaned against my shoulder. “Yeah. But I have a lot of feelings about that now. With Chad, I just didn’t care. I knew it was going to happen, and it was my duty. But now…”

Scarlett barged into the room, squeezing three cups together to carry them. Her mood seemed much improved. “Hey, quit trying to steal my man.” She teased, seeing Jadelyn’s head laying against my shoulder.

“No!” Jadelyn nearly jumped out of her skin as she tried to get away. “I’d never.”

We both looked at her funny, but Scarlett supplied our thoughts. “It was just a joke, Jade. And don’t worry about earlier, I’m over it. Now, who wants a drink?”