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TOUCH OF DARKNESS

by ML Guida

Chapter One

“You’re dying. The cancer has gone into your bone marrow.” Dr. Havens sat on his stool, then shut his chart like a prison door.

Donald Elliott rubbed his sweating forehead and struggled to breathe, the antiseptic stench nearly choking him. The paper gown stuck to his slick skin. “Are you sure? The treatments, the medications…”

Dr. Havens shook his head. His thick spiky gray hair made him look like a mad scientist. “I’m sorry, Donald, but they’re not working.”

Donald’s heart beat harder and blood pumped through him. Heat rushed over his face. He threw up his hands. “That’s it. I die? I’m only twenty-six years old.” He broke out into a loud hacking, his lungs rattling. God, he was so tired of it. He should be out playing football or shooting golf like he had in high school–not holed up in his house sweating and losing weight as if he was an anorexic.

“I know.” The doctor’s voice thickened, and he hung his head. “But there are very little treatments for stage IV Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. If only we would have discovered it sooner.”

“So, then what do I do now? Curl up and wait to die?” Bitterness swirled in his gut.

“I can refer you to the Cancer Treatment Center in New Mexico. They’ve had good luck in treating Non Hodgkins.”

Donald ripped off his gown and reached for his suit. “I thought you were supposed to be the best. I spent enough money here, doing all your damn experiments.”

Dr. Havens straightened and pushed his wire glasses back on his beak nose. “I am the best. My team and I have done everything we can.”

Donald gritted his teeth. “Your best hasn’t been good enough.”

The good doctor winced as if Donald hit him.

“Tell me, Doc. What are the chances that this place can cure me?”

Dr. Havens raised his head slowly. “I can’t promise they’ll cure you, but they’ve had some luck in curing four stages cancers.” He looked everywhere but at Donald. He opened his jacket and gave him a business card.

Donald yanked the card out of his hand and stuffed into his jacket.

“I’ll make a referral,” the doctor said softly.

“You do that,” Donald growled. He walked out and slammed the door shut.

Traditional medicine wasn’t doing a hill worth of beans for him. He’d another card that a woman gave him who was supposedly psychic. She pleaded with him not to use it unless all other avenues hit dead ends. Well, all other resources just dried up.

***

Donald’s limo driver pulled up in front of a shady-looking Victorian home in North Denver. This was not the part of town he usually set foot in. Cherry Creek, Aspen, and South Denver were his cup of tea, not anyplace where ten thugs could jump him.

His limo driver James got out of the car and opened the door. Donald got out and straightened his suit. He brushed past James as he headed up the stairs. The only sign on the door that indicated it was a business said come in, but the font reminded him of something out of the Addams Family. He opened the door expecting to find Lurch, but instead walked into New Orleans.

Bright red, purple, and pink walls surrounded him. Beads dangled across the doorway into another room. Voodoo dolls were lined up neatly on one shelf. Below it were bottles of herbs. A third shelf had spell books. Only one of the shelves had any paraphernalia on it. The psychic hadn’t mentioned this was a store.

“Good afternoon, Donald,” a velvety voice greeted him.

He jerked his head. A young woman had a brightly yellow, red, and orange dhuku wrapped around her head. Large gold earrings dangled from her ears, but it was her dark eyes that drew him to her. It was if she could read his soul.

A knot formed in his belly. He narrowed his eyes. “How did you know my name?”

She gave him a chilling gaze. “I’ve been expecting you. My name’s Madame Mthunzi.” She gestured with her arm toward the hallway. “Shall we?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Shall we what?”

“Why, find a cure for your cancer?” She edged closer, forcing him to step back. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it.”

“Linda Beck called you–the psychic.”

She shook her head. “No. Someone else will be coming soon. Do you want my help or not? My time is precious and…expensive.”

He raised his eyebrow, looking around the room that was in need of a definite upgrade.

“Don’t be a fool, Donald. This isn’t where I live. I don’t mix business with pleasure. Have you decided?”

Another wheezing attack gripped him. Tears filled his eyes and pain tore at his lungs. “Yes…yes.”

She straightened and turned her back. “Follow me.”

He didn’t have any choice but to follow. He took a handkerchief and wiped the spittle from his lips. This was ridiculous. He shouldn’t have this disease. He was Donald Elliott––young, vibrant, powerful–not some old man in a nursing home.

Madame Mthunzi led him into a darkened room with a small table, two chairs, and a candle inside a skull that was glittering. Shades covered the windows. She pointed to one of the wooden chairs. “Sit.”

He rolled his eyes, not believing he was forced to come to such gibberish.

She shut the door and the candle flickered, casting shadows on the wall. That’s when he noticed there were strange markings, which couldn’t be good.

She sat across from him. “As I told you before, I’m not cheap.”

He glared. “How much?”

“Fifty thousand dollars.”

He gripped the edge of the table tightly. “You’re joking?”

She shrugged. “No, I’m not.” She lowered her voice. “I know a way to cure you, but it’s dangerous.”

He lowered his hands. “For who?”

“For both of us.” She tilted her head. “That’s why there are wards on the wall to blind their magic.”

“Whose magic?”

She smiled sweetly. “Not until I get my money.”

“I’ll get it to you later––if this works.”

“Sorry, it doesn’t work that way.” She pulled a cell phone out of from underneath the table, which had a magstripe reader to swipe credit cards. “Pay now, or forget it and die.”

He met her haughty gaze, and his gut tensed. Fifty thousands wasn’t a problem, but he didn’t like being bamboozled, either. “How do I know you’re not lying to me?”

“You don’t.”

Pain ripped through his chest and sweat glistened down his temples. Crap, he didn’t have a choice. He slowly took out his debit card then slid it through the slot. “This better work.”

She took the phone and slid her finger across it. “I’m giving you the information. It will be up to you to make the information work.”

“What?” he growled and slowly stood, ready to rip the phone out of her hand. “I just paid fifty thousand dollars for double-talk.”

She tilted her chin high. “No. You paid for a cure. I’m giving it to you.” She snapped her fingers and pointed toward his chair. “Now, sit.”

Not having any other choice, he slumped back in his chair. She was despicable for preying on his desperation.

“Good.” She closed her eyes and moved her palm over the skull. “Spirits of the dead, open the veil, and show us what you know. I command you.”

The candle burned brighter, then what looked like a curtain opened on the opposite wall and a movie started to play.

“Hey, what is this?” Donald clasped the arm of the chair tightly and scanned the room for a movie projector.

“Watch and learn,” Madame Mthunzi said.

Donald glared at her, but then looked at the screen. A desert town unfolded. The sun set behind the rugged mountains, turning the clouds purple, pink, and orange. With the beautiful sunset and adobe homes and buildings, it reminded him of Sante Fe.

“This is the town of Magic.”

“Never heard of it.”

“No, you wouldn’t. They keep themselves hidden.”

The view centered on an adobe home on a ridge. Bushy bougainvillea climbed up one wall of the house and formed an umbrella of shade over the porch. A beautiful dark-haired woman sat on a swing, watching the sunset. She had the most mysterious golden eyes he’d ever seen. “Who is she?”

“Her name is Gwendolyn Bravian, and she’s now married to the Sheriff of New Mexico.”

“What’s his name?”

“Theo. He doesn’t actually have a last name, but he took one for his wife, Gwen.”

“So, why am I being shown this?” He clenched his fist. “Like I give a shit.”

“Because she’s your target.”

He stiffened. “Excuse me?”

“She’s pregnant.”

He leaned back in his chair and scowled. “So?”

“With a dragon.”

He blinked, not sure he heard her right. “With what?”

“A dragon.”

He sat up straighter. “Are you high?”

She pointed at the wall. “No. See.”

Sure enough, a huge yellow and orange dragon landed in front of the house, then transformed into a man wearing a white cowboy hat and wearing a sheriff’s uniform. Gwen ran over and wrapped her arms around the man’s neck, then kissed him. “This has to be some kind of cheesy Hollywood movie.”

“I assure you, Donald, it’s not. She’s carrying the cure for your illness.”

“Explain.”

“Dragons carry a great deal of magic. One of their properties is healing. They’re the most potent when their in utero. If you drink her blood––all of it––you’ll be healed.”

He wrinkled his nose. “All of her blood?”

“Yes, your cancer is advanced. Within a month, you’ll be dead. Only the dragon’s blood can heal you. However, only drink it when it’s a full moon. This is when the baby’s power is the most potent.”

“How do I know this isn’t bullshit?”

“I’ve given you what you asked, but there’s one more thing. I also need to make you a potion so you can enter Magic. The good witches have put a shield over their little town to keep evil out.” Her brown eyes turned completely black. “But I have found a way to penetrate their magic. I will also provide you with a book of spells to ward off vampires and witches. You’ll also need silver bullets.”

“Excuse me?”

“There are shape-shifters and werewolves. Don’t you know the lore?”

He scooted the chair back and screeched across the floor. “Why are you doing this?”

“I tried to get into Magic and they turned me away. Now, I’ll show them what happens when they cross Madame Mthunzi.”

Chapter Two

Gwen looked into her husband’s beautiful eyes and slowly unwound her arms from his thick neck. “How was your day?”

“Uneventful except for the twins playing tricks on Topper. They put Larry underneath one of her hats so when she put it on, she got a big surprise.”

She laughed. “Now that’s not very smart. Topper’s liable to turn both of those boys into flies, so Larry could eat them.”

“No, she’d never do that. She loves those two rascals.” He put his hand on her belly as his tone turned serious. “How are you doing?”

“Fine. The baby’s been active today.” She linked her arm through his. “I just donna know if this is normal.”

“Why? Based on my research, mothers can feel their babies move the first thirteen and sixteen weeks. It’s called a flutter.”

Ever since Theo found out she was pregnant, he’d been obsessed reading baby books, but those were human babies. This was half dragon and half human. “I’m only thirteen weeks along. Besides, I donna know what’s normal for a dragon baby.”

He clutched her shoulders, his thumbs caressing her. “I know. I don’t either. We’ll do this together. I promise I’ll not let anything happen to you or our child. You’re my whole world.”

She hugged him, needing to listen to his thumping heart. “And you’re mine.” She sighed heavily and tears welled in the back of her eyes.

He rubbed her back. “You’re thinking of your brother and sister again, aren’t you?”

She swallowed to keep from bawling. Another thing with this pregnancy, every two minutes she wanted to burst into tears. Pregnant women were emotional, but this seemed over the top. “I canna help it. I miss them so much.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I know. Speaking of Topper, she’s coming over tonight.”

She lifted her head. “She is? Why?”

He flashed her a smile that always melted her heart. “She has a surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”

She kissed him briefly on the lips. “Did I ever tell you that you’re impossible?”

He held her closer and bent his head, his warm breath brushing over her cheeks. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”

She parted her lips, and he immediately speared his tongue in her mouth. Her heart pounded wildly as he possessed her. She clutched his shoulders tightly. Theo was her whole life and she couldn’t bear to be parted from him, but that didn’t mean she didn’t miss Leif and Grace. After their parents had died, they only had each other. She didn’t even know if they were alive.

She pressed her body against his muscular one, drawing on his strength. His warmth took away the chill she felt which always made her feel safe in his arms. The baby fluttered inside her stomach and she gasped. “Theo?”

“What?” he asked huskily.

“The baby moved.” She took his hand and put it her over her belly.

His eyes widened. “I can feel the movement! Do you think the baby was upset over our kissing?”

She laughed. “No, you eejit. But soon we wonna be able to have sex.” She clasped his hand and led him toward the house. “So, I think we should finish what we started.”

“Your wish is my command.”

In their bedroom, she stripped off her clothes. Theo watched her with a lusty gaze.

“I can never stop admiring how beautiful you are,” he said.

She lay down on the bed, enjoying watching him unbuttoning his shirt and slowly taking off his pants. He climbed onto the bed and licked and kissed his way up one leg, his calloused finger tips caressing her flesh. The rough stubble on his jaw abraded her flesh. Her limbs and belly quivered with involuntary spasms, and her first orgasm peaked on the horizon.

When he reached the juncture between her thighs, he blew on her curls. The heat of his breath took hers away. He nestled his stubble jaw between her trembling thighs. Tingles glossed over her as she held her breath for the pleasure only he could give her. When he slipped his tongue inside her, she arched off the bed and dug her nails into his broad shoulders. He licked and kissed, feasting on her until she shook, twisting her head side-to-side. A shudder whooshed up her spine and her pulse raced, sending blood down to her core. Gwen spread out her arms, then gasped and gripped the sheets tight. Sweet, shimmers rippled through her body. The skin across her chest tightened and her nipples budded. An orgasm built up inside her, flooding her body with need and warmth.

“Theo!”

He chuckled. “You’re almost there, my sweet.”

Her heart drummed in her chest, and she bunched up the sheets tight in her fists.

He left her core and used his tongue to torture her hot flesh. He clamped his hot mouth on her nipple, sucking and swirling his tongue, driving her mad. Every nerve ending was on fire. She ran her fingers through his hair, pressing him against her breast. She arched her back, allowing him to take more of her flesh inside his hot mouth.

He stroked her curls and entered a finger, moving it in out at a feverish pace. Her first orgasm swept over her and she cried out.

Theo smiled, then put his hands on either side of her. “Now, you’re ready.”

He climbed up her molten body, his golden eyes flaring with desire.

She parted her lips and he bent his head kissing her, devouring her every gasp. The kiss was one of possession, of love, of fire. Her dragon indulged her every whimper, every moan. His hands slid down her slick body, stirring her into a frenzy. He parted her thighs and then he plunged his cock deep inside her. She arched her hips off the bed and clung to him. She matched his hard thrusts, slamming skin against skin, taking him deeper and deeper until in one fiery moment, her orgasm burst into fragments.

She wrapped her legs around his hips, holding them there. He came and collapsed on top of her. They both lay their spent and pleasured. He kissed her cheek.

“Tonight, I’ll grant your heart’s desire.”

She panted. “I thought…you…already did.”

He kissed her, silencing her curiosity and taking her into another round of bliss.

***

Gwen finished setting the picnic table, wondering who the other guest Topper was bringing for dinner. Potato salad, a vegetable tray with ranch dressing, a bowl of summer fruit, and two bags of potato chips were in a neat line.

She picked up another potato chip and popped it into her mouth. She wiped her greasy fingers on her jeans. God, these things were addicting. Back in the seventeenth century, there were fried potatoes, but not these delectable chips.

“You keep eating those and you’re going to eat the whole bag.”

Theo flipped one of his famous cheese burgers that were a mix of chorizo and beef. The smell made her mouth water. It wasn’t just his hamburgers that made her mouth water. The juncture between her thighs was still sore from their love-making. She couldn’t wait to feel his hands and lips on her again tonight.

She slid her palms together. “Quit complaining. There’s a whole another bag left.” She rubbed her belly. “Can I help it if the baby loves them?”

“Uh, huh.” Theo glanced at his watch. “They’ll be here in a few minutes.”

She walked over and put her hands on his muscular bicep. “Not even a hint, who is coming?”

“Nope.” He grinned and kissed her on the nose. “You wormed some of the surprise out of me, you little minx, but I won’t give you all the details.”

She cupped his ass hard, and he jumped.

“Gwen,” he warned. “You’re playing with fire.”

“I know.” She laughed and walked toward the kitchen to get the crock pot full of baked beans. She unplugged the crock pot when the door bell rang.

Adrenaline surged through her like lightning. She raced to the front door like a little kid and whipped open the door. Her mouth dropped open and she gripped the door jam tightly. “Oh, my God.”

“Gwendolyn. You shouldn’t use the Lord’s name in vain.”

Gwen’s chest tingled. She wiped the wetness off her cheeks and laughed. She missed this banter so much. Her identical twin, Grace, stood next to Topper, who was smiling. She held out her arms and Gwen burst into tears.

“I canna believe you’re here.” Gwen’s voice cracked. “I’ve missed you so much.” She hugged her as tight as she could, afraid this was a spell and Grace would disappear.

Strong arms slowly circled around her waist and she glanced up at Theo. Tears formed at the back of her eyelids. She bit her lip. “How?”

“Me, of course, my dear.” Topper brushed past her. She liked to change the color of her hair, and this time it was bright pink. She had swirled it up into a purple clip, making her hair look like an Easter egg.

Grace looked up at Theo and scowled. “Who is this gentleman? And why is he being so forward with you, Gwen? ’Tis not proper.”

Gwen clasped Theo’s hand and kissed it. “Grace, this is my husband, Theo. Theo, this is my sister, Grace.”

Grace curtsied, still wearing a long yellow gown from the seventeenth century complete with a bustle and bonnet. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you, sir.” She frowned and covered her mouth. “Gwen, why pray tell are you wearing such a garment? ’Tis not lady like.”

Gwen slid her arm into her sister’s and motioned toward her legs. “These are called jeans, Grace. And in this century they’re proper. Come into our home. I’m so glad you’re here.” She stopped. “Is Leif here, too?”

Topper sighed. “No, he was not at Morgana Fey’s home. He was away at sea.”

Gwen glanced at Theo. “He’s with his crew, looking for the demon.”

Theo rubbed her back. “He’s a dragon and a vampire. He’s safe.”

Gwen nodded, but heaviness flared in her gut. She remembered his red eyes and the gigantic spider that flung her through time. She shuddered. But the demon was more powerful than anything she’d seen in Magic. She hoped to God Leif was careful.

Chapter Three

Theo was parked underneath a shady tree when a red Ferrari convertible whizzed by, flicking dust into the air. He flipped on the screaming siren and chased the red blur that headed toward Magic.

Heat flushed through his body. His nostrils flared and smoked swirled around in the car. The car slowed but didn’t immediately pull over and sped up. The damn fool could run someone over in his sleepy town. Besides, Gwen was taking her sister around to all the residents today and would be in danger. His dragon demanded to be released and he had to take deep breaths to keep it under control. He grabbed his microphone. “Martin, do you read me?”

“Ten four, I read you, Sheriff.”

“I’m chasing a red Ferrari–”

“You’re kidding? Seriously?”

“Damn it, Martin. Listen, clear Main Street, or this idiot’s liable to kill someone.” 

“Roger and out, Sheriff.”

Theo picked up speed, the cruiser shaking and whining. Suddenly, the Ferrari skidded to the side, splattering dust onto Theo’s windshield. He slammed on the brakes and jumped out of the car, his gun drawn.

“Roll down the window and put your hands on the wheel now!”

The window rolled down and a young man, who looked like all the meat had been sucked out of him, clutched the steering wheel. “Is there a problem officer?” His innocent voice sent Theo’s dragon into a snarling fit.

“Damn right, there’s a problem. Do you know how fast you were going?”

The man shrugged. “No, I was in hurry.”

“Obviously.” Theo slowly lowered his gun, wondering why the man hadn’t been frightened of it. “Where were you going?”

“I think that’s my business.”

“You’re in a heap of trouble, Mister. I wouldn’t use that arrogant tone with me. Now, driver’s license, insurance, and registration.”

The man reached over and opened up the glove compartment. He handed Theo the registration and insurance. He opened up his wallet and handed him in his license. “Do you know who I am?”

“No, and I don’t care.” Theo read his driver’s license––Donald Elliott. He heard of the name, but wasn’t going to give the arrogant bastard the satisfaction. Donald Elliott was the heir of Trumpet Computers, but last he read, the man had cancer and his prognosis wasn’t good.

Donald narrowed his eyes. “I’m late for an important meeting.” The hallow of his cheeks were sunken in and he had dark circles underneath his eyes.

“You’re going to be even later––Donald. Up ahead is Magic, which is my town, and you could have killed someone with how fast you were going. Sit here while I radio this in.” He walked away not giving him a chance to argue.

Martin pulled up next to Theo. “Everything all right, Sheriff?”

Today, Martin was a werewolf. He looked like something out of an old horror movie with his ripped shirt and furry face and fangs. As a shape shifter, he could change into anything he wanted for kicks, but his silver eyes were serious. When it came to being a deputy, he took the job sincerely.

“I’ve got it under control.”

“That the joker tearing up our streets.”

“Yup.”

Martin shook his head. He slowly drove passed the red car and released a chilling howl.

The man jumped and bumped his head on the top of his car.

Theo chuckled. He typed in Donald’s registration and his driver’s record indicated he had numerous speeding tickets, but all of them had been dismissed. He must have a damn good attorney and gotten off on a technicality. Rich, stuck-up bastards always stuck in Theo’s craw. Why was Donald here? There were no fancy hotels or resorts. The back of the hair on his neck stood straight-up. Something wasn’t right.

He wrote out a speeding ticket and walked back to the car nice and slow.

Donald was drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “Can I go now?”

“Not until you sign this ticket.” Theo handed him the clipboard.

“Fine.” Donald scribbled his name on it.

Theo gave him back his information. “Drive slow or next time, you’ll end up in my jail.”

Donald snorted, but didn’t argue. He turned on the ignition, gunned the motor, and pulled onto the road.

Theo hurried back to his car and caught up with Donald who was driving the speed limit. He was determined to find out why Donald was in Magic. Not many people knew of this town, because the witches had put a spell to keep intruders out. Someone had to have invited him in order for him to get past the spell. Theo needed to find out who.

Donald turned down a dirt road that led to The Sleepy Inn, which was managed by a vampire––Byron St. Claire. Byron was a loner and kept to himself, but he’d always followed the laws of Magic.

A yellow Camaro and a silver diesel truck were parked at the two-story adobe inn. Usually, Byron was lucky if he had one customer––let alone three.

Theo pulled along side Donald who jumped out of his car. He marched around to Theo’s side.

Although he was at least a foot shorter than Theo, he growled, “Are you following me, Sheriff?”

Theo took off his sunglasses. “Yup.”

“You’re violating my rights.”

“You’re not under arrest, Donald.”

Donald put his shoulders back. “It’s Mr. Elliott.”

Byron opened the screen door and came down the steps. He had on black sunglasses and a leather jacket.

“Problem, Theo?”

Theo motioned toward Donald and the other two cars. “Your place seems to be busy.”

Bryon shrugged and took off his sunglasses. “It’s been dead for weeks until Mr. Elliott made reservations. Reserved the whole Inn.”

“Really?”

Donald glared. “Is there a crime in that, Sheriff?”

Theo met his belligerent stare. “No. But this is a quiet town. Strangers haven’t always been a blessing to us.”

“I haven’t broken any laws.”

“No…not yet.” But every gut instinct in Theo told him he would.

Donald turned toward Byron. “Now, are you going to check me in or not?”

Bryon rolled his eyes. “Tourists.” He leaned close to Theo. “If there is anything suspicious, I’ll contact you.” He put his famous sunglasses back on and motioned for Donald to follow.

Theo lifted his eyebrow and leaned against the hood of his car. That wasn’t very comforting since Bryon hadn’t thought anything was wrong when he accepted the booking. But the Sleepy Inn wasn’t exactly a money maker for him, either.  It only got busy when Topper had one of her witch’s conventions which wouldn’t happened for another three months.

He rubbed his chin and then wrote down the Camaro’s and truck’s license plates. Tingles flickered over his skin and his lungs tightened. All of his dragon senses were on hot alert. Something was up. Something bad was going to happen and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Chapter Four

Gwen sat on the veranda with Grace at her favorite Mexican restaurant–Tortilla Flats. Grace had her gown and bustle in a bag. She had on a long yellow beaded dress with a pair of sandals, which was as wild as Gwen could get her to go. She still thought jeans were way too provocative. The only way she would wear the sleeveless dress was if Gwen put on a similar one.

Grace picked up a tortilla chip and examined it.

“What do you call this?”

“’Tis a tortilla chip.” Gwen picked one up. “You dip it in salsa, which is made from tomatoes and spices.”

Grace followed her example and took a bite. Her eyes immediately filled up with tears and she choked. Gwen got up from her seat and patted her on the back. “Here, drink some water.”

Her sister gulped down the water and waved her hand in front of her face like a fan. “Oh my goodness, that was so hot.”

Gwen laughed. “I should have warned you. The green one is mild–the red hot.”

“Gwen! Gwen!”

Jonah and Joseph raced down the street toward them, their cheeks rosy and their eyes full of excitement. The only way she could tell the twins apart was by their black and white hats. Joseph wore black while Jonah white. Unless they decided to switch them.

She tilted her head. “Oh, oh, here comes trouble.”

Joseph reached them first. “Beat you.” A long pink forked tongue appeared underneath his black hat.

“Naw, I let you win,” Jonah insisted.

Grace grabbed Gwen’s hand. “What is that underneath that poor boy’s hat?”

Joseph grinned and took off his hat. Grace squealed and both boys burst out laughing.

“This is my pet lizard, Larry. He goes with me everywhere I go.”

“I see.” Grace had her hand over her heart.

“Are you a pirate like Gwen?” Jonah asked.

“Dummy, she’s not dressed like one.” He frowned. “Why are you wearing a dress, Gwen? You never wear them.”

Grace knotted her eyebrows together and clicked her tongue. She ate another chip without dipping it into the salsa.

Gwen smirked. “’Tis the only way I could convince my sister to dress in this century.”

“Gwen isn’t dressed like a pirate now either, but she’s a pirate.” He put his hands on his hips. “I’m going to tell Mom you called me a dummy. She says I’m smart.”

Joseph rolled his eyes. “Look, genius, she doesn’t even have a sword.”

Jonah pointed. “Gwen’s not wearing one now!”

“Okay, you two–Stop.” Gwen gestured with her hand. “This is my twin sister, Grace.”

“Cool.” Jonah clapped his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You’re twins like us. Exactly alike.”

“Except for her eyes. Their brown–not gold.” Joseph clasped the iron rod. “Are you going to marry a dragon? Then, you two will be twins and both be married to dragons!”

Grace smiled. “I’m afraid, boys, that my sister is not a pirate–especially being in the family way.” She gave Gwen one of her infamous you’re-not-being-ladylike gazes.

“Aw!” Both boys moaned.

Gwen winked. “Despite what my sister says, I’ll always be a pirate.”

“Yeah!” They both yelled.

“Wow! Look at that!” Joseph’s eyes widened and Larry peeked from underneath his hat.

A red Ferrari slowly passed them with dark windows.

Jonah took a step off the curb and the Ferrari gunned its motor. The engine roared and tires squealed.

Gwen jumped up and grabbed the railing. “Jonah! Get back here!”

Dirt spewed into the air and the Ferrari sped off as if hell hounds were chasing it.

Jonah looked at her with his eyes bulging. “Gwen, he wasn’t going to stop.”

His usual excited voice was quiet and small.

His brother pushed him. “That’s cuz you walked out in the middle of the street, dummy.”

“Stop calling me that!”

“No, he should have stopped. This is a small town.” She picked up her phone.

Theo answered on the first ring.

“Hey.”

“Theo, a red sports car almost hit Jonah.”

“What? Where?”

“Grace and I were eating at Tortilla Flats when the boys saw us. The car slowed down, then when Jonah stepped into the street, it sped off.”

“Is Jonah all right?”

“Yes, he’s fine.”

“I’ll check into it. Tell the boys to stay away from that car,” he growled.

“I will.” She hung up. “Boys…”

“We know, we know.” Joseph kicked a stone. “We’re not supposed to go near the car.”

A tall muscular man with short white hair came out of a hardware store.

“Look.” Jonah pointed. “There’s Frost. Let’s go see if he brought anything back from outer space.”

The boys tore down the street like mini-hurricanes toward the broad shoulder man.

“Outer space?” Grace sat back in her chair and put her arms over her chest.

“Frost is from the planet Glacier.”

Grace raised a delicate eyebrow.

“Donna look at me that way. He’s a Star Ranger and married to a witch. No one in this town is who you think they are. There are witches, vampires, werewolves, trolls, fairies.”

“Except for you,” Grace said quietly. “We’re just normal folk.”

“I know.” Gwen bit her lip. “That’s what scares me, Grace. I’m pregnant with a dragon. I don’t have any mystical powers. What if I can’t carry this baby?” Tears formed behind her eyes and her throat dried up. “What if something happens?”

Grace took her hand and squeezed it gently. “I know you’re scared. That’s why I’m here. We’ll figure this out together.”

Gwen forced a smile. “Thank you. I just wish Leif was here.”

Grace sighed. “He’s off on his pirate ship determined to kill the demon. I was angry with him for leaving his pregnant wife, Isabella, but I’ve come to trust the witch Morgana Fey. She’s in good hands. My task is here with you.”

“Thank you.” She glanced up and their waiter was carrying two plates of their steaming food. “Our food’s here, and I’m starved.”

Their waiter, Juan, placed the tray on the edge of the table. “Chile rellenos?”

Gwen raised her hand. “That’s me.” The smell of roasted peppers, melted cheese, and hot black beans made her stomach growl. She picked up her fork and cut a big slice of the Chile relleno that was smothered with guacamole. The baby flipped in her stomach and Gwen didn’t know if it was for excitement or dread.

Grace picked up her fork and poked at her food. “What did you call this again?”

“A chicken burrito. You’ll like it. Try it.”

She shrugged and took a dainty bite of the burrito. Her eyes widened. “Oh my, this is delicious.”

Gwen swallowed her bite, the cheese and spicy pepper warming her throat and belly as she waited for the baby’s response. The baby was more active. She hoped that was a good sign and cut another slice of the stuffed relleno.

“Can I try yours?” Grace looked at Gwen’s plate.

“Sure.” She scooted her plate toward Gwen.

Her sister dipped her spoon and scooped up a small bite. “That’s spicy. Do you think ’tis good for the baby?”

Gwen put her hand on her belly. “She’s very active and my stomach’s fine.”

“Good.” Grace patted her mouth. “I need to use the ladies’ powder room. Where is it?”

“The powder rooms are called restrooms.” She tilted her head. “’Tis right on the other side of the bar.”

“If you’ll excuse me.” Grace neatly folded her napkin and put it to the side of her plate. “I’ll be right back.”

Gwen nodded as she took a bite of her black beans. She sipped some water, wishing it was a Margarita. Since she’d been in Magic, she’d grown quite fond of tequila. She sighed. No drinking for a year.

Cars rolled down the street, but there was no sign of the red sports car or Theo. Maybe he’d found the car and given the driver a ticket. She scooped up her black beans with a tortilla chip and then a dabbed it with guacamole–the perfect bite.

After a few minutes, she realized half her plate was gone and Grace hadn’t returned. Maybe she’d gotten sick. Mexican food was much spicer than the bland food she’d be used to eating in the seventeenth century. She should have taken her sister some place less spicy.

She reluctantly pushed her chair away from the table.

Juan hurried over. “Is everything all right, no?” His eyes were filled with worry.

“Aye, the food is delicious. I just need to check on my sister. Donna take the dishes.”

He smiled. “Sì, Señora.”

Gwen hurried to the restroom and opened the wooden door. Her sandals clicked across the redish-brown toccata tile. The granite counter had a box of tissue and a soap dispenser in the shape of a cactus. Soft lights glowed and Gwen could see her worried face in the mirror. She looked so different in the yellow dress. She was much more comfortable in jeans and cowboy boots.

“Grace? Are you ill?” Three stalls were in the small bathroom. She checked for Grace’s sandals, but quickly realized Grace wasn’t in the bathroom. A chill wavered down her spine. How could she have missed her? The restaurant wasn’t that big and not many people were in the bar. Most people were sitting outside on the patio.

She hurried back to their table, but Grace wasn’t there. She motioned to Juan. “Did you see where my sister went?”

He shook his dark head. “No, I did not. I’m sorry.”

The hairs on the back of Gwen’s neck rose and goosebumps broke out on her arms. Something was wrong. This wasn’t like Grace. She’d never leave without telling her.

Gwen hurried to the front of the restaurant. The hostess, a young woman with her hair pulled up into a bun, stood behind a podium that faced the double doors.

“Excuse me?”

The woman smiled. “What can I do for you?”

“Did you see a woman dressed like me leave here?”

The hostess smiled. “Yes. She left with her husband and his friend. Her husband said she wasn’t feeling well.”

Gwen’s legs shook and her heartbeat spiked. “My sister doesna have a husband. Where did they go?”

“They just left a few minutes ago.”

Gwen bolted out the double doors. “Grace?” She looked down the street, but didn’t see her sister. Across the street, Jonah and Joseph were in the park, chasing each other round the swing sets. She raced over toward them. “Jonah, Joseph, did you see my sister?” Her frantic voice stopped them in their tracks.

Larry peeked from underneath Jospeh’s hat. Joseph pointed down the road. “You didn’t tell us she was married like you.”

“Yeah, she went with her husband. She didn’t look good. Her face was really pale. What she’d eat in there that made her so sick?”

“Grace isn’t married. Did she walk down the street?”

“No.” Jonah shook his head. “They got into a huge silver truck and took off.”

Joseph’s eyes widened. “You mean your sister’s been kidnapped?”

“Aye. Go get Topper. I’ve got to call Theo.” She raced back into the restaurant to snatch her phone.

Once again, he answered. “Gwen…”

Gwen ran her shaking hand through her hair. “Theo, Grace has been kidnapped! Two men forced her out of the bar. I didna see it happened, but Jonah and Joseph saw her leave. They said the men and Grace left in a silver truck.”

“Damn it, I knew there would be trouble.” His voice rippled with frustration.

Her belly twisted into a knot. “What do you mean?”

“Earlier I pulled over the man driving the red Ferrari. His name was Donald Elliott. He was speeding like a bat out of hell. I followed him to the Sleepy Inn where there was a yellow Camaro and a silver pick-up. I ran the plates on both of them.”

Gwen gripped her phone tighter. “Who were they?”

“Rick Mason and Shawn Whitehead. Two ex-cons. They served together in Canon City outside of Denver.”

“Why didna you arrest them?” Her voice was so loud people at the restaurant were staring at her, but she didn’t care. If she was in the seventeenth century, Leif would have cut down the two convicts––no questions asked.

“On what charges Gwen? I couldn’t do anything until they committed a crime.” His scolding tone sent the hairs on the back of her neck standing straight up.

Tears formed on the back of her eyelids. Her stomach quivered and she didn’t know if it were her being upset or the baby moving. “Well, they just did. They kidnapped my sister. And ’tis all your fault.”

He sighed heavily. She paced back and forth on the street, images of what those men could be doing to her sweet sister. Grace wasn’t a fighter. She was a gentle soul.

“Gwen, I’m sorry. Don’t move. I’m on my way. Don’t go anywhere near Mason or Whitehead.”

“Fine.” She clicked off her phone, not having any intention of staying put. How could Theo have done this? He was the sheriff and should have been protecting the town from ruffians. This wasn’t the first time she’d dealt with men like them who had threatened her sister. She’d been protecting her sister all of her life. Her brother Leif let her down to go off pirating, forcing her to be the protector of the family. And now her darling husband had just put her back in the same situation.

She narrowed her eyes. No problem, she was ready. She was a pirate and would make mincemeat of those bastards if they harmed one hair on her sister’s head.

Chapter Five

Donald drummed his fingers on the table and stared at the unconscious woman across from him. Not wanting the good sheriff to find them, he’d rented a three room cabin up in the hills. He’d preferred the little inn, but not with the nosy sheriff poking around.

Luckily, Madame Mthunzi had given him hex bags. He’d put them in all the corners of the house like she’d instructed and when he did, the house turned invisible. Let the damn sheriff try and find them now.

A potbelly stove flickered in the corner. He’d laid out all the tools he needed on the kitchen counter to kill this poor woman–a narrow five inch bone knife, a butcher knife, a meat cleaver, a twenty-five inch bone saw and a heavy duty meat cleaver. When he was a kid, his dad had taken him hunting and taught him how to butcher a deer. He never thought he would end up butchering a beautiful woman, but he didn’t have a choice. She was his last hope to not die a lingering, painful death.

Her dark head was slumped over to the side. His two goons, Rick Mason and Shawn Whitehead, had forced her out of the restaurant at gunpoint, then used chloroform to knock her out.

He rubbed the bridge between his nose. Maybe he was losing his mind. So far, since he’d been in this small backward town, he hadn’t seen anything that made him suspect the residents were anything but the local yahoos.

He broke out in a loud cough that squeezed his lungs and made his eyes tear up.

When he stopped the woman was staring at him, not with golden eyes, but brown.

“I’m surrounded by idiots,” he mumbled.

She frowned and pulled on her restraints. “Who are you?”

He slammed his fist down on the table hard. “Mason!”

The woman jumped.

A burly red bearded man hurried over from another room. “Yes, boss?”

Donald narrowed his eyes. “What color did I say her eyes should be?”

Mason scratched his beard, then shrugged. “Gold, but in the light, it was hard to tell.”

Donald motioned. “Look.”

He took a step closer.

“Stay away from me!” The woman leaned back into her chair as if trying to disappear.

He hung his head. “Crap, they’re brown.”

“Yes, I know, genius.”

The woman struggled in the chair and bit her lip. “What do you want with Gwendolyn?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Donald said.

She sat stiffly. “I’m afraid it does, sir. She’s my sister.”

“See, boss?” Mason flicked his hand over his bald head. “They’re twins. Anybody could make a mistake.”

Donald rolled his eyes. “You mean any moron. Now, you’re going to correct this, aren’t you?”

“You want to exchange her for the other one?”

He smiled, revealing all of his teeth. “No, but we’re going to have her come to us.”

The woman glared. “Please, sir, leave her alone! She’s in the family way.”

He walked over to her. Her eyes grew larger, and she pulled on her restraints.

“Get away from me.”

“What is your name?” He put his hand on the back of her head, then stroked her hair.

“I must insist that you release me this minute.”

He wrapped his fingers in her thick hair and yanked hard. “I asked you a question.”

She gasped, her lower lip trembled. “Grace.”

He loosened his grip. “Now, Grace, this is what you’re going to do. I’m going to call your sister and you’re going to say exactly what I want you to say.”

“And if I donna?”

He snapped his fingers.

Mason ripped out a knife from his belt and immediately put it under Grace’s throat, forcing her to tilt her head back.

Donald whispered into her ear. “Then, my associate will slice your pretty little neck. Do you understand me?”

“Aye.” Her voice was so low he could barely hear her.

He tilted his head at Mason who slowly lowered his knife. He released her hair and waited for her to go into hysterics and plead for hers and her sister’s life, but she disappointed him. She gave him an intense, fevered stare. Her face was tight and her skin stretched into a snarl. If she were a cat, she would have leaped at him and scratched his eyes out with her claws.

His scalp prickled and for one moment, he regretted kidnapping her. His lungs tightened and he gasped to breathe. He broke out into another fit of coughing and he gripped the back of her chair to steady himself. Tears blurred his vision and his body shook.

The attack lessened and he could breathe slowly, but his chest hurt as if someone had turned a tourniquet on his lungs. He was running out of time–back to the plan.

In a low voice, he asked, “Now, what’s your sister’s phone number?”

“I donna know, Sir.”

His pulse elevated. “Wrong answer.” He slapped her hard across the face.

Her head swung to the side, her hair flying all around.

“Now, I am going to ask you again. What’s your sister’s number?”

She raised her head, her hair shielding her face. “I donna know.”

He gritted his teeth. “Bitch!” He back handed her again.

She cried out. Her head swung to the other side.

“I donna know.”

He grabbed her hair and yanked. “I could do this all day. I’m going to ask you one more time. What is your sister’s phone number?”

“I…I donna know. I donna know what a phone number is. Please…please stop.”

He twisted his fingers tighter. “What the hell do you mean?”

“I came…I came from the seventeenth century.”

He released her. “Liar!” He scraped his hand over his face. “If you don’t tell me what I want to know, I’ll let Mason and Whitehead have their way with you.”

“No, please!” Her voice shook and she lost her defiance. “Topper–a witch–came and brought me back through time. I swear ’tis true.”

“Then, tell me what I want to know.” He grabbed her trembling shoulders and dug his fingers into her flesh.

“I donna know.” She hung her head and sobbed.

He dropped his hands. “You’re not giving me much of a choice.”

Mason licked his lips and flashed his gaze over Grace. Donald’s stomach tightened. Usually he wouldn’t have anything to do with scum like Mason and Whitehead, but he was a desperate man and desperation made him do things he’d never do.

But he wanted to live.

Mason ripped the top of Grace’s dress. She screamed and threw her head back.

Donald blinked his eyes. She wore an old fashioned corset. He’d seen corsets before, but this was one was faded and the material was different. Really old fashioned like seventeenth century old fashioned. Mason slipped his hand down her corset and she spat into his face. He punched her in the face, snapping her head back. “You be nice. Or you’ll not like what we’ll do to you.”

Tears streaked down her face. Her lip was cut and swelled up. Blood trickled down the corner of her mouth.

Maybe she was telling the truth and was from the seventeenth century. He hadn’t believed dragons existed until he met Madame Mthunzi. Donald held up his hand. “Wait.”

Mason groaned but withdrew his hand from inside the corset. His fingernails were longer than a man should have and Donald bet Grace had scratches down her breast, but she brought this on to her self. She should have been more cooperative.

He wedged himself in between Mason and Grace. He knelt and put his hands on her trembling knees. “Do you know where she lives?”

She looked warily at Mason, then sniffed. “I donna know the address, but they live on top of a plateau that looks down on Magic. Gwen said ’tis the only house with pink bougainvillea in full bloom that grows over their door way.”

Donald stood. He glared at Mason. “Now, can you two idiots find this house on the plateau?”

Whitehead shrugged his shoulders. “What’s a bougnaveila?”

“It’s pronounced bougainvillea, you moron. It’s a flower.” Donald took out his phone and found a picture of the pink flowered plant. “This is what it looks like.”

Whitehead looked at the screen. “Oh. I know them flowers. Just never knew what theys was called.”

Donald flicked his hand. “Now, go both of you. Don’t come back until you have the bitch. And this time, she’d better have gold-colored eyes.”

Mason googled at Grace, but reluctantly followed Whitehead out the door.

Donald sat in a chair across from Grace. “You better not be lying. Next time, I won’t stop them. Do you understand me?”

She nodded silently. Her dark hair hung in her face. Unlike the other women in town, she didn’t have any make-up on, since her tears hadn’t smeared her mascara and eye-shadow. She could have been wearing waterproof make-up, but he didn’t think so. Her lips were cracked as if they hadn’t been moisturized. Still she was beautiful. Too bad he had to kill her since he couldn’t afford any loose-ends.

Chapter Six

Gwen changed into her shirt, jeans, and boots, her hands shaking. Her muscles and veins strained against her skin. Damn, Theo! Why did he have to follow the rules? Magic was supposed to be a safe place. ’Twas his job to make sure everyone was safe–including her sister.

If anything happened to her, she’d never forgive them. He should have had both of those two men followed, especially if he smelled trouble.

Her stomach flipped-flopped angrily and she rushed to the bathroom, emptying lunch. She wiped off her mouth with a towel. She took a swig of water and swooshed it around in her mouth. She spat it out into the sink.

“Now, little…one,” she panted. “We’ve got a job to do. Your aunt’s in trouble. We have to save her. So, work with me on this, will you?”

She put her hand over her fluttering stomach and prayed she wouldn’t get sick again. She waited before she headed into the living room.

She yanked the sword off the fireplace, then went to the gun cabinet to get her sheath and Colt single action revolvers. Theo’s weapons were superior to hers, but she wasn’t comfortable with them. The Colts felt more like her flintlocks, but obviously with better accuracy. She quickly loaded each of them and slid them into her holster.

She caught her reflection in their dresser mirror, but instead of looking like a seventeenth century pirate, she looked like a biker pirate with her leather jacket. She wished she had powers like Topper so she could really kick some ass, but she was only human.

She learned to fight on the mean streets of London back in the seventeenth century, so she wasn’t a pansy-ass, either. “Donna worry, Grace. I’m coming.”

If they made her sister cry, she’d blow a hole right in the middle of their forehead.

She opened the door to two burly bearded men standing on her porch. Behind them was a silver truck. Her stomach fluttered as if a million butterflies were ramming to get out.

The tall red-bearded man cast his gaze over her. “See, Whitehead, this one’s got gold eyes.”

Gwen froze. They were the two convicts–Rick Manson and Shawn Whitehead–Theo had told her about and they were standing on her porch. She slowly moved her hand over her Colt. “Who are you?”

“You need to come with us.” Whitehead–the shorter blond man–reached for her.

But she was faster. Gwen knocked his hand away from her. His eyes widened in surprise. She unleashed her sword and pulled out her revolver.

They reached for their guns, but she shook her head. “I wouldna if I were you. I really wouldna. I’m a crack a shot and you’d both be dead.”

They glared, but did as she asked. The convicts were twice as tall as she was and could easily overpower her if given half a chance. She wished Theo would drive up, but she was on her own.

“Now, I’m going to ask again.” She pushed the tip of the sword underneath Manson’s chin. “I’m not going to ask a third time.”

His green eyes bulged.

Whitehead stared at her Colt. “She ain’t like the other one.”

Gwen smirked. “No, I’m not. What did you two bastards do with my sister?”

Whitehead glared. “If ya dudden come with us, he’s fixin’ to kill her.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Who?”

The two men glanced at each other.

She pressed the tip of the sword deeper into Mason’s hairy neck. “I said who?”

“Elliott. Donald Elliott,” he gasped, spit rolling down the sides of his mouth and staining his beard.

“What does he want with my sister?”

Whitehead shook his head. “He dudden want her. He wants you.”

She frowned. “Why?”

He shrugged. “We dudden know.”

His eyes shifted and he looked down at his boots. He was lying.

She pulled the trigger. “Where is he?”

“He dun buried in a cabin tighter than a Colorado tick,” Whitehead blurted.

“There are lots of cabins around here. What’s the name of the road?”

“I dudden know the name of the damn road, but it ain’t far from here,” he said. “Elliott said that if you dudden come, he’s fixin’ to kill your sister.”

“Well, I wouldna want to disappoint him.

“That’s what we were going to do, bitch,” Mason snarled.

“Donna make me mad.” She forced his head back even further, a trickle of blood rolled down his neck.

He put his hands up. “All right, all right. Just don’t cut my damn throat.”

“Move,” she said. “Hands in the air.”

Both men grumbled, but obeyed. She followed them out to the truck when she discovered a real problem. There was no way she could climb into the crew cab truck while holding onto her weapons. She had to come up with a plan.

She tilted her head. “Open the back door.”

Whitehead glanced at Mason.

“Do it, idiot,” Mason growled, his Adam’s apple moving up and down.

Whitehead reluctantly swung open the door.

“Now move away from me…Slowly. Try anything and you’re both dead.” ’Twas a lie, but they didn’t know that.

Mason and Whitehead walked ahead. Gwen moved next to the door.

“Lie down on the ground with your arms stretched out in front of you.”

“What?” Mason looked over his shoulder.

She aimed the gun. “Do it.”

“Stupid bitch,” he mumbled, but he got down on all fours. Whitehead followed suit.

Gwen licked her lips. Her heart beat wildly and her hands shook. She was going to have to move fast. She tossed the weapons onto the back seat, then leaped up into the cab.

She snatched her Colt.

“You almost made it.”

She turned around to Mason’s snarling face.

“You’re going to pay for cutting me, bitch.” He smacked her with his pistol. Pain exploded on the side of her temple, and she passed out.

Chapter Seven

Theo skidded the squad car in front of Tortilla Flats. He got out of the car and slammed the door hard. “Gwen!”

Pain swelled in the back of the throat at Gwen being so mad at him. He should have put a tail on Mason and Whitehead, but both he and Martin had been busy at a multiple car accident on the edge of town. He and Theo were it on Magic’s police force.

People, sitting on the patio, stopped eating and stared at him uneasily. Jonah and Joseph came barreling out of the restaurant.

Martin pulled up behind him. “Sheriff, wait.”

The twins raced toward him, waving their arms. “Theo! Theo!”

Heat flushed through his body. He held up his hand. “I don’t have time for this.” He swerved around Jonah.

“Gwen’s not here.” Jonah grabbed his arm.

Joseph stepped in front of him. “Neither’s her sister.”

Theo growled. “How do you know?” He grabbed Joseph by the shirt and Larry peeked from underneath Joseph’s hat.

Joseph put his hand on Theo’s. “We don’t know. Please don’t hurt me.” His voice was so small and his eyes so huge that calmness penetrated Theo’s anger.

“Are you really going to hurt those sweet boys?” A familiar female voice asked.

Theo whirled around. Topper held a book in her hand and a wand in another. Her hair was bright blue and pulled back into a neat ponytail.

“What’s going on Topper?”

She frowned and looked at her book. “Bad magic, I’m afraid.”

Theo scowled. “What do you mean? Where the hell is she?”

“Unfortunately, Theo, I can’t track her. Bad voodoo is at stake here.”

“Fine. I know where to start.”

“Theo, wait,” she said. “You’re going to need help.”

“I can find my woman.” Theo got into the car and turned on the siren. He sped over to the Sleepy Inn.

Byron walked out of the main office, wearing his famous sunglasses and leather jacket. “Hi Theo. What can I do for you?”

“Where are your guests?”

Byron shrugged. “They left. Still paid for the week though.”

Theo pressed his arms to his side to keep from tearing Byron apart. “I thought you were going to contact me if anything strange happened.”

Byron took a step backward. “I didn’t think guests checking out of here was strange.”

“Did they say where they were going?”

“No.” He shook his head.

Theo slammed his hand on the top of his roof, making a dent. “Damn it.”

Byron jumped and his face turned ashen. “Calm down, Theo.”

Theo put his hands up in the air. Smoke puffed out of his flaring nostrils. “Did you at least see which direction they went?”

“No. I’m sorry.”

Theo hopped back into his car and peeled out of the parking lot, spraying gravel and dirt. Byron held up his arm to shield his face. He ran back into the hotel as if he were afraid he’d burst into flames.

Sweat rolled down Theo’s temples. He gripped the steering wheel tight. God knows what Gwen would do. His little pirate wench had a definite mind of her own. He had to find her before she did something really stupid or worse get herself killed. Her love for her sister ran deep and she’d do anything to save her.

A flutter lit up in his gut. Maybe she was home. He raced home, weaving out of traffic. He thought about changing into a dragon, but his blood was burning and pounding between his ears. He could barely control his anger. There was no way on Earth he could control his dragon’s fury. If he transformed, he’d liable burn the town to the ground hunting for his stubborn wench.

He called her cell phone one more time.

“Hello, this is Gwen…”

He immediately hung up and tossed his phone onto the passenger seat. It wasn’t like her not to answer the phone–especially when he called.

The hair on the back of his neck raised up. She was in trouble. He knew it.

He skidded the car into the driveway. He bolted out of the car and into the house. “Gwen, Gwen? Are you here?”

The kitchen and dining room were empty, but what made his heart sick was the seventeenth century cross-hilted sword over the fireplace mantel was missing.

“Jeezuz, Gwen.”

He hurried over to the gun safe and opened it. He bowed his head. Her Colts were both missing. He shut the door and spun the dial. “Hell, why did you do this?”

He had to find her. He just had to.

He grabbed one of her shirts and inhaled her sweetness.

Concentrate, damn it.

He wasn’t good at finding her by scent unless he was calm. Heat swelled inside him and his skin tingled. He lowered the shirt and sucked in deep breaths. His vision clouded and his muscles rippled, the dragon fighting to come out.

He shook his head. “No.” Without Gwen, he always struggled to control his dragon. Her sweet kiss and touch calmed the beast inside him.

Now, concentrate.

Nothing.

Maybe he needed to be outside. Their front porch looked over Magic and just maybe he could catch her scent.

He came to an abrupt stop. He wasn’t alone.

“I told you you’re going to need help.” Topper stood next to three other men. Two of them he knew. One was his deputy and the other was Cè Jackman, a vampire pirate. Cè had been flung through the time by a giant spider in the seventeenth century like Theo’s wife, but now he was the local furniture maker.

He had a holster with his guns and his sword. His blond hair was pulled back and he’d a sheepish grin. “You really want to do this on your own?”

“Maybe.” He sized up the other large man that he had no clue who he was. He had a long dark hair and green eyes and wide shoulders, and he was dressed like a pirate.

Topper turned to the third man. “This is Leif Black.”

Theo frowned. “You’re Gwen’s and Grace’s brother?”

“Aye. I am. The witch came and got me when I was out of sea.” He smirked. “She didna give me much choice.”

Topper put her hands on her hips. “Your sisters are in danger.”

“I know. They’re my life. There’s nothing I willna do for them.”

Theo bared his teeth. “And so how are these men going to help me?”

“Didn’t Gwen tell you?” Topper stuck her thumb out of Leif. “Her brother is a dragon and he knows how to control his beast.”

Theo stiffened. “I’m in control.”

Topper raised her eyebrow. “Really? Have you picked up Gwen’s scent?”

Theo’s neck and ears turned hot. “I was coming out here to see if I could a get a good whiff.”

“I can find my woman anywhere,” Leif said. “But you have to be calm.”

“I am calm!” Theo growled and gnashed his teeth.

“Uh uh.” Topper gave him a knowing stare. “I can see that.”

Martin looked down at his hairy feet. Cè held his stare without flenching.

“I know you’re worried,” Topper said. “We all are. But luckily, I brought something that might help.” She pulled a green bottle out of her leather purse. “This is a calming elixir.”

“Only Gwen can calm me,” he muttered.

“Yes, I know, Sheriff.” She walked over to him. “This contains her essence.” She handed it to him. “Now, drink.”

He reluctantly took the vile from her and unscrewed the black top. He sniffed. An immediate smell of exotic flowers filled his nostrils. The knotted muscles balled up in his neck and shoulders slowly unwound. Topper gave him a superior smile and he grimaced.

But she was right. He did need help. This was no time to hold on to stiff neck pride–not with Gwen’s life hanging in the balance.

He downed the elixir in one gulp. Surprisingly, it tasted sweet and spicy at the same time like his Gwen. The tightness in his chest lessened, and he could breathe.

Topper rubbed his arm. “Feel better.”

“Actually, I do.”

She flashed him a fixed stare. “You sound skeptical? You know my spells never fail.”

“Close your eyes,” Leif said. “Then sniff. Trust me, it works.”

Nothing else Theo had tried worked, so he did as his brother in-law asked. He inhaled deeply, blocking out everything in his mind. The aroma of the bougainvillea teased him. Gwen had planted those. The desert breeze whiffed over him of cacti, cooking smells–someone was barbecuing ribs–a bubbling brook and then a powerful smell slammed into him of sweetness, spice, and fear. He flew open his eyes.

His nostrils flared and smoke puffed out. “She’s nearby. And she’s scared. We have to go now.”

Topper grabbed his arm. “No.”

He jerked free. “Why?”

Topper gestured toward the other men. “You’re not at full strength. Not yet. You need to wait for the full moon.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “She could be dead by then.”

“Theo, I’ve told you there’s dark magic at work. If you rush in now, the magic could kill you and Gwen. Is that what you want?” Her voice softened.

“No, of course not. Then what do we do?”

“You form a plan,” she said. “Unfortunately, I can’t help you. The dark magic will smite down any witch from Magic. Whatever spell I try to use, it will magnify on me. But with the combined forces of two dragons, a vampire, and a shape-shifter, you can overcome the evil. You must work together. When the moon is full, you’ll be at full strength.”

“Will Gwen still be alive?”

“Yes,” Topper said. “He must wait to kill her during the full moon, because that’s when your baby’s gift is at full strength. You must tell Gwen to unleash her baby’s abilities.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have just discovered that space dragon babies are very powerful, especially in the womb, but they don’t know it until they’re are called upon.”

Theo’s gut tightened. “That’s why he wants to kill her, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so. I have one more piece of advice. In this battle, you must trust all of your senses and not just your sight. Your sight may betray you. You all possess superior senses, especially smell. You’ll find this one will be your most powerful.”

Martin frowned. “What does that mean? We’re supposed to go around Magic sniffing like bloodhounds?”

Topper pinched his cheek. “Maybe you should, shape-shifter. I have a feeling where they’re holding Gwen isn’t too far from here. I must leave and consult with the council. We need to figure out way to get this dark presence out of Magic before it spreads like a cancer.”

She headed toward her car and left them all staring at each other.

Theo rubbed his chin. “Before we can form a plan, we need to find their hideout. A bloodhound wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

Martin rolled his eyes. “God, the things I’ll do for you, Sheriff. You know, I prefer a werewolf…”

Theo lifted his chin and growled.

Martin put his hands up. “All right, all right. Don’t fry my ass. …Give me something of Gwen’s, so I can catch her scent.”

Theo motioned. “Follow me.”

Martin, Cè, and Leif followed him back into the house. Theo picked up one of Gwen’s favorite blankets and handed it to Martin.

Martin held it up to his nose and smelled. He tossed it back onto the couch. “I’ve got it.” The long hair on his face and body decreased and turned from brown to red. His short-haired fur coat hung loose around his head and neck. The skin fell into loose, pendulous ridges and folds. His height shrunk until he was about two feet tall. His shirt and pants disappeared. He panted, slobber dripping from his jowls.

Theo smiled. “Best damn looking bloodhound, I’ve ever seen.” He bent down to pet him.

Martin growled and bared his teeth.

“Easy, deputy. This is what I want you to do. Go find Gwen, then report back here. Topper said she was close by.”

Leif opened the door. “Find them. I need my sisters to be safe.” He closed it. “Now, what?”

Theo looked at both Leif and Cé. “We form a plan.”

Chapter Eight

Gwen woke to a splitting headache and she couldn’t see out of her right eye. Mason had hit her hard. She’d no idea those two lumbering eejits could move that fast.

“Mason shouldn’t have hit you,” a wheezy voice said.

A man sat in a recliner facing a roaring fireplace, which was strange since it was hotter than hell outside. Even at dusk, the temperature in Magic was still hot. She didn’t see Grace or the two convicts, either.

“Are you Elliott?”

“Yes, I am.” He broke out into dry cough that almost made her feel sorry for him.

Almost.

“Let me go, you cur.” Gwen pulled on her restraints and twisted in her chair. A log fell off in the fireplace and sparks flew.

Donald sat at a chair and patted his mouth. “This will all be over soon.”

“Where is my sister?”

Donald hacked and hacked then spit up into his handkerchief. He jerked his thumb toward another room. “She’s…unconscious.”

“You have me. Why havena you let my sister go?”

He swiveled his leather recliner to face her. “Because I can’t have any witnesses.”

His face was racked with pain and his eyes were sunken into his skull. He looked like a starving skeleton except for his full head of hair.

She pulled on her restraints. “Why are you doing this?”

“I’m dying. And you’re my last resort.”

Beads of sweat formed on the top of her forehead. “What do you mean?”

“A voodoo priestess said that the blood of a dragon could cure me.”

“You bloody codfish. I’m not a dragon.”

“I know, but you’re pregnant with one. The priestess said dragons are the most powerful when they are in utero. I wished this hadn’t had to come to this, but I have no choice.”

She gripped the arms of her chair tightly. “No choice for what?”

“Your baby is most powerful when its midnight.” He walked over to the small kitchen and ran his hand over a white towel that had tools underneath it. He ripped back the towel to reveal a long and a short knife, an ax, a saw and a heavy duty meat cleaver.  That’s when I have to kill you and drain all your blood.”

Her mouth ran dry and the room, tools, and his face spun around her. Heat spiked inside her and she fought not to pass out. “You’re the spawn o’ the devil.”

“No, I’m a dedicated businessman. I don’t deserve this disease. I deserve to live.”

She frowned. “And my baby and I deserve to die?”

“Your baby isn’t human, so I’m only putting down an animal. However, regrettably, I have to put down both you and your sister.”

“No.” She struggled harder. “You canna be serious. Drinking my blood isn’t going to heal you.”

Evil flickered in his eyes and he licked his lips. “Not yours. Your baby’s.”

Her stomach fluttered as if the baby heard what he was saying. Maybe he or she could hear. ’Tis not like she had a baby dragon reference book. “You’ll never touch my baby.”

He frowned. “The priestess was right. We have unwanted visitors.” He gripped a glowing silver knife in his hand. “Mason, get in here.”

The door opened. Mason had a bandage on his neck, which made her smile.

But he didn’t look at Elliott. He glared at Gwen with pure hatred. “What, boss?”

“Is there some kind of creature outside?”

He blinked. “What animal?”

Gwen sat taller in her chair and out the window, Whitehead was petting a bloodhound.

A jolt went through Gwen’s body. She bit her lip to hide a smile. Was it Martin? He was a shape-shifter and could transform into any shape. She could be wrong, but as far as she knew, there wasn’t a bloodhound in Magic. That didn’t mean anything. Someone could have gotten one.

“Any kind of animal…” He broke out into another harsh cough.

Mason jerked his thumb. “There’s a bloodhound outside.”

“That’s not a dog, you fool. I told you–there’s magical creatures here. That’s a shape-shifter. Kill it.”

Mason looked at Elliott as if he were crazy. “It’s just a dog.”

Magic was good about keeping her secrets secret.

Elliott shoved the silver knife in Mason’s face. “This means that thing is a shapeshifter. Kill it now.”

Gwen squirmed and screamed. “Run, Mason!”

The bloodhound led out a howl.

“Shut up, bitch!” Mason backhanded her across the face.

Pain exploded in her mouth, snapping her head back. She cried out.

Gun fire stilled her heartbeat.

Whitehead raced back into the cabin. “Boss, Mason, I ain’t never seen nothing like it. The dawg…he…just disappeared.”

“That’s because he’s a shapeshifter, you fool,” Elliott wheezed. “Thanks to you two idiots, they’re coming.”

Whitehead scratched the top of his greasy blond head. “What’s comin’?”

Elliott stabbed the knife into the recliner. “A dragon.” He flicked out his hand. “Go out and hunt that dog. You better damn hope you got it and it’s out there dying.” He looked at Gwen. “Don’t look too hopeful, my dear. Both these boys’ guns have silver bullets and for what I’m told, just one nick of silver is enough to drop a full grown shifter.”

Numbness gripped her chest and she hung her head. A tear slid down her cheek and splashed onto her thigh.

Please, God, let Theo get here. Don’t let them hurt my baby.

Chapter Nine

The sun had sunk and the full moon crescent was over the horizon, but Martin wasn’t back yet. Both he and Leif had flown all over Magic and not one hint of Gwen. Theo looked at Cé and Leif and tilted his beer. “Are we clear on the plan?”

Cé took another swig of beer. “We’ve gone over it twelve times.”

“Aye,” Leif agreed. “Where is that damn dog anyways?”

A hummingbird darted toward them then descended onto the ground. Frantic wings turned into fast flapping arms and the bird grew six feet. The beak disappeared. Feathers turned into skin and hair.

Theo glared. “Martin, where the hell have you been?”

Martin ran his head through his brown hair. “That was damn close. The bastards were shooting silver bullets.”

“Where are they?” Theo demanded.

“Up the road about a quarter mile away.”

Theo and Leif glanced at each other then back at Martin.

“We’ve both been flying all over this place.” Theo tipped his hat up. “How could we have missed it? I couldn’t sense her at all.”

“That’s because Donald and his two idiots have set wards around the house.” Martin grabbed a bottle of beer out of the cooler on the porch and took a big gulp. “The cabin’s invisible.”

Cé flinched. “You’re kidding?”

Martin shook his head. “No, I’m not. One of them, I think it was Mason, opened the door that just came out of nowhere. I saw her Theo. She was there.”

Theo’s breath bottled up in his chest. He grabbed his shoulders. “How is she?”

Martin avoided his gaze.

His arms shook and his heart fluttered. Theo dug his fingers into his flesh. “Tell me. What did they do to her? Is she alive?” His voice turned into a growl and he pulled back his upper lip.

Martin hung his head. “Yes, but…”

“But…what?”

He sighed and slowly put his hand on Martin’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Theo. They beat her.”

Theo tilted his head back, his dragon roared. “No!” Smoke spilled out of his nose.

A strong hand grabbed his arm. Leif glared. “Listen to me. Stay calm. Remember your damn plan.”

Theo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He thought of Gwen and her soft scent and touch and forced the rage back, but it was there…waiting to explode.

Cé slapped Theo on the back. “We need to stick to the plan.”

“Aye,” Leif agreed. “Martin, d’ye need to sit this one out?”

Martin wiped the sweat off his brow. “No, just give me a minute. I like Gwen. I don’t like people coming to our town and torturing our folks. It’s not right.”

“According to Topper, we’re the strongest at midnight, but I’m not waiting until then. Based on the dark magic, we could be killed.” He studied each of their faces. “Are you with me?”

Cè tilted and raised his bottle. “I’m in.”

Theo clanked his against the glass and smiled. Cé winked.

Leif followed suit. “Damn right.” His golden eyes glowed and smoke swirled out of his nose. “They’ll regret hurting my sisters.”

“All for one.” Martin transformed into a French Musketeer. He had a purple plume in his hat and a long red tabard with a white cross on his back.  He lifted his bottle as if it was his sword strapped to his waist. “And one for all.”

Leif frowned. “What the bloody hell are you supposed to be?”

Theo laughed and lowered his beer. “He’s a French Musketeer.”

Martin unleashed his sword and swished it in the air.

Cé smirked. “Do you even know how to use that?”

Martin wiped the sword underneath his throat, forcing his head back. “When I transform into a creature, any creature, I know all their skills. So, yes, I know how to use this.” He narrowed his eyes. “Any more stupid questions?”

Cé put his hands up. “No. Remember, I’m on your side.”

“I know.” Martin sheathed his sword.

Theo raised his eyebrow. “Is that what you’re going to go as–a Musketeer?”

Martin smiled. “I think I’ll unnerve them. They’ll be looking for an animal.” He pulled out his police special. “But unlike the Musketeers, I have no intention of using their flintlocks.” He studied his gun. “This is much more accurate.” He replaced it into his holster then motioned with his arm. “Shall we?”

Leif frowned. “Can you find this place without being a dog?”

He smiled. “Absolutely. Once I get a scent, I never forget it.”

“Let’s go.” Theo put his beer down on the small wooden table.

“Aye,” Leif nodded.

Three other bottles joined Theo’s. They looked at each other and then headed off the porch.

Martin pointed west. “It’s about two miles from here off Skull Road.”

“They’ll be expecting us to fly or drive,” Theo said. “We walk and take them by surprise.” Their boots crunched on the pebbles. Each held a sword or a gun in his hands.

Theo’s heart beat harder and his skin grew hotter as the dragon within him threatened to bulk out. God, what if when they got there, Gwen wasn’t alive. She was his whole life. He should have put a tail on those two convicts.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

The cords of muscle on the back of his neck tensed, and he gritted his teeth.

Stay calm.

When they had walked a couple of miles, Martin stopped and pointed. “There it is.”

Theo frowned, trying to keep from releasing his rage, and lifted his arm. “All I see are cacti, pinyon pines, and scrub brush.”

“It’s there. I told you. It’s invisible.”

Cé looked at Martin. “Bloody hell, how are we supposed to carry out the plan if we can’t see it?”

“The house is where a bunch of cacti are surrounding the rocks.”

“Are you sure?” Leif asked.

Martin motioned. “Trust me. It’s there.”

Theo cleared his throat. “We all know our jobs.”

A loud agonizing scream froze Theo’s blood.

“Aye.” Leif transformed into a dragon. He flew in back of the cacti.

Theo unleashed his beast. Wings thrust out of his back and a tail grew out of buttocks. He grew two sizes. His mouth and nose elongated. Smoke swirled out of his nose. He flew into the front of the cacti and prayed that Martin wasn’t mistaken.

Cé went to the west side of the cacti while Martin went to the east side.

Prickling rushed over his scales. Martin better be right about this, because his dragon fire could smite a dragon, a musketeer, and a vampire. The last thing he wanted to do was smite his friends. Theo took a deep breath and blew. Fire blazed onto the cacti. Suddenly, a revolver formed out of midair and fired. Pain slammed into his shoulder, piercing his hide. Blood drizzled down his leg. He screeched.

“Theo! Help us!” Gwen’s desperate voice spurred him to move.

“If you come in here, the spells will be released and dark wards will attack you.”

Theo glared. He pawed one of his talons like a bull. Adrenaline surged through him. Not caring about the damn black magic, he charged. More bullets pierced his scales.

A loud crash that sounded like glass breaking broke his attention, but then his heart stopped. Cé screamed.

Theo spewed fire as he burst into the cacti. More agony cut into him as if stalagmites were plowing into him, slowing his movement to a crawl, but he refused to give up.

“Leave him alone you bastards!” Gwen screamed.

Another anguish released the rage inside him. He dragged his talons across the ground. The gravel turned into hardwood floor. He inhaled the scent of wood, ash, and fear.

He wasn’t outside anymore. He was in a cabin.

Elliott stood smiling, holding a black book with strange symbols on it and a blade underneath Gwen’s chin. “Good evening, Sheriff. Take a step and she’s dead.” His skin was still ashen and he looked like something out of a concentration camp, but a triumphant glare flared in his eyes.

Theo growled, but remained perfect still. He’d no idea where Leif and Martin had gone.

Gwen looked at him with tears glistening in her eyes. She had a black eye and a purple bruise on the left side of her cheek.

Cé was slumped over in a corner with a blade in his heart.

“Your friend isn’t doing so well. The blade has been dipped in a dead man’s blood in a graveyard under a new moon. According to Madame Mthunzi, fatal to vampires.”

Theo snarled. Cé was a good man. He didn’t deserve this.

“You’ll pay for interfering–Impetus.”

Black smoke rose out of the book and split in two. Half it disappeared underneath a door next to the fireplace, while the other swirled up Theo’s nose. Unbearable anguish swept through him as if fire ants were attacking him from the insides.

“Greetings from Madame Mthunzi. Those are her wards–lethal to a dragon.”

“Stay away from me,” a woman screamed from somewhere in the cabin. It had to be Grace.

Gwen’s lower lip trembled and she stared at a door. Grace must be in there. God, knows what was happening to her, but he was powerless to do anything. If he made a move, the bastard would slice Gwen’s throat.

“What the hell are you?” a man yelled.

“You’re worst nightmare–Monsieur.”

A man screamed. The door next to the flickering fireplace opened and Whitehead staggered out. His hands were over his heart, his eyes wide. He wobbled and fell on his knees. Blood seeped through his fingers. “Mason?” His voice faded, and he fell onto his side.

“No!” He rushed over to Whitehead’s motionless body. He shook his shoulders. “Shawn, Shawn, answer me.”

Whitehead’s listless eyes stared blindly.

“Get a hold of yourself,” Elliott growled.

Mason glared. “He was my cousin, you bastard!”

Theo transformed back into a man at dragon speed. “Gwen.” He gritted his teeth as rippling pain surged through him as if twenty-four men had beaten the crap out of him.

“Theo, what are you doing?”

“I can’t…fight him as a dragon. Pain. So much…pain.”

“Yes, my dear,” Elliott said. “The wards beat down a dragon. Any size dragon.”

“But not a shape-shifter.” Martin stood in the door way, holding his blood drenched sword.

Elliott blinked. “What the hell are you?”

Martin raised his sword. “Isn’t it obvious, Monsieur? I’m a Musketeer. One for all and all for one.”

Mason slowly stood and reached for his revolver. “I’ll kill you.”

Before Martin could move, Mason fired. Silver bullets riddled him.

Martin slumped to the floor.

Mason kicked one of his legs. “That’s what you get for killing my cousin.”

Theo pulled back his lower lip and growled.

Another loud snarl came from the bedroom. He pulled back on the trigger. “Another one of your friends is going to die.”

Theo moved his talons and flapped his wings. Agony ate through him and he screeched. He collapsed, not able to move. Tightness spread across his chest. He was a powerful dragon and could do nothing to save his woman and his friends. What the hell was inside him?

An agonizing scream crushed Theo’s hope that Leif had survived. Soreness welled up in the back of Theo’s throat. The dragon within him roared and he fought to gain control he had to tell Gwen. She was their only hope.

“Gwen…listen…to me.”

Elliott forced Gwen’s head with the knife. A trickle of blood dripped down her throat. “You’ll die soon, Sheriff. The minute you passed the doorway the wards attacked you. And I’ll soon live forever.”

Ignoring the pain twisting inside him, Theo stared at Gwen. “Topper said…draw on our baby. You have to call her. Only you…can do it. Trust me. I love you. I believe in you.”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“The baby’s got…special…” He gritted his teeth and fell onto his side. Sweat broke out on his forehead and he curled into a ball. Something was moving inside him, shredding his insides.

He opened his mouth, but spit out blood. God, he was dying.

Chapter Ten

Gwen froze in her chair. Her breath stopped. Please not both him and Grace. Theo lay curled up in a ball and wasn’t moving. He was her life. “Theo.” Tears streamed down Gwen’s face, but she was no shrinking violet.

“Sweet baby, help us. We need you,” he whispered.

She could barely hear him. How could this be true? She didn’t have any powers.

“Yes, sweet baby, help us,” Elliott jeered. He wrapped his fingers in Gwen’s hair. “I’m tired of waiting.” He lifted the knife as if to cut her throat.

Gwen’s belly stirred, growing stronger. Her heart pounded and tingles swept over her, making her hair stand up. Heat surged through her, but she wasn’t sweating.

“Your skin…” Elliott’s eyes widened. “It’s turning red.”

She didn’t care. Her heart pounded faster, but it wasn’t just hers. She could feel her baby’s. Every time the baby’s heart beat, more and more power pulsed through her. Adrenaline flushed through her like an out of control forest fire.

Her nails elongated. She dug them into the chair, tearing the wood. She smiled. “You were saying?”

Elliott screamed and jerked his hand out of her hair that was on fire. He dropped the knife and stepped back. “What’s happening?”

The restraints on Gwen sizzled up. Her body was on fire, but she wasn’t burning. She walked toward Elliott. “My baby’s very, very, very angry with you. You want her blood?” She picked up the knife and slashed her hand. “Take some.”

“No! Please!” He grabbed the dark book of spells.

She ripped it out of his shaking hands. The book trembled in her hand as if it was trying to escape.

He reached for the book. “Give it back to me.”

“I don’t think so.” She smiled, digging her fingernails into the book. The book caught on fire and exploded.

“What have you done?”

She tossed what remained in her hands into the fire. “You’re turn.”

“No, no, stay away from me.”

But Gwen ignored his pleas. He planned on drinking her blood and killing her baby. She didn’t care that he was dying of cancer. Normally, she would have tried to help him, but he threatened her family.

She clutched his face with her bleeding palm. Elliott’s face turned bright red. He beat at her wrist and kicked her, but she held on tightly. Surprisingly, she didn’t feel a thing as if a shield protected her. The stench of human skin made her choke. His arm dropped limply to his side. His face melted into goo and he screamed. His body turned into ash.  She released him. His bones and what was left of his flesh collapsed onto the floor into a heap of dust.

Her skin slowly cooled and she caught her breath. She hurried over to Theo. Tears spilled down her face. His skin was so ashen and he was curled into a ball.

She took off his white cowboy hat and pushed back his thick hair, her hand shaking. “Theo, don’t leave me.”

“Gwen,” he groaned.

“Theo.” She pressed her palms on his rugged cheeks. “You’re alive?” She kissed him again and again on his lips, needing to feel his breath mixing with hers.

“I guess so.”

“Of course, he is,” a familiar voice said.

Gwen looked up to see Topper standing in the doorway. “Topper, what happened?”

“You destroyed the evil, Gwen. The boys weakened the magic when they rushed the house, but your trust in yourself and in Theo allowed you to defeat the darkness.”

Gwen frowned. “But I’m not magical. How can this be?”

“You are now, my dear. You mated with a dragon and the little one inside is who made you powerful. Not only did you save Theo, but your friends as well.” She pointed. “See look.”

Gwen turned where Cé had fallen. Giddiness rushed over her. He pulled the blade out of his chest. “Bloody hell. I need to sleep for a week.”

Theo stirred and Gwen helped him to sit.

“So, after the baby’s born?”

“She’ll still be magical.” She winked. “I suggested you don’t make her mad, Sheriff.”

Theo glanced over at Elliott’s steamy remains. “Yeah, I think you’re right.”

“You’re telling me.” Martin dusted his hat off and stood.

Gwen lifted her eyebrow. “So, let’s not start now.”

Theo put his hand on the back of her neck and kissed her. “I can’t wait to get you home.”

“Tell me.” Cé scratched his head. “Are you still going to walk around like a musketeer?”

Martin shrugged. “Maybe.”

Leif walked out of the bedroom, holding an unconscious Grace. Tears rolled down his face. “Gwen.” He voice trailed off and his Adam’s apple moved up and down. “I think they raped her.”

Grace shook her head. “No. Elliott said they wouldn’t.”

Theo put his arms around her trembling shoulders. “Elliott lied.”

Martin sheathed his sword. “When I came through the room, Whitehead was on top of her, groping her, but he had his pants on.”

“She was naked,” Leif growled.

Martin hung his head. “I know. He paid for what he did to her.”

“Aye, so did the other one.” He kissed the top of Grace’s forehead. “She’s so delicate.”

“She’s stronger than you think,” Topper said quietly. She walked over to Grace and ran her wand across her forehead. A yellow beam formed across her forehead, but then faded. “I built a wall that will keep back some of the memories, but unfortunately, it’s not permanent. She’ll sleep.”

“Leif, take her to my house.”

He nodded.  You need to get her out of here. In fact, I suggest you all leave this evil place. My coven and I must destroy the cabin, so it does not attract more darkness.”

“You donna have to tell me choice,” Cè murmured. “I’m ready to get Pandora.”

“You’ll have to wait,” Topper said. “She’s part of the coven.”

“She’s here?”

“Yes.”

Cé sped across the room and went outside.

Theo clasped Gwen’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Gwen nodded, but she couldn’t speak. Her sister was hurt. If only she knew about her power earlier, maybe Grace wouldn’t have been attacked. She was such a gentle soul.

Theo and Gwen quietly left the awful cabin. She gripped his hand tightly. When they got outside, women were chatting. Cé and his wife were kissing.

Leif transformed into a dragon and flew into the sky, his talons clutching Grace. Theo quickly changed and Gwen climbed up on his back. He flapped his wings and air rushed over Gwen. She pressed her legs against his side. She inhaled his campfire scent that always made her feel safe.

All she wanted to do was fall into Theo’s arms, but she had to take care of Grace like she always had of her. Tonight was going to be a long night.

***

“Gwen, Gwen…”

A soft voice penetrated Gwen’s brain. She immediately woke. She couldn’t believe she fell asleep.

Gwen opened her eyes. Grace was propped up on the pillow, her face whiter than the sheets.

She bit her lip. “Are you well? Is the baby…” Tears spilled down her bruised cheeks.

Gwen clasped her shaking hand. “Yes, I’m fine. So is the baby. The baby saved us, Grace.” She put her hand over her fluttering tummy.

Grace frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Theo told me I had to ask for the baby’s help. Our little one has powers and he transferred them to me.” She squeezed her sister’s fingers. “I turned Elliott into a fiery ash. They’re all dead. They can’t hurt you anymore.”

Grace nodded. “I know. A musketeer…”

“Martin. He’s a shape shifter and he likes to turn into crazy characters.”

“The musketeer stabbed Whitehead who was on top of me. Whitehead said he was done waiting until midnight. He tore off all my clothes.” She broke into sobs. “I couldn’t stop him. I begged him to leave me alone. I wasn’t strong enough.”

Gwen grabbed some tissues and wiped her sister’s wet cheeks. “You were tied up, Grace.”

“I am so ashamed.”

Gwen brushed her hair back. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. I wished I would have known about the baby’s power before. Why didn’t Topper tell me?”

As if on cue, Topper flashed into the room. Her hair was the color of a rainbow that she swirled into a beehive.

Grace gasped and gripped the covers tight.

Topper sat on the edge of the bed. “The cabin is destroyed and the black magic will not be able to come in through that doorway.” Her voice softened. “How are you feeling, my dear?”

Grace turned away. “Not well.”

“Topper, why didn’t you tell me about the baby’s power? I could have stopped all of this from happening.” Gwen couldn’t hide the resentment in her voice.

“Obviously, because I didn’t know. Since you’ve been pregnant, I have been doing research. I know about dragons, but not dragons from outer space. So, I visited the planet where Theo came from.” She held up her hand. “I’m forbidden to say the name of the planet, because Theo’s parents wanted him to be raised here on Earth. I’m honoring that request. Anyways, I spoke to the Queen–Cosima. She’s the one who told me about the baby’s potential powers. You see if it’s a girl, girls do not change into dragons, but they possess other powers.” She smiled. “As you can see. It was the queen who told me.”

She patted Grace’s arm. “I just wish I would have found out sooner. But by the time I did, you both had been taken and a dark veil prevented me from finding you. Luckily, you had Theo and his posse.”

Someone knocked softly on the door. “Gwen, Grace, can I come in?”

Grace knotted the blanket, but didn’t answer. Her cheeks were bright red. Gwen squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Aye, Come on in, Leif.”

Leif opened the door. He looked at Topper. “How did you get in here?”

Gwen frowned at his harsh voice. “Leif.”

“No worries, hon.” Topper shrugged. “I come and go as I please.”

He clutched his sword, his knuckles turning white. “I see. Topper you promised to send me back when this was over. I’ve got to get back to my wife, Isabella. I miss her.”

Topper smiled. “And I will. I don’t go back on my word. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll open the portal and send you back.”

He relaxed his grip on his sword and smiled. “Good. I’ve got to get back to my wife, Isabella. ’Tis time to go, Grace.”

Grace tilted her chin. “I’m not going back.”

“What?” A vein flickered on Leif’s cheek. “Do you think that’s wise? Look what happened here. You’d be safer with Morgana Fey. She wouldn’t have let this happen.”

Topper narrowed her eyes. “Let this happen? Is that what you think we did?”

Gwen glared. “Donna take that tone, dear brother. I can recall awful things happening to Isabella, to Mariah, and to Hannah. Hannah was almost raped as I recall.”

Grace winced.

“Sorry,” Gwen muttered. “But here. She doesna have to worry about a demon hunting her down.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Can you guarantee nothing will happen to her back in our time?”

Leif opened his mouth and shut it. He rubbed the back of his neck. “No, I canna.”

“’Tis Grace’s choice,” Gwen said, softening her voice. “You’ll be at sea with the rest of the pirates and Grace will be at Morgana’s, but she’s getting old. I fear her time is near. Then, what will happen?”

He turned his head and he clenched his fists. He took a deep breath. “You’ll come find me if you’re both in trouble again?”

Gwen glanced at Topper who smiled.

“Of course. Besides, Theo, Martin, Cé, and a coven of witches are here to protect us.” She patted her belly. “And one fierce little baby.”

The tensed muscles on Leif’s face relaxed and he smiled. “My nephew is quite the fighter.”

“Niece,” Gwen corrected.

He shook his head. “Still willing to argue with me?”

“Always.” She got up and hugged him tightly. “I’ll miss you, dear brother.”

“And I you.” He released her and walked over to Grace who had tears in her eyes.

“I’m so…”

He put his finger on her lips. “You fought bravely, little sister. Even restrained you fought. I’m proud of you. If you want to come back, tell Topper and I’ll come.” He kissed her fingers. “Promise me?”

“I will. Tell the others I love them. I’ll return someday. I just canna face them yet.”

He kissed the top of her forehead. “You have friends there. Hannah, Isabella, and Angelica know what you’ve been through.”

Tears glistened in her eyes. “I know. When I’m ready, I’ll come.”

“Good-bye, little sister.” He stood. “I’m ready.”

Topper motioned with her hand. “Then, come with me, dragon. I need to summon the coven. We’ll send you back today.” She clasped Leif’s arm and then they both disappeared.

Grace burst into tears. Gwen rushed to her side.

“If you want to go home, I’ll summon Topper.”

“No, I’m not ready. ’Tis Leif will tell them what happened. How can I face them again?”

She clutched Grace’s hand and squeezed it hard. “Because you’re strong, Grace. All of those women have faced perils like you and came out stronger.”

Grace pushed her hair behind her ears. “But they all have powers…I donna. I’m just human.”

“Women have experienced this for years and have survived. You will, too.”

Grace bit her lower lip. “I donna what I did without you.”

“We’re twins, Grace. I need you as much as you need me, especially with a dragon baby on the way.”

“Can I stay with you? Will Theo mind?”

“Of course, not,” a male voice said.

Theo held his hat in the doorway. His broad shoulders nearly the width of the door.

Gwen hurried over and hugged him. He held her. His thumping heart sent reassurance through her.

“Grace, our home is your home. You stay here as long as you like.”

Gwen looked up at him. “I love you.”

“And you have my heart.”

Chapter Eleven

One month later

Gwen moaned as a delightfully warm pulse of pleasure rippled down the length of her body and back again. She opened her eyes with a soft sigh and gazed up at the tanned, naked man laying next to her and wondered if the grin he wore was a threat or a challenge.

Since her kidnapping, she wasn’t the same woman. Her powers had gotten stronger and she delighted in knowing she can set things on fire if she wanted, which always sent her handsome sheriff frowning.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Morning.” She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “What time is it?”

“A little before six.”

He ran his hand down her naked flesh and she shivered.

“I see you’re in an amorous mood.” She patted the small bump on her belly and the baby fluttered. “Topper says we only have a couple more months before we canna do this.”

He smiled. “How can I not be when I’m next to such a beautiful woman?”

She clasped his wondering hand and kissed his knuckles. “I love you.”

“I know.”He slid his other hand up her hips to her waist to her breasts, stroking his slick fingers around one breast, circling and brushing the nipple until it budded. She caught her breath, trying to remember what the hell they were talking about.

“Would you like to prove it?”

“Aye, please, Theo.”

He laughed and rolled on top of her. He moved his hot mouth down her throat to her other breast. He lavished it like until she was gasping. She cradled his head to her breast and arched her back, allowing him to take more of her flesh into his mouth.

“Always.” She gasped and looked nervously at the door, wondering about her sister. She was getting stronger, but often times, she wanted to be alone. At least she was smiling. “Is Grace still asleep?”

“I’m sure. She doesn’t get up until around seven anyways and I have to be at work by seven thirty.” He inserted his finger between her curls, stroking her and stirring an aching passion.

She panted. “Let’s..start you day with something…to remember me…by.”

“Yes, let’s do.” He parted her legs and pressed his hips between hers. His stiff cock pushed against her soft folds.

He kissed her, branding her as his. She clutched his shoulders and returned his fervor. He slid his cock deep into her core. His eyes were wide and gold and filled with the vision of how he loved her and believed in her. He proved his belief in her time and time again.

He rocked his hips and she wrapped her strong legs around him, pinning him. Their rhythm was slow then glided into a steady and then hard pace. Gwen shuddered as an orgasm filled inside her, taking her higher and higher. Her rapid heart beat matched his. Blood gushed through, ending at her core.

Theo’s eyes glowed darker, meaning he was approaching his own ecstasy.

She clung to him and arched her back as fiery bliss rolled over her. She cried out his name.

He pounded harder and harder against her until he thrust his head back and growled, spilling his seed deep inside her.

“I never…never.” He panted. “Get tired of hearing you call my name.”

She threaded her fingers through his hair. “And you my fiery dragon, chase away my darkness.”

He kissed her again. She didn’t know what was in store in Magic, since everyday brought surprises, but she knew for sure that Theo would always be there–dragon in shining armor.

                           ***

Do you love dragons? Want more? Madness Unmarked is full of dragons, space bears, and flesh-eating aliens.

Other books by ML Guida

Dragons of Zalara Series

Madness Unleashed

Madness Unhinged

Touch of Madness

Madness Unbalanced (Coming in June)

Legends of the Soaring Phoenix

A Pirate's Curse

A Pirate's Revenge

A Pirate's Agony

A Pirate's Obsession

A Pirate's Bane

A Pirate's Darkness

Award Winning Author M.L. Guida loves the paranormal. Even when she was four years old, she would watch the soap opera, Dark Shadows, and fell in love with vampires! Who wouldn't want a bite on the neck? But she didn't stop there. Witches, dragons, angels, and demons are sprinkled throughout her books.

Today, she continues to love the preternatural and watches Supernatural, Paranormal Survivor, and A Haunting. Like Dean Winchester, she loves to write alpha males who aren't afraid to face the forces of evil. 

You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Bookbub, and Instagram

If you’d like to connect with her, join Supernatural Scrolls and learn about her, her dog, Raven, and new releases!