Drake trailed his fingers over the spot where Savanna had lain. Her perfume lingered on the sheets, mixed with the salt that had clung to her. It had been a week, but he could still smell her. He tried to banish her from his mind so he could focus on the things he had to do. One of them was to talk to Blackmore about the mansion. He was the last in the family still tied to him now that his father had died. It was time the son knew. It was the reason Drake had returned. He had sensed the elder’s failing health. He would reveal himself to Blackmore and then be on his way. If the line died out, the magic would be broken and he would be free.
Drake banished the thought of Blackmore and tried to push Savanna out as well. Her scent may have remained, but he had to rid himself of it. She was not a priority. Although he did wish to know if she had gotten the medical attention she needed. What happened to her? He growled and shook his head. It doesn’t matter what happened to her. She’s human and a fat one at that. She’d make a good morsel to eat. Drake didn’t understand why she was stuck in his mind unless he had finally grown soft in his old age. In dragon terms, he was ancient and nearly immortal in the human world he found himself in. He had given up hope of ever returning home. There wasn’t enough magic in this realm for him to throw a stone, let alone conjure up a portal. He had tried, and it left him wrenching. During his travels, he found he was a unique soul. No dragons lived in this place. Seeing the mist dragon during the storm the other night had roused his hopes and made him notice Savanna. And she had stirred his dragon, something no human had done.
In the end that didn’t matter, because he would move once he revealed his history to Blackmore. The sooner he was gone from the town, the sooner he could return to his solitude surrounded by books and the technology that kept his mind occupied. Anything to make him forget the land he had originated from where magic was in the air he breathed. Humans could wield magic, and his kin could all shift into dragons. He would be surrounded by like beings, and not trapped in his human flesh unless the night was dark and he could shed his human skin.
Every day it felt like someone had him in a vice grip and he was being squeezed to fit into the male form he wore, into a society he would never truly understand, into a life that wasn’t his own. No matter how difficult it was, he endured. Drake felt like he was being smooshed so hard that sometimes it seemed he was cracking.
Drake shook off the remorse. He had to be strong. He had always been strong. He was a king among the dragons. Drake threw a blanket over the bed and decided to wash the sheets when he got back. His goal was to seek out Blackmore.
He left the lighthouse and made his way over the walkway and the stairs along the cliff side. It bothered him that Blackmore had noticed they were there when he shouldn’t have, because magic masked them from all the world except him. Savanna had seen them because she was with him. When he got to the house, the sounds of hammering and some God awful caterwauling blared from the radio. The door to the side yard was open. It was late August and hot. He walked into the main living space. Blackmore stood by the fireplace, wiping the marble down, but as Drake entered the other man looked up and their gazes locked. The magical bond they shared vibrated his bones. This was the first time in a long time where the bond quaked so strongly. He ground his teeth together and pushed it away. After so many centuries, instincts had awakened within him that he wasn’t used to. It could have been a coincidence. What did it matter? His magic was petering out, too. Each day when he woke his bones ached more. The scary thing was the dragon seemed less and less a part of him.
“What do you want, Drake?”
“I told you I needed to talk to you the other day when I brought the woman by.”
“Now isn’t a good time. Can’t you see I’m in the middle of something? Come back later.”
He grunted. “Son of a...look. I have to get out of this town sooner rather than later.”
“I don’t give a fuck if it inconveniences you or not. I’m busy. How about I call you? Oh, wait, you don’t have a phone in the lighthouse.”
Drake clenched his fists together to keep from lashing out. He had to be civil, at least, to this man because their lives were so intertwined. “Right. I don’t. Can you take a moment out of your busy schedule so you can grace me with your precious time?”
“No need to be condescending, Drake. But no, I can’t. I’m going to be late for a date. Whatever you have can wait until this weekend. Why don’t you meet me Saturday morning around ten? Does that work for you?” Blackmore took off his shirt and wiped the sweat from his face with it.
“Fine,” he seethed. “You had better be there.” Drake left the house and looked at the sky. It was a sunny day. He needed to unclutter his head. He walked to the corner of the property to a nearly forgotten path that led into town.
Drake pushed the weeds out of the way and listened for anyone coming. If so, it meant someone knew about this private path. It eventually connected to the ocean walk a few miles down and linked up with the public walkway. No one would know this was here. It blended in with the woods and was nearly invisible to all except him and the wildlife. Drake pushed through the underbrush, enjoying the twittering birds and all the other animals around him. He detected the musk of a fox that had crossed along the overgrown lane. He closed his eyes and inhaled as he walked with his fingers brushing the tops of the plants. Drake sensed the life within them. He prayed that if his magic ever completely left him that he wouldn’t lose this ability. He loved to be in nature. When he vacated this place he would return to his mountaintop retreat. No one would bother him. He functioned better without people. Savanna had been a passing kink.
The air stirred. It delivered the scents of the town below and all the restaurants cooking their meals. The aromas made his mouth water and his stomach rumble. He did need to get something to eat and...
Someone slammed into him so he opened his eyes and snarled. “Watch where the hell you’re going.” The fire crept up his throat, and he was ready to let it loose even if it meant revealing his nature. The dragon stretched and scratched along his inner skin, but he had to force it back.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize you were there.”
He recognized the voice. “Savanna.” She was dressed in a long, black cloak and a hood that covered her eyes. She looked up, and her gaze enraptured him. Everything in him froze, and the dragon quieted.
“Drake.” Her lips turned up in a smile. “I didn’t know anyone else knew about this path. I come by here and look at the wildlife. It clears my head, especially after doing a day full of readings.”
“You said you were a psychic, isn’t that right?” Drake crossed his arms over his chest. With her arrival his rage softened and fell away. This woman was a breath of fresh air, and yet, he couldn’t understand why, because she was nowhere near his style.
“Yes. I wasn’t sure if you remembered.” She glanced down at her hands and wound them into the hem of her cloak. He couldn’t help but notice how the hair fell across her face and revealed the expanse of her neck and how it curved.
“You feeling better?” He shifted and leaned against a sapling.
She glanced up. “Yup. Ahh. Yes. Thanks.” She touched her head absently where she had hurt it. Savanna winced.
“Does the wound still bother you?”
“Not much. Just a bit. The lump has gone down. No more being dizzy or nauseous, so that’s a plus. You know, I’d really like to do something to say thanks for saving my life. I mean...if you hadn’t found me on those rocks and brought me in, I’d be dead.”
His eyebrows raised, but he tried to keep his surprise to a minimum. “There’s no need to thank me or do anything. Really.”
“There has to be something. Can I at least buy you dinner?”
“You don’t have to do anything. It was nothing. I would’ve done it for anyone.”
A small giggle spilled from her lips. It irritated and intrigued him all at the same time. The corner of his mouth turned up in a grin even if he didn’t want it to. “I don’t think that’s true. I think it depends on your mood.”
“You think so? Does your other sense tell you that?” How true of a sensitive is this woman? Could she read my thoughts? Could she sense the dragon? Does she really possess the power to peer into others’ thoughts and discern the future? Those questions danced on the tip of his tongue, but he did not voice them. Over the years, he had come across other mystics that had some insight into things that were unexplainable. However, they had never been able to tell him a way to go home.
“My instincts don’t need to tell me that. Your demeanor does. I saw the way you were around Mr. Blackmore the other day. You’re on edge all the time. You don’t like interacting with people. Even talking to me is making you uncomfortable. I take it that’s why you prefer being the lighthouse keeper so you can indulge in solitude, listening to the pounding waves, only having the responsibility of keeping the light burning. The wind whispering to you. I understand the appeal. Sometimes I’d love to lock myself away from the world so I don’t have to deal with idiots.” Savanna paused and her cheeks turned red. “Sorry. I’m babbling.”
“No. I think it’s interesting you can tell that with only having met me.”
She shrugged. “I don’t have to be psychic to be good at reading body language. It kinda comes with the job. So, Drake, what do you say? Will you let me buy you dinner, or cook for you, or something at least?”
Drake saw the expectation in her eyes. What harm is it going to do to humor her? It will get her off my back. “Dinner sounds okay. Don’t go to any trouble.”
“It wouldn’t be any trouble. It’d be nice to have someone over that isn’t my roommate. What day is good for you?”
“Any day is fine.”
“How about Saturday around seven?”
Saturday. The day he wanted to leave and talk to Blackmore. One more day of hanging around wouldn’t hurt him. He could leave on Sunday. Her face lit up when she smiled, and he wondered if there was more to her that he wasn’t seeing. Drake threw away the feeling. The human wasn’t his type. He didn’t want to get involved with anyone else more than he had to. And yet the dragon in him wanted to be around her. The two opposing sides of his personalities pulled on his decisions, and gave him a slight headache. He did have to eat.
“Great. I’ll see you then.”
* * * *
Savanna walked back to her shop after her encounter with Drake. She hadn’t thought anyone knew about the path except Mr. Blackmore, considering she was on his land. She was heading to talk to him about the night that he had brought her home. And she wanted an excuse to find Drake. He was the real reason she had taken the trail. When she left her apartment that morning her feet had led her in a completely different direction as she got lost in the recollections of her dream. Ever since she had fallen from the boat, her dreams had been filled with a strange, otherworldly setting. They didn’t make much sense. Regular people were in them, but many of them could wield magic, true magic. Great beasts soared through the air, but she had never been able to make out exactly what they were. Other times she was surrounded by books and looking at a map or a family tree. Once she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror and she had the features of a woman with dark hair and eyes. For that split second, she was a stranger.
Then she had slammed into Drake.
All thoughts of her dreams vanished because he had been there, all gruff. He had almost taken a swing at her, but at least she found him. Their conversation had been strained and it appeared he was humoring her. And yet he intrigued her, and something was so damn sexy about the man that she couldn’t help but blush at the thought of him and what might happen if they ever got into bed. Nevertheless, what man wanted a curvy woman who had a few more pounds on her than normal? She hated being called fat, but it was true. Adding that to her being a psychic, she was nearly a pariah. If he came over for dinner, then she could repay him. Once that was done, she would have her daydreams, because he was the kind of guy that curled her toes. One grade-A walking hunk of man muscle. Blackmore wasn’t half bad either, but he wasn’t on the menu.
Savanna stood over the stove and readjusted her apron. Chastity was singing off-key to the music that blasted from her room down the hall. She tried to drown out the heavy metal and prepare dinner. A chicken roasted in the oven. Potatoes and broccoli cooked on the stovetop. The past few days she had worried what to make, because she had no idea what Drake ate. Most everyone liked mashed potatoes and chicken. He didn’t seem like he was a vegetarian.
“Sav, have you seen my earrings?” her roommate asked.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “No. I haven’t seen them. Did you check the counter in the bathroom where you normally leave them? Do you really need them for your date tonight?”
“You’re so funny. And to think that we both have dates on the same night. How often does that happen?”
“It’s not a date, Chas. I’m just having him over to repay him for saving my life. That’s it.”
Chastity snorted. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever you say. I bet he’s going to be just the right man for you. I’m surprised you weren’t making a little bit more for the two of you.”
She was about to throw down her spoon when someone knocked on the door. Chastity went to open the door. Savanna set down her spoon and grabbed a towel from the counter to clean her hands quickly. Drake stood outside. Savanna was amused to see the other woman’s mouth drop when he entered. Her mouth almost did as well, but she kept hers closed when Drake stepped in. His coal black hair hung loose around his shoulders. He was dressed in a form fitting black T-shirt and, from what she could see in the mirror, a nice pair of slacks. Her heart hammered against her breast before she said anything.
“Hello, I’m here to see Savanna. Is she home?” Drake’s husky tone set her all aflutter.
Chastity slammed her mouth shut and shot Savanna a murderous look. “She’s...ahh...she’s in the kitchen. Are you sure you’re here for her?”
Drake brushed past her roommate as if she were a nonentity and stepped into the kitchen. “It smells wonderful in here.” He held out a bottle of wine. “I wasn’t exactly sure what to bring over, so I hope you don’t mind.”
“No. Thank you. It’s great.” She took the bottle and glanced at the label. It was a red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Savanna set it on the counter and glanced over at her roommate.
“How did you and Savanna meet? You don’t look like you’re her type at all.” Chastity closed the door and shot her a murderous stare.
Drake leaned on the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “I thought she told you. I pulled her from the briny depths. Dinner smells wonderful.”
“Thank you. It’s almost ready. Chastity, did you ever find your earrings?” she asked her roommate, who stared at her still. “You don’t want to be late for your date.”
The other woman stomped off into her bedroom and slammed the door so the whole place shook. Savanna focused her attention back on Drake, who was taking in everything around him. Her hand shook as she walked over to the cabinets and pulled out the plates and glasses for dinner. She didn’t have any wine glasses, but Chastity did, so she used them. Her roommate always borrowed her things without asking. She found a corkscrew buried in the back of the drawer and tried to pull out the cork, but it wasn’t budging. She gripped the neck and grunted when she tried again. Drake’s hand wrapped around hers and everything stopped. She twisted slightly and stared deep into his dark eyes and saw a hint of fire. The touch of his skin burned against hers. He slid his fingers along hers as he snatched the bottle from her grasp.
“Allow me,” he said. With one quick twist and a pop he yanked the cork from the bottle and placed it on the counter.
“Thanks.” Nervous energy bubbled within her, but she took the chicken out of the oven and set it on the stove. The rest of the dinner was done, so she just had to plate it. “Are you a wing man, thigh, breast...”
“All of them. Although breasts are my favorite.”
Her cheeks seared as she turned toward him. “Oh. Well...”
Drake laughed. It seemed he was having a good time. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up. “You blush very easily.”
“I’m not used to having someone over, and it’s just the heat from the chicken.” Savanna carved the chicken when there was another knock on the door.
“Can you get that?” Chastity called from the bedroom.
She rolled her eyes and shot a look at Drake. “I’ll get it.” He slipped out of the kitchen and opened the door.
“Hi, is Chas—”
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Whoa! Drake. What are you doing here? Sorry about today. I was busy and...”
The next thing she knew loud noises came from the doorway. She raced over and saw Drake was on top of the other man, hitting him. He drew his arm back and was going to deck him again. Savanna grabbed his arm. Drake shoved her away so she stumbled backward and landed into the wall. The impact hurt, but she got to pull the two of them apart. Savanna still had her fork in her hand. Drake was about to hit the man again, but she rammed the fork into the meat of his shoulder. He turned around and roared at her, but it got him to stop.
“Enough,” she roared. The timer dinged on the stove. Everything about her shook. Drake stopped, stood up, and the madness in his eyes faded way. He turned around and checked the mirror to see the fork sticking out of his shoulder as though it didn’t upset him one bit.
“What the hell is going on?” Chastity ran out into the room dressed only in her electric blue bra and a short black mini skirt that barely covered her ass. Her hair was in curlers and only one side of her face was done up in makeup. Savanna rolled her eyes.
Drake had attacked Mr. Blackmore. A trickle of blood seeped along the side of his mouth from his split lip and down his nose. A bruise was already forming on his cheek. An itching started at the back of her neck, but she pushed the feeling way because she wasn’t ready to see what her guides wanted to tell her. Sometimes being psychic was inconvenient.
“Can you take the fork out of my back?” Drake asked.
“Are you going to be civilized?” She stood with her arms crossed over her chest.
“He...” Blackmore said.
“I don’t care what the beef is between you.” She pushed her way past him and went to help the other man who was slowly starting to get up. Savanna helped up the man who had given her a ride. His shirt was torn at the collar and a little bit of blood and dribbled down it. “Come into the kitchen.” She grabbed a wet cloth and gave it to Blackmore.
“Thanks,” he said.
“You’re welcome,” she answered.
“Oh baby, are you okay?” Chastity came running in and threw herself into Blackmore’s arms. He winced and glanced over at Savanna, who tried to keep from laughing. Blackmore wasn’t as enthusiastic at seeing his date as she was. Savanna went to deal with Drake who was trying to pull the fork out of his shoulder. She yanked it out.
“Ouch. That hurt,” Drake grumbled.
“You deserved it.” She pulled him aside into the living room. “What was that about?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
She pushed her finger into his chest. Her anger boiled over. No one fought in her home. “No way. That’s not going to cut it. You come into my house and get into a bar brawl. ‘Nothing’ is not an answer. You tell me what the hell that was all about or else.”
Drake laughed. “Or else what? You’re going to stab me with another carving fork?”
“Come to think of it, yes. It might not be your shoulder, either. I stuck a fork in you because I was done. It could be your balls next, so tell me what the hell that was about!” Savanna glanced over to the other couple. Blackmore tried to push off her nymphomaniac roommate. He glanced over his shoulder with a pleading look on his face.
“Gee, I’ll remember not to get you angry,” Drake said.
“But we had plans tonight?” Chastity squealed.
“Look, this was a long shot by any rate. I was only going out with you because one of my guys set us up. Chastity, I’m really not interested. You should go get dressed.”
“But. But.” Her roommate backed away and stood in the small hallway across from the kitchen. “Go to hell. I didn’t want to go out with you either. I know the rumors about you.” She held up her pinky finger and wiggled it at Blackmore. “I guess even money can’t make up for a small dick.” She stormed off into her bedroom and slammed the door. A moment later music blared from down the hall.
“How do you live with that?” Drake inquired.
She sank into the sofa. “Not by choice, believe me. If I could, I’d live by myself again. Business has been slow these past few months, and I needed a roommate to pay the rent.”
“Do you mind if I join you so we can talk?” Blackmore asked.
“Are you going to jump on him again?” Savanna really didn’t want to pull the two of them apart again.
“And risk being forked by you again? I wouldn’t dare stand in your way.” Drake took a seat on the sofa next to her. He ran his hands over his pants. She noticed his knuckles weren’t even bruised from slamming the other man.
Blackmore sat in the seat across from them. “Drake. About this morning, man. I really did intend to meet you and talk, but something happened at one of the jobsites. I needed to get one of my guys to the hospital.”
“What happened to him?” Savanna asked.
“He tripped, and somehow got his arm caught in a chipper we had on the site. Offending you is the least of my worries when my guys need medical attention.”
Drake sighed.
She glanced at Drake and saw some resolution, but not the sympathy she felt for Wyeth. “Is he going to be okay?”
“I’m not entirely sure. He lost his hand, but he’s still alive. I don’t know.”
“Aren’t you worried about the insurance claims or getting sued by him? All the Blackmores I’ve ever known have been consumed by money.”
He looked Drake straight in the eye. “I don’t give a damn about the money. I just happened to be born into the family. The silver spoon syndrome never rubbed off on me. Or maybe it did with you, Drake.”
Drake nearly got up off the couch, but she slammed her hand down on his leg and held it there. For a quick second, Savanna caught a glimpse of something else. She sensed another presence linked to Drake. It was feral, and very lonely. “Don’t even think about it.” She warned him. “Look, Mr. Blackmore—”
“Wyeth.”
“Wyeth, I apologize for Drake. I don’t know the history between you two, but whatever it is, you have some major conflict to work out. We are going to work it out like adults over dinner. I’m hungry. Both of you sit your asses down at the table.” They each started to say something, but she shot them a look. “I don’t want to hear it.”
They got up and went to the table, each throwing death glares at one another. Savanna brought out dinner and set it on the table before them. She grabbed a regular fork and a knife and carved the chicken. Drake retrieved the wine. He downed the glass in a couple of sips and poured himself another. After a second, Drake set a glass before her and Wyeth. She said nothing as he sat back down, took the napkin, and set it in his lap. He bowed his head and a few moments later raised it.
“I always give thanks for a meal. I hope you don’t mind,” Drake said.
“Of course not. I’m not exactly religious, but I understand.” Savanna saw the surprise on Wyeth’s face as well. “So, what do you guys want?”
“Anything is fine,” Wyeth answered.
“A leg for me,” Drake added.
Savanna loaded their plates with meat and sat across from Drake, but next to Wyeth. They filled their plates with the potatoes and broccoli. For a few minutes the scratching of silverware on plates echoed in the room. Each time she heard it, her ears ached. “Okay. Guys. Drake, why don’t you start talking to Wyeth so we can get your grievances all out in the open?”
His dark eyes smoldered. “It’s a private matter that has been in our families for generations.”
“I don’t care if she hears it. You told me that once you spilled your guts, then you were on your merry way.”
“Just pretend I’m not here. Whatever I hear, I’m not going to repeat. I have clients that I would never divulge the things that I tell them. Think of me as a mediator or something.”
Drake set his fork down. “I’d rather do this at the manor, but it can be done here. What I am about to tell you will seem like a crazed man’s confession, but it is the truth, and I can prove it. You know the stories of how your family and mine are tied together.”
Wyeth nodded. “Yes. My ancestor helped yours out of a situation and yours set up our mutual fortunes. Ever since then our wealth and our lives are intertwined.”
“That’s about right.”
“Are you going to reveal the great family secret or something?”
Drake chuckled. “Something like that, but all of it is a lie. The truth is this. Your great-many times over grandfather washed up onshore after a great boat broke upon the rocks. Right where the lighthouse is. That’s one reason why I wanted it built there. He was the only survivor of the wreck. Battered and broken, he made his way up into the cave where I slept. His presence and his pain woke me. I healed his wounds with my magic. He saw me for who and what I was. We struck a bargain. I’d make sure his family was taken care of and he would help me with a human persona. In order to heal him and bind our fortunes together, I had to impart a little piece of my soul to him. It gave him longer life than normal, kept him healthy, gave him a magnetism most humans don’t have. When one of the Blackmores passes on, I feel it. When you make a great decision, it resonates along our bond.”
Wyeth snorted. “You expect me to believe you were alive four or five hundred years ago when my ancestors founded this town? That because of you, we have all of this wealth, and you gave your soul away so you’re connected to me? Yeah... I’m sorry, but that’s a little farfetched.”
“As I said. I didn’t think you’d believe me, but it’s the truth. And I can prove it.”
Savanna listened to Drake’s tale. As inane as it sounded, it rang true.
Wyeth chuckled. He took another mouthful of food and gazed at her. “Are you hearing this?”
“What about you, Savanna? Do you believe me?” Drake questioned her.
“I don’t know. It’s a lot to swallow. I...”
“You who believe in the supernatural. You who have a touch of it inside of you, aren’t sure? Even if I could prove it to both of you?”
Wyeth rose from the table. “Are you seriously considering this, Savanna? I can’t think you’re listening to this quack.”
Drake grabbed his arm. “Sit back down,” he barked.
The sudden change in his lowered voice made it come out as a snarl. The flesh on his face stretched and danced across his bones. Underneath his skin was something more than just him. Savanna had sensed the otherness about him before but hadn’t been able to figure out what it was. Wyeth tried to back away from Drake.
“What the fuck? What the hell are you? This has got to be some kind of trick.”
Drake swayed back and forth and got within an inch of Wyeth’s face. Savanna wasn’t sure what she was seeing because it wasn’t possible. No one could do that with their face. It wasn’t physically possible, and yet his features rearranged so that his eyes were near slits and his skin grew black, resembling scales. She almost reached out to touch it but caught herself before she did. Wyeth shook as Drake held onto him. For some reason she wasn’t afraid of Drake. She wasn’t about to run away. Her instincts said if she did, she would never get another chance.
Savanna laid her hand on Drake’s arm, the one that clutched Wyeth’s leg. Wyeth was about to get up from the table, and with her other hand she touched his shoulder. Once she touched Drake, she saw something else lurking beneath his skin. It was large. Larger than what should be sharing his flesh. As she shared his mind, Savanna stared into the darkness of the creature’s eyes. Loneliness and fire. The fire touched and consumed her at the same time. She wanted to release Drake, but her grip was locked to his, and his gaze burned into hers. Wyeth grabbed her to keep her steady. In that quick moment, where they were all locked together, something zapped within her and connected the three of them. She shook her head as it snapped into place. Savanna felt the link Drake had talked about that threaded the Blackmores to him and now she was woven into the mix. A vision of something vaster and stranger than she had ever experienced before overtook her.
The others were talking to her, but the scene she saw was from the air. Savanna gazed down at a great mountain with creatures flying around it, landing on the large outcroppings. She was flying through the air. The power within her was pure, the essence of life, she didn’t know how else to describe it, but it made up everything. As abruptly as the vision overtook her, it was broken.
“Savanna, are you okay?” Drake asked.
His voice drew her back to herself. His visage had transformed back to normal. Wyeth knelt beside her. She was in her seat at the table. Drake had pulled up a chair next to her. “I-I’m fine. I think.” Her head spun, but after a couple of breaths it cleared. The electric charge that bound him to Wyeth also connected her as well. “What the hell are you?”