Releasing the Dragon: Myths and Legends Book One Read online

  I had to smile despite my worries over the troubling information. "You have a point, but I do believe this is something new, something entirely different from the usual antics of our staff and guests. I heard there is a human woman trying out to be a dancer here at the resort. I also heard that she is quite good and will likely be given a job - And that you are the one who allowed her to participate in the auditions." I'd been pulling up the video feed from The Catacombs while I spoke. Now we could see Scarlett leading a number of dancers through a new routine on stage.

  Rook blew out a frustrated breath. "I'd hoped you wouldn't hear about that until the reason for her being here became clear."

  I leaned back and considered his response. "If you don't know why she's here, then why did you allow her to audition? We do not hire humans for the entertainment division of this resort - ever. What could have possibly made you think this would be a good idea?"

  "She had an invitation Dragon. It was very fancy with a black dragon and golden tear drops embossed on thick garnet paper." He watched as realization dawned on me.

  "Claire," I said flatly with a grimace. Now I understood why he hadn't mentioned the human to me. Anything Claire did without my knowledge could potentially wreak havoc on all our lives. He was trying to avoid another explosive confrontation between me and the psychic.

  Rook visibly relaxed when I didn't immediately fly off the handle and continued his explanation. "The woman showed up Monday morning when the auditions began and presented the invitation at the check-in table. Of course Harrison tried to turn her away, but when she wouldn't take no for an answer he brought the invitation to me. It all looked legit, the dragon on the front was breathing fire with its wings spread, but anyone could have found our logo on the Internet and used it to create a fake invitation. Then I flipped it over and saw the golden tear drops. The meaning behind that symbol is not something we advertise or something that your average human would understand. So I let her stay and I've been monitoring the situation while I wait to see what will happen next." He shrugged and pointed to an image of the woman in question that he now had frozen on of the security monitors. "I don't know why she's here but there must be a damned good reason if Claire invited her."

  I let out a tired sigh. "I wish she would give us warning before she sets these things in motion. Why does everything with her have to be so cryptic? Why not just come out and tell us what's going on?"

  "Well Dragon," Rook drawled, "I'm pretty sure Claire has explained to you at least a hundred times that when she tells people exactly what she has seen, and what she is trying to make happen, those people end up inadvertently altering the future. Take it from someone who knows, the slightest change in behavior can cause serious ripples in a timeline. This is just her way of guiding us to the future she thinks is best for us."

  "And what if we don't agree with her? What if we don't want the future she's shaping for us?"

  "Then we go back and try again," Rook replied with a confident grin.

  I just shook my head. "There was a time when I would have agreed with you wholeheartedly, but now, there isn't enough magic left in this world. You can't always go back far enough to repair the damage once it's done. Besides which, there are some things you are not allowed to change. I know she means well, but that doesn't make what she does any less frustrating."

  I looked at the image of the human woman again and realized I’d seen her before. She was the captivating woman I’d seen in Mystique. My mind flashed back to the night before, replaying it all again with perfect clarity. I remembered how her long mahogany hair was loose, the curls bouncing freely around her shoulders and down her back. I thought about how the silky green dress hugged her curves and seemed to caress her body as she danced with wanton abandon. When she closed her eyes and gave herself to the magic of Mystique I'd wanted to vault over the railing and take her right there on the dance floor.

  Unfortunately, the human males circling her like sharks in a feeding frenzy had the same idea. Seeing them put their hands and mouths on her body caused my vision to cloud with a red haze. I wanted to bathe in their blood. To keep myself from succumbing to that urge I intervened before one of them could thrust his flesh into her body. I sent out a mental push that had everyone on the dance floor skittering away from her like roaches when a light comes on. The two males who’d dared touch her were lucky I only sent them to the next state instead of off a bridge or the nearest tall building.

  She was clearly startled and confused when the two men practically disappeared without a trace. She raised her head and one look in her hazel eyes ignited a fire deep within my soul, a burning I hadn't felt for centuries. In that moment, savage need seared through my body and I saw myself pounding into hers while I pinned her to the wall. The vision was so vivid I could feel my hands gripping her firm backside holding her in place, her strong legs squeezing around my waist, and the muscles of her wet sheath tightening around my shaft. When I realized I was projecting the vision into her mind, that we were sharing the fantasy together, I nearly came in my pants.

  I had to get out of there before I lost control completely, but I couldn't leave her there aroused the way she was. I couldn't bear the thought of another man touching her again. When I released her from the vision I vanished from the balcony, hiding myself in the shadows as I waited to see what she would do. I was relieved when she came upstairs then fled the club like the Hounds of Hell were snapping at her heels.

  Coming out of the memory I noticed that several minutes had passed and Rook was eyeing me with curiosity. "Maybe Claire really does know what she's doing. I don't think you have ever looked at a woman like that in all the centuries we've know each other." His thoughtful expression was a little too perceptive for my liking.

  I scrubbed my hands over my face trying to forget about the human dancer and the fire she’d started in Mystique. "It doesn't matter Rook, the last thing I need in my life is a woman. I learned a long time ago that it's best to avoid emotional entanglements with women who want more than I can give them. I use humans for sex because I can erase their memories once I'm done, but I won't do that to someone I might see on a regular basis."

  He leaned forward looking me in the eyes and rested his elbows on his legs with his hands linked together between his knees. "Maybe it's time you allowed yourself more than a random fuck. There has to be a reason Claire invited her here, and after witnessing your reaction to this human, I think it might be you. Your body isn't the only thing that has needs Dragon, so does your heart and your mind."

  "You have always been a good mentor and friend Rook, but in this, you are wrong," I told him sadly shaking my head. I could not let myself go down that road again. "My life is not my own and my needs are not what matter. Besides, humans see us as monsters, and the ones who don't, usually only want us for the power we could give them. Even if this human could somehow see me as more than the creature I've become, any relationship with her would be doomed. I can't settle for anything less than my mate, and we both know there is little hope of me ever finding her." I took a deep breath and stood.

  Rook looked like he wanted to say more but he kept whatever he was thinking to himself. We both knew I was right. There could be no halfway for me. I could give all or nothing, and only my mate would have all of me and my kingdom.

  I left Rook's office and decided to go see Claire. I wanted answers and she was the only one who could give them to me.

  Chapter Four

  "Do you have any idea how many problems your invitation is likely to cause," I asked Claire as I strode into her studio.

  "Good afternoon Donovan, it's nice to see you too," she replied with a hint of disapproval in her tone.

  She looked up from the tarot cards she had been laying out on the table. The tarot cards were for show, along with the crystal ball and fortune teller costume she wore; all meant to entertain the tourists and keep them coming back for more. As the resident psychic and a member of the resort staff, Claire could put on wondrous shows promising futures full of love and money that her many fans would eat up like cake at a birthday party. But I wasn't interested in the vague premonitions she regularly had and recounted in her shows. I was interested in the vision that brought a human to my doorstep.

  "I don't have time for pleasantries," I retorted. "I need to know why you invited a human to participate in the dance auditions. We have many humans working throughout the resort, but none of them are in the entertainment division. Those positions are reserved for supernatural beings for good reason. Our guests come here for the magic - the magic created by the entertainment division - the magic that will likely make this human feel like she needs to be committed when she discovers its true source. So please Claire, explain this to me."

  I knew that I was practically growling at her but I couldn't seem to help it. I'd been feeling unsettled and easily agitated all week with my emotions going from one extreme to the next without any warning.

  "She's here to fulfill the prophecy of course," Claire said brightly as if I should have already known that. Which in a way, I did. Claire wouldn't invite anyone here unless she'd seen the need to in a vision or prophecy.

  "And which prophecy would that be?" I asked impatiently.

  She bit her lip then crossed her arms over her chest readying herself for a fight. "That woman, Ms. Serafina Leroux, is here to fulfill the Phoenix Prophecy."

  "Not that again," I bit out, my patience thinned to the point of breaking. I started pacing around the small room trying to keep my temper under control. Any mention of the Phoenix Prophecy was a sure way to make my blood boil. Of all the visions and prophecies Claire has revealed over the years, that is the only one I believe came from her own wishful thinking rather than whatever higher power she normally receives her messages from.

  "As you well know, every golden prophecy I have ever cried will eventually come to pass. Granted, this prophecy has taken longer than most, longer than any of us should have had to wait, but it will come to pass whether you want to believe in it or not," Claire replied in that calm tone she used when she thought I was being unreasonable.

  "What I know, is that the Phoenix Prophecy no longer holds any power over me." I ground out. "I spent centuries hunting for this mythical Phoenix of yours only to find she does not exist. I have accepted that none of us will ever be whole again and you should do the same. I had to choose between believing in fairy tales and keeping my people safe and I chose to leave the fairy tales to the children."

  "Think about it Donovan, you couldn't find her because she hadn't been born yet. You know how difficult it is for me to pinpoint when my visions will take place until I see the signs coming together. I started noticing scenes from the Phoenix Prophecy several weeks ago. All the signs led me to a small town in Upper Michigan where Serafina has been living since she was born twenty-seven years ago. I invited her here for the auditions because she has always dreamed of being a professional dancer. Now she will be able to live her dream while helping to restore thousands of shattered souls," Claire told me, urging me to believe her with her determined gaze.

  I stood there stunned, my mind unwilling to accept what she was telling me.

  After a moment she smirked at me and said seriously, "Search your feelings Donovan, you know it to be true."

  That snapped me out of my shock. "Quoting Star Wars will not convince me that this woman is somehow the savior of our people. She may be an exceptional dancer, but beyond that, she is human. She could not possibly be the Phoenix and I refuse to get my or anyone else's hopes up with this nonsense."

  Even as the denial passed my lips I remembered what I’d felt when hazel eyes had locked with mine. The burning in my soul that could ignite the tiny spark of hope I wanted to feel. But I could not let that happen. I could not allow myself to be distracted now, at a time when our enemies were closing in.

  "Why do you think you've been so out of sorts since she arrived last weekend? The spell might still be in place, but your dragon can sense her now that she is physically nearby," Claire argued.

  I didn't bother asking how she knew I'd been feeling off. It was probably obvious by my behavior, and even if it wasn't, she'd more than likely say she saw it in a vision.

  I took a deep calming breath then gave her a level look letting her know I expected her to heed my directives. "I will allow the human to remain at the resort because I trust you and your abilities. Although I do not believe in this prophecy, or that she is the Phoenix it speaks of, she must be important in some way or you would not have seen her in a vision. However, I do not want to hear any more about the Phoenix and you are not to tell anyone else of your suspicions."

  Claire pursed her lips for a brief moment before responding. "I will abide by your wishes and keep this between us. In time, you will see all that I have seen and know that what I tell you is true. I will speak no more of this except to say, that which you hate the most shall save us all in the end."

  Claire turned back to the tarot cards leaving me to wonder what that could possibly mean. Psychics! Sometimes they could be so exasperating, always scheming and trying to move the rest of us around like pieces on a chessboard.

  I left her to her craft and headed to the underground gym thinking a brutal workout was just what I needed to blow off some steam. Then maybe I would be able to think more rationally about this situation and figure out how to keep it from spinning out of control.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Five

  Here it is, the moment of truth! The moment I've waited for my entire life!

  The final day of auditions had been grueling but it was finally over. Now, Scarlett stood in front of us about to reveal the names of the dancers who would be joining the Myths and Legends entertainment staff.

  It was nearly impossible to stand still. My hands were clasped together in front of my lips while I held my breath, waiting, praying I would be one of the chosen dancers.

  "If I call your name, welcome to the team. If I do not call your name, thank you for trying out, but better luck next time. Sadia Romano, Patrick Easton, Celia Ramirez, and Serafina Leroux."

  My heart stopped and I nearly fainted when I heard my name called. I did it! I was finally going to earn a living doing what I love. Scarlett kept talking and I realized that I should be listening if I wanted to know what would happen next. "....should go get cleaned up and return here in one hour. Leave your belongings in your room and we will have them delivered to your new apartment. When you return, each of you will be assigned to a member of the security staff who will take you on a tour of the resort and show you to your apartment. Please pay close attention on the tour as it will also serve as your security briefing. Report here at nine o'clock Monday morning to receive your assignments and start your training. Thank you."

  When I returned an hour later dressed in jeans and a comfortable blouse I found the other new recruits waiting near the stage. Shortly after I arrived four men entered the club and walked in our direction. Three of them wore uniforms, black slacks and red, long-sleeved button-up shirts with the resort logo embroidered on the left side. They looked more professional than typical rent-a-cops, but still like they were low rung employees.

  The man who approached me was nothing like them. He also wore black pants but his were made of worn leather. His deep red shirt had no buttons and clung to his muscular chest and shoulders like a second skin. Long ebony hair hung loose around his shoulders and fell straight down his back to his waist. His black eyes were watchful and his body was tense as if he was ready to spring into action at any moment. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as he prowled towards me.

  When he stopped in front of me I looked up at his towering height and decided he had to be at least six-foot-six, a whole foot taller than my five-foot-six. I watched as his cold eyes warmed and his lips curved into a smile that transformed his mid-thirties face from lethal and predatory to friendly and welcoming. I was still leery of him, but at least he no longer looked like he wanted to slit my throat and hide my body in a shallow grave. He reached out his hand which I shook while he introduced himself.

  "Hi, I'm Rook, head of security here at Myths and Legends." His deep voice was tinged with an accent I couldn't place - maybe Eastern European?

  "I'm Serafina. It's very nice to meet you Rook, but as the head of security, don't you have more important things to do than take new employees on tours?"

  One side of his mouth lifted in a grin. "I heard about the trouble you had when you checked in for the auditions and I wanted to make sure your initial orientation went smoothly. Now, if you're ready, we can get started. I will be talking a lot along the way, giving you information about security protocols as well as interesting facts you may find useful during your stay at the resort. If you have any questions please feel free to interrupt me at any time." He held one arm out towards the door in a gesture that implied I should walk in that direction.

  We exited the club and turned right. As we began walking down the hallway Rook started with, "For the most part the resort is a safe place to live and work but we do get the occasional wacko who thinks we should all burn in Hell for worshipping demons and vampires. Of course we don't worship such beings, but once a fanatic has his mind set it's pretty hard to change it. If anything like that occurs you will be given instructions and you will need to follow them to the letter." He underscored the importance of what he was telling me with an authoritative look.

  When he was sure his message had gotten through he nodded and continued, "You obviously know how to find The Catacombs, though I have to say it looks completely different at night when the Goth crowd, bikers and anyone else who likes body piercings, black clothes, chains and hard core rock music comes out to play. Have you been to any of the clubs or restaurants since your arrival at the resort?"