Page 34 of Lahaina Noon (Modern Legends of Dragons & Shadows #1)

Chapter 34

T he private plane was about as luxurious as expected. She smothered a laugh, thinking how dragons liked fancy things. She couldn’t imagine Vaughn shopping at Walmart. She glanced at Ivan, she doubted he knew what a Walmart was, but figured one glance inside and he would run the other way. She settled into her soft leather seat, stretching her legs out, and figured she was ruined for commercial planes forever.

Gabe was hunched over a table with Siobhan and Ivan, playing poker for pennies. Ivan was incredibly good, but she figured his luck would change as she suspected Siobhan was cheating a little with her magic. She looked over at the twins and saw they had Jorrie and Jack enthralled by their stories.

Liam was watching Jorrie with longing on his face. When Jorrie would glance at Liam, he would suddenly look elsewhere. Jorrie would look at him with desire until Shepard, who also seemed interested in her, drew her back into conversation. Then it started all over again. It was sweet, really. Those two just needed to heat the sheets and get it out of their systems. Good grief, she was starting to sound like Jorrie. She was not going to admit that out loud.

Vaughn suddenly appeared, handing her a glass of wine and a menu. He sat down and simply gazed at her tenderly. She smiled and took his hand. They sipped their wine in happy silence until an attendant came and asked for their order.

Bridget settled back in her seat and picked up the book she’d brought. She tried to read for a bit but soon found she couldn’t focus. She looked at Vaughn. He was frowning at some files he was reading. He looked cute with his brow furrowed and lips compressed in concentration.

“Working?” she inquired softly.

His forehead smoothed out and he smiled, nodding.

“Need any help?”

He blinked, then fully focused on her. He looked down at the file and back at her again. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have you look at these,” he said as he passed her the files. “These are some of the supplier contracts for our integration program. This would be a good chance for you to get to know what you’re getting into.”

She started reading the files and contracts, discussing her thoughts and pointing out things he hadn’t noticed while they ate. She really had a good eye for this, and he found they still worked well together, bouncing ideas off each other. They fell back into the same working rhythm as they’d developed the previous six months.

Jorrie wandered over and started giving her input as well. Soon, the work was done. He was glad he’d hired them both. They were a force to be reckoned with and could take some of the load off his shoulders. The attendant returned to refresh their drinks and let them know there were two hours until they landed.

After the plane touched down, they loaded into several SUVs. Vaughn surprised them by detouring to some of the hot spots of Rome. He explained to Bridget, “We arrived a little early and there’s a storm coming in later, so we will be delayed setting off on our overwater flight by a few hours. I told Gabe’s school this was a learning opportunity and figured we should show him the sights. Let him take some pictures, get some souvenirs, and have a little fun.”

She squeezed his hand, you big softie, thank you.

He was laughing later when he heard Gabe, Jack, and the twins whooping from across the ruins of the Roman Forum. “Sounds like Gabe’s not the only one enjoying the sights.”

She laughed as well. “Let’s gather our kids and check out the Colosseum, then take them for real pizza.”

Vaughn smiled. Our kids.

Dinner was full of laughter and smiles. They’d gone to a small family-owned place that Vaughn knew from his business travels. The owners welcomed him with open arms and chattered away at him like a long-lost son. Jorrie was soon an adopted daughter when they found she could speak Italian like a native. Gabe learned that pepperoni in Italy was not what he expected, and Jack was laughing like there wasn’t a care in the world.

Bridget occasionally saw a cloud cross his face, but he would shake it off and jump back into the fun. She saw Davis watching Jack with desire clear on his face. He’s going to have his hands full, she thought. Rain poured outside, but inside, it was warm and cozy.

All too soon, it was time for the journey to continue, and they left the smiling restaurant crew with a promise to stop in again on their way home. They loaded into the vehicles and began the drive to the coast. It wasn’t very long, less than an hour, and they reached their destination without incident. They found a spot to park the vehicles, not far from a lookout point on the shore.

Now a tourist spot, the lookout extended into the ocean and had a large circular plaza with plenty of room for the dragons to change forms. They walked to the plaza, and the dragons began to separate so they’d have room for their transformations. As Siobhan and Bridget were the only humans there to ever see a dragon, they would ensure everyone could handle what they were going to experience. They were about to have their minds blown.

Bridget gave her friends and son some last-minute advice. “Don’t forget, in their full forms, they can still hear and understand you. You just won’t be able to understand anything they are saying. Remember the signals we worked out?” she asked.

They all nodded, Gabe, looking a little green around the gills. She hugged him, saying nothing, not wanting to embarrass him in front of the others.

Jack gave a cheeky salute. “Aye, aye, Captain!”

They turned to face the dragons, and Bridget sent Vaughn an all clear. She had learned that in dragon form, all of the dragons could mind-link each other. Only her mate could hear her, though, for which she was glad. She didn’t want the others to hear some of her exchanges with Vaughn .

The men stripped out of their clothes, packing them in the bags at their feet. They would need them when they arrived on the island.

Jorrie dug her fingernails into Bridget’s arm and hissed in her ear, “You didn’t tell me about that part.”

Bridget looked at her friend in confusion. “Yes, I did. They can’t transform their clothes. They take them off, so they don’t rip them.”

Jorrie shook her head emphatically. “Not that, you didn’t tell me about, you know, that ,” as she nodded at Liam and the twins.

Liam was standing there fully nude, not in the least self-conscious about it.

Bridget glanced at the other men, none of them were. Although Vaughn was by far the sexiest one, in her opinion, they all looked like they were sculpted from marble and very generously gifted. She blushed, whispering back, “I didn’t know that was a dragon thing. I thought it was just Vaughn.”

Jorrie swallowed noisily. “Yeah, well, he’s no slouch either.”

She yanked one of her friend’s blonde curls. “Hey,” she said with mock furiousness, “Quit ogling my mate. Besides, they can probably hear you.”

Jorrie looked at Bridget wide-eyed. Liam’s sultry laugh echoed over the water, proving her right.

Jack leaned forward and said in a voice he must have known would be heard, “I do not have a problem with what I’m seeing either.” He locked eyes with Davis, who was grinning from ear to ear.

Bridget decided he probably meant to be heard. She wasn’t going there .

Jorrie leaned in and whispered again, “When we get to the hotel, you and I are so going to talk.”

Jack pointed at himself and nodded, indicating he, too, wanted in on the girl talk.

Bridget shook her head, laughing as Gabe covered his ears and hummed to himself.

“Gross,” he mumbled.

She heard murmurs of awe as wings began to pop and flare out first. It was like a rainbow of fluttering scales, first the red of Ivan, followed by Liam’s green, and then the twins’ bright royal blue. Davis was a slightly lighter shade than his brother, which was good as it would make them easier to tell apart.

Vaughn simply stood there, his wings still tucked behind him. In the dark, the black scales blended into the night. Only the twinkle of the gold claws sticking over his shoulder gave away their presence. He was going to change last for some reason he hadn’t shared with them yet. They’d agreed to change one at a time so as not to overwhelm the humans.

Davis went first, steam billowing from his nostrils, and he shook his wings. The tell-tale shimmer made the night seem brighter despite there only being a sliver of moon. Soon, he was replaced by a brilliant blue dragon. His neck was longer and skinnier than Vaughn’s, his tail like a serpent. He was much slimmer, which Vaughn had said made him a better swimmer in addition to his affiliation with water. Not to be outdone, Shepard went next, appearing a similar size and shape to Davis. Their wings swirled with the colors of the ocean. Their muscles rippling under the scales, they exuded strength and power. Their talons winked in the streetlights, beautiful and deadly.

They were so gorgeous the assembled crew drew in their collective breaths and released them with sharp gusts. Murmurs of amazement came from everyone. Jack and Bridget slipped their hands into each other’s and shivered in the warm air. The feelings coursing through their bodies were indescribable and overwhelming.

“Fuck!” she heard Gabriel whisper. It was such a sight to behold. She didn’t even chastise him for the language.

Jorrie, who had been flirting with Shepard a bit, put her arms around Gabe’s shoulders. “You said it, kid.” She was trembling slightly, overwhelmed at the sight in front of her, knowing there were still three more dragons to see.

Jack was silent, captivated by the beasts rising above him. Like the others, he knew how incredibly fortunate they were to witness this mesmerizing moment. His face held a look of awe and reverence.

Siobhan was studying the twins as well, she’d seen dragons before, but apparently not blue ones. A soft smile was on her lips, appreciating the beauty in front of her.

Now it was Liam’s turn, he winked, and shimmered into a large green beast. Taller and broader than the twins, he was quite intense looking. He was thicker and had more spikes on his back and tail. His scales were a rich emerald color, and his talons were darker, almost forest green. His wings reminded Bridget of a field of clover as they waved in the wind. He made a rumbling sound similar to Vaughn’s, which Bridget knew was a happy noise. He was ecstatic about the opportunity to show his full form and stretch his wings .

He pranced a little on his paws, put his head down, tail up, wiggling his behind like a cat about to pounce. He bounded over and puffed some smoke rings around Jorrie, making her look like she was surrounded by wispy grey hula hoops. Jorrie and the others started laughing at the silly display. Liam’s antics certainly lightened the mood.

Siobhan, however, was not impressed. “Show off!”

He turned and bared his fangs, spitting a small flame towards her, which she quickly blocked with a shield spell.

“Still can’t get me asshole,” she taunted, flipping him the bird.

Liam growled at her, and it looked like a bigger flame was coming when a louder growl froze him in his tracks. If a dragon could look sheepish, Liam managed it as he swung his head towards Vaughn.

“Siblings,” Vaughn sighed.

Bridget heard Davis and Shepard making a strange gurgling sound, which she realized was their way of laughing. Soon, everyone was trying to stifle their laughter.

Even Liam and Siobhan were amused. They stuck their tongues out at each other, which was such a sight in dragon form that they all burst into laughter again. After everyone finally quieted down, it was Ivan’s turn.

He flapped his wings once, and the shimmer took on an orange color. Soon, there was a huge red dragon standing where he had been. Ivan was much larger than the others and covered in deadly-looking spikes. He was definitely a warrior dragon. His wings whirled with reddish-orange, which shimmered and swirled like a lava flow. His fangs protruded farther from his mouth, and his razor-sharp talons, curved like scythes, scratched the cobblestone underneath them. The sound was eerie and terrifying. The humans covered their ears and shivered.

Vaughn approached his father and stood looking at him for a long time.

Bridget noticed his shoulders were shaking and she realized he was crying. She started to go to him, but Jorrie held her back, shaking her head. Bridget knew she was right. This moment was between Vaughn and his father.

Soon, she heard his voice as it carried on the wind. “Father, it’s been so long since I laid eyes on this form. Never did I think to see it again.”

Ivan leaned down and bumped his large nose on Vaughn’s shoulder. Vaughn wiped his face and took a pose of deference.

“I am honored standing before you now, as a man, to show you my own form.” Vaughn walked to the middle of the circle of the dragons. The others all lay down on the ground while Ivan stood tall.

As they watched, Bridget remembered that Ivan had never seen his son’s dragon form. That’s why Vaughn wanted to go last. He had something to prove to his father. I love you, she sent .

He turned and placed his hand over his heart, nodding. Then he was gone as the shimmer burst out, and an enormous black and gold dragon stood in the middle of the circle.

Bridget stared at her mate; he was so beautiful it was hard to tear her gaze away. The others seemed to be just as mesmerized, murmuring in awe. She finally turned to Ivan. The red dragon was standing still. Bridget realized then that Vaughn wasn’t just big. He was the largest of them all. He towered over the others. His wings were twice that of the other dragons. His black scales gleamed, the gold in his wings winking in the light. He radiated strength and power.

Bridget smiled as her family’s murmurs grew louder. The other dragons were amazing, stunning even. Vaughn was magnificent and twice as fierce. That was her mate, and she was proud.

Ivan circled his son, looking him over until he made it back to his original spot. He stood there for a moment, then rumbling, gave a deep bow. It seemed Ivan approved.

Vaughn’s triumphant roar split the night, making everyone jump in fright. Cars nearby began to chirp as their alarms were set off. They heard shouts and screams, then lights began to go on all around them.