Page 36 of Lahaina Noon (Modern Legends of Dragons & Shadows #1)

Chapter 36

B ridget was startled awake by a loud bang. She looked around in confusion trying to remember where she was. It all came flooding back, and she relaxed. She sat up on her elbow, trying to figure out what the bang was and saw Vaughn standing at the door with a chagrined look.

“Sorry,” he said, “Didn’t mean to scare you. I was trying to bring you breakfast and the door slipped when I was tipping room service.” She noticed he had a tray of food, and he brought it over.

He helped her sit up, placing it over her lap. He was wearing loose white cotton pants and no shirt. Standing in front of the window with the light filtering through, they didn’t leave much room for imagination.

She glanced at the food and decided he looked much yummier. Then she remembered Gabe was sleeping in the next room and tried to keep her appetite focused appropriately.

Vaughn caught her thoughts and stretched out on the bed next to her, propping his head on one arm and striking a decidedly sexy pose .

She laughed and dabbed some whipped cream on his nose. He rolled on his back, laughing with her. She loved this playful side of him. They talked quietly for a while about their plans for the day. They were to meet the others at nine in the lobby. It was a quarter after eight now, so they decided to get dressed, but by the time they got out of the shower, they were late meeting the others. The cheers and wolf whistles they received when they appeared proved everyone knew exactly why they were late.

Gabe was too engrossed in the girl in front of him to even be a little embarrassed. Em was back again and was chattering excitedly to him about the island. They learned Em had recently turned eighteen and only gained her full form about three months earlier. She was the youngest dragon on the island and was excited to meet someone her age who knew about dragons so she didn’t have to hide that part of herself. The girl hopped around so much Bridget was contemplating nicknaming her Bunny.

As it turned out, Emberly thought the nickname was hilarious and adopted it. Now Bunny was telling them about her parents while the others ate breakfast. Already having eaten, Bridget and Vaughn listened intently, interested to learn that Bunny’s mother and father both worked for the Council in global communications.

She offered to show them where the council chambers were, but Ivan let her know he was already aware and would be taking just Vaughn and Bridget for this first meeting. Bunny looked disappointed at first but rebounded, offering to take the others on a tour of the island. They readily agreed, and everyone prepared for their respective plans .

“This is it?” Bridget asked Ivan as they stood in front of a nondescript-looking storefront backed up against a mountain. After seeing how grand her dragons lived, she expected something palatial from the Dragon Council building.

Ivan turned a bemused smile on her. “Well, what did you expect them to do? Hang a banner that says, ‘Here there be dragons’? This is just a cover, a shell.”

Bridget shrugged, turning to look at Vaughn who had been silent since they left the hotel.

He was glaring at the doors as if he wished them irreparable harm.

She knew he’d spent many years suffering under Council rule and was not looking forward to entering these halls again. She quietly took his hand, lending him her support. Although he didn’t look at her, she saw his face relax, and a small smile returned to his lips. She looked at Ivan, who simply said, “Let’s go.”

They stepped through the doors into a dimly lit store that seemed to sell a lot of nothing. Not much that anyone would want anyway. She guessed to keep people away, no need to come in here.

Ivan gave a nod to the proprietor, who seemed to be sleeping with his feet propped on the counter. He waved them on while looking out the window to ensure there were no spectators.

Ivan led them to the back where most places would have a storeroom. He opened the door and strode into a brightly lit hall that was in stark contrast to the dingy space they’d left. A short journey led to another door, this one with a high-end keypad that looked out of place. Ivan punched in a rather lengthy code, and Bridget heard buzzing as an electronic lock released and the door swung open .

They stepped into an enormous cavern with large pillars rocketing to a ceiling high overhead. Torches spaced around the room at regular intervals did nothing to dispel the darkness in the space near the roof. Here was the real Council entrance. It was carved into the mountain. Here there be dragons, she thought.

“Caves,” Vaughn grunted.

She was staring in wonder at the huge space in front of her. There was room for several full-grown dragons to stand next to each other. She glanced at him in confusion.

“Dragons like caves,” he murmured.

Ivan led them on towards an opening that led to another room with a much lower ceiling than the previous one but no less dim. The room was long and wide, more like a hallway. The walls were lined with paintings of various people whom Bridget guessed were important figures in dragon history.

They continued forward, and soon, the hall began to curve back around, eventually leading to an enormous staircase that wound down several floors. Their footsteps echoed in the massive space, sounding like an army was marching in. When it finally leveled out, they were deposited in another rounded room with several doors lining the walls. There were opulent rugs and chairs in the middle, with vases of fresh flowers and paintings on the walls. It had every appearance of a parlor in some medieval castle.

Ivan seated himself and gestured for them to do the same. Vaughn sat and propped one ankle on his knee, bouncing it slightly. Bridget decided it was impatience, not nerves .

She walked around the room, perusing the paintings. She stopped at one, looking closer at the birds in the sky. No, not birds, she realized. Dragons. Bridget went from painting to painting and realized they all displayed dragons going about their lives. She found one that depicted a battle and studied it closely. She felt Vaughn behind her, as he leaned over her shoulder.

“The Great Battle,” he told her. “This shows a rendition of the last battle with the Shadows before the tribes were scattered. See how the dragons have riders, and they look like they all hold lightning bolts?”

She nodded.

“Those were the Light Wielders. The followers of Taranis before he removed all magic from the world. Well,” he smirked, “All magic except ours.”

Bridget rolled her eyes and patted his cheek, her proud dragon.

A door opened, and a somber-looking older man stepped into the room with them. He nodded at Ivan and turned to Vaughn.

“Mr. Drake,” he said in a low voice, better suited for a funeral home.

Bridget shivered at the way it rolled over her skin.

Vaughn put an arm around her and rubbed her shoulder, sending some warmth into her.

She smiled gratefully at him as he faced the man and gave an affirmative nod.

“Follow me if you please.” the sallow complexioned man ordered.

Bridget wondered when he’d last gone outside. His skin was papery, thin and as yellowed as old parchment.

Bertrand has been serving the council for hundreds of years. He never leaves these halls, Vaughn told her, confirming her suspicion.

They entered yet another large, cavernous chamber, but this one was well-lit and decorated like a throne room. Gold was everywhere, jewels sparkling in the lights, and the opulence was off the charts. Bridget resisted the urge to roll her eyes at how ostentatious it was. She didn’t want to risk offending the dragons about to lay possible judgement on her mate.

It’s a bit much don’t you think, s he sent to him. She saw him smirk. It’s like those cougars at the bars with their overdone hair, heavy makeup and flashy jewelry trying to impress the younger guys with how rich they are. Yawn.

Vaughn was fighting not to smile, behave yourself my love, he cautioned. But thank you.

She saw the tension leave his shoulders and watched his cool, professional businessman mask slip over his face. She knew he would hold his own.

“Vaughn Drake,” a stuffy voice droned. “Step forward for judgement.”

He stepped forward towards a long table mounted on the dais. Five dragons in human form sat there. Two women and three men as best Bridget could tell. They all stared at Vaughn as he stood with a blank expression on his face.

Bridget started to move up with him, but he motioned her to stay behind. She noticed Ivan stood slightly behind as well. Whatever pomp and circumstance was about to happen, apparently Vaughn was to face it without anyone at his side.

“Drake,” growled one particularly grumpy-looking man. His skin was a dark ebony, like a polished piece of wood. His sculpted brow spoke of an ancient lineage. “So, the prodigal son finally returns,” he continued, his voice low and smarmy. “I knew it was only a matter of time before we would have to haul you back.”

Vaughn snorted and turned to face the man, “Really, Baltrus, it’s been well over a hundred years. I know time passes slowly for you here in your caves with your piles of wealth, but in the real world, much has changed. And I wasn’t hauled here. I came of my own free will. I came to defend my actions and ask the Council for assistance.”

Baltrus’ face darkened in anger. “Insolent whelp!” he snarled. “You strut in here as disrespectful as ever. Your time in the ‘real world’ as you call it has not changed you at all. I suggest we throw him in the dungeon and leave him there.”

Bridget choked back a laugh. Dungeons? Did she miss traveling in time or something?

“Oh, Balty, always so quick to throw everyone in the dungeon, really get with the times. Today’s equivalent would be to take away his cell phone,” said the icy blonde beauty at the end. Her accent and high cheekbones hinted at Vikings in her family tree. She pierced Vaughn with her cold stare. “I would like to hear what our little errant child has been up to all this time.”

Baltrus snorted smoke in her direction. “Of course you would, Hilde, but you know he’s taken a mate. Your plans to sink your claws into him won’t work this time.”

Bridget narrowed her eyes at the woman who apparently wanted a piece of her man.

“Children!” croaked a wizened old man who looked like he’d been sitting in his chair since the dawn of time. He had a decidedly Asian appearance, and Bridget wondered if he was the man in charge since he appeared so much older than the others. “Mind your tongues. We have company. Let us be kind and offer them a welcome.” He turned to Vaughn, “Master Drake, please, do be seated and tell us of your life. What are you doing to occupy yourself these days.”

Vaughn nodded respectfully and sat. “Thank you, Master Wu. It is wonderful to see you again.” Vaughn began to recount his time in America and finished by describing his many companies and holdings.

The other Council members who had yet to speak nodded along, murmuring to each other. The other woman, with pale skin and silvery blonde hair, reminding Bridget of Killian, caught her eye, winking. Bridget took that as a good sign that not all were against Vaughn.

“Enough of this nonsense!” bellowed Baltrus. “What of the reason he was summoned? He broke the terms of our agreement. He must receive judgment for what he has done.”

Wu sighed. “Yes, Baltrus, that is one of the reasons he was brought back, but by all means, let us proceed before we make you late for your afternoon nap.”

Baltrus growled and Hilde smirked. The silver-headed woman laughed quietly while the last man, whose face was obscured by a hood, remained impassive.

Bridget studied him. Really, she thought, so clichéd. A hood? A mysterious figure? The hood turned slightly in her direction as if in response to her thoughts. Bridget swallowed. Vaughn had told her no other dragon could read her thoughts, but she decided not to take any chances and locked her snark up tight. She pictured shoving a fuzzy beast into a large chest, locking it and sitting on it. Hope that works, she imagined dusting her hands.

“Council, respectfully, I beg you to listen. When first you laid terms upon me, I was young, angry and full of rage. I could not foresee a future in which there would ever be a woman that could love me, and that I could love more than life in return. It took many decades before I was able to see that I was worthy of that. That there was more to me than rage. I have become wiser in my years, and I finally found peace and the one that fate has made for me. I beg you, please reconsider your demands. Although I did knowingly break one, I did so in the name of healing my soul. She has completed me and made me an even kinder, gentler man.” He bowed and went down on his knee, showing a penitent posture.

Bridget had tears in her eyes for this amazing man. She hoped with all her heart the council was moved and would forgive him.

“Well, isn’t that lovely?” Baltrus slowly clapped. “Look at him there, bowing, as if our opinion matters. We know your game, Drake. You knew you violated the agreement, but you drove ahead anyway, showing you have learned nothing.”

Vaughn stayed down on his knees, vibrating in anger.

Baltrus opened his mouth to continue, but Wu held up a staying hand. He looked at Bridget and motioned her forward.

She stepped alongside Vaughn and unconsciously reached out a shaking hand, resting her fingertips on his shoulder.

His mind was a swirling mass of anger close to the surface. She tried to push calm into him, and to her surprise, it worked .

He turned his head and nuzzled her wrist, placing a kiss over her pulse point.

Wu nodded, and the silver-haired woman clapped and smiled. “See how she calms him,” she called out. “I think a mate is exactly what he needed, and we were foolish to impose such a restriction on him.”

Bridget liked this woman and smiled at her.

They heard an angry growl, and everyone turned to Hilde. She was glaring at Bridget and, between clenched teeth, yelled, “Show. Us. Your. Mark.”