Page 38 of Lahaina Noon (Modern Legends of Dragons & Shadows #1)

Chapter 38

B ridget woke suddenly in her bed at her old house. Gray daylight was filtering through the windows, and rain was rattling against the glass. What the hell? she thought.

Someone moved next to her. She turned, “Vaughn!” she cried, but it wasn’t him. It was Brian.

“Mmm, Good morning, Sunshine,” he said, kissing her gently.

She felt the scratching of his beard on her chin and remembered wishing he would shave it.

He thought it made him look older. She had told him it made him look like a beaver. He’d just laughed it off.

“Brian?” she asked quietly, afraid he would disappear. “Brian, it’s you!” she threw her arms around him. All of that with the dragons. It was just a dream! She looked at her collarbone, but there was nothing there. She was never drinking margaritas with Jorrie again! That was the road to danger.

“Well, of course, it’s me, silly goose. Who else would it be? ”

An image of a gorgeous black-haired man leaning against her office door smiling from behind glasses that did nothing to hide his beautiful blue eyes, flashed through her mind. A co-worker?

“No one,” she replied and snuggled into him, letting him wrap her in his arms.

Another image, the black-haired man leaning across a table, brushing her hand as they looked at production figures.

They lay there for a moment in contented silence, her head on Brian’s chest, her heart at peace.

“Can’t stay much longer, darling, have to get to work,” he said.

“No!” she shouted. He looked startled, so she repeated softly, “No, please, just stay here with me. Never leave me.”

He laughed and held her tightly.

An image of the same man on his knees, please don’t leave me, I love you.

She laid her head on Brian’s chest. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered.

He stroked her hair, confused, “It’s only been since you fell asleep, my dear. Did you miss me in your dreams?”

The man again, holding her against the shower wall, sliding into her, his forehead against hers, silky black hair falling around them, his blue eyes gazing into hers, them both gasping in pleasure.

“That’s it. I just missed you in my dreams.” She tried to smile, but it faltered.

The man, no, Vaughn, flaring his wings. Vaughn throwing her in the pool. Vaughn on the airplane, holding her hand. Vaughn in his office, her sitting on his lap, laughing with Liam. Vaughn lying under her and groaning while her hands were on his chest as she rode him into oblivion. Vaughn fist-bumping Gabe, teaching him to grill a steak. Vaughn flying through the clouds, Vaughn sheltering her on the island with his wing while they slept. Vaughn smiling at her, kissing her softly and telling her he loved her. The pain and ecstasy as he branded her as his mate.

Gasping, she sat up, “ Vaughn! ” She put her hand to her heart and found it pounding. She looked at her collarbone again, drawn by the pain there. This time, she saw the image of a small black dragon. She touched it, and her heart settled. Vaughn.

Brian slowly sat up next to her; she faced him with shame on her face.

“Brian, I,” she faltered, not knowing what to say.

He smiled sadly. “It’s okay, Bridget. I was hoping we would have a little longer together, but I can see now it’s time to go.”

She stared at Brian, tears forming in her eyes. She shook her head, No !

He wrapped her in his arms, holding her. “Bridget, Bridget,” he soothed her as she cried, “I know you loved me while I was here. I never doubted that. But we were never meant to be forever. You were destined for greater things. He loves you more than I ever could, even though I loved you so, so much. I know you love him now, and that’s okay, Bridget. You gave me Gabriel, and that was the best thing ever. He’s grown into such a fine young man.”

She sniffed, “He looks so much like you. More every day.”

Brian smiled and stroked her back. “He’s a handsome little devil, but he’s brave, like his mother.” He kissed her tenderly, then pulled away and stood .

“No!” she begged.

“She’s the bravest woman I know, and I know she’s brave enough and smart enough to understand this can’t last. She knows this was not her fault. She’s brave enough to let me go and move on with her life. With her fate, with her destiny. Bridget, it’s time. Tell Jack and Gabe I love them and I’m proud of them.”

She cried harder, “Please, Bri, no, please, no! I can’t lose you again!” Her heart ached, and she knew it was about to shatter all over the floor.

He smiled and began to fade. “Go to him, Bridget, I love you.” He was gone, and she was standing in the suffocating dark, unable to see anything around her.

“brIAN!” she screamed. She screamed his name over and over again until her throat was raw. She collapsed, sobbing until she could cry no more. She pulled her knees to her chest and lay curled up, waiting for Death to take her, too.

She lay there so long; time had no meaning. Shivering in the cold and completely dark, desolate place of her grief, the blackness so thick she could feel it like a hand on her skin. Eventually, she heard the rustle of leaves in a cold wind. A chill breeze blew over her. She looked around but still couldn’t see anything. She strained to hear a whisper on that wind. Maybe it was Death… finally coming for her. She searched for the source.

Fight, the whisper said. It is for you to finish. Fight now.

“I can’t,” she whispered back. “I have nothing left.”

You have everything. Now FIGHT, Bridget. I command you. FIGHT!

Bridget slowly stood and looked around shivering. “Hello?” she whispered. She thought she felt warmth behind her and turned towards it. She heard the flapping of large wings. She couldn’t see them, but she knew they were black and gold.

“Vaughn,” she croaked, her throat sore and clogged. The warmth became stronger, and she thought she could see some light. “Vaughn.” she tried harder. She heard a faint roar. “ Vaughn! ” she screamed.

Suddenly, she was enveloped in the soft feel of her mate’s wings, and the warmth seeped into her bones, into her heart. The pieces came back together, and she was whole again. She gasped; now, how do I get out of here?

“She wakes,” said Circe, also known as Silver Hair. She wiped Bridget’s forehead and smiled at her patient. She wasn’t the Goddess known long ago by that name but could trace her lineage there. The magic was strong in this one; she knew Bridget would come back. She looked over at Drake, a more haggard-looking man she’d never seen. When his Bridget had dropped to the floor, his roar had nearly brought the mountain down on them. There were still shifting cracks throughout the structure as it settled.

Baltrus had been foolish to ever think they could contain or control a dragon of that power. Drake had to be the way he was so he could be the one for Bridget. It was the only way. She dipped her cloth in a nearby bowl and dripped cool water on Bridget’s forehead.

Bridget sighed and shifted. Her eyes fluttered and gradually opened. Squinting at the light coming through the window, she closed them again.

After the mountain almost collapsed, they’d moved Bridget back to her hotel room and placed her in bed. Vaughn slept in the chair next to the bed, Bridget’s hand in his. He had refused to move from her side. Not to eat, not to drink, and not speaking to anyone.

Circe had come along to tend to the Wielder of Prophecy. “Come on, little one,” she whispered in Bridget’s ear, “Your Drake needs you.”

Bridget turned her head to stare at Circe, no doubt trying to figure out where she was.

Circe gently turned Bridget’s head towards Vaughn. She could feel Bridget’s pulse flutter.

She tried to speak, but all that came out was a croaking sound. Circe helped her sip some water and she tried again. “Vaughn.” She was barely able to whisper. It was faint, but it was enough.

Vaughn instantly came awake, tightening his grasp on her hand. His eyes met hers, and his world clicked back into place. He knelt on the bed and gently kissed her forehead. Tears fell from his eyes as she reached up and cupped his face.

“Vaughn, my love,” she whispered.

“Bridget, my heart,” he whispered back.

She smiled, “I’ll never leave you.” Her eyelids fluttered closed, and she fell back asleep.

Vaughn gasped, but Circe calmed him.

“It’s but a natural sleep. She needs real rest. She’s been fighting against fate, that one. She’s exhausted, and so are you, my handsome Drake. Although, not quite as handsome as usual. Go take a shower, you smelly man. Then get some food, for she will be hungry when she wakes. And tell her family so they stop pacing in the hall. One can hardly think with all the noise.”

He grinned and proceeded to do just that .

Vaughn eased open the door and took in the scene in Jorrie’s room. Gabe was sitting on the floor against the wall, Bunny holding his head on her chest. Jorrie was being held by Liam as he rocked her and wiped her tears. Jack was sitting in a chair staring into space, his face a mask of pain, Davis holding his hand. Shepard and Siobhan weren’t there, but he imagined they were close by. His father, well, he hadn’t seen him since the Council chamber, and as far as he was concerned, the old dragon should have stayed dead.

As he strode in, everyone looked up, their faces filled with pain. It had been two days since Bridget fell into darkness, and they were all sick at heart. Vaughn had refused to leave her side, only sending them messages with unchanging news. Circe had filled them in on the finer points, and he knew that Jack was hurting almost as much as he was. Seeing him could only mean one of two things.

“She’s okay!” he held up his hands to ward off their questions and fear. The tension left the room as if someone had pulled a plug, letting it swirl down the drain. “She woke and spoke a little. She’s resting now, real sleep, and you can all see her after she’s had some food and a chance to clean up. She’s back.” Tears fell unchecked down his face.

Jorrie stood, wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tightly. “Thank you, Vaughn,” she whispered.

Vaughn squeezed Jorrie back and kissed the top of her lifeless curls. He hoped she’d get her bounce back soon. Bridget would worry about her friend instead of caring for herself. He let Jorrie go and turned to Gabe, who was quietly crying. Bunny was stroking his hair. Vaughn leaned down and pulled the boy up to him. Holding him tightly, he whispered, “Your mom is fine. She’s okay, buddy. I know she can’t wait to see you. Gabriel, I’m so sorry about your father.”

Gabe cried harder and hugged Vaughn tighter. They stood that way for a minute until Jorrie pulled him down and sat with him on the bed. Rocking him and crooning her little song until he calmed down.

Vaughn wiped his face. He nodded at Liam, who smiled in relief.

“Jack,” Vaughn called. The man’s head slowly turned to him. He was moving like a robot, mechanical and stiff. “Jack, come with me, please.”

He rose and stumbled towards Vaughn like a sleepwalker.

The men went into the hallway, and Vaughn leaned against the wall. Jack mirrored his pose and they stared at each other.

Vaughn cleared his throat and took Jack’s hand in his. “Jack, I want you to know. I had no idea about Brian being any part of this until two days ago. I swear it. Please believe me when I tell you, we never knew.” He squeezed his hand. “The moment she realized, Jack, she died in front of me. That’s what it was. She dropped to the floor, and all of the warmth and light went out of the world. I wanted to kill them all. I almost did,” he said ruefully. “She was screaming, Jack. Screaming his name. I thought my heart would shatter and I couldn’t breathe. He must have been a truly amazing man to earn that kind of love from her.”

Jack slowly looked up at Vaughn as if he was seeing him for the first time. “He wasn’t.”

Vaughn looked at Jack, shocked.

Jack shook his head. “I don’t mean to say he was a jerk or cruel, just that he was an ordinary guy. He was funny and nice, kind of a dick to me sometimes, but he was my brother, that was his job. He never meant it, just sibling stuff you know?”

Vaughn nodded. He’d seen enough of that with Liam, Siobhan, and the twins.

Jack continued, “As much as I loved Brian and I miss him dearly, it wasn’t him that made that marriage special. It was her.” He nodded towards the room where Bridget lay. “She loved that man and made him more because of it. That’s what she does. She loves people and makes them more. I know you’ve seen it. Look what she did for Siobhan and Liam, for me, for Jorrie, she made us all a family. It’s her.”

Vaughn looked at Jack, floored. He was right. That’s what attracted him to her in the first place. She made rooms brighter, tastes better; she just made everything more. He suddenly realized that’s how she was going to defeat the Shadows. He finally understood the prophecy and how his mate was going to change the world.

Vaughn kissed Jack on the forehead, saying, “Jack, you’re the best brother a man could ever have. I love you, I love Bridget, and we are going to finish this!”

Jack smiled and hugged Vaughn. He stood back with a serious expression. “Vaughn, I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

“You find that Shadow King, and you fucking kill him. Kill him and make sure he knows that it’s from all of us. For everyone he’s harmed, maimed, killed. But most especially, make sure he knows at least one death blow is for Brian.”