Destined for Time (4 page)

“Shhh, you’re safe now. Dragon will be back any moment,”
Rook was whispering quietly while petting her snout gently.

Dragon came up between them and Rook backed away letting him
take over.

“Hey there, I’m happy to see you’re still alive. You must be
so confused,” Dragon told her quietly running his hand along her snout. She
opened her eyes to meet his. “We need to get you inside before the sun comes
up. Do you think your dragon is ready to let you come back out?”

The dragon that was Serafina snorted and moved her head up
and down. How could she think rationally enough to understand a single word he
was saying right now?

“That’s good.” He kept petting her, talking in a quiet soothing
tone. “I need you to picture your human self in your mind. Think about your
beautiful hair, all those smooth mahogany curls, and your eyes, the perfect
blend of green and brown. Think about your soft hands and those long slender
legs with just the right amount of muscle. Picture the mating mark spiraling
down your arms and slashing across your back. Let me see your magnificent body,
show it to me Serafina.”

The dragon shimmered and faded into the night leaving
Serafina crouched on the sand at Dragon’s feet. She looked up at him and smiled
for just a moment then collapsed and the two men sagged in relief. It seemed
impossible, but I couldn’t find a single burn marring her body.

“Will she be okay now?” I asked them.

Dragon flashed me a brilliant smile. “She will be more than
okay. The virus that causes vampirism has phenomenal healing abilities. When
she wakes again she will be the most beautiful nightshifter ever created.”

“Travali is long gone so there’s no more danger from him but
we should get her inside before the sun comes up,” Rook said nodding towards
the lightening sky.

I’d completely forgotten about the other man with everything
else that was happening. It was a good thing Rook could still think about
security with all this craziness going on around us.

“I can take her. You should stay here with Detective Ruby.”
His eyes met mine briefly then he said, “I’m sure she has some questions she’d
like to have answered before she leaves.”

Rook gave him a grateful smile and bowed with his hand
fisted over his heart again. “I’ll check in with you when I wake up later. If
you need anything before then you know how to reach me.”

Dragon bowed in return and said, “Thank you my friend, for
everything.” Then he gently lifted his wife into his arms and walked down the
beach towards his home.

Once Dragon was gone I didn’t know what to say. So much had
happened but I hadn’t had time to sort through any of it. On one hand I was
curious and I wanted answers but on the other I wanted to forget any of this
ever happened.

“You look like you’re not sure if you want to collapse or
run away screaming,” Rook said with his head cocked to the side scrutinizing
me.

“That about sums it up.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about him
being able to read me so well.

I went with collapsing and landed on my back in the sand
with my hands behind my head. Rook came to sit beside me with his arms linked
around his raised knees. We were both quiet for a while just listening to the
waves rolling on shore.

Eventually I said, “I’m not on any kind of birth control.” I
felt his eyes on me but I couldn’t look at him, I just kept my eyes trained on
the horizon and the rising sun. “I just thought you should know,” I added
quietly.

Just as softly he replied, “When I reset time anything
beyond the point we came back to was erased forever. There’s no chance you
could be pregnant with my child in this time line.”

I knew I should be relieved, but instead all I felt was
grief from the loss of something I never even had. Needing to distract myself
from that kind of thinking I told him, “I have so many questions I don’t even
know which one to start with.”

“How about we start with how Dragon and his people can be
both shapeshifters and vampires,” he suggested. “I did promise after all.”

“That sounds like a good place to start.”

“Once upon a time...”

“Is this going to be a true story or a fairy tale?” I
interrupted, turning to see him smiling down at me.

“Fairy tales are just true stories that humans have chosen
not to believe in any more. Besides, this is Myths and Legends where dreams and
nightmares come to life,” he quoted one of the catchphrases often used in the
resort brochures.

I laughed and settled myself more comfortably in the sand. “Okay,
I’m ready to listen now.”

“Once upon a time,” he started again, “in a faraway land, a
large number of shapeshifter clans lived peaceful but separate lives. Then one
day vampire hordes led by the evil Master Travali swept in and massacred the
clans one by one. He started with the smaller animals but eventually took on the
fiercest clan, the dragons.

During that battle Travali managed to behead the Dragon King
but his wife and son escaped unscathed. The young prince whom we know as Dragon
was then named Dragon King. Seeing the mistakes his father had made, he rallied
the shifter clans and they united to defeat the vampires.

Victory was within their grasp when a wolf shifter named
Bran betrayed them and helped Travali curse Dragon and all his people. While
they were cursed they could not access the magic of their beasts. Without that
magic protecting them from the virus that causes vampirism, Travali was able to
change the cursed shifters into vampires.

You might ask why he would do such a thing since he
essentially gave them supernatural strength, speed and a whole list of other
powers they wouldn’t have otherwise had, but the answer is simple - greed. In
Travali’s mind death would have been too merciful for Dragon. Vampire sires
usually have complete control over their new vampires. Travali wanted to use
that power to make Dragon and his people into puppets to prove to everyone he
was the stronger of the two. Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t control Dragon
or any of the cursed shapeshifters. Dragon and his people used their new
abilities to slaughter the vampires and make Travali flee for his life not to
be seen again for several centuries.

Since Dragon and his people refuse to be called vampires
they became known as nightshifters in the supernatural community. Only recently
when the Phoenix Prophecy was fulfilled did they regain the ability to change
shapes and tonight was the first time one of them was able to create another
true nightshifter. Up until now the vampires they created where just that,
vampires, but Serafina’s transformation has opened a new chapter in nightshifter
history and we will have to wait and see how it turns out.”

“Why were Travali and Bran here at the resort?” I asked
rolling to my side and propping myself up on my elbow.

“Senator Mitchell was a solar demon known as Garrek. He was
also head of an interracial council that helps maintain the peace in our world.
Garrek was very powerful and he insisted that all council members attend his
wedding. As a council member we had no choice but to admit Travali and his
guest.”

Rook shook his head. “We knew this wedding would be trouble
but I never thought this night would end with Garrek dead and Serafina becoming
a nightshifter.”

“I’d think around here you’d learn to always expect the
unexpected.”

He chuckled looking down at the sand in front of him, then he
turned to face me with wonder in his eyes. “I usually do, but tonight went
beyond anything I ever dreamed possible.”

I knew he was no longer thinking about dead senators or
shapeshifting vampires. He was thinking about us and I had to stop him before
this went any further. “I think I should probably get going.”

His face fell and he reached out to brush his fingers gently
down my cheek. “I won’t push you Angela. I know you must be overwhelmed by
everything that happened here tonight.”

I closed my eyes letting his voice and his touch seep into
my soul. It was going to hurt so much when I had to say goodbye to him.

When I opened my eyes he looked into them and said, “Don’t
say it Angela. Take some time and think about everything that happened tonight
before you make any decisions.”

I looked into his black eyes, so warm even with the absence
of color, and I wanted to stay here with him forever. It was the perfect
fantasy. A beautiful sunrise painted the sky pink and purple while the waves
crashed on shore and a light breeze carried the scent of saltwater through the
air. All I had to do was say the word and a wickedly handsome man with rippling
muscles would pleasure my body until I was blissfully exhausted enough to pass
out.

But this wasn’t a fantasy, and I couldn’t stay here forever.
I started to speak again but Rook rolled me to my back and covered my lips with
his. He kissed me softly with his hand cradling my face while his lips moved
against mine with aching tenderness.

When it was over he kissed my forehead then pulled back and
searched my face. “Let me walk you to your car just in case Travali is still
roaming around here somewhere.”

I agreed because he was right, it wasn’t safe for me to be
out here alone. Rook rose to his feet pulling me with him and we brushed the
sand off our clothes the best we could. The walk to my car was quiet, and I was
glad we avoided most of the police and rescue workers still lingering on the
grounds. The last thing I needed was rumors about me and Rook flying around the
station.

When we said goodbye the ache in my chest told me I would
never recover if I walked away from him now. But I had more to consider than
just my own feelings. I had a daughter to support and dating a suspected
criminal was a sure way to get kicked off the force. Until I found a solution
to that problem, having a relationship with Rook was out of the question. So
with tears in my eyes I drove myself home to my empty bed and cried myself to
sleep.

* * * * *

Claire and I were standing by the railing on Dragon’s
terrace while she explained her plans to arrange several shows on the beach
during spring break since The Gateway would still be under reconstruction.
Dragon and Serafina were dancing and talking quietly on the other side of the
terrace.

It had been three days since the bombing and things were
finally starting to settle down. I hadn’t seen or heard from Angela and that
was beginning to worry me. I’d hoped our relationship would finally move
forward but it seemed we were just as stalled as ever.

There was a knock at the front door and I called, “I’ll get
that,” as I strode through the glass doors into the living room.

When I opened the door Doyle and Solomon were on the other
side waiting. We all said hello and headed back out to the terrace. I returned
to my spot by the railing and the two of them grabbed a beer from the ice bath
on the room service cart.

Popping the top off his beer Solomon asked, “So when do you
think you’ll be ready for your next flying lesson Serafina.”

“Oh no,” she laughed lightly. “I won’t be giving you and
Doyle anything else to bet on for a while. I’m going to wait until Dragon and I
are alone in Alaska before I attempt that again. It’s really much harder than
he makes it look.” Dragon kissed the top of her head.

“I still say it’s not a good idea for any of us to travel
alone right now. It’s just the kind of opportunity Travali will be waiting for,”
Doyle insisted with a mischievous grin.

“Nonsense,” Dragon said. “We’ll be perfectly safe behind the
wards Solomon has placed around the cabin. You just want Serafina to stay here
so the two of you will have something entertaining to wager on.”

“Well it was pretty funny when you had to swoop in and catch
her before she took out the pier.” Doyle chuckled.

I cleared my throat to get everyone’s attention. “Now that
we’re all here, maybe we should get some business out of the way,” I started
but just then there was another knock at the door. This time Serafina told
everyone to stay where they were and went to answer the door.

From the other room I heard Serafina say, “I’m so glad you
could join us Detective Ruby, won’t you come in? Everyone else is already out
on the terrace.”

My heart stuttered then kicked into overdrive.

“Um, okay.” Angela responded then I heard them walking in
our direction.

The two women stepped out onto the terrace and I nearly
dropped my beer. When she was on duty Angela wore sleek business attire with
her hair pulled up in a sexy twist that left her slender neck exposed. It was a
good look that never failed to make me hard within two seconds flat, but this
look was even better. Tonight her white blonde hair fell straight down her back
and she was wearing jeans and a lightweight pink sweater. I imagined her
wearing that tight sweater with nothing but the lacy pink thong from the other
night and had to stifle a groan as I discretely adjusted my pants.

“Has everyone here met Detective Ruby before?” Serfina asked
the group.

“Angela,” she insisted and my eyebrows nearly flew off my
face. “Please, everyone can call me Angela. And yes, I believe I’ve met
everyone here on one occasion or another.”

“Would you care for a drink Angela?” Serafina asked.

“Sure, I’ll take a beer if you’ve got one.”

“No problem, why don’t you have a seat?” Serafina indicated
the
lounge chair and Angela’s cheeks turned bright red then she opted to take a
seat near where Solomon and Doyle were sprawled instead. Serafina brought her a
beer then sat between Dragon’s legs leaning back against his chest with his
arms wrapped around her.

They looked so comfortable with each other and I couldn’t
help the tiny spike of envy I felt. I wanted that with Angela, more than I had
ever wanted anything in my life.

“I’m sorry I had to manhandle you the other night Angela,
but when Rook starts manipulating time we all do exactly what he tells us to
do,” Doyle apologized, his manner much more serious than usual.

Angela shrugged and took a sip of her beer. “I understand
now why it was necessary so I won’t hold it against you.”

“Angela,” Serafina began, “before we get back to business I
wanted to thank you for everything you did the other night. Rook didn’t give us
all the details but he did say that without your help I wouldn’t be here
tonight.”

She glanced at me and I gave a barely perceptible shake of
my head letting her know I hadn’t told anyone what we’d done to save Serafina.
Her shoulders seemed to relax after that and I took that as a bad sign. When
she’d first arrived I’d thought maybe she was ready to accept what was going on
between us but now I had my doubts. A glance at Claire and her serene smile
confirmed my suspicions.

“If there is ever anything you need, please don’t hesitate
to ask,” Dragon offered to Angela. “You not only saved the life of my mate but
also my unborn child. We will be forever in your debt.”

“You don’t owe me anything. There’d already been enough
death that night and I was glad I could help prevent any more.”

“Even so, we’ll be here if you need us,” Dragon promised
then asked, “Rook, why don’t you pick up where we left off before Angela
arrived?”

Doyle and Solomon turned to each other in surprise and I
asked Dragon with a look -
Are you sure?
He just shrugged in response so
I resettled myself against the railing and said, “Okay.”

“If you don’t mind Rook, I’d like to begin,” Claire
interrupted smiling warmly before I could say any more.

I waved my hand letting her know she had the floor and was
honestly relieved to have the spotlight shifted to someone else.

I watched Angela closely while the group discussed the
imminent fall of the council as a consequence of Garrek’s death, the Phoenix
Prophecy, Serafina’s unusual transformation that triggered the awakening of the
beasts in all the vampires sired by nightshifters, the slave girl the demon
Kaleb won in The Pit the night Dragon fought Malachi, and whether Clarissa
knowingly betrayed us or if she was just an unwitting participant in her sister
Ivanna’s treachery.

Angela listened intently piecing together the information
she’d gained the other night with what she was hearing tonight. I knew she was
missing a lot of background information but she always had been quick to draw
the right conclusions. That was why I’d had to spend so much time misleading
her in the past. It was actually refreshing to have everyone speaking freely in
front of her now and she seemed to be getting more comfortable by the minute.
Once or twice she even joined in the conversation.

“Now the question is; what do we do about her?” I asked
Dragon about Clarissa as I came over to sit on
the
lounge chair making
Angela blush again. It took everything in me not to smile but I knew Solomon
and Doyle would pick up on it and I didn’t want Angela to be more embarrassed
than she already was. “She’s one of ours so we don’t need any proof to take her
into custody, but I don’t think that’s the right thing to do.”

“I agree. We should keep an eye on her and see if we can
find out what they’re planning next. I issued a challenge for Travali to meet
me in The Pit, but we all know there’s too much risk involved for him to agree
to a match. When the council falls, he’ll be ready for his next attack and we
need to be prepared.

The bombing and the attempt on Serafina’s life told me two
things. Travali is motivated and he knows our weaknesses too well. I’m sure he
wanted Garrek out of the way but the bomb served another purpose. He knew I
would be in the blast zone and Rook would have to set time back. Under normal
circumstances Rook wouldn’t be able to jump through time again for at least a
day. Therefore, under normal circumstances we wouldn’t have been able to save
Serafina, his real target, because that’s where his motivation is coming from.
Malachi’s death pushed him over the edge and he won’t rest until Serafina pays
the price for my actions,” Dragon said regretfully.

“You did what you had to do and I for one think Malachi didn’t
suffer enough,” Serafina turned and told Dragon.

“No he didn’t. But now Travali will be gunning for you until
we either take him out or he’s successful.” Dragon tucked her hair behind her
ear and kissed her. I knew him well enough to see the worry in his face.

“There’s a lot being said here that I don’t understand but
right now I’d like to know how I helped Rook jump back in time,” Angela asked
making Solomon and Doyle start whispering together.

“Now boys, it’s not nice to place bets on the personal lives
of your closest friends,” Claire chided them. To Angela she said, “I think that’s
something you should let Rook explain to you in private dear.”

Angela looked at me curiously and I wondered if she was
ready to step into my world. She was here, but I thought that had more to do
with female meddling than her desire to explore a relationship with me.

Deciding there was only one way to find out I finally asked
her, “Would you like to go downstairs and take a walk on the beach with me?”

She swallowed hard meeting my eyes and I knew she hadn’t
wanted to be put on the spot like that. “Um, sure, why not?”

Before we left I told Dragon, “I think we’re finished here.
Everything is set for you and Serafina to leave for your honeymoon tomorrow
night. No one will even know you’re gone. With Solomon’s help, I’ll spend a
little time each day impersonating you so that the room service staff will see
you, and tell everyone the lovebirds have locked themselves away in their
bedroom for the week.”

“Thank you my friend, now go take care of your woman.”

Dragon grinned when Angela sputtered, “I am not
his woman
.”

Doyle and Solomon shook with laughter while Claire and
Serafina just shook their heads.

I chuckled and said, “There’s no point in arguing with him.
He’s the king, his word is law.”

Angela muttered something that sounded like, “He’s not my
king,” but she rose from her chair and went with me through the front door then
silently stepped into the elevator.

The lack of conversation in the elevator told me all I
needed to know. When we hit the path along the beach the silence continued and
I waited to see if she’d say whatever she’d come here to tell me.

When it became obvious she didn’t know how to start I said, “I
was surprised when you showed up tonight.”

“Not as shocked as me, I’m sure. I had no idea why I was
invited, but I never imagined I’d be sitting in on an informal meeting with
Donovan Drake and his inner circle.” She shook her head. “I can’t decide if I
want you to explain everything I just heard or if I should just have you set
time back so I was never there to begin with.”

“But in your case it wouldn’t matter. You’d still remember
the meeting even if we did it again without you,” I pointed out, smiling
because her ability to travel through time with me opened up a world of
possibilities that I couldn’t wait to explore.

“And why is that Mr. Delaney?” she asked glancing over at
me.

Hearing her call me Mr. Delaney after everything we’d been
through was like a blow to the gut and it hurt. “So it’s okay for all of us to
call you Angela now, but you still won’t call me Rook.”

“I don’t know.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “I feel
like we should keep our relationship professional and calling you Rook just
feels too personal right now.”

I stopped walking and stood with my jaw tight and my fists
clenched in an effort not to shake her. When she finally noticed I was no
longer beside her she turned around and approached me cautiously like I might
bite her, which honestly wasn’t too far-fetched.

“What is it? Why have you stopped?”

“Can you honestly say there is nothing personal between us
Angela?” I demanded ready to explode with anger.

“There is nothing personal between us Mr. Delaney.” She
couldn’t even meet my eyes when she uttered the lie. “The other night we did
what was needed to save a life, end of story. It won’t happen again, and there’s
no reason to discuss it further.”

Before I knew what was happening, ancient words whispered
through my mind and my soul burst wide open while Angela and I teetered on the
edge of the ether between times. I struggled to stop what I’d set in motion
before it was too late, before I went too far and lost any chance to have
Angela as my willing partner.

When I didn’t respond, Angela eventually peeked at me
through her lashes. Her breath caught and her eyes went wide then locked on
mine. I could only imagine what I looked like to her with my hair whipping
wildly in the wind and my skin glowing with the essence of my soul. It was
encouraging though when the initial fear on her face turned to wonder then the
scent of her arousal hit me like a ton of bricks. It took every ounce of
restraint I had not to fall on her with the burning lust surging though my
body.

After what felt like an eternity I finally regained enough
control to come forward slowly and slip my hand under her hair to cradle the
back of her head. Then I bent my head down and her lips met mine willingly,
tenderly. My other hand reached out and I pulled her warm, soft body against
mine. Our lips moved together and she melted into my embrace clutching my body
closer to hers.

She could lie to herself all she wanted to, but her body
told me the truth every time I touched her.

She gasped when I reached down and picked her up by the back
of her thighs. I took advantage of her surprise by sliding my tongue against
hers with slow, sensual strokes. As the kiss gained intensity I strode forward
with her legs wrapped tightly around my hips until her back rested against a
tree.

It felt so good to hold her in my arms, to feel her warmth
wrapped around me while I teased and tempted her with my mouth and tongue. Our
bodies rocked together while our tongues dueled and our breathing turned to
moans and groans. Her hands stroked my arms and shoulders while I sucked
lightly on her tongue. She always seemed to like that a lot and I wanted to
learn more ways to please her, to pleasure her body with mine.