As they unpacked the helicopter, Dakari noticed a backpack wedged in the corner of the little cargo area. It was old, and filthy, and had the stench of the dragon lair on it. He called to Paolo and his team.
“Did anyone grab this bag from the caves before we left?” He questioned.
Each man shook his head, looking just as baffled as Dakari. “I had this area pretty packed when we left home, with all the blankets and medical necessities. It had to be put in there while we were down with the kids.” Paolo advised.
Dakari knew he had to open it, but the thought of finding those disappearing embryos caused him to hesitate. What would they do then?
He reached to undo the zipper and caused dust to cascade to the floor. The bag had obvious signs of weather damage, water stains, mud clots but the zipper held firm. Using two hands he was able to force the zipper and open the bag enough to see inside. What he saw baffled him. “Another bag?” He thought.
Old cloths, smelling of mildew were wrapped tightly around a plastic bag. The bag was filled with air, and had not been damaged. The book that was sealed within was bound with what appeared to be cracked leather and looked to be ancient. It had a buckle seal on the front with many symbols etched into the leather that had faded over time and were not recognizable. Dakari reached down to open the plastic bag and extract the book when Paolo put his hand on his elbow and stopped him.
“It may be better to open that at the University on the mainland,” he cautioned. “It looks really old, we don’t want the salty wet air to decay the leather or pages.”
“You’re right, thank you for stopping me.” Dakari gushed. “I got a little excited at the mystery. A climate-controlled room will be best for whatever secrets have been shared with us.”
“I wonder if one of the kids snuck it in?” Paolo pondered.
“I was thinking about that too, those kids roamed those caves at will, a brave one might have thought this was an important find.” Dakari said, thinking about the brave little Scottish boy.
“I will take this over to the university today. I will make sure no one touches it except someone native to the island.” With a wink at Dakari’s incredulous look, Paolo added. “We have a few people on staff there,”
Dakari was dumb struck at this news. There were werecats at the University and somehow he was not aware of this. Paolo grinned and turned to leave.
“A lot has happened since you’ve been gone.” He called over his shoulder. “When I have adequate security for transport I will come back for the book. I will also give you a written report of all the new positions our newest members of the Pride have acquired.”
Impressed with Paolo, Dakari knew he would be calling on him a lot in the coming days as he tried to re-adjust to living with the now large Pride. He cleared his throat and called back. “I will go over in a few days and personally supervise the whole thing. Please ask them to wait for me. I have never seen a procedure such as this; I have been toying with the idea of hunting for the missing prophecies. This might be my first clue.”
Paolo nodded and grinned conspiratorially, “I am excited too to find out what’s in there too. I will do as you ask. I would only ask to join you when you go”
Dakari agreed happily. It was good to be home.
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Dalya had been in too much pain to understand the situation. Katalea had found herself in shock and utterly useless. Thanks to her Grandmother, they had finally gotten a delirious Dalya settled back in her own room with a sleeping spell to make the night. Worn out, exhausted beyond measure, and confused, Katalea had no thoughts, no feelings, and had gratefully just followed dutifully behind Grandmother downstairs.
They had discussed the matter with Grandfather, and he too was at a loss. Everyone was too tired to think clearly and promised to meet back for a late breakfast. Katalea went to her rooms and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Her last conscious thought was of Dakari. She dreamt of him and awoke with an anxious foreboding. She couldn’t place the morose feeling, but the pangs of hunger overtook her anxiety and she pulled on her robe.
Before heading out to the terrace Katalea checked on Dalya, she was still sleeping peacefully, but she noticed that the doctor had come and attached an IV to her arm sometime during the night. She made her way towards the smell of bacon.
Waiting for the others to rise and join her, Katalea walked onto the terrace and looked over the horizon. The morning mist had long since lifted and she wondered what time it was. She realized that nagging pull she felt was for Dakari. How strange fate was that he would be her mate. She considered him, and felt herself flush. She had never thought of him that way before, but now her thoughts ran amok.
On the physical level, he rivaled any she had ever seen. And wasn’t it funny that she had never registered that before. On the intellectual level, he was leaps and bounds ahead of everyone she knew. He spoke so many languages she had lost count. He was always researching something new, or working out a new way to conjure objects. On top of all his attributes, he was kind. It surprised her how much that mattered.
Her mate was the total package, and she had no idea where he was. She knew the plan was for them to go back to Ireland that morning. It was mid-morning now, hopefully they were almost home. She sent him a mental message, maybe she could get through to him now that they were mated.
The sound of slippers shook her out of her reverie. Dalya stood, portable IV stand in hand, clutching her swollen belly. She looked five months along, and the look on her face let Katalea know she was now aware of her condition.
“Thank you for seeing to me last night,” she whispered, clearing her throat to find her voice.
Katalea rushed to her as her Grandparents came in. They clung together like the family they had become. It was Grandfather who pulled back first.
“Whatever happens, we will get through this together,” he caressed her back as he spoke. “You are our family now, you won’t have to worry for a thing.”
“Thank you,” Dalya croaked out, overcome with emotion. “I’m scared. I keep having dreams of a man with long dark hair. He keeps calling to me, and in my dream, I want to go to him.”
“Do you know this man?” Grandmother asked, hopeful.
“No, but sometimes, in my dreams, I see him in a shadow, and his shape is of a dragon….” She gasped for air, tears streaming down her pretty face. “Is it possible I am mated to a dragon?”
Grandmother’s body language bespoke of the crushing weight she felt. “My child, If it is so, we will make it right. If that is Lord Hassan’s child growing in you he might have a connection to call to you.”
“You will have round the clock security until we know more. We will give him no chance at coming for you or the baby.” Grandfather stated. “Let us eat to nourish ourselves and take on this day. It promises to be a long one.”
A voice in Katalea’s head made her jump. It was Dakari! When did his voice become so sultry? Kaya started to purr, and she realized she had not heard one word he said. They were all looking at her and the goofy love-struck look on her face. Her Grandparents exchanged knowing glances, and she saw her Grandfather reach across to hold his bride’s hand.
Before she could ask him to repeat himself, he strode in. He was freshly showered and dressed all in white. He went straight to her, took a knee and kissed her hand.
“My Queen,” he kept his head lowered but looked up at her through dark lashes.
She felt such love, it was a wonder she did not burst. She couldn’t fathom offering the formal greeting she had been taught. She pushed back in her chair and in her haste rattled the table. She jumped into his arms and the embrace caused tears in both grandparents' eyes. Grandfather would later say that it was just his sinuses.
Grandfather noisily cleared his throat. He knew the draw a new mate bond could bring. Dakari looked around the room as if noticing everyone else for the first time. He quickly bowed and greeted everyone. Because she was sitting, he didn’t seem to clue in to Dalya’s predicament. He grabbed a piece of melon off Katalea’s plate with a grin and turned to address them all.
“All the children should be back in their homes. We had the news on the television down at the helicopter hangar, and it was the breaking story this morning. Tons of the latest abducted turn up, unharmed. Could it be aliens?” He said this in his best news anchor voice.
They all chuckled at his antics, and Katalea, suddenly shy, offered him a chair.
“I can’t stay, they need me down on the beach to help with the memorial.” He said, stealing another bite.
“We are finishing a very late brunch, but will be there shortly. Please let Jade know we can help with whatever she needs before everyone gets there.”
“I will tell her. Katalea, when this is over, I’d like to take your Grandfather up on his offer. I’d like to go over to the mainland with you. I have some new business to see to, and I’d like to get to know you all over again.”
Katalea noticed she was fidgeting with her hands and forced herself to stop. She looked to her Grandfather. He was grinning a mischievous smile and nodding his head.
“You kids run along. We will survive a few days without you. Make sure you take a security team.” Grandmother chimed in.
“I guess it’s a date then,” Katalea said. Although her insides were trembling she calmly added, “I will join you at the memorial. It’s time everyone saw us together.”
They walked down to the beach together, holding hands. Katalea stood, head up and proud as they memorialized their fallen heroes. She thought about her time here and what they had accomplished. Her Pride was her everything, her reason, her purpose. She could remember wishing she could just be a regular kid. Those days were long past. Her nineteenth birthday had come and passed and she hadn’t noticed. She had noticed that she had not spoken to her parents or brothers in quite some time. It was time to rectify that. Without the threat of constant extermination, many things could now be put into play.
It was time for a new adventure. She would begin her life with Dakari and see what the goddesses had in store for her next.
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I hope you enjoyed the story. I enjoyed writing it. But don’t worry, Katalea’s adventures aren’t over yet. Not by a long shot. She and Dakari are going to meet some interesting friends…..stay tuned for the preview.