Just My Luck

Chapter Four

Celina's POV

Thank the gods it was finally the weekend.  The last two weeks were hell.  First, I meet the McMichael heir,  secondly this week had more lawsuits than there had been in the last year.  What was going on with people lately? And why was there a sudden surge in my powers? The surge was not normal.  It started the night I met the heir.  His scent was so familiar to me.  I still couldn't place it.  But it was that night that I slowly felt the surge.  Last weekend, after the phone call with my mom and her cryptic message of finding out soon.  I still wish she had told me when I would know.  

    I rose from the comfort of my warm bed and went to the bathroom.  I got to figure out this surge, but first I need a hot shower and breakfast.  After my shower, I walked out into my living room.  Having the whole third floor had its advantages.  My apartment contained a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom.  The living room and kitchen were open to each other with an island being the only thing separating them.  There was also a small bathroom to the left of the kitchen.  Behind that was a spare bedroom.

    Heading into the kitchen, I set the kettle on the stove to let it boil.  A cup of tea was only minutes away.  After it was done and brewing, I began cooking eggs, bacon and toast.  Once everything was cooked, I sat down at the island and dug in.  After I finished up, I took my plate and cup of tea to the sink and began washing all the dishes.  Next I grabbed my book from my nightstand and took it over to the couch.  I had just started reading when a knock at the door pulled me out of the steamy romance.  Who the hell is at my door at seven in the morning?

    Before I even got to the door, the person's aura hit me.  An aura that I hadn't sense in at least a hundred years.  Somehow though it was a stronger sense.  All leprechauns can sense things, especially a person's aura, yet mine seemed to have increased in power.  I gasped at how much more I could sense the aura.  How the hell could that be? I opened my door and there was Al. "What the hell are you doing here?"

    "Nice to see you too, Celina.  I'm well, how about you?"

    "Get your arse in here, you dummy."

   He walked in but I could tell there was a seriousness to his demeanor.  Something was going on.  He was usually so chipper.  Now he looked like something was bringing him down.  "What's going on, Al? You aren't yourself."

    "Celina, I have to tell you the truth."

    "Okay, about what?"

    "You have a unique gift."

    "Well duh, sherlock.  Tell me something I don't know."

    "Before I answer that, have you noticed anything in the last two weeks? In your powers, I mean."

    I couldn't hide my expression.  How could he know that something had changed? I noticed his grim smile as he definitely knew something.  "Al, what or rather why are you here?"

    "I guess it has happened,"  he said more to himself then to me.  "Celina, you are no ordinary leprechaun, as you have guessed.  I know you want the answers and I will tell you.  Please do not interrupt me."  After I nodded, he continued.  "Have you heard the tale or legend of the golden dragon and the leprechaun queen?"

    By now Al was pacing in front of me.  Something was very strange.  I of course had heard of the legend, at least some of it.  Every mythical creature had.  Once Al saw that I was kind of with him he continued.  "The love of the golden dragon was a leprechaun as you know.  What you may not know is that she held a most unique power.  A strange gift if you will.  Did you ever hear what that was?

   I shook my head no and then he continued.  "She held the same power as you do."

   What?! How is that even possible? If she and I have/had the same powers, then what could that mean? "I can see the questions running through your mind.  The only answer is that you are the reincarnation of Eveylyna.  There is more though.  Her powers were not just the gold/stone touch.  When she met the golden dragon, it was during the start of the war.  The war was at first between dragons and witches but slowly started engulfing all the magical creatures.  Anyways, when they met is when Eveylyna's powers began to surge.  

    "She began sensing auras more than she normally could.  With that said, she literally could tell you if someone had good intentions or bad intentions.  She even could tell how old the aura was, in other words, how old the person was.  Before she had met the golden dragon, though, there was a warlock that she loved.  At least she thought she did.  Adonmys was that warlock.  The Greeks would later refer to him as Adonis because of his looks.  He had cast a spell to make her love him.  His love slave to be exact.  Adonmys believed that if she loved him, he could take her powers for his own.  Problem was, her powers were only able to be shared with her true mate.

     "So, when Eveylyna met the golden dragon, the spell broke, thus fueling the war and his rage.  Adonmys rage had built to a major point to which there was only one way to stop him.  I will get to that in a minute.  Eveylyna had sensed and felt the dragon long before she saw him.  Upon his landing, he shifted to his human self.  Rowan, the golden dragon had smelled her scent miles away and knew it was his mate.  He just knew it had to be and seeing her only confirmed it.

    "Eveylyna walked up to him and craved to touch Rowan, but her gift made her afraid to do so.  Rowan reached his hand out, stroking her cheek.  Hesitantly she touched his hand and when he was not affected by her touch, she exhaled.  He pulled her closer to him and kissed her letting the sparks fly.  The mating ritual had begun."

    I stared at Al dumbfounded.  Eveylyna was a leprechaun and I was her reincarnated.  Now I really have even more questions then before.  "So, that explains my gift, but why have I got the new one? I haven't met anyone who really peeked my interest."

    "I believe that have.  Rowan McMichael, Celina."

    "What are you talking about? Al what does he have to with this?"

    "He's my son, Celina."

    "What?!" How could Al have a son that could be my age? There has to be something more.  "So, what are you saying? How the hell do you have a son?"

    The look he gave me was the classic, do I have to explain where babies come from.  I had to rephrase my question.  "When did you have a son?"

    "That is a story for another time.  Needless to say, Rowan is the golden dragon, reborn."

    "Okay.  I need a stiff drink.  You want one?"

    I walked over to the liquor cabinet and pulled out my bottle of Jack Daniels.  Irish whiskey would be better, but it cost too much here.  I poured it into a glass then rose it to my lips.  As the liquid went down, the burn of it felt so good.  I would have poured another glass, but f**k it, this required the whole bottle.  Taking the bottle back to the couch, Al looked at me then shrugged.  He must have figured that one shot wouldn't be enough.  

    First I find out that I'm the great leader of all the leprechauns.  Then I find out that I am to mate with the golden dragon.  Oh and lets not forget that Al has a son who thinks his father is dead.  What else could happen? Another war to engulf all the mythical creatures, again.

Rowan's POV

For the last two weeks, I've been at the castle.  So far all that I've discovered is the truth of my father's love for my mother.  I found his journals in his study and have been reading all about his life.  The study itself was huge.  Bookcases that went from floor to ceiling.  The colors were mostly neutral with hints of blue, gold. and purple.  The furniture was a combination of leather and blue fabric.  Sitting back in the desk chair, I ran my hands down my face.  Why didn't my father tell me how he felt about me and my mother? And why the hell didn't my mother tell me what really happened between them? It wasn't my father's fault at all, at least not totally.  Yeah he could have fought to make my mother stay, of course he loved her too much to force her.  My mother on the other hand, had way too many demons to even name.  One of those demons is what killed her.

    Curse of being a powerful changeling, I guess.  She had so many responsibilities that it was a wonder she made it as long as she did.  I don't even think if she had fully mated with my father she would have lived.  The drugs she was using were worst than anything my father had done to her.  I don't really blame my mother for her addiction.  Yes, she got the drugs needed for relaxation and to help calm down, but the way the witches made them were too strong or addictive.  I don't really know the chemistry part of it since I sucked at science.

    I arose from the chair and stretched my back.  I had at least read four out of the six journals so far.  All of them contained my father's life.  Including the fact that my father was a sort of prince, the queen is my aunt.  So, that explains why my father had so much money.  Why didn't he tell me the truth? Didn't he know that I never cared about things like that? All I ever wanted was for him to love me and accept me for who I was.  I don't know, maybe he did love me in his own way.  I just wish I hadn't shut him down all those years ago.  Maybe then this wouldn't be so hard to take.  Maybe I could have been more involved with his life.  I just don't know any more.  My thoughts are so messed up.  My body is also growling for food.  I started heading to the kitchen.  For a place as old as this, there are a lot of modern conveniences.

    Stainless steel appliances and dark cherry cabinets filled the kitchen.  There was a small table in front of the floor to ceiling windows.  Making my sandwich, I was grateful of many things.  First, that the servants had stocked the cupboards and the fridge.  Secondly, for the views.  The castle had views of the mountains, a lake, and a large field.  If it was summer, the view would steal the show.  As it was the snow lay on the ground.

    After I finished eating, I headed back to the study.  I had two more journals to go through.  For now, my brain had absorbed my father's early life up to when I was a teenager.  After that, I don't know what had occurred.  The thing that got me was the entry that mentioned this Celina person.  Who or why was she so important to my father? And why was her name so familiar to me?

    Wait a minute.  Jones' secretary, her name was Celina.  She was a leprechaun who's height and scent were so unusual for one of her kind.  All of the leprechauns I knew were at least three foot tall.  The only other one of that height was Eveylyna, the queen of all leprechaun kind.  She was the first truly powerful leprechaun.  Not to mention the mate of the golden dragon.  But Celina's scent was the real mystery.  What was that scent? Then it hit me, roses and lilies.  They were my favorite scents on one person, which  was strange in itself, by why? Unless, no it couldn't be, could it?

    There is only one reason for this.  She is my mate.  All mythical creatures can tell when they meet their mate.  For most it is something that they love.  Werewolves and dragons lean toward the scent factor.  Some leprechauns do as well.  For us dragons, and changelings, a scent is just the beginning of the mating.  Now if both those scents are present, then I have found the other half of my soul.  I have found the one who will complete me in all things.

   f**k, I am screwed because one, this is my weakness.  Two, I have only two weeks to complete the mating ritual or else.  What the hell am I going to do? I have to find her and tell her the truth.  If she agrees then I will be happier than I am now.  For now though, I have to figure out my father's life.  As I read the fifth  journal, another person besides Celina, keeps being mentioned.  My father never says his name, just states that this person has caused so much trouble.  Not just any trouble, but magical trouble.  That means witches.  Great, more problems from them, again.  So much for their promise to live in peace and harmony with the rest of us.

Al's  POV

Well Celina was handling this much better than I thought.  Her drinking whiskey was a good sign.  If she was drinking tequila, it would not be good.  At least with whiskey she could listen and comprehend.  For leprechauns, whiskey is like drinking a soda for humans.  The chemistry of leprechauns can take the alcohol and break it down into a nonalcoholic substance.  Tequila on the other hand, is a pure drug for them.  It will literally make them insane.  “Celina, I have more to tell you.”

    After taking a large swallow, she responded.  “What is it? Am I also going to be a two headed dragon?”

    “No, not unless you want to be.”  At least she saw the sarcasm in what I said to smirk at me.  “When you were born, your mom saw everything that would happen to you.  She called the queen of dragons immediately.  The queen then called me.  I flew to your home and when your mom related her vision, I begged her not to tell you.  I swore that I would tell you when the signs began to appear.

    “The signs were slow to come about.  Normally, a leprechaun shows their power around age five.  You didn’t start showing yours until age fifteen.”

     “So what? My mom had told me that it sometimes happens that way.”

     “Only in those that are destined to lead.  Usually those beings have what is known as emotionally tied powers.”  I could see the confusion in her eyes.  I had to get her to understand that she didn’t need to fear her powers.  That she needed to understand how controlling them would not only help her cope, but would also let her free herself.  “Emotional powers are what you think they are.  Our emotions can lead us to all sorts of moods.  Each mythical creature has these powers.  For some it is similar to humans, but for a select few, it is a source.  Something for them to tap into.  For you, yours did not appear until you were, well, excited.  That was the first sign.”

    “Wait a minute.  Al, I talked to my mom last weekend.  She said that someone who had been there would explain all of this.  Also, are you telling me that I have to be aroused in order to use my powers?”

    “She is correct about someone who was there.  As to you being aroused in order to use your powers, not really.  Yes you were when they appeared, but you don’t need to be that way.  I will explain all very soon.  Right now you need to know that when your powers began to awaken, so did Adonmys.  Also, when my son first shifted, his magic began to surface when you saw each other.  Since you both are the reborn leaders, your magic has weakened the casing surrounding his coffin.”

    “I thought Adonmys was killed after the final battle.”

    “No, he was frozen in time by Eveylyna.  Without the powers of the golden dragon, she could not defeat him.  Rowan was killed by the rogues just after they had mated.  A fireball was sent by a rogue witch.”

    “My dream was in fact a vision.”

    “You dreamt of that day?”

    “Yes.  Afterwards I was going to call my mom, but she called me.”

    “The second sign.  You weren’t dreaming, Celina.  It was the real thing.  A moment in time to show you what the truth is.  The third sign will manifest once you and Rowan are joined.”

    “So, I am reliving Eveylyna’s last days, for what reason? Am I to change the outcome?”

    “Yes, Celina.  In order to defeat Adonmys, you have to know the exact way the event came to be.  Only by living or seeing what happened can things be different.”

    “Al, I can understand some of this.  I really can.  But how and why do you know any of this?”

    “In order to answer that I have to tell you this.  The dragon queen is my sister.  Your mother is the queen’s aide, so to speak.  As was her mother and her mother before her.  So, when your mom begged for help, I actually requested that I be sent.  My sister knew my reasons and I was the logical choice.  When your mother told me that she saw that you are the reincarnated leprechaun queen, I knew that something was coming.  The witches had already begun to move, not all of them of course.  There are some that are loyal to peace and happiness. Then there are those that are loyal to only Adonis.  He was the first to throw the preverbal stone.  Celina, I am over a thousand years old.  When you were five, I was eight hundred.

    “I knew Eveylyna personally.  We were childhood friends.  When she met Rowan, I was thrilled.  Not just because she had met her mate, but also for my brother.  The golden dragon was my brother.”

    “So that is how you know everything.”

    “Yes.  I saw it all.  The witch who killed my brother died the second after he threw it.  So did all the rogues on that field.  Eveylyna found Adonmys hiding in a cave, like the coward he was.  By this time, her powers were so strong that she didn’t even have to touch him to turn him into a golden-stone statue encased in an ice like coffin.  All she had to do was gaze at him.”

    “Sounds like the Medusa legend.”

    “Well, all legends have a grain of truth.  Celina, I know where that cave is and the war will come.  This time I wont wait to protect you or my son.  We need to begin your training.  Your powers are just beginning to form.  The gift of touch and aura sensing are there but they can be honed.  The others will develop soon.  For now, we need to get you and Rowan together.  Until you bond, neither of you will be complete.”

    I could tell that things were not right.  Celina seemed to accept her true life, but something was coming.  She was being brave, I could sense that, but there was something else.  Is it the next sign forming? Is she starting to feel the pull to the magical side of her powers? “Celina, there is one more thing that you should know.  David Jones knows who and what you are.  He is a warlock.  One of the loyal witches.  I had asked him to place a protection spell on you and my son.”

    “Why the hell would you do that, Al?”

    “Adonmys has his loyal subjects on the hunt for the return of you and Rowan.  They have been trying to locate the reincarnated souls since the freezing.”

    “How would they know that Eveylyna and her mate would be reborn?”

    “David Jones’ ancestor placed a spell on them after they mated which states that the souls of the two, if ever killed. Will be reborn.  Once the souls are reborn, all mythical creatures will be able to reunite with their mates.”

    “So if Rowan and I don’t mate, everyone's f****d.  Including us, right?”

    “Afraid so.  I am sorry to say that this is true.”

    I want to say more about the curse, but I had to get her and Rowan together now.  She seemed to still be handling everything, including Jones being a witch, really well.  I think a part of her must have known about Jones all this time.  Either that or she just didn’t care.

    “Okay Al, let's get started.  I don’t want to live alone any longer or be afraid of my gift either.  By the way, if you ever hide something like this ever again, I will take you back to Ireland and make you into clothing.  You got me.”

    “Yes ma’am.  When would you like to leave for my home?”

    “Tomorrow.  I have to call David to get the time off.”

    “All done.  David is closing down the office this week.”

    “Figures he would.  When I get back, he has a lot of explaining to do.”

    “I’ll pick you up at eight.  Rowan is going to be pissed at me.”

    “Yes, yes he is going to be at that.”

    We hugged goodbye and I went home.  Tomorrow will be here soon enough.  By now Rowan has read at least five of my journals.  At the end of the sixth, he will discover everything.  Hopefully, my timing will be perfect.

Adonmys’ caretaker’s POV

For the last thousand years I, Ashkar; head witch, have been watching over my master.  Over this time, I have seen a great many changes.  Cities have been built on top of ancient sites.  Kings have come and gone.  Lands conquered by many different nations.  Whole tribes destroyed for being different.  Wise men dying at the hands of inadequate men.  My own race of witches nearly destroyed as well.

    But my master tried to change that.  He had tried to bring an end to the fighting.  If only Eveylyna knew that her true mate was my master and that dragon was the one who cast a spell on her, she wouldn’t have betrayed him.  Of course my master knew this would happen since he saw it.  Thus the reason for his sleep.

    As he predicted, she would turn him into the state he is in now.  What she did not figure out was that he would rise again.  It had already begun.  About two hundred years ago, the ice had begun to melt.  Soon it will be completely gone.  After that, the golden stone surface will fade away and then revenge against all who betrayed us will be no more.