Just My Luck

Chapter Three

My plan is working beautifully.  I hated to do this to everyone I love, but is the only way.  I need to redeem myself.  If they knew I was still alive, they would be hunted too.  Thankfully, the hunters don’t know who they are really dealing with.  Just killing time until my loved ones are strong enough, then hell to be brought to those against us.

     Oh sorry, had a squirrel moment, as they say.  That is what the kids are saying, right? To many new sayings for my liking.  Anyways, I guess you thought I’d gone away, never to return again.  Ha! Fooled you, didn’t I? But really and truly, I needed a break.  As to my squirrel moment, you’ll find out soon enough.  Well, I guess it’s time to reveal a little more of my story.

     Yes, I have a child.  There, I finally said it.  Who is it you ask, not going to tell you.  Don’t worry if you think you’ve figured it out.  You could be right or maybe you’re wrong.  Time will tell.  I need a drink, how about you? I have rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, soda, wine.  Take your pick.  I’ll wait.  Damn, there goes my cell.  Excuse me, please.

     “Hello?”

     “So, my friend we can finally talk.”

     “Sure, what about?”

     “You know very well about what.  My office in an hour.”

     “Very well.  See you there.”

     How very interesting.  I wonder what is so important.  Hmmm, better go see the boss.  I guess we will have to finish our conversation later.  Goodbye for now.

     As I walked out of my hidden lair, I noticed how beautiful my land really is.  The rolling hills, green as the Irish hills in summer.  Of course, right now a layer of snow covers them, but it is January.  The pine trees have filled in more since I had them planted.  How long ago was that? Two, three hundred years ago? Ah well, still standing is better than laying down rotting away.

     After driving twenty minutes, I reached my boss’ place.  Not much of a home really, but beautiful.  It may be plantation style on the outside, but it was pure Northern bull on the inside.  I’m sorry but if you are going to do the Southern style on the outside, do it on the inside as well.

     As I walked to the door, it opened wide.  The foyer is pretty modern.  If modern consisted of carpet everywhere.  We are talking half way up the wall plus the floor.  The lighting is just a small light fixture hanging from the ceiling.  Why would anyone put carpet down in a foyer or on a wall is beyond me.

     Once I was inside the door closed.  The butler was quiet as usual, just lead me down the hall to the boss' office.  Now I have been here several times and man do I wish this could be redone.  

     I was about to knock when the door opened.  Ugh! I hate the smell of burnt dragon.  Boy someone made daddy mad.

     “Get in here now.”

     I walked in and sure enough, there was a burnt dragon.  Along with half the books on the bookcase behind it.  Damn, I hope I’m not next.

     “Have a seat, Stephano.  We need to talk.”

     Oh boy, here we go.  I thought as I walked further into the room.  Right in front of me was the boss' desk.  Behind it was another bookcase.  In fact, the whole place was lined with them except where the windows were.

     The chairs and one lone, scorched sofa were all black leather.  The desk was bright blue denoting my boss' ranking.  Never piss off the boss was becoming a very good idea.  Taking a seat, my boss finally turned around in the chair.

     “Stephano, what do you know about the golden dragon?”

     “Not much.  Supposedly, the golden dragon will end the curse.”

     Shoot, I forgot to tell you about that.  The curse goes back to dragons first starting to develop human appearances.  It is said that a golden dragon fell in love with a human.  Well this human was actually a sort of witch.  They had good times until someone for the human’s past cursed their love.  He, the one from the human’s past, rendered the golden dragon and human's souls apart.  Thus making all dragons unable to find their true souls.  It is said that the golden dragon will be reborn as another and be reunited with its soul once its human love has also been reborn.   The golden dragon had died soon after its soul was removed then so did his human love.

     “Stephano, you need to tell me the truth.  Where is your child?”

     “You think my child is the golden dragon reborn?”

     “Yes.”  My boss sighed before continuing.  “I could order you to tell me, but as your friend, please tell me.”

     “I can’t.  There is danger around me right now.  I need to keep my child safe.  Your majesty, please understand.  I do not wish to upset you at all.  As a parent, I hope you understand.”

     “Yes, as a parent I do.  As your queen, I am troubled.”

     “My queen, how so?”

     “First, what danger are you in Stephano?”

     “It all started 150 years ago.”  I began my story of Celina’s boyfriend and what I did for her.  The queen nodded her understanding as we have been allies with the leprechauns for ages.  “Now I fear that he has awakened to wreak his revenge.”

     “I’m afraid you are right.  He has awakened.  He is not a human, he is the witch that cursed us.  Adonmys is back for his revenge.  We are all his targets now.”

     “Then I must move fast.  My child will soon be awakened from the spell that I had cast to protect them.”

     “When will that be?”

     “As soon as the mate is found.  A true mate of my child will know by scent.  Similar to that of the werewolves.  Once it is scented, the awakening begins.  If they mate and a child is made their first night as one, it will be the most powerful of all.  Not only will it have the powers of the golden dragon, but the powers of all creatures.”

     “Dang it, Stephano, why did you not tell anyone about your child’s powers?”

     “Frankly, Annalaya, it was my cross to bare.”

     “Stephano, if father was still alive, he’d slap you down.”

     “Sorry, sis.  But next time you call, don’t be such a witch.”  I stood up and was about to leave when I turned around and stuck my tongue out.

     I know, a little childish, but she is my sister.  I guess I forgot to mention that I was a prince.  My father was a king but he made my baby sister his heir.  Thank heavens.  I never was much for ruling a bunch of dragons. 

     Once I was home, I made a phone call.  I had to see the one person who could get all this started quickly.  If things did not move fast enough, all was lost.

     “We need to meet.  Tomorrow night in your office.  After closing is perfect.”

     Now comes the plan.  I hated to do this but time is of the essence.  I need sleep though, so first that, then form my plan.  My lair is small but just the way I like it.  I have a ton of books.  Sometimes the best thing to do is read to get your mind to drift and be taken away to someplace else.  My favorite is Jane Eyre.  The highlands of Scotland pull to me.  It reminds me of a time far too long ago.  Perhaps it was time to go home and let the players know that they are going to have to come through me before they can get anywhere near my child.  For they have no right to try and take what is mine.  They already took my love, they will not take my child too.

        “So what’s wrong, Stephano? You never call me so late.”

        “David it’s time.”

        “Stephano, it's already started.  You had better face your child soon.”

        “Wait, what? Why?”

         David Jones looked at me and smiled.  As a father he knew when one’s child was in love.  At least the beginning of it.

       “How long?”

       “A few days now.  Not that they know it yet.”

      “The spell will break with the first kiss.  Make sure they are protected afterwards or else.”

      “Stephano, relax.  I know what is at stake.  I have all the spells in place.”

      I blew out a breath that I’d been holding.  “Thank you, old friend.  Hey what’s with this Stephano bit? I told you to call me Al.”

      "Al, you still need to work fast.  At my age, my craft has slowly been flowing to my daughter.  She is the next to take over for me. "

     "Where are they now?"

     "The boy is at the castle and she is at home.  What do you want to do?"

     "Right now, let the boy find his answers.  I'll see Celina.  Her powers will break out any day now.  I need to get her ready first."

     "Tomorrow is Saturday.  Tell her then and I'll shut the office for the week.  That is all I can give you.  The magic is rippling already.  He must be getting close."

     After my meeting with Jones, I went back home to plot my next move.  So, things were progressing.  Slowly, but still it was better than nothing.  It was time to get this started and taken care of.  But how to go about this? How am I going to get her to see that her gift is what will save her.  I guess the direct way is going to be the best.  At least, I can tell her where her gift comes from.  Then maybe I can coax her into the rest.  My child on the other hand is a different method all together.  By now  he's seen the fountain and it has peaked his curiosity.

    I never wanted to hurt his mother or him for that matter.  Of course, I never thought I'd fall in love.  Gods how his mother took my heart.  She was in her true from.  Beautiful long blonde hair.  Perfect figure, legs that wouldn't quit.  Her form in truth scared me.  Changelings can shift into whatever they desire. Human, animal, flora, or even a dragon.  When I met her she was in her dragon form.  Her wings were white while her body was a mixture of colors.  I knew I had to have her.

     I immediately shifted into my dragon.  My blue wings stretched as my body, a mix of blue and gold.  It had been so long since I had shifted.  I took flight and landed five feet from her.  She turned to look at me and snorted.

   "Alright dragon, what do you want?"

   "I...I..." yes I stuttered.

    "Cat got your snout? Surely, you can answer little old me."

    Then her scent entered my nostrils.  Vanilla and  and and roses.  No way.  It's my mate.  Unlike werewolves, dragons don't need to claim a mate that day.  We have to give it at least two.  One to meet our mate and the next to have that first kiss.  Then by the end of the month the mating ritual must be completed or neither can love again or have children.  Sadly for us, we only made love and never completed the mating ritual.  

    "Your scent.  It is familiar.  It smells like sandalwood and moss."

    "Yes my love and you smell of vanilla and roses."

    "Mates?"

    "Mates."

   "But how can that be? You're a true dragon and I am not."

   "The gods have aligned us as mates.  We should not question it."

  "Then perhaps we should show our human forms."

  Once we had shifted and shown our human sides, I knew we would  be one.  Yet she did not.  Two days before the end of the month, she left.  But I did get to see here one last time.  It was three months later.  As soon as she said she was pregnant, my heart flew.  I didn't care if it was a boy or a girl.  I even thought we could stay together, but she refused.  My mate pushed me away.  When our son was born, I was over the moon.  I sent her flowers and a note asking her to let me at least provide something for him.  Again, she refused.  However, she did allow me to at least see my son.  It wasn't often yet it was more then enough.

    When she got sick, I arranged for everything.  My son would not have to worry about the debts or anything.  I had made him believe that I was broke, so I needed help. David Jones, my lawyer for the last forty years.  Lawyer by profession, warlock by off duty.  For it was Jones that cast the spell of protection on my child.  If ever he was discovered before I trained him, my enemies would kill him.  Unfortunately, time was running out.  I had to get Celina to understand her gift first before I could even hope to reunite with my son.

    I knew where Celina was living.  I've known for a long time, yet I had to hide out for a long time so that put a damper on things.  Her apartment was a beautiful old brownstone type building.  Her floor was on the top level.  Third floor to be exact.  Taking the stairs, I wondered how she would react to seeing me again.  Would she be happy or ready to kill me? After all it has been at least one hundred years.  My nervous were on edge as I approached her door.  I knew that I had to get this over with or else my hard work and years of hiding would be for naught.  Here goes nothing.