Just My Luck

Chapter Two

So here I sit at my desk typing up the last of my bosses legal papers.  Yes he is a lawyer and no Shakespeare wasn’t right when he said to kill all the lawyers.  At least not when it comes to my boss.  He is a dream to work for.  Never even noticed that I have actually been working for him for the last forty years.  Humans can be so oblivious when it comes to non humans.  Anyways, I have still not learned to control my ‘gift’.

     I have learned to wear gloves to prevent any physical contact of any kind.  I feel like Rogue from the X-Men series.  She could drain another mutant’s powers, if I remember right.  So, she wore gloves to prevent herself from doing it accidentally, just like I am.  When someone asks about why, I tell them that I have a medical condition.  I even paid a doctor to confirm it.  I know not the best thing to do for the doctor, but hell, it was either that or live in a cave for the rest of my pathetic life.

     “Celina, do you have the McMichael file on your desk?”

     “Yes, Mr. Jones.  I have it here.  I was just finishing up the last sentences.”

     “Has my wife called about our granddaughter’s arrival yet?”

      “Not yet.”

      “Hmmmm? Not like her not to bug the hell out of me at work.  I kinda like it.”

      I had to chuckle a little.  David Peter Jones was a very old and dear man.  Despite his gruff, he loved his wife dearly.  Mr. Jones was in his early sixties with graying brown hair.  He almost looked like a younger version of Santa Claus. Five years ago I came to work with him posing as his old assistant’s daughter.  He couldn’t get over how much I looked like my ‘mother’.  This is one thing I hate to do, conceal my real self.  Problem is, if I don’t I would become a lab rat.  But anyways, I need to finish up.

     My body is aching when I finally stand up from my computer and stretch.  Damn, my red-blonde hair.  No matter how many times I pin it back, it always falls into my eyes.  Typical Irish hair, I guess.  Just wish I had my grandmother’s green eyes.  But no, I had to be born with golden eyes.  Sometimes I feel like a reptile.

     Red hair, golden eyes and big boobs, lucky me.  All well, better get out of my head and get back to work.  “David Jones, Esquire’s office.  How may I help you?”

     “Celina, its Mrs. Jones.  Is the old man busy?”

     “No, Mrs. Jones, he’s been waiting for your call.  Been bugging me every five minutes.  Let me just transfer you.”

     Within a few seconds, I heard Mr. Jones’ booming laughter.  “Yes dear I will.  Sarah arrived okay then? She arrived this morning and you’re just calling me now?!”

     I wanted to laugh but I couldn’t.  You see, I wanted that.  The way they talked lovingly, had children, grandchildren.  All of it.  But I knew that it couldn’t ever happen.  My curse made it so.

     “Excuse me?”

     What the hell? I nearly jumped out of my skin.  How deep in thought was I to not have heard the door open and sound the bell? When I turned around I was met with the most beautiful blue-green eyes that I ever seen.  I had to blink to clear my head and see the whole person.

     The man stood nearly six foot five inches tall.  His sandy blonde gave him a sort of boyish look.  His chiseled jawline was made for nibbling.  Dear gods, his lean form could only be guessed at.  Did he have a six-pack or a ten-pack?

     “Excuse me, I’m Rowan McMichael.  Mr. Jones is expecting me.”

     “Oh? Yes, yes, of course.  Please have a seat.  I’ll let him know you are here.”  I stopped at the door, but before I even knocked, I glanced over my shoulder.  Boy oh boy did he have a nice rear end.

     “Mr. Jones, Mr. McMichael is here.”

     “Okay send him in.”

     “Yes sir.”

In the few minutes that it took to be ushered into David Jones’ office, I looked around.  Since I arrived in this quaint little office, there was this feeling that I could not explain.  Something was calling me.  I could not figure it out.

     The office was small, just two rooms in what felt like a weird apartment.  The lobby/kitcheneception had an open model concept that has become popular of late.  The reception desk was across from the door.  The desk itself was an ell shape with the computer angled from the door.  Along the same wall as the desk, separated by Jones’ office door, was a small kitchen.  It consisted of upper and lower cabinets with a marble-like counter top.  On it sat a one cup coffee maker along with some cups.    The windows were long and bay-like.  A small table was placed in front of them.  There were a few plants upon it.  The wall with the door, held the seating area.  This consisted of two armchairs facing a love seat.

     Once again my body began to give me that strange feeling.  What the hell was wrong with me? Then I looked up into a pair of golden eyes and I knew.  It was her giving me that feeling.  What was it about her?

     “Please come with me, sir.”

     That voice.  A lyrical sound from someone so tiny.  I rose to my full height and towered over her.  At over a foot taller than her, it wasn’t a surprise.  As she held the door to Jones’ office open, I caught her scent.  It was definitely familiar to me, but I could not place it.

    “Ah, Rowan please have a seat.  Thank you, Celina.”

     So that was her name.  Common by some, yet beautiful to others.  To me, I was too tired to decide anything.  Or maybe I hadn’t been laid in a while.  Who knows. Either way, I need this over with now.

     “Rowan, your father and I have been friends for a long time. It was only recently that he informed me of your existence. I know now why that was simply put he had a guilty conscience.”

     “Really, Mr. Jones, I find that hard to believe.  My father was a heartless fool who only cared for himself.”

     “That is what he wanted to project.  However, he cared very deeply for your mother and for you I know he treated you both badly, but he had to hide himself from certain people.”

      “What are you saying?”

      “Your father was a very wealthy man, Rowan.”

      “What are you talking about? He had nothing but a few bucks to his name.  He barely took care of us.”

      “No Rowan, your father was rich.  He had to appear that way because he wanted you to be true to the human ways.  That money was not the most important thing in life, but love was.  Here is his last bank statement.  As you can see there are more zeroes that I can comprehend.”

     As I took the sheets of paper, my head swam.  Looking at the ending balance, confirmed it.  My father was really rich.  I’m not talking rock star rich or even CEO rich.  How was this even possible? When did he treat us the way he did?

     “Rowan, there is more.  The people he hid from have no idea that you exist and are his heir.  His family, your family are an old breed.  But I suppose most dragons are.”

     “What? Wait, you know about dragons?”

     Mr. Jones gave me a rather typical look that said duh, you i***t.  “Yes, Rowan.  I have known about dragons since I was born.  My family has helped yours since time began.  When I die, my daughter will take over, then her daughter will too.”

     This was too much.  How come a human would know about us? This made no sense.  “So where do I really fit in?”

    “As his heir, you get it all.  The money is in trust as soon as you sign the papers.  There is a castle as well.”

      “Castle? In America?”

      “Yes.  Your father had it built centuries ago.  It has been updated as well.  All the modern conveniences are in it.”

      “What about my mother’s funeral?  I was told someone paid for it total before she died.”

     “When your father heard of your mother’s illness and where she made her final arrangements, he called me.  I finished paying off all her debts and the cost of the funeral.  Your father had wished she had agreed to the mating ritual before you were born, but she refused.  If she had, she would still be here.”

     Mr. Jones, I think I need time to process all of this.”

     “Not a problem.  Here are the keys to the castle.  You might find some more answers there.”

     I simply nodded my head and shook his hand.  Maybe my father did have a good reason for his actions.  Maybe not.  All I knew was that I needed those answers.  The castle seemed like a good place to start.

    “Oh, Mr. Jones, what other species do you know about.?”

    “All of them.  Take Celina for example.”

    “Huh? I thought she was human.”

     “Nope.  She’s a leprechaun.” 

     After that statement, I could not believe it.  There was no way that girl was a leprechaun.  For one, she was too tall and second, all the  leprechauns I have ever seen all have green eyes.  Celina has golden eyes.  Jones must be losing it.  Besides, I just found out that I am heir apparent to a s**t ton of money. 

    I must be going crazy.  So the only way to figure this all out is to go to my father’s castle.  The drive there took over an hour to reach.  When I finally did reach it, the massive size threw me.  The long driveway was lined with perfectly sculpted hedges before revealing the huge fountain in front.

     The fountain was so ornate.  It had to be made of the finest Italian marble.  The design of it showed various dragons and maidens.  Some showing a dragon rescuing  them or holding them lovingly.  One maiden in particular looks eerily familiar.  She looked like my mother.  The dragon behind her had golden eyes and bluish wings.

     Blue dragons were said to be the descendants of the original kings of the dragon world.  So, if this dragon sculpture is representing my father, then not only was he rich, he was royalty.  Now I really need to get in the castle and everything figured out.

I walked back to my desk with my afternoon cup of tea.  My boss had left an hour ago to be with his granddaughter.  There was only a few hours of sunlight left of the day, so it didn’t matter.  Darkness was coming soon as the sunlight was slowly sinking.     Upon glancing at the clock, I noticed it was nearly four. Thirty more minutes until closing.  Man was I tired.  My mind went through today’s appointments.  The meeting with the heir to the McMichael fortune still unnerved me.

     I could always sense when someone was about to come in, giving me time to greet them with a smile.  When he walked in and scared the crap out of me, I knew something was wrong.  I’ve met a lot of attractive men in my time, but none who blinded me.  Why was that? And that scent of his was so familiar.     All well, I can’t worry about it.  I had long ago sworn off men.  I learned my lesson a long time ago about what happens when I go too far.  Besides, tomorrow is another day.

    The rest of the week flew by and soon it was Friday.  Party night for some girls my age, or at least the age I looked to be.  For me, it signaled a night of relaxation.  A good book awaited me to read and a long hot bath.  When I walked into my apartment, I felt a power surge, if only for a second.  Maybe I just am tired and need a lot of sleep. Either way my plans would not be altered.  I need the weekend to recoup my senses.  ever since the McMichael heir came back, I have felt some weird things.  I just could not figure it out.   All well, a long hot bath was calling my name.

    I decided to pour myself a large glass of wine before going to run the water.  A nice white wine was just what I needed.  Walking into my bedroom, stripping down to absolutely nothing, I looked at myself in the mirror.  Being short has its advantages.  Just wish that I could find someone that wouldn't be affected by my gift.  I sighed and walked into my bathroom.  Double sinks stood on the left of the doorway.  Ahead of that was the deepest tub I have ever used.  To the right of the door was several shelves and cabinets that I stored toilet paper, towels, and other needs for the bathroom.  Next to that was the toilet and a few feet from that was a large shower.  

     Turning on the water, I decided to add some bubbles.  Soon the scents of vanilla and lavender were hitting my nose.  Inhaling both of those scents separately calmed me down some, but together they eased me into relaxation.  Sinking into the gloriously hot water, I took a sip of the cold wine, once I was comfy.  Gods, how this felt so good.  I really did need this.  Leaning back in the tub, I felt all my muscles relax and a pure euphoria surround me.  If only this would last.  I closed my eyes and continued to sip the delicious wine and let my mind wonder.  I could see myself back in Ireland, but it wasn't a place I was familiar with.

    It was summer time and the green hills and valleys were gorgeous.  I inhaled the sweet smell of home, but not of the home I knew.  There was something off here and I felt things that I had never felt before.  There was a magical feeling that was so different.  My powers seemed different too.  I was stronger and happier than I had ever felt before.  Suddenly I felt a pull to the left of me and turning I seen I large golden dragon landing.  It was like nothing I had seen before.  Large wings that seemed to have a bluish color at the tips.  The snout blew out a breathe as steam came out as well.  I continued to stare at it until it shook its body until it shifted into a man.  He was tall with sandy blonde hair.  The abs were so smooth and begging for me to run my fingertips down them until I touched his very large package.  

   For some reason, I began walking towards him as he began walking towards me.  Once I reached him, I stepped into his strong arms and when we kissed, sparks flew.  I felt at home and at peace.  The world seemed to disappear until it was just us.  There was no words as he laid me down in the grass as we made love.  I had never felt something like this before.  Treasured was the only word that came to my mind.  I felt as if this was where I needed to be.  When he said my name I was confused.  Why did he call me the queen of leprechauns name?  It made no sense at all.  

    Suddenly we felt the air change and heard the screams.  We rose and soon were faced with why.  An army of witches and rogue leprechauns began approaching us.  I knew then that I was seeing the final battle of the last great war of all mythical creatures.  A fireball was thrown at us and we were split apart.  I turned and saw the man who was the golden dragon laying so very still.  I began screaming and awoke to find myself in a tub of cold water.  Sighing I let the water out and dried off with a towel.  Finishing up my wine, I walked back into my bedroom and put on my most comfiest pair of flannel pajamas.  I guess I might as well go to bed.  Such a strange dream and what it meant is beyond me.

    Sometime during the night I awoke with a start.  It was the same dream except, I saw the face of Rowan McMichael on the man.  Three in the morning and I was now wide awake.  Why did his face appear on the gorgeous man.  Yeah they had the same hair color and body type, there was no way that I could be attracted to him.  Yes he was good looking and I did find him intriguing.  But why the hell was I dreaming of him and why was I dreaming of the final battle? It just didn't make any sense.  I need to know the truth and I need to talk to my mom.  She had the power of vision and maybe she could tell me if she sees anything in my past or in my future that could help me.  I need to wait a few more hours and then I can call her.  After all its only eleven am there, leprechauns don't usually get their days started until one pm.  

    Leprechauns are mostly nocturnal creatures, as the moon makes their powers heighten.  My mother is one of the rare ones that can be up for months without needing to sleep.  Of course, I really didn't have to wait that long before my phone rang and sure enough it was my mom.  "Hi, mom."

    "Celina, are you alright? I felt your fear and heard your cries."

   "Mom, what is going on with my powers and what did you see?"

    "I knew this day would come.  I saw it the day you were born.  I can not tell you, my daughter.  You will have to wait until you hear it from the only one who was there.  I swore that I would not tell you what I saw.  I love you so much my little angel.  I am sorry that I can not tell you.  Just know that you will find out soon. "

     With that she hung up.  What the hell mom? Now I am really curious as to what everything means.  It is really weird that she wouldn't answer my questions.  The only thing she did at least answer was that I will find out soon.  How soon will that be? How soon will I get my answers? Dammit mom you could of at least said how long before I find out.  I need to lay back down and try to sleep since it was only four thirty now.  Tomorrow is coming fast and I am so tired.  I need to rest and be ready for what ever the truth or mystery answers are.