Dragon Souls [D.O.A. 2]

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Casper watched Jude walk out of the gazebo. He could see the man was angry by his hard steps and jerking movement. For some reason, Jude's pain made him angry and want to destroy

whatever or whoever had pissed the man off. However, he had a big feeling it was Jude trying to process everything that had happened with his friends. Jude may have been coming off as

unfazed since their arrival, but Casper had seen past that facade and Jude was anything but that.

The man was about ready to lose it and Casper had a deep need to help him put back the pieces when that happened.

"My son is a funny sort. He looks angry, but he really isn't. It's his way of trying to expel the pain of betrayal he is feeling and how his world has been rocked right now, with everything he's had to see and try and make sense of," Clara softly said.

Casper didn't know that to say so he remained quiet.

"You aren't much of a talker, are you?" Clara asked with a laugh. Then said, "Well, good thing my son can talk enough for the both of you."

Casper turned to Clara in confusion. She just gave that soft laugh that warmed Casper on the inside, saying, "You don't think I've noticed how you watch my Jude? Or how your dragon watches through the window at night when he is watching television with Azul?"

"I did not know my maharishi visited with Jude," Casper replied.

Clara gave a sharp nod, saying, "I don't know about before, but every night since you arrived here, your maharishi has quietly stood at the window into the living area, watching my son. I thought your maharishis and you had a close relationship. One that allowed you to talk to each other. I have to ask myself, why you don't seem to have the same relationship that Azul has with Rene?"

"We are different. I call on him when I need him, but otherwise he has his life and I have mine,"

Casper replied a bit harshly. He could tell he had hurt Jude's mom's feelings and immediately called himself every name in the book.

When Clara turned to leave, Casper touched her arm. Clara turned back, Casper said, "I

apologize for my rudeness. I am not used to talking to outsiders."

Clara raised a brow, then looked out the window where Jude was looking into the pool, saying,

"Well, from what I'm seeing from you and your maharishi, we won't be outsiders much longer."

Clara walked away and Casper looked in the direction Clara had just been staring at. Could she be right? No, she can't be correct. He would have felt the dragon heat, like Rene had when he first met Bren. But what if his mating was broken, like he was. Casper was not like his brethren.

He had always been different.

No one talked about Casper's induction into the D.O.A. because he was not brought into it as the others had been. Rene and the rest of the crew had all been killed the same day in the same war.

Whereas Casper had died in that war, but a day earlier. When Rene was asked by Heck to declare who would be by his side, Rene didn't know what calling Casper's name would mean. Hell, no

one did.

Casper had gone through the light. He couldn't tell anyone what that was like, because it was as if it was a distant dream, like a film out of focus. He did not come back complete. Where the others never lost their souls, Casper's had gone from his body the day before. When he was

returned to the world, it was without his soul. His maharishi was more than a partner and soul connecter. His maharishi was his soul. It was why they shared more than the ability to talk, see through each other's eyes, or give direct orders they would follow──well, unless they didn't agree with the order. Then the dragon would do what they pleased and fight with their partner later. Casper and his dragon could actually take over each other's form. It was how he got the nickname, Casper. He could become ghost-like because he would enter his maharishi's body and become almost smoky mist. No one could see him, just as they could barely see his dragon. So what if his differences made his mating different? He needed answers, and the only one with

those might be Eagle. He was the historian. He knew the tomes like the back of his hand.

Quickly Casper made his way into the dining area, but the only person in there was Blade. "Have you seen Eagle?"

"Well, they say if you masturbate enough you might go blind, but I don't normally need to since I am never lonely at night. So I would say my eyesight is twenty-twenty," Blade replied with a laugh.

Casper growled low, snarling, "I am not in the mood for your games, asshole. Where is he?"

Blade drew back and held up his hands saying, "I'm not really sure. Try the living room. He said he was going to see if there was anything good on television until we gather for our meeting."

Casper quickly left the room and entered the living area. Azul sat in his favorite chair flipping through the channels. "I thought you went to fly with the other maharishis?"

Azul sighed and looked out the window. Casper noticed Bren and Rylee with Jude by the pool.

All three were sitting Indian style on the ground and Rylee had his head on one shoulder of Jude as Bren had his head on the other. "They are heartbroken over Stephanie's actions. I wish I knew how to help."

Azul nodded, sniffled, and wiped a lone tear away before it could fall.

"Have you seen Eagle?" Casper asked.

Azul pointed outside once more and Casper looked until he noticed the man in question inside the gazebo, talking to Rene as he watched the three men sitting by the pool.

Quickly making his way outside, Casper walked into the large covered area, "Eagle, can I have a word?"

Eagle's brow rose in surprise. It was unlike Casper to ask to speak to any of his crew, but this was important. Casper needed answers.

Standing, Eagle replied, "Sure."

Casper looked back over to where Jude sat and his heart clenched at the deep sadness he felt coming from the man. He didn't like this feeling and he needed to understand it, but he also wanted it to stop.

"What's up, Casper?" Eagle asked.

"Is it possible for a man without a soul to have a mate?" Casper asked.

Eagles eyes went huge, "You think you found your sentience?"

To the members of D.O.A. a sentience was more than just a mate. They weren't just part of their soul, the sentience was the very essence of it. Every thought, every action, every breath they would take, would revolve around their sentience. It was something he, like all the other D.O.A.

agents, had looked upon as a myth. However, Rene finding Bren proved them all wrong.

Casper growled, looking around to make sure no one had heard Eagle, then hissed, "Not so loud.

I am only asking. I am different. Everyone knows I am not the same as you and the others. I am asking, is it possible for a man without a soul to feel a connection with someone else?"

"Casper, I keep telling you that you are not a man without a soul. You're different yes, but you are not soulless," Eagle stated firmly.

"Eagle, I know what I know. We've talked of this many times. Just answer my question. Is it possible for a man without a soul to have a mate and if so, why would one not experience the dragon heat if they did?" Casper asked.

Sighing, Eagle replied, "According to what I've read, and trust me there is very little on our sentiences, all of us will one day come upon them. Since it says all D.O.A. agents are mentioned, I would assume that would include you."

"Then why am I not in dragon heat?" Casper snarled to himself, but loud enough for Eagle to hear.

Eagle gasped and smiled wide, saying, "I knew it! You found yours. Who? Do we know him? I mean I hope it's a him because if it's a her, you and she are so screwed and not in a good way."

Casper looked around and noticed Rene looking in his direction. Stepping back, Casper said,

"Thank you for telling me."

Just as Casper went to turn, Eagle grabbed his arm. "Casper, could it be that whoever this person is, might not be your sentience? I mean maybe you're just seriously attracted to him or her."

"It's a him and no, I don't think I'm wrong. Even my maharishi has a high interest in him. It was brought to my attention that my maharishi watches him even when he is inside the house."

"In the house? Wait! Are you saying that it's one of Bren's friends? Which one?" Eagle asked excitedly.

Casper looked towards the direction of the pool, muttering, "Jude."

"Oh s**t, you are so going to have your hands full with that one. He is one opinionated son of a b***h. I mean a nice guy, but he sure has a mouth on him," Eagle replied with a snicker.

Casper felt his anger rise, snarling, "Do not speak of him like that! He is smart, caring, and──"

Eagle gasped, "Damn! I think you're right. Jude is your sentience. Congratulations, brother. I wish you both well."

Casper's shoulders dropped and his anger disappeared as fast as it had risen. "If he is my mate, Eagle, then why do I not feel the dragon heat like Rene felt when he met up with Bren? His was almost immediate."

Shaking his head, Eagle answered, "No, it wasn't. Bren and I talked about that and when I said how surprised I was at how fast Rene's dragon heat took control, because it normally takes a couple of weeks. Bren told me that they had actually crossed paths a few weeks before, when

Bren was at the post office. It could be that you and Jude have not known each other long

enough. I mean it has been a few weeks, so it might still come on. Otherwise, the only thing I can think of is that maybe it's because you are not as connected to your dragon as the rest of us."

"We're connected more than you all are. He is my soul, Eagle," Casper insisted.

Eagle sighed, then replied, "Casper, even if your maharishi is your entire soul, a connection is more than that. It is an acceptance. We spend time with our maharishis. We talk to them

regularly. They are our partner, our friend. You separate yourselves unless we are working. That makes you more acquaintances than friends. I would go so far as to say, you and your dragon are more separate than combined. It's that separation that has you both acting on finding your

sentience, but separately. Therefore, there is no dragon heat."

"If that's true, what does it mean for my mating?" Casper asked.

Shrugging, Eagle relied, "It might mean nothing. However, it could mean that you may never have a complete and fulfilling mating. You may have a high mountain to climb, Casper. It means you not only have to woo your mate, but possibly your maharishi. Otherwise, you can't seal your mating bond you were intended to have and you could lose them both."