Page 24 of Spooks & Specters

He might not have been a Boy Scout, but he was always prepared.

Chapter Two

TAKING THE boat out was always a special occasion. Hudson’s property boasted two lakes: The larger one was designated for the court’s use, while the smaller one that was located behind his house was reserved for his private enjoyment. A sheltered boat dock housed his ski boat and pontoon, ready for leisurely days on the water.

Not far from the dock lay a sandy beach, and nearby, there was a stone firepit surrounded by wooden Adirondack chairs. A picnic table was nestled on the grass leading to the woods.

It was serene, secluded, and utterly ideal for the three of them. Hudson paused at the picnic table to unload the baskets.

“Where did the rafts come from?”

“I had them brought out earlier. If skiing gets tiresome, we can just laze on those for a bit,” Hudson explained, putting his basket down. Then he opened it and retrieved a couple of water bottles.

“Well, it seems we’ll find out if I’m graceful enough to ski,” Kit pondered, gazing out at the lake.

“Getting up on the skis is the hardest part. Once you get the hang of that, you’ll be fine.” Connie set his basket down, then rubbed his hand up and down Kit’s back. “I’ll give you some pointers too.”

“What about you?” Kit inquired.

Hudson shrugged. “Me? I drive the boat.”

“You don’t ski?”

“It’s never really piqued my interest. The water’s fine, but I don’t have the same love for it as Connie does.” Hudson gave his other mate a wink. “Come on, let’s head to the boat,” he said, taking Kit’s hand.

“Seriously, if I hadn’t been born a dragon, I probably would’ve been a merman,” Connie confessed, taking Kit’s other hand as they walked along the beach toward the boat dock.

“Nope. Because if youhadbeen a merman, the three of us probably wouldn’t have ended up in a relationship, so that’s a definite no-go.” Kit mock scowled at Connie.

“That’s true,” Hudson said. “The mer tend to stick to their own kind.”

“But don’t they have the ability to change a human?” Kit asked.

“They do, yes, just like a were, but it’s not done often, from my understanding,” Hudson admitted. “Which is not to say it’s never done. But I would also imagine it’s a bigger adjustment for someone turned into a mer.”

“Mers live in the ocean. That means no more living on land,” Connie added.

“Okay, yes, that would be a big adjustment,” Kit said.

“Exactly.” Hudson couldn’t think of anything worse, in fact. He definitely preferred living on land.

THE JOURNEY to the covered dock was brief. It accommodated only two boats, but it also included a boathouse for storing gear and a spacious fishing area, complete with several rocking chairs.

Connie often retreated here alone to unwind and fish. Hudson joined him only at Connie’s request, respecting his need for solitude. Residing in a court meant the constant company of other dragons. Courts, similar to werewolf packs, were designed for communal living. Contrary to ancient tales, dragons were not solitary creatures.

Although there was the occasional oddball who preferred solitude, generally they were sociable creatures. They thrived onthe bonds formed with their court mates, not to mention the need for structure.

However, there were always exceptions. Take the Night Court, for instance. Its members did reside in a court, of a sort, but they were infamous for their “dog-eat-dog” mentality.

Dragons from the Night Court were notorious for their destructive competitiveness and ruthlessness. Fortunately, Hudson hadn’t encountered one in over fifty years.

The last one bold enough to venture into San DeLain met an untimely demise.

AFTER A few hours, they made their way back to the boat dock because Kit was hungry. He’d needed several attempts before successfully getting up on the skis, but once he managed, he quickly grew confident.

A severe wipeout gave Hudson a scare, but fortunately, Kit was unharmed. Knowing that Kit was consuming both his and Connie’s blood reassured him.

Kit stretched as soon as he got out of the boat. “To say that I am out of shape is probably putting it nicely. I’m going to feel this tomorrow.”

---