Page 34 of Lahaina Noon

“I was standing there, and I thought I saw a shadow moving across the wall behind you. It didn’t make sense to me then. The world didn’t make sense. You dragged me inside and sat me down. Gave me a towel and a cup of hot tea. You were so worried about me, but then I had to tell you. You broke down and were crying in my arms. I didn’t tell you, but I saw the shadows again. They were hovering in the hallway like they were just watching you. They slowly drifted away. I’ve seen them several more times since then, hovering, watching.” He hugged Bridget. “I’m so sorry I never told you, I thought I was crazy, like I was imagining things. I should have spoken up sooner.”

Jorrie came over, refilled Jack’s wine glass and wrapped her arms around them both. The three friends sat there, silent, sharing their love for each other.

Vaughn watched them and debated how he would share the rest. He remembered how Bridget had reacted when he’d proven the existenceof dragons. He didn’t know if he could handle two more hysterical people tonight.

Killian, hovering behind him, chimed in. “If they have been aware of her all along, why wait so long to make a move? Why now?” he asked.

“They weren’t sure?” Vaughn replied, not convinced of that answer. “Like the rest of us, they had multiple people they suspected, but they had to be certain. Moving too soon could alert the dra…, umm, others, what they were planning. Or they were waiting for her to manifest. Show off her Wielding.”

“Wielding?” asked Jack.

Killian stepped forward and shot silver flames across the room that looped back around into sparkles and flitted about like fireworks. The others stared at him in awe. “Wielding magic,” he murmured.

Liam grinned and rumbled, drawing a glance from Jorrie, who took her seat and gazed at them shrewdly. “There’s something else you aren’t telling us. Something even bigger you are keeping back.”

Bridget nodded, “Jorr, Jack, you know I love you both, so please believe me. This next part? It’s going to blow your minds, but you have to believe it’s real and stay calm, okay.” She turned back to Vaughn, “If you’re ready.”

Vaughn sat forward and dropped his head, then looked up with flames in his eyes. Jack flinched, and Jorrie sat frozen. He tilted his head back and blew three perfect smoke rings towards the ceiling. The others watched them rise in fascination and looked back to Vaughn. He smiled to reassure them, then stood. “My kind have been around for as long as the Shadow Claw,” he intoned, “Even longer. We are theguardians of the old magics and the protectors of the Wielders. We are…”

“Oh, jeez, Vaughn,” interrupted Liam. “Quit being so dramatic about it, you’ll scare them!” He whipped off his shirt and rolled his shoulders. He gave a little shimmer and green wings unfurled behind him. He flapped them lightly and looked around.

“We’re dragons, okay? Just dragons. Nothing woowoo scary, we don’t eat virgins, we don’t ask for sacrifices, we rarely plunder and pillage kingdoms anymore. And no, there is no secret weakness in our scales when we are fully changed. Killian’s a Wielder, I’m a dragon, Vaughn’s a dragon. Simple.”

Jack raised his hand, “Okay, um, thanks, but sorry, scales? Dragons? Yeah, that’s just a teensy bit scary.” He pinched his fingers together to emphasize how teensy. He glanced at Liam, then widened his fingers.

Jorrie stared at Liam, speechless. She looked back at Vaughn, who seeming to understand, also took off his shirt and spread his wings. His wings were much larger than Liam’s, and the gold flickered in the light of the library. Jorrie, who had jumped to her feet when Liam spread his wings, abruptly sat back down.

Jack squeaked a little, “See? Scary!” staring at Vaughn’s deadly looking talons.

Jorrie slowly stood again and started towards Vaughn, but halfway, she changed course and walked to Liam instead. She tentatively reached up towards one of his wings but pulled her hand back.

Liam gently took her hand and smiled. She took this as a sign of encouragement and slowly stroked her hand across the arch of hiswing, where it came over the top of his bare shoulder. He made a low, rumbly sound, like a purr in his chest.

Jorrie’s face broke into a giant smile. “Holy shit,” she whispered and stroked the other one.

Liam’s rumble grew louder, and his eyes closed, a smile etched onto his face. She stopped, “I’m sorry, does that hurt?” she snatched her hands away.

Liam grinned at her, “On the contrary, it feels amazing. In this form, our wings are quite sensitive, and a woman’s touch is very… sensual.” He adjusted his stance and cleared his throat.

Jorrie’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my god, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to,” she stammered as her face grew hot, flushing as red as a tomato.

“I’m not sorry, you have very soft hands.” Liam grinned, his bright green eyes twinkling with impish glee.

“Okay, lover boy,” Vaughn laughed, “Knock it off. Quit mesmerizing the fair maiden, and let’s get back to the business at hand.” He turned to Jack. “Jack, I love you, man, but you aren’t stroking my wings.” He winked.

Jack blinked for a second, then laughed. It was just what he needed to bring him out of his scared stupor. He stood, wiping his hands on his slacks. “Okay, well I think I need something a little stronger than wine after that demonstration.” He looked between Vaughn and Liam, both standing there shirtless, wings spread, handsome as sin. “Got any whisky?”

Vaughn nodded, tucked his wings in and headed off to grab the liquor.

Bridget wandered over to a still shirtless and winged Liam, who was watching Jorrie as she prowled the room, looking at the books and artifacts.

She glanced at Liam’s wings and said, “You know, I guess I didn’t realize you were different colors. Makes sense, though, just like humans have different hair and skin colors, you would have different scales.”

Liam nodded, stretching his wings a bit before pulling them back in. He pulled his shirt over his head and cleared his throat. “Yeah, I guess there is a lot you haven’t had a chance to ask Vaughn yet. What with you guys being so, busy.” He grinned at her.

She blushed, thinking about how vocal they had been last night. “Do you live here, Liam?”

“Not technically. I have a house not far from here but I’m here most of the time, so I do have my own room. Although I’m going to be bunking with Gabe for a while until we figure this out.”

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