The Dragon Falls for the Fairy Godmother Page 3

  “Yes,” Erika said to Willa. “A huge tree snapped and fell in front of the Black Rose. Mr. Chadwick whisked me out of harm’s way.” Then to him, she added, “I didn’t see you but for a second, but somethings you never forget.”

  Her eyes twinkled with a hint of hero-worship.

  He suppressed a curse. He knew that look. And it had gotten him in trouble more than once because he’d opened his heart and succumbed to a pretty face and warm body, he’d felt too vulnerable.

  She hadn’t mention his dragon form. Which was fine, good actually. Not that he was ashamed of his dragon shifting. Dragons were such large powerful creatures that he saved that part of himself for people who understood them, choosing to hang with fellow dragon shifter, Van Tsvetkov, or even gargoyle, Nick Hardwood. Both were used to dealing with immense size and strength…and of people considering them monsters.

  “Please, call me Marshall.”

  Willa smiled, radiant. The woman was absolutely smitten with her gargoyle fiancée. He’d recently attended an engagement celebration in their honor. He appreciated the power of their bond.

  He knew there were females who also understood his kind, but sadly, he’d never met any.

  Marshall’s gaze danced between Willa and Erika. There was enough resemblance between them to think they were related. They were both fae, he realized, noting their cute pointed ears. Erika seemed to blush as she said hello, although it was difficult to tell past her adorable freckles. She had so many that her skin appeared to be tanned when it was essentially freckles that gave her color and a warm glow.

  Hair the color of deep red autumn leaves framed her face, making her sapphire blue eyes striking. She was stunning. Not too tall or too short, just right. She wore hip-hugging jeans and a floral, long-sleeve shirt. He hadn’t had much time to admire her yesterday, but now…A slight jolt of interest shot through him. He ripped his attention from her and glanced to the box of wrapped glass figure that was the reason for his stop.

  He set the container on the counter. “Don’t let me interrupt. I’m making the usual rounds.” He noticed the shelf space Willa allowed him held several empty spots. “I’ll just fill these places and be on my way.” He unwrapped a dragon piece of blown glass set on an amethyst geode.

  Erika followed him. “Did you make all of these?”

  “Yes.”

  “There’re gorgeous. I especially like this one coming out of the rock.”

  “And they’re popular, too,” Willa added with a wink and a laugh. “Which means good business for you, Marshall, and a little commission for me. Keep it up, and you’ll be opening your own store.”

  He shook his head. “Oh no. The upkeep and all. Not for me. Too much trouble. I don’t know how you do it.”

  “The Ellingham’s make excellent landlords.”

  Opening her purse, Erika said, “I’d like to buy this.”

  Marshall lifted a brow. “You’re a collector of dragons or something?”

  She met his eyes. “I am now. This will be my first piece. But I feel something…special for it.” Then her eyes warmed and twinkled as she said, “It reminds me of the dragon…oh, never mind. Maybe it will be my new lucky charm.” She reached out and lovingly stroked the glass artwork.

  A dragon as a good luck piece. He could have laughed, but he didn’t. That would be the day. Monster was more like it.

  Erika reached in front of him, and he caught her sweet earthy scent, like the woods at twilight, as she carefully lifted the glass piece from the shelf. She eyed him over her shoulder, quiet and with shyness that reached out to him. She was so close he could touch her if he wanted to. He realized he’d like that very much.

  She took the figurine to the counter. He finished filling the empty niches, then joined them at the cash register. Erika held out the three gold coins to Willa. “May I pay with these?” she asked.

  “Rhoswynn gold,” Willa whispered. “Yes, that’s fine. I can add it to my own. But you’ll need to exchange some for US dollars. Not everyone in town will accept this.”

  “I had thought as much, but I haven’t gotten to it yet.”

  “Well, three Rhoswynn coins exceeds the price, so I’ll have to give you change in dollars, anyway. That will give you a start,” Willa said.

  “Wonderful. I had a bit of cash but I already spent it.”

  Marshall eyed the coins. They would make a nice addition to his hoard. Perhaps he could help her out and gain some shiny at the same time. “If you’d like, I’ll be willing to buy some off you. How much are they worth?”

  Erika shrugged, glancing at Willa.

  “Each coin equals one hundred dollars,” Willa replied.

  He nodded. “How many coins do you want to trade?”

  A blush swept her cheeks. “I have no idea the kind of funds a person in Nocturne Falls has. Is five hundred too many?”

  Willa inhaled. “Erika, that’s fifty thousand dollars.”

  His brows shot up and a laugh rumbled through Marshall’s chest. “Yes, that will be fine. I will bring the money to your inn, if that’s okay.”

  Setting her hand on top of Erika’s, Willa implored, “You mustn’t let people know you have that kind of money. The human world isn’t like Rhoswynn. There are those who would do you harm to take it from you.”

  Willa was right. People and paranormal beings alike might try to swindle her. He breathed deeply and squared his shoulders. But not if he could help it.

  He regarded Willa. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on her.”

  But he knew it wouldn’t be that easy. For when Erika smiled at him, forgetting that he’d only met her yesterday, his gut clenched in a hard ball of need.

  Cool it, dragon, he couldn’t risk getting his heart all messed up.

  Chapter Four

  “May I walk you back to the Black Rose?”

  “Yes, that would be nice,” she tried to sound indifferent. It wasn’t easy though, for Marshall Chadwick was as charming as he could be. So handsome with his longish brown hair that flopped over his forehead in a rakish manner, thick enough that she’d love to thread her fingers through it. He had the face of a model—chiseled jaw and irresistible cleft chin. With one look of his whiskey-brown eyes her heart fluttered. She’d never felt anything like it.

  Certainly none of the suiters back home asking for her hand in marriage made her legs tremble and her tummy turn to mush. But there was the problem. She’d not come all this way across the country only to fall in love. Her intention was to prove she could make it on her own. And that’s what she planned to do.

  “Wait,” Willa’s face brightened. “I’m going to a gal’s-night-out tonight. Would you like to come? I’ll introduce you to some Nocturne Falls residence.”

  That was so sweet of Willa. Erika smiled. “What a lovely idea. Yes, thank you.”

  “I’ll pick you up at the D&B at seven, okay?”

  “Perfect.”

  Marshall held the door open for her as they exited onto the street. It was late afternoon, and the sidewalk traffic had increased considerably with more human tourists milling about.

  Slowing his steps to match hers, Marshall slipped his hands into his pockets.

  “The people,” she said, watching a couple with a little girl, “think the paranormal creatures are actors, right?”

  “Yes. It’s a way for us to be ourselves. Plus, the water has some magical properties which blur reality. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

  “Nocturne Falls is a nice place. No wonder Willa settled here.” She watched him out the corner of her eye as they walked. “And you. How long have you lived here?”

  “Around six months. I’m off the beaten path, though. In a hillside home.”

  “You’re a dragon shifter.”

  “Yes. I need quite a bit of room. I have a studio for my art. The place works for me for now.”

  “For now?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t tend to stay in one place very long.”

  The comp
lete opposite of her. She’d never left Rhoswynn, ever, until five days ago. For once, her stomach didn’t knot at the thought.

  They came to the front lawn of the D&B, where a crew was cutting the fallen tree into manageable pieces to discard it. The whir of chainsaws drowned out his voice as he talked.

  Her brow pinched as she leaned closer, to hear him better. He smelled of smoky maple. At first she thought the scent had come from the cut wood, then she realized it was his unique aroma. Rich and masculine.

  It appealed to her. He appealed to her. More than he should.

  She swallowed, nervously.

  “I’ll drop by tomorrow morning, say ten o’clock, and we can do the funds exchange. Okay?”

  “Yes. I’ll have the coins ready.”

  “In the meantime, I recommend not showing or telling anyone about your Rhoswynn gold.”

  “Because you think they will try to steal it? I would hope that the residents of Nocturne Falls would be more trustworthy.”

  He shrugged. “Our town attracts a lot of visitors. For the most part, they are good upstanding paranormals and humans. No sense tempting fate, though. There are paranormal creatures who can’t resist riches. Some of them are drawn here.”

  She stepped back, looking into his serious golden-brown eyes. He knew more than he was saying. “Gotcha,” she nodded, trying to sound up-to-date and a bit more worldly than she actually was.

  Skirting the workers and the tree, they approached the steps of the D&B and paused. “Thanks for walking me back.”

  “You’re very welcome. I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

  “Yes.” She held his gaze as long as she could then turned. She felt him watching her retreat. The place between her shoulder blades where her wings were starting to form thrummed.

  When she reached the threshold, she twirled around, waving to him. Wouldn’t it be fine if he transform into the powerful dragon to fly off. That would be so romantic.

  What rubbish, she chided herself as she entered the lobby. So absorbed in thought, she practically slammed chest-first into the strange man she’d seen yesterday.

  “Oh, excuse me,” she said.

  His mouth tugged to the side. “No harm done.”

  She took in the young woman, maybe early-twentyish, and an older woman beside him. A family of witches, she easily read their auroras. Some creatures were easy like that for her, others not so much.

  A hint of rebellion lit the girl’s eyes. Erika blinked, bewildered. The trio reminded her of the situation with her parents, the adults trying to force their wishes on their daughter.

  Was it a universal problem? A misuse of power?

  She gave a sympathetic smile to the young witch. To the parents, she said, “If you’re looking for an excellent place to dine, try Howler’s Diner. The service and food were terrific.”

  “Thanks for the tip,” the mother said, her demeanor softening. “We’re visiting from Maine, and staying in room 206. This is my daughter Kamdyn, my husband, Warlock of the Sixth Prodigy, Roar, and I’m Liz.”

  Kamdyn pressed her lips together, forming a straight line, and slanted her gaze at her mother, disgusted. She went for that nearly dead look with her makeup, lots of coal black eyeliner around her eyes, pale skin, black lipstick, making her look so full of angst and turmoil and attitude. She wore an overlarge black sweatshirt with a sugar skull on it that almost covered the entire front, torn and holey black tights, and platform shoes.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Erika caught the man’s glare. He was obviously not as friendly as the girl’s mom.

  “Pleased to meet you. I’m Erika. I’m new to Nocturne Falls.” With Marshall’s warning fresh in mind, she refrained from giving her room number.

  “It’s such an interesting town,” Liz offered, then glanced at her husband and seemed to clamp up, moving away from him, visibly uncomfortable.

  “Well, have a nice evening.” Erika stepped past them. Her room was calling, and she needed to tend to Whitwell. She’d only shuffled her feet when Kamdyn s’ words stopped her.

  “Perhaps you could show me around town sometime?”

  Erika’s eyes met the girls pleading ones, almost as if there was something familiar about the young woman. Her newly forming fairy wings thrummed between her shoulder blades. Alarm sliced through her. She eased closer to the girl, and the sensation in her wings intensified. When she stepped back, it lessened. Her heart raced. She swallowed. Was this her first fairy godmother subject?

  She wasn’t ready.

  Straightening her spine, she pulled herself together. “I barely know the town myself, but… I guess we can discover it together. Maybe tomorrow, if you’re free?”

  Kamdyn smiled. “Tomorrow? Awesome. What time?”

  Erika paused, not at all sure where they would go. “After lunch. Um, one o’clock.”

  “It’s a date.” Kamdyn turned and hurried out the door, full speed ahead, as if she could outrun her parents—or, based on her own experience, perhaps before her parents could object.

  Erika decided it was the latter reason. She hurried into the hallway that led to her room. Entering, she looked for a hedgehog-size lump, possibly hidden in the covers. “Whitwell.”

  A snuffling sound came from behind a curtain, and he toddled out. She sat on the floor at the end of the bed and allowed him to climb into her lap. She stroked along the nap of his quills. He whistled and purred in satisfaction.

  “I had an interesting day,” she confided. “I saw Willa. And, oh, I met the dragon shifter who rescued me from being smashed to smithereens.” Her heart raced faster thinking about Marshall.

  Whitwell nudged her with the tip of his pointy nose. That usually meant…keep talking.

  “He’s quite handsome and dashing.”

  He gave her another push with his nose.

  “He will be stopping by tomorrow to exchange some of my Rhoswynn coin.”

  The hedgehog pulled up onto his hind legs. She sensed some measure of concern.

  “It’s okay. I know how to take care of myself.”

  * * *

  Marshall couldn’t say why he’d stopped across the street and stood in the shadows watching the entry of The Black Rose. He chalked it up to years of working undercover and learning to follow his instincts. And at this moment, his instincts said something was going on in the D&B. If the tree-falling incident was not an accident—and he didn’t think it was—then what was going on?

  The fact that Erika carried so much valuable gold around with her was concerning.

  Three guests marched from the entrance of the Black Rose—Roar, his wife, and their daughter. The girl hustled ahead of her parents. Angry perhaps? Her furious steps said she wanted to escape.

  Roar spoke to his wife, then they separated. She trailed after the girl. Roar went the opposite direction. He glanced around every few yards in what looked like nervous anticipation. Then he ducked into a side street.

  It wasn’t difficult to follow him. The tourist crowd increased with every passing hour, creating a nice cover. Off Broomstick Lane, he came to Balfour Park. Roar paused at the statue memorializing Agnes Balfour, Pandora’s great great great grandmother. And then with a flourish of his hand, he vanished in a wisp of smoke.

  Damn Warlock. How could he follow that?

  Chapter Five

  In the large studio he had added to his shingle style home on the edge of town, Marshall took inventory of the sand, chalk, wood ash, and colors he’d need to replace. He ordered the materials online. When he finished, he did a search to see if he could discover any information about Roar and his family. In these modern times, most people, even paranormal creatures, had some sort of online footprint.

  Marshall assumed a fictitious identity to delve into the underweb and snoop around. Perhaps Roar was involved with those dark dealings of the black market—the blood trade, assassinations, unholy spells, and who knew what else. The kinds of unsavory darkness the archangel Seth hired him to discover. The t
ype of sordid relations the Ellinghams sought to keep out of Nocturne Falls.

  His search revealed little except Roar had a residence in Terror, Minnesota, which surprised him since Marshall also had a place there, his home base, so to speak. He found he liked to purchase property wherever he went undercover. That way he could set up his studio and sell the place at a profit when his job was wrapped up.

  He wondered if Roar did something similar. Paranormal creatures tended to have a long life span. Few of them lived it all in one place. His online search had revealed Roar and family were most recently from Maine.

  Somehow he felt there was a link between Roar and Erika, slight though it may be. It was like adding a bead of glass to piece to form an eye. The artwork took on new form and purpose and possibility.

  Or was it merely fate that they’d ended up in the same inn at the same time. The rest of the evening, Marshall couldn’t drag his thoughts from Erika. She was intriguing, yes, but he also sensed he needed to protect her. The wizard and his bewitching family were concerning. He would need to learn more about them.

  To that end, he sent Seth a text message, inquiring about Roar. He wasn’t quite certain how an angel interacted with the technology, he only knew that it was a means to contact the archangel. Seth had global connections. He might know something about the warlock.

  A short while later, he didn’t pay much attention as he grabbed his fencing equipment from the closet and headed out the door. He detested being late, yet he’d allowed his mind to wander for too long.

  Heat rolled off his shoulders in his irritation as he pulled into the rec center parking lot and took stock of the cars. It looked as if everyone else was already here.

  Hoisting his bag of gear, he entered the gym and suited up. The group was almost finished with warm-up exercises. He quickly went through the motions to stretch, although the practice really wasn’t necessary for shifters and vampires.

  “Hi, Marshall,” Sebastian Ellingham said. “Looks like we have a fine group tonight.”

  “Excellent,” Marshall replied. He and Sebastian were the instigators of the club. Sebastian was a master and used to teach fencing. Marshall had been practicing to the sport since his youth in Norway.