Secrets of the Dragon’s Heart (Mysteries of Dragon’s Island #6)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

C ameron walked down the dock in Bermuda, barely noticing the warm breeze blowing in from the ocean or the crystal blue water. Instead, all he could think about was his friend Max and his sudden change in attitude, a shocking turn of events that left him not only exasperated, but wondering what had gotten into his friend to make him suddenly lose control of his ability to reason.

Besides himself, Max had always been the most rational of their little group, the one most likely to discard any idea of the paranormal, superstition, or magic, and believed just as he did that their abilities streamed from something in their DNA. He was always the first in any discussion to refute the old legends, the first to argue that science was the only explanation for what they were capable of doing. The eight of them had spent many a long night locked away in the house they shared during college, arguing the origins of their gift, and while they’d never been able to agree, he and Max had always been on the same side.

Now, he wasn’t so sure. The last phone call he’d had with Max had been alarming. He seemed like a changed man, a bit unhinged, if he was being totally honest. He went off about native tribes taking over the islands, Simon turning ugly, a gangster finding his way ashore, and a long story about Archie having a shared dream with a woman. His friend had been rambling the whole time, making little sense, and he was truly worried about him.

Of course, Max’s little…breakdown couldn’t have come at a worse time. He was so close to a breakthrough he could almost taste his victory, so close to finally showing his father what he’d been telling him for years. Then he’d be free, the only thing he’d wanted since the day he realized that his life wasn’t his own, that clan loyalty and a debt to his parents that he could never repay would rule his life. Taking a deep breath and pushing away the panic that started to form in the pit of his stomach at the thought of what his life would become if he didn’t prove that the ability to shift was nothing more than a few slight alterations in their DNA.

Forcing himself not to think about his problems, he turned his thoughts back to Max. He was here to help his friend, here to talk some sense into him. Islands didn’t affect people’s lives. They didn’t make them fall in love; it was just a piece of land, not a living, breathing thing. The whole idea was crazy, and he intended to make sure that Max was back to his usual rational self before the two weeks he was supposed to stay were up, even if he had to beat it into him.

He realized with a start that he’d reached the slip where he was supposed to meet the boat that would take him to the island and looked behind him, wondering how he’d found his way there. It wasn’t the first time something like that had happened to him; he often found himself somewhere with little memory of how he got there and admonished himself for letting it happen again.

“Hey there, you must be Cameron,” a man said, stepping off the boat. “I’m Montgomery, your captain for the day. Come on aboard. Do you need some help with your bags?”

He’d packed light for the trip since socializing wasn’t on his agenda. “No, I’m good. I just have this one suitcase and my computer bag,” he said, jumping on board. “I’d like to stow it down below if possible just in case. I don’t want my computer getting wet.”

“Sure, no problem,” Montgomery said. “We won’t be taking off for a few minutes. We’re waiting on another guest, and she’s running a little late.”

“Oh, I hope it won’t be long,” he said, a bit disappointed. “I’m anxious to see Max. He hasn’t seemed himself lately, he’s been…”

He let his words trail off, realizing that he was talking to one of Max’s employees, but the man didn’t miss a beat. “The island changes people,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Usually for the best, so I wouldn’t worry too much.”

The man’s words surprised him, then made him curious, but before he could open his mouth, a woman came hurrying down the dock toward them. The question he was about to ask faded from his brain as a strange feeling slowly spread through him, and he could only stand there and stare at her. The woman stopped next to the boat, a big smile on her face, her hair a riot of blonde curls that framed her face and showed off a pair of blue eyes the same color as the sea around then.

Slightly breathless, he didn’t move as she threw her bags onto the deck, then jumped on like she’d spent her life on boats. When she sat down across from him, she gave him a big smile. “Isn’t this amazing,” she said, her voice bubbly. “I’m so excited to be here. I’ve heard so much about the island. I was so ready for a vacation. It’s been forever since I’ve been able to get away, and of course, I’ve never been to any place like Heart of the Ocean. My vacations usually involve a trip to the lake a few miles from home.”

The woman had stopped talking and was looking at him expectantly, but he discovered that he wasn’t capable of speech, thanks to the attraction that suddenly flooded his system. Having never reacted to a woman the way he was right at that moment, he had no idea how to shut down the desire that was racing through him, making his body begin to tingle and tighten.

Knowing that he had to get control of himself and say something, he took a deep breath and blurted out the first thing that popped into his head. “My friend Max owns the resort,” he said. “He thinks it makes people fall in love.”

The woman stared at him for a second, then burst out laughing, surprising him. “If that was a pick-up line,” she finally said, “you really need to work on it.”

***Kennedy***

The shocked and panicked look on Cameron Sullivan’s face told Kennedy that she might have gone too far, and she took a deep breath, trying to think of a way to salvage the conversation. “I didn’t…that wasn’t what I…I’m not…” he stammered before she could say anything. “That wasn’t a pick-up line. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Frantically trying to think of something to say, Kennedy forced herself to stay calm and ignored the voice in her head telling her not to screw up this opportunity. Stumbling into Cameron on the way to the island was the perfect opportunity to get close to him; she just hadn’t expected it, and it had thrown her for a loop. It also didn’t help that the same attraction she’d felt the first time she’d seen him was slowly coming to life, leaving her slightly breathless and her body tingling. But she was a professional. She could control her baser instincts and cool the flames of the desire for the story that would earn her the respect she deserved after all her years of hard work.

“I’m sorry, I was just joking,” she said, trying to look embarrassed. “I guess it wasn’t a very good joke. I’m a little nervous. I’ve never been anywhere like this before.”

A look of relief appeared on Cameron’s face. “That’s okay,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, clearly still a little uncomfortable. “I just didn’t want you to think I was that kind of guy.”

How sweet, she thought to herself as a wave of warmth washed over her, then inwardly cringed when she realized what was happening. You’re not supposed to like him. He’s the bad guy, she reminded herself. He’s doing something illegal behind the closed doors of his lab. This is the break you’ve been looking for. Your instincts have never been wrong before; don’t let your hormones derail you, there may never be another opportunity like this again.

“How about we start over?” she asked, sticking out her hand. “I’m Kennedy Fisher. I’m from a small town just outside of Milwaukee, and I won this trip on a game show.”

“Cameron Sullivan, I’m here to visit my friend Max,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you. I hope you enjoy your stay on the island.”

“It’s definitely going to be the trip of a lifetime. I can’t wait to get there. I’ve heard so much about the island,” she said, then looked over her shoulder at Montgomery before leaning closer to Cameron. “I heard some rumors about the island last night at my hotel. Did Max really say that people fall in love when they come to the island? It can’t really be true; I mean, it’s probably just a rumor to get people to visit, right?”

“I couldn’t really say, not until I see the island for myself,” Cameron said, shaking his head. “But I very much doubt any of the rumors you heard are true. However, I can also assure you that Max didn’t start them to get people to come to the island; the resort is doing quite well already.”

“I didn’t mean…oh, dear, I did it again,” she said, shaking her head. “I wasn’t trying to say that your friend’s resort needed help or anything, I was just curious about what I heard.”

“I didn’t think that,” Cameron said, shaking his head. “I’m a man of science, Ms. Fisher. Rumors and superstition don’t affect me.”

“Oh, well, okay,” she said. “I understand, I’m glad I didn’t insult your friend. After all, it is his island I’m going to visit, it wouldn’t do to insult him. I won’t say anything about the rumors, so don’t worry about that. I know when to keep my mouth shut.”

“I’m sure Max will be relieved to hear that,” Cameron said, a little smile on his face. “He’s got enough problems keeping people off the island as it is.”

“Oh, really?” she asked, her reporter’s instincts kicking in. “I’d love to hear about it.”

Cameron looked like he wanted to slap his hand over his mouth, but before he could answer, Montgomery turned to them. “There she is,” he called. “Heart of the Ocean.”

She turned and gasped at the sight of the island, thinking the only way to describe it was a tropical paradise. She forgot about Cameron as they slowly motored up to the dock. Pristine white sand beaches stretched as far as she could see, and the dense green of the jungle was such a striking contrast that it took her a few seconds to spot the little village in a clearing just in front of them.

The group of huts surrounded an eating area covered by a bright canopy, and as she continued to scan the shore, she realized the roofs of cabins could be seen through the dense growth of trees. As the boat gently bumped into the birth, the smell of food reached her, and her stomach began to growl, reminding her that she’d missed breakfast. When the boat was tightly secured, Montgomery helped her with her bags, and she stood on the dock for a moment, taking it all in for a second time, trying to remember that this wasn’t really a vacation. She was here to work.

“Well, it was nice to meet you,” Cameron said. “I’m supposed to meet Max in the village. He’s probably already waiting for me.”

Her instincts told her not to let him go so easily. “Maybe we could meet for coffee sometime,” she said. “Not like a date or anything, just two friends meeting up for some conversation. After all, it looks like we’re both here alone.”

“Oh, I don’t know…I should really meet up with Max before I make any plans,” Cameron said, backing away from her. “I’m sure we’ll run into each other while we’re here.”

He turned and practically ran up the dock. Before she could follow him, a young woman approached her, a big smile on her face. “You must be Kennedy,” she said. I’m Stephanie. I’ll be your host while you’re here. If you need anything, I’m the one to ask. If you’re ready, I’ll show you around the island and then help you get settled in your cabin.”

She smiled at the young woman. “Sounds great to me,” she said. “Do you think we could grab something to eat? I missed breakfast, and I’m starving.”