Chapter 24 #2
They didn’t take their shoes off like they would at Moon Creek Falls. There were rocks amidst the sand unless you got closer to the water. The beach here was narrow but passable.
Other people were flying kites, and he stopped to watch them for a moment.
There were kites in his kingdom. Children often played with them, and he would watch them as well when he had the time.
“Did you ever fly a kite as a kid?” Phin asked.
He looked at one of his hands and held it up. “Many as a child. I love kites. Always have.”
He turned his palm toward her. “These hands have held many things besides a kite.”
“Like what?” she asked.
All the weapons I mentioned before. That was what he wanted to say but didn’t dare. “Books. Rocks. Food.”
“Oh, come on,” she said. “Be serious.”
“What have your hands held?” he asked.
She smiled and looked at the sandy ground. “Well… your hand a minute ago.” She bit her lower lip and blushed.
By scale and flame, it was adorable. She was adorable. His heart beat faster just thinking about it. Rhaz swallowed hard.
He had to concentrate on getting the door to operate. Going home. Dealing with kingdom business. That was his duty, his life.
But would anyone blame him if, just for a little while, he could forget about it all and pretend he was someone else?
That he lived in this realm among the humans and made a life here just as Anon and the others had?
He supposed he should look at being stranded here as a blessing. He’d met some fine supernaturals, not to mention some fine humans. And he admired all of them.
In fact, he was almost a little jealous of the life Phin, Jessica and Richard had.
But all too soon he would return home, where he would have to face the awful truth that he was the means by which his father would join forces with King Iskareth.
“Well, it’s about time you got home,” Anon said as Rhaz came through the door. “Did you have a nice time?”
Rhaz gave Anon a smile and nodded. “I did. It was educational.”
Anon’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?” he drawled. “In what way?”
“I observed two humans falling in love and learned Phin’s actual name, Seraphina.”
“Well, I could have told you that,” Anon said.
“I should have asked, but since I’ve arrived, I haven’t been quite myself.”
Anon eyed him. “You’re fine now, aren’t you? You’ve been here long enough; the effects of the door shouldn’t be bothering you anymore.”
“No, I suppose they’re not. But those first few days were horrendous. That’s not something I ever want to go through that again.”
“Yes, I remember. It was horrible,” Anon agreed. “Everything’s off—your hearing, your sight, your sense of smell.” He shuddered. “And we’re strong supernaturals. Can you see what would happen if a human tried to go through the door? It would kill them for sure.”
“Yes, “ he said with a slow nod. “I can.”
“Rhaz,” Anon said. “Something’s troubling you. What is it?”
“It’s this Sarian, the humans…”
“It’s commendable of you, Prince, to worry about them. I worry about them too. But we can’t take care of all of them. Only the ones in our little circle. Try not to save the world.”
“Now you’re starting to sound like Basil.” Rhaz gave him a weak smile and headed for the stairs. “I’m going to change. Are you ready to go to Aaron and Betty’s?”
“Yes, they know we’re coming, and Louise, Sam, and Pearl are coming too. They, um, want to see you. That is, your dragon.”
Rhaz heaved a sigh. “Very well. You’re sure they won’t talk?”
“Positive. If I must, I’ll compel them to stay silent.”
Rhaz nodded and turned and disappeared up the stairs.
Quill entered the kitchen not a moment later, went to the refrigerator, and pulled out a can of soda.
“You’re drinking far too much of that, Wizard” Anon commented. “I told you, limit yourself to one a day. Better yet, make one last two days, or I am just going to stop buying it.”
“I like the bubbles,” Quill said, and popped the can open. He took a drink. “Ah, refreshing.”
Anon shook his head in dismay. “I’m corrupting the lot of you. I’m going to stop buying everyone junk food.”
“Does that mean we dispose of it?” Quill asked with a smirk.
“Oh, never mind about that,” Anon said. “Are you ready for this evening?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Is Rhaz ready? I heard him come in and caught part of your conversation. He sounds a little down, if you ask me.”
“He’ll be fine. Some flying time will help him, I’m sure. Now, let me go over my checklist, and we’ll be on our way.”
It wasn’t long before Anon had them piled into the van—well, Rhaz and Quill—and they were off.
Jackson was staying behind while Caelen and Dandy would meet them out at Aaron and Betty’s.
When they arrived, Caelen and Dandy were already there.
As soon as Rhaz left the van, Aaron ran up to him.
“Rhaz, I don’t understand. Why does Anon get to ride you and I don’t? ”
Rhaz gave him a warm smile. “Aaron, this is not for fun. This is something we must do. There’s a creature out there threatening humans. We have to help the people hunting it.”
“To find the thing, yes, but?—”
“No buts, my boy,” Anon said diplomatically. “This is something we need to take care of, and when we get back, then you can go for a ride. That is, if my friend here isn’t too tired.”
“Why are you flying in this area?” Caelen asked. “I thought the creature was somewhere between here and Mount Hood.
“True,” Anon said. “But I want to make sure the coast is clear. We’re going to do a perimeter check, if you will. Then we’re going to drive north and do another one.”
“Can I go for a short ride before you leave?” Aaron asked, hopeful.
“After my boy, and very short,” Anon said. He looked around. It was dark now. Time to get going. “All right, Rhaz, go ahead. Everything seems in order.”
“Everything but Louise, Sam, and Pearl,” Dandy pointed out. “I thought you said they were coming.”
“Oh, you’re right. Where are they?” No sooner than he said it, headlights appeared in the driveway, cutting through the trees. The car rounded the bend and parked next to the van.
“Oh, for once Pearl is driving,” Anon commented. “Usually it’s Sam. Maybe he didn’t come.”
Sure enough, Louise and Pearl got out of the car and headed for them. “Sorry, we’re late,” Pearl said. “Sam couldn’t come; he was still out with some of his friends. They hadn’t come back yet.”
“Oh well, he’ll catch it another time,” Anon said. “All right now. Not a word to anyone. This is top secret.”
“Yes, yes, Anon. If anyone’s good at keeping a secret, it’s you. And despite what you may think,” Louise went on, “we can keep one too.”
Pearl gave a curt nod to confirm.
“Very well. Let’s get on with it, Rhaz. Shift.”
Rhaz chuckled. “It’s a good thing Basil’s not here; he’d be having a fit. Back up everyone, give me room.” He shifted; it took three seconds, Anon timed it.
“How does he do that?” Louise gasped. She looked to Pearl, who wasn’t there.
“Oh dear,” Anon said. “Poor Pearl.” He bent to her, fanning her face. “Dandy, run into the house and get something—water—anything.”
Betty came running out of the house. “What happened?”
“Pearl fainted,” Louise said. Dandy was already running for the porch.
“Oh no!” Betty followed, and the women disappeared.
“I didn’t think this would happen. Poor Pearl.” Anon kept fanning her face and her eyes fluttered open. “What... what happened?”
“Pearl, you fainted. Darling, are you all right?”
“I... I...” She took one look at Rhaz in dragon form and let out a yelp. “Oh, he’s so big! I didn’t think he’d be that big.”
“Yes, neither did we,” Anon said. “But he’s certainly big enough to ride. All right, up we go.” He maneuvered himself behind her and lifted her easily, despite her plump form. Vampire strength, it was a beautiful thing.
Dandy came running toward them holding a glass of water. “Here, Pearl, are you all right?”
“Yes, dear, I’m fine. Oh goodness!” She looked at Rhaz. “It’s... it’s... oh my goodness.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to him,” Anon said.
Rhaz blew out a puff of air through his nostrils, blowing Pearl’s hair back.
“Goodness, it’s so warm,” she cried.
“All right. Is everyone okay now?” Anon asked the group.
Everyone nodded.
“Perfect, let’s get on with it.”