17. Chapter 17 - Chayce
Chapter 17 - Chayce
I t has been quiet for a Saturday night. Brady, Deakon, Adyr, and I have been busy cleaning up the snow from the most recent storm.
My dragon stuck close to town, leaving the outskirts to my brothers.
Regina’s scent has been mostly muted, letting me know she has remained indoors.
We have gotten more reports of thefts and mysterious prints all around town. Something still seems off on the timing between the current string of break-ins and Regina’s arrival. The background check that Deakon ran came back clean, but that doesn’t prove her innocence. She might just be that good that she hasn’t gotten caught.
No sooner do I shift back to my human form and dress in my uniform before a call comes through, ruining my quiet night.
“Sheriff Galloway, come in, please.” Nora’s voice comes in, preceded by a squawk of the microphone.
“Go ahead, Nora…” I respond in acknowledgment.
My dragon, already on edge and trying to get me to claim Regina, pushes forward at Nora’s words.
“We got a call from the Whiskey Genie. There is a fight in progress.”
Whatever else Nora might have said gets lost as a red haze fills my vision. My dragon tries to take control, and as my claws extend from my hands, the dashboard ends up with large gashes cut into it.
Forcing my dragon back, I do a sharp U-turn in the street, flipping my lights and sirens on, driving like my life depends on it.
Pulling up at the Whiskey Genie, my tires screech as I slide to a stop. Leaving my truck blocking part of the street, I march to the front door. It surprises me to find all three of my brothers here and waiting for my arrival. The loud noises coming from inside the bar grab my attention from them.
Rushing through the door, my brothers hot on my heels, the sight before me has my body expanding. The seams on my shirt and pants start to tear as smoke billows from my nostrils.
Broken chairs, glass, and plates litter the floor. Tables are overturned with many patrons cowering behind them. Four men, oblivious to my presence, continue to wrestle and fight in the center of the room. Regina’s scent is strong and it’s laced with fear. My eyes scan the room and my dragon hits his limit.
Regina is cowering in the corner, hiding behind an overturned table. Her fear is palpable.
“ENOUGH!” My voice is deep and guttural, forcing more smoke to billow from my nose and mouth as my chest heaves.
An eerie silence fills the room as all movement stops. The only thing missing is the sound of a needle scratching across a record, like in the movies.
A heartbeat later, my brothers are moving toward the men lying on the floor.
Slowly, I approach a terrified Regina, glass crunching under my feet with each step.
When I reach down to move the table, she recoils. Tilting my head back on my shoulders, eyes closed, I take long, deep breaths, wrestling my dragon under control and forcing him back. It takes several minutes, but when my gaze returns to Regina, she is now on her feet. She has her arms wrapped around her torso, eyes wide.
“Are you…” My voice is still harsh, forcing me to clear my throat before speaking again. “Are you all right?”
Regina bobs her head, seeming unable to speak, possibly from shock. Holding my hand out to her, she looks between my face and my hand. Trying to remain calm and patient, she must see something as she slowly places her hand in mine.
Heat flares in my chest at the contact and my dragon settles with her proximity.
“Chayce…”
Spinning around at my name being spoken, I push Regina behind me in a defensive stance, blocking her from view.
Deakon steps back, his hands in the air, as his eyebrows hit his hairline. His eyes bounce back and forth between me and Regina, even though he can’t see her.
When he speaks again, he is guarded, knowing my dragon is on edge.
“Brady and Adyr took Declan, Madox, Farel, and Tennyson to the jail. Why don’t the two of you head over, and I will interview everyone here?”
Afraid to speak, I only nod in acknowledgment. Deakon steps out of the path to the door. Tucking Regina under my arm, Gypsy steps in, blocking my path.
Gypsy makes herself as large as possible despite her small stature. Standing with her arms crossed over her chest, she gives me an icy glare. Being over a foot shorter than me, I have to give her credit for showing concern for the woman tucked into my side.
“She didn’t do anything wrong, Sheriff,” Gypsy says sharply, using my title instead of my name.
“Mine.” My eyes must flash as I speak as Gypsy immediately backs down, her eyes widening.
Deakon gently grips her elbow, pulling Gypsy off to the side so we can leave.
Escorting Regina out of the bar, I forgo taking my truck, leaving it to block the street. The lights are still flashing and the driver’s side door is still open.
Keeping Regina close to my body, we walk down the sidewalk to my office and the jail. Urging her inside while I hold the door open, she hesitates, looking between me and the waiting room. Unsure of what she sees, Regina stiffens her spine just before crossing the threshold.
Guiding her to my office, I push her into one of the chairs facing the front of my desk.
I step back as soon as she is settled, my voice still rough.
“Get comfortable. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Closing the door behind me, knowing Regina is safe, I rush to our small locker room and change into a fresh uniform.
As I change clothes, my mind spins on what Regina might be thinking. If she didn’t know, or at least suspect that we are paranormal, she sure as hell does now. The pending conversation isn’t one I was prepared to have yet, but this is a rip-the-bandage-off situation. My dragon continues to pace, although he has settled down some, knowing that Regina is safe.
Securing my holster back in place, I splash some cold water on my face, only to catch steam rising off my skin in the mirror. Closing my eyes and taking several deep, cleansing breaths, I will my dragon to calm before we go in there and talk to Regina.
Placing my hand on the doorknob, I mutter under my breath. “Here goes nothing.”