Dark and Light (A Kindred Tales Duet)

Raze felt uncertainty from this new half of himself.

“I do not know, as I have never taken solid form before,” it told Lucia. “Shall I do so now?”

“What? No!” Raze exclaimed. He knew how big Drakes could get—not a single one of them was smaller than a shuttle and most were quite a bit larger. “You can’t right now—Lucia and I are still joined,” he told his other half. “You’d hurt her!”

“I will not take form then,” the Drake said at once. “For I love Lucia with all my heart—I would never hurt her.”

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Lucia said, smiling. “I want to see you in all your glory, Drake, but a little later—all right?”

“I will be pleased to show myself anytime you call me. For now, I sleep again,” the Drake informed them.

Raze had a very clear mental image of it putting its huge head under one webbed wing and then there was silence from the new entity inside him.

Twenty-Nine

“Well, that was…something,” Luci said. She was filled with awe at having talked to a real-live dragon—one whom apparently lived inside her new mate. Was that what Raze was to her now? She guessed he must be, since they were bonded. Which meant he was never leaving her again.

“That’s exactly what it means, sweetheart,” Raze told her and she knew he had heard her thought through their bond. “Er…” He cleared his throat. “But are you sure you’re not upset about this…development?”

“Are you?” Luci asked him frankly. “I mean, how does it feel to know you have a dragon inside you after all?”

“Wonderful,” Raze admitted. “When I was a young male, all I wanted in the world was to have a Drake like all the other males on my home world. I used to pray to the Goddess to make it so.” He shook his head. “She has answered the two desires of my heart on the same night and at the same time.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Luci leaned down and kissed him. “And before you ask again, no, I’m not upset about your dragon. I’m just happy to be bonded to you.” She bit her lip. “As long as you’re happy to be bonded to me?”

“How can you doubt it?” Raze asked hoarsely. “Can’t you feel my joy? You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Lucia. And I thank the Goddess you convinced me to try bonding again. I—”

Just then, he froze—his head cocked to one side as though listening intently. Luci felt a surge of fear and concern coming through their new link.

“What? What is it?” she asked anxiously.

“Your mother.” There was a low growl in Raze’s voice. “The children—there’s a problem.”

Thirty

Luci’s heart was racing as they got untangled from each other and threw on their clothes.

“What’s wrong? What did you hear?” she demanded as they raced out of Raze’s apartment and down the stairs together—neither of them wanted to wait for the elevator.

He shook his head.

“Not sure but I think I heard your mother calling for help. I’m going on ahead.”

And with that, he put on an astonishing burst of speed that left Lucia panting behind him. She was grateful he was so protective of her family but at the same time, her heart was crying out with fear inside her.

“Please,” she prayed, though she wasn’t sure who she was praying to. “Please, oh please—not my mom or my kids! Let them be okay! Please!”

When she finally reached the open door of her apartment, she saw that chaos reigned inside.

Lady was lying on her side, whining weakly, obviously injured, and Luci’s mom was clutching an arm which might be broken. The twins were holding hands and crying on one corner and Frannie…

Luci’s eyes flew around the living room desperately.

“Frannie!” she exclaimed and looked at her mother. “Mami, where’s Frannie? Where’s my little girl?”

“Oh, Lucia!” Her mother broke down crying. “That hijo de puta, Tony took her!” she wailed. “I’m so sorry, mija—I tried to stop him but he had a baseball bat! He hit Lady when she tried to keep Frannie safe and he hit me too.” She nodded at her arm.

“Where did they go? How long as it been?” Raze demanded.

“I don’t know where they went—out of the building I think.” Luci’s mom shook her head. “And it’s only been five minutes or so—if you hurry you might catch him!”

“I’m going!” Raze turned to her. “You stay here—it might be dangerous.”

“No!” Luci exclaimed. “Frannie is my baby! I’m going with you.” She looked at her mom. “Will you be okay?”

“Go—go, mija.” Her mom jerked her chin at the door. “Get the baby back. She was scared to death when he grabbed her.” Her wrinkled face dissolved into tears. “Madre de Dios, what are we going to do?”

“We’re going to get her back,” Raze growled. “Come on, Lucia.” And he grabbed her hand and dragged her down the hallway.