The Raven and the Staff (The St. James Chronicles Book 2) Page 5

  “Dear Maggie, I’m not sure where you went, but I wanted to thank you for your kind visit. Shirley and I have decided to return to our family home. We won’t be coming back as it’s just too difficult for Shirley to remain in this climate. We hope you are well and pray that one day, we will see you again. Good luck and Blessings. Love, George and Shirley”

  Placing the card on the table, I wondered where home was for them. I’d always thought they were native to Allyn. It was sad to think that I wouldn’t see them again, yet I understood and was also happy for them at the same time. As I picked up the letter from Sherri, I saw that there was a photo attached. It was her, Dave and the boys. All in their Christmas sweaters. They were so cute. Setting the photo aside, I read the letter.

  Dear Maggie,

  I’m not sure what’s happening with you. I tried to check on you, but your phone just goes to voicemail. I know in my heart that you’re alive, but I still filed a missing person’s report. Hopefully, my fears are unfounded. I hope you’re okay and I pray for you every night. I came by the day after Christmas to check on you, but you still weren’t home. I keep wondering where you could be. I picked up the card from the Coopers and put it on your table. I couldn’t help but notice that your new tree was gone. It looks like someone ripped it out of the ground. Every time the phone rings, I hope it will be you. Please let me know you’re ok. I’m so worried about you. I love you so much. Please be safe. Love and Hugs, Sherri, Dave, and the Boys.

  Gently, I set the letter on the table. Tears welled in my eyes and the floodgates opened because my heart ached to call her, but I was worried that she’d ask too many questions that I couldn't answer. Picking up the picture, I caressed it as if I were caressing her. My heart hurt. How long will it be before I can see and hear my best friend again. How much will I have to lose?

  A’don had stood by quietly, watching me. His eyes were like beams of light burning a hole in my skin. He stepped forward and placed his hand on my shoulder, “Dear Maggie. Please don’t cry. It’ll be alright.”

  Getting to my feet and forcefully pushing the chair back into the table, I put the photo in the satchel that was hanging across my body and turned on him. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Anger and resentment coursed through me as I fled the dining room on my way to my bedroom, leaving him standing there with no explanation.

  Closing the door behind me, I remembered the day I’d left it like it was just yesterday. Clothes lay crumpled on the floor. My bed was made at least. Smiling ruefully, I thought, Mom did something right. It hadn’t been that long, but a layer of dust covered my dresser. Sitting on top of the dresser was the solitary black raven feather I had found next to the tub. As I crossed the room toward it, I couldn’t help but flush at the thought of the first kiss with Daniel in this very room. Groaning out loud as I picked it up. My heart raced and my face flushed as I waved the feather in my face to fan myself. Swallowing hard, I put the feather in my satchel and left the room with one last look back. Mentally, I cringed, but I couldn’t stay and reminisce no matter how I wanted to, I couldn’t look back, I had to keep moving forward. Taking a deep breath, I let the air push out through my nose and turning forward, I pulled the door to my bedroom closed.

  Chapter Five

  Stepping into the dining room I could see that A’don and Duck were standing in the middle of the backyard staring out at the water. They were talking about something, but I couldn’t make out the conversation. Briefly, I wondered if I should just shrink Duck now. It would be a lot easier to hide him. Smiling and remembering when I’d shrunk him the one other time, I decided to give him a moment more of being huge before shrinking him. Rolling up my sleeves and setting my jacket and satchel on the island, I grabbed my laptop from the office next to the kitchen and sat down to order plane tickets.

  Suddenly, I realized that A’don wouldn’t have a passport. How was I going to get him on the plane? Well, I suppose I could just shrink him down like Duck and put them in my bag. Giggling at the thought of a miniature Duck and A’don rolling around in a purse with a cell phone and lip-gloss, I clicked my way through the online portal to purchase a single last-minute ticket to Egypt. With that accomplished, I started to head outside to collect the boys, but having noticed the other envelope on the table on my way out, I stopped to see what it was. Turning it over in my hand, I could see it was addressed to me in a flamboyant and elaborate handwriting. Curiosity caused me to open it. Pulling out the card inside, I gasped when I read the words, Maggie, please call me as soon as you can. I really need my necklace back. Carolyn. A chill crept up my spine. Thinking about the amulet sitting securely in my bag, I couldn’t help but wonder briefly what the connection was. Placing the envelope and note back on the table, I went out the door.

  Approaching A’don silently, I could hear their conversation. Duck sensed my presence and said, “You should ask Maggie. It’s her story to tell. I know little of the world here.”

  “But what happened? I sense her loyalty to another but also that she has been hurt.” He sounded frustrated. Duck simply shrugged his massive shoulders and continued to look out toward the water. As I continued to walk toward them, I knew that whatever it was they were finished discussing it and that Duck had locked me out so that I couldn’t pick their conversation from his mind. Laughing inwardly at how clever my little dragon had become in our short time together, I stepped up to stand between them.

  Duck turned to me and asked, “Why must I become small? I could fly us there if you could find a way to turn me into my magnificent and true form.” Laughing and stroking his stone surface, I considered it. Never had I thought I’d become used to flying around on a dragon and honestly, even though it had become so regular on Quarantia, I forgot that on Earth, he became a dragon of stone. Shalandria had explained to me that she created him that way so that when he was on Earth, the people would simply see him as a grand statue rather than a fearful monster. He was safer this way. Recalling the conversation that took place more than a month ago, I had asked, “But, if I can turn him into a tiny Duck version then using the tablet, I should be able to turn him into a real dragon back on Earth.”

  Shalandria pulled the curtain back and stared out the window at Duck and Peanut playing together in the grand garden area. It was such an odd pairing, the two of them—A massive dragon and a tiny little four-pound Yorkshire terrier playing together. Duck was so careful, and Peanut spent hours cuddled up with Duck outside. They’d become the best of friends. She laughed. “I’m not sure if it will work, Maggie. You could take him to your home and try it, but I would think that the most important thing to do right now would be to find a way to help Jaxon.” She’d turned from her view out the window to pin me in with an intent stare and her voice grew solemn as she spoke, “He grows weaker by the day.”

  Just then, Kelsey had run into the room, interrupting our conversation. Any remaining discussion about what could be done with Duck was lost as she was very upset and begging us to come quick. Shortly after that, Duck, myself, and Jaxon had embarked on our journey to find the Vardos. Now, we were standing on Earth and I was again contemplating the powers of the tablet.

  “Duck, you know I can’t take that chance. We talked about this before.”

  “But Mistress!”

  Holding up my hand, “No, Duck, we talked about it and we decided that it was best to try and hide your existence on earth so that you wouldn’t become some grand experiment.” Seeking to console him, I reached out to touch him, but he turned away from me.

  “I hate being little.” He said angrily.

  Stroking his smooth stony exterior, I cooed, “But you’re so adorable and easier for me to keep close.” He harrumphed. “Besides, would you have me leave you behind?”

  He turned quickly toward me and accidentally knocked me over with his massive shoulder. As I toppled back, he screeched in fear, but then A’don was there to catch me. Hooking his arm around me from the side, he hoisted me up to a standing p
osition where I was suddenly face to face with him and looking up into his sparkling blue eyes. He smiled cheekily and sniffing me like a flower said, “Mmmmm, you smell good.”

  Suddenly, the image of his nicely rounded bare backside appeared in my mind and I blushed all the way from the roots of my hair to my toes. Pushing gently away from him, I said, “Um, thanks.”

  He just stood there with the same toothy grin and said in the sultriest voice, “My pleasure.”

  It sounded so funny, I started laughing. Not certain why I found it to be funny, but it could have been that the look on his face and the way he said it didn’t mesh up. Noticing that he didn’t look happy, I took a deep breath and soberly said, “I’m sorry. I’m not sure why I laughed but thank you for catching me.”

  He didn’t say anything and let me go. Taking a minute to try and figure him out, I cocked my head to the side and then remembered why I had come outside. “A’don, I can shrink you and duck small enough to fit in my pack so that we can make the trip. I haven’t been to Egypt in a very long time and I’m not able to transport on Earth, so I have to fly.”

  “If that is what must be done, then so be it.” He turned toward me. “Let’s get this done so we can be on our way.”

  As I pulled the tablet from my pack and held it tightly in my hands, I wished with all my might and asked the tablet to convert Duck into a tiny version of himself. Speaking the words that appeared on the tablet, he was soon transformed into a Duck the size of a three-inch carving. Turning to A’don, I repeated the wish to the tablet. Nothing happened. Repeating myself, the tablet did not transform. I turned it over, this way and that, caressing it in my hand and trying to get it to glow again, but nothing happened. Looking at A’don confused, I said, “I’m not sure why it won’t work on you.”

  “May I?” He held out his hand to me.

  Carefully, I handed him the tablet. He held it in his hand, and it turned black at first and then bright red and he tossed it from him as if it were on fire. He screeched loudly holding his hand. “Ouch.”

  As I caught the tablet in mid-air, I asked, “What happened?”

  “It burned me.” He shook his hand as if to wave off the pain. Turning his hand palm up, I could see a bright red line where it appeared to have suffered from a first-degree burn.

  “Oh, no.” Turning the tablet over in my hands. “I’m not sure what to do if we can’t transform you. We need to leave soon if I’m going to make the flight I booked.”

  A’don suddenly got a mischievous grin on his face. Not certain but I was sort of worried about it. “Maggie, how would you feel about “a joining”?”

  “Excuse me?!?” Stammering, I asked, “A what?”

  Suspecting I didn’t know what he asked, he explained, “A joining is where I convert to my original form and enter your body. It can be done easily but I’ll need to strip myself of these humanoid clothes first.”

  Skeptically, I stared at him. “Would I still be able to be myself? Like would I be able to hear you in my head or how does that work?” Suddenly I envisioned the little girl from the exorcism movie. Horror gripped me, causing me to gasp and my hand to fly to my mouth.

  Placing his hand on my forearm, he said, “You’ll only be able to hear me if I want you to. My thoughts will not take over yours unless you wish it, I will simply use you as a vessel to get from one place to another. My people have been doing this for many centuries. It won’t hurt you at all and in most cases can be a very pleasant experience.”

  My heart beat faster. The driver service would be there soon to take us to the airport. Taking a deep breath, I said, “Okay. But we’d best hurry, we need to leave soon.” He smiled.

  Slowly, he started to remove his clothing. It was almost like watching an erotic strip tease. His jacket fell to the grassy floor followed by his shirt. His muscles rippled with every movement of his arms and I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He removed his shoes and socks and then reached for the waistband on his pants. The entire time, he watched me. His eyes took in every breath, gulp, and flush that crossed my face. Stopping himself, I realized that I was about to watch him remove his pants. Looking up into his eyes, I squealed with embarrassment and apologized profusely. Turning away, I could tell that he wasn’t embarrassed at all and I contemplated turning back to finish the show.

  He laughed, “Okay, Maggie. I will enter you now. Just relax.” A flush crept up my neck and into my face at the suggestive tone. Gulping hard, I waited anxiously for something to happen. Suddenly he was behind me as he whispered into my ear, “Don’t turn around. And... Don’t forget my clothes.” Sucking in a breath, I wasn’t sure what to expect. A tingling sensation started in my foot and worked its way up through my body. My heart raced with uncertainty but just then, I just felt this deliciously relaxed sensation. Almost too relaxed. Almost like I was floating but not floating. It was very nice. As I turned around, I found… Nothing. No A’don, just a pile of clothes. Reaching out my thoughts within my mind, I hesitantly asked, “A’don? Are you in there?”

  A fleeting glimpse of A’don appeared in my mind replaced by the most delicious wave of pleasure. Then his voice rang inside my head, “I’m here, Maggie. Let me know when we arrive at our destination and I will remove myself from your body.” There was a moment of silence followed by, “Unless you want me to stay.”

  Gulping loudly, “Nope. That’ll be fine.” I cleared my throat. Not really sure what to do with myself, I grabbed A’don’s clothes and put them in the pack I had with all of the belongings in it. Picking up Duck, I kissed him on his tiny head and said, “Hang in there, Sweet Friend.” As I placed him gently inside the pack, I heard the horn of a car at the front of the house. Running through the house, I poked my head out of the front door and held up my hand while saying, “One minute.”

  Turning back, I ran over and locked the back door. Looking down, a thought crossed my mind and I quickly grabbed the note Sherri had written and jotted down a short response, Sherri, We’re safe. Don’t worry. I can’t tell you what’s happening, but please know that I love you dearly. Always, Mags

  Grabbing the pack, the printed ticket and my passport from the counter where I’d left them earlier, I went out the front door. Stepping into the car, I said, “SeaTac Airport” and closed the door. The driver was a man in his sixties that immediately started talking about his ailing mother and his horrible life. The next hour was spent with me simply nodding and saying, “Yes.” And “Oh, really?” Only half listening to the non-stop chatter.

  Pulling up to the departure area at the airport, I stepped out. “There’s a nice tip for you with your payment that I submitted online.”

  Looking down at his phone, he pushed a couple of buttons and said, “Wow! Thanks.”

  Smiling, “You’re welcome. Have a nice night.” He waved and pulled away. The entire ride, every time I started to think of Daniel or anything else, I wasn’t able to focus my thoughts and started thinking about A’don instead. His blue eyes, his dazzling smile, his muscular form. Shaking my head, I turned to go into the airport. Looking up at the departure tracker board, I noticed that my flight was early, so I ran for it.

  I barely made it to the gate and the lady was on the PA doing the last call. Handing my ticket to the attendant, she said, “Just in time.” I glanced up and smiled as I made my way onto the plane. Placing my pack under the seat in front of me and putting my satchel on the floor next to it, I buckled myself in. The first leg of the trip was a nice eight-hour jaunt to New York with a two-hour layover and then straight to Cairo which would take an additional seven hours. Looking out the window of the airplane, it seemed like just yesterday when I met my handsome stranger on the plane to Denver.

  Suddenly my thoughts grew cloudy and I became very sleepy. My eyelids fluttered and I struggled to stay awake. It was almost as if I had no control, but before I could contemplate it too much, a cozy, comfortable sensation filled my body and I nodded off to sleep. Dreams of fields full of flowers, an oasis in
the sand surrounded by palm trees and a beautiful man with blue eyes floated through my mind. He held me close and whispered sweet words in my ear as I cuddled next to him. It was so warm and comfortable that I didn’t want to leave. His smile was so calming, and I felt a great peace. An image of a dark-haired man came sauntering into the landscape. Green eyes, the color of a wind tossed Pacific Ocean called to me. My heart beat rapidly with the promise of the dark-haired stranger’s smile. As I started to get up to approach the stranger, I found myself face to face with a beautiful blue-eyed man instead. Something felt off. Knowing I was dreaming, I tried to wake myself but couldn’t. My dreams turned to an emptiness and I slept soundly without interruption for the remainder of the flight.

  Waking as we were landing, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still off. A grogginess weighed me down, but I felt alert and well rested. Stepping off the plane, I made my way to the restroom. Splashing cold water in my face, I contemplated my reflection in the mirror and not sure what I’d see, I just stared. Finally, mentally shaking myself, I decided to get some food and head to the next gate to get the next leg of the journey done.

  The next flight went off smoothly and after going through customs with no issues, I stepped out into the warm air to hail a taxi. It was gorgeous. Stepping into the cab, I looked up at the driver and said, “The Sphinx please”.