Supernatural Games (23 page)

I gathered myself and looked out at the area where the man had been killed. Nothing moved, and the drama built. If I wasn’t mistaken, a god or a powerful Red Court vampire was toying with us. Thankfully, I knew Ker was dead, but he had a doppelganger. Whoever this was, they acted like the harbinger of violent dread inducing death. So far, this freak lived up to Ker’s rep. We couldn’t use our vials until we knew where to fire. We didn’t have a clue at this point. Unrecognizable terrors saturated the air. We’d be firing blind. Think. I’d need to draw it out. If we waited for it to turn our minds to jelly, we would all be dead. The entity obviously knew we had tricked it, and was pissed. There was no way to know where it would attack next.

I hate it when I’m right. The inhuman sound of a man wailing in agony assailed our senses. His shrieks brought me to my knees, tears streaming down my face. I never heard anything so heartbreakingly painful, and debilitating. Terror held me transfixed, unable to flee or fight. I was grief stricken, and fell to my knees with my hands clamped over my ears, tears streaming down my face. Fear paralyzed my ability to think or respond. Luckily for me, Corbin dove right into my right ear, providing me another reason to shriek. Blood oozed from my ear lobe. As much as my ear hurt, I realized why Corbin had hit me. Note to self - kick Corbin’s ass. Later. I conjured earplugs and slipped them into my ears, clearing my mind. I no longer felt incapacitated by dread. I wiped my eyes and sent my energy in search of the source.

I scanned the area until I found where the air rippled, telling me whatever the unholy hell it was, it was nearby. I caught Corbin’s eye and nodded, then dropped my shield and yelled for the evil entity. The air sparkled and shimmered, and as I watched, a form materialized in front of me. It must have assumed it had me on the ropes. That would be its last mistake. I gave Corbin enough time to let Jason know when we needed his team to fire.

“Devil spawn, you despicable dumbass, you are done, finished, a footnote. Forgotten.”

“Lauren, I’ve waited for this moment for longer than you deserve. I’m going to kill you slowly, painfully, until you beg me to slay you.”

“Do you actually believe that B.S.? You are so dead, there won’t be enough left of you to put on the head of a pin. Give it your best shot.” As I said that, I dove, rolled, and transported twenty feet straight up. As I hovered overhead, I watched as Jason’s team and Corbin caught whatever menaced us in their crossfire, blasting away until nothing but its own dying curses remained, echoing through the air. I walked over to see who we had ended. Just as I got a quick glance, I saw Nyx turn to ash and blow away. I’ll be damned. I hadn’t seen that coming.

“Good work, guys. Let’s get back to headquarters, declare a winner and close the games.”

“Lauren, we are right behind you. Did you recognize the attacker?” Jason said, as we transported home.

“Nyx, who knew I was a magnet for deranged Greek gods and goddesses?”

“I guess that tells who sent Ker and Moros. I’d stay out of the underworld. Erebus will rain zombies, lava and rock on you,” Jason assured me.

“Not a chance in Tartarus I’ll be visiting Styx.”

“
T
raygen, I am glad to see you, My Love.”

“Lauren, tell me Moros and Ker are dead.”

“They are dead, decaying motes of dust along with Nyx. We finally finished them, but lost one of Jason’s men. Nyx killed him before we could get her caught between us.”

“Nyx? What the hell? You sure attract a crowd. Lauren, I’m sorry, but I’m glad they are dead and that you are okay. Let’s wrap up these games. We need some R&R.”

“Traygen, My Love, you’ll get no arguments from me.”

I let Traygen lead me back to our conference room. When I arrived, everyone was present. My heart was full because we had all survived. I’d already spoken to Jason, and the slain man’s family would receive full benefits. It wasn’t enough. His screams would haunt me for the rest of my life.

“Tokem, can you summarize the standings? Tell us who won. Were there any protests? Where do we stand?”

“Lauren, I’m glad you are back in one piece. I’m sorry about Lars. He was a good man.”

“The fae won, the vampires were second, and the wizards took third. Jason radioed about the Red Court vamps. We have them locked up, and we’re satisfied they acted on their own. The vamps won’t be eliminated. Blessedly, there have been no protests, and so far, the results have held. We are watching the video footage to confirm each stage, but think we are good to go.”

“Tokem, thank you. Are we set for the closing ceremonies? The sooner we can send the contestants and their entourages home, the sooner we can all go home.”

“I am with you on that. The arrangements for the closing ceremonies are being coordinated by Jason and his team. He wants us to concentrate on verifying and finalizing the standings, then we’ll meet back here in an hour and a half to close out the games,” Tokem stated.

“You heard Tokem, go get changed and then we can all go home. We’ll meet back here in an hour.” I told everyone. Traygen and I transported home to shower and change. I took a shower, and while I dressed, was overcome by another wave of nausea.

“Lauren, My Love, are you okay? Do you want me to get you a doctor?”

“Traygen, I think it’s nerves or bad water. I feel better since I threw up. I promise if I’m not better by tomorrow, I’ll get a checkup.”

“Okay, my dear. Are you ready? You look stunning.”

“This is a Carolina Herrera silk crepe with a satin halter. The pumps are Christian Loubouton’s. It cost you a small fortune, my Handsome Dragon, but I’m worth it.”

“Lauren, you are most priceless. Are we ready to wrap this up?”

“I am my dashing dragon, let’s get this over with, so we can return to our honeymoon. Did I tell you how dashing you look in your Brioni tux?”

“You might have mentioned it, My Dear, but I was too focused on you. You look stunning. There’s a glow about you. Come on, I will twirl you around the dance floor. I’ll be the envy of every man there.”

We transported to the command center, where we checked in with Tokem and were assured everything was finalized. All we needed to do was mingle, enjoy our dinner, and then wrap up these games. No loss of life, no major incidents, and we would be nobly homeward bound. Traygen twirled me around the dance floor and before I knew it, the last guests were leaving.

“Lauren, you and your team outdid yourselves. Thank you all for your services. You’ve earned a nice break. I’ll be in touch when we need to call you in again,” Jason told us before he transported himself home.

“Thank you all. You heard the man. Go enjoy some well-earned R&R. Tokem, well done. We couldn’t have done this without you coordinating this operation.”

“Lauren, stop it or you’ll bring a tear to my eye,” Tokem said as he transported homeward.

“Corbin, thank you for always having her back. I owe you man,” Traygen said as he clasped hands with Corbin. Shall we, Lauren, my love?”

“Later you two,” Corbin yelled as he made his way home.

“Traygen, if you are offering to take me home, it’s about time.”

We transported to our beachfront home and didn’t come out of the bedroom until sometime the following week. We had been on assignment every moment since we returned from our honeymoon.

“Rise and shine, sleepy head. Would you like breakfast?”

“If you’re cooking, my handsome dragon, count me in.”

“I’ll be right back, my inamorata.”

While Traygen made breakfast, I snuggled back into the silk sheets. Heaven, I knew I’d found happiness with my favorite dragon, and recognized I was truly blessed. We’d been married for only two months, but my forever had finally arrived. Considering I was, never mind an exact age, I was in seventh heaven with Traygen.

“You ready Lauren? Let me pump up your pillows. I brought you eggs, hash browns, crispy bacon, and orange juice.”

“Thank you, dear, I’m hungry enough to eat yours and mine.”

“No need, I have enough for us both. Here is your tray. Let me. Lauren, what’s wrong?”

“Sorry Traygen, I think I’m going to be sick,” I said, then ran to the bathroom and heaved the contents from my stomach into the porcelain throne. When I was certain my stomach was empty, I rinsed my mouth and staggered back to sit on the edge of our bed.

“Lauren, are you okay? Speak to me.”

“Traygen, I think we need to have this checked. This is the third or fourth time I’ve thrown up. I either drank bad water or was poisoned.”

“Come on, I’ll take you right in,” Traygen told me, as he helped me dress and get into the car. We weren’t far from USC Medical Center, and the way he drove, we were there within minutes. We waited for half an hour before a nurse ushered me into one of the exam rooms. I assured Traygen I was fine and left him pacing in the lobby. The doctor came in, asked me questions, and ordered blood tests. I settled in to wait, and I must have drifted off to sleep. The next thing I remembered was the nurse shaking my shoulder.

“Lauren, we have the results back. The nurse has gone to get your husband. He should be present for the news.”

“What news? Am I all right?” I sputtered but before he could answer, a concerned Traygen walked in behind the nurse.

“Lauren and Traygen, we’ve run a whole battery of tests and I’m happy to say you’re fine, Lauren. You aren’t sick, you’re pregnant.”

“Pregnant? I stammered.”

“Yes, I think you are four weeks along. You and the baby are both healthy.”

Traygen slumped down next to me. I turned to see if he was all right. He was beaming.

“Doctor, are you sure Lauren and the baby are fine?” he croaked.

“Yes, everything looks fine at this point. The baby is still too young to tell much. I’ll leave you two to absorb this.”

Once the nurse and doctor left the room, Traygen took my hand and kissed it before he dipped down and kissed me gently on the lips.

“Lauren, you’ve made me the happiest man in the world. I thought the happiest day of my life was the day I married you. I was wrong. You making me a dad is better.”

I stared at him, taking it in. Stunned, unable to form words, as tears trickled down my face. We were blessed.

“Lauren, are you okay? Speak to me, Love,” a concerned Traygen whispered.

“Yes, I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude. I only have one question for you. Is our little miracle going to have two legs or wings or both?”

About the Author:

Casey Knight has a doctorate in educational leadership and has taught and coached in higher education for thirty seven years. She lives in Southern California with her daughter and their two dogs.

When she isn't writing she enjoys hiking in the California sun or walking along the vast expansive of the Pacific Ocean. The beauty of both settings provides all the solitude and tranquility that inspires and refreshes her spirit.

Social Media Links:

Website:
http://www.Casey-Knight.com

Blog:
http://www.caseyknight.wordpress.com

Email:
[email protected]

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/casey.knight.731

Solstice Publishing:
http://www.solsticepublishing.com

GET IN TOUCH

If you like this story, please check out Casey Knight’s other Solstice Publishing novels:

Fang Shway in LA

For centuries, wizards working for the World Council have protected humanity from the supernatural horrors - living undetected among them. Lauren Simon is the wizard in charge of defending the citizens of Los Angeles. She has a flair for fashion and a knack for dispatching the undead, deranged demons and freaky fae -they’re not all cuddly little sprites.

Lauren must stop a turf war between the powerful Prince of the Los Angeles Vampire thrall and a Mexican drug cartel -usually the two killing each other would be a win-win situation. A better question was why these two were fighting. It didn’t make sense: they were both into drugs and prostitution and there were more than enough buyers and sellers to go around.

Lauren faces perhaps the toughest obstacles to job of keeping Los Angeles and its citizens save. The vampires have a contract out on her life, for a murder she didn’t commit. A Daywalker challenged her to a fight to the death in the USC Coliseum. She would keep the Trojans undefeated streak alive or die trying. And a rogue wizard was trying to steal the Sphere of Destiny, a relic so old and evil that Hitler coveted it. She can’t afford to fail; she is the only one standing between the citizens of Los Angeles and supernatural death and destruction.

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00L2IZ99Q

Dragon Down

Lauren Simon is the wizard in charge of protecting the citizens of Los Angeles from the supernatural denizens of the city. She gets her assignments from the World Council of Wizards. But her latest challenge is personal; her fiancé Traygen is missing and presumed dead. Traygen is a dragon changeling and the prince of ancient Irish kingdom. He was fighting Viking raiders and vampires when he disappeared.

Lauren enlists the help of the council before traveling to Ireland to find Traygen. She is accompanied by Tokem; he is a six inch tall sylph and the third member of their team. The two track him to the Isle of Man off the coast of Ireland with the help of Traygen’s dragons. The Vikings have traded Traygen to the vampires and no one knows where he was taken or why.

Lauren realizing that they need help contacts the council which offers to send Zane. He has been to the Black Court and survived. The three set sail to find the Paradise Islands; the enchanted and veiled home of the four vampire courts. Zane directs them to the Jade Court where they find an exiled vampire who was left to die. Corbin agrees to help leading their search through Red Court where Zane is killed. They arrive at the Black Court where they are finally captured. Corbin’s father grateful that his son is alive frees them. Leaving the vampire courts behind, their search leads them to an underwater world where their search ends.

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00M29WBO0