5. DINNER DELAYED

DINNER DELAYED

V alerius pulled up in one of the nondescript SUVs outside of Wally’s back entrance just as Caden burst out of the doors. At the same time, he saw two humans with video cameras fixed on Caden. Valerius knew exactly what was going to happen. These people were poised to capture Caden shifting into the White Dragon. But Valerius was between them and him. He needed to completely block their view.

He didn’t even bother to open the SUV’s door, but instead shifted into his Dragon form, splintering apart the vehicle as if it were made of tinfoil. His massive head thrust towards the two humans, fire wreathing his jaws, parts of the SUV raining down like metal raindrops. The two humans dropped their cameras and fled. Valerius sent a gout of fire above their head to make sure they kept running. He then brought down one powerful clawed foreleg onto the cameras, crushing them to powder. There would be no proof of Caden even being at Wally’s.

Valerius turned back to Caden, who had, thankfully, not shifted. The ground shook as he moved. The young man frantically ran up to him. He lowered his head so that they were sort of eye to eye.

“I think Jasper Hawes set a bomb at my house!” Caden cried.

Valerius stiffened. How could that have happened when the Claw were watching the Bryce home? He’d had the Claw keep a respectful distance, but there had been no one who had even approached the home since the guards had been placed.

Except for the lawyers from his father’s firm. Could there be traitors among them? But what Shifter would help Humans First?

But there was no time to think about that. He would have to assume that somehow it had happened. And he would have to bring Caden.

Do not shift, Caden , he sent, hoping that their connection would send it.

But Caden was already frantically telling him, “I can’t shift! It isn’t working!”

The young man was too emotionally stressed to let the shift take over. Without a second’s hesitation he swept Caden up in one gigantic claw. The young man let out a surprised squeak, but then Caden adjusted himself, resting his elbows on the top of his claws.

“Don’t worry about me! Fly as fast as you can!” Caden called up.

Valerius lifted up into the air with powerful beats of his wings. The downdraft caused the car parts to scatter as if they were as light as fall leaves. The scrape and clatter from their movement along the pavement and striking the back of Wally’s shop was soon lost as they rose up and up into the air and then they shot towards the Bryce house.

“There! My house is there!” Caden shot out an arm towards where his family home was located on the Mid.

But it was unnecessary. Valerius could have found Caden’s house with his eyes closed. He circled, looking for the best place to land. There was a culdesac at the end of Caden’s street that was just large enough to accommodate him so long as he tucked his wings in tight almost immediately.

The neighbors gazed up, pointing, staring, gaping, and crying out as Valerius landed—lightly for him--but still the ground shook violently, and the trees swayed perilously from the down draft from his wings. He gently put Caden down and the young man was already running even as he transformed into his human form. The four Claw agents that were dressed in civilian clothes immediately raced towards him. Caden dashed past them, nearly knocking them down like bowling pins. One of them was Ngoye.

“There may be a bomb in the Bryce residence!” Valerius shouted at them without slowing down. “We need to get all of the people out now!”

He then picked up speed and passed Caden up the stairs. He wrenched open the front screen door, which came off of its hinges and tossed it to the side. Tilly, who was just coming down the stairs, stared at his naked form with her mouth open. He did not explain, simply grabbing her around the waist, spinning around and shoving her into Ngoye’s arms.

“Take her out and far away!” Valerius commanded.

Ngoye easily carried Tilly out of the house even as Tilly called out, “Caden, what’s going on?”

Valerius followed Caden into the kitchen where his mother and father were standing. She had on a pair of oven mitts while her husband had a towel thrown over one shoulder. They were clearly in the middle of preparing dinner. There was a toothsome smell of meat roasting.

“Caden?” Mrs. Bryce asked, eyes wide.

“What’s the meaning of this? And, King Valerius, why are you naked?” Mr. Bryce looked Valerius up and down, eyebrows rising.

Humans and their fear of their own bodies is so strange , Raziel muttered, the first words it had said since this whole affair. When things were tense they worked as one.

“We’ve got to get out of here!” Caden grabbed Mrs. Bryce’s wrists and tugged her towards the front of the house. One of the over mitts slipped off, but she resisted his tug.

“What—what are you saying? Why?—”

“There’s a bomb!” Caden shouted.

“Carry her,” Valerius instructed, even as he grabbed Mr. Bryce and slung him over his shoulder as easily as one might a sack of flour. Mr. Bryce let out a sound similar to the sound that Caden had made when he scooped him up earlier.

Caden followed suit, though Mrs. Bryce was more accepting of the fireman’s carry.

“Anyone else in the house?” Valerius asked.

“No, put me?—”

“Let’s get out of here!” Valerius ignored Mr. Bryce’s cry. He turned to the other two Claw and said to them, “Go evacuate houses all around here!”

Valerius and Caden then dashed from the house, down the front porch stairs and out onto the street. The wail of sirens could already be heard in the distance, coming towards their location. Valerius took the lead and ran at full speed—Mr. Bryce was bouncing up and down on his back—down over two blocks to where Ngoye was with Tilly. He put Mr. Bryce down, who smoothed his hands over his shirt, trying to not look like he’d been carried like a child. Caden set his mother down beside him. Tilly clutched both of her parents’ hands. They turned to her and both murmured to her, asking if she was all right.

“I’m fine! But what’s going on?” Tilly asked the last of Caden.

“A bomb. Jasper Hawes set a bomb in our house!” Caden cried, still pale.

“The leader of Humans First?” Mr. Bryce asked, forehead furrowing. “But why…” His expression cleared as he gazed with fear upon his son. “Unless they know who you are.”

“Landry told him,” Caden said miserably.

“What? Why would she do that?” Tilly asked. “She’s your friend! She wouldn’t tell Valerius where you were so why would she tell Jasper who you are?”

“Her brothers are in Humans First,” Caden said, grimacing. “I’m sure Jasper must have threatened her or them somehow.”

“He knows but does not yet have proof. That’s what the men outside the back of Wally’s were doing with those cameras. He told you there was a bomb—and there may actually be—in the hopes that you would shift and he would have visual proof of it,” Valerius guessed.

“He told me to go out the back,” Caden said with a frown.

“I’m sure he had people in the front, too,” Valerius said sharply. He tried not to feel anger about Landry and her betrayal. It likely had been forced out of her. But the more people who knew about Caden’s secret, the more people could be compromised to reveal it.“Ngoye, send Claw to Wally’s and to Landry’s. Pick up Jasper Hawes, Landry and her brothers.”

Captain Ngoye nodded and pressed a button on her ear piece to carry out his orders.

“What? No! Not Landry!” Caden gasped. “Didn’t you hear what I said about her being forced?—”

“I agree with Valerius,” Mr. Bryce cut his son off. “Whether she gave up your secret under duress or not will be determined. Your safety, our family’s safety, has to come first, Caden.”

“There is no more time to discuss this. There are others to evacuate,” Valerius said.

“Right! We need to get the rest of the neighbors out of the nearby houses!” Caden nodded.

Mrs. Bryce’s hand twisted in the front of her shirt. “But you could get hurt?—”

“I can’t get hurt, Mom! Just stay here! Valerius and I will be back!” he shouted.

Valerius put his hands on Caden’s shoulders. “Caden, you should stay here with your family.”

“What? No! I need to help get people to safety!” Caden drew himself up like a puppy trying to convince him that he was a big dog.

“You’re supposed to be human , remember? Anyone who sees you carrying people over your shoulders or running as fast as we just did…” Valerius let the sentence hang.

“But…” Caden looked down. “I want to help. I can help.”

“It will get out,” Valerius reminded him. He squeezed Caden’s shoulders. “Stay here with your family. We can take care of this.”

Caden crossed his arms over his chest, but finally nodded. The sirens were getting nearer. They would be there any minute.

“I will return. Stay here,” Valerius said.

Valerius raced back to the surrounding homes. The Claw was already getting people out of their homes. There was an elderly woman who was having trouble walking that Valerius gathered up in his arms and ran back to the cordoned off area. She looked up at him in wonder.

“K-King Valerius?” she gasped once he set her down.

“Yes, madam. Do not be afraid,” he assured her.

“But if you are here then there must be danger. Is it the White Dragon Shifter?” she asked.

“Madam, I assure you that you have absolutely nothing to fear from the White Dragon Shifter,” he said, his eyes meeting Caden’s who was coming up behind them. Caden gave him a grateful smile.

He went back again and again, returning with more neighbors. The police, fire department and more Claw arrived as they worked. Valerius heard various statements during the rescue to himself and to Caden along the lines of the old woman’s. He assured each and every single person that this was not about the White Dragon Shifter, and that the ninth Dragon Shifter was their friend. Chione was right that he needed to do some kind of speech or something. Finally, everyone had been cleared out. Valerius and one of the bomb squad from the police entered the Bryce house.

Raziel, we need to search for anything that smells chemically.

Do you truly think there is a bomb here? his Spirit rumbled.

I am guessing not. But we must search every inch of this property and the adjoining ones nevertheless, Valerius said.

We cannot allow Iolaire and Caden to remain here. They must be in our lair, Raziel remarked.

That will cause attention to go his way. People will wonder why he is being favored. They will guess who he is, Valerius reminded it. He felt the same way, but having Caden live in High Reach would not keep Caden’s identity a secret.

Why should they wish to be hidden? They should fly with us openly. They are not safe apart from us, Raziel pointed out.

Caden wishes…

Caden wishes to act like nothing has changed. Iolaire is too kind to say the truth to him, unlike how I speak to you.

Valerius snorted. Indeed. You do not mince words with me, Raziel .

It is best this way.

I tend to agree.

The bomb squad person was a female Werewolf. Unlike human bomb squad members, she needed none of the heavy armor. She would shift into her Werewolf form if necessary and that would protect her far better against the bomb than any human made material. She sniffed the air deeply. Her brown eyes flickered everywhere.

“Do you smell anything?” he asked her.

“Some really nice beef with rosemary, thyme and garlic.” She grinned at him.

He returned the grin. “How shall we begin?”

“Let’s split up. You take the first floor, I’ll go to the basement, then whoever is done first, will head to the second floor. Any more information about the bomb’s components? It would be good to know what I’m sniffing for,” she explained.

“No, but I would assume they would be similar to the ones we’ve already had to deal with,” he said.

“C4 then. Good to know. All right. Good luck,” she said and went downstairs.

The two of them spent over an hour going through the Bryce home to make absolutely sure there was no bomb. The adjoining homes had come back clean as well. It had been just a ruse to expose Caden as the White Dragon Shifter. The female Werewolf turned off the oven just as the roast was done and pulled it out, tenting it with foil. He half expected her to start making gravy with the drippings.

“It would be a shame for this to go to waste,” she explained sheepishly when he gazed at her questioningly. “Seems like there was something special planned here.”

“Yes, a dinner party.” He sighed.

“It’s safe to bring the family back. Do you wish me to give the word to return them here?” she asked.

He nodded.

She brought up the walkie-talkie to her lips and spoke to someone on the other end. They reported back that the Bryces and the other neighbors were being escorted back to their homes.

“Does King Valerius have any orders regarding what we can tell people happened here?” the male voice on the other end of the line asked.

The Werewolf looked over at him.

“For right now, tell them… tell them it was a bomb threat. But that threat was false,” he said.

He was tempted to let them know it was Humans First who had made the threat, but that would come soon enough. The press were already outside. He could hear the thump of the chopper blades. He was sure every moment was being breathlessly reported. He was sure that various “experts” were already opining on the cable news about what could possibly be happening here. Valerius was still naked. He could almost imagine the even more tittering coverage if he were to leave the Bryce home and be spotted by one of the cameras. He was about to ask the Werewolf to request clothes to be brought to him when there was the sound of clattering footfalls in the hallway.

In seconds, Caden was in the kitchen running towards him. Caden threw his arms around him. In front of everyone. They had kissed. Valerius wrapped his arms around Caden. The young man clutched at him. He could feel Caden’s hot breath against his chest. The rough press of Caden’s jeans against his cock were causing arousal to pulse through him. He really needed some pants of his own.

“Are you okay?” Caden asked.

“Of course,” he laughed, but gently.

“Right. Of course. Iolaire wants to touch noses with Raziel, but I told it that the house couldn’t hold you both,” Caden said with an amused grin.

Touch noses? Raziel snorted. Iolaire cannot be so foolish as to think I could be harmed even if there are a thousand bombs here.

“Raziel is… fine. Nose rubbing later,” he said.

“Right on.” Caden’s smile though faded. “There was no bomb?”

“No, none. It was a ruse.”

Caden’s lips flattened into a thin line. “I should be glad of that. But… I’m having trouble seeing how I can keep my family safe when so many bad people suspect who I am."

Valerius agreed. “We will discuss this more later.”

Caden nodded.

Over Caden’s shoulder, he saw the Bryces looking at them embracing. Caden’s father frowned. His mother blinked. Tilly grinned. The Werewolf pretended not to see. Or maybe she didn’t see. She was sniffing around the roast.

Mrs. Bryce came up to her. “You saved the roast!”

The Werewolf pinked. “It’s a beautiful cut of meat. It deserved saving.”

“Would you like some? It’s the least we can do for your help,” Mrs. Bryce offered.

“Oh, no, I couldn’t!” the Werewolf said, but her eyes said differently.

“If you can wait just a moment, I can make some gravy for you as well,” she suggested.

The Werewolf made to take a seat at the kitchen island when Chione swept in with clothes for Valerius. She bowed and handed him the clothing before turning to the Werewolf and saying, “Lieutenant Sawyer, you’re needed outside.”

The Werewolf’s head lowered in sadness with one last glance at the roast. But then Mrs. Bryce grabbed a knife and cut a thick slab of the roast off for her. She grabbed two slices of bread and slapped it between them before handing it over.

“Here, some food to go,” Mrs. Bryce said.

Lieutenant Sawyer grinned and took a large bite. She let out a moan of pleasure. “You make a mean roast, ma’am.”

Mrs. Bryce smiled. “Thank you so much for your help.”

The Werewolf nodded, smiled and headed out. But she was soon replaced by another female Shifter. It was Rose.

“Rose!” Tilly cried and embraced the Swarm Shifter.

Rose looked slightly surprised by being embraced, but in a good way. She lightly hugged Tilly back, though her one hand was holding onto a basket filled with tomatoes and some flowers stuck on top.

“Rose!” Caden joined in on the greeting. “Where’s Wally and… and Landry?” But he lowered his head as he realized what he was asking.

“The police took Landry away. Wally went with her,” Rose said, but she didn’t look or sound upset. “But what about you? Is everybody all right?” Rose’s yellow eyes darted from person to person.

“We are fine, dear,” Mrs. Bryce said. “I’m so glad that you are safe as well. Caden told us about that vile Jasper Hawes coming to the shop. He didn’t try to hurt you or Wally, did he?”

Rose blinked, again shocked, likely by the clear concern in Mrs. Bryce’s voice. “Oh, I’m fine! That ferret ran off the moment that King Valerius shifted out back of the Emporium. He was practically peeing himself. Talks a good game, but he’s a coward.”

“Still, I know how hateful he is and that was before he claimed to plant a bomb in our house,” she said. “Please sit down. I’m going to finish making us dinner at least.”

“Oh, I don’t know if this will fit with what you’re cooking, but I brought you some tomatoes from my garden and some flowers, too.” Rose extended the basket to her as if it were an offering to a goddess.

“Rose, how wonderful! Oh, I can smell both the tomatoes and flowers from here,” Mrs. Bryce took the basket and brought one of the tomatoes up to her nose and breathed in deeply then took a deep sniff of the flowers. “I must get these in water!”

“She wouldn’t let me have any of the tomatoes, Mom. You’ll let me have some though, right? Right?” Caden begged even as he still clung to Valerius.

Rose rolled her eyes, “I know it's not much.”

But then, like her daughter, Mrs. Bryce embraced Rose. “Don’t be silly! This is wonderful! I love it!”

Rose relaxed into the woman’s arms after a moment and her eyes closed. She reminded Valerius of a flower starved of sunlight until now. When Mrs. Bryce released her, she looked a little dazed. Mrs. Bryce immediately got down a vase, filled it with water and arranged the flowers neatly.

“This will be our centerpiece at dinner tonight,” she said.

“After everything, you’re really going to cook?” Mr. Bryce asked.

“We’re not going to let this roast go to waste or these tomatoes. Besides, everyone is hungry, aren’t they?” When no one disagreed with her, she nodded. “We need to talk. About Humans First. About what we tell the neighbors. About everything.”

Valerius tended to agree with that as well. He met Chione’s gaze and he guessed she had much to tell him.

“Caden, let’s help your mom with dinner,” Rose suggested.

“I want to as well!” Tilly cried.

“Absolutely, pet,” Rose told her.

“But you’re the guest, Rose,” Caden said, even as he reluctantly released Valerius from the hug. “Tilly and I will help. Sorry, Mom, that we didn’t offer ourselves.”

“It’s fine, Caden, but I do need you to mash the potatoes. You always manage to make them creamy,” Mrs. Bryce said.

Caden immediately went to the stove and grabbed a pot of potatoes that the lieutenant had turned the burner off on. He checked to see that they were fork tender, which they must have been and went to drain them.

“I’ll get the table set!” Tilly immediately went to one of the cabinets. She then looked back at him and Chione. “You guys are staying for dinner, right?”

“Only if we are invited. I do not wish to intrude,” Valerius said awkwardly. He had not intended to be here for dinner, but then again, he had no intention of leaving Caden either.

“Of course, you are! I know it's not as fine as the meals you have at the palace,” Mrs. Bryce said almost shyly.

“It smells lovely,” Chione said, admiring the roast with the same desire as had Lieutenant Sawyer.

Mrs. Bryce had already placed the roast on a cutting board, the meat still tented, but had taken the roasting pan to the oven and was making a gravy with the drippings, wine, butter and flour. The scent had his stomach rumbling.

“Perhaps King Valerius could put some clothes on before dinner?” Mr. Bryce suggested with a meaningful tilt of his head towards the bathroom.

He associates nudity with sex. And considering how I was holding Caden, naked, his mind must be going in circles right now, Valerius thought.

Once we tell him about the mate issue, he will understand clearly enough, Raziel pointed out, not shying away from the word “mate” any longer.

I think that will only make things worse.

He will have to adapt. He may throw legal books at us, but they cannot hurt us, Raziel snorted, amused and sent him the image of Mr. Bryce heaving thick law books at him across the room.

“Of course, I will use the bathroom. Please excuse me,” Valerius said politely.

“I will help Tilly with setting the table,” Chione offered graciously.

With the clatter of dinner being prepared, Valerius walked to the bathroom, turning on the light before closing the door behind him. As he pulled on clothes, his keen hearing picked up the following conversation.

“What was that hug?” Mr. Bryce whispered to his son.

“What do you mean?” Caden sounded innocent. Too innocent and Valerius grimaced.

“Has he… has he come onto you?” Mr. Bryce hissed.

“Ah, Dad, let’s not talk about that now. I think that?—”

“I need to know why a being several thousand years old—or more—is interested in a twenty-five year old! Who just happens to be the Ninth Dragon Shifter!” Mr. Bryce’s voice rose.

“It isn’t because he needs to have me by his side, Dad. Remember, he didn’t even want me here,” Caden responded tartly.

“He knows that he has no legal right to remove you,” Mr. Bryce said angrily. “So he likely thinks to keep you on his side by romancing you! That’s the best way he has to stop you from claiming any territory of your own!”

“Dad! I don’t want any territory of my own! Why won’t you listen to me?” Caden yelled. His voice reverberated around the kitchen.

Valerius, fully clothed now, stepped out into the kitchen again. It was time to intervene.