Chapter Seven

Magnus

My penthouse suite came with the most comfortable couch. I collapsed on it, ready to end the day.

I had been in San Diego five days and had yet to find a moment to relax. I’d been looking at apartment complexes, office buildings, and other places to invest in. Work never ended for me.

The soft, brushed-leather couch cushioned my body. I closed my eyes and dozed.

At that moment, my phone chimed. I checked the name. James. He’d been bugging me all day for investment updates. I let it go to voicemail.

I needed time off. A little recreation. My dragon hadn’t flown in a week. If I didn’t take care of him, there was no predicting what he might do.

After a short, refreshing nap, I showered and put on my flashiest suit, the gray wool with a bright-pink tie. It was Friday. Time to dive into the San Diego nightlife and hopefully make an impression.

But first, dragon-care.

I got into my rental, a sleek, black BMW, and headed west toward the beach.

When I pulled down the private road specified in the directions, I came to a gate with a guard office. I rolled down my window, and the tang of the shore wafted in.

“Hey there, sir. This is private property.”

“I know. I have ID.”

He looked everything over, nodding, then handed me back my cards. He leaned in the window and said, “Follow the road half a mile in. It curves around the cliffs, and you’ll find parking. The cliffs and the inlet create privacy. Don’t fly beyond those boundaries.”

“Got it. Thank you.”

I pulled into a sandy parking space. Two other cars took up spaces nearby, but no people were within sight.

I got out and gazed past the shoreline to the little bay and the vast ocean beyond. It looked wide open, empty. But was the security decent? I was used to thick woods and private airspace.

I spotted several changing benches along a low wall. Where were the lockable booths?

My gold rings flashed. My suit and sand didn’t mix. I was distinctly out of place here. What had I been thinking?

Well, my car would have to become my locker.

My dragon was already rustling, but no pink vision yet.

“What, not interested?” I said, shouldering out of my jacket.

Not a peep.

I collected all my jewelry and hid it in the glove compartment. It probably wasn’t the wisest move. That was the first place any thief would look.

When I finished undressing, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my waist. I walked to one of the benches, removed the towel, and neatly folded it. Beyond, the shore was wide and long. Perfect for dragon takeoffs and landings.

I stood between the shore and the wall, sand squishing between my toes, and waited. My dragon did nothing.

I stretched out my arms. “Well?” It was as if I was asking the sunset and the universe an all-encompassing question.

Finally, the tickles and the surge washed over me. My vision turned pink with gold at the edges. The sea was quiet here. Seagulls called overhead but flew fast away as soon as we unfurled our wings.

We only had to run a few steps before the sharp sea air lifted us and we soared.

I let go completely, the wind rushing against armored scales and exposed leathery skin. We circled the inlet once, brushing our claws in the tiny waves, then came to land minutes later just up the beach. Immediately, I was my human self, naked on the sand.

That was it? One circle?

I made my way to the bench, wrapping my towel about my waist as two dolphins leapt up, flipped together, and swam to shore. Two naked male humans emerged from the water.

They grabbed towels they’d left on a blanket by the shoreline then came toward the parking lot.

“Hello,” one said as he passed by.

The other stopped. “We saw you. Magnificent.”

“Thanks.”

“Haven’t seen you around here before.”

“First time. I just moved here.”

“Welcome to San Diego. I’m Akamu. My husband is Chris.”

“Magnus. Nice to meet you.” We shook hands.

Together, we walked to the lot. The sky was red on the horizon, midnight-blue overhead.

“This is a great place to shift. I’m glad you found it,” Akamu said. His husband was already putting the blanket away and getting dressed behind their car.

“Yeah, me, too. It’s beautiful. I figure I’ll be checking out the downtown area next.”

“Hmm, yeah. There are some shifter bars, but the real go-to place is Animals.”

“Animals?”

“There’s nothing like it for shifters in all of San Diego. It’s a nightclub with great music and food, plus a private place to shift out back. If you’re looking to meet others like us, it’s the central hangout. Safe. Secure. And fun. Look it up on the shifter web.”

“I will. Thanks again.”

They drove off before I finished dressing.

When I got into the front seat, I grabbed my phone and switched to the shifter web. I spoke aloud. “Animals.”

Up popped the website and easy directions. My dragon-vision returned full force.

“So, that’s where you want to go?”

Animals.

“You know it? Have you been going out behind my back?”

A huge push had me fearing he was going to start to shift right there in the front seat.

Animals.

“Fine. Keep your cool. We’ll start there.”

Traffic wasn’t too terrible, and I pulled up to Animals not long after their website said they opened. The lot was packed, so I used their valet parking. Despite a line, I got in fairly quickly.

Dragon-vision made everything soft and pretty. So many mixed scents filled the air, it was overwhelming. When in doubt, always start with a drink. I went to the bar and ordered.

Live music played from a good-sized stage. People danced. Laughed. Booths lined the walls, all taken.

Drink in hand, I explored. My dragon eagerly nudged me this way and that. The pink haze in my eyes never went away. I realized it right then—this was the place he had chosen. He was hunting.