Amaya's Storm (Book One)

There were excited murmurs throughout the square. “Mom said you were fine with me staying with them,” Ian’s voice sounded in my head.

“Yes. Please stay with them,” I linked back to him. “Jace, where are you and the SEALs?” I linked him.

“We’re on the outskirts of town,” he linked back, “I wasn’t sure how we would be received.”

“Come on Georgie. We’ve got some people to pick up, then you can show us where these food stores are,” I said heading to the outskirts of town, toward Jace’s scent.

When we got close I heard Georgie sniff the air, “Why does he smell kind of like Joseph?”

I saw Jace flinch at the mention of Joseph, “Because Joseph is Jace’s father, technically.”

Georgie’s heartbeat picked up, “Is he anything like his dad?”

I gently stroked his arm, “No, Little Dragon, he’s nothing like Joseph. My dad placed us with trusted humans while he tried to hunt down Joseph, and has since trained us together. Jace is my brother as far as I’m concerned.”

His heartbeat slowed down a little, “Is your dad nice like you?”

I smiled, “Yeah, he’s the best.”

“And the humans? How do you know you can trust them?”

“Because one of them is my mate and the others are sworn to protect each other and their nation. Are you going to behave yourself, Little Dragon?”

“I guess,” he said in a lighthearted sulky tone that made me chuckle.

“Is he the one?” Georgie whispered in my ear as we walked up to Fox and the others.

I nodded and whispered back, “How can you tell?”

“He smells kind of like you,” he sniffed the air again, “But you guys haven’t mated yet.”

“Smart boy,” I gave him a peck on his temple. Fox cleared his throat, “This is my new friend Georgie, he’s going to help us cook for the feast.”

“Us?” Todd asked in a harsh tone that caused Georgie to hide his face in my hair.

I leveled Todd with a glare and he withered a bit, “If you would rather eat your MREs, fine by me, but that’s how it goes, if you don’t help, you eat the food you brought. Come on, Jace,” I lowered my voice, “Georgie, which way to the food store?”

“Joseph keeps the food near his house. It’s just off the square, if we go back, I’ll show you,” Georgie responded in the smallest voice I had heard him use yet. I held back the growl that threatened to escape. Jace wasn’t as in control and a growl escaped, causing Georgie to shrink even further into my back.

I was about to speak, but Jace beat me to it, “Captain you’ll keep your tone civil. Our people have been a lot, and we’d thank you to keep your voice down and civil.”

“It’s okay Georgie,” I said softly, “Nothing will happen to you so long as I’m here. Got it?”

He nodded into my back, “Me too, Georgie.” Jace said quietly, walking up to us rubbing Georgie on the back.

We walked back to the square, with the SEALs in tow. There was a little less hustle and bustle in the square when we got there. “Which way now, Georgie?”

He perched his head back on my shoulder and pointed to a footpath. We walked down the path and came across a big house much bigger than any of the others we passed. “That’s his house. He kept the food over there,” he pointed to a medium-sized shed.

“Did he have anyone in his home usually?” I asked, walking over to the shed.

“Yeah. He kept two maids and a cook in there. I don’t know if they’re still in there. Do you want me to ask Aunt Liza?” He asked, still speaking quietly.

“Please and let me know what she says,” he nodded into my shoulder, “Hop down, Little Dragon, I don’t want you to get hurt if he boobytraped it.”

“Come here, Little Dragon. My dragon is dying to hold you,” Jace said with his arms stretched out but not grabbing him until Georgie reached back for him. Jace lifted Georgie onto his hip rather than his back. I gave Georgie a kiss on the forehead which caused him to giggle.

“Aunt Liza says he still has staff in the house, but they shouldn’t be a problem.”

I stroked his cheek, “Thank you. Now stay with Jace until I clear the shed.”

He nodded. I bent the metal on the lock, forcing it open. I took a step inside, “I don’t sense anything,” Niamh told me.

The mass of food inside was astounding. The clan could eat comfortably for months with the amount that was stored in the shed. “Greedy bastard,” I mumbled to myself. I walked further in picking up everything, making sure there weren’t any traps that Niamh couldn’t detect. I inhaled double checking the food wasn’t poisoned. Still not wanting to take any chances, “Jace I’m just going to hand you guys the food. Niamh isn’t finding anything, but I don’t want to chance it.” I picked up one of the bananas and took a test bite. It tasted fine so I handed it to Georgie, “the first bit of it is for you, Little Dragon.”

“What is it?” He asked with a confused look on his face.

Jace and I shared a look and Jax failed to hold in his growl behind me causing Georgie to shrink a little, “That wasn’t for you, Georgie. It was for Joseph and what he’s done to our people. And this,” Jace grabbed the banana from me, “Is a banana, Little Dragon. It’s a sweet fruit. Try it.”

He sheepishly looked over my shoulder at Jax, “I’m sorry Georgie. Jace is right, that wasn’t for you. It was for Joseph.”

Georgie gave him a small smile, and took a bite of the banana. His eyes lit up and a big smile came across his face. “That good, huh?”

He nodded enthusiastically, causing Jace and me to laugh. “Form a line guys. I’ll be handing the food out, just in case there are traps.”

“I thought you were checking for that,” Hill said.

I sighed, “I did check, and while there doesn’t appear to be any traps or poison. I’m not willing to stake anyone else’s life on it but my own. So if I’m done explaining myself to you,” he nodded slightly, “Then let’s form a line so we can get started on cooking.”

We got everything we needed for a large feast out of the shed, and headed for the house. Jax picked up Georgie and put him on his shoulders. We walked into the house and were greeted by the staff. They bowed deeply, “My queen,” they all said together.