Read Laying Claim to the Soul Online

Authors: Trinity Blacio

Tags: #ménage, #aliens, #erotic romance, #demons, #shape shifters, #wedding, #dragons

Laying Claim to the Soul (5 page)

BOOK: Laying Claim to the Soul
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Tabatha sat on the couch, and watched Grace play with Drake. All of Hoyt’s family had fallen madly in love with him as soon as she brought him out, and explained what had happened.

“He’s adorable, Tabatha. Aren’t you, little one?” Grace cooed to the baby.

Smiling, Tabatha laughed. “I have a feeling he’s also going to be very spoiled,” she said, looking up Hoyt and Chax as they stood together in the hallway. Both men didn’t say anything. “What? What’s happened?” She got up and went to them. She was not sensing anything. They blocked her from their mind and it hurt like hell.

Hoyt gazed around the room. “Chax and I have talked, and we’ve made a decision. I’m afraid there will be no ceremony for the three of us. We feel it would be best if the two of us take some time to explore something that has come up.” His gaze fell on her.

Shocked, she just stood there. “You’re kidding, right? I know I made a mistake and I said somethings I didn’t mean, but Hoyt, you guys can’t be serious?” Her stomach knotted, and her hands started to shake. They stood there so stiff. Both of her men showed no emotions what so ever as they ripped her heart out.

Maybe she deserved it since she did the same to them earlier, but this was different. It was as if they yanked the bonding they had already accomplished from her, leaving her numb inside and out.

Behind her, the little boy started to squirm and she turned to look at him. Tabatha knew he could sense her feelings, but right now she couldn’t control them. Her gaze lifted to Hoyt’s mother, who was as shocked as she was.

“I’m sorry, Tabatha, but Hoyt is right. There will be no ceremony for us. We’re going to move out to the far cabin for now. We’ll talk later.” Chax followed Hoyt out the door, leaving a room full of stunned people behind them.

She turned and looked at her brother. At first she could’ve sworn he smiled. But then she looked again, and a frown marred his face.

“Oh, my God, Tabby. I’m so sorry.” Melody ran to her and hugged her.

As if on autopilot, Tabatha stepped back. “I need to go to the store to get a few things,” Her mind was filled with disbelief. “Grace, could you watch Drake, while I grab my purse, and get a couple of T-shirts to cover him?” Tabatha turned around knowing Melody followed her. “Melody, I need a few minutes, please,” she barley whispered, her forehead on their bedroom door.

She heard her friend back away before turning the knob and stepping into what was supposed to be their sanctuary.

The bedroom door closed with a click, and Tabatha slid down the door to the floor. The tears flowed freely, and her body shook. Her ceremony dress hung on the outside of the closet, a gift from Chax. The beast rose in her, claws broke through her hands, and she jumped across the room, shredding the dress to pieces. 
Why? What have I done to warrant this, Wol-itelm?

Glancing down at her breast, she remembered he’d been burned from her body, but she hoped he would answer. After ten minutes of silence, she resigned herself to being alone.

So be it! If I’m going to be alone, I won’t be around here to see them come and go!
Going to her desk, she turned on the laptop and searched the Net. 
Smoky Mountains... that’s where I’ll go. It’s the beginning of winter, and the hotels won’t be busy.

Printing out a quick route on MapQuest, she tucked it into her purse. She would buy all new things when she got there. Now all she had to do was get out of the house, by herself.

Grabbing a blanket off the bed, Tabatha grabbed a couple of T-shirts to wrap the baby in until she could buy clothes for the little one. She opened the door and walked to the living room with her head held high.

All gazes turned to her. Confused faces stared at her. Only three smiled, Hoyt’s friends, and Nicor.

“I need to go shopping, and I need some time by myself. Melody, can handle things around here? Since our ceremony is canceled, there is no reason for me to have the guards. I can handle anything that happens while I shop. I know it’s not over, but I’m sure when people hear what has happened, they’ll be stunned too.”

She held up her hand to hush Furfur, and Hoyt’s parents. “I’m tired, so please give me this time, that’s all I ask. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

She glanced over at Furfur, and he nodded his head. She hugged Melody. “I’m counting on you to take care of things around here for me.” Tears threatened, but she wouldn’t let them fall.

“I will, but I wish you would let me go with you,” Melody whispered to her.

“I need this. It’s time for me to make some changes. I need to think.” Tabatha pulled on her coat that Lance, Hoyt’s father held out for her.

“I don’t know what’s going on with my son, but I do know there has to be some reason he has done this to you. He would never turn you away.” He hugged her and backed away.

“Well, maybe you can go and find out while I’m gone.” She smiled and took Drake out of Grace’s arms. She wrapped her son in the blanket, and headed for the door. She turned and glanced at Furfur. “I mean it, I want to be alone.”

The door closed behind her with a click. It was time to leave, and begin a new life.

 

 

Chapter Seven

 

Night was falling, and Tabatha had been driving for the past six hours. “They’ll know now I’m not coming back, Drake. I hope this blocking thing I learned from Wol-itelm works, or they’ll find us.” She glanced in the rearview mirror at the baby who was sound asleep in the car seat she’d bought along with everything else they would need. Using her credit cards one after another, she had drained each of them. Tabatha had taken out as much cash as they would allow. She then proceeded to the local branch of her bank and withdrew all her funds.

The clerk just stared at her. “You want over $15,000 in cash?”

Tabatha laughed at the girl’s question. “It 
is
my money.” After she left the bank, she filled the car with gas using her cards again. Tabatha knew she wouldn’t be able to use them once she left town. Anyone would be able to track her that way.

“I think we can stop for the night.” Tabatha knew it was crazy to talk to an infant, but she needed to talk. Pulling into the parking area of the 
Comfort Inn
, she turned the car off in a spot closest to the door, and stared at the door. It felt like a big hole resided in her heart.

Carrying the baby inside, Tabatha reserved a room for the night. It had taken two trips, but she now had everything in her room. Tabatha pushed the luggage carrier further into the room, and closed the door behind her.

“We’ll rest here, Drake. Hopefully you’ll sleep through the night.” Tabatha started to unpack the luggage rack.

Tabatha, where are you? I know you can hear me! I can’t believe you took off. You know they are still after you. What the hell are you doing?
Hoyt demanded.

She ignored him, as she put a baby blanket into the bassinet she’d purchased. Unhooking Drake from the car seat, Tabatha lifted him up and sat on the bed with the infant.

His little blue eyes stared up at her. “Are you ready to eat, little one?” Unbuttoning her shirt, Tabatha placed Drake at her breast.

“I don’t know how it’s possible for you to feed from me, but then again I know nothing about baby demons.” She leaned back against the headboard of the bed just tired to the bone.

“My mom used to sing this special lullaby to me. She sung it in German, and it’s the only German I know, but I remember curling up in her lap while she sang.” Closing her eyes, Drake feed while she sang, Brahms Lullaby tears rolling down her cheeks wishing her mother was there so she could curl up next to her and just be held.

 

Guten Drakend, gute Nacht, Mit Rosen bedacht,

Mit Naeglein besteckt, schlupf unter die Deck’

Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will,

wirst du wieder geweckt

Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will,

wirst du wieder geweckt

Guten Drakend, gute Nacht, Von Englein bewacht

Die zeigen im Traum, dir Christkindleins Baum

Schlaf nun selig und suess,

Schau im Traum’s Paradies

Schlaf nun selig und suess,

Schau im Traum’s Paradies

 

Tabatha burped Drake, and tucked him into his bassinet a half hour later. Pushing the hotel cart out into the hallway, she knew they would come and get it. Tabatha went to close the door, but a large black boot blocked the door from closing.

With her senses on alert, her beast rose as she jerked the door open to find Nicor, Chax’s brother, standing there with a smirk on his face.

“Why are you here, Nicor? If those assholes are with you, I don’t even want to see them. They made their choice.” She glared at him.

“And what happened to your face?” Tabatha gazed at his swelling skin around the eye and the cut under it.

“Don’t worry about me. You know you’re their mate. They just postponed the ceremony, that’s all.” He scanned the room.

“It’s no reason to take off like a little human kid.” Nicor pushed himself into the room, and unlocked the door to the adjoining room. “Furfur and Derk will be here soon. We were ordered to bring you back, but I told them I wasn’t dragging you back. If they wanted you back, they would have to come and get you.” He turned and glared at her.

“You don’t like me, do you?” she asked, shutting the door since it was obvious he wasn’t leaving, but then again she wasn’t either.

“No, you’re spoiled and care nothing of the pack or of those around you.” He nodded to the child. “What would happen if something happened to you? The baby is not human. What if someone took him and they found out. You know what they would do to him!” Nicor snarled.

“You’re right, I didn’t think about that, but I’m not spoiled, Nicor. I’m fed up with all this shit. I’m no one’s doorstep.” She grabbed some clothes and turned to him. “So they sent all three of you to watch us until they can come for me?”

Tabatha listened to all the bull Nicor spouted. Repeating everything he had said, Tabatha tried to remain calm, but something wasn’t right. Her fingers crunched into fists, and her body temperature rose. Her vision blurred for a moment, and her body started to shift on its own. Tabatha didn’t know what was happening and it was scaring the living crap out of her.

One minute she was human, the next thing she knew she had a tail and was crouching in the small room, her head hitting the ceiling.

“What the…” Stunned, Nicor stared at her.

“How did you do that? Only the most powerful Demons can transform into a dragon form.” He stared up at her. She glanced around the room, everything seemed to have a red haze, as if she was looking through 3D glasses.

Just fucking great. Now I’m a freak among Demons!
Tabatha was tired, hurt, and angry. She growled, shaking the room, knocking down a lamp, and a mirror.

Nicor jumped back, and she heard Baby Drake scream, scared. 
Shit, shit!

Closing her eyes, she used some of her old Yoga techniques to help her relax. Tabatha inhaled deep, imaging the one place that was her haven.

The hotel door burst open behind her, and she swung around ready to attack, all her relaxation gone. Her tail knocked over another lamp, but she didn’t care, raising her clawed hand ready to destroy anyone who threatened her and her baby.

“No!” Nicor yelled and latched onto her arm. “It’s Furfur and Derk.”

Tabatha yanked her arm back, not realizing her own strength she threw Nicor into his brothers. She turned and ignored them as she started her deep breathing again.

Her son’s screams gave her the motivation to calm. Her bones crunched once more and the room spun. Shaking her head, Tabatha tried to focus on the bassinet and slowly made her way to her baby. Her feet felt like lead, but she reached Drake, and picked him up.

“Hush, little one. I’m sorry. Everything is okay. Mommy is here.” She rubbed his back, sitting on the bed. All three brothers watched her.

“What?”

“We need more back up! If word gets out she is a white dragon, not to mention the fact she can shift, everyone will be after her!” Furfur yelled at Nicor.

“Don’t you think I know that? I’ve already contacted Chax, and he said Wol-itelm will be here shortly. Needless to say, he’s furious he wasn’t here,” Nicor snarled, and slumped down on the couch.

“Derk, you’re going to have to check the humans here, and make sure they didn’t hear anything. I’ll take the first watch until Wol-itelm gets here.”

Derk left, and Nicor raised his hand. All the damage that had been done to the room was repaired, and bars appeared on the window.

“What the hell are you doing? I’m not your prisoner!” She glared at the bars, wishing they would disappear.

“They’re to keep everyone out, Tabatha. Plus, you’re not going anywhere, because what you just did, changes everything. You don’t know what a white dragon means to us. Many believe the legend that a white dragon will be the next queen or king of a new race. They’ll try and kill you, or use you to their benefit,” Furfur stated and sat down on the edge of the other bed. She got up and put a quiet Drake back into his bassinet.

“You know something, I don’t think I’m ready for all of this. I already have someone trying to kill me, and now I have to worry about this shit. This day just needs to end. I’m going to take a shower, so watch the baby for me, please.”

Grabbing the bag with her night stuff, Tabatha closed the door behind her, and leaned against it. Her body ached all over, and she was totally drained. A nice hot bath was what she needed. Too bad she didn’t have any wine, but then again she couldn’t drink while breast feeding, that much she knew. She turned on the water, hearing Wol-itelm outside the bathroom door. For someone not supposed to be on Earth he sure was showing up everywhere.

“Tabatha, I need to talk to you. Could you please come out here?”

“I’m taking a hot bath, you over-sized lizard. Now leave me alone for 15 minutes.” She stripped out of her shirt and pants.

BOOK: Laying Claim to the Soul
8.32Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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