Nyree released a hoot, a foreign sound since she’d laughed little lately, and at that moment, she was so pleased she’d bowed to Emma’s pressure and left New Zealand.She checked her watch.“It’s one now, so I’ll be back before three.Can I walk with you to the church now?I can revisit the cemetery another time.”
Half an hour later, she was thankful she’d worn her hiking boots, and she powered up an incline above the tiny church.Recently renovated, the church had white walls, and the roof and spire were slate gray.She’d had a quick peek inside the quaint wooden interior and noted the upright piano before hustling away.Her mission: to get in a taniwha flight with no one any the wiser.
She hadn’t flown for months, sex with Ari and use of her vibrator keeping her dragon level and content to remain in a two-legged form.A shift to dragon and flying was always best, though, and physically, with tonight’s full moon, she’d reap the rewards of less taniwha angst.
As soon as the small township was out of sight, Nyree scanned the terrain.Clumps of snow still lay in patches on the surrounding hills and covered the craggy mountain peaks in the distance.To her left, a stream bubbled, the water tumbling over rocks on its downhill race to the sea.The air smelled crisp and clean with a hint of herbal green and nothing artificial to mar its purity.While she searched for a concealed spot to strip, the braying cry of an albatross serenaded her.There were no trees on the island, but a type of moss and lichen and mystery plants grew between the rocks, making the entire area look green.She’d research the plant life at the first opportunity.
Ah!That curve in the hill and fall of rocks should work.After one last scan to check she was alone, she disrobed and rolled her clothes into a neat pile.
Seconds later, she rose into the air with awhop-whopof wings.A black dragon—the perfect color to avoid easy detection.She swooped over the hills, flying low in case anyone spotted her, although she was safe enough here.According to Keith, most of the scientists were on the peninsula, conducting counts of the penguin population.A second group was measuring a glacier for ice melt or something to do with global warming.
Nyree glided, reveling in the freedom to indulge herself while enjoying the crisp air and snow-capped mountains.She couldn’t wait to email Emma and let her know she’d arrived and to thank her for suggesting this job.On her own, Nyree would never have dared, yet this was the perfect place to heal and get past her drama with Ari.The ideal place to make plans.
Nyree continued flying until she reached the highest of the white peaks and touched down to catch her breath.Today was clear with the sun shining and miles of visibility.Her tough scales and thick hide protected her from the worst cold, but she decided she’d better keep moving.She’d hate to worry Carolyn and Keith and cause trouble or, worse, attract unwanted attention.
As she flew back to the spot where she’d left her clothes, an object glinted—a rainbow of pretty colors.Curious, Nyree glided closer and landed in a small cove.
A group of the smaller black-and-white Gentoo penguins took one look at her and scuttled for cover.Their orange feet flashed in the sun.A harem of elephant seals barked, and a bulky bull seal bristled, watchful, and determined not to give up possession of the territory.Nyree ignored the wildlife, something inside propelling her to the shining object.
She reached into a rock pool and plucked a rock from the icy water with her talon.It was a carving, but what surprised her most was the paua shell eyes and the Maori symbols on what resembled a grimacing gargoyle.Curious, she traced the whorl of a mark with her claw.Questions formed in her mind.So many questions, the first being how had the carving arrived here?This cove was a fair distance from Grytviken.The statue appeared old, the surface weathered and faintly green, as if it had lain here for years.
Nyree opened her talon to return the item to the sea but hesitated, every instinct screeching in protest.She supposed she could clean it up and investigate its origins online.Even though the carving looked faintly Maori, it probably wasn’t.It was her fanciful thoughts that told her this, or perhaps a slight yearning for her home.Ari had constantly chastised her for enjoying fantasy and indulging her imagination.
He hadn’t liked her reading material—fantasy and sci-fi romances.Heck, he hadn’t even approved of romances set in current times.He’d informed her she was far better to improve her mind by reading current affairs and history.
Ha!Since leaving New Zealand, she’d indulged herself by reading constantly, and her e-reader was chock full of books by her favorite writers.
Once again, she lowered her talon to return the gargoyle to the rock pool.
This time, an electrical charge passed through her claw, surprising her so much, she froze.
“Utu.”
Nyree blinked, a harsh breath hissing from her along with a curl of smoke.
Had she heard this familiar word correctly, or was her mind playing tricks on her?
She forced her frozen limbs to move, and this time, she successfully set the gargoyle on a flat gray rock.
“Utu.”
The Maori word for revenge floated through her mind again, spoken in a distinctly masculine rumble.
Well, that wasn’t creepy at all.
Nyree backed away from the gargoyle and prepared to take to the wing.
“Wait.”
Once again, she stilled and swung to stare at the gargoyle.It was an ugly creation, yet something about it, along with the weird masculine voice that spoke in her mind, compelled her to take it back to Grytviken.
“Pleeease.”
The voice sounded forced now and carried less aggression.It was as if he—at least Nyree had the sense it was masculine—had moved into desperation.That the communication with her was taking its toll.
“What do you want me to do?”she thought.
“T-take me.”
