The Dragon of Croatia Read online

  "Goddamn it, Calie. What happened? That was far too close, you little idiot, for letting them get that far out of hand."

  "Careful Halsten, your concern is showing. Besides, you were a bigger fool to come charging in when Gavriel had everything under his power. I knew he could take care of them, I just had to wait for him."

  "Not all that powerful. I could have taken care of the situation. What happened when you told him about us?"

  Calie shrugged. Halsten didn't need to be told everything. “There is no us."

  "So, you haven't told him I'm a dragon?"

  "You know better than that."

  "So, it's true. You have no feeling for this man."

  "None whatsoever.” She knew he couldn't see the lie in her eyes. It was all in her heart. When it was all over, Gav would never forgive her for the deceit and her heart would bear the brunt. So be it.

  "I need to get to Murvica. He is holding a meeting there with the monk.” She motioned toward the other boat. “Can your two goons get me there?"

  Halsten nodded. She headed in their direction and he fell in beside her.

  They made short time in reaching the shore of Murvica, but halfway there, were followed by another boat. She wasn't surprised, thinking it might be Gavriel this time.

  She docked the boat, keeping an eye on the other craft. They didn't make any move to approach her. A man drew close from the shore end of the pier, she recognized Maro. She was glad to see Gavriel was nowhere around, or she thought she was.

  Maro sauntered up to the boat. She held out a hand for him to help her onto the wharf, and he obliged.

  "Mr. Gavriel requests you be returned to the Lighthouse Inn, and await him. Me, I will see you there."

  She wasn't going to acknowledge his high-handed way of talking to her. She knew how archaic the local men thought of women. Some were very behind in their thinking and their ways. She wasn't going to change it, but she didn't have to speak to him either.

  They walked back to the inn. Daylight was just beginning. She was exhausted and looked forward to her room and bed. Maro didn't stop at the entrance but escorted her to her rooms. She was going to stop and talk to Petar and Annah, but decided against it when they wouldn't even meet her eyes. She was too tired to care. Evidently, everyone was clued in, and thought her behavior inappropriate. They could all rot, for all she cared. Shit, men did not rule her world, even if this one was trying to.

  "Mr. Gav will be by shortly to take you to the airport, miss. Stay in your rooms, until he comes. The Zirac will see that you remain safe."

  Remain a prisoner is what he meant. She wasn't having any of it, but didn't let any of her mutinous thoughts show. She passively went to her room, like the chastised child they thought her to be.

  She plopped on the edge of her bed, rolled over and fell instantly asleep.

  Morning sunshine woke her. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, wishing things could be different. There was no sense in thinking about things she couldn't change, though. She got up and walked over to the balcony. She slid the door as quiet as possible and looked down. It wouldn't have been a very long drop, except for the man standing below her, looking up. Exasperated, she went back in. She paced. She wouldn't be here waiting when he got back. She fumed, and decided a shower was needed first.

  A knock on her door sounded and when she opened it, Annah stood there with a tray of food. Shyly, Annah motioned her to eat, after setting down the tray. She walked over and stood in the doorway and Calie noticed Petar standing there. What did they think she was, an ax murderer? “Miss, you will be safe. You belong to him now, and he can do no other than to protect you. It is his way."

  Calie sighed. This woman was just as behind in her thinking as the men.

  "And I have no say in it."

  The woman nodded, “When it is for your own good.” There was no use in talking. Calie turned her back on them both. She heard the door close and the lock snick shut.

  This was all a stupid misunderstanding. She wanted it over ... and she wanted to see Gavriel, even if he was too old fashioned in his ideas of her taking care of herself. Restless, she prowled around the room.

  She stopped, thinking she heard a noise. There it was again, at the sliding glass door, a stone against the glass. She moved to the side and peered around the curtain, but couldn't see below. She eased open the door and a pebble shot through the opening. She slipped out and cautiously peered over the balcony.

  A man she didn't recognize stood there. They stared at each other for a moment.

  "What do you want?"

  "Shhhhhh. I put your bodyguard out for a while, but hurry. He won't stay quiet for long."

  "Who are you?"

  "You want out, don't you? Well, don't take all night. Jump. I'll break your fall."

  "You're joking, right? I don't know you from Adam's house cat, and you want to catch my fall?"

  "Listen lady. You have five seconds to decide you want out, or I'm gone."

  Well shit. She wasn't going anywhere sitting on her bed. But then he could be the next ax murderer, too.

  "Nope. Give me one good reason for going with you, or I'll take my chances with the Ziracs."

  She saw another man come forward from the shadows. He had Josip with him, but not voluntarily. The man had a gun pointed at Josip's side. The boy looked scared.

  "Here's your reason. Come down voluntarily and the boy will be let go. You choose to stay and you choose his death. That simple enough for you?"

  She nodded. “You'll let him go, right?"

  "You choose."

  She swung over the balcony and her legs swung until she felt rough hands grab her feet to steady her. “You're clear, drop."

  She didn't stop to think. He caught her, and let her slide down his body, copping a feel of her breasts, before he let her go. She swung her fist at him, but he dodged it easily and laughed. Calie glared at him, and shoved him away. She approached the man holding Josip. “Let him go, now."

  The other man came up behind her and grabbed her arms. He pulled a knife and held it to her side. “Easy, wildcat."

  "You said you'd let him go if I went along with you."

  "We will let him go ... later."

  If looks could kill, they would have been dead. “What do you want?” she spat out.

  The man holding Josip motioned for them to follow. “Axel, bring her."

  Axel yanked her arm, but continued to hold the knife at her side. She glared at him, until it made walking too hard and then concentrated on thinking of a way to get out of her situation.

  They were motioned into a small car, driven to the middle of the village, and hustled inside a monastery. A man in a monk's robe met them, and she recognized him. The man holding Josip spoke, “Mratin. Tell the Conte we have the girl again."

  A voice spoke behind Mratin, from the shadows. “Axel, well done. We will make sure he does not retrieve her this time."

  Axel shoved her forward. She shot a reassuring look to Josip, but she wasn't sure if he understood. The monk had a very worried look on his face as she passed, but she didn't acknowledge him. He clutched his hands as if to stop from wringing them. It was understandable; they were committing violence in a sanctuary. She was sure there would be repercussions from doing that, at least, she hoped.

  The monk spoke to the man in the shadows, “Sir, I will lock up and take a look for anything suspicious."

  "Fine,” the gruff voice answered.

  The monk bowed and spoke again, “Do you wish for me to return the boy?"

  "Make sure he stays out of commission long enough this evening."

  The monk gathered Josip and walked back out of the monastery.

  Calie spoke to the man. “Can I ask what is going on?"

  He didn't bother to answer, but Axel snickered beside her. She had an urge to smash his face. A large frying pan would come in handy right now, or his knife. Better yet, she'd like to have one of their guns.

  "Axel, bring her. I wis
h to have a conversation with her."

  She followed the man to the next building over, with Axel beside her. She tried to ignore him, but he continually bumped her arm or brushed her shoulder. She glared at him but he only sneered back. The man ushered her in a small room. He told Axel to wait outside.

  "I understand your name is Calie Stewart.” He paused, so she nodded.

  "My name is the Conte. I am a Croatian native. I will tell you a little of myself as I wish us to know each other, and possibly be of some use to one another. I have much concern for the future of my people. Always keep that in mind, with what you will learn. But first, will you tell me what you know of this man called ‘the dragon'?"

  Calie stared at the Conte, assessing, and not sure what to think.

  "You are referring to Gavriel, right?"

  He gave her a smile, pleased to see she would cooperate with him.

  "That is he, yes."

  She shrugged, still looking him in the eyes. “Mr. Conte, sir, I came here on vacation."

  "I am aware of this."

  "Then you would know that I just met the man yesterday."

  "That is what had been reported, but I am concerned with the familiarity you have with him."

  She didn't try to control the blush.

  He raised an eyebrow.

  She dropped her eyes, embarrassed. “It is ... I ... well, yes, I fell for his charm. I'm not like that, but it was nothing more than a one-night stand, I assure you. I have nothing he wants, and he definitely has nothing I want. But, I'm not sure what you need me for, or what I can tell you.” That sounded lame enough, but would be in keeping with her cover of being a schoolteacher.

  "What did he tell you of his activities?"

  "Uhhh, we really didn't talk of anything like that. It was just sex. Well, I didn't think it was at first. I thought he really cared. But he never said anything about what he does for a living or ... heck, I don't even know where he lives."

  "So, he didn't say anything about artifacts or ancient discoveries?"

  "No, really, I would have remembered something like that. I like to go exploring in caves.” She really hoped she wasn't laying the helpless act on too thick. He seemed to believe her.

  "Let me tell you what I do."

  This should be interesting.

  "I hire men to search out antiquities, buried caches of historical importance. Now, before you think that I am helping the smuggling trade, let me assure you that is not the case."

  She nodded to keep him talking. It did occur to her to wonder why he was telling her.

  "This country has no appreciation for its ancestry; its history or buried past. If I do not take control of these finds, conduct and channel them, the ignorant peasants will take and mutilate the artifacts.. Melt the metal and silver down into weapons for their border wars, or they sell out to low paying buyers who don't appreciate them, much less bother to take care of our history. I pay a decent wage, which keeps them busy and not fighting amongst themselves. I serve a purpose in preserving their heritage, and then I sell to collectors who will appreciate the magnitude of the artifact."

  She was flabbergasted at his reasoning. “It makes sense, but it's still illegal isn't it?"

  "Not if the government doesn't know of it. And most of the time they could care less. Until it comes out in national newspapers when something of Croatian descent goes on the auction block and sells for thousands or even millions. But they don't take the time to preserve, catalog and date the finds, nor do they want to."

  "And what of museums?’ This was getting incredulous by the minute.

  "Anything that is sold or excavated by the museum is taken in a back room, stored, and forgotten. There is no money to restore it or preserve it. What is worse? For it to be revered by someone who appreciates it or mutilated and destroyed by the ignorant peasants that it supposedly belongs to?"

  There had to be a better solution, but she didn't tell him that. It was in her best interest to feign acceptance with his belief.

  "So, know you know my interest in the dragon."

  She gave him a puzzled look. She wasn't faking this. “Not really. What does he have to do with you?"

  "He believes that the artifacts should remain buried until proper procedure is followed, which will never happen. He thinks all the activity we do is smuggling and that it benefits the weapons trade, and so tries to circumvent it."

  "Can he do that?"

  "He tries. I had found a way to curtail his presence in Croatia, but he evaded his incarceration, and was released. I am still trying to find out how it was accomplished."

  She hoped it wouldn't be anytime soon, that, he found out she was the one instrumental in releasing the dragon. “So what do you want me to do?"

  "If you are with me on this, you will continue your ‘friendship’ and find out what he has planned, what he knows, and report back to Axel or Mratin.

  "Is he the monk?"

  The Conte nodded. “He is fairly new to this area. But he knows what needs to be done, and can control the workers very well."

  "And Axel?"

  "Axel is Axel, a hot-headed Serb that has more brawn than brains but serves a purpose in keeping everyone in line. You would do well not to cross him. He is the devil with a knife."

  "Well, I have a little more than a week left of my vacation, and I will help where I can, I'm not sure I'll see him again, but for the betterment of Croatia, I'll try.” She looked him in the eyes, never wavering.

  He nodded. “Good. I will have Axel escort you to a building and the word will go out that you have been captured, as I had planned. The dragon will come for you, and you take it from there."

  "Fine, if you think that will work. He may not come for me, though."

  "Trust me. He will."

  She nodded. The only bad part was she was going to have to see Axel again. She withheld a shudder. They walked to the door and he opened it.

  "Axel, take her and tie her up in the small building behind the monastery. Stay and guard her until we have everything removed. Once we are finished, we will use her to bring down the dragon."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Do you have anything other than that knife?'

  "I have all I need."

  "Herman,” the Conte talked to a man behind Axel, “Give Axel one of your weapons. He will need something more. She is not frightened of you. Be warned; do not let her escape again. Your death will be assured, if it happens."

  Herman handed a gun to Axel, who slid it in between the belt of his pants. He grabbed her arm again, as she watched the Conte and Herman leave. She was alone with Axel. She made the mistake of looking at him, and knew she was in trouble.

  Chapter Six

  Mratin hustled Josip out of the monastery as quickly as he could without drawing suspicion. Josip started to talk but he hushed him. “Later. Just move now."

  They walked in the direction of the lighthouse. At the door, Mratin knocked and waited. The door opened and Annah let them in. Puzzled, she gasped when she saw Josip. “What has he done to be involved in your business?"

  "He was pulled in to see to her co-operation. They have her again. Does Petar know the whereabouts of the dragon?"

  Petar walked in and answered him. “He hasn't reported in since leaving here for the cave to see about their cache."

  "We need to get word to him. I can't stay long or they will wonder about me."

  Mratin turned to the boy, “Josip. Not a word about this to anyone. It could get one of us killed, or even yourself. Too much is at stake. Do you understand?"

  The boy nodded.

  Mratin walked to the door, but turned and spoke over his shoulder, “So, you will get word to him?"

  Petar nodded. Before he could leave however, Gavriel walked in from the back.

  "Mratin. What are you doing here? Is your cover blown?"

  "Not as far as I know. I must get back. I brought the boy. He was tangled in it, but they have your woman. So, I must get back."


  "By all means, return. However, let me take care of it. I found out everything we need for this evening's run."

  Mratin thought if it was possible, the dragon really did spew fire, if the look in his eyes was any indication. He was glad the dragon would handle it from here.

  "Petar, gather several men and meet me at Draconja Spilja, by nightfall. Stay hidden until I give the word. I will look for Calie, but if anything happens, do not go in alone. Wait for my signal. They will kill for this haul. It has gold and silver in it, not just artifacts of pottery and cheaper metal, however old."

  Mratin interrupted him, “Gav, they left her with Axel. I must get back."

  "Axel. Ahhhh. I anticipate being reacquainted with the mercenary. If memory serves, I owe him. Return to the monastery. I'll retrieve the girl and deal with Axel."

  Petar nodded, and Mratin slipped back out the door.

  * * * *

  Axel smelled and was creeping her out. The longer Calie was in this situation the more in trouble she was going to be in. She watched for him to drop his guard with her, even a little might be enough for her to escape without it being obvious she knew how to disarm him. She never looked at his gun. They approached the small building where she was going to be tied up. It probably housed rats and spiders. It had to be now.

  Axel reached to open the door, and Calie grabbed the gun from his pocket. He turned and grabbed her wrist, but she leveled the gun at his belly. He was far stronger than her, and even as he wrestled the gun from her grasp, she tried to pull the trigger, but the safety was on. The trigger never moved. She screamed in frustration.

  Axel snarled and slammed the back of his palm against her cheek. She slashed back at him. Panic surged through her as she tried to scramble away from him. Breaking loose, she stumbled and he tackled her.

  Whumphh. He landed on her, knocking the wind from her and she lay dazed for a moment, gasping, trying to get a breath.

  He rolled her over and held her wrists above her head. His heavy body was draped over her, and he used his knees to keep her pinned. She squirmed, but then stopped as she realized that was what he wanted her to do, he'd enjoy it.