Seed of the Dragon: A Paranormal Dragon Shifter Romance by Serena Rose Page A

man?” Shawn asked.
    “It was my agent. We had gotten into an argument since he was running a side business selling out models to photographers and other men… He wanted to sell me too but I refused, I didn’t need the money that badly so I ran home.”
    Shawn listened intently and silently as I spoke.
    “He followed me home and we had the argument. Michael refused to go to his room when he saw me and the man arguing. Then when Justin, my agent, grabbed me Michael tackled his leg, which made him squeal. Justin tried to grab at Michael but he quickly took his hand away as if touching him burned his skin.”
    “It probably did,” Shawn said.
    “Why?” I asked.
    “When a shifter gets excited, scared, or angry, sometimes we partially shift without noticing, which is why it’s important to learn how to control your powers so you don’t hurt the people around you,” Shawn explained.
    I hummed in understanding. “How come normal humans don’t know about you?” I asked.
    “I’m not sure how it came to be but most shifters know each other and collectively have agreed not to mate with humans since then we’d have to explain the kid’s powers,” Shawn said.
    “Like you are right now, then?” I laughed.
    “Exactly like right now,” he said.
    “How do you know another shifter?” I asked.
    “Usually we don’t, it’s just that there’s so few of us that most of us know each other through the factions across the globe. So for example, I know most shifters in New York City but I don’t recognize any of them here in London,” he said.
    “Shawn…”
    “Yes?”
    “What animal are you?” I asked.
    “I’m a dragon,” he said.
    “A… dragon?” I repeated.
    “Yes,” he said.
    I felt myself get light headed. I looked down at my tea and then took a large gulp. Most of it had cooled down so I just chugged the rest down. “We can’t leave just yet,” I said.
    “Why not?” Shawn asked.
    “I have things left to do and business to finish. I can’t just leave in the middle of the night with you when I don’t even trust you,” I reasoned.
    “How long do you need?” Shawn asked.
    “Give me three days,” I said.
    “Three days is a long time…” Shawn trailed off.
    “Take it or leave it,” I said.
    “Fine, fine,” Shawn said with a laugh.
    We looked at each other and smiled. Long ago I used to dream about that face, I used to try to recall it in my memories but always had a hard time, but now with him in front of me I felt  like I could never forget again.
    “You can sleep on the couch,” I said to Shawn. I got up and grabbed my mug and his glass to put them into the sink. Shawn followed me out of the kitchen into the living room and I gestured to the large three-person couch.
    “I’ll get you a pillow and some covers,” I whispered, hoping our conversation didn’t wake anyone.
    I exited the living room to grab the stuff I mentioned out of the linen closet. When I returned, Shawn was sitting and gazing outside the window. He had a sharp jaw but his eyes looked burned out… something about him seemed tired and worn. I placed the covers and pillow at the edge of the couch.
    “Let me know if you need anything,” I said and left.
    I walked into mine and Michael’s room, opening and closing the door as silently as I could. Michael was snoring in his small bed on one side of the room. I tiptoed towards my bed and slid in quietly. I lay on my side, facing towards my son. He looked so peaceful sleeping like this, and I was about to shake his life up once again. I closed my eyes and breathed all the air out of my lungs. I paid attention to my breathing and tried to even it out the best I could. Whatever came the next day, I could take it. I could do it.
     

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    “Shawn” 
    “Mom!” I heard my own voice call.
    I was in my childhood home with my parents… we were playing a game. A game of hide and seek. In this game, I had a feeling I wouldn’t find them. I ran through the