Theodore (Xavier's Hatchlings #2) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,4

was as afraid as he had ever been in his life.

~*~

After a time, thousands of years, each of the dragons turned into men, forging their way into a world so different from the one they had been born to it seemed a different planet. But survive they did.

Having their mates come to them, children born to all of them gave them hope—a small and fragile thing after such hardships they were born to. Cooper became, as his father had been before him, the king of dragons—his mate, Carson, their queen. It had been and still was a time for celebration. To this day, they commemorated often and hard at each new birth of the dragons turned men and women.

The others, his brothers, prospered too, finding their other halves, making their magic stronger for having their love. They worked hard in keeping everyone safe and well fed, humans or other dragons. No one, not anyone in need, would ever be turned away from their help. The Manning dragons, true to their father and mother, became the most powerful dragons ever born.

Of the six sons, Xavier’s sons, four hatchlings, and two humans moved far away to be the next generation of Manning dragons that would open their hearts and doors for all creatures. Even the sons of their hearts, the two human born men, carried powerful magic. They used it, with their brothers, to help as many people as possible, humans and dragons alike, to live in the ever-changing world. To help them not only succeed but to perhaps help someone else when they needed it. These boys, now men, have stories to tell.

Chapter 1

Patrick got out of the car he’d borrowed and started up toward his mom’s house. When the man, a big guy, stepped out from the house, Patrick stopped. They seemed to be eyeing one another when Patrick realized that he had a right to be going into the house because his mom lived there. Walking closer, the man came toward the steps and leaned against the post that he supposed was holding up the porch roof.

“You need something, Patrick?” That startled Patrick, and he stopped again. He was sort of glad for it. He’d gotten himself out of shape in the last few years and needed to rest more and more. “The house and the lands here are being protected by my family until the will is read.”

“What the hell does that mean?” The man told him. “I don’t want to steal anything—what a thing to say to me. I’m here to pick up a few things my dad said I could have when he passed on. I’ll just get them and be on my way.”

“What items are they? I can check with Mrs. Black when she gets back to see what he left you.” Damn it, Patrick thought. Everyone had an angle to keep him from getting some shit from the house. “Do you have them written down?”

“No, I don’t have them written down. I’m going into that house, and you’re going to get out of my way or else you’re going to be hurt.” The man looked him up and down before bursting out into peals of laughter. “What the hell do you think is so fucking funny?”

“I would say that it has to do with you trying to tangle with a man that is obviously not only stronger than you’ll ever be but fit too.” The woman that spoke was behind him, and he turned to look at her. “Hello, Father. I see you’re up to your old shit again, aren’t you? However, if you’re smart at all, which everyone knows you’re not, you will just walk away and live to see another day.”

“Pembroke?” She nodded at him as she made her way up to the porch where the other man was. “I thought you was dead. What the hell are you doing here now? There ain’t a thing here for you.”

“And you know this how, I’m wondering? It doesn’t matter. I’m here for Grandma.” Pem looked at the man, then back at him. “I was wrong to stop you from tangling with this guy. You should do it. It might be the best laugh I’ve had in a while when he kicks your ass all the way to that piece of shit you’re driving around. Isn’t that Millie Jackson’s car? Did you steal that too?”

“No, I didn’t steal it. She lent it to me.” The man put out his hand and told Pem