Page 1 of Hidden Mate

CHAPTER1

NORA

Lundy Island, England

United Kingdom

Somewhere in the Mists of Time

He had been driven from his home in the Valley of the Kings thousands of years ago and was then banished by a sorcerer to a sea cave hidden in the cliffs of this godforsaken island. Located off the coast of Devon where the cold waters of the Atlantic met the Bristol Channel, there was nothing between him and the Americas. This island had once been home to a powerful witch whom he had thought to serve, but she had betrayed him. The great Apophis, the powerful dragon-shifter, was brought down by humans.

He had slept for centuries, only being awakened when the spell had been broken and he had been roused from his slumber. Those who had thought to summon him to their service had died for their efforts and now he walked among both humans and shifters with no one knowing his true name or the great power he wielded.

But all of that would be changing soon. The taste of revenge was one best served cold, and even though he could breathe fire, his heart and soul were as cold as ice.

* * *

Twenty Years Ago

Nora stared out of the car window at the grand manor house on windswept Lundy Island. She had no idea what she was doing here. She was no longer of an age when she dreamed of being adopted. Most of those not taken by the age of five would grow up in foster or group homes—not the best places, but for the most part better than the streets. The house before her was large, brick, and reminded her of those in books she had read by Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters.

“Why am I here?” she asked the taciturn social worker whose hand she had refused to hold.

“Abraham Strode is very wealthy. He’s been looking for a girl like you to adopt.”

“Is he a pedophile? A pervert?” Most children her age didn’t know of such things; every child she knew in the foster care system did.

“Good god, no. Why would you ask such a thing?”

“Then what does he want me for? We both know I’m not some precious, darling little girl. I’m a tomboy.”

“He’s been searching for a young, athletic girl who has a bright, inquisitive mind,” said the social worker, who seemed intent on getting this job over so she could go back to her warm little cubicle.

“Is that what you’re calling it now? Last time I heard, I had a devious brain with a mean-spirited soul. What gives?”

The woman turned to her. “If you must know, Mr. Strode has offered to pay us ten times the normal adoption fee…”

“And this didn’t set off any red flags for you?”

“He’s been checked out. He’s a pillar of the community, but he’s very picky. You aren’t the first girl we’ve shown him. Now be quiet.”

As she could think of nothing else to say, Nora chose to keep her own counsel and remained silent for the rest of the drive down the winding path that led to the mansion.

So, what could the old geezer be up to? Nothing good, Nora was sure.

“Don’t mess this up, Nora. The man is incredibly wealthy and well connected. He has assured the agency he has no sexual interest in the child he adopts and has guaranteed you will have the best of educations and will never want for anything. Wouldn’t you rather have a home of your own?”

“But it won’t be mine. Not really. No more than any of those foster families were mine. Do you get a bonus if he takes me?”

The sharp look and flash of guilt told Nora she’d hit the nail on the head. The social worker wanted it to work out because there was something in it for her. Never mind what might happen to Nora.

“There’s nothing wrong or illegal in this. Mr. Strode was insistent that any girls we brought to him have a high IQ, an independent nature, the capacity to learn many things, some different kind of DNA markers, and to be able to physically and mentally endure less than ideal conditions.”

“And again, that doesn’t worry you people? If this is your idea of careful screening, I’m not impressed.”

The social worker stopped the car and turned to her. “Listen to me, you little urchin, you’re lucky to be getting this spot. You’re too old to interest most potential adopters; as you pointed out, you’re not the prettiest little girl, and you have a snarky attitude and a smart mouth. This is kind of your last chance. If you blow it, you’ll be stuck in the country’s care system until you hit eighteen, and then you’ll be homeless.”

Nora turned her head away and went back to staring out the window, trying to blink back the tears. She wouldn’t let them make her cry, much less see her do so. Deep inside her mind she could see the beautiful creature she had identified as a clouded leopard and hear its low, rumbling purr as it sought to soothe her. It hadn’t taken long for Nora to realize she was different, and that not everyone had a beast that lived inside their head. Her clouded leopard had cautioned her to keep her own counsel, and she had done so.

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