Precious Gems

4

Author note: you might want to go back and reread the last chapter. This one and that one are overlapping.

Also, one day early for the yearly update Day! Enjoy birdies and dogs.

Luke's POV

We followed North at a half mile distance. He, Silas and Nathan were following the foreign scents to the intruders of our sacred motherland. When they pulled up short at the base of a cliff, Owen noticed we were almost at the Sacred Hearts Ritual Cave.

"Something is very wrong here." Owen's dragon head whipped about violently.

"What is this fûcking place? And why do I feel like my body wants to glow like a lighthouse beacon?" Gabe shook his body like he has the heebee-jeebees.

I could feel it, too. I have never felt anything like this before. It was as if I poured water from the Fountain of Youth over my dragon body. My blood was pumping at a steady pulse, like little rivulets of water. My hormones began surging, making me hyper aware that I might embarrass myself in front of my brothers if I can't reign in this feeling. My pheromones started pulsing off my body in waves. The same was happening to the others, I could tell. A pleasant mix of all our natural scents was permeating the air. If I didn't know any better, I would say my body was trying to perform some kind of dragon mating call, or something. Which is slightly disturbing, since my brother's are the only ones nearby.

Victor put words to my exact thoughts, "Anyone else feel like they need to scratch an itch, but you cannot find the origin?"

Everyone agreed with a nod.

North spotted an irregular shadow in the distance that looked like a campsite near the mouth of the Sacred Hearts Ritual Cave and he growled deep in his chest. Silas clamped a restraining claw on North's meaty neck.

Kota sighed, "I think we have found our intruders. North, can you identify how many there are by smell?" The wind was whipping through the creek canyon from behind us, making it difficult for the rest of us to gain purchase of scents. But this was North's gift.

"I would say two, maybe three. One has a hint of floral, maybe female, but it is too faint to know for sure. Another one is definitely male, a mix of sweat and sex." North sniffed the air again, "He must have found solace with his fist, I don't smell another's essence."

Nathan asked, "And the possible third?"

"There is an earthy, dirt scent. But I cannot tell if it belongs to someone or if those camping have disturbed the earth."

Kota gave out instructions, "Luke, I want you to do surveillance tonight. The rest of us will seek shelter and acquire the necessary provisions. We don't know how long we will remain here, so let's find the best comforts of home possible."

I complained, "Oh man. I hate doing surveillance. It's so boring." North glared at me and I snapped my mouth closed.

Sean announced, "I don't know if anyone will need medical care, but I do not like being ill prepared. Victor and Gabe, you two will come with me to the nearest city. We are also going to need to buy clothes for everyone." I almost forgot that we had shredded our only pair of clothes when we had to change forms mid air.

Owen commanded, "North, Silas, Nathan, go collect food for at least two weeks. Kota and I will find the best place to give us necessary cover while at the same time staying close to the cave."