The Maiden's Dragon

Held for Ransom

Red cleaned house.  It was an attempt to burn through the nervous energy of waiting for Vivienne to contact him.  He hadn't been expecting an overnight process session and an immediate call but he had been hoping for something sooner than ten, going on eleven, days.  And he already knew Katty wasn't going to give him a call, whether Vivienne went to talk to her or not.  She had stated very plainly when he had called to give her a heads up that she would treat Vivienne like any of her patients, which meant Red wasn't privy to anything Vivienne discussed with her.

He didn't blame her for that.  He certainly didn't want to rush anything.  Patience wasn't his favorite virtue, but he had waited this long.  A little longer wasn't going to make much of a difference.  The waiting was fine.  It was the anticipation that was killing him.

His phone went off and he let the washing machine lid clang shut.  A breath of relief escaped him as he checked the caller ID and answered.  "Vivienne."

"Not quite sweetheart."

Red froze, the smile slipping off his face as his heart skipped a beat.  "Who are you?  Where's Vivienne?"

The woman's voice laughed over the line and it had Red grinding his teeth.  "Call me Esther, sweetheart.  And don't you worry about your little princess.  Not just yet.  You just need to worry about getting me what I need."

"And what's that?" Red growled.

"My last ingredient."

"I don't know what the last ingredient is.  I can't tell you what it is, and trust me, I've been searching."

Esther laughed again.  Red struggled not to crush his phone in his claws.  "Oh, no sweetheart.  I already know what I need.  And I think you know exactly what I need too.  You just don't know that you do.  So, here is my deal.  I will happily turn your fair maiden over to you.  In exchange for a reincarnated soul."

The air escaped Red in a rush.  And must have all escaped the house too, because he couldn't get a breath back in.  He clenched his teeth, eyes closing tight as his shoulders hunched under the urge to rage.  He forced his lungs to expand and rasped into the phone.

"I bring you a reincarnated soul, and you give me back Vivienne unharmed?"

"Correct.  And do bring it to me fresh, sweetheart.  I suppose a trapped soul might work, but I'd rather not risk it having lost any potency."

He tamped down on a snarl.  "Right.  Where are you?"

Esther gave a hum of satisfaction.  "A place you should know well.  Nice place in the north of the Harz Mountains.  Big house on the edge of the Granestausee lake.  I understand you spend time near there, or did, until you abandoned all your little night club enterprises.  Now, I must warn you.  If I see anyone other than you and the bearer of one reincarnated soul coming to my house, your maiden's life is forfeit.  Come alone, with my prize, and no one else.  Understood?"

"Understood."

"Good," she praised.  "Don't keep me waiting too long sweetheart.  Your princess needs someone to wake her from her enchanted sleep."

The line cut.  Red swallowed down fire and lurched into action.  He called for Tommy as he went to the boy's room, snatching up a back pack and jamming it full of clothes.  Tommy appeared, giving Red a questioning look.

"Grab what you need, kinder.  You're staying with Mrs. Katty for a bit."  Tommy helped, and they were soon in Red's truck.  But he didn't go to the Moon's right away.  Instead he swung by Zoe's house.  The woman was confused, but she packed up what she and Abbie needed, climbing into Red's truck.