Chapter 10

A Cavern Of Jewels

Cleaning under my bed, a week after I discovered my pregnancy, I found a piece of paper that I nearly threw away… but it had Malachi's handwriting on it.

Rosy,

If you've found this and I have not returned, it means I'm dead. I want you to find my cave. I've left you a map and you should find it easily. The journey itself won't be easy, but if I know you, nothing will keep you from finding it. Once you're there, you'll find my computer. It contains all the codes for my bank account. The money in my account should allow you to live however you want.

If I had not failed you, I would have taken care of you myself. But if you're reading this, and this is the way things have to be, then I will take care of you, even in death.

Forgive me, darling.

I read through the message again and again, my tears leaking through my clenched eyelids all over again. I study the map and grimace. He's right, it won't be easy.

But if I'm going to care for this child, I'll need every asset that's available.

Thank you Malachi… But I would give anything to have you back…

With bitterness in my mouth, I prepare for the back-packing trip of a lifetime. Part of the way, I'll have to use a helicopter. After that, it's a long climb to his cave on the cliff's edge.

I take the journey, rock climbing gear and other tools all packed into a single backpack. I bring my pistola and a long bowie knife. It takes me an hour to find a place to land the helicopter, and then, seven hours to hike to the edge of the bluff. I get out my rock climbing gear and begin the climb.

There's more then once that I find myself stumped, ready to turn back.

I have a child inside of me. A child who needs to be taken care of. I won't give up.

It takes me three hours to get to the top. The cave's entrance is shielded by vines and a tree that's growing out of it's entrance. If not for the map, I never would have known it was here.

I enter the cave and consult the map. I'm going to spend the night here. I may as well, because I am exhausted.

8~8~8~8~8

I found Malachi's computer. Turning it on and entering the codes he left me, I discover the fortune he had amassed. It was worth more then a cavern of jewels.

I won't have any… any trouble providing for this child. I wouldn't even need to work, if it came down to it.

I took the laptop back down with me, after I made sure I had everything I needed.

Rappelling down was much easier, and I got back home in time for dinner.

Malachi's cave… If I'm ever in a tight spot, I can go back and hole up there.

But only if I have to.

Being there gave me the worst heartburn I've ever felt.

If I can help it, I won't ever go back. I can't take the pain.

Just think… Malachi was filthy rich.

I almost smile, but it hurts too much.

The bastard… no wonder he was always so damn smug.

I don't think I'll have any trouble taking whatever precautions I need to in order to keep my daughter's lineage a secret from the world.

I hope.

8~8~8~8~8~8

(Lex POV)

I got Rosy's message, and I'll admit, I thought it was a gag… until I heard her choking on her own tears. I flew back down as soon as I could after that.

As I walk to Rosy's apartment, I look around suspiciously. Someone knocked my sister up. And I have a good mind to hunt him down and force-feed him his own testicles.

Rosy answers the door, her smile wan and weary. Already, she has a small bump on her belly. I can only tell though, because I know she's pregnant.

"Come in, Lex. You're going to want to sit down for this."

"Well? Who knocked you up?"

"I'm DIDN'T get knocked up! He… My…" she pauses and then swallows hard, "you're going to think I'm crazy."

"I already do. So spill."

"I got married, when you left… actually, the night you showed up-"

"You DID have a boyfriend! Or should I say fiance!" I grinned, but she looked sad, so I coughed and waited.

"He wasn't human."

Silence.

"What?"

"I said he wasn't a human. He… uh…" Rosy starts to tell me this fantastic story.

Her airplane crashing.

A huge dragon-man blazing out of the sky to rescue her.

Their strange flirtation…. and then the night I was here, Rosy was nearly gang-raped, and this Malachi character saved her life.

Then, they got married and uh, got...

...busy.

"Rosy… I'd like to believe you, but I'm-"

"I know. You don't believe me… but I get the feeling that when this little one is born, you will believe me." She smiles grimly.

I shrug.

"So… what happened to him?"

She paused and then struggled.

"He's dead."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know he'd never leave without telling me. He said that something was hunting him. And… I haven't heard from him in nearly two months."

She started crying.

I'm dumbfounded. Finally, I stand and sit next to her, putting my arms around her, I soothe," it's ok. It's ok. Rosy, I'll do whatever you need me to, but you have to believe me when I say that you'll be fine."

She sniffles before nodding. I feel awkward. This whole story is unbelievable… but Rosy's never been one to exaggerate. Especially about something like this.

"I'm going to need to move. Can I have the house back?" she asks in a small voice.

"Of course."

She smiles at me and I think to myself, "I really hope she hasn't lost it."

8~8~8~8~8~

(Rosy POV)

The day my daughter was born, I was the biggest bitch in the world. Nothing was pleasing me, and I felt so mean and nasty, Lex nearly bit my head off. We'd both studied up on childbirth, and I'd joined a class, learning as much as I could about child birth.

I wasn't going to have my baby at the hospital. After all, this child of mine wasn't human, and I didn't want anyone to know.

But when Lex helped me bring my baby girl into the world, the little thing looked human. She looked completely human… but her eyes belonged to her father. Amber-red in color, and her hair was springy and thick.

Lex looked at me quizzically and I shrugged.

A months later, though, we all noticed that her drool… burned us, at times. If we got too much of it on our hands, it would itch like crazy.

And then, when she was 5 years old, she transitioned into her hybrid form for the first time.

Lex was scared out of her wits for a time, but it was then that she believed my story. I was sad that I couldn't prove to her that I had a dragon for a husband, but she believes me now and that's really all that matters.

Kanani's 6 now. She's learning to control her forms, and she already knows how to kindle coals. I have the feeling she'll be a handful, but the best thing about her is that she's so much like Malachi, with her mischievous smile and her bold character. It drives me crazy sometimes, but it feels good to know that he's still here, one way or another.

My little girl is the world to me. Just like her daddy, who she never knew.

And I'll do whatever it takes to protect her from the cruel outside world.

So help me God.

8~8~8~8~8

Continued in "Oh That's Just Perfect!"

The end of Malachi's story and the start of Kanani's, you might say.

I hope you guys enjoyed the short story as much as you appear to be enjoying the original.

Thank you, my reviewers and readers.

And a giant thank-you to Khalthar, for proofreading and editing this story.