Throwing Rocks at Glass Castles

By Dani Gray

While taking his niece out trick or treating, Lucas Clay comes upon a group of boys throwing rocks at a small lizard. Taking the animal home with them for its safety, Lucas was in for an unexpected surprise. Unknown to him, that small lizard was actually the new dragon King of the Shadowridge Clan after fleeing from his parent's murderers.

 

Rafael Santiago was the prince of the Shadowridge Clan, who had just found out that his missing three-year old nephew was alive and with a human family. While on the run from the so-called New Government that had taken over the Clan, Rafael heads to where his nephew has found safety, only to discover that the man who's protecting him is his mate.

 

Can these two men take on those who have murdered the rulers of the dragon clan and restore it to the new young King? Will they be able to find their happy ever after while learning what it means to be mates and parents?

 

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Word count: 43.100

Warning: Gay erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content that is intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are adults capable of consent, are over the age of eighteen, and are willing participants.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dani Gray
• Release date: Jan 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201380717

Book preview

Chapter One

Let’s go, Uncle, Sarah Clay cried out. I don’t want to miss all the good stuff.

Grinning down at his eight-year-old niece, Lucas Clay had to work hard to not laugh. He knew that if he let it show, the resulting temper explosion wouldn’t be pretty. He so wished that she had his laid-back attitude instead of her mother’s, but since that was his twin, there was not much he could do about it. He just wished that Lacy was there to see Sarah growing up.

All right, my little zombie. Let me get my keys and wallet, and we can go. He went to the small table he kept at the door and grabbed his wallet and keys You have everything?

I’m ready. I’ve got my pillowcase for all my treats and my pom-poms. Sarah spun around so that he could check her costume. How do I look?

She had her makeup all done, getting one of the ladies from next door to help her with it. Sandy used to work at one of the theatres before she retired, so when she heard that Sarah wanted to be a zombie cheerleader for Halloween, Sandy decided that it would be so much fun to make sure that she would be the best-looking zombie in the neighborhood.

You look great, sweetie. It sounds like the kids are out now, so we better get going, too.

Lucas opened the door, and Sarah skipped out in front of him, then waited for him to come out and lock the door behind them. Once he was done, they headed down to Sandy’s house first.

Trick or Treat! Sarah yelled, then grinned when Sandy came to the door. I’m here for your brains.

Sandy laughed. Sorry, only some candy for you tonight, will that be okay?

Depends. Sarah tilted her head to the side. Whatcha got?

Mini chocolate bars and gummy treats. That good enough?

Oh, yes. Sarah jumped up and down. That’s perfect.

Happy to oblige. Sandy snickered as she put some treats into Sarah’s pillowcase. I have a can of espresso coffee, too. Would you like one to take with you, Lucas?

I would love one, thank you, he said, as Sarah passed him the can. I think I might need this to keep up with her tonight.

Yeah, good luck with that.

Lucas grinned at her, then looked down at Sarah. Okay, munchkin, let’s go.

They carried on to the next house, and Sarah skipped up to the door. She kept getting compliments for her costume and the makeup. Everyone told her that they thought that hers was the best one that they’d seen that night.

Lucas was happy that the evening was so nice. It was a warm Arizona evening, and they were able to enjoy it while they walked around.

As they were coming up to an alley, they heard some kids yelling, and Lucas heard what sounded like an animal crying out in pain.

Uncle Lucas, are they hurting it? Sarah frowned at the group of four older boys, who all looked to be around the ages of ten or so.

I don’t know but stay here and let me go look. Lucas hurried over when he saw them throwing rocks, and he heard another cry of pain from the animal.

Hey! he yelled at the boys. What are you doing? He rushed up to them.

Nothing. One of the bigger boys said while the other ones tried to duck away from him. It’s just some lizard, who cares.

Lucas glanced over and saw a small lizard, and it looked like it was a baby one. It was about the size of a young iguana, green and brown in color. That looks like a small one, it’s only a baby. Why would you pick on it? Should I pick on you, throw rocks at you? Where are your parents?

He went over and picked up the animal. The poor thing was shaking in fear, cowering in his arms. The most surprising thing to him were the small wings on it, Lucas had never seen those on a lizard before. He wondered if the baby was a new species, or one that had been brought in from another country.

Our folks let us out on our own. We’re old enough, the boy who seemed to be the leader said.

Should I take you home and explain to your parents what you were doing? How you were abusing an innocent animal? Lucas demanded.

What’s it to you? The boy tried to puff up his chest. You some cop or something?

I don’t think who I am matters so much as what you were doing. Lucas gave him a glare. Now, should I be taking you home?

I don’t think you need to worry about that, a voice called out.

Uh, Dad. One of the smaller boys turned and looked behind him. What are you doing here?

Wondering where you had gotten off to, so I came to see what you were up to. A large man stepped into the area where they were. What’s going on?

I’m sorry to say, but these boys were abusing a baby animal, Lucas said, indicating the small lizard he held in his hands. They were throwing rocks at it, and I believe that it’s hurt. I’m going to take it home with me, and if I need to, I’m going to take it to the vet. But this shouldn’t have happened. There is no reason for them to abuse an animal like this.

Is this true? The bigger man growled, looking at the boys. Is what this man is telling me the truth? Did you really hurt that little thing?

We were just playing, the boy said, crying. We didn’t mean to hurt it.

If that animal needs to go to the vet, you’re all paying the bill. You will all be doing chores and odd jobs until that bill is paid, do you understand me, he told them. I will also be talking to all your parents, letting them know about this.

He turned to Lucas. I’m sorry. I’m Bill, and this one here is my son, Billy. How about we exchange numbers, and you can keep me updated about the lizard?

Nice to meet you, but I wish it was under better circumstances. I’m Lucas. They exchanged numbers. I’ll let you know how this little guy’s doing. I have a small aquarium at home that I can put him in with a heating lamp. I had some other lizards in the past, so I know how to look after them. I’ll keep this one with me.

I’m just glad you got to them before they hurt him too badly. I’m not going to lie, I’m so disappointed in my kid. Bill shook his head, then glanced back at the boys as they huddled together.

I can understand what you’re saying. If that’d been my niece doing that, I don’t know how I’d be feeling.

I’d never do that, Sarah indignantly said, coming up to stand beside him. Those boys are so stupid. She glared at them.

Well, I’m sure that you never would. Bill smiled at her. I guess they should have known better.

Sarah put her little fists on her hips and looked at the boys. You guys are bullies. My uncle told me that only bullies pick on other people smaller than them and animals who can’t fight back. No one likes bullies.

Out the mouth of babes, Lucas said. Now, why don’t we leave the boys to Bill, and we’ll let you finish going around getting your candy. I have this one safe and warm for now, so he’ll be okay until we get home.

You sure? I’m okay to go home now if that’s better for the baby. Sarah looked at the lizard, who was curled up in the crook of his arm sleeping.

He’s fine. If he’s able to sleep, then he’s okay. Lucas looked over to Bill. You take care, and I’ll let you know how this little one is doing, but I’m pretty sure he should be fine. I think I stopped the boys from hurting him too badly.

I’m glad you came along then. Bill turned to the boys. Let’s go, no more Halloween night for you guys.

The boys left with quiet moans, and Lucas had to turn away to hide his smile.

Come on, let’s go finish getting your candy, then we can take this little guy home.

You sure he’s okay? We can go home if we need to. Sarah frowned at the little lizard in his arms.

As you can see, he’s sound asleep, warm and snug where he is. If he wakes up and we need to go home, I promise to let you know.

Promise?

Pinky promise. Now, let’s go finish up so we can get home.

Chapter Two

About thirty minutes later, they had hit up the rest of the houses was when Sarah began to tire.

Can we go home now? I’m ready for my hot chocolate.

As soon as Sarah finished saying that, the little lizard in his arms perked up and began to squirm.

Well, it looks like this one is awake now, too, so I think it’s a good time to be heading home. We can all go and get something to eat.

Sarah skipped along beside him, chatting about how full her pillowcase was. I got some really good stuff this year. I can hardly wait to eat a few pieces.

You can have two treats tonight with your hot chocolate. Remember the stomachache you got last year because you didn’t listen to me.

Oh, yeah. Her shoulders drooped. I forgot about that.

I’m not saying that to be mean. I just don’t want you to get sick again. Lucas draped one arm around her, while making sure that he had the lizard wrapped in a secure embrace with the other one.

I know, but it’s just so hard, not wanting to eat more, she whined. Do you know how many of my favorites are in my goodie bag?

I’m sorry, sweetie. He gave her a hug. I just don’t want you to get sick is all.

Fine, she sighed, letting her head fall against him as they walked up the sidewalk to their house.

Do you want to hold the lizard while I open the door? Lucas turned to Sarah, who took him after she put her bag on one of the porch chairs.

Lucas got the door opened, then Sarah carried the baby lizard in while he grabbed her goodie bag. He closed and locked the door behind them, putting his keys on the table, as well as his wallet. He had a bad habit of misplacing them, or of not being sure of where they were when the two of them needed to run out. Getting into the habit of putting them on the table by the door was a good way of always knowing where they were.

Where should I put him? Sarah asked.

I don’t have the aquarium set up yet, so if he seems okay, try putting him on the living room floor and see how he behaves, Lucas said, heading towards the kitchen. Don’t play too rough with him, let him get used to you.

Okay, but I’m not cleaning up any messes he makes, she told him, with all the snark of child.

Lucas just grinned as he pulled out the ingredients to make their hot chocolate, putting the pot on the stove and adding some milk into it. He went into the pantry and got the container where he kept the shaved chocolate that he preferred to use, when he suddenly heard Sarah talking and giggling with someone else. He quickly put down the container and went out to the living room and stopped in surprise.

There was a little boy who looked to be about three or four years old now sitting with her. He was wearing a pair of dirty jeans with an even dirtier blue Henley shirt and nothing else. The poor baby must have been so cold.

Uh, Sarah. Lucas looked at him in bewilderment. Where did he come from?

He was the lizard. He changed into a boy, Sarah told him. Isn’t that neat? I wish I could do that.

No wizard, the boy pouted. I’s a dwagon.

Oh, I’m sorry, Lucas said. Where are your parents? Lucas was not letting his shock show to the kids, but he didn’t know how to react. He never knew shifters were real beyond what he’d read in books and movies. How was he supposed to behave? Was this little boy safe to have in his home? Would he hurt him or Sarah? He had more questions than answers and he didn’t know what