Hope

Chapter 27

Drake's POV

Nathaniel, Cindy, and I were bringing in the kids when we found Alice and Shelton both asleep on the couch, naked. From the smell of arousal in the air, it was clear Shelton over did it.

We put the babies down then got Alice and Shelton in the bed. Shelton's eyes had opened slightly and they were heavily glazed meaning Alice had over did it on the pheramones.

"They are gonna be out of it for a while," Nathaniel said with a chuckle as we pulled the blankets over them. "They'll wake up relaxed, that's for sure," Cindy said. "Shelton definitely needs that."

I was happy to not be in his shoes and have to deal with the human officials but I do wish he didn't push it. He hates having to slap on a smile and make his voice sound pleasant when in reality he wishes to kill all who threatens our family. We've had so many threats against our lives we've grown used to it and can shrug it off because it's not the first. Threatening out innocent kids on the other hand was crossing a line.

Pyrus and Qin were using their anger to fuel themselves as they push the building further, Nathaniel and I have been unable to leave the kids alone, while Shelton has been trying to keep busy with packing and keeping up our facade. Alice and Cindy are who worry me. Alice is usually quick to snap and protect and Cindy is quick to show emotion. Both are calm. And that was terrifying. 

We kept the nursery door open so we could see inside from where we were sitting on the couch. We decided to enjoy a drink, trying to relax. Not as relaxed as Shelton and Alice, but it was better than nothing. 

"What are your honest thoughts," I asked Nathaniel before taking a sip of my scotch. "That it's complete bullshit," he grumbled as he swirled the wine in his glass that Cindy and I mixed a little bit of blood into for him. "We've been nothing but peaceful with them." 

"They're scared of how quickly their economies are going to crumble," Cindy said with a shrug. "They want us for our money, the money will go with our people. Alice and I were thinking though, of creating our own currency that we convert the money our people bring with them into one value." Nathaniel and I nodded.  "What were you thinking," I asked her. 

"We were thinking of colored crystals the size of quarters," Cindy said. "Of course when we had this idea, we had just a little bit too much wine in our system the other night during our bath." They were in need of assistance out of the bath that night, that was for sure. 

"Alice was talking about taking the actual bills and such and physically altering them. Since of our people understand the United States Dollar amount we were thinking of keeping it in those values," Cindy continued. "I thought of a banking system for those who don't want to carry it on them, they can pay with a magic charm. It would work like a smart watch doing the tap to pay feature." "Since it's all magic run, and if Alice is the one that establishes the magic links, then theft and hacking will never be an issue," Nathaniel said with a nod. "Has Alice actually tried to  convert money into crystals," I asked Cindy. 

She nodded and got up. She pulled them out of a drawer and brought them over to us. "She took one of every bill," Cindy said. "We played around with the shapes a bit, but the coolest part was that she was able to put the value in the center on one side, and she put the symbol Pyrus made on the back." 

The one dollar was a light green crystal in the shape of a four pointed diamond. The five dollar was a eight pointed star with four longer points and four shorter ones that was a light pink. The ten dollar was an orange triangle. The twenty dollar was a purple heart. The fifty dollar was a yellow oval. The hundred dollar was a blue was a crescent. 

"These are rather interesting," Nathaniel said as he held the five dollar up to the light. "People loose pocket change all the time though, who's to say people won't loose these," I asked her. "Loosing a penny is much different than loosing a twenty." "That was one of the cons we thought of," she said with a sigh. "Again this was an idea. Another one, was doing paper money but have symbols for the Goddess and such on it and having it be colored, and using the crystals as our coins." 

"That is more doable," Nathaniel said. "But we just need to come up with a way to ensure there is a way to tell it's real. Because you know other magic users will try and recreate their own counterfeit." 

"That's another thing we need to figure out," Cindy said with a huff. "I think we just have a banking system our people put their money into when they come to the island, and have special charms that will allow them to access it," I suggested. "At least for the time being, while we try and get everything ready and settled. Bad enough we're already having to leave sooner than expected." 

They nodded in agreement. "You've got a point there," Nathaniel said. "How many of the dragons already made there way there?" "A good quarter. Mostly males though, because they want to help speed things along so their families can live in something more than tents," I answered. "More supplies left Europe yesterday and are on their way to the island with more tents and food supplies for those who've already arrived." 

"That's really good to hear," Cindy said with a soft smile. "Many men are going on ahead while their families continue packing to help out and we could honestly use all the help we can get." 

I nodded, "I just feel bad that I'm not there helping Qin and Pyrus. They're breaking their backs into building us our new place to rule, I feel it's not fair that we're still home enjoying the luxuries while they're having to rough it." "We're here doing our part protecting the babies till we can move," Nathaniel said. "It's currently summer where they are without AC established yet. That's not good for them. Especially if Ember starts to run a fever." He had a point. 

"When it's all said and done, we will show those two our gratitude," Cindy said with a smile. "After they probably sleep for a week." They would deserve that sleep too. 

We talked for a little more as we finished our drinks before going to bed for the night.