Free Dawn by Marcus LaGrone Page A

baring her teeth wide. The interloper quickly scampered away.
    “ Thanks, Gwen,” murmured Dawn sheepishly.
    Gwen spun back around giving Dawn a second hug before taking her by the hand and leading her across the dance floor. She all but swam as she walked, bouncing in time to the music, she threaded effortlessly through the crowd. Dawn had to work to keep up but found her antics and attitude fun and inspiring. Then she turned the corner on the far side of the hall.
    And there was Gavin sitting at a table enjoying a drink. Beside him sat that gorgeous girl! In a brilliant green dress she looked even more striking than before. Gavin saw Dawn and then locked eyes with Gwen.
    “ Uh, no?” Gavin tried to protest.
    He was too late. Gwen already had him by the wrist and turned to march the pair away. Gavin held his ground, but a swift twist of his wrist made it clear who was in charge. Staying close to keep her from bending his wrist backwards again, Gavin joined the parade. Soon the three found themselves in the middle of the hall just as the last dance ended and the next one was lining up to start. Gwen’s timing was impeccable.
    With a flourish, Gwen spun the two youngsters and bowed out as the two faced each other and were left holding hands. The music launched off with great flair and Dawn soon found herself dancing with Gavin. They made one odd couple, both a little clumsy with their footwork, more from nervousness than lack of skill. As the song pressed on, they both started to relax, and before long, they were actually having fun.
    The final notes of the song faded away, and Dawn flushed and her fur briefly stood on end. Gavin’s nervousness also showed as, right on cue, the color of his fur rippled. The both laughed at the situation as another dance was getting ready to start.
    “ Again?” peeped Dawn. “Or did you want to dance with that other girl.”
    “ Other girl?” Gavin craned his neck to see where Dawn was looking. “Oh, Fiona? She’ll be all right by herself for a bit.”
    “ So you and she aren’t…”
    “ Huh?”
    “ Well, she does seem to hang off you.”
    “ Well, she needs to. She’s been blind from birth.”
    Dawn’s heart melted. The girl was gorgeous and couldn’t even appreciate it herself. So here was Gavin doing his best and nicest around a hard-luck case.
    “ I didn’t know. I thought you two were a couple.”
    Gavin laughed so hard Dawn thought he might pass out, “Okay, it’s a small town. But not that small! She’s my sister.”
    “ Oh… Oh.” Suddenly Dawn felt horribly embarrassed and relieved all at the same time. “So then, um, would you like to dance?”
    Gavin nodded shyly and the two set off again.
    Two dances later the pair sat at a bench by the refreshments sitting back to enjoy the others on the floor.
    “ You’re a Silver, aren’t you, Gavin?”
    “ I guess I do color a bit when nervous,” he admitted. With a small display his fur rippled in hue until, with some concentration, he shifted the darkness down doing a fair approximation of a solid black coat.
    Dawn laughed at the display, “I’ve never seen anyone ever try to imitate my coat before.”
    Gavin shrugged, “It’s a beautiful and exotic coat, just like its owner.”
    Dawn could feel her ears on fire as she reeled from the statement.
    Quickly shifting gears Gavin asked, “So what brings you to our town?”
    Dawn tried to smile, “My real parents were killed, so my uncle adopted me.”
    “ I, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
    “ It’s okay,” Dawn interrupted, “You didn’t know.” She smiled, “I now consider Llewellyn my father.”
    Gavin’s eyes went wide, “Llewellyn Silverglade of House Stratford is your father?”
    Dawn laughed at his shock, “Oh, so you’ve heard of him?” She smiled and continued, “Yes, officially I am Dawn Stratford. Don’t worry, Father doesn’t bite.” Suddenly realizing how taken aback he really was she asked, “We are still on for bocce