DRAGON'S RELEASE

Terrible noises were coming down the stairs... savage snarls mixedwith children's shrill screams. Catherine dropped her purse on thehall table and climbed the stairs warily. As the sounds grew louder,they were punctuated by various thumps, bumps, and the scurry ofsmall feet. The door to the study was open and she peered incautiously.

Vincent was on all fours in the center of the room, teeth bared ashe growled ferociously. His hair was wild, as if he'd run his fingersthrough it, standing it on end. He presented a savage picture as hestalked his delighted prey.

Scattered, hiding behind chairs and tables, the children tookturns darting out to challenge Vincent, fleeing when he came toonear. Their breathless squeals of pleasure were ear-shattering.

"The dragon! The dragon! Watch out!" Evan was slow to move andCharles dragged him out of the way.

Catherine leaned comfortably in the doorway, watching withenjoyment as the older boys grew braver, dancing just out of reach asthe "dragon" made carefully judged lunges toward their legs.

Suddenly, Vincent's gaze fell on Vicky, crouched behind a chair,and he advanced on her slowly. Her eyes grew bigger and bigger andfinally she bolted, squealing with laughter as she darted to thesafety of Catherine's desk. From her new position inside thekneehole, she peered cautiously around the corner and Catherinelaughed out loud.

The "dragon" had shifted his attention to the boys, who weretrying to creep up behind him. As he made a quick feint toward them,they scattered. Evan sought refuge behind Catherine, peeking out frombehind her legs.

"Save me, Mommy," he gasped, as Vincent started toward them. "Thedragon will get me!"

"Oh, no," she laughed, pushing him back into the room. "I'm notsaving anyone."

Evan didn't stop to argue, fleeing instead to a safe spot behind atable. The "dragon" changed course, bearing down on Charles, whostood his ground as long as he dared. At the last possible moment, hedarted away, but he was a shade too slow. Vincent caught him aroundthe waist, wrestling him to the carpet.As if at a signal, the otherchildren launched an assault. Vincent went down in a flurry of smallarms and legs and when the dust settled, the little ones hadsucceeded in pinning him to the floor. Although captured, the"dragon's" growls did not abate as he struggled to free himself.

Jacob was spread-eagled across Vincent's right arm, while Charlesused all his weight to hold down the left. Looking at each other,they fought to maintain their positions.

"What do we do now?" shouted Jacob.

"Gotta break the spell," Charles yelled back.

"Yeah! We need a princess to kiss him and break the spell!"

The "dragon's" struggle grew more furious.

"Quick! Where's Vicky?" Charles shouted.

Jacob risked a quick look. Vicky had thrown herself acrossVincent's legs and had both arms wrapped firmly around his knees asshe gamely hung on. It was clear she couldn't be spared.

Jacob spied his mother, still observing from the doorway. "Kisshim, Mom!" he called. "Kiss him, quick!"

"Yeah! Kiss him, Mother!" Charles added his encouragement.

"Kiss, kiss!" yelled Evan, who was straddling Vincent's chest,bouncing enthusiastically with each shout.

Catherine came slowly, considering. "I don't know," she mused."I've never kissed a dragon before." She came closer.The "dragon" inquestion snarled more loudly and nearly succeeded in escaping hisdetermined captors.

"Quick, Mother!" Charles urged, renewing his hold. "He's gettingaway!"

Catherine couldn't be hurried. "What happens if I kiss him?" sheinquired, bending over for a closer look. "What will he turninto?"

Amazed at her ignorance, Evan shouted, "Turn into Daddy!"

"Oh," said Catherine in mock relief. "Into Daddy! That's good. Idon't need a prince or a frog."

The children shrieked as their captive nearly got away again."Hurry, Mom!"

Catherine went to her knees, and bent slowly over the "dragon",smiling at the amused impatience in the upside-down blue eyes lookingback at her. Vincent's teeth were still bared ferociously, but a hintof laughter had crept into his snarls.

Ever so slowly she brought her face closer to his, refusing torush, even with the children's frantic shouts. Finally, though, herlips brushed the corner of his mouth and immediately the growls andstruggles ceased.

As Charles released his hold, Vincent's arm swept up quickly,catching Catherine before she could straighten, pulling her down andacross him. The children cheered.

* * * * *

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you, Vincent,"Catherine said much later as she prepared for bed.

"What's that?" he inquired, propped up on pillows, watchingher.

She came to slide in beside him, snuggling against his shoulder."Dragons don't growl."

"How do you know?" he asked in amusement. "Have you ever seenone?"

She laughed. "No, I guess not. I've kissed one, though."

"Have you?" Turning on his side to face her, he growled softly."Kiss one again."

She did.

THE END