Windy City Dragon

by Genevieve Jack

  “Really?”

  “And honestly, I was considering a break anyway so that I’d be freed up to help Gabriel and Raven if they need it—to find Rowan and help with the baby.”

  “You can still do that. I’ll arrange it.” She squeezed his hands.

  “As for living underground, I was born and raised in the belly of a mountain. Your tunnels are not that different.”

  Another breath rushed from her lungs, her lips spreading into a smile. “So, you’re saying…”

  “Yes. Yes, Sabrina, I will become your consort.”

  Her hands landed on his face and then her mouth was on his. He collided with her. Everything he was he threw in her direction: his heart, his soul, what was left of his courage. And she caught him, fingers in his hair, limbs tangled with his. He was rough and ready, his capacity to be gentle long past. His ache for her had become pain, a hungry need demanding to be fed. Gripping the edge of her sweater, he pulled back from the kiss. She gasped for breath as he pulled it over her head.

  Eager hands found the tie on his pajama pants and she eased them down, over his erection. He gripped the arms of the chair when she took him into her mouth, her tongue worshipping his hard length with long, languid strokes. The purr he rewarded her with shook his entire body. As she started to move, licking and sucking, talons emerged from his knuckles and buried themselves in the upholstered arms of the chair.

  Only her eyes lifted to meet his. Goddess, she was a rare queen, a precious warrior, both steel and silk. A fang stroked along the side of his shaft. He trembled. When she pulled him in deep once again, an orgasm tore through him like a storm.

  He thought his heart would burst at the seams. So much pleasure, a sharp edge after all the pain, after feeling torn in two for so long. He reached for her and pulled her into his lap.

  “By the Mountain, Sabrina.” He caressed her face, her neck, her waist. “Say you’re mine. I need to hear it.”

  Hands on his face, she looked him directly in the eye. “I’m yours, Tobias, entirely and completely. For always.” His body shuddered against hers, his eyes closing with the low animalistic whimper that escaped him.

  “Oh,” she said, as she felt him stir beneath her. “You’re ready again?”

  He opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow. “It’s a dragon thing. I haven’t shown you all my tricks.”

  In a heartbeat, he’d set her on her feet and stripped his T-shirt over his head, his wings punching out, shining silver in the window’s light. One beat of those wings and she was on the bed. Another and her clothes were history. His fingers found her center. She arched into his hand.

  “I think I’m going to like these so-called tricks,” she said.

  He smiled down at her, his wings arching out to fill the room.

  He entered her slowly, sliding his hand under her shoulders to cradle her head. When he’d finally filled her, he paused. “I am yours, Sabrina. Forever and always.”

  As their souls connected, it felt like going home. That’s what this was. There were no other words for what was happening in his heart. He followed her into the light, wrapped her in the shelter of his wings, and knew without a doubt that they were bound.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  “And then Sabrina put a crown on my head!”

  Gabriel listened to Tobias tell the story again about how he’d been crowned consort to the master of the Lamia Coven and rolled his eyes. His brother had not stopped talking about it since they’d left Chicago. He watched Raven in the rearview mirror as she attentively nodded her head. His mate had more patience than he did.

  “I’m telling you, the crown was heavy. You wouldn’t think by looking at it that rubies and solid gold would be that heavy, but it was. I spent the entire night wondering when I could take it off, but there were so many vampires to meet. Everyone wanted to kiss my hand. I—”

  “Tobias,” Gabriel interrupted. “Am I to assume you’ll be putting your house up for sale?”

  “The Realtor is bringing the sign on Monday. That’s okay, right? Raven said it was time for you guys to move on.”

  Gabriel grunted his agreement, keeping one eye on the New York City traffic. “If Scoria was in communication with the empress, she will know his last breath was taken in your living room. It’s best we are all moving on. Especially considering your new role and our mission to find our brethren.”

  “By the way, Artemis is coming with us,” Raven said.

  Gabriel swerved and someone honked. He straightened the wheel. “The cat? Why?”

  “She can’t live underground. The vampire tunnels are no place for a cat. Someone might accidentally eat her.”

  Tobias cleared his throat. “It’s true. The tunnels don’t suffer a single rat for a reason.”

  “Plus I’m beginning to think of her as my familiar. She inspires me.” Raven smiled at him in the rearview mirror.

  He grumbled his consent.

  Raven turned back to Tobias. “Anyway, my sister will become homicidal if I don’t return to New Orleans to plan my wedding with her.”

  “Aren’t you afraid that’s the first place our mother will look for you?” Tobias asked.

  “Not really,” she answered. “I think the first place will be where Scoria died. But just in case, Gabriel has someone working on buying a new place for us under a false name in the Garden District. If all goes well, I’ll have protective wards on the house before we set foot in it. We’ll be hidden in plain sight from anyone who means us harm.”

  “Smart.”

  “Is this the building, brother?” Gabriel asked, pulling up to the curb in front of a white brick townhouse with three large rows of windows.

  Tobias gave the place a once-over. “It’s been updated since the last time I was here. But I think we’re in the right place.”

  Gabriel parked and climbed out. He hadn’t been to New York in decades, and Manhattan was not an area he’d spent any length of time in. Still, he could see his sister being happy here. An older woman in a fur coat passed him on the street, her chin high, her little floppy-haired dog following behind her. Was that a diamond-studded collar around its neck?

  “She reminds me of Agnes,” Raven said.

  Gabriel had to agree.

  “Let me buzz Rowan. It will be better if she hears my voice first,” Tobias said. He jogged up the stairs to the collection of mailboxes in front of the door and pressed a button.

  “Looks like an apartment building,” Gabriel said.

  “I think it is.” Raven inspected the place more closely. “I see boxes for four units.

  “That’s unexpected,” Gabriel murmured.

  “Why?” Raven turned to look at him.

  Gabriel chuckled. “My sister was always a diva. The only girl among nine children. I’m surprised she’s living in an apartment and not a castle somewhere in rural upstate New York.”

  “You and Tobias were drawn to the city.” Raven frowned. “Why wouldn’t Rowan be?”

  Gabriel rubbed his cheek. He’d never thought about it before. “In essence, New Orleans sprouted up around me. I’m sure Tobias would say the same thing about Chicago. When we settled, our cities weren’t like they are today, and after a while, a place becomes home. You change your surname. Sometimes your appearance. The bigger the city, the easier it is to be forgotten without ever really leaving.”

  Raven took his hand and threaded her fingers in his. “I’m sure Rowan feels the same way.”

  “Can I help you?” a woman’s voice called through the speaker. It didn’t sound like Rowan, but Gabriel hadn’t heard her voice in centuries.

  “I’m looking for Rowan Turner,” Tobias said toward the speaker.

  “How do you know Rowan?”

  Tobias glanced toward Gabriel, then back at the intercom. “I’m her brother.”

  “Hold on a minute.”

  The intercom went dead. Tobias shrugged. A few minutes later the door opened and an older woman in a robin’s-egg-blue pantsuit and perfec
tly coiffed hairdo appeared on the doorstep. “You’re Rowan’s brother?”

  Tobias nodded. “Is she here?”

  The woman pushed the door open wider, glancing at Gabriel and Raven. “Come in.”

  Tobias explained that Gabriel and Raven were friends of the family before following the woman inside. “I’m sorry, but who are you?”

  “My name is Mrs. Fernhall. I own this building.” She gestured for them to enter a well-appointed apartment.

  Gabriel took a seat between Raven and Tobias on the sofa, growing more confused by the minute.

  “Mrs. Fernhall, where is my sister?” Tobias rested his elbows on his knees.

  Mrs. Fernhall coupled her hands and sat down in the chair on the other side of the coffee table. She cleared her throat. “I am sorry to be the one to have to tell you this, but Rowan was killed in a terrible accident three months ago.”

  Raven gasped. Gabriel squeezed her hand. He wished he could tell her that as an immortal, it was very unlikely that Rowan was indeed dead, but that wouldn’t be prudent at the moment.

  “What type of accident?” Gabriel asked.

  The old woman cleared her throat. “May I be frank with you?”

  “Please,” Tobias said. “Rowan and I haven’t been in touch in some time. I’d like to understand.”

  She nodded. “Rowan told me as much.”

  “Then you knew her?” Raven asked.

  “Yes. I lived upstairs. We were neighbors, and friends.” She rubbed her hands together. “Rowan was under investigation for theft, accused of stealing a large jewel from a rather famous collection. The owner said he had proof. The night after she was interviewed by the police, she leaped in front of a subway train and was killed instantly.”

  Gabriel forced his face to remain impassive, although inside he was laughing. Rowan had most definitely not been killed by a subway train. He glanced at Tobias, who was hiding his chuckle behind his hands, disguising it as a sob. Unfortunately, Raven’s tears were real. He put an arm around her and kissed the side of her head.

  “Shh, It’s okay,” he whispered in her ear. When she looked at him, he winked discreetly. She wiped under her eyes.

  “I am sorry for your loss,” Mrs. Fernhall said. “She was quite dear to me. We were neighbors for a number of years.”

  Tobias took a deep, Oscar-worthy breath and blew it out slowly. “Did she leave anything behind? Anything for us to remember her by?”

  “After her funeral, I donated most of her clothing to the local shelter, but there was a box of personal items I saved in case you came. She spoke of you.” Mrs. Fernhall shook her head. “I’ll get it.”

  The woman left the room and returned a few moments later with a banker’s box. Tobias accepted it and removed the lid. Gabriel perused the contents over his shoulder. Pictures. A diary. What appeared to be a wooden jewelry box engraved with a dragon. He replaced the cover.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Fernhall,” Tobias said. “I need to go now. I’m sure you understand.” He rubbed his chest for effect.

  “Of course.” They all rose in unison and followed her to the door. “If there is anything else I can do…”

  “We know where to find you,” Tobias said solemnly.

  Gabriel followed him down the front steps. When they were safely back inside the car, Raven slapped him on the shoulder. “What gives? Is Rowan really dead?”

  The brothers broke into laughter, shaking their heads.

  “No. Definitely not,” Gabriel said.

  Tobias rubbed his mouth. “But this does complicate things. It appears Rowan got caught hoarding some jewels and decided to go into hiding.”

  Gabriel nodded, turning the key in the ignition. “And a dragon in hiding is almost impossible to find.”

  Epilogue

  Aldrich, vampire elder, returned to the nest of the Forebears, wringing his hands. He’d arranged for his coffin to be transported to the old country on a day flight direct from O’Hare. He’d traveled through the night hours to make it to the castle in the forests of Romania before sunrise. Now, deep within the bowels of the underground fortress concealed there, he was exhausted and wondered if he was doing the right thing.

  It was risky business consulting with the other elders. Many had withdrawn from society ages ago and had feral tempers as well as appetites. But the news he carried must be shared. If he was found to have harbored this secret, his life would be worth little. He’d be thrown out into the sun.

  He stood outside the door to the chambers of the eldest Forebear, the one whose voice on the matter would not be denied. A less risky venture would have been to bother one of the younger ones. Like him, they had power, but not absolute power. They would want to learn more about the situation and consult with each other on what to do. Not Turgun. Not the ancient one. His word was law, and he was frightfully decisive.

  Inside the room, Aldrich could see Turgun’s lanky limbs draped motionless in his chair. His nails and hair had grown long, his body thinned. Aldrich wondered how long it had been since he’d moved. It was not uncommon for the older ones to get bored with life and allow themselves to go dormant. A servant had started a fire in the grate. At least it was warm in the room. The vampire must have some feeling left to care about the temperature.

  “Master Turgun, I bring word from the New World,” Aldrich said.

  At first the vampire didn’t move anything but his eyes. But slowly his fingers stretched. Turgun’s joints cracked. His tendons popped.

  “You need blood, my lord.” Aldrich rang the bell near the door. A servant boy came running and offered his neck to the vampire. When Turgun barely moved, the boy crawled onto the lap of the ancient one and pressed his throat against the vampire’s mouth. The strike was clean, the drinking efficient, and Aldrich watched the life drain from the boy in a merciful minute.

  Turgun’s cheeks plumped. His hair transformed from a thin gray mess to sleek chestnut waves. Muscle formed where before there was only bone. Renewed, Turgun stood from his throne and allowed the boy to slip from his lap onto the floor. A cloud of dust billowed from his flesh. He brushed off the sleeves of his starched white shirt. It wasn’t lost on Aldrich that Turgun was dressed appropriately for the Victorian era. He’d been asleep for a very long time.

  “Call someone to deal with that, will you, Aldrich?” he rasped, pointing at the boy. “And then bring me another. I’m famished.”

  “Of course, my lord.” Aldrich tugged at the bell outside the door again. “But there is something I must speak with you about. It is of dire importance.”

  “Then speak. I did not awaken for idle chitchat.” He crossed to the bar at the edge of the room and poured himself a draft of mead from a large barrel.

  “While I was in Chicago inaugurating the new master of the Lamia Coven, the vampires there were attacked by werewolves.”

  Turgun finished his pint and scoffed. “Nothing unusual about that. Why wake me for such nonsense? We’ve been at war with the wolves for centuries.”

  “It is not the wolves that worry me. It is how they survived the attack. They were protected by a dragon.”

  Turgun set down his stein. “You are mistaken, Aldrich. Dragons are extinct. The coven likely used a witch to create an illusion.”

  “I saw it with my own eyes. I witnessed the man shift myself!” When the wolves had attacked, Aldrich had dematerialized into one of the tunnels and watched the entire tragedy unfold from his hiding place. He kept that part to himself. Turgun might think him cowardly, but the ancient one did not understand what it was like in the real world. Aldrich had done what he needed to keep himself safe. “Furthermore, Calvin Bishop was not able to discern the dragon’s blood. He’d tasted it earlier in the night and determined the male to be human. The vampire was as surprised as I when the male prisoner shifted into the beast. The dragon was enormous, my lord, and absolutely deadly. It blew fire and it ate one of the wolves.”

  “A prisoner. Interesting. And you are sure this wasn’t an
illusion?”

  “No illusion can tear a wolf in half.”

  “Hmm. It is no surprise Calvin failed to know the dragon. How could one discern the blood of a creature that has been extinct for millennia? Are you sure of what you saw?”

  “I would not waste your time with speculation. I’ve brought you proof.”

  Turgun’s eyes widened. Aldrich pulled out his phone and turned it so Turgun could see. The ancient one hissed. He hated technology, but this could not be helped. For once, Aldrich was happy to be the youngest of the Forebears and the most familiar with modern trappings. Calling up the video he’d taken from his hiding place in the tunnels, he pressed Play.

  Turgun growled as the dragon appeared on screen, tearing the wolves to bits. The scaled beast’s roar was frightening, even from his phone’s small speaker. “It’s true. A dragon… among our kind.”

  “As I said, my lord.”

  “Where is this dragon now?”

  “I do not know. I had to flee for my life.”

  “Goddess! You were right to bring this to me.” Turgun tapped the screen to play the video again. “We must wake the others.”

  “Which ones?” Aldrich asked.

  Turgun met his gaze, sweeping a hand across his beard. “All of them.”

  Aldrich clutched his chest although his heart had stopped beating long ago. “All of them?”

  “Where there is one dragon, there are others, Aldrich. This is a serious threat to our kind. Put out word immediately to all covens: favor to anyone who captures or kills a dragon, by order of the Forebears. Share with them what you have seen.”

  Aldrich bowed low. “Yes, my lord.”

  Thank you for reading WINDY CITY DRAGON. If you enjoyed Tobias and Sabrina’s story, would you help me by leaving a review? Reviews are pure gold to authors.