by Tia Didmon
Mara glanced at the sculpture. “You are not a dragon. You used some kind of hallucinogenic drug on me.”
Legion’s body trembled with the force of his anger. “You know that is not true,” he growled.
“You are not a dragon!” she yelled.
His eyes flared as his magic exploded from his body. He should have controlled his dragon’s outburst at her denial, but it had waited centuries for her and it would have no misconceptions between it and its chosen mate. Every light within the shop died out, accenting the fire that burned behind his pupils. There was nothing human about his eyes when his dragon revealed himself. Its rough timbre echoed in his voice when he spoke. “I am a dragon, and you are a druid. My druid. It’s time for you to take your rightful place at my side and correct the wrongs you have committed against me.”
Her eyes swirled with anger as tiny flecks of blue fire sparkled behind them. Her power was in its infancy, but it was there, waiting for its moment. There would be retaliation, and Legion welcomed it. Needed it. “Fuck you,” she snapped.
His dragon snarled. His meager control crumbled as his magic lashed out like a whip at his betrayer.
Chapter 5
Mara felt energy surge through her body. The invisible bubble formed around her in a protective shield. It hardened, forming crystalline fissures as it braced for the attack.
The ball of flame was impressive as it engulfed the shell, she had formed around her. The flames licked the bubble in a seductive caress. Fear had her pushing outward toward Legion. She realized too late that his fiery attack was fake. While she reacted to the attack, his flames were an illusion. A pretty image, but nothing more than an effective glamor.
She pulled the magic back toward her. Cursing the sexy man who had tricked her. “Get out of my store,” she snapped. The power inside her coursed like a living river of lava. It pulsed through her veins with a final surge of energy, before subsiding to its resting place.
Legion raised one eyebrow. “No. You are untrained and excitable. Had I intended you actual harm, your flimsy excuse for a shield would not have saved you.”
Mara studied Legion. Had she seen him on the street, she and Natalie would have thought him a big sexy hunk. Now, she wanted him gone. She breathed away the fear and humiliation at her outburst. There was no explaining what had happened. “I don’t know what you think I am, but...”
Legion crossed his arms. “You are a druid and my mate. Since you think I am a sexy hunk, our bonding shouldn’t be overly abhorrent to you.”
Mara’s mouth dropped open before her anger got the better of her. “You’re delusional. Get out of my store and stay out of my mind!”
Legion shrugged. “No.”
Mara’s eyes narrowed. “I will call the police if you don’t leave.”
Legion’s lip twitched. He wasn’t mad. Her outburst amused him. The smug prick was in for a surprise if he tried to bully her.
Conner descended the steps. “Your friend is sleeping.”
Mara took an exaggerated breath. “You had no right to sedate her. Grab your obnoxious friend and get out.”
Conner smirked at Legion. “She has been in a room with you for two minutes and she already knows you’re an obnoxious prick.”
Legion huffed.
Conner winked at Mara. “She’s a feisty little thing, ain’t she? I like her.”
Mara rubbed her forehead, unsure how her life had turned upside down. While circumstances had made her and Natalie’s life hard, she’d never felt out of control, or that she was in a position she couldn’t handle. Legion had changed that. “I am not a creature and I’m not little. Please leave.” Her voice lacked the venom it had earlier as the fight gave way to despair.
Legion looked at her and frowned. The lights returned in full force as the shop door slammed open. Conner exited the shop, but his smug smile made Mara’s cheeks burn. Legion followed his comrade, but paused as he reached the open door. “This isn’t over, Mara. I will give you tonight to adjust to this turn of events, but rest assured, I will be back tomorrow.”
Mara grabbed the full water bottle beside the till and threw it at him. She watched it stop in mid-air in front of Legion’s head, before falling to the floor and skittering along the wood. Water spread out with silky fingers across the pine finish.
Legion glanced down at the spreading mess. “You may wish to consider a more mature...”
Mara held up her fist. “Do not finish that sentence.”
Legion inclined his head before ducking out the door. The hinges squeaked as the door closed behind him.
Mara sat on the stool in front of the cash register. What had she done? What had become of her life? How did she fix it? She heard a crash upstairs. Shit. Natalie.
Mara was around the counter when Natalie descended the stairs, rubbing her forehead.
“What happened? I feel like we drank wine for days, but I can’t see a bottle anywhere,” Natalie said.
Mara smirked. “We did that once, and you threw up three times. We haven’t drunk red wine since.”
She reached for the banister. “Then why do I feel like I did?” Natalie asked.
Mara warred with her conscience. She told Natalie everything. Natalie was the sister she wished she had. The one she had chosen when her own had left her to deal with the misery of their mother’s death. But Legion’s warning nagged at her. She may think the large sexy man was a jerk, but she didn’t believe he was lying to her. Perhaps a partial truth would work. “I had this jerk customer. You know the type. Big, stupid and entitled. I’m sorry I bailed on you. You had a headache and I should have checked on you sooner.”
Natalie frowned, rubbing her temple. “It’s fine, but I broke the blue flower vase when I tripped.”
They both turned when the door chimed. Natalie glanced at Mara when they saw who it was.
Jake winked at them. “How are my two favorite ladies?”
Natalie smiled at him. “Hey Jake. What’s up?”
He wiggled his brow. “I came to convince Mara into going to the comedy club with me tonight.”
Mara tilted her head back, looking at the ceiling. “God knows I need a laugh right now, but I have an important meeting tomorrow.”
Jake leaned over the counter. His sandy blond hair fell into his blue eyes, forcing him to push his fingers through his locks, to tame the natural curls. He looked like a young surfer. One who could blend in on the beaches of Hawaii. “Who’s your meeting with?”
“The curator of the Dark Art Gallery. If he likes my paintings, he will show them to the owner. It could be a huge break for me.”
Jake’s eyes widened. “That’s outstanding! Your paintings are dope. I’m not surprised the gallery is into them.”
Mara glanced at Natalie, who winked at her from behind Jake’s back. Natalie had been pushing her to take Jake up on his subtle and frequent advances. He was kind, good looking and patient, but she had felt only friendship for the popular athlete they had gone to high school with. Jake was smiling at her when Legion shimmered in her mind.
I suggest you excuse yourself from the man child, if you wish him to continue breathing.
Mara pursed her lips together. Buzz off!
I’m not a bee. I’m a dragon, and while I haven’t eaten a human in a long time, I will make an exception.
Mara’s eyes widened.
Jake frowned. “You okay?”
Mara rubbed her neck. “Yes, I seem to have developed an irritation.”
Jake grimaced. “Like a rash?”
Mara concentrated inward, ensuring the sexy visitor in her head heard every word. “Oh yes, a bad one. The kind that won’t go away no matter what you do.”
Jake shook his head in sympathy. “Sounds painful.”
Mara huffed. “You have no idea.”
Natalie touched her arm. “Do you need me to make you a cream?”
Mara’s lip twitched. I don’t suppose you would share that recipe?
The low grumble
was more than human. His voice held the echo of the creature that lived within him. There’s no force in the universe that can keep me from you. You owe me in ways you can not comprehend.
Her heart stuttered at the anger in his voice. The hurt that her words had invoked. The arousal that his presence sparked in her body. She wanted to feel that attraction with Jake, with any other man than the thing in her head. “I have to lie down. I’m not feeling well and I have a big day tomorrow.” She stumbled upstairs without saying goodbye to either of her friends. The low growl in her head turned to a roar.
Chapter 6
Mara smoothed the lapel of her dark linen jacket for the third time. She had planned to donate this suit. Memories of her walking down the aisle to the mahogany casket covered in white flowers burned in her memory. She forced the pain away, focusing on the tight skirt. Her black leather heels pinched her toes as she surveyed the interior of the gallery. The white walls made the paintings and sculptures burst forth in a multitude of color and texture. The cut-out design was ingenious and as unique as the artwork it displayed. She shifted the large portfolio in her hand as the office door opened.
A tall, dark-haired man in a tailored, pinstripe suit approached her with his hand outstretched. “Good day, Miss Krane. It is a pleasure to meet you.” His English accent was light, as if he’d been in the country for some time.
She shook his hand. “Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Emerson. You can call me Mara.”
His smile was welcoming, but a shiver ran through her body. He inclined his head. “Then you may call me Ross.”
Mara cleared her throat. “May I ask how you discovered my work. I am thrilled about this opportunity, but I didn’t think the Dark Art Gallery hosted newer artists.”
Ross adjusted the gold Rolex on his wrist. “It’s true, we rarely do showings for an artist that is less established in the industry, but Devlin saw your work at a community event. It’s rare for anything to catch his eye. You should take that as a compliment.”
Mara’s pointed toward the large double pane doors. “The painter’s community fair? I’m surprised a man as renowned as Devlin Night would frequent that kind of event.”
The curator’s smile faltered, as if this was a dance, he had performed too many times. “Honestly, he never goes to those events. He saw your paintings from afar and was... drawn to them. It’s quite a feat. If he likes the pieces you brought today, as much as the ones he saw at the fair, we will set up a private meeting.”
Mara swallowed hard. “I will get to meet Devlin Night?”
“Yes. It is a rare opportunity.” He motioned to the marble table. “Let’s have a look.”
Mara placed the portfolio on the large white table. “So I’ve heard.”
Ross pulled the paintings from the portfolio, going over each one carefully. He paused on the one of a golden dragon. “Your other pieces did not depict dragons. Is this new?”
Mara nodded. “I was inspired. If it’s too... fairy tale. We can leave that one aside.”
Ross touched the canvas reverently. “On the contrary, I believe Devlin will appreciate this piece. He may even purchase it himself. He has an admiration for mythical creatures.”
Mara glanced over the painting that depicted the golden dragon from her dreams. “Really? I’ve seen nothing like this in the gallery before.”
Ross shrugged. “Some of his best pieces reside in Mr. Night’s private collection and have never been displayed at the gallery.”
Mara frowned. “That’s sad. Why keep the most beautiful pieces of art to yourself? Isn’t the point, to share it with the world.”
Ross studied the dragon. “The world isn’t ready for...” He placed the pictures back in the portfolio. “I will recommend your collection, but Devlin has the final say in what we display in his galleries.
Mara’s eyes went up. “I didn’t realize he went over each piece himself.”
Ross put his hand over the portfolio. “He oversees the Colorado gallery. His family owns several galleries all over the world.”
“I am well aware of the Dark Art Gallery’s reputation. It would be an honor if the Dark Art Galley represented me.”
He smiled like a predator accessing his prey. “Yes, it would be.” He took her hand and kissed it.
Though his attention did not feel sexual. The image of Ross being hit with an unseen force, then wiping blood from his lip, attacked her mind. Fire erupted in her skull before she pulled her hand from his. “Thank you, Ross. I appreciate your time and your recommendation.”
Ross frowned before inclining his head. “Of course.”
Mara left the Gallery with none of the excitement she’d expected from a successful meeting. Everything had gone as planned, yet all she could think about was the arrogant jerk that had invaded her mind and warned her away from Ross.
As if on cue, his low, sexy tone echoed in her head. Your mind is not the only thing I will invade.
Stop it! She snapped, but she couldn’t stop her body’s reaction. Her nipples throbbed against the rough lace of her bra. Her womb clenched. She reinforced the shield in her mind. She couldn’t see him or feel him. There was no sound, yet butterfly wings caressed her skin as he laughed at her.
Mara returned to the shop, kicking off the black heels as soon as she was inside. Her old wool slippers did nothing to soften her sour mood.
Natalie approached her, handing her a cup of tea. “It didn’t go well, I take it?”
Mara glanced up. “What? Oh, the meeting. Yes, it did. Sorry, I’m just distracted.”
Natalie passed Mara an envelope. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the bank called and sent this. They are looking for payment on the second mortgage.”
Mara opened the envelope. The red stamp spelled out ‘Final Notice’. “Do we have enough?”
Natalie shook her head. “I don’t need a paycheck this month. If we’re careful with the food we have upstairs, I am sure we can make it.”
Mara felt the world shift beneath her feet. She was letting everyone down, and Natalie most of all. She swallowed to keep the tears from falling. There were times in her life when she hated the shop and the responsibility it represented. Still, it was her home, and she loved the loft above the store. “That isn’t fair. You shouldn’t have to work for free because Mom’s medical bills drained our bank account.”
Natalie touched her shoulder. The warmth of her hand, reminding her just how lucky she was to have her quiet friend in her life. “We can make it. A month or two of cutting back and we will catch up. Let me work on the numbers. Maybe we can organize a sale to drum up some extra business.”
Mara threw her jacket on the communal couch before retrieving her sketch pad from behind the counter. “Alright. I will take some paintings to the fair this weekend. I will put them on sale to get some extra money.”
Natalie frowned. “The prices are already too low. Barely more than the supplies cost you.”
Legion shimmered in her mind. Your heart is laden. Sad. Tell me what is wrong.
She lacked the energy to fight with him. Nothing.
You are lying.
She got a flash of clouds floating beneath him. What would it be like to fly? To leave the world’s troubles behind. God, she envied him. It’s not your concern.
Everything to do with you is my concern. It is time for you to accept it.
As tired as she was. Her curiosity got the better of her. Why?
You know why. You just refuse to believe it. He replied in the same infuriating tone. Tell me what caused such sorrow.
She flipped open her sketch pad. My mom was sick for months before she died. Between her medical expenses and the second mortgage, the bills have piled up. Natalie and I will sort it out. We always do.
This concerns you... money? His interest was as genuine as his incredulity.
She huffed. Spoken like someone who has never had twenty calls from a loans officer.
You are correct. However, your... situation is b
eing rectified as we speak. We will pay your debts in full in a few minutes.
I am not getting a loan from you. I don’t want to owe you anything. She hissed.
He growled before he spoke. You owe me everything, but money is meaningless to me.
Her heart squeezed. Her voice was a whisper in her head. Why do you hate me so much?
The sound of wings flapping echoed in her mind before he spoke. I have endured centuries of loneliness. Pain. Doubt and loss beyond your mortal ability to fathom, because of your actions, but I do not hate you, Mara. You are the single most important being in the universe to me.
She swallowed hard. What had she done to warrant this kind of betrayal, loneliness and dedication? What did he want from her? I’m no one.
You are everything.
Mara studied the dirty floor of the shop, aware that Natalie was watching her. I don’t know what to say.
Say you will have dinner with me. His voice purred in her mind.
She glanced at Natalie, who was pulling up their banking information on the store computer. Okay.
I will see you later, Mara. I look forward to getting to know the new... you.
Mara wasn’t sure how long she stood there, staring at the peeled wallpaper. Natalie shouted her name before she looked up. “What?”
“Where did you go?” Natalie asked.
“Sorry, my mind wandered.” She bit her cheek. “Natalie, I think Legion paid off the loan for the store.”
“Who is Legion? Is he the new bank manager? Did we get transferred to delinquent accounts?”
Mara closed the sketch pad. “No, it’s nothing like that. Can you pull up our accounts on the computer?”
Natalie was already typing. “I was just trying to pull them up, but our account is being updated.” She leaned forward. “Holy crap. You’re right, he paid your loans off, and Mara... you have a hundred thousand dollars in your personal account.”