by Tia Didmon
Mara pursed her lips. “That’s why I am here. Devlin isn’t who you think he is.”
Tempest scrunched her forehead. “Devlin loves me. I know he is rude to people in the art industry, but that’s for show. He’s very sweet and was very good to my mother and me.”
Mara swallowed hard. “He killed your mother,” she whispered.
Tempest’s eyes were a milky green. They had a cloudy overcast that bespoke her ailment. “Get out. You have no right to come into my home, Devlin’s home and talk trash about him. He may not want me to grow up, but he loves me. I have attended the finest school for the seeing impaired. I have fine clothes and never want for anything.”
Mara nodded. “Yes, he wants you to have everything now.” Her gaze narrowed in on the marks marring Daisy’s face. “We have a wolf at home.”
Tempest stilled. “Really?”
Mara nodded. “His name is Thorn. He is amazing.”
Ross entered the room with a smug smile. “Hello, Mara.”
Mara put her hand to her chest, moving to stand beside Tempest. “Ross, what are you doing here?”
Ross glanced at Tempest. “I am protecting Devlin’s investment.”
Tempest huffed. “I’m not an investment, asshole.”
Ross smiled with sick satisfaction. “We have had this conversation a dozen times. It always ends the same.”
Tempest’s sneer fell away with her bravado. “What does that mean?” she asked.
Mara grabbed Tempest’s hand, pulling the girl to her side. Daisy put her head down, growling at Ross. “Devlin is erasing your memories, but he won’t be able to do that forever.”
Ross nodded. “True. He even allowed me to beat you. You woke up believing you had fallen down the stairs. I am looking forward to your twenty-third birthday, when you remember all our various encounters.” He sighed. “Until then, we must continue our little charade.”
Daisy jumped down from the bed, growling before lunging at the startled Ross.
He pulled back his arm. “I am tired of that fucking mutt. I beat her repeatedly, and she still protects you. Devlin’s mind-wiping technique is ineffective on animals.”
Tempest’s eyes welled with tears. “You beat Daisy?”
Ross laughed. “Every chance I get. She has bitten me a dozen times. I will kill her as soon as Devlin allows it. I believe he is saving that for your very special birthday.”
Mara focused on the mind within hers. Legion.
Yes, my love.
She couldn’t express how much his words meant to her. That nothing in the universe could shake their bond. That she was forever his. Ross is here.
I cannot sense him. Devlin is cunning. I assumed he would cloak himself, not a human. I was looking for a dragon aura. We are on our way.
Mara pulled Tempest behind her body. The broken girl sobbed into her shoulder. “You have made a terrible mistake.”
Ross sneered, pulling a gun from a holster hidden under his suit jacket. “It is you who will...”
The door burst open. Legion entered the room, ducking under the doorway. His eyes flamed with golden fire. Scales slithered over his neck, announcing his dragon’s anger. It hovered in the air, as luminous and dangerous as the beast himself.
Ross’ face went pale. He aimed at Legion’s chest, pulling the trigger before the repercussions of such an action could dawn on him.
The bullet tore into Legion’s shoulder, shredding the tanned flesh. It took a second for the wound to heal before Ross’ stricken face. “No! I can tell you about Devlin and his partners. He is at his penthouse...” His eyes turned white as the gun dropped to the floor. He put both hands around his neck, trying to pry away invisible fingers, gasping for breath. The thick crack reverberated in the room before he fell to the ground.
Mara pulled the sobbing teenager against her body. “What just happened?”
Legion looked in disgust at Ross’ body. “Devlin killed him.”
“How?”
Legion growled. “He took his blood, creating a direct connection to his mind.” Mara turned to Tempest. “I am so sorry, Tempest. We have to go. You need to come with us.”
Tempest remained silent with tears streaming down her face. Daisy whimpered, licking the blind girl’s hand.
Mara’s heart squeezed. What do you say to the person you just destroyed?
Chapter 17
Mara opened the door to the loft. Natalie flew into her arms, hugging her fiercely.
“I was so worried about you.” Natale said.
Mara unwound her best friend’s arms from her neck. “I’m fine. I brought a friend.” She led Tempest into the living room, seating her on the couch before patting the cushion for Daisy to jump up beside her stricken owner.
Natalie crouched down in front of the blind girl. “Tempest?”
Tempest’s liquid eyes met hers in a sightless stare. “Natalie?”
Natalie hugged her. “It’s so good to see you. How did you two come together?”
Mara recanted the previous night’s events, including talking to Alana.
Natalie sat on the floor, leaning on the coffee table. “Alana knew she was druid and never told you? Tempest is... holy crap.” She glanced at the door. “Where are Legion and his buddies.?”
Mara grabbed the multi colored blanket from the couch, pulling it around her. “They are in the shop discussing their next move. Conner thinks they should go after Devlin now so he won’t suspect the attack. Draco has offered to stay and guard us.”
Natalie frowned. “I was alone all night by myself. I’m sure we will be fine.”
Mara coughed. “Legion put a ward on the shop. He encased you in magic. Thorn is patrolling the area as well. No one could get near you.”
Natalie swallowed. “Oh.”
Legion shimmered in her mind. Conner and I are going after Devlin. We are flying to the penthouse, Ross mentioned. Draco will stand watch downstairs. Thorn is with him.
She felt a wave of movement. Rushing wind against her skin. You are flying.
Of course. The penthouse is nearby. We are descending on it now.
So much for discussing all aspects of our partnership beforehand. She withdrew her mind.
I am sorry, Mara. I will tell you what I’m doing and when. The exception would be anything that involves your safety. As a dragon, I will act first and keep you informed of my actions.
Mara nibbled her thumbnail as Natalie pet Daisy. The white wolf was enjoying the attention. Do you think your safety is less important to me than mine is to you?
She felt the ripple of magic along their bond as Legion shifted to his human form. That did not occur to me.
It should have. What are you doing?
We have entered Devlin’s penthouse. It has similar decor to the mansion. Pictures of Devlin from various times in his life. There’s particularly vile depiction of him in a Renaissance painting.
That era created some of the most beautiful art, even by today’s standards.
I doubt a naked painting of Devlin eating grapes, qualifies.
Yup, I’m going to have to skip that display. Mara felt a spike in Legion’s emotions. It was brief, yet it made her alert. Are you okay?
Yes. There’s a picture of a man with Devlin. I can’t say I recognize him, but my dragon is wary of him.
I didn’t think your dragon feared anything.
Except for losing you, he doesn’t.
Her chest squeezed in a vise. It took her a moment to realize the pain was not hers. Legion was thinking about his childhood. His parents. Whoever the man in the photo was, he reminded her golden dragon of friends and family lost in time. Is Devlin there?
No.
She sent him a mental image of her hugging him and kissing his cheek. Hurry up and come back to me. I miss you already.
He cut communication after sending her the image of his arms around her. In his images, they were naked.
Mara smiled when Legion entered the loft. She patted the side of
the love seat, indicating for him to sit with her. She glanced at the door when he closed it. “Where is Conner?’
Legion sat beside her and pulled her into his lap. “He and Draco are warding the loft. Alana has arrived. They will ensure our privacy.”
Tempest stood. “Would it be okay if I lay down for a few minutes? I get the impression you have some personal issues to discuss with your sister.”
Natalie took Tempest’s hand. “Come with me, honey. We will go in my room. I will turn the music up and we can talk.”
Tempest nodded, following Natalie to the bedroom.
Mara lifted her head from Legion’s chest when the door to the loft opened. She could feel her sister. Not her power as a druid, just the same blood that ran through her sister’s veins. Her veins. Legion was right, Alana would be powerful, even in its dormant state her power made its presence known. “Hello, Alana.”
Alana nodded. “Mara.” She squinted at Legion. “I didn’t realize you had a man in your life.”
Mara gave her an icy stare. “Well, you would have to be interested in my life for that to happen, wouldn’t you?”
Alana flinched. “Yeah.” Her eyes darted around the loft. “I like what you and Natalie have done with the loft. It looks nice. Mom would have loved it. The shop looks good too.”
Mara ‘s heart split open. The unfettered wound of her mother’s death bled to the surface with the animosity she carried for her younger sibling. The power inside her wouldn’t allow for lies. It exposed the bitter truth of her family’s betrayal. “We both know you couldn’t care less about the shop or me. I only called you because you are in danger.”
Alana’s eyes darted around the room. “Why do you think that? What made you think I am in danger?”
Mara told her about her power’s emergence and that the dragons were protecting her. She gave no names and gave the simplest of explanations. She wanted her sister to fill in the blanks. To reveal what she knew of druid history. “You’re aware of the druids and the dragons. Aren’t you, Alana?”
Alana shook her head. “I didn’t know the dragons were still alive. I swear, there’s no record of them in any of the scripts I have sought. Can I ask where they are.”
Legion muscles flexed when he moved. “Most of my race sleeps within the caves. Several are located around the world. One is here in the Colorado mountains.”
Alana’s eyes went wide. “My backyard and I never found it? I can’t believe it. Where is it?”
Legion’s eyes narrowed. “I will not tell you and you won’t find it.”
Mara slapped his chest. “Never say something like that to her. She is a complete brat, but even I wouldn’t challenge her.”
Legion frowned. “I did not challenge your sister.”
Mara glanced at her sibling. Alana’s gaze assessed Legion. “If you tell her she can’t do something, she’ll do it to spite you.”
Legion glanced at Alana. “I am sure you are exaggerating. It would be a vast waste of her time to search for our caves. No human has stepped foot in a dragon cave.”
Alana’s eyebrows went up. “Never?”
Legion’s eyes flickered. “Never.”
Alana smiled like it was Christmas morning.
Mara shook her head. “Legion, you have no idea what you have done. Alana once climbed the side of her high school because a boy dared her too. She was still flipping the boy off when the principal suspended her.”
Legion squinted. “Then she’s dangerous and stupid.”
Alana fingered him. “Are all dragons’ dicks? Or are you special?’
Legion huffed. “Mara forgot to mention her sister was as disrespectful as she is callous.”
Alana’s fists clenched. She looked ready to punch the man holding her sister.
Mara tapped his chest. “Don’t antagonize her.”
Legion met his mate’s stare. “Me? She is the one making lewd gestures.”
Mara glanced at her sister. “Trust me, that is nothing. She once put poison ivy in the underwear of our entire football team. One of them called her frigid after she turned him down for a date.”
Legion glanced at Alana. “I may have to agree with her actions under such circumstances.”
Alana laughed when Mara slapped Legion’s chest. “Encouraging her, is worse than challenging her.”
The bedroom door opened before Natalie and Tempest entered the living room.
Alana stood with her jaw open. “Tempest!” she glanced at Mara. “I have been looking for her for four years and you just stumble on her.”
Mara sat up in Legion’s arms. “What are you talking about?”
Alana pursed her lips. “Mom told me about the druids and that I had druid blood, when I exhibited signs. Mom did several tests on you. She didn’t think you were part of the circle.”
A tear slipped from Mara’s eyes. “You both knew and said nothing to me.”
Alana held her hands up. “I was trying to protect you. Mom said that just because you have druid blood doesn’t mean the magic will emerge.”
Mara’s eyes narrowed. “You have magic?”
Alana shook her head. “Not yet. I have abilities that my magic will strengthen when it emerges. Instincts that are enhanced by my druid blood.”
Mara looked away. “Your caving obsession.”
Alana nodded. “Yes, but I’m looking for an object that we need to access the temple.”
Mara’s heart squeezed. “You know everything.”
Alana looked Legion over. “I don’t know the name of the dragon holding you.”
Mara couldn’t look at her sister. Her gaze remained on the opposite wall. “His name is Legion. He is leader of the Rule Clan. Leader of the dragons. He is also my mate.” Her voice sounded hollow to her own ears.
Alana frowned. “Mom mentioned Legion once, but his mate is the seer. We are waiting for her to return. To lead us to the temple.”
Mara’s eyes flared with power. “That’s right. You had the seer your entire life. You wanted nothing to do with her.”
Alana’s face went white. “You’re the seer?”
Mara’s power swelled, licking across her sister’s skin. It didn’t burn her, it caressed her with the stench of betrayal. Alana recoiled. “Jesus, Mara. You’re the most powerful druid ever born, and you’re the last seer.”
Mara jumped out of Legion’s lap. “How the hell could you keep this from me? Why would mom trust you with this secret and not me?” She didn’t bother to keep the hurt from her voice. It sliced like a whip through the air at her stricken sister.
Alana touched her fingers to her lip. Uncertainty and pain creased her brow. “I’m sorry”
Mara shook her head. “I need a moment alone.” She glanced at Tempest. The clouded green eyes matched her own. Betrayal left an impression. Yet, her own family hadn’t betrayed Tempest. She flung the door open with a flick of her wrist.
Alana sucked in a breath as Mara slammed the door behind her.
Legion shimmered in her mind. Mara, you are in pain. Tell me how to help you.
The sympathy in his voice sliced through her. The tears rolled down her cheeks in a river of emotion. I need a minute alone. She heard him growl as she blocked him from her mind.
Chapter 18
Mara stared out the large window at the front of the shop. The store was dark, allowing her to watch people walking under the lit streetlights. She found the bustle at night refreshing. The melodic ebb and flow of city life. Legion offered a gallery of her own. As she stood staring out the same window she had as a child, she found her priorities had changed. Her childhood home had become a part of her, its rustic beauty and richness of history, called to her more than ever. She hoped Legion wouldn’t ask her to give it up.
“I would never ask such a thing.” Legion said in a low voice.
She whirled around, clutching her chest. “You scared the life out of me.”
Legion leaned against the barrister that led upstairs. “If you had not b
locked me, you would have known I was approaching you.”
She turned back to the window. “I’m sorry, it isn’t you. I just feel so...”
His arms circled her, pulling her against his chest. His warmth infusing her. “Betrayed. I understand. We need to talk to Tempest and Alana. The loft is small. I thought we would be more comfortable in the sitting area here. Conner will make tea and coffee for us, and Draco is getting some treats from the bakery.”
Mara glanced over to the couch when she heard the exaggerated yawn. Thorn put his head on the couch. She walked over to him and hugged him. “I forgot he was here.”
Legion joined her. “He was making sure we were undisturbed. He seems to have taken a liking to the attention the females are giving him.”
Mara smiled. “He’s so beautiful. It’s hard to believe he is a dragon. How did you get him here?”
“Draco brought him. Thorn stands on our backs when we fly. He still enjoys being in the sky.”
Mara pet Thorn. His tongue lolled out in satisfaction. “That would be something to see.” She glanced upstairs. “You can tell them to come down.”
“Conner is bringing them now.”
Tempest descended the stairs with her arms hitched with Conner’s. He went slowly, allowing her to feel each descending step with her foot as she slid her other hand down the railing. Alana and Natalie followed behind them. Natalie looked worried and kept darting glances at the stricken Alana. Mara’s sister looked like she was in physical pain. Slight tremors racked her body. Alana was never one to cry, yet she looked on the verge of tears.
Conner got Tempest settled in a single chair, while Natalie and Alana took the loveseat. Legion stood behind the couch where Mara sat.
Tempest held out her hand to Thorn, who went to her immediately. “I have a wolf too. Her name is Daisy. I will introduce you later. She is sleeping upstairs.”
Legion watched the girl pet Thorn. “How did you know he was here?”
Tempest shrugged. “When you are blind, your other senses are more acute. I can hear the difference in his breathing. Usually I can smell animals too, but I can’t with him. You must have bathed him.”