by Kari Thomas
She knew they would have to eventually talk, but she wasn’t ready yet. She was afraid she’d blurt out her true feelings for him and he’d reject them. She couldn’t bear that.
She left without making a sound, softly closing the door behind her. Downstairs she walked into the living room and found Aleta curled up on the sofa. She’d been wondering how she was going to get out of the compound, and now she had the perfect solution. She woke her and explained the situation.
“Is he there by himself?” Aleta frowned. “Why didn’t he call 911 instead of calling here for you?”
Summer clearly heard the suspicion in the woman’s voice. She shook her head. “I’m not sure. Maybe he just wants to talk to me, and this was his way of getting around Slade’s ridiculous rule that I can’t leave here. Will you drive me? Slade won’t be so angry if he knows you’re there with me.”
“Okay. But, I’m not liking this,” Aleta said. “I have to be honest and tell you I don’t like your father, Summer. There’s something about him that really makes me tense.”
Summer shrugged off the warning. No matter how everyone else felt, she loved Reed. He’d raised her the best he could. He’d been acting different lately, but she put it down to the stress of the murder cases, and the fact she had a stalker after her for a while.
The drive to the other side of Kings Mountain and into the country near the end of the county line took almost an hour. Aleta’s Mustang took the dirt roads fine until it reached the steep upward grade that would take them to the cabin higher up on the mountain. When the car’s wheels spun twice more in the mud, Aleta cursed and turned off the ignition.
“We’ll have to walk from here.”
Summer glanced up the mountain looming in front of them. Luckily, it wasn’t that much farther, and she knew exactly where the cabin was. They got out and started on foot.
“It’s beautiful up here,” Aleta commented. “Sort of like our area at the compound.”
Summer nodded. “It’s also extremely isolated. I don’t know why Reed is up here now. He doesn’t come to this particular cabin during his regular hunting season. Usually it’s just to relax for a day or two.”
She was winded by the time they reached the secluded area where the cabin was located. She glanced at Aleta. The woman looked as though she’d just stepped out of the house. She groaned. “How do you do it? I must be so out of shape.”
Aleta grinned. “Dragon DNA.”
Summer smiled back but quickly became somber. “Reed doesn’t know about the dragons,” she told her. “He doesn’t even know about my healing powers.”
“Then caution is our motto.”
Maybe it was the way Aleta had said the word, but it echoed around them as they approached the small one-room cabin.
Made of logs, it stood in a small clearing. One window graced the front with the door, and the only other opening was the chimney. Summer had never stayed there, but she’d been with Reed once before when he showed it to her.
She looked around now, noting the silence, the absence of any life, anywhere. There was no sign anyone had even been here recently. A streak of nervousness hit, and she couldn’t explain what exactly was bothering her. There was something she should be aware of. What was it? She glanced around again.
It hit her, and her stomach did a somersault. “Aleta, how could Reed have gotten up here without his truck? We didn’t pass it anywhere on the road below. He wouldn’t have hiked all the way from the city.”
“Damn,” Aleta cursed.
The cabin door swung open.
Reed stood in the opening with a smile on his face that was anything but friendly. Before Summer could say something, Aleta grabbed her by the arm, her voice a fierce whisper.
“Run and don’t look back!”
Summer couldn’t move. Her gaze was caught by her adopted father’s glare, and she felt oddly mesmerized, while at the same time more afraid than she’d ever been. Aleta pushed at her, repeating her command, and then took an aggressive, protective stance in front of her.
Reed laughed, the hollow sound making Summer cringe. “Nice move on the protection part, Aleta, but too little too late.”
“I’ll kill you if you lay one hand on her,” Aleta spat out, rage making her voice harsh.
“Not if you’re dead first.”
Summer gasped, horror swamping her. “Reed, what are you saying? I don’t understand any of this. What’s going on?”
“It’s a trap, Summer,” Aleta told her. “I smell dragon, and Reed is the only one here.”
“What?”
Summer slowly shook her head. This wasn’t real. Aleta had to be wrong. None of this made any sense. She looked at Reed again. He hadn’t reacted when Aleta had said the word dragon! Her stomach quivered, fear starting to creep over her.
“What is she talking about?” She stepped around Aleta and faced her father. Aleta spat out a round of curse words and moved back in front of her.
Reed smiled, the grim slash of his lips evil. “She’s right, my dear. There are two dragons here, and one of them is the little spitfire trying so hard to protect you when she’s already realized her efforts won’t be enough.”
Summer’s knees unexpectedly felt rubbery as his words sank in, and she swayed on her feet. With sudden clarity, she recalled the nightmare she had the night before. She had seen the face of her enemy.
It was Reed.
The horror threatened to consume her. Her vision swam. Was this just another nightmare? If she tried hard, concentrated strongly enough, would she wake up and find Slade’s protective arms around her once again?
“You two might as well come in.” Reed gestured to the cabin behind him. “We have a lot to discuss, Summer.”
“Why don’t you be a man and fight out here in the open, Reed?” Aleta pushed Summer back a few feet.
“Fight?” Summer felt sick to her stomach. “Aleta, can’t we just talk to him? Find out what’s really going on?”
“No, Summer,” she answered with a sneer at Reed. “He knows if I go inside I can’t change into dragon to protect you. I have to be in more space.”
“I can kill you now, Aleta, and be done with it,” Reed told her. “I don’t need you anyway. You might as well know you won’t be running back to Slade or Ruliard with this information.”
Summer tried hard to stay as calm as possible. So much had been thrown at her these past few days, and yet she accepted it all and came out stronger for it. She had to face this nightmare now and deal with it. She knew her and Aleta’s lives depended on it.
She took a deep calming breath and exhaled slowly. She raised her chin. “What information, Reed? You might as well tell us. I’m not going in there with you, or anywhere else for that matter.”
Reed chuckled. “Ah. So my little mouse has finally found her courage after all these years. You disappoint me, honey. I worked so hard to keep you vulnerable and scared of even your own shadow. A couple of days with the Shamara Clan, and you’re ready to be brave enough to take on a battle you can’t win.”
Maybe she couldn’t win, but she wasn’t going down without a fight. Her entire life was turning out to be no more than a sham, a manipulated plan she hadn’t known was in place. She’d trusted Reed, even loved him. That last thought made her sick to her stomach. How could she have lived with him and never known what he was?
“Are you really…a…dragon? Of the Shamara Clan?”
Reed scoffed in derision. “I should own that damn Clan. I’m the rightful Ruler.”
“That’s not even remotely possible,” Aleta stated. “Only an heir can rule a Clan after the death of its Ruler. That would be Ansel, when Ruliard passes on.”
“Which won’t be much longer now.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Aleta growled and took a step toward him. Summer gasped and clasped her arm to hold her back.
“Tsk. Tsk. Slade should wash your mouth out.”
Summer was putting the pieces of the puzzle togeth
er. If Reed knew about the strange illness affecting Ruliard and Ansel, then chances were he had something to do with it. In her nightmare he had told her he controlled magic. Was that possible? She’d been taught that only…
Oh my God. Air Dragon!
This nightmare had just gotten worse, more horrific than she’d ever thought possible. Trembling, she pulled Aleta close.
“He’s an Air Dragon. He has magic. Ruliard and Ansel’s illness is magic related.”
Aleta swung around with a loud roar. Instantly she was changing, bringing forth her dragon.
Reed muttered, “About time,” and started his change too.
Unable to stand, Summer sank to the ground as the two dragons finished their transformation. Horrified, she stared at Reed. She wanted to close her eyes. She wanted to force herself to believe what she was seeing wasn’t real. It couldn’t be!
Reed’s huge dragon form was pure Air Dragon, his scales sparkling in multi colors of brilliance. He was the same dragon that had attacked at the Compound. She hadn’t been close enough to see all of him then. She knew the truth now, and it was about to destroy her soul.
Reed was the same Air dragon who murdered her family.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
With roars ferocious enough to shake the ground, the two dragons met in mid air, clashing into each other with extended talons and flapping wings. Aleta shrieked her rage and made a dive for Reed’s stomach. He dodged her and then hit her with one of his powerful wings, sending her spinning backwards in the air.
Summer cried out. She felt so helpless. Aleta regained her balance and flew at Reed again. Again, Reed anticipated her move. She was smaller than he was but almost as fast. She flew over his back and tried landing there. Reed flapped his large wings and knocked her off.
As she was falling, he struck with his outstretched talons and ripped into her right wing. With a painful shriek, Aleta fell. She landed hard just feet away from Summer.
Summer ran over to her. The dragon was panting heavily, groaning in pain as blood seeped steadily out of the shredded wing.
“Hold on, Aleta,” she told her as she positioned herself next to the wing.
“No!” Reed roared the command. He landed a yard away from them. “You will not waste your healing talent on a half breed. Step away from her, Summer. I will finish her off now.”
Enraged, Summer flew at him. He stood still as she beat ineffectively on his hard-scaled chest. “You monster! How can any of this be true? Why didn’t I realize what you were? I hate you, Reed. I hate all that you represent, all that you are. All that you have done. She deserves to live. You don’t.”
“She’s right,” a deep voice stated. Startled, Summer turned around to see Slade and Leo standing there. Her heart jumped in joy. Slade was here and everything was going to be all right.
“You don’t deserve to live, you bastard.” Slade’s arms hung at his side, his feet braced apart, his body language shouting aggression and danger.
Reed rumbled a few curse words. “I hadn’t planned on our confrontation so soon, Slade. How did you find out?”
“I caught your spy in the compound. I should have suspected someone there helping, but you made sure I was occupied with other things.” Slade grinned, showing his teeth for a moment. “He told me everything he knew…before I killed him.”
“Damn. I liked that servant.” Reed muttered sarcastically and shook his head.
“But there’s more to your story, isn’t there?” Slade glanced at Summer.
Their gazes locked. She couldn’t decipher what she saw in the depths of his eyes, only that it made her feel as though she was suddenly wrapped in a protective cocoon. Slowly she stepped away from Reed.
“I suppose it won’t hurt to tell you everything now,” Reed stated. “I’m going to kill you anyway.” He suddenly reached out and grabbed Summer as she was discreetly backing away, hauling her close against him. “But just in case you decide to try something before I finish killing Aleta and then that damn cat over there, Summer stays at my side. One move from you, Slade, and I’ll slash her throat.”
“Talk fast, bastard,” Slade muttered dangerously.
“You know I poisoned Ruliard and Ansel by using magic.” Reed sneered. “It was too easy. Cast a spell over the water they drank and made sure the poison wasn’t noticeable. Carl–poor dead dragon–carried the vial of spelled poison with him at all times. Every time Ruliard or Ansel drank water, he used it.”
“So, your stupid, crazy-assed plan was to kill Ruliard and Ansel so you could take over the Clan as Ruler?” Slade laughed, the sound mirthless and full of derision. “Been air-born too long, Reed? You know a Clan won’t accept an outsider. Only an heir can be Ruler. The Shamara Clan will kill you without question.” He chuckled. “No, that’s not true. I’m going to kill you first.”
“Your over-confidence and arrogance is going to be your downfall, Slade. I always hated that about you. Now I will enjoy seeing it destroy you.”
“Big talk for a dragon who has to use a woman as a shield.” Slade glared, his eyes darkening to amber gold-fire.
“Only temporary. I plan to use her for much more things.”
“Damn you to hell.” Slade started forward. Reed placed his clawed hand against Summer’s throat, and Slade stopped immediately.
“I won’t let him hurt you, baby,” he told her gently. “Stay brave.”
“How sweet and tender,” Reed scoffed. “You mated with her, didn’t you? I thought there was something different about her today. You’re the bastard, Slade. You took her innocence simply because you lusted after her. Or…was it because you wanted to assure her compliance in staying with the Clan? That’s it. I can see it in your eyes.”
Summer bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. Was Reed right? Her heartache deepened as she stared at Slade’s noncommittal expression. I’ve been such a fool. I thought I could make him love me. For me. Not for the Clan.
“She belongs with us,” Slade finally stated, not looking at Summer. “There was no need for her compliance. She has always known it was her destiny. But what about you, Reed? Why the hell did you need her?”
“Lesson time,” Reed said with a half grin. “You might want to sit down and get comfortable. No? Fine. Here’s the short version: Summer is the only child of the most powerful healers in the world. No one in the Clan knew just how strong their line was, or how much magic flowed in their veins. The entire Fabrizio Clan’s powers were enhanced and controlled by Jons’ and Mollia’s magic.
“I tried to convince them to Bond with me and my warrior clan, but they refused. They were steadfastly loyal to Ruliard. Even after they discovered the truth, they wouldn’t accept me. Imbeciles. They were going to Ruliard to tell them what they’d discovered. I couldn’t let that happen. My plans were only in the first stage then. So we attacked them that same night. I ordered the entire village destroyed.
“With the exception of Summer. I wanted her. I intended to claim her as my own daughter and raise her to serve only me once I took over the Shamara Clan.”
Summer cried out brokenly and struggled against Reed’s painful hold. This was too much; she couldn’t stomach much more.
“Stay still, baby,” Slade cautioned softly. “Just a minute more. I promise.”
“Right.” Reed grinned and purposely tightened his hold. Summer forced back the moan. She knew Slade was ready to strike, and she had a feeling it wasn’t time yet. Despite not wanting to hear it, she needed the rest of the story.
“So,” Reed continued, “I was ready to grab Summer and flee while my men destroyed everything and everyone, but that damn Rawnie had taken her and ran. The old gypsy had just enough magic in her to effectively conceal their hiding place. I searched all night but was unable to locate them. Damn woman. I hope she’s suffering in hell now.”
“She’s not.” Leo spoke for the first time. Summer saw he had slowly moved from Slade’s side and was now positioned close to Aleta. Unfortunately, Reed
noticed too. “She’s with my Pride in Canada. She is their Healer now. So, your plan backfired, you bloody bird.”
“Maybe, but not before she did what I wanted her to. I searched the world for her and Summer. I found Rawnie in the States looking for more of Summer’s relatives. She’d hid Summer somewhere in Romania. So, I used a compelling spell on her, and she willingly agreed to give Summer to me to raise. It was too easy, really.”
“Gloat all you want,” Leo told him. “But she’s the reason I came to protect Summer. Now look at the results. You have an entire dragon clan ready to kill you for even thinking about taking her away, a lion shifter who will delight in tearing you to pieces, and…a powerful fire dragon who is about to strike. Do you honestly believe you’re going to come out of this alive, Reed?”
“Do you want to hear the rest of this story or not?” Reed made a tsking sound. “You were always so impulsive, Leo.”
“Finish,” Slade grated out, his tone hard and filled with death.
“Don’t you want to know why I feel so confident in being able to take over the Clan after Ruliard, Ansel, and even you, Slade, are dead?”
“Because you’re a certifiable idiot, ass-hole?”
“If I wasn’t going to kill you, I’d make you regret that disrespect.”
“In your dreams.”
Reed glanced down at Summer. “I wonder what you’ll think of your hero when I make him grovel before me first.”
Summer looked at Slade. Their gazes met, his full of promise and fire. She realized in that moment, no matter what else happened or was said, she would still love him. Nothing could change that, even if he didn’t feel the same.
“I can’t see that happening,” she stated with heartfelt certainty. “Slade won’t grovel at your feet, Reed. He’ll kill you first.”
Slade’s gaze burned fire. Something passed between them causing her heart to race and her breath to stall. She didn’t have the chance to think about it more though.
Leo suddenly lunged forward and yanked her out of Reed’s arms. The force of the move was so rough and fast, they both went flying across the ground to land next to Aleta.