Sylvie shuddered at the thought of still being back at the facility and reminded herself that was over, for now.
These people wouldn’t have rescued her if they were only going to take her back.
When they reached the living room, she was shocked as she took in how many people were there. Of course, with a house this huge, it wouldn’t be crowded, but still…
All the men from before were there, but in the light, they were much easier to see. Clearly all tall and hot even compared to the shifters who’d imprisoned her. Hotness on steroids.
They all had oddly hued hair and eyes that set them apart from humans as well. Several of them had women with them, so apparently, those guys were spoken for. She had no desire to mess with another girl’s man.
She had no desire to really mess with anyone, except for the hot nerd she’d just kissed impulsively. Would he tell the others? Would they guess something by the way he was still blushing furiously and refusing to meet her eyes?
As her attention turned to the small, curvy older woman in the room, Sylvie guessed not.
This was the oracle. Sylvie knew it just by the way she drew all the attention in the room, centered the energy like a vortex. When the oracle looked up at Sylvie and gestured for her to come sit on the couch beside her, Sylvie felt unable to refuse.
The oracle had misty, purple-white eyes that seemed to look through her. She looked tired but wise.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sylvie.”
“How did you know my name?”
“I’ve been looking for you for some time,” the oracle replied. “When we found the nurse who tended you at the scene, it helped us make a breakthrough.”
“Ah. Wait, that nurse, is she okay? Did they grab her, too?”
“Farrah?” The oracle nodded. “She’s fine. She’s here, in fact, but might be a little shy.”
“I see. Plus, she probably doesn’t want to see me, given that it’s my fault she got kidnapped. Now that you mention it, when they got us all rounded up on a plane, maybe I did see her in the crowd. It was hard to tell because it was dark, and they split us all up soon after.”
“So there were many of you.”
“A handful,” Sylvie said. “I hope the others are all right.”
“The double dragons have been able to rescue a few, and we are looking into other options. For the harder missions, we’ve used the dragons here.”
“So you three were taken?” She looked at the three human women in the room.
One of them was sitting next to a dude with longish blond hair, another by the man who had shoulder-length dark hair and hawkish eyes, and the last by the man with dark-gray hair and silver eyes.
“Brittany was.” The oracle gestured to the one with the leader of the group. She had blondish-brown hair and gentle blue eyes, and everything about her seemed soft and kind of pleasant. “Leanne, too.”
The oracle gestured to the woman sitting with the silver-eyed man. She had shoulder-length curls and deep-brown eyes.
Sylvie raised her hand in a silent wave at the two women, who acknowledged her with kind smiles.
The oracle continued. “Casey met Cadmium another way, and they can tell you about that later, I’m sure.” The woman with the blond man gave a nod as well. She had long, dark-brown hair that was back in a ponytail and hazel-green eyes.
Sylvie gave her a smile.
“Anyway, I’m not sure how much Cobalt has told you, but basically, now that the wolves are after you because you’re a dragon heart, we can’t let you leave. We may have rescued you, but as long as things are in flux in the shifter world, you’re far from safe.”
Sylvie looked around at the beautiful mansion, the kind people around her, and her gut said no one here meant her any harm.
“Fine by me.” She shrugged. “I’ve probably been evicted anyway, and they would have thrown out all my stuff or sold it.”
“I’m sorry for what you’ve lost.” The oracle looked at her regretfully. “You didn’t deserve for any of this to happen to you.”
“Thanks.”
“Then again, by the time this is over, you might find yourself grateful for being introduced to this world.”
Sylvie frowned. She didn’t like to think about the future, and she didn’t like to think long term. She lived in the moment. It was what had kept her sane when she was captured, what had helped her escape, and what kept her from sinking into despair and giving up.
“Anyway.” The oracle continued, sensing the awkwardness. “If you are fine staying here for a while, it would really help us out. The dragons here will make sure to order anything you need and can help with whatever you wish. Anything you want, it’s yours.”
“Except freedom,” Sylvie said drily, deciding this was just the way shifters operated.
“Except freedom, for now.”
“It’s fine.” Sylvie waved her hand, reminding herself it really was. She shouldn’t be in a rush to get home anyway, given that she’d probably be starting all over again.
She’d always had to fight tooth and nail, sometimes literally, for what she got, and she wasn’t looking forward to having to repeat her progress. “I’ll stay. But what am I supposed to do while I’m here?”
“The dragons can tell you. Games, movies. There’s a gym downstairs and a hot tub out back, I believe. Lots of good company once you get to know them. The dragons are still a little odd with Earth customs, but their warm personalities generally make up for it.”
Sylvie decided she liked the oracle. She was frank and no-nonsense and didn’t hold anything back. “Cool.”
“I can vouch for that,” Casey said. “These guys are fun to hang out with.”
“Think of it like a vacation,” Brittany said.
“Feels more like a cult,” Sylvie joked. Everyone just stared at her. “You know, ‘cause you’re all so friendly. Like, ‘Be one of us. We’ll be your friends.’”
Brittany and her mate shared confused glances, and Sylvie felt awkwardness settle in her stomach as she realized she’d goofed up.
“Anyway, shouldn’t everyone introduce themselves to me?”
“Of course.” The oracle stood. “Unfortunately, I must go. Our world is at war, and there are always a thousand things demanding my attention. But if you need to get in touch with me urgently, the dragons know how to contact my apprentice.”
“Okay,” Sylvie said, feeling nervous now that this kind older woman was going to leave her alone with a bunch of people she’d just compared to a cult.
One of whom she wanted to make out with.
“Oracle, can I speak with you quickly?” That was Cobalt, who was standing now and waiting for a response.
“Of course. We’ll talk outside, and then I’ll make my portal.”
Sylvie watched as they left and hoped Cobalt wasn’t about to tell on her for what she’d done.
Was coming on to dragons against the rules?
“So introductions,” Brittany said, leaning forward. “I’m sure you’re anxious to get to know everybody.”
“Especially since we’re apparently trying to induct you into a cult.” The man with black hair to his shoulders cocked his head at her. His eyes were a piercing emerald green.
Cobalt’s cousin, the man with pale hair and light eyes, let out a snort of amusement. Like the others, he was huge and muscled, but he had a different demeanor about him. Sort of quiet and laid back. Sylvie could foresee them being good friends.
“The sarcastic one is Arsenic,” the dark-haired leader said. “And the one who apparently finds this funny is Chromium, Cobalt’s cousin. I am Lead, captain of the dragon guard. Did Cobalt explain the dragon guard?”
Sylvie nodded. “A little bit.”
“This is Cadmium.” Lead pointed at the blond-haired man, who was currently stroking his hand cheerfully through his girlfriend’s dark ponytail, ignoring her attempts to swat him away as she blushed.
Cadmium gave her a wave. “Nice to meet you. This is
my mate, Casey.”
He seemed like a cheerful type, but he was clearly taken, so she’d probably stay away.
“You’ve met Cobalt,” Lead said. “Oh, this is Zinc. He’s the next king of our world.” He gestured to the man with dark-silver eyes and dark-gray hair who was watching from a nearby recliner, his mate on his lap. He seemed more distant than the others, but his smile was polite. Kingly.
“Nice to meet you,” Zinc said. “As you heard, this is my mate, Leanne.”
Sylvie nodded. “So is that everyone?”
“Except for my mate, Farrah,” Arsenic said. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to meet you tomorrow, but she is very hard to wake at this time of night.”
“There are two others,” Brittany said. “Mercury and Marina are both dragons you might see pop up around here, but it’s hard to tell when. Marina is the oracle’s apprentice. She’s a water dragon.”
“Mercury,” Sylvie said thoughtfully, putting a finger to her chin. She lifted her gaze to the room, a grin spreading. “Arsenic, Lead, Zinc, Cobalt, Chromium. You all could have a sick metal band going here.”
“A what?” Zinc asked, cocking his head.
“A band, you know, like—”
Brittany let out a snort and then threw back her head and started laughing as Casey joined her.
At least the humans got the joke.
“No band, I’m afraid,” Casey said. “Their names are because of the metals in their blood.”
“But wait. Arsenic, isn’t that poisonous?” Sylvie asked.
“The poisons are carefully contained,” Lead said. “There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Hm.” Sylvie wanted to ask more questions but kind of felt like her mind was exploding.
All of her new friends were nice, but a part of her just wanted to see Cobalt again. She’d never been dependent on anyone and she was the furthest thing from clingy, but right now, despite barely knowing him, she sort of wanted him close.
Hopefully, he would finish what he was doing and come back in soon.
Chapter 4
“I know what you’re thinking, Cobalt, and the truth is I don’t know.”
“What?” Cobalt asked, taken aback as he walked onto the front steps with the oracle. “What do you mean?”
“You want to ask me if she is spoken for, and the truth is it’s complicated.”
“How did you know?” Cobalt knew the oracle could read minds and hearts, but he was curious to know if she could sense that he and the human had also just been making out only a moment ago.
“Just an inkling. I know you all are impatient for mates. It’s why you came here after all. And I sensed you and Sylvie had a special connection. You helped to rescue her, and you were the one to explain more about her situation.” The oracle let out a sigh. “You are one of my favorite dragons, Cobalt. Calm, considerate, and most importantly, smart. I can’t afford to have you lose your head over this.”
“I won’t,” he said quickly, though he wasn’t sure. He’d never thought someone could shake him out of his routine the way Sylvie could.
“I do have someone in mind for her, but I’m not sure it would work. Besides, it’s up to Sylvie as well.”
His heart sank. “But it’s not me.”
“Not currently, no.” The oracle sent a frustrated glance in the direction of the living room they’d just left. “Not that any of you have been listening to me when it comes to mating. Still, things have worked out.”
“True.”
“But Sylvie is a true dragon heart,” the oracle said warily. “I don’t know what the plan will be for her, and until then, I’d advise you to be careful with your heart. You’re my most level-headed dragon, and I need you at your best.”
“I won’t be distracted.”
“You can have fun, like the others. But don’t let anything rob you of focus, of the bigger picture here. We still have people to rescue, things to get done. And Sylvie is… unique in some ways. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
That was odd. How could a little thing like Sylvie hurt him?
The oracle simply watched him for a moment and then shook her head. “Anyway, I should really get back. I guess I’m saying I’m not forbidding you, but I’m not suggesting it either.” She waved her hand, and a portal appeared in front of her. “Now, if you need anything else, you know how to reach Marina, and she can make the call.”
Cobalt nodded. “Thank you for everything, oracle.”
“You’re a good man, Cobalt. A good dragon. Any woman would be lucky to have you, even if it’s not this one.”
Then she was gone, leaving him with a sinking feeling he didn’t understand.
The oracle was right, of course. Whoever turned out to be his mate would make him happy. And he would make her happy in turn.
And there was nothing to suggest that Sylvie could be his mate yet.
But somehow, against all odds, that didn’t matter. He’d had an uncomfortable feeling, like an itch on his skin, ever since he’d been separated from her. Despite the fact that she made him uncomfortable, caught him off guard, he wanted to go back to her side.
He took a few deep breaths, letting the cool winter air remove the last of his flustered blushing, and then opened the door to the living room, making everyone look up.
Sylvie was still sitting in the middle of the room where she’d been when he left, and everyone was looking a little more comfortable.
“So I assume introductions have been made?” he asked formally, seating himself on a chair at the edge of the room.
“Yes.” Lead nodded. “And we have been told to make a band.”
Cobalt smiled, knowing what Sylvie was talking about from his extensive research. “Metal. Band. Clever.”
“I’m glad someone got it,” Sylvie said. “Other than the humans.” She stretched with a yawn, and Cobalt realized that now that the adrenaline from everything was fading, she was probably exhausted.
“You probably want to turn in,” Cadmium said with a smile.
“Yes.” Brittany stood. “Casey and I can show you to your room.”
“I’d rather Cobalt showed me,” Sylvie said, and everyone seemed surprised as they looked over at him.
He straightened on his chair, hoping his infernal blush had not returned. “Um. Uh…”
“Of course,” Brittany said. “Because he’s the one who has already spent the most time with you.”
“Plus, he’s a super trustworthy guy,” Casey added, as others in the room murmured in assent, lowering the tension.
Cobalt cleared his suddenly dry throat and stood up, trying his best to look normal. “Shall we go, then?”
The last time he’d been alone with this creature, she’d overtaken him. Would she do so again now, even though they’d only be at the top of the stairs and out of sight down the hall?
Part of him knew she was after him, a predator. Part of him didn’t really mind.
He led the way up the stairs to the bedroom at the end of the hallway and opened the door.
He enjoyed watching the excitement on her face as she saw the bedroom that awaited her.
She squealed and jumped onto the bed, bouncing on it and making a few cute punching motions, and then stepped off and let out a sigh. “This is perfect. If I have to be imprisoned, this is the best prison ever.”
“You aren’t imprisoned.” He wrinkled his nose as he went to the closet and opened it to show her the clothing inside. “There is human clothing in all sizes here for your use.”
She walked past him and began rifling through the clothing as he stepped back.
“And as I said, it’s not a prison. Think of it more like… a shelter. We are only here to protect you.”
“For all I know, that’s what those wolves thought,” she muttered as she pulled out a few items of clothing and tossed them on the bed.
“No, we aren’t anything like—” His words were cut off as she pulled her shirt right over her head, revealing some ki
nd of human undergarment over her full breasts.
He lunged for the door to the room and quickly shut it so no one could see in, then averted his eyes and turned to the corner of the room, waiting for her to change.
It was her turn to talk as he stayed quiet, cheeks burning as he tried to remove the picture of her curvy figure and bare skin.
“Mentally, I know that you and your friends aren’t like that. It’s not that I hate this place or have something to go back to. I’m just used to being able to come and go as I please. As long as I don’t have full freedom, I’m never going to be truly comfortable. It’s safe to turn around now.”
He did just as she was smoothing down the top of her pajama shirt over the shorts she was wearing that barely covered any of her smooth, brown legs.
His mouth watered at the sight of her, and he realized he really shouldn’t be in her room.
“Anyway, I’m sure I’ll get used to things,” she said, ignoring his gaping at her and hopping into her bed. He watched as she burrowed under the covers and let out a loud sigh of contentment.
A small smile curved his lips, and he felt himself slowly relax. She was safe. She was happy.
That made a part of him feel more fine.
Everything was going to be okay.
He walked to the door, assuming she wouldn’t need anything more from him, but stopped when he heard her clear her throat.
“What about my goodnight kiss?”
He stopped, still in shock, then slowly turned to face her, cheeks burning. How did this human always manage to surprise him?
She laughed and then gave him a smile. “Just kidding. Wanted to see you get all flustered. Night, Cobalt.”
So she’d simply wanted to see him react.
Well, it had worked. He gritted his teeth together as he walked out of the room, closed the door, and leaned against it.
How was he supposed to go to bed with the thought of her lips on his taunting him as he tried to sleep?
Cobalt couldn’t tell exactly where he was, but he knew exactly what was happening.
At least, sort of.
Everything was hazy, but he was purely aware of something he was seeking. Something he had to find immediately, though it was nowhere to be found.
Cobalt Dragon (Dragon Guard of Drakkaris Book 5) Page 3