by G. K. DeRosa
“Ah, I see…” He spun toward the hallway.
I hurried behind him, reaching for his hand. “It’s nothing bad, Talon. I’m just not familiar with how all this stuff works.”
We reached our cell, and he swept his wrist over the scanner. The door opened with a whoosh, and he stomped in. The moment it closed behind us, I muttered the words of the cloaking spell which would seal out all sounds and prevent any nosy inmates from peering inside our glass enclosure.
Talon paced in front of my bed, his long legs eating up the small space.
“What’s wrong?”
He shook his head and huffed out a breath. “I can feel your concern, your anxiety. It’s all dribbling through the bond.” He rubbed at the middle of his chest. “I’m trying not to invade your privacy, but your thoughts are practically screaming out to me. You’re worried about what the bond means, and I’m worried what that means.”
I closed the distance between us and looped my arms around Talon’s neck. His gaze dipped to my mouth, to my chest, anywhere but my eyes. “Hey… look at me.” I forced his chin up and fixed my eyes to his. “I’m not unsure about us. In all of this craziness, it’s the only thing I am sure of. I love you, Talon and I always will, with memories or without. I’d break into any prison in the world to be with you. I just need you to explain how this whole thing works. I want to make love to you more than anything, but I need to understand what will happen once we do.” A light bulb went off in my brain as I stared into the silver depths of his irises. That’s why he’s been so adamant about taking it slow. He knows it will happen if we sleep together.
“Of course I know what will happen,” he snapped, and his pupils narrowed to reptilian slits.
Damn, I had to keep my thoughts under better control.
“I’m sorry.” He inhaled a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut. Once they reopened, his pupils were back to normal human size. “Yes, I know what will happen. My dragon has already claimed you as his. Sex will seal the bond, and that’ll be it. He’ll bite you, our blood will intermingle and we’ll be tied together for life. For dragons, the mate bond is holier than marriage. The wedding ceremony is only a formality; for all intents and purposes we’ll be married in the eyes of the dragon world.”
I swallowed hard. All the air fled from my lungs, and I was left gasping. Why hadn’t I paid better attention to the stories Mom used to tell me about her half-sister and my uncle, the dragon alpha?
“You see? You’re not ready.” His eyes drifted to the floor again, and a rush of disappointment filled my chest.
Was I ready? I wasn’t even twenty yet. I hadn’t let the truth sink in, that a mate bond was only an inch away from marriage, kids, the whole nine yards. I sucked in a ragged breath.
“Azara, are you okay?” Talon’s arms encircled my waist, steadying me. His fingertips seared into my hips through the stiff polyester.
I lifted my eyes to his, and a tidal wave of emotion nearly swallowed me up. The battle ensued in my chest as our raging sentiments spiraled into a chaotic jumble until I couldn’t decipher where my feelings ended and his began.
“Azara?” The sound of my name on his lips soothed the turmoil, caressed my very soul. And with it, came a blast of clarity.
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“I want you, I want your dragon, I want us forever.”
Talon’s eyes closed, and a sharp breath escaped through his clenched teeth. “I don’t want to put you on the spot like this. It really wasn’t my intention. And you’re right, you deserve to know what you’re getting into.”
“Talon, look at me. I’m going into this with eyes wide open, so you should too. All this talk about your dragon, and we haven’t even discussed my unpredictable demon.”
His eyes snapped open, the silver blazing as they seared into me. “My dragon chose you—all of you. I came to the realization while I was laying in that infirmary bed watching you sleep. If having you meant dealing with her, it was worth it.”
My hand moved to the zipper of his jumpsuit, my fingers trembling as they fastened on the tab. I lowered it slowly as anticipation uncoiled in a fiery wave. Talon’s hand closed over mine, and he slowly shook his head.
“What?”
“We’re not triggering the bond tonight, Azara. I love that you chose me, and I know you think you know what you’re getting into, but I want you to have more time to think about it.”
A bucket of ice water spilled over the glowing embers in my core. This guy’s mood swings were giving me whiplash. “I thought you wanted this?”
“I do.” He squeezed my hands between his big palms. “More than anything in this world, but before we’re tied for eternity, I want you to be sure.”
“I am.” I brushed my lips over his, softly, then with more urgency as desire heightened with the mere touch.
He pulled away, a broad smile stretching across his handsome face. “I know you think you are. And I love you for that.” His mouth closed over mine, shutting me up with a sweltering kiss.
I clung onto his hips as my knees wobbled from the intensity.
“Soon,” he murmured against my mouth.
Tease! I shot back.
I promise it’ll be worth it. His rumbly voice echoed through my mind, warming my insides. I had no doubt it would be.
Chapter Twelve
A sharp knock on the door sent me jolting up in bed. I slid to the edge of the mattress and nearly tumbled off Talon’s top bunk. Son of a biscuit! I still wasn’t used to waking in his bed despite it having become a habit over the past week.
Talon’s arm locked around my waist, and he tugged me into his side and away from the precarious ledge.
“Am I going to regret coming in?” Logan stood at the door, his gaze cast down at the floor.
A twinge of embarrassment coated my cheeks in warmth as I scrambled down the ladder. “No, come in,” I mumbled, dragging my fingers through my messy hair.
The warden marched in and Talon leapt off the top bunk, joining us by my bed. My dragon was shirtless, his chest hard planes of perfection once again. Even with Logan in the room, I couldn’t help but ogle the shimmering silver dragon inked across his flesh. The bond I felt with the creature was stronger than ever despite forgoing sex, for now.
Mate. Mate. Mate. Dragon-Talon’s voice echoed through my mind, sending goosebumps spilling over my flesh.
“Azara?”
“Huh?” Tearing my thoughts back to the present, I lifted my gaze to Logan’s.
“I have news from Maxim.”
A streak of panic zipped across my chest, a mixture of mine and Talon’s by the look on his face.
“What did he say?” Talon snapped.
“It’s time. He’s requesting your presence back at SIA headquarters in an hour. He wants you to bring the new team up to speed on all the information you’ve collected on Azara’s whereabouts.”
A slew of curses erupted from Talon’s clenched jaw.
It couldn’t be the end of the month already. Where had the days gone? “What does that mean?” I finally asked when I was able to form a coherent sentence.
“It means the SIA is coming for you,” Talon muttered, a deep line between his brows. “I’ll be sure to feed them as many false leads as I can to buy us some time.”
“And then what? It’s only a matter of time before one of those warlords spills and the SIA puts two and two together.” My gaze darted back and forth from Talon to Logan. “I don’t want you guys to take the blame for hiding me. Maybe I should turn myself in.”
“Absolutely not,” Talon snarled.
“Maybe my dad can talk to Maxim and explain what Thax did to me.”
“No. I’m responsible for what happened, and I’ll fix it, Azara. I swear. I don’t want Ryder thinking I can’t handle this.”
“Talon…” Of course the big proud dragon would be worried about what my dad thought.
He stepped closer, his eyes boring into mine. “Let me
try. If I can’t figure it out, we’ll go to your family.”
“Okay.” I trusted Talon with all my heart, and I knew how much losing me to Thax still plagued him.
“Thank you.” He squeezed my hand, and the heat of his skin set off sparks all the way up my arm. He kissed the top of my head and spun toward the door. “I have to talk to the guys before I go. Maybe Dallas can work some magic on the footage we’ve compiled of Azara’s demon.”
I gulped. I’d never seen myself in action. Though most of my memories had returned, the ones when I’d blacked out hadn’t. Only dark bits and pieces seeped through sometimes, and I was relieved I didn’t have to relive the grisly details.
Before darting out the door, Talon whirled back. “You’ll keep an eye on her while I’m gone?” he asked Logan.
The warden’s head dipped. “I’ll guard her with my life.”
I suppressed the eye roll threatening to break free. These two were so dramatic. No one had tried to kill me in weeks. Right now, my biggest problem was the SIA, and I hoped it stayed that way. A supernatural government agency I could handle. It was the sneaky, double-crossing demon warlords that troubled me.
“Why isn’t Talon back yet?” I grumbled into my poor excuse for a coffee. He’d been gone for a full day, and I was going crazy. I’d tried multiple times to contact him mentally, but my magical ESP must have been on the fritz. Or it didn’t work within SIA walls.
“Relax, pumpkin.” Hayden sat back in the chair and propped his feet up on the cafeteria table. “Maxim is likely having him go over all the files we have on you. And believe me, there are a lot.”
I arched a brow at my angel cellie.
Dallas sat forward, leaning his elbows on the table and lowered his voice. “I duped some old files and changed a few details to keep the new team chasing their tails for a while. There’s so much extra info they’ll be going through boxes of files for days.”
A swirl of unexpected emotion tightened my throat. I swallowed it down and smiled at the pair. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate everything you’re doing for me. I hope it doesn’t end up biting you in the ass.”
Dallas smirked and flashed me his fangs, chomping down. “I don’t mind a little bite now and again.”
I shook my head and laughed. “Seriously though, how much trouble could you get into for this?”
Hayden waved a nonchalant hand and clucked his teeth. “No point in worrying about it now.”
But I did worry. Sooner or later the SIA would catch up with me, and the guilt of what would happen to the guys kept me up at night. The SIA was Talon’s life. I hated that he was risking it all to protect me.
Speaking of the agency and guilt, I wondered what Vander was up to. Last I’d heard, he’d been assigned a desk job. I didn’t like to bring up the lost wolf to Talon given our murky past, but I often thought about him.
I took another quick sip of the muddy brown coffee and casually glanced up at Hayden. “Have you guys heard from Vander?”
He shook his head, biting down on his lower lip. “Not since he left the SIA.”
“What?” I nearly spat the lukewarm liquid everywhere.
“He couldn’t handle being trapped behind a desk, and there weren’t many other options with his cover blown.”
Which was my fault.
That damned twinge of guilt rose up again. If my lusty she-demon hadn’t jumped Vander that night, none of this would’ve happened. Don’t blame me, you were there too. Her voice echoed in my mind, the sultry sound kindling dark memories. She was right. In the moment, I’d enjoyed losing control, devouring souls, playing with fire.
I shook my head out and dislodged the dark thoughts. Never again. I was in control now, and I would remain that way.
“Earth to Azara, come in, Azara.” Hayden waved his hand in front of my face. He must have been doing it for a while judging by his perplexed expression.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “So where is he now?”
“Probably back in Marlwoods would be my guess.”
Marlwoods, the shifter realm. I’d never been there either, but from what I’d heard, things were run pretty differently over there. Like the Fae, they had a hierarchical society with the alphas ruling over packs spread across the land.
“Don’t feel sorry for him,” Dallas interjected. “Vander dug his own grave. He never should’ve laid his paws on you.”
I shot him a good eye roll. “It’s not like I was exactly innocent in the whole incident.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Hayden added. “You never move in on a brother’s girl. That’s rule number one of the bro code.”
A laugh burst from my lips. “You guys are too funny.”
Dallas stopped chewing and lowered his spoon, his expression turning pensive. “Technically, Vander did fall for Azara first though.”
“Doesn’t count. She didn’t know that.”
I threw my hand up before Dallas could counter. “Please, let’s not relive this story. That’s one memory I wish I could erase from my mind forever.” And that was saying a lot.
“Me too.” Hayden’s lip curled in distaste. “I still can’t erase the image of your drunk ass grinding on Vander at Moon Fest.”
“Stop!” I buried my face in my hands as heat spread across my cheeks. I’d gone over that night about a million times in my head. I didn’t need to do it again with an audience.
“What’s going on over here?” Flix sauntered over with a mischievous grin on his lips and Valeria trailing behind.
“Just being tortured by these two.”
“Where’s your big bad dragon boyfriend?” Valeria’s light eyes twinkled with amusement.
“Work duty off property,” Hayden answered.
Her smile waned, and she nodded quickly.
Flix folded into the seat beside me and snatched my cup of coffee, taking a big gulp. “When’s lover boy coming back?”
“I don’t know,” I grumbled.
Valeria hitched her thumb at a table full of Fae over her shoulder. “Oh, sorry, I just remembered I have to tell Linna to get me a bottle of shampoo from the commissary. I’ll be right back.” She scampered away, and I turned back to Flix.
“What was that about?”
He shrugged. “Valeria’s very particular about her hair. Anyway, since your man’s gone, let’s do something fun.”
I could feel Hayden’s gaze boring into the side of my face. Just because Talon was gone didn’t mean I was allowed to roam free. On the contrary, I’d traded in one overprotective dragon for an angel and a vampire. “Like what?” I finally asked.
He leaned in close and whispered, “I was thinking we could sneak off to my office during happy hour. I still have some leftover Fae wine from Moon Fest.”
I whipped my head back and forth as the memories of the bootleg liquor blazed a bitter trail down my throat. “Not sure that’s a good idea, Flix.”
“Come on! No boys this time, just you, me and Valeria. We can catch up on all the latest prison gossip.” He winked.
Though it sounded cool, there was no way Hayden and Dallas would let me out of their sight. And with the two of them and their super sensitive hearing huddled outside the door keeping watch, I doubted I’d have any fun at all.
I ticked my head at my stand-in bodyguards. “They’d have to come with, and I have a feeling they’d zap the fun right out of it.”
Hayden grunted and Dallas jabbed at his chest in a stabbing motion. “You wound me deeply,” said the vampire.
“Would you guys let me go by myself?”
“Absolutely not,” Hayden barked.
“Why do they have to follow you everywhere?” Valeria appeared behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my seat. Geez, I had to put a bell on that one.
“Because they’re stalkers.” I smirked at the guys.
“Because Talon will have our hides if anything happens to her while he’s gone,” Dallas countered.
“Why would anything happen?” Valeria’s inquisitive gaze
darted back and forth between us.
“It wouldn’t,” I interjected. “Talon is just paranoid.” With Thax buried deep beneath his former castle and Delacroix firmly planted in his new throne, there was no reason for anyone to want me dead anymore. Besides the usual prison gang stuff. I pushed my lips out in what I hoped was an adorable pout and peered up at the guys, batting my lashes. “Please let me go. I could really use some alone time with my friends.”
Hayden’s lips pressed into a tight line. He wasn’t buying my act for a minute. “No.”
“What if we stayed outside the room?” Dallas volunteered.
“We promised T,” Hayden countered.
“And we’re not reneging on our promise. We’ll be right on the other side of the door.”
And well within vamp hearing. But maybe there was something I could do about that without my Fae friends figuring it out.
“Please, Hayden. That sounds like a good compromise. Even Talon lets me pee in private.”
“Fine,” he grumbled and seared Dallas with a wicked glare. “If anything goes wrong, it’s on you. Just remember dragon fire can scorch your vampire ass.”
Dallas wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and a huge grin lit up my face. “Totally worth it for that smile.”
An hour later I was neck deep in prison gossip, my head spinning from bootleg booze. A hiccup burst from my lips as Flix recounted his latest encounter in the boneyard, and a hysterical fit of laughter ensued.
Flix’s pink lips puckered as I rolled on the floor. “It wasn’t that funny.”
“I’m not laughing at you and the nymph,” I panted out between giggles. “It’s the alcohol.” I hiccupped again, laughing.
“I think you need a little more.” Valeria grabbed the bottle and filled my plastic cup with the lavender liquid.
I took another sip then put it down. I could already feel my silencing spell weakening with each gulp of the potent liquor, and the guys did not need to hear me gushing about their best friend.