“Well, I guess chaos could certainly describe what’s happening to our city.” Sarcasm etched her words.
“All Chaos dragons aren’t malevolent.” Brayden’s lips twitched. “Sometimes it takes a little chaos to bring order to a situation. That’s what the black dragons usually do. Restore order. They are only allowed through the portal once in a while when it is absolutely necessary and then they must return to Jarithia when their task is over.”
“But this one didn’t return?”
“No.” The admission drew a long sigh. “This one’s a rogue. And it must be dealt with immediately. Cyrus should have never been allowed through the portal. He has a long history of violence and was banned to the most desolate part of Jarithia.”
“If you’re a Gatekeeper then how did this Chaos dragon get through?” Uncertainty flickered across her face.
“I don’t know, but I sure intend to find out.” Brayden slid his cell phone from his jean pocket and flipped open the top. He shot Callie a quick look then punched some buttons. As soon as Cade Blackfoot answered he barked, “What have you found out about Cyrus?”
Brayden listened to Cade’s report for a few moments then shot Callie another look. “I see.” Dread pooled in his stomach. It was worse than he thought. “Yes, it’s time to call in the others. I’ll be in touch.”
He flipped the phone shut. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Cyrus was near. He could feel the black dragon’s presence. Could hear him breathing in the shadows. Could smell his stench.
“What is it?” Fear flickered in Callie’s eyes. “What did you find out?”
“We need to get out of here. Now.”
“What do you mean?”
“When is your brother’s birthday?”
Callie knitted her brow. “In a few days I think. What does that have to do with anything?”
“In case you’ve forgotten, it’ll be his twenty-fifth. The – parden the pun – magic year for a wizard. He’ll come into his full power during his birth minute on his twenty-fifth birthday.”
Callie nodded. “That’s true. I came into mine three years ago, but I haven’t let my Magik come to fruition. I’ve kept mine subdued. It’s better that way.”
“There’s more.” Brayden paused. It pained him to have to tell her, but she needed to know. Her life depended on it. “He invoked Cyrus for a ritual. We think he plans to kill you to take your Magik. According to Jarithian lore, a wizard or sorceress can harness the power of any family member who dies during the birth minute of the Magik maker’s twenty-fifth birthday.”
All the color drained from Callie’s face. “Omigod! My mother died on my father’s twenty-fifth birthday. I remember hearing the rumors as I was growing up. I just didn’t know what they meant. Do you think my father killed my mother for her powers too?”
“I don’t know. Quite possibly. You said yourself you didn’t believe it was an accident.” Brayden thinned his lips. “It seems Grigori is carved from the same mold as your father.”
Callie swallowed hard. “You’re sure he’s going to do this? I know he has a bit of a black heart, but he is my brother. He couldn’t do this to me. He just couldn’t.”
Brayden reached for her hand. It trembled as it nestled in his. “My source is reliable, Callie. The Gatekeepers have been investigating Cyrus ever since I discovered his presence at that first fire. What I’m telling you is true. You are in danger. You’re a full-blooded sorceress. Both of your parents were Magik makers. Grigori’s only a half-blood. You have much more power than he’ll ever have, and he wants yours enough to kill for it.”
“I just don’t understand. What does Cyrus have to do with all of this?”
“Two things. First, he’s here to cause chaos. The fires are just a ruse to draw you out. Grigori knew you’d confront him when you realized he was behind them. Second, your brother has cast a spell on Cyrus to harness the black dragon’s power as well.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Callie’s shoulders sagged. “How do I know you’re not the one trying to lure me to my death.”
“You’ll just have to trust me. We have to go. Now. You’re not safe here.” Brayden squeezed her hand. It felt soft and warm in his with just a hint of nervous moisture. A sudden protective instinct exploded inside him. An intense desire to keep Callie safe at all cost.
Why in the name of Hades did he suddenly feel such a strong need to protect a sorceress?
Callie hesitated for a moment. Doubt battled in the stormy depths of her eyes. Then as if deciding he might be the lesser of the two evils she took a deep breath and nodded.
Brayden’s heart squeezed as he took in Callie’s pale face. She tried to mask her fear but her lower lip trembled. A river of rage washed over him. At that moment, Brayden realized he’d do whatever it took to keep her safe.
He just wasn’t sure if the sexy sorceress had managed to bewitch him after all or if there was another force – a more human one – taking control of his heart. And he wasn’t positive which would be worse.
* * *
Callie wasn’t quite sure what possessed her to go with Brayden. After all, he was the enemy. A dragon of all things. Maybe it was the fact she really didn’t want to confront Grigori just yet. Or maybe it was because she really didn’t want to know if her only flesh and blood really planned to kill her. In the end, she suspected, it had more to do with the fact she wanted to believe Brayden. And oddly enough, she did feel safe with him. Somewhat. An inner instinct – or third eye as the elders called it – told her he wouldn’t harm her. Not intentionally anyway.
“Where are we going?” Callie noticed he didn’t immediately release her hand once they exited the building. She also noticed she liked the way his hand felt against hers. A bit rough and calloused, but also strong and secure.
The sensation caused her heart to flutter against her breastbone.
“My house.” Brayden’s steps were swift and purposeful. She practically had to jog to keep up with him.
Callie cast a quick look toward the green Focus parked in front of Grigori’s World of Magik. “What about my car?”
“Pick it up later.” He didn’t wait for her to argue but pulled her along the sidewalk with him.
Seconds later he stopped in front of a sleek, black mid-size sedan parallel parked along the curb. Ever the gentleman, he yanked open the passenger door for her then closed it with a bang. With dragon speed, he slid behind the wheel and started the engine. His hand stilled on the key.
“What is it?” Callie swallowed hard.
“Cyrus.” The clipped word sent tremors over her body. Callie turned in her seat and looked around nervously.
“Where?” She craned her neck to get a better view out the back glass. “I don’t see anything.”
Brayden started the engine and pulled away from the curb. “There.” He pointed through the windshield in front of them.
Callie turned back around and wished she hadn’t.
Cloaked in the black night, directly in front of their car, hovered a looming dark shape. A shape with yellow glowing eyes, a long forked tail and expansive bat-like wings. It reared back its head and breathed. Fire exploded from the dragon’s mouth, lighting up the sky like a detonated bomb.
Callie felt the blood drain from her face. “Omigod!”
Brayden muttered an oath, geared up and floored it.
The sedan sped along the highway at an alarming rate. Luckily, the streets were almost empty of traffic or else Callie was sure they would have wrecked. She gripped the side handle on the door and held on for dear life. She didn’t know which would be worse – crashing in the car or being barbequed by the thing in the sky.
A few minutes later Brayden slowed the car down.
“What are you doing?” Callie released her death grip on the handle just a fraction.
“He’s gone.”
Callie whipped her head around and peered out the back window. She didn’t see anything except the waxin
g moon and rows of cypress trees on the side of the road. “Are you sure?”
Brayden nodded curtly. “For now.” He turned off the main highway onto a gravel road.
Callie expelled the breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding when Brayden finally pulled into a long driveway lined with a canopy of oak trees.
Callie gasped, her heart rate finally returning to its normal beat. “Where are we?”
“My house.” The corner of Brayden’s mouth lifted. “What do you think?”
“What do I think?” Callie repeated in awe. “I think it’s beautiful. How many people live here?”
“Just me.”
“Seriously?” The look Callie threw him was incredulous. “All by yourself. In this huge castle?” She nodded toward the three-story stone structure with a stone walkway leading to a drawbridge. Two turrets stood proudly in the north and the south wings obviously serving as watchtowers. His home reminded her of something out of the middle ages. Brayden chuckled. “Just me. Though I do have a cook and a butler who come in each day. They live with their families in the guest houses behind mine. I offered to let them stay in the castle.” He shrugged. “I guess they prefer their own home. I also have a gardener, but I like to do most of the landscaping myself. I do have a bit of a green thumb, if I do say so myself.” He shot her a grin and slid out the car then quickly came around to open her door.
Callie stepped onto the gravel drive and breathed in the sweet fragrance of rose bushes. The waxing moon, high in the star-filled sky provided just enough light for her to see the lush gardens, various water fountains and perfectly landscaped hedge maze on the other side of a long expanse of water.
“Complete with a moat.” Callie shook her head in amazement. She walked over to the water and peeked in. Something snapped then splashed in the murky water below. “What in the world do you have in there?”
“Gators.” Brayden laughed. The low, sexy sound sent shivers of awareness over her. He lowered the drawbridge and guided her over the moat. “For protection.”
Once on the other side, Brayden lifted the bridge. The squeaking chains and sudden snap of the drawbridge closing sobered Callie. A wave of claustrophobia gripped her.
She was trapped.
With a dragon.
And she had just willingly walked into his lair.
CHAPTER FIVE
Brayden noticed the change almost immediately. The way her eyes darted from the bridge to him as if she wanted to make a run for it, along with the way her adorable bottom lip trembled ever so slightly. For a sorceress, she sure didn’t seem too sure of herself. Or her powers.
“Relax, my dear.” Brayden squeezed her hand and led her to the double stone doors of his home. “You’re quite safe with me.”
His inner dragon pawed in disagreement. Brayden ignored it.
The doors opened of their own accord then immediately closed behind them. Callie flung a nervous glance over her shoulder. “Can he – the black dragon – get in?”
“No. The castle is protected. Nothing can penetrate the threshold without my consent.”
Brayden frowned as Callie involuntarily shuddered. She still didn’t trust him. Not completely. Did she not realize he was in more danger from her than she ever would be from him?
Callie followed him past the decorative crossed swords hanging on the stone walls and the six suits of plate armor standing proudly in the vast hallway.
“Didn’t knights slay dragons?”
“At one time they tried, yes.”
“Then why on earth would you want to use them as decorations?”
Brayden grinned. “I admired their bravery. Anyone who dares to cross a dragon earns my respect. Even if they don’t live to realize it.”
Callie’s eyes widened and Brayden couldn’t resist asking, “You wouldn’t cross me, would you, Callie?”
Though alarm flittered across her expressive face, she held his gaze without flinching. “Not unless you give me a reason to.”
Brayden’s low laugh reverberated through the hallway and bounced off the walls. His little sorceress was simply too much, he thought with a grin.
Bloody blazes! When had he started thinking of Callie as his?
The realization drop-kicked him in the gut and then he knew. He had started when he realized he actually liked her. Not just desired her or wanted her, but genuinely liked her.
The thought shocked him. It was such a new feeling. To feel this strongly about someone. Especially in such a short period of time. In all of his four hundred years he had never met anyone he had truly felt was his soul mate. But somehow he knew Callie was. Whether she knew it or not. And that made him more determined to keep her safe.
When they reached the parlor, she plopped into a mustard-gold, velvet wingback chair and asked, “So, how do we destroy the dragon?”
Brayden blinked.
When he didn’t answer immediately, Callie looked at him expectantly. “Cyrus. How do we get rid of the black dragon?” She cocked her head to the side. “You do have a plan don’t you?”
Brayden plunged a hand through his hair. Cyrus. Of course. For a minute there he thought she’d meant –
Never mind. He gave himself a mental shake and sat down in the chair opposite her. “Not exactly.”
Right now, the only plan he had was keeping her safe. He’d need to talk with the other Gatekeepers first before deciding on the best course of action.
“So what do we do now?”
A beat. “Wait.”
“That’s it?” Callie jumped to her feet. “Wait? For what? For how long?” She paced the length of the room, her heels clicking over the hardwood floor, then whirled around to face him. “I do have a life to get back to you know.”
A stab of jealousy shot through him. What kind of life? Did she have a boyfriend? A lover who might be waiting on her?
Callie started pacing again. “I can’t hide out here forever. I’ve got a job to get back to.”
A job. Not a lover. OK. He could deal with a job. “We can’t go back. Not tonight anyway.”
She stopped pacing again and glared at him. “People will be expecting me to be there tomorrow. There are weddings to prepare for. Deliveries to be made. Somebody might even decide at the last minute they want to buy their wife a dozen roses. How can they do that if I’m not there?”
“Don’t you have an assistant?”
“Well … yes, Melody. But she’ll wonder where I am. I’m never late, and I rarely take off.”
“Can’t she handle those details?”
“Of course, it’s just that I–” Callie reddened. “I like to make sure everything is in order myself.”
Brayden smiled. Ah, control. So Ms. Callie Gautreaux had a control issue. He could understand that. He also had a thing for being in control. In his line of work – both as the Gatekeeper and as a mortal firefighter – control was of utmost importance. Without it people died.
But sometimes things were just out of one’s hands.
“What are you smiling at?” Callie’s lips tightened. “You don’t believe me?”
“On the contrary, I fully believe you, and I understand you. However, perhaps you should call your assistant and let her know you may be unavoidably detained for a few days.”
“A few days?” Callie licked her lip. “I – I don’t think I can be gone that long.”
“Regrettably, I’m afraid you don’t have any choice,” he said softly.
“Are you saying I’m a prisoner here?”
Brayden stood and walked over to her. “You’re not a prisoner, Callie. You’re my guest. Think of my home as your home for the next few days. But you mustn’t leave the confines of the castle walls.” He lifted a strand of dark hair from her shoulder and let the silky texture sift through his fingers. “Is there anyone else who might miss you? A neighbor? Or a boyfriend perhaps.” Brayden held his breath waiting on her answer.
A shadow passed across her features. “No, no boyfriend. No one.�
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“Good.” Brayden slid his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her toward him. He breathed in the scent of magnolias as he rested his lips against her hair. Her silken tresses felt like satin against his skin. Then he whispered, “I’d hate to have to disappoint him.”
“Disappoint him?” The question in her voice came out low and husky. The sound slid over him in a wave of unquenchable hunger. For her.
“Yes. When I informed him you were no longer available.”
“Am I? No longer available, I mean?” Her eyes asked him if he felt it too. The unmistakable bond between them.
It was then Brayden knew she would never be available again. Somehow. Someway. He knew she was meant for him. In every sense.
“Not by a long shot, sugar. You’re mine now,” Brayden murmured against her cheek.
The dragon within stomped and hissed its disapproval. Brayden ignored it and held her tighter.
* * *
Callie didn’t just want to be in control. She needed to be in control. Of everything. Her job. Her life. Her relationships. Growing up with a father who wanted nothing more than to manipulate everything and everyone around him taught her to grasp onto any sense of self she could find. And Callie had held on for dear life ever since. But now with Brayden’s hand stroking her neck and his body pressed against hers, feeling his desire throbbing rigidly against her thigh, she felt anything but in control.
And for the first time in her life, she didn’t mind.
“I think I could get used to that.” Her lips tugged upwards.
“You’d better.” Brayden’s lips crushed hers in a searing kiss that turned her knees into jelly. His tongue slid past her teeth, tasting her, teasing her until she no longer could hold back. Her nipples peaked and ached for his touch. For his lips. Her body ignited with the intensity of a thousand suns, and she pressed even closer to him.
“Tell me to stop and I will,” Brayden murmured against her lips.
Stop? Was he kidding? She wanted to feel him. Touch him. Make him want her as much as she wanted him.
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