by Kira Nyte
“If you no longer have breath, bad already happened.”
He nodded, her point made.
“Is my father going to be okay?”
“I hope we didn’t delay too long. Your father isn’t who they’re after, but he’d be good leverage.”
Alazar took another sharp curve, laying off the accelerator until the road straightened out again. He gunned the engine, bulleting down the dark straightaway. Ariah decided to sit back in her seat and grab hold of the handle along her door. Otherwise she’d have her wish of curling up in Alazar’s lap, at a most inopportune time.
“They’re after you,” Ariah surmised. Wasn’t that what the Baroqueth wanted? The dragons’ powers?
“Oh, sweetheart. She saw our hand. You’re no more safe than Mark or I. If Miriam had not seen me, you’d still be safe. Well, safer. You are my lifemate and in line to be a Keeper, but your Keeper blood will allow you to bear another dragon’s child if I die. Our enemies spare no one. The target is emblazoned on your back as bright as it is on mine.”
Damn dread. The least it could do was leave her lungs alone so she could breathe a little easier. Wasn’t it bad enough they were going to come face-to-face with really powerful sorcerers in the near future?
“I swear to you, Ariah. I swear with every fiber of my being that I will die before I let anyone or anything harm you.”
The weight of Alazar’s words settled heavy on her shoulders. His promise came with a breath of power, a force of reckoning. She had no doubt in her mind, in her heart, that she would witness her beautiful dragon’s death before she suffered her own.
Ariah caught the shadowy sign announcing their arrival in Nocturne Falls. Alazar slowed a notch, but treaded a death-defying speed along the windy, two-lane road.
“Alazar, no one will die. I’m not going to lose you. That would be really, really cruel to finally know true happiness only to have it taken away.”
“Reality, Ace.”
Ariah couldn’t help but smile. The irony. “Yesterday, I was the one stuck in reality, refusing to believe in fairytales. Guess what, you sexy beast.”
That got his attention. He even slowed to a normal speed to look at her with a new glow in his eyes.
Ariah leaned over the console and brushed her lips over his ear. “You delivered a fairytale, dragon included, and I’ll fight like a madwoman to keep what is mine.”
* * *
Small, fragile, delicate, emotionally scarred.
Everything a person might deduce looking at Ariah Callahan from a distance. He knew better.
Fierce, stubborn, warrior, spitfire.
Yep. That was his sweet Ace to the core of her being.
Alazar had to keep from puffing out his chest with pride when they stormed into his house on Crossbones Drive. He was vaguely surprised to see the size of the gathering in the living room. Sheriff Hank Merrow with Hugh, one of the Ellingham vampires who ran Nocturne Falls. Delaney, Hugh’s vampire wife, Willa, and Monalisa chatted it up with Kaylae and nibbled treats from a platter of fudge, truffles, and a few other creations from Delaney’s Delectables.
Nick and Zareh came in from the back patio. Alazar lifted his chin at the sight of Ivan, another Nocturne Falls dragon, following behind them and a smile touched his lips. The guy was not a Firestorm, but he was pretty damn big and his fighting skills would definitely come in handy. It was also nice to have another set of wings and an extra dose of fire at their disposal.
Zareh’s steps hastened as he crossed the room. “We’ve started talking about the problem.” He angled his body to Alazar’s left as Mark came around him. “Mark.”
“Zareh.” Mark clapped Zareh’s shoulder and received the same greeting from the dragon. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Circumstances could be better.” Zareh motioned to the living room, where the men gathered. “Head on in. There are beers and sodas in the tub. Steaks and burgers are coming off the grill in a few minutes.”
Mark broke off toward the living room. Ariah’s fingers tightened, drawing Alazar’s attention to her.
“Why don’t you go see Kaylae, sweetheart? I’m going to help Zar get the food off the grill.”
He placed a kiss on the top of her head before she could muster a scalding glance in his direction. One thing he learned real fast was that Ariah did not like to be thought of as “weak.” Suggesting she sit around a chocolate display with women could be taken as the equivalent of telling her not to worry her pretty little head, when in reality Alazar needed the distance in order to think straight. This lifemate business had a way of flaring at the worst possible time.
To his relief, Ariah nodded and joined the group without an argument. Alazar followed Zareh out to the patio, where Nick and Ivan had returned to flip the meat. Nick tipped his beer toward Alazar in greeting. Ivan gave a solemn nod.
“Hear we’ve got some more roaches coming out of the woodwork,” Nick said, moving a few large steaks around the grill. The flames below flared and the juices sizzled. The delicious aromas of marinade and spices made Alazar’s stomach growl. “Never a dull moment in the land of paranormals.”
“Do you know how many are here?” Ivan asked, his voice thick with his Russian accent.
“Haven’t a clue, putting us at a pretty huge disadvantage. For all we know, there are none in the immediate area at this time, but they’ll be coming now that there are targets,” Alazar said.
He quickly filled the guys in on what had transpired at Mark’s house, what his assumptions were regarding Miriam’s role as a spy, and reminded their friends of the dangers the Baroqueth would present. The last thing he wanted was a friend hurt and he would understand any of the non-Firestorms walking away from this twisted party. Each man here, each woman present, had something great to risk. Love, happiness, the lives of their partners. A huge gamble even Alazar was hesitant to take.
One thing Alazar and Zareh had learned from the last attack was that the residents of Nocturne Falls did not abandon their friends, regardless of the threat. They came together in times of need and did not back down in the face of danger.
“You guys know how to pick some mean friends,” Ivan said, and chuckled. He flipped a line of burgers. “But I think I have faced worse in the ring.”
“I’m willing to bet the things you’ve seen in the ring would probably fall to the Baroqueth.” Alazar stuck out his hand. The bet was nothing more than an attempt at levity in a life or death situation. He needed the lightness. Ivan eyed his hand. “Fifty gold coins.”
Ivan shook. “Deal, Firestorm. My hoard can use a few more pieces. I am sure an ancient such as you has a few to spare.”
“I can’t believe you,” Zareh grumbled. He grabbed a large platter and held it for Nick to place the finished steaks on. “Making bets during a time like this.”
“That’s what I do best.”
“Losing those bets is what you do best.”
Alazar shrugged. “Maybe my luck has changed.”
Zareh scowled, tossing the living room a pointed look. “Or maybe you’re whipped.”
“I won’t deny that.” Alazar cinched his brow. “What would that have to do with my gambling?”
“Your head’s in the clouds. You’re not thinking straight.”
Alazar caught the edge in his friend’s look, the unspoken implication behind his words. He forced a smile despite the sour effects of Zareh’s low jab.
“I’m thinking perfectly straight.”
The breeze kicked up suddenly. Alazar stepped closer to the edge of the patio, Zareh and Ivan flanking him. The familiar sound of beating wings accompanied the rustling treetops and intensifying waves of air.
A large, looming figure came into view, wings outstretched as the enormous dragon descended from the night-cloaked sky.
“You’re kidding me.”
Zareh’s cuss was nearly drowned out beneath the sound of wings and wind.
Alazar didn’t move from the edge of the patio, shock holdi
ng him still. The dragon landed and transformed. The man who stood in the backyard flicked a wave of black hair from his forehead, found Alazar and Zareh, and strode toward them.
“Syn,” Alazar murmured. His lips curled until he couldn’t hold back the smile. “Damn it, man!”
Syn Terravon, one of their lost brothers, flung his arms around Alazar in a tight bro hug worthy of their thirty-year separation. The hard clap of his hand on Alazar’s back assured him that their numbers had increased during their time of need.
A similar greeting was shared between Syn and Zareh, then handshakes between the newly arrived Firestorm dragon, Ivan, and Nick.
“Cade asked me to check in on Mark’s brother a few hours ago. I went over to the jail, but he wasn’t there,” Syn said soberly.
The relief that came with the reunion shattered. Hammer-to-glass shattered. Alazar narrowed his eyes.
“What do you mean?”
Syn shrugged. “I scoped out the jail before I went in and asked about Mike. According to the guard, there was no Mike Callahan booked. Checked another jail. Same thing. Went to the police department that made the arrest, according to the news reports, and the officers never heard of him. Said there was no arrest. The guy escaped.”
Coldness settled heavy in Alazar’s gut. He shook his head. “No. He was arrested. Ariah saw him surrender. He was practically tackled.”
“Doesn’t surprise me.” Syn’s calm did little to ease the rising tension spreading like fire along Alazar’s muscles. “If the Baroqueth did have him in their sight, then they most likely intervened before Mike had a chance to be booked. Which means—”
“Not good things,” Alazar bit out. He cast a shadowed glance over his shoulder. From the patio, he caught movement in the living room, but couldn’t see Ariah. The news Syn came bearing would unleash chaos. “I’ll have to break this to her.”
“Why don’t we wait and see what we can discover before that happens? Maybe he did escape. He managed that once before and we all thought he was dead.”
Alazar turned the idea over in his head for a brief second before he discarded Syn’s suggestion. This was his woman’s father. She had a right to know.
Her scent hit him first, followed by a faint electrical zing along his arms. “Alazar? What’s going on?”
Syn and Zareh burned their gazes into his head. At least he was spared the hard looks from Nick and Ivan as he turned to face his next biggest hurdle. Ariah stood in the doorway, a hand resting on the glass slider, a subtle crease across her forehead. Worry etched the golden veins of her eyes. Her lips drew taut. Hesitation spoke in the way she rocked the toe of her boot against the floor.
Her attention shifted to Syn for a moment before turning back to Alazar.
Alazar snuffed out the sigh before it made it to his lips. He motioned to Syn. “Ace, this is Syn Terravon. Another one of us.”
Ariah regarded Syn with a hint of caution behind a mask of reserve. Alazar was surprised when he received a wave of unease from Ariah, a chill that touched his mind. He was beginning to suspect she had a good idea of what was happening.
“Nice to meet you, Ariah.” Syn smiled, lending a subtle calm to the dense air, and held out his hand. Ariah stared at it for a few seconds before she accepted it in a tentative shake. “Cade contacted me for extra backup.”
The crease in her forehead deepened. She lifted her chin, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Where did you come from?”
Syn exchanged a shaded glance with Zareh. Alazar separated from the guys and moved toward Ariah, who stiffened at his approach. He paused.
“Ariah?” he murmured.
“What’s going on, Alazar? The weight of the world crashed down on you a minute ago. I felt it.”
Well, damn.
“Excuse us,” Alazar said, slipping his arm around Ariah’s waist and pulling her into the house. He didn’t stop, ignoring the curious glances from the women in the living room as he guided Ariah up the stairs to his room. The silence was unbearable, unspoken questions churning the air. He urged Ariah into his room and closed the door behind him, bracing himself for the unknown. “There’s something you need to know.”
“I’m gathering that. And I’m thinking it’s not good.”
Alazar turned to find Ariah standing in the middle of his room, arms crossed, defiant as ever. Her strength continued to amaze him.
“Syn got here real fast for having been contacted less than half an hour ago. I’m assuming Cade contacted him earlier today about something.”
Snagged by her smarts, too. Alazar was on the fast plunge to love, and the timing couldn’t have been worse.
“Cade asked Syn to check on your father, but your father’s nowhere to be found,” Alazar said. Ariah stared at him, that same defiance burning bright. He tilted his head and moved toward her. “He was never arrested per records and he was never booked.”
“That’s nonsense. I saw the cops arrest him.”
He gave a single nod. “I never doubted that you did. What I’m saying is that Syn couldn’t find a trail. At all. He went to the arresting department and was told he never made it there.”
A blink. The hardness in her expression began to fracture. A crack here, another there, the inevitable webbing between each of those fractures until the mask fell away. Stark realization drew her face sallow.
“You don’t think…”
Alazar sighed. “I don’t know, sweetheart. I really don’t, but this breathes Baroqueth. Your father was familiar with the Baroqueth and what they look like. He would have been able to tell an enemy from a human. I fear they may have intercepted the arrest and captured him.”
The moment her chin quivered Alazar gathered her in his arms and drew her into his body. She didn’t sob, as he half expected, but he smelled the salt of tears. Her fingers fisted at the back of his jacket.
“We will do everything to get him back safely. I promise you, Ariah. You have my word.”
“I know you will.” She nodded against his shoulder. “I know.”
Chapter Nineteen
Three days had passed since Ariah learned the devastating news about her father. Three days and no word, no trace, no idea of his whereabouts. Three days of being a prisoner in Alazar’s house. She was going stir-crazy.
Whether her incessant pacing clued her dragon man in or her declining spirits, Alazar finally whisked her into town for lunch at Howler’s, as well as a game of pool. His skills continued to impress her, never missing a shot until the entire table was cleared.
“You’re his lucky girl,” Bridget said close to Ariah’s ear as she brought over another round of drinks. They had opted for sodas and a basket of out-of-this-world fries, which they polished off in a matter of minutes. Bridget cleaned up their high-top table, basket included, and jutted her chin toward Alazar as he lined up for a final shot. “Don’t know what you’ve done to him, but he was a cringe-worthy shot before you came along. Zareh would have to win his losses back all the time.”
“That’s hard to believe.” Ariah sipped her soda as Alazar hit the cue ball and sank the eight ball into the corner pocket. “Really hard.”
“Aww, Bridge. You can’t tell her something nice about my gaming habits?” Alazar asked, his smile wide and triumphant. “I’ve been waiting for the right time to bring out my skills.”
Bridget arched a brow beneath her wild auburn hair, her golden eyes glittering with humor. “A full year is quite a while, especially when you lost a car in a game gone bad.”
Ariah gasped. “You what?”
“It was only a car.” Alazar shrugged like it was no big deal. “Not a leg.”
“A car. A car?” Ariah rolled her eyes to the ceiling.
“Now look what you’ve gone and done, Bridge.” Alazar rounded the table and smoothed his knuckles over Ariah’s cheek. She scowled. “Got her all upset over something that happened a long time ago. But you’re right about my Ace being my lucky lady.”
Bridget’s knowing smirk didn�
��t disappear. She nudged Ariah’s arm with her elbow. “He wasn’t always this good.”
“Thank you, darling Bridget. Now, before you cause irreparable damage to my impeccable reputation—”
“Far from impeccable,” Ariah interrupted.
Alazar nuzzled his cheek against hers, his lips brushing her ear. A shiver raced down to her feet.
“That’s not what you said last night.”
“Oooh, you…you…” Her face heated. Alazar chuckled, straightening up. Ariah stared at his collarbone while she simmered in those potent memories. “That was unfair.”
“Well, on that note, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to bicker over your impeccable skills.” Bridget wiped off the high top with her rag before tucking it in her apron. “Ariah, all jokes aside, he’s a good one to keep.”
“Alas, finally, a compliment,” Alazar said.
Bridget snickered and returned to the bar.
“I’m going to pop that head of yours. I sense too much hot air beneath your skin.” Ariah gave his temple a playful poke. Alazar leaned back against the edge of the pool table, drawing her close. “So, where did your sudden skills come from?”
Alazar’s uplifting demeanor sank. His smile dimmed. “You.”
“That’s silly.”
Alazar shrugged. “Silly or not, Bridget’s right. Up until you met me here that first night, I was lucky to get a ball in the pocket at all. I gambled on the tables almost every night.” A heavy breath fled his pursed lips. “Guess you can say it was an outlet.”
“Losing was an outlet?” That was pretty counterproductive. “How is that?”
“I didn’t play to lose. I played to remember what I had lost.”
As Ariah watched Alazar’s amber eyes expose vulnerability and pain, she realized he was talking about his secret. In that moment, she also realized something more defining.
Alazar—funny, laid-back, easygoing, sexy dragon man—hid his agony beneath his relaxed, humorous exterior. He hid it well.