She sidled out and managed to avoid his touch. He just chuckled and pressed his hand against the small of her back. A chill ran up her spine.
“I’m sure you’ll find the labs impressive.” Caine slid his hand away and then strode forward, confident they’d all follow in his wake.
Mr. Temple was right behind him. Jenkins and Saunders flanked him. She took a deep breath.
“Ms. Marshall.” One of the security guards motioned her toward the door. Left with no choice, she strode confidently after the men. Once again, Luther and Oscar were right behind her.
This was what she’d been waiting for. This would give her a chance to see the inside of the place, to possibly discover if her friend might be here.
Caine and the others were waiting in front of another elevator. This one was huge, like it was used for moving freight or some other big item. Or maybe a dragon. She kept using dragon, even though she knew Sergei was technically a drakon. She didn’t want to mess up at some point and accidentally expose the fact she knew more than she should.
Like the other elevator, this one moved smoothly downward another couple of floors. This place really was massive. It had to have taken years and hundreds of millions of dollars to build.
“Here we are.” Smiling, Caine ushered them off the elevator. “This is the lab.” He pointed to a sterile-looking room off to the left. “We won’t go in, for obvious reasons. We wouldn’t want to contaminate anything.”
Caine continued down the hallway. Her boss was sweating. She could almost hear him silently urging their host to hurry. But Caine was paying no attention to Mr. Temple. No, he was watching her.
And that scared the hell out of her.
…
Luther had known going in the situation was going to be bad, but even he had underestimated just how much. Caine’s compound was run like a military facility. Hardened mercenaries secured the place. These were men who’d shoot to kill and then calmly dispose of the bodies. No questions asked.
Jenkins and Saunders had both been soldiers, but not like the men currently watching them. They only thought they were badass. The mercenaries Caine employed were the real deal.
Worst of all was watching Caine stare at Victoria with lust in his eyes. The bastard wanted her. He’d wanted to break the man’s hand for touching her, even if it had just been a brief brush against the small of her back.
And Temple, the son of a bitch, was going to hand her over without a thought. She was nothing more to him than a possession to be bartered.
Possessiveness and jealousy churned up inside Luther. Victoria was his. No other man had the right to even think of her. Outwardly, he kept his face blank, but inwardly, he promised himself both men would pay.
He would have already killed them if he thought he’d be able to get Victoria safely out of here.
He glanced at Oscar, who was looking just as grim. Oscar he could count on, if only because he didn’t want to die, either.
And if the vision Luther had actually been pulled into last night was true, Oscar had interesting friends. He hadn’t told Victoria, but the man from the vision was a drakon. His tattoo confirmed it. And since Oscar was obviously a good friend, that meant he was no ally of the Knights.
Luther’s head began to throb, which was highly unusual. He’d never had a headache, never gotten sick. But now it was as though there was some outside pressure pushing in on his skull. He shuddered.
Oscar gave him a questioning glance, but Luther shook his head. Now was not the time or place to admit to any weakness.
Each step he took was harder than the last. It was as though he was trying to wade through quicksand. His skin tingled. If he didn’t control himself, all hell would break loose. And then he wouldn’t be able to save Victoria. He repeated her name like a mantra, pushing past the almost crippling pain squeezing his muscles.
Caine stopped at what seemed to be a blank section of the wall with a small control panel beside it. “Here we go. I think you’ll enjoy this, my dear.” He blocked Temple from getting any nearer. “Ready?”
Without waiting for an answer, he hit one of the buttons on the panel and a section of the wall dropped down to reveal a large viewing window. The glass was so thick it distorted the image. Luther leaned forward, but there was nothing to see, as there was another wall on the other side of the window. This was serious security. His heart began to race. This was it.
“Come closer.” Caine pulled Victoria even nearer. She didn’t protest, not that she could, but she seemed as enthralled as the rest of them. Caine hit another button, and the inside panel dropped away.
The creature was curled up on the floor. Luther could tell there would be barely enough room for it to stand. There was no way it could spread its massive wings or fully extend its tail.
Large chains were wrapped around the creature’s legs and arms, banded around its neck and tail. The walls shimmered with symbols that Luther wasn’t familiar with, but he could feel the pulse of power.
Evan Caine had a drakon.
As if sensing their presence, the creature raised its head and glared at them. For the first time in twenty years, Luther looked into the eyes of his father.
…
Victoria wanted to scream. She wanted to beat Caine with her bare hands until he was dead at her feet. How could he do this to such a magnificent creature, to her friend?
She’d found Sergei. After years of searching, of trying to reach out to him in her visions, she was standing right in front of him. But it was obvious from his blank expression that he didn’t recognize or remember her. Either that or the drugs they must be feeding him were affecting his mind and his memories.
It was probably for the best that he didn’t remember her. That way, he couldn’t accidentally give her away. But it did hurt her. Emotions bubbled up, but she ruthlessly suppressed them, pulling the cloak of coldness that had served her well for the past few years tighter around her.
“Well?” Caine asked.
She forced herself to turn away from her childhood friend, unable to bear seeing him chained and caged in such a way. “You have a dragon.”
Caine frowned, her reaction obviously not what he’d been expecting or hoping for, and closed the panel.
“Wait.” Mr. Temple surged forward, but the view was already gone. He rubbed his hands together. “You really have one.”
“You don’t seem very surprised.” Caine’s gaze had grown dark and not nearly as playful. He wasn’t just put out, he was extremely angry. He’d shown her his toy, and she hadn’t appreciated it enough. And like any spoiled child, a tantrum was imminent.
She had to say something to diffuse the situation before the violence simmering in the air erupted. She staggered slightly and allowed him to catch her. “I think I’m in shock.”
His frown dissolved, and he smiled once again. The man’s moods were mercurial, which made him extra dangerous. Dealing with him would be like tiptoeing across a minefield. “Of course you are.”
“It’s real? Not mechanical?” She had to act like she knew nothing about Sergei and his kind.
Caine patted her arm. “It’s very real.”
She decided to push her luck. “Isn’t it cruel to have it chained up like that?” She hated referring to her friend as an “it,” but she had no choice.
“No, my dear. Dragons are dangerous and violent creatures. It would kill us all if it got free. I’m protecting the world by keeping this one captive. Our scientists are hoping to learn what they can. Who knows what breakthroughs in medicine or genetics might be uncovered. We have no idea where these creatures came from or how many of them there are.”
He sounded so believable. If she didn’t know better, she might buy into it. “I don’t understand how such a thing is possible. Where did it come from?” She looked at her boss with what she hoped was an amazed expression.
“I couldn’t tell you, Victoria,” Mr. Temple began. “Security reasons.” He sounded as sincere as Caine. The two
of them were alike—ruthless and cruel.
“Surely the government should have control of the creature.” She wanted to see how they’d answer that. “If it’s that dangerous.”
“That would only complicate things. The government isn’t as equipped as we are to handle such a beast.”
Yeah, and if they didn’t know about it, Caine and his buddies didn’t need to share the power or wealth, or the potential profits if they figured out how to manufacture dragon blood in the lab.
“You said there might be more.” She shivered, and it wasn’t the least bit fake. She was chilled to the bone at their malice and greed. She wanted to look at Luther for comfort but didn’t dare.
“I think it’s time we got something to eat.” Caine took her hand and led her down the hall. “You’re looking a little pale.” She hated letting him touch her but knew she had no choice. If she pulled away or showed any kind of distaste, he’d turn on her in a heartbeat.
“It’s a lot to take in.” Seeing her childhood friend in chains was more than enough to make her sick. But she’d suck it up and do whatever she had to in order to get him out of here. First, she had to find out where they were keeping his wife. Katherine had to be here somewhere. They’d want to keep her close in case they needed her to control Sergei.
Mr. Temple got Caine’s attention, his growing excitement over the dragon obvious for all to see. As the men talked, she risked a glance over her shoulder. Both Saunders and Jenkins appeared dumbfounded, telling her they’d been in the dark about their boss’s secret business.
Oscar appeared grim but unsurprised. It was Luther who worried her. He didn’t look well. Not at all. He was frowning and grimaced as though in pain. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. That shocked her. She was so used to seeing Luther as strong and powerful, it left her shaken to see him this way. She wanted to go to him but didn’t dare.
He met her gaze and nodded. She wasn’t sure what that meant other than to keep doing what she was doing.
“Any preferences for lunch?” Caine asked her. She forced herself to look away from Luther and give their host her attention.
“I’m sure whatever you provide will be more than adequate.” All this having to act one way when she felt another was giving her a headache.
“Is she always this accommodating?” Caine asked her boss.
“The perfect assistant,” he replied.
She felt like a horse being auctioned off. She wondered if Caine would ask to see her teeth first, or something more intimate. The thought of having his hands on her disgusted her. She only wanted Luther’s touch.
For the first time in her life, she wanted a future. One that included Luther. She wanted a home somewhere in the countryside, away from the constant clamor of the city, a job that didn’t leave her worried for her life, and maybe even children some day, a real family. She wanted it all.
She was smart. The trick would be to play Caine for as long as possible and to get as much information as she could. If her childhood had taught her one useful skill, it was how to read people. For once, she was grateful for her unusual upbringing. Her main goal hadn’t changed, but now she had something to live for.
The farther away they got from the cell holding the dragon, the better Luther looked. His skin didn’t seem as pale, and he’d stopped sweating. By the time they returned to the conference room, he appeared more himself.
A lavish buffet with trays of cold cuts and bread, salads and fruit, had been laid out on one end of the long conference table. There were also several selections for dessert, including cheesecake and chocolate mousse. Best of all, there was coffee. She could use a strong shot of caffeine right about now.
She knew she wouldn’t be able to eat much but would have to try. Caine would notice, but he’d probably think her lack of appetite was due to nerves.
And he wouldn’t be wrong. She was nervous. For herself, Luther, and her friend. How are we going to get Sergei out of such a heavily guarded facility? And where is his wife?
“Help yourselves,” Caine told them. “After you eat, we’ll talk business.”
Chapter Thirteen
Luther watched all the players in the room as they ate. Victoria picked at her food. She was pale. He didn’t like that. He had no idea what she was thinking.
Caine had a dragon, or rather a drakon. Luther knew the difference very well considering he was one. He’d wanted to kill Temple, Caine, and the guards and free his father. But he’d restrained himself. He needed to know more of the setup, to find his mother. If she’s even here.
One wrong move could get them all killed.
It was almost too much to take in after all these years of relentless searching, of dead ends and disappointments. He was so close now he could practically taste success. Which was why it was vitally important he not do anything that might screw things up. He needed to take his time and think things through, which wasn’t easy with his head still pounding.
Mostly, he needed to understand what the hell had happened to him when he’d gotten close to the cell where they were keeping his father. Something had weakened him. He hadn’t truly believed there were symbols or artifacts that could do such a thing.
Now he did.
Whatever was etched on the walls of his father’s prison was weakening him. It seemed to have no adverse effect on the others, only on him. That could be a very big problem. In his time with Temple, he’d also learned there were drugs used to control drakons. It had to be a combination of them, along with the chains and thick walls of the cell, keeping his father contained.
That and the fact they had his mother to use as leverage.
He had to proceed with caution. The last thing Luther needed was to end up in a cell next to his father. That wouldn’t help any of them.
Saunders and Jenkins were seated at a small table in the corner of the room, chowing down. Like Luther, Oscar had abstained from eating or drinking anything other than bottled water, which he’d covertly examined before opening it.
Oscar was smarter than the others. More suspicious, too.
“Why don’t your men wait outside while we discuss business?” Caine suggested. “We don’t need an audience.”
Temple frowned. “They stay.”
“Don’t trust me, Herman?” Caine taunted.
“No.”
Caine threw back his head and laughed. “Smart man. Two of them can stay if it makes you feel better. More than that, and I’ll think you don’t want to negotiate in good faith. And, of course, your assistant stays.” He waved his hand, and his guards opened the door and left. Luther gave his head a jerk, and Oscar followed him out into the hall.
He didn’t want to leave Victoria, but he wanted to talk to Oscar alone, and this was the only way to accomplish that. She should be fine for a short time. The men had business to discuss. And with the Knights, business always came first. He planned to be back long before they finished.
“You can wait down there.” The biggest of the guards jerked pointed to a room down the hall.
Luther had been expecting something like this. Caine didn’t care where Temple’s bodyguards were. They were in his bunker surrounded by his people. It was all about power and proving who had more of it. Luther shrugged and leaned against the wall. “I think I’d rather wait here.”
When the guards bristled, Oscar stepped in. “How about we head outside and take a walk, get some fresh air.” Oscar obviously wanted to talk with him, too. Seemed they were both on the same page.
Luther hated like hell to be that far away from Victoria, but there would be no privacy to talk as long as they were inside the building. “That sounds like a good idea to me.”
The guard unhooked a radio from his belt and spoke to someone about their request. It was a full two minutes before the okay came back. He and Oscar were herded back toward the elevators. They were all silent as they rode upward. Neither their coats nor their weapons were returned to them.
He stepped outside the b
uilding and took his first deep breath since they’d stepped inside. Every instinct was warning him to run back inside and protect Victoria, to get his parents out of here. He forced himself to walk away.
They wandered some distance from the building, very aware of the sharpshooter on the roof and the guards at the gate watching their every move.
“You weren’t surprised, were you?” Oscar stopped and peered up at the cloudy sky.
“That Caine had a dragon? No, I wasn’t.”
“You’ve seen one before.”
“So have you,” Luther reminded him. Oscar knew a whole hell of a lot more than he was letting on.
“Yeah.”
“What’s on your mind?” Obviously, Oscar had something he wanted to discuss. Luther wanted to get this done so he could get back inside to Victoria.
“Victoria’s seen one, too. She wasn’t as shocked as she should have been.”
Luther tensed at Oscar’s observation. “She’s still an innocent.” If he thought for one second Oscar was a threat to Victoria, Luther would take him out himself. Thankfully, he didn’t think it would be necessary. From what he’d learned when he’d been pulled into Victoria’s sleeping vision or visitation, or whatever the hell it was, Oscar seemed to be one of the good guys. Which was a good thing since he’d need all the help he could get in order to free his father, find his mother, and get them all out of here alive.
Oscar slowly nodded. “I wondered if she was working for the Dragon Guard.”
Totally perplexed, he studied the other man. “Who or what is the Dragon Guard?”
“A group set up to do the exact opposite of the Knights of the Dragon.”
This was the first Luther had ever heard of such a group. His father sure as hell hadn’t mentioned them. “And how do you know about them?” He wasn’t about to share what Victoria had told him about her childhood. Oscar didn’t need to know why she was familiar with dragons.
Oscar cocked a hip to the side and crossed his arms over his chest. “They were the real reason that Dent was killed.”
Drakon Unchained Page 14