The woman reappeared in the glass case and a round of cheers echoed through the room. The audience jumped to their feet. Every clap, every cheer grated. These humans didn’t know they were cheering pure evil.
Out of the corner of her eye, tucked away in the shadows, Callie spotted a tall, dark form leaning against the wall. The form wasn’t clapping or cheering but was instead staring at Grigori with intense dislike.
Her heart quickened its beat.
Brayden.
He stepped out of the shadows, his eyes melting into hers. A passionate jolt zipped through her veins like a streak of white lightning. The sensation heated her all the way to her inner core.
Her pulse galloped. Talk about a four-alarm fire! No doubt about it. The fireman was hot! Inferno hot! Too bad she wasn’t a jump-your-bones kind of gal because this man made her want to do just that.
Brayden walked toward her with long, confident strides. She noticed he wore jeans — nice snug ones — and a white button-up shirt. Thick wiry chest hair peeked out from underneath the unbuttoned top.
Callie swallowed and clasped her hands together in her lap. A sudden urge to run her fingertips across his chest consumed her.
Get it together, Cal. He’s just a man like any other. Well, maybe not exactly like any other, but a man all the same.
“We meet again,” Brayden whispered in her ear. His breath gently lifted a dark curl at her temple sending delightful shivers along her cheek.
Inferno hot all right! Absolutely smoldering!
“What are you doing here?” Callie whispered back, though the words came out husky and breathless. Her face scorched like a tropical sun.
“Enjoying the show. And you?” He eased his muscular form into the seat beside her as the audience took their seats once again. Though the lights were dim, she could still see his ruggedly handsome features.
Enjoying the show, my foot.
The firefighter definitely had an agenda and watching a Magik show wasn’t part of it. So what was he doing here?
Still, she wasn’t about to tell him the real reason she was here either. “The same.”
“Do you mind if I join you?”
Callie shook her head, though she didn’t know why he even bothered to ask seeing he had already settled back into the seat.
Clearly, Brayden St. John was a man used to getting what he wanted.
Callie leaned back against the velour seat and tried to concentrate on the show. Not an easy feat considering her body was fully conscious of Brayden’s muscular one beside her.
His shoulder brushed against hers as he shifted in the seat. A butterfly did a jig in her stomach at the light touch. Heat rushed to her cheeks. Why on earth was her body so aware of this man?
How in the world was she going to focus on the task at hand if her body kept reacting to this firefighter’s every touch no matter how innocent it was?
Callie frowned in the darkness. She didn’t like this feeling. She was used to being in control at all times, but in this man’s presence she could feel that control slipping away bit by bit. And she didn’t like it one iota.
3
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The old adage rumbled through Brayden’s thoughts as Callie’s delicious scent of magnolias enticed his libido to life once again. The dragon inside stirred. Yep, he would definitely stay on his talons around Ms. Callie Gautreaux. If he didn’t, he might actually fall for the sorceress and no matter how much his mortal side desired her, he knew making love with her would be a fatal mistake. It was known throughout Jarithia that any dragonshifter who mated with a sorceress who did not truly love him would lose his shapeshifting ability during climax and become trapped inside his beast forever. That punishment had been set forth by the Grand One many centuries ago, and Brayden wasn’t about to take that chance.
“I believe I owe you another apology.”
Callie’s jaw dropped.
Brayden chuckled. “Don’t look so shocked, my dear. I can own up when I’m wrong. Not that I usually am,” he quickly added with a wry grin. “But I shouldn’t have snapped at you the other night during the apartment fire, and I didn’t get a chance to apologize properly at dinner the other night.”
“It’s all right.”
“No. It’s not. I realize now you were only trying to protect the kids.” Brayden shrugged inwardly. Maybe she was. Maybe she wasn’t. “You just caught me off guard. Besides,” his grin widened, “I’m used to being in control. Finding you there with your purple thingy just threw me for a bit.”
“Shield.” A smile tugged at the corner of Callie’s lips.
“I beg your pardon?” Brayden blinked, suddenly noticing how delightfully kissable her lips were. Full and sensuous. He bet they’d taste good too right now.
“The purple thingy.” Amusement laced her voice. “It’s called a shield.”
“Shield then,” Brayden agreed. He shifted in the seat, his arm brushing against hers. Another tingle of pleasure splintered through him.
Careful, St. John. A sorceress’s touch can be deadly.
Brayden forced his attention back to the show and tried to forget just how sexy this particular sorceress was.
Grigori’s assistant, a petite woman with bleached-blonde hair, waved a wand and a large puff of smoke appeared on stage. An odor similar to popped firecrackers filled the room. Grigori held his hands out toward the smoke. Seconds later a white tiger emerged. The beast growled then jumped onto a podium. The assistant held out two flaming hoops and the tiger roared twice before gliding through the air and effortlessly clearing both hoops. The audience cheered wildly.
Brayden felt Callie’s body stiffen beside him. She seemed to cringe with each gleeful shout from the audience. “He’s good.”
Callie flung him a look. “Yes, he is.”
Brayden noticed Callie didn’t seem too impressed. “Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“This good?”
“I don’t do tricks.” Callie shifted in her seat and looked decidedly uncomfortable with the question.
Brayden wrinkled his brow. For a sorceress, she certainly didn’t flaunt her gifts. “Why not?” Most wizards and sorceresses he knew loved to show off their Magik.
Callie sighed. “Long story, but the short version is my father was a powerful wizard in his day. He practiced necromancy and tried to force me to follow in his footsteps. I refused and walked away from it all when I was seventeen. Needless to say, he disowned me.” She shrugged as if it were of no importance, but even in the dimly lit room, Brayden didn’t miss the flash of hurt that flickered across her features.
“So now you just rescue children from burning buildings?” Brayden teased, leaning closer.
“I don’t practice Magik. Not usually. I’m not even very good at it since I didn’t hone my gift. A young sorceress with just a pinky full of Magik could have done the same thing I did to save the children.”
“Hmm. A sorceress who doesn’t like Magik. Makes one wonder what you’re doing at a Magik show.” Brayden gestured open palmed toward the stage where Grigori helped a volunteer from the audience into a wooden box. Once inside, the woman’s blonde-haired head protruded from one end and her sandaled feet from the other.
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it. I said I didn’t practice it often. Besides, this show isn’t supposed to be real. Just illusions, remember. ”
“Is it just illusions and tricks of light?” Brayden whispered softly against her temple. “Or is it real like yours?”
Callie hitched a breath. “What makes you think it’s real?”
“Because a sorceress wouldn’t need to come to a Magik show. Especially one that was supposed to be fake.”
“What about you? Why are you really here?” Callie turned to face him, her full lips only inches from him.
Brayden had a sudden urge to capture those lips in his. And from the way she was looking at him, he didn’t think she would object too much.
Th
e dragon inside snorted and the urge to shift strengthened. How could one woman make him want to take such a deadly chance? Had she bewitched him already?
The dragon inside hissed and pawed its protest. Brayden tightened his reins on the beast. He definitely had to exercise more control around the lovely Ms. Gautreaux.
“I’m here for some answers.” Brayden searched her face. “And it looks like you just might have them after all. Why don’t you tell me why you’re really here? Maybe we can help each other.”
For an instant, she looked as if she wanted to tell him. A kaleidoscope of emotions flashed across her face as she snagged her bottom lip with her tooth. She hesitated for a second then shook her head. “No particular reason.”
Disappointment settled over him. She didn’t trust him any more than he trusted her. What a pity. If she wasn’t behind the recent fires, then he could have used her help.
Callie turned her attention back to the stage where Grigori’s sword sliced the wooden box in two. She cringed and grabbed Brayden’s arm. Her fingernails dug into his bicep, but he didn’t really mind.
Callie gripped Brayden’s arms for dear life, half-expecting the volunteer on stage to be dead. Only when the woman stood up and climbed out of the box smiling and bowing did Callie relax, just not enough to let go of Brayden’s arm. The muscles beneath her fingers rippled. The sensation sent tingles of pleasure through her hand.
“You OK?”
Callie nodded, her throat suddenly as dry as Jarithia’s turquoise desert. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip.
Brayden’s eyes darkened then lingered on her lips. Callie’s heart picked up speed. He was so close she could smell his cologne. A spicy musk that started a whole new type of heat in her body.
Something sparked between them. A connection bordering on more than just desire. Callie’s heart thudded against her breastbone. Electricity charged the air that enveloped them. Her body responded in kind. All hot and excited mixed with something she couldn’t quite put into words.
She wet her lips once more and a soft sigh escaped her lips. Then, as if against his will, Brayden growled low in his throat and leaned over. His mouth claimed hers with such fierceness it took her breath away.
Surprise parted her lips, and Brayden took full advantage of the situation. He deepened the kiss, exploring her tongue with his. He tasted of coffee and cream. Two of Callie’s favorite flavors. And even if they weren’t before, they were now. Callie moaned softly, turned in her seat and slid her arms around his neck.
Her hip pressed against the metal bar separating their chairs. For the love of Magik! Did the auditorium seats really have to have a metal bar?
“Callie…” Brayden’s lips left her mouth and trailed her cheek. He whispered against her skin, “What are you doing to me?”
Doing to him? More like what was he doing to her? She barely knew him, yet she felt as if she’d known him all her life. As if they belonged together. Which, of course, was ridiculous.
Callie’s hands found their way to his shirt. Her fingers delighted in the thick hair massed where the top button, if used, should have hidden it from her touch.
Callie could feel the Magik inside her escalating. Growing stronger as if feeding from another source. Waves of power rippled through her body.
She arched, her hip pressed hard against the dreadful bar, but all she felt was pleasure as Brayden’s hand explored the small of her back leaving a scorching trail of heat along her nerves.
Brayden growled his pleasure. The muscles underneath her hand tightened as if he were fighting an inner demon. She could feel his power radiating through her fingers from deep inside him. Making her power stronger.
He slid his hand along her waist to her abdomen. Even through the thin layer of her blouse she could feel his hand against her skin. Pleasure tingled through her body. When did she become the type of girl who made out with an almost complete stranger?
Then—
Something sharp pierced her skin just below her waistline. Callie gave a startled cry and looked down. In the shadows, she could see a talon protruding from the cuff of his sleeve.
And reality slapped her in the face.
She covered her mouth with her hand as her blood ran cold.
“You—” The words trembled from her lips. “You’re the one.”
4
What the blazes?
Disoriented, Brayden took a deep breath to clear his head. The dragon inside retreated and his talons shifted back to a man’s hand. He blinked twice only to find Callie glaring at him through two frosted slits.
Then her words penetrated his bemused mind and his ardor skidded to a halt. He felt a muscle twitch in his jaw. “What do you mean I’m the one?”
“You’re the dragon.” Fear flashed across her face.
Brayden’s jaw set. She knew what he was. Not good. Without warning the dragon within flared again, begging release. Brayden steeled himself against the primal urge to shift. He had almost lost himself in the toxic kiss of a sorceress. And now that she knew the extent of his abilities, his entire existence could be threatened.
“You’re the one Grigori invoked.” She pointed her finger in his face.
Brayden’s eyebrows shot up. “Invoked?”
“Don’t play games with me, Brayden. I know what you are.” Callie lifted her chin and a stubborn gleam entered her eyes. “You’re working with my brother.”
“I don’t follow.”
She blew a long breath between her lips and pointed toward the stage. “Grigori.”
Brayden swore softly. “Grigori is your brother?”
“Half. Same horrid father.” Callie shuddered. “Different mothers. His was a mortal. Mine was a … a…”
“Sorceress?” Brayden guessed, watching her carefully.
Callie nodded. He noticed a shadow of sadness when she spoke of her mother.
“You miss her?”
“I never knew her. She died right after I was born. An accident. At least that’s what I was told.” Her voice hardened and she whispered, “I think my father killed her but I have no proof. My father married Grigori’s mother two years later and they had him almost nine months to the day.” She bit her lip and stared at the stage. “My father’s pride and joy.” Sarcasm laced her words.
“Where’s your father now?”
“Dead. Five years ago along with Grigori’s mother.”
“How?” A muscle flexed in his jaw. He knew what she was about to say.
Callie snorted. “Another convenient accident.” Her eyes narrowed. “I think it was Grigori. Not that I care. My father was a horrible man. But Grigori’s mother was decent. For a mortal.” Then her eyes glittered furiously. “I’m sure you know all of this since you’re the one empowering him.”
“I’m not working with your brother, Callie.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“Because I have no reason to lie to you. But you’re right. Somebody did invoke a dragon.” He knew that for a fact. He had followed the dragon’s stench to this building himself. Brayden stared at the stage where Grigori ended his performance by dissolving into mist. “I’m fairly certain it was your brother. But I’m not the dragon he invoked. He invoked Cyrus.” Brayden turned to her. “I’m a Gatekeeper. No one can invoke me.”
“A Gatekeeper?” Callie narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
Brayden nodded. Even though he didn’t fully trust her, he needed her to believe him. Because if she wasn’t the one who invoked Cyrus, then he sure as blazes was going to need her help to defeat him. “There are four of us. I guard the northern portal to Jarithia and help keep balance in the Earth realm. I’m a dragonshifter. A Water dragon. Cyrus is a Chaos dragon.”
“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 bla
ck 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.”
Forbidden Lovers Boxed Set Page 28