Burn, Baby, Burn

by Catherine Vale

  “That’s… that’s great.” Adalyn looked positively miserable as she changed lanes.

  A sick feeling spread through Christian’s stomach. “You didn’t get yours back?” Adalyn shook her head, and rage gripped his chest. “That bitch!” He wanted to punch something, but Mason wailed, sensing Christian’s distress, and he forced himself to calm down.

  “You should take him,” Adalyn said, her voice hollow. “Take him and fly the rest of the way. I’ll do my best to evade the assassin.”

  “No,” Christian snapped. “I can’t leave you here, defenseless. He’ll kill you.”

  “This isn’t about me,” Adalyn said sadly. “This is about the baby.” She turned down a side street, and the sedan followed. “I’ll drop you in the alley up ahead, so that you can have some cover to change.”

  Christian made a split second decision. He kissed the baby’s head, then shoved him onto Adalyn’s lap. “Drive,” he snapped, then sprang the lock on the door and jumped out, tucking and rolling so that he didn’t smash his head into the asphalt. The door slammed behind him, and he heard the brakes begin to squeal.

  DON’T STOP! He roared into Adalyn’s head. GO!

  He didn’t look behind him to see if she’d listened, as he was already mid-shift, but the sound of tires screeching against the pavement was reassuring. Meanwhile, the sedan tried to lurch forward after Adalyn, but Christian smashed his clawed hands into the car’s grille, stopping it in its tracks. His dragon arms bulged, and he struggled to keep the car from moving, which was extremely difficult since he was still mid-shift.

  The assassin jumped out of the car and let loose with a spray of bullets, but they glanced off Christian’s scales. Christian jumped out of the way so that the bullets wouldn’t hit any of the vulnerable parts that hadn’t shifted, and tried to launch himself at the other dragon, who’d also started to shift. Unfortunately the assassin was too fast, and he was also a much faster shifter than Christian – He was half-way through his shift as Christian finished his.

  I’ve got to stop this guy, Christian thought, launching himself at the assassin. The two locked claws, their muscular forearms bulging as they struggled for the upper hand. Unfortunately, since they they were both immune to fire, they had to rely on brute strength for the battle, and the assassin was stronger, pushing Christian back toward the brick alley wall.

  Thinking fast, Christian lashed out with his tail and swept a rusty old dumpster up. The dumpster crashed into the assassin’s side, who was forced to drop Christian’s arms as he toppled over. Christian took advantage of the lapse to jump the assassin, but the slippery bastard rolled out of the way.

  You’ll never take me down, the assassin hissed in Christian’s mind as they crashed against each other again, grappling for the upper hand. You’re just a lowly civilian volunteering for the order. I’m a highly trained assassin.

  Yeah? Christian bared his fangs as the assassin slammed him against the wall. Chunks of brick rained down on them, sparks flying through the air as their steely claws scraped against dragon hide. Well you clearly don’t know what it means to be a father!

  With a monumental surge of strength, Christian managed to shove the other dragon off him. The assassin stumbled over the dumpster and went down again, and this time Christian wasted no time – he jumped on the assassin and sank his fangs into the dragon’s throat, ripping into his jugular. Thick, coppery blood splashed into his mouth as the assassin struggled briefly, then collapsed into the dirty alley, the stench of blood and death mixing perfectly with the putrid urine and garbage smell that already perfumed the place.

  Dammit, Christian thought as he pulled away. The Order’s gonna have to do a whole lot of damage control on this one.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Thirty minutes and one screaming baby later, Adalyn was finally forced to pull over at the nearest gas station as she was running on fumes. Heart pounding with terror and anxiety, she cradled Mason in her arms, unable to do anything but sit in the car and rock back and forth. She was afraid to get out of the car, afraid that one of the dragon shifters had survived and was waiting to ambush her.

  “Shhh,” she soothed as Mason fussed in her arms, still upset from the whole car chase ordeal. “It’s alright, baby. We’re gonna be fine.”

  A car honked her from behind, apparently not pleased that she’d been hogging the gas pump for twenty minutes without actually using it. She gave him the finger – couldn’t he understand she’d just been through a life-and-death ordeal? – then returned her attention to the baby.

  The truth was, she didn’t know if they were going to be fine. She didn’t know if Christian was going to come back, and if he didn’t, they were stranded on their own without protection.

  “He should be fine,” she muttered to herself. She’d seen him stop the assassin’s car in its tracks, and knew that they’d engaged in battle. But it was possible that he’d lost, that the assassin had killed him, or at the very least, had found a way to escape, and come after Adalyn and Mason.

  What if he’s not hurt at all? What if he’s just… gone?

  Her heart ached at the thought, both for having it and for worrying that it might true. Would Christian really abandon her and the baby, after all this?

  Well, he does have his wings back now. He could just fly off without a backward glance, putting as much distance between himself and New York as possible.

  Sighing, she shook her head and settled Mason into the passenger’s seat as best she could – she’d been clutching him in her arms the entire drive since they no longer had a car seat. She couldn’t let what-ifs and maybes paralyze her. If she was going to deliver this baby safe and sound, she was going to have to get back on the road, and fast.

  Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and got out of the car so she could pump the gas.

  “I was wondering if you were ever going to get out of there.”

  Adalyn nearly jumped out of her skin. She whirled around to see Christian standing just off to the side. “Christian! What… who… how long have you been standing there?”

  He shrugged. “Long enough to watch you give that old guy the finger.” A grin spread across his handsome face. “Seems some of my bad attitude has been rubbing off on you.”

  “Oh, you can rub off on me as long as you want.” Adalyn threw herself into his arms and clung to him, the relief coursing through her so strong her knees weakened. “I’m so glad to see you. I… I thought you’d left us.” Shame filled her, and she looked away.

  “Hey,” Christian said softly, slipping his fingers under her chin. She looked up into his green eyes, which were filled with empathy and understanding and… something else. “I don’t blame you. Forty-eight hours ago I might have done exactly that. But I could never do that now, not to you.”

  He ducked his head and kissed her, and she kissed him back fiercely, soaking in his taste and scent greedily. Someone wolf-whistled in the distance, but she didn’t care that they were making a public display. She was just so glad to have him back.

  Mason’s cries interrupted them, and she turned back to the car to see him waving his arms in the air, clearly wanting attention. “Let me get him,” she said, turning away.

  “Nah, I’ll handle it.” Christian surprised her by moving past her and opening the door, then reaching in and gathering the baby into his arms.

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah, I’ve grown pretty fond of him.” He cradled the baby shifter in his arms, smiling affectionately at him. Mason calmed instantly, snuggling into Christian’s broad chest. “Besides, I think he likes me better than you.”

  Adalyn laughed. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.” She patted him on his ass as she went around the car to fill up the tank. And couldn’t help but enjoy the view of him standing there, making silly faces at Mason and cradling him as if that baby were the most important thing in the world.

  * * *

  “Well, well, well.” Delilah crossed her arms, a small smile pl
aying across her red lips as she stared at them. “Looks like you all made it back in one piece.”

  Christian snorted at her. “As if we’d do anything less.” They stood in Delilah’s office, looking a little worse for the wear after driving practically non-stop for the last forty-eight hours. Christian held Mason in his arms, who was wide-awake and squirmy, not the least bit traumatized by the ordeal. “We delivered as promised.” “Yes, I can see that.” Delilah took a step forward so she could look at Mason. A dreamy smile spread across her face. “Looks like you both did a good job taking care of him.”

  “He’s going to a good family, right?” Adalyn asked. She reached out to tickle Mason with her pointer finger, and the baby giggled, his lavender eyes bright. He was remarkably good-tempered for a baby who’d essentially been on the run.

  “Of course,” Delilah insisted. “He’ll have the best care possible.”

  She reached for the baby, then arched a brow as Christian took an instinctive step back. “I’m going to have to turn him over now.”

  “Of course,” Christian murmured, but he stared down at Mason in his arms, something within him not quite ready to relinquish the baby. Leaning down, he feathered kisses across the kid’s cherubic face, an ache spreading through him, and he realized he was going to miss the tiny tot. “You’re going to give Adalyn her magic back, aren’t you?” he demanded.

  “As soon as you hand that baby over.”

  Christian sighed. “Have a good life, little guy.” He handed Mason over to Delilah.

  Delilah cooed as she took the baby into her arms. “Hi little one. You’re so adorable. Yes you are!” She peppered his little face with kisses.

  “Hmph!” Christian groused, folding his arms over his chest as Mason giggled in response to the attention. “Guess there’s no accounting for taste.”

  “Christian!” Adalyn’s eyes widened. “My magic is back!”

  Happiness bloomed in Christian’s chest at the joy shining in Adalyn’s face. “That’s great, sweetheart!” He caught her in his arms and pulled her into a hug, but instead she leaned up and kissed him. That same spark of desire lit between them as it always did, he tightened his arms around her, pulling her in close.

  “Ahem.” Delilah tapped her heeled shoe. “Get a room, guys. One that’s not my office.” She tossed another envelope at them, and Christian caught it on reflex. “This should be more than enough to cover a nice hotel suite for a night.”

  Christian grinned. “Thanks, Delilah,” he said, pulling Adalyn out the door behind him. And for once, he actually meant it.

  * * *

  They took to the skies as soon as they were able to find a secure spot to shift, chasing each other through the clouds and showing off with different aerial maneuvers. The sheer joy running through Adalyn’s veins made her giddy as the cold fall wind rushed past her scales and beneath her outstretched wings, and the experience was made even better with Christian by her side. They soared high above the Adirondacks, the view of the verdant mountains breathtaking, perhaps even more so than New York in its own way.

  He was magnificent as a dragon, with his bright red, shimmering scales and golden eyes that gleamed with mischief. Catching her staring at him, he stuck his long, forked tongue out at her, then did a lazy spiral through the air and circled around her.

  Let’s go grab some dinner, he said, his voice echoing through her mind.

  The traditional way?

  Nah. I’m feeling more like steak.

  She grinned at him, exposing her long, jagged dragon’s teeth, and then turned and flew back toward the city. They found a safe spot across the Hudson River to land, then tucked their wings in and dove to the ground in complete synchronicity.

  Like real partners.

  “So,” Adalyn said, suddenly feeling shy. “What are we doing after this?”

  Christian frowned, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “What do you mean? Like, are we going back to my place?”

  Adalyn shifted her weight from one foot to the other, suddenly unsure. “Well, I figured we’d go back to your place, but really I meant what are we doing for the foreseeable future.” She took a deep breath, then plunged on. “I mean, I know that you really like New York and everything, but Virginia is beautiful, and – ”

  “Sweetheart.” Christian took her into his arms and kissed her sweetly. She relaxed, the tension bleeding out of her. “You’re not the one who’s supposed to ask me if we’re going to stay together. I’m the one who’s supposed to beg you to stay with a loser like me, after I take you out to a fancy dinner and get down on my knee and stuff.”

  Adalyn laughed. “I think getting down on your knee is only something you’re supposed to do if you ask me to marry you.”

  “Oh!” Christian’s hand flew to his heart. “Well I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong idea and scare you off.” He kissed her on the nose. “But really, Adalyn, I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to stay with me. After all, I am the ultimate romantic.”

  Adalyn snorted. “And what exactly gave you that idea?”

  He grinned. “Because unlike mere humans, we really can fly off into the sunset together.”

  Laughing, Adalyn kissed him again, then took him by the hand so they could race across the ocean together.

  She’d never have thought it in the beginning, but Christian was the perfect mate for her. And maybe, just maybe they’d fly off into many sunsets together, for the rest of their lives.

  About The Author

  Catherine Vale has been writing fiction for as long as she can remember, but it wasn't until she wrote her very first paranormal romance story that she found herself hooked on the raw, edgy love affair of shifters, vampires and other dominant alpha males, and the captivating women that love them.

  Catherine Vale writes both contemporary and paranormal romance for readers who are willing to take a walk on the wild side of love. Her stories always include powerful alpha males, smart and sassy heroines and a happily-ever-after (even if she often puts her characters through hell to get there!)

  Do you want to know when there's a new release? Special offers, giveaways, free books and more! Find out more at http://www.CatherineVale.com and subscribe to her newsletter to receive notifications whenever a new book is released!

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  Other Books By Catherine Vale

  Untamed Hearts

  The Wolves Next Door

  A Touch Of Vampire

  Her Two Bears

  Double Trouble

  Taste Of Honey

  Scent Of A Mate

  Wolf Bite

  Awakening The Bear

  On The Prowl (Jaguar Series)

  Kiss Of Fire

  To Catch A Cheetah

  See full list of available books at http://www.CatherineVale.com and join her newsletter for updates, new releases, appearances, giveaways, and more!