Seth nodded. Carol suddenly wanted it to be more than that, his choice, but she had no idea how to give that power back to him.
"Lie back," Seth said.
"Why?"
"I want to touch you again." He ran his hand across her abdomen as she lowered herself back to the pillows. "I enjoy the way you feel."
"It's not bad from my side either."
"Do you like touching me?"
In answer, Carol drew her fingers down his chest. Her touch caught on his male nipple, which firmed and tightened under her fingertip.
"I like that," he said.
"Good." She turned her head and licked the warm aureola, and he made a noise of pleasure when she caught the nub in her teeth.
"I like how you smell," he said. "And how you taste and how you feel. I want to savor you."
She loved his words, and at the same time wished he wouldn't say them. She wanted this to be real, and nothing in the last two days had been real at all.
Seth grasped her wrist and drew her hand down his chest again. She didn't resist, liking the warm dampness of his skin and the brush of curled hair. She explored his navel, which made him smile, then drew her hand down to his still very erect penis.
His face changed when she touched it, his smile dying.
She knew from feeling him inside her that he was large, but large was an understatement. She could barely fit her hand around him.
The shaft was smooth and soft but held the hardness of an excited man. Carol let her thumb drift over the tip, and he gave another gasp.
She'd never performed oral sex but learned the theory from a college roommate who'd enjoyed comparing the "tackle" of every man she went out with. Seth certainly had the best tackle Carol had ever seen, and even her roommate, jaded at age twenty-one, would have been impressed.
She leaned down and licked the tiny slit on his tip, then closed her mouth over him.
The cock leapt between her lips. She almost lost him, but she swirled her tongue around the tip and drew him back inside her mouth.
His taste was strange, salty and warm, his skin slightly rough on the underside. Her tongue seemed more sensitive to the differences of him than her fingers had been, and she enjoyed the exploration.
Seth growled softly, and he shifted as though he couldn't keep still. He parted his legs, letting her get closer, and she closed her hand around the smooth hard balls that hung between his thighs.
All the while she worked her mouth on him like he'd done on her. She suckled him and nibbled him, liking how it made him move his hips.
She felt him grow harder and harder, if that was possible. She didn't stop to wonder, she simply went on, enjoying the taste of this man who'd invaded her life.
His fingers bit down on her shoulders. With a louder growl, he pulled her up and pushed her into the pillows. He parted her legs and slid hard into her before she could say a word.
He made love to her fast and vigorously, sweat dripping from his body to mingle with hers. She lost control very quickly, crying out as he pumped into her.
Her climax came soon this time, and she felt almost a bite of disappointment that it was over. Seth shouted her name as his seed shot into her the second time, then he collapsed onto her, kissing her and tumbling her sweat-damp hair.
* * *
Chapter Nine
When Carol woke it was well past noon. Seth slept hard next to her, his large body sprawled across most of her bed. He was facedown again, cheek pillowed on one arm, his body fully naked in the sunlight.
Carol slid from the small slice of bed still left to her and reached for her white silk dressing gown with the dragons on it. She'd never paid much attention to the design before, but each of the red dragons on the silk sleeves had night-black eyes.
Carol blew out her breath and booted up her computer on the desk across the room. Malcolm had implied that Carol should back off the problem of the other Dragon Master and the Order, letting him and Lisa take care of it while she hid in her apartment with Seth.
But it was Carol's life in shards around her feet, Carol who had a newfound power that scared her to death. She wanted to find this Dragon Master and figure out what to do about him.
She settled herself in front of the screen and brought up San Francisco County's searchable map of properties. Finding the warehouse was fairly simple since she knew the cross streets, and within seconds she had the tax parcel number and the mailing address of the property owner.
The site didn't give out the owner's name, but that was easy enough for Carol to find out. The address was of a business on Sacramento Street, and she happened to know that the business was owned by one Daniel Lok. It was handy to have a grandmother who knew everyone in Chinatown.
Her cousin Lumi knew everyone on the shady side of Chinatown. He'd been caught up in some bad things in his high school days, but fortunately had gotten away from it. Lumi even claimed that Axel, who he'd known for a long time, was responsible for him going straight. Carol had developed a soft spot for Axel ever since Lumi had told her this.
Carol brought the phone to the desk and punched in the number of Lumi's bicycle shop. He was there and put her on hold while he finished with a customer.
"Daniel Lok?" he said incredulously when she explained what she needed. "You want to have anything to do with Danny Lok."
"It's not by choice. He�" She broke off, wondering how to explain. "What do you know about incubi?"
"Incubi? Geez, Carol, what are you into? They're nasty bad, and you don't want to go near them. Not even with dragons or Axel with you. It's hard enough to keep Grandmother out of trouble. I don't want to have to worry about you, too."
"I thought you'd be happy I finally believed in dragons."
"Sure," Lumi said. "Wonderful."
"Just find out what you can."
Lumi sighed heavily. "I'll do some investigating and e-mail you of properties he owns. But you have to promise me you won't do anything stupid, like talk to Danny Lok."
"I don't need to talk to him. I'm looking for someone, and the last place we saw him was in the warehouse I told you about."
"The Dragon Master. Grandmother told me."
"So will you help me find him?"
"Not if it means you getting anywhere near Danny Lok. Half the drug dealers in San Francisco report to him, and he's got his fingers in prostitution rings, extortion and murder. He's dangerous and evil."
"I wasn't planning to ask him to a party. I just want to know what buildings he owns so I can find out if the Dragon Master is in any of them."
"Don't worry, I'll find the info. But seriously, be careful. You're my favorite cousin, and I don't want to attend your funeral anytime soon."
"I'm your only cousin."
"Another good point. I don't want to lose you."
Carol hesitated, feeling his fear loud and clear. "I don't want you putting yourself in any danger, either."
"Ha. This shop is so heavily marked with dragon that even some customers won't come in. That and my girlfriend is a witch who likes to practice warding on my store and apartment. I can't move for candles and incense sticks."
He sounded happy so Carol simply chuckled with him and hung up.
She looked back at Seth, who'd moved in his sleep only enough to cradle his head on his arm. Carol printed out the information she needed, turned off the computer, and returned to the bed.
Seth reached out in his sleep as she snuggled against him, enclosing her in a warm nest. She let herself enjoy it, but the back of her mind niggled with worry.
The tie to Carol had strengthened. Seth felt its pull like a chain of diamonds as Carol led him to one of her restaurants for lunch.
The sensations of her skin against his body, his hands, his lips had awakened something needy inside him. He wanted to touch her all the time now.
He looked at the sun shining on her hair as they walked down the steep hill. She wore a blouse open just enough to let him peek at what he'd touched, and a sk
irt that revealed her slim, strong legs. A raincoat went over it all, because this human city was cold, but she let it flap open and he could enjoy what lay beneath.
She'd bound him with his name and now she bound him with her body. She'd promised to free him. but he didn't think he'd ever be free now.
Seth sat across from Carol in a booth that had been hastily readied for them, his hands on the table as he watched her eat. His meal lay untouched in front of him, chopsticks neatly placed to one side of his plate.
"The chef will be unhappy if you don't at least try a bite," she pointed out.
Seth didn't reach for the food, lumps of meat in a strange-smelling sauce. "Your power has grown since yesterday."
"Do you think so?"
"The bond between us is stronger now."
Color flushed her cheeks, making her more beautiful than ever. "You're right. I feel it. I feel stronger."
"But you still can't unbind me."
Carol closed her eyes, and he felt her trying to untangle the thought threads between them. Nothing changed. "I don't seem to have any control over that."
"The Dragon Master in you knows what it wants. It's not giving you a choice."
She glanced at the diners around them, leaned forward, and lowered her voice. "This morning�that was my choice."
Seth remembered waking up later and seeing her come out of her bathroom, dressed, damp, and sweet-smelling. She'd smiled, told him she was hungry, and that she had found out some things.
He'd sensed her increased power then and he sensed it now. "Was it?"
"I'm hoping it was yours, too."
"I thought so. Now I don't know."
Carol sat back, hurt in voice. "You think I compelled you to do it?"
Her eyes were moist, and Seth watched her blink, trying to master herself.
"Witches and mages use dragons." he said. "They crave their power and bind it to enhance their own. They can drain the dragon until he dies."
"And you think that's what I'm doing?"
He looked at her in silence for a moment. "Not you�not Carol. You don't know what to do with a dragon's power. But the Dragon Master in you does. It called me to keep me from the other Dragon Master, but you couldn't release me after that. I think you hold me for some purpose."
"Maybe to protect myself from the other Dragon Master." She straightened her lacquered chopsticks on their square holder. "You've been very protective of me."
"I can't help it."
"I'm not used to a man protecting me. I've always been self-reliant." She reached across the table and clasped one of his unmoving hands.
Seth felt her loneliness, and he added a soothing note to his music. "You like to stride forward with determination."
"I suppose that's not very attractive. Men want women to be soft and sexy."
"I find you soft." His blood warmed as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "You are very soft, and you taste like flowers."
Her eyes darkened. "Did you eat many flowers as a dragon?"
"I liked to nibble on them and taste their nectar."
Carol shifted in her seat, but before she could answer, someone stopped beside the table.
A thin, gray-haired Asian man wearing a well-tailored suit stood at the end of the booth, waiting patiently for Carol's attention. He looked ordinary, except that his eyes were wells of coldness. Two younger and larger men flanked him, their eyes also flat and hard.
"Carol Juan," the man said in a calm voice.
"Yes?"
The dragon in Seth tensed. He got no aura of otherness from the man�he was human through and through�but the whiff of evil surrounding him was unmistakable.
"I have not yet had the pleasure of your acquaintance," the man said in a low, dry voice. "I am Daniel Lok."
Carol stiffened. "Mr. Lok. What can I do for you? I'm afraid the restaurant is a little full right now, but if you see the hostess, she'll put you on a waiting list."
His tone went frosty. "You have been inquiring into my business, Ms. Juan, searching for information on my properties. May I ask why?"
Seth couldn't stop the growls in his throat, but he stayed still, knowing a move would bring Lok's guards to the ready.
"I often look into properties around San Francisco," Carol said. "I am always thinking about opening more restaurants."
"None of my real estate is for sale."
"But it's always good to keep an eye open. I see a table clearing in the corner, Mr. Lok, if you want lunch. I recommend the lo mien noodles�the chef has an amazing recipe."
Lok's features tightened in displeasure. "I didn't come here for food. I came as a courtesy, to give you a personal warning. Next time, I will not be so polite."
Seth rose, unfolding his big body to tower over Lok and his bodyguards.
Lok looked Seth up and down, his brows quirking in interest. "So this is the prize worth having."
He was talking to himself, but Carol gave Lok a look that said he'd confirmed her suspicions.
"Why is the Dragon Master hiding?" she asked. "What is he afraid of?"
Lok gave her a pitying look. "You have no idea what is happening here, do you? Give up the power to people who know how to use it."
Seth sensed Carol's puzzlement through their threads but the look she gave Lok was cool. "I don't think so."
"Have you tamed him?" Lok asked. "Will you sic him on me?"
"I will if you don't turn around and leave my restaurant."
Brave Carol. She didn't even back away when Lok rested his hands flat on the table and leaned down to her. "The Dragon Master is obsessed with magic and dragons. I'm obsessed with more ordinary things, like restaurant owners who don't pay their fair share. I will soon have control of your little empire, and you will pay homage to me." He reached out and slid a finger down Carol's cheek.
Touching her was Lok's mistake. Seth had been prepared to let him go.
His growl turned into a snarl of red fury. He grabbed Lok around the middle and raised him from his feet, crunching the man's bones under his big hands. Lok screamed.
The bodyguards dragged thick black weapons from under their coats and pointed them at Seth. Customers shouted and dove for the floor.
"Seth," Carol screamed, and the weapons went off.
But Seth wasn't there. He'd become a string of flame rising overhead, his clothes crumpling to the floor. The small missiles aimed at him hit the cream-colored wall behind the booth with a shower of plaster.
Lok was on the carpet, gasping for breath, holding his ribs. Seth hovered above him, his fire touching the ceiling without burning it. The bodyguards moved their pistols to Carol.
Seth put his fire between Carol and the bodyguards, and the bullets went wide again, striking the walls around them.
He felt something inside Carol change. The fury that had been kindling since she'd told him in rainy Union Square that her mother had been tortured to death welled in her until it exploded.
The bond between them seared with incandescent brightness. Seth felt the energy in her as it swelled, then burst out of her in a wave of darkness.
The bodyguards' weapons flew from their hands and disintegrated in midair. While the two men stared in astonishment. Seth honed the magic of his dragon fire and dove straight at them.
They ran. Seth soared after them, and the body guards ran faster. Their clothes caught on fire as they dashed out into the sunlight, swearing.
Danny Lok was on his knees, his face white, his arms around his ribs. "You are finished, Carol Juan," he rasped. "You will not reach home tonight and your grandmother will be dead by tomorrow. Your little restaurants will be�"
He never finished. Seth was on him, his fire forming itself into a dragon shape, his mouth gaping.
"Seth." Carol shouted. Don't kill him.
Seth raged. His dragon self wanted to strip his enemy's flesh from his bones and consume him. But Carol compelled him, and he had to obey.
Seth snapped his jaws closed
inches from Lok's face. Lok gasped once, went pasty white, then fell back to the carpet and lay very still.
Seth's form solidified for an instant into a true dragon, then winked back into fire. He circled Carol once, his power harsh and hot, then he streamed out the open door into the rain and cold.
* * *
Chapter Ten
Carol sat with her head in her hands in the manager's office. She couldn't move, couldn't think, and the cool-headed manager kept trying to make her drink tea.
Daniel Lok was dead. The paramedics and fire department had showed up in record time and pronounced him dead of a heart attack.
Carol had no story to tell the police, and they thought she was too numb and shaken to talk. They suggested a trip to the hospital where she could recover from the trauma, but she didn't want to go.
The explanation circulating through the restaurant was that Lok and his two bodyguards had entered the place, and the bodyguards had shot at Carol. There had been a small explosion and a fire�maybe Lok had come here to plant a firebomb and it had gone off too soon. The fire had burned the two bodyguards and given Lok a heart attack.
No one mentioned Seth or dragons. Carol had gathered up Seth's discarded clothes and hidden them before the police got there.
Seth hadn't returned. She still felt his bond to her, the threads singing and shining between them, but he was flying free over the bay, the dragon in him rejoicing.
The police took statements, and the manager kept bringing cups of tea and telling Carol that she'd get right on having the bullet-ridden wall of the main dining room repaired.
Carol barely heard her. Her body sang and hummed with the Dragon Master power, her ability to command darkness and dragon fire.
She'd been a hair shy of telling Seth to kill all three men�human beings, no matter how bad they'd been. She had that in herself, a power like Lok had, to decide the fate of others.
She tried to feel justified about Lok's death. The man had lived by terrorizing others, and it was only fitting that he'd died of fright himself. But she felt sick.
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