She was right. As his fingers dug into her arm, she turned her head and met his gaze. Then, the strength of the magic making her feel drunk, she zapped him with a blink of her eyelashes. His snarl froze, transforming his face from handsome to hideous as she instantly immobilized him.
Fury and frustration combined to make his eyes appear to glow. He managed to force a single word out through his unmoving lips. “How?”
“Well, I managed to get my magic back,” she said, letting herself gloat, just a little. “And those ‘idiots’ you say you vanquished? Turns out you didn’t. They’re outside waiting for us. You’re going back to prison, if you’re lucky. If not, I imagine they’ll kill you. But no worries. Unlike you, they’re not vindictive. I’m sure they won’t make you suffer.”
With a wave of her hand, she suspended him a few feet above the floor, still unable to move.
“Come on, you coward,” she said, delivering the insult as she sent him up the staircase ahead of her. “It’s time for you to go back to prison.”
“Or die.” Micah’s voice, reverberating all around them. “We may have no choice but to eliminate him. He’s nothing but a danger to both himself and to others.”
“See?” she told Polacek. “You can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As soon as Maria reached the upper level, Micah and Brandon stepped in to take charge of Polacek, who soundlessly cursed them but still couldn’t move. Roger and Ryan had lowered Tracey to the ground and crouched over her, clearly trying to assess her ability to travel.
Flexing her fingers to release the last lingering magical residue, Maria watched Ryan, drinking in the sight of him. She wasn’t entirely sure why he was here, but if she’d had any doubt about whether she really loved him, she knew the truth. He’d kissed her and restored her magic. Furthermore, Micah had told him to do that, which meant the mage knew how she felt despite her never having said a word. She could only hope he hadn’t said anything to Ryan. That would be beyond mortifying.
Ryan looked up and their gazes locked. The tenderness in his gaze confused her, but she moved toward him, drawn like a sea lion to the sun. Her heart jolted and her entire body tingled as he met her halfway, sweeping her up in his arms. She held on for dear life, stunned to realize she was on the verge of tears and telling herself that, no matter what, she would not cry.
“Did he...?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No.”
Then he kissed her again. This time, there was nothing quick about the movement of his mouth on hers. Slow and drugging, his lips were a promise and a vow. A jolt went through her, making her wonder if she dared to hope, dared to believe. Her emotions whirled as she fell into his kiss, the heat intensifying until she thought she might pass out. Or rip his clothes off right there in front of everyone and have her way with him.
Lifting his head, Ryan gazed at her hungrily, as if he could read her thoughts. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” he rasped. “How do you think I felt, leaving you alone to face that monster?”
“You gave me back my magic. I’m fine.”
“Gave you back...how?”
Instead of answering, she kissed him again. He didn’t need to know that she loved him. Apparently true love’s kiss could be one-sided. Lucky for her.
As they melted into each other, Micah cleared his throat. “If you two are done with your excessive display of PDA, we need to get going.”
Flushing, Maria turned and nodded, gratified when Ryan kept one hand on her shoulder. Though she wanted to lean into him, she forced herself to stand slightly apart, remembering what Micah had prophesied.
“Tracey isn’t able to fly,” Micah continued. “I think shape-shifting will harm her, so she will remain human and ride on top of Roger. I will take Polacek with me, since I’m the strongest. Ryan, you have a choice. Brandon can carry you as he did before, or you can ride on Maria.”
The idea made Maria feel dizzy. Chills of excitement shivered up her spine as Ryan’s broad smile left no doubt as to his choice.
“Of course,” Micah said, sounding more pleased than she’d expected. “Now, let’s all move outside and change so we can make our way back. I’ve notified the Drakkor Council. They’ll take charge of Mr. Polacek once we are back in Galveston. It will be up to them whether he lives or dies.”
Maria followed everyone out of the building. Night time, then. Good. They’d be better able to shield themselves in darkness. Yet how long had she been...
“The battle raged for one night and one day,” Micah said, correctly interpreting her expression. “We had to put up a cloaking spell so no humans saw. Now we change, and once we’re in the air I’ll remove the spell.”
Nodding, she stepped around and behind a large tree and hurriedly undressed. Normally, the Drakkor had no shyness about being nude in front of each other, but the odd combination of the three mages, Polacek and Ryan gave her a fierce need for privacy.
Breathing deeply, she shape-shifted into her dragon form, scooping up her human clothing and tucking it into a little pouch on her stomach. When she came out from behind the tree, she saw the others had done the same.
Ryan approached her, his handsome face alight with wonder. At her? Refusing to glance around and see what could have caused this expression, she lowered her head, not sure where he planned to sit for the journey home. When he climbed up her back, knowing exactly where to step for the best leverage, her surprised pleasure made her give Micah a huge, toothy Drakkor grin. To her amazement, Micah grinned back.
Once Ryan had taken a seat and moved around until he felt secure, she glanced at the others and nodded. One by one, they pushed up into the sky, leaping up and giving one huge thrust of wings. And then another, until they were high above the earth.
Though Ryan, at over six feet tall, had a large build, she barely felt his weight on her back. Pure joy filled her as she pushed the wind under and behind with her massive wings, using her huge tail for guidance. Though, as a dragon, her shape was big, her body had been designed for flight. In the air, she felt graceful, like a breeze dancer. Carrying the man she loved, sharing this with him, brought her pure happiness untainted with regret.
They flew low, keeping close to the water and avoiding all ships. She wasn’t sure where they’d been but the ocean air energized her. Eventually, she saw the lights ahead beckoning, their welcoming brightness speaking of home. Galveston. Part of her heart, along with the sea.
They came in fast, landing on a private beach outside a beautiful and massive house. Hoping the total darkness kept them hidden, Maria waited until Ryan slid off her back before initiating the change back to human.
She kept her back to him while she hurriedly dressed, her entire body heating at the thought of him seeing her naked while with the others.
Finished and fully clothed, she turned. As she opened her mouth to speak, everything went black.
* * *
Ryan watched in stunned disbelief as, one by one, each Drakkor dropped to the ground, unconscious. Since Micah went first, Ryan was able to catch Maria before she hit the sand. Cradling her on his knees, he glanced at the others, bracing himself for Polacek’s vengeance.
When it didn’t come, he realized Polacek hadn’t broken free at all. In fact, he lay unconscious with the others. Only Ryan had been unaffected by whatever magic had felled the Drakkor.
But who? Who was powerful enough to do this?
At the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, he looked up. It was Maria’s father, moving swiftly.
“Javier, what’s going on?” Ryan asked. “We just landed, they changed, and then they all fell.”
“I know.” Javier spoke in a flat tone. “I managed to hide the strength of my magic abilities from them all. I’m actually pretty damn powerful.”
Perplexed, Ryan stared. “But why? They freed Tracey and your daughter, and recaptured Polacek.”
“Yes, I know. And the Drakkor Council is spineless and weak. I know full well once they regain custo
dy of that monster, they’ll send him right back to prison.” Shaking with rage, the older man strode over and kicked the unconscious Polacek in the side.
Ryan winced.
“The Council is on their way here,” Javier continued. “And my spell won’t last too much longer. Polacek doesn’t deserve to live. He’s not only dishonored my family, but the entire Drakkor race. That, in addition to the laws he’s broken by shifting to dragon where humans could see, is enough to earn him the death penalty.”
“Maybe, but isn’t that for the Council to decide?”
“They’ve already decided.” Spitting the words, Javier glared at each and every one of the downed Drakkor. “I spoke to them right after Micah notified them of Polacek’s capture. Since I’m not on the Council, my opinion holds no sway with them.”
“Which means what?” Ryan asked. “Are you planning on acting as Drakkor judge and jury here?”
“And executioner.” Javier pulled a pistol from a holster at his side. “Look away if the sight of blood bothers you.”
Trying to remember what he’d read, Ryan wondered if ordinary bullets could kill a Drakkor. For his kind, regular bullets could cause harm, but not a mortal wound. Only a silver bullet or fire could kill a shape-shifting wolf.
Evidently, that didn’t hold true for Drakkor.
“Wait.” Ryan spoke fast. “What about you? Have you thought about that? Won’t you go to prison? How will that affect Maria, knowing her father is a murderer? Have you thought about that?”
Already bringing his weapon up to aim, Javier’s arm never wavered. “She’ll understand. She’ll know I had to avenger her honor. Tracey’s, too. All of our people deserve justice for what this man has done to our women.”
It dawned on Ryan what the other man believed. “Listen to me,” he said. “I asked Maria. Polacek didn’t touch her.” He wasn’t sure about Tracey, but now was not the time to mention that.
“What?” Javier swung his head to look at Ryan, though he kept his weapon pointed at the still unconscious Polacek. “Don’t lie to me. Not now.”
“I’m telling you the truth. I asked Maria. She told me. And she wouldn’t lie.”
Baring his teeth, Javier turned back to his enemy. “Yes she would. She wouldn’t want the man she loves to know another man had raped her.”
Man she loved? Filing this away for later, Ryan took a step toward Maria’s father. “Think about what you’re doing, Javier. Do you never want to know your grandchild? To spend your time locked up, not able to bounce that special child on your lap?”
This time, his words registered. Slowly, Javier lowered his gun. “How could I not have realized?” he muttered. “Of course. You and my daughter are meant to be together. She will bear children. Hopefully more than one. I can’t destroy—”
A shot rang out. Polacek jerked once, blood seeping from a wound in his chest.
“Heart shot,” an unfamiliar man’s voice declared, satisfaction ringing in his tone. “He won’t be bothering anyone again.”
Stunned, both Ryan and Javier squinted into the darkness. “Who’s there?” Ryan called out, hoping he and Maria weren’t next. “Show yourself.”
Nothing but silence met his request. Holstering his pistol, Javier rushed over and checked Polacek’s pulse. “He’s dead.”
Ryan shook his head. “At least it wasn’t at your hand. Now, you’d better wake everyone up or you’re really going to have a lot of explaining to do.”
After a wave of Javier’s hand, everyone began stirring, except for Tracey. Whatever weakness or illness she suffered, the deep sleep was no doubt a blessed thing.
The instant Maria regained consciousness, she smiled to find Ryan’s face so close to hers. Then, as she realized what had happened, she frowned and struggled to get to her feet.
Around them, all the others began stirring.
Spotting Javier, Maria’s expression cleared. “Dad!”
Wrapping his arms around her, Javier gave her a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”
Before she could answer, Micah and his crew discovered Polacek. “Who did this?” Micah demanded. “Javier, you’d better start talking.”
Ryan could tell Javier briefly considered attempting to hide part of the truth. “Just tell them,” he urged quietly.
Maria’s face fell. “Please tell me you didn’t kill him, Dad. I don’t know what I’ll do if—”
“He didn’t,” Ryan put in. “I was conscious and saw the whole thing.”
Speaking quickly, Javier told everyone exactly what had happened, including keeping the strength of his magic concealed.
This, more than anything, clearly infuriated Micah. “Do you realize we could have used your help?” he demanded, glaring at Javier. “If you are truly so strong that you can do this, your absence could have cost us all our lives, including your daughter’s.”
Javier bowed his head. “I had faith that you could handle him, but I see now I was wrong. I focused on vengeance, and by doing so I became nearly as evil as him. I offer my sincere apology and regret.”
“That may not be enough,” Micah declared. “Of course, the Drakkor Council will need to decide your fate.”
Javier nodded. “They will be here soon.”
Stepping forward, Ryan faced Micah. “What about finding out who actually killed Polacek? Don’t you think that’s more important than prosecuting someone who did nothing?”
Before Micah could respond, headlights from a vehicle illuminated the beach.
“That will be them,” Javier said, sounding both pugnacious and defeated. “They’ve sent two representatives to collect Polacek.”
As the car pulled up to the beach house and parked, the headlights cut off.
“We need to go meet them,” Micah declared. “Javier, you will come with us.”
“We’ll stay here and watch over the body,” Ryan put in, reaching for Maria. “We can’t just leave him lying here on the beach.”
But Maria sidestepped his hand. “I need to go with them. I’ve got to make sure my father is represented fairly.”
“What about Tracey?” he asked. This question made Maria falter, however briefly.
“Watch over her. We need to make sure she gets qualified medical help. The Drakkor Council will know what to do.” And she took off after her father.
Just like that, they were gone. Leaving Ryan alone with the dead man and the still-unconscious woman.
“Hey, Howard.” Colton’s voice, drawing nearer. “What’s going on? I was jogging down the beach when I heard what sounded like a gunshot. Is everything okay?”
“Not really.” Pointing, Ryan watched for Colton’s reaction as he spotted Polacek.
Colton swore. “Is that...?”
“It is.”
“Damn. You’d better get out of here. The last thing you need is for paparazzi to show up. I can see the headlines now.”
Ryan didn’t move. “I appreciate the sentiment, but this is my private beach. I have signs posted. The instant one of them sets foot on my property, I can have them arrested.”
“Or shot.” Colton might have been joking, but then again he might not. “Who killed him?”
When Ryan told him, Colton whistled softly. “That’s what our Pack Protectors used to do, before the reform. Our job was to eliminate any threat to the Pack. I wonder if the Drakkor have people like that.”
“That would explain what happened,” Ryan said. “And why no one seemed surprised or concerned that some random guy appeared out of nowhere and gunned him down.”
“Who’s that?” Colton knelt down near Tracey. “Why is she still unconscious?”
Even after Ryan explained, Colton didn’t leave Tracey’s side. “She needs medical attention,” he said.
“I know.” Even as he spoke, Ryan saw Micah heading back their way. “Here comes one of the Drakkor now.”
When Micah reached them, he jerked his head in a nod of acknowledgment and waved his hand in Tracey’s directi
on. Immediately, her inert form lifted a few feet above the sand. Micah wiggled his fingers and began propelling her up the sand toward the others near the waiting vehicle.
“Where are you taking her?” Colton demanded.
“To be healed,” Micah answered.
Both men watched silently as the older man marched away, magically pushing Tracey ahead of him.
Once he’d reached the vehicle, he must have moved Tracey inside. Ryan shrugged, and glanced back at Colton.
“I’m sure they take good care of their own,” he said.
Colton nodded. “What about your girlfriend?”
Just hearing Colton refer to Maria like that made Ryan happy. Maria didn’t know it yet, but she was about to become a whole lot more than a girlfriend. Assuming, that is, that she said yes.
Of course, Colton didn’t need to know that. “She’s with her father, talking to the Drakkor Council. Javier might be in a little bit of trouble.”
“I doubt that,” Colton said, his tone certain. “What he did sounds right up their alley. Those Drakkor can be pretty damn fierce.”
“I hope they send someone to collect the body.”
As soon as the words left Ryan’s lips, smoke began to swirl around Polacek’s inert form. “That’s what happens when they change,” he told Colton, who also watched intently.
“Surely once he’d dead, he can’t become a dragon.” Colton scratched his head. “That would be freakishly strange.”
They watched, and when the smoke cleared, instead of a dragon’s body, nothing at all remained.
“He’s gone.” Ryan glanced back at his house, slightly mystified. “Do you suppose they...?”
“We’d better hope so.” Colton sounded grim. “Or else we’ve all got a helluva big problem on our hands.”
“Come on.” Ryan had already started forward. “Let’s find everyone else and see what they say.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth, when the vehicle that had arrived moments earlier, drove off. “I guess the Council is gone,” Ryan said. “Though I’m sure Maria can tell us what’s going on.”
Billionaire Wolf (The Pack 17) (Nocturne) Page 23