Dracones Boxset Books 1-5

by Sheri-Lynn Marean

  Genna’s stare burned into her as she met the girl’s eyes. There was no pity or understanding in her midnight depths, instead, the girl seemed to be assessing her. Hellfire snorted, positive Genna would find her lacking.

  Hellfire climbed to her feet and started toward the hallway where the bathroom was that she’d used the last time she was here.

  “Hey, where you going?” Brimstone asked.

  “Bathroom,” Hellfire said without meeting his eyes.

  “Oh. Okay,” Brimstone said.

  “Are you alright?” Tierney asked, walking over to her.

  Startled, Hellfire met the woman’s compassionate purple gaze for a fraction of a second, then unable to speak, simply nodded.

  Did Tierney know how she felt about Sami? If the look in her eyes was any indication, then she did. Which meant Jax did as well and Brimstone figured it out after her breakdown in Tartaria. Hating to be pitied, Hellfire wished she could just disappear. Instead, she turned away.

  Other than the kids playing, everyone had grown quiet and she could feel their stares drilling holes into her back. She forced herself to walk and not run. The last thing she wanted was their pity. Fuck!

  Hellfire breathed a sigh of relief when she finally locked herself in the bathroom. Nausea was once more churning in her gut and she managed to raise the lid of the toilet just in time to have a repeat performance of the first time she was here.

  After rinsing her mouth and washing her hands, Hellfire reached for the doorknob but then she let her hand drop. Still feeling shaky, and not from having just vomited her guts out, she turned and looked around the tidy little room. The thought of going back out there to face everyone … of seeing Sami and Goldy together, was like a punch in the gut. She couldn’t face Sami and didn’t want to hear his apologies.

  Sitting back down on the toilet seat, Hellfire lowered her head into her hands. The hated, yet now familiar tears began to fall once again.

  I’m right back where I started, aren’t I? All that happened and we didn’t really accomplish jack. Nix is still missing, possibly dead and Sami is still with Goldy.

  All the way home she’d waited, hoping Sami would tell her that he was hers, that he wasn’t going back to Goldy, but he didn’t. Then when he agreed so readily to take her home, she knew. It was over.

  But what had she expected? He never told her any different. He never led her to believe they even had a chance. She shouldn’t have expected anything, yet she had. She couldn’t help, she just loved him so much.

  Oh damn, I love him.

  The realization ripped a gasp of agony from her and she slapped her hand over her mouth, not wanting anyone to hear her.

  No, you can’t love him. You can’t!

  It was a few more minutes before she was able to compose herself enough to rejoin the others, but when stepped out of the bathroom, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

  Hellfire’s hand flew to her chest. “Shit! You scared me.”

  Genna stood staring at her. Then she cocked her head and a strange light filled her eyes. “I’m good at that.” Genna’s gaze raked Hellfire from head to toe.

  “What do you want?” Hellfire asked, uncomfortable under the strange girl’s perusal.

  Genna raised her eyes to Hellfire’s. “Dying will kill them.”

  Hellfire blinked. “What?”

  Genna blinked, then without another word, walked past Hellfire and disappeared into a room two doors down.

  Hellfire stood with her mouth agape. Wow, if that ain’t frickin’ creepy! And what the hell did she mean? Who is going to die? Fuck, why am I even worrying about this shit? The girl is obviously off her rocker …

  Shaking her head, Hellfire turned back towards the great room. She really didn’t want to face everyone …

  Chapter Thirty

  Gut Punched

  HELLFIRE ONLY MADE IT A COUPLE of steps, before her phone buzzed. With a muttered curse, she pulled it from her pocket. She figured it would be one of her older siblings and now she’d have to tell them about Nix. When she saw who was calling, she frowned. Nera?

  Why would she be calling? Hellfire swiped the screen and put it to her ear. “Hello, Nera?”

  “Hello sweetling,” the sound of the voice at the other end made her blood run cold.

  “What do you want? Where’s Nera?” Hellfire hissed into the phone.

  “Nera is being punished for not telling me she’d been in contact with you,” the dreaded voice said.

  Fuck! “What do you want, Deacon,” she asked, gritting her teeth.

  “Meet me at your house and I’ll show you,” he said.

  “Yeah, like I’m going to do that,” she said, though she was scared for whatever he might have done to Nera.

  “I thought you might say that. Look at the attachments. I’ll even give you two hours to extract yourself from where you are, while I take care of business here. If you don’t do as I want and meet me, I’ll send in my top flight,” he said and hung up.

  Feeling like she’d been gut punched, the desire to fling the phone far away as if it were a giant spider, was hard to resist. Dread pumped through her veins. Deacon’s top flight was the best of his group of ninja trained Phoenix warriors. Deadly and heartless. His kill squad.

  With a grimace and fingers trembling, Hellfire opened the attachment. It was pictures. Horrified, she scrolled through what he’d sent her. Pictures of her walking into Sami’s home just a little while ago while Sami held the door for her. Pictures of Brimstone, Tierney. Jax, Genna, and Goldy standing out on the balcony. The little blonde human girl and her mother, Bastian and the wolves.

  Other than those on guard duty outside, most of the pictures had been taken through the windows and all from the sky.

  Hellfire’s trembling increased as she realized that Deacon had her cornered.

  She leaned against the wall as memories drove her back in time. Memories now warped by her own guilt. Though they’d only ever looked at her in love, Hellfire imagined the disgust and disappointment they felt as they stared up the stairwell at her that night. How they would have hated what she’d become, the things that she’d done.

  Oh, she knew everyone would say that their deaths weren’t her fault, but she knew the truth. It was her fault. All of it. Now Deacon was once again threatening those she loved.

  Tears stung her eyes as she scrolled through the pictures again. Definitely taken from the sky with a telephoto lens. Pushing away from the wall, she staggered back into the bathroom.

  This can’t happen again. I can’t be responsible for anymore innocents dying.

  When she was done, Hellfire washed her shaking hands without looking in the mirror. She couldn’t face what she’d see staring back at her. No. She’d go, and she’d finish this once, and for all. She had to because really, what other choice did she have.

  But it’s no longer just about you. The voice in her head reminded her. Doesn’t matter. Either Deacon will kill me, or I’ll kill him. I’m opting for killing him. But no matter what, I’m not about to let him hurt anyone else, not while I still draw breath.

  Won’t you still be hurting someone else?

  Hellfire ignored that comment.

  Besides, you tried to kill Deacon once before, how did that work out for you?

  Hellfire shuddered as she remembered the excruciating week she’d spent in Deacon’s vile hands. She couldn’t survive that again.

  I’ll kill myself first before I let that happen.

  Will you really? The stakes are a little different now.

  Hellfire hesitated, then drew in a deep breath. Yes! Besides, my skills are much better now. Back then, I was young and naive. I won’t make the same mistakes this time.

  Hellfire exited the bathroom and glanced both ways down the hall. This time she was alone. Silently, she started back toward the great room. She knew what she had to do because while she didn’t really care about anyone but Sami and her brother, she couldn’t let anything to Sami’s family
and definitely not to the kids. Then there was Goldy, who carried Sami’s unborn child. Hellfire wanted to grain. As much as it hurt, she loved Sami too much to let him lose those he loved. He’d already lost so much.

  At the end of the hall, she peered into the great room, trying to figure out how to slip out unnoticed. It wasn’t going to be easy. Tierney, Jax, Brimstone, the blonde woman, and a couple more wolves had joined the group.

  Then she saw Goldy walk in from the balcony. Sami was nowhere in sight.

  Maybe I can slip out that way.

  Goldy stopped to talk to Jax and Tierney for a minute and Hellfire ached for one last glimpse of Sami before she left.

  “There you are,” Tierney had said to Goldy, patting the couch beside her.

  Hellfire watched from the shadows as Goldy shook her head and rubbed her belly. “No, thanks, we’re going to bed now.”

  Well, it looked like she wouldn’t be getting her wish of seeing Sami. Hellfire’s heart ached with the realization that he’d chosen his golden woman over her, but she wasn’t surprised, though jealously burned at the thought of Goldy with her man. She wanted to rip the woman to pieces.

  Then an image of Sami’s brilliant green eyes flashed through her mind. He was so sweet and kind and she knew he’d hate her if she hurt Goldy, or his baby.

  She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly and forced herself to calm down. Besides, she wasn’t planning to be around and as much as she hated the thought, at least he’d have someone to care for him, to love him.

  Hellfire wasn’t blind. She’d felt the connection between herself and Sami, so she knew he cared about her. It was obviously just not enough to want to choose her over Goldy.

  Oh, what the hell does it matter? She needed to let him go anyway. She had no choice. Still, it was an effort to force the jealousy aside as she waited for her chance to slip outside.

  Goldy said goodnight and made her way toward the stairs near Hellfire. With her hands curled into fists, Hellfire moved but Goldy still saw her. The woman stared right at Hellfire as she passed by and headed up the stairs.

  Hellfire wiped the tears away as Goldy went to join her man. The same man that Hellfire would have loved to call her own, who she’d have given her soul to have love her instead. The urge to rush after Goldy and attack grew stronger.

  Stop it. You need her to take care of Sami for you!

  More tears leaked from her eyes.

  Damn, I’m like a fucking sieve these days!

  While everyone’s attention was directed at the children, Hellfire slipped along the wall and out the doors to the balcony. Swallowing all her anger, and trying to push the pain of rejection aside, she sucked in a cold breath of fresh mountain air. The scent of ozone filled her nose, telling her rain wasn’t far off. She glanced around. Again, the feeling of being watched was strong. Only this time she knew it was Deacon’s kill squad.

  Weary, Hellfire raised her chin then shifted into her Phoenix form. Damn, she just wanted to burrow under the covers of her old bed and sleep forever.

  “Goodbye Sami,” she whispered to the night.

  Just as she was about to take off, a slight creak of one of the French doors opening, spun her around.

  “What are you doing?” Goldy asked.

  Hellfire swallowed hard and closed her fists, digging her claws into her hands. What the hell is she doing here?

  Not wanting the woman to see her crying, Hellfire averted her face and wiped away her tears, but still they kept coming.

  Goldy moved closer. “I asked what you were doing out here? Are you leaving?”

  Instead of gloating like Hellfire would have expected, she caught the woman’s concern. Goldy really was a nice, sweet, kind person, wasn’t she? Which made Hellfire want to hate her more, but she found she couldn’t do it. Ugh! I’m growing soft!

  Hellfire’s wings dipping slightly and without making eye contact, she shrugged. “Take care of him for me, please. He’s going to need you.” She moved away, getting ready to take off.

  “Wait,” Goldy shouted and Hellfire turned back to her. “Why are you doing this? Where are you going?” Goldy asked in a soft voice.

  Hellfire fought the sobs that wanted to rip free and never stop. Instead, she shook her head. “I can’t tell you why. Just know that I have to.”

  “No, you don’t have to do anything except stay here, with Sami,” Goldy said.

  Hellfire blinked confused, then understanding crept in. Sami hadn’t picked Goldy over her? Then she thought about the photos and Deacon. It still didn’t matter, did it? She’d knowns all along she couldn’t be with Sami.

  She’d thought wondered how hard that must’ve been for Goldy to say and suddenly felt horrible for all the awful thoughts she’d ever had about the woman. “If I don’t …” She glanced up at the sky. “I have to go, to keep everyone safe.”

  Then with her face shiny and wet, she shot into the cloudy night.

  As the wind rushed by, more tears streamed unchecked down her face but this time, she gave in to them.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Incomplete

  SAMI DROPPED HIS HEAD into his hands and groaned, hating himself. Telling Goldy he couldn’t be with her, hurting her that way, had been one of the hardest, shittiest things he’d ever done. Oh sure, she took it well, telling him she just wanted him to be happy, that she’d be okay. Still, he’d caught the hurt in her eyes.

  He’d been thinking things over all the way home, and as much as he loved Hellfire, he cared deeply for Goldy. He never wanted to hurt her. Goldy had been so understanding, so good to him. She made him feel loved and cherished, like he mattered and besides, she was carrying his child.

  On the plane back from Ireland, he had pushed away the memory of the blistering hot kiss he and Hellfire had shared in Razukeen. He needed to be able to commit himself to Goldy. Although she was sexy, and he was attracted to her as well, he still knew it wouldn’t be easy. He responded to Hellfire in such an explosive way. A way in which he didn’t respond to Goldy and never would. But he could do it, he told himself. It was the right thing to do. He was going to be a father after all.

  All his life he’d wanted a family of his own to love. One that would love him back and now he had his chance—with Goldy.

  As he pictured living and raising a family with Goldy, the vision shifted to one of him with Hellfire. He ached to run his hands all over her body, to savor every square inch of her and later, to feel his son or daughter growing inside of her.

  No, stop. Idiot! Now look at what you’ve done.

  Sitting on the plane, he had given himself a mental shake as he shifted in his seat. He was rock hard at the thought of being with Hellfire again. Willing himself to calm the fuck down, he had taken slow even breaths but then Hellfire had frowned up at him, silver eyes concerned.

  “Are you okay?”

  Sami’s heart had given a happy jump and he nodded, unable to do anything else without giving himself away. He needed to kill the desire, the yearning he had to start a life with Hellfire. For though he’d felt her feelings for him, she’d never said that she changed her mind about wanting to be with him and as stubborn as she was, he wasn’t holding his breath. She’d made it perfectly clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Just because she was attracted to him, didn’t mean anything had changed.

  Unfortunately for Sami, it had.

  When Hellfire had laid her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest, Sami had stared down at her, shocked that she trusted him enough to let her guard down like that. As his eyes devoured her, he memorized how incredibly beautiful she was so that he had something to hold onto later.

  Hellfire wasn’t sweet like Goldy. No, like her name, Hellfire was tough. She was fierce and loyal to those she cared about, passionate as well, and at that moment, suddenly, he knew he couldn’t do it.

  Goldy was pregnant with his baby and he hated the thought of abandoning her while she carried his child, but he just couldn’t do it.
Sami sighed, feeling like the biggest asshole ever because it wasn’t his soul deep yearning love for Hellfire that kept him from being with Goldy—and yet it was. He knew he couldn’t give Goldy the love that she deserved, and if anyone deserved to be loved, heart and soul, it was she.

  A twinge inside of him made him wince and rub his chest. What the hell?

  Sami’s thoughts shifted from Goldy to Hellfire and his worry intensified. With a frown, he rose to his feet. Something was wrong. He needed to go to Hellfire now, make sure she was okay.

  He’d been an ass to leave her downstairs when she was so tired and worn out, both emotionally and physically. She hadn’t said much to either him or Brimstone since they convinced her to leave the portal that Nix had been sucked into. Then he’d brought her here instead of taking her home like she wanted. Knowing Hellfire, he was confident that probably upset her as well. It had been selfish of him that once they arrived home, he’d been more worried about the talk he needed to have with Goldy than how Hellfire was doing.

  The ache inside of him, that he instinctively knew wasn’t his emotion, warned him that something was wrong with Hellfire. He needed to make sure she was okay, and then get her something to eat and find out where she wanted to sleep, stay. Would she want to stay with him, or prefer her own room? He really hoped she’d stay with him, but whatever she decided was what she’d get.

  He would wait for her if he had to, even if it killed him. She was his mate and there was no changing that, no matter how much he desired it. That was another thing he’d come to realize in Tartaria.

  Hurrying out of his room, he pulled up before he nearly ran Goldy over.

  “Sami,” she said breathlessly as he hurried past her.

  “I can’t talk now, something’s wrong,” he said and rushed down the stairs.

  “Sami,” Goldy said again right on his heels.

  He started to ignore her, but the tone of her voice halted him at the bottom of the stairs. “What? What’s wrong, I can feel—” He shook his head and glanced back around the great room. “Where’s Hellfire?”