by Chant, Zoe
When he drew back at last, she was breathless, her cheeks still flushed and her eyes warm and awed.
“Wow,” she breathed as she looked up at him. “That’s possibly the best way to end an attack by a demon. Are you sure you’re not a seductive vampire or something? No one has kissed me like that before.”
He laughed and grinned at her, showing off his perfectly normal teeth. “No fangs, see? Sorry, I know you need rest—but I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you. You’re gorgeous.”
She gave him a startled look, as if no one had ever told her that before.
Then he remembered how surprised she’d been that he hadn’t thought her crazy. A wave of protective anger rose up inside his griffin at the people who’d dared to belittle his mate.
She was a little off with her theories about vampires or aliens—but she’d come closer to the truth about the shifter world than any human he’d ever known.
Which made her the smartest human he’d ever met, not the craziest.
With sudden guilt he realized that he might not have a vampire’s sharp teeth, but his griffin did have a sharp beak. How was he going to explain that to her?
Maybe, now that she was so relaxed, he could tell her that she’d been right about the werewolves—and that more shifters existed than she knew of.
Shifters who could turn into a griffin, for example.
“I’m glad you’re not a vampire.” Still flushed, her cheeks dimpling as she gave him the sweetest smile he’d ever seen, she reached out and rested her hand on his arm. “I’d never kiss some horrible supernatural monster. They’ve ruined my life. But... now I’m almost glad it has brought me here. Thanks for saving me.”
All of his earlier joy had disappeared as he reeled. Hastily, he tried to regain his composure, even though he hurt as though he’d been stabbed right into his heart.
Shit! Of course she’d hate the shifter world after that attack...
“Any time,” he said, forcing himself to smile at her.
It didn’t matter. It was just a little setback. She’d only experienced the worst of the shifter world so far—out of control werewolves and an attack by Darkness itself. No wonder she was afraid.
He’d give her a little time to get to know him, and then, once she knew that he wasn’t a monster, he’d explain that there was a lot more than she knew.
Chapter Three: Chiara
Being kissed by the hottest man she’d ever laid eyes upon had been even more unexpected than being attacked by demons.
Of course, with her luck, he might just be an especially seductive vampire or an incubus—a demon who seduced women to feed on their energy.
No, I’m being ridiculous. There might be a whole magical world out there, but not everyone I meet has to be a demon or werewolf. Why shouldn’t nice things happen to me for once?
It was just that in her experience, nice things didn’t happen to her. Not like this. With his rugged good looks, Jared could have been a movie star about to sweep the heroine off her feet and ride away into the sunset together with a gorgeous actress.
He wouldn’t go climb a mountain with a curvy, broke American woman who was desperately trying to reveal the truth about the supernatural world out there.
But then, he’d kissed her. And it had felt right—completely, utterly, fundamentally right.
Where everything about the demon had felt off, being close to Jared made her feel as if everything was exactly how it should be.
Which was weird, because she barely knew him.
But he’s a damn good kisser, so does it matter?
She was exhausted, still a little shaken by the attack, and scared of what was going to happen tomorrow.
If there was no magical artifact, she’d have blown all her savings and ruined her life for nothing. And if there was one...
She didn’t have any magical powers of her own. She’d tried to read up on magic and had bought charms in the little occult bookshop she’d begun to frequent after she’d first seen the werewolf.
But the truth was, she’d never been able to make a single of those spells and potions work. Maybe it was just because she wasn’t magic. The werewolf had been real, after all, so why shouldn’t those spells be?
Marge, who ran the store, had shrugged and told her that it took talent and great strength of will—which obviously was a great excuse if you made a living off trinkets and esoteric books. So maybe it was just that Chiara wasn’t talented enough.
Or maybe Marge was a fraud.
Anyway, the truth was that for all Chiara knew, she might well die up on that mountain tomorrow if the artifact was real. And in that case, spending her final night on Earth getting kissed by this unfairly good-looking hunk of a man wasn’t the worst way to go.
Chiara reached out once more to cover his hand with hers. His hand was large and strong—for all his model good looks, his body was that of a man used to hard work, all firm muscle and strength that didn’t come from the gym.
Even at this simple touch, warmth filled her, something inside her yearning to feel his body against hers, to know what it was like to be held by those strong arms. She’d never experienced anything like it before.
But it was very late, and tomorrow might be one of the most important days of her life.
“Would you like to get breakfast together tomorrow?” he asked.
“I’d love that,” she found herself answering without a second thought.
She had planned on a hearty breakfast before the long hike—it wasn’t just that she wanted to see him again.
Although she wanted that, too...
He leaned in once more, his lips warm against her own.
“Good night,” he said huskily when he drew back.
She found herself flushing again, her heart racing in her chest.
When was the last time she’d felt that sensation of butterflies in her stomach?
“Good night, Jared,” she said, helplessly smiling.
She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring—but she knew what she’d be dreaming of tonight.
Chapter Four: Jared
Quietly, Jared settled in for the night on the roof of the house across from Chiara’s little hotel.
He’d shifted once he’d left her. As a mythological shifter, he was fortunate enough to be invisible to humans. Right now, that ability came in very handy.
His griffin’s body—half eagle, half lion—perched on top of the roof in plain sight. From here, he had a good view of the small hotel. If the man who’d attacked her tried to return, Jared would know.
He still couldn’t believe that he’d found his mate—and that in turn, his mate had found a clue about the medallion his parents had left him. There had to be a reason fate had brought them together right here, right now.
The chimera had set him this task because the fate of humanity might depend on stopping the darkness. But Jared now realized that this wasn’t the only reason.
He was also here because his mate needed him. Fate had led him to her just in time to save her from an attack. And in turn, she’d showed him her map. The map that led right to where the symbol of the fifth plinth was located.
Chiara thought she was hunting for a powerful magical artifact—but Jared knew that she was wrong.
A fifth plinth with a fifth symbol meant that a new elemental master had appeared. An element never before seen on the council. A new ally they’d need in the fight against the darkness.
Somewhere in these mountains, at the heart of the maze on Chiara’s map, there was a powerful shifter. Perhaps a shifter who hadn’t yet realized that a new element had chosen it as its champion.
Jared would find the shifter, and then, at last, the council would be complete. Five elemental dragons would stand against the darkness that threatened their world—and they’d win, they had to.
And then Jared would be free to show Chiara the shifter world he loved. He’d show her how hard his friends, the elemental dragons and their mates, ha
d worked to protect the human world.
And once she realizes there aren’t any aliens out there, and that we’re no monsters but just like humans, she’ll change her mind.
His griffin’s sharp eagle eyes kept a careful watch on the street as the moon above them slowly made its journey across the night sky.
Everything was quiet. The air smelled faintly of lilacs. There was a gentle breeze ruffling his feathers.
Everything was peaceful, and slowly, Jared began to relax.
The attacker probably hadn’t expected to find his prey protected by a shifter. Jared had driven him off; Chiara was safe for now.
His griffin moved a little, smoothing his feathers, enjoying the sounds of the night. His mate was asleep across the street, perfectly safe as they guarded her sleep. And soon, they’d be able to properly woo her...
We’re not bringing her a dead mouse as a present, Jared told his inner griffin, who’d been watching a tiny animal skitter through the street below.
The griffin shifted his wings again, his sharp eyes still focused on the mouse.
No, Jared said determinedly. Forget it. I’m treating her to a nice French breakfast with pastries and coffee. Absolutely no dead mice.
A heartbeat later, faster than he’d thought possible, shadow descended upon the alley.
The darkness was so sudden and so stifling that even his griffin’s sharp eagle eyes could no longer make out the shapes of the houses or the street below.
Even the shingles of the roof he was perching on no longer glinted in the moonlight.
Everything was black. The darkness was so absolute it swallowed all sound. He started forward—but he couldn’t even hear the sound of his talons on the roof.
Still, he didn’t waste any time trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
There was only one possible explanation for this.
The shadow had returned. And it had come for Chiara.
Even in this complete darkness, he could feel her presence, like a tiny star far away in the dark sky. If they had time to get to know each other, it would grow stronger and form a full mate bond—but right now, it was just the barest connection between them. It was faint, like the light of a single star far, far away—but it was there, even in this unnatural darkness.
She was there. She was near. And she was in danger.
Without thought, he spread his wings and soared. He knew the layout of the alley and the houses. He’d had a long time to study the street while he’d kept watch over Chiara’s hotel.
Now, without sight, he flew into the darkness, then landed on the street. The feeling of the old cobblestones beneath his talons was reassuring.
He wasn’t able to see, but all their enemy had done was to swallow the light. Everything else was as it had been.
He shifted back into his human form, then reached out. Two steps forward—and his fingers encountered the door.
For a heartbeat, relief welled up in him.
Then he realized that the door was open.
Terror pounded through his body. He made his way inside, remembering the layout. There were stairs at the back that led up to the guest rooms. He still couldn’t see anything—and he didn’t dare to call out for Chiara.
He couldn’t alert her attackers. No one knew he was here. If he could surprise them...
There was a muffled sound above him, like something heavy dropping to a carpeted floor.
A second later, he was up the stairs, all secrecy forgotten as his heart pounded with fear and anger.
He didn’t know in which room she was staying, but something was pulling him forward now. He ran, faster and faster, feeling something pierce his heart like a sharp hook, pulling him towards the end of the corridor...
And just when he pushed open the final door at the end, the darkness lifted.
The room was empty. Chiara was gone.
The room looked as if she’d put up a fight. A chair was turned over. A lamp had fallen and smashed on the floor. Her bed was empty.
And the window stood wide open.
Jared rushed towards it, but he knew what he’d see even before he thrust his head outside. There was a strange smell lingering—the scent of burning wood, of smoke and ashes.
And there, barely visibly against the dark sky, a dragon soared, clutching something in his claws as he flew towards the towering mountaintops.
Even against the night sky, the dragon looked black. Jared was too far away to make out details, but he knew what he’d see.
A dragon’s body covered by shadows. A fire dragon tainted by darkness.
Steele. Or someone just like him.
And whoever it was had Chiara.
Chapter Five: Chiara
Chiara couldn’t breathe. The only sound she could hear was that of her panicked heartbeat, as loud as a drum in her ears.
They were high up in the sky. Far below, she could make out the scattered lights of the tiny mountain village—and they were quickly leaving them behind.
I’m in the air. I’m flying. I’ve been kidnapped by a dragon.
Nothing made sense anymore.
Her run-in with the werewolf had turned her life upside down. She’d thought she’d never forget the terror of that night.
But now, with huge claws wrapped around her body, she was frozen with fear, unable to believe what was happening.
To believe in werewolves and vampires was one thing. She’d seen a werewolf, after all.
But never once in her wildest dreams had she believed that dragons were real.
The creature’s claws were hard like steel, gripping her tightly. Even so, all the dragon had to do was loosen his grip—
Her heart skipped a beat, and she tore herself away from that thought. There was nothing she could do. She couldn’t fly. She had no one she could call for help. And how did you even fight a dragon?
She was on her own, and she had no idea how she was ever going to get out of this again.
At least I’m going to die knowing the truth... There are all sorts of monsters out there, and I know it. Maybe that’s why they’re after me.
They flew for perhaps half an hour. It was difficult to tell how much time had passed. It was still dark when the dragon began to descend, but she could see ragged rocks glinting faintly in the light of the moon.
The dragon had carried her into the mountains.
Maybe it’s after the same thing I am...
Then the ground rushed up to meet them, and she closed her eyes in terror.
A heartbeat later, she found herself ungently set down. Her knees were shaking so badly that it took a lot of effort to remain upright—but she wouldn’t give her kidnappers the satisfaction of seeing her crumple to the ground in fear.
“What are you?” she demanded, staring at the dragon’s large head.
In its mouth, she could see the cruel glint of sharp teeth. Instinctively, she shuddered when the monster’s jaws parted.
Then, just like that, the dragon’s body shimmered. A moment later, the dragon was gone. Instead, a man stood in front of her. He was wearing an outfit of black leather. His hair was black as well, several strands shimmering red.
And his eyes were dark and cruel—just like Lou’s eyes had looked. As if a shadow was looking out at the world through them.
She took a step back. Then she sensed movement behind her. Shocked, she twirled around—and found herself face to face with a small group of men.
All of them watched her from eyes tainted by darkness. And there, among them, stood Lou.
“What do you want from me?”
“We know what you’re looking for,” the man who’d been a dragon said. “We’re looking for the same thing. And you’ll lead us there.”
“Why the hell would I do that?” she spat, even though she was still trembling. “I know what you are! You’re monsters. Demons. Possibly even aliens. And soon, everyone will know. I’m going to—”
“You’ll do nothing,” the man said impatien
tly. “You’re our prisoner. You’ll do as you’re told.”
He nodded at one of the men behind her. “Start exploring. You know what to look for.”
Chiara gritted her teeth. It was getting lighter now—the sun would rise soon. In the lifting gloom, she could make out mountains that looked strangely familiar.
She hadn’t made her way up into the mountains yet. But she’d studied pictures online before booking her flight. She’d spent hours on Google Maps.
She knew exactly where she was. They’d brought her right where the map had wanted her to go. Somewhere in this rocky mountain valley, a path began that would lead to the hidden artifact.
Shit. I don’t even have a weapon.
The dragon turned away from her. At his nod, the other men began to swarm out, exploring the valley.
And ten minutes later, they returned.
“I found something, Zane,” one of them said. “It looks like the entrance.”
“Give me her map,” Zane demanded.
Horrified, Chiara saw one of the shadow-eyed men produce her bag. Zane rummaged inside it, then pulled out the battered old book and opened it.
He studied the map for a long moment, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Then he folded it up, giving the men another curt nod. “Let’s go.”
Even if Chiara’d owned a weapon, it would have been no use against a group of six men and one dragon.
For all she knew, the other men were dragons as well—otherwise, how had they appeared up here in the mountains?
Unless they planned this and he had his men wait here while he kidnapped me and stole my map...
“Move,” the dragon man said impatiently and nudged her.
Gritting her teeth, Chiara did as she was told.
She had something they wanted. It wasn’t just the map.
She’d studied the map for weeks to even get to the point where she knew where to start her search. She’d studied maps of these mountains, too.
That’s what they want me for. They don’t want to waste time doing their own research. Because it isn’t enough just to have the map, you need to understand it, too.