Captive (Igniting the Flame Book 1)

by Dani Matthews

  Since it’d be nice to have the bulky cuffs off, I hold out my right hand. As he opens the slim bracelet, I watch intently to see how he does it. He takes his thumbnail and flips up a small tab, and he releases a tiny mechanism that causes the bracelet to part. He then slips it around my wrist next to the larger cuff, and he snaps it shut while keeping the tab open.

  His free hand reaches for his jeans pocket, and he pulls out two keys. One is your average key for handcuffs, and the other is tiny, flat and filmy, like plastic. He leans closer to my wrist, his eyes focused as he slips the small plastic card into the slot, and a tiny light turns red on the tab. He slides the keycard out and shuts the tab. There’s an audible click. Then he releases the bracelet and uses the actual key to unlock the much larger cuff.

  When my hand is free, I bring my wrist closer to my face to inspect the bracelet. It’s actually quite pretty with some type of design engraved all along it.

  “Like it?” Lethe asks.

  I peer up at him, my eyes cooling. “All it does is remind me that I’m a prisoner.”

  His lips visibly tighten, and he motions for my other wrist.

  I switch the glass of water to my right hand and hold out my left. I watch as he switches out the cuffs.

  When he’s finished, he pockets the tiny keycard and walks around his desk with the clunky cuffs. He sets them on the desk, and then he takes his seat and leans back in the chair, studying me. “Those newer cuffs won’t come off without the key. They won’t break even if they appear weaker than the other pair. I suggest you save yourself the time and effort and leave well enough alone.”

  Instead of replying, I deliberately take a sip of my water.

  “Were you aware that you could wield fire?” he asks bluntly with watchful eyes.

  I smile pleasantly. “If I had known, this place would have gone down in flames days ago.”

  He gives me a look as tension fills the room. “That attitude of yours is the entire reason that you’re locked in your room until further notice.”

  Feeling peeved, I lean forward and set my glass on his desk. “Do you really think keeping women locked away in some lavish penthouse suite is going to get you what you want? You think showering them with jewelry and superficial things will have them trading in their freedom just to do your bidding?”

  An amused smile plays at the corners of his mouth. “It’s worked so far, hasn’t it?”

  Damn. He’s right. Score for him. “I can’t be bought,” I retort.

  “So I’ve noticed.”

  “Just resell me,” I tell him flatly. “Sell me and get your money back.” I’ll take my chances with someone else. Not everyone is going to have the security that Lethe does.

  “Now that would be foolish on my part if I were to do as you suggested.” His eyes burn into mine. “You’re the most powerful female drakon alive, so that makes you worth so much more than any amount of money.”

  I go still, and my mind races. Oh shit. I never considered what my newfound ability could do to a male drakon. Mating with one will inevitably give him quite the power boost. This has become a world where power is greatly sought after instead of money.

  Lethe calmly observes me. “I see your predicament is beginning to sink in. There’s nowhere on earth that you’d be able to hide once word spreads of your ability,” he states.

  “You don’t strike me as being stupid, so I highly doubt you’d share the news with others.”

  “Secrets have a way of getting out, no matter how close you try to keep them.” He leans forward as he gazes at me. “Think about how this changes things, Arista. There isn’t a single drakon out there that wouldn’t try to take you for his own if he had the chance. You’re never going to be free, and fleeing in hopes of gaining your freedom will place you in much more precarious situations than the one you’re facing here.”

  I cross my arms over my chest and stare him down. “So what’s your suggestion? I’m assuming that’s why I’m here.” I want to hear him say it.

  He settles back in his chair, his face now expressionless. “The only way you’ll be safe is to have a mate that is capable of protecting you.”

  “Oh please. We both know my safety is of no concern.” I narrow my eyes on him. “You want more power. Just say it.”

  His eyes hold mine. “Any man would.”

  “I’d rather die than be your mate.”

  “Just what would be so terrible about our mating, Arista?” he asks as a hint of velvet stirs in his voice. “We both already know the sex would be more than satisfying. Becoming my mate gives you power within the clan as well. I would think the idea of gaining your own power would be quite tempting.”

  My body warms at the thought of having sex with him. I may dislike him, but I can’t deny that the thought of being intimate with him turns me on. I shut down my thoughts and give him a look. “Of course gaining power is tempting, but I don’t want the small bits that you’re offering. I want it all. That you can’t give me.”

  “What you want is just a fantasy. You need to face the facts, Arista.”

  “I have no intention of settling for anything less than what I want.”

  Irritation flickers over his face. “You’re delusional.”

  “No more delusional than you are with your suggestion that we mate,” I remind.

  His expression hardens. “The difference between what you want and what I want, is I have the means to make it happen.”

  He wouldn’t… Would he? I have no idea what he’s capable of. A mating has to be mutual, and the woman must be willing. Unfortunately, there are drugs out there that can make a woman willing even if she’s not fully aware of what’s going on.

  “That would be rape,” I accuse.

  Distaste flickers across his features. “I don’t condone rape.”

  “Then we’re at a stalemate,” I say, feeling pleased that he’s not going to get his way—at least not with me.

  “A stalemate isn’t an option. I’m aware that you likely didn’t grow up in a clan, so am I right to assume that you are unaware of the impenetrable armor?” he asks as he watches me closely.

  I frown. Impenetrable armor?

  “I can see by your expression that you’ve no idea of the ability that comes from a strong mating. You see, long before the virus, women could wield fire. Mated males were quite powerful back then, but once in a great while, there would be a pairing that would result in the male developing the armor. It develops beneath the skin, and it renders him virtually impossible to kill. The drakon who wore the armor was single-handedly the most powerful of all clans. There once was a single leader—the wearer of armor—until the virus wiped out most of our race. It hasn’t been seen in centuries, and that power seems to have disappeared right along with the women’s ability to wield fire.”

  “What does this have to do with me?” I ask.

  His eyes sear mine with a heat that I can almost feel from where I’m sitting. “You’re the first in centuries to wield fire. Deny it all you want, but there’s a physical connection between us. An attraction that is quite strong. I think you could give me the armor.”

  I can’t help but release a snort. “Yeah right. Now who’s fantasizing about the impossible?”

  “I’m not surprised you deny the possibility. Your upbringing was…obviously lacking.”

  His veiled insult has me sitting straight up in the chair, my eyes flashing indignantly. “I had the best upbringing, you insensitive bastard. I was loved, and I was free.”

  “You were taught to believe in the impossible,” he says brusquely.

  “The impossible worked just fine for twenty years.”

  “Pure fucking luck.”

  I rise to my feet, ready for this conversation to end. “You can take your mating proposal and shove it up your ass.”

  Fire stirs in his gaze as he slowly rises to his feet, and I can see he’s beginning to lose his temper. “Let me give you something to think about while you pace that room
of yours. If there’s the slightest chance you can give a drakon armor, you will be the most sought after female out there. The man that mates you will likely have unparelled power, and I refuse to bow down to another.”

  “If I’m going to be the most sought after female as you so aptly put it, that means you would have to spend the rest of your life dealing with men trying to destroy me. I would think that would be a tiring and unfortunate result of the mating,” I counter back.

  “They won’t want to destroy you, they’ll destroy the bond and try to remate with you,” he corrects.

  “You don’t even know if the armor would happen!” I say with exasperation.

  He takes a step forward, but stops beside his desk. “It’s a very good possibility.”

  “And what if it doesn’t?” I challenge.

  “I would still be stronger than I once was.”

  “The answer is still no,” I say flatly.

  “Accept the fact that you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, Arista. It’s your only option unless you want to end up at the mercy of an abusive bastard.”

  I make a sound of disgust. “Don’t bother trying to pretend that you’re doing me a favor.”

  He just watches me with those dark eyes of his.

  “Are we done here?”

  His stance is relaxed, but I can sense he’s very unhappy with the turn our conversation has taken. “Not even close, but we can continue this in a few days after you’ve given it some thought.”

  “I’m not changing my mind.”

  Something glimmers in his gaze. “I’m sure there are other ways to gain your…compliance.”

  “Don’t bet on it.”

  Fifteen

  Arista

  It’s been two days since Lethe suggested we mate. I still haven’t warmed to the idea, and I never will. First, I barely know the man. Second, even if I were stupid enough to take him up on his suggestion, there’s no guarantee I’d ever see the light of day again. Once he gets what he wants, he could very well keep me locked in here permanently.

  It’s bad enough that I’m already slowly and surely beginning to lose my mind. Being held in solitary has given me a new phobia of enclosed spaces, and as the days go by, I feel like I’m suffocating.

  I’m certain that this was Lethe’s plan all along. Dump the necessary info on me, and then let me sit in here with nothing to do until his suggestion begins to sound appealing.

  With a resigned sigh, I flop onto the bed and stare up at the sparkly chandelier. I want to yank it out of the ceiling and break it apart, but that would mean another visit from Lethe.

  No thanks.

  “Someone, kill me now,” I mutter under my breath.

  This wouldn’t be so bad if I were planning a new escape, but there’s no way out of this room without someone actually releasing the lock on the outside of the door. Evie obviously won’t, and Tenley would never go against the clan. Besides, the security is too tight. I’d exhausted the only means I had that led to freedom, and now the element of surprise is gone.

  I wish I knew what Nany would tell me to do. She’d always had such wise advice. I know that I can’t give into Lethe, so where does that leave me? I’m not ready to give up, but I’m also not willing to spend the rest of my life held captive inside these four walls.

  With a soft groan, I sit up and force myself off the bed and situate myself on the floor. I begin doing sit-ups, and my abdominal muscles immediately protest. When I’m bored, I work on building and tightening muscle. All I’ve done the past few days is exercise and stretch.

  If I ever get out of this mess and escape Lethe, I want to learn how to fight better. I’ve done well enough up until now, but learning some real techniques would be wise. Men like Lethe aren’t easy to fight off. I can’t learn to fight the way I want if I’m not in the best shape that I can possibly be.

  I hear the lock on the door being turned, and I scramble to my feet.

  Cassius opens the door, and his eyes land on me. “Lethe would like to see you,” he tells me.

  I open my mouth to refuse, but then I quickly shut it. I really want out of this room, and if I have to put up with the displeasure of Lethe’s company, so be it. I willingly walk to the door, and Cassius escorts me out of the room and through the women’s quarters.

  As usual, I’m taken to the study on the first floor, and as I enter the room, I see that Lethe is already there. He stands behind his desk and watches me with an expressionless mask on his face. He’s dressed in dark clothing, and I spy a knife in the waistband of his jeans. The weapon reminds me that as much as he irritates me, he’s still dangerous. I watch as he nods at Cassius, who promptly leaves. Lethe motions to the chair in front of his desk. “Take a seat.”

  With gritted teeth, I walk over and sit down. I automatically begin tugging on the stupid dress I’m wearing so that the hem almost covers my knees. I’m not by any means shy, but flashing skin around Lethe is a bad idea.

  Lethe, of course, being the man that he is, his eyes drift down to where I’d tugged at the hem, and his dark eyes wander over me. He settles in his chair behind his desk, looking quite relaxed. “That shade of green brings out the odd color of your eyes,” he comments.

  “I hate the dress,” I say tartly.

  He blinks, and then he frowns with what looks like genuine confusion. “Why?”

  “I’m not a dress kind of woman.”

  Curiosity replaces his confusion. “What would you prefer to be wearing?”

  Are we really going to discuss clothing? Looks like it. I guess it’s better than him trying to talk his way into my bed. “Jeans, tees, anything other than this crap you guys think we want to wear.”

  He seems weirdly fascinated by this conversation. “Tenley and Evie haven’t complained. In fact, Evie’s been picking her clothing for a while now.”

  “She’s naturally going to like the dresses, she’s a teenager,” I mutter.

  “Perhaps when you’re more trustworthy, I’ll allow you to order your own clothing as well.”

  Well, there went the civility of our conversation. I glare daggers at him. “You’ll allow? Let me say this as clearly as I can. I don’t want you as my mate. Your offer is far from appealing.”

  His expression is now impassive and impossible to read. “Are you prepared to spend the rest of your life in that room of yours? Because right now, that’s your future.”

  “We both know that if I become your mate, I’m just exchanging one room for another.”

  His eyes suddenly gleam devilishly. “Ah, but there’d be perks to sharing my room and my bed.”

  I give him a determined look. “You might be accustomed to having your pick of women, but I’m not one of them. I can’t be swayed.”

  “Is that a challenge?” he asks in a silky voice.

  He’s enjoying this. Damn him. “No, it’s a statement,” I correct.

  He leans back in his chair and studies me. “So what will it take for you to agree to the mating?”

  “The day I accept you as my mate is the day Hell freezes over,” I say icily.

  “You need my protection.”

  I give him a false smile. “I already have it.”

  Lethe silently studies me, and I can assume he’s trying to figure out a new tactic in hopes of persuading me to give in. “Very well, you may leave,” he says curtly. “Cassius will return you to your room.”

  I blink with surprise. That’s it?

  “Unless you’d prefer to stay,” he mockingly adds.

  Like hell.

  I rise to my feet and walk to the door. I open it, and sure enough, Cassius is standing there.

  Sixteen

  Lethe

  I watch as Arista leaves my study, and Cassius firmly shuts the door behind her to give me privacy.

  With a muttered expletive, I open my desk drawer and pull out a pack of cigarettes. That bloody female pisses me off to no end. I light the cigarette and lean back in my chair, smoking as I try to so
rt out how to handle her. It’s becoming apparent that I’m going to have to change tactics, because urging her to mate with me isn’t working. Not that I’m surprised. But still, I’d had to try.

  Like it or not, this is all new to me. I’m not accustomed to a woman telling me no. I’ve never had a problem with finding one to screw, and I typically screw them wherever I meet them, whether it be at the club or the nearest restroom. I’m not into cuddling and all that stupid shit. I’ve never had a woman turn me down until Arista.

  Not that I can really blame her. One screw with me will tie her to me for life. It’s not just about sex, it’ll be more. Even I’m wary of the seriousness of it all, but it still has to be done.

  Davina’s brown eyes flash in my mind, reminding me that I can’t take much longer trying to coax Arista into agreement.

  I set aside the cigarette and pick up the phone, calling Anton’s cell. When he picks up, I ask him to come to my study before disconnecting the call. Then, I sit back in my chair and reach for the cigarette as I wait for him.

  Two minutes later, he enters my study and settles in the chair across from my desk.

  “I need a drug that will make Arista compliant,” I tell him without preamble. “I’m thinking of dosing her with ‘G’, but I wanted your opinion first. I need to know if you think there might be complications.”

  Anton studies me, and something shifts in his gaze. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Lethe,” he says in a careful tone.

  I frown and flick ash into the ashtray. “Why the hell not?”

  “I can’t be part of…that.”

  “Sure you can. It’s not going to hurt her,” I reason. “Unless you think she might have a bad reaction to the drug.”

  His eyes search mine, and he looks disappointed in me. “You’re a fool if you think that drugging her won’t affect her emotionally.”

  “She won’t even know about it,” I explain. “At least not until I want her to.”

  Anton’s shaking his head, his expression full of disgust. “You’re a sick bastard.”