A Lair So Sinful

by Zoey Ellis

  A Lair So Sinful

  Copyright © 2021 by Zoey Ellis. All rights reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  The right of Zoey Ellis to be identified as the author of this book has been asserted by the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patent’s Act, 1988. All rights reserved. Except for use in review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part, by any means, is forbidden without written permission from the author.

  This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by any way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the author’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  First Edition: March 2021

  Contents

  Pronunciation Guide

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Discover Myth of Omega

  Acknowledgments

  About Zoey Ellis

  Also by Zoey Ellis

  For Mandy and my Halos

  A Lair So Sinful

  From a dark, magic-ravaged world comes an enthralling new fantasy romance series. Five brothers, last of an ancient Alpha bloodline, each bound by fire and blood to their majestic dragons.

  Captive in a dragon lord’s lair. No memory. Stripped bare.

  I’mya awakens to find herself the property of Nyro—a rare and powerful Alpha bonded to a monstrous dragon. Like the other women in the lair, her only purpose is to satiate his every fantasy, but the beautiful omega is hiding a dark secret—even from herself.

  From the first explosive encounter with Nyro, her incredible power is unleashed.

  His carnal desires feed the fire of her magic.

  Nyro’s captivation with her turns to possession, and I’mya becomes more than a plaything for him.

  But as shards of her memories puzzle back together, her mind finally unveils the compelling truth.

  A purpose much more sinister than pleasure.

  Passion. Obsession. Betrayal.

  I’mya must fulfill her quest, regardless of the cost. Nyro has conquered her body, but if he discovers the truth behind her presence in his lair… it is her life he will take.

  A LAIR SO SINFUL is the first book in an adult fantasy romance standalone series. This story includes romance of a dark nature and a HEA.

  Pronunciation Guide

  I’mya - im-my-ah

  Nyro - NY-roe

  Dragorai - drag-GOR-rye

  Vattoro - vat-TOR-roe

  Kon’aya - kon-nye-ah

  Elora - ee-LORE-rah

  Sanderyll - san-der-rill

  Dayatha - day-AR-tha

  Zendyor - ZEN-dee-yor

  Tyomar - tye-OH-mar

  Sethorn - seth-orne

  Khyros - KY-ros

  Thrakondarian - thrak-kon-DAR-ree-ann

  I’yala - e-YAR-lah

  Dan Askha - dan-AX-ah

  Mheyu - may-you

  1

  A pronunciation guide for this world can be found from the Contents page.

  The fog clogging her senses dissipated.

  I’mya gasped, dropping to a crouch and curling herself into a tight ball as a rush of prickly heat traveled so fast along her limbs, gooseflesh rose in its wake. Arms wrapped around her knees, she stilled her mind, reciting the names of the Seven Goddesses until the feeling passed. It wasn’t unusual for disorientation to take hold when she woke, but it had never been this bad. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought to control her dizziness, until she quickly realized, something was wrong.

  Slowly, I’mya lifted her head.

  Huge rocky walls rose high on either side of her, curving over her head to make a cavernous room? No… a wide corridor. Orbs of glowing light hovered in the dips of the craggy walls, providing mellow shards of light that beamed across the gloomy darkness. Magic hung thick in the air, but it wasn’t the rotten kind that she was used to—this was rich, fresh, untainted magic.

  I’mya rose to her feet, trying to make sense of what she could see. Nothing looked familiar.

  A soft patter drew her attention to see messy brown ringlets and a jostling bare ass moving down the corridor in front of her. I’mya glanced down at herself and snapped her arms around her own naked body, swallowing the startled squeal that rose in her throat. What happened to her clothes! Panicked, she turned to see another three naked women standing in a line behind her, all different ages and features.

  The rocky corridor stretched into the distance behind them, with seemingly no end in sight.

  “Do you know where we are?” I’mya whispered, stepping closer to the girl next to her. But as she neared, she realized the girl wasn’t looking back at her. Her dull, grey eyes remained straight ahead, lacking any spark of life or comprehension. The muscles in her face were so slack, drool inched down from the corner of her mouth. Glancing behind her, I’mya saw the other two women both held the same expression.

  “Are you… all right?” she asked the first girl. Hesitantly, I’mya lifted her hand to touch the girl’s shoulder.

  “Keep moving.”

  I’mya started, her head jerking up to the ceiling of the corridor where the voice seemed to originate from, but there was no person, only a dark, rocky wall.

  “Keep moving,” the rough voice ordered again.

  “Where are we?” Dropping her hand and refusing to budge, I’mya scanned the ceiling of the corridor. “Why am I here?”

  “Move. Now.” As the words echoed through the corridor, thick magic stirred in the air.

  I’mya took heed of the warning. Swallowing hard, she faced front, keeping her arms wrapped around her as tightly as she could and padded in the line with the other lifeless women.

  Her mind raced as fear settled in her stomach. It wasn’t that someone was watching them that worried her, or even that she was naked and in an unfamiliar place—it was the presence and movement of magic in the air. Magic was dangerous. For it to stir meant someone had a proficiency in the art, which was lethal to all in the vicinity, especially considering the magic was so dense.

  I’mya breathed shallowly as she walked, trying to order her thoughts. Where had she been before arriving here, and what had she been doing? She couldn’t remember anything. The other women clearly looked as though they’d been drugged or intoxicated. Had she been as well? What were they all doing here? Had they’d been forced here? Each question prompted a new one.

  I’mya glanced around the corridor again. The dark walls were made of some type of rock and stone that sparkled and glinted ever so slightly. They had to be in the east section of the mountain, and it was probably mid-morning…

  I’mya’s steps faltered. How did she know that? Taking a breath, she glanced up again at the wall. There was nothing about it she recognized. She and the other women seemed to be in some sort of unusually warm series of connected caves—it could be within a mountain, but something told her they were more likely underground.

  The woman in front of her was now walking through an archway at the end of the corridor. I’mya kept a steady pace,
moving toward it while she stayed alert, taking in as much as she could about her surroundings, while cataloging every sensation and everything she could see. Any information could help her escape.

  The most worrying thing, however, was the dense magic in the air, though she wasn’t sure exactly why it bothered her so much. Murky memories swirled just out of reach, but she pushed her frustration away and kept her eyes open as she reached the archway.

  At the end of the long corridor, she passed through the arches and found herself in a small enclosed cavern. A couple of floor lamps flickered balls of amber flames that gleamed across the jagged walls and ceiling. The naked girl who’d been ahead of her now stood in the center facing a hooded woman in a grey cloak who was standing by one of the walls.

  I’mya eyed the cloaked woman as she came to a stop. Hands clasped in front of her, she stood slightly taller than I’mya; however, she knew the woman’s height had nothing to do how dangerous she could be, so she discreetly searched for any exits but couldn’t see any.

  Within moments, the women behind her padded into the opening; I’mya watched them closely as they gathered in front of the figure. Then all four of them suddenly woke from their stupor, blinking and looking around.

  “Welcome and congratulations.”

  I’mya turned to see that the woman had lowered her grey hood, and she looked nothing like I’mya expected. She was quite beautiful. Rich auburn hair framed her stern face, and her dewy skin and sharp features made it difficult to guess her age, but it was her sharp amber eyes flickering over them that were the most noticeable.

  “You have arrived at your new home,” she said warmly, a hint of a smile on her face. “Your presence is greatly celebrated by us all.” She looked over each of them as she spoke. “I am Dayatha, your overseer. In order to have a safe and peaceful life here, it is important you understand and follow what I am about to say. It will be impossible for you to remember everything, especially with the magic still wearing off, but the more you do remember the easier it will be for you.”

  So they hadn’t been drugged, but rather affected by the magic. I’mya glanced at the other girls. Now out of their dazed state, they stared intently at the cloaked woman. None of them appeared confused or concerned about where they were.

  “There are some areas that will obviously be closed off to you, but the mountain is big enough to provide plenty of space for us all,” Dayatha said. “You will find this to be a warm, friendly, and safe environment—we will provide you everything you need.”

  I’mya frowned. Mountain?

  “You will share numerous communal spaces,” the woman continued, “and we expect you to get along with each other. If you cannot do that, or if you cause trouble among each other, we will be forced to let you go.” There was something strange about the way she said that. “There is plenty for you to busy yourself with, and you’re expected to keep your body in excellent condition for our master.”

  I’mya’s jaw slackened. Master?

  “But you are not permitted to speak to him at any time.” She paused to look each of the women in the eye. “At any time. When the bell chimes, you are expected to be available to him immediately if he so chooses. And under no circumstances should you attempt to engage his dan askha.”

  I’mya pursed her lips. Dax… what?

  “How many of you are omegas?”

  I’mya was so distracted by what Dayatha had been saying, she almost didn’t hear the question. The shapely blonde girl who had been immediately behind her in the corridor raised her palm, as did a dark-skinned girl with pretty bright eyes.

  “Your special needs will be provided for.”

  Then addressing them all, she said, “Older kon’ayas are available to help instruct you in various skills you might find useful—it has become a tradition to share the things we learn. This is a family like no other and one you should embrace so that you may find harmony and peace. If you do so, you will discover your place within our family, as you will never see your own again. I’mya drew in a sharp breath. Did that mean they were stuck here? She tried to remember who she was leaving behind, but no memory surfaced. What was her life before waking up naked in the corridor? The girls around her weren’t alarmed; a couple of them even had smiles on their faces.

  “Anyone who is cloaked in grey, like I am, must be listened to and heeded at all times,” Dayatha continued. “We are the stewards of this lair, and we are responsible for maintaining harmony. Your best option is to get to know the other kon’ayas. They were once where you are and will help you adjust.”

  Lair? Where in all seven hells was she? I’mya raised her hand, nerves shooting through her as the woman’s emerald eyes snapped to her, brows raised and lips puckering.

  “How do we leave?” she asked, forcing herself to get the words out. Her voice echoed across the room, sounding unfamiliar to her own ears.

  The woman’s brows furrowed, her expression somewhat quizzical. “You do not leave,” she said simply. “No one leaves.” Her amber stare was piercing. “Unless they are falling from the top of the mountain to their deaths.”

  I’mya’s brow knitted as she stared at Dayatha, trying to determine if she was serious. Dayatha matched her gaze, no hint of jest in her expression. I’mya lowered her hand, her heart pounding so loud she was sure it was echoing around the small space.

  “You will be taken to your sleeping lounge to select your beds and familiarize yourself with your new home and your new family.” Dayatha gestured toward an opening along the back wall of the small space. A glint of light shone through, surprising I’mya that she’d missed seeing it upon first inspection of the room. “If you are able to abide the rules and provide your own brand of value, you will love it here.”

  An excited murmur rose from the other girls. I’mya continued to study the other women as they headed out of the room. They looked positively excited and not at all shy about their nakedness.

  As they exited, I’mya darted to the front. “Pardon me,” she said to Dayatha as quietly and politely as she could, “I don’t think—”

  The woman held up her palm, and they watched the other girls until they were out of sight and earshot.

  “You came aware quicker than the others,” she said, dropping her hand, her voice sharper. “Why is that?”

  I’mya froze, surprised by the woman’s sudden firmness. “I-I-I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You became aware in the corridor, yes?” Her thick auburn brow arched. “You were the one to hold up the line?”

  “I didn’t mean to,” I’mya said, hesitantly. “I don’t know where I am.”

  “It is not your responsibility to know where you are,” Dayatha said, clasping her hands in front of her. “It is mine. All you need to do is be where you are supposed to be and do as you’re told.”

  I’mya frowned slightly. “But where am I? Why are we all walking around naked?”

  The woman stepped toward her, sighing softly. “What would be the point of you being here if you were constantly clothed? It is much too warm for clothes, anyway—they will only get in the way.”

  “In the way of what?”

  Dayatha’s gaze cooled. “Being difficult will not help you to stand out here. In fact, standing out is dangerous. Don’t waste my time with questions you already know the answers to.”

  A surge of agitation prickled over I’mya’s skin. Why was this woman being so difficult? “I just want to know where I am,” she snapped. “Why can’t you just tell me that simple piece of information. If I’ve been kidnapped, at least tell me what you want from me.”

  The woman’s eyes narrowed and realization dawned in her eyes. “What is your name?”

  I’mya opened her mouth, then shut it. What was her name?

  “Where were you before you were here?” the woman asked.

  “I don’t remember,” I’mya said slowly. “I don’t know how I got here.”

  “What do you remember about your life?”


  I’mya shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?” The woman seemed suspicious. “Where were you raised?”

  I’mya lifted her shoulders. “I-I don’t know.”

  I’mya thought hard, trying to remember of anything from before she woke up in the corridor.

  “Close your eyes,” Dayatha said. “Visualize in your mind’s eye anything from before your memories of this place.”

  I’mya did what she was asked, taking a deep breath to quiet her thoughts. Muddled sparks of emotions flashed within her, accompanied by blurred images in her mind, but she couldn’t grab ahold of them.

  She shook her head. “It is though they exist, but I can’t hold one image still to see it clearly,” she said, opening her eyes.

  “Then think of a single person,” Dayatha said. “Any face that comes to you, then you may recall more things about yourself. Think back to your family, friends, loved ones…..”

  I’mya squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to conjure up anything associated with those words, but again, memories faded, smooth and slippery. “Nothing,” she said, opening her eyes.

  Dayatha was silent for a long moment, then she stepped forward and held up a cupped hand underneath I’mya’s jaw. Before I’mya could even step back or say anything, the woman was muttering a string of words; the magic that hung in the air began to shift and stir.