City of Dragons: Of Flesh and Blood

by Wilder, Adrienne

  Angry screams from the perimeter announced a swarm of Earth for Humans members. Their gruesome signs flashed pictures of Mary Gilsp’s mutilated body. Orin forced himself to look away. Those beautiful eyes were already going to rule his nightmares.

  Deshi got the door. Orin climbed in, then Haley. He didn’t even get a chance to protest before she was beside him. Maze took the seat in front. The downpour of questions and churning Human bodies rushed the vehicle. Deshi slammed the door, cutting them off. The Navigator dove into the street.

  Orin took a breath, rubbed his thighs and then his arms.

  “Here.” Maze handed him a silver cup with a pop top.

  “What is it?”

  Maze answered with a smile. Orin thumbed the top and took a whiff. Cream mixed with meat.

  “Drink it,” Haley said.

  Might as well. Orin tipped back the cup, and as soon as the stuff hit his palate he couldn’t stop until the last bit slid down his throat.

  “Do you need more?” Maze asked.

  “No.” Yes. He handed the cup back. Maze didn’t look convinced, but he took it and made it disappear. “Not to sound like I’m ungrateful. But do you mind telling me how you pulled this off?” ‘Cause cops didn’t just let Kin accused of murder walk out with little tracking bracelets. No, that kind of special treatment was reserved for movie stars and high profile sports players.

  Maze nodded. “Last year the city faced a nasty lawsuit when the police department here shot and killed one of the Queen’s Marked. It cost the city a lot more than it had available. The only reason they didn’t go bankrupt was a generous donation from the EFM group. They can’t afford another incident. I know that and so does City Council.”

  So they’d let him live because he was a valuable piece of property. Orin didn’t know if that made him feel better or worse.

  Maze said, “I convinced them letting you go somewhere safe, where you can heal, can only put their position in a positive light. I promised the department we would be in tomorrow for an official interview.” He dipped his head at Haley. “I also email blasted a ten second clip of your video to every high end official this city has. They’ve called for the officers involved in the beating to be present.”

  Which meant the entire department was going to be there.

  Orin shook his head. “That’s not necessary, Mr. Maze.”

  The man smiled at him. “Orin, I’m very good at what I do. I might even be the best at it. Trust me, it’s necessary.”

  Orin opened his mouth to snap off a comment, but Haley touched his hand and he instantly forgot what he was about to say. Her head was on Deshi’s shoulder, but her fingers were entwined with his and her thumb was doing this little thing on the palm of his hand. He didn’t pull away, but he shifted in the seat and stuck his gaze out the window.

  Maze said, “I’m going to put a detail on the hotel you’re staying at. If there’s a problem we might need to have you moved.”

  “There won’t be a problem,” Deshi said. Maze gave a look which suggested he wasn’t quite so sure.

  “Orin?”

  He looked at Maze. “Yeah?”

  “I need you tell me what happened with Mary Gilsp. Did you kill her?”

  Orin growled. “No.”

  Maze nodded. “Good. Now, were you and Mary lovers?”

  Orin shifted in his seat. “Do we have to do this now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Fine. Yes, we were.”

  “Brian Gilsp seems to think that you might have been forcing her to sleep with you for the grades.”

  Damn. Orin leaned forward, unable to figure out where to put his legs. “No. She wasn’t even in any of my classes anymore. She dropped out.”

  “But her major was originally Ancient Histories.”

  “Yeah, it was, but she’d been out of my class for at least three months before we were ever together.”

  “Then why was she sleeping with you?” As in, why would a perfectly normal Human want to fuck a wyrm? Hadn’t he already been down this road once today?

  Orin capped his temper and took a breath, then three. Maybe he should have another cup of that cream meat mix. When he thought he could answer without yelling, he gave his attention back to Maze. “Mary was a Lesser-Bred.”

  Maze’s eyes widened ever so slightly. “You have proof?”

  “Not personally, no. But she was marked, on her back.”

  Maze flipped open his cell, pressed a couple of buttons and turned to the front. Orin heard something about autopsy photos, karyotyping , and DNA samples. Whatever else Maze said faded out when he looked at Haley. Her eyes were half closed as she leaned into Deshi’s side. The Prince stared down at her with a strange expression as he pushed a lock of hair back from her face. She smiled and Orin looked away.

  Chapter 27

  The idea scared him, but Farley realized he could get used to this. Claire in his arms, her body pinned by his while she slept. Staying here in bed with her was what he wanted, but something was wrong.

  He listened. The fridge cut on, rats ran in the walls, next door someone had their TV up too loud, and the purr of the occasional car rolled down the street. All normal—and yet Farley couldn’t shake the acute sense of something being out of place.

  What the fuck?

  He sat up and Claire stirred. The clock on the milk crate read one fifteen. Farley slid off the lumpy mattress and stepped outside of his room, rubbing his arms, like he was cold when the apartment was too warm. He looked at the dial on the hall wall and flicked it all the way back down.

  The thump and rattle of the fridge being opened sounded off from the other side of his apartment. Maybe the Lesser-Bred hadn’t left?

  At least, that’s what Farley wanted to believe. It’s what he hoped.

  A familiar scent hit his nose and a hard cold lump formed in his stomach. Farley’s hand trembled when he reached out and pulled the bedroom door shut. God of Man, please….

  “I hear you breathing in there, Little Brother.”

  That voice, the title, it was like a sledgehammer to Farley’s nerves. He stepped out of the hallway and into the living room.

  Darco stood in the kitchen, leaning into the fridge. “Don’t you keep anything to eat in this dump?” As he stood, his cobalt blue eyes swung over and pegged Farley where he stood. “Of course, there’s always you.” He smiled, flashing hard white points, then his eyes shifted to the hallway leading to his room. “Or her.”

  Darco moved across the kitchen, eyes on the doorway, hunger leaking out all over the place. For a split second Farley’s hearts stalled and threatened not to start again, then he did the unthinkable. He stepped in the way.

  The fact that Darco actually stopped, surprised him. The nasty smile curving on his sinuous lips, didn’t.

  “Well, well, well. Does that mean the little Chetrah is more than a quick fuck and snack?” Farley grimaced. “What? Still on the wagon?” Darco opened his mouth and inhaled with a hiss. “Mmm—still with that Female I see…”

  Elegant fingers touched Farley’s shoulder and played along the ridges of his scar. Having Darco fondle the mark felt like a violation

  Farley stepped back. “What do you want?”

  A strange sort of displeasure twisted up Darco’s face. “Why, Little Brother, are you challenging me?”

  Yeah, and there was no doubt in Farley’s mind Darco would just love that.

  “It’s not…I just…” When all else fails, change the subject. “Who the hell gave you a pass outside the Wall anyhow?”

  Darco poured into the space at Farley’s back and he leaned forward. At least this time Farley didn’t pull away. Two social mistakes in less than five minutes were already more than he could afford. No need to push his Brother over the edge.

  After all, he’d get there soon enough all on his own.

  Darco said, “I acquired it.”

  As in stole it, bought it, hell maybe he even killed for it, but he didn’t apply for it legally, t
hat was for sure. It took permission from Medan and two Human sponsors to vouch for a Kin’s stability. No Human on the planet could be that stupid.

  Farley thought of the vamps. Okay, Humans of legal age. Humans with half a brain. And Medan? She knew his Brother’s reputation. No, Darco was nothing but a liability she could not afford.

  “You don’t believe me?” Darco’s hand traced a line down Farley’s side.

  “No, I don’t. You’d never get past the psych evaluation.”

  “Well, well, well, Little Brother. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you don’t want me on the outside.” The grip on Farley’s hip went tight.

  Naw, really? I wonder why? “No. Not particularly.”

  Darco made a sound which might have been intended as a laugh but grew into a heated growl. “You and I are going to play a game, Little Brother.”

  Farley’s eyes clenched shut. He did not need this. Not now. Fuck, not ever. Darco’s other hand slid across his ribs, moved to the flat of his stomach and lingered, petting, touching.

  “The rules are simple. Don’t scream. If you do, and she wakes up, I’m going to eat her.”

  “Darco, let’s not--”

  “And you will help me.”

  “I won’t--”

  “You will, unless of course you can stop me.”

  If only he could. Weak. I’m too weak to fight him. Farley looked away. “Please…”

  Darco put a finger to his lips. “Shh—she stirs.” The movement of sheets was followed by the rise of Claire’s heart beat. After a few tense seconds she settled. Darco whispered, “Are you ready?”

  Ready for him to get the hell out of here maybe. Farley jerked as the ache of Darco’s fingers digging into his side became the searing pain of chelae sinking into his flesh. Dark streams of ichor ran down his leg. He glared at his Brother.

  “Having fun yet, Little Brother?”

  Farley growled. “Why are you here? Did the emo kids dump you?”

  “Vampires bore me.” Darco’s free hand glided over Farley’s sternum, then to his throat, where it tightened. One hard yanked and he was flush against his Brother’s body. Which of course shot Farley’s flight-and-fight instinct into a full-fledged war. “Ah, but you, Little Brother…you are always so entertaining.”

  A hot wet line made its way across Farley’s shoulder. The burn of sharp teeth followed.

  Fine, he could feed Darco. Not like he hadn’t done it a thousand times before. The Male’s erection pushed against his ass. And yeah, Farley could deal with that end of business too.

  Darco inhaled deep. “You always smell so nice, Little Brother.” His mouth made its way up Farley’s neck to his jaw. “Let me have a taste.” His grip loosened. “Share with me.”

  And that was so not a request.

  Darco’s grip became light, almost sensual. Farley opened his mouth and breathed his scent across his Brother’s lips. The other Male made a pleased sound as he rolled the flavor around the inside of his mouth.

  “Very nice, Little Brother. But I need more.”

  Soft warmth met Farley’s lips and he drew Darco’s tongue into his mouth. His Brother made a sound which clearly said what he liked what he had to share. Their teeth clashed for a second, then his Brother’s tongue scraped his palate. Farley gave back, pushing deep. Maybe with any luck the fucker would choke.

  The grip on Farley’s throat tightened until it cut off any chance he had to breathe. He jerked, but Darco was stronger. Farley’s back hit the ragged-out nap carpet, and what air he had left in his lungs went out in a rush through his nose.

  Darco picked his head up. “Fuckn’ A, Little Brother, what have you been eating?” His purr kicked up and his hips rolled forward. Farley winced as his Brother’s cock bit into his groin. “First, I feed. Then we fuck.”

  Farley jerked when Darco dropped his mouth to the scar on his shoulder. He didn’t want him biting him there.

  “Do you think I will be able to taste her through the mark?” He nipped the skin. “I’m betting I will. Maybe…maybe I’ll draw a little bit of her right down those lines?” As stupid as it was, Farley grabbed Darco’s arm and squeezed hard enough to crack bone. His Brother hissed and his eyes widened. The grin on his face had way too many teeth for a Human mouth. “Go ahead, fight me. It will only be that much more enjoyable.” He exhaled a growl next to Farley’s ear. “Remember the rules.”

  Darco bit hard and violent, tearing flesh, cracking bone. At the same moment his grip slackened and Farley sucked in air so fast he expected his lungs to ignite from the friction. Now that he could breathe, it became an even greater battle not to scream.

  Farley bowed under his Brother and a hand to his middle slammed his back against the floor. Hard, aching, and lit up from the feed, Farley opened his mouth so he could pant.

  The hands pinning him loosened and Darco’s touch became tender as he petted Farley up and down, but the potential for pain and violence remained palpable in how those fingertips kneaded his shoulders and stroked his ribs.

  This needed to be quick, but Darco always took his time. So when the Male’s mouth popped loose way too soon, Farley froze. His gaze slid over to his Brother. Teeth out, his mouth coated in ichor, dripping in rivulets down his chin, he appeared every bit of the monster he was.

  Darco sighed and it was warm against Farley’s shoulder. “Do you know what I see?”

  See? What the hell? Farley shook his head.

  “Through the static, Little Brother, do you know what I see?”

  Static? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Which was nothing new. Darco was always spouting off random collections of words which made no sense.

  Darco’s gaze rolled down. “I see you. I see you in that place. I see him taking you away from me.”

  “Darco…”

  “Shhhh—you have nothing to worry about. I will come for you. I will not let you die in there. After all you owe me. You owe me for everything. And I need you alive in order to collect.”

  Without any warning, Darco stood up and walked out.

  For way too long Farley stared at the front door, afraid to move, afraid to breathe. Darco never left un-sated. This had to be some sort of trick or maybe just his idea of a joke. The longer Farley lay there the more he became convinced something had happened, but he had no idea what it was.

  Convinced the bastard was going to come back any second, Farley got to his feet and ran to the back. He found a pair of black cargo pants in the bottom of his closet and yanked them on. From the bed Claire moaned and her eyes fluttered open. Farley grabbed her clothes off the floor and shoved them in her arms.

  “Get dressed, now!”

  Claire made a face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Christ on a cross, just get dressed!”

  Any minute now, any second that SOB would be back and things would go from bad to disastrous. Farley lit a frustrated punch into the doorjamb. Fuck, Darco was up to something. He never just walked away, never.

  Farley watched the front door while Claire dressed. A few moments later she came up behind him with her parka in her hands.

  “What happened to your shoulder? You’re bleeding.”

  He ignored her and went to the milk crate at the end of his bed and dug out a dark green sweat shirt with a hood and pulled it on.

  “Farley?”

  “Not now, Claire.” He pulled a dry pair of boots from under his bed and slammed his feet into them. It was time to get Claire out of here and as far away as possible. She could never come here again. Now that Darco knew where Farley lived, this place was off limits to anyone who meant anything to him. Was that what all the city touring was about? Had Darco followed him here? And while those questions rattled through Farley’s head, the real one should have been What took him so long? Darco always found him. Like a moth to a flame his Brother always knew where he was.

  Farley glanced at Claire and she stared at him with wide eyes. He said, “Where are your keys?”

&nb
sp; “My pocket.”

  He grabbed her by the arm and marched her to the door. “I need you to stay behind me.” When she opened her mouth to protest Farley growled. “This is not the time to argue with me, Claire. Just do what I say.” She blinked twice and nodded. Farley opened the door and scented the air. He smelled the dampness of the night, the sharp bite of winter on the wind, garbage from a nearby dumpster and the other residents who lived in the building.

  The taste of his Brother was faint. Nothing fresh to confirm he was hiding somewhere close.

  Farley led Claire by the wrist and headed down the steps, taking in every sound, smell, and movement of trash caught in the wind. The sensory overload made his skin crawl like he was full of ants.

  At the bottom of the steps, Farley held out his hand and Claire gave him the keys. He pushed the unlock button on the keyless entry and the Prius next to the curb made a beep-beep sound which might as well have been a dinner bell.

  Another pause. When there was still no sign of his Brother, Farley pulled Claire across the street, opened the passenger door, and shoved her inside.

  Farley climbed in behind the wheel and engaged the locks. Not like they would have done any good considering his Brother could rip the damn car in half, but for some reason it made him feel better. He cranked up the car and yanked it out into the desolate road. They were a good mile outside the Zone before Farley could peel his foot off the gas. The car slowed down to forty MPH. Its wind-up engine going from high pitched weed eater to a refrigerator hum.

  Claire said, “Where are we going?”

  Farley kept his eyes on the road. “Away.”

  “Away where?”

  “Outside the Zone. You should be safe back in the city.” Of course should and would were two different things. Farley tried not to think about that, tried not to think about just how close Claire had come to getting killed.

  Aching, burning, Farley shifted in his seat. His wounds had stopped healing, which meant his resources were getting dangerously low. As if to drive home the fact, the muscles in his legs twitched.

  He said, “Do you have any money?”