Dirty lying dragons, p.14
Dirty Lying Dragons, page 14
“Okay, then I’ll tell you, but it’s not much. Don’t be too disappointed. Everything I cast backfires. Sometimes into literal fire, sometimes by doing nothing or the opposite of what I want.”
He smiled at me, amusement in his eyes. “That’s it? Can you move anything at will?”
“You mean like moving it with my mind or whatever? No.” I shrugged. “I told you not to be disappointed.”
“Oh, I’m not. On the contrary, I’m delighted to know you can’t put up much of a fight, if it comes to that,” Apollo said. “I smelled as much from you when I first saw you, but it’s always nice to have these things confirmed.”
All right, now it was getting creepy. “I told you what you wanted, now can I have my clothes?”
“So soon?” The corner of his mouth twitched upward in amusement. “Very well, let’s walk you back to your rooms to finish this conversation. You can have your clothes, and I can give you the terms of our arrangement.”
“You mean you can negotiate the terms of our arrangement,” I said.
He chuckled. “Quite right you are, Dani. Now, shall we?”
He stood and offered me his arm. I assumed he wanted me to take it like a dainty little princess. Something as elegant as the rest of his staged fortress. I stood on my own and glared at him. “After you; it’s your castle, after all.”
He shook his head with a grin and took me through the door, back the way I had come to get here. As we walked, he spoke.
“Dani, Dani, Dani. I have so many possibilities for you, and it’s very hard to choose one.” Apollo sighed as he took us through the halls and down the stairs. “You see, Dani, I believe you are the one I was meant to find. The seer was right; too bad I can’t ask him more questions.”
Ignoring the hairs standing up on the back of my neck, I pressed for more. “Why can’t you?”
Apollo shrugged. “He’s dead. It was taking too long to find what I wanted, and he couldn’t help me find it, so I killed him. I guess he wasn’t a fake after all, was he?”
Apollo laughed to himself as I glared at him in horror. “I really must work on my temper.”
The way he added that last word had turned my veins to ice. I was pretty sure it was some kind of warning, maybe a threat.
“Your blood is the key to my future. Like I said, you present me with a great many options,” he said. “Ah, here we are.”
As much as I was looking forward to ending this hellish conversation, my stomach sank when Apollo opened the door and stepped inside.
“When was the last time I was in this part of the building?” Apollo seemed amused as he wandered the room looking at how it was decorated, and I cautiously and uncomfortably followed him as he moved through the bedroom and sat on the bed.
He gestured for me to have a seat next to him, but I shook my head. “I’ll pass.”
“Very well,” he said. “Now, my thoughts about what to do with you. I could keep you here to use as a blood supply for spells. The primary use of your bloodline was for spellwork, after all. I have a number of witches in my employ or possession, and I’m certain we could do many things with your blood.”
A chill ran down my back. We weren’t off to a great start.
“Feeding is another option to consider.” His eyes landed on my neck. “There’s quite a high that comes with feeding from a witch. I can only imagine the benefits your blood would have on a vampire of my power. I had also considered turning you, though I’m not certain if the originem blood would be willing to turn for vampirism; you might not survive the attempt,” he said plainly. “Perhaps breeding would be of benefit. What is your lifespan, after all?”
“Sorry for the inconvenience,” I muttered, earning a chuckle from the vampire.
“What will you choose?” Apollo whispered. “Spell component, blood supply, vampirism, or bed mate?”
“I need time to think about it,” I said, my voice cracking.
He leaned back just enough that I could see his face as he grinned at me.
“One hour, Dani.” Standing, Apollo moved to the door. He gave me one last glance and locked me in.
I sank onto the bed, my knees giving out below me. My hands were shaking, my breath shallow.
“Holy shit,” I hissed.
Ryker, help!
Chapter Fifteen
Dani
Bile rose in my throat and my fingers curled into fists, wrinkling the otherwise pristine bedding. Control, that’s what this was for Apollo. He could go with any one of his sick options for me: dinner, a magical component, a vampire, or sexy time. Instead he was going to play mind games with me, and they were working. I’d had it up to here with fucked-up men playing mind games.
The door opened in the front room and I tensed. Barely a sound followed, certainly not something so mortal as footsteps in a den of vampires. But the rustling of clothes eased the tension in my shoulders slightly. If nothing else, Apollo was, in fact, a man of his word.
I waited for the door to close and the telltale lock to fall into place before I ran out to get new clothes. The last thing I wanted was for him to come “negotiate” with me while I was wearing something lacy and see-through. The selection sprawled across the couch was not a lot better than what I was wearing, but it did technically meet the criteria I’d asked for. I grabbed the nearest outfit and ran for the bathroom.
I stood over the toilet for a moment, trying not to throw up but not having enough food in my stomach to do it properly anyway. After I gave up on that, I turned on a hot shower and stepped in, letting the scalding water run over me. I didn’t even care that I was still wearing the lace dress. I hoped I ruined it.
“Okay, okay,” I breathed once the hot water was doing its magic to my nerves. “You can do this, Dani. You have to take the most survivable option until Ryker can get . . .”
I slammed my fist on the wet tile wall. My eyes started to water as the pressure came crashing down around me. How could I put all the dependence on Ryker, when I wasn’t even positive of what I felt? What if that pull, that thread, was directed at someone else? One of the vamps? And for all I knew, Ryker was pissed because things weren’t going as he had expected them to, not because he felt a connection. I was so sure that’s what it was back in Russia but now with distance and time to consider it, I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t sure of anything anymore.
My back slid down the tile to the floor of the shower, and I wrapped my arms around my legs. I wasn’t positive what to feel about Ryker, but I knew I didn’t hate him. Under better circumstances I know I would have tried to tap that nice ass when I’d seen it in the hot spring. But here I was, a vampire’s captive with no way of knowing if Ryker could find me or if he was even coming for sure.
I wiped my face furiously, angry that I could cry at a time like this. Since when did I wait for someone to rescue me? I’d gotten myself out of every problem I’ve gotten into since I could remember, so why couldn’t I do it now?
I stood, shutting off the water and yanking a towel off the shelf. I literally ripped the wet lace dress off and threw it on the floor. I had only maybe half an hour left, and I needed all of that to come up with a plan.
Pulling the towel around me, I tied my hair back and threw on the shorts and tank top from the couch. I frowned in the mirror at the white top that barely came down to my belly button, and the low-riding black shorts that barely covered each ass cheek. I wondered for a moment if these were actually Mina’s clothes, but either way it was better than being tits-out in a sack of lace.
Now to stall and hopefully escape. I dug in the drawer where I’d stashed that little bag from Caroline. I looked again at the items, wondering what I might be able to use. The mini flashlight I would never be able to hide under these clothes; it would have to wait. The chalk would be useful if I knew any spells that needed chalk writing. The mint I didn’t see a use for other than eating. That left the needle and thread. That, at least, I could hide on me. I slid the shorts off for a moment while I hid the thread in the back pocket and wove the needle through the pocket’s seam where I couldn’t stab my ass by accident. When it was firmly in place, I pulled the shorts back up just in time to hear the turning of the key at the suite door.
My heart hammered as I saw the pale hand holding the doorknob. He was wearing the same button-down shirt from dinner, and his hair looked as though he had swept a hand through it since it was the most unkempt thing about him.
“It hasn’t been an hour,” I said as Apollo entered the suite and came to the bedroom doorway, eyeing me. “You’re early.”
“So I am.” Apollo smiled and retreated to the living space. He tossed the remaining clothes from the couch onto the chair, leaving the couch as the only place to sit. Convenient, I’m sure. I poked my head from the bedroom and watched him.
“Please, feel free to use the rest of your time to prepare, I’ll wait here until you’re done.” He flashed me a smile and I scowled, holding my arms. Even if just to stop them from shaking.
“No, I’m as ready as I’m going to be,” I said, hoping I was right. “Let’s get this over with.”
Apollo sat on the couch and gestured to the remaining empty space on it. “Come join me, Dani. We can discuss what your choice is, and what the terms surrounding it will be.”
I walked slowly to the couch, watching Apollo for any sudden movement. He just smirked, amused by my actions. Finally I’d stalled as long as I could, and sat down as far away as possible from the vampire lord.
“Your choice?” Apollo asked, leaning comfortably against the back of the couch.
“Can I choose to be set free?” I asked.
“I’m afraid I will keep you here no matter what. But I have also graciously given you the chance to shape how your life here will be. I’ll be making use of you, witch, one way or another.” Apollo’s tone lowered, crawling up my back and leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake. “One more time, what is your choice?”
I clenched my jaw and sighed through my nose. “I want more time.”
He hummed and tilted his head. “And what do I get in return?”
My lips pressed into a flat line. Everything had to be a game, a negotiation. Was it boredom after his long centuries of life, or was this just Apollo?
“Let me sample your blood,” he offered after a stretch of silence from me. “Then, I will allow you more time.”
Back stiff, I couldn’t keep the disgust off my face. “What kind of deal is that?”
“The only one you have, my dear.”
My stomach churned. I needed time. Ryker needed time. He had to be coming for me—it was simply a matter of when, right? Could I do this if it meant buying Ryker time?
I got you.
“Fine,” I said tightly. “Let’s get this over with.”
Apollo’s eyes crinkled as he leaned in.
“If you taste as good as you smell, I’m afraid you’ll have me wrapped around your finger in no time.” Apollo inhaled the air by my neck.
“I highly doubt that,” I whispered.
He chuckled. Apollo’s soft touch was gentle with me as he tilted my head to have better access to my neck. “It will only sting for a moment, my dear.”
His fangs pierced my neck and I bit back a scream. They were sharp as they dug into my flesh, pulling painfully at my skin, worse than any cut, any needle that had touched me in all my life.
Thankfully it was over in an instant, and the pain was replaced by a warm sensation. Very warm. It traveled from my neck down into my chest, and from there it flowed down even farther into my . . .
“Oh you . . . fucking . . . cheater,” I gasped as I clenched my thighs together. I had completely forgotten why powerful vampires had no problem finding blood supplies. It felt good. Stupidly good. It was the bottom of a top-shelf bottle and the smoothest drug all wrapped in the needy high of sex. It was consuming, pulsing heat.
Apollo drew back for a moment to give me a wicked grin. Swimming, everything was swimming, but I didn’t hate it. Not that I didn’t want to, but nothing had ever messed with my head in this way before. My own blood reddened his lips, but it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen. “Everything okay, my dear?”
“Go lick a garlic bulb.”
My words didn’t seem to do anything but amuse him. His mouth met my neck again and the warm sensation continued. My eyelids felt so heavy, but I felt as though I’d lose myself if I let them close.
“You taste like fire and power,” Apollo groaned into my neck. “I can’t get enough.”
I pushed at his chest, but he didn’t budge. “I hate you.”
“That can always change in time. Think, if you were more cooperative, what could we accomplish?” Apollo ran his hot tongue down the mark on my neck, cleaning it up and closing the puncture wounds as I shuddered. His bloody smile drifted into my blurry vision.
“I will convince you, Dani,” Apollo promised.
I wanted to yell. I wanted to claw his eyes out. Sickeningly, I wanted him to bite me again. I wanted Ryker. And as if on cue, a roar to shatter the castle echoed through the halls.
He’d come for me.
My heart filled with emotion. It was joy, and want, and hope. My heart was full, and I could have cried.
I looked Apollo in his dangerously red eyes.
“Fuck you, Apollo,” I managed to whisper. “My dragon is here.”
Chapter Sixteen
Ryker
Fury blinded me. Somewhere out there Dani was in trouble and I was the one who’d put her there. I could have been mad at Gavin for telling me about the bounty. I could have been mad at Oleg, and I was, but he wasn’t the one to blame. I was mad at myself for not seeing what she was before, and I was pissed as hell at Apollo for having her right now. I knew, I fucking knew I was attached to this ballsy little firecracker and I’d let her do this stupid plan anyway.
Apollo. I would end him.
My claws itched to rip his flesh to ribbons as he ashed to the ground around me.
Or maybe I would burn him. My throat clenched in anticipation. I was already salivating through the protective coating that kept my mouth from burning as I shot my hottest flames from my throat.
Then again, it might be more pleasurable to pin him to the ground and watch as the sun slowly crept up and burned him alive. Un-alive. Whatever.
Either way, his ass was mine.
I roared, scattering birds for a good distance around me and clearing the airways.
A rumble stayed in my chest, not willing to let go as I fumed.
“We’ll get her back,” Gavin roared over the sound of the wind. “Calm down, big fella!”
I spat a lick of fire into the air to show him just how calm I was. I hope his ass chafed from riding the ridged scales on my back for hours.
Hours. Dani had been in Apollo’s clutches for hours.
What was he planning? What did he need the witches for? And what could he do with an originem? A lot.
Had he caged her?
The rumble in my chest grew more agitated at that thought.
Had he hurt her?
I snarled.
I was big as shit and faster this way, but I still couldn’t get there fast enough.
I snorted a puff of smoke from my nose and pushed forward harder.
Dani, I’m coming.
“Whoa there!” I felt Gavin cling harder to my back. “Don’t forget ye have a passenger!”
I ignored him.
For the next hour, trees covered the ground below. I know I should have been flying higher, but I had to follow the path of cities and roads to reach Toronto. I hadn’t been there personally, but I could make out the shapes of the city from this altitude and I skirted around as much of it as I could; the dark of night and a fog setting in was my only cover.
As we rounded the Greater Toronto Area I turned north and away from the roads, descending slowly and scanning the wooded areas for a possible vampire compound. I sensed Danica nearby, but I couldn’t pinpoint where. A burning, clawing beacon pulling my attention north. The city was well past us by now, but the landscape below would be the perfect place for a leech to hide. Much like Oleg, Apollo would want to be close enough to a population of blood but far enough away to hide from sight.
I landed in a patch of trees with a clearing large enough to fit my dragon form. Gavin slid off my back and I began shifting out of my scales and into my skin.
I grunted as everything compacted back into my human size, but I left the wings out.
“Easy, Ryker,” Gavin said. “D’you know where we’re goin’?”
I growled low, looking, listening, and feeling for where she could be. I could feel her, that pull in my chest that wanted to yank us together. A roaring line between us that demanded attention.
“I know they say he’s around this area, but that’s still a lot of ground to cover,” Gavin said. “D’ye feel anything?”
“She’s near here,” I said. “It’s fuzzy. He probably has wards on his place.”
“It would surprise me if he didn’t.” Gavin came closer, pulling my jeans out of the bag he carried. “Here, put these on.”
I grunted and took them from him. “I’ll just ruin them later anyway when I’m slaughtering the leeches.”
“Well, fer now ya don’t have to swing yer willy around. I’m sure ya want to talk to Dani after we get her out of here, and yer gonna make it awkward if she can see yer stiffy.”
I glared at Gavin.
“Don’t give me that. I’ve seen enough of this supernatural bullshit to know yer gonna have a stiffy. Just put on the damn pants.”
I yanked the jeans on and ran my fingers through my hair with a sigh. “How are we going to find her?”
“I had somethin’ in the jeep that might have helped,” Gavin said. “Not that it does any good here. Do ya have anythin’ that might smell like her? Could you, I don’t know, smell her or somethin’?”
