Demon Untamed (30 page)

And so much more, Ethan thought. He had been floored by the amount of information that had made it into the book: Safe zones where Kayadon did not travel, possible Faieara refugee camps, easy access points to the surface. King Alestar had worked hard to give them the best advantages he could. But what if it wasn’t enough? Ethan’s eyes darted to Sonya, who was invested in the conversation.

King Mar’s expression turned calculating, and Ethan suddenly caught the direction of his intent. Maybe it had been there the whole time, or perhaps only when the king had laid eyes on Aidan. Either way, there was only one stipulation that would sway the king. By the dark shadows in Aidan’s expression, he was coming to the same conclusion.

The king hedged, “Still, my people and I would be risking much. If your plan fails, these Kayadon might target my planet, as well as the other clans.”

Aidan interrupted in a harsh tone. “Why don’t you tell them what you want, Highness?”

King Mar frowned before offering a thin smile. “Aidan Swantel of the Kanasae. Ousted, correct? As I recall, you once rejected an invitation to join my clan.”

“I did. As I recall, the invitation came to me with conditions.”

“Do you no’ wish to reconsider?”

Sebastian leaned forward, placing his fist on the table. “What is this about?”

Aidan answered, “They want me to race Phase Nine in the name of Legura. And to do so, I would need to be a member.”

Cale bared his fangs once more. “Is that the terms then? Aidan races, and you’ll offer assistance? With allies like you, it’s no wonder the Faieara are still under Kayadon rule.”

The dragons shot to their feet, preparing to defend their honor. The demons rose as well. Even the ever stoic Rex appeared Edge bound. Ethan shook his head, ready to kick himself for not anticipating this. Demons and dragons have never been known to get along in large groups. Their ideologies were too different, and they were equally stubborn. He should have finagled the meeting to include only Kyra and himself.

Kyra put her palms up in an attempt to calm both groups. “Everyone simmer down. No offense was intended, right Cale?”

“No, they took it right.”

Rex and Sonya both snorted in laughter. Sonya looked as eager as any of them to throw down. If she wasn’t involved and his people weren’t in desperate need, Ethan would have politely excused himself and joined the surrounding tables that were now placing bets on a clearly impending brawl.

Kyra slumped in her chair with a vacant, lost expression. Ethan didn’t know how to get everyone back under control either, but he did know that she needed to be the one to do it. She was the link that connected them all.

“We don’t need these amphibians,” Sonya announced. “They probably boast little more bravery than their own larvae.”

Tristan sneered at her. “And you the intellect.”

Ethan balled his fists and pinned the dragon with a death stare. New plan: Cale could hold Tristan down while Ethan punched.

“Enough of this,” Kyra barked. “Enough!” But her plea was unable to break through the aggression that had pooled around the table.

“I’ll do it,” Aidan spoke above the noise. 

Everyone went quiet.

Sebastian leaned back to study him. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” Cale added. “We can proceed without these—”

“I’m sure,” Aidan interrupted, probably figuring Cale was about to offer another slight. “I’ll join the Legura and race Phase Nine one final time.” He stared across the table at the king. “I choose my own crew and my ship, and when it’s over you never ask me again. Win or lose.”

The king debated, no longer concerned with the agitated demons. Finally, he gave Kyra a nod. “Then you’ll have the full backing of our clan.”

Kyra blinked twice before commenting. “Thank you.”

Ethan nearly sagged with relief and offered Kyra a congratulatory grin.

She smiled back before asking King Mar, “What of the other clans? Would you be able to persuade them to join the fight?”

King Mar shrugged. “I will try, but I cannot guarantee it.”

“I trust you’ll do your best,” Kyra replied. “Oh, there is one other thing.” She shared a look with Zoey and then gestured to the open book. “My father indicated that there should be a message for you on the last page, but to us it is blank.” She paused. “Do you see anything?”

Ethan leaned in, curious. Earlier, Zoey had mentioned the strange instruction from Kyra’s father—a note intended for the dragon king—and they had all been concerned to find the page empty. But Ethan suspected Serakian magic hid an inscription.

The king looked it over. His eyes traveled as if there was indeed a message there. He frowned and then looked at each of his sons. “You canna read this?”

One of them craned his neck to get a better look. His brow furrowed. “No’ at all,”

The king turned back to the page and continued reading silently. His face paled further, and sorrow took root in his eyes. When he closed the cover, he stood, appearing resigned.  “We will take our leave to implore the other clans for aid. Till next we meet again.” King Mar bowed and gestured for his sons and guards to take their leave.

Ethan let out a pent-up breath. All considered, the meeting hadn’t ended as badly as it could have.

After the dragons were gone, Kyra threw her arms up and snapped at the group, “What the hell is wrong with all of you?”

“I thought that went well,” Zoey said in a sarcastic tone.

“What do you think that message said?” Sonya asked.

“Whatever it was, he didn’t like it.” Ethan recalled the crease that had developed between his eyes as he’d read.

Rex seemed more concerned with a nearby dancer clad in a gauzy see-through ensemble. “Can we stay for a drink?” he said absently.

“I’m surrounded by madness.” Kyra buried her head in her hands, and Ethan nearly laughed out loud. This was the norm, as far as demons were concerned. Their emotions swung like a pendulum. And if he was being honest, that wasn’t necessarily exclusive to demons. He still felt aggression over Tristan’s comment to Sonya, even if she had goaded him.

As if his thoughts had summoned him, Tristan reappeared without his family or guards in tow. “Is that what I’m getting myself into?”

Kyra’s head shot up. “Pardon?”

Tristan claimed the seat beside her. “I’ve decided to ride with your ship…as mad as it apparently is. Mind if I buy the first round?”

Before another scene broke out, Ethan took Sonya by the hand and muttered, “Come with me.”

She didn’t argue as he led her away.

Sonya allowed Ethan to pull her out into the hall before inquiring, “Where are we going?”

“To recruit some mercenary friends of mine. If they’re still around.”

They wound through the crowds roaming the wide corridor. She vaguely noted that her hand was still intertwined with his, and it actually didn’t bother her. In fact, she kind of liked the heat generated between their palms.

Remembering what those hands of his could do to her, she stifled a shiver and briefly wondered if there was a dark corner where they could hide away.

Ethan looked at her then, and a knowing smile graced his lips.

“How does your gift work, exactly?” she asked.

His grin widened. “It’s not what you think. I can’t read your mind.”

“Says the man who just did,” she countered.

“It’s more like I sense them, or the desire behind them.”

Oh, he just had to use the word desire.

“Then I play on what I know about who I’m receiving those desires from. For instance, I just got a very strong indication that you wanted to hide. And because I know it couldn’t be caused by fear, and because I haven’t made you scream my name in a while…” He let his conclusion hang in the air.

“What makes you think it’s not from fear?”

“Because you’re not afraid of anything, except perhaps things you can’t kill.”

She rolled her eyes. “What could I possibly fear that I can’t kill?”

“Your adoration of me.” He ignored her snort of laughter, continuing, “Your utter infatuation. It’s okay if you want to idolize me as a god. It really is flattering.”

“You are so full of it.”

He paused and met her gaze, growing serious. “Of opening up to me.”

A jolt struck her in the chest, and her mouth turned as dry as dirt on the surface of a sun.

His gaze shifted past her. “Ah, after you,” he said, motioning to a transport unit awaiting passengers.

“We’re crossing to the third ring?”

Hands still clasped, Ethan pulled her into the small space. His expression had become teasing again, which lightened her mood a bit. She didn’t like that he continued to subtly pester her over things best left unsaid, but was relieved that he’d let the subject drop without much of an argument.

Oddly, that tactic was wearing her down swifter than a verbal blowout would.

The doors closed them inside, and the craft rumbled as it jetted away. A solid bench with a thin cushion hugged either side of the craft, and a ring of windows offered a stunning view. Ethan took a seat and tugged her down so she was perched on his lap. His eyes went directly to her lips.

“Ethan,” she grumbled out a soft, yet unconvincing, protest.

“You have me all alone,
vietta
. Is that not what you wanted?” Smugness lifted one sexy corner of his mouth, but she stiffened at the word. What had he said it meant? Rotten female? Then why did he intone it like the sweetest oath?

With his eyelids hooded in that way that made her heart—and other parts—melt, he gazed at her now as if she was his wildest desire…and she loved it.

His tongue darted out to wet his lips, drawing her attention downward. Against her backside, his arousal came to life. Her body responded with a rush of warmth.

The moment he pulled her mouth to his, passion exploded in a frenzy as they drank each other in. With one hand around her waist, he clamped the other on the inseam of her thigh. She mentally urged him to move it a little higher, but he had a secure grip, kneading her soft flesh—which only served to drive her mad! She wiggled her hips, drawing an approving groan from deep inside him. She loved that sound. It meant that he was nearly as lost as she was.

When his palm finally started to inch its way under her skirt, the shuttle came to a stop, making her want to scream with frustration.

“Damn,” he cursed, pulling back. Then he warned in a husky tone, “This isn’t over.”

Not by a long shot!

Disgruntled, she extracted herself from his hold just as the craft’s hatch slid open.

Compared to the previous structure, the third ring looked depressed and stale. It was still clean and brightly lit, but there was no view of space, only a dizzyingly long hallway with a white arched ceiling. Windows were placed every so often on one side across from an endless line of doors.

People who Sonya assumed to be Uli Ring staff marched past, ignoring both her and Ethan.

“Follow me,” Ethan said, striding down the corridor. The fact that his voice was still rough thrilled her, and she had to mask a self-satisfied smirk.

The hall opened to a large curved room that resembled a common area. A set of plush lounging chairs, a couch, and four small tables occupied the center. All along the inner U-shaped wall were several shops and eateries.

She followed Ethan into a place that looked like a mix between a recreation center and an entertainment room, where people were engaged in hologames and exercise contraptions. A group of four individuals were encased in a clear blocked off room smacking anti-gravity balls with rounded clubs. A soft
thunk
vibrated every time a ball made contact with a solid surface. 

Ethan led toward a darkly lit back room. Once inside, her jaw dropped, and she lost her breath.

A grandstand encircled the entire room and led up to the high, domed ceiling filled with multi-colored lights. In the center of the cavernous space was a great circular ring with two massive…mechanical beings…locked in a gritty scrimmage. The sounds of metal smashing against metal hummed in the air, stroking Sonya’s carnal nature.

Why were there only but a few individuals seated in the stands, watching these two towering beasts go at it? And most of them looked…bored!
When I would pay just to watch this!

Was that why Ethan had brought her here? Was this his idea of a date?
Because if so, nice choice, pirate.

On the sidelines, two small opposing groups grew ravenous over the action. Well, that was more like it.

“What in the world…” Sonya trailed off as the larger of the two mechanical fighters landed a bone shattering hit against the other.

Crunch.

Sonya shrieked with delight, her tail dancing in anticipation for more.

Ethan smiled. “Fights are staged here sometimes, but this is more of a practice area for those who hope to enter the RCFO.”

“RCFO?”

“Robot and Cyborg Fighting Organization. The real stage is back on the center ring.”

“Are those cyborgs then?”

“It doesn’t look like it, but it’s hard to say. Some enthusiasts have gone so far as to have almost all their body parts switched out for prosthetic. I knew a fellow who was nothing more than a brain inside an artificial shell. Great fighter though.”

The smaller robot heaved the other into the air and then sent it to the mat in a harrowing crash. When the larger robot failed to get up, Ethan pointed out a cluster of males near the edge of the ring with their arms raised in a victory cheer.

“Those are our guys.”

Sonya looked them over. They all had somewhat short, dark hair and physically fit physiques, though they didn’t appear to be related. The one that seemed to be displaying the most aggression, with chest bumps and congratulatory slaps on the back, wore a sleeveless black shirt. A scruffy jaw full of dark stubble flanked a fat stogie resting between a set of straight teeth. Four other men stood next to him, and from what she could tell, they all sported a similar tattoo high up on their left arms, although two of the male’s arms were concealed by dingy jackets.