Dragon Marked: Supernatural Prison #1 (17 page)

The hours
passed slowly. Nash fell asleep curled up next to Braxton. It was obvious he
was very used to sleeping on a hard stone floor. He never shifted to get
comfortable. The conditions those people lived in … if they weren’t
supernaturals they would have most certainly died from the cold, or disease.

Mischa used the time to chat with Maximus and Tyson, learning about our
people, history, rules. All the little things she’d missed out on by not
growing up here.

“So you find your mates through kissing?” She sounded intrigued.

Tyson snorted. “Not exactly … it can happen in any sexually charged
situation. Which for some might be kissing. Others it won’t be until sex.”

“It’s been known to happen from a single glance,” Maximus added, his tone
dry.

I leaned back harder, wiggling until I found a groove in the rocks. It
still wasn’t comfortable, but I didn’t mind. “There were these two shifters who
were sleeping together, and they kept saying it was just a casual thing. But
strange enough, they were mates … for them the bond didn’t form until they
moved past their denial and acknowledged their true feelings for each other.”

Mischa raised her eyebrows at me. “Was that our parents?”

I laughed. “I guess Mom shared that little story with you also.”

She was rolling a small stone between her fingers. “Yes, but obviously
not the mate and wolf part, because she never told me about that. But the story
she gave me was pretty similar.” She lifted her chin and locked in on Maximus.
“So how many supernaturals are there in the world?”

He answered straight away; this was all textbook information for us.
“Around half a million world-wide. There are six thousand living in Stratford,
another twenty thousand scattered throughout the US.”

Mischa’s eyes widened. “Are you saying there are lots living on their own
in the human world?”

Braxton answered this time. He’d been speaking quietly to Nash, who was
going in and out of sleep, but clearly still listening. “We don’t make anyone
stay in the communities. Our towns are there as a safe haven and as a gateway
to protect the prison. Many supernaturals choose to live as a human. They even
have human partners and children.”

“The children are half-breeds, and besides a little extra-sensory gifts,
are pretty much human,” I added.

“Amazing,” Mischa breathed. “This is both fascinating and incredibly
unbelievable for me. If I hadn’t seen some of these things with my own eyes…”

I couldn’t help but grin at her. “There is so much more for you to
learn.”

“I’m just really glad I finally have a chance to live as I was meant to.
I can’t imagine why any supernatural wants to live amongst humans, denying their
true family.” She shook back her dark hair. “I’ll never go back.”

I could see the shudders running through her body.

“That we don’t age is leading to some problems in the human world,” Jacob
said. “Supernaturals live over eight hundred years. In the human world they have
to move constantly, change their identities. And the ones with families have to
do the same, even if it means leaving their loved ones behind.”

Her mouth dropped open, heaves of breath coming in and out. “Even more
reason to stay in the communities.”

More questions were forthcoming.

“So there are no female dragon shifters?” she asked, her green eyes wide.

Braxton shook his head. “Female dragons are the rarest of creatures. There
have been none born in the last few hundred years. Before that, the rest were
killed off.”

“Why?” Mischa was working her lip between her teeth. “What is everyone’s
problem with dragons and dragon marked?”

I crushed some pebbles in my right hand. “Fear. The supernatural world is
afraid of dragons. They’re the strongest and most powerful of any of us, and
when the ancient king dragon almost took over the five races, they decided to
never allow that chance again.”

Jacob nodded. “No one knows what the dragon marked even are. The guess is
that it’s some way for the dragon king to claim members of all five races.
Supposedly, after he died and made his declaration, the marks just started
showing up on babies.” His eyes turned stormy. “Of course those infants did not
live to tell their tales.”

“But clearly they didn’t kill them all.” Tyson sighed. “Which leads me to
ask the question … why are there imprisoned marked? And who are the two women
freeing them from the other prisons?”

We had too many unanswered questions, and I wasn’t sure where I fit in
with all of this. I didn’t feel dragon marked, having spent my entire life
ignorant of the fact. Now I wondered what the future held for me and Mischa.

“Just so I have this straight,” Mischa said, distracting me. “Most
supernaturals only breed within their own race, producing pure bloods. If they
cross breed between races they produce hybrids, like the Compass parents. And
if they breed with a human it’s a half-breed, who have no real power.”

She looked between all of us, and everyone nodded at once.

“Pretty much,” I said with a shrug. It wasn’t that complicated, but it
could get messy. Sometimes from all that genetic chaos came anomalies, like the
quads.

After this the conversations died off for a bit, everyone lost in their
own thoughts. Braxton went back to silently staring at me. I swear the dragon
had not taken his eyes off me for more than a few minutes since we’d sat there.
He so knew I was up to something. If it wasn’t for Nash taking some of his
concentration, he’d definitely have confronted me by now.

I closed my eyes, listening to Jacob. He was communing with nature or
whatever he did when he zoned out and started softly singing in his beautiful
fey voice.

I squinted one eye open. Braxton was still watching me. The damn man had
a stratospheric IQ, nothing slipped past him. If this plan had a hope in hell
of working, I’d have to be really convincing to lift his distrust.

Time to act normal.

I gestured to the trusting little cherub. “So what are you going to do
with Nash? They’ll notice a new child running around Stratford, especially if
he’s bunking at your place.”

He straightened, careful not to disturb the boy curled up on his side. “I’m
hoping Jonathon and Torag can smooth things over with the council, pretend he’s
an orphan or relative. Mom would love another boy to look after.”

Braxton wasn’t kidding, Jo would be thrilled. And Jack wouldn’t be far
behind her. Something in their hybrid natures had given them pure souls with so
much love to give. Yeah, they could be brutal if required, but mostly they were
all about love.

“Do you ever think about having kids?” Braxton asked me.

I raised my brows as I stared at him for a few extended moments. “Uh, no,
not really. Mostly I find they are pains-in-the-ass. All those questions and
getting into shit.”

He grinned. “Typical answer, Jessa, but I see the way you look at
babies.”

“I just can’t stand when children are treated badly. They’re innocent and
deserve a chance to grow up strong and healthy. Adults can fend for themselves.
But children … well, that’s an entirely different story.”

His voice was lower than before. “I admire a strong heart. Your father
should be very proud of you, Jessa. The shifter you have grown into is to be
admired.”

I wasn’t sure how to react, there were so many layers to his voice. So
many unsaid things in that simple, yet touching statement. I blinked rapidly a
few times. Most people only saw my smartass exterior. I wasn’t sure I liked the
way he was staring into my soul, seeing things I’d rather the world did not.

“Luckily, I have many years before I start worrying about having a rug-rat
running around my feet.” I lightened my tone, ready to move past the serious
conversation.

Braxton just smiled at me. Smug bastard.

Eventually the hours whiled away. I snuck in a few sleeps, knowing I’d
need my energy later. I was starving, though, despite the few snacks Tyson
provided from his jacket pocket. I was missing my meals. Another thing I’d have
to get used to for a while.

Eventually Braxton, who’d been keeping an eye on the time, got to his
feet. He had Nash’s hand firmly clasped in his own. It was time to go.

“Stay quiet and follow my lead,” he said. And we were off through the
weird portal again. I hoped it would still be open when I came back; otherwise
I’d be in trouble.

The side of the stone wall was deserted. The timing had been perfect. We
dashed as one toward the shadowy sides. Braxton picked up Nash and tucked him under
his arm, the muscles standing out as they flexed beneath their load. We made it
to the edge, blending into the darkness. I slowly let myself fall back a little.
In his rush to get everyone to safety, Braxton had moved forward, taking his
eyes from me. Never a great idea. Despite the fact the boys still surrounded
us, they’d fanned out and let me continue to drift backwards. Mischa seemed to
be keeping pace with me, but I wasn’t worried about that, she wouldn’t be hard
to lose. Her senses were not fully functional yet. And more importantly, she
didn’t know how to call on her wolf.

We were in the low tunnel again, and as luck would have it I found myself
at the back of the pack.

Braxton’s voice drifted to me. “All clear now. Let’s move into the
forest.” One by one I watched them exit through the doorway. Braxton and Nash
first – he was solely focused on getting the little boy to safety.  

I slowed my footsteps but didn’t stop them. I would follow all the way
right until the end so there would be no time for them to notice me pausing. Despite
their mild suspicions, I don’t think any of them, including Braxton, thought
for one second I’d stay in here by myself. If they’d had even a small inkling
of what I was planning, I’d be over one of their shoulders, with no chances for
rebellion.

They were going to be so pissed at me. 

Jacob was second from the end, about to dive through the mist. I couldn’t
see Mischa. I assumed she’d gone in somewhere through the middle.

“Hurry,” Jacob called. He had that glow about him, like at this very
moment he was connected to the forest. His head was already on the other side.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I could still halt my plans now, it
wasn’t too late, and I knew Braxton would keep his word and help me search
again. But, in reality, what could we do to better prepare ourselves to rescue
all of the supernaturals? I didn’t want to give myself a chance to chicken out.
Something told me, deep in my gut, that if I didn’t do this now I never would.
I was being urged on this mission, which should freak me out, but I was just
going with it. 

As the last of Jacob’s blond hair disappeared, I stopped and pressed
myself solidly against the wall. The sudden silence was almost deafening. I
huffed in and out, gathering my strength, searching for a speck of bravery.
Damn, I was not cut out for this cloak and dagger, save-the-world missions.

Before I either cried or freaked out, I turned and sprinted back the way
I just came. I needed to get back inside that building before shift change
started again and the portal was closed. I didn’t stop or hesitate, tracing the
same steps right back to the water inlet, and thankfully the side was still
clear. I could hear voices coming closer and I knew it was time for them to
start their circumnavigation of the perimeter again. I crossed the wide space,
staying low to the ground to blend into whatever shadow I could find, sprinting
at full force.

I reached the convergence spot and sighed in relief as my hand entered to
the other side. The portal still existed. I licked my dry lips, and without
pause leaned forward to dive in headfirst. My hands had just entered when
something gripped my ankles and yanked me backwards.

I was
dragged for about five meters before the grip loosened on my legs. I flipped
over immediately. I couldn’t fight what I couldn’t see.

I froze. Well, I was in some big-ass trouble.

Four guards stood above me, the gray of their uniform indicating they
were part of the perimeter patrol. I swear to freaking God I had not even heard
them approach, and even this close I could not scent any of them. They were
cloaked somehow and deathly quiet as they stared down at me. Two of them
clutched whips in their hands, the others had batons. I could see guns on their
hips, but at least they didn’t have them drawn yet.

The stare off continued, and I wondered what they were waiting for. Then
a fifth came into view, holding a struggling Mischa in his arms.

“Let me go,” she snarled.

Wow, little kitty had some wolf claws after all. I wanted to tell her
struggling was useless, these were highly trained guards and we were
outnumbered. Plus, they’d seen us, and everyone knew who we were.

One of the vampires lifted his head in my direction. “On your feet, hands
behind your back.” His thick bushy eyebrows narrowed under the brim of his gray
cap. “And don’t try anything stupid. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if
you push me.”

Mischa had stopped struggling at this point. She was breathing deep, her
eyes wide and shocked as she stared at me. I placed my hands flat on the ground
and pushed myself up to stand. I winced as some of the grazes on my legs
protested; that drag across the ground had knocked me around a bit. I placed my
hands behind my back.

One of the guards crossed behind me and I felt the straps clips across my
wrists. Immediately, a buzzing sensation flowed down my body, like a veil had
fallen along my skin, and I couldn’t touch my energy inside. My wolf and demon
were still there, but they were muted. There was a barrier between us now and I
knew I wouldn’t be able to shift.

The sensation had me wanting to cry my eyes out. But I didn’t, this was
not the time to fall apart. Mischa put up no more resistance as they cuffed her
also, as if she had stopped fighting the moment she saw me. Or maybe it was my
own lack of fight that had paused hers. The five guards surrounded us and we
were marched at a rapid clip back across the space and through the tunnel.

Weird. They were taking us into the forest.

We emerged in a different section than where we had entered. The forest
was thinner, less dense here. And there was a man waiting for us in a small
clearing. Kristoff.

Awesome.

The guards marched us across, and the entire way I stared at the smirking
features of the sorcerer. Evil bastard.

His hands were clasped across his chest. He lifted one of them and halted
us about four feet from him. “I couldn’t quite believe it when the guards
contacted the council to let us know they’d detained you two. It seems as if
this might be my lucky day. The Lebrons are going to prison.”

I didn’t say anything. My mood was somewhere between depressed and
shitted off. Not only had I not managed to save those prisoners, I was now in a
truckload of shit. And so was Mischa.

“How I wish I could just throw you in there and let everyone think you’d
disappeared, but I swore an oath from the council, and you will get your trial.
Of course, I can resign myself to the fact that you’ll be spending at least a
week in Vanguard. Knowing how popular your father is, well, someone will
probably take care of my little problem.”

Jonathon had spent many years capturing supernatural crims and throwing
them into the prison. Fear flooded me; there was every chance that if I went
into Vanguard I would never come out again. Adrenalin replaced the fear; the
urge to fight or flight was strong. But with my hands cuffed there wasn’t much
I could do.

Kristoff continued to stare, this intense sort of energy vibrating from
him. With a head tilt he leaned right in close to my ear, away from Mischa so
she wouldn’t hear.

“You were my next intended victim as a frame for the Compasses, killing
two birds with one stone. Literally. But now, well, I won’t have to get my
hands dirty again.”

Hold up a freaking minute. Was creepster here actually admitting that he’d
killed Markus and framed the Compasses?

I was distracted then, my head spinning to the side as intense thrashing could
be heard through this section of the forest. The thundering and tearing
indicated something large was heading in our direction. Mischa and I both
jumped as more noises exploded. Something really large. Then they burst into
the clearing.

The Compasses.

Mischa’s voice shook as she turned her head to find my gaze. “I’m
thinking we might be seeing the angry Braxton.”

The guards tightened up around Kristoff, their first duty to protect the
council leader.

I couldn’t answer Mischa, I was pinned to the spot, unable to move, and
unable to pull my eyes from the dragon coming my way. A very familiar dragon. And
yet Braxton was also very different. A flame coated his scaled body, blue,
intense. Even from the distance between us I could feel the heat billowing off.
It was spectacular, lighting up the darkness beneath the canopy. But it also
gave him an otherworldly look I’d never experienced before.

Something uncoiled inside my chest. The demon was starting to wake. But
it couldn’t do more than bash at its invisible cage, the magical cuffs keeping
it contained. I was almost grateful to have the chains. I wasn’t sure in that
moment if I could have stopped it bursting from my skin and doing whatever it
had been trying to for twenty-two years. 

As they marched closer, Braxton continued to call the dark energy inside
of me. I worried it would no longer be contained.

Mischa stuttered out her words: “S-something is happening inside … feels
like my wolf fighting. Only it’s not her.”

I couldn’t tear my gaze from Braxton, his dragon had never called the
demon before, it must have something to do with the blue flames. And it sounded
like my twin had a demon inside too, which was most probably about our marks. We
needed more information on what was going to happen. Clearly dragon marks
responded to dragon shifters.

“Jessa!” Maximus’ bellow was loud, roar-like. He looked to be pretty
vamped out, his eyes black, hair blonder, fangs fully extended. The pissed off
aura he was throwing around could be felt even across the distance. “Don’t say
anything to … annoy … Braxton. He’s not himself.”

Thank you, very helpful. I could see that for my freaking self.

Okay, I’d heed his warning and tread carefully with the dragon shifter.
Only problem, my demon was dragging me closer, my feet starting to move of
their own accord. Mischa was right beside me. I could see that Jacob, Tyson and
Maximus were trying to get around their brother and reach us first, but Braxton
snarled and shot flames every time they moved out from behind him.

As the quads moved closer, Kristoff and the guards dived off the path,
hightailing it for safety, leaving Mischa and I in a very vulnerable position, still
cuffed with our energy contained.

Just when I wasn’t sure I could stand Braxton’s pull any longer, the
flaming dragon paused. As he stilled, the dead foliage around him started to
burn. Jacob was keeping it under control with some water energy. Then with a
glow and flash of light, Braxton started to shift back.

No longer dragon, he was now all magnificent man. A very naked man. I ran
my eyes over him. Damn … maybe magnificent was an understatement. I forced my
gaze upwards, thankful that the pull inside of me had lessened, the heat that
had been racing through my limbs and into my veins abating. 

Mischa leaned forward, visibly shaken, her breathing ragged. “What the
hell was that?”

“I don’t know,” I murmured.

The men were almost to us now, and thankfully Braxton had put on some
shorts. Although the rest of his heavily muscled body was free to be devoured
by my greedy eyes. Holy shit-balls, I was acting like I’d never seen him
shirtless before. I guess it had been a while. But it looked as if the man had
muscles on muscles. There was so much of his delicious, creamy expanses of dark
tanned skin on display. It was safe to say I’d never been quite as aware of him
as a man as I was right then. Although the look on his face had me wanting to
run as fast as I could in the opposite direction.

The four of them surrounded us. Points of a compass, like their namesakes.

Braxton’s voice was low, smooth, but not like his usual tone. “Tell us
everything.”

I attempted to swallow the lump in my throat. It was going to be
impossible to talk around it, but I couldn’t seem to find enough moisture in my
mouth.

No one moved, and finally Mischa spoke.

“We went back, we were going to rescue the rest of the prisoners.” She
lowered her eyes. “They caught us before we even made it inside.”

Three sets of narrowed eyes locked in on her, but Braxton’s remained on
me and I was still frozen.

Mischa had both hands in front of her, pleading with them to understand.
“They had babies, we had to at least try.”

Jacob groaned. I noted that his hair looked disheveled. Green eyes wide
and a little wild. Usually the fey was very smooth and together. But not right
now. In fact all of the boys looked out of sorts. Tyson’s eyes were gold, which
was never a good sign.

Finally I found my voice. “I’m sorry, I should have told you. I couldn’t
leave them there.” It was killing me right now to think that those poor souls
were still in that disgusting room. I squeezed my eyes closed tightly. I was a
freaking failure. I’d failed those babies.

Braxton reacted then, as if my voice had cracked the anger he’d been
projecting hard enough to break something. He moved faster than I could see and
I was in his arms. He was everywhere, his expanses of silky skin pressing into
mine and his heat encompassing me whole. The hug was hard, almost to the point
of pain, but still there was a tenderness to the embrace. He could have crushed
me in an instant if he wanted to. Instead he held me as if I was precious. I
wanted to wrap my arms around him, offer some comfort, but of course the cuffed
hands made that difficult.

“If you ever do something like this again,” he murmured, “I will fucking
kill you, Jessa.”

I pulled back, unsure if he was kidding or not. His expression wasn’t
giving much away.

Tyson’s head flew up then, golden eyes gleaming in the half light,
although they were starting to bleed back to their honeysuckle color. Jacob’s
head followed.

“The rest of the council members are coming,” they both said together.

Kristoff must have run off and gathered the others. He would have needed
their power to even have a hope of stopping the Compasses.

Speaking of, I needed to tell them something. “Listen, I don’t know if he
was talking shit or not, but Kristoff just pretty much admitted to me that he
framed you four, sending you into Vanguard. I don’t think his plan is over yet,
you have to watch your backs.” I needed them to be extra careful. They were so
confident, they thought they could never be taken down.

Tyson nudged me gently. “Two steps in front of you, babe. Jonathon told
us they’re gathering evidence against Kristoff. Have been since the trial. Apparently
he used the fey to kill the vampire. They had the sucker stored until they
could set up the scene, but then the fey had second thoughts, so Kristoff had
him killed also. It’s all starting to unravel for him, we’re going to nail his
ass soon.”

I took a step back to see them all better. “Dad … and you all have been
investigating him? Why didn’t you tell me? And why did he do such a bad job
with the crime scene.”

Maximus narrowed his eyes, his fangs had retracted enough for him to
speak clearly again. “We do not want you involved in this. It’s dangerous and
Kristoff is desperate to keep his role as council leader. In reality, the frame
job was not too bad. If we hadn’t had Louis step in and gather that magical
evidence, well, it probably wouldn’t have went our way.”

I blinked a few times. “It doesn’t make sense though, if it’s not you as
leaders they’ll just bring in someone else.”

“Apparently there’s an old law: if they can usurp three of the five
council members, then a vote can be taken to extend out the current rule
another term,” Maximus said. “He’d have an even better chance if he got rid of
four of the five.”

I’d never heard of that law. But if it was correct, then if Kristoff
imprisoned or killed the Compasses, he’d have removed the majority and could
rule for another twenty-five years. Our conversations were cut off as the power
of the leaders washed over us.

Braxton moved close enough for me to feel the heat of his skin. “What do
you want to do now?” he asked. “If you want to run, hide, or fight. We have
your back.”

The other Compasses nodded. My heart filled and overflowed in the form of
a few tears. Which thankfully I got under control immediately. Jonathon was
wrong. I’d never believe my boys would hunt me one day, dragon marked or not. Never.