Releasing the Dragon: Myths and Legends, Book One (18 page)

"You really should stop doing that. One day I
might decide I prefer the visions over the real thing," I
teased.

"That is not possible," he said and proved
his point by pulling me against his hard body and devouring me with
a hungry kiss. When we came up for air, still wrapped in each
other's arms he added, "It's good to know you're able to recognize
when someone is manipulating your mind. As your mate I will always
be able to send you visions, but the stronger the bond gets the
more difficult it will be for other vampires to get into your head.
Once we're completely bonded, and if the dragon ever wakes up, it
should be impossible for any vampire to invade your mind, but until
then you’ll be vulnerable."

"I hadn't really thought about other vampires
trying to mess with my mind. I guess I should have though since
Rook said most of the resort staff members are supernatural. Would
any of them try to harm me or the guests?"

"None of my staff would intentionally harm
you or the guests, but sometimes we have supernatural visitors who
choose not to follow our rules. Those individuals are dealt with
harshly to discourage any future problems, but once the damage is
done it cannot always be undone." As he spoke his demeanor changed
and I could see the fierce resolve that made him the Dragon King.
He wouldn't enjoy doling out punishment but he would do whatever
was necessary to protect the innocent. I pulled him closer and
kissed him gently; letting him know I understood the price he pays
to keep his people safe.

After a few moments he pulled back with a
peaceful smile on his face and tucked my hair behind my ear. "I
could spend all night here in your arms but then all of your hard
work would go to waste." He inhaled deeply. "Dinner smells
wonderful.”

"I suppose you're right, and there will be
more time for cuddling later." I released my hold on him and led
the way into the kitchen.

We fixed our plates and sat in the dining
room to eat. I asked how his meeting went and he told me they were
discussing security for an upcoming event. Apparently Senator
Garrett Mitchell would be getting married at the resort next
weekend. I was stunned to find out the senator is a solar demon and
his bride to be is a sex demon. I wondered how many other political
positions around the world were filled by supernatural beings. It
made sense though that they would want to be imbedded in the
government.

Dragon informed me that Senator Mitchell is
also head of a council that governs the supernatural world. In that
world he is known as Garrek, and though he is feared and respected
there are many factions that oppose his strict policies regarding
the treatment of humans. Garrek along with Dragon and most of the
other council members believe supernaturals should remain hidden
and coexist peacefully with the human race. However, there are a
few councilors who advocate a survival of the fittest mindset and
would let supernaturals prey on humans without consequences.

"Garrek is currently trying to convince the
council to impose a death sentence for supplying humans with a drug
called Oblivion," Dragon explained. "Supernaturals who take
Oblivion experience a euphoric high with increased sexual appetite
and sometimes hallucinations. For us, the substance is only mildly
addictive, not more than nicotine for humans, and there have been
few cases of overdose reported. Since human drugs and alcohol have
little to no effect on supernaturals, Oblivion is a popular choice
when they want to indulge their wilder sides. Humans on the other
hand are instantly addicted to Oblivion with their first dose and
often suffer heart failure if they do not continue its regular use.
While the drug is in their system they are Oblivious to everything
around them, driven only by a need to find sexual fulfillment.

Oblivion is a clear liquid that only someone
with preternatural senses would be able to smell or taste. It comes
from a plant found in one of the demon worlds that very few beings
have the ability to reach. That makes dealing Oblivion a lucrative
business for anyone who can make the journey. Unfortunately,
Travali employs a demon that can cross into that world and he is
the main supplier of Oblivion in the United States.

Travali owns several brothels where the
prostitutes are humans strung out on Oblivion. He sells the drug to
his supernatural clients and allows them free reign over the
Oblivious humans. Most of the poor souls wind up dead at the hands
of vampires or demons who enjoy torture along with their sex. As
long as his activities do not draw unwanted attention from human
authorities, then Travali is not violating any current supernatural
laws."

"It's appalling that he is allowed to treat
anyone with such a lack of respect. Why hasn't Garrek been able to
implement his ban on supplying humans with Oblivion?" I was nearly
shaking with rage when I thought of how callously Travali treats
humans.

We were sitting in the living room now and
Dragon had pulled me onto his lap so that I was facing him with my
back resting on the arm of the couch. He ran his fingers through my
hair while we talked trying to soothe me. "You have to understand
that most vampires and many demon races think of humans as food or
slaves meant to serve them. They believe if you cannot protect
yourselves then you are not worth their concern. Of course they
treat other supernaturals the same if they find any weak enough to
prey upon. There are even some shapeshifters that enjoy hunting
humans for sport. The only thing that keeps all of them under
control is the number of humans inhabiting this world. They
understand that if war broke out between the races, humans would
eventually overwhelm us with their numbers.

The council mostly enforces laws that are
necessary to keep our existence hidden from the human populace. If
we can show that giving Oblivion to humans poses an exposure risk,
then we will be able to pass a law against supplying them with the
drug. I believe we have a good chance of making that happen at the
next council meeting which will take place after Garrek's
wedding.

In the past Travali chose victims who no one
would bother looking for. Recently, his clients have been more
demanding and he is abducting humans from influential families who
will not rest until they find their loved ones. In addition,
samples of Oblivion have fallen into the hands of human law
enforcement. They have no way of knowing where it comes from but
they understand what it does when taken as a drug. The police have
even been snooping around here asking if we've heard anything about
a new drug being circulated in the clubs."

"Why would they come here looking for drugs?"
I wouldn't have thought drugs would be a problem at Myths and
Legends.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Strange things
happen here all the time. When they get reported to the human
police they come out to investigate. We can alter human minds but
it's dangerous to alter the same minds too many times. For that
reason we try to convince the police we have no part in anything
illegal without the use of supernatural powers and then pretend to
help them find the source of whatever problem was reported. They
usually assume it involves drugs since the stories they hear
couldn't possibly be true - unless of course you believe in
vampires, demons, and shapeshifters." I didn't miss the sarcasm in
his last statement.

"Well, I hope the council will be able to
shut Travali down soon. I can only imagine how awful it must be to
fall into his clutches." I shivered at the thought.

"You should know that as a member of the
council he will be expected to attend Garrek's wedding. One of his
emissaries will visit the resort in a few days to negotiate the
conditions for his visit. Denying him entrance into my territory
would be seen as a weakness, that I'm not strong enough to protect
my people from him. It would also be a grave insult to Garrek. I
have no choice other than to allow him admittance, but it will be
very dangerous for all of us."

I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around
his neck. I saw fiery sparks dancing in his eyes and got the sense
his dragon did not like the idea of Travali being anywhere near me.
"I have no doubt you will be able to keep all of us safe from
Travali while he's here." I kissed him for several moments until I
felt some of the tension drain out of him. "Would you like to watch
the movie now? I picked a comedy. Maybe that will put us both in a
better mood."

"That sounds like a good idea. I need to
unwind after the day I've had."

I reached for the remote and started the
movie that was ready to play in the Blu-ray player. We settled back
on the couch and by the time the movie was over we were both more
relaxed and lighthearted. It was getting late and I had to work
early in the morning but I couldn't bear to say goodnight to
Dragon.

Sensing what I was feeling he leaned forward
and kissed me tenderly. He trailed his lips and tongue up my neck
then spoke with his mouth close to my ear. "I want to feel your
heat wrapped around me but I know you need something else from me
tonight. If you'll let me, I'd like to stay and hold you while you
sleep. I have no desire to spend another night alone in my bed."
His breath caused goose bumps to rise along my neck.

I could only nod in response. He followed me
into my bedroom and we took turns using the bathroom to get ready
for bed. I decided to forgo my usual pajamas and climbed into bed
nude. Dragon followed my example and slid under the covers to mold
his body along mine. I could feel his sense of satisfaction at
having our bodies pressed together with nothing between us. His
warmth wrapped around me and held me in a peaceful cocoon. Before
long I drifted off to sleep and found Dragon waiting in my
dreams.

This dream was sharper, more detailed than
any dream I'd ever had. I found Dragon waiting in the same meadow I
had seen hundreds of times before. He was looking around taking in
the scenery. When I approached him he picked me up with his hands
on my waist and spun me around in circles. He seemed to be truly
elated and I realized this was the first time I was actually
sharing a dream with Dragon - that he would remember this when we
woke up.

He was delighted when I told him I visited
the meadow every night in my dreams. He told me there was a meadow
just like this one near his childhood home. It was where his
parents met and where he'd learned to fly. The instant he thought
of flying I felt his longing to become the dragon. I reminded him
that this was a dream and he asked if I wanted to go for a spin.
When I said yes he released the dragon and took me for an
exhilarating ride. It felt like we flew for hours before returning
to the meadow. When we landed I climbed down and his body shimmered
and transformed into a man once again. We made love in the soft
grass of the meadow until the sun was just starting to lighten the
sky. It was then that my body jerked awake out of fear for
Dragon.

I jolted upright in bed waking Dragon
instantly. He was looking around trying to locate what frightened
me when I noticed the near darkness in the room. The only light
came from a slight crack where the bathroom door had been left ajar
and the light within remained on. I took a deep breath as my heart
returned to a normal rhythm. Realizing we were not under attack
Dragon relaxed and asked what happened.

"The sun was coming up in my dream and I was
afraid you'd go up in flames."

He chuckled and leaned over to kiss my
forehead. "All the apartments in this building are equipped with
light blocking shutters. I set the timer on yours last night while
you were getting ready for bed. I left the bathroom light on so
that you wouldn't wake up in total darkness again."

"Thank you, that was very considerate of
you."

He noticed when I glanced at the clock and
asked, "What time do you have to meet up with Scarlett today?"

When I told him we still had a couple of
hours he let that sinful grin curl his lips. I knew he was thinking
wicked thoughts and I was all for a morning workout. I reached out
to stroke him with one hand and pushed him down onto the bed with
the other. He made a surprised noise then moaned with pleasure when
I took him into my mouth. The other night he had been in control,
had brought me to a state of mindless ecstasy more times than I
could count. This time I would take charge.

I teased him with my mouth, licking, sucking,
a light graze with my teeth. A shudder went up his spine making me
feel bold. I continued my slow torture, loving every rapturous
sound that escaped him. My hand slid up and down his hard flesh
while I sucked harder, swirling my tongue around the tip with every
stroke. His hands fisted in my hair, his grip just shy of painful
as he urged me to move faster. My own body grew wetter by the
second, anticipating the moment when his control would snap, when
he would bury himself inside of me. I kept going until his powerful
body started going rigid as he tensed for his impending orgasm.
When I tasted the first drops of his seed I sucked strongly one
more time then released him with a pop.

His upper body shot up off the bed with a
growl as he reached out and dragged me into his arms. I lowered
myself onto his thick arousal, accepting him into my body for the
first time with full knowledge of who he is. Our mouths met in a
desperate dance of tongues and lips and teeth. My hands raced over
his shoulders and back, followed the ridges and contours of his
muscles, greedy to feel all of him. I rocked my lower body and his
hands clamped down on my hips holding me still for another moment
before they started kneading, encouraging. I picked up the pace,
rising and falling, rocking, squeezing him with my inner muscles.
The shallow penetration allowed by this position just enough to
tease and tantalize us both. His hungry mouth feasted on my aching
breasts, devoured me with a thoroughness that left me quivering on
the edge of orgasm.