Therian Prisoner: 3 (Therian Heat) (25 page)

Massive gray-green wings unfurled, momentarily blocking out the sun. A low rumble vibrated through her, then the rhythmic whooshing of wings stirred the air all around her, infusing her being with ancient energy. The creature dipped, banked sharply to the side, then turned to face her.

Terror and awe twisted through her as she gazed upon Ian’s dragon self. She knew instinctively what she was seeing, yet the knowledge did little to temper the shock. His long, tapered body ended in a serpentine tail. Despite his immense size he floated before her, graceful and perfectly controlled. Pointed talons capped his claws both front and back.

She trembled, suddenly aware of the grass beneath her feet and the mountain meadow surrounding them. He landed with unbelievable agility, neatly tucking his wings against his sides. His eyes gleamed like antique coins, alight with intelligence and wisdom. He tilted his head to one side and then the other as he studied her.

Without warning his sides expanded and his throat began to glow. He opened his mouth and flames burst forth, enveloping her in heat and light.

She screamed, ducking and covering her head as the flames licked at her flesh. Heat sank into her and swirled around her, coalescing into a pillar of fire. A moment passed and then another as she waited for the pain.

She’ll do.
The voice rumbled like distant thunder and then the dragon leapt into the sky and flew away.

Gradually the heat receded and Devon drifted back to reality. Her body pulsed with the final ripples of a powerful orgasm and her entire body felt limp and replete. She used the last of her energy to open her eyes and found Ian smiling down at her. His weight was balanced on his forearms and knees, and their bodies were still joined.

“Welcome back.” He kissed her forehead and then the tip of her nose.

“‘She’ll do’?” She laughed. “Is he always so affectionate?”

His smile broadened as he brushed her hair back from her face. “That’s high praise from him. He seldom bothers to speak. It’s more his style to bombard my mind with images and compulsions that make it impossible to ignore.”

“Even Hollywood’s best CGI hasn’t captured the grandeur of a dragon. I can’t wait to see him in person.”

“Soon.” With obvious reluctance, he separated their bodies and rolled to her side. “We have a thing or two to resolve before we sneak away to the cabin again.”

“Like the specifics of my definition.” She heard the wistfulness in her own voice, but couldn’t suppress a frustrated sigh.

He settled on his side, hand supporting his head. “How is Dhane? Wasn’t he given the same injection as you?”

She nodded. “The Garrans gave him the counteragent and it reversed his shift. He’s doing much better.”

“I’m glad.” He stared off into the distance for a moment then said, “We’ve wasted enough time searching for Carly Ides. We were hoping she would lead us to the backers, but that’s obviously not going to happen. Tomorrow we’re going to resume our hunt for the backers’ other facilities.”

“Good.” She rolled to her side as well and snuggled into the heat of his body, her face resting on his chest. “Now stop avoiding the issue. If we use some of the dragon’s blood for my definition will that make me a Guardian?”

“It’s forbidden. Guardians are always male. Females are not able to gather enough energy at one time to manifest a full-scale dragon. It might seem unfair, but it’s a fact.”

“When’s the last time a female tried?”

He chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath her cheek. “The purpose of a Guardian is to protect the Omni Prime and the Historian, but the title actually refers to the blood. I am Guardian of what remains of the ancient ones, the dragons.”

“That’s an interesting fact, but it didn’t answer my question.” She pushed up with her arm and looked into his eyes as she waited from him to respond.

“I know what you’re thinking and it’s a fascinating idea. But to my knowledge, no female has ever survived the Guardian ceremony.”

“I’m hard to kill, just ask the backers.”

“As far as I know, there is only one vial of blood left in the world. Once it’s gone, Guardians will be extinct, just like dragons. I can only use the ancient blood to create my successor, which hopefully will be our son.”

“But what if two Guardians could create a new race of dragon-shifters?” She let the possibility hang in the air between them, fascinating and tempting. “Wouldn’t that be worth a couple drops of the ancient blood?”

“One step at a time. I think we should use my blood for your definition and see how your body reacts.”

“I’d be a Therian raptor?” She wasn’t sure why she was disappointed. The possibility of becoming a raptor had thrilled her before she’d realized there was something even more powerful to covet.

“My bloodline is old and powerful even without Guardian abilities. And being defined by my blood will increase the chances that we can conceive.”

“Will I be able to fly?”

“I honestly don’t know. Each person develops differently. My father could manifest wings. My mother could not. But I had a sister who was able to fly.”

“I didn’t realize you had siblings.”

“I had seven. Three brothers. Four sisters. I’ve kept track of their descendants, though we don’t really interact.”

“None of your brothers became a Guardian?”

“I was firstborn, as was my father. Guardians are created one at a time. When I create my successor, my life cycle will resume. I will grow old and die as would any other Therian.”

“Wow. That would make me reluctant to have children.”

He shook his head. “I’m not afraid to die. I’ve already lived far longer than I was meant to live.”

It saddened her to know that the tragedy surrounding Esmah had made him so gun-shy he hadn’t opened his heart again.

“Until now,” he reminded her, his tone growing sleepy.

The phrase made her smile, even though he’d responded to a thought, not a comment. So many changes and so many possibilities. It was still a little dizzying.

She relaxed into his embrace, content for the moment to contemplate all that life had in store for them.

* * * * *

A warm breeze caressed Devon’s face and she closed her eyes, savoring the gentle scents of spring. She’d been in her teens when her parents bought this house, but it still made her feel nostalgic. She detected freshly mowed grass and her mother’s beloved lilac bushes, then the wind shifted and smoke from the grill Ian was tending overshadowed the lighter scents.

“Can I sit down?” Kyle intruded on her reverie.

“I’m sure you
can
.” The corners of her mouth quirked as she opened her eyes.

He stood beyond the shade of the large patio umbrella, sunlight gleaming in his dark blond hair. “
May
I join you or would you rather be left alone?” The round table sat at the opposite end of the patio from the grill.

She motioned toward the empty seat across from her. “Where’s Ava?”

“She had plans with Carissa.” Kyle pulled out the chair and sat. The tension in his expression made it obvious he wanted to clear the air, but she wasn’t ready to indulge him.

“Carissa’s her sister?”

He nodded. “We need to—”

“This feels amazing.” She spread her arms and smiled. “Nothing like a month in a cage to make you appreciate fresh air and sunshine.”

“I had no way of knowing—”

“I don’t blame you for my kidnapping.” Maybe she was ready after all. “But surely you understand why I’m pissed.” She glanced toward the other end of the patio. Ian was pretending he wasn’t listening, but doubtlessly he could hear every word. Her mother must have gone back into the house for something. At the moment she was nowhere in sight.

“You feel betrayed.”

“Of course I feel betrayed.” She scooted to the edge of her seat and placed both hands on the table. “You claim to support the rebel cause yet you were willing to sell out your own sister.” The cool glass beneath her palms did little to soothe her raw emotions. “It wouldn’t have surprised me coming from Dad, but you are supposed to be one of us.”

“It wasn’t like that.” His chin came up a notch and frustration hardened his features. “It was a negotiation. Lokesh made an offer and I asked if you would consider—”

“Would you have proposed the match to Ava?” She couldn’t believe he was defending his actions. All she’d wanted was a heartfelt apology.

“Ava’s my mate.”

“And I’m your sister! You declared war on Osric when he tried to barter the future of his daughters yet you did the same thing to me.”

He paused, gazing off into the distance for a moment before he went on in a calmer tone. “I’m not Osric and I resent the comparison. I never would have forced you to do anything.”

“You’re my brother.” Her voice caught and she angrily blinked back tears. “You punched Charlie Rehnquist in the face when he called me a bitch. You’ve always had my back. That’s why it hurt so badly when you threw me to the wolves. Or the jaguars in this case.”

“I asked a question,” he stressed. “All you had to do was say no and that would have ended it.”

“But I love you. I knew the other alphas were giving you hell. I would have done anything to help you succeed.” A tear escaped the corner of her eye and she immediately wiped it away.

Regret clouded his gaze, making his green eyes appear brown. “It was selfish and cruel. I am truly sorry.”

Her breath shuddered out and she nodded. “Then it’s over. I don’t want to fight anymore.”

Kyle came around the table and pulled her to her feet. “I love you, baby sister. Never doubt that for a minute.”

They hugged and Devon laughed as he spun her in a tight circle.

“Thank the gods that’s over,” Ian grinned. “Let’s eat.”

Chapter Thirteen

Ian pushed back from the table with an exaggerated groan. “That tasted way too good. You’d think I hadn’t eaten in a year.” The sun had dipped behind the mountains, casting twilight’s haze over the plains. He reached over and laced his fingers through Devon’s. She smiled at him, her gaze warm and welcoming.

“Have you heard anything more from Dr. Garran?” Kyle watched them closely, but hadn’t commented on the obvious intimacy.

Devon wasn’t sure how much to tell him. These decisions were hers and no one else’s. She loved Ian enough to ask his opinion, but ultimately she would do what she felt best. “They were able to identify which formula I was given and the counteragent that will turn it off. I know they called in outside help, but it could still take some time to sort through all of it.”

“Which means your definition is on hold?” Erin’s gaze shifted from Devon to Ian and back.

Devon nodded. “For now.”

“Well, I can’t say I’m disappointed,” Erin said. “Everything is moving just a little too fast, if you ask me.”

Should we tell them?

Longing swelled within Ian as Devon pushed the question across their private link. His mate. It still felt surreal to realize he had a mate.
No. Let’s let them stew a while longer.

Kyle’s head came up sharply and he sniffed the air. “Someone’s here.” He pushed back his chair and headed for the opposite end of the patio.

“Get inside. Take the tunnel to the bunkers. I’ll have Holt come get you.” Ian waited until Erin and Devon obeyed then he vaulted the patio’s rail and headed around the opposite side of the house from Kyle.

Ian sent out a seeker pulse and located Holt. With a terse mental command he directed the bear-shifter toward the bunkers. Holt didn’t ask questions or waste energy. He simply headed for the bunkers.

Gravel crunched beneath Ian’s boots as he crept toward the front of the house. Deep shadows obscured his view so he summoned Therian energy to his eyes. The shadows cleared, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He opened his mind, scanning for stray thoughts or emotions, anything that might help him locate the intruder or intruders.

Pressing against the wall, he peered around the corner. The front yard appeared clear, but where had Kyle gone?

“Ian!”

He jerked his head to the left and spotted Kyle a short distance down the dirt road. Abandoning any attempt at stealth, Ian ran to Kyle’s aid.

Surrounded by three men dressed largely in black, Kyle kicked and punched, driving one man back only to be attacked by another.

Ian grabbed the nearest assailant and yanked him away from Kyle. The man swung wildly, but Ian ducked and twisted, avoiding the blows. With ruthless patience, Ian waited for an opening then dropped the fool with a vicious uppercut.

Ian turned toward Kyle as one of the intruders ran farther down the road and dived into the front seat of a dark sedan.

“Go after him!” Kyle shouted without looking away from the man he was fighting.

Summoning energy into his back, Ian ignored the searing pain and visualized his wings. He suppressed the shift as he ran, building momentum before he allowed his wings to unfurl. His wings sprang forth with enough force to rip through his t-shirt. Ian took control of their movements and increased his speed.

The car took off, wheels kicking up rocks, dirt and debris. Ian flapped his wings faster and his feet left the ground. He landed on the trunk and scrambled up onto the roof as the driver swerved back and forth, trying to dislodge him.

The wind’s pull on his wings made it harder to maintain his position, so he folded them against his back without releasing the manifestation. Lying down on his stomach, he reached down and tried the driver’s door handle. Not surprisingly, the door was locked, so Ian made a tight fist and punched through the window.

Pain burst in his hand and shot up his arm, but he maintained focus. He couldn’t reach the lock release, so he grabbed the driver’s hair and slammed his head forward. The car jerked violently to the right and Ian opened his wings, moving his arm out of the way as the car plowed into the ditch.

The driver moaned, pressing his hand over his nose. Blood poured out between his fingers and from under his palm.

On the ground now, Ian reached in through the broken window and triggered the lock release. The locks snapped open and Ian jerked the door out of his way.

Holding up his free hand to ward Ian off, the driver rested his head against the seatback and muttered a curse in Italian.

Trepidation gripped Ian’s gut. Could this be Devon’s captor? She’d said his name was Robert or Roberto. “Who are you and what the fuck were you after just now?”

The driver stared straight ahead, ignoring Ian’s questions.

Ian slapped the car’s roof with his open palm and the driver started. “Who are you?”

“I am not my own.” He covered his nose with his left hand and reached for something on the passenger’s seat.

“Hands where I can see them!” Ian leapt out of the driver’s range of view, waiting for him to comply.

“I serve Zophiel.”

Before Ian could make sense of the odd declaration, the driver raised the gun in his right hand, pressed it against his temple and shot. Blood and gore sprayed into the air and splattered what remained of the window.

Shocked and confused, Ian stared in paralyzed silence. Then understanding slammed into him and he spun on the ball of his foot, frantically unfurling his wings. A decoy! The only purpose for the attack had been to draw the men away from the house.

Terror clawed at his gut as he shot through the air. Not caring if anyone saw him and cursing himself for a fool, he rushed back toward Erin’s house. He kicked in the front door and bolted through the living room. “Devon!”

He dashed through the kitchen and flew down the basement stairs. Kyle sat on the floor with Erin’s head resting on his lap.

Panic nearly closed his throat. “Is she—”

“She’s fine. But the silver-haired bitch flew off with Devon. Payne and Holt went after them but…”

“But neither of them can fly.” Not allowing regret to slow him down, Ian focused on rescuing his mate. He ran back up the stairs and out the back door, unfurling his wings as soon as he cleared the threshold.

* * * * *

Devon watched her captor pace in front of her, torn between fascination and fear. If Ian hadn’t mentioned a silver-haired phantom, Devon would have wondered if this was real. Silver had been waiting in Erin’s basement, obviously anticipating their escape route. She’d incapacitated Erin with one well-placed blow then grabbed Devon by the hair and dragged her back upstairs. She’d whispered a chant that made Devon dizzy and lethargic. Devon hadn’t lost consciousness, but she’d been too disoriented to struggle as Silver lifted her like a child and flew away from Erin’s house.

Silver’s wings weren’t visible now, but that didn’t distract from her angelic beauty. She was easily the most alluring creature Devon had ever seen. Confined in a thick braid, her pale hair reached her slender hips. She wore tight black jeans and a dove-gray tunic which made her appear ready for a shopping spree rather than a kidnapping.

“Take off your shoes and socks,” the woman instructed Devon.

“Who are you? Why am I here?” She looked around, fighting vertigo as she moved her head. They were in a large barn or small warehouse. Whatever the original purpose had been, it had obviously been a long time since the structure was used. Moonlight penetrated gaps in the roof and sections of the walls were missing. The interior smelled stale and musty. They hadn’t been in the air very long, but Ian was the only one who could follow. And he’d fallen for Silver’s distraction.

Silver grabbed Devon’s face and leaned in. “I don’t like repeating myself. Take off your shoes.”

Devon jerked her head, dislodging Silver’s hand. Then she went down on one knee and removed her shoes and socks. The concrete floor felt cool and rough beneath her feet. “What do you want from me?”

Silver turned toward one of the holes in the wall as the growl of an engine disrupted the relative silence. Headlights cut across the darkness as the car pulled up to the building. Devon looked at the opening on the opposite wall. How far could she get if she took off running?

“Don’t.” Silver grabbed Devon’s upper arm. “I’m not in the mood to chase you.” Instead, Silver led her toward the car.

The driver’s door swung open and an elderly woman exited the car.

“You were supposed to be waiting for me,” Silver snapped.

“You said there would be no bloodshed,” Granny returned.

“I lied.” Silver’s chuckle sent a chill down Devon’s spine. “Cut the lights. This place is supposed to be deserted.”

Granny leaned back into the car and flipped off the headlights. “How are you going to explain Roberto’s death to Milliner and Tias?”

Silver’s gaze shot to Devon. If she was waiting for a reaction she was going to be disappointed. Devon stared at Granny and made damn sure her expression didn’t change. She didn’t understand who these two were or how they fit into the big picture, but Granny had just confirmed their connection to the backers.

“I have no intention of explaining myself to anyone,” Silver said.

“Including me?”

“We don’t have time for this.” Silver started toward the car again, but Granny slammed the door and moved toward them.

“I didn’t agree to murder.” Granny faced off with Silver, fists planted on her well-padded hips. “I want no part of this.”

“Fine. Stay here.” Silver yanked Devon to the side but Granny mirrored the move.

“Leave her here for the cats to find. It’s not too late for us to—”

Silver backhanded the elderly woman, knocking her off her feet.

Devon gasped and twisted her arm out of Silver’s grasp. “What is wrong with you? She’s an old woman.” Devon rushed forward and helped Granny back to her feet.

A blur of gold and black rocketed through one of the openings and slammed into Silver. She cried out, clearly shocked by the sudden attack. Ian flapped his wings, driving Silver backward but unable to force her to the ground.

Silver’s wings appeared with a menacing snap. She countered Ian’s momentum and scratched bloody furrows in his cheek.

“Why aren’t you dead?” he snarled, his tone harsh with lethal promise. He clasped her throat with both hands. “We’ll burn your body this time.”

Granny lunged without warning, wrapping a surprisingly strong arm around Devon’s torso and trapping her arms at her sides. “Raptor, let her go,” she called out as she pressed a knife against Devon’s throat.

Ian froze but didn’t release his hold on Silver’s neck. His hostile gaze swung toward Granny and he said, “Leave now and I won’t kill you. Your sister is already dead.”

Sister? These two were sisters? They looked more like mother and daughter or grandmother and granddaughter. How well did Ian know them?

“Go on, sis.” Silver sounded amused, which made no sense. Ian could snap her neck with one twist of his wrist. “You don’t like it when I misbehave.”

Granny shifted restlessly, the blade no longer flush with Devon’s skin.

Not willing to squander the opportunity, Devon slammed her elbow back into Granny’s ribs as she shoved her knife hand farther away. Granny lunged for her, but Devon swung around and kicked her in the stomach. Granny’s knees buckled and she dropped the knife. Devon kicked the weapon off into the shadows before Granny could reach for it again.

An animalistic growl drew Devon’s attention back to Ian and Silver. They’d broken apart and now circled, each crouched and ready to spring. Ian knocked her sideways with a sudden, vicious swipe of one of his wings. She countered with an equally violent wing-slap.

As they rotated, Devon saw Silver’s face and felt her eyes round. Silver’s forehead bowed with twin horizontal ridges. Her cheekbones jutted and her jaw was now an exaggerated peak. Overly large and flashing with yellow-green light, her eyes dominated her transformed features.

“Think you’re strong enough to take me?” She drove him back with an agile jump kick to the center of his chest. He grunted and stumbled but remained on his feet. “Payne obviously failed.”

Rather than advance, Ian spread his arms and hunched his shoulders. Devon didn’t understand his pose until Therian light burst within his eyes. The shimmer was so bright it distorted his features. His chest heaved and his arms trembled. Then his chest began to glow.

Was he going to…

Devon scrambled farther away from Granny as Ian opened his mouth. Flames shot forward in a red and orange cloud, beautiful in its fury. Silver screamed as her clothing caught fire and the floor around her began to burn. Ian let out a second burst of fire, spreading the destruction.

Much to Devon’s horror, Granny shot to her feet and ran to her sister, throwing herself into the flames. Silver went over backward and the two rolled, igniting support beams and debris in their wake.

Ian ran to Devon and crushed her against his chest. She cried out in fear and surprise as he launched them straight up and through a hole in the roof. She clung to him, watching over his shoulder as fire consumed the ramshackle building.