Chapter 12

When one hooked up with a dragon, the traditional method of sex flew out the window. Who needed that when we’d freakin’ soared through the skies while he’d slammed into me, bringing me to orgasm? Now that was going down in the books as a once-in-a-lifetime experience that had left me exhilarated, scared, and so turned on. Just thinking about it left me desperate for more. We used to have sex marathons when we’d dated, but never once had he taken me into the air.

After Gage had left the tower before dawn, I crashed and slept all the way through the day. No waking up sweating in fear.

Now, night cloaked the land and Gage returned to pick me up. As I climbed down the tower, Gage was waiting at the bottom. We strolled away from the tower, heading toward the lion’s territory. Gage said very little.

The cool breeze washed through my short hair. His grip swallowed mine. He looked my way with a sly grin.

I adored how passionate he was, but a niggling worry burrowed through me that I was leading him on. Not because I had any plans to hurt him. Far from it, and I still wondered how long it might take him to get bored with me. The real problem came down to whether or not I’d finally vanquish the gargoyle. If not, what would we do? Only get together at night? I couldn’t ask him to change his life for me. And then there was the whole attraction to Reed. His words last night had left me stunned and excited to have someone like him pursue me. So how was I supposed to deal with that on top of being with Gage?

Suddenly, that whole pushing everyone away thing seemed easier, far less confusing and painful.

And you were much more focused too.

Gage broke the silence and distracted me. “I’m thinking. I’ll fly you to the border near Wildfire to search for the collector’s hideout, and that way we’ll return before dawn. The tiger can run there and then show us where he lives so we can find the dagger.”

“It’ll be hard for Kahlo to cover such a distance in such a short amount of time. Maybe we arrange a time tomorrow where he can meet us somewhere in the woods, giving him time to travel.”

“Tigers are fast creatures. He’ll be fine.” Gage guided me over a gurgling creek, holding my hand to ensure I didn’t fall in.

“Let’s be civil tonight, okay?” I said. “They’re going through hard times.”

Gage cut me a curious look. We stalked through the open plain, making our way to the forest line where we’d been taken last night to meet Reed. I kept scanning the land, expecting his warriors to jump out, but they didn’t. Did they recognize us and now left us alone?

“Reed said something to you last night when you both went for a walk,” said Gage, “and ever since, it’s like you care about hurting his or Kahlo’s feelings.”

I scoffed and focused straight ahead. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” How could I explain emotions I didn’t understand? Reed didn’t know me, so how could he presume to claim me? Sure, it flattered me…unless that was how the whole mating thing in his pride worked. Find a partner, place your stamp of ownership on them, and take them by force?

“I can see it in your eyes when you speak of him.” His narrowing gaze teased me as his mouth curled upward.

“And? Do you see how my stomach flutters each time you touch me, how my world vanishes when you kiss me, how I crave nothing more than to lose myself in you? But I’m terrified. Because if I can’t be free, I can’t be with you. That isn’t fair to you.”

I hadn’t meant to rant, most of it had come from a place of worry. Most days my life felt like a magical spell gone haywire. Any moment now, it would rip me to smithereens. For so long, I’d tried to escape and every time I’d tried, I’d failed. So what made this time different?

Told you not to get your hopes up.

I bit my tongue and said nothing more.

Gage drew me to a stop and turned me to face him. “We’ll find a solution.”

“That’s where we differ. All I can think about is how long it’ll be before things somehow get screwed up again.”

He threw an arm around me and kissed my brow. “All I was trying to say was that I want to be with you. If that means I see you only at night, then so be it.”

Just thinking of the situation hurt my head. I untangled myself from his arms. This wasn’t the place to have this conversation. “We better get a move on.” Together we crossed the strip of forest before emerging into the open meadow that formed the lions’ territory. Darkness fell across the barren landscape. No sign of anyone—while last night lions had filled the place. Now the wind whistled silently.

“Where is everyone?” Gage marched deeper into the field, scanning the area. “Bastards! They ditched us. Got our intelligence and ran.”

“No. They wouldn’t.” Not when I remembered the agony in their eyes, the mothers and kids. That hadn’t been fake. “There’s no reason for them to. Something happened to them.” An ache settled in my gut. “Maybe we should have gone with them last night.”

“Elliana’s right.” Reed’s voice came from behind us. I spun as he and Kahlo emerged from the shadows. An excitement bubbled in my chest at seeing both of them. I waited, expecting more shifters to follow, but none came.

“What’s going on?” I asked. “How did last night go?”

“It went to shit!” Kahlo hissed, his eyes hooked on Gage. “A spell protected the fucking mansion, and we couldn’t enter the boundaries. You didn’t hear that when you were eavesdropping on customers?”

“Nope.” Gage shrugged. “I told you everything I knew.”

“So what will you do?” I asked, uncertainty weaving through me. “And where is everyone?” Please don’t be captured.

Reed stepped over a patch of overgrown weeds, his face pale and his jaw clenched. “I’ve sent my pride to the Den. My warriors will keep them protected during the journey. My good friend Oryn, one of the three alphas ruling the wolf realm, will care for them. While they’re safe, Kahlo and I plan to destroy the fuckers who are attacking shifters. But I need your help once more.”

“What for?” Gage snapped. “We did our part, and you promised to show us where the collector was tonight.”

“You’ve kept your word, and I promise we will too,” Reed said while the wind tossed his honey-brown hair against his back like a cape. Funny how I found his long mane attractive. I ran my fingers through my short style, sitting over my shoulders. Back in the tower, Gingernuts adored his tresses. I couldn’t wait to find a way to be free of my long hair for good. Then again, I never got a choice in my hairstyle or anything else in life.

“I’ll help,” I said.

“Elliana,” Gage said, but I shook my head. I’d grown up praying for salvation, and I’d promised myself if I ever escaped, I’d assist anyone in trouble. So now it was my turn to keep my word. Plus, it might gain me favor with the universe.

A surprised expression hooded Reed’s eyes.

“We can wait another night to see the collector,” I suggested, smiling at Gage, who crossed his arms. “Those kidnapped shifters are in danger now.” I faced Reed. “Tell me what I can do.”

Reed’s eyes showed the same gentle concern my dad used whenever we’d speak about fixing a problem. “Well, Gage mentioned to Kahlo last night that you are great at sneaking into places undetected. Quick and nimble.”

I glared at Gage, who refused to meet my gaze. “Are you pimping out my services?”

“Is it not true?” Kahlo asked, his voice so husky and sexy. Why did he have to sound so delicious?

“We’ve been watching the mansion most of today,” Reed added. “No one entered or left the mansion, but it gave me time to think. Only shifters are being kidnapped. And this section of Darkwoods has very few humans. What if the ward on the house was placed to only keep out shifters? Not humans.”

“Sounds like a long shot.” Gage exhaled loudly.

“Worth trying before we get a witch involved,” Reed added. “Our other option is to ambush anyone in the woods who looks like they’re headed to the house on Sharp Lookout and grill them.”

You know you’ll help them, no matter what Gage or I say?

Of course I would. Besides, if the ward remained, then I’d lose nothing—maybe get a small shock. And I couldn’t walk away from Reed. Sure, it had a little to do with my attraction to him, my admiration of the way Khalo watched me, but mostly it was for those kidnapped. Were they locked up in a prison, terrified? Or being tortured? What else would someone steal another person for?

“I’ll do it.” The simplest of the options was the most obvious, and it cost me nothing but time to head over to the mansion with the men.

“Okay, we go now,” Kahlo said, his hooded eyes fixed on me as they had been the previous night. Had Reed told him I lived in a tower, guarded by a gargoyle with crazy long hair that vanished at night? Yep, my life story sure sounded insane.

“And thank you.” Kahlo offered me a slight bow as he had before, reminding me of royalty, full of respect and honor. Was it a tiger trait? Didn’t matter when I loved his gesture. I offered him a quick smile.

“This way.” Reed ushered Gage and me to join them. We hurried across the barren field.

“What’s the plan?” I asked. “Say I can cross the magical barrier, what then?”

“Sneak around and see what you find out. No interacting with anyone. It’s just a spying mission to understand who we’re dealing with,” Kahlo instructed. “At the first sign of trouble, you run, and we’ll be there to take on whoever follows. All right?”

I nodded, reminded of my missions with Dad. As a team, we’d completed each job. Working with others felt both familiar and comforting. “Got it.”

You sure about this? Sounds risky and could go so wrong.

“I’m sure. What could go wrong?”

“Sorry?” Reed stared my way.

“Just saying it seems like a simple mission. A few days ago, I broke into a lord’s home and took a book on gargoyles. Didn’t get caught, so this should be a tea party.”

“You stole from a royal lord? That was brazen.” It was clear from Kahlo’s voice that he wasn’t judging me, not when he stared at me with smiling eyes. Damn, he was gorgeous in that dark brooding way that made me want to sit back and just stare at the way he moved, the way the edges of his mouth twitched when he spoke. And dressing in all black just added to that mysterious side of him.

Then again, the dangerously sexy Reed and protective Gage also had me daydreaming. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be anywhere else but with these three. Strong. Handsome. What would it be like to have these three men all to myself?

Crazy thoughts!

I huffed, unsure I could make sense of my emotions, so I focused on the task at hand. The fantasy was mine, and if I wanted to imagine myself with ten men, so be it. I smirked to myself when I caught Gage watching me with a quizzical expression.

With my chin high, I pushed forward and marched between him and Reed while Kahlo took the lead.

Stop staring at his ass.

“Nothing wrong with enjoying the view,” I mumbled under my breath.

By the time we scaled the mountain toward the cliff’s edge, I gasped for air and sweat dripped down my back. Not to mention my thighs stung. I climbed over two logs and trampled foliage while dodging low-hanging branches attempting to decapitate me. “I know we’re trying not to be spotted, so we’re staying away from the main road, but this path sucks balls.”

A shrub snagged on my pants, and I yanked myself free. Miniature spikes dotted the fabric around my calf while muddy leaves stuck to my boots.

“It’s not too much farther, Princess.” Reed pushed ahead, with Gage close behind him. I gritted my teeth. “Princess” implied I was precious and required assistance, but come on, who didn’t struggle climbing a steep hill? Clearly not shifters.

“Yeah, easy for you long-legged people,” I added.

Kahlo fell back and kept his pace slow alongside me, probably worried I’d slip and slow them down.

He reached over and drew me up the steep terrain. That way, I didn’t need to grasp branches to avoid falling.

“Thanks.”

“I would offer to carry you but figured you wouldn’t accept. You seem the independent type who loves to do things for herself.”

“Interesting observation. Do you often watch people, then make judgments about them?” I held tight his wrist as I jumped over a hole in the ground.

His arm sailed across my lower back, speeding our progress. I felt as if I walked on air, and being pressed against his side had me unfocused, except for where we touched. His fingers twitched as if he yearned to draw me closer. I wouldn’t complain because something about Kahlo had me fantasizing about him every time we crossed paths.

“Amongst lions, the strongest warriors are female. They’re fierce, fast, and know what they want. Just like you. All you’re missing is the ability to move faster.”

“With training, I’m sure I can race up this hill,” I said. We traveled side by side, sensing every time we bumped into each other, the way the side of my breast brushed his ribs, how his fingers gripped my waist. I wondered what it would be like to be with a tiger who showed compassion, but as an opponent would terrify.

You got it bad for these shifters, hey?

“And if I do?” I whispered to myself, but Kahlo gave me a funny look.

We kept trekking. Once we reached the peak where the trees grew sparser, we trudged after the other two, who marched ahead chatting. Were the two now getting along? Was that all it took? Or were they discussing a familiar topic—me? Not that I minded, but I preferred to be in on their discussion.

“I think I know why you talk to yourself,” Kahlo said out of the blue. “When I grew up, I lost my parents at a young age. Soon after, I saw ghosts and would talk to them. I know it’s not the same, but I figured the reason I spoke to them was because I’d opened myself up to them in my grief.” He looked at me and smiled.

His voice carried no judgment, just understanding. While I wasn’t ready to take on more relationships right after my night with Gage and Reed’s tantalizing kiss and promise, something about Kahlo stayed with me.

He guided me closer to his side with no sign of letting go, even if the path was no longer an obstacle course. I wasn’t complaining because being close to these men had me melting in my boots. I was unable to explain it; they twisted my insides into dozens of knots. Crazy, considering no other man had affected me in such a way. So what was it about these three that had me captivated?

“We’re here,” Reed whispered, not seeming to mind that Kahlo hadn’t released me. But as we approached the other two, I broke out of Kahlo’s hold, needing the fog in my head cleared.

Beyond the scattering of greenery lay a large, two-story mansion. It had black stone walls, and from the rear, the place resembled a box with a pointy red roof and a chimney. Fruit trees smothered the backyard, making it impossible to see what was back there. Plus, there were lots of dark corners and places to hide. Perfect. There was no light from the windows, so hopefully no one would see me enter…if the barricade allowed me to get that far.

Reed approached me. “The magic ward runs along the fence surrounding the property. It electrocuted me and threw me backward, so be careful.”

“Wow, that’s powerful.” Now I wasn’t so sure about this. I wasn’t a shifter who had the strength to resist such a strike, and I chewed on a hangnail, pondering another way around this.

Told you.

“I’ll be right behind you to catch you if the barrier holds. I’ll make sure you don’t slam into a trunk like I did.” The confidence in Reed’s eyes helped, especially with the way he rubbed his lower back in gentle strokes.

Except crashing into a tree wasn’t what worried me—it was the electricity that could kill me.

Gage was by my side, gripping my shoulder. “You don’t have to do this.”

Kahlo stood on my other side. Having all three around me gave me the courage to get started.

I stepped out of their circle, scanned the house and yard in the distance. Only the wind stirred, and the branches rustled around me. They were right that not many humans lived in this area, so the spell might have only kept shifters out. Usually, such hexes could target only a single specific race, as aiming for every kind of race made for a super complicated incantation. But if I discovered the lost shifters and Reed’s sister inside the house, then I couldn’t just walk away. I had to help them. With a deep breath, I ran past shrubs and several boulders up to the metal fence I’d easily climb over.

Gingerly, I reached out.

Stop!

I flinched back. “What is it?” I scanned the area to find no one. Behind me, the men studied me with huge eyes.

Are you sure you want to do this?

“Gah, you scared the shit out of me,” I whispered. Okay, do this fast. No more wasting time.

I grasped the railing, cold metal under my palm, and waited…Nothing. I released the breath wedged in my chest and looked over my shoulder.

Gage shrugged while Kahlo nodded, and Reed waved for me to climb the fence. Okay, this was happening. I scrambled over and slid behind the apple tree.

Up ahead, the darkness drenched the house. No alarms had gone off, so that was fantastic.

I don’t like this. It’s too easy.

I agreed, and my stomach tightened at the thought. Someone who used a magic ward to keep shifters away would have more security set up. The barrier would not only keep intruders away, but also stop any captives from getting out.

Terrible plan. You’ve done no research into this place. Go back.

I turned to the three men staring at me from within the shadows. I recalled the desperation in Reed’s voice when he’d spoken about his missing sister. I had to do this. This wasn’t me engaging in battle but gaining information. So I crept toward the house, ignoring the jitters crawling up my spine.