Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods Book 7)

by Charlene Hartnady

  I frown but only because I understand.

  “Ares may have fathered you both, but it’s clear who follows in their father’s—”

  “It’s a ‘no’ from me. Let me show you the door.” I wait for her eyes to well with tears. There’s a sick part of me that’s hoping she’ll offer me sexual favors again. Not that I would accept. None of those things happen.

  She folds her arms. “What happened to you?” she asks me. It’s clearly a serious question. “I mean aside from being the bastard son of Ares.”

  I grunt. I’m too taken aback to say anything.

  “What made you like this?” She gives me a dirty look, dragging her eyes from my head to my toes and back again.

  “Made me like what?” I bite out.

  “You’re an asshole! Who doesn’t like dogs? I’ll tell you,” she goes on before I can say anything, “no one, that’s who. Only an uncaring mochyn doesn’t like dogs.”

  “What the hell is a mochyn?”

  “Look in the mirror, and you’ll see one. My mam warned me about people with a dislike for animals. She warned me about people like you.” She widens her eyes, which are fucking beautiful, just like the rest of her.

  I’m instantly irritated at my train of thought. “Not all animals…just dogs!”

  She pulls in a breath, sounding shocked…looking shocked. “Dogs are Man’s best friend.”

  “You’re not a dog, though, are you, sweetheart? You’re a hellhound. Harbinger of death and foreboding. A bad omen.”

  “That’s a myth. Not true at all! Besides, you didn’t know I was a hellhound when you met me.”

  “When you followed me home and wouldn’t leave, you mean?”

  Her eyes narrow. Her cheeks are a bright red. Her hands are pulled into tight fists. “You took me to the shelter. The shelter!” she yells. “The lady there warned you – not in so many words - that I might get put to sleep. That it would be a distinct possibility I’d get a lethal injection, and you left me there anyway. What kind of monster are you?”

  “The kind who would love to see the back of you.”

  “Fine!” she yells.

  “Great!” I yell back. “Nia,” I say as she turns towards the door.

  She whips back around, which is good since her ass is amazing, and I really shouldn’t be looking at it. “What?” she grinds out, her eyes blazing.

  “Close the door behind you, will you?”

  She makes this cute growly noise and then stomps off. I hear the door slam a few seconds later. I feel sorry for her, but at the same time…I feel nothing. I can’t afford to feel anything. This isn’t my problem.

  I’m not getting involved. She’s a hellhound. She’s from the freaking Underworld. This Gaire asshole sounds like a royal prick. The fucker hunts souls for a living. Come on! He’s going to get on my last nerve, I can feel it.

  I have to keep my head on straight. I have to remain calm and collected. Going up against a Hunter from the Underworld is not the way to go about it. The big problem I have is that if I lose it…as in, really lose it – and it’s almost happened once or twice in my life – if it happens, I’ll see red. I’ll lose my mind, and true chaos, destruction, and devastation will ensue.

  I can’t get involved. I have to stay out of it. There are things I do to keep myself level-headed. Things like sex, my MMA fights, and regular hard workouts. Even when I’m training, fighting, or fucking, I’m in full control of every faculty. I have to be. It’s better that she’s gone. Nia seems like the type of woman who is quite capable of taking care of herself. I look down at the pink scars on my arm from where she bit me. It’s taking much longer to heal than it normally would. Probably because she isn’t human. I touch the scar on my forehead. Makes me wonder.

  8

  Rage

  The next morning…

  I’m wired. Hearing about Nia being a hellhound shifter, and about her predicament has put me off-balance. Seeing her again has completely fucked with my mind. Her big innocent eyes are screwing with my head.

  When I’m off-balance, it’s a problem.

  I decide to go for a jog. My cabin borders on our dragon shifter lands. There are thousands of acres for me to get lost in. I pull on a tank, shorts, and sneakers. Then I pack a bag. I might even shift and fly off some of the tension coiling inside me.

  I head outside, pulling the door closed behind me. I’m about to start at a slow jog when I hear someone approaching. I’m not expecting company. Is Death back? Maybe it’s her. I’m not sure how I feel about that. My muscles rope and tense. My eyes narrow. The footfalls sound too heavy to be a woman. Besides, Nia wouldn’t make that much noise. She’s light on her feet.

  Ten seconds later, a man walks around the back of my house. He smiles as soon as he sees me. He’s dressed all in leathers. His hair is shaven halfway up his head. He has a thick braid that hangs between his shoulder blades. It looks to be tied with leather as well.

  I half expect him to pull a sword from the scabbard on his back. I can picture him running towards me, shouting a Viking battle cry. It doesn’t happen. His smile widens. “Hello, friend,” he booms. His eyes are bright blue. They’re cold. The smile definitely doesn’t reach his eyes.

  Friend.

  This asshole isn’t my friend.

  I know exactly who this is. I take a deep breath…and then another. I need to stay calm. I need to keep in control. I have to. I don’t give a shit about this asshole, but if I lose it, others could die. I can’t trust myself. Not when I feel the buzzing in my veins.

  He stops just in front of me. He’s about an inch shorter than I am but just as built. “Were you just leaving?” he asks. The question sounds loaded.

  I want to tell him to fuck off. I remind myself that I need to keep the peace. I’m not in the right frame of mind to deal with this. “Yes. Nothing like a jog in the great outdoors to clear the head.”

  “You are so right. This is a beautiful part of the country.” His eyes scan the view. It is beautiful. A silver lake, rolling hills, open land as far as the eye can see.

  “Can I help you with something?” There is a gruff edge to my voice that can’t be helped.

  The smile is back. “My name is Gaire.” When I don’t say anything, he goes on, “I’ve lost my hound. I followed her trail to this house. Have you seen a dog, perhaps? She’s big and quite beautiful.” He looks at the fresh scars on my arm. “She can be snappy at times.”

  “Yes, she was here. A Doberman.” No use lying. I have a feeling he wouldn’t buy it.

  “Was? I take it she…left?” He peers into my house through my window, and I want to pop him one in the eye.

  “She hung around here. Wouldn’t leave, actually. I had to run her off last night. I’m not much of a dog person. If I had known she was yours…” I shrug.

  He makes a noise that tells me he’s thinking it through. “I see.” He nods a couple of times. “You don’t happen to know where she went? A general direction?” He looks around us.

  I shake my head. “No clue. I’m going to tell you what I told her. I’m not interested in getting involved in whatever this is. It has nothing to do with me.”

  He laughs. “You spoke to Nia?” He lifts his brows. “You know she’s not just a hound, then?”

  “I know, and yes, we talked.” I fold my arms. “We had a whole conversation.”

  “I’m sure she had plenty to say.”

  “I told her that I’m not interested in hearing her story. I want to stay out of it. The same goes for you, too.”

  “You’re right not to get involved. Here’s the thing, though. Nia can be tenacious. She doesn’t give up easily.” He rubs his chin. “I have a feeling she’ll be back here.”

  “I made myself crystal clear when I asked her to leave,” I say.

  He makes a face. “Still, she really doesn’t give up easily. Nia can be like a dog after a bone.” He chuckles. “I’m going to give you my contact details. If she returns, you call me, and I’ll come a
nd get her off of your hands.”

  I nod once. I have no intention of calling this prick. Just like I would never have let Nia get the lethal injection in the shelter. I won’t hand her over to this jerk either. When I say I don’t want to be involved, I mean it.

  “She can also be very persuasive,” he says, winking at me like a grade-A sleazeball. Like we’re sharing a secret. “Nia is a very beautiful woman.”

  My jaw tightens, but I somehow manage to keep myself from grinding my teeth. I keep my eyes on his.

  His voice drops a few octaves, and his eyes narrow. “She also happens to be mine. I own her.” His whole body visibly bristles. The muscles on the sides of his neck lift. His eyes harden. A vein pops up on his forehead.

  “I think maybe she feels slightly differently about that.” I can’t help the retort.

  His eyes narrow. They are blazing. “I don’t care what Nia thinks. She’s my dog…my pet. I want her back…untouched…unharmed. I need to be very clear about that.”

  “I told you I don’t want to get involved.” I wish to god that he would stop talking, already. He’s pissing me off, and in a big way.

  “Too late! You’re already involved.”

  “You said I should call if she turns up. Give me your number, and you can be on your merry way.” I smile at the cocksucker. I’m sure I look as feral as fuck. I don’t care.

  He smiles back, still tense. “Of course. The day is wasting.” His whole demeanor changes. “If you have a pen and paper, I’ll write it down for you.” He peers into my house, his eyes darting around the living room. He wants to be invited inside. Wants to snoop around. Fuck that!

  “Fire away! I have a fantastic memory,” I say.

  He lifts his brows. “You sure about that? Your life could depend on it.”

  I nod. “Very fucking sure.”

  He recites his number. I nod. He looks skeptical. “You sure you won’t forget in a day or a week?” He narrows his eyes. “I won’t be happy if you forget, or if you don’t get in touch. You don’t want to see me in a bad mood…I can tell you that much. Terrible things happen when I’m mad. I would make your—”

  “Might be better if you didn’t threaten me,” I tell him. Before he can say anything, I repeat the number to him. “I won’t forget. I don’t want to be involved. I don’t want the hassle. If the hound is your property, then who am I to get in the way of that? You say tenacious; I say irritating as hell. You say persuasive; I say manipulative. No thanks! She’s all yours.”

  He smirks. “Nia’s quite a tasty little thing and proving to be more difficult to break than I thought she would be. That smart mouth…” He shakes his head. “I’ll get there in the end. It won’t be long, and she’ll heel and fetch…do anything I ask of her, and right on command.”

  “I’m sure she will.” I shrug.

  “I’m glad we’re on the same page here.”

  “Now, if you don’t mind…” I look at my watch.

  “Not at all…enjoy your jog.” He gives me a friendly slap on the back. It takes everything in me to keep from breaking his hand.

  I grit my teeth and nod.

  He looks at me for a moment or two before finally leaving. I push out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. My adrenaline is pumping.

  Fuck!

  Double fuck!

  This is a huge mess!

  I can’t get involved, but I also can’t leave Nia to that bastard. I’ve met the prick, and now it feels personal, somehow. He sees her as his pet. A fucking pet. Even worse, he sees her as a pet that needs breaking. What the hell is that? I scrub a hand over my face.

  I look around me. I see nothing. My gut tells me I’m alone, but maybe I’m being paranoid. That’s what happens when I get edgy. That prick might be watching me. It sounded like there are more Huntsman. My mind is in turmoil. Screw it! I decide to go on my jog. It will calm me down, if nothing else. It’ll give me time to think about what to do about all of this. I sling my bag onto my back. Then I place one foot in front of the other, heading out on a path. Before long, I pick up the pace and push myself hard. Until the sweat is dripping off my brow. Until my muscles shake from the exertion. What am I going to do? That question rolls around and around in my head.

  What the fuck am I going to do?

  9

  Nia

  What am I going to do?

  I get up and pace for half a minute. Then I lie back down, trying to get comfortable. It doesn’t work. It’s only a matter of time before he finds me. Gaire. I hate him so much. I wish I could plunge a knife into his heart and end him, but I can’t. He is my master. I gave him my power. Handed it over to him. I don’t know how it happened. Well, I know, but I can’t believe I let it happen. I’m wiser than that now. I will never make the same mistake again. That’s if I ever get a chance to right my very stupid wrong.

  I am pacing again. Where to next? I want to go back to Rage’s house, but I am afraid. Afraid of rejection, but I’m also afraid of capture. Rage might just hand me over to Gaire. No, I don’t think he would. I think he would stand against Gaire. Or try to. As upset as I am with Rage, I don’t want to see him hurt. I think that deep inside him is a nice guy. I’m not sure what turned him into such an angry, depressed person. Such a huge grump. Bottom line, I don’t want to see him suffer. Gaire is the king of making a person suffer. He takes pleasure in it. How did I not see that until it was too late?

  I’m sure that Gaire must know I am missing. If not, it won’t be long before he hears. My clock is ticking. He’s coming for me. His ego wouldn’t have it any other way. Escaping was a bold move on my part. I knew it would put me on his radar again. I started to get the feeling that he might have forgotten about me. I didn’t have a choice. I had to get away. I couldn’t live like that. Not for another day. He is coming. He’s coming, and I’m powerless to fight him.

  I hear footfalls. Several people. A family. They don’t even slow down. They barely look my way. Then they’re walking off. I’m hiding in plain sight, but it’s still only a matter of time before he’ll find me. Where next? What next? I briefly contemplate turning myself in to Gaire. Of begging for forgiveness, but I dismiss the idea as soon as it enters my head. I’d sooner die than be captured. I know how cruel Gaire can be. I can’t believe I ever loved him. The thought is abhorrent to me now. How did I not see him for the despicable creature that he is?

  That’s probably why I like Rage so much. Sure, he’s an uncaring bastard, but at least he’s honest. He’s never lied to me or anyone else, as far as I know. He’s honest and straight down the line at all times. Rage doesn’t seem to care if he offends people with his honesty. He says it like it is. I have respect for that. Even if I don’t like what he has had to say to me, I can still respect his honesty one hundred percent.

  I lie back down before I wear a hole in the concrete. I hear footfalls and feel my hackles rise. Two people. One male and one…female…elderly. I manage to calm myself down but get back to my feet. My ears are pricked up. My senses are on high alert. I catch his scent before I see him. I can’t believe it.

  I crouch and whine when he comes into view. I can’t believe my eyes. My tail is wagging. I’m making yipping noises. I can’t control myself right now. Rage is the last person I expected to see.

  He’s here!

  For me!

  Here to fetch me!

  “Look how happy she is to see you,” the lady who runs the pound, Gretchen says. She’s beaming broadly.

  Rage doesn’t say anything. He is frowning darkly. His body language is hard; hostile even. What is he doing here? He clearly doesn’t want to be!

  “I knew you’d come around. Did you miss her?” the older woman asks him, oblivious to his dark demeanor.

  I stop my yipping and tail wagging and prick up my ears. I want to hear this.

  His eyes are on me. “As irritating as she is, she grew on me…like a mold or fungus.”

  I would roll my eyes, but it would look stupid on a dog,
so I refrain. He would say something like that.

  “We would normally need to do a home inspection, but since you brought her in, we can waive the formalities.” Gretchen smiles as she inserts a key into the padlock on my gate. I look up at the loose piece of corrugated iron roofing. The padlock was completely unnecessary.

  The lock opens with a click, and Gretchen pulls open the door. I walk out, going to Rage’s side.

  “What are you going to call her?” Gretchen asks Rage.

  I find myself all ears. I can’t wait to hear what he comes up with. “I think I’ll call her…” he looks down at me, I see his eyes dance with mischief, “Mochyn.”

  “Mochyn is a strange name…if you don’t mind me saying.”

  “It’s Welsh, actually.”

  “How interesting.” The woman’s eyes widen.

  “It means beautiful.”

  Dogs can’t laugh. If they could, I’d have tears rolling down my cheeks right about now. Mochyn does not mean beautiful. Far from it. I wonder if he knows what it really means.

  The older woman gasps. “That’s perfect. What a lovely name.” If only she knew how far off she is.

  Rage looks at his watch. “I think we’d best be going.”

  Gretchen nods. “Thank you for the very generous donation.” The real reason for the waive in the house check, I’ll bet. “I’m so glad you changed your mind about this doggo. You saved a life here today.”

  Little does Gretchen know how right she is. Rage can save me. I know it! I’ve heard the whispers. The rumors. After meeting him, I can feel it. The power radiates off him. The question is, will he do it? Will he try? It’s clear that he works hard at containing his strength every day. The runes on his chest speak volumes.

  Gretchen is talking about the statistics surrounding adoptions when it comes to the bigger, more vicious breeds of dogs.

  “We need to get going,” Rage mutters, interrupting her. He looks at his watch again.