Lord of Chaos (The Dragon Demigods Book 7)

by Charlene Hartnady

  17

  Rage

  I wait until the last second. I wait until all of my strength returns. Until my stomach stops rolling and my head stops spinning. I wait…and then I wait a little more, just to be sure.

  While I’m waiting, I hear that prick commanding Nia.

  I see her refute him, and then I see her go down.

  I see Death trying to fight his own summons. I see him teleport away.

  All the while, I listen to the things Gaire is saying. I feel my hackles rise and my blood boil. When I’m ready, I tackle Gaire. I knock him onto the ground, and I start kicking his side. I land one, but the second strike hits air, and I land on my ass. I scramble to my feet. I feel something hard ram into my back. I fly forward. That Gaire fucker likes to play dirty. I hate him with everything in me. I find that I hate him even more than I hate myself, which is saying something.

  I try to keep my footing, and in so doing, I stagger forward again. Just when I think I might stay upright, I receive a blow to the side of my head. My ear immediately starts to ring as I fall hard.

  The sound of laughing seems to surround me as I push myself to my feet. Where is he?

  Gaire suddenly appears. He’s looking down at Nia. “Are you sure you won’t concede, Bitch?” he asks her. “Are you sure you want to watch your boyfriend die like this? He’s going to suffer.”

  Nia says something. She’s breathing hard. Her eyes are wide. Her body is convulsing in much the same way as before. “Fuck…you!” she gets the words out loud and clear this time. I watch her hands flex and unflex.

  Good!

  I like how strong she is, even if she doesn’t know it. I hate how life has hardened her from the naïve young woman she once was. That’s on Gaire. I wish I could let loose on him. I wish it so hard. I feel my power just below the surface, coursing through my veins. I can’t! I hold back.

  “Don’t be stupid, Nia. You were never all that bright. A boring lay but—”

  I tackle that bastard again, ramming my head into his side. I hear the air leave his lungs. I feel him land hard under me, and then I’m on the ground as he disappears out from under me. Asshole! How can you fight someone who can turn into thin air?

  Then I’m being pulled into a vortex of my own as I’m teleported. I land hard, feeling dizzier than before. My head is spinning, and I start to gag.

  Just as my head starts to clear, I am in the vortex again. I think I scream this time because my throat hurts. My stomach rolls as I land in a heap. My mouth fills with saliva, which I swallow down. I gag, and then I gag again. My breakfast is in danger of coming up. I’m so dizzy I can’t see a thing. “Nia,” I somehow manage to push out.

  Did she get away?

  Where is she now?

  Before I can gain my senses or do anything, I’m in the vortex again. My eyes are squeezed tightly shut as I feel my stomach drop and clench. I feel the air displace. I have that feeling of weightlessness, and the nausea is something else; I’m going to throw up.

  I moan as I land hard. “No…no…” It’s all I manage to get out. I can’t move. Nausea is rolling through me in waves. I think I dry heave, but I’m not sure. “Easy, buddy,” I hear a voice say. It’s a voice I recognize, but I can’t place it. I think he says something else, but I don’t hear because I’m gagging too much. I’m not sure how I haven’t thrown up. I can’t move. I think I’m still moaning. I’m quite sure I have drool running down my cheek, but I can’t trust my senses. I’m a mess.

  “Why is he so out of it?”

  “He’s been teleported several times in quick succession,” a woman says.

  I try to say Nia’s name but only because that doesn’t sound like her. Where is she? What’s going on?

  “How long will he be like this?” the male voice asks.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “What happened? Why did you need to teleport so many times?” the guy asks.

  The woman answers him. She knows some of what is going on. Who is she? I can’t place her. How does she know all of this?

  I think the guy is Jarrod. I’m almost positive. I roll onto my side and gag. The change in position has brought on a fresh bout of nausea. I’m trying to get myself through this. I don’t hear Nia. If Gaire has her— I don’t want to think about that right now.

  I have to, though. If he has her, I’m going to get myself a couple of weapons. Even if he doesn’t have her, I’m done playing nice. I want my own silver sword. I might even get myself a gun and some silver bullets. Fuck him!

  I groan as I push up onto all fours. I open my eyes. The ground is spinning. It takes several minutes before I start to feel even half normal.

  “I’m so sorry,” the woman says to me. “I had to move around before I brought you here.”

  Star!

  It’s Star. She is part of the group we met recently. They’re also dragon demigods. They were born to a different weyr. She’s the daughter of Hades and has the same ability to teleport as her half-brothers.

  “Nia,” I get the word out, wiping my face on my shirtsleeve. I almost fall over onto my side but keep myself up using sheer willpower.

  “You’ll feel better in a minute,” she says. “You look like you’re over the worst.”

  “You got yourself mixed up with a Hunter,” Jarrod says. “Your dog is actually a hellhound.” He looks shell-shocked.

  “Yes,” I say. “Seems that way. Nia,” I repeat. “Where is she?” I want to stand, but I fear I’ll fall over, so I sit instead.

  “Death is with her. He’s teleporting her in a similar way to what I did with you,” Star tells me.

  “It’s taking…too long,” I say.

  “I’m sure they’ll be here any second. He told me to come here, so…” She shrugs.

  “Shit!” I manage to get to my feet. I’m swaying a little. Teleporting can take it out of a person. Even Star looks pale. “We had to hop to various locations so that Gaire would struggle to keep up. As I said, Death is doing the same. He might even have Gaire on his tail as we speak.”

  “That fucker had better not take her. Or do anything to Death.”

  “I don’t think he’ll hurt Death,” Jarrod mumbles. “I think that Death is more hardcore than we think.”

  “How can you be so sure?” I’m pacing now. I’m not only feeling much better, I also have adrenaline coursing through my veins.

  “Also, Death serves a purpose for Hades. Gaire would be in deep shit if he interfered with that purpose.”

  I make a noise of agreement.

  I smell ozone, and they appear. I almost can’t believe my eyes for a second or two. “Nia!” I yell.

  She sways on her feet but smiles at me. It’s radiant. My heart is pounding with relief.

  Death is frowning hard. “Looks like he’s more gung-ho about getting Nia back than I thought he would be.”

  “It didn’t work,” I say to Nia. “You’re still just as bound to him as before.” I run a hand through my hair, feeling frustration well.

  “No, it did.” She smiles again. It’s far more watered down this time. “Just not as well as I had hoped. I normally can’t do anything but fight the compulsion to do as Gaire says. This time I could speak. Not that I could say much,” she mumbles the last. “I could also move my hands.” She looks down at them

  “It is working. You’re just not there yet,” Death says.

  “Yet?” I frown.

  “Yes, yet. I guess once wasn’t enough,” she adds, making a face.

  “What wasn’t enough?” Jarrod asks, frowning.

  “I need to go,” Star says.

  “Thank you for your help,” Death tells her. Star waves and disappears.

  “She looks a lot like Gaire,” Nia whispers.

  “She’s my half-sister and the daughter of Hades.” Death says, “That would make her Gaire’s half-sister as well.”

  “Star is also a dragon demigod,” I tell her.

  “Interesting and quite freaky. She has the same ey
es…same as all of you.” She looks at Death.

  “She has the same color hair as Gaire too,” I say.

  “Star looks so much like Gaire,” Nia says again, “I got a fright when I saw her. I could see the resemblance immediately.”

  Jarrod is frowning. “So, you’re bound to this Gaire asshole and therefore have to do everything he tells you, no matter how shitty? I have to say, that sucks. Star mentioned that you were trying to break the bond you have with him, but she didn’t tell me how you ended up bound to him in the first place. She also didn’t tell me how you were trying to break it.” He folds his arms, looking mighty interested. Too fucking interested for my liking.

  “You don’t need to know.” My voice is a low rasp.

  “Actually, it might be better if someone else—” Death starts to say.

  “Not going to fucking happen.” I take Nia’s hand and then let it go again. What the fuck am I doing? I’m not her fucking boyfriend. I don’t do the whole handholding thing. “I’ve got a target on my back already. I won’t put anyone else in harm’s way. I will take care of it. I’ve already committed to helping Nia.”

  “I agree with Rage,” Nia says. Her voice is soft and unsure. “We shouldn’t bring anyone else into this mess. We probably shouldn’t be here.”

  There’s a part of me that wants to turn and walk away because I’m jealous of the thought of anyone else having sex with Nia. I’m feeling protective of her. I’m a selfish bastard. That’s the main reason for taking on this role right now. It has nothing to do with saving my friends. That’s secondary by a long fucking shot to actually wanting inside her again.

  It’s the sex. It’s amazing. I almost feel normal when I’m with Nia. I know this is risky, but I’m doing it anyway. It’s calming, and if there’s one thing I need, it’s to be calm. I try to forget that on the other side of all that calm is Gaire, who is anything but calming. I’m making excuses to fuck her again, but I guess I’m okay with that.

  “If it doesn’t make too much of a difference, you might need to consider other options,” Death cautions. “I need to go and get Tri. He’s still at my father’s house.”

  Oh shit! I completely forgot about Trident. I really do have my head up my ass. I nod once. “How long do we have before he finds us?”

  “I’ll be back in two hours to move you,” Death says. “I think you’ll be okay for that length of time. Make the most of it.”

  “We will.” I feel my whole body tense. I hate running like a coward. I want to destroy that fucker so badly. I can’t seem to get a handle on him long enough to be able to do it. I hate feeling so useless. So weak.

  Death disappears.

  “Can someone tell me what you guys were just talking about,” Jarrod asks. “What do you have to do? Can I help?”

  “No, you can’t. Are your bedrooms upstairs?” I ask.

  Jarrod nods. I can see the confusion on his face.

  “You heard Death. We’ll be here for less than two hours. We need a bedroom now. There isn’t much time.” I know I’m being a dick, but it can’t be helped. I’ll make it up to Jarrod.

  Jarrod shrugs. “Of course, I guess you need to freshen up. Catch some Zs.” He nods a few times.

  I don’t say anything.

  “Um…the last bedroom is mine. You can take any of the others.”

  I nod. “Don’t disturb us,” I warn him.

  He frowns. “Do you need food?”

  “We don’t need anything. Just the room. Send Death up when he gets here.” Then I’m taking Nia’s hand and leading her up the stairs. My mouth is dry, and my dick is hard. I can’t believe how ready I am to have sex again. I don’t just want it. I crave it. My body is buzzing with need. These near-death experiences seem to have that effect on me.

  “Do you think it will help?” Nia asks. “Do you think…?”

  I glance back as we reach the landing. “There is only one way to find out.” I stop walking, “Are you okay with this?” I realize that in my urgency, I never actually considered Nia.

  She nods once. “Yes.” Her pupils are dilated, and her breathing is rapid. I realize that she is just as turned on as I am.

  I pass the first bedroom and push open the door to the very next one. I shut the door behind us. My eyes are on Nia. She grips the hem of her dress and lifts it over her head.

  I’m floored all over again at how fucking gorgeous she is. From her eyes to her tits to her flared hips. She’s perfect to hold onto. Perfect to bury into. Just perfect.

  I pull my own shirt over my head. “I need a shower, but I’m not leaving you here. It’s too dangerous.” I feel anger well inside me. “Not that I’ll be all that effective at fighting that dickhead off.” My voice is a low growl. I toss my shirt on the ground.

  18

  Nia

  Rage’s broad chest is heaving. His hands have balled into fists. I can smell adrenaline and a good dose of testosterone. There’s also the peppery scent of anger. His muscles bulge and shift beneath his skin. He’s as terrifying as he is beautiful. He may not think much of himself, but I know he’s ultimately a good man. He’s helping me. Thing is, I’ve looked into the eyes of true evil. Rage is too hard on himself. He isn’t five seconds away from being Gaire. He’s nothing like that asshole.

  I can see that he’s beating himself up over what just went down with Gaire. “You did a great job,” I tell him, meaning it.

  I’m leveled with a dark stare that has my heart beating faster.

  He disappears into the bathroom, and I hear the water spatter to life. I follow him. “I mean it,” I say. “There’s another thing that’s improved during a compulsion, and that’s my senses. When your boot connected with his torso, I heard a rib snap. You broke one of his bones.” I grin broadly. I still almost can’t believe it. I know I probably shouldn’t be this ecstatic about something so violent, but I am, and in a big way. “In the year I knew Gaire, no one got that close to begin with. If they did, they didn’t get a punch or a kick in. Not one that actually connected and did damage.” I laugh. “I’m sure he’s afraid of you. I love the idea of him being the one to feel pain for a change, and not just for me but for all the people he’s hurt over the years.”

  His gaze softens for a moment. “I appreciate the compliment, Nia, but I think you’re being a little optimistic about my abilities.” I think I catch a half-smile…or at least the start of one.

  I watch him toe off his boots and then unsnap his jeans. “I’m serious,” I say. “You’re so much better than you think. Your ability to keep your feet under you…” I shake my head in awe.

  “He’s much stronger. I hate saying it, but it’s true.” Rage steps into the shower and under the water. His gaze is still on me. “We need to somehow break that stupid bond so that you can hand his ass to him.”

  “You’re far stronger than you realize,” I tell him. “I can’t do it without you.”

  He barks out a laugh, “You mean you can’t do it without my dick.” He palms his member. It’s hard and standing to attention.

  “I do need your…” I look down and smile, pulling my bottom lip between my teeth. Then I look him in the eyes again, “I need more than just that from you. I’m hoping you’ll come to see that.” I realize I’m sounding sappy. Like I’m talking about feelings. “You’re so strong. So incredibly powerful. Far more powerful than Gaire could ever hope to be,” I rattle on. At this point, I’m laying it on too thick. I’m trying to cover up for my sappiness.

  “That’s not a good thing.”

  “I happen to think it is.”

  We’re just looking at one another. The water is running over Rage’s back. The shower door is still open. I make a split second decision and get into the stall with him. “What are you doing?” he says, making no attempt to usher me out. If anything, his cock is looking harder.

  “I’m dirty, too,” I say.

  “You couldn’t be dirty if you tried,” he says, his voice deep. It sends shivers through my whole body
. “We have a problem.” He moves so that I can get under the water. I feel my hair get wet. I feel the water stream down my back.

  “What problem would that be?”

  “A big one,” he says, squeezing some shower gel into his hand and lathering it over his body.

  “Tell me.”

  He hands me the gel, and I take it, squeezing a big dollop into my hand. I always smell like fear, adrenaline, and anger after dealing with Gaire. It’s tight in the small shower stall, especially since I’m sharing it with a man as impressive as Rage. His shoulders are wide. His arms are thick and powerful, as are his thighs.

  “Did you hear me?” he asks.

  “Sorry, the water…” I lie through my teeth. I was so busy checking out Rage, I wasn’t listening to him at all.

  “We would need to use condoms,” he says, wincing. “We’re no longer in the Underworld. Based on the information you gave me, sex probably isn’t even going to work since it’s not bareback. You said that I need to come inside you, and we can’t risk pregnancy.”

  “I don’t want to risk it.”

  “Hellhounds have litters.” Rage’s eyes are wide. “One kid would be bad enough; imagine a bunch of kids.”

  “First litters are normally small,” I answer, as if it makes a difference. “I don’t want any kids...I assure you…” I mumble the last.

  “That means using a condom. We might be wasting our time. Do you still want to try?”

  “There’s only one way to find out whether it will work or not.” I take his cock in my hand. “My mam gave me all of this information. Maybe she didn’t know for sure. Some of it is old wives’ tales. You see, hellhounds very rarely mate outside of our own circle. I don’t know of any who have.”

  “Does it happen the other way around, too?” he asks, eyes raised. “I mean, do the men also give away their power to the women they mate?”