by G. K. DeRosa
“Yeah, Logan gave me the cliff’s notes version.”
Again, my dad glared at our warden.
“It’s not Logan’s fault, Dad. Please don’t be mad at him. I begged him to keep the truth from you—him and GG.”
Mom’s eyes widened, the cobalt blue threatening to swallow me whole. “My father knew about this?”
“He’s been a big help,” I muttered. “And so has Logan and—Talon.” My eyes flitted across the room to my dragon protector who leaned against the door. His eyes were glued to my father, and it took me a second to decipher the look of awe.
Ryder Strong was a legend at the SIA. Ella had mentioned Talon’s obsession with him, and now he was finding out he was my dad.
I ticked my head at Talon and motioned him closer. “Mom, Dad, meet Talon. He’s pretty much the reason I’m still alive.”
Crimson flooded my big, burly dragon protector’s cheeks as he marched over. He extended his hand, and I could’ve sworn his big fingers trembled as he reached for my dad. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Dad eyed his hand and crossed his arms over his chest. So embarrassing. Talon cleared his throat, dipping his head and gave my mom a weak smile. “And you, of course, Mrs. Strong.”
My mom gave him a warm smile and took his hand. “Please don’t call me that, it makes me feel old. Luna is fine. From what Logan tells us, we owe you a big thank you.” She jabbed her elbow into Dad’s side and shot him a sidelong glance. “Don’t we, Ryder?”
Dad mumbled something under his breath and finally met Talon’s excited gaze. I had to smother a laugh. I’d never seen the big dragon so enthusiastic or awkward. He was having a total fangirl moment over my dad, and I was loving every minute of it.
“Thank you,” he finally muttered when my mom nudged him again.
Did Logan fill them in on all the details? Did they know about the blood bond, everything?
“It’s been an honor protecting and getting to know Azara.” Talon shot me a quick glance before turning back to my parents. I couldn’t help the grin from exploding across my face. Right, just friends.
“He took a blood oath,” Logan interjected. “Believe me, she’s been under the best protection she could have.”
“Then how did she end up in Thax’s clutches?” Dad growled. He pulled Mom into his side and memories of them flooded my mind. My parents were nauseatingly cute. He’d always protected her just like Talon did. Thax’s resurgence must have brought up a tidal wave of their own dark memories.
“It was my fault.” Talon’s head hung low as he murmured the words. “I lost sight of her in a mission, and he swooped in.”
“Because of Ella,” Mom added.
Apparently, Logan really had filled them in on everything.
Mom squeezed my hand, her sweet smile filling all the cracks that had broken me in the past few months. “Your Aunt Tempest and Uncle Drake are mortified. Ella made a terrible decision to protect her family, and they’re beyond devastated what it cost you.”
Ella. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to forgive her, but wouldn’t I have done the same to protect my parents? Hadn’t I already?
“Well, this is over now, Azara.” Dad stood and tugged me up with him. “I’ll speak to Maxim first thing in the morning, and we’ll have you out of here by tomorrow.”
My head shook wildly from side to side. “You can’t, Dad. The director of the SIA doesn’t even know I’m back here. Logan, Talon and all the other guys would get in major trouble for hiding me.”
“Then I’ll say I found you and keep them out of it.”
I drew in a deep breath, and my eyes found Talon’s. “I’m not ready to go back, Dad.”
“What do you mean, sweetie?” Mom turned to me, her inquisitive gaze darting back and forth between the skulking dragon and me.
“Remember how Dad’s demon got out of control when you guys were at the academy?”
Her lips thinned, and my dad’s expression darkened. “I’ll never forget,” she finally murmured.
“Then you’ll understand that I don’t want to hurt anyone else and if I’m free, I’m worried it’ll happen again.”
Dad bent down in front of me, his strong hands cupping my cheeks. “I won’t let that happen to you, Azara. I love you more than anything, and I can teach you how to control your demon just like I have. I should’ve done that in the first place instead of sending you to Emi. I thought I was protecting you from the truth but… This is my fault.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s not Dad. No one could’ve known what would happen.” I paused, and my tattoo caught my eye as I fidgeted. “Plus, there’s the other little problem of my warlock side.”
Mom’s eyes widened in horror. “No…”
“Yup.”
She glanced from Talon to Logan and back, her eyes still huge.
“Don’t worry about them. They both know, and they’ve sworn to keep my secret.”
“Azara, I don’t feel comfortable with this at all,” Dad interjected. “We’ll take you somewhere, anywhere but here. We’ll get you the help you need.”
“I’m getting help here, Dad. I’m doing a lot better.” My gaze flickered to Talon again, and he gave me a reassuring smile. Whenever I was around my parents, I felt like a child again. But I wasn’t, not for a while now.
Again, my mom’s gaze trailed mine, and a knowing expression crossed her face. “We just want to protect you, Azara.”
“So do I.” Talon stepped forward, his arms crossed tight against his chest. “I vowed to protect your daughter, and I mean to keep my word. I’ve got my guys scouring the Underworld and all the houses of Azar for Thax. We’ll find him, and we’ll make him pay for what he did. I swear it.”
Dad’s brows furrowed, but my mom snaked her arm around his waist. I caught her fingers squeezing his side with a gentle pinch. Dad liked to pretend he was the boss, but we all knew she was the one who ran the household.
“It looks like Azara is in good hands here, Ryder.”
My dad grumbled something under his breath, but I couldn’t quite make it out.
Talon turned to Dad and extended his hand once again. “I swear to keep you up to date with my findings. And if we need your help, I won’t hesitate to reach out. Sir. You really inspired me. It was because of you that I fought so hard to get where I am today with the SIA. I swear I won’t let you down.”
Dad mumbled an okay and shook Talon’s hand. A ridiculous grin lit up the dragon’s face, and I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep the giggle from sneaking out. Wow, he totally had a man crush on my dad.
Mom turned to Logan, who sat quietly at his desk. No doubt Dad had reamed the gargoyle out when he’d finally contacted him. “Is there somewhere private we can spend some time with Azara, at least?”
“Of course. A few of the staff’s quarters on the third floor are empty. Feel free to stay and visit as long as you want.” He pressed the button on his com and called for Actaeon to escort us to the upper level.
Each of my parents wrapped an arm around me as we turned toward the door. “We missed you so much,” my mom whispered.
“I missed you guys too.”
When Actaeon appeared in the doorway, Talon moved in step behind us.
Dad spun around and waggled his finger. “I’ve got this, dragon boy.”
“With all due respect, I promised to remain by Azara’s side twenty-four-seven, and I don’t plan on going back on my word.”
My heart thudded against my ribs as I regarded my dad and my I-don’t-know-what standing chest to chest. Growing up, I’d been convinced my father was the strongest, fiercest man in the world, but Talon was half a head bigger than him.
“I’ll stay outside the room,” Talon added as Dad stared slack jawed.
“I think that’s fair,” my mom interjected. She tugged on my dad’s arm and pulled him through the doorway. I hung back to wait for Talon, and she tossed me a smile over her shoulder.
“Thanks, Mom,” I mouthed.
/> Talon held the door open for me as I followed behind my parents, my heart too big to fit in my chest.
“Thank you,” I whispered to Talon.
“Don’t thank me, it’s my job.”
I threw him a good eye roll. “You totally have a man-crush on my dad.”
He laughed a deep belly laugh, one that shook his shoulders and revealed that elusive dimple. “I can’t believe Ryder Strong is your father.” He clucked his tongue as he shook his head, grinning. Bending down to reach my ear, he whispered, “I didn’t think it was possible but now that I’ve met your family, I want you even more.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Well, I think this is a first in a long while, all three gorgeous men of the Triad along with their cutey she-demon sidekick.” Flix grinned a megawatt smile as he sashayed over to our table in the rec room. The steady hum of conversations buzzed across the big room and filled me with an odd yet soothing sense of familiarity.
“Nice to see you too, Flix.” I pulled out the chair beside me and motioned for him to sit as Hayden and Dallas waved. Talon barely spared him a head nod, but at least it was something. “Where’s Valeria?”
He shrugged and folded into the seat, crossing his long legs. “Not sure. I haven’t seen her all day.” He scanned the table and pivoted toward me. “You all seem abnormally cheery. No tension muddling the air today?”
Talon leaned over, peering around me. “If you want tension, I’ll give you tension, pixie boy.”
“Ignore him.” I propped my elbow on the table and rested my head on my palm to block Talon from our conversation. “I am cheery today, Flix. And nothing my grumpy friend here says is going to ruin that.” I shot Talon a wink over my shoulder.
He grunted and threw a card down on the pile.
“King!” Dallas shouted triumphantly.
“Hey, that’s not fair. I was distracted.” I dropped my hand of cards and muttered a curse. “I’m never going to get this stupid game.”
“I’m sure Talon wouldn’t mind tutoring you in his free time.” Dallas smirked as he gathered all the cards into a neat pile.
“What free time?” Hayden interjected. “He’s attached to Azara twenty-four-seven.”
“Exactly why he should be tutoring her instead of—”
Talon shot Dallas a glare that cut him off midsentence and sent icicles shooting up my spine. “Enough,” he grumbled. “Just deal the next hand.”
Flix elbowed me in the gut as he leaned in closer. “Is something going on with you two--again? Did you get your memories back?”
“Some,” I whispered. “And maybe, regarding the first question.” I couldn’t help the silly grin that split my lips.
“Oh, honey, don’t be embarrassed, I’d be smiling like a fool if that delicious dragon wanted a piece of me. And there is no denying he is hungry for you.”
A burst of laughter pealed out despite my hand clapping over my mouth. Man, I’d missed Flix.
“You in, pixie?” Hayden lifted his gaze to my friend as he dealt the cards.
“You know it, angel.”
I snuck a peek at my cards and groaned. Maybe I did need some tutoring from Talon. Glancing at my dragon protector from the corner of my eye, I skimmed over his flawlessly sculpted cheek bone, the five o’clock shadow darkening his jaw, and his perfectly kissable lips. A wave of warmth crashed over my insides as I imagined my tongue dancing over every inch of him.
Talon squirmed beside me, shifting in his seat. His arm brushed mine as he moved, and sparks ignited over my flesh. Hmm… that’s new. I inhaled slowly and reveled in the surprising sensations.
Stop that. Talon’s deep voice echoed in my mind, and my heart leapt up my throat.
Stop what?
His hand closed over my knee under the table. The heat from his fingertips seeped through my jumpsuit and warmth pooled in my belly as he squeezed. Stop thinking about running your tongue…
“Oh my gods!” I squealed as heat burned my cheeks.
The entire table turned to stare at me as scorching embarrassment steamrolled over me.
“You okay over there, pumpkin?” Hayden arched a brow.
“Yup, sorry. Really good hand.” I hid behind my cards and watched Talon from the corner of my eye. His lips were curled into a smile, amusement dancing across his sparkling silver irises.
How can you hear me all the time now?
Not sure, but you better keep your naughty thoughts to yourself or I’m going to have my way with you right here on this table. His deep growl reverberated in my skull and seeped down to my core.
Holy dragon babies. I’d be totally okay with that.
He fidgeted beside me, readjusting his pants and leaned his elbows on the table.
“Everything okay over there?” Dallas quirked a curious brow in our direction.
“Yup. I have to use the ladies’ room.” I shot to my feet and nudged Talon in the shoulder. “You coming?”
“Of course.” He leapt up and placed his hand on the small of my back as he ushered me out of the rec room. I ignored the chorus of mutterings behind us as we sprinted toward the door.
Once we were out in the hallway, Talon grabbed my hand and spun me toward him, trapping me between the wall, his chest and his corded arms.
I glanced up at him as my breaths came in ragged spurts. “I thought we were taking it slow, friend.”
He cocked his head and arched a dark brow. “I decided slow was overrated.” His lips captured mine, and I melted into his embrace.
“Hmm, now who would’ve seen that coming?” A familiar, smooth voice echoed down the hall and I leapt back, unentangling myself from Talon’s firm hold.
“Luci?” I squinted to see down the dim corridor. “What are you doing here?”
“And how did you get in?” Talon barked as he pulled me into his side.
The devil himself sauntered down the passageway, his hands buried in the slacks of his designer three-piece suit. “Please, I can get around any ward my magical brethren could create.” He pointed at Talon’s protective hold on me and cocked a brow. “And that is unnecessary. I would never hurt my favorite granddaughter.”
“So why are you here, Luci?”
“I was unhappy with how we ended things last time I was here, so I decided to do a bit of research on my own. I have some news to share.”
“What’s that?” Talon growled.
Lucifer’s eyes narrowed, and a rim of crimson encircled his fathomless onyx irises. “Watch your tone, dragon. The only reason you’re still alive is that my granddaughter oddly holds you in high regard.” He pivoted back toward me, and a grin curled his lips. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”
“I am.” I crossed my arms over my chest and speared my grandfather with my own narrowed glare. “What did you find out?”
“That Delacroix fellow who escaped with Thax, well, it turns out he’s slightly more instrumental than I thought.”
“What does that mean?” I cried out. Lucifer was such a drama queen. Just spit it out already!
“Remember I told you about the research?”
“Yes…”
“Remember I told you I have more offspring and descendants than I could ever keep track of?”
“Yes, I remember, Luci,” I barked.
“Apparently, Delacroix Balthier is my daughter, Luxora’s, bastard.” He threw his hands in the hair and huffed. “Who knew?”
My jaw dropped, and I was sure my eyes were going to pop out of my head. “What!”
Talon muttered a curse, his shoulders straining so hard I thought he’d rip right through his jumpsuit.
“Yes, as it turns out,” Lucifer continued, “I’m not the only one in the family who had philandering tendencies.”
Eew. Luxora and a hellus demon? I tossed the nauseating thought out of my mind and focused on my grandfather. “So what does that mean exactly?”
“Ah yes, that brings me to the newest development I came to share.”
“That wasn’t it?”
“Not exactly.” He rubbed at his chin. “Delacroix Balthier has claimed the throne of the sixth realm of the Underworld.”
Now I was sure my jaw would hit the floor. “That sneaky little bastard.”
“And what about Thax?” Talon interjected.
Lucifer shrugged. “Still no sight of him. With Delacroix having usurped his throne, my best guess is that he’s either dead or imprisoned within his very own castle.”
“Well, that serves him right,” I muttered. A tiny part of me was relieved the hellus demon had knocked my traitorous cousin off his throne, but a larger part was worried about what came next.
Talon pressed his arms against his chest, a vein fluttering like mad across his forehead. “You don’t think they’re working together?”
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
“So Delacroix double-crossed us all…” I couldn’t believe it.
Lucifer stepped closer, and a low growl vibrated deep within Talon’s chest. “Easy, dragon,” he muttered, rolling his eyes. “Azara, the time has come for you to assume your role in this.”
“What are you talking about?” Talon moved between Luci and me.
“It is time for Azara to claim her throne as dark lord of the sixth realm of the Underworld.”
Read on for a special unedited sneak peek of Darkblood Prison: Demon Dark Lord and you can pre-order it now.
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Sneak Peek of Darkblood Prison: Demon Dark Lord
Prologue
Talon
I glared at Lucifer from across the grand desk, my fingernails boring into the polished mahogany. My dragon skimmed the surface, fiery rage gnawing at my insides. I was about a second away from losing it, from bursting free of my human body and giving way to the beast. The prince of hell met my dark gaze with a cheeky smirk. He stretched out his long legs and propped them up on the edge of the warden’s desk.
