Ash Bringer (A Storm of Fire: Paranormal Dragonshifter Romance Book 1)

by Courtney Leigh

  “I don’t want you to get hurt,” I voiced for her ears only.

  Everly held her breath for a moment, sweeping her gaze subtly around the room.

  “The truth is here somewhere,” she said. “Someone knows what happened. I want to be here when you find out.”

  “I care more about your safety than I do the truth, Everly. We’ll find another way.”

  “There isn’t one. This could be our only chance.”

  I leaned in before she could summon another argument and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. When we parted, her eyes penetrated me like there was nothing standing between us anymore. She saw through me, no walls or curtains to hide what I was feeling.

  “Marking you might have been the most foolish thing I’ve ever done,” I admitted. “Because it didn’t just make you an Ashling. It made you part of me. I need you to go.”

  She froze for a moment, her eyes rooted on mine like she was trying to convince herself she was dreaming.

  “Are you lying to me?” she whispered.

  I gave her a subtle shake of my head. She stood there searching my face for several long moments, but she finally nodded, her expression falling into a slight daze. Before she could make for the door, Rikard slipped into view not five feet from us with a practiced politeness in his smile that made me uneasy. Not because he was any sort of threat to me, but because his eyes were on Everly.

  32

  Everly

  . . .

  Rikard’s presence held an uncomfortable weight. When his eyes caught mine, my blood went cold. Whoever this man was, he had terrible deeds rotting in his wake. I could see it in his skin like it had aged him ten years too fast. He seemed shaped by hardship and dishonesty in a way that made him unpleasant to look at. Deep lines framed his mouth and littered his forehead, making his face a rough canvas that he was trying hard to soften as he smiled.

  “Excuse the intrusion,” Rikard said in a raspy voice fitting of his appearance. He spoke politely, but not in a reassuring way. His tone was rehearsed and scripted. His hazel eyes met Draven’s without hesitation. The nerve of this guy irritated me. I couldn’t imagine what it was doing to Draven. “May I steal the lady for a dance?” he requested.

  Draven didn’t take his eyes off of Rikard. Glancing at him, I could see the heat rising and stepped in to answer.

  “Of course,” I said with a smile that felt tight and uncomfortable on my face.

  Rikard grinned, offering me his hand. I took it, walking away from Draven to another open space on the floor. I didn’t have to look back to know that Draven could have burnt a hole in Rikard with his glare. I could have refused and walked away, but I needed answers from him. My own safety felt secondary in the two seconds it took to agree to a dance. Now I just needed to play smart. That, however, had never been my strong suit, and I was already having a hard time focusing after what Draven said.

  Rikard turned to me, pulling me into a slow dance. My muscles were taut rubber bands. My pulse was heated, but in all the wrong ways. Letting Rikard’s hands touch me felt wrong. The way he stared at me, like he was peeling me apart and poking at my insides, had me on edge. I couldn’t bear to look at Draven as I danced with the man. I was too afraid to see the disapproval and anger in his gaze. I knew I’d done something stupid, but I couldn’t help myself.

  “So,” Rikard spoke quietly. “I heard your name spoken earlier. Everly, is it? Everly Ghlass?”

  “Yes,” I said with a nod, putting on my prettiest tone. “And you’re Rikard Selik. I’ve heard things about you.”

  “Really? What kinds of things?”

  “Well,” I shrugged a shoulder. “I’ve heard you’re ruthless in your endeavors. I’ve heard rumors that you’ve killed Draak. It’s a hard thing to do. I’m surprised Ares let you into the sector.”

  He laughed. It was a forced sound that made my skin crawl.

  “And?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “And? How does that make you feel?” His eyes flicked to my wrist where the corners of the Draven’s brand peaked from just behind the hem of my sleeve. “Does it disturb you?”

  “No,” I said. “I’m also from the outer territories. Actually, I’m curious to know what put you on that path. I’ve had my own experiences with Draak in the past that have made me think about some things.”

  “This is a bold conversation for a gathering like this.”

  “Being bold is how I’ve survived this world. So? What’s your real goal?”

  “Humanity is a flawed race. We’ve lost our way somewhere in the hundred plus years Draak have been dominant in our world. People build temples for them. Offer themselves like sacrifices. The human council? They mean nothing. They’re just a curtain to keep humanity from seeing the things behind it. Do you not see the problem with allowing a species from another place to rule over us?”

  “Some would say they’re not ruling over us. They’re guiding us.”

  “Hmf. That’s a foolish outlook. They’re an oppressive race. Mankind just needs the right guidance to see that. With someone strong-minded in charge, people will follow. They always do.”

  Suddenly I found myself standing on a fissure between two sides of a conflict. I thought I was on the human side, but that was too simple for what was going on here. Humans weren’t a side and neither were Draak. Rikard, however, was drawing the line clear and straight down the center of the two species.

  “So what’s your objective then?” I said, forcing the words past my lips. “To overthrow them somehow?”

  Rikard grinned, narrowing his eyes in a way that I could only describe as suspicious. Something about him was horribly askew.

  “Now why would I discuss that matter here?” he said. “Even if it was the case?”

  I smiled back at him. It was my most innocent, shamed smile, hoping it would eliminate me as a threat. Rikard seemed convinced, for a moment, swaying with me to the calming tunes. He turned, forcing me to face the rest of the ballroom. Over Rikard’s shoulder, I could see Draven by one of the long tables, hands in his pockets. Lukan and Valentyne stood with him. All three of their inhuman eyes were glued to Rikard and me and by the way Rikard let out a soft chuckle near my ear, he knew it and enjoyed the attention.

  “So?” he spoke, quiet now so only I could hear. “Tell me. Did Taurus ever mention me?” I bit the inside of my lip, unsure what to say. “Because he and I used to be good friends, you know. But you were young when he took you in. You were traumatized. I can’t blame you after what happened. Before that, he and I had done and seen many things together. I’m practically your uncle.”

  I couldn’t smile now. My eyes dropped low as I listened to Rikard’s unsettling voice speak about Taurus.

  “Is that so?” I said, the innocence draining from my tone to leave room for a bitter bite instead.

  “Oh yes. You know, I came to visit you two. Many years ago. You probably didn’t know that. Taurus hit me in the jaw and forbade me from ever seeing you.”

  “Why would he do that?” I asked with sarcasm, subtly rolling my eyes.

  Rikard leaned in toward me, his breath brushing the side of my cheek. “Because he was afraid I’d spill the truth,” he said in a near whisper, close to my ear. “Now, why don’t we talk about something else. Let’s talk about your master. The copper-haired Draak, Draven Tempest. I see you glancing at him. Don’t play innocent with me, girl. I know when a woman is caught in one of their webs.”

  “Excuse me?” I drew back, offended.

  Rikard tossed me another practiced grin. “No need to defend yourself. It would do no good. See, I’ve got a plan and you’re a big part of that plan now. All Draak have a weakness. They’re practically unkillable, but when something they love is being held against them, manipulating them is almost too easy.”

  I glared, disgusted. “Didn’t turn out too well for the last guy who tried and his entire crew.”

  “Tek was a fool, but his stupidity afforded us this wonderful
gala. Ironic how some things play out, isn’t it?” He pulled me toward him, pressing my body against his with one tug. “How easy it was to get all these important individuals in one room. Members of the Draakir. The Order. Rebels.”

  Draven’s body shifted, his eyes glowing with feral aggression. With a subtle shake of my head, I pleaded with him to stand down until I got more from Rikard.

  “I’m after something,” Rikard whispered in a calm tone. “Only one person had the information I needed, and that was Valerio. You can imagine how upset I am now that he’s dead.”

  “You killed Valerio, didn’t you?” I said under my breath, pushing the accusation off my tongue without thinking. “You have no right to be upset over it.”

  “Now why would you say a thing like that?”

  “Because you’re a killer. You have a reputation, you know.”

  “Well, I didn’t kill him. I can tell you admired the Pike, so it pains me to inform you, but Taurus did kill Valerio. I know, I know. I can see that you were hoping it wasn’t him, but it was.”

  “You’re lying.”

  “Tsk tsk,” he clicked his tongue. “He really did have you believing he was good. He kept so much from you. It’s pathetic, really, seeing how clueless you are. You loved a Pike who lied to you from the beginning.”

  “And I’m supposed to trust that you’re telling me the truth?”

  “I knew Taurus long before you did. Perhaps you were his redemption for all the deeds he’d done before you.”

  “I don’t care what you say. Taurus—”

  “Was not the man you thought he was.”

  “But you’re exactly the man I thought you were,” I spat. “You’re not after peace. You’re after power.”

  “Without it, we can’t change the world. Now, do you really think I would have come here just to chat with a bunch of Draak elitists? No. I’m here for a purpose and so are you. You want answers. So let’s help each other.”

  I shuddered at the idea that Taurus really had killed Valerio, but deep inside I couldn’t believe it was completely true. There had to be more to the story. I was so close I could feel the answers against my fingertips, just barely out of my reach.

  “Why would Taurus kill Valerio?” I asked quietly.

  “You mean aside from the obvious? He was a slayer to the core, Ms. Ghlass.”

  “No. I know there’s more to this.”

  “Much more, Ms. Ghlass. We just need a key to reach our goals. You’re that key. We’re here for something very specific, you see. Something only one person in this room could possibly help us find.” He looked me dead in the eyes. “And his precious Ashling is dancing with the leader of a very committed enclave of rebels. This gala,” he said in a tone I could barely hear, “was the most unwise thing Ares could have done for the sake of peace. But it seems we all have our own agendas these days.”

  Realizing something was terribly wrong, I pushed away from Rikard with revulsion. Draven shifted again, his glowing eyes narrowing toward us. I looked at him, knowing something awful was about to happen, when a thundering noise shook the entire building.

  The music came to a halt as confused murmurs swept through the gala. Immediately following the rumble was a swift, deafening explosion that sent the wall to my left imploding into the ballroom. Smoke, dust, and rubble flooded the gathering. My ears were ringing and I was knocked to the ground by a wave of invisible force, clusters of scurrying feet all around me trying desperately to clear the area.

  Disoriented, my eyes filled with dust, I tried to find my bearings. Rikard had disappeared and I was left alone. I searched the madness for Draven and found only panicked crowds moving out of the rubble. There was no fire, but a strange, black haze made the air thick. It smelled like iron and faintly of roses. The combination felt like another warning as I climbed to my feet.

  Hearing in both ears was nearly restored when I saw Draven appear from the smoke. He threw off his blazer and quickly tossed it around me as another explosion shattered the opposite wall of the ballroom, sandwiching what was left of the attendees in a canyon of destruction and thick smoke. Draven threw me down onto the floor again, his body shielding mine as a shower of rubble was thrown across the room once more.

  Once the second explosion had subsided, Draven slowly moved off of me. I sat up, expecting to flee from the wreckage immediately, but something was off. While I climbed to my feet, Draven stayed on his knees, wheezing and clutching at his chest.

  “Draven,” I said, crouching to get a look at him, despite the blinding smoke in the air. I grabbed his face, pulling it up. On his skin, I could see black veins spreading like roots across his neck and climbing up the flesh of his face like a disease. “Draven, what’s happening?”

  He didn’t answer. Instead, his eyes seemed to roll back and his body wavered weakly to the side. I grabbed his arms, taking another look around to see that all of the present Draak were down, acting just like Draven was. Lukan and Valentyne had collapsed against the drink tables, both struggling to remove their ties as if they were suffocating.

  “Draven,” I said, grabbing his arms and heaving him up to his feet with all my strength. He helped a bit, but the massive Draak would be dead weight soon. I needed to get him outside before things got worse. “Come on,” I grumbled, throwing his arm around my shoulders. “Please don’t make me drag you out of here.”

  Every human present fled the ballroom and stampeded down the main stairway out of the building. Only a few loyal attendants stayed back to assist the affected Draak as I hauled Draven’s weakening body out of the wreckage. Once we hit the top of the stairs and the smoke had cleared a bit, I kicked off my heels, putting all my strength into helping Draven get outside.

  We descended the stairs and headed for the front of the building where we were greeted by a line of men in suits that stood just outside the doors. Three of them were much too massive to be human and the rough skin framing their equally rugged faces gave them away. Pikes. Immune to flames. Brutish. Most of them deformed. Too strong for me to fight alone. I stopped, at a loss when I realized none of the Draak were in any position to help me against half a dozen rebels. In the center stood Rikard. He removed a black gas mask as I came out and stepped toward me with a cocky smirk on his face.

  Draven thrust himself toward Rikard, enough anger in him to fuel one more attack. He lunged, grabbing him by the neck and spinning the man against the wall beside the doors so hard I thought I heard a few bones crack. A furious, beastly growl vibrated from Draven’s throat as he bared his fangs and glowing eyes down at the human rebel. Two of the other men rushed to intervene and, in an unplanned fit of frustration, I stepped between them, punching one of them in the throat and the other in the groin.

  One of the Pikes moved in, swinging a blow across my cheek hard enough to throw me to the ground. A fourth appeared, grabbing my hair in his fist and forcing me to my feet. That caught Draven’s attention and in his distraction, another man moved in with a strange, black knife in hand that resembled glass. He plunged it into Draven’s ribs and suddenly the invincible Draak looked as vulnerable as a human. He hunched, his muscles tensing with shock. Like a pin in a balloon, Draven was drained of energy and slumped to his knees.

  “Draven!” I screamed, watching him as he attempted to keep his strength.

  Rikard raised a knee, slamming it into Draven’s head and sending him twisting back until he was on the ground, writhing slowly as the black veins spread further up the sides of his face. Horrified, I struggled to get free from my captor only to feel his grip tighten in my hair. Two men moved in to retrieve Draven while I screamed and lashed out at anything I could reach.

  Rikard, massaging his bruised neck, stepped toward me and with the back of his fist hit me on the side of my head so hard I felt the blow course through my whole body. As the ground neared, everything went black.

  33

  Everly

  . . .

  It was cold. There was a humidity in the air th
at made my skin clammy and I was lying twisted and face down on a damp concrete floor. I could smell the cement and water around me before I even opened my eyes.

  I found myself in a cell with stained walls, no windows, and a grated top through which I could see the grey light of an overcast day outside. I rolled my fatigued, aching body over on its side, bathing my face in what few, yellow rays I could find seeping through the clouds. With a headache pulsing inside my skull, I tried to remember what happened. It didn’t take long to rush back. The explosion. The black dust. I remembered the other Draak collapsing in the ballroom. I remembered Draven, black lines clawing up his neck as he was forced onto the ground.

  Worry struck like an arrow to my heart. I urged myself to sit up, feeling a sharp knot in my neck that shocked the entire length of my spine when I tried to turn my head. Rikard had struck me with a force like I hadn’t felt in a long time. I reached back, gently massaging my tight neck for a moment as I attempted to ground my thoughts. After a few deep breaths, I tried to stand, lurching to my feet on legs that were still half asleep.

  My worry for Draven grew sharper with each passing moment, but there was no sign of him anywhere, nor could I hear anything outside the chamber. I tried reaching out to him with my mind, painfully aware of how much I loathed our bond just weeks ago, but I felt absolutely nothing in return. I was alone.

  My mind raced with terrible possibilities as I began to pace the cold floor. The damp dress clung to my leggings and I started ripping the fabric of my gown to get the heavy material off of me. As I did, I noticed faint, black veins on my hands and up the underside of my bare arm. I recalled the women in Tek’s camp and wondered if the explosions at the gala had emitted a substance similar to whatever was in their systems.

  Feeling less constricted without the fabric hanging around my legs, I began to examine the metal door that locked me inside the chamber. It was a solid barrier with no handles on the inside and by the looks of a red light to the right of it, there was an electric lock keeping the latch firm.