by Lia Davis
Mac smiled at him, and he turned away.
Luke moved down the line, shaking hands and hugging Anjij’s family, and Mac followed. Everyone had the same empty look in their teary eyes, and Mac’s feet were lead—she had trouble continuing but didn’t want to cause a scene.
“You okay?” Luke whispered.
“Yeah.” She nodded. “Let’s sit down.”
Luke led her by the hand to the third pew from the front, and they sat. An elder lady began playing the organ—the signal that everyone should take a seat so the funeral service could begin, and everyone moved to their places—family in front, villagers sprinkled throughout the small church amongst the visitors that had come in just for the funeral.
Anjij would be buried in the village cemetery near Mac’s mother. On the way into the church, Mac had seen the grave dug in the muddy snow under a tree. It was a lovely spot near the iron fence that circled the area, with holly bushes popping with red berries. The ground must not have been frozen solid for the grave to be able to be dug. Then again it was late September—winter was just beginning.
Thank goodness for small miracles. Sometimes, they had to hold onto caskets until the weather cooperated.
With the burial, Anjij’s family would have peace of mind that their little girl had been laid to rest. Sorrow squeezed Mac’s heart at the thought of the finality of Anjij’s death, and she tried to hold back the wave of tears.
Luke patted her on the knee, and she scooted close to him. She gripped the funeral program, and tears tumbled down her cheeks. She couldn’t help but feel like Anjij’s death was somehow her fault.
It should’ve been me.
The ice dragon wanted her and had used Anjij in some kind of sick game to lure her out. She glanced at Luke. He sat without movement, eyes focused on the casket. Silver irises flashed for a moment, and his pupils dilated, then his eyes were normal again.
Had she imagined the change? What was going on with Luke Snow?
“That was a beautiful service.” Luke guided Mac through the door to her house.
The arctic wind rushed around the corner of the house and sliced through the air. Luke shivered.
“It was.” Mac sighed. “I wish it hadn’t been necessary.”
Luke closed the door and moved into the living room. That was an understatement. No child should ever have to die. “We all wish that.”
“I know. It just isn’t fair.” Mac grabbed her backpack from the couch. “It makes me angry. That dragon seemed to enjoy what he was doing. Torturing Anjij and the rest of us.”
“He’s evil.”
They’d planned to go to his place to be alone until his team arrived. Luke hoped they would use the time to destress and just be with each other. But the dragon was making sure he was on everyone’s mind.
Luke moved up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders, then slid them down her arms while leaning in to kiss her temple. “We’ll make him pay.”
“I hope so.”
Luke wished he could tell her the truth and tell her how much he wanted to take down the ice dragon. But he had to be careful.
Mac’s shoulders dropped. “I don’t think I can drive more today. I’m tired. Can we take one snowmobile?”
Luke nodded and turned her to face him. “Of course, we can. We’ll be at my cabin soon, and you can rest while we wait on the team to get back.”
“Have you heard anything from them today?” Mac asked. “Have they seen the dragon?” She pulled out of his embrace and slung her pack over her shoulder before she moved toward the kitchen.
Luke flipped the living room lights off as they headed for the garage door. “No, I’ve not heard from them since before the funeral, but you know how the cell service is up here.”
Mac let out a small laugh. “It drives me crazy.” Her face turned more serious. “Do you think they’ll catch it today? I won’t really get rest until I know that beast is dead.”
“We’re bound to be closing in on him. It’s just a matter of time. Are the keys in the snowmobile?”
“Yes, in the ignition.”
They didn’t speak as they readied the snowmobile. Luke squirmed when he felt Mac’s thighs settle against the outside of his legs after she climbed on behind him. His dragon begged for Luke to claim Mac, but Luke pushed him away, even though spikes of hot desire shot between them. Right now, the focus needed to be on destroying the beast that terrorized whole villages. There’d be time to claim Mac later. He’d do it slowly and… he straightened. Those thoughts needed to stop.
He had a job to do.
“Ready?” he asked.
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Let’s go.” She laid her head against his back.
He started the ignition and maneuvered the snowmobile out of the small garage and into the driveway, hitting the button to close the garage door behind them. The snowmobile sputtered under the weight of two people but moved effortlessly down the drive once he hit the gas. The street was mostly empty, with only a few stragglers from the funeral still out, making their way home.
Everyone was afraid. Their fear tainted the air. He just hoped his team would also be able to keep an eye on the village. They couldn’t afford another kidnapping or death—everyone was drawn so tight. No, they had to get rid of the dragon before anything else happened.
He pushed the snowmobile’s speed higher as they glided out of the village and onto the tundra. The sunset streamed over the icy ground, painting it glossy orange and yellow in front of him like a ribbon of gold leading to his cabin. His place wasn’t far away, and it would only take a few minutes to get there, but he wished they had time to enjoy the beauty of Alaska. Another evening, after the beast was dead, they would. Right now, he needed to get Mac to somewhere warm and dry.
He’d thought he’d be nervous bringing Mac to his space, but he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Taking her home felt exactly right.
He glanced back to check on her. With the sunlight glinting off her hair and the rosy shades of sunset painted on her cheeks, she was even more beautiful, like she was warmed from within. Her Inuit heritage shined through, and she looked not only gorgeous, but strong.
He’d warned the DSD team that he was bringing her, but they wouldn’t be back until later that night, and they knew not to approach as dragons. He’d have most of the afternoon to spend with her and figure out how to tell her his secret.
* * *
They’d stripped off their outerwear and now stood by the fire in Luke’s living room. Luke wasn’t sure why he felt so cold, especially since he was an ice dragon. The rogue was slowly driving him crazy. Somehow, the dragon had gotten into Luke’s mind, and the effects were not enjoyable.
“Your fireplace is a lot larger than mine,” Mac said. She held her hands out to the heat. “It feels good. I’m finally warm.”
“The cabin is out in the wilderness. I need the fireplaces to heat the place, not just for ambiance.” As if on cue, the fire popped and crackled.
Mac giggled then stepped aside so he could remove the screen.
He grabbed another log and shoved it into the fire. The larger log should burn for a couple hours. He used the poker to make sure the placement was good, set the screen back up, then sat on the couch. He quickly scanned the living room to make sure the team hadn’t left anything incriminating out.
The coast was clear.
Mac hopped onto the couch beside him. “I like your cabin. It’s cozy. Quiet. Like you.”
“I’m glad. I wish I got to spend more time here.”
Mac looked down at her hands. “Maybe you will, now that… I mean, umm…”
He took her hands in his. “You mean now that I have you to visit? You bet I’ll be here more often.” He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “Once we get rid of this dragon and make the area safe again, you’re going to have a hard time getting rid of me.”
She squeezed then pulled away. “I can get used to that.”
He leaned back on the couch, thankful to be in the safety and security of his own home, even if it was just for a little while. He’d been tense the whole journey to the cabin, worrying that the ice dragon would decide it was a good time to attack. He’d not seen any sign that the dragon was out and about. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t lurking.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “I can make something. Not sure what, but something.”
“No, I’m okay. I just want to sit here with you and talk.”
“We can do that.” Luke closed his eyes. “I’m so tired.”
“I bet you are.” Mac toyed with the buttons on his shirt. “Tell me what’s going on with you and your team. Tell me the truth. We all know that you aren’t some regular group of law enforcement. Exactly what are you? I mean, you guys are searching for a dragon to kill it and, apparently, that is normal for you. What makes you believe you can succeed? Have you killed a dragon before?”
Luke opened his eyes. Should he tell her? It was only fair. He knew her secrets.
Telling her he was a dragon came with all sorts of risks, though. The fire popped, and he startled.
Mac smiled. “Luke Snow. I want to know all of it. You know about my mom and what happened to her. We need to be on the same page with no secrets between us.”
She was right. Secrets grew and caused issues in relationships. He needed to tell her the truth so they could begin building on a strong foundation.
Luke sighed. “You probably won’t believe me.”
She leaned close. “Try me. I’ve known you were holding something back for a while now. What is it?”
“It’s complicated.”
“I like complex men. As long as you haven’t lied to me, I can deal with whatever you throw my way.” She leaned toward him. “Besides, we’ve already been through some shit. What makes you think I can’t handle whatever you throw at me?”
“You might not like me after I tell you what I really am.” Luke stood and moved in front of the fire.
“I can’t imagine you telling me anything that could change the way I feel about you. Unless you’re working with the dragon, everything will be fine. I want to know, so just spit it out.” Her voice had taken on a bit of an edge, an almost pleading quality.
He knew he had to tell her. But did she need to know right now? He paced, aware that she watched his every move. His dragon mimicked him, pacing inside, wanting to come out and show Mac his form.
One thing was for sure—he couldn’t claim her unless she knew the truth. It had to be mutual and with consent, and that meant she needed to know what he really was. He couldn’t hide behind a cloak of excuses.
He cleared his throat. “You know that ice dragon? I mean, you realize dragons exist now, right?”
She nodded and drew her brows together. “Of course. What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, you must realize that there wouldn’t be just one creature in nature. There would be more.”
“More dragons?” she asked. “Well, you told me that your fiancé had met her fate at the hands of another dragon, so yeah, I know there’s more than one of them out there. What else? Are you going to tell me you’re a dragon, too?” She crossed her arms.
He swallowed hard before speaking. He couldn’t lose her. Couldn’t bear the thought of pushing her away or frightening her. What he was about to say was a big risk.
He spoke clearly. “That’s exactly what I am going to tell you. I’m a dragon. So are the members of my team. We’re all dragons, and we hunt down those dragons who break the rules.”
He watched her face for any sign of emotion but saw none. The hint of fear rolled off her. Finally, she spoke, “I’m waiting on you to tell me this is a joke.”
“No. It’s real.”
“I see.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“Mac…” He reached for her. “It’s not like you think. Dragons aren’t all bad. Not all are evil. There are some, like me and my team, who are good and who fight for the right side. We aren’t like the ice dragon.”
“Don’t. I don’t want to hear your excuses.” Her face flushed a bright pink. “You mean to tell me that you let me tell you a most intimate memory—about my mother being taken by a dragon—and you didn’t bother to tell me that you are a dragon, as well? How dare you? Did you not think I deserved to know?”
“I didn’t want to frighten you.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I was waiting for the right time. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Mac leaned away. “You decide to tell me this foolishness after we had sex? So now I’m stuck with either believing you are off your rocker or, somehow, you really are a dragon—the same kind of beast that murdered my mother. How exactly did you expect me to react? With hugs and kisses?”
“I thought you would listen to my explanation.”
“You lost me at ‘I’m a fucking dragon.’”
“Please, Mac, let me explain.” He felt the pleading in his voice and sensed the odor of Mac’s anger. This had not gone as planned. Not even close.
Mac stood, then marched to retrieve her coat and gloves. “Don’t follow me.”
“The dragon is out there. You can’t go out by yourself. It’s too dangerous. And it’s dark. It’s not safe!”
She gave him one last look. “I can take care of myself.”
Chapter Fourteen
It can’t be true!
Tears streamed down Mac’s face as she started the snowmobile and raced away from the cabin. From Luke.
This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be.
Pain tightened in her chest, and she struggled to breathe through the tension. How could he not tell her? He was a dragon, too. Like the beast—the very creature that had killed her mother and had tormented her people for decades. She looked up, scanning the sky for any sign of the dragon. She’d been so upset when she left Luke’s, she hadn’t considered that he might be out looking for victims.
Stars pricked the dark night sky, bright and cold, in ancient patterns she knew from childhood. Her father had taught her all the Inuit constellations, and they’d spent many nights with necks craned to the sky. A walrus, a seal, and even a great bear loomed over her. Her culture had constellations before many cultures even had a wheel.
She wiped away the tears. She was part Inuit. That meant she was strong. She could handle anything.
Still, it hurt. How could it be possible that the man she cared about might be a vicious and terrible creature? It was difficult to imagine, but after seeing what the ice dragon did, did she really know Luke Snow? Fate was out to get her, apparently, and it sucked.
If she hadn’t seen the ice dragon up close and personal, she would’ve thought Luke was lying. After all, most people didn’t think dragons existed. Even after her mother’s death, she had doubts. A little girl was more likely to see imaginary beasts.
But there was no doubt about it now. She’d seen the beast, and it was real.
No question about it, dragons were real. One lived in Alaska that tortured and murdered people. She clasped the snowmobile’s handlebars tightly. The snowmobile hummed over the landscape, the only sound she could hear. She revved the engine. In the distance, the headlight illuminated deer fleeing from the oncoming sound.
Even though she believed in dragons, she couldn’t believe him.
Luke Snow was a dragon. She hadn’t seen that one coming—not in a million years. She wasn’t sure what she was more upset about—the fact he was a dragon or the fact he hadn’t told her earlier.
He’d kissed her. Hell, he’d made love to her, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the one thing that might change their relationship forever.
Then again, if he had told her, would it change her reaction or the way she felt? Would it have kept her from falling in love with him? Dammit, she was falling in love with him.
Damn you, Luke!
She pushed the snowmobile to go faster, and it sputtered and complained.
Damn him fo
r being so nice and hot and everything else she wanted in a man to share her life with. Not that she had been looking, but still. If she was, he’d be perfect. Dammit! Before Luke Snow had waltzed into her life, she’d been content to fly around Alaska in her plane, taking care of her people and doing the job her father had started so many years ago. Medicine was her calling, and she’d planned to do her job well.
She maneuvered the snowmobile around a large tree in her path, almost tipping the snowmobile because she was going too fast. She slowed down and took a deep breath of icy air. She was so upset with Luke, she couldn’t think straight. Why had she let him get so close to her?
The perfect man for her had walked right into her life—and he was a fucking dragon! How could she ever be okay with that?
The tears blurred her vision so much she couldn’t see where she was going, so she slowed then stopped the snowmobile at the edge of the forest. The moon was up now, a thin sliver of crescent peeking over the horizon like a hook. She buried her face in her gloved hands and cried.
It wasn’t fair.
Freezing wind whipped around her, nipping at the exposed skin of her face and tossing her hair in all directions. She ignored it. It was almost like she had gone numb to everything. Too much had happened in the last couple days. She was emotionally drained.
She lifted her head and scanned the forest around her. Okay, think Mac. Dragons existed. She had known since she was a child and first saw the beast but hadn’t really thought about other dragons alive out in the world. She’d focused on the ice dragon she’d seen. A beast. But that’s all he was—the beast—a monster straight out of her nightmares.
She knew to fear the dragon, as the stories told—that folklore that walked the line between fantasy and reality, scaring children and making them be good and do what they were told so the monsters didn’t get them. Then the beast took her mom. She truly hadn’t thought that others might exist.
