Dragon Passion

by Amelia Jade

Madison looked at him.

  “That’s mostly not true!” he rephrased.

  She looked harder.

  “It’s only partially true!”

  Madison shrugged and nodded. “Fair enough. Sometimes you win at other things.”

  Connor finished locking the door behind them. “That’s right. Why, just last night, I picked what we had for dinner.”

  Nadia turned her laugh into a cough quicker than Jared would have thought possible.

  “Speaking of food,” he said. “Do you have anything good here? My place was stocked with a bunch of crap. We got busted making a food run, and never really got to eat. We’re starving.”

  “Oh yeah,” Connor said. “We have lots. Best part about living here is there are a dozen different grocery-delivery companies that we can get to bring groceries. They only see Madison, who isn’t very well recognized. So we’re fully stocked.”

  He heard Nadia’s stomach rumble loudly at the same moment as his.

  “Make with the food then,” he all but growled.

  Madison laughed and got up from her seat, coming to give them both a hug.

  “You need to send out a note to the others. My location will eventually be compromised.”

  She nodded and moved to a desk nearby that had a very similar laptop in a silver case sitting on it, and began typing.

  Dishes rattled from behind him as Connor began to prepare a meal. Jared didn’t even care what it was. At that point, anything would be better than the near-vomit-inducing globs of food they’d had in the past few days.

  “Which place did you go to anyway?” Connor asked as he worked.

  “The old basement hideaway,” he said.

  Connor wrinkled his nose. “I always hated that place.”

  “Well, now our feelings are mutual.”

  The four of them continued to chat as a meal of fresh chicken, potatoes, and some green vegetable-ish looking things came together. Jared wasn’t sure about the last one, but a side comment to Nadia earned him a look that said he should probably eat them.

  At one point, he caught Madison looking at him. He arched an eyebrow questioningly, and she shifted her glance to the side where Nadia was sitting, then back.

  Translation: Are you sweet on her?

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  I don’t know what to think.

  A further questioning look.

  Can we trust her?

  His lips formed a line, then he tilted his head.

  I’m not sure, but I hope so.

  Madison nodded. Whether she understood the conversation the way he had interpreted it was unknown, but she seemed satisfied for the moment.

  Jared had asked himself the same question. Could Nadia be trusted? Her story was a little flimsy, and she hadn’t seen fit to expand on it just yet. But she hadn’t given him away when he’d gone to get Justin. If she was a spy from the Agency, they could have easily swept him up, and no one would have been the wiser. Now Justin was free, and he and Madison could begin to plot out the next steps.

  “Dinner is served,” Connor said, passing plates to them.

  Jared wisely did not mention that it was barely three in the afternoon, a little early for dinner. He grabbed the two plates and set them down on the table while Madison grabbed some cutlery for them. She and Connor sat on one side, while he and Nadia ate in silence on the other.

  He caught Connor giving a similar, questioning look about Nadia, but he ignored it for the time being.

  “That was delicious,” Nadia said from his side, having already downed her entire plate.

  He eyed her speculatively, shoving the last few bites into his mouth. How had she managed to make that all disappear so quickly? Had she upended her plate and just swallowed it all whole like a duck? He made an agreeable noise and sat back himself.

  “Thanks,” he said, meaning it wholeheartedly.

  As he removed the napkin from his lap—an old habit of his—he felt something brush his hand. It was only when a shock ran through his body did he realize it was Nadia’s leg. The look on her face was one of surprise, nervousness, and even a bit of what he thought was desire.

  When his fingers didn’t immediately pull away, she reached down and placed her hand over the top of his, ensuring it would stay. Jared didn’t fight it, not sure that he could have at that moment either.

  Across from them, Connor and Madison rose, taking the empty plates to the kitchen, where Connor tossed them in a half-sized dishwasher.

  Jared looked over at Nadia again, finding her staring back at him, green eyes unguarded, waiting for him to decide.

  Was he going to kiss her?

  Was he not?

  His bear voiced its opinion, and in the background he saw Connor and Madison engaged in conversation with their backs turned, seemingly oblivious to the goings-on.

  Oh hell.

  Jared leaned in, his head tilting to the side as he kissed her full on the lips before he could change his mind or come up with a list of reasons not to do it. Her reaction was swift and immediate as she leaned into him, her mouth opening slightly as their tongues caressed each other before closing again. His free hand touched her jaw and he dragged his fingers across it, down her neck, and around to the back of her head, where he pulled her tightly to him.

  Her hands swept around and up his back, fingertips digging into his muscles as they kissed furiously. His blood began to boil, pounding against his head with fierce intensity. The animal within him howled in ecstasy.

  Behind him someone coughed. It was neither polite, nor soft.

  Nadia pulled away abruptly, looking thoroughly embarrassed as she adjusted her shirt and sat back into the couch.

  Jared turned his head slowly to look behind him, where Connor was standing in the kitchen, doing his best not to grin. He yanked his head to the side, indicating the door out onto the balcony. He wanted to talk.

  “I’ll be back,” he said to Nadia, brushing his fingers against her knee before he got up and followed his friend outside, closing the door behind him.

  “Yes?” he asked, turning to face Connor, not waiting for his friend to speak first. “Could this not have waited?”

  Connor shrugged. “Probably. But if you’ll recall, my courtship had moments as well where I couldn’t exactly have what I wanted.”

  He couldn’t fault him on that one. “I suppose.”

  “Besides, we were done talking and didn’t have anything more to say, and so basically we were just watching you two make out. I figured you’d rather be interrupted than put on a show.”

  Jared couldn’t help but smile at that one. “Okay, okay. I get the point. But why am I out here now?”

  “To talk,” Connor said with a shrug.

  “About?”

  “Whatever we want while Madison talks to her, and forms her opinion of her.” His tone became serious. “To see if she deems Nadia trustworthy.”

  Chapter Ten

  Nadia

  She watched Jared as he moved outside, closing the door behind him so that they could converse in private. Her cheeks still burned from the shock of realizing not only had she been kissing him, but that someone had been watching! That was so embarrassing. She was not an exhibitionist by nature. She wasn’t shy about being with someone, but she preferred to keep it private.

  The kiss in public earlier, while enjoyable, had not contained anywhere near the passion that she had felt—still felt—coursing through her veins right then. She hadn’t expected anyone to be a witness to this one, however, and her skin burned again as she realized they would have seen her hands digging into his back as well. His delicious, firmly muscled back…

  “So, you and I haven’t had much of a chance to talk,” Madison said, slipping into the spot most recently occupied by Jared, though she did keep a bit more of a distance between them.

  “Things have been a bit hectic,” she agreed.

  “I’m Madison, the nominal head of the Underground,” she said, sticking her h
and out.

  “Nadia, human refugee,” she joked, though it wasn’t entirely inaccurate. “So you’re the boss of all of… of them?” she asked, not sure which terminology to use.

  “Mostly,” Madison said. “I run—or ran, perhaps is the better term now with everything in disarray—the whole Underground. Field operations of any sort fell under Jared’s purview, as he has experience that I don’t. So for instance, he’s technically in command right now, though any big decisions will be approved by me first, if possible.”

  Nadia’s head was moving up and down as the other woman talked, but she had one burning question that just sort of slipped out. “And they’re okay with that?” she asked.

  “Okay with what?” Madison seemed confused.

  “With you. Being their boss.”

  “Of course. It wouldn’t work if they weren’t.”

  “Even though you’re a human, and female?” Nadia asked, smacking herself internally for the lack of filter.

  She had expected an outburst of some sort, something that would indicate Madison was angered at her question. But the other woman just smiled calmly.

  “Do you consider yourself to be below men?” she asked instead.

  “No,” Nadia answered immediately. “There are areas where men are proficient that I am not. And the reverse is also true. In those areas, perhaps, but I see that as due to skill or talent. Not sex. I do not see how me being a woman makes me naturally inferior to a man. I mean, yes, they are more naturally inclined to things such as muscle development, especially upper body strength, but that doesn’t make me less as a human being. I’m okay with us being different, but equal.”

  Madison’s smile became a full-fledged grin. “I think we might get along okay, you and I,” she said. “I believe the same. There are differences in our sex, but I would not instantly submit myself to a man, nor would I expect him to do the same. So in that essence, the rest of the Underground is in agreement. They don’t care that I’m a woman, as long as I get the job done.”

  Nadia felt a fierce rush of pride surge through her. She liked this woman. Madison was strong, confident. A natural leader, she could tell. Nadia knew she had her own strengths, but she didn’t find that they tended to run toward leading others in a command position. That wasn’t for everyone. Even commanders needed smart, able-bodied people around them to succeed.

  “As for being human,” Madison said, looking very contemplative. “Well…” she reached out and hooked a finger under the nearby wooden coffee table.

  “Oh,” Nadia said as she lifted it clear from the ground with ease, only her first knuckle underneath it. “I see.”

  “The Extremis serum can work wonders,” Madison said. “I’m assuming Jared told you that much at least?”

  “Yes. He even mentioned that he knew some people who had been injected with it. He neglected to mention you were one of them though.”

  “I’m sure he did. The others usually leave it up to me to judge someone, to decide if I can trust them with my secret.”

  “You decided to trust me?” she asked. “You just met me.”

  Madison gave her a knowing smile. “Yes, I did. But Jared’s known you for a little bit now, and he’s not one prone to judgment mistakes in all the time I’ve known him. I trust his instincts.”

  But his instincts are wrong. He has made a judgment mistake with me. I’m not trustworthy. Not after what I’ve done.

  “Is something wrong, Nadia?” Madison asked.

  “I’m flattered,” she said, trying to cover up the nervous flutter in her voice. How had Madison picked up on her thoughts? “I don’t know if I feel like I’m worthy of such a secret just yet, but I’ll do my best to prove that I am.”

  That much, at least, she meant with the full conviction of her heart.

  Madison’s eyes narrowed as she seemed to stare right through her.

  “Yes, yes I do believe you will. Just make sure you come to a decision on your worthiness sooner rather than later.”

  Translation: Own up for your sins now, before things get too serious with Jared. I understand. I will. I want to. But it’s going to be so hard…

  “I will try,” she said seriously. “This is all new to me. It’s changed the way I see the world a lot. Jared has told me what you’re fighting for, and who you’re fighting. I never realized things were so serious before.”

  Madison nodded. “Neither did I, until I got thrown into all of this. They came for my father, you know. Connor and the others, they saved him, and then me.” Her eyes unfocused briefly as she relieved the past.

  “Your father was a shifter?” Nadia asked.

  “Is a shifter,” Madison stressed. “Living safely in Genesis Valley now.”

  Nadia frowned. “That’s the second time I’ve heard of that place. I asked Jared about it before, but now that I think over that conversation, he deftly steered me away from answering it. What is Genesis Valley?”

  “It’s a shifter haven,” Madison answered. “A safe place for our kind to be, without fear of persecution by human or otherwise.”

  “Otherwise?”

  The leader of the Underground smiled humorlessly. “Not all shifters are as united as you might think. There are certain groups that think they are better than others. It is no different than the way humans treat each other.”

  Nadia looked ashamed. “It’s true. We really do.”

  “It’s not so long ago that I was human,” Madison told her with a wry smile. “So I know full well. It’s weird now, trying to find my place. I’m no longer human, but I’m so new to being a shifter that I don’t feel I fit in there either. It’s like I’m caught in no-man’s land.”

  “It sounds like you need to go to Genesis Valley yourself.”

  A dreamy looked crossed her face. “One day, after we’ve managed to defeat the Agency, I hope to do just that. To live out my life with Connor by my side—or me by his side, as he’d like you to believe.”

  The two women shared a giggle. Even as they did though, Nadia pictured herself and Jared, finding a place where they could just be. Where she wouldn’t need to be scared of who or what she was, or had done, and where he wouldn’t always have to be worried about his team. She wanted that, for herself, but also for him. He deserved it after all that he had been through.

  “How do we do that though?” she asked after a moment.

  “Do what?”

  “Defeat the Agency.”

  Madison looked contemplative. “Unfortunately, we’ll probably have to kill them all. If we can get their leader, it should hopefully fall apart after that.”

  “Jared said the same thing.” Her features narrowed. “When do we start?”

  “You’re going to help us?”

  She nodded. “However I can. I’m good with computers and data. Any need for that?”

  Madison looked thoughtful. “Possibly. Not at the moment though. For now, stay close to Jared, and help him out as need be.”

  “That’s the plan,” she said, trying to keep the smile off her face.

  “I bet,” Madison teased, standing up as the men came back inside.

  “Ready?” Jared asked, catching her completely off guard.

  “Ready for?” she trailed off. Was he really asking if she was ready to finish what they started earlier, in front of everyone?

  Connor snorted softly and moved to Madison’s side. She saw their fingers link automatically, without effort.

  I want that.

  “We have to go,” he told her.

  “Go where?”

  “Outskirts of town. Motel. We can’t stay here. The four of us here will draw too much attention. We need to split up until plans can be finalized for what to do next.”

  “Are there any plans?” she asked, getting up from the couch and walking with him to the door. The other couple followed along behind.

  “They’re being discussed,” he said with a look at the other two. “Nothing finalized just yet though.”

  S
he nodded. “Okay. I just feel like we’ve been on the run a lot, without much sign of the Agency, except when we fucked up and went out in public.”

  “True, but we don’t want to take chances. All it takes is one moment of carelessness and they’ll be all over us. We need to keep moving. Connor and Madison are going to do the same thing, heading out tomorrow, as are the rest of the Underground. Staying put is bad news.”

  They said their goodbyes and headed out into the city. Night had begun to fall.

  Without thinking, she took his hand as they walked. To her delight, he gripped it tight.

  ***

  “Well, I don’t think they’ll be looking for us in here,” she said dryly as they walked up the last set of steps from the path and onto the sidewalk.

  A car whizzed by closely, causing her to tug lightly at Jared, who draped an arm around her and pulled her tight.

  “What’s wrong with it?” he asked, though his voice told her he was joking.

  “It’s a little dilapidated.”

  “Don’t let the exterior fool you. The owner is a friend, and the rooms themselves, while basic, are actually kept quite clean. For instance, he actually washes all the sheets regularly.”

  “High-class,” she said, leaning her head on his shoulder as he escorted her across the road.

  “Oh hush.”

  She giggled.

  True to his word, Jared did know the man behind the counter, who quickly set them up with a room, accepting the cash the shifter slid across the counter without so much as a blink.

  “Second floor, how posh,” she said as Jared opened the door and gestured for her to go in ahead of him.

  “The penthouse suite was unavailable,” he replied without missing a beat. “Royalty in town or something.”

  The room was, as he had said, plain but clean-looking. A bed occupied the wall to their left. At its foot was a couch, and a TV on the right-hand wall. There was a kitchenette in the back right, and a washroom off to the back left, each in their own little rooms. Along the wall as she entered were two equal-sized dressers.

  “It’ll be perfect. And it actually smells nice in here,” she commented, taking a whiff of the air as she took off her hoodie, tossing it on a hook.