by Amber Kallyn
* * *
They reached the stadium a few hours before the show. Bree left Ty, heading to work, not wanting the distraction of his sexuality, or his concerned hovering.
Both disconcerted her in ways she wasn’t used to. In ways she wasn’t sure she could deal with.
Because tonight was the last show. Tomorrow, the band, including herself, would be packing up. The next day, they’d be gone.
Washington was the next step.
She wouldn’t see Ty again.
As she performed the routine tasks of setting up the pyrotechnics, wires and fuses and control boxes, her mind drifted. Tonight, she’d stay with Ty at his house.
She’d make it special, one last memory to comfort her during the dark, lonely nights ahead that she feared would be the loneliest she’d ever felt in her life.
Beside her, someone cleared their throat.
Bree jumped, looking up to see Calla standing nearby, a concerned expression on her face.
“Hello,” Bree said, a bit huskily.
“You know, it’s wiser to give in to destiny rather than fight it.”
Bree shook her head. “Destiny doesn’t control me.”
Calla smiled wryly. “I’ve said those same words before.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know about the men we have stationed around tonight.”
Calla went over the plans for ensuring Bree’s safety, her voice soft with worry. The woman was a toucher, holding Bree’s hand, patting her shoulder. As she left, Calla even hugged Bree, as if she were family.
Bemused, Bree watched the woman waddle away, wondering what it was like to grow up in such a big family, with people who cared always around.
Shaking her head, she got back to business, finishing up the techs and heading backstage to check on Kari and the others.
As she reached the hall, two burly men grunted at her passing. Inside the corridor, more muscle bound men were stationed at ten foot intervals.
Bree knocked on Rick’s door.
The drummer opened it a crack and peeked out. When he saw it was her, he yanked her into the room and sat her on the couch. All the band members, except Donovan, were in the room.
“What’s going on?” Kari asked, scooting closer. “No one’s telling us anything, other than we’re in danger from some psycho. Last night, you disappeared and no one knew if you were even safe.” The blonde burst into tears.
Bree drew the girl into her arms, patting her shoulder awkwardly and beseeched Rick for help.
The drummer pulled Kari into his own embrace, staring at Bree stubbornly.
With a sigh, Bree told them what she could. After everyone but Rick and Kari filed out to get ready for the show, Bree told them the rest.
“You mean it’s a magic man after you?” Kari asked, wringing her hands tight in front of her.
“I guess.”
“Why?” Rick asked, then blushed. “Not that you’re not quite a catch or anything.”
Smiling at his weird humor, Bree said, “He imprisons people and holds them to steal magic. He’s a powerful man, but it sounds like most of his power comes from others.”
“Evil.” Kari sniffled.
“It’s all right, kitty cat,” Rick said, holding her hand. “We’ll keep Bree safe.”
* * *
Ty sat in the front row, Calla, Scott and Fred next to him. He was tense, not the best thing to be. Bree had shown up for a split-second, fumbled some half-baked explanation of staying by the control center, then ran away.
He could see her from his seat. Barely. And all he wanted to do was rush over and hover by her side. But every time he moved to head her way, Calla grabbed his arm and held him down.
“If you don’t give her time, she’s going to run away,” she kept saying.
While he trusted his sister, it was hard to listen to such advice.
Watching Bree flitter around all evening, Ty realized something. He didn’t want the woman to leave.
Plans laid never went right, not for him. He’d made them anyway.
Tonight, he’d take her to his house. He’d love her so thoroughly, the woman wouldn’t be able to move.
Then, they’d talk.
Even if he had to tie her up.
He was going to come out and tell her how he felt. It didn’t matter he’d never been able to make a relationship work. With this woman, he wanted to try. If that meant following her all around the doggone country with the band up on stage screeching like lunatics, so be it.
He wasn’t going to let this strange, fragile thing between them go.
He refused to let her go.
Now he just had to convince the beautiful, stubborn woman of such a thing.
“How can y’all stand such caterwauling?” Fred asked.
Calla laughed. “I just don’t listen. The band’s actually pretty good. If they had a singer who could sing, they’d probably be big.”
“I can’t take it no more. Scott, you take me home?” Fred pleaded.
The fireman looked like he wanted to say no. Instead, he glared at Ty. “Keep an eye on her,” he nodded to Calla.
Repressing his grin, Ty replied, “I’ve told you. She’s been my sister longer than your wife. She’s still in one piece, ain’t she?”
With a snort, Scott led Fred toward the backstage exit.
Calla leaned against Ty, holding his hand. “That old man is hilarious. Guess teenagers’ music just isn’t to his taste.”
“Mine either,” Ty said grumpily, wishing he could grab Bree and leave too.
Calla smacked his shoulder. “Quit tensing up. You keep making my pillow wiggle.”
“Then maybe you should have brought a real one, rather than depending on my arm.” He drew her closer and tried to stay still as the band moved into yet another number that made his head pound with all the screaming Donavan was doing.
* * *
Bree watched the stage, the crowd and everywhere else she could see for any sign of attack. Nothing had happened all night.
It was deceptive, she was certain.
From everything the Dragos’ had said about this master, he wouldn’t just give up.
Unless he planned to follow them to Washington.
The thought made her breath stop.
What would she do if that happened? If this dark mage decided it was too risky here, he could just follow them.
In Washington, she wouldn’t have the protection of Ty Dragos.
Bree slammed the console, switching the finale works on.
Damn it all.
Why was she even pondering such things? What was it this man managed to do to her in three short days? Tying her up in knots of confusing emotions.
The band began their final number.
Bree watched the control panel. Everything was moving as it should.
As the band reached the first chorus, flames shot up from the two far ends of the stage. The crowd, like usual, went wild, screaming for more.
Bree gave it to them.
Fire exploded high above the stage, turning into glittering sparkles as it drifted through the air to dust the stage.
The band hit the final note, drawing the sound out. Bree kept time, waiting, waiting. Donavan stopped singing and the last explosion rocketed the stage on cue.
The individual platforms everyone stood on began to rise as flames licked along the bases—contained properly.
High above the stadium, fire spread across the sky.
Not a part of the show.
Bree took a deep breath as her gaze was caught by the orange sky.
It was time—and this fight she would not lose.
* * *
Ty stared at the flames licking over the sky. Dark shapes emerged. Calla’s grip tightened on his arm.
“He’s here,” she said.
“Get Bree,” Ty shouted as the dark shapes resolved into dragons. Three. All black.
“You can’t fight them all alone,” she protested.
“Get Bree.
”
Ty jumped from his seat and raced outside. As soon as he cleared the building, he shifted. He jumped into the air, pushing his bulk to intercept the dragons descending on the concert.
The crowd was cheering wildly, as if this was all part of the show. Stupid humans.
He flew through the air, aiming for the largest dragon. Bowing his head, he slammed into the Other’s side, his horns slicing through scales and skin.
The dragon bellowed.
Ty twisted to rake his claws along its wings.
Hurt, the creature screamed, blowing a dark black fire as he spun out of control toward the ground.
Pain raked along Ty’s back. The other two were on him. A trumpet call reached him. Below, frantically flapping her wings, Calla rose to join the fight.
Ty bellowed at her for ignoring his orders. She snorted and blew fire at the creatures above him.
The Others both screamed in pain, their claws and teeth leaving his back. Sinuously flipping in the air, Ty raced after the dragons, Calla by his side. Together, they chased the unnatural creatures, sending clean, orange flames after them. Then, as one, Calla and Ty spun back to the stadium.
Ty landed outside, shifting back to human.
He stared at his sister. “I told you to keep Bree safe.”
“Scott has her. He saw the disturbance and came back inside.”
Rushing down the hall, Ty burst into the chaotic stadium. Band members were being rushed backstage, while other hunters pushed the spectators out the door.
And he couldn’t find Bree or Scott.
“Where are they?” Ty shouted. He took a step toward the stage, only to freeze as pain swamped his body.
He couldn’t move as agony and terror washed through him. It tasted like Bree.
“Help me,” she whispered from somewhere distant, as if only in his head.
“Bree!” he shouted as the world spun, becoming dark.
Chapter Fifteen
Ty woke with a band sounding similar to Grave Diggers pounding in his head. He jerked upright, groaning and clutching his head as the aching intensified.
“Idiot,” his sister Calla said from somewhere nearby in the dark room.
“How long was I out?” he asked.
“Long enough to worry me. You’ve never fainted before. Wanna tell me what happened?”
“Dunno. I heard Bree—felt her pain. How is that possible?”
“You’re connected. Duh.”
Ty glared at the wry expression on Calla’s face. “I figured that much. I meant, how did this happen? You’re not connected like this with Scott, are you?”
Her expression grew dreamy as she rubbed the large mound of her stomach. “Sometimes.”
“So it’s the dragon burn? I’m not even sure how that happened. I still haven’t gotten Bree out into the moonlight.”
“Really?” Calla sat up. “Interesting.”
Easing to his feet, Ty took in the room. Still at the stadium. In Bree’s workroom.
Pain clutched at his chest, making it difficult to breathe. She’d been taken. By the master. To be tortured and used, her magic stolen for his evil purposes.
Well, Ty wasn’t about to sit back and wave goodbye. He’d find his woman and bring her back to safety. The question was how.
Calla, as if reading his mind, patted his arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll find her.”
“Yeah? You got any plans in that direction?”
His sister nibbled her lower lip.
“That’s what I thought. This is a big city…” The overwhelming task ahead was daunting. Unclimbable. Doggone it, he’d plow down the mountain, make it a hill.
The door opened, filling the room with light, and Scott strode in. Fury rose in Ty. Thought stopped.
He didn’t consider his actions as he rushed his brother-in-law, grabbed the man’s throat and pinned him to the wall.
“You were supposed to be protecting Bree,” Ty growled.
Scott, suspended a good foot above the ground, just crooked an eyebrow at Ty, then glanced at Calla. “And protect her I did.”
“Then how’d she get captured?” Ty wanted to squeeze this man’s neck to dust. All the anger and fright boiling inside him demanded he take payment for Bree’s capture out of this man’s hide.
Calla whacked him upside the head, but Ty refused to let go.
“If you don’t let my husband down this instant, I’m going to bite you,” she yelled.
Ty’s fingers twitched, involuntarily gripping tighter. It was only then he realized the magic man he held, an air elemental, had been quick. Ty wasn’t touching the man’s throat, but a solid, impenetrable, invisible ring of air.
Scott smiled. “It’s all right, love. Your brother isn’t hurting me.”
Ty’s anger grew to a vibrant red. Without letting go of Scott, he drew back his other arm and let his fist fly.
“Ha! Didn’t see that coming, did you?” Ty crowed as blood flowed from Scott’s nose.
Tight claws scratched at his arm as Calla dragged him away from Scott.
“I should bite both of you,” she mumbled, pushing Ty back down onto the row of boxes he’d woken up on. “Now, you touch my husband again and I’ll do you some damage.”
Scott headed over, a handkerchief clutched at his nose and sat by Ty. “Darling, you do know by now that I can take care of myself, right?”
“That’s not the point,” she grouched.
“Your brother has every right to his anger. I said I’d protect the girl. I failed.”
Calla snorted.
Anger growing once more, Ty gripped his clenched fists close to his thighs. “Tell me.”
“There were many. At first, just a few, but as if from thin air, more appeared and began attacking the band. Bree refused to stay back. I couldn’t either. Both of us raced for the band to help them out. I was overwhelmed and by the time I fought free, both Bree and one of the young singers, Kari, were gone. No one saw them go. Right after their disappearance, the master’s minions all faded away.”
Ty clenched his fists so hard his nails sliced through skin. He stared at the welling blood, relishing the pain.
“And everyone else?” Ty asked.
“They’re safe,” Calla whispered.
Ty shuffled from the room, his steps growing stronger. His power slowly coming back. He headed down the hall to the back door, Calla dogging his steps.
“You can’t do this alone. The master is too powerful.”
Ty didn’t say a word as he slammed through the door and into the chilly, quiet night.
“Ty!” she shouted.
He raced into the darkness, letting magic flow around and through him. As he ran, he shifted, from a small human form to his immense, white scaled, silver horned dragon. He bellowed into the night, shouting at the stars.
Bree. He had to find her.
If he’d felt her before, he could do it again.
Flying high above the sprawling city, lights twinkling over the land, Ty didn’t search with his eyes.
He tried to feel with his very soul.
* * *
Bree moaned as the throbbing in her head woke her. She tried opening her eyes, but something sticky held the right one closed. With only one eye working, she glanced around the room. She lay on an old, brown couch, her hands cuffed in front of her.
The silver was interlaid with small black stones.
Bree called to her inner fire. As she’d feared, nothing happened. She’d been shackled with magical nulls.
She lay in a warehouse of some sort, boxes and crates piled high. To her left was a narrow door. She slid off the lumpy couch and stumbled to the door, finding a bathroom.
Bree flinched at her reflection in the mirror. Dried blood caked down her temple and cheek. Her right eye was puffy, purples and blues, overlaid in red.
Turning on the sink, she waited for the water to warm, then washed her face with her hampered hands. Soon, she was clean, and able to open both eyes.
There were no paper towels, and she wasn’t about to touch the scroungy hand towel, so she dripped her way back into the warehouse.
The crates opened into two different isles. Both led into a maze. Heavy footsteps and the rattling of chains came her way. Without her fire, and barely able to use her hands, she wasn’t in much position to defend herself.
It didn’t mean she wouldn’t try.
Crouching near the back of the area, Bree watched the isles, waiting.
A shadow moved into the room, not from the openings but as if materializing from the center of the crates themselves. A black robed, hooded figure walked straight toward her, as if he knew exactly where she hid.
The oily, oppressing bite in the air she’d felt when she faced this man on stage during the fire came back.
Goosebumps cropped up along her arms and tremors slid icily down her spine.
“How are you m’dear?” His voice was dark, rough.
Bree shivered.
The hooded figure raised his hand, showing a silver chain. He yanked on it, and a lioness slunk from behind him to cower at his side.
“Brianna, dear. Look, I’ve brought a friend.”
Terror filled the lioness’s golden eyes. With dawning horror, Bree realized the cat on the end of the chain was Kari.
In a blink, a whip appeared in the mage’s other hand. He slapped the cougar’s haunches with it. Kari yowled in pain.
Bree jumped from her hiding place and rushed at the master. Only a few feet away, the air became a prison she couldn’t push through. And nearly too thick to breathe.
“Figured that would get you out of your useless little rabbit hole. Now, my dear, take a seat.”
Bree lifted her chin, ready to refuse, until the mage raised the whip toward Kari. She scrambled backwards and sat on the couch, glaring at the man.
“Now,” he said. “You and I are going to have a little talk. The kitty will be my incentive for you to speak true. I’m certain you don’t wish to make me hurt her, do you?”
Bree bit her tongue, welcoming the pain. She had to keep her head clear. She had to figure out a way to get both herself, and Kari, free of this monster.
“Do you?” He slashed the whip along the cougar’s side.
Kari mewled a pitiful meow, one of pain and fear.
