“Stop wasting my time. I’ve got stuff to do,” Mercury said with a groan, shoving Cadmium out the door .
“Go,” Zinc said, and Cadmium leapt for the stairs, headed for the garage .
Casey was out there somewhere in this frozen wilderness. And even if he only had the tracks of her friend’s car, her scent, and hope burning in his heart like hot embers, he’d find his mate .
His heart would tell him where to go .
Chapter 15
A s they pulled away down the snowy roads that led from the mansion, Casey could already feel something wasn’t right .
Maybe she should have taken more time to think. She should have recognized she was reliving trauma after Benny’s texts and given herself time to think .
She’d been so caught off guard that she’d felt running was her only option, but she realized now she’d taken the coward’s way out .
Cadmium hadn’t even denied that scheme with the packages. And he’d admitted he was glad when she was stuck at his house .
He’d said he cared about her, that dragons were different… and she hadn’t given him a chance to explain .
But if he really was the good, patient man she’d spent the weekend with, then he would understand after she sorted out her brain and came back to talk to him .
Maybe she wouldn’t change her route after all .
Obviously, Cadmium had pulled some stupid, stalkerish bullshit, but he’d never actually been a creep. He hadn’t sabotaged her van; she’d believed him when he’d said that. But she still didn’t understand why he’d been so eager to get to know her, not when all they’d had for interactions was him coming to the door to sign packages .
She leaned back in the seat and lost track of time as the white landscape flew by. Were they all really dragons? There wasn’t anyone she could really tell, because who would believe it? Besides, it was clearly a closely held secret, and despite her own hurt, she didn’t want to hurt her new friends .
Even Cadmium, though she was still mad at him. If he’d just been honest with her sooner about the dragon thing or the packages thing …
Well, she had to admit she probably would have run screaming. And then she wouldn’t have had all those hot, confusing, romantic moments. Playing in the snow, laughing as they decorated the tree… him catching her in his arms when she fell .
Who would catch her now ?
If she wanted to be on her own, she would have to be independent. She would stay with Jan just long enough to find a new place to rent, and then she would try to start over .
But somehow, while she should be relieved that she was getting some space from Cadmium, her heart was aching more and more as the minutes ticked by. She let out a painful sigh .
“What’s wrong?” Jan asked, looking over at her in concern. “You’ve been really quiet, and I haven’t wanted to bother you, but I can tell something is making you sad .”
“It’s nothing,” Casey said .
“I’m sorry I didn’t just leave to get you sooner. My brother was in town, and my parents were being really weird about everyone staying the whole time. But you’re my best friend, and if you really need me, I’ll always be there .”
Casey nodded. “I know. You’re the only one I can count on .”
“I just want what’s best for you,” Jan said. “For you to be happy .”
“I will be, at some point,” Casey said. “It just takes time .”
“I get it,” Jan said. “And sometimes that happiness can come in really unexpected places .”
Casey thought back to the mansion, the friendly faces there, the walls that already felt like home, and sighed. “ That’s true .”
“I’m glad you think so,” Jan said. “Because sometimes the right person is worth a second chance .”
Casey sat up a bit. How was Jan so perceptive about what had happened to her over the weekend? “What do you mean ?”
“Sometimes there’s a guy who really hurts you, but he only did it because he cared too much,” Jan said, keeping her eyes on the road .
A frisson of nerves ran through Casey, and she focused on the trees rushing by the window. She supposed that could apply to Cadmium. Jan had seen him running down the stairs and could probably guess what had happened .
“Anyway, you have to forgive sometimes in order to be truly happy .”
That was true, Casey thought as they turned onto the drive that led up to Jan’s cabin. Like Casey, Jan lived up a remote lane on a larger lot and enjoyed her space. It would be a nice place to recover from the shocks Casey had .
Even if part of her just wanted to run back to Cadmium .
Maybe Jan was right. Maybe sometimes someone hurt you because they cared. Rather, Cadmium had never done anything to hurt her, not like Benny had. He’d always treated her like gold, been good to her in bed, and made it clear he didn’t see anyone but her .
Which wasn’t really hard since there were no other single women in the mansion .
But there was also just something in his eyes that was so good, so honest, even as she knew there were things he’d had to hide .
After all, how did one go about telling someone they were a dragon ?
He’d been so devastated by her leaving, and if he truly was a monster like Benny, he could have stopped her, right? He could have grabbed her and brought her physically back into the house and forced her to hear him out .
Instead, he’d only followed her out, looking lost. He’d allowed himself to be hurt by respecting her needs .
That alone should probably necessitate giving him a second chance. Then there was his laugh, the way he made other people feel special, the way he’d given her a place when she’d been stuck on a mountain, the way he cared for his friends …
“Jan, I need to go back. I’m sorry .”
Jan shook her head. “No, you were really upset when you called me. I’m going to wait until you calm down. Besides, is it the guy from the stairs ?”
Casey nodded .
“He’s not right for you. He’s totally a player. It was obvious.” They pulled around a corner, and Jan’s house came into view, surrounded by snow except for the plowed driveway. “Okay, Casey. Don’t freak out .”
“What?” Casey craned her neck, trying to see ahead of them. Was there someone standing out in front of Jan’s house? Someone with a car? Her heart started stomping in her chest. “Wait, Jan , no — ”
“He called me,” Jan said apologetically. “He told me everything. He really loves you, Casey. It’s so romantic. And it’s perfect timing because he was worried about you and wanted to see you, and you just got hurt and need to feel safe — ”
“Safe is the last thing I am with that monster,” Casey said sharply. “Turn the car around !”
“No,” Jan said. “You can’t keep running, Casey. Look, he came all the way here for you. He called me all week. At first, I didn’t listen, but when it became clear how worried he was for you and when he told me how he just didn’t feel good enough for you, so he made a mistake — ”
“He didn’t make a mistake. He cheated ,” Casey said. “And he has stalked me ever since. I thought you would be the last person to listen to his bullshit — ”
Jan put up a hand as she pulled into the driveway. Casey had the crazed impulse to grab the wheel and try to take control, but she knew it was pointless .
Short of throwing her friend out of the car, there was no way to gain control. Cold betrayal flooded her as she saw Benny begin to walk toward the car .
He still wore his dark hair closely shaved to his head, and his tanned skin was slightly wind burned, as if he’d been standing in the cold. He had on a navy-blue coat the same color as his eyes, and as he strode forward, hands in his pockets, a gleam of glee lit his eyes .
Casey tried to lock the door, but the lock popped up. Jan was in control .
“Look, just talk to him,” Jan said. “Here, I’ll help .”
“No, Jan, don’t,” Casey said. She di
dn’t want to know what Benny was capable of if he could really stalk her all the way here to show up in person, but she had a really bad feeling about it. He’d gotten angrier and angrier while trying to find her; she was certain. And while he’d never hit her, sometimes she’d been sure he was about to .
But Jan ignored her and got out of the car, walking around it to meet Benny. He smiled and then, as she nearly reached him, viciously backhanded her across the face, knocking her back so she went flying into the snow .
She didn’t move, and Casey launched out of the car, slamming her door into Benny, which gave her an opening to run over to Jan and shake her .
Jan groaned but otherwise didn’t stir, but at least Casey knew her friend was alive. “How could you? You could have killed her !”
“Don’t be dramatic,” Benny said. “I needed her out of the way so we could talk .”
She pulled out her phone, stepping back and trying to keep space between them. She could see the evil in his eyes and knew she should never have grouped Cadmium with this madman. On the other hand, she hadn’t thought Benny was a madman when she met him. She was such a fool .
But Cadmium had shown her more love in a weekend than anyone else had ever shown in her entire life. When he held her, she felt like everything was right. Like she was precious. So who cared how it had all begun ?
If only she hadn’t been triggered by Benny’s stupid text, maybe she wouldn’t have panicked and run and maybe none of this would have happened .
Benny lunged, knocking the phone out of her hand and into the snow, and caught both her wrists painfully in his hands. He leaned forward as if to kiss her, but she jerked back, and he grinned, keeping his hold on her, but not trying to kiss her again .
His breath made ominous puffs in the air around them. “So good to see you again. I forgot how fun you were to chase .”
“Let me go, Benny. I have someone,” she said, knowing it was true. That Cadmium was probably waiting for her if she could only get back to him .
“We were good together,” Benny said, yanking her against him as she struggled. “Come on. Come back with me. Then all of this trouble can stop .”
“You don’t want me back. You cheated on me,” she said, trying to bring her knee up into his groin, which he easily dodged .
“I didn’t know how badly I wanted you until you left.” He came closer, growling the words into her ear. “No one leaves me .”
“Let me go,” she said softly. “I’ll never go with you on my own .”
“I guessed as much,” he said. “Luckily, I know better than you do. You need someone like me, Casey. Someone to control you. Take care of you. By force if necessary .”
“No, I don’t,” she said but gasped as she felt something cold and hard press into her ribs. Shit. A gun. “Benny, listen to me.” Her voice was shaky. “You don’t need to do this. You could have anyone else.” In prison .
He let out a hiss. “You’re the only bitch to think she could get something over on me. You aren’t leaving. Not until I make you my bitch. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll never be able to walk out on me again. On anyone .”
She had no choice but to walk with him as he pushed her in front of him and put an arm around her waist, trapping her against him as his other hand pressed the gun to her side .
She’d never been more afraid in her life. What if she never got to see Cadmium and hear his explanation for the packages? What if she never got to say she loved him, that she wanted to understand him better? What if she never got to look into his beautiful brown eyes again ?
Things just kept going from bad to worse .
When they were almost to the car, Benny opened the door and threw her in. Then he locked it, and no matter how she struggled, the door wouldn’t open .
Child locks . Made sense since Benny was apparently determined to treat her like a child. He shoved the gun in his pocket and kept his hand there as he began to walk around to get in the driver’s side .
Damn, she’d known Benny was crazy, but she’d never thought he would go this far .
The windows were slightly cracked so air could flow, but they weren’t wide enough for her hands to get through to do anything useful. She slumped back in the seat, going through her options .
When she heard the screech of tires taking a turn too quickly, she sat up abruptly. What was that ?
Chapter 16
C asey gaped as a blue sports car, completely ill-equipped for the weather, came screaming down the road toward Jan’s house. It swerved to one side, hit the snow, and bumped into the air, landing in a small divot, then reversed and pulled onto the road, engine roaring as it accelerated straight toward Jan’s driveway, swerving slightly .
Casey couldn’t even bring herself to blink as the sports car headed, way too quickly, right for Jan’s car, brakes screeching as it went .
Using the slope of the drive was smart, and the car slowed slightly as it bumped up and then slammed into Jan’s car and came to a crashing halt .
Suddenly, Casey could breathe again, and she struggled with the door handle again so she could go check on the driver .
When a tall man with rugged blond hair stepped out of the car, wearing only a tee shirt, her jaw dropped .
It was Cadmium. He’d come for her. And he was right. He couldn’t drive .
Benny stepped in front of the window she was looking out of and spoke under his breath to her. “I have a gun. Try anything and your friend will regret it .”
Her heart dropped. She’d forgotten about the gun in the excitement. Maybe Cadmium could get them out of this, but how was she going to tip him off without giving Benny a chance to just shoot him ?
She saw Cadmium’s eyes lock on her in the car, and he began striding right toward them, fury lighting up his brown eyes .
“Stop,” Benny said. “Casey is coming home with me. She knows it’s the right place .”
“Sorry, but who are you?” Cadmium asked, clenching his hands into fists .
“Her boyfriend,” Benny said. “We made up. I apologized to her, and she is coming home with me. I promise I love her, and I’m going to treat her well .”
“No, you’re going to shut your lying fucking trap and let my mate out of your car immediately,” Cadmium snapped, his glare going feral .
Casey let out a relieved breath at the fact that Benny’s charm wasn’t going to work at all on Cadmium. Finally, someone was truly on her side .
“I’m afraid not,” Benny said. “In fact, if you don’t leave, I’m going to call the police and have you arrested for hitting Jan’s car. That wouldn’t be good for you, would it ?”
“I don’t care,” Cadmium said, rolling his head and cracking his neck audibly. “I really don’t care what you do anymore. But you should really stop standing between me and my mate if you don’t want to be obliterated.” His eyes moved to Casey, and he nodded as if to reassure her that he was really here and would take care of things .
Her heart warmed. No matter what had happened between them, he hadn’t given up on her. Perhaps they were both difficult in their own ways. They both had their own baggage. He was a dragon, and she had a past that left her damaged .
But somehow, as long as they got out of this, she felt they could work it out .
Benny pulled out his gun and pointed it right at Cadmium. “I thought you could listen to reason, but since you didn’t, I’m afraid I have no choice .”
“You can’t kill me,” Cadmium said, raising his head cockily .
“I can do whatever I want,” Benny said, and then Casey screamed as she saw Benny pull back on the trigger .
A gunshot rent the air, and her heart stopped as she saw a hole in Cadmium’s shirt as he staggered a step back. He looked down at the hole, and his hair began to lift around his shoulders. When he looked up again, his eyes were glowing gold and silver in waves .
“No, really,” he said ominously. “You can’t kill me.” He reached into the hole and pulled
out a flattened piece of metal, which he held up to his face for a second. Then he chucked it aside .
Something seemed to be happening to him. Something that made the snow rise around him, swirling slightly. Something that made his hair lift gently. His eyes were still glowing, and before Benny could turn and make a run for it, Cadmium was somehow between him and the car, planting a foot into Benny’s chest and sending him flying backward .
Benny hit the driveway and rolled a couple times until he hit Jan’s wrecked car .
Cadmium reached behind him to open the car door so Casey could get out. “Get to the other side of the house,” he growled .
She ran for it, darting over the snow to the grass where Jan had fallen. She made sure she still had a view of Benny and Cadmium because she had to know that her man was fine .
Her man .
Then she saw odd shapes of metal bursting out of his skin, tearing the shoulders of his shirt, covering his forearms and hands. Almost as if he were sprouting spikes and… scales .
Her… dragon ?
He looked terrifying as he walked forward, half man and half metal at this point, and Benny held up the gun in shaking hands. At the last minute, he tried to point it at Casey, but before Casey could even scream, something huge and silver unfolded from Cadmium, blocking her from Benny’s shot .
A gunshot rang out and then rebounded with a metallic clang, and she heard a scream from Benny .
The huge shapes folded back against Cadmium’s back, and she realized they were wings .
Her freaking dragon had saved her with his wings .
“Holy shit,” she muttered .
Benny looked down at his side, where he was bleeding because the bullet had ricocheted, then up at Cadmium, who was smiling and still partially covered in metal. “What the fuck are you ?”
“It doesn’t matter because you’re not going to remember,” Cadmium said, grabbing the gun from Benny and bending it in half with both hands. He seemed to enjoy Benny’s howl as he tossed the ruined weapon into the snow .
Cadmium Dragon (Dragon Guard of Drakkaris Book 2) Page 12
