Energy-fuse flared, connecting him to her life force. Strong heartbeat. Fatigued and hurting but all right.
Time to get her the fuck out of Dodge.
“Forge!”
Dark-purple scales flashed overhead. “Here.”
“Catch.”
Forge swooped in and circled overhead. Mac gave the command. Water washed in around Tania, then surged, shooting her skyward like the cork from a bottle of champagne. The water rat cursed. Mac elbowed him in the face, heard teeth rattle as he spun. Pond scum flew in a wide arc as he treated the enemy to the sharp blade of his tail. Warm dragon blood splattered over his cold scales as, eyes on Tania, Mac watched his mentor pick her out of thin air.
“Got her, but...” Forge paused, as though checking something.
Mac dragged the water rat underwater, taking the fight to the bottom of the lake. Air bubbles swirled. Sandy debris at the bottom kicked up, screwing with his visibility. Grit washed over Mac’s scales. His tattoo shimmered, then glowed, illuminating the water around him. An instant later the murky conditions cleared, giving him an uninhibited view of the enemy...and the tribal ink on the bastard’s dragon skin. Similar to his own, but not quite the same, the marking glowed along the rogue’s back.
The water rat swam left.
Mac circled right, his gaze on the male’s tattoo as he assessed his strength. Jesus, the bastard was powerful. A hulking male with huge webbed paws and a jagged, sawtooth dorsal fin. But then, so was Mac. And the blade along his spine? Way more deadly. Proof of it crisscrossed the rogue’s forearms and claws, the myriad of slicing cuts telling the tale. The vicious SOB couldn’t grab him without suffering the consequences.
Which might include a severed limb if Mac timed it just right.
“Nice ink, asshole,” Mac said, taunting the enemy, searching for a weakness.
“It’s Hamersveld, whelp,” he growled, thick accent warping through water. Baring his fangs, the male hissed at him. Mac dodged as boiling water streamed past his shoulder. “And like sire, like son.”
Mac frowned. What the fuck was the male saying?
“Always knew I would produce strong sons. Your marking is proof enough of that, Nightfury. Only warrior males of my line wear it. My sire before me, and now...you.” Hamersveld’s dark eyes gleamed, piercing through the dark depths. His bladed tail swished, increasing his swimming speed. “Too bad there can only be one.”
Shock flared through Mac. His father? Was the bastard really claiming—?
Hamersveld surged, closing the distance between them. The bastard sideswiped him. Sharp claws gouged his shoulder. With a snarl, Mac countered, kicking out with his hind paw. Fury made him strong. Aggression made him ruthless. The kick connected and...crack! One of the male’s horns snapped off and sank, heading for the bottom. As Hamersveld howled, the violent crack rippled, sending sound out in concentric waves. Mac turned and, showing no mercy, whacked him with his tail, cutting through scales to slice muscle. Hamersveld retreated. Whipping around, he swam after the bastard. No way would he let him—
“Mac!”
The urgency in Forge’s voice turned Mac’s attention. “What?”
“Drag your arse out of there. Tania’s—”
“Motherfuck,” he snarled, watching Hamersveld disappear into the shadows.
Frustration lit him up. And yet, even as his dragon half raged, Mac let his prey escape into the murky depths and, muscles straining, rocketed toward the surface. He didn’t need Forge to tell him. He already knew what his mentor meant. Could feel Tania’s vital signs weakening as her heartbeat took a downturn and she gasped in pain.
His female needed him. So fuck the water rat.
There would be time and more to kill the newest member of the Razorback organization. Another time. Another place. Another battle. But for now, he must reach Tania...faster than fast. She needed an energy infuse to stabilize her life force—medicine, Dragonkind-style—and he was the only one who could give it to her.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Pain faded on a slow, peace-filled swirl. Tania sighed and settled deep, content to drift into relaxation as a soft current coaxed, pulling her along. Prickles of pleasure ghosted over her shoulders. A moment later the sensation curled inward, streamed down her spine, then circled beneath warm weight pressed to her lower back. It urged her to take. Drink deep and draw more, soothing sore muscles, the knot in her chest unraveling with every breath she took.
Hmm, so good. Strange, sure. Yet somehow lovely too.
Bliss rushed in her veins, keeping time with her heart. Someone murmured. The deep voice held her high, tethering her to the nourishing tide that washed through her. Tania purred. Oh yes...just what she needed. All that she wanted, a sweet burn that went on and on, easing the bruises, banishing the ache in her wrist, infusing her with awareness. And as she surfaced, buoyant with gentle need, her mind slipped from neutral into drive. Mental gears turned. With a hum, she nestled into the curve of a warm body. Strong arms tightened around her. A muscled thigh pressed between her own.
Her mouth curved.
Mac.
It had to be. No other man had ever made her feel so good. So completely comfortable in her own skin. So beautiful, loved, or accepted...just the way she was. No need to worry. Except...
That wasn’t quite right. She seemed to remember...
Struggling to clear the mental fog, Tania told her eyes to open. A no go. Her body refused to cooperate, sending all the wrong signals. With a grumble, she gave herself a mental kick. Her brain cranked over. She tried again. Her lids resisted, then rose. A fuzzy collection of, ah...trees, maybe?...met the attempt. She rubbed her eyes, trying to wipe away the visual haze. Her focus sharpened, becoming clearer by the second. The sticklike smudges morphed into trees. Leafless limbs waved at her as a huge, smooth-topped boulder floated by.
Tania frowned at it. No, that wasn’t right. The rock wasn’t floating, she was the one adrift. Warm water washed in, flowing in an unnatural circle around her. A whiskered cheek rubbed against hers. Clarity rushed to the forefront, flooding her with memory.
Dragons. The red one and others. Shrieking in battle. Fireballs flashing against the night sky. The horrific sound of claws ripping through scales. The hot splash of dragon blood on her skin. Mac deep in the lake with the shark dragon that wanted to kill her.
The recollection pounded through her. Tania flinched. Pain dinged her, shooting up her right arm.
“Shh, mo chroí. It’s all right.” One hand spread wide on the small of her back, Mac stroked over her hair with the other. The gentle caress grounded her in reality. Exhaling a shaky breath, she clung to him, wrapping her good arm around his bare shoulder. He nuzzled the side of her throat, then lifted his head. Shimmering aquamarine eyes met hers. “You’re safe.”
She swallowed, working moisture back into her mouth. “Where...?”
“The river outside Black Diamond,” he said, holding her close, supporting her weight in the water. “The waterfall’s around the next bend.”
Oh, well, that made sense. Trees. Rocks. The beaver dam walling up the small inlet she spotted over Mac’s shoulder as they drifted by. All of it pointed to the great outdoors. Add that to the fact she was chest-deep in water, buoyant in Mac’s arms while pinpoint stars played peekaboo with wispy, faraway clouds? Yup. Definitely. Outside said it all. One thing, though...
Another wave of warmth washed in, swirling over her skin. She met Mac’s gaze and raised a brow. “Any reason I’m naked?”
“Other than the fact I prefer you that way?”
She rolled her eyes.
He grinned. A moment later his expression smoothed into serious lines. “I’m sorry, honey, I should’ve taken you inside, but I couldn’t wait. I needed to check you...to make sure you were okay. I couldn’t do that with your clothes on.”
“I’m not complaining.” An understatement if there ever was one. ’Cause, yup, the whole skin-on-skin thing with Mac? Umm, boy...it so worked f
or her. Along with almost everything about him. Awed by his strength and courage, Tania traced his mouth with her fingertips. God, he was beautiful, all that she wanted, more than she deserved. “Guess I’m okay then, huh?”
“A little banged up, but you’ll live.”
Her throat went tight. “Thanks to you.”
Big hands roamed over her back as he whispered her name. Tania tipped her chin up, craving his kiss. He gave it to her, burying his hand in her hair, holding her still, demanding entrance. With a hum, she opened, parting her lips, inviting him in, asking for more. Dipping into her mouth, he kept it light, delivering his taste one gentle stroke at a time. Pleasure and need collided in a heated swirl, and Tania purred, loving the feel of him. Minutes later—or maybe hours...Tania didn’t know—he retreated, relinquishing her mouth.
Muttering “no,” she protested his retreat.
He came back to nip her, then pulled away again. The river rush increased, twirling them in a circle as she pouted. His lips twitched a second before he turned his attention to her sore wrist. Tania tensed, expecting the throb of agony to return. But he was gentle, and the pain was so much less, as though her body had kicked into high gear, healing at an accelerated rate.
Cradling her hand in his, he asked her to move her fingers. As she obeyed, he glanced at her. “Does it still hurt?”
“A little, but not much anymore.”
“Good. The bone is knitting.” With a gentle touch, he examined her bruised thumb. “Fuck, I love energy-fuse. Another day and you’ll be good as new.”
Her breath caught. Energy-fuse. She knew about it from Myst. Her best friend had explained the bond she shared with Bastian. Rare. Powerful. A magical connection that enabled a Dragonkind male to feed his female healing energy—a fusion so strong it mated hearts and entwined souls. Hope whispered through her.
Oh God, please. Make it so. Let it be true.
Holding back tears, she whispered, “You fed me?”
“I’m still feeding you.” Raising his hand, he traced the ridge of her cheekbone with his fingertip. “Feel that current...the nourishing wash of sensation?”
Tania let her eyes drift closed. The rush intensified, thrumming through her veins. Her love for him surfaced, finding a permanent home inside her heart. “Yes.”
“All me.”
“It’s nice.” Opening her eyes, she met his gaze. “Is it like that when I feed you?”
“More intense. Not as gentle.”
“I like giving you what you need.”
His throat worked as he swallowed. “I love the way you taste...like honey and ocean breezes. Beautiful.”
Any other time, she would’ve enjoyed the compliment. Right now, though, his praise shamed her. Beautiful. Yeah, right. She hadn’t been so hot an hour ago when she’d lied, cheated, and stolen a crazy-expensive car. One that now lay in a twisted heap beside the lake where she’d nearly gotten everyone killed.
God, how messed up was that? All she’d wanted was to reach her sister. But in doing so, she’d risked them all. Herself. The Nightfury warriors. The man she loved.
Tears filled her eyes. With a sob, she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry.”
“Tania, honey, it’s all right.”
“No, it isn’t. I’m an idiot.” She shook her head, her chest so tight she could hardly breathe. “I didn’t realize. I thought I would be okay...that they couldn’t track me, you know? Because of the energy thing and...” Her bottom lip trembled. The first tears fell, tipping over her bottom lashes. Mac brushed each one away as she rasped, “Is everyone all right? The guys and—”
“It’s all good, mo chroí,” he said. “B and the boys are having fun.”
Tania blinked. “Fun?”
“Hammering rogues. Chasing the assholes back into the city.”
Oh, well, all right then. As long as they were having fun. But even as she accepted the Nightfuries’ absurd notion of a good time, another worry rose to replace it. Fear prickled through her, tightening muscles over bone, spinning toward a full-blown panic attack. Her heart picked up a beat and then another, thumping hard as she stared at Mac.
His focus sharpened on her face. “Don’t, Tania.”
She frowned at him. “Don’t what?”
“Even think about it.” His arms flexed around her as he gave her a warning look. “I know about J.J., honey. Sloan filled me in.”
“Then you know why I have to go.”
A muscle twitched along his jaw. “I get that you’re afraid for her...that it seems unnatural not to be with her right now. But Sloan’s hooked into the hospital mainframe now. The second he knows something, so will we.”
She opened her mouth to argue.
He shook his head. “Forget it. You can’t help J.J. by putting a bull’s-eye on your back. You pop up on the grid again and the Razorbacks will find you. Just like they did tonight.”
“I’ll be careful. Tell me what to do...what to avoid and—”
“No.” His snarl rippled, the sound full of over-my-dead-body. The river followed his lead, surging into a whirlpool around them. As warm water splashed over her bare shoulders, he growled, “It’s too dangerous, Tania. I love you too much to risk you. I won’t do it.”
Struck stupid, Tania blinked. Had Mac really just said, well...that? Yearning pushed hope to the surface, making her heart ache as she stared at him. “You love me?”
“Yes,” he said, looking shocked by the admission. But as he held her gaze, the uncertainty she saw in his eyes cleared. Stone-cold resolve took its place, obliterating doubt. “I love you, Tania. So much it wrecks me. So much I want it all. You with me always. The mating ceremony...happily-ever-after...every single thing you’re willing to give me.”
Everything. She wanted to give him everything. Every last piece of herself.
“I love you too.” More tears fell. “With all my heart.”
“Then trust me.” A kiss accompanied the plea, and as his mouth brushed hers a second time, he murmured, “Trust me, mo chroí...to make it safe for you, and J.J. too.”
“How?” Burying her uninjured hand in his hair, she held him close, matching him caress for caress. “I can’t leave her there. She’s all alone. If they take her back to prison—”
“Fuck the prison. The parole board too.” Sea-blue eyes full of mischief, he nipped the tip of her nose and leaned away to look at her. “I play by Dragonkind’s rules now, my love. The second she’s able to travel, I’ll bring your sister home to you.”
“Dragonkind rules.” Gratitude mixed with love, tying her up inside. Beautiful man. His generosity—the love and commitment—made her go teary-eyed all over again. “I think I like that.”
“You’d better.” Wrapping a lock of her hair around his fingertip, he grinned and gave it a playful tug. “You’re stuck with me now.”
“Excellent,” she whispered, awe circling as she kissed him softly. “So...forever, then.”
“And every day after.”
Sounded about right. Felt right too with Mac in her arms wearing nothing but skin. And as she slow danced with him, twirling in the water, Tania knew it couldn’t get any better. A man to love and be loved by in return. A sister with the hope of a new future. The end of a journey, but the beginning of another...one she’d always been meant to take.
Perfection didn’t begin to describe it.
Keep reading for a peek at how the saga continues in Fury of Desire.
Chapter One
“Goddamn it, Sloan! Get the hell out of there before—”
The explosion cut Venom off. The concussive boom! ripped through the frigid air, blowing him back past a row of parked dump trucks. Ravenous flames followed, lighting up the night sky, blistering yellow industrial-grade paint and melting steel like ice cream in the noonday sun.
Perfect. Just what he didn’t need. Wick on the rampage.
Flipping guy. Trust the male to come in hot, hammering the enemy while threading the need
le between his comrades with a nasty exhale. His best friend needed his head examined. Or a serious boot to the ass. Venom couldn’t decide, but either option would do. Maybe then Wick would exercise some caution and use the gray matter between his ears. Of which he possessed a considerable amount...
Under normal circumstances.
Tonight, though, didn’t qualify as normal.
The Razorbacks had tried to take one of their own—a female who belonged to a member of their pack. Why Wick cared was anyone’s guess. The male hardly ever talked, even to Venom, so yeah, it was a crapshoot. One big “what the hell’s he thinking now?” Not that anyone gave a damn at the moment. The Nightfury warriors were too busy, 100 percent dialed in and on the warpath, chasing the rogues back into the city, away from Mac and his injured mate.
The target had been a natural one. High-energy females always were for the bastards. And no wonder. Rarer than four-leaf clovers, women who drew pure power from the Meridian—the source that fed Dragonkind and kept them alive—were valuable. Which meant the war raging between Nightfury and Razorback had reached new heights.
Escalation to the nth degree.
And Ivar, leader of the Razorbacks, was to blame.
The bastard kept crossing the line. He shamed Dragonkind at every turn, targeting H-E females, imprisoning them inside his lair, conducting scientific experiments designed to...
Hell, Venom didn’t know exactly. But whatever the nutbar’s endgame, it couldn’t be good. Especially considering the fact he called his pet project a “breeding program.” Jesus, the asshole was hurting females...innocents in a world that preached honor, discipline, and the protection of those weaker than themselves.
The thought of what Ivar planned made Venom cringe. Then again, so did Wick.
Equal parts vicious and crazy, his best friend was uncontrollable. A casualty of his upbringing, Wick’s rage ran hot, neck and neck with the death wish he carried around like luggage. Venom understood his friend’s propensity for violence. Encouraged it even, at least in battle. But sometimes his intensity got to Venom. Made him sad on a soul-deep level he found difficult to ignore. Especially since the compulsion had nothing to do with right and wrong, never mind honor or duty. What drove Wick went deeper than that, and, like it or not, Venom couldn’t do anything to help him.
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