“A church. Interesting.”
“He’s not religious or anything. My mother used to joke it was because he dreamed he was some kind of god.”
“What did he tell you about us?”
“About dragons?”
“Yes.”
She lay quiet, going over what Samuel had told her, most of the time it had been things she had overheard, or things he had threatened her with if she didn’t do as he asked. Looking back he had made her afraid of Connor so that she would betray him. And maybe if Connor had not been so kind, she would have given him the drug. If he had been more like Zoah, the chances are she would have given it to him without any remorse.
“He said you would eat me if I didn't conceive your child.”
He laughed. “I haven’t eaten a virgin for a couple of centuries.”
“It’s not funny,” she said slapping his chest. Then she lay her head on him, and said, “I’m sorry I’ve brought this on you.”
“It’s not your fault,” he said stroking her back. “It has happened before.”
“Really?” She always tried to forget how many years he had been alive on this earth, and how many other women he had intimately known. However, the thought that Samuel was not the first to try to control a dragon had never dawned on her.
“Yes, every few hundred years, it’s why we became almost hermit like. When new weapons are invented that can shoot you down, you keep a low profile. In the days of bows and arrows it was easy to do whatever we wanted. But hiding away is no life. I was beginning to go insane with only Zoah as company.”
“You said there were others.” Her fingers trailed across his chest, always drawn to the steady beat of his heart.
“I believe so. There's a place where shifters, dragon, wolves, you name it live. We’ve never gone there, the dragons are more ... superior.”
“Than Zoah?” she asked with disbelief.
“You’d be surprised. Anyway. Back to what Samuel told you about us. I’d like to know what he knows, and to find out what he wants from us. Having a dragon under your control is nothing more than a status symbol in this crowded world. Anyone with a rocket launcher can blow us to bits.”
She winced at the thought. “He only knew of one of you. Maybe someone saw you, I’m not sure. I think someone told him, he spoke of spells and things. A witch, but there’s no such thing as magic.”
Connor stiffened. “A witch?”
“Yes, but they’re all cards up your sleeves and smoke bombs. Like stage magicians.”
“No. They’re not. Witches are very powerful.”
“They’re fantasy ... Oh. Of course.” How could she have missed the obvious? “So are dragons. But you’re real.”
“Exactly. Perhaps that’s what’s in that vial. Witches usually only work for good, but there are some that are evil, that seek out trouble.”
“So we should tip it away?”
“No. Not yet. We might need it.”
“You can’t possibly drink it.”
“I might not have a choice. If there is a witch involved then she might be able to tell if I’m drugged or not.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure. Let me speak to Zoah about it.”
“I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you. I still don’t understand why he would go to so much trouble. He’s been planning this for years. And Samuel’s not a patient man.”
“Well, if he’s trying to become a god, as you say, there is something about having a dragon by your side that gives you credibility.”
“I suppose, but he’s bided his time, why didn’t he send another woman years ago? After all he could have picked any woman to come here and mate with you. There are other, more attractive virgins he could have tempted you with.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I’m a little choosy about my virgin sacrifices.” He stroked her breast with his hand, his fingers teasing her nipple.
“Is that all I am to you, Connor? A virgin sacrifice,”
“No. I suspect there’s more to it than that. If Samuel has a witch, then maybe she is a seer.”
“A what?”
“She might be able to see the future. And maybe you are my future.”
“But that means she can see what we plan.”
“Perhaps.” His fingers moved up over her shoulder, and then traced the scar there, his fingers trailing along the raised jagged edge.
Serena placed her hand on his to stop him, ashamed of the scars Samuel had carved into her skin.
“Did he put this mark on you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Connor got up off the bed and disappeared out of the door without a word. Serena pulled her knees up to her chin, holding herself together. Surely, after everything Connor had said, she had not lost him over the stupid scar Samuel had given her.
Chapter Four - Connor
She had placed her trust in him, now it was his turn to put himself in her power and tell her the real truth of why a man like Samuel would want a dragon for a pet. It wasn’t as a way to flaunt his power over his adversaries. It was so much more than that for a man who wanted to be a god.
Connor had to question where he had found the information, it had been a closely guarded secret amongst the dragons since before man had farmed the land. The witch must have told him. But what did she have to gain from helping a man like Samuel? If it was power for herself then why use Samuel, why not simply take a dragon’s soul for her own?
Crossing to the kitchen, he drew a knife out of the wooden block, and then retraced his steps. Still deep in thought, he was about to enter the room where he had left Serena when he heard her crying.
In one swift move he was beside her scooping her up into his arms. “What’s the matter?”
She looked up, her face tear strained. “I thought you had left me. That this stupid scar had made you not want me.”
“Serena,” he said, brushing her hair away from her face. “I will never leave you, while my life is my own I promise to stay.”
She leaned against his chest, and he held her to him, kissing the top of her head until her tears had dried. Gently he set her back against the headboard, and picked up the knife from the bed stand where he had placed it.
“What is the knife for?” she asked, and he saw the struggle within her, she wanted to trust him, but she didn’t know how.
“I want to show you why Samuel wants to have power over me.” He lifted the knife and made a cut about half an inch long on his thumb, making Serena wince.
The blood showed deep red. He pressed it against her skin, covering the scar with it, having to hold her still when she went to move away.
“What are you doing?” she asked, confusion in her voice.
“Showing you how Samuel will make himself look like a god. Or I suppose be a god.”
Serena looked down, and her face paled with shock as the scar healed itself, leaving her skin perfect. He leaned her body forward, finding her stiff, unable to comprehend what had happened.
“There,” he said once the second scar had gone. “You don’t belong to him any more.”
“And that’s why he wants you?”
“Yes, the blood of a dragon can heal. I believe your Samuel wants to use it. Sell it, barter it, I have no idea, but that is why a man like him wants a dragon.
Serena searched her back for the scar. “I don’t believe it’s gone. Your blood did that?”
“Yes, no tricks, it’s a gift of the dragon. Not many know about it.” His face clouded with anger. “Once we were hunted for that very reason.”
“So he intends to kill you?”
“No, worse than that, he will keep me like a bear in a cage, and milk my blood from me.”
“It would give him immortality?”
“No.” And his voice saddened. “It can prolong life, but not forever. Sooner or later all humans are consumed by time.”
“I can’t let this happen to you.” She shook her head, burying h
er face in her hands. “I’m so sorry, Connor.”
“We have the element of surprise. I still feel that is our best chance of success. All I need to do is get Zoah to agree to help.”
Chapter Five - Serena
“Let me get this straight, because right now I think I must be hearing you wrong. You want me to risk my life to help your little whore?”
“Zoah,” Connor growled.
“How do you know this isn’t part of their plan? I mean do you even know what’s in that vial. It could be dye for all you know.”
“I trust her, Zoah. Isn’t that enough.”
“No. Not when she’s given you the thing you always wanted.”
“Which is?”
“Sex. A woman who says she wants you, for who you are.” His voice mimicked a woman’s high pitched and breathy.
“It’s not just about sex, and you know that. I can get sex anywhere, but don’t you ever want more?”
“We’ve talked about this Connor. Don’t think I will ever change my mind. We are a dying species. And that is how it should be. We no longer belong in this world.” Zoah clenched his fists, and Serena waited for the explosion of anger to be unleashed and for the two brothers to fight again.
“When you meet the right woman Zoah, you’ll understand,” Connor said, a face full of pity for his brother.
“I have no intention of meeting the right woman. I like my life the way it is.”
“So you won’t help me?” Connor asked calmly.
Serena stood still, hating that Connor had insisted she come with him to ask for Zoah’s help. All his anger was directed at her, the person who had come along and wrecked their lives, turning it upside down.
Zoah stood tense and straight, his arms folded across his chest, his breathing heavy as he fought to control his temper. “That is different brother. I will not do this for her, but I will do it for you.”
Connor relaxed. “Thank you Zoah. I only hope that one day you will accept Serena as a part of our family too.”
“Don’t get your hopes up Connor. We’ve lived this long just the two of us. I see no reason to change that, but if your mind is made up you’ll need me. It won’t be the worst battle we’ve been through together.” He went to the door, shaking his head.
“Zoah,” Serena said, speaking directly to Zoah for the first time. She thought he was going to ignore her, and keep on walking, but he didn’t, he paused but didn’t face her. “Thank you.”
He grunted, and left, maybe it was the best she could hope for under the circumstances. Instead of letting it get to her, she turned to Connor, and said, “OK, now what?”
“Now we go take a look at this church.”
“Tonight?”
“No. In daylight. We walk past it, two normal people in a city full of people. He won’t be expecting to see you, he’s probably imagining I have you chained to my bed.”
“A nice thought,” she said, trying to smile.
“When we return, I can make that real for you.” He drew her into his arms, and the press of him against her told her this was what he would rather be doing too.
“I wish we could simply fly away, Connor. I really do.” She kissed his lips, his tongue pressing to enter her mouth and tease her sensitive lower lip.
With a groan he pulled away. “So do I. But you will never be at peace if we don’t rescue your sister. So let’s go. Wrap up, put a hat on if you have one, it would help to disguise you a little.”
They went back to her room. Serena checked on Hope, and fed her, knowing that she was stalling. There was no way she wanted to go near Samuel’s place, ever. If anything happened to Connor she would never forgive herself. However, she needed his help. The frustration of the situation ate her up inside. All she wanted was for her loved ones to be safe, and live a normal life.
She shook her head. The man she was in love with was a dragon. There was never going to be anything normal about that.
“Ready?” Connor asked impatiently.
She pulled a hat on, pushing her hair up under it. One glance in the mirror told her it wouldn't be a very good disguise if she came face to face with Samuel, but there was nothing else she could do. “I guess,” she answered, kissing Hope on the head and stroking her purring body before leaving the room and pulling the door to behind her.
She followed Connor to his room, and watched him pull clothes out of the closet. For once he was going to have to cover his magnificent body with clothes. The one thing that would be sure to draw attention to them was Connor half naked on the city streets. His body was perfect enough to draw more than a little attention, even fully clothed. As a human he would never have given her a second glance, as a dragon she felt blessed for the connection they had made.
“How do I look?” he asked. He had put on a shirt and a black leather jacket, looking like a cool super model.
“Too good, you’ll be like the pied piper, it’s going to be hard to walk anywhere without people, or should I say women taking notice.
“I can’t help that.”
“Maybe you should wear a hat too, and glasses.”
“It won’t be that bad.”
She raised her eyebrow. “When is the last time you went out in broad daylight?”
“I have no idea. We have food delivered in, it’s left at the gate and our account is paid by credit card.” He stood and thought about it. “In this city, it has to be about fifty years.”
“Fifty years?” she exclaimed.
“In daylight. I’ve been out under the cover of darkness, of course.”
“Of course. Are you sure that’s not going to be a better idea?”
“No. It makes it look as though we have something to hide. Skulking around in the shadows is not good for keeping a low profile.”
“Nor is looking like you’ve just stepped off a cat walk.”
“Are people really so shallow that they will stare?”
“Oh, yeah. Especially when they see you with me. Talk about two opposites.”
He shook his head. “We made the right decision to withdraw from the world. But we have to go. I’ll put a scarf on, wrap it around my face.” He opened his closet and got out a back scarf. “Better?”
“A little, although now you look like a thief.”
“I can’t win. Let’s just go and get this over with.”
The reality of the situation suddenly hit Serena, she buried her face in her hands and said, “I can’t believe I’m joking with you about what you look like when I might very well get you killed, or worse.”
“Don’t worry about it, you have that in common with Zoah. He’s always had this macabre sense of humour.”
“Don’t let him hear you say we’ve got something in common, he’ll hate me even more. The thought of him having anything in common with a human doesn’t seem to sit well with him.”
“We’ve spent centuries being above ordinary humans in the food chain, then the last half a century or so, you’ve overtaken us in the ability to destroy everything in your path.”
“Not me, Connor. Please don’t judge us all as being the same.”
“I’m sorry. Again, we’re so used to grouping all of humanity together. It’s been a long time since we’ve come across anyone worth saving.”
“That’s sad. I mean there are billions of people on the planet, and no one has ever seemed worth saving?”
“All the things you read in your history books, we’ve lived through. War and destruction. There were times when humanity was in it’s infancy that we could have wiped you out of existence, and there are times lately when we wished we had.”
“Then we would never have met.”
“And our species would have died out too. That’s the thing, dragons need humans to breed.”
“So that’s all I really am, a brood mare?”
He shook his head, seeing her pain. “No. I think that’s the thing. I’ve tried breeding before, there have been other virgins, other sacrifices on the altar.”<
br />
She ducked her head and wiped away the tears that threatened, feeling weak. She had known there had been others before her. There was nothing special about her.
He tilted her chin up, and wiped her tears away. “My point is, that now I’ve found you, I am so glad we didn’t wipe you out. I think dragons can only conceive with their true mate. And I believe with all my heart, that you are my true mate.”
“So you think I will carry your child?”
“Yes,” he smiled and kissed her head tenderly.
“I want to be happy, Connor, I really do. But if that’s true it means when we go to rescue Charlotte I will be putting another life at risk.” She placed her hand on her stomach, wondering if that new life was already in existence. Did the heart of their child already beat with dragon blood?
“I will protect you, Serena, with every last breath in my body.”
“That’s what worries me, Connor.”
Chapter Six - Connor
He hadn’t walked among ordinary humans like this for decades. It was more crowded than he remembered, so many people so much noise. Madness seemed to have consumed the human race. He had witnessed so much over the years, watched men tear each other limb from limb on the battlefield. However this modern world frightened him more.
Yes, for the first time in his life he felt fear.
Zoah might just be right. Why would he want to bring a child into this over crowded world? He would never know what it was like to breathe air untainted by mankind. He would never be free to fly wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, without being seen and hunted down.
Yet when he turned and looked at Serena, and she smiled at him, he could think of nothing else but his need to create a life for them as a family.
They walked for half an hour, he refused to take a bus, the only transport he ever used apart from his legs, were his wings.
“Why?” she asked.
“To do so would be to put my life in someone else’s hands. I do not trust any man, or woman that much.”
“Including me?” she asked. “Because you know this whole thing could be a trap. I could be leading you right into danger.”
Blood of the Dragon: BBW Paranormal Romance (Her Dragon's Bane Series Book 2) Page 2
