by Ginna Moran
He narrows his eyes. “I should be the one scolding you, cookie. Do you know how inconvenient and agonizing it is that the one damn woman who was destined for me turns out to be a damn criminal? One who doesn’t even know shit. You think you have bad luck—”
Rowan jabs his fist out and punches Maddox in the solar plexus, winding him. Maddox slams his fist into the wall instead of retaliating and turns his back on us to grab a few things from a cabinet in the bathroom.
I want so badly to say something, to retort and tell him that he’s crazy to think I’m fated to be his, but it feels like Maddox might start spitting fire. Rowan’s tense muscles also feel like I might be the only thing stopping him from acting as well.
“Fuck, brothers. Chill the hell out or you both can leave. You’re making Nova uncomfortable.” Kash waves a spatula. “And Maddox, before you open your damn mouth to insult her again, you better think carefully. I won’t try to convince her to ever give your sorry ass a chance. You know what will happen if she denies you.”
Maddox stiffens at Kash’s words, but only grunts his response. I crinkle my nose and look at Rowan, hoping he’ll tell me what Kash is talking about. Instead, he kisses me again, his warm, soft tongue slipping between my lips to ensure I don’t try to say another word.
“All right, Rowan. Let me get a look at her. I will not do this shit while you kiss,” Maddox mutters.
Rowan eases away just far enough to whisper, “Don’t worry. I’ll gut him if he says anything else stupid, okay?”
I blow a breath through my nose. “You better.”
Maddox motions for Rowan to set me down. “You would obviously do it yourself, cookie.”
I only respond with a glare and plop down on the couch where Maddox points. He opens up a medical kit and sets a few jars of unmarked liquid on the floor by my feet. Pulling out a folded black cloth, he stretches the strange fabric across his knee and squeezes a sparkling gel from a silver tube along the middle.
“Next time, don’t fight against the restraints. No one has ever been able to break out of them,” Maddox says, grabbing my forearm to hold it out. I had no idea he could be so gentle, but he carefully drapes the black ribbon of cloth over my wrists and wraps them so softly that I barely feel them.
“I didn’t fight against the restraints. I was running from a damn prison yard fight.” I shift my gaze from my wrists to look into his golden eyes.
“What?” he asks with a frown.
Kash saunters across the room with a plate mixed with some familiar and unfamiliar foods. He squeezes on the couch next to me and rests his hand on my bare knee, the sheet bunched between my legs. “I told you the COs on duty didn’t show up for their shift.”
Fire lights Maddox’s eyes. “You failed to mention Nova was in the middle of a fight. She shouldn’t have been in the yard in the first place.”
“CO Lowe said he found her in visitation,” he responds, trailing his finger in a circle over my skin.
“Why were you there?” Maddox asks, turning to me.
I realize that Kash and I have been so caught up in each other that I didn’t mention it. And after the pain of mentioning Lazlo Infinity’s name exploded in my head and knocked me out, I’m afraid to.
“It was the warden’s order,” I manage to spit out. I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for more pain, but it doesn’t come. “CO Lowe told me so. He didn’t find me. It was an order because—”
I screech and clutch my head as agony stabs my brain. Maddox says something I can’t make out. Kash pulls me onto his lap, and Rowan gently tugs my hands down, restraining me by the wrists. Maddox splashes something across my forehead, the icy liquid cooling my skin enough to take a breath.
“Shit, her brands,” Rowan says, getting me to flatten my palm against his. “They shouldn’t be glowing. She’s within the barrier.”
“It’s the magic. Nova, can you tell me anything else about the warlock?” Maddox asks.
I manage to nod my head. “He was trying to take me from here because he wants a beast like me. He wants to use me to get the High Council off his trail. He also claimed he’s retaliating for me killing his brother.” The words come so quietly, cautiously, that I’m not so sure anyone heard me. I don’t mention the fact that he knew my mother. I wish I knew more about her history and how she got so involved with all this bullshit. I can’t believe this was the prison she was locked up in.
Rowan shifts and pulls a small device from his uniform belt. “I’ll pull up her file and check the victims’ list of next of kin to verify. We have to be absolutely sure before we proceed.”
Kash stabs at a piece of what I think is browned meat with a fork and holds it up to my mouth. “Take a bite. It’ll take him a minute. You need your strength.”
I block him from shoving it in my mouth. “What is it?”
“Just trust me. I know you’ll like it.” Kash offers the fork to me again.
“Don’t be stubborn. It’s not cute on you. My brother went out of his way to make you a meal he didn’t have to. Now try it.” Maddox picks up a piece of the meat with his fingers and pops it into his mouth. “It’s so overcooked that it’s nearly inedible. Sounds like your taste.”
I glower at Maddox. “You don’t have to be such an ass—”
Kash takes advantage of my open mouth and pops the piece of meat in with his fingers instead of the fork. I snap my teeth down, locking his finger with my jaw. He laughs and pokes my side, tickling me to get me to let him go.
A burst of savory, smoky flavor explodes across my tongue, tasting a bit different than any meat I’ve had but still pretty good. I close my eyes while I chew, not wanting to give too much of a reaction. I can feel Maddox watching me and Kash’s nearly palpable relief that I swallow his offering instead of spit it out.
“See? I told you that you would like it,” Kash says, offering me another bite.
“Could be because she’s starving,” Rowan teases, drawing my attention to him. “Or her body knows she’s going to need all the energy it can, because look at this.” He holds out his device to Maddox. “See who’s on it?”
Maddox groans and hands it to Kash. “I guess we won’t have to worry about having such a disappointing mate for long. You killed a lot of people with powerful bloodlines.”
“What does that mean?” I ask. “You know I didn’t do it.”
“I think you did kill at least some.” Maddox flicks my knee. “And now they all will want you dead.”
Kash reaches out and punches him. “Feel free to reject my brother. He’s mad you chose me first and will probably never want to experience anyone else again. You weren’t raised here, so you’re hung up on Mortal World norms. No one would blame you.”
I frown, my brows pinching together.
Rowan laughs. “You just got lucky. She knows what I have to offer.” He slides his hand over my thigh. “Isn’t that right, Nova? Or would you like me to remind you?”
Damn him. I grab his hand, stopping him from trying to tease me. “Seriously, Rowan. Your brother just told me people are going to come after me for something I didn’t do. I didn’t kill anyone.”
Rowan twists his lips to the side. “Actually...I think Maddox is right. You might have accidentally killed one. Gaston Infinity. He was ripped apart. No warlock can do that. It probably wasn’t your intent, and he was probably trying to hurt you, but it still gives the Infinity line reason to put you through hell.”
“That’s impossible,” I snap.
“Take a look for yourself.” Maddox holds up the device and shows the severed head of a body with its innards strung out across the bar floor. “See the claw marks? We assumed you might’ve been a lycan, since they plague the Mortal World and it would explain how you didn’t know about Magaelorum and lycans are born human, but this could also be talons. And there are burn marks on another one of the victims.”
“I’d remember something like that,” I say, turning my gaze away from the disgusting photo. “Right? You g
uys act like you know what you’re doing when you go all beast-mode.”
The three of them look at each other without responding right away. I inhale a few breaths through my nose, trying to recall everything that happened that night at the bar. I think about the car ride with Rhett and how he claimed my mother made it nearly impossible to find me. I also recall how he was trying to protect me. How now I know he cast some sort of magic over me. He told me to let her break free. Could it have meant the supposed dragon now imprisoned inside me with the brands? It’s the only thing that might be plausible. If warlocks and witches are real, perhaps my mom used them to keep me away from this world. Quillon did say that my bloodline is a supposed enemy of the Drekis. My mom could’ve done so to protect me. If only I could ask her.
Kash’s gentle hand grazes along my shoulder and trails up my neck and to my cheek, getting me to look at him. “What is it? I can feel something different and unfamiliar coming from you.”
“What do you mean you can feel me?” I ask.
He shakes his head and says, “You remember something.”
I lick my lips and swallow. If I speak what I now know to be the truth, it would mean that Maddox is right about me. It would mean that I do belong in this magical prison. It would mean that I can’t claim innocence. But that’s not even the worst of it. If I say the words out loud, it could mean that it was bad luck for the Dreki brothers to even think that I could possibly be their mate. Because I am a killer. I killed a man in my dragon form. I’m the criminal Maddox doesn’t want. And suddenly, his feelings matter to me. All of theirs do.
“I—I...” I can’t get my mouth to work. My heart ricochets around my ribcage, and I suddenly need to leave. I need out of here. “I think I need some rest.”
Kash nuzzles his chin to my shoulder. “You sure, kitten? I can’t let you sleep here.”
As much as it pains me, I nod. “Will you stay close to me then?”
The three of them look at each other, and then Rowan says, “Don’t worry, doe eyes. We’ll never let you from our sight.”
Chapter 12
Killer
I CAN’T SLEEP. If I even try to close my eyes, visions from the night at the bar swirl through my mind. So does Lazlo. His words about taking me won’t leave me alone. I’m afraid that he’ll get what he wants. The missing COs from duty, how CO Lowe forgot he was the one who took me to visitation, and how my brands glow every time I try to say Lazlo’s name out loud proves it. I might be serving a life sentence, but my life will end up short. I can almost feel it.
The buzzer of my cell rings through the air, and I get to my feet. I stroll close to the bars as they slide open and peek at the mirror with a view of the hallway to see Maddox making his way toward my cell.
“Stand back, inmate,” he calls before he even reaches the door. “Hold out your hands.”
Maddox remains expressionless when he comes into view. I can’t stop the frown from overtaking my face at the sight of him.
“Don’t look so disappointed that it’s my shift,” he says, keeping his voice low. “I’m here to take you out for a bit, but behave or you’ll end up in the pit again.”
“Maybe you should just take me there,” I quip, crossing my arms over my chest. “But don’t you dare command me to stay quiet.”
His stern expression breaks with a flash of fire in his eyes. I shift on my feet, the memory of him pressing me into the dirt wall to explore my body with his fingers quickly pushing away thoughts of everything else.
“We’ll see,” he murmurs, “but first, it’s chow time.”
I blink a few times. “Why? You know I won’t eat anything served.”
“Because putting you out in gen. pop. will hopefully stop all the fuckers here from messing with you. My brothers and I decided that it would be best not to give you special attention during meals and yard time. You will be working for us for duties.” He looks at me, gauging my reaction.
“I’m not cleaning your damn toilets,” I say, stepping closer.
“I could assign you to janitorial duty elsewhere.” He smirks, daring me to say something.
I glare. “Whatever. As long as it ensures I don’t end up alone with you.”
Maddox grumbles and snatches my hand, pulling me toward the hallway. He makes me walk in front of him until he reaches the first occupied cell. The bars slide open and two older guys with gray hair both give me a once-over.
Maddox bares his teeth. “Watch Inmate D64901 during mealtime and you’ll get the transfer of your choice for duties.”
The old men look from Maddox to me and back to him. The taller of the two of them says, “I want stipends added to my account as well. This one has a target on her.”
“Done.” Maddox motions the two of them to start walking.
The tall guy leads the way before the other guy motions for me to follow behind him. I find myself sandwiched between them as Maddox ends the line and releases inmates along the way. I straighten my shoulders, trying not to react toward the stares and whispers.
“My future queen,” a tatted up, buff guy says from a few places behind me. “Save me a seat. You can feed me.”
“Shut it, Inmate D20733,” Maddox says, whacking an iron baton against one of the bars. “I’ll throw you in the pit if you say another word.”
Surprisingly, the guy snaps his mouth shut, but it doesn’t stop him from winking at me when the line dismantles as inmates grab trays from two rolling carts. I frown, wishing I didn’t have to take one of the plates of bloody meat, but Maddox gives me a look like if I don’t, he’ll throw one in front of me anyway.
“This way, baby girl. You can sit with us,” the taller old man says.
I only nod and let him lead the way to a round metal table on the far side of the room. The other old guy sits across from me, keeping his back to the inmates. My back faces the wall where Maddox watches from a small platform up a set of stairs. I try my best not to constantly look at him, but I can’t help myself.
“Look who they let out of her cage.” Quillon plops his tray down next to mine and ignores the warning look both old men give him. “Too bad you have a couple of dead-weight babysitters.”
“Watch it, Quillon. If you ruin this for me, I’ll slit your throat.” Damn. I might actually believe the tall guy.
“Easy now, Papa Jeff. Nova and I are friends.” Quillon bumps his shoulder to mine. “Tell him.”
I shrug. “I wouldn’t exactly call us friends.”
The other old man stands up. “If that’s the case, get the hell out of here.”
Quillon clenches his hands into fists. “You’ll have to make—”
Papa Jeff launches to his feet and leans over the table, trying to reach for Quillon. He’s quick to move, grabbing the back of my jumpsuit to tug me partially in front of him, using me as a shield. I stomp his foot, annoyed as hell.
Other inmates laugh and holler, telling Bastard Lou to get Quillon. And the shorter old man tries, accidentally tangling his hand in my hair in the process.
A threatening growl reverberates through the air. Bright orange flames burst over my shoulder, engulfing the table in flames. The scent of cooked meat wafts through the air, and Quillon, Papa Jeff, and Bastard Lou stop trying to fight with me in the middle.
“Anyone else want to start some bullshit?” Maddox asks, his voice rising through the silent room. “You’ll get charred food for a week.”
They groan like it’s a bad thing, and I can’t stop my damn mouth from smirking. Maddox remains expressionless, but I can tell he went unnecessarily dragon on these assholes on purpose. I doubt he’ll admit it, but he charred the raw meat in an attempt to get me to eat it. And since he went through the effort...
“That sounds good to me, CO,” I quip, fluttering my lashes.
I pick at my plate, tearing off a piece of meat and pop it into my mouth. The others all watch me, along with a few other guys from other tables. They are bored out of their minds if me eating is so entertaining
that they can’t pull their attention away from me.
Maddox smacks his baton on the table, knocking my tray onto the floor. I gawk in surprise as he flexes his power. And now all it does is make me want to test him. Because, the fucker.
Turning my gaze to Quillon, I purposefully ignore Maddox’s expectant stare. He obviously wants to know how I’ll react to his assholeness. So I bump my shoulder to Quillon and reach over and tear off a piece of food from his plate.
“You don’t mind sharing with me, do you, Quillon?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face. I know I shouldn’t test my luck, but something inside me wants to keep poking Maddox. If he can be an ass, I can be a bitch and play games.
“Of course not, beautiful. I’ll even feed it to you.” Quillon pinches a hunk of meat and rips it off, holding it up to my mouth.
He obviously didn’t get the memo about me just wanting to get under Maddox’s skin with how eager he is to give me attention. I carefully bite the food from his fingers, cringing a bit because the thought of him touching my food kind of grosses me out. I’ve seen some of the cells and—
Maddox locks the back of his hand to my jumpsuit and drags me from the table. “Eat off the floor or don’t eat at all.”
“Seriously, CO?” I ask, flailing until he lets me go. “None of this was my fault.”
“Yeah, man,” Quillon says.
“The hell it wasn’t.” Maddox doesn’t try to explain why and spins me around to face out.
Quillon hops to his feet. “I’ll take the blame for her.”
His movement sets Maddox off. Maddox jabs Quillon in the gut with his baton, knocking him back. Quillon looks ready to start something, but Bastard Lou grabs him and shakes his head. A few nearby inmates catcall toward us, egging Maddox to punish me. Someone suggests forcing me to my knees to eat from the floor and another suggests something else entirely. Pervert. A few guards enter the commons with their batons ready to back Maddox up.
“You’re going in the pit, Inmate D64901,” Maddox says with a growl. Turning to an unfamiliar CO, he adds, “Get them all back in their cells. They’re now on lockdown. No yard privileges. Got it?”
