by K.N. Lee
“Thought they were forbidden.”
She shrugged but kept walking, with him quickly catching up to her. “If you're not a witch or have no aptitude for the millions of nuances. I was part of an exclusive group.” Who also mixed marijuana and peyote to smoke, and added in a bit of witchfire… and nearly burned down her school and got everyone high in the process. She let out a laugh.
“What's so funny?” he asked.
“Just remembering my younger years, and how I accidently got Mrs. Alistair as high as a kite once. Never saw that woman smile before. She was totally loopy and doing high kicks off her desk.”
“The one with the glasses that looked like they were made from a haunted iron gate?”
“You went to school at Old Bridge?”
“Nah. She came to our public school for summer classes, and I got stuck with her every year.”
“Ouch. Sorry. I only had to deal with her for two semesters.”
He winked. “Lucky. And twice lucky to see her act a fool, as staunch and upright as she always was.”
“You know, it's always the quiet ones that lead a secret life the rest of us could never dream of.”
His arm brushed along hers, sending tingles all through her body as they hiked up toward the freeway. “That's what I've heard.” The glint of teasing in his voice made her giggle nervously.
“Exactly. One doesn't go from ultraconservative to kicks that could knock someone's head off without lots of practice.”
He paused and doubled over laughing. It was a warm rich sound that heated her bones. “Good one.”
“Thanks.” She grinned at his compliment.
Cars whizzed past them along the road, but he kept walking along the grassy median and stuck out his thumb.
“Hitchhiking?” If her raise depended on ticket quota rather than Diego, she'd have it made following Kyle around.
“I've got no wallet on me after transforming and saving your ass. So this is the best I can do and I don't plan on walking all the way to Borders.”
“You managed to get shorts, a shirt, and loafers, though. Or did you steal those? I could retire early racking up your penalties for unlawfulness.”
“Save it, sister.” He smirked and fingered a small gold chain around his neck. “This holds what I'm wearing now when I'm a dragon, so I don't land in the middle of the street naked in my human form.”
She whistled. “That must have cost a year's wages. But should've had them include your cell and wallet in the amulet.”
“Is that possible?” His eyes brightened.
“Not easy, but yes it can be done.” An eighteen wheeler sped past them, whipping her hair in her face. She smacked the strands out of her eyes. “I could do it for you... provided you give me the location of one of Diego’s shadow arenas.”
“Nice try, but no.” He stuck his arm out farther as a station wagon slowed, but didn't stop. “I saved your ass twice. No, three times. Once with the wolves, then with the other shifters and then with wolfbane.” He whistled. “By my count, you owe me three favors. The memory charm, and I'll take the cell and wallet as the second one. Wonder what my third magical gift would be?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Hmmm... me not arresting you for hitchhiking or trying to bribe an officer into a highly illegal memory spell - which would be the better payoff?”
“I didn't bribe.” His eyes narrowed. “We agreed to help each other. And I say you owe me more than a handful of magic. I put my life and my job on the line for you. Think Diego will forgive me for going against him? First chance he gets, I'll be strewn into pieces.”
Her stomach churned. He couldn’t be serious, right? “He wouldn't do that.”
“Oh? Are you two bedmates or something?” Not waiting for her answer, he continued, “I’ve heard him order the same execution many times.”
She grabbed his arm. “All the more reason for you to help me catch him. Shut him and his fighting down, and put him behind bars.”
“For how long? A month?” He shook his head and pried her hand off his bicep. “No thanks. I've got family to consider.”
“Witness protection program.”
“Is no guarantee.” He waved as a sports car pulled over. “I’m not helping you with Diego. Forget it. We’ll get this bonding thing broken between us, then part ways. I’ll find some other magician to help me.”
Fudgesticks! Somehow, she had to get him to work with her. It had taken her six months to find the wolf shifter who’d attacked her and got her into this wolfbane mess. Now Kyle could be the key to breaking this case. She wasn’t going to let this dragon get away so easily.
Kyle
Kyle grinned at the blond woman in the car who rolled down her window. “Just need a ride for me and my friend to Borders.”
The woman eased the sunglasses down her nose and let her gaze linger on him before giving Melody a one-second lookover. “Sure honey. I'll give you and your sister a ride.”
“Thanks.” He jogged to the other side of the car and moved the front seat for Melody to climb in, since there were only two doors.
Melody stood there with her fists clenched tight by her sides, her face red.
“Is she okay?” the driver asked. “She looks a bit crazy. I’ll give you a ride handsome, but I’m not sure I feel safe with her.”
Instead of reassuring the woman, Melody bared her teeth.
“She’s fine.” He gritted out, “Get in the car, Melody.”
“No, I'm not breaking the law. Let's call a cab to pick us up.” Melody spat.
“Wait here for one then.” He leaned casually on the doorframe. “This area of town could take forty-five minutes. Time that Zack could have our link removed instead of waiting for a taxi.”
“Your sister can wait. I'm happy to have you all to myself.” The blond fluffed the edges of her hair.
If Melody’s face darkened any more, she’d bust a blood vessel. “He is not my brother,” she said through clenched teeth. “We aren't related and I will take this ride now.” She stiffly walked to the car and climbed into the backseat.
Kyle held back a chuckle and eased the passenger seat and sat down.
“Aren't you gorgeous.” Blondy put her hand on his knee as she peeled out onto the main lanes. “Are you a model?”
“No.” He left her hand where it was; he needed this ride. He’d been around enough women to know she'd take it personally and toss him out of the car if he removed her touch. What was a little groping as long as her hand didn't go to his crotch? He couldn’t wait for a taxi or another ride. Lust was riding him hard and all he could think about was Melody and their kisses. How he wanted to taste every inch of her. Have her body move with his in rhythm.
Zack better take off this attraction pronto. No way could Kyle hook up with a fucking cop. His reputation would be ruined and no underground ring in the country would take him. Might as well scrub toilets for a living. And how was he gonna pay back his late father's debt for Danielle's medical bills, which were steadily mounting?
“May I borrow your cell?”
“Sure.” Melody handed him hers before Blondy could blink. Nice. He called his sister's line.
“Hello?” asked an unfamiliar female voice and Kyle's heart shattered.
“Uh... is Danielle there?”
“Hang on a second.” The sound of running water echoed, then a flush.
“Yes, this is Danielle. May I help you?” his sister answered.
“Hey, good to hear your voice, Little Sis.” He ran a shaky hand over his face. “I was just checking in with you.” For the millionth time. What if, during his memory lapse, she had relapsed? “Was that the nurse that answered your phone?”
“Yeah. I was busy.” She paused. “Did you get a new number?”
“I'm using a friend's. Lost my cell.”
She laughed. “One of these days, I'm going to invent a cell phone chip and embed it in your wrist.”
“Fair enough. Listen, I gotta go. Sorry for bail
ing on you last week.” If she discovered he was fighting again, she'd strangle him, even dressed in a hospital gown.
“Kyle, is everything all right? You don't have to worry about me, ya know.” Her voice caught. “It'll all work out in the end.”
“Exactly. Love you, Sis.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
The line went silent and Kyle blinked back tears.
“I think it's wonderful that you care so much for your sister.” Blondy took the exit.
Kyle handed Melody her phone and caught her rolling her eyes.
“Thanks.” His fingers brushed hers and warmth spread through him. He inhaled sharply, bringing in Melody’s scent of rowan and apple. Intoxicating.
The driver trailed her hand up his thigh and he bit back the thought of tossing her out of her own car. Quickly, he snapped his hand down on her leg.
“Take Luther down to Seventh Street,” he said, hoping it come across as a growl.
As the Porche zoomed down the road, Kyle kept a lookout for kids darting across in front of them, what with Blondy speed racer driving.
“Drop us off at the end of the lane. Thanks for the ride.”
The car screeched to a stop. After Kyle untangled himself from the vehicle, he pushed back the seat for Melody to exit.
“Hey handsome here's my card if you ever want a ride again,” the driver lowered her glasses, “or anything else.”
He took the card and chuckled while Melody glared at the other woman. “Thanks for the ride.” He pocketed the card and turned up the path to Zack’s. Wonder if Blondy would show up here hunting him when he never called her. Eh, something for his friend to have to deal with.
Ivy and bright purple flowers overflowed across the red brick house. Kyle knocked at the door.
“How long do you think this will take?” Melody swallowed, her arms around her middle, “before the side effects are gone?”
He shrugged. “Hopefully soon.” Cause being alone with this little witch was filling his mind with images of her naked and climaxing underneath him.
No answer from the mage. Kyle pounded on the door. Boom, boom, boom.
Seconds later, bare feet slapped across the wooden floor and the door flung open. “What the fucking hell?!” Zack stood in a terry cloth robe, with red hair sticking out in every direction. “It's the middle of the night.”
“No,” Kyle pushed past his friend into the foyer. “More likely it's closer to five am.”
“You and your dragon side sensing the approaching sunrise. But do come in.” Zack waved a hand and Melody entered.
They followed Zack to his kitchen and sat at the oak table. Jars of all sizes, powder, coins and other trinkets littered the kitchen counter. But the stove and oak table they sat at were empty and shone in the fluorescent light that flickered overhead.
“Okay, so why are you here?” Zack combed a hand through his hair and gave a sideways glance at Melody. “I take it she was the one with the wolfbane bite?”
“Yeah, but—”
“She seems fine to me. So my idea was right about your blood healing her. You're welcome, but next time send me flowers as a thank you. Don’t pay me a visit before the sun wakes.”
“But I'm not all right.” Melody rolled up her sleeve. The wound had healed with a bright violet star center, and lines trailing up her arm. “It's burning up on the inside.”
Zack paled and gingerly took her arm. “I warned you there would be consequences.”
“Yeah like a bonding or something. But not this or…” Or the fact that Kyle couldn't stop thinking about her or wanting to be near her. Hell, preferably naked and rolling around in the bed.
“You aren't human or another shifter, are you?” Zack coughed, looking nervous. “This isn't my fault. You didn't tell me a witch was bitten by the wolfbane.”
Kyle folded his arms and leaned back in the kitchen chair. “So? Just break this bond between us, heal her arm and we'll all get on with our merry lives.”
“It's not that easy.” Zack laid down Melody’s arm and leapt up from his chair, backing away, holding his hands up.
In one second, Kyle had the mage by the throat and slammed him into the stainless steel fridge. “Tell me!”
Zack’s eyes bulged, and he scratched at Kyle's hands.
“Drop him,” Melody said behind him. “He can't answer you if he can't breathe.”
“You should've told me!” Kyle brought him closer. “What the fuck did you do to me, man?!”
“I said drop him.”
The crackle of energy made Kyle snort. “You gonna taser me again?”
“If I have to, yes.” Melody took a step forward.
He squeezed Zack’s throat tighter. “And I can fry him before the prongs hit me.”
“True, but then I'll never forgive you for killing the person who could help us remove this binding.”
Melody
“I mean it.” Melody tightened her grip on the taser, waiting for Kyle to release Zack.
She was about to pull the trigger when Zack slid free of Kyle’s chokehold. Coughing, Zack rubbed his throat and backed away from Kyle. Good to know the dragon shifter could listen to reason even when wanting to take out his anger and frustration on someone. Without Zack, it would be difficult to figure out how to cure the magic connecting them.
“Now we can discuss this like adults and come up with a solution?” Melody pocketed her taser. “How do we break the link between us, and will that stop my arm from turning purple and burning?” She was starting to get used to the heat. It burned especially badly when she was near Kyle or preventing him from killing someone.
“It's not that simple.” Zack held up his hands. “When Kyle called, he didn't say the wolfbane victim was a witch.”
“So my dragon blood merged with her magic and created more than just an antidote,” Kyle finished.
“Yes.” Zack rubbed his throat. Red marks still marred his flesh.
“We know all this. Tell us why we're connected.” Melody rolled up her sleeves. The bite mark was growing hot again as she retreated back to the table, her muscles cramping.
Zack swallowed loudly. “First, I have to figure out the extent of the... damage. How much blood did you give her?”
“Three drops.” Kyle shrugged. “Like you said. She didn't take the blood right away.”
“She refused?”
“More like she didn't swallow.” Kyle shuffled a foot. “Figured kissing her would add to the mix, and help the blood to go down.”
“Wait, you kissed her?” Zack asked at the same time Melody leapt up from the table. “You kissed me?”
For a dragon, the guy didn't know squat about magic. Her gut sank. Blood mingled with a kiss was a powerful spell. One that was nearly impossible to break - especially adding in dragon blood and her witchiness.
“I don't see how it's a problem.” Kyle glanced from Zack to her. “It worked, didn't it? She's alive. So just heal her arm and we can all get on with our lives.”
Zack let out a strangled laugh. “I'm afraid I can't heal her. You, my friend, have not only bonded with her, but performed a transmutation ceremony.”
Holy Shit! She couldn’t be changing into a shifter… into his kind. “He’s turning me into a freaking dragon?” What about her magic? Would she still be able to wield her power? And a dragon! How was she to fly when being one foot off the ground paralyzed her? Her heartbeat went into triple drive.
“Yes.” Zack frowned as he leaned heavily against his refrigerator.
Kyle slapped his hand on the counter and glass jars rattled. “Damn you! When you told me how to stop the wolfbane, you didn't say anything about altering her DNA.”
“Yeah, and I didn't say to kiss her either.”
“Okay.” Melody pinched the bridge of her nose. “So how do we reverse this?” Being a shifter would take away her identity. She’d always been a witch, grew up with witches. Now, becoming a dragon, all of that would be taken away. Magic users hung with
their own kind… same thing with shifters. True, dragons were loaners, but she liked her life. If she was a dragon, she wouldn’t be a witch or have her powers. Not that they were amazingly powerful, but they were hers, damn it.
Zack met her stare. “I'll need to do some research. Talk with my colleagues and professors.”
“We can speak with them.” Surely someone more experienced with dragons and magic would be a better choice for curing her.
“Fine. I'll give you their names and numbers.” Zack held up a finger. “But they come to me when they can't solve something.”
“Whatever you do,” Kyle squared his shoulders and clenched his fists, “do it fast. I've got things to do. Better yet, your two magic users can have it out and call me when it's done.” Without even a nod in her direction, Kyle stomped out of the house.
Taking a step to go after him, Melody paused at Zack shaking his head.
“Don't. Let him work off some anger.”
She couldn't let him get away. Her investigation would be set back for months, and she'd been so close to nailing Diego. Suddenly, pain ripped through her abdomen and she crashed onto her knees. Fire raced up her arm and spread into her limbs. She swatted at her skin, but no flames were visible. “Oh my goddess! Am I turning into a dragon right now?” Her skull hammered with every breath she drew.
Zack knelt before her, muttering incantations. His hands on her skin itched like poison ivy.
The door burst open and Kyle stood there, sweat beading across his forehead, his jaw clenched and his brow furrowed.
Instantly, the pain racking her body fled. She pushed up, panting. “I think it's more than just us being linked.”
“She's right.” Zack rose and rubbed a hand over his face. “I think you two created some type of mating ritual. Neither of you can be apart for long.”
“That doesn't make sense.” Kyle paced between them. “Other dragon shifters have mated without feeling like their insides are being torn out of them.”
“True.” Zack rubbed his neck. “But then they've never given blood or bonded with a witch either. You did a ritual to ensure that she can carry your offspring.”
