by Donna Grant
Sabina leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. “You know my rule. She’s not allowed in the house until she’s had a bath. I want her clean.”
“She doesn’t want to come in,” Camlo said around a mouthful of food. “But she will soon.”
Sabina found her gaze on the dog once more. Her brother’s connection to the animals fascinated her. In many ways, she wished she could communicate with them as he did.
So many times, she had seen him work miracles. Like the time they’d found a wolf in a trap. The animal was trying to chew through its own leg to get free. He was frantic and terrified, but Camlo’s mere presence had calmed the animal without a single word being spoken.
The wolf remained still while Camlo freed him and then tended to the wound. Before the animal left, he licked Camlo’s hand and then trotted off.
That was only one of dozens of occasions. And just one of the reasons she kept Camlo secluded from the rest of the world. She didn’t want anyone exploiting him or his abilities. Because there would be those who tried.
“I love you, little brother.”
At this, his head lifted to her. “I love you, too.”
She put a hand on his shoulder before she returned to the house. Sabina ate alone, as she normally did, her thoughts on the Dragon Kings. After she’d finished and cleaned up, she made herself get back to work on the other earring.
Not long after, she set it aside and went back to the message board to read more about the dragons since she couldn’t stop thinking about them. She saw posts where people claimed to actually see dragons.
Some were obvious lies, but there were a couple that made her pause. She read one account from someone on Fair Isle, Scotland, that claimed to have seen a white dragon flying around the cliffs.
They described the dragon with such detail that it was hard to imagine the person was lying. Then again, there were some really good writers out there who could make someone believe whatever he or she wanted.
Sabina closed the laptop and leaned her head back on the sofa, her thoughts not just on dragons.
But Dragon Kings.
CHAPTER THREE
Roman circled the large property the Dragon Kings had snatched up several hundred years ago. Caretakers lived there to keep everything running smoothly, but Ryder had sent them away for the next week.
Roman wanted to make sure everyone was gone before he and V landed. The lights were on in the house, awaiting their arrival.
Roman glanced at V before they dove from the sky into the rain. They both shifted back into their human forms on the way down. Roman tucked his head, rolling his body so that he landed on a bent knee, his fingers on the ground.
He turned his head to the side to find V standing as he took in the residence. Roman hadn’t seen the house since he’d brought some sculptures here years ago. He straightened and took in the contemporary look of the dwelling.
“Con has had some updates done,” Roman said.
V made a sound at the back of his throat. “Of course he has.”
“Come on,” Roman said as they walked up from the back garden to the stone porch.
He entered the security code before using his magic to lift the shield protecting the house from magical beings. Once inside, they padded barefoot and naked up the stairs to the bedrooms.
“How many bloody rooms does this place have?” V asked irritably.
Roman chuckled. “There are twelve bedrooms.”
V shook his head as he stood in the hallway and looked at each of the doors.
“I doona think you were ever awake long enough for us to explain how the houses work. You’ll be able to find them by the feel of our magic. You doona need the code to get in as your magic will suffice.”
“You entered a code.”
Roman shrugged. “Habit. Some houses are bigger than others. The villa in Venice is huge. But most were no’ meant to hold all of us at once. Whenever you go to one of the houses, Con set up the rooms and closets alphabetically. Of course, if you’re the only one at one of them, use the master bedroom.”
“I doona think I’ll learn everything.”
Roman frowned at him, but before he could ask what V meant, his friend strode down the hall to the last bedroom and softly closed the door behind him.
After a moment, Roman went to his room and straight to one of the two closets. One of them was devoted entirely to his type of clothes. He missed wearing kilts every day. He still wore them more often than not.
He chose a pair of jeans, a gray shirt, and boots. When he returned downstairs, it was to find V standing near the indoor pool, his gaze out the windows to the mountains.
“You can go for a swim,” Roman offered.
V calmly said, “Are we close?”
Roman didn’t need to ask for clarification. All V cared about was his sword. He was the only Dragon King to have lost his, and V took it as a personal affront. But it was more than that. So much more.
“Did you recognize anything as we flew here?”
V’s icy gaze swung to him. “If I did, do you no’ think I would’ve stopped? I know I once ruled this land. There’s no doubt about that, but I couldna tell you which of the mountains I used as mine.”
Roman looked out the many windows to the back acres that stretched before him. “It’s been named Romania.”
“That means nothing to me.”
“There is a legend here, V. One that involves you.”
His dark brows drew together. “What legend?”
“Dracula.”
V was silent for a moment, his frown deepening as he searched his mind. “Is that the movie Cassie and Elena made me watch? The one where the guy sucks other people’s blood?”
“It’s an adaptation of the legend, aye.”
“Roman, just spit out whatever you’re trying to say,” V stated in frustration.
During the entire flight to Romania, Roman had thought of different ways to tell V, but he hadn’t settled on an option. And now he was making a muck of things.
“Aye, V, you’re the basis for the legend.”
“I never drank anyone’s blood,” he said, clearly affronted. “That’s … gross.”
Roman ran a hand down his face. “You have the power to mask yourself in dragon form. Do you have any idea what you look like to others when you do that?”
“Nay.”
“Bats.”
V faced him then. “Bats?”
“Hundreds of them. Your body comes apart and turns into bats.”
“Oh,” V said after a moment as he let that sink in. “What is the rest of the legend?”
Roman blew out a breath. “Mainly that you’re a vampire. Immortal and unstoppable.”
“They got everything right but the vampire part.” V swallowed. “It still doesna answer why my sword was stolen.”
“We’re going to get to the bottom of that as soon as we find it.”
“My magic hasna been able to locate it. It’s on this realm. I can feel it. Just out of reach. Always fucking out of reach.”
Roman caught a glimpse of the suffering V hid from everyone. A Dragon King’s sword was a part of him, an extension, just like their tattoos. But for V, his connection went even deeper.
It was why each time he woke, he went slightly mad the longer he was without the weapon. It was also why Con returned V to his mountain and made him sleep each time.
V cut his eyes to him. “I’m fine. Stop looking at me as if I’m going to start drinking people’s blood.”
The fact that V could be sarcastic despite everything relieved Roman. A little. He would still keep an eye on his friend. Not because he feared what might happen to the humans, but because it was time for V to finally stop suffering.
They had lost precious months since V woke and left Dreagan without talking to anyone. It had taken a long time to find him, and, actually, it had been Ulrik who sent V back to Dreagan. But was it too late?
Would V fall into his usual madness before they found his s
word? Every second counted.
“You’re going to get your sword back this time,” Roman stated.
“Doona make promises you may no’ be able to keep.”
“I never do.”
V released a loud breath. “I know.
Roman walked to the nearest window and gazed at the mountains. “These are the Carpathians, V.”
“I know them well. They extend for nearly a thousand miles.”
He looked back at his friend. “We’ll walk and fly every inch of them until something comes back to you.”
If Roman wanted a sign that that pleased V, he would be waiting an eternity.
V gazed at the ragged peaks without interest. “Our magic is the greatest on this realm. Nothing should stop me from discovering where my sword is. More than that, nothing should have been able to wipe the memory of where I was.” His gaze slid to Roman. “No’ from me. And especially not from the Keeper of History.”
Roman held his friend’s gaze, unease once more filling him. “You know Kellan looked through the history. In his mind, he saw your sword being taken but not the location of where you were.”
“I can still recall the faces of the men who came into my cave,” V said as he walked slowly toward him. “I can still smell their stench of fear and righteousness. How can I bring forth such minute details but not recall my location?”
“Did you tell Con any of this?”
“Aye.”
Roman frowned, an uneasy feeling coming over him. “What did Con say?”
“He said that, no matter what, the sword would be mine again. I’ve always known that, but I can no’ return to dragon sleep without it. No’ again. Because if I do, I willna wake.”
Shock went through Roman. “You can no’ do that. Too much rides on you.”
V smiled sadly. “I tell you only what I told Constantine.”
“Bloody hell,” Roman murmured. Why hadn’t Con shared any of this?
He inwardly shook his head. Why would Con tell him? It changed nothing. V’s sword had to be located and returned to him. They had searched for thousands of years, always hoping that V would remember something that would help them the few times he woke. But they had come up empty-handed time and again.
“Something worries you that you’re keeping from me,” V stated.
Roman debated whether or not to share his concerns, but in the end, he decided it was best to be open in their partnership. He needed V to remain calm and sane, and V needed him to be honest.
“You were no’ at Dreagan when Dmitri and Faith found the wooden dragon.”
“Nay, but I know of it,” V interrupted. “I know the story and all that happened.”
“But you didna see its power over us. Even Shara was affected.”
V rubbed his chin. “You think the same mix of Fae and Druid magic could’ve been used on my memories?”
Roman shrugged. “It’s a thought. The magic surrounding that wooden dragon was immense, V.”
“You know what that means if you’re right?”
“That the Druids and Fae involved have a grudge.”
V’s eyes grew colder, if that were possible. “If that magic can mess with my head and change our feelings toward mortals, what else can it do?”
“I doona want to find out.”
“We’re going to, sooner or later. And if it was that intrepid group of Druids and Fae, then that means they’re responsible for taking my sword and keeping it from me.”
Roman took a step back as the implications hit him. “That means they know what the sword is used for.”
“Aye,” V said with a twist of his lips. “It also means that we’ve wasted enough time talking about it. We need to get searching.”
The two of them walked out of the house. Roman paused long enough to use his magic to secure the building. Then they headed toward the mountains.
“Do you think these allied Druids and Fae knew what would happen to me if I lost my sword?” V asked.
Roman glanced at him. “I think it’s safe to assume they had a suspicion.”
“It’s as if they want humanity hurt.”
“Or they want us to be responsible for it.”
V let out a string of curses beneath his breath. Roman looked at the mountains ahead of them. It would be so much simpler if they could fly. That way, V might find the cave he’d once used.
Walking the mountain as a human would take time they didn’t have. V might be able to hide his dragon form, but Roman couldn’t.
“We take to the skies at night,” V said as if reading his mind.
Roman looked up at the peak before them. “This area has tourists because of Dracula.”
“I’d love to know who started that stupid legend so I can beat them,” V muttered angrily.
Roman said with a grin he didn’t try to hide, “All legends begin somewhere. I just happen to be standing next to one. Vlad.”
He halted and faced Roman. “I was good to the mortals on my land. I never harmed them.”
Roman’s smile died. “I know.”
“I never gave them reason to want to do me such an injustice.”
Roman began the ascent up the mountain. “Mortals need no provocation to do such things.”
“Aye. That’s what worries me.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Wake up! Something is wrong! WAKE UP!
Sabina’s eyes snapped open. She didn’t move as she listened to the sounds of the house. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Why then had she woken?
She tried to move her legs, only to find that one of the cats had curled up next to her. Sabina got out from under the covers without disturbing the feline and walked from her room to peer into Camlo’s.
Her brother’s bed was empty. She had long stopped trying to get him to make it each morning. It was one battle she’d given up on, focusing instead on other things. So she couldn’t tell based on the mess if he’d come to bed and already left. Or if he’d never come into the house at all.
Sabina returned to her room and pulled on a pair of sweats and grabbed a jacket before slipping her feet into a pair of old boots with worn soles. Her gaze landed on the unlocked deadbolt as she reached for the door.
Camlo knew her rule of locking everything when he came inside. With her heart thumping in worry, she opened the door and looked outside. She didn’t see or hear anything. Hopefully, Camlo was asleep in the barn.
She stepped into the night and immediately fought the urge to jump back inside. There was no explanation for it. She wasn’t afraid of the dark, but tonight, she didn’t want to be out in it.
Sabina fought against the irrational fear and slowly closed the door behind her. With that soft click disconnecting her from the safety of the house, her blood turned to ice. Her gaze scanned the darkness, searching for some foe out to harm her.
The Romani had many folktales that were passed down to their children, and the Romanians were no different. Sabina was well aware that every story got its roots from some smidgen of truth. It’s why she never totally discounted any of the myths.
For some reason, her mind conjured up the tale of the zmeu, a shape-shifting creature that fed on human flesh and often kidnapped young women to be his consort.
Once her imagination was triggered, it went to the varcolaci, or werewolves.
Sabina straightened her shoulders. Her ancestors once walked into the cave of a Dragon King and stole his sword. She could face anything that came out of the dark.
The longer she stood there, the more every sound was a threat. She hurried away from the door and made her way to the barn. Careful to close the gates behind her, she all but ran inside the structure.
But her fear skyrocketed when there was no sign of Camlo.
She turned one way, then the other. “Camlo? Camlo! Answer me, please!”
Sabina, no longer concerned with being quiet for fear of waking her brother, threw open the barn door to look outside. “Camlo!”
Slamming the door sh
ut, she started rushing through the various pens, shouting her brother’s name. They lived far enough out that if a vehicle came down their road, it was to see them since no one else lived down the lane.
They were also close enough to the mountains that wolves and bears were common, which was why all the animals were safely locked up at night. Since the pens were secured, that meant Camlo had seen to them before.…
Before what? Her mind was filled with all kinds of possibilities.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a shape in the front yard. She instantly recognized her brother’s tall silhouette and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Camlo,” she said sternly as she made her way to him. “Didn’t you hear me call you?”
His head was tilted back as he gazed up at the sky with a smile on his face. “I answered.”
“I didn’t hear you. I was scared something happened to you.”
He frowned and glanced at her. “Like what?”
“Like you left.”
“I won’t leave you or the animals, Bina. You’re the one who’s going to leave.”
She took a step back at his words. They sounded like a prophecy of sorts, and it sent a chill through her. “I’m not leaving you, little brother.”
“Not now.”
“It’s late. Let’s get you into bed.”
He shook his head and pulled his hand away, shooting her an angry look. “I’m not going to miss seeing them again.”
She thought of the fear that had assaulted her when she walked outside. “What are you looking at?”
“Look up,” he said with a grin and pointed to the sky.
Sabina raised her gaze but saw only stars and the occasional cloud that drifted slowly past. “I don’t see anything.”
“They’ll be back.”
“Who?”
“Just watch. You have to see them.”
She was quickly losing patience. Now that her fear was gone, anger was rising. “I’m not in the mood for games.”
“No game. Look,” he urged again.
Unable to help herself, she looked up. For just a heartbeat, she thought she saw something flying, but it was gone before it even registered in her mind. “What is it?”
“You won’t believe me.”
