He shrugged. “So? I told you, I’ll hire security. He won’t be able to get through them.”
“But he will. I take it you didn’t finish reading that book about the Drakkor. They—we—have magic. Some more than others. And this rogue Drakkor apparently has quite a bit of it.” She walked the short distance to her sofa, and dropped down onto it. “So, thank you for offering, but I’m going to have to decline.”
He eyed her, his shuttered expression revealing nothing of his thoughts. “If Drakkor have magic, why can’t you use your own magic to protect yourself?”
Ah, the sixty-million-dollar question. “Because I don’t know how. The men train for years to strengthen their magic. The females don’t.” She didn’t tell him the rest of it. No one thought the few Drakkor women remaining needed to waste time perfecting their magic. They needed to breed, nothing more, nothing less.
Thinking about it like this made her realize it was wrong. Still, now was a little too late to start pondering the injustices in her people’s way of life.
“What about the ocean? We can go out on my yacht,” he began.
Again, she shook her head. “That’s fine for a vacation, but Drakkor can fly. We’d be sitting ducks on a boat all alone in the middle of the ocean.”
He considered her, his blue eyes dark. “You sound like you’ve given up.”
“No, I haven’t,” she protested. “Not at all.” If only he knew. She couldn’t give up. Not with the entire future of her people riding on her and her as-yet unconceived child. “My father wants me to go stay with him in Green Bay.”
“Wisconsin? That’s too far.”
“I know. But there are several elder Drakkor there. Together, they’d be able to combine their magic and make a strong enough shield to ward off any threat.”
Crossing his arms, he studied her. “I think a better idea would be for them to train you in magic. You say you have some inside you. Learn how to use it. That way, you can handle anything. You won’t have to rely on anyone else.”
The idea was brilliant, but she knew since every single Drakkor had become so consumed with the idea of the females procreating, the Council would find this plan ridiculous. Now she could see it wasn’t. She was so much more than a breeding vessel.
“You know what? You’re right. I’ll bring that up with my father when I get there.” She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she had to do. “Ryan, you need to leave. There’s too much going on and you complicate things. The time we’ve had together has been amazing, but I don’t think you need to try and see me again.”
Chapter 6
Maria held her breath, waiting to shatter until after Ryan left. But he didn’t move. Instead, he gazed at her with such kindness in his eyes she melted a bit inside.
“I know you’re frightened.”
“I’m not—” she began. But then she let her false denial die on her lips. There was no more point in lying.
“Please, at least think about what I’ve said,” Ryan continued, moving closer. “You’re a strong woman. Why not develop your full potential? I don’t know why your people won’t let females learn how to use their magic, but I’d think they’d make an exception in a situation like this. Call your father and find out.”
Though she hated to admit it, she liked the idea. In fact, the more she considered, the more the possibility of her reaching inside to her own strength appealed to her.
“And, Maria?” He touched her arm, the lightest of touches, just enough to send a shiver through her. “Even though you keep sending me away, I’m not going anywhere until I know you’re safe. Whichever course you choose.”
Fighting the urge to lean into him, she didn’t protest. How could she, when his presence made her feel secure? Deceptively so, she knew, and she wasn’t foolish enough to think Ryan could challenge Polacek and win. Of course, if he managed to get off a lucky shot...
No. She couldn’t risk him. This was a Drakkor battle. No reason for Ryan to be involved.
“I need to think,” she told him, turning away for her own sanity. It actually hurt to look at him. Even now, in the midst of all this turmoil, his male perfection made her ache.
Which both perplexed and infuriated her. She’d never been one to be ruled by her body. Of course, she’d never been so attracted to a man, or desired one the way she craved him. She’d been proud of the strength of her mind, and her body had been a distant second. The future had always blazed bright with endless possibilities.
Until the day she’d learned she, as one of the last remaining Drakkor females, had been tasked with the continuation of their race. The burden of such a Herculean duty had grown heavier with each passing year.
No. She couldn’t allow herself to wallow in self-pity or regret—she’d already tried that and she’d accomplished nothing. Once again, she had to remind herself not to dwell on the way things were. Especially as she could do nothing to change them. While it might have stung just a little, the way everyone suddenly regarded her as little more than a breeder, a prize piece of livestock, she told herself she understood. Her people’s hope would one day reside within her body.
Meanwhile, her own optimism had begun to slowly die.
Until now. Until Ryan’s comment made her realize she could be more. His words made sense. The more she considered the idea, the more she wondered why her own people hadn’t seen the wisdom of better equipping the females of their kind to defend themselves.
Maybe for the same reason they’d refused to believe the males were the ones who were sterile.
She took a deep breath and before she lost her courage, she dialed her father’s number.
“Well?” His terse greeting told her how much he was worried. “What have you decided?”
“I want to go to Eyrie,” she declared, her heart skipping a beat. “I want to be trained in how to use my magic.”
Though she half expected her father to either outright refuse or worse, laugh, to his credit he did none of those things.
“I don’t know if I can get the Council to agree to that,” he said. “I confess, I’ve often thought the rules allowing only males to receive training should be changed. Especially since the continuation of our race is dependent on you women.”
“Call them and ask, please. With Polacek on the loose, there’s no time to waste. And, Dad, tell them this. If they don’t agree, I will refuse to even attempt to complete the task they’ve asked of me. If nothing else will convince them, this should.”
“I’ll call you back.” And he hung up without another word.
Truly, she held all the cards. Satisfaction mingled with trepidation as she dropped her phone on the table. When she looked up, Ryan watched her, his sharp gaze intense.
“What task are they asking you to complete?” he asked, his quiet tone serious.
Without dropping her gaze, she slowly shook her head. “That’s not something I can discuss with you, I’m sorry. All I can tell you is it’s my destiny. I would tell you more if I could.”
Just like that, his expression went remote. “I understand,” he said. But she knew he didn’t.
To fill the awkward silence, she muttered something about needing to pack and hurried to her room. She kept her rolling duffel bag under the bed. After dragging it out, she placed it on her bed and began placing clothes inside.
Her father called back just as she’d zipped the now-full bag closed. “What’s up?” she asked.
“They wanted to call a Council meeting and take a full vote,” he said. “But when I told them we didn’t have time, they promised to give me an answer in thirty minutes.”
“I believe I will take that as a yes,” she declared, the resolve hardening inside her. “I’m going to get in the car and head toward Colorado.”
His sharp intake of breath told her she’d startled him. “How do you know where Eyrie is located?”
“Everyone knows. Growing up, all the kids made up stories about that place. It’s in the foothills above B
oulder. I’m sure I can find it.” And she also knew her magic would draw her there. Magic always attracted magic. This was one of the most basic laws in existence, even for those without any formal training. Her father knew this.
“I’m not going to argue with you,” he told her. “But what are you going to do if you get there and they turn you away?”
“They won’t,” she replied, wondering where her sudden strength had come from. “I won’t let them.”
Promising to call her back as soon as he knew more, her father rang off.
Hefting her bag up onto her shoulder, Maria turned to find Ryan standing in her doorway.
A smile ghosted across his rugged face. “You’re really going to do this. Good. I’m proud of you.”
Despite her newfound steely resolve, she felt a warm glow at his words. “Yes, I am. Thank you so much for all of your help.”
Staring at him, trying to pretend his nearness didn’t overwhelm her, she swallowed. This was the part where she wasn’t sure if she should kiss him goodbye, hug him or merely shake his hand. Heck, if she had her way, she’d push him back on the bed and have her way with him.
At the thought, her entire body flushed.
Gaze darkening, he eyed her, smiling as if he knew her thoughts. “You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’m not going anywhere, Maria.”
“What?” Gaping at him, she tried hard not show her relief. “Didn’t you hear? I’m driving to Colorado.”
“And I’m going with you. At least—” he swallowed hard “—if that’s okay with you. I can’t let you make the trip alone, not with that monster out there.”
There were a hundred reasons she should tell him no and send him away. But she realized she didn’t care. For all she knew, Doug Polacek could capture her tomorrow. At least for a little while, she was going to live her life the way she wanted.
And she wanted Ryan. Even though she knew her heart would be broken when he left, which he would.
“Do we need to stop by your place so you can pack some clothes?” she asked. “I want you to make sure and bring your gun.”
He rewarded her with a grin that sent heat through her veins. “Nope. I keep a packed bag in my Jeep. I never know when I might have to head in to the company for some sort of emergency. And I always keep a pistol with me.”
“Well, grab it and your bag.” She couldn’t resist tossing her hair. “Because we’re taking my vehicle. I’m driving the first shift.”
His grin broadened. “Sounds good.”
“I’m bringing my Ruger,” she said, unable to keep from smiling at the way his eyes widened. “Yes, I also have my concealed handgun license. I thought it would be a good idea, since I’m often alone at my business. And I’m a pretty decent shot. Just because he’s Drakkor doesn’t mean he’s impervious to bullets.”
“Then why’d you act so shocked that I had a pistol?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. You just don’t seem the type. I guess I figured you’d hire bodyguards or something.”
“Now there’s a thought,” he said, grinning. “Maybe when we get back.”
She punched the garage door opener, letting the sunlight reveal her sports car. Ryan stopped short, eyeing her vehicle.
“That’s yours?” he asked.
“Yep.” She loved seeing his stunned reaction. Just about everyone liked her car, men and women both. Of course, what’s not to like?
“I saw that Corvette the other night,” he said slowly. “There can’t be two painted that same turquoise color. It was parked out at Corps Woods.”
She froze. “Okay.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“That night, I changed and hunted. While still in wolf form, I saw the most beautiful dragon. The scales were every color in the rainbow.”
She nodded, struck dumb. Heat coiled inside her at the realization that he’d found her beautiful.
“Was that you?” he asked quietly.
Law warred with common sense. At this point, Ryan already knew she was Drakkor, just as she knew he was Pack.
“Yes,” she finally answered. “I go out there to shift into my dragon. I didn’t see you, though. I always make sure no one else is around.”
“You were already there when I arrived.” He went outside to his Jeep and retrieved his bag and his pistol. Climbing into the passenger side of her car, he stowed the bag in the backseat and the weapon in the glove box, next to hers.
She felt strangely lighthearted as she backed out of her driveway. Both she and Ryan automatically glanced up at the cloudless blue sky. Luckily, the only flying thing above them were seagulls.
* * *
Colorado. Ryan guesstimated Boulder would be an eighteen-or nineteen-hour drive from Galveston. Of course, a lot of that depended on traffic.
Getting through Houston would be half the battle.
Maria drove with a quiet competence, her skill with the souped-up car attesting to her familiarity with it.
She looked good driving the Corvette, too. The turquoise custom paint job and the sleek lines matched her dusky beauty and wild curves. He feasted his eyes on her while she focused on the road.
She fascinated him. Not only because of her beauty and the way his body reacted to hers, but because of her nature. He couldn’t help but feel envious at her ability to change into a dragon and fly. What must it be like, to soar above the earth without the aid of machines?
Slowly, bit by bit, he would unravel her mystery. He wondered what Herculean task her people asked of her. Whatever it might be, the fact that she could refuse to do it appeared to carry quite a bit of leverage with her Council. He didn’t understand why the Drakkor, one of the oldest paranormal species still in existence, would have different standards for males and females. In the Pack, women were highly regarded. Many led local and state councils.
He wanted to ask Maria about magic, but decided to wait until the right time. The topic fascinated him, especially since he considered himself a man of science. He hadn’t really known magic actually existed. In fact, he still wasn’t sure it did. He was going to have to see some proof.
All in good time. For now, he’d stick to basics.
“I take it you and your father are close?” he asked.
“We are,” she agreed, her hands casual on the steering wheel. “My mother died when I was young. She caught some sort of incurable disease right after I was born.” She didn’t tell him that was the reason the Drakkor had so few women. A disease had torn through the female population, killing almost all of them—elderly, adult, and very young. Maria had been one of the lucky ones who’d appeared to have a built-in immunity.
“Where did you grow up?” he asked. “You don’t have a Texas accent.”
The way her slow grin blossomed on her face made him want to kiss her. “Wisconsin. I may not be a native Texan, but I got here as fast as I could. What about you?”
He loved the way she appreciated his native state. “I’m a born and raised Texan. I grew up in Austin, which is where I still live today.”
Grin fading, she nodded. “I know you own some tech company. Have you always worked in that field? Admittedly, I have no idea what you actually do.”
“My company develops software, apps and games. I’ve always tinkered with that kind of thing. However, as a teenager I did the obligatory stint working in fast food.”
“What about your family? Are you close to them?”
Family. He caught himself clenching his teeth. That one particular subject had been deemed off-limits to every interviewer and every woman he’d ever dated. “That’s the one piece of myself I prefer to keep private,” he began. Then, to his amazement, he continued. “My parents were divorced when I was fifteen.” He left out the years of bitterness and vitriolic hatred each of them exhibited toward the other, even now, twenty years later.
“I have one brother. He’s ten years older than I and mentally impaired. He’s never going to be capable of living on his own. I promised my parents he
’d always be taken care of. I’ve set up a trust, to ensure there’s always enough money to pay the facility where he lives.”
The warmth in her caramel eyes embarrassed him. “That’s admirable of you.”
“No. There’s nothing admirable about it. I love Mark. He loves me. We’re family. I visit him often. And I never discuss my family with the press, understand? I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t, either.”
Her stunned expression told him his last sentence might have hurt her. “I don’t intend on discussing you at all with anyone,” she said. Then she reached over and turned up the radio, signaling she didn’t want to talk anymore.
Leaning his seat back, he closed his eyes. During the long drive north, he imagined they each would come to learn more about the other.
Somehow, unbelievably, Ryan must have dozed off. When he opened his eyes next, they were on that long, flat stretch of highway between Houston and Dallas.
Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and stretched. He looked over at Maria to see her eyeing him with a sweet smile. His heart did a somersault at the sight.
“No sign of any giant flying beasts?” he asked, only half teasing.
“None whatsoever.” She sounded cheerful. “You must have been really tired. You’ve been asleep for over two hours.”
“Really?” He covered a yawn with his hand. “I’m actually kind of surprised. I’m not usually able to sleep with someone else driving. Has your father called back to let you know what the Council decided?”
“Not yet.” She didn’t seem worried. “I’m sure there’s a battle raging among the upper Drakkor echelon. That’s okay. It will all work out. Best of all, Polacek won’t know where to find me. I’ve turned off the GPS on my phone. Just in case, I’d suggest you do the same.”
As he was messing with it to do exactly that, Ryan’s cell phone rang. His assistant, Timothy. He sighed, not quite ready for a dash of cold reality. Briefly, he debated not answering, but in the end he knew he had to.
Instead of some business-related crisis, Timothy had more personal news. “Where are you?” he began. Then, without waiting for an answer, he rushed to continue. “I just heard from the Galveston Fire Department,” he said. “Your beach house caught fire.”
Billionaire Wolf (The Pack 17) (Nocturne) Page 8
