Especially once she started considering how she’d been treated. She’d come here believing she would receive instruction. Instead, she’d been locked up like a prisoner, or worse, a criminal. With a mighty Drakkonic roar, she let fury fill her. There. That ember down deep in her core, sparked, then blazed to life.
She roared again, uncurling her wings, breathing flames. The door went first, blazing up as she launched herself toward the opening. But the doorway was far too small for her dragon form, and she slammed into the concrete wall, making the entire house shudder.
From the rooms above, she heard shouts and the sound of running feet as Micah and his companions headed for the stairs.
Beyond caring, she shook herself off and waited for their arrival. They’d think twice before attempting to do something like this again.
The wooden door continued to burn, but apparently everything else had been made of cement, so the fire didn’t spread.
Through the smoke, a shadowy figure appeared, sidestepping the blazing door. Micah flipped on a switch, and light flooded her concrete prison.
He gaped at her, clearly stunned. Pleased, Maria roared again and moved toward him, fully expecting him to change so they could fight, dragon to dragon.
Instead, he waved his hand, intending to use magic to confine her once again.
As soon as the wave of energy hit her, she batted it away with one claw. And took another step forward.
Fear showed on his face as he realized that not only had his magic somehow become useless against her, but that she could easily kill him. While he could not kill her. Females were so few and so valuable, he wouldn’t dare.
“Stop,” he called out. “I will train you. Don’t hurt me.”
She roared again, letting him hear her displeasure. And then she used her magic to levitate him, turning him upside down exactly the way he’d done to her. Once she had him magically secured in the middle of the room—even though she wasn’t entirely sure how she’d done this—she changed back to human. She marched over and grabbed her clothes, turning her back to him while she dressed.
And then, in order to teach him a lesson, she left him there and went in search of his housemates.
* * *
Later, having released Micah after less than thirty minutes, Maria gathered him and the two others in the spacious kitchen.
All three of the male Drakkor were older and wore beards, though only Micah’s had turned white. The youngest male, named Brandon, kept his trimmed short, and the dark brown matched his hair. The other, who’d reluctantly given his name as Roger, sported a long beard and a head of curls styled into a loose afro.
She fixed them, one by one, with a cold stare.
“I came here to learn. The Council approved this. If you three have issues, you should have taken them up with the Council. Not with me. I need to be able to defend myself against the rogue Drakkor. Surely you three can see that.”
Micah glanced at the other two men and swallowed before he spoke. “To be honest, we—and many, many others—believed you should surround yourself with skilled men such as your father. There is no need to fill your head with these things. You have one task to do. Let us protect you.”
His version of “don’t worry your pretty little head about this” appalled her.
“This isn’t the 1950s,” she said. “Not only that, but since I clearly am able to defend myself against you, it doesn’t appear to me that I’m asking too much. I have magic. I’m strong. And I’m not yet with child.”
They all three stared at her, silent.
She took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. Now that she’d invoked it once, she recognized her magic simmering deep inside her, like a smoldering ember. “Gentlemen, I will need your answer.”
In the future, assuming at least one of the pregnant females was successful in delivering girls, she understood much might be written about this pivotal moment. How sad that the women of her kind hadn’t fought for equal rights, but how could they when they hadn’t even realized they were oppressed?
As she eyed the three Drakkor mages, aware that if they were to join forces and combine their magic they might succeed in re-imprisoning her, she hoped they’d see reason instead.
Finally, Micah stepped forward and bowed his head in a nod. “We will teach you.” He strode off, this time heading toward a staircase that led up. “Come with me and I’ll show you your room. Once you’ve had time to refresh yourself, we will begin.”
The next several days were exhausting. In fact, Maria came to consider them a sort of magic boot camp that lasted eight hours a day. They pushed her to her limits, yet she managed to forge on, determined to show them that, yes, she could do this. She learned all kinds of useful things. The ability to focus and summon up the kernel of magic inside of her without needing strong emotion as fuel. And the way to instinctively know when danger was near. This one seemed a bit trickier, but she finally felt she’d mastered it.
At the end of every day she fell into her bed, too exhausted to think about anything or anyone. She wasn’t even sure she dreamed. Still, she found herself missing Ryan at odd times, and once or twice she actually pulled out her cell phone and attempted to contact him.
Every time she did—and after the first few attempts, she gave up—her phone showed No Service. Even her attempts to send him a text wouldn’t go through. Eventually she gave up and focused on her training.
There were exercises, both of the body and the mind. She worked out until her clothes were soaked with perspiration and then worked out more. She practiced creating with her magic, at first pretty colorless bubbles, then clouds and finally fire. In this, magic was limited. She could not create infinite objects or living, breathing beings. Though, if magic was used wrongly, doing so could destroy them.
She progressed from tiny flames to a crackling bonfire—safely in the fireplace, of course. From levitating a few inches above the floor, to being able to fly in her human form, though not nearly as effortlessly as she did when she was dragon.
After she’d mastered everything in her human form, she had to change to dragon and do it all over again. Surprisingly, she found magic to be easier while in that form. As if the natural well it sprang from resided much closer to the surface.
She practiced and practiced, barely sleeping, eating just enough to keep up her energy.
“There is one thing more,” Micah told her. “Come with us.”
Immediately she got up, following him out to the car, where Brandon and Roger waited. They drove up into the mountains even though it was late at night. Brandon parked the car and they hiked up a hidden trail under the starlight. Though they apparently had no problem seeing, Maria had to use a flashlight as she brought up the rear.
Once they reached a flat rock more than halfway up the mountain, she watched as, one by one, Micah, Brandon and Roger shape-shifted into their dragon selves. They were so powerful the change seemed instantaneous. Their beasts were amazing, even to her seasoned gaze. Huge and ominous, lovely in their dark beauty, they reared back, huge heads swinging up as if reaching for the sky. She found herself holding her breath, her throat aching, as each one unfurled his wings and launched into the night sky.
Above her, they circled, waiting. She squinted up at the quarter moon, loving how each time a dragon flew over, they blotted out what little light it gave.
And then, she began her own change.
Something in the air...maybe it was a lingering trace of their power. Or perhaps her dragon responded in kind to the three other beasts in the night sky above. Whatever it might have been, she went from human to dragon almost instantly, changing faster than she’d ever done.
When the change was complete, she shuddered. Energy coursed through her, filling her with elation. In one swift motion she spread her wings and jumped, launching herself into the air.
Together, they flew off, circling, diving, tumbling through the air, the movements surprisingly graceful considering their size.
Maria mimicked their moves, reveling, full of unspeakable joy. It had been far too long since she’d been allowed to play in the sky with others. In fact, since she’d moved into adolescence, she’d flown alone.
Their playful moves taught her new nuances of flight, and what had always been a solitary time became a learning experience. She watched the way they dipped and twisted and soared, and attempted to mimic them.
They watched and guided, and soon she felt confident she could fly as gracefully as they.
And then they introduced magic.
Tiny things at first, a small fireball zinged from one to another, to be dodged and quickly returned. As she watched from the side, she realized they were playing a game. She took a deep breath, went into a dive and joined in.
She sent two fireballs, each in a different direction. Micah and Brandon easily dodged them, and while she watched this action, Roger came up behind her and zapped her with one of his own.
It hurt. One quick flash of pain before it subsided.
After that necessary bit of learning, no one succeeded in hitting her with a fireball again.
After playing for a few hours, one by one each massive dragon landed, curled his wings in close and changed back to man. Maria waited until last, keeping her eyes averted as she had no desire to see any of the men naked. Once they were all fully clothed, she flew down beside them, gesturing that they were to turn away until she, too, had changed and gotten dressed.
They shook their heads, but complied.
Becoming human also happened in a flash. Stunned and marveling, she snatched up her clothes and put them on. Once she’d finished, she cleared her throat. “Okay.”
“Let’s go,” Micah ordered.
And one by one they filed back down the mountain. The trail seemed much steeper going down, but Maria felt too exhilarated to care.
Once they’d reached the car, she attempted to put into words some of how she felt. “I’ve always gloried in my dragon self, but this was extraordinary,” she began.
Micah turned from the front passenger seat to look at her. “This was a lesson, as well. You needed to learn that magic can be fun. It’s not all gloom and danger. Magic can be something that brings you joy.”
She opened her mouth and then closed it. “Thank you,” she told him, including the others in her gratefulness. “I will never forget this moment.”
“Good,” he told her. “When we return to the house, get some rest. We shall see you in the morning.”
That night, she slept deeply and didn’t remember dreaming.
When she woke, she realized it was the morning of the fifth day. After she showered and dressed, Micah, Brandon and Roger met her in the kitchen with a hot, nourishing breakfast. As she ate, Micah announced she was ready.
“We’ve taught you all we can,” Micah said, cracking a smile for once. “Honestly, you’ve surprised us with your aptitude.”
Even though she knew that meant they hadn’t expected a woman to be able to succeed, she dipped her chin in a nod. “Thank you.”
“You may call your wolf now to come collect you.” Brandon came forward, his expression pleased. “I will say I’ve really enjoyed working with you.” The surprise in his voice was its own kind of insult, but she let it go.
Since he clearly expected a response, she nodded, unable to reply in kind. The entire time they’d been pushing her, she hadn’t been able to forget the way they’d locked her upside down in a dark room. She had to constantly remain on guard in case they tried anything else. Luckily for them all, they hadn’t. She mentioned this, watching them closely.
“There was good reason for that,” Roger said. “It taught you how to be prepared when your enemy comes.”
She noted he’d said when rather than if. A chill snaked down her spine.
“Also,” Roger continued. “You should know that you will find someone you can love and who will love you in return. The child born of this union will be close to perfect.”
“And hopefully female,” Brandon put in, unnecessarily. For as long as Maria could remember, everyone hoped the females would birth more females. If not, everything would be for nothing.
“I predict you will find your mate soon.” Roger beamed at her.
“But it will not be your wolf,” Micah put in sternly, repeating what he’d said earlier. The other two men looked at him, but didn’t comment. Instead, they turned to eye her and nodded in agreement.
“I already knew that,” Maria told them, ignoring the tightness in her chest at hearing the prediction repeated. “Long before I came here.”
And if the last little remnant of hope inside her curled up and died right then, so be it.
* * *
Maria seemed oddly pensive, and Ryan wasn’t exactly sure if he should try to tease her out of her mood or leave her alone.
He’d been surprised at how much he’d missed her. And by the reasons. More than the sex, he’d found himself wishing he could share something with her and made a mental note to do so once he saw her again.
When the call finally came to pick her up, five days after he’d dropped her off, he experienced myriad emotions, chief among them a confused combination of joy and relief. But within a few seconds of seeing her, he noticed that something within her had changed. The difference showed in the lack of light in her amazing caramel eyes.
When he’d arrived to collect her, the instant she appeared on in the foyer his heart did a funny little jolt. “Maria,” he called, waving. He jumped out of her sports car and hurried up the sidewalk. Needing to touch her, he went in for a hug. Though she didn’t sidestep him, he almost would have rather she had. Instead, she held her body stiffly, as if only barely enduring his touch.
Perplexed and slightly hurt, he released her and took a step back. “Maria? Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Are you ready?” she asked, avoiding his gaze. “I’d like to get on the road to Texas.”
“Yep.” Keeping his tone cheerful, he grabbed her bag. Whatever had happened to her in this place, it clearly hadn’t been good. No doubt she’d tell him all about it once they were safely headed down the road.
Except she didn’t.
He tried talking to her and every question was met with either silence or worse, a monosyllabic answer. Finally, he’d had enough.
Pulling the ’Vette over to the side of the road, he turned in his seat to face her. Unbelievably, she still kept her profile averted, as if something out in the landscape commanded her attention.
“Maria?”
Finally, moving as slowly as if it hurt her, she swiveled her face and met his gaze. “Yes?”
“What’s wrong?”
She stared at him, as cool and composed as if they were total strangers. “Nothing. I’m fine. Why do you ask?” Even her voice sounded robotic.
His chest tightened. “What did they do to you?” Reaching out, he gently touched her cheek. “Tell me. I’ve been with you all along on this, except while you were at your Eyrie. Don’t treat me as if I’m nothing to you.”
For one heartbeat, then two, she didn’t move.
And then, all at once, it was as if a dam broke. Her perfect composure crumbled. She covered her face with her hands and let out a groan. The sound reminded him of an animal in pain. She bowed her head and her shoulders shook as she struggled to gain control over her emotions.
He undid his seat belt and pulled her close, holding her. “It’s all right,” he murmured. “Go ahead and cry. Let out all the feelings you’ve been keeping bottled up so tightly inside.”
Once again, his words had the opposite effect. She stiffened and pulled away. “I don’t cry,” she said, her voice low. “Ever. I’m stronger than that.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Then do you mind telling me what’s wrong? Did they hurt you?”
“It’s not that,” she said, her features once again composed and remote. “Apparently part of their abilities enable them to see into the future. I�
�ve been given a little glimpse of mine and it’s a bit difficult to deal with.”
He waited for her to elaborate.
“Anyway, I have control over my magic now,” she said, clearly finished with the topic of her future. “At first, I thought I’d made a huge mistake coming to the Eyrie.”
He waited, aware she needed time to collect her thoughts. “The first day was...rough. They imprisoned me with magic. It seemed more like torture. I got the feeling they were trying to make me pay for daring to ask for something they believe women shouldn’t be allowed to do.”
Horrified, he nodded. He clenched his jaw. To think they’d actually done this to her infuriated him.
“I went there thinking they would help me. Instead, I came to realize they were intent on showing me I didn’t belong. That I needed to get back to figuring out a way to meet my destiny and not bother them. Finally, after being imprisoned for several hours in the dark, I couldn’t take it anymore. Something inside me just...broke. I sort of let loose. I’m lucky no one was seriously injured.”
“What do you mean, let loose?”
“My magic. It was only when I showed them—one at a time and then together—that they couldn’t push me around that they finally let me learn.” Her short laugh sounded painful. “Of course, at that point, they really had no choice. Turns out I’m really powerful. I think I might be more powerful than any of them, though we never discussed it. Which is good, if I’m going to have a prayer of beating Doug Polacek.”
He cursed. “I hope you made them pay for treating you that way.”
“Only their pride. They couldn’t actually hurt me, at least not my body. I’m far too valuable to our people.”
“So instead they went for what? Your mind? Like psychological warfare?” While he waited for her to answer, he prayed she’d tell him no, that they hadn’t done that.
Her expression pensive, she nodded, sending his stomach plummeting to the soles of his boots. “Sort of.”
Inside, his wolf snarled. By some miracle he was able to keep his voice steady. “They can’t be allowed to get away with treating you like that.”
Billionaire Wolf (The Pack 17) (Nocturne) Page 11
