Dracones Boxset Books 1-5

by Sheri-Lynn Marean

  “Just wait, Jax and I will come with you,” Tierney said, but Raven didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

  “I can’t wait, I can’t lose another mate,” she said, not even realizing what she was admitting to, she was so worried.

  “I’ll go with you,” Lucian said quietly, following her.

  “I’m not waiting.” She flung the heavy wooden door open and rushed outside only to pull up before she ran into Kyrian.

  “I take it you didn’t find him,” he said, startling her.

  Raven shook her head, unable to speak.

  “She believes he’s gone back for Zeveride,” Lucian explained.

  Kyrian wasn’t surprised. “I thought he might, but I asked him to wait for me.”

  “Yeah, well, your brother likes to do things alone,” she snapped. Damn stubborn male.

  “Not a surprise,” Lucian mumbled bitterly as Tierney and Jax walked outside.

  “—there is no way after yesterday that he goes in there and gets Zeveride back without either dying or turning himself over to them,” Jax was saying.

  Horror lit Lucian’s eyes and Raven ground her teeth. She didn’t just find another soul mate after twenty years only to lose him again. She drew on her power, drawing a gasp from Tierney at the sight of her large black wings.

  “You—”

  Not sure what her niece was about to say, Raven took to the sky, anger pulsing inside of her. If anyone hurt her mate, she’d make them pay!

  Chapter Fifty

  Sacrifice

  Soroyan swore when he found the wards back up. He began to skirt the property and grinned when he found a small gap. A moment later he found another. Standing back, he studied the area, wondering if the boy, Taraven was the only spell caster that Val Jean had. It would make sense.

  The kid wouldn’t be strong enough to put the wards up all at once. Or … it could be possible he purposefully left them this way. He contemplated this as he made his way right up to the front door and rang the buzzer.

  A few minutes later, he was ushered into a large, very ornate room. Along each side, were various Supes, some in their human form, others in their animal form. Most were chained to the wall, while a few others sat unchained on cushions.

  Soroyan seethed, but knew he had to keep his cool if he was to free Zeveride.

  A couple of the Supes snarled at the sight of him.

  Soroyan curled his lip at the male hyena. One of the few unchained, and wondered what the male did for Val Jean. Obviously, something to have earned enough trust so as not to be chained.

  He ignored the male, along with his two friends, a female and another male.

  All the different scents were overwhelming, but prevalent was the fear and depression of the ones who were chained. Soroyan’s eyes narrowed on the figure about three quarters of the way down the long room.

  Val Jean reclined on a throne wearing only a plush black bathrobe. Soroyan would have laughed at the ridiculousness, if he wasn’t so pissed. The male in front of him was no king, just a narcissistic asshole who kept other beings for his own pleasure.

  “I’ve come for Zeveride,” he said staring the Daywalker in the eye and not waiting for Val Jean to address him first as his elderly guide who had let him inside had warned.

  Val Jean raised his eyebrows. “And you think I’m just going to give him up?”

  “If you want me, you will,” Soroyan answered, and a glow of appreciation light the Daywalker’s eyes.

  Val Jean studied him and Soroyan held his gaze, dreaming of wrapping his hands around the other male’s neck and squeezing the life out of him. Finally, Val Jean smirked. Then he glanced past Soroyan at a guard. “Seville, fetch Zeveride.”

  Soroyan turned, surprised to find the tiger from the day before standing not ten feet behind him. He caught the feline’s scent.

  If Seville was surprised to see him, he didn’t let on. Instead, he met Soroyan’s gaze briefly before turning away and leaving the room.

  “I have no idea what made you change your mind, though I am very happy you did,” Val Jean said, then Soroyan moved out of the way as a bunch of servants entered carrying trays of food and drink. Soroyan wanted to sneer at the golden goblet that was passed to their king, scenting blood.

  As soon as the tiger returned with Zeveride in tow, Soroyan moved over to the other wolf who was frowning at him. “Toren, did he … is he?”

  “Toren is home, he’s safe,” Soroyan said.

  Zeveride’s relief was palpable. “Then why are you here?”

  “Your mate misses you.” Soroyan studied the other male. He’d seen Zeveride in action and the guy could fight. He’d make a worthy mate to his nephew.

  Soroyan turned back to Val Jean. “So, do we have a deal?” He needed to get his nephew’s mate out of here and on his way back to the pack.

  “If I let him go, you willingly give yourself to me?” Val Jean clarified.

  Just then, there was a loud bang as the doors were thrown open.

  The servants, who were about to exit the room, all moved away from the doors in fear.

  About to answer Val Jean, Soroyan turned at a familiar scent.

  “He does not!” A voice growled in fury.

  His eyes grew huge and he felt a smile tugging at his lips at the sight of the female with weapons strapped all over her as she flew into the room.

  “Valerieus Jensuvius! You filthy piece of shit. I should have cut your balls off and fed them to you when I had the chance!”

  In front of him Val Jean blanched and shrank back in obvious fear. “No … no!” he mumbled as Raven flew across the room to stand mere feet from Soroyan.

  “This wolf is mine,” Raven said, claiming him.

  Soroyan couldn’t help staring at her. Hair wild, she was a sight to behold. Then she turned and narrowed her eyes on him. “And you, I will deal with later,” she growled and he bit back his grin.

  “G-guards!” Val Jean yelled, and Soroyan wondered at how they knew each other. The stench of bald fear filled the room and the servants quickly scurried away, then the sound of feet running toward them reached him. Still, he didn’t take his eyes off of Raven.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Angry eyes flashed at him. “Saving you, dumbass!”

  Soroyan snorted. Someone had been spending too much time with Genna, or Jax …

  The two male hyenas rose to their feet and stripped Raven with lust-filled eyes.

  Soroyan growled at them just as twenty guards rushed into the room.

  “Stop.” The command was quiet, yet powerful, stopping the guards in their tracks. As Raven’s power floated about the room, it tickled soothingly across Soroyan’s skin. From out of nowhere, Raven held up a stunning sword that was hauntingly familiar. It was just like the one Zander had hanging over the mantle of the large fireplace in his home. Angel wings wrapped around the slender yet strong hand now gripping the hilt.

  Raven scanned the room, taking in all of Val Jean’s pets chained to the walls before looking back at the male himself. “I really should have killed you all those years ago. I will remedy that.”

  “No.” Val Jean slowly inched from his chair to stand behind it. Soroyan frowned. From all he’d heard of the guy, he was surprised at how quickly he’d caved, even in light of how dangerous Raven appeared.

  Raven’s anger snapped through the room as she moved closer. “We had a deal. I spared you and you promised to behave if I let you live and escape with your brother’s wizard child.”

  Val Jean gulped audibly. “I, I’ve taken good care of him.”

  “That isn’t what I heard. And now you dare try to claim my mate?” Raven snarled.

  Val Jean began to shake. “No. No, wait. Y-your mate?”

  Raven glanced at Soroyan and despite her anger, he caught the love in her eyes and it warmed his cold heart.

  When she turned back to Val Jean, she took some of his cold fury with her. “Yes. My mate.”

  “I … I didn’t know
he was yours. Take him,” he said, waving at Soroyan.

  “Oh, I will.”

  “Good. See, I’m not so bad,” Val Jean said, trying for a grin that showed just how scared he was.

  “You are more than bad and what you do next will determine whether I kill you slowly or fast,” Raven said, advancing on the cowering male.

  Val Jean’s sickly smile slid away and he backed up. “No, you can have that one as well,” he said, nodding at Zeveride.

  “That is all?” Raven asked, eyebrows raised. Soroyan’s skin pricked at the power her anger invoked.

  “Who … who else?” Val Jean asked, glancing warily around the room.

  “They are all free to go as they please,” Raven said, lowering her sword just a bit.

  Val Jean blinked, surprised, then outraged at the thought. Finally, he attempted to gain some courage. “No. This is my home. You can’t just come in here and threaten me in my home.”

  Raven laughed. “I can and I did, and now I’m getting tired of this nonsense.”

  She raised her sword and Soroyan’s eyes widened as it was consumed by white light. An unearthly power poured from her as she moved toward Val Jean with purpose.

  “No!” Val Jean cried out and circled to the other side of his throne chair. “Guards, get her!” he commanded and as if loosed from a spell, the guards quickly closed in on them.

  As the fighting began, Raven turned and cut two Daywalkers down as more of Val Jean’s men rushed into the room. Without hesitation, they joined the battle.

  Soroyan was surprised to see the tiger engage the guards beside Zeveride. Both fought ruthlessly. The tiger in a half-form, sharp claws tearing the enemy to shreds, while Zeveride used his hands and a combination of martial arts.

  As he fought, Soroyan lost sight of Val Jean for a moment, then he spotted the man picking up a blade someone had dropped. Like the coward he was, he quickly retreated. When Soroyan spotted him next, he had the young boy, Taraven, in is clutches.

  “Freeze them!” Val Jean commanded.

  “No, I don’t like this, it isn’t right,” the boy said, but Val Jean shook him and held the knife at his neck.

  “You are mine, you will do as I say or regret it.”

  Looking pale, Taraven scanned the room. “Chongeloh!”

  Everyone in the room, with the exception of Taraven and Val Jean, froze. Soroyan wanted to scream.

  Val Jean smiled and letting Taraven go, he walked up and slid the knife he held into Raven’s back.

  Soroyan finally did scream, but no sound came out. He could see the pain and horror in Raven’s eyes.

  Despite the collar, Soroyan drew on his power, glad when he felt a small sizzle. “No!” He managed to shout, and then the spell broke.

  Raven collapsed to the floor and a bright red stain spread out under her. She came back for him and this is what she got? Soroyan’s pulse sped up as Val Jean smirked, pulled the dagger from Raven’s back and backed away.

  Fury rose like a live entity as darkness engulfed Soroyan. Collar or not, it didn’t matter. His power blasted out of him, suffocating him. Then he blacked out. The large midnight wolf with streaks of red in his coat stood over the torn and bloody bodies of two guards.

  Val Jean gaped at him. “You! I’ve heard of you. I-I thought you were legend.” He slowly moved away again as if realizing how easy it would be for the massive wolf to eat him. “Still, you shouldn’t have been able to shift with that collar. How did you do that?”

  Soroyan growled deep in his chest. Another guard neared and he ripped out the male’s throat. He began to advance on Val Jean while the tiger and Zeveride made quick work of the men they’d been fighting.

  “Help! Taraven!” Val Jean screamed.

  Fury pumping through him, Soroyan stalked the male around the room. A couple more guards got too close. Soroyan roared at them and they quickly backed off.

  “That was my mate!” he roared telepathically and knew by Val Jean’s surprise that he’d heard Soroyan’s voice in his head.

  Soroyan leaped, knocking the one who had hurt his mate to the floor. He snarled at the scent of the male under him. “You die now!” He snapped his teeth and snarled. Eat heart! His beast roared, when a faint moan halted him.

  He hurt mate! Kill him! The wolf howled. Soroyan hesitated. He tore his hate-filled gaze from Val Jean’s fear-filled eyes and turned to Raven.

  Kill later. Now our mate needs us, he said and his wolf receded.

  Soroyan snarled and snapped at Val Jean. ‘Stay!’

  Leaving the vile creature cowering on the floor, he quickly moved over to Raven and inspected her. The scent of her blood stirred the fury inside of him. He nuzzled her, willing her to get up. She was too still. “Please, Raven, wake up,” he pleaded.

  A very faint pulse fluttered in her neck in response.

  No! He cried, unaware of anything but Raven.

  Val Jean crept back over to his throne and snatched up a device off the table right beside it. He grinned and pressed a button. Soroyan arched into the air as a surge of electricity shot through him.

  Then his legs buckled and he went down, panting in pain.

  As he lay on the floor, he looked at Raven. Then he blinked. Her eyes were open and staring at him. I failed you! As if she understood, her eyes met his. “No, love,” she whispered.

  He wanted to weep at the sight of her awake, but couldn’t move. Still, the desire to tear Val Jean limb from limb filled him once again. Not sure where he got the strength, he struggled to regain his feet. Another jolt shot through him.

  “I’d keep still if I were you,” Val Jean said, chuckling.

  “Stop moving,” Raven whispered, but he couldn’t.

  Then a power with a similar taste to Jax’s, yet different, swept over him. Soroyan’s wolf eyes flicked around the room as he inhaled the scent, wondering where it had come from. Then he thought about what Raven had told him. He met her furious dark-purple gaze. You?

  A wry smile lit her lips, but her eyes were ice-cold. Raven rose to her feet and someone cried in fear. The few remaining guards quickly fled the room. Soroyan swallowed as deadly magic seemed to slice the very air as it grew stronger.

  Val Jean paled. “Stop, or I’ll hurt him some more,” he threatened, holding up the remote that activated Soroyan’s collar.

  “It will be the last thing you ever do,” Raven roared, then in a mist of power, she shifted into a large, black dragon with white fire swirling under each scale. Soroyan’s wolf grinned, tongue lolling out at the sight of his mighty mate.

  The remaining guards started to close in on her, but one shot of dragon fire left them little piles of ash.

  “You will let my mate go right away!” The voice was Raven’s, yet deeper, stronger and full of fury toward Val Jean.

  Val Jean dropped the device he was using to shock Soroyan and put his hands up. “Fine, I told you, you could take him. Take all of them,” he said, eyes shooting wildly around the room, looking for an escape.

  Purple dragon eyes inspected Soroyan and while he may not know how this was possible, it did explain that extra bit of light he’d felt in her.

  Just then Tierney, Jax, Kyrian, and Lucian rushed into the room only to pull up sharply.

  Raven turned, ready to attack, when she saw who it was.

  “Demons! Is that your aunt?” Jax asked.

  Tierney appeared just as shocked. “I … I think it is.”

  “Daddy!” a petulant voice yelled as Serena, followed by the child Taraven, hurried into the room then stopped to gape at them all.

  “You!” Jax and Tierney both growled and Raven narrowed her dragon eyes on the female.

  “No, leave her alone, please, I beg you!” Val Jean shouted and Raven turned back to him. Her eyes blazed, and suddenly with a swoosh, she set fire to his prized piece of furniture. His throne.

  Val Jean moved toward Taraven and Raven roared at him. He changed direction.

  “Come here, Taraven!” Tierney sho
uted.

  The boy glanced at Val Jean.

  Val Jean scuttled away as Raven advanced on him, burning his side table and a wall hanging just past him.

  “Daddy! Just kill them already, they’re wrecking the place,” Serena whined. Tierney, Jax, and Lucian turned to grab her, but with a shriek, she took off out of the room.

  “Taraven, come here!” Val Jean demanded pathetically.

  Tierney shook her head and gently pulled the young boy in behind her. “It’s all right. We’ll protect you,” she whispered to Taraven.

  “Boy! Help me, now!” Val Jean shouted, face turning red as he continued to scramble away from Raven.

  “Taraven, you belong to me,” Val Jean whined.

  Tierney just held on to the child and continued to reassure him it would be okay.

  “The keys to my mate’s collar and the others.” Raven said, sending small shots of fire at Val Jean’s feet, making him dance to keep away from her deadly flames.

  “Fine, here!” Val Jean hastily pulled a shiny golden key from a hidden pocket in his robe. “Here,” he said again and started to set it on the floor when Raven stopped him.

  “Bring it here,” she demanded.

  After a slight hesitation, Val Jean skirted her and then tossed it to Lucian. Soroyan stood still as his son unlocked the collar around his neck.

  “That will open all of them?” Tierney asked. She and Jax had moved up beside Raven.

  “Y-yes,” Val said and inched away from them again.

  After Soroyan was free, Zeveride began to unchain and free the other captives. Raven advanced on Val Jean. “Now you die.”

  “No, you can’t,” Val Jean cried out, searching around frantically. Then his gaze settled on Taraven who was tucked into Tierney’s side.

  “If you kill me, you kill the kid,” he said, grasping at straws. Raven moved closer to him and roared. Val Jean cowered and waved his arms around. “Really, we are tied together, and … and, besides, you need me. My brother, Val Dagan, is coming. You will need me and my men to help fight him.”

  The reek of fear oozed off the male as he waited to die.

  Raven froze.

  “What beef does your brother have with us?” Jax sneered.