Bk 1 Dracones Awakening

by Sheri-Lynn Marean

  “No, I have no connection to him. Zeveride is a lone wolf. He came to us two years ago and doesn’t let anyone in.” Kyrian explained.

  “But you somehow sense something’s wrong?” Tierney frowned.

  Kyrian nodded. “Yes, when one of us is in the human world, we check in with the pack every three days. We’re taught this from birth. It’s dangerous for us to be in human form for more than a week at a time.”

  “Why?” Jax asked.

  “Toren would check in if he were able. Young or not, our lives depend on each other—on the pack. Our enemies will stop at nothing to eradicate our race.” Kyrian avoided Jax’s question.

  “How long since he’s checked in?” Sami asked.

  “Almost two weeks,” Kyrian replied.

  “So, if you can’t communicate over long distances, how do you check in when you live out here in the mountains as a wolf?” Jax asked the question they were all wondering about now.

  “With a cell phone, of course,” Kyrian replied.

  “You use a cell phone?” Tierney gaped at him.

  “Of course,” Jax agreed sarcastically.

  Sami chuckled. “So how do you charge it?”

  His curious mind made Tierney roll her eyes. “Really?”

  “Yeah, really,” Sami said with a smirk.

  “With magic.” Kyrian’s lips curved upward the slightest bit now.

  “We need to get us some of that kind of magic,” Jax said dryly.

  “Yes, things are much easier with technology these days,” Kyrian said, and Tierney snorted, but Jax just shook his head. “I take it you tried to contact the local Were-wolves?”

  “Yes, but we’ve been unable to reach anyone. I fear something happened to them as well,” Kyrian said.

  Jax nodded, and she could almost see the gears in his head turning. “So, why can’t you go? Why do you need us?”

  “The Ilyium are relentless in their determination to kill all Okami. Our packs have diminished in size, and right now many of our females are pregnant. I cannot leave them unprotected. Most of the wolves I could send, would find life in the city, in this century, very daunting.”

  Ah … They all nodded their understanding.

  “I do have someone I’d like to accompany you, although I’m afraid he’s a bit … anti-social,” Kyrian said.

  Tierney frowned as the bad feeling in her gut.

  “What makes you think the Ilyium took Toren?” Sami asked.

  “I’m not sure they did, but they like to hit you where they can do the most damage, and this—” Kyrian pursed his lips and didn’t finish, but Tierney caught the haunted look in his eyes.

  “Yeah, they do like to do that.” Jax dropped wearily onto the couch, and flicked on the TV.

  Tierney thought about what Kyrian had just said. “If the Ilyium do have him, why would they keep him alive?” She was really thinking about her dad, wondering the same thing.

  “I don’t know.” Kyrian spoke softly, making her regret having asked.

  “Well, I’m sure we’ll find him safe and sound,” she said, trying to sound positive even if she didn’t feel it herself.

  “Tierney, make no mistake, this might be dangerous.” There was definite worry in Kyrian’s voice.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Suddenly she just needed to do this.

  “Soroyan will go with you,” Kyrian said, and it took Tierney a moment to register his words.

  “Whoa—what?” She shook her head. “No way!” She did not want to be anywhere near that crazy-ass male.

  “If the Ilyium are behind this, you may need help. Soroyan has close to five hundred years of fighting them, and if I’m wrong and you don’t need him, fine. But please, I don’t want to endanger any of you.” His intense stare made her sigh. “I understand, but—”

  Kyrian cut her off. “I promise you need not fear him. He will be under orders to behave.”

  This time Tierney did roll her eyes. “Yeah, the fact that he needs to be under orders to behave is what worries me, and for the record, I’m not afraid of him.” She stared right back, daring Kyrian to argue with her.

  But wisely, he changed the subject. “Depending on what you find at that address, you may want to check out the theater.”

  “What?” She didn’t understand what the hell was he talking about now.

  “The theater?” Sami asked, confused as well.

  “When Toren was younger, there was a wolf who regaled him with tales of the pictures—ah, movies—and he’s always wanted to see them for himself,” Kyrian explained.

  “Oh, okay.” Tierney’s gaze shot to Sami, who just shrugged.

  After agreeing to leave in the morning, Tierney walked Kyrian to the door, and smiled as once outside as he changed back into a stunning wolf. So beautiful … she thought as he trotted away.

  “I’m not beautiful!” she heard him say in her mind, and had to smirk. Turning away, she started to close the door, when a shiver shot up her spine. She looked back and studied the forest in front of Kyrian.

  A massive black wolf stood staring back at her and the raw anger and hatred rolling off of him, hit her like a strong wind. Soroyan. His power tingled through her, and the fine hair on the back of her neck rose in warning, setting all her protective instincts on high alert. She could feel his hatred for humans, and knew it made him very dangerous. She would need to keep an eye on him.

  Oh, what a joy he’s going to be tomorrow. Kyrian must be crazy. Or, maybe I am for agreeing. She stared for a moment longer, refusing to show her fear, before turning and closing the door firmly behind her. The wolf was a hunter—a killer—and she wasn’t about to give him an advantage over her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blood Magic

  THE MASTER GLARED into the empty cell. “Where’s the prisoner?” The Keeper just shook his head, saying nothing, face impassive. “You don’t know?” the icy voice asked incredulously. The Keeper still didn’t say a word. The Master turned chilly eyes on him. “Lyle, how many is this now? How many prisoners have you lost in the last year?”

  “S-six,” was the stuttered reply.

  “Six. Lyle, you are the Keeper. These prisoners are your responsibility, and you’ve lost six of them. How does this keep happening?” the Master demanded, but still, Lyle remained silent. “You are an imbecile. I don’t know why I keep you.” The Master glared at him. “I’ll be looking for your replacement if this keeps up.”

  “Y-yes, Master,” Lyle mumbled, head lowered.

  “Where’s Genna?” the Master asked, switching the subject.

  “In her cell, sleeping,” Lyle answered.

  “Are you sure?” the Master asked cuttingly, and with a sneer.

  “Yes, I saw her a few minutes ago,” Lyle answered, keeping his eyes downcast.

  “Is she chained?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Well, we shall make sure.” The Maser turned and began to walk while Lyle hurried behind.

  GENNA COULD HEAR someone calling her and wanted to ignore it, but when she realized it was Caden, she started the journey back into her body.

  “Genna,” Caden called again, glancing nervously back down the tunnel.

  An illusion of Genna’s body lay on her cot in her cell, although she was aware that Caden knew she wasn’t sleeping, even if Lyle always fell for the illusion. She just couldn’t help it, she enjoyed teleporting places, but no one could know she was gone and Caden didn’t count. Somehow, he was on her side. Since she recently started to teleport away, Caden had tried to get her to tell him where she went, but she never did. It was her secret. Besides, she knew he wouldn’t approve of some of the stuff she did.

  “Genna!” he hissed louder, snapping her back into her body and full awareness. A faint wavy shimmer coated her for a moment before dissipating. Her eyes opened, flashing angrily as she scowled at him.

  “What gots your panties in a pile—the hell you want, Caden? I’m busy.” She watched disbelief and fear flit acros
s his face followed by anger.

  “You’re busy? I’m trying to save your ass and you’re busy?” he asked.

  Genna sighed, feeling bad for being so cranky with him. “What Caden?”

  “The Master’s coming, another prisoner escaped,” he said and Genna’s lips gave a little twitch. “You have any idea how it happened?” he asked.

  Genna raised her eyebrows and tried to look innocent. “No.”

  Caden snorted and she knew he didn’t buy it.

  “Really?” he asked again.

  Genna smirked. “Well, might be I have some ideas.”

  Caden sighed. “I don’t know why I continue to help you. You never seem to care.” He stiffened up and glanced behind him again as footsteps closed in on them.

  “Caden.” Genna heard the hated voice say as it approached him out in the tunnel and she watched as he turned toward the voice.

  “Yes, Master?” Caden bowed his head and waited and Genna just about threw up in her mouth.

  “What are you doing here?” the Master asked him.

  Caden shrugged. “I was looking for you,” he said and Genna knew he was lying. He’d come to warn her instead. She smiled inwardly until the Master peered into her cell.

  “Genna.”

  The she grinned cockily. “What now, Lord of all who don’t give a rat’s smelly ass?”

  Alarmed, Caden swallowed as the Master’s face turned bright red—Genna had to hold back the laugh.

  “Caden, fetch the whip,” the master said angrily.

  “But—” Caden didn’t move.

  “Do as you’re told.” The Master glared at him and after a slight hesitation, Caden paled. Then he walked over and grabbed a whip off the wall not too far away.

  “Here,” he said, holding the whip out to the Master.

  “Open the cell,” the Master ordered Lyle and ignoring the whip in Caden’s hand, the Master sent him a chilly stare. “I think you need to be reminded these are prisoners, not friends.”

  “No,” Caden whispered in dread at what the Master wanted.

  “Just do it, Caden,” Genna hissed, resigned. She should have watched her tongue.

  Caden ignored her.

  Genna knew how much he hated being forced to punish anyone, especially her. He was her only friend in this hellhole. She had once thought to use his affection against him, but when she’d seen what was done to him when he refused, or didn’t give his all, she’d been unable to do so.

  She sighed. Not even knowing the punishment for his insubordination, could make him hurt her.

  “You will,” the Master commanded, but Caden was stubborn too.

  “No, I will not,” he said, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. and while the Master might be oblivious, with her highly tuned senses, Genna managed to pick up on it.

  “Caden, go ahead, get it over with,” Genna growled, getting angry that he’d let them hurt him over her.

  “You’ll be punished,” the Master said icily.

  “Yes.” Caden stood tall, refusing to let the Master intimidate him. Genna pulled at her chains and began to scream obscenities at them. “Genna, stop, please,” he pleaded, but she was beyond listening.

  The Master glanced dispassionately from her to Caden. “Fine, you’ve made your choice. Lyle, take him to the chamber, string him up. Leave no marks on his arms or face. Leave him for a couple of days. He needs to think on his disobedience. I want him repentant when you’re done.”

  “Yes, Master.” Lyle bowed and followed Caden down the tunnel while Genna growled, pulling at her chains.

  “No.” Though able to free herself, she stayed put. She didn’t want the Master to realize how powerful she’d grown. It was like her powers had been suddenly unlocked over the last month, and while she enjoyed discovering all her new abilities, no one, not even Caden, knew what she was capable of.

  “Genna.” The Master studied her intently. “I think you care for him.”

  Genna said nothing, but rage seethed inside of her.

  The Master dismissed her with a sly smile and turned to the robed figure standing silently a few feet away. “Yvan, I want six replacement prisoners brought from the Liberty Lake compound. Tell the scientists to prepare for two special prisoners. A male and a female are to be delivered from Val Jean this afternoon. I want the full workup done on them. After, the male can be given to Lyle. Oh, and bring some Fallen blood—Zander’s—to my chambers.”

  “Yes, Master.” Yvan inclined his head and started to turn away, when the Master stopped him. “And Yvan, get a shipment prepared. I’ll be seeing Val Jean soon.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Genna leaned back on her cot. Poor Caden … Shit. She’d caused this. She couldn’t do anything at the moment, but soon … She thought about everything the Master had said, and grimaced at the hell the Fallen male had been subjected to. It wouldn’t end anytime soon and now she wished she had helped him escape when he first arrived, but it was too late. She turned her thoughts to the place the Master mentioned. Liberty Lake. She liked that name, it had a nice ring on her tongue. Maybe she’d find the compound and see what treasures the Master hid there.

  THE MASTER, GIDDY with excitement despite the loss of six prisoners, hurried down the tunnel. The plans to kill Zander being thwarted had actually worked in their favor. Although the stubborn male still refused to give them anything, all hope was not lost. The urge to murder and maim someone, though shelved for the time being, warred with another, stronger urge. One to be sated on the next visit to Val Jean—a visit that couldn’t come soon enough.

  When Zander’s daughter showed up at his execution, it stunned the Master to learn who he’d been protecting. A female Dracones. Never before able to sense anyone in the spirit realm, the Master attributed this latest gift to the daily injections of Zander’s blood, and reveled in the new ability, even if it wouldn’t last.

  The Master went over the possibilities of what they could do with the female dragon. Like a junkie anticipating the next high, the Master salivated, and wondered what kind of high Dracones blood would induce. Would it zing tantalizingly through the body, or roar furiously as it boosted one’s own magic?

  GENNA TELEPORTED BACK to where she’d been before Caden had interrupted her, and once again hid behind the old barn. She spied on the fiercely powerful black wolf with the glittery eyes, and watched him sniff the air. She drew on her new abilities. and held her breath when he gazed in her direction, then released it when he turned away. She pumped her fist with glee. Yes! Her invisibility worked. What a fantastic way to stay hidden. This power is definitely most useful.

  She thought about using her new trick on Lyle. Harassing the Keeper, after all the years of torture he inflicted on her, was much fun. But while she enjoyed thwarting him, he didn’t challenge her anymore. However, her indifference towards Lyle didn’t extend to the Master. That one, she loathed with every fiber of her being. She had been a terrified six-year-old when the Ilyium murdered her nurse and protector, and carried her away.

  Then they had tossed her into a dank, dark cell with a single mattress on the floor. The only light—a flaming torch on the wall out in the tunnel. The iron door had slammed shut with a clang, and frightened, she curled into a ball. A few minutes later a young boy, dirty and bruised, came to visit her. He brought her a flashlight and an old worn stuffed bear. Stupid Bear!

  But after fourteen years, she’d grown immune to the torture. The pain no longer bothered her, and she thought she was doing well, until the Master found her one weakness. Guilt sliced through her as she thought about Caden. He should have whipped her like he’d been told. She was tough, she could easily handle anything Caden dished out, and besides, what did he think he’d accomplish by defying the Master? Caden was physically weaker than her and lacked magic, for some weird reason. Still, he was the only one to have ever treated her with any kindness.

  Genna grimaced, hating to admit that she cared about him, and that he was the only reason sh
e ever returned to her hell-hole prison cell. He was supposed to be the enemy, but instead, he always took care of her. He taught her to read, and snuck her books, and two years ago, he slipped her a device to listen to music, and play games and movies on. At first, she thought it was magic, but he explained that it was an electronic device. He even updated it, added new content, and charged the thing for her. She loved her device. Genna sighed. One day the Master would pay.

  She had already started by freeing prisoners, well, some of them. One, a nasty Were-wolf—who called her names from his cell—well, she kinda disappeared him. The beast never let her sleep.

  As for most of the other prisoners, something she didn’t particularly care for had come over her, making her free them. Maybe she was getting soft, but she couldn’t stand seeing them hurt anymore. Besides, what better way to annoy the Master, than by making precious prisoners go poof and disappear? One day she’d kill the Master, but at the moment the Master used Genna’s own blood to control her. Still, with her power and strength growing daily, Genna knew it wouldn’t be long. She could sense the Master’s control weakening. Soon. She grinned.

  Genna gazed at the large log building. The three within piqued her curiosity, although the female fascinated her the most. She’d been stunned to see Tierney in the haze, as she called the place where spirits roamed, peering into Genna’s cell. That had been the first time Genna had seen someone who was alive in the spirit realm. At first, she had glared at the female, but after she left, Genna wondered how it was that someone could be alive while in the haze.

  A few years ago, Genna had started to sense the spirits. She would catch fleeting glimpses of them, though she didn’t understand why some lingered before moving on. Most dead went to heaven or hell, both places Genna also sensed, but was unable to visualize.

  The spirits never paid her any attention, but Tierney had roused her interest, and Genna decided she needed to learn more about this female. Finding her was easy, she could find anyone once she got their mental signature.