by Maggie Ryan
“Sounds good.” I was hungry. Visions of a big, juicy hamburger danced in my mind.
Pulling into an empty spot, Draco put the car in park, cutting the ignition. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he surprised me by not exiting the car, but turning in my direction instead.
“Have you noticed that your two mates have much in common?”
I thought about his question. Draco was quieter, more reserved than Deo. He gave in to me more, letting me have my way now and again, which was never the case with Deo. But deep within, both were quite similar. Always in control, stoic, serious, every moment spent protecting, watching, commanding. Willing to give their lives for the ones they loved.
And their similarities ran past their human form.
“Yes, I have and you do,” I answered.
Absentmindedly, Draco rubbed the new platinum ring on his left hand. I had slipped it on his finger myself, after we said our vows. I touched my own shiny band, the one that sat below the one Deo had given me.
“You can see that I would have been attracted to you, just as Deo was. I struggled with that attraction—you were a married woman after all. But I never, for one second, did not feel that somehow, someway, I would be with you as well. It is as if our spirits, our very souls were entwined. And so when things worked out the way they did, I felt as if my struggle had ended. I felt like my destiny had been fulfilled. Does that answer your question?”
“Yes.”
“I love you, Cassandra.”
“I love you too.” Just as Draco leaned in to kiss me again, my stomach let out a loud, low rumble.
With a laugh, Draco said, “Let’s get the princess fed. I’d hate to bring out—as you say—your hangry side.”
Draco left the car, coming around to my side, as always to open my door. I had protested once before, trying to beat him to it and he had given me such a stern admonishing look, I had never tried it again. Now I waited patiently, a good girl, for my escort to open the door.
A wintry blast of air hit me as the door opened, causing me to tighten my coat around my waist. Draco gave me a knowing look—he knew I was glad to have the coat and hat he had commanded I wear. Wrapping his arm protectively around my shoulder, Draco led me across the parking lot, into the busy restaurant.
Every female head in the place turned to admire the tall, lean physique of the Greek god who accompanied me into the diner. I chuckled, thinking how jealous they would all be if they had heard the conversation I just had with Draco; not only was this handsome man my husband, I had yet another one—equally divine—at home.
The hostess quickly led us to a booth, pushing through the bustling crowd. Throwing two menus on the table, her gaze roved over Draco in a lewd way. Seeing our rings, she caught my eye, mouthing the words lucky girl, giving a wink with a heavily made-up eyelid, before departing.
After Draco slid into the booth opposite me, his eyes roved over every inch of the place, looking for evil spirits, no doubt. Too hungry to look anywhere but at my menu, I studied it cover to cover while Draco continued to survey the place.
“What are you having?” I asked casually, not bothering to look up.
“Whatever you are having is fine with me.”
“No salads, right?”
“No. Get us something terrible for your health—artery clogging even.”
“Our mate would not approve,” I laughed.
There was no amusement in Draco’s face as he replied, “Deo is not here.”
His comment made me bristle. “No, he’s not,” I murmured. My mind began to play over the details of Draco’s and my little jaunt. Something wasn’t quite adding up. Leaning in, I put on my best lawyer face.
I repeated the question I had already asked Draco twice. The one that had gone unanswered twice. “Draco, does Deo know I am here?”
Looking to the left and then the right, avoiding my gaze, Draco did not answer. My temper flared at the ignoring of my question. I closed the menu. “You answer me right now, Draco Ambrosia, or I am going to stand and scream and tell everyone what this really is.”
His flashing eyes locked on mine, his tone was deadly as he said, “Don’t you dare raise your voice in here.”
Had he forgotten that I wasn’t easily intimidated? I whispered fiercely, “I will. Don’t test me. You tell me what is going on by the count of three or I will scream the word. Kidnapper. One…” Had the circumstances been less frustrating, I would have found it funny that I was using Deo’s threatening counting tricks on Draco.
His brow furrowed, frustration etched onto his handsome face.
“Two. I’m serious, Draco.” I took a deep breath, showing Draco I was filling my lungs in preparation for my screaming fit.
“Thr—”
Leaning in as quick as a flash of lightning, Draco’s move put his face inches from mine. “Cassandra, remind me of the meaning of your strong Greek name.”
Momentarily distracted from my tantrum by Draco’s sudden question, I answered, “Daughter of King Priam. The unheeded prophetess. But you know—”
“Cassandra was not really a prophetess.” Draco repeated the familiar line at the same time as me.
I would have laughed had Draco not been acting so intense. He knew me well. I said, “I can’t help myself. I have a deep love for accurate details.”
“I assume Deo shared the newspaper article with you? The morning after you were punished for attempting to leave the building?”
My face burned at the memory. “Yes, but what—”
A wave of relief washed over his face. “Good. I instructed him to, but I was unsure if he would comply with my wishes.” Draco spoke in a hushed voice, “Now tell me what you said to Deo after you read it.”
The tense moment was broken apart by the arrival of our loud, friendly waitress. “Well, howdy, what can I get you kids?” The large blonde woman stood above us, smacking her gum and ogling Draco. “Our special is the house salad with fried chicken and a plate full a’ dumplings. Any takers?” She might be aware that there were two customers to serve, but all her attention was directed solely on his side of the booth.
Sitting up and leaning back, his eyes never leaving mine, Draco said, “What will we be having, sweetheart?”
“Darling, I think we will have two of the bacon cheddar burgers, hold the salad, with a double order of fries. And two Cokes.”
“Diet?” she asked, finally turning her head and giving me a look.
“Fully leaded, please.” I smiled sweetly. “And a big slab of apple pie with two scoops of vanilla ice cream. Two spoons, please.”
“Well said,” Draco added.
She looked me over one more time. “You really gonna eat all that, little bit?” she asked me skeptically.
“I’ll do my best,” I answered stoically.
Cackling and taking our menus, she said, “You do, and you get a free Ray’s Diner tee shirt on my tab, girly.”
Smiling fiercely, I accepted the challenge, offering her my hand to seal the deal. I was nothing if I was not competitive. She was still laughing as she walked away.
When the waitress was out of earshot, I leaned in toward Draco. “Continue. Why did you want to be sure Deo showed me the paper?”
“First, tell me, what was your response after you read the story?”
Sitting back in the booth, I thought over the events of that day, trying to remember my exact reaction to the news. “The twelve newly missing officers. I told Deo I thought they were coming for me, now.”
“And what did Deo say?”
“That we had more time.”
“Cassandra, the unheeded prophetess,” he said. “But not really a prophetess,” he added lightly.
I looked over Draco’s smooth features, his warm eyes.
My stomach sank. A cold chill ran down my spine—it was as I had suspected. They were coming for me and Deo was in denial about it.
“I was right,” I breathed.
“I’m afraid so. When I read the article,
I had the same reaction as you, and I told Deo as much. I gave the paper to him, demanding he show you because I knew you would come to the same conclusion as I. I’d hoped that if it came from you and me both, Deo might listen.”
“He is in denial. He has read so much telling him that there were weeks, even months between attacks. It won’t be that way for us, will it?” I asked.
“I think not.”
We sat in silence for a few moments.
“Deo doesn’t know you are taking me to the castle. You did kidnap me.”
“Technically, I’m not sure you can consider taking your wife to lunch as kidnapping, but, yes. I knew I needed to get you out of the office. Get you to the castle, to safety. And I am having Deo meet us there. I messaged him when I got out of the car, on the way over to your door. I wanted to have a bit of a head start. I only kept him in the dark for a little over an hour. With this stop, we will only be at the castle a brief time before his arrival.”
I gave a low whistle. “Boy, oh boy, am I going to be glad I’m not you when we get back to that castle,” I said.
“Deo must understand. Artem and Dolly have been informed as well. They are… preparing for the journey. To meet you and me.”
Before I could ask what time Dolly and Artem would arrive at Ravensloft, we were interrupted. Returning with the food, the waitress delivered the overflowing plates with a jovial, “Good luck.”
After she walked away, Draco said, “You are not eating all of that food.”
“You said I could get anything I wanted. And I never lose a bet. Watch me. Besides, I only have to eat my half.” I lifted my burger, taking a huge bite out of the greasy concoction. After the weeks of grilled chicken and salad, the burger was heavenly. Dipping French fries in the huge puddle of ketchup I’d squirted onto the plate, I moaned as the hot salty potatoes touched my tongue. I washed it all down with a huge gulp of the Coke.
Head resting on his fist, elbow propped on the table. Draco watched as I attacked my food, an entertained look on his handsome face. “Cassie—you are going to make yourself sick.”
“No, I’m not. I’m just getting myself a free tee shirt.” I scooped up a bite of apple pie, drenched in melting ice cream.
“I will buy you ten tacky tee shirts if you give up this childish game.”
“No way,” I protested, my mouth full. “It’s not the same. Haven’t you ever wanted to win something, fair and square?”
Draco gave me a wistful glance. “I have and I did. Your heart.” His finger tapped the end of my nose.
My heart swelled as I blushed and speechless, returned to my meal. He carefully removed the bun from the burger on the plate in front of him, spread a napkin in his lap, then took up a fork and knife.
After washing down a second bite of my burger, I was starting to feel full. I took a break from eating and watched Draco, intrigued by his impeccable manners. My hands were covered in salt, ketchup, and grease. I was sure my face was smeared with melted cheese. Draco remained spotless, eating his food in small, neat sections.
Wiping my face with my napkin, I looked up as our waitress made her way over to us. “How ya’ doin’, hon?” she asked, not even looking at Draco.
“I’m—working on it,” I admitted sheepishly, clutching my dessert spoon tightly.
Seeing that there was still three quarters of a burger on my plate, she put a hand on my shoulder, leaning down. “Girly, you’re getting a shirt just for trying. Goodness knows either one of you two wearing a shirt that says ‘Ray’s’ is just about the best free advertising you can get.” Hooting at her joke, she walked away.
Relieved, I sank down in my seat. “I’m so full,” I whined.
Finished eating the burger patty and a few of his fries, Draco leaned over me, taking my spoon from my hand. Scooping up a big bite of the ice cream, he brought it to his lips, closing his eyes as the ice cream melted in his mouth.
“God, you’re acting like you’ve never had ice cream before,” I jested.
“I don’t allow myself to eat sugar. It’s terrible for you.”
“Remind me not invite you to my birthday party. Geesh.”
Laughing, Draco replied, “We use honey to sweeten foods in Greece, and very little at that. Sugar is an American staple, no?”
“Not when you live with Deo,” I groaned.
“Deo feeds you well. We both know what our girl eats when left to her own devices. Nothing, or Pop Tarts. Not the food a princess needs to eat to be strong for training.”
“Well, what do you like to eat for fun?”
“Besides you?”
It took me a second, and then I felt my entire body flush. “Draco!”
He chuckled and shrugged. “You’re the one who asked. But, I’ll rephrase. I eat only what I need to live. I am not one to live to eat.”
“How noble of you,” I said with a roll of my eyes, though I was inordinately pleased with his answer. It wasn’t often that he teased.
The waitress returned, proudly holding up a bright red tee shirt. On the front was a white outline drawing of the diner with the letters above it boasting the words Ray’s Diner.
Looking at my still mounded plate, I felt a little sick. “Umm, I’m afraid I didn’t win the bet.”
“Honey, have you seen the man sitting across from you? Believe me, you’ve won. Now, put it on,” she demanded, holding the shirt out toward me.
How could I not? Standing, I took the shirt from her, sidling my way out of the booth to go to the bathroom to change.
“Here, please,” Draco said quickly, eyeing the back of the crowded restaurant.
Seeing the worry in his eyes, I quickly slipped the tee over my fitted black shirt. Turning to the waitress, I asked, “How does it look?
“Oooh, girl. I gotta get your picture with Ray, he would just—”
Addressing the waitress directly for the first time, Draco flashed the most panty-melting smile. Reading her nametag, he said, “Darla, we would love nothing more than to take a photo with the owner of this fine establishment but I’m afraid my wife and I are late for an important appointment. Would you be a dear—” he inserted a mouthwatering wink, running his hand through his thick wavy hair, “—and get us the check, and two coffees, to go? Please?”
Darla collected herself, closing her mouth and with pink cheeks, said, “Of course, honey. I’ll be quick as a jiff.” With a bounce in her step, she was off to follow Draco’s orders.
I went to sit back down in the booth.
“No, stand,” Draco commanded. He stood and moved to my side, lifting my coat and helping me into it. As he tied the sash, he spoke quietly, “We have overstayed our welcome.”
I tried to focus my eyes on where Draco was staring, but I only saw normal-looking patrons in the rear of the diner.
Darla returned. To her delight, Draco gave her a generous amount of cash. With hot coffee warming our hands, we were out the door and off toward the Escalade. When we were both secure in our seats, Draco took off, peeling out of the parking lot and heading to the highway.
His eyes darted from the road to the rearview mirror and back. The speed of the Escalade accelerated. Draco began to expertly dodge in and out of lines of vehicles.
“What’s going on, Draco?” I demanded, turning and looking behind me. I saw nothing but the usual New Jersey daytime traffic.
“We are being followed,” he murmured, his jaw clenched.
Wishing I had packed a few daggers from the training facility, I sat tense in my seat.
“I should be able to lose them fairly easily,” Draco said.
Holding the wheel firmly with one hand, he leaned across my lap, reaching for the glovebox with the other. Snapping the latch, the door fell open. “Help yourself.”
Leaning forward, I looked in the glovebox. There was a rectangular shaped bundle inside, wrapped in black velvet cloth. I reached in and retrieved the package.
Pulling back the soft cloth, the breath caught in my throat as I exposed
at least half a dozen enchanted daggers, nestled carefully in my black bandolier. “Awesome,” I breathed, my excitement eliciting a chuckle from Draco. I ran my fingertips over the handles of the knives. They were different than those I had used at the castle, or in training. Their iridescent handles had lines of ebony running down them. I pulled one of the daggers from its sheath. “This is heavier than I’ve used before,” I mused, testing the weight of the weapon in my palm.
“That one is for shorter distances.”
“How short?”
Draco’s deep brown eyes flashed at me. “From your window to the car beside us.”
“What?” I quickly looked over my right shoulder. In the lane next to ours, approaching from behind, was a police cruiser. The windows were tinted so darkly I could not see inside but I knew who was in there. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. My hand gripped tightly around the handle of the dagger.
Looking at Draco, I asked, “May I?”
“Be my guest. Only remember one thing, Cassie—”
“What?” I asked impatiently as I shifted in my seat, sitting up ramrod straight and turning toward my closed window.
“You can’t miss.”
My head whipped over toward Draco.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, with the dagger you hold, when you throw it directly at the driver, you must not miss. Once the blade impales him, I will be able to push the car from the highway onto the shoulder, no harm to any other motorists. If you miss—”
“I will cause a pile-up on the busiest highway in New Jersey?”
“Exactly.”
“What if I miss, Draco?”
“You won’t.”
I breathed. Just holding the dagger in my hand, my mind began to calm as was the way when I practiced knife play with Baal.
“When you are ready, I will lower your window. When we are perfectly lined up with the cruiser, I want you to throw, straight and true. After you make your kill, I will take over.”
“Okay.” I fully turned so I was perpendicular with the passenger door, my eyes focused in front of me as the accelerating police cruiser made its approach. When the car was a few yards from us, I said, “Open the window, Draco.” The motor of the window quietly whirred as the dark glass lowered. The cruiser was now only feet from me. I could feel an otherworldly chill that was not caused by the cold air blasting in the window.
