Dragon Rage

by Kelly Armenta

  Marcus frowned but he replied softly, “Will you assist me… please?”

  I pressed my palm against his neck, took a deep breath and closed my eyes. In my mind I formed a picture of what he looked like, what he should look like without wounds or pallor and when I had that image clearly before me I thought the word ‘heal’ and pushed it down my arm, out though my fingers and into his body. My will slammed into him and he lean forward to keep from being shoved backward. The healing power surged through his body, rebounding right back at me as its significant backlash struck me. I swayed in my chair and felt fingers grasp my shoulder.

  “My Lady?” Cursed inquired anxiously and I sensed his body leaning over mine. My fingers slid from Marcus’ suddenly smooth neck and I fought to open my eyes. There was a jackhammer pounding away inside my head, but I didn’t think I was in danger of passing out as I had when I’d healed Jace. Behind us Belinda and Jace were still making sniping comments at each other while I struggled to suck air into my lungs and contain the pain swirling through my brain. I needed to drop my upper shield so I could get rid of some of the ooze that healing Marcus had coated me with, but to do it here with Belinda so close was not possible.

  “Are you well?” Marcus asked leaning forward, causing Kit to growl again in my lap. Cursed hissed softly in warning and Marcus leaned back slowly. I nodded and nearly fell out of the chair as my eyes focused on Marcus kneeling before me.

  From down the table Valentine’s voice echoed across the room as he demanded sharply. “What have you done to my servant?”

  Around the room conversations ceased while everyone turned to stare at Marcus, who gave me one last look then climbed to his feet. Shocked whispers and startled comments split the silence while I rubbed at my temples and tried not to grimace. Leaning back in my chair I stared up at my Red and felt shocked. Apparently I’d fixed more than just his lacerated skin.

  Gareth came to my rescue. “Healed him, or so it would seem.”

  “I did not ask her to,” Valentine responded angrily, his fingers rising to the chain about his neck so that he might stroke it. I couldn’t tell if it was a medallion or a figurine hanging amongst his clothing and then his fingers were covering it, completely blocking it from view.

  “I did,” Marcus replied as he stood straight and drew back his now fully fleshed out shoulders. His skin was completely unblemished and a healthy hue. He looked like he’d gained sixty or seventy pounds of solid muscle, the extra weight straining the seams of his shirt and drawing attention to the well defined chest hidden underneath. His words, or perhaps it was his defiance, seemed to annoy Valentine so that he flashed him a look I was unable to interpret. When Valentine stood from his chair everyone around me shifted.

  I had to get out of there, my head was about to explode and I must lower my shields in order to literally clear my mind. “I need to use the restroom,” I whispered in Elvish and was surprised when Jace reached down and held out his arm for Kit. Did they all speak the language I wondered? I breathed shallow and tried not to moan in pain while Kit climbed onto Jace’s arm without protest. Cursed’s eyes met Jace’s over my head and then his hand was on my arm assisting me from the chair.

  “Excuse me,” I muttered and managed to walk without killing myself in my high heels to the door that led to the restrooms. Amras stepped around the length of leash still connecting Marcus to Belinda and fell in behind us. Cursed grabbed the handle and when we were in the hallway beyond, he pulled it closed behind us leaning his back against it while I gulped air. Amras remained on the other side.

  “Drop your upper shield, My Lady and slow your lower one,” he whispered to me in Elvish.

  I moaned and let go of the upper shield, my fingers holding the sides of my head while Cursed grasped my forearms to keep me from listing sideways. And then I felt both Amras and Cursed slide into my mind, their cool touch assisting to sweep out the ooze that coated me in pain.

  “Thank you,” I replied when it siphoned off through my lower shield and I could stand up straight again.

  Cursed continued to hold my arms and I thought he might pull me against his chest for a moment. Instead his fingers tightened almost painfully while his aura shifted from a jealous dark green to an angry dark red. “This is foolishness, My Lady,” he growled at me. “You will get us all killed! What were you thinking?”

  “We can not have this conversation now,” I told him, conscious that my upper shield was no longer in place and that the inch and a half of wood behind his back was not going to prevent those on the other side from being party to our discussion.

  He made a disgusted sound and pressed his lips together while his eyes roamed my face. “My Lady, you cannot help,” he added. “Not here, not now.”

  Biting my lip I nodded. “Not now,” I whispered while he struggled with his frustration.

  “Can you hear what is happening?” I asked, still speaking in Elvish. He pressed his lips together but nodded.

  “The Vampire is angry that you have altered his plaything. His words not mine, My Lady,” he replied when I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “What of the rest of the room?” I asked.

  “Most of them I cannot hear or read, however the female Dragon is jealous. She speaks with the male who is ignoring her. He is… distracted.”

  “And Gareth and Jace?” I asked, thinking by distracted he meant something entirely different.

  He frowned and ignored my thought by telling me, “The Green and Blue are more concerned for your safety. As are we all, My Lady,” he added with a grimace. “If you feel well enough to return?” he asked, his fingers suddenly softening on my arm until the pressure more resembled a caress. His quicksilver mood change surprised me as did the gentle pressure he exerted while tugging me toward him. I couldn’t deny the sexual tension that swirled between us and allowed myself to be drawn a step closer.

  “Cursed,” I whispered and took another step. “I don’t think this is the time for this.”

  He smiled and his eyes turned smoky with desire. “A kiss,” he whispered, “from perfect lips that sweetly speak our language. Do not deny me, My Lady,” he urged and my arms slid round his waist while he bent over me. His mouth whispered across mine. “I will not bleed you,” he promised and I groaned and clutched him tightly. His tongue slipped between my lips, stealing my breath and igniting my blood. His mind brushed at mine, no longer cool or impersonal while hands slid under my hair and held me to his chest.

  We kissed for several moments and then he set me back on my feet and caressed my cheek. “My Lady,” he whispered, “we are about to have company.” Then the door knob turned and I snapped my upper shield into place as Gareth stepped through the door, closing it behind him. He jerked his head at the portal and Cursed gave me a looked full of promise before he disappeared leaving me alone with Gareth.

  I was afraid he might chastise me but his eyes were kind as he held out his arms. I wasted no time in pressing myself against him and the sound he made low in his throat made me shiver. Gareth ran his fingers through my hair and I pressed my cheek against his chest. I breathed deeply, pulling the familiar scent of him into my lungs and sighed. It felt so good to touch him and when I lifted my head he buried his palm against my neck, tilting my face up for his kiss. “You are doing wonderfully,” he whispered against my mouth, his lips nibbling at mine.

  My eyes fluttered closed and I lifted my arms to wrap them around his neck. “I just want this to be over,” I whispered as he tucked my head under his chin.

  “Not much longer,” he replied while his hand slid over the bare skin on my lower back sending a shiver through me.

  “You keep that up and they will be finishing the meeting without us,” I teased.

  His fingers stilled and he growled low and soft and I found myself backed against the wall while his lips devoured mine. His clever fingers lifted the material of my dress and slid up my thigh while I writhed and pressed myself against the front of him wrapping a leg around his
hip. My dress had not been designed for undergarments and his fingers found no obstacles as they slipped in to the hair at the juncture of my thighs.

  “Oh God… I’ve missed you!” I moaned, thinking it had nearly been twenty four hours since I’d felt his hands on my body. Since the first moment I’d met Gareth and Jace I found I couldn’t be alone with them without wanting them.

  And then his fingers were working me and he was whispering, “Let me in.” Both my shields collapsed and there was only the feel of Gareth touching me, filling me with pleasure. His mind slid into mine and more distantly I could feel Jace’s caress cross my senses and knew that he was with us. My body tensed as a low throbbing pressure built, spreading outward through my limbs in an explosion of ecstasy that robbed my strength and had me trembling in his arms. His splayed his hot fingers across my lower stomach sending mini-shocks through me while I leaned my head against his chest and tried to remember how to breathe.

  “Ummm,” Gareth whispered while his lips brushed my temple and ear. “Very nice.” I wasn’t yet capable of speech so I just nodded and continued trying to fill my lungs with air. He drew little imaginary circles on my skin for a moment or two and then he leaned down and his teeth grazed my ear as he told me. “Just once more,” and then his fingers slid back into me and my eyes closed as my head dropped back against the wall.

  This time he built the pressure quickly, bringing me to the edge then pulling me back, only to repeat the process until I was panting and writhing in his arms. When my release finally came I cried out sharply and felt my legs buckle under me. Gareth chuckled softly and smoothed down my dress while he cradled my body and rained kisses across my cheek and chin. My eyelids were heavy as I looked up at him. He was wearing one of those pleased masculine smiles I found so endearing, usually because I was floating in a haze of pleasure whenever they appeared.

  “I suppose you expect me to walk back out there like this?” I asked, my voice sounding a little hoarse.

  He grinned then chuckled. “I could carry you.” he replied, then wiggled his eyebrows at me when I laughed. His face stilled for a brief second and I knew he must be listening to something. Then his dark blue eyes were shining and a mischievous smile stretched his lips. “We should go. Can you stand?”

  Grumbling, I forced my knees to lock and stepped back from him, taking deep breaths. “I think so,” I replied. “But you don’t make it easy.”

  “That was never my intention,” he chuckled. “Don’t forget to...” and he made a motion with his hand which reminded me I was completely unshielded. Nodding, I lifted first my lower crystal shield, feeling it snap into place like a clear dome. “Quickly… now the other,” he whispered, leaning forward to give me a quick kiss.

  I didn’t know what the rush was, but I complied as he slipped a loose hair over my ear and turned me toward the door. “Really, what exactly was your intention?” I joked as he opened the door and swept me back into the conference room. I took two steps into the room and my eyes widened in shock and I no longer needed to hear his answer. Owen was lying on the floor not five feet from the door. He blinked his dark eyes up at me, then lifted his lips and ran his pink tongue over his teeth as if to say, ‘Yum Yum’. Amras made a sound to my left and I turned my head toward him. His face was flushed and his pupils were dilated so that the violet color was a mere sliver around the edges. Cursed didn’t look much better and when I glanced at him, he briefly swept back his coat leaving me no questions about the state of his thoughts. I winced to see his most tender parts pressed so firmly against the leather of his pants but he smiled and flashed his pointed teeth at me his dark eyes sparkling with humor and desire.

  I turned back to the room in time to see Kit winging toward me, his little red multi-faceted eyes sending miniature laser beams of light around the room. He landed on Gareth’s forearm and quickly jumped to my shoulder, then spent several seconds rubbing against my neck. “Ummm… mmm, tasty,” he whispered in my ear and I smiled and felt a blush stain my cheeks, suddenly remembering that I had a tendency to broadcast during pleasure. Apparently my men had reaped the benefits of Gareth’s efforts and it looked as if they were all well pleased with me.

  Jace was still standing next to Belinda and Marcus, and Valentine had joined them. Nick and three of his guards had moved in close and his eyes flicked over me. He was huge and bald and the look in his eyes was tense but he gave me a smile, letting me know that he too had felt the effects, though for him and his men it was more along the lines of a warm sense of well being, not the full blown nerve tingling dig your nails in the bedding while you scream out your pleasure type of feeling. Not exactly the same as it was for immortals, and not just my men, if the state of the others was anything to go by.

  None of the Weres seemed overly affected, with the exception of Alan who was still seated in Gareth’s chair. My eyes caught his for a moment and I could see the fire burning within him. He looked consumed by desire. On my shoulder Kit rumbled. “Throwback,” he growled, and I frowned wondering what that was supposed to mean.

  On the other side of the table Eldal and Dten looked shocked and amused in order. Eldal’s face, or what I could see of it behind his neatly trimmed beard, was pale and his eyes were slightly glazed. Dten’s dark eyes were bright and shiny and a smile lifted one corner of his lips when he caught me looking at him. “Well done,” he mouthed, then chuckled and dipped his head while I sucked air into my lungs and felt my cheeks burn just a little brighter.

  Neither Adara nor Angel appeared affected and were in the midst of a conversation with Milos. My gaze flicked over to Valentine, who was busy watching Gareth beside me. Apparently he hadn’t felt my sharing or if he had his face gave nothing away. Behind his back, Jace gave me a smile, lifted an eyebrow and blew me a kiss.

  I could practically feel the animosity aimed in my direction and dropped my gaze to the floor where Belinda was currently seated. She had either been ordered or knocked there, it was difficult to tell as she’d folded her legs to her side and was leaning on one arm, still favoring her ribs. Her eyes were dark pits and the look on her face boded ill for me. “Elfin bitch,” she hissed, then choked when the leash was snapped and her head jerked back. My eyes followed the length of leash up the hand and arm that held it until I was looking into Marcus’ eyes. The breath left my lungs as I stared at the dark green aura surrounding him and felt the weight of his rage smash into me like a fist.

  My foot faltered and Gareth quickly slid his arm around my back pulling me in against his side. “Hmmm,” he murmured and I could swear he sounded pleased with himself.

  Meanwhile I watched as a slow flush crept over Marcus’ face and his fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. Belinda’s gaze shifted between the two of us and her eyes narrowed to angry little slits. A growling started deep in her throat and out of the corner of my eye I watched her tense. “Get away from my son!” she screamed and lunged from the floor toward me. Owen was on her in a second, his large jaws sinking into her shoulder his weight bearing her to the floor, while Marcus yelled and Valentine calmly stepped out of their way. Gareth removed his arm from me and stepped into my path, his body effectively shielding me. Behind me I was suddenly flanked by both Amras and Cursed.

  Jace slid in the opposite direction of Valentine and across the table Bodark shoved back his chair, rose and leaned over the table to watch.

  Owen tore a large chunk out of her upper arm and blood spilled across the floor once again. Marcus stood holding the leash but made no move to stop the fight. His eyes lifted to mine and I could see the rage simmering still in his depths. She’s your mother? I thought and would have slipped to the floor in shock when he blinked if I hadn’t grabbed for Gareth’s coat. My God how could that be? Owen managed to get a good grip on her and was shaking her about like a rag doll while she screamed and clawed at him. After nearly a minute he finally dropped her and she lay on the carpet panting and whimpering in pain. Owen glanced at me where I peaked around Gareth, place
d his huge paw on her chest and asked the ultimate question with his eyes.

  I looked at Marcus who looked strained but gave no indication either way. She had slept with Jace and had tried to kill me. The decision was mine to make. But Marcus thought she was his mother and I wasn’t certain how to deal with that. If I let her live Valentine would surely use her against us. Indecision wracked me and I did what I normally do in these situations, I dropped my upper shield and screamed for Mi. Around the room several people jerked and Gareth tensed but didn’t move.

  She arrived with a small popping noise that caused Valentine and Marcus to jump. Her sleek tan and grey body wound around my legs while her large amber eyes took in the occupants of the room and widened slightly.

  On the floor Belinda screamed and struggled under Owen’s weight until he reached down and clamped his jaws around her neck and slowly squeezed. Mi flicked her tail in the air and walked toward the pair, her thirty five pound body rubbing up against Owen so that he made a pleased sound in his throat. The two of them had history and despite the current circumstances he was very grateful to her for having unblocked his memories.

  “What is this?” Valentine demanded. “Cats and dogs and miniature Dragons?” His voice held a note of derision and he crossed his arms over his chest and gave Mi a disgusted look. The hair down her back stood up and she turned and hissed at Valentine.

  “Bloodless one!” she growled, then turned back to me while the room erupted in surprise. She ignored the commotion and seated herself on the carpet a few steps away from Owen. ‘Lexi, you keep the oddest hours and… company,’ her voice whispered across my mind. ‘Be quick child, your mother is entertaining the Queen.’