“Wait…what?” Caleb rubbed his face. “Son of a bitch! Odage has the amulet. We found it in Egypt only days ago.”
Marcus jumped to his feet. “We need to find him. Where is he?”
“I’m not sure. He left with a small army and several human females.” He shoved his hair back. “I have to see Aidyn. We need a plan.”
“I’m afraid the king might kill you on sight. Let me handle this. In the meantime, we must keep up the front of being enemies. Tell no one.”
* * * *
Having flown back to the caverns he abandoned earlier, Odage paced the limestone floor. The guardians wouldn’t think to come and look for him here. They had already searched and concluded he’d left.
“Darling, what troubles you?” Oroumea asked.
He gazed at his ghoul wife who lay in bed. Her cheeks flushed, she seemed sated after their session of sex. “I’ve been instructed to kidnap Qadira.”
She sat up, dropping the sheet and exposing ample pale breasts. His cock stiffened again. “Really? How are you going to do that?”
He continued pacing. “I have no fucking clue.”
“Perhaps I can help.”
He stopped midstride and spun to face her. “How?”
“I know how to contain her, make her weak.”
He rushed to the bed and knelt in front of her. “Tell me.”
“I gathered the memory from one of my victims. Darazor’s tear, it will weaken her.”
He pushed himself off the bed before he slapped her senseless. “Damn female, that dragon has been dead for centuries. Hell, before I was even born.”
Darazor was the first dragon created by Qadira in the beginning of time. An ancient so powerful it was said his tear held more magic than any dragon after him. Odage wouldn’t dispute the claim. All Draki were raised with the tales of Darazor, how he lived and how he died.
A soft hand touched his shoulder. “You know the tale of how he died?”
He turned to look at her. “Of course. He had grown so strong even Qadira feared him. It was she who took his life.”
“Ah yes, but there is more. The goddess was so distraught at having to slay her child that she saved his tears, thinking that one day she might resurrect him. They are spread out in secret locations throughout the world. I know where to find one.”
His jaw ratcheted. “Where?”
A wicked smile played across her lovely face, and her eyes grew bright like rubies. “It’s right beneath our feet.”
He snapped his teeth together. “Do not toy with me, it will not bode well.”
“I don’t toy, my love. It is buried in this very mountain. I know its precise location.”
He picked her up and tossed her back to the bed. He knew this ghoul would be a valuable asset when he married her, but he had no idea how much so. Finally, it looked like his plans were going to come together. He and Oroumea would locate the tear and find a way to lure the goddess here.
* * * *
Lileta spent what seemed like hours under the hot spray of the massaging shower head. The luxury was something she hadn’t partaken of in some time. Often she was forced to bathe with a sponge and a bowl of tepid water, and when she was granted a shower, it was usually ice cold.
When she was finally left feeling shriveled, she turned off the water and exited. Her gaze went to the numerous bottles of lotion lined up on a glass shelf. She selected a thick coconut concoction and slathered it on. Her skin absorbed every drop and was left silky smooth. She grabbed the cotton robe hanging on a hook and wrapped herself in its downy softness. Padding across the expansive room, she went to the closet and flung open the doors. Large, almost bigger than the master bath and full of women’s clothes. She flicked the garments on their hangers and inspected each tag. All her size. Intentional or did the dragon like all his women petite?
Her temper flared, and she stormed from the closet and grabbed her old jeans and shirt. She wanted nothing to do with some other woman’s rags. She pushed one leg into the denim then the other and pulled them up. All the while, her temper grew hotter. Why the hell was she so mad? She shouldn’t care about another woman, but for some reason, envisioning the dragon with another female set her blood to boiling. She set her jaw, sucked in a deep breath and shook the feeling free.
Now time to explore.
She slinked down the hall like a cat on the prowl. Caleb had said the entire wing was her sanctuary, and she wanted to see exactly what a dragon knew of a demon’s comforts. Her first stop was to check out the room she spotted earlier at the end of the corridor. What she found took her breath away.
A large space, with vaulted ceilings and a glass walls, looked over the forests below. On the other side of the room was a fireplace so big she could practically walk inside. However, what made her squeal with delight was the wall of books. Loads and loads of books. Everything from ancient leather-bound text to current paperbacks. She loved to read and hadn’t been allowed to indulge in the pastime since becoming a slave. This would indeed become her sanctuary until she escaped or Caleb released her.
“Lileta.”
She spun to meet the handsome Draki, who spoke her name like a caress. “You’re back, I see.”
His brows scrunched together. “Why are you wearing those rags when you have a closet full of new clothes?”
She snorted and walked to the bookshelf, running her fingers across the leather bindings. “I don’t care to wear your whore’s clothing.”
His power flared, snapping in the air and sending chills up her spine.
“Those clothes belong to no one but you. I had them purchased before we came here. You will toss out your old things and wear the new ones, or I’ll do it for you,” he commanded.
“Why, Caleb? Why have you done all these things?” She moved in front of him, the top of her head came to his chin so she was forced to look up. “You rescue me from Odage and tend my wounds. Then you bring me here, and instead of a dark musty room, you give me this.” She waved a hand through the air. “You can’t fuck me so what is it you want?”
Strong hands gripped her arms and pulled until her body was pinned against his taut muscles. Warm lips pressed against her ear. “Oh, but I want to fuck you. I want to lay you right here, on this floor and lick every inch of your naked body until you scream and beg me to give you release.” He nipped her earlobe. Her breathing stopped, caught in her lungs while the fire spread through her core. Christ, she wanted him to do all those things and more. Never had her body betrayed her like this, but it was not to be.
She shoved at his chest. “Let me go!” Free of his embrace, she stumbled backward. Goosebumps developed along her limbs without his touch.
He bared his fangs. “You belong to me. No one else.” He stormed from the room.
“What the hell just happened?” She was shaken; the true meaning behind his last words crashed over her like an avalanche. She fell to her knees and planted her face in her palms. “Holy hell! It can’t be.” Tears that had been denied for years now flowed freely.
She was his mate.
Chapter Four
Caleb stormed from the room before he tossed her to the floor and made love to her right there. His desire for her would prove fatal, and he needed to keep it in check. Besides, she deserved better than that. Hell, she deserved better than him. He was a dragon with a shaded past.
Part of him wanted to set her free; it’s what she needed, and he hated that he kept her bound to him. The other half, the dragon, wanted her by his side, always. He also feared for her safety. Once free of her magical bands, it would take weeks for her full power to return. She would be vulnerable. Perhaps, he could talk her into staying until she was at her peak.
Idiot, she will never stay here with you.
Right then, her tears ripped through him like shards of glass. She hated him; he had to let her go. He moved away from the door before he made a complete ass of himself and went back into the room to comfort her. Instead, he headed outside. Maybe a flight around the perimeter would get his mind off the raging hard-on he sported.
“Ah, there you are.”
He spun to discover the vampire guardian behind him. “Marcus, how the hell did you find me?”
“He didn’t find you; I did.” Aidyn stepped up beside Marcus.
Teeth bared, his fear for Lileta spiked. “You shouldn’t have come here. You have put us all in danger if Odage senses your presence.”
“Don’t worry, I have cloaked us,” Aidyn said.
Caleb let his shoulders drop. “If you could track me then why have you not found Odage?”
“He continues to evade us, always one step ahead,” Marcus replied.
“Well, let’s at least move out of view of the house.” Caleb led them into the forest until he could no longer see the large wooden structure. He stopped and leaned against a tree, arms folded over his chest. “I’m sure Marcus filled you in on our chat.”
Aidyn sat on a nearby log. Caleb raised a brow at the expression of faith. He slid down the tree and sat with his ass in the dirt. Knees bent to his chest, he mimicked the guardian king’s submissive posture. Once he had done so, Marcus relaxed and took the spot next to Aidyn.
“Yes,” Aidyn nodded. “Marcus has told me everything. So far, we have not sensed any rift. I believe the gate is still closed. But for how long, I’ve no idea,”
“Where to start?” Caleb ran his fingers through his hair. “I have not heard from Odage since we left Egypt. I was instructed to kill all of you.”
“Are there any of your people you can trust. Warriors who will side with you should they have to choose?” Marcus asked.
Caleb looked to his old friend. “Yes, there are a few who have questioned Odage’s motives. I believe I can gather a small army. What’s your plan?”
“Burn Vandeldor,” Aidyn declared.
* * * *
Odage and Oroumea strode through the tunnels deep beneath his lair.
“How much farther?” he snarled.
“Patience, my love, we are almost upon it.” She glided gracefully toward a small opening in the wall no bigger than his pinkie. “It’s buried in there.” She pointed to the hole.
“Step back.” He moved forward and raised his pick, swinging it down in a crushing blow and causing rock to crumble. He repeated the process until, half an hour later, they both stared at the glowing crystal. He reached in and liberated it from its prison, bringing it to eye level.
“There is only one tear inside so be careful.”
He glared at his wife. “Of course, I will be careful. Hand me the necklace.”
Oroumea produced a large emerald on a gold braided chain and handed it to him. He flicked out a claw and proceeded to bore a small opening in the top of the stone. Once complete, he poured the tear from its crystal container into the emerald. When the transfer was finished, she offered him a golden stopper that he fitted over the opening. Enough heat flowed through his fingers to seal the cover in place, ensuring it could not be removed.
He held the gem up to admire his handiwork.
“She will love it,” Oroumea cooed.
His lips curled into a wicked grin. “Yes, she will. Now to set the trap.”
The two slid into the darkness, back to the lair. Odage broke out in a cold sweat. He was about to abduct a goddess and not any goddess, but his own creator and the wife of the most powerful god in existence. If it weren’t for the girl, he would never have considered this assignment.
A hand touched his shoulder. “We will prevail, my love, and you shall have your goddess.”
He feigned a smile. “Of course, I never fail. You will go to the designated spot, and I will bring her there.”
He kissed the top of her head; if Lowan didn’t kill him then Zarek would. Either way, he was a dead man.
* * * *
Odage arrived at the Cave of the Gods undetected. His return back to Vandeldor proved a bit tricky. He’d opened a portal in their upper atmosphere where the vampires would not sense it and flew through. Once in, he remained cloaked until the last possible second before he had to shift to human form to enter the caves.
He knelt on a large, flat rock in the center of a crystalline room. The veins of blue cast an eerie glow around him when he lay the emerald on the stone. He began to chant in his ancient tongue.
“A son of Qadira summons thee.”
Wind whipped through the cavern, and a woman materialized in front of him. Hair like spun copper cascaded down her back. Tight fitting, dark jeans and a pink halter complemented her green eyes. “Odage, my naughty dragon. Why have you summoned me?”
He held out the emerald necklace. “I need your help, but first, my gift to you.” He bowed his head. “My Lady.”
She snatched it from his fingers and rolled the gem in her palm. “It’s beautiful.”
He waited. She needed to place it around her neck before its powers would take full effect. “It would please me to see you wear it. I crafted it myself.”
The goddess gave a weak smile and stared at the gem, as if knowing something was amiss. Finally, she relented. “Thank you, Odage.” She placed the gold chain over her head and let the emerald settle between her breasts. “Now, what is it you need?” She touched her hand to her brow, sweat beaded across her skin.
Odage rose to his feet. “My Lady, are you all right?”
She swayed. “I’m not feeling…”
He caught her before she hit the floor. The woman was out cold. “I’m sorry, My Lady, but you are needed elsewhere.” He didn’t care about being noticed now and opened a portal back to his home.
When he stepped through, Oroumea waited, the door to the cell open and everything was in place just as he had instructed. He hated the fact he had to treat his goddess like this; the least he could do was make the chamber more comfortable. The bunks had been removed, and a queen bed replaced it. White satin sheets and a dark purple quilt covered the bed. He’d also had the bathroom enlarged and decorated in gold and green, her favorite colors. It wasn’t anything like her home, but it was the best he could do. He carefully placed her on the bed.
“Is the spell in place?”