A Dragon by Any Other Name, page 12
The feast? Was that the feast Ace had talked about? My heart thundered. I was right. He wanted me here for some strange reason. “Why will she be at this feast?”
The scent of coal fire drifted nearer. “Come closer, and I’ll tell you.”
I held up my dagger. “Smell honey? How close do you want me?”
The dragon lifted its head so its long neck towered above me. “I see you brought more than a sharp tongue.”
“Tell me about Isabel.”
It chuckled, a sound like rocks rolling down a hill, gaining speed. “Tell me why you smell like a dragon.”
“It’s the best way to move through here undetected. Why are you in a forest dragon’s territory?”
“Which question matters more to you, tiny Isabel?” The dragon grinned, and a flash of teeth told me it was about to open its mouth. I rolled toward the nearest tree for cover as a spurt of flame rained down around me. My pulse sped. This was the longest flame spurt I’d ever witnessed!
Heat ripped through my sleeve, and I cursed under my breath as I batted my arm against the ground, putting out the flame. By the time I stood up, the dragon’s face was in front of me again. It chuckled, dark and mysterious. “I can’t have you attempting to free Isabel or any other hunters before the Feast of Fire.”
My blood pumped cold through my veins. That’s what this celebration was all about? Slaughtering hunters? I knew it. And that was exactly why Zelda and Wallace wanted me there. To kill me.
I had to find a way out of here. To warn Uncle Max and save Isabel. Ace said the Feast was four days from now. That wasn’t enough time unless Dane had called in swarms of backup.
He hadn’t.
That meant the backup we had coming didn’t stand a chance unless I could figure out forest-dragon poison.
The dragon in front of me chuckled. “Young hunters are so clueless.” It opened its mouth again, and flames shot out. I barely had time to duck behind the tree. Heat seared my clothes from all sides.
The the fire stopped sooner this time.
A snarl shook the ground, and I turned. A green dragon crouched low, back to me, facing the mountain dragon that was three times larger. It approached the gray beast, smoke pouring from its nostrils. “You’re trespassing.”
I knew that voice. Ace.
“You’re harboring a hunter?” The mountain dragon’s neck stretched upward. “The Council will not be pleased.”
“Who said anything about harboring?”
“You intend to bring this creature to the Feast of Fire? As your prisoner?”
My heart hammered. I wanted to make a run for it. Maybe we could still defeat them without the forest-dragon poison. If there was a chance to save Isabel and stop the dragons, it was during this feast. I could get to Dane and tell him.
“This hunter—”
“Smells like a life debt. If you’ve thrown your lot in with their kind, the Council—”
“The Council will never know, since trespassing is punishable by death.” Ace’s voice took on a dark tone that made me shudder.
I knew enough about fighting dragons on their own territory. It made them stronger. More aggressive. Isabel’s words rang clear in my mind: If you threaten a dragon on its property, be ready to kill it. If you don’t, it will kill you. All dragons are territorial in a way they can’t control.
“Not informing the Council of hunter sightings is also punishable by death.” The mountain dragon lowered its head.
“Since when?”
“Since now. Well, it’s cause enough for me to kill you.”
Ace growled. “Are you threatening me on my property?”
A snarl reverberated in the mountain dragon’s gullet, and its gaze locked onto me. The charred tree I stood behind was hardly shelter now. Its weight shifted, and I knew it was ready to pounce.
“Run, Keira.” Ace lunged forward and pinned the mountain dragon to the ground.
I darted for cover, then turned. It was hard to make out everything with the trees obscuring my view, but the larger mountain dragon was clearly struggling as Ace pushed it to the ground on its back. I wanted to run, but the fact that Isabel had been so incredibly right kept me planted. Ace’s strength seemed to surpass the other dragon’s. He lowered his head and grabbed the mountain dragon’s throat in his jaws. It whimpered.
Ace’s teeth dug into the dragon’s neck, and everything went quiet.
My heartbeat revved. I had to find the forest-dragon poison. But perhaps I wouldn’t find it here. Maybe this was the most dangerous place for me to be. This . . . this monster was clearly hungry for death.
Blood, dark and wet, seeped out from the trees, running downhill. And the mountain dragon turned to ash.
The red pool remained.
Ace grew smaller, completely hidden behind the pines, and stepped out as a man.
I stood, frozen. I’d never seen a dragon kill another dragon.
“Let’s get home.” He walked past me.
I stared at his back. “You have more in common with hunters than you think.”
Ace kept going. “I killed him because he was on my property. And he threatened me.”
“Dragons are more brutal than I realized.”
He shot a glare over his shoulder. “He was going to tell the Council I’m harboring a hunter. It could have started a war.”
I followed after him. “Why? Does your horde value hunters?”
He snarled, and the sound was incredibly dragon-like.
“Are you teaming up with them? I mean, you brought me here. What do you want with the hunters?”
“I want them to stop hunting dragons.”
I had to jog to catch up with him, and he quickened his pace. “So we should just leave the dragon-killing to the dragons?”
“You have no idea what the other dragons would do to you.”
“Bring me to the Feast of Fire like they’re doing with Isabel? Is that why you want me to come? So you can have a hunter of your own? Will I be a bargaining chip, or is there some special torture session I should be getting prepared for? Or maybe it’s a group burning-at-the-stake? Is that it?”
That got him to stop walking, but he didn’t face me.
“I know about Isabel. The prized hunter who will be at your Feast. You must have heard of her. And let me tell you something, dragon. If you so much as bring me anywhere near that feast of yours, be prepared for me to try and rescue her.”
His shoulders heaved in a very slow, controlled breath. “You have no idea what kind of monster she is.”
I knew exactly what kind of monster she was. And I was about to find out how much of a ruse this life debt truly was. I caught up to him, grabbed his collar, and pulled.
“She’s my stepmom.” I placed my knife against his side, between his ribs. Old hatred spurred my actions now, and I embraced it. My blade pierced clothes and ripped into skin. “I might not be able to kill you, but one more inch and I hit your lungs. That’ll take your fire long enough for me to run before you heal. Now, I thought Isabel was dead, so you’re going to tell me everything you know about her.”
Ace said nothing. He just stared at me, a look of pain contorting his features. Almost as though he was trying really hard not to fight back. “D-don’t . . . threaten me, Keira.”
“Or what?” I pushed the knife in further. I wanted to kill him. Make him pay. My pulse pounded. If the life debt truly prevented me from taking his life, this was a death wish, and I’d jumped in headfirst.
A splitting pain shot through my skull and blurred my vision. I cried out, my own screams echoing in my head. My lungs started to contract, but I needed air. Couldn’t get any. I doubled over. A sense of free-falling overtook me, and I landed on my back in the dirt.
Finally, I could take a breath. Something strong pushed against my shoulders, anchoring me to the ground.
Ace’s face filled my vision, morphing, changing into a dragon’s. White fangs protruded from a long, rough muzzle. A growl so loud it shook my chest ratcheted through my body. Heat encompassed me. I trembled. My heart couldn’t beat fast enough. My lungs—I couldn’t breathe. A sob clogged my throat. I was staring muerte in the eyes.
“Don’t ever threaten me on my property again.” His voice shook me—a quiet growl that sent a shudder through my body. And I stared at his irises. No red. No lie. He was dead serious.
Was he going to kill me now?
Slowly, the snarl faded, and he morphed back into a man, let me go, and stood up. His hands shook as he walked away.
I lay on the ground and clutched my knife tighter. Blood wet the blade. Ace’s. I’d stabbed him. My chest squeezed tight, and I tried to calm my breathing.
I’d signed my own death sentence.
And yet, he hadn’t killed me.
Still shaking, I sat up, replaying the whole thing on a loop. His face morphing into a monster’s. His fangs. The heat on my skin. El muerte. I’d thought I was about to die.
Isabel had said they couldn’t control it.
I glanced up to see Ace striding back to the cabin. His hands still shaking. Blood staining the side of his shirt. I breathed in. I was lucky to be alive.
My body started quaking, and I pressed my hands against my head and let myself sob.
It was almost as if his instinct had taken over and he’d fought it off.
Why?
What did he need me for?
Seventeen
I stared at my boots, finally composing myself enough to think through the situation. If Ace needed me for something at this Feast of Fire, I should probably stay away. But defeating the forest dragons forever was almost in my grasp.
I had two choices. I could try and make Ace trust me—and play the biggest con of my life—or I could abandon this and convince the other hunters to come in and save Isabel.
Right now, I was Isabel’s best chance of rescue.
But I was also our best chance of completing her work so we could make the all-serum.
A series of unfortunate events had given me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to what we needed. Or I could very easily die here if Ace took me to the Feast as his prisoner.
Which meant I’d have to change plans and agree to go as his date.
I shuddered as a shiver raced through me. A dragon’s date. That was against everything I stood for. And Ace would know that too. Which meant I had to make this “change of heart” convincing.
As soon as I heard the distant sound of the cabin door slamming, I stood up, dusted the dirt off of my pants, and made a break for it.
If he was telling the truth about this life debt enabling him to track me, he’d hunt me down, no problem. I’d head back, kicking and screaming. He’d already made me dinner and breakfast and tried to play nice to me, so as long as I could get him to show me one more act of kindness, I could pretend his little plan was working on me.
I raced through the woods, toward the mountains, which I assumed was the enemy’s territory. He didn’t even shout at me to stop. Twigs scratched my face and pulled at my clothes. Still, I saw nothing in the sky. No ugly shadow. No hideous beast following me.
Did he not care that his little prize was gone?
Did he think I’d come back on my own?
At that thought, a harsh laugh huffed out of my chest, and I ran faster. He’d clearly underestimated my stubbornness.
I ran and hiked and picked brambles off my clothes for what seemed like hours. Maybe he’d lied. Maybe he couldn’t track me at all. I tossed another stupid burr to the ground.
“You know your base is the other way?”
I whirled around and found Ace leaning against a tree, hair wet. He smelled like the amazing, clean scent of a bathroom right after a shower. He’d changed, too, but he still wore that black leather jacket.
I put my hands on my hips, not even wanting to think about the state of my hair right now. “Maybe I wanted to throw you for a loop.”
He smirked, all cocky and annoying. “I told you I’d be able to find you.”
I curled my fingers into a fist, but at the all-too-fresh memory of not being able to stab him, I let out a frustrated growl instead. “So you thought you’d let me run through the woods for hours so you could prove a point?”
His smirk turned into a pleased grin. “Sounds about right.”
In frustration, I spun in a tight circle and ended facing him again. Unable to control my anger—at myself for falling for his taunting—I pointed my finger into his muscular chest. “That was . . . very unnecessary.”
Oh great. I’d apparently lost my wit while out here proving my point.
He looked down at my finger and then tipped his head as he took in my expression with obvious delight. “Don’t blame me for your unnecessary exercise. You took off. I had a wound to take care of.” He touched his side, right where I’d stabbed him.
I backed away, the reminder sending a pang I didn’t expect through my heart. I had used my dragon-claw blade, but it had to be half-healed by now. “Well, I hope you didn’t expect an apology.”
His green eyes dulled for the slightest moment. “From a hunter? Of course not.” He pushed off the tree, striding closer to me. “I decided to have lunch, work out, shower.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I left the house ten minutes ago.”
Heat boiled in my blood. It couldn’t be that easy to track me.
He shrugged, still sporting that pleased-with-himself grin. “Care for a lift back?”
I opened my mouth to retort, but thankfully I stopped myself. First of all, I could still work this whole thing to my planned advantage and make him feel like I was warming up to him. I breathed deeply and bowed my head while I regained my composure. Then I looked up, with a sparkle in my eyes that would dazzle him—hopefully.
The momentary dilating of his pupils told me I was about to show him my con game rivaled his.
I sighed. “Look, I took off. Lo siento. It’s not like this situation is ideal for either of us. I just—I had to try. You know?”
He stared at me for a heartbeat. “I do.” He motioned over his shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get you back. And I promise to be more hospitable.” He paused. “I don’t want you to feel like a prisoner.”
“Well, I am one.” I hardened my gaze. Then I closed my eyes with what I hoped to be a good show of emotion. “But I haven’t really been fair to you.” I held out my hand. “To a fresh start?”
His eyebrows rose, and he opened his mouth. Then that suave smile took over, and he took my hand—not in a handshake. He turned it slightly and leaned over to kiss the back.
“Milady.” He looked up at me and started to rise, keeping hold of my hand. “I can say with the utmost sincerity that I do hope you will be willing to see the real me.”
“Charmed.” I snatched my hand back, the tingle from his skin against mine still pulsing warmth into my blood. “I hope you don’t expect me to be impressed.”
He smiled again, that crooked slant of his lips trying to eat away at my cold heart. “I did come all this way to rescue you.”
I planted my fists on my hips. “First of all, I am no damsel in distress. I got myself into this mess, and I will rescue myself from the dragon. No prince needed.” I looked him over as if scrutinizing art. “And you’re no Prince Charming.”
“That I am not.” He actually waggled his eyebrows. “But I am pretty irresistible. Don’t be surprised if you’re not only impressed but also a mite addicted.”
I laughed bitterly. Oh, this was good. If I could get him to fall for me, that would be even better. He’d have no choice but to let me go. I gave him a coy smile. “Not gonna happen. But I’ll start with giving you a chance.”
At least my eyes didn’t pulse red when I lied.
“That’s all I ask. Now, would you like a ride back?”
I had him hooked now. Time to reel him in. “I’d love one. Gracias.”
The wind picked up, and a huge shadow covered us as a green dragon descended. I noticed the crescent-shaped hole in his wing. Bran.
Ace shrugged. “Good. I asked Bran to give you a lift back to the cabin while I check the perimeter again.”
“Bran?”
Ace winked. “He won’t hurt you.” He looked at Bran. “He gave me his word.”
I scowled up at Bran. His huge claws wrapped around me, and he didn’t seem to care about jostling me as he scooped me up.
I pounded my fist against his claws as he took me up, soaring above the trees. “Let me go!”
“You sure?”
“No,” I grumbled.
He laughed.
I trailed my finger over his claw. My knife was made from this substance, but it was sharp to the touch. His claws weren’t.
“They’re covered in an invisible casing. If I didn’t do that, they’d rip right through you and your designer blouse.”
That was actually pretty cool. I shook my head. “Yeah? And why haven’t you just killed me?”
“Don’t tempt me, hunter.” A growl rumbled in Bran’s chest and sent a shiver through me.
“Whoa. Someone got up on the wrong side of the—”
Bran let me go, and I plummeted to the porch. I rolled toward the cabin but was able to stop myself before I slammed into the outer wall. “Hey! You gave your word not to hurt me!”
He landed on the deck beside me as a man, a glare heating his eyes. “You stabbed my brother. You deserved that.” He walked past me and opened the door.
I got up and dusted myself off, ignoring the stinging scrape on my elbow. Then I followed him inside. “Your brother is keeping me prisoner here.”
Bran whirled around and got in my face as the back door slammed behind me. “To protect you!” He turned away and walked farther into the kitchen. “Not that you’re worth it. I honestly don’t know what Wally sees in you.”
Sees in me? I stopped at the counter, staring at Bran’s back and trying to make sense of that comment. “What do you mean?”
Bran breathed deep and met my gaze. “You’re a hunter. There’s nothing to see. But my brother seems to think you’re different.”
