“Not in the last thousand years.” Dusk’s gaze was deep.
“Could you?”
“No.” And though Dusk’s words were succinct, Layla saw a question gleaming in his eyes.
“You’re lying. You think you might be strong enough to challenge him.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he sighed as if tired. “If I get an invitation to Markus’ palace, I’m dead, Layla. I’m only a hundred and fifty years old, and I haven’t even changed into my Dragon yet. I don’t have a chance of staying alive if I face Markus in a dominance battle. And I kind of like being alive.”
“But there are other things you can do,” Layla pushed, wanting to know the extent of Dusk’s abilities. “You can cause earthquakes. You can stop other Dragons from shifting. You can encase other Dragons in crystal prisons. You can infiltrate people’s dreams.”
“Who told you that I can spy on people’s dreams?” Dusk’s eyes hardened; that last tidbit was clearly not something he shared.
“Adrian. He told me it was you who sensed the void-shadow first, by accidentally tapping into its nightmares. Way back when I was born.”
“Fuck.” Dusk suddenly looked tired as he wiped a hand down his face. Gazing off into the crystal pillars, he was distant for a moment, something he rarely did. And suddenly, Layla realized he was stressed. It wasn’t something Dusk ever showed, and Layla watched him, realizing that it wasn’t just her who felt over her head right now.
“The void-shadow is nothing to trifle with, Layla,” Dusk spoke at last as he looked back to her. “And neither is King Ambrose. There’s a reason I don’t associate with other Crystal Dragons, because I don’t want any of them knowing a damn thing about me. My friends know to keep anything they learn about my power to themselves, as do my lovers here at the Hotel. I appreciate that Adam and Adrian are just trying to help you get to know me better, but if you want to know anything from now on, just ask me. And then keep it to yourself.”
“Sure.” Layla felt strange suddenly; they were probably the strongest words Dusk had ever used with her, without Adrian driving his ire. Even though he was a tough boss, he was always fair and positive. But now she was seeing a side of him he rarely showed – a hard-edged fury that could have cut diamonds. It made the crystal pillars around him resonate harder, brightening like Dusk was some kind of battery even though he wasn’t actively using his magics.
With a deep breath, Dusk mastered himself. Layla felt that simmering rage calm, and his posture softened. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for you to feel all that. It’s just… living on the lam for over a hundred years gets to a person.”
“Can’t you ever go home?” Layla spoke softly. “To Egypt?”
“Egypt isn’t my home anymore,” Dusk spoke just as quietly, something bleak in his eyes. “Riad Rhakvir is, in Morocco. And the Paris Hotel.”
“What about your clan?”
“My clan is dead.” Dusk sighed, something bleak in his eyes. “I wouldn’t dare re-start it, even though I have that right. It would be too obvious a challenge to Markus’ power, if I began sending out quakes from our temples on the Upper Nile to attract mates and fighters. No, my place is here, protecting my friends. Which is why we’re down here tonight trying to get you some skills in fighting. Which we really should start doing.”
Dusk was back in his regular know-it-all teaching mode now as he stood and offered Layla a hand. She felt him lock all his emotions back down again, encasing them in crystal and stuffing them away deep inside his body for another time. As Layla took his hand and faced him, she suddenly wondered what it would take to break him. To shatter that impeccable container around his rage – and send those shards flying out in every direction.
But she was distracted from those thoughts as Dusk began stripping off his jacket and tie.
“Whoa, nobody mentioned getting naked, cowboy!” Layla blinked.
“You’ve got comfy clothes.” He gave her a pointed look, though there was humor in it now. “I don’t. So you have to deal with my sexy.”
“Hey, we could have stopped to get you some yoga clothes, too.” Layla crossed her arms, lifting an eyebrow though a smile crept in around her lips.
“Don’t worry. You like my hot body.” He grinned at her, back to his usual off-work antics. “Besides, yoga’s not how I stay in shape, Layla.”
Layla frowned. She realized suddenly that in all their conversations, she’d not once asked what Dusk did to stay fit. Apparently, he sparred with Rikyava now and again, but that couldn’t be all of it. “How do you stay in shape, then?”
Dusk gave her a sideways grin that spoke volumes. “Body by sex.”
“Oh.” Layla blinked, trying not to blush and failing.
Suddenly, she was thinking about that kiss he had given her as Dusk began to strip off his jacket and unbutton his shirt – with a dark smile that said he knew exactly what he did to her. Layla watched him, mesmerized as he stripped the shirt away. Adrian was lean and mean but Dusk was fit as shit, and as the shirt went, out came the body. She couldn’t help but stare at the defined muscles rippling beneath Dusk’s sleek dusky-tanned skin. Built like a World Cup soccer player but taller, his waist was a lean dream, his shoulders and chest strong and his abs washboard-ridged. Small lines of midnight-blue scales curled over his broad shoulders and defined hipbones, catching the light of the cavern as he turned and cast his shirt gracefully to the rose quartz floor. Lacing his hands behind his head, Dusk stretched into them, rolling his chiseled shoulders – showing off a decadent spread of lats and biceps.
“You’re ogling me again, Layla Price.” Dusk gave her a sinfully knowing look as he stretched again.
“Shut up.” Layla turned away, trying to hide her blush and failing as a rush of heat washed through her, her Dragon stirring eagerly. Jesus, hadn’t she just been hot for Adrian this same afternoon? But her Dragon didn’t care, roaring inside her veins like blistering gold. It didn’t give a shit whom Layla felt bound to. It wasn’t just Adrian her Dragon was hunting, and it wasn’t just anyone powerful. It was hunting Dragons who were stronger than all the rest, who could Bind her and protect her – and teach her how to protect herself.
A fiery scent wafted up from her skin and Layla heard Dusk chuckle. “Your turn. Strip.”
“I thought you said I was dressed properly for this!” Layla turned in protest. But Dusk held up his left arm, jiggling his wrist at her.
