The other factions were becoming openly antagonistic, especially after one of our dragons was killed. And if they’d sent this weaker dragon disguised as a human to kill one of us, then I’d need to figure out which one. It was only a matter of time before we went to war over it. The dragons in our faction would demand retaliation. Vengeance. A kill for a kill. But I hadn’t figured out which faction had done it.
So, for now, we’d wait.
Still, Void would find the human alone. He might’ve already seen through her act. If he hadn’t already, he would.
Unlike Blade, he had an eye for deceit. And when he suspected someone, he was merciless and thorough with his interrogation. He’d take matters into his own hands without my know-so. He’d torture her for information and demand the truth, sure I’d ignored the human out of distaste, missing the signs of the imposter posing as a captive.
My dragon roared and scales swelled across my flesh.
Mine,he growled over and over in my head.
My beast rarely spoke words I understood. Most of them were feelings. Rage and bloodlust, those were what my beast demanded more than anything else. So the word he growled through my head was disabling. It didn’t make sense. Why was he so insistent on claiming this human as ours?
My senses sharpened. The human’s heart rate had quickened, her pulse a racing thud in my ears. My agitated state had made her uncomfortable, maybe even fearful. But then her breathing calmed and her pulse slowed, all glaring signs of a trained killer. Proof that I wasn’t wrong about her.
I couldn’t let Void near her, not before I knew what I wanted to do with her. Not until I knew what she was doing here and who’d sent her.
Excuses,my mind whispered.
Mine,my beast rumbled.
Her scent struck next. Oranges. Fucking oranges, my favorite fruit.
My eyes flicked over to the ceiling-high window. We had an hour, maybe two, before sun down. Void wouldn’t come before then. He’d be chasing leads in the Borderlands until he couldn’t anymore. Unless he found something of use, he’d be busy.
I could put her in the bathroom and keep her there until he left. But if I touched her again, I might not let her go. I’d want to bury myself inside her. Fuck her. Give her a reason to sear me with those icy eyes of hers. Maybe even like it if she did.
Before I could spiral out of control, someone knocked on the door. A familiar scent registered.Bloody fucking hell.He must’ve found something.
I stole a look at the human on the bed and wished I hadn’t. I wished I’d tossed the troublesome thing over my shoulder, put her in the bathroom, and shut her inside. But I hadn’t. I’dfuckinglooked. And then I stared. Heat boiled my blood. Urges I didn’t have any business feeling rampaged my body. The storm inside intensified.
“Onyx?” Void called out, not used to me taking my time to let him in. His voice snapped me out of the vicious spell the human’s scent had cast on me.
Stomping over, I threw the surprised creature over my shoulder and carried her into the bathroom. Her eyes were wide when I set her down on the floor, gentler than I planned.
Thinking, I stalked out of the bathroom and grabbed the dagger left on the bed, then I returned to where she was. I didn’t breathe as I crouched down in front of her. She blinked at me and opened her mouth to speak, but I didn’t give her time to ask questions. Saying nothing, I grabbed hold of her hands and made her take the dagger with a stern, stay-here look.
The sensation that struck when our skin touched was otherworldly and devastating, like the dangerous current that always came with one of my storms. I nearly reacted to it. The muscles in my shoulders stiffened before I regained control over my errant form.
Her thin fingers wrapped around the hilt as if it were an anchor, then she peered down at the blade, confused. A breath escaped her before she tucked it in close to her breasts and peered up at me again. But I’d already gotten to my feet and turned my back on her, my scales visible. I left her there and shut the door behind me so that I could finally let Void in.
I exhaled a breath, thankful for the wall between us. I reined in the shift, commanding my body to calm. It took several minutes before I walked over to the door and let my brother inside.
His eyes passed over the room, curious where I’d put the human. “Did I interrupt something, Brother?”
I cut an angry look at him. “I was just catching up on sleep.” He didn’t seem convinced as his eyes continued to search forthe human I’d claimed. “The creature isn’t here, if that’s what has you curious. I prefer the human out of sight. Which reminds me…you’d better have a bloody good reason for why you ignored my orders and claimed another two humans.”
If he suspected something, he didn’t show it. Instead, his expression soured. “They’re criminals. Vektor gave—”
“They are not, and you know it. Don’t insult my intelligence, Void. You don’t get to unilaterally decide when and when not to follow my orders. You’ll pass the humans off to Iris upon leaving here, or I’ll be sure your injuries match every one of theirs. Am I clear?”
He snarled, but his eyes dropped out of sight, as not to unintentionally challenge me. “Understood.”
“If you disobey me again, Void, the fact that you and I share a father will not save you from my wrath,” I hissed. “I won’t warn you again.”
Void’s silver eyes flashed in defiance when he caught my glare, but he dropped them again and crossed an arm over his chest in respect. “Yes, my Liege.”
“Good. I imagine you’ve come with news?”
