“What about the Humbaba?” I asked.
“What about them?”
I gave him an exasperated look. “You said you’d explain who they are, and while you’re at it, that whole backstory Peter gave us about you hunting and killing dragons because you were afraid of portals, that’s a load of bull.”
“It’s what he believed.” Dumadi gave me a scrutinizing glare. “And it was partially true.”
“That’s what I figured. What’s the truth?”
“The Humbaba is simply one of our various names. As the Supay have been called demons, vampires, and other names across the centuries, so have we. We have kept to the shadows, to the secrets, but the humans are a discerning lot. We gave birth to rumors, and rumors, as we all know, begat legends. Thus, the Indonesian legend of the Leyak was born, and the Humbaba, and many more. I believe in your United States we're known as skin walkers to your Native people.”
I nodded my head. “And the truth? Why did you hunt the dragons? And is it something you’re planning to continue doing?”
“We have no desire for war. We only want our child.”
“He isn'tyourchild!” I clenched my hands into fists as I tried to breathe and control the fire. “The more you piss me off, the harder it is to control my fire, I want you to know that.”
“I don’t wish to anger you. I understand the heartache you'll face, especially considering I so recently lost my firstborn.”
“If he hadn’t raped me, he might still be alive.”
The color drained from Dumadi’s face. “He what?”
“Raped. Me.” I emphasized the consonants. “I didn't consent to have sex with him. He raped me under the guise of being mydeadhusband.”
“But he did not force you to lie with him.”
It was my turn to squeeze Axoular’s hand as his skin heated rapidly. The subject at hand infuriated him.
“He didn't have my willing participation. He lied and manipulated me. He raped me. It might not have been violent, but it was a gross intrusion all the same.”
He waved his hands, his expression was disbelieving. He was effectively dismissing me as a hysterical woman. “You’ll be fine.”
“This conversation is over. You’ll not have my baby, and you’ll not have peace. If I get a chance, I’ll burn you alive as well. Get out or I’ll do it now, sleeping gas or not.” I allowed the flames to dance across my hand, though I kept it away from my clothes and the couch. I wasn’t ready to bring the whole place down just yet. More planning had to be done.
He rose and gave us a slight bow. “We will continue this conversation when you’re able to be a bit more reasonable.”
I bit back the scream that fought to come out of my mouth and ended up snarling at him.
Axoular stood. “You will regret the decisions you made today,” he said with finality.
Dumadi left the room. The lock gave a loudclickas he sealed us in.
I turned to Axoular. “We gotta getout of here.”
CHAPTER FIVE
ELIAS
I hung up the phone and continued pacing the room. Anthony had traced Riley’s scent at the party to the parking lot. She’d left in a car, but he couldn’t tell more than that. Our senses were heightened, but not like a bloodhound. More like a bloodhound with a stuffy nose.
My cell phone rang, and I almost threw it in my haste to answer it. “Cindy? What have you got for me?”
“She’s on the island, I know that. Anything further than that would require her blood to make the spell work properly.”
“How much of her blood?” I asked.
“Even a drop would do.”
