Scorched by Darkness (32 page)

“I’m not afraid for the imps,” she swiftly assured him. “I’m afraid for you. The runes are too dangerous.”

“Ah.” He waved aside her warning. “Do not fear,
ma belle
. I am a gargoyle. We are impervious to runes. Enjoy your dragon.” With a last smile he was hurrying away, clearly on the hunt for his pretty imp.

Rya shook her head as she moved to inspect the tray. There were several bowls of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a plate of roasted meat. Her mouth watered. No sense in letting the food go to waste.

Polishing off a bowl of pineapple as well as several slices of meat, she was nibbling on a carrot when a tidal wave of heat rushed through the air.

Torque.

Turning away from the tray, she watched as the gorgeous male stepped into the cell.

Instantly her dragon roared in satisfaction. Although she’d been pleased with the thought of Torque becoming acquainted with his mother, there’d been a part of her that had been unnerved to be parted from this male.

As if he felt the same sense of emptiness, Torque instantly crossed the floor to wrap her in his arms and brush a kiss over her welcoming lips.

“I thought I caught the scent of granite,” he murmured as he lifted his head. “Is the gargoyle here?”

“Yes.”

He gazed down at her upturned face, his expression baffled. “How did he get here?”

“My mother was concerned so she created a portal,” she explained. “Levet came through to rescue us.”

He grimaced. “Does your mother hate us?”

Her lips twitched. “He
is
a KISA.”

Torque muttered his uncomplimentary opinion of the tiny gargoyle in his role as a hero. “Where was he going?”

“He was chasing after a young fire imp.”

“I hope she singes him,” he muttered.

Rya wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn’t want to talk about Levet.

She was far more interested in her delicious soon-to-be mate.

“What about you?” she murmured.

He arched a brow. “Me?”

“Were there any pretty fire imps who caught your attention?” she teased, not really concerned.

The one thing she could trust in this world was Torque. He was utterly and completely loyal.

“None,” he said without hesitation, his arms tightening around her. “I am addicted to the scent of lotus blossoms.”

She went on her tiptoes to place a light kiss on his jaw.

“Did you see your mother?”

His eyes darkened, but it wasn’t pain. Instead it was a bittersweet regret.

“Yes.”

Her hand moved to cup his lean cheek. “And?”

“We can discuss it once we’re in my lair—” He gave a sudden shake of his head. “Not my lair.
Our
lair.”

She tried to read his expression. “At least tell me you listened to what she had to say.”

“I listened.” He flashed a teasing smile. “And even learned.”

She widened her eyes. “A miracle.”

He pressed his lips to her forehead before they skimmed down her cheek to the corner of her mouth.

“You are the miracle, my love,” he murmured in husky tones. “My mother is preparing a portal for us to leave. Let’s go home.”

“Oh.” Rya stiffened at the mention of a portal.

Torque narrowed his eyes, studying her apologetic expression.

“Hell. I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“I have to see my mother.” She gave a small shrug. “She used the last of her strength to create the portal.”

He heaved a resigned sigh. “Perhaps my father wasn’t completely wrong to barter off his family.”

She skimmed her hands down his neck and over his broad shoulders. Torque wasn’t the only one anxious to return to the privacy of his lair.

“Thankfully, you will be a much better father,” she assured him in husky tones.

His eyes flared with sapphire fire. “I’m more interested in being a mate.”

Pulling out of his arms, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the waiting portal.

“We have a whole eternity ahead of us.”

He stroked a finger down the curve of her back, sending sparks of fire through her blood.

“Not long enough.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Torque had been a very good dragon.

Not only had he patiently escorted Rya to her mother’s lair so she could assure herself that Kai was properly resting, but he’d actually waited until they were in the privacy of his lair before he’d torn off her clothes and ravished her.

Then, as a reward for his excellent behavior, he’d carried her to his bed, and allowed her to ravish him.

Now he held her tightly in his arms and nuzzled at her throat.

Eventually he would get up and make them something to eat, but for now he intended to enjoy a slow, thorough seduction that might very well take the entire day.

Nibbling a path of kisses down the curve of her neck, he pretended he didn’t hear the sharp knock that echoed through the lair.

Beneath him, Rya stiffened. “Torque.”

His lips traced the dragon marque that draped over the luscious curve of her breasts.

“Hmm?”

“There’s someone at the door.”

He released a small burst of fire that made her squirm with pleasure.

“Ignore them and they’ll go away,” he told her.

She gave a throaty laugh, her fingers combing through his hair.

“You always say that.”

“Because it’s true,” he said.

Then the knocking stopped, only to be replaced by an explosive burst of power that rattled the bed and sucked the air out of the room.

Which meant that either a nuclear bomb had just been planted in his lair, or it was Baine on the other side of the door.

“Not when it’s a pissed-off dragon,” she muttered.

No shit.

Muttering beneath his breath, Torque reluctantly climbed out of bed and pulled on a pair of faded jeans.

“I’ve changed my mind,” he said, his gaze captivated by the sight of Rya spread across his bed.

Her dark satin hair was spread over the pillows, her eyes smoldering with amber fire. She was sensual female temptation wrapped in glorious beauty.

Was it any wonder that he wanted to toss her over his shoulder and disappear in a puff of smoke?

“About what?” she demanded, covering her slender body with the sheet.

He barely resisted the urge to reach down and yank it back off.

Dammit. He’d just gotten her alone and naked.

He didn’t want to be interrupted.

“I no longer want to live in this lair,” he told her.

She lifted her brows. “You want to move into my rooms in the harem?”

“Hell, no,” he growled with a shudder. “I was thinking about our own island.” There was another blast of power. This one shattered his mirror. “Far, far away,” he continued with a grimace.

“First you need to answer the door,” she warned.

Accepting he’d pushed his master far enough, Torque leaned down to press a swift kiss against Rya’s mouth.

“Don’t move,” he commanded.

Forcing himself to straighten, he headed out of the bedroom and across the open living space. Then, not bothering with a shirt or shoes, he pulled open the door.

He found Baine in his usual human shape. Narrow face, Asian features, and almond-shaped eyes that burned with the same amber fire as Rya’s.

Today his black hair was pulled into a tail at his nape and he was wearing a loose pair of dojo pants that revealed the metallic tattoos that swirled over his chest with vibrant color.

“What?” Torque demanded.

Baine planted his hands on his hips, his brows lifted.

“That’s not a very nice way to greet me.”

Belatedly realizing that being rude to a dragon was a good way to end up toast, quite literally, he gave a stiff bow of his head.

“Forgive me, master,” he murmured. “I was hoping for some time alone with my mate.”

Baine glanced over his shoulder, noting the overturned furniture that had happened during their frenzied arrival in the lair.

“Have you completed the ceremony?”

“Not yet. We’re waiting for Kai to recover her strength.” His lips twisted in a rueful smile. “And now I suppose we’ll have to include my mother,” he added. From the short amount of time he’d spent with Nalani, he was fairly certain she would be overjoyed to be asked to assist with his formal mating. “Not that I need a ceremony. As far as I’m concerned, Rya is mine.”

“Yes.” The floor beneath their feet abruptly shuddered. A sure sign that Baine was trying to control his emotions. Not his greatest skill. “Kai is the reason I’m here.”

Torque hissed. Damn. He’d been so caught up in his annoyance at being interrupted during his time alone with Rya, he hadn’t considered that Baine might be there to deliver bad news.

“Has something happened?”

“Not to her.”

“Thank the goddess.” He released a breath he didn’t even know he was holding. Rya would be destroyed if her mother had been hurt. “What is it?”

“Kai traveled to Synge’s lair to use her magic to keep Blayze unconscious,” Baine said.

Torque nodded. “Yeah, she promised to help while Ravel seeks a way to end the curse.” He studied his companion’s grim expression. “It didn’t work?”

“She didn’t have a chance to try.”

Torque felt a stab of surprise. When they’d left Synge’s lair he’d been desperate to locate Kai so she could help his daughter. “Why not?”

“Blayze is missing.”

Missing?
Torque blinked. And then blinked again.

The words didn’t make any sense. Nothing and no one could get into a dragon’s lair. Well, except Baine’s mate, Tayla.

Which meant she couldn’t have been kidnapped.

And since she was knocked unconscious, she couldn’t have walked out.

So that left…? What?

“How’s that possible?” he at last muttered.

Baine shook his head. “No one knows, but my father is on a full-out rampage trying to discover what happened.”

Torque shuddered. He didn’t doubt for a second that Synge’s fury was epic. He’d just had his daughter returned to him. Now to have her snatched away…

Yeah. He was going to make sure Rya stayed away from her father until Blayze was returned.

Already considering the best means of convincing his stubborn mate to avoid Synge’s lair, Torque was struck by a sudden thought.

“Wait,” he said. “What about Char?”

Flames danced in Baine’s amber eyes. “He’s missing too.”

“Oh, shit,” he breathed.

Baine gave a slow nod. “Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

KILL WITHOUT MERCY (ARES SECURITY)
BY ALEXANDRA IVY

PROLOGUE

Few people truly understood the meaning of ‘hell on earth.’

The five soldiers who had been held in the Taliban prison in southern Afghanistan, however, possessed an agonizingly intimate knowledge of the phrase.

There was nothing like five weeks of brutal torture to teach a man that there are worse things than death.

It should have broken them. Even the most hardened soldiers could shatter beneath the acute psychological and physical punishment. Instead the torment only honed their ruthless determination to escape their captors.

In the dark nights they pooled their individual resources.

Rafe Vargas, a covert ops specialist. Max Grayson, trained in forensics. Hauk Laurensen, a sniper who was an expert with weapons. Teagan Moore, a computer wizard. And Lucas St. Clair, the smooth-talking hostage negotiator.

Together they forged a bond that went beyond friendship. They were a family bound by the grim determination to survive.

CHAPTER ONE

Friday nights in Houston meant crowded bars, loud music and ice-cold beer. It was a tradition that Rafe and his friends had quickly adapted to suit their own tastes when they moved to Texas five months ago.

After all, none of them were into the dance scene. They were too old for half-naked coeds and casual hookups. And none of them wanted to have to scream over pounding music to have a decent conversation.

Instead, they’d found The Saloon, a small, cozy bar with lots of polished wood, a jazz band that played softly in the background, and a handful of locals who knew better than to bother the other customers. Oh, and the finest tequila in the city.

They even had their own table that was reserved for them every Friday night.

Tucked in a back corner, it was shrouded in shadows and well away from the long bar that ran the length of one wall. A perfect spot to observe without being observed.

And best of all, situated so no one could sneak up from behind.

It might have been almost two years since they’d returned from the war, but none of them had forgotten. Lowering your guard, even for a second, could mean death.

Lesson. Fucking. Learned.

Tonight, however, it was only Rafe and Hauk at the table, both of them sipping tequila and eating peanuts from a small bucket.

Lucas was still in Washington D.C., working his contacts to help drum up business for their new security business, ARES. Max had remained at their new offices, putting the final touches on his precious forensics lab, and Teagan was on his way to the bar after installing a computer system that would give Homeland Security a hemorrhage if they knew what he was doing.