Demon Untamed (29 page)

He offered a smile, but it probably looked more sad than relieved. “Do you think Cale is onto something?”

She shrugged and averted her gaze. “Portia doesn’t think it’s true.”

Ethan had forgotten about the witchling. Serakians could sense magic better than any other race he knew.

“She said love is not an emotion that could be forced. Rather, that it’s a state of being.”

“Love?” Ethan tilted his head.

Kyra’s head jerked up as if stunned by what she had said. “I’m speaking about the demon mate thing, of course.”

He recalled the way Kyra had looked at Cale in the training room. Like Cale had just placed a dagger in her heart. “Many demons don’t believe love is behind the urge to mate,” he countered.

Kyra frowned. “Hmm. To be forced to mate someone you may not even like? Sounds like a bad deal.”

The words took him aback, and a dull pang gouged at the pit of his stomach. He swallowed hard.

“Look, Ethan. I’m feeling a little nervous about this meeting with the dragons. You’ll be there, won’t you?”

“Of course. But why would you be nervous? You know them better than any of us. Didn’t you spend a few years with them on their planet?”

“I did, but that was eons ago, and I never had to negotiate for aid.”

“You’ll do fine. I’m sure their alliance hasn’t changed.”

Kyra nodded, but her lips tightened into a thin line. “Alright, I’m going to get ready then.”

“I’ll stop by your room after we dock and escort you down.”

“Thanks, Ethan.”

Ethan hurried to his room to wash up and change, during which he could feel the deep rumble of the ship as it docked. It wasn’t long before he and Kyra, followed by what looked like the rest of the ship’s inhabitants, stepped onto Uli Rings. They were greeted by smiling workers dressed in colorful outfits as a nearby troupe played a happy tune.

The complex was a massive structure made up of three rings that spun to simulate gravity. The first ring was designed to receive ships, register newcomers, and offer quaint shops for those eager to part with their credits. The middle ring was dedicated to travelers, offering a vast variety of entertainment and lodging. The third was mostly staff housing, but there was plenty of fun to be had there as well.

As they crossed toward the registration kiosk, Ethan looked up at the tall arching ceiling that offered a clear view of space. Always an impressive sight.

Moments later, Zoey and Rex joined them in the registration line. The Earthling appeared about to burst with excitement. “I can’t believe I’m in a friggin’ space city,” she squealed. “With…oh, oh, look.” She pointed to a couple waiting a little farther up in line before lowering her tone. “Aliens!”

Kyra turned to her. “Technically, we’re
all
aliens.”

“I know, but they actually look like it.”

Ethan regarded the couple’s bulbous heads and bead-like eyes. They weren’t the most odd-looking species he’d come across, nor the most hideous, but to Zoey, they were probably downright bizarre.

He craned his neck, searching for the rest of their group. He spotted Sonya standing a little farther back in line. Cale, Sebastian, and Anya crowded around her.

Sonya was watching him with those gorgeous violet eyes of hers. He shot her a smile usually reserved for the bedroom, making her flush. She swirled around to wiggle her backside at him as she fluffed her skirt. Then she finished with a lewd gesture and a teasing smirk.

Gods, she was sexy.

“Ethan.” Kyra tugged on his sleeve. “Lines moving.”

Registering went quickly enough, and they stepped aside to wait for the others. Kyra and Zoey browsed a nearby selection of trinkets, while Rex crossed his arms and leaned against a wall. The demon wasn’t huge, but he still emitted a palpable warning for others to keep their distance. It was typical of most demons, as if menace was embedded in their anatomy.

Soon after the others joined them, Ethan noticed two of their group were missing. “Um, where’re Marik and Nadua?”

“Nadua is still recovering,” Anya replied blithely.

“Recovering? From what?”

“We were practicing our gifts in the training room,” Anya explained, looking a little sheepish. “Nadua became overwhelmed, but she’s okay. Marik is tending to her now.”

“Why was I not informed?” Ethan growled, letting his gaze shift to Sebastian as a wave of guilt settled over him. All their lives the girls had been forced to bungle through their magic. Now they would feel pressure to stretch themselves and advance their gifts as quickly as possible. He scolded himself for not being there to guide them in the process. Pushing too hard could damage the mind, or even the body.

“We did not think of it,” Sebastian replied, noting Ethan’s outrage. “I will be sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Ethan gave a tight nod.

They moved to gather in a small transport unit that carried them through space toward the second ring. On either side, similar crafts ferried passengers to and fro. It was the only way to travel between the rings. Well, the only
legal
way.

The interior of the middle ring was just as he remembered: bright and clean, fauna climbing up the walls and dripping from the ceiling. Not many knew that each and every plant had been genetically engineered to be completely unique to all the universe, and that some of the flowers emitted a faint calming agent.

At first glance, the complex looked rather simplistic, but nothing could be further from the truth. Every bit of Uli Rings, from the expansive glossy floor to the placement of the soft overhead lights, had been designed for the specific purpose of making individuals feel privileged. As if merely being here inducted them into high society. And, naturally, those who immerse themselves into the upper-crust fantasy were more likely to spend like the elite.

The establishment, Between the Rings, was packed. Barely dressed males and females—surgically engineered for beauty—danced on raised platforms scattered throughout, while riveted onlookers drooled over the possibility of taking one of them back to their room.

A group of gamblers sat in the corner throwing bones. The combination of cheers and groans indicated the end of a round.

It wasn’t difficult to spot the dragons in the corner. A set of guards stood around a table of four individuals, presumably King Mar and his sons. They each resembled the other in some way: regal with broad shoulders and all but one light in hair.

As Kyra crossed to the table, the four who were seated smiled at her.

The one with hair shaved short to his scalp stood and approached her. “Kyralyn, look at you. You’ve no’ changed a whit. Beautiful as ever.”

Alarm swept through Ethan, not because the dragon was reaching out for Kyra, but because he sensed Cale suddenly preening for a fight. He shoved Kyra behind him and bared his fangs.

Ethan stifled an irksome groan, knowing the dragons would see his actions as an affront.

Tension surged.

“What’s this?” King Mar grunted. “Are we no’ allies, Lady Kyra? Are we suspected of some kind of treachery?”

“Of course not, my lord,” Kyra replied. “Cale, here, is just uninformed of our intimate acquaintance. Step aside, Cale.”

Cale didn’t back down. “Like hell I will. What do you mean by intimate? We’re here to talk, not to pass you around to a bunch of dragons.”

Ethan stifled the urge to shade his eyes with his hand, maintaining his composure. As queen, this was Kyra’s show.

“You allow this guard to disrespect you in such a way, Kyra?” the dragon nearest Kyra said. “I could break his neck if you wish.”

The shift would have been unnoticeable to onlookers, but the demons steeled themselves for battle. Ethan placed his hand on Sonya’s shoulder, claiming her attention. “Calm him. We cannot have him ruin this meeting.”

Sonya clenched her jaw, no doubt more concerned with defending her brother. Finally, she nodded.

“I wish only for peace,” Kyra assured, maneuvering around Cale. “And he’s not my guard. He’s not anything, actually. Please, we mean no disrespect.”

Cale frowned down at Kyra as if her words had wounded him.

The other male resumed his greeting by scooping Kyra up in what looked like a painful hug. Thankfully, Aidan and Sonya moved swiftly to hold Cale back.

When the dragon set her down, Kyra proceeded to explain how the demons had helped to rescue and protect her and her sisters. This impressed the dragons somewhat, enough that they forgave the slight, anyway.

Ethan observed King Mar focusing on Aidan. Though Aidan too was a dragon, he’d been born to a separate planet in their solar system, which was why his accent differed. Yet Aidan was something of a celebrity among all the clans. He’d participated in the intergalactic race, Phase Nine, and despite the record number of entries that year, he’d won.

After introducing King Mar’s sons—Gavin, the firstborn, Tristan, the second eldest, and Lear, the only dark haired male—Kyra and Tristan began to reminisce like old friends. Cale’s expression was dark throughout the exchange.

Sonya leaned in to whisper to him, “Maybe you should go back to the ship. We’ll make sure she’s safe.”

“I’m fine,” he muttered in a low, curt growl.

Sonya cursed under her breath and then gave Ethan a flippant
well-I-tried
shrug.

Ethan rolled his eyes.

King Mar gestured toward the table. “Sit, and let us discuss the reason for our gathering.”

Once settled, Kyra began, “Do you know what’s happened on Evlon?”

King Mar leaned back in his chair. “Vera little. We have been unable to establish contact.”

Kyra proceeded to relay her family’s escape from Evlon and her father’s belief that they could win. “We’re on our way to Evlon now to liberate my people, and if possible, save my father. Your clan has always been our most valued ally, my lord. We asked you here to implore you for any aid you can provide.”

King Mar went silent for a long while. His sons watched him intently, as if they would abide by whatever decision he made. Finally, he spoke. “You know I have been friends with your father, Alestar, since before you were born.” At Kyra’s nod, he continued. “I am well aware that his predictions canna be counted on as fact. Alestar knew this as well.”

“I agree, my lord. Which is why we come to you. We’ll need help if we are to succeed. The strength of your clan could be the advantage we require.”

“You’re talking war…with a technologically advanced culture.”

Ethan narrowed his gaze at the dragon king just as Kyra responded in a reserved tone, “My lord, I never said they were technologically advanced.”

Chapter 26

Ethan tilted his head at the dragons, trying to scan their intentions. It was clear they were hiding something, but he didn’t think it was for malicious purposes.

“My King.” Kyra straightened her spine. “You’ve been a cherished friend to me and my family. I’ve held great respect for you all these years, and I know my father has as well. We have never wronged you in any way, have always shown you graciousness and honor, and in return, you have done the same for us. Or so I believe. Am I wrong?”

King Mar shook his head. “Of course no’, lass. Doona vex yourself.”

“I call on your honor now, my lord. What do you know of the plight of my people?”

King Mar let out a breath. “It is no’ what you think, Kyra love. We are…ashamed. Your father came to me in his ghostly form, long ago.”

Ethan raised his brow.

“It must have been just after the attack,” King Mar said. “He stayed with me up until the Kayadon found his body, describing what he saw. We know they came in large ships and displayed substantial power. He beseeched us no’ to take action, but we could no’ ignore the situation. We deployed seven ships. No’ one survived.”

Ethan recalled that terrible day. Dragon ships falling from the sky, burning to cinders at the hand of Kayadon crafts before hitting the ground. Till now, he hadn’t figured out how the dragons had known come the Faieara’s aid so long ago. The king had never mentioned contacting them. However, he did recall the king’s palpable sorrow over the loss of so many. 

“But that is no’ what brings us shame,” King Mar went on. “The reason your father came to me was to request I hide his bride and youngest daughter. Naturally I agreed, but during the transport, they disappeared. We searched for them but…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “We could no’ track them down.”

Kyra glanced at her sister. “Analia?”

Anya grew visibly uncomfortable. “It’s a long story. One I don’t want to get into. It no longer matters, and everything worked out as it was supposed to.” She leaned into Sebastian, who put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

Kyra turned back to King Mar. “If you wish to make amends, then help us now.”

“Our technology has improved since that defeat, but that does no’ change the fact that our best ships had been decimated effortlessly. They had no’ even made it to the surface of Evlon. How do you expect to defeat such an enemy?”

Kyra claimed the book from Zoey, opened it, and slipped it in front of Mar. “My father has given us information about the Kayadon that we can exploit. Ship schematics, weaknesses. He’s mapped out their patrolling schedules and pinpointed windows of opportunity.”