Dragon's Curse (Harlequin Nocturne) Read online

  Ariel shivered. The saying that life passed before one’s eyes at the moment of death was true. It did—at a dizzying pace. Every mistake she’d made, each regret she carried close to her heart, flew through her mind in a flash.

  As she drew in what would certainly be her last breath, the man—the creature—the changeling pulled her to her feet. They were surrounded by a darkness so black she couldn’t see the end of her nose, but she sensed his nearness.

  The sensual warmth of his body next to hers meant he was far too close. The feel of his breath against her cheek made her fear he’d consume her in a blaze of fire.

  But instead of breathing out fire, he inhaled slowly, as if taking in her scent. His lips brushed her temple, making her heart thud even harder—faster, as he suggested, “You might want to run before I change my mind.”

  Ariel clutched the flashlight to her chest, realizing in that moment that he had released her wrist. Without a second thought, she turned and in the dark, raced blindly down the corridor. She bounced off the damp walls, but didn’t slow her pace until she reached the door.

  His deep, husky laugh followed her. It seemed to rush against her ears as she fumbled with the latch and jerked the wall open wide enough to squeeze through.

  Once outside, oblivious of the spotlight, Ariel kept running until she reached the hole she’d cut into the fence, then she dived through the opening to the other side. Renalde would have to find someone else to come back to Mirabilus, or devise a different plan.

  Now that she knew dragons did indeed exist and they in no way resembled anything from her nearly forgotten dreams, there wasn’t enough money in the world to convince her to return. She’d have to find another way to save her brother.

  * * *

  Cameron Drake stood outside the shed watching the woman’s frantic escape. Anyone would be terrified to come face-to-face with a dragon. But more than fear had laced this woman’s emotions.

  He’d also sensed her flare of unwanted lust. To his chagrin, his beast had also sensed the brief spark of desire—with undivided interest.

  An interest so strong and intense that even when he’d changed back into a human it had lingered warmly in his veins. An occurrence so out of character that he hadn’t taken enough time to delve completely into the woman’s mind. He’d only barely touched her thoughts.

  She was here looking for a box and a piece of jewelry. Although he had no clue what kind of box or what jewelry. The one thing he was certain of was that she’d been sent by someone she greatly feared and that she felt compelled to do as she was told.

  Which probably explained why he hadn’t sensed any experience at thievery. This experience had been new to her, and not one she enjoyed.

  So, who had sent her and how had they frightened her into doing their bidding? More important, how had they, or she, known about the secret workroom?

  There was one solitary answer that suited each question—the Learned. His inner beast rumbled, tearing his attention away from the woman and suddenly on alert.

  The dread growing in the pit of Cam’s stomach made him worry that his concerns had been valid all along—his brother and sister-in-law hadn’t killed Nathan.

  The wizard was still alive. Still intent on destroying the Drakes. And still intent on harnessing the magic they possessed to boost his own. The combined powers would make Nathan the Hierophant—the supreme ruler. With the ability to command everything living or dead, his reign of terror would be unstoppable.

  “Mr. Drake, when did you arrive?”

  “Hello, Albert. I got here just a few minutes ago.” Cam turned toward the approaching caretaker. From the man’s limp and slow gait, it was obvious the time for Mr. Brightworthe to retire was near. “You shouldn’t be out here. It’s too cold and damp.”

  “Could have something to do with living on an island.”

  “Possibly.” Stating the obvious is what endeared the man to the family. The handyman-caretaker at Dragon’s Lair, the family’s nearly completed resort in east Tennessee, was of the same ilk.

  Albert stopped next to Cameron and peered toward the fence. “Another one?”

  “Looks that way.” Mirabilus Castle had been broken into multiple times over the past few months. Nothing had been stolen. Property had been damaged, people killed in the attempts and yet another would-be thief was in a coma. “Except she was more interested in the workroom behind the shed than the castle.”

  “From the way she’s moving, I’d say she came in contact with a beast.”

  “Maybe.”

  Only one other person besides Brightworthe knew about Cam’s beast. And she was dead.

  As close as he was to his twin brother, Cam was fairly certain Braeden had guessed that there was something else to Cam’s abilities, but so far had said nothing.

  Their younger brother, Sean, was too much of a skeptic when it came to magical powers and wizardry. And thankfully, Cam had successfully dodged their aunt Dani’s attention.

  “Should I send someone after her?”

  “No.” Cam shook his head at the caretaker’s question. “She didn’t take anything.”

  He swept the shoreline with an unblinking stare one last time before turning toward Mirabilus Castle. “Besides, I have a feeling she’ll be back.”

  * * *

  Ariel stared down at her brother. Carl looked so fragile and pale against the white sheets. Thankfully, he appeared to be resting peacefully.

  She reached out to stroke the chestnut hair, so like her own, from his forehead. Before her fingers could make contact, the overhead lights clicked off and strong arms grabbed her from behind.

  Ariel frantically fought against the steel-like grip pinning her against a rock-hard chest, but the man ignored her struggles. Easily holding her with one arm, he slapped his free hand over her mouth, cutting off her screams.

  Against her ear, he said, “Mr. Renalde thinks you might have changed your mind about finishing the job.”

  The blood in her veins froze at the all-too-familiar voice. While Renalde’s thug was frightening in the daylight, at night, alone in the dark, he was terrifying.

  She’d seen what this man could do. When she’d returned from Mirabilus yesterday, she’d marched into Renalde’s office to inform him that she was finished with dragons, boxes and pendants. She’d do anything else to save her brother, but she couldn’t go back to that island.

  Renalde hadn’t seemed upset at all. Why hadn’t she seen his easy manner as a clue something was dreadfully wrong?

  He’d invited her to stay for lunch. A private lunch consisting not of food, but of a live demonstration of how many bones in the human body could be broken, one by one, before the victim died.

  And now Renalde’s cold-blooded killer had her pinned and helpless. Completely at his mercy, Ariel wasn’t certain if she should pray for her life, or for a quick death.

  The ceiling light clicked back on. Renalde closed and locked the door while asking, “Tell me, Ms. Johnson, are you very afraid?”

  She nodded as much as the hand still clamped over her mouth would allow.

  “Good.” Renalde approached Carl’s bed, motioning to his thug to release her.

  He leaned over Carl. “Oh, my, my, Ms. Johnson. Have you ever seen anyone so defenseless or vulnerable?”

  What had been fear, then terror, now turned into abject horror. It sucked the breath from her chest and stripped away her ability to think.

 
Renalde straightened. He brushed the back of one knuckle lightly down Carl’s cheek while pinning her with a demonic smile. “Since you seemed a little hesitant about going to Dragon’s Lair, I feel it necessary to repeat myself.”

  She stared at him, still unable to fully believe this was nothing more than a prolonged nightmare.

  “You are quite fond of young Carl.”

  Ariel could only nod.

  “So am I. But I won’t repeat myself again, Ms. Johnson. You will go to Dragon’s Lair and you will do as you’re told.”

  When she remained silent, he said, “While you are well aware that Bennett here—” Renalde nodded toward his thug, before he continued “—rather likes causing pain and suffering—” He paused, then frowning, added, “He also has a tender streak at times and is quite partial to sparing agony when allowed. Being the sensitive soul he is, on occasion he takes great pains to end lives as quickly as possible.”

  “I’ll go.” Ariel swallowed hard, trying to keep her breakfast in her stomach. “Just don’t hurt my brother.”

  Renalde stepped away from Carl’s bedside and headed toward the door, with his thug right behind. “Be in my office tomorrow morning. We’ll go over the details then.” He paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Oh, if you so much as think about calling the police, you’ll need to make a second call to the mortuary for young Carl.”

  Ariel nodded her understanding. She couldn’t call the police. What would she tell them? That if she didn’t commit robbery and risk dying at the talons of a dragon, her brother would be killed? How many months would it take to find an officer who would believe that explanation? By then it’d be too late to save Carl.

  The only thing she could do was pray that the dragon living at Mirabilus was the only one in existence.

  * * *

  Jeremy Renalde flicked an imaginary speck of dust from the sleeve of his custom-tailored suit coat. He glanced at the clock on his father’s desk and fought back a snarl of impatience, knowing the old man kept him waiting on purpose.

  Much pleasure could be gained from making his sire pay for the obvious slight. But pleasure was such a short-lived emotion. What he stood to gain would last an eternity—if he could keep his mind focused on the end goal. Jeremy settled back into the upholstered chair, making himself comfortable.

  He couldn’t permit himself to forget what had happened to his brothers. Their impatience and lack of attention to detail had cost them their lives. When they’d lost their focus and thought to defy their father, he’d killed them.

  Jeremy had watched as their sire slowly sucked the life and power from each of them. He’d watched—and he’d learned.

  The door to the office swung open, permitting his father to limp slowly into the room. Jeremy waited silently as the injured wizard eased himself into the leather chair behind the desk. He knew better than to offer assistance. The boot-licking servant who’d tried to do so yesterday was now permanently resting in a pine box six feet beneath the ground.

  Jeremy thought he’d cater to his father’s ego instead. “You keep improving at this rate and I’ll be headed home soon.”

  “You’ll leave here when I say you can. Not before.”

  “Of course not. I’m simply relieved to see you’re finally starting to heal.”

  His father slammed a shaking fist on the desk. “Blatherskite. You’d have been more relieved if that beast had burned me to a crisp.”

  There was no reason to lie. The old man would see right through any attempt. So, Jeremy said, “That would have been a terrible waste of power.”

  Nathan the Learned tipped his head forward to hide his smile. This youngest son of his would make him proud yet. Perhaps, between the two of them, they would finally be able to defeat the Drakes.

  Until recently, the battle had always been between him and Drake wizards or near wizards. But now, just as his wife of so many centuries ago had foretold, a beast had come into play. Since this dragon wasn’t born of the Dragon Lord’s loins, as she’d vowed, he didn’t place too much faith in her curse.

  He had made the right decision in calling Jeremy home after the ordeal with the dragon that had carted him away from Dragon’s Lair. Even though the beast’s talons had caused him much bodily harm, Nathan hadn’t requested his son’s presence because of his physical condition.

  The scars would eventually fade. The crushed bones of his ribs and spine were already repairing themselves nicely. He might not be able to fully restore the damaged muscles now, but the lingering pain would serve to remind him of the prize. Once he defeated his enemy, pain and walking like a broken crab would be a small price to pay.

  Besides, Nathan knew that when he obtained supreme control as the Hierophant, fixing his physical body completely would be possible. For now, he was satisfied to be alive and to have his son at his side.

  Jeremy was unknown to the Drakes. He would be able to move freely in places Nathan could no longer go. At this moment, he was useful.

  Not for one second did Nathan believe he could let his guard down around Jeremy. After all, the boy was his flesh and blood, and he’d been trained to grab power at every opportunity. The day would come when father and son dueled for total control.

  But this wasn’t the day.

  He looked up at his son and smiled. “True. It would have been a crime had my power faded into the air, wasted in such a manner.”

  Jeremy sat up straighter. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Yes, you did.” Nathan brushed off his son’s insincere objection before he opened a desk drawer to pull out a folder before handing it to Jeremy. “This is the list of books and websites Ms. Johnson needs to read and study before going to Dragon’s Lair.”

  His son frowned. “Why don’t I just gift her with the information?”

  “Because the Drakes would sense even the slightest magic. They live and breathe magic, they’d recognize it inside her in a heartbeat.”

  Nathan tamped down the urge to shiver. Even the newest Drake, the Dragon Lord’s wife, Alexia, had quickly learned to use magic. She’d been the one to give life to the emerald dragon pendant, creating the beast that had attacked him.

  She would pay. They would all pay. Every last one of them would die slowly and as they gasped their final breath, they would feel the power seep from their body, into his. They would be fully aware of what he gained from the act.

  Their deaths and the draining of their powers would provide him with the ultimate pleasure. Nathan gripped the arm of his chair, permitting his body to shiver with anticipation.

  “And if she doesn’t get the position?”

  Nathan dragged his focus back to his son. To his amazement, Jeremy’s eyes shimmered with the heat of desire. Apparently, he hoped Ms. Johnson failed.

  To quell the younger man’s passion, Nathan shook his head. “I fear your pleasure will have to wait. Just as mine does. I have no doubt about her ability to gain the position.”

  “We can’t be certain of that. So, if she doesn’t?”

  Nearly depleted of energy, Nathan leaned his arms on the desktop. He needed to return to his chamber and cast himself into another healing sleep. But first, he had to make certain Jeremy would not thwart his plans simply because he desired the woman—or the moment of her death.

  It was imperative that he regain possession of Aelthed’s prison—the puzzle box. Otherwise, the ancient wizard might find a way to escape.

  And since he would never be able to re
ad the grimoire, he had no interest in that particular textbook of magic. However, he wanted that accursed emerald dragon pendant. The one that had come to life and put him in this condition.

  He stared hard at his son and crooked an index finger, as if beckoning him forward. The movement caught Jeremy off guard. He leaned closer, permitting Nathan to wrap an unseen hand around the young man’s neck.

  “If Ms. Johnson fails to gain the position, you will fail to breathe.”

  Jeremy’s eyes blazed with rage. Nathan squeezed harder, chasing away the anger until fear and obedience filtered into his son’s bulging gaze.

  “Do you understand me, my dearest child?”

  His son nodded and as soon as Nathan released his grasp, Jeremy and the folder vanished.

  Nathan rose slowly. Before whisking himself from the office, he turned to touch each of the dragon statues on the credenza behind him.

  “Fear not, soon we will possess what’s owed to us.”

  Chapter 2

  Dragon’s Lair, East Tennessee

  Cameron Drake leaned farther back in his chair. With his feet propped up on the mahogany desk and the bright sunshine streaming through the floor-to-ceiling window warming him, he gave up his argument against dozing.

  Glad to be home after a month-long absence, he was nevertheless disgruntled that the woman hadn’t returned to Mirabilus. He’d scoured the workroom, trying to find anything that might resemble a box or piece of jewelry. Unfortunately, his search had turned up nothing.

  Whatever she was looking for was either still there—somewhere on the grounds—or had never been there to begin with.

  Which is why he’d waited for her to return. He needed to know exactly what she had been searching for, and he wanted to be absolutely certain she’d been sent by the Learneds before filling the rest of his family in on the details.