Razir knew him too well. His brows climbed as he studied Tyrez’s face. “You don’t seem very keen.”
Tyrez was as frustrated as his brother was surprised. Even the thought of cycle sex should have caused an instant, and often embarrassing, physical reaction. Yet he only experienced the most minor of tingles.
“I am engrossed in this search,” he said, trying not to sound defensive.
Razir’s expression had taken on an incredulous bent. “If you didn’t want to take part, you should have backed out by now. She’s only days away. Much as I would love to step in, if she picks you, and you deny her...”
The “hell hath no fury” phrase had nothing on scorned female Dragons. Tyrez swallowed. “If she picks me, I will honor it. No problem.”
He sounded anything but enthusiastic, and Razir’s brows shot toward his black hair. “What the shards got into you, brother? You’ve been acting damned strange of late. And don’t think I haven’t noticed those golden scales glued on your wrists.”
Tyrez stiffened. “His captivity is bothering me.”
“It is bothering us all,” Razir said. “That cursed Warlock will pay for what he has done.” The purple gaze studied him. “Perhaps it would be best if I took over here for a bit. You need a break.”
His brother had a point. Tyrez hadn’t slept well in days, and he hadn’t spent nearly enough time sunbathing, either. Dragons relied on the power of the sun to help recharge the crystal dust in their blood. Warmth and sunlight were as vital to them as food.
No sunlight now, but he could do with some sleep...
“Enjoy a night off, brother,” Razir encouraged. “I’ve got this.”
Maybe his brother was right. Tyrez had been immersed in this search for over a week, so it was time for a break.
He texted Cody and Ryan to let them know, and then he handed Razir the trench coat. “Not that it helps much,” he stated.
Razir waved his arms at Tyrez. “Go. Fly. Be free.”
Moments later, as Tyrez spread his wings to a thermal, he admitted it felt good to leave the human realm behind.
But as the moonlight danced over his scales and turned them silver, his thoughts filled with images of a golden Dragon and what he would look like flying beneath the moon.
9
The moon called to Dani.
She’d been restless all day, feeling it in her bones. Exhaustion dragged at her and forced her to seek an evening nap in the shelter.
There were others taking advantage of the opportunity. Better to be aware at night, when the predators prowled, and sleep during the day. She found a cot against the wall and pulled the blanket over herself.
Despite the oncoming moon, she dropped off right away. But the beast prowled her dreams, and brought memories with it.
And she dreamed:
Dani was in the basement of a house, and a fist tightened around her heart when she realized she was reliving her first transformation.
She was alone, chained to a wall, when her body began to change. The pain that rippled through her was unlike anything she’d ever felt. She knew what was happening—Remy had told her to expect it—but she had no idea how to guide the process. As her body writhed, terror and the certainty that she was going to die flooded her.
When her teeth dropped from bleeding gums and her facial bones lengthened, the pain and panic fueled an adrenaline surge. Dani was on her feet, yanking at the chain, making harsh, growling sounds that no human had ever uttered, when the lock on the door cycled open, and Ash entered the room.
She froze, her hands on the chain, her breath coming in tortured gasps. Of all the people she’d come to know since this torment started, the only one who had ever treated her with any kindness was Ash. He brought her food and books. He never stayed long—a few times he’d seemed like he would, but each time Rindek or Remy appeared to shoo him away—but he always offered her encouragement. After Remy had bitten her, he said, “You’ll get through this, Dani. You are strong.”
They were words he’d repeated often since then. Every time she started to contemplate other, more permanent, ways to escape her almost nightly torture.
The words helped, a little. What helped more was that short of bludgeoning herself to death with a shampoo bottle, she had few actual options.
Perhaps Ash empathized because he was as much trapped in the situation as she was herself. He’d told her he was a slave. The only other thing he’d told her was that the silver band around his throat controlled him. But there was something about him that she trusted, which was a rare thing for her.
His body was thin, and he could have passed for human if it weren’t for those remarkable eyes. At first glance, the oversized irises appeared silver. But looking closer, a kaleidoscope of rainbow colors sparkled and raced across the surface.
