Page 25 of Inferno (Drake Security Book 4)
VALENTINO
Some months later…
“Is it just me, or is it weirdly quiet since Mac went back home?” Hemingway asks while scooping mashed potatoes onto Dempsey’s plate.
“Not just you.” Nico huffs, watching Lake pour wine into their glasses. “His youthful energy was noticeable.”
“The kid has talent.” Arson smiles fondly. “Reminds me of myself back in the day.”
“That sounds like trouble,” Draydon says with a laugh, kissing my brother’s cheek.
“I miss the little twerp,” Xaze muses with a sigh.
I turn my attention to my mate, who’s sitting quietly beside me, a big smile on his face.
“What’s on your mind, gorgeous?”
His eyes flicker to me and his smile widens. “Soaking in the family love, deliciae.”
I poke his belly, making him giggle. “I thought you couldn’t feed from other people anymore?”
“I’m not feeding, pet. I’m experiencing. It’s nice to just feel it, without any other motives.”
Twisting our hands together, I lean in and press a soft but fiery kiss to his lips. “I love you, Xaze.”
He reaches up with his free hand, brushing his warm fingers across my cheek. “I know, sweet dragon.”
“Get a room,” Arson shouts before exploding into laughter.
My eyes shift to Lord, sitting stoically at the head of the table. He seems content, but he’s as hard to read as a blank page.
“Can you feel Lord’s emotions?” I ask Xazedose quietly.
“I’m not sure I ever could. Hold on. Let me focus.”
He closes his eyes, and waves of energy pour off of him and fill the air. My dragon pushes forward to bask in it like we’re lying on a rock in the sun. It’s been a wild few months since we bonded, and sometimes, I can’t believe this is my life now.
The endless pursuit of new flesh and sexual pleasure is now centered on the stunning demon beside me. I’m a downright homebody, except for the periodic visits to the demon realm where Xaze is basically royalty after being responsible for Maggard’s demise.
It’s always a steamy good time down in his fancy new apartment overlooking the best parts of the fire lakes, but nothing is hotter than the inferno that happens in our bedroom.
Xaze hums happily, rubbing my thigh. “Found a crack,” he whispers. “His energy is orange, which is very intense, but underneath that is a deep sensuality and a hidden emotional side. I sense that he’s very happy for all of his brothers.”
“But is he happy?”
“I’m not sure, deliciae. He’s very guarded.”
“He always has been.”
“Don’t worry about him though. He knows how to take care of himself.” Xaze pats my hand soothingly.
Nodding, I steal a glance at my brother. He looks up, his eyes settling on me as a soft smile dances across his lips. I pray to the gods of lore that love is coming for him soon. He deserves it.
“So I was thinking we could paint the stairs purple at the antique store,” Lake says, cutting into his steak. “It’s such a strong, regal color.”
“Paint the stairs?” Dempsey asks, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Isn’t natural wood better?”
“It doesn’t make a statement, Demps. What do you think, Donny?”
“I think I don’t know shit about interior design.”
Arson snorts a laugh.
Lake pouts. “What about you, Monty? Oh, Sorry. Xaze.”
A wave of heat radiates off my pretty mate. I’ve noticed it happens every time he feels loved or included by my family.
“Purple is a lovely color.”
Lake perks up.
“But,” Xaze continues, “I think you could accomplish what you want with a bold purple-based wallpaper and keeping the stairs in their natural state.”
Everyone stops talking, shifting their attention to Lake and Nico. No one even bothers trying to sway my brother’s mate when he’s got his heart set on something, least of all Nico, who’d rather burn the house down than deny him.
Dempsey seems to be holding his breath as he squeezes Hemingway’s hand, but Xaze lifts his wineglass and calmly takes a sip.
“Not a bad suggestion,” Lake says, and a collective sigh of relief spreads around the table. “The upkeep is easier too.”
“Absolutely. I’d love to help you pick out something.”
Lake’s face lights up. “Ooh, a mate shopping trip.”
Draydon groans.
“With that settled,” Lord begins, lifting his wineglass. “I’d like to say something.”
Now we’re all focused on Lord. He swirls his glass, his brow creased for a moment before relaxing.
“Our family has nearly doubled in the last year or so, and I thought it was time I addressed the new energy in the compound.”
I scrunch my nose. Where is he going with this?
“We’ve welcomed two mortals, a wolf, and a demon. I’m sure none of us expected this, but…” He pauses as a warm smile spreads across his lips. “But oh how fate has blessed us. I am so proud to witness it, and the love that flows between you all soothes my soul.” He lifts his glass slightly higher. “So here’s to us, the Drakes.”
“May fate continue to shine upon us,” I add.
“Here, here,” Nico says.
“You’re definitely next, Lord,” Lake says with a big smile. “I swear something’s in the air.”
“When it’s my time, I welcome it.” A flicker of something that looks like longing crosses his face.
We finish our meal, talking and drinking well into the night. Hours later, just as the moon rises high in the sky, I lead Xaze through the living room at Lord’s house to the foyer, but we’re all startled by a loud thud coming from the courtyard.
Pushing Xaze behind me, I open the front door and rush out, quickly followed by my brothers.
“Gods of fire.” I hurry to the mangled body, half human and half dragon, in the grass. “It’s a dragon,” I call out.
Lord pushes past me, kneeling down and flipping the wounded dragon onto his back. The poor beast has a sword in his chest.
“Oh no,” Lake gasps, leaning into Nico.
“Judre,” Lord whispers, cradling the dragon’s head in his lap. “What happened to you?”
The man’s eyes flicker open, focusing on my brother. “I found you.”
His voice is weak, barely audible.
“I’m here, Judre. Talk to me.”
“I’m calling Dahlia,” Dempsey says, but I shake my head.
There’s no saving this dragon.
“Hu-hunters,” Judre manages. “Many drag—” He coughs up green bile.
“Dragon hunters?” Lord questions, his voice going icy.
Judre nods, gripping Lord’s forearms. “Co-coming.”
His eyes roll back and his skin pales. Scales ripple across his flesh, and his breathing is ragged, but then, sadly, he falls silent, slumping in Lord’s arms.
Lord is silent as we all mourn Judre, but then seconds later, he explodes with a loud roar that shakes the trees and homes around us. His dragon takes over, tearing his clothes from his body as he shifts. He digs his claws into the earth, tearing it up, and a truly heartbreaking sob rips through his throat.
I wrap Xaze in my arms, shocked by Lord’s reaction. I’ve never seen him lose it like that.
“Lord,” Nico says, the rare voice of reason. “Come back to us, brother.”
Lord turns sharply toward us, falling to his knees and slowly shrinking back to his human form. He bows his head, pressing it to the dead dragon’s chest.
“Judre is my friend,” he says, his voice strained with grief and rage. “He’s a good man. He has a family.”
“He said a dragon hunter did this?” Arson asks, clinging to Draydon. “How the fuck are there dragon hunters in this time? When was the last time we saw any?” He looks around and we all shrug or shake our heads.
I haven’t heard any whispers about hunters in centuries.
“That’s what we need to find out,” Hemingway says. “Someone knows we exist.”
Nodding, I add, “And if Judre is right, they’re coming for us.”
The four of us and our mates crowd around Lord and Judre in a circle, the weight of what just occurred heavy on us all.
After several silent minutes, Lord pulls himself to his feet, unbothered by his nudity. His face is a mask of controlled rage. “I’ve sensed some off-putting energy in the city the past couple of weeks, but hoped it was nothing.” He glances at the body at his feet. “I need to take his body to his family.”
“I’ll go with you,” Nico says.
Lord clears his throat. “Hunters or not, I will avenge Judre.”
“We’re with you, Lord,” Arson says, gripping his shoulders. “We all are.”
I crack my knuckles. “Absolutely.”
Lord nods, his jaw twitching. “Then prepare yourselves, brothers. A war is coming.”