me now because I’m about to vanish.”
“You know I’m not leaving you.”
Grabbing his hand, Marcella closed her eyes and felt for Dominic. She’d never been to the dungeon before and had no clue how to even get there. When she felt the pull, she grabbed and felt the tingling associated with her disappearance. Opening her eyes, she froze at what she saw. Stone walls surrounded a large room the size of a football field, but what stood chained in the middle nearly stopped her heart.
Ambrose let out a shuttering breath. “Oh, sweet Jesus. I’ve got to get you out of here!”
Marcella could feel herself being pulled away by Ambrose, but she was so in awe with what she saw, she felt momentarily paralyzed. Realizing what was happening, she ripped out of his grasp and lunged forward, running at a full sprint.
“What the hell is she doing here!” Samael yelled out. “Ambrose, I told you to keep her away!”
“And you think she listened? She was coming regardless!”
The dragon reared back on the chains, testing the metal. A hiss broke through the air, sending chills all over Marcy’s body. She suddenly felt really stupid for running toward the beast. Jason stood as tall as a two-story house. Multiple shades of brown scales covered his body, shimmering in the dim light as he turned from side to side.
Air exploded from Marcella’s lungs. It felt like she was hit by a bus. Dominic covered her body, trying to hold her down while she fought against him. Turning to watch the dragon, it began to jerk on the chains wildly, sending fire shooting toward the ceiling.
“Let me go, damn it! Jason needs me. He can’t think straight right now. Can’t you see? I’m the only one who can calm him. Please, Dom. You have to trust me.”
“No way. You got the first part right. He can’t think straight. There’s no way I’m letting you go anywhere near him right now. You know nothing about dragons. That thing is evil, Marcella. Worse than any demon you carry. He’ll never be able to control himself in this form. No matter how many centuries he tries to master it, it’s impossible. He’ll have to stay this way until the shift runs its course.”
“But I feel him calling to me, Dom. I know he’s in there somewhere.”
“I’m sure he is, love, but you can’t trust the other part of him that he can’t manage. It’s the whole reason he became immobile back in the great hall. The creature controls his mind. It’s horrible this is the animal that’s chosen him. At least you’ll be able to handle your lioness, but the dragon, no one can overpower. I should have known from the tattoo he carries on his chest.”
“The tattoo.” The realization hit her heard. “And the wings on my back must be my succubus.” Damn, she didn’t want to think about that right now. “Listen, I think I can calm him, Dom. Please, I’m begging you. Let me try. Don’t make me get to him by having to use force against everyone in this room.”
What sounded like something between a roar and a growl vibrated Marcella’s insides. She caught Jason snapping in their direction as he pulled against the chains.
“Can you not see that? He wants to eat you, not let you stroke him like a pet. You’re not getting up. And if you think I forgot about that spanking, then you’re wrong. I am so bending you over my knee when we’re done.”
“Dom, I really didn’t want it to come to this.” Marcella sent an energy wave blasting through the room just above her. All the men flew back, crashing to the ground as she put up the invisible wall, blocking them from coming any closer. All three began to beat on the surface. When Samael’s hand pushed the energy in, she felt a moment of panic.
Fire raced through her skin as her collector grew angry. They couldn’t stop her. She wouldn’t let them. Walking to face them, she let the heat burn her eyes, knowing they were glowing as she stared at them with all the rage she felt.
“You will not stop