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attention when his tutor discussed the old tribes of shifters who still existed.
    “You looked perplexed, reptile. Everything all right?”
    He scrubbed his scalp with his fingers. “Change of plans. I’m taking you to my lair in Seattle.”
    “As interesting as that sounds, it’s not going to happen. I need to stay here and locate my dad.” She shook her head as she turned and started to walk away.
    “You don’t really have a choice. I need to be in Sumatra, like tomorrow, and there is no way in hell I’m leaving you unprotected.” His beast stalked his mind, a haze of smoke filled his vision as his animal made his discontent known.
    “I’m over three hundred…Sumatra? What the hell are you going there for?” She spun around and stared at him.
    “Business.” He eased around her to cut off her exit. “There are a few valuables I need to locate.”
    A devious shine lit her eyes as she followed his movements. “I have friends who live in that area. How about a truce, lizard? I’ll help you with this business and you help me get my father back.”
    He pondered the offer. Pain sizzled up is arm and across his shoulders. He glanced down and the brand was now curling around his biceps. The way the marking peaked into sharp points with the lines crossing each other reminded him of the ocean’s constant movement.
    “You need a healer. You’ll be covered in black marks soon if we don’t stop them.” Her eyes crinkled in the corners as she squinted, staring at his skin.
    Pleasure stole through him at the concern in her voice. “Are you worried about me, little fish?”
    A pink tinge rose up her neck and she ducked her head. “Not at all, but I do think to take on a dragon I should probably use one, and right now, reptile, you would be the muscle needed for my fight with Drago.”
    Jax watched River, the graceful way she moved, almost fluid as she glided across the floor. If he took her with him, he could keep an eye on her, seduce her, make her clamor for his touch as he did hers and complete his claim. If he found the treasure in the meantime, it’d be icing on his cake. He had no desire to be Dragonrex. After he was finish tormenting Drago to death and tearing apart the Tarasque Clan for turning on his father, he’d gladly let Kirill have the horde and the headache of cleaning up the mess his half brother created. Yes, this was his best plan to date. An ache seared through his thoughts and he refocused on River.
    She stood before him tracing the etching burning along his arm. She stared at his skin as she spoke, “What spell have you weaved, dragon, that I find it hard to leave your side?” Her voice was a mere whisper.
    He snaked his arm around her waist yanked her form against his body. “I don’t need an incantation to know you are mine, fated for me. Even if you could walk away from me, River, there is no place in sky or sea that I won’t find you.”
    She glanced up at him and he was lost in her gaze. The swirls of green and gray in her irises reminded him of a storm in the middle of the ocean. He cupped her head, burying his hand in the tangled curls of her hair. She laid her palms on his chest and leaned into him, tilting her head. “Do we have a deal, dragon?” Her voice was an alluring murmur with a lyrical quality.
    Was she tying to tempt him into her way of thinking? He snorted. His mermaid wanted to play. He was raised in matriarchal tribe. There wasn’t an angle a female could think off that hadn’t been tried on him by the women in his clan in some form or fashion. Her scent of rose water enveloped him. He put a hold on the desire welling up within his body. River was a seductress with an agenda. Slim arms curled around his neck as she snuggled closer, pressing her breasts into his chest. He pulled back and she raised a slim brow. He pressed his lips together to contain his mirth. She probably never had a man or beast not beckon to her call.
    She released him and grazed her forehead