Read Dragon Marked: Supernatural Prison #1 for Free Online Page A

you, if I can find a woman who looks at me the way Jessa looks at
food, I’ll be a lucky man,” I heard Maximus murmur to Braxton.
    Masculine laughter echoed around, but I was too hungry to care. It was
Italian night. Be still my beating heart.
    I started crazy muttering to myself before grabbing a plate. “Food, get
over here so I can eat you.”
    Walking the length, I piled the plate high with pasta, pizza and breads.
I’d be back for dessert. Crossing into the next room I sat at the dining table.
It was a hand-carved masterpiece: thick dark wood, turned legs, and long bench
seats on either side. It was made from one of the big red oaks that had come
down in a massive storm; the colors and patterns that threaded its length were
almost mesmerizing. Braxton had spent weeks painstakingly stripping it back and
carving the ornate legs. Even on the odd nights when some of the Compasses ate
in front of the television, I always sat at the table. And so did Braxton.
    Tonight everyone joined me. Braxton on my right and Maximus on the left.
Jacob and Tyson were across from us, and our five trays were piled high enough
to feed a small country. I started without words, or breathing. The food
inhaled into my stomach.
    Jacob was grinning at me. “The way you eat is a work of art.”
    I flipped him off before resuming my pleasure.
    When I slowed a little I took a moment to peer across to Braxton’s tray –
damn, he had meatballs – he always found food I missed in my haste. Reaching
out with my fork I stabbed one. Braxton never batted an eye, he was used to me
stealing from his plate.
    “Anyone else would lose an arm.” That was a mutter from Tyson.
    Braxton and I ignored him. I stole a few more bits and pieces from him,
and then he finished off my lasagna and pepperoni pizza. We had a routine and
there was no point messing with a good thing.
    Jacob took away the plates and was back in moments with a tray of
desserts. I had my knife and fork in my hands, prepared to use them if
necessary. The chocolate cake and ice cream was mine. It felt like the world
held its breath just before the tray hit the wooden table, and then it was on.
I dived across Braxton, kicking Maximus in the face. Jacob had jumped back. He
had the lesser sweet tooth of any of us. The fight was pretty fair right up
until the point Tyson’s eyes glowed gold. I leveled a finger in his direction.
    “Don’t do it, Tyson Compass.”
    Apparently I wasn’t scary enough, because the tray levitated high into
the air.
    He changed his tune of course as Braxton and Maximus recovered from my
surprise attack and also fixed their gazes on him.
    “Oh shit,” Tyson said. Although he didn’t really look worried.
    “Not your smartest move, wizard.” Braxton was grinning lazily. “Jessa has
that look on her face. You’re about to lose an eye.”
    In reality, I was judging the distance to the tray, wondering if I could
make the jump. Maybe if Maximus gave me a boost. Before I could launch off the
chair, though, the plate with the cake and ice cream drifted down to rest in
front of me. Tyson winked at me.
    “You’ve had a hard night, Jessa babe, the cake’s yours.” The rest of the
tray lowered. “And I’d like all of my body parts to stay attached to me.” He
ran a hand over his left ear.
    “It was an accident,” I protested. “As if I would on purpose cut your ear
off.”
    A couple of years ago I’d been giving Tyson a haircut when someone burst
into the room and startled me. Let’s just say it’s lucky we heal fast and have
regenerative properties. Or he’d have been a little lopsided.
    The others divided up the remaining desserts and silence prevailed. I
finished mine, one delicious bite after another. I was full, but that didn’t
stop my head swinging side to side. Maximus and Braxton inched away, large arms
curling around their plates in a protective manner. I huffed, leaning forward
on my elbows. Another plate appeared in front of me, the caramel baked