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Dragon’s Lair.
    It was more the odd feeling of a presence than it was a
knowing. If her off-kilter intuition could be trusted, someone watched her.
Who—or what? More important, she wondered, why?
    She gasped and peered into the windows at the rear of the van.
What if the beast from Mirabilus was here? What if there really was more than
just the one dragon changeling she’d seen on the island? What if he…it…had
followed her here?
    No . Ariel sucked in a steadying
breath to stop the what-ifs from multiplying. Her concern for her brother, guilt
about lying to get this position and the sudden reoccurrence of her dreams were
fueling her fear.
    She gritted her teeth against the all-too-familiar feelings of
fear—terror—uncertainty. They’d become a part of her life—a part she
despised.
    Her days had been quiet, some might even say dull, before
Renalde had entered her life.
    Since then her days had consisted of constant worry and fear,
not knowing from one minute to the next if she or Carl would live long enough to
return to their dull, boring lives.
    Never again would she complain that nothing exciting ever
happened to her. She’d seen exciting , had witnessed
the unexplained and as far as she was concerned the world was better off not
knowing about magic—real magic with its wizards and beasts—that truly did walk
the earth.
    She had to wonder if she would ever be able to forget the
events of these past few weeks. Would she ever again fall asleep and have normal
dreams instead of nightmares?
    Would she ever be able to walk down the street without looking
over her shoulder, afraid that any moment a dragon would suddenly appear to
bring an end to her life?
    Stop! Ariel pushed the thoughts
from her mind. She refused to let her imagination get the best of her.
    Hopefully giving the appearance of a calmness she didn’t feel,
she climbed into the van and drove away. Once there was enough distance between
her and the Lair, she glanced into the rearview mirror.
    Even with dazzling sunlight as a backdrop, Dragon’s Lair looked
ominous. The imposing towers flanking the resort gave it the appearance of a
medieval stronghold. It seemed more a place to be feared rather than
revered.
    Danger lived here, lurking around every corner, waiting for
unsuspecting prey.
    She could think of countless other things she’d rather do than
take a position at Dragon’s Lair. The idea of moving here, living inside what
could essentially be the proverbial belly of the beast, made her ill.
    Only for her brother’s sake had she accepted the position.
Ariel knew she would have to get as close to Cameron Drake as possible. But how
close?
    She’d be living under his roof while working for him. Would
that be close enough to satisfy Mr. Renalde?
    You will get as close as it takes to find
what I need.
    Ariel cringed, shuddering at the cold, ominous tone of
Renalde’s warning buzzing in her head.
    As close as it takes? Didn’t he realize where that could
lead?
    If you have to sleep with the man, try to
smile.
    Obviously he knew exactly where it could lead.
    The mental image of Mr. Drake’s…Cameron’s…naked long legs and
broad chest stirred warmth into her veins. Ariel’s cheeks flamed at the sudden
vision of him looming over her, with those sapphire eyes mesmerizing her,
holding her spellbound, as he came closer…then closer—
    Renalde’s sudden burst of laughter in her mind chased away the
warmth.
    What had she been thinking? Did Renalde possess the power to
control her desires? She waited, but nothing—no one—answered her unspoken
question. Apparently she was once again alone with her thoughts.
    Ariel gripped the steering wheel tighter. She might have no
choice but to succeed at the task she’d been ordered to perform, but nobody was
going to tell her who to sleep with.
    * * *
    Something nudged the ancient wizard, dragging his soul
from a prolonged slumber.
    Aelthed studied his prison knowing that nothing tangible could
have