Diamond Dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 4) Read online

  “I’m going to kill you,” he said, storming forward faster than any human could move.

  In a second, he was in front of her, holding Galen in the air by his neck. It happened so fast she didn’t even realize she’d been released until she tumbled back against the wall.

  The dragon walked away from her, holding Galen aloft, staring at him, fury radiating off him along with some kind of purple waves.

  “I was already going to kill you. Now I’m going to fucking filet you.”

  Galen struggled, eyes bulging, hands grasping at the dragon’s hand that imprisoned him.

  “How dare you?” the dragon said. “That is mine. Do you know anything about dragons?”

  Galen shook his head, terrified. Despite the horror still in Bridget’s heart, it was satisfying to see he now looked more scared than even she had been a moment ago.

  “Then you shouldn’t have fucking done something like that in front of me,” he said, reaching the wall at the opposite end of the prison and shoving Galen into it.

  “What should I do with you?” the dragon asked in a low voice. “So many options.” She could hear the grin in his voice.

  “Why isn’t your collar working?” the wolf croaked out.

  “I don’t know. I don’t care. In a few moments, you won’t either.”

  His hand tightened on Galen’s throat, and the other man went more and more purple. Choking, fighting, struggling.

  “So many things I could do to you, but I like this. I like the helplessness of it. The fear in your eyes.”

  Then, just as Galen was about to pass out, the dragon dropped him.

  He made a choking noise and tried to struggle to his feet, but the dragon just waved a pale hand, and Galen went flying through the air into the wall next to them, crashing into it and falling to the ground, only to be swiftly lifted and flung into the other wall.

  Over and over he was thrown and smashed, thrown and smashed, until he didn’t even groan anymore.

  Bridget finally got her bearings when she heard noises above and realized someone was up and moving.

  She hurried forward, realizing if anyone came down, things would get rough.

  She stopped just behind the dragon as he whirled to look at her, surprised.

  “You should know better than to bug me when I’m playing with my food.”

  She blanched. “You don’t really eat humans, or shifters, do you?”

  He glared at the wolf in front of him. “I’m thinking of making an exception.”

  “We have to go,” she said. “They’re up. At least, someone is upstairs, moving.”

  His eyes narrowed and he listened. “You’re right. Fine. Well, it takes too long to kill a wolf shifter anyway. I’ll just let him die when I burn the place down, now that I’ve got my powers back.”

  She looked around. “How are we getting out?”

  “Stand back,” he said, looking at the wall behind his cell. “I’ll break this down.”

  But as he put his hands out and focused on the wall, she felt the energy in the room fade.

  No matter how he concentrated, the wall wasn’t moving. He looked down at his hands and at the room around him and cursed, grabbing the collar at his throat.

  “Dammit, it’s back on again. I haven’t the slightest idea how it works.” He looked at her. “You’ll just have to help me, then.”

  “Why should I?” she asked.

  “Because I helped you avoid becoming wolf meat.”

  She frowned. “You chose to do what you wanted to do. I don’t owe you anything.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “I like you. You’re something. Nearly raped and sitting here arguing with me while your would-be rapist lies on the ground over there.”

  She frowned. It was true; he had saved her. But then he’d showed his brutal nature. Could she trust him? She got the feeling he did what he wanted when he wanted and didn’t care about anyone but himself.

  So yes, he’d saved her, but only so she could still help him in the future.

  “I have to find the head scientist,” he said. “Get him to tell me how to take off the collar.”

  “How will you do that?” she asked, following him as he crept up the stairs. “You don’t have your powers.”

  “I’m still strong,” he said. “There’s a reason they keep me chained.”

  He heard a little mew, and they both realized Scrangey was following them. He groaned. “Fine. Okay, do you know a safe place to hide?”

  She nodded.

  “Go there, take the cat, and if I don’t find you in a few minutes, leave without me.”

  She nodded again, and he raised an eyebrow at her apparent willingness to leave him behind.

  She just shrugged. There was one person in the world who meant more than anything to her, and she had to make it out of here so she could see her again.

  He stared at her. “Interesting. A friend. So is that why you didn’t want to leave this place?”

  She nodded. “And now it’s all ruined. You ruined it.”

  “Galen ruined it,” he said, shaking his head. “Now go.”

  She grabbed Scrangey in her arms, and when she peeked out and saw the coast was clear, she made a run for it.

  She heard the dragon creep off toward the northwest staircase.

  Alistair was completely baffled by the direction events had taken.

  He still didn’t understand the utter fury he’d felt when the wolf laid hands on Bridget. It was none of his business. Nothing he could do anyway.

  But as he paced, thinking of all the injustices done to him since he’d been imprisoned, it occurred to him this was the thing that made him angriest of all. This was the turning point, the thing he couldn’t stand. The breaking moment.

  And then it was like all his rage had empowered him, and he’d saved her.

  Which was odd. He was nobody’s hero.

  He cared about his own creature comforts, and that was that.

  He didn’t know why he was even bringing Scrangey with them, except he couldn’t allow himself to leave him behind.

  For a bright, shining moment, it had seemed he would just be able to fly out of there, drop Bridget somewhere safe, and soar off to find other dragons.

  But despite him still feeling homicidal rage toward the people who had imprisoned him, his powers had faded, locked behind that blasted collar.

  As he took the stairs two at a time, he cursed whoever had made the thing.

  He knew where the head scientist slept, scenting him. It was a scent he knew well, whenever they came to get him for a blood draw. The evil bastard seemed to enjoy taking his blood, where the others just appeared to be doing their jobs.

  Well, Alistair would get info on the collar from him, and then he’d make sure the last thing the scientist saw was his eyes.

  He threw open the door to the scientist’s bedroom, which was in the top tower, and saw the man jolt up in bed as Alistair strode across the room angrily.

  He was on the man before he could make a sound, his claws pressing down threateningly, making it clear just how easily he could kill him if he wanted to.

  The man stared up, cowardly eyes white and wide in the darkness.

  “How did you get out?” he squeaked.

  “I’ll ask the questions.” Alistair didn’t know how exactly he could still access small parts of his dragon self, but he was grateful for it at this moment, knowing with his strength and the blade-like talons on his fingers, he could end the man a dozen different ways without even getting winded.

  Yet, while he should have been enjoying himself, he felt an annoying sense of worry for Bridget and the mangy cat, who were waiting for him.

  Well, he could get his info and kill the man later, when he got his powers back and could burn down the entire castle.

  He stroked the nail across the man’s neck, drawing blood as he let out another squeak.

  “Stop! What do you want?” he gasped out.

  “Tell
me about the collar,” Alistair ordered. “I want it off.”

  The scientist let out a strangled, hysterical laugh. “I don’t even know how it works. We got it when we found you. Stole it from the people holding you before.” He flinched as Alistair drew his claw lightly over the scratch, deepening it. Alistair watched, fascinated, as the man’s blood trickled down over his collar.

  After all the blood he’d taken from Alistair, it was only fitting he gave up a little of his own.

  Alistair heard movement downstairs, and as much as he wanted to play with the man in front of him, he could read his thoughts and see he was telling the truth.

  They’d only known the collar was the same one used on other dragons by the people who’d been holding him.

  So if he found the other dragons that had presumably been awakened, they would be able to tell him how to get free.

  He released the scientist, let him be relieved for a second, and then bashed his head into the wall, knocking him out so he couldn’t yell and wake anyone else.

  Then he crept down the stairs, hating the worry building in him the longer he was away from Bridget and the cat.

  It was probably just that he was used to them. He’d been in the basement too long and bonded when he shouldn’t have. As soon as he recovered from this, he’d probably go back to being his usual, selfish self. Admired. Rich. Beautiful. Powerful.

  Alone.

  Which suited him fine.

  He sought out Bridget’s thoughts until he found her hiding in a closet in a darkened hallway.

  The castle creaked—more footsteps, somewhere not too far away. He opened the door, heard her gasp, and covered her mouth as he pulled her out of the closet.

  Scrangey at least seemed to know to stay quiet, and as the three of them ran to the front door and then outside, they managed to not attract any more attention than they already had.

  But who knew how long it would take for someone to find Galen or the scientist he’d knocked out?

  “Your car,” he said, “I think that’s what people call them. You must have one. Where is it?”

  She nodded. “It’s over there.” She ran toward a large lot filled with shiny vehicles and then stopped. She stared at the castle, wide-eyed, seeming frozen in time.

  Scrangey tightened against Alistair with a little mew.

  “We don’t have time for this,” he said. “Let’s go.”

  She frowned. “I could still go back in there, couldn’t I? I could blame you. Say you attacked him.” She bit her lip. “Maybe they would take me back.”

  His jaw dropped. “Trust me. You don’t want to be back there.”

  She took a step toward the castle, and he grabbed her with his free arm around her waist. She was soft, giving, but firm in her resolve as she fought him.

  There was something in the way she struggled, a near-hysteric desperation that made him pause and look down at her. “What is it that means so much to you?”

  “They took my friend,” she said. “I don’t know where they sent her. I have to find her.”

  “This friend, are you sure she’s even alive?”

  Tears bit Bridget’s eyes, but she gave him a stubborn glare. “I know she is. Look, I’ve put up with these assholes for months, and if I walk away now, it’s all for nothing.”

  “I can’t get out of here without you,” he said, looking out at the unfamiliar landscape. “I don’t know anything about this world.” He glanced back at the castle, where more lights were turning on.

  “What does that have to do with me?” She huffed. “I didn’t kidnap you.” Her face fell. “And yeah, I feel for you. I do. But this person I’m here for, she’s important to me. Could be in danger. Probably is. If I run now, it was all for nothing.”

  “You want info from them?” he asked. “Hell, you want them to grovel at your feet, begging forgiveness as they give you anything you want? I can give you that.” Keeping Scrangey against his side, he backed her up against a car.

  Shouts from the castle sounded in the distance, eerie and far away.

  “Help me get my powers back. Help me get back to my friends. Then I promise to bring you back here and help you finish what you started.”

  She looked at him and then at the castle. He could see her pulse pounding at the base of her neck. So human. So brave.

  She glanced at him doubtfully. “How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you won’t get your powers back and burn down everything, including me?”

  He took her hand, his expression sardonic. “Come now, Bridget. Say you know me a little bit better than that after all our time together.”

  “I thought I did, but I saw you play ping pong with that guy.” She shook her head. “You’re dangerous. And I have no guarantee you’ll help me after you have what you want.”

  He let out a long breath. “I don’t know what you want from me. But we’re both about to be captured again, and if you’re found with me, you’re in deep shit.”

  She looked over his shoulders, alarmed, as the door to the castle opened and closed. Footsteps pounding closer. “Fine,” she said. “But I want your ring.”

  He looked down in surprise at his own hand. “Why?”

  “I’ve seen you looking at it. Playing with it. I know it’s special. If I’m going to help you, I want it, and when you’ve held up your end of the deal, I’ll give it back.”

  He bit back a snarl. Heirloom rings were special to dragons. He didn’t like the idea of giving it to this human. But he could always take it back by force if necessary.

  He was taken aback but a little impressed she’d thought of something to ensure he didn’t stab her in the back.

  What surprised him even more was he hadn’t once thought of double-crossing her. He’d been genuine when he’d said he would help her.

  Despite his usual apathy toward others, he wanted to help this stubborn little human woman that had made such an impact on him.

  Slowly, he pulled the ring off his finger. The square diamond in it sparkled even in the low light around them. He dropped it in her open palm, and she slid it on her finger and stared at it in satisfaction.

  Then she reached in her pocket and clicked something, and light flashed as a beep sounded. “This way,” she said, pulling him toward the vehicle.

  She opened the door and waited for him. He stared down at the shiny, smooth metal thing, not even sure where to touch it.

  She sighed and ran around to his side and opened it, shoving Scrangey into his arms and pushing him into a stiff seat covered in some kind of fabric. Then she shut the door on him and got in on her side.

  “Hold on,” she said, moving some knobs and working her legs somehow. “I’m going to go fast.”

  “Please,” he muttered, setting Scrangey down in the seat behind them. “I’m a dragon, I—”

  But then the thing jerked, shooting backward in an arc and then forward, and he gripped the hard surface in front of him as his face nearly slammed into it when she stopped.

  He’d almost caught his breath when they shot forward again, flying over a bump and careening into the night, over a thin, hard road.

  He stared at the world flying by and the determined woman holding the odd wheel in front of her.

  Everything was foreign and strange. He, a powerful dragon, was at the mercy of a human.

  But the most important thing, he thought as he leaned back in the seat and the car squealed off into the night, was he was finally free.

  Chapter 3

  Bridget didn’t know what had gotten into her, making a deal with a dragon.

  A dragon capable of incredible brutality, though it had all been for her.

  And now she was speeding away from the place she’d tried so hard to remain.

  But the dragon was probably right. He was most likely her best hope. Even if Galen was out of commission, someone else would notice her. And since she hadn’t found anyone to give her information yet, who said she would have found someone if she stayed?
r />   Now she had at least a little assurance she could go back and find more info on Lana.

  Hold on, Lana. She gripped the steering wheel. I’m never giving up.

  She knew the shifters would know they’d escaped. And she had no idea how they were going to hide.

  But she also knew they might proceed cautiously, not knowing exactly how much power the dragon had now that he’d escaped, especially after his display with Galen.

  She jerked the wheel and twisted onto a road that led in the direction of the freeway. If they could just get on there, they had a chance of hiding at one of the many hotels off the small, abandoned stops in this woodsy region. “You know, I still don’t even know your name.”

  “You never asked,” he said, leaning back with closed eyes. For the first time, outside the dungeon, she realized how tired he look. How drawn.

  His handsome features were pale, and as she watched him, his eyes closed, oddly dark lashes against his pale cheeks, white hair gleaming under the glow of passing lights. She realized they had another problem.

  “We’ll have to disguise you,” she said. “I’ve gotten so used to seeing you that I totally forgot you don’t look like any human I’ve seen.”

  “Right, but so used to seeing me you didn’t need to know my name.”

  “Can you blame me?” she asked frankly. “Look, I hated you were down there. I tried to do what I could for you, and if and when I did leave, I would have taken you. But they have someone important to me. And that’s what I was there for.”

  He hmphed and closed his eyes again. “My name is Alistair.”

  “Ali-what?”

  He sighed. “Yes, I suppose it’s an odd name compared to the ones I’ve heard. Bill. Neil. You could just give me a name if you think I need it to blend in. But as for my looks, that isn’t a problem.”

  “What’s your full name?” she asked.

  “Alistair Wilhelm Brighton III,” he said, giving her a grin that was somewhat predatory. His incisors were oddly sharp, his teeth white and gleaming. Perfect like the rest of his body.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “I guess I’ll figure something out later.”