TheDragonMaster

By

AllysonJames

Contents

ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

ChapterThree

ChapterFour

ChapterFive

ChapterSix

ChapterSeven

ChapterEight

ChapterNine

ChapterTen

ChapterEleven

ChapterTwelve

ChapterThirteen

ChapterFourteen

ChapterFifteen

ChapterSixteen

ChapterSeventeen

ChapterEighteen

ChapterNineteen

ChapterTwenty

ChapterTwenty-One

ChapterTwenty-Two

"DRAGONFANSREJOICE…"

*PraisefortheseriesbyAllysonJames

THEBLACKDRAGON

"Oneofmyfavoriteauthors.Auniqueandmagicalurbanparanormalwithdragons,witches,anddemons.
Willkeepyouenthralleduntiltheverylastword!"

—CheyenneMcCray,USATodaybestsellingauthorofForbiddenMagic

"Tastyandtemptingreading!HOT."

—RomanticTimes

"Begins with a bang and the action never lets up, not for one single, solitary, wonderful moment. I
devouredthisbookinjustafewhours…SooverwhelmingthatIcouldn'tevenconsiderputtingthisbook
down.Thestoryisunusual,wonderfullyoriginal,andfilledwithintriguingcharacters…Dragons,magic,
andafighttosavetheworld—AllysonJameshasawinningcombinationthatmakesTheBlackDragona
storytoremember!"

—RomanceReaderatHeart

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"[AllysonJames]keepsthesexualtensionuptothepointofboiling…Suchanincredibletalent."

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DRAGONHEAT

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frombeginningtoend."

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"[A]delightfulromanticfantasy…Afuntaleoflifebetweenamortalandherdragon."

—TheBestReviews

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—TheEternalNight

"Thisstoryhasawonderfulfairy-talefeelaboutit.AllysonJamesdoesanoutstandingjobofcreatingand
bringing these mystical creatures to life with characteristics and emotions that you can't help but fall
deeplyinlovewith;eventheso-calledevilblackdragonwithhiscocky,bad-boyqualitieswillmakethe
readerhuminpleasureandclamorforhisstory."

—TwoLipsReviews

"A sexy, funny romantic romp… A truly mesmerizing read. The chemistry between Caleb and Lisa is
searingandthelovescenesarewonderfullyentertaining."

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ThisbookisdedicatedtoHannah,ourfriendoftwentyyearswhopassedawayduringthewritingof
thisbook.Thankyouforallthejoy,love,andlaughter.

ChapterOne

Hedidn'tknowwherehewas,orwhohewas,orwhyhewas.Hestooduprightinanakedhumanbodyin
adark,coldplacethatsmelledmetallic,damp,andoily.

Theonlylightcamefromacrudelampsethighonawall,aflickeringorbsurroundedbyinsectscraving
brightness.Hedidn'tblamethem.Afewmomentsago,hisworldhadbeenoneofheatandlightandnow
hestoodinterrifyingcoldanddarkness.

Thedimlightshoweddirtywallsandhardstoneswithlettersscrawledbesideasoliddoor.

Forsomereasonhecouldreadtheletters,thoughtheymadenosensetohim.

MINGUE'SDIMSUM.

Hewenttowardthewindowlessdoor,thedragonmagictangledacrossitnauseatinghim.

HehadbeensummonedbyaDragonMasteroncebefore,long,longago,andhetastedtherageofitstill.

He moved along the wall to the door, his bare feet aching from the sharp pebbles strewn across the
ground.

Heheardvoicescomingfrombehindthedoor,andhecockedhisheadtolisten…

"Iwon'tdoit,andthatismyfinalword."

TinyMingUestoodwithherbackstraight,handsonhercane,eyesflashingblackfire.

Carolclenchedherwell-manicuredhandsandtriednottolosehertemper.MingUewashalfCarol'ssize
andwrinkledandgray,butshewieldedallthepowerintheroom,andsheknewit.

MingUe'snephewShaimingquietlysippedteaatanothertableintheclosedrestaurant.Hepretendedto
beabsorbedinhiscup,butthetwitchofhiseyesbetrayedhisinterest.

Caroldroppedhervoicetoreasonabletones,theonesthatpersuadedhard-heartedventurecapitalistsin
thefinancialdistricttosignfortunesovertoher."Itwon'tbemuchofachange,Grandmother.You'llbe
doingthesamethings,andIknowyou'llwelcomethehelp."

"I don't need any help. I've run this restaurant for thirty years, not to mention raising you nearly all that
time.Yourmotherentrustedyoutomewhenshedied,andthisisthethanksIget."

MingUespokeinhersharpCantonese,thelanguagewithwhichshebulliedthegreatandterrible.Carol
lovedhergrandmother,butsometimesherstubborninsistenceinclingingtotheoldwaysdrovehercrazy.

"AllIaskisthatyouaddafewthingstothemenutobringitinlinewithourotherrestaurants."

"Yourotherrestaurants.Iletyourunthoseasyouplease,butyouwillnotturnmydimsumhouseintoan
over-Americanized, make-believe Chinese tourist trap. My dim sum is the best in San Francisco—the

bestinCalifornia.Peoplecomefromallovertotryit."

Itwastruethattherestaurantwithitsplaincream-coloredwallsandsmalltablesdidattractthosewho
wantedtotryrealdimsum.Theonlypicturesonthewallswereartfulcut-paperdragonsandflowers,and
thetableclothswereallbrightred,aluckycolor.

Unfortunately, nowadays people expected more flash and glamour in a restaurant, and the many-times
washedwhiteplatesanddimsumcartwiththesqueakywheeldidn'tquitemeasureup.

"Grandmother, please be realistic. You're losing business here. If we don't modernize the menu, we'll
neverraisethecustomerbase.Andwithamanager—oneyou'llsupervise,ofcourse—you'llbeableto
takeiteasy.Maybeevenretireandlookinontherestaurantwhenyouwantto."

"Retire?" Ming Ue screeched, and Carol realized she'd miscalculated. "I'm only seventy-six years old,
whyshouldIretire?"ShejabbedhercaneatCarol."Youareasmartyoungwoman,andIloveyou,butI
willnotletyouturnmyrestaurantintonobetterthanafast-foodjoint.IownMingUe's,notyou."

Carolclosedhermouthinfrustration.She'dbuiltherportfoliotogreatheightsbyknowingwhentostop
arguingwithdifficultinvestors,butMingUealwaysseemedtowin.BusinessatMingUe'shadslackedto
almosthalfinthelastsixmonths,nevermindhowmuchluckymagichergrandmotherclaimedhadseeped
intotherestaurant'swalls.

Dragonmagic,MingUesaid.Theluckiestkindofall.

Shaiming,onlydrankhistea,knowingbetterthantogetinvolvedinanargumentbetweenthewomenof
hisfamily.

"All right, Grandmother," Carol said, trying to sound reasonable. "We'll talk about it later. I have an
importantmeetingfirstthinginthemorning,soI'llgoonhome."

Carolwouldbringovertheproposedchangestotherestaurantafterlunch,whenMingUewassuretobe
fulloftea,dimsum,andhappiness.Lunchdrewthebestcrowd,andMingUewasalwayscontentafter
chattingwithherregulars.

"Youdothat,"MingUesaidwithascowl.

Carolturnedaway.Backoffnow,saveupargumentsforlater,thatwasthewaytowinoverareluctant
client.

"Andyou'llnotmakemechangemymind!"MingUeshoutedafterher.Carolrolledhereyes.Shewalked
outoftherestaurant,verycarefullynotslammingthedoorbehindher.

Carolmadeherselffeelbetterbymutteringveryunprofessionalcursesunderherbreathasshemadefor
hercarparkedalittlewaydownthealley.Shewasn'tafraidtobeoutherealone—noonewithanysense
would bother the alley behind Ming Ue's. Whether it was lucky magic or Ming Ue's iron personality,
thievesandthosewhoextorted"protection"

fromsmallbusinessessteeredclear.

She fished for her keys, still fuming. The investors she'd meet with tomorrow were enthusiastic about
taking Ming Ue's restaurants nationwide but worried about the low profits of the original restaurant. If
CarolcouldpersuadethemshecouldturnMingUe'saroundandshowthemherdetailedoutlinetodoso,
shecouldsavetheday.

Sheheardastepbehindher,butshedidn'tturn.

"She'llbe all right,Shaiming," she said,assuming her mother's cousinhad come outto try placation. "I
won'tpushhertoohard,Iknowherhealthisfrail,nomatterwhatshesays."

Anotherfootstep,andnoanswer.Shaimingwasordinarilyquietbutthesilencebehindhermadethehairs
onthebackofherneckprickle.Sheturnedaround.

Atallmanshe'dneverseenbeforestooddirectlybehindher.Thestreetlightattheendofthealleyglinted
on red hair, night-dark eyes, and the gleam of naked muscle. He was huge and powerfully built, his
shouldersmassive,pectoralshardandflat.Healsowasn'twearingastitchofclothing.

Carol dragged in a breath to shout for help, but he put his hands on her shoulders and shoved her back
againstthecar.Hesmelledlikewind,sweat,andcleanair,andhewasenormouslystrong.

Carol fumbled in her purse and whipped her canister of pepper spray in front of the man's face. He
knocked it out of her hand, and the stray squirt she managed to get off didn't seem to affect him in the
slightest.

Hiseyeswerepoolsofshadow,blackallthewayacross,andatangleofredhairframedaharsh,hard
face."WhydidyouSummonme?"

"What?Letgoofme."

Heshookher."Ismellyourpower.Greatpower."Hishandshurtherwrists,buthiseyeswerefulloffear.
"Iwon'tserveyou."

Shehadnoideawhathemeant.Sheonlyknewthathewasstrongenoughtosnuffherlifeoutifhewanted
withoutbreakingasweat.

Still,asparkinhiseyesseemedtocalltosomethingdeepinsideherself.Shefeltthatthingwithinstirand
respond,andthesparkflickered.Hetiltedhisheadinsurpriseandstudiedher,inamannerthatreminded
herofsomeoneshecouldn'tthinkofrightnow.

Thealleyfloodedwithsuddenlight,andMingUemarchedintotheglarewithShaimingclosebehind.

"Youthere.Leaveheralone."

"Grandmother,gobackinside!Callthepolice."

"Release her, now!" Ming Ue struck the ground with her cane, a tiny thunder crack that echoed up and
downthealley.

The red-haired man stared at Ming Ue and abruptly let go of Carol. Carol slid out from under him and

dashedbacktoMingUe.

Themanfacedtheminthefloodlight'sbrightcircle.

Exceptforhismaneofwildhairandhisnot-righteyeshehadaperfectmalebody,likeasculpturecome
alive. Every limb rippled with muscle, perfectly proportioned and raw with strength. His phallus, as
proportionateastherestofhim,hungheavilyfromathatchofredhair.

Ming Ue regarded him without fear. "Who are you?" He only looked back at her, dark eyes glittering
underthelight.Hemadenomovetorunawayortoattack,hesimplywatchedthethreeofthemhuddled
togetherwiththewarinessofananimal.

"Grandmother,weshouldcallthepolice.""No,weshouldn't.I'vealreadycalledMalcolm."

Malcolm was a tall man with black hair and silver eyes on whom Ming Ue doted, claiming he had
powerful and lucky magic. Ming Ue also claimed Malcolm was a dragon. Malcolm did have strength,
bothphysicallyandinpersonality,Carolcouldn'tdenythat.She'dbethrilledrightnowtohavehisbulk
betweenherandthelargemaninthealley.

MingUejabbedhercanetowardthered-hairedman."Thisisadragon,LiMei,"shesaid,callingCarol
bythepetnameshe'dgonebyasalittlegirl."Idon'tknowwhatkind,butheobviouslyhasnoideawhere
heisorwhyhe'shere."

Theoldhumanwomanunnervedhimfarmorethantheothertwo—thesilentmanandtheyoungwoman
whosmelledsogood.Whenhe'dhadtheyoungwoman'sbodyunderhisforafewseconds,he'dhadthe
strangestandstrongestfeelingthatshebelongedthere.

Ashismindclearedhe'drealizedthatthiswasthehumanworld,andthathe'drespondedtothebinding
callofaverypowerfulwitchoraDragonMaster.

Whichofthemhadcalledhim?Theoldwomanglitteredwithpowerbutnotenoughtotrapadragon.The
man had only a glimmer of magic. There was a deep glow inside the young woman, a flame she hid,
somethingenormouslypowerful.Butwhenshe'dlookedathimwithhersoft,darkeyes,he'dseennothing
ofthearroganceofaDragonMaster,noevil.

Ofcoursethethreeofthemcouldhavebandedtogether,poolingtheirtalentstobringhimhere.Enslaving
him…

He balled his fists and took a step forward. He shouldn't understand the human speak of this time and
place,butmagichadquicklyadaptedhissenses.

"Whydoyouwantme?"

"Wedon't,"theoldwomansaid."What'syourname?"

Shedidn'tmeanhistruename.Shemeant,Whatshouldwecallyou?

Otherdragonsgavethemselveshuman-soundingnames,butfiredragonsneverdid.Theyrarelyinteracted
withotherdragons,orevenwiththeirownkind.Theylivedinblissfulsolitudeuntiltheychosetomate,

thentheyknewtheirmatessowell,boundinthoughtandbody,thattherewasnoneedfornames.

"Thisoneisdifferent,"theoldwomansaidtotheothertwo."NotlikeCaleborMalcolm."

"Icanseethat,"theyoungwomanreplied.Shewasnervousandafraid,yethervoicewasstrong.

"Whatkindofdragonareyou?"theoldwomanasked.

"Agreatone,obviously."

Thefiredragonsimplylookedatherwithoutanswering.Iftheydidn'tknowwhatkindofdragonthey'd
called,itwastheirownfault.Theyshouldbeslavestohim,nottheotherwayaround.

"He'scoming,"theoldwomanannounced.

Lights pricked the darkness behind him, followed by a strange squeal and a metallic taint in the air. A
vehiclemuchliketheonethefiredragonstoodnexttohaltedsomedistanceaway,andalargemanrose
fromit.

Ablackdragon.Thefiredragon'sfuryboiledover.

Blackdragonswereice-coldcreatureswhocaredfornobeingsbutthemselves.Theancientbeastslived
insidemountainsofstone,pouringoverincomprehensibleandstrangecalculations.Theywerepowerful,
notbecauseoftheirfightingstrength,butbecausetheirmindsweresharpassteel.

Theblackdragon'shumanformwasastallasthefiredragon's,buthehadafalloflongblackhair,andhis
eyesweresilver.Hemovedwithconfidencetowardthefiredragon,butthefiredragonregardedhimwith
contempt—theblackdragonhadansweredasummonsbythesehumans.

Awomanemergedfromthevehiclebehindtheblackdragon.Shewassmall,buthermagicburnedlikea
bright-white flame—a witchling. She could have summoned the fire dragon, though he felt no binding
threadsfromher.

Theblackdragoncockedhishead,lookingthefiredragonupanddownwithhisbrighteyes.

"Damn."Hisvoicewassoft,almostsilken.

"What'sthematter?"thewitchbehindhimasked."Doyouknowhim?"

The black dragon shook his head. He held his hand out to the witch, giving her a look that spoke of
tenderness.Hemightbetalkingtoamate,butdragonsandwitchesdidn'tmate.

"He'safiredragon."

Givethemightyblackdragontenpoints.

Theoldwomansuckedinherbreath."Truly?"

"What'safiredragon?"thewitchasked.

"I'veneverseenonebefore,"theblackdragonsaid."Theyareelusiveandvolatileanddon'tinteractwith
otherdragons.Somedragonsthinkthey'reonlylegend."

"Likethesilverdragon?"thewitchaskedhim.

"Notquite,butalmost."

The old one clasped her hands. "How wonderful. You see, Carol? Dragons always find me, even the
rarestofthem.IamtheluckiestwomaninChinatown."

The beautiful woman with the deep flame stood tall in front of the old one. "This has gone far enough,
Grandmother.Iwantthepolice."

"Thatwouldbeabadidea,"theblackdragonsaidmildly."Letmetakecareofthis."

Thefiredragonknewthattheblackdragon—Malcolm—wasthestrongestbeinginthisalley,theonehe'd
havetogetpasttostayfree.

"Whyareyouhere,blackdragon?"hesnarled."Inthisform,summonedbythesemages?

Doyoubelongtothem?"

"Iprotectthem,"Malcolmanswered.

"Enslaved."Theaccusationsoundedhollowbecausethefiredragonknewhe'dbeenenslavedhimself.

"Iprotectthembychoice.Whyhaveyoucomehere?"

Thefiredragonputhisfiststohisbareneck."Harnessed.Draggedhere.Didyoudoit?"

"Not me, but I know what it feels like to be ripped from Dragonspace, believe me. So which of you
summonedhim?Shaiming?"

Thesilentmanjumped,thenbeamedasmileandshookhishead.

"Noneofusdid,"theoldwomansaid."Wewouldn'tknowhow.Hejustshowedupinthealley."

Malcolm'seyesnarrowed."Nowthat'sveryinteresting."

Curiosity was a black dragon's weakness. The arrogant creatures could lose a battle because they'd
stoppedtoinvestigatesomethingtrivial.

Malcolmdrewclose,andthefiredragongrowled,feelingtheneedtochallenge.Hedreweveryounceof
powerhehaddeepinsidehimselfandwilledthefiretotakeover.

Hisbodyheatedwhite-hot,andhefeltthetriumphthatcamewiththechange.Yes!

The small group collectively gaped as he became living fire, a string of incandescent light that blasted
backthedarknessofthealley.Malcolmstartedforhim,butthefiredragonsailedoutofreach.

The fire dragon swooped and swirled around the tiny old woman then the lovely, flame-filled young
womanatherside.Hisflamecalledtohers,andshestaredupathimwithfearandwonderinhereyes.

"Whatareyou?"shebreathed.Sheliftedaslim-fingeredhandtowardhim.

Thefiredragonflittedoutofreach,sensingthatifhetouchedher,she'dbindhimforever.

The strange human world pulled at him. and he rose in an arrow of flame over the glittering, odd-
smelling,aliencity.

ChapterTwo

Hewashere.

Thefiredragon—theonlydragonpowerfulenoughtohelphim—wasinthehumanworld.

Inhisprison,theDragonMaster,Sying,shivered.Soclose,soclose.

Theyearsofsilentwork,ofnotlettinghisenemiesknowhe'dstockpiledhispowerbitbytinybit,were
over.Syinghadmanagedtosummonthefiredragon.Andjustwhenhe'dseentheflamesearingthewalls
beyondhisprison,thefiredragonhadjerkedawayandvanished.

At first Sying had been bewildered, but then he realized what must have happened. Another Dragon
Masterhadinterceptedthecallandpulledthefiredragontohim.

Syingsaggedagainstthewall.Allthecenturiesofimprisonmenthadalmostcometoanend.Andthenhis
keyhaddisappeared.

He'dthoughttheancientOrderoftheBlackLotushadkilledtheonlyDragonMasterlefttwenty-fiveyears
ago.

TheyoungChinesewoman,herhusband,andbabydaughterhaddied,thelineended.

The Order had survived all these centuries by the power of their demon-god, their members passing
secrets from generation to generation. They were thorough and could not have missed another Dragon
Master,butitseemedthattheyhad.

Aftersomanyyears—failure.

Syingpressedhishandsagainsttheglasslikewallsofhisprisonandclosedhiseyes.

WhenCarolneededtocope,shegroomedherself.AftersheleftMingUe's,reassuredthatMalcolmwould
keephergrandmotherandShaimingsafe,shedrovehome,lockedherselfintoherapartment,andstarted
herritual.

Shewashedherhair,pumicedeverythingthatcouldbepumiced,trimmedandfiledhernails,shavedher
legs, exfoliated every inch of skin, and ended by slathering herself with body lotion. She pulled on a
Chinese silk robe with red dragons that had belonged to her mother and lounged in the expensive soft
chairsinherlivingroomwithahotcupoftea.

But her grooming ritual hadn't stopped her shakes. What she'd seen in the alley had been unreal and
intense,andCarolJuanlikedonlythereal.

She'd worked her way through Stanford, returning to San Francisco after she'd obtained her MBA to
manageMingUe'stinyrestaurant.She'dgrownthebusiness,madeMingUe'sDimSumahouseholdname
inthecity,andopenedsevenmoreAsian-Pacificrestaurantsthatwerenowbooming.Shewasasmart,
successful,well-respectedbusinesswoman,andshe'ddoneitallherself.

CarolknewoddthingshappenedatMingUe's,especiallyafterhergrandmotherhadbecomefriendswith
CalebandLisa,andMalcolmandSaba.MingUeclaimedthatCaleb,Lisa,andMalcolmweredragons
and that Saba was a powerful witch. Carol went along with it, but she never really believed—until
tonight.

Thered-hairedmaninthealleyhadradiatedpower,evenshe,withouthergrandmother'sinterestinthe
supernatural, had sensed that. She remembered his hard body against hers in the dark, the jolt he'd sent
through her. He'd smelled clean and sharp, like wind and rain and dust, as though he'd come from
somewherefarfromSanFrancisco.

Andthenhe'dturnedintolivingflame.

Carolcouldn'tdenywhatshe'dseen.She'dbeentoeveryChineseNewYearcelebrationsinceshe'dbeen
bornandwatchedfireworksdisplaysgrowmoresophisticatedeachyear.

Butshe'dneverseenanythinglikethat,andshecouldn'tpretendthathistransformationhadbeenfireworks
orspecialeffects.

When the stream of flame had circled her, she'd smelled again the wind and dust that had clung to his
human body. She'd also felt another spark jump between them before he'd torn himself away and
disappearedoverthecity.

Malcolmhadwantedtochasethestringoffire,butSababeggedhimnotto.SabaandMalcolmhadjust
become parents of an adorable little girl that kept them jumping, and Saba wanted to get home to her.
They'dbeenouttonightatanearbyrestaurant,thefirsttimethey'dgoneoutalonesincelittleAdarahad
beenborn,whichwaswhythey'dbeenabletoanswerMingUe'scallsoquickly.

CarolpickedupthestackofmagazinesonthetablebesideherandflippedthroughthelatestissueofSan
Francisco Magazine. She always felt better looking at the big glossy full-page ads for Ming Ue's
restaurants.NophotosofstereotypedroomscrammedwithChinesesymbolsandaplatefulofpotstickers,
but shots of an upscale restaurant with subtle lighting and discreet decor. The dim sum carts full of
Chinese delicacies were pushed by well-dressed young women who were charming, gracious, and
intelligent.Theyhadafullmenuateachrestaurantaswell,cookedbynationallyrecognizedchefs.

At the bottom of the ad was the gold symbol awarded to Carol by the Chinese American business
community.Shewasveryproudofthataward.

Carol tossed the magazine aside, hands still shaking. Her teacup was empty so she went back to the
kitchenandbrewedherselfanotherpotofcrispoolongteainfusedwithorangeblossompetals.

Asshereplacedthemetalcanisterinthecupboard,herlivingroomexplodedwithincandescentlight.The
teacanistercrashedtothefloor,spillingblackleavesandwhitepetalsacrosshercleantiles.

Ashaftofwhite-hotflamewasrisingfromherlivingroomcarpettotheceiling,thentheflamecondensed
beforehereyesintoaliving,nakedmanwithfire-redhairandintenseblackeyes.

Carolstaredathimfromthekitchendoor,heartracinginfear.Againsomethinginsideherreachedtohim,
likeafaintmusicshecouldn'tquitecatch.

"Whydidyousummonme?"hedemanded.

"Itoldyou,Ididn't."

"Liar."Hisvoicegratedashecametoher."Whoareyou?"

"Thisismyhouse.Whothehellareyou?"

He cocked his head, studying her with eyes both volatile and curious. He'd done that before, and she
realizedheremindedherofMalcolm,whooftenlookedatpeopleasthoughhewerelearningthem,sizing
themup.

Shepicturedthecomfortingshapeofthephonehanginginthekitchenandhercellphoneinthebedroom
nexttoherbed.ThismanhadgrowntensearoundMalcolm,theonlyonehe'dbackeddownfrom.

His hand closed around her wrist as though he'd read her thoughts. "Do not summon the black dragon
again.Iwillkillhimthistime."

"Killhim?Youcan'tkillMalcolm."

"Heisanomatchforafiredragon."

Shefoughtthehysteriathatwelledupinsideher."Whatisafiredragon?Idon'tevenbelieveindragons."

"Theyexist.Firedragonsarethemostpowerfulandmagicalofallthegreatdragons."

"NowyousoundlikeCaleb."

"WhatisaCaleb?"

"Agoldendragon,ifyoubelievemygrandmother.Hesaysgoldendragonsarethemostpowerful."She'd
always thought the golden-haired man's declaration was some kind of running joke between himself,
Malcolm,andMingUe.

"Agolden.Howmanyothershaveyouenslaved?Howmanycanyouholdatonetime?"

"Whydoyoukeepsayingenslaved?They'renotslaves.They'refriends."

The man scowled. "Mages and dragons are not friends. Mages envy the power of dragons and seek to
bindtheirmagicfortheirownuse."

Caroltriedtopulloutofhisgrip,buthewastoostrong."Noonehasenslavedanyone.Youaretheone
whofollowedmehomeandbrokeintomyhouse.Idon'tknowwhoorwhatyouareorwhyyou'rehere,
butIdidn'thaveanythingtodowithit,andneitherdidmygrandmother."

He pressed closer. "You are strong with your power, maybe even a Dragon Master. Why else would I
haveendedupinamagicalplace?"

"Magicalplace?YoumeanSanFrancisco?"

"Thedarkspacemarkedwithdragonandmagemagic.Youandtheoldwomanandthemancamefromit."

"MingUe'sDimSumisamagicalplace?"Shewantedtolaugh."WaituntilItellmyinvestors."

"Aretheymages,too?"

Another hysterical laugh bubbled to her lips. "I hope not. I'd never convince them I could turn
grandmother'srestaurantaroundiftheywere."Shedrewabreath."There'ssomeoneelseIcouldcallto
sortthisout.Grandmotheralwaysasksforheradvice—claimsshe'sasilverdragonorsomething."

Hisfingersbitdown."Alie.Therearenosilverdragons—theyarelegend."

"Inthatcase,you'dhavenothingtoworryabout.Pleaseletmecallher."

Hegaveheraskepticallook."Ifyoucansummonasilverdragon,thenyouareindeedpowerful."

"Idon'tknowaboutsummoning.Iwasjustgoingtoaskhertocomeover."

Heabruptlyreleasedherandsteppedback."Askherthen.Iwanttowitnessit."

Carol rubbed her wrist where he'd crushed it and thought rapidly. Lisa was not a physically strong
woman,butsheseemedtohaveawayofputtingeverythingright.Caleb,herhusband,wouldlikelycome
withher,andhewas,likeMalcolm,alargemanofreassuringbulk.

Themangazedatthemarksonherwristwithapuzzledexpression."Ihurtyou."

"It'swhathappenswhenyougrabpeopleandpushthemaround."

"IdidnotthinkaDragonMasterwouldbesofragile."Hesoundedstunned.

"IguessI'mhappyyoudidn'tbreakmyarm.StaytherewhileIgetmyphoneandcallLisa."

Hewatchedher,stillcasuallynakedlikehedidn'tnoticeit.

Carol didn't like men who made her want to step back—or worse, step toward them. She liked men in
buttoned-upsuitsontheothersideofanegotiationtablewithherincharge.

She'dbuiltupherportfolioandherpowerbynevergivinganinchandneverbeingintimidatedbysexor
sexual attraction. Men she worked with might have been sexless androids for all she let herself notice
them.

Thismanwasn'tabouttobeablank.Hehadapowerfulpresence,andnotsimplybecausehewastalland
well-sculpted.

Carolwrenchedhergazeawayfromhimlongenoughtoscuttleintothebedroomandgrabhercellphone.
ShepunchedLisa'snumberasshewalkedbackout,silentlybeggingLisatopickup.

The man had moved to the window and pulled back the blind to look out over the city. Her view from
Russian Hill was to be envied, her apartment taking up the top floor of a tall, elegant house that

overlookedglitteringcitylights.Thedragon-manwasstaringoutasthoughthesightdismayedhim.

Hehalf-turnedfromher,showingheratightbacksideandablacktattooofaflamestretchingacrosshis
hipsandupthesmallofhisback.Thesightmesmerizedheruntilsherealizedthatanyonepassingoutside
couldlookupandseehimstandingnakedinthewindow.

SheslammedtheblindsclosedjustasLisa'svoicemailanswered."Hello,I'mnothere,butpleaseleavea
message."

"Lisa,it'sCarol.I'mathome,andIhaveaproblem.Adragonproblem."

Themanregardedherwithsuspicionassheclickedoff."Withthatdevice,yousummondragons?"

"Whydoyoukeeptalkingaboutsummoning?"

Hesnatchedthephonefromherandbeforehereyescrusheditdowntoitscircuitry.Bitsofblackplastic
rainedfromhisfingersdowntothecarpet.

"Damnit,whatdidyoudothatfor?Ihadahundredcontactsonthatphone—Ineedit."

Thefiredragonglancedathisblood-coatedfingersinsurprise.Hedroppedthelastpiecesofphoneand
helduphishand,staringatthescarletliquidasthoughhe'dneverseenbloodbefore.

"Sofragile."Helookedatherwithstarkfearinhiseyes."Whydidyoudothistome?"

"Ididn'tdoanythingtoyou."

Hecaughtherbytheshoulders,hisbloodseepingintothewhiteoftherobe."Whyhaveyoumademeso
weak?"

"You'renotweak,believeme.You'retentimesstrongerthanIam."

Hecurvedhiswarmbodyoverhers,buthistouchsoftenedandhisthumbscaressedherthroughthesilk.

"Thisweakness.Itmakesmeafraid."

Carolshouldbetheoneafraidofthisverystrangemanwho'dappearedoutofnowhere.Butshesensed
hisconfusion,awaningofincrediblestrengthwithfear.Hecouldberough,likehe'dbeeninthealley,or
holdhimselfbackashedidnow,histouchalmostgentle.

He tilted his head again to look at her, his tangle of red hair brushing his neck. His dark eyes took in
everything,anddeepinsidethemwasthesparkthathadjumpedbetweenthembefore.

"Youneedtowashoffyourhand,"shesaid.

Helookedathisfingersagain.Thebloodhadstarteddrying,buttheplasticpieceshadleftamessofcuts.
"Itisnotsopainfulnow."

"Youstillneedtocleanit."

Shetookhimbytheunhurthandandtowedhimintothekitchen.Shesnappedonthewaterinthesinkand
stuckhisbloodyhandunderthecoldflow."Justrubitclean—don'tusesoapyet."

Hestaredatthefaucet."Whatmagicisthis?"

"Thereisnomagicinthishouse,andnoneinme,allright?"

"Youarewrong,mage.Theflameisinsideyou.Youburnwithit."

Carolwantedtoretortthatofcourseshedidn't,butshekeptsilent.She'dfeltthesparkwhenhe'dleaned
againstherinthealley,astirringofsomethingshedidn'tunderstand.

Carolhadalwaysbeenarealisticperson,butshe'dlearnedtonotdenywhatherinstinctstoldher.Her
instinctstoldhernowthathewaspowerfulbutrespondedtoherforsomereason.

"WhatamIsupposedtocallyou?"sheasked.

The water rushed over his fingers, dissolving and washing away the blood. "A name like your black
dragonhasgivenhimself?Whatisit—Malcolm!Thatisn'thistruename."

"It'strueenoughforme."

Carolsnappedoffthewater.Mostofthebloodhadgone,andshedabbedthewaterfromhishandswith
herkitchentowel.

His grip tightened on her hands through the fabric, this time not crushing. "If you were the mage who
summonedme,you'dknowmytruename.You'dsingitwithglee."

Sheblinkedupathimwithherdarkeyesasshecontinuedtowipeoffhishandswiththecloth.Heliked
hertouch,competentbutgentle.

"Obviously,Idon'tknowyournamethen,"shesaid.

"ThenwhydidIappeartoyou?"

"Ihaven'tthefaintestidea."

Her eyes held such innocence, dark brown and filled to the brim with fire. Her black hair spilled in a
straight,sleekwavetohershoulders,asshiningandbeautifulassilk.

Asadragonhewouldhavefoundherstrange,ifhe'dhaveevennoticedheratall.Asahumanhelikedthe
wayshesmelled,freshandcleanwithahintofsomethingflowery,asthoughshe'dbeenwalkingthrougha
garden.Herhairwasdamp,andforsomereasonhewantedtopresshislipstoit.

Whenhe'dbeencalledtothehumanworldlongago,he'dremainedinhisdragonform,andhe'dnothad
allthesethoughtsandsensations.Thesensationsespeciallystartledhim.

Hetouchedhercheek,enjoyingthefeelofherpetal-smoothskin."IfarivalmagecalledmeandIcameto
youinstead,hewillcomelookingforyou.Hemighttrytokillyou."

Fearsparkedinhereyes."Terrific."

"Iwouldnotliketoseeyouslain."

"Iwouldn'tliketoseemeslaineither."

"Ifyouarenotmyenemy,thenIwillkeepyousafe."

"Says the man with no name who broke into my house and assaulted me outside my grandmother's
restaurant."

"Seth,"hesaid.

Sheblinked,herlashesbrushinghisfingers."Sorry?"

"Seth.Youwillcallmethat."

"Thenamejustcametoyou,didit?"

"Itisnotmyname,butthesoundpleasesme."

Shestaredathimamoment,thensaidit."Seth."

The word sounded even better in her voice. He wanted to taste it, especially when her tongue poked
betweenherteeth.Heleaneddownandlickedherpartedlips.

Anothersparkleaptbetweenthem,andshegasped."Whydidyoudothat?"

Hefeltexhilaratedforthefirsttimesincehe'dlandedinthisplace."Sayitagain."

"Why?"

"Iwantyouto."

"No."

Shetriedtostepaway,buthecuppedhisfingersaroundherface,andshestilled.

"WhatdoIcallyou?"heasked."Theoldonesaidit."Hereplayedthesceneinhismemory.

"Carol."

Hernamehadmusic,gleamingthreadsthatshonefromherassheresponded.Itwasn'thertruename,but
close,onegiventoherbysomeoneveryspecial.Hecaughtthenotesofitandwoveitbackaroundher.

Carol.

Whatareyoudoing?

Sethstoppedinsurprise."Youfeltthat?"

"Likesomethingtightinmyhead?Yes."

Anon-mageshouldnotbeabletofeeladragonmark.Adragoncouldbindalesserbeingwiththeflickof
athought,andthelesserbeingwouldnotknowuntilitwastoolate.Butnotonlydidhermindkeephim
out,shepushedbacksohardhefelthisskindepress.

"Whatareyou?"hedemanded.

"Whatdoyoumean,whatamI?Thestrangeoneinthisroomisyou,notme."

Hereachedouttoheragain,butherthoughtthreadsbatteredhimaway."I'veneverencounteredanything
likeyou.Youhaveaflameworthyofadragon."

"Isupposethat'sacompliment."

Hestudiedhertallslimbody,theresilienceofher,thewayherfleshcurvedintoshadowbeneaththesilk
robe.Hesteppedcloser,wantingtonuzzleherneckandinhalethegoodnessofher.Thetasteofherlips
hadwarmedhisskin,andnowhewashardwithwanting.

Adragonshouldn'twantahuman,buthedid.Shewasdifferent,hetoldhimself,specialenoughthathe
foundherinteresting.Physically,hewasstrongerthanshewas—itwouldbeaneasymattertoforceher
downonthefloorandtakeher.

Thesewere human thoughtsthat his humanbody understood, alien toa dragon. Thisbody knew what it
wanted, knew how to brush her hair back from her forehead, understood the warmth in her eyes. She
wantedthis,too,andtriedtomakeherselfnotwantit.

"I'llnothurtyou,"hewhispered.

Shestilledunderhistouch,herskinheatingwherehisfingersbrushedit.Herlipsparted,redandlush,her
breathsweet.

Seth wanted this woman, and he ached with it. Was it one more way she pulled him to her, a witch
wantingtobeservicedbyherslave?

Thebloodpoundinginhisveinsdidn'tcare.Heslidhisfingersalonghercheek,flickinghisthumbsoftly
acrossherlashes.

"Areallhumanwomenasbeautifulasyouare?"

Herbrowsquirkedinsurprise."Beautiful?"

"Thatistheword,isn'tit?Beautiful,desirable—somanywordsforwanting."

"Youlearnedalotofvocabularyinonenight."

"Mymindseemstoknowthewords."

Whenhe'dflownasfireoverthisvastandglitteringcity,he'dfeltthelingeringpullofthewomancalled

Carol,whichhaddraggedhimunerringlytothistall,narrowhousesqueezedbetweenothertall,narrow
houses.Herflamehadcalledtohis,andnowhewashereasthoughhebelongedwithher.

His first instinct had been to hate her, but at the same time the urge welled up in him to protect. Fire
dragons, more territorial than most, had the instinct to curl up around what was theirs and keep it safe.
Theymatedforlife,fightingandflyingsidebysidewiththeirmatesforcenturies.

Sethhadn'tyetmated,andtheneedtowraphimselfaroundthiswomanbothworriedandexhilaratedhim.

Heleanedtotasteherlipsagain,andhereyeshalf-closed,herbodyrelaxing.

Athumpingsoundfromtheothersideoftheroommadeherjump."That'sLisa."

SethsuppressedaSnarlofdisappointmentasCarolslidoutfromunderhimandhurriedtowardthedoor.

Theauracomingfromthehalloutsidewasstrangeandheavyanddefinitelynotdragon.

SethwentafterCarolandheldherback.

"That'snotasilverdragon.It'snotadragonatall,orahuman."

Shestopped,worried."Whatisitthen?"

"Itsmells—different.Wrong."

Agruff,malevoicesoundedthroughthedoor."Iheardthat.Openup,Carol."

Carolexhaled."It'sallright.It'sAxel."

She sounded relieved, but the aura Seth sensed was bizarre, like nothing he'd ever encountered. He
gesturedforCaroltounfastenthelockshedidn'tknowhowtowork,buthesteppedinfrontofherwhen
sheopenedthedoor.

Ablack-haired,brown-eyedmanbulkywithmusclestoodonthethresholdholdingalargebox.Heworea
leatherjacketandhadhishairpulledbackinashortponytail,buthewasn'thuman.Hisaurawassimilar
tothatofanincubus,thoughthatwasn'tquiteright.

"Demon,"Sethgrowled.

"Sortof.Ilikethetermimp,personally,andyoucancallmeAxel.CanIcomein?Thisboxisheavy."

Carol opened the door wider. "Of course." The man strode inside and gave Seth a hard look before he
droppedtheboxonthesofa."Lisacan'tleavethekiddiesrightnow,soshesentme.They'reteething,and
that'sbadenoughforhumanchildren,butthesearedragons.Lisasayssheknowsthefiredragonishere,
andwillyoupleaselookafterhimuntilshecanfigureoutwhy?"

Carolstared."Lookafterhim?Whatdoesshemean,lookafterhim?"

"Shesaidshe'snotsurewhat'swrong,butsomething'sbad,andthisguy'sprobablythekey.

Socouldyoukeepaneyeonhimwhileshelooksintothings,andshe'llgetbacktoyouassoonasshe
can?Shesayshewon'thurtyou."HegaveSethapointedlook."Willhe?"

"Axel,Ihaveacrucialmeetingwithinvestorstomorrowmorning.IthoughtLisaandCalebwouldcome
overandtakehimsomewhere."

Axel shrugged. Seth sent dragon threads toward him, finding an eclectic aura of white, black, and red.
"Whatareyou?"

"Afriend,"Axelreturned."YouprobablyguessedAxel'snotmyrealname,butIdon'thavetorespondto
the dragon true-name shit. The only people who can summon me are kiddies with nightmares, or Lisa
whenshe'spissed, andSaba,because Ilikeher. Iuse Axel because it's easier to pronounce. I think it's
Norwegian,andI'mJapanese,butlikeIsay,Iembraceallcultures."

"Axel," Carol interrupted sharply. "Tell Lisa I don't have time for this. Maybe you and Malcolm could
takehimbacktowhereverhecamefrom?"

Axelshookhishead."Hey,I'dlovetohelpout,butIhaveplacestogo,nightmarestoeat.

Calebsentalongsomeclothes.Hefiguredthefiredragonwouldwearaboutthesamesizehedoes."

"Axel."

Axellosthisgood-naturedlook,andSethsawinhisthoughtthreadsthefearsomebeasthecouldbecome.
"Weneedyou,Carol.Thisisnotimetobestubborn."Thebeast-likenatureabruptlyfaded,andhedug
intothebox,pullingoutalargeshirtwithwritingonit."Hey,Ilikethisone.ThinkCalebwouldmindifI
borrowedit?"

While their attention was focused on the shirt, Seth quietly coalesced into fire and slid out the open
doorway.Hefloweddownthestairwellandoutthedoorbelow,findinghiswayoutintothenight.

In the sloping green space across the street, he felt the presence of the black dragon, Malcolm's
mathematicallysharpthreadstouchingSeth's.Sethmorphedbackintosolidhumanforminfrontofhim,
readytofight.

"Iknowwhatit'slike,"Malcolmsaid."Youfeelyourselfsqueezedthroughaholeinspace,crushedinto
this form. You resist with all your strength, but your power deserts you. You wake up alone and weak,
withahatredinyousofierceyouwanttokillwhateveryousee.

Andyoucan't."

The black dragon knew. Malcolm might be bound to the witchling that held him, Seth realized, but he
hadn'tforgottenthepainofbeingsummoned.

"Whathappenedtoyou?"Sethaskedhim.

"WitchestoremeoutofDragonspaceandtrappedmeheretopunishme.Igotfree,withthehelpofLisa,
MingUe,andmySaba."Theharshsilvereyessoftened."Trustthem."

"Andyou?WhyshouldItrustyou?"

"BecauseI'velivedeighthundredyearsinthisplaceandIknowhowtowalkamonghumans."Hisgaze
flickedbrieflyoverSeth'snakedness."I'llteachyouhowtobelessconspicuous."

"I'vebeentothisworldbefore."

Malcolm'sbrowsrose."Youhave?"

"Long,longago.Butitwasverydifferent,andIremainedadragon."

Theblackdragonshookhishead."Theworldhaschanged.Youneedtolearnitalloveragain."

"Whywouldyouhelpme?Ablackdragonismyenemy."

"BecauseLisathinksyou'reimportant,andI'velearnedthehardwaytolistentoLisa."

MalcolmtossedawadoffabricatSeth."I'llteachyouhowtoputtheseon,andthenI'llshowyouwhat
you'vegottenyourselfinto."

ChapterThree

Inthemorning,CarolwalkedintotheofficesofJuanEnterpriseswithburningeyes,anachinghead,anda
rawthroat.

AfterSethhadvanished,Axelslammedouttogolookforhim,andCarolmadeherselfgotobed.She'd
notslept,startingateverysound,expectinganymomentforSethtomanifestinherlivingroomagain.She
wasnotsurewhethershewasafraidhewouldorwhethershewantedhimto.Thedoubtbotheredher.

Heneverdidreturn,andthealarmwentoffjustasCarolfinallydriftedintoslumber.

TheofficephonewasringingasCarolpushedopentheglassdoorofhersuiteinafinancialdistricthigh-
rise.Thereceptionist,Francesca,afiftysomethingwomanwithsharp-edgedredspectacles,answeredthe
phoneandheldthereceiverouttoCarol."It'sLisaSingleton."

Carolswitchedherbriefcaseandraincoattoonehandandtookthephoneintheother.

"Carol…" Lisa's voice came over the phone in a tone of reproach. "I really wish you had kept the fire
dragonwithyou.Malcolmwentafterhim,butSabahasn'theardfromhimsinceonethismorning.Weneed
toknowwhyhe'shere,andwhat'sgoingon."

LisaandCarolhadbeenfriendssincechildhood—bothofthemtakenunderMingUe'swingasbabies.
Carol'sparentshaddiedinacaraccidentCaroldidn'tremember,andLisa'sgrandmotherandMingUe
hadbeenbestfriends.

CarolandLisahadplayedtogether,gonetoschooltogether,talkedabouttheirfirstboyfriendstogether.
They'd grown apart after college, Lisa pursuing a culinary arts career while Carol had started running
MingUe'srestaurant.

Theycouldalwaysspeaktheirmindstoeachother,butsinceLisahadmetCalebshe'dbeendifferentina
wayCarolhadn'tbeenabletopindown.

"IfMalcolmhashim,theneverything'sfine,"Carolsaid."Ihaveameetinginfiveminutes,soI'llhaveto
talkaboutallthislater,allright?"

"Carol,thisismoreimportantthanMingUe'srestaurants."

"You'rekidding,right?NothingismoreimportantthanMingUe'srestaurants.I'vegottogo.I'llcallyou
backandwe'lltalkdragonsallyouwant."

ShecutoffLisa'sprotestingCarolbyleaningoverthecounterandslammingthephoneontothereceiver.
FrancescaraisedherpluckedbrowsasCarolswungherwater-spottedraincoatontothecoatrack.

"Ifshecallsback,tellherIcan'tbedisturbed.Infact,don'tputanyonethroughtodaywhowantstotalk
aboutdragons—andthatincludesmygrandmother."

Shesnatchedupherbriefcaseandstartedforheroffice,butFrancescasprangfromherseat.

"Wait,Imeanttotellyou.There'samaninyouroffice,andhedoeswanttotalkaboutdragons."

Carol'sheartskippedabeat.Seth?

Shepicturedhistall,raw-muscledbody,hiscoarseredhair,hiseyeslikepoolsofnight.

Histouchonherfacehadbeengentle,wondering,andwhenhe'dflickedhistongueacrossherlips,she'd
meltedinhotresponse.

IfAxelhadn'tarrivedwhenhedid,whatwouldhavehappened?She'dlainawakelastnightwondering
aboutthat,too.

Francescawentonapologetically."Hesaidhewasafriendofyourgrandmother's.HesailedoninandI
haven'tbeenabletopryhimout."

"That'sallright,I'lltalktohim.Callmeinabouttenminutes,allright?"

Under Francesca's surprised look, Carol gripped her briefcase, clicked her way across the gleaming
marblefloor,andopenedherofficedoor.

Themaninsidewasn'tSeth.HewasanelderlyChinesemanshe'dknownsincechildhoodastheJunkMan
—hisrealnamewasZhen…something.

HeranajunkshopinoneofthebackalleysofChinatown,andheandMingUehadbeenfriendssincethe
mistsoftime.Carol'scousinLumi,whoownedabicycleshop,oftenboughtbicyclepartsfromtheJunk
Manorsoldpartstohim.

ZhensatuprightononeofthechairsinfrontofCarol'sdeskinhisusualgarbofold-fashioneddarkgray
trousersandaChinesejacketofthesamefabric.Hisfacewasamassofwrinkles,andagray-whitebraid
hungdownhisback.

HegottohisfeetasCarolwalkedin,hisusualsmileabsent."Ihavemuchtosaytoyou,LiMei.Please,it
isveryimportant."

"Noonecallsmethatanymore,"Carolsaidwithoutclosingthedoor.HergrandmotherhadgivenCarol
thenicknameLiMeiwhenshewasverysmall,whichroughlytranslatedtoprettylittleplumblossom.

Carolhadn'tmindedmindbeingcalledLiMeibyhergrandmotherorMingUe'sfriends,butwhenshe'd
leftforcollege,she'dadamantlyinsistedonCarol.She'dlearnedearlythatAmericansinbusinesswere
farmorecomfortabledealingwithotherAmericans,andwerehappywhentheyoungChinesewomanwho
turnedupatmeetingsspokewithnoaccentandintroducedherselfasplainCarol.

"Iwouldnothavecome,butitistooimportant,"Zhensaid,claspinghisgnarledhands.

"Youareinverygreatdanger."

Caroltriedasmile."I'msorry.Zhen,butI'mexpectingpeoplethismorningforaveryimportantmeeting.
CometoMingUe'stonightandhavetea.You'reanoldfriend,anditwillbenicetohaveyoujoininthe
celebration."

Zhendidn'tchangeexpression.Heflickedhisfingers,andthedoorbehindherslammedshut.

Carolswungaroundandtriedtoopenit,butthedoorwouldn'tbudge.Sherattledtheknob.

"Francesca!"

"Shecannolongerhearyou."

Carol turned back. Zhen looked the same as always, a faded old man with oil-stained fingers and
serviceableclothing,butafaintlightseemedtoglowaroundhim.

"Stopthis,"Carolsnapped."I'vehadenoughforoneday."

Zhenglancedatherimmaculatedesk,thenallthepensinherpentraysuddenlyshotintotheair,whirled
aroundeachother,andcoalescedintothepatternofablossom.

Aforgottenchildhoodmemorytappedher,ofherselfverysmall,playingunderZhen'sworktablewhilehe
andhergrandmothertalked.Zhenhadsentahandfulofhexnutsdancingthroughtheair,makingherlaugh.

"Howdidyoudothat?"

She reached out and gently touched one of the pens. It quivered, then the entire arrangement collapsed
backtoherdesk.

"These are minor tricks," Zhen said. "Trifles to amuse children. What you face Li Mei, is far more
dangerous,deadlydangerous."

"Why,becauseanakedmanwhocanturnintofireisfollowingmearound?He'sgoneanyway.Malcolm
hashim."

Heshookhishead."Child,youareabiggerfoolthanIthoughtyouwere."

"Ibegyourpardon?"Carolsaid,affronted.

"IknowyouthinkofmeasonlyZhentheJunkMan,whileyouarethegrandCarolwiththeMBAfrom
Stanford.Yourgrandmotherissoproudofyouforthat.Butwhatyoumaylearnfromaschoolisnothingto
thewisdomofreallife."

"Idoknowreallife,"Carolcountered."WhenItookoverMingUe's,itwasastrugglingneighborhood
restaurant. We barely had enough to make ends meet, and Shaiming and I washed dishes at a bigger
restaurant to bring in extra money—on top of working all day at Ming Ue's. Don't tell me I don't know
aboutreallife."

Zhenpursedhislips."ThisisnotwhatImeant.Youknowmuchaboutmoneyandprofits,butyouknowso
little about truth. Why do you think a fire dragon, a magical and mystical being, came to you, of all
people?"

"IkeepsayingIhaven'tthefaintestideawhyhecametome,andnooneseemstobelieveme."Shegavea
shortlaugh."IusedtothinkIwastheonlysaneonewhileeveryoneelsewascrazy,butnowI'mthinking

it'stheotherwayaround."

"No,I'mafraidyouareverysane.Butyoumuststopbeingsaneandcomewithusintotheworldofmagic
anddragons,wherethingsdon'tfitintotheneatentriesinaledger.Ifyoudon't,itmightbethedeathof
you."

"Andeveryoneissayingdirethingsaboutdangeranddeath."

"Becauseitisso."

Theclockonherdeskclickedtonine,andthebutterfliesinherstomachfluttered."Zhen,Ireally,reallyI
havetogo.Thismeetingisthemostimportantoneofmylife.Youwaithere,andIpromiseI'llcomeback
andtalktoyouwhenI'mfinished.I'llhaveFrancescamakeyoutea—realoolongtea.Allright?"

"Icannotletyouout."

CarolsnatchedupherdeskphoneandpunchedthebuttonthatwouldbuzzFrancesca.onlytofindtheline
dead.SheglaredaccusinglyatZhen."Whatdidyoudo?"

"IfIletyougotothismeeting,LiMei,itwillbeyourdeath."

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?I'mtheonewhocalledthemeeting.Ihavetobethere."

"HaveyoueverheardoftheOrderoftheBlackLotus?"

"No.Isitanorganizedcrimegang?"

Carol loathed Asian organized crime, which some people still called Tongs. They terrorized small
business owners, picking on recent immigrants who were often afraid to go to the police. In some
countries,thepolicewerejustasviciousasthecrimegangs,andnewcomersweren'tyetbraveenoughto
fightback.

AsiangangshadneverbotheredMingUe's,whichMingUeattributedtodragonmagic.

TheyneverbotheredhercousinLumi'sbicycleshoporZhen'sjunkshopeither.Lumihadgotteninvolved
ingangswhenhe'dbeeninhighschool,buthe'dquit,andnowtheylefthimalone.

"Theyguardmanysecrets,oneofwhichisaDragonMaster.Youmustnotfacethem,orhim,untilyouare
strongenough."

"SethsaidsomethingaboutaDragonMaster.WhatthehellisaDragonMaster?"

"Youare.Itisalsowhatyouwillbecome."

Carolsankintoherfine-tooledleatherdeskchair.

"Zhen, if I don't show up to this meeting without a damn good reason, they're going to think I'm a total
flake,aditzywoman,apoorrisk.Iworkedforyearsforthis—MingUe'scangonationalonthisdeal."

"I'm sorry, Li Mei, but what you truly are is much, much more important than spreading your small
ChineserestaurantsacrosstheUnitedStates.Yourmother,shewouldhavetoldyouallthishadshenot
beenkilledtoosoon."

Shelookedupsharply."Mymother?"Shedidn'tlikeanyonetalkingabouthermother.

"LianJuanwasaDragonMaster.Thetalent,itmanifestsfromtimetotimeinyourfamily,andhaspassed
fromgenerationtogenerationforthousandsofyears.MingUedoesnothavethetalent,butitmanifestedin
yourmotherandalsoinyou."

Youarestrongwithyourpower,maybeevenaDragonMaster,Sethhadsaidinhisdarkvoice.

"Thetalentdoesnotalwaysshineforth,"Zhenwenton."WhenCalebandMalcolmcametouslastyear,
youshowednosignofblossoming.YouhadnevershownanysignsnearLisaorhergrandmothereither,
andtheyweresilverdragons.Thatdidnotsurprisemeasmuch.Silverdragonsareverydifferent."He
sentherafaintlyapologeticsmile."Yourmothermighthavelearnedmuchfromher."

"Iwishyou'dstoptalkingaboutmymother.She'sbeengonealongtime,andI'dlikehertorestinpeace."

"Whatdoyouknowofyourmother'sdeath?"

Carollookedaway.Theterrifiedgriefofthesmallchildhadgivenwaytotheangeroftheteenager,then
thesadnessofanadult.Hermother'sandfather'sdeathhadbeenawaste,andshe'dneverstoppedwishing
thepasthadbeendifferent.

"Shediedinacaraccidentwithmyfather.Iwasinthebackseat,butIwasonlythreeanddon'tremember
it.I'mgladIdon'tremember.IsurvivedandMingUetookmeinandraisedme."

Zhengaveherasadlook."No,LiMei,thisisonlywhatyouhavebeentold.Yourfather,hediedinthe
accident,butyourmotherwaskilledbytheOrderoftheBlackLotus.TheypulledLianstillalivefromthe
carthey'dcausedtocrash,andbeathertodeath.Itwasterrible,anditgrievesmestill.Andnow,LiMei,
thesameOrderhuntsyou."

SethfoldedhimselfintotheshadowsandwatchedthemencomeoutofthebuildingCarolhadgoneinto.
Theiraurasweresticky,blackandunclean,andmadehisskincrawl.

They were demons, but a different kind of demon than he'd ever seen before. He was used to incubi,
mindlesssoul-suckersthatfedondreams,buttheseweresomethingnew.

Malcolmstoodnexttohim,asteamingpapercupofcoffeeinhishands.He'dexplainedcoffeetoSethand
offeredhimsome,butSethhadtakenonesniffanddeclined.

Thenightbefore,MalcolmhadtakenSethalloverthisstrangecityofmetalandstone,teachinghimabout
itastheywent.ItwasverydifferentfromtheoldvillagesofwoodandmudintheplaceMalcolmcalled
China—adifferentworld,ashe'dindicated.

Whenthedawnbroke,thecityhadbeendrenchedinrain,fogcollectingaroundthespiresofthebridges
that connected the peninsula to the mainland. Malcolm had taken him to the street where he said Carol
worked,andthey'darrivedjustassheemergedfromataxi.

Seth had watched her long, sleek legs as she'd climbed out of the car and slammed the door, the rainy
street reflecting the shadow of her umbrella and blotch of yellow taxi. He'd liked watching Carol last
night,withhereyeswide,herhairmussed,andhernakedbodywarmunderthesilkenthing.

Not long after Carol had gone inside the demons had come out. In their black suits, umbrellas popping
openagainsttherain,theylookednodifferentfromothermenonthestreet,butthestinkofthemfouledhis
throat.

He and Malcolm exchanged a glance, and Malcolm nodded. Malcolm dropped his cup of coffee into a
trash can, shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket, and strode up the street in the direction the
demonshadgone,headbentagainsttherain.

Seth joined a group of people streaming into the building, and scanned the crowd for more men with
demonlikeauras.

The inside gleamed with glass and polished stone, and the air smelled stale and flat. A slab of granite
rosefromthemiddleofthefloor,andaneatlygroomedwomanbehinditlookedSethupanddown,taking
inhisT-shirt,jeans,andcalf-lengthraincoat.

"CanIhelpyou?"sheaskedcoolly.

"CarolJuan,whereisshe?"

The harsh echoes of his voice rang back to him, and the woman raised her brows. "If you mean Juan
Enterprises,perhapsIcouldcallforyou.Yourname?"

"TellherthatSethhasarrived."

Theyoungwomanhalfturnedfromhimandspokeintoadevicehookedtoherear.Whensheturnedback,
hereyeshelduncertainty."Thereceptionistsayswouldyoupleasegouprightaway.Fifteenthfloor.The
elevators are behind me," She waved impatiently at them and turned to bathe someone else in her cool
stare.

Malcolmhadshowedhimelevatorsthenightbefore,andhebarelyflinchedwhenthemetaldoorsclosed
andtheboxroseswiftlyupward.Whenhereachedthefifteenthfloor,hestrodethroughnarrowpassages
untilhefoundjuanenterprisespaintedonaglassdoor.

"AreyouCarol'sfriend?"awomanwithredglassesaskedasheentered.

"Yes,whereisshe?"

"Inheroffice."Thewomancamearoundhertalldeskandhurriedtoasmoothwoodendoor."Shewon't
answer the phone or open the door. An old man was waiting for her in there. I thought it was a family
thingbecausehe'sChinese,butshemissedhermeeting,andIwasabouttocallsecurity…"

"Carol is in here?" Seth put his hands to the door, sending thought threads through and encountering—
nothing.

"Yes.I'vebeenknocking,butIcan'thearanything."Shewrungherhandsinagitation."Butifwhatshe's

talkingaboutisimportantenoughforhertomisshermeeting,she'dneverforgivemeforinterrupting."

"Andifsheisdyingordead,Iwillneverforgiveyou."

"Dying?"sherepeatedinalarm."Butwouldn'ttheoldmancallforhelp?"

"Unlessheistheonewhohurther."

"He'sabouteighty,lookslikehecouldn'tpickupapaperclipwithoutstraininghimself."

"Sizeisdeceivinginamage."Sethsentaspurtofhisdragonfireintothehandleandshoved.

ThedoorfellopeninasplinterofwoodtorevealCarolstandingbehindadesk,herfaceashen,andan
oldmansittingstifflyinachair.

Thewomanrushedin."Carol,areyouallright?ShouldIreschedulethemeeting?"

Carol"Yes.Yes,doitnow.TellthemIhad…afamilyemergency."

"Whathappened?"Sethdemanded.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"Carolshothimaglarefilledwithangerandgrief."Howdidyougethere?"

"Malcolmbroughtme."

"Why?Francesca,stopstandingthereandgetonthephone.Getthembackassoonasyoucan.I'mfine."

Francescanodded,shovedherglassesuphernose,andscuttledoutoftheroom.Carolswitchedbackto
Seth.

"Whatdoyouwant?Wheredidyougolastnight,andwhydidyoucomeback?"

TheChinesemanbrokeinexcitedly."Heisafiredragon,LiMei.Youdrewhimtoyou."

He made a gesture at the outer room, and Seth felt magic flow to the phone Francesca had picked up.
Francescastaredatitandstartedrattlingbuttons.

"Thephoneisdead,"shecalled.

Carol muttered something and pushed past Seth and out of the office. She snatched the phone from
Francesca,thenturnedanaccusingstaretotheoldmanwhohadfollowedher.

"Stopdoingthat."

"Youmustnotmeetwiththem,"theoldmansaidinapleadingvoice."Ihavetoldyou."

"If you mean the demons, I saw them come out," Seth said. "I don't know what they were, but they are
somethingevilanddangerous."

Theoldmannodded."SheisnotyetstrongenoughtofighttheOrder,ortheDragonMaster."

Seth'seyesnarrowed."WhatDragonMaster?Thereisanother?"

Carol slammed down the phone and swung to face them both. "Will you two stop talking about Dragon
Masters?"

Sethsenthisfieryredthoughtthreadstoher,andshejerkedherfocustohim.Then,asshehadthenight
before,shepushedback.

Hesoftenedhistouch,makingitsoothing,notintrusive.He'dneverinhislifetouchedanotherbeingwith
tenderness,butwithCarolhethoughthe'dnevertireofweavinghisthreadsthroughhers,sayinghername
withhisdragonmusic.

"Carol,doyouwantmetocallornot?"Francescabrokein."I'llusemycellorgodownstairs."

"What?Ohhell,itdoesn'tmatter.Forgetit,I'llhavetostartalloveragain."

Hereyeswerewet.Shewipedthemwiththeheelofherhandandcamearoundthedesk.

"I'mgoingout."

"Youhaveanothermeetingateleven,"Francescasaidquickly.

"Cancelit.Idon'tknowwhenI'llbeback."

Shesnatcheduphercoatandmarchedoutthedoor.Sethfollowedtwostepsbehindher,catchinguptoher
attheelevator.

"Iwanttobealone,"Carolsaidwithoutturningaround.

"No."Sethfollowedherinandthedoorsclosedbehindthem.

"Doyoumeanno,youwon'tleavemealone?"Carolasked,anedgetohervoice.

"Notwithdemonshuntingyou."

Carol wouldn't look at him, and they rode to the ground floor in silence. She slid into her coat as they
exitedthebuilding,thenshewalkedquicklyalongthesidewalk,climbingasteephill.

Sethstrodenexttoher,hishandsinhispockets.

Housesandbuildingslinedtheroad,blockingtheminlikecliffs.Sethlookedbackdownthehillandsaw
rain-soaked streets flowing behind them to meet a gray sheet of ocean. One of the bridges rose to their
right,adarkweightagainsttherain.

Seth liked watching Carol's body move, liked watching her hair glisten in the light rain. His thought
threadsstillwovearoundher,andthefactthatshe'dstoppedpushingthemawaypleasedhim.

Hecouldtangleforalongtimewiththiswoman,sodifferentfromanyhe'deverknown.

Herbodywaslitheandstrong,andhe'dseenasweetglimpseofbreastsinthegapinherblouseasthey
rodedowntheelevator.

AfteratimeCarolturnedacornerandwalkedacrossapavedflatspacewithastatueinthemiddle.A
largenumberofpeoplemilledaboutdespitethewet,butaquickscanofthecrowdshowednoneofthe
demonlikehumansSethhadseencomeoutofherbuilding.

Therainslackened,awindcomingfromtheoceantobreaktheclouds.Carolwalkedtothemiddleofthe
squareandsatdownonabench,easingherfeetoutofhertinyhigh-heeledshoes.

"Ishouldhavechangedthese."Shewipedtearsfromhereyesasshespokethematter-of-factwords.

Sethcrouchedinfrontofher,thighsstretchingthefabricofhisjeans.Heclosedhisbighandsoverher
slenderfootandliftedittohislap.

Helikedthefeelofherfine-bonedfootunderherthinstocking,hertoesformingagentlecurve.Hedrew
histhumbsalongthearchandmassagedherheel,thenheleaneddownandgentlybitherankle.

Shejerkedawaywithagasp."Youcan'tdothatinthemiddleofUnionSquare."

"Whynot?"

Shegavehimaconfusedlook."Idon'tknow.I'msurethere'sanordinance."

"Dragons don't have ordinances, whatever they are." "Please don't talk about dragons right now." Her
blackthreadsofrageandgriefspunaroundhim,touchinghimwithsorrow.Hereleasedherfootandsat
on the bench next to her, lacing his arm around her shoulders. She went stiff, but her body needed the
comfortandbegantorelaxagainsthimasthoughshewasunawareshedidso.

Sethwasveryawareofherpressureontheplanesofhischest.Asadragonhe'dnevermated;asahuman,
hisbodyseemedtoknowwhatitwanted.

HedrewhisthumbunderCarol'schinandturnedherfaceuptohis.Shegavehimastartledlookbefore
hetouchedhislipstoheropenmouth.

Hetastedthedarkspiceofhertongueandthesoftcushionofherlips.Hedeepenedthekiss,andCarol
respondedtohim,herbreathhotandsweet.

"Youhavetostop,"shewhispered.

Henippedherlowerlip."Why?Isthereanordinance?"

"Idon'tknow.Mylifehasjustgonetohell—Idon'twanttothinkaboutkissing."

"Whyhasitgonetohell?"Hestrokedherneckunderherhairandkissedheronemoretime.

"Notbecauseofthemeeting."Shewipedtearsfromhereyesagain."Notonlythat.TheJunkMantoldme
..."

Shetrailedoff,herattentionmovingacrossthesquaretotheelderlyChinesemantappinghisslowway
towardthem.

"Hetoldmethatmymotherdidn'tdieinacaraccidentlikeI'vebelievedallmylife."shesaidhollowly.
"HetoldmethatthisOrderoftheBlackLotus,whoevertheyare,hadhertakenfromthecarandbeatento
death."

ChapterFour

Caroldidn'tknowwhyshefeltbetterblurtingoutthehorrifictaletoSeth,butSeth'sarmwassolidand
steadyaroundher,hishandonhernecksoothing.

"Theyalwaystoldmeparamedicsrescuedmeandcalledmygrandmother,"shewenton.

"ButZhensayshetookmebeforethefiredepartmentandpolicegotthere,sothisOrderwouldn'tknowI
survived."

MusicplayedthroughCarol'sheadlikefaintchimesasshespoke.Itbroughtthesoundofwindandwater,
thechillofhighmountains,thepungentsmellofpine.

"Iamsorry,LiMei."

CarolraisedherheadtoseeZhenstandingonthepavementinfrontofher,gazingatherinsorrow.

Herangerflared."Ifyou'veknownalltheseyearsaboutmymother,whydidn'tyoutellme?"

"Becauseitwasterribleknowledge.Thetalentdidn'tmanifestinyou,andwethoughtthatifitneverdid,
you'dneverhavetoknow.Nowthatyourtalenthasarisen,youneedtobewarnedofthedanger."

"Doesmygrandmotherknow?"

By Zhen's hesitation, she knew what he would say. "Ming Ue thought it best we kept how your mother
diedasecret."

Carolballedherfistsandgottoherfeet.Sethrosebesideher,asthoughhedidn'twanthertomovean
inchawayfromhim.

"SoyouandmygrandmotherdecidedwhatI'dbelieve."

Theoldmanlookedevenmoresorrowful."Mywarningisnotenough.ImusttrainyoutoresisttheOrder
whentheycomeforyou.Theywillwanttouseyoufor…manythings."

"Itdidn'thelpmymother,didit?"

"Yourmother,shedidnotwantherheritage.Shewantedherhusbandandyou,areallife,shecalledit.
But your family is not usual, Li Mei. Your ancestors were powerful Dragon Masters, and you are, too.
Youcanseeandspeaktothedragons,youcancallthemtoyouasyoucalledthisone."Hestabbedhis
caneatSeth.

"AndIkeeptellingyou,Ididn'tcallhim.Iwouldn'tknowhow."

"TheotherDragonMastersummonedhim,"Zhensaid."Whenhedid,themageinyouawokeandpulled
thefiredragontoyouinstead."

"ThatiswhyIcan'tputmymarkonher,"Sethrumbledasthoughunderstandingsomething."Ican'tmark

onewhoenslavesme."

"Areyoubacktotheslavething?Evenifthiswerealltrue,Iwouldn'tenslaveanyone."

Zhenshrugged."Andyet,hebelongstoyou."

"He'snotastraykitten."shesnapped.

Definitelynot.Whereverhe'dbeenallnightwithMalcolm,Sethhadobviouslyshavedandcleanedupat
somepoint.Hissleekredhairnolongerlayinanunrulytangle,thoughitwasn'tcompletelytame.Damp
redstrandscurledacrosshisforeheadanddownhisneck,darknowwithrain.

Shehadasuddenandvividimageofhimstandingbeforehernakedandwrappedinchains.

Inthevisionhefacedawayfromher,hishandsmanacledinfrontofhimandachainhangingfromacollar
downhisback.Helookedoverhisshoulderatherwithasinfulsmileandwickednessinhiseyes.

Carolgaspedandshovedthepicturefromhermind.CarolJuanneverthoughtofthingslikethat.Sexto
her was done discreetly with the lights dim after a dinner in the finest of her restaurants. Mutual
pleasuring,thensleep,thenbothofthemsayingoverbreakfast,Oh,Ihavetogo,needtobeintheoffice
bynine.Perhapstherewouldbeanotherencounter,perhapsnot.

ShehadthefeelingthatsexwithSethwouldbenothinglikeherpreviousaffairs,notthattherehadbeen
many of those. With Seth it would be basic and raw, with sweat, noise, and the bed torn apart, then
drowsinginapoolofsunshineafterward.Whilepartofherbackedrapidlyfromthat,anotherpartofher
whispered,Wouldn'titbenice?

Shedraggedinabreathofmist-soakedair."Letmethinkaboutonethingatatime,allright?"Sheturned
toZhen."Leavemealoneforawhile.Ineedtobealone."

"Butaloneiswhatyoumustnotbe.Bothyouandthefiredragonmustbeguarded."

"Guardedagainstwhat?"

"TheDragonMasterandtheOrder…"

His words cut off as Seth gave a strangled cry. The music in Carol's head became clanging and
discordant,thenSeth'sbodyjerkedasthoughhewereamarionetteonstrings.Thenhebegantofade.

"No,"hesaidhoarsely.

Onemomenthewasassolidasthebuildingsaroundher,thenext,Carolcouldseerainglisteningthrough
him.

"Quickly,LiMei,youmustcallhimback,"Zhensaidinagitation."Donotlethimbetakenorhewillbe
turnedagainstyou—hewillbeaweaponagainstus."

Carolbarelyheardhim.Sethwrithedinagony,hisbodygrowingfainterasthemusicalchiminguntangled
andtoreoutofCarol'shead.

Shehadanothervividvision,thisoneofadarkroombrushedwithredlight,amanwithblackeyesanda
narrowfacestandinginsidewhatlookedlikeacolumnofglass.Hismouthmovedbutshecouldn'thear
whathesaid.

Thevision snapped awayas quickly asit came, rain-soaked UnionSquare rushing backat her. But she
understood one thing—no matter what, she couldn't let Seth go to the dark place with the being that
radiatedevil.

Sheheldoutashakinghand."Seth.Staywithme."

Hisbodywasinsubstantial,butCarolclosedherhandaroundhiswrist."Staywithme."

Underhertouch,Seth'sarmsolidified.Raingleamedthroughhim,thensuddenlyitdidn't,andshefeltthe
heat of his skin. The chimes in her head grew louder but smoother, the harsh cacophony giving way to
sweetmusic.

SanFranciscogroundonaroundthem,shoppersandbusinessmenhurryingacrossthesquare,umbrellas
firmlyoverhead.Theytalkedtoeachotheroroncellphones,notnoticingCaroldesperatelytryingtohold
ontoSethneartheVictorystatue.

Sethclosedhishandsoverherelbowsandrestedhisforeheadinherhair.Hebreathedhard,andshewas
shakingandsweating.

"YoudiditLiMei,"Zhencrowed."Youcalledthefiredragonback,youkepthimtruetoyoursummoning.
Hebelongstoyounow."

ThemusicinsideCarol'sheadrosetoaringingcrescendo,thechimesbothfranticandtriumphant.Seth
leaneddownandputhislipstoherear,hishandstighteningonherarms.

"Enslaved,"hewhispered.

Zhenleftthem,tappingslowlydownthehillthatwouldtakehimbacktowardChinatown.

He'ddonethedutythathisancestorshadbeenchargedwith,andheshouldfeelbetter,buthedidn't.

PoorlittleLiMei.Hewantedtowarnherofallthedangers,buthewascompelledtoonlygosofar.His
jobwastoprotecttheDragonMaster,hadbeenforcenturies,andthatmeantprotectherfromeveryone,
includingthefiredragon.

MingUeunderstood.Shestoodbyhim.

Thefiredragonwasamazing.Sethwasamixtureofsomanythings:arrogance,curiosity,protectiveness,
rage, and best, or maybe worst, the ferocious power of his dragon fire. He had as much potential for
destructionasCaroldid,andZhenwonderedifSethknewit.

At the bottom of the hill, he turned the corner to Bush Street, heading for Chinatown, when he was
surroundedbyfivemen,oneofthemahard-facedcrimelordcalledDannyLok.

"Youwarnedher."

Zhenhelduphishands."Ididnottellhereverything.Ipromise."

Themenwerehiredthugs,heknewthat,whodidn'tcarewhathesaid.

AtanodfromLok,theygrabbedZhenbyhisbonyshouldersandhustledhimintothenearesthouse,where
two men proceeded with his punishment. By the time the rest of them had reached Union Square and
spreadout,Carolandthefiredragonwerenowheretobeseen.

CarolfoundherselfinthecircleofSeth'sarmastheywalkeddownthehillfromUnionSquare.Hisbody
wasscorchinghot,hotterthanahuman'shadarighttobe.

"Areyouwell,Carol?"

"No.IhaveaheadacheandI'mabouttopuke."Sheshuddered."Whatwasallthat?Ihadthisvision…"

"OftheimprisonedDragonMaster.Hewastryingtosummonme,butyoucalledmytruenameandpulled
meback."

"IcalledyouSeth—isthatwhatyoumean?"

"No."Thenotesinherheadjangled."Mytruedragonnamethatnooneknowsbutme."

"Wehadthisconversationlastnight.ItoldyouIdon'tknowit."

"Somethinginyoudoes.Youaresingingitnow."

Caroltriedtosuppressthemusicblaringinherhead,butshecouldn't.Somepartofherpsychewantedto
embracethejinglingsoundsandpullthemclose.

"Isthatwhatthatis?"

"Mytruenameandmydragonthoughtstangledinyou."Hisvoicewashard."Youhavethepowertouse
measyouwish."

"Whichiscompletelyridiculous."ButaftereverythingCarolhadseenlastnightandtoday,theridiculous
andtherealhadbecomeoneandthesame.

This man is my slave. The words didn't even ring true. He watched her with the wariness of a caged
predator,butatthesametimehisarmwasstrongagainstherback,supportingher.

"IfIdidenslaveyou.itwasn'tonpurpose.Gowhereveryouwant,andI'lltakeataxihome.

Allright?"

"It'snotthatsimple."Hisdarkeyesheldamixtureofanger,confusion,resignation,andrestlessness."The
namewillbindmetoyouuntilyoureleaseme.Whenyousingit,Imustdoasyouwish—fightabattle,
performlabor,pleasureyou—andImustdoitwithoutchoice."

Carolhadtheswiftpictureofhimnakedinchainsagain,butthistime,hewasn'tsmiling.

"Whateveryouwant,"hesaid,hisgazeintense."Youcanmakethevisioninyourheadcometrue."

Whateveryouwant.Carolshivered.She'dalwayspridedherselfonkeepingherselfintightcontrol,and
hereshewasenvisioningeroticbondagesceneswithamanwhocouldturnhimselfintolivingfire.

Rememberingtheirkisswasn'tgoodeither—thesaltytangofhislips,thestrongdelvingofhistongue.

Sheshovedthethoughtsaway.

"Why isn't it simple?" she asked. "If I've enslaved you, then I'll set you free." She flicked her fingers.
"There,you'refree."

Thechiminginherheadincreased,andSethshookhishead.

"Mytruenameiswrappedinyouandyourpoweriswrappedinme."Hesteppedawayandgesturedto
theairbetweenthem."Canyouseeit?"

"Seewhat?"CarolpeeredwherehepointedandsawnothingbutgraySutterStreetintherain.Thenasher
visionclearedshediscernedtinyraindropsglitteringinmidair,clingingtogossamerthreads.Thethreads
werered,gold,andblackandstretchedbetweenhimtoher.

Whensheputoutherhandtobrushthem,shetouchednothing.

"Whatarethose?"

"Thoughtthreads,minetangledwithyours.Onlydragonsandwitchesandmagescanseethem."

"HowdoIuntanglethem?"Shewavedherhandbackandforththroughthethreadsbuttheydidn'tchange.
"They'renotreallythere."

"Idon'tknow,"Sethsaid."I'vebeenboundoncebeforeandIwasonlyreleasedwhentheDragonMaster
died."

"Oh."Nicethought.Sheshivered."I'llundoit.I'llfindaway."

"Howwillyou?"Sethaskedskeptically.

"Idon'tknowhow."Carolstuffedherhandsinherpockets."ButIknowsomeonewhomight."Shestarted
walkingagain,andSeth'slongstridequicklycaughthimuptoher.

"Whenanythingcrazygoesonaroundhere.GrandmotherturnstoLisa.Lisaalwaysseemstoknowwhat
todo."

"Theoneyouclaimisasilverdragon."

"Grandmother claims she is. Of course, it turns out there's a lot that Grandmother hasn't told me." She
clenchedherfistsinherpockets."Onethingatatime.WeseeLisaandaskherhowtogetridofthese
dragonthreadthings.Grandmothercomesafterthat."

Carolwasusedtoputtingeverythingonascheduleandfollowingitwithprecision.Thatwashowthings
gotdoneandmoneygotmade.Inherlife,eventfollowedeventinasmooth,plannedsuccessionthattook
hertothetop,onesmallstepatatime.Thatwashersecret.

Seth'sarrivalandZhen'srevelationshadblownherpreciselyplannedlifetopieces.Carolstrodetothe
curbandhailedataxitotakethemtoLisa'shouseonCaliforniaStreet.Herlegswerestillwobbly,and
onlySeth'sstronghandonherelbowkeptherfromfalling.

Seth smelled the golden dragon long before the tall hulking man came out of the door at the top of the
stairs.

"Hello,Caleb,"Carolsaid,hurryinguptohim.

Seth's protective instinct made him want to pull her back. This was the golden dragon's territory—his
marksshimmeredovereverydoorandwindow.

Carol went to the warrior dragon and hugged him without fear. The golden returned the hug, then his
thoughtthreadstouchedthetangleofSeth'sandCarol's,andhisblueeyeswidened.

The dragon-man lifted his hands carefully from Carol, conveying that he would not touch what Seth
consideredhis.Sethnoddedbriefly,andthetensioneasedtheslightestbit.Therewouldbenobattledone,
atleastnottoday.

"I'msorrytodropinonyouunexpectedly,"Carolsaid,oblivioustotheirwordlesscommunication.

"Wearealwayshappytoseeyou,Carol,"Calebboomed.Hegesturedherintotheapartmentandstood
backandwaitedforSethtoenter.

Seth'sskintingledatthehugeconcentrationofmagicinthesmallspace,amixtureofgoldendragonanda
strangepowerhe'dneverfeltbefore.Hecouldbarelybreatheundertheweightofit,butCaroldidn'tseem
tonoticeatall.

"IsLisahere?"sheasked,peeringintothekitchen.

"No,shetookSeverintothedoctor."

Carolturned,concerned."Isheallright?"

"Hewillbe.Lisasayshehasanearinfection,butitwillbehealed."

Calebbrokeoffasaverysmalldragonzoomedacrosstheroomatthem.Itselongatedbodywasamixture
ofgoldandsilver,itseyeswideandblue.

It angled itself straight for Carol, but the golden dragon reached up and snatched it out of the air.
"Gotcha."

Thedragon shimmered andbecame a humanbaby with red-gold curls,blue eyes, anda huge smile that
revealedonetooth.ShepoppedherthumbinhermouthandregardedSethwithinterest.

Carol stared at the baby, eyes wide in shock. Seth was surprised as well. "She is your offspring?" he
asked.

Thegoldendragon'sstancerelaxedintooneofpride."ThisisLiNa,twintomysonSeverin.Isshenot
beautiful?"

The girl had a dirty face, tangled hair, and a sunny smile. Dragons usually hid their offspring until they
were able to hunt for themselves and fight off enemies—a dragon never showed his child to another
dragon.Thedragonsinhumanformwereviolatingrulesthathadbeensteepedindragonconsciousness
foreons.

"Theblackdragon,Malcolm,alsohasoffspring,"Sethsaid.Hetookoffhiscoatanddrapeditoverthe
backofachair."Isthatwhyyoutwoweresnatchedintothehumanworld—tomate?"

Calebgrinned."Iwish.Iwasforcedherebywitchestoprotectthesilverdragon.Witchesalsotrapped
Malcolm.Findingourmateswasafortunatehappenstance.Veryfortunate."

SethlookedatCarol."Isthatwhatyouwant?Offspring?"

CarolpulledherastonishedgazefromsmallLiNa."What?"

"Doyouwanttomatewithme?WhenIkissedyouinthesquareyouseemedtowantto."

Herfaceturnedbrightred."Seth."

Caleb chuckled. "Humans are embarrassed about mating—I don't know why. I enjoy it. It's much better
thandragonmating."HelookedSethupanddownwithabluegazethatpretendedtobemorevacantthan
it really was. Goldens had nowhere near the intelligence of black dragons, but they were cunning, and
none were better at fighting and battle strategy. "Are you really a fire dragon? I never believed they
existed."

"Weexist.It'ssilverdragonsthatdon'texist."

AsmilesplitCaleb'sface."Yes,theydo,andoneiscomingnow.Don'ttellmeyoucan'tfeelthat."

Something incredible was making its way up the stairs. Wild music like nothing Seth had ever heard
beforeburstthroughhismindlikeharshwindandsilverlaughter,acrossbetweenafiercestormandsoft
summerrain.

Carolwentrigidasaslenderhumanwomancamethroughthedoorwithachildinonearmandashoulder
bag slung over the other. The woman had dark red hair and brown eyes of almost the same shade as
Carol's.Hersmilewasatoncefullofwisdomandinnocentwonder.Thewhirlwindofsoundcontinued,
coatingtheairandwindingitswayfirstaroundSeth,thenCarol.

"Lisa,"Calebboomed.Heenfoldedthewomaninahug,andshetransferredthebabyfromherarmtohis
ashedidso."Carolhasarrivedwiththefiredragon."

"Icanseethat."

LisadumpedtheheavybagontheredsofaandturnedtostudySeth."Afiredragon.

Fascinating."

"Lisa,"Carolsaidinastrangledvoice.

Lisaturnedtoher,armsout,andtheyembraced.Humanslikedtodothat,he'dnoticed,wraptheirarms
aroundeachotherandholdeachotherclose.

"Ithappened,then,"Lisasaid,soundingalmostsad.

"Whathappened?I'veknownyousincewewerebabies,Lisa,butyoulook—different—

somehow."

"You'reseeingthesilverdragon.I'msorry,Carol,Iknowthisishardestonyou."

The presence of the silver dragon was daunting, almost terrifying, although Lisa looked like any other
innocuoushumaninthecityoutside.Sethsensedthesilverofherthoughtthreads,theincrediblepower
thatrippledthroughher.Healsoglimpsedsilverdragonmagicinthebabydaughter,afaintcopyofher
mother'spower.

LisafacedSeth,handsonhips."I'vealwayswantedtoseeafiredragon.Atleast,thesilverdragoninme
has.Ididn'tevenbelieveindragonsuntilacoupleofyearsago,whenIfoundCalebstuckinmyspare
bedroom."

"Thefirstdragonyoumetwasagolden?"Sethsaid,tryingtocoverhisnervousness."Poorwoman."

Calebscowled."Careful.Thisismyterritory."

"It'smyterritory,too."Lisabrokein."Ceasefire,Caleb,thisistooimportant."

Insteadofbeingcontrite,Calebchuckledandpressedakisstohiswife'shair."Don'tworry,mylove.We
won'tdobattleget."HeeyedSeth."Iwouldn'tmindagoodfight,though,toseewhatyoucando."

"You'dregretit,goldenboy."

"Maybe,maybenot."

Carolhadwanderedtoawindowthatoverlookedaseaoftallhousesandawidesmudgeofgreentrees
beyondthat.Herthoughtsweresnarledandunhappy,themusicofthemdoleful.

Seth moved to her and couldn't stop himself running his fingers through her sleek hair, liking the warm
silkensensation.Thebondbetweenthemwastightersinceshe'ddraggedhimbackfromtheotherDragon
Master,andhersorrowtuggedathim,dimminghisownbrightness.

"Carolisafraid,"hesaid,tryingtoweavecomfortthroughthethreads."Shedoesnotunderstandwhatshe
is,orwhatshehastodo.Shecamehereforyourhelp."

LisalookedCarolupanddown."Iknowshedid.Butinthiscase,Idon'tknowifIcan."

ChapterFive

Seth'shandwaswarmandsoothing.Carolhadalreadynoticedhowmuchhelikedtotouchherhair,lifting
strandstorubbetweenhisfingers.

Itwasasthoughheworkedherthroughhissensesonebyone:studyingherwithdarkeyes,cockinghis
head to listen to her voice. Then touching her, leaning to put his nose to her skin, moving his tongue to
tasteher.Shehadnoideahowtorespond,orevenifsheshould.

Carol had known love most of her life—Ming Ue was a kind-hearted woman, and her quiet cousin
Shaiminghadtaughthertotiehershoesandrideabicycleandotherfatherlythings.

Butshe'dneverbeenclosetoanyone,neverletherselfgetclose.She'dstudiedhardinschool,graduated
atthetopofherclass,thencamebacktoSanFranciscoandworkedtenhoursadaytomakeendsmeet.

Therehadn'tbeentimetogetclosetoanyone,andnomanhadeverlookedatherthewaySethdidnow,
seeingCarolthewoman,notCaroltheacademicorCaroltheworkaholic.

Sethdidn'tcareabouthertophonorsorherMBAorthefactthatshe'dmadeherfamilyprosperous.He
lookedather,andshehadahardtimeunderstandinghowtoreact.

SheturnedherheadsoherhairslidfromSeth'sgrasp.Heletgobutnotwithanykindofsubmissiveness.

"Icanseeitinyou."Lisasaid.ShecockedherheadandlookedCarolover,verydragonlike."Thepower
isamazing.Nowonderyou'redisoriented."

"Noneofthissurprisesyou,"Carolsaidalittleresentfully.

"I knew you had the potential for the Dragon Master talent, but it's come out far greater than I ever
imagineditwould."

"Didmygrandmothertellyou?Andwhydidn'tshebothertotellme?"

Lisa'svoicegentled."MingUeexplainedeverythingafterIbecamethesilverdragon.Shesaidyouwould
besafernotknowingifyounevermanifested.Iagreedwithher."

"Soyoukeptitfromme?Yourbestfriend?"

"Answermehonestly.Wouldyouhavebelievedme?"

Carolstartedtosnapthatofcourseshe'dhaveappreciatedthetruth,butstopped.No,shewouldn'thave
believedit.

UntilyesterdayCarolhadneverbelievedinanythingshecouldn'tseeortouch,andcertainlynotdragons
ormagic.She'dtoleratedhergrandmother'sstoriesovertheyearsandignoredtheevidenceofherown
eyes.

Carolhadalwaysreachedforthereal,buryingherselfinschoolandworktoforgetthatshe'dlostthose
closesttoherinacruelaccident.Dragonsandmagichadn'tsavedthem.

"It'sirrelevantnow,"shesaidinahardvoice."Wejusthavetofixtheproblem.SethsaysIcan'tsethim
freesimplybytellinghimtogo.Isheright?"

Behind her, Seth put his hands on her shoulders, his touch hot through her jacket. His music swirled
throughherhead,thechimesalmostsweet.

"He'sright,"Lisaanswered."Youcan'tstopthinkinghisname?"

Themusicswelledinresponse,andSeth'sfingerstightened.

"EverytimeItry,themusicgetsmoreintense,"Carolsaid.

"That'sthewayofit.ButI'veremoveddragonbindingsbefore,don'tworry.Lookintomyeyes,Carol,and
don'tlookaway,nomatterwhathappens."

"Nomatterhowweirdorscary,"Calebputinfromacrosstheroom.Hecradledababyoneacharm,all
threewatchingwithinterest.

"Thanks,Caleb,"Carolsaidshakily.

"ImeantthatyoushouldtrustLisa."

Sethgrowled,histouchgrowingheavier,morepossessive."Willithurther?"

LisahesitatedinawayCaroldidn'tlike."Itshouldn't."

"Idon'tcareifyouarethesilverdragon,"Sethrumbled."Ifyouhurther,I'llstopyou."

"I'lldomybestnotto.Ipromise."

"Justdoit,Lisa,"Carolsaid."We'lltalkabouthowscaryitwillbeafterwards."

LisagaveheratightsmileatthevariationofthephraseCarolhasusedallherlife—Let'sdoitfirstand
talkabouthowharditwillbelater.

LisalaidherpalmagainstCarol'scheek.HerfingerstouchedCarol'stemples,herthumbcurvingagainst
hercheekbone.

CarollookedintoLisa'seyesasrequestedandbitbackacry.Lisa'sirisesswirledwithsilverthatspun
intoavortexwithdarkpoolsinthecenter.Carolwantedtofollowthespiraldown,down,towhatever
waitedthere.

Somethinginsidehersnarled,resistingthepull.Atthesametimesheheardofcacophonyofwindchimes,
themetalliconesinLisa'slivingroomcombiningwiththoseringingandspinninginsideherownhead.

Alight,merryvoiceoverlaidLisa'sown,asthoughtwoLisasspokeatthesametime.Itisdifficult

Carol felt a sharp tug on her scalp as though something jerked it forward. The skin on her face moved
underLisa'sfingers,followedbysuddenpain.

Over the din of the warring chimes she heard Caleb growl and the soft mewling of the babies. Fire
pierced Carol's eyes like a thousand stabbing pins, and she felt cool droplets of blood slide down her
face.Thetangledthreadsinhermindrippedapartlikemusclefrombone.

Carolscreamed.Behindher,Sethsnarled,thenhishandsjerkedfromhershoulders,andsheheardhimhit
thewallwithasickeningcrunch.

Rageblurredhervision.SheflungLisa'stouchfromherfaceandbackhandedheracrossthejaw.

"Leavehimalone,"sheshouted,hervoicedark."Heismine."

Lisa stared at Carol in shock. Caleb deposited his children on the sofa and came at Carol, his eyes
glitteringwithmindlessfury.

Airwhooshed,andSethbecameastringofincandescentfire,encirclingCarolinawallofflame.

Calebkeptcoming,thegood-naturedmansuddenlyasnarlingwarrior.Lisagrabbedhim.

"No."

"Shehurtyou."

"Don'ttouchher,"Lisasaidrapidly."She'saDragonMaster.Shecanhurtyoufarworsethatyoucanher,
andshecanbindyou.Letherbe."

Seth's opaque flame blurred Caleb and Lisa, but Carol smelled their fear. A very small part of her
rejoicedatit.

Therestofherwasshocked."Lisa,I'msosorry.I'dneverhurtyou,orCaleb."

"Maybenotonpurpose,"Lisasaid."Ican'tremovethemark.Ican'treachthepartofyouthat'sholding
Sethwithouthurtingyouandpossiblykillinghim.Oryou.Idon'tknowwhy."

Seth'sflameflaredandthenberesolvedintohishumanform.HestoodrightinfrontofCarol,whichgave
heraniceviewofhisnakedbuttocksandtheflametattooacrosshiships.

"Youwillnottouchher,"hesaidfiercely.

"IguessIwon't.Areyouallright,Carol?"

Carol wiped her eyes, surprised no blood came away on her fingers. The pounding in her skull had
recededtoafaintheadache,andshebadlyneededaglassofwater.

"Ithinkso."

"What happened, exactly?" Caleb demanded. He moved back to the sofa and picked up his daughter.

Severinlookedupfromthecouchwithwideblueeyes,fingersinhismouth.

"Youcan'tbestrongerthanLisa.NooneisstrongerthanLisa."

"Apparently,DragonMastersare,"Lisasaid,rubbingherfacewhereCarolhadhither.

Carol's body throbbed in a cross between pain and anger, but a distracted part of her couldn't pull her
attentionfromSeth.NeitherCalebnorLisaseemedsurprisedbyorevenseemedtonoticehisnudity,but
Carol'sgazewasrivetedtoSeth,andsomethinginherached.

Heisyours,avoicewhispered.Thepowerofafiredragon,todowithasyouplease.

Shehadanothervision,thisoneofSethoverherinthedark,hisfacetwistedinpassion.

Herpassionansweredback.

As though he sensed her thoughts Seth turned to her. His front was as nice as his back, hard pectorals
dustedwithred-goldhair,hisskintannedevenlyasthoughhespentalldayinthesun.

Whichofcoursehedidn't.Hewasadragon;he'dneverbeenhumanbeforelastnight.Shesawthewanting
in his eyes as he gazed at her and felt the answering wanting in herself. His music wound around her
again,itstouchasdelicateasalover's.

BehindSeth,Calebstillsoundedworried."WhatisaDragonMasterexactly?Howcanonehavepower
overthesilverdragon?"

"Idon'tknow."Lisasaid."ThesilverdragonhasneverencounteredaDragonMaster.MingUesaidshe
thoughtthepotentialmighthaveskippedCarol,sothesilverdragondidn'tpaymuchattention.ThatandI
wasalwaysbusywithotherproblems."shefinishedwithemphasis.

Carol heard her friends in the background but dimly. Ignoring them, Seth touched Carol's cheek, his
fingersfindingthehurtleftbyLisa'sfingers.

"You'rebruised."

"I'llbeallright."

Sethcontinuedtostrokeherface,andshehadtoforceherselfnottomeltintohim.Sherarelyletherself
reacttomen,andtruthfully,she'dnotfoundoneworthmuchreaction.ButherbodyswayedtoSeth'sashe
benthisheadandbrushedhislipsoverhers.

Sheagainfeltasearingbite,asthoughatouchofhisfirerippledthroughherbody.Musictingledinher
head,andtheirthought-threadssmoothedandbecametightoncemore.

"IwanttoshowyouwhatIam,"Sethsaid."Willyouletme?"

Suddenly,Carolwantedtoknowverymuch.Shewantedtoknoweverythingabouthim.

Shetouchedhisface."Yes.Please."

Seth looked at Lisa. "You have a way here. I feel it." He pointed to the apartment's second bedroom,
whichCarolknewheldthecribsforSeverinandLiNa.

Lisa'sbrowswentup."Areyousure?"

"Iwillprotecther,"Sethsaid."Iamcompelledto,butIwouldanyway."

"Thismightnotbewise."

Sethballedhishands,whichdidwonderfulthingstohisbiceps.Carolcouldn'tresistrunningherfingers
upanddownhisarms,tracingeverycordedmuscle.

CarolfeltLisa'sgazeonher,andsheclaspedSeth'shandprotectively."Ihavenoideawhatyoutwoare
talkingabout,butifSethwantstogointhere—Lisa,pleaselethim."

Lisasighed."Allright.Butwhileyou'rethere,Carol,don'tstrayonefootfromhisside.It'sadangerous
placealready,anditmightbedoublydangerousforyou."Shebitherlip.

"MaybeIshouldgowithyou."

"No,"SethandCalebsaidatthesametime.

Lisa glanced at Caleb, who scowled as he cradled Li Na. The baby watched with intelligent eyes as
thoughshefollowedeverynuanceoftheconversation.

"I'llstay,"Lisaconceded."Butifyouneedme,callme.Promise?"

Sethdidn'tanswer,hisgazeintentonthedoor.Carolcouldn'timaginewhatdangerlurkedinthebabies'
bedroomasidefromstraytoys,butshenoddedatLisa.

Lisawalkedtothebedroomdoorandopenedit.Calebstoodlikeasentinelbythesofa,LiNasecurelyin
hisarms,Severinpeekingaroundhislegs.

CarolcaughtaglimpseofthebedroomLisahadredecoratedforthechildreninbrighthuesofblue,red,
andyellow,thetwocribsperpendiculartoeachotheragainsttwowalls.

Lisaraisedherhandanddrewherfingerdowntheopendoorway.Silvermagictingledandjangled,and
thehairsonthebackofCarol'sneckstoodup.

Theairrentlikefabric.UnderLisa'sfinger,theblackteargrew,revealingdarknessbeyondandawindso
coldittookCarol'sbreathaway.Herhairdancedinthesuddenbreeze,andthewindchimesintheliving
roomspunandclanged.

Seth grasped Carol's hand and strode to the door, his eyes widening into voids as black as the nothing
beyondthetear.Hisvoiceswaminherhead.Don'tletgoofme.

She was about to ask why when she found herself falling into blackness at sudden sharp speed. Her
insidestwisted,andsheopenedhermouthtoscream.

Somethingsolidformedaroundherandunderher,andthenshefeltherselfbeingliftedstraightintoacold,
starrysky.Shesawscalesandwingsandaflashofbrightred-orange,asthefiredragonarrowedhimself
acrossarockyplain.

"Seth?"shegasped.

"Don'tletgo."

Goodadvice.Carolclosedherhandsaroundthehugetaloninfrontofherandheldontight.

Flyingwasfreedom.Sethspreadhiswidewingsandlettheupdraftcatchhim,revelinginthefeelofthe
thermals.

Hesmelledthedryairofhishome,andinhaled,lettingthegloryofitfillhislungs.

Mountainsroseabovemountains,theskystretchedtoeternity,andtherewasn'tanothersoulinsight.

HebarelyfeltCarol'sgriponhim,buttheflameofherpresencewasunmistakable.Shestillboundhim
withhisname,butherethatdidn'tseemtomatterasmuch.Hewantedtofly,andhecouldprotectheronly
ifsheflewwithhim.

Herrapidheartbeatcametohimthroughthethoughtthreadsandherfear.Heswoopedlowoveragreen
forestandupagainstvastcliffs,wantingtoshowherthebeautyofthisplace.

Shebleatedanexpletive.

Areyouwell,Carol?

Dragonsdidn'temithuman-speakfromtheirmouths,buthecouldprojecthisthoughtstoherthroughtheir
bond.

"No,"sheshouted."I'mterrified.Whereareyoutakingme?"

Home.

"Where'sthat?Isitfar?"

"Iwillshowyou."

Seth slid through Dragonspace, finding folds in the atmosphere that took him quickly across the vast
world.Hisheartthrobbedwithjoywhenhesawtheemptyspacesofhisownterritory,therock-strewn
plains,theredcliffssoaringthousandsoffeetaboveit.

Therewaswaterhere,hiddendeepunderground,bubblingtothesurfaceinspringsonlyheknewof.His
cavewastuckedhighinthecliff'ssurface,theopeningalmostinvisiblefromtheground.Hefelthislair
calltohim,andthesingingofthestonesinside.

SethlandedintheshadowofthecliffandgentlysetCarolontheground.

Shebrushedoffherskirtandlookedaround,stayingnearhisbody."Thisiswhereyoulive?Nowonder
you'reuncomfortableinSanFrancisco."

It'scoldthere.

"Notalways.Inthesummer,thedayscanbewarmandsoft,downrighthotsometimes."

Shescannedtherollingstillnessofthedesert."It'snothinglikehere,though."

No.

CarolleanedherhandsonSeth'snose."Idon'tlikeitanymorethanyoudo.I'lldoeverythingIcantofix
this."

Ithinkyoucan'twhiletheotherDragonMasterexists.

The power in you didn't call me to save me from bondage to him. You wanted the power of the fire
dragon.

"Forwhat?"

TokilltheotherDragonMaster,perhaps.Idon'tknow.

She absently stroked his nose. "I've always been so sure of myself, so in control, and now something
strangeisinsideme,doingwhatitwants.It'sterrifying."

Sethwovehismusicaroundher.Youdonotneedtobeafraid.

"Whynot?Mylifeisfallingapart,andI'mstandinginaworldthatcan'texist,talkingtoadragon.IfZhen
isright,thenthisOrderthattheotherDragonMasterisinvolvedinkilledmymotherandwon'tbehappy
thatIsurvived."

Iwillnotletanythinghurtyou.Youhaveboundme,andthatmeansIprotectyou.

"Againstyourwill."

Seth drew back so he could look down at her. She was so small to him—he could crush her without
thinkingaboutit,butheknewheneverwould.Iwouldwanttoprotectyouwhetheryoucompelledmeto
ornot.

"Idon'twantyoutohavetoprotectme.Lifewassoeasyuntilyesterday.AllIhadtodowaspreparefor
aninvestors'meeting."

Ifyouhadgonetothatmeeting,youwouldhavehadtobattleforyourlife.Thedemonswerereadyto
takeyou.

"IfyouandZhenarerightaboutthat,whydidn'ttheybreakdownmyofficedoortogettome?Theyjust
left."

Perhapstheyweresenttoseehowstrongyouwere.Thedemonscouldtakeyouiftheycould,butifyou
provedstrongeranddefeatedthem,well,theyareonlydemons.

Dispensable.

"Youthinkthey'lltryagain,then."

Theywilltryuntiltheygetwhattheywant.I'vehaddealingswiththisOrderbefore.Theoldmansaid
hewouldtrainyoutouseyourmagepowers.Ithinkyoumustbelievehim.

"Thisisallsowrong.IcanbarelytakeinwhatZhentoldmeaboutmymother.Ididn'tjustloseher—she
wastakenawayfromme."

Tearswethereyes.Sethnuzzledher,andsheleanedagainsthimasthoughlikinghiswarmth.

Sethhadneverwantedtobetouchedbefore.Onlymatestouched.He'dnotbegunthehuntforhismate,but
nowhisdragonselfwasreactingasthoughhe'dalreadyfoundher.

ButCarolwashumanandhadenslavedhim,andSethcouldn'ttrusthisinstincts.

Carolranherhandsoverhisshoulder."Ithoughtdragonswouldbecoldandscaly,butyou'resowarm.
You'reabeautifuldragon."

AmI?

Carol stroked him slowly. "You're not really red. You're iridescent. I can't decide if you're yellow or
orangeorredorblack."

Allthose.Henudgedheragain,realizingtherewassomecompensationwhenhewasstuckinthehuman
world—hecouldtouchCarolasmuchashewished.

Sheasked,"Soyouwereheremindingyourownbusiness,whensuddenlyyouwereyankedawaytothe
alleybehindMingUe's?"

Hetwinedhisfrustrationthroughtheirthoughtthreads.Iwasangry.Soangry.

"Nowonderyouaccostedmeinthealley."

Seth closed his eyes, narrowing his focus to her scent and the warmth of her hand. Your world is too
crowdedforme,especiallynow.Iamhemmedinonallsidesandfeelpowerless.

"Whatdoyoumean,especiallynow?"

Iwastherebefore,alongtimeago.Idon'tknowhowlong,perhapsafewthousandyearsofyourtime.
ADragonMastersummonedmeandseveralotherdragons.Wehadtodohisbidding,andmenofthe
OrderoftheBlockLotuswerethere,too.TheOrderkilledhim.

Hefeltherblanch."Andthat'showyouwerefreed?"

Yes.

"SoyoucouldjustlettheOrderkillme,too."

Seth'sdragonbrainprocessedthis,wonderingwhyhehadn'tsimplystoodbackandletherbetaken.But
he'drushedintoherbuildingwhenhe'dseenthedemons,hisfirstinstincttoprotecther.

Thatcouldbepartofthebinding—he'dtriedtoprotectthefirstDragonMasterwho'dcalledhim,too.But
hehadn'tbeenhumanthen,hadn'tgrievedforhim.

I'llnotletthemhurtyou,hepromised.

"WhyistheOrdersodownonDragonMastersanyway?"sheasked."WhatdidaDragonMasterdoto
them?"

Nothing. They want power and will get rid of anyone who stands in their way. The Dragon Master
killedtheirgod,andtheypunishedhim.

"Killedtheirgod?Howdoyoukillagod?"

Hewasademon-god.Idon'tknowhowtheDragonMasterdidit,orifhebanisheditinsteadofkilling
it.TheDragonMasterusedmypowerandthatoftheotherdragonstohelphim,butIrememberlittle
ofit.

Everything had been a blur of fire and pain. When he'd awoken from darkness, Seth had been free and
backinDragonspace.Heneverlearnedwhathadhappenedtotheotherdragons.

"If that was a few thousand years ago, why is the Order still around, and why are they killing Dragon
Mastersnow?"

I don't know, Seth said unhappily. Something was very wrong, and it annoyed him that he didn't
understandwhat.

Somethingdisturbedtheenergyattheboundariesofhisterritory.Sethraisedhishead,testingthewind.
HescannedwithhisdragonthoughtswhileCarolwatched,worried,untilhebrushedagainstacoldand
ancientmind.

"Whatisit?"Carolasked.

Blackdragon.SethslidthewardsthroughCarol'sheadthensnatchedherupandlaunchedhimselfintothe
clear,dryair.

MalcolmwaitedonewingspanoutsideSeth'sterritory,stoppingjustshortofviolation.Theblackdragon
washugeandancient,threethousandyearsoldatleast.HiswingspanwastwicethatofSeth's,butSeth
knewhecouldout-flyhim.Afiredragondidn'tneedwingspantobefast.

Itrackedthedemonstotheirsource,Malcolmsaidwithoutgreetingthem.AsIthought,theyareincubi,
but not quite. I'd guess from what they did and how they spoke that they were bred from incubi and
demonsfromdeeperhells,oneswithintelligence.

Smartincubi,Sethfinished.Thatwasn'tgood.Wherearetheynow?

Awarehousesouthofthecity.

Didyoufollowthemin?

Malcolmsnorted.Bymyselfinhumanformwithnobackup?IwenttoLisa'storeport.ShesuggestedI
findyouandbringyouback,andweinvestigatetogether.Wedragons,Imean.

We'llpickupAxelandmySabaontheway.

EverytimeMalcolmsaidmySaba his voice went soft, and gentle purple threads shot through his aura.
HisSaba,hismate.

Carolbrokein."Itakeityouaren'tincludingmeinthisexpedition?"

You'dbearisk,Malcolmsaid.Weknownothingaboutyourpowerandwouldhavetospendtoomuch
timeprotectingyou.

"I'dbeinsultedifIdidn'tpartlyagree,"Carolsaid.

"WhereamIsupposedtotwiddlemythumbswhileyou'reoutfindingthesesmartdemons?"

AtLisa's,Malcolmanswered.Herhousehasthestrongestprotectivemagicinthecity.

Anywhere,forthatmatter.

"Fine."Itwasn'tfine,Sethcouldtell."Butdon'tyoudarefinishandgooutforpizzawithouttellingme.I
don'twantittobemidnightbeforesomeonelooksaroundandsays,

'Oh,didanybodycallCarol?'"

We'dmorelikelygooutfordimsum,Malcolmsaid,andSethrealizedinsurprisethathewasjoking.A
blackdragonwhoknewhowtojoke—wouldwondersnevercease?

MalcolmledthewaybackthroughDragonspace,andSethslowedhisownslipstreamingsohewouldn't
leaveMalcolminthedust.HeheldCarolsecurelyagainsthim,feelingthebondbetweenthemstrengthen
witheverymile.

Theyapproachedtherockyledge,thestrangepullofthehumanworldcompellingSethtowardthedoor
setintothecliff.Malcolmwentthroughfirst.Abrightlightsurroundedhimandchangedhisdragonshape
tohumanmale,hisdragonessenceshrinkingandwarpingintoablacktattoothatfoldedaroundhisbicep.

Sethfelthisownbodycompressing,asensationhealreadyhated.Thefirsttimeithadhappenedthepain
hadbeenhorrific,andhe'dfoughtlikeamadthing.Thistimehisfleshadaptedmorequickly,hisdragon
selfslidingintothehumanpatternitnowknew.Hisdragonessencesearedintothetattooacrosshislower
back,thenthepainwasgone.

HesteppedthroughthedoorwithCarolinhisarmsandfoundhimselfinastrangedarkplacethatlooked

nothinglikeLisa'sapartment.

ChapterSix

Carolslidtoherfeet."Wherearewe?Whathappened?"

Behind Seth, the way to Dragonspace snicked shut. They stood alone in a huge room that was bone-
chilling cold. Rafters extended toward a high roof that was lost in darkness, and a faint reddish glow
camefromtheright.Otherthanthat,theplacewasempty.

"Malcolm?"Carolwhispered.

Sethmovedclosetoher.Theweightoftheblackdragon'sthoughtshadvanishedalongwiththeheatof
Dragonspace."He'snothere."

"Iknowthisplace."

Sethknewwithicycertaintythathedid,too.Herecognizedtheredglow,thecold,thefear.

"Doyou?"

"Idon'tmeanI'veeverbeenherebefore.WhenyouwerecalledawayfrommeinUnionSquare,Isaw
this.Redandblack,withsomethinghorribleinthemiddleofit.Likeamanbehindanopaquebubble,but
itwasn'taman,atleastIdon'tthinkso."

"Isawit,too."

Sethstartedforwardcautiously,keepingCarol'shandinhis.Thefloorwasfreezingtohisbarefeet,and
hisbreathfoggedintheair.

"Isthisawarehouse?"heasked."TheplaceMalcolmspokeof?"

"Thiswouldbeone.Anemptyone.Theredlightisfromanemergencyexitsignoverthere."

Shepointed.Sethnotedtheglowfromthewordsandtheredbulbthatspilleddownintothedarkness.A
veryordinary,mechanical,humanthing,butitdidn'tseemquiteright.

"Weshouldleave,"hesaid.

"Icouldn'tagreemore.ThoughhowI'mgoingtofindataxiinthewarehousedistrictwithanakedman,I
don'tknow."Shesighed."Maybesomeoneleftbehindsomeworkclothesorsomething."

Shereleasedhishandandbeganwalkingintothedeepershadow.

Asthoughshe'dsprungatrap,Sethfeltthesuddenweightofevilswirlingoutofthedark.

"Carol,no."

Sheturnedbackjustastheshadowslitupwithdancingredlight.Fiveincubi,includingthetwothathad
goneintoCarol'soffice,appearedoutofnowhere,guardingaglasslikecolumninwhichamanfloated.

Sethcouldn'tseemuchoftheman,whorippledandshimmeredasthoughhewereunderdeep,oilywater.
Buthefelthim.Thebeing'saurawasthickandblack,threadscrawlingalongtheundersideoftheglass
andtricklingouttoencircleeachoftheincubi.

"That'swhatIsaw,"Carolwhispered.

Awaveofdarknesscamefromtheglass,pushingpasttheincubistraightforCarol.AtthesametimeSeth
heardthemusicofhistruenameturntoadisharmonicsnarl.

CarolpulledbackatSeth'sname,andhesuddenlyfelthimselfbeingrippedintwo.

"Carol,"herasped.

Caroltriedtountangleherselffromhisname,fightingthethreads,butsheonlysucceededinrippinghim
more.

Seth's tattoo seared, sparking like the fire it represented. Drawing the last of his strength Seth grabbed
Carolandwrappedhisarmsaroundher."Holdon."

"Whatareyou—?"

Carol'sstartledwordscutoffasSethbecameflame,hishumanbodymeetingthefirethatliftedfromhis
back.HesurroundedandboundCarolwithitandshotoffwithherhighintothewarehouse,seekingthe
openwindowatthetop.

Sethsailedhardandfastacrosstheskythathadbecomeinexplicablydarkduringtheirabsence,angling
acrosstheglitteringcitytotheplaceCarollived.

Thestreetwasdeserted,thehousedarkasheshotinthroughtheopenfrontdoorofthehouseonRussian
Hill.Heflewupthetwistingstairwelltothetop,thenheunwoundfromCarolandflowedintohishuman
selfagain.

Carolleanedagainstthedoorframe,breathinghard."Thatwas—different.Howdidthatwork?"

Sethdidn'tcarehowitworked,heonlycaredthatithadworked.Hebracedhishandonthewallnextto
herandleaneddowntokissher.

Carolwentrigid,thenherlipssoftenedtohis,andshewoundherhandsaroundhisneck.

Heflattenedhimselfagainsther,feelingeveryinchofherbodywithhis.

Somethingwhite-hotjumpedfromhismouthtohers.Itflashedbackthroughhisbody,andCaroljerked
away.

"Whatwasthat?"sheasked,eyeswide."Thathappenedbefore."

"I'veneverbeenhumanbefore.I'mlearningthis,too."

She slid out from under him, and his body was suddenly cold without her against him. "We need to get

insidebeforeoneofmyneighborscomesoutandseesmekissinganakedman."

Shepattedherjacketindismay."ExceptmykeysareatLisa's.Ileftmycoatandpursethere."

Sethsoftlytouchedthelocks.Hesentatinytrickleofdragonfirethroughthem,andtheyclickedopen.

Carolscuttledinsideandpulledhiminafterher."Nicetrick.Canalldragonsdothat?"

"Idon'tknow.Ihaven'taskedthem."

Sheshutthedooranddidupthelocks,thentiredlyflickedaswitchthatlituptheroom.

"SowhyisitnightnowwhenweonlyleftLisa'satteninthemorning?"sheasked."Weweren'tinyour
placethatlong—werewe?"

Seth closed the curtains over the window across the room. "Time moves differently in Dragonspace. It
wasabrightafternoonwhenIwasdraggedoutofit,andIlandedinthealleyinthemiddleofthenight."

Carolfoldedherarms,whichpushedherbreastsintoacurvedshelf."Soitcouldbeadifferentday?"She
lookedatbluenumbersonamachineoppositehersofa."No,sameday.

WeneedtotellLisawhathappenedtous,whywedidn'tcomethroughwithMalcolm."

AtthemomentSethdidn'tcareaboutMalcolm,orthesilverdragon,orwhatthey'dseen.

CarolwasbeautifulwatchinghimwithhereyesthecolorofthecoffeeMalcolmhaddrunkthatmorning.
Her skin was creamy with a tinge of olive, a fine contrast to the black hair that swept back from her
forehead.

Hewenttoherandtouchedhisfingertipstoherlips,whichparted,hereyesdarkening.Sethbrushedher
skinbaredbythetopbuttonsofherblouseandfounditincrediblysmooth.Helethishandslidedownand
aroundtoherbackside,likinghowthefullcurvefitintohispalm.

"ReallyshouldcallLisa,"sherasped.

Sethranhishanduphertorsoandalongherchin,releasingherwithreluctance."Callher,then."

Carolmadeforthephoneinthekitchen,rubbingherarmsasshewalked.Asshepunchednumbers,Seth
couldn'tstophimselfcomingupbehindherandslidinghishandstoherhips.

HeheardLisa'svoicethroughthedevice."Carol,areyouallright?"

Carolbeganspeakingrapidly,explainingtoLisawhathadhappened.

"Malcolmtoldusaboutthewarehouse,"Lisasaid."Youstayputwhilehe,Caleb,andIcheckitout."She
hesitated."Idon'tlikethatthisbeing,whoeverheis,couldcallyouthroughadoorofhisown,canceling
outmine.Nooneshouldbeabletodothat."

Caroldidn'tanswer,hereyesgoingremoteasthoughshe'drealizedsomething.Sethkissedhercheek,but

Caroldidn'tpayanyattention.

"Carol,areyoustillthere?"Lisaasked.

Caroljumped."Yes,sorry.Becareful,Lisa.Thoseincubiorwhatevertheyarelookeddangerous."

Lisa'slaughsoundedlikesilverchimes."Theyshouldbecarefulofme.And Malcolm and Caleb. Trust
me, Carol, we've done this before. Don't go anywhere, and tell Seth to stay with you. I don't want you
unprotected."

SethwasbusybitingCarol'searlobe."Idon'tthinkhewantstogoanywhere."

"Ididn'tthinkhewould."Lisasoundedamused."I'llcallyoulaterandtellyouaboutit.

Stayput."

"Finebyme,"Carolsaid,andclickedthephoneoff.

Shewentstillagain,staringoffintospaceassheheldthephoneabsentlyinherfingers.

Sethnippedtheearlobealittleharder,andCarolstartedandlookedaround.

Sethstrokedhercheek."Somethingtroublesyou."

Carol'sdarkeyesheldfearandconfusion."Lisasaidshedidn'tlikethatwhoeverthatwascouldpullusto
thewarehouseandoverrideherdoorlikethat."

"Iheardher.Idon'tlikeiteither."

"Except…"Shegnawedherlip,thenlookedupathim,thefearinhereyesdeepening."Idon'tthinkhe
overrodethedoor,Seth,Idid."

Seth'sdarkgazewasenigmaticashestudiedher.Carol'sbodystillflushedfromhishandsonherskinand
hismouthonherearlobe.She'dneverhadaloverwanthersothoroughly,amanwhowantedtotouch,
lick,andnipeverypartofher.

The fact that he wanted her was almost as unnerving as discovering she could bind dragons and open
doorsfromanalienworldtoherown.

Andyet,itfeltnaturalinanoddsortofway,asthoughshe'dalwaysknownhowtodothesethings.She
feltlikesomeonepickingupamusicalinstrumentforthefirsttimeanddiscoveringshewasavirtuoso.
Thetalenthadtobenurturedanddeveloped,butithadalwaysbeenthere,bidingitstime.

Carolthoughtoftheevilshe'dsensedinsidetheripplingcolumn,theawfulpowerthathadsnakedoutto
strikethem.Sethhadcarriedthemswiftlytosafety,butLisaandherfriendswerewalkingrightintoit.

"Ican'tletthemfacethatalone,"shesaid.

Sethletgoofherandstraightenedtohisfullheight,hisstrong,tallbodylikeareassuringwall."Ifsheis

trulyasilverdragon,sheisthemostpowerfuldragonintheuniverse.Sothelegendsgo."

"Butthisevilbeingthat'sbeensummoningyouisaDragonMaster,isn'the?Isn'titlogicalthatalldragons
are in danger of him? If he can figure out your true name, can he do that to Caleb and Malcolm, too?
MaybeLisaaswell?"

"Ifheharnessesthewarriorstrengthofagoldendragon,ortheintellectualpowerofablack,hewillbe
strongindeed."

"Plushecouldhurtthem."

Sethnodded,hisblackeyesintense."Thepowerofthetruenameispainful.Theworstpainthereis."

"Doyouthinkyoucanfindthatwarehouseagain?"

"Yes."

Hecametoher,hisnakedbodysolidwithmuscle,readytowrapherinhisarmsandtakeoffagain.She
putupherhandstostavehimoff."Ithinkweshoulddrivethistime."

Sethcuppedherfaceinhishands,andoncemorehislipsbrushedfireintoher.Hesmiledslightly."Ifyou
insist."

They drove south of the city in Carol's dark BMW. Seth, dressed now in more of the clothes Axel had
broughtlastnight,satuncomfortablyinthesoftleatherseatbesideher.

Thecarwasnothingshortofluxurious.Carolhadboughtitforherselfasarewardwhenshemadeher
firstmillion.ShehadmuchofthatmillionstillsaltedawayingrowingretirementfundsforMingUeand
Shaimingaswellasacushionfortherestaurants.

Seth, she realized, didn't give a damn about money or cushy cars. She understood better his impatience
and anger at being tied down in this world now that she'd seen the wild beauty he'd left behind in
Dragonspace.Hecouldflyacrossthatworldintheblinkofaneye—nodoubthethoughthermethodof
transportationslowanddull.

Maybewhenshefiguredoutwhatwasgoingonandthingsgotbacktonormal,shewouldhaveSethtake
her flying in Dragonspace again. Carol had been born and bred in San Francisco's Chinatown, but
somethingaboutthewildbeautyofSeth'shomecalledtoher.

Shelongedtosoaragainoverbroadmountainsandrockydeserts,breathinginthefresh,sharpwindof
emptiness.

Sethcouldn'ttellherexactlyhowtogettothewarehouse,becausehe'dflownawayfast.Hecouldonly
pointandsay,"Thatway,"andCarolhadtonavigatestreetstoorientthemintheappropriatedirection.

Afteralongtimeofdrivingandbacktracking,Sethfinallyindicatedahugebuildingsittinginthemiddle
of an unused portion of docks. Carol pulled up alongside a smaller car that belonged to Saba, but her
friendswerenowhereinsight.

Sethwouldn'tletheroutofthecaruntilhe'dcomearoundandopenedherdoorforher.

Carol shivered as she emerged and studied the deserted parking lot. Rusted cranes towered beyond the
warehouse,usedintheirdaytoloadcontainersontowaitingcargoships.Acontainer,likelyempty,still
hungfromchainsononeofthem,driftinginthebreezelikeahangedman.

The huge metal doors to the truck bays were closed, a glass door that led to what had been an office
broken long ago. Black graffiti covered the outside walls, blotting out most of the original color of the
brick.

Seth found another door tucked in a narrow passage between buildings. The metal door was ajar, the
padlockrustedthrough.

Beforetheycouldopenit.Malcolmyankeditbackfromtheinsideandcamestridingout.

Hissilvereyesgleamedeerilyinthedarkness,thebreezestirringhislonghair.

"They'regone,"hesaid.

Carolcranedherheadtolookpasthimbutsawnothingintheinkydarkness.Noshimmeringcolumn,no
incubi,noredlight.Carolcouldn'tevenseetheexitsign,which,cometothinkofit,couldn'thavebeenlit,
becausenoelectricityflowedinthisbuilding.Itwasdark,silent,anddeathlycold.

"Whathappened?"Carolaskedhim.

"Nothinghappened.Wearrived,buttheDragonMasterhadgone."

"Thatwashimthen,insidethatcolumnthing?"

Malcolmnodded."Theymusthavemovedhim."

"Who?Theincubi?OrtheOrderoftheBlackLotus?"

MalcolmlookedfromSethtoCarol."WhatdoyouknowoftheOrderoftheBlackLotus?"

Carolshrugged."Theydon'tlikeDragonMasters."

"It'salsoafraternalorderofsomeofthemostprominentmeninthecity,"Malcolmsaidinagrimvoice.

Carollookedathiminsurprise."I'dneverheardofthembeforeZhentoldmeaboutthem."

"It'sadeep,darksecret.MembershipintheOrderisinherited,andtheonlywaytobecomeamemberis
throughthedeathofthepreviousmaleheir."

Shedigestedthiswithsomedisquiet."Ifit'ssuchasecret,howdoyouknow?"

"He'sablackdragon,"Sethsaid."Theypridethemselvesonbeingknow-it-alls."

Malcolmlookedannoyed.SethplacedhishandsonCarol'sshoulders,hismusicinherheadchangingto

warinessandcaution.

"Wherearetheothers?"heaskedMalcolm.

"Isentthemaway.Sabadidn'twanttoleaveAdaratoolong,evenwithMingUebabysittingher.Ielected
tostayandwaitforyou."

Carolblinked."Butyoudidn'tknowwewerecoming."

"Icalculatedtheoddsofyounotbeingabletostayhomeataboutninety-seven-point-nine-to-one.Youare
awomanwholikestotakechargeofsituations,evensituationsyoudon'tunderstand."

"Forgivemeforworryingaboutmyfriends.IrealizedthatdragonshuntingdownaDragonMasterwasn't
agoodidea."

"And that is true." Malcolm's intense gaze raked over her, then Seth. "There are three ways to bind a
dragon.Awitchmaylearnhistruenamebytrickery,whichiswhathappenedtoCalebandmyself.Ora
dragon'struenamecanbereadfromtheBookofAllDragons,if the person knows how to get past the
securitiesintheDragonArchive.ThethirdwayisthroughaDragonMaster."

Hegaveherapointedlook.Ashismeaningsunkin,Carol'smouthgrewdry,butsomethingdeepinside
hergaveasatisfiedchuckle.Thegreatdragonsfearyou.

"I'dneverhurtyou,"shesaidhurriedly."You'rethesameasfamily."

Malcolmansweredwithoutchanginginflection."DragonMasterscancallthetruenamesofanydragon,
andaverystrongmastercanenslaveseveraldragonsatonce.Wedon'tknowwhatyourpowersareatthis
point,butwedoknowyoucan'tcontrolthem.Thatmeansnoneofusaresafefromyou."

SomethinginsideCarolflaredinsuddenanger.Shereachedoutwithgray-blackthoughtthreadswithout
realizingitandtouchedthesilverthreadsofMalcolm'saura.

WithouteffortshefollowedthethreadsdowntotheessenceofMalcolm'sbeing,where,atthebottomof
thetangle,histruenamelay.Allshehadtodowasreachoutandtakeit.

Shesanganote,andMalcolmlookedatherinhorror.

No!

Theairshimmeredwithblackdragonenergy,Malcolmreadytochangeintohisdragonform.Thepower
withinCarolmovedtothenextnote,andthenext.

Sheclosedhereyes,clenchingherteeth."Stop,"sheshouted."Malcolm,ifyoubecomeadragonI'llsnare
you.Ican'tstopmyself.Getoutofhere."

Malcolmhesitatedafractionofasecond,thentheenergydiminished."TalktoMingUe,"

hesaid.

"Justgo."

Carol heard Malcolm's boots on the echoing floor as he walked with measured stride out of the
warehouse.Afteramoment,thecaroutsidestarted,thesoundloudinthesilence.Carolopenedhereyes.

Sethwaswatchingher,hisgazeintense.

"He's right, isn't he?" Carol asked, a coldness inside her. "I wanted to trap him, something wanted to
proveIcould."

"DragonMastersarepowerful.Theyareveryrare,butalldragonsfearthem."

"Andnowdragonsfearme.Includingyou."

Sethonlywatchedher,histhoughtthreadsstilljangling.

Carolhadneverbeenuncertainbefore.Inherlifeshe'dseenclearpathsandmadeconsciousdecisionsto
follow them. Never had the way been murky or the path strewn with obstacles she didn't have the
confidencetonavigatearound.

Forthefirsttimeinherlife,shelookedatanotherlivingbeingandsaid,"WhatamIgoingtodo?"

Seth didn't reply. She knew he wanted to get as far away from her as fast as he could, like Malcolm,
except he couldn't. Even now, the Dragon Master in her clasped the chains that held him and tightened
themanotch.

Seth'sbodyjerkedinresponse,andherumbledinhisthroat.

Carolletgo,butthethud-thudofhisheartreachedherthroughtheirbond.

SomethingdetachedinherwonderedwhytheotherDragonMasterhadcalledafiredragonspecifically—
notagolden,ablack,orwhateverothercolorswereoutthere.OfallthedragonsinDragonspace,andthe
threedragonsalreadyinthisworld,he'dcalledSeth.

Why?

CarollookedpleadinglyatSeth."Helpme."

He hesitated a long time. The power in her urged her to snatch him to her—he'd have to obey without
question.Carolbanishedthethoughtswitheffort.

Sethwalkedquietlytoherandtookherhand.Histouchwaswarmagainstthechillandforamomentshe
clungtohimandenjoyedit.

Theyleftthewarehousetogether,Sethsilentastheywenttothecar.HehelpedCarolin,thenclimbedinto
thepassengerseat,stillnotspeaking.

Seth laid his hand on her knee as she drove back to the street, his touch comforting. But Carol couldn't
relax and let him soothe her, because she had no idea whether he touched her because he sensed her

distressorbecausehe'dbeencompelledtothroughthebondofhistruename.

ChapterSeven

CarolwenttobedwhentheyreachedherapartmentbutSethknewshedidn'tsleep.Shehadn'tspokenon
thedrivehome,andnowshelayaloneinthebedroom,herbreathinglightandshallow,wideawake.

Sethstoodatthewindowinthelivingroom,watchingthestreetoutside.Hesawnothingbuthumansofthe
citywalkingbrisklyhomeinthedark,asmallgroupofthemlaughingandtalkingastheymadetheirway
upthehill.Vehiclesbrightwithlightssweptupanddownthestreet,becomingfewerasthenightworeon.

TheDragonMasterhe'dseenintheshimmeringcolumnpuzzledandworriedhim.Themanwho'dcalled
himlongagoshouldhavebeendeadanddustbynow,butthevoicehadbeensimilar,thoughnotthesame.
Theold Dragon Masterhad been cruel,but he'd been human,not tainted withother-worldly evil as the
beinginthecolumnhadbeen.

Seththoughtaboutwhathadhappenedallthoseyearsago.TheOrderhadwantedtheDragonMasterto
callforththeirdemon-godsotheycouldbeghimformorepower.TheDragonMasterrefused.TheOrder
putpressureontheemperor,whointurncommandedtheDragonMaster.

The Dragon Master had used Seth and four other dragons to release the demon, in a horrific scene that
Seth had never forgotten. The sticky threads from the column gave him a similar chill, stirring old
memories.

TheDragonMasterhadthenturnedontheOrderandeitherkilledorbanishedthegodonceitcameforth.
Howhe'ddoneit,Sethstillwasn'tsure.TheDragonMastermusthaveusedSeth'sfire,butitwasalla
strangeblur.

Heonlyknewthatsuddenlyhe'dfeltthebondsofhistruenameliftanddisappear.He'dgropedalongthe
threads,bewildered,buthe'dfoundthegossamerstrandsoftheDragonMastersnappedandwithered.

TheonlyexplanationforthatwasthattheDragonMasterhaddied.

Sethhadn'twaitedaroundtoaskquestions.He'dfeltthepullofDragonspace,hisfirehadcreatedadoor
inthethinwaybetweentheworlds,andhe'dgone.

He'dlatermildlywonderediftheotherdragonshadescaped,andheassumedtheyhad.Hehadn'tmuch
cared—he'd been a young dragon then and the only thing that mattered to him was to make certain his
territoryhadn'tbeentakenover.

Now Seth wondered about the fate of those dragons, whether they were happily sunning themselves in
Dragon-spaceorhaddiedatadignifiedoldageorhadremainedtrappedinthehumanworld.

Backthen,thewallsbetweentheworldshadbeenthin,andhe'dbeenabletoexistasadragonhere.Now
the fiber between the universes was thick, and this world didn't want to see him in dragon shape. He
imaginedthereasonhecouldstillturntofirewasbecauseshootingfirecouldbeexplainedaslongasno
onelookedtooclosely.

Butthissummoningandbindingwasdifferent,andnotonlybecauseofthepassingoftime.

Carol'stouch,hermusic,thelookinhereyeswascompletelydifferentfromthatofSying,themiddle-aged
Chinesemanwho'dmadeSethfeeleverymomentofhisslavery.

CarolhadlovedDragonspace.He'dfeltintheirconnectingthreadsherdartofjoywhenhe'dflownwith
heroverhishome.

He tried to tell himself it was all illusion. Carol had proved she could tighten the bond whenever she
chose.Itwasdangeroustotrusther,andyethecravedhereverymoment.

Sethhadnevertouchedanotherbeinginhislife.Evenwhenhe'dbeenherebefore,he'dallowednooneto
touchhishideandhe'dstayedasfarawayfromhumansandtheotherdragonsaspossible.Itwaswhat
dragonsdid.

Now that he'd touched Carol he didn't want to stop. He couldn't believe that human body temperature
couldbesowarm.Hisownfirecouldflaretoincandescent,butitwasnothingtothewarmthofCarol's
handonhischeek.

He liked her smell, her taste, the smoothness of her skin. He wanted to lie against her and savor the
feelingofheralonghisbody.

Hehadnowayofknowingwhethertheseneedsweretrueorpartofhisenslavement.Thedoubtmadehim
hesitatetotrusthimself.

Herpleaforhelpinthewarehousehadnearlykilledhim.He'dwantedtoscoopherupandcarryherto
Dragonspacewherehe'dcurlaroundherandprotectherforever.

Asitwas,allhecoulddowasholdherhanduntilshefeltcalmenoughtodrivehome,andthenstandhere
inherwindowlikeaguardianwhileshefinallyslidintosleepintheotherroom.

Sethsawsomethingthatwasn'tquitehumanmoveinthedarkness.Itcamestealthilybutpurposefullyup
thesidewalk,thenenteredthehousethroughthedoorbelow.

He recognized the demonlike aura and opened the door of the apartment, waiting as Axel climbed the
stairs.

"Everythingallright?"Axelwhisperedasheentered."Carolsleepingsnug?"

"Sheisnow,"Sethansweredinalowvoice.Heclosedthedoor."Ittookheralongtime."

"Poorkid.Hergrandmotherexpectshertobearup,doesn'trememberthatCarolisstillsoyoung."

"Carolisstrongerthananyoneunderstands,"Sethsaid."Evenherself."

AxelmovedtothekitchenandopenedCarol'srefrigerator."Whataboutyou?I'macreatureofthenight,
butdragonshavetosleepsometime."

"Idon'tseemtoneedtoyet."

"You'restilladapting.How'sthatgoing?"Herummagedthroughtherefrigerator."Huh.Nobeer."

SethleanedagainstthecounterasAxelturnedtoexplorethecupboards."Theblackdragonshowedme
muchofthecity."

"Well, Malcolm knows all about the human world. He was stuck here for eight hundred years. Witches
boundhimtogettheirrevenge.Poorguy."

"Nowhismateisawitch."Sethobserved."Andhelivesherebychoice."

"Oneoflife'slittleironies."Axelpeeredintotheopencupboard."Youknow,shehasnothingtodrinkbut
tea,water,andwhitewine.Howdoesshelivelikethis?"

Axelstartedtoexploreanothercupboard,butSethclosedhishandonAxel'sshoulder.

"Don't."

"Hmm?Oh."Axel'ssmileflashed,revealingpointedteeth."Ilikeyoubeingsoprotective.

Makesmyjobeasier."Heopenedtherefrigeratorandquicklyextractedabottleofwater.

"Whatisyourjob?"

"Tomakesurewedon'thavetoprotectherfromyou."

Axelgavehimapointedlookandwanderedbackintothelivingroom.Heplantedhimselfonthesofaand
crossedhisbootedfeetonthecoffeetable.Inhisleatherjacket,jeans,andmotorcycleboots,helooked
muchliketheyoungmeninaJapanesegangMalcolmhadpointedouttoSethlastnight.Theonlythingthat
setAxelapartwasthathedidn'thavethesameyoungangerandarroganceinhiseyes.

"I'dneverhurther,"Sethsaid.

HerememberedthathealreadyhadhurtCarol,hadbruisedherarmwhenhe'dclaspeditthefirstnight.
Buthe'dnotunderstoodthenhowmuchphysicallystrongerhewasthanshe.

"Yes, well, Carol's pretty special," Axel said. "She has a brain, and she doesn't understand all this
paranormalstuff.Ifhergrandmotherhadpreparedherfromchildhood,she'dhavebeenreadytostepinto
herpower,insteadofhavingitblindsideher."

Seth agreed with Axel, but he also understood Ming Ue's fear of seeing grief in Carol's eyes. "The old
womanwastryingtoshelterher."

"Iknow."Axelguzzledsomewaterandwipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand.

"SomethingIwantedtoaskyouaboutdragons.Iknowthatgoldensarewarriors,soIcanunderstandwhy
amage would wantto capture one.Black dragons have intelligencethat would putanyone in Mensa to
shame. But what do fire dragons do? You can change into flame—very interesting, but what advantage
doesthatgiveamage?"

SethknewexactlywhatafiredragoncoulddoforamageoraDragonMaster.Caroldidn'tknow,andhe
sensedthatMingUe,forallherknowledgeofdragons,didn'tknoweither.

"Wehavegreatmagicalability,"hesaid.

"Ifiguredthat.Whatkindofmagicalability?"

"NothingIcanexplain."

Axel'sdarkeyesnarrowed."Butamagewhoenslavedafiredragonwouldhaveahugeadvantage?"

"Yes."

"Andthat'sallyou'regoingtotellme?"

"That'sall."WhenCarolwasready,shewouldknow,andthenSethwouldtrulybeinherpower.Either
that,orthepowerofthefiredragonwouldkillher.

Inside the bedroom. Carol's breathing changed. He felt the shift in the threads swirling in his brain, the
shimmerofthemdimming.

"She'sdreaming,"hesaid.

"I'mstayingputthen."Axelleanedback."Incubislideinondreams."

Seth nodded. He was so wrapped up in Carol, he'd feel if any incubi tried to reach her through her
dreams,andhe'dbeready.Healmostwishedtheywouldcomesohecouldhavethejoyofkillingone.
Demonbonescrunchedsosatisfactorily.

Caroldreamedofboulders.Shedrovealongastretchofhighway,skirtingahighdarkcliff.

Shepassedayellowwatchforrockssignandglancedupatthemetalmeshthatcoveredthenakedsideof
thehill.

She'dbeendrivingthisroadforyearsandhadneverseensomuchasapebblecometumblingfromabove.
ButtonightthesliceofherBMW'sheadlightscaughtatrickleofgravelandthenseveralbouldersflew
downtowardthecar.

Carolshriekedandswerved,plungingthecarintotheditchontheothersideoftheroad.

Beyondtheditch,thehilldroppedintoacanyon,dark,silent,anddeep.

Damn. She'd just had the car serviced and the tires replaced—there went that hard-earned money. She
pulledouthercellphonetocallroadsideservice.

"Carol,therearemore."

Carolturnedherheadandfroze.Hermothersatintheseatnexttoher,herfaceyoungandsmooth,likethe
pictures Carol had of her propped on the dresser. Lian Juan had been Carol's age, twenty-eight, when
she'ddied.

"Mama?"

Carolhaddreamedofhermotherbefore,butusuallyinremote,vaguevisions.Inthedreamshermother
wasalwaysfarawayandwaving,orwaitingforCarolsomewhere,likeataBARTstationoronthedeck
ofaferry.Carolwouldruntomeether,butbythetimeshereachedthespothermotherwouldbegone.

She'd never had such a vivid dream of her mother. Lian wore a white shirt, the seat belt a black slash
acrossit.ShegaveCarolascaredlookfromheralmond-shapedeyes.

"Morearecoming,Carol.Youmustdriveaway.Hurry."

"Thecar'sstuck."

"Hurry.Please."

Tearswethermother'sface,andCarolreachedoutandtouchedthem.

Shejerkedawayinshock.Insteadofaninsubstantialdreamshefeltwarmflesh,thedampoftears,her
mother'sbreathonherfingers.

"Mama."Shesobbedtheword.Carolyankedoffherownseatbeltandflungherarmsaroundhermother.
"Mama,Imissyousomuch."

Lian held her close, and Carol heard the steady beat of the other woman's heart. "More boulders are
coming,Carol.Youhavetostopthem."

"HowcanIstopthem?"

"Youhavetogetoutofthecaranddoit."

Carolheldhermotherharder.Notevenindreamshadshebeenabletofeelthewarmthofhermother's
body,tohearthevoiceshesofaintlyrememberedfromchildhood.

"Please,Mama,staywithme."

Hermothergaspedasaboulderstruckthehoodofthecar."Carol,hurry!"

Caroldashedtearsfromhereyesandsawahugepileofbouldersatthetopofthehillpoisedtofallon
them.Moonlightgleamedontheirsurfaces,makingthemalmostglow.

Carol wondered why she dreamed this. Was she reliving the car accident? She'd never known exactly
whathappened,onlythatsheandherparentshadbeendrivingbacktoSanFranciscofromMonterey.She
couldn'trememberanyofit,andMingUehadnevertoldherthespecificsofthecrash.

Hadtheybeenonthisdarkstretchofhighwaywithbouldersrainingdownfromabove?

HadtheOrderoftheBlackLotusdecidedthiswashowhermothertheDragonMasterwouldmeether
death?

Notthistime.Carolslammedopenthecardoorandgotout,herhigh-heeledshoessinkingintomud.She
kickedofftheshoesandclimbedstocking-footedoutoftheditchontotheroad.

From inside the car, her mother watched worriedly as Carol raised her hands toward the boulders.
"Stop,"Caroltoldthem.

Asifoncue,therocksstartedtofall.Carolflattenedherpalms,andthefirstboulderbouncedawayas
thoughhittingahiddenshield.

Thenextboulderdidthesame,andthenext,eachflyingcleartoplummetintothecanyonbelow.Carolfelt
thestraininherwristsandarms,thejoltastheysmashedagainsttheshield.

Theboulderscamefaster,twoandthreeatatime.SweattrickleddownCarol'sback,andherarmsbegan
toshake.

Therockswereblackandjagged,likethehillside,crumblingandbreakingastheystruckCarol'sshield.
Debrisrainedonherface,cuttingherflesh,butshebracedherfeetapartandheldherhandsfirmly.

Triumphsurgedinsideheraseachbolderdeflectedaway.Thistimehermotherwouldn'tdie.Thistime
theywouldsurviveandgohometoMingUe's,andhergrandmotherwouldcrytoseeLiansafeandsound
again.

The boulders came faster, harder, each one larger than the last. Carol's hands were raw, her shoulders
aching.

"Stopthem,Carol,"hermothershoutedfromthecar."'Stopthem."

TearsfloweddownCarol'sfacetomixwiththeblood.Thereweretoomany,andtheycametoofast.They
pouredoverher,rollingpasttolandonthecar.

"No,"shescreamed.

Dirtrainedonherfaceandblindedher.Sheheardrockshittingthecar,thehood,thetrunk,theroof.Glass
crumpledwithatearingsound,andhermothercriedout.

Carolswungbacktothecar.Shegrabbedthedoorhandletopullhermotherout,butthedoorframewas
bentandthedoorwouldn'tbudge.

Hermotherbangedonthewindow,screaming,bloodstreamingdownherface.

"Mama,"Carolshrieked."No,don'tleavemeagain."

She pulled on the door, and Lian pounded on it from the inside. But the glass wouldn't break, and the
boulderskeptfalling.Hermotherwasbeingslowlycrushed.

Carolscreamedmindlesswords,beatingandbeatingontheglass.Shefeltadarknesswelluparoundher,
heardlaughter,andawhisper:Cometome.

Beyondthecar,notaffectedbytheboulders,stoodatallmanwithwhitehair.Hewasnaked,hishaira
ghostlywhite,withtinywhitefeathersathishairline.Leatherywingsrosefromhisshoulderbladesand
whisperedinthenightalongwithhisvoice.Followme,andIwillmakeyourdreamscometrue.

"Mama,"Carolscreamedoncemore,clawingthewindow.Inside,hermotherwentstill,herwhiteface
streakedwithblood.

"No,"Carolmoaned.Sheballedherfistsandbangedonthecarroof,herhandshurtingandbleeding.She
screamedoncemore,loudandlong,andfoundherselfbeatingherpillowsinherlamplitbedroomsafein
herapartment.

Stronghandsclosedonherarms,andsheinstinctivelyfoughtthem.

"Carol." Music slid around her. She smelled wind and the night, and she turned to find herself against
Seth'shardbody.

Sheheldontohim,breathingthescentofmusk,wind,andthefabricsoftenerfromhisTshirt.Herubbed
hishandalongherback,fingersstrongthroughhernightgown.Shefelthislipsinherhair,butshedidn't
closehereyestoenjoyit.She'dhadenoughofdarkness.

Acrosstheroom,someonesoftlybelched.

CaroljerkedfromSethtoseeAxelgrabsomethingdarkoutoftheairandraiseittohislips.

"Ah?."Hewipedhismouth,thenturnedaroundandgrinnedatCarol."Iloveagoodnightmare."

ThefuzzinessclearedfromCarol'sbrain,andsherealizedshewassittinginbedinatornnightgownwith
twomeninherbedroom.ShehoistedablankettoherchinandglaredshakilyoveritatAxel."Whatare
youdoinghere?"

"Eatingyournightmare."

"What?"

"I'maBaku.AJapanesegodwhoeatsnightmares."Axelshookhisheadinmockdisbelief.

"Didn'tyourgrandmotherteachyouanything?"

"Sorry,itnevercameup."

Axelchuckled."Myworkhereisdone.I'llleaveyoutwokidsinpeace."

Hewavedonce,politelykeepinghiseyesaverted,anddisappearedwithapop.Carolgapedinshock,but
therehadbeensomanyshockstodaythatAxelvanishingintothinairwasalesserwonder.

"Ifelttheincubuscome,"Sethwassaying,hisvoicelowinherear.

"Thewhite-hairedthingwithwings?"Caroldrewabreath,butthehorrorandgriefofthenightmarehad
dissipated.Axel'santics,whateverheclaimed,seemedtohavedrainedthedreamofitspower.

"Isawmymotherdieagain,"shewhispered.Theimmediacyoftheshockhadreceded,leavingherwith
profoundsadness."Idon'tknowifthat'swhathappenedwhenIwasalittlegirl,oriftheboulderswere
metaphorsforthingsI'vehadtoface."

"OrtheotherDragonMastertryingtowearyoudown."Sethstrokedherhair."Evenkillyou."

"Itwasonlyadream."

"Someonesenttheincubustotakeyou.Hecouldhavesentthedreamaswell."

Carol'sheartgaveathroboffear."Isthatpossible?"

"Axeldestroyedthedreamandleftwardstoguardagainstothers.TheDragonMastercan'ttryagain,not
here."

Carolglancedatthewindowandsawasilvermarkjustabovethewindowframe.Otherslingeredabove
thebedandthedoor.Burnedovertheseweremarksofredfiresurroundedbyblack.Theyweren'treally
onthewall,shesomehowunderstood,butshecouldsensethemarkspulsingwithpower.

CarolleanedagainstSeth,likinghowstronghishardbodyfelt.Hismusicinherheadwascomforting,a
chordthattoldherIamhere,don'tworry.

"Staywithme."shesaidsoftly.

Shetightenedthethreadsbetweenthemasshespoke,herbodyinstinctivelycommandinghim.Hiseyes
wentflinty,andhiscomfortingmusicfaded.

Sherelaxedthepull,deliberatelykeepingthethreadsloose."Please."

Shethoughthe'drefuse.Shethoughthe'dwalkawayinfrigidanger,hisdragonireflaring.

Shestoppedherselffromreachingforhimwhenhestoodup,butinsteadofleavingher,hepeeledoffhis
shirtanddroppedittothefloor.

Carolletherselfgetlostinlookingatthebeautyofhim.Redhairdustedhischestanddrewtoapoint
abovehisnavel.Thewaistbandofhisjeansdippedenticinglylow.revealingtheendsofthetattooonhis
hips.

Sethsatonthebedandtouchedherface,brushingawaytearswithhisbluntfingers.

Carolfeltastirofheat,butheremotionswerestilltooagitated,thedreamtoofresh,forsex.Sheknew
shecouldloseherfearsbyhavingSethmakelovetoher,butshedidn'twantthat—sextomakeherforget.

Shewantedittobespecial.ShewantedtohavenothinginhermindwhentheyhadsexbutSethandhis
hardbody.

Shestraightenedthepillows,andhedidn'toffertohelp,makingherrealizehe'dneverusedabedbefore.
"Howdoyouusuallysleep?"sheasked.

"Curledup."

Carolsuddenlyimaginedhisnakedbodytuckedintoitselfwithhisheadonhisbentarm.

Hissmoothskinwouldgleam,hisbreathrisingandfallingwithhisdeepsleep.

"Tonightwillyoucurlupwithme?"Sheaskedsoftly.

Foranswer,Sethstretchedoutonthebed.Hewasalreadybarefoot,havingshuckedhisbootsandsocks
assoonasthey'dcomehome,asthoughhedidn'tlikenotfeelingthefloorwithhisfeet.

Stillinhisjeans,hepulledheragainsthim,spooninghimselfagainstherback.

Carol pulled the cool sheets over them, feeling his hardness through his jeans and her nightgown. For
somereasonthesensationwasbothexcitingandreassuring.

"Thankyou,"shemurmured.

Heputhiswarmhandonherabdomenandpressedakisstoherhair."Sleepnow."

Hiswords,hisbody,andhiswarmthreleasedatensioninsideher,andCarolrelaxed.Hewasstillslowly
kneadingherbellywhenshefellasleep.

ChapterEight

Carolcrackedhereyesopentofindsunlightstreamingthroughtheslatsofherdesignershuttersandher
largedigitalclockreading8:00a.m.

"Crap,"shemuttered.

SheturnedoverandbumpedintothewarmweightofSeth.Helayfacedownbesideher,andthecovers
hadsliddowntobarehisback.

The nightmare and its frightening images were gone, and all she could think of was that an absolutely
gorgeousred-hairedmanlaynexttoherinherbed.

Sheroseonherelbowandbrushedherfingersoverhistautback.Shelikedhissmooth,warmskin,the
containedpowerofhismuscles.Thejeanscuppedtheroundofhisbuttocks,andtheflametattoopeeped
abovethewaistband.

He'dbeenabeautifuldragon,andhewasabeautifulman.Theuniversehaddecidedtostuffthatdragon
beautyintoanidealhumanmalebody,andCarolcouldn'tfindfaultwiththeuniverse'schoice.

Hedidn'tmoveamuscle,butCarolfeltthemusicinherheadchangeashisdarkeyesslowlyopened.

"Don'tstop,"herumbled,hisvoicesoftwithsleep."Ilikethat."

Encouraged,Carolglidedherfingertipsacrossthesmallofhisback,tracingthepatternoftheflame.

"Iwonderwhythetattoo?"sheasked,halftoherself.

"It'smydragonessence.That'swhereit'scontainedwhenI'mhuman."

"LikeMalcolm'stattooonhisarm."She'dseenitbutthoughtitsimplymaledecoration.

"There'ssomuchIdon'tknowaboutdragons."

"Idon'tknowmuchabouthumans,"hereturned.

Caroltracedtheedgesoftheflameagain,butitfeltnodifferentthanatattooonnormalskin—notthatshe
wasinthehabitoftouchingmen'stattoos.Thiswasherfirst.

Shetrailedherfingersuphisspine,enjoyingthefirmfeelofhisbackandshoulderblades.

Histousledhairwaslikeroughsilk,warmwithsleep.

He lay still and watched her. His irises were a little wider than a human's, darkness swallowing the
white.Shecoulddrowninhiseyes.Shetouchedhisface,feelingtheburnofwhiskers.

Hedidn'tmoveuntilsheliftedherhandaway,andthenheroseonhiselbows.Hisbodywaswarm,and
hischestborecreaseswherethesheethadmarkedhim.

"NowIwanttotouchyou."

His low voice rippled warmth through her, which burned hotter when he tugged at the sleeve of her
nightgown."Takethisoff."

"You'repushyforsomeonewhoclaimshe'smyslave."

"Now.Iwanttoseeyou."

The room grew brighter by the minute as Pacific sunshine streamed in through her half-open shutters.
Carolhadnevertakenoffherclothesforamaninbroaddaylight—herencountershadalwaysbeenofthe
nighttimevariety.Shewasn'tashamedofherbody,becausesheworkedtokeepherselfingoodshape,but
thatdidn'tmeanshewasanxioustothrowoffherclothesunderaman'sscrutiny.

Nowwithouthesitationsheslippedthenightgownoverherheadanddroppeditonthefloor.Shewore
nothingunderneath.

Seth'slookwaslikeacaress."Liedown,"hesaid."Onyourstomach."

Carollayfacedown,cradlingherpillowunderherchest.

Hebrushedhisfingertipsoverherbuttocks."You'resosoft,"hemurmured.

She turned her head on the pillow and watched him trace each cheek of her backside, then draw his
fingersalongherhips.Shegaspedwhenhebentdownandfollowedthesamepathwithhistongue.

Seth'sbreathwarmedherbackashelickedallthewayupherspinetothebaseofherneck.

Heletherhairflowthroughhisfingersthennuzzledit.

Hisbodyheatedhersashistonguefoundplacesshe'dneverknowncouldfeelsoerotic.Hisfingerswere
surprisinglycallused—perhapsthemagicthatshapedhimhadkepttheroughnessthatcamefromlivingon
desertrock.

Hemovedhishandsandlipsunderherhair,downherneck.Heworkedhiswaytoherbuttocksagain,
strokingandkneading.

Henibbledherskin,andsheletoutalowmoanwhenhistongueflickedacrosswherehe'dbitten."What
areyoudoing?"

"Dohumansnotusetheirteethoneachother?"hemurmuredintoherskin.

"Theydo—Iguess.Noone'severusedthemonme.Dodragons?"

"Amothernipsheryoungtodisciplinethemortoreassurethem.Andadragonmayniphismate."

"Doyouhaveamate?"

"Notyet."

Heliftedherfootandlickedthearch.Herfingerscurledintoherpillow,andshesqueezedhereyesshut.

Nomanhadevertouchedherlikethis—sothoroughly,soplayfully.Hekneltbehindherandloweredhis
headtolickthebacksofherankles,makinghergaspandsquirm.

"Doyounotlikethat?"heasked.

Shecouldbarelybreathe."OfcourseIlikeit."

Helickedhiswayuptothebacksofherknees."Ilikethewayyoutaste."

"Good,"shesaidweakly.

Whenhereachedherthighsthetickling,squirmysensationinsidehergavewaytosomethingdarker.Her
openingtightened,andshesuddenlywantedtopressherselfhardagainstthesheets.

Helickedherbuttocksagain,thenhishotbreathdancedonherspine.Ashemovedupherbackthistime,
heslidcarefullyontopofher,hischestonherback.Heliftedherhair,kissinghernecktoherear.

Sheturnedherhead,andhislipsmethers,buthekeptthekissbrief.Oneswirlofhistongue,thenhewas
movingbackdowntoherbuttocks.

"Turnover,"hesaid.

Carol was sweating, but she rolled over, torn between shyness and excitement. She spread her legs a
little,amazedatherownboldnessbutatthesametimewantinghimtoseeher.Ifshewasthefirsthuman
womanhe'deverlookedat,shewantedhimtolikewhathesaw.

Sethstudiedherwithhisheadtilted,dragonlike.Helethisdarkgazeroveoverher,occasionallyreaching
outtotouch—aflickacrosshertightnipple,thebacksofhisfingersdownherarm,hispalmacrossher
belly.

He drew a light finger through the curls between her legs, his gaze moving there. "You're very hot," he
said."Andwet."

"That'sbecauseyou'retouchingme.Drivingmeinsane."

"Why?"Hesoundedgenuinelycurious,butshenoticedhedidn'tstopswirlinghisfingertip.

"You'remakingmewantyou."

"Tomatewithme?"

"Yes,tomatewithyou,ifthat'swhatyouwanttocallit."

Heliftedhisfingeraway,butonlytoleandownandlickbetweenherbreasts."Youtastesalty."

"That'snormal."

"Ilikeit."Heledwithhistonguetohernippleandswirledaroundit."Youlikethis."

"Yes."

Hecircledthenippleagain,thententativelytuggeditwithhisteeth.Whenshegroaned,hesuckeditinto
hismouth.

Hepleasuredherperfectly.Shelovedhowhisblacklashescurledagainsthischeekashiseyesclosed,
lovedhowhismouthworkedashesuckledandnibbled.

Hemovedlower,swipingakissathernavelashewent.Whenhemovedhistongueoverthedampcurls
betweenherlegsshedraggedinarawbreath.

"Seth,ohGod."

Thistimehedidn'taskifshelikeditordidn't.Hesimplydancedhistongueoverher.

Carolhadneverbeenmuchfororalsex,regardingitasamuchmoreintimateactthansexitself,andshe'd
neverbeencomfortablewiththatlevelofintimacy.

ShequicklychangedhermindasSethlickedandteasedher,pressingherlegsapartsohecouldfindmore
andmoreofher.

Carolstretchedoutherarms,bitingherliptostiflehergroans.Sethslidhishandsunderherbuttocksand
liftedher,lickingheroverandoverasthoughhecouldn'tgetenough.

Heraisedhishead,hiseyesdarkasmidnight."Iwantmore."

"Areyoutryingtokillme?"

"AmIhurtingyou?"

"Iwasjoking,"Shereachedforhim."Please,Seth."

Shewasn'tsurewhatshewasaskingfor,butheseemedtounderstand.Heloweredhimselfagainandused
histeethandtonguetopleasureherinwaysshe'dneverknownwerepossible.Whenhelickedfromher
clittoheropeningandjabbedhistongueinside,shescreamed.

Hestartedtoraisehishead,butshelockedherhandaroundhisneck,holdinghimfast.Hegottheideaand
continuedtolickandsuck,movingfromhersheathtoclitandbackagain.

Darkfireburnedhereverylimb.HerworldfocusedonSeth'smouth,hisbeautifulmouthwhichpleasured
her as she'd never been pleasured before. Not one man in her life—and she could count the men she'd
beentobedwithononehand—hadmadeherfeellikethis.

Shescreamedagain,herorgasmtakingherover.Shefeltherbodygyrating,outofcontrol,andneverin
herlifehadCarolbeenoutofcontrol.

Sethheldherwithfirmhandsandkepttorturingherwithhismouth.Shewasstillgaspingwhenherose

overheragain.

"Iwantyou,"hegrowled.

"Finewithme."

Sheheardthebuzzofhiszipper,thenhepushedandkickedhisjeansdownhislegs.Heraiseduponhis
handsandknees,hiscockhangingheavyandhardbetweenhislegs.

Hepositionedhimselfontopofherandmovedunerringlytoheropening.Heslidsmoothlyinside,allthe
way,untilhelayface-to-facewithher,hisdarkeyesfixedonher.

Hefilledhersofullshethoughtshewouldn'tbeabletotakeit,butshewantedtotakehim.

Sheliftedherhips,encouragingmore.

Itwasabeautifulfeeling.Hestretchedher,andshespreadherlegswider,lovinghishardnessdeepinside
her.

Hiseyeshalfclosedashekissedherface."Idon'tknowwhattodo."

"You'redoingfine.Believeme."

"Iwanttothrust.ButIdon'twanttohurtyou."

"Idon'tthinkitwillhurt."Buthewasbig.Itmight.

Sethclosedhiseyesasthoughhecouldn'thearheranymore.Heballedhisfistsonthesheetsbesideher
andmovedhishipstheslightestbit.

Carol'sheadwentbackonthepillows."Likethat,"shewhispered."Justlikethat."

Heopenedhiseyesashisbodytookover,andhefocusedonherface,watchingherashemoved.Shesaw
himgrowmoreusedtoit,relaxingintotherhythm.

The room hummed with the noises of sex, his hoarse breathing, her soft moans, the gentle slap of skin
meetingskin.

"Seth,"shewhispered,simplywantingtohearhisname.

Themusicthatwashistruenameswelledanddancedinherhead.Thethreadsthatboundthemtogether
glowedandmeshedinperfectalignmentuntilshesworethatbothofthemsparkledwithfire.

Seth'sclimaxtookhimbysurprise.Hiseyeswidenedandheshoutedhername,andatthesametimehis
musicswelledinarousingcrescendo.Theirmusicmeldedinacacophonyofsoundandlights,andCarol
feltherskinburning.

Sethdrovehimselfintoherafewmoretimes,themusclesofhisarmstight.Anothersparkoffirejumped
fromhimtoher,sosearinghotthatCarolscreamed.

AtthesoundSethbackedoutofherfast,buthefellheavilybesideher,hisarmaroundherandhismouth
onhers.

Andtheneverythingwentstill.Thedigitalclockhummedfaintlybyherbedside,traffichissedgentlyon
thestreetbelow,andsomewhereinanotherapartment,aphonewasringing.

Sethlaynosetonosewithher,hiseyeshalf-closedbutholdingalookofwonder."Isitalwayssostrong?"

"Sex?"shemurmured."No.Butthenthatwasmyfirsttimewithadragon."

They lay in stillness for a few moments, absorbing what had just happened. Carol felt good, stretched,
happy.

"What was that burning feeling?" she asked. "I feel it a tiny bit when you kiss me, but that time it was
intense."

"Mydragonfire."

"Whichiswhat?"

"Afiredragon'spower.Alittleofitenteredyou."

"Itdidn'thurt.Iwasmorelike…"Shetrailedoff."Idon'tknow.Notpain,butintense."

"Icontrolledit.Ifitenteredyoucompletely,itwouldburnyouup."

Carolsmiledshakily."OnewayofriddingyourselfofapeskyDragonMaster."

"Ihavenowishtohurtyou."

"Butyou'dbefree."

Heshrugged,hisbroadshouldersmoving.

Hewastellingher,essentially,thathecouldhavekilledherastheycoupled.Thethoughtshouldterrify
her, but Carol felt too numb and contented right now to contemplate it. She wondered how close he'd
cometolosingcontrol,andwhetherhecouldwhilesheboundhim.

"Ishouldgotowork,"shesaid.

"Why?"

A good question. There were a million reasons why—every day at every restaurant, a hundred things
couldgowrong.Foreverythingthatwentwrong,acustomercouldturntothecompetition.

Shestillcouldn'tmove."It'swhatIalwaysdo."

"It'ssafehere.Dangerousoutthere."

Carolfeltsafe.Sethwaswrappedprotectivelyaroundherandsowasthemusicinherhead,whichhadn't

recededsincethey'dstopped.

ThewardsAxelandSethhaddrawnshimmeredoverthewindows.Thoughshe'dneverseensuchthings
before,theygaveherafeelingofsafety,justlikeshe'dfeltwithMingUeandShaiminghadwhenshe'd
beenachild.

"Ihaveabusinesstorun,"shesaidwithoutmuchconviction.

Seth'shanddriftedtoherbreast,andsheclosedhereyestosavorthefeeling.WhenSethkissedherneck,
hishardnessnudgedherandanyappealherofficehelddiedaswiftdeath.

Shereachedforherphoneandpunchedthenumber,smilingwhenFrancescacried,"Carol,didyouknow
it'sninethirty?"

"Closetheofficeandtakethedayoff,"Carolanswered."Infact,taketherestoftheweekoff.We'llstart
againbrightandearlyonMondaymorning."

Francescawentsilent.Carolpicturedherwithherdarkbrowsdrawnbehindherredglasses.

"Areyoufeelingallright?"

"Perfectlyfine.Hasanyonetriedtocomeandseemethismorning?"

"There was one man, yes. He didn't stay—in fact he didn't even come in, just stared at me through the
door.Hewasn'tonyourschedule.Didyouwanttoseehim?"Francesca'stoneheldreproachthatCarol
hadstartedschedulingthingswithouttellingher.

Carolfeltaqualmofworry."Whatdidhelooklike?Washeoneoftheinvestorsfromyesterday?"

"No. He had long white hair, but he wasn't an old man. He wore a business suit, looked professional
enough.Igesturedforhimtocomein,buthejuststoodtherewithhishandonthehandle.Whenasecurity
guardcameby,heturnedaroundandhurriedaway."

Carolsatup."Don'tspeaktohimifyouseehimagain.Takesometimeoff—asmuchasyouneed.Why
don'tyougovisityoursister?"

Francesca's voice changed. "That would be nice." Her sister lived in a little town on the northern
Californiacoastwithfivechildren,allofwhomFrancescaadored.Thetownwasalsosufficientlyremote
thatFrancescamightbesparedthedangerthatwasstalkingCarol.

"Areyousureyou'reallright?"Francescarepeated."Thereisn'tsomethingyou'renottellingme?"

"Ihavesomefamilybusinesstotakecareof,andthere'snoreasonforyoutowaitaroundformetoget
finished.Let'sclosetheofficeandI'llseeyouonMonday."

"Allright,I'lllockupandgo.Thankyou."

Carolhungupthephone.

"Anincubus?"Sethasked.He'dobviouslyheardtheentireconversation.

"Hedidn'tgoin."

"BecauseIputmymarkontheoffice,"Sethsaid."SodidZhen."

"Likethose?"Carolpointedtothestillglowingsymbolsaboveherwindows.

"Verysimilar.Nodemonswillenter."

"IsthatwhyIfeelsosafe?"

Hekissedherfingers."It'smytasktokeepyousafe."

"BecauseIholdyouwithyourtruename?"

Sethnodded.Carolsuddenlywantedittobemorethanthat,hischoice,butshehadnoideahowtogive
thatpowerbacktohim.

"Lieback,"Sethsaid.

"Why?"

"I want to touch you again." He ran his hand across her abdomen as she lowered herself back to the
pillows."Ienjoythewayyoufeel."

"It'snotbadfrommysideeither."

"Doyouliketouchingme?"

Inanswer,Caroldrewherfingersdownhischest.Hertouchcaughtonhismalenipple,whichfirmedand
tightenedunderherfingertip.

"Ilikethat,"hesaid.

"Good." She turned her head and licked the warm aureola, and he made a noise of pleasure when she
caughtthenubinherteeth.

"Ilikehowyousmell,"hesaid."Andhowyoutasteandhowyoufeel.Iwanttosavoryou."

Shelovedhiswords,andatthesametimewishedhewouldn'tsaythem.Shewantedthistobereal,and
nothinginthelasttwodayshadbeenrealatall.

Seth grasped her wrist and drew her hand down his chest again. She didn't resist, liking the warm
dampness of his skin and the brush of curled hair. She explored his navel, which made him smile, then
drewherhanddowntohisstillveryerectpenis.

Hisfacechangedwhenshetouchedit,hissmiledying.

Sheknewfromfeelinghiminsideherthathewaslarge,butlargewasanunderstatement.

Shecouldbarelyfitherhandaroundhim.

Theshaftwassmoothandsoftbutheldthehardnessofanexcitedman.Carolletherthumbdriftoverthe
tip,andhegaveanothergasp.

She'dneverperformedoralsexbutlearnedthetheoryfromacollegeroommatewho'denjoyedcomparing
the"tackle"ofeverymanshewentoutwith.SethcertainlyhadthebesttackleCarolhadeverseen,and
evenherroommate,jadedatagetwenty-one,wouldhavebeenimpressed.

Sheleaneddownandlickedthetinyslitonhistip,thenclosedhermouthoverhim.

Thecockleaptbetweenherlips.Shealmostlosthim,butsheswirledhertonguearoundthetipanddrew
himbackinsidehermouth.

Histastewasstrange,saltyandwarm,hisskinslightlyroughontheunderside.Hertongueseemedmore
sensitivetothedifferencesofhimthanherfingershadbeen,andsheenjoyedtheexploration.

Seth growled softly, and he shifted as though he couldn't keep still. He parted his legs, letting her get
closer,andsheclosedherhandaroundthesmoothhardballsthathungbetweenhisthighs.

Allthewhilesheworkedhermouthonhimlikehe'ddoneonher.Shesuckledhimandnibbledhim,liking
howitmadehimmovehiships.

Shefelthimgrowharderandharder,ifthatwaspossible.Shedidn'tstoptowonder,shesimplywenton,
enjoyingthetasteofthismanwho'dinvadedherlife.

His fingers bit down on her shoulders. With a louder growl, he pulled her up and pushed her into the
pillows.Hepartedherlegsandslidhardintoherbeforeshecouldsayaword.

Hemadelovetoherfastandvigorously,sweatdrippingfromhisbodytominglewithhers.

Shelostcontrolveryquickly,cryingoutashepumpedintoher.

Herclimaxcamesoonthistime,andshefeltalmostabiteofdisappointmentthatitwasover.Sethshouted
hernameashisseedshotintoherthesecondtime,thenhecollapsedontoher,kissingherandtumbling
hersweat-damphair.

ChapterNine

WhenCarolwokeitwaswellpastnoon.Sethslepthardnexttoher,hislargebodysprawledacrossmost
ofherbed.Hewasfacedownagain,cheekpillowedononearm,hisbodyfullynakedinthesunlight.

Carolslidfromthesmallsliceofbedstilllefttoherandreachedforherwhitesilkdressinggownwith
thedragonsonit.She'dneverpaidmuchattentiontothedesignbefore,buteachofthereddragonsonthe
silksleeveshadnight-blackeyes.

Carolblewoutherbreathandbooteduphercomputeronthedeskacrosstheroom.

MalcolmhadimpliedthatCarolshouldbackofftheproblemoftheotherDragonMasterandtheOrder,
lettinghimandLisatakecareofitwhileshehidinherapartmentwithSeth.

But it was Carol's life in shards around her feet, Carol who had a newfound power that scared her to
death.ShewantedtofindthisDragonMasterandfigureoutwhattodoabouthim.

She settled herself in front of the screen and brought up San Francisco County's searchable map of
properties.Findingthewarehousewasfairlysimplesincesheknewthecrossstreets,andwithinseconds
shehadthetaxparcelnumberandthemailingaddressofthepropertyowner.

Thesitedidn'tgiveouttheowner'sname,butthatwaseasyenoughforCaroltofindout.

The address was of a business on Sacramento Street, and she happened to know that the business was
ownedbyoneDanielLok.ItwashandytohaveagrandmotherwhokneweveryoneinChinatown.

HercousinLumikneweveryoneontheshadysideofChinatown.He'dbeencaughtupinsomebadthings
inhishighschooldays,butfortunatelyhadgottenawayfromit.LumievenclaimedthatAxel,whohe'd
knownforalongtime,wasresponsibleforhimgoingstraight.CarolhaddevelopedasoftspotforAxel
eversinceLumihadtoldherthis.

CarolbroughtthephonetothedeskandpunchedinthenumberofLumi'sbicycleshop.Hewasthereand
putheronholdwhilehefinishedwithacustomer.

"DanielLok?"hesaidincredulouslywhensheexplainedwhatsheneeded."Youwanttohaveanythingto
dowithDannyLok."

"It'snotbychoice.He…"Shebrokeoff,wonderinghowtoexplain."Whatdoyouknowaboutincubi?"

"Incubi?Geez,Carol,whatareyouinto?They'renastybad,andyoudon'twanttogonearthem.Noteven
withdragonsorAxelwithyou.It'shardenoughtokeepGrandmotheroutoftrouble.Idon'twanttohave
toworryaboutyou,too."

"Ithoughtyou'dbehappyIfinallybelievedindragons."

"Sure,"Lumisaid."Wonderful."

"Justfindoutwhatyoucan."

Lumisighed heavily. "I'lldo some investigatingand e-mail you ofproperties he owns.But you have to
promisemeyouwon'tdoanythingstupid,liketalktoDannyLok."

"Idon'tneedtotalktohim.I'mlookingforsomeone,andthelastplacewesawhimwasinthewarehouse
Itoldyouabout."

"TheDragonMaster.Grandmothertoldme."

"Sowillyouhelpmefindhim?"

"NotifitmeansyougettinganywherenearDannyLok.HalfthedrugdealersinSanFranciscoreportto
him,andhe'sgothisfingersinprostitutionrings,extortionandmurder.

He'sdangerousandevil."

"Iwasn'tplanningtoaskhimtoaparty.IjustwanttoknowwhatbuildingsheownssoIcanfindoutifthe
DragonMasterisinanyofthem."

"Don't worry, I'll find the info. But seriously, be careful. You're my favorite cousin, and I don't want to
attendyourfuneralanytimesoon."

"I'myouronlycousin."

"Anothergoodpoint.Idon'twanttoloseyou."

Carolhesitated,feelinghisfearloudandclear."Idon'twantyouputtingyourselfinanydanger,either."

"Ha.Thisshopissoheavilymarkedwithdragonthatevensomecustomerswon'tcomein.

Thatandmygirlfriendisawitchwholikestopracticewardingonmystoreandapartment.

Ican'tmoveforcandlesandincensesticks."

HesoundedhappysoCarolsimplychuckledwithhimandhungup.

She looked back at Seth, who'd moved in his sleep only enough to cradle his head on his arm. Carol
printedouttheinformationsheneeded,turnedoffthecomputer,andreturnedtothebed.

Sethreachedoutinhissleepasshesnuggledagainsthim,enclosingherinawarmnest.Sheletherself
enjoyit,butthebackofhermindniggledwithworry.

ThetietoCarolhadstrengthened.SethfeltitspulllikeachainofdiamondsasCarolledhimtooneofher
restaurantsforlunch.

Thesensationsofherskinagainsthisbody,hishands,hislipshadawakenedsomethingneedyinsidehim.
Hewantedtotouchherallthetimenow.

Helookedatthesunshiningonherhairastheywalkeddownthesteephill.Sheworeablouseopenjust
enough to let him peek at what he'd touched, and a skirt that revealed her slim, strong legs. A raincoat
wentoveritall,becausethishumancitywascold,butsheletitflapopenandhecouldenjoywhatlay
beneath.

She'dboundhimwithhisnameandnowsheboundhimwithherbody.She'dpromisedtofreehim.buthe
didn'tthinkhe'deverbefreenow.

SethsatacrossfromCarolinabooththathadbeenhastilyreadiedforthem,hishandsonthetableashe
watchedhereat.Hismeallayuntouchedinfrontofhim,chopsticksneatlyplacedtoonesideofhisplate.

"Thechefwillbeunhappyifyoudon'tatleasttryabite,"shepointedout.

Sethdidn'treachforthefood,lumpsofmeatinastrange-smellingsauce."Yourpowerhasgrownsince
yesterday."

"Doyouthinkso?"

"Thebondbetweenusisstrongernow."

Colorflushedhercheeks,makinghermorebeautifulthanever."You'reright.Ifeelit.Ifeelstronger."

"Butyoustillcan'tunbindme."

Carolclosedhereyes,andhefelthertryingtountanglethethoughtthreadsbetweenthem.

Nothingchanged."Idon'tseemtohaveanycontroloverthat."

"TheDragonMasterinyouknowswhatitwants.It'snotgivingyouachoice."

Sheglancedatthedinersaroundthem,leanedforward,andloweredhervoice."Thismorning—thatwas
mychoice."

Sethrememberedwakinguplaterandseeinghercomeoutofherbathroom,dressed,damp,andsweet-
smelling.She'dsmiled,toldhimshewashungry,andthatshehadfoundoutsomethings.

He'dsensedherincreasedpowerthenandhesenseditnow."Wasit?"

"I'mhopingitwasyours,too."

"Ithoughtso.NowIdon'tknow."

Carolsatback,hurtinvoice."YouthinkIcompelledyoutodoit?"

Hereyesweremoist,andSethwatchedherblink,tryingtomasterherself.

"Witches and mages use dragons." he said. "They crave their power and bind it to enhance their own.
Theycandrainthedragonuntilhedies."

"Andyouthinkthat'swhatI'mdoing?"

He looked at her in silence for a moment. "Not you—not Carol. You don't know what to do with a
dragon's power. But the Dragon Master in you does. It called me to keep me from the other Dragon
Master,butyoucouldn'treleasemeafterthat.Ithinkyouholdmeforsomepurpose."

"Maybe to protect myself from the other Dragon Master." She straightened her lacquered chopsticks on
theirsquareholder."You'vebeenveryprotectiveofme."

"Ican'thelpit."

"I'm not used to a man protecting me. I've always been self-reliant." She reached across the table and
claspedoneofhisunmovinghands.

Seth felt her loneliness, and he added a soothing note to his music. "You like to stride forward with
determination."

"Isupposethat'snotveryattractive.Menwantwomentobesoftandsexy."

"Ifindyousoft."Hisbloodwarmedasherubbedhisthumboverthebackofherhand.

"Youareverysoft,andyoutastelikeflowers."

Hereyesdarkened."Didyoueatmanyflowersasadragon?"

"Ilikedtonibbleonthemandtastetheirnectar."

Carolshiftedinherseat,butbeforeshecouldanswer,someonestoppedbesidethetable.

Athin,gray-hairedAsianmanwearingawell-tailoredsuitstoodattheendofthebooth,waitingpatiently
forCarol'sattention.Helookedordinary,exceptthathiseyeswerewellsofcoldness.Twoyoungerand
largermenflankedhim,theireyesalsoflatandhard.

"CarolJuan,"themansaidinacalmvoice.

"Yes?"

ThedragoninSethtensed.Hegotnoauraofothernessfromtheman—hewashumanthroughandthrough
—butthewhiffofevilsurroundinghimwasunmistakable.

"I have not yet had the pleasure of your acquaintance," the man said in a low, dry voice. "I am Daniel
Lok."

Carolstiffened."Mr.Lok.WhatcanIdoforyou?I'mafraidtherestaurantisalittlefullrightnow,butif
youseethehostess,she'llputyouonawaitinglist."

Histonewentfrosty."Youhavebeeninquiringintomybusiness,Ms.Juan,searchingforinformationon
myproperties.MayIaskwhy?"

Sethcouldn'tstopthegrowlsinhisthroat,buthestayedstill,knowingamovewouldbringLok'sguards
totheready.

"IoftenlookintopropertiesaroundSanFrancisco,"Carolsaid."Iamalwaysthinkingaboutopeningmore
restaurants."

"Noneofmyrealestateisforsale."

"Butit'salwaysgoodtokeepaneyeopen.Iseeatableclearinginthecorner,Mr.Lok,ifyouwantlunch.
Irecommendthelomiennoodles—thechefhasanamazingrecipe."

Lok'sfeaturestightenedindispleasure."Ididn'tcomehereforfood.Icameasacourtesy,togiveyoua
personalwarning.Nexttime,Iwillnotbesopolite."

Sethrose,unfoldinghisbigbodytotoweroverLokandhisbodyguards.

LoklookedSethupanddown,hisbrowsquirkingininterest."Sothisistheprizeworthhaving."

Hewastalkingtohimself,butCarolgaveLokalookthatsaidhe'dconfirmedhersuspicions.

"WhyistheDragonMasterhiding?"sheasked."Whatisheafraidof?"

Lok gave her a pitying look. "You have no idea what is happening here, do you? Give up the power to
peoplewhoknowhowtouseit."

Seth sensed Carol's puzzlement through their threads but the look she gave Lok was cool. "I don't think
so."

"Haveyoutamedhim?"Lokasked."Willyousichimonme?"

"Iwillifyoudon'tturnaroundandleavemyrestaurant."

BraveCarol.Shedidn'tevenbackawaywhenLokrestedhishandsflatonthetableandleaneddownto
her. "The Dragon Master is obsessed with magic and dragons. I'm obsessed with more ordinary things,
likerestaurantownerswhodon'tpaytheirfairshare.Iwillsoonhavecontrolofyourlittleempire,and
youwillpayhomagetome."HereachedoutandslidafingerdownCarol'scheek.

TouchingherwasLok'smistake.Sethhadbeenpreparedtolethimgo.

Hisgrowlturnedintoasnarlofredfury.HegrabbedLokaroundthemiddleandraisedhimfromhisfeet,
crunchingtheman'sbonesunderhisbighands.Lokscreamed.

ThebodyguardsdraggedthickblackweaponsfromundertheircoatsandpointedthematSeth.Customers
shoutedanddoveforthefloor.

"Seth,"Carolscreamed,andtheweaponswentoff.

ButSethwasn'tthere.He'dbecomeastringofflamerisingoverhead,hisclothescrumplingtothefloor.
Thesmallmissilesaimedathimhitthecream-coloredwallbehindtheboothwithashowerofplaster.

Lokwasonthecarpet,gaspingforbreath,holdinghisribs.Sethhoveredabovehim,hisfiretouchingthe
ceilingwithoutburningit.ThebodyguardsmovedtheirpistolstoCarol.

SethputhisfirebetweenCarolandthebodyguards,andthebulletswentwideagain,strikingthewalls
aroundthem.

HefeltsomethinginsideCarolchange.Thefurythathadbeenkindlingsinceshe'dtoldhiminrainyUnion
Squarethathermotherhadbeentorturedtodeathwelledinheruntilitexploded.

Thebondbetweenthemsearedwithincandescentbrightness.Sethfelttheenergyinherasitswelled,then
burstoutofherinawaveofdarkness.

Thebodyguards'weaponsflewfromtheirhandsanddisintegratedinmidair.Whilethetwomenstaredin
astonishment.Sethhonedthemagicofhisdragonfireanddovestraightatthem.

They ran. Seth soared after them, and the body guards ran faster. Their clothes caught on fire as they
dashedoutintothesunlight,swearing.

DannyLokwasonhisknees,hisfacewhite,hisarmsaroundhisribs."Youarefinished,CarolJuan,"he
rasped. "You will not reach home tonight and your grandmother will be dead by tomorrow. Your little
restaurantswillbe—"

Heneverfinished.Sethwasonhim,hisfireformingitselfintoadragonshape,hismouthgaping.

"Seth."Carolshouted.Don'tkillhim.

Sethraged.Hisdragonselfwantedtostriphisenemy'sfleshfromhisbonesandconsumehim.ButCarol
compelledhim,andhehadtoobey.

SethsnappedhisjawsclosedinchesfromLok'sface.Lokgaspedonce,wentpastywhite,thenfellbackto
thecarpetandlayverystill.

Seth'sformsolidifiedforaninstantintoatruedragon,thenwinkedbackintofire.HecircledCarolonce,
hispowerharshandhot,thenhestreamedouttheopendoorintotherainandcold.

ChapterTen

Carol sat with her head in her hands in the manager's office. She couldn't move, couldn't think, and the
cool-headedmanagerkepttryingtomakeherdrinktea.

DanielLokwasdead.Theparamedicsandfiredepartmenthadshowedupinrecordtimeandpronounced
himdeadofaheartattack.

Carolhadnostorytotellthepolice,andtheythoughtshewastoonumbandshakentotalk.

Theysuggestedatriptothehospitalwhereshecouldrecoverfromthetrauma,butshedidn'twanttogo.

TheexplanationcirculatingthroughtherestaurantwasthatLokandhistwobodyguardshadenteredthe
place,and the bodyguardshad shot atCarol. There had beena small explosionand a fire—maybe Lok
hadcomeheretoplantafirebombandithadgoneofftoosoon.Thefirehadburnedthetwobodyguards
andgivenLokaheartattack.

No one mentioned Seth or dragons. Carol had gathered up Seth's discarded clothes and hidden them
beforethepolicegotthere.

Seth hadn't returned. She still felt his bond to her, the threads singing and shining between them, but he
wasflyingfreeoverthebay,thedragoninhimrejoicing.

Thepolicetookstatements,andthemanagerkeptbringingcupsofteaandtellingCarolthatshe'dgetright
onhavingthebullet-riddenwallofthemaindiningroomrepaired.

Carol barely heard her. Her body sang and hummed with the Dragon Master power, her ability to
commanddarknessanddragonfire.

She'dbeenahairshyoftellingSethtokillallthreemen—humanbeings,nomatterhowbadthey'dbeen.
Shehadthatinherself,apowerlikeLokhad,todecidethefateofothers.

She tried to feel justified about Lok's death. The man had lived by terrorizing others, and it was only
fittingthathe'ddiedoffrighthimself.Butshefeltsick.

"Lisa is here," the manager said in her low voice. She was a mirror image of Carol, a pale woman as
calmaswater.Usedtobeamirrorimage,Carolthoughtdarkly.Carol'scalmhaddesertedherandhadn't
returned.

"Lisa?"sherepeated.

Silverdragon,somethinginCarolhissed.Thepowerofthefiredragonisgreat,butthesilver dragon
wouldbelegion.

Carolgaspedandpressedherhandstoherhead."No.Ican'tseeher."

"She'sworriedaboutyou.Youshouldlethertakeyouhome."

"Tellhertogo.Tellhernottocomenearme."

Themanagerlookedasthoughsheagreedwiththeparamedics."Areyousureyoudon'twanttogotothe
hospital?You'restillinshock.Theycangiveyoumedication."

Carolshookherhead."TellLisatosendAxeltotakemehome.OnlyAxel,nooneelse."

Themanagerlookeddoubtful,butmadeherexit.Carolwastheboss.

Carolclosedhereyesandtriedtostilltheclanginginherhead.ShewishedsheknewwhereSethwas,
but she deliberately halted the music of his name. If he returned now, who knew what she, the Dragon
Master,wouldmakehimdo?

She pressed her hands to her temples and waited with small patience for Axel to arrive and take her
home.

Sethflew.Heshothighabovethecloudsthathadmovedintocoverthecity,sundazzlingonablanketof
white.Hewasfire,buthisdragonbodyflickeredinandoutashemovedoverthevastocean.

Once upon a time, dragons had been able to easily exist in this world in their dragon form, a fact Seth
wellknew.Butascenturiespassed,humanshadlosttheirbeliefinmagicanddragons.Becauseofthis,
theuniversestuffeddragonsintoaformhumanscouldhandle,dragonnaturestransformingintoadevice
ortattooonthedragon'sbody.

Butoccasionally,inprivateandinthepresenceofthosewhobelievedwithoutdoubt,adragoncouldform
intohistrueself.MalcolmhadtoldSeththatheandCalebsometimesflewovertheocean,takingcarenot
tobeseen.AtleastMalcolmtookcare,theblackdragonhadaddedinadryvoice.Calebwasashow-off.

Seth had the advantage of his fire. He could become flame anytime he wished, not bound by corporeal
framesliketheblackandgoldendragons.

Hisdragoncamealivenow,hishideflickeringanddancinginthesunlight.Flyingherewasnotasgoodas
slip-sliding through Dragonspace, but it felt wonderful to stretch his wings and glide over the updrafts
fromtheoceanbelow.

Hefeltaslighttugofhistrue-namebondtoCarol,butithadloosened.Hewasstilltetheredtoher,but
shewaslettingthetetherplayalongwayout.Shewasgivinghimatasteoffreedom.

Thedragoninhimwantedtolaughandsimplyfly.ThehumanthatSethhadbecomedippedhiswingto
makehimheadbacktothecity.HeknewCarolhadn'tbeenphysicallyhurtbytheencounter,buthewanted
totouchher.holdher,andassurehimselfthatshewasallright.

He soared over the clouds, his dragon form dissolving into a string of fire as San Francisco came into
view. There was beauty in the city spreading on the rugged, rocky coastline, the tops of the huge red
bridgethatledtoitpokingthroughtheclouds.

HeknewwhereCarolwaswithouthavingtosearchforheraura.She'dgonehome.

Hisbondpulledhimunerringlytothetall,ornatehouseonRussianHill,andhebecameastreamoffireso

finehecouldfitbetweenthemoleculesofglassinherwindow.Helandedonhisfeetinthemiddleofher
livingroom,hisbodysolidifyingwitharush.

Carolsatonthesofa,herstocking-feettuckedunderher,herheadonapillow.Axelstoodupwhenhesaw
Seth,hisusualgood-naturedgrinabsent.

"Igotherhere,butshe'supset,"Axelsaid."She'snotusedtodeath."

Carolraisedherhead,hereyespoolsoffear."Seth,don'tcomenearme.GotoLisa—havehersendyou
backtoDragonspace."

"YouknowIcan't.Notwhileyouholdme."

"Whynot?Iwon'tcallyou.I'llleaveyoualone."Hervoiceheldanoteofpanic.

"Thebondwouldhurtme.I'dalwaysbepulledtoyou,andI'dsearchforanywaytogetbacktoyou."

Herfacefell,andshedroppedherheadbacktothepillow."Seth,I'msosorry."

Sethturnedtotheever-handyboxofclothesandchoseanotherpairofjeans."Ipreferbondagetoyouthan
totheotherDragonMaster."

Axelnodded."Carolisprettier."

"Iagree."

"It'snotfunny,"Carolsaid.Shereachedforatissueonthetablenexttoherandwipedhereyes."Ifeltthe
thing inside me come alive. I wanted Seth to kill them all—I wanted to command it, like Seth was an
attackdog.Itwashorrible."

"I wanted to kill him," Seth said pulling on the jeans over his bare legs. "He almost did kill you." He
thoughtoftheweaponstrainedonCarol,thedullexplosionsasdeathflewstraightather."I'mnotsorry."

"I'mnotsorryyousavedmylifeeither.That'snotwhatImeant."

Axel broke in. "You were threatened, and the mage inside you responded to the threat. You used the
weaponyouhadmosthandy,whichwasSeth."

"IsthatwhatIdo?Usedragonsasmypersonalarsenal?"

Axelsighedandsatdownonthecouch."Carol,sweetie,it'sabitchbeingamagicalcreature.Youcando
powerfulthings,andyouwonderifyouhavearightto.Thefactthatyouwonderisgood.Itmeansyou're
compassionate and aren't about to destroy the entire city just to prove you can." He paused. "If you do
decidetodestroythecity,willyouleavemyfavoritedelionVanNessalone?Theyhavegreatpastrami."

"Pleasestopjokingaboutthis.I'mscared."

"Youneedmetojoke.Isn'tthatwhyyouaskedmetobringyouhome?"

"No, I asked because Malcolm is right. If I'm a Dragon Master, that means I control dragons. What if I
decidetotakeoverLisa,Caleb,andMalcolm?WhatifIwanttousethemasweapons?WhatifIgetthem
hurtorkilled?"

"Dragonsareprettytough."

"Axel."

Sethfoldedhimselftositonhisheelsbesidethesofa.HeputhishandonCarol'scoldfingers."He'snot
wrong.Dragonsareverystrong,andwerecoverswiftly."

"Soit'sallrightifIuseyou?Youdidn'tfeelwhatwasinsideme.Itscaresthecrapoutofme.Because…"
Shetrailedoff.swallowinghard.

Sethstrokedhermidnighthair,asalwayslovingthesatinfeelofit."I'mnotunhappytofightforyou."

Axelwatchedhimwithaspeculativelookinhisbrowneyes."NeitheramI.AndI'mnotboundtoyou,
Carol."

Caroldidn'tanswer.Sethsawthatshe'dgivenuparguing,notbecausesheagreedbutbecauseshewastoo
tiredtomakethemunderstand.

Seth continued to stroke her hair, even leaned his cheek against it. Axel got off the couch, shoving his
handsintothepocketsofhisleathercoat.

"I'llleaveyoutwoalone,then."

Carolsatupswiftly."Idon'tthinkyoushouldgo."

"Youneedtoworkthingsout.I'mnotfarifyoureallyneedme—justcallforaBaku,andthereI'llbe."

Axelwinked,gaveafluttering-fingerwave,andvanished.Arushofairfilledthespacehe'dbeenwithan
audiblepop.

Carolshiveredandlaybackdownagain."Iwishhewouldn'tdothat."

Carolburiedherfaceinthecouchpillowandtriedtoshutouttheclamorinherhead.SheheardSeth's
musicmixedwithherown.plusthejanglingoftheDragonMasterwithinher.

Shethoughtwithblackhumorthatsheoughttorentaconcerthallandgiveaperformance.

"Youshouldn'tstay,"shesaid.

"Yes,Ishould."

Seth'swarmtouchdriftedacrossherskin.Itfeltsogood,socomforting,butthemagicinherwouldn'tlet
herenjoyit.TheDragonMasterwithinwaswhirlingintriumphathavingcaughtsuchafinespecimenof
firedragon.

"AxelistheonlyoneIcantrustmyselfaround,"shesaid."He'snotadragon."

"Hehasatruename,though."Seth'svoicewaswarmanddeep."Alllivingbeingsdo—hisisjustmore
unusual."

"Terrific."Theworrybitdeeperintohergut."Maybenoneofmyfriendsaresafefromme."

Sethsaidnothing.Hisdragonstrengthflowedthroughhisthoughtthreads,singingthroughheraura.

"It scares me, Seth," she whispered. "I realize now I've always been this way. People thought I was
drivenandmotivatedandallthosethingstheysayaboutyouwhenyou'reanobsessedoverachiever,butit
wasthisinsideme."Sheputherhandonherbreastbone.

"Thisneedtouseanyoneandanythingtosucceed.Idon'tlikeit."

Sethslidhishandthroughherhairagain,sayingnothing.

"IwasafraidoftheDragonMasterwhenIsawhiminthatwarehouse,"shewenton."NowI'mafraidof
me."

Sethstilldidn'tanswer,andsheknewtherewerenoanswers.

Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherandpulledheragainsthisbare,solidchest.Theredcurlstheretickled
hercheek,andhisheartbeatstrongbeneathherear.

"Youshouldhateme,"shesaid."Maybedeepdowninsideyoudo,butyoucan'ttellme."

"No,Carol.IfIhatedyou,Icouldmakeitknowninmanyways.I'madragon,withadragon'stemper.I
couldmakeyourlifehell."

"Youmeanitisn'thellalready?"

"Notreally.Icouldfightyou,trashyourhouse,terrorizeyourfriends,flyfreeuntilyoujerkedmeback.I
couldn'thurtyouorgetaway,butIcouldmakesureyouhatedeveryminuteofhavingmeonaleash."

"Sowhydon'tyou?"

"Becauseofthis."

He cupped his hands around her face and slanted his mouth across hers. The now familiar spark leapt
betweenthem,kickinginheradrenalineandpouringenergybackintoherbody.

Withenergycameahunger.Sheneededthisdragonandhisfire,wantedtodrageverythinghewasinto
her.

Sethjumpedasshebithisbottomlip,thenhekissedherback,hislipsbruising.Shegrabbedhiswrists,
kissing him as she slid off the couch onto him. She used her weight to press him to the carpet, and he
didn'tfightherastheybothwentdown.

Sherememberedhervisionsofhimwithchainsaroundhiswrists,theslysmilehe'dgivenheroverhis
shoulder.Sheraisedhisthickarmsabovehishead,pinningthemasshewentonkissinghim.

Sheletgoofhiswristonlytograbthewaistbandofhisjeansandtwistthebuttonopen.

Thezipperwentnext,andhishardnesswelledoutbetweenthepartedfabric.

Seth'sentirebodywentrigid.Carolfelthimshiftfromamanwho'dbeenindulginghertothedragonthat
couldmakeherlifehellifhewanted.Hegrowledandsnaredherwristsinabruisinggrip.

She'd never wrestled with a man before. Her lovemaking encounters had all been sedate, two people
mutuallydecidingwhattamethingthey'ddobeforetheygotintobedanddidthem,nosurprises.

Sethrolledheroverontoherback,hisweightontopofher,andshovedhiskneebetweenherlegs.He
pinnedherarmsaboveherheadlikeshe'ddonewithhim,playing,butalsodeadlyserious.

"Tellmetostop,"hesaid."Youcantellmetodowhateveryouwant,socommandmetostop."

"Idon'twantyoutostop."

"Beverysure."Heleanedtoher,hiseyesdark,thisbeautiful,wildcreatureinherpower.

"I'msure,"shewhispered.

His teeth scraped the skin at the hollow of her throat, then he jerked her shirt open to her waist. Carol
triedtoreachbetweenthemtotouchhim,buthegrabbedherwristsandpinnedherhandsagain."No."

Shestruggled,buthewasn'tabouttoletgo.Helickedacrosshercheekbones,tastinghereyelidsandthe
hollowsofhertemples.

Hishottongue,roughonherskin,wasoneofthemosteroticthingsshe'deverfelt.Shechasedhismouth
withherown,buthemovedquickly,neverlettinghimcatchher.

Downhelickedtothevalleybetweenherbreasts,thenhepulledatherbrawithhisteeth.

"Off."

"You'llhavetoletmeup."

Herolledawayfromher.Thelossofhisweightandwarmthwashardtotake,butshesatupandtugged
offhershirt.Shereachedaroundandunhookedherbra,thenhepulleditoffherbeforeshecould.

Sheexpectedhimtocupherbreasts,maybeleantosucklethem,buthepushedherbacktothecarpet.He
lickedheragain,notspendinganymoretimeonhernipplesthantherestofher,thenhenudgedhertoroll
overontoherfront.

Thecarpetprickledherstomach,anoddcontrasttohishottongueflickingoverhershouldersanddown
herspine.Helickedtothewaistbandofherskirtthenshefeltthebuttonsloosenandthefabricslidedown
and off her legs. She wore thigh-high stockings underneath, and Seth spent time wriggling his tongue

beneaththelacyelasticbands.

"Whydoyouwearsomanyclothes?"hehissedashepulledatherpanties.

"Sowhenit'swindyIdon'tgivethecityofSanFranciscoathrill."

"Iwanttheseoff."

Carol started to tell him he'd have to let her up again, but he solved the problem by breaking the
waistbandelasticandtearingthepantiesinhalf.Elasticstillgrippedherthighs,butSethspreadherlegs,
thepantiesnolongerhamperinghim.

Heloweredhisweightontopofher.Hisjeansweregone,andnothinglaybetweenhishardnessandthe
fleshofherbuttocks.

"Seth,"shesaid,curlingherhandsintothecarpet.

Hepartedherfolds,whichwerescaldingandwet,andnextshefeltthehugeblunttipofhimslideinside.

"Ican't,"shewhimpered.

"Commandmetostop."Hishandwasheavyonherback,thenhisteethgrazedherear.

"Makemedowhatyouwill."

Shewentsilent,pressingherlipstogethertostemherwords.Sheknewdamnwellshewantedhimtotake
her,hard,rightthereonherultra-expensiveOrientalcarpet.

Hemusthavedecidedhersilencewasago-ahead,becausehenippedherearagainandpressedhimself
fullyinsideher.

Carolheardthemusicswellatthesametimeheslidallthewayin,spreadingher.Hewassobig,andin
thisposition,everyinchofhimpushedather.

Whenhebegantopump,sheclosedhereyes,tryingtofindthecontrolthathaddominatedherlife.Seth's
firewasdestroyingit,breakinghercontrolintoamillionglitteringpiecesthatflickeredawaybeforeshe
couldcatchthem.

Shefoundherselfscreamingincoherentlyintothecarpet.Sethballedhisfistsnexttoheranddroveinto
herinsilence.

Carolfeltlikeshewascomingapart,butSethdidn'tstop.Herodeherfast,drivingintohersofuriously
thatherbodyinchedacrossthefloor.Hepressedonehandonherbacktosteadyher.

"Doyoulikemedoingthis?"hegrowled."Doyouwanttocommandmetodomore?"

"Seth,Ican't…"Shetrailedoffasclimaxbuiltupinher,andsheshouted,twistingonhishardpistonofa
cock.

The room began to shake. Seth gasped a breath as his own climax hit him, then his seed shot into her,
scaldingherasmuchashisfire.

Hefelldownonher,breathinghard,asthecupboardsinherkitchenstartedtorattle.Plastertrickledfrom
theceilinginafinerain,stickingtoSeth'swetskin.

IttookamomentforCaroltorealizethattherollingandshakingoftheroomhadnothingtodowiththem.
Shetriedtositup,butSethwasstillinsideher,hisbodypinningher.

"Earthquake," she said, and he nodded. Seth had her on her feet in a heartbeat and began pushing her
towardthefrontdoor.

"No."Shegrabbedhimandtowedhimtothedoorwayofthebedroom."Westandhere."

Sethwasnaked,sweating,hispenisstillthickandheavy.Carolheldontothedoorframe,facinghimin
blackthigh-highstockingsandnothingelse.Shestartedtolaugh.

"Whatisfunny?"heasked.

"Ifwe'reburiedandtheyfinduslikethis,they'llknowwhataracylifeCarolJuanreallyhad."

"Wewon'tdiehere,"Sethsaidwithconviction.

"Youcanturnintofireandflyaway.Whydon'tyou?"

Hisstareburned."IfIgo,yougo."

The building gave an extra hard shake. Across the room, her heavy bookcase teetered forward and
crashedtothefloor.Thecupboardsinthekitchenjerkedopen,spillingtheircontents.

Andthenitwasover.Outside,caralarmsweregoingoff,peoplewereshouting,callingtoeachother,and
sirensbegantowail.

Insidetheapartment,allwasstillness.CarollaidherheadonSeth'schestandexhaledinrelief.

TheDragonMasterturnedinhistightprisonastheearthquakestopped,butthethickmagicalwallsstill
held.

He'dthoughtthistimeitwouldcrackforcertain,buttherollingceasedandtheglassremainedunbroken.

Theincubiweredead,though,beamsfromtheceilinghavingfallenonthethreethatguardedhim.They
haddisintegratedintoapoolofgreenooze,whichstankeventhroughthethickglasswall.

The human called Danny Lok was dead, too, killed by Carol and her fire dragon. One of the human
hirelings had returned to tell the Order what had happened. He'd stood in front of Sying's column, his
olivefacecoveredinsweat,hisdarkeyeswide,andtoldthemofthefire.

Idiots.Thefiredragon'spowerwasn'tsimplyflame—anydragonhadthepowertoburn.

Sethhadn'tusedatenthofhispower;theweakhumanLokhaddiedoffrightandfrailness.

It hurt Sying that Seth's exquisite power had been denied him, but at the same time he felt a frisson of
pride.CarolJuanwashisdescendent,afterall.

TheOrderhadkilledCarol'smotherbeforeshe'dbeenproperlytrained.Thatwasashame.

LianJuanhadbeenawomanofmuchpotential,andshecouldhavetaughtCarolthewaysofherpower.

The fire dragon was a weapon that the Dragon Master had wielded before, and he longed to wield it
again.Ifhecouldfusewithhim,hecouldescapehisprison,destroytheevil,andkeepitfromthehandsof
theOrder.

But Carol controlled the fire dragon instead, and Sying couldn't reach her. The frustration of that was
bitternessinhismouth.

The fire dragon's power would consume her. She needed him, Sying, to help her. He had to make her
understandthat.

Cometome,hewhispered,searchingforthefiredragonwithhisthoughtthreads.BringCarolwithyou,
andwewillslayourenemiestogether.

Hiscallreachednothing.

TheDragonMastersighedanddrewhishandawayfromtheglasslikewall.TheOrderwouldsucceedin
destroyingCarolandthefiredragontogether,andifthathappened,therewouldbenohopeforSying.

Herestedhisheadontheglassandlettearsslidedownhisface.

ChapterEleven

"IbroughtyouthelistofbuildingsthatDannyLokowned,"Lumisaid,pushingasheafofpapersatCarol.

They'dmetupatMingUe'sasduskfell,afterSethhadhelpedCarolrestoreherapartment.

SethrealizedasheandCarolwalkeddownfromRussianHilltoChinatownthatherapartmenthadgotten
offlightly.StoresonPowellhadwaresanddebrisalloverthefloor,ownerstryingtogathereverythingup
andsecurethedoors.Electricitywasoffformanyblocks,andcarsandbusesfilledroads,unmoving.

Mostpeoplewerewalking,tryingtogetintostorestobuyupfreshwater,worriedbutnotinapanic.The
earthquake,Carolinformedhim,hadn'tbeenabigone.Thingswouldreturntonormalsoon.

Ming Ue had thrown open the doors of her little restaurant, letting neighborhood people or stranded
touristscomeandeatanddrinkforfree.TheoldwomanhadgivenCarolahalf-belligerent,half-anxious
lookwhensherelatedthis,butCarolonlynoddedabsentlyandsaiditwasagoodidea.

"Areyoufeelingallright?"MingUeaskedher.

Carol didn't bother to respond. While Shaiming and a few waitresses filled tables with little plates of
dumplingsandcarriedemptydishesbacktothekitchen,LumihandedCarolthelistofplacesthatDaniel
Lokhadowned.

SethlookedoverCarol'sshoulderattheneatpaperthatshowedabouttwentydifferentaddresses."Now
thathe'sdead,whowilltakeoverhisterritory?"heasked.

"Hehasfamily."Lumileanedhiselbowonthetable.Hewastallandraw-boned,andworebluejeans
andashirtwithironmaidenprintedonit."Nephewsandnieces,someofthemnottookeenthatGreat-
uncleDannywasacriminal.Butnowthathe'sgone,hisrivalsaregoingtocomeoutofthewoodworkand
claimhisterritories.Wemighthaveagangwaronourhands."

ThemusicofCarol'sthoughtschangedtoatarnishedclamor."That'snotwhatImeanttodo."

"Carol,hehadaheartattack,"Lumisaid."Besides,hewasavery,verybadguy."

"And now more bad guys are going to fight over what he left," Carol said. "I don't think the Asian
communityofSanFranciscowantstobefoughtoverrightnow."

"Sostopthem,"MingUecutin.

Carolturnedastartledfacetoher."What?"

"Ifyoudon'twanttheTongstotakeoverChinatownordestroyitwhilethey'refightingeachother,stop
them.Youhavethepower.Youhaveafiredragon.Protectus."

CarollookedatSeth."Couldyoudothat?Thisplaceandmineareprotectedbydragonmarks.Couldyou
putthemovereveryshopinChinatown?"

MingUeansweredforhim."Thepowerofadragonmarklessensifit'sspreadaroundtoomuch.That's
what Malcolm says anyway. Witch marks can be put everywhere, but they're not as strong as dragon
marks.Butyoucandoityourself,Carol.Youcommanddragons.

YoucanusetheirpowertostopDannyLok'srivals."

"Youhavealotoffaithinme."

"It'snotfaith.It'scertainty."

Carolgaveheranimpatientlook."Whatwouldyoulikemetodofirst,findtheDragonMasteranddefeat
himorsaveChinatownfromorganizedcrime?"

"Youmustdoboth.Youhavethemeans."

"Grandmother…"

MingUefirmedhermouth."YouhaveSethtolookovertheseplacesfortheDragonMaster.Youmustlet
himwhileyouseeZhentolearnyourpowers.ThenyouandSethcanmarktheshopsofourpeople."

"Aseasyasthat,isit?"

"She'sright," Seth brokein quietly. "Findingthe Dragon Master isnot as importantas you being strong
enoughtofacehimwhenwedo."

Caroldeflated."Youmightberight,butIdon'twantyougoinganywherenearhim.Whatifhetriessnaring
youagain?"

ThemusicinSeth'sheadshimmered."Mybondtoyouistightnow.Hewon'tbeabletobreakit."

"Howcanyouknowthat?WhenwewereinUnionSquareyoualmostdisappeared."

"Becauseyourholdonmehadn'tfullyformed.Nowwearesotwinedthatnooneelsecancallme."

"Areyousure?"Lumiasked."LastyearMalcolmgotboundwithhistruenamebytwopeopleatthesame
time.Hesaiditalmostrippedhimapart."

"Malcolmisablackdragon,anordinarydragon,"Sethexplained."I'mafiredragon."

Lumigavehimawrylook."Isodon'twanttobeintheroomwhenyoucallMalcolmanordinarydragon.
OrmaybeIdo."Hechuckled.

"Thefiredragonissomethingdifferentfromtheothers."MingUesaid."Ifeelit."

CarolbitherlipassheturnedtoSeth."Areyousure?"

Hesqueezedherhand."IwillaskMalcolmtoassistme,andyouwillhaveAxelprotectyouwhileI'm
gone."

"Youworkedthisalloutnicely."

"WithLokdead,it'slogicalthatotherswillmoveintohisterritories,"Sethsaid."Dragonsdothesame.If
thenextmanfindstheDragonMaster,hewillusehimorbedestroyedbyhim.BetterIfindtheDragon
Masterbeforethathappens."

"Andifyoufindhim,thenwhat?"

"Youkillhim."SethstoodupwhileCarolgapedathim."Soyoumustgrowstrongwhileyoucan."

Carolgotoutofherchair,herbrowneyesfilledwithworry."Damn,thisjustgetsworse."

Sethleaneddownandkissedher,closinghiseyestosavorhertaste.

"I'lllocatehim,"hesaid."Notfighthim.Notyet."

"WhileyouwaitformetotakemyDragonMasterlessons?"

Sethbrushedhistongueoverherlips."Whenyouareready,nothingwillbeabletostopyou."

Shehadsuchabeautifulface,ovalandslender,heralmond-shapedeyesdeepestbrown.

Herfullredlipsmadehimwanttokissheragain,andhetouchedhermouthwithhisfingertipbeforehe
madehimselftakeupthelistsfromthetableanddepart.

Malcolm wasn't waiting in the middle of Union Square as Seth had asked Lumi to tell him to be. Saba
was.

"MalcolmwenttoDragonspace,"thewitchsaidbeforeSethcouldask."Hesaidhehadtolooksomething
upinhisArchive."

"TheDragonArchive?"

"It'sanimpressiveplace,"shesaid,darkeyesamused.

Sethsnorted."Onlyblackdragonscraveknowledgeforitsownsake."

"Sowhatdofiredragonscrave?"

"Tobeleftalone."

Saba put her hands on her hips and cocked her head at him. Like Carol, she had black hair and brown
eyes, though her eyes were more rounded, and her hair was cropped short. She was also shorter than
Carol and curvier, and she wore a cropped white top and blue jeans instead of the blouses and skirts
Carolfavored.

"Youdon'tseemtowanttoleaveCarolalone.You'resleepingwithher,aren'tyou?"

Sethwarmed,thinkingofCarolwrithingunderhimonthecarpet."I'vematedwithher,yes.

Andenjoyedit."

Sabastartedtolaugh,thenshookherhead."Dragons."

"Whataboutdragons?"

"LisawouldknowwhatImeant.Now,howaboutwegolookfortheDragonMaster?"

"IwantedMalcolm'shelp."

"You'vegotmeinstead.BeforeyousayIcan'tpossibly,letmetellyou,Idoonehellofalocatorspell."

"Idon'tthinkthosewillworkontheDragonMaster,"Sethsaid."BesidesIhavethese."

Sabatookthelists,lookingattheaddresseswithagrimace."Mostoftheseareonthesouthsideoftown.
Figures. I don't want to take too long over this—my daughter is at Lisa's, but with incubi and gangs
roamingaround…"

Sethfullyunderstood."Iwelcomeyourhelp."

"Apolitedragon?"Sabasaidwithagrin."Thatmakesachange."

Youhavecometolearnfromme?'Zhenwrappedhiswrinkledhandsoverhiscane.Helookedtiredand
tense,buthegesturedCaroltoachairwithashakinghand.

"IcamebecauseI'mafraid."Carolsatdownstifflyasheshuffledtothehotplateinhistinybackroomand
preparedtea."It'scomingtooeasilytome.IwantedtokillDannyLok,andthenhewasdead."

Zhennoddedashepouredhotwateroutofanancientkettleintoanequallyancientironteapot.

"Thepowercomesnotfromyourfearbutyouranger."

Carolrememberedherrage."Hisbodyguardsshotupmyrestaurant.OfcourseIwasangry."

"Most people would be afraid. They would scream and duck as I heard everyone else did but you and
Seth."

"Forsomereason,IknewIdidn'tneedto.ItwaslikeSethwasapartofme.LikeIcouldswingmyarm
down,andhe'dswooptheexactsameway."Shemovedherarmindemonstration."Idon'twanttobeable
todothat."

"Yourtietohimisverystrong."

"That doesn't mean I should use him as some kind of weapon. He's a person—well, a living being
anyway.That'snotright."

Zhensatdownandpouredfragrantoolongteaintoadelicatecupheplacedinfrontofher.

"YouareaDragonMaster.Thatmeansyoumasterdragons.Dragonstoyouare weapons, extensions of

yourpower.Inancienttimes,theDragonMasterswerekeptbytheemperors,sotheycouldharnessthe
powerofdragons.ThatwaswhendragonseasilycameandwentbetweenthisworldandDragonspace."

Carol'sintereststirred."Whydidn'teveryonehaveaDragonMaster,ifdragonsweresosoughtafter?"

Zhenliftedhishandlelesscupoftea.Hestillseemedonedge,butheansweredreadily.

"BecausetherewereonlyoneortwoDragonMastersaliveatatime.Itrunsinfamilies,butnotalways
fromonegenerationtothenext.MingUehassomeofthepower,whichiswhydragonslikehersomuch,
but your mother was one of the powerful ones. And the last few days have proved you more powerful
still."Hegaveherasignificantlookoverhiscup.

Carolsighedandsippedtea,lettingthesoothingtasterelaxhersomewhat.

"Idon'twantthis,butI'verealizedtodaythatit'salwaysbeeninsideme.AllmylifeI'vegoneforwhatI
wantedwithouthesitation.Ineverdoubted,neverstopped,neveraskedwhatotherswanted.Mybusiness
wasmylife,andIsawnoreasontostopwhenIwassogoodatit,thoughItoldmyselfIwasdoingitto
repay Ming Ue and Shaiming." She drank more of the tea. "But that was the Dragon Master, craving
power,wasn'tit?"

"Yes,itwas.Powerisneutral,LiMei.Itisneithergoodnorevil.Itiswhatyoudowithitthatmakesit
oneortheother."

"SomewantingDannyLokdeadwasallme?Thanks,Ifeelsomuchbetter."

"You were defending yourself and your territory and everyone within your protection. You acted
instinctively—he had come prepared to kill you if necessary. And in the end, you stopped Seth from
killinghim."

"Isupposethat'strue."Theteawasgood.Sheliftedtheteapotandpouredmoreintohercup."Wenever
knowwhatwe'lldowhenitcomesdowntoit,dowe?"

"Nowthatyoudoknowyoucandecidewhatyouwilldo,howyouwilluseyourpower?"

Shesighed."I'mnotsureaboutthat.Itwellsupinsidemelikeablackbubble,anditcomesoutbeforeI
wantitto.I'mafraidofhurtingpeople,likeGrandmotherorLumi."

"Youdohavethepotentialfordestruction,LiMei.Andyouhavetofaceit.Youareverydangerous."

"It's funny, as a businesswoman, I always wanted to be thought dangerous. But not to my friends and
family;"

"Thenletmeteachyoutocontrolit."

"That'swhyI'mhere."Shelookedintohercup."Thisisexcellenttea,Mr.Zhen."

Helookedmodest."Thankyou.Iblenditmyself—arecipepasseddownthroughmyfamily."

"Do you still have family?" She'd never really thought about the Junk Man being married and having

children.

"Idid,once.Theyareallgone.Nowitisonlyme."

Herhearttwisted."I'msorry."

"Donotfeelsorrowforme.Ihavemanyfriends,andIamblessed.Igotoyourgrandmother'sformahjong
everyThursdayandenjoyitverymuch."

ZhenandMingUehadbeenplayingmahjongforyears.Theclickofmahjongtilesonthetablefiguredin
Carol's earliest and most comforting memories. Ming Ue, Zhen, and Shaiming had played with Lisa's
grandmother,andthequietShaiminghadoftenwonthepot.

"Wouldyouliketoplaynow?"

Carolraisedherbrows."Ithoughtyouweregoingtoteachmetocontrolmypowers."

Zhen smiled, his face folding into wrinkles. "But a game of mahjong will be just the thing to clear the
mind."

"Weneedfourpeople."Carolleanedbackinherchair."AndI'mtired.It'sbeenabadday."

"YouaretiredbecauseIputamildsedativeinthetea."

Carolblinkedathim,thenrealizedthatherlimbswerelimpandrelaxed."Whatdidyoudothatfor?"

"Itwillbeeasierforyoutofocusifyouarenot,asAmericanssay,stressed.Thesedativewilltakethe
edgeoffyourpanic,andenableyoutodotheexerciseswithoutfear."

"Youmighthavewarnedme."

"Thenyouwouldnothavedrunkthetea.Thereisnoneedtofearme.Youcouldkillmewiththeflickof
yourfinger,andIcouldnotharmyou.NotthatIwould."Herose,reachingabovethetabletopulldowna
wornboxheapedwithmahjongtiles."IhaveaskedyourgrandmotherandShaimingtojoinus."

"Grandmotherwillneverleavetherestaurant…"

She broke off as Ming Ue hobbled through the curtains that separated the back room from Zhen's store.
Shaimingwasrightbehindher,helpingMingUetothetabletositnexttoCarol.

"Weranoutoffood,"MingUeannounced."SoIclosedup.It'ssevenanyway,andweneverhavemuchof
adinnercrowd."

Carol'srestaurantmanagementinstinctskickedin."Grandmother,ifwe'reoutoffood,wehavetostock
fortomorrow."

"Sit down, my girl. No one will be surprised if we don't open tomorrow. We'll take the day to fix the
damageandrestock.I'msureeveryonewillrememberhowgenerouswasMingUe'sDimSumhouseand
we'llhaveacrowd.That'showyoubuildcustomerbase,LiMei.

Kindnessandloyalty.Nevermindwhattheytaughtyouatthatloftyschool."

Carol sat back, her argument evaporating. Ming Ue was right, and the tea had made Carol gloriously
relaxed."HaveyouheardfromSeth?"sheasked.

"Notyet,"MingUesaid,settlingherself.ZhentookthechairoppositeCarol,andShaimingsatonCarol's
right."He'llcallwhenhehassomethingtoreport.OrMalcolmwill.Orthey'llcometous—dragonsnever
muchtrustcellphones."

CarolrememberedSethcrushingherphoneinhisstrongfingers.Shehadn'trushedtoreplaceit."True."

"Idon'tblamethem,"Zhensaid."Shallwebuild?"

Carol automatically helped turn the tiles facedown and shuffle them. Ming Ue had taught Carol and her
cousinLumihowtoplaymahjonglongago,andthefourhadoftenwhiledawayawinter'snightinaquiet
game.

They built a square of tiles two high, all four of them working in silence. Carol let the mundane task
soothe her, losing herself in the cool of the tiles under her fingers, the quiet click that brought back so
manymemoriesofchildhood.

"Thatisexactlyright,"Zhensaidacrossfromher."Focusonwhatyouaredoing,nothingelse."

Theteahelped.Carolwasn'texactlysleepy,buttheedgesofherworldhadsmoothed.Shefeltcalmerand
morerelaxedthanshehadinalongtime.

Theyfinishedconstructingthewallandselectedtiles.Carollookedatherhandandsawthatshe'ddrawn
manydragons.Blackandreddragonswrithedontheivory-coloredsurfacesasshestoodthetilesupon
thetable.

Black and red, she thought. Malcolm and Seth. The other color of dragon in Zhen's mahjong set was
green,butwhenCarolturnedoneover,itshimmeredandbecamedeepestgold.Caleb.

"When the Dragon Masters worked for the Han emperors," Zhen said. "The emperor would use ink to
drawthedragontheywantedtocommand,thentheDragonMasterwouldsingitsname.Oncethedragon
had done their bidding, the Dragon Master released it. Much later they used mahjong tiles. Look at the
dragons,LiMei,andlearnthem.Youcancallthemanytimeyouwant,oryoucanjustlookatthem."

"Willithurtthem?"

"No, child. Learn them and understand them and let them go. Be separate from them. You call, but they
don'tbecomeapartofyou."

Carolstudiedtheblackdragontile.Thelinesofitsbodytwistedandmovedbeforehereyes,thensettled
againintoanoutlineofasnarlingblackdragonwithsilvereyes.

Malcolm,shewhisperedinsideherhead,andthen,justlikethat,sheknewhistruename.

Thenotesofitdancedontheedgeofherhearing,andshefocusedonthemuntiltheybecameclear.

She felt Malcolm's sudden fury, dim and far away. His mind was dark and ancient, holding an amazing
arrayofcalculationsandanalyticalthought,hisintelligencecoldenoughtoformicicles.Shealsofeltthe
newnessofhishumanemotions,foremosthisloveforSabaandhisbabydaughter.

Hesnarledather.No.

HefoughtsofuriouslythatCarol'sinstinctwastoclosehergrip,toholdhimdown.

"Youdon'thaveto,"Zhensaid."Knowhisnameandhim,butstepaway."

Carolunclenchedherhand.ThecoiledbandaroundMalcolmloosened,andshestudiedthetile,stilling
hermind.

Youaremyfriend,shesaidsoftly.I'dneverhurtyou.

Malcolmsnarledagain,thoughwithlessferocity.I'llneverbowdowntoyou.

"I'llneveraskyouto.Promise."

Thengoaway.I'mbusytryingtofigureouthowtosaveyourass.

Getbacktomeonthat,willyou?

Malcolmdidn'tanswer,onlyblewouthisbreathinadragonwhuff.Carolturnedherblackdragontiles
facedown,onebyone,andletgo.

Caleb answered her call more quickly. Don't mages have anything better to do than bother dragons
whoaremindingtheirownbusiness?

I'mpracticing,Carolanswered.

DoIlooklikeaguineapig?GopesterMalcolm.

Ididalready.Carol sang Caleb's name, its golden chimes amazingly beautiful and wrapped in warrior
strength.Shesensedsilverthreadswithinthegold,hisloveforLisa.

Calebsaidgrumpily,I'msoimpressed.

Hewaseasiertorelease.Carolturnedhistilesfacedown,breathingafarewell.ShefeltCaleb'ssurprise
whensheunwoundhimfromher,thenhewasgone.

Sethnext.

Becauseshealreadyhadhisnameinfusedinherthoughts,shebarelyhadtoreachforhim.

Shesangonenote,andhisfireflowedaroundherlikemoltenwire.

HewassearchingfortheDragonMaster.ShesensedSabathroughhim,thewitch'spurpleaurahovering
inthebackground.Malcolmwasn'twiththem.He'dbeenfar,faraway,inDragonspace.

Carol.Seth'swordwasawhisper,almosttender.

Haveyoufoundhim?sheasked.

Notyet.

Caroldrewthethreadsofhisnameoutlikeasong,lovingeverypitch,everynuance.Shestudiedwhatshe
held,andthenasshehadwithCalebandMalcolm,triedtoletitgo.

Sheturnedoverthetiles,butinsteadoftheblankivorybacks,shefoundthereddragonetchedthere,too.
BeforeshecouldstopitthenametightenedaroundSethandbegantopull.

Heresisted.TheDragonMasterinherlaughedandpulledharder.

ShefeltSethcometoher,thefirebetweenthemlikeatightrope.Hisoutlineappearedinthecurtainsof
thedoorway,hisfacedarkwithrage.

"Notyet,"hegrowled.

Cometome.Carolpulledathim,andhedriftedacrosstheflooruntilhesolidifiedbesideher.Zhenand
MingUelookeddistressed,andShaimingblinked.

"Notyet,"Sethrepeated,moreforcefully.Hesmelledlikewindandwaterlikehealwaysdid."Youaren't
readyforityet."

Iwantthepowerofthefiredragon.

Itwillkillyou.Letmego.

"Heisright,LiMei,"Zhensaid,springingtohisfeet."Youmustnottakehimuntilyoucancontrolyour
power."

"Idon'tunderstand.I'mtryingtolethimgo,butIwanttodrawhimintomeinstead."

"Youmustresist,"Zhensaidinagitation."Youmustbeverystrongtowithstandthecombinedpowerof
theDragonMasterandthefiredragon."

"I'mtrying.Idon'tknowhowtoletgo."

"Sendhimbacktowherehewas.Sendhimbacknow."

"Ican't.Iwanttotake…"

CarolclosedherhandaroundSeth'ssinewyforearm.Ashockjoltedthroughher,similartowhatshefelt
whentheymadelove,thensuddenpowersorawshethoughtherfingerswouldsearoff.

Zhenlookedscaredtodeath."Sendhimaway,LiMei.Anywhere.Now."

Sethbegantodissolveintoflame,nottheusualstringoffirehelikedtobecome,butfirethatoutlinedhis

humanbody.Hiseyesfilledwithdeep,intensepain.

"Now,now!"Zhenshrieked.

Go.ThepowerinsideCarolgaveSethastrongpush,andhesuddenlydissolvedandwasgone.

ChapterTwelve

Sethflewfreeagain,arrowingoverthecityandtheglitteringBayBridgethatlinkedittotheinlandcities.
Beyondthat,afewhundredmileseast,hefeltmountains,sharpandtalllikethoseofhisownhome.

Ifhewasfree,he'dgothereandseethem,ifhedidn'tsimplytearbacktoDragonspace.

Carol had nearly commanded him to give her his dragon fire, and Zhen had been right to stop her. She
wasn'treadytohandlehispower.Thefirstnighthe'dmether,whenhe'dbeenenragedthatshe'dcalled
himforthandboundhimtoher,hemighthavelethisfirekillherandbedone.

Hestoppedthethought—no.HerememberedthesoftnessofCarol'sbodyunderhiswhenhe'dpinnedher
againstthecar,thestartledlookinhereyes,thescentofherthatstilldrovehimcrazy.He'dneverhave
hurther,andhedidn'twanttohurthernow.

Heflewbacktotheplacewherehe'dvanishedfromSaba,thefirstofDannyLok'saddressesheandSaba
hadstoppedtocheck.Hedidn'tseeSaba'scarthere,whichmeantshe'dsensiblyleftinsteadoftryingto
investigateonherown.

Sethstreamedintotheemptybuildingbeforehesolidified,tofindhimselfinanotherdarkandcoldplace.
The earthquake damage had been a little more severe in this part of town, likely because the buildings
wererun-down,manyofthemabandoned.

Seth looked about the small empty building and wrinkled his nose. A dark cloying odor permeated the
room,somethingthatspokeofmorethandisuseordecay.

Sethsilentlysentatendrilofflameabovehimtolighthiswayandbegantoexplore.Inacornerhefound
awoodentrapdoorsetinthefloor,withenoughbrokenslatstoletthroughadraftoffetidair.

Whenhereacheddownandpriedthedoorup,thestinkhithimhard.Holdinghisbreath,heproppedopen
thedoorandsenthisflamedownintothedarkness.

Thesickly-sweetsmellofdeathhadwrappedaroundthemustysmellofdamp.Sethpeeredintothehole
foralongtime,thenmadehimselftestthewoodenstairs.

Theyseemedstableenough,andhestarteddown,readytoturntoflameiftheygaveway.

Atthebottomhefoundarubble-strewnbasement.

This earthquake or a previous one had cracked the brick walls, and in one corner was a pile of dirt,
bricks,andbeams.Infrontofitweredampgreensmudgesthatglitteredunderhisflame,allthatwasleft
ofincubi.

"Hewashere,then,"Sethwhispered.

Hewondered,ashecrouchednearthethreestains,whethertheearthquakehadkilledtheincubiorLok's
hirelingshad.Therewasnowayofknowingthatorwhetherthey'dbeentheenhancedincubiortheusual

brainlessvariety.

Helpme.

Thevoiceraspedintheairaroundhim,coldanddesperateandterrifying.

Sethstoodupinahurry.He'dheardthevoicebefore,recognizedtheblackaurathatwentwithit,groping
towardhimwithstickythreads.Butthethreadswerethin,weak,andbrokeoffassoonasSethstepped
awayfromthem.

Carol,hewhispered.

Heranswercameloudandclear.Seth?Whereareyou?

AskSaba.Heslidasideonebitofrubbleandstoodlookingdownwithhandsonhips.IthinkI'vefound
theDragonMaster.

CarolhurriedoutoftheJunkMan'sshopovertheprotestsofZhenandMingUe.

"Ihavetogo,"shesaid."Ifhe'sfoundtheotherDragonMaster,hecan'tfacehimalone."

OnlyShaimingseemedtounderstand.Herquietcousinnoddedtoherandsaidinhissoftvoice,"Goto
him,LiMei."

Carolwasn'tfoolishenoughtotrytodrivewiththelimb-relaxingsedativeZhenhadgivenher.Shecalled
Axel,whopoppedinoutofnowhereatthefrontofthestore.

"Willyoustopthat?"shesnappedathim."Whatifsomeonesawyou?"

"Peopleseewhattheywanttosee,"Axelsaidamiably."Whereareweoffto?"

CarolgavehimtheaddressSabahadrelated.Sabahadwantedtogowiththem,butCarolwouldn'tlet
her. If the Dragon Master was there, along with the Dragon Master's henchmen, Saba would be in too
muchdanger.

Axel popped out again and returned in a few minutes at the wheel of Carol's own car. In the shop
doorway,ZhenwatchedindistressasCarolslidintothepassengerseat,buthedidn'ttrytostopher.

Axelroaredoff,narrowlymissingacarinthetightalley.HebouncedthemuptowardUnionSquare,then
downagaintoMarketStreet,nearlybottomingoutthecarontheintersections.

"Wouldyoubecareful?"Carolheldontoastrapandwatched,white-facedashecutinfrontofacable
car.

"IlovedrivinginSanFrancisco,"Axelsaid,grinningwidely."LikeinaDirtyHarrymovie."

"This isn't a movie," she shouted as they slammed through another intersection and dove down the next
hill.

"No, I mean, I was in one of the Dirty Harry movies. I drove one of the stunt cars. Those were good
times."

CarolgrittedherteethanddirectedhimdowntothesmallwarehousesSabahadtoldherabout.Axelgot
themtherewithoutwreckingthecar,andCarolcrawledout,theadrenalinerushofthedrivecancelingout
theeffectsofthesedative.

Sethwasnowhereinsight,butthedoortothewarehousewaswideopen.Axelstoppedherbeforeshe
dashedinside,andfirmlyledtheway,Carolcloseonhisheels.

"Whew,"Axelsaid,holdinghisnose."Whatdiedinhere?"

"Incubi,"Sethrumbled.

Hesteppedontothefloorfromanopeninginthecorner,hiswaylitbyanorangeflamethatdancedover
hishead."Threeofthem.Ithinkotherthingsaredeaddownthereaswell—

ratsandothervermin."

Carol's heart throbbed with relief upon seeing Seth's tall, upright body. He'd dressed again in the jeans
andlongraincoathe'dworntoMingUe's.

"AndtheDragonMaster?"Axelasked."Ishedead,too?"

"No."

Withthatcrypticcomment,SethdescendedintotheholeagainandAxelfollowed.

"Oh,noyoudon't,"AxelsaidwhenCarolstartedbehindhim."Letusbethesuperheroes,andyoubethe
sidekick.Youstayuphereanddon'tcomedownunlesswesayit'sallright.

Andeventhen,besuspicious."

Carolchafedwithimpatience,thoughshehadtoadmitshedidn'twanttodescendintothathorriblestink.
Shewaitedinthecold,pullinghercoatcloserabouther,tryingnottoworry.

SheoccupiedherselfmusingthatthishadbeenoneofDannyLok'sproperties.Shewonderedwhathe'd
useditfor—ithadbeenemptiedsometimeago.

Itwascreepyuphere,anyway.Throughtheopendoorshesawthegraylightofthewinterdayandher
gleamingblackcarincongruousintheemptyparkinglot.Atargetofopportunityifsheeversawone.

ShewasalmostrelievedwhenSethcalledupthestairs,"Carol,pleasecomedown."

Shesteppedtothetrapdoor."Areyousure?Axeltoldmetobesuspicious."

Sethwrappedhisthoughtswarmlyaroundher."Becareful,butcome."

Nothing dire happened as she descended. Seth and Axel waited for her near the pile of rubble, which

they'dclearedpartof.Carolgasped.

In the middle of the rubble lay the column of glass that she and Seth had seen in the warehouse a few
streetssouthofhere.Itlayonitsside,stretchingwalltowallasthougheachendhadbeenattachedtothe
bricks.

Inthemiddleofthecolumnwasthefigureofthemanthey'dseenbefore.Hishandswerepressedtothe
glassandhewaswhispering.

Helpme.

"TheDragonMaster,"Sethsaidquietly.

Assoonastheyuncoveredhim,SethfelttheotherDragonMastertap-tappingathisthoughts.Free me.
Please.

Sethsensedthetendrilsagainreachingforhim,tinysnakestryingtotwinearoundhisbrain.Theymetwith
thefierytendrilsofCarol'sthoughtsandbackedaway.

"He'sinthere?"Carolasked,tryingtopeerthroughthethickglass.

"Somethingis."Axelcuppedhishandsaroundit.Theycouldseetheoutlineofahumanbody,butitwas
veryfaint.

Helpme.

Carolstoodupsuddenly."Areyouhearingthat?"

Sethnodded,butAxellookedpuzzled."Ishetryingtotalktoyou?"

"Hewantsustofreehim."Sethpushedhishandsintohispockets,tryingtoshutoutthedesperatevoice.
Syingcouldn'tstillbealive—thatwasimpossible.

"Hesoundsscared."Carolsaid,restingherhandontheglass."Iwonderwhathappened."

Seth wondered as well. He'd never found out the fate of Sying the Dragon Master; Seth had only
awakenedfree.Hefeltatinytrickleofevilfromhimnow,thoughnotassharpaswhenthey'dseenhimin
thelargerwarehouseyesterday.

Carolstudiedthecolumnwithamixtureoffearandinterest."Ifweleavehimhere,whathappens?Will
moreincubicometoservetheDragonMaster,orwilltheyabandonhim?"

"Whothehellknows?"Axelsaid."Ifwemakethebuildingfallonhim,willhedie?"

Seth eyed the thick column. It looked like glass, but it was likely something held together by a magical
field."Idon'tthinkso.He'dbeburiedhereuntilsomeoneelsedughimout."

Carolshivered."Thatwouldbehorrible."

Axelputhishandsonhiships."Whatdowedowithhim,then?It'snotlikehe'llfitinCarol'scar."

"Idon'tknow,"Carolanswered."I'mtryingtodecideifhe'smoreofadangerifweleavehimorhidehim
somewhere."

"Theocean,"Sethsaid.

"Sorry?"

"Icouldcarryhimoveryouroceananddrophimin.Hewouldbedifficulttoreachthere."

Hefeltashudderfromthecolumn,andatwingeofhorror,butthedeepoceanmightstillthevoice.

"Couldtheincubifindhimandbringhimup?"Carolaskedhim."Idon'tknowanythingaboutthem—can
theyswim?"

"Theyarecreaturesofairandfire,"Sethanswered."Theydon'tlikewater,butinthishumanworld,you
havesolvedtheproblemofsuchthings."

"Likeboatsandscuba."Axelbarkedalaugh."Anincubusinscubagear.I'dlovetoseethat."

Carolgavehimanimpatientlook."WhatImeanis,arewesolvingtheproblembygettingridofhim,or
simplystavingitoff?HowlongbeforetheincubiortheOrderoftheBlackLotusfindhimandmakehim
powerfulagain?"

Seth had a solution, but he wasn't sure Carol would like it. A fire dragon's power could destroy the
columnandalsothemaninside.

Axelwatchedhim,hisdarkeyesglittering.He'dguessedwhatSethwantedtodo.

"Carol,"theBakusaid."Whydon'twestrollouttoyourcar?"

"Why?"sheaskedsharply.

"Itstinksinhere,andyouneedtheair."

CarollookedfromhimtoSeth."I'mnotstupid.YouandSethwanttodestroythis,don'tyou?"

Sethsenthisthreadstosootheherandfoundherbrittleandresistant."It'sthebestway."

"Howdangerousisthat?Isthereachanceyou'llbehurt,orkilled,orenslavedintheprocess?"

Sethcouldn'tlietoher,becauseshe'dknowinstantlythroughtheirbond."Thereisachance,yes."

"Thenforgetit."

"Carol,"Axelsaidinareasonablevoice."Lookatitthisway.IfSethkillsthebig,badDragonMaster,
there'snomoreneedforyoutoholdhim.YoucanletSethgo,hecanreturntoDragonspace,everyone's
happy."

Hermusicdarkened,andshedrewatensebreath."It'snotthatsimple.EvenifIwantedtoletSethgo,I
don'tknowhow.Andwhat'stosaywewon'tbehunteddownbyenragedincubiortheOrder?Howwill
thatbesafer?"Shebrokeoffandlookedatthecolumn.

"Besides,he'saskingforourhelp."

Axelshookhishead."You'reasweetwoman,butmisguidedsometimes."

"Themalesolutiontoeverythingistokillit,"shesaid."Awoman'sstrengthisherabilitytostepbackand
thinkaboutitfirst.Weknowtherearemoresolutionstoproblemsthanjustone."

"Oh, very nice," Axel snorted. "Well, Ms. Businesswoman of the Year, what does your ability to think
aboutittellus?"

Carolgavehimawitheringlook."Idon'tknowyet."Shestopped."Yes,Ido.Seth,canyouputamarkon
thisplace?Youknow,liketheonesonmyapartment?"Shetracedherfingerintheair.

"Keephimhere,youmean?"Sethasked."Andkeepothersawayfromhim?"

"Sure.Ifweneedtostorehimsomewhere,whynothere?"

Shelookedexcited,hereyessparkling.Axelregardedherskeptically."WhatifthisDannyLok'srelatives
wantthebuildingforsomething,ordecidetotearitdownnextweek?"

"That'seasy,"Carolsaid."I'llbuyit."

Axelranhisgazeovertheruinedbasement."Buyit?It'skindofadump."

"Agoodinvestment.Youneverknowwhenanareawillbegentrified.OrIcanuseittowarehousegoods
formyrestaurant,orturnitintoanAsiangrocerystoreorsomething.

Manypossibilities."

AxeleyedSethandshookhishead.Carolsurveyedtheroomwithoutdismay,havingclearlydecidedwhat
shewantedtodo.

Without speaking, Seth turned to the walls around the Dragon Master and began to mark them. The
symbolshetracedflaredoutwithatouchoffire,thensettledintoquietshimmers.

Axelshookhisheadonemoretimebutjoinedhim,overlayingdragonmagicwithhisstrangepurple-hued
Bakumagic.Axeldidn'thavetophysicallytouchthewallstomarkthem—hesimplylookedatthemand
mutteredunderhisbreath.

"Icanseethose,"Carolwhisperedindelight.

Axelchuckled."Welcometomyworld."

"Shouldn'twestandhimupright?"Carolmotionedtothecolumnthatstilllayonthefloor.

SethhadnointerestinmakingtheDragonMastercomfortableandnointerestintouchingthecolumnwith
hisdragonmagic.Itwasmassive,andhehadnoideawhethersuchamagicalthingcouldbemovedatall.

"Besttoleaveitalone,"AxelvoicedSeth'sthoughts.

Carolopenedhermouthtocontinue,buttheroarofacarenginecametothemfromabove.

"Crap,"Carolsaid,andstartedupthestairs.

Sethgrabbedherbeforeshe'dreachedthethirdone."No.Listen."

Doorsslammedandfootstepssoundedinthewarehouseabove.

"Timetodepart,"Axelsaid.HelookedatCarol.

"Icangetherout,"Sethsaid."Butnotthroughsolidwalls.Ineedtobeupstairswiththedooropen."

Carol'swarmbodyrestedagainsthim,herhairtemptinglybrushinghisnose.Shelookedbackupathim,
putting her lips in reach. "Why don't we see who it is, first? It might be my grandmother and Shaiming
worriedaboutus.Theyweren'thappywithmeleaving."

"Theauraiswrong,"Sethsaidinherear.

"Incubi?Cantheydrive?"

"It'shuman,notmagical.Atleast,notmuchmagical."

"HowaboutifIgocheckitout?"Axelsaid."I'mprettyscary."

SethsnakedhisarmaroundCarol,readytosurroundherwithhisflameandcarryheraway.

HemovedasidetoletAxelpass.

"Oops,toolate,"Axelsaid.

Men came pouring down the stairs. They were human and dressed like Danny Lok and his bodyguards.
Allofthemhadhardfacesanddarkeyes,andonehadhelpedshoottherestaurant.

"Hi,"Axelsaid."Didyoucometojointheparty?"

Thefirsttwoonthestairshesitatedasplitsecond,thencameondown.Theycarriedweapons,thoughthey
heldtheminneutralpositions.

Onemanpushedhiswaytothefront.HewaslargerandheavierthanDannyLokhadbeen,andpossessed
a dark magic that made Seth's skin crawl. He stopped, feeling the marks that Axel and Seth had placed
overtheroom.

"TheDragonMasterisours,"themansaidinclearEnglish.

"Finders,keepers,"Carolsaid.Shewasshaking,buthervoicecameoutsteady.

"Youhavenoideawhatyou'vegotteninto,girl.Surrendertousandgiveusthefiredragon.

Youdon'tknowhowtousehispowerwithoutkillingyourself."

"AndIshouldgivehimtoyou,why?"

"Youdon'thaveachoice."

"No,Ihaveafiredragon.AndaDragonMaster.Whydoyouwantthemsomuch?AreyouwiththeBlack
Lotusgang?"

"TheOrderoftheBlackLotushasinheritedtherighttotheDragonMaster.Heisours."

"Youinheritedhim?"Carolaskedinsurprise.

"Myancestorsimprisonedhim,andpassedonthetaskofkeepinghim.Whichiswhyyouwillgivehimto
us."

Imprisoned.Sethblinkedinshock.TheOrderhadn'tkilledtheDragonMasterfordisobeyingthemafter
all.They'dimprisonedhiminmagicsothickithadbrokenthebondbetweentheDragonMasterandhis
dragons.

Which was why this Dragon Master had reached out for Seth of all fire dragons he could have—he'd
alreadyknownSeth'sname.

SethtightenedhisgriparoundCarol'swaistandwhisperedintoherear."Beready."

HefeltCaroltense,sensedherDragonMasterpowerpressingaroundhismind.Shelookedbackathim,
hereyesfulloffear,notofthemen,butofherself.

"Getmeoutofhere.Please."

SethlookedattheBaku."Axel."

"I'lldowhatIcan,"hesaidcheerfully.

He disappeared with a puff of air and reappeared at the top of the stairs. "Catch me if you can." He
poppedoutagain,startlingthemengatheredthere.

The leader didn't pay attention, keeping his cold eyes on Seth and Carol. Shouting sounded above,
indicatingthatAxelwasenjoyinghimself.

CarolpressedherhandontopofSeth's,andhesensedhertryingtotapintohisdragonfire.

"No,"hewhispered.

Shekeptpullingathim,likelynotevenrealizingit.Sethjerkedhisarmfromaroundherandpushedher
againstthewall.Thesparkdied,butshespunaroundhisthoughts,lookingforaweakness.

Sethhissed,lettinghisbodyflowintohisstringoffire.Heflewupthestairs,startlingtheleaderandthe
twomenwho'dstayedwithhim.Whiletheyfocusedonhim,hesentastringofflameuptoAxel,snarling
athimindragontogetCarolandgo.

Axel popped into existence again right behind Carol, and she gave a startled scream. He wrapped his
armsaroundherandsaid,"Hopethisworks."

"Wait,youhope…"Carolbegan,thensheandAxelweregone.

SethwhizzedaroundthemenoftheBlackLotus,whosimplystaredathim,realizingtheirweaponswere
useless.TheleadersnakedatendrilofmagictoSeth,tryingtoentwineitinhisfire.

Sethattemptedtosolidifyintohisdragonformandwassurprisedwhenitworked.Thewarehousewas
largeenoughandthesemenbelievedin—andfeared—dragons.

Theleader'sfacewhitenedasSethdovetowardhim,reachingoutwithatalontosnarehim.

Themanslappedbackwithdarkmagic,andSethmissed,buthefollowedupwithastreamofrealfire.
Menscreamedanddovetotheground,beatingflamesoutoftheirclothes.

Theleaderdrewhimselfup,magicswirlingaroundhimlikeadarkcloak.Sethblewhisfireagain,then
lethisbodyflowoncemoreintopureflame.

Sethbrushedfireoverallthewalls,markingthemashis.TheleadercriedoutinsuddenpainasSeth's
firemagicwrappedaroundhimlikeanironband.Heranforthedoor,andSethstreakedflamepasthim
beforeflyingoutsidehimself.

Carol'scarstillsatshiningandwholeintheparkinglot,butthemenoftheBlackLotusignoreditasthey
rushedtotheirownvehiclesandfled.

ChapterThirteen

SethfoundCarolarguingwithAxelinherapartment."Iworkedhardforthatcar,Axel.Ineedit."

"Youkidsandyourobsessionforvehicles,"Axelgrowled."Youdon'tseemewithacar."

"Ican'tpopinandoutofwhereverIwantashandilyasyou.Andwhatdidyoumean,Ihopethisworks?"

AxelspottedSethstandinginthemiddleoftheroom,andhemadeforthefrontdoor."FineI'llgoseeifI
canretrieveyourBeemer.I'llleaveitinyourusualgarageallright?"

HepausedinthedoorwaytogiveSethagrinandathumbs-up,thenhewasgone.

"You'reallright?"Sethasked.

"No."She rose shakily."That was anexperience. I'm not evensure what happened,but suddenly I was
here."

"Safely. Good." Seth crossed the room and checked the locks, but Axel had magicked them shut behind
him."Idon'twantyoutostayhere."

Shegavehimaconfusedlook."Ilivehere.Whatareyoutalkingabout?"

"Iwanttotakeyoufarawayfromhere.Thereareothercitiesinthishumanworldstill,aren'tthere?"

"Plenty,butIdon'twanttoliveinanyofthem."

"You'd be safer if you let me take you." If he could get her to a place where the Order didn't have a
stronghold,hecouldprotectherbetter.

"WhataboutmygrandmotherandShaiming?"

"Theycancome,too."

Carolwenttohim.theflameofherwrappingitselfaroundhissenses.Heknewshe'dtrytopersuadehim
toleaveheralone,butshedidn'tunderstandthatherbrowneyesandflowerlikescentmadehimwantto
protectherallthemorefiercely.

"Seth,ourentirelivesarehere.MingUe'sisourhome,wecan'tsimplyabandonit.TheOrderwouldn't
leaveitaloneifwewent."

"You'restubbornlikeadragon."

"If I run away, then they win—the Order and the Dragon Master and whoever else wants to kill me. I
refusetoletthembullyme;Irefusetogiveupmylifeforthem."

"AtleastletmetakeyoutoDragonspaceuntilIcanslayeveryoneintheOrder.Noonewillbeabletoget
toyouinmylairintheheartofmyterritory."

"WhatdoIdowhileI'mthere?Countrocks?"

Sethfellsilent.Heknewtheonlywayhe'dgetherawaywouldbetosurroundherinhisfireanddragher
toLisa's,sothesilverdragoncouldopenthewaytoDragonspace.

Theideawastempting,andhedidn'tabandonit.Carolheldhisname,andshecouldcompelhimtostop
anytimesheliked,butifhetookherbysurprise,hemighthaveachance.

Carolwatchedhimasthoughsheknewwhathewasthinking."Don'teventry."

Seth made his thought threads innocent, but he couldn't let the idea go. He wanted her safe with a
franticnesshe'dneverexperiencedbefore.

"ThenstayherewhileIslayyourenemies,"hesaid.

"Slay?What'sthistalkaboutslaying?"

Sethgrowled,thedragoninhimchafingtoflyoutandfinishthemoff."You'dratherwaitforthemtoslay
you?"

"Theycouldhavekilledmeinthatbasement.Ihavetowonderwhytheydidn't."

"Fear.Theyweren'tsurewhataDragonMastercoulddo,orwhatyou'dmakemedo."

"No,itdidn'tfeellikethat.Theywerewaiting,yes,butnottofight.It'sliketheywonderedwhatI'ddo
withtheotherDragonMaster."

Sethslowedhisthoughts,bringingthembackfrombloodlust."Whywouldyouwanttodoanythingwith
theotherDragonMaster?"

"Idon'tknow.Interesting,don'tyouthink?"

Sethmovedtotheothersideoftheroomandlookedoutthewindow.Theelectricityhadbeenrestoredin
thisbuildingalready,sotheairwaswarmagainstthecoldthatseepedthroughthewindowglass.

Outsidepeoplehurriedbackandforth,callingouttoeachother,orstoppingtotalkinlittlegroups.They
were still putting things together after the earthquake, coming together to commiserate. Humans did that
sometimes—clumped together for safety and comfort, somewhat like baby dragons did. It's something
adultdragonswouldneverdo,exceptfiredragonsandthenonlywiththeirmates.

HerealizedthatpartoftheprotectivenesshefeltforCarolwasnotofaslaveboundtoitsmaster,butofa
dragoncaringforhismate.Histhoughtoftuckingherinhislairwasexactlywhatafiredragondidwhen
thefemalewasreadytohaveherclutch.Themaleguardedheragainsttheworldwhilethefemalecurled
aroundhereggs.

Never in his wildest dreams would Seth have thought of a human being as mate. Malcolm had taken a
human,butshewasawitch,plusMalcolmsaidthatSabahadbeengivenamagicalgiftfromthesilver
dragon—she could bear Malcolm children in the human way and her lifespan would increase to match
his.Theirchildren,halfdragon,wouldbemagical,too.

CarolasaDragonMastershouldintheorybeabletocontrolthesilverdragonherself.Nooneseemedto
understandCarol'smagicoritsuntappedpotential,noteventheoldmanZhen.

"Seth;"Carolgaspedbehindhim."Yourtattoo."

Sethlookedoverhisshoulder,buthecouldn'tseetheflametattoofromthatangle."Whataboutit?"

"It'sdifferent.It'sbigger."

Sethwentintothebathroomandexaminedhisbackinthefull-lengthmirror.Theflamethatoutlinedhis
buttockswasthickerandreachedhigheruphisback.

"Whydidthathappen?"sheasked,staringathiminthemirror.

Herfacewassmudgedfromthedirtybasement,herhairindisarray.She'dchanged,too,fromthepristine,
elegantwomanhe'dfoundinthealleybehindMingUe'stwonightsago.

She looked stronger, more able to take frightening things in stride, more accepting of the magical and
bizarre.

"Idon'tknow."Sethansweredher.Hereachedoutandbrushedthedirtfromherface.

Carolcaughtsightofherreflectionindismay."Oh,God,lookatme.I'mamess."

Heclaspedherhands."Ilikeyouamess."

"Don'tstartwiththecompliments.Idon'tthinkIcantakeitrightnow."

"I'madragonwhoneverwantedtomeetahumanwoman."Hetouchedherchin."AndIcan'tstayaway
fromyou."

"BecauseIholdyourname."

"Maybethat'sit."Hedidn'tthinksoasheleanedtokissherlips.

"Tellmeaboutdragons,"shesaidsoftly.

Rightnow?Hewantedtosnarl."Why?"

"IthinkIneedtoknowmoreaboutthem.IftheotherDragonMastergetsfree,andIdoneedtousethe
powers—I'dfeelbetterifIwereprepared,isall."

"MalcolmknowsmorethanIdo,"hesaid,touchingherlowerlip."Blackdragonshaveadamnlibraryall
aboutdragons."

"Soblackdragonslikeinformation.Whatdofiredragonslike?"

"Solitude.Beauty."Seththoughtofthescentofdryairandacaciafloatingacrossthevastdesertstillness
ofhishome."Flying,hunting.Peace."

"I'dgiveyouallthatbackifIcould."

"Youwill."

"You have confidence in me. Zhen tried to teach me how to let you go, using drugged tea and mahjong
tiles.Icouldalmostdoit."Shepaused,hergazegoingremote."IhadnotroublecallingtoMalcolmand
Calebandthenturningthemloose.ButyouIcouldn't.ThemoreItriedtoletgo,themoreIcalledyouto
me.That'swhyyouappearedinZhen'sbackroom.Iwantedyousomuch."Shetrailedoff.

"Youwantmydragonfire."

Theworryanddespairinhereyesalmostundidhim."Whatdoesthatmean?Whydoesn'tyourfireburn
me,bytheway?You'relivingflame,butyoudon'tburn."

"IcanburnifIchoose,butIchoosenottohurtyou."

"Butifyoudid…"

"Youwouldburntoacinder."

Her brows drew together. "So why should I crave your fire? Maybe deep down I really want to get
burned?"

Heshookhishead."Myflameformisnotmydragonfire.It'sjustanotherformIcantake,likethesilver
dragoncanbecomeastringoflights."

"NowI'mreallyconfused."

Sethleanedhisbarebuttocksagainstthecounteranddidn'tmisshowCarol'sgazemovedtoregardthem
inthemirror.

"My dragon fire is my magic." he said. "It's the essence that makes me a fire dragon, and it's more
powerfulthanwhatanyotherdragonpossesses.ThesilverdragoncandomorewithhermagicthanIcan
withmine,butmyfireisaconcentrationofpureenergy.IcoulddestroytheworldwithitifIwantedto."

"Oh."Carol'slipsparted."WhichexplainswhytheotherDragonMasterwantsitsomuch.Iwonderifthe
Orderwantshimtohaveitoristryingtokeepitawayfromhim."

"Myfireiswhyyouwokeandcalledmetoyou,"Sethsaid.

"AndwhyIdon'twanttoletyougo?"

He nodded, feeling the rough ends of his hair on his neck. "You crave my fire and have been trying to
drawitintoyourselffromthefirst.Youaren'tstrongenoughyet,butsoonyou'llbeabletopullitinfrom
meandIwon'tbeabletostopyou."

"Whathappensthen?"Shebackedupastep,slidingherarmsacrossherabdomen."WhathappenswhenI
takeyourdragonfire,whateveritis?Doesthatleaveyouwithoutit?"

"Ifyouwerefiredragonitwouldleavemefusedwithyou,boundabsolutely.Firedragonsdothatwhen
theymate,butwe'rebornwiththecapacitytoendureit.Withyou…"Hedrewhisfingerdownhercheek,
asalwaysrevelinginhersoftness."Itwillburnyouupfromtheinsideoutifyou'renotready.Itwillkill
you."

Hereyeswidened."ThenIwon'tdoit.Ihavenodesiretoburntoacrisp,thankyouverymuch."

"You can't help it. The Dragon Master in you wants to command it, just like the other Dragon Master
wantsittogethimselffreeofthatcolumnthing.DragonfireisthewholereasonIwassuckedherefrom
Dragonspace."

"Areyousureaboutthis?"

"Yes."He'dneverbeenmorecertainofanythinginhislife."Youwantmyfire.Abitofitjumpstoyou
everytimewemate."

"Inoticedthat."Shedrewashudderingbreath."Ithoughtitwasjustagreatorgasm."

"Itrytokeepmyfirefromyoualways,butwhenImatewithyou,Ilosesomeofmycontrol."Hereached
forheracrossthesmallbathroomandtouchedhercool,bareshoulders."Itisintensematingwithyou,and
Iamburiedinthejoyofit."

"Butifyoueverlostholdofthisdragonfire,thenI'dbetoast?Literally?"

"I would never, ever hurt you." He moved his thumbs over her collarbone. "You wield my true name,
whichwouldmakemeworkhardnottoharmyou,evenifIhatedyou.

Somethinginmealwaysholdsbackthedragonfire,evenifasparkescapes."

"Notthebestreassuranceyoucouldgiveme."

"Ilikematingwithyou.Ilikehowyourbodymovesundermine,howhotyourskingets,howyoutaste.
Mydragonfirecravesyou,butIwon'tletyoupullitintoyou.Thebondprotectsyou."

Shestartedtopushhimaway,butthenherfingerscurledonhisshouldersandheldhiminplace.Shelifted
onhertiptoesandbrushedakisstohislips,thenpausedasthoughwaitingtoseewhatwouldhappen.

Hisdragonfiretrembledinsidehim,butSethquietedit.

"I can't seem to stop wanting you, Seth," she whispered. "I'm not a sexy woman, not the kind that men
chase.TheythinkI'mcoldandtoofocusedonmoney.ButI'mnot,notreally.

ImademoneybecauseIhadto,becauseGrandmotherandShaimingwouldhavehadnothingifIhadn't.
ButalleveryoneseesisoverachieverCarol,hardasnailsandcoldasice."

"Youaren'thard,"hesaid,kissingherverysoftandverywarmneck."Iam."

Shedissolvedintolaughter."Seth,damnit,don'tdothat."

"Don'tdowhat?Wantyou?"

"MakemelaughwhileI'mpouringmyheartout."

Sethtouchedherchest,feelingherheartbeatingswiftly."It'sstillinplace."

"Ican'tbelievesomeonelikeyoulikestotouchme,"shesaidinwonder.Shecuppedhischeek."Inever
thoughtI'dletamangetclosetome—neverthoughtonewouldwantto.

Exceptyou'renotaman,you'readragon."

"Amaledragon."

Hetookherhandandguidedittohisveryerectpenis.Shegraspedhimreadily,andheclosedhiseyesin
pleasure.

Shetouchedhimgently,herfingersexploringasbefore,asthoughshefoundhimfascinating.Shedipped
herhandtohisballsandliftedtheminherpalm.

Hecouldn'tstandit.Heliftedheruntilherfacewasevenwithhisandlethiskisspressheragainstthe
cream-coloredwall.

Whenhebrokethekissshereachedforhim,hereyeshalf-closed.Hekissedheragain,drawingherlower
lipbetweenhisteeth.

Shestrokedhisface,hersoftbodymovingagainsthishardone,hisstaffthickbetweenthem."Axelwill
bebacksoon."

Sethdidn'tcareaboutAxel.Hedippedhisheadandnibbleddownherneck,slowlyeasinghertostandon
herfeetagain."Letmefeelyou,"hewhispered.

"Aren'tyoufeelingmealready?"

"Allofyou.Whyareyoualwaysinclothes?"

"Iwasgoingtoaskyouwhyyou'realwaysoutofthem."

Sethopenedthebuttonsofhershirt."They'reannoying.Icanchangefasteriftheyaren'tintheway."He
pushedtheshirtfromhershouldersandtuggedatherbra."Atleaststopwearingthis."

"HowaboutifIquitwearingunderwearaltogether?"

Hesensedshewasjoking,butheremainedserious."Thatwouldbebest.ThenifIwanttodothis…"He
slidherskirtupherthighs,findingthebareskinofherlegsandthebarrierofherpanties."Itwouldbe
easier."

"Icouldn'tpossiblygotoboardmeetingswithoutmyunderwear."

"Whynot?"

She pretended to contemplate. "I suppose if my investors knew I was pantyless, they might be less
disparagingaboutmyprofit-and-lossstatements.Mostofthemaremenandtrytolookdownmyblouse
anyway."

Sethpinnedhertothewallagain."Iftheyeverdoagain,tellthemyouaremine."

"Idon'tthinkitwouldbeeasyexplainingmydragonboyfriend."

Sethkissedher,lettingtheheatofhermouthdissolvehistension.Hewantedallofher.Thetouchingand
kissingonlysatisfiedhimsomuch.

Heleftoffhisteasingandleanedoverher."Ican'teverhavewhatIwantwithyou."

Shegavehimastartledlook."Whatdoyouwant?"

"Everything.Iwantmylifetobeallaroundyou,allaboutyou.Idon'tknowwhyIwishthis.Youaren't
dragon,andthisworldislikehelltome."Heballedhisfistonwall."Why?"

"Idon'tknow."Shedidn'tmove,buthefelttherapidriseandfallofherchest."IwishIwasn'tsotangled
upinyou.Iwantyoutobeabletoleave,tonothatemeforholdingyou.

AndIwanttowakeupandbeCarolagain,goingtomyofficeandrunningmyrestaurants.Idon'twantto
knowaboutdragonsorDragonMasters,ortheOrderoftheBlackLotus.Iwantmylifeback."

"I want to fly free again." He unclenched his hand and rubbed his thumb over her chin. "We both want
whatwecan'thave."

"IfIcanfigureouthowtoletyougo,Iwill."

"Youdon'tunderstand.Itdoesn'tmatterifyousendmebacktoDragonspace.Ihavetouchedyou,mated
withyou,watchedyouwhileyouslept.Iwon'teverbeabletountanglemyselffromyouagain."

Herdarkeyesflickedtohis."Maybeyousaythatbecauseyou'retrapped.Maybeit'sthetrue-namething
makingyouthinkyouwanttostaywithme."

"Itfeelsrealtome."

"Buthowwillyoufeelwhenthebondisbroken?"

Heshrugged."WhatifthebondbeingbrokenmeansIcan'tstaywithyou?Maybethemagicthatbrought
meherewon'tletmestayifit'sbroken."

"CalebandMalcolmstay."

"They came under different circumstances and were freed by their mates. Can I stay with the one who
enslavedme?Orwillthemagicnotletme?"

"Youaskdifficultquestions,"Carolsaid."IthoughtgettingmyMBAwaschallenging."

Hehadnoideawhatthatmeant,butheunderstoodthegist."Idon'twantittobedifficult."

Lifewaseasyasadragon—hisbasicemotionswerehisneedtohunt,angerandprotectivenessoverhis
territory,joyinthebeautyaroundhim.He'dbeencontentwithhislife.

Humans were completely different, and even though he was only in this shape temporarily, he was
floodedwithcomplicatedhumanthoughtsandemotions,wantsandneeds.

Carolmightberightthatwithoutthetruenamebondhemightnotwantheranylonger.Hecouldn'timagine
thatnow,asfuriousashe'dbeenwithherwhenhe'dfirstencounteredher.

Hehatedbeingtrapped,butifhehadtobe,hecouldn'timagineabetterwomantobetrappedwith.

"Ishouldcleanup,"Carolwassaying.Shelookedsidewaysatherselfinthelongmirror,andSethstudied
her,too,hermussedhair,openblouse,andsmudgedface.Delectable.

"Ashower?"Sethasked.Hewouldn'tmindbeingwetwithher.

"IneedtogobacktoZhen'sandtellthemwhathappened.Iwanttocontinuewithmytraining,too,soI
don'tdosomethingstupid.Whenwewereinthebasement,Iwantedtotellyoutostrikeagain.Icouldfeel
it,anditwasphysicalpaintoholditback."

"Idon'twantyoutofeelpain."

"NeitherdoI.That'swhyIneedZhen."

Sethreachedintothetiledshowerstallandturnedonthewater.Itgushedout,hotandclear,andtheroom
soonfilledwithsteam.

"That'slucky,"Carolsaid."Iworriedthatthewaterwouldgobadorbeshutoffindefinitely.Lookslike
it'sfixed."

Hedidn'tfollowwhatshewasbabblingabout,andhedidn'tcare.Hepulledoffherblouseandstarted
workingonherskirt.

Caroltriedtobackaway,butthewallstoppedher."ImeantyoushouldfindsomethingtowearwhileI
showerandchange.I'llbeoutinaminute."

Sethopenedtheskirtwideandletitdropdownherlegs."Thatwouldn'tbeasmuchfunaswashingwith
you." He scooped his arm around her backside, lifted her off her feet and set her under the stream of
water.

Carolgaspedindismayatthebraandpantiesstillonher."Ihaven'tfinishedundressing."

"Youshouldfinish,then.Malcolmtoldmehumanswashedtheirclothes,anyway."

"Notatthesametimeasthemselves."

"Hmm.Seemslikeawaste."

Carolunhookedherbraandslidherpantiesoff,droppingthemtothebathroomfloorwithawetsplat.She
hadtoleanagainstthetilewallandbendovertoslideherstockings,equallysopping,fromherlegs.

Sethfoldedhisarmsandenjoyedtheview.Carolwastallforawoman,herlimbsslenderbutnotbone-
thinlikehercousinLumi's.Shehadsoftcurves,herwaistnippinginabovetheswellofherhips.

Herwethairflowedfromherforeheadinasablewavetohershoulders.Herbreastswerefull,thetips
darkred,andatwistofblackhairpeekedfrombetweenherlegs.

Beautiful.

Sethsteppedintotheshowerwithherandclosedtheglassdoor.

ChapterFourteen

Carol admitted that Seth decorated the shower far better than her designer tiles and etched glass doors
evercould.Waterbeadedonhisshouldersandarmsanddarkenedtheredhaironhischest.

Heleanedhisheadbackandletthestreamwethishair,pushingitbackfromhisforeheadashe'dwatched
herdo.Dropletsclungtohislashes,cheekbones,andpartedlips.

The universe had known what it was doing, Carol reflected. His arms were sculpted with muscle,
showingnature'sperfectdesignthatnogymhadanyhandin.

Seth was tall enough that Carol just fit under his chin. She couldn't resist leaning her body to his,
wrappingherarmsaroundthesolidmalesheknewshewasfallinginlovewith.

Carol didn't fall in love. She didn't have time for it. She'd seen her friends in college fall in love and
abandon their dreams and goals to marry. She'd also seen them divorce a few years later, with one or
morechildrentotakecareofandnomoneywithwhichtodoit.

Even Lisa had tangled herself in a bad relationship that had nearly drained her dry before she'd come
hometoworkatMingUe's.She'donlyfoundhappinesswithCaleb,andhewasadragon.

Carolhadmadeitplainthatshewasaboutcareeranddrive,notlove,marriage,andbabies.

Itworked—mensteeredclear.

Perhapsitwasthefactthatshe,Lisa,andSabaweremagicalwomen,shethoughtasshesoakedupSeth's
warmth.Asmagicalwomen,theycouldonlylookforhappinesswithmagicalmen—dragonsinthiscase.

Not that she thought her situation would end in happiness. Zhen would train her well enough that she'd
learnhowtoletSethgo,andthenhe'dgo.

Thethrobofpaininherheartsurprisedher.Shetightenedherarmsaroundhim,realizingshedidn'twant
tolethimgo.

Sethkissedheragain,holdingherfaceinhishandswhilehetastedherlips.Hekissedhiswaydownher
throatandbeganlickingherthere,chasingwaterdropletswithhistongue.

Helikedtolickher,asthoughshewereanexotictastehecouldn'tgetenoughof.Shedidn'tmindhishot
tongueonherbody,andsheturnedherheadsohecouldtastemore.

Heflickedhistonguedownherchestandsanktohisknees.Carolrestedherhandsonhisshouldersand
grittedherteethashepliedhistonguetohernavel,thentrailedheatedkissestothetuftofhairbetween
herlegs.

Sethranhishandsupthebacksofherthighsandleanedintodelvehistongueintoher.Hewasgetting
practicedatit.

Carolgrippedhisshoulders,watchinghernailsslightlyindenthisskin.Atthetinypain,helickedfaster,
his tongue an amazing implement of pleasure. He opened his mouth and fastened it to her clit, then he
suckled.

Carol cried out in delight. All kinds of wild sensations tingled through her, darkness, bright fire, and
dizziness.

"Iloveit,"sheheardherselfsaying."Iloveit,Seth."

Heignoredhertokeepplaying.Hisgriptightenedonherlegs,notabouttoletgowhilehetorturedher.

Nothingmattered.Shedidn'tcarethatanancientAsiangangwastryingtokillher,thattherewasanother
DragonMastertrappedinawarehousebasementinSoMa,thatshehadthepowertocommanddragons.

AllthatmatteredwasSethkneelingatherfeetandhismagicaltongue.Sheroseonhertoes,wantingto
thrustherselfathimashardasshecould.Shewasgladhewassostrong,becausehetookhergyrations
withoutflinching.

He drove her crazy. He pleasured her until she spiraled into darkness and cried out as she came. She
didn'tevenblushatthethoughtofherneighborshearing.

ShepressedSethintoher,wantinghimtogoonandon.Hedidforafewminutes,thenherose,hisface
drawnwithlonging,anddraggedheruptohim.

Hiskisstastedofherjuicescoupledwiththespiceofhismouth.Hishandswerebruising,hislipsjustas
punishing.

Shewantedhisfire.Itwasn'tonlytheDragonMasterinhercravingpower,shewantedSeth,allofhim.

Shefannedherhandsoutonhisbackanddugherfingersin,thensheopenedhermouthandcalledtohis
fire.

Itcamequicklyatfirst,ahotsparkthatdoveintoherandlitherbodyallthewaytohertoes.Shegroaned
withit,andSethechoedher,asheartfeltashedidinclimax.

Anotherspark,andherbodywashotasflame.

Sethjerkedhismouthaway,hiseyesfullyblack,nowhiteshowing."No."

"Iwantit.Letmehaveyou."

"No!"

Sethshovedherawayandstumbledoutoftheshower,puttingasmuchspacebetweenherandhimselfas
hecouldinthesmallroom.

Carolfellbackagainstthewall,thetilesfreezingagainstherhotskin."Seth."

Hegazedatherinanguish,hisstiffpenisliftingatarightanglefromhisbody."Stayawayfromme."

She could make him do what she wanted. All she had to do was wrap his name around her mind and
commandhim.

TheDragonMasterinherstartedtodoit.Shesangthenotesofhisname,eachsymbolburningtheair.
Seth slammed his arm against his stomach and doubled over, but he couldn't stop himself taking a step
towardher.

Shefelthispain,buttheDragonMasterdidn'tcare.Thefiredragonbelongedtoher, and she could do
withhimwhatshewilled.Rightnowshewilledhimtofinishwhathestarted,totakeherovertheedge
againandagain,topleasureherasmuchasshedemanded.

Sethtookanotherstep.Helookedupather,hiseyesblackwellsofrageandanguish.

"Itwillkillyou,"herasped."Don'tmakeme."

Butshewasstrong,shewasaDragonMaster,shewasCarolwhodidn'ttakeshitfromanybodyandhad
builtherbusinessesfromnothingbybeingsmarterthanthemenaroundher.

Shekeptpulling.Sethgaspedforbreath,thenherearedup,tearsofbloodwellingfromhiseyes."No."

Heburstintoflame,thefirelikeanorange-redtranslucentshieldacrossherbathroom.Hestreameddown
underthecrackinthedoorandflowedaway.

CaroltheDragonMastergrowledlowinherthroat.Shelatchedontohisnameinfuryandstartedtodrag
himback.

Seth,inhismalebodyoncemore,slammedagainstthebathroomdoorfromtheoutside.

Sheheardthecrackofhisheadagainstthewood,thenhisgruntofpain.

ThesmallsoundslappedCaroltohersenses.Shegaspedandjerkedtheshowerwaterfromhottocold,
utteringacryattheabruptchill.

Sheflunghisnameawayfromher,herhandscominguptomakethemovementthroughemptyair.Go,she
screamedinherhead.Please,go.

Thewaterturnedice-cold,andCarolshuddered.Shesnappedoffthewaterandgrabbedforatowelatthe
sametimethedooropened.

SteamroiledthroughtheroomandSethstoodinthemiddleofit,nakedanddripping."Areyouallright?"
heaskedinalowvoice.

"Itoldyoutogo."

Hestoodtherestubbornly,notmoving.

Carolpressedthetowelclosearoundher,herhandsshaking."Iwantedtohurtyouandkeephurtingyou
untilyoudidmybidding.Youcan'tstayhereifI'mgoingtodothat."

"Itoldyou,youcancommandmewhereverIam—inDragonspaceorfarawayinyourworld."

"Damnit."Carolpoundedthemarblecounterwithherfists."Idon'twantthisthinginmedictatingwhatI
do.Iwanttogetridofit."

"Youcan't.It'swhatyouare."

Carolclosedhereyes,ballinghersorehands.Inherlife,she'dhadtobethecalm,coolone,makingtough
decisionsandsacrificessothatthefamilywouldsurvive.

Ming Ue and Shaiming lived by nostalgia, telling stories about the old days and playing mahjong and
talkingaboutmagicanddragons.Carolhadshutouttheenticingworldofstoriesanddreamstomakeitin
therealworld.

Carolhadmadeitbyignoringheremotions,bybeingsmartbutalsolisteningtoherinstincts.She'dgotten
throughschoolandpastherfirststepsintheworldofbigbusinessbymarchingtoherownmusic,having
herownplan,andnotlettinganyonestopher.Andshe'ddoneit.

Icandothesamewiththis,shethought.Shecouldknuckledownandfaceit.applythesamecoolwork
ethicshe'dappliedtogrowinghersmallrestaurantintosomethinggreat.

"I'llcallZhen,"shesaidcarefully."I'llgobackandresumehistraining,andifhewantsmetoplayforty-
fivegamesofmahjongtomastermyself,I'lldoit.Idon'tcarewhatittakes,I'llbeatthisthing,andthen
youwon'thavetolooksoafraidofme."

Sheopenedhereyesandfoundherselftalkingtoemptysteam.

"Seth?"Shehurriedoutofthebathroom,clenchingthetowel.Sethwasdressinginthelivingroom.

The afternoon had waned into night, and the room was dark except for the streetlights wavering in the
windows.ShewatchedSethfastenthejeansoverhisbarebacksideandpullonanothershirt,thisonea
much-washedcamouflage-patternedT-shirt.

"Didyouhear?IsaidI'dgobacktoZhenandgetaholdofthisthing.ThenIcanletyougoandwe'llboth
besafe."

Hisskepticallookstoppedher."Youcan'tchangewhatyouare,"herepeated.

"Iknow.Ican'tchangethatI'mChineseeither,nomatterhowmanypeoplethinkJuanisaSpanishname.
I'velearnedtonottrytopretendmyancestryawayinordertofitin.Icandothesamewiththis."

HeonlystraightenedtheshirtonhisbodyandfoundanotherpairofshoesthatAxelhadleftforhim."You
arerighttogobacktoZhen."

"Whereareyougoing?"

"Tolookintoafewthings."

"Whatthings?"

SethshruggedandCarol'sthroattightened.She'dtoldhimtostayawayfromher,hadn'tshe?"Becareful,"
shesaid.

"Iwilltrytostayoutofdanger."

Hecametoherandturnedherfaceuptohis.Hesmelledoftheshowerandhisowncleanscent,ofthe
lovemakingthey'dstoppedsoabruptly.

Hekissedher,andthehungerinherreachedforthespark.

Sethsteppedaway,hiseyeshaunted,thenheunlockedthedoorandwalkedoutwithoutlookingback.

Sethsentatrickleofhisdragonfireintothelockstodothemupfromtheoutside,thenhewalkeddown
thestairsandoutofthebuilding.

Hisheartbeathardfromtheinterruptedencounter.Carolhadstoppedherself—hisladywasstrong—but
forhowlong?Soonerorlater,shewouldn'tbeabletoresistthepullofhisfire,andthenshe'dpaythe
price.Perhapsifshemasteredthemagicinher,likeshesaidshewould,shemightbeabletotakehisfire
withoutconsequence,butfornow,itwasbesthestayedapartfromher.

Hewalkedintothenightthatwasfilledwithpeoplestillcleaningupaftertheearthquake.

Things were slowly returning to normal: lights on in the houses, cars sliding up and down the street
insteadofcloggingit.Sethmadefortheparkacrossthestreetandthemanhe'dseenwaitingforhimfrom
Carol'sapartmentwindow.

Malcolmworehisusualblackraincoat,andhissilvereyeswerepalesmudgesinthedarkness.

"Whatdoyouwant?"Sethaskedhimirritably.

Malcolmraisedhisbrows."I'mtryingtohelpyou,butifyou'dpreferIleftyoualone,fine."

Seth waved it away, not yet having mastered the human technique of apology. "You went to the Dragon
Archive."

"Idid.Ihadmyassistant,Metz,dosomeresearchonDragonMasters,andbythetimeIgotthere,he'd
turnedupsomeinterestingmaterial."

"Whatinterestingmaterial?"

Malcolmpeeredathim."What'sthematterwithyou?Hassomethinghappened?"

Sethstrokedahandthroughhiswethair,feelingthebiteofwinterwind."Canwegosomewherewarmto
talk,ordowehavetoskulkinthedark?"

Malcolmfrowned,hisdragonirritationevidentinhisblackandsilverthoughtthreads.Heledthewayout
oftheparkanddownastreetuntiltheycametoasmall,noisyplacefilledwithpeopleandsmellingof
alcohol.

Allthetableswerefilled,butsomehowpeoplemeltedoutofMalcolm'sway,andthetwodragonssatata
tableinthecorner.Sethtastedthefoamingdrinkatight-skirtedgirlsetinfrontofhimandlikeditstangy
bite.

"Beer,"Malcolmgrunted."Yougetusedtoit."

SethtookanothersipandwaitedforMalcolmtogettohispoint.

"ThisDragonMasterwe'refacingiscalledSying,andhe'stwothousandyearsold."

Sethhadalreadysuspectedthat.HewaitedforMalcolmtocontinue.

"Two thousand years ago, during the Han dynasty, a Dragon Master called Sying was imprisoned in a
columnofmagicthatlookslikeglass.TheOrderoftheBlackLotusperformedthespell."

Seththoughtofthecolumnonitssideundertherubble,Sying'sfaintpleasforhelp.

"Why?"

"Apparently, because he wouldn't do the Order's bidding. They wanted their god to be made manifest.
TheywantedtheDragonMaster,usinghispowersandthatofdragons,toaccomplishthistask."

Sethdidn'tanswer.Memoriescamefloodingbacktohim.

Malcolmgavehimahardlook."ThisDragonMaster,Sying,hadtheabilitytocommandfivedragonsat
once:threegoldens,ablackdragon,andafiredragon."Hesatback,watchful.

"Yes," Seth answered. He remembered the three snarling, always fighting golden dragons miserable in
their captivity. The black dragon had been coldly arrogant, keeping himself away from the others. Seth
hadpointedlyignoredthem.

Sethhadbeenspecialanyway,keptapart,thesubjectofspeculationbytheotherdragons.

"You?"Malcolmaskedwithbrowsraised.

Seth nodded. "I don't remember everything. I know Sying tried to kill or banish the Order's demon-god
oncehe'dsummonedit.Ithoughtthey'dkilledSying,becauseIwokeupfreeoneday;"

"Apparently,theyimprisonedhiminstead.AndnowthisSyinghascalledyouback.Forwhatpurpose?"

Blackdragonshadtohavealogicalanswerforeverything."Hebeggedmetofreehim.Isn'tthatenough?"

"NotwheretheOrderoftheBlackLotusisconcerned.Whyhasn'tSyingsummonedyoubefore?It'sbeen,
what,twothousandyears?"

"Maybehecouldn't.Maybehejustnowgothispowerback."

"Couldbe.I'dliketoaskhim.Also,I'dliketoknowhowhemanagedtogetridoftheOrder'sdemon-
god."MalcolmgaveSethanotherpointedlook.

"Whateverthespellwas,thememoryofmypartinithasbeenblurred.Thatmighthavebeenpartofthe
spell,ormaybetheDragonMastercommandedustoforget."Sethtookanothersipofthebeer."Doesthe
Archivesaywhathappenedtotheotherdragons?"

Malcolmgavehimagrimnod."TheOrderfearedthatthedragonswouldbandtogetherandtrytofreethe
DragonMaster.Sotheykilledthedragons."

Sethfroze,hisglasshalfwaytohismouth."Killedthem?"Hesettheglassdownagain.

"Dragonsarehardtokill."

"Bandedtogether,theOrderhadthatpower.Theygottothedragonsbeforetheycouldfindtheirwayback
toDragonspace.Allexcepttheelusivefiredragon,whogotawayinaburstofflame."

Asadragon,Sethwouldhavefeltnoremorse.Everydragontookcareofhimselfandthatwasthewayof
things.

But now. he thought of the strength of those four grumbling dragons, their magic, their powerful bodies
stretchedoutinthesunshine.They'dbeenfearedandrevered,andthenslaughteredlikeanimals.Hisanger
rose.

"TheOrderhassurvived,"Malcolmcontinued."They'vepasseddownitssecretsuntilthisday."

"Andthey'vekepttrackoftheDragonMaster."

"Itwasoneoftheirsociety'smissions—tokeepwatchontheimprisonedDragonMaster,tomakesurehe
didn'tescape.Theyalsokeptwatchononeotherperson:theDragonMaster'sassistant."

Still thinking of the horrific deaths of the other dragons, all those centuries ago, Seth barely heard him.
"Assistant?"

"EveryDragonMasterhasafaithfulsecondwhowatchesoutfortheirphysicalwelfare.Inancienttimes,
theymadesuretheDragonMasterwasgivenenoughtoeatandlookedaftersohecouldspendhistime
communing with his dragons. The position was inherited, passing from one generation to the next, the
samewayinclusionintheOrderoftheBlackLotusispasseddown."

SethhadbarelypaidattentiontothehumanssurroundingtheDragonMaster.Hehadn'tcared.

"Zhen,"hesaidnowwithconviction.

"Yes,theonecalledtheJunkMan.He'sstayedclosetoMingUeandherfamily,readytoservethenext
DragonMaster.TheOrderseemstoknowhimwell."

Sethitchedtogriptheoldmanbetweenhisfingersandaskhimsomepointedquestions.

"WhydoestheOrderstillwanttokillCarol?TheyhavetheDragonMasterimprisoned,theirgodisgone,
andithappenedalongtimeago.Istheirneedforrevengethatstrong?"

"TheOrderonlywantsonething:power.Imentionedthatprominentbusinessmenmakeupitsranks.It's

noaccidentthatthey'reallwealthyandpowerful.Theirinheritedmagicandtheirdemon-god'slingering
magichelpsthem."

Seth'sangerburnedinsidelikeaslowfurnace."HowmanyareinthisOrder?"

"InSanFrancisco?Fifty-two.ManyofthemareAsianbusinessleadersoroutrightmobsterslikeDanny
Lok.TheOrderwasprettymuchobliteratedinChinaintheearlytwentiethcenturyalthoughafewlinger
inTaiwan.ThelargestconcentrationisnowinCalifornia,althoughmanybranchesnolongerbelievein
mages, dragons, and Dragon Masters. Some look at it as a quaint old title passed down by their
grandfathers."

"Fools,"Sethsaid.

"Humanshavegrownforgetfulandinterestedinmundanelife.Magicandphilosophyhavebeensubsumed
bytheneedforfood,clothing,andthelatestcomputergames."

Pompousblackdragons."IthinkI'llpaytheDragonMasteravisit.Comewithme."

Malcolmgavehimaspeculativelook."WhataboutCarol?"

"Idon'twantCarolthere.She'stoovulnerable,andshe'ssaferinherapartmentbehindmymarks."

Malcolmsignaledtothewaitressandpaidherforthedrinks."Whatareyouplanningtodo?"

"I'mnotsureyet."SethwalkedoutontothechillstreetandwaitedforMalcolmtocatchup.

MalcolmledhimdownthehilltoabuildingfromwhichheretrievedthesmallcarSabahadusedtotake
Sethtothewarehouseearlierthatday.

Innearsilence,theywoundthroughthestreets,MalcolmfollowingSeth'sdirections.Thestreetinfrontof
thesmallwarehousewasempty,thispartofthecityverydark,althoughSethhadnodoubtthattheOrder
waskeepingwatchonthebuilding.

Malcolmparkedthecar,thenwovestrongmagicoveritbeforeheleftittofollowSethinside.Thestink
oftheplacehaddimmedslightly—incubidecomposedtodustandvanishedrelativelyquickly.Thewalls
glowedwiththemarksSethandAxelhadputonthem.

Thebasementstairshadbeensmashed.Sethloweredhimselfbyhishandsthroughtheopeningandthen
dropped,andMalcolmfollowedsuit.

ThecolumnlayuntouchedwhereSethandAxelhadunburiedit.Sethfeltaflickerofpowerfrominside,a
smalltaintofeviloverlaidwithfearanddesperation.

Heputhishandsonthecolumn.ThedragoninhimsensedthepowerfulmagicholdingtheDragonMaster
inside,butthemagicorspellorwhateveritwasfeltlikethick,coolglass.

Malcolmfollowedmoreslowly,studyingthecolumnwithafrown."Whatareyougoingtodo?"

"FreetheDragonMaster,"Sethsaid."AndthenusehimtohelpmehuntdownandkilltheOrderofthe

BlackLotus."

ChapterFifteen

Carolwrappedhersilkdressinggownaroundherasshehurriedthroughthelivingroom.

Someonewaspoundingonthefrontdoor,andsheheardZhen'sthinvoicethroughit.

"Please,LiMei,Imustspeakwithyouurgently."

Carol unlocked the door and yanked it open, ignoring her downstairs neighbor peering up through the
ornatestaircase.Herneighborsweren'tusedtodustyoldChinesemenbangingondoorsandcallingoutin
themiddleofthenight.

CarolpulledZheninsideandshutthedoor."What'sthematter?"

"Whereisthefiredragon?Ishehere?Pleasesayheishere."

"Heisn't.Hewentout."Shewavedherhandtowardthewindow."Hedidn'tsaywhere."

Zhenlookedfrantic."Callhim.Bringhimback."

"Idon'twantto.ItellhimIdon'twanttoenslavehimandthenIkeepyankinghimaroundbyhisname."

"Thatdoesn'tmatter.Ifhe'sgonetotheotherDragonMaster,hemustbestopped."

Carolfeltaqualmofdisquiet."Whydoyouthinkhe'sgonetotheotherDragonMaster?"

"SabatoldMingUethatMalcolmlearnedmuchabouttheDragonMaster,andhewasseekingSeth.Ifhe
hastoldSeth…"

"ToldSethwhat?"

Tearsrandownhiswrinkledcheeks."Allofthisismyfault."

"Howisthisyourfault?"Carolbegan."Nevermind.StayrightherewhileIgetdressed."

SheleftZhenwringinghishandsandhurriedintothebedroomtopullonjeansandasweatshirt.

Zhenhadn'tmovedbythetimeshereturned.Hewascryinginsmallsobs,hugginghimself.

Caroltuggedhissleeveandgothimtofollowher.Shegrabbedhersparesetofkeysandheadedoutofthe
buildingandaroundthecornertowhereshegaragedhercar,hopingAxelhadreturneditthere.

Hehad,andacursoryexaminationshowednoscratchesordamage.Zhenhungback,butCarolurgedhim
intothecarandstarteditup.

Shedidn'twanttocalltoSeth,butZhenwassodistressedandsheneededtoknowwherehewas.She
reachedouttentatively,tryingtokeepthemusicalsyllablesinherheadgentle.

Seth,whereareyou?

Shegotagrowlforananswer.Shecarefullytuggedatthethreadsbetweenthemandgotanothergrowl.

Pleaseanswerme.

Stayhome,heflashed.Youaresafethere.

Toolate.I'monmywaytowherewelefttheDragonMaster.Unlessyousaydifferent,I'm assuming
you'rethere.

Don'tcome!

Zhenisworried,Carolsentdoggedly.Hewantsmetostopyou,whateveryou'redoing.

Zhenbetrayedyou,Sethsnapped,thenwentsilent.

She glanced at Zhen next to her, who was chewing his lip, looking small and incongruous in her large
leatherseat.

"What does he mean?" Carol asked. Zhen looked confused, and Carol repeated Seth's words, still not
usedtoconductingconversationsinsideherhead."Sethsaysyoubetrayedme.Whatdidhemean?"

Zhen'seyesbecamewellsofpain."Thenightyourmotherfirstcalledadragon—soeasily,andthenshe
letitgojustaseasily—IreportedittotheOrderoftheBlackLotus."

Carolhitherbreaksandpulledovertothesideofthestreet,earningherhonksandfoullanguagefromthe
driversbehindher.SheturnedtoZhen,herhandslockedonthesteeringwheel.

"Youtoldthem?"

"Youdon'tunderstand.Theywatchmeallthetime.TheyhavewatchedallmylifeIhavetotellthemwhat
theywanttoknow."

Carolfeltempty,drainedofeverything."Zhen,"shewhispered.

"Ididnotknowtheywouldkillher.Theysaidtheywantedtorecruither,haveherpledgeherpowersto
helpthem.Theysaidthey'dteachherhowtousethem.Hermagicterrifiedher.Ithoughttheycouldhelp
her."

Caroldrewabreaththathurt."Sowhatreallyhappenedthatnight?"

"They caused a landslide that shoved the car off the road. The car flipped over and caught fire. A few
membersoftheOrderpulledyourmotherout.Theytoldhertojointhem,thattheycouldhelphersave
yourfather.Shewasterrified,andsherefused.Theybeather.Itwashorrible."

Carolstillfeltnothing,thenewstoopowerfultotakein.

"Whydidn'tshedefendherself?IfshewasaDragonMaster,whydidn'tshecalladragon?"

"She didn't know how to control what she had, and she was too afraid of what the dragons or her own
magicmightdotoyou."

SoCarol'smotherhadletmenbeathertodeath,notwantingtodrawaweaponthatmightmeanharmto
herhusbandandchild.

"Youwerethere,"Carolsaid,hervoiceicycalm.

"ThemembersoftheOrderbroughtmewiththem.Itriedtostopthem,butmypower,itissosmall.They
forgotaboutme,leftmebehindaftertheybeatLian.Ipulledyououtofthecarandsatnexttoyourmother
whileshewasdying.Shebeggedmetohideyou.Thecarwasburnedtonothingbythetimethepolicegot
there,andItoldthemyouhaddiedintheflames.Youweresotiny,andIwascertaintheOrderwould
neverknowthatyouhadsurvived.ItookyoutoMingUe.Shehealedyouandtookcareofyou."

"AndtheOrderneverfoundout?They'dhaveheardthatMingUeandShaimingwereraisingachild."

"Theydidn'tcare.InevertoldtheOrderyouhadlived,andyoushowednosignofhavingthepower.They
watchedMingUe,yes,butaslongasyouweren'tathreat,theyleftyoualone.Manyofthosemenfromthe
Orderthenareoldnowordeadthemselves."

Carolstaredoutthefrontwindow,tryingtobanishthepicturesinhermindofthecarfire,ofhermother
raspingherlastwords,ofZhencradlinghermotherinhislap.

"YoutoldthemaboutmewhenSethcametome,"Carolsaidwithcertainty.

MingUehadprobablyrushedexcitedlytoZhenthenightSethhadfirstappearedwiththegoodnewsthat
Carolcouldcalladragon.She'dhavecrowedaboutit,soproudofherfamily'sabilities.

Zhen bowed his head. "They sensed the call. They came to me and made me tell them. That is why I
hurriedtoyourofficethenextmorningandhidmyselfuntilyoucamein.Iwantedtowarnyouandkeep
youfromenteringtheroomwiththedemonstheyhadsenttocaptureyou.Iwassoafraidyouwouldget
therebeforeIcould,butthankallthegods,forthefirsttimeinyourlife,youwerelate."

Yes,shehadbeenlate,somethingsheneverallowedherselftodo.Butshe'djustspentasleeplessnight
coming to grips with the fact that the very naked male who'd appeared in her apartment had been a
dragon.

Caroldrewabreath,putthecaringear,andslowlypulledoutintotraffic.Zhenhunkeredintoalumpof
miseryanddidn'tspeakasshedrovecarefullythroughthestreets.

"Why is it so important we stop Seth?" she asked, amazed at how steady her voice was. "Is the Order
comingtoattackhim,too?"

"YoumustbelievemewhenIsaythatyoumustnothelptheDragonMaster.Yourdragonmustnotlethim
out."

Sheswungaroundacorneranddownahill,headingforthesouthendoftown."Whynot?

Ishethatdangerous?"

The wrinkles at the corners of Zhen's mouth turned straight down. "I am the caretaker of the Dragon
Master.Thistaskhasbeenpasseddowntomethroughtheages,andItakeitveryseriously.Butthereare
thingsmoreimportantthankeepingtheDragonMastersafe.

TheDragonMasterhimselfknowsthis."

Carolglancedathim,buthe'dgonebacktopressinghismouthshut,inthestubbornlooksheknewwell
fromlivingwithMingUe.

Theywerealmosttotheirdestinationanyway.CarolpulledovertoparknexttoMalcolm'scarandcutthe
engine.

Seth'smusicjangledinherhead,loudandcacophonous.Hewasenragedanddetermined,andshefelthis
firebuilding.

Seth.

Damnit,getawayfromhere.

She sensed Malcolm with him, the silver threads of his aura troubled but watchful. She hurried inside,
Zhenatherheels,herbodytinglingwiththepowerofthedragonmarksswirlingthroughthebuilding.

Carolstoppedatthetrapdoor,thefirelightfrombelowshowingthatthestaircasehadbeendestroyed.

"Seth?"sheshouteddown.

"YoumustnotfreetheDragonMaster,"Zhencalled."Youmustnot."

Sethglancedupatthem.Hewasnaked,firelightgleamingoffhisbody.Malcolmstoodapartfromhim,
stillclothed,silverthreadsshimmeringaroundhimwithjust-containedpower.

"Malcolmhelpmedown."shecalled.

Malcolmignoredher,andshemutteredafewswearwords.Sheknewshe'dneverbeabletoclimbdown
herself,andshe'dbefoolishtojump.Shestayedput,chafinginfrustration.

"Youmustcommandhim,LiMei.Makehimstop."

"Telluswhy,"Carolsaidsharply."WilltheDragonMasterbestrongenoughtoenslaveMalcolmandtake
Sethfromme?Iwon'tlethim."

"Thatisn'twhy.Ididn'ttellyouthewholestory."

Seth turned to flame. He burned white-hot, hotter than she'd ever felt him. Malcolm took a step back,
screwinguphisfaceatthebrightness.

Seth'sheatreachedherliketheblastfromafurnaceasheslowlysnakedhimselfaroundthecolumn.He
wastryingtomeltitlikeputtingflametorealglass,exceptthiswasmagicalflameandmagicalglass.

Shedidn'treallywanthimtofreetheDragonMaster,butZhenwasnearlyhyperventilatingindistress.

"Tellmenow,"Carolsaidinaloudvoice."Whatdidyouleaveout?"

"TheDragonMasterisn'ttheonlyoneimprisonedinthere.Thedemon-godis,too.Syingdidn'tkillthe
god, he trapped him, and this was his punishment—to spend eternity with him. If you free the Dragon
Master,you'llletoutademon-godofdestruction,too."

Zhenwassobbing,windinghishandsoverandoverthemselves.

"Seth,"Carolyelled."Stop!"

Shesentthecommandstraightthroughtheflame.

ShefeltSeth'ssnarlhisrage,andhelashedbackather,likeananimalinstinctivelystriking.

Carolsoftenedherpull,caressingthenotesofhisname,begginghimtostop.

TheflameunwoundfromthecolumnandpouredintothebodyofSeth,whostoodpanting,gleamingwith
sweat,infrontoftheundamagedcolumn.Theflametattooonhisback,whichsearedredthenchangedto
deepestblack,haddoubledagaininsize.

Outside Carol and Seth faced each other. He'd dressed again, but his face was dark as thunder. The
DragonMasterinCarolwasstillsinginghisname.

"Letmego,"hesaid.

"Youcan'tfreehim."

"Iknow.IheardZhen."

The old man and Malcolm stood a little way away, Malcolm having said he'd take responsibility for
getting Zhen home. Black dragons had healing powers, Ming Ue claimed, and perhaps Malcolm was
soothingZhen'spanic.

"I'mexhausted,"Carolsaid."Canwegohomenow?"

"HaveMalcolmescortyou.Youaresafethere,andnothere."

"Andwhatwillyoubedoing?"

"DestroyingtheOrderoftheBlackLotus.IcandoitwithouttheDragonMaster'shelp."

"Youcan't."

Hisdarkeyesflashedashetiltedhisheadtostudyher."Whynot?Theymurderedyourmotherandwant
tomurderyou.Nodoubtthey'rewatchingaswespeak,butcan'tcomecloserbecauseofthedragonmarks.
IfIgetridoftheOrder,endofproblem."

TheDragonMasterinherlaughedwithgleeandurgedhertolethimgettoit.

"Thatwouldmakeusasbadastheyare,"shesaid.

"Thisisthewayofdragons,Carol.Wehaveanenemy,weslaythem.Nogloating,notorture,nodrawing
itout.Wekillthem,wemoveon."

"Maybe,but…"

"Perhapsyou'dliketoinvitethemtodineatyourrestaurantwhileyoutalknicelytothem?

Youcanconvincethemtobeyourfriends,perhaps."

"That'snotwhatImean."

"Thereisnootherwaytodealwiththis,"Sethsaidinahardvoice."They'redragonkillers,andIcan'tlet
thatpass."

Carol'sthroattightened.ThiswasmoreevidenceSethwasn'thuman—hewasananimalinhumanshape,
withananimal'sideasofjusticeandretribution.

Ontheotherhand,herowncomplicatedhumanthoughtsgavehernoanswer.TheOrderwantedher,likely
to join their ranks and use her powers like they'd wanted her mother to do. Perhaps they'd wanted her
mothertoopenthetrapandletouttheotherDragonMasterandtheirdemon-god.They'dkilledherwhen
sherefused.Menlikethatwouldstopatnothing.

She wanted them to die for that, but she tried to stuff her anger and grief into something useful and
controlled.TheOrderwantedtouseherpowers—well,she'dthinkofawaytousetheOrder.Letthembe
themeansoftheirowndestruction.

"Canwethinkaboutthis?Axel'sagod.I'dliketohavehisinput."

Seth gave her a disparaging look, and she realized she was trying to face this like she faced a board
meeting.Wehaveagodproblem,Axel.You'rethegodexpert,what'syourview?

"Please?"shesaid."Damnit,Seth,I'mscared,andIdon'twantthemtowin,buttherehastobeabetter
way than wholesale slaughter. It would come back on me, too. I'd be an accessory to murder—no,
accessorytoabloodbath."

"Yourwaysarenotmyways."

"Obviously."

"Theyareweak."Helookedasarrogantashehadthenightinthealleywhenhe'dfirstfoundher."ButI
mustobeyyou,becauseyouholdmyname."

Caroleasedback,lettingthenotesslidefromhermind."I'msorry."

"Youcan'thelpyourinstincts,"hesaid,bitternessinhisdarkeyes."AndIcan'thelpmine."

Heopenedhercardoorandhelditforher,notbudginganinchuntilshegotinandclosedit.Sheheldher
breathuntilhefoldedhimselfintothepassengerseatbesideher,halfexpectinghimtoturntoflameandfly
offintothenight.

Whenhedidn't,sheletoutherbreathandpulledoutintothestreet.

ThelastthingshesawasshedroveawaywasZhenandMalcolmstandingtogether,thetalldragon-man
andthesmallmysticbathedinredfromhertaillights.

Insidethespelledcolumn,Syingdespaired.Thedragonfirehadalmostreachedhim—he'dbeensoclose
totouchingit.

ThenhefeltthepresenceoftheotherDragonMaster,thegirlCarol,hisdescendentandheir.

She'dcalledthefiredragonaway.She'dtakenhimawaybefore,andshetookhimnow.Shedidn'twant
theDragonMasterfree,didn'twanttofreetheevilthatresidedtherewithhim.

Hecouldn'tblameher.

ButSyinghadwantedtofeelaironhischeeksoncemore,toseetheskyandthestars,tosmellthewind.
Eveniftheevilwithhimcrushedhimandeverythingthenextinstant,hewanteditwithallhisstrength.

Thefiredragon'smagicvanished.He,Carol,andtheblackdragonhadlefthimaloneagain.

They didn't note what he did: that the extreme flame of the fire dragon had left, in the bottom of the
column,onetinycrack.

SethsatquietlyinthelivingroomwhileCarolmovedrestlesslyaroundherapartment.Shepretendedto
dothingslikesortpapersonherdeskorarrangefoodinhercupboards,butshewasavoidingSeth.

He'd told her she should hole up here until they talked to Axel and decided what to do, and she hadn't
takenthesuggestionwell.Shewasconfusedandfrightened,bothofherselfandhim,hecouldseethatin
thewayshemoved.

Onhernextrushpast,hecaughtherarmandpulledherdowntohim.

Carolresisted,butSeth'sphysicalstrengthfaroutmatchedhers.Sheglaredathimasshesanktohislap.

"Whyisyourtattoolarger?"sheaskedabruptly."It'sgottenbiggeragain.Isawthatinthewarehouse."

"Thedragonfire,"hesaid,unconcerned."InDragon-spacemyflamecanbevast.MaybeI'mabletouse
moreandmoreofmyfireheresothemarkofmydragonessencehastogrow."

Hereyesnarrowed."Doyouknowthatforcertain?"

"No,butIknowyoulikeneatexplanations."

"Iwish…"Shebrokeoffandshookherhead."No,itwouldn'thaveworked."

"Youwishwhat?"

"IwasgoingtosaythatIwishedyouwereanormalman.Butnoneofthiswouldhavehappenedifyou
werearealhumanman.I'dprobablyhavenevernoticedyou,oryou,me."

Sethletthemusicofhisdragonthoughtstouchherinalightcaress."I'mgladI'mnotanormalman,then."

"I'd be too busy running my business and seeing you as competition." Her eyes softened, despite the
roilingemotionshefeltinsideher."I'dhavemissedsomuch."

Seth caressed her abdomen, feeling his hunger for her. He wanted to follow his desires to their
conclusion,buttherewastoomuchcracklingbetweenthem.

"TomorrowIwillfetchZhenhere,andhewillgiveyoumorelessons."

Carolhesitated,aflickerofangerinhergaze."YoutoldmeZhenbetrayedme,andhedid."

Hisangerroseagainattheoldmanforendangeringher,butZhenwasaweakmage,easilycoercedbythe
strongermagesintheOrder.

"Iknow,buthecanalsoteachyou."

"CanwetrusthimnottoturnaroundandtelltheOrdereverythingIdo?Mygrandmothermighthelp,butI
can'ttrustthatshewon'tsimplyrelateeverythingtoZhen."Shedeflated.

"Besides,ifIseeZhenagain,Imightdosomethingterribletohim.Hecausedsomuchtragedy."

"TheOrderdid,andtheDragonMaster,andtheirevilgod."Hewentsilent,puttinghiswordsinorder.
"Theywillcontinuetocomeforyou,Carol.AndIthinktheonlywayIwillbefreeofthisbondandable
toreturntoDragon-spaceisifwereleasethegodandkillhim.

Ithinkthat'swhatIwasbroughtheretodo."

"Howcanyoukillagod?"

"Disable him, then, or push him back into whatever hell he came from. You wanted to ask Axel—he'd
likelyknow."Heexhaled."Ihavebeenthinkingofthismuch,whichiswhyIwenttoreleasetheDragon
Master.IthoughtIhadtokillhimtofreemyself,butnowthetaskhasbecomeharder."

"Zhen was right, though. If you'd let him out tonight, you'd have died. You're a dragon, but that thing in
thereisademon-god."Sheshuddered."I'mgladwegotthereintime."

Carol's distress came to him through her thought threads, and Seth slid his arm around her waist. "I am
pleasedaswell."

"Youdidn'tlookpleasedatthetime."Shefrowned,andhedidn'ttellherthatshelookedbeautifulwhen
shefrowned.

"I'vehadtimetothinksincethen,"hesaid.

"So what do we do? Malcolm learned the Dragon Master's history from his Archive, you said. Maybe
there'sabookintherecalledDefeatinganEvilGodandLivingHappilyEverAfter."

"Hedidn'tmentionit."

"Iwasjoking.IdothatwhenI'mscared."

Seth wrapped both arms around her. "We don't need Malcolm and his Dragon Archive. I think I know
whatwemustdo."

Helookedather,herfacesoclosetohis,herscentfillinghim.herwarmththefinestthinginhisworld."I
willfillyouwithmydragonfire,andwe'lldefeatthedemon."

ChapterSixteen

"Yourdragonfire,"Carolrepeated,hereyeswidening."Thesamedragonfireyoutoldmecanburnmeto
acrisp?"

"Thesame."Hesaidthewordsunhappily.Heknewinhisheartthatitwasthesolutiontotheirdilemma,
buthestillknewtherewasadangerthatCarolcoulddie."I'mrightthatyou'renotreadytotakeitnow.
Wemustmakeyouready."

"WithoutZhenandhismahjonggames."

Sethdidn'tknowwhatshemeantaboutgames,butheunderstoodhergist."We'llhavetotry.Ifyouwon't
letmesendyousomewheresafe,we'llhavetofacetheenemyanddefeatit."

"Wecan'tjustburythecolumnandhopetheOrderforgetsaboutit?"

"Doyoureallythinkthatwouldwork?"Heknewshedidn't—shewasgraspingatstraws.

"TheOrderwilltenditastheyhaveallthesecenturies.Andthey'llcontinuetotrytotrapyou.Evenifyou
escapethem,they'dcomeafteryourdescendentsandwilldosoaslongastheycan."

"Iknow."Carolsighed."ItoldyoubeforeIwaswillingtomasterthis.SowhatdoIhavetodotosuck
downyourfirewithoutdying?"

"Youhavetolearntonottakeit."

Shelookedsurprised."Tokeepitout,youmean?"

"Tolearntotakeitasmallbitatatime,tolearntopreventyourselffromabsorbingitallatonce."

"LikeItriedtodointheshower."

"Exactly.Yourpowerwantedittoomuch.Youmustlearntocontrolit."

Shelookedworriedbutdetermined."Howdowestart?"

Foranswer,heslidhishandsunderthewarmfleeceofhersweatshirtanddraggeditoffoverherhead.
Hesmiledashecaughttheglobesofherbreastsinhishands—she'dstoppedwearingthelacythingthat
boundthem.

"Oh,ofcourse."shesaid,hereyeshalf-closing."Ishouldhaveknownwe'dhavetobenaked."

"It'seasierthatway."

It truly was easier for him to handle his dragon fire without hampering clothes, though he admitted any
chancetoseeCarol'sbodywasawelcomeone.

"Takeoffyourpantsandsitonthefloor,"hesaid.

Herbrowsquirked."Oh,yes?"

Hestartedtorise,whichmadeherscrambleoffhislap.Sethpeeledoffhisownclothesandsatcross-
leggedonthecarpet.

Carolstareddownathimforafewmoments,adelectablesightwithhersmallbreastsbareandherjeans
dippingto reveal hernavel. Humans likedto capture images anddisplay them intheir homes, and Seth
thoughttheimageofCarolstandinghalf-bareabovehimwouldbeperfect.

Carolsnappedhergazeawayfromhimandskimmedoffherjeans,underwear,andstockings.Evenbetter.

Shetuckedherhairbehindherearsandloweredherselftothecarpet,crossingherlegsunderher."Now
what?"shesaid."Ialreadyfeelwhat'sinmecravingthefire."

"Takemyhands."

Caroltentativelylacedherfingersthroughhis,andheraisedtheirhandsbetweenthem.Shebitherlip,
nervous,buthesawthetwistofhairtuckedenticinglybetweenherlegsglitterwithmoisture.

"Closeyoureyes,"Sethsaid."Imagineasphereinyourmind—focusonit,whatcoloritis,howbigitis.
Keepwatchingit."

Carol closed her eyes, her face at first taking on a look of interest, then it relaxed as she began to
meditate.Sethheldhisbreathandeasedaverytinysparkofhisfireintoherhands.

Shejumped,butdidn'topenhereyes.

"Keeplookingatthesphere,"hesaidsoftly."Onlylook."

Carol'schestrosewithadeepbreath.Sethglidedanothersparkintoher.Shemadeasoftnoise,thesame
kindshemadewhenhecaressedher,andherskinbegantoshinewithsweat.

Sying had been strong, Seth remembered. Carol was stronger, but Sying's experience had already been
greatwhenhe'dtrappedSeththefirsttime,andhe'deasilycontrolledSeth'sfire.

Carol'sstrengthwasrawandnew,thepowerinherhungryforhis.

Sethletanothertinysparkin.Carolmadeanoiseofpleasure,herfacesoftening."Ilikethat."

WithSyingithadn'tbeensexual.Syinghadbeencoldinhispower,keepingeveryoneatadistanceand
wieldingthedragonslikeapuppetmaster.Sethhadhatedhim.

WithCaroltheconnectionwasalreadysomuchdeeper."More,"shewhispered.Sherockedbackandforth
alittle."Givememore."

"No."

Herslickhandstightenedonhis."Ineedit."

Heshookwiththeneedtoobeyher,butheforcedhimselftostill.

"Rememberwhathappenedintheshower,"hesaid."Savorthismuch,thenletitgo."

Hefelthertense,thenotesofhisnametightening,thensheslowlyanddeliberatelyeasedback.

Sethletouthisbreath.Carol'sfingerscontinuedtobiteintohis,butsheheldherselfstill.

Hisownfirewantedtoslideintoher,fillingeveryspaceitcould,butherestrictedit.Onetaste,thatwas
all.

Carol opened her eyes and smiled at him. Their fire twined together, and the bond between them sang
notesthroughhishead.

"Iwanther."

Thelonginghadnothingtodowithhisfire.Carolwasabrave,beautifulwoman,andhedidn'tcarethat
sheheldhisnameorthattheyhadtoprepareagainstdanger.

Keepingholdofherhands,hepushedherdowntothecarpetandlayontopofher,likinghowshesmiled
inresponse.Heheldherhandsaboveherheadandnuzzledhercheek.

Hersmiledeepened."Ishouldalsohaveknowntheprocesswouldinvolvelovemaking."

"Itdoesn't,"Sethmurmured."Ijustwantto."

Sheturnedherheadtocatchhislips."SoIdon'tneedtohavesexwithyoutotakeyourfire?That'shandy
toknow."

"Inbattle,itwouldbeinconvenient."

Shelaughedsoftly,jigglinginthefinestway."True."

"Spreadforme."Sethworkedhishandbetweenherlegs,rubbingheralreadymoistopening.

Carolmovedherlegsapart,andSethslidhisneedycockbetweenthem.

"You'rebeautiful,"hesaid.Iloveyou,hewantedtosay.

He still wasn't sure whether the intense feeling winding around him was real or the result of his
enslavement. He couldn't be certain of anything until the bond went away, and then who knew what he
mightfeel?Firedragonsdidn'tfeel.Theylived,hunted,survived.

Intenseemotionswashedoverhimnow,buthehadnowayofknowingifthey'dlast.Heclosedhiseyes,
savoringthemaslongashecould.

Dayspassed.Caroldidn'tleaveherapartment,andshedidn'twantto.Shefoundthatbeingholeduphere
withSethwastheclosestthingtoblissshe'deverfound.

Sheknewthatoutside,theworldwasmovingon.SanFranciscocleanedupfromtheearthquakeandthe
smaller aftershocks and went on as it always did. She phoned Francesca at her sister's, assured her
everythingwasallright,andtoldhertoextendhervacation.

FrancescaseemedrelievedthatCarolwasstayingputandsafe.

Lumi reported that Danny Lok's properties were quietly being taken over by people in the Order of the
BlackLotus.Anyoutsidecrimelordswhotriedtomuscleintohisterritorywereturningupdead.

ThesmallwarehouseinSoMa,ontheotherhand,wasuntouched.Malcolmwaswatchingit,andthough
theOrderkeptitunderobservation,theyneverwentontheproperty.ThedragonmagicandAxel'smarks
keptthemfaraway.

Caroldidfeelsafeinsidethewallsofherapartment,thesymbolsAxelandSethhadleftcomfortingrather
thanconfining.SheorderedfoodtobedeliveredfromherlocalgrocerystoreandthesmallAsianfood
storeattachedtooneofherrestaurants,thoughshewasneverreallyhungryafterhersessionswithSeth.

Everydayshetookatinybitmorefirefromhim,andeverydaysheheldit,lookedatit,playedwithit,
andletthefirereturn.Shefeltstronger,moreenergetic,butalsomorecontent.

Seth,ontheotherhand,consumedthemealsshebroughtinwithincreasinggusto.Usinghisdragonfire
madehimhungry,morerestless,morevolatile,andtheirlovemakingturnedfromsessionsofpleasureto
wildrides.

They lay in bed at the end of the fifth day, Carol drowsing in the sunshine that peeked through clouds
abovethecity.Sethslepthardnexttoher,hisnakedbodyshiningwithsweat.Hebreathedheavily,having
collapsedafterhislast,loudclimax.

Sheliftedherhand,studyingthesparkleoffireonherskin.Sheknewthatinthelastfewdays,she'dkept
someofSeth'sfireinsteadofreleasingit,andthatwaswhyshefeltenergizedwhileheateravenouslyand
sleptdeeply.

I'mstealingpartofhim,shethought.Thisisn'tright.

It'syoursforthetaking,theDragonMasterinherwhispered.Hebelongstoyou.

Sheshutoutthevoice.SincehisarrivalSethhadshownheraworldshe'dneverknown.

She'dlivedinSanFranciscoallherlife,andknewitsstreetsandneighborhoodslikesheknewherown
faceinthemirror.

Butshe'dneverknownwhatamagicalplaceitwas.NowshesawdragonmarksshimmeringonMingUe's
wallsandLumi'sstore,andevillurkingbeneaththesurface.Shefounditterrifyingandastonishingatthe
sametime.

Theveilliftingfromhereyeswasn'ttheonlyastonishingthing.Sethwas.He'dkissedherandtouchedher
andmadeherunderstandwhatpassionwasforthefirsttime.

Carol knew now that the men she'd dated in the past hadn't been able reach her because she hadn't let

them.Nowonderherlifehadbeencoldandlonely—she'dshuteveryoneout.Ifanymanhadmadesigns
hewantedtogetclose,she'dpushedhimasidealltheharder,pretendingtoherselfthatshehadtoomuch
worktodotokeepuparelationship.Shehadn'tdonethisconsciously,butshe'ddoneit.

ShelookedatSethagain,hishard,nakedbodyglisteninginthesun,abeautifulmanwhotouchedheras
thoughhe'dneverbeforefeltanythingsofascinating.Hefocusedonher,notmeetingsorthepeoplehehad
tocallortheannoyingincidentsintheofficetoday.

WhenCarolwaswithSeth,sheknewnooneexistedforhimbuther.

Thephonebesidethebedrang,andCarolreachedforit.Sethdidn'tevenstir.

"Carol,I'mworried."MingUe'svoicecameoverthephoneloudandclear.

"Aboutme?I'mfine."

"AboutZhen."

Carolstilled.Shedidn'twanttotalkaboutZhen.

"Whyareyouworried,Grandmother?"

"Becausenoonehasseenhimfordays.Hisshopisshut,andhedoesn'tanswerhisphoneorthedoor."

Carolfeltaprickleofunease."MalcolmdrovehimhomeonSaturdaynight,didn'the?"

"I saw him on Sunday. We had dinner and played mahjong, and he seemed very worried and upset. I
haven'tseenhimsince.Shaimingusedhiskeytogocheckonhim,butZhenwasn'tthere."

The prickle of unease grew to full-blown worry. Had Zhen run off to the Order, or had they done
somethingtohim?

"Grandmother,there'ssomethingIneedtotellyouaboutZhen.You'renotgoingtolikeit."

"Tell me later. Can you ask Seth to go look for him? He can fly around as that flame like he does. I'm
goingtoaskLisa,too."

"Whataboutthepolice?"

MingUescoffed."Thepoliceareuseless.Dragons,now,theydoathoroughjobandunderstandhowto
hurry."

"We'recomingoverthere,Grandmother."

"Don'tbesilly,justsendSeth.Noneedforyoutoleavewhereyou'resafe."

"There'sasmuchdragonmagicinMingUe'sasthereishere,andIneedtotalktoyou."

MingUesighed."Suityourself.ButtellSeth,andtellhimnow."

Ming Ue slammed down the phone with her usual vigor leaving Carol holding a silent instrument. She
replaceditonthecradleandturnedtoshakeSethawake.

Laterassheparkedinthealley,andsheandSethduckedintoMingUe'srestaurant,Carolfelttheweight
ofinterwovendragonmagicovertheplaceassheneverhadbefore.Goldenandblackdragonmagicleapt
athersenses,andtheDragonMasterinherwantedtolapitup.

MingUedidn'tevengreetthem."Whyishehere?"sheasked,glaringatSeth.Shemadeshooingmotions.
"GooutthereandfindZhen.Whatareyouwaitingfor?"

"Grandmother."

SethregardedMingUemildly,hisarrogantdragoniredampenedforthesmallwoman.

"Sheisright,Carol.Wemustfindhim."

"Idon'twantyougoingalone."

Seth brushed his hand along her arm, sending a tingle of his fire through her. "I will search and come
back."

"At least take Caleb or something." Carol thought she'd feel better if the bulky, snarky man were with
Seth.

"Hecanfollowifhewants.IwilltellyouwhatIfind."

Heturnedandwalkedout,histallbodyenticinginatightT-shirtandjeans.Whenthedoorclosedbehind
him,Carolrose,suddenlynotwantinghimoutofhersight.

She'd been with him nonstop for five days, but she'd never once wished him elsewhere. She wanted to
openthedoorandcallhimbacktoher.

"Lethimdowhatheisgoodatdoing,"MingUesaidbehindher."AndwewilltalkaboutZhen."

Carolturnedbackreluctantly,notsureshewantedachatoveracupoftea.MingUedraggedoutachair
andpointedtoit."Sit."

Carolobeyed,wonderinghowitwasthatMingUecouldstillmakeherfeellikeshewassixyearsold."I
don'tknowquitehowtosaythis."

"AboutZhen?"MingUesatdownacrossfromherandreachedfortheteapot."Abouthowheisaslaveto
theOrderoftheBlackLotus?HetoldmeonSundaywhenweplayedmahjong.Heconfessedall."

Carol'seyeswidenedasMingUecontinuedpouringteawithoutlookingup."Whatdidyousaytohim?"

"Iwashorrified,naturally.IalsoknowthattheOrderisancientandevil.Itwouldtakesomeoneofmuch
morepowerthanZhentoresistthem."

"Youforgavehim?"

"Ididnotsaythat.Iamveryangry.Hecausedthedeathofmydaughter.ButIalsoknowhehadnochoice,
anditwasmyfaultaswell.IwastheonewhotoldZhenthatLianhadlearnedtocalladragon.Imust
learntolivewiththat."

"You'restillworriedabouthim."

"Of course I am, we have been friends for decades. If the Order has taken him, they might kill him or
otherwisepunishhim.AndifanyoneisgoingtoharmZhenoverwhathe'sdone,itwillbeme."

ChapterSeventeen

Sethflewoverthecity,scanningitsstreetsforthedistinctiveauraofoneoldmystic.Thedragoninhim
hadn'tmuchcompassiontospareonZhen,butthemanwasspecialtoCarolandMingUe,andSethwould
findhimforthemifhecould.

Hewastired.TrainingCaroltotakehisfirehadbeenmoreofastrainonhimthanhe'dthoughtitwould
be,butshewasbecominggoodatit.

Partofhimcouldflowintohernowandenjoyallofherbodyinsideandout.Thematingwhentheydid
thiswasexquisite.Itmadehimfeelmorealivethanheeverhad,butitalsozappedhimofstrength,andhe
sleptforhoursafterward.

Hehadtobecareful,orhe'ddrainhimselfanddelightintheebbtoomuch.

Zhencouldbeanywhereinthiscityofsomanysouls.HemighthavetriedtogototheDragonMasterand
beentakenbytheOrder.OrhemightbeholedupwiththeDragonMaster,instinctivelyreturningtohelp
themanhe'dbeenbredtoserve.

Seth angled there across the city, seeing the small dilapidated warehouse rushing up at him in the cold
sunlight.

He smelled the incubi before he landed. They surrounded the building that housed the Dragon Master,
watchingwithdarkeyes,theirleatherywingshanginglimptotheirheels.

Nohumanbeingwasinsight,thestreetdeserted.Nocarsthumpedbyonthecrossstreetbehindhim.Chill
windandfogdriftedinfromthebay,blottingoutthesunshine.

TheincubicouldhavenothingtodowithZhen,orthiscouldbeatrapwaitingtospring.Ifitwasatrap,
Seththoughtashehoveredabovetheincubi,theycouldhavebaiteditbetter.

He morphed to his human self and faced them, not minding that they surrounded him. Seth still had the
dragonstrengthtowipeoutacontingencyofincubi.

"Whereistheoldman?"Sethaskedthem."Ifyouknow,tellmebeforeIkillyou.Ifyoudon'tknow,I'll
justkillyou."

Noresponse.Theincubistudiedhimwithblackvoidsofeyes,soullessbeings,butthesehadtheflickerof
intelligencethathadbotheredhimbefore.

He stopped when all twelve of them suddenly got down on their knees and bowed their heads. One of
themlookedup,keepinghissubmissiveposture.

"WeservethenewDragonMastercalledCarol,"hehissed."Wewillbeherslavesandhelpherridthe
worldofthedemon-god."

Sethknewbetterthantoletdownhisguardandbelievehimwholeheartedly."Whywouldyoucareabout

thedemon-god?"

"Becausehewillgatherhispowerbyconsumingotherdemons.TheOrderhastheoldman.

TheywanttousehimtotraptheDragonMastercalledCarolJuansoshewillreleasethedemon-god.We
willtakeyoutohim."

Ming Ue's restaurant went silent as a tall Asian man walked in the front door. Something oppressive
blanketedtheroom,andtheotherdinerssensedit.

Carolrecognizedhimthoughshe'dnevermethim:BenedictFai,aChinesebusinessmanoriginallyfrom
Hawaii,whohadaheavypresenceinbanksandmortgagecompanies.Heoftenappearedinnewspaper
write-upsaboutlargecharityevents,andhiswifewasawell-knownphilanthropisttothehomelessand
thedisplaced.

Twoweeksago,Carolwouldn'thavenoticedthedarknesssurroundinghim,buttodayitflaredatherlike
aneonsign.Helookeduncomfortable,obviouslybotheredbythedragonmarks.

"CanIhelpyou?"MingUeaskedprimly.

"IcametotalktoMs.Juan.Willsheseeme?"

Faistrippedoffhisleatherglovesandshovedthemintothepocketofhisthickwoolencoat.

Thewordswerecastinpolitetones,butheobviouslyexpectedCaroltosay,"Yes,ofcourse."

Carol knew the game. She'd never played it as Dragon Master to demon worshipper, but she'd done it
oftenenoughinthebusinessworld.

ShemotionedforFaitositdown."Ihaveafewminutestospare.Perhapsyouwouldlikeacupoftea?"

"Thatwouldbefine."

MingUethumpedovertothem."He'snotdrinkingadropofteaoutofoneofmycups.

We'dhavetothrowitaway."

Carolpersonallyagreed,butshekeptherthoughtstoherself."We'llhavetodowithoutthetea."

"Itmakesnodifference.YouknowwhoIam?"

"Mr.Fai,isn'tit?"Carolasked,keepinghervoiceneutral."IalsoknownowthatyouareintheOrderof
theBlackLotus."

"Ihavethathonor."Heshruggedoutofhiscoattorevealablackcashmerebusinesssuitbeneath.Carol
speculatedthatthecostofthesuitcouldhavefundedseveralofhiswife'ssoupkitchensforamonth.

Fainotedherassessmentandinclinedhishead."Iamawealthymanandenjoyawealthyman'strappings.
I'vecometotalktoyouabouttheOrderandtellyoualittleaboutit."

"Anorganizationoforganizedcrime?"sheasked,quirkingherbrows.

Failookedpained."PleasedonotlumpmeintothesamecategoryasmenlikeDanielLok.

Lok was a criminal, a lowlife, and his cronies are no better. But yes, they are also in the Order. It's
inherited,yousee,stretchingbackgenerationstotheoriginalOrder.MuchlikeyoubeingaDragonMaster
isinherited."

"Andthisshouldturnmysympathiestoyou?"

"Ofcoursenot.IamherebecauseIwanttoputafacetotheOrderforyou—oneotherthanacrimelord's.
There are many like me—businessmen with wives and families, who inherited the position through no
faultofourown."

"There's more to it than that," Carol said. "Evil leaves a taint, and the threads of it are all over you. I
knowyoufeelthedragonmarks,whicharecreatedtokeepsuchevilout."

"Yes,well,themagicinmeisverysmall,whichiswhyIwasabletocrossthethreshold."

"Whichiswhytheysentyou,"Carolcorrectedhim.

"Which is why I volunteered." He placed his hands on the table, revealing well-groomed nails, a large
weddingringonhislefthandandadiamond-studdedbandonhisrightmiddlefinger."Ourorganizationis
notacollectionofblackhats,mensittingaroundatablerubbingtheirhandsandcontemplatingmindless
evil."

"Justmenthinkingaboutextortionandmurder."

He raised his hands, showing palms free of calluses. "Again, please don't lump me with the likes of
DanielLok.Youhaveheardofme,Iknow,andnotonlyaboutmyworktohelpthedowntroddenofthis
city. While many mortgage companies are diving into bankruptcy, mine have remained running sensibly
andsteadily.IhavechildrentoraiseandawifeIlove,andIhavenowishforgreedtodestroyme.Iamin
theOrderbecauseIwasborntoit,andIuseitspowerforgood."

Carolcouldn'trestrainherangeranylonger.ShefeltadarktendrilofDragonMastermagicsnakeoutof
her."Murderingmymotherwasusingitspowerforgood?"

"Iknewnothingaboutthat,"Faisaidquickly."Ihadn'tinheritedmypowerthen.Itwastwenty-fiveyears
ago.ButtheOrderhasalwaysmaintainedthatkillingLionJuanwasamistake."

MingUeexploded."Amistake?Thecold-bloodedmurderofmydaughterwasamistake?"

Fai winced. "What happened between Dragon Masters and the Order in ancient times should remain
ancient history, in my opinion. Nowadays there isn't much use for good versus evil, is there? Not that I
considerDragonMastersgood,myself.TheyhaveapowerofdestructionmuchliketheOrderhas.But
thedemon-godistrapped,andthepowerheoncegavetheOrderhaswaned.IusedwhatpowersIwas
giventobuildmybusinessandhelpothers,likeyouhave."

Carol tasted bile in her throat. "Your opinions on right and wrong don't mean much in the face of my

mother'smurder."

Hesighed."Iknowthat.Idoregretherdeath,believeme.IfIthoughtyouwouldacceptcompensationI
wouldofferittoyou,butIknowyouwon't."

"Whydidyoureallycomehere,Mr.Fai?"Carolsaidinahardvoice.

"To honestly extend an olive branch. Feuds are bad for business, and as I said, I have a family. My
daughters are eleven and thirteen. They're doing so well, and my thirteen-year-old is a soloist in her
schoolchoirthisyear.She'ssoexcited."

"WhichofthemwillinherityourplaceintheOrder?"Carolaskedcuriously.

"Neither.Itonlypassestothemalesofthefamily.Mybrotherisnextifanythinghappenstome,andthen
hisson."

Carolrolledhereyes."Oh,ofcourse."

Faimadeanapologeticgesture."TheOrderwascreatedinthedaysbeforewomenwereacknowledgedto
haveintelligence.Thepowersthedemon-godgaveushavenotchangedwiththetimes,I'mafraid."

HissilkysmoothvoicegratedonCarol'snerves."WhyareyoustillintheOrder,ifyouthinkitswaysare
outdatedandyoudon'twanttobeassociatedwithcrimelords?"

"Notmychoice,"Faisaid."Thepowerwasbestowedonmeatmyfather'sdeathbedtwentyyearsago.He
toldmeallthesecretsoftheOrder,thepowerfilledme,andit'sneverleftme.Iwastwenty-fiveatthe
time.I'veneverbeenabletogetridofit,nomatterhowmuchItry,andIdecidedtoturnthepowerto
good.I'vebeenverylucky,Iadmit."

Carolstudiedhim,asuccessful,handsomemaninhisforties,well-dressedandquietlyconfident.Heno
doubthadaveryexpensivecarandperhapsadriverwaitingforhimoutside.

"Doesyouwifeknow?"sheasked."Andyourdaughters?"

"No.It'snotsomethingIwantthemtoknowabout.Imarriedforlove,Ms.Juan.Ididn'tneedasociety
womanwithherdaddy'smoneytohelpme—Ihadmyownsuccess.We'vehadahappymarriage,andme
havingthispowerhasn'tmarredit."

"Andifshedidknowthatyouweretheconsortofademon-god,whatwouldshesay?"

Faibarkedalaugh."I'mnotaconsortofanyone.Myancestorwasgiventhispower,andIinheritedit.I
knowmywifeverywell—wewerehigh-schoolsweethearts.ShewouldthinkasIdo,thatIshoulduse
thispower,nomatterhowdubiousitsorigin,forgood."

Carolhadnodoubthetoldthetruth.Likelyhiswifehadn'taninklingofwhattheOrderoftheBlackLotus
was about. She doubted the woman would believe the story even if she did know it. Dark Orders and
demon-godsandDragonMastersdidn'texistintheworldofmostordinaryhumanbeings.

"Istillwonderwhatyourpurposewasincomingtoseeme,"Carolsaid."Extendtheolivebranch, you

said.Youwantustoworktogether,butwhydoyou?Whatexactlyarewesupposedtobedoingtogether?"

Fai'sdarkeyesglittered."Keepabloodbathfromhappening,Ms.Juan.TheOrderdoesn'twantyoudead,
yousee.DannyLokwentafteryouwithouttheOrder'ssanction—hewasaloosecannon."

"Abloodbath?"Carolrepeated,herskinprickling.

"Someofthemwantyoutohelpthemopenthetrapandletthedemon-godoutagain.Ipersonallywould
begratefulifyou'dkeephimin.Thefiredragonisawildcardinallthis.

Hecouldbeaweaponofgreatdestruction,bothtothedemon-godandtotheOrder.Iamheretoaskthat
yousendhimbacktodragon-landorwhereveryouconjuredhimfrombeforethingsgetoutofhand.The
membersoftheOrderwhowantthedemon-godfreedalsowanttouseyouandthefiredragontosmite
theirenemies."

"Smite?"Carolwouldhavelaughedifthesituationweren'tsodangerous.

"An old-fashioned term for an old-fashioned problem. As you can see, not every member of the Order
seeseye-to-eye."

"Where is Zhen?" Carol asked abruptly. She knew Fai could fence with her for hours without him
committingtoanything.Hewasgoodatthegame.

"Ah.ThatistheotherthingIcametoseeyouabout."

Carolwaited,andMingUeleanedonhercaneandglaredathim.

"SomemembersoftheOrderhaveZhen.Asimplistictraptomakeyoucomeforward,leveragetomake
youreleasetheirdemon-godifnecessary.AsIsaid,Iwouldnotlikeitifyoudidthis."

"Whereishe?"Carolrepeated.

"Icantakeyouifyoulike.Ibelieveyourfiredragonhasalreadygonesearching?Ifso,that'sabadthing,
becauseiftrappingtheoldmandidn'twork,theyareperfectlypreparedtocaptureyourfiredragon."

Sethfollowedtheincubiastheyflewbetweenrealityanddarkness,travelingonthreadsofthoughtsand
dreams. Seth in his fire form could mimic the way they slipped through, but it was very different from
slip-streamingthroughDragonspace.InDragonspaceitwasajoy—whenheemergedwiththeincubihe
feltunclean.

Theyledhimnottoanotherseedywarehousebuttoalushhouseonahighhillwithpanoramicviewsof
thecityandoceanbeyond.Allbutonedisappeared,andheledSethintotheshadowsofdarkeningfog.

Therewerefivemeninsidethehouse.Sethplacedtheauraofeachone,includingthefaint,terrifiedone
thatmustbeZhen's.

"Killthem,"theincubuswhispered,hisbreathfoul."Killthemhere,andthenIwilltakeyoutomore."

Incubihadone-trackminds.Thehousehadbeendemon-marked,whichwouldmakeitdifficultforSethto

getinbutnotimpossible.Themenwereinthefrontofthehouse,soSethsteppedquietlytotheunlighted
backdoor.

Highshrubsandthegatheringdarknesshidhimfromanycuriouspassers-byashewhisperedhisfireinto
thelocks.Thedooropenedacrack,showinghimadark,emptykitchen.

Acarswungupthedrive,itsheadlightsdyingbeforetheycouldsweeplightoverthehouse.

Sethsidesteppedoffthebackporchandhidintheshadows.

ThecarwasCarol's,andCarolgotoutofit.Withherwasatallmaninalongcoatwhocarriedthesame
darkauraasthemeninsidethehouse.

In fury Seth sent a fiery thread to her, his music harsh and angry. Touching her mind told him she was
afraidbutalsodetermined.I'mallright,shewhispered.

TherearefourmeninsidewithZhen,hesentback.Getbackinyourcaranddriveaway.

Thisisn'twhatitseems,cameherthought,andthenshewentsilent.

SethsworeunderhisbreathasCarolandtheotherman,oblivioustotheirexchange,approachedthefront
door.Themanknockedpolitely.

Sethchangedtofireandswarmedinthroughtheopenbackdoor,solidifyinginacavernouslivingroom
behindthemenwhohadturnedtofacethefronthall.Zhenwasupstairs,butSethwouldhavetopassthe
menoftheOrdertoreachthestairs,andrightnowhewasmoreworriedaboutCarol.

"Mr.Fai,"themanwho'dopenedthefrontdoorsaid."Whatapleasantsurprise."

"I'vebroughttheDragonMaster."Themantookoffhiscoatandglovesandhungthecoatonahookofan
ornatecoatrack.Carolkeptherraincoatfirmlybuttoned.

Themanwho'dopenedthedoor,thesameonewho'dconfrontedthematthesmallwarehouse,chuckled."I
didn'tthinkyoudeignedtoassociatewithusMr.Fai."

"Notgenerally,no,"Faiansweredcalmly."ButIheardofyourschemetocapturetheDragonMaster,andI
thoughtI'dbringhertoyou."

"Iwon'targue."Theman'sgazesweptoverher."She'sverypretty."

"Ihearyouwantmetohelpyoufreeyourgod,"Carolsaidcoldly."Ithinkit'sabadidea."

The dark man gave Fai a puzzled look. Fai shook his head. "I said I brought her. I never said she'd
capitulatetoyourdemands."

"Sheneedstoortheoldmysticdies."

"Howverydramatic,"Carolsaid.

Hervoicewassteadyandicy,butheruneasinessscreamedatSeththroughthebond.Shewaspoisedto
run,butshewasn'tsurewhattheDragonMasterinherwoulddoiftheychasedherorcaughther.

Sethpointedsilentlyattheceiling,feelingZhen'sauraintheroomabove.

"Zhen,"Carolshoutedupthestairs."Areyouallright?Canyoucomedown?"

Sethheardashufflingabovethenadoorcreakopen.Afteralongtime,Zhen'svoicecamefromthetopof
thestairs.

"Leavemehere,LiMei."

"Don'tbeheroic,"Carolsnapped."I'mtakingyouhome."

"Iamnotheroic;Iamashamed.Iwasacoward,anditwillbejusticeifIamthefirstthingthedemon-god
consumes."

SethfeltCarol'sgrowingimpatience."We'lltalkaboutitlater.Rightnow,youneedtocomedownhere,
becauseI'mnotdoinganythingthesepeoplewantuntilIseethatyou'reallright."

Therewasanotherhesitation,thenmoreshuffling,andZhenmadehisslowwaydownthestairs.

Sethsensedthetrapspring.Fromthewardingmarksonthehousecamethedarkthreadsofaspell.Sticky
blacknessoozedthroughtheair,twiningitswaytowardCarol.

Themanshe'dcomeinwith,Fai,lookedstartled,thengrabbedhiscoatandboltedoutthefrontdoor.Zhen
frozeonthestairs,suckinginhisbreath.

Seth wasn't certain what the spell would do, but he sensed Carol's power weakening even before the
threadsreachedher.Heturnedtofireandsailedacrosstheroom,landingbehindher.

Noneofthemenlookedsurprisedtoseehim.Theysimplywatched,smuglooksontheirfaces,whilethe
spellflowedthroughtheroom.

"Seth,"Carolsaid,hereyeswide.Shouldwe?

Sethwrappedhisarmsaroundherfrombehindandpressedhisfacetohershoulder.Hefeltherrelaxto
him,thenhisfireflowedintoher.

Theexercisesthey'ddoneservedherwell.SethclosedhiseyesandbaskedinCarol'swarmthasapartof
himbecamepartofher.

Hisfiretwinedthroughher,turningthethreadsbetweenthemwhite-hot.Heopenedhismouthandpressed
histeethtoherneck.

Thefiremagicsweptthroughtheroom,poppingthedarkwardsfromeverydoorandwindow.Sethsaw
throughCarol'seyestheinkythreadsdrawback,themenwho'dcastthemwatchingworriedly.

Carolraisedherhandandletfireflowoutofherfingertips.ShewastakingtoomuchandSethcouldn't

stopher,butthemenoftheOrdercoweredandshrankaway.

Themeninthehallreachedforeachother,joininghandstoincreasethespell.Darknessrearedtoward
Carol,butshewasheditwithfire.

Seth grunted with the impact of it, fire and darkness fighting each other. Pain jarred up and down his
spine,butunderhim,hefeltCarolsparklewithfire,heardherlaugh.

Hisheadthrobbedandeverynerveflaredwithpain.Hetastedblood,felttearstricklefromhiseyes.She
wasreachingintohimandtakingtheessenceofhim,draininghimwhilehegaspedforbreath.

Themenfellback,terrified.Idiots.Theyhadnoideawhatthey'dawakened,provokingaDragonMaster
towieldafiredragon'spower,butSethknewalltoowell.

He'dtriedtoholdbackfromCarol,fearinghe'dhurther,buthenowrealizedthedangertohimself.He
wassweatingandshaking,barelycontaininghisagony.

When the fire rushed back into him, he cried out with it. The men of the Order were breathing hard,
expressionsoffearandpainontheirfaces,everysinglewardanddarkmagicthreadinthehousegone.

"We'releaving,"Carolsaidinaclearvoice."Zhen,comedownhere."

Sethstraightened,buthewasclumsyandhalffellagainstCarol.

Carolswungaround."Seth,areyouallright?"

She sang with strength, her skin sparkling. She was beautiful and terrible at the same time—a Dragon
Masteralivewithpower.

"Seth,"shewhisperedaseverythingwentdarkforhim.Shecaughthimaroundhiswaistashecollapsed.

ChapterEighteen

"Help me with him." Carol shouted the words at Fai, who was sitting in the driver's seat like he could
starthercarbysheerwillpower.

Reluctantly, Fai got out and opened the rear door as Carol staggered under Seth's weight down the
driveway. Seth was still conscious, but barely. Zhen took hurried half-steps behind them, reaching with
hiswizenedarmsforthedragon-manwhowaseasilythreetimeshissize.

WhenCarolhadseenSeth'sfacedrainedofallcolor,withbloodleakingfromhismouth,ithadterrified
her.BlastingawaythedarkspelloftheOrderhadn'tfrightenedherhalfasmuchaswatchingSethcrumple
andfall.

She got Seth onto the back seat, where he collapsed full length. "Give him your coat," she said to Fai.
Whenhehesitated,sheslappedhimwiththeresidualofherfiremagic,leavingaredcreaseacrosshis
face.

Faigaveherashockedlook,thenpeeledoffhiscoatandlaiditoverSeth'sinertbody.

Zhen crawled into the back seat with Seth and cradled Seth's head on his lap. Fai got into the front
passengerseat,uninvited,andsatwithhishandsfolded,sayingnothing.

"Givemeyourcellphone,"Carolcommandedasshestartedthecar.

Faisilentlyunhookeditfromtheholderonhisbeltandhandedittoher.Carolpunchedhergrandmother's
numberandheldthephoneawayfromherearwhenMingUeansweredwithherusualshout.

"Hello,thisisMingUe's."

"Grandmother,youtoldmethatblackdragonswerehealers,right?WillyoutellMalcolmtomeetmeat
myapartment?I'mheadingtherewithSeth."

"What'swrongwithSeth?"MingUescreeched."WhereisZhen?"

"Ihavethemboth.Idon'thavetimetoexplain.PleasecallMalcolm."

"I'llsendhim,don'tworry."MingUeclickedoffthephone,andCarolpeeledoutofthedrivewayontothe
steepstreet.ItfiguredthattheOrderwouldtakeahouseinTwinPeaks,shethoughtgrumpily.Thedemon-
god'spowerhadmanifestedmuchmaterialwealth.

"What about me?" Fai asked her. The wealthy businessman was pale and contrite, a view that the
newspaperslikelyneversaw.

"I'lldropyouoffatabusstop,"Carolgrowledathim,andzippedondownthehill.

Sethlayacrossherbedlikeadeadman.Carolpressedherhandstoherlipsandstudiedthepastypallor
ofhisskin,thebruisesunderhiseyes.She'dpiledblanketsonhim,notlikingthecoldofhisbody,andhe

layunmovingunderthem.

Malcolmstoodontheothersideofthebed,hismouthagrimline."Ican'tdomuchforhimhere.I'dhave
totakehimbacktoDragonspace,whereIcantapintoallmyhealingpowers."

"Wouldithurttomovehim?"

"Probably.Ontheotherhand,itmighthelphimifhecouldreverttohisdragonform."

"Andhecanonlydothatinaplacewhereeveryonebelievesindragons?Thatseemssofairy-tale-liketo
me."

"Wheredoyouthinkfairytalescomefrom?"Malcolmasked."They'restoriesabouttruethingsthathave
gottentwistedaroundthroughthecenturies."

Carol'sheartsqueezedinfear.ShecouldstillfeelsomeofSeth'sfireinher,butshecouldn'tseemtogive
itbacktohim."Ijustdon'twanthimtodie."

"Whynot?"Malcolmsaidwithhisquietsarcasm."You'reaDragonMaster,youcancallanydragonyou
want.Ifyouuseoneup,there'sanentireworldofthemwaiting."

Angerwelledupinsideher,andbeforeshecouldstopit,shelashedafierythreadatMalcolm.Shecaught
hissilverauraandthefirstnotesofhisnameandwrappedthemtight.

"DoyouthinkIwantanythingtohappentoSeth?"shedemanded.

"Ithinkyoucan'thelpyourself,"Malcolmrasped.

"Idon'tever,everwanttohurthim."

"SoSethissafefromyou,butblackdragonswhoaretryingtohelpyouaren't?"

Carolgavehisnameonelasttwist,thenletgo."It'sthesameformeasifitwereSabaforyou."

Malcolmgaveheraquietnod,theonlysignthathe'dbeeninpainaslightsheenofperspirationonhislip.
"IdidhurtSaba.Ialmostkilledhertryingtoforcehertouseherpowerstohelpme.Ibelievedinher,I
knewmywitchwasstrong,butshealmostdiedbecauseofme."

"Thenyoudounderstand."

"You'resayingthatyoulovehim."

CarolsmoothedSeth'shairbackfromhisforehead.Hiseyeswereopenslightly,cracksofblackagainst
hispaleface.

"IthinkIam,"shesaidsoftly."I'veneverfalleninlovebefore,soI'mnotsure."

Malcolmgavehertheghostofasmile."Thenwehavesomethingincommon.Ihadneverfalleninlove
untilImetmySaba.Blackdragonsdon'tfallinlove."

Carol thought of the way Malcolm's voice gentled when he talked about Saba, how his usual cynical
expressiondissolvedwhenhelookedathisdaughter,Adara.Herheartgaveapainfulthrob.

"WillyouhavetotakehimtoDragonspace?"sheasked."CanLisaopenawayanywhere,ordowehave
totakehimtoherapartment?"

Malcolmdrewasmallvelvetbagoutofhispocketandopenedthedrawstring.Hepouredahandfulof
amethystsacrossSeth'schestandpressedSeth'shandsoverthem.

"Youcanhelphimrighthere,youknow,"Malcolmsaid."Youholdhistruename."

"Howcanthatsavehim?"

"That'sthepowerofthetruename,lifeanddeath.Theessenceofus.Youcancrushit,oryoucannurture
it."

"I'mgladyouhavesomuchconfidenceinme."

"You'remuchlikemySaba.YouhavethepowerinyouCarol,butyoumustdrawitanduseit."

"Isthereaguidebook?"Carolasked,feelingslightlyhysterical."HowtobeaDragonMaster! You say
youhaveeverythinginthatArchiveofyours."

"It's all here." Malcolm reached over and touched her temple. "Put your hands on mine. I'll walk you
throughit."

CaroldrewabreathandplacedherhandsoverMalcolm's.Hiswerewarm,butSeth'sbeneathhiswere
ice-cold.

"Singhisname.Takethatmusicandputitintothestones,andthenI'llspreadthehealingthroughhisbody.
Ready?"

Caroltriedtosteadyherself,andthenrealizedtheeffortwasfutile.Sheclosedhereyesandreachedfor
thefirehuedmusicofSeth'sname.

Hegruntedwhenshestarted,everythinginhimresisting.

"Keepgoing,"Malcolmsaid.

WhenCaroltriedtodeliberatelymakehermindrepeatthenotes,sherealizedshecouldn'tfindthem.She
let her thoughts go blank, like she'd learned to when she took his fire, then she quietly reached for the
notesagain.

Hisnamesangthroughhermind,abeautiful,powerfulmelodythattwinedaroundherheart.

Seth,Iloveyou.Don'tleaveme.

"Pouritintothestones,"Malcolmsaid.

CarolpicturedthepileofpurplestonesonSeth'schestandchanneledthemusicintothem.

Thestonesresonated,pickingupthenameanddoublingit,triplingit.

Malcolm'shandstwitched,andshefeltabladeofheatstabfromthestonesintoSeth.Sethmoaned.

Carolkeptsinginghisname.ShesawwithoutopeninghereyesthepurpleglowexpandandcoverSeth's
chestthenhisneckandface.Itspreaddownhislimbs,bathinghiminhealingpurplefire.

She felt his pain ease, his body reach for the magic. Malcolm muttered something under his breath, a
whisperedchantinalanguageshedidn'tknow.ThewordsgrewlouderasSethgrewstronger.

Suddenly,thecrystalsburstapart,shardsofamethystexplodingintopurplefragments.

SharpbitscutCarol'scheekuntilMalcolmshovedheroutoftheway.

Sethhadopenedhiseyes.Heglaredatthemweakly,butaflushstainedhischeeks.

Carolsatdownnexttohim,brushingtheremainsofthestonesfromhischest."Areyouallright?"

"No,Ifeellikeshit."

Malcolmgathereduppiecesofamethystandrolledthelargerstonesbackintohisbag.

"Snarkisagoodsigninadragon."

"Whathappened?"Sethaskedinaweakvoice."Irememberyouwipingoutthespellinthebighouseon
thehill,butnothingafterthat.Whereistheincubus?"

"Whatincubus?"Malcolmgrowled.

"Theonewholedmetothehouse."SethwethislipsandtoldCarolataleoffindingadozenincubiwho
knelttohimandpledgedtheirloyalty."NotthatItrustthem."

Carol thought of the white-haired incubus who had called to her in her dream. He'd been beautifully
handsomeandrepulsiveatthesametime.

"TheyledyoutoZhen?"

"TheymighthaveledmetheresotheOrdercouldtakeme,alongwithyou."SethsqueezedCarol'shand.
"WhatIdon'tunderstandiswhatyouweredoingthere,withamemberoftheOrder."

"Mr.BenedictFai,well-knownbusinessleaderofSanFrancisco.Ithinkhewantedmetotakehisside
againsttherestoftheOrder.Whyshouldn'thebenefitfrommyangeratthem?"

Malcolm's brows rose. "Fai? I've heard about him. I wonder how the city would feel if it were made
knownhewasintheOrderwithDannyLokandothercriminals?"

"It's tempting to spread the word," Carol said. "But he has two daughters, and the scandal would ruin

them.I'mnotsureIcoulddothat."

Malcolmshookhishead."Compassion.Itcanbeamistake."

"I'dliketothinkit'sneveramistake.Faiisjustaselfishmanwhowantseverythingnomatterwhatthe
cost.Worshippingtheirdemon-godcertainlyhasbenefitedmembersoftheOrder."

"Notforlong,"Sethpromised."Wecan'tlettheOrderreleasehim."

"Iagree."Malcolmstoodup,shovingthebagofstonesintohispocket."Butyou'renotreadytofighthim
yet.I'mahealer,andIadvisethatyourestforafewdaysbeforeyouandCarolattemptsharinganymagic
again."HegaveCarolapointedlook."Ofanykind."

Carolflushed."Thanksforbeinghere,Malcolm."

"InDragonspace,Imighthavelethimdie."

"That'sbrutal."

"That'sthewayofthingsamongdragons.HeconsortedwithaDragonMaster,endangeringallofus.He'd
havedied.Calebwouldagree."

"Thisisn'tDragonspace,"Carolpointedout.

"Saba would say the same." Malcolm actually smiled, then he touched her on the shoulder and left the
room.

"Blackdragons,"Sethrumbledfromthebed."Mostarrogantbastardsintheuniverse."

"Iheardthat."Malcolm'svoicefloatedtothem,thentheyheardthefrontdoorclosebehindhim.

Carol stretched out on the bed beside Seth, laying her head on his pillow and resting her hand on his
chest."Iwassoscared."

"Youshouldn'thavegoneinthere.IwasreadytosnatchZhenandtakehimbacktoyourgrandmother's,
andthenyoucamedrivingupinyourcar.Youshouldhavestayedsafeintherestaurant."

"ImeanttountilFaicamein.IknewrightthenIcoulddriveuptothathouse,getZhen,andwalkoutagain.
Theywereafraidofme.Idon'tunderstandwhy,buttheyare."

"Becausetheyknowyoucoulddestroythem.Andyouhavereasonto,becauseofyourmother.Theirgod
istrappedfornow,andtheycan'tfightyou."

Carol traced his cheek. "Is there any way we can destroy or bind the god without opening the column?
Youweretherewhenitwasmade."

"Irememberlittleofit.IthinktheDragonMasterwipedmymind,soIwouldn'tknowhowitwasdone.
Hedidn'twantitopenedagain."

Caroltracedhischeek."Heneededyourdragonfiretomakethecolumn."

"That'swhyIthinkitwilltakemydragonfiretounmakeit."Hekissedherlips,butthecaresswasweak,
betrayinghisexhaustion."ButIdon'tthinkeitheroneofuswillsurviveit."

Carol blinked in shock. Seth could feel the flutter of the fire magic between them and the musical
syllablesofhisnameinherhead.

"Whydoyousaythat?"sheasked.

"IfIfillyouentirely,Iwilllosemyfire,andthenmylife.Iwasafraidofkillingyou,butI'mcertainnow
thatI'mtheonewhowillbedrained."

Carolstaredathimwithwidedarkeyes,herpanicwellingthroughtheirthoughtthreads.

"Thenwecan'tdoit.Forgetabouttryingtokillthedemon-god.It'snotworthit."

"TheOrdergetsitspowerfromhim,"Sethsaid.

"It'stoobigarisk."Carolroseuponherknees."I'vebuiltmycareerunderstandingriskandreward.We
don'tknowifwecanbanishorkillthedemon-god,andI'mnotgoingtoloseyoutrying."

"We'dhavetwoDragonMastersandafiredragon."

"One Dragon Master who was trapped for two thousand years, another Dragon Master who still can't
controlherpowers,andafiredragonconvincedhe'lldie.Idon'tlikethoseodds."

"Ifwedonothing,theOrdercontinuestostalkyou.Youwouldn'tletmekillthemall,remember?"

Carolscrapedherhandthroughherhair."Doeseverythinghavetobeaboutviolence?"

"Intheworldofdragonsitdoes."

"Can'twedosomethingelse?Whataboutyourideaofdroppingthecolumnintotheocean?"

Heshookhishead."I'msurenowthattheOrdercouldretrieveit.Theywillkeepatyouuntiltheyfind
somewaytomakeyoudotheirbidding."Hepaused."Andeventuallytheywilltrytocoerceyourchildren
iftheydon'tsucceedwithyou.Theproblemwillonlybepasseddown."

Asadnessenteredhereyes."Iprobablywillneverhavechildren.IdoubtI'llgetmarried."

"Youmighthavemychildren."

Hergazesharpened."You'readragon."

"Yes,butSabaandMalcolmsuccessfullyproducedoffspring.Iamhumanhere,andperhapsIcancreate
childrenthehumanway."

Hesensedheragitationgrow."IthoughtSabacouldonlyhavethechildrenofadragonbecauseofLisa's

magic.Mygrandmothertoldmethat—Ithoughtshewascrazyatthetime."

"Iammoremagicalthanablackdragon.Maybemyseedcanstay."Sethtouchedherabdomen,likingthe
ideaofachildofhisgrowingthere.

"It'simpossible."

"Notsoimpossible."

Carolwentsilent.Shemovedherhandacrosshisonherstomachasthoughcarryingachildwasanew
andstrangeidea,onethatterrifiedhermorethanfacingademon-goddid.

"Isthisabadthing?"Sethasked.He'dseenthathumansdotedontheiroffspring,buttheideaseemedto
dismayher.

"No."Shesaidthewordvehemently."It'snotabadthing.Butit'sallthemorereasonIdon'twantanything
to happen to you." She took her hand away. "Anyway, we don't know if you can give me children.
Nothing'sforcertain."

Sethsenthisthreadsthroughher,touchingwhathe'dlearnedtotouchwhiletheysharedhisfire.

"Itispossible,"hesaidsoftly.

Carol closed her eyes. She liked to do that when faced with new and frightening information, and he
waiteduntilsheprocesseditall.

"Ican'tbeamother,"shesaid."Ineverhadamother—Idon'tknowhowtobeone."Sheopenedhereyes
andlookedathim."Idon'tevenknowwhatIhavewithyou."

"You'reaDragonMaster.Youcommandthepowerofdragons."

"Andyouhateit."

Sethlaced his armbehind his head.He was feeling better,Malcolm's cure havingrestored some of his
dragonstrength."IhatedwhentheotherDragonMasterheldme.ItwascruelanddegradingandIwanted
tokillhim."

"Andthistime?"

Hisvoicesoftened."Thistime,Iwanttobefreeandfindoutwhethermyneedforyouistrueorpartof
thebond."

"SoyouneverwantedtogotobedwiththeotherDragonMaster?"sheaskedwithalittlesmile.

"Iwasadragonthen,andyouareafemale.Ithoughtthatwastheonlyexplanationatfirst."

Hedidn'tthinksoanymore,thoughtherewasstillnocertainty.Butheknewthathelovedtotouchherand
tasteherandfeelherbodywithhis.He'dneverwantedthiswithanylivingcreature,andthepulltoher
wassostrong.

"WhenIfigureouthowtobreakthebond,maybeyou'llfeelnothing,"Carolsaid."Maybeyou'llwantto
rushbacktoDragonspace,ormaybeyou'lltrytokillmesoitwon'thappenagain."

IfSyinghadarrivedinhisterritoryafterSethhadbeenfreed,Sethwouldhaveimmediatelyflamedhimto
keep from being enslaved again. Perhaps if he ever got free of Carol, he'd regard her with the same
hatred.

Seth couldn't envision this, but he couldn't reassure her, or himself, so he said nothing. He brushed her
cheek,feelingthefirewithinher.Ithadgrown.

"I'm not giving up," Carol said with that determination he found so beautiful. "I want to get rid of the
Orderortakeawaytheirpowerorwhateverwecando,butIwon'tdoitattheexpenseofyourlife."

Hervoicerangwithsincerity,andhereyesshonewithit.Sheleanedoverandkissedhim,brushingher
chestenticinglyoverhis,thenshegotupandstartedtobeefficient,chatteringaboutsettingupmeetings
withLisaandAxelandideasforhowtoproceed.

Sethlaybackandwatchedher,seeingthefireflickereverytimeshemoved.Hecouldn'ttellherwhathe
wasthinking:thathe'ddieforherifitwastheonlywaytokeephersafe.

Syingkepthishandoverthecrackinhisprison,lovingthefeelofrealaironhisskin.Aweekhadpassed
aspeoplereckonedtimeinthisera,andthecrackhadnotgrown,norhadthedemonbehindhimfigured
outhowtouseit.

Hewashuge,thedemon-god,bothinhiscorporealformandhisspiritform.Itwashiscorporealformthat
wastrappedinthecolumn,soitwasnotabouttoescapethroughatinycrack.

Thedemon-god'smagichadseepedoutsomewhat,though.Syingsenseditsnakingfromhisblackthoughts
totouchthemembersoftheOrderoftheBlackLotus.Hewasgivingthempower,drawingthembackto
him.

TheOrdercouldnotcomeintothebuildingbecauseofthemarksthefiredragonandthestrangeJapanese
god had made, but eventually, they would grow enough in power to be able to breach the marks. Then
they'dletoutthedemon-god,andhellwouldtrulybreakloose.

EventheincubitheOrderhadcreateddidn'twantthistohappen.Thepoorthingsscrambledtohelpthe
firedragon,fearingthedemon-godmightmeantheirdestruction.

Syinghadbeentrappedincorporealform,too,themagicputtinghiminabubbleofnonreality,keeping
himfromagingordyingwhiletherestoftheworldmovedon.Hecouldn'tescapethroughthesmallcrack,
butwhenthedemon-godslept,hecouldpushhisthoughtthreadsthrough.

He caressed the marks of the fire dragon, learning them well. The dragon had given himself a human
name:Seth.

Sying sensed that Seth was confused, unsure of his very non-dragon attraction to the human woman.
Perhapsasarewardforhelpinghim,he'dteachCarol,hishowever-many-greatgranddaughter,howtouse
Seth'sfire.

Shewascomplicated,thisCarol.Syingfeltherinthemarksthedragonhadleft,herthreadsinextricably
tiednowwithhis.Shelongedtolove,butshedidn'tknowhow.Shethoughtintermsofmaterialthings—
wantingtorepaythekindnessofherfamilybymakingthemwealthy.

Shehadsomuchtolearn,andheitchedtoteachher.

Butfirst,hehadtogetoutofhereandconvinceCarolthathewasworthsaving.

HeglidedhisthoughtsacrossthecityofSanFrancisco,unerringlyfindinghiswaytothehouseonthehill
alsomarkedbythefiredragon.HeslidinunderthemarksandtouchedSethsleepinginthefemaleDragon
Master'sbed.

Seth,hewhispered,makingthewordacaress.Cometome.

ChapterNineteen

WhenCarolwoke,Sethwasgone.

He'd been sound asleep when she'd finally come to bed, and she'd left him alone, wanting him to heal.
She'dtalkedtoLisaandAxelonthephone,takingcomfortinmakingplans.

NeitherofthemhadbeenhopefulthatCarol'sideaswouldwork,butshefelttheneedtoorganizeherself.

Sethwasn'tinthebathroomorthekitchen,andtheapartmentfeltempty.

"Seth?"

Hedidn'tanswer.Shepulledatthethreadsandfeltthemstillbindinghimtoher,buthedidn'trespond.

Seth?Areyouallright?

Yes,cametheanswer,thensilence.

Carolgnawedonherlip.Hewantedhertoleavehimalone,whateverhewasdoing.Ifheneededhelp,
wouldn'thesayso?

Whatareyoudoing?

Busy,hesnappedandthentheconnectionclosedagain.

Shetoldherselfnottobeanag.Sheletthebondslackabit,butshefeltuneasy.

Sheshoweredanddressed,thenrummagedonthetopshelfofherveryorganizedclosetforamahjongset.
Shedumpedthetilesonthetopofherdiningroomtable,turnedthemallfacedownandshuffledthem.

Shebuiltthewallasthoughshewerepreparingforagame,anddrewhertiles.

Mostofthemagainweredragons.Shesortedthem:fourred,fourblack,andfour—silver.

Shestaredatthepieces,fairlycertainthatthedragonsinhermahjongsethadn'tbeensilverbefore.

ShehadnoideawhatkindofsedativeZhenhadmixedforherthelasttime,butshewentintoherkitchen
andbrewedherselfapotofoolongtea.

Sipping slowly, she carried the cup of tea back into the living room and laid all her dragon tiles
facedown.

One by one. she turned the silver dragon tiles up again. She studied the outlines, focusing on them and
concentratingonshuttingouteverythingelsearoundher.

Ittookalongtime.She'dbeenabletocoalescetheblackandgoldendragons'namesinhermindfairly
quickly,butthesilverwaselusive,slippingfromherlikeafishinaroilingstream.

Carolconcentrated,reachingouttocloseherhandaroundtheslipperyflashofsilver.

The notes of the silver dragon's name came to her like sparkling wind chimes. They were hideously
complex,butrichandvibrant.ThesoundsspunaroundinCarol'sbrain,andshechasedafterthem,feeling
bothtriumphantanddizzy.

Lisa.

Shefeltasharppush,therageofabeingthousandsofyearsoldbutnevertrappedinherlife.Silver-white
fireflickeredacrossCarol'smind,burninglikeawhiplash.

Lisa,it'sonlyme.

Foul expletives poured into her brain as the silver dragon fought for her life. Carol hadn't been aware
Lisaevenknewthosewords.

Carolstartedtolaugh,andtheDragonMasterinherlaughedwithher.Ihavecaughtthesilverdragon.

Letmego,damnyou!

Throughthename,CarolfeltLisa'sincrediblebondtoCalebandthefiercejoythatwasLisa'slovefor
herchildren.Caroltouchedtheenmeshedthreadsinenvy,butalsogladnessforheroldfriend'shappiness.

Shealsosensedababydragon,Lisa'sdaughter,starttocry.

Carolcaressedthebond,tryingtoconveyshemeantnoharm,thensheturnedthetilesoveroneatatime
and released the silver dragon's name. The Dragon Master in her snarled in disappointment, but she
remainedfirm.

Afterafewmoresipsoftea,shepeekedattheundersideofthetilesshe'djustturnedfacedown,butthey
wereblank.ShefeltnoresidualenergyfromLisa'sanger—she'dtrulylethergo.

Carolsetdowntheteacup,placedherhandsonthetable,anddrewabreath.She'dgrownstrongerand
moreincontrol.Ifshehadn't,she'dneverhavebeenabletoreachthesilverdragon,letalonereleaseher.

Herfingersshookasshereachedoutandturnedthereddragontilesover.

Seth'soutlineblazedlikefire,andthedrawingsquirmedonthetilesasthoughtryingtobreakfree.Itwas
easytoreachoutandsinghisname,becauseshesangitalmostcontinuouslynow.

Sethrespondedinawashoffire,theflamerunningalongthethreadsbetweenthem.Theyweresobright
shewasamazedthatallofSanFranciscodidn'tseethem.

Seth.

Shecaressedhisnameandwishedwithallherstrengththathewaswithhersoshecouldtouchhim.What
shewasabouttodoscaredher,andwhatfrightenedherthemostwasthatshe'dbeleftalone.

She'dalwaysthoughtofherselfasalone,butintruthshehadMingUeandShaiming,hercousinLumi,her

best friend Lisa, and now Caleb, Malcolm, Saba, and Axel. Zhen the Junk Man was also part of her
world,andhadevensavedherlife,thoughshe'dgrownupnotknowingthat.IfnotforZhenshe'dhave
diedinthataccidentoratthehandoftheOrder.

But Seth had filled every corner of her existence since he'd come into it. He'd taught her about carnal
pleasure, both gentle and wild. He'd taught her that her cold focus on her business blinded her to the
colorfulsideoflife,toaworldwheredragonsandmagicwerereal.

Mostofall,he'dtaughtherthatshehadthecapacitytofallinlove.

ToobadIhadtofallinlovewithamanwhocouldturnintofireoradragon,shethoughtwryly.He'd
preferbaskinginthemiddleofavastdeserttohangingoutincoffeehouses,butshe'dbeevergratefulto
himforteachingherthatshehaditinhertolove.

Seth,shewhisperedagain.Iloveyou.

Shefelthimstart,jerkedfromwhateverhewasdoing.

Beforehecouldsendhisthoughtstoher,shegrabbedhisname,clenchingherfistsasthoughsheheldit
physically,thensheletitgo.

Thedragonsonthetilessquirmedandspun,theDragonMasterinherfightingherwill.

Firesearedintoherbrain,andshefeltSeth'svastsurprise.

Then,onebyone,thereddragonvanishedfromthetiles,andsheturnedthemover.Click,click,click.

Thefourthtileremainedinherhandforalongtime,andthenshemadeherselfslowlyturnitfacedownon
thetable.Click.

ThelastnotesofSeth'snamefadedlikefaintchimesonthewind,andthenthemusicinherheadwentstill
forthefirsttimeinmanydays.

Thethreadsbetweenthemuntangledanddriftedaway.Shetentativelyreachedforoneandfoundnothing.

Sethwasfree,andCarolwasalone.

Sheburiedherfaceinherhandsandcried.

SethstoodstillinwondermentasCarol'svoiceceased,asthebrightmusicinhisheaddied.

Hereachedforthethreadsthathadboundthemandsawhisfire-redonesfallemptytotheground.

She'dlethimgo.

The fire dragon in him roared. The basement of the cold building shook with it, and he felt the other
DragonMastergasp.

Syingwasstillshutfastinsidethecolumn,buthe'dmanagedtopenetrateSeth'sdreamsthroughthetiny

crackinthebottom.Hehadn'tattemptedtosnareSethwithhisname,beingtooweaktofightCarol.

NowtheDragonMastertriedtopickupSeth'sname,buthewasstilltooweak,andSetheasilyshookhim
off.

Hewasfree.Thiscoldworldandthehumanswhocrawleditssurfacenolongerboundhim.

Sethturnedinstantlytoflame,watchingtheclothesthatchafedhisskinfallharmlesslytothefloor.

Hewasdragon,hewaspowerful,andhewasfreeagain.HeowednothingtoSyingtheDragonMaster,
who'denslavedhiminthefirstplace,nothingtothisworld.Letthedemon-godescapeandwreakhavoc
onthem.

Seththoughtbrieflyoftheotherdragonshere,thegolden,theblack,thesilver,boundherebytheirlove
fortheirmates,human mates. Their own fault. They were dragons, and dragons should be bound to no
one.

He circled the confining space, then flowed up out of the hole and out into the morning. He flew high,
soaringoverthecitythathadforcedhimtowalkslowlyalongitsstreets,tearingthroughthefogthathad
cloggedhislungs.

Heindulgedhimselfinflyingovertheocean,changingtopuredragononcehe'dgonefarenoughoverthe
Pacific.Thefogbrokeupoffshore,andsunlightglitteredonthewaterfarbelow.Ifhewanted,hecould
flyhigherthanthehighestvehiclethathumanshadinventedandnotcomedownfordays.

Butcamedown,becausehewantedtogohome.

In the old days, he'd simply burn a hole between Dragonspace and this world, but that was no longer
possible.Heneededthesilverdragon'smagictodothat,orthemagicofthewitchlingcalledSaba.

He had to make the decision of violating either the black dragon's territory or the golden's in order to
returnhome.Hechosethegolden's,becausewhilegoldendragonscouldputupahellofafight,onceit
wasdone,theyforgotaboutit.Blackdragonscouldholdagrudgeforeons.

Enjoying the flight, Seth soared in toward the city again, changing to fire when he reached the Golden
Gatebridge.Hehadafondnessforthebridgenow,buthebypassedittoflyoverthegreensmudgeofthe
Presidioanddowntothehousethatboretheshimmerofthegoldandsilverdragons.

Heflewrightinthroughtheopenbalconydoor,flinchingatthegoldendragonwardsalloverthehouse.
Thenheflowedforthelasttimeintohishumanform.

CalebandLisalookedupathiminshock,eachofthemholdingababythattheyweretryingtosoothe.
BothchildrenstaredatSeth,theirtearsceasing,andthemaleonesuddenlypoppedintotheshapeofatiny
goldendragon.

"Sendmeback,"SethgratedtoLisa.

Lisarosefromthecouch,followedcloselybyCaleb.

LisapushedbothbabiesintoCaleb'sarms,butthegoldenlookednolessbelligerent.

"Sendmeback,"Sethrepeated.

Lisastudiedhim,hereyeswidening."Shefreedyou."

"OpenthewaytoDragonspace,"Sethsaid."Iwanttogoback.Ineedto."

"WhataboutCarol?"

Somethingstirreddeepinsidehimamongthecomplexhumanemotionsthathadtakenhimover.Hepushed
it aside. "Let me through before the Dragon Master calls me again." He paused, not sure what was
swirlingthroughhismind."Tellherthankyou."

Thatdidn'tseemtobewhathewantedtosay,buthewastookeyeduptothinkitthrough.

Hewantedtogohome.

Lisanodded."Allright."

Sheopenedthedoorthatledtoherchildren'sbedroomandpointedattheair.Thelittlegirlbehindher
watchedcarefullyasablacktearbegantoform.

Beforeitwasevenafootwide,Sethflowedintoastringoffireanddovethrough.Thegapsnickedshut
behindhim,andhewasslip-slidingthroughthewildsofhishome,untildesertwindgreetedhimlikethe
warmthofCarol'sarms.

Caroldidn'tknowhowlongshesatatthetablewithherheadinherhands,butaknockatthedoorfinally
rousedher.Sheknewwhoitwasevenbeforesheopenedit,easilyfeelingtheaurasofherfriendsthrough
thewalnut.

Calebcameinfirst,hisscowldyingassoonashegotalookatherface.Lisasetherchildrenonthesofa
andherbagonthefloor,andcametoenfoldCarolinahug.Carolwastoorawformoreweeping,butshe
laidherheadonherbestfriend'sshoulder.

"HewentbacktoDragonspace,"Lisasaid,herhandscomfortingonCarol'sback."Heaskedmetolethim
through."

Carolwipedhereyes."Thankyoufornotstoppinghim."

"Hehastomakethechoice.Asyoudo."

"Ididmakemychoice.Ilethimgobecausewhathewantedtodowouldhavekilledhim."

CaleblaidhishandonCarol'sshoulder,histouchdragon-warm.Helikedtoplaytheirritatedwarrior,but
nowhisblueeyesheldunderstanding."He'llcomeback.Ican'tthinkwhyhewouldn't."

Carolgaveafaintlaugh."You'renicetosaythat,Caleb.Butheneverwantedtobehereinthefirstplace."

"NeitherdidI,"Calebsaid."ButwhenIsawLisa,Ineverwantedtoleave."

Carol'sheartsqueezed."Thecircumstancesweredifferent.Itdoesn'tmatternow—he'lleitherwanttosee
meagainorhewon't.Itookthechance."

ShewenttothesofaandliftedlittleLiNaintoherarms.Shesawthesilverdragonaurainthebaby,who
regardedherwithcuriosity.

HoldingLiNamadeCarolrememberwhatSethhadsaidaboutgivingCarolachild.Ifshewaspregnant,
whatwouldshetellherbabyabouthisorherfather?Helivesfarawayinamagicallandandcanturn
intofire.

Butno,shecouldn'tbe.Shecouldn'teventhinkaboutit.

"WestillhavetheproblemwiththeDragonMasterandthedemon-god,"Carolsaid,pretendingtobecome
matter-of-fact."Sethwasrightthatwecan'tlettheOrderfreeit."

"Hewasrightthatwecan'tletthemtrytouseyoutofreeit."Lisacorrectedher."IthinkSethwantedtodo
ithimselftospareyou."

"TheOrderwillfindway.Theycancoerceincubi.ThespelltheyusedinthathouseinTwinPeakswas
prettystrong."

Lisa and Caleb exchanged a glance, and she sensed the shift in the music they shared. "It's dangerous,
Carol,"Lisasaid."Letmetakecareofit,likeIofferedtobefore.It'sadragonproblem."

"Lisa, I've felt this evil—you haven't. The demon-god is strong, maybe even stronger than you. The
Dragon Master needed Seth and four other dragons to conquer it before, and then he only trapped it. I
wanttoseeifIcanatleasttalktothisDragonMasterandfindouthowhedidit.HealteredSeth'smind,
soSethcan'tremember.Ithinkthat'swhatSethwasdoingbeforeIfreedhim—tryingtocommunicatewith
theDragonMaster."

"You'renotgoingdowntherealone,"Lisasaid.

"Arealldragonshardofhearing?"Carolsnapped."DragonMaster,Lisa.Ilearnedhowtocallyou,soit
canbedone.CalebandMalcolmIscoopeduplikethat."Shesnappedherfingers.

"Don'trubitin,"Calebsnarled.

"Besides,thisDragonMasterisrelatedtomeinabizarreway.Hemighttalktome."

"Ican'tletyougoalone."

CarolgaveLisaapatientlook."Whosaidanythingaboutgoingalone?I'lltakeAxelwithme.He'sproved
hecanteleportmeoutofthere,althoughheshouldhavetoldmefirstthathe'dneverdoneitbefore."

"Why?"Calebaskedwithagrin."Youwouldn'thavelethim."

CarolignoredhimandbouncedLiNainherarms."Youhavechildrentolookafter.Idon'twantyouto

endangeryourself."

Lisagaveherasteadylook,thenshookherhead."Youwerealwayssomuchmoredeterminedthanme.I
was a dreamer and you were a planner. I got my heart broken, and you succeeded where I failed. I've
alwaysadmiredyouforthat—andenviedyou."

"Your dreams let you believe in dragons," Carol said. She glanced at Caleb. "And brought you
happiness."

Carolfeltthemusicbetweenthemagain,tender,loving,andfulloflaughter.Ahollownesssettledinher
chest.

Lisa came to embrace her, making her daughter gurgle. "We'll stay with you a bit if you don't mind and
helpyouplan.It'sachoretolugthesetwoacrosstown,andIcoulddowitharest."Shesatdownwitha
thumpandliftedSeverintoherlap.

"You'd better give me Li Na," Caleb said, moving toward Carol. "She's been burpy today, and dragons
tendtoburpontheacidicside."Hestopped."Oops,thereshegoes.Ihopethatwasn'tyourbestblouse."

"Ifeelsoused,"Axelsaid.

ThenextmorningCaroldrovewithhimbackdowntothewarehousewheretheDragonMasterwaited.It
was rush hour, and the roads that led from bridges were clogged with commuters pouring in from
Oakland,Berkley,andplacesfarthersouth.Hardlyanyonewasdrivingonthebackroadstowardtheold
abandonedbuildingsofSoMa.

"Bringing you was the only way I could get Lisa to agree to stay behind," Carol said, navigating the
streets."Shelikestorushin."

"Notlikeyou.Quiet,calmCarol,neverdoinganythingdangerous."

"I'mjustinvestigating,"shereplied."You'reprotectingme.IfI'dhaverundownherelastnightwhenyou
wereunavailable,thatwouldhavebeenimpetuous."

"I'maBaku.Nightismybusiesttime."

"Whendoyousleep?"

"I don't need to." Axel patted his tight abs. "This body isn't real, just the one I show so I don't scare
anyone.IthinkI'mgorgeous,butmostpeoplewouldfallovergibberingiftheysawme.Exceptkiddies
whothinkI'mcute.AndladyBaku."

"ThereareladyBaku?"Carollikedthathewasramblingasheusuallydid—itkeptherfrompanicking.

"Sure.There'soneinparticularI'mthinkingof.She'salwaystellingmewhatanidiotIam."

Hegrinned."Ithinkshelikesme."

"Howcanyoubesopowerfulandsoridiculousatthesametime?"

"Because I got over myself millennia ago. Fighting evil shouldn't make you morose." He showed his
pointedteethinasmile."It'stoomuchfun."

"IfIwerealadyBaku,I'dlikeyou,Axel."

"Oh,sheflattersme.Something'sonyourmind,Carol.ImeanbesidesSethandDragonMastersandthe
Orderanddemon-gods.What'swrong,sweetie?"

Carolhadn'twantedtotellanyone,atleastnotyet,andnotamalefriend.ButAxelwasdifferent,maybe
becausehewasagodsobelovedofchildren.Lumihadtoldherhe'dfoundhimselfopeninguptoAxelfor
nogoodreasonwhenhedidn'tevenknowtheman,andCarolsuddenlywantedtodothesame.

"I bought a home pregnancy test last night," she said. A lump formed in her throat, and she couldn't
continue.

"Isee."Axel'sbanteringtonesoftened.

Carol's vision blurred with tears. "Those tests aren't one hundred percent accurate, and it might be too
soon to know anyway." She'd been telling herself that since she'd checked the test this morning after a
sleeplessnightandfounditpositive.

"DoesSethknow?"

"Hethoughtitwaspossible,whichiswhyItookthetest.Ican'treallybelieveit.I'dhaveinsistedonbirth
controlifI'dthoughtthatIcouldhavechildrenwithadragon."

"Honey,I'llbetbirthcontrolwasthefurthestthingfromyourmind:"

"Yes."CarolrememberedherwildlovemakingsessionswithSethandflushed."Inevercouldthinkvery
clearlyaroundhim."

"You'regoingtotellhim,right?"

Shegrippedthesteeringwheel."Thatdepends.Hemighttrytokillmeifheseesmeagain—Iamtheone
whoenslavedhim,afterall.Lisasaidhewasdifferentwhenhecametoher,veryanimal-like.I'vealways
thoughtthatabouthim,thathewasmoredragonythanMalcolmorevenCaleb."

"Firedragonsarestrangebeasts,thatistrue.ButIsawthewayhelookedatyou.Hecaredforyou."

"Whilehewasensnaredbyhistruename,"shesaid."Itwasn'texactlyofhisownfreewill."

Axelfrowned,startedtosaysomething,thenbrokeoffandshookhishead.

They'dreachedtheirdestination,thankfully,andCarolparkedhercarandswitchedofftheengine.Shefelt
eyesonherbackastheyenteredthebuilding,butSeth'sdragonmarksstillburnedbrightlyonthewalls.

Carol stared down into the dark hole of the basement, her skin prickling at the noisome chill. Axel
snapped on a flashlight and played it around the room below. The light caught on the ripples of the
glasslikecolumn.

"Stillthere,"hegrunted.

"Itfeelsdifferent."

Axelgaveatersenod."Youwanttogodownthere?EventhoughIthinkyoushouldn't?"

"IwanttotalktotheDragonMaster."

Axelfrownedather."Oneitty-bittythinggoeswrong,Itakeyououtofthere."

Caroldidn'targue.ShestartedtoaskhowtheywouldclimbbelowwhenAxelgrabbedherwristsandthe
worldjolted.Whensheblinked,shewasstandinginthebasementnexttothecolumn.

Shejerkedaway."Pleasewarnmewhenyou'regoingtodothat."

Hesmiledhisimp'ssmile."Morefuntosurpriseyou."

Helpme.Thecrycamestrongerthanbefore,andAxel'slightfellontheoutlineofthesmallmanpressing
hishandstothewallofthecolumn.

Carolcouldn'tseehimwellthroughtheopaqueglass,buthisthoughtsdriftedtoherclearly.

Thethreadsthattouchedherwereweakbutthickanddarkgray.

YouaretheonecalledCarol.

Carolputherhandontheglass."That'sme."

YouareapowerfulDragonMaster.Thelinehascontinuedwell.Shefeltatrickleofpride.

"Itmightnothavecontinuedatallifitweren'tforZhen,"Carolreplied.

She surprised herself with her sudden warmth for the old man. She realized now that the Order would
have found out about her mother even if Zhen hadn't told them. Lian's power would have screamed to
them,likeCarol'sdidnow.Zhencouldn'thavesavedhermother,butbyknowingtheOrder'splans,he'd
savedCarolfromthemtwice.

Yousetthefiredragonfree,theDragonMasterwhispered.Why?

"Hewasunhappy,andIdidn'tlikeenslavinghim."

TheDragonMasterseemedpuzzled.Butweneedhim.Youhavethegoldenandblackatyourdisposal,
andeventhesilver,butthefiredragonisessential.

"Icareabouthim.Ipreferthathestaywithmeoutofchoice."

Choice?Hiswordswereincredulous.YouareaDragonMaster.Dragonsdoservicetoyou.Theyhave
nochoice.

"Timeshavechanged,Sying.Syingisyourname,isn'tit?"

It'sbeenalongtimesinceIhavehearditonthelipsofagirlYes,IamSying,DragonMastertothe
emperorcalledHo.Hesighed.Hisfamilyislonggonetodust,hisempirevanished.

"China is still there," Carol said. "My great-grandfather came here from Hong Kong, along with many
otherChinese.Thecountryisstillthere,butalittledifferent."Shepondered.

"Maybenotsodifferent.Peopletherearejusttryingtogetonwiththeirliveslikepeopleanywhere."

Axelclearedhisthroat."Thisisallveryinteresting,butwhataboutthisdemon-godthing?

Wecameheretoaskabouthim;"

CarolfeltSyingfixhisattentiononAxel,inwonder.Thisisalessergodofaforeignnation.Haveyou
ensnaredhim,LiMei?

"NooneensnaresaBaku,"Axelscoffed."Ifeelyoutrying,sodon'tevenbother."

"He'safriend,"Carolsaid."Andhowdidyouknowmynickname?"

IhaveheardZhensayitfondly.Sying'stouchwithdrew,butheregardedAxelincuriosity.

Haveyounooneinyourpowerthen,LiMei?

"Notcurrently.WhatIneedyoutotellmeisaboutthatdemon-godintherewithyou,andwhathappensif
welethimout.Alsowhathappensifwedon't."

Hewillemergesoon,Syingsaid.Lookatthebaseofthecolumnandobservethecrack.

Throughthatholethedemon-godwilleventuallydrawenoughpowertofreehimself.

Axelflashedhislightarounduntiltheyfoundwhathewastalkingabout,ahairlinecrackthatranunderthe
column.Axelcroucheddownandpressedhisfingerstoit.

"Throughthat?"Axelasked.

That'sallheneeds.

Carolblewoutherbreath."Thatmeanswehavenochoice."

"Youhaveachoice,"Axelsaid,gettingtohisfeet."YoucanmovetoAustralia."

"I'mnotleavingSanFrancisco.WhyshouldI?Mylifeishere,andI'mnotlettingsomedemon-godpush
meout.IfoughthardforwhatIhave."

"True,butthisisn'tabusinessorganizationtryingtotoppleyourempire.It'sademon. A very powerful
one."

Carol massaged the bridge of her nose, the cold and damp giving her a headache. "I know, but he's
trapped,andhe'lldoanythingtoescape.IhaveafeelingAustraliawon'tbefarenoughawayifhedoes.

Whatwehavetoconcentrateoniswhatwe'lldowithhimoncehe'sout."

Killhim,Syingsaid.

"Doyouhavethatkindofpower?"Carolaskedhim."Ifyoudid,he'dbedeadalready."

Youhavethepower.Youarestrong.Howmanydragonscanyoucommandnow?

"Ihavenoidea.IonlyhadSeth,andthatwasn'tonpurpose.WhenIpracticedcallingtheothers,itwas
oneatatime."

Anoteofdespairenteredhisvoice.LiMei,youmustsummonallthedragonsyoucan.Wecannot rid
ourselvesofthisdemon-godunlessyoudo.Ittookfivedragonstoputhiminhere.

"Sethtoldmehehelpedyou,buthedoesn'tremembernowhowhedidit."

Thatisso.Thisiswhatyoumustdo,LiMei.Youmusttakethedragonsandconcentratetheir power
withyourstoonepoint,somuchsothattheyforgetallabouttheirownwills.Itisapowersointense
—youwillneverfeelanythinglikeit.

"Almostlikehypnotizingthem,"Axelsaid."Sotheydon'tknowwhatthey'redoing."

Averyperceptivelittlegod,Syingsaid.Thedragonswereonthewholeeasytomanipulate,exceptthe
firedragon.Hewasalwayswillful.Iadmireyoufortaminghimasmuchasyoudid.

CarolfeltadartofgleethatSethhadnotbeenasobedienttoSyingasSyingwouldhaveliked.Sethhad
stillbeenwildatheart.

"That'swhyherememberssomeofit,ifonlyvaguely,"sherealized.

Yes,whenyoucallhimagainperhapsbetweenthetwoofus,wecanquellhim.

Axelgavethecolumnalookofdisgust.

Carolwonderedwhether,ifshehadlivedinSying'sdayandage,shewouldhavebeenasarrogantand
greedyforpoweroverthedragonsashewas.Thenagain,Carolthought,shehadalreadyshownsucha
desireforpower,thoughshehadchanneleditinadifferentdirection.Thestaffofherrestaurantsalways
scrambledaboutworriedlywhenshewalkedinthedoor.

"IfIaskanydragonstohelp,itwillbebecausetheywantto,"Carolsaid."Iwanttoknowwhatweneed
todofirst,soIcanexplainittothem."

Sying's thoughts were stunned and uncomprehending. Axel chuckled. "She's a New Age kind of Dragon
Master.Sensitiveandsweet."

Carol frowned at him. "You're not helping. And I've been meaning to ask you—how would a person
banishorkillagod?"

ChapterTwenty

"Not exactly information I want made public," Axel growled. He busied himself playing the flashlight
aroundthecolumnandwouldn'tlookather."I'magod,too,youknow."

"Buthe'sademon,"Carolpointedout."Ithoughtyouweren't."

"It'snotthedemonpartofhimthat'sthesameasme,it'sthegodpart."AxelfixedhisflashlightonCarol
as he spoke, the light blinding her so she couldn't see his face. "I'm not a lightning-and-thunderbolts,
destroy-the-worldkindofgod,andIwouldn'twanttobe.ButI'mstillagod,whichputsmeonacertain
planeofexistencewithdifferentrulesfromhumansanddragons.He'sademon,sure,buthe'sademon-
god,abeingofpoweranddestructionwhichmakeshimmorelikemethanI'mcomfortablewith.Yousee?
So I tell you how to get rid of him, I'm giving you a way to get rid of me. You're a powerful Dragon
Master—whatcouldn'tyoudowiththatknowledge?"

"You'remyfriend,"Carolsaid."I'mgratefultoyouforallyou'vedoneformeandmyfamilyandfriends.
Doesthatcountforanything?"

"But I've seen what the power inside you can do. And what about him?" Axel flicked the light to the
column.

"IfI'maspowerfulaseveryonethinks,maybeIcanmakehimforget.Icanmakeeveryoneforget."

Youdohavethatpower,LiMei,Syingsaidsomewhatwistfully.

"Andwhowillmakeyouforget?"Axelaskedher.

Carolgavehimasmilereservedforrecalcitrantinvestors."You'lljusthavetotrustme."

Dragonspacewasvastandbeautiful.Sethabsorbeditsbeautywithallhissensesashesoaredoveropen
terrain.Histerritorystretchedforleaguesinalldirections,everythinghisasfarashecouldsee.Jagged
mountainscreasedthehorizon,separatingblackandgolddesertfrombrightbluesky.

He rode the thermals, wings stretched, his freedom sweet. A hawk split the sky not far from him, a
predatorlikehimself,searchingthegroundforameal.

Sethhadflownalmostnonstopsincehe'darrived.Hecaughthimselfsearchingforsomething,buthedidn't
exactlyknowwhat.Dragonspacewasvast,beautiful,andempty.

Ittookhimalongtimetorealizethattheemptinesswasinsidehimself.

He'dbeenboundtotheonecalledCarolfortendaysashumanscalculatedtime,andhe'dgrownusedtoit.
Hehadtoexpectitwouldtakeawhiletobecomeunusedtoit.

He'dneverlearnedhertruename.He'dcomeveryclosetoit,hearingthebeginningnotesthatspunaround
CarolandhernicknameLiMei.

Sethdidn'tknowitnow,andhefoundhimselfwishinghecouldatleastrememberthemusicofit.Things
he'dexperiencedwithherwerefading,memoriesdriftingfromhimlikesandsstirredbydesertwinds.

He flew back to his cave hidden behind a slit in a rocky cliff and blew his fire across the bed of
gemstones.Hehadthepowertomakethemcomealive—rubies,emeralds,andsapphires,liquidwithfire,
meldingintothemountainandsinginginjanglingmelody.

Hehadn'thadachancetoshowthistoCarol.

Thedragoninhimwrithedandtwistedoverthevibratingstones.She'dbeenhiskeeper,tetheringhimlike
abeast,windinghisnamearoundhimlikeabrutalchain.

Andyethereyeshadgonesosoftwhenevershe'dsaid,"I'llfindawaytoletyougo.Ipromise."

Herbodyhadbeenwarmandsmoothtohishumanfingers,andhe'dlikednothingbetterthantolickher
skin and touch her. She'd been salty and spicy, and he'd never tasted anything better than the honey
betweenherlegs.

Theskyoutsiderent,andsomethinginvadedhisterritorywitharushofair.

Seth dove from the ledge and soared across the valley, dipping to scan the two tiny people who stood
watchinghimonthedesertfloor.Onehadastrangedarkaurathatwasneitherdragonnorhuman,andone
wassobrightitwasasifsheweremadeofflame.

DragonMaster.

Hisdragoninstinctshoutedathimtokillher.Allhehadtodowasswoopdownandcrushherorflame
heralive.She'dbedeadinaninstant.

Shestoodlookingupathim,notcalling,notsendingherthoughtstohis,notattemptingtosinghisname.
Thedarkeronestoodnexttohertensely,Sethlandedafewyardsfromthem,hisbodysendingdustand
creosotespewingupward.Thedarkonesneezed.

Sethcaughtthewoman'sscent.Shesmelledlikeflowersintherain,alwaysfresh.Thesuncaughtinthe
blacksatinofherhair,makingitshine.

Sethmovedcloserandloweredhisheadtostudyher.Heinhaled,cockinghishead,alertforanyattempt
tosnarehim.

Thewomanveryslowlyreachedoutandtouchedthescalesbelowhiseyes.

"Idon'tknowifyoucanunderstandme,"shesaid,voiceunsteady."ButIthoughtIshouldinformyouthat
you'regoingtobeafather."

Thereddragonblinkedthegreatblackeyehe'dfixedonCarolanddidn'trespond.Shecouldn'teventell
ifheregisteredherwords.

The Seth she knew had gone, if he ever existed. He might have been the product of his enslavement, a
beingmadehumanthewayCarolwantedhimtobe.

Youcanhavehimagain,theDragonMasterinsideherwhispered.Callhisname,andhe'syours.

Asifsensingthevoice,thedragon'slipscurledbackfrommassiveteeth.Heraisedhishead.

"Carol."Axelsaid.

"Notyet.Please,letmetryalittlelonger."

Atthesoundofhername,thedragonloweredhisheadagain,slidingsidewaystostareatherwithone
eye.

"Hedoesn'trememberyou,"Axelsaidquietly.

Carol'sthroattightened.She'dfalleninlovewithSeth,themanwho'dtaughthertoputasidethedetailsof
lifeandletherselffeeljoy.

"Offspring,"shesaid,rememberingthewordsSethandCalebhadusedtodiscusschildren.

"Mineandyours."Sheputherhandoverherabdomen."Iguessafiredragonismagicalenoughtomate
withahumanwoman,becauseitworked."

Hisclawstirredontheground,wingsrustling.

"He'snothearingyou.We'regoing."

TearsfilledCarol'seyes.SheleanedforwardandpressedaquickkisstoSeth'sscales,thenreachedfor
Axel'shand.

Carol.

The word whispered through her mind, but his voice was subdued as though he wasn't certain of the
meaningofthename.

"Iloveyou,Seth,"Carolsaid."Ialwayswill."

Inarush,heturnedtoastringoffireandwhooshedaroundher.Axeljumpedback,cursing.

Carol.

She felt herself rising, Seth's fire surrounding her. Axel was still cursing, and suddenly the ground and
Axeldroppedaway,adragontalonsolidifyingtoholdher.

Seth swooped with her across the valley and straight up the side of a cliff. Turning to fire again, he
streamed through a crack in the surface and set her upright in a cave that spun with light. Seth landed
besideherinhishugedragonform,hisblackeyesthrowingbackspanglesfromthegemsaroundhim.

ThedragonbumpedCarolwithhisnose.Hismusicspuninherhead,fillingherwithfierce,joyousnotes.

Mate,hesaid.

Carolheardasharp,buzzingsound,andastrangecreatureonbatlikewingshurtledinandlandedbeside
her.Shejusthadtimetoregisterthelion'sheadandlongsnoutwithteethwhenitpoppedbackintothe
shapeofAxel.

Sethsnarledandbaredhisteeth,butAxelshookhishead."Nope,notleavingmyfriend.

I'mherbodyguard."

"HethinksI'mhismate,"shesaidtoAxel,stunned.

Axelchuckled."Iwanttoseeyouexplainthistohim."

"Idon'thaveto."Caroltouchedthemagicofthesingingstonesandreachedouttodrawalineintheair.
"Lisa,"shewhispered,andthensangthefirstfewnotesofthesilverdragon'sname.

Youfoundhimthen,Lisa'sanswercameloudandclear.Good.

Sethsawtheairpart,andthenpanictookhimaspaingrabbedhisinsidesandtwistedthemaround.He
searedintohisstringoffire,butfoundhimselfdraggedwithoutmercytowardtheblackslit.

HeflungatendrilofflamearoundCarolandpulledherclose,hiseveryinstincttellinghimtoprotecthis
mate.Memoriesfloodedhimashefelthimselfbesquashedandcompressedintoahumanshape,felthis
fireshiftandsettleintothetattooacrosshiships.

Carolstumbledthroughtheslitwithhim,landinginherapartment,whichwasfullofdragons.Oratleast
fullofCaleb,Lisa,andtwobabydragonszoomingaroundtheroom,squeakinginexcitement.

Axeljumpedthroughtheslitjustbeforeithissedshut,andstoodpartinginthemiddleofCarol'sliving
room."Oh,thatwasfun,"hedrawled."Let'sdoiteveryday."

"Thankyou,Axel,"thesilverdragonsaidinhermusicalvoice."Goodtoseeyouagain,Seth.Areyouall
right?"

Sethwasfarfromallright.Hisbodyburned,hisheartbeatingsofastthatsweattrickleddownhisback.
HefelttheflameofCarolnearhim,butshe'dnotreachedoutwithhisname,hadn'ttriedtobindhim.

Butthiswashisterritory,hismarkswereabovethedoors,andCarolwashis.

HelookedpointedlyatCaleb."Go."

Calebretrievedthelargerofthetwolittledragonsfromtheair."Firedragonshavenosenseofgratitude."

Lisasaidnothing,onlygatheredupherdaughterandtookCaleb'shand,towinghimtowardthedoor.Axel
hesitated.

"Wantmetostay,Carol?"

Sethdidn'twanthimtostay,butAxellookedworried.Carolshookherhead.

"Goon.I'llbefine."

"Ifyou'renotfine,youcall,allright?I'llbehereinaninstant."

"Iknow.Thanks,Axel."

Axelglancedbetweenthetwooncemore,thenfollowedthedragonsout.

"Seth…"

CarolbrokeoffasSethsnatchedherupandranwithherforthebedroom.Hetossedheronthebed,then
climbeduponitbeforeshecouldsitup.

Hewasalreadyhardwithwanting,whichwaswhyhe'dneededtheotherstoleave.Hiscockhadbeen
risingforCarol,andhehadnointentionofdisplayinghimselfinfrontofotherdragons.

"Youarealwayswearingclothes,"hesaidinfrustration.

He tugged at buttons, but Carol put her hands on his shoulders and held him back. "You remember me,
then?"

"Whywouldn'tIrememberyou?"Sethyankedherblousedownherarms,andsheslitheredoutofit.He
waspleasedtoseethatsheworenothingbeneathit.

Hecuppedherbreastsinhishandsandloweredhisheadtorunhistonguearoundeachnipple.Mmm,he
lovedthetasteofher.

"Ididn'tbringyoubackhereforsex,"shesaid.

Shemightthinkso,Seththought."No?Didyouretrievemetoenslavemeagain?"

She cupped his face in her hands. "Never again, Seth, I promise. I brought you back to talk about your
dragonfire,andtoaskifyou'llletmehavealittle.Notallofit,"shesaidquickly."Butenoughtogiveme
thepowertoaccomplishatask.Nothingthatwillkillyou."

Sethgaveheralonglook,thoughhiswantingurgedhimtostoptalkingandtakeher.

"Whattask?"

"To banish the demon-god. Axel explained to me how to do it, and I can with the help of the other
dragons.ButIneedyourfire."

Morememoriescamepouringbacktohim,memoriesofhimspeakingtotheDragonMasterbeforeCarol
hadfreedhim,ofhearingthedemon-godwhisperingfromthedarkness.

"Yousaidyoucarriedmyoffspring,"hesaid."Wasitalietogetmehere?"

Hereyeswidened."Wearegoingtohaveababy,that'strue."

Seth's heart beat faster, an incredible joy washing over him. "You would endanger our offspring by
fightingthedemon-god?"

"He'llgetouteventuallyifwedon't.There'sacrackinthecolumn."

"I know, I saw it." Seth pressed Carol back down to the bed and rested his body on top of hers. "That
doesn'tmeanyouhavetoheadtobattletofighthim.LetLisadoit.Sheisverypowerful,andyouwillstay
safehere."

"I'm more powerful than Lisa is. I can command her power as well as that of the other dragons. Their
magicwillbeorchestratedthroughme.Besides,Lisahasafamily.Ican'tletherriskdoingitalone."

Sethslidhishandtoherwarmbelly."Wewillhaveafamilynow."

Carolbitherlip."TheDragonMastersaidIwasthebestchancewehaveofbanishingthedemon-god."
She paused. "I don't want my friends to be hurt, and it would kill me if they were when I could have
preventedit."

Sethdrewabreathtoargue—orrather,tostopherarguing,becausehewantedtomakeloveandforget
everythingelse.Butsomethinginherfacechangedhismind."Thereismoretothisthanwhobanishesthe
god,isn'tthere?Whatareyounottellingme?"

Shehesitatedalongmoment,thenfinallylookedstraightathim."Axelexplainedwhatwehadtodo.He
told only me, with the promise that I'd keep it to myself until it was time to fight. But the gist of it is,
what'sneededtobanishagodlikethisisastrongcollectivewill,whichwehave—I'veneverseenbeings
withstrongerwillsthandragons."

"Thisisyourworry?"

"Ididn'tfinish."Shedrewabreath."Axelsaidtherealsohastobeasacrifice.Hedidn'tspecify,butSeth,
I'msoafraidhemeansthatoneofmyfriends—oryou—willbekilled."

Sethmadelovetoherslowly,lyinginsideherwithoutmoving.Shestrokedhisface,sohappytobeable
totouchhimagain.

Hekissedher,notspeaking,notlettingherspeak.Hislipswerehot,asparkofhisfireenteringhermouth.
Shesavoredit.

Carollovedthewaytheyfittogether,hethickandhardinher,herbodyopeningtotakeallofhim.Fora
moment,nothingexistedbutSethlovingherinapoolofsunshine.

Seth twined their hands together on the pillow as he slowly rode her, and when they climaxed, fire
sparkedfromhisfingerstohers.

HerolledoffCarolandgatheredheragainsthim.Heslept,andsheslept,too,curledup,feelingsafe.

When Carol awoke, it was dark and Seth was gone, but she heard the shower running. Still naked, she
rosefromtheirwarmnestandenteredthesteam-filledroom.

Sethtiltedhisheadbackbehindtheclearglassdoorstoletthewaterrunoverhisredhair.

Dropletsgleamedonhisbicepsandstreameddownhissculptedtorso,gatheringonthedarkhairaround
hispenis.

Carol folded her arms and let herself enjoy the sight. Eventually, he turned his head and looked at her
whilethewaterranoverhisbody.

She opened the door and got in with him. He caught her by her elbows and pulled her under the warm
stream.Shetuckedherheadunderhischinandenjoyedleaningagainsthishard,strongbody.

"Whydidn'tyoutrytokillmeinDragonspace?"sheasked.Theyhadn'tspokensinceshe'dtoldhimabout
Axel's instructions for banishing the demon; they'd only made love and slept. "You rushed me to your
cave,instead."Shepaused."Itwasbeautiful."

"Toprotectouroffspring,"hesaidasthoughhedidn'thavetothinkaboutit.

Offspring.Suchadragonwaytolookatthings.Shecouldn'tbringherselftoask,Wereyou glad to see
me?Suchaquestionsmackedofweakness,offishingforwhatshewantedtohear.

"Younevertoldmeifyou'dletmehavesomeofyourdragonfire.IthinkIcancontrolitnow."

"No."

Carollookedupathim,buthiseyeswereenigmatic."No,Ican'tcontrolitorno.Ican'thaveit?"

"Youaremymate.Givingyoumyfirecanhurtyou,andlettingyouconfrontthedemon-godwillhurtyou.
Sono."

Shepulledaway."Arealldragonsthisarrogant?"

"Whenitcomestoprotectingtheirmates,yes,especiallywhentheywantstodosomethingstupid."

"ButIdon'tthinkit'sstupid,"Carolsaid,"I'mbeingprotective—Iwanttoprotectmygrandmotherand
Shaiming and our child from persecution by the Order. The Order killed my mother because of their
demon-god,andIdon'tintendtoletthemgetawaywiththat.Idon'tcareifFaiinsistsitwassolongago
weshouldforgetaboutit."

She was breathing hard now, her fists clenched on her abdomen like she was ready to defend the child
inside.

"Idon'twanttoletthemgetawaywithiteither,"Sethsaidinahardvoice."ButIdon'twanttoseeyoudie
forit.YouarestubbornCarol,alwaysthinkingyouhavetodoeverythingalone."

"Ialwayshavehadtodoeverythingalone."Shethoughtofthelongyearsshe'dstruggled,watchingher
friendshavereallivesandhappinesswhilesheworked.She'ddoneitsoShaimingandMingUewouldn't
havetoworry,andshedidn'tregretit,butthepathhadbeendamnlonely,thoughsheknewthatwaspartly
herownfault.

"Youhavemenow."Sethtouchedherface."Youdon'thavetodoanythingalone."

"Becauseweneedtoprotecttheoffspring?"

"Yes."

Shesmiledweakly."Ofcourse.It'sgoodtoknowyouwon'tbeadeadbeatdad."

Helookedpuzzled."Adeadbeat…?"

"Nevermind."Sheclosedhereyesashecontinuedtocaresshercheek."Dodragonsfallinlove?"

"Wemate."

"Notquitethesamething."

Shethoughtofhowthey'dbeentwinedtogetheralmostconstantly,hismusicandhers.Thatwasgonenow.

She wasn't certain how he viewed her—as a brood mare to be kept safe? Or as a Dragon Master who
couldeasilyenslavehimagain?

AfterCarolhadthechild,whatthen?Itwouldbehalf-dragon,half-DragonMaster.Howmixedupwould
thepoorkidbe?

"Whatisfunny?"Sethasked.

Carolrealizedshe'dhiccuppedalaugh."Justthinkingofthefuture."

"I'mthinkingofthenow."

She found herself pressed against the cold tiles of the shower before she could draw another breath.
Seth'seyessparkledwithhisfireasheslantedhismouthoverhers.

Hishardnessswelledagainsther,undimmedfromanafternoonofsex.Heliftedheragainstthewalland
enteredher,andshemoanedatthethicknessthatslidintoher.

Sethkepthisgazefixedonhers,theblackofhiseyesfillingthewhites.Itwaslikelookingintovoidsof
darkness.

Thewatermadeholdingonslippery.CarolgraspedhimasSethdrovein,sinkingfingersandnailsinto
flesh.Itwaswild,hot,andhard,andCarolrejoicedinit.

Herheadwentback,herwethairstickingtoherface.Seth'seyeswereclosed,hislipstightinagrimace
ofpleasure.

Carolknewwhatshehadtodo.Shehatedtodoit,andsheknewhe'dhateherforit,butresolvingthisand
keepingherfriendsandfamilysafeweremoreimportantthanherpersonalhappiness.Hadn'tsheproved
thatallthistime?

ShecuppedSeth'sheadinherhands,openedhermouth,anddrewhisfireintoher.

Sethresisted.Hesnarledandgrowled,hisdragonstrengthsnappingthefirebacktohim.

Justashejerkedherhandsapartandmadetoshoveheraway,shecalledhistruename.

ThenotesslideasilythroughCarol'smind,themelodyfamiliar.Thebathroomrangwithit,thepatterof
thewateraddingaperfectcounterpoint.

Sethdrewbackinhorror."No."

Ihaveto.Ineedyourstrength.

"No,"heshouted.Hetriedtotwistaway,butCarolheldhimfast.Stillsinginghisnameinloud,strident
notes,shekissedhimagain,takingallthefireshecouldhold.

No,damnyou.

Carol'sskinsparkledwithheat,herbodyfillingwithincrediblepower.Shewasfire,anditsangthrough
her,theDragonMasterinherdeliriouswithjoy.

Heismine.Allmine.

ShefeltSeth'srageandhispain,andbeneathitallincrediblehurtatherbetrayal.

I'msorry,shewhispered.

The fire seared her from the inside out, but she could stand it. She'd become strong enough to take it,
thankstoSeth,andshecouldholditwithoutitburningher.

CarolleftsomeofthefirebehindforSeth,buthewentslackinherarms,thelookinhiseyeslikeoneofa
woundedanimal.Sheshutoffthewaterandloweredhisbodytothetiles.

Carol didn't need to dry herself, because the fire evaporated every droplet of water on her skin. She
steppedoverSeth'sbody,raisedherarmstotheceiling,andbecamefire.

The Dragon Master in her shouted with glee as her string of fire roared around the tiny room, then out
through the apartment, seeking the night. She shot above the glittering, beautiful city that was her home,
flyinghard.

Alongthewayshecalledtothreedragons,whorespondedasthey'dpromised,thesilveronestreakingout
likewhitefiretojoinher.

ChapterTwenty-One

SethcrawledoutfromunderthetowelsCarolhaddroppedonhim,hisbodylimpandexhausted.Heused
themarblevanitytopullhimselfpainfullytohisfeetthenleanedonthecounter,unabletostandupright.
Hisfaceinthemirrorwaspasty,hiseyessunkintobruisedsockets.

Weakandsick,heheldontothewallstogethimselfoutofthebathroom,thenhecollapsedonthebed,
pressinghishandstohisface.Hisnamewoundsharplyaroundhim,stealingwhatwasleftofhisstrength.

She'dbetrayedhim.

Thestingofthatbitdeep.Butoverhisfury,Seth'sinstincttoprotecttheoffspringinsideCarolroselikea
brightmoon.

HeknewCarolhadgonebecauseshethoughtitwastherightthingtodo.Carolwaslikethat—believing
shehadtobebraveandstrongandtakecareofeveryoneelse.

Seth didn't like what she'd told him about the process of banishing a god, that a sacrifice would be
required.Whowouldbesacrificed?Oneofthedragons?Carol?Theirchild?

He growled deep inside himself. He didn't even like the idea of the irritating Caleb as a sacrifice—
dragonsfoughtamongthemselves,butanoutsideforcekillingadragonwasanathematothem.TheOrder
hadoncekilledfourdragons…

ThesameOrderthatwouldbestandingbyifCarolandherfriendsopenedthatcolumn.

Hell

Seth could at least get to the warehouse and drag Carol out of the danger she'd decided to put herself
squareinfrontof.Protecttheoffspring.Protectthemate.

Hepulledhimselftohisfeetandwilledhisbodytoturnintoastringoffire.

Nothinghappened.

Sethtriedagain,withthesameresult.

Hecaughtsightofhimselfinthemirroracrosstheroom,atall,broad-shoulderedmanwithwetredhair
andwidedarkeyes.Hegatheredhimselfin,reachingforthefirethatwasanessentialpartofhim—and
didn'tfindit.

In panic, he swung around and looked over his shoulder into the mirror. The flame tattoo that had been
etchedacrosshishipswasgone.

Hestaredathisbarebackforalongtimewithoutanyemotionregistering,thenhefeltthemall—shock,
rage,dismay,fear.

She'd taken the core of his being. She'd left behind a shell of a man, a helpless human chained to the
humanworld,amanwhowouldn'tbeabletosaveher.

Sethstillhadn'tdevelopedaknackforphonesandphonenumbers,sohedressedandmadehiswayon
foottoMingUe'sDimSum.Thelittlerestauranthadclosedforthenightwhenhereachedit,butpounding
onthedoorbroughtShaimingtopeeroutanxiously.

Ming Ue came downstairs from the apartment above, and humphed when Seth told her what had
happened.

"My granddaughter can be such a foolish child. This is typical Carol, you know. When she came home
fromcollege,shehadpeoplebegginghertocomeworkforthem.Itoldher,Takeajobwhereyou'llsitin
ahigh-riseofficeinacushyleatherchairallday.""Sowhatdidshedo?Startedworkingmycashregister
dayandnight,livedinheroldroomupstairslisteningtothepipesthumping.Wouldn'tdreamofleaving
us,startedtalkingaboutwaysofincreasingcashflow.Stubborngirl."

"Butshehasmadeusrich,"Shaimingsaidinhissoftvoice."Sheisverysmart."

"That isn't the point," Ming Ue broke in. "She feels responsible for me, because I had to raise her. As
thoughitwereherfaulthermotherdied,herfaultthatIhadtosendhertoschooleverydayandmakeher
dinner every night. She grew up determined to pay me back for everything, silly girl. Now she feels
responsibleforherfriendsandforyou,andforkeepingtheOrderoftheBlackLotusundercontrol.That's
whyshe'sdonethis,youknow."

"Andwemuststopherbeforeshekillsherself,"Sethsaid."Andourchild."

MingUeblinked."Child?Carolispregnant?"

Pridewelledupthroughhisotheremotions."Sheis."

MingUestaredwithhermouthopenforalmostafullminute,thentearsbeganrunningdownherface."My
Carol.MyLiMei.Didyouhear,Shaiming?Mygreat-granddaughterwillhavedragonblood."

Shaimingnodded,hiseyesshining.

MingUerubbedthetearsfromhercheeks."Well,then,ifthat'sthecase,wemustgetdownthereandhelp
her.Shaiming,goandfetchthecar.PickupZhenalongtheway—wemightneedhim."

"Youshouldnotgo,"Sethprotested."Icameheretoaskyouforawaytogetthere."

"That way is in our car. Which Shaiming is fetching, now. And if she's stripped you of your power,
dragon,youcan'tdoanythingtostopmefromcomingwithyou."

Seth could still feel Carol through their bond. As Shaiming drove the small, slightly battered sedan
through the streets. Seth sensed her gathering power. He also sensed the other dragons with her—
Malcolm,Caleb,Lisa—andhefeltthemomentwhenshedrewthemintoherpower.

Thedifferencewasthatthistimetheywentwillingly.Carolkepthertouchlight,takingonlyalittlefrom
eachofthem.Thetwomaledragonswerewary,butthesilverdragontrustinglyjoinedin.

Theywereabouttoopenthecolumn.

Don't,hepleadedsilently.

Carol didn't hear him. She focused all her strength and fire on the column, and the power of the other
dragonsfusedwithher.

Sethwassoboundtoherthatwhenheclosedhiseyes,hecoulddimlyseeCalebandMalcolmstandinga
fewfeetapart,handsjoined,whilefireandsilverlighttwinedaroundthem.

The four of them together directed a stream of pure power into the column, which glowed as though lit
frominside.Thetinycrackatthebasewidened,thenwithapoppingnoise,bitsofthecolumnbeganto
breakaway.

Sethgroanedoutloud.Zheninthebackseatsuckedhisbreathbetweenhisteeth."Theyhaveopenedit?"

Seth nodded. He saw the faint outline of a man against the brightness, then the man fell forward to the
floorandlayunmoving.

Behindhimroseabeingofdarkness.BlacktendrilswhippedtowardCarolandthedragons,readytokill.
But the tendrils pulled away in frustration when they encountered a barrier in front of Carol. Seth felt
confusion,thenfury.

He opened his eyes. Shaiming was slowing to a stop at a red traffic light. "Can't you go faster?" Seth
demanded.

Shaimingmotionedhelplesslytothelineofcarsaheadofhim.ThelightturnedgreenandShaiminggently
slidthecarforwardagain.

Sethhadneverfeltmorepowerlessinhisexistence.Hisfirewasgone,andhewasstuckinatinycarwith
threesmallelderlypeopleheadingtowarddangeratasnail'space.

Meanwhile,whenheclosedhiseyes,hesawthedemon-godgrowuntilhisblacknessfilledalmostevery
spaceintheroom.

Shaimingdidtrytodrivealittlefasteroncetrafficthinned,andfinally,hepulledaroundthecornertothe
streetwherethesmallwarehousesat.

"Stop,"Sethhissed.

Thestreetandsmalllotinfrontofthebuildingwerefilledwithmen.Mostofthemhadweapons,allof
themfacedthebuildingwithgleefulexpressions.

"Weneedtofindanotherway,"SethsaidtoShaiming.

Shaiming lost no time reversing the car and steering it back around the corner. Half a block down he
turnedintoanarrow,inkyblackalley.Theheadlightsslicedacrossgarbage,filth,andbitsthathadfallen
fromthebuildingsaroundthem.

WhenShaimingcouldn'tgetpastalargepileoftrash,Sethleaptfromthecarandrantherestoftheway
onfoot.HeheardanargumentinCantonesestartbehindhim.

Theentrancetothebuildinghewantedwaslocked,butbeforehecoulddespair,hesawthatthehinges
had rusted through. He pulled the door out of the frame, leaned it against the wall, and quietly ducked
inside.

The room was empty, but light and dark flickered from the hole in the corner, the battle commencing
below.Herantotheopeninginthefloorandlookeddown.

Thedemon-godhadgrown,itsbodysodensethatithadcrushedtheremainsofthecolumn.

Ittookupmostofthebasement,withCalebandMalcolm.LisaandCarol,wedgedintoacornerbywhat
wasleftofthestairs.

NearthemAxelandSabacrouched,drawingrunesonthefloorandchantingsomethinginunison.Ahalf
circle of glittering stones separated the six of them from the demon-god, and Seth could see wards of
protectionshimmeringabovethem.They'ddraggedSyingtheDragonMasterinsidethestones,wherehe
laystill,thoughSethsawtheriseandfallofhischest.

SethsensedthethreedragonsandCarolbuildingtowardaclimax,theirenergypouringthrougheachother
andpoolingintoCarolasthefocus.

Astrongcollectivewill,she'dsaid.

Shewaschannelingthatcollectivewilltowardthedemon-god,tryingtocreateacrackintheuniversethat
would suck the demon-god inside. That's why Carol wanted the silver dragon, the magical being who
couldopendoorsbetweenworldswherevershewanted.

Thegoldandblackdragonswerethereforstrengthandextramagic.ButCalebandMalcolmwerelimited
intheirhumanforms,andsoCarolwouldn'tevenhavethepowerthattheDragonMasterhadoriginally
calledtoimprisonthedemon-godinthecolumn.

Axelcouldhelp,butheandSabaweretryingtoworkthespellthatCarolwouldusetosealthedemon-
godinaswellasthewardstokeepthedemon-godatbay.

SethcouldfeelthedragofhisfirewantingtobreakfromCarolandreturntohim.Buthecouldn'tpullit
fromhernow,orthedemon-godwouldbreakfreeandslaughterthemall.

Asacrifice,Carolhadsaid.Adeath?Inthisroom,theweakestonewasSaba,whohadmagicbutnotas
powerfulasthatofAxelorCarolorLisa.OrthesacrificemightbetheDragonMaster,wholayexhausted
andlimponthefloor.

Seth knew already that the fire Carol held wouldn't be enough. The two dragon-men's strength would
eventuallywaneanddragonher.Thesilverdragonhadalotofpower,butitwasfirethatwouldclosethe
rifttothehelldimensionsthatthesilveropened.

They'dsoonhavetocontendwiththeOrder,too.Sethheardthemenoutsideapproach.

Beforetheyopenedthefrontdoor,Sethswunghisbodythroughtheholetothebasement,heldontothe
edges,anddroppedtothefloor.

TheDragonMastersatupwhenheheardSeth,buttheothersweretooinvolvedintheirtaskstonotice.

"Firedragon,"theDragonMasterhissed,hiseyesglitteringinjoy.Heliftedhishandandsangthefirst
notesofSeth'sname.

DarkthreadstwistedaroundSeth'smind,butCarol'sbrighttouchwasstillthere,andSyingcouldn'tcatch
hold.ButCarolfelttheattemptandswungherattentiontothem.

ThefireswirledandbecameCarol.Shewasnaked,herbodyuprightandbeautiful,herhairdampwith
sweat.

ShestaredatSethandtheDragonMasterwithwideeyes."Seth,getoutofhere."

Thedemon-godrose,archingovertheprotectedhalf-circle.

"You need all of my fire," Seth said in a hard voice. "You don't have enough. It has to be a complete
joining."

"Hespeakstrue,"Syingsaid.

"Youtoldmeitwouldkillyou,"Carolprotested.

"Itmight.Butdidn'tAxelsayyouneededasacrifice?Maybethisiswhathemeans."

HefeltAxel'sgazeonhim,buttheBakudidn'tstophischant.

"Iwastryingtosaveyoufromthat."Carol'seyeswerewetwithtears.

"Iknow.Youtrytosaveeveryone,butthistimesaveyourself."

Thenotesofhisnameloselikechimesinafiercewind."I'llsendyouaway.Don'tthinkIwon't."

"Thatthingisout,thespellhasstarted,andtheOrderistryingtobreachthewards.Theyhaveguns,they'll
shooteverythingmovingdownheretosavetheirmaster.Youneedtofinish.Now."

"Andyouneedtostopwastingtimearguingaboutit,"Malcolmsnarled,openinghiseyes.

Theorbsofthemglowedsilver."He'sright,weneedmorepower.Lethimgoforit."

Sethshuckedhiscoatandcametoher.Lisa'ssilverlightsswarmedovereverything,andSethfeltahot
tingleonhisbodyastheyencompassedhim.HeslidhisarmsaroundCarol'swaistandgentlykissedher.

"Letme."

Tearswethercheeks."Idon'twanttoloseyou."

"Keepsingingmyname."Sethtoldher."AndI'llalwaysbepartofyou."

Thegoldendragonswungtothem,hiseyesmoltenblue."Wehavetodothisnow."

SethpressedhisfacetoCarol'sneck,inhalinghersweetscentforthelasttime.Thenhetouchedthefire
thatwasinCarolandreachedforthesparkshe'dlefthim.Hefeltthepainofitastheymelded,painthat
grewrapidlybythesecond.

"Iloveyou,"heheardherwhisper.Iloveyou,too.

Theywereone.CarolfeltSethbecomepartofher,hisfireandhisnamemixingwithherveryessence.
TheDragonMasterinherscoopeditup,andstrengthshe'dneverfeltinherlifeflowedthroughher.

Thentheywerebothfire,onebeing.

Theyfeltthewardsupstairssuddenlyfallaway.Footstepsandshoutssoundedoverhead,thenmenwere
droppinginthroughthehole,gunsintheirhands.

"No,youdon't."Lisathesilverdragonwhirledandstoppedthebarrageofbulletswithawaveofmagic.

Themenloweredtheirweapons,buttheywaited.Iftheirdemon-godwon,theywouldbemorepowerful
thananyoneinthisroom.Nonewouldstopthem.

Lisaswungbacktotheswirlingfireandfocusedhersilverenergyonapointinmidair.

Axel'sandSaba'schantinggrewlouder,andthefirefusedwithLisa'smagictoripaholeintheair.

Thefirebeingcaughtthemagicoftheblackandgoldendragons,wrappeditwiththesilverdragonand
themselves,andpoureditintothehole.Theopeningbegantodragthedarknesstowardit,butonlyatiny
bit.

Icandothis,Carolthought.ShefeltthebeautifulmeldingofherselfandSeth,aheadyjoylikeanorgasm,
butbetter.Theywereone,firesjoined,andatinyflickerofanewlifeinsideherdroveheron.

Thedragonthedemon-godincreased.Hefoughthard,grabbingtheceilingwithhugeclawsandpulling
partofitdown.AxeldraggedSabaandtheDragonMasterclosertotheotherwall,andthemenofthe
Ordercrouchedtherewiththem.

Carolknewshewasstrongerthanthedemon-god.Shehadthepowerofdragons,shehadthefireofthe
mostpowerfuldragonofall,andshehadthesilverdragon,themostmagicalcreatureintheuniverse.

Laughing,shepointedalltheirenergytotheholeandthedemon-god."Go."

Theholegrewwider,untilsuddenlyitexplodedintoavoid,suckingthedemon-godintoitinitsentirety.

"Now,"shescreamed.

ShesangSeth'snameastheotherdragonsbackedaway.ThebeingoffirethatwasCarolandSethformed
aroundtheedgesofthehole.Thedemon-godbatteredatthem,tryingtogetout,tryingtoreachthehumans
ofhisOrder.

The fire being swirled around the edges of the hole, burning brighter and brighter. Dimly Carol sensed
everyoneelseinthebasementscramblingforawayout,LisaandAxelcarryingthemquicklyup,themen
oftheOrderscreamingforhelp.

The flames grew larger and brighter until they rivaled a small sun in incandescence. They burned their
wayinward,closingtheholealittleatatime.

Thedemon-godreachedout,sendingstickyblacktendrilsstraightintothefire.Heroaredasheburned,
butCarolfeltthebondbetweenherandSethbreaking.

ShesangSeth'snamewithallhermight,andheardSeth'sansweringmusic.Thefirewhirledintoaviolent
vortex,pullingthelastoftheedgesoftheholeinonitself.Withasuddenbang,theedgescametogether,
thentheholevanishedcompletely.

Thefiredroppedtothefloor,astringofshootingflame,andthenitburnedout.

Carolfeltherbodysolidify,andthehard,dankbasementfloorunderher.Shehurtallover,andherskin
stunglikeshe'dbeensunburned.

She rolled over and saw Seth next to her. He lay flat on his back, the flame rolling out of his body to
dissipateintoblacksmoke.Helookedatheronce,thenthelastofhisbreathlefthisbodyinagasp,and
hiseyeswentblank.

Carol screamed. She dragged Seth up to her, calling his name, both human and dragon, but he didn't
respond.

Shewasdimlyawarethatthebasementhurriedlyfilledagain,herfriendsreturning,butshecouldn'tsee
them.SheheldSeth'sbruisedbodyagainstherownburnedflesh,rockinghim.

Hecouldn'tbedead.Hecouldn'thavebeenthesacrifice.Axelhadgotitwrong.

"Carol,honey."Axelcrouchednexttoher,tryingtowrapablanketaroundhernakedbody.

Sheclawedathim."No,no,no.You'rewrong."

"Carol."ItwasSaba,herdarkeyestired,butherhandcoolonCarol'sskin."LetLisahavehim."

"No."SheheldontoSethandsobbedintohisredhair."Don'ttakehimawayfromme."

"Ihaveto."Lisa'schimingvoiceflowedaroundher,thesilverlightstouchingSeth'sbody.

"I'llgethimbacktoDragonspace,wherehebelongs."

Carolcouldn'tletgoofhim.Shecontinuedtorockandsob,untilSabaandAxelpriedherhandsaway.
LisaflowedaroundSeth,liftedhimtowardablackrentthathadappearedintheair,andthenwasgone.

Carolfellfacedownonthefloor,incrediblegriefspearingher.TheOrderhadtakenhermotherandher
fatherfromherandnowthey'dtakentheonlymanshe'deverloved.

She wanted them all dead—every man in the Order should be slain. The darkness that was the Dragon
Masterinherbegantocalltheotherdragons,tellingthemtoriseupandkillthem.

"Stopher,"sheheardMalcolmgrate.Shewasn'tsurewhohewastalkingto,andshedidn'tcare.

Shefelttheblanketonherbackagain,andthenAxel'svoicesayingthingsshedidn'tunderstand.

Slowlytheblacknesseasedaway,andshefoundherselfflatonthefilthybasementfloor,herfacewet.

ChapterTwenty-Two

CarolsatatatableinMingUe'sDimSum,staringsightlesslypasttheplateofhagowthatShaiminghad
putinfrontofher.Shrimpdumplingswereherfavorite,butnowtheodorrisingfromthemmadehersick.

"Youhavetoeatsomething,"MingUesaid,thumpingdownintheseatnexttoher."Youhavetothinkof
thebaby."

Caroldidn'tanswer.InthethreedayssinceSethhaddied,she'dgonetothedoctor,chivviedbyMingUe,
anddiscoveredthatshewasindeedpregnantandalsoveryhealthy.

Ofcourseshewashealthy—thedoseofmagicSethhadgivenherhadmadeherphysicallystrongerthan
ever.Shepickedupherchopsticksandmovedthedumplingsaroundtheplate,butcouldn'tmakeherself
eatone.

Acrosstheroom,ZhenhoveredaroundSying,theDragonMaster,bringinghimfoodanddrinkwhenever
themanwavedhishand.TheDragonMastertookthiswithoutembarrassment,andCarolrealizedthathe
wasusedtobeingwaitedon.

MingUehadinsistedtheybringSyinghomeandnursehimbacktohealth.Carolhadthefeelingthatafew
weekswithMingUewouldchangetheman'simperiousattitude.

"Donotworry,LiMei,"Syingsaidaroundamouthfulofrice."Youcanalwayscallanotherfiredragon."

Carolbitbackaretort.SherealizedSyingwastryingtocomforther,muchthesamewayapersonmight
say,Youcanalwaysgetanothercat.

"Youbroughthimhereinthefirstplace,"shesaidbitterly."Whycouldn'tyouleavehimalone?"

Syingblinked."Iwantedtogetoutofmyprison."

Carolopenedhermouthforanotherrejoinder,butMingUeputherhandonCarol'sarmandleanedtoher.

"He'llcometounderstand.Wemustshowhimrespect.Heisourancestor,afterall."

Carol reflected that most people's ancestors were comfortably far away in oblivion, not sitting in the
diningroomeatingtheirwaythroughhalfadimsumcart.

ShaimingcamequietlyinandbroughtCarolmoretea.Shethankedhim,tryingbutfailingtosmile.

Hepattedherarm,andsuddenlyshethoughtofthemanytimeshe'dactedasherfather,goingtoparent-
teacherconferenceswithMingUe,holdinghersteadyonherbicycle,orpattingherarmashedidnow
whenshewassad.Tearsprickedhereyes.

Sherealizedthatshe'dnevertrulyknownShaiming,whosevoicegotdrownedoutbyhersandMingUe's.
Atthewarehouse,whenthey'demergedfromthecellar,ithadbeentofindmenoftheOrderwiththeir
feetfixedtothefloorandtheirweaponsinexplicablystucktotheceiling.Carolhadbeentooshockedat

thetimetopaymuchattention,butShaiminghadbeenholdinghishandspalmupward,chantingsomething
underhisbreath.

Whenshe'dgottenintohiscarforthelongridehome,she'dlookedathimcuriously,andhe'dnoddedand
smiled."I,too,amamage,LiMei.Itrunsinthefamily."

She looked up at him now, and to his surprise, caught him around the neck and gave him a kiss on the
cheek.Heshuffledaway,lookingpleased.

Therestauranthadclosedfortheevening,butthechimesonthedoorrang,echoingtheslightmusicthat
touchedCarol'smindwheneverLisaenteredaroom.

"Lisa,"MingUesang."AndCaleb.Youarewelcome.Letmeseethosebabies."Sheheldherarmsoutfor
SeverinandLiNa,wholookedperfectlyhappytobetransferredtoMingUe'scare.

LisacametoCarol,leaneddownandhuggedher.

"Please don't ask me how I am," Carol said before she could speak. "Everyone keeps asking me how I
am."

"I won't." Lisa sat down, and Caleb stood behind her, putting himself between Lisa and the Dragon
Master."ButIwillaskyoutolookatyourback."

Caroldidn'tregistertheoddrequestatfirst,thensheblinked."Lookatmyback?Whatfor?"

"Humorme."LisareachedbehindCarolandtuggedherblousefromherskirt.

Carolpushedawayfromher,butpulledtheblousealittlewayupherbackandshowedtheslivertoLisa.
"There.Areyouhappy?Whatisallthisabout?"

LisaputherfingeronthewaistbandofCarol'sskirtandeaseditdownwardaninch."There.

Iknewitwouldshowup."

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Carolcranedhernecktolook,thenshegasped.Aflamestretchedacross
herhips,onetrickleofitinchingupthesmallofherback.

"Carol,"MingUesaidindisapproval."Whendidyougetatattoo?"

"Ididn't.Itwasn'ttherethismorning."

ItwasSeth'stattoo,thesamecurlsandlicksofflamethathadgracedhisbeautifulskin.

"Ithoughtitmighttakeafewdaystomanifest."Lisalookedpleasedwithherself."Heburieditdeep."

"Heburiedwhatdeep?Whatareyoutalkingabout?"

"His flame. He knew he couldn't survive the melding, so he buried the last of himself deep inside you.
You'reaDragonMaster—youcanholdtheessenceofadragon."

Syingnoddedasheliftedanotherdumplinginhischopsticks."Thatistrue."

Carol'sheartsqueezed."Don'tdothistome,Lisa.I'mnotinthemoodtolearnallaboutdragonmagicand
DragonMasters—notyet."

"No,thisisagoodthing."Lisasmiledagain,takingonthatlookshegotwhenthesilverdragonhaddone
somethingclever."IneedyoutocomewithmetoDragonspace."

"I'drathernot."

Caleb turned around. "Lisa will insist, Carol. Let her take you, while I stay here and look after my
children."HegaveSyingawarylook.

"I assure you," the Dragon Master said. "My powers are drained for now. I can't call a dragon of any
kind."

"Iwon'tlethim,"Carolsaid."Icandothatmuch."

Lisagotupandheldoutherhand."Comewithme.Please.Iwanttoshowyousomething."

Carol had no desire to see Dragonspace ever again. It would remind her of flying over it with Seth,
enjoyingthebeautyoftheplacewhileshesharedherbondwithhim.

ButshefoundherselftakingLisa'shandandwalkingoutintothealleybehindMingUe'stotheveryspot
she'dseenSeththefirsttime.

"Wellgofromhere,"Lisasaid.

Thealleywasdeserted,andtherewasnonetoseeLisaswirlhersilverlightsaroundCarolandcarryher
throughaslitofnothingtoabrightworld.Carolblinkedatthesuddensunshine,incongruouswithdark
andcoldSanFrancisco.

LisaformedasthesilverdragonandcarriedCarol,slip-slidingsosmoothlythatCarolbarelynotedthe
transitions—therockycliffsflowedintogreenmeadowsorwhite-cappedseaswithoutajolt.

TheyemergedintoawidedesertvalleythatCarolrecognized.Herheartfelthollow,butshesaidnothing.

Lisa flew upward and slid through the crack in the cliff that led to the cave of jewels Seth had carried
Carol to before. The silver dragon magic set the gems to dancing, and Carol slid to her feet among the
pulsinglight.

LisabecamethehumanLisa,abletobehumanordragonwherevershechose,butthecavewasalsofilled
withthedarkhulkofablackdragon.

"Malcolm?" Carol asked. She touched his silver-black threads and found the first notes of a familiar
name.Malcolmswunghisgazetoherfromfarabove,andsheinstantlybackedoff.

"He's here to help," Lisa said. "He thought it was possible, but we didn't want to tell you until it was
time."

"Tellmewhat?"Carolaskedinahardvoice.

"ThatyoucarriedSeth'sessence.Malcolmhasbeenreadinguponfiredragonsandwhathappenswhen
thefiremeldoccurs.Healsohelpedmewiththis."

SheledCarolaroundthelargeblackwallthatwasMalcolm.Behindhim,inahollowatthebackofthe
cave,thegemstoneshadbeenpiledhigh.Onthem,encasedinabubbleofsilverlight,laySeth.

He was in his human form, his perfect male body laid out straight and utterly still, his eyes closed as
thoughheweresleeping.Lightglistenedoffhisredhairandshimmeredonhisskin.

Carolgaspedandsteppedback."Lisa,no."

"He'sinstasis,"Lisasaid."Exactlyashewasthemomenthedrewhislastbreath."

Thegemsshoneandsang,tingeingthesilverwiththecolorsoftherainbow.

TearsranunheededdownCarol'scheeks."Whyisn'theadragon?"

Stasis,Malcolmrepeatedfromfarabove.Lisadiditbecauseshewantedtohelphim.

"Helphimwhat?"Carolaskedinanguish.

"Ididn'tlikeseeingyougrieve,"Lisasaidgently."IknowwhatI'dfeellikeifitwereCaleb.I'mthesilver
dragon—themostmagicalbeingintheuniverse,asCalebkeepsremindingme.IthoughtImightbeableto
saveSeth,butitturnsoutIcan't."

"Soyoubroughtmehere,why?Tohavemewatchhimdieagain?"

Malcolmanswered,Becauseyoumightbeabletorevivehim.Inmystudiesoffiredragons,I learned
thatwhenoneisindangerofdying,hecanburyhislastsparkoffire,hisessence,inanother,andifit
isgivenbacktohisbodyquicklyenough,itcansavehim.

"Ifthat'strue,whydidn'tSethmentionit?Heneversaid,'Here'smyflameforsafekeeping,Carol,putit
backinmybodyifsomethinghappens.'"

"Hemightnothaveknown,"Lisasaid."It'saninstinctivething."

Uniquetofiredragons.Theyalwayshavetobealittlebitdifferent.

Carol thought of one of the last things Seth had said to her, Keep singing my name, and I'll always be
partofyou.

"Hedidknow,"shewhispered."Orheguessed."

"Ifyoufeedhisessencebacktohim,itmightwork,"Lisasaid.

"Might,"Carolrepeated."Lisa,don'tdothistome."

"Ican'tforceyou.ButIthinkit'sworthatry."

Carol looked at Seth's inert body. She'd do anything to bring him back, anything to have him touch her
againandsayhernameinhisdarkvoice.Butshealsofearedgivingherselffalsehope.

Atleast,shethought,Icankisshimgood-bye.

"Allright,"shesaidinadullvoice."WhatdoIhavetodo?"

"Tobehonest,I'mnotsure,"Lisaanswered."EvenMalcolm'sbooksdon'tsay.MaybetheDragonMaster
inyouknowshow,orSethwillbeabletoinstinctivelytakeitback."

Carol walked slowly to the pile of gems, gazing down at the man she loved. She reached to touch the
glitterofsilver,andittingledonherskinlikeelectricity.

I'll go, Malcolm said, his body moving surprisingly quickly across the cave floor. If he wakes, he'll
becomeadragon,andifhefindsanotherdragoninhislair...

"Thankyou,Malcolm,"Carolsaid,stilllookingatSeth.

SheheardMalcolmreachtheslitandsqueezehishugebodythrough,thensensedhimtakewing.

Lisaremained.ShegaveCarolanencouraginglook."Areyouready?"

"No.Butlet'sdothisandtalkabouthowharditwillbelater."

Lisagaveherasuddensmileandahug,thenshesteppedbacktoletCarolbealonewithSeth.

Carol had no idea how to reach him through the stasis bubble, but she found she could put her hand
through without changing anything. She touched his face, drawing the ball of her thumb across his
cheekbonelikeshe'dalwayslovedtodo.Hiseyeswereclosed,hisdarklashesrestingonpaleskin.

Carolbrushedhishairbackfromhisforehead,leaneddown,andkissedhisclosedmouth.

Asparkjumpedfromherlipstohis,andshefeltthetattooonherbacksearandbum.Shedrewasharp
breath,thenhermouthfilledwithfire,andshebreatheditstraightintohim.

Seth'sbodyjerked,thentheflameoutlinedit,swirlingwiththejewelcolorsandthesilver.

Hecoughedonce,thenhiseyesflewopen.

"Carol."Lisashouted.

She jerked Carol back from Seth just as the silver shimmer burst into shards that flew outward and
smashedagainstthewalls.Sethgasped,andthenhishumanbodytwistedsharplyandelongatedintothe
iridescenthideofthefiredragon.

Hefilledthecave,breathingfireacrossthestones,whichflaredmadly.Heshottothetopofthetallcave
thenbecamelivingflame.

IfhenoticedCarolandLisahuddledtogetherforbelowhim,hemadenosign.Hisfireroaredaroundthe
wallsofthecave,lightingupgemsburiedintherocksuntiltheentirecavespunwithcolorandmusic.

Thedragonfirewrithedindelight.Hewasawildthingemergingfromhischrysalis,spreadinghiswings
toflyfree.

Sethstreamedtowardthecrackinthewall,flowedout,andwasgone.Thestonesrangforafewmoments
inhiswake,thenquietedalittleatatime.

Thetwowomenstoodtogether,handinhand,breathingthenowheatedairinsilence.

"He'llcomeback,"LisasaidtoCarol."Heneedstogettheshockoutofhissystem,thenhe'llremember
andcomeback."

CarolwonderedifLisaknewthatforcertainorifshewastryingtocomforther.ThetruthwasthatSeth
wasawildcreature,notahuman,andtherewasnopredictinghisreactionsorwhathe'ddo.

"Takemehome,Lisa."

Lisalookedsurprised."Youdon'twanttowaithere?"

"No."Caroldrewabreath,feelingherheartache."Iwantittobehischoice.Ipulledhimtometwice,
andthistime,Iwanthimtochoosewhetherhewantstoseemeagain."

TheDragonMasterinhersighedindisappointment,butCarolignoredit.ShelovedSeth,andsheknew
thebestwayshecouldshowhimthatwastolethimgo.

"Ifyou'resure,"Lisasaidquietly.

"I'msure."

LisasqueezedherhandandflowedhersilveressencearoundCarolagain.SheflewwithCarolthrough
the gap in the rocks and out into the bright valley, morphing into dragon form to fly back across
Dragonspace.

CarolscannedthehorizonforSethorhisfireastheywent,butshesawnosignofhim.

ItwaslatewhenCarolreachedherapartment.Lisadidn'twanttoleaveheralone,butCaroltoldhertogo
hometoherbabies.

Carol expected to break down and cry once Lisa was gone, to wash away her shock and grief and
lonelinessinafloodoftears.

Her eyes remained stubbornly dry. Maybe she'd cried too much in the last few days, maybe she had
nothinglefttogive.

Sheperformedhergroomingritualinstead.Shesoakedinthebath,notwantingtoentertheshowerwhere
she and Seth had made love so many times. She scrubbed and dried herself, trimmed her nails, rubbed
lotion on her arms and legs. She did it all without feeling, going through the motions without truly

registeringwhatshedid.

She'dboughtherselfanewrobe,leavingthewhitesilkdressinggownwiththereddragonshanginginthe
closet.

Shecouldn'tbringherselftolookatthedragons'night-darkeyesanymore.

Pullingontheinnocuousblueterrycloth,shemadeherwaytothekitchentofixacupoforangeblossom-
infusedoolongtea.

Asshepoppedoffthelidofthecanister,ablindingwhitelightflashedinherlivingroom.

Thelightdiedtoafieryflicker,andCarolrushedout,teacannisterinhand.

A pillar of fire stretched from her rug to the ceiling, a string of flame that burned nothing. It swirled
arounditself,thencoalescedintotheformofatallnakedmanwithroughredhairandeyeslikemidnight.

Carolfroze,hermouthdry.Sethturnedhisheadandlookedather,hisgazeburningherallthewayacross
theroom.

Hedidn'tspeak.Theystaredateachotherinsilence,nothoughtthreads,nomusic,nothing.

Carolsetdownthecanisteroftea,herhandsshakingsohardshealmostmissedthetable.

ShewalkedslowlytowardSeth,notquitebelievingshehadn'tfallenasleepanddreamedthis.

Sethwatchedherwithoutspeakinguntilshewascloseenoughtotouchhim.Shereachedforhim,andher
fingersbrushedhotskin.

Nowthetearsflowed."Seth."

Hishandcameuptocupherface,butwithcuriosity,asthoughhe'dneverseenherbefore.

"Ilikewhenyousaymyname."

Shewipedhereyes."Doyourememberme?"

He cocked his head, studying her with dragonlike intensity. "You are Carol, the Dragon Master. You
summonedme."

"No, I didn't." She did a quick scan through her mind, but she wasn't singing a note of his name. She'd
madeherselfnotevenreachforit.

Histouchsoftened,andhetracedhercheek."Thenwhywasmypulltoyousostrong?Ireturnedtomy
caveandyouweregone,andIwenthalfwayacrossDragonspacelookingforyou."

"Maybeit'stheessenceyougaveme."

Sethlookedoverhisshoulderathisback."Itseemstobethere."

Carolpeeredaroundhim,warmingattheglimpseofhisdelectablebacksideandtheflametattoostretched
acrosshiships."ItlookslikeitdidthefirsttimeIsawyou."

"Youhavenoneofitnow."

"Just whatever is in our child." Carol laid a fond hand on her abdomen, a gesture that was becoming
familiar."Maybethat'swhatcalledtoyou."

Healsotouchedherabdomen,hishandgentle."ItwasthestrongestpullI'veeverfelt,anditwashere."
Hetouchedhisbreastbone."Iwantedtoseeyou,toholdyouagain."

Carol'stearsthreatenedtospilloutagain."IleftbecauseIwantedbeingwithmetobeyourchoice,not
mine.Doyouunderstand?"

Hetiltedhisheadtothesideagain."Iwanttotouchyouandneverstoptouchingyou.Iwanttowakeup
withyouandgotosleepwithyou.Iwanttohearyourvoice,andIwanttohearyourmusicinmyhead."

"Iwantallthat,too."Shesmiledshakily."Excepttheotherwayaround."

"Iwantthisbecauseyou'remymate."

"Ormaybethat'swhyyouwantmetobeyourmate."

Sethblinked,andshesawthedragonnessinhimrecedealittle."OrmaybeIcamebacktoaskyouwhy
you decided to steal my fire and charge out to face a demon-god." She grimaced. "I thought we'd get
aroundtodiscussingthat."

"Youdiditbecauseyoudidn'twantmetodie."

"OfcourseIdidn'twantyoutodie.Whydidyoucomeafterme?"

Sethslidhisarmsaroundherwaist,hishardarousalpressingagainsther."BecauseIdidn'twantyou to
die."Hisbreathbrushedherlips."Singmyname."

Shestared."No,Idon'twanttohurtyou."

"Singit.Likeamatewouldsingtoherlover."

Carolwasn'tcertainiftheDragonMasterinherwouldknowthedifference,butshetouchedhisfaceand
letherheartsummonthenotesofhisname.

Thesyllablesfilledherhead,thestrangemusicthatmeantthismaninherarms,herfiredragon,herSeth.

Theirthreadstouchedandwoundgentlytogether,nobinding,nosnarls.Sethsmiledandthenhebeganto
singhername.

ThenotessoundedlikeacombinationofCarolandLiMeiandothermusicshedidn'trecognizebutnow
knewhadbeenapartofherallherlife.Sherealizedsomeofthemusiccamefromthemotherandfather
she'dlost,andfromMingUeandShaimingandthelovewithwhichthey'dshelteredher.

Lastthemusiccombinedwithashimmerdeepinsideherthatsheknewwastheirchild.

"Seth,"shemurmured,layeringthatnameinwiththemusic."Iloveyou."

Heheldherclose,rubbinghisfaceinherhair."Iloveyou,myCarol.Mymate."

Sheheldontohimwhilehekissedher,asparkofhisfirewarmingherskin.Sheslidherhandstohisfirm
backside,thewarmthinherchangingtoheatandneed.

Shepulledhermouthfromhis,readytosuggesttheyadjourntothebedroom,butSethgrowledlowinhis
throat,andsherealizedthebedroomwastoofaraway.

The next thing Carol knew, she was on the carpet, laughing into Seth's mouth, as his hands made short
workoftherobe.Hehaditoffandhisskinagainsthersinseconds.

"Itakeityoumissedme,"shesaid.

"Imissedyoueverysecondyouweregone.Idon'teverwantustobeapartagain."

"I'mnotadragon,"shepointedout."Youliveforthousandsofyears."

"You'reamagicalwoman,andI'msureLisawillhelpyou."Henippedherlowerlip."Toomuchtalking."

Shelaughed."Ilikethataboutyou,Seth.Yougetdowntoessentials."

He growled long and low, and she closed her mouth. He opened it with kisses, then he slid his hand
betweenthem,findingherhot,wet,andreadyforhim.

Asheslidinsideher,shedaredtosayonemorething."Thankyouforcomingback."

Hekissedheragainforanswerandbegantomakelovetoher,untilshecriedoutwiththejoyofit.

"Iloveyou,"hesaidhoarselyashecame."Iloveyousomuch."

Thosewerethebestwordsintheworld,theonlyonessheneeded.

Turnthepageforapreviewof

AllysonJames'sneweroticparanormalromance

MORTALTEMPTATIONS

AvailableJanuary2009!

Midtown,Manhattan

WhenPatriciadescendedtoinvestigatethenoiseinherantiquestore,shefoundanunconsciousmanwith
abrokenwingstretchedacrossthefloor.

He didn't have white angel wings or transparent dragonfly wings—they were a shiny, satiny black,

feathersgleamingandglisteninginthedawnhalflightastheyspilledaroundhisbody.Onewingcradled
hisbaretorsoasthoughcushioninghisfall,andtheotherwasbroken.

Patriciaplayedherflashlightoverhim,takinginbroadmuscularshoulders,achestdustedwithdarkhair,
narrowhipshuggedbybluedenim,andastrongthroatencircledbyathingoldchain.Hehaddarkhair
longenoughtoflowoverthestore'suglybeigecarpetandasquare,handsomeface.Hiseyeswereclosed,
lashesrestingonfirmcheekbones.Hislegsweretwisted,andonearmhadbeenflungouttobreakhisfall.

Andwings.

The broken wing lay at a right angle to his back, the ends fanning across the floor. Strewn about the
feathers were things he'd swept from the counters when he fell—an entire stand of necklaces, a box of
sparklingpins,andabisquedollwho'dlandedafewfeetfromhimwithherlegswantonlyintheair.

Patriciacouldn'tblameher.Hewassexyashell.

Hertwocats,RedKittyandIsis,saunteredinfromthebackroom.Theysatontheirhaunchesandstared
athim,probablywonderingwhetherhewasoverlargepreyorsomeonewiththepotentialoffillingthe
foodbowl.Eitherwaytheycouldn'tlose.

Were his wings a costume? But no costume-shop creation could match those glorious feathers and the
perfection with which they fit him. When she crouched down to carefully touch the feathers, they were
warmandalive,thetipsflutteringbeneathherfingers.

Beingpsychic,Patriciawasnostrangertocreaturesofthenight,butshe'dneverseenanythinglikehim.
Hispsychicaurawasincredible—hotandwildwithlightningflashesthatstabbedthroughtheshieldsshe
usuallykeptinplace.Hedidn'tfeelevil,buthedidn'tfeelgood,either.Mosthumanswereamixtureof
both,butsupernaturalcreaturestendedtobeoneortheother.

Herflashlighttookinthebruisethatstainedhistempleblueandpurple.Hewasabigman,andanything
thatcouldtakehimdownwouldbe—bigger.Buthewasaloneintheshop;therewerenootheraurasin
theplacebuthis,hers,andthetiny,vibrantonesofthecats.

When she touched the bruise, he moaned but didn't wake. She fetched her first aid kit from the tiny
bathroomanddoctoredthebruisewithBactine,butshewasn'tsurewhattodoaboutthewing.

Itwasbrokenhalfwaydown.Herfingersfoundthethinmiddlebonebent.Shehadnoideahowtotreatit.
butitcouldn'thurttocarefullystraightentheboneandwrapthewholethingwithanAcebandage.

The man twitched and moaned throughout the procedure, but the pain wasn't enough to wake him. She
fetchedapillowandarrangedtheman'sheadgentlyonit,thencoveredhimwithablanket.

Thatwasallshecoulddoforhim.Shewasnotawitchorahealer;hergiftwastheabilitytoreadauras
ofpeoplepastandpresentandtodetectthepsychicimprinttheyleftonobjects.Thatwaswhysheliked
antiques—shecouldfeelthehistoryoftheobjectsandthepeoplewho'dtouchedthem.Antiquesweren't
deadpiecesofthepasttoherbutshadowsofliving,breathingentities.

Patriciacurled up ona Belter gentleman'schair and tugged asecond blanket overher knees. Red Kitty
joinedher;thelong-hairedtornneverpassedupthechanceforawarmsnuggle.Isis,theblack-and-white

female,stayednexttothemantokeepwatch.

Patriciasettledintowait.Wastheentityonherfloorgoodorevil?

Nicowoketoapoundingheadache.Heseemedtobeonahardfloor,buthefeltapillowbeneathhishead
andapricklywoolblanketacrosshischest.

HeknewtheDyonhadn'tbeenkindenoughtoleavehimwithapillowandblanket.TheDyonhadbeen
doingitsdamndesttobeatNicoblack-and-blueoncetheybothfiguredouttheostraconanditsinscription
werenolongerhere.

ThecreaturehadthrownNicoacrossthecounter,hehithisheadonthewaytothefloor,andtheDyonhad
dissipated.Itwasn'tallowedtokillNico.

Nicoraisedhisthrobbingheadandmettheintensestareofasleekblack-and-whitecat.Itsgazeboreinto
his as though the creature was trying a spot of telepathy, but Nico knew it was just a cat. Nothing
supernaturalaboutit,thankthegods.

ThelingeringstinkofDyonintheroomwasquicklybeingcoveredbythearomaofpercolatingcoffee.
Nicotossedasidetheblanketandclimbedpainfullytohisfeet.

Hestumbledandcaughthimselfonaglasscounter,rattlingtheglitzyjewelrythatglitteredonitssurface.
Hewasn'tdizzy,despitetheheadache,buthecouldn'tgethisbalance.

He realized that his left wing was all wrong and saw in amazement that ü was tightly bound. An Ace
bandageheldtogetherwithbrightbluetapecriss-crossedit,crushingthefeathers.

"Shit,"hesaidoutloud.

Heheardrunningfeetandawomanemergedfromthebackroom,asteamingmugofcoffeesloshinginher
hands.

Oh,fuck.

Shewasabsolutelybeautiful.Herhairwasincrediblycurly,ariotofdarkblondringletsthatcascaded
acrossherfaceandfloweddownherback.Shehadafaceneithertooroundnortoopointed,fullredlips,
andalusciouslycurvedbody.

Herheadwouldrestathiscollarboneifshestoodagainsthim.Hewantedherto.sohecouldleandown
andinhalethewarmthofherhair.Hecouldwhisperintoherearthathewasthereforheruse—allshehad
todowasnameherpleasure.

Hiscockbegantolift,hisballswarmingandtighteningagainstthefabricofhisjeans.

Hefeltthefamiliarpulloflonging,thecompulsionofthespellkickingin.Damnit,notnow. The curse
beatonhimatthemostinopportunetimes,andthiswasamostinopportunetime.

Thewomanstartedtowardhim,followedcloselybyafluffyredcat.Theblack-and-whitecatleapttothe
counter,scatteringmoretreasures,andsatdowntoresumeherwatchonNico.

ThewomanreachedNicoandlookedupathim,andsomethingstabbedthroughhisheart.

Hereyeswerebluegreen,anincredibleoceanlikeaquamarinethatsparkledliketheseainthesun.

"Whatareyou?"shedemanded.

NotWhoareyou?Whatareyoudoinghere?Whatdoyouwant?Nohysterics.Shesimplywantedto
knowwhatkindofcreaturehadlandedinherstore.

"Acustomer,"hesaid,forcingasmile.

"Idon'topenuntilten.Howdidyougetin?"

Shewouldn'tbelievehimifhetoldher,sohejustwinked."Throughthekeyhole."

"'Whatwereyouexpectingtosteal?Idon'thaveanythingvaluableinhere,justasentimentaljumblethat
remindspeopleoftheirgrandparents."

"Butyouhadsomethingvaluable?"

Herflushtoldhimhewasright,plusthething'sunmistakablepresencestillhadn'twornoff.

Ithadbeenhere,butheandAndreashadn'tfiguredthatoutuntiltoolate.TheDyonhadn'tknowneither—
he'dbeenfollowingNicotoseewhatNicowasupto.

"Ididn'tcallthepolice,"thewomanpointedout.

"Inoticed."He'dalsonoticedsheworeatight-fittingT-shirtthatnicelyoutlinedherbra-lessbreasts.

"IthoughtI'dhavetroubleexplainingthewingstothecops,"shesaid.

"Probably."

"So,whatareyou?"

Hetookthecoffeeshehandedhimandsippedit.Didittastebetterbecauseshemadeit?

Thecursewantedhimtobelieveso.

"Amanwithwings,"heanswered.

"I'mpsychic;Icantellyou'renothuman.Youraurais—strange."

"Isit?"Hefinishedoffthecoffeequickly,needingit.Healsoneededhertotouchhimagain.Thecurse
waskickinginfastthistime.

"Wouldyoumindhelpingwiththebandage?"Heaskedher."I'moff-balancelikethis."

Shelookeddoubtfulbutsetdowntheemptycup."Thebonewasbrokeninhalf.Ithinkyoushouldkeepit
still."

"Ihealquickly."Hesteadiedhimselfonthecounter,andletherreachupandpeeloffthetape.

Tounbindhim,shehadtosteprightintotheflowingfeathersofhiswing.Hecouldn'tstophimselfsnaking
the wing around her, liking how good she felt cradled in its embrace. He could feel every hollow and
creviceofherbodywiththesensitivetipsasshepluckedatthetapeandstartedtounwindthebandage.

Herbreastsbrushedagainsthisbarechest,andhewonderedifshecouldfeelhispulsehammeringunder
hisskin.Herhairsmellednice,cleanandfresh,likeshe'djustwashedit.

His already inflated cock was throbbing by the time she unwound the last of the bandage and stepped
away.Nicoflexedthewingbone,whichhadmeldedasheslept.Itwasalittlestiff,butmanageable.

"Icantrytofindashirtforyou,"shesaid,hergazefixedonhisbaretorso.

"That'sallright,Ibroughtmyown."

NicoretrievedhisT-shirtfromwherehe'ddroppeditwhenhe'dunfoldedhiswingstofighttheDyon.The
ceilingwastoolowforagoodstretch,buthefluffedhiswingsallthewayout,thefeatherssleeklyerotic
againsthisback.

The feeling didn't help his erection die, especially when he imagined pinning her against him with his
wings.

Therewasasharppullinhisshoulderblades,thenthewingsslidaway,vanishing.Hesensedhergazeon
the sharp black tattoo of wings that fanned over his back, the points of them disappearing under the
waistbandofhisjeans.

AsheslidtheT-shirtoverhishead,theclothpulledatthehatedchain,remindinghimwhathewas.

"Andre's?"Thewomanreadthelogothatslantedfromhisrightshouldertohisleftpectoral.

Alargecat'spawprintsplotchedjustunderit."Doyouworkthere?"

Andre'swasatrendybarandclubaroundthecorneronWest56thStreetthathadopenedafewmonths
ago.Itwaspackedeverynight.

"IownitwithmyfriendAndreas,"hesaid.

"Oh."Shelookedathiminsurprise."Ihaven'tseenyouaround.NotthatIgetthechancetogetoutmuch."
Shesoundedregretful.

"Cometonightandtalktome.I'llwaivethemembershipfee."

Shefixedhimwithastareaspenetratingashercat's."Doeseveryonetherehavewings?"

"No,justme."

"I'llthinkaboutit."

Nico pulled a shining black card with white lettering out of his back pocket. The name he used, Nico
Stanopolous,wasprintedatthebottom."Showthattothedoorman,andhe'llletyouin.TellhimIsent
you."

Shetookthecard,givinghimasuspiciouslook.Heflickedamorestaid,mattwhitecardoutofthelittle
holder on her counter. Patricia Lake, Proprietor. "Nice to meet you, Patricia. Thank you for fixing my
wing."

"Youstillhaven'ttoldmewhatyouweredoinghere.Evenifyoudidn'ttakeanything,youknockedhalfmy
jewelrystockontothefloor."

Nico gathered up the pins and earrings and a tangle of necklaces and replaced them on the counter. "I
cametofindsomething,"hesaid."Itwasn'there."

"Wouldyoumindtellingmewhat?"

Hehesitated.HecouldhearAndreas'sroarifNicodecidedtotrustthewoman,butthatwasn'twhatmade
himreticent.She'dbeindangerifshehadtoomuchknowledge,makingheratargetforthingsshecouldn't
possiblyunderstandorfight.

Shehadmagicinher,obviously,becausesheeasilyacceptedthatamanwithwingshadenteredherstore
withoutbreakinginortriggeringthealarm.Shehadn'tcalledthepolice;she'dputablanketoverhimand
waitedforhimtowakeup.

"Cometotheclubtonight,andwelltalkaboutit."

Patriciacockedherhead,lookingmoreadorablebythesecond."AndIshoulddothisbecause…"

"You're curious." He tickled the black-and-white cat behind the ear, and the creature purred. "If you
weren't,you'dhavecalledthepolicebynow.Itooknothing.Youcansearchmeifyouwant."

Hespreadhisarms,warmingwhenhergazeflickedupanddownhim.Shewasabeautifulwoman,and
partofthereasonhewantedtowaittotellherwassohe'dhavethechancetodrawthisout.Hisbody
throbbedwithneed,andhiscockhadn'tdeflatedsinceshe'dwalkedintotheroom.

Heknewdamnwellwhyhewantedtoseeheragain,andtheknowledgebothexcitedanddepressedhim.
She found him attractive, and she'd find him even more attractive tonight. It was an even bet that she'd
want his hands on her, the compulsion affecting her, too. He looked forward to it, and at the same time
resistedit.

Hesuddenlywishedwithallhisheartthatwithherthiscouldbereal.Butthethoughtonlybroughtmore
depressionbecausehecouldn'ttrusthisheart.

"Comebyifyou'reinterested,"heshrugged."IhavetogobeforeAndreasrampagesManhattanlookingfor
me."

Andreasrampagingwasbad.Themanhadatemper,andhe'dgivethemawayifhewasn'tcareful.

"I'llhavetoletyouout."

Thegrateswerestillfirmlyoverthedoors.Patriciaunlockedaboxwithasmallkeyandpunchedacode.
Therewasaloudclick,thensheopenedthedoorandslidthegratingbackafewfeetforhim.

Nicoturnedsidewayssohecouldslidethrough,lettinghimselfbrushagainstherashewent.Shehada
lovely, soft body, and he wanted to bury his face in her riotously curling hair and breathe her in. He
craveditwithanintensitythatwasn'tquitenormal.

Outside, Manhattan was stirring. Early morning commuters poured up from the subways and spilled
acrossthesidewalksinaseaofblackanddarkgray.Hehadtogo.

Hebrushedthetipofhernosewithhisfingertipandslidallthewayoutthedoor.Sherattledthegrating
closedbehindhimwithoutsayinggood-bye.

Nico chuckled as he moved into the crowd. Their relationship was going to hurt like hell when it was
over, but first, it would be very, very good. He'd suck as much as he could from that and pretend it
wouldn'tbreakhisheartwhenshefinishedwithhim.

PatriciaarrivedatAndre'satnine,rightbeforeitopened.

Andre'swasaprivateclub,membershipssoldonlineandthroughotherbusinesses.Patriciahaddebated
alldaywhethersheshouldgo,butintheendsheknewshe'dnotbeabletopassuptheopportunitytosee
herwingedmanagain.Nicohadhititrightwhenhetoldhershewastoocurioustoresist.

Shestillhadnoideawhathe'dbeenlookingfor.She'dsearchedherrecordbooksforwhatevervaluable
itemsshe'dmovedinthepastfewweeks,butcouldn'tdecidewhichonehe'dcometofind.Theeighteenth-
century writing desk; the ostracon—a small slab of limestone with Egyptian hieroglyphs on it; the
carnelianearringsbelongingtooneofQueenVictoria'sdaughters;orthebone-handledletteropenerfrom
1675? She'd found buyers for all of them from her list of people who paid her to keep an eye out for
"specialsomethings."

Patricia handed Nico's card to the doorman, telling him that Nico had invited her. The women in line
behindherworetightdressesthatshowedmountainsofcleavageandsharp-heeledshoesthatbaredmiles
oflegs.

InherneatblackjeansandblousePatriciafeltwoefullyoutofplace.She'dputonantiqueearringsanda
cobwebbyantiquenecklacethatearnedafewenviousglances,buttheladiesbehindherweresurprised
whenthedoormannoddedgrufflyandopenedthedoorhalfafootsoshecouldslideinside.

AseconddoormanwearinganAndre'sT-shirtandsportingaphoneonhiseartookthecardandjerkedhis
headforPatriciatofollowhim.Heledherthroughthedarkclubandupaflightofstairs.Atthetophe
touchedabuzzerbesideadoorandwaiteduntilthedoorclickedopen.Thedoormangesturedherinside
butdidn'tfollowherin.

Nicowaitedforherattheendofaplush-carpetedhallway.HisAndre'sT-shirtwascrispandclean,and
therewasnosignofhiswings.He'dobviouslyshavedsincetheirlastencounter,andhisdarkhairwas
dampfromashower.

He wore black jeans instead of blue and sandals. Patricia had never liked sandals on a man, but she

decidedshe'dmakeanexceptionforNico.Theyseemedtogowithhim,givinghimtheauraofanancient
god.

Hesmiledather,hisdarkeyespromising."Hello,Patricia.I'mgladyoucame."

Hetookherhandandledherintotheroombehindhim.

She'd expected an office but found a suite. It had a living room done in trendy minimalist decor and a
smallkitchentuckedbehindashininggranitecounter.Throughanopendoubledoorshesawabedroom
withairon-poledcanopybedandcubelikeshelves.

Amancameinfromthebedroom,alsowearinganAndre'sT-shirt.HewasnotquiteastallasNico,but
his body was as well-built and bulged with muscle. He had mottled black-and-white hair and eyes of
cleariceblue.WhileNico'seyescouldmeltawomanlikeicecreamonahotsidewalk,thisman'seyes
chilledherthrough.

Theonethingthetwomenhadincommon,besidespowerfulauras,wasthethingoldchainaroundtheir
necks.

The two of them looked completely wrong in this room, which must have been decorated before they
moved in. This suite was for men in expensive corporate suits, not these beautiful males with auras of
wildmagic.

"ThisisAndreas,"Nicotoldher."Atleastthat'swhathecallshimself.Andreas,PatriciaLakeofLake
Antiques."

AndreassweptPatriciaadismissingglanceandstartedtalkingtoNicolikeshewasn'tthere.

"Doesshehaveit?"

"Notanymore."

"Havewhat?"Patriciaasked."Ican'thelpyoufindsomethingifIdon'tknowwhatyou'relookingfor."

"Theostracon."Andreasfixedherwithachillbluegazethathadfieryragebehindit."Giveittome,and
Nico and I will fulfill your deepest desires. Anything sexual you've ever wanted to try, we'll do it for
you."

TableofContents

ChapterEleven
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two