Fawks (Dragons of Kratak Book 4) by Ruth Anne Scott (30)

She laughed. “Well, remember last night when I said I was going to get you laid?” she asked. “Well, I'm pretty sure Quint could do the job. Did you see that guy? I mean, talk about drop dead gorgeous.”

“Maybe you should go out with him,” I said. “You seem pretty into him.”

“Oh, I'd do him in a heartbeat, don't be a fool,” she said. “But he wasn't into me. He was into you. As that old song goes, he only had eyes for you, my dear.”

“Now, who's being a fool?” I giggled.

“Yeah well, I'm not the one he asked out,” she said. “Or gave his business card to. That would be you. So, you are going to go out with him.”

I laughed. “You're persistent.”

“I'm a lawyer,” she said. “It's in the job description.”

“I dunno, Pip –”

“I do know,” she cut me off. “Getting out and having something resembling a social life would be good for you. Seriously, Astrid, I worry about you sometimes. Your aversion to – people and life in general – it kind of scares me.”

“I don't think it's all that scary,” I said. “I think what's scarier are people in general.”

“That's what I'm talking about, hon,” she said. “I mean, what if something happens to me – God, forbid – I worry that you're just going to become this recluse. I joke about you being a shut-in, but it's really not all that far off the mark. If something were to happen to me – I really don't know what would happen to you and it worries me.”

“It's not all that bad,” I said.

“Other than me, who do you go out with, hon?” she pressed. “What other connection to society – and the world – do you have?”

I thought about it for a moment. “Well, there's always Pete.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, that settles it. You're going out with him,” she said. “So, when you hang up with me, you call him. Thank him again for a wonderful evening last night and make some plans to see him again.”

“Wow,” I said and grinned. “Anything else I should do while I'm at it?”

Piper seemed to think it over for a moment. “Well, a cut and a style might not be a bad idea,” she said. “Maybe go out and get yourself some dresses that just ooze sex appeal.”

“Yeah, because that's really me.”

“You should've seen yourself last night,” she said. “And the way Quint couldn't keep his eyes off you. Yeah, I'd say that's you, babe.”

I laughed. “I have to go,” I said. “Some of us have to work today.”

“Sucks to be you, hon,” she replied. “I'm gonna lay in bed for a couple more hours and then head out for a leisurely breakfast somewhere that has a patio. It's a gorgeous day.”

“You suck.”

“That's why the boys love me,” she said. “You should try it.”

“Goodbye, Pip,” I said. “Love you.”

“Love you back.”

I disconnected the call and felt a chill wash over me. Still holding onto the phone, I walked back over to the front windows, half expecting to see the two men from earlier peering back in at me. But the street outside was empty, save for a few people taking walks, joggers – the usual weekend morning traffic.

Still , I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched. That there were eyes on me somewhere out there. Hidden. Waiting.

But waiting for what?

I folded my arms over my chest and watched the street scene outside for a few more minutes before deciding that they weren't out there. Unlocking the door, I flipped the sign over to the “open” side, and started my day.

Chapter Eight

Quint

It had been a couple of days since my dinner with Astrid and Piper – and I couldn't get her out of my head. No matter what I was doing or how busy I got, at some point, Astrid's face – her laugh, her smile – something would go flitting through my mind.

Frankly, it was getting a little distracting.

I checked my phone, hoping that there would be a call or text message from her, but as with the other million times I checked, there was nothing. I sighed and dropped the phone onto my desk, trying to focus on the paperwork in front of me. Running a restaurant was hard – but it was also very enjoyable.

Being a Warden didn't keep me anywhere nearly as busy as I would have liked – surprisingly enough in a city like LA – so I'd needed to find something to occupy my time. Given my love of good food and good wine, a restaurant seemed like a natural fit.

“You're behaving like a teenage girl, you know.”

I looked up to see Alynna standing in the doorway of my office. Alynna was one of my lieutenants and an absolutely fierce warrior of the Ice Clan. Most people tended to underestimate her – to their peril. When people saw Alynna, they focused on the fact that she was tall and thin, with soft feminine curves. They saw a woman who put some time and effort into her appearance, always looking very stylish and well put together. She was olive skinned and exotic looking, with crystal blue eyes that were startling in their beauty and long, midnight black hair. Alynna was a gorgeous woman.

But what they didn't see because they couldn't see past her beauty, was that when the chips were down, she was an incredibly capable fighter. She was well versed in different forms of martial arts, could wield a sword better than almost anybody else I knew, and was as quick and light on her feet as she was ferocious. There was nobody that I'd want by my side in a battle more than her.

“A teenage girl?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

She smiled and walked into my office, dropping down into the chair across the desk from me. She casually put her stiletto-boot clad foot on my desk and looked at me.

“You take very few lovers, Quint,” she said. “And of those few, I've seen even fewer get under your skin. But the look on your face as you checked your phone just now – it looked like a teenage girl waiting for a call from a boy she has a crush on.”

I laughed. “And you can discern that based upon nothing more than a facial expression?”

She looked at me, a playful glint in her eyes. “I'm very good at reading people,” she said. “You know this.”

She was right. I did know that. Her ability to read people was uncanny and oftentimes a little unnerving in its accuracy. She was a woman of many talents and I, for one, was very glad to have her on my side.

“Well, this has been an entertaining conversation,” I said, “but did you stop by for anything other than to mock my love life?”

“Lack of love life, you mean,” she teased.

I shook my head but couldn't stop my grin. “Fine,” I said. “What can I do for you, Alynna?”

“Well, you can call this girl you're mooning over, for starters,” she said. “Take her out, show her a good time – get yourself laid in the process. Trust me, I think you'd be a lot less moody if you were gettin' some regularly.”

“Thank you for the advice, I'll take it under advisement,” I said. “Is there anything else?”

She looked at me for a long moment, as if gauging whether or not to continue prodding me on the subject. Alynna was a good woman and she cared about me. She mocked me, but I knew it was coming from a good place. We were close – she was like a sister to me – and wanted to see me happy. But I didn't think that happiness was exactly congruous with the life of a Warden.

She nodded to herself as if coming to a decision. Taking her foot off my desk, she crossed her legs and put her hands in her lap, her face shifting from playful to business.

“I've been hearing some whispers around lately,” she said. “The Shongtal are working on something big, apparently.”

“Yeah, I came across four of them in a warehouse the other night,” I said. “Questioned one of them and didn't get much. But I'd overheard them talking about somebody – they called her the key to their plan. Thoughts?”

She shook her head. “Nothing solid yet,” she said. “But from what I've gathered, this has something to do with closing the Dragon Doors forever.”

“Sealing the Doors?”

She nodded. “To be honest, I don't know how reliable the intel is at this point,” she said. “It's all just rumor. I don't even know if the Doors can be sealed. But from the scraps I've gathered, the Shongtal think they can. And they're trying to do just that.”

I sat back in my seat and ran a hand through my hair. “Huh,” I said. “I never thought about that as a possibility. But if it were possible, it would give the Shongtal complete dominion over the human's world.”

She nodded. “It would give them an endless supply of food,” she said. “If they are able to lock the Dragonborn out of this world, it would be like setting up their own private garden.”

It was a bold strategy, a smart one. But was it even possible? And if so, how did this mysterious woman play into it? I had a thousand questions and needed to find some answers. Which meant I was going to have to take a little business trip.

“Looks like I'm going to have to go back to Chondelai,” I said. “Ask some questions of the Keepers and see what I can dig up. I'll need you to keep an eye on the territory while I'm away.”

“It's a good idea. Before you go though, you have one task to complete,” she said.

“What's that?”

“Call the girl,” Alynna said, a warm smile upon her face. “Call her, set up a date, and then go see the Keepers.”

I grinned and shook my head. “You are nothing if not persistent.”

“It's one of my better qualities,” she said. “As is my carefree spirit – which, if you hadn't noticed, is a very nice balance to your grumpy, brooding nature. We are the yin and yang, my friend. We complete one another.

“Get out,” I said and laughed.

She stood up, still grinning like a fool. “Don't be that teenage girl,” she said. “Be a man. Be a Warden and take action.”

I picked up my letter opener. “I could stab you with this.”

She shrugged, unconcerned. “You could try,” she said. “Like so many others have.”

Alynna turned and sauntered toward the door. Before she got to it though, she turned and looked back at me, her face suddenly serious.

“If the Shongtal are successful,” she said. “We're going to be in really big trouble.”

I nodded. “Which means we need to make sure they fail.”

“I believe in you, Quint,” she said.

“And I believe in you, Alynna,” I said. “We're going to be okay.”

She nodded and then turned, walking out of my office. I leaned back in my seat again and steepled my fingers beneath my chin. It was a worrying turn of events, I had to admit. If there was a chance they could seal the Doors, that would spell doom not just for those of us trapped on this side of them, but for all of humanity as well.

I would go back to Chondelai and get some answers. But as I pondered the questions I needed to ask, Astrid's face intruded into my thoughts. Again. I looked at my phone and sighed. No call. No text. I didn't have her number or even know her last name. I couldn't have called her if I'd wanted to.

I cocked my head and thought about it. I did know the name of her bookstore though. And that was someplace to start. I opened a search browser on my computer and punched up the website for The Attic. I took a virtual tour through the shop – it was impressive. It had a fantastic diversity of authors – as well as a nice collection of rare first edition books.

Then I called up another page and there was Astrid's face, looking back at me. I stared into her light brown eyes set in her flawless milky white skin and at the long red hair spilling over her shoulders. She was a striking woman – but there was more to her than that. The connection I'd felt between us – the one I'd been obsessing about for the last couple of days – was one that almost felt familiar, in a way. But try as I might, I still couldn't put my finger on it.

Alynna's taunting echoed through my head and although it made me smirk, I grimaced at the small nuggets of truth tucked away in her barbs.

Yeah, I was acting like a teenage girl. And it was time to do something about that.

Chapter Nine

I pulled to the curb and shut my car off, looking at the street around me. Getting out of the car, I looked at the array of charming little shops and boutiques that lined the street. Couples strolled along hand-in-hand, families walked together – it was an idyllic little neighborhood.

And then it hit me.

I had no idea what it took me so long to make the connection or how I'd forgotten that key piece of information I'd gleaned from interrogating the Shongtal fighter, but for whatever reason, it had slipped my mind. And I was kicking myself for it.

I was standing on Fluker Street – the place the Shongtal said he'd seen this woman, this key. And the woman had been a curvy redhead with pale skin. Could this key to their plans be – Astrid? Could that explain the instant connection I'd felt to her? Could that explain the enigma that she was?

My mind was spinning with the connections and the possibilities. With the ramifications of what was happening. Checking the address for the bookstore on my phone, I hurried down the street, keeping a sharp eye out for the Shongtal. If they knew who she was, where she worked, it would only be a matter of time before they moved on her.

And I wasn't going to let that happen. I wasn't going to let anything happen to her.

The Attic was located about halfway down the block. From the outside, it looked absolutely charming – and seemed to fit with Astrid's personality. It was low-key, unassuming – sort of shy, in a way.

The whole street had something of an old-time feel to it, like a street from a quieter time of life. It was all red brick and there was no neon or garishly lit signs to be seen. The street wasn't filled with modern trappings and sort of looked like Main Street somewhere in Smalltown, USA.

An awning hung out over the front of all the shops and tastefully decorated wooden signs hung above the doors, announcing the name of the shop inside. It was quaint. Somewhat subdued. And I really liked it.

As I approached the door, I felt that nervous flutter in my stomach again. I cursed myself under my breath. Astrid had quite the profound effect on me. Maybe Alynna had been right – she was turning me into a teenage girl.

Mentally kicking myself once more, I opened the door and hurried through, before I could get a case of nerves and run back out again. A bell above the door tinkled as I stepped inside and I made sure to close the door behind me.

I breathed deeply and smiled. I'd always enjoyed the smell of bookstores. The air always had a certain quality you never found in any other store. To me, it smelled like knowledge. Passion. It was a heady aroma that I would never get tired of. I often sat in my library at home, just to enjoy the scent of the air inside.

I froze and felt my stomach turn a flip-flop when Astrid came out of the back room. Her hair was down, spilling over her shoulders like a waterfall of fire. She wore a loose fitting white top – I thought I'd heard it called a peasant blouse before – and a flowing blue skirt that hung to her ankles. It was quite the contrast to the Astrid I'd seen all dolled up that night at my restaurant, but she was no less stunning to me.

She froze and looked at me with wide eyes, as if unsure if she should approach me or run away screaming.

“H – hi,” she said. “Quint. It's – nice to see you again.”

I took a breath and let it out slowly, quietly, trying to regain my composure. Alynna's voice echoed through my mind and I used it to steel myself. To remember who I was. I wasn't some gangly, awkward teenage boy. I was a warrior of the Fire Clan. A Warden. I was fierce. Battle hardened. I was a fighter.

With fire and a renewed sense of confidence surging through my veins, heating me from the inside, I looked at Astrid and smiled.

“Hello, Astrid,” I said.

She looked at me curiously. “W – what are you doing here?”

I gave her a small smile. “Would you believe it if I told you I was looking for something to read?”

A small laugh escaped her. “No,” she said. “I wouldn't.”

“Fair enough,” I replied. “Actually, I'd been hoping that you'd call. That we could go out for dinner sometime. But then I thought that perhaps it was a little presumptuous of me to expect you to call, so I thought I might stop by and ask you again in person.”

She looked at me, fear and confusion warring in her eyes. “A – ask me what?”

I chuckled. “To dinner,” I said. “I'd like to take you to dinner. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me?”

She looked positively terrified – but I got the sense that there was more to it than my invitation. I opened my senses and tried to get into her mind. To see what it was that was causing such fear and anxiety within her.

“Are you okay, Astrid?” I asked.

She looked at me, her eyes widening. “What do you mean?”

“You just look – frightened,” I said and then pitched my voice lower, looking meaningfully to the back room. “Is there somebody here? Somebody who's threatening you?”

She looked at the back room she'd just exited and then looked at me. As comprehension dawned on her face, she let out a loud guffaw of laughter.

“Oh, God, no,” she said. “I'm sorry. No, there's nobody back there. It's just the two of us here right now.”

I cocked my head, trying to figure out if she was putting on an act or not. I couldn't be sure, so I walked past her and headed for the back room to see for myself.

“Hey,” she said, her laughter dropping off immediately. “You can't go back there.”

“If it means protecting you, I can and will,” I called over my shoulder.

I slipped my hand under my jacket and touched the hilt of the curved silver dagger I carried. I pushed open the door and stepped quickly inside, scanning the room and finding – nothing. There was a small wooden table, chairs, a sofa against one wall, and a coffee maker on the counter. But there was no Shongtal fighter lying in wait. The most threatening thing in the room was a box full of donuts.

Astrid jumped in front of me, a look of anger upon her face as she put her hands on my chest and tried to push me backward, out of the room.

“Who do you think you are?” she snapped. “You can't just barge in here like that.”

“I – I'm sorry,” I said. “I thought there was somebody back here. That you were in danger.”

“Well, there's not,” she growled.

“Again, I apologize,” I said. “Sincerely. I was just – concerned.”

She stopped and looked at me. “Why would you be concerned?”

“Because you seemed scared or upset in some way,” I said. “I could see it in your eyes.”

She looked away and bit her bottom lip. There may not have been some murderous figure lurking in her back room, but there was something going on with her. Something had her plenty spooked. It was as plain as day to me.

“What is it, Astrid?” I asked gently. “What has you so frightened?”

She looked at me and I could see that she wanted to tell her story. To unburden herself. To have somebody listen to her. But I could also see that she was frightened to say anything at all. Maybe for fear of sounding crazy. Maybe out of fear that I wouldn't believe her. I didn't know. All I knew for certain was that Astrid was terrified. Down deep in her bones, she was petrified.

She sighed and her eyes shimmered with tears. Stepping back into the room we'd just vacated, she poured herself a cup of coffee and grabbed a chocolate sprinkled donut out of the half-empty box. She took a big bite, chewing deliberately, and washed it down with a swig of coffee.

“Sorry, I tend to stress eat sometimes,” I said. “I'll tell you, but you're going to think I'm nuts.”

I laughed softly. “I somehow doubt that.”

“Yeah, well, we'll see,” she said softly. “For the last few days, there have been these guys. They – watch me. At first, it was a homeless guy and a tall black man. But then it was a woman and a teenage boy.”

“Have they hurt you?” I asked. “Approached you in any way?”

She shook her head. “No, and that's the crazy part. They just stand there. Like statues,” she said. “They don't speak, they don't move. They just stand there and stare at me with these creepy as hell, blank expressions on their faces.”

The Shongtal. Dammit. Which meant that Astrid was indeed the key they wanted for their plan to seal the Doors. Why they hadn't snatched her yet, I didn't know. What I did know though, was that they would be coming for her. There was no question in my mind about that now. Whether their plan was actually viable or not, they wanted to use her in some way to attempt to seal the Doors.

Which meant that I needed to get her out of there. Sooner, rather than late. Somewhere safe. Somewhere I could protect her. But I also didn't want to scare her, either. I needed information. More information than I had at the moment, anyway.

I gave it a little bit of thought. If they hadn't grabbed her, it meant they weren't ready to launch this plan of theirs. Maybe they had their own doubts that it was going to work. I needed to talk to some people, but I didn't want to leave Astrid alone and unguarded. I perhaps had a little time, but with the whispers on the streets growing louder, I knew I didn't have much.

Whatever the Shongtal had in mind, they were getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on it.

“You don't sound crazy at all, Astrid,” I said. “They sound like some disturbed people.”

“They look pretty disturbed.”

“Have you contacted the police?”

She nodded. “Yeah, they said they'd send a few more patrols around, but said that if no crime is actually being committed, there is nothing they can really do.”

“Figures,” I said and ran a hand through my hair. “Never around when you need them most. But you're okay?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “Yeah, I'm fine,” she said. “I mean, they haven't done anything. It's just – creepy.”

I nodded. “I can imagine,” I said. “Listen, I know this is terrible timing and all, but I have an appointment I need to get to. Can I please take you to dinner later on?”

She looked at me, a soft smile touching the corners of her mouth. And when she spoke, she surprised me.

“I think I'd like that.”

I did my best to not look at her with wide eyes and a shocked expression on my face – and wasn't sure if I'd managed to pull it off or not.

“You would?”

She nodded and smiled wide. “Yeah,” she said. “Why not?”

I gave her a smile and handed her my phone. “Would you mind giving me your telephone number, Astrid?”

She took my phone and keyed in her number. “So, can you do casual?” she asked, giving me a small smile. “Or is it always suit and tie with you?”

“We can do whatever you'd like,” I said. “I can be just as casual as the next guy.”

She gave me a cryptic little smile. “Great,” she said. “Call me later.”

“I'll do that.”

I gave her another smile before turning and walking out of her shop. I took great care in scanning the street, opening up my senses to see if any of the Shongtal were lurking out there. But I saw nothing, I felt nothing. So far as I could tell, the street was clear. The question was, how long would that continue to be the case? And when would they move on Astrid?

I was going to have to protect her – without her realizing it. I got the sense that she'd be a little offended if I had a contingent of guards outside her door.

I was going to protect her though. Whether she knew – and liked it – or not.

Chapter Ten

Astrid

I waited until I saw him walk away from the front of the shop before I let out a squeal and did a silly little dance around the shop. After that, I grabbed my phone and punched in Piper's number. She answered on the second ring.

“Astrid, is everything okay?” she sounded panicked.

“I'm fine,” I said. “Why wouldn't I be?”

“Because you like never call me.”

I looked at the phone for a moment before putting it back to my ear. “That's not true.”

“That's so true.”

I shook my head, grinning. “You're never going to believe who just came in here.”

“The delivery guy from the thrift store you usually shop for clothes at?”

I laughed. “You're funny,” I said. “Now, shut up and remove that stick from your ass.”

Piper was laughing along with me. “I have to get to a meeting in a couple of minutes so tell me quick.”

“Quint,” I said. “He apparently looked up the shop and showed up here.”

“Please tell me you did him on the counter right then and there,” Piper said. “Please tell me that.”

“You're such a whore,” I laughed. “No. But I did accept his invitation to dinner.”

She whistled low. “Wow, look at my girl go,” she said. “What got into you?”

I shook my head. “I really don't know,” I said. “But there's just this weird – connection – between us. I know he feels it. And I've felt it since the night we met him.”

“That connection is actually your terribly underused lady-bits screaming out for attention.”

“Oh my, God,” I said. “Is everything about sex with you?”

“Well – yeah,” she said. “Nothing wrong with enjoying the pleasures of the flesh.”

“And there's also nothing wrong with getting to know somebody before you start banging them.”

“Yeah, I suppose,” she said. “If you're into that sort of thing. Personally, I find it's easier to not even ask them their name. Makes it easier to tell them to get out in the morning.”

I laughed. “I love you, Pip,” I said. “Even if you are the world's biggest turbo-slut.”

“Well, we're all good at something,” she said. “So, where is he taking you? Going back to Heat? Or maybe some other chic little spot?”

“Actually, no,” I said. “I'm thinking about making him take me to Pete's.”

There was a pause on the line. “You're kidding, right?”

“Why would I be kidding?”

“Because somebody like Quint is upscale and refined, Astrid,” she said. “He's used to the finer things.”

“True,” I said. “But I'm not one of the finer things. I'm not so upscale and refined. If he wants to date me, he's going to have to learn how to be a common man too. If he can deal with a dressed down, casual meal at someplace like Pete's, maybe he can handle me too.”

She paused for a long moment, as if weighing my words. “Maybe you're right,” she said. “I didn't look at it that way before. But you have a really good point.”

“Of course I do,” I said.

“I'm proud of you, Astrid,” she said.

I giggled. “Why would you be proud of me?”

“Because what you did today is a big step. It's huge,” she said. “Two weeks ago, if Quint had walked into your shop, you would have run out the back door. But now? Now, you not only accepted his invitation, you dictated the terms of the date. That's huge, Astrid. That's why I'm proud of you. Listen, I have to scoot. But you and I are going to be talking more about this later. Love you.”

“Love you too,” I said.

I disconnected the call and leaned back against the counter, thinking about what she'd said. I guessed that I hadn't really thought about it before, but she was right. I had no idea where that burst of confidence had come from. From the moment I'd met Quint, he'd intimidated me. A few days ago, I probably would have run at the sight of his shadow.

But today? Today, I'd agreed to a date and told him exactly what that date was going to be. I had no idea where that surge of backbone had come from. All I knew was that when I was standing there next to him, I felt something electric coursing through my body. It was like a river of electricity in my veins. I half expected to see lightning bolts shooting out of my eyes and fingertips.

Whatever it was though, it had given me a boost of confidence. The boost I needed, apparently. I didn't know where it had come from, but I liked it. I liked it a lot.

I looked at my watch and saw that it was just after two in the afternoon. I still had a little time to kill, since I wasn't closing up shop until five. So, I contented myself with dusting shelves, making sure everything was stocked, and helping my customers as they filtered in.

But the entire time, I kept my eye on the front windows, looking for the slack, blank faces of those people who'd been watching me. I knew they were out there. I could feel them somehow. I just didn't know where. What worried me most though, was the idea that at some point, they were going to stop watching and do something to me. What that was, I had no idea, but it chilled me to the bone nonetheless.

I was going to have to be vigilant and arm myself with something – mace, a club, something.

But with the clock finally striking five, I closed my shop and dashed home to get ready for my date with Quint.

Chapter Eleven

Quint

“The food smells wonderful,” I said.

“Maybe he's not as fancy and refined as Maurizio,” she replied, “but Pete is a wizard in his own right.”

We sat at a table outside of a small deli down the street from her bookstore. It was a charming little place I could tell had been there for a while. It just had that lived-in look to it that was entirely delightful. I'd meant it when I'd said it – the sauces inside smelled amazing. My mouth was watering, waiting to get my hands on that meatball sub she'd been raving about.

“Maybe I'm not as fancy and refined as you think I am,” I said.

She looked at me and smirked. “You look like a walking billboard for fancy and refined,” I said. “You just exude class and style.”

I grinned at her. “Well, I appreciate that, but I'm a lot more down to earth than you think,” I said. “I was a soldier for a long time. I've been down in the dirt. Lived there for a while. We didn't exactly have the menu we do at Heat out in the field.”

“I didn't know that,” she said. “Wow. To go from soldier to owner of the hottest place in LA? That's pretty impressive.”

I shrugged. “Honestly, I've been fortunate.”

“I think there's more to it than that.”

“I don't,” I said. “Not really. But fads come and go. Hotspots rise and then they fall. The celebrities and LA's movers and shakers will eventually get tired of Heat and find someplace new to be seen. I hope it's not for a while yet, but that's the fickle nature of this town.”

“You don't sound all that sad about that.”

I shrugged. “I love the restaurant business,” I said. “I really do. But I've also got other interests that keep me busy.”

She looked at me and smiled. “Such as?”

Killing demons being chief among them – not that I could tell her that. “Reading,” I said. “I told you that I've got a love and passion for the written word.”

She nodded and smiled at me. There was a calm about her that I hadn't sensed before. She was a lot more easy going and free than she had been the last couple of times we'd met. I wasn't sure what it was, but there seemed to be a boost in her confidence or something. She didn't look like a scared little rabbit – she looked like somebody in complete control of herself. I wasn't sure where it had come from, but I liked seeing that change in her.

A large man with salt and pepper colored hair and an ample midsection stepped out of the deli carrying a tray with our food – and a pair of candles. He set the candles down on the table and I watched as Astrid's face grew red.

“What are you doing, Pete?” she asked.

“Setting a romantic table, of course,” he grinned and winked at her. “And maybe if you'd told me you were bringing a date in, I could have made it a little more special.”

“Being here is special enough,” Astrid said, giving him a fond smile.

After setting the candles out, he set our plates of food down. I looked at the sub and savored the aroma of it.

“Astrid raved to me about this sub,” I said. “I can't wait to try it.”

“Well, I hope you enjoy it,” he replied.

Pete hustled away, giving us a little bit of privacy. Astrid was watching me, waiting for me to take a bite of the sub. I grinned at her and picked it up, taking a big bite. I chewed and felt flavor exploding in my mouth. It honestly was one of the best things I'd ever tasted.

“That is incredible,” I said, staring at the sandwich. “Seriously incredible. I've never had a sauce better than that.”

Astrid was positively beaming. “Pete said it's his mom's recipe.”

“Yeah well, his mother is a genius. Or an artist,” I said. “Maybe both.”

“He'll be happy to hear that.”

We chatted over dinner, occupying Pete's table for a good couple of hours. I was enjoying getting to know Astrid. I felt like she was opening up to me a little more than she had previously and was letting me see behind that curtain to who she really was. She was a complicated woman – but one with so many incredible layers and depth to her.

It was eventually time to go though. I went inside to pay our bill and to gush to Pete about how incredible his sauce was. I was having an idea about finding a way to get him to sell batches to me so I could have Maurizio incorporate it into some of our dishes, but I didn't have anything concrete just yet. I'd get back to him when I did.

In the meantime, it was time to bring my evening with Astrid to an end – the first of what I hoped would be many more evenings spent in her company.

“May I walk you home?” I asked, offering my hand to her when I stepped back out to the table.

“That would be lovely,” she replied, taking my hand as she got to her feet. “Thank you.”

When our skin touched, my eyes widened slightly as I felt like I'd touched a live wire. There was an electricity running through her that was palpable. I wasn't sure if she was even aware of it, but I was finally beginning to understand her. That electricity in her veins was familiar to me. I'd felt it before. And I had to wonder if maybe, something that had been dormant within her had been awakened – perhaps by the harassment from the Shongtal – and was the fuel for this confidence I was seeing in her.

I cleared my throat. “After you.”

We walked side-by-side, talking as we walked along like any other couple out on the street. That sense of normalcy was – nice. Something I didn't get to experience very often in my life.

“I usually cut through this park,” she said, pointing to a darkened path that led through a small park.

Trees lined the path, and high, dense foliage surrounded the trees. We passed a playground and some benches. It wasn't exceptionally well lit, but with my heightened senses I could see well enough. Extending my senses out, I felt them before I saw them. The Shongtal were out there. Waiting.

I felt a knot in my stomach and a stab of fear in my heart as I scanned the darkness, looking for them. We were vulnerable and they knew it. I was going to have a harder time fighting them if I was worried about looking after Astrid at the same time.

“Shit,” I growled.

She looked at me, alarmed. “What is it?”

“Trouble.”

On the path before us stepped a trio of Shongtal fighters. Looking back over my shoulder, I saw three more.

“Only six of you?” I called. “I'm insulted.”

“Give us the girl, Warden,” one of them called back. “And we'll let you walk away.”

“Quint, what in the hell is going on?” Astrid asked, a note of panic in her voice.

“Whatever happens, stay behind me,” I said. “You cannot let these creatures take you. No matter what.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked. “I don't understand. Who are they? Why do they want me?”

I sighed and gave her a look. “There is much you need to know, Astrid,” I said. “Much I must tell you. But for now, no more questions. We need to figure a way out of this.”

I slipped my pair of curved daggers out from beneath my jacket. Astrid's eyes grew even wider as she stared at them.

“What are you doing, Quint?” she asked.

“No more questions, Astrid,” I said. “And remember to stay behind me. Whatever you do, do not get in front of me. I don't want you getting hurt.”

She backed up, looking at me with an expression of absolute terror. But I wasn't the one she needed to fear here. I wish she would understand that. As the Shongtal emerged from the shadows, I heard Astrid gasp.

“That's them,” she whispered. “The people who've been watching me.”

“They're not people,” I said. “Not anymore. Just stay behind me, Astrid.”

“Last chance, Warden,” said the man in the middle of the three before me. “Give us the girl. That's all we want.”

“Right,” I said. “Just hand her over and let you use her to seal the Doors?”

The three in front of me exchanged a quick look of concern between them – which told me that it was true. That they thought they'd found a way to seal the Doors forever.

“Don't know what you're talking about,” the man said. “We have uses for the girl though. So, just give her to us and be on your way.”

With Astrid close behind me, I turned my body so that the two groups of three were to my sides, rather that in front of and behind me.

“Astrid,” I said. “You may see some things that will be difficult for you to comprehend. I will not have the time to explain them to you right now, just know that I will explain them when we are clear of this.”

A moment later, the Shongtal rushed us.

Chapter Twelve

Astrid

I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. But I found that I could do neither. All I seemed capable of doing was standing there in silent horror. Two men rushed at Quint with swords raised high over their heads. Who in the hell used swords anymore? What in the hell was going on?

Quint dropped to a knee as the two men swung their swords – both sailed over his head. I took a step backward and slipped on something, falling straight down onto my butt against the small wooden fence that lined the path.

He was back on his feet in a heartbeat though and in one swift movement, he plunged one of his daggers – something I never realized he even had on him the whole time we were at dinner – into the chest of one of the men. I stared slack-jawed as an intense red light flared out of the man's eyes. He screamed, but then the light faded and his limp body slumped to the ground.

“Quint, look out!” I screamed a warning.

Quint spun to the side like a matador, the other man rushing by him like an out of control bull. His sword sliced harmlessly through the air where Quint had been standing just a moment before. Spinning back around, he buried his dagger into the man's back, that same red light flaring from his eyes as he dropped to the ground as limp as a pile of laundry. Obviously dead.

My stomach was roiling and my heart was thundering so hard, I feared it was going to burst out of my chest. I had to get out of there. I needed to run. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Quint had seemed so charming and so amazing – and yet, he was a cold-blooded killer.

I stood up just as two more of those creeps rushed in.

“Astrid, stay down,” Quint growled.

The three of them tussled and steel rang against steel as he blocked their swords with his daggers. I screamed when I felt hands on me. Turning, I found myself staring into the eyes of the homeless man who'd been staring at me from across the street the other day. There was a crazy, disturbing smile on his face as he tugged at me.

Red flight flared – Quint had dropped another of them. But I was being dragged down the path. I gritted my teeth and tried to plant my feet, pulling hard against the man who was trying to drag me into the darkness. But to no avail. He was to strong.

But then I felt a surge of something inside of me. I wasn't sure if it was adrenaline or something else, but it felt like electricity was flowing through my body. My skin felt like it was on fire and deep inside of me, it felt like something was powering up. The intensity of the sensation continued to build and grow.

“Let go of me,” I hissed. “Get your hands off me.”

“Stop fighting,” the man said. “You have a greater purpose to serve.”

I yanked my arm out of the man's grasp and let out an animalistic growl. That pressure had built inside of me and I felt like a bomb, ready to explode. My body seemed to be acting of its own volition and I raised my arm, pointing at him. The man's eyes were wide and he looked startled.

Something inside of me was throbbing and pulsing. I had no idea what was going on but I was suddenly surrounded by a blindingly white light. My body felt like I was on fire and the light around me only got brighter. And then it really did feel like a bomb had gone off because the next thing I knew, I was flying backwards and hit the fence I'd been pressed against earlier.

My stomach was filled with the heavy feeling of nausea and darkness began to creep in at the edge of my vision. I looked up through blurry eyes and saw Quint there, looking down at me. Blood seeped down his cheek from a ragged gash and his eyes were wide, filled with concern for me.

And then the entire world went black.

~ooo000ooo~

I didn't know how long I'd been out, but given the fact that I was still leaning against the fence in the park and Quint still hovered over me, it couldn't have been all that long. My body was sore and my head was aching. And the weirdest thing was, I felt like I had a sunburn all over my body. I looked up into the nighttime sky, wondering what in the hell was going on.

“Are you okay?” Quint asked.

“I feel like I got beat to hell,” I said. “What happened?”

He looked uncertain, as if he weren't sure what to tell me. Or how much.

“Quint,” I said, more firmly this time. “What happened?”

“We got jumped,” he said. “We were attacked.”

“I remember that. Who were they?”

“I'll explain it to you later, Astrid,” he said. “Right now, we need to get you someplace safe.”

“Safe? What's happening?”

He helped me to my feet and put his arm around me, supporting me “I'll fill you in later, Astrid. Please. Right now, we need to get out of here.”

I looked around and fought back the urge to scream. The bodies of all those people who'd attacked up littered the ground.

“Y – you killed them all,” I whispered.

“Not all of them,” he said.

“B – but you killed them.”

“They weren't people, Astrid,” he said. “They were – demons. Demons from my home world.”

I cocked my head and looked at him. It was outlandish beyond measure and yet, somehow it seemed to fit in perfectly with what I'd seen that night. The sound of footsteps drew my attention and I felt a sudden jolt of fear tear through me, thinking that more of them were coming to finish the job.

“Alynna,” Quint said. “Thank you for coming.”

“Of course,” she said, a blade in her hand.

Several other large men in dark suits followed closely behind her. I noticed that they were all carrying blades, the moonlight glinting off their razor-sharp edges. They looked like Secret Service agents. The tall, dark haired woman walked up to me, looking me up and down. The woman was beautiful. Ethereal. I was fuzzy headed, hurting, and tired, but even in that condition, I could see how gorgeous she was. And yet, she carried a blade just like the others. There was something about her that I found slightly unnerving. She carried with her, the promise of violence. A hint of destruction. I had a feeling that of everybody gathered around me, she was the deadliest.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, I guess so,” I replied. “Confused as hell about what's happening. And who all those people Quint killed were.”

She exchanged a quick glance with Quint and then shook her head. “We'll need to explain it all to you soon. But for right now, we need to get you somewhere safe.”

Quint's arm was still around me and he guided me down the path toward a car that was waiting. The mysterious woman walked beside me, saying nothing. I looked at the ground, at the bodies we were leaving behind and had to fight back a wave of nausea. But as we walked, I couldn't help but notice something strange – the ground looked charred. As did some of the bodies.

“What happened here?” I asked.

The woman looked at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Looks to me like lightning strikes.”

“Alynna,” Quint said, a note of warning in his voice.

I looked up at the sky, noticing that there wasn't a single cloud up there. Lightning strikes? What in the hell was she talking about?

They got me to the black SUV that was waiting and loaded me into the back seat. Quinn got in on one side of me and the woman he'd called Alynna climbed in on the other. Two of the big, bad, bulky men who'd escorted us down the path also climbed in – one was the driver while the other guy rode shotgun. It felt like I had my own little protective detail of my very own, like I was the president or something.

“Drive,” Quint said. “To my apartments.”

“Right away,” he said and sped off.

We were in the car about twenty minutes and nobody spoke. The silence in the vehicle was oppressive and awkward as hell. On the plus side of things, my head was starting to clear up a bit and I didn't feel so sick to my stomach.

The car stopped in front of a very posh looking apartment building. I would have called them condos, actually. Because only insanely wealthy people could afford an apartment in that building. The driver and passenger got out, opening up the rear passenger side door. Quint got out and I slid down the seat, following him out the door. Alynna was right behind me.

Moving as one unit, we walked toward the front doors of the building. They surrounded me, making it impossible for anybody to see me, let alone attack me. I looked around, trying to see, but the large men who were flanking me made that virtually impossible.

We walked into the lobby and I stepped into an elevator with Quint and Alynna. The other four men walked to the other elevator, given that they all wouldn't fit into that one. Quint used a key card and the elevator chimed once before heading straight up.

“Penthouse?” I asked him.

He nodded, his face still grim. The air in the elevator was tense – for the most part. I caught Alynna looking me up and down again, a bemused smile on her face.

“What?” I asked her.

She shook her head, that look of bemusement never fading. “Nothing,” she said. “Nothing at all.”

The elevator chimed again and the door slid open and when I stepped out, my jaw nearly hit the floor. It was an amazing apartment. Beautiful. The wall in the living room directly across from the elevator was made entirely of glass, offering a view of downtown LA. I looked at the twinkling lights of the city down below as I stepped to the window, completely awestruck.

A moment later, the elevator chimed again and the four big, burly men stepped out, silently taking a position next to the elevator doors. Whether it was to keep people out or keep me in, I wasn't sure. All I knew was that this whole thing was beginning to feel more and more like a mafia deal or something and it made me nervous.

“Nice, isn't it?”

I turned and found Alynna standing behind me. She still looked amused by me and it was pissing me off. I felt a surge of energy in me – the same sort of surge I'd felt just before passing out in the park. It scared me, but at the same time, Alynna's eyes widened slightly and she took a step back, the look of amusement on her face melting away.

“I don't mean to upset you,” she said, her voice carrying the faint trace of an accent I couldn't place. “My apologies.”

“Then why are you smirking at me?”

“I'm not really smirking at you,” she said. “It's just that – you're not quite what I expected, I suppose.”

I looked at her, my eyes narrowing, that build up of energy inside of me not abating. “Who are you, anyway?”

“I'm Quint's – friend,” she said. “Friend and business associate.”

“Friend?” I asked, feeling a sudden stab of pain in my chest. “Are you like – dating him or something?”

She let out a snort of laughter and shook her head. “Oh, dear God, no,” she said. “Quint is like a brother to me.”

I realized how ridiculous it was, but hearing that made me feel slightly better. That pain in my heart eased a bit, leaving me feeling foolish for having that sudden spike of jealousy in the first place. It wasn't like Quint belonged to me. We'd been out on one date. One date that had ended in the murder of six people. I shuddered at the memory of seeing him stabbing those men.

“Not everything is as it seems, Astrid,” she said. “There are forces at work that you don't yet understand.”

“What are you talking about?”

Alynna looked away. “What I mean is –”

“Alynna,” Quint called. “Come.”

She gave me a sympathetic look before turning and heading off to talk to Quinn. Together, they walked down the hallway and stepped into an office, closing the door behind them. And I was left alone in the living room. Well, not exactly alone – I did have the four goons with me. But judging by the stern looks on their faces and the grim set to their jaws, they weren't going to be great conversationalists.

So, with nothing better to do, I started to poke around a bit. Quint's condo was thoroughly modern in design, but it was decorated with sort of an antique feel to it. The artwork was tasteful and nothing about the place was ostentatious or overdone – a rarity among people with money. I'd found that the wealthy had a need to display their wealth and ended up making their homes far more garish than perhaps, they intended. Or maybe they didn't care and just wanted to flaunt how much money they had.

There was a room off the living room and the door was ajar. I stepped over and pushed the door open, flipping on the light. I took a look back at the goons, but they hadn't moved a muscle. I stepped inside and looked around. It was Quint's library. Bookshelves lined the walls and were stuffed with books. Judging by their condition, they'd been read – some of them repeatedly. I guessed he hadn't lied about being a reader in his spare time.

One of the bookshelves had a glass door on it. Intrigued, I walked over and peered inside. It was a collection of rare first edition books. Quint had a collection that rivaled my own – and had quite a few volumes that were rarer than anything I had in my bookstore.

“I told you I was a reader.”

I turned and found Quint standing in the doorway looking at me. He stepped in and I found myself taking a step back involuntarily. I was suddenly afraid of him.

“You need not fear me, Astrid.”

“What do you expect?” I asked. “I just watched you murder six people.”

He shook his head. “Those weren't people. Not anymore.”

“No? Then what were they?” I asked. “And don't tell me demons again. I'm thinking a little more clearly now, so BS answers aren't going to fly with me.”

He sighed and slipped his hands into his pockets. “They are called the Shongtal,” he said. “They come from my home world, a place called Chondelai, and are in essence, demons. They feed on the life force of human beings.”

I stared at him, not believing what I was hearing. “Quint, I want answers,” I shouted. “Not – fairy tales.”

“Astrid, I want to give you answers. I want to tell you everything,” I said. “But there are certain things I don't know yet. I need to go and seek those answers. But what I've told you so far is the truth. The Shongtal are very bad creatures. They're deadly and for some reason, they're very interested in you. I need to find out why because your life may be in danger.”

I looked at him, feeling my anger surging. “If they're demons, then what are you?”

He sighed. “I'm somebody you need to trust right now,” he said. “I can protect you. Keep you safe.”

“Yeah? And how will you do that?”

“I have to go away for a short time,” he said. “And while I'm gone, I would like you to stay here. My home is specially warded against the Shongtal. They cannot enter here. You'll be safe.”

“Quint, I have a business to run,” I said. “And that's besides the fact that I'm not real comfortable around you right now anyway.”

“I – understand,” he said, but I saw something like hurt flash through his eyes. “I know this is a lot to process. But please, just give me a little time to sort this out and find out what's going on. I just want to keep you safe.”

“I'm not staying here, Quint,” I snapped. “I have a life and a business.”

“Astrid –”

“No,” I shouted. “I'm not staying here. In fact, I'm going to leave right now.”

“I really wish you wouldn't.”

I stared daggers at him. “Am I a prisoner here?”

“Don't be ridiculous,” he said. “You are my guest.”

“Fine. Then, I'm leaving,” she huffed. “And I'd prefer it if you stayed away from me from now on.”

I walked past him and out of his library, storming over to the elevator doors. The goons stepped in front of the elevator, blocking my way. They looked at Quint who looked upset, but gave them a nod. The goons stepped out of the way and I stabbed the button with my finger. A moment later, the car arrived. I stepped inside and punched the button that would take me back down to the lobby.

I needed some time and space to sort out what had happened. I'd watched Quint kill people. Right in front of me. But there was that red light that came from their eyes when he stabbed them – how could I explain that? And what was that white light that had surrounded me. I had the crazy notion that it had come from within me, but I didn't see how that was even possible.

My head was spinning. There were too many questions and absolutely zero answers at the moment. And to top it all off, I was exhausted. I felt like I wanted to sleep for days.

I dug my phone out of my purse and called an Uber. I was going home and nobody, not even Quint, was going to stop me.

Chapter Thirteen

Quint

“Are you certain?” I asked.

Turo nodded. “Yes,” he said. “It's an ancient ritual. I had to really dig to find it, so I have no idea how the Shongtal were able to locate it. But if they use the blood of a child born of a Dragonborn and human union, they can seal the Doors forever.”

I paced the room with my hands clasped behind my back, a million thoughts spinning through my mind. Turo was one of the Keepers of Knowledge among the Dragonborn. They were the guardians of our history, our lore, and a host of other things we needed to know.

“And now you know why offspring between Dragonborn and human were discouraged all those years ago,” he said. “I'd heard stories about one child – though I had never given it much credence. Apparently, I was wrong to have dismissed it out of hand.”

I turned and looked at him. “Tell me the story.”

Turo sighed and nodded. He then told me the story of a child born to a Warden of the Lightning Clan and a human woman. That child was said to have been born twenty-three years ago. And perhaps, not so coincidentally, Astrid was twenty-three.

I listened to the story without interruption and when he was finished, I was absolutely convinced that Astrid was indeed the child born of two worlds. She was the key to the Shongtal ritual that would seal the Doors between Chondelai and the world of man forever.

Which meant, I needed to get back to my post. I needed to ensure Astrid's safety.

“Thank you, Turo,” I said. “You've been most helpful.”

I turned to go when he called my name. I stopped and turned around, unable to avoid seeing the look of concern in his eyes.

“Am I to understand that you know who this child is?”

I nodded. “I do.”

He let out a long breath. “Then I don't need to tell you the peril she places not just our world, but her own world in?”

“No, I understand quite clearly.”

“Then you know what must be done.”

I cocked my head. “Yes, I have to protect her.”

He gave me a sympathetic smile. “You have feelings for her.”

“Why would you say that?”

Turo leaned against a table filled with books and old scrolls. “It's written clearly upon your face, Quint.”

I didn't want to admit that I had feelings for Astrid. The last thing I wanted was for Turo or worse, the King of the Fire Clan to doubt my clarity or commitment to my post. I didn't want them thinking that my judgment was clouded.

“My job is to protect human life,” I said. “Astrid, despite who she is, is a life I swore an oath to protect and defend. And I plan on doing just that.”

“Take care, Warden, to not allow your mind to be clouded with emotion,” he said. “Because you may have to take one life to save billions more.”

I looked at him aghast. Was he really suggesting I kill Astrid?

“If the Shongtal are able to take this girl,” he said, “they will wreak havoc upon two worlds. They will destroy them both. Do you want to be responsible for that sort of catastrophe?”

“Of course not.”

“Then your only choice may be to prevent her from falling into Shongtal hands,” he said. “By any means necessary. Even killing her.”

“My judgment is fine,” I said. “And I will defend my territory in the way I see fit, Keeper.”

“Do not compromise Chondelai or the world of man because you have a crush, boy.”

I hadn't been part of Astrid's life for very long, but I knew that it was much more than just a crush already. And his insinuation that I kill her to protect her world and ours, though logical, was monstrous to me.

“You worry about your job,” I said. “And let me worry about mine.”

I turned and walked out of his chamber, my anger barely restrained. Was I letting my emotion cloud my judgment? Would we all be better off if I took Astrid off the board permanently? On the one hand it made sense – deny her to the Shongtal and ensure the Doors remained open. On the other hand though, I couldn't justify taking an innocent life. Especially Astrid's.

Yeah, I might care about her a little too much for my own good, but that was my burden to bear. I would not let it interfere with my duty as a Warden. Or had I already?

I stepped through the Door, a million unresolved questions in my mind. The only certainty I knew though, was that I cared about Astrid and would give my life to protect her. Just as I would give my life to protect all of humanity from the Shongtal.

Chapter Fourteen

Astrid

It had been almost two weeks since I'd last seen Quint and truth be told, I missed him. It was silly given the fact that we'd only gone out on one date – two, if you counted that first night at the restaurant – but I missed him. For reasons I didn't understand and couldn't explain, I was drawn to him. Really, really drawn to him. And not just because he was a gorgeous man – which he was. It went deeper than that.

I'd picked up the phone, intending to call him a thousand times over the last couple of weeks. But I'd put it back down without dialing, every single time. There was still so much that didn't make sense about our last meeting. So much I didn't understand.

And I still couldn't get over the fact that I'd seen him kill.

After that night and everything he'd told me, I'd done a ton of research on the Shongtal. Of course, there was nothing in scholarly literature about it. As far as academics knew, they didn't exist. Nonetheless I'd done some deeper digging, had read blogs and articles by cryptozoologists and other conspiracy theory nuts. That had been like striking a gold mine.

There was an endless amount of information about the Shongtal – though nothing conclusive or definitive. It was all speculation, rumor, and personal testimonials. But the common threads were enough. They sort of tied everything Quint had told me all together.

I didn't say that I necessarily believed in this creature – but I was open minded enough to not shut the door on the possibility. After all, I still had no explanation for the red light shooting out of their eyes I'd seen just before they died. I knew that wasn't a human thing. But my logical mind told me that I was simply seeing things that weren't there. That the situation was so traumatic and stressful that I'd hallucinated. The more I tried to convince myself of that though, the more I ended up not believing it.

Still what I'd seen – or thought I'd seen –wasn't enough for me to go on. I needed more proof. Moreover, I had no idea how to go about getting more because I didn't know how to make heads or tails of any of this.

I wanted to talk to Piper about it. Get a little perspective and some cold, hard logic. But I'd quickly rejected the idea simply because I didn't want her to think I'd gone nuts. I had nobody I could talk to about any of this. Except for Quint – and I wasn't going to do that.

The phone to the shop rang and I snatched it up, thankful to have a distraction, something to get my mind off of Quint, red-eyed demons, and everything else. I cleared my throat and put the phone to my ear.

“Thanks for calling The Attic, how can I help you?”

I was greeted by nothing more than silence on the other end of the line.

“Hello?”

I thought I heard something through that silence. It sounded like – breathing. Not the heavy breather type of prank call, just the sound of somebody sitting there with their own phone pressed to their ear, breathing normally into the receiver. I didn't know why, but that seemed a little more unnerving.

“Last chance,” I said.

Nothing but more of the breathing.

“No? Okay, take care.”

I hung up the phone quickly and felt the ominous finger of dread sliding its way up my spine. I had no reason to feel nervous about a simple prank call. After all, it was probably just some dumb kid dialing random numbers, trying to get a rise out of whoever answered.

I looked out the front windows, watching as the daylight was beginning to bleed out of the sky. The blanket of darkness was being pulled over the world as night started to replace day. I checked my watch and saw that it was four thirty.

“Close enough,” I said, deciding to knock off half an hour early.

I hustled around the shop, cleaning up and putting things away. I just felt the need to get out of there and get home before full dark fell. Although nothing had happened since that one night with Quint, I still wasn't keen on taking chances. Especially, when I didn't have a large man armed with silver daggers to keep an eye on me.

Finished with my end of day chores, I hustled out of the shop and locked up tight. I turned and walked quickly down the street. I wasn't going to stop anywhere – I'd order in tonight if nothing else. All I knew was that I needed to be home. Indoors. Away from everybody.

It was irrational and illogical, but that didn't make the fear that was coursing through me any less real.

Dusk was painting over the brightness of the afternoon, heralding the coming of the night. I cut through the park – the same park we'd been attacked in – and hurried down the path. Looking around, I saw that there was nobody else out there but me. Ordinarily, that didn't bother me. My shortcut home wasn't a high traffic area. But for whatever reason, I felt different about it. The lack of people, combined with the gloom of the early evening combined to feel sinister. Ominous.

All I knew was that I didn't want to be there anymore.

I re-settled my backpack onto my shoulders and had just picked up my pace just as I heard a high pitched keening noise coming from the foliage that lined the path on either side of me. My blood ran cold and a feeling like an electric jolt shot up my spine as half a dozen people stepped onto the path before me. I saw – or at least thought I saw – a flash of red in their eyes as they looked at me.

A woman stepped forward, a predatory grin on her face. “Hello, Astrid,” she said. “We've been waiting for you.”

Chapter Fifteen

Quint

It had been two weeks of sheer agony and torture for me. To be so close to Astrid, to see her, to catch her scent on the breeze – but to not be able to talk to her or touch her. To not be able to be in her presence – it was killing me.

But, she'd asked for me to stay away from her, so I respected her wishes – for the most part.

I knew the Shongtal would take another shot at her. Especially after meeting with the Keeper, I was positive that it was only a matter of time. They would likely try to let things cool down, put some distance between the last attack and the present. Then when everybody's guard seemed to be down, that's when they would strike. That was how they operated.

I knew it wouldn't be long before they tried to snatch her up again. Which was why I was keeping an eye on her. I followed her every day. She didn't see me and I'd managed to keep myself well hidden so she wouldn't know I was there, but I was never that far away from her.

I watched her from a distance as she left her shop. She was walking quickly with her head down, but I could tell that she was alert. She was watching everything around her, which was good. She needed to be vigilant with the Shongtal hunting her.

Astrid cut through the park – the same park we'd been attacked in – and was moving quickly. It was as if with the coming of night, she wanted to be off the street. Not that I blamed her. The night belonged to the monsters.

She was halfway through the park when I heard a high pitched keening sound. It took a moment for it to register, but when it did, I felt my heart speed up and adrenaline start pouring through me. I knew that sound and knew that nothing good was going to follow it.

As I watched her, Turo's words echoed in my head. Kill Astrid to deny the Shongtal a chance to destroy two worlds. One life balanced against billions. My blades weighed heavily on me. In my heart, I knew I couldn't do what Turo thought I should. What he wanted me to do. But in my head, it was a different story. In my head, I saw the logic. I saw that I had but two choices – the smart one, and the selfish one.

Which was I going to choose?

The high pitched keening sounded again and sure enough, up ahead, I saw half a dozen Shongtal in their human husks step onto the path, blocking Astrid's way. She stopped and even from where I was standing, I could see her tense and stiffen. I knew I needed to get to her quickly. Not just to protect her from the Shongtal, but to protect her from herself.

She was of the Lightning Clan, meaning she could summon lightning on a whim. Although, that wasn't without its drawbacks as well. She wasn't able to control her powers. That first night in the park was a prime example of that. She'd built up that store of energy within her, but rather than releasing it normally, she'd just let it all burst out of her at once.

She didn't realize it, but she'd almost killed herself by releasing that much energy all at once. As it was, she'd gone off like a nuclear bomb. She'd pretty well evaporated those unfortunate enough to be close to her – thankfully, it was only the Shongtal and not me. I was ten yards away, engaged with one of the husks when she blew and the force of that blast had hit me so hard, it had knocked me to the ground. Hard.

I needed to tell her to avoid doing that again. For her own sake. The last thing I wanted to see was Astrid exploding.

When the Shongtal fighters started advancing on her, Astrid began to walk backwards, trying to maintain the distance between them. I entered the park and was sliding my daggers out of their sheaths when they finally noticed me.

“Warden,” the woman who appeared to be the leader called to me. “Our quarrel is not with you. Leave now.”

“Not a chance,” I called back.

Astrid turned her head, her face was terrified, but when her eyes locked onto mine, I saw absolute relief flooding them. I moved quickly to her side and looked at her, trying to let her see just how serious what I was about to say was.

“Astrid,” I said. “Do not build up the energy within you. Don't let it build. And if it does anyway, don't release it. Hold on to it and let it dissipate within you.”

“H – how am I supposed to do that.”

“Sing a song,” I said. “Do something to distract yourself. Try to keep from getting excessively emotional. That's what triggers the energy build up. Stay as calm as you can.”

“Yeah, that's an easy assignment.”

“Try, Astrid,” I said. “You have to try or you could kill us both. Just stay calm and focused.”

She nodded, though I could see her body trembling. She was scared and would likely only grow more terrified. Which meant that I needed to end this fight quickly. And that meant breaking a couple of rules.

The six Shongtal were nearly upon us, so I turned, brandishing my long, curved daggers. I darted forward and swung my first blade, which the man deflected with his sword. He didn't see the second blade coming until it was too late. It bit deep into his chest and I sunk it hilt-deep. His eyes flared red and the husk fell limply to the ground.

I felt the next two coming up behind me before I ever saw them. I built up a small dose of my power within me and turned to face them, opening my mouth and launching a stream of fire that engulfed the both of them. They screamed and ran around, trying to beat the flames off themselves. I turned quickly and got my blade up just in time to deflect a blow from a sword that would have taken my head clean off my shoulders.

The man was big, strong, and he had leverage on me. I grunted with the effort of trying to keep his blade from cutting into my neck. He grinned, showing me a mouthful of rotten teeth. I opened my own mouth and spit a fireball straight into his face. He dropped his sword, the steel ringing out against the stone path as he clutched his face, screaming in agony.

Four down, two to go. The fifth man rushed me with a sword in each hand. He had a maniacal look in his eyes as he just started hacking and slashing with his blades. He'd obviously had no training and was just hoping to overwhelm me with the amount of times he swung at me. I easily deflected his swings and waited for him to tire, to slow. Waiting for my opening.

It didn't take long. With his breathing labored, he got sloppy with his swing, opening up a huge gap in his defenses. I moved quickly to exploit it, driving the point of my blade into his throat. His eyes grew wide and a wet, gurgling sound escaped his lips. The husk's eyes flared red and I pushed the corpse backward, where it hit the ground with a meaty thump.

I turned to face the last one – the woman who acted as if she was bored with the whole thing. She just shook her head and smirked at me.

“You're not going to be able to protect her forever, Warden.”

“Watch me.”

The woman turned and loped off into the darkness, not willing to roll the dice on her own life in a straight up fight with me. I turned back to Astrid. She was trembling, with tears streaming down her face, but overall, she was holding herself together pretty well. Which was a good thing.

She threw herself into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck and embracing me tightly. She sobbed into my shoulder, her body spasming with the release of all that fear and tension. I stroked her hair.

“It's okay,” I said. “You're okay, Astrid. I've got you. You're safe now.”

She clung to me tightly and I hugged her back just as fiercely. After a moment, she peered up at me through her tears. She looked positively terrified.

“Quint – I saw fire,” she whispered. “You spit fire.”

I pulled her close to me again, relishing the feel of her body pressed to mine. I was in a sticky situation. She'd seen my true nature. She'd seen what she was never supposed to see. And there was no real way to explain it away. I was going to have to tell her something. But what?

“It's okay, Astrid,” I said. “It's been a tough evening. We'll talk about everything later. I'll explain it all to you. I swear it.”

Her grip on me tightened and she rested her head against my shoulder, her body still trembling.

“You saved me,” she said softly. “Again. After I treated you so horribly.”

“Always,” I said. “I want to take you someplace safe. Will you come with me?”

She looked into my eyes, relief and gratitude etched upon her face.

“Yes,” she said. “I will.”

Chapter Sixteen

Astrid

Someplace safe meant Quint's apartment. Of course. After being attacked again though, I had no issue with going there. Not if he really thought he could keep me safe. We rode the elevator up in silence, I was still too stunned to speak. Then the doors opened and I looked at the night beyond his wall of windows – looked at the darkness pressing close and felt myself shiver. I knew what was out there and it scared the hell out of me.

“You've been watching me,” I said.

He nodded. “I wanted to give you the space you asked for,” he said. “But I also wanted to ensure that you were safe.”

“Thank you, Quint,” I said, gratitude flooding my body. “You save my life again.”

“We are beginning to make a habit out of that, aren't we?”

I laughed in spite of myself. “Yes, we are,” I said. “Listen, about the last time we were together –”

He raised a hand. “You don't need to say anything, Astrid. You've been thrown into this strange world you never knew existed. Of course, you're going to freak out a little bit. Who wouldn't? The important thing is that we keep you safe. That we keep the Shongtal away from you.”

I nodded. “But won't they keep coming for me?”

He sighed and avoided my eyes. “We're going to take this one day at a time,” he said. “You must be exhausted. Let me show you to one of the guest rooms.”

I was feeling pretty wrung out, but surprisingly, not exhausted. In fact, there was a warm energy coursing through my body and I was feeling a familiar heat burning between my thighs. Maybe, it was the adrenaline rush from the attack and seeing death knocking on my door. Perhaps, it was being close to Quint again after having been separated for the last couple of weeks. I didn't know and didn't care. It was irrelevant. There was a burning desire in me, a fiery need, and I was going to sate it.

When Quint showed me into the guest room, I turned and planted a long, deep kiss onto him.

He pulled back, looking at me in surprise and I saw the question in his eyes.

“Yes, I really want this,” I whispered.

Quint pushed me up against the wall with such force, I feared we might bust through to the other side. He kissed me, long and hard. I felt his erection through his pants, felt him pressing against me. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my legs around his waist and have him take me right there, against the wall.

I burned with need and desire and just wanted – needed – him inside of me.

I fumbled with his pants, failing to unbutton them as Quint kissed down the length of my neck, sending chills down my spine. His hands slid down my back, squeezing my ass as he continued to plant soft kisses along my neck.

When I failed, yet again, to get his pants down, he grabbed both of my hands in just one of his, pinning them against the wall above my head. He smiled at me – the smile of a man who was enjoying being in control.

He easily slipped my skirt down with one hand, smirking as it fell to the floor at my feet.

“You have it easier than I do,” I teased.

Quint didn't argue with me about that. In fact, he didn't say another word. Instead, he dropped down to his knees in front of me and pressed that delicious mouth of his against my most intimate parts. His tongue roamed and explored every bit of flesh between my thighs, sending shockwaves of pleasure crashing through me. My body tightened as he slid his tongue inside of me, cupping my ass and pulling me closer to him.

“Oh God,” I muttered breathlessly, as he pressed his tongue between my lips, circling it around and licking to his heart's content. “You almost seem to be enjoying this as much as I am.”

“I am,” he said, looking up at me for a split second before lowering his head and getting back to work.

With my head against the wall, I watched as Quint seemed to savor every second of going down on me –his tongue was magical. The way he used his fingers and his tongue, had me moaning his name in no time flat. My hands were in his hair, pressing him into me as I reached the precipice. As if sensing I was there, he plunged his tongue deep inside of me, pushing me over the edge. I cried out as I came hard. Quint held me up as he continued licking, making the powerful waves of my orgasm last even longer than normal. My eyes rolled back in my head as I called his name – I was in heaven.

Quint smiled and seemed to be content to keep doing what he was doing for as long as I wanted. But I wanted more of him. Pulling him up to standing, I kissed him and tasted myself on his lips. This time, he helped me remove his pants as we backed up toward the edge of the bed.

He dropped the pants and fell backward, taking me with him. I straddled him, pressing myself against him as he moved toward me, sealing our bodies in one, delightful thrust.

“Oh Quint...” I groaned, rocking back and forth on top of him.

He strained a bit as he sat up and he kissed me as we made love, savoring every movement as our bodies moved and flowed to their own rhythm. I put my hands on his chest, relishing the feel of the hard angles and planes of his sculpted body. I marveled at how warm his skin was – as if it burned with an inner fire.

Quint slipped my shirt off over my head and took my breasts into his hands, seeming to marvel at them as he gently massaged my nipples through my bra, a look of absolute hunger in his eyes.

“Yes, yes, yes,” I said, biting my lip as I ground against him harder, taking him even deeper inside of me than ever before – which drew a gasp from me. “You just feel so good.”

“You feel amazing, Astrid,” he said, his jaw clenched tight as he slid his hands down my body, gripping my hips, helping me move on top of him.

I felt a warmth take over my body, as my head fell forward, my hair cascading down over his chest, and every muscle in my body tightened up. He thrust upward, plunging himself even deeper into me. The rush of sensation was overwhelming and I bit down hard on his chest, to stop myself from screaming as the pleasure took hold of me, making me thrash wildly on top of him.

Quint held onto me, keeping me in place, as I came, hard – again. As my body shuddered and I writhed on top of him, his cock sheathed deep inside of me. As my body was buffeted by wave after wave of pleasure, I could tell my own orgasm was bringing on Quint's as well. He gritted his teeth, but his breathing was getting heavier, his thrusts more determined and desperate.

“Yes, Quint, yes,” I said, grinding into him.

Clenching myself down around the length and girth of him, I looked into his eyes as he let out an animalistic groan, and I knew in that moment, that I'd pushed him over that edge of bliss.

There was nothing so beautiful as the look in your lover's eyes as they climax with you, and my eyes fixed on his face as he buried himself deep inside of me one last time. I felt him throbbing and pulsing, filling me up with his hot, wet seed.

Eventually, our waves of orgasm subsided and our breathing – as well as our heart rates – returned to normal. My body still tingled though, with the memory of having had him so deep inside of me. Of the magical things he'd done with his tongue and fingers.

“That was amazing,” he said as I collapsed on top of him.

“Yes, yes it was.”

I couldn't deny it – it was easily the best sex I'd ever had.

Quint pushed the hair back from my face and kissed me, holding my face in his hands, stroking my cheeks in the gentlest way possible.

“You are special, Astrid,” he said. “You know that, right?”

I grinned at him ruefully. “Those creatures – the Shongtal – certainly seem to think so.”

He chuckled grimly. “It's more than that. There's just something about you,” he said. “I wish I could make you see and believe that.”

Quint ran his hands through my hair and leaned forward, kissing the top of my head.

“I'm not going to let anything hurt you,” he said. “Ever. You're mine and I'm yours.”

“That sounds nice,” I said. “Really, really nice.”

Chapter Seventeen

“I know it's a lot to take in, but I know what I'm saying is right,” he asked, propping himself up on his elbow as he looked at me. “I've done a lot of research over the last couple of weeks and it explains everything.”

We were in his bed, lying together naked, enjoying the afterglow of some really good, really intense sex, and he brought up the topic of my past. It was uncomfortable and awkward timing, to say the least.

“I don't know what to believe,” I said, drawing circles on his chest with my finger, mainly to avoid looking him in the eye. “It's all a bit overwhelming.”

He took my hand, brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently. “I understand, Astrid. I'm only trying to protect you. And I think one of the best ways to do that is to tell you everything.”

“I know you're protecting me,” I said. “And I appreciate it. But everything else you just told me – I don't know what to do with it.”

Quint told me the reason the Shongtal were after me was because I was a child of prophecy. A child born of two worlds – humankind, of course, and something else called the Dragonborn. He'd said that my father was born of a clan that could harness the power of lightning – and that the bright white light that had apparently knocked me out the last time the Shongtal tried to grab me, had come from inside of me. From the powers my father had passed on to me.

He knew I'd been adopted though I never told him and he'd said that I was originally born in Chicago. According to his story, the night I was born, the Shongtal showed up to claim me. My father fought them, but both he and my mother died in the attack. They'd ensured my survival by sending me away with a friend who'd birthed me.

It was true that my adoptive mother was named Chelsea. I never knew my real parents – she never spoke of them. But that didn't exactly prove anything. It certainly didn't prove that I was some child of prophecy who had magic powers or could call down lightning.

How was I supposed to believe that? How was I supposed to believe any of it? Yeah, there was a lot I couldn't explain. A lot I wasn't sure really had an explanation. But that didn't mean I was what Quint thought I was.

I wasn't special. I never had been. There was absolutely nothing remarkable about me. Which was why at twenty-three years old, I'd had exactly one serious boyfriend. I'd just never fit in with people. I was always the outsider. The black sheep.

“The reason you felt like you never fit in your whole life,” Quint said as if reading my mind, “was because you didn't. Not really. You're human, yeah. But you're also something else. Something more.”

I looked at him, my head spinning. “What then?” I asked. “What am I?”

“You're – different,” he replied. “It's why the Shongtal want you. And it also explains that instant connection you and I felt – because we've got a lot more in common than just a love of reading.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “Yeah, because that's not vague or anything.”

He looked at me, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Here, I want to show you something.”

He sat up and moved to the edge of the bed before standing up. He walked over to his closet – or rather, into his massive closet – and pulled out a box from a shelf inside. But the entire time he was doing that, all I could do was stare at his toned, tight ass. Because there was no two ways about it, he had an amazing body and I found it hard not to stare at him – especially when he was in the nude.

I giggled to myself. Just a few weeks ago, I was a shy, quiet wallflower type. And now, I was some sex maniac or something. Piper had told me I'd changed, but I didn't understand it. I didn't know when the shift in me had happened, or what the shift was, but I felt different. I felt bolder, more confident. I had to say, I liked the change for the most part.

He came back over to the bed and sat down, giving me an inscrutable look. Quint placed a book down between us and I could tell just by looking at that it was old. Very old. The cover appeared to be made of a soft wood and was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. The writing was done in a beautiful, ornate calligraphy that I wasn't able to read.

“What is this?” I asked.

“Being that you're a history buff and someone who loves books,” he said, “I figured you'd appreciate this.”

He opened the book and flipped through a few pages that still looked to be in good shape – considering the obvious age of the book.

“Here,” he said. “Read this.”

I scanned the page, reading what sounded like a really good fantasy novel. It was a story about how there would be a child born of two worlds -- both Dragonborn and human. And that child, had the potential to alter the two worlds forever. A smaller passage spoke about this child's potential to close the Dragon Doors, as well as a few other things that made no sense to me.

It was crazy to even consider, given that dragons didn't really exist – that much I knew.

“Just because it's written down in a book doesn't make it true,” I said.

“Keep reading,” he said.

I read more, and they described the child's powers – and much of it described what I'd been experiencing as of late. The rest of it, well, the rest of it sounded way too ridiculous to be true.

“Come on, Quint,” I said and giggled. “Do you really expect me to believe that dragons really exist? And that I'm part dragon? Why couldn't I have been part unicorn? I mean, at least then I would have been pretty and sparkly.”

Quint took my hand, didn't say a word as he got me to my feet and led me out of the bedroom.

“You have to promise me something, Astrid,” he said, his voice serious. “If I show you what I'm about to show you, you won't freak out. You won't say anything to anybody. Ever. I'm serious, not a word. Not even to Piper.”

“I won't freak out, silly,” I said, shaking my head. But Quint looked serious. Too serious. “Fine. I promise. And I swear I won't breathe a word of this even to Piper.”

He looked at me and nodded to himself as he opened his patio door and stepped outside. The cool, night breeze filtered inside, as I joined him on the patio. It was a private patio, so no one could see us, or else I might have thought twice about stepping outside completely in the buff. But honestly, it felt nice and freeing to be outside like that – especially with Quint.

“You might want to step back inside for this,” he said.

“Why?”

“Because there's not much room out here,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Not much room for what –”

He shot me a look that said I was asking too many questions, so I did as I was told and stepped back inside the apartment to wait for – whatever he was going to show me.

Then, right before my eyes, I watched as Quint transformed into – something large. Something large and red, with scales, claws, a long tail and wings. I didn't know what I was seeing at first. I couldn't put a name to it. My mind couldn't rationalize what I was looking at, so I just stared, mouth wide open, as I found myself backing away slowly.

“You're a –”

For someone who loved reading as much as I did, who lost herself in worlds of fantasy and science fiction, I couldn't bring myself to say the word. I couldn't find the right word to describe what I was looking at. Beings like that didn't exist, they were fictional. They were fantasy. Nothing more.

But there we were, in reality. And the large, red dragon craned its long neck down to stare me in the eyes. In its eyes, I could still see Quint – but he was a dragon.

Quint changed back into his human form, rushing over to me as I sat down on the couch in his living room, nearly fainting of shock.

“What in the –” I stammered. “How in the –”

“I am Dragonborn,” he said as if that explained everything. “That book I showed you – that's part of my legacy. And part of yours too.”

“Mine? How?” I asked. “I can't turn into – what you just turned into. How is it part of my legacy?”

“Because your father was Dragonborn. Like me,” he said. “Except, he was of the Lightning Clan. That's why your gift is the ability to harness the power of lightning.”

I looked at him, my stomach twisting in knots and my eyes growing wide. “You spit fire at those Shongtal,” I said. “So, that means –”

“That I am of the Fire Clan, yes,” he said. “Each clan has their own special powers and attributes.”

I sat back, stunned. Trying to wrap my head around what I'd just seen. The world as I knew it was – well – not the world as I knew it. Creatures from fantasy novels walked the Earth – and were hunting me.

“I just – I –”

“It's overwhelming, I know,” he said. “But time is running short and I need to know if you're ready to learn how to use your powers? Because I can show you. I can help you, Astrid, if you let me. If you don't learn to channel your power properly, you could kill yourself. But if you do learn to channel it properly, you might just be able to get the Shongtal to leave you alone forever.”

“How?” I asked, hope blossoming within my chest.

“Let me show you,” he said, giving me a lopsided grin.

Chapter Eighteen

Quint

I'd been training Astrid for a month and she'd taken to it easily. There was still a lot of nuance and finer points we needed to work out, but overall, she was doing really well. The biggest lesson – and the one that eased the burden on my mind – was that she'd finally learned to call up her power without running the risk of turning herself into a human time bomb.

Every once in a while, she had a flare-up of disbelief and would go crazy for a little while, but in the end, she always came back around. She couldn't deny the things I was showing her – the things she was doing.

No, Astrid was different from most all other people. Slowly, but surely, she was beginning to accept that. It wasn't going to be sunshine and roses every day. I knew there would be days where she had a complete meltdown about one thing or the other.

But, it came with the territory. Eventually, we'd be able to smooth out all the rough spots and let her be the person she was meant to be.

It had been a month and there hadn't been another sign of the Shongtal. They were obviously laying low and doing everything they could to avoid attracting notice.

Truth be told, the quiet made me nervous. I knew they were out there, planning and plotting. But I had no idea what they were up to. Were they going to try to make another grab at Astrid? Smart money said yes, but when and where?

I walked around my apartment, unable to shake the feeling that something wasn't right. I looked at the clock and saw that it was nearing five. With this feeling making my gut churn, I wasn't going to let Astrid be alone.

I pulled out my phone and shot her a text message telling her that I'd be by to pick her up and to not leave her shop for anything. She sent a reply a minute later letting me know that she'd gotten my message and would be waiting.

“Zyn,” I called to the man standing beside the elevator. “Go grab the car, please. We need to go retrieve Astrid.”

The large man nodded and took the elevator down to the garage. A few minutes later, I was in the car heading for her, that feeling of foreboding only growing within me. I had no idea what it was, but I just had the feeling that the Shongtal were going to make themselves known once more.

As the car made its way through the streets, I racked my brain, trying to figure out what the Shongtal were up to. With a feeling in my gut this strong, I had to believe that something was about to happen. And given their obsession with Astrid and sealing the Doors, I had to believe it had something to do with her.

Zyn pulled to the curb outside of Astrid's store and I jumped out, scanning the street around us but seeing nothing and nobody. But that feeling in my gut persisted. Astrid came out and I escorted her to the car, putting her in first before climbing in after her.

She looked at me and smiled. “You seem tense,” she said. “Everything okay?”

“Just concerned,” I said. “It's been a month and we've heard or seen nothing from the Shongtal.”

“Shouldn't we consider that a win?”

“I wish it were that simple with them,” I said. “When they're this quiet, it usually means they've got something in the works.”

Astrid flashed me that smile that usually melted my heart. But I was still a little too tense and on edge. She took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before bringing it to her mouth and placing a soft kiss on the back.

“Ever think that maybe you're just being a little paranoid?” she asked.

Honestly, I didn't think I could ever be too paranoid or cautious when it came to dealing with the Shongtal. Especially not when there was so much hanging in the balance – Astrid's life, the fate of Chondelai, as well as the world of man. It was my job as the Warden of this area to be vigilant at all times.

“It's a beautiful night,” she said. “How about we go out for a drive and have a little fun. We've been on lockdown for weeks now and I'd love to have just a night out.”

Zyn looked at me in the rear-view, waiting for my decision. I looked over at her and smiled. It probably wasn't a good thing, but I found that I couldn't deny Astrid anything. Besides, getting out for a bit might help clear my head. Help me focus, perhaps.

“Zyn,” I said. “Let's go out to Santa Monica.”

He nodded and started the car, pulling away from the curb, and zipped off into traffic. Astrid squeezed my hand and squealed. It took us about half an hour, before the lights of the pier came into view. Zyn dropped us off and went to look for a spot where he could wait for us to call him to be picked up.

Hand-in-hand, Astrid and I walked through the crowds on the pier. The cool ocean air was refreshing and filled with the sound of laughter – not to mention a thousand different foods. We stopped at a stand selling Churros and I ordered a couple, handing one over to her.

We snacked and talked as we strolled along the pier. On a silly whim, we rode the roller coaster and played a few carnival-type games. I had to admit, it was a fun evening and by the time we were walking back out to the street, my belly was full and I was feeling slightly better about things.

As usual, traffic on the street was thick and I knew it would take Zyn forever to get to us. So, I pulled out my phone and shot him a text message, asking where he'd parked. His reply came a minute later, letting me know that he was a couple of blocks over in a lot behind a hotel.

Astrid and I made our way along the street and I spotted the hotel Zyn had directed me to. It was under construction and was currently abandoned. The sign announced some shiny new upgrades to the facilities were less than a year away.

We walked around to the parking lot at back of the building and immediately the warning bells in my head started to sound. I looked over at Astrid and saw that she too, was feeling what I was feeling.

“So much for paranoia,” I said quietly.

The lights in the parking lot had been broken and the area was dim and gloomy. Only the ambient lights from the city and the moon above lit our way. We got to the car and I opened the door. Zyn's limp, lifeless body spilled out onto the pavement with a meaty thud.

“Great,” I muttered.

“Warden,” came a voice from the darkness.

I turned toward the sound of the voice, using my body to shield Astrid. Coming out of the gloom was a tall man with a shaved head and a long, bushy goatee. He was muscle bound and had an imposing air about him. Behind him came half a dozen more husks in support. But it was clear that the big man was the leader of the group.

They stopped about fifteen feet from us, their faces angry and full of bad intentions. Behind them in the dark, I saw dozens of pairs of glittering silver eyes – Shongtal who were not in a husk. It was curious why husk-less demons would be in attendance. But I could deal with them just as effectively as those who were walking and talking in human shells.

“And you are?” I called.

“My name is Poa,” he said. “And you have something that belongs to me.”

“I do? And what might that be?”

“The girl,” he said. “She belongs to me.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Belongs to you? How do you figure that?”

“I claimed her,” he said simply.

“Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to get used to disappointment.”

“There's something different about him,” Astrid whispered from behind me. “He's not normal.”

I looked closer, extending my senses out. She was right, there was something different about Poa, but I didn't know what it was exactly. He was Shongtal, that I could see clearly enough. But was he somehow more than that? And if so, what?

“Hand her over, Warden,” Poa said.

“That's not going to happen.”

“So be it.”

The six husks behind him rushed me at once. I summoned the fire within me and released a thick column, which temporarily kept them at bay.

“Get behind the car,” I hissed at Astrid. “And remember what you've learned if it comes to that.”

She ducked down behind the rear of the car as I withdrew my curved daggers. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I watched the six husks coming at me. It probably wasn't a good thing, but I did enjoy a good fight. I enjoyed a challenge. And six on one was a pretty good challenge.

I darted forward, my blades a whirling blur. I'd cut through the first husk and had gotten behind the other five before they even knew what happened. They pivoted as a group and charged at me again. I waited until they got in close before dropping down and sweeping the legs out from two of them. They hit the pavement with a grunt and I was on them, quickly driving the point of my dagger into their hearts and just as quickly dancing away.

Red light flared from the eyes of the two corpses and then they went dark forever.

“Three down, Poa,” I grinned. “You guys really don't train very well do you.”

Poa looked at me with the same hatred in his eyes he had when he'd first walked up. The guy's expression never changed. If he was upset about me cutting through his foot soldiers, he didn't show it. He simply stood there, taking in the action without any sort of reaction to it whatsoever.

The remaining three husks circled me, the edges of their swords glinting in what little light the night had to offer. One darted in, but it was just a feint, trying to draw my attention from the second one sweeping in from behind. I dropped to a knee a split second before a heavy broadsword cut through the air my head had just been occupying. Getting to my feet quickly, I plunged both daggers into the husk and yanked them back out again, keeping a wary eye on the two who were still circling me.

“You know this won't end well for either one of you, don't you?” I asked.

Neither of them said anything, but I saw them exchange a brief look. They were nervous – and with good reason. They'd just seen me cut down four of their own without breaking a sweat. They were the last two left standing.

“Enough!”

Poa's voice echoed around the darkened, vacant lot. When I looked over at him, I saw his face was contorted into a mask of pure rage. His eyes glowed red – something I'd never seen from a Shongtal before. At least, not until they were dying.

The two who'd been circling me backed away as Poa stepped forward. A malevolent energy seemed to crackle off him as he moved and the air was saturated with the promise of violence and bloodshed.

“You carry no blade,” I said.

“I don't need one.”

Poa raised his hand and pointed a finger at me. A bolt of blue energy shot out of that finger and hit me square in the chest with the force of a truck hitting me. I was blown backward and hit the ground with a pained grunt, the breath being driven from my lungs.

I started to rise, only to be hit with another bolt of that energy. I gritted my teeth and let out an animalistic growl as the pain tore through my body. I tried to shift into my dragon form but found that I was somehow blocked from doing so. Maybe the pain – maybe the shaft of energy shooting out from Poa's finger. I didn't know.

All I knew was that I was stuck in human form and I was being roasted alive. My body felt like it was being torn in two and despite my best efforts not to, I cried out in pain. Poa took a step closer, a malevolent smile on his face. I had no idea where this was coming from or how he'd acquired the power to do what he was doing. The Shongtal never had that ability before.

I growled again in agony. I didn't know how much more I could take. I felt like my insides were literally being roasted.

“Stop!”

Poa stopped and turned at the sound of Astrid's voice. I rolled onto my side, writhing in agony and looked to her.

“Run, Astrid,” I wheezed. “Run.”

Poa looked over his shoulder at me and gave me a predatory grin. He raised his hand again, preparing to continue his torment when a ball of blue white energy struck him in the chest. He flew backwards ten feet and hit the fencing that surrounded the building under construction. Bouncing off it, he fell face first onto the pavement and stayed still for a moment.

I was beginning to wonder if he was dead when he stirred and started to rise. I tried to get up, but couldn't. My arms and legs refused to cooperate with me. I was a useless lump of meat on the ground.

“Run, Astrid,” I called again through gritted teeth, my voice hoarse. “Run.”

She looked at me, terror for me in her eyes. “No,” she said firmly. “This ends right now.”

Poa was back on his feet, his eyes glowing red and a smoking hole in his chest. I hadn't taught Astrid how to throw lightning balls – that was outside my area of expertise – but somehow, she'd managed it. To great effect.

Poa grunted and took a step forward and started to raise his hand. I feared for Astrid. She'd never been in a fight before, let alone a life and death struggle. The only thing she had going for her was that they wouldn't kill her. Couldn't kill her. They needed her alive – at least, for now.

I was transfixed by Poa, watching the hulking man lurch toward her. It was only when I heard Astrid scream that I realized the danger she was in. The two husks that had backed off when Poa engaged me had come back – and they were holding Astrid by the arms.

“No!” I shouted as loudly as I could.

Poa kicked me in the face as he walked by, rocking my head backward so hard, I thought my neck might break. Darkness was creeping in at the edge of my vision, but I fought to stay conscious. The two husks were still holding her, but Astrid was putting up quite the fight.

But then Poa was standing before her. He reached up and stroked her hair gently – almost lovingly. And I saw her shudder. She turned her eyes to him and spit in his face. Poa laughed and grabbed her by the throat, nearly lifting her off the ground.

I heard Astrid scream – but not in pain. It was in rage. The next thing I knew, a bubble of bright, blue and white light surrounded them all. The glare was so intense, I had to shield my eyes. And when that bubble of light and energy broke, it sounded like a violent clap of thunder.

My heart was in my throat and my stomach was in knots. Because of the glare, I was having trouble seeing at all. I had no idea what had happened within that sphere of light. No idea what had happened when it burst. I feared that Astrid had forgotten how to keep herself from exploding with energy. Feared that she was gone. Forever.

But when my eyes finally adjusted, relief flooded my body. Standing there – alone – was Astrid. She was looking at her hands, a perplexed look on her face. And when she looked at me, she cocked her head as if she were confused by what had just happened. And maybe she was.

Poa and the two Shongtal fighters were gone. At her feet on the pavement were nothing more than piles of ash. I couldn't believe my eyes. Couldn't believe what I was seeing. But somehow, Astrid had used the abilities she had to – vaporize – the three of them.

She rushed over to me and fell to her knees, concern etched into her features.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice near to panic.

“I'm alive,” I groaned. “I'll heal. I just need time to rest.”

She planted a soft kiss on my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. I saw fear in her eyes, though I wasn't sure what was scaring her at the moment – the violent and destructive abilities she possessed perhaps?

“How did you do that?” I asked softly. “How did you – you know.”

She shook her head. “I don't know. I really don't know,” she whispered. “I guess there's a lot I still have to learn.”

I grimaced in pain as I sat up and looked deeply into her eyes, doing my best to give her a gentle smile. “We'll do it together.”

Chapter Nineteen

Astrid

“I've never seen a place more beautiful,” I said, staring out at the soaring snow-capped mountains that surrounded the small valley we were in.

The grass underneath my feet was soft and dewy – it felt wonderful against my skin. I'd taken off my shoes to feel it against my feet. And as the cool air brushed my face and the soft grass tickled my feet, I couldn't imagine anywhere else I'd rather be.

After the battle in Santa Monica – and after Quint had healed – we decided to take a little time away. A little time for us. The trouble was, we didn't know where to go. At least, not until Quint had suggested that he show me around Chondelai. It was, as he said, the home of my ancestors and I should get to know it.

I had never been gladder for anything in my life. The people were amazing and the land was astonishing.

“It's not nearly as beautiful as you,” Quint said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

I held onto his hands as he nuzzled my neck and I was smiling as we shared in the moment together. I was so happy to be there, to be with him.

Quint kissed the side of my neck, making me shudder against him. I felt him hard and turned on already, pressing against my backside. Feeling that, all I could do was wiggle backward a bit, rubbing my ass against him – taunting him ever so slightly. I knew that he wanted me – and there was no question that I wanted him as well. But the location, I thought, might prove to be a little problematic.

“Here?” I asked, laughing as I turned around to face him.

“Why not?” he said. “Not like there's anyone else around.”

He was right about that. The field was wide open and empty – it went for miles and miles. And besides, it really was a romantic setting. I certainly couldn't have imagined a more perfect place to make love – but I'd also never had an opportunity like that before.

Before I could agree or object, Quint kissed me, literally stealing my breath away from me. Our bodies were pressed together as our tongues danced and swirled around one another. He took me in his arms and gently laid me down on the soft earth beneath us.

With him on top of me, I felt every inch of him growing harder by the second, but he didn't rush things – he savored every minute we had together. He continued kissing down my neck, to my collarbone, and then to my cleavage that was poking out from my shirt. I felt that fire between my thighs spring to life as he kissed and licked at my skin gently, yet urgently.

He looked into my eyes as he slipped my shirt off and tossed it into the grass behind us. He smiled and then took one of my nipples into his mouth, drawing a gasp from me as he started to suck ever so gently.

“Oh Quint,” I murmured, wrapping my legs around his waist and using the momentum to pull myself upward, to feel him pressing against my opening.

I ground against him, feeling how hard he was pressed against me. I was growing hotter and wetter as we ground ourselves against one another and that burning need erupted within my breast. I would have taken him inside of me in that moment except for the fact that we both still had clothes on, keeping our bodies apart.

But Quint didn't let that stop him. He pushed my skirt a bit and slid his hand up my soft thighs. The sensation of his fingertips on my skin sent shivers throughout my body. But it was nothing compared to the way he looked me in the eye as he rubbed me through my panties.

I thought I might orgasm right then and there.

“You're such a tease,” I said, breathless and eager for him to be inside of me again.

“I love making you squirm,” he said. “And making you beg for it.”

“Please, Quint,” I said, writhing underneath him. “Please. I want you. I need you. Now.”

“Yes, that's it,” he purred.

He slid my panties down my thighs and pulled them off completely, tossing them in the general direction he'd tossed my shirt. With me completely bare down there, he touched me, teasing my opening. He was making me burn hotter and hotter, driving me crazy with need. He kept teasing me with his fingertips until I was literally crying out for him.

And when he finally removed his pants and positioned himself above me, I was more than ready for him. I arched myself upward, taking him inside of me bit by bit. We both groaned as our bodies slowly united, ripples of pleasure spreading out through both of us. I groaned and murmured his name as he stretched me open and then thrust forward, filling me up completely.

This was beyond any of my fantasies, so outside the realm of reality for me. There I was, making love to a Dragonborn man in a field of green grass, with the sun shining down on us, surrounded by the most picturesque mountains and forests I'd ever seen in my life.

Two or three months ago, if somebody would have told me that's where I would be, I would have laughed in their faces. And yet, there I was. And I was enjoying every damn minute – not to mention inch – of it.

I looked up at Quint and was struck again by how gorgeous and sexy he was. I couldn't even handle it. Seeing him above me, feeling him moving inside of me, thrusting his hips in a sensual rhythm as he drove himself into me was beyond incredible. Being able to kiss those succulent lips of his, and knowing he was all mine – it was the epitome of bliss for me. It was something I never would have anticipated coming in my life. Ever.

Quint groaned as his thrusting took on an urgency and desperation that told me he was close. And the more he moved inside of me, the closer he brought me to that brink as well. Closer and closer to the precipice we moved. I arched my back and wrapped my legs tighter around his waist, trying to take him even deeper as I squeezed him with my muscles. He gasped and stuttered for a moment, but picked up the rhythm again quickly.

I dug my nails into his shoulders as that wave of pleasure broke inside of me and an orgasm that was intense and powerful rocked my body. My body spasmed and I cried out as I came and Quint made sure to make every second of my pleasure last.

Staring into his eyes as he continued to kiss me while he drove himself inside of me over and over again, I came more than once. We stared into one another's eyes as our bodies moved in perfect harmony, so much unspoken communication passing between us.

His breathing became a little more ragged and his eyes took on that glassy sheen that told me he was edging closer. I grabbed him by the ass and urged him to go harder and faster. He drove himself into me with abandon, plunging into my depths with a zeal that sent shockwaves of sensation coursing through me.

He brought me to the brink once more and just as I toppled over it, Quint joined me. Our bodies spasmed together and we cried out, our voices echoing through the valley around us. I came with an intensity that was insane – aided by the fact that I felt Quint's hot seed pumping deep into me.

Slowly, our orgasms subsided and we were left, staring into one another's eyes, wide smiles on both of our faces. He leaned down and kissed me gently and I raised myself up a bit, wrapping him up in a tight embrace.

Not too long ago, Quint had said that I was his and he was mine. I'd told him that it sounded really good to me – but what I'd meant was that it sounded like the ideal way to spend my life. With him. Together.

And I was looking forward to every moment of it.

THE END

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