Volos knocked on his brother’s door, poking his head through as Attor walked out from the shower. V had already cleaned up, seen his American visitors off on their return journey when Payton received a call that brought a new worry into an already full house.

“That was the single most disturbing thing I’ve ever witnessed.” Attor rubbed the towel on his hair. “Four showers later and I’m still feeling gag-worthy.” Throwing the towel at the mirror where it hung on the edge perfectly he continued, “We’ve both seen some evil shit in our battles, but that?” He looked directly at his brother, who was still visibly shaken by the recent events. “That was a new low. I was looking for a tracking device. I thought from the start that it was a strong possibility,” Attor lowered his voice. “But a bomb?” The shake started at his head and traveled down his body as he physically reacted to what he’d witnessed.

“Agreed, brother, the phoenix have sunk lower than I ever thought—” V started to say when he was interrupted.

“Exactly,” Attor’s word was loud enough to echo around his room. “Q isn’t fucking around, it’s time we didn’t either.”

V nodded. “We have another problem,” he said. “And by we, I actually mean you.”

Raising his head to look at his brother, his brow creased with curiosity at what problem he could have that would be important enough to interrupt a dragon being blown up in their hallway.

“Payton received a call from Kylee. It appears that Taryn’s life is in danger.”

Attor’s breath froze mid-way up his throat. “In danger?”

“I don’t know the details,” V said. “The girls are beside themselves with panic. This, of course, leaves us with a choice… well, no, specifically you with a choice.” V walked further into the room and leaned his back against the wall. “Fate chose this woman as your mate. This will only happen once in any dragon’s lifetime. For some, it never happens, so it’s not something to ever take lightly.”

“The timing though?” Attor said.

A small snort escaped V’s chest. “Agreed. The timing could have been better, but it is what it is. Fate has planted the seed, it’s up to you to provide the environment for a flower to grow.”

“What’s the choice?” he asked of V.

“As I see it, and once again, I don’t know the details of her problem. However, she obviously needs protection of some sort, I assume you would like it to be you providing that protection?” V looked at Attor who nodded firmly. “As I would do the same brother, and have if you remember?” Another nod of understanding from Attor as Volos continued, “The clan is in need of all its dragon warriors, so…” V shrugged. “You will have to bring her to you.” Holding his hand up to silence Attor’s quickly opening mouth. “You can’t provide protection to her and the clan from the surface. But from the Nest? You can. I can’t see any other way.”

Attor shook his head. “V, she wouldn’t even say yes to a date. If I go all dragon on her, she is likely to do worse than king hit my balls next time.”

“Next time?” V tilted his head.

“Don’t ask. Let’s just say she’s not a woman who appreciates surprise greetings.” Attor winced as he tenderly adjusted his jeans. “I am not sure lil’T will ever be the same again.”

“Ouch,” V grimaced in sympathy. “There’s not much of an option here. You could stay on the surface with her, but what if the clan needs you? I think the only way is to expose her and keep her close to you at all times. That way, Payton can also help with keeping an eye on her.”

Attor nodded. “Agreed, but she isn’t going to like it.”

“She might surprise you?” V shrugged.

“Fuck, I hope not.” Attor laughed. “Her surprises hurt like a fucking bitch.”

Attor watched V laugh as he left, leaving him to finish getting ready. He was about to go get his woman, show her his beast, and bring her to his underwater home. He looked around suddenly wishing that his leathers came with a steel-capped cup of protection to match his boots.

 

 

Kylee hung up the call, it was the seventh call she had taken from Payton since they had arrived safely back at their apartment. Looking over at Taryn, she was sitting huddled into the corner of their sofa, legs tucked up under her, staring off into the distance.

“I knew they could help,” Kylee said. When Taryn didn’t respond, she continued, “The boys have a place you can hide. I knew they would.” She sat down opposite Taryn who was still zoned out. “It happened in Canada, too. Something about the environmental jobs they have. They tend to ‘ruffle feathers’ was what Volos told me. They always need somewhere they can be out of sight.”

Both their heads snapped to the sound of the intercom buzzer. Kylee used her hands to silently tell Taryn to calm down, as she walked over and pressed the conversation button. “Who is it?” she spoke into the wall mounted silver square.

“Attor,” came the raspy reply from below.

Kylee pressed the release button and waited by the door for the knock. It came a few minutes later, and she opened the door slowly, looking left and right to make sure he was alone.

“Just me, kid.” Attor smiled as he walked into the apartment. His eyes falling immediately on the frail and terrified looking woman who was cowering in the corner, drawing protection from the pillows she had built a temporary fort from.

“What on earth?” he exclaimed to Kylee. “All this from one call?” His eyes flickered around trying to find where the independent woman who had been strong enough to kick him in the nuts had disappeared to.

Nodding, Kylee said as she saw Taryn had returned to staring blankly at the wall. “I know, right? It was instant. We went from laughing uncontrollably about your nut-ectomy before the call, to this…” she pointed to Taryn, “… a virtual zombie.”

“Well…” Attor snorted about his injury, “… it was a lucky shot.”

“Not for your nuts, it wasn’t.” Kylee chuckled loudly.

“Hmmm…” Attor mumbled as he walked past Kylee and over to the true reason for his visit. “Taryn?” His voice was quiet and as non-threatening as he could muster. She didn’t flinch at the sound of his voice. “Taryn,” he said it a little louder as he sat next to her. He already knew what she was capable of doing when she was surprised, so he didn’t know how far to push her. Attor looked for a cushion and placed it on his lap if he was going to touch her again, he was going in protected. Reaching out his arm, he touched her arm. Her head instantly flicked to look at him, making him jump slightly back in his own unease.

“Taryn,” he said again. “Do you know who I am?”

Taryn took a minute to look at the large man who was perched uncomfortably on the sofa next to her. Her eyes dropped briefly to the cushion he’d strategically placed in his lap. It’s such a shame, she thought to herself. He really is one sexy son of a nutcracker. Lifting her eyes back to his, the bright blue of the ocean came like waves as he stared intently at her, and for a brief moment she wondered what he would be like in bed. Would he use his massive size to dominate her sexually, lift her effortlessly on to the bench top, rip off her panties and thrust his rock hard cock, deep into her wet pussy? Perhaps he would be the big gentle giant type she pondered, covering her with a thousand kisses, tantalizing every inch of her body with his lips until she screamed with hunger to have him inside of her. Taryn released the heated breath she’d been holding. In a different life perhaps, she thought silently wishing things were vastly different.

“Attor,” she said. “How’s the balls?” She resisted the urge to ask if he needed her to check them, she wasn’t a nurse, but she would take one for the team right now. At least that way, when her past finally caught up with her, she went out with a smile on her face. There was something about him being in her space that calmed her. She couldn’t explain it, but it was nice.

He laughed. “Still attached, thank goodness.” He saw the corners of her mouth tweak as she smiled, and he let a little of his tension release as she started to respond. “So, you got some nasty followers, huh?”

“I just need to sleep. We all need to sleep,” she said, leaving off the ‘with you’ part her libido wanted to add. Taryn added, her voice shaky but gaining strength slowly. “In the morning I’m sure it will all be sorted.” She knew her best bet was to sneak out while they were all asleep. She’d been unsuccessful in asking Kylee to wait until morning to call anyone. Now she had the mountain sitting here, so she had to get them both to snooze long enough to run.

“Excellent idea,” Attor said. “I have the perfect place for you to get those zzz’s.” He stood up and offered his hand to Taryn. “Quicker we go, the quicker the sandman can visit.”

Taryn stood up and went to grab her bag. “We will come back to get that tomorrow. Right now, it’s easier to travel just us,” Attor said as he looked at Kylee. “You will stay and look after it, correct?” Kylee nodded, so Attor continued, “Great! Let’s get moving then.”

Taryn’s head flicked between her friend and the mountain, she hated that either of them were involved. She hardly knew the man her body wanted to devour, but to keep Kylee from asking too many questions, she decided to go along with it.

Just until they fall asleep, she told herself. Then I’m gone.

Taryn nodded and hugged Kylee tight. “Thank you for being the best thing in my life.” She knew it would be the last time she saw her, so the embrace was tighter than normal.

“Hey…” Kylee chuckled. “You squeezed my boobs out of shape.” She readjusted her bra with a laugh. “I will see you tomorrow. Yeah?” Kylee looked to Attor who nodded.

Taryn paused as she took in the smile of her friend. “Yeah, tomorrow.” She turned and walked out of the apartment, silently wiping a tear that was rolling down her cheek.

It’s for her safety, she told herself. It has to be this way.

She walked the darkened streets with Attor by herself, the silence was their only companion as she assumed Attor was doing the same thing she was. Listening for any tiny sound that might dictate an attack. Stopping suddenly when his hand reached out in front of her, looking at him, he pointed down. Following his fingertip, she gasped, she was an inch away from walking directly into the ocean below. They stood on the edge of a concrete retaining wall, in front of them was a steep drop straight into Tokyo Bay.

Taryn looked up the Attor. “Thanks. Glad I didn’t fall into that.”

Attor took a breath, he knew this was the point that life as he and Taryn knew it would change forever. “Do you trust me?”

“Not a fucking chance in hell.” Taryn laughed as the immediate response left her mouth. “And I don’t swim so… if you think I’m skinny dipping with your large ass, think again.”

“You need to trust me, Taryn,” Attor said, his voice calm and melodic.

Her head raised to look at this large man-mountain she creased her brow with a look of suspicion. “I don’t need to do anything, Attor. And if you think…” She turned to face him in the pitch black of night. Taryn had good night vision and could make out his black outline easily. She poked her finger hard into his chest. “I don’t care how sexy you are, if you think I’m going swimming, or even anywhere near that water you’re fucking out of your ever-loving mind.” She turned away from him, wrapping her arms around herself. “I hate the water. Loathe it. Even the thought of the ocean makes my skin crawl.”

Attor’s chest caved a little at what she said. “Why?” he asked.

Flicking her head around. “Why do I hate the water?”

“Yes…” His word floated out into the darkness on an exhaled breath.

She shrugged as a shudder ran up her spine. “Always have, ever since I was a child. I’ve always felt helpless in the water. I hate the feeling of being submerged?” She shuddered again. “That’s why I only have showers; I don’t even like a bath.”

Attor knew he had no choice, he threw a silent prayer to the goddess. The next few minutes were going to happen with the purest of intentions. He hoped she’d understand. “Taryn?” he said. She turned to look at him. “Forgive me.”

“For wha—” Taryn didn’t have a chance to finish the sentence before Attor had wrapped his arms so tightly around her it stole her breath, and he dove into the awaiting black inky water waiting below.

The next few seconds happened in slow motion for Taryn, her arms and legs began to flail in a panicked driven need to save her own life. Her eyes wide with horror as she watched Attor not release her from his deathly hold.

“Trust me,” he mouthed to her calmly, as his grip held firm around her.

Taryn suddenly went still in his arms. Looking at him she mouthed, “Fuck you,” and lowered her head, sinking her teeth into the small exposed part of his shoulder just past the vest. She bit as hard as she could, knowing as she saw the snaking of a blood trail up in front of her eyes that she had pierced through his skin.

Attor’s back arched as he howled with pain. Her teeth sunk into his flesh as she fought for her freedom. His brain screamed to let her go, but his heart kept his arms tight. Her head looked up at him, he could see the blue rim appearing around her mouth as she was beginning to be starved of the oxygen, her body needed to live. Reaching into his vest, he pulled out a small black ball.

It was a new device Wyvern had created—a portable air bubble. Wyvern had called it BOB— a Bubble of Breath. Attor cracked it near the ear of Taryn’s now limp body. Her eyes following his movement, but without oxygen for this long, she was powerless to stop him.

I am doing nothing to help her fear of water, Attor chastised himself harshly. Even if it’s for her own good.

Attor watched the bubble inflate and encapsulate her head, draining the water from around her face as it was replaced with lifesaving oxygen. He waited patiently for her body to take in the air, it seemed to be a lifetime before she took a large breath and the color returned to her face.

His hold was now only on her wrists as she orientated herself to the fact she was still alive. Taryn’s head flicked to look at him, the hatred in her eyes could have scolded the sun itself with the heat that burned from her. The look of betrayal quickly changed back to panic as she saw beyond what he had done to her.

Attor looked back at what had caught her attention. He hadn’t realized in the panic to keep her alive, he had partially changed. His skin was now covered with a splattering of beautiful cerulean colored scales, his gills on the side of his neck opened and shut rhythmically as his body breathed underwater. The thing Attor assumed was causing her the most distress was his wings. They had opened to a twelve-foot span and pulsated slowly in the water keeping them floating in the one spot. The ultramarine colors darkened at the base of his body but lightened to an almost gold fleck at the tips.

Attor had gone too far to stop now. He pulled her body close to his, wrapping her once again tightly to his chest. He took a large breath and took off like a rocket, out into the Pacific Ocean and toward the Tamu Massif, his home, and her new hideout.