The Adversary by Thea Harrison

Chapter Three

Calculation flashed in Dragos’s gold eyes. Pia framed his cheeks with her hands and watched the minute changes in his hard expression.

God, she loved his face. He was both handsome and scary at once. The sheer ruthlessness that could take over his hard features had a purity that fascinated her. He was not burdened in the slightest by the many things that consume modern males—self-doubt, misogyny, insecurity, fear of their own vulnerability, the need to soul search about their morality or question their existence.

For all Dragos’s irritating qualities (and as much as she adored him, she had to admit he had, shall we say, more than a few), his soul had a purity that she had never found in any other creature. If you were the rare, lucky person who achieved his inner circle, he would protect you to death and beyond.

If you were on the outside, he might deign to tolerate you, but he would keep watch. And if you showed yourself to be unreliable or traitorous in any way, God help you, because he didn’t forgive and he never forgot, and he might exercise all the patience in the world, but he would sure as hell find a way to get even.

And he was singularly untroubled by the possibility of going to war. In fact, she would swear he thrived on it. War involved tactics and strategy, a kill or be killed mentality, and sometimes it provided the opportunity to acquire loot or tribute, and on a very elemental level that appealed to the dragon.

More often than not these days, he chose to take the more peaceful route when he could, but she was convinced that was only because he now had a family. Dragos tried to avoid war out of courtesy to her, but if it was unavoidable?

You bet your ass he would relish the hell out of it.

And while Pia was pretty much Dragos’s opposite in just about every way, she was also pragmatic enough to acknowledge that sometimes war was unavoidable, as it was now.

“Two days, max, I think,” he said after a thoughtful moment. Focusing on her, he added gently, “Maybe sooner, but I can’t promise. I know that’s not what you want to hear.”

Momentarily at a loss for words, she shook her head and pressed her lips to his hard mouth. His lips softened and caressed hers, so she lingered, helpless to pull away, drawing on the comfort of the moment as hard as she had drawn on the hug with Liam.

Here was the magic they created between them: time fell away, danger was inconsequential, and all the tragedies in the world became bearable. As long as she had her mate, she could survive anything.

But even the best of kisses had to end sometime.

As she reluctantly pulled away, she told him in a husky voice, “Two days is a freaking miracle compared to when I thought you were dead.”

“I understand.” His reply was just as husky. He cleared his throat and looked as if he might say more, but just then the muscles in his big body twitched, and fury clenched his face and body.

“Oh, no, no.” She gripped his shoulders with frantic strength as if she would hold him into his body by sheer emotion. “I’m not done talking yet—”

“Get off,” he snarled.

She recoiled—he had never talked to her in such a vicious tone of voice before—and lost her balance and slid off his lap. As she scrambled to her feet, she stared at him…

…and watched the fury in his gold eyes fade to amber. Dragos’s feral viciousness faded as well. Oh, no, baby. No.

“Lady wife,” said the thing in Dragos’s deep voice. “How delightful to see you again. Our previous conversations were cut far too short.”

She slapped the sand off her butt. “Fuck you.”

“You were quite right. Your husband’s body is very strong. He has stamina. That pleases me so much,” he purred. “Do you miss him? Do you miss this?”

Even though he was bound so thoroughly he couldn’t gesture, he glanced down at his crotch where an erection strained, and she had never wanted to kill someone as badly as she wanted to kill him. It.

Raising her voice, she said, “Guys. Time to come back.”

Rune and Graydon slammed into the tent again so fast it was clear they had been listening in the whole time. The gryphons moved like the predators they were, laser focused on Dragos’s bound figure.

Graydon put a hand on Pia’s shoulder. Telepathically, he asked, You okay, cupcake?

She wished he hadn’t done that, because a part of her wanted to wail and fall into Graydon’s arms, and she would not show any weakness in front of this creature. Steeling her spine, she gave him a curt nod.

“Resume,” she ordered. Even though Rune’s eyes were as flat and unrevealing as his expression, she ached for what she asked them to do. Technically Rune no longer worked for Dragos. He was only here because Dragos was one of his best friends.

And because there was nothing more dangerous in the world than a dragon gone renegade.

“Still don’t feel like talking? You’re making a mistake,” the thing said to her in Dragos’s voice. “You should always parley with the enemy. You never know when the offer might be rescinded.”

“You have nothing to say that I’m interested in hearing.” She made herself meet his amber gaze coldly, no matter how much it enraged and hurt her. “You don’t matter.”

“Oh, but I do,” the thing replied. “You see, I hold custody of your husband’s body, and try as they might, they can’t drive me out. And this internal battle he and I have been waging has been most enlightening. I learn more about him with every encounter. I know his weaknesses now.”

“Stop listening,” Rune told her. “Now, Pia.”

At the same time Graydon’s hand tightened on her shoulder and he pressed her in the direction of the tent’s exit. But even though she knew Rune and Gray were right, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the monstrosity in front of her.

“I’m going to kill him,” the thing told her softly. “And the only way you’ll be able to find comfort in your husband’s arms is if I’m holding you. The only way you’ll feel his cock inside you again is—”

Rage swept over her. Tearing herself away from Graydon, she launched herself at the Dragos thing and punched him in the mouth so hard his teeth tore her knuckles and his head whipped back. Straightening, he started to laugh while blood poured from his split lips. She punched him again with the full strength of her torso behind it, and this time his laughter stopped.

“You think what my men are going to do to you is as bad as it gets?” she hissed. “Forget about them. Forget about my husband. I’m the one you’ve got to worry about. I’m going to destroy you so thoroughly your name will never be rediscovered.”

The disgusting caress in his gaze vanished and he glared at her balefully. “You’re going to regret this, you stupid whore. I’m going to make your husband wail like an infant before he dies.”

Two days. Dragos had promised. But what if he was wrong?

She went more than a little crazy at the thought.

“You’re dust in the wind, asshole,” she snarled. “You hear me? You’re dust and nobody cares.”

Graydon snaked an arm around her waist. She pushed at him, but he bodily lifted her away from Dragos and carried her out of the tent.

The cooler air outside washed over her overheated skin, but the raging lunatic that had taken over her body wasn’t finished. “Gray, I’m going to murder him if I have to tear open Dragos’s body to do it.”

“I know you will, sweetheart,” he said soothingly. He set her on her feet. “Try to get a grip now.”

“Don’t soothe me!” she raged. “I’ll get a grip when I’m good and ready, goddammit!”

As she turned to charge back into the tent, she caught sight of several people who stood nearby, watching.

Liam stood with Khalil and a man and woman. The woman had a distinctive beauty and famous, familiar features, with pale skin and dark hair. Partly turned away, she studied the lake with a frown. The tall, handsome man beside her employed no such discretion. He regarded Pia with sober sympathy.

The infamous sorcerer Morgan le Fae had arrived, along with his musician partner Sidonie.

But their presence wasn’t what brought her back to herself. It was the sight of Liam, standing with his arms crossed as he hugged his torso tightly, that drove a spike into the nutcase she had become.

The return to sanity was like a bucket of icy water hitting her in the face. She felt the blood in her body throb, the pain in her right hand, the desolation of not knowing if Dragos was right about breaking free and making his way back to her.

But there was no other choice than to trust in her mate. Literally none.

Graydon touched her arm tentatively, breaking the tableau. “It’s all right,” she told him quietly. “I’m pulling it together.”

“I’ll stay if you need me,” he murmured.

“No, that’s okay.” She gave him a twisted smile. “Rune needs you more. Keep me posted.”

“Will do.” With a glance at the newcomers, Graydon strode back into the tent.

Pia focused on Liam. First things first. “I’m sorry you saw me lose it like that.”

He shook his head. “Are you… what can I do?”

“Darling, you already did it.” She strode forward. “Khalil, once again, thank you for everything you’ve done. I owe you any favor you need, whenever you ask. No expiration date.”

The imperious Djinn regarded her with a sparkling, diamondlike gaze. “Over the time my Grace and I have been together, she has taught me that there’s no need for an exchange of favors among family.”

That was such a staggeringly generous thing for a Djinn to say, she had to swallow past a thickness in her throat. “That may be so, but you still have all of my gratitude. If there’s anything I can ever do for you, I’ll do it gladly.”

He acknowledged that with a slight bow.

Then she turned to the waiting pair. “Morgan and Sidonie, thank you coming on such short notice.”

“Of course,” said one of the most infamously dangerous sorcerers in the world in his deep, pleasant voice. “Liam and Khalil filled us in. Would it be all right if I went into the tent for a few moments? I don’t know that I can sense or do anything while Dragos is wearing the null spell shackles, but I’d like to check for myself.”

“Please do.”

She looked at Sidonie, who gave her a small smile. “Magic is Morgan’s forte, not mine,” the musician said.

“I’ll be right back.” Morgan strode into the tent.

Pia steeled herself to wait. Hope was painful, and so was not knowing. To give herself something to do, she flipped on the mom switch and concentrated on Liam. “You’ve been doing a lot of flying. Do you need to eat?”

His tight stance relaxed a bit, and he gave her a look so full of exasperated love, the imperious Djinn standing beside him smiled. “I didn’t do much of the flying on this trip,” he reminded her. “Khalil did. And I’ve eaten some sandwiches. I’m okay, Mom. What about you?”

“I’m okay too.”

“But when did you last have something to eat?” he pressed. “You’ve been expending a lot of energy as well.”

His persistence made her think back. The last time she had eaten had been breakfast, and that had been ages ago on this day that felt ten thousand years long. No wonder she felt hollow and edgy.

But the last thing she wanted to do was put food in her mouth. “Good point. Do me a favor—please go back to the house and get me a protein shake. Lots of coconut milk, lots of calories.”

She could tell by how his stance changed that he was relieved to be given something else to do. “You got it. Anything else?”

“No, I—” She broke off as the tent flap lifted and Morgan stepped outside.

And there was that damn hope again, clogging up her throat and shaking her hands. She wasn’t sure if Liam would notice, but she clenched her hands into fists anyway.

“I’m sorry,” Morgan said as he strode to them. “Unfortunately, there wasn’t anything I could do.”

The crushing weight landed on her chest again. She said tightly, “I’m not surprised.”

“I’m not either,” Morgan said. “But I still had to try.”

“Yes. Thank you.” She forced herself to take a deep breath. They were all looking at her carefully, as if they expected the crazy woman to reappear.

They weren’t wrong to be cautious. The crazy woman wanted badly to come back. The only thing that stopped her was the sane part of Pia who pinned her down.

“We need to make our next move,” she told them. “Carling, Beluviel, Grace and Khalil, and Morgan. You guys are my dream team. We have to go down into the ruins to see what we can discover about our invader.”

“I’m coming too,” Liam said.

“No.” The word came out of her faster than conscious thought. When he looked like he might argue, she said more strongly, “I said no, Liam. I’m your mother, I’m in charge while Dragos is incapacitated, and I don’t have to have a reason. Just no. You’re not going down there, not after what happened to your dad. Don’t put that on me.”

She didn’t have to physically touch him to know how he vibrated with the need to reject what she said, but he reined it in and said simply, “Okay. Whatever you need.”

“Thank you.” Grateful he chose not to push it, she blew out a breath. “Both Carling and Rune, and Bel and Graydon, have to decide if they can let their mates split up for this, or if Rune and Gray need to let the other sentinels take over here.” She looked at Morgan and Sidonie. “I suppose you need to decide that too.”

“That’s already decided,” Sidonie replied. “I have no need to join the party and possibly hold everybody back because I don’t have anything useful to add.”

Briefly, Pia admired her. She wasn’t sure she could make that decision if her mate was involved in something that was potentially so dangerous, but werewolves were different from the Wyr. Or maybe Sidonie just had such a staggering confidence in her lover, it superseded everything else.

“Okay,” Pia said. “I want everybody to meet me at the house and be ready to go in….” She had to do some mental calculations, because they didn’t have cell phones, cars, or other ways to cut down on prep time. Glancing up, she gauged the moon’s position in the sky. “Before the moon sets.”

Khalil told her, “Carling, Grace, and Bel are already waiting at the house. Before moonset will be plenty of time.”

Liam also glanced at the sky. “It’ll be dawn in a couple of hours. Would it be better to wait until daylight?”

Frowning, she considered that. “Daylight didn’t do me or Dragos any favors when we had been in the ruins and waiting will only waste time we can’t afford to lose. We’ll go down as soon as we’re ready.”

Nobody spoke up or poked holes in her plan, so that was that. They headed back to the splendid three-bedroom prefab house that Dragos had constructed solely with her comfort in mind, and that she now hated quite illogically.

It was still a perfectly fine house. It had three spacious bedrooms, a couple of fireplaces, cool ecofriendly technology that worked well in Other lands, granite countertops, soft close drawers, blah blah blah. But they had barely arrived when disaster had struck, and there weren’t enough good memories to offset the bad. She wanted to set it on fire.

The thing possessing Dragos had walked his evil cooties through the house. As soon as she had her mate back, she was going to turn on the complaining wife faucet and let that sucker run. They were going to live someplace else. Anyplace else. She didn’t care where or in what. A Quonset hut would do. Like she’d said to Liam, she didn’t have to have a reason.

Back at the beautiful, doomed house, Grace, Carling, and Beluviel weren’t the only ones waiting. Eva and Linwe were there too, along with Aryal, Quentin, Bayne, and Grym.

Pia left them all to update each other and figure out everything they needed to figure out, and probably talk about her while she was gone. She strode into the kitchen pantry, grabbed her breast pump and some empty bottles, and headed for the bedroom.

Eva caught her in the hallway. She bit out, “Not now.”

“Pia, what can—” Eva caught sight of what she held in her hands, took in her tense attitude and the overly wet sheen in her gaze, and drew up short. Then Eva pointed at her. “I’m your partner and your bodyguard. I know you told Liam he couldn’t go, but don’t give me any of the same shit. I’m going down in the ruins with you. Your go bag is packed. I’ll be out here waiting with the others.”

Eva’s sharp, no nonsense attitude was exactly what Pia needed when she needed it the most. “Do you know anything about how the children are doing?” she asked, her voice strangled with the tears she refused to shed.

“Every single one of them is perfect,” Eva said. “And they’re all being doted on. Niniane and Tiago, and several other badass people I shall not name are with them. Niall is giving everybody hell, and they can’t wait to hand him back to you. We’ve been getting regular complaints. I mean updates.”

Closing her eyes, Pia smiled. “That’s my baby boy. When I’m done, please get my breast milk to him.”

“Of course, honey.” Eva gave her a brisk nod. “Go do your business. We’ll be ready when you are.”

Pia gave her a crooked smile. “God, I love you. Have you had a chance to get laid yet?”

Panic flashed over Eva’s bold, beautiful features. “No, and shut your mouth!” she hissed. “Linwe’s just in the other room! You know how Elven hearing is!”

“I hear it’s pretty good.”

“Get out of here!” Eva slapped her on the back. “Shit!”

Wonder of wonders, she actually laughed. Pretended to be normal, just for a few moments. Then she went into the master suite and got on with her business.

Two days, max. Dragos had promised. And at least an hour of that time was already gone. She could withstand almost anything for two days.

And in the meantime, they might find something in the ruins that could help.