Nefri gave a slow nod. Clan chiefs were strongly discouraged from discussing the trials they endured, even with each other. No doubt in an attempt to add mystery to the process of becoming a chief.
But there were always exceptions. Including Nefri, who didn’t hesitate to question chiefs on their own experiences.
“Ah, he revealed the secrets of the battles of Durotriges.”
“Only small bits and pieces.” Santiago gave a lift of his shoulder. “He claimed he fought a dragon.”
“It’s my hypothesis that the creature was a half-breed. Which meant . . .” She waved a hand to indicate their elegant surroundings.
“That there must be a full breed around somewhere,” he easily followed her implication.
“One who could enter this world,” she said. “At least, that was the hypothesis.”
“Your hypotheses tend to have an uncanny habit of being proven right.”
She wrinkled her nose. During her battle with the strange lizardlike creature with leathery wings who’d nearly barbecued her during her last trial, she’d become convinced there had to be some truth to the ancient rumors of dragons. Unfortunately, the folklore of the beast had become so twisted over the centuries it was almost impossible to discover what was truth and what was myth.
“This one was more difficult than others to prove one way or another. There’s very little information on dragons.”
“What about other clan chiefs?” he demanded. “Surely they must have investigated the truth of dragons if they had to fight them?”
“From the few chiefs who would discuss their trials, I learned that the battles are never the same for any of us.” That was an understatement. The trials were so wildly different for each combatant that Nefri had wondered if they actually were sent to different places. Then, she’d become convinced they all went to the same place only at different times. She couldn’t prove her theory, of course, but the idea that the battlegrounds floated in a different space-time continuum was the only thing that made sense.
“I have only heard of one other clan chief who claimed dragons existed. Unfortunately he disappeared before I could discover if his belief came from Durotriges or from some other source.”
“Perhaps he was my unfortunate roommate.”
“It’s possible.”
“So what did you do?”
“I searched through the ancient texts,” she said. “Then after I learned all that was written about the mysterious creatures, I used my medallion to search for a doorway. It took several centuries, but eventually I discovered this place.”
“So you did.”
The low voice filled the air as the double doors to the right of the throne flew open to reveal the creature of myth and legend.
Surprisingly, Baine’s human form wasn’t as large as might be expected for a monster who could supposedly transform into a flying lizard with a forty-foot wingspan and an elongated body that weighed in at over a ton. In the past, the Lu demon had often been mistaken for a dragon since it shared the same scaled head with its long snout and mouthful of razor teeth; not to mention they were impossible to kill without magic. But the Lu was half the size of the mythical dragons and they couldn’t shape-shift.
This particular dragon had chosen a leanly muscular human male body with a narrow face that had delicate, Asian features. His straight black hair fell just short of his shoulders and he was wearing nothing more than a pair of loose dojo pants that allowed a dizzying view of the numerous tattoos that glowed with a metallic shimmer beneath the light of the chandelier. More unnerving, the strange symbols changed colors as they crawled over his pale, perfect skin.
Almost as if they were alive.
It was beautiful, hypnotizing. And so distracting that it was all too easy to forget just how lethal this creature truly was.
At least until you looked into the almond-shaped eyes burning with an amber fire that spoke of vast, primordial magic.
Enough magic to scorch the world.
“Por dios,” Santiago growled, and Nefri instinctively stepped between him and the advancing dragon.
Two alpha males in the same room was always a pain in the neck.
Folding her hands at her waist, Nefri offered a respectful bow. “Baine.”
“Nefri.”
“Thank you for accepting my humble offering.”
The dragon held up his slender fingers to reveal the large diamond that shimmered with a white fire. “You know I can never resist pretty baubles. And I was . . . intrigued.” A hint of a smile curved his lips as he tucked the diamond into the pocket of his loose pants. “You are one of the few demons brave enough to enter the lair of a dragon.”
Santiago shifted to stand at her side, his expression tight as he braced himself against the heavy throb of Baine’s power. It was like the constant beat of a bass drum, pulsing through the air with enough force to make the floor tremble beneath his feet.
“Brave isn’t the word I would use,” the male vampire pointedly chastised.