Hoarded by the Dragon (Monstrous Matches, #4)

Now Kalos grins. “You may want to try it before saying that.”

I hesitate, and Kalos takes the food from my hands. My body leans toward him to take the food back on instinct, even though I know I can’t handle the heat it’s going to dish out.

He takes my fork and digs into the dish before raising it toward me. “One bite.”

I blink at him and bend forward, gingerly accepting the bite as he feeds me.

Fucking heaven. “Oh my God!” I moan.

Kalos laughs, and I almost choke at the compelling sound of his delight, but manage not to.

“The babe will like most spices. It’s a chemical heat and provides you what you’ve been craving,” he says.

He seems to remember himself and hands the food back to me. I accept it greedily, taking another bite of bliss. The flavors aren’t what I’m familiar with, and there’s the slight burn of spice that had always been too much for me to eat, but it all blends together on my tongue. The joyous response of my body to the food is almost as good as the taste. It’s like every bite sparks happiness. I’m most of the way through the container before my craving releases me.

“Thank you,” I say. “It’s been challenging to anticipate the symptoms of this.”

Kalos looks away for a moment before returning his gaze to mine. “I didn’t mean to cause a child. I’m sorry you’ve suffered because of it.”

Embarrassment rages at what I have to admit. “It takes two to tango. I had an amulet to ward against pregnancy, but it wasn’t charged.”

Kalos shrugs as if I didn’t just admit to being the reason why I’m pregnant.

“The amulet shouldn’t have mattered. Dragons only procreate under specific circumstances and those weren’t met. As far as what I know, it should have been impossible.”

“Oh.” It’s not my fault. Not in the way I’d assumed it was.

This is a little more like fate. I’m not much of a believer in fate, but it’s hard to ignore the writing on the wall. I don’t want to call this bad luck…

“A miracle then,” I say.

“A miracle.” Kalos looks at my mouth, deep in thought, before shaking himself. “I need to prepare for my meeting. Ben will take you to pack what you need to be comfortable here.” He hesitates. “We can talk about more permanent changes tonight at dinner.”

And I’ve been dismissed. The abyss of my future gapes before me. Everything in my life is going to change. My baby’s life depends on my ability to be watchful and adapt to this situation.





9





KATARINA





THE DUFFEL BAG I have open on the bed is only halfway full of personal items. Ben already teleported a suitcase of clothing to the guest room where I’ll be staying. Apparently, he’s the rare type of paranormal that can make portals and use them.

But the items in this bag are supposed to be the kind that people won’t abandon in a fire. Instead of a collection of sentimental goods, it holds a sketchbook, some magic supplies for meditating, and toiletries.

The bag I’d packed when I ran away from foster care was similar minus the herbs and crystals. All these years later, and I still haven’t collected the life I thought I’d have. I’d left to find people like me. To fully immerse myself in the world of witches and magic that had been my birthright, even if I’d been abandoned. I didn’t find it.

I’d had Nemo for a number of years, and then I’d filled the rest with work to try and atone for my crimes. Years later, and I don’t feel any more clean. My life doesn’t feel any more full. Stella is the one bright spot I have.

Maybe that’s all a good thing. If my life had been brimming with satisfaction, it would be harder to leave it all behind and embrace the change in front of me.

My hand comes to hover at my middle. A gesture of reassurance and instinct. I’ve gained something now that won’t disappear. Something that requires more from me than any other job has before.

I check behind me to make sure Ben is still strolling around my tiny kitchen space typing out something on his phone before pulling up the false bottom in the chest at the end of my bed. I take out my “go bag.” Everything I need in the event of an emergency to vanish and become someone new.

I won’t be taking it though. The paperwork and some of the more vicious spells are illegal. I don’t need to bring more trouble into Kalos’s home than I already am. I do take a portal spell I’d worn the night of the job at Kalos’s and string it on my useless amulet necklace. I have one other in the bag, so in a pinch, I can drop in to get the bag and get away again. The gut reaction to have an emergency plan is one I don’t argue with. Kalos can try his best to keep me safe, but I’m still responsible for myself.

I’m not worried about other magic users sensing the spell. It has a glamour on it so the magic can’t be sensed by a person unless they focus on it. I carefully put my go bag back in its hiding place and do one last look around the room before zipping the duffel.

“I’m ready,” I say, leaving my bedroom.

“Is that all you’re bringing?” Ben asks, frowning at the bag.

I shrug. “I travel light.”

“If you’re sure.” Ben offers his arm and I take it, inhaling to ready myself this time when he teleports us. I wasn’t prepared last time and yelped in the most undignified way, which he’d profusely apologized for.

It’s a quick thing that turns my stomach, but we’re back in the entryway of Kalos’s place.

I sway on my feet for a moment. “Ugh.”

Ben laughs, patting my hand before disconnecting it from his arm. “Sorry, most people get used to it.”

“And if I don’t?” I ask.

Ben shrugs. “Then it’s that bad every time. You’ll need my help to leave whenever you need to go anywhere for a while. Kalos probably wants to keep your presence a secret until he can determine who of his people are loyal.”

“He doesn’t know who is loyal now?”

Ben sighs. “Let me show you to your room. Do you want me to carry your bag?”

I shake my head, and Ben gestures for me to go up the stairs. Only when we’re halfway up does he answer my question. His long legs have him in front of me so I can’t track his emotions.

“There’s never been a reason to shore up our defenses,” he says. “Kalos is the biggest name in this city because he’s wealthy and powerful. His position is strong and there are no other logical contenders.”

He’s the big bad wolf. Or big bad dragon, rather.

“He’s never been vulnerable, so he’s never had to test his people,” I say.

“Exactly. For most employees, undying loyalty isn’t a requirement. He only requires people do their jobs and not do anything to hurt the business. Not to bite the hand that feeds them.”

“But now, if his enemies want to get at him, they just have to get to me.” My lower lip trembles before I press them together to stop the show of weakness.

“Don’t worry. Kalos has my loyalty,” he says as we come to the landing. There’s a stability to Ben, one that rings his beliefs to the heavens.

Lillian Lark's books