Why would I do that?
Im sure youve done it before. Thats what Draicon do best.
Matt gritted his teeth. She was pretty, but infuriatingly stubborn. Sweetheart, someone sold you a bad bill of goods about my people. We may have a bad rep among some paranorms
But underneath youre all sweetness and good? Nice doggies who like car rides and sticking your heads out the windows to catch the wind? I heard you were all snarl and growl.
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he resisted the impulse to do exactly as shed suggested.
Im a U.S. Navy SEAL. My team and mission come first. Just as your Fae colony comes first for you.
Silence draped the air for a moment. I have no colony anymore. No family.
Words spoken so quietly, he wouldnt have heard them if not for being Draicon. Matt changed lanes and sped up. Odd, how they had that in common. His family had been close, hell, his own brother-in-law supported him joining the teams. It was Étienne who suggested Matts abilities would come in useful for the newly formed Phoenix Force.
But in the ten years hed been a SEAL, his family had become more distant. Theyd started nagging about quitting, settling down into pack life, finding a mate and starting a family. The bonds he shared with his teammates were thick and strong as steel cable. He couldnt leave the teams. Not with dark forces becoming more clever, and endangering more and more civilians.
His team was his pack now. With a small pang, Matt realized he forgot how to be fully Draicon. He wouldnt know a real relationship if it kissed him. He was a ladies man, but one-night stands were the norm. Relationship, hell, he couldnt commit. Not when he got called out on an hours notice, or worse, never came back at all.
Like Adam.
Matt remembered Tatianas sobs. He couldnt do that to a mate. He didnt want one, didnt want to fall into the trap of settling down and falling in love. Because falling in love meant giving up what mattered most to him, being a SEAL.
Can we start over? Her voice was soft, a rub of velvet against his frayed nerves. If were going to work together, we should try to get along. Im sorry for the dog references.
And Ill try not to make any Mr. Spock jokes.
Sienna gave a small, sweet laugh, the sound stirring his jaded self. Are all your assignments like this?
No. We either go in as a pair he swallowed hard, thinking of Adam or as a team. Im used to covert action, get in, get out and get gone. This is a little different for me. For one, Ive never worked with a female before, let alone a Seelie Sidhe who can glamour as a Draicon.
Not that Id trust one. Never.
My glamour isnt limited to Draicon. It just happens to be the form easiest to me.
Why?
She shrugged, pushed at a lock of hair, showing her pointed ears.
Those have to go. Theyre too obvious. Glamour yourself into a Draicon. Were getting closer to our target.
Sienna shot him an annoyed look. Aye, aye, captain.
Its lieutenant.
She made a sound and then muttered, Fine. You want Draicon?
Matt nearly lost control of the car as she shifted. A gray-and-white timber wolf sat on the seat. She grinned, showing sharp canines.
Startled, he jerked the wheel to the left, turning into the other lane. A driver he cut off blew the horn. Matt straightened out the car and glared at Sienna.
Sienna the wolf put a large paw on the window button, rolling it down. She stuck her head out the window, tongue lolling.
She had a sense of humor, after all. He slowed down, and as he thumbed the window up, she jerked her head inside.
Id let you drive, but I dont think your paws would touch the pedals.
With a low whine, she shifted into her human form. Youll really let me drive?
Naw. He considered. You probably drive like an old lady.
Magick shimmered in the air again. This time, she took the form of a NASCAR driver.
Matt laughed. Sienna resumed the form of a Draicon female, an impish smile on her mouth. Her very red, very wet mouth. A kissable mouth.
Concentrate. Back on the subway, tell me, what were you doing on Canal Street?
I was following a lead in Chinatown. She pushed at the long fall of her silky hair. Ive been working on my own, disguised as a Draicon, trying to find the Orb. A Draicon in Brooklyn told me a shop owner was selling something like that in Chinatown.
Did you find anything out?
She shook her head with a small sigh. It was a dead end. The shop had closed and the owner passed away. He was probably yanking on my chain.
Or worse. Intending to wrap that chain around your neck. He aimed her a stern look. No more going solo.
When she opened her mouth, a line furrowing between her brows as if to protest, Matt added, Or Ill take those memories I left intact.
Her mouth closed.
Minutes later, they drove down a narrow lane flanked by oak and maple trees. Matt turned into a street lined with two-story elegant homes, each house boasting about half an acre of property. Sienna blinked.
Guess spell casting is a lucrative business these days.
He didnt reply. His gaze was focused on the patrol car blocking the street. Yellow crime scene tape was strung across the lawn of a brick home. Dread churned in his stomach.
Thats her house? But even as their gazes met, he sensed she knew.
Making a U-turn, he drove out of the neighborhood, down the lane and turned down an adjacent street. Matt parked and shut off the engine.
Im going inside to check things out. You stay here.
You said I was supposed to stick by your side. And how do you plan to get in? Shift into your wolf shape? That might raise a few brows. Or get someone to call animal control. Ill go with you and glamour us so we blend in with the background. The cops will never know youre here.
He gritted his teeth. Didnt like it. He needed his team, not this sassy, pretty Fae who didnt even know what a pyro demon could do to bare flesh.
They were stuck together. And she was a Fae who could glamour.
Fine. But follow my orders, he grated out.
They cut through a well-manicured lawn, Sienna keeping up the cloak of glamour to hide their presence. Uniformed police and detectives in worn jackets milled in the driveway. A maple tree, resplendent in fall crimson, stood guard next to a pole where an American flag fluttered in the slight breeze. With its black shutters, crisp brick and trimmed bushes, the house looked no different from its upscale neighbors.
Except for the blood splatters on the green grass.
The magick shimmered for a minute as Sienna gasped. Matt shook his head. Dont fall apart on me now.
She shot him a cool look. I dont fall apart.
Good girl. Keep up the glamour or theyll see us.
As they neared the house, Matt led her to the deserted side of the house, sheltered by a tall hedge.
Im going inside. Stay here.
Let me help. I can glean some information while youre inside.
Matt clasped her shoulders, feeling delicate bones and soft skin. She was courageous and tough, as hed seen on the subway, but this was different. Eyes green as a forest gazed at him. The same sharp, sexual energy jumped between them like an electrical wire. He became fully aware of her slight stature, how broad and big he was compared to her. Beneath the tight sweater, her breasts were full and lush. A man could cup them in his palms, stroking his thumbs slowly over the nipples until she became flushed and aroused. Draw her close until the jagged need became consuming.
Trying to ignore her delicious scent, he roped in the tight control that enabled him to endure hours of physical pain during Hell Week. He focused on the mission. She was female, and his primal instincts were to keep her safe. No matter how many would-be human molesters she could take out with her knee.
No. Its too risky. This wasnt my choice, but I agreed to this assignment. I had my doubts about working with you.
Because Im a civilian? Those mossy green eyes regarded him with frank amusement. No prob.
Suddenly Matt faced a tall, gangly G.I. in a mesh-covered helmet, vintage cammies and worn army boots. There was a distinct smile on the G.I.s face as he stood straight and tall and then hefted a squeaky-clean rifle.
Hey, there, Lieutenant Dan. Is this better? she drawled.
Saying nothing, he gave her a pointed look. She sighed and resumed her normal form. That wasnt good enough for you?
If youre going to conjure Tom Hanks, then Saving Private Ryan would have proved a better argument, he said mildly.
Her pert nose wrinkled. I dont like war movies.
My point exactly.
Sienna made an irritated sound. What is it, Lieutenant? You dont like females? Or civilians? Or your tighty whities are a little too tight?
More sass. He folded his arms, waited for her to get it. He had endless patience. Once, hed disguised himself as a wolf and spent three nights lying in a hollow log in an attempt to catch a rogue shape-shifter. Sienna tilted her head, the long fall of her mink-brown hair spilling to one side. The move gave her an exotic, sexy look. Oh, wait. Maybe its because Im Fae.
Score. Thats not changing. Neither is the civilian or he gave her legs an appreciative glance the female part. And you have no experience in covert ops. So Im calling the shots.
Bit of a control freak, arent we?
Checking his sidearm, he ignored that comment. If he were more of a control freak, maybe Adam wouldnt have died.
Wait. She caught his hand. Matt stared at the slender fingers covering his. The intoxicating scent of warm female made his senses whirl. Too long since hed felt a womans soft touch. Too long since hed had a woman in his bed.
When you go inside, Ill stay outside, pretend to be a curious bystander, see what I can overhear.
No.
Sienna dropped his hand and sighed. Listen, we dont like each other, but we have to work together. With all these police around, who would hurt me?
He fought the urge to send her back to the car. His Draicon senses screamed danger. But she was right.
You sense anything off, you come and get me. Deal?
She knuckle-bumped him, green eyes huge in her solemn face. Deal.
FYI, I dont wear tighty whities.
Oh, youre a boxer wolf? What do you wear?
Matt dipped his head close to her shell-like ear. A few strands of silky hair lifted with his warm breath as he gently blew.
Nothing, he whispered.
The spice of her female scent sharpened. Matt grinned and touched her mouth, parted in a small O. Stay alert.
Cops lingered in the back, dusting the sliding door that led into the kitchen. Black fingerprint powder smeared the sparkling glass. He waited a moment to ensure Siennas glamour hiding him would hold, then slipped through the opened door.
Except for a few blood splatters on the floor that had been marked off, the kitchen was neat and clean, with polished oak cabinets, a shiny black granite countertop and dish towels with apple motifs hanging from the stainless-steel stove. Dark, malevolent magick shimmered in the air. The stench of sulfur and rotting flesh mingled with the coppery scent of blood. Matt clamped a hand over his mouth as he headed into the adjoining dining room.
A young woman sat at a long maple table, sobbing. I didnt do it. I swear, I loved my mother. It was El Diablo. El Diablo!
The devil?
The front door opened. The police hustled the woman outside. Matt searched with all his senses. Nothing here, no warding spells, no candles, as if someone had erased evidence a witch lived here.
He started searching the bedrooms, opening drawers quietly, checking every corner. Upstairs in a small rose-colored bedroom, he ground to a halt, catching the scent of fear.
It rose over him in a wave, crashing into his senses and making his eyes water. Matt rubbed the heel of one palm into his chest, trying to ease the crushing weight.
Stronger by the closet. He opened the door and peered inside. A miasma of terror screamed into his mind.
Methodically, he searched the closet. Sorting through layers of clothing awash with the smell of mothballs and cedar, he lifted boxes and set them aside.
A hidden recess in the closet revealed a locked file box shielded with a pentagram. He pulled it out and broke the spell locking it with a simple incantation his C.O. had taught all the team.
He combed through the files, his gorge rising as he scanned them. Then he found a business ledger. His instincts were right. No Draicon had stolen the Orb.
Yet another reason not to trust any Fae. He pocketed the ledger and replaced the files.
As he went into the room, he caught sight of himself in the dressing table mirror. His form shimmered.
The glamour was fading. Fast.
He had to sneak out. Racing over options, he started for the bedroom door and heard pounding footsteps. Matt withdrew his Sig Sauer 9 mm pistol, cupping it with one hand. Sienna burst into the room and ground to a halt, staring at the guns barrel.
He sheathed the weapon as she gulped down a breath, eyes huge in her face. Weve got to leave, right now. I was talking with one of the cops when one of them suddenly It was horrible. His form, it just I dont know
Wobbled?
She nodded. Like when you throw a stone in water.
He glanced at the window. Where?
Downstairs. But I think he knew I could see through him. He may be another Fae. Or something else. The daughter, they were leading her out, she was screaming that a demon tortured her mother for information, and went too far, then set the daughter up to make it look like
Its okay, he soothed. You did good. Wheres the rest of the police?
Theyre all outside, since theyre done wrapping up the crime scene.
Good. Lets go.
The stench of sulfur grew stronger. Matt herded Sienna out of the room, grinding to a halt. He slid an arm around her waist and yanked her against him, away from the specter blocking the way at the hallways end.
The specter shimmered, losing the glamour of a police uniform.
They were screwed.
Draicon. You have something I need, the demon hissed. Then it smiled and held up a hand, tipped with long, gray talons.
Flames burned at the tip of each finger. Matts throat went drier than sand.
No way out past the pyrokinetic demon.
He and Sienna were going to fry.
Pulling his sidearm free, Matt screwed on the long barreled silencer, knowing gunfire would bring the cops running. He fired at the creature, hoping to slow it. But as the bullets whizzed at the demon, flames burst from its fingers.
The steel and silver-tinged bullets melted in midair. Sienna gasped. Damn it, the new ammo was specially designed to withstand the demons defenses. No dice.