Page 37 of Bound in Blood

What exactly are you suggesting I do, Ophelia? Dragons are prohibited from harming sons of House Drakos unless in self-defense.

I did not know that, and I suspect he’s not going to give me a history lesson and explain why right now. So as much as I would love to—all these archaic laws fascinate me—I don’t press him on it.

I merely want you to orchestrate a breakout.

He snorts.

You just have to land on the grounds and fly me and the boys away from here, and that’s it.

And then I leave you all to freeze to death in the Himalayas? That does not sound like a good enough reason to risk returning to the mortal realm.

As soon as I’m away from these hallowed grounds, I’ll be able to use my powers. I’ll get myself and the boys to safety. I just need out of here. And fast.

And truly what risk is there to you, Anikêtos?Elpis joins the conversation, and I swear, if I ever get to see her in the flesh, I am going to kiss her beautiful dragon-y skin.You are a dragon. The mightiest dragon to ever stalk this earth. You can cloak your appearance, and there is no army of vampires who can tame you. Tame us. Because if you think you are returning to the mortal realm without me, then you are very much mistaken.

I did not say I was returning, he huffs.

His protest notwithstanding, I’m flooded with hope and relief, so much so, I can barely contain my exhilaration. He hasn’t said no. And Elpis seems on board.

I know I ask a great deal of you, and I know you owe me nothing. But Alexandros is your friend, is he not? And apparently, I’m some super powerful being. You don’t need anything from me now, but should you ever need anything, anything at all, say the word and I’m there.

That is a dangerous promise to make to a dragon, Ophelia. For an oath like that cannot be broken and you have no idea what I would demand of you.

I know you are the keeper of the cradle of magic, Anikêtos, and that means you are a creature of honor. And whatever price you ask of me, I will gladly pay it if you will grant me this one request.

He grumbles for a moment. Finally, he says,Let me take some time to consider it.

We don’thavetime. But I know better than to say that.How will I know when you’ve made a decision?

You will know, Chosen One.

Then he’s gone.

Chapter

Fifteen

AXL

We sit around the table, making small talk and smiling politely, doing our utmost to maintain the pretense of grateful house guests while every cell in my body screams at me to tear out our host’s throat. Even back to full strength, I would likely fail, but I’d still give my life to try. What I won’t give, however, is Ophelia’s heart. Or her safety. And I made her a promise that I wouldn’t do anything stupid and get myself killed. But even without that promise, she needs all of us because we need to find our sire, and I will be fucked if I let his piece-of-shit brother get his hands or his fangs on my girl, and I would tear his body to shreds before I’d let him rape her.

Axl, calm down, baby, she cautions through our bond.If I can hear your heart beating like that, so can he.

I know, princess. I just fucking hate him so much.

And now he’s glaring at me like he knows exactly what I’m thinking, and part of me doesn’t give a single fuck if he does.

“You know we’re supposed to have a meteor shower tonight,” Malachi says, snatching our host’s attention away from me. Giorgios offers him a forced smile that’s quickly followed by the ground shaking. The windowpanes rattle in their solid wooden frames.

We all look to Ophelia. “That wasn’t me,” she insists.

“An earthquake, then?” Malachi asks.

Giorgios frowns. “They are very uncommon here.”

None of us have a chance to speak again before Imari rushes into the room, her face etched with concern. “Sir, the guards asked me to inform you that there is someone at the front gate.”

The spike in his heart rate is immediate, and my interest is certainly piqued. Please fuck, let it be someone who can help get us the hell out of this place.

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