Dragon Claimed: A Dark Kings Novella Read online

  She had to admit, she was thinking about it. Gemma didn’t know where he was taking her—or to who. She liked to be prepared in any situation. Every time she had come in contact with Cináed, it had been anything but.

  And she wasn’t sure how to handle that.

  It disrupted her tidy world. It made chaos out of order.

  It kept her constantly on guard, wondering what he might say and how she might handle it. So far, she hadn’t done very well at all.

  In no time they walked out of the building. The dark clouds from the storm remained, reluctant to leave and hinting at more rain. She tried not to let that bother her. Surely she would be able to keep the fears from her childhood at bay around others.

  Surely.

  Hopefully.

  Please God.

  Cináed walked down a path that was hidden from the parking lot. She looked around her, making sure she could get back if she needed to leave in a hurry. There was nothing like taking a wrong turn in a new place when she wanted to make an exit.

  “You’re safe,” he said as he slowed, allowing her to come even with him.

  Gemma shot him a hard look. “By whose standards?”

  A small smile played about his lips. “I’ll earn your trust, Gemma. I promise.”

  She tried not to let his words affect her, but they did. Greatly. No one had said such a thing to her. Ever. At every turn Cináed surprised her, keeping her off guard. Maybe that’s exactly what he wanted.

  Her thoughts stopped when they went through a row of tall hedges and she saw the manor. It was...enormous. The dark gray stone stood against the bright green foliage and craggy mountains, imposing and formidable. And somehow...welcoming.

  She couldn’t explain it. It was the most peculiar feeling. There wasn’t an ounce of fear within her when Cináed opened the door and she walked through it.

  Inside, she was taken aback by the richness of color. The wealth was obvious in subtle ways—the rugs, artwork (all with dragons, she noticed), and the furniture. It was a place she wanted to explore, learning the hidden parts of the house and discovering its secrets.

  Because she knew it had many.

  Her head turned to Cináed. He also had secrets. She saw that clearly now. How had she missed it before?

  “Welcome to Dreagan.”

  Chapter Seven

  She was there. Actually at Dreagan.

  Cináed didn’t know what it was that had convinced Gemma to come, but he was excited that she had. Yet he knew he had his work cut out for him.

  She was aloof and untrusting. Not that he blamed her. One night had altered the course of her entire life, causing her to be withdrawn and detached from society. He understood her more than she could imagine, though it wasn’t as if he could tell her that he hid something as well.

  If she had gotten so upset at seeing her mother’s locket, he could only imagine what Gemma would do if he told her he was actually a dragon.

  “How did you know who I was?” she demanded.

  Straight to the point. Cináed shot her a quick grin as he motioned her to continue with him. He decided it was best to take her to the library where Ryder and Merrill had put everything while he had gone to get Gemma.

  “I was doing a bit of research for Dreagan,” he began.

  She interrupted to ask, “What kind of research?”

  “We’re looking for...a group, but suffice it to say that in order to find the origins, I’ve been looking through old newspapers.” He stopped and opened the library door for her. Once she moved over the threshold, he followed. “I found the article about you and your family.”

  Gemma stopped, her perusal of the library halted as she turned to look at him. She quirked a brow. “And?”

  Cináed realized that the only way he would reach her was with honesty. “The article was intriguing, but it was your picture that grabbed me. There was something in your eyes that refused to let me go.”

  “Fear.”

  He shook his head. “That was there, aye, but it was something more. You suffered something terrible, something that you have kept to yourself all these years.”

  “And you want me to tell you. Is that it?” she demanded, bowing up for an argument.

  “I would like to know what happened, because I think you have insight that could help unlock things so you can have answers, but I’m no’ going to ask you to tell me anything you doona want to. The look the photographer captured has haunted me. It propelled me to dig deep into what happened. Your story went along with that until it suddenly didna.”

  She held his gaze, refusing to reply.

  Cináed wanted to move the lock of ginger hair out of her eyelashes, but he didn’t dare go any closer to her. She was like a frightened animal. Any moment now she would bolt. He could sense it. So he kept his distance.

  At first he thought she hadn’t changed because she hadn’t been trying to impress him, but when she turned in the shop and he saw the remnants of tear tracks, he knew it was the need for answers that spurred her to him and nothing more. Though he had to admit he was a little disappointed.

  “You changed your name,” he continued. “Smart move. You also covered your tracks well.”

  “Obviously not well enough if you found me.”

  He twisted his lips. “To be fair, I dug deeper than most.”

  “I might be impressed, but I wanted to stay hidden.”

  “Nothing goes past us. Your secrets remain with me.”

  She lifted her gaze and looked around slowly. “As well as everyone at Dreagan.” Gemma’s gaze then returned to him, daring him to deny it.

  He bowed his head to her. “We are a close family. Whatever secrets find their way here never leave.”

  “How rare,” she murmured.

  Cináed knew she didn’t believe him. That was fine. He would prove it to her. He walked to the table and the newspaper with the article and picture of her. He looked into the eyes of the photo—the same eyes that stared back at him each time he met Gemma’s gaze.

  “You ran into me because I was trying to get a look at you,” he confessed. “I had no intention of talking to you then. As I said, I expected you to turn the other way.”

  She came to stand on the opposite side of the table. Her fingers lightly rested on the wood as she took in all the articles and other documents lying about. “Your research was thorough.”

  “Despite everything I read, I knew I needed to go to the isle.”

  A shiver went through her that she couldn’t hide. “I’ve not seen it since the day they took me away.”

  “The buildings still stand, though barely. The house was searched, but nothing has been touched except what the elements have ravaged.”

  Her blue eyes lifted to his. “You found the locket.”

  “We dove, searching for anything.”

  “I’ve had others do that three different times. Even the authorities conducted searches. How did you find it?”

  He shrugged, unable to tell her. “Luck, I suppose.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t believe that.”

  “I’m glad I was able to find something. I’m sorry it upset you.”

  Her eyes darted away for a moment. “It’s all I have left of my family. I should have thanked you instead of reacting the way I did.”

  Cináed shifted the papers to show the map of the small isle. “The locket was found here,” he said as he pointed to the waters about a quarter mile from land.

  She stared at the map for so long in silence that he wondered if she was lost in memories.

  “I can take you there, if you’d like,” he offered.

  Gemma jerked back as if slapped. “No.”

  Her reply had come out in a near shout. If he’d had any doubt that something horrible had happened that night, it was gone now.

  “I want to find the answers for you,” he offered. “Do I have your permission to keep looking?”

  She turned away, walking to a shelf of books. Her arms we
re wrapped around her. Strength radiated from her, but at the same time she looked vulnerable.

  “You doona have to do this alone,” he said.

  She gave a bark of laughter, but still didn’t look at him. “Do you know how many reporters and police said those same words to me? No one wants to do this for me. They want to do it for themselves.” She twisted around, locking her gaze with his. “Even you.”

  “I admit I want to solve the mystery. The more I look into that night, the more questions I have. You’re the only one who holds the answers. Whether you believe it or no’, I have a driving need to see this through. I can no’ explain why I have to know what happened, but I do know that it’s important.”

  “And you always listen to your feelings?”

  “Always. Surely you do the same.”

  She blew out a breath and turned to face him. All the ire had gone out of her. She looked tired and crushed under the emotions she’d been through that morning. “I do.”

  “I understand your hesitancy. I would be the same. Keep your story. All I ask is that you be with me as I keep looking. Help lead me in the right direction.”

  Her gaze searched his. “What do you get out of this?”

  “Nothing other than the satisfaction that you can finally rest easy and stop looking over your shoulder in fear. Once you have the answers, you willna be worried about what others find.”

  She bit her lip, considering his words.

  “Also,” he added, “I can make sure that no one ever finds out that you changed your name.”

  “Blackmail?” she asked, though there was no heat in her words.

  He shook his head. “I’ll have it done right now, regardless if you help me or not.”

  “Prove it,” she said and crossed her arms over her chest.

  One side of Cináed’s lips lifted in a grin. “Come with me.”

  He turned on his heel and walked from the library to the stairs. They ascended the steps until they reached the floor with Ryder’s computer room. Gemma kept up with him, her gaze moving about, but she never stopped or asked any questions.

  “Ryder,” Cináed said through the mental link dragons had. “I’m bringing Gemma up to you.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” Ryder replied.

  Once they reached the door to Ryder’s office, Cináed knocked and opened it. He swept his arm forward, telling Gemma to walk ahead of him.

  “Welcome,” Ryder said when they came around the screens.

  “Uh...hello,” Gemma replied as her gaze swept over the numerous monitors.

  Cináed slid his eyes from Gemma to Ryder. “Could you please make sure that no one can discover what Gemma changed her last name to?”

  “Consider it done,” Ryder said as he began moving his fingers over the keyboard.

  The screens flashed and were filled with all of the files on Gemma. It took just a few keystrokes before the pages vanished.

  Ryder then turned his chair to them and smiled. “There you go. No one will ever find you.”

  A small frown formed on Gemma’s forehead as she looked from the screens to Ryder then to Cináed. “Thank you both.”

  “I told you that you were safe here,” Cináed said.

  She took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I’m not safe anywhere.”

  Cináed exchanged a look with Ryder. Neither said anything about Gemma’s comment. Cináed gave a nod to Ryder and trailed behind Gemma when she walked to the door.

  Once in the hallway, she stopped and faced him. “No one does things like this for nothing.”

  “Some do.”

  “Not the people I’ve run across. Why are you helping me?”

  “I told you. It’s something I have to see through. For you and for me.”

  She frowned, her head cocking to the side. “Who are you?”

  “A friend. If you’ll have me.”

  Gemma stared at him a long moment before she looked away, shaking her head. “I don’t have friends.”

  “That can change, you know. Anytime.”

  Her gaze returned to him. “I’ve not exactly been friendly to you.”

  “You have no reason to trust me. Your reaction to things is natural.”

  “I don’t do well around people.”

  Cináed grinned. “I doona either, actually.”

  She snorted loudly. “I don’t believe that for a minute.”

  “Trust me. It’s verra true.”

  Gemma walked aimlessly down the corridor. She stopped after a few steps and slowly turned to him. “What would you want me to do?”

  “Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  “I’m not comfortable with any of it. I never have been.”

  He nodded and walked a few steps closer to her. “You’re afraid. You doona have to be anymore.”

  “I’m terrified. And it will never go away.”

  “If you find the answers, it just might. A child’s brain sees things different than adults. Things you didna understand back then may focus in a completely different light.”

  She pressed her lips together. “I hope you’re right.”

  “Does that mean you’ll help?”

  “What do I have to lose?”

  He fought not to smile because he was so happy. “Nothing. But you have everything to gain.”

  She frowned again. “It’s not just coincidence that I chose the village to live, is it? It feels....”

  “Like this meeting was meant to happen?” he offered.

  “Yes.”

  He’d felt like that since the moment he found her picture. “I think it’s because it was meant to happen. I think together we will solve the mystery of what happened to your family that night.”

  “I’d come to accept that I’d never know.” A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. “I’m almost afraid to hope that everything will get cleared up, because I’ve been disappointed so many times.”

  Cináed smiled at her. “No matter how long it takes, we’ll get the answers.”

  Chapter Eight

  Could it finally happen? Gemma almost didn’t allow herself to hope. But there was something in Cináed’s gray eyes that gave her the courage to take a chance.

  “All right,” she said and licked her lips, unsure of what to do or say now. Something sweeping and potent had occurred with just a few words between them and she wasn’t sure how to digest it all. “I guess I better get home.”

  Gemma turned and began walking toward the stairs. She really hoped she could maneuver her way through the maze of the manor to find the door. She was certain she could get to her car from there. It was just getting outside that was the tricky part.

  “You doona want to start now?”

  Cináed’s words stopped her in her tracks. She took a deep breath. What a dolt she was. Of course he’d want to start now. Why hadn’t she thought of that?

  Because you haven’t figured out which way is up when you’re with him.

  He came to stand in front of her. “If you want to leave, I’ll walk you out. However, if you wish to begin today, we can. It’s up to you.”

  There had been very little in her life that had been in her control—and this wasn’t one of them. Cináed drove this train. He had from the moment she backed into him. Usually that annoyed her, but not this time for some reason.

  “Of course.”

  Cináed raised a brow. “You doona sound sure. Would you rather come back later?”

  “I don’t know what I want to do,” she confessed.

  Gemma covered her face with her hands and took in a breath before she lowered her arms and met Cináed’s troubled eyes.

  “Perhaps starting today isna a good idea,” he said.

  She shook her head. “No, no. It’s fine.”

  “Take as long as you need,” he continued. “When you’re ready, you can let me know.”

  Gemma issued another shake of her head. “I appreciate your words. I’m sure I’m coming off as... Well, I don’t e
ven know what you might think of me, but it isn’t good. Seeing the locket was...difficult.”

  “I’m sure it was.”

  “That, coupled with your offer, along with the fact that I usually do everything on my own, and I’m struggling to find my footing.”

  Cináed nodded slowly, looking abashed. “I apologize. I shouldna have pushed you. It’s just a puzzle I feel compelled to figure out.”

  “Not at all,” she hurried to say. “You’re trying to help, and I’ve not been appreciative of that.”

  “I can no’ listen to any more,” a man said as he came up the stairs. His dark blue eyes met Cináed’s before they swung to her. His dirty blond hair was cut in the latest style, and he raked his hand through the long length on top. “You’ve both apologized. Now someone make a decision.”

  Cináed sighed loudly. “Gemma, this is Merrill. Merrill, Gemma.”

  She nodded in Merrill’s direction by way of a hello.

  “He’s the one who found the locket,” Cináed explained.

  Gemma’s gaze jerked back to Merrill. “Did you find anything else?”

  Merrill’s eyes briefly lowered to the ground. “Afraid no’. I was lucky to discover the necklace. I just happened to move debris that allowed a bit of the metal to shine through.”

  “You both gave me back a piece of my family. I can never repay that,” she told them. “Thank you doesn’t seem to be enough.”

  Cináed smiled. “It’s more than enough.”

  “We want to help,” Merrill said. “Let us.”

  With both of them—tall and gorgeous—staring at her, there was only one thing she could say. “I’d like that.”

  Merrill slapped his hands together and rubbed. “Now that that’s settled, how about we discuss returning to the isle?”

  That was one place Gemma knew she would never return to. Her mind was stuck on that thought, so she wasn’t able to get any words out. Thankfully, Cináed didn’t have that problem.

  “No’ yet,” he said. “Besides, Gemma is deciding if she’d like to return and do this another day.”

  Her eyes lifted, meeting the clear gray ones of Cináed. Another day? Right. Like that was going to happen. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything else now that she had seen the extent of what Cináed had gone to for.... Well, he said it was because her picture stirred him and he wanted answers.