Corrupt Cravings (5 page)

Marcella nodded her head, feeling her heart break at the same time. Ambrose’s arms wrapped around her from behind, and she turned into him as Dominic disappeared. The fear she felt for her other half brought tears to her eyes. Locating Jason’s soul deep inside, she internally comforted it. Somehow, she prayed that did something to ease him in what he was going through.

“Ambrose, what do you think he’s going to change into? I’m scared for him. What could be so bad that it would put him into a trance like that?”

“I have no idea. Come. Let’s take a walk in the bailey. Some fresh air would do you good.”

Marcella noticed people standing from the table. Their safety needed to be put first. “Everyone, retire to the second floor for today. Jason is in the dungeon, going through some changes. The underground level is not safe. I’ll make sure the windows are completely blacked out for your comfort. Tomorrow, you may all return to your quarters.”

Focusing her mind, she sealed off all the windows. Although the vampires could sleep with the light coming in, they enjoyed the darkness the underground provided. She didn’t blame them one bit. The light was definitely a pain in the ass to their sensitive eyes.

“Let’s go for that walk. I can’t even think knowing Jason might be in pain. I feel so helpless.”

Ambrose led her through the door to the outside courtyard. Since it was located in the middle of the castle, she never had to worry about anyone sneaking up from the outer perimeter. A large gazebo surrounded by pink hibiscus circled the wooden sitting area. They made their way to the wicker furniture just as clouds broke out over the sky.

“Well, shit. This sounds about right. I finally want to come outside, and it rains. What are the odds?”

Ambrose laughed, and Marcella sat down anyway, shielding the courtyard with her energy from any possible downpour. Rubbing her eyes, she tried to calm her nerves.

“Come, lay down on my lap. I will relax you.” Ambrose pulled her long hair over his lap, allowing it to fan over the side.

“Thanks. You always make me feel better.”

Resting her head against his hard thighs, she watched his hand hover above her body. After a few seconds, the peace associated with his powers wouldn’t come. Nothing about this situation was normal, and she knew she couldn’t just sit by and do nothing.

“I have to get to Jason. Something’s not right.”

“No, no. You stay here with me. Maybe I’m just getting rusty. I haven’t tried to do this in a few weeks.”

“Bullshit, Ambrose. Jason needs me. Either you’re coming or not. Tell me now because I’m about to vanish.”

“You know I’m not leaving you.”

Grabbing his hand, Marcella closed her eyes and felt for Dominic. She’d never been to the dungeon before and had no clue how to even get there. When she felt the pull, she grabbed and felt the tingling associated with her disappearance. Opening her eyes, she froze at what she saw. Stone walls surrounded a large room the size of a football field, but what stood chained in the middle nearly stopped her heart.

Ambrose let out a shuttering breath. “Oh, sweet Jesus. I’ve got to get you out of here!”

Marcella could feel herself being pulled away by Ambrose, but she was so in awe with what she saw, she felt momentarily paralyzed. Realizing what was happening, she ripped out of his grasp and lunged forward, running at a full sprint.

“What the hell is she doing here!” Samael yelled out. “Ambrose, I told you to keep her away!”

“And you think she listened? She was coming regardless!”

The dragon reared back on the chains, testing the metal. A hiss broke through the air, sending chills all over Marcy’s body. She suddenly felt really stupid for running toward the beast. Jason stood as tall as a two-story house. Multiple shades of brown scales covered his body, shimmering in the dim light as he turned from side to side.

Air exploded from Marcella’s lungs. It felt like she was hit by a bus. Dominic covered her body, trying to hold her down while she fought against him. Turning to watch the dragon, it began to jerk on the chains wildly, sending fire shooting toward the ceiling.

“Let me go, damn it! Jason needs me. He can’t think straight right now. Can’t you see? I’m the only one who can calm him. Please, Dom. You have to trust me.”

“No way. You got the first part right. He can’t think straight. There’s no way I’m letting you go anywhere near him right now. You know nothing about dragons. That thing is evil, Marcella. Worse than any demon you carry. He’ll never be able to control himself in this form. No matter how many centuries he tries to master it, it’s impossible. He’ll have to stay this way until the shift runs its course.”

“But I feel him calling to me, Dom. I know he’s in there somewhere.”

“I’m sure he is, love, but you can’t trust the other part of him that he can’t manage. It’s the whole reason he became immobile back in the great hall. The creature controls his mind. It’s horrible this is the animal that’s chosen him. At least you’ll be able to handle your lioness, but the dragon, no one can overpower. I should have known from the tattoo he carries on his chest.”

“The tattoo.” The realization hit her heard. “And the wings on my back must be my succubus.” Damn, she didn’t want to think about that right now. “Listen, I think I can calm him, Dom. Please, I’m begging you. Let me try. Don’t make me get to him by having to use force against everyone in this room.”

What sounded like something between a roar and a growl vibrated Marcella’s insides. She caught Jason snapping in their direction as he pulled against the chains.

“Can you not see that? He wants to eat you, not let you stroke him like a pet. You’re not getting up. And if you think I forgot about that spanking, then you’re wrong. I am so bending you over my knee when we’re done.”

“Dom, I really didn’t want it to come to this.” Marcella sent an energy wave blasting through the room just above her. All the men flew back, crashing to the ground as she put up the invisible wall, blocking them from coming any closer. All three began to beat on the surface. When Samael’s hand pushed the energy in, she felt a moment of panic.

Fire raced through her skin as her collector grew angry. They couldn’t stop her. She wouldn’t let them. Walking to face them, she let the heat burn her eyes, knowing they were glowing as she stared at them with all the rage she felt.

“You will not stop me! Stand down! That is an order.”

Dominic gave one last swing at the wall and stepped back. Samael didn’t stop pushing the boundaries. There was no time for this. The need to calm Jason and make him realize what he was doing forced her back.

Razor sharp teeth, half the size of her arm, slashed toward her as she neared him. The thought that Dom was right and she wouldn’t be able to reach her other half only made her angrier. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Already, she couldn’t summon him like she was supposed to be able to do with one of her creations. If she couldn’t reach his beast on top of everything else, it only told her one thing, her collector was failing in its responsibilities.

Studying the snaps of the dragon’s thick jaws, she calculated what movements she made that caused him to attack. Taking a step to the left, she watched the head lunge down toward her. Side-stepping his quick reactions, she quickly moved the right.

“Jason, you’re so gonna feel this in the morning. Sorry, baby, but I’m afraid you leave me no choice. You need a master, and it seems the only way I’m going to win you over is to beat the living shit out of you. I don’t think me killing you with kindness is going to really work on your dragon.”

Marcella changed from her dress to a pair of jeans, a tank top, and a pair of steel-toed boots. Jason watched her wearily as he paced the few feet the chains allowed. Pulling back her hair in a ponytail, she walked forward, slowly.

“All right. Right, left, which way do you want it, Jase?”

The dragon reared its head back and dove. Quickly jumping to the side, Marcella kicked as hard as she could, landing her foot right on his nose. A hiss poured out of Jason’s mouth while he shook his head back and forth.

“If you blast me with fire, so help me, I swear I will come back from the dead a thousand times to beat the fuck out of you. Either way, you will bow to me, Jason. You have to. I can feel how important this is to Marcianna. Our future could depend on you taking orders from me in this form, and it has to start now.”

A growling roar filled the room as fire raced toward the stone ceiling. The moment red glowing filled the dragon’s cat-like eyes, Marcella felt panic. “I’m assuming this isn’t good. Fuck, that looks really scary. All right, I’ll make a deal with you. Bow your head to me, and I’ll walk away and let you finish your change all by yourself. I’ll know Jason is indeed in there, and he’s listening. But if you don’t, then this time I’m going to punch you with everything I got. Now, I know it doesn’t sound like much to a big ol’ dragon like you, but I guarantee you’re going to feel it.”

A snarl filled the room. Marcella almost didn’t have time to jump out of the way before Jason’s head was sliding to the side to knock her off her feet and turn her into lunch. Jumping, she caught the side of his snout, sending her flying across the room. Stone tore into her arm as she slid across the floor. Unfortunately, she noticed she was his territory, and it didn’t take him long to notice, either.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck.” Marcy crawled backward just as the edge of his teeth tore into her leg. Screaming, she kicked at the side of his face with her other boot. Catching him in the eye, the dragon jerked. She quickly moved back to where he couldn’t reach.

“I can’t believe you just did that, Jason!”

Blood and a stinging sensation raced down the length of her calf until she thought she was going to pass out. She’d be lucky if any of her leg was left under her knee. Good thing he only clipped her, or else the thing would be completely gone.

Screaming broke through her shield, and she saw the men rushing forward. Quickly, she put up a new one. Damn it, she was running out of time. Pulling up her pants, she watched as the blood flowed out freely.

“All right. I’m done playing games. If you don’t want to play fair, well, I’m not going to, either. I’m sorry, but I feel deep down that this is the only way I’ll ever be able to control you in this form, and I need to be able to do that in an emergency, Jason. I can’t stress this enough.”

An orange and blue blaze raced in her direction, and she put up another wall of energy, blocking it from turning her into a crisp. Reaching deep down into herself, she felt the element of water stir. “Water, come to me, hear my call.”

An explosion in the far wall had water pouring toward her in a massive flood. Fuck, she’d probably broken the main line to the house. She really hoped no one was in the middle of a shower, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

“That’s enough!” she said to the water. Spinning her hand, she pulled and wrapped the large amount in a circle, letting the clear pool hover above Jason’s head. Holding her hands toward the sky, she quickly brought them down just as more fire exploded in her direction. The dragon slid across the floor at the weight and began to twist and tug angrily.

Great, you’re just pissing it off, Marcella. Super human strength and tolerance aren’t going to be enough for this one. Think of something!

Nothing came to mind. Aggravated, she limped forward and began to hit his face with everything she had. Jason snapped, and she felt the bones in her hand crack under her connection to his snout, but she didn’t quit hitting. The tears poured from her eyes, and still she swung with everything she had. Teeth pierced her bicep, making contact with her bone. The pain was so intense that a scream wouldn’t even come from her throat.

Dazed, Marcella fell to the ground. She was losing way too much blood. The room tilted underneath her as she stared up at the brown form above her. This was it, she knew she was about to die, yet again. She’d been completely stupid to think she could master a dragon. Everyone knew something like that couldn’t be controlled.

The beast took a step back, and she watched its head turn to the side just as it lunged forward. Collecting all of her energy, she quickly jumped up and felt herself sway. It didn’t stop her from taking one last kick at his face before he knocked her to the ground, causing her to hit her head. Darkness spotted the room as pieces of the dragon disappeared from her vision. Feeling wetness starting to soak her hair, the heat coming from the back of her head drew her into unconsciousness.