Running in Fear: Dragon's Den (14 page)

Dominic sat down on the bed. “I'm so mad at her right now. I wanted to let her sleep, but I guess it's best to get this over with. Wake Suzanne.” Her green eyes as flickered opened.

“I take it you haven't cooled down yet.” She smiled up at him.

“No, far from it, but there are a couple of things we have learned. I wasn't the target. You were.” Dominic watched the play of emotions spread across her face: doubt, hurt, then anger.

“Why would those bitches from the plane want to kill me? Because I'm mated to you?” Suzanne scooted back onto the bed and tried to sit up, but he laid his hand on her chest, holding her in place.

“So you saw the women from the plane?” Dominic glanced at Blair, who shook his head.

“They're nowhere to be found. We've searched everywhere, and I talked to the other one. She didn't know anything and was clueless.” Blair sat down on the other end of the bed, and traced his hand down Suzanne's cheek. “You scared the shit out of me, Little Red. I don't like to be scared.” His voice was calm but held a whip to it.

Suzanne glared at both of them. “Well, I don't like being shot at either, especially by his old playthings, so excuse me for trying to save his life.” She crossed her arms over her naked chest.

Blair glanced at Archer. “Is she healed?” he snapped.

Archer nodded. “She feels no pain now.”

Dominic moved off the bed before Blair reached over and plucked Suzanne up. He sat her down on his lap, facing him with her legs wrapped around his waist. “Tell me why you're angry.” He held her chin in his fingers.

“I've only been with all of you for two nights, Blair, but it feels like I've known you all my life. When I saw that arrow coming, I didn't have time to do anything. Just the thought of someone hurting Dominic or one of you…” Tears dropped down her cheeks. “I couldn't do anything, and I was furious that someone wanted to take away my happiness. But when you two, or all of you, say you're mad at me for trying to protect Dominic, it set me off. I'm sorry I snapped, but I'd do it again, Blair, if someone threatened one of you. I can't lose you.”

Dominic sat down next to Blair. “Suzanne, you have to understand, if we lose you, we all die in some way. We've waited centuries for you, and to have you ripped away from us just now would be too much. If you would have opened your mind to me, I would have been able to save you from getting hurt.”

Suzanne frowned. “But I thought you could see everything I saw. I didn't close my mind from you, Dominic. Matter of fact…well, we were, you know, having sex, so I opened my mind totally to you so you could feel what you did to me, the gift you gave to me every time we make love. Didn't you feel it, or whatever you call it?”

He searched her mind, and shook his head. “No, Suzanne, you're still partly closed off to me. Blair, Granger, Archer, is she closed to you too?”

All three of them nodded and glanced at her.

“Damn it, Dominic, I tried, I really did, and I'm still trying. Why can't I open up all the way?” Suzanne got up and paced back and forth. “Temmra says I'm totally open and that you should be able to read everything.” She stopped and glanced down at him.

“Blair, do you feel any kind of magic, or something that could be blocking us?” Dominic reached out and pulled Suzanne in between his legs. His phone rang in his pocket.

Dominic reached into his pocket and flipped open the phone as Suzanne sat down on his knees. “Dominic,” he said into the phone, holding Suzanne close to him.

“This is Remi again, Dominic. We have a problem here, and we're wondering if you were having the same one. Marsha believes it's some kind of ancient spell, but she's not sure. When I got off the phone with you, I tried to connect with Jaycee. We all did, and part of our connection is gone. Are you having the same problem?”

Blair stood, and grabbed his phone, nodding. “Yes, at first we thought it was just that Suzanne didn't know how to open fully to us, but now we know different. Blair is contacting his father. We'll have him bring any ancient books he can find with him. Maybe with Marsha's help, we can figure this out, but until then…”

Remi cut him off with a growl. “In the meantime, one of us will always have to be within reach of our mate. Then we now know Suzanne and Jaycee are at the biggest risk for attack. Damn it!”

Dominic kissed Suzanne's arm, and snarled. “We'll be there as soon as we can, but I'm afraid you're right. Call if you hear anything, and I'll do the same. Until then, we'll see you tomorrow.” Dominic put his phone back into his pocket. “I'm sorry, Suzanne. I should have realized something was wrong.” He sighed and hugged her tighter.

“I can't lose you, and I won't. Blair, what did your father say?” Dominic mumbled around Suzanne's breasts.

“He's heard of whispers of this spell, but can't place it. We have a whole library of ancient books. My father, brothers, and uncles are all going there now to sort them out. They'll bring what they find.”

“I want us in the air in one hour. Let everyone know to get ready, call the plane, and have them stand by.” He opened his shirt and gently lowered her head to his chest. “Feed, Suzanne. You are weak.”

Chapter Fourteen

 

Suzanne looked up at Dominic, afraid. “Dominic, Temmra told me she can't reach the Goddess either, and that she's always been able to talk to her.” She slid her hands into his shirt, and around his body, trying to warm herself.

“We'll figure this out, Suzanne. Since Temmra is now a part of you, it's most likely the spell has been woven around her also.” He grinned. “I take it she's not too happy.”

She snorted against his chest, licking and nibbling. “She's furious. She can't contact her mother either, and that has her worried.” Suzanne sank her fangs into his chest. His warm blood soothed her and gave her the strength she needed.

After only a few minutes, Suzanne lifted her head and placed a small kiss where she had fed. “Thank you, Dominic. I feel better. I'd better get dressed.” Suzanne stood up, moving towards the closet.

“Here, Suzanne, I picked a dress out for you so we could repack your clothes. We'll be sleeping at Granger's old home, but we won't get in till late.” Archer kissed the side of her neck as he helped her pull the dress down her body. “You can also sleep on the plane.”

“I'd better go thank Eleanor and Brady. I want to apologize for leaving so soon.” Suzanne reached up and kissed Archer's lips. “Thank you for helping me earlier. I know it wasn't easy on you.”

“I'd do anything for you, Suzanne. All of us would. You are the heart that holds all of us together.” He swatted her ass. “Now, go. We have to get to the plane.”

Granger took her arm and winked at her. “So, are you ready to meet my old man?”

She patted his arm and walked down the stairs with him. “Yes. I can't wait to meet your father. But I'm warning you now: if that companion of his even starts trouble with you, I'll rip her head off. Temmra is already sharpening her claws.” Suzanne gave Granger the look Della always said scared off the weaklings.

Granger flung his head back and laughed. “You will behave, Suzanne. She is, after all, my father's companion. Just think how you would feel if something happened to one of us.”

“Hmm, I'll take that into consideration, but you are my main concern, not your father.” Suzanne stepped into the large family room and smiled as Eleanor and Brady came up to them. “I want to apologize for eating and leaving. I so wanted to go riding tomorrow, and spend more time with you.” Suzanne hugged Eleanor, who kept glancing at Brady.

“I'm just so sorry everything happened. I swear our security is usually so good here. I hope you'll come back.” Eleanor looked like she was ready to cry, when Brady slipped his arm around her and hugged her.

“Eleanor, what happened isn't your fault. Of course we'll be back. Dominic still owes me a midnight ride that we didn't get to finish.” She winked at Eleanor.

Dominic walked into the room and smacked her on the ass. “Until we find out what's going on, you will not be on any more horses. They only thing you will be riding…”

Suzanne slapped his arm. “Okay, we got it. Jeez!” She rolled her eyes and Eleanor laughed.

“Good, now no more tears or worrying. I'm fine, and we'll be back, I promise. Now, that doesn't mean you can't come visit us when we get settled. Matter of fact, I expect it. Especially since Dominic wants Brady to design our home.” Turning, she saw Archer come in, and smiled.

“The limos are here, and they'll be coming, or I'll personally come down here and drag them back to visit us.” Archer hugged his aunt and uncle while Granger and Dominic each took one of her hands while they walked to the limo.

Blair reached from inside the limo and pulled her inside. Their security people and friends spilled into the other limos. The night air was warm on her arms, the crickets sang, and the fresh air soothed her. “You like it here, don't you?” Blair nuzzled her neck as she sat on his lap.

“Yes. I would love to come here and stay for a couple of weeks. It's so peaceful and quiet.” Suzanne put her head down on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

“Sleep, Little Red, we've got you. You've had a long day.” Blair kissed her on the top of her head. “We'll wake you before we land,” he promised her before her eyes closed, and she drifted to sleep.

Once more Suzanne drifted into the clouds as Temmra stretched inside her.
Even in this realm, I can't reach the Goddess, or my mother. But I feel the Goddess close,
Temmra reassured her while she glanced around, and waited.

There you are, Suzanne. I couldn't even locate you, and that is not acceptable.
Goddess Empusa strolled to her.
Gaia has informed me that the spell that was cast is not from your realm. It's from the fae realm. The queen of the fae has informed Gaia that one of their ancient books of spells was stolen from her personal library. She is beside herself, to say the least, because the only way to reverse the spell is with the book itself.
Empusa's fangs protruded out of her mouth and she took a calming breath.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lose control there. Anyway, she is sending six of her best warriors to Earth to search for the book. She has also assured myself and Gaia that she has added extra protection to you and Jaycee for however long it takes to find this book. Your guards will meet you at Granger's father's home.
She smiled.
It shall be interesting to see how your men, and Jaycee's, deal with this kind of protection. From what I've heard, they're the finest-looking men around. Before I forget, Temmra, your mother has contacted me that she will arrive here in the next few days. She is also extremely furious to be cut off from you, but I've informed her that Logan is your mate, and he can protect you well enough. If I hear anything else, I will contact you, Suzanne, as soon as I can. You'd better get going. Your plane is about to land.
Goddess Empusa took her hands into hers.
Be careful. I will be extremely pissed if someone else harms you.

Suzanne grinned and hugged her, shocking her.
Thank you for all you have done, and Temmra thanks you too. You are a very lovely woman, and I can't wait till you find your other half.

Goddess Empusa disappeared and Suzanne woke, stretching on the bed from the plane. She shook her head. “There is no way they would be jealous.” Suzanne got up and stepped into the bathroom, threw cold water into her face, then glanced up to see Dominic leaning against the door frame.

“Jealous of whom?” His eyes flashed red, then back.

She turned and leaned against the counter. “I had another visitor in my sleep. It seems the spell used on us was fae magic. The book that was used was stolen from the queen's personal library.” Suzanne dried her face and tried to step around Dominic, but he wrapped his arms around her and held her.

“And keep going. Who are we going to be jealous of?” Dominic lowered his voice, sending a tremor through her.

“Well, it seems the queen of the fae blames herself, since it was stolen from her home. So she has sent warriors to protect Jaycee and me. They'll meet us at Granger's home.” Suzanne glanced down at the floor and smiled when Dominic's phone went off again.

He reached down and grabbed his phone. “Hello?”

“Did you hear the news? Have you met the warriors assigned to Suzanne yet? I can't believe the queen of fae sent her top ten warriors here. And every one of them is some sort of sex magician,” Remi snapped into the phone. “Like we don't have enough to worry about. Now we have to worry about these warriors around our mate!”

Dominic glared down at her and she smiled, trying not to laugh. “We haven't seen the guards yet. They are supposed to meet us at Granger's home. I'm sure they wouldn't try anything with our mates. After all, they are here to protect them. That is all.”

Suzanne listened as Dominic tried to calm an irritable Remi down; all the while his hold on her tightened. He clicked the phone shut and took her hand, taking her into the main area of the plane.

“Sit.” Dominic pointed, and he took a bottle of water from the bar, while he explained the situation to everyone around them.

Archer, Granger, and Blair turned their heated gaze on her. “I didn't request this. I can't help it if the queen of the fae is sending her best warriors here. You were the ones worried about my protection. Now you have the extra guards you need, so why are you having a fit?” Suzanne tried to frown, but one glance at Lissa and Tonya and she burst out laughing with them.

Tonya and Lissa sat next to her while all five of her mates and the other men grumbled behind them. “I've never seen a warrior fae. From what I've heard, they are really impressive. They only visit Earth once in a while, so it's rare to meet one. I can't wait. We're going to have them around us!” Tonya jumped when Anthony snarled in her ear.

“Why are you getting so excited? You have a mate, and you are to stay away from them, do you hear me?”

Tonya rolled her eyes and glared up at him. “Enough already. Jeez, they're here to protect Suzanne. It's not like we're going to fuck them or something. Unless, you want to have an orgy while they're here!” She giggled and wiggled her eyebrows. “I hear they are very sexual people.”

“Take your seats. We're landing, and there will be no orgies!” Dominic snapped and sat down where Anthony had yanked Tonya back to her seat.

“Orgies. Wait till I get you to our rooms. I'll keep you too busy to think of any orgy!”

Lissa laughed and glanced at her brother, who was frowning at her. “What are you frowning at now? I'm not mated, so if I want to have some fun with the warriors, I see no problem with it.”

“You don't need that sort of reminder. Just stay away from them,” Stephan grumbled and sat next to her.

Suzanne shook her head. “Really, Dominic, I don't know why all of you are having such a hard time with this. I'm mated to the four of you, I have enough men, and I don't want any others.” She leaned over and kissed his lips, but he said nothing as they landed.

The inside of the limo was quiet while they pulled up into Granger's old home. It was close to two in the morning, but the mansion was lit up for their arrival. Suzanne sucked in her breath, watching ten large men with silvery blond hair that reached down to their waists step out of nowhere to surround her limo as it pulled to a stop.

“Wow, they weren't kidding when Tonya said they oozed sex.” Suzanne stared.

The tension in the car increased, and Blair's arms around her tightened. “Not a word to them, Suzanne. Right now my dragon wants to tear them apart, and you don't need to think they're sexy.”

Thomas glared at the warriors as he opened the door, and Dominic stepped out. One of the warriors stepped forward and said something, but Suzanne couldn't hear a word they said.

Dominic nodded and held out his hand. Suzanne placed her hand into his large one. She kept her gaze to the ground as his arm and Blair's surrounded her.

“Suzanne, this is Uryne. He is the commander of this group of warriors assigned to you, and the only one you will talk to in case of an emergency.” Dominic's hold on Ladon was strained at best. Little puffs of smoke swirled around his face and the claws at her hip had her glancing down at the ground, nodding.

Temmra came alert inside her.
We have company.

Suzanne gazed over her shoulder to see ten other fae warriors appear behind them. Three large alpha wolf shifters stepped forward with a smaller pregnant woman.

Dominic met the man, who was as tall as him, and shook his hand. “Remi. I thought we were meeting at your place. It's good to see you again, even under these circumstances.”

Remi nodded and reached behind him, bringing forward his very pregnant mate. “We had no choice but to meet with you here. Our home was compromised an hour ago. The fae thought it best we all meet here, and I had to agree. They're going back to bring the others we'll need, but first let me introduce my mates.” He smiled down at the small woman next to him.

“Dominic Hazelfield, this is Jaycee Manz, and Dane and Mark Glassgo.” Jaycee laughed and swatted Remi's hand as he grabbed her ass, squeezing it.

“Behave, Remi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Dominic. Are these your companions?” She nodded behind her, and Suzanne smiled, walking up to Dominic.

“Hi, I'm Suzanne Butterfield. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.” Suzanne held out her hand to Jaycee, who laughed and pulled her into a hug.

“It looks like we're going to be working together for a while. I have a feeling we'll become very good friends.” She glanced behind her, and several other people appeared with the return of the fae warriors. “Good. Marsha, Shelly, and Cecil are here. I think we'd better get inside.” Jaycee frowned up at Remi. “Someone's watching us, and I don't like it.” She rubbed her hand over the swell of her belly.

Suzanne glanced around the compound using Temmra's vision, and she too felt the disturbance outside the gate, but what really shocked her was the ghost behind Remi and Jaycee.
Damn, he's a handsome man.
Temmra snorted.

Granger stepped up to them and nodded to Remi. “Please come in. Father is waiting inside for you in the parlor.”

* * * *

 

Dominic nodded to Uryne, who took three warriors and searched the outside compound as they made their way into the mansion. Fae warriors, vampires, and werewolves surrounded the important group.

Archer and Blair stood to the left of Suzanne, Granger to Dominic's right, when they entered the large room. Granger's father stood, with his companion next to him, and met them halfway. “King Dominic, welcome to my home. May I introduce my companion, Angela?”

Dominic nodded to the woman. “It is good to see you again, Castor, and I want to thank you for the use of your home. Let Granger introduce the rest of his companions.”

Granger shook his father's hand. “It's good to see you again, Father.” He nodded to Angela but didn't say a word to her. “Father, this is Suzanne.” Granger pulled Suzanne forward.

Castor pulled Suzanne into a hug. “I can see my son has done well. You are beautiful. Welcome. This is now your home, Suzanne, as with Granger's other companions, since he will one day take my place as clan leader.”