After a twisting, turning car ride that made her slightly motion sick, she was escorted into the darkest, most dreadful office she could ever have imagined. The wood was dark. The floor was dark. The walls, the drapes, even the lights seemed dim and only slightly illuminated the room. The chill inside was a stark contrast to the bright, sunny day outside. It reminded her of a cave, minus the dripping water and squeaking bats.
She sat on the oversized leather sofa, trying to be patient as Vector left her alone with Mist. After at least twenty minutes of awkward silence, Vector strode back in the room, his posture indicating a man under extreme stress.
“My apologies. We will not be able to sign the contracts this evening,” he informed her, a note of sadness and frustration in his voice.
“Okay. I understand.” That was fine with her. All she wanted now was to get out of these shoes, take a quick shower to wake herself up, and maybe enjoy a stroll through the enchanting village she’d seen from the car window as they approached the estate.
“Tomorrow morning? Shall we say eleven?”
“Yes, I will be ready at eleven.”She tried to sound calm and professional but was really thrilled. Eleven would mean she could sleep in, take her time. Maybe even wander around this gigantic estate she’d barely caught a glimpse of as she was whisked into a guarded garage and to this gloomy office. “Since you will not be needing me right now, would it be possible for me to freshen up?It was a very long flight and I would like to see if any of my luggage is salvageable.”
“Of course!” Vector winced as if she’d shamed him. “Mist, escort the lady to her chambers and see to it she has everything she needs.”
Mist nodded and held out her hand to indicate Katy should precede her out of the room. When they were in the hallway, Mist stepped up beside her.
“This way.” She led Katy down a series of stone hallways lined with tapestries and treasures that must have cost a fortune. They walked on rugs that probably cost more than Katy made in a year at the law firm. The deeper into the castle they walked, the more Katy felt trapped, like a prisoner.
“Am I allowed to leave? I’d like to walk around the village a bit. Do a little touristy shopping. Maybe have a glass of wine?” It was still early. She could shower, grab a quick nap, and still have a few hours to spend before she would need to lie in bed and battle her jet lag.
“Or limoncello. You must try it.” Mist chuckled. “Of course, you may go exploring. I am honored to be your guide.”
“We don’t need the entire entourage?”
“Indeed not.”
Katy nearly sighed in relief at the thought of getting away from all the intensity and posturing from the men. And the twin swapping. God, she hated lying about who she was. Trying to be her sister all the time was exhausting. Emily owed her. Big-time.
“Just double-checking since there were so many of you at the airport.”
Mist’s smile grew wider. “We are in our home territory now. No one would dare try to hurt you here.”
As opposed to where? The airport? The next town over?
What kind of insanity had Emily dragged her into?
* * *
Deep underground, Ryker’s entire body shook with suppressed desire. Power. Agony. His dragon raked impatiently at his insides with invisible claws and pulled, grappled with the heavy chains holding him prisoner.
Now. Now. Now.
Unable to respond through the dragon’s heavy layers of emotion, Ryker drew the dragon chains tighter about himself. It was the only way to suppress the waves of magic battering him from the inside out.
Be calm, dragon. We will find her.
Something was different about Emily Toure. His dragon sensed it as soon as she entered the main palazzo. The beast became crazed. Even now he could barely connect to the dragon’s thoughts, fought with every breath to contain him. The creature had never fought so hard.
Mate!
That one word brought Ryker up short. Mate? That was impossible. He’d met Emily Toure months ago. Touched her skin. Allowed his dragon to take in her scent. She was not their mate.
MATE!The dragon’s bellow felt as if it would crack his skull in half from the inside.
Vector entered the room, and the dragon roared a warning.
“Calm down, Brother. She is here. All is well.”
But she was not in his home. Not anymore. He’d felt her leave. Known the moment her energy, her presence left the protection of the family compound.