Flame & Stone (Complete, Book 2 of the Duet Coming Soon)

Chapter 18

Sylas

"Should we make contact again?" Zane was pacing.

I tapped my finger on the desk, debating our next move.

When I approached the Dragon, he was a step in my plan. I wanted to plant the seed and get him to use an oracle so he could provide the location of Avery. He flew down here, discretely in the middle of the night. But watching him, seeing his frustrations and impatience. It appears he doesn't know her exact location.

Could Avery be in this area? Had the oracle been able to give a general location? Was the oracle unable to track her?

"I assume she is near here. The Dragon is frustrated because he doesn't know the exact location. He came here alone to be discrete. He doesn't want to spook her captures by alerting anyone of his presence." I continued tapping along the desk.

"What is he doing?" Zane asked.

"I'm not sure. Search property tax records and land titles for all Dragon names and known aliases. We start here and work our way out. If anything pings, we go check it out."

"Do we utilize the Dragon at all?"

"No. We just need to watch him."

"I think he may take his search to the skies, which would be stupid on his part, maybe you should warn him off of that."

Tap Tap Tap. It would be stupid, very stupid. "I'll be back."

Dragons were predictable, they always had hotels with big windows or balconies, something to jump out of and take flight, I assume. Brom had all his lights on, curtains drawn and the door opened. Nothing stood between him and I but a screen.

"You didn't call or text after you saw the oracle, I am offended." I said.

Brom turned to face me, I was still cloaked, surprise didn't register. "Who are you?"

"Does playing dumb ever work for you?" I asked from the shadows. He turned his back to me focusing in on whatever he had been engaged in before I interrupted.

"Considering you have provided me with a general location. I will formally introduce myself to you Brom, Dragon Prince of the Emerald Isles, I am Sylas Blackwell. Vampire Prince of the Obsidian Court." I dropped my cloak as he turned around to meet my eyes once again.

"What do you want with Avery?" He asked sitting from his seat.

"What do you want with Avery?" I countered.

"She is a Dragon Omega, it is my duty to protect her."

"Then why don't you know where she is, why did you let her get taken in the first place when she was at your side?" His jaw tensed, clearly a sore point for him.

"I failed to recognize that should was in danger." I made the mistake, I understood and could sympathize.

"What do the Vampires want with her?"

"That is none of your concern, I came over here to only ward of taking to the skies to search for her. It is clear you have no idea where to go from here." He stood, his amber eyes zeroed in on me.

"You have known her importance before I knew. You have been sending her gifts, have you not? Why were you not at her side to protect her?"

"She has always lived among Dragons, I didn't consider the interaction a threat until you arrived."

"But you know I didn't take her, I am not the threat." He smirked "To her at least."

"Oh but you will try to take her, you will parade her as the first born Omega in countless years, even without her consent. Dragons will rip her of her free will and breed her. She will became a part of your hoard, to be displayed like a trophy to taunt other Dragons. I know how your kind work." The truth of this statement must have struck a chord, he charged across the room, pressing his chest into mine. Snarling.

"You have my intentions skewed. She is destined to rule with me, at my side, as an equal. But I have honor and do not need to take! I would not strip her of choice, she will choose me!" He tried to check me with his massive body but I took a step back.

"Her destiny is to unravel the mess that Dragons helped create. Her destiny is at my side, not yours."

"A Vampire destined to a Dragon? You are insane!" His hands clenched at his side. I was ready and waiting for him to make a move.

"You think she is a Dragon, you know nothing about her! You just scented an Omega and our blindly following your d**k. Do not take to the skies, I am warning you Dragon!"

"Do not threaten me!" Brom pushed with both hands against my shoulders and I cloaked myself, side stepping and moving behind him.

"Alright, alright, alright. Separate!" Zane was between us in an instance. "Having an Alpha brawl between a Vampire and a Dragon would be equally as damning. You both need to maintain a low profile. So back down!" Brom threw his hands on his head and stepped out onto the balcony. I scanned his desk to look at what he was working on, what was on his computer. Drones?

"I heard you mention destiny. Can I ask you to explain that further?" Zane asked.

"Who are you?"

"Zane Grey, Vampire, witch hunter, the brains of this operation." He waved between the two of us and I gruffed in response. That's a stretch.

"I heard you both proclaiming to be Avery's destiny. Clearly I know why Sylas believes that. I am trying to understand if your posturing for her is as simple as following your d**k or if you have another reason to believe that." Brom looked like he wanted to take blows at both of us, but I watched as he calmed himself, pulling back his temper.

"An oracle prophesied it 19 years ago. I am destined to protect her, to rule with her."

A prophecy? Him? With her? My mind spun.

"In a land of darkness, fear, and strife. A girl is born to change your life?" I asked. It was evident the minute I spoke the first three words. Recognition as clear as day across Brom's face, surprise. God damnit.

"f*****g hell." Zane said. "It appears you two are destined to work together."