Embrace the Dark

14

He was so close now I could smell him. Leather, mixed with something faint and spicy. Something dangerous. Our eyes were locked together, and I found myself breathing faster, my heart pounding. Even worse, his body called to mine. Heat from his chest ran across my breasts, making my n*****s harden under my leather top. I wanted him to touch me, while at the same time I wanted to push him away. His head tilted down and he seemed to breathe me in, and for a second I thought he would press his lips to mine. I held my breath, waiting to see what he would do. But then he stepped back and turned away.

“Run home, little princess, before your watchdogs realize you’re slumming it here with us criminals.”

Unbelievable. "If you won't come to the palace, I don't see how we can be mates."

"I'm sure we'll figure something out.” He sat behind his desk again and leaned back in his chair, crossing his tattooed arms behind his head. “Come back when you’re ready to head to the Death Temple for our bonding.”

I grit my teeth, but I had nothing more to say to this awful man. I turned and stomped toward the door, ready to be far away from him.

As soon I touched the knob, he said, “Wait.”

I turned back and saw him stalking toward me, his long black hair flowing behind him, making my breath catch. “Yes?”

He brushed past me and opened the door. “I’ll show you out the back.”

I rolled my eyes and followed him down the hallway. “Why, don’t want me to see more of your illegal activities?”

“I think you’ve seen enough for one night.”

He opened a door at the far end and a cool rush of outdoor air flew inside, along with the sound of many voices. As I started forward, Varek threw a large, inked arm in front of me. “Stop.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“Something you should stay away from.”

“Why?” I craned my head, trying to see out. “What’s happening out there?”

I pushed past him and he sighed and let me go. I stepped outside and saw a large crowd gathered around a person in a featureless black mask standing on a crate beside a statue of my mother in dragon form. Other people in gray masks stood around in support, staring out at the people gathered there.

The person on the crate raised a fist. “For too long, humans have been powerless, while the elementals and the Dragons use their magic to control the world. We all know this peace with the elementals won’t last. There are reports every day of elementals and shades attacking human settlements in the outer reaches, and where are the Dragons? In their lofty tower, lording over us. We can’t rely on them to protect us any longer. They’ve sided with the enemy. We need to defend ourselves and rise up against the oppressors. It’s time to put humans first again!”

My jaw dropped as I stared at the leader, but then Varek grabbed my hood and yanked it down over my head. “It would be best if you weren't seen."

"Why? Trying to protect me from them?" I hadn't expected that from him.

He gave me a dark glare. "I don’t want to lose my mate before claiming her.”

I shook my head at him and moved forward, trying to get a better look. I’d never heard this kind of talk before. The Dragons were the protectors of the Four Realms. Their while purpose was to keep humans safe. Did these people truly believe they were doing such a bad job of it?

“We are the Unseen, but we will not be ignored any longer!” The speaker on the crate spread their arms, and flames burst forth from their fingertips. I gasped and actually stumbled back. That wasn’t possible. I could count on one hand the number of people with fire magic, and none of them would be saying something like this. For a second I wondered if this was some kind of prank and it was Zain up there, or my father, but that didn’t make any sense.

Fists went up in the air with the chant, “Humans first!” I gazed around, shocked by the vehemence in their voices and the anger on their faces, as much as the leader’s fire display. Varek grabbed my arm as the crowd started throwing bottles and rocks at the statue of Kira. He had to drag me out of there, and I was too stunned and horrified to do anything but go along with him.

“That was a trick, right? That person didn’t really use magic?” I asked, as we turned a corner and went out of view of the crowd. I could still hear them in the distance, along with the sound of another bottle smashing. I cringed as I stumbled forward. “Do they really believe all that?”

Varek didn’t answer me, but kept leading me down alleys and dark streets I’d never visited before, until the gates of the palace came into view. Only then did he stop.

He released the grip on my arm, and I absently rubbed the spot where his hand had been. I looked up at him, realizing that he’d gotten me out of a dangerous situation and escorted me home. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as I’d thought.

“You know where to find me,” he said. “Try to be a little less obvious next time.”

My eyes narrowed. “I don’t need to hide or sneak around. I’m the Ascendant.”

His laugh mocked me. “Did you learn nothing from that rally? The streets of Soulspire are no longer safe for you.”

I could only gape at him as he slipped back into the shadows and left me alone with my dark thoughts.

The guards didn't react as I walked through the gates. Nor did the guards at the door, or the two I passed going up the stairs to my wing of the palace.

When I walked into my chambers, though, my mates blinked several times at me. "Where have you been?" Erroh asked. "We thought you were in bed."