Page 11 of Dragon Compelled
Convinced of the emptiness of this world, I circle back and begin my return. My dragon sight allows me to see far below me while remaining obscured by the clouds, and I’m careful not to dip out of their cover just in case there are any watchful eyes trained on the sky.
When I catch sight of the beach, alarm shoots through me. Mag stands at the water’s edge, but he’s not alone. Three other figures stand before him, clearly outnumbering him. I push my wings against the air, soaring faster, urgency ripping through me at the idea that he might be in trouble.
When I get closer, I see that the three figures are all female. That doesn’t lessen the threat considering I have no idea what they are capable of. Dipping low as quickly as possible, I land out of sight behind the hill and climb carefully up until I can reach my clothing.
After shoving my clothing back on, I make my way down to the beach where Mag still stands with the three strangers. Up close, I see they are beautiful women, each dressed in nothing but a thin dress that clings to their skin thanks to the sea spray soaking them. A detail Mag is apparently intently focused on. Even when I step up beside him, he doesn’t look away from the females before him.
I clear my throat, and he blinks, glancing over at me with a goofy smile.
“Aries, there you are. I was just telling my new friends we are on a very important mission and would be so grateful for their help.” His tone is free from tension as if he doesn’t find these women a threat at all.
“And who are our new friends?” I ask warily.
“Oh, forgive me.” The female on the left giggles, her blonde hair shimmering as she moves. “My name is Harmony, and these are my sisters, Choral and Watersong.”
“Beautiful names for beautiful women.” Mag winks.
“Is this your cabin?” I ask them.
“Yes, are you seeking shelter?” the one called Harmony asks.
Mag lights up at her offer. “We can’t stay long but—”
I suppress an eye roll. “We are looking for our friend, a troll. Have you seen him?”
“No.” Harmony’s eyes widen. “Is he in trouble?”
“He’s been taken by someone very dangerous,” I say.
“Oh, does that mean there is danger here?” Choral asks, biting her lip.
Mag nearly trips over his own tongue as he assures her, “You have nothing to worry about, gorgeous, not while I’m around.”
This time, I can’t stop myself from casting a glance to the heavens.
Watersong steps closer to Mag, looping her arm around his and pressing herself into his side. “You’d stay with us? And keep us safe?”
She gazes up at him with round, hopeful eyes, and Mag is nodding even before she’s done asking the question.
My eyes narrow as the other two sisters edge closer to me. I frown, my suspicion growing with each passing second. Their presence here doesn’t make sense. Not when there are no villages nearby or even a garden to provide food for them.
“We’re so lucky to have such handsome protectors,” Harmony says, looking up at me through long lashes.
Strange magic pulls at me, though it doesn’t affect me, thanks to my dragon. Still, it’s enough to alert me to what these women are. I’ve encountered their kind once in my homeland, and that was more than enough.
I glance at Mag, who is already draped with the third sister’s lean body. She smiles up at him, and he blinks, dazed by her charms. He probably doesn’t even realize she’s maneuvered him closer to the water already. On either side of me, the other two sisters are trying to do the same, unaware I’m immune to the magic they’re wielding on Mag.
“Hey, lover boy,” I call, “Did you happen to read the title of this one before we jumped in?”
Mag doesn’t tear his gaze away from his new friend as he says, “No, why?”
I sigh as Mag takes another step toward the water. Watersong’s eyes gleam with anticipation as she watches him, coaxing him along. Fuck me, this is not going to be easy. Not when my partner is already enthralled.
“Because,” I say wryly, “I’m willing to bet this story is about a trio of sirens.”
Harmony’s head whips toward me at that, her eyes immediately narrowed as she undoubtedly realizes I’m not falling for their charms. Nor am I oblivious to their true intentions.
“Sirens?” Mag echoes.
