Page 21 of The Black Dragon
“What are you doing here?” Ariel backed off, staring athim.
“I’m your new landlord. Boughtthe houseyesterday.”
Surely this was a nightmare. Justin bought the house? She’d been thrilled to find out it sold for the askingprice.
Now, Ariel knew why it sold soquickly.
He stopped and looked around. “Where’s yourfather?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know much of where he goes thesedays.”
She went to the kitchen table and sat down, burying her head into herhands. “Why are you doing this, Justin? This place has nothing but bad memories foryou.”
“Not all bad.” He studied her as if memorizing every line of her body, her face. “Why didn’t you leave after I escaped? Why are you still here like a caged bird Leo insists onkeeping?”
The black dragon couldn’t understand the complicated ties of her family, her fear of the unknown, or her worryabout a father who had been cruel to him, but kind toher.
“I like the viewhere.”
“Tell me the truth, little bird.” Justin pulled out a chair, turned it around and straddled it, resting his arms on the back. “Truth.’
Low and hypnotic, his deep voice wove a spell over her. Ariel tried to fight the compulsion. Couldnot.
She found herself telling him things she vowedto keep silent. Horror filled her. He couldn’t have this kind of knowledge, and yet she kept talking, spilling information like a burstdam.
“I couldn’t leave. Father needs me.” She struggled against the mental spell he wove over her. Dragons could force their victims to reveal secrets… before they atethem.
Or burned themalive.
Focus on something else. Don’t let him overwhelmyou. Ariel thought of cool rushing river waters, the smell of sage drifting through thehouse.
Justin frowned. “You have a strong will, Ariel. But mine is stronger. Tell me the truth. Where is your father and what is hedoing?”
A throbbing began in her head, the pounding far worse than the ache in her left leg. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish.I can do this, I can resisthim…
“Is Leo planning to kidnap and torture more blackdragons?”
It felt like a fist wrapped around her head, squeezing. Arielgasped.
“He’s in Seattle, arranging mymarriage.”
The fist eased as he made a startled sound and then muttered a low curse. She breathed a sigh of relief. Didn’t last. Pain resumed as he leaned close, his dark gazehypnotic.
“Tell meeverything.”
Details spilled in in a rush. Desperate to get him out of her mind, and regain her identity, she talkedfast.
“Father met wealthy Mages who wanted a mate for their only son. The Covingtons are very rich, struck it big in the telecom industry. Parker, their son, expressed interest in finally marrying. He wants me. Traditional Mage marriage, wife and children. I’d be setfor life. Never have to workagain.”
Now the pain in her heart surpassed the ache in her head. “Father said with my amputated foot, no Mage male would want me. Our people are whole. Beautiful. Not like me. Parker is my only chance forhappiness.”
“That’s bull.” Claws emerged from Justin’s fingers. He dragged one down the wood table, gouging it. “Is this Parker the skinny geek withthe glasses in the photo on yourdresser?”
Ariel licked her lips. “Yes. He and his parents were here to visit. They thought about buying the house, but decided against it. That’s when Father made thedeal.”
“Go on. Whatelse?”
“Father borrowed thirty thousand from the Covingtons. He needed it to pay back taxes on the house or we’d lose it. It’s all weown.”
