rain beat down on the roof over my head, but it failed to drown out the thoughts churning through my mind. The place was filled with the energy of someone with strong dragon magic. I’d recognized it inside the house too, clinging to all April’s childhood creations and lingering in the air. I’d sensed ursa magic inside, but not out here. Whoever April’s mother had been, whatever had caused her to run, it hadn’t been out of lack of love for her daughter. I had no doubt that this entire building had been left as a gift in the hope that April would return and see how much her mother loved her.
I went about the business of warding it like I had the house, eager to finish up and return to her to tell her. She needed good news for a change, and hopefully, this would re-ignite her inspiration to finish the piece for her show. At least if her current issue didn’t get in the way.
Halfway back to the house, the sky darkened, and my neck prickled with awareness. Sweet Mother, I hope they hadn’t found us already. But the absence of rain on my head confused me, and when I glanced up to see a shimmering mirage hovering in the sky above my head, my heart nearly burst from my chest.
Enormous silver wings slowly beat the air, flinging streams of water out in symmetrical arcs as the dragon descended. The crease of a battle scar across its sternum gave away his identity. Murdoc must have left Los Angeles the very moment he heard my message.
His claws dug deep into the wet ground when he landed, kicking up the pungent smell of fertile earth and reminding me of April’s scent when we were in the throes of lovemaking mere hours ago. When he shifted, naked except for the strap of his travel pack, he immediately strode toward me, his expression fierce and searching and ready to dive into a fight any second if necessary.
“You came.”
“Of course, I came! I will always come if any of you call. And if I’m honest, I was happy for the excuse.” He grabbed my shoulder and hauled me into a tight hug against his wet, naked body. I hugged him back, more comforted by his presence than I expected to be, but still unsure exactly how to explain the situation.
I forced myself to release him, grinning when I took in his ruffled blond hair, dark with the rain, and his piercing blue eyes. “Sweet Mother, are you a sight for sore eyes. Come inside and dry off.”
“You warded the place,” he said, falling into step beside me, his eyes flickering to white as he stared up at the house. “Is it the Bane Brothers who Chaos sent?”
“Just Vesh, but I don’t think he expected to find me there. And while he said he was after her dad, I have a feeling there’s more to their hunt than coming after some lucky card counter who bilked the casino out of some cash.”
“Was that the story?”
“That’s what April said, anyway. Her dad’s on the run from Pandemonium’s thugs.”
“April?” He glanced at me with more interest, a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. I opened the back door to let him inside, heart pounding. This would be the test. When he saw her, would he see the amazing creature I’d stumbled across in the gallery yesterday? Would April be as drawn to him as she was to me?
I opened my mouth to begin my explanation when an agonized moan carried down from the floor above. Murdoc’s gaze shot to the ceiling, then to me. “Don’t tell me you’ve kidnapped her or something.”
“Nothing like that, brother, but I’ll have to explain things later. She needs me now.” With that, I turned and ran up the stairs.
14
April
I clenched my eyes shut through the unbearable ache that settled between my thighs. This estrous or whatever I was going through felt like menstrual cramps on crack. Except that in between each wave of spasms, my body was on fire with need.
I’d been woken up by a violent spasm and reached for him, only to find an enormous pillow that vaguely resembled a man where he’d been. I shoved it away in frustration. It didn’t even have a dick, so it was zero use to me. I sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed with the intention of heading to the bathroom when another attack hit, causing me