“But—“ Mark began.
“If they do not kill them in fear of us saving them, they will wait here and spring a trap for the next time we come.”
“We can’t save him today,” Surcy said. “He isn’t ready. He’ll kill you.”
Tristan looked between the beast and the Immortals. He had no choice. He couldn’t leave them to suffer, not knowing what Caine and his angels would do now that they’d been found. Yes, the dragon still seemed unable to communicate with them, and gave no indication of his human-side, but Tristan would take the risk.
He had to.
“I remove his chains. Today.”
“And what if you actually succeed in releasing him, and he immediately eats all of us?” Daniel asked, with a frown.
“All of you will go to safety.”
“Like fucking hell,” Daniel said, shaking his head.
“I’m made of stone. I can endure some of the dragon’s attack.”
“Some,” Daniel emphasized. “Not all. His teeth will turn you to dust.”
Tristan shrugged. “Then, I’ll avoid his teeth.”
“Surcy, tell him what a dumbass he’s being,” Daniel shouted, drawing the gazes of the Immortals and the dragon.
Tristan’s gaze swung to her, and their eyes met. For a minute it was hard to breathe. Did his little angel have any idea the effect she had on him? He was certain she didn’t have a clue.
She didn’t remember their many moments together, or their nights spent tangled in each other’s arms, but he did. And it killed him to not be allowed to touch her now.
Curling his hands into fists, he willed himself to look at her without seeing her. To not notice how fluid, how graceful her movements were as she moved toward him. He told himself that her skin wasn’t flushed and healthy, that her long, black hair wasn’t silky and begging to be touched, and that the curves of her face and full lips weren’t flawless.
But even his own mind screamed that he lied.
She was… stunning.
Her breathing increased, and his gaze moved to her breasts. The slight rise and fall of the twin mounds were intoxicating to watch. His body begged him to reach out and stroke them, to cup them in his hard hands and feel their delicious weight.
But he could not touch her. He would not touch her. Not until she loved him again.
“Tristan?” she said his name softly.
Does she feel our connection too?
“Yes.”
“Do you really think you can do this?”
He nodded. Of course he could do it. It was dangerous, but he was not easy to kill.
Reaching up, she pushed his hair back from his face, tucking it behind his ear. A thousand memories came back to him in a rush. Of the first time they met. Even as an angel hunting demons, the connection between them had been powerful. Her slightest touch made him feel more than he had in all his years as a gargoyle, and the power that moved between them was there, even now.
Rising up on her tiptoes, she pressed the lightest kiss to his lips.
He held himself still, afraid of what he might do if he let the wall between them crumble.
“You be careful,” she whispered. “Do you understand me? Because if you let that dragon hurt you. I’ll kick your ass.”
He smiled. “You won’t be rid of me so easily, little angel.”
Her gaze darkened, and she leaned up again. This time when she kissed him it wasn’t lightly, and he felt the wall between them falling. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, and his lips slanted over hers. She was so soft, his angel. Her mouth hot and hungry against his. And when she parted her lips, her tongue tangling with his, he forgot all about the dragons and the Immortals.
This was all he wanted. Surcy. In his arms. Safe and loved forever.
When she pulled back, breaking their kiss, they were both breathing hard. He stared at her, wanting to see the familiar face of a lover. Instead, her expression was surprised. Like it was their first kiss. It both hurt and fascinated him.
She might never remember him, but maybe she could love him again.
“So,” Mark cleared his throat. “What’s the plan?”
Tristan tore his gaze from his love and stared at the tired druid. “You three find a place to hide. When the dragon is released, we do not know what he will do. He may instinctually shift into his human form. He might become crazed and hunt like a starved animal. You do not wish to be his next meal.”
“And if he does that, what will you do?” Mark asked, looking as if he disapproved of their plan.
“I will get as far from him as quickly as I can.”
Daniel laughed. “I guess that’s a plan.”
Tristan looked between the two men. One frowning. One smiling. And yet, they were both worried. Do not be concerned. I won’t leave you so easily.
“Take care of her,” he ordered them.
Daniel nodded. “We will.”
And there it was. He didn’t just mean right now. He meant if anything went wrong. And they both knew it.
He didn’t watch them as they slowly left the cave. He might feel something then, and he couldn’t waste time with such things now. Instead, he turned his gaze to the Immortals on the other side of the cave.
“I am releasing him now. Stay far enough back that he cannot reach you.”
Their eyes widened, but they obeyed him.
Turning to the dragon, they openly evaluated each other. Gargoyles and dragons were typically allies. For all the rumors about dragons’ tempers and selfishness, they didn’t like powerful beings preying on humans either. There were times in the past the creatures had even fought at his side.
We are the same, he sent the thought to the dragon.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but he thought the beast stiffened.
I am going to free you. And you are not going to kill any of us. You may shift. You may hunt. But we are not your enemies.
The dragon’s silver eyes swirled, but he didn’t send a thought in return.
Truly, Tristan wasn’t certain whether
