Playing With Fire

"Show me," Gabriel said about an hour later.

"It's two blocks away. I had to come here to hide because I think someone from the committee saw me when I was checking out a dead end in Montmarte. At least I assume it's someone from the committee- few mortals unconnected with the Otherworld would be able to follow me when I'm in the shadow world, and I've seen the same woman three times in the last twenty minutes."

"I am with you now," he said matter-of-factly, as if that made everything right, and damned if it didn't.

"I'm not sure why, but Cyrene's trail has gone, yet the signs of the dragon remain," I said as we moved cautiously down a relatively quiet street in Menilmontant, a working-class area in the Parisian suburb of Belleville. "I guess it just has something to do with dragon scales lasting longer because they're tangible, as opposed to signs that an elemental being passed by."

"Just so you're sure it's Kostya you were following."

"Well, it's the dragon who was with Cyrene at the portal shop. Unless he had someone else meeting them there, it's got to be him."

We stopped in front of a small bakery. Above it, curtained windows bedecked with tiny window boxes indicated modest apartments for the residents of the area.

"That's it. I didn't go in, but I did search for signs at the exits. I didn't see anything that said the dragon who went in has left."

"Good work, little bird. You will please remember that Kostya is mine to deal with," he said as he angled his body to block the view of any passersby. I persuaded the lock to open, allowing us both to slip into a narrow, dim hallway that ended in a flight of stairs leading upward.

"Agathos daimon," I muttered to myself as I shadowed.

"What is it?"

"It's what's not-the trail. It's gone cold."

"It does not matter. If Kostya is here, I will find him," Gabriel said grimly.

I climbed the stairs slowly, examining them carefully for signs of dragon scales. Here and there I found a faint glimmer of a scale, but for the most part, the trail was gone. "Before you go bursting into all the apartments, let me look at their doors."

He didn't want to wait; I could see that. His muscles were tense and tight, the pupils in his eyes narrowed until they were thin little ebony strips. I hurried to the nearest door before he decided he would risk disturbing innocent people in his quest to get ahold of Kostya.

We hit pay dirt at the fourth and last apartment, at the far end of the building.

"Here," I whispered to Gabriel as I came out of the shadow world. The door handle had a couple of spots on it that glittered even in the dim light of the naked bulb overhead. "This has to be it."

"Get behind me and stay shadowed," he said, pulling a gun out of his jacket pocket.

I blinked in surprise at the weapon. Most people in the Otherworld scorned the use of modern weaponry as too crass for a society that valued personal abilities over brute strength. But such things weren't unknown, although I had no idea that dragons subscribed to the use of firearms.

"I don't under normal conditions. I prefer a sword for close contact, but I do not trust Kostya to hold to such things as honor."

I didn't have time to answer that before Gabriel screwed a silencer on the gun and shot the lock three times, kicking the door open immediately thereafter.

Dagger in hand, I remained shadowed as I followed him into the apartment. It was small but neat, a tiny kitchen immediately off the entrance. That opened into a main living area, which held the usual couch, TV, and a couple of bookcases. It was empty of dragons, however... and anyone else.

"There?" I asked, nodding toward a closed door. Gabriel moved so fast I couldn't keep up with him, although the sound of the door being slammed back made me jump. I hurried after him, stopping in surprise at the doorway.

Gabriel knelt on the bed between two people.

"Are they all right?" I asked, coming out of the shadows to offer him my dagger. He cut the bonds holding Maata and Tipene, both of whom had been securely bound and gagged.

Maata started talking the second Gabriel had her gag off. I didn't understand what she was saying, it being in some language that had an oddly beautiful cadence. As soon as he got her arms free, she sat up and saw me, switching immediately to English.

"I knew it was only a matter of time before you found us, although it took a little more time than I'd hoped. Excuse me." She bolted to a room leading off the bedroom.

Gabriel cut the bonds holding his other bodyguard. Tipene looked furious as he leaped off the bed.

"We have failed you, Gabriel. I will resign my post immediately."

Gabriel looked at him with somber appraisal for a moment before grinning and enveloping the larger man in a bear hug. "Now is not the time for foolish talk. We have much work to do in finding Kostya."

"Kostya? Is he here?" Tipene asked with a puzzled frown.

"It wasn't Kostya who kidnapped you?" I asked.

Tipene shook his head. "No. It was two others, the two ouroboros who took us in Greece. They used drugs on us!"

The outrage in his voice was clearly evident.

"Several times," Maata said as she emerged from the bathroom. Tipene shot Gabriel a glance.

He nodded, and the bodyguard hurried off to the bathroom.

"How long have we been gone?" Maata asked Gabriel.

"Four days."

She swore. "We were drugged the entire time."

"You have no idea how long you've been here, in Paris?" I asked Maata.

"I had no idea we were even in Paris until I could hear the radio from the street. We woke up about six hours ago. I was getting worried that no one would come to give us water and let us relieve ourselves, at least."

I exchanged a look with Gabriel. "Kostya said he didn't kidnap them," I reminded him.

His face worked for a moment. "It fit, though."

"Possibly, but I think more and more that Porter's boss, whoever that might be, is involved in all this. Ouroboros dragons indicate it might be a dragon, but we can't know that for sure. It could be anyone, really-a demon lord, a dragon, one of the wyverns you mentioned, or even Baltic come back from the dead. Not to mention someone unknown to us."

Gabriel shook his head and questioned his bodyguards for a few minutes, but they had nothing to explain what happened other than that the original people who snatched them off the street in Greece were dragons, but dragons not known to them, and not members of any sept. We conducted a brief examination of the apartment, but there was nothing to identify the occupant.

"Did you recognize the dragon who was here in the last couple of hours?" I asked when we gave up searching for information.

Maata blinked at me for a moment. "What dragon?"

"Whoever came here a little bit ago. Possibly with my twin, Cyrene."

"I didn't see anyone, although I dozed for a little bit. Tipene?"

He shook his head. "I was awake since noon, and no one entered the apartment."

A strange chill ran down my back as I thought about the trail clearly leading to the apartment. A memory tickled my brain and sent me back to the tiny kitchenette off the entrance. A window overlooked an unkempt minute garden at the back of the building. The window was unlocked, and when I half crawled through it, I saw one little glimmer of dragon scale on the stone ledge outside.

"He left through the window," I said, climbing back into the apartment. "Probably came into the apartment and didn't bother going into the bedroom-just left via the window without being seen. Agathos daimon.We're being led, Gabriel."

"So it would seem," he said, looking thoughtful. "Do you think you'll be able to pick up the trail outside?"

"No. Too much time has passed. But what happened to Cyrene? If that was Kostya I was following, Cyrene must have left him at some point. Probably that spot in Montmarte where I lost the trail for a bit. I'm sorry, Gabriel."

He nodded in acknowledgment of my regret. "It cannot be helped, little bird. We will return to Drake's house and regroup. I'm sure Maata and Tipene are hungry."

Maata made a face. "You have no idea."

Our trip back to Drake's elegant house was made in silence broken only by the rumbling of Maata and Tipene's empty stomachs.

I left Gabriel, Drake, the bodyguards of both, Aisling, and Savian closeted together to discuss the assault on the committee's vault. I had no stomach for planning-I positively itched with the need to be doing something, preferably finding Kostya and Cyrene. I wandered around a small garden at the side of the house, following the line of a tall hedge to a secluded little area containing a tiny fountain and two curved stone benches. The sun had set a short while ago, the night air close and heavy, as if it was about to rain.

"Whatcha doing?" a voice asked from the other side of the fountain.

I jumped at the unexpected intrusion. "Jim! Oh, you scared me."

"Sorry. Was taking a pee. What are you doing in Aisling's outdoors sex spot?" Jim emerged from a shrubbery.

"Outdoors sex spot?" I repeated in confusion.

"Yeah. If you go over to that corner, the hedges block the view from all the houses around us. Aisling keeps a blanket out here in summer just so she and Drake can get naked. You and Gabriel going to get it on? Should I bring you a blanket?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Your loss. What are you doing if you're not scouting for an illicit love nest?"

"Wishing that it was a few hours from now," I answered, rubbing my arms against a little prickle of goose bumps. "All this waiting around with nothing to do leaves me feeling itchy."

"You sure it's not fleas? I had a little bout with that myself last month, and Aisling just about had a fit."

"I doubt it's fleas," I said with a little laugh. "It's just a bit... irritating, if you know what I mean. Everyone is so concerned about plotting and planning when the matter is really very simple: I shadow walk in, report back as to which guards are posted where, and what sort of security is in place, and the dragons eliminate them."

The demon tipped its head on the side. "You really think it's going to be that simple? The committee has had almost a thousand years to keep people out of their vaults, and I've never heard of anyone breaking in, let alone breaking in and getting away with anything."

"They've never faced a force like ours, though."

"True that," it agreed. "So what are you going to do about Magoth? You still thinking of going dybbuk? 'Cause if you are, I want to watch when Magoth gets wind of it."

"You're an evil little beastie," I said, tightening my lips.

"Hello! Demon!"

"Sixth class, which means you weren't born that way." I inspected it carefully. "What were you originally? Elemental being? Demigod?"

Jim snorted. "Ha. Like I look like I have that sort of power? I was a sprite in the Court of Divine Blood."

"Fallen angel, I should have known."

"Oh, puh-leeze," it said, rolling its eyes. "Don't even go there. It's bad enough Aisling found out. I don't need anyone else going on about it."

I laughed again and patted the top of its head. "Fair enough. To answer your question, no, I don't intend to go dybbuk. I won't have to. The situation will work itself out."

"What situation?" a silky smooth voice asked behind me. Gabriel strolled toward me, his movements controlled and graceful, like a lithe tiger. He had changed clothes and was now dressed completely in black, the darkness of the clothing and the enveloping night making his eyes glow like moonlight on mercury.

"The one concerning the phylactery. I was telling Jim that I think everything is under control, and don't anticipate any problems."

Gabriel ran his thumb along my jawline, tipping my head back so he could peer into my face. "You are keeping something from me."

It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes," I said, unwilling to lie to him.

"Tell me."

I glanced at the demon, who watched us with avidity.

"Jim," Gabriel said, and jerked his head toward the house.

"Yo. Right here. You going to suck faces? Can I get my iPhone to film it?"

"Scram," Gabriel told it.

"You're not my master. I don't have to take orders from- Scramming."

Jim hurried off to the house muttering about people not having a sense of humor. I tucked my knife back into its sheath.

"What are you concerned about, little bird?" Gabriel asked, his thumb brushing my lips.

I flicked my tongue against the pad of this thumb and gently bit it. I didn't want to tell him about the phylactery, not when we were so close to getting it. If Gabriel knew the position I was in, he would insist on challenging Magoth himself, and not even a wyvern of his power could stand against a demon lord. Much as I hated to keep things from him, it was better for all concerned if he was unaware of the true source of my worry. I answered truthfully, but with less explanation than perhaps was needed. "It's Magoth. I'm worried about him. I don't want him to hurt you."

He replaced his thumb with his lips, pulling me into an embrace that made me sigh with happiness. "Do not fret about that, Mayling. I am not so careless that I would allow a demon lord to gain an upper hand with me. And do not despair that we will fail to find a way to free you from this bondage. I've been concerned with getting the phylactery and finding Maata and Tipene, but once the phylactery is in my possession, I will put the full powers of the sept at your disposal. We will free you from Magoth."

I leaned into him, kissing his neck as guilt pricked at me for deliberately misleading him. "I just want tonight to be over."

"It shall be soon enough." He glanced at his watch. "Savian recommended we not begin until deep night starts, when the powers of any beings guarding the vaults will be at their lowest. That gives us three hours."

The last sentence was spoken with his hands squeezing my behind as he rubbed suggestively against me. My body responded immediately, my breasts becoming brazen little hussies who wanted immediate access to his hands and mouth. I tugged his shirt out of his black jeans, sliding my hands up his ribs. His skin was warm, like satin over steel. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

His smile was pure sin. "Three hours should be sufficient time to give you pleasure several times over."

I glanced at the house. "What about Maata and Tipene?"

"They are eating and preparing themselves for the event to come. You will have all of my attention, Mayling." His smile got a whole lot more wicked. "And this time, I intend things to go differently. I will give you much pleasure before I even think of taking my own."

"Oooh, that sounds promising," I murmured, unbuttoning his shirt. "Foreplay at long last."

He allowed me to remove his shirt before pulling off my leather bodice, his hands immediately cupping my camisole-clad breasts. I leaned into him, breathing deeply of the delicious scent that seemed to cling to his skin. "Shall I tell you what I will do to you?" he murmured, his lips busily nibbling on my ear as he peeled my shirt off.

"Oh, please, yes," I said breathlessly as his fingers slipped the front hook of my bra open, revealing my eager breasts.

"First I shall torment these lovely, plump morsels of delight. I shall taste their silky smoothness, suckling the delectable rosy tips until you scream with pleasure." He traced lazy patterns on the underside, making me shiver as he circled my breasts, avoiding my sensitive nipples until I couldn't stand it any longer, and bit his shoulder.

He laughed into my neck and gently pinched the aching tips of my breasts. "Then I shall taste the rest of you, all of you, taking my time to explore your sublime belly, your perfect hips, and the sensitive flesh of your inner thighs."

I quivered against him, positively quivered at the combination of his words, his touch, and the feel of him as I stroked the hard muscles of his back.

"I look forward to licking every inch of your legs, little bird. I want to find every little spot on you that makes you tremble with passion. I will lick my way up until I can savor your true essence upon my tongue."

I just about saw stars, and dipped my head to take one of his pert little nipples into my mouth.

Gabriel gasped, froze for a moment, and then the next thing I knew I was on my back, the cold grass pricking uncomfortably into my bare flesh. My pants, shoes, and underwear had gone flying, whipped off me at such a speed that it took me several seconds to realize Gabriel had removed them. I lay stunned for a moment, and then sat up.

Gabriel knelt next to me, his face twisted in agony. He was aroused-very aroused-but didn't seem to be able to move.

"Are you all right?" I asked, reaching out toward him.

He trembled as I placed my hand on his thigh. "Don't touch me. Please, Mayling, if you have any mercy in you, do not touch me."

"Gabriel, what on earth is the matter?" I got to my knees next to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm trying to control this overpowering, insane, undeniable... need I have for you," he said, his eyes opening to pierce me with molten light.

"I thought that need was part of you being a wyvern, and me being your mate."

"In certain circumstances, yes. But you have not been taken from me recently. I should be able to control this overwhelming drive to possess you."

"I think we'd better just give up on the idea of foreplay," I said, laughing at his tortured expression.

Irritation filled his eyes. "We will not! Dammit, May, I want to do this! I owe it to you-not just because you are my mate, but because you would like it. And I would like to see you liking it. The thought of doing it is in the top five of my sexual wish list. It's just that when you're not around, I can think about all of the many and varied ways I would like to love you, but then I see you and smell you and taste you, and it's so hard..."

I wrapped my hand around his penis. "Possibly hard enough to break a concrete block."

His eyes widened for a moment, and then he tipped me over backward, hoisting my legs around his hips as he thrust into me.

"Gabriel," I moaned, both at the sudden act of penetration and the unusual position. "This isn't particularly comfor-oh, dear gods, yes! Do that again!"

He repeated a delicious little hip swivel, and it was all over for me. I clutched handfuls of grass as he sent me flying, dragon fire washing over my body as I gave in to the glory of our joining. My legs, clutched around his hips, spread wider as his body thickened, the slick, satiny skin becoming rougher and harder until silver scales rippled upward to cover the flesh. Scarlet claws pricked the skin on my hips as he lifted me to meet him, the sensitive skin of my inner thighs rubbing with delightful friction against his scales. Gabriel's roar of completion startled birds sleeping in the scattered trees of the garden.

I opened my eyes when he collapsed down upon me for a moment before rolling onto his back, taking me with him. He was Gabriel once more, a man, and yet not a man. But whatever he was, I could no longer deny that I was falling in love with him.

"You shifted," I said, amazed at the experience.

"I'm sorry," he said, his eyes closed, his chest heaving beneath me. "I know I said I wouldn't, but I couldn't control myself. You are so much a part of me now, I've lost the ability to maintain a facade for you."

His words touched my heart. I savored the sweetness of them for a moment, reveling in the warmth he brought to my life. For the first time, I felt utterly cherished.

"Now," he said, interrupting my thoughts.

"Now what?" I asked, draped across him like a limp noodle. His heart beat wildly beneath my ear. I spread my fingers across his chest, marveling that such a man was mine.

"Now we will have foreplay. I believe I'm suitably sated that I can last longer than five seconds before attacking you."

"I rather like your method of attack, although I do admit I'd like to be able to indulge in a few fantasies of my own before you unleash your inner dragon on me."

He opened one eye. "What sort of fantasies?"

"I've heard so much about oral sex, and I've never had the opportunity to try it out before. So I'd really like to... well, I'm sure I don't have to put it into so many words. Since you're much more relaxed, why don't I just indulge myself?"

"You want to...?" His other eye popped open as I started to slide down his body, intent on exploring that part of him which had given me so much pleasure.

He grabbed me before I was able to move four inches. I looked up, worried that I had done something wrong. A familiar strained, tense look was on his face, his eyes screwed up tight. I looked down at his penis. It was no longer in a resting state. "I thought you were sated?"

"I was. Until you went and mentioned doing that to me. No! Don't touch me there, woman! For the love of-grk!"

A half hour later, Gabriel, his arm wrapped around me because my legs were unusually weak, hustled me toward the house with a grim look on his face.

"I will beat this," he muttered. "I am a wyvern. I am strong. I will control my needs long enough to give you pleasure, and you will enjoy it, dammit!"

I said nothing, but I smiled. A lot.