Compelled (The Secrets of Dragons Book 1) (11 page)

“I’m not either.”

Eric shifted over to sit closer to him. “It’s weird she accepted this whole thing so easily, but is flipping out over the idea of becoming one of us.”

“It is kind of a large proposal and I do see her point. She needs information.”

“You’re right. I’m worried she’s going to say no. What do we do then?”

Eric appeared so distraught. Alex was worried about him and himself. He didn’t want to lose Lou over this. “We managed before we met Lou, and we will do the same afterward. It was nice having her around, but we can’t force her.”

“I know. I just want her with us.”

“I’m going with you,” she said as she dropped her bag on the table. “I realized when I saw the jewelry missing, it was the only really important thing in the house. I’m bringing it with me.”

“We’re coming back,” Alex assured her with a smile.

“I know, but if my house is broken into again, I want the jewelry safe. Can we fix the garage door first?”

“Anything your heart desires.” It was a statement and as he said it, Alex realized just how true the comment was. He would do anything for her and would be just as devastated as Eric should she turn down their offer. A nose plug might work, but then again, it might not. They could pick one up on the way to the house and find out.

Chapter Nine

Alex pulled up in front of the sprawling ranch home. To think he had taken over the property at the young age of nineteen seemed incredible. How long had he been with Eric? “When did you meet Eric?”

“We met in junior high school,” he replied. At first we were just friends and then our relationship became more.”

“Before or after you were changed?”

“Before.”

“It was in our senior year of high school,” said Eric. “We were sitting at my house watching television. There was a movie on and in it were two gay men. When they kissed it was so damned hot. I wanted Alex to kiss me and when he turned to look at me, I melted inside. I asked him to kiss me and he did.” Eric smiled. “Then we had a long, hard talk about our desires and relationships with women. We are both bisexual, but had never admitted it to anyone before. Once we did, our bond kind of fell into place and we’ve been together ever since.”

“When did you get married?”

“Officially, last year, but we made vows to each other long before that.”

Eric and Alex climbed out of their seats, and Eric opened the door for them. She had seen the house, but the difference in the structure was amazing. “Wow. They got a lot done.”

“They’re good workers,” Alex said as they walked outside and toward the house.

Luke was the foreman, and he walked toward them. Lou was surprised to see him, considering it was well after nine at night. “I called him and said we would be here,” said Alex as if answering her unspoken question.

Luke smiled at them. “Demon, Phylox. I see you have the beautiful one with you?”

“We agree,
Lemon
,” replied Alex

Lou battled the grin that threatened to burst onto her face. Luke’s color must be lemon yellow. “He’s a dragon?”

“Yes. Most of us work during the day and then hang at the cave at night,” replied Lemon.

“So what questions do you have for me?” asked Alex.

“Just a few things about the interior. I know you said you wanted overhead cabinets in your bedroom. Did you want display doors or closed ones?”

“Display would be cool,” replied Eric.

“Okay. In the kitchen, which you will probably also answer Eric, do you want a dishwasher?”

“No.”

“How about the custom faucet you showed me in the magazine?”

“Oh, yes. I want that, please.”

Luke smiled. “How about the living room floor. Did you want it replaced with wood again or do you want rugs?”

“Hardwood in the living room and the tile we discussed in the kitchen. Have you been able to find the marble counter we were talking about?” asked Alex.

“I have it on order.” Luke said. “I also wanted to ask you about the picture window. Did you want slatted side windows that open or just the bow?”

Alex considered it for a moment. “I want the side windows.”

“Then that’s it,” said Luke. “I do want to show you what we’ve done, but that’s better left for morning. Are you staying here or going back to the caves?”

Alex turned to her. “This is your call. You said you wanted to meet the others, but we can’t try out your new nose plug there.”

This was a tough choice to make. She really wanted to have sex with them, but if the nose plugs didn’t work she would sleep half the day away. “Can we go now and then, you know—when we get back?”

“Of course we can.”

“Do we walk or will you turn for me?”

Alex took her hand, leading her away from the house and into the surrounding forest. Just past the tree line was a large clearing. Alex stopped. Eric and Luke were behind them. Alex wrapped his hand around the back of her head and drew her into a kiss. His lips were like satin against hers, his tongue in her mouth a luxurious stoke of wet muscles. Her body molded into him, her breasts brushing against his chest. His fingers stroked her scalp, his hand keeping her taught to his body.

When he released her, it was with reluctance she stepped back. Maybe she should have just said no to the dragon caves for now. Alex winked at her and then his body began to change. His skin became brilliant ruby red, before scales consumed his body, his face elongating into a snout. Demon horns twisted from his skull, his legs and arms equalizing as his body dropped to the ground and then began to enlarge. Alex became bigger, and then from his shoulders sprouted what looked like red lace lined with thick support strands. When he spread them wide, she gasped in awe. Lou spun to look at Eric and Luke. They were both true to their color. Eric was multiple shades of purple ranging from the lightest lavender to the color of purple lilacs. Both men appeared to be smaller than Alex and Luke was a brilliant shade of lemon yellow.

Alex knelt before her, his voice filling her mind.
Climb up onto my back, wrap your arms around my neck, and I will carry you.

She did as instructed, keeping her grasp firm, but not enough to gag him. When Alex leapt into the air, she almost screamed, the unfamiliar sensation startling. His strong wings carried them upward, above the tops of the trees and she wanted desperately to hold on tighter. Lou resisted the urge, feeling the smooth marble-like quality of his skin. It was cool and almost soft, with the purity of the taut muscles beneath it. His body was flexing under her palms. The tops of the trees were looming just below his feet as he flew some invisible trail over the forest below.

You’re lucky I’m not afraid of heights.
She thought in what she figured was a normal speaking voice. Lou had no idea if he could hear her or even understand.

The sensation of his chest lurching against her arms was followed by the sound of odd rumbling—what she thought was laughter.

I can hear and understand you. I will have to ask Yassie if that’s normal. I never rode with anyone on my back before, so I don’t know.

Never?

No, you’re the first.

Was this the ultimate honor he was bestowing on her?

No, Lou, the honor was telling you in the first place. We’ve never told anyone before what we actually are. We alluded to it with one woman, but the concept was so alien to her we dropped the subject. It also ended our relationship.

It seems odd to me anyone would react badly. Of course this is not something a man usually reveals. I suppose it’s up there with the concept of werewolves and vampires.

Do you think they also exist?
asked Alex in an interested tone that relayed he was not simply humoring her.

I don’t know. If you had asked me earlier if shifters or dragons existed, I would have said no. You’re a thing of fantasy in every meaning of the word.

Oh, elaborate please.

She giggled at his now teasing tone. The man was fishing for compliments.

You’re damn right I am. Give me some.

Okay. I have to think most women would find you or Eric men of dreams. You are opposing entities in personality. Where you can be overly commanding, he is almost demure. I like both qualities and you offset one another. You’re both stunning to look at and I’ve seen the beautiful ripples of muscle that cover you both. You’re great in bed, self-sufficient, but still make me feel as if you want me in your lives. You ride motorcycles, you’re open and honest about your sexuality, and now I discover you can turn into dragons and fly. What more could a girl ask for?

I have only one hope for that question. I want you to ask to become one of us.

I want to think about it in private without you listening into my wandering considerations. Will you still be able to hear my mind as a human?

Not as long as you are human.

That was suddenly disturbing
. Can and Eric and Luke hear me?

No. Hold on, I’m going to land.

Lou tightened her grip. Were they at the cave entrance or did he want to give her time to think before they got there? She peered past him and saw a small void in the trees. Was he really going to land in such a small space? It didn’t seem possible, yet once they were over it, Alex soared directly downward, not landing on the ground, but flying directly into a black hole. She ducked, keeping her body close to his as he flew in complete darkness. It was terrifying to not know where they were going.
Can you see?

Yes, very well.

I can’t see shit.

I figured that. You’re just going to have to trust me and don’t try to sit up please.

I won’t.

A gruesome image flashed in her mind. She would sit up, and her head would collide with the rocky overhangs that were surely above them. In the distance, she swore she saw light that became gradually larger in the entrance ahead. Alex folded his wings to his sides and dropped to the cave floor. He didn’t slow to allow her to slide off, so she stayed where she was. It was actually quite nice to feel the flex of his flesh beneath her body. Did he have a dick as a dragon?

Alex chuckled again.
Of course I do.

Is it exposed?

Yes. I suppose I should warn you if you see anyone they will be naked. Clothing simply gets in the way.

Thank you, I would hate to be caught with my mouth hanging open as I gawked.

There is plenty to gawk at.

Do I have to get naked?

Only if you want to.
Alex walked into a huge, open cavern. There were four people sitting naked around a small fire, the entire space illuminated by the glow of it. The walls seemed to shimmer and reflect the light as if they were covered with layers of mirrors. The people glanced up and two of them got up to walk closer. Alex stopped.
Slide down, sweets.

She did so and in the span it took her to blink, Alex was standing beside her as a man. Maybe it was the lighting, but he was ultimately more attractive than he had been before, if that was even possible. He smiled at her with inhumanly white teeth. “Are you pregnant, Alex? You’re glowing.”

He snorted a laugh as Eric put his arm around her shoulder. “It’s the cave. This is our place, our sanctuary and we are physically different when in the caves. The only way I can describe it is, when we are back in the human world we become more human. Down here we are more dragonish.”

That was probably it. Lou reached out and touched his cheek.

Alex snatched her hand and kissed it. “My scales are gone.”

“I feel that.” The man was so disgustingly gorgeous just staring at him was increasing her heart rate.

Alex turned and nodded to the man and woman. “Yassie, Savana, this is Louisiana, Lou for short. She’s the one I was telling you about, Yassie.”

He nodded slowly as he examined her. “Pretty name for a pretty lady. So you’re the one who has captured the two entwined male dragons. Congratulations.”

“What a lyrical way to explain their relationship. It’s nice to meet you also, Yassie.” She was curious about how the color thing worked. “How do dragons choose their colors?”

“They don’t choose. The coloration is a direct reflection of the human’s personality. Alex is red because he has a hot-blooded nature. Eric is lavender because his temperament is mellow and pastel. Luke is yellow because he’s laid-back with a bright, somewhat cynical nature.”

“That’s interesting. I have to wonder what color I will be if I choose to become a dragon.”

Alex and Eric both said cobalt blue at the same time. It surprised her. “Why cobalt?”

“Trust, compassion, faith, grace, and patience are all attributed to the darker shades of blue. You’re also brilliant and wild, which gives you cobalt as one of the brighter dark blues,” replied Alex.

“I like cobalt. I always thought it was beautiful. I also think I’m lacking information and we need to talk further before I can honesty consider this.”

Alex smiled and stroked back her hair. “We’re not rushing you into anything. We can talk all you want. Ask us anything, and we will answer you as best we can.”

“Are you considering it?” asked Yassie.

“I am. It’s quite a big decision to make, and I have to wonder how this will change my life. Where will I live afterwards?”

“With us,” Eric said.

“What if us becomes an issue and we break up? What then? I’ll have sold my house and I’ll be a dragon.”

“You’re always welcome down here in the caves,” replied Yassie. “We would never turn one of our own away.”

“I’m not sure I’m into communal living.”

Yassie chuckled. “This isn’t exactly communal. There are very distinct sets of caves to choose from as your living space. Granted, we don’t have electricity down here, but there is a cave that always stays right around forty degrees where we keep food. There’s plenty of circulation, so air quality or burning a fire is no problem. We’re more like a private community than a commune.”

“Do the people here work?”

“Most do. We all contribute in one way or another.”

“I don’t imagine a person who creates websites for a living is going to have much to contribute.”

Alex was glaring at her. “Why are you so convinced we’re not going to be perfect together? We’re great together and that isn’t going to change.”