Chapter 9 #2
As we approach Demitri’s office, Penn takes the lead and gracefully opens the doors, holding them for me to enter.
Demitri and Alexander are leaning over the large oak desk in front of the expansive bay window, looking at papers. They give us a quick glance before going back to whatever they were looking at.
I stop just inside the doors, and Penn strolls past me, slapping Demitri on the back.
Penn’s gaze drops to the papers on the desk, and he frowns.
All three brothers possess similar characteristics: inky-black hair of varying lengths, olive skin, and large frames.
They also share the same facial structure, with the only noticeable distinction being their eyes.
Penn’s eyes are green, Demitri’s are honey brown, and Alexander’s are gray, mirroring the lifelessness of his personality.
They possess a truly magnificent presence in their dragon forms, a fact I’d never openly admit, not even under duress.
There’s a power in their transformations, one that commands respect.
Yet, for all the awe they inspire, I keep my admiration hidden, buried beneath layers of carefully crafted indifference.
Penn has shifted before me more times than I can count.
He does it with a kind of casual arrogance.
His dragon is a brilliant green, vibrant and alive, with golden spikes that catch the light and shimmer like jewels.
There’s something almost regal about him in that form, as if he’s the embodiment of the forest itself, all its strength and beauty coiled into one magnificent creature.
Demitri, on the other hand, is more elusive, more reserved.
I’ve only caught a glimpse of his dragon form once, and even then, I’m not sure if he was aware of my presence.
It was brief, a fleeting moment that has stayed with me ever since.
His dragon was a smoky blue, with scales that seemed to shift seamlessly between shades of gray and blue, as if the colors themselves were alive, constantly moving and blending together.
The way the light played off his scales made him look like a living storm cloud, powerful and unpredictable.
And then there’s Alexander. His dragon is as black as the darkest night, a creature of shadows and secrets.
It’s a perfect reflection of him—moody, intense, and dangerous.
His scales are a deep, glossy black, absorbing the light rather than reflecting it, as if the very darkness clings to him.
When he shifts, a coldness seeps into the air and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
His dragon form is as intimidating as it is mesmerizing, a living embodiment of the night, with eyes that burn like embers in the dark.
Standing there, I feel the restless energy around me as the three males continue their discussion, barely acknowledging my presence.
The simmering annoyance in my chest grows stronger, almost like a second heartbeat, causing me to crack my fingers absentmindedly.
Each pop echoes in the silence, a small release of the anxiety building within me.
I don’t like waiting, especially not for them.
“I want out,” I finally blurt, the words escaping like a bullet from a gun.
Their heads snap toward me simultaneously, eyes narrowing as they straighten up from the desk.
It’s unnerving having all three of them focus their attention solely on me.
The weight of their stares is exactly like a predator sizing up its prey.
I know they’re waiting for me to elaborate, but I’m not giving them anything more.
That’s it. I want out.
“Why?” Demitri’s voice cuts through the tension, demanding an answer.
I shrug, forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression. I’m not going to tell them about Kai. Falling in love in my line of work is a terrible idea. It means my enemies, even so-called friends, have leverage over me.
“I’ve had enough. I want to buy my freedom,” I state, my voice steady, even though every muscle in my body is tensed, ready for a fight.
The brothers exchange glances, their expressions carved from stone, giving nothing away. Demitri, the eldest and most authoritative, is the one who calls the shots. Nothing moves without his say-so.
“Ashwiyaa,” Demitri starts, his tone deceptively calm, “what makes you think you can ask this? Do you not have everything you could possibly want?”
“Everything but my freedom,” I retort, locking eyes with him.
My resolve hardens under his gaze, my stubborn and steely willpower rising to meet the challenge. I won’t back down.
His head tilts slightly, his honey-colored eyes flickering with something unreadable, but I catch it. He’s considering it, weighing his options, just as he always does. But I know him. He’s a strategist, always thinking three steps ahead. And I know he won’t let me go easily.
“Why now?” Penn chimes in, folding his arms over his chest, his stance aggressive, yet curious. I sense that my request has upset him.
“Does it matter?” I snap, my patience fraying.
My defensive instincts flare, but I smother them quickly. I can’t afford to lose my temper. Not here, not now. It will only make them dig their heels in harder.
“The life I’ve lived has been one of servitude, masked by the illusion of choice. I don’t wish to be your weapon to wield anymore.”
A low growl rumbles from Alexander, the youngest and most volatile of the three.
His body ripples, black scales shimmering beneath his skin, a subtle reminder of the danger I’m facing if I step out of line.
They’re not just men; they’re something far more deadly.
And they’re not going to let me walk away without a fight.
But I’m ready for it.
Demitri’s lips twitch, and in that fleeting moment, my senses sharpen. The soft sound of his breath draws my focus, while the dim light creates a delicate shadow across his face. I can feel his decision in the air and read it in his eyes.
“We will grant you your freedom,” he says indifferently.
My chest does not swell with hope at those words. Do they think I’m stupid? I can see it a mile off—there’s a catch. There’s always a damn catch.
“But?” I let out a resigned sigh.
The air carries a hint of tension, making every nerve in my body tingle with anticipation.
“We need you to retrieve something for us,” he says.
I frown. “Can’t you send your men?”
Penn shakes his head. “Not for this, no.”
My gaze moves from Demitri to Penn, and I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. “Why do I feel like this is either a trap or something I might live to regret?”
“How much do you want that freedom?” Alexander says in a bored tone.
I shoot him a withering look, and he responds with an eye roll that echoes with indifference. Asshole.
The three brothers remain silent, their gazes assessing me. The air in the room feels different and dread spreads through me, making my scalp prickle.
It’s Demitri who speaks, his eyes hard and his posture rigid. “We need you to retrieve a special package from the Outlands.”
I jerk back a step, my arms dropping to my sides as I stare at them in disbelief. “You can’t be fucking serious?”
“Oh, I can assure you we are.” He smirks.
Alexander tilts his head, gray eyes narrowing on me, but he stays silent. Observing, always fucking observing. I wonder what he’d do if I poked him in the eye right now.
I shake my head, looking at the ground. “If I’m caught . . .”
The Outlands were full of criminals, crazies, and, well, monsters. I would be at a disadvantage.
“You’re the best there is,” Penn says, leaning his hip against the table and crossing his arms.
“And that makes this okay?”
Penn’s eyes soften and he shrugs. “Not really, but you don’t have a choice.”
I growl, glaring at each of them. “It’s in another realm.”
“Perfectly aware of that, Ashwiyaa,” Demitri says, his tone borderline condescending.
“Then how do you expect me to get there?” I yell, throwing my arms in the air. They couldn’t seriously want me to risk my life like this.
“We know you’re friends with a Puca. He will take you,” Alexander murmurs, only loud enough to be heard.
The shock hits me like a slap, my eyes widening as suspicion claws its way into my thoughts.
My mouth opens, but no sound escapes—just a void where words should be.
I glance quickly at Penn, searching for any sign of .
. . something, anything. But his face is a mask of indifference, giving me nothing to latch onto.
The storm of emotions brewing inside me is almost too much to contain. Betrayal twists in my gut like a knife.
“You’ve . . . you’ve been having me watched?” The words are thick, heavy in my throat, almost choking me as I force them out.
“Of course. You’re our biggest asset,” Demitri replies, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.
My heart stutters. “I have served this family loyally for nearly two hundred years.” The words fall out of me, a desperate plea for some acknowledgment, some shred of decency. I’ve given them everything—my loyalty, my life, my soul. And this is how they repay me?
My skin starts to prickle, the dampness of sweat forming on my palms. My thoughts race, jumping to Kai. Do they know? Did they see?
The thought makes my blood run cold.
“Don’t be dramatic, Ashwiyaa,” Penn interjects, his voice laced with that infuriating calm that makes me want to lash out. “You know we don’t ask this of you lightly.”
A bitter laugh escapes me, half a snort, half a growl. This conversation is unraveling faster than I anticipated. I wanted out, but not like this—not with the ugly truth of their mistrust shoved in my face. I shake my head, the futility of it all sinking in.
“When do you need me to leave?” The question barely escapes my lips, my voice reduced to a whisper as I turn my head away, unable to meet their eyes.
“Tonight.”
The single word hits me like a right hook.
My heart slams against my ribs, the tempo of my breathing skyrocketing.
I snap my attention back to Penn, rage flaring hot and vicious in my veins.
The urge to wrap my hands around his throat, to squeeze until the life drains from his eyes, consumes me.
I can feel it, the way my muscles coil, ready to strike.
Penn senses my intentions and his body ripples, his human form distorting as green scales shimmer into existence, his eyes flashing from green to gold in a blink. Suddenly, he’s in front of me.
“You’re leaking.” He scowls.
I blink, some of my anger fading away in my confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Penn’s eyes drop and I follow his gaze. A thick black mist pours out of me, swirling and slithering along the floor, steadily encroaching on its surroundings.
I breathe in deeply and make an effort to calm down. There is no point getting worked up; it will only escalate the situation.
“Do we have a deal?” Demitri asks, completely ignoring my meltdown.
I crack my jaw, and I know my eyes are black, inky, endless orbs from the way the world around me takes on a grayish quality. Penn steps back next to his brothers, and I glare at the three of them.
“Yes,” I grit out. Either way, I don’t have a choice, no thanks to the blood bond that ties me to them.
“Good. Shall we shake on it?” he says, holding out his hand.
I charge forward, a whirlwind of emotions raging within me. My dagger materializes in my hand, and swiftly I cut along my palm. In an instant, I do the same to Demitri, enjoying his slight wince.
“Complete this task and you are free from any further obligation to this family,” he states.
“Done,” I reply.
We shake hands, and then it is Alexander’s turn, followed by Penn’s.
Demitri walks over to the bar in the corner and pours himself a drink before turning to face me.
“Ashwiyaa,” he says, making sure he has my full attention. “You will find our package at a small cave in the Valley of the Dead. You will know it when you see it.”
In that moment, my heart falters in my chest, and I’m overcome with a sensation of weightlessness.
“You son of a bitch,” I whisper in disbelief.
“We expect you back in five days with our package,” Alexander says, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.