Legion: Alpha Dragon Shifter Romance (Dragon Rules Series Book 1) by Tia Didmon (best fiction novels .TXT) 📗

it is. I am quite taken with the samples you left with Ross, and would like the Dragon painting for a private collection. You need to come up with a fair price for your work. The gallery will take a percentage of all sales in the future.”

Mara blinked. Was he taking her on? Was he talking about future shows? “I will get an agent. She can work out all the details. I appreciate your interest, Mr. Night. I had no idea we were progressing to pricing for my artwork.”

His smile faltered. She sensed his irritation, but could see no signs of it on his face. “I have several agents I work with for the artists we house. Here is the card for the one I recommend for you. She is good and doesn’t take on too many clients. I think you will find her quite amendable.”

Mara took the card, slipping a thumb over the embossed black lettering. “I had someone in mind, but I will call her.” She slipped the card into her suit jacket. Her stomach churned, threatening to evict the contents of her breakfast. “I wish I could stay and chat with your further Mr. Night, but I have a prior engagement.”

Devlin’s lip twitched. His clenched teeth flashed behind his gums before he recovered his composure. “I apologize for my tardiness. I was dealing with a matter of importance. Can we reschedule our meeting for another time? It will give you a chance to arrange your agent.”

Mara glanced at the double doors. “That would be great.”

Devlin waved his hand as Ross emerged from the office. His disheveled hair and sunglasses failed to hide the red splotches that marred his cheek. “Ross, schedule an appointment for Miss Krane in two days.”

Ross nodded, but his rigid jaw and stiff posture were impossible to ignore.

She left the gallery, struggling to breathe. Devlin appeared nice, refined and attractive, but he made her uneasy in a way she couldn’t describe. Her heart felt heavy. Sluggish. She rubbed her chest, trying to ease the unusual feeling. She was so distracted by her body’s reaction to the suave gallery owner, that she didn’t notice Legion approach.

His hand gripped her arm. The laden feeling in her chest evaporated, replaced with energy and light. Warmth ran over her skin like a tropical sun, bathing her in heat and fire. She sucked in a breath as her body soaked up the aura of the man holding her.

Legion was sexy and angry. “What are you doing?” he growled.

Mara surveyed the street, trying to figure out what had his ears steaming. Pedestrians moved out of their way, avoiding the couple without looking at them. “I’m not sure what you mean, I told you I had a meeting with the gallery curator.”

Legion’s eyes blazed. The surrounding air heated. “You failed to mention he was a dark dragon.”

Mara blinked. Her mind denying what her heart already knew. “What?”

Legion leaned close to her. While she couldn’t see the bubble of magic around them. She could feel it gaining in strength. People continued to walk by and glance their way, but they didn’t hear a word spoken between them. “You reek of a dark dragon.”

She pulled away from him, straightening her jacket. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I met Devlin Night and Ross Emerson from the Dark Art Gallery. No one else.”

The muscles in Legion’s chest rippled when he inhaled. “I can’t say which Dark you were in contact with, but you smell of corruption and greed.”

Mara’s eyes narrowed. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. The dream of her childhood. Her anger swirled as it mixed with the power inside her. “I didn’t meet any dragons, Legion. I know you don’t want to hear...” Her eyes turned white before the magical world eviscerated her childhood dreams.

Chapter 8

Legion beheld the white eyes that had eluded him for centuries. Hope, anguish and betrayal mixed into a wicked cocktail of power as his magic reared up to meet that of the seer.

He held her against his body, shielding her from the world around them as her breaths came in short, uneven gasps. It was only a few seconds before her deep emerald eyes resurfaced. “Mara, are you alright?”

She trembled in his arms. “No.”

“What did you see?”

She took a stuttered breath. “This can’t be happening,” she whispered.

Her power swirled around them, pulsing like an antique light with faulty wiring. While it lacked the intensity it once had, her magic was awakening with the onset of her birthday. “It’s okay, Mara. I will be here to guide you.”

She clutched his arms; her fingernails scraped his skin. “You can’t enter the temple.”

He stiffened. Lightning whipped through his body, electrifying his blood. “You saw the temple?”

She licked her lips. The tiny action drew attention to the perfect pink hue. “Her bones. I have to find Adara’s bones. They are in the temple.”

Legion’s body hardened as hers quivered against him. The soft curves that fit against his thick frame were perfection. The faint odor of strawberry and vanilla in her hair. Even the tiny white teeth that nibbled her lip were a turn on. “Why?”

“He is after them.” Mara whispered.

“Who?”

Mara pursed her lips. “Her dark passenger. We need to break the connection.”

Legion held back the talons that threatened to pierce his fingertips. “Who is he?”

Mara swallowed hard. “She didn’t know. I don’t know.”

Legion gazed at the perfection in his arms. He was never attracted to Adara. Could a spell break a mate bond? Was Mara always meant to be his destiny? Adara the stepping stone to start him on his journey. “You see, Adara as another person, yet you recognize her soul.”

Mara rubbed her forehead. “She feels like me, but it’s different. I don’t know how to describe it. Maybe the same person who has two different lives. A series of events that changes their destiny despite starting off in a different era. We have the same purpose only...”

“Only what?”

“She failed, and it resulted in her death.”

Legion’s