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

Mara placed her tea on the coffee table. “If having Legion at the loft bothers you, I’m sorry. We have never discussed...”

Natalie held up her hand. “Whoa. That isn’t what I meant. It’s obvious this thing between you isn’t going away. The problem is the loft isn’t big enough for two dragons, two wolves, Alana, Tempest, me and you.”

Mara grabbed a muffin from the box of baked goods. It was waiting on the table when she arrived at the shop. “Conner and Thorn were here last night?”

Natalie sipped her tea. “I slept on the couch so Tempest could have the bed. Alana slept beside Tempest and Daisy.”

Mara sat back. “How did the store turn into a bed-and-breakfast?”

Natalie laughed. “I don’t know, but if we ever expand, that’s what we are doing next.”

Legion descended the steps. His smile was bright. Warm. He was oblivious to the effect his tight black t-shirt and bulging muscles had on her. “Good morning, ladies.”

Mara nodded, picking up her cup as Legion sat beside her. “How are we planning to infiltrate the gallery?”

Natalie grabbed a danish from the box. “Let me go.”

Mara coughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “No way. Devlin has been watching me. He will know I sent you, and he would jump at the chance to hurt you.”

Natalie frowned. “They pack the gallery during their main showing. Would he pull something with so many people around?”

Legion shook his head. “Dark dragons are too concerned about appearances to cause a commotion at one of their own establishments. There’d be too many people for him to put them all asleep, and he can’t control who could watch from outside the windows. He would not attack while the gallery was in operation. He would risk exposing our entire race and so far, with the exception of his security detail, he has maintained that ideal.”

Natalie blew on her tea. “Makes sense. If humans knew about dragons, they would exploit you, experiment on you for their own gain. There’s way more of us than there are dragons.”

Legion’s eyes narrowed on Natalie. “That is astute and is what happened the last time we were honest about our species.” He put his arm on the back of the couch, stretching out his legs. “It took great lengths to wipe our existence from your memory and history. Even so, we continue to pop up in your culture as myth and legend.”

Natalie’s eyes widened. “You wiped the mind of every human on earth?”

Legion pulled Mara closer to him. “After the war, there were fewer humans and more dragons. But we missed some writings and hand-drawn pictures. Those sparked the fairy tales and legends that populate your culture to this day.”

Mara ran a hand over his chest. “I’m glad you did. I loved dragons as a child.”

Legion raised an eyebrow. “And now?”

Mara winked at Natalie. “Jury is still out.”

Legion chuckled. “Fair enough. Perhaps someone will sway your decision.”

Mara pursed her lips to stop her smile. “Maybe. What about the gallery?”

“You have a plan. What is it?”

Mara put her cup on the table. “Let me go into the gallery and survey it. I have been there many times and-”

“No. It needs to be me. I can’t sense the magic spell through you.”

Mara’s face hardened. “I have to go.”

Legion looked her over. “Then you and I will go together.”

Natalie sighed. “And I’m back to worrying about you.”

Mara leaned over and touched Natalie’s arm. “I will be careful, I promise. You stay here and watch Tempest. I’m concerned about her.”

Natalie nodded. “I will.”

Conner opened the door for Mara outside the gallery. Her heels scratched against the pavement as she exited the SUV with Conner’s help. She smoothed down the sides of her black pencil skirt and pulled the purse strap over the shoulder of her white blouse. “Why did Legion want to meet here? He ducked out when I was in the shower and I haven’t been able to contact him.” She tapped her temple. “You know, the other way.”

The sharp tinny sound as Conner slammed the door to the SUV, made Mara jump. “He popped into the caves. He wished to converse with one of our brethren. A dragon who is an expert on cloaking spells. The caves have a protective barrier. You can’t get in touch with him when he is within that shield.” He motioned the sidewalk.

Legion walked down the street, gaining the attention of all who passed. If his height, large build and handsome features weren’t enough, the tailored black suit was. He was impossible to miss, and many women appreciated his appearance. He stopped in front of her, extending his arm. “You look lovely.”

Mara looked him over. “Wow.”

Legion turned to Conner. “Thank you for assisting my woman.”

Conner shrugged. “No problem. Did you get the information you needed?”

Legion nodded. “I did. If I can get close enough to the object, I can tell which spell is being used. You and Draco stay with the ladies until we return to the loft.”

Conner nodded before walking around to the driver’s side of the SUV.

Mara turned to him. “Conner, monitor Alana. She will not stay put, no matter what you tell her.”

Conner frowned. “She would leave you knowing you’re the seer?”

Mara’s face hardened. “Without a second thought.” She pushed the pain away from her chest. She couldn’t focus on her family. Her objective lay inside. They entered the gallery with fake smiles on their faces.

The gallery was how she remembered it, but Devlin’s evil now tainted the anticipation it once instilled. The paintings themselves were every bit as beautiful, their masterful colors as vibrant and extraordinary as the day they were painted. For many, that was hundreds of years ago. She found it ironic that not a single piece with those immaculate walls was older than the magical creature who held her arm. A momentary regret, for the life she wanted tickled her heart before she willed it away. She had made her choice, and the upscale