Dragon Awakened by Jaime Rush Page A

kiss his bride, the prince claimed her mouth the way he had claimed her. He whispered, “Now you are officially mine,” and then turned to the crowd. “I present your new queen.”
    The prince led her down the aisle and accepted many well wishes from people who both feared and revered him. A carriage took them to the great hall filled with music and the aroma of sumptuous foods. Someone announced them as husband and wife as they entered to great applause, and the prince led her to the center of the dance floor.
    The music started, and he pulled her into his arms. The spell of him wrapped around her, like the Dragon spell. He spun her around and around, blurring everything but himself. His body felt strong and warm as he held her close, amusement glimmering in his eyes. Her mind screamed a warning, even as her heart softened and inexplicably strained toward him.
    He drew his finger down her cheek. “You have fire. Spirit. This is good, as you will need it. For it is time to Awaken your Dragon. A great darkness comes. A prophecy brought me to you before the Shadows would have killed you. Now it also brings the Black Doom. We are destined to fight it together to save mankind.”

Chapter 7
    I t had been fifteen years since he’d had to be familiar with the nuances of Deuce magick, but Cyn knew someone who could corroborate his suspicions. As he drove, he initiated a call on his Bluetooth system, one of the many things not original in his car. “Kade, it’s Cyntag Valeron. I need some info on a rather nasty orb. I’ve never seen one like it.”
    â€œDid you piss off a Deuce?” Kade laughed, because it wouldn’t be the first time.
    â€œNot me, a…friend.” Presumptuous, but how else to categorize her? He described the orb, remembering how Ruby had tried to hide her terror when she’d told him about it.
    â€œStar orb,” Kade said after a long whistle. “Powerful. They’re hard to shake. But you obviously have a witness who got away. He must be clever. And damned fast.”
    â€œSure is.” He felt an odd surge of pride. “Can you tell me who might have the ability to make one?”
    â€œOnly an early generation Deuce.” First Gens, the original offspring, were the most powerful. Every subsequent generation lost some of the strength of their powers. “You’re probably looking at someone in the first three or four generations. The problem is, as you know, they’ve taken on layers of identities by now. There’s no way to know.”
    As Crescents got too old to be alive, as far as the Mundane databases were concerned, they had to arrange for their deaths and take on a new identity.
    â€œYeah, and they don’t exactly go around advertising it either. What can you tell me about star orbs?”
    â€œThey take a lot of work and fry your palms, from what I understand. The good news for you is that whoever sent it won’t be able to conjure up another one for a day or so.”
    A small relief there. Cyn didn’t have to tell Kade that anything he said would remain confidential, and that worked both ways. They’d shared a few secrets over the years when they worked together at the Guard, done things that would forever remain between them and the men they’d taken orders from.
    â€œCan whoever sent it see through the orb?”
    â€œYes, and they can direct its actions. If someone sent a star orb after your friend, he means business. Your guy better watch his ass.”
    More like he was going to have to watch her ass. “That’s what I was worried about. Thanks for the information. I’d love to catch up, but I’ve got a situation here. I’ll be in touch soon.” He disconnected.
    Now that Ruby was on the move, she should be safe until another demon picked her up. How much did the murderer know about Ruby?
    At a red light, Cyn pulled on the extra shirt he kept in the trunk, a necessity