Loe raamatut: «Taming the Dragon»

ONE

Considering she was broke and out of a job, the last thing Tess McGarry needed to do was window-shop in some high-end little store.

Then again, it wasn’t like she had much else to do on a Tuesday afternoon. And the name of the place, Wicked Little Things, was tough to resist. What did a place like that carry? Elegant whips? Golden handcuffs? The view through the large window and into the shop said neither, but that didn’t make her any less curious.

Besides, it was this or go back to her tiny apartment and start trying to figure out how to get into a working band that wouldn’t break up in three to six months. Again.

Yeah, she’d look at shiny objects for a while instead.

Tess pushed through the door, hearing the jingle of a small bell somewhere above her. She lifted a hand to tuck a lock of long auburn hair behind her ear as she looked around, misery quickly turning to interest.

Whatever this place was, there was nothing kinky about it.

She walked slowly into the dimly lit space, taking everything in. There were glass cases full of beautiful old jewelry, walls lined with rich wooden shelves that held a jumble of objects, all of which seemed to just...belong here. Tess breathed in, catching the scent of what might have been incense. An odd feeling crept over her, though it wasn’t exactly unpleasant. She didn’t usually go for New Age stuff, but this whole place seemed to vibrate with its own energy.

She kept moving, her low boot heels making muffled sounds on the wood floor. Tess eyed a waist-high stone gargoyle squatting menacingly in the middle of the store. If she didn’t know any better, she’d swear it was eyeing her back.

“What is this place?” she murmured.

“You could call it a curio shop, I suppose.”

The voice, warm and rich as fresh cream, startled her. Tess spun around, nearly toppling into the gargoyle statue she’d wanted to avoid. The woman who seemed to have appeared out of thin air watched her with eyes the color of jade, one eyebrow only slightly quirked at Tess’s flailing. Despite Tess managing to right herself fairly quickly, it was hard not to stare.

Whoever this was, Tess thought, she was a vision: long waves of flame-red hair framed a face that was both clever and heart-wrenchingly beautiful. There was something vaguely feline about the tilt of her eyes, and her full lips hinted at a secretive smile, as though she knew all manner of things she shouldn’t. Though she was dressed simply, in an ankle-length dress of deepest red, Tess had no doubt that every inch of the woman was as perfect as that face.

A face which remained directed toward her, its expression politely inquiring. But there was a hard glint in those strange eyes, one Tess didn’t miss. She felt a flutter in her stomach that was something akin to panic. Which was dumb, she told herself. This was just a little antique store. It wasn’t like the owner, or whoever she was, was going to berate her for looking around.

Hopefully.

Tess squared her shoulders and breathed in deeply, then curved her mouth into what she hoped was a friendly smile. The woman’s gaze sharpened with a slight tilt of her head.

“Hey,” Tess said, trying to keep her voice from quavering. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. “I’ve never noticed this place before.” She looked around. Something, anything to escape the laser-like green eyes boring into her. “You’ve got some great things in here.”

“Mmm,” the woman agreed. “Not everyone would think so. But then, not just anyone would wander in.”

“Oh,” Tess said, her gaze pulled back to that deceptively placid expression.

That was a weird way to put it.

“I’m Morgan Le Fay, proprietor of Wicked Little Things,” the woman said, extending an elegant, long-fingered hand. The rings that glittered and glinted on it probably cost more than Tess paid in rent every year. She hesitated for the slightest instant, then lifted her own hand to clasp Morgan’s. The instant she did, Tess felt a sizzle up her arm so bright and hot that she jerked, startled. Morgan’s hand clamped hard around hers, though her expression stayed warm and welcoming.

“I’m glad you’re here, actually. I think you’re exactly who I’ve been waiting for.”

Tess’s mind started to fog up, but she fought against it, gritting her teeth.

Morgan Le Fay? Like the sorceress in Arthurian legend? Who did this chick think she was kidding?

With a great deal of effort, Tess, pulled her hand away. Morgan, or whatever her real name was, looked strangely pleased. She gave a small nod.

“Good. You’ll need that backbone if you’re going to deal with him.”

“Sorry, what?” Tess asked. That strange energy in the shop only seemed to intensify. She glanced around uneasily, half expecting the stuff on the shelves to start moving. Morgan laughed, and the soft sound of amusement was genuine. That, more than anything, began to settle Tess’s nerves.

“You need work. I have a job. That’s why you’re here.”

“A job,” Tess said. As weird as this woman was, the prospect of income went a long way toward banishing any lingering fear. “How do you know I need a job?”

Morgan waved a hand. “You wouldn’t believe me. Yet. Wicked Little Things deals in the magical, the maligned and the misunderstood. The man I need your help with is all three. You’re the first who’s been suited to this task, so...I imagine you’ll come out in one piece.”

Tess lifted her brows, feeling that strange fog trying to creep into her thoughts again, making her want to do nothing more than nod and smile. What was that?

“You imagine? Just what kind of a job is this? I don’t know what you’re looking for, but I’m just a starving artist. I don’t do dangerous. Or kinky. Or violent.”

Morgan’s grin was as sharp as a blade. “This isn’t about your body...Though that will work in your favor,” she added with a quick, assessing look at Tess’s figure. “It’s a small task, Tess McGarry.”

Tess blinked, startled at Morgan’s casual use of her full name. Had she told her when Morgan introduced herself? She must have...but somehow, she didn’t think so.

“If it’s so small then why don’t you do it yourself?”

Morgan lifted her shoulders in an elegant little shrug. “He doesn’t like me. He doesn’t really like anyone, in fact. If I tried to deliver—return, really— this particular item, it would go...poorly.”

Tess made a soft noise. “This job doesn’t sound all that promising, Ms. Le Fay.”

“Morgan,” Morgan corrected her, gentle but firm. “And the job itself is a promise. One I made a long time ago. It’s time for him to stop hiding and remember what he is, but he’s a stubborn beast. Kaden will never go without a push. You’re the right one to give it to him. Beauty, ferocity, and of course, music—his kind adores music, you know—all in one rather reluctant package. It’s you. It’s time.”

The words made Tess’s stomach flutter strangely.

“I don’t—”

“You’ll be handsomely rewarded, of course,” Morgan said, cutting Tess off smoothly. “All you have to do is give Kaden St. George his necklace. It is, as I said, a small task...for the right person. Can you really afford to be so picky?”

Tess stared at Morgan, wondering why she was seriously considering this task. The whole deal was weird. There had to be more. She couldn’t do...whatever this was. She was just a singer. Well, she was trying to be. And a waitress. Or, well, she had been. No job ever seemed to be a fit for her. Until, according to this strange woman, now.

And really, Morgan was right. One look at her checking account and anyone would know she had very little left to lose. She had no family to catch her, no friends who were any better off than she was. Maybe it was time to take a leap of faith.

All around her, the air thrummed.

“Okay,” Tess said, the word seeming to echo all around her. “What do I need to do?”

Relief flickered across Morgan’s face before she took a step back and turned away, beckoning.

“Step into my office.”