Chapter 4

Azura POV-

In spite of the fact that I knew I couldn’t outrun him, that didn’t stop me from trying. Running barefoot across the cool hardwood floor, I made my way toward the front door. I had to run between the living room and kitchen, which was an open floor plan.

Cyran didn’t even look up or make any attempt to pursue me. When I reached the door, I looked back to see that he was still sitting on one of the two brown leather couches which were facing each other. His feet were resting on the glass coffee table in the center. As he turned the page in his book, he remained indifferent.

Taking that as a sign that we were going to let me leave, I opened the door and rushed out. There were three layers of concrete steps that led off the porch. The top layer had six steps, while the other two had four. Each level was separated by a wide platform.

Taking the steps two at a time, I tried not to let the searing concrete distract me. My feet burned but it didn’t slow me down. Once I was off the stairs, I ran toward the gate at the end of the sidewalk, which was connected to a driveway.

Wrapping my hand around the iron handle, I tugged on the gate, but it didn’t budge. Attempting again, I kept tugging, but it didn’t even rattle, regardless of how much I strained.  It was like the gate was an unforgiving force, which refused to move.

Finding that I was only causing myself unnecessary labor, I took a step back to see what options I had. The concrete fence had to be at least ten feet tall, with nothing around to allow me to try to climb over. The only other gate was meant for vehicles, but it didn’t look as if I could open it manually.

Since the front was out of the question, I started running through the grass, pleased for the reprieve from the heat against the soles of my feet. Sprinting through the yard, I circled around the house, hoping to find an alternative way of escaping. When I reached the large backyard, which had a gigantic swimming pool, dug into the ground, I stopped.

Sitting on one of the eight lawn chairs, with four on each end of the pool, was Cyran. He was still reading, not looking up when I arrived. He flipped another page, seemingly engrossed in whatever he was reading.

Holding the book in one hand, he reached over to a small table that was on his left. Each pair of chairs had a small table with an umbrella between them. I watched as he grabbed a glass that was filled with water, taking a small swig before returning it to the table.

Surveying the yard, I couldn’t find any route that would allow me to get over the wall. Behind the house was a large wood patio, with a picnic table that sat six, and an umbrella in the center. Hurrying across the grass, I sprang up onto the foot-high raised deck.

Avoiding the grill that was in my way, I jolted around it. My side caught the tray that was connected to the grill, causing a slight tear in my nightgown.  Since I was prone to bad luck, that was the least of my problems.

Racing across the deck, I made my way to the other side of the yard. Arriving at the opposite side of the house, I skidded to a stop when I saw Cyran blocking my path. Whilst pointless, I glanced toward the chair I had seen him in. The only thing that remained in the seat was the book he had been reading.

“Are you done?” He asked when I met his gaze once again.

“What are you?” I blurted out, without thinking.

“As I told you. I am a Dragon.” He sounded annoyed as he took a step in my direction.

Backing up, I stopped when I felt something hard against my back. Tilting my head, I looked at what I walked into. Standing behind me was the man that had stuck me with a needle.

“To be accurate, he is the Dragon King.” The man had a pleasant smile on his face, appearing friendly, but I knew better.

Quickly moving away from him, I marched over to the side of the house, pressing my back against the blistering concrete. Both men moved to stand in front of me, shoulder to shoulder. As if the wall could protect me, I pressed myself against it further.

“As I am guessing you don’t remember, my name is Kellan.” The man, who was known as Kellan, held his hand out as if he now wanted to be my friend after drugging me.

I stared at his hand for a while, but I didn’t reach out to shake it. Looking back up at the men, I gulped. They were both tall, with broad shoulders, but Cyran was an inch or two taller. Both had raven black hair, almost appearing as if they were brothers.

“Just let me go, I promise I won’t tell anyone about anything.” I pleaded.

“Sorry, but we can’t let you leave. You are the Keeper of the Dragon Stone and Cyran is your mate and guardian.

“Excuse me?” I blanched at them, unable to believe what I was hearing.

“It is better if we talk inside. Granted it is safe, but you will be more comfortable in the house.” Kellan smiled before glancing up at the blazing sun. “It is hot today. Plus, you have been asleep for two days, so I imagine you must be thirsty and hungry.”

I wanted to argue, but my stomach betrayed me as the thought of food made it grumble. Sighing, I knew there was no way for me to escape with both men standing in front of me. Slumping over slightly, I dragged my feet as I walked around the house, to the back patio door.

The door was a sliding glass door, which was already opened. Stepping inside, I winced when my feet hit the cool floor. Not even a second later, I was spun around, and my mouth was suddenly covered by Cyran’s. Unlike the first time, he didn’t let the kiss linger.

When he pulled away, I saw his jaw muscles clench, just before he moved past me. Confused, I gaped at him as he returned to the couch, with a new book in his hand. I didn’t get a chance to ask him why he did that, as I realized my feet no longer hurt.

Remembering what he said about his kiss, I tried not to let it bother me. There was something familiar and enticing about his kiss, but I didn’t want to think about it. As far as I was concerned, he was a rogue male that only did what he wanted when it profited him.

Rolling my eyes, I pulled my attention off him when someone swiftly grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. This time it was a female, but I didn’t recall seeing a female before. Startled, I kept my arms at my side, unsure of what to do.

“I am so glad to see you. When they told me you found you, I couldn’t believe it!” The female’s excitement made me feel warm inside, oddly bringing me comfort.

When she pulled back, I saw she was a few inches taller than me, with shoulder-length muddy brown hair and green eyes that looked like Kellan’s. Just like the others, I felt a familiarity with her. Racking my brain, I tried to recall ever seeing her, but nothing came to mind.

“Can someone explain to me what is going on?” I took a step back, not wanting to be within arm’s reach of anyone.

Kellan and the unknown female exchanged a glance before the female returned her attention to me. “I guess it was presumptuous of me to just hug you like that. Come sit, we will explain everything.”

She didn’t try touching me, but she did motion with her hand to move to the living room, where Cyran was still reading. Since I didn’t want anyone to touch me, I moved into the living room and sat at the far end of the opposite couch, as far from Cyran as I could get. I kept my eyes on him, noticing the way his eyes diverted from what he was reading, but never fully looking up.

His jaw tensed slightly. Only after the female brought a plate of food and a glass of water into the living room, did I glance away from Cyran. Politely accepting the food and drink, I set the plate on the coffee table before gulping down the water.

When I set it next to the plate, I realized that all eyes were on me now. Feeling awkward, I glanced at the plate but chose not to dig into the food, even if it looked and smelled amazing. I didn’t want them all staring at me while I ate.

The female was sitting on the same couch as me, except she was keeping her distance by having an empty cushion between us. The two males were sitting on the opposite couch, with Cyran now having his book resting on the cushion between them. No one said anything for a long time until the female started talking.

“First, let me introduce myself. My name is Jade, and I am the mate of Kellan, whom you have already met. I am human, but because I am mated to a Dragon, I am able to live an exceptionally long life. I am over two hundred years old.”

My jaw dropped at her words. Jade didn’t look a day over twenty-five. Looking at the two Dragons in the room, I wondered how old they were. When my eyes landed on Cyran, he sat back on the couch, with his arms folded over his chest. Feeling silly for having my mouth hanging wide open, I closed it and returned my attention to Jade.

“We still don’t know how it happened, but somehow you were reborn. Even if you don’t remember any of us, you lived side by side with Cyran for over three thousand years. Cyran is the oldest of all of us, as he has been alive for more than four thousand years. Kellan only two thousand.”

They were all crazy. Jumping up from the couch, I backed away from them slowly. Cyran stood up as if he were prepared to chase me. Shaking my head, I felt as if all the air inside me decided at that second to escape. Hyperventilating, I pressed my hands against my chest.

“I know this is a lot to take in, but it is true. Forty years ago, you were killed in a cave not far from here. We have been staying here, hoping that one day we will find you. Because of the Dragon Stone inside you, we knew that it was possible. The Dragon Stone inside you is what allows Dragons to stay alive. Normally if the Keeper dies, other Dragons will die after, but none have fallen.”

Jade kept explaining things, but I no longer wanted to listen. “I think all of you have lost your mind.”

I turned to leave but then rapidly Cyran was blocking my path. “Sit. Down. Now.” He stated firmly.

Compelled to listen to him, I hurried to the couch and sat back down. Cyran moved the plate and glass to the side before sitting in front of me on the coffee table. He leaned forward, causing me to lean back. His elbows rested on his knees and his eyes penetrated mine with a concentration that made me want to curl into myself.

“You can run all you want, but there is no way I am letting you go. I don’t care that you don’t remember or that you aren’t her anymore. Like it or not, you are going to become my mate again and you will stay where I can protect you. This isn’t about me or you. The fate of all Dragons is at stake if you die. We lucked out the last time, but there might not be a second time.”

“I…” I began to talk, but I didn’t know what to say.

“The men that took you were after the stone inside you. There will be others that will try to take it because they think they will be able to rule over all Dragons if they have the stone. The only option you have is to stay here and become my mate. Only I can protect you.”

I didn’t want to believe him or any of them for that matter. Everything they were telling me was absurd. Besides, I have spent over thirty years of my life taking care of myself. If Dragons were the ones after me, then I just needed to get as far away from them as possible.

“She still doesn’t believe us.” Kellan sighed. For an instant, I thought he could read my mind, but thought that wasn’t possible.

“I can.” Kellan spoke.

Snapping my eyes at him, I thought I had imagined it. There was no way he could read my mind. As ridiculous as everything was, mind-reading wasn’t possible.  If I could go back to a few days ago when I received Cyran’s email, I would have packed my bags and left.

“It might not be possible for humans, but Dragons have abilities that humans couldn’t dream of. Some of us can read minds, while others have different abilities. It isn’t like I always invade someone’s privacy, but I thought now was the exception.” Kellan moved off the couch he was on and came to sit between Jade and me.

“You are thirty-six years old, yet how is it possible that you don’t look older than twenty-one? Also, the book you wrote is what caused Cyran to be interested in you. The story you told is something that has happened in the past. Even if you don’t know it, your past memories are just beneath the surface.”

“Even if what you say is true, which I doubt it will ever matter what you say, I cannot possibly believe it. But let’s say for argument’s sake it is true. It doesn’t matter if I was this woman, you say I am. The person that I am today is not her and may never be her. The girl you are looking for died forty years ago.”

Before I knew what was happening, Cyran reached over and ripped my necklace off my neck before storming up the stairs. When I heard a door slam shut, I flinched. What had I said that caused him to react like that?