“That I let myself be led to certain death?” he muttered. “Yeah, me too.”

“No, that you so easily accepted my explanation.” She studied his unreasonably beautiful face. “Most demons no longer believe in dragons.”

“During my years in the pits I was locked in the catacombs with a number of interesting demons, including a clan chief.” His smile was without humor. “It’s amazing what a person will reveal when they face death on a nightly basis.”

Nefri gave a slow nod. Clan chiefs were strongly discouraged from discussing the trials they endured, even with each other. No doubt in an attempt to add mystery to the process of becoming a chief.

But there were always exceptions. Including Nefri, who didn’t hesitate to question chiefs on their own experiences.

“Ah, he revealed the secrets of the battles of Durotriges.”

“Only small bits and pieces.” Santiago gave a lift of his shoulder. “He claimed he fought a dragon.”

“It’s my hypothesis that the creature was a half-breed. Which meant . . .” She waved a hand to indicate their elegant surroundings.

“That there must be a full breed around somewhere,” he easily followed her implication.

“One who could enter this world,” she said. “At least, that was the hypothesis.”

“Your hypotheses tend to have an uncanny habit of being proven right.”

She wrinkled her nose. During her battle with the strange lizardlike creature with leathery wings who’d nearly barbecued her during her last trial, she’d become convinced there had to be some truth to the ancient rumors of dragons. Unfortunately, the folklore of the beast had become so twisted over the centuries it was almost impossible to discover what was truth and what was myth.

“This one was more difficult than others to prove one way or another. There’s very little information on dragons.”

“What about other clan chiefs?” he demanded. “Surely they must have investigated the truth of dragons if they had to fight them?”

“From the few chiefs who would discuss their trials, I learned that the battles are never the same for any of us.” That was an understatement. The trials were so wildly different for each combatant that Nefri had wondered if they actually were sent to different places. Then, she’d become convinced they all went to the same place only at different times. She couldn’t prove her theory, of course, but the idea that the battlegrounds floated in a different space-time continuum was the only thing that made sense.

“I have only heard of one other clan chief who claimed dragons existed. Unfortunately he disappeared before I could discover if his belief came from Durotriges or from some other source.”

“Perhaps he was my unfortunate roommate.”

“It’s possible.”

“So what did you do?”

“I searched through the ancient texts,” she said. “Then after I learned all that was written about the mysterious creatures, I used my medallion to search for a doorway. It took several centuries, but eventually I discovered this place.”

“So you did.”

The low voice filled the air as the double doors to the right of the throne flew open to reveal the creature of myth and legend.

Surprisingly, Baine’s human form wasn’t as large as might be expected for a monster who could supposedly transform into a flying lizard with a forty-foot wingspan and an elongated body that weighed in at over a ton. In the past, the Lu demon had often been mistaken for a dragon since it shared the same scaled head with its long snout and mouthful of razor teeth; not to mention they were impossible to kill without magic. But the Lu was half the size of the mythical dragons and they couldn’t shape-shift.

This particular dragon had chosen a leanly muscular human male body with a narrow face that had delicate, Asian features. His straight black hair fell just short of his shoulders and he was wearing nothing more than a pair of loose dojo pants that allowed a dizzying view of the numerous tattoos that glowed with a metallic shimmer beneath the light of the chandelier. More unnerving, the strange symbols changed colors as they crawled over his pale, perfect skin.

Almost as if they were alive.

It was beautiful, hypnotizing. And so distracting that it was all too easy to forget just how lethal this creature truly was.

At least until you looked into the almond-shaped eyes burning with an amber fire that spoke of vast, primordial magic.

Enough magic to scorch the world.

“Por dios,” Santiago growled, and Nefri instinctively stepped between him and the advancing dragon.

Two alpha males in the same room was always a pain in the neck.

Folding her hands at her waist, Nefri offered a respectful bow. “Baine.”

“Nefri.”

“Thank you for accepting my humble offering.”

The dragon held up his slender fingers to reveal the large diamond that shimmered with a white fire. “You know I can never resist pretty baubles. And I was . . . intrigued.” A hint of a smile curved his lips as he tucked the diamond into the pocket of his loose pants. “You are one of the few demons brave enough to enter the lair of a dragon.”

Santiago shifted to stand at her side, his expression tight as he braced himself against the heavy throb of Baine’s power. It was like the constant beat of a bass drum, pulsing through the air with enough force to make the floor tremble beneath his feet.

“Brave isn’t the word I would use,” the male vampire pointedly chastised.

The scorching gaze turned toward Santiago, and Nefri tensed. For now Baine was enjoying his role as beneficent host, but dragons were rumored to be fickle and vain with a quicksilver temper.

Who knew when he might decide he was no longer amused?

“And you are?” he demanded of Santiago.

“This is—” Nefri cut off her words as Baine gave a sharp wave of his hand.

“I’ll hear it from the male.”

Nefri bit her lip. Naturally, Santiago couldn’t offer a bow, or even lower his eyes as Baine slowly circled his rigid body. Instead he tilted his chin and subtly tightened his grip on his sword.

Stubborn vampire.

“I’m Santiago,” he said, his voice clear and steady.

Baine came to a halt directly in front of him, the amber eyes smoldering with an inner fire. “You don’t fear me?”

“Of course I do.” Santiago shrugged. “I’m not an idiot.”

The dragon’s tattoos continued to swirl over his body in a dazzling display. “You disguise it better than most,” Baine murmured.

“I’ve had a lot of practice.”

“Yes.” Baine sucked in a deep breath, as if savoring their scents. “Such a violent world you live in.”

Santiago took a wise step backward at the hungry edge in the dragon’s voice. “It keeps me on my toes.”

“Mmmm.” The dragon’s smile widened. In anticipation? Difficult to say. “I miss it.”

“The violence?” Santiago asked.

“The violence. The blood.” Baine moved with lightning speed to stand nose to nose with Santiago. “The crunch of vampire bones in my teeth.”

Nefri took a swift step forward, laying a restraining hand on the dragon’s arm. Almost instantly she yanked it back, her fingers tingling with pain from the heat generated by his skin.

Good lord, it was like touching an open flame.

“Baine,” she murmured in urgent tones.

There was a tense beat as the two alphas met stare for stare, then with a throaty chuckle Baine at last turned to meet her concerned gaze.

“I can’t play with your toy?”

“I’ve come to seek your assistance.”

Baine shrugged, thankfully stepping away from the bristling male vampire.

Santiago was one goad away from doing something truly stupid.

“I am always delighted to be of service to a beautiful female, but I no longer interest myself in your world,” Baine informed her.

“It’s actually your knowledge of the past I seek.”

The dragon paused, inwardly debating her request. At the same time Nefri discreetly moved close enough to make it impossible for Santiago to take an impulsive swing of his sword. He might be more annoying than any vampire had a right to be, but she wasn’t going to let him die.

Eventually, Baine gave a languid wave of his hand. “You may continue.”

“I need information on a spirit who can infect a vampire.”

Baine tilted his head, eyeing her with a sudden curiosity. Which, of course, was better than hunger.

Just slightly.

“I’ve never heard of such a spirit.”

“Perhaps a book in your collection . . . ?”

“If the information was available in my library I would know.” He deliberately stroked a finger over the swirling tattoos on his stomach. “Dragons have very long memories.”

Nefri bit her bottom lip. Well that was . . . disappointing. “I see.”

“Tell me more of this spirit.”

She grimaced. Siljar wouldn’t be pleased to know that Nefri had shared the details of the MIA spirit with Santiago, let alone a dragon, but what choice did she have?