Legion: Alpha Dragon Shifter Romance (Dragon Rules Series Book 1) by Tia Didmon (books to read for self improvement .txt) 📕

back home. She had moved to my neighborhood a few weeks before. She lived a couple of blocks away.”

Natalie nodded. “Camp changed us. We bonded, became best friends, and have been inseparable since. I am not sure I would be here without Mara’s family. They took me in when things got bad at home.”

Legion glanced between the women. “The temple may have sensed your precarious surroundings and took steps to ensure you had a stable home to turn to when you needed it.”

Natalie swallowed hard. “It could do that?’

Legion stood immobile. “Yes. The temple is the last of her kind. A living magic that has a single purpose.”

Mara poured the tea into two cups, attempting to still the shake in her arm. “And what is that?”

“To protect her children. The druids. She has waited a long time for their return. It won’t surprise me if she has paired other girls.”

Mara and Natalie looked at each other.” Several of the girls left camp as friends. We thought nothing of it. That’s normal for summer camp.”

Legion rubbed his chin. “Would you recognize those girls if you saw them again?”

Mara walked back to the couch and placed the teacup in front of Natalie. “I doubt it. Except for Tempest, I barely remember them.”

Legion’s eyes narrowed. “Tempest?”

Mara took a sip of her tea, allowing the fiery liquid to soothe her chaotic nerves. “She was younger and blind.”

Legion’s eyes flared. “The gatekeeper?”

Mara’s eyes snapped to his. “You think so?”

Natalie stood up, taking her tea to the computer table. “We may find her in the visually impaired database.”

Conner’s eyes narrowed in on Natalie. “You can hack that system? It is not one we have access to.”

Mara sighed. “She is a whiz with computers. I don’t understand half of what she says.”

Natalie shrugged. “My father was a programmer for several tech companies before my mom died.”

Legion nodded. “We need to find those girls before the dark dragons do, and should start with Tempest.”

Hot tea burned Mara’s throat when she swallowed. “Or what?’

Conner stood up. “The dark dragons will enslave them. If they know about the camp, then they’re already looking.”

Chapter 13

Mara and Natalie descended the stairs to the shop. Mara pointed to the backroom, weaving her way through the shelves as Natalie followed. She closed the door after her friend entered the storage room. “I wanted to talk to you alone for a minute. I know this is overwhelming.”

Natalie shook her head. “This is complete insanity, but I know that it’s the truth.”

Mara nodded. “It is.”

They turned as a blue light flashed beneath the door.

“What was that?” Natalie asked.

Mara reached for the door handle. “No idea.”

The door burst open, causing them to jump back. Devlin smiled as his eyes glanced between the women. “Hello Mara. Excuse the intrusion, but after Roland’s pathetic attempt to acquire you. It forced me to use more direct measures.”

Mara’s chest squeezed. “You picked a bad time to visit the shop.”

Devlin glanced up. “You mean Legion and his flunky, Conner? I made sure my sound proofing spell was perfect before entering the shop. He thinks you are rummaging around your old books looking for information.”

Natalie touched Mara’s arm, but she didn’t turn to comfort her friend. Legion! Devlin is downstairs.

We detected his wards. Conner and I can break them, but we need a minute or two.

Mara injected fear into her voice. “How did you do it?”

Devlin waved a hand. “Legion is not the only dragon with skills. Now tell me about the druids. Where are they?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Devlin hissed. “You are twenty-three today. Your power is at fruition. Tell me!”

Mara raised an eyebrow. “You should have asked me my birthday instead of looking at my driver’s license. While I have tried multiple times to fix it, the date on that license, is wrong. I turn twenty-three tomorrow.”

Ross entered the room. “There’s nothing in the store of any use to us. What difference does it make if her birthday is tomorrow?”

Devlin’s eyes flared red. “I want her magic to be mature. It will make her blood more powerful. We must take them.”

Mara felt the magic within her build like a wall. Each brick strengthened the other. “We are not going anywhere with you.”

Devlin huffed. “You will come with me, and work with my daughter to restore the temple.”

Mara faltered. “Your daughter?”

Devlin’s sneer was frightful. “Yes, she was at the druid camp.”

“How did you know about the camp?” Mara stuttered.

“Tempest told me,” he said.

Mara sucked in a breath. “Tempest is your daughter?’

Devlin smoothed his shirt. “Adopted. Her mother was an excellent asset to my cleaning staff. I took good care of her until her death... an unfortunate accident.”

“You killed her,” Mara hissed.

Devlin shrugged. “I admit, I got greedy, but I already had the next generation in my grasp. I no longer needed her.”

Mara felt the magic inside her change. The brick wall turned into a sword. Pain. Anger. Retribution. All fueled the turbulent cauldron of power as it churned within her. The sweet blind girl from camp had been a prisoner her entire life. “What have you done to Tempest?”

Devlin huffed. “Nothing. She is too young. I need her magic active before I can bind her to me. Besides, she adores me. She believes I worship her.” He glanced away. “In my way, I do.”

Mara crossed her arms. “You want what she can give you.”

Devlin looked at her with red fire licking his pupils. “True, but that’s what power is.”

“No.”

Devlin glanced at Natalie. “This friend of yours is useless. I feel no druid blood in her.” He glanced at Ross. “Kill her.”

Ross grabbed Natalie so fast Mara never moved. “No. Please.”

Devlin held up a hand. Ross froze with the silver blade as Natalie’s throat. A thin trickle of red slid to the base of her throat. “It’s tempting to use the female to coerce your compliance, but I am pressed for time. “He lowered his hand as the blade bit into Natalie’s throat.

The power blasted out of Mara