Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Dimitri

Gianna's face paled as she handed the phone back to Petar, her fingers trembling. She cast me a nervous look, tears welling in her emerald eyes. Anger surged through me, hot and fierce, turning my blood into liquid fire.

I plowed across the room, my jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. Bodies bounced off me like pinballs as I moved.

"Hey!" someone yelped on the dance floor.

"Watch it," her partner growled.

I barely registered their complaints, my focus laser sharp on one target.

Petar had barely slipped his phone into his back pocket when I grabbed his wrist, my fingers digging in hard enough to leave marks. "What did you do, Dad?" I drawled, the word dad dripping with enough venom to kill a small country.

Gianna's hand on my arm was like ice against my burning skin. "Dimitri, let go of him. You don't want to get in deeper."

I released Petar's arm, but kept my eyes locked on him. "What do you mean deeper?"

"He told Angelo about us," Gianna sighed, her voice barely above a whisper.

I chuckled, the sound hollow even to my own ears, as I fought to suppress the chill racing down my spine. "Let me guess. He's not going to roll out the welcome wagon."

"No," she confirmed. "He's ordered us home tomorrow."

"So he can put us through the Spanish Inquisition?" I quipped, arching an eyebrow.

"Something like that." Gianna's eyes met mine, pleading. "You'll come, won't you?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, princess," I smirked, ignoring the knot forming in my gut. If she only knew the real reason I was coming...

Petar's hand clamped down on my arm like a vice. "We need to talk. Now."

I allowed him to drag me away, my skin crawling at his touch. "What?" I snapped.

"You remember our agreement?"

I jerked my arm free, lip curling in disgust. "Yes, I remember, asshole. The damn mirror. Now back off."

"You waltz into New Orleans empty-handed, and Angelo's going to introduce you to his fun room," Petar hissed.

I cracked my neck; the sound audible even over the music. "Why do you care?"

"Because if he's watching you, you'll never get a chance to steal the Moirari Mirror."

I crossed my arms, affecting boredom. "And?"

"Before we leave, you need to steal an item from the high priestess."

"I really don't think so," I drawled, sarcasm dripping from every word.

"Remember, I have the Malefic Puppets," he growled.

I bared my teeth, imagining the satisfaction of ripping out his cold heart.

"Temper, son," Petar taunted. "You wouldn't want your fated mate getting suspicious. Unless you want her to suffer." He drew out the last word like a caress.

My eyes flicked nervously between Gianna and the exit Valentin and Rose had used earlier. "Fine. What's this little trinket you want me to steal?"

His lips curled into a cruel grin. "The Dawnbringer Talisman."

I bit back my surprise, remembering Jaxon's warning. Instead, I rolled my eyes dramatically. "And what, pray tell, is that?"

He formed a circle with his hands. "A small gold sundial. She keeps it on her desk."

"What does it do?" I pressed, fighting to keep my voice casual .

"Why do you care?"

I leaned in, my voice low and dangerous. "Because I'm not about to stick my neck out for some glorified paperweight. No curses or spells, or the deal's off. I don't do cursed for eternity. It clashes with my outfit."

He gave me a hard stare, probably debating whether to tell me the truth or just lie creatively. I could practically hear the hamster wheel spinning in his head.

"Your boss has ordered us back home," I drawled, leaning in with a smirk. "Do you really want to go empty-handed? I'm sure Angelo would love that."

A muscle twitched in his jaw. "You're not to tell Gianna or anyone–"

"Including your master?" I interrupted, my eyebrows shooting up in mock surprise. "Oh wait, let me guess. He's not your master, right?"

"He's not my master," he growled, right on cue.

I slowly arched my brow, savoring his predictability. "Of course not. You just happen to jump when he says jump. Totally different."

He took a deep breath, probably counting to ten in his head. "The talisman enhances the mirror. Think of the mirror as a puzzle. Right now, it only shows bits and pieces. With the talisman? Full HD, surround sound, the works."

"Ah, so you're planning a cozy little coup against Angelo? How sweet."

His eyes darted around like a guilty kid in a candy store. "I never said that. Angelo sent me here to buy it from the high priestess, but she refused. Just get it for me. "

I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Right, because ‘just get it for me' isn't suspicious at all. Why don't you steal it yourself? Afraid of breaking a nail?"

"The high priestess would know it was me," he hissed. "But you? You're the perfect fall guy."

"Oh, I'm touched. Really. Nothing says family bonding like setting up your son for magical grand larceny."

His lips curled into what I assume he thought was a threatening smile. It looked more like gas pains. "You are the one who will steal it."

"And what if our friendly neighborhood high priestess decides to turn me into her personal voodoo doll?"

He shrugged, the picture of fatherly concern. "You don't know that."

"Fantastic," I drawled, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I love playing magical Russian roulette. It's my favorite pastime after ticking off powerful witches and antagonizing vampire mafia bosses."

I was walking a tightrope over a frying pan, and if I didn't watch my step, I'd be doing a swan dive into the fiery inferno below. Talk about your rock and hard place. What choice did I have? Gianna and Valentin's lives were resting on my shoulders, transforming me from charming rogue to supernatural Jesse James overnight.

I suppressed a bitter laugh. After all, what's a little grand larceny, betrayal, and possible magical torture between family? Just your average day in the Dragan household. Nothing says family bonding quite like risking life, limb, and sanity for each other .

Maybe I should start pricing striped shirts and eye masks. Go full cartoon thief. Because if I was going to risk everything, I might as well look the part, right? Who knows, I might even start a new vampire fashion trend. Burglar chic could be the next big thing.

I caught Gianna staring at me, her eyes wide with worry. The sight of her concern twisted something in my gut, a mixture of guilt and determination that threatened to choke me. But I plastered on my best devil-may-care grin.

"Three times a charm," I drawled, winking at her. "If you'll excuse me, I need to escort my mate out of this dying party. It's flatlining faster than my faith in humanity."

I left my dad chuckling behind me, the sound grating on my every nerve. It took everything I had not to whirl around and rip out his larynx. My fingers twitched with the urge, but instead, I sauntered over to Gianna, draping my arm around her shoulders with practiced nonchalance.

As we headed for the door, I could feel the tension radiating off her in waves. Her scent, usually intoxicating, was now tinged with anxiety.

She scowled up at me, her brow furrowed. "What did Petar want?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. To give us his blessings, offer to officiate the wedding, plan our couples' retreat to Transylvania. Standard father-in-law stuff," I quipped, my tone light despite the lead weight in my stomach.

"Dimitri," she drawled out my name, a warning in her voice.

Before she could launch into a full-scale inquisition, I spun her around, pressing her up against the wall. The sudden movement knocked the breath out of her, her gasp of surprise music to my ears.

I crashed my lips onto hers, silencing her questions with a kiss that was equal parts desperation and desire. She struggled against me at first, her hands pushing at my chest, but I persisted. My tongue swept into her mouth, exploring, tasting, memorizing every detail as if it might be the last time.

Slowly, I felt her resistance melt away. Her body softened against mine, molding to me like she was made to fit there. Her fingers, which had been pushing me away, now curled into the fabric of my shirt, pulling me closer.

The kiss was intoxicating, drowning out the guilt and fear that threatened to consume me. For a moment, I could pretend that this was all that mattered—her, me, this connection that defied explanation.

But reality lurked at the edges of my consciousness, a persistent whisper reminding me of the precarious tightrope I was walking. I was about to join the Butch Cassidy gang, all because my lovely father didn't see fit to give me any other options.

As I reluctantly pulled away, breathing heavily, I looked into Gianna's dazed eyes. A pang of regret shot through me. Maybe someday she'd look at me as a Robin Hood rather than a nickel and dime thief. But for now, I'd have to settle for being the bad boy with a heart of gold—or at least a gold-plated one.

"Now," I smirked, trying to ignore the way my heart raced, "how about we blow this popsicle stand before I'm tempted to start a conga line just to liven things up?"

She was breathless, her lips swollen from our kiss. I couldn't help but smirk, admiring my handiwork. "Where are we going?" she asked, her voice husky with desire.

I leaned in close, my breath hot against her ear. "To my apartment," I purred, feeling a ripple running through her body. "I want to explore every inch of you on my bed. Maybe even under it, if we're feeling adventurous."

I glanced over her head, catching Augustus and Louise scowling at us like we'd just kicked their puppy. I flashed them my most devilish grin and a little wave. "Looks like the chaperones are about to blow a gasket. Shall we make our daring escape before they break out the holy water?"

"Then lead me, my dark knight," she breathed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Dark knight? Please. I'm more of a dashing rogue with great hair and a penchant for trouble."

We slipped out the front door, the cool night air a stark contrast to the heat between us. With a dramatic flourish, I shifted into a bat, feeling my bones crackle and reform. "Race you there?" I challenged, my voice coming out as a series of high-pitched squeaks.

Gianna followed suit, her delicate bat form fluttering beside me. We soared over the twinkling lights of restaurants, hotels, and houses, the wind rushing through our fur. Part of me wanted to indulge in this freedom forever, but the weight of my impending mission hung heavy in my chest.

As we approached Goody Academy, my mind raced faster than my wings. I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in Gianna all night, to map every curve and hollow of her body with my hands and lips. But duty called, and it had an annoying habit of terrible timing.

"Home sweet home," I announced as we shifted back, landing gracefully on my balcony. "Well, more like apartment adequate apartment, but who's counting?"

I pulled her close, trying to ignore the gnawing guilt in my stomach. "Now, where were we? Oh right, I believe I promised you a thorough exploration."

As I led her inside, my mind was already plotting. I'd make love to her until she was exhausted, then slip away for my midnight heist. But I wasn't going solo on this little adventure. My favorite dishwasher was about to become the Robin to my Batman.

I chuckled to myself. "Who says kitchen appliances can't be sidekicks?"

Gianna raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"Oh, nothing," I smirked, pulling her toward the bed. "Just thinking about how lucky I am to have such a smoking hot partner in crime."

If only she knew how literal that was about to become.