Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(64)

Fire Island. Catchy name. She sat back. “Sanctuary?”

“Yes. Our sources inform us you’re likely to be found guilty of treason by the Coven Nine, and you’ll be sentenced to death. If you run anywhere on earth, they will find you. However, if you stay here, a place the Nine doesn’t know exists, you will remain safe.” Flynn kept her gaze, no give on his angled face. “Someday you might even be allowed back into the witch nation, once enough time has passed.”

“I can handle my own people and my own future, thank you.” She subtly looked around for any type of weapon, but even the crystal on the bar appeared harmless. “I will not allow Nicholai to be killed for protecting me.”

Flynn shook his head. “The demon killed Roman, and I can’t change that.”

“Sure you could, or maybe Desmond could, since he’s the leader. Your cousin is a bad guy, and you know it.” Simone was going on instinct.

“Desmond is your cousin, too.” Flynn didn’t blink. “I don’t know what you mean disparaging him.”

“Aye. Aye, you do.” She pressed harder. “The servants are afraid of him, and even the soldiers seem nervous when he’s around.”

“Desmond is a tough leader, but he’s fair, and he follows the laws.”

“You need to change the damn laws.” Fire danced down Simone’s arms, and she cradled a plasma ball in her right hand.

Flynn’s lip curved. “Impressive.”

“Thank you. Now, act like a brother and help me.” She abandoned any thought of pretending to be helpless and acted from a position of strength. “You don’t want me for an enemy.”

He smiled full-out then. “Are you threatening me, little sister?”

The condescension got her. She tossed the ball, and it landed on his leg.

He yelped and patted it out, leaving a perfectly round hole in his pants. His flesh glowed a burned red. “Damn it.”

She smiled. “That was a love tap.”

He looked up, his gaze narrowing. “You’re not the only one with fire.” Opening his mouth, he looked up, and fire flew out of his mouth to singe the ceiling.

Simone watched, more than a little impressed. “Okay. We both have fire. But Flynn, you know Desmond isn’t fair.”

The blond servant, the one from the other night, entered the room with a tray of canapes to place on the table. She glanced around, saw it was only the two of them, and visibly relaxed.

Simone took a chance. “You’re afraid of Desmond, aren’t you?”

The blonde’s dark eyes widened. “No. No, not at all.” She backed away, her hands wringing together.

“Stop,” Flynn said quietly.

The woman froze.

“What has he done?” Flynn asked.

“Nothing, sir.” The woman gave a half curtsy and all but ran from the room.

Anger rippled through Simone so fast she swayed. “What the hell is going on here?”

“I’ve only been back a short while after being away for the war.” Flynn’s jaw worked, and a muscle ticked down his neck. “Whatever is going on, I will handle. For now, you need to promise to stay out of the way until Nicholai meets his fate.”

So much for help. Simone stood and towered over her brother. “That woman was scared to death. How have you let this happen?”

Flynn stood so suddenly, she had to step back. Anger etched into the fine lines of his face. Now he towered over her by at least a foot. “I’ve been away since Desmond took over, working overseas, and I’ve only been back a week. You can trust me that I’ll find out what’s going on.”

“I don’t trust you worth rubbish,” she spat, jumping up.

“In this matter, you don’t really have a choice.” He ran a hand through his dark hair. “I don’t want to contain you in the family private suite, but I will if you don’t agree to stay out of the way tomorrow morning.”

Simone gaped at him. “You want me to just stand by and watch you kill my, my, well, Nick?”

Flynn nodded.

“Who will do it? You?” she asked, her hands clenching with the need to throw more fire.

“Aye. I’m the one who will ultimately carry out the sentence,” Flynn said, his gaze somber but no less intense.

“He’ll fight you,” Simone said, her chin lifting.

“I hope so.” Flynn’s shoulders drew back. “It wouldn’t be fair to just cut off his head. But you know that demons can’t mind attack dragons, right?”

Simone froze. “Maybe that has changed.”

“I doubt it. Dragon minds are impregnable. Well, except by mates.”

Nick had played in her brain, hadn’t he? And they weren’t mated. “What if you open your mental shields?” She’d always been able to visualize shields in her head. Must be her dragon side.

“Sure. You can always open yourself up for attack.” Flynn frowned. “I don’t plan to do so with your lover.”

“So dragons can defend against a mind attack but truly can’t perpetrate one,” she said slowly.

“No. Which is why a dragon can never mate with a demon. The hybrid that was born years ago was able to destroy minds without even meaning to do so.” Flynn glanced at a worn watch around his wrist. “Desmond should be here soon.”