Tavia sighed as if her daughter’s opinion was ridiculous. “And what will you do? How will you support yourself in this new life? You have no real skills. Life requires money. And you have no way of earning any.”
Because her parents had made acquiring those skills nearly impossible. They’d kept her reliant on them and, except for the errands her father sent her on, separate from the world. “I’ll find something to do. I’ll survive.”
Padraig barked out a laugh. “You’re good at two things, Monalisa. Being pretty and leading men astray. That’s what Will-o’-the-Wisps do. Having the kind of gifts best used for darker ends is nothing to shy from. Not when they can be so valuable.”
She sneered. “Sure, to a man like you.” She’d had enough of that.
“That’s right.” He smiled. “You might not like me, Monalisa, but would you really rather end up doing another man’s dirty work?”
She glared down at him. “My powers aren’t my only usable skills, and besides that, I won’t use them for evil purposes ever again. You can go after that fighter yourself.”
He grabbed her arm. “You brat. The only way I’m going to let you go is if you get him to abide by his contract. I need that rematch to take place. Once it does, I’ll give you your piece of gold and you’ll be free. But not before. And not ever if he doesn’t step foot into that ring.”
She yanked her arm out of her father’s grasp. “This is the last thing I’m ever going to do for you. The last.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.” He snorted. “It’ll be over before you know it.”
She stared at him. “You don’t even care, do you? You’re sending your only daughter into the den of a dangerous—”
“The danger is in lingering,” he snapped. “Get in, use your power on him, and get out. Over and done. Once he’s under your thrall, he won’t be able to say no.”
Just like she couldn’t say no to her father. But using her gifts against another person was wrong. She didn’t want to be the kind of supernatural who took advantage of people, employing her inherent abilities to bend them to her will or make them do things they had no desire to do.
That was what her father did. And she didn’t want to be anything like him.
The muscles in her jaw ached from clenching her teeth so tightly. She managed to get out a few words. Enough to appease the man in front of her. “I know what to do.”
“I hope so. Now prove it. Bring me that dragon.”
Van Tsvetkov studied the roomful of dogs on the other side of the glass. He liked dogs. Liked that this was a no-kill rescue center. Liked the idea that he was giving another creature a chance for a better life. Even if it was with a washed-up MMA fighter like himself.
One of the dogs was sleeping. Two of them were playing tug-of-war with a knotted rope. Another was chewing on his own foot like it was a delicious snack. But one was staring back at him, eyes filled with the kind of hope that Van couldn’t refuse.
He nodded. “That one. With the brown and the black and the pointed ears.”
Pandora Williams, Van’s good friend and a woman he trusted very much, gave him a stern look. “I’m pretty sure that’s a Rottweiler or something equally big. And I don’t think it’s full-grown yet. Look at the size of its paws. It could be a monster when it gets older.”
“I don’t care. I want that one.” How many times in his life had he been called the same thing? Monster might as well have been his middle name growing up. The people in his village in Russia had not been kind. And after they’d found out what he and his family were, they’d turned violent out of fear. That was when his family had left. Escaped, actually. “He looks like a good dog.”
“I’m sure he’s a great dog. But how about that little white one over there? I bet that one’s awesome too. And you could put him in a carrier. Or a backpack.”
“No. No yippy dogs that fit in bags.” Van poked the glass with his finger, directing it at the gangly animal that continued to watch him. “I want that one.”
“Van, how exactly are you going to walk a dog that’s the size of a deer? You’re on crutches.”
“I will not be on crutches forever.” Van’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. He knew she was only watching out for his best interests. It’s what Pandora had always done for him, starting years ago with overseeing the building of his house in the hills of Nocturne Falls. But he wouldn’t be traveling anymore. From now on, this was where he’d be. And a dog was a big step in settling down. “I will hire a dog walker until I’m healed.”
“Oh good. So you’re going to get a dog and then let it bond with someone else? That sounds like a fabulous plan.” She crossed her arms as she faced him. She was one of the few people he could count on to always be honest with him, and he liked that. Pandora didn’t care who he was and wasn’t intimidated by his dragon side either.
She kept going. “And who’s going to watch this dog while you’re off at a fight? Or training somewhere? Or doing a promotional tour? Or—”
“I told you, I am retired. Done.” The muscles in his jaw tensed, and he forced himself to relax. “I am settling down now. Here. Nocturne Falls is where I live.”
Her expression was full of skepticism. Then it shifted to one of concern. “You really think you can give all that up and be happy?”