"Shape-shifting Pyr dragons return to fight the Slayers and try to save all things good in the world."
Reviewed by Tanzey Cutter
Posted July 19, 2008
Romance Paranormal | Paranormal
Alexandra Madison's revolutionary invention has been tested
and is ready to change the world. That is, until her secret
lab is set ablaze and her partner brutally killed before
her eyes. But were those really dragons she saw ripping him
apart, or is she going crazy like the doctors who are
treating her burns believe? Scheduled to be transferred to
a mental ward, Alex is rescued by handsome Donovan Shea and
taken to a safe house. But is she safe? Are the dragons she
sees real, or has she lost it?
Instructed by the leader of the Pyr (good dragons)
to protect Alex from the Slayers, who are after her
hidden research notes on the invention, Donovan is shocked
when she ignites his firestorm. Once in each dragon's life,
he meets his true mate, which sets off the firestorm. But
Donovan has never wanted the commitment of a mate, so he
fights the firestorm. He should have known fate would not
deal with him fairly, since the rest of his life has been
so unjust. But as Donovan comes to know Alex better and
revels in her indomitable spirit and determination, he
realizes he does not want to deny this special bond they
have -- for it is foretold they are destined to be the
Warrior and the Wizard.
With the help of the Pyr, Alex feverishly works to
reconstruct a prototype of her invention before the
Slayers can stop them. But the bad dragons are
closing in fast and coming up with some previously unheard
of tactics in their fight to dominate the four elements and
eradicate the world of both humans and the Pyr who
protect them. The final reckoning is close at hand.
This second book in Deborah Cooke's phenomenal
Dragonfire series expertly sets the stage for the next
thrilling episode, KISS OF FATE, coming in February 2009.
As with the first book, KISS OF FIRE, I became immersed in
the lives of these incomparable dragon-heroes, who will do
whatever it takes to save this precious earth and its most
valuable asset -- humans. I sincerely hope this unique
paranormal series continues beyond the original three
novels.
SUMMARY
Alexandra Madison has discovered an invention that could
change the world. When her partner is murdered and their
lab destroyed, Alex knows she has to rebuild her prototype
in time... Donovan Shea knows the Madison project is of dire
importance to the ongoing Pyr/Slayer war. So when he sees
Alex being followed by a Slayer, he reacts and defends her,
never imagining that she’s his destined mate... As Slayers close in on their prey, Donovan knows he’ll
surrender his life to protect Alex — and lose his heart to
possess her...
ExcerptPrologue August 28, 2007 Erik Sorensson was tired, but then the ritual with the
Dragon’s Egg always exhausted him. He and the other members
of the high circle of Pyr had met in Samoa earlier in the
day. Beneath the full lunar eclipse, they had received the
portent that the next firestorm would occur in Minneapolis. Would it be his? Erik thought not. He hoped not. He’d worry about the details later. For the moment, he just
wanted to sleep in the solitude of his lair. He replaced
the Dragon’s Egg in the most secure area of his hoard and
yawned mightily. “It is more than the journey that fatigues you,” said a
woman in close proximity. Erik jumped and pivoted. Sophie waved her fingertips at him. “Surprise.” She lounged on one of his pair of black couches, looking as
ethereal as ever. Her fair hair fell loose over her
shoulders and she was dressed in a dress made of sheer
layers in silvers and greys. Her eyes were as brilliantly
turquoise as ever. She could have been a stray beam of moonlight. Erik checked, but his protective smoke was still thick
around the perimeter of his lair, still undisturbed. It
resonated with the clear ring of an unbroken territory
mark. “How did you get in here?” “I am the Wyvern,” she said without interest. “I know many
tricks, both magical and mundane.” She glanced around his
home, which was in a converted warehouse. The old hardwood
floors gleamed and the furnishings were both modern and
few. The ceilings were high and light was filtered through
the glass blocks that had been used for windows. “Nice
lair. I like the smell of brimstone. It’s a fitting touch.” Erik strode across the floor to check his locks. He knew
his tone was irritable and he didn’t care. He didn’t like
surprise guests. “It’s not brimstone. It’s sulphur. I store
the pyrotechnics in the back room.” The locks were just as
he had left them. He faced Sophie without troubling to hide
his irritation. She held his gaze. “Aren’t you going to ask why I’ve
disturbed your solitude?” “You’re the prophetess. You tell me.” “I’m not the only one with the gift of foresight.” Erik chose to ignore her implication. He muttered something
uncomplimentary under his breath and Sophie smiled as he
perched on the couch opposite her. He might as well hear
what she had to say, as enigmatic as it was likely to
be. “All right. Tell me why you’ve come.” She straightened, flicking her blond hair over her
shoulder. “Surely you can guess.” “Maybe I don’t want to. I’m tired, Sophie, and need some
sleep.” She shook her head, her gaze knowing. “Sleep isn’t going to
fix what ails you.” “Why did you come?” “I had a portent to deliver, of course.” “The next firestorm will be in Minneapolis,” Erik said,
sharing what they had learned at the ritual even though he
expected that Sophie already knew as much. The firestorm
was the mating sign of the Pyr, the sign that a Pyr had met
the mortal mate who could bear his child. A firestorm could
happen at any time in any place, but those of critical
importance to the Pyr were signalled by total lunar
eclipses. “Do you know whose firestorm it will be?” Sophie closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the
couch. Her long hair spread across the dark fabric like a
veil, so fair that it was almost white. Erik remembered the
sight of snow on coal, felt a pang for the past, then her
chanted words brought him back to the present. “The Dragon’s Tail demands compense
Owed the land for man’s violence;
Both human and Pyr must sacrifice,
To earn the chance to make matters right.
A portal has opened to the past
Making possible what has been lost;
Time to muster forces for the final battle,
In which Pyr and Slayer learn their mettle." “That sounds like a warning,” Erik said when she fell
silent. She opened her eyes and smiled sweetly at him. “It is.” Erik felt a surge of frustration, one he often felt in
Sophie’s presence. “I know that there will be three total
lunar eclipses, which follow the change of the moon’s node
to the Dragon’s Tail. And we’ve known for centuries that a
total lunar eclipse is the mark of a firestorm of
particular import to the Pyr, like that of the Smith
indicated by the last one.” Sophie continued to smile. “So, this one, this firestorm that will occur in
Minneapolis, must also be important. But how? The Smith is
already mated and Sara carries his child. What is
significant about the next firestorm, or the Pyr who will
experience it?” “Three total eclipses in rapid succession,” Sophie mused,
staring at her own three fingers. “Three Pyr of critical
importance who will feel the firestorm.” She looked at
Erik. “Three firestorms that must succeed, if the Pyr are
to survive for the pending battle.” “We must ensure them all or lose the war before it begins?”
Erik was incredulous, but Sophie was serene. “Can’t you
tell me any more than that?” “I brought you the prophecy.” “But it tells me nothing!” “On the contrary, it tells you everything you need to
know.” Before Erik could argue, Sophie unfolded herself from the
couch and drifted across the room. She seemed to float, to
not be bound by gravity. She disappeared into Erik’s hoard
and he forced himself to hold his ground. They were on the same team, after all. He should trust her. She returned with the Dragon’s Egg, much to his
astonishment. He was offended to see anyone else handling
it, as its burden was his responsibility. “I just put that
away...” She halted before Erik with the obsidian orb cradled in her
hands. “Look,” was all she said. Erik looked. The Dragon’s Egg gleamed. Erik heard Sophie sing to the
dark stone. Her tune began low and soft, then gained in
power. He couldn’t hear the words, couldn’t anticipate the
rhythm, but he knew he was hearing an ancient charm. The
surface of the stone seemed to swirl, as if it was covered
with clouds in shades of grey. Storm clouds. He’d never seen the Dragon’s Egg respond to anything other
than the light of a total eclipse. He stared and marvelled. Sophie’s song grew louder and the clouds became darker,
ever darker. They churned and boiled on the surface, until
abruptly they cleared. Erik was looking into a dark mirror, one as clear as glass.
It reminded him of deep water and he wanted to recoil, but
he forced himself to keep looking. His own past was not
important, not now. Sophie leaned over the stone, her brow almost touching
his. “Tell me what you see,” she urged in a whisper. “An office,” he said, watching with excitement as the
shapes became clear. It was as if a fog was being cleared
from his vision. How had she done this? Could he learn her
feat? “At night. There’s somebody there, working on a
computer. I see the screen but no other lights are on.” He glanced up in confusion. “Yes. Look deeper.” Erik did more than look. He used all of his keen Pyr senses
and felt the scene. He became a part of it. He was there,
in the moment, experiencing the events. He saw shadows
separate from the walls, heard the snick of an alarm wire
being cut. He sensed a threat sliding into the quiet
building and was aware that he shared someone’s viewpoint,
as if he looked through the eyes of another. But who? “There are others, breaking in,” he murmured. “They don’t
know there’s anyone there.” “Don’t they?” Sophie said quietly. Erik felt a heart race and knew the person who watched
events unfold was afraid. “When will this happen?” Sophie’s tone was resolute. “Look.” Erik knew the crime had to somehow be important to him and
the Pyr. He looked. He saw chairs being flung and desks
overturned. Files were dumped and computers were thrown at
walls. “They’re destroying the place. Where is it?” Sophie didn’t answer. Erik fell silent when he saw the dragonfire erupt, its
orange flames devouring the carpet, cubicles, files and
walls. Its hue and power were unmistakable. He watched more
closely, knowing what he would see. His heart sank all the same when he spied the silhouettes
of his own kind in the flames. He felt the viewer’s palms grow damp with terror. He heard
the scream of a human being injured and the viewer catch
his or her breath. He heard malicious laughter and knew
what he was witnessing. The old battle had moved to new ground. “Slayers,” he said to Sophie, hearing his own hatred in his
voice. “Why this place? What are they trying to destroy?
Who are they hurting?” Sophie blew on the Dragon’s Egg. The flames in its surface
burned brighter, then disappeared, as if she had
extinguished them. The Dragon’s Egg was so black that it might never have been
otherwise. “When will this happen? Where?” Erik demanded, his
frustration rising when Sophie didn’t reply. “Can it
prevented? Can the victim be saved? Why are they injuring a
human?” Sophie bent and kissed the stone with reverence, and Erik
had the sense that she was thanking it for its aid. Then she glanced up at him, her eyes clear and bright.
Their remarkable azure hue still startled him. “We cannot
save humans on our own. They must make reparation
themselves for the injury they have done to Gaia: they must
initiate change within their own society. Then and only
then can we fight for their survival.” “These humans were targeted by Slayers because they took
that initiative,” Erik guessed. Sophie’s smile was
fleeting, but he knew by the glimpse of it that he was
right. “You have seen through the eyes of the Wizard.” Erik caught his breath at her assertion. “The Wizard and
the Warrior. It was once said that together they could
build an army and lead it to victory.” Sophie smiled again. “But that’s just an old story, Sophie, a myth that has no
root in truth...” “A myth?” she interrupted him with a laugh. “And you are
not a myth come to life?” Erik was impatient with this. “There’s never been a Wizard,
not that I know of...” Sophie spoke as if he hadn’t. “Alex Madison will survive
this attack,” she said with force, then met his gaze. Her
words silenced Erik’s protestations. “Alex Madison is the one who was working there, the one who
was afraid,” Erik guessed, but he knew the answer already.
He was shocked that he knew the name of the woman who would
experience this firestorm - Sophie had never been so
forthcoming. Were their prospects that grim? A cold shiver
of dread slid down his spine. “And she’s the Wizard.” Sophie’s smile was fleeting, leaving him hungry for more. “What’s the name of the business? Where is it? What do they
do there? When will this happen? Or has it happened
already?” Sophie only turned away, carrying the Dragon’s Egg back to
his hoard. Erik waited for her to return, irritated with
her many mysteries, his thoughts swirling with what she had
told him. If Alex Madison was the Wizard, then she was the one who
had taken the initiative that would save humans from the
repercussions of their own deeds. And if the old legend was
true, she would mate with the Warrior.
Donovan. The Warrior had to be Donovan, the Pyr’s greatest
fighting machine - and the Pyr most reluctant to make a
commitment of any kind. Erik winced and shoved a hand
through his hair. He decided that he hated portents and prophecies. Erik paced as he waited, his impatience rising with every
moment. Sophie didn’t come back. Erik finally pursued her into the hidden warren of his
hoard. The Dragon’s Egg was precisely where it belonged,
nestled in its black velvet sack. The doors to his lair
were still barred and locked. His smoke was still
undisturbed. But Sophie was gone. Erik was alone in his lair once more. He swore, returned to
the main room and booted up his laptop. Fortunately, the Wyvern wasn’t his only source of
information.
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