Page 16

TWELVE

MAC

Bliss, lust, and a warm sense of security collide and vibrate along the bond as my breathing slows. My hand and torso are covered in the sticky evidence of my longing, but even that epic orgasm did little to quell my desire for Drax.

The last thing I need right now is to complicate my situation even more by confusing lust for something else, but something about the beautiful demon is under my skin.

My dragon wasn’t about to let me sleep after leaving Drax’s company so abruptly, and it took all my strength to stay rooted here and not slip inside his room and his bed all over again.

Still… it was so intense it felt like he was here with me, his talented tongue doing the stroking instead of my hand, his warm breath fanning my face as he whispered “mate” until I exploded.

I force myself up to grab my t-shirt and clean up my hand and my chest, then try to settle in bed again, but my brain isn’t even close to slowing down for the night.

What did Drax mean about Auri recruiting me?

Was our meeting an intentional intervention and not just happenstance like I thought?

And if that’s the case, why? How would I even be on Auri’s radar?

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try to talk to the shifty demon again and ask a few more questions. Though I didn’t get anywhere last time, there’s always a chance I’ll catch him in a better mood or something.

I throw on my jeans and grab a clean shirt from my tote bag before creeping out of my bedroom and down the hall. Every hallway looks exactly the same, and before long I end up turned around and completely lost. I try several more routes but get nowhere. It’s dark and quiet and yeah, I’m fucked.

I could call for Drax, but before I can, Cassius appears, walking confidently down the hall adjacent from where I stand.

“Cassius?”

He pauses, turning in my direction. “What are you doing down here?”

“I got myself lost. Where am I?”

“The tunnels,” he says, approaching me. “My turn to patrol and make sure no rogue souls got out. Come on.”

I follow him around twists and turns that feel like we’re walking in circles but then we step into the common area where I first met them all.

“That made no sense to me.”

Cassius chuckles. “You get used to it over time.” He sniffs in my direction. “You smell like sex. Where is your mate?”

Clearing my throat, I drag my hand through my hair. “I was actually looking for Auri’s office before I got turned around.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Do I need one?”

“He prefers them. Otherwise, he can be surly.” Cassius adjusts the sleeve of his frilly white shirt. “Your choice.”

Maybe I could get a better answer from the vampire. “Were you recruited by him? Or did you seek him out?”

Cassius’s lips curl into a smirk as his eyes pulse red for a few seconds.

“Just figuring it out, huh? We were all recruited, dragon. But don’t bother to ask me how or why.

He won’t tell you, but I’ve decided during my time with him that he visited the human realm often enough to become aware of my presence, and for whatever reason, decided he wanted me on his team. ”

“How often do you do work for him?”

“As often as he asks. Time is meaningless here.”

I nod, chewing on my bottom lip for a second. “Has he ever let anyone go?”

It’s not that I don’t believe what Drax told me before, I guess I just want to hear someone else confirm it.

Cassius shrugs. “I don’t know why anyone would want to leave.”

I remember a similar comment from Drax. These guys are here voluntarily.

“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I agreed to the deal.”

Cassius chuckles. “Rookie mistake, but don’t worry, Auri is prickly at times but not so hard to deal with. Just do what he asks, and everything is fine.”

“Yeah, okay. Will I patrol the tunnels at some point too?”

“Sure. We all get a rotation, but you have a mission right now, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“No extra duties when you’re on a mission.”

“Gotcha.”

“You should be spending your downtime with your mate.” Cassius steps closer. “Aren’t you aware of his dedication to you? The whole compound smells of it.”

“It’s complicated.”

“It’s the least complicated thing in the world. Not all supes have them, you know. Mates. Don’t be cavalier about it. Drax is a lovely, honorable demon who adores you.”

“How do you know?”

“Like I said, I can smell it. His desire to please you pours off him. Is your dragon unaware?”

My dragon, at that moment, rises up, pressing to the surface and purring. “He’s aware.”

“Good. Let’s just say you wouldn’t be the most popular guy around here if you hurt Drax.”

I raise an eyebrow at the veiled threat. “Do you have a thing for him?”

Cassius laughs at that, loud and bellowing, as if it’s the most hilarious thing he’s ever heard.

“At least you have the good sense to be possessive of your mate.” He appears in front of me suddenly, doing that creepy moving fast thing vampires do.

“If I wanted your demon, he would have been mine long before you laid eyes on him.” He pats my cheek.

“We may not be much to you, but we’re a family of sorts, and we protect each other.

You could be part of that family someday if you don’t fuck it all up. ”

I nod, taking a step back from the tiny but intimidating man. “Noted.”

Cassius smiles, but it’s laced with warning. “Life is easy here if you follow the few rules. Keep your nose clean and you’ll be fine. If I were you, I’d rely on your mate. He wants nothing but the best for you.”

I wish I could confess that the whole mating thing was an accident, but I get the feeling Cassius isn’t open to hearing about my latest and greatest fuckup.

“Thanks for getting me back here.”

“My pleasure.”

Then he’s gone, disappearing with little more than a blur of movement as he darts down another hallway.

From here, I could try to figure out where Auri’s office is, but I doubt I’ll get any more answers tonight. Maybe he’ll be more open to talking about his intentions with the amulet once I’ve got it in my clutches.

I turn in a circle for a second until a strong tug in my chest draws me in a specific direction. The sensation is intense, warm, and if I had to describe it, I would say it feel like home which is insane. I don’t have a home, and if I did, why would my dragon think it was here in the underworld?

I go down a hallway to find Drax standing in his doorway, relief settling across his features when he sees me.

“I sensed your discomfort,” he says. “Are you alright?”

I nod. “Went for a walk and got turned around, but Cassius found me and helped.”

Drax nods, clearly holding himself back from approaching me. “You can always call for me.”

“I know. I was about to, actually.”

He smiles, leaning against his doorframe but not speaking.

“Well, um, goodnight, Drax.”

I feel the soft patter of desire along our bond, a bit melancholy as he nods.

“Goodnight, Mac.”

I head to my room and plop down on the bed, wishing I was brave enough or smart enough to just accept my fate and go climb into Drax’s comfy bed, but instead I lie here, staring up at a blank ceiling and wondering what the hell I’m gonna do next.

DRAX

After a few hours of rest, I rise and prepare to meet up with Mac, hoping he had a good night, though I felt his dragon’s restlessness. So many times I wanted to go to him to offer comfort or sex or anything to soothe his beast, but I gave him space. He knows where to find me.

I find his room empty, but I follow his scent to the breakfast room where he’s eating heartily. Roman, Cassius, and Atlas sit around the table too, in their normal way, and the scene makes me smile. Perhaps Mac is becoming more comfortable here.

He looks up as soon as I enter the room and drops his fork, sitting up a little straighter. I feel the zing of happiness and desire along the bond, and I smile as I approach and take the seat next to him.

“Did you sleep well?”

He nods, wiping bacon grease off his mouth with the back of his hand. “You look, um…” Mac shakes his head. “Did you do something different?”

“No. Why do you say that?”

Mac stares at me for a second, but when he blinks it’s those pretty dragon eyes peering out.

“Hi there,” I coo.

Mac leans closer to me, inhaling deeply then releasing a smoky breath. “Nothing different?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“You just seem brighter.” Mac shakes his head. “That’s not the word. Luminous. That’s it. You look nice.”

I perk up a little. I don’t know what’s causing his reaction to me, but I won’t complain about it. “Thank you.”

He nods, blinking until his human eyes are back then clearing his throat. “What do you think about Tokyo? Can we go today?”

“Whenever you like.”

“Tokyo?” Roman says, raising his thick eyebrows. “Why are you going there?”

“We got a tip from Alenor that our shifty mage might be hiding there,” I explain.

“In the Shinjuku district,” Mac adds.

“Sweet. I’m in. I’ve got a little business there myself.”

“I haven’t been there in ages,” Atlas says, rubbing his chin. “I’ll go too.”

Cassius sighs heavily, like he’s completely put out. “Fine. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go on an adventure. I do enjoy the effect the ocean has on the blood.”

“Uh, none of you have to come,” Mac says. “Unless you’re keeping tabs on me.”

“Not at all.” Cassius waves dismissively. “Business has been a little slow lately and we’re restless. You’ve actually got something going on.”

Mac nods, but I still sense his suspicions. I pat his hand, hoping to calm him. The guys really do just want to tag along. I would know if their motivations were different.

I squeeze Mac’s hand. “Finish your breakfast, then we’ll go.”

The others hurry from the table, filled with excitement now that they have another adventure. Mac shovels pancakes into his mouth before guzzling a tall glass of juice.

“So good. How do they know just what to make that everyone wants?”

“They’re demons.”

Mac nods, even though he doesn’t look exactly satisfied with my answer. “I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

“I’m always ready.”

“Don’t you eat?”

“I snack sometimes, but I don’t require sustenance in the same way you do.”

Before we rise from the table, Mac searches my eyes, swaying slightly towards me. I reach out and card my fingers through his hair, and his eyelids flutter.

“If you ever desire me, you only have to come to me or call my name.”

Mac opens his eyes and nods, exhaling a tendril of smoke. “Okay.”

We rise from the table and rejoin the others, who are all gathered now.

“Shinjuku district, right?” Atlas asks.

“Correct,” I say. “We have no idea what Rune looks like, but his magic has a distinctive smell. We should be able to detect him even in a crowd of people.”

“We’ll let you know if we find anything interesting,” Roman says before pulling Cassius close.

I wrap my arms around Mac’s waist, standing so close we could kiss. I feel the need to ask for his consent, so I do.

“May I kiss you, Mac?”

His eyes grow hazy, and he nods. “Yes.”

I press our lips together, surprised when he parts his and dips his tongue into my mouth. We stay like that for a few perfect moments, until the sound of a clearing throat interrupts. I look over my shoulder to see Auri tapping his foot.

“As much as I love a good show, I do need my amulet. Hurry along, pets.”

“Right away, Master.”

Mac, who was slack in my arms, straightens up and nods. “Yeah. We’re on a mission.”

“Let’s go.”

I slip us between the realms, clinging tightly to my mate as we travel through the void, arriving at our destination in seconds. I have no idea how long it would take to get there in human time, but it couldn’t be faster than this.

We step into the middle of a busy street crowded with people. Atlas, Roman, and Cassius are nearby, all of us looking around, dazzled by the city lights and the cacophony of sounds and voices.

Mac rubs his nose, his brow crinkling. “Oh no.”

“What?”

Roman tilts his head back, sniffing the air. “Damn.”

I sniff too, instantly becoming aware of the problem. Magic of all kinds taints the air, mixing into a fragrance that’s impossible to untangle.

“Look.” Cassius points.

All around us are magic users, identified by glowing fingertips or shimmering auras.

“Guess we know why Rune likes to hang out here,” Mac says dryly. “It’s a haven for his kind.” He shakes his head. “We’re never gonna find him.”

“We will,” I assure him, though I have no idea how.

“Got anything belonging to him?” Roman taps his nose. “I’m pretty good at scents.”

“Just the journal,” Mac says.

“One second.” Atlas disappears for a second and reappears with it. “I’ll hold it since it’s cursed.”

Roman takes a sniff and wrinkles his nose. “Got it.”

“You should keep that with us,” Cassius says. “Maybe it’ll draw him to us.”

“Good idea.” Mac looks around with his hands on his hips. “Any idea where to start?”

Roman walks in a circle, sniffing the air. A slow smile spreads over his face. “I think I got something. Let’s go.”

We take off after Roman, and as we walk, Mac reaches out and grabs my hand.

Through the bond I feel his determination, but there’s something else there too.

Something new that I can’t quite name. It’s good though; I can tell that much.

I can only hope he’s warming to the idea that we’re going to spend eternity together.

My patience with him will pay off. I’m sure of it.

We walk down a dimly lit alleyway, stopping in front of a small wooden door. When we step through, it’s obvious it’s the place where Rune is staying. It looks just like his cabin in the woods.

“He’s not here,” Mac says.

“We’ll find him,” I assure him.

He nods, holding my gaze for a few lingering seconds.

“I got another hit,” Roman says. “He’s here somewhere. We’ll search the whole city if we have to.”

“Looks like it’s gonna be a long night,” Cassius says, with a giddy note to his voice.