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TWENTY-FOUR

MAC

“Where are we going?” Atlas asks, scratching his jaw.

“What about that delightful little den of debauchery in Santorini?” Cassius suggests. “We always find plenty of fun there.”

“Perfect.” Roman licks his lips. “I love it there.”

Drax scrunches his nose but seems to reluctantly agree. “Okay.”

“Hey.” I slide my arm around his slim waist. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. That place is very…” He shrugs. “Debauchery is a good word for it.”

“Sounds fun.”

“Maybe.”

A surge of insecurity rattles across the bond, and I get it; he’s worried. I pull him even closer, nuzzling his cheek.

“You know I only have eyes for you, right?”

He visibly relaxes, reaching up to tuck my hair behind my ear. “I needed your reassurance.”

Leaning in, I kiss him softly. “I promise I have plenty of that.”

The attraction between us is as palpable as the bond vibrating in my chest, reminding me what’s at stake with my decision.

At first, mating with Drax felt like one more major fuckup, but I really, really care for him.

Maybe I more than just care. But that doesn’t lessen the life-changing decision on the table.

“Meet back in ten minutes?” Cassius says. “I need to change.”

“Same,” Roman says.

“We’ll be here,” Drax answers.

I follow him to his room, not at all interested in what I’m wearing out tonight. My mind is tangled up with too many other thoughts.

“Do you approve of my outfit?” Drax asks, holding his arms out.

“It’s just fine.”

“Would you prefer something else? Something… sexier?” He flicks his wrist and the air shimmers around him as his clothes shift from simple jeans and a shirt to shimmery hot pants that show off the perfect curve of his ass and a mesh tank that reveals his furry chest.

“Oh. Hold on.” He flicks his wrist again, assuming his human form.

“Damn. You’re so hot, Drax.”

“Which version do you prefer?”

“Both. Everything.”

He smiles, doing a little hip shimmy. “I’m happy I please you.”

“You definitely do.” I glance around. “I guess I’ll at least put on a fresh shirt since you look so nice.”

“A tank top. I want to see your sexy arms.”

Chuckling, I nod. “Got it.”

I dig through my bag looking for the black tank I know I have. I find it at the bottom, quickly changing into it, then running my fingers through my hair.

I open my arms, and he steps into them, brushing his warm lips against my neck.

My stomach flutters and my cock swells, my thoughts absorbed with all the things I can do to my pretty demon later tonight.

My dragon surges forward, sending scales rippling across my skin and warming my chest even more.

Drax tilts his face up, offering his luscious lips for a sweet kiss.

I have another decision to make—what to do about this bond. Sure, it was accidental, but I almost can’t imagine a life without Drax in it now. The mating isn’t complete until I give him my fire, and once I do that, there’s no turning back for either of us.

“Ready?”

Drax nods. “Ready.”

We leave his room and join Atlas and Roman. Cassius appears just a few seconds later, decked out in a tight white suit that shows off his considerable assets.

“Shall we?” Cassius asks.

“Does Auri ever come out?” I ask.

“Rarely,” Atlas says. “Usually only when he’s hunting for a new pet.”

The words resonate deeply. He was hunting me all along. That feels kind of cool.

“Santorini, here we come,” Roman says as we all join hands and slip into the void.

I’m relaxed in the darkness between realms, clinging to my mate, as if this is no different from a bus ride. I guess I’ve gotten used to it.

In mere seconds, our feet touch sandy steps leading up a small cliffside, the white buildings and blue roofs clearly visible in the bright light of the full moon.

Oh. The full moon. That’s why Roman is so randy. It should be an interesting night.

I pick up the sound of muted music coming from deep within the rock face as Cassius gestures with a flourish in the air.

“Come along, gentleman. There’s fun to be had.”

Taking Drax’s hand in mine, I follow the twink vampire along the stone path and between two columns. Tucked into a narrow pathway is a large black door. A few people stand outside it, and the distant music is louder.

“Is this just for supes?” I ask.

“No.” Cassius grins. “Mortals come here too. It’s wonderful.”

We approach the door, where a massive figure guards the door. He turns his red-eyed gaze to me and my jaw drops.

“Balls of fire. I thought they were just legends.”

Drax squeezes my arm. “Rare. There are only a handful of minotaur left around the world.”

He must stand easily over seven feet tall, with a body mass that rivals any I’ve seen. Thick black horns protrude from his forehead, and his silky black hair falls in waves around his broad shoulders. He’s covered in thick hair, but with very human legs and feet.

His face lights up, completely at odds with his menacing stature. “Cassius, my friend. Good to see you.”

“Good to see you too, Aeson.” Cassius gestures to us. “You remember my friends.”

“Yes, but there’s a new face.”

I step forward slightly, offering my hand. “Mac.”

Aeson heartily shakes my hand. “Dragon.”

“Yes.”

“I love dragons.” He chuckles, and his whole belly bounces. A jovial minotaur? Go figure.

“Come on in, fellows.” Aeson pushes the door open with his massive hand. “The air is fine tonight.”

We pass by, entering a dim room where a woman stands behind a small wood counter. She looks up with a bored expression, taking in each of us, then she waves her hand for us to approach.

“Wrists.”

Cassius offers his first and the woman stamps it with a blue heart. We take our turns getting stamped, then the woman offers a slight smile.

“Drink specials until midnight if you have the blue heart. Pink hearts are mortals. Be safe out there.”

Roman claps his hands. “Let’s do this.”

We slip through a curtain to the main part of the club, and I stop in my tracks at the sight. It’s packed with people dancing, laughing, talking. Pheromones and the scent of sex tickle my nose, and Roman practically howls as he bounces on his toes.

The heart stamps glow in the dark, making it very clear who’s a supe and who isn’t. So clever.

“First round is on me,” Atlas announces, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “We’re celebrating.”

I smile as Drax squeezes my hand and we make our way to the bar.

All around me are supernatural creatures, some I rarely see, easily mixing with mortals.

I see mermaids—in their human forms, of course—wolf shifters reeking of sex just as intensely as Roman is, and demons.

Plenty of vampires, a few more gargoyles, and even another dragon, who nods at me in acknowledgment.

Fae women and men dance in cages, their wings shimmering under the club lights.

I’ve spent my entire life as a loner with no real sense of community, but right now, I feel comfortable. Normal.

“I can’t believe I never knew places like this existed.”

Drax kisses my cheek. “Now you do.”

Atlas turns to face us, holding several shot glasses in his large hands. “Congratulations to Mac on a successful mission.” He hands the drinks out. “Welcome to the crew.”

“Cheers,” Roman says before slamming his drink back.

Cassius actually smiles. “Well done, Mac.”

My chest tightens pleasantly as emotion bubbles up in me. “You guys really like the job, don’t you?”

Roman smiles. “It’s pretty cool. Auri can be annoying, but he’s a good dude overall. Treats us fairly and we get some pretty badass missions.”

Cassius nods. “I agree. With such a long life, I needed a challenge, and I found one with Auri.”

“I’ll never leave,” Atlas adds.

“You’re staying, right?” Roman asks, drawing Drax’s pretty eyes to me.

It only takes a second for my brain to remind me that I don’t really have anything waiting for me. No friends wondering where I am. No community. No tasks. But I have something here. I have the makings of friendships. I have a job. I have a mate.

The bond in my chest warms and vibrates and my dragon rises, making the decision as clear as day.

“I’m staying. Cursed amulets couldn’t drag me away.”

Drax’s face lights up with a brilliant smile. “I’ll make you happy.”

“You already do.”

DRAX

Emerald scales ripples across Mac’s arms as his dragon pushes forward, his pupils stretching into narrow black slits.

“Hey, handsome boy.”

Mac blinks slowly, and as he exhales a tendril of smoke swirls around us.

“You’re really staying?”

He nods. “I’m really staying. I’ve made a lot of dumb decisions in my life, and for once, I’m gonna make a good one.

I can have a purpose with Auri. A job.” He barks out a laugh and his eyes go wide with surprise.

“Holy shit, I just realized, that’s exactly what Auri promised me when I made this deal. I guess he didn’t lie.”

Is that the only reason he wants to stay?

“And the guys are kind of like friends for me. I’ve never really had friends.”

“That makes no sense. You’re such a wonderful person.”

“I never stayed long enough in one place, always chasing my dragon’s whims.” Mac smiles. “But he likes it here too. With you.”

“With me?”

Mac nods, tugging me closer by the hem of my shirt. “He likes you a lot.”

I drape my arms around Mac’s shoulders. “Just your dragon?”

“No.” He shakes his head, searching my eyes. “I have something I want to show you. You’ve seen it before, but this time it’ll be a little different.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“My hoard room. It’s not much, especially for someone as amazing as you, but maybe now I can focus on building a true hoard. One that impresses you.”

My brow creases as I tilt my head in confusion. He really has no idea, does he?

“How do you choose the items in your hoard?”

He shrugs. “You’d have to ask the dragon that. He guides my choices, and for some reason he’s really into demon artifacts.”

I start to speak, but Cassius interrupts by handing us another round of shots. “Drink up, friends. The night is young.”

“How about we hang out for a couple of hours and then we’ll go see your hoard? Sound like a plan?”

Mac nods happily. “Sounds great.”