Page 19 of Monsters (Vengeance #3)

Gray

“ V egas!”

I had a lot of fucking enthusiasm right now.

For several reasons. One, I had drank four cups of coffee.

Two, I loved shocking the ever living hell out of a special forces unit.

All of them were offering me terrified and nervous looks, bowing down as if they were toy soldiers.

Three, Vegas! As usual she didn’t bow and I was glad of it.

Despite our odd power dynamic, with being Queen and all, I considered her an equal, like my men.

I’d fucking die to see Rhodes bow. On second thought, that could end up being some sexy foreplay. As if knowing my thoughts, the jaguar rolled his eyes.

I practically tackled Vegas as her smile grew wider. It was clear when I’d walked in that she had been feeling awkward.

Never fear, friend! I am ten times more awkward so no one will even notice your awkwardness.

“Stand up!” I demanded of all the toy soldiers.

Vegas’s eyes widened. “Are you training with us?”

I could feel my men gauging the responses of the mages in the room.

Rhodes was speaking quietly to Edwin, most likely explaining our dilemma.

Well, not a dilemma, per se. Just our need to make sure we didn’t have bias assholes serving our realm.

We really needed cohesiveness. I had a feeling that Mario was getting closer and from what Neo had heard from the scouts, his troops were making great time.

At least they were punctual.

The military on our end had been quietly getting ready and I could feel the energy in the Horde changing. Becoming darker and tenser.

“I figured it’s better than training with a bunch of men that won’t actually fight me.”

Neo’s power gripped the back of my long hair as he tugged antagonistically. I scowled at him. The man just offered me a dangerous smile. Scratch that. He might be willing. I feel like that could end in us naked, though, so maybe later.

He winked at me. Bastard knew me way too well.

“You may face the same problem here,” Edwin admitted while holding onto Vegas rather possessively.

I half understood that, though, because most of the men here were trying to get a look of her as it was.

I don’t think she noticed or cared. I don’t know how she dealt with it.

I would have been so fucking uncomfortable.

Like how people stare at my scar but worse. I nearly shivered at the mere thought.

“No, I won’t,” I locked eyes with Vegas. “Because Vegas is going to fight me.”

Her eyes brightened as she wiggled out from Edwin and nodded. “Let’s do it.”

My boys offered me concerned looks because of two reasons if I had to assume.

One, they were probably concerned I would blow up the building and hurt everyone.

Two, they didn’t know what Vegas was. Neither did I but honestly, I was going on instinct here and instinct told me to trust her.

She was possibly the only person I had ever trusted so automatically in my life.

It was some weird shit.

As Vegas and I spread out, I could feel Neo and Edwin wrapping us in a protective barrier.

Not to protect us, of course but more to protect everyone else.

Honestly, I had a moment of worry looking at Vegas but then my magic scoffed.

I really had no idea if she could face me or not but my magic seemed confident, so I guess I was as well.

Then she lit up.

Her entire skin shimmered like dragon scales in a flash of red and orange before disappearing again. Her pale hair turned red with flashes of orange like a living flame. That was what she looked like...a bright flame. It was fascinating.

“Oh,” I grinned. “I need to know how you do that. You are an enigma, my dear friend.”

Really though. I wanted to be like the human torch. That shit was cool.

But then again I could turn people to ash and snap their necks with ease. I thought that was pretty badass. Plus, I had a crown.

Vegas spoke. “I’ve never sparred before.”

I took a step towards her and offered my best advice. “It’s instinctual, at least for me. You just have to react.”

I hoped that was how her magic worked.

“React to what?” She was cut off as I sprinted forward and was happy to find I’d been right. Her body, in a smooth movement, gracefully landed at least ten feet away from me. My grin grew because I had a feeling this was going to be a fair fucking fight.

I’d always considered myself to be a blunt force fighter.

I was quick and lethal. I would snap a neck before drawing out someone’s death.

I was like a wrecking ball. So, it was fascinating to go against someone who fought the opposite way.

Her movements were almost languid and graceful as she avoided my movements and attempted to land a hit.

My smoky power clashed with her flames as we collided again and again. It was beautiful.

“Never sparred, my ass.” I jumped over her next attack and brought her to the ground. I grunted as she landed a hit and I totally pulled a bitch move by tugging her hair. She cursed and we started to get really fucking rough.

It was awesome. I had never felt more like a sister than in this moment. Siblings fought, right? I mean probably not with fire and ash… but it’s gotta be similar.

She was mirroring me almost directly and it was fascinating to watch. I could see the pure excitement and elation on her face. I hadn’t even meant to boost her confidence but I could see it happening. So of course, I tried harder to kick her butt.

I was such a good friend and teacher, pushing her boundaries and such.

I landed a hit to her stomach.

“Motherfucker,” she hissed and knocked my legs out from under me with a whip of fire.

I let out a low sound and grasped her arm, tugging her into me before tossing her away with an explosion of ash.

She fell face first into the mat and let out a groan.

My legs were tired and I groaned feeling as though I was finally getting a real workout in.

How long had we been sparring? This was so fucking insane. I loved it though. I could feel my body hurting and muscles tight. I was totally bleeding from my nose and my magic was cursing up a storm, throwing a middle finger at putting us in this state.

As a last moment the bitch pulled on my ankle as I stood over her. I actually fell on my ass and let out a chuckle. Well, then.

“Vegas,” I groaned from where my back hit the ground after her last attack. “How the hell are you matching me?”

For real though, I needed to know if I was just getting weak or if she was just a badass.

“Gray,” She turned over and fixed me with a look. God we looked awful right now. “I can barely fucking move right now, but there is something you should know.”

Obviously.

Unfortunately, I was left with a motherfucking cliffhanger because down came the protective shadowed walls. Instantly, I felt Rhodes's panic and my eyes shot up.

“Gray,” He demanded my attention, “There has been another attack on the North border.”

My heart squeezed as my magic coiled within me. I looked around and almost laughed at the horror-stricken expressions at our state. We must have looked bad. To be honest, Vegas looked like a cloud of ash had exploded on her. Her purple eyes moved around the room with a dark glint of amusement.

I totally loved her sense of humor.

I looked to Edwin and sighed. “Be ready tomorrow, I have a feeling this is one of his last small attacks.”

I squeezed Vegas’s shoulder and left with my men.

The minute we were outside the castle, Neo began talking.

“It was a different type of attack this time, if we can call it that. It also drew our scout’s attention to them entering and exiting the portal as predicted.

They don’t seem to be in a rush, though, and didn’t even bother hiding from our scouts.

I would give it a day’s time until they are here. Probably dawn in reality.”

Fuck .

“What type of attack was it?”

“Dragons,” Adyen grunted. “Not the shifter kind either.”

So, that was how dragon shifters were made? Oh, god. Fae and dragons. Nope. I didn’t need to know or imagine that.

Lies. I sort of wanted to know.

“They burnt all of the land right in front of our wards. The dragon’s flames began burning and destroyed at least three miles within our border before SE was able to put it out,” Rhodes stated.

“The ward plan is working though,” Taylor mentioned. “They are going right there.”

“So,” I took a deep breath. “We have tonight to prepare.”

“We are prepared, baby,” Athens wrapped an arm around me.

I hoped he was right.