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Danzig

Of all the things that could peek under the bed where Danzig was curled up in his serpent form, he never thought it would be a small dog.

He braced himself, expecting the dog to get excited and aggressive, but the adorable mutt didn’t do either.

Instead, she stretched herself out and crawled closer to him.

He remained still. The dog seemed more curious than anything else, and he didn’t mind being sniffed.

When the dog swiped a tongue across his face, he drew back, startled. The little beasty was panting now and looked delighted.

“Babette, what are you doing down there?” Bec said and the bed over him shifted.

He slithered as far back as he could get, afraid his mate would toss him out if she looked under the bed and found him hiding there.

He understood this wasn’t appropriate behavior, but he couldn’t help himself. He needed to be close to her.

Hands appeared and grabbed the dog around her middle and tugged her out from under the bed. Babette didn’t fight, but she gave him a last longing look. It was almost as if she was saying, Why are you hiding? You should be on the bed with us!

The bed shifted again. “Do you want to be under or over the covers?” Bec asked Babette. He listened to the sheets rustle.

“Aww, look at you snuggling up against me. You’re so darn cute!”

That dog was lucky she was cute, or he’d eat her for being allowed close to Bec when he wasn’t.

“I hope you don’t mind the light on,” Bec said, as if the dog was sapient.

“I can’t handle the dark right now. I don’t know if Mila told you, but we all almost died.

It was fucking terrifying. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to sleep in the dark again.

I’m really glad Mila, Gio, and Carter let me stay here.

I don’t want to be in a hotel room. I feel safer here, with them upstairs. ”

His heart went out to the woman. It was hard enough to find out that there was a hidden magical world, but Bec had to deal with violent fanatics at the same time.

He still couldn’t believe how hard Bec had fought. He hadn’t seen much because he’d been hidden in the duffle bag, but he’d heard all about it at the hospital.

It didn’t surprise him that the gods had given him and Marduk a brave and violent mate.

Before Bec, he’d despaired of ever finding a mate. But here she was: bold, strong, and smart. The way she’d confronted Mila’s parents without mercy showed her protective side. She was loyal to a fault, and it was something he admired.

For the longest time it had been him and Marduk against the world. It was hard to make friends when you were a world serpent. The legends weren’t flattering. Mikey’s pack, Lobo Gris, were a friendly and accepting group. They were probably the closest thing to true friends they’d ever experienced.

Of course both he and Marduk were always ready for others to attempt some kind of backstabbing or manipulation. There was one constant through the ages: If people weren’t afraid of them, they would try to use one or both brothers for gain.

All of that was in the past, they had Bec now.

Bec’s breathing evened out, and he could hear her steady heartbeat. She was asleep. He eased out from under the bed and slithered up one of the supports at the foot of the bed. Bec was turned on her side and curled around Babette. Only the tip of the dog's nose was visible tucked under Bec’s chin.

He hated how difficult it was for Bec to sleep. He and his brother had taken turns staying with her at the hospital, but once everyone was discharged, she’d ordered them to leave. Of course they’d followed her back here, and Danzig took the first shift so Marduk could go home.

Marduk wanted to be the one to stay, but had agreed that after a plane flight across the country and time at the hospital, he was in need of a shower more than Danzig.

Danzig gazed at the sleeping Bec and lost track of time. His world narrowed down to the petite woman slumbering peacefully in front of him.

He was brought out of his focus when an awareness of an approaching presence made him look to the door.

As he watched, Marduk slipped through the small crack under the door.

He was at the very smallest size they were capable of.

It wasn’t comfortable to be that small, so Marduk got bigger the moment his tail was free.

His twin slithered up the bed to join him. The moment Marduk settled, they touched tails, allowing them to talk silently with each other.

Where did the dog come from? Marduk asked with a hint of annoyance.

That’s Babette, Danzig explained. She belongs to Mila but ended up here for the night. I think it’s because Gio is linking souls with Mila upstairs.

He felt Marduk’s relief. That’s good, I don’t want to share Bec with an animal.

Between the two of them, Marduk was the more possessive one. Not that Danzig didn’t want Bec all to himself, but he was aware that most people needed more in their life than romantic partners.

Bec is going to want to remain friends with Mila , he reminded Marduk. That means there will be times she will want to be with Mila alone.

No! Marduk protested. S he’s not allowed to be without us.

Danzig felt both sympathy for his brother and determination to make him understand. Bec is a modern woman. We can’t expect her to give up her life for us. There are times we’ll have to hang back.

No, Marduk said, this time calmer but not less emphatic. She’s ours. We can’t let her out of our sight.

I didn’t say we have to let her go out on her own, Danzig said. We give her space, but not so much that something could happen to her.

Are you saying we might have to follow her in secret?

Danzig almost laughed. What do you think we’re doing right now?

This doesn’t count , Marduk argued. She isn’t ours yet. After she agrees to being ours, then we shouldn’t need to hide ourselves.

Being discreet and hiding aren’t the same thing, Danzig said.

Discreet, Marduk said, as if testing the word. I guess that’s acceptable. How long do you think she’s going to stay here? I already have your room ready for her. I moved all your things out of your closet to make room for her things.

Where did you put my stuff? Danzig asked, amused. His was the bigger of the two rooms in the house so it made sense that Marduk would put Bec in there and the three of them could share Danzig's large bed.

In the garage, Marduk said. Remember that rack you put up to hang up stuff from when you pull it out of the dryer? I hung your stuff there.

Marduk wasn’t one for details so he probably didn’t realize that the rack wasn’t strong enough to hold many items. By the time they got home, it would’ve fallen, and all his clothes would be in a heap. It didn’t matter. He had a bigger issue to discuss with Marduk.

Bec is planning to move in with Mila’s sister, Em. Gio is already in the process of purchasing them a condo .

No! She needs to be with us ! Marduk was loud in his head, making Danzig hiss.

Damn it, don’t shout!

Sorry, Marduk apologized, lowering his voice. But you know it’s true. We could buy a bigger place, and Em can move in with us if Bec doesn't want the woman to live alone. But she can’t live in some random condo with no wards.

We can still protect her, even without wards, Danzig said, trying to reason with Marduk. Maybe we can talk Gio into letting us buy some wards for the condo. We can’t force Bec into a relationship with us. She’s human, she won’t feel the same thing we do.

She’s drawn to us, I could tell, Marduk said.

Drawn isn’t the same thing as feeling the fated mate pull, Danzig argued. And she’s stubborn. If we push too hard, she might resist us out of some weird sense of pride. Besides, everyone wants to look at me when I'm naked. My body is without flaws!

Yeah yeah, you’re the pretty one , Marduk teased.

Only their mother could tell them apart reliably when they were dressed.

The only thing that made it easy to identify Marduk was the scar on his back from almost being ripped in half when he was a tiny baby world serpent, and their mother was fighting with a chimera over territory.

Marduk had healed and the chimera made a nice meal for their mother. World serpents tend to be easygoing, but like with many species, you don’t mess with a mother with young!

We need to go slow, Danzig said. We keep eyes on her and protect her at the same time we get her to realize she’s ours.

I miss the good old days, Marduk lamented.

You mean when you could invite her into your cave and impress her with your paintings of mammoths? Danzig asked.

Ha ha, Marduk said, his voice dry and annoyed. I mean when humans were more in tune with the magic world, even if they didn’t know all the details. I like this modern world they've created, but they are much more separated from the world than they used to be.

Danzig had to agree with Marduk. Bec might know they existed, but it didn’t make her more willing to embrace them as mates.

How do we do this? Marduk asked. Gifts and compliments?

Danzig considered his suggestion before asking, Do you think that would please her?

Maybe ,” Marduk said, obviously unsure.

Bec mumbled something and moved. Danzig and Marduk rushed to slide back down and tuck themselves under the bed. They remained still while Bec resettled herself and slipped back into slumber.

Some mighty world serpents we are, Marduk grumbled. I can’t believe we’re hiding under a bed.

Danzig laughed. If we’re not careful, we’ll be forever guarding Bec from the shadows. Remember that before you think about doing anything forceful.

Marduk dipped his head in agreement. Fine, we’ll do it your way. For now.

The for now hung between them as both a promise and threat of action. Danzig could only hope that they would win Bec’s love before Marduk’s patience was pushed beyond endurance.

An overprotective and possessive world serpent wasn’t something an unwilling human would ever be ready to deal with.