Date: 2021-02-14 05:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Urban Fantasy; dragons; Fantasy; Fae; Magic
Description: Do not serve drinks to a dragon mob boss. They bite. Zero stars. A century ago, rips in reality appeared all around the globe, allowing creatures from myth to surge into our world. Dragons. Shifters. Fae. Witches. All now walk the earth in an established hierarchy of power. At the bottom of that chain are mixed-species Mutts... like me. My abilities should be minimal. Yet, after an unfortunate run in with a dragon mob boss, the thirst for my blood quickly becomes his obsession. Violence. Seduction. Bitter betrayal. He will stop at nothing to use me as a pawn in his dark agenda. My only ally is

Ashes of Blood

The Dragon Mafia Chronicles

Lela Grayce

Copyright © 2021 by Lela Grayce

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Acknowledgments

Coming soon!

Other Books By Lela

To all the girls who fell then got back up again to see their comeback.

This book is for us.

Prologue

The bench of the bus stop was hard and unyielding. In another few minutes the body part that was squished against its surface would lose all feeling and discomfort would set in. With any luck the bus would arrive before I got to the point of needing to shift positions. Normally that would be a simple task but it seemed strenuous for someone who was already numb.

Horns blared from the busy street, people walking by, voices talking about everyday things while others still talked about the battle that had taken place not long ago. The territory that we all lived in had won, thankfully, being under another dragon’s rule would wreck our economy, not to mention the taxes the new one would demand. No, it was better this way. On one hand, I was glad we weren’t under another’s rule, not that the current Pendragon was super great or anything, but it would cut out the hassle of it all because at the moment I didn’t care about the happenings of the world. I was too caught up in my own.

The squeaky brakes of the bus pulling into the stop clued me in that it was time to board. The doors opened and it took several moments and strength of will to lift my body from the bench, walk up the bus stairs, scan my pass, then settle into the first available seat. I was so engulfed in my own misery that I didn’t even say hello to the driver whom I’ve known for years or comment on the new advertising on the side of the bus, something about Pure humans and how we should all strive to be like them and not the Mutts that we were.

Staring out the window, I watched as the city rushed by. People hurried along and I couldn’t muster the will to care where the bus was heading.

My fingers grasped the strap of the bag I wore, it’s familiar weight helped to ground me in the moment where I felt most lost. I had come from a doctor’s appointment and the news hadn’t been good. A routine checkup had turned into something else entirely. I’m a survivor. The disease had done it’s best to snuff me out, in the end I’d lived. It’s a tremendous accomplishment, not many survived the rigorous treatment I had undergone. A new lease on life but it took time combining the life I had paused before and the new one I just started.

I’d broken up with my long-time boyfriend, he had been by my side through my ordeal, seeing me at my absolute worst was too much for him to handle. I remembered the exact moment when he realized that he didn’t love me anymore. I wasn’t sad to admit that it was when I realized that I felt the same. We put on a show for everyone. When we knew for sure that I would survive, that I had won, we finally talked and broke up.

Now I was faced with another life altering situation, completely alone. My closest friends were on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that I insisted they go on. My mother and step-dad were having a much needed staycation since leaving the territory is forbidden unless approved by our Penddragon overlord. It had been all about me it seemed. I’m glad to not be the center of everyone's attention.

I bit my lip to keep my emotions from tumbling out on a public transportation bus. No, this is something that I needed to handle on my own before I told the only people who loved me and supported me, that the illness I had beaten a year ago was back and had spread more quickly than the first time.

Tears welled up in my eyes while I stared out the window as the blurry city became more rustic. Buildings, skyscrapers, and advertising the newest beauty products that the Pure humans in our city used disappeared and rolling hills replaced the scenery. It had been months before I was able to venture this far from my home. Now that I was here, heading to the one place I should never go, a deep resolve settled in my heart. I wouldn’t run away this time.

The vehicle pulled to a stop and I hurriedly stood and made my way down the aisle. The seats were almost empty except for an elderly man with kind eyes. I exited giving Glenn, the driver, a hello and a small wave. As the bus pulled away, and it stirred the air. I breathed it in enjoying the cleanliness and delicious scent of dirt, grass, and sunshine. I felt a smile creep across my face as I basked in the warmth of the sun. How long had it been since I felt this amazing heat? Too long.

The head dragon for our province, Briggs, lived outside the city in a sprawling mansion that was gated, walled, and guarded. Not sure why he needed all the security; he was a dragon after all, and he fought plenty of battles to retain control of this territory, you’d think he could take care of himself.

Despite his lavish home and tight security there was a way to get in that I’ve known for awhile.

Dragons like to collect things and our particular dragon leader liked to collect exotic animals. Animals that were rare and endangered in today’s world, thanks to the wild dragons who killed and hunted them for food and sport. Years ago, before the dragons surged into our world, animals had roamed about the earth wild and free. I loved reading old documentaries and looking at pictures that wildlife photographer’s had captured. If the world had stayed the same it’s what I would want to be. It changed, though. Now I snapped pictures as a hobby, but have always dreamed of capturing wild beasts from decades past. Lions, tigers, bears, elephants, you name it, I wanted to take their picture and the only way I could do that was to sneak onto the Pendragon Brigg’s property.

The entrance to the animal enclosures were on the southern side. Since the property was huge it took an hour to traverse the distance. A chain link fence surrounded the outside while shifters walked the perimeter. Their advantages with enhanced eyesight and smell would ordinarily be enough of a deterrent to keep people away, but not me, not this time.

The guards would change shifts in another ten minutes then do a perimeter sweep. While they were preoccupied doing that was when I could slip in. I remained close to the road, taking my time, walking a leisurely pace so my scent saturated the air as the wind blew and passing cars stirred it around.

Stooping to tie my shoe, I observed as the guards conversed for a minute then separated, one starting his shift, the other ending. Neither paid me any mind, one loan Mutt wasn’t a threat to them or the dragon they protected.

Once they were both out of sight I hustled to the spot where they had been. The gate was hidden, blending in with the fence. If you didn’t know it’s location you’d miss it. I’d stalked this side of Brigg’s property more times than I could count. I’d always made it to the gate but could never bring myself to go through it. Feeling reckless I needed to feel alive, but I was dying, again. With adrenaline coursing through me, making my heart race, I lifted the metal handle and swung the gate open.

I jumped through, then fumbled a bit getting the gate closed. Once done, I sprinted down the path, spotting the high concrete walls, turned right and followed it for several hundred yards. When I saw the break in the wall, I quickened my pace and practically flung my body around the corner pressing my back against the wall. Chest heaving with gasping breaths and heart threatening to beat it’s way out of my rib cage. I stood there for several minutes waiting and listening.

After what felt like an eternity, no alarm sounded, and I heard no pursuing footsteps. I dared to move. A concrete corridor stretched to my left and I began walking along it. A couple minutes of walking passed, and it felt like I was in a maze. My heart jackknifed, making my steps falter. Should I turn back? Was this even the area where the animals were kept? I didn’t have a clue, but I knew I couldn’t go back.

The hallway ended abruptly opening into a large area. I stepped through and my ears popped like there was a sudden change in elevation which could only mean one thing. Magic. This was it. I was caught before I could even set my eyes on one animal. Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them away. I refused to be caught trespassing on Brigg’s property with tears in my eyes. I was sick and just wanted to see a lion or a gorilla like I’d always dreamed of seeing. I had nothing to lose.

No alarm sounded. Nothing stirred in the open area and after another minute of silence, I dared to breath. The tension bled out of me and I tentatively stepped toward the middle of the circular area.

Glancing around I saw that there were several enclosures spaced around the perimeter. Walking to the railing on my right, I peered down into a grassy area and there basking in the sun was a lion. It’s mane a deep russet color while the rest of it was golden and beautiful. The great cat lay on its side, fast asleep. It’s so much bigger than I realized, I could feel tears coating the back of my throat as a smile spread across my face. I couldn’t believe I was here looking at a creature that the world knew to be extinct.

Remembering why I had come, I fumbled with my bag and withdrew my camera. It was an old relic, practically an antique that I had found at a pawn shop near my home. When I inquired about it, the owner gave me one hell of deal on it. Surprised, I offered to pay full price for it but he shook his head, dreadlocks swinging, insisting it be a ‘thank you’ for all the good work me and my friends did for the community. Humbled, I took the camera and never went anywhere without it. Powering it on, I selected the camera option, raised it and began clicking pictures.

Walking around into other enclosures, I took pictures of all the animals. I spent a great deal of time in the aviary, snapping photographs of the brightly colored birds through the netting at the top of their cage.

An elephant stood in knee high water and splashed itself, then rolled around in the mud. For being such a large creature the kindness in its eyes touched me in a special way. If I could have hugged the magnificent animal I would have.

I spent the rest of the afternoon taking pictures of all the different animals and observing them. By the time the sun sank into the horizon, I sat on a bench in the center of the open area, scrolling through photos I managed to capture; a huge smile on my face.

This was one of the best days of my life. I scrolled through the images again, marveling at what I actually saw, let alone captured. A dream that I’ve had since being little, finally came true. The feeling was indescribable.

Darkness fell and I wondered if maybe it was time to leave, but I pushed it aside. I would never get another chance to experience this, it’s not like I had much time left anyway. I needed to enjoy it while I could, so I put my camera away, leaned my head against the back of the bench, and closed my eyes.

A sharp pinch on my wrist had my eyes jolting open. Darkness had fallen. Faint animal sounds came from the different enclosures. I felt another pinch on my hand. Turning my head groggily, I startled to find a grizzled, old man holding onto my forearm with my dainty arm clamped in his mouth. Our eyes locked and a shimmer of red colored his eyes before disappearing. My brain whirled, but my body remained relaxed, my heartbeat slow and even. Eyelids drooping, I felt myself falling back into a quiet slumber. My mind settled, thinking that this would be a better way to die, surrounded by the animals that I thought I’d never see, and feeding a feeble man who obviously needed it.

My last thought was of my Mutt ability telling me that it had no idea what he was.

The breath in my lungs whooshed forcefully out of me as something heavy landed on my chest. I gasped for air while simultaneously peeling my sleepy eyes open. Zazu my pet Chia sat on my torso glaring fiercely at me with his independently moving eyes.

“What do you want?” I growled at him trying to dislodge his small/large body.

He dug his claws into the thick comforter piercing the material all the way through until I could feel the deadly points on my breastbone. Jowls pulling up into an ugly, but still strangely cute, scowl.

Throwing an arm over my eyes I tried to ignore him, crossing my fingers that he would get bored and jump down. A whining cry came from the little beast, sounding like a puppy that had just been kicked, then a sticky, wet tongue landed on my nose.

Disgusted, I sat up wishing the move would dislodge him but he just held on. I glared down, but my threatening gaze slid right off.

I opened my mouth to continue arguing when an insistent knock came from the living room. Scrambling for my phone, I checked to see if there was a message. I clicked on one that came in earlier this morning from a number I didn’t recognize.

Unknown: One heading your way.

Cursing, I threw the covers back dislodging Zazu. He hissed when he jumped from the bed, but I was preoccupied wrestling into sleep pants and combing my hair with my fingers in a fruitless attempt to look presentable. I gave up and tied my strawberry-blonde tresses into a top knot, all the while scowling at Zazu when he laid across my fuzzy slippers looking all smug. Not for the first time did I wish I could kick him outside, at the very least, to get a break from his constant judging gaze.

We both knew I wouldn’t follow through with it. Zazu might be a pain to live with, but there was something that connected us. Besides his sticky tongue.

Nearly a century ago rips in space and time appeared all over the globe and from those tears surged beings and beasts from legend. Dragons, fae, witches, and your every-day run-of-the-mill predator shifters. Being more ruthless and intelligent, the strongest of these animals took control and split the world into territories ruled by a dragon who answered to the Uther, the chief of dragons.

The world outside the territories was extremely dangerous. Feral shifters and wild dragons roamed unchecked, killing and burning anything and everything. Sometimes a wild dragon would get a notion and challenge a Pendragon for their territory and everything in it. It usually ended with the challenger dead and the Pendragon somehow stronger.

Not just mythical races surged onto Earth though, strange exotic animals did too. That’s what Zazu was, a creature from somewhere else and who lived to annoy me. If I had to describe him to a blind man, I’d say that he was the love child of a chameleon and a bobcat. There wasn’t a scientific name for any of them, so everyone took to calling them ‘Chia’ which was slang for chimera.

Another knock reverberated through the penthouse jolting me into motion again. I grabbed my phone quickly, checking the time and noticed the date. I froze, wracking my brain to figure out how three days had passed. I couldn’t have been sleeping for three days? Then the news I had received from my doctor punched me in the stomach. I was no longer a survivor, the sickness was back. I had another battle to fight.

My lip trembled but I bit it and tried to push everything about my illness to the side. Now was not the time to fall apart. I had a distraction on the other side of my front door. I needed it before the emotional weight pressed further.

I left my room grabbing a random sweatshirt from the back of the couch and shrugged it on. It belonged to one of my best friends and he was way bigger than me. The material fell to mid-thigh, not an ideal first impression but it would have to do.

I paused at the entryway at a small panel on the wall and typed on the touchscreen a command to the kitchen to start coffee.

Grabbing the doorknob, I took a deep steadying breath to calm my nerves. Predators could sense fear and preyed on it. This was a test and I needed to maintain an emotional poker-face not just for my life but for the others I cared about.

Once I was under control, I twisted the knob and pulled the door open. A giant stood in the hallway, his hulking form making the corridor seem small in comparison. My senses homed in and the Mutt part of me knew immediately that he had more shifter blood in him than anyone else I had encountered. There was just a hint of something in him that didn’t match with the other part. I tried to place it, but the knowledge eluded me.

“Gavin sent you,” I said, not posing it as a question because we both knew who had sent him. “Come in, kitchen is down the hall and to the right. Coffee’s brewing so grab a cup while I feed my… pet.” He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off with a slice of my hand, “no talking, remember.”

His mouth snapped shut then he turned his massive body sideways, ducked his head, and entered the penthouse. He nodded at me then made his way down the hallway and into the kitchen. I hurried to feed Zazu while my guest rummaged in the kitchen. A grin spread across my face as I imagined how Lyndee would grind her teeth thinking about all the things that were being used and touched in the immaculate kitchen that was her pride and joy.

With a grin on my lips I meandered over to where I kept Zazu’s food and bowls. I froze when I saw his bowl was overflowing with dry cat food, so much that it resembled a small mound. My grin dropped into a frown but for the life of me I couldn’t remember filling his bowl like that, ever.

Zazu wandered into the room and made a beeline for the food mound. Still frowning, I watched him eat for a minute but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t remember doing this. I’d lost the past three days somehow and seeing evidence besides dates unsettled me.

The coffee pot in the kitchen beeped, jerking me from my thoughts. I rubbed a hand down my face, wiping the cold sweat on my hoodie and tried to pull myself together.

I’d never lost time like this before. After a treatment I was known to sleep for a long time which was different. I was rested but this time I seemed to have slept but had no memory of feeling like I needed that much rest.

I shuffled into the kitchen thinking back to the last thing I remembered while grabbing a mug and pouring coffee. Leaving my mug on the counter I walked to the fridge and grabbed my favorite cinnamon vanilla creamer, an eighteen count of eggs, cheese, ham, and milk. After stirring in the right amount of creamer, I replaced it in the fridge then set about cracking eggs into a big bowl. I added the milk, cheese, and seasonings before dumping the whole thing into a big skillet that sat on the transparent glass stove top.

While I swirled the beaten eggs around, my thoughts turned to the pressing issue about me losing time. The memory of my doctor's appointment came easily to mind, followed by the bus ride out of the city, then things started to get hazy. Hopefully, I didn’t do something stupid like sneak onto the Brigg’s estate and photograph his extinct animal collection. It was something I’d always wanted to do but was too chicken to actually do it but now that I was dying… again.

No, I couldn’t think like that. I had survived this once, I could do it again. Just thinking of the battle ahead had my shoulders slumping. This disease was exhausting and draining to the extreme. I was still tired from the last treatment and that had been nearly ten months ago. Tears sprang to my eyes as I thought about all I had fought for just to have it return more aggressively.

Not just Supernaturals and Chias came through during The Surge. Diseases followed that affected the humans, and since Mutts had a bit of humanity, we were susceptible too. That’s what I had, an illness that attacked my human side that my supernatural side couldn’t do anything about. The closest thing we had to this new disease strain was cancer. There was research looking for a vaccine but there wasn’t enough funding. There were hundreds of germs and viruses that came through. Other worlds were dirty.

I added cheese and ham to one side of the giant omelet I was making for my impromptu guest. While the egg cooked further and the cheese melted, I grabbed diced onions from the fridge and added a generous portion on top of the ham. Once the cheese was gooey, the egg fluffy and golden on the bottom, and with a spatula in each hand, I expertly flipped to the other side. When it didn’t break, I did a fist pump in the air knowing Lyndee would be excited that I had overturned it without breaking it. She did the majority of the cooking around here, but I could hold my own, barely.

The omelet slid out of the skillet and onto a serving plate perfectly, which made me wish I had my camera. Leaning over the counter I placed the giant omelet in front of my guest followed by a napkin and clean fork. His milk chocolate eyes lit up as he dug in. I tried not to smirk at the predictability of shifters. They were always hungry and would ignore everything else while they shoveled food into their mouths like it might run away at any moment.

Sipping my coffee, I leaned against the counter opposite the hungry tank and studied him, trying to figure him out. His hair was curly and the color of a forest floor after it rained. He was handsome, in a rugged sort of way, that made girls like Lyndee swoon. Not me. I tended to go for the quiet but deadly type. The silent bad boy. This guy looked mean, but I bet he had a warm nuggety center.

He was nearly a full-blooded shifter which was surprising. Full shifters didn’t mix with Mutts or any race really. They lived and breathed to serve the dragons. They guarded them, protected their assets, and killed ruthlessly in their name. Shifters were hated by all the races that came through in The Surge, but I believed that stemmed from fear.

Zazu jumped onto the counter and sat his ugly butt down and studied our guest much like I was doing. Zazu could be annoying but his most redeeming quality, there weren’t many, was that he was loyal and next level protective. When guests showed up on my doorstep, he usually followed me around and became a guardcat, hissing and spitting on whomever got too close. The fact he sat on the counter so close to the shifter instead of curling around my feet meant something. He’d never done it before, so I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

When half of my coffee was gone the shifter had finished his omelet. He wiped his mouth, set down his fork, and took a sip of coffee before turning his attention to my Chia. He smiled and clicked his tongue inviting Zazu to come closer. The devil spawn didn’t move but a soft sound came from his chest. I choked on my swallow of coffee at the purr coming from him.

“He’s never done that before,” I muttered after clearing my throat. This was beyond strange even for him.

“He’s an interesting creature. Not many came through in The Surge and their numbers have dwindled since. It’s good to see there are still some around,” he said, scooting his plate to Zazu who started licking at the remnants of the omelet. Soft brown eyes turned to look at me and a frown pulled down his lips before his cheeks tinted red. “I forgot I wasn’t supposed to speak. Not sure why though.”

“Uh, you’re here to be evaluated. Didn’t Gavin explain that?”

“Who’s Gavin?” he asked, wrapping his large hand around the mug, a twinkle in his eye that I didn’t like.

“If Gavin didn’t send you, then what are you doing here?” An unsettled thought occurred to me, he was a shifter and shifters only did what the dragons commanded. The color drained from my face thinking of all the times I had rode out to the estate where animals were rumored to be. I’d left my scent all over that place.

“I was sent but not by whoever Gavin is,” he replied, being intentionally vague but we both knew whose command he followed.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

The moment I saw him and realized he was a full shifter I should have slammed the door in his face and locked the place down, but I didn’t because of the text message.

I invited my murderer into the penthouse.

“I’m not here to hurt you.” His big shifter’s hands rose in a placating gesture. No doubt he could hear my heart beating at a rapid tempo.

“That’s exactly what someone who wanted to hurt me would say.” I gulped as I looked at what would likely be my death in the eye.

“Uh… why would someone who meant you harm tell you they didn’t?”

“To put the victim into a false sense of security. Better to get information from someone who thought there might be a chance they would live.”

He blinked and I could almost see the cogs in his brain working out my meaning. I knew shifters were for the muscle, dealing out the dragons dirty work, but this one might have a screw loose. Must be his first day.

“Your Chia doesn’t seem to mind me,” he said, like having Zazu’s permission meant something. I snorted looking at my menacing Chia still licking his plate clean. My hero.

“Yeah, like I’m going to trust my pet in regards to your character.” I rolled my eyes wondering if this conversation was really happening.

“Look.” He softened his voice, brown eyes imploring me to believe him. Fat chance, buddy. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

“Drinking my coffee.” I held up my mug in case he missed it, which would be difficult as it had bright neon colored flowers on it with the words “workin’ harder than an ugly stripper”. The only mugs in this penthouse were of the offensive variety.

“No, what’s the last thing you remember from three days ago.” He rubbed his temples like I exasperated him.

“Uh, why? That’s kind of a personal question.” It sort of was I meant if I was talking to my friends, I’d totally tell them, but I didn’t know him and I still hadn’t been convinced he wasn’t here to murder me.

“Where’s your camera?” He huffed, looking around while I endured a moment of panic before I remembered that most people had cameras, so asking to see one wasn’t entirely abnormal. Still weird, though.

I had several cameras actually, including the ones placed in the hallway outside and in other strategic locations in the penthouse. Syd was serious about security not a perv. I also had one on my cell, a small digital style on my dresser, and a professional photography version tucked safely in my bag along with my special antique camera.

“It was in a bag?” He lifted an eyebrow at me and all the blood drained from my face. How did he know that?

“Can you read minds?” I asked terrified that he could.

“Do I look like a fairy to you?” he asked, offended.

The Fae Folk were second from the bottom as the least dangerous of all the species who came to Earth during The Surge, the lowest being witches. Fae were nature and animal lovers like post-apocalyptic hippies. While they did have magic, it was geared more toward stuff like plant growth, crystal charging, and psychic abilities. Reading minds and having future sight was common and why they had made a home here as gardeners, landscapers, and physic readers.

“No…” I said, dragging the word out.

“Go get your camera, Nik. It will prove what I’m saying is true.”

I was seriously freaked out now. How did he know my name? How did he know I had a camera? Is there a picture on there that he needs? I don’t remember taking pictures of anything I shouldn’t. I really wanted to, but I’d always been scared to sneak onto the dragon’s estate.

“You can take the camera.” I swallowed, having no idea what to do to get out of this situation. I was dying but I wanted to live for as long as I could.

He sighed deeply, then stood up and walked into the living room. I tried to get Zazu’s attention, but he just looked at me deadpanned before jumping down and following Mr. Grumpy-Murder-Shifter. Why did I even bother keeping that mangy animal anyway?

I set down my coffee intending to follow both of them into the living room to do what? I wasn’t sure. Stop him from rummaging in my pantie drawer? With that thought giving me strength, I took two steps away from the counter before the big brute waltzed back in, followed by my traitorous pet. The black camera bag was in one hand, while my camera was in the other. He put the bag on the counter before holding out the camera for me with the screen already lit.

Grabbing it, I hugged it to my chest for a moment. I loved this camera! If it came down to the camera or my life, I’d choose life, but I would whine about it.

“Three days ago, you snuck onto the Briggs’ estate and made your way to the animal enclosure,” he explained as I held the camera and started scolling through photos.

An elephant standing in a pond surrounded by mud was the first picture. I gasped looking at the magnificent animal before flipping to the next one that showed the same elephant spraying water onto it’s back with it’s long trunk. Tears sprang in my eyes as I continued to see rare and exotic animals that were very likely the last of their kind. It broke my heart just thinking about how lonely it must be to be the last one. The Surge was a terrible event that had a negative impact on Earth, and no one seemed to care which always made my blood boil.

Through the camera lens I saw the most beautifully wild creatures. Never in all my years of standing at the edge of the estate did I think I’d ever see what I was right now.

“You stayed in the enclosure all day and eventually fell asleep on a bench.”

“How did I get home?” I asked, running my finger over the picture of a lion sunbathing in the grass inside it’s enclosure.

“That’s the tricky part,” he said shifting his weight from foot to foot while running a hand through his hair. “You were found by someone and you’re lucky he found you instead of Briggs. He knew you were sick and decided to help you.”

A flash of memory hit me then and I pictured an old man, eyes rimmed red, drinking blood from my wrist.

“I remember… sort of.”

“Memory loss is a natural side effect. When you fell unconscious, I was called to return you to your home,” he said, his voice soft with something like kindness.

“I don’t understand.” And I really didn’t. A creepy, old dude decided to suck on the wrist of a sleeping stranger, then had the courtesy to order for help to return me home safely? What sort of backwards shit was this?

“It's difficult to explain and I’ve done a horrible job of it so far, but I can assure that I will not harm you. We want to help you.”

I started laughing hysterically. Who wouldn’t? This all sounded crazy, so crazy that I wondered if I had been drugged.

The shifter frowned again and it just made me laugh more. I wiped tears from my eyes and finally managed to pull myself together.

“So how does drinking my blood help me exactly?” I raised my eyes to his.

“You’re sick. My employer realized the extent of your disease and decided to help you. It’s an honor. He doesn’t do this with just anyone and never to a… uh, Mutt.”

“I’m so confused,” I said glancing at the camera in my hand. I couldn’t have gotten these pictures anywhere else but at Briggs estate. If this was a trick it was really elaborate and impressive.

“He saw something in you worth saving,” he said gently, and for a second, I wished that this was all true. But no one could heal me. I’d tried but my abilities didn’t work on myself. No one was going to help a Mutt like me.

“No one can heal me. It’s too widespread and aggressive. I don’t think I have it in me to fight again. I'm not even recovered from my last fight.”

“Do you know what a Varitan is?” He crossed his arms and leaned his hip on the counter, his body angled toward me.

“Nope,” I lied.

Varitans were beings whispered about in the dark of night during stories meant to scare children into behaving. Varitans were the good guys: guardians of innocents, protectors, and healers. They fought the bad things that came out at night.

Unfortunately, the Pure bloods of the different races were tight-lipped about where these stories originated. There were tons of them and through the decades the stories had integrated into society. Much like how Santa Clause had been adopted by other countries around the world, the Pures put their own spin to them, but it was mostly the same.

“You know I can tell when you’re lying.” His nostrils flared. I had forgotten that Shifters could smell when you lied or told the truth. Super annoying.

“They’re children's stories. You can’t seriously be telling me that they are real.” I threw my hands up, about two seconds away from tossing the delusional shifter out on his ass, regardless of what my Chia had to say about it. Not that Zazu could talk but you get the idea.

“They are very real and walk among us. The old man that bit you three days ago was a Varitan. He was trying to heal you.”

“Let's pretend for a minute that what you are saying is true, why me? Why would this mystical Varitan want to heal me? I’m a Mutt from a bad neighborhood who has strong opinions about the world today but ultimately I live in it so I do what I can to help but also survive.”

“You seem to be surviving pretty well to me,” he muttered, glancing around at the penthouse.

“I pull my weight and earn my keep,” I huffed furiously. How dare he come into my home and insinuate that I was a lazy gold digger! Syd would eat him alive. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“I can’t leave without you.” His brown eyes were downcast and looked so forlorn and a little frustrated. I had that effect on people.

“There is nothing you could say that would convince me to come with you. I’ve seen this movie. The red-haired chick is sympathetic then dies horribly. I’m not her.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” he countered. I opened my mouth, my mind racing to find a suitable comeback when he spoke again. “Would it help at all if I told you the old man who was trying to help you is now dying?”

My heart stuttered in my chest. Not many people knew this about me, but I was a total softy with a big heart. If it was up to me, I’d feed anyone who came and knocked on the door, but I’d kill myself trying. Syd developed a system to vet the Mutts coming in an effort to force me to say no.

“How?” I asked my voice cracking. It made my heart hurt to hear or see people in pain. Doubly so if I was the one that caused it. “Was it my blood? Did it hurt him somehow?”

You’re an idiot Nik. One shifter walks in, tells you some sob story and you’re ready to run off and save his friend.

“Varitans are healers as you know but the stories don’t say how they heal. It’s a complicated process that involves magic, a strong stomach, and blood. Varitans aren’t born, they’re made. Healing makes them stronger. The more diseases and illnesses they overcome the stronger they are. With that strength they can help more, heal more, guard more, protect more. This isn’t some bedtime story, this is real and it is happening. He’s dying and the only way I can save him is to bring you to him.”

“What could I possibly do to help? He snacked on me while I slept. That’s super creepy and not endearing at all.”

“Usually he doesn’t need to feed again but something about you has halted his ability.”

“I know you're doing your best to convince me, but you haven’t explained how drinking my blood will heal me. I don’t even know your name,” I said the last part flippantly but he replied with a terse word.

“Brutus.”

“What?”

“My name is Brutus.”

What a terrible name. Now I felt bad for his friend and the fact his parents named him after a rich girl’s small foo-foo dog. “That’s a shit name.”

He chuckled, nodding his head in agreement.

“Magic is complicated at the best of times and just plain unpredictable every other time, but this healing has been perfected over thousands of years. A sacrifice must be made in order to gain strength for both parties. Blood is given and magic is taken. It’s an exchange. There’s always a price. The Varitan’s body has been filtering your blood, fighting the disease for you. When his body’s magic cures him, it will also cure the person. You both are connected. If he dies before his magic cures him, you’ll both die. To save you both, you need to come with me.”

Well, Mother Shifter.

I’m pretty sure my tombstone will read: “Here lies an idiot who had a big heart but not so many brains (sorry zombies).” I choked on a laugh knowing that Lyndee would definitely write that. Hell, she’ll properly be the one to kill me when she finds out that I went with a sketchy shifter to an unknown location to possibly help someone. Is there a stronger word than idiot?

Brutus pulled the sleek, black car out of the parking garage and into traffic. The leather creaked under me as I tried not to fidget in the back seat. I was curious who Brutus worked for because it seemed he was more than just an errand boy… shifter… dude?

“How far are we going? I have to be back in time to give Zazu his treat. He gets really antsy when his treats are late.” That was a rule when you had possibly been kidnapped by a murderer, let them know you had someone who would miss you then send the cavalry. Everyone that I knew who would do that was gone so the only other option I had was my pet.

“I promise I will have you home in time to give Zazu his treat,” he answered. In any other situation Brutus might make a good friend.

We fell silent and I started to fidget again. To distract myself, I withdrew my camera from its bag and scrolled through the pictures of the animals again. They were so beautiful, I felt tears prick my eyes. I wish I could remember seeing them.

When I was at the end, I decided to look through them again but before I could backtrack, I noticed a little number above the trashcan on the camera screen. Had I deleted any of the animal pictures? Curious I tapped the bin and waited while it loaded.

An image popped up and I had no idea what I was looking at. It was grainy like whoever took the picture had been moving. I scrolled through seeing more of the same, but they slowly started to clear up. A man’s shoes entered the frame, then a hand, followed by a textured picture that I couldn’t make sense of. Three pictures later I found the single most hilarious picture that I’d ever seen.

The picture was fuzzy in some parts but what was clear was definitely Brutus’ face, scrunched up in pain as Zazu attacked him. Zazu’s claws dug into the flesh of Brutus’ neck and forehead. The shot had turned Zazu’s eyes red, making him look all the more terrifying. This picture was gold!

“Hey, Brutus, when is your birthday?” I asked, pulling off innocence well.

“It’s coming up in a few weeks actually, why?”

“No reason,” I replied, hitting the save button on the image, then spent the rest of the drive trying to decide what size I should get it printed and what sort of frame I should use.

We pulled up to a ritzy gate that required a code, ID scan, and a chat with a posted guard. I could see security cameras posted on the iron fence posts and it gave me the creeping feeling that I was entering some sort of prison compound. Worry, that I had ignored, reared its head and began poking me while the words ‘stupid, stupid, stupid” reverberated in my skull.

This was bad.

Once Brutus got the go ahead he pulled the car through the gate and drove slowly up a driveway that had to be a mile long. What was this place? I noticed more evidence of surveillance and I had to wonder if whomever I was about to meet was trying to keep others out or in.

The car rounded a bend, then a massive mansion came into view through the front windshield. It was breathtaking with white pillars and vines climbing the front of the house while well-manicured bushes sat below the floor to ceiling windows with white blooms breaking up the overwhelming green.

The car stopped and Brutus rounded the front of the vehicle and opened the door for me. I forgot my manners, too busy gawking. My fingers started to itch so I raised the camera still in my hands and started snapping pictures. The sun was low in the sky giving the cold white a warm glow. It almost looked inviting if you could overlook the cameras and motion sensors.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, reverently and it truly was. This house was on the same level as Briggs’ estate. As I snapped more pictures of the hedges, pillars, and vines I couldn’t help but wonder what I had gotten myself into.

“Follow me,” Brutus said gruffly.

He walked to the huge doors and swung one open. The interior was dark so I couldn’t make out anything. Lacking night vision, I stayed close to the hulking shifter as he made his way through the entryway and deeper into the house. We walked down three hallways, passed a lit room with wonderful smells wafting from it, and then an honest to God drawing room. Ornate chairs were positioned just so, while elaborate decorations in shades of white and gold filled the walls and curtains.

There was some fancy shit in this place and here I was dressed in large sweatpants and a tee shirt. My hair was still in the top knot, but I was thankful I had taken the time to put a bra on. I could be dressed in a paper sack, and I wouldn’t feel as embarrassed in it if I was wearing a bra. Funny how the piece of clothing I liked the least made all the difference. Hear that bra, you’re special but I’d still burn you to ash if given the chance.

Everything that I’d seen so far was impressive, and yet I couldn’t help but notice the absence of anything personal that would give the house any warmth. This place was cold, resembling a museum more than a home.

Brutus stopped at a set of unassuming double doors. They were plain and looked like all the other doors in the house so I would have overlooked it. He knocked quietly before turning the knob and pushing the panel open. He entered first, which would irritate me, but I knew that all shifters had this thing about danger. They searched for it to establish dominance by whipping out their junk for a peeing contest that was frankly the most disgusting thing in the history of ever. I couldn’t imagine living like that. Always looking for a fight just to prove you couldn’t boss me around.

I suppressed my eye roll barely, before Brutus turned to me and nodded giving me the go ahead to enter safely. Maybe I should rename him Macho.

Stepping into the room was like being transported away from the iciness of the rest of the house and coming into a place that was warm and inviting. This room with an adjoining sitting room appeared well lived in. Exotic rugs were on the floor, while tapestry like curtains hung from the ceiling in an effort to cover up the white. Books and papers spread across the table in front of the couch and arranged on the back wall was an array of swords and other blade-like weapons.

I gulped when I saw the weapons of torture, but Brutus lead me in the opposite direction. An open door behind us led into a bedroom and there, propped up with a dozen colorful pillows was a man with silvery hair and beard that would put Gandalf’s to shame. His eyes were a delicious, honey brown that put me at ease immediately. I felt the worry and stress about what I was doing here swept away and replaced with calm. It felt like I had stepped inside my own home.

“Hello, my dear,” the man said, giving me a smile that warmed my heart. “Thank you for coming. I hope that Brutus didn’t frighten you.”

I snorted. Brutus had been nothing but an awkward teddy bear really looking back. He did have a difficult task convincing me to come here, but he could have outright taken me. Instead, he took time to explain the best he could.

“My name is Ruvaen, please come sit.” He invited patting the bed beside him.

I didn’t hesitate and nearly ran to it. As soon as he invited me closer, I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather do. This wasn't attraction, thank God, but it was something close to it. My blood sang within my veins and my heart beat a steady rhythm in my chest.

“I know you must have questions. I’ve been around a long time and understand what you must be feeling right now. It might be best for me to do the talking for a time so you can get acclimated to being in my presence.”

My head nodded and I watched him like I was a child looking at their favorite uncle.

“My people come from a place we call Zevar. It resembled Earth in that there was plenty of water and landmasses. The beings who lived there were not human, however. We live extraordinarily long lives and we do so by the exchanging of blood. There were several different clans, all of which had different ways of using blood to maintain health and youth. We were a peaceful people well versed in energy manipulation that you humans call magic.” He shifted on the bed and I began to notice little things about his appearance. Dark circles under his eyes and his cheeks had sunken in. His skin had an almost grey look to it that shook me. Ruvaen was sick.

“In my clan, we gained strength by drinking the blood of the sick and diseased. We would then manipulate the energy in our bodies and overcome the illness which in turn healed the person. We would travel to the other clans and aid their sick. By doing so we would gain strength to better control the energy within and around us.

“When I saw you on the bus, I could smell the sickness in you. It called to me. I ignored it for a time but ultimately decided to follow you and learn more if I could. I couldn’t have imagined that you would be within the dragon’s estate. I found you sleeping on a bench and I could feel the contentment that you were feeling. Such a lovely young woman with the weight of a disease pressing on her shoulders, her whole life ahead of her. I couldn’t walk away from that, not when I could help.”

“Brutus said that you are Varitan.”

He chuckled softly, his eyes sparking with amusement.

“Varitan is what my clan was called. It means “blessed healer” in Zavarian.”

“We don’t call you that.”

“No, you call us the closest thing that we resemble from your own histories. Elves are the most common, but those who know of the blood exchange call us vampires.”

“I’ve heard rumors that there was another race that came through with the rest.” I had thought it was just a rumor, until now. My ability told me that he was something different.

“There are so few of us left that we have nearly faded into memory.”

“Why are there so few of you? All the races seem to be able to reproduce with humans, except dragons, so why aren’t there more of you?”

“We have been forbidden from reproducing without expressed permission of The Uther.”

“Why!?” That was outrageous. The Uther, king of dragons, couldn’t dictate how people lived their lives. He hardly did anything like a ruler and instead let the dragons rule their territories how they wanted.

“That is a conversation for another time. Dragons and Zavarians have a bloody history that I don’t want to rehash and ruin the mood,” he said, and I let the matter drop a bit easier than I normally would have.

“Will it always be like this?” I asked studying his whole face, wanting to memorize his expressions and features.

“No, once I have defeated your sickness the connection between us will diminish and then disappear altogether.” His smile was warm, but I could see the strain in the corners of his eyes. I knew that pain.

“So, how do we do this?” I was anxious to get this over with. The thought of an elf-that's-really-a-vampire snacking on me again make my stomach queasy.

“It’s rare that this happens, but the amount of blood I took from you last time wasn’t enough for the magic in me to overcome it. I need more so I can defeat this, for both of us.” This amazing person had seen me in my darkest hour, had seen a light inside of me that I couldn’t even feel and he felt it was worth saving.

“Will this hurt you?” He was in pain. I could see it and the ghost of the same thing was a close memory in my mind.

“I’ll be fine, my dear. I may look grizzly now, but I’ve still got spunk left yet.” His eyes twinkled again and I couldn’t help the smile that spread back across my face.

With a silent breath, for luck, I lifted my arm to him and watched fascinated as he pulled my wrist to his mouth. The bite was quick, and it felt like a pinch like a shot at the doctor’s office. The pull on my arm sent warm tingles up my arm that spread to the rest of my body. He was done before I could wrap my head around what he had just done. I expected to feel revolted or disgusted but all I felt was gratitude and surprisingly affection.

“Thank you,” I whispered as Brutus wrapped my wrist in a bandage.

Ruvaen nodded his head accepting my thanks while his eyes glazed and grew heavy. I reached out and grabbed his hand holding it until he fell asleep, then I sat there a bit longer.

* * *

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed but by the time my own exhaustion caught up to me, Ruvaen’s color had returned and he looked better every minute that went by.

“What time is it?” I whispered around a yawn. I stretched my arms above my head.

“Nearly midnight,” Brutus answered, having stayed in the room while I sat with the vampire-like-healer.

“I guess I should head home. Zazu will have a fit because I’ve been gone so long.”

Brutus smirked knowing full well that Zazu didn’t give a crap what I did or who I was with, as long as he was fed and given treats, he was happy.

“I’m sure he missed you,” he replied, calling on my bullshit.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I said as we made our way from of Ruvaen’s rooms and into the rest of the house.

“I’m glad it worked for you and for him. It’s good to see him do this again.”

“How long have you known him?” Brutus led the way through the house all of my focus on him instead of trying to figure out this maze.

“Ever since we came to Earth. Ruvaen and his son saved my life, after a rough patch, I decided I’d rather work for them than for the Briggs.”

“I thought serving the dragons was the highest form of honor for your people.” I had half-shifter friends who kept in touch with their shifter grandparents. Mutts weren’t allowed to guard the dragon, we weren’t good enough to guard his estate. Only the purest and most powerful would do.

“It is. I second guessed my decision to work for Ruvaen and his son many times, but they opened my eyes, there's no going back now.” We reached the foyer of Ruvaen’s house. It was dark but lights were on in this room which was a contrast to the rest of the property.

“You have something really great here, I almost envy you but I couldn’t handle the maze or the cold finery.” I gestured around at the white and gold that seemed to be the only theme throughout the house. Whoever designed this didn’t know the meaning of color.

“I stay busy and it’s never boring.” The last word had barely left his lips when the front door was pushed open with such force it bounced off the wall behind it.

A man stumbled in and I noticed immediately that he was gorgeous. I’d never called a male beautiful before but if it were a title it would be his. Midnight black hair with a blueish gleam was cut short on the sides and longer on top. I couldn’t tell what color his eyes were, though they slanted like the eyes of someone with Asian descent. His skin was smooth and the same shade that I liked my coffee to look after I added creamer. He was a beautifully wrapped package of yumminess and all I wanted to do was unwrap him. Way to perv on a stranger, Nik.

His sharp gaze snapped to Brutus first, then his gaze settled on me and I could literally feel it. He opened his mouth to say something, however instead of words a dribble of blood fell from his lips then he collapsed.

I felt Brutus lunge for the man but even with his shifter speed I knew he wouldn’t make it in time. His large head bounced off the smooth marble floor with a crack and a squelch. I swallowed past my gag reflex as blood started to pool around his ear/forehead (depending on which direction he landed). How the hell had this gone from seeing my version of a wet dream, then to have it all go to shit?

I stumbled closer for reasons I wasn’t sure of. My ability-radar-thing was going crazy telling me he was exactly like Ruvaen, in that he was full-blooded Zavarian, but there was something deeper. Like they were related.

The young man started to convulse as Brutus began yelling for the staff and I picked a name out of all the yelling. People ran around me bringing first aid supplies, blankets, and pillows and anything else they thought would help. It was all a blur for me as my attention was riveted on the convulsing male on the floor.

More red blood dribbled from his pale mouth and I noticed something I hadn’t before. There was a blue, almost purple, hue to the flesh around his lips. My heart sped as I stepped closer trying to get a better angle to see his hands, his fingers were tipped with the same odd coloring. Like a bruise and it would be mistaken as poor circulation, but it could be something different, something more deadly. I had to know for sure.

Kneeling, I leaned down and was able to catch a whiff of a struggling exhale. It smelled of rotting vegetables in a dumpster that had been in the heat for days. I gagged but held it together.

“Brutus,” I croaked, barely audible over the all the commotion in the small room. “Brutus!” I tried again.

That got his attention and I waved him over. Once he was close enough, I shoved his head down until his nose was right over the man’s mouth. “What do you smell?”

Brutus struggled for a moment then stilled long enough to draw in a breath through his nose on the man’s next labored exhale. “His breath smells rotten.”

“He’s been poisoned from. . .” I announced, trying to recall the name of it.

The Surge hadn’t brought just different species of animals and beings from myths, it also brought new means of killing. New drugs had been developed, not to mention weapons and the favorite of many: poison. This particular poison didn’t have a scientific name that I was aware of but its street name was Burnout. It was almost poetic because the only cure was to literally burn it out.

“I need a bucket of water, wet blankets, ice, and rock salt if you have it. Regular salt will do, too,” I barked the orders, tending back to insert man’s name here, not waiting to see if they would be carried out.

I started unbuttoning his dress shirt, needing to get to his skin. Brutus saw me struggling, waved me away, then grabbed the shirt material out of my hand and tore it from his body. Of course, shifters got all the strength, it wasn’t fair.

Wet blankets were spread over the man’s body. I dumped ice on top of the blankets then tossed rock salt over the ice. Shivers wracked his body, but I had no idea if it was from the cold or the poison.

“Alright, I have to burn the poison out of him.” I motioned others to back away. “You have to keep him cold because if he gets too hot… it’ll be bad. Once the color has left his hands and his lips, I need someone to toss the bucket of water on me.”

Brutus looked puzzled by my instructions, but he didn’t waste time asking questions.

I lifted the man’s head a bit to get at his wound, I needed fresh blood for this to work. Flesh and something squishy met my fingers and I tried not to think that it might be brain matter. My stomach couldn’t take it.

Once my hands were coated with bright red blood, I withdrew them and placed them in front of me, like I was holding a ball. I closed my eyes and reached for the heat within me. The hot place that I never touched because it was so easy to draw and ridiculously hard to get it back into its box I contained it. I called it gently and it surged forward ready to burn.

I directed the heat to my bloody hands. Heat surfaced and I gritted my teeth against how good it felt. I had to keep my head in the moment or I’d let it consume me. The red on my hands boiled and steamed, the smell strong enough to imprint itself on my memory. I pushed more heat into my palms, ignoring everything that went on around me. The blood dried, then with another draw of heat, began to flake and lift from my hands into an ashy substance.

I held the warmth waiting until my hands were clean then tried to call the heat back. It fought me furious that I would cage something so wild and devastating. It was part of me, something I kept hidden deep inside myself, so deep I could barely feel the flicker of flame.

Cold water was dumped over my head and with a gasp I opened my eyes. The heat instantly withdrew back into my body and I slammed the mental door shut. I drew in a deep breath as the chill seeped into my bones and began violently shivering. Wiping water from my eyes I looked around praying that I hadn’t lost control, hadn’t burned everything around me. Everything was right where it had been.

The man on the floor was covered in ash from the wet blankets that had ignited. I could see the slow and steady rise and fall of his chest. I slumped, glad that I could help and hadn’t harmed anyone. This time.

My body continued to relax. Brutus lunged and caught me before my head hit the floor. Warm blankets were wrapped around me as I snuggled into the safe heat and mumbled “take me home.”

* * *

Kreed

My body automatically sat up before I could get my eyes open. When they did, I saw the white walls of my prison, camouflaged as clean white and kingly gold. A spit in our people’s faces, or rather a reminder of our place in this world.

Shaking my head, I banished the bitterness and hatred that was never far from
my mind and instead met the kind eyes of Brutus, my friend whom I hated more often than not.

“What happened?” I rasped, before accepting the glass of water that Brutus handed to me.

“What's the last thing you remember?” he asked, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall. I wasn’t fooled about his unaffected facade, I could smell his distaste, annoyance, and his worry, which was pointless.

I sipped the cool water buying time so I could rack my mind for the memories that I needed. Briggs, the Pendragon of this territory, formerly known as Chicago, had sent me on a mission to kill the self-appointed witch king in a neighboring territory. Briggs loved sending his personal Zavarian assassin to do his dirty work.

“Heard the witch king from Draco’s territory wound up dead,” Brutus prompted, and I felt my lips twitch. The bear could be incredibly useful and equally frustrating.

“Briggs struck a deal with Draco,” I replied, knowing that at least the specifics weren’t important for me to know. “I kill his problem and Briggs gets something out of it. Always does.”

It was coming back to me now, I remember leaving Brigg’s territory and his system of spies smuggled me into Draco’s territory. A simple task. Kill the witch leader and cripple the rising rebellion. My lip curled at the Pendragon’s name. The humans adopted the mythology name for dragons. Almost as much as it disgusted me that they called themselves Pendragons from another human story meaning ‘chief of dragons’. A joke one might think, except for the king of dragons naming himself Uther.

“And the witch king?” the bear asked as it brought to my mind the man with silvery hair and sightless violet eyes.

He had been old for his race and well-respected, but he’d spoken out against the Uther and his Pendragon’s. I knew I had to take his life. Knew I had to eliminate this threat for my plan to work, for our plan to work. When the light had left his eyes and his heart had beat it’s last was when I took the only thing a dead man could offer me.

“What’s with all the questions?” I didn’t have nearly the patience I needed to deal with any inquiries.

“You stumbled in here poisoned and nearly died. I’d like to know what the fuck, Kreed?” Brutus’ anger exploded, which surprised me more than the fact that I nearly died.

“Poisoned?” I repeated dumbly. “With what?”

Now that he mentioned it, I remembered that the witch king had smelled funny, like rotting meat.

“Whomever you drank from last night was poisoned with Burnout, Kreed.” The shifter ran his hand through his brown hair which was his tell of being worried.

“I don’t think we’ve done that one,” I mused, making a note to procure some to give to Brutus.

“You were healed,” he finally revealed, and it made my blood run colder than it already was.

“What?” Leaping to my feet then throwing the empty glass against the wall. It shattered and rained on the floor. “I told you never to let him do that.”

“I didn’t. Your father is currently unconscious fighting an illness, he was nowhere near you when you waltzed in here, poisoned, and ready to die.”

A flash of strawberry, blond hair and eyes the color of grass in sunlight. I tried to recall more about her, because it was obviously female, but I couldn’t and that bothered me.

“Who healed me?” I asked grabbing the first shirt I could find that didn’t smell of the new laundry detergent and any tracking devices.

“A woman,” Brutus said. His short response was starting to wear on my nerves.

I clenched my fist and jaw repeating to myself that I shouldn’t hit my friend. In this world we didn’t hit each other when we’re annoyed. They ‘talk’ it out. I remember the roaring fights I would get into with the other princes. Fighting and rivalry were healthy for a friendship. Beat each other senseless and the source of the fight was forgotten.

“Who is she?” I asked through clenched teeth.

When Brutus and I became friends, in the beginning before the pact, I made him swear that he would never allow my father to heal me. I didn’t want my coward of a father and king anywhere near my blood.

“I don’t know who she is, not really. Your father went out a few days ago for his free time. He called me and I picked him up outside the Pendragon's estate with her in his arms, unconscious. I figured out where she lived and returned her home and nearly had my face rearranged by her Chia pet.”

“A Chia as a pet?” I asked, steering clear of everything else he said.

My father hadn’t healed anyone in years and never some random woman he met on the street. And what was he doing at the Pendragon’s estate? Probably doing whatever the Pendragon wanted. She was probably one of Brigg’s playthings. He had many roaming his estate. They feed him their energy, but don’t know it. Dragons have a way of hypnotizing their victims to the point that they don’t know what’s happening and continue to stay there until the human has wasted away to nothing, and then gets disposed of.

“Not a pet I would choose, but he’s extremely loyal and protective of her.” Brutus shrugged like keeping Chia as pets was no big deal.

“You spoke to it, didn’t you.” The guilty grin on his face gave away the answer.

“It’s a new skill, one that many of my kind have forgotten, let alone explore,” the big bear huffed both with disgust and some other emotion I didn’t care to name.

“Did you find out why my father had her in the first place?” I wondered if it had something to do with this mysterious illness that my father was healing from.

“He healed her, your father, I mean.”

I stared at the big brute asking him with my eyes to please be joking. “But my father hasn’t healed anyone since…”

“Since Bazy,” Brutus finished. I saw the truth written on his face. “Yesterday he called me and insisted I bring her to him. He needed another drink of her blood.”

I felt my eyes widen at the fact he needed another drink. My father was a strong Zavarian, arguably the most powerful one still alive and he needed more blood. I’d never seen my father ask for another drink in all my life. Once was always enough.

Who was this girl who could convince an old Zavarian and a Varitan to heal again?

“Whoever she is I need to meet her,” I announced, taking a clean sweatshirt and tugging it on. I had to tap down the urgency and dare I say it, protectiveness.

Brutus shook his head at me, and my hand trembled with the effort it took not to seize him by the throat and throw him through the wall. My patience was thin and near to breaking as it was.

“We should leave her alone, she’s tired, and busy being healed and recovering from healing you,” he protested.

When we became friends, I made sure that he knew everything about our people. I believed it would be needed for the future. “There’s now a bond,” I hissed tapping my head then patted my chest. “She’s female and she healed me.”

The bulb of understanding lit the bear’s brown eyes. He knew what it meant when a female healed a male. He also knew that it would be a very bad idea to get between a male Zavarian and the woman who healed him. The male would likely kill anyone who got in his way.

Buzz, buzz, buzz. I slapped at the fly that was flying around my face but only hit air. I tried again and managed to slap my own cheek. With a curse, I sat up and peeled my eyes open. Zazu was snuggled against my thigh purring, but that couldn’t have been the buzzing I heard. I paused trying to pinpoint the sound. Only silence greeted me. Zazu lifted his head groggily and peered at me with an annoyed expression that only felines could pull off.

Shrugging, I scooted down under the blankets, yawned, and closed my eyes again.

Buzz, buzz, buzz. With reflexes like a cat, I slapped my hand on my nightstand as my fingers found the vibrating phone. I opened one eyelid to look at the bright screen and click on the most recent text message.

D.C.-Are you up for working tonight?

The rest of the messages were question marks. I usually answered right away but had slept right through. I rubbed my eyes and tried to think if I had anything going on tonight. I snorted into the silent room because I was so lame that I didn’t have plans since my besties were out of town.

Me-Sure. What’s up?

D.C.-Got a meeting tonight. Guy claims to be the new boss of The Unseen. Has a proposition for us. I can’t go into this blind.

No, he couldn’t, not without Syd here. I was the only one who would know for sure if he was what he claimed to be.

There were several Shifter Mutts gangs around the city. Most grouped together as any pack animal would. Like goes with like and all that.

The four gangs that were worth noticing. The Unseen were smugglers and able to procure anything from drugs to weapons. They excelled at it, given their name. Gold Skulls, a biker gang that mostly did work for hire, made up of mainly brownies and pixies with their small size they were excellent spies. The Hopeless were shifters that had been rejected by the dragons; they sought to regain their honor by working the streets and handling the unsavory side of nightlife. And lastly the Faceless who weren’t like the others. We didn’t engage in illegal activity; we helped Mutts and gave them work and a purpose.

A large percentage of Mutts came from shifters since they were horndogs. The dragons wouldn’t take them and most of society turned their noses up at them. When a shifter got with a human, the resulting child was usually a weird combination of the two. Human features with weird shifter side effects like growing fur on the full moon nights, sprouting a tail, or growling when upset. Not terrible, but Mutts needed guidance and a place to belong. The other Mutts that were from the other races like witches and Fae were hard to come by since they weren’t as free with their procreation. These races tended to mate within the race but held a small amount of tolerance for their Mutts.

Thinking about the unfairness always made my blood boil. These supernatural creatures invaded our world, then shunned the offspring of their joining. It was messed up to the infinity degree.

I worked for the Faceless because I agreed with their mission and it coincided with my own morals. No Mutt deserved to be out on the streets, so I did what I could to help and got paid handsomely for it.

My phone buzzed again and there was another question mark from D.C.

Me-What time?

D.C.-They’re meeting at Crimson Damnation at 11pm. I’ll brief you more in person.

Me-See you then.

Crimson Damnation was a club that was owned and ran by The Faceless. It was popular with the nightlife so they were able to employ many Mutts. It was usually fully staffed but a position would be found or created if need be.

I sighed not really in the mood for clubbing, but I needed this and I’d do whatever necessary to help D.C.

Stretching, I debated going back to sleep or getting some coffee and starting the day. Before I could make up my mind a knock sounded on the door.

I scowled remembering what had happened the last time I had someone knocking on my door. Rolling out of bed, I pulled on a pair of boxers that Gavin had left behind. Instead of returning them I kept them because they were damn comfy.

Zazu jumped off the bed and bounded into the living room, probably racing toward the door. I found a hair tie and pulled my hair into a messy-just-rolled-out-of-bed something on my head. I was tired and in desperate need of coffee and I didn’t give two Zazu poops what they thought of how I looked. This was my home, and I could do what I wanted.

With that pep talk giving me the spunk I needed, I strolled into the living room then toward the front door. I found Zazu crouched there. As I drew closer, I registered that Zazu was growling. He turned his head to me, one eye staying locked on the entrance while the other blazed at me. Whoever was on the other side, Zazu was not thrilled they were here.

An impatient knock sounded and Zazu let out a hissing growl that made the hairs on my arm stand on end. I approached the panel in the hallway to reassure myself that the security system was engaged. It was. I clicked to pull up the camera for the front entryway and saw a hulking figure filling the camera's view. It looked like Brutus, but he had been here before and Zazu hadn’t growled then. My pet tolerated his presence almost like he did me, but something was different now and I didn’t like it.

Thinking fast, I tried to move the camera and after fiddling with it for a second, it moved but I still couldn’t make out who was here. I wracked my brain on what I should do when my gaze wondered to the small wall beside the door.

The living room extended about three feet into the hallway which made the front entrance sunken into the penthouse like a hotel room. The small space of wall was unadorned, which annoyed Lyndee and I to no end, but right now, I was thankful we had this option installed. Syd would never let me forget it if I applauded the genius idea.

There was a small panel on the seam of the wall that slid up revealing three buttons, one on top of the other. The top one when pressed would turn the small wall into a two-way mirror letting me view out onto the steps/foyer but whoever was at the door wouldn’t see me. The middle button turned the wall into a window so we could see each other. It wasn’t difficult to hide from a security camera, but it was very different if you could see from another angle. Pesky shifters and their superior sensing.

The bottom button was not to be used unless absolutely necessary. Syd made sure that Lyndee and I understood never to push the button unless we were in dire straits. Working for a mafia gang was dangerous so every precaution was taken to keep the penthouse safe.

I pushed the first knob and saw that it was indeed Brutus knocking on my door. Why was he here again? And why was Zazu hissing at him? Ruvaen said that he wouldn’t need more blood from me. Did he forget something last time he was here? Or was he here to beg for more of my passable cooking skills?

Pressing the middle switch, I watched as the big brute noticed the wall change to glass so he could see me standing there in all my just-woke-up-glory.

“Have you graduated to the next level of stalking?” I asked crossing my arms over my chest and giving him my best ‘I ain’t stupid’ face.

“Whoa,” he murmured, reaching out and touching the wall which, surprisingly, felt like a wall. Who knew?

“You're basically touching my boob, dude.” His hand pressed on the wall right where my left boob would be if I was plastered against it. “State your business, or I’ll sick Zazu on you.”

The threat was followed by another growling sound which was freaking perfect timing. Zazu rubbed against my legs, his scaled cat tail coiled around my calf like he would pull me away if things got dangerous. Precious.

“Uh, I’m here to check on you,” he replied, still studying the wall.

“And you didn’t bring coffee or donuts? You’re a terrible shifter. I thought you guys were all ‘must feed any chick no matter what’?”

“You’re stereotyping.” He scowled, before reaching down and grabbing a white bag with the label of the donut shop from down the street and a cup that could only be coffee.

“You shifters are all the same,” I rolled my eyes but my smile was genuine.

“Oh and…” He turned the coffee slightly and I could see that there was writing on the side that read ‘I’m one fart away from a poo’.

“Oh my god! That is the best thing ever!” I literally squealed.

“Before you open the door and attack me for my goodies, I have someone here I want you to meet.”

For the record I’d totally attack him for coffee. I’d climb him like a tree and claw his eyes out. Maybe. Probably. Most definitely.

“Okay,” I said, drawing out the word with a raised eyebrow.

Brutus stepped back and someone stepped forward; they were hidden behind him. Leather like boots entered first and I followed them up. Tight, black pants clung to lean muscular legs, followed by an equally tight grey button/pullover shirt with a black zipper hoodie thrown over. Judging by the attire it all screamed ‘I’m a bad boy and I know it’. My knees weakened but they didn’t bend. I mean, I saw his kind everywhere and was totally immune. Do I smell smoke? I think my pants just lit on fire.

“Uh, hi,” I said uncertainly, trying to get my eyes to move to the face but they were glued to the neck line that transitioned smoothly into a strong jawline that was just begging for a lick.

“My eyes are up here.” His voice wasn’t very deep but it carried a note of command that sat all kinds of wrong on me.

“Yup, be there in a sec,” I shot back, pleased by his little huff.

When my eyes finally traveled up to his face, I found it was one I recognized. It was the poisoned guy from the other night who had stumbled in. I had saved his life by revealing my super-duper-top-secret Mutt power that no one except Syd and Lyndee knew about. My face drained of color and I gulped. Why was he here? To thank me? I doubted that.

His hair was dark and tousled in an effortless sort of way. Blue eyes flecked with copper and gold regarded me and I fought the urge to lick my lips. He was gorgeous and those types of people knew it and thrived on it.

“And you are?” I asked, trying my best to hide my wobbly knees.

“You don’t recognize me?” His tone was filled with disbelief.

“Did you come here just to be an ass? I saved your life. And this is the start of a terrible thank you.” My fingers itched for a doorknob because it would be so satisfying to slam a door in his face, the button just didn’t have the oomph I wanted.

“Wait!” Brutus stepped between me and the other guy, which was impressive to do in the tiny area. “Look, Nik, we’re here to thank you,” he paused to give his companion a look, “and to ask some questions.”

“At least someone has manners,” I mumbled, giving me time to ask myself if I really wanted to answer questions.

I was suddenly so bone weary. All I wanted to do was crawl back into bed and ignore the world. I should have expected there to be questions. I guess I didn’t think that much about it at the moment. I was impulsive, what can I say.

“I suppose, but I reserve the right not to answer if I don’t feel like it. This is my life and frankly none of either of your business.”

“We understand,” Brutus agreed quickly. Too quickly...

I pushed the button and the wall turned back into a boring wall. Sighing, I looked down at Zazu who was still wrapped around my legs. His reptilian eyes regarded me, then he huffed and the sound nearly convinced me that he was a teenage girl. He rolled his eyes toward the door and I had absolutely no doubt about his maturity level.

Zazu followed me as I pulled open the door and stepped aside for the boys to enter. Brutus came in first, his bulk barely fitting through the door jam. The second guy wasn’t as tall as Brutus, but I could feel his ego enter with him.

I accepted the coffee and donut bag, then turned leading the way toward the kitchen. After switching the coffee pot on for my guests, I settled myself on a bar stool and started in on my breakfast.

“So, what’s your questions?” I asked, my mouth full of doughy sweetness.

“I’d like to know exactly how you healed me,” the new guy ordered, placing his hands on the counter and leaning toward me.

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

“What?” he asked eyebrows raised in disbelief. I wanted to punch him.

“There's no learners manual for being a Mutt. It’s not like there's a wealth of knowledge out there that I can access and find out exactly what I am. Like most Mutts we don’t know Jack shit. We’re just trying to survive. Now, why don’t you start using your manners or better yet educate yourself before barging into someone's home and demanding answers no one knows.”

“He’s sorry,” Brutus supplied shooting the man a withering look.

“He looks remorseful, sure.” He didn’t. New guys’s nostrils were wrinkled with irritation and I got perverse satisfaction from it. “Let’s start over, what’s your name?”

His blue eyes blazed but then seemed to dial down to a simmer. I slurped my coffee loudly followed by obvious lip-smacking sounds.

“My name is Kreed.”

“Nice to meet you, Kreed. My name is Nik. I healed you because it was the nice thing to do. How I did it is something that I’m not sure about.”

“Being able to heal through blood is a skill only the clans of my race have but from what was described to me, you share that ability. However, exactly how you heal isn’t known to my people and there is no other race that does what we do.”

“Well, that’s interesting.” And it really was. Ever since my conversation with Ruvaen, I was hopeful that maybe this was the answer to my ability.

“How did you learn to heal like that?” Kreed asked, his voice not as harsh as before. He was generally curious.

“By accident,” I answered, making no effort to explain further.

“What sort of accident?” Kreed leaned forward on the counter.

“A bad one and a memory I don’t want to revisit,” I twisted on the stool hoping he’d drop it.

“Who else knows about your ability?”

“You two, the staff and my two best friends.” Should I be telling him this?

“Do you have any other abilities?”

I frowned at that. It was considered rude to ask another Mutt what their powers were. We needed an edge so keeping your abilities in the dark was the norm. You just had to be hyper vigilant about your location and the people around you.

“That’s pretty rude.” I slammed my coffee cup a bit too hard onto the table. “I didn’t grill you about you and your abilities.”

He opened his mouth, probably to demand that I answer, but Brutus stepped in again. “He doesn’t know Mutt etiquette. I tried to explain but he’s... stubborn.”

That’s one way to describe him. I’d use words like pompous, entitled, gorgeous, sexy… Wait a sec I wasn’t attracted to him, was I? I looked him over from the corner of my eye and concluded that yes, yes I was. Damnit.

“Just tell her the truth, Kreed. She’s trustworthy,” Brutus surprised me with that statement but it was true.

Kreed sighed then opened his mouth but before he could begin Zazu jumped onto the counter near me. He settled on his rump then trained both eyes on Kreed while a low warning growl reverberated from his chest. Zazu was a pain in the ass, but he always seemed to come through for me when I truly needed it.

Kreed locked eyes with the Chia and began a three-minute staring contest. It wasn’t just shifters who did the whole dominance game. I rolled my eyes and let the animal and the adult measure whatever it was that mattered so much to them.

Zazu broke the stare off first and proceeded to lay down and eye my donut bag.

“Are you done measuring your dicks?” I asked Zazu, while taking another bite. “He’s bigger than you, what do you think that accomplished? If you try to pee on me again, I swear to every single god that I will throw you out.” I pointed a finger at his ugly-cute face. He yawned, then laid his head down and closed his eyes.

“He respects you,” Brutus said.

“He only respects me because I have the food. Let’s not kid ourselves here.”

“Look, Nik, I don’t remember much from that night.”

“When I was told about what had happened I was surprised and a bit angry. My people are watched closely. If you were half of my race you would need protecting. The way you heal is something that I have never heard of and with some careful research it shouldn’t exist. But I know of a clan that uses blood on their hands to heal. They have to physically touch the blood, unlike the rest where it must be ingested. It doesn’t explain what you did though.” He was clearly upset about the situation, not me in particular. He needed to work on his delivery.

“So, what you’re saying is that I’m similar to your kind but not entirely.”

He nodded. “When the blood was on your hands what did you do? Did you connect to it at all?”

I thought back trying to remember the feeling of what I had done. I hadn’t connected to the blood, just the heat I held inside. Could the heat be what I had connected to? “Hmm, no I didn’t connect to the blood, it helped, but it was something else.” I shrugged not having a clue but having more food for thought.

“In any case, this ability of yours is unexpected and incredibly valuable,” Kreed said. “I’m relieved to know that not many know you can do this, it’ll make this easier.”

“You aren’t planning to kill me right?” My voice squeaked a bit.

“What? Of course not, Nik, we’re here to help you.” Brutus’ sincere words and expressive eyes helped to ease the sudden tension.

Something occurred to me then that I hadn’t thought of before. “At the white place, Ruvaen said that there was a connection between us, almost like an infatuation but not to that extreme. Is there a connection between us?” I asked pointing back and forth between Kreed and myself.

“Yes…”

“.... sort of,” Kreed said.

I looked at Brutus alarmed by this revelation. Was Kreed infatuated with me? He had a funny way of showing it with his assholery act so far. He was easy on the eyes and in any other situation I would totally jump all over him but it wasn’t genuine it was a side effect of healing him. Mother Shifter.

“It’s complicated, Nik. This ‘side effect’ differs between male and female. Females feel drawn to whoever healed them while males feel protective, and in rare circumstances, possessive.”

“And which is he feeling,” I asked Brutus, pointing at Kreed.

“Just protective,” Kreed reassured.

Which probably explained his snappiness. “What does Ruvaen think of all this?” I asked, curious.

“My father is aware and is concerned for your safety,” Kreed said, his eyes flashing again. I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t make my heart speed up and my stomach swoop. “Only a handful of people know about your ability but that could change. The staff is trust-worthy, but anyone can be bought for the right price. We can’t take the chance.”

Wait. “Ruvaen is your Dad?” They looked nothing alike.

“He is and my king.” Kreed shrugged, trying and failing at making it sound nonchalant.

“You’re dad’s a king? That makes you a prince,” I announced almost
accusatory.

“Once that would have been true, but my people have nearly become extinct. No sense saying the title when it’s not true,” Kreed said.

I could still hear the fire of anger in his words. What happened? “Do you think I could have a small amount of your race in me?” Changing the subject seemed like a good idea after seeing his reaction.

“It’s possible but there’s no way to know for certain and if word ever got out, you’d be hunted,” Brutus said gently.

“Hunted by who?” I asked.

“By the ones who destroyed everything I had and more,” Kreed said. “I made a vow and I intend to see it through. Make no mistake about my intentions, I will kill you myself if you put anyone I care about in danger.”

Kreed’s threat was clear I was nothing to him but an inconvenience. If he didn’t feel protective or honor bound to be here now, he wouldn’t be.

So much for hoping there was a heart underneath his cold exterior. This was par for the course treatment, actually. Mutts weren’t worth the time or effort according to those of Pure blood. I wouldn’t make the mistake of trusting Kreed, since he didn’t have my best interest in mind. I hardened my resolve. I’d wait this out, learn what I could, then leave him stranded in the dust.

Never underestimate the power of a Mutt when she’s been cornered.

“How much danger are we talking?” I didn’t trust Kreed not for a second but strangely I felt I could trust Brutus and Ruvaen. Kreed had issues and I didn’t want it anywhere near me.

“Your healing skills would be invaluable in the wrong hands,” Brutus answered, looking between me and Kreed, probably smelling mutual distrust.

“Are you being deliberately obtuse with me or are you in some dumb way trying to protect me?”

“Are you always so callus about your safety?” Kreed asked with a feral gleam in his eyes.

I pushed the stool back in my haste. I hated when anyone leaned over me, maybe I was more dominant than I thought.

“Listen here, you pompous-idiotic-ass-knob, you don’t know me or what I’ve been through. So let me make one thing clear, I will kill you without hesitation and with a smile on my face if you threaten me or my people. You’ve threatened me once and I advise that you never do it again. We all hide stuff so you best hide whatever you're lugging around or ones liable to get… curious.” I sniffed, then sauntered out of the room. I needed a long shower and Lyndee, but she wasn’t here and was currently out of cell territory. Make that an extra-long shower.

A hand wrapped around my upper arm and I wretched it free on instinct while pivoting to face my attacker. Kreed stood there, jaw clenched, hand still outstretched toward me. Some emotion sparked in his eyes, but I couldn’t make it out.

“What?” I asked harshly. Zazu, winding his way through my legs again his little chest vibrating.

Kreed opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. His molten eyes roamed my face looking for anything recognizable. He cleared his throat, visibly shaking his head to clear it. “Where are you going?'' The gruffness of his voice was unexpected.

I wonder if he sounded like that when he first woke up in the morning. Was he a side sleeper or a starfish? “I’m going to my room if you must know. You don’t need to accompany me everywhere. I did just fine on my own.”

“You’re right,” he said awkwardly.

I tilted my head because he was confusing the ever-loving shit out of me. First, he threatens me, then he’s worried. This hot and cold attitude of his was getting old, fast.

“Kay, I’ll go do that then.” I turned around and started for my room again. What a weirdo.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” he warned.

And there was his shining personality. I flipped him the bird over my shoulder, not bothering to turn around to see his reaction. “Make yourself at home, shithead.”

* * *

The shower had been two degrees below burning-in-hell and it was glorious. The time I spent in the bathroom was equal to the amount of time spent taking three showers. Was I hiding from the other people in my penthouse? No, if they really wanted to get in here they would’ve already. Was I stalling so I could get my head on straight and ignore the obvious attraction I felt for Kreed? Hell to the yes I was.

Ugh, what a nightmare this was turning out to be. The bright side, when this was all over, I’d have no more cancer. Still had no idea what Ruvaen had seen in me that would warrant him wanting to heal me, but I’d be eternally grateful to him.

I suddenly wanted to see Ruvaen and sit with him while he talked about anything. It was safe with him. He didn’t judge me for being a Mutt. He saw me and thought that there was something worth saving. I had no idea what that was but I’d spend the rest of my life trying to understand and live up to his expectations.

I’m sure if I asked Brutus he’d take me back there but I had wasted away the day taking a long, hot shower and doing my regular beauty routine. Now it was getting late and I needed to get ready for my meeting at Crimson Damnation. If I didn’t feel like clubbing earlier, I really didn’t feel like it now, but I had committed to D.C. so I scoured my closet and found the sluttiest dress I could find. It was black, tight, and shimmered with sparkles when I moved. The overhead lights at the club would make the dress look fantastic. There were cut outs in the material above and below my breasts and two on each hip that angled down so you could see just a peek of my ass. It was barely modest and paired with blood red high heels, dark shadowy eyes, and red lipstick I was dressed to kill. Strangely, I liked it. Nothing like putting on armor that only a chick could pull off.

Maybe tonight wouldn’t be all that bad. I’d do what D.C. wanted me to do, then I’d get a drink and dance until my feet hurt or until I was cut off. It sounded like the perfect pick me up after everything in the past few days.

I grabbed a black clutch and put in all the essentials: lipstick, perfume, extra toilet paper because clubs always seemed to run out. I put in my phone and small foldable flat shoes that were a genius invention. Checking one last time in the mirror, I bared my teeth making sure there was no lipstick on them, spritzed myself with a fragrant mist that wasn’t too heavy, rolled on deodorant, then I was ready.

Crimson Damnation was on the opposite side of town and since it was the weekend traffic shouldn’t be too heavy. I’d be there in plenty of time. Public transportation was an option since it was dark but all the crazies came out the closer it got to the witching hour. I’d have to drive my own vehicle.

Swinging my bedroom door open, I stepped out into the living room. I looked around the penthouse and saw no one so I grabbed my keys from the key bowl by the couch, and headed for the door. I started to pull it closed.

“Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?” a husky voice asked.

I spun, dropped my keys, and then saw the dark outline of a person sitting on my couch. I flicked the lights on revealing Kreed, fire flickering in his eyes.

“What! Are you my dad?” I watched as his eyes roamed over my body taking in my assets shown off by the tight dress and the teasing bits of flesh peeking through the cut outs.

“You’ll draw attention to yourself” he answered, ignoring my question. He looked me over from head to toe taking in the dress and heels. When he reached the cutouts he visibly swallowed. Is this what sexy people felt like?

I stooped to pick up my keys. “I’m going to work. I’ll be back later.” Before I could blink, he was just suddenly next to me, all heat gone from his eyes.

“Not without me,” he growled.

“The self-proclaimed bodyguard act was cute before, but I have to get going or I’ll be late so if you’ll excuse me…” I tried to slip by him, but he just stepped to the side blocking me. He did the same thing when I tried the other way. “What the hell do you want?”

“I need to come with you,” he said slowly, like he was talking to a child.

I wanted to knee him in the balls. I was a grown ass adult who needed some supervision but not constant. “Then let's go,” I growled daring him to argue with me further.

He bared his teeth at me and I noticed the slight point of his canines. Was he going to bite me, and why did that sound so appealing? I gulped, and tried to smother the heat growing in my stomach.

Wrenching open the door, he stepped aside so I could pass through. He closed the door and I locked it with a button on my keys that also armed the security system.

“We need to make a quick stop,” Kreed said as we entered the elevator. He hit the button for the garage. I just nodded.

The underground garage housed cars of every type from muscle cars, stupid expensive cars, practical cars, and mom cars. You name it, it was parked in here somewhere. I followed Kreed, curious what he drove. I’d pegged him for an expensive car guy. And I was right. We approached a vehicle, sleek black with blue undertones just like his hair. I rolled my eyes because that didn’t prove that he was vain at all.

He touched the button that would open the trunk and it popped open at his touch. I couldn’t see what was inside. His black hoodie went into the dark interior as he pulled out blades and put them in strategic areas like both his boots, hidden pockets at his thighs, and several around his belt. Next, he grabbed a sheath that had three different sized katanas and strapped the whole thing to his back, the handles at an angle so he could draw them easily.

“What do you think we’ll run into that will warrant all that?” I asked, curious and a little terrified.

“I don’t know. We might not run into anything or we will. Best to be prepared whatever the case.” Kreed padded every holster and rechecked the knives on his belt and then thighs, drawing my attention to his powerful legs. Stop it.

Now I felt like I needed a weapon but judging by the blades on Kreed I’d be in good hands if anything did happen. He seemed a capable fellow so I’d leave the stabbing bits up to him.

“Uh, my car or yours?” Please say your car, please say your car.

“I don’t know where we’re going so probably best to take your car,” he answered, with all his logic and practicality. Made me dislike him just a little bit more. Why, of all bodyguards in the world, did I get stuck with the one with brains.

“Fine,” I sighed then turned and headed for my car.

Calling it mine was a stretch, it was part mine and part Lyndee’s. We’ve always seemed to work different shifts so using one car seemed more financially smart. Since I’d been sick, I hadn’t been bringing in a whole lot of money so taking the car around didn’t seem right. I took public transportation whenever possible. But a single girl out on a weekend night was sketchy, even for me.

We turned the corner and my bright neon green, compact sedan came into view. I hit the unlock button on the key fob and slid into the driver’s seat, trying not to draw too much attention to my bright red blush.

Kreed slid into the passenger sit taking a moment to extend the seat back to accommodate his long legs. I sighed inwardly because there was no way to hide that this was a chick car. There were flower shaped air fresheners, tampons and pads in the middle console visible to the wandering eye, and pink zebra print seat covers.

I started the car as Kreed pulled on his seatbelt, complete with matching zebra belt cover. The blades on his back stuck out in a weird angle but I did my best not to laugh and also not to enjoy his discomfort too much. I failed.

“So, where are we going exactly?” Kreed finally asked, after we’d driven half way.

“We’re going to Crimson Damnation,” I replied, changing lanes before turning on a side road that would drop us off a couple blocks behind the club, where parking was easier to find. It was well lit too so it was harder to steal. But who would try to jack our zebra-print-neon-green-slut-mobile?

“A club.”

“Your powers of deduction astound me. What did I ever do to deserve your skill?” I laid the sarcasm on thick so he couldn’t miss it.

He missed it, his eyes roaming around the deserted street looking for danger. I nearly snorted because my life had been completely normal, sorta, then he and his dad had to come and cause a ruckus in my very stable, very normal life.

I’ve said it once, so I’ll say it again, you’re an idiot Nik. A naive idiot.

I parked the car on the street and my phone chirped right as I was putting it in park. There was a super handy app called Vroom that would send a preset text message when you entered a certain area. It was used mostly by couriers and delivery drivers, but it was handy especially when you had to park your car in a shady part of town.

Unknown: I sent someone to collect you. Stay in your vehicle.

Didn’t have to tell me twice. I made sure the doors were locked before settling in my seat to wait.

Kreed’s eyes hadn’t stopped moving, looking into every shadow and probably scaring some poor cats. I grinned because his scowl could definitely scare a kitten, he wasn’t as intimidating as he thought he was.

“You work at Crimson Damnation.”

It wasn’t a question. I felt the exact moment when his unusually blue-copper colored eyes fell on me. I suppressed a shiver. Stomping that feeling into roadkill, I took a moment to answer him. “Yes.” There that was easy.

“You know most of us can smell when you're lying.”

Damn. I had forgotten that nearly every one of the races and Mutts had that annoying ability. Except me, go figure.

“You can smell when I lie?” Not the question I meant to ask but I was curious. Zavarians were new to me and since I might be related somehow, I wanted answers.

“No,” he said, tapping his ear.

“You can hear when I lie?”

“Yes, your heartbeat gives you away. Every time.”

“I see.” And I did. It just became infinitely more difficult to evade and ditch the guard leech I’d acquired. Time for plan B. Whatever that was.

A hulking figure emerged from a shadowy alley and after a quick glance up and down the street he sauntered toward my car. I turned the engine off and reached for the driver’s handle when I felt Kreed stiffen in the seat next to me. Rolling my eyes, I threw the door open and was out of the vehicle before Kreed could grab for me.

“Hey, Jed. Pick the short straw tonight?” I asked the massive shifter as I leaned against the car to straighten the strap on my shoe.

“You know I volunteer.” He smiled before helping me onto the sidewalk. I was alright in heels, but definitely not graceful. “Who’s your friend?” He asked, as Kreed slammed the door so hard it rocked the car.

“Hey be nice. What did she do to you?” I gave him my best death glare.

“Can I speak to you?” he hissed, which was a step below a command.

Before I could answer his hand enveloped my upper arm and he led me a few feet away from Jed. I would have balked but his hand was warm and gentle though, I could see and feel the tension in his body.

“What are you doing?” He demanded, turning to me but not dropping his hand. “Being out here is dangerous and you just hop out of the car with no precautions. Do you have a death wish?”

The slap was fast, and it stung my palm, but I was beyond caring and it felt good. For a split second, I wondered if him running his mouth was a side effect of the healing but it also didn’t matter.

“Who are you to come into my life and tell me how to live it? You don’t know me, you have no idea.” My words gritted through my teeth, the fire rising, giving each word heat. Fury licked at my stomach causing me to shake with force.

His jaw clenched, his head still turned away from the force of my slap. He released my arm as his head slowly turned back toward me. The points of his fangs rested on his lower lip and his eyes had gone cold. On any other night, with anyone else, the icy stare would have made even someone as big as Jed cower, but my heat had risen. To counter his ice or because of my anger I didn’t know which. It was a clash of two opposites and for once I wasn’t sure if my flame could withstand it.

He licked his lips and it was strangely erotic. My eyes tracked the movement. Heat was passion, that’s why desire burned, but this was different it went beyond that. I wanted to tear into him and kiss him until it hurt.

“Everything okay, Nik?” Jed asked, drawing my gaze away from Kreed.

Kreed’s chest rose and fell with his breaths. I could hear, just barely, the rumble like rocks smashing into rocks. This was a side effect of the healing; it couldn’t be anything else. I withdrew my arm at the same moment he let it go which disappointed me. I wanted him to fight me, I wanted him to hold on and never let go.

“We’re good. Just needed to explain some things to my guard,” I answered, enjoying the angry flare of his nostrils. Take that asshole! “You’re here to satisfy some sort of temporary bond that was created between us. Don’t confuse that with thinking I am in any way yours.”

I pivoted on my heels and strutted my tightly confined butt over to Jed. Looping my arm through his I let him lead me away since I was a bit unsteady on my heels.

“How are you holding up, darling?” Jed asked in his unique drawl.

Jed was the first guy to come up to the penthouse. I had made him the only breakfast I knew at the time: cereal and toast. He had eaten in silence while I sipped my coffee. After that, we had a nice long chat and got to know each other well. He was lost and in need of a friend and a place to belong. The Faceless made that happen.

“I’m tired but getting stronger every day,” I replied and for the first time in a while I believed it.

“You’ve gained a shadow,” Jed whispered, his eyes questioning glancing back as we entered the alley where he had stepped from earlier.

“Yup,” I sighed making the “P” pop.

“You don’t seem happy about it.” He looked around for any sort of threat as we walked through the dark.

“Didn’t really have a choice,” I mumbled, my earlier anger dimming as I walked.

“There’s always a choice.” Jed’s brows creased together.

“I’ll be alright. I’m just reaping the consequences for my actions.” I patted his arm, ignoring his confusion. “So, how's business?” I asked, steering the conversation away from me and onto him but judging by the narrowing of his eyes he wasn’t convinced.

“It’s been steady,” he said vaguely, and then I regretted bringing Kreed along. I should have dug my feet in more.

“That’s great,” I chirped.

We walked the rest of the way in silence not wanting to talk in case we let something slip that Kreed could overhear. The Faceless were on the up and up. We kept our noses clean while helping those who needed it. Surprising that a street gang wasn’t involved in anything illegal was laughable, but it was true. We were setting an example. We played a role alongside the other gangs in the city and we were noticed and appreciated for it.

The back of the club was dark and smelled like flimsy pizza from the restaurant that was tucked back behind the club. Best place to have a pizza joint was right behind a club where intoxicated people would stumble in for a quick bite before dragging themselves home. Genius really.

Jed swung the door open to Crimson Damnation and glanced around before stepping aside to let me enter. Music thumped to the beat, nearly matching the rhythm of the blood in my veins. Nothing like club music to bolster your mood.

“Head to the office,” Jed instructed, his bright shifter eyes moving non-stop.

I thanked him then made my way to back of the building. A boot scuffed behind me making my heart skitter but after a quick glance over my shoulder revealed Kreed following me, his jacket on, its hood drawn up obscuring his face. He didn’t speak so I led the way to the office.

The ‘office’ was a large closet that had been enhanced. And by ‘enhanced’ I mean sound proofed. All the races had exceptional hearing even over the blaring music and other noises you’d hear in a club. Naturally, the Faceless had paid lots of money to make it. Money well spent.

The door was open so I slipped inside then sat on an old rusty chair, thankful to be off my feet for a minute. Kreed took up position in the corner looking like a scary stalker from the movies. The hairs on the nape of my neck stood up and I fought not to fidget. I had a predator at my back and it made my hands sweat and unease slither down my back.

“Hey, Nik, thanks for coming,” a tall man said, walking into the room and locking the door behind him. He eyed Kreed’s corner but didn't ask or comment about him.

“No problem, what’s up?” I asked curious but cautious.

“Who’s that?” Gavin asked, pointing to Kreed in the corner.

“Bodyguard,” I answered straight faced.

“Since when do you need a bodyguard?” A perfect manicured eyebrow rose as he spoke the question.

“Since never but you save someone’s life and now they’re indebted to you or some such crap,” I replied flippantly but watched his reaction closely.

“He knows about your… healing,” he whispered the last word like he could prevent Kreed from hearing. I nodded my head in affirmative. “So, he knows what took me three years to find out. That hurts.” Gavin pressed a hand over his heart.

There was actual pain in his eyes. We had broken up ages ago so I didn’t have to justify my decisions to anyone.

“He was dying, you weren’t, but that can change if you ever tell anyone,” Gavin knew that Syd would tear him apart if he ever betrayed me. I felt Kreed step forward and I was actually glad he was here at my back.

“Chill, Nik. I’m not gonna tell anyone. Six feet below dirt isn’t that appealing.” Gavin’s eyes softened as he looked me over. “You look great.”

“Recovery hasn’t been easy but I’m glad I’m here. Now, what’s going on?”

Gavin relaxed into the chair across from me, but I could tell it was fake. His eyes kept darting to Kreed every few seconds. I should’ve left him outside but knowing he’d refuse I had to pick my battles, for once.

“The Unseen have a new boss,” Gavin said. “Rumor is he killed Punky Joe and his veterans and then took control. There isn’t much information about the usurper that we can find so either he just popped up out of nowhere or he’s lying about his name. I suspect the latter.”

I did too. The higher ups in the Unseen were sick dudes who didn’t have a conscience whatsoever. I’d met a couple and it was scary just being around them. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I was happy they were dead, neither did I feel any remorse.

“Why’s he here?” Gavin’s eyes flicked to Kreed.

Ignoring his question. “I bet the dude taking over is making his rounds, introducing himself, being seen…” I rolled my eyes. “And scoping his competition.” A weight settled in my gut.

“That’s what I’m thinking. From the rumors I’ve heard about the takeover it sounds like he’s one scary mother.”

“You thinking shifter? One of the bigger ones, or a Fae of some kind?”

“Honestly Nik, I don’t know. He had the mannerism of a shifter when he came in earlier today, but there’s something off. My predator rose and so did my hair. I’ve never felt that combination before.”

Gavin was a different sort of mutt. While most had one or two blood lines from the races in their DNA. There are Mutts who had a mixture of all of them, with the exception of Kreed’s kind and dragons. Gavin seemed to have an equal amount of each all woven and working together with the human part and boom! You’ve got an equal hybrid. However, these hybrids tended to be weaker than the normal Mutt.

Lacking reliable abilities, Gavin couldn’t compete but what he lacked in supernatural abilities he made up for with his brain. He was intelligent and street smart. Something you needed to keep a mafia type organization on the opposite side of crime.

“So, you need me to go in and feel him out?” I knew the answer. I mean why would he ask me if he didn’t need me to do just that.

“Normally, I’d ask Milly but I don’t want her anywhere near that guy until we know more.”

That made sense, Milly was the club's regular bartender. She had a mean streak when it came to assholes and she was good at doling out punishments. Almost too good but since she also could read thoughts so it made sense to use her as a Plan B. If this new boss of the Unseen found out that we had a reader here it would set him off. No, a subtler touch was needed and that’s where I came in.

I took a deep breath accepting that this situation was something only I could handle. I wouldn’t put Milly or anyone else near that guy until we knew more.

“Alright, let's do this.” We both stood ready to get this part over with.

Before we even turned toward the door a blade suddenly appeared pressed against Gavin’s throat. It had happened so fast that it even startled me as I gasped.

Kreed held a katana, the shiny deadly edge pressed against the throat to my ex-boyfriend. My first thought was that Kreed lied and he was actually feeling more than just protectiveness.

I opened my mouth to say something but before I could Kreed’s icy voice spoke. “No one is going anywhere.”

“Kreed! What the hell?” I yelled, watching as the light glinted off the shiny edge of the katana. I had seen three strapped to his back earlier and judging by the length this was the shortest one.

Kreed’s hood still covered his face, making it hidden in shadows. I couldn’t make out anything. His opposite hand had a small dagger clutched in it. I was reeling from how fast this had taken a turn.

Gavin’s eyes widened. Sweat droplets gathered on his forehead. He may not be all that great with dominance games, but he knew when he had his neck in the mouth of a predator.

“Seriously Kreed! What the hell?” I tried again trying to shift his attention from Gavin to me.

“He’s not telling you everything,” Kreed growled. Like literally growled and it made fear trickle down my spine and heat to pool in my belly. What a confusing mix of emotions.

“I told you everything I know,” Gavin protested, trying to step back, the chair blocking is way. Quicker than I had seen anyone move, the dagger in Kreed’s hand pressed against Gavin’s back. He was trapped between two deadly blades with a crazed killer calling the shots.

“Okay, let’s just calm down, alright.” My voice shook. I was legitimately terrified that something bad would happen if I didn’t handle this situation.

“I can smell your fear,” Kreed stated in a voice that was regretful. His eyes briefly flicked in my direction.

I guess Kreed was speaking to me. “Well, you have two blades positioned just right to kill my ex-boyfriend and I’m suddenly realizing that I don’t know you at all or what you are capable of, so yeah, a bit scared is putting it lightly.”

“I wouldn’t hurt you,” Kreed answered softly.

“You kinda swore to protect me but I don’t think you put ‘protect her from myself’ into account.”

He stiffened obviously not having thought about that. He didn’t lower his weapons though.

“Look Gavin,” I tried again. “Kreed’s not going to let you go unless you tell him the truth at least as far as it goes for my safety. Everyone has secrets so spilling guts won’t help anyone.” Plus Syd would be pissed if something happened to Gavin he was a loyal douche canoe.

“Nik’s done this a dozen times.” Gavin nodded slowly as to not deepen the blades pressing against his neck. “She’ll wear a disguise, serve the boss, get a feel, then she’ll be done. She’ll probably have to stick around for a bit so he, nor his goons, get suspicious.”

“What exactly is she getting a feel of?” Kreed stepped closer. “What protective measures do you have in place for her? She must be important to live in a decked-out penthouse with security out the ass. Tell me Gavin, what assurances can you give Nik about this highly dangerous task she’s about to undertake?”

“Kreed, I’ve done this before. I can handle myself.” I was starting to feel hurt by the lack of faith in my skills, also anger, but I was trying to keep that secondary.

“Could you excuse us? We have some things to discuss,” Kreed said, finally taking his blades away from Gavin and returning them on his body.

“Nik?” Gavin asked, his eyebrows pulled together in concern. There wasn’t much he could do if I said no, he didn’t have the oomph to back it up.

“I’ll be fine.” I jerked my head at the door so he’d get the hint to leave.

I was ninety-six percent positive that Kreed wouldn’t hurt me, the other four percent however was him wanting to because of my distinct lack of self-preservation and possibly my stubbornness.

Once the door clicked closed behind Gavin, I turned my eyes to Kreed who stood two feet from me. His posture relaxed, which pissed me off for some reason.

“Where do you get off?” I asked, cringing because it wasn’t the best time to spew movie quotes.

“Uh…” he said clearly, not understanding. Disappointing.

“What the hell was that?” I hissed wanting to pace but my heels got in the way so I kicked them off.

“You can’t expect me to let you walk into a dangerous situation,” Kreed answered.

“Let me!” That did it. I was gonna rip this guy a new asshole to talk out of because the current one needed to go. “Listen here you pompous ass…”

Before I could finish calling him the colorful array of words I had been thinking of all night, arms like steel grabbed me. I gasped as my back slammed against the wall not hard enough to hurt but enough to get my attention. My arms were above my head Kreed’s giant hand holding both wrists firmly. I stood, straddling his leg as he pressed his massive muscular body against mine making it impossible to move or kick him.

“I think it’s time you listened,” Kreed hissed his breath tickling my ear, he was so close.

I opened my mouth, but a hand covered it before I could utter a sound. I tried to buck my hips but only accomplished humping his leg.

“Stop. I’m not hurting you,” he said, leaning in closer using his size against me. I could feel him from my collarbones all the way down to my pelvis.

I took a deep breath. In through my nose, pulling his scent as I did. He smelled amazing, like freshly fallen rain and something spicy. The smell went from my nose to my belly in a second and heat pooled deliciously. I had a sudden urge to move against him again, to touch him, to breath him in and taste him.

A shiver ran through my body and I stilled the conflicting emotions ravaging my mind as I tried to figure out what to do.

“We don’t know each other and we don’t trust one another yet but whatever bond we share temporarily is forcing me to protect you. Healing me connects us and while that happens, I will protect you with my life. I’ll kill for you and lock you in a basement until the bond fades in order to keep you safe. You literally hold my life in your hands.” He paused as his chest rose filling his lungs and from the position of his face I knew he was breathing me in too.

The heat in my belly grew hotter and I desperately wanted to squirm to somehow extinguish the heat or rather make it burn more. I’d never felt anything like this; heat, desire, anger, want. I needed to pull him closer. He was the only one who could counter the flames and I wanted him too.

“My race is new to you,” he stated gruffly like he was in pain. “I don’t expect you to understand this bond but know that I am just as frustrated as you are. I cannot let you go into a dangerous situation, the bond and the instincts of my people, we are born with will not allow it.”

I nodded my head letting him know I understood then wiggled my hands. He loosened his grip on my wrists letting me pull them away. His hand lingered on my mouth before dropping it. He pulled back. My hands found their way to his shoulders before he could pull back fully. I reached behind his head, grabbed a fistful of his hood and yanked it off.

He didn’t fight it but let the material fall. Stormy blue eyes with glowing specks of copper and gold stared into mine. He had mentioned repeatedly that there was a connection between us but it didn’t feel anything like what I had with his dad. Maybe Kreed and Brutus were right in that the bond between a male healing a female and the reverse was different. I had fought and dug in my heels during this whole thing even going as far as to reprimand Kreed for not understanding Mutts when I hadn’t tried to learn anything about him either.

I was a hypocrite and an idiot. Could I trust Kreed? No.

Could I give him the benefit of the doubt?

Sighing, I knew what I had to do but trusting anyone, especially from a race that supposedly didn’t exist, was difficult. I understood the other races but didn’t agree with their spite of their half-blood offspring. Hell no. I could at least see their side. In this situation, I couldn’t and I had acted like a bitch because of it.

I rested my hands on his chest ready to push him back but instead my palms stayed pressed against his hard muscles. I didn’t want to push him away. Actually, I wanted the opposite. So much, in fact, that the heat in my core revved up to scorching levels. I groaned as the delicious heat infused my body, lifting my head back. I don’t remember grabbing fistfuls of Kreed’s sweatshirt or pulling him closer. Constrained against me again, I felt him everywhere. The flames licked higher and my back arched with it.

His lips were centimeters from mine. My chest rose and fell in needy pants that I would probably be embarrassed about later. Kreed’s eyes had dilated and were fixated on my lips. He licked them showing just a little fang as he did and I thought I would combust right there. Cool hands gripped my hips contrasting with the heat I felt inside me.

I closed my eyes having never felt this before. The coolest, softest touch brushed against my neck and I shivered wanting more. Needing to continue whatever this was.

A thunk sounded at the door jarring us from the place I had been. I opened my eyes to see Kreed’s head turned, his massive body blocked my view. He tilted his head like he was listening which was impossible because this room was soundproof.

We stayed frozen for several more moments while an idea formed in my mind. Something that would make everyone happy.

When Kreed turned around I was ready and studying his slightly pointed ears. “How good is your hearing?”

His face didn’t give away any indication about what had just happened which hurt my ego a bit, not gonna lie. He raised an eyebrow at me giving away nothing but the soft glow in his eyes did.

“You can hear through soundproof walls,” I stated. His straight face gave the answer.

“Babe, you look fine as…”

“As sin?” I supplied, resisting the urge to scratch my scalp through the wig.

“Girl, red is your color. I’ve said it every time you come in.” Milly’s overly eye-shadowed eyes winked at me. I stared at her trying to figure out how her eyelids could handle the weight of what looked like glitter glue.

“Yeah,” I sighed looking at myself in the mirror admiring the long red ringlets that bounced about my shoulders.

“Why so glum girl?” Milly asked, bumping me with her shoulder as she swirled her lollipop in her mouth letting the hard candy clink against her teeth. “I saw that tall drink of yumminess you waltzed in here with. What’s the scoop?”

“He’s a dude that owes me.” I adjusted my boobs so they were easily seen.

“Right,” she drew out the word before turning and looking out the two-way glass behind us. “He watches you.”

“Yeah, he’s protecting me. Kinda hard to do that without seeing me,” I snipped, then felt instantly guilty about being so snippy.

“Nah, he watches you like a predator watches something that he wants to eat but can’t. It’s damn hot.”

I glanced behind me at the two-way glass that showed the club floor full of people dancing, drinking, hooking up with strangers. Among the gyrating bodies and flashing lights was a hood clad figure who blended a bit too well in the shadows. I could feel eyes on me and suspected that Kreed could see far better than he let on, just like his hearing. The guy was a mystery that something in me desperately wanted to figure out while another part wanted me to ditch him first chance I got.

“He’s not interested in me like that,” I told her with confidence. The squinty eyed look she shot at me told me that she saw through my bullshit.

“He’s interested in something about you. If not your body, then something else.” Milly raised her eyebrow at me. I didn’t react, at least not on the outside. She tsked at my silence not buying it for a second.

Milly was a veteran of Crimson Damnation having been there since it had first opened. She had a dark past that she rarely talked about but still thought she deserved to be in everyone else business. It wasn’t her fault technically, having Fae blood in her made for annoying mental accuracy that everyone else lacked. She saw things that no one else did, be it physical or supernatural, it was freakin’ weird. She fit right in.

“Honestly, Milly, I don’t know what to make him. It’s confusing.”

“All the best things are.” She winked at me before her face became serious again. “There's more to him that neither you or I could guess. He’s got a darkness, a shadow that follows him around and weighs on him. You can almost see it.”

She was looking at me again with that look like she was seeing something more. It creeped me out. I’ve been around Milly enough that when she gave advice to other people it always made my skin crawl. Today, she turned that focus on me.

“Nik, you ready,” Gavin called from the other side of the door.

Milly squeezed my shoulder reassuringly before grabbing her apron and tying it around her waist again. “I’ll see you at the bar,” she said before opening the door and slipping past Gavin.

I took one last glance into the mirror, sucked in a deep breath, then put my game slash waitress face on.

Crimson Damnation was a club and like every club you couldn’t keep it one-hundred percent clean, but it was monitored closely. The main floor was surrounded with two-way mirrors not that the patrons knew that. Hallways lined with mirrors on all sides, so security could view the floor from every angle. It was Gavin’s idea.

“Let’s do this,” I said, accepting the apron Gavin held out to me and wrapping it around my hips.

“The boss is in the VIP area on the west side. I’ve sent Lena on her break so you’re covering that side until she gets back in an hour. I’ve got Jed up there keeping an eye on things. If you feel uncomfortable or need help rub your hand on your right thigh then tuck your hair behind your ears.”

“Got it.” I nodded then turned and walked down the hallway where the door to the bar was.

“Nik,” Gavin called, as I pushed the mirror door open a sliver. I glanced over my shoulder meeting the eyes of the man that I had thought at one time was my forever. “Be careful.”

“I will,” I promised, then opened the door wide enough so I could slip out, praying that I hadn’t just jinxed myself.

I made my way to the bar where Milly was slinging drinks across the top as fast as the orders were being placed. I grabbed a black towel tucking it into the white apron tie at my lower back. A pad and three pens sat on the counter above the drawer, I grabbed them and slipped them into the pockets.

Milly gave me a wave before picking up the tray of drinks she was working on and walking it over to me. “This is for the VIP table quiet side,” she hollered in my ear.

I grabbed the round tray from her and balanced it on my hand before making my way through the packed dance floor, aiming for the set of stairs that lead up into the VIP section.

The club was simply designed with a sunk-in-dance floor with three bars spaced out on the next level, with sitting spaces tucked throughout. There were balconies that could be rented out for special occasions; they were empty tonight.

I passed a corner and could just barely make out the hooded figure in the darkness cast by the stairs.

The ascent was difficult in heels and balancing a tray of drinks, but I managed it, barely. A guard stood sentry at the top making an impressive figure to dissuade anyone from trying to get into the VIP section who didn’t belong. He nodded my way; I could enter. Stepping into the room, the deafening noise from the rest of the club vanished and my ears popped. This section was spelled to be soundproof by a powerful witch. I’d never met her, but Syd spoke highly of her.

I turned left aiming for the back corner where my mark was. This area of the VIP room was very popular, I have no idea why. Must be something with the vibe or feng shui or whatever. Maybe the couches were just comfy. Knowing the type of people/creatures/supes that frequented this place, it must be something else like having the high ground.

Three couches made of random pieces of leather sat in the corner surrounding an enormous wooden coffee table. Well-dressed men sat strategically on the cushions, drinks in hand talking quietly. The rest of the VIP area was empty, but I knew you could never be too cautious.

My heels clicked on the white and gold marble floor, drawing the attention of every man in the corner. Several pairs of eyes dragged looks up and down my body, half were mesmerized by my legs while the other half stared at my boobs. Doesn’t matter what species men were; they’re all pigs.

I stopped beside the coffee table, cocked my hip while balancing the drink tray with my left hand and gave them all my best flirtatious smile. “Gonna have to help me out gents, your waitress went on break but didn’t tell me who’s drink was who’s,” I drawled, adding a slight accent to my words.

“I’m sure we can help you.” A young-looking guy said, winking. It didn’t help his leer to be less creepy.

I bit my lip while taking a good look at him. My ability told me he was a shifter and the longer I looked the clearer it became in my mind. He was a full shifter with two different animals. His parents were full-blooded and changed into different things. I got the impression that he was feline but looked away before I found out exactly what.

“This ‘lucky Irishman’ must be yours.” I grabbed the milky drink and handed it to him thinking it ironic that he was feline ordering a cream drink. Cats and their dairy.

I went around the couches handing drinks and getting a read on each one. There was a broad array of species represented. None of them were Mutts. All seemed to be mixed with something but not with humans. A witch-Fae mixed man with dark skin and milky, white eyes gave me the absolute creeps. Halfies weren’t uncommon. I’d never seen so many in one place before, it was unnerving.

The last man to receive a drink must’ve been the new boss of the Unseen. His black striped suit was immaculate as was his sandy hair. Nothing out of place. He was speaking to the half witch beside him in a low tenor voice, making the heat inside me perk up.

“This whiskey sour must be for you,” I said, leaning down to offer the glass to the boss.

His nice smile revealed perfect white teeth but something about it was unnatural. His attention was on me now, I saw the moment his eyes contracted. Unlike his buddies who were fascinated with my boobs, legs, or butt, he couldn’t keep his eyes off my hair. His nostrils flared slightly. He wouldn’t smell any deception on me. Sure, I was wearing a wig but it was made from my own hair so even though it was dyed and permed, the scent was all me.

“Ah, thank you for delivering my drink to me.” His voice was accented heavily like he had only just learned the language. I couldn’t place my finger where the accent originated from.

“It’s my pleasure.” I leaned forward letting him get an eye full of push-up-bra boobs. “I love your accent. There’s nothing more sexy in my opinion.”

His eyes dilated further at my whispered words and his grin turned wolffish. My ability radar was working to get the answers but it was taking longer than usual. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, but you can sit and rest your feet.” He patted the couch cushion beside him as the half witch guy scooted away.

“I only just started my shift and already my feet are killing me.” I placed the tray on the table then perched my butt on the cushion he had indicated.

He angled his body toward me as I looked around at his companions. They were sipping their drinks or talking quietly, all making an effort not to look at me or the man to my right. I frowned because they had all been entranced only moments ago.

Fingers fluttered on my thigh and the contact made my skin prickle. Heat rose inside me again but this wasn’t a sudden rush like it was when I healed. No, this was slow, almost sensual. It wiggled and gyrated like it was dancing, showing off what we had. This had never happened before.

I turned back trying to mask the sudden heat I was feeling. Licking my lips, I forced my eyes back to the immaculate man beside me still not able to get a read on him.

“You smell… divine.” His face drew closer, twirling a lock of my red hair around his finger.

Heat roared inside me centered at my core and I gasped. I wanted to simultaneously slide my leg over his lap so I could straddle him and explore what this all meant and the other half wanted to run far away. I had never had such a reaction to a stranger before. I was burning from the inside and terrified, but I also enjoyed it.

His hand slid up my opposite thigh coaxing gently until it had slid over his lap and I was straddling him. My thoughts were foggy, completely consumed by the heat I was feeling inside. It burned right on the edge between pleasure and pain. I ran my hands up his hard, broad chest, loving the prickling feeling on my skin as I did so. My eyes found his lips and I wanted them on my skin, coaxing the heat higher until I couldn’t stand it anymore. I wanted him with a sudden intensity that I thought I might burst into flame right there.

His hands were under the hem of my dress, fingers digging into my flesh. It felt so good. Nearly panting with desire, I tried to regain some semblance of control over myself but whatever was happening, I was not the one calling the shots. He sat up leaning closer yet and I moaned at the delicious friction. Eyes blazing with equal fire, the boss drew closer, his lips aiming for my throat. I leaned my head back in submission. A part of me screamed that I should not let his mouth touch me no matter what but I was too wrapped up in the desire for that to happen. I almost ignored it. Years of trusting my instincts kicked in and my head stopped teetering on the edge. I stared into the eyes of the predator that held me in a position that I hated.

I fought whatever this magic was, but before I could decide on how best to extricate myself from the situation the boss’s eyes blinked. Then again with a second set of eyelids, like a lizard. I felt my own eyes widen, as I gasped. His rounded pupils contracted into slits and a split second later his cool lips were on the hot skin of my throat, tasting, then biting.

My internal radar went off as his teeth pierced the delicate area and the force was hard enough that if he hadn’t been holding me so tightly, I swear I would have been flung away.

The creature sucking on my neck was a dragon.

My head swam as the knowledge of what he was and what he was doing to me coalesced and I thought I might black out. He sucked but it wasn’t how I thought it would feel to have my blood drunk. Another pull and I realized that he wasn’t drinking my blood, he was drawing on something else.

The heat inside was being tugged out of me by his mouth. I gagged and tried to push him away but whatever he was doing happened too fast. I couldn’t hold it and as it slipped away so did my strength. I slumped, having nothing to hold myself upright any longer. Three more long draws and my body started to shiver.

My teeth clacked together, and I began to panic. Before it could fully take hold, I had a thought that had warmth coursing over my skin thawing me enough so I could think through the cold. This was my heat, my fire. It didn’t belong to him. It belonged to me and whoever I chose to share it with. He couldn’t take it.

Wrenching myself out of his firm grasp, I raised my hands and pushed his face away from my neck. Blood dripped from his lips and his once attractive eyes were now bright gold and reptilian. Bile rose up and I thought I might throw up all over him. It would serve the asshole right. This sort of act was wrong in all sorts of ways, but the main one that shook me to my core was that I wasn’t in control of myself enough to get away.

He smiled, his teeth stained red and I wretched.

“What are you?” he asked, licking his lips like an evil psychopath.

I clapped a hand on my neck, expecting to feel blood or a wound. All I found was tender skin that didn’t feel anything like I had just had my throat bitten into. Stumbling on my feet, I collapsed to the floor, struggling to scoot my body away from this evil creature. The boss stood and stalked after me. I scurried faster but by his leisurely gait, I knew I wasn’t going nearly as fast as I needed too.

He loomed over me, his hands now tipped with glittery claws. I whimpered because I saw my death in his unnaturally hungry eyes that raged with fire. Whatever he wanted, I had, and he was nearly foaming at the mouth to get at it.

The dark-skinned witch stepped between us blocking the boss's view of me. He spoke but I couldn’t make out a word he said so I took advantage of the distraction. I turned over and crawled to the top of the stairs. The guard was there preventing anyone from going in, not from coming out. I was on the threshold about to cross the invisible line of the soundproof spell when a roar sounded behind me and I nearly wet myself. Footsteps pounded after me so I rolled through the haze, bumped into the guard who stepped to the side letting me roll onto the steps.

Before I made it down three steps, strong arms wrapped around me and I was aware that I was moving very fast but had no idea who held me or where I was being carried to. The thought that it was the dragon boss nearly had me sobbing. My panicked inhale brought with it a scent that I knew. Kreed had me and I had never been so thankful for having that pain in the ass in my life. Except Lyndee, of course.

Kreed opened a door and stepped into somewhere dark and less noisy. I exhaled, thankful that I only had to endure a couple seconds of pounding music and flashing lights.

“Hey, you can’t be back here,” a voice called, then squeaked as Kreed turned to face the person.

“Get Gavin. Now,” he snarled.

Normally I would reprimand him for being rude, but I really didn’t care. I just wanted to take a super, strong sleeping drought and fall asleep in a well-lit room and forget about everything that had occurred to me.

“What happened?” Gavin’s voice asked, a door clicking shut as he entered.

“If she’s hurt in any way, I’ll kill you for endangering her,” Kreed barked, squeezing me closer.

“She’s shivering. Nik, what happened?” Gavin asked.

I coudn’t answer.

“Do you have someplace secure and defendable?” Kreed asked, his voice just slightly below a growl.

“Yes but…”

“Do not speak another word until we are someplace safe. I cannot defend her when she is vulnerable. Now move!”

It was sorta hot how protective he was being. It was on the edge of possessiveness but I wasn’t about to point that out. Besides, it was freaking cold in this joint.

“Blanket,” I mumbled through my chattering teeth. “Hot chocolate.”

“You must be okay if you're making demands,” Gavin remarked as we started moving.

“Suggestions.”

“You will get whatever you need even if I have to procure it all myself,” Kreed whispered, rushing after my ex, his body stiff with tension.

“So,” I stuttered, trying to get my mouth to work without biting my tongue, “if I asked for a pony you’d get me one?”

“If you absolutely needed a pony, I would find you one,” Kreed confirmed kicking something and I hoped he wasn’t imagining kicking the pony I was going to need very soon.

“We’re going to the basement,” Gavin announced, pushing a door open and I suppressed a shutter. Barely.

I hated the basement for obvious reasons, such as it was dark and creepy things like rats and spiders liked the dark.

“Jed, we’re heading to the basement,” Gavin said. It would have been odd but I knew he was talking into his earpiece. “You saw what happened, so I need you to meet us there. Also grab Gwenna, if she hasn’t left already, we may need her.”

“Who’s Gwenna?” I asked, hating the twinge of jealousy and guilt I was feeling.

Gavin and I had parted on good terms, each agreeing this was best for us but it still hurt hearing him ask for another girl. I missed what we used to be, but I knew we would never be that again. It was hard going from deeply in love to barely friends. We had been inseparable at one time, and now we counted down the minutes until we could leave the others company. Why were break ups so weird?

The air became cooler the further down we went, which was only one story, but it felt like fifty. I really didn’t like the basement.

The squeak of a heavy, metal door swinging on its hinges echoed off the red brick walls. Kreed hustled into the room where a small table with two chairs sat, a dusty old couch, and a wall of monitors that were currently blank.

“What is this place?” I asked. Kreed lowered me onto the sofa then spread a blanket over my chilled body. Seeing these two working together was so strange.

“This is basically a panic room,” Gavin said. “We suspected that things would get dicey eventually so we made a secure room that we could hide in if there was ever a raid or if we were under attack. We can monitor from here while we called for backup.”

It was a good idea. Best to be prepared because who knew what could happen in this world of supes, when we were all just trying to survive.

While Gavin talked, Kreed grabbed a chair from the table and drug it over to the couch. He positioned it so he could view the whole room including the monitors. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that he had done this before.

“What happened in there, Nik?” Kreed spoke softly like he was trying to calm a frightened animal.

My thoughts turned to what I had just experienced and then I felt like a terrified animal. The image of my blood dripping from his lips and how he had taken a portion of my inner heat. I felt empty without that familiar burn and that shook me more than anything I had seen or heard. My radar ability had never been wrong, and I knew it was right in this. The new boss of the Unseen was a dragon. He had seemed to be more vampiric, though.

“That was the strangest room of supes I have ever encountered.” Which was saying something. My whole life I had always had this ability to know exactly what a person was. It had never failed me. I had even encountered a Pure human from afar and I knew in my gut that she had been completely human, not a drop of any of the races in her genes. It was different reading her. She had been a unicorn in a world that had become nearly unrecognizable.

“Start from the beginning,” Gavin suggested, pulling the other chair over and sitting down. He looked uncomfortable and concerned at the same time.

“I walked into the room and it felt like every other time. I studied the room’s layout, then began handing out drinks and… reading each of them.” Why did it sound so weird to say that?

“What do you mean read them?” Kreed asked, throwing his hood down off of his head. It took me a second to process his question.

“Right, you don’t know,” I sighed, because explaining this ability was hard and always ended with skepticism. “So, I have this ability that I know exactly what a supe is.”

“What do you mean ‘what they are’?” Kreed asked, his brow furrowed. I waited for the heat inside me to rise, but all I got was a slow warm trickle. Nothing like the fire I had felt in that other room when we were alone.

“She means that she reads everyone, Mutts and full race, and knows which they are. She can even widdle it down to percentages, if she has enough time.”

“Well that's… different,” Kreed murmured. It was probably the nicest reaction I had ever received. “How does it work?”

“I come into contact with a person and I just know,” I shrugged because it really was that simple.

“So, you knew what I was.”

“As soon as you walked in. Sorta.” I nodded. “I had never encountered one of you before your father, so it was more like a ping in my head like ‘hey, this guy is just like the other guy’. I didn’t have a name for your species until I spoke to Ruvaen.”

“Who’s Ruvaen?” Gavin asked. “And what exactly are they?” He flicked his head toward Kreed. It wasn’t every day that you discovered that there was another supernatural species that came to earth with the dragons.

“We are called Zavarian. The closest your human history has of us are called elves,” Kreed explained.

“You mean there were others that came through during the surge?”

Kreed nodded. “Our numbers are small enough that you would call us endangered. Few came through and even fewer have survived life here.”

“Whoa.” Gavin’s eyes widened.

Before anything more could be said a series of knocks sounded on the metal door. It sounded like a pattern, but I had no idea if it was the right one. Sudden fear gripped me as my mind told me that it was the boss, and he was here to finish sucking the heat right out of me.

As if sensing my fear, Kreed was suddenly on his feet. A long katana was in his right hand and a shorter one gripped in the other. He went from concerned to killer in a split second. If I was being honest with myself, which I hardly ever was, it was totally hot.

Gavin rushed to the wall of monitors and after pressing a few random buttons, a screen lit up and showed the basement on the other side of the door. The hallway was empty, except for Jed, his head turned toward the camera so we could see his face.

The tension of my fear dissipated and I relaxed. Kreed did the same as if he took cues from me. He was way more than I thought he was. I wanted to know what made him tick but I knew that once I did there would be no going back. Plus, he had been an ass thus far and hadn’t proved that he had my well-being as a priority.

Gavin opened the door after disengaging a lock that made some very scary sounds like metal bars being pulled through more metal. It was like a giant safe.

I snorted on a laugh as Jed walked through the door, an eyebrow raised at me in question.

“The door sounded like a safe opening,” I said giggling.

“I don’t understand what’s so funny,” Kreed said, his serious face back on as he glanced down at me.

“We’re in a safe to keep safe I’m assuming,” Gavin said with a small smile spreading on his lips.

“It’s a play on words and it’s hilarious.” I looked from Kreed’s face to Jed’s face but no one appreciated my humor. Tough crowd.

Another knock came from the door and we all turned toward the monitors. A tall, willowy woman with long hair stood looking at the door like she could make it open with just her stare.

Gavin went back to the door and began the process of opening the safe door again. I snickered but was able to restrain my laughter this time.

The vault opened and Gavin gestured for the woman to come in. She was younger than I expected but with supes it was really hard to tell their true age. Her silvery hair hung about her shoulders and I noticed that it had a very light hue of purple. Her skin was alabaster, as most witches were with milky light purple-silver eyes. She was gorgeous and I wanted to look just like her when I got old.

She nodded at Gavin then turned her eyes toward me. I gulped as my ability told me that she was equal parts Fae and Witch, just like the dark-skinned man with the dragon. She was an anomaly just like that man was and I should count myself lucky to have met two of them in one night, or rather, unfortunate.

“Nik, my name is Gwenna and I’ve been anxious to meet you.” She smiled and made her way to the couch.

I watched her warily, I didn’t know jack about her. She seemed to know me, though, and that was a problem. Me and my abilities were supposed to be top secret, especially my role with the Faceless.

“Um, I wish I could say the same.” I flinched, realizing how rude that sounded.

She smiled wider as she grabbed Kreed’s vacated chair and scooted it around so she was facing me.

“No need to watch your words around me. Nothing you could say would surprise me.” She winked, letting me know that she could see the future. “I’ve heard rumors of your power, but you have exceeded my expectations, which is pretty difficult to do.” She tapped her head. “On a normal occasion, I would test your range, but we aren’t here for that so let’s get on with it. What happened in the VIP room?”

“You’ve heard rumors about me?” My eyes were wide as I turned them to Gavin. He knew how important it was to keep my ability secret.

“I didn’t tell,” he said, raising his hands in innocence.

“There are those who watch this club,” Gwenna said. “Watch what is important to its members and most importantly it’s leaders. You are well protected and rarely seen. No one knows your abilities. There is speculation surrounding you and this… organization.”

“God, you make it sound like we’re doing something illegal, but we’re not. We run in the same crowd as the big boys but that’s because we can back up our good-doing with loyalty and no one wants to mess with that,” I crossed my arms feeling defensive.

“Loyalty starts from the top and works its way down. You are being watched and seen. It’s not a bad thing.”

“Stalking is a bad thing. Something I’ve made a part of my normal life lately,” I muttered the last part thinking of Brutus and now Kreed. Total stalkers.

“I still don’t understand how your ability works,” Kreed stated, looking from me to Gwenna and back again.

“Even I don’t know that. I just know.” I shrugged a simple yet confusing answer.

“What is she?” Kreed asked, pointing at Gwenna.

“She is equal parts Fae and witch,” I answered immediately. “It’s not unheard of but Hybrids aren’t the norm. I would consider myself lucky to have met two of you in the same night.”

Gwenna’s eyes widened and her mouth opened in surprise. I grinned at her surprise then it fell from my face just as fast as I remembered everything else. My face drained of color and I felt light-headed.

“Hey, now, whoa,” Gwenna said, crouching in front of me, her hand on my shoulder.

“There were so many in there,” I gasped, the shock at what had happened catching up to me. “Every single one was a Hybrid, equal parts just like you, but the boss was… different.”

“Different how?” Kreed, Jed, and Gavin said at the same time. Gwenna just sat looking at me stunned.

“I’ve never met one before. It took my radar longer to figure it out. As I stalled trying to get a definitive read on them, I was…” I mean how do you describe what happened. While stalling I caught a whiff of a guy then entertained sexy thoughts, proceeded to act them out, and then I let him bite me and drink my blood.

“It was like you were entranced like the dance a snake does before it strikes,” Jed said. I had forgotten that he was upstairs behind the two-way glass keeping an eye on me.

My cheeks heated as embarrassment set in. What had I been thinking? I wasn’t and I still felt that it was my fault. I must have given off some sort of vibe. I mean, more than I normally would. Flirting was normal as a waitress. You had to so you could get the best tips.

Jed’s massive feet pounded on the floor. He stopped in front of me and I felt his hand grip my shoulders. Gently, he lifted me from the couch so I was more on a level with him.

“This is not your fault, Nik. Do you understand me? He took advantage of you while you were in a compromised state. A lowly coward like that does not deserve your fear or your guilt.”

I gulped not from fear but from surprise maybe. My emotions were all over the place. I felt exposed and I hated it.

A crash sounded from behind Jed and we all turned startled. Kreed had thrown the table against the wall with such force that the whole piece of furniture had shattered and now lay in a pile of rubble on the floor.

“Something to add?” I wasn’t sure where that had come from.

“I heard you,” Kreed growled, his shoulders hunched as he faced the wall, fists clenched, probably wishing for another table. “I can hear through soundproof walls and spells. I heard you loud and clear, but then it went silent and I didn’t know if I should wait or go in.” He paused, then the next second, he had Gavin by the shirt and pushed up against the wall. “You said this was routine. Normal. Nothing would harm her. It was safe, you even humored me so that I could be nearby and listening in.”

“Kreed, stop. There’s no way you or he could have known there was a dragon,” I blurted then slapped my hand over my mouth as everyone turned to me.

“A dragon? Nik are you sure?” Gwenna grabbed me next and I was starting to hate being man handled all the time.

“Nope, because this ability of mine is wrong like all the time,” I said, sarcastically.

“Sorry, it was reflex.” She released me and I was grateful for it.

Until Jed swept me up into a hug that would make a bear jealous if they weren’t extinct. Kreed made a noise of protest but I ignored it. “If I’d known I would have gotten you out of there no matter the cost,” he whispered, which had tears gathering in my eyes. Damnit.

He released me and I sat down on the couch a bit shaky. Kreed had put Gavin down and they had come closer. I put my head in my hands hating how weak I looked and felt. Plus, I hated that everyone stared at me with sadness and pity.

“Give her space guys,” Gwenna said.

Footsteps grew fainter as people moved away but one presence remained. Kreed. He crouched down in front of me. I knew this because I was always a cheater at heads-up-seven-up or the best player ever depending on how you looked at it. Just catch a glimpse of the shoes and you guess right, every time.

“Nik, I know you haven’t had time to process what you just experienced,” Kreed said. “I will give you all the time and make sure you get it, but first I need you to tell me everything. The first few hours are critical for memory recall.” He placed a firm hand on my shoulder going for reassurance, but it just made my skin crawl. The cool temperature of his skin reminded me of… him.

“I promise I’ll tell you everything I can remember but you have to do something for me first,” I whispered knowing his super-duper-sorta-vampire hearing would pick up my words. He squeezed my shoulder slightly in agreement to my request. “Please don’t touch me. Your cool touch reminds me of…” I trailed off hating the weakness I was showing.

Earlier tonight I had found his cool touch invigorating. I wanted to wrap it around me and attempt to warm him up but now it was repulsive.

Kreed’s hand remained where it was and I felt my anger rise because he was again denying me what I needed.

“Look at me, Nik,” he said. I thought about denying him out of spite but there was strength in his voice that I needed. God, I had issues. “I am not him. You need to know, see, and feel that it’s me. I’m here to protect you and would never hurt you.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. His argument made sense. I was tough. I could handle a cool touch even if it reminded me of someone else who scared me more than my illness ever did.

“I walked into the VIP area and approached the couches where they were.” My voice barely recognizable even to me. “I handed out drinks, reading each of them as I went. They were all hybrids like Gwenna, but some were even rarer than her. The Witch-Fae one was scary. His eyes were milky white and his skin dark, a contrast that would ordinarily be beautiful but the look in his eyes was menacing like he was killing me in his head.” I shuddered at the memory. Besides his boss, he was the most dangerous being in that room.

The others had gathered behind Kreed as I started speaking. I walked them through the series of events doing my best to recall everything I could from sounds to smells. Any piece of information no matter how minute could be valuable.

My face grew hot when I reached the part where I had straddled the dragon’s lap and basically submitted to a predator. Kreed’s eyes blazed as I told them about the boss biting me and then how he drank. How it had felt, like he was sucking all the warmth from my body from my very soul.

“How did you get away?” Gwenna asked quietly from beside me, having sat down sometime during my monologue.

“I’m not sure, exactly. I was panicking inside but my body wouldn’t react except to stay still. Something happened. Heat from very deep inside gave me warmth and strength to pull back and push his face away. I think I stumbled after that. I was on the floor scrambling toward the stairs when he came after me. He still had blood dripping from his lips. My blood. He looked nearly feral, eyes on fire, claws tipped his fingers, scales scattered on his forearms. Before he could get me, the witch-Fae stepped between us. He wasn’t protecting me but more like stopping the boss man from whatever he was planning. I took the chance and rolled toward the stairs. Then Kreed grabbed me and the rest you know.”

Everyone was silent for a few moments then Gavin asked a question that I was dreading. “You let him bite you?” He sounded revolted. Disgusted even.

“I didn’t let him do shit,” I said, my words lacked the normal heat behind them but I was still mad. “Weren’t you listening? I couldn’t do anything. It was like I was trapped in my own body.”

“That must have been terrifying,” Gwenna whispered, putting her arm around my shoulders. “What does it mean that he took your blood?”

“Nothing good,” Kreed said, speaking for the first time. His hand had moved from my shoulder to my knee. His muscles tensed and his eyes were a bit wild looking.

“Who can we ask?” Gwenna asked, turning to Gavin.

He took a deep breath then blew it out slowly. He did that when he was thinking or trying to figure out a problem with no clear solution. “We know literally nothing about the dragon race. Only what they tell us, which could be complete bullshit. And who would call them on it?” He waved his hand like he was wiping away what he had just said. “For the first time, I have no idea.”

“I know someone,” Kreed said, rising to his feet and beginning to pace. “But who knows when he will be up for visitors.”

“Who?” Gwenna asked, worriedly.

I had a suspicion on who Kreed was referring to and his next words confirmed it.

“My father.”

“I know what you are thinking but he is in no condition to meet with us,” Kreed added hastily.

“Why not?” Gwenna asked.

I didn’t even know how they healed people but if Kreed said he wasn’t up for visitors then he wasn’t. Kreed knew more about this than anyone else in this room and no one was going to trust an outsider regardless of what they are. I would have to make the first move.

“You’re right. Your father isn’t an option right now. So what’s out next step?”

“Getting you back to the penthouse,” Jed, Gwenna, and Gavin all said.

“Well that was unanimous and not suspicious in any way.” I glared at them all.

I mean, yes, I wanted to go home but to all agree like that hurt a little. It felt good to feel wanted, if even for a night. It was weird times like these when I really missed Syd and Lyndee.

“I don’t think that the penthouse is the safest option. That’s the first place they’ll look,” Kreed argued, squaring up to everyone else in the room. My heart fluttered at the possibility that he did care, even a little, regardless of the healing bond.

“It’s the safest place for her. Hell, it’s probably the safest place in the city,” Gavin said as he ran a hand through his hair.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kreed asked, continuing to pace.

The penthouse was way too much for someone like me but I helped out where I could and Syd gave Lyndee and I a place to live. We were way better off than the majority of Mutts in the city, possibly the world. I knew there were things that happened behind the scenes. I wasn’t stupid, but ignorance was bliss and after my resent battle I hadn’t delved to deeply into my employer. Syd was my best friend whom I trusted with my life. If there was something that I needed to know, I would have been told. It all came down to trust. Yes, I’m aware of the irony.

“She can’t go back there tonight. It’s too dangerous. We have no idea what we are dealing with here. Add in the fact that Nik could literally out this dragon boss to the Pendragon? That boss may not know about her abilities, but he must suspect something is different about her which puts her in danger. If rumors about The Faceless having an ace wasn’t enough tonight makes that even more likely.”

“That’s it. I’m calling Syd. This is way over my head. He’ll want to deal with this personally.”

I had never seen Gavin act so spineless. He wasn’t dominant but he knew how to deal and would never admit defeat so quickly and hand the matter off to someone else. This was big.

“Kreed,” I said, The others gathered around the monitors while Gavin was in a corner speaking into something. Kreed angled his body toward me but not far enough that he couldn’t see everyone else in the room. “Do you really think this is serious?”

“It isn’t hard to connect the dots. I came in here completely blind. I could figure out that this radar of yours is dangerous.”

“How?” I was so confused. How could knowing what a person was gene wise be dangerous? Honestly, I thought my power was a bit useless.

“Nik,” Kreed sighed, looking down at me, his eyes filled with worry. “Dragons are not allowed within the territories, except for the Pendragon who owns it. If Briggs knew that there was a dragon in his city pretending to be a mob boss, there would be a dominance fight and many innocent people would be killed. You have that knowledge which puts a target on your back.”

“But no one knows of my ability. Only the people in this room, Syd, Lyndee, Brutus, and your father knows what I can do. Sure, there is rumor and suspicion but no solid proof.”

“Which is the only thing keeping you alive. The dragon won’t act until he knows for sure and if I were him, I’d have you tailed to learn as much as I could. You are a liability that he cannot afford. Or you could be useful.”

“Do you think he’d kidnap me to find out the truth?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past a dragon. They are ruthless, uncaring, and have a god complex.”

That made sense because for a second the dragon man had seemed a bit intrigued by me. I thought it was attraction but maybe it was something more. He had come here for a reason, could that reason be me? And let's not forget that he asked what I was after he drank from me.

I gasped as that little nugget of information registered. He might not have undeniable proof but whatever he tasted in my blood, but it certainly flipped his monster switch. What are you? He’d growled possessively. Whatever I truly was had gotten his attention and the last thing I needed was to have a wild dragon’s attention. Kreed was right, this was bad.

“What is it?” Kreed asked.

His solid presence made me want to lean on him desperately. Maybe I could… for just a moment. No one can be strong all the time. “After he drank my blood, he asked me what I was,” I whispered, not wanting the others to hear that part of the story.

Kreed’s jaw clenched as he went stone still. I could feel the cold wafting from his skin, and I felt that need again to banish the cold with my heat. A spark lit deep inside at the thought. That dragon had taken nearly all my heat but the iciness of the man who stood beside me sparked a different kind of fire within me that I was quickly becoming addicted to. It had to be the bond. There was no other explanation. I would cling to that for as long as I could. My heat might banish Kreed’s cold but he could do that to me too, and I’d be damned if I let anyone steal my heat again.

* * *

“Brutus is your plan?” I asked, as Kreed and I walked away from the club. “What about my car?” The sky lightened to make way for the morning hours.

“Someone will deliver it to the penthouse. Don’t worry about it.”

Oh, I was worried about it. The car belonged to me and my best friend. It was like a relationship fern but without the growing and watering. We took care of it because it meant so much to us.

“If something happens to Kurby, I’ll track them down and hurt them very bad, then Lyndee will kill them.” I let my threat hang in the air as we walked down an alley.

Kreed chuckled from beside me and I frantically searched the skies because there had to be little pigs with wings flying all over the place.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“Of all the names in the world it would be you to name a vehicle something so demasculating.”

“How do you know that Kurby is male? A female can be named Kurby.”

“I thought all cars were male.”

What rock had he been living under. “I’ll have you know that a vehicle can be whatever they want to be.”

“You make it sound like they are living creatures with feelings.”

“Well, you’ve never been in a traffic jam when it is freezing then hit the dashboard in frustration and have the car's heat turn off. Cars have feelings.” If anyone was following or listening in to what we were talking about, I’m pretty sure they’d think we were on drugs. “Where is Brutus meeting us?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Few blocks from here.”

“Why couldn’t he just pick us up at the club?” My feet were killing me. I had half a mind to grab the little flats from my bag, but I had left it at the club not wanting to go searching for it.

“This way, I’ll be able to tell if anyone is following us,” Kreed replied, his eyes searching, penetrating the shadows. He was a predator in the night scaring tiny kittens.

“And what if someone is following us?” I asked, stepping closer to him.

“Try to figure out who the person works for.” He looked up and down the street as a streetlight two blocks away flickered, then went out.

“That doesn’t mean anything.” My voice shook as all the creatures who went bump in the night ran through my head.

We waited a couple moments before Kreed stepped into the street, senses on high alert. “It was the bulb.”

We weren’t in the greatest part of town. It was old and the modern technology advances hadn’t reached these grizzly streets yet or ever would. Electricity still powered this part of the city, whereas the newer side ran on other economical means. I’d overheard Syd fuming about the over-the-top electric bill. Funny how the older things got the more money it cost to keep it running. Stupid really.

We made it to the other side of the street as another streetlight flickered, this one closer to us. I jumped bumping into Kreed. His strong arm looped around my waist, anchoring me to his side. I shivered. He was still extremely frigid which I took to mean he was in the zone.

“We need to keep moving,” he whispered into my hair.

“Are we being followed?” I whispered, my body near the point of panic.

“I’m not sure?”

I could hear the frown in his voice, and it made me even more uneasy. I grabbed his hand when he released my waist telling myself it was so I wouldn't lose him in the dark, but the real reason was I was terrified. I was still processing the fact that that mob boss had been a dragon and he had guessed there was something different about me. Kreed was right, it wouldn’t take him long to connect the dots. I felt like there were neon arrows pointing at me from every direction announcing my differences.

Kreed’s fingers slipped between mine and some inner tension I had been fighting eased. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I was lucky that I’d landed him as a protector, but I was really glad he was here.

We walked through another alley, taking it slow since I was walking on stilts. After this I was done with heels.

We crossed another street and we’re just stepping out onto another one when we saw a person. A tall man leaned against the door of a closed pawn shop. A spark in the shadows told me he was smoking. Maybe it was a late-night employee taking a smoke break. As we crossed the street, I could feel Kreed’s tension, but his outward appearance said he wasn’t bothered.

The next lane smelled of rotten garbage mixed with sulfur. I fought the urge to gag. There must be a witch who lived nearby who used sulfur in their spells. When we were almost out of the alleyway, I chanced a glance over my shoulder and saw that the man had entered behind us. I squeezed Kreed’s hand in warning and he squeezed back his acknowledgement. We hadn’t known each other for longer than a day but already we could read each other. Must be the bond.

We sped up crossing the street, at a jog which was hard with heels on, but I managed. When we hit the sidewalk, Kreed turned to the right sharply and led me onto a smaller road that ran between two buildings. It wasn’t even large enough for dumpsters. The smell of body odor was strong to my nose. I suspected this was a sheltered area perfect for those who were homeless. The further we went into the backstreet the more evidence of shelters and communal areas. I made a mental note of this place's location so I could come back with clothes and food. Most homeless people were Mutts who had nowhere else to go. I needed to help my fellow race.

The alley curved to the right, hanging blankets acting as partitions. My eyes were crap in the dark so I couldn’t make out if there were any residences around. The place looked deserted. I hoped there hadn’t been a raid and if there had been, I hoped they all made it out in time.

Kreed pushed back a blanket hanging right in our path to reveal a brick wall. It was a dead end. Shit.

“What do we do now?” I whispered frantically.

“We can’t go back. Our change of direction would have been noticed. There's probably more guys circling.”

I looked around hoping for a convenient fire escape ladder, that the heroes just suddenly found in the movies, but there wasn’t any. There weren't any doors either.

A scuffing shoe echoed down the sidewalk through the brick cavern. Kreed pulled me closer, his chest rising and falling while his eyes kept searching around us.

“I have an idea,” he breathed next to my ear.

He pulled away, motioning for me to do the same. He studied the wall scrutinizing its surface for what, I had no idea. Then, small blades appeared in his hands. Faster than I could follow, they flicked rapidly each blade sinking hilt deep into the mortar between the bricks.

“ Climb,” Kreed said, testing the hilts of the blades with his hands. “They’ll hold.”

I looked down at shoes and short dress. Next time I was wearing pants. I kicked the heels off cringing as the cool concrete met my skin then again as something squished between my toes. Never again.

“I’ll boost you,” Kreed said, holding out a hand to me.

The strong independent woman in me didn’t want his help. The other part didn’t want him climbing under me when I was wearing a dress. Neither option was ideal, but I was tired, weak, and very close to panicking.

I placed my hand in his letting him pull me into position. The first blade hilt was above my head. If I jumped I could probably grab it with my hands but it wasn’t long enough for two and I didn’t have the upper body strength to pull myself up with one arm.

Preparing to jump, I squeaked as Kreed’s cold hands grabbed my waist. He hoisted me up high enough so I could put my foot on to the first hilt. I grabbed the next one and pulled myself up. Kreed’s hand was on my butt steadying me as I got my bearings and stayed there a bit longer than was necessary, but I was telling myself it was necessary.

I began to climb trying to hurry. It was hard scaling a wall, in the dark, with a night-seer, probably looking up my dress. Good thing I traded the G-string for regular underwear. I could not do this with floss between the cheeks. Talk about a permanent wedgie.

In no time, I was at the top pulling myself up on the small ledge that the wall provided. Whomever put a random wall in the middle of an alley was and idiot. I moved over so Kreed could climb up beside me while I tried to catch my breath. He didn’t even look like he exerted himself at all. I was so out of shape. Cancer did that to you.

“How do we get down?” I whispered quietly. I knew that Kreed’s super-duper hearing would pick it up.

“I’ll jump down first, then I’ll catch you.”

Excuse me, crazy dude. Say what? “Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack,” he replied.

Did he… just make a joke. What a time to find out that the stoic asshole had a sense of humor. A terrible one but you had to start somewhere, right.

Before I could protest any further, he swung his legs, crooked his lips at me, then dropped. My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure if it was from his devilish lips or the dramatic fall. Maybe both.

I gave myself a quick pep talk because I did not want to be that girl who made such a fuss that the bad guys catch up and you know, murder them. Wait. Were these guys actually trying to kill me or just capture or maybe study me? None of those options sounded good so I scooted my butt to the edge of the wall and prepared to jump.

A shout rang from behind me, followed by a soft thunk in the wall below me. I looked and there stuck into the mortar was a round throwing star. These guys were here to maim or kill me and they weren’t your average thugs, these were ninjas. At least the boss had to deploy his best which made me feel super extra special.

“Jump, Nik,” Kreed called.

Trusting the untrustable, I scooted to the edge, slid off, and dropped. I closed my eyes which was stupid since I couldn’t see anything anyway.

My body collided into Kreed’s arms. He rocked back with the force but didn’t fall. The crash had knocked the wind out of me. It took me several seconds to catch my breath and think of all the bruises I’d have tomorrow.

Kreed swung my legs down and steadied me on my feet before grabbing my hand and pulling me forward.

We took exactly three steps then a concussive blast rocked the world. The ground beneath my feet heaved, wrenching Kreed’s hand away, I flew through the air then skidded to a stop. Dizzy, I put my hands on the ground and tried to push myself up but everything spun.

Callused hands grabbed my arms and pulled me roughly to my feet. It was so dark I couldn’t see who was holding me. I knew it wasn’t Kreed. My head spun and I was scared I’d throw up on the first ninja I’ve ever met. Too bad he’d be the last one.

Grimy hands wrapped around my neck, cutting off my airway, as my back was pressed to a hard surface. I clawed at the fingers, wishing I had my heat so I could burn whoever had me but I didn’t have enough.

Stars danced in my vision but before darkness overtook me the hands were ripped away. I slid down the wall gasping barely registering the sounds of fighting and grunts around me.

I shook my head trying to clear it, but it only made it worse. Finally, I was able to raise my head without feeling like I was going to vomit or pass out. A streetlight flickered at the end of the alley.

I glanced around looking for Kreed who had to be hurt. Instead, what I saw was a sight that would haunt my dreams. Kreed was crouched, his arms wrapped around a body whose neck was twisted unnaturally so, holding it while he drank from its neck. Blue eyes streaked with copper and gold blazed as he swallowed mouthfuls. Other bodies lay around him unmoving with suspicious bites on their necks.

I gasped and Kreed’s eyes found mine in the gloom. He looked crazed and I finally understood what it meant when the books I read tried to describe blood lust. That was something dangerous and taboo which was totally appealing to the female population, but this was something else. It was primal instinct, mixed with desperation. The pain and craziness in his eyes was clearing. A hint of danger like I had just witnessed something that I shouldn’t have was still there and it sent chills down my spine.

“Kreed?” I asked tentatively. Trying my best not to sound threatening so I wouldn’t spook him.

He took one last draw from the dead guy before he let the body fall. It slumped to the ground with a disgusting sound that I never wanted to hear again. Kreed stood and turned, grabbed the hilt of one of his katanas and pulled it from a body. He wiped it clean, returned it to its sheath, then approached me with eyes locked on mine.

I watched him stroll closer then crouch in front of me. I felt conflicting emotions that were hard to make sense of. I was grateful to him for saving my life, I was curious about what had just happened and a bit disgusted, not gonna lie, and I seriously wanted to touch him.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice very calm. He was acting like I was the scared animal.

Maybe I was. That was seriously messed up. It felt wrong in all sorts of ways. The main thing I wanted to know: why.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice hoarse and my throat sore.

“We need to move,” he said in that same emotionless tone.

I nodded and I grasped his hand when he offered it, hesitating for only a second. I told myself it was because his hand was covered in blood, but it was the absolute murdery vibe he was giving off. Seriously, who the eff was this guy.

I lifted my hand and placed it in his and he grasped it, intertwining our fingers like this touch was a lifeline and he was drowning. We rose together, our faces so close I could feel his breath on my cheek. He smelled different, still delicious, but there was a spice to it now that could only be from all the blood he just drank. It was intoxicating and I found myself breathing it in and liking it.

I opened my mouth ready to say something, but the words died on my tongue as his eyes zeroed in on my lips. He had just had his mouth on other dudes’ necks, drinking from them and he was looking at my lips like he wanted to taste them. And I like it. A lot. Which disgusted me and aroused me all at the same time. You’re one messed up Mutt, Nik.

Voices echoed from the way we’d just come followed, by running footsteps. Those thug-ninjas who Kreed suspected had been circling were closing in on us. We needed to get out of here, fast.

Kreed pulled me in the opposite direction from the voices. He was gentle but I could feel the unnatural strength he now had. Drinking that much blood must have given him a boost of some sort. It was gross and I couldn’t think about it without feeling sick so I pushed it from my mind, needing to concentrate on the here and now because this pile of Chia poop we were in stank with no end in sight.

The street beyond the alley was lit softly and completely deserted. We ran across not pausing for anything. I thought it was strange that there were only people behind us, wouldn’t they have people all over?

We entered the other street and my bare feet splashed into something liquid that had me cringing but there was nothing I could do. The passage was empty as was the street and alley after that. I was flat out running and Kreed looked like he was on a leisurely jog. I had a stitch in my side and breathing was painful. I was very nearly about to swallow my pride and ask for a lift when Kreed stopped and pushed me against the wall at the mouth of another alley.

He pressed in close, his body barely touching mine. It made my stomach flip nonetheless. I wanted to ask him what was wrong but knew better. This was a classic move and if the chick would just stay silent, they might get passed by unnoticed. So, instead of asking questions, I tried to catch my breath.

Looking up I saw that Kreed had his head turned and he was holding his breath like he was listening to something. I remained still and quiet and continued to study him. After a couple minutes, he looked down at my face and his brow wrinkled slightly. Before I could question him with my eyebrows he ducked his head bringing his cheek down to press again mine. What the what?

His hands rested on my waist then slid down my sides passing my hips and finally stopping at my thighs. This had taken a turn. I was all for being felt up or down by him again, but the timing just didn’t feel right. We were in a gross alleyway with ninja-thugs following us. I was barefoot and probably smelled bad from all the grossness I’d been near or stepped in.

I was jarred back to awareness when Kreed suddenly lifted me up by my thighs then pressed his body closer holding me there against a building wall. A bright spark lit in my lower stomach and it nearly made me cry. My heat was coming back. I hadn’t expected it to come back when I was in this specific position, and with this person, but it was there and it made me so happy. I was feeling more and more like me and I wanted to equal parts jump for joy and to kiss Kreed. The second option felt like it would work best in this situation.

“Moan,” Kreed breathed, his lips fluttering against my throat.

“What?” I was not at all surprised that my voice had gone husky.

What a shitty time to be turned on.

He shifted against me, his hardness giving away how affected he was by this. His mouth pressed against my neck where the dragon had bitten me then traveled up to my ear. If I didn’t know better I’d think he was doing this as a bit of four-play, but knowing supes and their ways, I knew he was trying to erase whatever scent lingered from the dragon with his own. It was intimate and possessive and not something supes did whenever they felt like it.

“I said, moan,” Kreed ordered, his teeth scraping against the tender flesh of my ear which made me do as he asked.

The sound was pulled from me and my back arched wanting to get closer. I was two seconds from throwing caution to the wind and exploring what he would let me do when drunken laughter filled the night echoing off the walls of the alleyway.

“Hey, someone’s getting something tonight,” a drunk voice slurred.

“He’s got better than you do,” a second voice snorted.

“Struck out like a chumb,” a third laughed.

“Goo’ luck, friend,” the first voice snickered before all three stumbled off into the night.

When their voices became faint Kreed loosened his grip on my thighs and let me slide down the wall until my feet touched the concrete. My cheeks were blazing and I was thankful for the first time that it was still relatively dark out. Kreed stepped to the corner and peeked around it probably making sure that they had moved on far enough.

“I think we’re good,” he said turning back to me with his hand outstretched.

I looked at it then back to his face. I was considering smacking him across the face again. I’d never met a guy who deserved slaps more than this guy. By the look on his face I knew he could tell that I wasn’t happy but by the grace of whatever deity was out there laughing at our meager existence, he remained quiet.

“That was… embarrassing. Don’t you ever put me in a position like that again or so help me I’ll hit you again,” I hissed placing my hands onto his chest.

He grasped my wrists, then without warning jerked me closer. I slammed into his chest, the hand he held twisted behind my back. Leaning over me, his eyes flashed, making my breath catch. He leaned closer until our noses were centimeters away from touching.

“Trust me when I say that when I have you it won’t be in a dirty alleyway against a brick wall. There will be no embarrassment between us,” he nearly growled and it was so damn hot I thought my panties would ignite.

“You seem awfully confident in yourself,” I retorted.

“Just so you know,” he whispered, his lips barely brushing mine. “I can smell as good as I can see and hear. I know exactly how confident I should be.”

Holy mother-of-furry-shifters.

“That’s not pervy at all.” Why couldn’t I talk normally? I sounded breathy and I was desperately trying not to imagine what it would be like to be with him like that.

I wasn’t inexperienced when it came to sexy time, I’d been with guys like him. However, I knew very little about him. He struck me as the type who was very attentive and dare I say it, rough.

“We should get going. Brutus will be worried,” he said, then took a step back slowly like he was reluctant to be too far away from me.

He might not like putting distance between us, but I did. My skin felt tight, the heat inside was rising to a smolder. I had to grit my teeth and refrain from pulling him back and seeing if he could get the heat inside up to a blaze so I could lose myself in it. Now wasn’t the time.

The street was deserted as Kreed led me across ducking into another alley within seconds. I listened to sounds around me, but my dull ears would never be able to pick up the sound of ninjas. So instead my thoughts turned to what I had witnessed Kreed doing and what it could mean. I knew his father was a Vartian, which would make him one too, except for the whole drinking from dead people thing. What did it mean? Was he a type of zombie who drank dead people's blood instead of brains? Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if that was the case. I mean, look at the world we lived in.

I was so distracted by my thoughts that I ran right into Kreed’s back when he stopped. I rubbed my nose, then glanced around to figure out why we had stopped so suddenly. Dark shadowy figures surrounded us, weapons drawn and ready. Well, this was it. Death had finally come for me and right when I’d thought I had escaped it for good.

“Step aside,” Kreed commanded.

No one moved.

Surprise, surprise.

* * *

Kreed

My hand twitched at my side, the palm itching to draw a weapon, my instincts screaming at me to protect Nik at all costs. We were surrounded but I knew with my speed and strength I could draw before they even blinked. Nik pressed against my back maintaining contact, which I was thankful for. Her light touch calmed the pounding of my nature and made it easier to reign in the violence. To protect her, I’d do what I had to, even fight against myself.

“Stop,” a husky voice called.

My blazing eyes zeroed on where the voice had come from. The shadows were thick, but they parted for me revealing a man shrouded in darkness, which suggested that he had a spell of some sort. The wind shifted and I caught a whiff of the air. The man in the shadows smelled human, but then, most Mutts did, too.

I concentrated on my hearing, focusing their unnatural potency to the surrounding area. Soft footsteps imperceptible to even a full-blooded sup like me. This group was working with strong magic. I could barely smell it. Whomever the magic user was they were incredibly powerful.

“Don’t draw your weapon,” the voice commanded like he could read my mind.

I clenched my fist knowing that I could deal death and violence with only my hands. Blades made for a clean and quick kill. With as fast as I was, I could take out this whole group and paint the brick walls red with their blood. The thought had my mouth watering just thinking about the potential blood at my fingertips.

“Do you promise not to hurt this man?” Nik whispered too quietly for the others to hear.

“What was that?” I asked exasperated at her stupid sense of humor that I didn’t understand.

I could feel her contained laughter at my back and it surprised me that she could find a joke in such a dark situation.

Another stranger stepped from the shadows, not at all dressed for what this was. He wore a three-piece suit with a zippered hoodie pulled over the black blazer, the hood pulled up hiding his face. Nik sucked in a breath when he appeared, and I was unsure if it was from surprise or something else.

“Who are you?” she asked from behind me, her voice firm, earlier humor forgotten.

I didn’t know how but she kept surprising me. From her reaction to being bit by a fucking dragon to then finding a safe door funny. I couldn’t figure her out and I found myself looking forward to the challenge.

“Those who were following you have been dispatched. Your driver is parked on the street beyond. My men will follow you to ensure that you are not followed, if we somehow missed someone, which I doubt.”

My mind was firing with warning alarms. I could hear distant fighting, which backed up what he said. But how did he know who Brutus was to me?

“How do you know all this?” I demanded, my fight brain ready to take over as protectiveness leaked into my thoughts for my charge and friend.

I tried to shake the feeling, to push it aside but something about this Mutt girl who was refreshingly naive, had me pausing and second guessing my actions. To be the assassin to a Pendragon you needed to be ruthless, to act without thought, and deal out violence in a moment’s notice.

My thoughts drifted to the fierceness I had wrought when the wall had exploded. Nik was blown away from me and smelling her blood in the air snapped something inside. A sword appeared in my hands and red clouded my vision. I heard Nik’s breaths stop, heard her heart stutter in her chest, and I became the monster my people feared the most.

When I came back to myself, I was sucking from the neck of a hybrid-supe I had just killed. Before my fight brain could recede, I realized what I had first thought were Mutts were actually Hybrids. I could taste the absence of humanity in their blood and it concerned me. Nik said Hybrids were with the dragon which was concerning but this group who had followed and attacked us were all Hybrids. They were so rare that they were easily overlooked and with these numbers… somehow someone had created an army of them.

Depending on what the Hybrid’s genetics were, they could be formidable. Shifters were dangerous but a Hybrid with different animals could be disastrous. Witch Hybrids were immune to most magic. A Witch-Fae Hybrid were especially dangerous. Witches drew their power from nature and Fae were the curators of nature. The Fae side would feed the Witch giving them nearly limitless power. The Uther and his Pendragons did allow Hybrid births and were closely regulated. They had to be.

The fact that we had encountered so many in a single night had my gut clenching. This had turned into a very eventful and improbable night.

“Nik,” the suited man ignored my question, his attention turning to her. I felt my lip curl at his easy dismissal of me and the threat I posed. “Go home and stay there. Do not leave for any reason. And keep that beast of yours with you.”

“How do you—”

“There’s no time. Your driver will be here in a few moments. You must go.”

“But—”

“All will be explained soon,” he interrupted her again. Then his ninjas stepped into the magical shadows and disappeared.

The man waited a moment, and I knew his eyes were riveted on Nik and it took every ounce of self-control I had not to growl a possessive warning. The scuff of shoes echoed through the alley. One quick step back, he melted into the darkness, erasing even the scent of them.

“There you are,” Brutus huffed, stopping in front of us and I could see the worry in his eyes. “It was taking way too long so I decided to come looking for you. What’s the hold up?”

“I’ll explain in the car,” I lied. I wouldn’t be explaining anything until we had Nik in a safe place.

What an absolute shitshow this had turned out to be.

The ride to my penthouse was uneventful though I did my best to try and spot any ninjas. Curious if they were really following. My weak eyes couldn’t penetrate the shadows. It had witchcraft written all over it in big neon letters. No regular shadows were that dense.

Kreed rode up front with Brutus. Both were silent but their heads were constantly moving checking their surroundings. Witchcraft or not I’m sure Kreed’s way superior eyesight could see a tick on a dog’s butt. It must be so hard to be so beyond chill.

By the time we made our way up to the penthouse, I was dragging ass, big time. I was so tired that I could lay down on the carpet in the hallway and fall fast asleep like I was drunk and couldn’t quite make it home. No shoes completed the whole ‘drunk chick passed out in the hall’ scenario. Somehow, I rallied and made it inside my home, answering in grunts and middle fingers as I made my way to my room. I wiggled my way out of the tight prison, some people call a dress, and flopped onto my bed, not caring that I wasn’t wearing anything except for my underwear. The girls were free and that’s all that mattered.

Dreams of red-rimmed eyes and blood dripping from enormous fangs assaulted me. I tossed and turned until Zazu took pity on the poor weak human, jumped on the bed, and snuggled close somehow making the dreams stop.

When I drifted up to awareness, I peeled my eyes open and the first thing I noticed was the fading sunlight which meant I had slept the majority of the day. The second thing was Zazu lounging on one of the pillows, licking himself. I made a mental note to never use that pillow again or better yet to burn it because, gross.

“Remind me why I keep you around?” It was a serious question so Zazu stopped his grooming of his manly bits and stared at me with both eyes. “Aww, were you worried about me, buddy?” He stared for another moment before getting up and walking over to me. He bowed his head doing that weird thing cats do and rubbed the top of his head on my neck. The scaly-furry texture of his skin tickled. I realized this was the spot where I had been bitten. Could Zazu tell that something had happened?

Probably. For being an ugly shit, he wasn’t a dumb house pet; he was intelligent. Maybe, more than I should be comfortable with, but he was ugly-cute and I loved him, most days.

After I showered and completed my regular beauty routine, I was ready for coffee, food, and answers. In that exact order. I dressed for comfort because I was definitely feeling better. I could still feel the effects from the night before, though. Whatever that dragon had done to me knocked me for a loop. It wasn’t worse than chemo, but I felt way more violated from the VIP room experience.

The living room was empty. I saw the evidence that two people had slept there. The smell of dude sweat gave it away. Not the rumpled pillow and blankets but they were evidence nonetheless.

As I walked down the hall leading to the kitchen, I paused and pressed the panel that would start making coffee. It wouldn’t be hard to make it once I was in the room but I was lazy and a perky cup of Joe waiting for my grumpy ass was just a good start to any time of day, really.

Things One and Two were in the kitchen, sitting at the island, hunched over bowls. Empty boxes of cereal lined the counter and I noticed they were using large mixing bowls to eat their cereal out of.

“What the hell?” I asked, gesturing to the empty boxes. There had to be at least six and Lyndee only bought the family sized ones. We liked our food in this apartment and since we catered to the supernatural side of the population we made sure we had food to satisfy their appetites, especially Lyndee’s wolf side.

“We’re growing boys and we’re hungry,” Brutus spoke defensively like any shifter would be.

“You could at least clean up the counters,” I huffed, grabbing a couple boxes and shaking them to test the contents. “You better have left me some or I’ll make you drive and get me something and it better be in under five minutes or there will be hell to pay.”

“This one has some left,” Kreed interjected, handing a box of the nasty raisin cereal Syd liked. Gross. Breakfast cereal needed to be sugary with questionable nutrients. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before I could bite his head off, a bell chimed announcing that my cup of godly liquid was ready. I grabbed the creamer from the fridge, noting that there was still a gallon of milk left, then seized a mug that perfectly matched my mood and got busy making my magic-wakey-wakey potion.

Once the perfect mug for the occasion was filled, I turned to the two dick-swingers and took my first sip. I watched as they both read my mug that said: ‘I may not be perfect but at least I’m not you’. Truer words had never been spoken or written on a coffee mug. Whatever. I gave them both my best stank eye, daring them to laugh or contradict my mug.

They didn’t, which was disappointing.

“Alright,” I began, leaning on the island counter across from them. “I want answers. I answered yours yesterday, so it’s time you returned the favor.”

“I saved your life, multiple times last night. I’d say we’re even.” Kreed shoveled a heaping spoonful of cereal into him mouth.

We weren’t but I had something special for him in mind. I’d let him think he won.

“Whatever. Brutus, you’re up buddy.” The color drained from his face but he nodded his agreement. I had saved his master and his son. He owed me and I was demanding he pay up.

“Right, first thing I want to know is why you have Zavarian blood in you and if you are a full-blooded… bear shifter.”

Brutus spat out his mouthful of cereal, spewing milk and soggy bits all over what was the clean counter.

“Gross dude!” Grabbing a towel, I threw it at his spluttering face.

“How do you know that?” Brutus spluttered, wiping up his mess.

“Ah, I see your master’s son hasn’t filled you in on my other ability. Thought you two would gossip away while I was sleeping.” I sipped my coffee hoping they didn’t see it as an accusation even though it was if it were true.

“Your secrets are yours,” Kreed said calmly. I really wanted to slap him again, but I took another sip of coffee instead.

“When we came through during The Surge, I was protecting something that belonged to the Uther.” This statement nearly made me spit out the coffee in my mouth, but it was precious to me so I managed to swallow. Barely. “My unit was attacked and almost all of my men were killed. I fought until help could arrive, taking life threatening injuries in the process. When reinforcements finally arrived, they dispatched the rest of the attackers. I thought they would call for witch healers to fix me up so I could return to duty, but they ignored me, walked over my broken and bleeding body. My own kind had left me for dead.”

Only the strongest could serve the Uther and his Pendragons. If you were weak, if you hesitated, or were injured doing your duty to them they disposed of you. Just goes to show that if you weren’t a dragon, you weren’t family. Shifter’s spend their whole lives serving them just to be tossed aside like trash.

“Ruvaen and Kreed found me. Despite my pleas to let me, a disgrace, die from my injuries, they didn’t. They tended to me and when I was strong enough, Kreed bit me and the healing process happened overnight. I wasn’t a grateful shifter and fell into a depression when I wasn’t welcomed back into the ranks of my brothers. Being healed by a Zavarian, I was tainted and would never be allowed back. It was a dark time for me but Kreed and Ruvaen stood by, offering support and later on, answers.”

“Answers to what?” I asked.

“To how we all came to be here.”

“The dragon’s and the other races came through during The Surge, took over our world, began to procreate like rabbits and here we are. A population of Mutts with nowhere to go, rejected by society for being a human mixed breed.”

“It wasn’t the intention of the pure races for that to happen,” Kreed said, his voice too soft for the mood in the room.

“For what to happen? To fuck around or reject their mixed offspring?”

“Both,” Kreed answered. His flippant response made me mad.

“It took me a long time to see the truth, Nik,” Brutus said. “There are several different races all with their own history, but I can assure you that they aren’t here of their own free will.”

“What do you mean?” There was no way the other races were here under duress. The shifters literally served the dragons; it was the highest of honors. The other races did the same. Strong witches and Fae were housed with the Uther or the Pendragons and did their bidding. They were paid extremely well and had high standings within the city. Must be so hard to not live like scum.

“She’s not ready for the truth,” Kreed stated, scooping up a spoonful of cereal and putting it in his mouth.

His lush lips distracted me as they wrapped around the metal. I tried not to remember how they had felt on my throat. Heat sprang up racing to my lower belly in an intense rush I nearly gasped but held it in. His nostrils flared and I knew he was smelling my arousal and it was both annoying and embarrassing. I was the only one feeling this way that was for sure.

“I’m ready,” I choked out making my contradiction as believable as the cereal boxes boasting of heart healthy marshmallows.

“You’re not,” Kreed said in a way a superior would shut up someone beneath them.

“You have no authority over me,” I growled.

“If you have Zavarian blood, then I actually do have authority.”

"I can tell you where you can stick your authority. I can draw you a map. It’s pretty simple. The dick leads to the balls then a hop over no-man’s-land you get to the place where the sun don’t shine. So, take that stick and sit on it.”

“Are all Mutts so crude?” Kreed asked Brutus, completely ignoring the one with the shiny personality. Hurtful.

“Tell me what you know,” I shouted at them.

“I’ll tell you if you calm down and tell me what your other ability is,” Brutus bargained. He was trying to distract me from the real answers that I wanted but I felt like I needed to tell him so that he would understand things in the future.

I nodded then took another swallow of hot coffee so I could get my thoughts together. This ability of mine was something that was kept secret my whole life, my mother didn’t even know the full extent of it. It felt weird telling so many people. In this world, honesty got you killed. Secrets were hidden well and protected fiercely. You needed every advantage you could get, and my ability took some of that away.

“I can look at someone and know what they are. It works on Mutts, Hybrids, Humans, and the Races. It usually takes me a couple seconds, but my radar, or whatever always knows the truth. I knew immediately that you are a shifter, and you were the first shifter I had ever encountered outside of the Pendragons Shifter Force. There was a small bit of you that wasn’t you. Zavarians are a new species to me so pinpointing just what exactly, that bit took time but I eventually figured it out.”

“Wait… so you just know what mix people are just by looking at them?”

I nodded and watched as he thought it through. He was very expressive, something that must have developed after he was let go from the Force. The shifters who worked for them were as emotionless as doorknobs, but the fact he used to be on the Force and was expressive was actually quite impressive.

Brutus leaned forward, placing his forearms on the counter, his chocolate colored eyes squinted at me. Here we go.

“What’s the couple next door?” he asked.

“Blonde is Fae and witch. Witch being the dominant gene. The red-haired one is Fae and shifter. Shifter genes tend to come through the strongest most of the time, but not always.”

“The owner of the donut shop down the block?”

“She is pixie and witch. An odd mixture, but the witch part makes sense because the donuts are the very best in this part of town.”

“What about the guard to the parking garage?”

“Pixie and Shifter. Despite his size and appearance, he’s an excellent security guard.”

“Satisfied?” Kreed asked, pushing his empty bowl away.

“Yes, but I’m still unsure how this puts her in danger.”

“I can look at someone and within a second know immediately what they are,” I said. “Not even your shifter sniffer can be that accurate. On the street, secrets keep you alive and the most guarded one is what you are.”

“So, your job with the Faceless is to meet and then radar whomever they want you to, why?” Brutus could be dense sometimes.

“Can’t pull the wool over someone who’s holding all the cards. Eyes wide open.”

“And in the cross hairs,” Kreed mumbled.

“It explains the penthouse and the beefy security. You're the Faceless’ ace, which is why you’re well protected.”

“And kept secret. Very few people know of my ability. There’s rumors obviously, but until now it’s always been just that. The cat’s out of the bag now, I suppose.”

“Kreed said you met the new boss last night.” Brutus watched me intently, waiting for my reaction.

Clenching my jaw, I fought the weird assortment of emotions that rose. Anger was prominent and followed closely by shame, then abhorrence, and at the bottom just a teeny tiny bit of want. For a moment it had felt good to have the dragon’s lips on my neck drinking from my vein. I never was one for romanticizing vampires but for the first time I could understand the appeal.

“Yeah, I did.” My voice barely shook. By the frown on Brutus’s face, I could tell he’d picked up on it. “He was the first dragon I’d ever had the misfortune to come into contact with.”

“Pray it’s your last,” Kreed said hollowly.

“Hopefully, he’ll forget about me and move onto his next conquest.” I waved my hand flippantly.

“That’s not the way they think,” Kreed again interjected.

If coffee wasn’t life, I’d throw it in his face. “And you would know Mr. I’m-a-once-upon-a-time-prince. What makes you so all knowing?”

“Because I work for them,” he snarled. Actually snarled.

I flinched involuntarily at his raised voice, which he noticed because he notices everything. Without another word, he stood from the barstool, rounded the counter, and left the room. Three seconds later a door slammed behind him hard enough to shake the floor.

“What does he mean?” I asked Brutus, the only one of the duo who didn’t speak in riddles. He had always been straight with me or so I hoped.

“There’s history and things that you do not know or could possibly understand.”

I sighed knowing it was pointless to push him further. Answers were not forthcoming at least today. “I want to understand. This involves me. He and his father could be my people. Do you know how long I’ve searched for what I am and where I belong? Every Mutt in this city, hell this world, wonders the same thing I do. Who are we?”

“The thing I don’t understand is why you and others like you are searching for something that’s right in front of you. You don’t belong with them because you already belong together.”

“You don’t understand you’re a full-blood. You’ve never been looked down on or been spit on for being what you are.”

“Haven’t I? I guarded the thing that the Uther prizes above everything. I nearly died protecting it and my own kind, my own kin, turned their back on me for doing my job and surviving the ordeal. It would have been better if I died that day but the kindness of two Zavarians healed me. I got a second chance and I intend to make things right for everyone.”

“Brutus, what is he?” I asked.

“He’s complicated.” I thought he’d end it right there but after a moment he continued. “He had a great life back on his world. A prince, adored by his people and next in line to become king. Then on the eve of the ceremony that would signal his passage from adolescence into manhood, the dragons invaded. They hit hard when no one was expecting them but the Zavarians rallied and beat the horde back. They had the numbers where the dragons did not. The Zavarians nearly won but the dragons are deviant and evil. They sent assassins into the Zavarian camps during the night, when it was supposed to be a time of truce and they slaughtered every woman they could find. Kreed’s mother and the girl he loved were killed. The species as a whole was crippled.

“Blinded by rage and grief, the men attacked the dragons without any order and they died by the droves. The society fell overnight becoming close to extinction. Ruvean surrendered, wanting to save the last of his people so he joined with the dragons. A living treasure. A relic. A king who nearly beat the dragons is now locked away in a mansion withering away while his people die slowly.”

“And Kreed?” I prompted. He was the prince after all.

“Kreed made a vow long ago with the other princes of his land that they would find a way, no matter what, to bring the dragons to their knees. There were once seven princes, and now only he remains. Kreed carries the lives of his people and the memory of his people. He’s taken it upon himself to destroy the dragons, so he works for them. A mercenary for hire doing the dirty deeds that they aren’t bothered to do themselves, just biding his time.”

“Last night… a wall exploded and… I saw Kreed drinking the blood of the dead.”

Brutus’ brown eyes bored into mine like he was trying to tell me something that I was too dense or not caffeinated enough to pick up.

“Nik, he’d do anything to see every dragon destroyed. He’d even go as far as to dive into something dark, unnatural, and to some evil. He walks a path he thinks he must, but in the end, it will destroy him. His people are healers. They celebrate life and desire others to experience it to the fullest. There is a darker, fouler way to gain the power he needs. Zavarians heal the sick and injured becoming stronger themselves but death is the ultimate illness isn’t it? It stops life completely. To heal that, would take such power that no Zavarian has ever attempted it.”

“He drinks the blood of the dead so he can heal them?”

“He hasn’t succeeded yet. Once he does find a way, not even death can kill him. Hard to kill a being who’s unkillable.”

“He’d be the ultimate assassin.”

“Poetic in a way, isn’t it?”

No shit.

The talk with Brutus five days ago had been enlightening and horrifying. Kreed stayed in the penthouse while Brutus went home to take care of Kreed’s father. I thought it was weird, like shouldn’t that be the son’s job, but that was a human custom and they obviously weren’t. Kreed and I tiptoed around each other, neither staying in the room long enough with the other to strike up a conversation. I was still pissed at him, but I begrudgingly understood him better. Wish the same could be said in reverse.

At night, I would lie in bed wondering what it must have been like to wake and find that every vulnerable person that was your responsibility to protect were killed in the night. The weight on Kreed’s shoulders must be immense. I didn’t know Ruvaen very well, but I could tell he was a proud man who cared deeply for his people. To surrender to their enemies must’ve killed him. The well-being of the many, outweighs the comfort of the few. Ruvaen was a brave man but I could tell that Kreed did not agree with that logic.

Funny how two people from very different backgrounds could find common ground at all. The universe was a strange place.

Zazu interrupted my musings with a rumbling purr and a headbutt. He had been extra clingy lately, which would normally be annoying, but Kreed tended to steer clear of me when my pet was nearby. Thank the goddess for small blessings.

A week had gone by and cabin fever was setting in. Lyndee had texted and said that she and Syd had to cut their trip short due to the items they were selling were sold quicker than expected. I was excited and sad that they had to cut the trip short. Traveling anywhere outside of your Pendragon’s territory was extremely difficult and next to impossible. So, when the opportunity came, they jumped, and I let them because I’m a good friend. Though I was a bit envious.

“I think I might attempt to pull my hair out next, Zazu. Would probably feel better than having to endure another half episode of this whiny bitch’s monologue.” I pressed the power button on the remote and the TV blinked off. Reality TV was something I secretly enjoyed but in very small doses. People were just stupid no matter what decade they were born in.

I stood and tossed the remote onto the couch cushions and stretched my cramped muscles. It had been fun lazing around for the first couple days, then it just got downright boring. I’d texted Gavin but hadn’t gotten any useful information on anything that involved me or the new dragon boss. It had been quiet, which I took as a sign that the intentional run in with the dragon was behind me. His interest in me had fled when his goons lost me that night and now I was holed up in an impenetrable penthouse. He couldn’t get at me, so his attention was best suited somewhere else.

I wished I could remember the name of the drug I had been using that made it so easy to live in denial. Ignorance was bliss and I planned to bliss the F out for as long as I could.

Which meant: pizza and wings.

I hadn’t been able to go out for groceries and the kitchen staples were dwindling thanks to Kreed and his bottomless-pit-friend. There wasn’t even any cereal left.

I made my way to the hall where the keypad was. I tapped it and began my dinner order wondering if I should ask Kreed if he wanted anything, then decided against it. Payback for the eaten cereal.

Our building had a sort of room service type deal. You could order from anywhere in the city for delivery but you had to order through your penthouses device so security would know and deliver it once it arrived. Pretty snazzy actually.

“What're you doing?” Kreed asked, stepping into the hall on silent feet. My heart lurched. I handled my surprise gracefully, at least to me.

“Ordered dinner,” I replied coolly.

“What!? Cancel it. Now!”

“Excuse me? Food is scarce up here and I’m hungry for pizza and wings.”

“There could be people watching the building.” Kreed crowded into my personal space. “Easy to gain access to it when someone orders something.”

“Dude, it’s just pizza.” I poked his chest. “Besides, all orders go through security and are then delivered by them. All the pizza place knows is this building ordered something and all other information is classified.”

“It’s too risky,” he said, stepping around me to get to the keypad.

I stepped sideways so I could block the pad from him.

“Listen cranky. No one’s going to attempt anything. It’s been nearly a week and no sign of anyone after me. People order food to this building all the time there’s no way anyone will know it’s been ordered by me.”

“There’s always a way.” He stepped even closer while I stepped back, still blocking him from getting at the wall device.

“And you would know,” I countered, tilting my head up so I could see his face.

“Yes, I would,” he hissed, his eyes blazing with irritation.

“You aren’t my Dad, so you can’t boss me around. I ordered pizza and by God I’m gonna eat it and there's nothing you can do.”

Before I could blink, I was suddenly hanging upside down. It took me a second to realize that I was on Kreed’s shoulder. “You mother… ahh! You hit me.

“I smacked your cute, little ass. And I’ll do it again if you continue to make stupid decisions.”

“My life. My decisions. If I want pizza, then I’m gonna eat pizza.” Wait. He said my ass was cute?

Kreed tossed me off his shoulder and I landed on my bed on my back.

I sat up just in time to see Kreed shutting my door. I scrambled but the knob clicked. Grasping the knob, I turned it but it didn’t budge. “You locked the door! How dare you! Open this door now!” My fists pounded the wood, hopefully hard enough to leave an indent. But who was I kidding?

“Not until the danger you invited has passed.”

“It's just a damn pizza!” I banged on the door again.

“Did you forget what happened seven days ago? There were several times that you came this close to dying. I was nearly too late.”

“Why do you care?” I whispered.

“Because as soon as you put yourself at risk to save my life, I owed you. I woke up confused but with this overwhelming urge to protect someone I had never met before. Brutus was content to leave you be. I forced him to bring me here to meet you, to see for myself that you were safe. It’s ingrained into me. I cannot leave while you are vulnerable.”

“I was perfectly safe before you all came into my life.” I leaned my head on the door frame.

“That may be but now you are in the cross hairs of a wild dragon. Who knows how many other dangerous beings. The danger has been kept from you and now that your eyes are open to the truth, you still refuse to be cautious.”

“I am being cautious. I’ve stayed inside for the past week and since there has been nothing questionable happening in the city, I decided to order a pizza. You aren’t protecting me, you’re treating me like a child, which I’m not. I’m a grown ass woman.”

“You’re not a child,” he said, but it was muffled by the door and I could barely make it out.

“You’ve locked me in my room,” I reminded him.

We both fell silent neither willing to budge. I sighed before pressing my back against the door and slid down until I was sitting on the floor. I heard light scuffling on the other side of the door but other than that silence.

How has my life come to this? Being locked in my own room by a hot guy. And not in a fun way, either. Didn’t look like I was getting out of this situation anytime soon and while the fire of rage was still simmering inside, so was empathy. The story Brutus’ had told about Kreed’s past made me understand why he was overbearing on the protective front. He failed to protect those he cared about then he entered into my life. A chance at redemption perhaps?

“Brutus told me what happened when the dragon’s invaded your world,” I began, then paused, waiting for a response or any indication that Kreed was still behind the door. Everything remained quiet. “Not much is known about the other worlds that the races came from. Hell, I didn’t know that dragons conquered them and enslaved them. I thought the races agreed to this but I realize now that that was stupid.”

“You’ve never been told any differently and the races have been forbidden to speak of their past with the Mutt generations.”

So he hadn’t walked away. “Forbidden?” I asked.

“Dragons are ruthless but not ignorant. They know that their subjects outnumber them, so they rule with power and fear. Show that you are powerful, and no one will defy you. It’s an old strategy but effective nonetheless.”

“Brutus said that you lost your mother when the dragons invaded. I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”

Kreed didn’t say anything. Silence hung in the air for so long that I thought maybe he wouldn’t comment. “My mother was the light of our race.” Kreed’s voice barely above a murmur. “Gifted and loved by everyone. She was my father’s whole world and when she was killed a part of him died with her. He hasn't been the same since.”

“I don’t understand why they would do something like that. Dragons are greedy even our earthly lore boasts of it.”

“There’s more to them that not many know and even more would be killed if they ever discovered it.”

“How do you know so much about them?”

“I’ve spent the majority of my life learning their secrets and devising a way to end their rule. I’ve barely cracked the surface.”

“That night, in the alley after the explosion, did you drink the blood of those dead men?”

After another lengthy pause, he spoke a single word, “Yes.”

“That’s pretty gross,” which was putting it lightly.

He chuckled softly which made me grin. He wasn’t half bad with a locked door between us. I wished he could be this decent face to face.

“If my people knew what I was doing, I’d be disgraced and dethroned. To drink the blood of those who’ve recently passed is an abomination. Only the foulest of creatures would stoop to such measures.”

“Brutus said it makes you strong, somehow.”

“Do you two talk about anything else but me?”

I could hear the smile in his voice. “I cannot confirm or deny that question. It goes against the code.”

“What code?”

“The friendship code. It’s classified.”

“You are so strange,” he murmured.

“At least I’m not boring,” I quipped, realizing that my anger had dissipated and now I felt guilty for being rash with my food ordering. “I should have asked to order pizza. This is all so new and I just wanted a bit of normal.”

“Normal is a stupid concept. Nothing is normal, it's impacted by change too often to have any sort of steady routine, but I also could’ve handled the situation better, been more open. This is new for me, too.”

“Will you let me out?” I asked hopefully.

“I will once the pizza arrives, and I make sure it’s safe.”

It took a sick sort of person to tamper with pizza. It should be against the law because pizza was sacred. So was my life and judging by Kreed’s reaction, I should take this threat seriously.

We remained there for several minutes in silence lost in our own thoughts. Too much had happened in the past week. I needed to deal. I wasn’t sure how. Crying seemed over done, and though I joked about drugs, I’d never do them. I was a total wimp when it came to pain.

Well… the only option is to think and reevaluate where I was in life.

A year ago, I had come to the end of a hard personal war, fought tirelessly and was victorious. It was probably my most prized achievement. I was lucky to have survived and in the aftermath of moving on and getting my life back in order, I ended up not doing that at all. What had I accomplished in that time? Nothing.

My friends and family had moved on, even my ex had while I remained stagnant, unable to move forward. But why? There had been opportunities to make something of myself. I felt like I had time to discover them all with my new lease on life but that hadn’t been the case. Sickness had crept back in. I had handled it poorly. Then a Zavarian angel had happened by and I was cured. Again.

I couldn’t waste this opportunity like I had the last time. I needed to figure out what I wanted. Which was difficult with the whole outing of my deepest secrets and the danger that puts me in. I enjoyed working for the club and with my friends. Maybe it was time to take on a more active role with the Faceless. I could help Lyndee place Mutts in affordable housing or help them find work. I’d always wanted to work with Mutt teens, to show them that there was more they could do. More often than not they were tossed aside by their race parent and raised by the human one until they couldn’t be handled anymore. That would mean that I had to figure my life out and set an example for the young adults.

A soft, muffled knock sounded. I assumed that my dinner arrived. The sounds of Kreed’s body moving through the room had my stomach growling with anticipation of the warm gooey cheese. I stood hoping for regular non-murdery pizza but in case Kreed was right I needed to be prepared for an attack. Still blew my mind that some could be so threatened by my ability. Seemed a bit useless to me.

A knock sounded on my door and I stepped back as the door unsealed and the knob turned revealing Kreed with a pizza box balanced on his hand. I raised an eyebrow noticing there was no smaller box of wings.

“The wing box dropped,” he said.

I frowned then leaned sideways to look behind him. A small box lay on the floor open as Zazu happily chomped on the wings, buffalo sauce already staining the fur around his mouth.

“What…”

“He gave me no other choice.” Kreed shrugged, some pink coloring his cheeks.

“Does he scare you?” I queried.

“Immensely.” He nodded, glancing over his shoulder at the reptilian beast.

“He’s not that threatening.” I grabbed the pizza box from Kreed’s hands and stepped around him.

“Everything about him is just creepy.”

I made my way toward the kitchen, stepping around the wing thief, with Kreed behind me. “Are you sure it’s not that you think he’s cute but in an ugly way?”

“Uh, no, definitely sure that’s not it.”

I’ve lost count on how many people commented on Zazu’s creepiness then later came to love the ugly thing.

I put the warm box on the counter and grabbed two paper plates from the cabinet, because screw dishes. Flipping the lid open was the best part about pizza, except for the eating part, naturally. Inhaling the Italian scent, my mouth watered. I handed a plate to Kreed so I could grab my own slice.

The first bite of cheesy-tomatoey-crispy-bread goodness across my tongue had me groaning like no man ever could. Regardless of what dudes believed, pizza was always a girl’s first love. If a girl tells you differently, she’s lying. You’re welcome.

Slice number one went down all too quick, so with the second one, I took my time and savored the sweet basil, spicy sausage, and crisp onions. It would be going straight to my hips, but they could use a little love. More junk in the trunk.

Kreed had finished his first slice when I grabbed my third.

“So, you can eat like real food?” I then belatedly realized how rude the question was. Why are you so fucking awkward, Nik?

“Obviously,” he responded, holding up his slice of pizza, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

“I meant in general. Your kind is new to me and I’m curious. Plus there’s a good possibility that I’ve got your race's DNA in me.” Smooth, Nik.

“Ingesting blood is only done when we are healing the person. To share blood beyond that isn’t done. Though, I have heard mated couples sometimes drink from the other. It keeps them healthy and reaffirms their commitment to each other. I’m not sure if that’s true.”

“Brutus said that you lost the girl you loved, along with your mother.” I slapped my hand over my mouth completely horrified with what I had just said. The pizza made my brain obviously fuzzy. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive of me, and none of my business. Pizza messes with my filter.”

“You’re curious and I understand.” He took a bite and I thought he wouldn’t answer my question. He thoroughly chewed and swallowed, when he spoke again. “Aquila was my best friend’s sister and I’d loved her since we were both children. I had hoped that we would be matched when we became of age. I found out that she was in love with another. When the dragon’s invaded, her mate was killed in the initial battle. She wasn’t the same after that. Her pain was great. I was relieved that her pain was gone after she… I hate myself for that.”

“You hate yourself for feeling relieved that someone that you love’s pain is gone? Why on earth do you hate yourself for that? If you were the one to kill her, then I could see you feeling that way, but what happened to her was out of your control. It's tragic, yes. She’s no longer in pain and with her love again.”

“No one’s ever said that before—”

“I didn’t mean to offend,” I interrupted hastily, cursing myself for opening my mouth and inserting my foot.

“You didn't, it's just… everyone who knew the story and my role in it, thinks I’m a failure.”

“Why?”

“My people prize our women above all else. Because I couldn’t revive Aquila after her mate's death, I failed her, her family, and my people.”

“Your people have some strange views. You can’t force love. So you let her go, let her grieve, then felt relieved that her pain was finally gone. It is not failure but rather courageous, I think. You did the exact right thing.”

The races that came through during The Surge looked human, but they were far from it. They were more. In times like these, when customs went against everything humans believed, they seemed much less. Funny how humanity could be found in races that were not human.

“That’s kind of you to say,” Kreed whispered.

What sort of beings were these people? Kreed was their prince and he was shamed for being a standup dude. No wonder he went off and decided to meddle in some dark shit.

I need a drink.

I made my way to the fridge and started searching its contents. I wasn’t a betting girl, but I’d bet Kreed’s left pinky that Lyndee had a bottle hidden away. She did that. Kept a bottle around for “emergencies”. Not sure what types of dire straits we’d have to be in before she brought it out.

In the corner, in the way back, behind a jar of pickled eggs-Syd’s favorite snack- sat a bottle of Phoria, short for euphoria. It was Fae made wine which meant its taste was unique to each drinker. Lyndee told me that she tasted hot chocolate that had a bit of zing you could feel all the way to your toes. Syd always thought it tasted like the oldest and sweetest bourbon he’d ever tasted. I was anxious to find out what it tasted like for me.

I grabbed two shot glasses from the cabinet and turned back to the counter. I filled both glasses then passed one to Kreed.

“Phoria?” he asked, taking a sniff of the liquid. The silvery color changed to a deep green like grass after a light rain.

“Ever had it before?” I asked, taking my own lungful. It reminded me of wood smoke and something spicy, like the whiskey I served at the club.

I checked the color in my glass and found that it had turned a coppery-orange color.

“I’ve had it before but I wasn’t in a situation where I could relax.”

“Shame.” I held my shot out to him. He clicked his against mine. “We could both use it, I think.”

He nodded, then together, we knocked it back and swallowed.

The liquid danced over my tongue warming my throat as it passed. I nearly groaned as the heat spread from my stomach to every part of my body. The taste was decadent and so damn good, it felt like I was on the edge of climax. I gripped the edge of the counter. This had never happened before. I closed my eyes and rode the waves as it coursed through every cell and hair follicle. This was euphoria and why the wine was named after.

“Nik,” Kreed said.

It took me several moments, or minutes. I wasn’t sure which before I was able to relax and open my eyes again.

“Are you okay?” Concern was written all over Kreed’s beautiful face.

“What…” My words slurred slightly, and my thoughts were slow and foggy.

“I think you’re having a reaction.” Kreed stood in front of me. I had no idea how he’d gotten there.

“Ohh,” I said, gripping his shirt trying to regain control over myself.

I took a breath and Kreed’s scent swirled with the air. He smelled of musk and something completely him and for a second it reminded me of the Phoria I just drank. Another wave of heat slammed into me again. I clenched my jaw, but couldn’t stop the groan that sounded from my throat. Wave after delicious wave of heat pulsed through my body.

I felt myself moving, but I couldn’t make sense of what or where or even how too distracted by what was happening inside.

A cool, smooth surface pressed against my back and I hissed through my teeth. I focused on the cold seeping into my skin and let it chase away the heat. My chest heaved into steady pants as the fire slowly cooled and I could breathe again.

I opened my eyes and came face to face with a worried Kreed. His eyes were sharp and focused on me, the copper in his eyes the exact color of the Phoria I had drank. What did that mean?

Looking around I realized we were in the dining room just off the kitchen. Huge floor to ceiling windows ran the length of the room and my back was pressed against one of the panes. Which explained the coolness.

“I… sorry, I don’t know what happened,” I muttered, reaching up to grip his wrists as his hands gripped my shoulder.

“I’ve never seen anyone have a reaction to Phoria like that,” Kreed said, searching my face.

“Me either. It was weird. Do you think it’s because of what happened with the dragon?”

“It must be. But why would Fae wine react to it?”

I shook my head because I had no idea why I would have such a reaction.

“Did it hurt?” Kreed asked, his hands absentmindedly rubbing my upper arms.

“No, it felt good, euphoric even. I lost myself in it. It’s not a strong wine, it shouldn’t be that potent.”

“I wasn’t affected the same way you were, and we drank from the same bottle.” His jaw tightened as he thought it through.

My hand was suddenly on his strong jaw, wanting to smooth away the tension there. The contact surprised him, and it made me smile. His unique scent filled my nose and it sparked a heat down into my core, a smidge lesser degree than the Phoria had ignited. This heat was controlled, and contained him, while the other blaze had been wild and disorienting.

“Nik.”

My name; it sounded so good coming from his lips. “Kreed,” I replied, noting how breathy I sounded even to my own ears.

I pulled him closer while his hands moved down and settled on my hips. He hesitated, then pressed closer, his coolness reacting to the spark he had ignited earlier.

Angling my head, I looked up at him, letting all the heat and longing shine through my eyes. I wanted him. I wanted him to kiss me, touch me, stoke the fire until I couldn’t take it anymore and let him shatter me.

His blue eyes held a question that I was all too eager to answer.

I’m not sure who moved first but our lips collided. Need hammered deep in my belly and I arched, needing to get closer. He bent suddenly and I felt his hands on my butt, lifting me. I wrapped my legs around his slim waist as he settled between them pressing me harder against the window.

I sucked his lip then bit lightly on the tender flesh before kissing it away. His breathing hitched and I loved seeing how I affected him. His lips traveled down my jaw, then to my throat. His teeth scraped against the pulse in the neck. I moaned something incoherent that might have been his name. Threading my fingers into his hair, I pulled his head back my lips finding his again. I deepened the kiss using my tongue and lips and teeth. He matched my urgency and returned it enthusiastically.

Rough hands slid under my shirt. I paused our fevered kiss to enjoy the feeling of his touch. My skin felt hot and wherever Kreed touched me, the skin cooled, then heated again. It was pure sin. The contrast was so much but not nearly enough at the same time.

Kreed tore his face away from mine, his chest heaving as he tilted his head like he was listening. I groaned, frustrated that he stopped. He turned back to me and I covered his lips with mine again, scraping my nails lightly on his scalp as punishment. He quivered under me and I felt his fingers travel upward, until they cupped my breasts.

I tilted my head back, strange noises escaping me that I had never heard or made before. I was lost in his touch, in the sensations, that I nearly cried when I was wrenched away from the window. Expecting Kreed to make his way to my room, I was confused when I was lowered quickly onto my back. I looked around trying to make sense of what was happening. Were we doing this here, on the dining room floor? I wasn’t complaining but I did expect a little class from him.

All sexy thoughts flew out the window, literally, when the gunshots started.

Kreed covered my body with his, tucking my head into his chest. I screamed when I heard the first window break, then a blood-curdling shriek when glass rained down on us, followed by a sucking sound as the air in the penthouse met the air outside.

Turning my head, I saw three beings dressed in black with repelling gear strapped to their waists, rifles in hand. I gasped as they all pushed off from the building, aimed and fired at the remaining windows. Glass shattered inward and I wondered what sort of ammunition they used that could break windows on the twelth floor.

As the men swung back to the window, I realized they were aiming to enter directly into the dining room. We couldn’t let them in here. There were probably more goons entering in the lower floors of the penthouse and with these added assailants, we'd be trapped.

“Kreed,” I yelled over the roaring of the wind. “We can’t let them enter..”

He pushed himself off of me so he could get a better look while I searched for a weapon. The table and chairs were splintered but that wouldn’t work. I searched around with my hands and finally found a large piece of glass that I used to cut a piece of Kreed’s shirt and hurriedly wrapped the material around one end.

Kreed sat up further but hovered over me protectively. Two of the three repelling dudes stood in the room, while the third took another jump, hoping to swing himself in. I handed the shirt wrapped glass to Kreed hoping he had a plan. I had made a weapon which was as far as my helpfulness went.

Faster than my eyes could follow, Kreed was at the window, his glass blade cutting through the swinging guys rope. The scream echoed, as the guy plummeted to his death. One I’d never forget. Before the other two in the room could raise their weapons, Kreed leapt onto the first one, slicing then kicking him out the open window.

Pounding footsteps sounded from deep in the penthouse but were drawing closer. I sat, wincing as my palms were sliced open from the glass shards that littered the floor. I rose to my knees and scurried under what was left of the dining table, pushing aside broken chairs as I went. I couldn’t tell how many were coming but I knew that staying out of sight was a good idea.

I watched as Kreed tossed the last man out of the window and I noted that there was no screaming.

A hand wrapped around my ankle and pulled. I screamed as glass cut into arms, back, and legs. I tried to kick whoever had me but when I looked there was no one there. I could feel them. Witch.

I looked around for Kreed but couldn’t see him anywhere. Whoever had a hold of my ankle dragged me into the hallway. Another person grabbed me and lifted my body, my back pressed against a firm chest. I squirmed and kicked, which did absolutely nothing. New tatic. Before I could deploy a new tactic, a rag was pressed over my mouth and nose, I smelled something sweet on the cloth.

Holding my breath, panic took over and I went completely crazy. I scratched anything I could touch. I kicked, punched, elbowed, headbutted anything I could do until my lungs burned from the lack of oxygen. I needed a breath soon. If that didn’t happen in the next few seconds, then I’d be lights out and who knows what came next.

Suddenly a howling, hissing creature jumped onto the form who held me. I dropped and collapsed to the floor, gasping for clean air. Zazu was scratching and biting something that was invisible to me, but judging by the cursing and grunts, my Chia had no problems seeing the stranger and quite possibly doling out the upper hand.

While I was distracted watching my badass, Zazu, beat the crap out of an invisible dude, another hand grabbed me by the throat and yanked me up. My back slammed against a wall so hard it knocked the wind out of my lungs. The wall buckled by the force. The fingers tightened and if I wanted to breathe again I couldn’t. I grasped the hand and tried to wrench it free or to loosen it somehow, but the hold was steady as iron. Spots started to dance on the edges of my vision and I knew I was seconds away from unconsciousness.

I blinked, each one getting longer and harder. I feared I wouldn’t be able to open them again. Before my eyes closed for the final time, a flash of red behind whoever held me flared. I knew that this would be the last time I closed my eyes.

The pressure from my neck lifted and I collapsed to the floor. Air rushed into my mouth, but I had momentarily forgotten how to breath. My fingers scrabbled at my throat but nothing was there. I was free to breathe but couldn’t.

A familiar weight crawled onto my chest and I looked to see the reflective eyes of Zazu. He stared at me while his ears tilted like he was listening to something. With one paw he reached forward and tapped my neck. I sucked in a gulp of oxygen, then coughed and despite that I continued to breathe.

The ringing in my ears dissipated when Kreed’s face came into view. His eyes were red, and he looked murderous. Blood coated his shirt. I couldn’t tell if it was his or someone else’s. I reached for him, beyond thankful that he was alive. He dropped to my side looking me over quickly before he touched my cheek, his forehead coming down to rest on mine for a brief moment.

Kreed jerked suddenly, then once again covered me with his body as gunshots rang from the dining room. Bullets punched through walls and over our heads. I tucked my face into Kreed’s neck wishing that this would all stop. If it didn’t we’d both be dead.

Zazu squirmed on my chest being squished by Kreed’s body and mine when something occurred to me. I worked my hands between us searching for Zazu’s collar. It took me several seconds to locate it and then the button hidden behind the strap. I pressed it as soon as my fingers found it.

The penthouse shook as the hidden security measures, that I had thought were overkill before, engaged. Thick metal walls descended into place, covering every outside wall with a three-inch thick impenetrable sheet of protection. It would take way more than the bullets that these ultra-ninja-thugs wielded. I prayed they didn’t have a tank because that’s what it would take to get through the walls.

The floor shook a final time before silence descended. If the bad guys were still firing at the metal walls we couldn’t hear it. Kreed remained on top of me waiting for what I wasn’t sure and I didn’t want to break the ringing silence.

“What happened?” Kreed breathed into my ear.

“I engaged the security,” I whispered.

“How?”

“Zazu,” I answered, then swallowed through the pain in my throat. “There’s an activation button on his collar.”

“This place is full of surprises.” Kreed pushed himself up so he could look down at me.

Tears filled my eyes when I saw that his eyes had returned to their normal color.

“Shh.” He wrapped his arms around my back and lifted.

I winced at the pain that covered every part of my body, but I didn’t tell him to stop. The pain told me that I was alive.

“I’m sorry,” Kreed murmured into my hair as he held me against him. Zazu having made himself scarce as soon as he could.

“There’s nothing to apologize for.” I hiccupped.

“I heard them outside, but I had no idea what they were going to do. I was distracted.” It sounded like he regretted our kiss, which hurt worse than the glass cuts on my back.

“It’s not your fault,” I assured him, knowing that he would still blame himself. He was my protector and in his eyes he had failed.

With effort, I withdrew from his arms and did my best to look him over. He was soaked in blood. Cuts crisscrossed his arms that seeped. I ran my hands over his chest and back, searching for more but didn’t find any life-threatening wounds. Though my inspection, I managed to get some of his blood onto my fingers, then began to try and draw my fire up and to my hands.

“What are you doing?” Kreed asked as I held my hands out in front of me, palms up.

“Healing you,” I answered praying that I had recovered enough. His blood started to heat, then bubble. I kept the heat even, asserting better control over it than I ever had in the past.

I’m pretty sure Kreed would have protested but he was too busy watching me. As the blood boiled on my hands, it began to dry, then flake away as ash. Once my palms were clean, I sucked the fire back down deep inside then looked Kreed over again. His wounds were healed without even a scar.

A tired smile spread across my face as I looked to find that he was centimeters away, our noses dangerously close to touching.

“Thank you,” he said reverently, grabbing my hand and bringing it to his mouth for a gentle kiss.

“You’ve saved my life multiple times. It’s the least I could do,” I assured him because it was true. My other power was useless in my opinion. Others didn’t think it was though.

“May I return the favor?” he asked, his fingers grazing the cuts on my back.

“If you’d like.” I would leave it up to him. Was I in pain? Yes, but I didn’t want him to think I expected it.

“I’d be honored,” he breathed, placing a soft kiss on my cheek. “This will be different than what my father did.”

“Oh?” I had lifted my wrist half-way to his mouth.

“To drink from you would bind us more than we already are, but I can heal without drinking from you.”

“How?”

“I’ve healed your injuries multiple times before. With just a touch of my blood and the magic stored within you will heal your body.”

“I thought you have to drink to heal?”

“Only to heal the ailments that are hidden. With visual cuts, scrapes, broken bones we can heal with a couple drops.”

“You must have healed many.” I leaned on him for support as he found a shard of glass with his fingers.

“So many I’ve lost count,” he replied, pricking his finger with the glass until a bead of blood had formed on the tip. “I need to put a little bit of my blood on your wounds to heal them.”

How very vampire of him.

After my head nod he ran his finger gently over every cut and scrape he could find. Even the smallest ones he healed. My neck was bruised and I’d thought he’d have to skip it since it wasn’t an open injury but he surprised me when he rubbed his fingers over the sore skin and massaged. I internally groaned from his touch, or from the heat that was building inside of me. Slowly the pain dissipated along with the soreness. It was amazing.

When he was finished, I could barely keep my eyes open. Fatigue tore at me from the fight or the healing or both. I snuggled closer into Kreed’s chest, feeling his arms wrap securely around me as I let myself drift off to sleep.

* * *

Kreed

Nik’s soft snores in my ear reminded me she was alive and well in my arms. My blood did the trick and healed her wounds visibly. I could physically feel my blood healing her and bonding me deeper to her.

I’ve healed many in my lifetime, all different species, but I have never felt this connected to someone. What did this mean? Was it because she healed me then I healed her soon afterward? Nothing made sense anymore. Sitting here holding her warm body to my chest, I realized what I had been living for, or more importantly, who. As long as there were dragons in this world none were safe. I held onto Nik tighter.

Glass crunched under me as I lifted myself and Nik from the floor. The penthouse was in lockdown and my senses were on high alert. This was the second time I’d failed to keep her safe. The first, I hesitated, and this time was distracted, too caught up in the feel of her body, her sweet scent, the small noises she made.

Just thinking of it was enough to make me pause in the kitchen and take a deep inhale. My muscles tightened and I had to shove the memory with more strength than it should have taken.

I slowly made my way into her living room, thankful that this room wasn’t hit by the Hybrid attackers. The remaining bodies in the house were invisible to my sight but whomever made the spell forgot to include a part to negate the smell. It was a quick not-well-thought-out plan and it showed. The scent of dragon all over the invaders told me who had sent this team. They all had underestimated the lengths I would go to protect Nik.

I gently laid her on the couch as the blood I drained from the attackers sang. It pumped through my body giving me a boost of energy. I was already craving more. This game was dangerous, I knew I could lose myself to the blood lust, but I’d come farther than any before me.

Covering Nik with a worn blanket, I pulled from the back of the couch. I needed to protect her. Now more than ever. The blood bond between us was growing. Impossible, and still there. Did I want it? Did she? I can’t deny what my own body was telling me. What my heart was suggesting. Her sly glances my way made me think that maybe she feels the same way. Or at least could. If the bond deepens, what then? Damn the vow I made when I was desperate. If only …

My mind wandered back to that day when I struck the pact with the other princes from my world.

Saxon, my oldest friend, opened the door then lowered his hood. I crowded in behind him shutting the door before pushing off my own hood.

“Want a drink?” Saxon asked, making his way to the overly opulent bar.

“I’m good,” I answered, warily looking around at the patrons.

“Can I get a beer?” Saxon asked the short pixie behind the bar.

The small creature nodded, glancing from Sax to me curiously. Pixies had excellent noses and despite our attempt to hide our scents I knew he smelled us. He was probably tucking it away for later. Pixies were better than wolf-hounds.

Saxon grabbed the bottle, then made his way to the side of the bar, waving for me to follow. Another pixie nodded at my friend before lifting a trap door on the floor behind the bar. He stepped aside and watched as we descended before dropping the door shut behind us.

The room was dark and smelled of wet earth. My sight sharpened and I made out the silhouette of five others, noting that all seven princes of Zavar were in attendance for the first time since we were brought to Earth.

“Saxon? Kreed?” A voice asked from the shadows.

“It’s us, Zane,” Saxon answered, then took a long swig from his beer. Zane sat in a rickety chair looking like it would break under his size.

“We’re all here. What’s this about?” Kern asked, turning on a flashlight. I blinked, letting my eyes adjust again. He leaned against a support post his blue-black hair was tied in a knot and he looked more haggard than I’ve ever seen him.

“I have a plan,” Saxon announced, holding out his arms with a sadistic smile on his face.

“What’s he talking about?” Doru directed his question at me. I noticed his once long, golden hair was now cut short. I barely recognized him. Gone were the days when we raced across the dunes of his clan-lands without a care.

“I’m in the dark like you all are,” I answered.

“We’re all here, now explain why?” Nelo grabbed a chair and dragged it forward before sitting down. He looked different, too. The braids and beads that once adorned the prince of the White City by the Sea, replaced with jeans, T-shirt, and hooded jacket. How far we’d all fallen.

“I know how we can take down the dragons once and for all,” Saxon began, pulling a box from somewhere and sitting on it. “I asked you all here to discuss it. For this plan to work it’ll take all of us.”

“Have you gone mad?” Zane spoke always quick to anger, shadows danced across his pale face. “The dragons have all but wiped us out. We don’t have nearly the numbers that we need nor the power. Don’t be a fool.”

“Ahh, but there’s a way we can get the power.” Saxon leaned forward so his face was shrouded in the light. His green eyes flashed, and they reminded me of another similar pair. Aquila’s smiling face appeared in my mind and her laughter rang in my ears. An echo of another life.

“We’ve tried to start a rebellion before,” Hale interjected, his accent not as strong as it used to be. His hair was the same color of the stars that clustered above his northern clan’s keep.

“We’ve been looking at this all wrong,” Saxon explained, putting his bottle on the floor. “They have the numbers and the power for now but given enough time, we can gain that much and more. Then we can finally avenge our people.”

“What could possibly give us that much power?” Radimir asked, his orange eyes gleaming in the darkness so similar to the stones his clan mined back home.

“You’ve all heard of Naga, right?”

That got our attention. No one moved. We all stared at Saxon waiting for him to continue. I knew I wasn’t the only one who wanted to make gestures of protection.

Naga were dark beings that roamed our world. The life blood offered for healing was the basis of the bond that was created. A Naga was a Zavarian who craved blood far beyond what was needed to heal. The blood of the slain was at its most potent. Death was a sudden and violent thing. There’s power in it. Drinking the blood off the dying and transferring that power without an exchange. It was incredibly dangerous and feared by our people. Stories of Naga were told to young children to teach them the importance of the healing and safe exchange.

“You want us to become Naga?” I whispered, fearing for the first time that my best friend had gone mad. Aquila, his sister’s death, and so many others weighed on us all.

“We promised each other we’d do anything we must to avenge our people. We’ve tried everything else, this is our only option.” Saxon’s words warned against further argument.

The tone might have worked on others but everyone in this room was equal. We were all princes of Zavar. Questioning each other was normal and encouraged.

“I don’t think this is the only option.” I watched as the others nodded their agreement.

“Do you have a better idea?” Saxon grabbed his beer and took a long swallow.

“Not now but you can’t just spring this on us suddenly and expect us to follow blindly,” I replied icily.

“I’ll wait while you all come up with other viable options.” Saxon crossed his arms and sat back, glaring at each of us.

The others whispered and murmured possible suggestions, while some gave a laundry list of why this was a bad idea. No one spoke up with a better solution. I remained quiet, thinking about the situation and trying to recall what I knew of Naga.

When I was around five summers, I remembered my father speaking to my mother about them. There seemed to be an influx during that time. In order to drink slain blood, they needed a newly dead person so whomever went on a kill spree.

Father had said the Naga’ were nearly impossible to kill because after drinking from so many, they were so bloated with power that they were close to unkillable. I could only guess that since the exchange hadn’t taken place that the natural healing magic was forced to find a cure, but no one could cure the dead.

It was a terrible idea but I had to say that it was a good plan. Better than no plan.

“I think we should at least consider Saxon’s proposal,” I announced to the group.

“You’re just as mad as him,” Zane accused.

I felt my hand ball into a fist. “Don’t you get it?” I asked through clenched teeth. “The dragons twisted their nature to become what they are. To fight that and have any chance of winning we need to do the same. Fight fire with fire, as the humans say.”

“This path only leads to darkness. When a Naga dies, if they even can die, they will be gone. Lost to the void with no way to return to the golden fields,” Kern spoke softly as was the way of his clan. “This path will blacken our souls. Not even the cleansing rain from the mother’s tears will wipe it away.”

“Have you forgotten the night they came?” Saxon growled. As if we could ever forget. “How many they killed? How much of our sacred treasures they tarnished? How they drained our women of life while drinking the blood of our children? Blackness already stains our souls. If I’m to go into the void, then I’ll go willingly and without regret if I can take every single one of those scaley demons with me.”

A chill entered the room making us stir as we sat. It was unnatural and it swirled something inside. A thirst for revenge and the blood of those who had taken everything I ever loved from our world.

I licked my lips seeing the same emotion and determination on my fellow prince’s faces. “What’s the plan?” I asked Saxon seeing a red gleam in his eyes and knowing he’d already chosen the path and we’d follow.

I blinked, banishing the cold cellar from my mind’s eye and refocusing on Nik’s living room again. She was on the couch, her breathing erratic but she calmed when her ugly Chia curled up at her side.

I pressed my back against the wall opposite her and let it support me as I slid down its surface to the floor. The sleeve of my shirt was torn, a white scar visible on my wrist. Zavarian’s didn’t scar, our healing ability would wipe away any evidence of injury and yet this remained. A shimmering white reminder of the pact we’d made that fateful night. We had tied our blood and the course of our lives together and to this cause.

That was now decades ago. A lifetime really. We seven Princes of Zavar had bled, blackened our souls, and died one by one, passing the power and burden to the others who remained alive.

I was the last.

The power and life force of the princes was colorfully etched into the skin of my back.

Dragons had destroyed our home, nearly drove our race to extinction. I wouldn’t allow Zavarians to be wiped from the Earth.

I’d become a monster and I would destroy every single dragon even if it meant losing myself.

Though I was exhausted, my sleep was restless. I couldn’t get comfortable even when Kreed moved us to the living room couches. His presence was reassuring but sleep still evaded me and the little bit I did get hadn’t been enough.

The penthouse was dark when I opened my eyes, a soft glow coming from the kitchen. Kreed wasn’t in the living room and my stomach knotted. The penthouse was secure but what if an invisible person was still here hiding.

Wrapping the comforter around my body I tiptoed down the hall to the kitchen. I found Kreed shirtless with a broom in hand as he swept up glass.

“Hey,” I announced, not wanting to spook him, my mouth gaping.

He turned, a troubled expression on his face but by the time his eyes met mine it was gone. I gave him a smile, wondering briefly if I had imagined it.

“I found your phone.” He nodded to the counter. “It’s been vibrating incessantly.”

I stepped closer reaching for my phone as Kreed turned his back to me continuing to sweep and I got a good look at his back. It was covered in an elaborate tattoo of a snarling dragon. The rainbow of colors shimmered like it was made of diamonds as he moved. It was the most elaborate, most colorful, most sexy tattoo I had ever seen. My fingers itched to touch it. That would be rude right?

Instead, I grabbed my phone and clicked it on, seeing over twenty missed calls and even more text messages. I sighed knowing that the security system must have alerted people.

Gavin had called every thirty minutes for several hours, while Lyndee and Syd had sent text after text demanding me to pick up or text them back. I hurried and shot off messages to them both saying I was fine, just locked inside the penthouse until someone could come disengaged the system.

I waited for a few minutes, but no response texts came through. Placing the phone on the counter again, I walked over to the dining room where Kreed was now cleaning up. He noticed my approach and raised a questioning eyebrow.

“I like your tattoo. I didn’t notice it before.” He frowned as I made my way closer. “What?” I asked.

“You… you can see it?”

“Yes,” I replied, drawing the word out. “It’s big and covers your whole back. Not sure how I missed it before.”

“You’re not supposed to be able to see it.” He placed his hands on my biceps looking down at my face.

“Huh?”

“Tell me exactly what you see.”

“It’s a rainbow-y, snarling dragon. It looks to be made of shimmery ink or something. It dazzles like diamonds,” I answered. He was starting to freak me out.

“It can’t be,” he mumbled, his eyes going unfocused.

“Kreed?” I winced as his hand squeezed my arms. “Kreed! Stop. You’re hurting me.”

His hands released my arms and I rubbed them while glaring at him. “What the Hell?”

“I’m—” he began, his words interrupted by a fierce pounding on the door, followed by muffled yelling.

“Stay here.” Kreed pointed at the floor. What was I a dog?

He grabbed his shirt, then disappeared into the hall. My temper rose. I was not in the mood to be bossed around, so I followed.

Kreed stood-shirt on-glaring at the door. What the eff was this guy's problem? I was getting whiplash from his mood swings.

“Nik!” A female voice I recognized yelled through the door and the metal that covered it. It was thick but not sound proof apparently.

“Lyndee!” I yelled back, rushing to the door wanting to throw it open but there was no handle.

“Open this door, now,” Lyndee barked at someone. The way she demanded and bossed people around wasn’t my favorite thing but it was her way of showing she cared.

“I’m trying,” Syd’s voice grumbled.

Another bang came from the door followed by cursing.

“Stop doing that! It’s not going to budge.”

“I gotta do something,” Lyndee said, as another bang sounded.

“Ramming the door isn’t going to do shit. Will you just calm down so I can disable…” the last of his sentence was drowned out by more banging followed by more cursing.

I smiled as tears gathered in my eyes. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until just this moment.

“You thick-headed idiot, Lyndee. I’m trying to open the door!” Syd growled sounding like the animal he shifted into.

“If this door isn’t opened in two seconds, I’m gonna rip it apart!”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Our Nik is in there! All alone and bored, possibly injured.”

“Just give me a minute, damnit.”

“Lyndee, let Syd work please. And I’m not alone.” I rolled my eyes.

“Zazu doesn’t count.”

“He does too but there’s a person in here with me also.”

Silence answered my declaration. I took a moment to look over my shoulder at Kreed. He glared at the door; it wasn’t a murdery stare anymore, but a puzzled one.

“Why are you using the voice?” Lyndee asked.

“What voice?” I asked.

“The “someone stayed over” voice, which I’m guessing isn’t the reason you activated the lock down.”

“No, we were attacked last night.”

“Attacked by who?” Syd asked in a dangerous voice, while a beep came from our side of the door and the metal plate started to rise, revealing the door.

Once the metal panel rose enough, I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open to reveal my best friends.

“You look like shit,” Lyndee informed me, as she stepped inside and wrapped her arms around me.

“That’s a swear word,” Syd sing-songed, before he wrapped his longer arms around both of us.

“Keep the money, butthat,” Lyndee retorted, while I snorted.

“Did you bet again?” I asked rolling my eyes. “You know she sprinkles swear words on everything like cilantro.”

“I know it’s pointless,” Syd sighed, letting us go and stepping back to look at me. “Lyn’s right, you do look like shit.”

“Well, I was fighting for my life last night,” I replied flippantly, rubbing a hand on my throat.

“Who’s that?” Lyndee asked, pointing behind me.

Turning, Kreed, with arms crossed, leaned against the wall, observing us.

“That’s Kreed,” I said, wondering how I was going to explain his presence here. “He’s uh…”

“Nik’s protector,” Kreed finished.

“It’s a long story,” I interjected, before Lyndee or Syd could say anything more.

“Well start,” Syd said, pressing something on his phone and the metal door started to slide down again. “I need to know exactly who thought they could mess with what’s mine and get away with it. Then I’m going to kill them.”

Oh boy.

We made coffee while I told the story of the past week and everything that had happened. Boy there was a lot to say. The story began with me telling them about my cancer being back and ended with why the penthouse looked like a war zone. Kreed continued to clean, while Syd and Lyndee sat at the kitchen island listening intently to my story.

“So, the new boss is a dragon?” Lyndee clarified, looking at Syd with a peculiar look on her face like they knew something I didn’t.

“I had my suspicions,” Syd admitted regretfully.

“But there was no way to be certain without Nik,” Lyndee said, nodding at me.

“Trust me, if I knew what she was walking into I never would have had Gavin call her in.” Syd ran his hands through his sandy blond hair.

“He sent ninja-thugs after her. Clearly there is more going on than we know.”

“Don’t forget the dude in the alley with the Uber-ninjas,” I reminded them.

“Dude sounds sexy as hell,” Lyndee said, licking her lips. “So mysterious and yummy.”

“I’ll never understand shifter horny levels.” I wrinkled my nose. Lyndee was beautiful with wavy brown hair, light brown eyes, and a to-die for hour glass figure. So, her sex drive, thanks to her shifter genes, was off the charts.

“I’m a shifter and I don’t have nearly the same drive.” Syd’s nose wrinkled.

“Everyone knows lions are lazy cats.” Lyndee waved away his words with her hand.

“Since when do wolf shifters bang like rabbits?” I asked, with a eyebrow raised.

“Do you see all the Mutts?” Lyndee asked, gesturing around herself.

“She’s got a point,” I hedged. The ratio of shifter Mutts compared to other race Mutts was astronomical. “Please tell me you aren’t planning to contribute to the population.”

“Ugh, another Lyndee? Don’t make me gag.” Syd tensed, preparing for the hit that Lyndee provided seconds later.

“Rude,” Lyndee said, before turning her eyes back to me. “I’m still confused on who he is?”

I followed her thumb and saw Kreed coming from the dining room with a dustpan full of glass. We all watched him dump it into the trash and leave the room.

I cringed because this was so awkward plus confusing. I had no idea what to make of him now that we shared a very intimate kissing session that was interrupted by an attempt on our lives. With his super-duper hearing power he was tracking the conversation and my reactions. How annoying.

“I saved his life.” I shrugged trying to make it sound like no big deal. It was a big deal.

“You healed him?” Syd frowned in disapproval.

“Yep,” I answered, popping the P with my lips.

“Something smells fishy and it ain’t the shit Zazu eats,” Lyndee said, narrowing her eyes at me.

I picked at the marble counter unsure on how to answer or what to say. Finding out there was another race besides the four we knew about was a tough pill to swallow. I had lots of proof, plus a bond with one of them could feel even now.

“Nik,” Syd prompted, but I didn’t know what and what not to say.

Where was Brutus when you needed him.

A pounding on the front door startled all of us. Kreed materialized at my side with one of his katanas in hand. I glanced at Lyndee and Syd to gage their reactions and they were both staring at Kreed’s sudden appearance with awe and suspicion.

We all held still for several moments wondering what would happen next. Would whoever try to break in? Was it just someone delivering a package? Was the package a bomb?

Before I could freak out about the possibility of a bomb, Kreed relaxed his tense posture.

“It’s Brutus,” he announced, striding down the hallway toward the door. “Can you open the door please?” Kreed asked.

“Uh, sure,” Syd said, withdrawing his phone but looking at me expectantly. “Who is Brutus and is he trustworthy?”

I smiled because if there was anyone I trusted, outside of Lyndee and Syd, it was Brutus. He understood more than most about Mutts even though he was a full-blooded shifter. Basically, he’s a keeper.

I nodded, actually looking forward to seeing his ugly mug. Maybe he brought food. Seriously, Nik, of course he brought food.

We heard the metal door opening, then Kreed opened the front door. They were murmuring. I’d bet Lyndee’s left tit Kreed was filling Brutus in on what had just happened.

A thought hit me then. I trusted Brutus with Lyndee's body parts but did I trust Kreed with them? What a complicated question. He’d proven himself capable but there was so much I still didn’t know. He’d opened up last night and this morning he was tight lipped again. We seemed to take one step forward then two steps back.

Before I could think more on the matter, heavy footfalls sounded from the hallway and Brutus entered the kitchen donning food bags in one and Zazu in the other.

“Nik!” He pounded toward me dropping the bags on the counter as he went. “What the hell? Are you okay? Why the fuck didn’t anyone call me?”

“I’m sorry. We should have called,” I said, as Brutus wrapped me in a hug that felt really good. I’d gotten comfort from Lyndee and Syd but only a cold shoulder from Kreed. It shouldn’t have hurt but it did.

“Aww don’t cry,” Brutus soothed while I sniffled. Why do bear shifters have to act like teddy bears?

I was picked up and then deposited on the counter. Grabbing my shirt sleeve, I wiped my eyes and face. Everything had changed in a short amount of time. Somehow, I’d gotten myself put on the city’s gangs most wanted list. They wanted me alive which was a small horrifying consolation, but it could be the worse alternative. Death would be much better.

“I brought donuts and coffee,” Brutus said, rushing back to me with a white bag and a to-go cup of hot coffee.

I accepted the steaming liquid. Maybe I was emotional because I lacked coffee. Couldn’t be the dark cloud of impending doom hovering over me. Nah.

Turning the cup I read the writing on the side, it read: I don’t fart, I whisper in my panties.

“Oh my God!” I laughed, a deep belly laugh.

I showed the cup to the rest of the room. Lyndee was the first to read it and then joined me in laughing. Inappropriate coffee mugs were our thing.

“That’s great!” Lyndee whooped.

“Don't encourage them,” Syd grumbled.

“Are you seriously alright now?” Brutus asked, handing me a donut with pink frosting and sprinkles. I accepted the round treat and nodded. “Good. Now, what the hell happened?”

“Didn’t he fill you in?” I asked, using my chin to point at Kreed who leaned against the wall. A deep scowl on his face.

“Some,” Brutus answered, leaning down so he was eye level with me. “Let’s hear it though.”

With an eye roll, I told him about the attack last night, how we both nearly died, and how I used Zazu’s collar to put the penthouse into an impenetrable lockdown.

“Quick thinking,” he said with a wink before turning back to the rest of the kitchen and addressed Syd. “Does anyone know about this place?”

“No,” Lyndee answered, which surprised me. I knew she worked closely with Syd and despite their banter, they worked really well together. “As far as anyone knows I’m the only one who lives here. Nik’s name isn’t on any of the paperwork and we’ve erased all digital evidence of her being here.”

“That sounds like an awful lot of security for one person,” Kreed finally chimed in.

“If this place is so secret, why do you send Mutts up here to be read by Nik?” Brutus asked, crossing his arms.

“We have several security measures involving magic,” Syd said. “Once someone is invited in to be evaluated and then leave, the memory of this place becomes muddled. Basically, they do remember her but her mannerisms and appearance changes.”

“How come I didn’t know about any of this?” I asked, trying to think of a reason why they would keep this from me.

“With everything that’s happened, with you being sick and the break up with Gavin, we thought it best not to tell you so you wouldn’t get upset,” Lyndee said, shrugging.

I didn’t know how to feel about that. On one hand I understood why they kept it from me. I was a mess after treatment. It felt like my life had been on pause and then once I was better and the breakup happened. Life resumed. The life I once had was not the life I had after. There was no manual on how to continue living. It was a confusing time but the constant was Syd and Lyndee so I really couldn’t be upset that they kept this from me. I was a bit hurt, but they had always had my best interest at heart.

“I understand why you kept this from me.” I nodded. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it, though.”

“If I was in your shoes I wouldn’t like it either. So now that you know, we can discuss it more if you’d like.” Syd was so level-headed it baffled me why he hung out with Lyndee and me.

“Another time. I need a bit to wrap my head around all of this stuff first.” My finger waving around the partially cleaned room. How I’d do that was beyond me. Maybe I should start binge drinking.

Syd nodded while Lyndee looked guilty. I knew that she would have told me if she thought I could handle it. They knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.

“So, what now?” I asked no one in particular because I literally had no idea. Everyone seemed to have contingency plan after contingency plan. From sending Mutts to the penthouse to the security at the clubs and who knew what else.

“We need more information. Can’t fight something we don’t know,” Syd said, sweeping his hair out of his eyes.

“How do we do that?” I wondered.

“We?” The word was growled from the wall.

“Yes, we. I’m part of this now.” I pointed at myself. “I don’t want to be in the dark anymore.” Kreed was obviously still in a mood.

“Ignorance is bliss,” Kreed huffed.

“I lived in ignorance before. Now that my eyes have been opened, I want to keep it that way. I want to know what’s coming next,” I growled back. What a jerk!

“I have Gavin locking down the territory and everyone I know keeping their eyes and ears open,” Syd said. “We’ll hear something soon, but in the meantime there's a mole and we need to figure out who that is before they can regroup.”

“So you think someone betrayed us?” I couldn’t think of who would do that. Everyone was loyal to us and especially to Syd. I was convinced it had something to do with being a lion. Lions were the king of cats right?

“They’d have to know, or at least suspect, what sort of magical security measures we have in place,” Lyndee spoke, tapping her fingers on her chin. “It has to be someone close to all of us and that’s a pretty small list.”

“Gavin is out,” Syd said. “He’s completely loyal and we check in with each other regularly. Despite what happened between you and him, he would never hurt you.”

“The other candidates aren’t as close as he is and their information is limited when it comes to you, Nik,” Lyndee said.

“I have some connections I could reach out to,” Brutus offered. “At least we’d know if the Pendragon is aware of the rogue wild dragon in his city.”

“What sort of connections?” Lyndee asked in her interested but totally digging the dude voice. Horny Bitch.

“Brutus is Pure blood,” I answered, taking a sip of my coffee.

Syd and Lyndee both looked at Brutus in surprise. Most Pure blood shifters didn’t associate with Mutts. Odd that he did but that was a story that only he could tell them.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a full-blooded shifter before,” Lyndee said a bit stary-eyed.

“Same,” Syd said.

“I’m starting to see that I’m in the minority,” Brutus said. I bumped his shoulder with mine.

“You need to get out more,” I laughed.

“Yeah, this is the most I’ve been out of the house in years,” he agreed with a chuckle.

Syd and Lyndee wore confused expressions but that was also something that was a secret that was not mine to share. Plus, I felt sorta protective of Ruvean though I knew he could take care of himself. I wondered how strong the protection urge was for Kreed. There was still so much that I didn’t know.

“So, we’ve got the territory locked down and have feelers out for information. Anything else?” I asked, doing my best to bring everyone back on point and recapping for the group.

“Well, I think the next thing is to figure out where Nik is going to stay,” Syd replied, running his hands over his face. Poor guy looked tired and worried. They must have gotten back into town then came straight here.

“Why can’t I stay here?”

“Seriously, you were just attacked last night. The penthouse is no longer safe,” Lyndee said, in an ‘are you stupid’ voice.

“I thought it was safe because of the metal doors and stuff.”

“We have no idea what we are dealing with or the resources he has,” Kreed said, stepping forward and joining in the conversation. “What we do know is that the dragon wants you and he’ll put a lot of effort into getting what he wants.”

“Okay, so I can’t stay here. Where do I go?”

“I have an idea,” Syd said, but the look on his face clued me in that he didn’t like it. “We need to go see the Gold Skulls.”

“Really?” I whined like an eight-year-old.

“Oh yes, they owe me and I’m cashing it in,” Syd said, with a manic grin.

Fucking pixies.

The Howling Cow was a shitty bar on the edge of the city. There was shitty music and shitty people that frequented the establishment. I let my dislike of everything be known to everyone on the car ride over. Lyndee had learned to tune me out but Kreed and Syd got front row seats to the whiny side of Nik.

“Nik, I swear to God I will give you a dead leg if you don’t stop,” Syd said, through clenched teeth.

“I’m a big girl, Syd,” I retorted. Basically over the fact we were going to see the Gold Skulls and now just whining for fun.

“I would beg to differ,” Kreed mumbled, not even trying to hide his words.

“Look, everyone knows that pixies are annoying little shits, Nik, so drop it,” Lyndee said. “Besides it’s not like they only allow pixies. There's other more unsavory creatures.”

“Like what?” Kreed asked, curious.

“It’s rumored that the Skulls have an honest-to-God vampire locked up under the bar and they feed it people who piss them off. They threaten people with it and there's enough evidence to suggest that they do have at least something in their back pocket,” Lyndee bounced in her seat as we turned on the road that led to the bar.

“Do all the gangs have rumors? You all have the rumor of Nik and the Skulls have this vampire nonsense. I’m starting to see a pattern.”

“Rumors are a good way to deter unwanted attacks.” Syd shrugged. “Our rumor was true and I’m wondering if there isn’t a shred of truth in the Skull’s rumor.”

“I know it’s rude to ask but what are you Kreed?” Lyndee sat forward in her seat in order to see Kreed better in the front seat. “I don’t recognize your scent.”

Oh, damn. At least she asked him instead of me. I did not want to even try to explain what he was. The fact there was another hidden supernatural race on Earth was mind blowing. Thankfully, I had Brutus and Ruvaen to help ease me into the knowledge which frankly helped my sanity.

“A story for another time,” Kreed replied, as Syd pulled his black jacked up SUV into the parking lot.

Looking around I wondered how exactly we would be able to blend in here. The lot was full of bikes of every size and a supped up SUV would stand out just as much as our slut mobile, Kurby, did everywhere else.

“So, what’s the plan?” I asked, trying to distract Lyndee from Kreed’s origins.

“Gotta talk to Bayard and ask some questions,” Syd answered.

I turned to Lyndee who glanced at me then whispered out of the corner of her mouth, “Syd commissioned the Gold Skulls to outfit the penthouse. It’s the best of the best and the fact that someone was able to bypass all of it is definitely concerning.”

“Concerning how?”

“They put a guarantee on this sort of thing. The attack last night proved that it isn’t impenetrable like they promised so if anyone could help us figure this all out it’s them.”

“I hate pixies,” I whispered, as we exited the vehicle.

Contrary to the stories of pixies being cute, fairy-like creatures that had iridescent wings and glitter dust to help them fly if they just think about happy things was utter bullshit. Pixies were small and have a big-dog complex. They were out to prove that they are the baddest kids on the block, but they were really just mischievous little devils.

“Watch what you say and don’t agree to anything,” Syd warned us as we started for the door. “Also, be very careful what you eat and drink in there.”

The stories of Fae being tricksters who couldn’t lie but could twist the truth for their benefit was a bunch of crap. Fairies were Earth-loving hippies, while it’s the other creatures from their world you had to watch out for. Pixies had no problem lying and would do anything to get them ahead. They were addicted to power.

Big dog complexes.

The bar was a rundown seedy-looking place from the outside. The inside was not like that at all. Expensive tapestries hung from the walls, tables inlaid with gold and diamonds, the flooring was granite so polished you could see your crotch while walking, expensive artwork painted by Pure humans were hung on the walls. The artwork wasn’t even that great but since a Pure human created them, it put a hefty price tag on even the simplest stick figure doodles.

The bouncer at the door wore glamour to make him look like a normal human, but my radar told me he was a ghoul. Foul smelling creatures who guard bridges and bogs back in the fairy world. Here, they did guard duty, and they were not very bright. They barely spoke, only grunting and pointing at stuff.

Did I mention they stink?

Syd spoke to the burly bouncer while I tried not to breathe too much of the scent of body odor, mixed with rotten meat. The little bit that I did get a whiff of made me want to vomit. Lyndee also looked a bit green, while Syd and Kreed were cool as cucumbers.

We were waved in as Lyndee and I pushed our way to the bar. The disgusting scent from the lobby morphed into cigar smoke and whiskey. The expensive kind. It was so much better smelling in here that Lindee and I took several deep breaths to purge our nostril’s palettes.

“Never gets better,” I grumbled, swallowing the taste of bile on my tongue.

“Try it with a shifter nose,” Lyndee retorted.

No, thank you!

Kreed brushed against me as he took up position behind me and though things were confusing between us I was glad he was here.

“Hey, we don’t serve his kind here,” a deep yet squeaky voice said from the location near our feet.

Looking down, a mean looking pixie glared up at us. His thick skin was a greyish-green color, a squat body stuffed into black leather pants and zipped up leather jacket. A gold skull embroidered on his chest with the letters P-R-E-Z spelled underneath it. His hair was a shocking forest green with eyes that matched. Definitely exotic with his under bite and fangs the size of pencils jutting from the bottom jaw and resting above his upper lip.

“Who?” Lyndee asked, confused.

“Him,” the height-challenged pixie said, pointing behind my shoulder.

I followed his finger, expecting to see someone other than Kreed but he was the only one.

“He’s with us,” Syd said, stepping sideways to block Kreed from view.

“I don’t care. Cowards and traitors aren’t welcome here.” The pixie snarled, baring his teeth at Kreed.

A soft sound of metal pulled from leather clued me into the fact that Kreed had drawn one of his swords. I gulped because I knew what the sharp blade in his hands could do.

Out of the kettle and into the fire.

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa,” Syd said, glancing from the pixie to Kreed. “Bayard, we’re here on official business and he is an eyewitness, plus duty bound to protect one of ours. Her.” He pointed in my direction.

Bayard leaned around Syd to get a better look at me, his tiny eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He sucked in a deep breath, gathering our scents and committing them to memory. Pixies were better than bloodhounds. They could pick up a scent months old and track them. That’s why they were so adept at security. If someone did get past them, they would track them down and take care of the problem.

Bayard took a step closer, his eyes closed as he breathed in again and then sneezed. Green snot shot from his nose and down toward his mouth. I was on the verge of barfing when he wiped away with a handkerchief he had up his sleeve. A bloody handkerchief! Fancy but disgusting.

“I know you,” he whispered. Then surprised the hell out of me when he got down on one knee.

“Uh…” Real eloquent, Nik. But seriously what the hell.

“Tine Dian, I know you,” he repeated, touching his fingers to his forehead.

I froze stunned because I had no idea what he was talking about. I glanced at Lyndee and she looked just as stunned as I was. The only one who seemed unaffected was Syd.

“I’m sorry but what…” I trailed off as more pixies arrived and bowed around Bayard.

“You are welcome here, Tine Dian,” Bayard announced, his declaration repeated by everyone in the bar.

“What in the ever-loving-sex is going on,” Lyndee whispered in my ear which made me snort when she used the real meaning of a swear word.

“No clue,” I replied, my cheeks hot with embarrassment.

“This is… unusual,” Kreed whispered, suspicion clear in his tone.

“Follow me,” Bayard said, standing and trotting off into the bar. For someone so minuscule he could sure cover ground.

Syd followed him and gestured for us to follow. We were led into a room at the back. There was a massive desk facing the wall with two armchairs in front of it and two couches pushed against the walls. Bayard disappeared behind the mahogany desk then reappeared as he climbed onto the chair.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” he invited, gesturing to the seating areas.

I chose a seat in front of the desk, while Syd took the one beside me. Kreed took up his normal position behind me while Lyndee paced the room.

“What brings you here?” Bayard directed his question at me.

Thankfully, Syd answered for me because I was still reeling from what had happened with all of the pixies in the bar and what ‘Tine Dian’ meant.

“The penthouse was attacked and infiltrated,” Syd answered bluntly.

“Impossible,” the pixie replied, waving away Syd’s words with his hand.

“Check,” Syd demanded, crossing his arms making it clear we weren’t going anywhere.

Bayard glared at Syd but opened a laptop sitting on the desk. He typed a few key strokes then used the mouse. The room remained silent while he did his checking and for some reason my anxiety soared. As if sensing my turmoil, Kreed rested his hand on my shoulder. That small touch was enough to ease my discomfort, which wouldn’t have been the case a week ago. Something to think about later.

“I see a security alarm but nothing that would indicate a breach,” Bayard announced.

Syd pulled out his phone and did something then pocketed it again. “Check your email.”

Bayard sighed but clicked and typed away. Syd glanced at me with a twinkle in his eye. He knew something. The sharp inhale from the pixie was the only indication that he was upset by what Syd had sent him.

After several silent minutes Bayard closed his laptop looking troubled.

“This happened last night?” Syd nodded. “I understand now why you are here now.”

“I’m not entirely sure why we are here,” I spoke.

“The penthouse's security was installed and maintained by Bayard and his people,” Syd revealed.

“Why?”

“Because,” Bayard interjected before Syd could answer my question, “my people owe you a debt.”

“You do?” I was utterly confused.

“It’s clear that Nik doesn’t know so could someone fill her in unless you like keeping her in the dark,” Kreed spoke aggressively and it made my heart skip.

“Five years ago, you healed a creature,” Bayard began and I was suddenly transported back in my memories.

I was taking a walk with Zazu down a street just after dusk. The sky was darkening but for some reason a walk down the street from my house sounded like a good idea. The air was brisk with a cool nip that promised seasonal changes. It was a beautiful night.

We stopped at the small, rundown park just down the street from my home. Zazu explored the tall grass around a big pine tree when the sounds of multiple vehicles roared through the night.

Motorcycles in all shapes and sizes passed the park opposite Zazu and I. One of the bikers slowed, tossed a wadded ball of material into the gutter, then rode away toward the rest of the biker gang.

My ears rang with the aftershock of so many engines passing. Zazu scratched at his ears but overcame the discomfort quickly and then continued his exploration like nothing had happened.

The wind shifted, bringing with it a scent I could not detect, but Zazu could. He growled, then ran off toward the street where the bikers had just been. I called after him, but he ignored me and I kicked myself for not bringing a leash.

I chased Zazu to the edge of the park and found him crouched above the bundle that the biker had tossed. Wrinkling my nose, I tried to grab the Chia, but he slipped from my grasp, pawing at the bundle. That's when it moved.

Fearing the worst, I grabbed a stick and carefully began to unwrap the package, half convinced it was something dead that Zazu wanted to rub himself on. That wasn’t the case. The last flip of the gross material revealed a pixie covered in greenish blood and near death.

My reaction was immediate. My heart clenched as I lifted the tiny creature from the gutter and looked him over. He was badly beaten and by the way his limbs moved, the majority of his bones were broken. Breathing was labored and it was amazing that he was still alive at all.

Green blood coated my hands and the internal heat I kept hidden deep down rose, reacting to the creatures suffering. I had always kept that part of myself tucked away, terrified that every time it stirred was because of an injured person. Seeing weakness in others and wanting to act was something only a predator would do. Did the fire inside want to stamp out those that were weak? Cull the herd of the sick and old, was that what this power was?

I dropped the pixie, scared I would end him but the fire increased and moved to my hands that were still coated with green liquid.

A whimper escaped my lips as the heat licked at the blood growing higher and hotter until it was boiling on my hands. Still it continued until nothing was left but ash, rising from my hands and drifting on the wind.

Tears ran down my cheeks as I struggled to contain the fire but nothing worked. Roaring began in my ears and my head grew light. I thought I would pass out but then the origin of the roaring sound registered. The bikers were returning probably to make sure that the pixie was dead.

Looking down, forest green eyes stared up at me with awe and wonder. I swallowed trying again in vain to push the fire down but instead it built higher and higher. The pixie rose on shaky legs completely healed.

Motorcycles rolled up and the small pixie stepped in front of me ready to defend me and my pet. He was so small. There was no way he’d be able to fight them off which was punctuated by laughter.

Words were spoken but I was struggling with an inner battle. Zazu remained by my side, his paw resting on my thigh doing what he could to help.

Voices shouted and guns were loaded and cocked and I knew that they would kill us all. Not only had I somehow healed the pixie, they’d left for dead and I’d seen their faces. There was no way I would survive the night.

Zazu yowled and hissed at something over my shoulder. I chanced a glance and saw the little pixie standing before the hoard arms outstretched ready to be torn apart by bullets. I made a split-second decision, one that I hoped I wouldn’t regret in the future.

Standing on shaking legs I faced the bikers and growled at the one I’d saved to get behind me and get low. When I felt Zazu’s scaly skin and fur rub against my calf I knew he was safe so I let go. Flames shot from my palms and I funneled all its hot fury at the gang who attempted my murder. I didn’t stop until there was nothing left but ash floating on the wind.

I jerked back to the present, my hands shaking and drenched in sweat. I sat on the couch and had no memory of how I got there. I could’ve sworn I was on a chair. Kreed stood in front of me with a katana in one hand and a throwing dagger in the other.

My throat was dry and I tried to drum up some saliva so I could swallow and hopefully speak to find out what was going on.

“Step away from her and you won’t get hurt,” Syd spoke.

I didn’t know who he was talking to.

Kreed laughed deeply in his chest and it made the hairs on my arms and neck stand up. This wasn’t good.

“The only way you’ll get to her is through me,” Kreed growled. The way he said it sounded an awful lot like possession. My stomach swooped at his tone which was all sorts of wrong.

“Kreed,” I managed to whisper through my dry mouth.

Quicker than a thought I was in Kreed’s arms, my head pressed against his chest and I could feel the cold bite of metal from his weapons but I knew they were there for protection not to hurt me. I took a moment to just breathe him in. His scent touched something inside and it calmed me. This was definitely new.

“Nik?” Lyndee asked hesitantly.

Turning my head, I noticed the room was full of pixies with weapons drawn and ready to attack. I couldn’t understand why until my eyes fell on a pair of forest green ones that I recognized immediately.

“It’s you,” I croaked, tears filling my eyes as the memory of what I had done to those bikers. They deserved it but I had blood on my hands. I was a killer. A mass murderer.

Bayard nodded confirming that the memory was real.

“I owe you my life, twice,” he answered respectfully.

“Why didn’t I remember?” I asked a sob catching in my throat.

“The memory was suppressed for your safety. It tore you up what you did and my identity had to remain a secret,” he answered, sadness in his eyes like the fact I was hurting affected him.

“You two knew?” I pointed at Syd and Lyndee, who both nodded.

“You agreed to this, Nik.” Lyndee spoke tears in her eyes and I knew it must have killed her to keep this from me. We were closer than sisters and it hurt more than I thought it would. “When Bayard became the president of the Gold Skulls he vowed to protect you whatever the cost but we needed you to be completely ignorant of it.”

Kreed’s arms tightened around me and I would’ve given anything to go back to last night when I was in his embrace when I felt desired, powerful and not the destructive kind.

“I need a minute,” I said, doing my best to suppress the tears I felt burning behind my eyes.

“Of course,” Bayard answered immediately and began herding everyone else out of the small office.

Kreed remained which was good because I wouldn’t let him go even if they tried to pry him away. He was my rock. Without him I felt like I would drown.

Once the room was empty, except for me and my protector, and the door had closed, I finally let the tears fall. I sobbed into Kreed’s chest, the memory still fresh and new in my mind. How could I have done that? Was that what I truly was?

A cool hand slipped under my shirt and pressed against the skin of my lower back, while another hand tangled in my hair holding me to him. Why did this feel so good? He had been so cold today but right now I felt comfort, safe, warm and protected. Was this the bond? Had it grown stronger?

“What is this?” I sniffled into his chest.

“I think our healing bound us even closer,” he whispered, running his fingers through my hair.

“Is that normal?”

“No,” he answered, “not with my kind.”

“What am I?”

“I don’t know but we’ll figure it out.” His use of ‘we’ warmed my heart but a part of me couldn’t completely trust it. I felt that if I did fully trust him I would be giving way more than just that.

“Tell me what happened,” he prodded gently.

With his cool steady hands still pressed on me, I recounted the memory and what I had done.

“That’s not the first time you’ve used your healing ability is it?”

I shook my head. “It was the first time I couldn’t completely control it. It had a mind of its own and there was nothing I could do.”

Leaning back, I tilted my head so I could see his face. He was so beautiful. I felt the connection between us mounting more every day and I didn’t know what to do about it.

“You are more powerful than either of us realized which explains why you are so heavily protected. There must have been witnesses to the incident with the bikers so your memory of it was suppressed, magically,” he mused, running his fingers down my cheek like he couldn’t help himself.

“Who is strong enough to work that sort of magic?” Witches couldn’t work that sort of spell on someone, even several uniting to do the spell would’ve had a hard time.

“I don’t think a witch could have done it alone.”

“But even with other witches they’d be hard pressed to place it let alone maintain it.”

Kreed nodded his agreement then looked around the room. He pulled me closer and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me even though I had been snot-crying for the past fifteen minutes. Instead, he ran his nose along my cheek until his lips were level with my ear, then he whispered, “we’re being watched.”

The door flew open and a surge of people, pixies, and other creatures entered. Kreed tucked me behind his body and I let him. I wasn’t ready to face anyone, especially the adoration coming from Bayard. I didn’t regret saving him both times but I did regret the means of how I did it.

“What’s going on?” Kreed asked, completely calm.

“Just got word from Gavin, the club, and the penthouse have been attacked. He’s also seeing lots of movement in the streets. This is a complete lock down,” Syd answered then put his phone to his ear and started barking orders.

Bayard and Lyndee came over to where I was shamelessly hiding behind Kreed.

“Tine Dian, you are safe here. Me and my clan will not let any harm come to you,” Bayard vowed and it made me internally cringe. People were putting their lives on the line, for me.

“Why do you call me that? What does it mean?” Yes, Nik, focus on that.

“It means “fire healer”,” he answered. It was strangely fitting. “Your friends have filled me in on your situation. I’d like to assure you that you have mine and my clan's complete support.”

“Thank you,” I replied, having absolutely no idea what else to say.

“I’ve sent men to aid in your territory’s protection. We won’t let The Unseen have an inch of new territory.” I could tell that Bayard was trying to reassure me, but it was doing the opposite.

“Three gangs in this city are about to go to war, over me.” I felt faint and if it wasn’t for Kreed I’d probably pass out or run screaming from the room.

“Two out of the three are trying to keep you safe while the one is after you,” Lyndee informed me.

“But why? I don’t understand. There’s nothing special about me. What do they want me for?”

“Don’t tell me you aren’t special,” Lyndee said. “Nik, you’re one of a kind. No one else can do what you do. Your healing ability is amazing but also destructive as you proved saving a pixie you didn’t know. You didn’t destroy everyone, and people know that something happened that night, something terrible. They see it as a way to gain power, but they don’t know the good side of it. You’re dangerous. They want to either possess you or kill you so no one else can have you.”

What Lyndee said took me aback. She’d never said anything like it before. I opened my mouth to say something intelligent, but my brain couldn’t remember words. My eyes filled with tears again as I stepped around Kreed and into my bestie’s arms.

“Love you, Lyndee.” I sniffled against her shoulder, probably getting snot on her shirt too, but I wasn’t about to point it out.

“I love you too. Everything we’ve done is to keep you safe,” she whispered and I knew she felt bad but she was my family.

We parted just as Syd walked up to us, bouncing his phone in his hand. “I just got off the phone with Gwenna. She’s on her way.”

“That’s the Witch-Fae right?” I asked, knowing that it was but wanted to see his reaction.

“Uh, yes,” he answered, looking at me surprised.

“I met her at the club.” I shrugged.

“I didn’t realize she was a hybrid,” Lyndee said, her brows furrowed.

“She’s the second Witch-Fae I’ve met. Not that I actually “met” the first one, he was with the new boss.” I gulped remembering how other-worldly he looked.

“The dragon boss?” Lyndee whispered. I nodded.

“I’ve never met a dragon in the flesh before.” Syd shook his head in disbelief.

“He was… frightening.” I gulped, remembering what it was like being in his presence.

I felt Kreed’s fingers brush against mine and it brought me back to the present. He was right. I think we were bound together tighter now. Could it possibly be that we had healed each other? There could be no other explanation. I had no idea what I was and if we continued like we were, would we be bound together forever?

So many questions and not enough answers.

“Let me through,” a voice snarled from the doorway.

“Brutus?” I waved at him and the pixies took that as the all-clear sign and let the massive shifter into the room.

“I just got the word that Lazateth was spotted leaving the city and heading in this direction,” he said as he approached.

“Who’s Lasagna?” Lyndee asked, as her stomach growled loudly.

“Laz-ah-teth is the name of the dragon boss of The Unseen,” Brutus replied.

“How did he know I was here?”

“There’s a traitor,” Kreed reminded me but I couldn’t imagine anyone selling me out to a dragon mob boss.

“We need to get you out of here. You are what he wants,” Bayard said, making Brutus jump a little which caused Lyndee and me to snicker.

“Where will we go?” Kreed asked, and it warmed my heart a bit that he said ‘we’.

“Can we go to your Dad’s place?” I asked Kreed.

He shook his head. “It’s not safe for you there.”

I was pretty sure he was referring to the place his Dad lived, not his Dad himself. I knew that Ruvaen would never hurt me, I knew it deep down in my fiery core. “Where is safe?”

“Where you would least likely be found,” a female voice said.

Gwenna had arrived. I gave her a brief hug thankful that she had made it here safely. “Where is the least likely place I would go?” I wondered.

“Pixie leader?” Gwenna asked, addressing Bayard, who stood by my knee. He nodded his affirmation. “You must have a secret tunnel or way of sneaking out of this place without being detected.”

“We have a passageway from the wine cellar that ends in the surrounding hills. We have a vehicle stored there that you can take to escape the city,” Bayard announced.

“What? Leave the city? There’s nowhere to go.” That wasn’t entirely true, the Wilds were out there but it was full of treacherous roads and landscapes, not to mention the wild dragons who roamed unchecked.

“The Wilds,” Syd, Lyndee, Kreed, and Brutus all said together.

“I’m not going out there,” I refused. Going into the Wilds without a guide was suicidal.

“It’s the safest place.” Brutus cut in trying to convince me. “Lazateth wouldn’t follow you out there. He can’t risk leaving his hard fought for territory.”

“You won’t be going alone,” Kreed said quietly. I knew that wherever I went he would follow.

“But your Dad…” I trailed off because staying behind for an elderly loved one was something a human would worry about.

“He is much stronger than he looks.” Kreed grinned.

If Kreed was anything like him, which he totally was, Ruvaen would be just fine.

Just the thought of venturing out into the Wilds filled me with anxious fear. There were so many rumors and horror stories about what the Wilds contained. Strange diseases, plants, wild Chia’s and the dragons. There was no safety out there but if you were running from a greedy dragon hiding amongst other wild dragons did seem stupid but also genius.

While everyone bustled about getting ready to defend our territory, I stayed back.

“Did you erase my memory?” I asked Gwenna who remained beside me, offering her silent support.

“To erase memory is something beyond my abilities ,so no I didn’t erase them, but I did suppress them.”

“What’s the difference?” I tried to tone down the sass, but it was there nonetheless.

“It’s a block of sorts. Anything that reminded you of the memory you’d shy away from it. You wouldn’t want to talk about it or relive it.”

That made sense, actually. I don’t know how many people have asked about my healing and I avoided answering the question. Like she said, I had shied away from it. Having Bayard bring it up must have caused the block to fail.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. I didn’t like having my memories supressed, but now I understood why it had to be done.

A distant sound reached my ears and I looked around wondering if anyone else heard it. Syd, Lyndee, and Brutus had their heads tilted like they were listening to something, while Kreed didn’t show any outward signs that he’d heard it but I knew his superior hearing picked it up.

“Gun shots,” Brutus growled.

“They’re here already.” I squeaked.

“We need to move.” Kreed appeared at my side cupping my elbow with his hand and guided me toward the door.

“Gwenna, go with them,” Syd ordered, while he put a full magazine into the black pistol in his hands and cocked it, chambering a round.

“I’ll keep her safe,” she promised following behind us.

“Follow me.” Bayard waved us after him as he headed toward the bar then veered around it.

There was a trap door in the floor. I knew enough about bars that I knew it led to the cellar where the alcohol was stored. Bayard lifted the trap door then fumbled with a lock. Popping sounds could be heard outside and I was anxious to get underground but also extremely curious.

While Kreed helped Bayard with the lock, I stepped away toward the window. I slowly parted a blind and looked out. The parking lot was lit up with bikers of every shape and size surrounding the building. Firearms were in every hand and even the tiny pixies held pistols that were way too big. It was literally the size of the pixie.

Movement could be seen on the other side of the lot. People milled around a line of cars. Using the vehicles as protection, the bikers dodged our fire power. Muzzle fire flickered everywhere and I realized that there was some sort of barrier around the line of cars. The bullets seemed to be bouncing off an invisible shield.

Shields were difficult for witches to maintain. It took energy and power to block powerful projectiles like bullets. There had to be a witch nearby or several of them to maintain that much protection. I searched the area with my eyes scanning the vehicles. On my third pass I spotted him. The witch-Fae that was with Lazateth in the club stood off to the side in clear view of everyone. His palms were raised toward a vehicle, his eyes closed, his long hair floating above his head while his lips moved whispering a spell. He was exceedingly powerful. I’d never seen a witch have so much power or control. Could hybrids be more powerful than anyone thought?

The witch-Fae’s head suddenly whipped toward the bar, his strange white eyes staring straight at me. He grinned before he turned and pushed his hands toward the bar. Every window in the joint shattered. I raised my hands to block the glass from hitting my face. Nothing touched me. Blinking, I looked around to see Gwenna with her hand raised blocking the glass from hitting me.

“Get her out of here,” Syd roared as he barreled out of the room sounding just like a lion.

“Nik,” Bayard and Kreed called at the same time.

I took one look out the window and froze mid-step. A man was walking toward the bar and I could see the glittering of clawed fingers. My stomach clenched as I realized who it was. Lazateth walked through the mayhem his eyes blazed and he didn’t even flinch as bullets flew toward him. His eyes locked on me.

Heat flared inside my body and I gasped, recognizing the feeling. He was calling me, calling the fire within me, and I wanted to go to him. To burn and feel all the pleasure this intensity could produce. Unlike the last time, I was more aware and fought against him but it was hard the desire nearly scorched.

“Kreed,” I managed to grit out between my teeth.

Something blurred in the corner of my eye and suddenly Kreed was in front of me blocking the dragons view of me. I could move again and I fell into Kreed’s waiting arms, panting as the heat was cut off and had nowhere to go.

I was pulled away from the window and toward the bar. I don’t remember climbing down the ladder into the cellar but I do remember that the cooler air down here was like heaven on my skin. It didn’t calm down the raging fire inside of me. I needed to calm it down or it would all release like it had when I saved Bayard. How did I control it then? Lazateth had calmed the rampant inferno when he drank from my neck but doing that was not an option.

“Nik.” Kreed was standing in front of me, his eyes blazing into mine. I saw something in them that I hadn’t seen before: worry.

“You’ll protect me whatever the cost.” It wasn’t a question but his head nodded. I still had to be one hundred percent sure. “Will you protect me even from myself?”

He blinked, then nodded. I saw his absolute conviction written on his beautiful face. He’d do whatever he needed to do. Even sacrifice himself.

“I need your help.” My jaw was tense as I fought for control.

“Anything,” he whispered.

I couldn’t think about what that tone meant, all I could think about was dousing the fire that threatened to destroy me.

“Touch me.” I placed my hands on his chest then ran them up until they reached his neck.

This was the absolute worst timing but I needed his coldness like fire needed oxygen. Cool hands slipped under my shirt to rest on my waist. I hissed at the contrast of his touch against my heated skin.

“More. Please.” I groaned when he pulled away but before I could protest he was back with his shirt discarded.

He pressed against me putting as much cool skin as he could against me. It still wasn’t enough. I scrambled at my shirt, the fabric caught between us. In one quick movement, Kreed ripped it down the front and it slipped off my arms. I pulled him to me again. I sighed as the heat receded enough that I could breathe a bit easier.

My head tilted back and then Kreed’s lips found mine. Time stopped. There was a war happening around us. The only thing I could think about was dousing the flames and the only way was with Kreed.

The kiss was fire and ice. When I thought my heat would melt his ice, he absorbed it somehow and continued to cool while the inferno raged. Then it slowly died down. Cool hands slid up my spine and I arched, completely lost in this new sensation. Our lips locked in a kiss and then he tasted the skin of my chest, neck, and shoulders while the edge I was so close to falling off of grew farther and farther away.

I ran my hand down the skin of Kreed’s back and I felt his dragon tattoo. It moved with him feeling like a completely different entity but also wholly him. The kisses slowed as I came to my senses enough to promise that I would not regret this.

“Thank you,” I whispered against his lips before nipping them gently.

“Anytime,” he replied. His short breaths sent a thrill through me knowing that I affected him as much as he did me.

He managed to pull away from me and raked a glance over my heated body, which had my cheeks flaming. Stepping back further he picked up my torn shirt and frowned, like he didn’t know how it had come to such a violent end. Instead, he grabbed his and handed it to me. I tried to protest but I didn’t have any other options, so I slipped the garment over my head.

Once done I took a deep breath feeling so much better now that the heat was under control and that his shirt smelled like him.

Kreed pulled on a zippered hoodie, hiding his glorious body. I frowned then noticed that his head was tilted, listening. Then I remembered everything that had happened before this. They were up here fighting for me and I took precious time for a make out session, with my bodyguard, no less.

Super low, Nik.

“I can smell your guilt and you have nothing to feel guilty about.” Kreed glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

“They’re up there fighting a fucking dragon and I’m down here kissing you instead of escaping.” I was a terrible person.

Kreed was suddenly in front of me looking down into my face. The dude needed a bell!

“Do you remember how you felt before? You were nearly out of control. Never feel guilty for taking care of yourself first,” he stated.

He was right but the guilt was still there. It must be my human side.

A loud crash sounded just above our heads and I shrieked in alarm. A body dropped into the cellar. Kreed turned while pushing me against the wall. Gwenna stood quickly looking around for us.

“Lazateth is nearly here, they can’t hold him much longer. We need to get Nik out of here, fast,” she said wearily. She had used lots of energy and power. Magic always had a price and she was paying for it with her stamina.

“Bayard said the entrance is behind the barrels labeled ‘Fae Wine’.” Kreed pointed further into the cellar.

We rushed into the darkness tripping over all sorts of random crap. You’d think, with how pristine upstairs was, that everywhere would be as nice, but nope. This was a death trap for a clumsy person, and let's just say I’m not super graceful, but Kreed kept me from breaking my neck. We really needed to have a discussion about what was between us.

“I found them,” Gwenna called.

Working together we moved the stack of barrels revealing a wall with a very obvious door shape. Gwenna and I dug our fingers into the space and pried the door open while Kreed stood watch. The gust of air that came from the tunnel smelled of wet dirt and we all knew that wet dirt was actually mud. Ick.

A roar shook the building above as dust and other things rained from the ceiling.

“We need to go!” Gwenna yelled, covering her head with her hands.

The sound of wood being torn apart filled the space as we all covered our ears.

“He’s found the cellar,” Kreed whispered, looking back the way we’d come, his eyes blazing in the darkness. “Go with Gwenna. I'll hold him off.”

“What?! Kreed, no,” I protested. He didn’t understand what sort of power he was dealing with.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve been building toward this for a long time.” He tried to sound smooth but it only freaked me out more. I grabbed his sweatshirt pulling him to me like I stood any chance of preventing him from going to face that dragon. “This is what I’m here to do, protect you. Nik, you need to trust me.” He covered my hands with his. “I’m going to be alright.”

I was worried for him, yes, because somehow in the last week I’d grown to care. I’ve seen how he handled himself and I knew he would be alright. But at what cost? He had proven that he takes my protection seriously. Is it worth his life? I’m sure if I asked him he’d say yes but didn’t that defeat the whole purpose. He was protecting me until his healing was complete and the bond faded but this was extreme.

“You’ll be right behind us?” I asked because I did trust him. With my life I trusted him. That realization hit me in the gut. The fire inside hummed which I had no idea what to make of.

“I’ll meet you there,” he promised, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Now go.”

Gwenna grabbed my hand and pulled me into the tunnel, then shut the door behind us. Thumps from the other side told me that Kreed was stacking the barrels back against the door. Another roar rattled my bones and my heart beat faster as the sound of a predator grew closer.

A light blazed in the dark. Gwenna held a glowing ball in one of her hands. She held out her other hand and I took it, thankful that I had someone with me facing this secret tunnel. The darkness spread out in front of us and looked thick enough to touch.

Gwenna took the first step and I followed closely behind.

“The floor seems to be smooth. Bayard said that it’s only a quarter mile long. Think you're up to running?”

That would be a fuck no.

“I think I can handle it,” I lied.

This was going to suck.

We broke into a run, Gwenna leading the way while I ran behind her. The light was nice. I let go of Gwenna and grazed my fingers along the dirt wall just in case.

After what felt like an eternity we stopped for a break. There was a stitch in my side that throbbed with every breath I took. Gwenna was breathing hard too but she wasn’t in pain like I was. I was so out of shape.

“How much farther?” I panted, not sure how long I could keep this up.

“I think we’re about halfway,” she replied.

Mother-Shifter!

“Let’s get going.” Gwenna motioned the way we were heading.

Just then the ground shook and the echo of a large roar reached our ears.

“Do you think he’s found the tunnel?” I squeaked.

“I'm not sure but we should keep moving.”

I nodded feeling adrenaline kick in and I knew that some how I’d make it because the alternative was something I couldn't let happen.

“Let’s go.” We started off in a jog this time before speeding up gradually.

My legs burned but I fought through it just like I did the stitch in my side that started up again. I read somewhere that once you got past the wall, everything would just even out. My question was how do you know when you’ve hit it? Would it feel like hitting a wall because I already feel like that. Running was stupid!

Gwenna started to slow. I followed her lead until we were creeping forward. It was dark but the light in Gwenna’s hand shone in front of us, revealing a doorway. Dousing the light, we crept forward as quietly as possible.

“I’m going to try to sense if anyone is nearby,” Gwenna whispered in the darkness.

I nodded my head then remembered it was dark and she couldn’t see me. “Okay.”

Silence fell and I waited patiently for the Witch-Fae to give the all clear.

“There’s no one in the immediate area,” she said, moving toward the exit.

Cool air brushed against my heated skin and it felt wonderful. The tunnel was stuffy especially when running.

Peeking out there was an open area that was graveled but no vehicles around. I frowned having sworn Bayard said there would be a vehicle here.

“Bayard told me that they have a small, covered building just through there,” Gwenna whispered, pointing at a space between two hills.

Looking around again I noticed that there was no easy way to get a vehicle this close unless it had off road capabilities. Which, judging by the state of the bar, the Gold Skulls could definitely afford it. Something didn’t feel quite right but I brushed it off. It's not like I knew Bayard very well so who's to say what I could and could not trust with him.

We set out at a fast walk, Gwenna taking the lead while I followed behind. The sounds of night around us was comforting but I knew that if a predator didn’t want to be seen or heard then they wouldn’t be. I also worried about Kreed and my friends. I hoped they were alright.

There was a well-worn path through the hills which made it more likely that this was all completely normal. Which meant I hadn’t heard or understood what Baryard said. Wouldn’t be the first time.

The stars shone brightly overhead and I could see them clearly, something that couldn’t be done in the city. Looking at them like this made it feel like all my worries and misgivings were inconsequential. The universe was so big and I was just a tiny piece within it.

“We’re almost there. I can see a building,” Gwenna spoke quietly, her voice carried in the peaceful night.

I didn’t have night vision like most Mutts did so I had to trust Gwenna.

“What's the plan once we get there?” I wondered. Kreed said he’d be right behind us so waiting for him and the others sounded like the best course.

“We’ll reevaluate our options when we reach the vehicle.”

That made sense. No use talking while we were trying to slip away into the night. I had no idea how good dragon hearing was but if it was better than Kreed’s then we had a problem.

The path twisted down into a valley and I could make out the roof of a building against the star strewn sky. So far it seemed like we had gotten away without notice, which I was thankful for. My friends would be fine. They were more ‘super’ than I was and I knew they could take care of themselves.

We rounded the corner of the building, not bothering with being stealthy anymore. Three vehicles were parked inside, all beefy and like they could pick a fight with a mountain. They were wide and fit. I was half-way in love with them.

“Should we wait here for the others?” I asked, checking out the large vehicles. They were definitely dudes. They had to be with all the muscles.

“I don’t think your friends will be coming,” a dark voice said from the shadows.

I spun, searching for Gwenna so I could warn her but what I saw didn’t make sense. She was pressed up against the scary dark skined Witch-Fae hybrid from the club who had been attacking the bar when we left. When I saw the malicious grin on her face fade, everything fell into place. Gwenna had been the mole. She had access to everything and being powerful enough to perform the spells needed at the club and probably the ones at the penthouse. We’d trusted her and all along she was working against us.

“Surprised, Nik?” The evil hybrid cackled.

“Yes,” I answered, nothing like being completely honest with a psychopath. “Just confused now.”

“There’s so much history that the races keep from us. We are far more powerful than we realize and we’re going to bring down the tyranny of the races. They’ve been in power far too long. It’s time we raise the new generation and bring this world into a new era,” she monologued.

Why did everything she just said sound so familiar? Oh, yeah, because it’s literally what every delusional power-hungry, mindless goon says to justify their master’s actions. I bit my tongue not wanting to insult them at this point in the game. Might get me killed quicker.

“So, what now?” I asked apprehensively.

The toothy grins they both aimed at me promised pain. I weighed my options of making a run for it. I’m pretty sure they could both outrun me so I wouldn’t get far but there was a small bit of hope in that Kreed would be coming for me soon. I had to believe and trust that he would save me but until then I was on my own.

I tried to drum up some fire, stoked that small ember deep inside hoping to goad it into rising up into an inferno so I could burn them into ash. Except for a tingling warmth, nothing happened. Why did it have to be shy now when I really needed it?

My heart pounded and my instincts screamed at me to run but I was frozen in place too scared to act on any of the options.

A roar echoed off the surrounding hills, followed by the steady rhythm of flapping wings. Lazateth was almost here. That thought unlocked my muscles and I bolted.

Sprinting as fast I could, hoping I had enough speed and strength to make it back to the tunnel. Best place to hide from a dragon was underground right? Why did no one teach us how to survive a wild dragon’s obsession?

I couldn’t hear any footsteps behind me and I wondered why the hybrids weren’t coming after me. I was what their master wanted, and they were just going to let me escape?

The sound of flapping wings grew louder as I ran faster. A massive, clawed foot wrapped around my torso and plucked me from the ground like you would a dandelion. I tried to scream but the rushing wind stole the breath from my lungs.

I looked around trying to get my bearings and saw that the earth was approaching quickly. I wanted to close my eyes but couldn’t. The ground rushed up and while we were still ten feet from the ground the claw opened. I managed a scream before I hit the dirt.

I bounced and skidded over the rocky surface feeling the pain of scrapes, cuts, and broken bones. There was nothing I could do. I had too much momentum.

When my body came to a stop, I tried to draw a breath, but a claw tipped hand wrapped around my throat, pressing me into the dirt. I couldn’t move. The red eyes of Lazateth glowed in the darkness, revealing a sadistic grin on his handsome face. My heart did a weird somersault in my chest. I was both terrified and entranced by him. He was so beautiful. I knew he held no such regard for me.

“There you are, my little fire,” he growled around a mouthful of pointed teeth. “It took far too long to get my hands on you again.”

He leaned down, running his nose up the side of my neck. I trembled as conflicted emotions assaulted me. I remembered how it had felt back at the club, having him under me and between my thighs. The exquisite heat that he invoked hit me, as he bit my neck and stole it all away. I wanted him. I hated him.

The fire from deep inside started to rise inside me like it was being called and all too eager to answer. I tried to claw at his hand, but I was weak and close to losing consciousness if he didn’t let go of my neck soon. The heat built and I fought to push it down to save it. Didn’t it realize that he would steal it all?

“It was a chance that I found you in that club playing human but now that I have you, you’ll make me infinitely more powerful.” He was so close and the fire burned so hot inside me that I thought my skin would combust.

Just when I believed I couldn’t contain it anymore, Lazateth struck, biting into my neck. His hand loosened and I screamed as his teeth receded and were replaced with his lips. The first draw had me arching my back and doing everything to push him off of me, but he was too strong.

The heat was sucked from my neck and I grew weaker and colder with every pull and swallow. My body had gone numb from my injuries, or from blood loss, I wasn’t sure which.

I looked above at the stars and wished with everything I had that death would come swiftly, to take away the pain and violation.

My heartbeat slowed. The dragon continued to drink from me, determined to drain every last ounce of inner power I had.

This was my end.

I closed my eyes and fell into the stars.

Acknowledgments

This book has been a labor of love and heartache. After my baby I hit a creative wall and just couldn’t seem to get my mojo back. I finally sought help and found that post-partum depression can take affect months after the baby was born. I love my baby and I love my family but sometimes you need to take care of yourself. Selfcare is so important as is reaching out. If you feel you need some extra help or someone to listen who is unbiased you can call this helpline 1-800-662-HELP. They are available 24/7 and it’s completely confidential and free.

I’d like to say a quick thank you to my husband, my girls, and my parents. They’ve all been so helpful and loving and didn’t make me want to pull my hair out, ever ;-P Also, a big thank you to my friends Joy, Courtney, Kelly, and Daniel who have supported, read, and probably cried with me on occasion. You guys are the absolute best!

Would also like to thank those special few in my reader group who helped me name some of these characters. Joann Stearns who named my Witch-Fae, Ruthy Simpson for the ex- boyfriend, April Stacey for the incredible Mob Boss’s name, Amanda Curley for the potential love-interest, and Tina Merritt for naming the Vroom app.

Thank you for giving this book a try and I hope you loved Nik, Kreed, Brutus, and especially Zazu.

Coming soon!

Book Two in The Dragon Mafia Chronicles Ashes of Flame Releasing April 30th 2021.

hyperurl.co/AshesofFlames

Book Three in the Dragon Mafia Chronicles Ashes of Starlight Releasing May 28th 2021.

hyperurl.co/AshesofStarlight

Other Books By Lela

The Lunar Medallion Series

Areion

Scylla

The Lunar Medallion Short Stories

Child of Water

Child of Earth

Blood of the Sea Series

Co-Written with Heather Renee

Crimson Horizon

Pale Horizon

Obsidian Horizon