by Viola Grace
Matthias smiled. “Yeah, you could say that. They would be more nervous if they knew that the mother of all races had been here tonight.”
Leonora smiled. “She left most of her entourage outside, but she wanted to check on her daughter. They are working at integrating with regular folks. She was the one who alerted us to the incoming assassins.”
Hannah’s eyes widened slightly as she tried to remember the woman in Morith’s arms and couldn’t.
Matthias chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. The unseen are hard to remember.”
That was an addition even rarer than the dark elves. Even the word was slipping away from Hannah’s mind.
Neekil hugged her. “Don’t worry about it. I can show you how to start remembering them if we run into one again.”
She nodded. “Good. Well, it seems that the party has run its course.”
The mayor smiled, showing a hint of his fangs. “I consider it a success. One mansion and four houses back on the market in a week. Impressive, Miss Lee.”
“Thank you. I would curtsy, but bending is dangerous in this dress.”
The commissioner frowned. “The destabilized mage council is a dangerous situation.”
Hannah saw her ancestor through the dwindling crowd. She raised a glass, Hannah nodded in return. “I think that the council will choose their replacements wisely.”
Neekil looked to follow her gaze, but the ancestor disappeared. “She was back?”
Hannah nodded. “Apparently, I am not ready yet.”
“Good. I like you having more protection.”
She sighed and whispered, “Because the hammers and lightning aren’t enough?”
He grinned. “So, when can we retire.”
“I thought you were nocturnal?”
He laughed. “Sleeping isn’t what I had in mind.”
“I thought I saw a stone slab in there while I was getting ready.”
“I really think that trying it out would be rather relaxing. No cuffs, no restraints, just us.” He nuzzled her ear with his lips.
She shivered. “Yeah, I think that is a sound idea.”
“Especially as I have to return to work Monday night. We only have so much time together.”
Leonora smiled and inclined her head. “I will take care of the guests. You have had a stressful evening.”
Hannah chuckled. “Finding makeup was stressful; this evening was just stimulating.”
With that word spoken, Neekil lifted her in his arms, and he carried her through the house, past the straggling guests who gasped and giggled, and up the staircase. To add to the drama, she faked a faint.
At the top of the stairs, she opened her eyes and lifted her head. “How do you think that will look in the newsreels?”
He sighed. “You are having a lot of fun with that.”
“Of course, you look all big and scary, but I have you wrapped around my finger. I even have you doing transport.” She kicked her legs idly.
He stalked down the hall to the master suite, where she had gotten ready. He opened and closed the room with his left hand.
When he set her on her feet, she smiled, kicked off her shoes, and simply shrugged out of the dress. The heavy fabric slid to pool around her feet.
She stepped out of the gown and walked to him, running her hand up his tux. “Do you prefer the damsel or this?”
She wrapped her hand around his neck and pulled him down to her for a kiss. She gasped and moaned as the duel got intense, and he stroked one hand down her back while the other flexed on her left buttock.
When she broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. He nodded. “Whatever the damsel is, she can wait. This is my preference.”
She laughed and started to unbutton his shirt. The jet studs went flying a moment later, and the suit was scattered around the room in under ninety seconds. He took the brunt of the impact as they dropped to the stone bed, and the party continued.
Hannah smiled ruefully. “So, fine, the stone bed suits the new body.”
He trailed his fingers between her breasts and belly. “It isn’t a new body, it is your body with a different skin. It’s still you.”
She nodded. “I know. Still getting used to it.”
He sighed. “Can I help?”
She wove her fingers with his on the curve of her hip. “You already are.”
She smiled and curled up with him as dawn batted its way through the curtains. Perhaps being up all night and enjoying the shadows was the best thing for her.
She felt herself drifting off and smiled. It paid well, and there were perks. She could foresee a life in the shadows for them. It was a really long shadow.
Author’s Note
Okay, there is probably going to be a third book in this arc. Hannah and Neekil are just too fun.
The next book will be moving day, meeting the neighbours, and dealing with the fallout of the council’s stupid decision.
But, the next book won’t be for a few months. I have dragons to tackle.
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
In real life, she is now engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.
