Ajax's Harpy Holiday: Dragofin Mated: Book 1 (A Dragon-Gyphon Shifter Curvy Paranormal-Fantasy-Scifi Romance Series) (Dragonfin Clan Mated)

by Mychal Daniels

  “You spent most of your life alone with only your teachers then?”

  “Yes, but it wasn’t like I was tortured or treated badly. They were nice and there was a house manager there.”

  “But did they ever spend time with you when it wasn’t about training or learning how to do their bidding?”

  She had to pause to think. “Come to think about it, no, I can’t say that they did.”

  “No holiday celebrations, trips to do fun stuff, friends your age, sleepovers or anything?” Matt asked, still stuffing his face with food. That dude could eat.

  “No, none of that.” Looking over to Ajax, she admitted, “That’s why getting that pie was so important to me. I didn’t know what I was missing until I got the chance to be out on my own. I didn’t realize people had families. I thought that pie would help me feel a little of what others have.”

  “You’re with family now,” Greg said, giving Ajax’s hand that rested on her knee a death stare.

  Hildy wanted Ajax’s hand to stay where it was. She hadn’t realized he’d put it there until now, but it anchored her. She liked him a lot, more than she was comfortable with. But he’d given her the chance to hang out with him and his family and now one of them was offering her the chance to be part of their family. Another set of treacherous tears fell from her lids. Ajax pulled her back into the crook of his shoulder, bringing her in for another hug.

  She was falling for him—no—his hugs, fast.

  Lucien continued, not letting up. “Hildy, I’m upset at how you’ve been treated. And I don’t claim to understand why you’d continue to work for a group who hijacked your life and turned you into an assassin, before you had the chance to figure out what else you might like to be. But I still have a few more questions to ask you.”

  “Lucien, let up on her. Can’t you see how emotional all this is making her?” she heard Ajax say to his brother as he continued to hold her.

  “Gods help us. They trained her to be an assassin and never showed her anything about her true gifts.” This time it was Greg who spoke. “Hildy, please, you must stay with us and allow me and the others to show you who you are. There is so much more to you than just your ability to kill and exact justice on the evil in this realm. You have so much more to learn and know about yourself and your heritage.”

  She liked Greg. He was watchful and ever alert. Throughout the meal, he’d been the one keeping tabs on her to make sure she was all right. She felt his protective presence and knew he was the one who kept everyone calm, sort of like an emotions regulator. Yes, with him there, she hadn’t tried to kill Ajax and found herself able to relax. That and how much everyone seemed to understand her and her ways helped her release a little tension that was usually a constant companion. She pushed off and out of Ajax’s hold, sitting up to respond to Greg.

  “Thanks so much, Greg, but until I hear more of what you all have to say and have time to process it, I don’t feel comfortable committing to anything yet.”

  “That’s wise. You only met most of us tonight. I wouldn’t expect anything else from you. Greg here is just excited to have someone with your gifts among us is all,” Lucien said, continuing to use that soothing side to his voice. “Let me cut to the point. You may have been recruited for your ability to course correct events as well. As part of the gifts of the Siren, some of you are able to intervene in the affairs of life to bring justice and righteousness back into order.”

  “Righteousness, hah! I’m not religious—not at all,” she said, laughing at the idea.

  “Righteousness is not about religion, it’s about purity and harmony. You may be able to set things back to right. Is that a better way of saying what you might be able to do?”

  “Sure, but I don’t think so. I normally don’t have the patience to deal with most people, so I don’t spend much time interacting with anyone enough to set anything right.”

  “Most of that is because you’re young, still in your initial Harpy stage. What I speak of will continue to grow and evolve as you become a fully matured Siren. Tell me, what is your success rate on your assignments? Do you have any misses yet?”

  She thought back through all the assignments but knew the answer already. “No misses. All my assignments have been as planned.”

  “That would also help to bolster my argument. You’re normally tasked with stopping someone or a group who is bent on disrupting the lives of others by force, am I correct?”

  She nodded.

  “That would go with your ability to course correct then. You’re able to help those people regain power over their own lives to live as they choose.”

  “I guess so. But if that’s what the agency is using me for, why is that a bad thing?”

  “On the surface it’s not, but with human endeavors, power expressed makes them hunger for more of it.”

  “You’ve called them humans. Are you insinuating that I’m not human?” Heartbeats sped up and drummed a fast beat inside her chest. That was it, she wasn’t human after all.

  “I’m saying that we’re humanoid. We’re able shift into another form. Humans, as you know them, aren’t able to do that.”

  “So I am a freak.”

  “Only if you choose to believe what people with weak minds believe. That term and emotion behind it is fueled by fear and the knowledge that someone is different from them. The anger behind it comes from the knowledge that they might not be the strongest predator around. Humans have an insatiable need to conquer to show their superiority. When they find out that there are other humanoid beings who can do more, they try to destroy the mind, since they can’t conquer the body. Hildy, understand that there is nothing wrong with you. And, there are more like you. If you do choose to stay with us, I’ll do my best to put you into contact with others like you. That is my word to you.”

  A flash of anger sparked at the notion of being thought as weak-minded. Hildy knew her chin must be thrust out in defiance as she said, “No, I’m not weak. I just didn’t know the entire story, but now that I do, I understand that I’m not a freak. I’m no different or special from anyone else who’s like me.”

  “Very true, but one correction. You still don’t know the entire story. I suggest that we clean up and allow you and Jax to spend some time chatting. He’ll be able to answer more of your questions. For now, know that our doors are open to you. You’re safe with us and no one will do anything to put you in jeopardy. Now off you two go. You got the food, we’ve got the cleanup taken care of.”

  14

  The roof was just as old looking as the rest of the building and yet it was as cozy as the inside. Hildy and Ajax sat in lounge chairs that had seen better days as they looked up at the cold holiday sky.

  “So you made it through Christmas Day without killing me,” he said.

  Looking at her watch to see it was only a little after ten, Hildy had to check him. “It’s still Christmas. You’ve got a few more hours before you get into the safe zone. So, watch yourself.”

  She enjoyed his deep chuckle at something she’d said.

  “Hildy, if you’ll open up a little and ask, I’ll answer any questions you have and tell you more about what I know. You deserve to have as much information about yourself as possible. I think if you do, then you’ll be able to make the best decisions that benefit you and not only others.”

  Hildy heard more in his words than the surface meaning. She wasn’t sure about moving into that depth of the pool just yet. It was more than she’d imagined. Learning that he could change his body too, ignited a million questions.

  “Ajax?”

  “Hmm, and please just call me Jax. When you say my name, it sounds like I’m that cleanser you referred to earlier. It’s stiff and antiseptic when you say it like that.”

  “Ah—okay. I’ve got lots of questions, but may I start with the ones I’ve got about you and your family? You know, what you’re able to do with your arm?”

  “Sure, but it’s not just my arm, although I’m sti
ll going through the transformation.”

  That didn’t make a lick of sense, but she didn’t want to come off as totally clueless either. “Right, the transformation, gotcha.”

  “Oh, come off it, Hildy. You haven’t got a clue as to what I’m referring to. And you know what? It’s fine. I’m an open book where you’re concerned. Hell, I’ll get this little shindig started. You ready?” he asked, pulling her chair closer to touch his. When she cocked an eyebrow at his forwardness, he added, “Don’t want unnecessary ears hearing this part. It’s still pretty under the radar sort of stuff. With us being outside and all, you never know who’s using one of those sonic ear listening devices or something like that.”

  “Uh-huh, right. Ajax Drake is so intriguing and sought after that people use highly technical listening devices to eavesdrop on his every word.”

  “Don’t play, it’s true. I’ve got some folks very interested in me.”

  “Why is that? From what I can tell, you and your family seem normal, to a boring fault.”

  “That hurts and it’s rude.”

  “Didn’t Lucien say I’m a Harpy? If memory serves me right, isn’t it my job to torture you until death?”

  “No, and that’s another thing. Quit believing everything you’ve read. Most of that stuff is a mixture of hearsay, conjecture, fantasy and pure out lies. Harpies are the virgin manifestations of Sirens and sometimes muses.”

  That truth bomb landed and exploded on impact.

  “Excuse me, but did you just say that a Harpy is a virgin?” Hildy watched as Jax squirmed a little in his seat. “Answer me, Jax.”

  “Yes, but harpies aren’t a bad thing. They’re cute and revered. They’re an outward sign of a Siren’s purity.”

  “And the fact that your brother announced to everyone that I was a Harpy meant that all those men down there know I’m a virgin?”

  “Well, he said most likely, but you just confirmed. So yeah, I now know for certain that you’re a virgin.”

  “You sack of shit! Do you get off on embarrassing and humiliating me? I thought we were past that stupid pie beat down I gave you.”

  “You didn’t beat me down. I allowed that to happen.”

  “You did, did you? Did you allow this too?” Hildy punched him in the jaw, watching with satisfaction as her hit connected and his head jerked from the impact.

  “Ow! Why’d you go off and do that? I was telling you the truth and you punched me for it?”

  “No, you got punched for being a crass punk-assed jerk.”

  “What? Hildy, I don’t get you. You asked a question and I answered it. What’s so wrong with being a virgin?”

  “Nothing, if it stays part of my private matters. How do you think I like knowing that each of those men down there see me as some pathetic, clueless virgin?”

  Still rubbing his jaw where she’d punched the shit out of him, Jax looked at her and said, “No, we see you as a treasure to behold. You’re a bright spot in this current situation we’ve found ourselves in.”

  “Like a little sister mascot to you big and mature men then? I’m not so clueless that I need you all to pity me. I’m an adult, just like every single one of you.”

  “Hold off on that verdict, there’s Matt to consider. I don’t think he’ll ever be good at this whole adulting thing.”

  “Stop making fun of me. I’m being serious. I want to be treated as a full adult who happens to need more information than most on my origin story. Can you do that? Or do I need to punch you again to knock some sense into you?”

  “Yeah, but must you be so violent?”

  “Actually, I’m not sure. That’s what I know and it’s worked for me so far. Carry on and we’ll see.”

  He eyed her, making Hildy’s breath catch. Under the stars and with light pollution from the city surrounding them, she found Ajax Drake to be the most desirable man she’d ever met.

  He spoke, volume low enough to make her have to strain a little as he began, “There once was a wee lass named Hildy, and she—oomph!”

  The punch landed in his solar plexus just beneath his chest. “Jax, you play too much, the next one will be to your wind pipe.”

  “You wouldn’t try to kill me now, would you? I’m trying to be a gracious host. And I got you a sweet potato pie.”

  “That I didn’t like. Spill it and quit beating around the bush. All night, you all have been giving me half the story. I need to know more. Lucien promised you’d tell me more. If you don’t want to get punched again, I suggest you get to talking.”

  “All right already, but don’t stare at me like that.”

  “Why not?”

  “None of your business. Sit back, look at the stars or something and I’ll tell you.”

  “Fine—talk Jax.”

  She sat back, thankful she could look somewhere else. The more time she spent with him, the harder it was for her to control herself. When she didn’t want to punch or hurt him, she wanted to kiss him. Jax made her more cuckoo than usual and that wasn’t good. Pulling in a big gulp of night air, she settled down into her chair to listen to the voice that made her sex itch and panties wet with want.

  “What I witnessed the other night was a young Siren with powerful gifts.” He turned his body toward hers. She didn’t look over, too scared she wouldn’t be able to handle this moment. “Hildy, with all you’ve been through, you’re one of the most powerful Sirens any of us have encountered. You singled out the true culprit, exacting out justice for what he’d done. When he tried to bribe you—yes, I heard him—you refused to be swayed from your assignment. Sirens can mete out judgment to those who have gone against fate and the will of their victims.”

  “Again, I was carrying out an assignment, nothing more.”

  “Did you have any compassion for those girls? I think you did. I knew you didn’t want them to see what you’d do to him and how much effort you took in staying out of their line of sight. That was more than carrying out an assignment.”

  “You make me sound like some superhero. I’m not. I was doing my job. And I stayed out of sight, because I scare people when they see me. I did it more for my own feelings than theirs. So I’m not as honorable as you’d like to make me out to be.”

  His attention focused on her. It was like being under a microscope. She wouldn’t react. Had to remain still and continue to look up at the night sky.

  “Hildy, I feel your constant struggle within. You fight hard to simply be. I know that feeling. It’s part of being a shifter. We fight a continuous battle for balance. Let me and my clan help you manage it better?”

  The weight of his hand landing softly onto hers produced a moan of contentment deep within her. Jax must be super affectionate, for all the touching he did. Hildy wanted to hope it was more than that, but like so many other naive women, she’d been crushed a time or two over the last few years.

  Men weren’t into her; they never gave her a second glance. Too tall, too big in frame and stature and too plain to catch the slightest attention, Hildy knew it was a long shot for someone like Jax to be into her. She was not the dainty little blonde or redhead that most men went for. Hildy was solid and… plain. She’d learned to accept it.

  Without the practice of male attention, she was less than clueless about how to deal with handsome men. Especially ones who were in her face all the time like this one. Not even willing to fiddle with the mass of tangled locks that was her hair, Hildy tried to play it cool. Speaking of hair, it appeared to be on fairly good behavior out here in the night air. Thank God.

  Said hair was always frizzy, black and wild. She’d given up trying to make it look tame a long time ago. Instead, her go-to hairstyle was a high ponytail with the frizzy mass piled high—free to do its thing. Hildy knew it resembled twisted wire more than lustrous waves, but that’s what she had to work with.

  Time and again, she’d spent what felt like hours, standing in front of a mirror trying to find her stand out feature. She had nothing. Her brown eyes that w
ere more standard issue than anything else and a plain face that could easily get lost in a crowd always stared back at her. Hildy wasn’t a beauty. She was a general purpose, everyday person, who just so happened to be able to kill with speed and efficiency.

  Her looks didn’t broadcast anything special, which had worked to her advantage with what she did for a living. Hildy could easily get lost in the crowd. Being plain had worked for her. Guys ignored her and she did her thing in peaceful invisibility. This and him here, was out of her comfort zone. She didn’t mess around with rejection and that’s what she’d get allowing Jax to inch into her head with his concern and frequent touches. Sexual attraction to him was the last thing she wanted to feed with hope.

  Ajax Drake was out of her league and off the fantasy menu for her sanity and continued wellness of heart.

  “Jax, you don’t know me like you think you do. I’m not this Siren creature. I’m Hildegard Newton, a person who works for a shadowy organization. I’m most likely a product of their creation and not your precious hope of being a Siren. No, I didn’t feel that much compassion for those girls. What I felt was angry I had to work when everyone else could go home to a family. Okay, yeah, I’ll admit I hate when anyone does that stuff to innocent kids, but I didn’t lose any sleep over it. I did my job, he’s no longer a threat to anyone, case closed.”

  His hand closed around hers as if attempting to hold her in comfort again.

  “I hear your words but I’m listening to your heart. You are a kind and gentle person. You might tell yourself that stuff to help you get through these jobs, but your heart sings loud and clear to those listening. You, dear Hildegard Newton, are a treasure that I plan to help preserve. Your life can become so much more. I’m cutting to the point here—have you considered leaving the agency?”