by Blue Saffire
Ugh, there my mind goes again.
I’m not sure what’s up with me. It’s like everything I think of leads right back to the man. Heck, I’m sure I can make French fries relate to him if I really want to. Of course, I would be the one to spend my entire life avoiding relationships and men with the ease of a snake, only to turn around and find myself with an unhealthy obsession for a guy with wings.
Radu is indeed attractive with his hard jaw and piercing violet eyes. His black hair has been tied up each time I’ve seen him. I can’t help wondering what it looks like down.
I especially wonder what his body looks like under the leathery vest he wears. It’s the only otherworldly piece of clothing he wears, with its intricate like stitching. He seemed to favor black leather pants and boots. Added to his mammoth height, his sleek tawny skin wraps over muscles that take more than a gym to develop. From what I could see he’s a delicious piece of art.
Releasing a groan, I press my hands to my hot face. See, there my mind goes stripping the man before we even know of each other’s goals in life. I’m damn near drooling over what I imagine him to look like nude.
Down girl, stop all these thoughts about your kidnapper immediately. Shaking my head, I roll back and forth. Good thing the bed is comfortable.
Earlier, I’d been too worked up to think about my hot captor, but in a silent room alone it seems my mind feels free to roam. Especially since we almost kissed.
A small shiver runs through me as I remember the intensity of his eyes in that moment. The weight of his presence as he drew closer and closer, my heart had damn near jumped through my throat. While I’d been yelling at myself to move away from him, I hadn’t.
No. Instead, I closed my eyes and puckered my lips ready to be ravished by Mr. Bat Wings. If my sisters had seen it, they would have had a field day making fun of me.
Speaking of sisters, I push up and pull my cell phone out of my back pocket. I look at the thirteen messages that I have yet to answer.
Three from Lacey, five from Astro, and five from Mom. At this point, I know I’m going to get a lecture a mile long. The only question is whether or not I will be hearing it over the phone or in person. Glancing at the time on my phone, I decide it will be best to get it in person, after we track down Xzith.
Once we get our hands on that slippery asshole, then the lecture won’t be so bad. Tossing my phone aside, I roll over and sniff. I wince. Maybe they’ll let me stop at my place to shower and change clothes. To say it’s a miracle no one has mentioned my smell is an understatement.
Nothing worse than fearing for your life and stinking. They never mention this part in those adventure romances I read. It’s always fresh breath and clean clothes for those women. Then again, maybe it’s a good thing I smell bad. I’ll be too focused on that and not on jumping on Radu.
Thankfully, I drift off to sleep.
Chapter 7
Jealous Drakin
Deci
The next morning, I’m awoken none too gently by the door bursting open. I release a shriek of surprise and jerk up. I back pedal until I find myself falling off the bed on the opposite side. Lying on the floor in shock, it takes me a few minutes to completely get a grasp on what just happened.
Hearing the sound of someone’s attempt to repress their laughter, I push myself up. My eyes gritty from sleep, I narrow them on the persons who stand in the doorway. Radu, and another man I don’t recognize, stare back at me. No, correction. Radu stares at me in wonder, while his unknown friend is bent at the waist doing a horrible job of suppressing his laughter.
I jump to my feet as anger explodes inside me. Marching around the bed, I focus my fury on the one who’s laughing. I draw my arm back ready to teach his ass a lesson. However, Radu catches my fist.
Shifting my attention away from the other guy, who retreats so that he stands behind Radu, as he seems to have just realized I meant to punch him. I glare at Radu. “Let. Go.” He shakes his head, pressing his lips together. Is that humor I see in his eyes? “Are you laughing at me too?”
Radu shakes his head, but it’s clear it’s a lie from the way his shoulders are vibrating. “N… no, I am Ratnik we do not laugh at the weak.” He bites his lower lip in order to stem his laughter.
Pulling my hand out of his hold, I clench my teeth on the few choice curse words I want to say. Instead, I take my yoga instructor’s advice and take a deep breath. I’m not going to let them descend me into a rage. I shove my messy hair out of my face and cross my arms.
“May I ask what brought you two so loudly into my room?” I should clap myself on the back for how calm my voice sounds.
Having regained his composure, the guy beside Radu speaks, though chuckles are sprinkled liberally throughout his speech. “Our lord has told us to escort you in finding Xzith.”
Hearing this immediately changes my mood, only a little though. “Okay, but why did you have to enter so violently.”
He shoots a look at Radu. “Some of us were thinking of leaving without you to accompany us.” He turns his attention back to me, smiling. “I wasn’t one of them. Ouch,” he hisses, placing a hand protectively over the back of his head.
The sound of Radu smacking him, causing even me to flinch. I don’t know what’s more surprising, the fact he’s still standing after such a hit or the fact Radu makes hitting someone so hard look casual.
“What Ghin failed to mention is that the debate centered on whether or not you wished to get a few things from your home.” He takes a step forward, nearly blocking Ghin from sight. “While we hope we’re able to get Xzith immediately, the possibility of this happening isn’t high. The elders wish to make your stay a bit more comfortable and have given me permission to escort you to your home.”
I think over his words, before shaking my head. “No, let’s go after Xzith first, once we confirm whether or not he’s where Fareed tells me, then we can worry about my clothes.”
Radu grunts and turns around to face the door. He motions toward it with his hand. “After you, Decima.”
The sound of my name on his tongue is definitely something that will be a problem. It really isn’t fair how easily he unnerves me. The sound of his voice sinks in, as the heat from his body radiates toward me, making me wish he were closer.
Swallowing, I quickly move ahead. The faster we find Xzith, the faster I can leave Mr. Temptation behind.
***
It isn’t too long of a drive into the city before we arrive at Fareed’s hunting grounds. I leave behind the SUV that’s parked at the corner of the block, pushing the presence of my shadows—Radu, and Ghin out of my head.
“Yo, baby cakes.”
Fareed and I go back to kindergarten. His parents had divorced and his mother—who’d been focused on bettering her life along with her children’s—had enrolled him into the private academy I attended.
The first time I’d met him, he’d been afraid to come out of the bathroom. And being the heroine type, I’d automatically taken to protecting the little kid. Where I went, he’d followed. Sometimes, I like to think I’m the reason he turned into a six foot, knight in shining armor.
His corner isn’t his corner because he sells drugs or threatens people. It’s his because he owns it. Fareed has become a real estate tycoon. Now, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have connections. His cousins have less savory lifestyles and are open to helping him whenever he needs it, since he keeps their families well taken care of.
Seeing his familiar figure dressed in slacks and a white button-down shirt brings a smile to my face. His deep brown skin is smooth and shiny.
“What took you so long to come?” he demands, as I walk toward him. “Kloey isn’t sure Craig is in the same spot.” As soon as I’m within arm’s reach, he pulls me into a tight hug.
“Ugh! Don’t squeeze so tight,” I chide laughingly as I playfully slap at his shoulders. “I was busy.”
He releases me and draws back, pulling a face. “Busy tromping in the woods
?” His nose wrinkles. “How long has it been since you bathed?”
I punch him in the shoulder for that one. “I’ll be doing that, once you give me the address. I doubt Xzi… Craig, would have moved already.”
“Well.” He gives me a look. “I still don’t know if I should, since Mama La Morta has been blowing my phone up looking for you.”
I curse. I really, really wish I’d never met the Drakin or been kidnapped by them. “What did she say?” I ask reluctantly.
He smirks, his brown eyes twinkling. “I don’t think I should tell you.”
I bare my teeth, but before I can say anything my favorite annoyance cuts in. “Decima is this the informant you spoke of?”
When I glance over my shoulder, I’m completely taken off guard by the look of anger on Radu’s face. He has his eyes narrowed on Fareed and his arms are crossed, which makes him appear bigger. His gaze moves to where Fareed’s hand is on my shoulder.
I jerk my head back. He isn’t… jealous, is he? Lifting my hand, I slowly bring it down atop Fareed’s and Radu’s nostril flare. Well, that’s interesting.
“Who are these guys you brought with you?” Fareed, voice still calm, holds a trace of humor. However, I know Fareed, his mouth might be smiling but his eyes are cold. The hand he has on my shoulder tightens slightly. How have I forgotten the fact that ever since the man turned five-nine, he’s treated me like a little sister. “They don’t look like your usual crowd.”
I try to come up with something, but for some reason standing in between a clearly jealous Radu and a protective Fareed has caused my brain to become jelly. Seeming better at taking action, Radu walks up to my side and with little hesitation, reaches out and grabs Fareed’s hand lifting it. He drops it, so it falls to Fareed’s side, before he grabs me by my shoulders and shifts me away. “Who we are does not matter. Tell us where Xzith is?”
Being manhandled in such a way is beyond irritating. This is definitely something Radu and I need to speak on. I glare up at him. Although some part of me wants his hands on me once more.
Deciding we can argue about this later, I turn my attention to Fareed’s dark expression. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything as soon as I get a chance.”
He stares at me as if he’s having a war with himself, before he agrees. “You better, Deci.” He reaches into his back pocket and takes out a piece of white paper. “Here it is.”
I go to grab it, but Radu snatches it up first. “We thank you.”
Without another word, he grabs my hand and drags me away. “Wait. Radu, slow down,” I shout, but he disregards me. I glance over my shoulder and wave bye to Fareed. “Tell mom, I’ll be stopping by over the weekend.”
Seeing Fareed acknowledge this, I turn back around to slap at Radu’s hand. “Will you let me go.”
He dismisses me, again. I want to kick him, but before I get the chance the man literally lifts me up and tosses me inside the vehicle. Releasing a squeal of surprise, I land on my side with a bounce. Indignation stirs up and I want to rip his hair out. He squeezes his warm body in beside me, forcing me to scoot over. Frustrated, I glare at him.
“What was that about?”
He scowls back at me. “You allowed him to touch you?” He stares at my shoulder.
I roll my eyes. “Right, because hugging my friend is a crime.”
“A male cannot be friends with a female.”
I hit him, even though I know it won’t really hurt him. I do it because it takes away some of my anger. I don’t regret either, even as I hold back a curse. It feels like hitting stone. Hissing in pain, I don’t fight him when he takes my hand with an annoyed click of his tongue.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he chides, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Drakin skin is much more resilient in comparison to humans.”
“Well, I couldn’t help it.” I bite my bottom lip as he leans forward to press his lips against my hand.
“You shouldn’t hurt yourself.” He lifts those damn woman-catching orbs to mine. “You’re precious, you should take better care of yourself.”
I want to snap at him that I have been taking great care of myself so far, but I’m suddenly not as concerned with defending my ability to take care of myself. His tongue dances along my skin. I hiccup and my mouth goes dry.
My breathing comes faster, I’m startled at the sight of his tongue. It isn’t anything like a human’s. It’s a bit larger and forked like a snake’s. It’s doing weird things to me, enough that I immediately attempt to snatch my hand away from his, but fail miserably.
Mind on fire, I try to ask him what he thinks he’s doing, but he moves his long fingers up to brush my arm causing my brain to short-circuit. He watches me as he withdraws his tongue and turns my arm over and brings it up to his lips. He places a soft kiss against my wrist.
I suck in a quick breath. It feels like he’s lit a match under my ass. My heart is pounding.
As he pulls away, he says, “Drakin saliva can heal minor wounds and can numb pain.”
“We’ll be reaching the destination your friend gave us in twenty minutes,” Ghin brings me back to reality.
I realize I’ve completely forgotten about his existence. I make sure to move to the furthest end of the seat to put space between me and Mr. Lizard Tongue. Something about him is all-consuming.
There’s an urge within me to give in to him. If I don’t pay attention, he’ll easily leave me wanting more. I don’t know what more entails, but that desire in itself is dangerous for me.
A La Morta who desires more, inevitably loses everything. No matter how hot things get between me and Mr. Dragon, I have to remember that it won’t lead to a happy ending. Tragedy follows my family like a cloak. The minute we think we’ve found our own happiness, the curse comes along and snatches it away.
I sigh, spotting a poster board for a production. Ironically enough, it reads ‘Sleeping Beauty.’ Maybe the gods are enjoying the farce that is my life. No matter how I try to be strong and independent—the complete opposite of Sleeping Beauty—I will eventually follow in her footsteps and find my last breath before a spindle.
Chapter 8
Ms. Kitten’s Secret
Radu
My human sits in a pensive silence, watching the passing traffic. Her anger with me over my behavior toward her friend seems lost. I frown, remembering the male she so easily hugged.
The minute I saw his arms wrap around her body, I felt this murderous urge to tear his arms from his body. For a brief moment, I wondered how I could accomplish this without her finding out.
The smile she’d worn had been placed there because of him and I didn’t like it. She is mine. Again, I’m placing claim on this little human.
Her body, her scent, and her smile are mine to take and to receive. To have another do so is like being stabbed by a thousand blades. The idea that she has another male she is close to is troubling.
I will need to make my claim. But how does one make a claim on a woman who clearly has no understanding of my ways. There are also the laws of my people. My frown deepens. There has to be a way for me to claim her without the laws interfering.
Does she even feel attracted to me?
I scoff. Of course, she does. She became mute with a simple brush of my tongue against her skin. The memory of her taste immediately turns my dick hard. Her scent of need is sweet and alluring. She wants me the same way I want her.
I glance at her once more. The only question is when? When can I lay claim to her sweet body and capture those lips?
The lips that easily send me reeling into the land of my imagination. I can’t account for the time I’ve spent daydreaming about them against mine, or wrapped around my dick. Her lovely eyes looking up at me in hunger as her nails bite into my thighs.
The scent of her need would fill the air as I lift her from her knees and pull her to me. I would use my body to claim hers in the way of my people, my flame licking against her skin taking her pleasure higher a
nd higher until we both couldn’t move again.
I’m so lost in my daydream of fucking Decima, when Ghin calls my name I jump. “What?” I snap, narrowing my eyes on him. He smirks as if the fucker knows my thoughts.
“We’ve arrived.”
I look around, taking in the dilapidated buildings. It’s my time to prove my prowess as the Vadija. “Contact the others and tell them to come.” I reach for the door, pausing when I realize my kitten is moving to follow me. I turn to face her, my expression hard. “You will stay here.”
She shakes her head. “No, I should come with you. What if something happens?”
“Nothing will happen.” I place a heavy hand on her thigh. She stiffens. “You will stay here,” I say this once more. Glaring so that she understands that it isn’t a question but a command.
After a moment, she snorts and moves back from under my hand. “Fine, go play hero.”
I watch her for a moment, before I get out. I shut the door behind myself. Ghin gets out and comes around the vehicle to stand by my side.
The buildings seem to reach the sky. The long street is empty of any signs of life. The rustling of the wind coming through the broken windows is similar to the howling of dogs.
We are parked at the opening of the street. I take in the abandoned neighborhood. The rattling of a cart grabs my attention as an elderly woman appears, pushing her acquired trash across the street.
“It will be difficult searching through these buildings while going unnoticed by the homeless,” I say as we move away from the vehicle. “Once Civic and Branem arrive, we’ll use Civic’s shadow to move undetected. Tell Orwain to go to the other entrance and watch out from that end.”
Ghin acknowledges my order with a small bow of his head. His blue eyes narrow on the sky as the gray clouds stir overhead. “Soon, there will be rain, it may make our searching easier.”
