by Lila Dubois
“Tokaki told her she had to stay at home, but she must have slipped away from their father.”
“Is she a monster too?”
“Yep.”
“Great, so now we have two big-ass white tigers and a bunch of gargoyles.” Akta headed for the wineglasses.
“Uh, actually, no. We have one angel, a bunch of gargoyles, one white tiger…and one purple dragon.”
“Hold.” Akta put down the phone, braced her hands on the counter and took a deep breath. She picked up the phone again.
“Still with me?” Jo asked.
“Yep. Purple dragon girl. Awesome. Have you talked to Lena or Margo?”
“Tokaki is calling them. Madoka really wanted to talk to you.”
“Why me?”
“Like she said, she’s seen your movies.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet. I really appreciate my fans and people who are willing to take a risk on independent films.”
“Focus, woman. You can play grateful movie star later.”
“Well, I do appreciate them.”
“She wants to meet you.”
In the background Akta heard Madoka yell out, “I want to be in the movie!”
“Ah, okay, how about you come here?”
“See you in twenty minutes.”
Akta heard the car engine and checked her reflection one last time. She’d cleaned up quickly and changed into a cute, casual dress, paired with a long braid and chunky jewelry. Maybe it was vain, but it gave her something to do, kept her mind off what might or might not be happening to Henry, and after all, she had an image to maintain.
The doorbell rang.
Akta opened the door, a gracious smile on her face.
“Oh my God, hi!” A five-foot-tall whirlwind of neon pink, lavender and plastic jewelry barreled through the door. “Hell-Oh!”
Akta fell back a step.
Madoka bounced her way in. She had long dark hair worn in two high pigtails, the base of each decorated with an assortment of sparkly scrunchies and barrettes. She was wearing a pink shirt, a short floral skirt and a long sparkly scarf.
Jo and Tokaki were on the porch. Jo was hiding a smile and Tokaki’s head was hanging down as if he was exhausted.
“Is this your house?” Madoka flopped down onto the couch.
“Thanks, Akta.” Jo hauled Tokaki inside. “She wasn’t going to be happy until she got some Hollywood in her life.”
“She’s only a teenager. It’s too dangerous for her to be here,” Akta whispered.
“She’s not a teenager,” Tokaki muttered.
Akta looked at the spunky Asian girl on her couch. “She’s younger?”
“No, older. Much older.”
“I wonder what her skin care regimen is.” Akta eyed Madoka’s smooth face enviously.
“It’s called being a purple dragon half the time.” Jo patted Akta on the shoulder.
“Right, well, I guess I can’t do that.”
“Tell me about Hollywood!” Madoka kicked off her shoes, picked them up and ran back to the foyer, setting them on the floor by the front door. “Sorry, forgot human rules. Are other movie stars your friends?”
Akta was really starting to like this girl. “Some, but more of them are like your sister-in-law Jo. They’re in postproduction.”
“How many movie stars have you had sex with?”
Tokaki choked on some spit. “Sex? You know what sex is?”
Madoka struck a sexy pose. “I’m going to have sex while I’m in LA. I’m going to have sex with a movie star!”
Tokaki started cursing in Chinese. Jo patted him on the back. “You’ll be okay, tough guy.”
“I’m going to lock her in a monastery.”
Madoka ignored her older sibling with the ease of long practice. Akta ushered all of them into the living room. Jo peeled off and headed to the kitchen.
“What’s your favorite movie?” Akta asked Tokaki’s sister.
Madoka popped open her hand-sized clutch shaped like a kitty and pulled out a sucker. She offered a second one to Akta, who accepted the Blow Pop. Madoka carefully peeled off the wrapper before popping the sucker into her mouth. “Mean Girls.” She twirled the white stick, then pulled the candy out with a pop.
“A good choice.”
“And The Ring.”
“Those are two very different movies.”
“I like it when they wear pretty clothes and when the humans die and get creepy and drippy.”
“That’s…disturbing,” Jo said. She’d poured herself a drink and was leaning back against the counter. Tokaki was sprawled in a chair, eyes closed.
Madoka jumped up and ran to her brother. “Toooookaki! Wake up!”
“I’m not asleep.”
“You looked asleep. How can you sleep? This is so exciting.”
“I know it is, sister.” Tokaki pulled her down to sit on the arm of his chair and kissed her head.
Akta’s lips twitched. She went to a small bookcase and pulled out a photo album. “How about we look at some photos? I always take instant photos with my little Fuji camera when I’m on set. Digital is too dangerous.”
Akta flipped open the album and started narrating the story behind each photo.
An hour later, Akta’s voice was going and she slipped away to the kitchen. Tokaki was there, rubbing his forehead.
“You okay?” Akta asked him.
“She talks. A lot.”
“You just now noticed? Isn’t she your sister?”
“It’s easier to tune her out as a tiger.”
“You’re welcome to change.”
“No, then she’d want to change too.”
“I’m surprised that you’re this calm.”
“My Clan’s future is at risk. My mate is in danger and now my sister has walked into the middle of it, which means my father and my uncle will be right behind her. If she’s attacked or harmed the war may start early, and the first attack won’t come from the humans, but from the monsters.”
“Maybe it will be okay. The general public isn’t going to know you’re a monster since you’re not in the movie and don’t shift on film.”
“It won’t take much for someone to put it together, and if anyone knows I have a sister, they’ll look for her. She’ll be in danger.”
“Can you send her home?”
“I can’t make her do anything anymore.”
Akta poured a glass of water and then rolled it between her palms. “I have an idea. Let me make a call.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Tokaki muttered twenty minutes later.
They’d just checked Madoka into the most exclusive rehab clinic in Malibu. There were seven celebrities in residence at the facility, which was nicer than some four-star hotels and had a menu designed by Wolfgang Puck. Akta had pulled some strings, and plunked down her black AMEX, to get Madoka in there.
“You’re sure she’ll be okay?” Tokaki asked as he and Akta headed back to the car.
“Yes. I don’t think that anyone actually recovers from their addiction here, but they get pampered, hang out and relax.”
“As long as she gets to meet some movie stars.”
Akta decided not to tell Tokaki about the endless list of relationships that had started while in rehab together. Outside of locking her up in a prison, this facility was the safest place for Madoka.
Akta checked the dash of her car as they got in. Hours had passed since Jo and Tokaki had first showed up and she still hadn’t heard from Henry.
Akta dropped Tokaki off at Jo’s place, then headed home. While she was stuck in traffic, she called Lena again. Luke still hadn’t contacted her, but Lena said she didn’t think Luke was hurt or in danger.
Akta pulled into her driveway. Now she regretted that Jo and Tokaki were at their place. She hated waiting.
Akta finished applying the four-hundred-dollar-an-ounce face cream with the special ox-hair brush. To pass the time and keep herself from calling Lena again, she’d dec
ided to go through her bin of skin care products. Most of them were samples from goodie bags she got at festivals and screenings. She’d already tried a skin-smoothing glaze on her thighs, an ultrahydration treatment for her feet, which were now encased in mentholated socks, and a seaweed treatment for her hair. Her bathroom smelled like an apothecary.
Her phone, which she’d left on the dresser in the bedroom, rang. Akta leapt to her feet, slipped, grabbed the counter, cursed and lunged for the door. She made it to the safety of the carpet and sprinted for the dresser. She jumped on the phone. “Hello? Henry?”
“Akta.”
Relief flooded her. Pressing her back against the wall, she slid until she was sitting on the floor. “Thank God.”
“Were you worried?”
“Of course. I was imagining you locked away in Guantanamo Bay.”
“No. I’m okay. I’m actually better than okay.”
“What happened?”
“We met the president.”
“You did?” She knew that was why they’d gone to Washington, but she hadn’t expected it to actually happen, at least not today.
“He’s a nice guy.”
“Did you show him? I mean, did you change?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He said, ‘There are more things in heaven and earth’, or something like that.”
Akta let out a relieved laugh. “He quoted Shakespeare?”
“Damn, I knew that sounded familiar.”
“So what’s next?”
“We’re on our way back. We’re going to stop in Colorado so Luke and I can go talk to the Clan.”
“To let them know you met with the president?”
“And to see if there’s anyone who would like to join up to serve.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jack did his whole bit about how we used to be protectors of human leaders. When the…I forgot his name, but he was wearing a uniform…asked if there were any of us serving in the armed forces, we said there couldn’t be because we didn’t have human paperwork. He said he’d love to have some of us in Special Forces.”
“But what about Blackwolf?”
“Apparently they’re not the president’s favorite people.”
“Henry, this is…” Akta didn’t know what to say. They’d assumed that after the movie came out they’d be visited by the authorities. Their legal team had looked into it, and technically nothing they were doing was illegal. With no real idea of what would happen when the monsters came out, they’d tried to prepare for any eventuality.
“It’s making me think…” Henry’s voice trailed off.
“Making you think what?”
“I don’t want to say it. Not yet.”
“I understand.” Akta smiled, though there was no one to see it.
“I have to go, we’re going to land.”
“Good luck with your Clan.”
“Thanks.” Henry cleared his throat. “I, uh, miss you.”
“I miss you too, Henry.”
“Goodbye.”
When they’d hung up, Akta immediately dialed Lena. She’d just gotten off the phone with Luke. They conference-called the others.
“Holy fuck,” Cali said when the story was done. “They met the president, and they aren’t in some holding cell somewhere.”
“We need to tell Jo and Tokaki what’s going on. It might be time to think about executing this plan somewhere besides the US.”
“Yeah, China wouldn’t be too happy if they found out they had monsters too but didn’t know about at the same time the US did,” Jane added.
“There’s a bit of a situation with them,” Akta said. “Tokaki’s sister showed up. She looks like Sailor Moon but apparently is a purple dragon.”
“Why is she here?” Margo asked.
“She wants to be in the movie.”
“A purple dragon might be interesting in the—”
“Nope,” Akta said, interrupting Cali. “I checked her into rehab to get her out of the way and to keep her out of danger. The point is that Tokaki is trying to get ahold of his Clan so they don’t all show up here looking for the sister.”
“Well, shit.” Margo sounded tired.
There was a beat of silence, then Jane said, “Rehab?” and burst out laughing.
“Don’t laugh, I still haven’t forgiven you for keeping secrets from us,” Akta scolded her.
“I said I was sorry. I was waiting until the movie came out.”
“Whatever. You were trying to keep the baby all to yourself.” Akta was already planning the baby shower in her head.
“Well, it is my baby.”
“Let’s get back on track. I’ll call Jo in a second and figure out what’s going on with Tokaki’s Clan.” Lena’s voice was strained. “I’m afraid to hope,” she whispered. “Afraid to hope that this will all work.”
Akta was stunned. “You thought we were doomed too?”
“A little,” Lena admitted.
“Totally screwed,” Cali added.
“Am I the only one who thought it was a good plan?” Akta asked.
“Apparently.”
“Jeez, everyone, thanks for letting me in on the secret.” Akta’s cheeks heated. They made her sound stupid—as if her belief was weakness.
“You’re the one who believes in happy endings,” Jane said softly. “We needed you to believe. One of us had to.”
Akta took a breath, struggling to put aside her hurt. “Okay, but next time we take on a doomed project, would you please let me know that’s what it is?”
“We’re not doomed anymore,” Cali said with absolute authority. “We’ve got the scariest guy in PR on our side. His brother is the fucking White House Press Secretary. I’m just mad that we didn’t think of all this earlier.”
“How could we have?” Margo added. “We’ve had our hands full just managing the movie.”
“It isn’t going to be easy,” Lena said. “Things are going to start happening fast. We need to be ready for that, and for the fact that once they make the announcement, nothing will ever be the same, for any of us.”
As Akta hung up the phone, she thought about Lena’s words. Even if they did everything they could it might not be enough to prevent a disaster. She had to make the most of her time with Henry—it might be all they got.
Akta knew he’d come. They hadn’t arranged it, hadn’t planned it, but she knew he’d come to her. Knew that he needed her the way she needed him. She was waiting for him, sitting by the pool wearing a short embroidered robe as he landed on clawed feet in her backyard.
There were things they needed to say, things both personal and professional to discuss, but that was for later.
He shifted to human and she rose from the chair, shedding her robe to reveal the sheer-lace bra and panties she wore beneath. His gaze skimmed over her, his hands reached for her. Taking them in her own, she led him to her bedroom.
She was ready. There were candles lit, the comforter was pulled off, leaving the large bed ready to be their playground. She’d cleared off her vanity, and on it she’d carefully laid out the contents of her toy box. She hadn’t forgotten the things he’d said, the kinky things he’d said he wanted to do to her. His nostrils flared when he saw the toys.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Good. But right now I need you.”
He was naked, his cock already thick and hard. She dropped to her knees, taking it in her mouth. His hands fisted in her loose hair, his groans of pleasure spurring her on, making her feel both wanton and powerful as she pleasured him.
When he was close, he pushed her onto her back then came down on top of her. His need was too great for finesse. He pushed her panties to the side, then slid his cock into her. She was wet and ready.
He came in a few strokes, whispering her name.
Akta wrapped her arms and legs around him, savoring the feel of him in her. Soon that wasn’t enough
and she started moving under him, thrusting her hips so his semi-erect cock slid in and out of her.
Henry pulled back and lifted her onto the bed. Then he went to her dresser, examining the things she’d laid out there. Most of them had been still in their plastic packages until she’d taken them out only hours ago. She’d cleaned them, examining each and imagining what it would be like to have Henry use the thing on her, with her. She’d been aroused and wet for hours.
He came back to the bed, but before she had a chance to see what he’d picked, he wrapped a scarf over her eyes, tying it in place. Akta touched the silk, then reached up, finding his face. She traced his cheeks, his lips. He captured her hand, kissing her fingers, then tied a second scarf around her wrist.
With her hands bound together in front of her, Henry stripped her panties off and spread her legs. His fingers found her slippery core, and she could tell by the sound he made he was surprised at how wet she was. She wanted to tell him that just the thought of him was enough to arouse her, and the idea of him doing forbidden, sexy things to her was so arousing she was practically panting from the need.
“Tell me if I hurt you.”
“You won’t hurt me.”
“Maybe I want to hurt you.” His words were dark and she shivered.
“Please” was all she could say.
His fingers cupped her pussy, middle finger rubbing around her clit, never touching it enough to let her find release. She grabbed his wrist with her bound hands, trying to guide his fingers to her clit.
“No. I don’t want you to come yet.”
“Why?” she gasped.
“Because you’re beautiful like this. You’re always beautiful, but when you’re like this, aroused and needy, I want to do things to you that should make you run.” His voice had deepened, becoming something between his human voice and his much lower monster voice.
“I won’t run.” She lifted her hips.
“I won’t let you.”
He tucked the cups of her bra to the side, leaving her nipples exposed. Unable to see, she jerked when his mouth closed over the peak. He sucked on the tight bud, drawing it deep into his mouth and his finger pumped in and out of her sex.
“Yes, yes,” she gasped, on the edge of orgasm.