by Blue Saffire
I scoff at that. “Right, because relaxing will keep things running.” I shake my head. “The minute I take a break this whole place will fall apart.”
“That’s not true. Your managers are amazeballs, plus Dennell would never let you slip.”
“Yes, Dennell and Sheila are amazing, but Sheila still has a kid to keep track of, while juggling school. She can’t take care of everything while I go become a prune in a pool.”
Lacey’s expression turns thoughtful. A chill runs down my spine. When Lacey dons that expression it usually means she has something up her sleeve.
She purses her lips. “So… I might have asked her to take over for two weeks starting next week.”
“What?” I stare at her in disbelief. “Why would you do that?”
“So, you can have a break,” she snaps back. Feeling a bit embarrassed I quickly look around. “All you do is work, work, and work. Mom wants to see you. The cousins want to see you, and this is the third new moon you’ve missed. Everyone is worried. You think you have to do everything yourself.”
“No, I don’t. I enjoy everything here.” And that’s the truth; opening this gym had been a goal. To succeed at it makes me so happy I could dance. “And I missed the new moon because I was chasing down a thief. Not because I wanted to miss it.”
She squints at me, her eyes a darker topaz brown. “Deci, when is the last time you went on a date?”
I sputter, caught off guard by her question. So, when the bell over the door rings, I barely glance at it. Which is why I’m stunned by who enters. My jaw drops as Mr. Mammoth stands inside the entryway.
“Well,” Lacey continues, causing me to put my hand up to silence her.
Chapter 3
Ms. Kitten’s Lair
Radu
Standing outside of the gym with my men behind me. I take in the posters on the wall within the announcement case, she runs a training facility for warriors. The irritation that’s been simmering under my skin abates. This female is no ordinary human.
Mollified, I don’t punch Branem for his words. “It would seem you didn’t lose to a mere female, Radu.”
“It would seem so.”
Entering the building, I keep my senses sharp. This female is a partner in crime to Xzith, and obviously trained in combat. It’s also possible she isn’t the only human that Kraken has recruited for his dirty work.
I immediately feel the rush of cool air from inside the gym. The scent of sweat tickles my noise. I search my surroundings before meeting wide topaz eyes. The honey color nearly sparkling before she rapidly blinks and her shiny orbs fill with alarm.
I can’t hold back the bit of gleeful amusement that comes with the knowledge that I unnerve her. She should feel fear as my mind already flips through a plethora of possible punishments to teach her a lesson.
She lifts her hand. That’s when I notice the woman standing to her right, in front of the counter she stands behind. The feisty human is shorter than the young woman with her, who turns to follow her line of gaze. Immediately, I know the two have to be related.
“There are too many humans here, we cannot take her now,” Branem whispers as he comes to my side. “It would be best if you persuade her to leave with us.”
I think this over as I watch the female walk around the counter and make her way toward us. Something tells me by the mulish tilt to her chin and the scent of rebellion that rolls off her that things won’t be easy.
“What are you doing here?”
Her voice is low, but it’s clear she isn’t pleased with our presence in her building. She narrows her eyes and curls her fingers at her side as if at any moment she will lash out at us. Like an irritated kitten. I suddenly have an overwhelming urge to pet her.
Clearing my throat, I harden my expression. “We need to speak,” I say, drawing her attention fully. “You can either come willingly, or….”
I trail off, seeing the flash of temper that appears in her eyes. She crosses her arms, the left corner of her lips lifting. “Or what?” she demands, looking my men and I over. “I would hate to have to prove once more that I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
“You were lucky,” I bite out, feeling my own anger grow. “No male would be foolish enough to let such a thing happen again.”
“Male, female, it’s doesn’t matter,” she argues back.
I can sense the tension growing in my men. No one argues with me. Well, all accept my brother, but that’s because he is my lord. I respect him as such, and maybe Ghin, who makes it a habit of being cheeky, but that’s because he can take being hit.
I lean in, ignoring the smell of sunshine and something akin to honey coming off her. It tickles my noise and causes an odd sensation in my loins. She leans her head back, but doesn’t retreat. Her smirk turns into a sneer. “What?”
“I only wanted to see if you smell as crazy as you sound. It’s obvious I’m bigger than you and it’s very clear I’m far superior in strength.”
She slightly widens her eyes. Her posture shifts as she straightens. I don’t move back, causing our noses to almost touch. She clicks her tongue. “Make the first move, Mr. Mammoth.”
Confused as to how some extinct elephant relates to me, the flesh around my cheekbones twitch. My dragon shifts under my skin at the obvious challenge she’s thrown down. Ignoring the warning in the back of my mind, I swiftly move, lowering myself so that I can grab her around the legs and lift her easily. I toss her over my shoulder.
“What… let me go!”
I disregard her yelling and turn around to face my men. “Let us go.” She pummels her hands against my back. Not that she’s causing any pain, it’s more akin to having a massage.
Moving forward, I find my way blocked by the female she’d been speaking to. Her arms are spread. “Where are you going with my sister?”
“Lacey, back off. I can handle this,” the kitten over my shoulder yells, using my back to push up. I’m amused. She can handle nothing.
The female known as Lacey looks at us all with doubt. “Deci… are you sure?” she asks, as she looks from me to Branem then Civic. “They don’t exactly look like bullies from school.”
Taking this as his signal, Civic steps forward and gives her a charming smile. “Our boss only wishes to talk to your sister. No harm will come to her while she’s in our hands.”
Weary, she chews her bottom lip before she shakes her head. “No, I can’t let you take her like this.”
Irritated with being held up, I reach up and intimately slap an affectionate hand on my kitten’s behind. No, not mine. She releases a yelp, before her nails dig into my side. “Jackass,” she snaps.
I give a meaningful look to Lacey. “You don’t need to worry. Your sister and I have much to speak on.”
Seeming to catch on quickly, her eyes light with understanding and she flushes avoiding my gaze. “Oh. Okay, you can go.” She moves aside, and speaking to her sister says, “Deci don’t worry about the gym. I’ll close it up for you.”
“Right,” my charge says, her tone filled with a wealth of sarcasm. I withhold the grin of triumph that tickles at my lips. I am the Ratnik Vadija, feeling such happiness at such a small victory isn’t respectable. “Tell mom I’ll be home by twelve if not I’m dead,” she deadpans.
Her sister doesn’t laugh. “Don’t be so negative, I’m sure if you give him a chance, he’ll be an amazing boyfriend.”
Hearing this makes me puff up in confidence. Yes, I, Radu would be a great lover. Of course, not to this human I’m carrying.
I continue toward the exit. As we leave the building, she snaps, “Can you put me down now, caveman?”
“Not until we are at the car,” I rebut. I keep her in my grasp in an effort to ensure she doesn’t suddenly take it into her mind to run. Not facing the real reason behind the reluctance I feel at the thought of putting her down.
Once we reach the vehicle I lower her. “I will say this once, don’t bother attempting to run.
”
Jerking her large T-shirt down, she gives me an annoyed look from beneath her thick lashes. “Right, because running was the first thing on my mind,” she mutters under her breath.
I believe her, which after more thought I realize my foolishness. With little hesitance, she turns and bolts. Blankly, I watch as the female takes off down the sidewalk before a mixture of disbelief and anger runs through me. She has already turned the corner, when I finally shake from my stupor and take chase.
As I had stated before, she wouldn’t get far in her attempt to escape. I round the corner to find the annoying female in the middle of climbing a fence at the back of the alley. Her frantic breathing fills my ears, along with her pounding heart.
“Female,” I growl lowly as I reach her side. She barely glances at me before she lashes out with her foot. I catch it, my mouth slackening in shock. Once again she has attempted to harm me, a Ratnik. “Enough.”
With only a quarter of my strength, I pull on her leg which results in her releasing the fence with a shriek. Swiftly, I release her ankle and catch her. Once more throwing her over my shoulder. I turn around and make my way back to my men.
“You son-of-a-bitch,” she yells.
This time she isn’t as willing as she kicks and screams curses at me. Right as we reach the opening of the alleyway, she twists herself like a pretzel and tries to choke me. Fed up with her insolence, I pinch her thigh, hard.
She releases another shrewish shriek and loosens her arms. I remove her from my shoulder and firmly set her on her feet. She staggers, shooting fire from her eyes as she parts her lips. I grab her jaw and jerk her head up.
“Insult me one more time or strike me and I will order my men to take your sister as well.” She creases her brows at my warning, searching my face as if to see if my threat is legitimate. I lean in closer. “Do not test me,” I nearly hiss.
Fear enters her eyes, before she concedes. Abruptly, I release her chin and take a step to the side. “After you.”
She shoots me a resentful look and marches her way back to the SUV where my men have been observing us with amusement. They will pay for their insolence at a later time. When she arrives at the side of the vehicle, she whips around and jerks her chin up to glare at me with those tantalizing eyes.
No! This human female isn’t tantalizing in anyway.
“So, tell me what’s next in your great kidnapping?” she asks, unconcerned that she’s surrounded by males who easily top her height. She looks from me to Branem and Civic, weighing them. “Am I a prisoner or something?”
Civic spoke first. “Depends on whether or not you assisted Xzith in killing our lord?”
“Killing?” she repeats faintly.
“That’s enough,” I snap, irritated for some unknown reason. “We will not have this conversation in the open.”
Taken aback by my loud voice, she leans away from me. “Okay, Mr. Angry Pants.” Without much worry for her own safety, she turns and reaches forward to open the door. “Let’s get this over with,” she mutters under her breath.
Foolish human has no idea me and my men have better hearing than her kind. As she crawls to the other side, I feign ignorance as to why my gaze focuses on the round rear of this brash and annoying woman.
Deci
It probably wasn’t the smartest move running like that, but it also wasn’t the smartest move to get in the car with three whatever-they-are-beings. Either way, I’m not going to play some idiot damsel. I’ve had a small taste of what they’re capable of.
It hasn’t missed my attention that Mr. Mammoth is walking around like he hadn’t been shot in the chest yesterday. I’m not doing this out of curiosity. No, I’m doing this to protect my family from being exposed to a group of men who are obviously dangerous. Mr. Grumpy had made his meaning crystal clear earlier. If I didn’t go with them willingly he’d target my sister.
I ignore the fact that the asshole who threatened me is almost squeezing me into a corner with his big body as he gets in beside me. He shoved his friend aside, when the other guy tried to sit next to me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say his behavior is possessive, but I’m a hundred percent sure he’s just a dick.
It’s clear he’s the one in charge. From his size to his behavior, and definitely his inability to take no for an answer.
“Tell me, why a female would bother practicing fighting? Are there no males who’d step forward to protect you?”
The fight I have with my soul to keep from rolling my eyes turns out to be a lost cause. This man is definitely not from here. And I can’t even begin to guess where he comes from. But he’s pressing all the wrong buttons.
Breathing harshly out of my nose, I patiently answer. “Replying to your toxic masculinity, no. I don’t have a male—as you put it—to protect me. Nor do I need one.”
“Toxic?” he repeats, his eyes narrowing on my face. “I’m not toxic.”
“Sure.” I keep my eyes on the passing scenery of tall buildings and green trees. “Can you tell me why you guys came searching for me?” He grabs my jaw. Before I know it, I’m staring into hard violet eyes. “You have a habit of manhandling me a bit too much.”
“And you have a habit of being disrespectful.” His words are clipped. “I have beaten men to death for far less.”
I should feel fear. I damn sure shouldn’t feel turned on at the thought that Mr. Grumpy Pants has some bodies in his past. Snorting to hide my insane reaction to his rumbling voice, I say, “Cute, but that doesn’t answer my question.”
He observes me for a long minute. I swear for a nanosecond, he’s going to kiss me. Luckily for both of us—especially with my crazy imagination—he draws back, letting go of my chin.
“You’re Xzith’s accomplice.”
“No matter how many times you say that, there is no way the boy that I went to high school with is some kind of… dragon hybrid person, especially not a murdering dragon person.” I pause, groaning. “At least not that I know of. He’s just some idiot asshole named Craig, who stole my money and sells drugs.”
Mr. Angry shakes his head, leaning back and finally giving me room to breathe. “You are female, and also human, it is no fault of yours that you didn’t know he was Drakin. Our people have been here for thirty years, but it is clear your people are woefully ignorant of our existence, even when our nestlings go to your schools. Xzith was sent along with a few others to see how our people would do within the culture of humans. And,” he adds, his tone turning harsh. “He is a murderer.”
Great. Lizards are coming to our schools and pretending to be human and one of them is a killer. I suddenly can’t help but feel grateful I had never gotten serious with anyone in high school or college. Imagine dating someone all your life only to find out—bam—he’s some dragon from… where were these guys from?
Before I can ask, the car comes to a stop and we get out. I find myself faced with a tall building before me. Tipping my head back, I can’t help but be impressed. “How many floors is that?” I murmur to myself.
Of course, Mr. Arrogant behind me hears. “Twenty floors. My brother and I are currently looking for a taller building.”
“Hmm.”
Instead of acknowledging him, I follow the two others into the building, forcing myself not to look around like a country bumpkin. People stop on several occasions to stare. Bypassing security, we enter one of the seven elevators.
“So, your people are invading our planet. What are you, aliens?” I ask more to fill up the silence and to quell the nerves tightening in my belly. Had I really thought I knew what I was doing when I allowed myself to be taken?
“No,” A man with hard golden eyes says, his voice gruff. “We come from the Magik plain.”
Bobbing slowly, I try to think of the right response as I bite my lip not to laugh. “So… like Harry Potter?” The squeak of laughter that breaks through is followed by another chuckle and soon I cover my mouth as my shoulders shake.
They all peer do
wn at me in confusion. “What is funny?” The one with black eyes and hair demands angrily.
I try to stem my laughter, but it’s nearly impossible. How else am I supposed to react to hearing that they are from a magical realm? Whether it’s true or not, it’s still funny to hear it spoken so seriously.
“Female, why is our origin so funny to you?” The angry man asks once more. Instead of answering, I get ahold of myself and stop. Taking a deep breath, I straighten.
“Nothing, nothing,” I say and snort right before the elevator doors open.
I quickly exit, sure that one of them might take it into their heads to try and force my reason for laughing out of me. It’s strange, but I don’t feel all that intimidated. At first I’d been, but that weariness has somehow worn off.
Maybe laughter is just what I needed.
I follow Mr. Mammoth past a tight-lipped secretary who immediately smiles at his entrance, only to lose said smile when she spots me among them. She narrows her eyes slightly.
So, my crew of kidnappers has admirers. That’s not shocking at all. Shaking my head, I focus on where we’re going. As soon as we arrive at gray colored double doors, I know the big boss lies beyond them. My nervousness returns.
Whoever is on the other side of these doors will have to believe my story. The task of proving I’m innocent seems daunting. Glancing up to my right, I found my gaze met by the thoughtful stare of Mr. Alpha. I still didn’t know his name.
“What?”
“I am wondering if you will be okay, female. My brother isn’t so easily amused by your brand of disrespect.”
I blink. Is he worried about me? “Will he hurt me?” I demand.
“No.” He lowers his brows, his tone harsh. “I would not let him hurt a weak female.”
I want to argue his title of weak, but instead I find myself feeling warmth from his words. The idea that he’ll protect me from his brother is nice. “Back at ya, Grumpy,” I say, punching him lightly on the shoulder.