Pretty little lies, p.12
Dragon's Justice 7, page 12
“Yeah. Best if you stop that. Anyway.” I had no idea how to segway away from the current conversation. “Vampires. Norton and his men seem to have been going after vampires and werewolves. Are you aware of any vampire communities being victim to him?”
Elena frowned, her focus shifting as she ran through any recent vampire events. I at least respected that, as a leader of her people, when tasked with something that affected them, she could put them first.
“If you have locations, we can look into them. America has been a playground for a while. The three royal families fought over it in the early days, but our conflict caused many of the senior members in early America to cut us off. Even now, the Wallachia are only sending their weakest bloodlords. Surely there are some bloodlords here already, and it is taking time to bring them into the fold. As a result, information is not shared widely. I’ll have to look into it.”
I nodded, a new question burning in my head. “What exactly is a bloodlord? Is Morgana close?”
Elena’s blood-red lips split into a smile, and she took a sip of her bloodwine to cover it. “How much do you know about the vampire transformation?”
“A magically inclined virus enters the host and changes a person into a vampire. Following the change, they have the desire to drink blood to gain mana to feed the virus,” I replied.
Elena nodded. “Yes. Though, virus is a crude description to some. But what happens as they age?”
I knew that one. “They grow stronger.”
“But why?” Elena smiled, having gotten to the crux of whatever her point was going to be.
I looked down at my hands and frowned. “They are changing? Continuing to change?”
“Yes. Every person is a little different. But as we absorb more excess mana, the virus uses it to change our bodies. It actually takes up a large amount of mana to complete the transformation, but once it is done, the virus becomes inert in our blood. It’s still present, but dormant, because its job has been finished. The hunger fades, our power reaches its peak, and we, in turn, control the virus rather than the other way around.”
She held out her hand, and blood shot out of her fingertip into a small blade before it retracted into her.
“Hence, bloodlord.” I nodded. “You can still grow more powerful by taking stronger blood, though?”
“Yes. We build reservoirs of power by holding onto powerful blood.” She answered, her eyes flickering to my neck.
“How long does that take?” I asked. “Is Morgana close?”
Elena smiled. “Ah. These questions you should ask her. We have no idea how long it’ll take Morgana. The rate for a human is between four and five hundred years. But Morgana is an elf with her own source of magic and a completely open tap to the Dragon King’s blood.” Her tongue dragged itself across her lips with the last few words.
I was feeling particularly uncomfortable at that moment.
“But I can’t begrudge her good fortune. And if I’m honest, we hope she becomes a bloodlord soon. We are very interested in learning what a drow vampire’s potential could be.” Elena smiled, running her tongue over one of her fangs.
I nodded. I was getting used to being a catalyst for change, but it was exhausting to be at the center of so much newness. Scarlett’s tails, Morgana becoming a bloodlord… I could only hope that I was able to help my women progress and get stronger faster than we all became even bigger targets.
“Moving on. What about your people in the city? Have they seen anything in recent days?” I asked.
Elena shook her head. “No, but I’ll have them keep their eyes peeled. In order to keep those that survived the purge of the city alive, I’m supplying them with blood and asking them to stay inside. They are getting pretty squirmy, but they are staying low for now.” She picked up her glass and savored a sip of her bloodwine. “Now, you’ve asked your questions, and I’ve acceded to your requests. It’s my turn. What kind of women do you like?”
Regina cleared her throat and looked at me with interest.
I slid my arm around Pixie’s waist and pulled her into my lap, nodding at the glass of wine. She raised it to my lips and let me have a sip as I hummed in contemplation.
“You know, the number one thing my wives have in common is just contact. The more I interact with someone, the more likely something is to come of it. It’s not a guarantee, but nothing can happen without that first.”
Elena’s eyes glowed red for a moment. “Yes. That’s obvious,” she agreed with me. “But there has to be something that just drives you mad. Do you like Morgana’s venom? Maybe it’s the leather and corsets?”
“Yes. But I’ve become fairly resistant after multiple doses. It’s more the fun that she has with it, using it to enhance feelings.” I tried not to be specific. “I like strong women.”
Elena bared her fangs and licked them. “You know, the venom becomes stronger with age. Even into being a bloodlord.”
“I didn’t know that.” Smiling, I tried to get her to continue. “So, what other questions do you have?”
She thought about it for a moment. “Can I have your phone number?”
“Sure, why not?” I pulled it out of my bracer and raised my brow. “What’s your number? I’ll text you.”
She rattled it off, and I just sent a simple ‘This is Zach’ to her. I’d have to get Pixie to help sort through all the text messages I was sure to receive.
Her phone chimed, and she held it with a victory smile before seeming to force it away. “I’d ask that you call me if you need anything. In the meantime, I’ll look into the vampires. Send me a few locations that you know were affected.” Elena got up quickly and downed the rest of her bloodwine before hurrying out, eager to achieve something.
We sat there for a moment longer. Pixie was enjoying giving me sips of wine, and I was still processing that interaction.
“I thought we were all going to die for a moment,” Regina said once we were sure Elena wasn’t coming back. “She’s very fast. She moves like a killer.”
“Of course she is a killer,” I sighed as Pixie wiggled herself in my lap. “The Wallachia have to send someone dangerous, even if the pretext was to send someone weak. Their last messenger to America was killed and impersonated.”
“She’s also obsessed with you,” Pixie added. “Like, she might actually be worse than Ikta.”
I scoffed. “Let’s not put them in a competition as to who can be the craziest. Ikta would not let herself lose that battle, and I think she’s mellowing out a little now that she has my promise.”
Regina grunted.
I knew she was a little sad we hadn’t gotten more time together. “Thank you for watching out for me though, Regina. I don’t think I want to be alone with Elena anytime soon. Pull up a chair and find a wine you like. I think we should take a moment to just sit together.”
“Poly says we aren’t supposed to drink while we are on guard.” Her words and the way she eyed the wine warred with each other.
I just needed to urge her a little further. “A bottle of wine won’t even faze you."
Regina nodded, seeming happy with that justification as she stepped over to the small fridge and pulled out a bottle. Her thumb turned into a claw and tore the cork out in one swift movement.
As she tipped back the bottle, her wild, red hair fluttered. “Ah,” she sighed and wiped at her mouth. “This is good stuff.” It wasn’t, but it was probably far better than jungle wine.
“You can drink it a little slower. We don’t have to rush,” I joked and gestured towards a chair that she could move over.
She nudged it over with her hip and plopped down on it. “You really live like a king.”
“You like the manor?” I asked.
Regina took another swig of wine. “If I’m honest? There are not enough things to hunt there. I do feel a little cooped up. Too many walls.”
I nodded along with her. Taking the woman out of the fae Wilds was going to be a hard adjustment. But it was her choice. “Do you want to go back?”
She frowned. “No. I like it here. I like that you are here, in your element, and not the dragon pretending to not be a dragon back in the village.” She sighed. “I don’t know exactly what I want. But I’m trying to figure it out.”
“We should get you to meet the other dragons. Eventually, you’ll join the next conclave. At that point in time, you’ll be the only red dragon outside of Faerie. You’ll be very popular.” I pointed out with a smile.
She frowned at me. “Unless you have children by then. Yev is going to have a second as soon as she can. Poly and Trina are hoping they’ll show signs any day.”
I couldn’t decide if she was sad about not have the child or not have the intimacy. I tentatively asked her. “Yes, I’m going to have lots of kids. The Dreamer made sure of that. How do you feel about raising kids?”
“That’s a man’s job,” she parroted what she knew for a moment before pausing. “But maybe it would be interesting.”
“Bet you’d have to hunt them down constantly and teach them to be fierce little dragons,” I teased her.
“So, you’ll give me an egg?” she asked hopefully.
I tried not to sputter when Pixie put the glass to my lips and failed.
“Ah,” she said quietly. “That’s not what you meant. Understanding men is difficult.”
“Don’t worry. We don’t have much luck the other way around either,” I confessed.
Pixie cleared her throat. “Maybe we should set up some dates for the dragonettes. While the more aggressive dragons have managed to work themselves into your harem, those with less aggression might need some one-on-one time.”
Regina perked up, and I knew I was going to agree. “Set it up. I have spare time while I’m lying low.”
“It’ll be done.” Pixie scribbled something down on her pad of paper. “Now, let’s finish the wine and get back before one of your girls sends out a search party,” she mused and pushed the wine glass back to my lips.
***
“There you are.” Helena stormed into my office. “What the fuck?”
An angry angel, just what I needed today.
“Please explain which fuck we are talking about.” I put the book on magic that I was reading down. After Jadelyn’s comments, I’d searched through the office and found more than a few expensive magic books. After my lessons with Sabrina, I was starting to have enough of a foundation to understand them.
Helena glared at me, and I just smiled, curling my eyebrow suggestively.
“Oh, put it in your pants. You have enough harlots running around here; you don’t need to look at me that way.” Her wings still fanned out a little, and it might have been unconscious, but she was definitely posing for me.
She still wanted my eyes on her.
Nyske looked at Pixie. “Is this where we leave?”
“I think we’ll go get something to drink. We’ll be back shortly with something for you two.” Pixie led the way out.
“That… that isn’t why I’m here,” Helena stuttered. “What do they know?”
“I didn’t tell them, if that’s what you’re asking. But Agent Till made it clear she knew. I think some of them have noticed.” I got up out of my chair and stood. I was taller than Helena by a fair bit.
But her presence was emphasized by her giant angel wings. “Sit back down.” She pointed to my chair.
“Now I’m definitely not sitting down,” I teased, happy to taunt her. I was not about to have her barking orders at me. I walked around to the front of my desk and leaned against it. “So, why are you here? Other than for another round.”
“Fuck you.” She glared at me. “Nothing good came of that.”
“That’s not how your partner put it. No, how’d it go?” I tapped on my chin. “Oh, right. ‘All her barbs were smoothed. She mellowed the fuck out.’” I rose from where I was leaning against my desk to get up into Helena’s personal space. “So, yeah. It sounds like you liked it.”
She pushed against me with her hands, and I let her move me back against the desk. “Shut up.”
“Make me,” I teased her. I liked toying with my angel.
She glared up at me; her face full of challenge. And I accepted that challenge, grabbing her head and pulling her in for a kiss.
“I said no kissing.” She covered her mouth.
Pressing my luck, I grabbed her hips to pull her close again as I stood and kissed her neck.
Helena pushed me back against the door, frowning to herself before she looked up at me and practically climbed me like a tree. I waited, letting her instigate the next kiss.
I wasn’t quite sure if she was trying to eat my face or actually kiss me; it was so damn aggressive. And I loved it. I pulled her tight skirt up with one hand while the other fumbled for the lock on the door.
Just as I got the lock flipped, she pushed me off the door and onto the wall.
“You will tell no one,” she growled, pointing a finger at me.
I leaned down, nipping the tip of her finger as she scowled, and then pulled her back against me, kissing down her neck until I found my mark. I emphasized the kiss, wanting her to remember that she was mine.
“I won’t need to tell anyone.” My hand found the clasp of her skirt and undid it. I yanked it down, revealing pretty pink lingerie underneath. “Do you always wear such sexy things under your clothes?”
She put a finger under my chin to lift it up and kissed my soft neck a few times before she bit me, hard. “Stop asking stupid questions and fuck me.”
I spun her around and knocked the books off my desk with her body, pinning her in place as I worked my belt off and my pants fell to the floor.
She was a hot bundle of messed up, and I had to admit I enjoyed it. She glared back at me, daring me to go as hard as I could. I parted her lingerie, pushing just my tip into her.
“My my. Wet for me?” I pushed in a little harder, knowing that Helena wasn’t exactly one for foreplay, unless fighting counted.
“Shut up and fuck me harder. I know it’s bigger than that.” She wrapped her legs around me and pulled me deep inside of her. Then she grabbed my collar and pulled me down closer. “Choke me.”
I was happy to oblige.
I used both hands and only applied a little pressure, mostly using it as a point to pin her to the table and keep her still as I thrusted inside of her, savoring the feeling of her warm wet sex taking me in big gulps.
Helena let out raspy moans and used her nails to rake lines down my forearms. Her moans told me she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
I was glad my wives had gotten me a hearty desk, reinforced with enchantments to boot.
“Fuck,” she screamed. “Harder.”
“I’m fucking you hard enough to break steel,” I groaned, continuing to thrust. She felt good. Something about aggression paired with sex triggered something in my lizard brain.
“No. Choke me for real.” She glared at me, and it was hot and angry. And so damn sexy.
I squeezed harder, feeling her sex twitch as she made breathless noises and orgasmed right then and there.
I almost stopped, but it felt so damn good. I was still chasing my release. I released her neck a little and grabbed her shoulders, arching her up to hit a tighter angle as I continued thrusting into her.
She grunted, moving her body as I instructed, until I erupted inside of her, satisfaction coursing through my body.
Chapter 14
“So… was this why you came?” I asked Helena, who was currently dripping onto the floor. It had taken two rounds, but she seemed to be satiated for the moment. I pulled a hand towel from the adjoining bathroom and tossed it to Helena.
She grunted and wiped herself down. “Do you have to make such a mess?”
“Yes. You are going to smell like me for days and… uh, are you protected?” I hesitated. Given the Dreamer’s blessing, I should probably make sure all my mates were on their version of birth control if they didn’t want a kid.
“Of course I am,” she scowled at me.
I smirked, realizing if she was taking birth control, that meant she was expecting to have sex. And there was no way in hell somebody I’d marked was having sex with anybody but me.
“Stop smiling.” She glared at me. “It’s for acne, not you.”
“Oh yeah, of course,” I was quick to agree. Pretty sure angels didn’t get acne, though. “So, why did you come here?”
“Norton is in the wind. Word came down from on high. He got his recent promotion stripped and was sent out to Washington state, but then he and his little group that he had brought with him vanished,” she explained.
“Vanished? You’re sure they aren’t just on a long drive or flight?” I asked.
She smirked at me. “He missed his flight. The evidence from their cases has gone missing, and the new Special Agent in Charge can’t get ahold of him for answers. He vanished into thin air. I guess getting the Scalewrights to pressure him wasn’t the best move. It seems he has his own agenda that surpasses his desire to work at the FBI.”
I got my pants back on and leaned against the desk as I worked my shirt buttons on. “That was Rupert. He did it without any prompting from me.”
A knock on the office door let me have a moment to think about the repercussions. Helena stood near me, not moving to answer the door though, and they knocked again.
“Going to get that?” I asked.
“Do I look like a nympho?” She primped in front of the mirror, trying to look like she didn’t just have wild sex.
“Yes. Yes, you do,” I teased her, and a spear formed in her hands as she pointed it at my face.
She gave me a deep scowl and twirled the spear, making it disappear before she marched over and opened the door.
“Hello.” A nymph popped her head in. “There you are, Helena. I was looking all over for you.”
The angel glared at her. “Why do you insist on following me?”
“I’m your personal nymph,” the nymph replied with a chipper tone and stepped into the room, taking a small sniff of the air and having a sudden expression of regret. “Darn. If only I had found you sooner. You shouldn’t make a mess of the Dragon King’s office.” She started picking everything up.
