“So is your new plan some sort of ransom?Sinceanimiare now marked by Visata for a specific kingdom, are you going to sell them to their prospective kingdom if you find them first?Since they can’t be mated to any of yours.”
“Are we sure of that?How do we know that tattoo can’t be removed if we don’t try?How do we know their heart can’t choose another dessspite who the soul is supposed to be bonded to?”
Gage bit back a growl and swallowed it down.He had to remain calm.He couldn’t act any differently or he would make Azure suspicious, and then he’d be out.
“And though I had considered attempting just that, because I’ve got two malesss who are interested in her, I hadn’t even considered the new angle you jussst gave me.”Azure’s lips turned up, and his eyes took on a glow of delight.“I like the way you think.It would annoy the hell out of Nox to know I have a possible mate for one of hisss.The Alpha would pay anything to get her.Toressscueher.The hero that he isss.”The snake king rubbed his hands together as his excited smile grew even bigger.“The cherry on top isss that you’ll be the one to deliver the newsss.I think it’s time the Alpha knew that you play on any team that pays the right prisse.”
Gage snorted.“You think Nox doesn’t already know that?The better question is, why do you think I actually care what he thinks?Come on, Snake King.I thought you were smarter than that.”
Azure’s smile dropped, and he hissed.The King caught himself and took a step back.Gage knew leaders didn’t like to be seen losing control.It was unbecoming.Azure was no exception to that rule, even if he was an evil ass.“I want you to meet the female.You’re a Dire, so there’s no chance she’sss your mate.You can confirm for Nox that I am not bluffing.See the tattoo with your own eyesss.Take a damn picture of it if you want so he can see if he hasss a male that matches it.Then we can come to an amount that suits usss both.”
Gage slowly nodded.“Sounds good.”He motioned toward the door.“Lead the way.”He didn’t tell the King that as soon as they were in the hall he wouldn’t need a guide.He’d be able to follow her scent until he stood directly in front of her.
“I’ll text Otto to take you to her.”Azure pulled out his cell.“Zeena has a jealousss streak where this particularanimusisss concerned, and I don’t want her ssscent anywhere on me.”
That was interesting.“Why would your mate be jealous of a humananimus?”
“I asked her the exact same question.”Azure tapped on the screen of his phone.“Femalesss.They’re a mystery.”
Gage wasn’t sure if he agreed.If you didn’t lie to your mate about what things you were doing, then she wouldn’t be jealous about something she didn’t need to be jealous about.But then, he wasn’t mated, so what did he know?
A moment later, the door opened, and a nervous-looking Otto scuttled in, practically hopping from foot to foot.
“She’s alives.I feed her and gives her the water.I have not bite her.She smiles and says stupid things,” the little lizard said in rapid succession.
“Good grief.Is she his new pet?”Gage looked from Otto to Azure.
Otto frowned at Gage.Despite the fact that Gage enjoyed giving the little guy a hard time, he actually liked him.Otto was a trip.Also, Azure treated Otto like crap, which meant Gage had to like him on principle.
“As long as she hasn’t escaped, then I don’t have to torture you today, Otto,” Azure assured the little reptile.
Otto squeaked as his eyes widened.His clawed hands practically shredded the bottom of his overlarge shirt as he stood there staring up at his master.He was clearly waiting for what he was supposed to do next but was too scared to ask what that was.
“Take Gage to see the female.”Azure blew out a breath as if Otto should have known.
Gage couldn’t wait til the day the Creator gave the all clear for him to take Azure out.Justice needed to be served against the cobra, and Gage wanted to be the arm of that justice.
Otto fidgeted, “Is he to takes Kat aways?”
“Kat?”Gage asked before he could stop himself.Theanimusshe-wolf was named Kat?He’d always known Visata had a sense of humor.
Azure rolled his eyes, which was really as creepy as it sounded when you considered they were reptilian.“You’ve known her all of a few hours, and you already have nick namesss?”
“She says funny words and is not yelling,” Otto replied.
“Give her a cookie at her next meal,” Azure said dryly.
Otto’s small shoulders slumped forward even farther as he glanced at Gage.“Follows me, Master Gage.”
“Oh, forhim,it’s ‘Master,’” the Snake King said in a snide tone, though it was more of an afterthought because he was no longer paying either of them any attention.“Gage, if you would please stop back by my office after meeting the female so we can discuss her sale.”
Gage didn’t say a word as he walked behind a dejected Otto, shutting the door behind him.“Your boss is an ass,” Gage said after they’d walked down several long, dark hallways in silence.
Otto glanced around quickly, his large eyes bouncing like ping-pong balls.“Ears are all the places, Master Gage.You must be of cares.”
“That’s the great thing about my life, Little Ot.I got zero F’s to give.That means I don’t care who I piss off,” Gage clarified, just in case the small reptile needed it.
The aged floorboards creaked under Gage’s boots as he followed the skittish lizard down the long hallway.Cloying reptilian scents assaulted his sensitive nose, but he filtered through them with ease to find the one that had captivated him—honeysuckle and cinnamon.
