“May I?”Gage remembered how Azure treated him and refused to be that kind of an ass.Though he knew he was an ass, he wouldn’t be one to Otto.“I’m giving you my number.I would like to have contact with your mistress.Will you allow that?”
The lizard’s yellow eyes narrowed.“Why your purpose?”
Gage squatted down and motioned for the lizard to come closer.“I want to help her, Otto.I am not really on Azure’s side.I work for Visata and only Visata.”
Otto’s eyes widened, and his face scales started to change color, but Gage gave him a warning look and shook his head.The little reptile quickly got his emotions under control.
“She is destined to be my mate,” Gage said so softly he knew only Otto would hear it.But even still, it felt good to say out loud, though there was still a part of him that knew he didn’t deserve her.“Can you protect her for me until I can take over?”
“I do.I do.”He nodded eagerly, then frowned.“But she can be very, very…” He struggled to find the words to describe what he wanted, then he balled his little clawed fists.“I needs to bite her.”
Gage chuckled.“That’s called headstrong.”
Otto nodded.“She says no rescue.”
For some reason, that didn’t surprise him.“I’ll be texting her.Will you keep it a secret for us?”
“Yes, Master Gage.”
“Good man.When I take her, if you still want her to be your mistress, you can come,” Gage told him.
Otto’s mouth dropped open.“You share your mate.”
Gage’s wolf growled.“To some small extent, Lizard.I would take you away from this ass if that is what you would like.”
Otto looked around as if realizing for the first time they were talking about forbidden things in his king’s home.They probably should be a bit more careful.
Turning his head, Gage let his beast’s senses take over completely.They were safe.Azure’s mate kept the king occupied at the moment.
Gage started off toward Azure’s office again, feeling chipper about the idea of interrupting the snake’s fun.“Keep her safe, Ot.I’m depending on you, and I’ll get you out.”He left the stunned reptile behind.Gage had no desire to deal with the Snake King, but he’d have to keep up the charade a little longer if he didn’t want to blow his chances of rescuing his mate.The she-wolf’s scent still clung to his senses, making his body ache with need.I will come for her, he silently vowed.And Visata help anyone who tried to keep him from claiming what was his.
Chapter 9
You Suck Everything
“Have you ever wanted something so much that you actually considered just taking it?Even though you know that it’s wrong to steal?And yes, I’m well aware that it’s even worse to steal a person, considering I myself have been stolen.I didn’t ask for your judgment.”~Katy
Katy didn’t have to wait long after Otto’s hasty exit before the lizard returned, bearing a tray of food.He seemed to like to feed her.In the few hours she’d been here, he’d brought her food three times.He kept darting nervous looks at her as he settled cross-legged on the plush rug.
“You know,” Katy remarked casually, joining him on the floor, “you still never answered my question earlier about how you’re able to open that door.”Katy hoped she could start with the door, whichhadbeen the most interesting question on her mind,beforehim,and then work her way up to the important topic.She liked her new lizard sidekick, but she couldn’t exactly tell him what she was really feeling about that … that …personthat had just darkened her prison door and then bolted off before she could find out who orwhathe was, and why she felt like her world had just turned completely upside down, as if being kidnapped by shape-shifting supernatural men hadn’t turned it upside down already.Where the hell were Lola and Maddie when she needed them?
Katy gestured at the ornate wooden door across the room.“I mean, the doorknob is way higher than you can reach.What’s your secret, Ot?”
Otto fidgeted with the hem of his oversized shirt, avoiding her gaze.“Is not secrets, only tricks,” he mumbled evasively.
Katy bit back a grin at his transparency.“Uh-huh.Just harmless magic tricks, then?”When he simply shoved a plate of food at her, she pressed on.“You’re not the only one here with ‘tricks,’ are you?”
At this, Otto went utterly still, slitted eyes snapping to hers warily.“You things ask, cannot answered.”
“Cannot or should not?”she challenged.Otto’s nervous fidgeting returned, but he didn’t respond.
With a sigh, Katy switched tactics.“What about our new friend, Mr.Tall, Dark, and Surly?Does he have his own bag of tricks?”
Otto scowled.“You speaks of The Dire.He is…” The lizard’s large eyes looked to the ceiling, and he tilted his head.“Not friend to snakes.”He sounded proud of this fact.
Katy perked up at this statement.“So he’s not one of Azure’s lackeys then?Or friends with any of you?”She leaned forward eagerly.“Is he a prisoner here, too?”That actually seemed absurd.The dude had a look about him that screamed he would not, could not, be contained.“Bad Ass” was probably tattooed on his back.
Otto shook his head, a deep frown creasing the leathery skin around his mouth.His yellow eyes were sad and confused as he scratched his head.“No prisoner.He serves useful, but himself.”The voice was heavy with unspoken understanding, but there was still a moment of confusion in the lizard’s gaze.
