“Everyone, this is Morgan. Morgan, this is everyone,” I say lamely.
It would take a thousand years to name everyone individually, and there is no way Morgan could remember all that.
“Hi everyone!” says Morgan cheerfully.
At the back of the room, Blue pales. I watch helplessly as Sammy whispers something to him, and then they both slip out of the room. My heart sinks, but I understand. The only mundane humans Blue has ever known were the men who used us in the harem.
It may be a little mean of me not to class Sammy as a man, but the cute little twink is the most unthreatening person in the world and really not in the same category. Whereas Morgan is a manly man. Tall, broad shouldered, deep voiced. The works. I totally understand Blue’s fear, but it still hurts.
Red intercedes smoothly and distracts Morgan from Blue and Sammy’s abrupt departure. I huff out a small sigh of relief and let Red take the lead. The omega is good at this shit. People and conversations and making things comfortable. It’s really not my wheelhouse.
While Red engages Morgan in polite conversation, I look at Pink and Jade. Pink keeps giving me concerned looks. While Jade is positively glaring. What’s got in to him? I know this great-grandfather stuff isn’t the best, but I’m not sure why Jade has his knickers in a twist about it.
Before I can puzzle it out, the door opens and Gray and Mal finally make an appearance. Gray is wearing his stupid white fluffy bathrobe again, but he is covered up at least. I don’t think Morgan is ready for casual nudity just yet.
Suddenly, Morgan startles like a deer hearing gunshot. He jumps and flounders backwards until his back hits the wall. His eyes are enormous, fixed on Gray in absolute terror, and he has turned a very unhealthy pale color. I’m not sure he is even breathing.
Crap.
“Gray! Cut it out!” I snap.
Gray stares at me with wide, confused, and utterly bewildered eyes. Oh for fuck’s sake.
I take Morgan’s hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. “Hey, it’s okay. Gray is a demon. The reaction you are feeling is a perfectly healthy human response. Demons usually shield their energy, but Gray is not right in the head and has apparently forgotten how to.”
Behind me, Gray sucks in a sharp breath. I turn around just in time to see his anguished expression before he sobs and clings to Mal, burying his face in the man’s broad chest.
Mal’s arms wrap around him. Then he glares at me. His dark eyes flash red and all the vacant chairs in the room slide across the floor towards me. And Morgan.
Motherfucker! Okay, I was rude and I upset his mate. There is no need to get physical and attack. He could hurt Morgan. Humans are incredibly weak and vulnerable.
I snarl and show my fangs. “You really want to try it, motherfucker!”
There is a reason vampires are feared. We are fucking deadly. Strong and powerful.
“No! No fighting!” wails Lello as he steps in between us.
Red joins him. The omega crosses his arms over his chest. “Lello is right. This is stopping right now. Ned, take your boyfriend and go on your date.”
What the fuck? My hands lift as rage seethes through me. Red is taking Mal’s side? Mal wasn’t in the harem, I was. Red’s loyalty should be to me.
A tug on my sleeve snatches my attention. “Come on, Ned let’s go. We don’t want to miss our dinner reservation.”
I blink. I see Lello’s wide and worried blue eyes. I hear Gray’s soft sobs.
My anger dissipates. Leaving me feeling worn and dejected. My shoulders slump. That all got rather out of hand. And so quickly. It has left me feeling a little dizzy.
“Sorry, everyone.”
I turn and lead Morgan away. Red is right, us leaving is the quickest way to cool everyone down. And we were going out anyway.
The cool night air knocks further sense into me. What was I thinking? Gray is a frigging ancient demon. He could wipe me out with a snap of his fingers.
And I shouldn’t have been so nasty to him. It’s not his fault he is a little crazy. Being tortured by humans for a hundred years is bound to do that to you. He is a littlesweetie when he is lucid, and he wouldn’t have wanted to scare the crap out of Morgan on purpose.
It was just shitty timing. He has never seemed to have much problem with his shielding before. Or, I guess Morgan could be extra sensitive to demonic energy? Whatever caused it, it’s a fucking mess, that’s for sure.
We get in the car, and the slam of the doors is soothing. I groan and cover my face with my hands.
