“Oh, he asked me to bring you to his living quarters, which I’m a little surprised by. He doesn’t usually want strangers in his space. He has trust issues about whether they want to be his friend or want to say they are friends with ‘the warlock.’ I do need to warn you about his harem though.”
Eric steps out of the elevator, but he doesn’t go any farther as he waits for me to join him. I don’t say anything, just gesture for him to continue.
“You’ve been told how warlocks are psychic feeders and feed on emotions, yes?”
“Yes, Dylan explained it to me, but I kind of wonder if it was the truth. He was overly aggressive and sulky when he found out that Xavier’s mark was on my shoulder.”
Eric grimaces at the mention of Dylan. “Xavier is one of the ones Dylan never managed to seduce. That pissed him off because the man has a harem, so he figured he wasn’t all that fussy. Rumor has it he was bitter and his reaction had nothing to do with you but with Dylan himself.”
“Ha, so you pay attention to the gossip too, do you?” I joke, trying to ease a little of the tension that’s risen at the mention of the dragon.
“When you’re in such close quarters for long periods of time, it’s very hard to keep a secret.” Eric starts to walk again, gesturing for me to walk beside him. “Xavier’s harem will probably be territorial. He’s the only reason they are here, and they get comfortable. They don’t have to work, they get paid well, and from what I heard, the psychic feeding feels good if he’s feeding off lust.” He pauses briefly, trying to collect his thoughts on how to explain as much as he can in a short amount of time.
“Some of them are low-level warlocks who either have no power or are not powerful enough to need a harem of their own, so they feed from him as he feeds from them, but he requires feedings more often. While they only need it once a week or even less, he needs it every day—or that’s what I’ve gathered. Like I said, it’s all very hush-hush. The more powerful the warlock, the more harem members they need until they find their intimate. That’s the person that is like their soulmate whom they can choose to bind their life with. Once this happens, the less powerful person becomes as powerful as the other, and they can feed equally off one another. It’s also why he is with the circus. He got sick of people throwing themselves at him in the hope he would mate them… or that’s what his parents said when they asked if we had a position for him.”
Wow, Eric is a fount of knowledge, and I’m hanging onto every word coming from his mouth. “Xylene and Cronus were close friends of your parents and asked us for a favor. They were worried he was going to insult someone with his apathy toward finding an intimate. They are the King and Queen of Westalin, and they are equal rulers.”
“You saidpeoplewere throwing themselves at him, not only women. So he’s bisexual?” I ask, not able to contain my curiosity.
“Yes, and warlocks are not particularly fussy about what race they feed from either. It’s more of an emotional attraction than a physical one, so be aware that his harem members may surprise you. He picks them for how their emotions taste, but not solely for that. I’m almost a hundred percent sure they all have a sexual relationship too. It’s supposed to make the feedings better.”
“Can you at least give me a heads-up on what to expect?”
“His harem is a mixed bunch, but I know he has a Morpheian, a Rasque, a Dionall, and a Milobar, as well as a few warlocks.”
“That’s not telling me much,” I point out to him and he stops, turning to look at me.
“Have you still not done your alien research?” He’s frowning at me like I’m a wayward school child who hasn’t done their homework.
“Of course I have, but there are a lot of different races, and I don’t have a photographic memory.” I cross my arms, feeling defensive.
“Okay, quick rundown.” He drops his voice and moves closer. “Morpheians are metamorphs. They can take on any form you or they truly desire, but their original form is humanoid with no features, so they are shaped like you or me but there are no distinguishing characteristics. They are a blank slate and completely gray, but don’t mistake their lack of eyes, nose, or mouth for lack of intelligence, because they can see and hear everything. Oh, and they are hermaphrodites, with both male and female sex organs in their natural shape, but they can shift into either male or female forms.”
“That is so cool.” I drop my arms and lean in, wanting to hear the rest.
“The Rasque is humanoid in form, but they look like a giant grasshopper, all armor plated with segmented arms and legs. They have two sets of arms and wings, and they are shades of green. Vegetarian species. They are a little frightening if you don’t realize this.”
“And the other two?”
“The Milobar is a little like an Earth stingray. He has a triangular head and body with arms and legs. He has the same features as a stingray as well, and the whip-like tail can be deadly. Lastly, we have the Dionall.” I can see him thinking about how to explain this one to me. “You know that Marvel movie that has that plant-like creature that can only tell you his name?”
“You mean Groot?” I love that movie.
“Yeah, that’s the one, so the Dionall are kind of like him, except they are all green and they have two forms—their humanoid one which allows them to move around, and the one they assume when they are sleeping or eating, and that one is more like Earth’s Venus flytrap. They are carnivorous bloodsuckers. They can be violent, vicious creatures, but I hear they are also extremely protective and loyal. Xavier has had him in his harem for a few rotations now.”
Holy shit, that sounds terrifying, and I’m ultimately screwed if they are possessive of Xavier, but thankfully Eric can’t see my unease.
“Come on then, game face on.” Eric steps forward and presses a bell on the door in front of him. It barely rings before it slides open.
“Come on then, Lila, don’t be afraid.” Xavier’s musical tone mocks me, even though I can’t see into the dimly lit room. “Step into my lair.”
I square my shoulders and brace myself as I step into the warlock’s living quarters. The door slides closed behind me, leaving Eric on the other side. I whirl around, trying to open the door, and I feel Xavier’s mist against my back. “Lila, your fear is delicious, but I’d much rather receive a different emotion from you. Come now, I promise you’ll be safe. Eric knows not to come into my home, but he also knows you’ll be fine. I would never insult them by feeding off their granddaughter without permission. I like enthusiastic consent. Tell me, Lila, will you give me enthusiastic consent?”
Caspian
Iwatch Lila walk out the door with Eric before turning back to John and William. There’s a small ball of nerves in the pit of my stomach for Lila, and even my beast is a bit restless, but I know that Xavier will take care of her. His attraction mark is still on her shoulder, and it wouldn’t be there if he had nefarious plans for her. Hopefully he can give her some answers as to why she has no powers so we can put her mind at ease.
“What are we going to do about your act, Cas?” William asks, leaning back on his chair and throwing his feet up on his desk. John frowns at him, like he wants to slap his feet away, but he waits for my answer.
