I follow him around twists and turns that feel like we’re walking in circles but then we step into the common area where I first met them all.
“That made no sense to me.”
Cassius chuckles. “You get used to it over time.” He sniffs in my direction. “You smell like sex. Where is your mate?”
Clearing my throat, I drag my hand through my hair. “I was actually looking for Auri’s office before I got turned around.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“Do I need one?”
“He prefers them. Otherwise, he can be surly.” Cassius adjusts the sleeve of his frilly white shirt. “Your choice.”
Maybe I could get a better answer from the vampire. “Were you recruited by him? Or did you seek him out?”
Cassius’s lips curl into a smirk as his eyes pulse red for a few seconds. “Just figuring it out, huh? We were all recruited, dragon. But don’t bother to ask me how or why. He won’t tell you, but I’ve decided during my time with him that he visitedthe human realm often enough to become aware of my presence, and for whatever reason, decided he wanted me on his team.”
“How often do you do work for him?”
“As often as he asks. Time is meaningless here.”
I nod, chewing on my bottom lip for a second. “Has he ever let anyone go?”
It’s not that I don’t believewhat Drax told me before, I guess I just want to hear someone else confirm it.
Cassius shrugs. “I don’t know why anyone would want to leave.”
I remember a similar comment from Drax. These guys are here voluntarily.
“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I agreed to the deal.”
Cassius chuckles. “Rookie mistake, but don’t worry, Auri is prickly at times but not so hard to deal with. Just do what he asks, and everything is fine.”
“Yeah, okay. Will I patrol the tunnels at some point too?”
“Sure. We all get a rotation, but you have a mission right now, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“No extra duties when you’re on a mission.”
“Gotcha.”
“You should be spending your downtime with your mate.” Cassius steps closer. “Aren’t you aware of his dedication to you? The whole compound smells of it.”
“It’s complicated.”
“It’s the least complicated thing in the world. Not all supes have them, you know. Mates. Don’t be cavalier about it. Drax is a lovely, honorable demon who adores you.”
“How do you know?”
“Like I said, I can smell it. His desire to please you pours off him. Is your dragon unaware?”
My dragon, at that moment, rises up, pressing to the surface and purring. “He’s aware.”
“Good. Let’s just say you wouldn’t be the most popular guy around here if you hurt Drax.”
I raise an eyebrow at the veiled threat. “Do you have a thing for him?”
