Cassius laughs at that, loud and bellowing, as if it’s the most hilarious thing he’s ever heard. “At least you have the good sense to be possessive of your mate.” He appears in front of me suddenly, doing that creepy moving fast thing vampires do. “If I wanted your demon, he would have been mine long before you laid eyes on him.” He pats my cheek. “We may not be much to you, but we’re a family of sorts, and we protect each other. You could be part of that family someday if you don’t fuck it all up.”
I nod, taking a step back from the tiny but intimidating man. “Noted.”
Cassius smiles, but it’s laced with warning. “Life is easy here if you follow the few rules. Keep your nose clean and you’ll be fine. If I were you, I’d rely on your mate. He wants nothing but the best for you.”
I wish I could confess that the whole mating thing was an accident, but I get the feeling Cassius isn’t open to hearing about my latest and greatest fuckup.
“Thanks for getting me back here.”
“My pleasure.”
Then he’s gone, disappearing with little more than a blur of movement as he darts down another hallway.
From here, I could try to figure out where Auri’s office is, but I doubt I’ll get any more answers tonight. Maybe he’ll be more open to talking about his intentions with the amulet once I’ve got it in my clutches.
I turn in a circle for a second until a strong tug in my chest draws me in a specific direction. The sensation is intense, warm,and if I had to describe it, I would say it feel like home which is insane. I don’t have a home, and if I did, why would my dragon think it was here in the underworld?
I go down a hallway to find Drax standing in his doorway, relief settling across his features when he sees me.
“I sensed your discomfort,” he says. “Are you alright?”
I nod. “Went for a walk and got turned around, but Cassius found me and helped.”
Drax nods, clearly holding himself back from approaching me. “You can always call for me.”
“I know. I was about to, actually.”
He smiles, leaning against his doorframe but not speaking.
“Well, um, goodnight, Drax.”
I feel the soft patter of desire along our bond, a bit melancholy as he nods.
“Goodnight, Mac.”
I head to my room and plop down on the bed, wishing I was brave enough or smart enough to just accept my fate and go climb into Drax’s comfy bed, but instead I lie here, staring up at a blank ceiling and wondering what the hell I’m gonna do next.
DRAX
After a few hours of rest,I rise and prepare to meet up with Mac, hoping he had a good night, though I felt his dragon’s restlessness. So many times I wanted to go to him to offer comfort or sex or anything to soothe his beast, but I gave him space. He knows where to find me.
I find his room empty, but I follow his scent to the breakfast room where he’s eating heartily. Roman, Cassius, and Atlas sit around the table too, in their normal way, and the scene makes me smile. Perhaps Mac is becoming more comfortable here.
He looks up as soon as I enter the room and drops his fork, sitting up a little straighter. I feel the zing of happiness and desire along the bond, and I smile as I approach and take the seat next to him.
“Did you sleep well?”
He nods, wiping bacon grease off his mouth with the back of his hand. “You look, um…” Mac shakes his head. “Did you do something different?”
“No. Why do you say that?”
Mac stares at me for a second, but when he blinks it’s those pretty dragon eyes peering out.
“Hi there,” I coo.
Mac leans closer to me, inhaling deeply then releasing a smoky breath. “Nothing different?”
I shake my head. “No.”
