“Let’s do it,” Roman says.
“Thanks for all the help, guys.”
“Thanks aren’t necessary,” Atlas says. “It’s what we do. You’ll do it for us someday too. If you stick around.”
His words are sobering, reminding me that as soon as I deliver this amulet to Auri, I might get the chance to leave. But togo where? Back to my shithole apartment to chase artifacts that make no sense? Back to somewhere Drax isn’t?
I clutch the velvet bag as Drax wraps his arms around my waist, smiling and searching my eyes. My dragon surges forward, purring with contentment, and I know that me leaving would devastate the beast, but staying in the underworld is a big decision. A life-changing one.
“Let’s get you home,” Drax says sweetly, unaware of my internal conflict.
I nod, clinging to him. I have a big decision to make, and I’ll have to make it soon. Both our eternities depend on it.
DRAX
I thinkI expected Mac’s mood to be better once he got his hands on the amulet, but he seems sad as we materialize inside Auri’s compound.
“Are you okay?”
Mac nods. “I am. It’s surreal, I guess, that I actually have the amulet.”
“It’s a bit anticlimactic, isn’t it? I remember my first hunt. I was brimming with excitement, but it wasn’t hard to get, and when I did, it was…” I shrug. “Not as exciting as I hoped. I look at it differently now.”
“How?”
“The journey to get to the object is more fun than obtaining it. Look at the adventure we had chasing Rune and the amulet across the globe. We had new experiences, we played with magic, we saw things we never would have otherwise. That’s where the excitement lies.”
Mac nods, searching my eyes for a second before wrapping his arms around me and kissing me hard on the lips.
“What’s that for?”
“You’re amazing, Drax. Everything about you is cool.”
I preen a bit, happy that my mate is pleased. “Thank you.”
“Can we hang out in your place for a while before I go see Auri?”
“Of course.”
I take his hand, leading him down the hall to my room. I have every intention of asking for an upgraded unit so there’s plenty of room for Mac too, although I suppose there’s still a chance that he’ll leave. I never did get to properly court him, but surely he’s warmed up to me by now?
“Hey,” he whispers, rubbing the space between my shoulder blades. “You’re worried.”
“You felt my emotions through the bond.”
He nods, leaning in to kiss my cheek just as I reach for the door to my unit. “Auri will be happy, right?”
“Very.”
We enter my apartment and Mac plops down on a chair, kicking his feet up to rest them on the coffee table. I’ve never understood my desire to decorate the way humans do since I have almost no use for anything but my bed, but it was my natural instinct when I joined Auri’s group and got my own private space. Mac looks good here.
“I’m a little worried too,” Mac says. “About Auri’s intentions.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, sitting next to his propped up feet.
“Rune went to great lengths to hide this thing away, and we saw firsthand what it did to Belinda.”
I nod.
