“Yes.”
“I love dragons.” He chuckles, and his whole belly bounces. A jovial minotaur? Go figure.
“Come on in, fellows.” Aeson pushes the door open with his massive hand. “The air is fine tonight.”
We pass by, entering a dim room where a woman stands behind a small wood counter. She looks up with a bored expression, taking in each of us, then she waves her hand for us to approach.
“Wrists.”
Cassius offers his first and the woman stamps it with a blue heart. We take our turns getting stamped, then the woman offers a slight smile.
“Drink specials until midnight if you have the blue heart. Pink hearts are mortals. Be safe out there.”
Roman claps his hands. “Let’s do this.”
We slip through a curtain to the main part of the club, and I stop in my tracks at the sight. It’s packed with people dancing, laughing, talking. Pheromones and the scent of sex tickle my nose, and Roman practically howls as he bounces on his toes.
The heart stamps glow in the dark, making it very clear who’s a supe and who isn’t. So clever.
“First round is on me,” Atlas announces, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “We’re celebrating.”
I smile as Drax squeezes my hand and we make our way to the bar. All around me are supernatural creatures, some I rarely see, easily mixing with mortals. I see mermaids—in their human forms, of course—wolf shifters reeking of sex just as intensely as Roman is, and demons. Plenty of vampires, a few more gargoyles, and even another dragon, who nods at me in acknowledgment. Fae women and men dance in cages, their wings shimmering under the club lights.
I’ve spent my entire life as a loner with no real sense of community, but right now, I feel comfortable. Normal.
“I can’t believe I never knew places like this existed.”
Drax kisses my cheek. “Now you do.”
Atlas turns to face us, holding several shot glasses in his large hands. “Congratulations to Mac on a successful mission.” He hands the drinks out. “Welcome to the crew.”
“Cheers,” Roman says before slamming his drink back.
Cassius actually smiles. “Well done, Mac.”
My chest tightens pleasantly as emotion bubbles up in me. “You guys really like the job, don’t you?”
Roman smiles. “It’s pretty cool. Auri can be annoying, but he’s a good dude overall. Treats us fairly and we get some pretty badass missions.”
Cassius nods. “I agree. With such a long life, I needed a challenge, and I found one with Auri.”
“I’ll never leave,” Atlas adds.
“You’re staying, right?” Roman asks, drawing Drax’s pretty eyes to me.
It only takes a second for my brain to remind me that I don’t really have anything waiting for me. No friends wondering where I am. No community. No tasks. But I have something here. I have the makings of friendships. I have a job. I have a mate.
The bond in my chest warms and vibrates and my dragon rises, making the decision as clear as day.
“I’m staying. Cursed amulets couldn’t drag me away.”
Drax’s face lights up with a brilliant smile. “I’ll make you happy.”
“You already do.”
DRAX
Emerald scales ripplesacross Mac’s arms as his dragon pushes forward, his pupils stretching into narrow black slits.
