I gaped at the shining, razor-sharp steel tip, just a half an inch from Raza's throat. Raza simply smiled and lifted a brow. His eyebrow caught the light and a single red hair was revealed among all the black. I was fascinated by it. A crazy kind of fascination, like I needed to focus on something inconsequential, anything other than the fact that my boyfriend was about to slay a dragon for me.
“We are fey and we find multiple lovers, even multiple spouses, to be socially acceptable,” Tiernan said casually as his forearm flexed and the tip of his blade swung lower, to hover over Raza's heart. “So I will forgive your previous flirtations with my lover. But now she has made her intentions clear and revealed our monogamous commitment to each other. Yet you insist on pursuing her. You say you're a beast at heart. Well, persist in chasing Seren like prey and I will hunt you. We'll find out exactly what kind of heart you have.”
“Twice in one day,” Raza laughed as he stood. “It's been centuries since someone has stood up to me and now I find it done twice in one day. Thank you for adding some entertainment to this taxing business.” He bowed to Tiernan. “My deepest apologies for any insult I may have offered you or the Princess. I fear I have been given my own way for far too long and have lost some manners in the process. I will try to be more courteous in the future.”
I released the breath I'd been holding as Tiernan nodded stiffly and sheathed his blade. His hand slid over my shoulder comfortingly as he passed by me to take his seat. I just stared at Raza as he too sat down and gave me a wicked wink.
“But do not mistake my civility for capitulation,” Raza added with a smooth smile. “I still have every intention of wooing the fair maiden but I will do so within the bounds of polite society. If you truly are committed to each other, my advances should make no difference. In fact, you should welcome the test to your love.”
“I'm going to welcome your face with my-” I started but was cut off.
“I think we've come at a bad time, Brother,” a woman's voice came from the doorway.
She was slim and dressed in typical extinguisher fashion; serviceable black top and pants. Her pale skin had a healthy pink glow to it and was covered in freckles, her sleek black hair was cut to just above her shoulders, and her intense dark eyes were staring right at me. The man holding her hand was nearly identical to her, just with slightly more masculine features and a thicker build. He was staring at me too.
“I think we've come at the perfect time, Is,” he smiled and it sent a shiver down my spine.
“You must be Extinguishers Alexis and Alex Kavanaugh,” Teagan recovered first and jumped up to greet the creepy twins.
“And you are Head Councilman Theodore Teagan,” Alexis said confidently. “A pleasure to meet you, Councilman,” she looked down at his offered hand pointedly. “You'll forgive us if we don't shake your hand? It exacerbates our talent, you see. We lose control of what we're shown.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” Teagan pulled his hand back as if he'd been burned. “I was beginning to get concerned. I sent someone to pick you up hours ago.”
“Our flight was delayed,” Alex shrugged.
“Oh, well, please come in,” Teagan gestured to the room. “We were just discussing our issue with the witches.”
“Now that's not entirely true,” Alex smiled and looked Raza over. “We were just witnessing a lover's quarrel, I believe.” He took the seat on Raza's left and Raza cocked his head at the much smaller man. “Come sit here, Is. This one is fascinating.”
“A dragon-djinn,” Alexis smiled. “I've never met a dragon before.” She sat beside her brother and stared intently across him at Raza. “Oh, so passionate. He's in...” she looked at her twin with a surprised smile.
“Absolutely,” Alex smiled back mischievously.
“I haven't seen such childish behavior in adults since I was a boy at court,” Raza perused them right back. “Was your maturity somehow stunted by your telepathic abilities?”
I choked back a laugh, rubbing at my lips to conceal my smile, but Teagan looked horrified. He tried to recover by jumping into the conversation.
“Lord Raza, this is the psychic investigative team sent over to us by the Human High Council,” Teagan cleared his throat. “Perhaps-”
“It's alright, Councilman,” Alex waved away Teagan's concern. “We're not easily offended. You develop tough skins when you delve into the minds of others for a living.”
“People tend to be more offended by us than vice versa,” Alexis added. “To answer your question, Lord Raza, my bond with my brother can seem childish to some but it helps us retain our sanity when so many of our kind have gone absolutely bonkers.”
“We do apologize for bringing up bad memories though,” Alex went on. “Childhood can be such a traumatic time to those of us who are different.”
“We understand,” Alexis leaned forward across her brother, and hovered her hand above Raza's as if she were patting it in commiseration, without actually touching him.
“Do you?” Raza's eyes narrowed. “I don't think you do.” His hand shot up and grabbed hers. Both of the twins reacted violently.
Alexis screamed, her eyes rolling back into her head as she dropped into her brother's lap. Alex held her while taking hold of her wrist, trying to free it from the dragon. But Raza had a strong grip and his sharp talons insured that if Alexis did manage to free herself against his wishes, she'd pay for it.
“Stop!” Alex shouted at Raza, pulling a dagger from his belt and placing it at Raza's throat. “Free her now!”
“Draw one drop of my blood and your sister is dead,” Raza smiled at Alex, who went deathly pale.
I had stood without even realizing what I was doing, and moved up behind Raza. I laid my hand on his left shoulder and he jerked, making Alexis scream again, but he didn't bother to look behind him. I think he already knew who was touching him. Meanwhile, Alex's eyes shot to mine, full of shock for a brief moment, but then they cleared and he nodded, pulling his dagger away from Raza's throat. He sheathed it and went back to simply holding his sister.
I slid my hand down Raza's tense arm, over the bulging muscles, until one of my hands neared the dangerous bond he'd forged with Alexis. I wrapped my hand around his, careful not to touch her, but still she moaned and dropped limply across Alex.
