“Hey, idiot!”The beefy Deuce’s shoulders puffed, his eyes wobbly with drink.They narrowed when he saw the object of his anger.“What the hell is your kind doing here?Bad enough we have the pretty boy bartender dick magnet.”His gaze shifted to her.“Anda Dragon?You two don’t belong here.”He shifted off his stool, ready for trouble.
Her Dragon pulsed at the threat.Archer’s eyes sparked, though his body language hadn’t stiffened into fight mode.He did, however, wrap one hand around her wrist while his gaze remained on the aggressive Deuce.“I belong wherever I am.”
The drunk lunged toward Archer.
Archer’s hand came up so fast she didn’t even see the movement.A bright white light flashed from his palm.The guy dropped to the floor, sending several people scattering.Archer settled back against the bar, and the gawkers, seeing that the show—and threat—was over, returned to their business.A couple of guys dragged the jerk away, keeping a wary eye on Archer.
Lyra glanced at the hand still wrapped around her wrist.Seeing her gaze, he released it.
She leaned closer.“Were you restraining me or protecting me?”
“Both.”
Pulled into his gaze again, she had to force out the words, “I don’t need either.I’m perfectly capable of handling myself.”
She could understand being mesmerized by him, the Thrall and all, but he couldn’t seem to pull his gaze from her either.The way he’d run his fingers through her hair and down her throat with wonder…Holy hellfire, had they been about to kiss?
But their attention was drawn away by the bartender as he said, “Here you go, Kye.”
4
Archer pushed through the crowd as Kye moved away from the bar.
“Kye.”
His voice stopped her, as much a command as her name.The swirling light in her eyes flared as she turned to face them.“Yes?”
“We need to talk to you about Jeremy.”
We.At least he was including Lyra.
A glittery star on Kye’s cheek caught the light as she took him in.“Who are you?Wait.You’re his brother.Archer, right?”
“And I’m Lyra Slade,” she said with a nod, rather than sticking her hand out and risk rejection again.
Kye tipped her chin in acknowledgment but turned toward Archer.“Is he all right?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”Archer ran his hand through his hair.“I went to his place earlier.No sign of him.”
Kye gave no indication that she knew about the stripped wings, but she was clearly worried, by the frown on her face.“I’m afraid it might be connected to a project we were working on.Marik’s here, too.Let’s talk.”She gestured for them to follow her.Rivets and rhinestones on the patches plastered all over her black leather jacket caught the undulating lights.The DJ started spinning a new song (that sounded just like all the others), and they had to go against the flow of people rushing toward the dance floor.
Kye led them to a private seating area with upholstered seats in rich autumn colors.Around the bend was a particularly secluded one, with a sign on the low table announcing it was reserved.
Marik stood as they approached.He had a medium build, his light red hair washing over his forehead.Worry was etched across his expression, as well as his surprise at seeing Archer there.
They made introductions and remained standing.Kye leaned against the side of the couch and stretched long legs encased in fishnet stockings.
“Jeremy said you were a sex Deuce,” Archer said.
Kye’s shoulders stiffened with a touch of haughty pride.“I’m a Zensu Deuce, having the essence of the Deuce goddess of love and sensuality.I’m a licensed therapist who specializes in things sensual, which includes but is not limited to sexuality.”
Poor thing probably had to set people straight all the time, given her rote recitation of her job.
Archer’s mouth lifted in a wry smile.“Forgive my distillation.He mentioned something called ‘sex magick.’But I’ve probably misquoted that as well.”
Hmm, Archer was being polite.That’s because he wants information.
“Like my profession, Cobra Magick is about all the aspects of love and desire.I named it for the Tantric position, because it’s as much about spiritual union as physical.For Caidos, the Cobra means pleasure without pain.”
