Page 38 of King of Inferno

The humans below are none the wiser. Most who look up will find the sun glaring in their eyes. Others will find the twinkle of the sunlight shining off the glass of the buildings surrounding the medical building Taylor works in.

Like most modern advancements, skyscrapers have taken the tiny challenge out of tricks like this. Shaking my thoughts clear, I return to working through ordering supplies for the clubhouse and creating the schedules for staff and meetings.

There’s a lot we could just magic into the supply rooms, but we have long-standing deals with some of the humans who help us keep our identity hidden. As long as we keep them prosperous, they have no problem helping us. It has become a win-win over the centuries.

Most humans who join our ranks pass down their membership from generation to generation if we allow it. It has been rare for us to cancel a lineage’s access. It has only ever happened when loyalty has been lost.

Time has taught me that loyalty isn’t passed down or bred; it’s learned. The Iron Brothers have cultivated a culture of loyalty and respect. It’s the only way my brothers and I could stay hidden, given the reach we have.

It’s been centuries since we’ve had to call into question the loyalty of our close ranks. Those who live among us in the clubhouse and have access to our day-to-day operations are the most loyal to the brotherhood.

I guess having an incubus as an enforcer has paid off. Not many want to go up against Rock or the punishment he will deliver. Especially since the incubus is also of dragon blood.

The incubi both respect and fear Rock. His father was the great dragon king before the dragons became near extinct. Rock is the last of four and the only half blood. We’re grateful to have him within the brotherhood.

“What is she doing here?” Taylor’s thoughts come through to me.

I told her to leave the door open for me to hear her thoughts. I’ve been listening in while getting my work done. I focus more closely to figure out what’s going on.

Tapping into the visual of her thoughts, I see Angel standing before her. I’m annoyed instantly, as is Taylor, as I feel her emotions through the bond.

“I thought I could treat you to lunch. I don’t feel like we left things on the greatest note. I didn’t know you were so adventurous. You’re dating that biker, right? Maybe you can tell me all about that over lunch,” Angel says.

Taylor scoffs. “You’ve never once asked me to do anything with you in all the years we were roommates, and now you want to treat me to lunch? Angel, get out of my face. I have work to do.”

That’s my girl. I laugh and shake my head. My baby isn’t the pushover she comes off to be.

I’m starting to see more fire in her than I thought she possessed. I like it. The brewing heat is sexy.

“You don’t have to be rude. I just want to treat you to lunch.” Angel pouts.

“With what? My money?” Taylor hisses.

“Fine, forget I asked. You think you’re hot shit now that you’re fucking some biker. I give him a week before he dumps you to find someone with real tits. Did you remember to pack all your chicken cutlets? If you fuck him with your bra on, you might get another week or two out of him.”

“What makes you think I won’t slap the fire out of you?” Taylor seethes in that voice that raises my hackles.

“Baby girl, she’s goading you. Take a breath and step back,” I say in Taylor’s thoughts before she releases the power she’s channeling.

“Thank you,” she whispers back.

I watch in her thoughts as she turns and walks away. The power she had been pulling begins to recede. I’m proud of her, she has just demonstrated a shit ton of control and restraint.

“Don’t turn your back on me, bitch.”

Suddenly, I’m standing in the hall between Taylor and Angel. I have the wrist Angel was about to use to grab or strike my mate. She looks up at me with fear in her eyes.

I make sure to release enough of my power for it to hum through the air. My eyes glow with flames in case she doesn’t feel that I mean business.

However, Angel is forgotten as a familiar scent permeates the air. I know right away it’s some of those hunters. I release Angel and grab hold of Taylor.

Right as I grab her and turn my back, a bolt of energy blasts me in the shoulder. Taylor yelps within my hold. I grunt against the sharp pain but shake it off quickly.

Not wanting to leave Taylor vulnerable, I flash from the hall to my bike. Once we’re both straddling my hog, I take off for the clubhouse. This is her last day at work.

Taylor

Oh my God, maybe Bradan was right. What the fuck just happened? Why were those guys throwing bolts of magic at us?

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