Page 57 of Gemini Hunted
“Mal’s the only witch on this island who’s smart enough to know how to open that passage.” Draco forges on. “And she won’t. Not unless you agree to our terms.”
Zara’s booted toe starts tapping the stone floor.
“We’re willing to play fair,” my girl says, but her pretty turquoise eyes linger on the door we came through. Through our bond, I sense her growing worry for our missing mates.
“Good. So are we.” Mallory gives a decisive nod, straightens Jae’s tie for him, then tucks her hand into his and leads him over to join Draco. “Our plan isn’t complicated. It’s a fair exchange. Let us join your team, and we’ll help you win the contest.”
“That’ssupposed to be uncomplicated?” Zara tilts her head and looks quizzical. Her turquoise gaze moves over Mal and her menage, measuring them one by one, taking her good sweet time about it.
“You can’t join our team because you’re not part of ourdomus. It’s against the rules,” Neo says, earnest as fuck, though I’m pretty sure Mallory McSnicker already knows this. “You’re part of House Hadrian. We’re Villa Augustus.”
“Well, yeah, that’s obvi.” Mal leans into Draco, who engulfs her narrow waist with his possessive arm. “We can only join your team if we join your harem.”
Vasili zips back over the water before the echo’s faded. His startled gaze rivets mine, then darts to Zara, who’s staring at her bestie with her lush lips parted.
But it’s Max who’s first to find his tongue.
Planting himself firmly at Zara’s side, our dragon snarls, “This harem is closed! No others are allowed. Especially other males.”
“We’d only be joining temporarily,” Mallory says patiently. “No offense or anything, Maxim, but you are totally not my type. You scare the heck out of me when you’re shifted. And Lucius is my prof, so he’d be completely against the rules. Plus I’m straight and not questioning, so Zara’s not my type either. No offense.”
“None taken,” Zara murmurs. She cocks a hip, shifts her duffel, and looks thoughtful.
Jae rubs his face affectionately into Mal’s neck to scent her, then hitches one shoulder in a fatalistic shrug. His amber eyes gleam at me. “I’m not straight, me, but I’m with mybébé. On everything she said.”
“Same,” Draco mutters. “Fokk. And you didn’t mention Pendragon, either of you, but you both fucking shoulda.”
I can’t be certain in the eerie light, but I think Mal might be awkward-blushing. We were never a thing, she and I, but I’m used to this sort of reaction.
What’s a chap to do? Like Zara says, my hotness is my superpower.
Taking pity on Mallory’s embarrassment, I mutter, “Put a sock in it, Mars. My one-and-done days are history. I’m committed to this lot, aren’t I? All bloody seven of them.”
“He means eight,” Mordred pipes up. “There’s eight of us. Right, hot stuff?”
Yeah, no. I’m not including Mordred in the headcount, not with the way Zeph feels about him. But I’ve been with Zara long enough to recognize the signs. Our girl falls in love like a skydiver jumping out of a plane.
She’s curious about that demon. Attracted to him. Whether she wants to be or not.
And he’s curious as hell about her. In fact, he acts like he’s drawn to all of us.
Fucking pansexual sex demon.
“Guess that’s legit.” Draco dips his chin at me in a grudging nod. “Just don’t get me started on Romanov.”
“Or whatever kind ofterifyancreature that is,oui?” Jae jabs a finger at Mordred, who’s knelt to peer curiously into the black water, with his own dark look. “Even so, queen, the offer stands. We wish to join your harem. Temporarily.”
No one has expressed any sort of reservation about Neo, natch, because any polycule would gladly make room for him. Now our bookworm pushes his glasses up his nose and asks what we’re all wondering.
“So, just to be clear, this wouldn’t be a harem with benefits?”
“There will be zero fucking benefits,” Draco growls, glaring straight at me for some bloody reason. “We clear, Pendragon?”
Annoyed as fuck by this point, I snap back, “Crystal. Already had your boyfriend anyway, haven’t I?”
“You have?” Zara dips a hand into the carrier to stroke her kitten and gives me an interested look.
“Just another of my one-and-dones. Freshman year.” I shrug. “He’s a right proper shag, if you’re asking.”
