“We used to own one. The council bought it from us. Something about keeping them from being under pack control so they were safe spaces.”
“Didn’t last long under them, did it?” his mate muttered. There was a story there. I sensed his anger. “It’s now being run by some independent shifters, but they’re looking to sell.”
I saw the moment an idea lit Mori’s eyes. “Oh! I want to buy it.”
The alpha pair shared a look, then they glanced at the elves. “Um, why would shifters trust an incubus with a heat club? You feed off desire and sexual energy. That would be a buffet for you. I mean no offense.” Kade, the omega, looked wary.
“Ah! Well, we can drain off the worst of a bad heat with no lingering effects. Incubi and Succubi would pay to attend such a place, meaning the shifters could use it for free. We don’t need to feed a lot here, but in your realm, it can be taxing if we have low reserves. The demonkin love the different flavors of the emotions in your realm. I can see a reasonable demand. Besides, I want to encourage more demonkin to spend time in the human realm. I think we keep to ourselves too much, that’s why humans fear us.”
Kade’s eyes lit up. “We need to talk about this more. I’m on the shifter council as an omega representative.” He drew Mori away from the rest of us, one of the elven guards following closely.
The alpha closed the gap between us. “Toth, Cody, you have a wonderful place here. These apples are delicious. I can already taste the cider they’ll make. Want to return to Sweetwater and see the factory? Perhaps draw up a contract?”
I flinched. I couldn’t help it.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. That was insensitive of me. I meant a business proposal that is mutually beneficial—“
“No, it’s fine. Sorry, Alpha Blake. It’s all just too fresh. I’d love to do that. Shall we round everyone up and make the journey?”
We didn’t get far before we were interrupted.
“Hey sweetness, I’m going to have to miss this meeting. Is there anyone that can portal me to the coven, or nearby?” Damon asked, appearing from thin air. He was getting sneakier by the day. I often wondered if he was as human as he appeared.
“What, why?” Cody asked, looking worried.
“Oak wants my help to track Basil. Witch ways aren’t working because he can block the spells. He knows enough about demon magic that it isn’t much use, either. Oak thinks that good old human tracking should get results.” He looked uncharacteristically sheepish. “They want to put some protection spells on me, too.”
“Why?” I hated Cody looking so frightened.
“I may have gotten a few threats.”
“You what?” Cody yelled.
“I’ll be fine, sweetness.”
“He will, my son,” Mori was at it again. I restrained the eye roll that time. “I’ll go with him to the coven house. My meeting with the pack can wait until another day. Damon is too important to put at risk.”
“I’ll go where Prince Amorandes goes, naturally.” Gregoris stepped up beside his charge giving Damon an evaluating look.
“Of course, Gregoris will ensure our safety,” Mori said cheerfully, ignoring Damon’s glare.
“Thanks… Dad.” If he heard the pause, Mori pretended he didn’t. He pulled Cody into a bone-crushing hug, tried to do the same to me, but I sidestepped him, grabbing his hand for a shake instead, letting go quickly. I was not hugging him.
I needed to divert attention before this ended up with Mori and Cody crying. “We’ll see you both soon,” I told the pair. I held a hand out to my mate. “Come on, Cody, let’s check out the pack.”
“They’ll be okay, won’t they?” Cody worried at his lip with his teeth.
“Damon will be fine. Mori will survive him. Just about.” Those two were something. “They have Gregoris to keep them in line.” Time to change the subject. “I think we should go arrange things with the shifters and then come home and lock everyone out for a few days. What do you think?” I suggested.
Cody looked at me with love in his eyes. “A few days, just me and you? That sounds like heaven.”
The End.