the rush of moisture that flooded my cleft.
I wasn’t the only one who’d taken care with her wardrobe. The guys looked splendid dressed in matching suits with-gasp-ties. The wicked vixen in me could already imagine those naughty neck nooses lashed around my wrists as I writhed beneath their sensual touch.
Their eyes shone with admiration and their smiles reflected their happiness at seeing me. Simon approached me first and grasped my hand in his big paw. He lifted my trembling hand and twisting it slightly, placed a hot kiss on the inside of my wrist. I shuddered and I would have slumped into a boneless puddle at his feet, had he not released my arm to slide his own around my waist supporting me.
Gene approached me next, and leaned in, kissing me softly on both cheeks, European style; the subtle aroma of his cologne tickling my senses. His whispered, “It felt like an eternity waiting for this moment,” made me almost close my eyes and swoon.
A snort from Lana with a “Get a room,” revived me a bit, as did the unexpected blush that crept up my face.
Claire sighed. “Oh, I can’t wait to find a man who makes me feel like that.”
“You’ll be meeting him sooner than you think,” Gene said to her cryptically before bowing in their direction. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us, we have reservations.”
And just like that I was whisked away. Instead of using a limo, Gene hugged Simon and me, and with a nod of his head, we were elsewhere.
We stood in the vestibule of a swanky joint, the polished wood, thick carpeting and gold accents screaming old school. I heard the sound of a throat being cleared and turned to see the maitre d’. And that’s when I realized, fancy place or not, I doubted Chef Ramsey had ever heard of this place. The lizard man in the suit with the bowtie inclined his head at us and I bit my lip so as to not rudely blurt
“We have reservations,” Simon said tugging me forward to stand before the podium which had a thick book open on top.
“Your name?” asked the lizard thing with what I could have sworn was a sneer.
I’m not sure what Simon did behind me, but the maitre d’ recoiled and adopted a more servile expression. “Of course, sir. Sorry for not recognizing you. Please, follow me.”
We followed the lizard man-who, to my amusement, had a tail sticking out of the back of his pants. We passed dozens of tables, partially hidden in shadows, but not dark enough for me to not realize that most of the patrons weren’t descended from Adam and Eve. I recognized some species-like the dwarves with their big beards and short, stocky stature. There were some fairies with gossamer wings whose sizes ranged from Thumbelina to human sized. The one eyed scary dude was, if I remembered my mythology correctly, a Cyclops. And at the sight of a bright blue demon, I clutched tightly at Simon’s arm.
He followed my gaze and patted my hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. We’ll explain it in a second.”
His words made my eyes widen, because I immediately grasped the implication. “You’re using me as bait,” I hissed. I’d actually contemplated doing that and it was part of the plan I’d meant to broach over dinner. It annoyed me that they’d acted without consulting me first, even if I’d had the some thought.
“I prefer the term ‘showing you off,’” Gene replied as we arrived at our table and he pulled out a chair for me.
I sat automatically and my dates took up a seat on either side of me. The back of my neck prickled as I imagined myself the object of everyone’s stare. I drummed my nails on the table and said tersely, “Explain.”
To my surprise, Simon answered instead of smooth-talking Gene. “It originally occurred to us to keep you hidden. We planned to hunt down the vamps you were created with and destroy them before they could out you. But, as Gene pointed out, we couldn’t be sure none of them slipped and told somebody who’d find your existence a tasty tidbit to sell. So, while the plan is still to kill them, we’re after bigger prizes.”
My eyes grew wider and wider. “Are you out of your freaking mind?” I said through clenched teeth. “What part of hordes of demons and angels gunning for me did you not get?”
Gene chuckled. “Calm down. We won’t let you get hurt. And, there’s one thing you should know: you have more allies than you realize. Angels and demons are just two sects who would be content with things staying the same. Remember how I told you there was a movement to let the prophecy come true?” I nodded still not reassured. “I talked to some of my contacts about you, and you’ll be pleased to know, that they’ll protect you.”
“Gee,” I said with a sarcastic lilt while rolling my eyes, “I feel so much better now. I get to trust strangers with my life.”
Simon’s immense hand covered mine. “They’ll have to go through me or Gene first, a sure death warrant for them as we won’t let you get hurt.”
I would have retorted, but at that moment the most beautiful woman in the world-who happened to have wings of translucent gold-approached our table. I stood, somehow knowing that staying seated in front of her would be disrespectful. There was something majestic about the otherworldly woman that I reacted to instinctively.
Eyes of gold gazed upon me and I shivered sensing the power in her stare. I fought the urge to kneel before her and after a few moments of silence, she spoke, her voice lilting and musical. “Finally, the one foretold has arrived. Welcome dear one. Should you require aid in your quest, you may call upon me.”
I looked on her blankly. “Um, thanks.” While I appreciated her offer, I hadn’t the slightest clue who she was.
“Queen Mab, you do us great honor,” said Gene who’d also stood along with Simon.
“A token has already been sent to your court in thanks for your kindly gesture,” rumbled Simon.
The queen’s eyes glowed and her lips curved into a smile that held a touch of avarice. “I knew the rumors of your demise had to be false. Congratulations on your choice.”
With an incline of her head, the Queen departed leaving behind a scent of sunshine-and a host of questions. We all sat back down just as a waiter-an actual monkey dressed in a suit-arrived with wine glasses. I waited until he’d poured us all a brimming glass full and left before I spoke.
“That’s it,” I said looking at Simon. “Why is it everyone who meets you acts like you’re some kind of god? Just what are you, and why do they think you’re so scary?”
“You don’t think I’m scary?” he replied sidestepping with a grin.
“No, but if I don’t get a straight answer, you’re going to discover how scary I can be.” I had my own theories as did my roommates-and twenty bucks riding on the answer.
“I’m an ice dragon.”
I blinked. I looked him up and down. Then sighed.
“What? You asked for the truth.” he said spreading his hands.
Gene chuckled. “Perhaps you should go outside and show her your magnificent alter ego.”
“No, I believe him. I just can’t believe how wrong I was.”
“What did you think I was?”
I squirmed. “Well, I had a few theories. I had you narrowed down to a Titan-”
“Much too small,” replied Gene.
“Or an incubus.”
“Not pretty enough,” snorted Gene while Simon, looking astonished, blushed.
“Claire thought you were a shapeshifting polar bear and Lana actually thought you were some kind of deity like Poseidon.”
Simon grinned. “She thought I was a god? Don’t worry, after tonight, I’ll prove to you that I am and much more.”
It was my turn to blush as his words spread heat through me. But, I wasn’t quite done with them yet. I took a sip of the wine and almost choked. “What the heck is this?” I asked as my eyes watered.
“Dragon ice wine, a potent concoction for the uninitiated,” Gene said dryly.
“I like it,” said Simon stubbornly swigging it.
“Fine, whatever,” I pushed the glass aside and went for the crystal goblet of water, which certainly hadn’t
