Stela’s arrival sent all three of us to the floor and I cried out as I felt my panties ripped from me. The arrival of Stela sent me over the edge and my body bowed up off the carpet in preparation of seizure. Someone thrust inside me and I felt my body relax and I quieted. I didn’t want to open my eyes, too horrified to even care. “Just get it over with.” I replied bitterly and above me Talon growled.

  “Oh no, Your Majesty. You will not deny me, not again.” He replied in a low angry voice and I turned my head away and simply lay there neither helping nor hindering him in any way. He rode my body for several minutes then let out a frustrated growl and dropped his head into the hair at my neck. “You said you would not deny me your body.” He breathed against my ear and his voice was full of anguish. “You promised I could have you again as you were in the Oiotellad. When you wrapped your legs around me and looked at me with your beautiful golden eyes shinning and you urged me to hurry. And now I have your body…but it is not enough. Why are you punishing me like this?” He whispered brokenly and I felt my heart clench at the sorrow in his voice and I realized I could not do this to him. I did not love him, could barely tolerate him most of the time. But I could not do this…to either of us.

  I took a deep breath then turned my face to him reaching for him tentatively while he held his body still as if too frightened to move or believe what he was feeling. I opened my eyes and stared up at Stela who was leaning on his hip and arm next to us. His pale bronze eyes stared back at me with a hint of pride as if he knew my struggle and was proud of my decision. He brushed my cheek with the back of his knuckles and gave me a slight nod then glanced at Talon who continued to hold himself still against me. I wasn’t even sure he was breathing.

  “Talon.” I choked out and then chewed my lip for a second as I glanced around Stela and realized the four women were still standing there looking uncertain. “Perhaps we could…start over and pretend that we are not in the home of my friend and that you did not just grab me by the hair and toss me up against the wall in plain sight of his pack mates as well as the Alpha for another pack?” I replied calmly while he stiffened and pulled air into his lungs. Perhaps he was hoping it was just the circumstances and not him that was the problem here.

  “You ran from me Your Majesty.” He told me in a confused voice and I sighed realizing for him that was probably tantamount to foreplay. “You should not have run from me.”

  “Yes obviously my second mistake.”

  “Your second, Your Majesty?” Stela asked in an amused voice. “What was your first?”

  “Wearing heels.” I told him and winced when the four women chuckled. I glanced up at them with a pleading look. “You wouldn’t happen to have a spare bedroom around here would you? Your landing is…charming but the floor is a little hard and I’d prefer not to have rug burns when this is over.”

  “Just down the hall.” Patti offered. “I’ll show you.” She replied and I gave her a thankful smile and placed my hand on Talon’s shoulder. His head was still buried in my hair and I gave him a little nudge.

  “Talon can you get up for a moment so we can go someplace less public?” I asked and he hesitated probably not wanting to give up his position. “We’re just going down the hall a little ways.” I urged him then buried my hand in his hair and tugged on it slightly increasing the pressure when he refused to lift his head. My eyes moved to Stela who was frowning.

  “He does not trust you Your Majesty.” Stela replied with a worried look.

  “Kit.” I whispered and loosened my grip in Talon’s hair. “Stubborn.” I remarked and Stela flashed his teeth at me and nodded. Talon seemed to relax against me and his lips found my neck. “The others didn’t injure anyone did they?” I asked patiently waiting for Kit to arrive and feeling rather foolish for simply lying there. Stela glanced down the stairs and shook his head.

  “The Black spoke to them and the Weres have returned to the Library. Several others have joined them.” He informed me and I groaned and closed my eyes. Apparently more than just David and Len along with the four women lived here. Of course my screaming had brought them running. What a fabulous way to make a memory. I thought and grunted when Talon nipped my neck hard then lathed it softly with his tongue.

  “We’ll be along in just a moment.” I told the women. “Talon refuses to get off me and so we are waiting for my Demon to return so he can….relocate us.” The four of them eyed me thoughtfully then their gazes turned toward the stairs and I shifted my head to see Marcus and Dane poke their heads over the top step.

  “Are you alright Your Majesty?” Marcus asked his voice sounding amused and I gritted my teeth and gave him a dirty look.

  “Yes Marcus I’m just peachy keen can’t you tell?”

  “It is so difficult when you give off mixed signals.” He replied with a grin. “Its like you are waving a red flag at a bull from behind cage bars. Your body says come and get me, while your eyes….are not so inviting.”

  “Ha!” Dane muttered. “Tis more like they scream…get away from me or I’ll be ripping yer throat out I will.” He added while the others muttered agreement.

  “I’m sure it’s difficult for any of you to understand how distressing this is to me.” I replied. “Because you’re men and probably find this extremely amusing. But the fact of the matter is, I don’t and it’s damn irritating at times.”

  “Like now for instance?” Marcus asked and seated himself on the other side of me and leaned his elbow on an upraised knee.

  “Yes like now.”

  “Well I’ll admit your timing sucks. And I don’t think I need to point out had we returned immediately after your visit to the hospital you wouldn’t be laying where you are at the moment. You have to admit it was rather immature of you. Sometimes it’s hard to feel sorry for you when it’s self inflicted.” He remarked dryly while I gritted my teeth and glared up at him.

  “Thank you Master Zen…you’re what, like five seconds older than me?” I replied in an irritated voice. Talon made a low soothing noise and pulled my skin between his teeth while his hips shifted slightly. His movement distracted me and I slid my fingers through his hair, enjoying the way the soft strands felt. “Where in the world is Kit?” I muttered while Talon rocked against me and my eyes slid half way shut. Inside me I felt him jerk and my body instinctively tightened. Dane made a low sound and seated himself on the carpet near my knee. His fingers reached out and trailed slowly up my thigh then back down again and around my kneecap while I did my best to ignore him. It didn’t really work.

  “Talon can you please just…be reasonable?” I asked in a small voice. “I’d really prefer to do this someplace else.” In reply he bit my neck again. I gasped softly and my hips lifted in spite of my attempt to prevent them. He made a pleased sound and next to us Stela hummed. Marcus’ fingers moved through my hair and whispered over my ear causing me to shudder. Stela’s hand cupped my breast through my dress and I arched into his palm and felt my pulse accelerate. They all made noises and Marcus leaned down and slowly kissed his way across my cheek toward my lips. I turned at his gentle teasing and his mouth came down upon mine so that I no longer cared where I was I simply reached for Talon and offered myself to him reveling in his slow powerful strokes.

  In the end each of them had me and I did in fact have rug burns. I came back to myself held against Dane’s chest while the others cupped my body and stroked me gently. They all seemed well pleased with me. The four Weres were lying passed out on the floor not far from us. Apparently our efforts had rendered them senseless. Nick was the only Were that had ever been that close to me during sex and even he had had a door and rock wall between us, though if I remembered correctly…he’d look frazzled when he’d burst in upon Gareth and Jace and I on the floor. At the time I’d simply chalked it up to embarrassment at finding the three of us naked on the floor.

  I lifted my head and glanced around noticing Kit sitting on the steps. He was leaning back on one elbow and watching me closely. I blinked at him several times and he lifted an eyebrow at me and glanced around as if to say…what you couldn’t find a bed?

  “I can’t leave you alone for five minutes Mistress.” He told me with a sigh. I stuck my tongue out at him and his eyes widened then narrowed and his face took on a sultry look. “Hmmm…Roa’s just downstairs if you aren’t sufficiently exhausted from the efforts of these four? Or I could….assist. You know how I enjoy being next.” He told me while the others glanced between us.

  “I’m fine thank you.” I told him as Dane pulled me tightly against his chest. Kit rolled his eyes and flipped the little silver disk up into the air like he was tossing a coin.

  Chapter 26

  “You have something to tell us? Seeing as you didn’t answer your call. Either one.” I told him with a touch of sarcasm. He pushed himself to his feet and nodded then wandered down the stairs.

  “I’ll be in the Library. If you can pull yourself away maybe you’d like to join us?” He replied then his head disappeared below the steps and my head fell back and I squeezed my eyes shut.

  “Oh crap.” I muttered while all four of them chuckled and started redressing themselves. When Dane reached to help me back into my bra I smacked his hand and growled while he laughed and then yanked me against him kissing me hard.

  “Now Lassie none of that. Maybe next time ye won’t be so headstrong.” He replied then ducked my half hearted swing. Chuckling, he lifted me away from him so he could pour himself back into his pants, which were somewhere around his knee caps. Lucky them…none of them wore underwear. Marcus retrieved my undies…and held them out to me by a finger. It was clear they were torn beyond use and I simply glared at him. He grinned and lifted them to his nose, inhaling deeply then shoved them in his pocket while my jaw dropped open and my cheeks flushed at his audacity.

  “Mmmm smells like our Majesty’s desire.” He replied and wiggled his eyebrows at me. He rocked back on his heels and whistled a low tune while his fingers rolled the material within his pants and I realized if he went into the room with those every Were there would know he had them.

  “Give them to me.” I growled and he shook his head.

  “Finders keepers.” He told me then laughed at the look on my face. I growled and nearly snapped at Talon who held out my shoes to me.

  “I believe you left these down the hall.” He replied and his pink eyes looked amused.

  I pulled myself to my feet and shoved my shoes on. After finger combing my hair I glanced at the four women realizing I probably wasn’t going to wake them and headed down the stairs. The others followed me. Roa’ was standing in the hall beside the door. He gave me a small smile and a wistful look then reached for the knob while I schooled my features and counted to ten. The door swung open leaving me standing in the middle of the doorway and I immediately realized that…nearly all the men present, with the exception of Alan, had not fared much better than the females. Half of them had simply passed out while the other half looked dazed. Jose was sleeping like a baby at the end of the couch. All of them except for Alan had damp pants.

  I looked at Kit who was standing over by the fireplace. “Is a little dignity too much to ask?” I commented and he glanced around and sighed.

  “No Mistress…but watching your reaction is half the fun.” And he snapped his fingers and several of the men murmured while the others, just blissfully slept on. Len was passed out but David was slumped against the side of the couch and was watching me cautiously.

  “I’m glad to see you and Alan didn’t kill each other while we were gone.” I told him, and Kit flipped his black and silver tipped hair behind him.

  “We haven’t left Bodark’s house yet.” He replied and shifted his red eyes to Alan who ignored him as he was busy staring at me.

  “You seem….better now?” Alan offered and I felt my cheeks go pink and nodded.

  “Yes it’s hard to believe just four short weeks I was a normal girl with a normal life.” I replied. “Now I can’t even go out in public without embarrassing myself.” I replied and while I tried not to sound sorry for myself, I’m afraid it pretty much came out that way. Alan nodded thoughtfully.

  “Chose one and bring him with you.” He replied and leaned back on the couch. “For you I would make an exception.” His comment was met with shocked silence though in my head it sounded like a war party. I groaned and reached for my temples and staggered into the nearest chair while Marcus and Stela grabbed for me.

  “Aiieee.” I breathed and raised my shields then took several deep breaths while my head lolled on the back of the seat. When I pried my eyes open everyone including the dazed wolfs were looking at me. “Sorry.” I muttered. “Feedback.” At least they weren’t tearing Alan apart I thought while nearly all my men turned to glare at him. Even Dean looked annoyed.

  “Alan has offered a night for the secret to the hold Valentine has over my Drakes.” I murmured and Marcus turned to look at me his eyes huge, the blood draining from his face even as I watched. He dropped onto the arm of my chair and grabbed for the back. I reached for him and pulled him down into the seat with me then moved myself onto his lap and wrapped my arms about him tightly. His face disappeared into my hair and I turned to Alan with a thoughtful look.

  “I will consider your offer.” I told him while Marcus moaned softly and shook his head. “Hush.” I breathed and soothed my hands over his shoulders. The others watched quietly though none of them appeared to be particularly happy. Kit looked like he’d enjoy ripping Alan’s internal organs out through his nostrils and then roasting them over a very hot fire. Dane gave me an odd look then shook his head. Obviously my analogies were… disturbing but then…so was the look Kit was giving Alan.

  David took a breath and asked quietly. “Did you find anything upstairs?” I glanced at him and then moved my eyes to Kit who nodded.

  I dropped my shields. Kit is there any more of those listening devices here in this room with us? I asked him silently. He glanced around and shook his head. Can you disable the one you have? I thought and he nodded. Alan’s eyes widened and he glanced between us, his face looking distressed as smoke rose from the silver disk in Kit’s palm.

  “I suspect Bodark was drugged, probably by Margie. Len set the alarm before he left and there was no sign of a break in. Either the men who took Bodark away were already in the house, in which case they would have to be…amongst you, or she let them in. We found an undisturbed knife and gun under his pillows so there was no chance for him to fight back. It looks like the room was tossed after Bodark was already disabled. The champagne bottle was tainted and there was a crystalline residue on the sheets. One more thing….Bodark’s room was bugged. And I waved at Kit who held up the little silver disk in his fingers for the rest of them to see. It’s likely…it’s not the only one here. I had Kit track the bug back to where it came from.” I told them and we all turned to look at Kit again.

  “So you suspect Margie did this?” David asked and I nodded.

  “Pretty sure.” I told them. “I don’t know too many victims that taken the time to dress themselves then gather up their purse before leaving for the hospital. I know she had her purse with her, because I got it out of the closet at the hospital so she could give me….Alan’s phone numbers.” I replied and moved my eyes to Alan who looked… startled. “Interesting that she had both his work and cell in her little black book.” I replied and Marcus pulled his face out of my hair and turned his eyes to Alan. “I seem to recall she was speaking to you at the Mayor’s party when I dragged Bodark over to introduce them.” I added and raised an eyebrow while I leaned back against Marcus.

  Alan looked annoyed then…almost offended as I finished talking. His dark brown eyes met mine and he replied in a calm clear voice. “She came on to me. I had never seen her until that night and I have no idea how she got my cell number. I may have mentioned…my gallery.” He replied. His gallery, the front for his more nefarious activities I thought while he frowned but finally nodded. I watched him calmly and gave him a small nod. It did little good to accuse Alan of anything. Margie could have gotten his numbers from Bodark himself I thought while Alan seemed to relax slightly. In and of itself it meant nothing. Besides I didn’t see Alan as the type of man to beat his partner in crime bloody to cover his trail. He was much too refined for such barbarian behavior. I thought while his eyes widened and he vacillated between looking pleased I would think so highly of him and disgusted that someone would do such a thing.

  “Be careful Alan. If Margie came on to you…you may be next on her agenda.” Everyone in the room turned to look at me in shock and I pursed my lips and turned to Kit. “Can you tell us what you found?”

  “The device came from a warehouse down around 1st and Bryant. From the outside it looks like any other run down warehouse in that area but inside…is a whole different story. No one was there so I took a glance around. I looked like most of the places your mother used to drag you around to when you were a kid. Some kind of lab complete with clean room and…a silver cage.” He replied while my eyes widened. “And space where it looked like several more cages might have been.” At the end of the couch Jose sat us and glanced around his eyes focusing on me while his face got a rapt look on it. I glanced at him and smiled which caused him to actually blush. “I’d say we were too late.” He replied. “They cleared out pretty fast.”

  I chewed my lip and thought about it. This was not good. This was so my worst nightmare come to life…only I wasn’t the one in the silver cage…yet. I thought and sucked air into my lungs while Marcus made a sharp noise and held me tightly. “Research?” I whispered and flicked my eyes to Kit who shrugged.

  “Perhaps….it could explain the missing Weres. If they have Bodark, they may have already left the city. They would have drugged him to keep him quiet while they relocate him. I couldn’t tell if it was merely a holding cell or if whatever they are doing…experimenting or operating was done there. My nose is not that good.” He replied. “Perhaps some of these lupines can be of more use in tracking them.”

 

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