“Damn.” Jace replied. “That’s a lot to take in.”

  “I can’t say I’m sorry it was a Lust Demon that stole your paperwork. I’m not sure what we’d do with a sixth level. I much prefer making love to making war.” Gareth added giving me a wink. “If I’d wanted angry I would have found and kept one of the female Dragons that came over.”

  “I kind of like the fact that your Demon was a clerk. Think we can get him to help out with our paperwork? Jace chuckled.

  “Yeah well….I think I should tell you something about last night.” I sat back against the headboard and bit my tongue, hugged my pillow a little tighter and glanced between them,

  “Oh no brace yourself Gareth I don’t like her tone of voice.”

  “Just tell us.” Gareth urged his voice steel covered velvet.

  “I made Amras larger.” I whispered closing my eyes and hiding my face in the pillow. Jace moved and I glanced at him through my hair as he put the tray on the bed and turned back to me with a confused look on his face.

  “Larger how?” Gareth asked.

  I glanced up into his face then flicked my eyes to his lap and back up again. Apparently it was enough for him to get the point and he dropped his face into his hands.

  “What? What did she just do?” Jace demanded leaning forward as Gareth’s shoulders started shaking with silent laughter.

  Gareth dropped his hands and reached for me, pulling me in against him in a hug. “Is it permanent?” He asked though his chuckles.

  I moaned and nodded. “I think so.”

  “Oh that’s rich.”

  “What did Lexi do to the Elf?” Jace asked again, though I think he was beginning to suspect.

  Gareth ignored him and asked. “So exactly how big did you make him?”

  I bit my lip and glanced up at him suddenly feeling shy. “Not quite as big as you or Jace.”

  “Good answer.” Gareth growled and hugged me tighter.

  “Oh damn!” Jace muttered obviously figuring it out on his own. “This we definitely need to keep to ourselves or we’ll be over run!”

  “That’s what Amras said.” I muttered against Gareth’s chest. “I told him to consider it payback from my family.”

  “That was….quite decent of you.” Gareth assured me. “Please don’t try that on any of our other men. I’d hate to have another riot.”

  “No wait…maybe it could be…like a graduation gift.” Jace teased. “Thanks for coming to our school of fearless hunters as we send you out into the world to fight evil we’d like to give you a large token of our appreciation.” Gareth and I both looked at him in surprise then the three of us burst out laughing.

  Yeah that so wasn’t happening.

  When the laughter died down somewhat Jace turned to me and asked, “Ah do you think that would work in the reverse? I mean, could you actually shrink someone’s size permanently?”

  “I don’t see why not.” I told him honestly, though I’d probably have to touch them there to make it happen.

  “Good to know.” He told me with a wicked smile. I wasn’t certain I liked the way his aura shifted to a darker green but at least it matched his beautiful eyes.

  Before they left, Jace handed me a small envelope which contained my access chip as well as two others. He told me he would have inserted it via needle but that he figured I could just get Kit to do it without the pain. I didn’t have an issue with that since I wasn’t too fond of needles anyway. The other two could be used for Amras and Cursed since Owen and Kit clearly didn’t need them.

  Several hugs and kisses later I headed for the shower while they went off to chat with the caterers and florists and Nick to talk about security. Jace was talking on his communicator and flipped me mine just before he headed out the door. I wasn’t sure where I’d left it and needed to take better care of the thing. Maybe if it was more feminine it wouldn’t keep being left behind. By my watch it was already past nine if it wasn’t for the coffee in me I might have snuggled back into the bed for another hour or two of sleep. Oh well I’d just have to make time later for that.

  I was soaping up in the shower when a shadow fell across me and I turned suddenly, my feet nearly slipping out from under me in on the slick tiles. It was Kit and he was leaning against the shower wall a smile on his beautifully sculpted face. I frowned at him and went back to removing the soap.

  “I can help you with that.” He offered.

  “Thanks but I’m nearly done.” I told him, not bothering to rise to his bait.

  He sighed and gave me a wistful smile. “You did read the part in the contract about using me right?”

  I turned to him and smiled. “Yes I did, but I seem to recall there was no time limit for that. Besides as soon as I’m dressed I was planning to use your skills.” At which he perked up and his smile turned slightly wicked.

  “Truly, and what can I do for you Mistress.”

  Mistress…Princess…My Lady…ugh I seemed to be picking up titles like ticks on a mangy dog. “Just give me a minute.” I informed him as I turned off the water. He suddenly held a large fluffy towel between his outstretched hands and refused to give it to me. I sighed and let him wrap it around me but when he got a little to personal with the drying off I smacked his hand and growled at him. He chuckled and behaved.

  Areth had left my work out clothes on the tub and I slipped into them and braided my hair while Kit told me Little Johnny jokes which had me swinging between groaning because they were so bad and chuckling over the really funny ones. I tied my shoe laces and grabbed my bottled water off the counter then headed for the bedroom where I suspected the others might be waiting.

  Sure enough Amras and Cursed were standing on either side of the door. Both were dressed in leather and it made me smile thinking of my earlier conversation. Both had their hair tied back and serious expressions on their faces. I grinned at them and looked around for Owen who turned out to be in the closet apparently looking for something.

  “What are you doing?” I asked poking my head in the doorway to see Owen stepping out from behind a bend in the wall. Obviously he’d found one of the bolt holes and was checking it out. I stepped into the room with Kit behind me and wandered over for a look.

  “I think it goes to the sauna.” Owen told me. I stepped in front of him and stared into the black hole in the wall. I couldn’t see any cobwebs or doors but could detect warmth that I hadn’t felt anywhere underground but Spot’s area. Owen was probably right and that was good to know.

  Kit stepped up beside us and snapped his fingers and torches set in the wall sprang to light. I wandered in farther and could tell that it was much like a narrow hallway tall enough for even Owen to walk upright in.

  “I hadn’t realized this was here. We should probably explore all the bolt holes later. Not today though I’ve got other plans.” I told the two of them. Kit pursed his lips and snapped his fingers and the lights went out and I found his hands where they shouldn’t be as he guided me out of the pitch black. I grumbled at him and he chuckled as we returned to the bedroom and I went over to the bed. My glance went to Amras and Cursed. The two of them were wrapped in a brown haze and I wondered just what that might mean.

  “Brown suggests stability and denotes masculine qualities.” Kit offered. “Basically your boys there aren’t sure what to expect so they’re wearing their masculinity on their sleeves, so to say.”

  “Thanks.” I told him. Watching as Amras and Cursed frowned in tandem and stood just a bit straighter. “Can you guys come here for a moment?”

  They both moved forward tentatively and stopped about three feet away from where I was standing at the end of the bed. I smiled at them and they seemed to relax slightly.

  I reached over and picked up the envelope I’d left on the bed which had been made in my absence and held it in my hand. “Kit could you help us please?”

  “Certainly Mistress what can I do for you? He asked, slipping onto the bed behind me and sitting so that his legs fell on either side of my body. I rolled my eyes and pointed to the floor in front of me. He huffed slightly but moved where I indicated.

  “In this envelop are three devices which will allow us to come and go on the elevators without having a card key. There are only three because two of you do not require the use of the elevator to move about the building. However the rest of us aren’t quite so mobile. The device needs to be inserted under the skin in your wrist and must remain a secret from everyone else except those of us in this room and Gareth and Jace who, of course, provided them. If one of you do not wish to do this simply say so, and we’ll get you a card key. I watched Amras’ and Cursed’s eyes noting that neither gave anything away although both seemed to be struggling to maintain their brown auras as they were listing slightly towards dull yellow.

  “Caution or sickness.” Kit offered watching them out of the corner of his eyes.

  I nodded and opened the envelope shaking one of the small devices into my palm which I held out for Kit. “Don’t worry there isn’t any iron in the chips. Could you put that right here?” I asked, indicating the skin on my right wrist just above the little gold bracelet. Kit snapped his fingers and the chip disappeared. There was a sharp pain in my wrist which subsided immediately. “Thanks.” I told him then glanced at the bracelet and up at him.

  “That is part of the contract. You accepted it when you reached for the Dragon and brought it out with us.” He told me his smile widening while his red eyes gleamed. “It means you’re mine.”

  “Does it?” I asked pursing my lips and tugging gently on the links. “I would have thought it meant I’m your Master, not that I am yours.”

  He waved his hand at me as if the difference was immaterial. “It’s usually a branding, but I couldn’t bear to damage your beautiful skin so I reworked the verbiage.”

  “You mean it’s supposed to be a tattoo?”

  “Actually more like a brand in your skin, a Demon mark of power and favor.”

  “Will it shift with me?” I asked suddenly concerned.

  “Of course, I didn’t spend decades working on the wording just so I could amputate one of your hands!” He assured me.

  “Well that’s good to know. Thank you.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows then snapped his fingers and the gold chain turned into a diamond tennis bracelet which sparkled in the lights. Then he snapped his fingers again and my wrist was surrounded in rubies that matched his eyes and the red strands in my hair.

  “Hmmm….very nice.” I told him holding out my wrist so the lights could catch the stones.

  “I’m glad you like it.” He murmured and his voice sent gooseflesh skittering over my arm. Then he snapped his fingers again and it was a little gold chain only this time there were perfect miniature Dragon charms hanging off of it. I turned my wrist and noted there was one of every color as well as a little black and silver one. “Later maybe we can discuss matching earrings.”

  I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what that would cost me so I just shook my head and glanced over at Amras and Cursed, both of which were staring at my wrist. Neither of them looked very happy. I waved my fingers to get their attention and nearly took a step back when I met Cursed’s eyes they looked so hostile. Wow what had I done to deserve that I wondered.

  He dipped his head and when he raised it again he appeared much calmer. I glanced at Amras but his face and eyes appeared unperturbed, if he’d been angry I had missed it while watching Cursed. Amras merely held out his left wrist. “Not my sword arm Princess.” He told me softly. I shook another chip into my palm and looked at Kit who snapped his fingers. Amras jerked and pulled his wrist into his chest hissing through his teeth.

  “Was that necessary?” I asked Kit, frowning when he looked at me innocently and shrugged.

  Cursed took a breath and held out his left arm also. The last chip lay in my palm. Kit snapped his fingers and Cursed paled slightly but didn’t flinch or make a sound. He did however glare at Kit who smiled serenely back at him.

  “I’m sorry about that.” I told Amras and Cursed. “Kit’s feeling a little jealous over last night and obviously can’t restrain himself.”

  Cursed looked at me and one corner of his mouth lifted before he nodded thoughtfully. “With good reason.” He replied and turned his satisfied smile on Kit who did some stiffening of his own.

  At the side of the bed Owen cleared his throat. “I guess this means I still get to use my card key?”

  “I’m sorry did you want a chip too? I just thought…I can get one from Jace if you want it.” I told him, feeling rather foolish for having excluded him.

  Owen smiled and snapped his fingers then held out his palm which suddenly had one of the little chips in the middle of it. “Actually I think I will use this instead. Just in case I have to leave in a hurry and can’t seem to find my clothing.” He teased.

  Beside me Kit snapped his fingers and the chip disappeared. Owen’s eyes widened then narrowed angrily. His aura shifted to black.

  “And black means power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery. You take your pick.”

  I was guessing maybe power or perhaps death since Kit had just pissed off a minor God. “Kit you aren’t winning any friends here.” I warned him.

  “You won’t let them harm me and you did want a lesson in auras right? How else are you going to learn if you don’t experience all the colors first hand?”

  Owen grimaced and shifted to an olive green. Kit raised his eyebrows and bowed his head to Owen. “Well done.” He breathed, and then to me he said. “Olive means peace.”

  “If you like Lexi,” Owen offered suddenly. “I’d be happy to assist you with your aura training.”

  “Thank you Owen, I believe I’ll take you up on that.”

  “Fine.” Kit grumped. “But it won’t be as much fun.”

  “Well at least it won’t get anyone maimed or killed.” I told him and pushed away from the bed.

  Chapter 29

  Owen provided the appropriate attire for everyone not already dressed and we managed to get through our run and kata training without any incidents. Amras and Cursed went off to practice with their swords and I wandered around assisting with forms until I couldn’t stand it anymore and asked Owen to provide me with a blunted sword. We ended up on the far side of the mats watching Amras and Cursed go at each other like they had the previous day.

  Kit offered to drill with me and my look must have been skeptical enough that he became offended and leaned forward to hiss in my ear. “Just because I was a clerk doesn’t mean I haven’t been brushing up on my fighting skills.”

  His vehemence surprised me so I motioned to an open space and we took our places. Owen watched from the sideline with a worried expression. We touched the hilts of our swords against our foreheads and circled each other looking for an opening. Kit was in front of me smiling one second and the next I was being swatted across the bottom with his bare hand. I growled and elbowed him turning with my sword up between us.

  “Not everyone you’ll go up against will fight fair.” He warned me and disappeared again. I swung around just in time to block his downward swing which would have brained me if I had been half a second slower.

  My sword weighed four or five pounds and was finely made with a slightly curved blade and a handle that seemed custom designed for my grip. Kit’s sword easily weighed twice what mine did and when our blades connected in a flurry of parry and ripostes the force shook me to the marrow. Obviously full on contact wasn’t going to be a good plan and surprisingly Kit did seem to know what he was doing with a blade so I reevaluated my defense and began slipping his blade whenever possible.

  Kit seemed to use every nasty trick in the book and I found myself struggling to stay on my feet let alone mount an offense. At one point he tripped me and leapt at me while I was down on the floor. I kneed him in the thigh aiming for his nether regions and he laughed and shifted giving me enough time to regain my feet. It seemed no matter what I did I was always half a step behind him. If I wanted to win, I was going to have to play as dirty as he was doing. But the concept went against the grain and I struggled against my own inner sense of fairness.

  Distracted by my musings I was late at the parry and took the flat of his blade against my shoulder sending me reeling across the mat. He laughed again and it was enough to irritate me. Principals be damned I thought and circled with new intent. My smile made him laugh again as he leapt at me sword swinging. I ducked and came up under his swing aiming for his stomach with the flat of my blade. The air left him in a whoosh and I kicked him in the back of the leg as I went past, buckling his knee and sending him to the mat. Normally I would have stood back and given him the opportunity to regain his feet, but with all the tricks he’d used on me I wasn’t feeling all that charitable and aimed another kick at his head forcing him to lift his arm to protect himself which left his back unprotected while he raised up on his knees and tried to swing at me with his sword. I danced around in front of him aiming a foot at his chest as I went but he disappeared and I nearly went down when my foot failed to connect.

  Kit rematerialized several feet away and behind me and I barely raised my arm in time to block his swing. My arm vibrated all the way up to my neck and I lost feeling in it for a moment as I scrambled backwards out of reach, giving my nerves time to regain function.

  “Are we having fun yet Mistress?” Kit asked, and the damn Demon wasn’t even breathing hard while I was gulping for air like I’d run a marathon. I think I growled at him which caused him to laugh. He disappeared again and I swung around but too late to prevent him from wrapping an arm around my throat while his blunted blade poked me in my side just at the base of my ribcage.

  “I yield.” I gasped and bent over double when he released me, placing my hands on my thighs while I sucked in air. Owen handed me my water bottle muttering under his breath. Amras and Cursed wandered over and added their support letting me know they were impressed with my skill and that they were certain I could have beaten the Demon if he had played fair. I nodded; it seemed all I was capable of at the moment.

 

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