Entwined by Fate

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Entwined by Fate S.A.Price

TEASE PUBLISHING www.teasepublishingllc.com ~2~

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. A Tease Publishing Book Entwined by Fate Copyright© 2010 Stella and Audra Price ISBN: 978-1-60767-077-3 Cover Artist: Stella Price Interior text design: Stacee Sierra

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Tease Publishing LLC www.teasepublishingllc.com PO BOX 234 Swansboro, North Carolina 28584-0234 Tease and the T logo is  Tease Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

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Without our fantastic support system, this book would have never reached the printed page. Forever thanks and eternal love goes to our fantastic friends Tilly Greene, Cat Johnson, Kayleigh Jamison and Cara North for constant encouragement and faith in what we do. Our world would be a lot less bright without you. And to Jennifer Armintrout. Thanks for being you. To the Ninja. A surprise and a blessing in the family. Spoiled doesn’t even cover what you are and will be.

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~5~

PROLOGUE She floated. Well her essence did. This non-corporal thing was getting on her nerves, but until he summoned her to flesh it was the best she was going to get. It had been worse before, being a thought in the mist, a forgotten name among so many still worshipped that were lesser than her. All her names had been forgotten, or purged from the faithful, and she once more was alone but no more remorseful. Except one. He had the distinct possibility of being the only one to succeed where others throughout the ages had failed, or maybe her faith was just put into him because he was her only choice. Either way, Cristof Ansley was a fine choice because it was the only choice she had. She didn’t expect to find him, dreaming explicit dreams of scales and sex, but she did and she knew she had a possible entrance to the physical world. She had entered his dream, become the fantasy he was having, and tempted him, as she was so good at doing, and Cristof was hooked. She often hunted the dream realm, looking for a worthy mortal to bestow her attentions and appetites on, as it was the only place where she could influence mankind. The trick was to find someone to influence and luckily Cristof Ansley dreamed of the kind of things she could provide. Power, vitality, immortality, magic and sex were Cristof’s heart’s desire and luckily, she could give him a semblance of each. Not that it would matter, once she was flesh she would be the master, and Cristof her little plaything. For now though, she would play the grateful and ever accommodating goddess, the one that would give him everything he had ever dreamed of, including a hot piece of ass that would be at his beck and call. Speaking of which, she felt the pull on her essence and knew he was entering the gloom, the entrance to all dream rooms. She had frequented the gloom before Cristof, peaking through keyholes as it were, looking for her chance to get back to glory, but now, now she only went there when she was summoned by her mortal puppet. His need was great, his emotions running high, the energies like a caress across her mind. He was distraught, and angry, and this was something that didn’t bode well for either of them. Then the pang hit her. The girl must not have worked out. Perhaps it was for the better, she wasn’t the kind of female she would have had as a vessel anyway. This realization explained his anger, but not the feelings of regret and the overlying canker of being distraught. She willed herself to the gloom to find out just what had Cristof’s boxers in a twist. The gloom materialized as a hallway, and she counted down eighteen doors and drifted in front of it, using her will to open it. A sharp wind, like the intake of a vacuum pulled her essence though, and she emerged, whole and perfect, into Cristof’s waking dream. This time it was the temple, the one she had shown him in their second liaison among the ether, the last place she had been worshipped, in the guise of Bachue, whom they referred to as the great celestial snake, some four thousand years before. She entered, swathed in very see through material in light green, scales sewn into the fabric, as he liked, and on two legs. It surprised her, as Cristof was ~6~

indeed interested in her lamial appearance, and rarely wished to have her fully human unless he was interested in a good scrumping. Either way, she wanted to know why he was giving off such strong emotions and found him, in the center of the room, the stonewalls around him dark and blackened from the flamed sconces, sitting on a large bed of furs and pillows in the lotus position. He had short black cropped hair here, severe in the back but unruly in the front, a small goatee, and perfect eyebrows any woman in any time would be jealous of. His body was a veritable playground of taught muscle and curves. The naked chest he was presenting to her view marred only by a snake tattoo, stylized and black, wrapping around his right nipple. She always wondered if he looked as such in the physical world, or if this was just his preferred self image. If that was the case, well she would enjoy this yummy man here while she could, he was exactly the sort of man she always had as her head priest, someone dastardly looking and extremely fuckable. His head was tilted to the heavens above, and the gloom’s interpretation of a full moon hung just outside his vision from his seat under the great opening to the sky. His expression was at peace, but his mind was turbulent. She rushed over, affecting his normal spot in their dream relationship, and knelt in front of him on an iridescent and scaled pillow. “What has you so troubled my great priest?” she asked as he slowly righted his head and looked at her. She averted her eyes quickly, and then looked up at him again, giving him a semblance of respect. “She will not be possible.” was all he said. She was right, it was about his chosen for her, about the girl, Anya as he called her, and he was rather put out as it were. “No? What happened, my priest?” she asked, trying not to let her rage out. Anya was a willing convert, or so she thought, and she didn’t need to exert any powers to find her. Now, it seemed, something was indeed amiss. “You were right. She wasn’t ready to know.” He said and scowled. She seethed inwardly. Cristof had had a thing for the young girl, and she guessed he had gone ahead with his plan to take her and force her into changing for him. Things got complicated, and the girl was probably dead. “So my vessel is dead?” She asked quietly, masking the anger at having to wait longer for another, and having to take an active role in everything. “She is, though she took a bit of me with her.” He motioned to the now blossoming read stain on his upper thigh. “Very well. I supposed we will have to start from scratch if either of us is to get what we wish for. And do not worry about that, when I am with you, and alive, it shall all go away. Think of it as penance, and incentive.” “What is your council?” “I suggest using those brutes you have on your payroll, So that you don’t take a chance anymore, and do not bring that male perfection you call your own to harm again. I shall call out to the Never, and give you the names and locations of the sisters of the Bassilica, the women that can channel me, and whom I can use as a vessel. Ophidians are rare, and it is a shame that Anya is not among them anymore, but I have faith in you, my priest, my love, and I don’t think you will fail either of us again.” She crawled closer and bowed to him, and her tongue licked the red stain on his light pants while her hands went to the material and rent it, exposing his wound. However ethereal on this plane, she exposed the gash to her waiting mouth. She licked and sucked, and he moaned as if she was paying such careful attention to another part of his anatomy. Minutes later, her essence filled with the taste of his blood and longing for her, and she moved away. The wound was now a pinkish scar that he would have when he woke from his medative trance. “I thank you, my perfection, for healing me.” “It isn’t much but I can’t have you wounded. I shall pay more care to it once I am flesh, along with other parts of you that I have longed to touch and see in the true moonlight.” He smirked at her, the arrogance she did indeed enjoy from him pushing through his regret and then pulled her into his lap, where she went gladly. She wrapped herself around him as she settled in ~7~

the safety of the space between his legs. “She wasn’t right for us, my priest, but there are others, beautiful and sexy others that we both will be satisfied with.” “So a new plan then?” “Yes, I think… the girl was good but there are better, more powerful Ophidians out there. I shall guide you to them, and all you need to do is get them to change, once they do they are prime real estate for my essence, and our children…” she kissed him, a fleeting feeling in this realm, as were they all, but it was the best she was going to get while she was stuck here. She felt him go harder at her core and wiggled a bit, rewarded by a gasp from him. She reached out, through the realms, extending her influence onto the world he lived in through the contact with his astral body, and sifted, looking for the young, sexy, and most importantly, alone members of the race that could bring her back to glory. Flames came out of the darkness, indicating a slew of women she could have her choice of. They were all Ophidian, but not all of them were strong enough for her, of course strength was a subjective thing and they would have to prove who was the best suited for their needs. “Umm, start around the place in your desert with all the lights, there are many there, names, I will give you names and places they will be, I want them to enjoy their time with you, my priest, but not too much. Have your boys gain their trust, fuck them, look for signs, eyes changing, a possible liking to biting during sex, heightened hearing, speed, a wonderful flexibility… They will all help us weed out the best. I only want the best my priest. When we find them, then you can play with them… but only after we weed them out. No touching. Until then, you shall have me, here on this plane any time you wish… Like now…” she kissed him again, and he moaned his agreement, his cock jumping slightly between them in accordance. “So have you decided on a name? What is it I shall call you when you’re flesh?” he murmured into her neck as his hands roamed her astral body. She gasped and purred, feeling little jolts, ghosts of what he would really feel like because the sensations to one such as she were partially denied her, another maddening consequence of being truly intangible in her normality. Yes she had chosen a name, one she was called long, long ago, and one that was her companion through the first eon of her life. “Yes, My perfect priest, call me Delphyne, the name has power as you do now, my emissary. Now, what shall we do with the rest of your time with me?” she asked and nibbled his neck behind his ear. “Something in mind my priest?” “Indeed, I have need of you…” She gave a secret smirk and succumbed to his attentions, knowing full well soon he would have more then just a need of her. Every time they were together he would become more addicted to her essence, ensuring her return to where he could indulge her fully. Even in the state she was forced into without her legions of followers, a shadow of her former self, she still had the power to ensorcel, and she was going to use it, damn it. This time, with such a high priest as this, she had every possibility of making it to the prize that lay on the other side of the veil. Flesh was everything.

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ONE Merrick sat back in his soft leather chair and tried to let Aiden’s words filter through his brain. “She’s gone, they all are. Karen, Sophia, Janice, Mary, Nita, Jess, Claire,” Merrick suppressed a groan as he listed five other names, all girls he was close to, had helped through their changes, helped survive. “And now Evelyn. Mer she’s nowhere.” He’d helped them all survive for nothing, all his hard work and they were doomed. Without the younger generations of his race they were all going to die no matter what kind of snakes they shifted into; they were all going to be extinct. “Carmen, she wasn’t on your list, did you find her?” He asked gravely fearing the answer. The spunky, light-fingered little girl had been like a daughter to him for almost a year. With the loss of so many pressing down on them he couldn’t afford to have her name added to the fray. “I found her,” Aiden smiled, his relieved face mirroring Merrick’s. “Apparently she’s in New York with the nest there. She got married, to Reece Evans, here in Vegas I’m told… and I believe they just had twins.” “Little Reece?” He smirked knowing full well what type of untamable man Reece claimed to be and just how quickly his little viper would have whipped him into shape. “Guess the kid grew up then.” “That kid’s older than me Mer. It isn’t just you that’s getting older.” Aiden shrugged nonchalantly stepping towards the huge window his eyes searching the grounds outside. “At least it’s working out for some.” “Just not enough.” Merrick sighed letting the seriousness of their situation sink back in. Snake shifters were the rarest of all the shifting races. The cats thrived in the jungles and Asia, where as the wolves rampaged through Europe. The snakes, however, were dying. All of their ground had long since been reclaimed by humans. Humans who, by nature, feared them and hunted them. It was easy for a cat or a wolf to leap away or attack to defend themselves, but most snakes were defenseless. Those of their kind who’d carried the venom to defend themselves, like Carmen, were rare indeed and were feared by both sides of the coin. Now there was a new threat, something real stealing the females of his race, the unprotected ones. Most Ophidians, or weresnakes, lived in nests, their form of a pack or pride, and the nests were almost always run by the women. The women made the decisions in their society, the women passed on the bloodline. It was almost unheard of for a male to father an Ophidian child on his own with a human. “Call everyone home, everyone that you can.” He opened his eyes, taking a deep breath before saying his next words. “We have to call a meeting, everyone must know.” He marveled at just how odd the words sounded. Meetings just weren’t called. The nest leaders didn’t just convene to discuss things. Most of the nests were at war over stupid, insignificant territory disputes. Aiden sputtered. “You’re kidding. We can’t call a meeting, Mer, we aren’t even a nest… not a proper one.” ~9~

It was true that the Vegas nest wasn’t a completely above board, sanctioned entity. Merrick had started it on his travels saving and picking up strays here and there. He gave them a home, and a relatively safe place to change and hunt. Staying wasn’t compulsory though and that’s why they had lost so many. His people had freedom to move wherever they wished. The official nests would call them all rogues. As nests go, they probably had the most members and most of them owed their life to Merrick. Even Aiden. Merrick had rescued him and his sister Kira from a circus several years ago; they’d been his first and most loyal members. “I’ve thought of that. We’ll declare ourselves. Most of them know we’ve started something in Vegas anyway.” He hoped they did anyway. He had let word leak out about their dealings in town, but nothing solid. It was all speculation, but it had kept them safe so far. “They won’t give us territory, especially not here. It’s prime land and it belongs to the King snakes…” He paused looking him over, “Plus Mer, you’re hardly the matriarch type.” “I’ve thought of that as well. We don’t have to use me at the start. A woman claiming land would be seen as acceptable. We’ll use Kira as a front, she’s tough enough… with a little refining it will work.” His friend let out a strangled moan somewhere between a yelp of surprise and groan of defeat. He’d been expecting this. “My sister can hardly…” “Do you doubt me?” Merrick asked making his tone sharp. The other nests had cause to doubt him and his actions but if his own people doubted that he could lead them then it was already over. For a moment he thought Aiden was going to argue but he shook his head. “No sir, I’m just worried about Kira, Mer. Your making her call a meeting and declare land… it’s a bit much for her. Can’t you use…” “Use who? They’re all gone…” Mer cut him off using simple facts. “Out of a possible fifty-three we have twenty-two that we can contact. They’re all gone, every one of them and I want to know where the hell they are. Think about it, if we’re losing people the other nests are bound to be too. We have to deal with this threat at all costs and if that means that your sister has to hold it together for five or so days then so be it. I’d love to use someone else, but there just isn’t anyone left that I trust.” Aiden swallowed hard. “It’s gonna be a long con Mer. My sister ain’t the best puppet around but if anyone can pull it off, its you.” “Thanks for your vote of confidence. Now call the damn meeting.” Merrick turned his back to Aiden hoping to God that the boy didn’t pick up on the fine tremble that had started to run through his body. The truth was Merrick was scared. Something or someone was taking his people and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it, not the way things were. They were all disjointed, no communication. He had the fleeting thought that they wouldn’t be in this predicament if they all just kept in touch. Things were about to get dangerous and not just from the unknown side of things. His presence was going to be a surprise to most of the nest leaders as the majority of them thought he was dead. A rumor he’d always done his best to cultivate. John Merrick wasn’t a name that most snake nests thought upon lightly and now here he was trying to solve a mystery and claim his own land. Even if it was through poor Kira. The shit was about to well and truly hit the fan, the trick now was to spread as much of it about as he could while hopefully, finding his missing girls and with any luck they’d even be alive. He smirked shaking his head, never let it be said that he didn’t have high expectations. *** Elise Rizdon frowned down at the paper she held, completely confused. All the seals, stamps and watermarks were in place, yet the sender, Kira Whitbley, the woman claming to be the Archon of the Las Vegas nest, wasn’t known to her. In fact, the news that there was a Vegas nest had completely escaped her attention till now. She leaned back and sighed, perplexed. The King snakes held Vegas in their territory, as well as most of the western desert, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. That Olivia Copeland, the Archon of the king snake crèche, would allow such a thing was unheard of. Territory was coveted, and to just allow another nest to appear in ~10~

the area they called theirs… the King Snakes were not the most peace loving of the nests and if Olivia didn’t know that a nest had sprung up right under her nose things were going to get messy. Still, the officious nature of the correspondence she was holding led her to believe that Kira was indeed an Archon in practice if not officially, and there was cause for this meeting. The way it was addressed, to the Archon’s of the five nests, said that the issues that needed to be addressed concerned them all. She sighed and turned towards her desk, and hit the little panel to the right of her computer, the buttons to the intercom system of the Knossos West compound. “Myra? Could you come to my suite please?” She said in her light voice, her southern accent peeking out. Myra stuck her head through her door a few seconds later out of breath at having run up the stairs. "Elise?" She smiled at the young woman and motioned her in. "Come in Darlin... we seem to have a situation." "We do?" she asked coming into the room, her soft honey colored hair bouncing as she moved. "What's happened?" She placed the parchment on the desk just as Myra reached it. "We have to go to Ohio. A meeting has been called." "A meeting?" She frowned looking at the papers. "Why?" "It doesn’t say, but if someone calls a meeting they have a damn good reason, or should. I’m sure it’s not to play tidily winks." "I'd bet not..." She said lifting the papers and studying them. "Wow. Another nest? In Vegas? That’s not going to go down well at all." "No it’s not, Olivia is not going to be happy, nor is Ramona. She’s still stewing about the last meeting when we voted her daughter's motion to start her own crèche in Maine down." "It's going to be interesting that’s for sure. Who are you taking with you? It might get dangerous..." Elise smiled. Who indeed. Usually she would be taking Remy or Reece with her for such an occasion, but as they were both recently mated and each had a clutch, children, of their own, that was out of the question. Phillip and Andy were both mated and neither of them had the presence to warrant bodyguard status. That left Myra and Henry, and Henry was away at the house in the Hampton’s. "Well... You’re the logical choice... and the only choice, though to be fair, if I had to choose between you and Henry, it would always be you. He’s far too soft." "Yeah that I get picked over him is always a good tell on that. I don’t know how much use I'll be though and you'll have to battle it out with Reece and Remy. They won’t like it at all." "Well they are both fathers now, and frankly I don’t give a shit. My word is gospel in this house. I’m worried though, this new nest on the scene and now a meeting. If this is about land disputes..." she trailed off and sighed. Usually the meetings were about land disputes, and border boundaries. Elise, as Archon of the New York nest, held New Hampshire to Maryland and west to Ohio as her Territory. Ramona, leader of the Midwest nest held everything west of the Mississippi to the Rockies and north to Canada, as well as south to Oklahoma. Geraldine, Elise's cousin, ran the southern territory while Olivia ran the pacific southwest, and Marcus, the only Male Archon, ran the Pacific northwest out of Portland. There were several free zone areas, such as Maine, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio and Montana, but they were neutral zones for the odd occasional meeting and gathering. This meeting would be held in Ohio, at the Orpheus Ranch, the only neutral holding in the east. That a newly appointed Archon was asking for the East didn’t speak well for her position in the West. "Land disputes? If there really is a new nest forming then that'll be exactly what it's about. Things could get pretty rough..." "True, like I said, Olivia isn’t going to give up Vegas. Strange though, Carmen, Chrissy, Reece and Remy were there not a year ago and they never mentioned any snakes in the vicinity, aside from Elvin, Olivia's Defteros. He had met them at the hotel to convey Olivia's joy at the pairings, remember? ~11~

When she actually visited Andy to offer up the females of her compound? Olivia might be a hard ass, but she does know when things are working in Ophidian’s favor." A Defteros was a snake in the nest that was equivalent to a pack’s Beta, only with the Ophidians, it meant that you were second only to the Archon, their bodyguard, and more often than not, their mate. Elise, still unattached, considered all of her live in nest Defteros, as she didn’t have a choice. As an unmated Archon she didn’t have many options in it, unless she mated, and that was something she wouldn’t do. "True... so you don’t think there is a nest? It could be a front. Maybe somebody’s trying something... getting you all in one place?" "Possibly, but these are official seals, and they knew the information about the Orpheus. Only elders and Archon's know where it actually is." "So maybe its one of the others..." "It might be, but what is the use of a ruse?" "I don't know..." She admitted with a sigh shaking her head. "It doesn’t matter, it says it’s of grave importance, and we will uphold the laws and appear, as will all the Archon's. Then we will get to the bottom of this. I would ask that you go armed in your usual fashion." "Of course Archon... When do you want to leave?" "Within the hour. I’ll speak with Remy and Reece, leave them as Diarkos in case something actually is up. I would rather them here protecting the family. Pack, see to transportation to Ohio, I believe Dustin is still at the airfield." Myra nodded. "I'll call him and ask him to meet us there." "Wonderful Darlin." she said and stood. She walked over to Myra and smiled. The woman was beautiful, sexy and a brilliant painter, but she was still an enforcer of their nest and she would fulfill that obligation in spades, as she always did. "Myra, don’t worry, whatever it is, we can handle it. You know I’m not some flouncy Archon like Ramona, that skeleton in a Jackie O hairdo. We will be Ok." "Oh I know that," She grinned, "I just wish our lives weren’t interrupted over something stupid like a land dispute." "Agreed. But look on the bright side, we could be going to the Montana compound." she shuddered. "Thank god..." She rolled her eyes. Elise smiled. "See? It could be worse. I’ll meet you downstairs in an hour." She turned and walked into her bedroom proper, the larger room just off her day office. She knew it was going to look odd, Myra being her Defteros, but she was the only unmarried Archon of the group, and where the others would have their mates by their side, Elise would not. It killed her, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it. The love of her life wasn’t among the living, and being cheated out of her happy ending made it a sure bet she would never find another like him. So Myra would stand beside her, the spinster Archon, and she would hold her head high. She sighed, and turned into the closet to pack her clothes.

~12~

TWO Merrick felt like banging his head off the wall as Kira paced the room for the sixtieth time. Her arms were folded defensively over her chest as she moved, unease leaking out of her pores. He could scent her distress, a sad, sour scent, much like one of an animal that knew it was living on borrowed time. If this were to go well she’d have to calm down. He watched her, letting her have her moment. She was beautiful, blonde hair, blue eyes and a killer body. She wasn’t his type, never had been, but it would be widely accepted that they were a couple, possibly even married. Many of the Archon’s married the strongest mate available to them and Merrick did fall into that category. Playing it up would be good for their story but it would kill him to do so. Kira was like a daughter to him and his heart had been promised to somebody long ago, it didn’t help that there was a very good chance that somebody was going to be present today. “You’re going to have to calm down.” He told Kira carefully. “Calm down? Mer, they’re going to crucify me.” She answered back her body rigid with fear. “I’m not going to let that happen.” She paused looking at him all her fears and doubts showing in her eyes. “Promise?” “Of course, you just have to get a hold of yourself. This isn’t like you, you’re good at this. Just remember to breathe.” He stood taking her shoulders in his hands and squeezing gently. He watched her proudly as she gathered her wits. In seconds she had transformed in front of his eyes from a worried youth to what appeared to be a take no prisoners, ball-busting bitch and bravely nodded. “You’re right.” Her body language and scent under control she managed a weak smile. “Good, now do you remember what I told you?” “I’m pretty sure, you’ve been drilling it into me since we left Vegas. We’re all going to have to move you know. They’ll never let us keep it.” “That’s up to them, the most important thing is to find our missing and then we can worry about where to move later.” “And if I pull this off I’ll have my own nest.” She grinned cockily. “Not quite.” He looked up at the clock. “We should go now.” She shook head, her dirty blonde hair falling around her face. “Exactly how do you plan on not getting us all killed?” “Let me worry about that, just play your part and everything will fall into place, ok?” She cocked her head to the side, her hand on her hip. “Sure, but you know when we’re down there I get to give you the orders.” He laughed patting her back as he led them out of their suite. “Only when we’re down there.” The walk was a short one and they did it in silence, him adopting a more submissive stance to her more dominant stride. He kept his hand reassuringly on the small of her back as they moved into the communal rooms where the meeting would be. As expected the Archons and their mates were already there. Each Archon was allowed one Defteros, and all but one had chosen their mate. The only unmated Archon had chosen one of her nest to stand in. ~13~

He pushed any thoughts of Elise into the far corner of his mind; he didn’t need to worry about her today, about their failed romance. There were more important things at stake. As predicted the hush fell over the room as they strode in. Kira knew who they all were, he’d been very specific in his teachings, and she knew them all down to their preferred breakfast and drinks. Still she confidently looked around smiling at them, predator oozing out of her just as surely as the fear had been earlier. “I think introductions are in order.” She smiled again sizing them all up. “My name’s Kira, I and my nest have been occupying the Las Vegas territory for the past three years.” She walked forward to the table taking a jug of water Kira poured herself a drink and took a sip before continuing. “Behind me I think you’ll recognize John Merrick, he’s been with me for most of those three years.” He smiled at them his eyes glancing over Elise. Kira had done well, and she had to establish that she’d started the nest on her own. Elise smiled at Kira and inclined her head. "This is news to all of us, since last we understood, Las Vegas belonged to Olivia and the King snake nest.” “This meeting isn’t over territory is it? I, as well as the rest of us, have a very busy life, and it is well known that territory disputes aren’t dealt with in such a manner. Observing our laws, you should have waited till the new year." She shot a look at Merrick, one of pure venom and then looked about. The murmur from the other Archons cemented what the New York nest leader had said. Merrick frowned at Elise, ashamed to admit that he was just a little turned on by her words. The Archon always knew just what buttons to press and just how to say them; thankfully he'd known that it would be her to throw up this first challenge and not Olivia. Kira smiled at her and cleared her throat waiting for the attention to shift back to her before starting. "No, this isn’t about land, nor am I contesting or petitioning for it. Me and mine are secure in our positions, we don’t need any official ruling to tell us what we are and where we live." She smiled sadly as Merrick held his breath. This was the tricky part, "I'm afraid that the reason I've called you here is for something far more serious than a silly land dispute." Elise raised an eyebrow and looked around. "Indeed? Then tell us, young one," she smiled, not using the title of Archon when addressing Kira. "What has brought you and yours out of hiding in the city you seem to think you can hold and into the forefront of all those who have legitimate seats of power?" Kira refused to rise to Elise’s bait simply smiling at her. Merrick was willing to bet the girl’s jaws would be sore but she held her tongue. "What indeed..." She asked the room carefully taking her time and making them all wait. "Mer, love?" She asked him, no doubt throwing in the last for Elise's benefit. As discussed he passed her the files of the missing women and another folder of the dead men they'd come across. She took it before turning back to them. "How many of you have lost contact with your members over the past six months? Specifically females. Any disappearances? Trappings? Hunts going wrong? Maybe someone moved cross country and you can’t get them in..." She passed Elise the folders. "To date I'm missing twenty-six girls. Twelve of my males that I know of, are dead. "There a few that I suspect are that way as well... now I know that it's not just me. Your numbers are all dwindling and the thing is you don’t even know it. You lose touch with someone and think nothing of it. Mine have been going for the past six months maybe even over a year, it took some time before I realized just what was happening. Who knows though, this could have been going on for years. It's hardly like we keep a census of our kind." She paused, possibly for dramatic effect or maybe just because she needed a sip of water. "Ladies, gentlemen... I believe we're being hunted and not by accident." Marcus, the lone recognized Basilia, or male Archon, stood. "We have had a few disappearances recently, yes. Two females and one male. William, we found some time later, beaten and dead. The females we have yet to hear from, though Cara was going to South America for a study abroad program for zoology. We can’t be sure about her." "Have you tried to contact her?" ~14~

"She’s in the Brazilian jungle studying anacondas. She’s one of the few working on the genome project, so no, it’s not possible. We know she landed though, and that her stay there will be over in a month." he said quietly. "Then hopefully she's safe from this, but, a lot of my girls have disappeared from similar situations. Contracts that take them away, nothing suspicious, whatever is happening it is unrelated. I'm sure it’s more than just you Marcus who’s lost someone, although I'm glad you can admit it. The trick is what to do now we've established a problem. We don’t have the human luxury of contacting the police, we police ourselves." Olivia nodded. "We do. And while this is a pressing matter do not think to forget that you are in my territory, but we will speak on that later. Two of my boys, Frank and Kendal, both ex military, have gone missing. I usually don’t freak out about such things, the boys have been known to go walk about, but now that you mention it, it has been some time since they have checked in. Though I am sad to say, we found Anya, my niece, dead of an apparent overdose. While I mourn her I didn’t think anything of it at the time, the girl has been known to dally, but this raises questions." "I agree, it raises a lot of questions, if we are indeed being hunted intentionally, every single death and accidental killing must be brought back up. But again that is for when we have time... right now I'll settle for finding my kin and having them brought back home safely." She looked up at the clock on the wall. "We should eat, at least break for lunch. I'm sure you all have calls you want to make now and, if you could, I'd like for you all to make a list of possible missing and their last known locations. We need to determine if there is some kind of pattern." Elise stood. "I’m not missing anyone from my nest, or the outlying areas. You forget, we are now a breeding nest so I always know where my people are. Geraldine, your nest is still breeding correct? Are you missing anyone?" Geraldine shook her head, "Everyone's accounted for... although we did lose Lara and Tom seven months ago." Elise bowed her head. "I’m sorry for your loss, cousin, I had not heard. How?" "They were on holiday, we thought hunters got them. We found Tom but thought that they..." She trailed off looking to Kira. "Do you think she's still alive? If she has been taken…" "I just don't know." Kira shook her head. "It is a possibility though, a good one. We haven’t found any female bodies." "Aside from Anya that is, if this indeed involves her." Olivia said and looked at her watch. "I must call the crèche, as I’m sure the rest of you will be doing as well. I do know that Elise was here first so I assume she’s had lunch arranged?" she looked at Elise who nodded. "Yes, I have seen to the lunch and dinner menu for tonight and breakfast and lunch for tomorrow. Nothing formal, Ramona, but it should be a sit down meal for both, as is respectful. Lunch will be in an hour or so, so please, do what you must, and it will be served in the solarium, so that we might take advantage of the warmth of the day." She turned to Myra and then to Geraldine, who was standing and clasped her hand, then let go after a small kiss on the cheek, and walked around the couch, careful to not go near Merrick. He, on the other hand wanted nothing more than to go to her. Having her so close yet so far away tore at him, yet he and Kira would have to leave now. His girl had done well but not so well that he trusted her to sit in a room full of Archons and expect her to hold her own. That fully in mind he stepped up behind her and whispered in her ear that they should go. Giggling lightly she leaned back into him for a second and then cleared her throat, politely excusing herself but leaving no doubt in any of the Archon's minds as to where they were going. He avoided Elise's hurt gaze as they left. He could always make things up to her later. He would have to. While it was all for show, he knew it still hurt. He knew her well enough that her schooled expression hid a wealth of emotion, emotion he hated to know she had because of him. They left the room and headed back up to their suite, they only had an hour to brief before they had to come back and repeat the performance again. ~15~

THREE John Merrick was here. The same John Merrick that professed his adoration for her not fifteen years before, the same man she thought was dead. The only man that had her heart was here with another woman, a goddamn hatchling, and obviously didn’t give a fig about promises made once upon a time. He’d been alive all this time, and he hadn’t contacted her, and she was the fool that locked her heart and body away from the world because of her love for him. The last she had heard from him was a little over a decade ago, when he was going south to check out rumor that there was a nest thriving in Argentina. At the time, females were scarce, and while most didn’t leave their mates, or intended mates, Merrick was sent by his mother, the Archon of the only European nest, the Edinburgh nest, to investigate. News came soon after that Merrick had gone missing, then found dead in the nest in Argentina, his belongings there as well as his shifted body. Elise mourned him, still did up until about twenty five minutes ago, when she saw him walk in with the young girl claming to be an Archon, standing proudly behind her, whispering in her ear like the lover he apparently was to her. Seeing him, her heart shattered, splintered, her chest was a torrent of pain as he moved through the room with her, not even sparing Elise a glance as he wrapped himself around his new loves’ body. Not that her looks to him had been kind, but you don’t have a mate waiting for you and then not tell them you’re alive. She was sure news of his death had reached him, if it wasn’t actually facilitated by him, and she had hoped for a long time that it was false, and that he would show up on her doorstep one night, to pick up where they left off. Apparently he didn’t care about any of it. She looked down at her left hand, to the smooth bone ring that fit snugly on her ring finger, his last gift to her all those years ago. It was a symbol of his nest, the ring passed down to the eldest son in hopes that he was strong enough to catch and marry an Archon, and hold his position. Well Merrick was all man, always was, and it appeared that he really didn’t care for the one Archon that his family had approved of as his mate to start a nest with, the nest Elise was now in charge of. His nest, since his disappearance and apparent untimely death had dwindled, and Elise had crossed the sea last year for the funereal of his mother, Solange. She had respected the hell out of that woman, and they had mourned the loss of Merrick together for a long while. It just seemed that Solange’s heart couldn’t ever mend knowing that her beloved son, her first born, and strongest, was gone. She had withered, and along with her, her nest had diminished and now fell into Ophidian legend. A once strong Scottish nest was no more, and yet their prodigal son was here, with an Archon of his own, and had been living in Vegas, on the same continent as Elise for three years. And she, like an idiot and out of respect, still wore his ring, and didn’t mate! True, since she heard of his untimely demise she hadn’t even cared about suitors, and had transposed in her will that if she were to die without an heir to carry on as Archon, Cindel, Philip and Vera’s first born, now twelve, would be named Archon of the New York nest and its territories. So no harm would be done, only to herself, as the man she loved was dead. Or so she believed. Up until now she had been perfectly content to be alone, without her mate, even becoming the only spinster Archon known in history out of respect for her lost love. She knew the others saw it as a sign of weakness, and ~16~

would no doubt play on that after the display at the meeting, and it killed her. Her happiness was there, right in front of her, and while the first thing she had felt when he walked into the room was relief, it soon turned to hurt. It took everything she had not to jump up and run to him, but it was obvious he wasn’t hers anymore. “Son of a Bitch! A fucking hatchling!” she said as she pulled the ring off her finger and threw it across the room. She rushed after it, flexing her hand, the loss of its familiar weight too much to bare right then. She grabbed it as it bounced and slipped it back on, crying silently. She collapsed on the overlarge bed, hugging her knees to her chest, sobbing quietly. Minutes later her cry fest was over, the need to feel sorry for herself passed. She had a job to do here, and John Merrick’s presence wasn’t going to change the fact that she was a respected Archon, one with a territory and a lot of people depending on her. She sat up, and rubbed her eyes, chuckling at the fact that she was going to have to re apply all her careful makeup before going out there and facing the sneers and hisses she knew were going to go on behind her back, and grabbed her cell. She had promised Remy, her usual and now retired Defteros, now Diarkos, or her voice while she was away, that she would call as soon as she found out what was going on. “Downtime Studios.” The deep male voice on the other end of the phone purred. Elise smiled. One thing about Remy Crane, the man had a voice fit for seduction, which was probably why he was the singer of a very successful band. His mate, Chrissy, was a rock and roll mom as well, though their daughter Sapphire, wasn’t old enough yet, she would be soon, and the family was going to go on the road with Remy’s band. Though after this new development, Elise was sure Remy would change his plans if things didn’t improve. He was a rocker, yes, but he wasn’t insane. His family came first, always did, and always would. “Remy, darlin, It seems we have a situation.” Remy sighed. “Elise? So I take it it’s not a land dispute?” “No, far from it. After what I just saw, I think it’s safe to say the shit has hit the fan.” “Cursing? Wow, then it’s pretty serious. What’s up?” “Girls have gone missing, the new nest has twenty-six girls missing, though I don’t know how a nest of that size sprang up without anyone knowing. I know Olivia is pissed and even more so that all those snakes were in her territory without her knowing.” “Missing? What the fuck?” “It’s a possibility we are being hunted Remy, and I’m not taking any chances. Call Andy back from the Hamptons, and get on the horn to all the snakes in the territory, give them a choice, they can either come to the compound until this shit is solved, or they have to congregate in the country houses. At least one Basilia per house, and they have to keep in contact with you at all times. I don’t think we are missing anyone but I don’t wanna take a chance.” “Of course Archon. I’ll phone Reece and have him and Phillip get the house ready for guests. What is the game plan?” “Keep in contact, no one goes anywhere alone. I don’t know if we haven’t been hit yet because we keep out in the open so much, or because they don’t know who we are, or if my past tactics have scared the shit outta them, but no chances okay?” “Got it. So what’s with the new nest?” Elise sighed and closed her eyes. She knew Remy would be the one to ask that, and she also knew that the only one of her nest she could talk to, aside from Myra, was Remy, because he knew how everything worked out. “I’m still not sure, really, the girl is young, like maybe thirty sheds, but it’s not her that’s got me all in a panic.” “Ok… what then?” he asked as he exhaled. Remy never smoked in the house, but at the studio, it was all fair game. “Merrick. He’s here with the new Archon, as her Defteros.” She didn’t have to explain anything else; Remy would know what that meant. ~17~

“What! Shit, he’s still alive? Son of a bitch! Where the fuck has he been!? Oh Elise, I’m so sorry… Are you ok?” Elise sniffled, counting so she didn’t break down again. “No, no I’m not ok in the least. But that’s hardly what this is about is it? I have a job to do; I can worry about my heart being stomped on later. This is important, and as much as my heart says that seeing Merrick with another woman is important, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not. So I’ll worry about that when the time comes.” She took a deep breath and sobbed a bit. “She’s no more than a Hatchling Remy… and I’m the idiot trying to figure out what went wrong.” Remy exhaled once again. “Well if you want, after all this is over, Reece and I will hunt his ass down and bring you his skin.” “I’m not ruling that out Rem. I need to get refreshed and talk to Myra, and then sit through lunch with everyone while we decide what to do. I’ll be in contact.” “No sweat Elise. Be careful, with everything.” She hung up as Myra walked into her bedroom with a small frown on her face. “You ok Archon?” “No, but is that any surprise? I will be shortly though. How are we on time?” “Twenty minutes give or take a few. What did Remy say?” “Nothing really, I have him rounding everyone up, and I figure I’ll call in a few hours to get an update on our people. So far though, all is quiet on the home front.” “Well thank god for small favors. Will you be able to sit through this lunch with him in attendance?” She asked quietly. “I could kill him if you want.” Elise chuckled, touched by how much her nest loved her. “No, Merrick wouldn’t let you get close enough, and he would be expecting it. Or at least some kind of acknowledgement. I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing I’m upset. Once this is over, I have some things I need to decide on, but I’m not mourning for him and what we had anymore. It’s not worth it.” “As you say Archon.” Elise nodded and smiled. “Since I have time, I’ll shower and freshen up. Do me a favor Myra? Please pull out that green linen shirt and long skirt I brought with me. I wish to be unrestricted for the rest of today.” Myra smiled and set to work as Elise walked into the bathroom. Her heart was heavy, but her resolve was set. Once this was over she would stop this nonsense, and move on. It was what he had done, and it was about time she did too.

~18~

FOUR Her essence entered the dream rooms again, this time locked on his excitement, and not his agitation. When his emotions ran this high she never knew what she was in for when she entered his domain. The mists cleared, and instead of her temple, a large palazzo gleamed before her in stunning sun kissed marble. She had refused to see him up until now, claming she needed to focus, to reach out into the ether and claim her vessels. She sent the names and images to him while he slept, but she wasn’t visible for those instances. It was mostly because it took a lot out of her, reaching out and searching. In the past weeks she had sent him over thirty names that could prove fruitful, but one name, one name shone brightly in her mind’s eye, one name was attached to a particularly bright light, one that Delphyne could latch onto and use to her whims. Evelyn. Cristof came around an ionic column, decadence in its most subtle form, dressed in a pair of white lounge pants and no shirt, holding a glass of wine. As usual, he was sexy in his half clothed state, the shock of hair unruly and glinting in the dream sunshine. She really hoped he looked like this in reality. Smiling she went to her knees and bowed her head. “My priest, you summoned me?” she asked in a small voice, playing up the docile goddess who without the help of her faithful priest wouldn’t ever gain a physical form. As if. Cristof was a means to an end, and as fond as she was of his astral body, his real ruthlessness and his calculating mind, he was really just a tool. “We have her, my love.” Delphyne grinned. This was indeed good news. “Rise, darling, attend me.” He said and lounged on a chaise that appeared behind him. She did, noticing her outfit of a lavender shift dress with a sage colored snake undulating up the silk. He was getting more creative, and more in control if he could manifest such intricacies. She crawled onto the seat, which lengthened into a sort of cushioned bench and relaxed on her stomach, her head on his lap. “Truly?” she asked with a sweet smile on her face. “She’s in the holding area, and is sleeping off the effects of the chloroform. It won’t be damaging, aside from a slight headache. She was a fighter though, a lot of spirit.” Delphyne closed her eyes. “This is good news, my priest. Very good. We mustn’t let this one slip away; she is the best possible vessel I could hope for. This must be handled well.” “What do you suggest?” he asked as he stroked the soft coils of her hair, which was spread across his lap. “She’s not going to be swayed by the average kind of man in your employ. We need someone that is dashing, and can play a hero and provider.” He sipped his wine, moving his fingers from her hair to caress her cheek and upper neck. “I think I might have someone. He’s new, and hasn’t touched any of them so far. I doubt he will be able to resist the pin up girl.”

~19~

“Most men cannot. Let him do it to his own abilities, give him leeway. She has to feel secure, and he has to know we have faith in him. When she’s mine, I’ll need a bodyguard, nothing like having a man already addicted to her body to serve at that.” “And shall he have you?” “I rule nothing out my priest, we need loyal staff. Does sharing that body bother you?” she asked with scantily disguised scorn. “Merely concerned those that don’t deserve your attentions will take advantage of them.” She was disgusted with his mild annoyance. Once she was on the earth plane again she wouldn’t stand for any of his jealousies. As a goddess, it was her duty to bring as many into the fold as possible to keep her powerful, and she knew exactly what kind of worshippers she wanted, and they were all sexy, buff and able to keep her and her progeny safe. She bit back a venomous reply and sighed. “We will need someone able to mate my acolytes won’t we? So don’t worry. You won’t share that body long.” Because if you piss and complain I’ll decree you have outlived your usefulness. Which was something she planned to do anyway but sometimes, plans had to be stepped up for self-preservation. “Of course, my love, I don’t have a care about that. You’re mine.” “Umm, that I am my priest.” She rolled over, rubbing her cheek on his thigh and watched as his cock jumped, begging attention. She looked up at him and then moved, a smile quirked on her lips. “I have missed you, you know.” Cristof smirked and patted his lap. “As have I goddess. I have been without your attentions for far too long.” She crawled up his body and straddled his hips, just as the long lounger turned into a large bed with white satin sheets. She grinned and then gasped as he snapped his fingers, and she was suddenly nude on his lap. “Well that’s handy.” And it was. He really was getting better at dream control, and that was a relief. “Indeed.” He kissed her and she moaned, enjoying the action, no matter how little she actually felt. It was all practice, for when she was flesh again. Delphyne giggled as the kiss broke and snapped her own fingers, his clothes disappeared into a fine mist, and as it did it caressed his skin. “I live for your pleasure, my priest.” Her body hugged his as she sank down on his shaft slowly, and she felt him tense, knowing that he felt everything in this realm. Again, it was more real for him because of his newfound astral strength, and she was jealous. It was a means to an end though, as he got more addicted to what she could do for his body, he lost more and more resistance to her. By the time she was flesh once more, he would be completely under her spell, and she would be the dominant force. But for now, she could play the submissive, and let him think he was a god.

~20~

FIVE “It’s hardly like I slapped her Mer, what was I supposed to do? You said to play it up…” Kira had her hands on her hips again. “No I said suggest it.” Merrick growled at her. “She insulted my dominance, I had no choice.” “You had every choice.” He shouted at her. “No.” She shook her head letting her hair fall around her face. “I didn’t. If you want my help Mer, then I suggest you don’t take that tone with me.” He blinked calming himself. She was right and he wasn’t angry with her, he was angry with himself. Seeing Elise again had affected him more than he’d anticipated. She was everything to him, always had been and he would gladly rip out his own heart than cause her any kind of pain. Unfortunately it wasn’t his heart on the line, it was his kids and their lives were more important than Elise’s pain. He’d just have to go to her and let her know everything was ok. Kira smiled up at him. “That’s better. You’ve got your scheming face on again, things will be better soon. On the plus side the Archons are worse than sharks when it comes to weaknesses. They’ll be too busy working on ways to exploit hers than digging at ours.” He nodded gravely, hating himself. “They take us for easy meat anyway. The sooner we speak with Elise the better, if we both work together we can keep them all looking in the right direction long enough to find the girls and keep us all alive.” She snorted a laugh “You really believe that don’t you? You wanna ‘work together’? Fuck Mer, you’re just after a booty call.” He frowned angrily at her; Elise could never be something like that. “Show a little respect and remember what you are. Kira, you could never be even half of what she is… she’s an Archon of your race and demands your respect.” “She ain’t my Archon, you are. Everyone else can blow me.” He smiled at her insolence; she’d always been like this. Coupled with her loyalty to him it made her perfect for this job, she just had to tone it down a little. “You’re young and youth never respects their elders but give Elise a chance, she deserves it. Despite that it will be good to have someone at the meeting on our side.” “Think she is on your side? She seemed pretty pissed with you.” “I don’t doubt that she is.” He told her steering her back towards the meeting room for lunch. Things were due to be tense, with any luck they had done as Kira had asked and made their lists. He was hoping for a few more missing. It wasn’t something that he personally wanted, but it was needed for support. The more support they had and the more respect that they could gather, the easier it would be for the archon’s to grant them with nest status. They needed to be invaluable. Taking the lead Kira walked in first, by his count they were ten minutes late so everyone was already there and in their places. There were two spaces left together in between Ramona and Elise, undoubtedly things had been planned that way. Kira grinned sitting down next to Elise. Once she was seated Merrick sat next to Ramona keeping his body language very submissive. ~21~

“Sorry we’re a little late,” His posing Archon politely told the room. “I hope I didn’t miss anything important.” Elise gave her a smile. "Not at all. Marcus and Bettina only just arrived. It seems they have a few more missing than they thought." "So it's as I feared, and you? How are your people faring?" "We are all accounted for and in the states, so as of now we are ok. I have put out the call to return to the compound." "Very wise of you." She smiled laying her hand on hers before turning from her dismissively and looking toward the others. "And the rest of you?" Olivia nodded. "Jasper and Olga are missing in California." Ramona sighed "And I've been unable to contact Lillith, my daughter, and her small nest. I'm not worried though," She said haughtily. "I doubt she's been taken, my daughter can take care of herself as could the others." "Still, it bears being cautious. Now this begs the question, do we have any leads?" "We have some," Kira informed them sitting back in her chair. "Merrick dear?" She'd switched from love to dear and it was at least some sign that she'd been listening to him. This was his moment to talk and lord knew he wasn't going to get many of them. Careful to walk that fine line of informative and assertive he leaned forward placing his elbows on the table. "Of course Archon," he smiled. "We haven’t found a lot. Everything’s clean, all the sites of abduction and drop off points of the dead. I say drop off points because the boys we've found weren’t killed there and as of yet we haven't been able to find the place of death, hopefully it’s where the girls are. Either way it’s all clear, I struggle to use the word military but it sure looks like it. My guess is that it’s ex-military or they at least have some working for them." Olivia looked at Elvin, her Defteros and husband. "Then it is as we feared. Both Jasper and Olga are ex-military, and not taken easily. I only hope that they are ok. Unless..." she mused and looked at Elvin. "There might be another answer to this riddle, one that I had dismissed months ago, and perhaps shouldn’t have." Merrick almost bit his tongue from hurrying her along; thankfully Kira stepped in squeezing his shoulder. "Well do share...please." "The Lamia legend." she said simply, lowering her eyes. "Anya had talked about it several times before her death, asking if it was possible, through alchemy or magic to turn a human with no snake blood in them at all into an Ophidian." "I haven’t heard of that... is it possible?" Kira asked with a frown, this wasn’t a possibility they’d discussed. "No it’s not, A human has to have some snake blood in their background, and only then can there be a possibility, but it’s slim. That’s where the Lamia myth comes in." Elise said and looked over at Marcus, who picked up where she left off. "The Lamia myth has been around as long as the sub species of snakes have been around. A woman half snake, half woman, engaging in sexual congress on a regular basis with willing human consorts so they become like her, allowing her to breed, which is utterly preposterous. I don’t know one female snake that can partially change." Merrick sat back frowning, the ruse momentarily gone. This made sense; it was what he'd been missing. Though the thought of what that meant for his missing girls chilled him to the bone. "So what is the military angle? They’re using them to lift the girls? Storing them somewhere? And how would they get the link to Lamia? Surely they'll be figuring that it’s not working by now, no doubt they're changing tactics is why they're taking more and more." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It certainly explains the torture on the recently found boys. They're searching for information... I need to know everything we have on the subject. Scripts, scrolls and the like... anything that they might have." He groaned, "Fuck if it’s humans they might even be researching from films." ~22~

Olivia nodded. "Wick, my nephew is here at the University of Ohio and he’s been studying the exact subject for his doctorate." "Perfect," he smiled at her. "Then, with your permission Archon, I'd like to send somebody to pick it all up, maybe even to talk with your nephew. There could be some place or relevance for them." "Already taken care of. He’s the one that mentioned the possibility of the Lamia cult in the video conference we had. He can’t leave campus right now, but he’s sending everything over to the ranch’s server." she said, smiling. The possibility of another of Olivia's people here in a perfect position to strike at them irked slightly. "Good." Merrick smiled meeting her eyes. Kira nodded motioning for Merrick to sit back. "Then I'll arrange for our other to arrive in the morning." "I would expect nothing less, of any of you. Seeing as I am bending the rules of the meetings, I would expect you all to have someone else here helping with this issue. Wick should have the information here by early tomorrow morning, and I’m having one of our Diarkos flying in with other information from our vaults." Elise moved forward. "Beryl, my niece, is close as well, about an hour's drive. I’ll have her come. She might have some interest in this as well." "Really?" Ramona asked, "And what would that be?" "She’s an anthropologist with the Aberdeen campus of Ohio State, her main focus is the mythologies of Sumeria and Ancient Babylonia. Anything Wick sends to the server she can get on and confer with him over the video conference." Elise said smugly. "Ah... how good for her." Ramona sneered before turning to Kira. "Kira darling you must tell us all where it was that you dug up Merrick from. Last I heard he was dead and ducking for cover." She smiled snidely. "You were Archon when you met him, he came to you I take it?" "That’s a little close to the bone isn’t it?" Merrick growled upon hearing Elise's sharp intake of breath. "Of course I was ducking for cover. Over half the people in this room wanted me dead, yourself included. I had my reasons for going to ground just like I have my reasons for being present here." He saw Geraldine's eyes narrow from across the table; she was a sharp old bird he had to give her that. "Yes Merrick dear and one has to wonder just what those reasons are." "I'm merely concerned for the loss of my nest mates. I want them to be returned home safely..." He smiled simply. Elise narrowed her gaze at him and then looked away, clearly not buying his explanation. Olivia smirked. "Right. And you showing up at the back of a new and very young and beautiful Archon hopeful is just because no one else could be there? Yes, yes I believe that, don’t you Elise?" Elise looked over at Olivia and then over at everyone else, finally landing at Kira, but missing Merrick. "Actually, I don’t think Mr. Merrick's affairs are at issue here, and therefore I don’t care what the conversation entails. What is important is that we have nest mates missing and we need to find them and where they went. Everything else is of no consequence." The salad had been brought and was placed at each of their seats. "Now what do you suppose we do about the issue at hand?" That was his Elise, always in control; he repressed a smile knowing it would do him no good. He'd just have to make it up to her, prove himself. Kira nodded her agreement to Elise. "I believe we should put all our information together, mainly where the girls were taken from. Merrick you haven’t mentioned the scents yet." "No I was waiting. We managed to pick up two scents at one of the bodies. Male and I think human, it's something Aiden or I would recognize again. It won’t do anyone any good unless I can get near whoever's doing this." Elise nodded, as did both Olivia and Marcus. "Indeed. We need a point of origin, and a list as far back as a year if we are to be successful I think." ~23~

Kira beamed, "I have mine... and I can get the disappearances for most of the transient rouges. We should get a map and work out the rest." "There’s the territories map in the Library here, they can work from that." Marcus said as he forked some salad into his mouth. "Good idea." Kira smiled pushing some salad around on her plate. Merrick knew she'd never eat it, Kira was a fussy eater and when she did eat she leaned towards meats. They ate for a while in silence, Merrick going over the rest of the night’s plans in his head. Olivia was the one to break the silence. "I’ll have Terrance make up the extra rooms for our fact finding team. I suggest we reconvene tomorrow after breakfast so we can see what we can see. Elise, I’m sorry but after this information I’m going to have to bow out of dinner this evening, I have much to do in securing my territory, as do we all." Elise nodded. "I agree. I will make sure the staff sends plates to all your rooms this evening. I should think we will be here for a while then? Longer than the weekend?" "I suppose so." Kira sighed, "As long as it takes. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have a few calls to make and then I must sleep, it’s been a very long day already and our journey here was hardly ideal. Merrick I trust you'll help them with whatever they need from us and then join me." she asked standing. "Of course Archon, I'll be up soon." He smiled at her bowing his head in a submissive gesture. "Good, then good night everyone." She nodded leaving the room her head held high. She'd done well for today, but tomorrow brought its own new worries especially with Aiden’s arrival. The second and third courses of the lunch went by with the usual chitchat of who had had a clutch of their own, and who was available. Elise kept her eyes averted from Merrick, as was proper, and enjoyed her meal with the rest of the Archons, rising before desert to take her leave. She swept out of the room with her Defteros, Myra, in tow, without so much as a backwards glance at Merrick. He gave her fifteen minutes making sure that the others had the information that they needed to complete their map before making his excuses and leaving the room. It was time to make things right again with Elise.

~24~

SIX Reece Evans walked into his bedroom, wrinkling his nose at the smell of the nail polish his mate was currently dabbing her dainty toes with. She had been out with Chrissy when Remy had called, updating him on the situation that was going on in Ohio. Things didn’t make sense, especially the news of a nest in Vegas that no one knew about. They had gotten married in Vegas and the only person to visit with them was Olivia’s emissary, so he was hard pressed to believe that this so-called nest was real. He smiled at his mate as she looked up at him. She was sitting on the bed, knees up, her white cotton baby doll top and shorts just peaking out from her caramel colored thighs. She was the hottest and tiniest woman he’d had the pleasure of bedding, and was also the deadliest, being a pit viper and all. Their courtship had been rocky, and completely based on one of his sexual fantasies but it had all worked out in the end. She was his wife, the mother of their twins and the owner of his heart. “Shower was good but would have been better if it wasn’t alone. Did you have a good time with fatty? How many cards are maxed out?” "You're lucky Chrissy isn't a viper, she'd have killed you long before now... and I didn't max all that many." She grinned at him. "You can afford it." "We can afford it, and I don’t mind, I just wanted to know which ones so when I open them I don’t have a stroke." "And here I thought that was the fun of it all... plus I prefer it being your money love." She grinned at him setting the polish bottle down. "I like to think that I wouldn’t be as liberal with my own money." He laughed and sat in front of her grabbing her tiny foot and slowly blew on her nails. "One of us has to be frugal. Did you have fun?" "Yeah I did, Chrissy's fun and she knows her way around a shop. You know things are awful quiet around here... and a little tense." She chuckled wiggling her foot. "What’s going on?” He sighed and then smiled. "I spent the better part of today getting the guest rooms ready. Elise has called the rest of the nest to come back to the compound. There’ve been disappearances." "Is everyone ok?" She asked sitting up and taking her foot back. "From our nest, yes. But others aren’t so lucky. Remy got a fax from Myra earlier today of the minutes of the meeting. Apparently the so-called Vegas nest has lost twenty-six females. It’s funny none of us knew of a Vegas nest as Vegas is in Olivia's territory. You remember the buff tall guy that showed up at our wedding breakfast? Brought the necklace for you? That’s Olivia's mate and Defteros, Elvin." "Oh...he was kinda weird." She frowned, "Twenty- six is a lot of snakes, I didn't know there were that many in one place. Transient sure, but not in one place." "I’m not sure the apparent Archon, a woman named Kira is younger than you, so it’s damn possible." he whistled. "And the fact that her Mate happens to be someone who was near and dear to Elise's heart isn’t helping much." "Kira?" She looked at him strangely. "Who's her mate?" ~25~

"Merrick, the man that Elise has been mourning for the past ten years." he sighed. "Ever wonder why Elise is alone? Merrick is the reason why." "John Merrick?" she asked, her face a picture of disbelief. "The patron saint of rogue snakes? Mated to Kira? The bitch of..." She frowned, "Well she’s a bitch of something... darling I don’t think she has it in her to be anyone's Archon." "No? And what makes you so sure? She’s there, as an Archon and she’s leading the charge on the situation about the missing girls." She shook her head, "No I'm certain... I lived with them. Merrick found me after my brother died, that’s what he does; he takes in strays until he's sure that we can survive on our own. Kira's like a daughter to him, he practically raised her and her brother. Plus he's like gay or something...I never saw him have any and that was like five years." Reece laughed. This was indeed an interesting development. "You’re shitting me? Well him and Elise are in the same boat. Apparently they have been something like betrothed for the past fifteen years." "Wow... that's commitment. So what exactly is it that they're trying to pull? Bluffing Kira as an Archon? What’s to gain from that?" "I suppose. I know that Merrick has been claimed dead for the past decade, which is why Elise is in mourning, bit of a shock to her when she saw him I can tell you." "No wonder and with that tall bitch as well... Poor Elise." "Needless to say she’s unhappy." "I bet she was. Well whatever Mer's scheming I'm sure he won’t hurt her deliberately, it's just not in him. What do they have on the missing girls?" "Not much, though Myra mentioned something about two theories, a military theory and one about a Lamia cult." She looked at him horrified, "I'm so not leaving the house till this is over. What's a Lamia cult?" "It’s a legend involving female snakes. Talking about females having the mystical power to make human men into a snake. The cults open up from time to time. This time though, they seem to have some backing for so many snakes to go missing without anyone knowing." "They'll be targeting rogues and loners, that's why Mer's picked up on it...Oh god, what if it's people I know?" She looked up at him scared, her eyes too shiny. "It could have been me, are they still alive?" "We hope so. I mean they are looking into it, but so far all they have found are males that have been tortured and either left for dead or dead. So yes, the compound is on lockdown." "You're not going out there to help are you?" she asked chewing nervously at her lower lip. "You're going to stay here with us... aren’t you?" Reece smiled and moved towards her placing his hand on her cheek and kissed her. "Carmen, my place is here, with you and the twins. Remy and I were named Diarkos until Elise gets back." She smiled at him clearly relieved. "Good, because we need you here." "And I need to be here love. Don’t worry. Beryl is meeting them there so we will have updates." "That's a small relief at least..." She scooted over cuddling into him. "We're being hunted... kidnapped and tortured. It's like something from a film, despite the fact that we occasionally change into snakes." "Well changing is going to be restricted to the grounds as well, so the next month the hunts are going to have to be forgone, it sucks but there’s not much we can do. And we need to watch the females even more now. Carmen, I don’t worry about you, that venom you have is lethal, and I know you won’t hesitate to use it." She shook her head against him. "Not if they try and get me... nobody can take me away from my babies. I want to know who the missing are..."

~26~

Reece smiled. "Remy is getting that information as we speak. I was hoping that since you are a reformed rogue, you might be able to help, though those toes aren’t near ready for you to walk." he grinned and kissed her. "Mmm..." She purred kissing him back. "Reformed?" "I believe you said it yourself pet, nothing will take you from your babies, and nothing is taking you from me." "Oh never... but you make me sound like an ex junkie." Reece laughed and picked her up, careful not to ruin her carefully painted toes. "So? The kitchen? Phillip is making sandwiches and I think Remy said something about cold beers." Nodding she wiggled against him getting comfy. "Sounds like a plan, the kids will be up from their nap soon wanting to be amused. So we have a little while to ourselves before then." "Indeed. So let’s not waste any more time my love." he grinned and carried her downstairs, towards the kitchen and the task at hand.

~27~

SEVEN Elise turned off the shower and sighed, the steam around her billowing out of the glass enclosure as she opened the door to grab her towel. She had spent the afternoon after lunch locked away in the computer control room of the south wing where her room was, making plans with Remy and checking in with the three other houses that the other members of her nest had on lockdown. Everything was good, but they had discussed taking extra precautions, and implemented the emergency plans they had from way back when hunting was an everyday occurrence. On the bright side she wasn’t missing any of her snakes, but it was a bittersweet sort of victory. Myra had still been in the control room when she left for her shower, faxing Remy information from the meeting, and the dossier on all twenty-six missing females, in hopes that someone on the east coast had seen them. Drained, half blind from the computer screen and emotionally on edge, the only good thing she could see for the rest of the night was the comfortable feather bed already turned down waiting for her in the next room. She donned a light cotton tank top and matching shorts, and stood in front of the mirror towel drying her blond hair. Her eyes, a silver grey, blinked back the fatigue they felt. She grabbed her ponytail holder, and pulled her hair back, securing it with the elastic band, and sighed at her reflection. She wasn’t ugly, she was aging well, and she still had a killer body. She had a lot to offer a male, aside from her position as Archon, and she was fertile, painfully so. Still she wasn’t a sweet young thing like Kira, and it was apparent Merrick was into that these days. It didn’t matter, once this was over she was going to forget him completely, and until then, all she had to do was avoid him, which shouldn’t be too hard as he was no doubt already ensconced with his lover for the night. The thought infuriated her and she balled her fists, fighting the urge to cry. It took a few minutes, but she got her composure back and sighed, cleared her head, looking forward once again to the bed waiting for her, however lonely it would be. As she opened the door and stepped into the bedroom proper, she stopped dead, blinking in surprise. Merrick sat on the chair closest to her closet, a blank expression on his face. He started to smile then stopped a small pained crease forming between his brows. "We have to talk Elise." "I have nothing to say to you John." she said and crossed the room to her hamper, stuffing the towel in it, she grabbed her hand and slipped the ring off her finger and into the pocket of her shorts. "Though this is far from acceptable." "I know," He sighed. "But I have no choice, I can't talk to you out there, not and be myself." "Right. Well like I said, I don’t give a rat’s ass what you have to say John. You don’t owe me a damn thing, least of all an explanation." "Don't I? I've been underground for fifteen years, you didn't even know if I was dead or alive. I didn't even get to see my mother before she died. Thank you for being there for her by the way. The only people to see my face have been rogues and outcasts, coupled with the occasional assassin and ~28~

now I show up here, with Kira... love, I think I owe you a bit more than an explanation." He watched her wringing her hands. "No you don’t. And don’t you dare call me love; you don’t have the right to anymore. Solange was like a mother to me as well, so I didn’t do any of that for you." she said quietly. "So we are even." "Elise, things are complicated but they're not what you think." He stood. "Just let me explain... Things happened in South America and I couldn't come back. A friend of mine stuck his neck out for me and..." He sighed. "I couldn’t... I wanted to, hell I even tried. It just didn't work out, but not one day has gone by in the past fifteen years where I haven't loved you. You're always in my heart... always. You're the reason I started picking up strays, giving them homes. I did something with my life. It maybe hasn’t always been above board but I've saved a lot of kids. Scared and stupid ones like we used to be..." He chuckled, "They call me a saint, not to my face but I've heard it." She gave a little chuckle, a nervous sound. "Glad I’m in your heart John, and I’m glad things worked out for you. Now if you’re quite finished, I believe the woman in your bed, your mate, is probably waiting for you." she turned to him. "You don’t owe me a damn thing John. Enjoy your life." "Lise she's not my mate... or my Archon. Please believe me, I don’t have a mate...not since you." He shook his head his eyes pleading with her. "I've known Kira and her brother Aiden since they were twelve. I rescued them from a traveling circus." He took a step towards her. "I can't enjoy my life without you... or at least with you hating me. If you've moved on then I'll understand but please just don’t hate me. I didn't want to hurt you today, but someone’s killing my kids Elise and I have to find out who that is before I lose any more." She looked down and then up at him, her eyes shiny. "Uh huh. Yeah I get the thing about the kids, John. The problem needs seeing to." She walked closer to him and shook her head and slapped him in the face, hard enough for his head to shift to the side. "You know, I don’t give a shit what you do, but don’t fucking lie to me. I know you better than anyone John, and that whisper this morning was no mere whisper of a father figure, nor was the placement of your arms around her waist, so save the drama. You know," she laughed, tears flowing down her face, "I could have handled this so much better if you had just let it be.” She shook her head and stumbled, the ring falling out of her shallow pocket onto the floor in front of her. He grabbed her elbows holding her still. "I'm telling the truth! The others have to believe the lie... if we want any land to live on at the end of this they have to believe it’s all her. They won’t give me anything but a swift execution. We're already going to lose our home over this. They have to believe that I'm a puppet and not the other way around.... if I was with her then what would I gain from being here? If you think me as heartless as you obviously do, then why would I be here right now wasting my time with lies when I could be in her arms? What you’re suggesting sickens me... I could never be with anyone but you. Mark or no you are my mate and I refuse to have it any other way. Ask Aiden tomorrow, better yet ask Carmen." "Carmen?" she laughed and shook her head. "Figures you would know the little viper. Tell me, if you are so close to her, why didn’t you show yourself at their wedding?" she sniffed and lowered her voice. "And why didn’t you bother to come to me? In fifteen years nothing changed, I always had hope, always thought you would show up one night.... John, don’t give me your shit. You could have come to me, any time; I have always been the keeper of your secrets. Yet I find out you’re alive in front of the heads of the five territories, and in the company of a fucking hatchling! Thank you for completely making me out to be a pathetic thing unable to hold what I considered mine! But I suppose it works for you, doesn’t it. They are all attacking me and my emotional stupidity..." she sighed. He took a deep breath letting it out slowly. "I didn't want to make you appear weak, Lise, it just worked out that way and yes it does benefit me. You can survive their attacks. We can't, not with everything that’s been going on. I didn't come back to you because it wasn't safe, at first. You were under threat, as was I... a good friend of mine went back on a contract to keep me alive, it was his ass on the line as well. I had to work off my debt to him before I did anything. Once it was finally safe I ~29~

had so many kids dotted around that I couldn’t physically dump them all on your doorstep. You say I could have showed up for one night but there could never be just one night between us, you of all people know that. If not forever then not at all... to you I was better off dead." He sighed heavily. "And yes I know Carmen, she's one of mine. I found her in... Well she was in a bad state. I'm glad she's better off now. In truth I didn’t go to her wedding because I didn't know she was getting married, it's only with the disappearances that we've started keeping tabs on our people. When she left us we hadn't settled down to one place and until recently I thought she was one of our missing." “Well she’s not. Christ, Merrick, when have I ever not taken in strays? You know very well you could have brought your entire crèche to me and I would have welcomed them! But you were a selfish bastard as usual. Yes, it’s all about the kids, but you never once stopped to think about me. Yes, they needed you and probably still do, but I needed you too.” "And you don’t think I need you? Elise, there are a lot of strays out there, it's not just a case of you welcoming our crèche. Nest life scares a lot of them, shit, it scares me after so long. Structures and rules that we can't adhere to. It’s a system that’s set up to betray us before we've even started. My guys didn’t have the best start in life, they don’t mix well with others, and they’re arsonists and thieves and worse. They're everything nobody wants. I wouldn't let them mix with your people." Elise laughed. Merrick really thought her crèche was squeaky clean, and that just proved that he had been away a really long time. "More excuses. I run the most liberal nest in the fucking country John, I always have ever since I took over for Elenanora. You think Olivia or Ramona would have welcomed Carmen into their ranks at all, especially being a viper? Regardless of whether Reece and her were together, I would have. Chrissy came from a Rogue existence too, living in a brothel in Greece. None of them wanted her without the assurances that she would marry. I never asked for that from her, though she did fall for Remy. Sebastian, Wendell, Tami... all thieves, all in trouble with the authorities, kicked out of their nests for issues that never came up for them with me. I offer freedom..." She sighed. "I offer freedom, a safe place to change and feed, a sanctuary, and no strings. You taught me that. A member shouldn’t owe allegiance because it’s what expected of them. They should feel safe where they are accepted, and want to be part of something." "And you do a good job of it too... I'm glad you found Carmen a home, it was touch and go for a while with her. Tell me, have you ever woken up in the middle of the night in the middle of a fire because a scared little boy set your bed ablaze? Have you ever found human girls locked in your basement because someone didn’t know any better? How many deaths have you had to stage because someone messed up? Because when I tell you that my kids have problems I mean it. Thieves are nothing; hell Carmen's the best pickpocket I've ever met. It’s the arsonists and the schizophrenics, the womanizers and the killers that I have to deal with and none of them are getting near you and your kids." She smirked. "You would do well to leave the womanizers out of the list, before they got mated, Remy and Reece were some of the best, hell even tried on me a time or two. Look I get it that you’re a bit further in it than I am with the charity cases, though Penelope did try to gas us all once... that wasn’t fun and we lost the east wing to that explosion, but you’re right, I haven’t had to deal with anything on the level you have. That still doesn’t make it right that you have chosen to stay away from me, not even letting me know you’re alive. I don’t care what you were doing, or are doing, it never mattered before. You just had to be a selfish fuck and never consider that I would like to know that you were alive, that I would like to see you." she sniffled and sat on her bed. "And now I have to deal with seeing everyone else who knew we had a thing, sneer at me and look down at me for not being able to keep hold of my promised mate so much that he went and faked his own death to get away from me. No Archon should ever have to do that and frankly I don’t care that it makes things better for you. This is the worst kind of embarrassment, and their faith in whether I can hold the east is now in question and my territory is compromised. So thank you, John. Now not only ~30~

do I have to help look for your missing girls, I’m going to have to fight to keep what’s mine in order to keep my people safe." He sighed. "I get that you’re hurt and embarrassed, I'm doing a shitty thing and I wish I had another choice but I don’t. I haven't always made the right choices where you were concerned. I’ve been trying so hard to keep the balls in the air that I've let ours drop... I don’t want it to be this way anymore." "It doesn’t matter does it? You’re here, in official capacity, with her. You’re recognized as her mate, and it’s all said and done. The ball you speak of doesn’t mean shit anymore John. So thank you for dumping this shit storm in my lap. I think I would have rather had the arsonists. At least I wouldn’t have to be fighting outside takers for my territory and home." She looked up at him. "This is just what Ramona needed to call a council for giving her daughter territory, and now that it’s been proven I’m not Archon enough to even have a mate that wants me, well me and mine are as good as over." she sighed and shook her head. “Doesn’t matter though." "Of course it matters, I'll make sure that you don’t lose anything and if you can think of a way around this I'll do anything to make it right. As for the arsonist you can meet him tomorrow, he's now an outstanding pillar of the community... actually he makes bombs but that’s not the point. I'm picking our ball back up whether you want me to or not." "Yeah well good luck with that. Nothing changes John. Nothing. Come tomorrow Ramona will motion to have me ousted and you can’t do or say anything about it. You forgot the basic rule John, no touching. You touched the child in front of them, made a lovers motion. Regardless of what you were trying to do, you’re cemented as Kira's mate and lover. It was as good as wearing a ring." she sighed. "I really, really hate you. These kinds of problems are not the kind I needed or am equipped to deal with alone. There’s no solution where we all come out ok." She laid back and pulled her knees up. "I think you should go." "I never was cut out for any of the politics involved here...but I know that I'm not cemented as anything until there’s a mark...and there will never be one on her." "They don’t know that, so like I said you’re safe." "They’d know it if I marked someone else, mated to someone else." He looked up meeting her eyes. She shivered, a wild feeling of déjà vu stealing over her. "Probably, but that would turn into a cluster fuck you were trying to avoid." "Yet it might save me from losing you... and I can't do that again." "Newsflash John, you lost me a long, long time ago." He closed his eyes a pained expression crossing over his face. "Very well," He opened them again. "I'll be out of your way then," He stood swiftly. "Enjoy your life John, and good luck." she said turning over, her voice thick with emotion. "Will you ever forgive me?" "I forgave you a long time ago John, just like I resigned myself to being alone a long time ago." Sighing she heard him bend down and lift something from the floor. "I think that’s a lie. I don’t think you did and so you didn’t answer my question." "Are you hard of hearing John? I just answered you question, all your fucking questions!" she sat up her face streaked with tears. "No you didn't." He took her hand pressing something into her palm and squeezing it shut. "You didn’t forgive me for leaving and you haven't forgiven me for showing up here and pissing in your pool. I wanted to know if you would." He sighed resting his head against hers. "Don’t worry about tomorrow, there's another way, you won’t take the hit." He whispered, stroking her tears away with his free hand. "Just hold your answer on my question and try not to judge me too harshly." He pulled back pressing his lips against her forehead before standing and walking out without a second glance back at her. ~31~

Elise sobbed, knowing full well what was in her palm. The feel of the ring was something she knew everything about, having been part of her person for the last forever. John Merrick had a way of really sticking it in and breaking it off, and while in her youth it was part of why she admired him, wanted him and agreed to the betrothal when their parents suggested it, now, his headstrong nature was a hindrance. The bastard had to do things his way, always his way, and now she was stuck in that precarious position of wanting to shoot him and wanting to run to him. It didn’t help that he was even more dashing and sexy, with the small patches of graying hair at his temples, or that she saw the pain in his perfect jade eyes when she rejected him. God help her, she was still a teenager when she looked into them, still felt her body flush when he moved towards her. Why did things have to end up like this? Why now? Why can’t anything for me be easy? She thought as she pulled a pillow to herself, sobbing into it. The bed, which was welcoming and inviting not a half hour before, now just felt too large and she felt like she was a child again, hiding from the things she feared most. It didn’t help that she feared him now, feared what he represented. In the eyes of Council, he was Kira's regardless of a mating mark. For him to address it any other way would look like pity on her and that was something she couldn’t have for the sake of her people. Complication, John Merrick be thy name.

~32~

EIGHT Evelyn sobbed quietly in the darkness. They’d thrown her in a small metal cage no bigger than the ones people used to house the dogs in. The dogs themselves were roaming freely on the outside, not that she could see the outside as there was a stinking sheet over the top of her cage. She could hear the dogs, hear them and smell them as they weaved about. Her hands were cuffed together as she sat hunched on the floor. It didn’t take an intelligent snake to see that she was in a bad situation. A very bad situation judging by the screams she could hear coming from outside the room. Her jeans and top were ripped and dirty, no doubt from the abduction. Something she wasn’t still clear on, she didn’t remember a lot about it. She was leaving Vegas for her latest shoot when her car got a flat. She’d pulled over to change it when two men had come out and offered to help. Things got hazy round about then and she guessed they must have done something to her. Drugged maybe, although she didn’t feel the after affects of drugs and there was no pain anywhere that would point to getting knocked out. She only had a few scratches and bruises, which were quickly healing. Perfect health aside she needed to get the hell out of here. The scent of fear and sickness surrounded her dark prison. A small girl’s voice sounded to her left quickly followed by vicious dogs barking, at least two or three of them, the voice let out a short scream of surprise then shut up as the growling dogs clawed at what must have been her cage. Evelyn didn’t know if it gave her hope to know that there was more than one of them here. A lock on the door snapped open and she heard voices, strong male voices. “Shut the fuck up!” one barked storming into the room his boots clumping past her cage and back to the girl who’d made a noise. “See bitch, we know when you break the rules.” The girl let out a whimper and Evelyn heard a zap, maybe something electric, the girl screamed and fell silent as the smell of burning flesh came through the tarp over the cage. She shifted uneasily to the other side of the metal cage as far away from the smell as she could get. That poor girl. A wet nose pressed up against her hand causing her to jump with a scream. The man chuckled. “Well, well, well… what do we have here?” The boots thumped over to her cage as she silently cursed. The nose still poked at her under the hood taking deep breaths. “Think the mutt likes what he smells. Who’s he got… Number one oh two, Evelyn Rose. Now that I like…” The cover whisked off leaving her squinting in the light. “Mmm… damn girl we left you with way too many clothes on. You know my buddy here used to have your pinup on his barracks wall. Didn’t you Maxwell?” The man, apparently Maxwell, grunted from the corner and paid no attention. She looked up at him through the bars. They were both lean and well built. The one who'd spoken had darker hair from the other’s sandy blonde. They held themselves like fighters full of confidence and stride. Of course she was the one in the cage so she couldn't say much to thwart their confidence. Instead she lowered her eyes to the ground; she knew when to keep her mouth shut. Growing up in the home had taught her that and if she hadn't already known then the stun gun in his hand would have tipped her off. She may have been a model but she wasn't stupid, this was a bad situation for a woman of any kind. ~33~

"Hear that bud? Now that’s what I like, a woman on her knees who knows when to shut up." He leered down at her. "Jax, can it ok? We are supposed to watch them, not torture them." The other came to her defense. "Torture? I am not torturing... you've seen me do that. I'm just having a little fun, loosen up." "Nothing fun about fucking with a caged girl that isn’t in the cage of her own free will, Jax." he said still not looking up from his magazine. "Just let the swimsuit model be. I’m still saying picking her up was not Cristof’s best idea. She’s high profile." "She's still a fucking snake whore and Cristof pays the bills, his ideas are the good ones." He looked back down at Evelyn who'd been silently watching their exchange. "Let’s get her out of that cage then...maybe give her a chance to stretch her legs." He crouched down to eye level with a lewd smile on his face. "I'm sure it’s getting awfully cramped in there." "Jax, don’t make me pull rank. And we don’t know for a fact that she is right for the project. Cristof might pay the bills but he’s going about it all wrong." "All wrong? Lighten up, bud. This is a cushy number..." He stood making a show of stretching himself out. Evelyn looked on with envy, her legs were cramping up, although she really didn’t want to be outside of the cage with them. She was almost thankful for it; certain that she was much better off with it firmly in between Jax and her. "Completely wrong. You catch more flies with honey, and abducting and caging possible Ophidians is not the way to get them to share the lamia secret, if there is a bloody secret." He shrugged. "Don’t care about the plan to be honest, orders is all that matter and this one is a definite. She's stronger than she looks too, a real wiggler." "Most women are when they are being abducted. And if orders are the only thing that matter to your grunt ass, then follow them. Nothing in the orders say you can fuck with the quarry." He looked up finally, his bright blue eyes settling on her making her heart leap into her throat as she quickly looked back down. "None of them should be treated like this." "Well she is hot, but in all fairness there’s nothing in my orders to say I can't fuck with the quarry." "And there’s nothing that does, but there is something that says for you to follow orders from your superior officer, who is me, and I’m saying to leave them the fuck alone." he said, his voice a menacing growl. Jax turned squaring up to the other for a tense second or two, before shrugging. "Eh. See if I care... I'm going to hit up Louisa and see if she's up for some fun. You stay down here with the dogs and the reptiles." He chuckled, grinning back over to Evelyn. "You know, I wouldn’t blame you if you took her out for a test run, bud." He winked at her then turned jogging out the door. "Yeah, and Louisa won’t cut your nuts off either… good luck," he said as the door closed. "Ya fuck." He turned towards Evelyn. "Are you thirsty?" She was and she was hungry too, she had no clue how long she'd been here for. She wasn't taking anything from them though. They’d put her here and most likely it would be poisoned or drugged. She shook her head looking up at him. "No thank you." The man stood and came to her bringing a bottle of water with him. He opened it and took a long drink and then offered it to her. "No tricks, like I said, I don’t think this is at all fair. My name’s Homer Maxwell and I’m probably the only friend any of you have got here." He took a small energy bar out of his fatigues and offered it to her. She took the water through the bars opening it and gulping it down thirstily. "Thanks." She smiled taking the bar from him. "Do you know where we are?" She shook her head moving away from him to the far end of the cage. "Does it matter?" She looked around her seeing at least six identical cages just like the one she was in, as well as others, larger and further down the expanse of the room. ~34~

"Yes it does...Look. You have no reason to trust me right?" he said and passed a paper to her through the bars, then got off his knees and whistled, the dogs in the long room looking up at him. He patted his leg and opened the door to the side pen, the dogs running out into the devastating brightness of the day. They were alone now; aside from the occupants in the other cages. "None whatsoever, you've been nice but... you still put me in here." She sighed trying to be braver than she felt. "I was an extra in a horror movie once. I know what’s going to happen or at least some variation of it." She looked up pleading with him. "I don’t want to die." "Actually I didn’t put you in here, but I am going to let you go. That paper is coordinates to here, and I don’t have long to get you out." "Why?" She asked suspiciously moving to the door of the cage. It couldn’t be true; he was surely messing with her. He smiled. "Why indeed. Let’s just say I have serious doubts about the work Cristof is doing, and you’re the only one that’s come in so far that’s strong enough to escape...And I don’t want anyone hurt." "Anyone? What's this project?" she asked panicking slightly. She didn't feel strong enough to escape but the thought of staying trapped in a cage waiting for torture and death wasn’t very appealing. "Calm down. You’re going to be forced into participating in the Lamia project, like the rest of the girls. I have a plan, but you gotta help me, ok?" "Ok." She nodded knowing that, whatever the Lamia project was, being forced into it really didn't sound like a good thing. "I can do that... calm down that is." She smiled nervously into his blue eyes. He was kind of hot, for a not so evil bad guy. She looked away trying not to blush, gods the body sure does play crappy tricks on you at the worst time. She hadn’t even looked at a man, or anybody, in that way for years and now was the time her messed up head chooses to start noticing one. "I've never been in a cage before... willing or otherwise." She blurted out horrified at her own words. "I didn’t think you were that type of girl, Evelyn." he smiled. “I’m going to let you out ok? Don’t bolt. I have a plan, but it’s going to require your help Hun." She nodded looking around. "I may be a model but I'm not stupid enough to think I can get past those dogs." "Bright girl." He opened the cage and offered his hand. "There’s more water and food too. And we’ll be alone for another hour before that fuck Jax gets back. So we gotta be quick." She crawled out taking his hand and letting him help her stand. Her legs seared with agony and refused to hold her. She fell into him grasping onto his noticeably well-muscled body for support. Homer caught her and chuckled, lifting her and carrying her to the large padded chair he’d been sitting on and setting her down. "Here," he said giving her another bottle of water. "Shake out the knots." he said, grabbing her leg under the knee and carefully massaging her calf. His hands felt warm and hard, they were a little rough from what she imagined was handling all sorts of different weapons. The warmth tried to spread up from her calves but she furiously fought it back down. She just wasn't that kind of girl, despite what the papers said and for all she knew this could have been his plan, a cruel joke aimed at her. Let her think she's free, get her real thankful and then slam her back in the cage or worse. "So you kidnap girls often?" she asked holding the bottle of water out for him to take a drink from. He took it and smiled. "No actually, and that’s why I’m here. You and the rest of the girls need to get out of here. Luckily the guys they picked up haven’t said anything, or they just don’t know anything. Either way, you’re all expendable and that’s not a good thing." She swallowed hard. Expendable didn’t sound like a good thing to be. "I wouldn't imagine so." He chuckled. "Truth is they want me to seduce you, gain your trust and then fuck you, but that’s not going to happen. Neither of us are guinea pigs." he said putting her leg down and picking the other up. ~35~

"And then kill me? Why? Guinea pigs for what? And if seduction was on the cards you didn't have to put me in a cage, call me old fashioned, but a nice restaurant and a bottle or two of house red normally does it." Or it would have back when she’d had a sex life. He smiled at her, a dazzling display of perfect teeth. "I’ll remember that, though I doubt it will be something for the future. As for Guinea pig, I told you it’s the Lamia bullshit. But still what they want is part of my plan..." "Ok I'll play..." She said still not trusting him, despite her body’s assurances that he was all-good. "Before I even tell you the plan? Shit it’s gotta be the calf massages." "Not quite. I'm agreeing to hear the plan." She shook her head glad that at least she sounded more confident than she felt, a definite perk of her job. "Tell you what, I'll put you in that cage for god knows how long and then see how agreeable you are to escape." He laughed. "No more cage, and just so you know, you have only been in the cage about eight hours." "And them?" She nodded over to the other cages. "They all had this choice too... Some guy, not me mind you, got to play hero to them, take them out, seduce them, sex, which I’m sure most of them were cool with. When it was done they had a day then were put back in the cage. So far as I know none of them have been hurt, but some have been in the cages for a few days. Cristof has been trying to get them to change but again, I think it’s highly unlikely." "Why?" She tried to keep the horror from her face. The whole situation was plain barbaric, how could anyone think to do this to another living person all in the hope that they’d shift into a snake. "I told you the Lamia project." "No why won’t..." She shook her head; if he didn’t believe in shifters she wasn't about to change his mind. Why they hadn’t shifted was of no immediate concern to her. Her own shift wouldn’t come for weeks and by then she’d be long gone. "So, you’re helping me escape?" He nodded. "Yes." he smiled. "I’m going to do this as they planned, but you’re going to escape, with keys to a jeep that’s been planted a mile from here, east. I play incapacitated, say I underestimated you. You need to get that paper I gave you to the authorities and save the girls. Once you escape, you will only have forty-eight hours to get them back here, or the facility will have moved. You won’t be escaping tonight though. We have to make this believable." "Oh." She blinked taking it all in. "Ok... I get it." Homer smiled, more then relived. "Good. So, shall we play this up? Start the ruse?" "What’s going to happen to them?" "Anna will be on guard for them tonight. She will feed them, and she lets them out. Most of them are too weak to run, or been here too long, the fights taken outta them." "And then?" she asked not wanting to know the answer. She didn't trust him one bit, there was the chance he was just being crueler than the others telling her what he was going to do well before he was going to do it. Giving her hope before locking her back in the cage and crushing her like one of those poor girls. The fact that they haven’t changed meant that there was a chance they weren’t even Ophidians. In her experience with men, the sexier and kinder they pretended to be the worse they were and this guy topped eleven on all the charts. She had to play along with him and wait for her moment. "Nothing so far. Cristof has acquired about thirty girls, thirty-one with you. I think he fancies himself that would-be snake king from that Conan movie. I think he’s hoping to break them and turn them into his own personal harem, but then again that’s just speculation. I do know of two girls that were disposed of, but that’s before I arrived in the unit. Apparently one of them, a girl named Anya, took the commanding officer with her when she escaped and slit his throat. They caught her though." he sighed. "So I’m supposed to gain your trust, by giving you a room, which I’m going to do. And then seduce you into a night of sex, which I’m going to pretend to do. So tonight, you will be sleeping in a ~36~

bed, and a shower and everything. Tomorrow we will see each other on and off, and then the plan will go into effect. I’m counting on you." She nodded. "See each other how? And can I have a change of clothes? I can’t escape looking like this." "Already taken care of. I have fatigues and a t-shirt and boots for you, though if they are going to think this little seduction is going to work, you’re going to have to wear the white shorts and tank top that’s in the room. I’ll bring the clothes with me tomorrow. And remember I’m supposed to seduce you, so tomorrow we will spend the time together, have lunch, breakfast... and a walk of the grounds, which will be beneficial I think." "I think so too...” It would be good for her to walk around and get familiar with the place. “So where is this room?" Homer nodded. "One floor up." "How did you find us all? Those girls...me... how could you choose?" "I’m not sure how they do it, I’m not on recon." he blushed. "I read an interview with you a year or so back, saying how you are into training, and you visit a gun range." He looked up at her. "You are the best shot they have." She grinned at him despite herself, "Well I was slated for an assassin movie, so I thought I’d better at least figure out how to hold the things. Turns out I have a knack for targets, didn’t get the part though. You look pretty military... is that who's behind this?" "No, but he’s hired out a bunch of ex military, it’s how I got the job." he stood and offered her his hand. "Guy’s name is Cristof, and he's the high priest of the Lamia cult. I don’t know much else about him except he’s a pompous arse and wears a medallion of a snake, and quite the nancy blue robes all the damn time." She smiled at his description despite herself. "And why do they have you guys with us? Why not themselves?" She took his hand standing thankfully, the pain in her calves had disappeared. "The lamia project. We are guinea pigs. If it works," he scoffed, "Then they want to make sure there’s no side effects before he takes the plunge himself. I don’t know about you but I wasn’t a big fan of being experimented on in the actual military, I’m damn sure not going to do it here." "I guess not... never been experimented on before to be honest. Though the whole "taking the plunge" thing is a little creepy. I take it, it hasn’t worked so far then? No snakey powers for the boys?" "No, and he’s demanding results." "There’s always faking them..." She sighed as her stomach growled. "I don’t know how this shit is supposed to work, but I don’t think there’s really any faking of turning into a snake. Come on let’s get you some food and to the room. I’ll fill you in on the rest. She nodded walking with him, "True, but why would he want to turn into a snake?" "Got me, I’m completely baffled myself. "Personally I'd rather be a werewolf... or a cat. I could be a cat, something with fur. I’ve never been a fan of the snakeskin look." He shrugged. "Eh, there’s something sexy about snakes though." If only he knew, she mused letting him walk ahead of her. He had a great ass on him and a body that just screamed power. Normally that didn't attract her at all but damn if he couldn't hold her attention. Kidnapping wasn't necessary she really hadn't been joking about the two bottles of house red. She sighed forcing her eyes away from the view. It had been too damn long but not so long that the wounds from her last relationship had healed. "In my experience they tend to all be jerks. Although that's been my general experience with all men..." "Are we talking about snakes or men?" he mused, looking over his shoulder. "Both, my last boyfriend decided to tell all to a newspaper... under priced the scoop too. He was a real snake." She forced a grin Frank had been human but it didn't stop him telling every dirty sex secret they'd shared to the whole world. He’d broken her heart. ~37~

"Brutal. Though I think I read that one, and I gotta say, if you were half as adventurous as that said, I might have to weasel a date out of this when it’s all over." "You get me out of this and I'll buy the wine." She moved closer to him hoping that his warmth would chase away the memory of Frank’s betrayal. "So did you really have my poster?" He turned and smiled at her again, bending. "Still do." She beamed at him, god help her. If he was just suckering her in to kill her then it was working. "You do not... you're a little too hot for that sort of thing..." There was no reason she couldn't flirt with her kidnapper would be killer, ok there was every reason but flirting was what she did when she was nervous. Besides she could always use her feminine wiles to charm him a little, keep herself from being expendable. He smirked and reached up, holding her chin. "When we get outta here, I’ll show you." "Oh I'll hold you to that..." She smiled taking a small step closer so their bodies were inches apart; his heat and scent enveloped her. "Don’t suppose there’s any chance of a phone in the room?" "Sadly no, but there’s one in the Jeep." Ah the mythical jeep. She nodded stepping back from him, "Good I'll be able to call for help from there..." "Damn right. Call the fucking cavalry in, get this fucking place cleared." "I'll try... what will happen to you?" "You think I have lasted this long without having a plan for myself. I’ll find you, by that time you’ll owe me a date."

~38~

NINE Elise woke to the ghost scent of Merrick in the room and groaned. After the night she had, the day before it also, she was not looking forward to the day ahead. Whatever Merrick was planning couldn’t end well for her, and she was going to have to figure out how to salvage everything so that there would be no bloodshed. That was the trick though. While usually very peaceful, the nests coveted lands with hunt-able areas and natural barriers. The east had the best land and was easily defendable, with the mountain rings of the eastern seaboard, and the lush forests that the logging companies hadn’t started in on yet. It was one of the reasons why Ramona wanted her daughter’s fledgling nest there, as a foothold. Now, well she could out Elise from Knossos West, and that was unacceptable. This issue called for some looking into the council charter, to see what damage can be undone by Merrick’s foolishness. That was going to take time she didn’t have, as she knew at the first opportunity she was going to get challenged. There was nothing to be done about it though; she was to meet the council by ten AM, when the research and development teams got to the ranch. Winging it was the only option, and leaving the fate of over thirty snakes in the northeastern territory in Merrick’s capable hands didn’t sit well with her. She might still want him and love him, but after everything, trusting him was not an option. All he had proven was that he was still a selfish bastard, and the only difference was that his selfishness didn’t involve her in a positive way like it did before. It was killing her that she was still so attracted to him. He had sat there last night, all but begging for her forgiveness, telling her that she was still his heart and she couldn’t believe him. But that didn’t mean that she wasn’t reacting to his nearness. It didn’t mean that as her rational mind cursed him, her body was jumping for joy at being close to him, feeling his heat and smelling the scent that was pure and unadulterated Merrick. The scent she missed above all else. It took everything she had in her to not take him up on his mating offer the night before, took everything to not run into his arms and breathe him in. Mating wasn’t something that was supposed to happen to cement treaties, or to make up for lost time, as she had told him once before. Mating was done because of the love that was shared, and the proof that as a female, you could handle a strong and virile male. There wasn’t anyone stronger then John Merrick and once upon a time, she counted herself lucky to be the captain of his heart. Now, she just felt foolish. Mating to Merrick, if it was ever to happen, and she doubted that highly, was something that had to be epic, and she had half a mind to refuse him and hope he pined for her the rest of his days. Of course the down side to that was she would pine for him the rest of her days, like she had for the past fifteen years. She knew she would never move on, it just wasn’t an option, despite her posing last night. It was either John Merrick’s bed and heart, or none at all. There was the distinct possibility that it would be the latter, given the circumstances. He was going to have to pull off the deal of a lifetime for him to even be back in her good graces, and as much as she wanted him to fail, to feel the pain he’d caused her, she knew that if anyone could pull it off it was Merrick. ~39~

She groaned and finally got out of bed, putting the ring on her bedside table, and padded to the shower for a session of ‘wake me up’ orange peel shower scrub and hopefully less over analyzing. She emerged from her shower fifteen minutes later, physically clean but her emotions still in turmoil. Not back in my life twenty-four hours and already you have managed to warp everything I know. Why can’t I just not love you! She thought as she donned a pair of low-rise slacks and a fitted green button down short-sleeved shirt. She knew the answer though, and fate was a cruel mistress when she wanted to be. Haven’t I suffered enough already? Fifteen years alone, thinking he’s dead, mourning his memory and his love to find out he’s been here the whole time and inches from my grasp? Can the cosmic gag reel get any more pathetic? She sighed and pulled her quickly drying blond locks up into a twist and secured it with a large heavy wooden barrette, the only thing that would hold the thick coils of her mane back from her face in an elegant fashion. She looked good, professional, and authoritive, and that would go far with her only option, to bluff. She turned as the door to the bedroom opened, and Myra walked in with a stack of papers. Apparently she had been busy. “So what did you find?” Myra nodded stifling a yawn with the back of her hand. "A few things caught my eye." "Oh please share. Anything right now to get my mind thinking about anything else." "Well, look at this." She passed Elise a few sheets of paper. "An auction receipt for a rare Astikian text book, The Astikian's believed that by worshiping snakes, more importantly snake shifters that they themselves could absorb their powers. Sound familiar?" She asked rhetorically before continuing, handing Elise more sheets. "These are for roughly the same gig but from different cultures throughout the world. Asia, India, northern Europe. They were all bought by separate people, but the accounts seem to be the same. I'm having trouble tracking it though." "Well if it was a text collector then it wouldn’t be hard to trace, so we can rule that out. Do we know anyone in Shadow Heights that might be able to help?" she asked looking at the page in front of her. It outlined a myth of the Delphyne, a sister of a Titan in Greek mythology that was said to be a Lamia. "This myth, the Delphyne, she’s a goddess right? Or was worshipped as one once? This is something I want more info on. When Beryl gets here, I need her expertise on this." she mused. Something about the myth was niggling at her. She shrugged, "Well I'm sure she'll be able to help me out with a few things, I have a few questions I need her to clear up for me. There’s been a few cults popping up here and there. I found them because they've been claiming themselves as religions for tax benefits of all things. It started with one three years ago and now they have about seven over the US. A guy called," she checked her notes. "Cristof Ansley, a French aristocrat, he claims that he's discovered the secret to eternal youth. They say they worship the old gods, Delphyne's noted as one of them along with a few choice others that they shouldn’t even know about." She shook her head. "Anyway so I did some checking and this guy is heavily into his dark arts. He's raised a number of red alerts from a few different people most notably the French police. He was the prime suspect in the ‘Fusion murders’ five years ago, seventeen bodies were found in the French countryside all ritually killed and tortured. They only found seventeen but they suspected that there are more, a lot more. They brought him to trial but they couldn’t make anything stick. He jumped country soon after, no idea how he made it here with his record though. He’s a real piece of work." "Interesting, very interesting. And kudos for getting the information Myra, at least no one can say we aren’t efficient, and it will help with our standing." she said quietly, quite pleased with the upper hand. "And how is our standing?" She asked carefully. Elise sighed. "Well, Merrick, that prick, didn’t make anything easy for us." "No?" "No I’m afraid. Past history being what it is between he and I, the other Archons will take the fact that my intended betrothed is here with another woman as proof of my inability to hold a man, and ~40~

therefore hold my territory. They could ask for me to be ousted as Archon, citing weakness and inability to mate. With him dead it was safer for me, hell if we had mated before he went to ground it would have been safer for us, but that’s neither here nor there." "I'm sorry." She sighed. "How likely is it to happen?" "Well with Ramona, anything is possible, and I know this sounds shitty, but I’m hoping she still hasn’t been able to contact her daughter, so that she doesn’t think of snagging our territory for that simpering brat and her fledgling nest. Though the fact that you have information that others probably don’t have, will give us leverage, at least allowing us the chance to ask the council for a time line so that I can petition for a mate, which I will ask for in exchange for the non withholding of information on our side. It’s a shitty thing to do, but I’m through playing games. You guys are my first priority, always." Myra nodded looking relieved. "So what exactly is Merrick up to? He's not really with..." She trailed off. "Is he?" "I don’t have the foggiest. Last night he just happened to pop in while you were still in the control room I gather, and had to have a revisit of old home week. Told me he still loved me," she chuckled bitterly, "then offered to mate to me so the cluster fuck he brought down on my head wouldn’t be so bad." "God what an ass..." Her mouth twitched into a small smile. "Kinda hot though, if I'm not out of my place saying so. It is such a male thing to do... try and sweep in and rescue you. Even if it’s from his own doing... I mean he didn't have to." She sighed. "Crappy way to do it though." "That’s my point. It’s all crappy. I hate that he still turns me on, that his highhandedness is so damn attractive, but right now I can’t worry about that. He’s here with her, and they will take that as a claim, mating mark or not." She nodded gravely. "This time yesterday things made sense." "Indeed. And then John Merrick walks in and the whole world goes to hell in a hand basket. Why is that so damn hot to me?" she asked and shook her head. "Because everyone loves a bad boy and Merrick's the original one." Elise chuckled. "That’s true, though he’s not mine anymore." she sighed again and looked over at the clock on her nightstand. "Beryl should be here any minute, and I would like to see her before the council meeting. Will you greet her? I think I might have an idea on getting some more information, but I’ll have to make a call and I would rather do it before the meeting, so we have more to bargain with." "Sure I'll go down and meet her, I'll send her right up. Who are you calling?" "That rare book dealer downtown. Perhaps we might get lucky. If nothing else, she might have something that might help." "Good thinking, that’s why you’re the Archon." She beamed standing. "I'll go and wait for Beryl." "Indeed, and don’t tell anyone anything you have found out so far." she smiled and picked up her cell, hoping to god that what Myra had found out would be enough to get something out of the French woman that ran the shop downtown. If it was, they would have more leverage and that meant that she would keep her territory no matter how unethical the process might be. **** Myra smiled as Beryl Harper, her crèche-mate and possibly best friend blew through the doors like a whirlwind. Beryl was an oddity in the academic world, looking more like a young Hollywood starlet than a bookish librarian. Tall, brunette with silvery grey eyes and a body that often stopped traffic, Beryl knew she was a knockout and played it up as the star of the scientific community. It didn’t help that she liked the bad boy either, but then again that’s why the two of them got along so well.

~41~

Beryl took her over large Joan Crawford style sunglasses off and squealed, giggling and attacking Myra, hugging her tightly. Myra groaned. For a slip of a woman, Beryl was as strong as the pewter boa she was when she shifted. “It’s been too long! You promised you would come out here and visit you bitch!” Beryl said, still hugging her. “B I’m sorry but you know how it is when the muse gets at me.” “Yeah but come on! I haven’t been to Cincinnati in ages and it’s all your fault! You know I don’t prowl alone!” Myra laughed and grinned. They had been partying together since they were old enough to fake an ID, and had been getting into trouble together as long as well. Elise was the one to always bail them out, citing that no matter what they did they would never top Remy and Reece’s stint in the Mexican prison. They had been on a mission to do just that ever since, even though they both had grown up a bit, neither had completely abandoned their wild ways. “Soon, I swear. My new show is going to be in New York next month and then I have a stint at the Laytham Gallery in Cin-cin so don’t worry.” She grinned and Beryl’s eyes went wide. “Girl we have a date!” she hugged her again. Myra opened her eyes as she pulled away from the hug to see a guy standing in the doorway, leaning on the frame, watching with a cocky look on his face. Her stomach dropped out, looking him over, her mouth gone dry. If there was ever a fine specimen of snake before her, this was it. Tall, lithe, black hair, bright blue eyes, a pair of jeans just tight enough that she was salivating. Whoever he was, he screamed sex. She smiled and looked him over, quickly. “B, we have company.” She said as Beryl turned around. "Oh don’t let me stop you Ladies," He grinned. "I was enjoying the preview." Myra smirked. "Preview?" she asked as Beryl sized him up. He chuckled, "Indeed... We'll get to the full show later." he winked pushing off from the doorframe and walking through it disappearing for a few seconds and coming through with a giant covered cage in his hands. "And here I thought this day was going to be boring." Myra and Beryl looked at each other and then at him. "What the hell is under the sheet, and who the bloody hell are you?" Beryl asked, her quicksilver eyes watching his hips as he moved, completely obvious. "Under the sheet is a pair of boots waiting to happen." The cage hissed causing him to jump cursing under his breath. "The name's Aiden and this..." He pulled the sheet off exposing an eight foot green anaconda coiled ready to strike at him. "This is Sage." Beryl frowned. "That better be a real snake and not your brother or cousin, and if it is the later, why the hell is it caged?" It struck for him hitting against the bars and he looked at them. "You’re kidding right? That thing has been trying to kill me since I hit ten and yes it’s a real snake." He glared at the hissing snake. Myra smiled at the agitated snake. "So you have a death wish? Is that why it’s still about?" she asked and then offered her hand. "I'm Myra, Defteros to the Knossos Nest, and this is Beryl Harper, my crèche mate. What nest do you belong to?" "Nest?" He smiled shaking his head as he took her hand holding it in his. "We don't play that way... the snake's my sister’s, killing it just isn't worth the weeks of whining. That and I'd rather not get that close to it." "Well yes, the distaste it has for you is quite clear," Beryl said and picked up her bag. "I have to see my Archon. I’m sure I’ll see you around, Aiden." she winked and kissed Myra on the cheek. "The regular rooms?" she asked and Myra nodded, watching Beryl saunter up the stairs towards their side of the ranch. Myra looked back at Aiden, the sinfully sexy man in front of her and then back at the irate snake in the cage. "So what’s your nest? And who is your sister that’s here? You’re not Olivia's brother are you?" she asked knowing that Olivia had two brothers about the same age as Beryl and herself. ~42~

"Ah no..." He smiled stepping closer to her wetting his lip with his tongue. "Guess again." There was a squeal from the top of the stairs quickly followed by Kira running down taking them two at a time. The snake in the cage swung his huge head around watching her as she dashed towards the cage. "Sage!" She grinned getting to her knees and opening the door. "I missed you boy." She told him as she crawled in lifting the weighty coils and wrapping them around herself. The snake gripped onto her contentedly positioning himself in what looked like a comfortable position for both of them. "Did he travel well? I thought you weren't bringing him." She asked as she crawled out the cage again. "You shouldn't cage him like that, it irritates him." "Fuck that," Aiden swore. "I don’t give a damn what irritates him, prick nearly got me this time. I had to get stitches..." "Like you haven't had worse, it'll heal brother." She answered fussing over the snake that was busily moving over her body his tongue flicking over her. Myra watched the exchange with awe. So his sister was the Archon of the Vegas nest eh? That was certainly interesting. She watched the siblings quarrel for a few minutes more before Kira told him to bring the cage with him when he went, and hauled the large Anaconda with her back the way she came, up the stairs towards the opposite side of the house as the Knossos rooms. Myra quirked an eyebrow at Aiden. "Ah so the new Archon is your sister? Then on principle, you and I are enemies." "Well that’s a shame," he smiled at her. "I've always found that the line between friend and enemy is always a little blurry. I’m sure we’d be able to find some room in there to maneuver." "Someone is a flirt." she said and looked him up and down. "Shame." "Ah now don’t be like that love... we still could have a lot of fun, you and I." he smiled taking a small step closer, "Your friend too if you like. Though I must say I've always had a little thing for the smell of oil paints and thinners. They grip to your skin and you carry the scent for days." She chuckled. He had a fantastic nose to go with his fantastic body and eyes. She found herself wondering if everything under the clothes was as fantastic. "Well I am a painter... though it’s not my hands that touch the canvas." she mused. He raised an eyebrow, "Oh no? Then what exactly does?" She looked him dead in the eye. "My scales." He let out a soft groan, "Now that I can't wait to see..." She moved closer and licked her lips, closing the gap between them. "What makes you think you ever will?" she whispered, the heat of his body radiating to hers "What makes you think I won't?" He smiled confidently. "Aid!" Kira's voice screamed down the stairs causing him to flinch into her. "Stop being such a whore and get your ass up here now, Mer wants to talk to you and you know how he gets." "You’re being summoned..." she smiled and moved back. "So it would appear," he smiled his face lighting up. "Will you be at the meeting?" "I’m Elise's Defteros, I don’t have a choice." "Then save me a seat I'll sit next to you." He winked darting forward and stealing a kiss, his hand snaked around to the small of her back pulling her against him for a second or two. He pulled away from her and headed up the stairs. Myra stood stunned, and turned watching the guy who had just taken liberties with her jog up the stairs and towards the fading sound of his sister cooing over the large snake. She shook her head a second and then walked up the stairs herself, towards her camp, and the cabal being started.

~43~

TEN Aiden was late, not that Merrick had expected him to be on time. Aiden was always late when he didn’t have a task of things to do. Today was different though today the fire starter had several things to do, the first of which was to arrive on time. Kira lay on the couch staring up at the roof. She’d been like that for a few hours and she looked to continue doing so until her brother arrived. “So tell me about this ‘plan B’.” “No.” He told her. “It doesn’t involve you.” “Well can I go home then? I do have commitments you know.” He sighed knowing exactly what she was referring to. When he’d first set his eyes on Kira and Aiden they’d been in the circus. The circus owners had known that the kids were indeed shifters. Unfortunately Kira and Aiden hadn’t yet reached puberty and so a change was impossible. Turning to drastic measures they’d thrown both kids in a cage full of snakes. Kira was luckier than Aiden in that she’d made friends with one, which quickly adopted her. When he’d rescued them both Kira brought her snake with her much to her brother’s distaste. She’d never strayed far from the thing even opting to shift with it. The most disturbing thing was the snake actually seemed to like it, like her and only her. The giant thing seemed to attack anyone else that went near it. Even Merrick himself had suffered a few bites from the vicious thing. “Kira it’s an anaconda, he’s not going to miss you. He’s not even going to know you’re gone.” “Just a snake eh? Well snake or no Sage loves me. He needs me, so keep your double standards to yourself.” “You know that’s hardly healthy… and bordering on a little bit wrong. You need…” He shook his head not having a clue how to answer that. He didn’t know what she needed other than a good therapist and a decent lay. But then which of them didn’t. She was a beautiful, talented, young woman with no hope whatsoever of finding a mate for herself. “So plan B doesn’t include me then? I’m not needed from now on?” “No.” “So I can go home?” She looked over at him hopefully. “Not a hope in hell, you can stay here till we’re all ready to go back.” She sat up looking up at him directly, “I’m not stupid enough to get taken Mer… and I can look after myself.” “I don’t doubt that. Aid said he’d bring the snake with him.” “Really? He’s not going to cage him is he?” “I think so, Aiden fears for his life around that thing.” “Mmm…Baby’s not going to be happy, I’ll go and wait for him.” She grinned bouncing off the bed and hopping out the door. She left closing the door behind her and leaving Merrick alone with his thoughts, which was not the best place for him to be. Plan B was tricky. It was something he’d been trying to avoid for a long time. It completely negated everything that he’d been doing for years especially the past few days’ work. Unfortunately he had no choice. His actions were crippling Elise and he couldn’t allow that. ~44~

It had been a mistake to go to her. He loved her and needed her more than anything. She was everything to him and seeing her in such pain killed him. Things though, were never simple, if there had been some way for him to get a message to her he would have and he’d tried. Coded messages in newspapers and the odd obituary. He’d sent her flowers once on her birthday and he’d always kept an eye on her kids. Nothing was ever simple though and now she hated him. Things were a mess, perhaps they’d always been a mess. Now plan B promised to fuck up everyone’s day. He heard Kira’s screaming and a few seconds later Aiden sauntered unhurriedly through the door. He wore his usual smile and by the scent of him he’d been conversing with Myra. “Leave Elise’s kids alone.” He all but growled, Myra was too good for Aid’s game. “What? You don’t want me to pump her for info?” He chuckled. “No… did you get everything done?” “Yep.” Aiden grinned. “Easy as pie, though that snake did take a bite out of me.” “And the information?” Mer asked checking his reflection in the mirror. “Got it right here.” He handed Merrick a bunch of manila folders each with a name on it. “Excellent. Then let’s get it over with. With any luck this should all work out well…” “And if not?” “Then I’m thinking of moving back to Rome, it’s lovely this time of year.” Aid snorted as they left the room and started to move towards the meeting room. The first rule of plan B was that he first had to declare himself for what he truly was, the male Archon of an illegal nest. With Kira dumped they then had to disprove all his hard work on making her seem to be his mate. The third thing he had to do was stay alive and this was the hardest part. The two of them entered the small room again later than the others. The same two seats had been left for them although Elise had switched spaces with Myra. Merrick sat in his space first leaving Aiden to sit after him next to Myra discreetly slipping his hand onto her leg. Mer sat quietly his face passively blank as he waited for the questions to start. The folder, his lifeline, sat heavily on his lap. Olivia was the one to take the bait. "Where is the Archon?" she demanded, looking over at Aiden with serious distaste. Merrick smiled for a second or two before answering. "If by Archon you are referring to little Kira then I sent her to her room, her presence is no longer required at this table. However if by Archon you mean leader of the Las Vegas nest then you're enquiring after me. I'm here, and this," he gestured to Aiden who winked at Olivia. "This would be my real Defteros, Aiden." Elise frowned and Olivia stood. "This is preposterous!" "In what way dear?" He asked her calmly. "Your ruse has made a mockery of this council, and the sacred position of Archon! You do know that by popular vote, we can execute you for this deception, and I don’t see there being any opposition on the matter either." Nodding his head he took a deep breath willing his speeding heart to calm down. "And yet Olivia, I'm not worried in the slightest... now who can tell me what that means?" Ramona rolled her eyes looking at him. "It means that you’re stupid and foolish." "Or that you know something we don't" Geraldine pitched in, distaste written over every feature. Marcus smirked. "It means he’s got leverage. Honestly you think he wouldn’t have a plan after outing himself. And Olivia, love, the vote wouldn’t be unanimous. I think this council needs more cock anyway." Merrick smiled at him honestly surprised, "I knew there was a reason I liked you Marcus. He's right though ladies, I do have leverage. A lot of it... fifteen years ago a few choice members of you conspired to have me killed. Unfortunately, you hired a friend of mine to do it. Of course poor Trent would be having kittens right now if he knew I was sitting right in front of you, it’s bad for his reputation." Which was true, he was going to have the talk sooner or later with Trent and hopefully it would end up with him still breathing. "But that's neither here nor there. I may have been playing ~45~

dead but that’s no reason to not keep up with the gossip. I've taken in your rogues, your unwanted and your runaways and what I haven’t found out through them I've gathered using other methods. “I know things about you that you won’t even admit to yourself. Now I can and am prepared to ruin every single one of you...except you Marcus, I like you." he smiled at the other man placing the folders onto the table before continuing. "Now shall we all agree to play nice or will things have to get ugly?" He asked sliding each Archon a folder with their name on it. Each folder contained a few choice horrors from their past and present, all things he'd been collecting for years and nothing any one of them wanted to be made public. Elise's however was clean she had a few sheets of blank paper and a worn old photograph of them both when they were younger; it was taken on the last day he had seen her. The day he'd proposed, they both looked so happy and they had been. He'd kept the photo with him at all times; it had helped him through the really bad days. They each picked up the folders, candidly looking through the material. A few of them frowned. Olivia looked at him with menace, her gaze shooting daggers. Her husband gingerly took the file away from her and she scowled, clearly pissed she had been cowed. Marcus looked at his file and laughed, looking over at Merrick. "Shit, you know about that?" he mused and chuckled again sighing in a goodnatured way. Ramona was seething behind her file and Geraldine just set the file down, seeming to not care about it and Elise went from a frown to a gasp, her eyes softening momentarily, and then going hard once more. Olivia then cleared her throat. "Merrick, you cannot be an Archon. Now that your little puppet has been ousted, the fact remains that you’re still betrothed to an Archon with land. Because of this, you have to either renounce her or your bid for Archon. I’m sure it will be the former as you haven’t had the decency to even contact your proposed mate." she shot a self satisfied look over at Elise who sat evenly, breathing as if she were watching a tennis match. "What makes you so sure there is even a choice to begin with? Between a title, and my mate there is no choice, there never was. I will always choose Elise. Things haven’t been safe for us though and her safety comes first for me. As for the fact that I am an Archon, you can't take that away from me Olivia, I don’t need your permission nor do I want it... my people look to me to lead them and they always will, whether you say they should or not. Besides sweetheart," He said chidingly knowing it would grate on her. "I haven't asked you for land. In fact, I have no interest in land and nether do my people. I have a small house and some changing properties, and we don’t need any more. They were all originally rogue. I think you'll find that they already live among you all without causing any of you distress." Elise looked at him but said nothing. Olivia scowled once again and then smiled. "Indeed we haven’t had any problems with rogues in our territory. But you will not sit on this council, of that I can be very certain. And if she will have you, you cannot call yourself Archon. That is Ophidian law." He nodded once. "And how does everyone else feel about Olivia's ruling? Although Olivia, I must point out to you that if my mate will have me I will sit exactly there," he pointed to Myra's seat. "Which would suit me just fine, of course, you might not be around to see it." He smiled politely at her. Marcus laughed. "You know what I say, we need more male input and ladies, no offense to your mates but you are all a bunch of pussy whipped bastards. Of course, this all depends on if Elise will have you after this debacle, and I gotta be honest Merrick, if it was me, this little lady right here would make me suffer." he squeezed his wife’s leg and she leaned in and kissed him, not saying a word. Geraldine only nodded. "Regardless what we think, it really has nothing to do with any of us what happens. You are right Merrick, you are dominant regardless, and that alone will garner you respect. You have helped more of our people than any of us and I for one am thankful for that, thankful that younger generations are able to have a chance outside the nest environment." She nodded to him. "Whatever you decide to do, you have the support of the south, and please know, the contract that my predecessor, Carlin, had on you, was lifted the second I took the Archon position." He nodded not letting his relief show on his face, "I do and thank you. I have a lot of respect for you Geraldine, I apologize for the folder." ~46~

Ramona tapped her fingernails on her own folder. "This will not be made public." she demanded. Merrick shrugged knowing exactly what it was she didn't want everyone to know. "That's up to you. We'll all just do what we have to and hope it works out." She glared at him promising a slow and painful death, "I suppose we will." Marcus smiled. "Well this solves nothing, but I think we should worry about the task at hand." Olivia shook her head. "Just a second, regardless of Merrick’s position, Elise has proven that she is not fit to be an Archon, and that’s something we can’t ignore." "Unfit? In what way?" Olivia smirked. "She was left alone, unmated, and without an heir. We all overlooked it because of the issues surrounding your 'death'," she said in air quotes, "regardless of the circumstances around said death, we left her alone in her grief and safe in the knowledge that she wouldn’t have a successor, and that once she was too old, she would have to have her territory split up. Now, well you’re back and who is to say that you and her didn’t plan all this." He frowned, "And yet you just claimed that she was in fact an Archon, did you not? That I could not be mated to her and be an Archon myself? You cannot have it both ways Olivia, you’re splitting hairs now. To even suggest that the two of us planned on you having me assassinated is ridiculous along with you brazenly admitting that your plans are not only predictable but also easily manipulated. Now tell me, who here is an unfit Archon?" Marcus stood and clapped. "Well done Merrick, though I must say we will deal with this at a later date. It’s not well done that Olivia is even pursuing this in this time of crisis. Now if no one has any further issues, I say we get down to business." Ramona nodded stiffly, "I agree, on to much more important matters. What information has everyone gathered?" Elise looked over at Marcus, who nodded and then stood. "We found a name. Cristof Ansley." Aiden shook his head, his hand, Merrick noticed, had now moved to Myra’s thigh. "I don’t recognize it, he's not on our list." "No reason why he would be, unless you have been keeping track of the serpentine cults that have been springing up in this country for the past few years." Aiden bristled next to him about to say something but Merrick cut in, "No it's not something we've been looking at. Please, tell us about him." Elise stood and began pacing. "Ansley is a French aristocrat, and he’s been linked to the Fusion Murders, those ritualistic deaths in France a while back? The ones they say are linked to the black arts? Well guess what? A bunch of the rare lore books are being bought up by an anonymous source, including the Astikian Serpents text and, I found out mere moments ago, the invocational text of Delphyne. I think this is more then mere coincidence." "Obviously," He sighed not liking where this was headed. "I don't suppose it would be simple enough to have this guy’s address? So what is he in relation to the cults?" "Word has it he’s the high priest, or more over, he’s called himself the Ophra, some bastardized version of our name. There’re reports that they worship Delphyne, and are looking to resurrect her. My personal source says that Delphyne is very real, and not someone we need on this plane. So the lamial serpentine cult is real, because Delphyne was in fact, a Lamia. I think that’s what the girls are being used for, possible vessels." "Vessels? For a god?" Ramona sneered. "No such thing exists. Just as the Lamia don’t exist.” "Actually, Delphyne does exist, and is probably growing in power because of the worship. I understand that a Serpentine cult involves a high master and all male disciples, no females unless they are used as vessels. My source, a very knowledgeable witch, assures me this is a very real threat." "So what do we do?" Merrick asked her, this was completely out of his comfort range. "We have to find the girls, and quickly. My source is sending me an original copy of two of her texts, and Beryl is probably in the control room right now deciphering some of it. The witch told me that there are certain things that the sect needs for the resurrection, and some of it is location. Myra ~47~

was smart enough to figure out the cult’s last known residence, and it was close to here, near the great serpent mound. Which means we are closer than we think." She sighed and looked at all of them. "We are fucked if they manage to get any of those girls to shift." "It's been a while since some of them were taken. If they haven’t changed then they’re either dead or it’s stress, the latter is entirely plausible." "True, which is why we are now on a tight time frame I think. The only thing that gives me a slash of hope is something the witch told me. They don’t consider women part of the sect, but they keep them, and don’t kill them if they can help it, because they need sons." "Sons..." He sighed praying his girls were alright, some of them were tough but there were a few of them that had already had traumatizing lives, some of them just wouldn’t be able to cope. "Then we'll find them." "Exactly. Now what’s the goddamn plan? I got the intel, but I think we need a bit more." "We need to find the specifics of the location." Aiden sighed, "Once we get that then we can look at the key factors in comparison to the abduction patterns." "We have the abduction pattern, that’s more than a start." Olivia sighed. "We will need an extraction team right? How many girls in total are we missing?" "Around thirty maybe forty... depending." Mer said. "Then I offer my boys for the extraction team. They have dealt with this kinda thing before. " Marcus nodded. "Mine as well. Between the two of us we should have about twenty seasoned soldiers. That might help." "I agree although there are a few people that I want to tag along with you, myself included." Merrick said with utter finality. Elise looked at him and then looked down, her mouth open to talk but didn’t. Geraldine nodded. "I have a few intel people that might help out, but I’m more inclined to run the homecoming, in case medical is needed. Also, we will need to have the grounds here stocked with game. If they are alive they will need a change and a hunt before the healing can begin." "Fair enough, so it’s agreed then. First we need to find the right locations to search." "Then we should get to it don’t you think?" Elise asked and looked about. "I have a few calls to make, and Myra, I believe Beryl will need you in the library." Aiden grinned standing and turning to Myra, "I'll go with you, see what I can gather." Elise watched them and nodded to Myra, a small smile on her face. Olivia stood. "I need to call my people and have them ready for an extraction. Once we find the location, I will have them there in under an hour." she turned and left without another word to them, her husband on her heels. Ramona and Geraldine left soon after, followed by Elise who didn’t bother to look at anyone on her way out without her file in hand. Marcus spoke softly to his wife, who left thereafter, leaving him and Merrick alone in the room. "You have a long road ahead of you man." He nodded gravely, "Tell me about it. At least I'm on the right one though." "If she accepts you. I don’t envy you friend." "Me nether... all I can do is try and hope it works out for the best." "All too true. Notice Ramona didn’t offer anything. You think she got hold of Hannah? "I doubt it, but knowing what I do about that woman I don’t think she cares much. She'd have wiped them out herself if she could have... not that I'm ruling that out. She's one to watch, thankfully she's not that clever." "Agreed. Either way, I’m glad you aren’t dead man, and I’m glad she’s got a chance at what you denied her." He tipped an imaginary hat at Merrick, and walked out. Merrick smiled, Marcus had risen a lot higher than Merrick's expectations of him. He was a good guy or at the least an ally for the time being. The trick now was to find the girls and win Elise back. He couldn’t force her to love him but he had the feeling he wouldn't have to. He'd need to speak with her again and hope that, now the major disaster was averted she'd think about forgiving him. He'd do ~48~

anything for that forgiveness, hell for even a glimmer of hope he'd crawl over hot coals. He would just have to wait until she was alone and with Aiden keeping the girls occupied he wouldn't get a much better chance.

~49~

ELEVEN Homer couldn’t believe his good fortune. Here he was, hoping for the right kind of girl to help him with his plan, and one just fell in his lap. Evelyn Rose, whether she needed to be there or not, was that kind of woman. Where as he was sure that she was just someone that that sick fuck Cristof wanted to fill his so called harem, he didn’t think she had anything to do with their Lamia project. A woman like that, one so damn high profile, couldn’t possibly be right for it, and that was the trick. With her background, she would be their only shot. And it didn’t help that he had a crush on her. When he had heard they had brought her in, he had called in his marker to be her counterpart, knowing it would be the only shot, but it didn’t stop him from being attracted to her. Cristof had readily accepted, citing he was going to suggest it himself. Evelyn was top notch and devastatingly perfect, and there was no way in hell she was going to be seduced and used. Not like the other girls had. There was no way for him to help them, aside from making sure no more harm came to their minds or their person and figuring out a way to save them all. He was but one man, and he needed an army or a special team to extract thirty girls and keep the body count minimal. So Evelyn was their last hope. He had left her the night before, with a shower, and a soft bed and clothes, hoping that she believed him. He didn’t blame her for thinking it was all a mind fuck, but he would prove it to her that he meant what he had said, every word of it. Now looking in the mirror in his own bathroom, staring at his freshly shaven face he frowned. Women like Evelyn didn’t want anything to do with the kind of guy he was, even if they were the ones that were helping them through a crisis. Not that he was doing it to gain that gratitude, cuz Homer Maxwell was not the kind of guy to engage in any pity fuck. Women like Evelyn Rose needed to be taken care of, adored, and loved. Well he could do that he was sure, but after this ordeal lord knew what she would think of him. The fact that he had to play her lover today killed him even more. He would be close to that perfection once again, but it would all be a game. Suppose I shouldn’t bitch though, when would I get the chance to ever be that close to her in real life? A woman like that didn’t want a grunt, no matter how much of a heart of gold they may or may not have. It didn’t matter really. Homer had a job to do, and people to protect, and that came first. Duty, honor, professionalism. They were all the ideals he would be upholding in this pursuit, and he could deal with his burgeoning desires at a later date. She did, however, say she would take him up on the date, and as innocent as the flirt was, it did give him hope. He wiped his hand over his face once and then sighed, turned towards his room and quickly got changed. He looked down at the bed that was still unmade and his training grated at him. He had had a very restless night. Usually, before a mission he would be up, finding that he ran on pure adrenaline much better than a full night’s sleep, going over the plan in his head. This time, he was awake, but it was because of visions of Evelyn Rose scantily clad in little or nothing, in a myriad of positions that kept sleep from claiming him. That woman was sin incarnate and nothing could change that. He huffed, making the bed in record time and then sat on it, slipping his socked feet into his boots and ~50~

lacing them up. His green t-shirt fell over his torso almost tightly, and he hoped it would garner notice from his charge, along with the dog tags around his neck, and the fatigues, the same outfit he would be giving her later on that night for her escape. Finished lacing up his boots he stood, ready to start his ruse. He would go to her, bring her some breakfast, and they would spend the day together. He was both dreading it and looking forward to it. Everything about this woman screamed for him to take her, to keep her safe, but taking advantage of her wasn’t the way to do it. He had no idea where the hell the compulsion was coming from but he was in enough control of his body and his emotions that he didn’t have to worry overly much about acting on them, but it was going to be a slight struggle. After all this, if she was willing, he would set out to court her in the proper fashion, but until then, it wasn’t even an option. He knew that they would be watching them, and that meant playing it to the bone, touches, and kisses and stolen glances. Luckily, Cristof wasn’t that much of a letch and didn’t position cameras in the project rooms. Homer figured it was either cuz he didn’t want to see some other guy’s naked ass, or that he was that confident of his men that he didn’t need it. Either way, it worked out in his favor, and for that he was grateful. When he was found later they wouldn’t question the girl overpowering him, after all they believed her to be a damn snake shifter, and his cover wouldn’t be blown. Or so he hoped. He had been playing it right since they started so there was no reason to suspect him, and he had made enough noise about having Evelyn that everyone just assumed that he was smitten, and therefore would do the job. After all, all they had to do was seduce and fuck, it wasn’t a bad racket. He stood, gathering his pack and smiled. If nothing else, he would get to feel those perfect lips on his for just a second, and that would be tortuous heaven. Granted he was a letch for even thinking it, but a guy did have to have something to look forward to. He turned towards his door and walked out into the corridor, making a left and down a flight of stairs to where he knew Evelyn would be waiting for him, hoping to god she really did have the right stuff to save everyone, including him.

~51~

TWELVE Aiden followed the sexy snake into the library. He had to admit to himself, if no one else, that her scent was alluring as hell. Deep down somewhere he knew it was the taint of chemicals. Aiden was nothing if not a sucker for highly flammable accelerants. He was sick and he could accept that, he’d had to. Things had not been easy for him, a were-snake with an actual fear of snakes. It was a little too ironic even for him, but he managed along with Mer’s help and guidance. They’d decided that a little bit sick was better, an improvement from reckless pyromaniac. Myra was a feisty little thing though and definitely up for something at least and that was all he was looking for. A little fun before jumping into the fray was just what he needed. He didn’t think it would take him long to get them both together. He could tell that kind of woman a mile away, and they were that kind of women. They were both up for it and they knew it. Myra had sat through the whole meeting letting him travel his hand up and down her thigh tracing light patterns all over her. He knew she was aroused. Maybe no one else had picked up on it but his nose couldn’t be fooled. The way she tried to move, adjusting her seating to try and get comfortable, he knew that dance and on her it was sexy as hell. He couldn’t wait to watch her with the other one. Her scent mingled with the others as she opened the library door. He smirked to himself as he followed her further in towards the computers, “You know ladies, I know what’s on your mind.” He told them starting to unbutton his shirt. “We should just get this over with now and then you can set your minds back to finding those missing girls.” Myra turned to him, a smirk on her face. Beryl was engrossed in the computer screen in front of her oblivious to both Myra and Aiden's entrance. Myra looked at her then back at Aiden. "Good luck getting Beryl to do anything while she has a job to do." He finished his buttons letting the shirt hang loose around him. "Ah well I don’t need her full attention." Myra laughed. "So sure of yourself. Beryl won’t be in any way available for the next few hours, not till she hits a breakthrough. But I’m free... or as free as I can be with battle plans to go over and intel." "There's nothing to stop us talking shop while we're at it... I'm a fan of multi tasking." He stepped in close to her smiling. "That and there’s something about a woman who knows what she’s talking about." Myra put her hands on her hips and then cocked her head. "Trust me, if we are at it, as you say, you won’t be able to do anything else." she said smugly. "Now that's what I'm talking about." He stepped in closer to her feeling the heat radiate from her. She placed her hand on his chest and pushed slightly, smiling. "I’m not that easy Aiden. That stolen kiss this morning, the little tag and touch at the meeting was invigorating, but I’m not the kinda girl to just jump in the sack with a strange snake, no matter how good he smells." He chuckled at her, she was a little tease but she liked his scent and that was a start, he'd dealt with teases and flirts before. "Who said anything about a sack? There’s a nice sturdy desk right there." He nodded to the desk behind her keeping himself still. She'd kept her hand on his bare chest her smooth fingers resting against him. ~52~

"An anywhere kinda guy. You’re the guy my mother would have warned me about if she had lived aren’t you?" "I've known a few mothers in my life and not one of them had any complaints." "Something tells me you ain’t fibbing. Still, you’re a problem waiting to happen... a ticking time bomb." "Which is why I think we should get it all out in the open now, that way we can concentrate on the other things later... unless you’re one to get off on delaying the moment." He grinned at her taking a step forward her hand sliding upwards on him. He dropped his voice a few octaves knowing that it would leave her quaking, "That I can do too... though I can't promise my full attention to the cause while I'm thinking just how good you’d look writhing on top of me. Those full breasts of yours bouncing deliciously for me." She gasped, heat flaming her cheeks as she licked her lips. "You do paint a pretty picture..." she whispered. "And here I thought that was your job." "It is..." "Well go on then..." His tongue darted out wetting his lips; he smiled as her eyes followed it staying on his lips. "Paint one." Myra smirked. "I’m missing three key elements to do the kinda work I do." she mused, running a finger down his chest, circling his nipple. He groaned softly arching his chest to her. "I suppose you are then again you use your body, I'm sure we could find some other medium for you to use. Chocolate perhaps... I do have a sweet tooth." "It would require a shift, and some sort of canvas...and a much more inviting area to do so." she moved her mouth closer to him and inhaled. "You smell like an artist yourself." "I am... in my own kind of way." He kept his body still letting her scent him, this dance was all part of the fun. "And I could be your canvas... but you’d have to use those luscious curves of yours." "My coils are much more artistic... tell me Aiden... what is it you do? You smell like polymer clay... I love the scent of clay." He smiled, "I'm in demolition. I blow things up... and I'm sure your body and tongue could be far more artistic." "Ummm. C4? I do love plasticine. As for my body and my tongue," she giggled. "I have a different kind of talent with those, and it has nothing to do with my art. What makes you so sure you deserve a private showing?" her hands skimmed down his abs, trailing in the grooves and settling on the hem of his jeans, her fingertips moving back and forth. "Go a little lower and you'll find out." She smirked. "Someone is full of himself." He shrugged "I've been called worse, but it’s not as full as you'll be if you let me." Myra leaned in and grabbed his lobe with her lips nibbling. "What kind of snake are you Aiden..." His knees buckled but he held them at the last moment. If he hadn't been hard already her hot breath in his ear would have done it. "I'm a Reti... a python that is, reticulated." She giggled. "The magic words... Ummm well show me what you got demolition man... we don’t have much time..." Well that was fast, damn he was good. "Oh yeah... who says I'm that easy?" He laughed stepping into her. She bit his lobe again and sucked it hard. "I said show me, I didn’t say do me...Tell me," she nibbled again. "What would it take for you to shift and wrap around me? Could you play that game? Seeing a shift is..." she rolled her hips into his. "A hard fuck and a shift is always the best way to end the night." He shuddered unable to control the response, snakes no matter how hot they were in human form, shifting with someone just wasn’t something he wanted to do. Her body however was promising ~53~

things that he wanted and he wanted bad. He took a step back distancing himself. "Makes more sense to have that hard fuck first. Don’t you think?" "Very true... but I like a good coil afterwards..." she moved into him and then past him taking an exaggerated gait towards the anteroom, which was plush with the scent of old velvet and leather. He followed her though hovering in the doorway. Sure he wanted to go in promising a coil then bail, and it wouldn’t have been the worst post coital thing he'd ever done but he didn't wanna piss this one off, not if he had to work with her. "And if you don’t get one?" She shrugged. "It’s not often I do. I stick to humans most of the time." "Well that’s a relief. I'd hate to spoil something beautiful over a few scales." "Actually it’s a shame. I don’t stick with humans out of preference; it’s out of lack of options." "There just aren't that many good snakes out there eh?" "More like I don’t meet any truly interesting ones that I would want to have a tumble with. Not to mention the ones I know are related to me, at least most are in the east." "Maybe, but then I'll tell you, as far as potential mates go, you're fucked. I've met all there is and they aren’t impressive." "I’m not looking for a mate Aiden..." "True but that’s how it always starts isn’t it?" He smiled at her feeling his body drawn hard to hers. He needed to take her, be inside her, make her his. She smiled. "If you say so, though I don’t think it’s ever been a problem for me or you for that matter. If it was, we wouldn’t be having this conversation." she moved back to a large velvet couch and unbuttoned her shirt slowly, finishing and then unbuttoning the top of her pants as well before sitting back and propping her leg up. "You don’t need a mate to enjoy a coil, to enjoy the heat and body of another." "I'm with you on the heat part, not so much on the coils... you really have a snake thing don’t you?" Her eyes clustered heat and she bit her bottom lip. "I’m a snake Aiden, my work centers around it, my life centers around it, fuck my sex life centers around it." "In what way?" He raised an eyebrow. She moved forward, putting her leg down and rested her elbows on her thighs. "Snakes are fluid in movement..." "I've noticed..." his eyes watched her but his body stalled, there was nothing surer to kill his sex drive than snake talk. "Well so am I…" she moved her shirt aside, the swell of her breast exposed. "I’m very limber." "Mmm... I bet you are." The view of her breast was all he needed. He took the space between them in two steps falling to his knees in front of her. "Though we don’t have time to fully explore that." "No we don’t." she smiled and looked down at him. "I rather like you on your knees." "You do? I'll say it’s not a position I'm often in." "Well you are now. I should probably take advantage." "That's another thing that doesn’t often happen, but you’re more than welcome to try." She grabbed him and pulled him to her, moving closer to his mouth and licked a slow line across his bottom lip. His hand came up of its own accord grabbing the back of her neck and pulling her into a deep kiss. Her soft lips felt right against him as he was once again surrounded by her scent. She moaned and slipped down off the couch, her thighs settling on either side of his own, her hands pulling his shirt off, undoing the button of his pants. His cock sang with delight at the prospect of being free and allowed out to play with this delightful little creature now on his lap. The action though wasn’t fast enough, they both needed to be naked and it needed to be now. He took the side of her top pulling it down her arms, her own hands relenting on her work of his pants to allow it. Grabbing her ass he pulled her into another kiss, his tongue slipping into her mouth searching her. ~54~

She shuddered with his hands on bare skin and broke the kiss, her mouth going to his throat as her hands ripped at his button fly, slipping inside the denim. She moaned and wrapped her fingers around him, squeezing. He broke off with a gasp, "Fuck..." "That’s the general idea..." she grinned and kissed him again. "Get these pants off or you will be walking back to your room without them..." "You going to boss me around this whole time?" He grinned at her working off his jeans. There was no way in hell he was letting her rip them off him no matter how sexy she was. "Someone has to be assertive..." she smirked and shimmied out of her pants, getting them to her knees before kissing him again. "Assertive? I like that..." He kissed her, his hands smoothing over her body and dipping in between her thighs. She moaned and lay back, arching into his touch. "Ummm I like you so far..." she shifted herself, moving her legs from under her to wrap them around his waist. "Anyone ever tell you critiquing as we go along isn't sexy?" He slipped a finger deep up into her heat. She gasped and threw her head back, clawing at him. "Sweet bliss!" she hissed, her eyes closed and her lips parted. "So still liking..." his thumb brushed by her swollen clit circling it gently. She panted, her eyes still closed, her arms thrown back on the plush carpet. "Tease..." she whimpered. "Not today." He lifted her removing himself from her and lifting her onto him, he teased her open, holding her for a heartbeat or two before easing her down and burrowing deep inside of her sweet heat. She groaned and gasped, wrapping her legs around his waist tighter. "Oh Christ!" she sobbed, arching again. "Mmm... Now that feels much better." tightening his grip on her hips he began to work her body, drawing her sweetly along his hard length. "Fucking shit.... Aiden… Gods baby harder. I won’t break..." "Oh I know that... shifters are very tough." He groaned, "I'm just enjoying the moment." She chuckled and arched at a monumental angle and squeezed him with her thighs. "You feel so good... so fucking good...." "Shit!" He bit his tongue, flexible wasn't even the word for what her body was doing for him. Myra was wild, docile but assertive, taking what he was giving her, on his knees, his hands on her waist working her to oblivion. She purred and opened her eyes, and her gaze was that of her other self, a rainbow boa, black and amber. "Aiden... gods I’m so close..." He was too far-gone for his snake fears to take hold and something shifted inside him, his own eyes changing to the bright orange of his snake form to match hers. He flipped her over, Myra on her knees as he pounded possessively into her. She screamed and shuddered, her arms giving out. "Aiden!" she shook from the force of her orgasm, turning her head, her eyes on him as her hands gripped his thighs, her fingers digging in. "Fuck yes!" If there was one thing that drove him wild it was a scratcher. Her nails bit into his skin causing a sensation when mixed with their mingled scents left him no choice but to come and come hard. Clenching his teeth tightly, to keep his body from making a mistake that they both couldn't deal with, he came with her as her body clamped unearthly tight around him. He pumped deep into her a few last times as their bodies writhed of their own accords before falling still on top of her breathing heavily. Myra giggled and sighed. "Gods you’re amazing. You could have bit me you know." she said quietly. "Once wasn’t going to matter." ~55~

His jaw ached as he fought the insisting nag to go ahead anyway and bite her. Winning the battle he rolled off her physically distancing himself from her for the second time today. "Thought it was best not to." he squeezed his jaw with his hand. "Just in case." "Too bad, I like being bitten. So no biting, and apparently no coil. Poo for me." she grinned and then turned on her side. "What room is yours?" "You let others bite you?" He asked not sure where the sting of annoyance came from, why should he give a damn. He shook the thought off. "You know I'm not so sure where my room is... haven't asked yet. I'm sure someone will let me know." "Humans, yes, I have let them bite me, I like a little danger in my bed play. I haven’t let another snake though." she sat up and grabbed her shirt, smirking. "So are we done?" "I believe so... for now anyway." He stood pulling on his jeans. "Although we do still have work to do. It's good to have the air clear though don’t you think?" Myra stood and stalked towards him and grabbed him, kissing him hard. "It is, but I’m not done with you baby." She smiled and bent picking up the rest of her clothes and then shook her hair out. "I feel much better." she winked. "I told you, you would." He did love to be right especially around a beautiful woman and especially when it involved a good fuck. "Now why don’t you run along and see what that hot lady friend of yours has come up with. I'm going for a hot shower." "A shower sounds good. I’ll meet you back here then." "Fair enough." He walked by her with a wink before heading up the stairs to search out Kira and find out just where in god’s name his room was. If he was sharing with that snake there was going to be trouble.

~56~

THIRTEEN Evelyn was indeed the woman for the job. Throughout the day the woman used her acting talents to hide that she was indeed ever vigilant. She noticed everything, asked the right questions and even gave him a suggestion or two, and she played the grateful captive well, even though there were no eyes visible to watch them. They had eaten lunch, and she had eaten well, his words about saving her strength sinking in. She was exactly what he was looking for in an accomplice and he thanked the gods above that he had chosen correctly with her. And now, now it was time for the main event. They had played it up, touching, hugging, or rather, Evelyn grappling to him. He kissed her cheek and neck as they walked the grounds, which was the perfect way to disguise when he was giving her the plan of her escape. Now though, now they were supposed to do the deed, and the way it looked to outside eyes he was due. Evelyn was going to play one of the best performances of her life tonight, and it saddened him. The probable only time he would be that close to her fantastic body and lips and it was all a game, a lie. He didn’t want her to come to him in such a manner, what he wanted was Evelyn Rose in all her magnificent splendor. Not even in a perfect world would that happen, the woman was truly way out of his league. He sighed and turned the corner with a tray in his hands, laden with two plates with some tasty fare, some chocolate cake and a bottle of red wine. Cristof always had them take wine, citing it was only right to have them think it was a romantic encounter. He knocked on the door to her room quietly, hoping that she was all ready. She opened it in the tank top and shorts and smiled at him, a blush coloring her cheeks. "House red?" She asked moving back from the door to let him in. "Probably," he grinned and walked in, setting the tray on the sideboard and lifting her into his arms as the door closed. He hugged her close. "You ready?" he asked quietly. Her body was tense in his arms. "As I'll ever be..." "Then let’s eat and relax, go over the plan once more. Then we can get down to it." She leaned into him showing no signs of stepping away. "I think I can do that..." He felt her taking a deep breath before stepping away. "Although I don’t know how much I'll be able to eat, I'm feeling a little nauseous." "It’s the nerves. I brought you some vegetables, and some baked chicken." "Thank you." She sat down looking up at him with a little smile. "I've been saying that a lot to you recently." "And for the last time, you don’t owe me shit." he sighed and looked at her, fighting the urge to scoop her up again and kiss her soundly. "If this works out I'll owe you my life... which is a lot more than nothing to me." She looked down at the floor wringing her hands. "When I escape what will happen to you?" Her eyes looked up to meet his. ~57~

"That’s part of the plan. You’re going to have to knock me out for it to be believable. So we are going to have to finish that bottle of wine." He smiled a small smile and then started again. "Once you’re gone I’ll be interrogated, and taken in front of Cristof. And I’ll tell the truth that you overpowered me and you were extremely strong. They will order the lockdown, and I’ll go back to my post. You’ll have forty eight hours from the second they call the lock down, which should be a little after three in the morning." He looked at her. "You’re worried, but Evie, I’ll be fine." She frowned, his reassurances doing nothing to ease her concern. "I've never knocked somebody out before, what if I hurt you? Can't it do some sort of real damage?" "I’m resilient, trust me. And it’s not hard. Just pretend I’m Jax and whack me one good. I swear I won’t hold it against you." "Ok." She sighed, "I suppose we should have that wine then." "Indeed. And just so we are clear I’m really not trying to ply you with alcohol, but you do need to be a little more relaxed. If you’re high strung you will make too many mistakes and this plan is damn simple." He grabbed the wine and opened it, letting it breathe a minute, then pouring two glasses. Smiling she took the glass from him. "I know when to stop drinking, I've been plied with drink before..." she took a sip savoring the wine with a little moan. "Mmm its good stuff too." "Cristof isn’t stingy with his alcohol that’s for sure, though to be honest I wouldn’t know the difference between crap and the good stuff so I’ll take your word for it." He picked up the plates and went and sat on the bed. "Come. Relax for a while. We still have a few hours." She sat next to him tucking her feet up under her and propping herself against the wall. "That’s easy for you to say, you're not going to be running for your life in those two hours. Plus the real world's still moving out there, I missed work... my agent's going to kill me." She laughed, the hand holding the wine shaking. "What the hell am I going to tell them?" "You got in an accident? Circus folk kidnapped you for a run as their tightrope walker? You were whisked off your feet by a dashing and sexy military man?" he wagged his eyebrows. "I like the latter, it fits nicely. What’s your position?" He arched an eyebrow. "Major, or was once upon a time." "What happened?" She took a drink of wine. "You don’t have to tell me, I don’t mean to be nosy... you’re just, well, better than all this." "I am better then all this. I was discharged after eight years in. In my outfit, there’s only so much a man can handle before he goes a little nutty." "Ah..." She sighed quietly looking down at her lap. "Where will they put you? After this... where’s your post? So I can let the cavalry know to look out for you." "Back down in the pen, though I’ll be with that fuck Jax again I’m sure. Evie, you know that you only have like a twenty minute window to get to the jeep before things get out of control, right?" "You said... I'm a fast runner and I'm stealing your gun." She fidgeted. "That’s my girl." He smiled and then blushed slightly. God why did saying that feel so right? He really was a sick man, falling for a girl in such a situation. Reversed Stockholm syndrome wasn’t something he was even considering. "I have faith in you Evie." he picked up his plate, laden with a rare steak and baked potato, and cut into his steak. She picked up a string bean nibbling on the end. "As long as one of us does I think we might get through this. Don’t suppose you could come with me eh? I'd feel safer... I do around you." Her cheeks flushed. "It's probably because you're so big." He blushed and quickly looked down chuckling. "Insert dirty come-on here," he said softly. "And trust me, I would much rather be with you than still here, but we both got a job to do." "Right." She smiled sadly, "You've got snake ladies to look after... you should watch yourself around them. People can do some crazy things when they’re cornered." There was genuine concern in her voice. "Don’t want you getting bitten or anything." She managed a weak smile. He shook his head. "I might not believe in all this hooey, but I’m not stupid enough to get cocky. Trust me Evie, I’m a survivor." ~58~

"Something we have in common," she sighed sadly. "One day, I’m going to ask you to elaborate on that statement." He popped a piece of steak into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. She shrugged, "Life's tough." "Amen to that," he sighed and looked at the clock. They had less then two hours before the plan was to go into effect and as he looked at her, her anxiety clear on her face, all he wanted was to comfort her. "You know you smell pretty good for an... Army guy." She quickly took another drink of wine. He leaned into her and breathed in her scent, not that he had to, her scent was all around him. "You do too, like mornings in the desert," he said quietly. "Nothing can cover up that wild scent." "That’s not something people normally pick up on." She smiled resting her head on his shoulder breathing him in. "I guess we're a little bit alike." "It’s unmistakable for someone who grew up in the southwest, that warm about to be sun baked scent lingers on those that spend time there." He smiled. "You going to be ok? I mean, you look so tightly strung, I don’t want you to have a heart attack or nothing." "There's not really anything we can do for that except wait for the wine to work its magic. Talking helps..." "I’m glad. I like talking to you. You’re not an airhead." "Not what you expected?" "You far exceed any expectations of you I think Evelyn, on every playing field." "Every? I doubt that, I may have showered but I'm still a mess. You should see me when I'm not a captive." She scooted over closer to him. "I have. Remember the infamous poster? Personally I think you look much better like this. You don’t need all that makeup." He blushed again, kicking himself for being such a Nancy when it came to her. The woman just flat out did it for him and there was nothing he could do about it. He was getting used to putting his foot in his mouth where she was concerned, though thankfully she wasn’t calling him on any of it. "I like the makeup." She smiled up at him, "It's my mask. It’s hard to be confident and assertive when you’re naked in a room full of photographers and god knows whom else. The makeup allows me to hide behind something, become someone else. Makes it easier to do the things I do." "I’m sure you’re right, but you fresh faced, it’s infinitely more sexy." "I'll remember that.” She looked up at him fluttering her lashes. “You are going to call me aren’t you? Once this is all over?" Homer’s heart palpitated and his stomach bottomed out. The fact that she wanted him to call her warmed him and gave him hope. "Damn right I will. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. You know, this is probably the best date I have ever been on, and the only date I have had for a couple years. Shame it’s happening like this," he sighed. "Today was fun though." She smiled wryly at him. "We'll do it again although without the kidnapping and having to run for my life part. I could do without that." "Yeah it’s a real mood killer." He smirked. "Tell me about it, I haven’t been laid in like..." She blushed snapping her mouth shut. "I'm sorry. I have no idea where that came from. All I meant was that I don’t get to talk to men that often and the ones that do talk to me are well... not my type. Now here I am in this... hell, with you and the one thing I really can't do seems to be all I..." She shook her head finishing her wine. "I'm going to shut up now, I'm babbling... you can tell me to shut up you know." "No, it’s fascinating. Please go on." He looked at her with a cheeky grin and then took a sip of his wine. "OK so how about this. Don’t ever be anything but truthful with me ok? And I’ll do the same." "Honesty? I like that... but honesty’s a real bitch sometimes, especially if you've been hiding most of your life. The real me and the stage me are two completely different people. Most people feel more ~59~

comfortable with the lie. It's safer. I like you Homer." She sighed sadly. "Why would I want to chase you away with the truth?" "We all have secrets Evie, and I’m no saint, but I like you too, probably more then I should. So let’s refine it. You give me one truth, and I’ll give you one." "A truth? Just one? Ok... a big one then. I guess," she looked up at him meeting his eyes. "I guess that I deserve to be here, you see I... well I'm a...." she looked away her eyes filling up. She sighed deeply her shoulder sagging. "I cheat on my taxes, I'm a bad person. Yup, that’s me. I'm a horrible human being." "Shame, shame, though you might deserve federal prison no one deserves this." "Yeah I guess." "Trust me love, no one deserves this." He took another sip of his wine and smiled. "So you say... but what if those girls really did change into snakes? They'd be little more than animals shouldn’t they live in cages?" "Hell no. If that were true, and they did turn, they shouldn’t ever be caged. They are still humans after all, just because they lived their lives as part of something else doesn’t change that." He looked at her seriously. "They would just be another minority in the country, nothing more and nothing less." "You sound well informed..." "I have been studying humanities and sociology, so I’m getting informed." He winked at her. "So what's your truth?" This was going to be a doozy. He was either going to get slapped or..."I have always had a major crush on you, and I’m fighting every instinct I have to grab you and kiss you till you’re breathless." He watched her, waiting for the slap. She watched him for a few seconds. "You know if I could do mine over I'd say that I've been dying to find out what that hard body of yours feels like pressed against mine since you were rubbing my calves... maybe a little before." She smiled shyly. He groaned and shook his head. "Christ Evie." he said and pulled her the scant inches between them to him, lowering his head and pressing his lips to hers for real, and his body almost sang. She fit perfectly against him, her lips felt like satin under his. He moaned into her mouth as she opened for him, teasing his lips with the tip of her tongue. It was explosive, and when he finally pulled away he grinned at her and shook his head. "Goddamn woman." "Perfect," She whispered with a bewildered smile. "Truly perfect." He kissed her again softly and sighed. "I think it’s about time we put the plan into action...The quicker you leave me, the quicker I can see you again. And if I don’t get you off my lap you’re never leaving my arms." He smiled. "Get dressed." She nodded quietly moving to kiss him once more before thinking better of it and standing off him. "If I go to the police there's going to be a lot of questions." She lifted the clothes he’d given her pulling the pants on over her shorts. "You should come with me." "And I want to, but I can’t. Look you need to find someone to help us, anyone that can. Screw the questions, just get them here. You’re high profile, and there’s not a doubt that someone has been missing you. Like I said you’re the best chance any of them have." "I can get help but it's still dangerous. If you get hurt because of all this I'll never forgive myself... just promise me you won’t do anything reckless. When it all kicks off you stay with the girls, don’t get a hero complex... there's no shame in laying low just so you can come home to me. I want that date, even if I have to come back here and get you myself." She pulled the top on, fastening it up. He smirked. Having her come in to get him sounded like the sexiest thing he’d ever heard. The woman was something else all right. "I won’t leave them. Someone has to keep that fuck Jax from trying to kill them. Trust me, coming home to you is the best reason I have ever had to come off mission." He stood and went to her pulling her to him once more, and kissing her soundly. "You be careful too. Remember, the north lawn." He handed her the bottle. This was it. After this, only she could help any of them. "Hit me with your best shot baby." ~60~

FOURTEEN Myra stepped out of the glass sliding door from the living room onto the warm flagstone and brick patio, her naked toes soaking the heat, stealing it from the stones. She stretched and closed her eyes, the world around her becoming a dark mass of sounds and textures. Being late afternoon she didn’t expect much sound coming from the ground beyond the immaculately manicured lawn, but the wilds beyond were teeming with life. The birds in the trees chirped busily, and the near silent footsteps of those smaller animals in the bracken made her smile. Yeah all that scampering is going to change in about five minutes. Myra shook her head with her thoughts still blooming. The forest inhabitants were probably not used to the addition of such a large predator, especially since the Orpheus was barely used and its grounds on the outskirts of the lawn and beyond were left to flourish without any threat. She wasn’t going hunting, but after that satisfying little scrump with Aiden, and no coil afterward, well, she needed the comfort of her other form to enjoy the afterglow. It was a shame he wasn’t with her, but she got the impression that he was a bit squeamish about shifting in general and the thought amused her. It was possible he was an Ophidiphobic, and that in itself was a sad thing. I bet he’s beautiful shifted… she thought as she slipped out of her shirt and panties, stretching again, the warm afternoon sunshine covering her nude body. Ummm, beautiful and sexy. Bet his scales would feel amazing sliding over my bare skin… she shivered, the thought of him doing just that making things clench low in her body. She hadn’t ever met a snake, let alone a guy, like Aiden. He smelled good, he was sexy and he screwed like it was his job. Oh did he smell good. With her heightened sense of smell she knew that his scent would probably turn others off, but not her. No, the thick, chemical scent of the plastalina and the smoky scent under it, that scent that was purely him and not the result of a chemical or outside force, it was that scent that really got her humming. Aiden smelled like smoke bombs and fireworks, and that was the sexiest aphrodisiac Myra could ever think of. And that he didn’t have any problems with that turpentiney scent, and the oil paint scent that clung to her, that was really as much a part of her as her scales were, well that just made it all the better. She frowned. And here I am musing over him and he probably is inside hitting on Beryl. She sighed and closed her eyes, willing her change to happen. It was always the same with her, a fluid and tingly change, her body standing one minute, and lying on her belly scales the next. She supposed it was because she was so in touch with her Ophidian side, as she spent half the month usually in snake form. Some snakes had a hard time of it, the change only coming after concentration, And some had a more magical shift, the lights blinding from one minute to the next, and a person and then in the place of it a large snake. For Myra, it always started in her toes. The tingles always made her giggle and smile as she knew she would momentarily be freed. They worked up her legs quickly and where there were toes was soon the tip of her tail, getting broader as the transformation climbed up her body. Everything streamlined, and she was a six-foot rainbow boa constrictor in less then a minute. ~61~

She took her type of snake literally, her scales not that of the light pinky iridescent of the rest of her kin, but an iridescent white, with patches of color outlining her scales where she had yet to get the paint off of them. In some cases, the colors were there to stay, like the large amorphous patch of lavender that spanned her left side, almost making the circumference of her body. It looked like a jelly stain, a cow spot, and she had had it for as long as she had been interested in the arts. She wasn’t lying to Aiden when she said she painted with her body, and her scales were the proof. She often slithered over her canvases in an array of colors, making abstract patterns and shapes, creating a form of art they had yet to duplicate. That was probably the reason why her paintings were so sought after, why every gallery wanted to host her shows. It didn’t matter though. She didn’t do it for the recognition or the money; she did it to feel more alive, to please herself. She moved slowly through the grass to the middle of the lawn, where the sun was the most concentrated and settled, content to be there for the little while she had left before it sunk below the horizon for the night. In this form, when she wasn’t working on a new masterpiece, she did the only other thing she could, she thought. She was sentient in this form, but it was a rare time that she was ever close to another snake while shifted. They tended not to enjoy her scent, and took the color she put on her scales as an affront to what she was. She loved her paints, they were as much a part of her as her scales as a snake and her hair as a human. The only one that never had a problem with her shifted was Remy, but now that he was mated, and a father, she saw less and less of him for lazy afternoons curled around a branch on the Knossos grounds. He had his mate, and she was the one gifted with his presence, and Myra didn’t have a problem with that, though she did miss her friend, and talking to someone while in her natural state. Aiden would have been perfect to spend some time with, but she turned her snake gaze back to the large house and sighed in her mind, no sign of life was apparent from it, and Aiden wasn’t anywhere close. Odds were that the entire list of inhabitants but herself were closer to the front of the house, and didn’t even know she was back there. That could be both a blessing and a curse. There was a possibility that one of the snakes that wasn’t allied with her Nest would find her and while they probably wouldn’t kill her, they could very well hurt her while in this form. Luckily she was fast, both in movement and her shift, so she wasn’t overly worried. On the other hand, she was alone, and the sun was still shining, and it gave her time to get through everything she had processed in the last few hours. Finding the missing girls was going to be a bitch, but she had decided the second she heard they were missing she was going to be on the extraction team when they found them. She was decent in a fight, unrivaled in the northeast with any sort of knives and knew how to kick ass. This whole ordeal had scared her. She was unmated, and alone, and aside from her nest, if it was her that was abducted, no one would miss her, no one would care and work hard at finding her. These girls, most of them didn’t have a real nest and support system to call home, and that was hard. True, they did have Merrick, and she supposed that was better than nothing as he seemed to really care about them and finding them. Then there was this thing about the Lamia cult. That was something as well. She had done some research before this problem, back when she was in school, and the entire thing scared her then, and scared her now, as it was far more real. Humans, in their bid for the fantastic and the supernatural were not smart in their raising the darker and hungry powers, not realizing the consequences. With Delphyne, if it was the demigoddess they were trying to raise, then if they succeeded they were all in it up to their eyeballs. She wasn’t one to be controlled and the main thing was she couldn’t give any human the powers to be a snake or lamia or anything, but that didn’t stop her from promising it so that she could gain a vessel on earth. From everything she had read from then until now, that was a totally bad idea. Gods I hope they haven’t succeeded, If any of those girls have shifted we are all in trouble. Her body, coiled in the lawn was restless as her thoughts flittered back to Aiden, and the fantastic sex they had had. She wanted to be close to him even now, wrapped in his scent. The compulsion was strong to go to him, even shifted, she wanted to be with him. Gods, this can’t be happening… Christ ~62~

the first snake I have sex with… Could be worse, at least he’s sexy and young. And he apparently likes me a little. That’s even better. Shit what am I going to do? A guy like Aiden doesn’t want a relationship, let alone a hanger on. Shit. She lifted her head and scented the air, her tongue flicking lazily. The small animals that were about had apparently sensed her presence and had left the immediate area, along with the previously active bird population, more proof that they weren’t used to this kind of predator. She turned and rolled on the grass, her underbelly exposed to the now dying sunshine, the reflective iridescence painting the house beyond her. It would be time to go in soon, to have that shower she spoke about and buckle back down in the research and help Beryl decipher it all. The woman was a wiz with codes and research but when it came to locating places she wasn’t always spot on, which was why they had always made a good team. Myra’s natural sense of direction and knowledge of topography always helped out. She rolled onto her stomach again and then flicked her tongue out once more, making sure that she was still alone and willed herself back to her human form. The shift hadn’t been too satisfying, but the itch to do so was gone. She still wanted a good coil though, but doubted she would get one in the long run. She sighed and sat up, nude in the dying light and shook her head. How the hell am I going to get used to this, nothing feels complete, not that it did before but now… She stood and stretched, rolling her shoulders. A shower would do her good now, as she had to give in to the superficial wants of her body in order not to act on the deeper ones, the ones that were screaming to be close to what it now considered to be her demolitions expert.

~63~

FIFTEEN She called to him, called to him through the mists that divided her prison and the world, beckoning him to come to her. My Priest, my love, come to me. It took a lot out of her to do this so she only did so when she needed to, and this was indeed one of those times. She paced the hall of doors, or paced as much as a mist-being could, floating to and fro, waiting for him to enter. Minutes later, she felt him, creating their sanctuary. She floated to the door, like so many times before, and entered, turning from mist to stalking legs in seconds. She saw him standing there, dapper and stunning and fell to her knees. She took his cock out of his pants and nuzzled it lovingly, her lusts running high. She took him into her mouth, a treat for them both and nibbled, sucked and licked. His groans were music to her ears, and she worked his flesh, seating his considerable length in the moist cavern of her mouth and slightly down her throat. He fisted his hands in her hair, rocking his hips into her mouth, hissing as she used a tiny bit of teeth, just like he liked. It didn’t take long. Delphyne slurped up his tribute to her, making the requisite yummy sounds to stroke his ego. Truth was she felt little and tasted less. It was all a ghost, a parody of the life she was fighting so hard to attain. And now with the new information the ether had given her, she had more hope then ever. She pulled off him and grinned up to him, much like the cat that got the cream and wiped the corner of her mouth. “My priest, I have had a revelation.” He smiled and joined her on the floor, their sanctuary clearing from the mists she brought in with her, a large bedroom in a forgotten castle their backdrop today. “A Revelation? Please, my lady, share it with me.” She smiled and looked into his eyes. “There are seven. Seven that are strong enough to bridge the gap, and be my acolytes.” She said serenely. “Seven? And do we have them all?” he asked, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You have been diligent, my priest, and your attention to detail has assured me we have all of them now that Evelyn has been brought in. It’s only a matter of time, but we must refine our stock, so to speak.” Slyly she kissed him. “Progress. Very well. Who is on your list my love?” “Evelyn, obviously, that psychologist, the pin up girl, the weather girl, that sexy porn star, with the long hair, that diver, and the musician. Though a few of them are weak, I can feel it, they aren’t as weak as the others. They will be my priestesses, and they will help to usher forth the new era.” “It shall be so, my love. They shall be yours.” He kissed her and grinned. “I want this taken care of right. Choose someone that will care for the welfare of the girls, I won’t have them frightened and unwilling to comply. Their cooperation is paramount. And you need to decide on the six you will choose to mate them. They must be strong, virile and non violent towards women. These seven must be treasured.” “And the rest, my goddess?” ~64~

She smirked and cocked her head. “Outlived their usefulness. We will be leaving here soon, there’s a pall over the land. When we leave, they won’t be coming.” She knew Cristof would do everything she asked, and her legacy would be assured. One of those women would be hers, If not Evelyn, then one of them would be hers to plunder, and inhabit. She was just ensuring that she would have that chance. **** Elise paced with her headset on, listening to the witch on the other end prattle on about what she had found on the Delphyne cults of the nineteen twenties. While it was fascinating, she still didn’t see where she was going with the story. “Astrid, love, this is all well and good but is there a point?” “The point,” the voice on the other end said, “Is that the girls can’t be harmed too badly. The goddess would see that as an insult, and that would cause her to not curry favor. The Goddess is one of the original feminists almost to a point. Then on the other side she is quite the horn dog, and enjoys the sexual tribute she is getting. Ishtar doesn’t even deal with her, as most don’t, because she’s a diva goddess. I know, it sounds too Saturday morning cartoon, but this goddess has been trying to break back into the tangible world for ages.” Elise sighed. “Ok, so you’re saying that she wants to be flesh, but she won’t take a woman that’s been tortured and hurt, and she’s a sex magic kinda goddess. This makes sense.” “Yes, and she would need a vessel that could change. A human won’t suffice, and that’s where you guys caught a break.” “Caught a break?” she asked and went to the window. “Yes, See Delphyne isn’t a real shifter, she is in fact a Lamia, and I think she’s the original one as well. Because of this she won’t inhabit a non-snake shifter because the partial transformation would be impossible. If your people haven’t changed yet, then she doesn’t know who isn’t a snake and who is, and that would stop her from choosing among those who did as a vessel. And it also means that those that haven’t still have a chance at doing so, so they will all be kept alive until one or a few shift for them.” Elise didn’t know if it was providence as Astrid said but it gave her hope. “Ok so you’re telling me that if they don’t change we have a shot… and if they do we have even less time to find them?” “Double edged sword I know, but think of it this way, it’s been happening for a while, and you haven’t heard of many deaths or finding them right? So in essence, the girls are still alive, and unharmed, to a point at least.” “Well thank the gods for small favors.” “Yeah, but there’s one other thing,Delphyne can only be summoned in a ritual with said vessel twice a year. On the solstice. Which gives us an even tighter time limit in some respects.” “Meaning?” “The Summer Solstice will be in less than a week. If any of them have changed, but Delphyne doesn’t approve of them, then they will have to wait till winter to try again. And Delphyne is a picky bitch from what Ishtar says. I don’t know if I’m just taking you in circles with all this, I know it’s a lot to take in.” “No no, thank you Astrid, It’s been most helpful.” She sighed and shook her head. It was true, Astrid had given her a lot of information, and stuff she could use, if not now then in the future, but it still didn’t give her any more cause to rejoice. So many females missing, it meant only one thing to Elise. They were getting desperate. “I shall call you tomorrow.” “Do, I have an Algarian text being brought to me tonight and I’m thinking it might shed some light on everything. The Algarian people were notorious for snake worship.” “Indeed. Please keep me informed, and anything you have digital, please send to Beryl. She is hard at work deciphering that Hurons text you sent earlier.” “No problem. Good luck Elise.” ~65~

The phone went dead and Elise turned from the coming night to look into her room, unable to put off the thinking any more. The council had gone well for both of them. Merrick had ensured her territory for the time being and she didn’t have to use her own leverage in the matter. That alone made things easier, but it still didn’t make up for the slight of the first meeting. She was still hurt, but now she had a choice in her matters, and that she would take as a small victory. Even noticing Merrick’s enforcer with her own gave her pause. Myra was not one to idly let a strange man touch her, let alone a snake, without breaking something. That she allowed him to stroke her thigh through the whole meeting spoke well of the young snake and Elise approved even if it was just for the time being. Myra had dallied with humans for far too long, and she needed a snake companion, and the boy was just as good as any, as he seemed interested in her and not put off by her ingrained scent of pigments and turpentine. She went to the bed and sat down, took off her shoes and placed her toes on the carpet, wiggled them into the thick pile. And what about Merrick? She had kept her distance from him, more so after he had given her the picture. He just had to play that card didn’t he? Son of a Bitch doesn’t even think what his fucking head games are doing to me. Her thoughts were clear in her head, the possibility of him and her still, after all these years, was a hope of her heart. Even as she knew it was trying to mend from his deception. She lay back and stretched, shaking her head. She would need to shift soon, the stress and the excitement had woken the primal side of her, and she would need a shift and possibly a hunt before the new moon. She didn’t enjoy hunting off the Knossos property but depending on how long it was going to take, she might have to consider. As she mused she turned her head, hearing a small knock on her door. Probably one of the staff with dinner. She thought as she got up and went to the door, opening it to see Merrick standing in front of her. “Yes?” "I thought maybe we could talk... did you find out anything new from the witch?" he asked casually. She nodded and let him in. Work she could deal with, it was leaving her heart raw on the carpet for him to step on she wasn’t overly fond of. "I did. Apparently Lamia cults only truly worship one deity, Delphyne, but like all deities, she’s got rules, and I think those rules might help us out." "In what way?" "Delphyne will only imprint on a vessel that has shifted, and only on one she deems strong and sexually attractive enough to use. The females she is given to choose from cannot be harmed, so raping is out of the question. They must be seduced, and willingly accept the advances. And they won’t be killed. She isn’t that kind of deity." She walked over to a side chair and sat then turned and reached under the side table for the mini fridge, grabbing two seltzers and limejuice. "Thirsty?" "Thanks." he said taking the bottle from her. "That’s good for the girls, physically at least. So they need the attractive ones. That explains why recently they seem to have gone out of their way to get the models. There are a few that I thought would have been a little too high profile for them." "Like?" she asked and poured her drink into a glass next to her and dripped the limejuice into it. "Justine Wicker, she's a news reporter former weather girl. She was pretty enough and seemed to be moving up in the world. She went missing a month ago. Karen Lindsay was the pin up of the rallydriving world, hot, talented and fast as hell behind the wheel of a car. She went missing around the same time. Most recently though, was little Evelyn Rose, another rising star and definitely one to interest Delphyne. She takes me out to lunch whenever she's in town, tough little cookie." "Well that’s not good news. Tell me; are they strong enough to put off a shift? I know Carmen put them off for months at a time before she came to Knossos. Is it possible they can hold out? They won’t be chosen regardless of how attractive they are, unless they shift. Delphyne has to have a vessel that can change or else she can’t partially change, making her a live and living Lamia. Though I gotta be honest I haven’t ever heard of a hybrid like that aside from in the myths."

~66~

"Don’t exist that I know of, I can put a call through to Trent though. Fuck knows he's come across some weird things in his time. Putting off a change is what my people do, it’s what I teach them to do... they'll be able to hold out as long as they're not being beaten and still have their minds." "Then thank the gods for small favors. There’s one more rule, the ritual can only be done twice a year, on the solstice. And guess what?" she sipped her drink, watching him. He sat across from her at ease, his body language languid and welcoming. She fought every urge to slip onto his lap, like she used to do, inhaling his scent. "It's pretty soon?" He groaned quietly. "Less than a week away. If none of them have shifted then we have a problem, but if they have then we have an even bigger problem." "That’s always the way of things, what did the witch say they’d do if they haven’t shifted?" "If they think they are snakes then nothing, they will wear down their resolve. If they haven’t given any indication of being one, then I don’t know, but it can’t be good." "So we'll just have to find them by the end of the week then. It shouldn’t be that hard once we get whatever information Beryl has found on the location." "True. And I hope to god she does soon. Beryl has such a gift for research." "She does." She fidgeted. Now that work was over, things were going to veer towards them and their failed relationship and she wasn’t sure she would be able to handle it. "So I should get this info to the other Archons..." He smiled at her, "I suppose that would be best... keeping our minds on work." She frowned. "Yes I think so..." she fidgeted once more and looked down at her glass. "I won’t force the issue Elise," he said quietly, "No matter how much I might want to. I know I've hurt you and I don’t want to keep doing so." "Your being here does that. Christ Merrick, do you have any idea how hard it is to sit across from you?" "Some. I do have to sit across from you after all... being so near you and still being unable to touch you, hold you, just about kills me." She chuckled bitterly, shaking her head. "I find that hard to believe Merrick. You have been alive all this time and knew I was alive and it wasn’t so hard for you to stay away." He let out a strangled laugh. "You think so?" "It’s obvious." she sighed. "If you cared one lick about me and what I was going through you would have let me know I wasn’t alone in the world." His eyes flashed angrily up at her, the only outward sign of his anger apart from his white knuckles as they griped the arms of the chair. He took a deep breath relaxing himself before standing. "I tried Elise, I did, but it wasn't easy. It was very far from easy... I'm sorry you have to go through what you did but, believe me or not, it wasn't just something I did on a whim to be cruel. I love you... I always will. Unfortunately if you refuse to move even an inch then all my being here serves to prove is to hurt us both." "What do you want me to say Merrick? That I’m happy you here? I am, I’m happy that you’re not dead. Do you want me to tell you that living without you is killing me slowly, and has been for ages? How about admitting to you that yearnings that I thought were long dead in me have been awakened now that you’re here? Or maybe that I love you so much it hurts?" She looked at him, her eyes shining. "It would help..." He looked at her sadly, his own pain showing plainly on his face. "Even if you showed some glimmer of hope for us ‘Lise." He watched her uncertainly. "I don’t want to live without you anymore, its not living." "Hope? I have kept hope alive in me that you weren’t dead for years John. I never mated, isn’t that hope?" ~67~

"And yet here I am Elise..." He held his arms up taking a step forward. "And every signal I've gotten from you is that you don’t want me... that you'll never forgive me. That I'd be better off dead." Tears fell from her eyes slowly. "You put me through so much hell John..." He took another step forward. "Then punish me for it. Beat me, shout and rage, throw things, but for god’s sake don’t push me away." She closed her eyes, tears still falling. "No matter how much I want to hurt you I can’t," she whispered, her hands in her lap. He moved sitting next to her on the bed. "I know... but you could slap me again. We could wrestle around and end up having angry sex on the floor, then by the time we reached the bed..." He sighed. "It's been a long time ‘Lise. I'm too old for this." "You don’t think I am? All I ever wanted was a life with you, and I have been denied it. This just can’t be real, I’m probably delusional and having a breakdown finally." "Not exactly..." He lay back, staring at the roof. "I wanted a family, children of our own. Things just got complicated... I still haven’t lost sight of that day, looking after our kids instead of everyone else’s. So many times I wanted to just show up on your door..." He chuckled bitterly. "I got you flowers for your birthday... four years ago." She sobbed, bursting into tears at the memory. No card, no note, just a vase of lilies and roses, all white and orange with a bow. She never knew who sent them, assuming that Reece and Remy sent them but now... "John I never needed you to stay... just to be with me and know you were out there..." she looked up at him, her eyes red rimmed. "Thank you for the flowers... I had thought it was the boys, now I guess I know they weren’t lying when they swore it wasn’t them." "They're good boys, they wouldn’t lie much. Elise I owe you a lot... fifteen years of a lot, and I want to begin making up for that but you have to let me... trust me." He sat up taking her hands in his. "I know that’s asking for a hell of a lot." "Damn right it’s asking for a lot. I trusted you to come home to me, and you never did." She sighed and shook her head. "I needed you so much John..." "I'm here now Elise." "And only because a threat was posed to you and yours and you needed the help of the council. Tell me the truth John, if this hadn’t started happening would you and I be where we are right now?" "In this room? No... I would have come to you Elise. I couldn’t have stayed away forever." She stood and went to him kicking him in the knee. "When? When I was too old to have a clutch? When I had wasted my entire fucking life waiting for you? After you finally realized you had someone who loved you waiting for you? You’re a shit Merrick!" she kicked him again. He yelped grabbing at his knee. "Enough... I would have come soon, I’ve been working up to it and this wasn't how I wanted it to go." She stomped, knowing she looked like an errant child who had been denied ice cream but she had spoken the truth, she really couldn’t hurt him. "I’m not young anymore Merrick, neither are you. Our best years have been spent alone...how could you do this to us?" She kicked him again, this time in the shin. He winced this time making a grab for her holding her still. "Time slipped away from us, from me...I didn't mean for it to be this way." She frowned, and then her face softened. "I know you didn’t... I just didn’t expect to spend my youth without you." Fresh tears fell down her face as she looked at him. She couldn’t keep being this horrid bitch to him, not when he was here and he was sorry. All she needed was for him to make the move towards her... just one move... He squeezed her tightly pulling back from her his lips inches from hers. "I can’t have you go on hating me anymore..." "I don’t hate you John... I never hated you... I hate how things play out. Hate the fact that I have been without you so long." "And now you don’t have to be." His arms trembled around her. ~68~

"You can’t promise me that,” she whispered "But I don’t care.... I need you." He rested his forehead against hers. "I need you too." "Prove it." she breathed, her resolve failing. "Don’t make me break for you..." He moved the few inches pressing his lips against hers. Elise lost it, her body softened and she sobbed, molding into his arms. His kiss was the memory of a better time, and his taste sank straight to her core. He put everything behind the kiss, she felt it, and her arms went from her sides to his back, her fingers digging into his flesh through his light cotton tshirt. He groaned into her mouth slipping his own hands to cup her ass pulling her crushingly against him. She moaned and shuddered leaning into him and pushing him backwards onto the bed, still in his embrace. She rolled with him till she was under him and sobbed. His strong hands parted her legs positioning himself in between them. He ground himself into her, she could feel him hard underneath their clothes. "It's been so long ‘Lise..." He growled. "Fifteen years..." she whispered into his ear and then nipped his neck. "Fifteen damn long years..." "Tell that to my vibrator..." she giggled and kissed him wrapping her legs around his waist. "I don’t want to be conversing with your vibrator love." He kissed her again his hands traveling up under her shirt to her breasts. She gasped and purred. This was what she had been missing. Her love, the man that still knew her body better then she knew it. The man who was everything she ever wanted, the only one she could love. She arched for him and closed her eyes. When they opened she looked at him with shifted eyes, looked at his shifted eyes with her own. Gods he was beautiful. The mossy green and silver that patterned his eyes always had a calming effect on her. She remembered him in his shifted state, the night before he left her, his scales glinting in the moonlight, his coloring a play of light and shadows on the brightest of days. She loved him then, and she loved him now, and her Mate had truly come back to her. "Merrick... I missed those eyes..." "And they missed you too my love... Every part of me has." he grinned pinching her nipples rolling them with his thumbs just like she loved. "It’s been so long but my body remembers like it was yesterday." She squeezed him with her thighs. "So does mine... gods I missed you Druis," she purred, using their old name for each other. In his mother’s tongue of Scottish Gaelic, which Elise spoke almost fluently, she had called him her beloved, and had been doing so since she learned the word. It was because of that word she learned the language at all, and she knew it turned him on. Smiling he reached down kissing her deeply holding her body to him. "I love you." he kissed her again. "With all my heart." He sat back pulling her onto his lap showering her with kisses, down her neck onto her chest. She giggled, his kisses tickling the entire way. Her fingers found the hem of his shirt and stole under it, pressing her pads to his scorching flesh. She felt the tremors rolling through his body, fine that they were, and she knew just how much she affected him. She nibbled on his neck and earlobe, breathing words into his ear. "You’re my only love, I will have no other ever." "I should hope not..." He grinned. "Because I've only ever been yours." Somewhere in the room a phone began to ring causing him to tense. "It's mine just ignore it." He whispered in her ear kissing her temple. "Umm I would love to..." Chuckling he kissed round to her lips nuzzling her and the phone rang out. "If it’s important they'll call back." "If it’s important... baby.... we are in the middle of a crisis...."

~69~

"You bet your ass we are," his hand slipped down to squeeze said ass. "It's been fifteen god damn years..." He growled as the phone started ringing again. He squeezed his eyes shut with a growl. "I'll be right back." She giggled and watched him, pulling her hair out of her ponytail and shaking it out. Merrick walked with a fluid grace that screamed of power. She was salivating thinking about how amazing he would look nude... it really had been too long. He picked the phone up grumbling unhappily into it. It took only a few seconds for his frown to deepen and his expression to change from annoyance to alarm. He signaled to Elise that he’d be back in a second before dashing off into the next room.

~70~

SIXTEEN It had taken Evelyn just over ten minutes to get to the car he’d left for her. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told Homer she was a fast runner. Her snake genes had not only graced her with her lithe body but with the stamina to keep up with almost any pace she set. The car was just where he’d promised it would be and she had the keys in her pocket as she slid into the driver’s side. She’d have to drive somewhere safe enough to make the call she reasoned, starting the engine and tearing off without the lights. She’d left Homer on the floor of the room, smashing the bottle over the back of his head. There had been a little blood but she remembered seeing once that head wounds bled profusely so she tried to chalk it up as that. She didn’t want to leave him there. The urge to tuck him into a comfortable position before leaving was strong but they were going for realism so he had to stay where he was. The car was filled with his scent, something to remember him by as she drove following his directions to get to the second nearest town. Apparently she wasn’t all that far from where she’d been taken although she had no idea what they’d done with her stuff. Her car and clothes and handbag were all missing including all of her id and credit cards. As soon as she judged herself to be out of danger she opened the glove box fumbling for the phone she trusted Homer to have left. Once it was in her hand she had a dilemma. Who to call was a big problem; she didn’t have a nest as such. She was born and grew up alone and away from the nest mentality. None of them would take her or even talk to her. In fact it should have been a rather hard death sentence should any of them ever come across her. The other snakes never looked on her that harshly though, mostly because she was hot. She got away with a lot of things because of her looks but that wasn’t going to help her now. The truth was that she’d never mastered anything about her shifting abilities, she couldn’t even spot another were out in a crowd if her life depended on it which it very may well do. There was only one person she could call, a man who thankfully had made her memorize his number. John Merrick had come to her not long after she’d had her first change. He’d offered her guidance and even a place to live. She’d accepted the first but turned down that last. She’d always been far too independent for a live in situation, She’d learned how to control her basic shift then bounced. She still met up with him now and again; he was a good man and right now the only person she could turn to. She dialed the number with one hand holding the receiver to her ear as she navigated through the roads. The phone rang out for the first time since she’d started calling him. Swearing she tried again praying to whatever gods watched over her that he’d pick up. “Mmm… what is it?” His voice came over as a sleepy growl. “Merrick?” She asked relieved to hear his voice though getting the distinct impression that she’d been interrupting something. “Oh Merrick!” She gushed, feeling tears well up in her eyes. She hadn’t allowed herself to cry since that first day in the cage but now it seemed that everything was over, she might actually make it through the next few hours “That’s my name…” He grumbled clearly not as happy to hear her voice, as she was his. ~71~

“It’s Evelyn… Evelyn Rose. Merrick I need your help.” He was silent for a few seconds. “Evelyn?” he asked his voice sounding clearer. “Evelyn, are you ok? Where are you?” “I’m not hurt if that’s what you mean but I’m far from ok. I’m close to a town, driving.” “Good,” She could tell by the sound of his voice he was nodding. “I’ll send someone to meet you there. Can you tell me what happened to you?” He asked carefully. “I was taken. One of them helped me escape.” She relayed everything to him leaving out the base’s coordinates and most of what had happened between Homer and her. “He said that we had about forty eight hours before shit turned nasty.” “Do you remember where they are?” Of course she remembered. She’d memorized the position then destroyed the paper that they were written on. This was her bargaining chip, if Merrick was already looking for the girls and she told him where to find them they’d storm in there without her and they’d kill everyone who wasn’t one of the girls. She couldn’t have that; she needed to go with them to keep Homer safe. He may have thought that he could take care of himself but the shifters were stronger than him especially if they were on a kill frenzy. “I think I might be able to point it out on a map or take you there.” “Ok.” he sighed disappointment in his voice. “Have you seen any road signs? Can you tell me the last one you saw?” “No, sorry, just the one that pointed to the town.” She lied into the phone “Ok I’ll send someone to meet you there, Evelyn. They’ll keep you safe until I can get you here with us. I want you to stay in contact; do you think you’re still in danger? Can they track you?” She checked the rear view mirror. “I don’t think so, but I’m not an expert. I got out with time to spare before they sounded the alarm. At worst they’re ten minutes behind me and they shouldn’t know I’ve found transport.” “Ok I’m going to call you back in a few with somewhere to meet our guy. Watch your back ok?” “Trust me Mer I’m not doing anything else. I’ve decided that I don’t really like being kidnapped and locked in a cage.” She heard him laugh. “Well that’s something at least. I’ll speak to you soon…take care.” Hanging up she switched the car lights on slowing her speed to a barely legal pace, it wouldn’t do to get pulled over by the cops now. Not when she had Homer counting on her, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to keep the girls’ location to herself but there wasn’t much she could do about that now. She just had to sit tight and wait for Merrick’s call.

~72~

SEVENTEEN Merrick was stunned as he sat the phone down. They had their break; this was what they were looking for. Of course the news that Evelyn was safe was a great relief, even better, that she could lead them back to the rest of the girls. They needed to move though and they needed to move now if they were to take action. There were a few of his people that he had to call in but they weren’t very far away. He left the bathroom making his way back to Elise who was still on the bed. His sexy Elise. It pained him that he wouldn’t get to finish what they’d started but saving the girls would just have to take priority. They were on a time limit and when he took her he wanted to have no time constraints placed on them. Maybe he’d take her away for a week, someplace hot with a beach for them to lie on. “Well,” he started with a pained smile. “Looks like we’ll have to take a rain check love. That was Evelyn on the phone, she’s managed to escape… apparently one of the human guards had an attack of conscience.” **** Things were not working out as planned. Cristof stood in front of her, back in her temple, his head held high, but eyes downcast. His body language was proud, and dominant, as always, but there was a tremor of fear in his countenance. Cristof was unhappy. “What is it, my priest?” “We have had a breach.” He said and looked up at her. “Your favorite, Evelyn.” Delphyne weighed the news carefully, and seethed. How dare she destroy my plans! On outward appearance she merely looked upset, but a storm raged in her emotions. Destroy everything I have worked so hard for! Little bitch! “How?” she asked and frowned. “She overpowered her consort; hit him on the head with a full wine bottle.” She knew it was a bad idea to allow those grunts access to anything that could be used as a weapon! “A wine bottle you say? Not a good thing, not at all. And is he dead?” Bastard better be. “No my goddess. He’s alive. I’ll be questioning him as soon as I return to my body.” Still alive? After getting hit in the head with a bottle? Interesting. “And he has all his faculties?” “As far as we know, yes. Just some stitches, but I have been told he’s alert and there’s no concussion. She couldn’t have hit him that hard.” “Regardless, she must be found, immediately.” “We have been searching the grounds my goddess, she has evaded capture, but we did get some footage of her, before she evaded us completely.” “Footage?” “Yes, it’s most promising. I believe you have chosen well my goddess. She bears a lot of traits Ophidians possess.” ~73~

Of course she does you imbecile! She’s a goddamn snake shifter! All of them are! “Then we must retrieve her, but not now. Now we must mobilize for a change of headquarters. She will return, and when she does, it will be in force. We must be far away from here, and you, my valiant priest, must be protected.” “I’ll institute the lock down protocols. We will be gone in under twelve hours. And what of Major Maxwell?” Maxwell took a bottle to the head and was back to normal. He was the kind of man she needed on her side, one that was conditioned to pain and to his orders. She smiled and nodded. “We very well can’t blame him for her transgressions. Give him another chance.” “And the seven?” “They must be brought with us, and Evelyn must be found. We will take up the search once we move, and set Major Maxwell after her, let him redeem himself and further endear himself to our cause.” And to me. A man of that strength is priceless. “It shall be as you wish, Goddess.” He went to her and kissed her. And she smiled sweetly. “Go. You have much to do and not a lot of time to achieve your goals. I’ll be watching, waiting till you come to me again. Be safe, my love.” **** The shower hadn’t done much to ease Aiden’s tension. His jaw still felt sore as hell and his instincts were practically begging him to go back and do the job properly. Wanting him to bite her, mark her, make her his. It wouldn’t work out though. It was one of the reasons, if given a choice, he avoided his own kind; there was always an itch after. This, though, was far more than an itch. Normally after having sex his first instinct was to get as far away from the woman afterwards. Repeats don’t happen. However for some reason he just couldn’t understand all he wanted to do was go and see her. Talking wasn’t his forte, unless he was trying to get laid, but he wanted to talk to her, felt the urge to get to know her. “Never gonna happen,” he said to his steamy reflection in the bathroom mirror before washing his face with fresh cold water. It wasn’t that he didn’t like her or she wasn’t one of the hottest snakes he’d ever had the pleasure of fucking. Aiden just wasn’t cut out for that whole relationship gig. Plus her persistent insistence on his shifting his form or her changing for him. It wasn’t going to happen though he’d always been squeamish about his own form and having it touched. The snake tended to act of its own will sometimes. Merrick said that could have been one of the reasons he had problems, because the two of them weren’t in sync. It was this part of him now that was urging him onwards causing so much turmoil. Sighing deeply he tried to shut it off, ignore it. He pulled on his jeans opting not to wear a shirt, as it was already far too warm. He’d just have to ignore her and his other half for a while. Maybe try and fuck the other one. He moved out of the bathroom to find Kira on the bed the monster of a snake coiled around her. “You like this one,” she smiled up at him taking her attention away from the beast. “I can smell it on you.” Nostrils flaring Aid backed out to the doorway. “Get that thing out of my room, sis, I mean it.” “In a minute,” She told him dismissively. “This is important.” “No, it’s not. Get the hell out of my room.” He growled pointing at the door. “Does she like you back?” “Of course, you might not have realized it but I’m hot. Women love me. They can’t get enough...” “Uh huh…” She raised an eyebrow looking at him in disbelief. He hated when she gave him that look, she’d been using it since she was old enough to know what it meant. “So that’s a no then? Pity I like her, she’s got guts.” ~74~

“Pity? Look I don’t know what the hell you’re taking about. I’m doing just fine with the ladies and I’m not wanting any of this ‘she likes you, you like her’ bullshit. So get that snake and get your ass outta my room.” He fought the urge to jump up and down and stomp. They’d always been like this; she always made him look like a petulant child. “Fine,” She shrugged sitting up but making no signs of moving off the bed. “I was only trying to help out.” “Well don’t.” He growled storming out past her. He felt like a walk and maybe diving back down to library to see if the hot chick had found anything interesting out and maybe if he saw Myra again it wouldn’t be such a bad thing. He let his feet carry him to where he’d last seen the girls. The other one, Beryl, was more or less exactly where she’d been last time he’d seen her. Myra, he was disappointed to note, wasn’t in the room. He covered his sigh and leaned over her placing his hands on either side of her. It was disappointing Myra wasn’t present but it wouldn’t stop him from having a go with the other one. She smelled good but not as enticing as Myra, in fact he didn’t think it would be possible for anyone to smell as good as she did. She was the perfect blend of female and chemical. “Found out anything good yet?” He whispered in her ear in a halfhearted come on. Beryl put down a half of a sandwich and turned, "Huh? Oh you’re Merrick's snake right? Want to know how it’s going then? I found some important stuff regarding a ritual, and a possible place they might be... But most of this old text is indecipherable," she said not looking at him. "Hmm..." He scooted around crouching down. The texts in question looked like a confusing pile of squiggles "Yeah, I can see that. Language isn’t exactly my strong point. Hell I can barely read English." "Yeah something told me being intellectual wasn’t your strong point, though you hardly need a brain to fuck like a demon,” she said offhandedly, changing the image on the screen. That made him chuckle, "Oh yeah? Word traveling fast then?" "More like I heard you two. Her scent is still all over you, like she bit you. She doesn’t let that happen, though the two of you smell good mingled together." "I agree... though it might smell better with you added into the mix." He winked cheekily. He had no intention of fucking her on her own, though he dared not think too deeply about that. After all why wouldn’t he? Respect. It wouldn’t be respectful to Myra if he did and he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Though why he should give a crap again he didn't want to know. "Possibly, but three’s a crowd in this situation and I don’t fuck men I can’t possibly keep for my own." She took a sip of her tea and then finally turned to him, her sterling eyes kind. "She’s out back if you wanna know." He did want to know, at least his animal part of him did. "That's not why I'm here. What did you find out about the location? Mer told me to help you guys. Thanks, though." "It would be close by. They need a certain amount of natural barriers, a mountain range, an underground river, a granite mountain and Elms. It could be anywhere in the states except for the desert, but the underground river is the clincher. In the texts it’s to emulate Styx for the ritual, and there are only two that are accessible in the states, One in upstate New York near where I grew up, and the other one is on the tri-border of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, in a natural cave system called the Bowl vault." "Well that is interesting," He nodded trying to concentrate on her words as he pulled a seat up next to her. "So they're here then." Myra crossed his mind as he caught a faint whiff of her scent. She was out back, doing what, he wondered. Would she be alone, if not then whom would she be with? He didn't like the thought of her with another snake. Especially a male, he wouldn't like that one bit. What if she'd found another man to coil with? "Well close, about fifty miles south west of us, in a general area anyway. They are limited by the environment..." she looked at him. "And you really don’t care. Look there’s a balcony over there, Romeo, see for yourself what’s going on." ~75~

He grinned up into her weird eyes. "Fine, but only because I'm distracting you from your work." He grinned again leaping to his feet and making his way over to the window. The view from the balcony was impressive. He could see the huge expanse of the compound’s forests. The snake in him wanted to shift to go out and explore. He longed to hunt and feed. In his snake form there was always the urge to feed; it was hard fighting it all the time. There were shifters who would only ever eat their prey to sustain them in both forms. Kira rarely ate anything that hadn’t been killed and consumed in her snake half. Aiden was, as usual, the opposite of his sister never allowing himself to hunt and kill. The snake in him wanted to hunt but its intended target wasn’t the deer and the hogs though. Today its main focus of attention was solely on Myra as she walked naked across the grass. She had to be the hottest creature he’d ever laid eyes on and he’d laid a few in his time. She moved with such a fluid grace that set him on edge, the memory of her riding his cock so tightly nearly sending him over the balcony and into her arms. It was a rare occasion indeed that he and his snake agreed and that alone made him pause. Who was it wanting her? Was it himself, the human, or did the feeling come solely from the snake instincts? Were the feelings a new way the snake had found to fuck with him? Denying himself wasn’t something that he was used to, his snake instincts were denied all the time but he rarely said no to himself. Thinking about the deeper meanings of his life often became confusing. He’d learned long ago that over stressing about things lead to problems and psychosis. None of which he could deal with right now. The snake couldn’t make him do anything he didn’t want to, that was the general rule. At least it had been up until now he thought wryly as he watched her glide across the grass. Tearing his eyes away briefly from her he searched the horizon looking for any sign of danger or a threat to her. Finding none he was once again drawn to her as she paused looking up at the house searching over each window. His heart leapt as she came to his window then dropped again as her eyes glazed over him and passed on. She hadn’t seen him, he told his pride, and if she had he would have hoped for even a smile. He might have been temped to dwell on the matter more if she hadn’t changed so suddenly. One second she was human and the next she was a snake gliding back through the grass. If he could manage to suspend the queasy feeling he normally felt when faced with a snake he could admit her other form was magnificent. She had to be the most unusual color of rainbow boa that he’d ever set eyes on. The paleness of her scales set her apart from most of the others. Albinos are rare to find in snakes especially in their kind. Her scales shone bright iridescent colors as the sunlight touched down softly on them. It was pretty, if you were into that kind of thing. Rare and seductive. Her lithe body was streaked with color, no doubt residual paint from her artwork. It was interesting to see especially because of how the others would see it. They’d see it as a sick perversion of her true natural form and he agreed whole-heartedly. He had to admit that it was a turn on seeing her like that with the paint still clinging to her, the dye slowly fading only to be replaced with a fresh coat. He was even willing to bet that her scent was ten times more potent. It was perverse, and he liked it. Not that he’d be caught anywhere near the snake, she hadn’t cured him of any fears but he could appreciate her from a distance. “I’m sure a little turps would get that out.” Merrick’s voice sounded close to his ear startling him. “But of course she would never have that.” “I can’t imagine that turpentine would be very gentle on the scales.” He sighed watching her as she rolled over onto her back showing her belly scales to the world. “Maybe not but I always found that a little lavender oil rubbed into the scales worked wonders for all involved. You should try it, let loose once in a while…” Aiden turned, dragging his eyes from Myra’s snake form. “Do you have a point to this visit Mer? Or are you just here to pester me with lame advice?” He watched as his Archon’s face grew serious, the joking smile disappearing. “You and Myra are going on a road trip. I need you to pick someone up for me.” ~76~

“Who?” he asked not sure if traveling with Myra was entirely a good idea as it was very likely that they wouldn’t get very far before having to stop for a sex break. “Evelyn. She just called us. She can lead us to the girls.” His voice stayed matter-of-fact although Aiden could hear the undercurrent of excitement. “You have to get her though, no doubt that they will be after her. She’s not safe by herself.” “Understood.” And he did. Evelyn was hot; hot enough to get guys to do anything for her. It wasn’t too far fetched to picture her batting those long eyelashes at some chump to get him to open the gate for her. Hot chicks tend to get rescued more often than the fuck ugly ones. It was the way life went. She might have been able to get the gate open but Evelyn wasn’t capable of keeping herself out of danger. She’d need protection and that was where Myra and he came into it, though he wasn’t entirely sure how good a fighter Myra was but she couldn’t be any worse than the underwear model and part time bad actress. Evelyn was a whiny pushover whilst Myra had the heart of a warrior. She fucked like one too, whilst Evelyn was like some kind of prissy nun. Merrick frowned at him seeming to follow his thoughts. “Be nice to her, she politely turned you down, is that’s such a crime?” “Yes!” He answered incredulously not believing that Merrick could actually ask such a stupid question. “You know it’s not a crime to be choosy about whom you sleep with Aiden, especially in her position. It can’t be easy for her.” “Sure it can, she’s hot and don’t tell me she’s not up for it. I’ve seen those posters with their come hither looks. She’s a tease.” He ranted half-heartedly. “No she’s not. Now play nice or you’ll be going nowhere. Elise should be giving Myra the details and location. I know navigating isn’t your forte.” Merrick smirked at him as he walked away towards the library door. “Now go and get changed. You’re on a time limit here and I still need you to make a few devices when you get back.” He shouted as he disappeared out of sight. He was too caught up in his own feelings to remember to ask Merrick how things went with Elise. He turned back to where Myra, now in naked human form, stood in the last of the dying sunlight. Watching her excited him, things were finally starting to kick off and now he had to spend some time alone in a confined space with her. At least now he would be able to get to know her more without sounding so stupidly obvious. She walked steadily out of his sight rolling her hips seductively as she padded across the grass. He grinned thinking of her and Evelyn in a car together; it was definitely a very sexy thought. Things were heating up indeed he grinned again to himself as he made his way back to his room.

~77~

EIGHTEEN Homer sat in the sumptuous office on the top floor of the compound, a bag of ice on his head where Evelyn had hit him. He was proud, she had done very well, even split the scalp enough that he had needed stitches just behind his left ear. That alone had worked to his advantage when Loretta had found him, and woken him, carrying him to the infirmary. By the clock on the wall when he was woken, it was almost a half hour after the incident, and he hoped she had gotten to safety. Now, as he looked up at the ornate antique clock on the mantle of the grand fireplace, two hours had elapsed, and he hadn’t heard anything about Evie being captured. He wasn’t rejoicing just yet, because he was here waiting on the head honcho, Cristof, to come. He knew he was going to be questioned, and thoroughly, but he also knew he had one thing on his side, his rank. Cristof was a lunatic, bent on gaining powers and having a goddess consort, but he wasn’t stupid. He would need foot soldiers, and strong men to mate with his female Ophidians if and when he found some. Though the sect believed that in order for them to have the Ophidian or partial Ophidian children, the men would have to have relations with the goddess, and he had figured Cristof wasn’t going to be so forthcoming on his own for that. Word had it that Delphyne, the supposed goddess they were trying to raise, was not as interested in monogamy though. Cristof had to know that, and be willing to share or else he wouldn’t have this insane crusade he was on limited to men he could approve of. Hopefully, Evie was well away from the compound, and already rallying the troops. He sighed; upset with himself for not sending her to someone he knew would help. Having her call Santos wouldn’t have been smart man, you know this! It would have done more harm than good. And it would have opened up some questions you aren’t prepared to answer, not to her or to Santos. Just need to play it cool, she won’t let me down, Hell the woman isn’t capable of it. So yeah, they were on their own, probably with the cops or maybe the mob or something, hell maybe an army of swimsuit models, he didn’t know and he didn’t care, so long as things here got cleaned up and the girls got back home. Some of them were close to a break down, having been with them well before Homer had shown up. Regardless of whether they were the legendary snake shifter, or just a victim of circumstance, they didn’t deserve this, captivity without hope. The trust of the matter was that they were all very strong women, dealing with the situation to the best of their ability. For that he had to give them credit. He looked about the room and sneered. Cristof was a fop that was for damn sure, falling into bad guy cliché’s left and right. He already wore the requisite bad guy suit and robes, and a large platinum medallion all the time, apparently the symbol for Delphyne, a snake and circle intertwined with obsidian eyes. All he needed was an angora cat and a monocle and he would be every bad guy James Bond ever tangled with. Add to that his scary obsession to be the snake king like Thusla Doom, and you had a ripe old lunatic on your hands. So Homer knew he had to tread lightly, make Cristof believe him but not overly believe. Guys like him had a god complex yes, and they didn’t like to not be in control of the situation. The trick was to make sure Cristof thought he was. ~78~

He shifted the ice on the lower part of the back of his head and sat up straighter as the door finally opened, and Cristof sauntered in. Homer almost smiled to himself, seeing that Cristof was indeed a creature of habit. Today he was in a dove grey suit with a purple velvet robe, his medallion affixed to his neck by way of the collar of his robe. His wingtips sunk into the thick pile carpet as he walked around to his chair behind the giant rosewood desk. He sat regally and motioned to Homer who nodded and winced, the pain in his neck and head further proof that his Evie was the right woman for the job. Cristof looked at him and gave him a small smile. “Major Maxwell, I trust you’re okay?” Homer nodded, keeping his eyes on Cristof. “I will be, luckily there’s no concussion, but she did whack me pretty good.” “Yes, tell me what happened?” Homer gave him a wan smile. “I underestimated her.” “Obviously. I mean why is it we found you fully clothed. Did you not seal the deal?” Homer blushed. He knew that was going to come back and bite him in the ass. “Yeah… Guess I’m not the kind of ladies man I thought. I had turned to grab the glasses from the tray and I guess she hauled off and hit me.” "And did she exhibit any extra ability?" He asked his voice calculating and cold showing only the mildest inflection of interest. "Strength? Speed?" "Well unless you count the fact that she can heave a half full wine bottle like a discus thrower, no." he smiled what he hoped was a sheepish smile. A small crease between Cristof's brows was the only indication he gave to disappointment in Homer's answer. "You let your guard down?" He said more as a statement than a question. "Not intentionally. The woman gave no indication that she was unhappy after I let her out of the cage, in fact she was very grateful most of the time. I had her on the grounds several times and she didn’t try to bolt once. She’s quite the little actress." "Apparently, though given who she was, that was to be suspected. It was my understanding that you were aware of that." "And I was, but again, after chatting with the woman, I didn’t feel the need to be overly on guard. You hired me to do a job to the best of my ability, and this is the kind of work I do. It’s very rare an undercover agent gets out acted. You brought me in for my abilities didn’t you? Well I said it before and I’ll say it now, nabbing the actress was the wrong thing to do. She’s too high profile.” "The goddess directed us to her. I wouldn’t be so quick to cast judgment on her orders. I brought you in on this, yes, but I will admit that I expected better results. This level of failure I would expect from Jackson." He brought his black cane up in front of him clasping his hand tightly on the silver cobra head. "Jax?" he laughed. "Hell the last woman you let him play hero for he raped to get results. Don’t think the goddess would appreciate that. Poor thing is scared to death and is on a hunger strike." "Very true. Yet his girl seems to still be safely in his cage while yours is... whereabouts unknown at this time." "Yeah and his hasn’t changed, is scared to death and spits at everyone. Not the kind of woman that would be used for precious Delphyne. But that’s not here, nor there. It was my mistake, and I take full responsibility, but remember one thing Cristof, the woman was a wild card, and if she is a snake, if Jax got his hands on her, or any one of your grunts, she would be spoiled and Delphyne wouldn’t want her. If she is in fact a snake, and she got away, the Goddess will direct you to her again then won’t she? She is hot..." he offered. "Stunning I believe would be more accurate and I couldn't agree with you more. When we relocate her I'll deal with her myself, can't have another incident allowing her to escape. It's true the goddess has qualms about physically forcing the girls’ however, she has no such problems with a little magic enslaving their minds. Hardly touches their spirit." He gave Homer a lecherous grin. ~79~

Homer smiled at him, but inside he was seething. That fuck was not touching his Evie, not a chance in hell. Luckily, he was able to keep it all inside as he spoke to the lunatic. "That’s up to you Cristof. Now is there anything else? I’m still on duty tonight at the pens." "Of course, if we haven't located Miss Rose by dawn tomorrow we will have to relocate everything. Thankfully we do have a back up location fully stocked for us. I want you to choose another, no sense in wasting time with them. We are, after all, working with a time limit." "Indeed. I’ll peruse them while I’m down there tonight, and make sure the girls are all fit for transport, should the need arise. Though in light of recent events, make sure you have someone call down to me if Ms. Rose isn’t found. I’ll need to trank a few of them for travel." "There won't be enough time for that we'll leave the broken ones, I'm sure you can spare a few bullets for them. It'll put them out of their misery. Jackson can help you; one has to keep him amused somehow. There are only seven I want you to bother packaging up, the rest are dead weight. The goddess doesn’t want to associate with them. She is very interested in Miss Rose though. All efforts are being made to recapture her. Especially given recent evidence." The idea of the women getting a bullet for not fitting into the lunatic’s mold didn’t sit well with him but he was smart enough not to say a damn word. He wouldn’t be plugging any of them, and he was going to make sure no one else did that job either. "Indeed? You think she’s right for the vessel? The seven then? I’ll make sure they are able to handle the transporting." He asked, hoping to get some more info incase he needed it. "They're marked out so you know who they are." he smiled again the thought of the girls’ deaths clearly not effecting him in any way. "Yes it’s quite exciting really, when we watched over the security footage we found something distinctly different about Miss Rose. It’s a pity you could nether confirm or deny any special abilities that she may have, other than acting of course." "Really? Dare I ask?" "I don't know. Do you?" He smiled again. "You're not really a true believer in our venture. That hasn't escaped my notice although you do not insult our intelligence by pretending to believe like your friend Jackson. One day I wish to make a believer out of you Major Maxwell." He nodded. "And one day you very well might, but I’m a realist Cristof, something beaten into me in the military. Taking something on faith isn’t something I’m able to do. I need to see it in front of me as a tangible entity for it to be real for me. So what exactly did Ms. Rose do to make you think she’s right for you?" he asked and smiled. He had played his honesty card, knowing that would get to Cristof more than anything. The man enjoyed being right about people. A smile cracked on his face showing full in his eyes. It was the first show of real emotion Homer had seen on him. "I'll show you." Standing he moved to a large plasma TV picking up a remote. "It's the tape we had watching the grounds on the gate side." He pressed play and the tape started showing the background. "You see when she moves across it. She moves faster and more fluidly than any human could. She makes that run faster than any Olympic athlete could." Homer watched the tape and inwardly cursed. If she could move like that, then she might very well be what Cristof was looking for, and that was a bad thing. Either way, he was going to have to keep an eye on his beauty from now on, provided she came back to help like she was supposed to. He whistled. "Well I'll be damned. I’ll be honest Cristof, she didn’t do anything like this when we were together, though she’s got a great set of lips." "And other assets," he leered watching Evelyn run. "It will indeed be a joy to have her back in our company." "I’ll take your word for it, though it won’t be too soon that I see her again." He smiled and then stood, the ice bag that was at the back of his neck now clutched in his hand. "So if that’s it, don’t let me keep you, I’m sure you have things to do, and I have my duties to take care of." He nodded. "Be careful, and remember to choose your next one out of the seven girls we're taking." ~80~

"Can do. Question though, which one hasn’t been fucked with too badly? I don’t want something Jax has played with." "None of the ones we wish to take with us." "Fair enough. Anything you would recommend?" "They are all lovely specimens although I believe one of them does porn films. Catherine Everret is her real name; she might be something in the talent department. That’s depending on what you're looking for; Jackson’s been begging me for her. But if it’s a stunning conversation you’re after, Mila Wallace is a psychologist, the two of us were talking this morning. She's rather bright for a woman." This was interesting. It would help to know the ones to keep away from them, and the ones to keep a close eye on in the future if Evelyn didn’t make it back. "Indeed well that’s both sides of the coin isn’t it? That decision made itself, I think." he smirked at Cristof and left the room quickly, and without another word, leaving the top floor and climbing into the elevator to bring him down to the pens. Knowing that seven were marked for possible vessels was a good thing, but they were also the seven most in danger. He was going to have to make sure they were protected, and thankfully he was there to do just that. He looked at his watch with a sideways glance noting the time. Evie had a little under twelve hours to ride to the rescue, after that, he was going to have to think of a new plan.

~81~

NINETEEN Elise stood at the dining room table, sitting not an option. All the chairs had been taken out, the long table strewn with folders, papers and a map, all the intel the nests had accrued in the past several hours. Merrick stood on the other side of the table, all power and grace as he always was, but Elise kept her eyes averted. She knew the others could sense things had changed, if not scent him on her as they walked past her, but at this point it didn’t matter. She would deal with it later. Now however, the topic of the meeting wasn’t them, but the girls, as it should be. She watched Ramona enter the room finally, her husband adding their intel to the table. She looked weary, and Elise didn’t take that as a good sign. Olivia turned to Geraldine and then Marcus, who looked at Elise. She nodded. “Merrick? I believe you have the floor.” She said quietly, steeling herself for what was to come. She knew once they heard what she already knew the extraction team would be mobilized and they would be gunning for blood, especially Olivia, as she was probably suspecting that Anya’s death wasn’t an accident or an overdose. They would have to wait till Aiden and Myra returned from picking up Evelyn though, and that would chap their asses. Once they found out that Aiden and Myra had already left they weren’t going to be too happy about it, but Merrick had made the decision as it was one of his people, and whoever questioned his authority on that better watch out. That grim determination was there again, the one he used to have when they were younger when a task was laid before them that he knew was next to impossible. Evelyn knew where they were, but the odds of getting everyone out safely were slim to none, and Merrick knew it, she could see it in his eyes. With the council now present and accounted for, they could finally get underway. Merrick took his time before addressing the gathering making sure that he had everyone’s attention before he spoke. "I've had a call from one of my girls. She's managed to escape and is, so far, in reasonably good health, considering. It is as we feared, a Lamia cult trying to resurrect the old, and I use the term god lightly, Delphyne." He paused taking the time to measure everyone’s reaction. "Evelyn will be able to show us where their stronghold is but we must take action quickly if we are to be successful." Olivia nodded. "We need a location so the teams, Marcus’s and my own, can go in. Where is she? And how much time do we have." "Till dawn at best. She's about an hour away and I've sent someone to pick her up so she should be here soon." "Pick her up?" Geraldine looked at Merrick. "Is she ok? Will she need any sort of medical attention?" Merrick shook his head. "She's well. It’s more for her continued safety and guidance that she requires an escort. They'll no doubt have people looking for her." "Indeed." Marcus said. "My team is not twenty minutes from here as we speak. My nephew Baxter is with them, and he’s got the black hawk helicopter and will be watching from the skies, in case there’s an emergency. I’m not leaving any base uncovered." ~82~

Mer's lips twitched into a brief smile. "Impressive." "I haven’t spent the past twenty years as an arms dealer for nothing." "Indeed not. I always suspected that I was in the wrong profession and now it seems that I was right," He smiled lightly. "I could have had my own helicopter." Marcus laughed. "No one says you can’t. Olivia?" Olivia smiled. "I have the mobile command just on the outskirts of town. I have had a bit of a problem locating my nephew though. Let’s hope we can get a hold of Ryan before. This is his kind of job. Between both squads, I would say we have about twenty foot soldiers. More than enough." she said smugly. "And more than enough firepower to send those fuckers back to whatever hell Delphyne is occupying." Merrick nodded sagely. "Good. Let’s just hope that your nephew hasn't fallen prey to the cult. All we have to do now then is wait for Evelyn's arrival. Well, that’s almost all we have to do..." Marcus raised an eyebrow at him and then at Elise. She worked hard at keeping her face blank. Knowing where Merrick was going with this, she kept quiet and waited, the situation that was about to present itself to the council was going to get fierce. Had Merrick chosen the right time to bring it up? Either way one of them was going to bite at his insinuation, and then it would all come to a head. She didn’t expect who did rise to the occasion though. "Almost?" Geraldine asked grabbing a glass of water and sipping almost regally. He shrugged lifting the water jug from the table. "My people are still rogue, landless and without an official leader," He reminded them casually as he poured himself a glass. "It would be an awful pity to go to all the trouble of saving them only to have them declared as such and hunted down." Marcus smirked. "And we get back to that. I’m not declaring anything, and I state that now, in front of the council, that I won’t cast a vote to hunt anyone, and that alone negates any votes or any motions to the contrary. I have already said that I think this council needs more dick about that has a backbone. Though this is all pointless anyway, as I see it your part of this regardless of whether you stay as an Archon or as Elise's mate. Unless anyone has objections?" he looked over to Ramona who had remained silent throughout the two past proceedings. Elise looked at him, still fighting to keep her emotions off her face, and wondered what Marcus was going to get out of his compliance. It was something that would be looked into; she had never known Marcus to do anything out of the goodness of his heart. Ramona glared at him but looked away after a second or two. "I do not care either way but you will not share any of my land. Stay in Vegas." "See, now I have a problem with that. You won’t have any of mine as well, aside from the places you already own, at least in the southwest territory." Olivia leaned into her husband, if for nothing else, but support. “I don’t have a problem with rogues living in my territory, just as Elise doesn’t. As long as they don’t make a spectacle of themselves, and obey the laws.” "Fair enough, land isn't my primary concern." Merrick smiled clearly getting what he wanted. "As long as I have your word, all of you, that my people will not be harmed and will be left alone to live their lives, as is their right, things will go well." Elise listened to everything that was going on and sighed. If Merrick wanted land she would gladly give up a piece of her territory, after all his nest was larger than most. She wasn’t sure if he wanted to be with her for always, but she would give up parts of her territory to keep him close. If nothing else, she could petition to give Ohio to him, Marcus would back her from his stand so far, of that she was sure. But that was something to talk to him about in private as things between them weren’t fixed and she didn’t want to open up that can of worms in front of the rest of the archons. "So what’s the plan?" "We wait. They shouldn't take much longer and once we get the location from Evelyn, we'll go and get the girls. I wouldn't dream of planning the actual extraction as I'm somewhat of an amateur when it comes to military based procedures. I'm sure Olivia and Marcus would be better at coordinating the actual plan of attack. I would suggest blowing up the evidence though; it shouldn't be beyond me to cover the whole up as a gas leak at an old psychiatric hospital or something similar. The actual lie ~83~

depends on the shape of the buildings. The bodies will have to be explained somehow and that'll be my job." "Then I hope you have a good demolitions expert." Marcus smirked and walked around the table to the sideboard and grabbed a decanter and poured some bourbon into a tumbler. "The best," Mer smiled fondly. Elise chuckled realizing that it was Aiden. The boy smelled like Merrick used to when they were young, only more, like it wasn’t just a hobby. She looked around; everyone was on edge, trying to figure out where to go next. She cleared her throat. "Should we break till we know what’s going on?" she asked and looked at Merrick and then Marcus. "Good idea, unless anyone has anything else they'd like to discuss?" Marcus shook his head and Geraldine stood. "I have some of my people coming in within the hour, so I will be preparing. Please let me know when things are being mobilized." She smiled at Elise and left quickly and Elise looked over at Merrick questioningly. They had unfinished business and she was eager to speak with him again. "That’s settled then. They should be here in about two hours, we'll reconvene then." He stood. Elise nodded and left the room towards the foyer stairs, walking slowly. Merrick would catch up, if indeed he still wanted to talk. She hoped Myra was doing ok with Aiden. The painter was interested in the boy, she could tell, and she hoped he wouldn’t break her heart like Merrick did with her, though he was making a play to mend it. It didn't take long for Merrick to find her, "Elise." His voice sounded from behind her. She turned, her eyebrow raised in question. "Things ok? You left in a hurry, I didn't do anything wrong did I?" His voice was uncertain and far from the cool confident way that he'd spoken in the meeting. "We have a few hours to kill. I thought you might like to go for a walk?" "I’m fine, I’m just not sure as to how to deal with everything, with you, you know, with the politics. I’m sure it’s safer if I remain aloof for now, for both our sakes." She smiled. "I’m not mad at you. You did well in there though, and I’m proud of you. I think a walk would be nice." "The gardens always were peaceful." He beamed happily. "Things will get easier, I promise. The hard part is over, it far exceeded my expectations." They walked down the side corridor instead of up the stairs and were out the side door towards the serpentine gardens in moments. "I think so and you seem to have made quite an ally in Marcus." "So it seems. I'll wait for the other shoe to drop on that one, though I have to tell you now I don’t think I can beat a helicopter. No matter how much my testosterone wants me to try." She giggled and shook her head. "A low blow to be sure, though I think he was more bragging for Olivia's benefit then for yours." The serpentine garden was a six-foot tall hedge maze, complete with a center of large thicklimbed trees that you could see from the beginning of the maze. The hedges wound and slithered much like their other halves did, making pathways and dead ends, all for the sake of Victorian amusement. The gardens had stood at the Orpheus since it opened. The original owner, an archon of Ramona's territory named Ildris, had a thing for folly and decadence, and thought a hedge maze, with a center with an Eden for any snake was the way to occupy the east lawn. She was grateful for it, as it would give them some much-needed privacy for their conversation. "I know but it still smarts." He told her as he took her hand as they entered the maze. They walked for a while in a comfortable silence moving deeper into the maze. Then he stopped and turned to her still holding her hand. "I'm sorry we were interrupted earlier." She shrugged, trying to make it look aloof. "That’s ok, I’m used to it," she smiled and squeezed his hand. "I’m sure things will get better." "They will, I know they will. Once we get the girls safe." She nodded, hating herself for wanting him all to herself. It was always something keeping them apart, always something that stopped her from being truly happy. She was being selfish, she knew, but ~84~

it didn’t stop her from wishing none of this had happened. Of course, if it hadn’t, she wouldn’t be with him. "I know." "I was thinking that after everything’s secure we could maybe go away somewhere... just the two of us. I was thinking the Maldives." "Oh?" she said, hoping he wasn’t going to promise and not deliver. The islands were a place she longed to visit. "If you want to, I have a place there. At least I should, I've never been but I'm told it's beautiful. A perfect little private beach, just the sun, sand and us." "Never been there? How do you know you have it then?" she asked and moved towards a bench close to where they stood. It was a lover’s bench, one for scandalous and clandestine encounters while in the maze. She didn’t think it would be used for such treats now, and odds are that it hadn’t been in a long time. The stone probably missed being used for its grand purpose. "Oh I'm assured, it’s a long story but it boils down to me and a few others needing to keep some money safe. So we chose to store it in land and property, it’s not the only place I own it's just one of the few that isn't leased out." "Ah." Merrick might not be as open about his business dealings as Marcus was, but he wasn’t stupid either. She knew damn well he could have a helicopter if he wanted just by his statement then. She wasn’t sure what to say, Merrick, no matter how rich his family, was never into doing things by the book, especially making money. Elise had always been the respectable one, the one that was bound by the laws of society, and Merrick never was, and she never knew what to say to it. He sat himself on the bench putting his arm around her. "Did I mention that clothing would be optional?" She chuckled and breathed in, his scent surrounding her. "Yeah I sort of figured it would be." "I just wanted to make sure." He smiled down at her. "Well it’s something to think about, there’s a lot of things to think about, nothing is black and white you know?" she sighed and shook her head. "Though most pressing would be what you plan to do about your nest I think. Ramona won’t allow the thought of you having a council sanctioned nest when we turned down Hannah and her own." He sighed, "I know, I was saving that problem for after our holiday. I could always have Aiden blow something of hers up maybe with her inside it?" he chuckled softly, "That does tend to do the trick. Keeps the boy happy too." "Well that might solve that problem but it would open up a whole can of worms that you don’t need I think. And you might as well get all your problems squared away, I have come to grips with the fact that there’s just too much going on to have you to myself until its all taken care of, Merrick. I have waited this long. What are a few more years, eh?" she said bitterly. "True, but you can still have me to yourself some of the time." He nuzzled her neck, his lips brushing her. "Not really, but that does feel good. I don’t know where things are going John, all I know is having you this close is such a tease, you know that?" she sighed and reached down and squeezed his knee and looked about where they were stopped. "A place like this is supposed to be romantic. You know I heard Ildris would hold a lovers’ quest in here with the eligible snakes of all the nests on midsummer’s eve back before our parents were even a thought." "Ildris was quite the snake apparently. It makes sense though..." His lips quirked. "Proving yourself to your mate, it’s romantic. I always was fond of the old quest stories." She giggled and stood. "Yeah? Well if those stories are true I wonder about the ones involving the orgies." Smirking he looked up at her, dark amusement in his eyes, "Ah well let us hope most of those are based in fiction... or at least were greatly exaggerated. I don’t think the word depraved can accurately describe those stories." "Makes Caligula look tame." She grinned and turned. "Have you ever been in this maze?" ~85~

He looked thoughtfully about before answering. "No I don’t believe so." She nodded looking down the row and then back to him. "Me neither, though I understand it used to be a test... So..." she blushed. He raised an eyebrow at her his grin widening. "A lovers quest? You wish for me to hunt for you? Set your terms..." She blushed harder and then stood with her hands on her hips, feigning deep thought. "If you catch me before I reach the center," she licked her lips, grinning to match his and sighed, "I’ll mate with you... no more issues or second thoughts. You catch me and I’ll know you’re going to stay with me." She blushed and looked down, giggling slightly. She felt like a schoolgirl again, and the entire scene brought her back to one of the last nights they were together, when he asked her about mating to him. Merrick sat across from her on the grounds just outside his mother’s compound just outside of Edinburgh, the clear night above and the city beyond the perfect backdrop, Merrick leaned in, as if to kiss her, and then moved to her ear and whispered, his words making her shiver. “Mate with me Elise…” She looked at him and smirked, shaking her head. “After all this time? How many times have you had me, and held back John? I have been promised to you since we met, and you never even bothered before now.” “You’re mine Elise, and I want the world to know.” “Why now though?” He sighed and moved back, looking her in the face. “My mother is sending me to Brazil, nest business. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I won’t go without the promise of being with you when I return.” She scoffed, and then blushed. “So you would mate me to keep me? Only to keep me waiting for you? John, you don’t have to, and I won’t let you. It’s supposed to be special John, and if I don’t let you, well, then you’ll come home to me all the quicker to do it, if you really want to, for us, and not your damn foolish male pride.” She smiled. “No one else will have me John, because I already belong to you. I’ll mate to you when you’re ready for us to be the center of everything, when you realize I’m the most important.” True it was selfish, but it was exactly what she was feeling. Since then she had seen all their friends pair off and have a clutch of their own, or become archons and have their loves at their side. She was ready and had been for a long time, and damn it all if she was going to let him slip away from her again from his sense of duty. She was probably wrong in stopping him then, but now… now she had a chance to change history. "Oh you will, will you?" he grinned at her licking his lips. "Okay I can agree to those terms. Which form shall we do this in? Human or snake? It's been too long since I had my coils around you... but running is fun too." She shivered and giggled. "Ooh decisions. I think human form, with a little coil time later?" she asked hopefully. Catching her in snake form would be fun, but she wanted the romance of it, wanted the feel of being claimed before she was, as was the old stories of this particular hedge maze. He nodded standing up and shrugging off his coat setting it on the bench. "Fair enough. Do you want a head start?" Elise giggled and winked dashing off down the row and giggled as she turned right, the sound on the wind as she sprinted away. “Come and get me Merrick.” She was out of sight but not scent range in mere moments and knew that the fun was just about to begin. ****

~86~

Myra sat in the passenger side of the large Excursion and gave a sideways glance at Aiden, smiling to herself. He looked good in his jeans and black t-shirt, and he smelled even better with her scent clinging to his and mingling deliciously. He had found her walking up the stairs, telling her to get dressed, they had a mission, and while she wasn’t too fond of his superior tone, she did as he told her, satisfied that his promise of telling her what was going on when they were on their way. And he did. He was very thorough in his briefing, explaining to her that Evelyn Rose had called in and she was alive and had intel they needed, and it was up to her and him to bring her back. “Ok so why send you and me? I mean I understand sending you, she knows you and you know her, but why me? Unless you just wanted me along for the ride?” She grinned and rolled her shoulders. “And what the hell do we do once we have her? Elise and Merrick got a plan?” "I tend to get along better when I don't question the big guy’s plans. I'm sure he has something in mind and we can get everything he knows from the source and work our way to a plan from there." He answered part of her question keeping his eyes on the road. "Ok, but why send the two of us? Surely you can pick up this woman alone." The thought of him alone with a woman that wasn’t her knotted her stomach, and she slowed her breathing trying to ignore it. "Sure I could, but it's easer with you here. Me and Evelyn don't get along so well, I'd have to knock her out or hold a gun on her to get her in a car with me." "Isn’t that how you get most of your dates?" she asked with a cheeky grin. He chuckled sparing her a glance. "Very true, but Merrick doesn’t want to scare her, reckons the little slut's been through enough. I'm not one to disagree." "Little slut?" This was getting interesting. "What, she turn you down, or are you going to call me that too when I’m not around?" "Huh?" He looked over at her frowning, "Hell no, you’re magnificent, she's just a little cock tease and yeah, she did turn me down, a few times. Not that she won’t open her legs to any married film star that asks..." She beamed inwardly, hearing him call her magnificent. It was quite possible he was only saying it because they were alone together but there was the off chance he meant it. "I take it Evelyn is a sore spot then? You really think I’m magnificent?" she asked with a slight blush. "I do." he said a little awkwardly keeping focused on the road. "I really do. Evelyn Rose isn’t a sore spot for me; I just find time to pull her pigtail, metaphorically speaking, now and again. She despises me and I couldn't care either way." She reached over and placed her hand on his denim clad thigh, letting the warmth of her body heat sink into his leg as she leaned in. "Well I think you’re pretty mind blowing as well Aiden, Evelyn doesn’t know what she’s missing." "That's good to know. Not that I didn't already know, it is good to hear you agree with me. We should do it again sometime." She giggled and shook her head. "I’m counting on it." She squeezed his leg and smiled. "Though next time we’ll have to try something with scales, I still want my coil." "We'll have to see about that." He answered stiffly his whole body tensing. "You really don’t like the thought of that do you?" she asked pulling her hand away. "I mean I understand if you’re not into sharing that with me, if I’m not right for that with you..." she said quickly trying not to babble. "It’s not that," he blurted out quickly. "Trust me it’s not, if I were to with anyone it'd be you. I just... I mean I don’t really." Aiden sighed gripping the wheel. "It’s just snakes in general... I had an incident when I was younger and I tend to keep having them. Snakes don’t like me and I don’t like them." "Ah." she said and smiled. "Well I’m not a snake all the time, and I like you, and I know my snake will, she likes the way you smell." She looked out the window as they past the roadside forests as they ~87~

headed south to find Evelyn. Her snake has already decided to mark him next chance it got, but there was no need to tell him that. "So you don’t change often, or hunt?" "I change when I have to but I don’t hunt. I don't let it win and it has no control over me. It's not a matter of whether yours will like me love, it’s more a matter of if it comes near me I'll be forced into some rather unmanly shrieking and running. Trust me when I say you don’t want to see me like that, damages the pride." She giggled and sighed. "Ok then, but, you’re looking at it the wrong way Aiden." "Yeah? And how should I be looking at it?" "Not as your snake being some burden, but another part of you. I understand that might be hard, but compromising with that side of yourself creates a symbiosis and better quality of life. My snake enjoys what I do, and me, I enjoy most of what she likes to do. We both enjoy painting though, and we really are a part of each other. I think if you come to terms with that part of yourself, you won’t have such a hard time with it." "I know," He sighed. "I've been working on it. We rarely agree on anything, in fact, we only agree on one thing to date. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate what I am and I sure as hell don’t spend my time wallowing in self pity because I occasionally turn into a giant snake. We just don’t connect, he gets his time provided that he follows the rules and I have mine. It works, I'm not scared of him... it’s the other ones that I don't like, it’s unnatural. It's all snakes, big ones little ones, hell even, rope that moves quickly. If it startles me I don’t like it. I shouldn't even be discussing this with you as this is the last thing I need to get out. Were snakes just aren’t scared of their kin. It’s humiliating but understandable given the circumstances." She nodded. "Fair enough. What’s the one thing you do agree on then? Sure as hell isn’t hunting." "No hunting is out of the question. It's you," he winked turning back to the road. "We both happen to think you’re magnificent." Myra was surprised to hear that his snake liked her. Hers wanted Aiden, body and soul, but his... "Well that’s something to use as a jump off. You know, I could help you with your snake issues if you want," she blushed. "And I would love to have you and your snake slither over me nude." She looked out the window once again, trying not to watch him. Her snake half agreed that it wanted some time with his, and that it was an excellent idea. He was silent for a long while until she was sure he wasn't going to answer. "Maybe." He said quietly. "I’ll take that," she giggled and turned back to him, placing her hand on his thigh again. "You don’t have to answer, but is your snake attractive?" He chuckled, "My turn to say something lewd I guess? He's just a snake; normal retic colorings with maybe a little more orange than most. The only other one I see is Merrick so I can't really comment." "I’m not going to ask about Merrick. That’s not for me to know. And you could have said something lewd, though I know the answer already, intimately. So you have more orange? Sounds sexy." she winked at him and ran her hand up his thigh her fingers playing softly on the inner part, stopping just short of his groin. "It's just a snake. I wouldn't describe him as sexy." "Well that’s where you and I differ. Snakes are very sexy to me, and my snake. We are the world’s most sensual creature Aiden, a mix of both human and Ophidian and your snake is a part of you, and you’re dead sexy." "No complaints from me there, I am devilishly handsome." He grinned over at her. Myra grinned and squeezed his thigh, enjoying both the feel of his leg under her hand, and the change in his melancholy. Aiden was interested, his snake was interested, and both those truths were exactly what she wanted to hear.

~88~

Aiden could be all hers, snake and man, if he got over his issues enough to share both sides with her. Her snake coiled at the thought of having a snake of her own, and even if it would take a long time, she was determined to have him. “Well you got one word right there, that’s for sure. So after this little mission is over, and the day is saved, what’s next for you?” Her hand traveled to the crook of his leg, and stopped, her fingers resting lightly over his groin. She could feel the acceptance in his body language, and it was refreshing, the possibility of his really accepting her unspoken claim on him. Beryl could feel it, even said to her as she was leaving that she knew it. “One of us was going to get lucky with that one, though I can’t say I’m glad it wasn’t me.” “No? He is sexy…” “Yes and completely attached to you already. Since when is sex with you like finding the Holy Grail?” She laughed, “Shit that’s never been an issue before, of course leave it to me to feel this tight of a bond with the second snake I sleep with.” “Fate has a way about it. He’s perfect for you though, going to be a lot of trouble in the long run.” “Since when have I ever wanted the easy way out, especially when it’s a snake of worth? If the juice is worth the squeeze…” And he was a snake of worth, truly, just as Merrick was for Elise, regardless of what they chose for their life’s work. She wasn’t a well to do woman, regardless of her inborn wealth, and craved the alternatives in life, with her paintings, and her choices. It only made sense to want a man that had done the same. The only hang up was his Ophidaphobia, and in time, that would change if they were together. She didn’t need him to be ok with all snakes, just hers. His words broke through her thoughts and she blinked, and looked at him. “Okay, now I’m an asshole, caught up in my thoughts. What did you say?” He smiled shaking his head. “I said that I’m not quite sure. It all depends on Merrick, for the most part; Kira and I spend most of our time keeping him out of trouble. Course we have our own respective jobs that keep us funded but that’s more of a part time gig. Next time I have to work is in a couple of months unless a last minute contract comes up and I don’t take them on lightly.” He stopped the car for a red light. “You going to tell me what you were thinking so hard about?” Myra chuckled and looked over at him. "You. You’re very distracting." "Oh I am, am I?" He grinned, "And in what way would that be? Other than the obvious." "Just reliving earlier." She winked at him. "Ah..." He said in total understanding. "In that case you go back and relive the moment, don’t let me stop you. Though try not to mess my seat up too much, I tend to frown on that sort of thing unless I'm actively involved in the messing." He winked dropping the car into gear and driving off. "Fresh. Though not to inflate your ego further, but I felt amazing after that. I went and laid in the sun for a while." "Yeah I noticed." She turned. "You noticed?" He nodded once. "I peeked my head out and had a look." She smiled. This was promising. "Oh? And what did you see?" "You naked, very pretty sight might I add." She turned. "You did get an eyeful of that not a few moments before, nothing different then to when I was outside." "True. I guess I'm not one to look away from a naked girl. Your snake's pretty too... though I can’t think of as many interesting things to do with that." So he did watch her change, and he apparently liked it. That was a point on her side. "You think? Most other snakes don’t, so I usually change alone, its safer on my pride." "I'm not most other snakes." he said quietly. ~89~

"No, no you’re not. You don’t see me like that as ugly?" She shook her head remembering the only other man she had ever slept with that was a snake that she changed with. Dorian had seen it as disrespectful, seen it as trying to hide what she was, when really it was about loving being a snake. They didn’t see each other after that and she stopped showing herself to those not close to her like family. That Aiden had seen her, even her roll probably, and wasn’t disgusted; well maybe there was hope there yet. "Hell no... I hate snakes, remember? I like what you've done; it's quirky and damn if you didn't smell good. She looked pretty." She turned to him again and leaned in to him, whispering. "She likes that you think she’s pretty, And I do too. You’re the only person to ever say that to me." She kissed his cheek and breathed him in, the scent of the polymer clay strong on his person, but made better by the dark earthy scent that she was coming to know as uniquely Aiden. It all was a turn on, especially to her snake. He groaned softly leaning into her. "Mmm now that is nice. You know, carry on like that and I'll so be following my own advice about seat messing." She giggled and leaned in further, nibbling her way down his neck. "As if I would let you mess the seat up..." she nipped playfully at the small expanse of visible collarbone and then ran her tongue along the ridge. "Damn girl, do you always know just the right things to say?" "Can’t seem to put a foot wrong when it comes to you..." she nibbled her way up his neck along his jaw line, tasting soap, and his natural taste, something akin to cherries in whiskey. Sweet and tart, but smoky at the same time. Gods he was perfect for her. "Apparently not." He purred low in his throat. "Pity we're here already." She nipped at his lobe and then sucked it gently. "Truly? Well we’ll have to pick this up another time won’t we?" "We will." Agreeing as he pulled the car to a halt outside of a motel. "Mer said to find her in there, you wanna go and check? Less chance of you getting slapped." "What do I get for my trouble?" she said with a grin. "What do you want for them?" "Something special I think." "Very well, then, special you shall have." She smirked and wondered but figured Aiden was the kinda guy that would do shit on his own time. She unlocked her seatbelt, then opened her door and turned back to him. "Any code or anything I’m supposed to say? I sure as hell don’t wanna get slapped either." He chuckled, "Cat fights to a minimum, unless you’re both naked and wrestling in a tub of KY." He zoned out for a few seconds clearly engrossed in his own thoughts. "She should be expecting you, just tell her that Merrick sent you. You know what she looks like right?" "Kinda hard to miss Evelyn Rose. Hell, Reece still has a pin up of her in the gym at Knossos. Won’t be long." "Cool I'll wait here. Avoid using my name unless you have to." She laughed and left the car quickly, walking into the motel's reception area, trying to figure out how the hell she was going to ask for Evelyn. Surely the woman wasn’t going to use her real name as she was running from the baddies. It didn’t matter though; she was sitting in a side chair, watching people as they came in from behind a magazine. Myra bee-lined it to her and smiled. "Evelyn? I’m Myra Richards. John Merrick sent me to bring you to Orpheus." Evelyn lowered the paper eyeing her suspiciously. "He sent you by yourself?" "No, but I was told to not mention the other person’s name, lest I wish to be slapped." she grinned. "He’s in the car, thought it was safer.” A frown crossed across her features for the briefest second quickly followed by a smile. "Aiden." “Indeed. But I didn’t say it did I? So I’m still in the clear. We have a ride back, if you will come with me?” ~90~

She nodded, "If he's with you then you can't be with them. He's not got the spine to go against Merrick. I won’t go anywhere until I see him though... sorry but it's been a long few days." She stood dusting herself off. Myra nodded. “If you walk over to the window he’s parked right outside, no doubt cringing,” she giggled. “I’ll stay right here if you wish.” "Please." She smiled politely walking over to the window she'd pointed out. Her shoulders sagged in relief as she saw Aiden. "I've never been so happy to see him in my life." “I bet. He’s a bit skittish though.” She grinned. “Orpheus is about an hour from here, and I am guessing time is of the essence? So we really should bounce.” "Good idea. It's only a matter of time before I'm spotted, you know how it goes, starts with one then before you know it there's like sixty people all lining up to cop a feel, and gawk at me in makeup" Myra laughed. “Totally. Let’s go then, we can chat it up in the car.”

~91~

TWENTY Merrick inhaled deeply breathing in the scents around him. Elise was close, very close; of course he hadn’t given her more than a few seconds before chasing after her. His heart was threatening to break out of his chest it was beating so violently. She was giving him a chance to prove himself and this was exactly what he needed. She’ll finally be his mate, all his for the taking. All he had to do now was take her. He followed the scent breathing in a lungful of it as he moved swiftly through the maze. Elise was a highly skilled shifter; he didn’t doubt for a second that she could have eluded him here in the old days. This wasn’t the old days though, Merrick was stronger and faster than he’d been and he was also a much more efficient hunter. He’d had to be over the years, to protect himself and his kids; he’d had to learn all sorts of skills that he’d otherwise prefer to have left out of his knowledge. These were all skills that he was putting to use now. There was no way she could beat him now, something that he was sure she knew. That thought alone sent shivers of excitement racing though him, she was all but willingly submitting to him. He weaved silently through the maze crouching low to the ground so as not to be spotted. All this time and she was finally going to be his, mere moments away. His Ophidian side screamed at him, urging him to run blindly towards her scent, however, his human, and more logical, side gave him pause. This may have been a race but there was no sense blundering forward. He had to take it slowly and use all his senses. He’d take his time to devour the moment as surely as he’d devour her once he caught her. Catching her was his top priority, everything else faded in his mind; the girls, the cult, Evelyn, Aiden and even the other Archons. None of them mattered when compared to catching his mate, proving his worth to her. All he needed was her. She was all he ever needed. Her laughter filtered down to him on the slight breeze coming from ahead of him. “Slowpoke.” She called from further into the maze. Her taunt drew a loud rumbling growl from him, one he was certain she’d heard. He took off down the path in the direction that she’d spoken from. It sounded like she was parallel to him only a few rows over. He bounded down the path stopping suddenly as he came face to face with a huge stone cobra marking a fork in the maze path. Slowing his breathing he strained all his senses hoping to catch a hint as to which way to move. Both paths were covered with her scent, but he couldn’t decipher which one she’d trailed down. After a heartbeat or two without a clue the jeweled eyes of the cobra sneered mockingly down at him. “Fifteen years not long enough?” she giggled. “Or is it that you can’t get it up anymore? Catch me if you can...” Her voice came from the right. Ignoring her words, as his male ego now joined his snake in the urging, he bounded off after her leaving the cobra long behind him. Her scent grew stronger as he followed the maze path around. It wouldn’t be long now before he could satisfy his urges, all of which were making themselves frequent residents in his body. She was so close. He kept his body low to the ground, ready to pounce, as his silent steps stalked closer to his target. ~92~

“Quickly now.... John I’m waiting...” Her melodious voice was so close that it sent shivers coursing through him. Keeping his breathing calm was becoming difficult. If he wasn’t careful there was a chance he’d hyperventilate and that wouldn’t be the end that he’d envisioned for this event. He rounded the corner just in time to catch a flash of something disappear around the next turn. Her laughter reached him as she stopped and winked, darting down another row. His target now in sight he tore down the maze after her. Elise had always been fast but he'd been faster, even now he quickly gained on her. She whooped laughter and hauled ass around the next corner, the trees at the center closer to both of them. “John...” she called in a singsong voice. He grumbled under his breath a manic grin spread across his face. "Yes dear?" “I’m almost there...” He looked over into trees marking the finish line keeping his mind focused on her. "So you are love. Almost isn't quite..." He snapped off lunging across at her grabbing her waist and tackling her to the ground. "There though." He finished holding onto her. She giggled and then feigned a pout. “Shit, you’re quick. I didn’t really have a chance did I?” "None whatsoever." He grinned reaching up to kiss away her pout, "That’s the kind of odds I like to play against. Gods Elise you’re perfect." “So glad you think so.” she giggled and nipped his bottom lip. “We are close to the center, at least it looks that way. Shall we?” Nodding he stood lifting her with him and taking her effortlessly up into his arms. "I think that’s a good idea, after all we did come all this way." She wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggling her face into his chest, inhaling deeply. He walked silently up with her to the center enjoying the feel of her in his arms. She always did fit so well against him. "The way the legends tell it there should be a stone bench here somewhere." “Hell they way they are told this should have a few shackles on one of the trees too.” She giggled and flexed her fingers against his neck, drawing across his skin in a lazy manner. “Well you do have me...” "I do..." He kissed behind her ear nuzzling in her scent. "My prize." He whispered glad of the shivering response her body gave him. “Ummm and what will you do with your prize?” she asked. "Hmmm... What to do indeed." He crooned in her ear as the reached the dead center on the trees. Her thigh was soft as he stroked up it idly with his thumb. She giggled and squirmed in his arms. "It would be a shame to let such a fine prize go unclaimed now wouldn't it?" “That’s up to you John... seeing as I have been unclaimed this long.” "You have... but not for much longer." he nibbled on her ear as he turned leaning her against a tree trunk long enough to switch her weight onto it. Elise grinned and wrapped her legs around him and squeezed. He pushed her back against the rough trunk grinding himself teasingly into her. She whimpered and closed her eyes, shuddering. “Ummm...” "Hmm... feels good." He whispered and lowered his mouth to hers pressing against her soft, ripe lips. They kissed, Elise clutching to him rolling her hips into his thickness. She whimpered, moaned and gasped as his mouth fed from hers, and she unwound one leg and set it down, her other leg still firmly around his waist holding him to her. He used the scant inches to press her further into the tree, his body knew where it needed to be. Growling softly he broke off the kiss trailing his lips back behind her ear and down to her throat. She gasped again; putting her hands down his sides and groaned. “Gods Merrick... still know every button to push don’t you...” ~93~

He lifted her gaining better leverage to her body. "Like I could ever forget." “You’re telling me all this time you haven’t had anybody else?” she nipped on his neck and licked a line up his neck. "Not one." he murmured into her neck. "I didn't want anyone else... nobody could ever compare to you." “Truly? Well that’s damn romantic. Poor baby... so long to have any sort of relief... serves you right...” she sucked his ear into her mouth and rolled her hips again. "It does serve me right." he agreed worrying the sweet soft flesh on her neck. "And I didn’t even have the luxury of those vibrators you mentioned, though I certainly would like to be introduced." Grinning up at her he slipped his hands down to her waist squeezing her towards him. “To my vibrator? Honey you won’t get along.. Trust me...” she giggled and arched. “God I missed your touch.” "Coincidence...I missed touching you." He told her stroking his way to her hips. “You don’t leave anymore... I mean it...” "Never again, I swear it." She grabbed him then and kissed him hard. “I love you John...” He pulled back long enough to whisper, "I love you too Elise, with all my heart." against her lips before kissing her again. “I won’t be mated to a man who won’t stay with me John. If you can’t make the promise of staying... I need my mate all the time, forever.” She cried out as he ground into her harder. "I already covered that, my love, when I said that I'd never leave." “Ummm true, but I won’t be left again for any reason. I don’t care how it works out. If I carry your mark, you don’t leave my bed.” "Surely I'm allowed to leave to go to the bathroom..." He chuckled against her. "Surely you’re not that harsh a mistress." “It’s been a long time Merrick... I have had to keep busy...” she giggled. He laughed pulling away to look up at her, "I'm not going to leave you Elise, I promise. If you want to discuss this seriously then I may have to make the occasional trip away but it should never be for longer than a few days at a time and you’re always welcome to come with me provided that you follow my lead." “I never wanted to be a traditional archon John, if I did I wouldn’t have ever agreed to a betrothal between us. We were meant to be a partnership John, no matter how long you have chosen to fight it...” Conceding her point, he decided, was better than arguing it with her. The fact was that he hadn't been fighting their partnership but staying low until having one would be safe for both of them. Of course it didn’t matter how many times he told her this she'd always see it as she did. "I know, and so it doesn’t matter if I go away because you'll come with me. I'm sure we can find you something to keep yourself amused with." “You amuse me, and I don’t care how, this has to work. Your nest can integrate with mine, I think that is already happening anyway, but Knossos is big enough to accommodate everyone,” she moaned as he squeezed her hips. “Gods I love your touch.” "There’s no rush to integrate everyone love. As I said most of them don’t play well with others." “I just don’t wanna leave any avenue open John. They can always come to Knossos; it has been and ever will be, a refuge.” She purred as his hands stole under her shirt. "I'll let them all know." Her persistent hands drew a groan from him. “See that you do... Ummm you are a tease, and I’m surprised you haven’t ripped my clothes off and tried to ravish me already.” "Hmm..." He grinned, "What a good idea." His hands moved up to cup her breasts squeezing them before undoing the buttons on her shirt. She moaned and shuddered. “Ummm John... We shouldn’t... Ummm I like that,...” ~94~

"I know you do... and why shouldn’t we?" He kissed down her collarbone and freshly bared chest. The lace of her bra felt rough against his lips and tongue as he sucked a hard nipple into his mouth nibbling it over the lace. "It was your idea..." “Ummm Yes I know...” she panted arching into him. “But really... We should stop... not here..” He paused, breathing hotly up onto her. His instincts were warring within him. On one hand he wanted to take her, ravish her and make her his after so long. On the other hand he wanted it to be special when he finally mated her, he always had. "Stop? Is that what you really want?" She shivered. “Do you think you can do as you have done before? Have my body without giving me your heart? Gods I want you...” "I won’t lie to you, no matter how much I want to, I'm not going to be able to separate the two now... not after so long." He buried his face in her chest. “Nor I. I need you, Druis... but I won’t be your whore...” "I would never ask that of you..." He smiled weakly pulling himself away from her. She panted and sighed. “It has to be special Merrick... I won’t settle for anything else.” "It's all you deserve Lise." He whispered up to her. "It will be special." Taking a deep breath he took a step away from her gently lowering her leg to the ground. "Besides we're not teenagers anymore, we can wait a little while longer. “Not much longer.” she righted her shirt and closed up the buttons, looking around. “This really is an Eden. My snake is longing to explore.” "It is a jungle. Though, to be honest, my snake is longing to hunt back at Knossos again. It always considered those grounds as its home." She looked at him beaming. “Really?” "Really, and it certainly missed hunting with you." “So does mine. She misses the lazy coil time. I miss our times when we would just coil in bed.” "Me, too... we’ll have those days again." He held his hand out to her. "Come on we should head back. No telling what mess everyone’s getting into without us there to supervise." She took his hand and grinned pulling close to him. “So a coil soon... but after I wear your mark my love.” He nodded leaning forward and kissing her. "You're such a little tease my love." “I have every right John. And you’re not staying in your room tonight.” "Oh no? Love you'll have to shackle me down to the bed if you expect my control to last that long lying next to your warm naked body." “Shackles? Umm who’s the kinky one now?” she giggled and kissed him. “And who said I would be naked?” "What? You won’t be?" He pouted jokingly letting disappointment show in his voice. “Only if you beg, on your knees.” she tugged him along out of the center towards the southeast sector. "Mmm... That sounds promising." He followed her moves keeping her close. “I bet...You still that horny teenager just waiting for a stolen moment in your mother’s hall?” "Horny maybe, but I'm not a teenager and we're far away from my mum's." She grinned and turned jumping into his arms, wrapping herself around him. “No, you’re not a teenager anymore...” she stroked the grey hair at his temples. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Smiling softly he sighed. "Which is a good thing because it's too late to have me any other way." “Yeah I know, and maybe this is a good thing.” "Maybe it is." He placed his hand around her waist and started walking them out of the maze. "Only time will tell."

~95~

TWENTY-ONE Elise and Merrick walked into the Orpheus through the back doors, greeted by the sounds of some very irate snakes coming from the formal dining room. She wasn’t surprised they had come back to pandemonium, with everything as tense as it was, but the din they were now privy to was a bit much. She looked at Merrick squeezing his hand. “What do you suppose is going on?” "I think the kids have arrived back..." He chuckled. “Meaning?” "Meaning that we're about to find out where the girls are." “Ah. Then we should bust in don’t you think? The sooner this can be remedied, the better.” He nodded motioning her to the door. "After you, my love." She smirked. “Thanks.” Taking the expanse of floor between their position and the double doors leading into the dining room quickly, she opened the doors with a flourish, and all the conversations and yelling stopped abruptly. They entered, side by side, and Elise stood at the head of the table looking everyone over. She knew they could scent Merrick on her, and she didn’t really care. It was something that was going to have to be addressed at some point, but with the assurances that Merrick would be with her at Knossos, and her mate, they wouldn’t bitch overly much when it came down to it. “Ok, now why the hell are you all pissing a fit?” Aiden looked up at her and smirked shrugging his shoulders. "Nothing to do with me, boss lady, I'm just doing what I'm told. As for them," he gestured to the others in the room. "They're getting a little out of hand. See Rose here is staying tight lipped about all that is cultish and the others are seeing it as a grave insult. What with them reckoning that they're higher than her and all." Elise bit back a laugh and then looked over to Olivia who was turning purple with anger. “And well she should. None of you are her Archon.” She turned to Evelyn, who was sitting in a chair, a drink in her hand and a sandwich before her, Myra standing close. “Evelyn, I’m glad you’re here, and in good health. Merrick?” she turned to the man at her right, indicating for him to start the proceedings. With a sigh Merrick stepped forward a grave smile on his face. "Evelyn it's good to see you. I hope nobody’s been causing you too many problems, especially after everything that’s happened over the past few days." Evelyn shrugged managing to make the gesture look graceful. "I was kidnapped and locked in a dog cage Merrick. Trust me after that nothing they could do to me would be problematic. Even the car ride with Aiden was a breeze although his choice in music is appalling. I'm not into mullet rock." Myra giggled and nodded, apparently agreeing with Evelyn. Elise watched as Myra caught Aiden’s eye and winked. “While I’m sure we all want to sit here and discuss Aiden’s musical tastes, I believe the subject at hand is the extraction. Evelyn, how much time do we have?” "Not long. I had about forty-eight hours, maximum, from when I first escaped. My guess is they'll start covering their tracks tomorrow sometime, once they've determined that I'm not still running around in the woods." “So we have under eight hours to mobilize and get them out. How far are they from us?” Marcus asked her, pulling out his cell phone. ~96~

"Not far." She told them noncommittally crossing her legs under the table. “Well that doesn’t help Ms. Rose. We need to form a plan, and for that we need a location.” She nodded. "I know and I'm sorry I'm not being very forth coming with coordinates but I do have one small request before handing over the location, and by request I do mean condition." Elise smiled. This was indeed interesting. “What’s that?” "I want you go with you..." She smiled taking a dainty bite of her sandwich. Elise looked at Merrick. Sending Evelyn back into the lion’s den wasn’t even a condition, not when they had taken such great pains to abduct her and the one man had taken even more pains and possibly mortal risk to himself to set her free. The thought dawned on her and she shook her head, realizing that that was the reason why she wanted to go back, the guy. “Merrick?” "Absolutely not." Merrick’s tone was serious, the finality of it absolute. "Ok then," Evelyn shrugged again lifting her sandwich. "Have it your way... It sure is a shame about all those poor girls, but hey, it's no skin off my nose Mer. I'm sure you guys will find another way..." Elise lifted her hand. “She goes Merrick.” she said with more finality then she ever thought possible. Evelyn grinned, "She talks a lot of sense, after all, I've been there. I know the lay out and I even know where the girls are being held." Merrick spared a glance at Elise before looking to Evelyn. "This is all information you could pass on. Why?" "Because I owe someone my life and I know how you all can get when it comes to collateral damage and humans. I just want to make sure I pay my debt and that none of those meatheads over there blow a perfectly decent human being up..." She looked over to Marcus and Olivia’s side of the table. "No offence." Marcus tipped his head at her while Olivia scowled. Elise looked to Merrick. “And that’s a very good reason. Fine, you go Evelyn. Now where the hell are we going?” She gave them all a million dollar smile. "Perfect, get me a map and I'll show you. I have the coordinates memorized that I could write down if that’s easier." Marcus pushed a pad and pencil and Geraldine, quiet until this point, brought her a map. Evelyn did both, wrote down the coordinates, and located it on the map. It was right on the border of the three states, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, right where Beryl had said it could be. Marcus and Olivia wasted no time telling their teams where it was, and they were both now waiting on orders from their Archons. Elise looked about and then spoke. “Well that’s settled. How long will it take to get there?” Marcus looked at his PDA and then back to her. “Approximately two hours by car, though the Black hawk can make it in thirty minutes. What’s the plan?” Elise looked at Merrick. “What do you suggest?” "I'm not the action man here. I'm a little out of my depth in planning military assaults. Aiden and I will handle the cover up and I suggest you send someone in with Evelyn, maybe Myra, to get the girls out safely while the attack ensues." “Done.” she said and frowned. “Olivia?” Olivia detailed what she and Marcus had come up with quickly, a very regimented snatch and grab, with orders to kill all threats on sight. It would be a clean operation, as long as things didn’t get turned around on them. Elise didn’t enjoy the fact that Merrick was going in, or Myra, but something told her there was no way Myra was letting Aiden go alone, but that was not the issue at hand. She would worry about the two of them later on. She looked at Ramona. “And you? What have you come up with? Have you heard from Lillith? Or Hannah?” "Not personally, although I'm told Lillith is doing just fine. Hannah is still absent, I'm sure she isn't caught up in all this mess. My daughters are far too intelligent to be snatched up off the streets like some rogue whore." She answered haughtily causing Evelyn's body language to stiffen. ~97~

“Last I remembered, Hannah was just a plain old whore but hey... where are my manners? Ah probably the same place yours are Archon, the same place my good sense has been hiding for some time as well.” Myra said and smiled sweetly at Ramona. Evelyn grinned at Myra, "That must be the place where my modesty is... I've heard about that, it's pretty far away. No need to rush to my defense as I've been called much worse. I'd rather me than..." She gave Ramona a disdainful glance, "That, any day of the week. See I'm hot. Everyone knows it... chances are that her daughter was just too fugly to get saved. It's like natural selection, survival of the hottest." She smiled sweetly over at a now fuming Ramona. "No offence, really." Ramona opened her mouth but it was Merrick who spoke first. "Enough! Insults are not helpful, no matter how amusing they may be. We don’t have the time to be at each other’s throats. If you don’t have something constructive to say then I'll ask you to keep your mouth shut." Elise shuddered inwardly. Hearing Merrick raise his voice was such a turn on, asserting himself in a way most other Basilia’s didn’t. She watched Myra nod, already falling into listening to him, and smiled. It wouldn’t be that much of a hardship to get their people to accept each other she was sure. “Merrick is right. Now if no one has any objections, I say we mobilize in, say, twenty minutes?” she looked over at Marcus and Olivia who both nodded. “One thing though, no changing, and tell your men not to do anything that would give their dual natures away. We want to hide the Ophidian side of ourselves; this threat is just too damn big.” Merrick nodded. "Agreed." “Then I suggest all that are going get themselves ready.” She looked at Merrick, clearly an indication that she wished to speak with him and then looked at the rest of the council. “Good Luck.” Clearing his throat Merrick looked at Aiden. "Aiden get yourself ready and stocked up, you know the drill. Evelyn you stay with Myra, I'm sure she'll supply you with anything you need for the night. Maybe even a fresh set of clothes." He waited to make sure each of them understood their part before leading Elise off to the next room. Once alone she frowned at him. “You promise me you’re coming back.” "Of course, I'm not even going to be in the fray, strictly clean up." She nodded and moved in, kissing him soundly, her hands possessive on him. She didn’t care who knew it, or who saw, only that he was there, and real, and she would be damned if she was going to lose him again. He kissed her back feverishly his arms encircling her. “You come back to me Druis, back to a hero’s welcome.” "Nothing could stop me, my love." She would have to take his word all over again, and this time the stakes were higher. “And do me a favor? Let Evelyn keep her human...” she winked. He chuckled. "You did meet her, didn't you? I don't think it would be very good for my health to deny her the human." “Very true, though it would be bad for her to even think it about hurting my mate.” She grinned and ran her hands down his sides and hips, then back up to the small of his back. “You will be ok?” "I'll be fine. This is a piece of cake compared to some of the things I've done and now I have you to come home to. I'll be back alright." “Then get ready, and come back to me and our bed.” She smiled and kissed him again putting everything she felt for him into the kiss. She wasn’t taking any chances.

~98~

TWENTY-TWO Homer grabbed the clip board and checked all the hand written names of the thirty or so girls they had caged in the hold, and noticed the small stars next to seven of the numbers. Looking at the list, it was true; Cristof had chosen some very attractive women. Of the thirty or so, the seven were the ones in the best shape; no doubt they had been accepting of their situation and had been cooperating with the guys. All except for the porn star. Notes next to her name stated she had not slept with anyone that had taken her out, and Homer smiled. It would figure that she wasn’t the dick hound they thought she was going to be. Porn stars had a job to do, and they did it, it didn’t mean they enjoyed it. The psychologist, he surmised, was using her body and looks to keep herself alive and in reasonably good health, though there was the off chance she was enjoying the attention and anonymous sex. You never knew with them. The rest, the weather girl, the racecar pinup, the diver, and the musician, they were all in good health if not in good spirits. He checked on each one, trying to give them a reassuring smile, and brought them each some water. Delphyne, if indeed it was her and not the lecherous leader of the damn group, had chosen for her vanity that’s for damn sure, exactly as he thought she had with Evelyn. Evelyn. Shit. This was going to be hard. He knew she was coming back with whomever she got to ride to the rescue, and his gut tightened. Cristof was too interested in her now, especially since she showcased such amazing ability. There was the odd chance that Cristof was right, but he couldn’t think about that now. Her safety, and the safety of the girls, all of them, was paramount. He wasn’t sure who would be coming in with her but whoever it was, they had better be loaded for bear, because the assholes that where here with him enjoyed their cushy job a little too much. And that was the problem. It was going to be one hell of a fight to keep the fucks away from the girls on his own and he realized he was going to need help. Knowing that there was not a snowball’s chance in hell that one of the guys would, so it was down to finding the girls with enough will to live to step up. Out of the seven, he wasn’t sure who was up to it, but he was damn well going to find out. Stopping in front of Catherine’s cage he crouched looking in. “Ms. Everett?” he called into the oddly dark cage, and heard the lock on the door click, along with heavy boots clumping through the open space. None of the other soldiers walked as hard as Jax, who seemed to need to let the world know that he was a tall and powerful asshole. "Hey bud, how’s the head?" Jax asked smugly as he stomped in with one of the guard dogs hot on his heels. Homer stood and turned. “I’m fine. What the fuck are you doing down here?” "Nice to see you too Maxwell." He smiled leaning up against one of the cages. "Just taking a walk. Cristof wanted me to check up on you, you know how head injuries can be... they can make a man do strange things. Much like the right kind of woman if you know what I mean." “I have no fucking clue what you’re talking about Jax.”

~99~

"Sure you don’t." He said disbelief clear on his face as he took a red ball from his pocket bouncing it off one of the unmarked cages and catching it again. The girl inside whimpered causing him to grin. "We still haven't found Rose, it looks like we're gonna have to shift camp." “Obviously. I have already been briefed, on several things including what Cristof wants. So will you blow? I have shit to do and obviously less time to do it in now. “ He threw the ball over his shoulder letting the dog scramble after it. "And that’s exactly why I'm here to help. You'll have to start putting the others down soon. So have you chosen which of them you're gonna have yet?" He frowned. “Still choosing. And I was told I don’t have to spare any bullets until crunch time. It’s not crunch time. So clear out.” his voice held nothing but unabashed malice. "Fair enough," he shrugged pushing away from the cage. "Just so you know, come crunch time, I'll be here for you bud. I'd hate to have you put in a position that defies your gentlemanly honor. I'm going for another patrol of the grounds, you never know I might catch Rose, I'll give her one for you shall I?" Yeah, if Jax met up with Rose he wouldn’t be giving anything that was for damn sure. The woman would probably cut his nuts off for looking at her funny. “Why the hell not.” He grinned. “Now go and take that fucking mutt with you.” The dog barked bounding over to Homer wagging its tail. "What, you don’t like Fiona? She sure as hell isn't likely to crack you one with a wine bottle." “True but I’m not one for fur.” "All fur? Like little pussycats and bunnies? Or fur with your sex? In which case it all depends, little Fiona there isn’t my type." “You are a sick fuck Jax. Take the mongrel with you, you’re wasting precious time.” He patted his leg calling the dog to him and taking the ball out of her mouth. "Sure don't take it out on her though, it’s not her fault you got all knocked up in a bad way. It’s funny how you're so sympathetic to the reptiles but have no time for the good animals. Come on girl we're going hunting." Homer smirked. He was more sympathetic than Jax knew. He watched the asshole and the dog walk out the door closing it behind them. The lock clicked in place, and he turned back to the cage he was in front of, crouching once more. “Catherine?” he called again. “Ms. Everrett?” "I'm here." Her voice came from the back of the cage. “Why is the light out? You’re not cut or anything are you?” "No. Your friends thought that it would make me more receptive to their advances." “Well thankfully I’m not looking to give you advances. Are you ok?” A strangled laugh came from the dark. "You're kidding right?" “No, not at all. My name is Homer Maxwell, and I am not here to try and fuck you.” "And that’s believable." She sighed. "Ok so you’re not here to fuck me... fine, then let me out." “I can do that. We need to talk. How would you like to get back at all those fucks?” "How?" She asked crawling to the door of the cage. “Simple. I give you a weapon, you promise not to use it on me, and if one of them comes close to you, you cut the fucker up.” "Sure I can do that, no promises though. If you touch me in some way I don’t approve of I'll use it on you." She answered toughly looking defiantly up into his eyes with her big blue ones. “Trust me Catherine, I don’t plan on it. No offense, of course. The time is going to come where you’re going to have to help me keep some of those fucks away from the girls. Apparently the compound is moving and there are only seven of you they are interested in. I plan on holding them off till the cavalry arrives.” Annoyance flickered over her face at his words. "What cavalry? And you mentioned letting me stand..."

~100~

“Someone got loose, well I let them escape. And she is hopefully on her way back now with someone to help all of you. Either way, in about ten hours we are going to be light about twenty three girls if we don’t do something about it.” "Are they Ophidians or are they going to be the police? I don’t have much faith in the cops." She groaned sitting back down and leaning back against the cage stretching her legs out. The movement pushed her ripped skirt up flashing him most of her upper thigh. So the girl was a snake? Interesting. He lowered his voice. “You haven’t changed have you? At all?” "I'm not stupid and you didn't answer my question..." She finished stretching one leg and moved onto the other. “I can’t tell you that, cuz I don’t know if she’s Ophidian.” He sighed. "And you let her go?" She groaned sighing. "Great, just great." “Fuck I didn’t know any of you really were, still don’t to be exact. And she was the one they gave me... Fuck it was the only chance I had for you guys.” "It's better than nothing I guess. Can I get out of this thing now? I'm pretty sure my legs will support me." “Just don’t kill me ok? I’m only trying to help you.” He unlocked the door and offered his hand to help her out. She took it bracing herself as she came out straightening her legs. "Damn that feels good. I haven't stood for a while." “How long since you been out?” "Don't have a watch on, about a day I guess. I need to go to the bathroom." “That I can do. Bathroom is through that door.” He pointed to the door behind them. “Take the time you need. I’m going to rouse the rest of them, get them ready to go should we need to. Anyone else you think might be useful should shit hit the fan?” "We've not been talking. It isn’t exactly a knitting circle here." “Obviously, but you are pretty fit for this.” he smiled. If you’re hungry I have some snacks too.” "Food's a great idea. I'll be right back" She winked at him walking unsteadily over to the bathroom. Homer let her go, checking on the rest of the girls, assessing their situations. There were a few that were too weak and delirious to work with, and they would have to be watched closely now, and protected. If Catherine didn’t slouch on him, there was a possibility he could help the majority of them, but unless Evelyn brought help, he was going to have to sacrifice some of them to help those who could help themselves, and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He turned to see her come out a bit better for a quick clean up. She was attractive, long strong legs, blonde hair, and bright cerulean eyes. He could see why Jax wanted a crack at her, but if he had anything to say about it the only crack the fuck would be getting would be from getting whacked on the back of the head. “You better?” "A little." She smiled pushing her hair behind her ears. "How are they coping?" “Touch and go with a few. I don’t know. Some will be ok once they wake. If we don’t get reinforcements, it’s going to be hard to get them all. There’s a sandwich on the desk and a juice.” "Thanks." She smiled moving over to it perching herself on the desk and grabbing the sandwich. "So what's your story? You're not like the others. How the hell did you end up here?" He smirked. “I’m a plant, so to speak.” "Uh huh... you don’t look all green and leafy to me." He smirked. “Yeah I’m lacking the proper foliage.” She rolled her eyes. "Apparently so... who are they taking with them?" “They picked seven, and you apparently are one of them. The lunatic chose by what the ‘goddess’ wanted.” She blinked, "Excuse me? Did you say goddess?" ~101~

“You didn’t know why you were here?” "Musta missed the induction, sorry." “Figured those asses wouldn’t tell you. Ok crash course? Cristof, I’m sure you have met him, weasely guy with the cane? Well apparently he’s trying to resurrect a lamia goddess in the hopes of gaining eternal life. To do that she’s gotta inhabit a vessel, one of you.” "Back to that goddess part again. Vessel? Eternal life?" She shook her head; "This is getting way too sci-fi for me... I pretty much just thought that it was one of those sex things you hear about. What would happen to this vessel? You know, me?" “Apparently a woman can only be a vessel if she shifts, so far something you and the other six have done something for them to be hopeful. As to what would happen to you, I don’t know, they don’t make us privy to the rituals, but I can bet its nothing good.” "Looks like we just have to hope your little human friend pulls through then." “I’m not so sure she’s human, regardless, Evelyn only has a few hours left to get here.” "Great only a few hours to kill before my fate’s decided. Don’t suppose you've got a deck of cards around?" She slid off the desk and began to stretch herself out, placing her hands flat on the floor and bending her body into very compromising positions considering her torn clothing, which would have been skimpy to begin with. He chuckled. “Sorry. Would you want to get changed? Not yet, of course, but closer to post time?” "That might be a good idea." She smiled up at him from her position. "Sorry it just feels so good to be able to move." “Yeah I’m sure. I wouldn’t stay in that position very long.” He chuckled. “Eat, you need your strength.” "Perk of the job," She smiled straitening out. "I can stay in one position for a very long time. My strength’s fine, I have been getting fed, although what it is I have no idea. Suppose I should just be thankful that they're not feeding us defrosted rats with tweezers." “Indeed.” He smiled at her. She was quite a woman, sexy and feisty, but she didn’t hold a candle to Evelyn, his stunning Evie. He checked his watch and then sighed. “Well don’t let the sandwich go to waste.” "I guess, though it would wash down better with a bottle of jack." She sprung back up on the desk eating the rest of the sandwich. "Why would they be taking us and not the others? I haven't done anything to give myself away and I haven’t been fucking anyone either." “Which might be why they are taking you, to break you maybe. I know that the seven of you were chosen, but the reasons..” he shrugged. "Great, just what I need." “They won’t take you.” "Not alive, no way some goddess is using my body as a vessel." “They won’t get you either way.” "Hey you're one of the ‘they’, you know." “Hardly.” he smiled. “Not a chance in hell I’m anything like them. I’m more like you.” "Oh yeah?" Her eyes traveled over him thoughtfully. He nodded, winking. “Yep.” "And in what way would that be?" She crossed her legs. “I think you know Catherine.” he winked again and sighed. Evelyn had better be on her way there, or they were all in deep shit.

~102~

TWENTY-THREE Evelyn was sure that she looked a mess. There had only been enough time for a brief shower and a fresh change of clothes. The clothes were something though and they almost fit which was better than the army fatigues Homer had smuggled for her. Fresh clothes made her feel better but they lacked his scent. That earthy, mossy smell that sent shivers over her body. She checked the clock in the car, it wouldn’t be long until she saw him again and once she had him she didn’t plan on letting him go for a very long time. Myra was driving the car, following her directions. They were alone in the car with the plan being that as soon as the fighting started they could sneak in and grab the girls taking them to a meeting point. Evelyn liked Myra and was glad that she was the one coming with her; it could have been Aiden or worse Kira, though she severely doubted that Kira would stick her neck out for anyone other than herself. Myra’s choice of men was a little disturbing though. “So you and Aiden then? What’s with that? You do know that him and his little sister are like… unhealthy close right?” Myra chuckled. “I highly doubt that. Kira seems to have an affinity for snakes, and Aiden, well he doesn’t. But I do like him. He smells good.” She winked and giggled. “And he’s a lot of fun. Only snake in my life to compliment me.” "Aiden complimenting someone? Was this before or after sex?" Aiden was a sex pest, one who believed that he was more than god’s gift to women. Complimenting Myra was something he was bound to de before sex but after was a whole other story. "Then again he was stealing sneak glances at you when you weren’t looking. Why hasn't any snake ever complimented you?" “It was after,” she blushed. “And as for the second question, I’m a bit of a pariah when it comes to shifting. They see me covering my scales in paint as blasphemy.” "Why?" She shook her head; she'd never understand people, shifters especially "Eh men of all species are messed up. I guess that’s why I stick with humans... or at least am hoping to stick with humans. Truth is it’s been a long time since I've stuck with anything." “You and me both woman. Aiden is the first man to give me any sort of attention in ages, and the first snake since I was eighteen.” "Really? What’s it like? You know with another snake... It's never interested me before but I guess there are certain intimacies that you just can't have with a human." “Well...” Myra blushed and then giggled, “Um... Aiden is different to me; he’s nothing like Dorian was. Dorian was ok, Aiden is amazing... being with a snake is different, but so much better. You can let go, not have to worry about your other side enjoying itself. My snake enjoys Aiden... almost as much as I do.” "That’s a good thing, and if you can put up with him then I'm happy for you." She smiled at her new friend. Evelyn had never felt that she was missing out by not being with her own kind. Letting loose was a rare luxury that she couldn’t afford, hell she could barely sneeze without someone taking a picture and plastering it on the paper. It might have been nice to have someone to change with but she ~103~

didn’t need a man to share that with. A nice human would suit her just fine and it just so happens that she had one in mind. “And you? You’re all hot to go back... What’s his name?” Feeling her cheeks flush she looked away. "That obvious?" “Only to someone else that is in the same situation. It’s why Elise went against Merrick. She knew. So who is he?” "Ah... his name's Homer. He's the one who helped me escape; I really didn't want him to get hurt. He should have come with me but he had to stay and look after the others, make sure they didn't get hurt." “Admirable. Sounds like a quality kinda guy.” she grinned “Guys like that are hard to come by. If I ever get Aiden to stick around we should double some time? You know, after this.” "That'd be nice. If it turns out that he doesn’t have a problem dating a reptile... or me." Myra laughed. “Something tells me he will be open to it...” "You think?" She asked hopefully, she really wished that he would be and nothing that he'd said gave her any indication that he'd think of her any differently. Then there was always her track record. "I don’t know, I'm just death to men. I've had a grand total of three relationships in my life... three really bad relationships. I just don’t want to ruin a perfectly good man. I'm mean look at me, I've barely spent twelve hours with the man and I'm already obsessing." “That’s not obsessing, that’s imprinting. Regardless of whether he’s a snake or not, the two of you had something, and you know that it’s the right kinda something. Same thing with me and Aiden, and with Merrick and Elise. Why do you think she’s waited for him this long? Or why she didn’t mate after she heard he had died?” "Maybe. I suppose I can’t do anything but wait and see what happens. So what is Merrick and Elise's story anyway? I take it he didn't really die." “Well you know better then we do, he’s your Archon.” she grinned. “No they have one of those tragic romantic relationships. Duty, honor, you know all that jazz. Well things went wrong I think, and Elise has been pining for him this past ten years, longer even, it was five years in I think, of him being gone, that proceeded that.” "Wow... he never mentioned it. Then again he did always avoid getting into personal things, I admired that. He's such a contrast to other men that I honestly thought he was gay." Myra barked out laughter. “Merrick? Gay? Oh lord! Hell, Knossos still rings of the hoots and howls coming from their suites before he left for South America. I was young then, and I still remember it. I always wanted a love like that. When he was deemed missing, then dead, the entire house went into mourning. He’s our Archon too you know? Elise always shared her power with him, a real partnership.” "Then he's a very good man." Merrick had seen her naked on several occasions and hadn't even seemed all that bothered, if he wasn't gay then he must have truly loved her. Maybe something like true love did exist. "I've never even heard of a man that devoted, but why did he stay away? She must have been broken..." “He had his reasons, I’m sure, though Elise is going to make him pay that’s for damn sure” she grinned. “And she was, completely broken. It was touch and go there for a while, and she was getting better, and then, well then this happened. She was a mess, and now well I guess they are getting back to normal. It will be good to see her happy again.” "Yeah I wondered why it looked like she had his balls in a vice. I've never known anyone to talk to him like that." “Elise is the only one I think. She’s always gotten away with murder with him, though it works both ways with them.” "Yeah like disappearing for years. You know it’s weird; I think this is the longest conversation I've ever had with a snake that wasn't Merrick... It's nice." ~104~

“Same here. Aside from Remy, I don’t talk much with the other snakes. Though to be honest, since Remy became a dad it’s been few and far between that I have interacted with anyone, let alone sat on the back porch and had a beer in the dying summer sunshine.” "Sounds like fun. It’s been a long, long time since I did anything that free. Not counting the past few days... I don’t think being kidnapped counts." She grinned and it was true, everything she did was always planned out, where she'd be, whom she'd be seen with. Her agent pretty much had her whole life planned out for the next three years. It had been like that since she'd first started modeling at sixteen, of course her agent had changed a few times since. See bad relationship number one. She'd never grudged or regretted the things she had to do to be her; it was never like she'd ever had anything better to do. Sometimes she did wonder though. “Well then you need to come to Knossos and hangout. No one will bother you there; Knossos is the only nest that hides in the open and because of that we don’t have issues. Spend like a month with us, it would be cool to have you about, and you could meet all the kids. I love the kids.” "You know I might just do that... It'll be good to spend some time with real people. Of course the papers will tell everyone that I'm in rehab, they better give me a proper addiction. Not something like painkillers or lighter fluid. Though I'd rather be an alcoholic than a junkie. You know they might even give me an abortion, which could be interesting. It’s always amusing to see what they come up with next." “Living in the public eye sucks I’m sure. I’m occasionally in the news with my work but nothing as bad as that.” "It's not so bad, it's just when someone forms an opinion of you based solely on what they read or see. They think they know you when they really don’t. Men tend to act like it’s my fault when they find out that I'm not the slut whore that they've built me up to be. I guess that’s why I like Homer so much, he gave me a chance, Evelyn Rose, not that half naked pin up. I've never even driven a motor bike the whole thing just looks far too dangerous to me." “We rarely are what the world makes us out to be. And like I said, maybe Homer will surprise you.” she turned and looked at Evelyn. “So, is he hot?” She beamed at her, her cheeks burning. "Uh huh... very. His body’s perfect, tall, lean, hard in all the right places. One of the hottest men I've ever laid eyes on and I don’t even think he knows it." “Those are always the best ones. The ones that don’t know they got that ass you can bounce a quarter off of.” "I'll have to test that theory." Evelyn grinned, "It is a great ass... and boy can he kiss." “Umm those are the best. You know if they can kiss they are dead ass amazing in bed.” "I plan on finding out." She blushed violently again. “Yeah I bet. I could say the same about Aiden, but I already know.” She shivered. She giggled. "So is he really god’s gift like he claims?" She blushed and shuddered. “Aiden is exactly what I like and wanted in a man, sexually at least. I haven’t ever thought it could feel like that.” "Interesting," she chuckled. "I honestly didn't think he had it in him." Looking out the window she could see that they were getting closer. They only had fifteen minutes before the attack started. “He does. Now if I could just get a coil out of him he would be perfect.” "Ah well good luck with that one. The circus messed with him and Kira's heads; he'll never get over that fear. I don't blame him either." “True, but I don’t need to get him over the fear, just ok with being with my snake. Regardless of how perfect he might be for me, from his amazing scent to the way he plays my body like an instrument, my snake needs to be appeased too.” "I hope he manages it, for both your sakes. Thank god all my snake needs is a few trees and some brightly colored birds, it’s hard enough finding a man." She smiled looking back out of the window. “Hell yeah. So you ready to do this? How are we getting in?” ~105~

"Same way I got out I guess. Pull over up here we'll get ready and wait for the noise to start... then we'll sneak in." “How far is the building housing the girls from here?” "About twenty minutes, I ran it in ten... so we should have plenty of time. We don’t want to run into anybody on their way to fight." “I agree. Now the big question, what kinda weapons do you want? I brought knives, they are my specialty, but I also brought two sets of Glock-9mm and a Tazer. I know, it’s scant, but I’m more of an up close and personal kinda girl.” "Tazer and the Glock will do me fine. I only use knives for food." She grinned getting out of the car. "Is it wrong of me to feel so excited about this?" “Hell no. Normally I’m not so blood thirsty, but my snake, she likes a good fight. So this is another way for me to appease her. So where do you think Homer will be?” "With the girls, it’s his job to guard them and such." “So that’s where we should go straight to. Mow down anyone in our path. You ready?” The sounds of the battle reached them with a large explosion, and Myra looked at Evelyn, gripping two small but lethal looking blades. “Shall we?” She grinned taking the gun out and checking it. "Damn right I am."

~106~

TWENTY-FOUR Merrick sat in the car watching the battle ensue. Marcus’s helicopter landed just in time unloading its men and taking flight again. Others filtered in through the trees and before the cult knew what was happening they were in the middle of a battleground. True to his word Merrick had stayed well out of the way opting to sit next to the van they’d placed for the girls. Aiden was with him and if he was pissed off about being left out of the action he didn’t show it. He was sitting quietly setting up his equipment and checking his charges. Mer had no idea what he was working with, he’d tried to help once but only managed to distract Aiden which was apparently a bad idea considering he had enough stuff with him to blow up a whole city block. “You gotta admit that black hawk came in handy.” Aid commented from his work. “I’m not getting one Aid, we’d have nowhere to park it… or drive it.” “I’d learn, it couldn’t be too hard.” “If you want a shot on one you could borrow Trent’s. Elise would kill me if I came home with a helicopter, it wouldn’t even come in handy.” “What about that time we had to drive across the desert because we had too much weaponry to get on a plane? It would have been useful then.” He pointed out reaching into his bag and pulling something out. “Yeah it would have been but we’re still not getting one.” “Suit yourself.” He shrugged. “How long do you think it’ll take to clear this place out?” “They said about half an hour then another just to check everyone’s out. We go in after the first half. Is that going to be enough time for you?” He asked looking at the pieces his protégé was fitting together. “Sure we’ll have time to spare. What’s the cover? Military hospital?” “Nah, Ed said it didn’t fit with the area. Tonight it’s an old missionary.” He grinned knowing Aiden was going to get a kick out of that news. Ed was the man they used when they needed to cook something. The man was a genius when it came to records and computers, if you needed something invented or to disappear he could do it in a matter of hours. He charged an arm and a leg to get it done too; thankfully Trent had him on the books. That and he and Aiden were good friends, they were always trying to out do themselves. Once when they needed a cover for something similar he’d practically invented a whole town complete with people and a history dating back as far as anyone cared to look. “Never blown up a missionary before.” Aiden remarked with a look of glee in his face. “Still haven’t.” “Eh,” he shrugged. “It works on paper.” “Paper lies… ask Ed.” “I guess. You think Myra’s ok?” “I’m sure she is.” Merrick smiled at his friend. “She looked like she was pretty handy with those knives.” He’d been wondering when Myra was going to come up. “Just concentrate on what you’re doing. It won’t do her any good if you blow her up worrying about her.” ~107~

Aiden glared at him for even suggesting that he’d be that sloppy but opted not to say anything returning back to his work. Merrick went back to watching the battle which seemed to be going their way, though it was hard to tell who was on who’s just at the moment.

~108~

TWENTY-FIVE Homer growled and then looked over at Catherine, who was now dressed in fatigues and a green shirt, a pair of boots on her small feet. They heard the explosion and Homer nodded at her to take her position. The girls, the ones that had woken up in the past twenty minutes, were briefed and ready, most of their cages already unlocked but the doors still closed. Homer was leaving nothing up to chance. The plan was to get the girls out as soon as humanly possible, but he knew it wasn’t going to be easy at all. They were going to have to be sneaky, and it required patience, and timing. They heard running on the upper level, and the radio on the far table was alive with chatter. “Firefight on the south…” the words cut off with the shrill of static only to be replaced by others from another voice. “Code seven! Lock down assault! Under fire, repeat,…” again the voice died out in static and Homer smiled. Whoever was here was thorough, systematically taking out the outlying sentries before giving away their positions. A few more garbled messages came through the airwaves, then the walkie went to straight static and he nodded once again at Catherine. “Okay, don’t forget, the seven of you need to stay close. It sounds like the end of the world out there.” He pulled out a Beretta and cocked it, throwing it at her. “Shoot for the kneecaps if you can, and the dogs, go for the heads. One shot, one kill, as we like to say in the service.” Evelyn had to be there, and no doubt she was on her way down as he spoke to Catherine. “Get the girls in the far cages out. Ladies? I believe we have our opportunity!” he said and banged on the nearest cage, going over to the table and grabbing some shoe polish, smearing it on the side camera, so that Cristof, if he was watching wouldn’t know what was going on. He knew now that if they were watching, the girls would only have a small window to get free before some of the men came to finish the job he was supposed to start. Several of the girls slipped out of their cages and stretched quickly, then helped the others out that were too weak to do it on their own. Homer looked at Catherine who grabbed the last girl, a slip of a thing no more then eighteen, and nodded. “Ready? Ladies? Tazers and a few guns are on the table. Recapture is not an option, you hear?” he said just as the door opened. Turning he was stunned, ready for the surprise attack, but not the shock. Evelyn beamed at him a gun hanging loosely at her side. "Well you seem to be fairly organized... not going to shoot me are you?" He grinned and winked, going to her and pulling her to him. The relief that flooded him at seeing her safe, having her near again, hell it was much too much for him to bear. He kissed her hard, possessing her fully with the kiss alone. His one wild card was back, and damn if she didn’t kick some ass. She groaned into his mouth her body melting into him. "Mmm I take that as a no then." She whispered pulling back to look at him. "Miss me?" “Well talk about that later Ms. Rose. Right now I believe we have had all the free time we are going to get. How the hell did you manage this?” He looked her over and his body tightened. The ~109~

woman was battle messy, her hair stuck in strands to her face from the sweat, her cheeks ruddy and her eyes glassy from the adrenaline. She couldn’t have looked sexier in her life. The woman at the door with her winked at him, a small secret smile on her face as if she knew something the rest of the world didn’t. She was spinning a throwing knife in her fingers, and had that kinda deadly beauty that one associates with danger. Whoever she was, Evelyn had picked the right people for the job of the extraction. The war zone was getting closer and their window of flight was diminishing quickly. Evelyn shrugged. "I blackmailed some people... well they were planning on coming here anyway I just withheld the location till I got to come along. There’s a van with a medic about a mile from here that we're to get the girls to. The helicopters gonna take the seriously injured back but that'll be after the fight." “Well then we have to move the weak ones to a somewhat secure location. And anything at this point is better then the compound. We need to keep track of seven of the girls especially, Cristof wants them for the possible vessels.” He pointed to the seven. “And we need to get them out of here and into protective custody now. Once we get away from here I can call my aunt to help with that.” He swallowed, unsure on how to tell her the next part. "Your aunt?" She asked carefully. "She's not a cop is she? That wouldn't be so good..." “Hardly, the woman is as crooked as can be. But she does for her people.” "People? Like... you?" She smiled at him. "Its ok, I think we got it covered. We'll take the girls out to the van and you try not to get shot." She smiled at him patting his arm. He grinned. “Trust me, Aunt O can help in a way others can’t.” She frowned then nodded. "Ok Hun. We'll give her a call... after we get them to the van." “Then let’s get them to the van, love.” he grinned. She really had no clue what she was in for with him, but it didn’t matter, right now they needed to get the girls out of there. “You ready?” "Sure am boss." Jax growled appearing out from around the door and grabbing Evelyn around her waist. He held a knife to her throat in one hand and a gun pointed into her gut. Two more men walked in training guns on the girl that came with Evelyn and Homer. "Told you I'd find her bud." Fuck. This was a doozy. Catherine stood there, her gun out of sight, and Homer counted himself lucky for that. He looked at Jax and then at the other two sizing them up. The woman that had come in with Evelyn had palmed her knife, and again he counted that as a point on their side. “Get your hands off her Jax. She’s not yours.” "Really? You so sure?" He grinned trailing the knife tip down her throat to between her breasts. "Cuz it kinds looks like it from here." Keeping eye contact with him he buried his nose in her hair breathing her in deeply. "Heh, we smell good together." Homer saw red. The meat sack had gone to the limit, pawing and now smelling his woman. Evelyn’s eyes were on his, determined. He knew what to do, had to go for it, and he knew damn well he would be faster than the knife, but the gun was another story. He reacted quickly, moving with a speed he didn’t show before, making it from in front of him to behind him in the blink of an eye. That’s when three things happened at once. He grabbed for Jax, both arms, the woman that came with Evelyn threw a dagger into Jax’s gun toting arm, and Catherine shot the guy holding the gun to Evelyn’s companion. Jax’s hand dropped the gun to the ground with a hiss, and as he tried to slice Evelyn’s throat, Homer attacked. He moved in and bit Jax’s bicep, tearing from it not seconds later, two puncture marks visible as venom flew from his mouth. Evelyn dropped and rolled out of the way as Jax screamed. Jax hissed in a feline like manner leaping back from them. "Son of a bitch!" He shouted shaking his head trying to clear it. "I should have fucking known you were one of them!" He glared up at Homer his now yellow eyes reflecting the light. "Just thought the smell was from spending too much time with them." He shook himself all over then held the wound up venom dripping from it. "What type is it?" ~110~

Homer smirked. “Does it matter? You got about forty-five minutes, give or take how strong you are. I told you to stay off her, but you didn’t listen. Prick.” His eyes reflected his other half, silver with black slits set in a menacing gaze. He looked at Jax and confusion set in. Why would a cat be helping Cristof? "Oh I'm pretty strong, so I guess we'll be giving." Jax panted sweat beading on his forehead. He looked at Evelyn who was staring at Homer wide eyed with her gun hanging loosely in her hand, and laughed. "Oh it looks like you've got some explaining to do lover boy." “Catherine? Do me a favor? Shoot him in the leg.” He smirked and winked at Evelyn. The other woman who had come with Evelyn moved quickly, grabbing her blade from his forearm, his blood dripping to the floor. "In the leg?" Jax shook his head and staggered away from them. "Hardly necessary. I'm dying that'd just be cruel and you’re not that... nope. Not at all." He braced himself against one of the cages with his good hand. Evelyn took a few steps backwards shaking her head muttering. "A snake eh? All this time... and venom... wow." She was clearly in shock. Using the distraction Jax leaped across the room to Homer cracking him in the back of the head with a police rod. He grabbed Catherine snapping her wrist and pulling a fresh gun to her head as he edged to the door. "Ain’t exactly wine bottle but it'll do the trick..We're not almost even for the bite, cunt." He snarled. "I'll square you up for that some other time. See ya bitch." He kicked Catherine into Myra knocking them both over, he got in one last shot at Evelyn before leaping out of the door into the darkness. Homer hissed and shook his head his eyes flashing in the light as he saw Evelyn on the ground, a pool of blood under her left shoulder. “Fuck!” he was holding her a second later, assessing the wound. It was clean; the fuck caught her in the shoulder just under her collarbone. The arm was dislocated, it was apparent, but other then that she would live. “Evie, Love, fuck!” he said shaking her. “Don’t you dare lose consciousness! We aren’t outta this yet.” He was torn between getting the girls to safety and going after the fucking cat, but Evie’s safety took precedence over everything. “Baby, say something!” "Am I going to die?" She looked up at him pain and fear all over her face. "I think he shot me... it hurts." “He did shoot you but no... You’re going to be fine.” He ripped a piece off the bottom of his shirt and pulled his bandana from his back pocket, pressing it to both sides of the gunshot, he ripped off her sleeve and tied it around the wound tightly, his heart breaking at the sound of her gasp of pain. The wound dressed he sat her up. “Evelyn... baby you gotta walk...” “Catherine needs medical too. Fucker just snapped her wrist.” Evelyn’s associate said over the other woman’s sobs. The majority of the girls that had been in a daze had come to and were stretching, grabbing weapons and going to each other’s aid. Homer took it as a lucky break; they wouldn’t have to carry many. “Then let’s get them outta here. Now. That fuck might be bringing back reinforcements, and I can’t fight with him with them hurt. Come on baby... on your feet, we gotta get the hell outta here.” She whimpered letting him help her up while tears streamed down her face. Her chest heaved as her breathing increased rapidly. "It really hurts..." She gasped leaning against him shaking her head. "I can't go that far Homer." He hefted her up into his arms. His sweet Evie was going to get the royal treatment, and as long as he could use his right hand to shoot he was ok. “Don’t worry love...” he said and looked to Myra, who was already herding the girls out the door. “Girls don’t fucking stop for anyone!” he called. “Follow Catherine and...” he blushed realizing he didn’t know her name. "Mmm that’s Myra." Evelyn whispered hazily into his ear, "She paints things with her scales." He chuckled and then paled. Evelyn’s speech was slurring and that wasn’t a good sign. “Yes, Myra, sorry, fuck.” He followed them out at their back watching left and right. With all of the explosions and gunfire going on outside, they weren’t even noticed, and if they were, their escape from the compound ~111~

was unhampered, as they made it to the van in record breaking time. Homer saw two men by the van who nodded to Myra and left quickly as Myra and a very irate Catherine ushered the girls inside. Myra and Catherine both climbed into the front as he crawled in with Evie still in his arms. One of the girls slammed the door and they were off like a shot, Myra driving like a bat outta hell on some well worn trail tracks. They were soon at the highway and hauling ass at about ninety, when Myra called back to him. “Will she be ok? We are not fifteen minutes to the airlift.” “She will be. I need to make a call.” “To Olivia? You’re Ryan, aren’t you? She’s been looking for you. This explains it.” Now Myra was not a snake that was part of his home nest, and this bothered him. “How the hell?” “The five nests are working together, and they have been looking for you. You’re going to have a lot of explaining to do guy.” “Don’t remind me. So she’s part of this?” “Yep, and she’s waiting at the Orpheus.” Homer sighed and applied pressure to Evie’s wound, talking to her in soft tones, to keep her conscious. What seemed like minutes later, he was being ushered into a black hawk helicopter with her still in his arms, the girls that were worse for wear with him. Evelyn moaned, and that was a good thing, the pain would keep her awake, and when everything was fixed up, he was going to have a lot of things to explain to her, the woman that he knew was going to be his mate.

~112~

TWENTY-SIX The bag of tricks was heavy against Aiden’s shoulder as he carried it the short walk to the battle site. He walked ahead of Merrick trying to avoid direct contact with him. Merrick had been in a rage since they’d left the van. Evelyn didn’t look so well and the fact that another snake had been carrying her didn’t make much sense. They hadn’t had time to check her over or even find out if she would live. Myra was in good health and that did much to ease Aiden’s spirits. He’d been worried about her but not so much that he could fuck up his work here. Aiden could set the charges in his sleep and if you asked Merrick he’d probably testify to that. He’d always had a thing about fire. It hailed back to his days at the circus when they’d placed him next to a fire demon. He’d always envied that kind of power. Of course the demon had lied to him telling him he could have the same power but Aiden got over that soon enough. He’d learned to create the same effects just using a little more tools than the demon needed. A man jumped out of the woods gun raised to attack them. Aiden dropped to the ground pulling his gun and shooting three times into his chest before the enemy could get a shot off. Merrick walked by them kicking the man’s chest raising him off the ground making him land on the base of a tree. Aiden winced as he heard the snapping of bones. “You know I think he was dead already.” Aid drawled as he stood brushing himself off. “He is now.” Mer’s eyes were ice cold. Aiden hated when Merrick got like this. It was mostly anger at himself for letting Evelyn get hurt but it was still scary. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.” “Fine? That was a lot of blood she lost.” “It was in a non threatening place and Evelyn’s tough. She’s a survivor; you had no choice but to let her come. We would have lost them all… there was a lot of girls saved today.” He kicked the body again snapping more bones. “Oh I had a choice. And what the hell was Olivia’s nephew doing with her?” “Looked like action man was carrying her to me.” Marcus had radioed them to let them know that Ryan, Olivia’s nephew was indeed with them and on his way to the Orpheus. Merrick had put two and two together and figured out Evelyn’s savior was Ryan. His Archon growled. “You know who that was?” He fumed continuing before Aid could reply. “That was Ryan… the one she’s been trying to contact.” Yeah, he heard the same radio message as Merrick did. “So?” “So if she’d had a man on the inside this whole time I swear I’m going to tear her a new one…” “I think that’s a little unlikely.” “Oh you do, do you?” He barked angrily squaring up to the smaller Aiden. “I gotta blow something up.” Aiden sighed turning away from Merrick and walking back toward the base. He loved Merrick and looked up to him but when the guy was in a rage he just couldn’t be reasoned with. Thankfully it didn’t happen often. They reached the base, Aiden drawing up to look at ~113~

the practicalities of the buildings. There were two main buildings along with three out buildings. “Missionary eh?” he asked sizing the place up. “So he said.” “What was it before?” “It’s not on record.” Merrick growled angrily. “Will it work?” “I think so…” Aiden answered on automatic pilot, his brain working furiously. He’d need to get the bodies inside the first main building but that was Merrick’s job. “Gas leak?” “That’s the plan.” Aiden glared at Merrick the sooner he was away from him the better. “Fine.” He took a map that Ed had sent of the gas lines in the area and began to formulate the plans. “What do you need?” “Bodies inside and set up, bibles and robes are still in the trunk. Clear out the out buildings, in the side and where they had the girls. I’m guessing they were in the smaller of the two main buildings. It’ll look good so we don’t have to perfect it, just as long as there is nothing glaringly obvious. General tidy up and then, once I’m inside, I need you to open the pipes in these places. They should be old and not need too much manipulation, don’t force them. If it ain’t broken move on to another close by.” He held up a map pointing at a few openings that he needed. “Try not to blow me up though.” He joked before remembering that Merrick was lacking in humor at the moment. He shook his head and moved off to the dying battle with Merrick marching purposefully ahead of him. Two shifters approached them their guns held loosely in their hands. They walked with a cocky swagger that made Aid inwardly cringe. This was a job and anything but total obedience got its ass whipped. Merrick hated attitude on a good day today he was bound to rip through them if they didn’t change quickly. There was no way in hell he was putting himself in their way to save their cocky asses. Actually it would be good to watch it from the other side for a while. “Who’s in charge here?” Merrick barked at the men, both in their thirties. “I am.” One of them said laced with the attitude of a man who didn’t take orders from anyone anymore. “Wrong, I am. We have a job to do.” “We did our job.” The other spoke out earning him a glare from Merrick. “Wrong again!” Merrick snapped shouting like the drill sergeant he used to be, grabbing the man in charge and pulling him up to his face. “You did the easy part and now you get a taste of what it’s like to clean up your own damn mess. Just so we’re clear on this I’m speaking to you because you speak for your men and your men speak for you. Such insubordination should not be tolerated. Do I make myself clear?” “Yes.” The soldier paled practically squawking. “Yes what?” Merrick growled. “Yes sir!” He answered sharply falling into line. Merrick eyeballed him for a few more seconds before lowering him back to the ground. Aiden didn’t envy the poor man who in all likelihood hadn’t taken an order for a very long time. Merrick looked around assessing the scene as Aiden had done from the hill. “Give me the status on what’s happening here? Where were the girls? How were they kept? Casualties, anything that’s of use.” “Girls were kept in the smaller building in dog cages, we didn’t find any there so we assumed that went well. We’ve had six casualties nothing life threatening, none dead. The outer buildings are secure. Looks like they have been used to store food and necessities. In the main building we found occult books, drawings and other strange paraphernalia. We’ve moved what we can and taken pictures of what we can’t.” “Good. What about Cristof? Did you find him?” “Found a body matching his description, shot himself in the head in his study.” ~114~

“Sounds familiar, keep the body out of the fire, I want someone to ID that fuck. You…” He pointed to the soldier who’d spoken out. “I want you to go to that body and guard it with your life, Seeing as how you reckon you’ve already done the hard part.” Merrick turned back to the man in front of him. “I want the bodies of the dogs in where the girls were kept, it’ll explain the cages. I want you personally to go through the out buildings check for everything, we’re leaving them as they are so I want you to make sure that they are as you report.” Aid grinned watching Merrick relay his orders to the men. He did it well. Merrick cleared his throat continuing. “I want a team combing through the forests making sure we missed nobody. We have no margin for error here, I want all evidence of this erased. Leave six vehicles the rest I want driven to this scrap yard, the owner’s a friend and is used to dealing with us.” He passed him a card for Gerry the auto-chop guy. Aiden waited for the guy to complain about the four-hour drive but he took it on the chin keeping his mouth shut. “Clean the hardware off the bodies and place them inside the main building. I don’t need them sitting at a table drinking tea but I do need them placed around the area and not in a pile. Lastly, there’s a car up on the road and in the trunk there’s six boxes, have them brought to me. Understood soldier?” “Yes sir!” He saluted without a hint of sarcasm then about turned to follow orders. “Wow Mer, you know if I was a girl I’d be all hot right now.” He grinned excitedly. Blowing something up was better than sex, the only thing that beat it was the sex straight after blowing something up and a missionary to boot, oh this was the best that it got. Merrick growled. “Don’t push your luck. You have work to do…” Aid nodded. “Yes sir, and the pipes?” Merrick snatched the line map from him looking back over them. “I’ll see to them myself after the works done. How long will you need?” “Twenty minutes give or take. I’ll need to circle round finding the best places to lay the bricks.” Merrick nodded. “Good I’ll make sure we’re done down here by then.” Mer turned his back storming off after the men scrambling to follow his orders. The absence of Merrick’s presence felt like a weight had been lifted off Aiden’s shoulders. Now he could get down to business. He took a walk around the buildings marking the structural points in his head and which would be easier to take down. They were faking a gas leak so the charges had to be just right. Merrick was going to take care of the hard parts all he had to do was produce the small sparks that would push things along. To Aiden, everything was looking to explode it was just a matter of how to go about it. Looking at the building now gas leak wasn’t how he would have gone about it, the timber was old and set for a good decent burning but there was more than one way to skin a cat. He was planning on a good ole fire anyway; something hot enough to destroy everything inside leaving nothing but highly charred unidentifiable remains. Thing about gas is that it’d take a system clean out if you allow it to go. The trick was manipulating the blast to where you wanted it. Today Aid needed it to take out both houses but it had to happen quickly enough to have taken the occupants by surprise. Pipes were old things that tended to crack, the story was believable enough but still sloppier than he liked his work to be. He hadn’t been lying to Myra when he’d told her that he turned down last minute jobs, anything less than three months then he didn’t want to know. It paid to be the best and he wasn’t going to start making stupid mistakes. Today was the exception to the rule. They were just going to have to be careful and pull all their contacts. He moved inside the house locating the load bearing walls. They were the ones he had to bring down. Hit them with enough punch and it would bring the whole place crunching down. He sat his pack on the wooden floor ignoring the men coming and going with the now stinking bodies. He took out a small claw hammer and one of his bricks moving to the wall. He tapped it with the hammer until he found just the right spot, the denser the better. Once found he hammered at it chipping the brick and mortar until he made a good enough space to place his own made brick. ~115~

The brick itself was a home made combination, something he’d whipped up a few years ago. It was a combination of several devices, both human and magical. As a kid he’d never been one for study but fire had consumed him, it was his passion. He’d immersed himself in literature and everything to do with the subject. That was back when he truly believed that he could develop fire powers. The mulch bricks had several fire wards on them, something far less traceable than modern chemicals. The chemicals were there though, just a little harder to trace or test for. The mulch that held it together was soaked in a variety of liquids before going through another ten or twelve processes, depending on their intended use. The theory behind the brick was that the chemicals held within the brick would expand igniting and pushing outward exploding and instantly consuming everything in its path. The wards gave the fire focus and intensity. There was also a containment ward on there that Merrick had insisted on after he’d accidentally blown up one of the wings on Trent’s French mansion. The detonator was more or less standard and worked by a remote in his pocket. He scraped the containment ward off and lifted the hammer and his bag. One down only nine left to go. **** Merrick had known there was no reason for Evelyn to be present at tonight’s events. She’d been through enough already without a life threatening wound. That is if she was still alive. She was though, she had to be, and he’d never forgive himself if she was dead. Someone he was charged to protect, someone who trusted him to protect her. She needed him and he wasn’t there for her. Neither was that rat snake from Olivia’s nest. The big question was what exactly did he think he was doing? Because he wasn’t protecting her or any of the others, letting her get herself shot. Merrick should have gone in with them, he should never have let the girls go in alone. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he pounded his aggression out on the last floor board to get to the damn pipes practicing for when he got Olivia’s nephew alone. He had to give it to Aiden he knew his stuff, even when called to perform at the last minute. Something that Merrick knew for a fact ruffled his feathers. Aiden sure did know how to bring a house down. It was sad to think what the boy could have become if he’d only put as much practice and studying into more admirable goals instead of destruction. His cards had been dealt before Merrick had found him and after that he hadn’t exactly given the boy the stable upbringing that he needed. The pipes were old and ready to crack just as the boy had said. The area had been cleared and the bodies prepared. He reached in snapping the pipe careful not to cause any sparks. Fire was not his specialty. He sat up lifting his tools and moving back out to the porch. According to his watch Aiden would be out in a few seconds, he barely had enough time to do a quick whip around to check everything was in place before Aid’s voice shouted from inside. “Hey coming out, don’t shoot.” His voice was soon followed by his head and the rest of his body. “You chilled out any? Or are you still snappy, cuz I don’t want you ruining my moment.” “I’m fine, beating the hell out of floorboards works for my aggression.” He managed a weak smile. “I thought it might.” He smiled as they both walked away towards their car. “Everything’s set then, I’ll let it air a few seconds. All the good boys out of the way?” “Yeah. Let’s get this over with so we can check on the girls.” Merrick carefully left Evelyn’s name out. He couldn’t bear to think about what he’d do if she were dead. “They’ll be fine, I’m sure they all are in the best possible place for them.” Merrick nodded not looking at him. Aiden was right he really hoped he was right. Right now he needed to be in the best possible place for him and that was in Elise’s arms. They walked in a comfortable silence for a while then turned to the buildings. “You wanna push the button?” Aiden asked cheerfully. “Nah I don’t want to steal your moment.” “Suit yourself.” Grinning like the Cheshire cat Aiden pulled the remote from his pocket and began a cheerful countdown. ~116~

He pushed the button on three, as always, and the buildings exploded in a controlled fireball. Aiden shuddered next to him watching the blaze intensely. It burned brightly for a minute or so before dieing down. “Well that was fun.” Aiden grinned turning to him. “Let’s go back now. You have someone watching the blaze?” “Yeah I do.” Merrick nodded to the men still left as Aiden and him walked away with the heat at their backs. He let out a sigh of relief as they made it back to the car. It was over, his thoughts filtered to the girls and Elise, at least almost over. They wouldn’t be getting any more trouble from Cristof or his goddess anymore. The cult was long dead and if there was any lucky enough to have escaped…He got behind the wheel starting the car up. Now all he had to do was pray that Evelyn was still alive.

~117~

TWENTY-SEVEN Homer scrubbed his face with his hand for the third time in the past hour, determined to keep his eyes open. Evelyn lay in the bed beside him, her shoulder taped up to hide the stitches. He had stayed with her throughout, keeping her conscious, and was there through the entire operation, Geraldine’s niece Laura thankfully was able to stitch her up cleanly, and for that Homer would be grateful. The scar was going to be small, but it would still be a scar, and he knew Evelyn was not going to enjoy it at all. Olivia had been trying to get at him, but there was not a chance in hell he was leaving Evelyn’s side, not until she woke and he could talk to her. Myra had been right, he had a hell of a lot to explain to her, and he knew he was going to catch hell for keeping his nature from her, but it couldn’t be helped. They were out of there, she was safe for now, and he was going to make sure she stayed that way. Everything else was going to have to wait. Olivia’s incessant bitching, Evelyn’s Archon’s hunger for his blood, the call from the rest of the Archon’s for his intel, it was all secondary to Evelyn and his need to make sure she didn’t hate him. He knew what it was, the feelings and the compulsion, and he agreed with it, the need for Evelyn to be his mate. His snake claimed her the second he saw her in danger, the second he took that chance and propelled Homer through the air at Jax. Homer usually wouldn’t have been that rash, but his snake raged at seeing his intended mate, and acted. It wasn’t how he wanted to break his nature to her, let alone tell her he was venomous, but now it was done. He had been assured that she would be fine, but sore, and the blood loss, even though the wound was a major one, was superficial. Still, until she opened her eyes he wasn’t leaving her side. He groaned, and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and hung his head, trying to calm down. Who knew what state she was going to wake up in, all he did know for sure was that the chances that she was going to be quite cross with him were quite high. He heard her groan and looked up to see her reaching for her shoulder with her good arm and blinking sleepily. “Easy Evie, You have stitches, try not to agitate them.” She looked dumbly at him for a second. "Stitches?" He winced. “The gunshot. It was a clean shot but you have stitches on either side of your shoulder, and it was dislocated. Your right side isn’t going to be up to much for a while, and it’s my fault. Gods Evie I’m so sorry.” Realization filtered through her features. She jerked away from him crying out as the pain stabbed though her. "He shot me." Her voice was high and pained. “Yeah he did. Don’t think we don’t have people looking for him.” "I... Is he dead? You bit him..." She looked up into his eyes then away staring intently at her good hand. "I saw the venom, he should be dead...right?" “If he were human, yeah. Unfortunately he’s not and he wasn’t among the dead.” He frowned. "Wasn't human? Guess that happens a lot... you know?" “What? The bad guy gets away? Or the non human thing?” "Can't exactly comment on the first so it’s the not human part I'm getting at..." ~118~

“Well it was a surprise to me, both on him and you. I’ll admit I thought you were human.” "Seems like the world is just full of us now. Last week I'd barely even talked to another of my kind and now here I am, smack in the middle of... this. Apparently we come in all different shapes and sizes." “Yeah... though I’m really sorry you had to find out like this, about me I mean.” "The snake part? The deadly venom part? Or the part where you just plain lied to me about what you were? Because I can tell you what hurts the most..." A tear rolled down her cheek but she was quick to wipe it away. "Just forget about it. It's my own damn fault." “Oh god. Evie I never meant to hurt you, but in my defense, I never once said I wasn’t Ophidian. I didn’t know what you were, and I couldn’t take the chance of outing myself. My snake though, well he didn’t like seeing you in peril any more then I did, but he’s a bit more impulsive then I am. I can’t tell you how badly he’s screaming to be out on the hunt for that asshole.” "He's right, we're not going to be safe with him still out there. I know I sure as hell don’t want to get shot again; I'm ruined as it is, and I distinctly remembered telling you not to get shot. I'd rather not do this from your end because you look like crap," she smiled weakly at him. "At least I get to lie down." He chuckled. “The scar will be small Evie, don’t worry. Loretta, the surgeon that worked on you, was very careful. It’s discreet.” he smiled. “And I look like shit cuz I have been worried as hell over here. Shit I probably don’t smell too good right now either.” She smiled, "I wouldn't go that far although the tang of my blood is a little disturbing. It's still a scar... two of them. They'll hire someone else rather than airbrush it out. Discreet shows when you’re just about topless. I'll worry about that later though. How is everyone else?" “Fine. Most of the girls are fine, two of them were in bad shape, and I think it’s touch and go with them. I’m not sure about the mental issues but physically, the majority seem to be ok, if a little malnourished. You know, I’m curious, what kinda snake are you?” "I don’t spit venom at people, I'm pretty harmless unless you're a bird. I'm a tree boa... Emerald tree boa." He growled, trying to hold it back. God help him, the images of her curled around a branch excited his snake immensely. He had never been one for the dangerous kind of snakes; they tended to be extremely volatile. He had grown up with an explosive aunt so he knew the kind of lunatic venomous snakes tended to be. He always admired the boa’s and their easy way about everything. He knew she would be as beautiful in her snake form as she was as a human. He grinned. “Really? I bet you’re beautiful. And I don’t spit venom; I’m not a cobra. Though my cousin is, don’t wanna mess with her come that time of the month I can tell you.” She chuckled, "I bet. Venomous snakes always creeped me out, I was there when Aiden got bitten by one. It looked painful. He deserved it but still... it wasn't right." She looked up at him. "Sorry. So what kind of snake are you? If you’re not a cobra." He smiled a sheepish grin and then blushed. “A Black Mamba.” "Black Mamba." She said to herself sounding it out. "I have to admit that's pretty hot." He looked up at her with an eyebrow raised. “Yeah?” "Sure... You're not going to bite me are you?" He smirked. “Not unless you want me to, though I wouldn’t break out the fangs for that.” "Then it’s very hot." She grinned at him. "Do you like trees? In a climbing way not in an oxygen giving way." He smiled at her and nodded. “We don’t get a lot of them in the desert, but yes. I like shade.” "They're good for all sorts of things. I'm an excellent climber. The top floor of my apartment is sealed off. I have a lot of trees and birds the whole place is practically an Amazon..." She sighed. He took her hand and rubbed his thumb over the top of it softly. “Sounds amazing. Are you asking me out on a date?” he grinned. ~119~

She blushed, her eyes flickering down then back up. "Maybe... Once I'm better. I did already promise you dinner." Taking her embarrassment as a green light, he moved in, laying a kiss on her lips. “Oh I more than accept on both counts. I did promise you a good bottle of red didn’t I?” he winked. “So where is home? Your apartment I mean.” "In Vegas." She smiled wetting her lips. "It's not in any of the seedy parts either. I don't get to stay there a lot only when I need to change. Though who knows, with my new found undesirable status, I may get a lot more time there." “Love you could never be undesirable, and I can show you how to hide the scar, though I happen to think it’s going to be very sexy.” "I bet you do. I think that when it's healed we'll have to do a thorough comparison to the other shoulder... just to make sure." His heart sang with her words. She wanted to see him again and was in effect making plans for the future with him, and damn if he was the proudest man there ever was. A woman like Evelyn Rose wasn’t something to play with; she was the woman both his heart and his snake had been looking for, for a long, long time. “I’m all for it Evie, and just so you know, I’m not letting you out of my sight. You get yourself into heap loads of trouble.” He wagged his eyebrows at her and kissed her hand. “I’m really just glad you’re ok.” "Don’t. I don’t want to be out of your sight." She beamed at him turning her hand around to stroke his face. "I'm glad we're both ok, it felt touch and go for a while there. I seemed to stay trouble free before I met you, you know." “Well what’s life without a little danger eh?” he kissed her palm and then sighed. “You know I have a lot of explaining to do right? They are going to crucify me, and your Archon, Christ he had murder in his eyes when he saw me carrying you up.” "Merrick?" He nodded. “Myra told me he was your Archon when I asked. I’m not looking forward to meeting with him, or my aunt. That bitch bites.” "I bet she does... I think I insulted her, Olivia right? She doesn’t like me much. Merrick's protective but he'll get over it once he finds out I’m ok." “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind taking the beating for this, but he just looks like I don’t wanna fuck with him. And Olivia just doesn’t like anyone being more Basiliassa then herself. She’s very big on wearing the pants if you catch my drift. Well now that you’re awake I should probably face the music, but...” "But?" She asked hanging on his words. “I really don’t wanna leave you.” He kissed her again, feeling her moist lips under his own and groaned. His snake side screamed at him to take her, make her his. She kissed him back her good hand going to the back of his head holding him as she did. Chest heaving she pulled back an inch leaning her forehead against his. "You shouldn't have to." She whispered her lips brushing his. "There’s nothing wrong with my legs you know." “And be seen as irresponsible? Evie he wants me dead already. Christ it’s like I’m meeting your parents.” "Its nothing like meeting my parents, my father would love you, if we still talked. Merrick wouldn't give it to you so bad if I was there and you haven't done anything to deserve getting chewed up about. If it wasn’t for you god knows what would have happened." He grinned. “You really are something. So shall we get this over with? I have plans for you for the rest of the night, if you let me.” "Oh yeah? Let you do what?" “Well you’ll have to see, but it involves catering to your every whim. You are after all, wounded.” "You know I had noticed that, it’s the pain that gives it away. I'm not so sure I'll be up for much whim fulfilling tonight. I'll let you in on a little secret though..." ~120~

He moved in and grinned. “Secret?” "Uh huh," She whispered. "I love being catered to and nothing right now appeals to me more than the thought of falling asleep in your arms." He growled a low sensual sound. “Oh I think I can handle that Evie, not a hardship at all. I have been thinking about just that for a while now.” "It's a fantasy," She whispered admittedly. "Just sleeping mind, I'm far from easy." “I wouldn’t ever think you were, and not to mention you’re in no position for any kind of rigorous activity. That can wait. We got all the time in the world.” "Unless one of us gets shot." Her smile faded. "I just wanted to be clear. I may be quick to take my clothes off for a picture, but I don’t just fall into bed with people." He looked at her, quite serious. “I never thought you were that kinda girl Evelyn. We have all the time in the world to get to know each other, and I plan on getting to know you very well. Sex isn’t an issue, Evelyn.” She chuckled at him, "Not right now, but it better be at some point in the future." “That’s up to you Evelyn.” he kissed her hand. “You know what they say, slow and steady wins the race.” "There’s no race, only the two of us." she squeezed his hand. "You never did tell me what poster you had." He chuckled. “The old school pin up you did when you first started. The one in the red vinyl corset and frilly hot pants?” "I think I still have that corset." She grinned cheekily. He groaned, shaking his head. “Tease.” "Little bit." She admitted. "Come on, help me get up so we can get this over with." Homer helped her up gingerly, sighing. “And just so you know, my aunt calls me Ryan.” "Why?" She winced moving her shoulder experimentally. “Easy, easy. Well Olivia is my father’s sister, and we lost him when I was an infant. She always hated my name, claming my mother did it as a joke. My full name is Homer Ryan Maxwell, and my family won’t ever call me Homer.” "I like it, it's very sweet." She leaned forward and kissed his lips. "How did you lose him? Hunters? I think that’s what happened to my mom, either that or she was just a big old running whore. Which makes a little more sense." He nodded. “Hunters. My mother didn’t handle it well.” "No?" “No.” he sighed, not looking forward to reliving that. He hoped she wouldn’t ask him to. "I'm sorry, I know most of the kids with snake parents had it hard." “There’s very few of us that have a happy childhood and a loving family.” "Certainly explains why some Cuckoo their kids. Come on..." She winked at him and tried to hop off the bed yelping and falling on him instead. "Fuck!" Homer held her up and then smiled. “Baby, take it easy. They gave you a muscle relaxant, so it probably hasn’t worn off completely. Baby steps.” "I haven't taken baby steps since I was a baby." She ran her hand over his back. "I do like this though." “Yeah me, too. Kinda feels right. Let’s go and get my ass chewed out. I’m tired as hell and need a shower.”

~121~

TWENTY-EIGHT The council room was empty, but Elise could hear them all around the house, and she knew they would all be making their way there now that things were settling down. Myra had told her things went well, aside from the fact that Evelyn was shot in the shoulder. Geraldine and her staff had taken good care of her, and the rest of the girls were in the west wing, the weak ones being cared for and the strong ones gently being questioned by Geraldine. Hopefully they would have a bit more intel later on. Evelyn was fine, and with Ryan, and Elise knew the poor guy had a lot to answer for, to both his aunt and to Merrick. She hadn’t seen her betrothed since they got back, the man sweeping in and kissing her on the lips before disappearing with Aiden into the east wing control room. His body language and demeanor were rigid, and she knew things hadn’t gone as planned. When Myra told her about the shot, things fell into place. Ryan, who had been ducking his aunt, was in for it for Evelyn’s wound. Hopefully it wouldn’t be so bad though. The man had intel no one else had, damn valuable intel. She still wasn’t sure what he was doing at the compound, or how he had hidden his nature from Evelyn, who she was sure thought he was human. Myra had told her of his attack, the bite and the venom and she smiled. It had reminded her of Carmen, though she doubted Carmen had ever used her venom to purposefully kill anyone. There was no doubt in her mind that Ryan had, and on countless occasions. He had probably saved her life, reacting like he did. She sighed and turned hearing the door open, and two of the staff smiled and brought in two plates each of sandwiches, another two members of the staff brought in a few salads and chips. She had ordered a light meal to be brought in, and it looked like their ever-efficient staff was right on time. “Thank you, thank you all. Robert? Please bring the bar in here as well. I know it will be appreciated.” Robert nodded and left with the other staff, coming back seconds later pushing a rolling bar into the far right corner. He nodded and Elise smiled as he left only to be replaced by Merrick’s large frame. His eyes were glowing with unabashed heat, and anger. One part of it was for her, the other; well she hoped the anger didn’t have anything to do with them. She cocked her head and motioned to the sideboard where the sandwiches were. “Hungry? I’m expecting the others any minute. You ok?” He shook his head stiffly, "Not really." Taking his hand he rubbed it over his face wearily. "For the most the girls are well, that’s something at least." "I know. I checked in with Geraldine after Laura got through with Evelyn. There’s some borderline malnutrition, but otherwise they seem to be ok. She was going to speak with Mila when I left her, hopefully she can shed some light on the subject." Elise, not knowing if Merrick would welcome the comfort of her body for his increasingly agitated state, stayed where she was across the room, watching him. "They're going to be ok. Maybe a little traumatized, but nothing that won’t heal with time and a little effort." His chest heaved in a deep sigh looking up into her eyes. He looked old; at least, he looked his age. "Gods Elise I'm so damn tired and I don’t think it has anything to do with the holes Aiden had me punching in the floorboards. It’s always one thing after another." ~122~

She gave him a small smile. "That’s what being a leader is about John. The ability to step up and make things right again. You and your nest are safe now. And now you need to decide on whether you’re going to be a real nest or not." She looked down fighting the urge to go to him. It was two fold. If he hadn’t decided to truly be with her, regardless of what they had said in the maze, then she didn’t wish to appear weak if the other Archon’s came in. If he did, he still was courting her, at least until he marked her and her going to him would be seen as acceptance, that she was already his in the eyes of others. Until she wore that mating mark there was not a chance in hell she was showing any kind of attachment to him in public. Merrick had earned the right to mate with her yes, but until he did... "I don’t know what we're going to be..." He took a few steps towards her a small smile gracing his features. "I know I'm not doing it alone anymore though." "No?" she looked at him. The look in his eyes spoke of love, spoke of making everything better, mending the rift between them. She wanted to believe him so badly, but it was going to take time to trust him as implicitly as she used to. He snorted shaking his head. "Well I'd hope not. It is understandable though if you don’t want to get caught up in this mess anymore than you already are. You don’t owe me anything... you never did." "I threw my lot in with you a long time ago Merrick, it’s just that now you finally realize you don’t have to do it alone. You always had me, and I don’t have a choice Merrick, I never did, and that’s ok by me, but you do have that choice, because you have proved you don’t need a Basilissa by your side. You can do it on your own." "I don’t want to. I can't live without you anymore. But that's not the point..." He growled throwing himself down in a nearby chair. "The point is that the girls are fine, Evelyn nearly got herself killed and I don’t appreciate you standing all the way over there treating me like the plague when it’s blatantly obvious that I'm in desperate need of some..." He shook his head looking defeated. "I don’t know something." She fidgeted, and then frowned. "I can’t... You know I can’t..." she stammered and then looked at him. "I want to, but I can’t look any more weak in front of them John. I can’t. Not now, not in the state we are in. It’s all Ramona needs." "I know..." He sighed. "I'm sorry. As long as you want to then that’s ok." With shaking hands he poured himself a glass of water. "What do you know about Olivia's nephew?" "Only that he’s smitten with Evelyn. He hasn’t left her bedside since she came out of surgery. I’m figuring he will have a lot to explain, and I know Olivia is unhappy she hasn’t been able to debrief him on her own." She sighed. "And I do want to, more then anything." He nodded smiling turning to her. "That boy should be watching out for her it's his fault she got hurt." "Now, I heard from Myra that it happened damn fast, and that he was hurt during it as well. He did save her from being shot in the stomach though, at great risk to himself." "Not good enough. She wouldn’t have been there if he hadn't led her on... in fact none of them would have been there if he'd just called home." "Well possibly, but did you ever think it wasn’t possible? Just like it wasn’t possible for you to call me the past ten years?" She smirked at him. "This is the pot calling the kettle black Merrick. She’s fine, and no worse for wear, and she has a possible mate, a snake at that." "A mamba at that. She has no idea what he's capable of; Evelyn's had no snake interaction whatsoever. Bar a few of us from Vegas she hasn't even..." He sighed. "It's not right. She doesn’t need that in her life... and if they do mate, think of the children." "If they do mate then the children will be whatever she is, you know that, so stop okay? He loves her, you can see it. You aren’t so scared about Carmen and Reece's twins are you? And they are vipers."

~123~

"That's because Carmen knows how things work and vipers aren't half as dangerous, shit Carmen tagged Aiden half a dozen times. Whether he likes her or not, it's not right. She's too gentle to get caught up with one of Olivia’s lot." "I don’t think that’s our decision Merrick and you don’t have to like it. She’s not your child, she’s a grown woman." "So were you fifteen years ago... Evelyn doesn’t need that type of man. I'm only in a position to comment because I know exactly what I'm talking about. Look at the mess he's in now, do you honestly think it'll get any better? Those kids would be fatherless before their first birthday and Evelyn couldn't cope with that sort of pressure. Her father, her human father, would agree with me." "Look Merrick it’s not your choice. Are you going to step up and become her official Archon? Cuz if not there’s not a damn thing you can do about it, as a rogue he doesn’t have to petition you for the right to court her. He can court her on her own recognizance.” "She's officially mine already, he will have to petition to me or I'll break his skull." He growled. She shook her head and sighed. Nothing she would say would change his mind on this, and she would have to wait and see what would happen. She turned as the rest of the council filtered in; Olivia's face was a mirror of the rage she was trying to contain. Marcus and Bettina were arguing with Ramona, their words getting louder as they came in. Elise didn’t care what it was they were bitching about, the point of the matter was now the recon and intel, and of course, finding out from Homer just what happened. "People? Christ! Look I don’t care about your land issues Ramona; Lillith can wait till the cows come home for something! Right now I would like to know what the hell we are going to do about the very real threat we still face." Ramona glared at Elise, "Don’t you dare disrespect me Elise, in front of the other Archons no less. You really have fallen low." "Enough," Merrick growled rising to his feet all signs of his weariness gone, "Where’s the boy?" He asked Olivia. "If you had someone in there all along, so help me Olivia, I'll kill you." "I didn’t know Merrick. I told you, we were unable to locate him. I’m just as angry as you are about this!" He shook his head, "Oh I seriously doubt that." "Had I known we had anyone in there this wouldn’t have happened! How dare you even suggest..." The double doors opened to Homer carrying Evelyn in, and everyone went silent. He maneuvered them over to a chair and set her down softly, turning to grab a glass of water for her, and a sandwich. Once she was taken care of, he turned and looked at both Merrick and Olivia and bowed his head. "Archon, I am sorry. I know you have questions, and hopefully I can answer them." "Hopefully," Merrick sat crossing his arms, rage seething though him. "Go on then..." "First, let me explain something. My sister, Anya, passed a while ago. When we found her, the victim of an apparent overdose, it didn’t add up. Anya was a wild girl, but she was never into intravenous drugs. I did some research while every one else was in mourning. I found her emails to a guy named Cristof about some information on lamia. It got me thinking." Mer took a drink of water processing the information before nodding to him. "Continue." "I checked all her email, found a website on Lamia, about what they were in mythology, with an email address if you would like to learn more information. I emailed it. Got to talking with a woman named Loretta. She asked my background, and I knew something was up. I gave her my military background, and received a call a day later from Cristof himself, asking if I would like a job. I went. The asshole knew about Anya, and Anya was dead. I didn’t go in there for any other reason than to find my sister’s killer." "And once you found out that it wasn't just your sister they'd killed?" "I couldn’t very well blow my cover. I got there and they had thirty girls, and Cristof offered me the next girl that came in. I refused, as it was Selena, that young thing, and I made sure no one fucked ~124~

with her. Then Evelyn came in, and I knew I had someone that might be able to call in someone. It was a bonus that she was Ophidian, and I didn’t know until I saw the tape." "And there was no way at all to get a message out to others? Not with all your training and back ground? No other way but sending Evelyn, with no experience or training, out into the wilderness, exposing herself in the process, and praying that she found one of us?" "I understand it looks shady, but I honestly didn’t see any other way. I wasn’t going to risk all the girls, and as I was there, things for them improved, Cristof liked me, and left me in charge of the pens. Evelyn I chose because I wasn’t sure of her Ophidian status, and I knew if she weren’t, she wouldn’t last long. Either way she was the best chance. Just in, she was still strong and wasn’t messed with." "Did you try to find out what she was? Dropping hints perhaps? Maybe outright asking her?" "I tried the hints, but I’ll be honest, she’s quite good at hiding what she is, like I am." He turned to her and grinned. "Evie, love, eat your sandwich. You need your strength to heal." "You see right there is where my problem begins. You got her shot. Evelyn had no reason to be back there except to save your kind human ass... everything else, I don’t really care about; you were going to avenge your dead sister. Admirable if a little cocksure and foolish, something that no doubt your aunt will speak with you about. The fact of the matter is that you got my girl shot for no good reason." "And I didn’t mean to, and she knows this. I tried, I really did, and there’s no excuse for it. Any punishment you see fit to delve out, you and my aunt, I will gladly take. I failed to keep the one person safe I should have." Evelyn beamed at him her cheeks flushing pink. "It's ok. What’s the old adage? Never shoot a gun if you are not prepared to get shot. Merrick I knew what I was getting into. It would have been a lot worse if Homer hadn't been there for me. Plus he carried me all the way back and whispered to me keeping me conscious. I'd say he paid his due." Olivia frowned. "I don’t approve of this. Ryan you and I will have a long conversation tonight." Homer shook his head. "We will, but it will not be tonight. I have Evelyn to think about, and her happiness and comfort is paramount, as it should be with a courted mate." He looked at her and winked. "That is if she will have me as one." Evelyn’s face flushed a bright scarlet, "Of..." Merrick groaned cutting her off, "We can discuss all that later. Evelyn you have family history to think about before even considering such a commitment." The look of joy on her face turning to a pensive frown instantly. Sighing Merrick turned back to Homer, "What can you tell me about this cat?" "Jackson? Sick fuck that one. He has an arm full of venom, I don’t know how far he’s going to get. He enjoys his work, and I’m still trying to figure out why a cat got seduced into this kinda work." "Same way anyone can be, maybe he just doesn’t like snakes." Merrick shrugged. "Jackson, does he have a first name? Any idea what kind of cat he is? How much venom did you hit him with?" "No one knew he was a cat, but his eyes say jaguar I think. First name Damon, last known member of Alpha sector. As for venom, it was enough that his arm went dead almost immediately." Merrick scribbled a few notes down on a pad of paper then nodded. "I'll make a call. Have him picked up." "Good. And thank you. Now, If you will excuse us, Evelyn needs more meds and rest." he bowed. "If it is ok with all of you." The door opened letting Aiden into the room, "Mer you done here with action man?" He spared everyone a lazy glance before clearing his throat. "There's a problem... and it wasn't my fault." Elise looked over at Merrick, then at Aiden. "Well spit it out, Aiden what happened?" "It's the truck... the one with Cristof's body. I just got the call in, it didn't make it," He looked over at Marcus. "There was an explosion, no clue what type yet, two of your guys were in it. Jason and Thomas. They're burned up pretty bad and it was in the center of town so it’s going to be teaming with cops." ~125~

"Fuck!" Marcus growled. "Ok, Bet, I need an extraction, level 6. Call Darwin, he’s got the make up squad. Well have them out of there and to the clinic in fifteen minutes." Bettina, his wife, nodded and grabbed the cell barking orders into it as she put it to her ear, leaving the room. "In light of this new information, I would suggest we decide on a course of action for the girls. Ryan?" Homer nodded. "There’s a very big possibility that Cristof wasn’t in there at all, and that the girls may still have issues. There were seven," he said and passed a folded piece of paper to Merrick, "Seven Cristof was interested in. The others are as safe as can be, but these; they will need bodyguards and constant care." Merrick looked at the paper. "Add to that Myra and Evelyn." "I understand Evelyn, but Myra?" Elise asked as she looked at her soon to be mate. "She was there, she's been seen by Jackson and, if there were cameras, they'll have her on film. She'll be a target." Merrick explained as Aiden shifted uncomfortably. Elise nodded. "Very well. Mr. Maxwell, I’m charging you with the personal bodyguard duties of Evelyn Rose, so that you may redeem yourself." she looked at Merrick and then to Aiden. "The same goes for you, Mr. Whitbley. Myra is not to leave your sight." "Can do boss lady..." Aiden grinned looking pleased with his new role. "Mer do you want me to go and check out that van?" Merrick shook his head. "No, not right now, wait till the heat’s off a bit. We'll get photos for you to look at maybe send you by the wreck in a few days." "Marcus? Olivia, Can you handle setting up details for each of the other girls? I think no one without any sort of high clearance military background should be involved. I want someone not afraid to do what needs doing to keep these women safe. I’m going to have to have Beryl finish those translations then, we need as much information on this situation as possible. If this Cristof is still alive, then none of us are safe. I suggest calling all your people home." Elise knew from the look on the faces of all the Archon’s that her words hit home. "There is always the chance that Cristof's body was in that van." Merrick pointed out. "It wouldn't be the first time explosives had been left lying around." Aiden sputtered. "It was not me. I'm not some careless teenager Mer." "I didn't suggest it was you, I'm just putting things into perspective." Merrick mollified. "I'll raise the flag on Cristof when I make the call about Jackson. If he's alive the fucker won’t be able to hide. Everyone can be traced, it’s just a matter of how good they are." "I agree. Marcus and I will confer on the girls' new bodyguards, and since the majority of them are in your charge Merrick, we will run the list by you for the final choices, seeing as you know them best." Olivia said and looked to Homer. "Ryan, I agree with your wish, please come and see me for lunch tomorrow." she looked at Evelyn and gave her a smile, and Elise was relieved. If Olivia approved of Evelyn, that was half the battle won. "And I'll speak to you both later on." Merrick stood pulling his phone out of his pocket looking at Homer. "Is there anything else you think we should take notice of? Any other players?" "Not that I know of, no, Cristof is the main issue. He’s bent on the girls being Ophidians, which only means that he either knew one, or that that goddess is feeding him names. I would figure out as much about her as possible, if in fact she is real." He nodded, "Ok. Now you two go and get some rest, it's been a long day. Aiden same to you." Homer nodded and turned to Evelyn, picking her up slowly, turning to nod to the Archons as they left the room silently. Aiden turned and left too, a slight spring in his step. Elise smiled to herself; Myra was indeed going to thank her for that little exercise of power. She looked towards Ramona and the rest of the Archons, clearing her throat. “Well I suggest we all get some rest then. Unless anyone has any objections, Ramona? Geraldine?" she asked of her cousin who had been silent thought the ordeal. "No, I need to see to the patients, and make sure everything is going smoothly. I would like a meeting though tomorrow." she nodded to each of them. ~126~

"Thank you Geraldine, We will see you in the morning then cousin. If you need anything.." "No, but thank you, we will be fine. You all have a night ahead of you." she said and went to the sideboard grabbing some food. "Goodnight." she said as she left them there. Elise turned to Ramona, a question in her gaze. She returned it glaringly. "I have nothing to add." "Then I suggest we eat and retire for the night." "Very well then." She stood gathering her things. "Good night." Elise smirked and watched her leave, amused as to how Ramona had been cowed. The woman wasn’t to be underestimated but here and now, it didn’t matter what did matter was Merrick and their future. She smiled at the rest of them, Bettina coming back in. They ate, and talked, and soon enough the food and drink was gone and she was on her way back to her room, Merrick was still downstairs. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but either way before the morning, she was going to have her answer.

~127~

TWENTY-NINE Aiden was in good spirits as he came back from viewing the wreck, that he was going back to see Myra also helped lift his spirits. She always did. The girl was better than wildfire and had the passion to match. A beautiful force of nature that he couldn’t ignore. He was still having trouble controlling his snake around her but he’d managed it so far. He hadn’t marked yet but he could feel it coming. There was only so long he could resist temptation and what a temptation she was. The mark didn’t scare him so much knowing that she’d accept him and it for all time. It had been a few days since they’d gone in and rescued the girls. Most of them even seemed to be recovering. Evelyn and her action man even looked like a good little couple, although he knew that the dude had a seriously healthy fear of Merrick. It would keep him alive for now and God help him if he ever let anything bad happen to Evelyn. He knew that they’d had serious words but Merrick seemed to come out of the conversation feeling a little better for it. The big guy at least had calmed down a lot getting very close to his more relaxed attitude. Him and Elise still hadn’t tied the knot but Aid knew they were close to it. The sooner the better in his eyes, it was good to see them happy. Merrick was the happiest that Aiden had ever known him to be and that was before getting laid. Things would be very lax around the nest once he did that was for sure. Today was the day they all got to go home. A prospect he knew his sister was looking forward to. He on the other hand wasn’t exactly so keen on telling her that he planned on going back to Elise’s nest for a few months. It wasn’t that big a deal and there was no doubt in his mind that she wouldn’t tag along with him and Myra but she would bitch and moan about it so he was delaying the actual start time. It was good news from the van wreck; a bullet had clipped the side of an oxygen tank that had been stored in the van for emergencies. Something in the back probably caused some sparkage setting the thing off. There had been five other tanks in the back along with the gas tank itself. As explosions go his professional opinion would be natural causes, that type of explosion couldn’t have been staged easily even by him. The police forensic team had identified the one remaining body to be that of Cristof Ansley. Dental records and DNA samples confirmed it. He’d even found the snake medallion that Evelyn’s Action man had mentioned. They were in the clear; Aid had sent a call round to Ed just to make sure nobody had tampered with the records. Everything came through fine. If all the evidence was falsified the guy’s team must have been amazing, it would take real talent to pull that off. So they were safe danger over, no doubt they would all have to be cautious for a few months but for the most part the threat was over. Smiling he knocked on Myra’s room door and waited for an answer. Normally he’d barge right in but it was always good to give the girl some privacy, plus she was damn handy with her knives. He’d learned the hard way to announce his presence well in advance. A giggle answered him before he heard "That you already?" through the door. "Damn right it’s me... not planning on staying too far away." He grinned opening the door. "I am a body guard you know." "Umm and probably the best, well, at guarding my body. Everything go ok?" ~128~

"As well as can be expected. Explosion was an accident, no foul play. Police report determined pretty much the same as I did, clipped oxygen tank producing sparkage in transit." "Well that’s good news then. I suppose your bodyguard duties are over then?" she asked quietly. "Not on your life. Trent's people still haven't picked up Jackson so it’s better to be safe than sorry. After that we should give it at least a few more months... just to make sure." He grinned throwing himself down on the bed next to her. She was wearing boy shorts and a cute little tank top, hugging and revealing her body so perfectly it made him want to groan. He was a lucky man indeed just to be sitting next to her. "Well I can live with that, I mean what’s a few more months?" she grinned and looked at him her eyes alight with mischief. "I suppose I shall have to deal with it." "Oh don’t sound so martyred about it, you do enjoy yourself...I make sure of it." He laughed pulling her over, closer to him, and tickled lightly under her ribs. It hadn’t taken him long to figure out that she was ticklish in lots of interesting places. "Hey if I'm such a chore, you could swap me with action man, though Evelyn might have something to say about it." "Dear, Homer is not my cup of tea, and he doesn’t smell as good as you do." She buried her nose in the crook of his neck and inhaled, running her hands down his side, tickling the sensitive skin just above his hip. "And no doubt he can’t make me scream like you do." "No doubt at all." He kissed her softly inhaling her unique scent. "So you’ll be coming to New York with me, to Knossos?" she grinned. "You’ll finally get to see my studio." "I will... maybe even watch you work, if my nerve holds out." "I think we can work on that, love. But I still want you to slither up my naked body. I really wish to meet your snake." "You will. Maybe not right now but you will. I promise." She beamed. "That’s damn good. At least you’re promising me. We can work on mine later on." she giggled and kissed him. "You sure you’re cool with this?" "As a cucumber." He smiled. Showing her his snake didn't bother him, he knew it should have on some level but was willing to over look it. She'd get a kick out of it and his snake was colorful, he wanted to show it off to her. He knew that was sick, he'd gone to some lengths in his time to impress the ladies but this was an all time low. He could go through with it and the snake liked her, it might even do something to stop the constant drumming the thing made in his head every time she was around. Saying it and doing it were two different things though. "Once we go to Knossos. I'm way too big for this room." She laughed, a joyous bark of a sound and placed her hand on his face. "Somehow I don’t doubt that. My bedroom at Knossos is three times the size of this, and the bed is custom, large enough for both of us to cuddle in either form." "One thing at a time, there's always the chance that he likes you too much and decides to eat you all up." Grinning he began nibbling on her neck in demonstration. "Ummm don’t tease Aiden... I am very curious about your snake, I’m dying to see if he’s as thick as I think he’s going to be..." she said and reached down to palm his groin. "When does the car come? Do we have any sort of time?" "We have," he glanced up at the clock on the wall, "Exactly thirty minutes before the car gets here, that gives us twenty-five before I've got to inform Kira of our destination." "That hardly seems enough for your kind of attentions..." she said kissing him and then stopped suddenly. "Aiden, did you just tell me that you still haven’t told your sister you’re coming to New York? You know she’s going to sick Sage on you when you tell her, and I have been forbidden to kill that monster." "You have been I'm afraid, I've decided life without Sage would be unbearable. She'll get over it, there's a hissy fit or two coming my way. It shouldn't be too much of a problem; she's got Sage for ~129~

company. Hey we could maybe even find a snake for her that occasionally turns into a man, that would be something different." "And probably not such an oddity." she grinned. "Yeah if we could get someone to put up with her..." "Well you found me didn’t you? Never say never you know? Your sister just has to meet the right guy." "If such a creature exists." She kissed him then, quickly flipping them so she lay on top of him and nipped his bottom lip. "Must we talk about your sister? It’s killing my buzz." He laughed, "You started it. What else should we talk about then?" "Must we talk?" she ran her tongue over his bottom lip then smiled. "So, you’ll be around for my show then? It will be the first time I have ever had a date for one." "Then I'll have to make a point of getting dressed up for it." He kissed her marveling in how good her body felt pressing down on him. "I never said anything about being dressed up, but I think it would be hot as hell to see you all trussed up." "I can do that.. Get my best suit out. I've never been to an arty thing before, in fact, I haven’t been to a trussed up occasion in years and not one where I was there to participate. Most of them had to do with work." "Yeah? I like that you don’t have a traditional job." "Oh yeah? You like that I demolish things? Or that I'm the best at what I do?" "Umm, that you demolish things. I can’t see you being anything less then the best at anything you set your mind to." "Mmm." He kissed her rolling them so it was him on top. "Ain’t that the truth." He whispered into her neck as he began trailing soft kisses down her collarbone. "Gods Aiden, could you be any more perfect?" She asked as she pulled his shirt up, laying her hands on his naked flesh. It was something she did often, telling him recently that she just enjoyed the feel of his skin, and felt better when he was close. He couldn’t help but feel the same way. "Oh I think give or take a few months of training I could be better." He pushed the straps of her tank top down her shoulders revealing her perfect breasts in all their glory. "You are breathtaking you know that?" "You think so?" "I know so." He bent down taking a puckered nipple into his mouth rolling it around with his tongue. She arched and closed her eyes, her fingers digging into his flanks. "Such a tease... You know... I can’t wait to paint you..." "Paint me?" She grinned. "Ummm... Yep... or rather your essence... You’ll see love. Gods you feel good." "Mmm... So do you." He glanced up at the clock wincing. "But it'll have to wait till we get to that custom bed of yours. Think you can last?" He grinned his challenge up at her. "I can if you can baby, though that plane ride is going to be mighty interesting." she stretched under him. "And I suppose I should get dressed. Can’t board the plane in my underwear." He smirked, "Don’t see why not." "So you really wanna parade me in front of Merrick and the pilot?" she grinned "Maybe not but there’s nothing to stop you from wearing one of those long trench coats and boots," he groaned at the thought grinding himself into her. "Thigh high boots covering those stunning legs." "If I had it I would, though something tells me that’s the makings of a very naughty fantasy." "One I intend to see fulfilled." He sat up laying a kiss on her forehead. "You get dressed. I'm going to go and try my best not get killed by a giant snake." ~130~

"If you do, I’ll avenge you, if I have to live in this world without my man, so does she." He laughed, "You know some men would pay to see you fight with Kira. Thankfully I don’t think it'll come to that, Sage seems to be on his best behavior lately. I think he's got a tummy ache from the last person he ate." "Either way, he might be happy you’re not going to be around. But still a fight with Kira? Baby I adore you, but that bitch would not survive." He laughed. "Kira is an expert in her field, love. As for fighting, she grew up in Trent's happy assassin club just the same as I did. Don’t underestimate her and you'll do just fine, she's got one hell of a right hook." "I wouldn’t and it wouldn’t ever come to it. She might be your sister, but you’re my lover, and I take what’s mine very seriously. As long as her pet doesn’t mess with you, I don’t mess with her." He chuckled, "You're so good to me." "I know a good thing when I have it, and you’re the best thing." "Most certainly." He kissed her again standing. "Now get dressed, I'll meet you downstairs ok?" "Yep. Good luck." She swung her legs off the bed and grabbed her jeans slipping into them. "Be quick." "On this occasion only." He winked at her sliding out of the room and off to talk to Kira. She wasn't going to take it well but Merrick's orders were to stay with Myra, he had to obey them. Kira didn’t appeal to most people first appearing standoffish and rude. The truth was that she, like him, had her problems. Kira’s issues lay more with abandonment and trust; something he knew today wasn’t about to help. She hated to give anything of herself, which made making friends always somewhat difficult let alone accepting new family members. She was still his little sister though, always would be. Up until he met Myra, she and Merrick were all that he had. Sighing he crossed the corridor and made his way to his sister’s room, with a bit of luck she would be in a good mood.

~131~

THIRTY There was little Merrick could do to ease the nervous feeling worming its way through his gut. He’d done all he could for his plan, everything was set up, and the rest would be up to Elise. Things would either work out or they wouldn’t. There was nothing left to do but surprise her and hope she would follow. Aiden had light heartedly suggested drugging her but that wasn’t the type of surprise he was going for and it wasn’t as easy as it used to be carrying a drugged woman onto a plane. The trick was to keep her from going back to her nest in Knossos. The type he was going for was the kind where he whisked her away to an exotic destination and catered to her every whim and a few of his own. It had been such a struggle these past few days having her so close and willing but unable to follow through on both their bodies’ desires. He’d stayed with her sleeping with her but holding back on sex, not that they both hadn’t had their fun he was always careful to stop it before it got to far. He knew how disappointed Elise was with the arrangement but he’d promised her it would be special and he was man of his word. After all this time it had to be special. The car ride to the airport was awkward; he’d deliberately sat himself with Aiden and Kira just so he would be in a position to intervene if they started fighting. Elise was meeting them there having driven to the airport with Geraldine to see her and the other Archon’s off. Evelyn and the “action man”, as Aiden had dubbed him, were staying a little while longer to give her shoulder some more time to heal. The two of them were getting along better than Merrick liked but there wasn’t much more he could do about the situation. Unpredictably they made it to the airport without anything more serious than an argument over who got to sit next to the window. Kira won with Myra sitting at the other side. He sat opposite them forced to spectate as Aiden and Myra sat whispering to each other as Kira stared sullenly out of the window. She had taken the news of her brother’s move rather well shrugging and wishing him luck. Mer wasn’t so sure of how she would handle living by herself or away from Aiden, as far as he knew, the two of them had never been apart for more than a few days at a time. He wasn’t too worried about them though; Kira was the levelheaded one and bound to cope well on her own. Merrick had spoken to her about possibly moving over herself, she refused bluntly stating that she was accepting a job offer as soon as she got back home and Sage wouldn’t like the change. He couldn’t help but agree although recently the giant thing had been acting much tamer even letting him crate it without so much as a half hearted snap. He couldn’t help but feel proud at her mention of a job; Kira had never worked an honest day in her life rarely using her talents unless she really had to. Her work, when she chose to do it, took her dangerously close to police and other such authorities and he just hoped she could hold her act together. If she could he knew the experience would do her a world of good. He’d mused earlier it wasn’t easy carrying a drugged woman on a plane. Airports were probably the safest places to be nowadays. Moving swiftly through the crowd he quickly spied Elise sitting in the lounge. He took a second to watch her, she looked so perfect sitting unaware of him. Her long hair was hanging loose cascading over her shoulders, dark and rich. He could instantly pick up her sweet scent despite the hundreds of ~132~

people surrounding her. He moved up to her quickly wrapping his arms around her and laying a soft kiss on her neck. “Mmm, you smell so good Lise. They all gone?” Elise tensed, then relaxed into the ring of his arms, leaning back in the chair and laid her head on his shoulder. "Yes. Geraldine is going to watch your girls for a while take them to the Mobile nest as her compound is bigger than mine and she has the clinic and all. Ramona is not a happy camper though. Everything ok with the kids? Sage take a chunk outta you?" "Actually no. He was most docile for a change, as was his owner. I think they're both growing up." "We can hope. And Aiden and Myra? He decide to come back to New York with us?" Merrick nodded, "He's decided to go back to New York with Myra, not exactly with us though." He kissed her again. "You knew what I meant. He will be good for her, it’s nice to see her happy and sharing her life with someone, she’s gotten more withdrawn as of late." "They're good for each other." He agreed. "I think so. Myra deserves happiness." She looked up at the clock and sighed. "Dustin said we are taking off at three, it’s nearly there, we should probably head for the hanger don’t you think?" "The hanger yes, but I was thinking we could delay the trip back home. Give the kids some time by themselves," His hands tightened on her waist pulling her back closer to him so he could whisper in her ear, "Give us some time by ourselves. I have something... special planned. If you’re game." "Merrick there’s a lot to do..." she said quietly. He could see the indecision in her demeanor; she always bit her bottom lip when she was unsure of something. Taking it as a good sign he turned her looking down into her eyes. "You're right, there is a lot to do and a lot to make up for. It'll only be for a few days and the kids can take care of themselves for a little while longer. The danger's past Elise..." "I hope so, I really do. I couldn’t do this and have something happen." "It won't," he promised, "And we'll have the jet there, on standby, so we can leave anytime you wish." "Just a few days?" she asked and then blushed. "A few days might not be enough, but we will have to make it count. Where to, Druis?" "It’s a secret," he smirked winking at her, "And, as I said, we can leave whenever you want. We can go back whenever you want to." "And what If I don’t want to? You know having you all to myself has been a fantasy of mine for so many years John." He chuckled at her, "Mine too and I trust your judgment on the matter." "Then take me, before the more responsible part of my brain takes over." "Perfect idea." Taking her hand in his he lead her out past everyone and to the security check. After a few words and a metal detector they moved swiftly out to the hanger and the waiting jet. The recently acquired jet was luxury itself and the crew and pilots were delighted when they got his call. Deep down Merrick knew it was because if they were working for him then they wouldn't be trafficking Trent off to some lethal backwater destination where they would no doubt be under fire and have to clean wounds. They seemed to go through more people that way. It was one of the reasons their people were all highly skilled and trained in several useful things. You never knew what was going to happen on one of Trent's missions. He let her go first onto the jet moving closely behind her to gage her reaction Elise looked about and smiled. "Nicer than the Knossos jet. I’m thinking you could afford that black hawk if you wanted." He could afford more than one. "Maybe but I would have nowhere to put one and they're just a tad impractical." "True, but I saw your eyes when Marcus mentioned his." She walked over to a leather couchette and sat, and he helped her down slowly. "So wherever we are going, we are riding in style." ~133~

"The only way to go anywhere." Smiling he moved to the side, "Now what would you like to drink?" he asked shooing away one of the cabin crew, the girls were over worked as it was, he could get his own drinks. "What do you recommend?" she asked with a shy grin. "Hmm..." He mumbled opening up the bar area and having a look. "It's freshly stocked so what ever takes your fancy. Maybe avoiding spirits, I'd hate to be accused of getting you drunk. How about some champagne? There are a few excellent vintages here. Are you hungry?" "Champagne is wonderful, and no, I’m not, but a nibble might be nice." she grinned. "Though I’m not sure the nibble would be food." "My love you can nibble on anything you like." He grinned at her lifting the bottle of chilled Dom and setting it in the ice bucket. He lifted it along with two glasses and a box of strawberries carrying it back over to their seats. "That hasn’t been your tune the past few days, has it?" "No." he felt his smile turn sheepish. "Then it’s been a hard few days. I want things to be special." He popped the bottle pouring two glasses and handing it to her as the pilot, Mark Ellis formerly one of the air force’s best before they'd poached him, announced his take off plans and promised not make any trick flight moves. It had taken him a few times for it to sink in that he couldn’t fly this jet upside down, more to the point he could but it destroyed most of the inside and normally sent Trent's scotch flying over him. The knowledge didn't always stop him, but he was on good behavior today. "And you’re a man that gets what he wants, so whatever you have planned will be special, and I can’t wait. This has been a long time coming." "A very long time..." he held his glass out in a toast. "To what lies ahead." She raised her glass and nodded. "To what lies ahead, and letting the past rest." He clinked them together. "With a bit of luck we'll have a clear run for a while." "I hope so. I would like to have the man I love back with me." "I'm not going anywhere," He reassured patting her hand as the plane took off smoothly. "Not without you." She smiled and took another sip of her champagne, watching him. She moved closer, taking off her seat belt and slipped into his lap facing him. Taking both their glasses she placed them on the side table. Seconds later her arms were around his neck, playing with the peppery hair at his temples. "And definitely not with you doing that," he all but purred leaning into her soft warm hands. She giggled and settled, a knee on each side of his hips. "Darling I have barely touched you, though I really like this. You get better with age, at least looks wise." "You think?" He asked, it had been playing on his mind. He just wasn't as young as he used to be, things had changed his hair being one of them. "Umm hmm. You're still drool worthy Merrick." "That's a relief." He leaned forward and kissed her gently. She moaned softly and closed her eyes, her hands going to the nape of his neck. She stroked the skin there slowly, and rolled her hips on his lap in a sweet suggestive manner. The top two buttons of her fitted shirt were open giving him a very clear line down to her cleavage. He took it gratefully sucking and nibbling a slow hot line down to the tops of her breasts. "Ummm that’s nice... god that mouth is criminal you know that?" "And not just my mouth." He chuckled nuzzling his way inside her blouse to kiss the edge of her lace bra. “You have never been anything but criminal Merrick. Myra was right, you are the original bad boy Druis.” "Maybe." He smiled up at her his hands now lovingly stroking the flesh at the small of her back. "I'm thinking it’s time to be something else now. Retiring. There are plenty of criminals out there to pass on my torch to." ~134~

"You mean like Aiden?" she giggled and sighed melting into his hands. "I like you how you are though my love, don’t change on account of me..." "Yet I seem to remember you liking me here, where I am now, with you. I get the impression that if I were called away for any three week stints you might be a little upset." "Only if you didn’t take me with you... Ummm that’s so nice, keep doing that." "Not going to stop." Trailing more heated kisses over her his hands moved to grasp her hips pulling her closer. "And the taking you with me is the problem. I wouldn’t take you into a war zone Love. Hell I'm too old to be going here and there myself. And with us going here and there for weeks at a time who would stay to look after our children? What kind of father would that make me?" She beamed at him, her smile wide. "Children? Really? Oh John..." He grinned up at her, her reaction filling him with joy. "Damn right, and its about time too don’t you think?" "Past time I think... John, gods that’s amazing." she wiggled on his lap again, grinding into his groin. "How long is this trip, I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it the full way for your special getaway without a little attention..." Torn between grinding himself deeply into her and lifting her off him an inch or two he groaned, trying to relieve himself of the wonderful pressure she was creating. "Not long at all, in fact we should be landing in five or so minutes. I think we should be able to hold off till then..." She giggled. "I don’t think I realized how long we were just making out John. Time flies when you’re having fun." "It does, and even faster when we're necking in each others arms. That’s still to come Love." The pilot announced their decent and estimated their up coming arrival. The landing was smooth, barely a few bumps as they hit the runway pulling calmly to a halt. With a cocky grin Mer sat forward still supporting her firmly. "Not long now my love. You ready?" She shuddered and licked her lips, a slow deliberate movement. "Umm Hmmm. So what’s the plan?" "We go and do something special, just like I promised." **** Elise was stunned once more. Merrick had truly gone all out, and she was going to reap the benefits. They had exited the plane to a tropical vision in the afternoon light, a large seaside villa just away from the runway, and apparently the only dwelling for miles from the looks of it. They walked together the hundred or so yards to the flagstone path that led up to the house. The foliage, how the house looked in its surroundings, the way the sun glinted off everything, the sound of the surf just feet from them was magnificent, and added to the effect this trip was having on her senses. She was strung tight, her body screaming for full contact with his, begging her to just let it happen. She knew though, that he was the one in charge now, and things would progress, as he wanted them to. Approaching from the east side of the house, the elevation climbed till she could see from the plateau the ocean just below them. It glinted blue and green as it licked and kissed the shore, the foam staying long after the waters receded. She turned to the house again and smiled. It was all windows, and an unfinished pine color, the wood no doubt sun bleached, and she loved it. As an interior decorator, she would have chosen something like this and it just proved to her that Merrick did know her tastes. What really got her were the large pillars of wax placed here and there. Just from the scent as they walked past she knew they were laced with pure neroli, something that reminded her of the better times in the past when she was with him. They would look beautiful when lit at night, especially with the pretty tin hats they all had. ~135~

The best feature though was the lagoon style pool that looked like it was an indoor-outdoor style. The slates and the plants made it look so natural; it was as if the house was built around it, not the other way around. The estate was massive, she knew as Merrick knew the need for privacy, and there was the very real chance that they were alone on the island. If that were so, well they would have the best of both worlds then, a successful mating and a coil. She turned to him and grinned. “It’s so beautiful John, you still have fantastic taste. How many bedrooms does it have?” she asked as she looked about once more. She spied a stone set of steps that lead through what looked like a garden towards the sounds of the waiting ocean. Merrick laughed never taking his eyes from her. "Enough to house a small army but don't worry yourself with them my love, I'm sure we’ll be in them all before we're through here." Elise looked at him, a blush heating her skin. His eyes were fairly glowing with lust as he assessed her. “You talk big, though you do have years of inactivity to make up for. It’s really beautiful; it’s like a fantasy here. So do I get the grand tour or what?” Taking her shoulders in his hands he pulled her closer to him. "It should be like a fantasy, it’s been mine for a long time. We could do the tour but I have something else in mind. Something I think we'll both enjoy much more.” She leaned into him, breathing in his scent once again. Her body responded, shook even, and she gave a little moan from the back of her throat. If nothing else, Merrick knew how to turn her body into knots, but he was also the only one in her entire history to ever be able to relive the fire he stoked in her. “Umm? Well, I’m all ears, Druis… It’s been too long, and I need you so much.” "Far too long, but not much longer I promise." He took her hand him his. "Come on, it’s down by the pool." Elise giggled, following him down toward the pool, the sunlight glinting off the crystalline perfection. The scent of neroli was still strong, but was joined by a thick floral bouquet, one that was making her feel relaxed and lush. She felt his hand in hers, rough in contrast to hers and she reveled in it. "You really are a surprise you know that?" "I'm glad you still think so." He smiled wryly back at her. They walked by the pool to the cliff edge taking a small staircase built into the rock, which led them down the side into a beautiful little beach cove. On the sand just next to the edge of the water sat a big blanket complete with a picnic basket with champagne cooling in a silver ice bucket. She smiled and blushed, instantly reminded of their last night in Scotland, and realized what he was doing. "Well the setting is off, but you’re picking up where we left off aren’t you?" "The setting is warmer and you know me so well." He smiled pulling her close to him. "I thought about just being me, you and the horizon and the more I thought about it the harder it was to pass up." She grinned and touched his face. "You still are everything fantastic in my life, always have been." He caught her lips in his kissing her hard enough to make her body melt. "Come on," he said breaking the kiss breathlessly. "Let's at least make it to the blanket." "Lead the way love." He did taking her and leading her to the water’s edge where the blanket lay and helping her sit down. Without a word he poured them both a glass and handed her one. Then he wrapped an arm around her pulling her close to him as they looked out toward the sea. They were quiet for a while, the breeze cooling, coming off the water. Elise took a sip and then sighed. "This place is so beautiful." "I did promise you perfection. This is as close to it as you'll find on earth." "In this day and age that’s for damn sure." she turned her head and kissed him. "So how does this go again? You ask me to mate with you in order to keep me around?" "And here I thought that I'd won you fair and square in the maze." He smiled, "But I do want to keep you in my life." "You did win, though I never thought you would ever be that fast." ~136~

"I couldn't lose you, not now. I had to be fast. You have to admit your heart wasn’t into running though." She chuckled. "No, no it wasn’t. Can you blame me? You not catching me was not an option. You had to work for it, and you did." "Work fast," he agreed setting his untouched glass aside as he turned to her. "But now its time to slow down. It's just the two of us here and now's the time to enjoy ourselves before we have to go back." "Um, and how should we enjoy ourselves?" she grinned and turned stretching. "Oh I can think of a few things," he grinned. "We could go for a swim?" Elise shook her head. "Try again." "Ah see the swim was just an excuse to get you naked, my love." She stood and grinned taking her outfit off quickly and cocked her hip. "Better?" "Oh very much so." "She sank to her knees on the blanket and grabbed her glass again, taking another sip, her body softly reacting to the light breeze. Her nipples puckered slightly as she ran her free hand down the swell of her breast. He took his shirt off loosening the first few buttons then pulling it over his head. "This time we won’t be interrupted." He promised once again kissing her. "Not unless a hurricane sweeps through." "Shhh... Don’t say that, but I've checked the weather" She giggled and kissed him sweetly. "Good boy. So this is where we imitate From Here to Eternity? Cuz I have to tell you love, getting sand in high places isn’t my idea of a swinging time." He laughed. "Then tell me what is?" "A proper mating, a soft bed or plush carpet, somewhere that is going to ensure sand isn’t going to irritate all my girly parts." she grinned. "Ah," he nodded in understanding, "You'll have to forgive me as I don’t have girly parts to worry about getting irritated. We can go anywhere you like. There are plenty of plush carpets and soft beds inside." "Then I'll race you..." she said and jumped up, darting up the beach to the stone steps and towards the house. He followed quickly at her heel. "What does the winner get?" "Choice..." she winked and sprinted off again. "Choice of what?" "Anything they want..." she whooped laughter and made it to the pool. He tackled her from the side bringing them both crashing into the warm water. "And where exactly is this race to?" He asked laughing as they both broke the surface. She kissed him then, wrapping her body around him. "You win,” she panted breaking away from his mouth. "And if you don’t get down to it I’m going to scream. You’re a tease you know that?" "I was slowing down. I don’t want to be accused of being too fast in the sex department. Or get you sandy." He kissed her, his hands cupping her ass lifting her against him. "Ummm you wanted romance and perfection. I can’t think of anything more romantic than you marking me John... Please... don’t make me wait any longer." "Just long enough to get us out of this pool." He promised kissing her as he carried her out of the pool and into the house. She giggled and ran her fingers through his wet hair and nuzzled his throat. The decor went by in a blur, and she saw very little of the house until they came to a stop in a large airy room, dominated with a bed that could also be considered a playground. Larger then a king-sized, and draped in lavender silk sheets and dark blue pillows, it was the perfect mating bed. He set her down on the bed quickly ridding himself of his wet suit pants. "Beautiful." he murmured crawling onto the bed next to her. ~137~

"I’m glad you approve, I knew I was keeping this body in shape for a reason." "I'm glad that reason turned out to be me." He grinned wolfishly flicking his tongue out to catch her nipple. She giggled and blushed, closing her eyes. "It wouldn’t be for anyone else. Gods I missed that wicked tongue." "As I've missed yours." Beads of moisture from the pool still clung to them as he pulled her against him. He kissed her again, hard and fast, as his hands on her hips rolled her on top of him. Her thighs rested on either side of his. "Accept me, Elise.” he whispered into her mouth. "It’s my choice isn’t it?" she teased, her body already on edge. In the Ophidian race, as in all shifter societies, the ones in charge chose mates that were strong and would give them strong children. In the snake society, no one was stronger then Merrick. He had returned from then dead, come back to her on a long hard road, but they were here, together and their destinies finally entwined. She closed her eyes and then opened them, feeling the shift in her gaze. This would be an acceptance of both sides of her, one that he would know with every fiber of his being because she wasn’t going to hold anything back. "John..." she moaned and nodded. "Prove to me you deserve it." she smirked, a playful smile and licked her lips. "And how would one do that, pray tell? Would you like me to quote some poetry to suit the mood?" his smile matched hers perfectly as his fingers glided up her thighs resting inches from her. "Or do you have a more physical challenge in mind?" "Poetry is not my cup of tea my love." "I didn’t think we had time for tea," cool fingers ghosted over her soft flesh, "I thought you were the one aching to have me inside of you. Working us both into a frenzy, and finally satisfying one of our deepest desires. Take me Elise." The last he said more firmly his fingers matching his voice. She grinned and arched under his fingers, her body thrumming with energy. She felt his searing thickness, hard pulsing as it was hugged between her thighs. She moved on him slowly, her wetness coating his length as she did, putting her further into a state of arousal and pure need. Mating was always powerful; to have one’s male under you trembling with as much need as you were was magnificent. They were both so ready, and all she had to do was accept him, take him into her body. She shuddered as she reared up and then sunk down on the thickness that was twitching between her warm thighs only moments before. Her body hugged his, and she exhaled as she enveloped him with her heat like it was the first time. In a weird kind of way, it was. She sunk home slowly, their bodies joined moments later, John seated inside her to the hilt. She sobbed and rocked back slowly, her body humming with energy. His body arched up with her as his large hands gripped her thighs. "Mmm only you Elise. Only ever you could make me feel this way." "Damn right... goddamn Merrick I missed this." Taking her hips he rocked her back and forth more purposefully on him, enjoying every motion. "We'd have been fools not to have, my love." She let go, her body on edge. She arched for him her body still as limber as she was when she was in her twenties. He felt amazing as he touched her, moved her hips as he rolled his own up into her. It was just too much sensation, and he was carefully bringing her to the edge. This was the moment when a woman decided her power, decided what her mate would be in her life. She wasn’t going to ruin this moment, and there was something she always wanted to share with him. She bent down and kissed him, lacing her fingers behind his neck, and reared up, bringing him with her to a sitting position. She rode him harder now and kissed him. "Not my lover, my equal." she whispered to him, watching his eyes change over to mirror hers with his mossy depths. "Equals," he agreed their bodies moving together as one, "You'll always come first with me, my love, always." She chuckled and smiled. "Yeah you’re about to prove that..." she threw her head back and bit her lip as she came for him, moaning. ~138~

He growled the low sound rumbling through them both, "That’s not what I meant but I love that feeling as well." He murmured into her and kissed down her exposed throat pausing to nibble teasingly on her. Elise giggled and let go of his shoulders and arched back again, giving him access to her body, which was just getting dewy with sweat. He worked down her taking a nipple into his mouth rolling it around with his tongue. The gentle scraping of teeth drew a moan from her throat causing Merrick to chuckle. "I love those sounds." "And I love making them for you, only you my love..." she came back up slowly, his mouth making tracks back up to her throat. She looked at him, feeling her body tighten once again. This was it. She struck, her snake and her human side becoming one as she bit his shoulder, her teeth sinking into his flesh sweetly. She felt a sharp pain in her shoulder followed by Merrick's warmth as his essence filled her. The world swam, everything went hazy, and she moaned as she exploded, her body surrendering to her lover and partner, accepting his claim on her as he was accepting hers. It was epic, earth shattering and perfect. Merrick cried out his body spilling into hers as wave after wave moved through them both. They lay there for several minutes in each other’s arms joined together in both flesh and in spirit. It was long minutes before either of them spoke. "Wow, Shit I hate to say it, but that was worth the wait." She giggled and looked at him watching his eyes. They hadn’t changed back and a little thrill ran through her. "The wait was hell, but this must be what heaven feels like. My angel," he laid a gentle kiss over his mark on her with each word. "My mate, my equal." She purred for him, and sighed. "My mate, my equal. This was so perfect John. I feel so good." She nibbled her own mark on him. It was beautiful, an intricate scroll taking shape in his skin. "Mmm I know, I feel it too. We'll never be apart again, not truly. Always together." "Damn right baby." Grinning she moved her hair from her shoulder. "So about that coil..." "There’s a small wooded area out the back, if that would interest you?" He grinned knowing it would. "Umm it would, there’s still enough sunshine too." The idea seduced her snake from its contentment of the warmth of the bed. Rolling off the bed he held his hand out to her, "just this way, my love." They walked out to the grounds again, out a side door that lead to the deck. She again barely registered the décor or the house as she walked through, which was unheard of for her, but as she stepped into the world beyond, her senses were alive with the wonder of it all. The foliage was lush and inviting, the flora beyond dense, though the sunshine was filtering through. It reminded her of Knossos, even if the trees and plants weren’t the same. The feeling was still there. A place of safety and contentment awaited her and her mate. He walked a little in front of her and she admired her mark on him. It was beautiful, the scroll neat and sexy. Her hand shot up and touched hers, not surprised to feel that while hers was contained and refined, Merrick’s was swooping, a scroll of one line, its loops making large swirls over her shoulder and down her back partially. It was perfect, wild, unhinged and dominant, just like her mate. It said ‘this is mine, this woman is mine alone’ in the best of ways. It had taken a long time to get that last bite, the claiming bite, but they had it and there was no going back now. He turned to her and she went to him, kissing him sweetly and rubbed against him. It felt like Eden, except instead of a snake tempting them, they were the snakes. She moved away, the prickle of her change coming to her and she sighed in relief. The impulse to hunt wasn’t on her, and she knew that her snake was as content to be with Merrick’s as she was to be with the man of her dreams. She stretched and closed her eyes, Feeling her change take hold. It was fluid, as if her snake was overly anxious to emerge. The tingles started at her toes and she sighed. They moved up her legs quickly and she surrendered her human form for her snake one. ~139~

She became her other, a six and a half foot anaconda, gleaming with auburn and plum scales in the bright sunshine. She lifted her head and scented the air, knowing immediately that Merrick had joined her in her change, and his snake was near. Elise turned her head to the left to see her mate, a very large reticulated python moving slowly toward her. He was apprehensive; as if he wasn’t sure she would accept him after so long. It was silly, Elise’s snake had been waiting for the chance since she saw him that morning in the meeting room, but it was safer for him to be cautious. He was bigger then she remembered, thicker, his coloring more vibrant and bright. Merrick was always beautiful in snake form, the golden and copper tones of his scales mingling with the black and silver were beautiful, and spoke of high birth among his kind. He was unique, beautiful, and hers. Over eight feel long, wide around as a young elm, Merrick was all snake, and the best candidate for mating and raising young with. Elise felt the life beyond the lawn, felt the heartbeats and scented the smaller creatures that had just realized there was a predator in the vicinity. They scampered away, fearing for their lives. They wouldn’t have to worry; she wasn’t in the mood to hunt, not now that she was reunited with her love. The snake moved toward him and hissed, curling her body around him, accepting him and his claim on her. It was his move now, to do the same and when he did, her heart sang out with joy. They were one again, on every level they needed to be. “You age very well.” She chuckled mentally to him. “So much bigger then I remember.” He chuckled back to her, "Just my snake?" He coiled around her moving his head against her scales, "I forgot just how beautiful your scales were, I bet they still look as good in the morning light." "Well you will know soon enough my love." she sighed mentally and coiled closer, enjoying his heat and the combined heat of them and the sunshine. This was truly paradise. "This is like a dream, and you feel so good, silken water. I can’t wait to have you coil around my naked body." "I'm sure it’s something we can arrange soon." "Ummm, we better, we have a lot of catching up to do. So what’s next for us?" She was content, and comfortable, but she wasn’t leaving anything up to chance. "Next? Anything you like, although children of our own would be nice. We have a future archon to make." She coiled closer at the thought. To actually have a clutch of her own was the dearest wish of her heart, but it would be dangerous, even more so now that they were older. "Do you think we can still? I know I screamed about it earlier, but we have to face that it might not be possible." "And it also might be possible. It’s our mating night so I'll lean towards it being possible and if it isn't then it isn’t. Then we’ll deal with that when it comes." His optimism bolstered hers. He was always her grounding force, always the one to bring her back from the melancholy that sometimes gripped her. He was truly her other half and he had proved it time and time again during their entire reunion. When she was manic, he was levelheaded; when he was pissed off she was the voice of reason. They complimented each other perfectly. "Well then we should make sure we keep at it till we do. You think you can keep it up long enough to knock me up mate?" she asked cheekily and nuzzled his face, feeling the warmth between them. He flicked his tongue out lazily, tasting her. "Well I'm not as young as I used to be, but then I've been storing it up for a long time." he chuckled, "I think I'm up for the challenge." "You will be later. For now though, I love feeling your scales against mine." He tightened his grip coiling his free parts over her creating the feeling of running water as his scales slid over hers. "There's no better feeling." She shivered and luxuriated in the feel of him. "Naughty mate." she sighed and was quiet a while, thinking of how to broach her next subject. Finally she lifted her head and scented the air then nuzzled him again. "Merrick I meant it when I said long ago that I have to come first with you. If not ~140~

I can’t do this. Me, our family, has to come first, always. Not your businesses, not your other responsibilities, Me. Us." She knew she was being selfish but after so long alone she felt quite strongly that she deserved it. "Of course, I made that decision when we got on the plane. Family always comes first. I've given a lot of myself to other people and other people’s kids. It's time I took some of that for myself. You will always come first, my love, and our kids will be the most important thing to me." She wasn’t sure if she could trust him in that respect. Time would tell, and she would really only know when she became pregnant. Till then she would enjoy the time they had been given back. If he didn’t hold up his end of the bargain she was resolved to make sure he did, probably by breaking his legs or something else he needed. There was nothing as volatile as a mate that had been lied to. Leaving the topic at that, she moved against him, wrapping around his body more. "You know, you’re brighter then I remember. It’s very sexy, much prettier than mine." Merrick chuckled and didn’t say a word. Elise shut her eyes to the sunshine, both her and her snake happy to be with the man she loved. The road ahead was indeed a rocky one, and she realized that with Merrick it always was going to be. Nothing was ever easy; nothing that was worth it anyway. When they left this paradise it would be as mates, and partners for the good of the nest they would be running. This would be their refuge, their secret place. Merrick had done well with bringing her here, giving her the fairytale all young snakes dreamed of. To mate with no threat after, able to have a coil to cement their partnership, and the accepted symbiosis between snakes… it really was a fantasy. Truly happy for the first time in longer than she could remember, and safer than she ever would be, she dozed, knowing that her mate would watch over her, and keep her from all harm. The sunshine was warm, the company was excellent, and for once, all was right with the world.

~141~

EPILOGUE Elise stood on the deck of her suite, her hands gripping the railing. The midmorning sun warmed her face as she stood there, the soft breeze making the hem of her kerchief skirt flutter. She closed her eyes and tiled her face to the welcomed warmth, spinning the ring Merrick gave her long ago on her ring finger. It was back where it belonged, and so was he, and she couldn’t be happier about either. They had spent a week at the island house, reconnecting, rediscovering each other and becoming more of the couple she had always hoped them to be. After that final mating, Merrick seemed to calm down a bit, enjoying their time in an unhurried manner, taking his time to get to know the woman he had bound himself to all over again. He was romantic, and sweet and wonderful, and more than made up for all the time he had been away. Things progressed slowly that week, but they progressed. It was only a month since then, but it felt like a lifetime for her. Since their return, Knossos was in an uproar. Members of Merrick’s wayward nest were stopping in to meet her, some were staying, and some were just passing through, but the house had a steady stream of visitors to it. She once thought that Knossos was a lively nest on its own, but that only started ringing true recently. Aiden had moved into Myra’s suite by the time they had come back, and gotten close with both Remy and Reece, who were glad Myra had found a possible mate. She approved of the match, though she wasn’t so sure Merrick did. It wasn’t anything they could do about it though, both Aiden and Myra were adults, and with the possibility of a threat still on the horizon, Aiden was Myra’s bodyguard so it was only right that they take a liking to each other. Merrick had told her that Ryan, or Homer, as he preferred to be called, and Evelyn were doing well with each other, and he had taken his role as her protector seriously. She had taken a leave from the modeling world and they were holed up at her place in Vegas, getting to know each other better. Elise thought she heard wedding bells in the distance but she wasn’t sure whom they would be for. Beryl was back at her post in academia, and had made a new friend in Olivia’s nephew, the elusive Wick. They were both researching the serpentine cults and their gods, in order to better understand the issues and make sure they didn’t have a repeat of the unpleasantness that they had all recently endured. Each nest was now in constant contact, and was getting weekly updates from the researchers. Still no word on the murderous Jax, and because of this all the bodyguards were on constant alert. The seven girls were all looked after, and that was enough for Elise for now. She sighed as the breeze caressed her body with the faint scent of sage and basil as it warmed under the sun. Things were good now, but for how long remained to be seen. She chuckled as she felt arms wrap around her waist, caressing her stomach. Merrick’s hands were always a welcome addition to her body, and his lips, which had found her mating mark and were nibbling seductively, were something she felt the loss of every time he wasn’t with her. She moaned quietly at his attentions, leaning back into him. “Merrick you’re insatiable you know that? Right here? In the open like this, so not like you.” She smiled as he nodded and grunted his agreement, his tongue slowly trailing along the ridges of her mating mark on her right side shoulder. She reached up caressed his neck, just over where his was as ~142~

a tease, then slipped her hand down his shoulder and over the left side of his chest which was still bare and slightly moist from their lovemaking not an hour before. “What are the plans for today my love? Surely you don’t plan to stay half naked the full day?” She giggled and turned in his arms to face him. “I thought you had to meet with Marcus in the city this afternoon, or so you told me when you followed me into the shower this morning.” Not that she minded. Merrick was a prefect specimen of what a man in the middle of his life could be. Defined, sexy, rock hard, he rivaled the rest of the men in the nest for most perfect physical appearance and he was the oldest one there. That fact always made her feel smug. "Indeed I do but it doesn’t stop me from being half naked right up until I have to leave." His voice was a low purr in her ear. "True. So what’s this meeting about anyway?" "No clue. He's doing his best to keep it quiet though so no doubt it’s something dastardly. I knew sooner or later I'd have to pay for his support... of course I was hoping it'd be a little later." She grinned. "Can’t be too dastardly, Bettina promised I would have you back tonight." "Indeed you will... I plan on informing him that I don’t do dastardly any more, I'm enjoying my retirement too much. Whether or not I can put him into contact with someone who does is another matter altogether." "I’m sure it won’t be too much of a problem for you love." She turned and left his arms going back into the suite and moving towards the full length mirror he insisted they install when they installed the mirrors over the bed. She looked at herself, her shoulders bare in her tube top, her mating mark still glistening with the moisture of Merrick’s kiss. She ran her fingers over her stomach and watched him lean on the doorframe. "And what are your plans for today? Anything fun?" She smirked. He was going to be surprised. "Ummm... I think so... I was planning on going shopping today at Belts and Baubles Boutique... but that’s after I see Rona." Rona was the nest’s new midwife and resident doctor, sent up from her cousin’s nest down south. He blinked, "Rona?" She turned, no longer looking at his reflection in the mirror and nodded. "Truly?" His grin turned excited and hopeful. She smiled. "I think so. I mean you have been working diligently at it..." she giggled behind her hand blushing. "True but it’s not something that happens easily... we're hardly spring chickens... it could have taken years." "And you have been stockpiling for how long?" she said with a smirk. He chuckled moving to her and pulling her into his arms. "Very true." She moaned softly and snuggled closer into him, rubbing against his naked skin, scenting him. "Just proves we really were meant to be love. Even after everything we have been through. I think we have been blessed for a reason." And fate was finally giving Elise her just rewards… the family she always wanted with the man she couldn’t live without. "A good reason I hope." He kissed her, the smile never leaving his face. "I think we got a prize for our suffering." She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. "It will be hard, but I won’t be showing for another few months." He nodded his face full of wonder as he pressed his hand to her. "We'll have to tell the others... once it's a definite. This is a cause for celebration. Parents, Elise..." He grinned excitedly. "We're going to be parents." She grinned and kissed him sweetly. "Parents. So you better come back tonight..." she nipped his bottom lip. He shook his head. "Marcus can wait; I want to go with you to see Rona." "You don’t have to Merrick, I know this is important." ~143~

"Nothing's more important than our family. Marcus can afford a hotel for the night and if he puts up a fuss I'll send the kid, there’s nobody I know that Aiden can't put him in touch with." She smiled. Merrick was choosing her and their possible clutch over everything else, and she knew things had changed. He had said it on the island, that he was done, but until this moment she didn’t actually believe it. His smile, the light in his eyes told her everything she needed to know about their future. She was hopeful now, more then ever, that all their suffering and strife would pay off, and that she would finally get the life, and the love she always wished for herself. "I love you John, always and forever." "I love you too, always have always will." He smiled adoringly at her his eyes full of love. "So you’ll go with me then?" she grinned. "Of course, I want nothing else. This is our family and I'm going to be there every step of the way Lise. I've missed too much already." "Then let’s not miss anything else together."

~144~