22. Aurelia

Chapter 22

Aurelia

W hatever I thought flying on dragon-back would be like, it wasn't in a Lyle and Scythe sandwich. I've been all up in Lyle's business for the last couple of weeks and having him pressed up against my ass is now known as my happy place.

But the moment Scythe climbed up Xander's foreleg with the grace and ease like he'd been doing it all his life and then having all six foot six of him settle in front of me was like something out of a dream.

I don't know where to put my hands. I don't know where to put my tits. Hell, I don't know how to breathe.

Lyle has his arms around me, but because my newly healed stomach is still tender, he can't grip onto me like he wants to.

And then Scythe orders over his shoulder, "Put your arms around me, Aurelia."

My heart gives a little jolt, and I tentatively raise my hands. My instincts have always screamed that Scythe does not like to be touched. I've known that since the first day I met him in Halfeather's dungeon. The memory-dreams I've had of him confirm this instinct. He's been touched without his permission his entire life. I did not want to number amongst those people who did something to him against his will. The very thought makes me sick.

He's given me permission now, but he has no choice.

"Aurelia," Scythe rasps in my mind.

I'm so startled by the admonishment in his tone that I whip my arms around him so quickly that I crush my lungs against him and start coughing awkwardly.

He's warm and hard and there is definitely a six-pack under my clenched hands. My cheek rests against the muscled plane of his left shoulder blade, and it feels more intimate than I deserve. Yet my anima coos and preens at the feel of him, wanting to snuggle in further. Wanting to remove his business shirt and rub my nose into his inked skin.

I've left no space between me and Scythe's back, so Lyle runs his hand down the length of my thighs to grip me just above my knees.

I'm flushed, breathless, and very happy with my position in life right this second.

Xander had launched into the sky like the complete asshole he is, and the feel of being on a flying creature and at its mercy, rather than being the flying creature itself, is completely alien. I hate the feeling of not being in control, and the wind is so much harsher on my human skin than my feathers. It feels like ages being at an incline until he gets to the height he wants, but once we level out, I let myself take a look around.

It's a sea of darkness, on this clear night, empty air stretching out in every direction with the twinkly stars above. In my heart, I feel the call of sweet freedom like a soothing balm to my tumultuous insides. I've not spent too much time flying at night for safety reasons, but it really is a special thing to be this far above the troubles of the world, in a space barred admission to so many others. It's no wonder dragons think so much of themselves. Being a bird is brilliant enough, but to be this beastly of a creature and yet so graceful in the sky?

Magical.

The dark countryside is awash in silver-blue by the bright moon. I'm tingly right down to my fingertips, positively giddy, and not at all cold like Minnie and I expected. It's like my blood is heating up by the second, and my budding excitement has me wanting to see everything .

"That take-off was an asshole move," Lyle says into the group chat.

"I'd watch my mouth right now if I were everyone," Xander growls back.

"Really, Xan?" Lyle says.

"How long will the flight be?" I interject.

"Two hours," Scythe replies. "So settle in. And I want silence from everyone."

"Lia?" Minnie screams at that opportune moment. "Are you alright?"

"Yes!" I call back, tuning slightly to avoid yelling in Scythe's ear. "Are you alright?"

"Yup!" she shouts. And I can tell from the pitch of her voice that she's having a good time.

We pipe down after that and I try to get some rest, but Lyle's circling thumbs on my thighs and Scythe's breathing back is all very distracting.

Just under two hours later, Xander begins wheeling to make his descent onto a pitch-black grassy plain. I can see the lights of the Central Business District far into the distance enough that I know it'll be a bit of a drive to get there. Xander is surprisingly smooth in his landing, a small thump jolting us against each other before settling.

Lyle has to help me get up because my legs are stiff and locked. He levitates us both down to the ground so I don't have to try and scramble down Xander's leg like Scythe so easily does. Our feline friends levitate themselves down too, Minnie laughing all the way.

Three black SUVs are parked on the dirt road nearby, two wolves waiting. My heart leaps at the scent of wolf on the wind, except it's not Savage who waits for us but other males, who hand over keys to Scythe and Marduk and clothes to a bad-tempered, naked Xander.

"Mobster cars," Minnie whispers to me.

I nod back seriously.

We pile ourselves and the luggage into the SUVs and it takes an hour and a half to hit the big lights of the city. Scythe's driving is smooth and efficient as he handles the manual gearstick with his tattooed hand and I try not to stare too much where I sit with my legs tightly pressed together from the passenger seat.

My nervousness steadily increases as we get deeper into the city and hit the nightlife district. It's nine o'clock, and the night is in full swing. I've never actually been clubbing, or out at night in the city, and I try to absorb everything all at once. Dance music makes the air jump, human women in pretty, tight dresses shriek and toddle on their stilettos, while human men laugh and wait in long lines to get into clubs. While that is the human side of the city, the animalia side is another matter. The males are bigger and walk in packs, the tension like a tight rubber band. Security is a lot tighter, with both massive bears and feline guards standing in groups and animalia law enforcement in their purple uniforms. I see more than one animus go flying through the air, tossed out of a club by a feline guard.

Scythe drives into the long driveway of a glossy, towering hotel, where valet boys in blue and silver uniforms jump to attention. Scythe parks and steps out.

There's a stuttered, "M-Mr Kharkorous, sir," before Scythe closes his door. Lyle opens my door and I quickly get out, interested to see more of Scythe's business from the front lines.

Marduk parks behind us, Minnie practically leaping out of the car to speedwalk towards me, her big blanket-hoodie in Yeti's arms. "Lia," she says, looping her arm around mine and craning her neck to look up at the many stories towering above us, their windows lit up with warm yellow lights. "This must be one of Scythe's properties."

I freeze as I register this, until my eye catches on Scythe being met by a woman and man in professional hotel pant-suits. He hands the man a wad of cash. Shit, if that's the case, Scythe has to be wealthier than even my father. Not many of the mob bosses own hotels , especially ones as big as this. Then again, dragons always have a penchant for attracting money and Scythe has a big old nasty one on his team.

We follow Scythe into the hotel, which is a beautiful white and gold affair, definitely five stars and definitely on the pricey end. Porters rush forward to help us with our luggage, but Lyle and Scythe wave them away, insisting they take it up themselves.

Just past the lobby, Minnie and I see the sign pointing to the club at the same time. As nervous as I am about tonight, I'm also excited just to be out and about. This is exactly the type of thing I've been missing all my life, I just wish the rest of our animas were here to enjoy it with us. But we'd be united with Sabrina soon enough.

We all pile into the lift and head to the fortieth floor, which requires a fingerprint from Scythe to access. Minnie and I exchange a giddy look and she mouths, "Penthouse" at me.

And a penthouse it is.

When the elevator doors slide open, we're met with an expanse of black and gold that stretches out in either direction with the far wall made entirely of glass. A huge TV is mounted in front of a set of leather couches and a dining table.

"The Devi pack can take the east side," Scythe says, gesturing to a corridor branching to the right. "The rest of us will take the west."

"Lia and I are taking one room though," Minnie pipes, tugging at my elbow.

"That's right," I say firmly, reaching for my bag. Lyle tugs it back, frowning.

"Lia and I haven't slept together in ages, Mr Pardalia!" Minnie protests.

It's Yeti and Marduk's turn to glower at the two of us.

"It's just one night," I say defensively, snatching my bag out of Lyle's grip. He relents. "You five can have a boys sleepover. It'll be fun."

Minnie snorts, before swinging us around to choose from one of the six rooms. We choose the one with the gigantic gilded framed mirror and immediately start unpacking. The men make a big fuss and bother, with Yeti loudly declaring that he'll take the room "right next door so I can hear everything ." And Lyle loudly taking the room on our other side and telling us we only have two hours to get ready.

We slam our door shut and laugh.

"Mostly, I'm excited to see Sabrina," Minnie says, setting out all my makeup brushes. If she's nervous about what she has to do, she doesn't show it. But it's always been her style to cover her fear with positivity and chirpiness. Sometimes I wish I was more like that.

Tonight I need all the help I can get to look as nonchalant as possible.

I hang up the dress we'd picked out, my stomach doing a little flop at the thought of rescuing our friend. At the risk. The danger. Scythe doesn't seem bothered by any of it, but he never seems fazed by anything. "I just hope she's alright," I say quietly. "I hope they weren't awful to her."

Minnie audibly swallows. "It all ends tonight."

She quickly helps me get ready, trying to be thorough so I don't look like I'm trying to go to a high school formal.

We flat iron my hair so it's pin straight and silky, hanging long down my back. We'd gone for the sexiest dress, chosen by Sabrina from the village, of course. It's blue to match my eyes, and the entire left side is cut out down to my shin, with criss-crossing cord. It's very obvious I'm not wearing underwear, but Scythe said that I am here to create a distraction. A spectacle.

Electricity bounces through my veins, and suddenly I'm sweating. What is up with me tonight? I should be cold in the fresh, almost-winter air, but I'm flushed. Perhaps my body knows I'm going to see Savage tonight.

Savage.

The thought of seeing him again fills me with a kind of pure joy I've never known before. I bounce on the balls of my feet, suddenly inspired. Suddenly reckless. I grab Minnie's hand and whisper eagerly in her face, "I need to hype myself up. Let's go take a look at the dance floor."

Her beautiful brown eyes widen. "Wait…are we allowed to do that?"

"We're grown ass adults by law!" I hiss, turning around to check my ass in the mirror. "By the Wild Goddess, I think we're allowed to do whatever the hell we want."

"But Mr Pardalia said we should stay out of sight and?—"

I'm already shaking my head. Vigorously. "This might be my only opportunity to get into a club for the next few years I have to be at the academy. I'm not missing this chance. Think about it, Min. We'll both be much better if we get rid of this nervous energy." I rush to my bag and pull out my back-up dress, a stretchy black mini that will likely be a midi on my little tigress. I brandish it like a weapon.

Minnie smooths her hands down the dress, thinking deeply. I know she's feeling the same type of stomach butterflies I am because her face splits into a grin. "Well, Lady Boneweaver, if you're game, I am."

I loop my arm through hers and let out a cackle. "Lady Tigress, let's do this."

Minnie throws the dress on, puts on a red lipstick, touches up concealer, and with that, we're better than ready.

It's quiet outside our room and I think the men are eating or sleeping or line dancing or whatever it is beasts do when they think their reginas are doing private women's business.

Even so, for us to sneak in and out successfully without the disaster-o-meter hitting the red, I envelope us in my invisible eighth shield and lock us down tight so scent or general regina juices can't alert our men.

Arm in arm, we hold our heels in our other hands and tip toe the fancy tiled corridor towards the lift. It's all quiet in the living space, so I'm almost certain there's no one?—

Xander is sitting on the couch, directly facing us, glowing eyes fixed on me, his black headphones on his ears. A small frown creases his black brows. I hold my breath, certain we're done for. Minnie does the same, squeezing my arm tight. Xander can't see through my shield, but his ears are god-level.

The dragon closes his eyes and tilts his head back as if to rest on the couch. Either he's tired from his flight or he doesn't give a fuck that we're escaping.

Something tells me it's the latter. I let out a sigh of relief and tug Minnie towards the lift. We don't see anyone else, so I call the lift. It pings when it opens, but Xander says nothing.

Grinning at my victory, I enter the lift. Only once the doors close do I cast the shield off and turn to high-five Minnie.

I cast the shield around us again just before the lift opens up to the ground floor, immediately washing us with the sounds of the club beyond.

"This is it!" Minnie whispers as we head towards the two massive security guards standing by the entrance.