Chapter Eleven

They travelled a few blocks to the club, and instead of going in the back door, they went through a side door with two guards waiting. They straightened when they saw Vikor.

The door opened into an elevator, and he pressed a button that said two. She lifted her fingers, counted the levels, and snorted. “Lust?”

He grinned at her. “When we put the club together, it seemed like a theme that could be constantly refreshed if interest flagged. So far, interest is still going strong.”

Ekron muttered, “Having the devil holding court nearly every night was a huge draw. Now that physically altered actives are coming out in public, they are an excellent draw for public venues. That is why Klauz charges less for physical manifesting actives than he does for others and humans. They are part of the experience at his restaurant. It is also why his private table faces the city. He and his are not on display. All they get is a glimpse as they are escorted to the table.”

There were servers on duty in the shadows of the room. Vikor spoke softly to a woman who looked familiar to Drin. The woman was wearing the standard outfit of the club--a backless dress with temporary tattoos of wings on their back. The skirts were silky and fell just below mid-thigh, where the black and silver stockings kicked in. The woman was wearing a wig, which was confusing, but when she looked at Drin and winked, Drin gasped.

The woman laughed and left through a flat panel in the corner. The golden eyes with slit pupils were unmistakable. Drin saw them every day at work.

She stared at the panel as Techor led her further into the room.

“What is it, Drin?”

“Um, nothing.”

Vikor sat near the balcony edge overlooking the dancers. They were fifteen feet above the throng. “Drin, come here.”

He grinned when she hesitated and nodded to Techor as she walked to Vikor.

“You rang?” She smiled brightly.

He took her hand and pulled her in until she was draped across him. He whispered in her ear, “Are you really going to make Ekron wait?”

She snorted and turned her head to his ear. She ran her tongue up the edge and murmured, “That guy has had his hands inside every set of panties I picked out today. I could probably identify his fingerprints by now. No, I am not going to make him wait. You and I will play tonight, and tomorrow, I am back to work and whine about being sore. After that, I have no idea who and what will come next, so to speak.”

She ran her hand down his chest. “Maybe we could have a sign-up sheet or something.”

His large hand covered her ass. “You are having fun with this.”

“I am.”

“They will not all be patient.”

“Klauz will. He takes his time.” She pressed kisses to Vikor’s neck. “Techor is firmly attached to my mind, so he will feel it tonight if I do. Ekron is the one who hasn’t hinted at a timeline.” She sighed as she nuzzled his skin. “I am guessing he just isn’t interested.”

There was a gasp of shock from a few inches behind her. She grinned and nipped at Vikor, inhaling him and letting his scent work on her.

He murmured, “I believe that Ekron’s brain just exploded. I have never seen that expression on his face before. He’s outraged.”

Drin turned to look at her shopping buddy. “Naw, that is very much his disgruntled face.”

“Don’t you owe him an apology?”

She chuckled and asked, “Ekron, do you want the public apology today?”

He gritted his teeth. “Yes.”

“Uh-oh. I think he might be angry.”

Vikor chuckled. “You think? Pay your debt and clean your slate.”

She sighed and pushed up from Vikor.

Drin walked up to Ekron and trailed her fingers over his abdomen as she walked around him. “Ekron, I owe you an apology.”

“I believe I laid out my terms.”

“Don’t say laid.” She paced around him slowly. “I know I am not in the outfit you had planned, but I am willing to debase myself for the sake of your dignity just this once.”

He caught her when she came around him. “I want more than that.”

She chuckled. “Then you had better persuade me to debase myself for fun. I do accept bribery.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What kind of bribe?”

“I am open to negotiation. I am guessing with tomorrow being a busy night of the week, Vikor will be busy. Techor probably has paperwork to do, and Klauz will be neck-deep in needy clients. That leaves me alone for the night. You are probably busy.” She shrugged and turned away.

He wrapped his arms around her. “My schedule opened up. Even if I have a booking, I have opened up if you have.”

She snorted. “Wordplay?”

He stroked her throat, slid his hand into her dress, and cupped her breast. “There, now I am not simply playing with words.” He seemed to relax while touching her.

“So, shall I first have my atonement, and then you negotiate for my time? I am pretty sure that Vikor has dibs in perpetuity.”

Ekron chuckled. “I can take him.”

Vikor grinned. “Ekron was up to become an agent for the government. He might act like a twit, but he’s a heavy hitter.”

She was shocked, and it showed on her face. Ekron gave her a cruel smile. “Feel like running, little rabbit?”

“No, but I was wondering how I could have crushed your testicles once and bruised them a second time. If that is your only vulnerability, you have to stay away from parties and the ladies.”

He squeezed her and lifted her off her feet. He still had a careful handful of her breast. “You are trying to crack my control.”

“Nope. Just wondering why you aren’t running around cracking heads like other agents?”

He chuckled. “My lovely singing voice. I am better for Aksalla as a singer than an agent. You are soft as a kitten.”

“I have met Khytten. The resemblance is superficial. Above or below the breasts, no resemblance at all.”

He chuckled. “I have some of the Khytten-Salat t-shirts. The new children’s hospital is all paid for with that rack of hers.”

“And Tirra and Arcady. Salat is a really good artist. Have you ever volunteered to perform for charity?”

He lowered his head to hers. “No. Let’s see how we move together, and then, we can determine if I will be volunteering on your behalf in the future.”

“Fine. Let’s get this over with.” She shrugged.

He grinned. “I love your enthusiasm.”

He slid his hand out of her dress and made sure she was steady on her feet before he took her hand and led her to a staircase that opened into a hall, which spilled out onto the dance floor.

He walked out, and the crowd screamed. Drin paused as the feminine voices assailed her. He tugged her along with a small smile.

He looked to the DJ and twirled Drin slowly. The DJ grinned and nodded.

Drin knew that her voice wouldn’t carry, so she showed her confusion when he wouldn’t take her down to the dance floor.

The music changed to something heavy with a pulsing beat. Ekron pulled her against him and started to move to the beat. Drin moved with him, and his hands moved over her in front of the crowd.

She focused on his face, and then, he spun her out, back in, and they rocked together with his chest at her back. She rocked her hips against him and slowly bent her knees before he pulled her up and held her by her throat. She lifted her arms and tangled her fingers in his hair as the music controlled their movements. He kissed her in front of his screaming fans, and the screams got louder. He made a fist in her skirt, and she quivered.

He whispered in her ear, “I can strip you naked right here and now.”

“Yeah. You could. I would never forgive you for it, but you could.”

He looked at her, and his fingers caressed her neck. “You are very soft, pet.”

He was still swaying with her but holding her very carefully.

She shivered and rocked her hips against him. “You are rather hard, Ekron.”

He grinned and released her neck and hip, and she stumbled loose. She wasn’t expecting it, and she fell to the floor.

He cursed and knelt at her side. “Shit, Drin. Are you hurt?”

She sat with her head down. “I am fine. I will go back to circle two. You made your point.”

“I didn’t mean for you to fall. I didn’t realize how close we were to the step.” He picked her up and carried her back, to the cries of his fans, through the guarded hallway.

He walked up the stairs with her, murmuring apologies on his way up. Techor was waiting, and a moment after he took Drin, the lady with the familiar eyes came in. “Excuse me, but I am a healer. I can fix the ankle before the swelling becomes extreme.”

Techor nodded and directed Drin’s feet toward the newcomer.

Saia smiled at Drin. “This happens a lot around here. It is all the tall heels. Hold still and breathe calmly.”

The woman gripped Drin’s ankles, and cool and warm seeped into her skin and then her bones. Drin felt the shift as the bones were lined up, and then, they started healing. She didn’t feel a thing. Everyone stood frozen for five minutes, and then, Saia stepped back. “Give that a rotation.”

Drin rotated her ankles and smiled. “Thanks, Saia.”

Ekron dropped to the ground in relief. “Drin, I am so sorry. I thought there were two feet more on the section of the stage we were on. There normally are.”

Saia nodded. “The DJ asked for an alteration so that the guest dancers would be more visible. It was moved around this afternoon.”

Vikor cursed. “Thank you for your help.”

Saia nodded. “All part of the service, boss.”

She left the room and headed out to attend to the rush of women trying to press into the passageway and get a close-up look at Ekron.

Drin sighed and looked at Techor. “You can put me down now. My ankles are fine. Saia’s an excellent healer.”

Ekron got up and reached out for her, and Techor let her go. Vikor was still vibrating with tension. She patted Ekron’s chest and walked past him to her big, red crush. He folded her in his arms, and she sighed. “Do we have to stay here long? It isn’t that much fun.”

He stroked her hair. “No, pet. I think it would be best if I just quickly go over the paperwork, and we head out. Are you all right here with Ekron and Techor?”

“Sure.”

“Good. Watch the dancing if you like. Some of the couples are actually professionals.”

She smiled and settled in one of the chairs near the edge of the balcony, but she stayed safely away from the safety rail.

Ekron moved to sit next to her, and he took her hand. “Drin, why won’t you look at me?”

Techor spoke to him. “She was in blinding pain and wondered how she would get home or get to hospital if she couldn’t stand on her own two feet.”

Drin didn’t look at them. The dancers below were laughing, drunk, gyrating, and distracted her from the hot tears streaking down her cheeks. She knew her appearance was changing back to her shell, so she didn’t want to look at them.

Ekron wrapped his arms around her from the back and pressed his forehead to the back of her neck.

Techor murmured, “And her reaction has nothing to do with you. She was put in a vulnerable situation, and she didn’t know what to do. She always knows what to do.”

Ekron felt the tears on his arms and turned her to face him. She had felt the pretty colours of her eyes back up, her hair go mud-coloured, and her ears regress to round. She looked at him with slumped shoulders. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, pet. You didn’t call out, and you told me you were fine.”

“Didn’t want you to worry.”

“You don’t feel good anymore?”

She shook her head. “I feel cold.”

Techor sat nearby. “Can I help?”

Drin was tired, and she looked at him. “Can you?”

“I can try.”

“Don’t you have to go to work tomorrow?”

Techor smiled. “I promise to go to bed the moment that I get home tonight.”

He beckoned to her, and she carefully got up and walked over to him. “Go where you feel comfortable.”

She gave in to her fatigue, and she slumped against him. Sitting on the floor and leaning her head against his thigh, he settled his hand against her hair, and her tension just melted away.

She was still sitting there when Vikor returned half an hour later. Techor spoke to him. “This is one tense little bunny. She has had a lot on her shoulders for far too long. She was breaking. Her brave and flirty face tonight was a little separation from reality.”

Vikor nodded. “That explains a few things. I know she isn’t nearly as bold as she was playing at.”

Drin mumbled, “Well, at least I don’t owe Ekron for the incident anymore.”

Ekron snorted. “I owe you for the injury.”

She nodded. “Whatever. Vikor, can we go home now?”

Vikor nodded. “Let’s go home, pet.”

She tried to get up, but she was weak. Ekron got her to her feet and held her until she took Vikor’s arm. It was time to go home.

Drin was clean, her hair brushed, and she was tucked into Vikor’s bed, wearing another nighty. Looked like there was no fun and games tonight.

The guys talked in the living room, and since the door was open, she heard the murmurs of their voices. When Klauz arrived, they continued their discussions, and she dozed off.

Sometime in the middle of the night, a gentle light woke her, and she saw four shadows watching her. “Whadda ya want?”

Vikor crouched next to her. “We have the final partnership agreement. Will you sign it?”

She nodded, checked the time, and said, “If I do, can I go back to sleep?”

He laughed. “Yes, pet.”

She sat up and looked at the heading on the page. “The Elf Star Consortium?”

They chuckled, and Ekron said, “We are a corporation.”

She snorted and read through the terms, tearing up at the heavy direction toward taking care of her, keeping her in touch with her family, and getting her a therapist for her expansive list of issues.

She paused when the contract mentioned children. “I don’t know if I can have them.”

Techor nodded. “That is why the mention of the incubator is in the next paragraph.”

“Oh, right. There it is.”

She nodded and looked through the rest of the requirements, and she signed on her line, above her name and next to the other four.

The corporation was now firm. She was the asset disbursement officer.

Vikor took the tablet, tucked her back in bed, and kissed her cheek. The others all kissed her cheek, temple, and forehead, and then, she was allowed to rest.

It had been an exhausting few days, and things would look better in the morning.

She was warm, the air smelled good, and she was lying next to something supportive. She mumbled, “I forgot to brush my teeth.”

She moved, and he let her go. Right. Vikor was with her. She got up and headed for the bathroom. Drin used the facilities and brushed her teeth with a small pink toothbrush. She looked in the mirror, and her mask was half on, half off. Her ears were pointed, but her hair and eyes were still muddy. She shrugged and returned to Vikor.

It was only four in the morning. She could get some sleep if she kept her brain relaxed. He lifted his arm as she approached the bed, making her a little cave to settle into. She faced him and curled up against him. She tucked her head against his shoulder and pressed her hands against his chest.

“How are you feeling?”

She smiled up at him. “Still sleepy. How about you?”

“Wide awake. I keep having to remind myself that this isn’t a dream.” He ran his hand down the back of her nightgown.

“Not a dream. Dreams don’t have to eat this much.” She stroked her hands down his body and found his erection through his shorts. He groaned.

“They also don’t have fingers to do this with.” She carefully outlined his cock with soft touches. A wet mark rapidly grew as she stroked him quietly.

“Drin, you don’t have to do this.”

“I know, but I can, right?” She looked up at him.

His hand clenched on her back.

He nodded. “You can do whatever you want to me.”

She smiled brightly. “You, too.”

He laughed. “Oh, you don’t want to say that.”

“Actually, I do.”

“Then, be careful what you wish for. I am about to make memories.”

She smiled, and then, his mouth came down on hers. His tongue teased hers, and the split tickled. His hand gathered up her gown, and he broke the kiss. “I don’t know how much control I have, so I am going to speed things up for you.”

Drin frowned, and then, he pulled her up against the headboard and slid down the bed himself. “Ohmygod.”

He chuckled and gave a few experimental licks, and then, his tongue was deep inside her, searching and caressing. She whined, and his tongue and a fingertip sent her higher in seconds. She arched and twisted, rolling her hips and moaning as he did, indeed, speed things up. Her first scream echoed in the room. Fire licked along every nerve and rolled through her brain. Her nervous system was lit up.

He lifted his head and licked his lips. “Well done, pet.”

She was still twitching under him when he eased up her body and pressed against her.

Her hips rolled against him, and as the tip of his cock pressed into her, she drew him in.

Vikor grunted and surged forward until he couldn’t go any further. She leaned up and inhaled, and he went in further.

He groaned. “So that’s what it’s for. Do that again.”

She pressed her nose to his neck and inhaled again, and he slid in further again. She shuddered, and he moved slowly until her thighs were wide and his pelvis pressed to hers. He shuddered. “Drin, you are perfect.”

She wrapped her legs around his hips. “Good for me.”

Drin slid her arms around his ribs, and he started to move inside her. She gasped, moaned, probably drooled, and then lunged upward and bit him.

He grunted, and his body shook. She gasped as she felt the hot jetting inside her. The gasp wasn’t from the sensation. It was from something else inside her. The hunger faded.

Vikor looked down at her and frowned as he saw her expression. “What is it, Drin?”

She blinked. “I was hungry when we started, but it isn’t as bad now. I feel normal. I haven’t felt like this in over a decade.”

He smiled. “Should I be flattered?”

“I need a larger data sample. Can we do it again?”

He looked at her and laughed before kissing her, then moved his head and started to scrape her neck lightly with his teeth. She moaned softly and dug her fingers into his back.

He laughed. “Claw me up all you like, little Drin.”

She remembered that he liked to go without a shirt. “Oh, shit.” She moved her hands.

He slowly moved into her and nearly out of her. “What is the problem?”

“You don’t wear shirts at the club. I don’t want to make any marks.”

He nuzzled her jaw and worked his fangs along her collarbone. “Mark me, I don’t care. I have been waiting a long time for this.”

He hit deep, and she whined, but her body adapted. The next heavy thrust, and she felt nothing but pleasure. He continued to rock into her, but he smiled and withdrew. She felt bereft and made an unhappy sound, but he kissed her hands and then rolled her to her stomach. He lifted her hips and slid back inside her. She groaned and felt his teeth on her shoulder again. She grabbed the pillow in front of her and started screaming when pleasure rose and crested. He fucked her through it, and his rough fingers reached under her and cupped her breasts, rolling his finger pads across her nipples, and his hips continued to thrust. She gasped and let out a high-pitched whine. She heard him laugh and then felt a bite at the back of her neck.

Her nerves were burning with a burst of white fire, and her sex clenched on him, a deep throbbing pulse that she hadn’t felt before. She felt his heat and then the slow jetting as he groaned and licked the bite. The spurts inside her went on and on.

She stretched lazily under him. This seemed like a good time to catch up on sleep.