part0038

My body shook and a low, muffled sound penetrated my sleeping state, but I didn’t heed either. I wanted sleep. I wanted the darkness to soothe and lull me. The shaking happened again, and the sound became louder. It was someone’s voice. I rolled over in an attempt to rid myself of the pest, but they followed me. “Go away…”

“Wake up.” It was Ryoko.

I moaned. “Let me sleep.”

“Wake up!” She shook me harder.

I groaned and reluctantly sat up. It was dark in my room, which confused me. “What time is it?”

“About ten p.m.”

“What?” I fell back on my bed and pulled a pillow over my face. “Wake me up when it’s daytime, you jerk.”

She pulled the pillow away. “C’mon, I want to ask you something.”

“It couldn’t have waited ‘til the morning?”

“Just hear her out,” Raikidan muttered.

I sat up and looked at him. He sat motionless on the windowsill. Even in the little available light in the room, I could tell he was scowling. “She wake you up too?”

He snorted. “I thought she was going to break down that damn door. I don’t know how you slept through it.”

I yawned. “I was in a deep enough sleep, I guess. Now what is it you want, Ryoko?”

“Do you want to go to Twilight?” she asked.

“Huh?” My head was still slightly foggy with sleep, so I wasn’t sure if I had heard her right.

“Do you want to go to Twilight?”

“You woke me up to ask me that? What the hell is your problem, Ryoko?”

She frowned. “Well, you went to bed early, so I didn’t get to ask you earlier. If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. But you didn’t need to be so mean.”

I sighed. “No, I’ll go.”

She perked up instantly. “Really?”

I shrugged. “I might as well, since I’m already awake.”

Ryoko squealed. “Raikidan, you wanna come too?”

He raised a brow in question. “Do what now?”

I chuckled and nudged Ryoko off my bed. “You go pick something out for him to wear. I’ll do the explaining. It’ll give me time to wake up.” She nodded enthusiastically and ran for the door. “Oh, and, Ryoko, does Genesis know about this?”

She shook her head. “No, she’s asleep, but if she finds out, we’ll tell her it was to talk to Azriel. You know she won’t be too happy to find out we went there for fun. She’s a bit too serious sometimes.”

I shook my head. I knew there had to be a reason she wanted this so bad. Ryoko left and shut the door behind her. Yawning again, I looked at Raikidan. “Basically, what she asked was, do you want to go to the club?”

“I figured that much out. I remember being told Twilight was a club you guys owned. But what is a club?”

“It’s a place you go to for dancing, drinking, and having fun. Human stuff.”

He raised an eyebrow with interest. “And you do this?”

“Not unless I’m told to. But Azriel is there, and I’d like to stop in and see him.”

“All right, now tell me why is it that Ryoko has to pick out my clothes?”

“Because Ryoko thinks we need to wear a specific style of clothing while at clubs. I’ve learned not to question it and accept it, so you should, too.”

Raikidan shrugged. “All right, fine. What do I have to do?”

“Nothing more than to act normal. Follow Rylan’s lead if you need to, but honestly, it’s not that hard to fit in. There are a lot of different types of people who congregate there.”

“Sounds good to me. But pretending I’m someone I’m not isn’t easy for me,” he admitted.

“You get used to it.”

He raised an eyebrow at me.

I sighed. “Undercover missions, remember?”

Ryoko tapped my door before strolling in. “His clothes are all laid out. Rylan said once Raikidan’s ready, they’ll head out and we can meet them there.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.” I scooted to the far side of the bed. “I don’t like the sound of that one bit.”

She smirked. “Don’t worry, Laz. I’ll be good.”

“No, you won’t. You’re never good.”

She laughed. “You’re right. Oh well, I promise I won’t put as much makeup on you as I did for the mission.”

Raikidan growled quietly as he reached the door. “No makeup. She doesn’t need it.”

Ryoko blinked. “How about no cover-up, but eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara?”

“How about eyeliner and mascara? To make her eyes stand out?”

Raikidan headed out of the room. “No.”

Her eyes narrowed, the wheels turning in her head. “How about lip gloss and eyeliner?”

There was a small pause. “That’s fine.”

“Raikidan!” I shrieked. “You’re supposed to be completely on my side on this!”

I didn’t receive a reply. Ryoko shut the door and looked at me, a grin spreading ear to ear. “He likes you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t even start with that.”

“What? He voiced how much he likes you without makeup. He fought with me over it, in a way. I think that merits liking.”

“Please, it just means he hates makeup as much as I do.”

“But he said nothing about me wearing it.”

“You didn’t say you were going to. Now, are you going to pick out my clothes, or am I going to have to guess what would be good?”

“No, I’ll do it. I want you to look amazing and make the men drool.”

I spun my finger in the air. “Oh, I can’t wait.”

She laughed and went to work. It wasn’t long before I was in a form-fitting, one-sleeved forest-green shirt that showed off my midriff, tight, blue, low-ride denim pants, and cork platform shoes. Instead of my typical arm sleeves, I wore the metal bracelets Ryoko had allowed me to wear earlier on the assignment. My lips were coated with lip gloss and my eyes were lined with black liner, while various spots of bare skin were coated in a thin layer of roll-on glitter. My hair was brushed and, to Ryoko’s delight, teased to perfection. I was ready, and so was Ryoko.

I had chosen her outfit, and although she liked it as a club style, I had to fight to get her to wear it. Her shirt was a shiny blue halter that cut low in the front and had no back except for a string that was tied to keep it from falling open. She wore blue low-rise denim pants and black knee-high boots.

I clasped a black choker around her neck at the last minute, and stood back to take her in. “Perfect.”

She looked herself over the best she could without a mirror and fidgeted. “I’m not so sure about this.”

I sighed and pushed her out into the living room. “You look perfect. You’ll have the men drooling in one glance.”

“But I don’t want men drooling over me.”

I grinned. “You’re right. You only want one particular man to drool over you.”

Her cheeks flushed several shades of red. “Laz!”

I chuckled. “Don’t even try to hide it with me. You know I know.” I leaned closer to her. “And trust me, he’ll be drooling.”

She didn’t say anything, but then again, she didn’t have to. Her thundering heart said everything for her.

“Have fun, you two.” Argus waved at us as I pushed Ryoko toward the basement. He was sitting on the couch with a strange watch-like object in his hand and tools spread across the coffee table.

I tilted my head. “Guess you’re not coming with us?”

“Nah, you know me. The club scene isn’t really my thing.”

I chuckled. “Right. Your thing is working out at a gym or fiddling with some sort of gun or gadget.”

“You know it. Hey, Ryoko, catch.” He tossed a small blue object to her. From the looks of it, it was a compacted helmet. “Zane did a little work on your bike. I made you a new helmet to go with it. You should also be able to communicate with Eira. Let me know if it works if you get the chance to try it out.”

“Um, thanks?” Ryoko said. “When did you two start doing this?”

He shrugged. “A little after we started Eira’s. You rarely use it, so we figured you wouldn’t notice it missing. When Eira told me her helmet’s features worked fine, but the communication was an issue, I changed the structure design back to an original helmet but added a communication feature instead. I then made your helmet and connected the two. If they work together, they should also work with the communicators with some minor tweaks.”

“When do you find time to do all this?” she asked.

“I… I don’t sleep much these days…”

“That would explain why you’re awake now, wouldn’t it? Well… have fun. We have our own fun to have.”

She grabbed my arm and pulled me down the stairs. Ryoko let me go to allow me to make my way over to my motorcycle. My helmet was compacted and sitting on the seat of my bike. I snatched it up and placed it behind my head. Holding up my hair, I pressed the button, and the helmet formed around my face.

I sat down on my motorcycle and watched as my visor slid down over my face and made rapid calculations. Once the readings accepted me, my motorcycle roared to life.

“Can you hear me, Laz?” Ryoko called in.

“Loud and clear, Ryoko.”

“Great! This is a neat invention Argus made. I see a lot of potential coming from it.”

I murmured a low agreement and revved the throttle. Hearing Ryoko rev her motorcycle in response, I pulled out of my parking space and zipped through the garage. Ryoko pulled up beside me, and together we raced out into the city.

The ride to the club was easygoing—low traffic and no crazy drivers, surprisingly. When the lights started to change from the typical streetlights to neon lights, I knew we were getting close, that is, if the beat of the music playing at all the clubs hadn’t been a giveaway on its own. It pounded in my chest as it rushed through the ground. I would hate to be the poor souls who were forced to live in the area. I could only guess what their sleep habits were like.

“Think your boyfriend will be waiting for you?” Ryoko teased.

I snorted. “He’s not my boyfriend, Ryoko.”

“Obviously he is if you know who I’m talking about.”

“How could I not when you’re always assuming he is?”

“Damn, I can’t argue with that.”

The club came into view, and I chuckled when I caught a glimpse of the boys. “Hey, Ryoko.”

“I think your boyfriend is waiting for you.”

“Laz, he’s not my boyfriend!”

“No, but you want him to be.”

She muttered quietly, making me laugh.

“Do me a favor when we park?” I said.

“What’s that?”

“Remove your helmet by pulling it off.”

“Why? All that’ll do is mess up my hair.”

“Just trust me, all right? If there’s one thing I was forced to learn from Shva’sika that wasn’t shaman related, it was how much she knew about how to get men going.”

“But—” She sighed. “This is all embarrassing, that’s all. It’s hard being the only woman in the house that seems to be able to have feelings for someone else. Not to mention that someone else is supposed to be my comrade and second-closest friend.”

“But you do want to catch his attention, don’t you?”

She sighed. “Yes…”

“Then as your closest friend, trust me on this one. Your hair will get thrown around a little when you remove your helmet, which will show your femininity. While you walk, sway your hips more than normal and look as confident as possible, even if you don’t fully feel it. This’ll give you a sexier look. If you do this, you’ll keep his attention on you for quite a while.”

“Hearing this from you is a little weird. Figured I’d share that.”

I laughed. “The feeling is mutual.”

“You’ll do this with me, right?”

“Sure. I may not have a reason to, but if it will make you feel better, then I will,” I said.

“You have a reason.”

“Yeah. He’s a tall, mysterious guy whose name starts with an R and ends with an N.”

I chuckled. “You know Rylan’s name is like that too, right?”

“Oh shit, you’re right.”

“But I still stand by my statement, for the most part at least,” she said. “He is tall and mysterious and should be a reason you do this with me.”

I sighed. “Ryoko, we’ve been over this. He is not a reason for any of my actions or thoughts, and never will be. Just like any man”—or dragon —“who will come into my life. End of story.”

“That’ll change; I’ll see to it. Just you wait.”

I shook my head. She was too stubborn for her own good sometimes. This wasn’t a battle she was going to win. She just couldn’t understand that my heart couldn’t beat for anyone. And even if it could, Raikidan was a dragon. And humans and dragons weren’t compatible.

Ryoko and I pulled up to the club on the opposite side of the street. There was a long line to get in, but that wasn’t unusual. Twilight was one of the most popular clubs in the city, although it wouldn’t be a problem for us.

I kicked down my kickstand and listened for Ryoko to do the same behind me. My motorcycle engine cut as I swung my leg over my motorcycle and removed my helmet. My hair sprang free and flowed across my shoulders. I need to remember to cut my hair. It’s getting too long.

Resting my helmet on my handlebar, I looked at Ryoko with confidence and grinned. She looked at me slyly and grinned back. She was doing exactly what I had asked, and as long as she kept her confidence this high, she would be golden.

Together we strolled over to the entrance. Trying to appear indifferent as usual, I allowed myself only brief glances at the boys. Blaze visibly swallowed, and Rylan also looked taken aback by what he saw, although his reaction to the situation was much more reserved. Typical of him, but it worried me that Ryoko wouldn’t notice his reaction.

Raikidan, as I expected, appeared unaffected and uninterested. At least that would prove to Ryoko that there really wasn’t any hope, if nothing else. I could just tell her he was a dragon and put it to rest once and for all, but it wasn’t my place to tell.

“Boys,” I greeted as we walked past them.

None of them uttered a word as we walked by, that is, until Blaze saw Ryoko’s backside. “Nice ass, Ryoko.”

Ryoko rolled her eyes and shook her head with a grin but took it in stride. If he had mentioned her breasts, I was sure her reaction would have been much different and less confident. The shirt I had picked out, while nice, really was a risky move due to her chest size. I only hoped it wouldn’t become a problem if she hit the dance floor.

The two of us walked up to the roped-off door, where a tall, muscular, dark-skinned man stood. He glanced our way with his golden eyes and grinned. I waved my fingers at him as we strolled up.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite ladies, Eira and Ryoko.” His voice was deep and silky smooth. “Been a long time since I’ve seen you around here, Eira.”

I smiled and hugged him around his neck. “It’s good to see you too, Orchon.”

“Where have you been, girl?”

I shrugged. “Around.”

He laughed. “Obviously it was important for you to not show up all this time.”

I nodded. “You know me, always busy with important things.”

He chuckled. “I suppose you want me to let you in?”

I smiled. “If you’re nice, you will.”

He placed his hand around my shoulder. “I’m always nice to you two ladies. Besides, Azriel would have my head if he found out I made you wait.”

I winked at him. “Thanks, Orchon, you’re a doll. Mind letting the boys in, too?”

He looked over to the men. “I can do that, but I have a question about the new face.”

“A new friend. Don’t be too harsh with him. I like this one.”

He chuckled. “Sure thing. Just do me a favor in return and don’t get into trouble, all right?”

Ryoko and I smiled at him. “All right.”

Orchon lifted the rope to let us by. A bunch of waiting citizens protested, but I ignored them. It wasn’t my problem they didn’t have VIP privileges.

The music was loud, and the bass thumped in my chest as the two of us descended the stairs leading into the club. The place smelled of alcohol, people, and horribly chosen cheap perfume. It wasn’t the most pleasant mix of smells, but as long as I was here, I’d have to deal with it.

Ryoko nudged me. “You like your new friend , eh?”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t start.”

She narrowed her eyes but didn’t press… for now.

Ryoko and I walked up to the bar. It was a large area, fit for accommodating up to five bartenders. Liquor and juices of all colors and bottle sizes lined shelves in a particular color-coded pattern. Clean glasses were stacked up neatly on shelves in front of a large mirror.

I leaned against the bar. There was a tall, muscular man with two sets of ears, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and black denim pants working it, but his back was turned. “Hey there, stranger.”

The man turned around and blinked. He had olive-tan skin, short dark-brown hair, chocolate eyes, and well-kept facial hair. A pair of silver dog tags hung around his neck, and a single earring pierced one of his ears. He held a glass and rag in his hand. I assumed he had been cleaning it before I disturbed him.

His back straightened. “Laz?”

I smirked. “Hey there, Azriel.”

Placing the glass and rag down, Azriel rushed over to our side of the bar and embraced me in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I’ve done nothing but worry since you left.”

I chuckled and hugged him back. “No scolding for not coming by sooner?”

He pulled away and flicked me on the nose. “I was getting there.”

I rubbed my nose and grumbled.

Azriel slipped behind the bar again. “So, what can I get you?”

I sat down on the barstool. “You know what I like.”

Azriel looked at Ryoko, who smiled. “Surprise me.”

He turned his back to us again and went to work. Raikidan sat down next to me and looked around warily as he made himself comfortable. He had his arms crossed on the bar and leaned close to me. This was the first time I let myself have a good look at him. He was wearing his typical layered men’s tank look with cargo pants, but he had a leather jacket over that and instead of boots he sported standard sneakers. Although simple, it fit him, and I couldn’t lie to myself. I liked the look—a lot.

“Just relax, will you?” I whispered.

“This place is weird. It’s loud and smells funny.”

I chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. Just put up with it tonight and I won’t make you come back here again.”

Raikidan grunted. Azriel turned back around and gave Ryoko and me our drinks. He looked at Raikidan and grinned. Oh boy, there’s that look. Things were going to get interesting.

He leaned against the bar, his full attention on Raikidan. “Well, who do we have here?”

“This is Raikidan. I’m sure you’ve been told about him once or twice by Rylan or Genesis.” I looked to Raikidan and gestured to Azriel. “Raikidan, this is Azriel. I mentioned him before.”

Azriel feigned hurt. “Only mention? You wound me.”

I smirked. “I just thought it’d be better to introduce you two, as your vibrant personality likes to speak for itself.”

He chuckled. “Cheeky. I’ve missed that.” He focused on Raikidan again. “Now, is there anything I can get you?”

Raikidan’s expression remained impassive. “No, I’m fine.”

“Really?” Azriel leaned closer. “Nothing at all?”

Raikidan’s brow twisted and he looked to me for clarification. I snickered and Ryoko flat out rolled with laughter. Rylan shook his head and ordered some scotch from another bartender working.

Azriel looked to me for answers and I snickered some more. “You’re not going to get anywhere with him. He’s quite clueless in that department.”

A devious smile spread across his handsome face. “I could teach him a thing or two.”

Raikidan jerked his head back, now more confused than ever, and I couldn’t stop the laughter. Ryoko was even laid out on the bar, losing it.

When I got myself calmed, I leaned closer to Raikidan. “He’s flirting with you, dummy.”

His brow remained creased. “Why?”

Ryoko’s laughter got louder. “I can’t take this! He’s too adorable.”

“I’m not adorable,” Raikidan muttered.

Azriel grinned. “I think you are.”

Raikidan gave him another confused look and Azriel sighed. “I give up. I can see my charm isn’t going to work on you.”

I snickered. “You’ll find a replacement by the end of the night.”

He smirked. “True. But this just means he’s all yours.”

I snorted and sipped my drink. “Pass, thank you.”

“Careful now, he might take offense to that.”

Raikidan snorted. “I know her enough to not find it offensive in the least.”

“Smart.” Azriel grinned, an unusual look in his eyes I couldn’t interpret. “Well, as I asked before, are you sure you don’t want a drink?”

Raikidan looked unsure what to say and this time I swooped in to rescue him. “He’s not accustomed to our drink consumption yet.”

Azriel nodded. “Fair. Is there anything you have had outside the city? I’m sure I’ve got it. I stock my bar with some uncommon product for those adventurous types.”

“Dwarven ales from the cask,” Raikidan said. “They’re all that I’ve had.”

My brow rose. “Explains why you thought Ryoko’s beer smelled so bad the other day.”

Ryoko stuck up her nose. “There’s nothing wrong with what I drink.”

Azriel chuckled. “Except your beer smells like metal and mine doesn’t. So lucky for him, I’ve got just the thing.”

He reached out and flicked a switch under the back bar. The mirror behind him lit up, several colored lights turning on either side, revealing a large cask behind it. A two-way mirror? Azriel moved an out-of-place bottle of colored liqueur, something I always found peculiar, as he had a particular placement for all his bottles based on color, revealing a tap connected to the cask.

“Well, aren’t you snazzy,” Ryoko said.

Azriel bowed. “I aim to please.”

He then pulled out a ceramic stein and went to pour from this fancy hidden cask, but I stopped him. “Hey, whoa, what are you doing?”

He turned back with a raised brow. “What do you mean?”

“You know not to skimp on the good stuff with us, Az. Raikidan is no exception.”

“Whatever do you mean, my dear?”

“I know you hide the good stuff for those who are in the know.” I grinned. “Don’t try to deny it. You do, and I’ll ruin your streak. And I know it’s not as good as you’d like me to believe.”

Azriel shot a dark look at Rylan, who shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I didn’t say anything to her. She just knows you.”

“While I’m not doubting she does, I know you’d tell her that,” Azriel said.

I leaned on the bar. “And if you retaliate in any way, I’ll ensure you won’t have a streak for the next three months.”

Azriel’s eyes narrowed and then he started laughing. “You never change!”

I leaned back, smiling. “I can’t go changing on you. You’d be unhappy if you couldn’t take the credit.”

He winked. “I’ll always take credit.”

Azriel then ducked under the bar and rummaged around. When a minute or two passed and he continued to search, the four of us looked at each other. I leaned over the bar. “Everything okay, Az?”

“Everything is fine. Just have to figure out where I stored it. I could have sworn—ah, here it is!”

He popped back up, a tiny wooden keg in his hands. We watched Azriel pop the cork and pour all the dark liquid into the stein he’d pulled out earlier.

He pushed it to Raikidan. “Try that. I imported this brew from Azrok.”

My brow lifted. “And how did you manage that? Not only are the import laws with them complex, but getting a dwarf from up there to talk to you for business is next to impossible.”

Azriel grinned. “Threw your name around enough with the right individuals.”

I shook my head. While rare in numbers, I’d met a few dwarves in my years, but there was one family I’d gotten along with well. I had a suspicion it was the same family that hooked him up. “I’m surprised you got such a small keg of it.”

“Oh, I didn’t. I had to buy fifteen casks. I kept one, filling these kegs for easy dispensing, and resold the rest to other vendors in town. I didn’t expect it to be such a hit with some of the restaurants, otherwise I would have ordered in more to capitalize on the investment.”

I grinned. “No one says you couldn’t now.”

Azriel chuckled and went to cleaning up. I focused on Raikidan, who was now inspecting his drink. He smelled it, his eyebrow ticking up for some reason, and then he took a small taste test. I guessed he approved, as it didn’t take him long to take a big gulp of the ale after.

I looked around when I realized we were missing a person. “Where did Blaze run off to?”

Rylan shrugged and pressed his glass to his lips. “I think he said something about a hot chick and then ran off.”

I snorted. “Typical.”

Azriel leaned against the bar. “If he ran off, then it’s safe to guess you’re all here on leisure and not because Genesis has something crazy cooked up?”

Ryoko smiled wide at him. “You got it!”

Azriel looked at me. “And you came willingly?”

I shrugged. “I wanted to see you, and I get a few free drinks in the process. Win-win.”

“I see how it is. Take advantage of my hospitality.”

“More like cashing in on all the favors you’ve asked of me.”

He chuckled. “Careful, I’ll add to that list if I know you like it.” He looked at Ryoko when he noticed her staring. “What is it, Ryoko?”

Ryoko shook her head. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

“C’mon, just say it.”

Ryoko rested her cheek on her hand and played with the umbrella in her martini. “It’s just, looking at your dog tags around your neck makes me miss mine.”

I snorted. “What, having your number engraved in your skull isn’t enough?”

Ryoko sighed. “I don’t want them because of the number. I just have some fond memories mixed in with the bad. Those tags would remind me of them.” She smiled in some weird way I couldn’t interpret. “Plus, I think they look cool.”

“Tell you what. I’ll talk to Jaybird and see if he can scrounge around to see if he can find yours. How does that sound?”

Ryoko’s eyes lit up. “That would be amazing! Thanks, Azriel.” She placed her empty martini glass down and grabbed my arm. “Okay, now it’s time to dance.”

“Screw that,” I said as I grabbed onto the bar. “I’m staying right here.”

“Oh, c’mon, Laz! Lighten up and have some fun.”

“I don’t dance.” I looked to Azriel. “I do, however, like to drink, and would like another.”

Azriel chuckled. “Coming right up.”

Ryoko sighed and slipped off her seat. “Fine, I’ll go dance by myself. Maybe I’ll be able to convince you to join me when you’ve had enough to drink.”

I shook my head and consumed my drink, ordering some food for those of us who preferred to sit this out. Of course, Rylan’s wandering gaze as Ryoko sauntered away didn’t escape my eye. “You could go dance with her.”

“I’m fine,” he said before sipping his drink.

I shook my head. “Whatever.”

I didn’t understand those two at all. I didn’t understand those feelings. What’s the point figuring it out? If those two wanted to play stupid games, it wasn’t my job to get in the way. It’s not like I could ever feel them. Not that I wanted to. Stupid lies…

I munched down on the fries I ordered and had to verbally give Raikidan permission to try some of the food. I didn’t get him.

Azriel engaged in light conversation when he wasn’t called away, catching up with me. It sent a bubbling sensation into my chest. I’d missed him.

Ryoko eventually returned, beads of sweat building up on her skin. “You all should really think about hitting up the dance floor. Azriel has some good DJs on tonight.”

I grumbled about passing on the offer, and Raikidan didn’t respond. Rylan looked at her, and his eyes showed he wanted to, but in the end, he said, “I might in a bit.”

Ryoko held his gaze for a moment and then shrugged. “Okay. I’m going back now.”

She then disappeared into the crowd. I clamped my mouth shut. It wasn’t my place to get involved. I set up the bait for him, but if he wasn’t going to bite, then there wasn’t anything for me to do. Of course, there’s Ryoko in all this… I suspected she thought I was pulling her leg at this point about Rylan, and I felt a bit guilty. I was getting her hopes up without following through with the promise to help.

“You should have taken up her offer,” I finally said to Rylan. “I know it’s what you want.”

He pressed his lips to his recently refilled glass. “I’d like to not talk about it, thanks.”

I shrugged. “Your choice, but for your information, she got all dolled up so you’d notice her.”

He remained silent, his eyes falling on his glass. The bond tugged, the idea of her dressing up for him flaring up bits of desire in him, but died soon after. So quickly in fact, it was if he smothered it on purpose. What’s up with him?

My attention pulled to my left when a woman appearing in her mid-twenties came up to the bar and not-so-subtly put herself between Raikidan and me. She had a horribly done fake suntan, bleached blonde hair, so much makeup she could give a clown a run for his money, and tight clothes that clung to her tall, slim form. She also smelled of heavy perfume. Woman, did you bathe in it or something?

She ordered two drinks, and her eyes darted to Raikidan several times as she waited. He paid her no mind and reached in front of her to snatch up a few fries from the plate of food I’d forgotten to push to him earlier. Her eyes darkened when they darted over to me, and my brow rose as I lifted my drink to my lips. What issue did she have? It wasn’t like I was getting in her way. Raikidan was more than capable of rejecting her all on his own out of sheer cluelessness.

Azriel finished her drink requests and she left, but not before purposely brushing against Raikidan’s arm. He stopped mid bite for a moment, but only a moment, and went back to eating, not passing her a glance. I stop myself from sputtering out a laugh, and even Rylan found the exchange amusing.

“You think that’s funny?” Azriel said. “I’ve been watching her and her table mates. They’ve all been giggling and eyeing him from afar. That one was the only one brave enough to test the waters, and I don’t doubt she’ll be back.”

“I hope not.” We all looked at Raikidan as he stuffed his face some more. “She smells funny.”

I threw my head back as I laughed. “That’s the only reason? You are something else.”

“Well, I didn’t like how she looked at you.”

“None of them like her,” Azriel said, grabbing a glass to clean. “They’re under the impression she’s going to get in their way of impressing you.”

“You got that from watching them?” I said.

“I’ve been doing this a long time. I know a lot more than I probably want to.”

I shrugged and ate a chicken finger. “Rai, if you need any help getting rid of her if she comes back, shoot me a look. I don’t mind helping.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

I didn’t get halfway through my chicken finger before the woman returned, this time on Raikidan’s other side.

She leaned on the bar, being extra sure to tuck her arms under her chest as if that’d grab his attention. Desperate much?

Raikidan stopped mid-bite into a breaded cheese stick and glanced at her. “Uh, hey.”

“Name’s Malia.”

A coy smile spread across her painted lips as she tilted her head and leaned a bit closer. “I couldn’t help but notice you’ve been sitting here a while. My friends and I wouldn’t mind if you joined us for a bit. We’re a lot of fun.”

Raikidan looked at his food, her, me, and then her again. “I’m here with my friends, so I’m going to pass. Sorry.”

Unsurprisingly, she wasn’t deterred. She continued to smile and readjusted herself, so her cleavage was easier to see. “Well, then maybe I could stay here and keep you company.”

Raikidan lifted his stein and then darted his eyes over to me. “I already have good company.”

Malia’s eyes darkened when she glanced my way, but wasn’t ready to give up on what she wanted. She reached out and lightly caressed his bicep. The sight of this action stirred up a negative, possessive feeling in the pit of my stomach. Jealousy. There it was again, just like when Ryoko had dragged Raikidan away that day we had all been working at the shop. It didn’t make sense for me to be jealous. It wasn’t logical, but it was there nonetheless. Why was I feeling this way?

“Are you sure—”

I let out a loud groan, tired of all this. “Geez, bimbo, take the hint already and get lost.”

Raikidan looked at me, his eyes wide, while Rylan and Azriel lost it. Rylan hid his face in the palm of his hand as he rested his elbow on the bar and laughed, while Azriel kept his back to the club as he cleaned glassware to help conceal his bias in this situation.

Malia sucked in a tight breath. “No one was talking to you. So why don’t you mind your own business?”

I put my drink down and let my hand fall onto the bar harder than needed. “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. Or maybe your bleach job also got to your brain.” Rylan and Azriel snickered more, Raikidan continuing to stare as if unsure what to do. “Either way, I’ll repeat myself one more time. He’s not interested and has made that clear. So, go march your tiny little ass back to your friends and look for another guy to bring you home tonight and treat you like a temporary toy.”

She gave a smug smile. “Your jealousy is amusing. It’s not my fault your average looks can’t land you a man.”

I grinned and leaned back in my chair. “At least I don’t have to stuff my bra.”

Malia stood up straight and sucked in a tight breath as she looked between Raikidan and me. He showed no signs of defending her and she took great offense to it, storming off in a huff.

Rylan rested his forehead in his arms as he laughed into the bar. Azriel allowed himself to laugh louder with the patron gone, and Raikidan remained confused. Based on what he told me about dragons and females fighting, that small altercation put him in an uncomfortable position.

Azriel set a new drink down for me. “This is for you, because you were so wonderfully catty just now. It was refreshing to see from you.”

I chuckled and accepted the drink. “Don’t worry. You’ll remain the queen of catty for some time to come.”

He gave a flourished bow. “Thank you.”

His brow furrowed when something caught his eyes behind me. My brow creased as well. “What’s wrong?”

“Ryoko appears to be having some trouble.”

I whirled around and scanned the dance floor. I found her trying to refuse the attention of two men who didn’t want to listen to her protests. My eyes narrowed. Not on my watch!

Rylan also noticed and went to go help her, but I threw my arm out and stopped him. “Don’t even think about it. You didn’t have the balls to go dance with her, so you don’t get to play white knight.”