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It took three hours for Safir to get the skill of riding down. To his credit, he only laid the bike down twice. Most individuals do not have that much success. Safir wasn’t perfect at riding, but he was better than most I had seen. Time and distance would make him better.
The other thing that changed during Safir’s riding lesson was he began to enjoy himself. He started the lesson hating riding, calling the bike a number of names, and refusing to do it all together. By the second hour he began to find his balance and get the hang of what he was doing. Safir discovered he enjoyed the freedom of riding that we all knew so well.
By hour three we were riding around the city. He drove us through the streets of New York getting a quick lesson in lane splitting. If I had the time, I would have found Safir a road in the middle of a forest to allow him to get more of an experience of just riding. City driving teaches you stop and go driving, when to split lanes, and driving both offensively and defensively. Open road driving teaches you how to handle curves and endurance.
During Safir’s lesson, I text Indra asking her and Harlow to go buy Safir three new outfits. I had planned on taking him shopping but Safir was having too good of a time. His joy was almost infectious as he smiled and laughed that I found myself laughing with him. Until he started laughing, I had no idea Safir even knew how to do it. He was always serious and focused on the task he was given. Seeing him smiling was a beautiful sight. His smile lit up his entire face which made me smile too.
By the time we arrived at the apartments, Safir and I were both smiling. I climbed off the bike first using Safir’s shoulders to stand. Safir smiled at me as he hopped off the bike.
“That was...” He paused as he tried to find the words.
“The word is fun, Safir.”
“Fun. Thank you.
“Not a problem.”
We stood facing each other still smiling at one another. I cleared my throat and began to walk toward the door. Safir joined me as he stared at me.
“I am sorry you did not get the opportunity to buy me new clothes but what I have will be fine.”
“We didn’t go shopping but Indra did.”
Safir gave me a side glance.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean while we were doing your riding lesson, Indra went and got you a few things.”
We entered the building and stopped at the front door as I unlocked the door.
“You did not need to provide me...”
I opened the front door and turned to face him.
“Look, if you are going to be with us you need a few things. Now, I have a night of drinking and fucking planned for all of us. I need you to get showered and dressed.”
“I will not be drinking or fucking as you put it.”
“Fine, you can watch the rest of us.” I shrugged my shoulders.
We walked into the apartment. I tossed my jacket on the counter and saw the clothes Indra had purchased on the sofa. Safir picked up the shirt that was on the top of the stack of clothes. It was a black button-down short sleeve shirt with a collar. It was a simple shirt but one that would look good on him.
“It is not as bad as I thought it was going to be.” Safir said, looking at me.
I smiled.
“I’m going to go check on Myckie. Go get in the shower.”
I turned to leave.
“May I ask why you are taking part in tonight's frivolities?”
“As a female daemon, we have to feed our bodies with sex. If we do not, it creates a need that will push us into an ugly consciousness of just fucking until we have enough. We can go for weeks or months in that state. None of us want that.”
Safir nodded his head.
“I will go with you to ensure you are all safe.”
“Safir...”
“No. This is not just about what Gaia has ordered me to do. This is about, as you said last night, having your back. You have ensured I am part of your group and have taken care of me. I wish to do the same for you.” Safir said.
His words touched me in a way that I couldn’t put words to.
“Okay. I’m going to go check on Myckie. I’ll be back. Don’t use up all of the hot water.”
I exited and headed to Myckie’s apartment. I knocked on the door and waited. No answer. I knocked again; this time harder than the first. I waited a few more seconds. When I still got no answer, I pounded on the door with the side of my fist. Myckie finally answered, sleep still in her face.
“What?”
“You okay?” I pushed past Myckie into her place. There were empty bottles on the kitchen counter. I scanned the space, not seeing anything else had been moved.
“Trying to get my shit together as you demanded of me.”
Myckie meandered into the living room, pushing past me. She plopped down on the sofa.
“We are going out to Black Dog Saloon.”
“Have fun.”
“Myckie...”
“Izzy, please don’t start.” Myckie put her hand up.
I walked over and sat down next to her.
“All I was going to ask if you needed to feed.”
Myckie looked at me.
“I’m good. I need more sleep and maybe another bottle of gin but I’m getting to a point where I can function.”
“Good.”
“What about Gaia’s warrior?”
“He learned to ride a motorcycle today and we also bought him some new clothes.” I informed Myckie.
“Can we trust him?”
“I think so.”
“He works for Gaia.”
I sighed before I responded. I needed Myckie to understand that Safir wasn’t the bad guy, he was just a pawn in this entire situation just as we were.
“Yeah, but tonight he could have stayed home. Instead, he is coming with us to ensure we are all safe. He also is willing to share his past with me. It makes me trust him.”
“You like him, don’t you?”
“I think Gaia is using him and has since she brought him back from the dead.”
Myckie looked at me confused.
“What?”
“He was a Roman warrior who fought for his country in her name until he died in battle. Gaia gave him life once more and made him her daemon warrior. He has been in her service since then.”
“Holy hell! At least we know he can fight.”
“Yeah. He doesn’t seem so bad.”
Myckie and I were silent for a long moment as we sat next to one of another.
“Go, have some fun. I promise next time I will be with all of you.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Yes. As much as I have been pushing all of you, I’ve been harming myself worse. I haven’t slept in two weeks. I could feel my mind slipping after we fought yesterday. I don’t need sex to heal me or revenge, I need sleep right now.”
“Okay. Get some rest and tomorrow we can start figuring out where Verelus will target next.”
I stood up to leave.
“Have fun.”
I left Myckie wishing she was with me. There was a place in my heart that was missing. Myckie and I had never been separated on anything. Her loss was like a large void that sat between her and I.
I ignored the feeling and headed back to my apartment. I walked in and found Safir standing in a clean set of clothes. He had on the shirt he had held up earlier. Safir was pulling on a black leather jacket. The collar of the jacket was short with a snap. There were two zipper pockets on each side of his chest. He had a pair of black jeans on that I noticed fit him nicely. Indra took the shopping a step further with a pair of black riding boots. Safir looked good.
“These boots are very different from mine.”
“When was the last time you bought boots?”
Safir thought about it for a moment.
“I do not know. When I am in Gaia’s realm, I am barefooted. I only need boots when I am hunting.”
“How old were you when you died?” I asked.
“Twenty-two.”
The more I got to know Safir the more I realized he hadn’t had much of a life. His entire existence had been with Gaia.
“I need to shower. Give me fifteen minutes and we will head out.”
“Do you have any books?”
“No.”
“Do you not read?” Safir asked.
“I do, I just discard the book when I’m finished with it. I don’t keep more than I need.”
“I understand. I try to read when I can, but I have always had limited choices.”
There was sadness there.
“We can try and pick one up tomorrow while we are out.”
Safir’s face lit up at my words.
“I’m going to go shower.”
I walked into my room and turned on the shower. I sent a quick message to The Queens letting them know we were heading out in twenty minutes. I stripped out of my clothes and stepped in the shower. The hot water hit my body, loosening up my muscles releasing some of the tension in my body. I could still feel tightness in my shoulders. I would find another release soon enough.
I finished in the shower and found a pair of black skinny jeans with several rips on the thighs. I picked out a tank top that looked like it was a t-shirt that was turned into a tank top. It had a deep V on the front showing off my breasts. I added my knee-high leather boots. They were laced up with two buckles on the sides. It took me a few minutes to get my makeup on. I highlighted my eyes, making the blue even brighter.
I heard as the other females walked in. They were loud as they greeted Safir. I could hear the chatter that was happening. I gave myself a once over in the mirror. We needed to head out, but my hair was still soaking wet. I pulled out the blow dryer that was under the sink. I plugged it in and began to dry my hair. I needed ten minutes to just get it a little dry. I bent to the left as I ran the blow dryer over my hair. I ran my fingers through my hair as the hot air hit it.
I was a few minutes away from being done when Kenzie came in. She was in a pair of jeans similar to mine but with a bright red crop top that stopped just under her breasts. I could smell her need for sex as she entered the room. Her brown eyes had flecks of green in them. Tonight, they were brighter than normal.
“How you doin’?” Kenzie asked.
Her eyes were sliding along my body. Her need was bad enough she was looking for any form of sex she could get.
“I’m almost ready.”
“And what about Safir?”
I turned off the dryer and turned around to give Kenzie my full attention.
“Leave him alone.” I ordered.
“He’s looking damn good and from what I hear...”
“Kenzie, he’s off limits.”
She pushed her bottom lip out at me.
“But I...”
“Stop right there. The ride to the bar is thirty minutes away. I need you to keep it together until we get there.”
“Fine.” Kenzie pouted. She paused before she said anything else. “Is it because you have a thing for him?”
“No. He doesn’t live like we do.”
“What, he doesn’t fuck?”
“It’s not my story to tell, Kenzie.” I turned to face the mirror, giving myself one more look in the mirror. “Let’s go.”
Kenzie followed me out of my room. Morgan was sitting pressed against Safir’s right as she tried to flirt with him. On his left was Raine pressing her body against his. Her hand was on his thigh as she ran it close to his junk. Indra was watching the females, licking her lips. She was trying to hold it together but was struggling. Harlow was in the kitchen with her back to the room. They would fuck him if they could right in the middle of my living room.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I yelled at them.
They jumped and looked at me.
“We were just getting to know our new friend.” Raine said as she looked at me.
“Safir is off limits to all of you.” I watched as Morgan’s hand moved toward Safir. “It is not a suggestion, it's an order.”
Morgan pulled her hand back away from Safir.
“We just wanted a taste to get us through.” Raine whined. I walked over to her and grabbed her by the hair pulling her head back. I placed my face close to her’s.
“I am head of this club which means my word is law. You will keep your body away from him. Now get your ass up and head out.” I snarled.
I released Raine, who looked nervous. She stood up as did Morgan and headed for the door. Harlow smiled at me as she turned to look at me. Safir stood up and was standing behind me. I could feel the heat of his body along with his smell. The scent of the females on him made me want to fuck him.
“Thank you.”
I felt as my body moved closer to him, my ass brushing his thigh.
“Anytime.” I gave him a glance over my shoulder.
I felt as his breath brushed my shoulder.
“We should go.” Safir spoke softly.
“Yeah, we should.”
I walked to the door feeling his eyes on my body. I put a little extra sway in my hips as I walked out. He was enjoying the view and I was drinking in the taste of his desire.