Jay thought he might be out of trouble now, so he decided to taunt Andrew some more.
“Grandfather, I am afraid I must inform you that the thorn in our side had decided to join us tonight.”
“What do you mean? Who are you talking about?” asked Matthew Eisen, looking around the room.
“The filthy day laborer who is squatting at our construction site and had been publicly abusive to me. That Neuropath who raped our dear Roisin and has now come to not even offer you a blessing but instead demand you pay for Roisin’s miss behavior.!”
The whole audience went still as death. Sure, they had heard rumors but this was a blatant accusation, and to do this in front of Miss song who had just joined Roisin’s table along with Andrew, was inappropriate in the utmost!
Miss song swung her gaze over to Roisin trying to judge the validity of the claim. Roisin was red-faced in embarrassment, but she notably did not shrug away from the man next to her. Eirwen gathere
Just as Andrew, Miss song, Anika, and Roisin left in the car sent by Miss Croft, a high-end limo, a luxury Phantom edition, pulled up to the hotel, Lord Reva hopped out with his spymaster Kage. On the ride over Kage had compiled a dossier on the Matthews family as well as the Eisen family.They walked into the hotel and were directed to the Eisen family banquet. Things were just settling down when Lord Reva walked in.“Sir, can we help you? This is a private family even” Asked Shane when he noticed the new guests.“I am looking for someone. There wouldn’t happen to be guest by the name of Andrew or Anika here would there?” said lord RevaEveryone looked at each other and scowled. The events had not left a good taste in their mouth.“Ha, um, well yes there were, however, they caused quite a disturbance and are no longer here.” Said Shane Eisen with a grin.Lord Reva’s face paled. What had these
On the car ride to the restaurant, Roisin cried into Anika’s shoulder. On some level, she realized she was crying on a total stranger, and in front of Miss song of all things!Miss Song looked at Andrew uncertainly and could not decide what to make of him.“if you don’t mind me asking, now that you seem to be responsible for miss Roisin after what happened just now, what are your plans for her?”Andrew sat quietly thinking for a long moment, glancing slowly between the three women. Each was a unique beauty in its own right.‘get your head out of the bedroom for two seconds.’ Said Raya annoyed in his head. ‘you can't pretend to me that one went as planned. No ten million, no funds from the Matthews kid, and now you are stuck with this Roisin and expected to take care of her. How are you going to do that! YOU don’t even have a house right now!’“We can all discuss plans over dinn
***Liam, on his end, just stared at his phone. Room near penthouse… why not the penthouse? Unless Andrew was already staying there… and miss Roisin? Liam could not fathom what was going on there. Right, first a room, then clean up in the box. Shit, clean-up meant bodies. What a night.***When they were all in the car heading to the hotel, Andrew grasps Anika’s hand. She flinched at the touch at first but then settled into the telepathy.‘Are you ok?’‘Of course, I am. What do you take me for? A weak housewife? Seriously we sleep together and you go all protector.’ Retorted Anika.Raya piped in ‘he is not wrong. While you are a force of your own, you have been overwhelmed before by too many opponents.’Anika did not what to relieve that memory right now so she sighed ‘I am fine. I couldn’t act sooner because I was pinned in place and wa
Lord Reva had left the hotel after discovering what the Eisen family of idiots had done. From what Kage had learned, he now knew that Anika had left with a man he assumed could be Andrew, the girl Roisin, and a Miss. Song! Lord Reva knew of the Song family as their antiquities business was quite famous even in Tiranë and the Songs could be considered the top family of Durres, and likely a top family of all eastern Placida. Their influence stretched quite far and they did business throughout the territory. Kage leaned forward, “Sir my watchers believe they have arrived at the Devine Elements restaurant. It is owned by Dreadnought Investment group.” “Ok, let's go. Perhaps we can greet them there and pay our respects. It will be easier to greet them there than somewhere as public as this.” However, when they arrived, they found the restaurant being emptied of everyone. When Kage caught a waiter and asked what was going on he said, “Big boss said to close
The next morning, Anika and Andrew woke up both feeling rejuvenated and oddly energized.Anika dressed in her riding black leather.“Heading back today?” asked Andrew.“Unfortunately. While it has been fun, I fear Lord Reva will send out search parties if I don’t return soon.” Replied Anika.“Lord Reva is not your master nor your keeper. Hell, you outrank him.” Said Andrew unsatisfied.“I know you will miss me… perhaps I will find a reason to visit again soon. Remember, you told me I have a public tour at the end of the month,” said Anika completely ignoring his comment.“Just keep your eyes open, head on a swivel. We may be back in our own country, but that just means the enemies are not as clear, and sometimes wear our own colors.” Replied Andrew.“Yes my lord,” said Anika with a sarcastic bow. “Shall we go find your newly adopted lost puppy?&
Andrew took out his phone and called Jackson.“Jackson, please patch me to Military HQ.” Andrew did this so that his number would not show up on any traces.“Connecting.”“Dragard Military HQ, this is Commander Trisk, please identify.” came the standard greeting.Jackson initiated the procedure by stating “ Commander, prepare to receive priority orders.”“Yes, Sir. If you will, please code in.” said Commander Trisk.Jackson initiated his code “Authorization: Cobalt Command, Beta 1002, transferring now.”Commander Trisk was stunned as such codes where almost never used. And was cobalt command transferring to a higher command? Who was above Cobalt command? Andrew picked up with “Clearance Code: Gold Dragon, Mike, Alpha 1001.”There was silence on the other end of the call. Andrew had never made a call into HQ since being awarded the
Roisin sat dumbly for a minute. Then she realized Anika had told Andrew to get her a phone, but he had not had a chance to before he left.She thought about catching a cab and just visit miss Croft in person… but she also didn’t have any money right now… How the hell was she supposed to do what Andrew asked?Finally, she mustered up the courage to walk to the front desk.“Excuse me… would it be possible to hire a ride to the Dreadnought Investment building and charge it to my room?”When the attendant looked up her account he smiled graciously. “of course, we can accommodate. Your VIP room can accommodate almost any need. I will get the driver over right away.”Roisin was a bit stunned. VIP room? What kind of deal had Anika, or was it Andrew… gotten her? what she did not yet realize was that Anika had transferred her to the penthouse account, and now that she was heading out Roisin had full
Roisin found the driver Arya had arranged and they headed to the local car dealership. She noticed that there were several shops along this route, and she asked the driver if he had any idea which one to start at. “Ma’am if you want personal transport, as a personal assistant I would not go less than the lindworm class.”“Really?”“Miss Croft would be displeased to have a wyrm as part of the fleet.” Said driver Donnel.The driver let her out at the first dealership and handed her a business card. “If you don’t find what you like today, just give me a call, I will be in the area should you need anything.”“Thank you”She walked up to the sales floor and looked at the Lindwurm transports and also saw a few kirin class options as well.A salesman noticed her and walked over. Looking her over to assess, her clothes were rather basic. This did not hide her beauty though. The
Andrew led the way as they headed back toward the great hall. “Come, it is time to return to Durres.” As they passed into the grand hall, Alexa let out a shocked squeak as two men grabbed her arms from either side. Anika and Andrew spun back to her and Anika drew a dagger. Conner’s two younger brothers held Alexa. “Lookie what we found. A murderous little bitch.” Lord Devos stepped out of the shadows then with a man that Alexa felt bore a striking resemblance to lieutenant Tannis. “Ah, goddess Anika, you saved me a lot of trouble bringing this traitor to me. I thank you. the Praetorian guard has already been summoned. After all, the death of the son of Senator Palmos cannot hardly be overlooked.” “Lord Governor Devos, you will release Alexa now. If you don’t, you will find I am far more than you can afford to offend.” Andrew said coldly. “Son, don’t play here.” Governor Devos said, snapping his fingers. Twenty home guard stepped out of the shadows and surrounded them. General Ezra
Alexa marveled at the militaristic atmosphere as they entered the palace of Devos Mansion. There were guards stationed at the entrance who bowed respectfully as their badges automatically lifted the gate without the guard needing to activate it.When they arrived at the front doors of the castle, six guards came to the side of the car and stood at attention. They exited the car and Anika led the way into the grand hall.“Seems they might have expected us.” Anika said softly as Alexa took in the numerous guards who lines the alcoves of the grand hall. Many were hidden in shadow and if her keen hearing had not detected their breathing, or the subtle expansion of their chests against taught leather and breast plates, she likely would have assumed they were statues. At the far end, a throne sat empty. A steward stood off to the side and raised his voice.“The Red Dragon, Anika Archeron and company.”Nothing happened, and the room fell eerily silent.“Are the devos not in?” Anika asked A
The ride to Kaibain started out quiet. Alexa stared out the window, lost in thought. The realization that she had killed one of their own soldiers over a stupid argument galled her. Raya joined her thoughts, ‘He pulled a weapon on of god of war. That is tantamount to treason.’ ‘He didn’t know I was a god of war. You only just made that appointment. I don’t wear any insignia, nor am I even in this army.’ ‘Alexa, you are my warrior. You were there under Andrew’s command, with Anika, Nash, and the rest. Everyone of them is a known god of war and every member of the dragon squad outranked that pissant. That is over 1000 soldiers from across the land that are KNOWN to outrank him. no one travels in the company of the gods of war without outranking that traitor. He still chose not only to disrespect you but to pull a weapon on you. He disobeyed a direct order from the supreme commander, and chose to use deadly force on a higher ranking office
Alexa unstrapped her blade and handed it to Andrew. Her wolf, Cole had been his name before he took on the designation of #2, handed over several blades as well. Nash checked the other soldiers to make sure they were not hiding any weapons.Satisfied, Andrew glared at Tannis, but opted to let Alexa fix this herself. “Winner gets the title and honor. Loser is demoted. No weapons. Submission wins. BEGIN!”The word begin had barely left Andrew’s lips when Alexa and Cole exploded. Alexa’s black hair billowed in the wind and she rushed forward, and then Cole powered before Her, arm out stretched. She caught hold of his arm and he swung her, tripling her speed and he added every bit of momentum he could to her flight. Alexa rocketed at the soldiers and flipped into a feet first attack at the last second, crashing into two soldier’s mid sections. They were rendered unconscious as they flew back, smashing into the side of a transport truck, the wi
“Alexa, Raya has bestowed this upon you. You are now officially one of us. As far as the king is concerned.. Meh, he does not need to know. However, I have the ability to now grant you full authority as a god of war. You will not be subject to any authority except mine and Raya’s, and with this rank, you also now have authority second only to mine and the other gods of war.”Alexa blanched, realizing just what was being bestowed upon her. “Are you sure?”“It is not up to me. This is Raya.” He said calmly. “Now, It is time we get back to our own tasks in Durres. There is still plenty left undone there, and sadly we have new business to attend.”Alexa remembered her dead wolves and nodded.“Go ahead and load up. I will be out with Anika shortly.”Alexa headed out, flanked as soon as she left the meeting hall by several wolves who had been waiting outside the doors.When th
Alexa’s eye’s opened to light streaming into her eyes. Pain radiated around her neck. The light moved away and was replaced by Anika’s face.“Lay still, Alexa. Your windpipe is damaged, but you will be fine. Likely just some bruising. Here, I am going to help you swallow this pill.” Anika gently helped her open her mouth, which sent spasms of pain along her jaw. The pill dissolved instantly when it hit her tongue. She closed her eyes as the pill did its work.When she opened her eyes again, it was to the gentle rays of dawn peaking over the lake. They had moved her to the shore and had packed sleeping bags around her. Her neck felt stiff and when she reached up, she felt the rigid frame of a brace around her neck. Anika’s face loomed over head then.“Hey, sleepy head. Don’t try to talk, try squeeze my fingers to answer me.” Anika held out two fingers. Alexa obeyed. “Now, Are you hurting?”A
Howls erupted around her as Alexa’s wolves went battle mad. The sound aroused a spark of consciousness. Raya was screaming in her mind as silverly wings enveloped her mind. Alexa’s eyes flashed with defiance as she reached up and gripped the flat top of bloodbane. Any mortal that tried this would be sliced or simply have the blade moved down out of their grip. Alexa’s grip however, viced onto the blade so tight, its motion toward her neck halted completely.The commander looked at her, shocked. Clearly he had intended on placing the blade flat against his fist and pushing it away from him, across the top of his hand, taking alexa’s head off in the process. He had maneuvered the blade a bit slowly. Perhaps out of caution, knowing its deadly power, or perhaps due to bloodloss. Either way, the blade was now frozen, inches from Alexa’s neck. She still dangled in the air, legs suspended by his massive grip but her defiant eyes were not dying like they
Alexa walked along the cliff face, glancing over her shoulder at the rock debris that covered the cave entrance. Her stomach roiled as she thought about the wolf that she had lost. She vowed to visit his family and ensure Andrew and Anika would take care of the family from now on. Lost in thought she didn’t see the crack in the rock as she passed. The shlick of a crossbow bolt being released had her spinning around and dropping low as she looked for the attacker. Behind her # 26 slumped to the, a bolt protruding from his chest, as red blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. “NO!” she cried, her black blade flashing in her hand. “Down!” she waved at the men behind her and the took cover, but not before several more bolts flew, taking down several more of her men. Carter grunted as a bolt caught him in the gut. “Alert! We are under fire” Alexa barked into her mic. The whole squad rushed in her direction, cautious of the incoming bolts. To her horror,
“For fuck sake that could have gone better.” Anika spat as they set down two injured wolves. Anika sported a slice across her bicep but it didn’t look bad.“The numbers were agaist us. But they needed to be taken out. A unit that size moving around our back door?” Said Nash, appearing out of the dark.Gad materialized next to him, “Question is what now? They know we are here. We are not going to get that kind of surprise again.”Alexa tagged her communicator, “Jackson, can you those with Thermals get a count for us?”“Give us a minute.” Came the reply.“How are our numbers here?” Nash asked, looking around.Alexa grimaced, and started looking for her wolves. “Wolf pack, sound off!”All but one answered. 28 was MIA. Likely dead. “Minor wounds mostly. A few took bolts in that last volley.” She said to Nash.“They have a cav