Page 38 of Red King
I like the way she thinks.
“Yes, they can. There is a multitude of humans living and working on Draig Island. There are plenty of offspring from mixed pairings. The children are always shifter. In fact, they take on many of the traits of the father.” It’s why my Council liked the idea of me mating with a human. I will be sure to pass on my royal bloodline and traits. “I have a Draig Dragon working for me here at the castle, so I have inside intel.”
“Interesting. Are you guys and the Draig Dragons not on friendly terms if you had to get intel?”
Clever, too.
“Something like that. We’ll discuss it at our first meeting,” I tell her.
“I look forward to it.” Why does she sound like she’d rather do anything but meet with me? It puts me off balance. I don’t like it.
I need to calm the fuck down.
I suppose I am technically her new boss, and this isn’t really a role she asked for; therefore, her apprehension is to be expected.
We say a quick goodbye. Another muffled scream sounds as I end the call.
“What was that all about?” Steel has his brows raised. “Who was that?”
“Paisley Reed. One of the humans I just hired. She was vocal about the demonstration being a bad idea. Turns out she was right. I like her and —”
“I can tell.” He smiles. “You seem to like her a whole hell of a lot. I haven’t seen you smile like that…in a good long while.”
“Perhaps the wordlikewasn’t the right one. What I meant was that I rate her highly as an employee. I think that she is exactly what this pilot program needs. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, to stand up to me or Thorn.” I shrug. “She has the Tributes’ best interests at heart. She understands the necessity of this program and wants it to be a success. I’m stoked she’s on board. That’s all.” I’m over-explaining.
“That’s all it is?” Steel cocks his head and scrutinizes me.
I roll my eyes. “Yes, dammit.”
“Do you have a thing for her?”
“Absolutely not!” I say a little too quickly. “I want this whole project to work. I want to find a queen. Someone to carry and raise my children. Now that the humans are here, I’m intrigued by them. Perhaps finding someone won’t be the tedious task I thought it would be.”
My mind goes to Paisley instead of the thirty faces I actually have to choose from.
Steel nods a few times. “That’s good news. I like seeing you like this.”
“Like how?” I narrow my eyes.
“I don’t know… With a lighter step. With a smile on your face for a change. It’s—”
There’s another scream from down the hall.
My whole body tightens.
“Should we get this over with?” Steel says.
I grind my teeth and nod.
We keep walking. Aside from the squeak of our shoes, all is silent. That changes as we get closer. I hear his panting. His groaning. Then another scream.
Fuck!
As we round the next bend, I smell the coppery scent of blood. That, and adrenaline, fear, and pain. So much pain. The stench is almost overwhelming.
“It’s been two days,” Steel says.
“And he hasn’t uttered so much as a word?”
