Page 35 of Terror

I sip my coffee. “I doubt anyone would dare.”

“Desperate people would.”

And Travis is desperate. In a few days, I’m turning nineteen and will get full control of my money. I try not to look alarmed in front of the Telean, but likely fail because Dreikx continues.

“I have gone through your list of invites. Rest assured we will perform a thorough search- no-rescue.”

“We, meaning the Hordesmen?” Terror left. I presume he’s after the people on the list.

“Meaning my crew. The Regha Alphas are rather busy.”

Weird. “Doing what?”

“Things they do.” Dreikx waves a hand. “Only the Serpent understands. I do not.”

A noise from the gate draws my attention, and I turn toward the window. People with large cameras stand on the street. A woman turns and tucks something into her ear, finger pointing at my house and then the mayor’s house next door. “Are those reporters?” I ask.

“Yes,” Dreikx says and walks to the counter. He grabs the coffee pot and refills my cup.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“I don’t want them on my property.”

Dreikx purses his lips. “Technically, they’re on public property.”

“It’s only a matter of time before one of them starts climbing the oak tree and falls into the yard.”

“Miyo will enjoy a meal.”

“Oh.”

“He has not been fed. I believe Arkin is waiting for Travis and associates. Do you have some place we could speak in private?”

My palms sweat. Though polite and appearing kind, this male makes me nervous. I have no reason for skepticism. My trust issues are my problem, and I have to work on them, give people a chance. With a nod, I lead Dreikx into the formal sitting room.

“Boooooks,” Dreikx purrs. He runs a claw over the paperbacks arranged on the shelves against the wall. “You read,” he says with a groan and continues perusing books, picking up one paperback. “Beast Mate Princess.” He opens it and begins reading. “‘His cock pushes in, trying to fit inside me. I’m wet and horny as hell, but he’s huge, and my entrance has never seen anything bigger than a finger.’”

My cheeks heat up.

“May I borrow it? Before you say no, rest assured I defend books in the same way Arkin might defend you.”

“Sure.” I swallow the fear that comes with the thought of a stranger taking my book and never returning it. “I’m kind of anal about my collection.”

“I’ll have it back by this evening.” Dreikx tucks the romance novel under his armpit.

I expect him to keep perusing the library, but he sits by the fireplace.

I join him, and we watch the reporters outside.

Clearing my throat, I fidget in the chair and tuck my bare feet under my bottom. A truck leaves my property. I presume that's Kade. “So…” I begin, then lose my train of thought. Words escape me because a man with axes on his back slips by the window. He’s a blur, and I think I may have dreamed it. I glance at Dreikx, who doesn’t appear disturbed. A stranger on the property is never a great thing. A stranger on my property now even less so. I’m seeing things.

“Easy, Omega,” Dreikx says.

“Oh, you did see him.” I stand and head for the door. “I have a panic room. Let’s go.”

“Return.”

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