Page 19 of Ironheart

The spare phone buzzed in the pocket of her tights, and she shifted to find it. She clicked open the message from Vladik. He was holding the biggest, prettiest dick she had ever seen, smeared in come. Zori's whole body tightened with lust and pride that she had made him do that.

You're welcome for the orgasm.She sent him a picture of her own dreamy, post-orgasm smile.

Now how am I going to concentrate on breaking into that building?

Zori laughed softly.Think about the prize waiting for you in the penthouse. That is if a big, strong gargoyle like you can get to it.

You do know how to motivate a male. I need to be in my own head to plan. Be good and send me that map so I can get to work at once.

Zori felt the connection to him break off, and her mind was her own again. She stared in wonder at the ceiling. "Damn, magicisreal, all right."

She suddenly couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

11

Zori didn't have to wait long before she found out. The next day she woke with her skin itchy after tearing at it in her sleep.

What the fuck is happening to me?The only change Zori had made was to stop taking her meds. Was she having some kind of reaction? She stumbled into the bathroom and switched on the light. The skin on her arms was covered in raised slim bumps.

Zori swallowed down her growing panic and horror as she checked her shoulders and back. She was covered in them all over.

Zori went back in her room and found the burner phone. She took a few photos and sent them to Vladik, along with a ‘Please help, I'm freaking out’message. It was early, but she hoped he would still get them. She sat on the edge of the bed, her knee starting to bounce up and down.

Seconds later, the phone started to ring, and she hurried to answer it.

"Hey, Zori, don't freak out," a sleepy Vladik said.

"What is it? Am I dying?" she demanded, keeping her voice to a whisper in case anyone could overhear her.

"You're not dying. You are growing your cape. I didn't think it would happen so soon. It's what every teenage girl in Kitezh goes through the first time they get their feathers. It's a good thing. It means your magic is strong," he replied. That thought didn't soothe her in the slightest.

"I look hideous. There's none on my face and neck yet, but the bumps areeverywhere," Zori complained.

"You're not hideous. It's natural for your body to be doing this. It's good that its wintertime, so no one will question why you're so covered up." There was a rustling of blankets. "If you want, I can give this number to Irina, and she can tell you what to expect."

"Maybe she can message me? I don't know if I'm ready to actuallytalk to her. I feel like I need to meet her first. What if she hates me?" Zori laughed nervously. She didn't know why she was voicing the concern to Vladik either. She felt like she could tell him anything, and he wouldn't judge her over it.

"I can ask her to text you. Irina can be a lot. She is the high priestess after all. When I told her you were alive, it was the first time I ever heard her cry. That's how relieved she is to know you're still alive," Vladik said, his rough voice soothing her nerves. "She could never hate you."

It was still dark outside, and in the gloom, Zori found it a lot easier to talk about what she was really afraid of.

"I don't know how I'm going to handle living on the outside. I've been shut in my entire life. I don't know how to drive or how to work a real job." Zori tucked her knees to her chest. "I have no idea what I'm going to do, Vladik."

"You will find your way. Irina will probably want to fuss and smother you for a while. Let her get to know you."

"I don't know how I will handle that either. I've been smothered a lot by Maxim, and I think once the numbness wears off, I'm going to be raging."

"Then you will rage. I will look after you, whatever you're going through," Vladik promised.

Zori huffed out a small laugh. "You're intense, you know that? Most guys wouldn't be signing up for that after knowing a girl for only a week."

"They clearly haven't met the right girl," Vladik replied in his matter-of-fact way. "I've told you once, and I don't care if I need to say it a million more times until you believe it. You're not alone anymore, Zoria. Whatever happens next, we are going to be in it together. I'll get you home safe."

Zori's throat clogged with emotion. It was not like Maxim hadn't given her whatever she asked for. She had a privileged life, but there was something in the way Vladik said he'd take care of her. It sounded like warmth and comfort. Two things she'd never gotten from Maxim and had so desperately needed. She'd learned to hide it, but that yearning for connection was always there.

"Did you find a way into the tower with those plans I sent?" she asked, needing to change the subject before she started to cry her lonely heart out.

"I think so. I'm going to get Kaspian to help out. He's another gargoyle here in Moscow. I've also received a talisman from your grandmother that will portal people to Kitezh. Something else in the arsenal," Vladik said, though his voice sounded strained. "If she had her way, I'd scoop you off the balcony this minute. I can't say I'm not tempted to do it."

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