York raised his eyebrows, looking at him like he was the biggest idiot that walked the planet. “I can’t say I understand, but whatever makes you happy.”
Gideon glanced over his shoulder at the growing crowd. “I need to get back to work.” He clenched his teeth. “If this gets any worse, I’m going to have to call for backup. The kings insisted that this whole thing take place at Aorta, they felt the human females would feel more comfortable in a relaxed setting. Fucking crazy if you ask me.” It made his life infinitely more difficult.
York nodded. “Especially with the recent attack on Zane’s life.” His chopper had been shot down by a group of fascist humans with a vendetta against the vampires. Particularly the kings. The group was not thrilled at the prospect of human women being taken as mates by vampire males. They had managed to capture one of the members that had shot Zane, but in a fit of rage, Brant had killed the male before he could give up much information. It left them in the dark as to how many of them there were? How organized and skilled they were? More importantly, as to who they were and what their future plans were.
The threat could be nothing and it could be very real. It would be Gideon’s job to treat it as the latter.
York nodded. “Thanks for seeing Cassidy off the other day and for the advice.”
“For the record, I know you didn’t use her like Brant thinks you did. You need to know that it doesn’t help to go against the system though. Our rules are in place for a reason.” He sighed heavily. “We may not like them, but we have to obey them.” Gideon smiled, wanting to inspire confidence in the other male. “Now…go inside and find your future mate.”
York nodded back. “I’ll see you later.” He didn’t look excited at the prospect. It wasn’t his problem though.
“Sure thing.” Gideon turned and walked away, he pulled out his phone and ordered an extra ten guards. He shoved the phone back into his pocket while taking in his surroundings. This place was becoming more of a circus by the second. If it got too much worse, he was calling it quits on the whole meet-and-greet and escorting the females to the castle, as a matter of urgency. A hotel-style building had been erected to house the females during the duration of the program. There were many activities and excursions planned over the next week. The idea was to set up a dating atmosphere so that the females would be able to relax, thus allowing all parties to be able to get to know one another.
Although he understood the need for such a program, it was also a fucking nightmare. There were major risks involved. Humans were so weak and soft, liable to break so easily.
A suspicious looking male caught his attention. He was standing to the side of a group of females and was alone. He looked nervous. There was too much going on to be able to scent him or to hear his heart rate. The male’s eyes moved from side to side. Assessing, calculating. His hands were shoved in his pockets and he wore dark cargo type pants and a dark jacket. What the fuck was he up to? He wasn’t accompanying a female and he didn’t seem interested in the vampire guards. Just as he was about to go over and check it out, the male turned and walked down the street. He had probably just been drawn in by the noise. Must have realized that there really wasn’t anything to see.
Gideon noticed that the guards at the entrance were having a huge discussion. They looked more like a group of gossiping house-fucking-wives than the hardened warriors they were. As he drew closer, he could hear what it was that they were talking about.
“The mammary glands on the one female could drive a male to insanity.” The male groaned, sounding like he was in pain. “Fucking bigger than my hands.” He held them up, pretending to cup a female’s chest in a crude fashion.
“Just the one. They were all so lush…curves that just didn’t quit.” Another groaned, shaking his head as if in disbelief.
“Did you see that one blonde?” One of the younger males was speaking, he had his back to Gideon.
“Which one?” A more senior male asked.
“The one in the low-cut white dress...” The younger male went on.
By now, some of the males had seen Gideon’s approach. They visibly paled. One of the males even took a step back, turning his eyes back to the crowd. Pretending he wasn’t a part of the conversation.
Normally he wouldn’t mind this type of banter. Human females excited most vampires. Both their scent and taste were so alluring that it could drive a male to distraction. Vampire females were exotic and highly attractive, yet they didn’t have the type of curves or appeal a human had. It was normal that they would react in this way. However, they were his team and they were on duty. On high alert, dammit.