The Dragon's Vamp(5)

Rhys chuckled as he leaned back. “What are you doing?” he asked as she kept going back and forth on her toes.

“I’m short. It’s not easy to kiss you without being on my tippy toes. You’re at least a foot taller than me.”

“Wrap your legs around me.” Lifting her up, Rhys held onto her ass as she wrapped her strong legs around his waist. “Better?”

“Yes,” she breathed, her body reacting to the press of his cock against her pussy, and the seam of her jeans rubbing her clit. Lowering her mouth to his, her fingers ran up into his short, dark blond hair, gripping it as best she could.

Rhys growled. “If you’re still afraid of us, you better stop now or I won’t be able to.”

“I don’t want to stop,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“Then we need to get to my bedroom. I am not taking you on the floor our first time.” Heading to the door, he opened it, getting ready to quick-step until he saw his head of security running his way. “What’s going on?”

“We’ve had an encounter down by the sea,” Hoag explained.

Mari released her legs, sliding down Rhys’ lean form. “What kind of encounter?” Her eyes widened when he ignored her, not even looking at her in acknowledgement as he answered to Rhys.

“A Kelpie came ashore and attacked the guards.”

“Attacked? It didn’t try to lure or shape shift?” Rhys asked.

“No, sir, just straight out attacked.”

“That’s not right. Kelpies don’t just attack out of nowhere,” Mari stated, her nostrils flaring as Hoag continued to ignore her presence.

“My lord, the guards are holding it for you. We’ve also sent a message to Roven Manor’s security force.”

Rhys nodded, his arm slipping around Mari’s waist. “All right then, let’s go.”

“Sir, this is coven business.”

Mari’s eyes widened again as Hoag glanced her way. “Excuse me?” Moving in front of Rhys she stood in front of the young vamp and poked him with her finger, letting heat scorch through his clothing to his skin. “Let’s get one thing straight here, junior. Anything that happens in Alston is my business as I’m guardian, so don’t you think to cut me out or I’ll take you to your knees so fast you won’t know what hit you,” she growled.

“Mari, he’s seven hundred years old,” Rhys stated as he laid his hand on her shoulder.

“Like I said, junior,” she snarled before stomping away.

Rhys motioned for Hoag to follow. “She is my life mate, Hoag, it’s been decreed by the ancients. Why don’t you like Mari?”

“I can’t put my finger on it, sir. It’s like she’s hiding something, something important, and I don’t like that.”

Rhys lifted his eyes to the petite woman in front of them. “Mari would never do anything to hurt Alston or its people. If you trust my word on anything, trust me on this.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Mari listened to their conversation, her lips furled, until Rhys stood up for her. She smiled as she turned. “Are we going to flash-step or what?”

“Quick-step love, quick-step,” Rhys chuckled as he grabbed her around the waist and took off.

“Oh gods, whatever,” she groaned, grabbing her stomach as they stopped. Rhys’ hand caught her as she wobbled. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that,” she mumbled as Rhys helped her over to where Drake Roven was standing. Mari moved her gaze to the horse-like creature held by Lyken and Vampire warriors off the beach area up by the grass and rocks.

“Any idea why it attacked?”

“No,” Drake replied as he turned to look at them and smiled. “You don’t look so good, Mari.”

“No kidding. Tell me something I don’t know,” Mari grumbled.

“Do you need Kalana?”

“No, I’ll be fine in a moment.” Straightening up, she glanced over as the Kelpie tried fighting. Rhys’ arm went around her waist. Her eyes narrowed when she noticed the closeness of her sanctuary. “Just where did it come ashore?”

“Over there by those rocks,” Drake replied.

Mari followed his pointing finger and drew in a large breath when she noticed it was directly under her entrance, way above the rocky slope. Stepping forward she glanced out over the sea. “Was there anything else there? Did your scouts say they saw anything out of the norm?”

“No, nothing. All reports from both our teams indicate everything was as it should be: calm, serene and peaceful. They said it came up out of the sea as if it was crazed and it just went for them. Palidies on team one is a water nymph, he said he’d never seen anything like it. The Kelpie wouldn’t even acknowledge his presence or communicate. We have no idea what the hell happened or why.”