Page 78 of Cryptic Dreams
ZEPHYR
Our car slows as the columns of the Hall of Vampire Affairs come into view, the massive building more like an Ancient Greek structure than something that belongs in the French Quarter.
It makes sense though, in a ridiculous and over the top sort of way. After the Species War, Atticus had the building commissioned almost immediately, and since Wraith said they lived in a castle of sorts back in their homeland, I suppose a Greek-style structure to hold our kind’s meetings in is only appropriate. And it’s absolutely fitting that it was constructed to attach to his coven’s nest, which occupies what was once Madame Delphine LaLaurie’s murder mansion. Updated and renovated from what I understand, but the nest is in that house and it gives me a better understanding of how sick Atticus truly is.
That’s just gross.
I lean toward the window as Declan steers the Rolls Royce around the back of the hall, my eyes drinking in the white marble aged with time. I can’t help but be a little in awe while I read the name carved in the tongue of Kadoc over the doors, the way the entire building looms over the street and casts a menacing shadow against the already darkened night. Or the gaudy statue of Atticus himself right out front, the High Elder’s likeness practically glaring at the street below when we pass.
A chill races up my spine as we stop, the car idling in front of the private entrance for Counsel members, a few of them greeting each other just outside the much smaller but no less lavish doors.
This place, along with the nest of horrors next door, gives me the willies.
So much so I find myself holding my breath as Declan exits the vehicle and exchanges a few words with who I’m guessing is the valet.
“Have I told you… “ The tull of my skirt begins inching up my thigh—again—as my mate’s big body slides toward me, his breath warm against my skin. “That you look absolutely radiant this evening?”
Despite my unease, I grin as Wraith presses a kiss to my neck. “You have.”
“Hmm, stunning then?”
“Yes.”
“Gorgeous?”
“That too.”
His fingers caress the inside of my thigh, his teeth scraping over my pulse as I feel him grin. “Fuckably delicious?”
“I don’t think you’ve called me that.” I smile at Wraith over my shoulder as he kisses the exposed flesh there. “I actually don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone described that way before.”
“Smashing.” He gives me a slightly-evil-though-charming smile as his index finger traces the silk of my panties. “Then that, my ravishing mate, is how I shall have the bellman announce us.Wraith of Carmarthen, High Elder Successor and his mate, the fuckably delicious goddess, Zephyr.”
I giggle like an idiot as he nips at my spine. “Don’t you thinkgoddessis a little much?”
“Hardly. You are nothing short of divine perfection, my love, and it is only right to be introduced as such.”
“I think mate to the High Elder Successor and my name is plenty.”
“Nonsense,” Wraith grunts. “If it weren’t knowledge I like keeping all to myself, I’d also have him state how delectable your bum is, how glorious your tits are, how fucking tight your pussy is, and how beautiful you are when you’re completely naked and covered in all kinds of naughty, filthy fluids caused by our Kadocrous love making as well.”
And now my face is on fire.
It’s only been a few days, but ever since Wraith and I mated, he’s been completely insatiable.
Hell, who am I kidding? We’ve both been completely insatiable, and I’m pretty sure my sadistic mate has corrupted me to the point of no return because I’ve spent most of that time totally naked and covered in exactly what he referenced. And I typically start out tied up or strapped down to something first, so my body has been decorated in various marks as well. I’m still healing from our lastrompas a matter of fact, my skin bruised, red, and raw under all this fabric. Thankfully Wraith had the forethought to make sure my gown would cover what wouldn’t be completely gone by the time we had to leave for this nerve wracking meeting.
I’m anxious enough, thanks.
“Zephyr?” he asks as my gaze wanders back toward the hall. “Love? What is it?”
Not that he really has to ask.
Between our bond that essentially means we live inside each other’s heads now and the fact that Wraith has been acutely in tune to me from the moment we first saw each other—not to mention I’ve voiced my unease over this entire thing no less than a million times—my mate knows exactly whatitis.
Knowing everything I do about Wraith, about his plans and activities, about his parents and the incredibly screwed up relationship they have, I’m completely convinced that this meeting is going to be a total dumpster fire from start to finish, and my worry for my mate has only grown with each passing second leading up to it. Especially since I’m never wrong about this sort of thing. My instincts are generally spot on, and while I hope and pray this time is different, I have a strong feeling it won’t be.
Have I told him that? Told Wraith that I have a kind ofinside scoopon events that have yet to happen because of my so-called gift?
