If BDSM bothers, then I strongly suggest you DON"T read this chapter. When voting, I want to be rated on how well my writing is, how imaginative you think it is and not someone's personal opinion on a lifestyle many people partake in. We must all realize that we are all different. BDSM is not one person treating another cruelly, but two people agreeing on a certain level of role play that might in some cases be necessary to achieve pleasure. Like your tastes in food: some like it with just salt and pepper, but others like it with lots of HOT sauce. Have a heart people. Thank you for taking the time to read this if you are going to go ahead and take the plunge and please let me know what you think, good or bad. Just no insults please. We are all adults here. LH.
*
Zak regretted walking away from her the minute his left foot touched the dance floor. His arm wrapped protectively around Rowie, his hand resting on her rounded belly as they made their way toward the center stage that was rising next to their VIP pedestal. The central bar was full of patrons, some who were blocking the steps that led up to the stage.
The snarls and growls of the gargoyles rumbled over the loud music being played by the DJ and the aliens immediately parted to let them through. Draco and Oni were to either side of him, the twins holding leading the way in front of Rowie.
"Zak." A masculine voice called out. "Zak!"
Zak turned his head, a pair of ebony wings catching his attention. The reaper used his enormous wings to work his way through the sea of moving bodies.
Zak recognized Natanael as he drew closer. The once blond reaper had shorn his locks into a Mohawk and dyed it bright fuchsia. Hoops, from tiny to large decorated the shells of his ears, and, just like Remien, another pair pierced his nipples. Natanael's silver eyes looked earnestly at Zak.
"I need the help of your Angels," he pleaded once he was right next to Oni.
Zak paused with a frown. "What's wrong?"
"It's Eriel. He's been missing for three moon cycles."
Draco snorted. "That slut? He's probably gone off with some high born official who's keeping his ass full of cock."
Natanael scowled at Draco, his eyes turning completely black.
"Woa, buddy," Zak blurted putting his hand on the enraged reaper's shoulder. "Take it easy, okay?"
Natanael blinked a few times before his eyes returned to normal. "Erie would have called me by now. We share the same cruiser and agreed to look out for each other. He never disappears for so long. I fear for my friend."
"When did you see him last?" Rowie asked.
Natanael sighed. "He had ingested Liquid X." Natanael's eyes rose to look past them. Zak turned to see what he looked at and saw one of the dancer's suspended cages over a VIP area. There was a pretty Fae occupying it now, writhing and undulating her naked body for the Endoreen council members surrounding her.
"They'd enticed him to dance for them. He drew such a crowd that night that we had to get him out. One of the Endoreen women caught his eye and he took off with her."
"Took off?" Imo questioned.
Natanael opened his wings causing a stir of alarmed gasps from the aliens around them. He stretched them out to their full expanse, making Zak grimace. He hated when they did that. Even with his crazy fuchsia Mohawk, the death angel looked terrifyingly beautiful. Natanael pointed up. "He flew away with her into the night. I haven't seen him or the woman since."
"Iusi snickered. "Woman?"
Imo elbowed him with a frown.
Natanael frowned at the insolent boy. "Eriel likes women as well as men, you little snot-nosed brat."
"All right," Zak snapped when the twins snarled. "Everybody just calm the fuck down. Look, Natanael, this is something you should personally tell Devon. If anyone can figure out what to do and where to start, it would be my commander."
Natanael shoved Oni out of the way and hugged both Zak and Rowie despite the threatening growls of the gargoyles. "Oh thank you," he sighed.
Zak hesitantly patted the reaper's feathered wings. "No sweat, man. We'll help you. Go talk to Dev. He's just back there."
***
Remi settled Alluna between Seth and himself.
"I can't believe Zak let the likes of you watch her," Seth murmured with a frown in Remi's direction.
Alluna stiffened. She hoped they weren't going to fight.
Remi grinned at the weretigre with a shrug. "At least with me she won't be bored to death."
Seth grunted, gripped the glass he held and downed the liquid in one gulp. He pushed the glass out and it was quickly replaced with another full glass.
"Fuck, Seth. How many have you had?"
"Not enough," he mumbled again.
Alluna pouted, feeling her heart tighten. Poor man seemed so tormented. She clenched her fists in her lap, fighting the urge to touch and soothe him.
Remi leaned over, placing his forearms on the glossy, grey stone bar top. "Did you see who's over to your right?"
Seth stiffened. "Don't care."
Alluna look out over the crowd of dancing aliens wondering whom Remi meant.
There were so many beings slithering and sliding against one another, A pretty Chidadent female with a head full of braids, three Gruesh girls undulating against a silver-haired Merulian, a dark-skinned Fae with bright pink hair and pale blue gossamer wings.
"Aw, come-on, Seth," Remi cajoled. "At least go out and dance with her. What better opportunity to be able to slide up behind her and show her what you got, man." Remi's chuckle was pure evil, making Alluna blush.
Seth grabbed his glass of liquor, swallowed it in one gulp and then slammed it with a snarl on the bar. Alluna jumped and backed away until she felt Remi's chest against her back. Seth's pale blue eyes stared daggers at Remi. "Fuck off, Fyre."
Remi's arm went around Alluna's shoulders. "Hey, asshole. What kind of fucking language is that to use in front of little Luna here."
Seth slid off his stool without another word and stalked away.
"He's such an idiot. After all the trouble I went through to hook him up with that pretty red-haired reaper."
Remi waved at someone in the crowd. Alluna turned to see and gasped when she saw a breathtaking girl with silvery grey eyes and coppery hair waving back. She spun in a circle, her black wings spread out a little behind her to maintain her balance. A reaper.
"She is a riot. Old sour puss can certainly use someone like that to cheer up his sorry ass." Remi sighed, shaking his head and then turned back to look at Anniel. His eyes narrowed. "She's going to be easier to hook up. Annie's pure sweetness. I already have the perfect match for her too."
Alluna's heart sped up, the prospect of seeing Anniel happily mated making her smile. "Who?"
Remi's grin widened as he lifted his hand and pointed. "The big bastard leaning against the column over there."
Alluna looked to where he pointed. Her smile vanished from her face as she gaped at the man Remi intended to hook up Anniel with.
He towered above everyone around him. Alluna noticed everyone gave him a wide berth. Who wouldn't? The reaper exuded raw power. His hair was long, dark, his eyes like steel, and his skin sun-kissed bronze. One unfortunate Chidadent bumped into him and the imposing male straightened, black wings spreading out behind him threateningly. The Chidadent cowered a moment before he ran away.
"Oh, Remi, no. Not that one," Alluna exclaimed in alarm.
Remi only grinned. "Why not? You gotta admit, he's a handsome dude. And talk about presence." Remi barked out a laugh. "I do believe that Chid pissed his pants." He nodded decisively. "Yeah. We can definitely use that son-of-a-bitch on our team."
"But he's so scary looking," Alluna argued.
"Nah, he'll grow on you, Luna. Come-on." He gripped her arms and hauled her out of the stool. "I've got an idea."
Somehow, his words caused a great deal of unease in her.
Remi leaned over the bar and spoke to the lizard-like female there in a hissing language she didn't understand.
The lizard-girl handed him two glasses and five tubes of a red glowing liquid. Alluna was aware that all of the bartenders were now watching Remien with dread on their faces.
Alluna gulped. "What are you going to do with that?"
Remi poured one tube in the left glass and the other four in the right. A murmur of alarm broke out behind the bar. Remi only snickered.
"Let me have a Black Wrquild."
The lizard-girl handed him a pretty, purplish-black bloom. He tucked it into the left glass and took them both, holding his elbow out for Alluna to take. "Stay close to me, Luna."
They made their way through the writhing mass of beings until they approached the tall, dark angel.
His attention was riveted to something behind them and Alluna turned in curiosity. Her eyes widened when she realized that the tall reaper was staring at Anniel.
She turned surprised eyes to Remien.
"Told you I know what I'm doing," he murmured under his breath. "When we get close, look at his crotch, and tell me that bastard isn't interested in our girl."
When they were a few paces away, the reaper noticed them and straightened with a frown. He crossed his arms over his chest, the muscles in his bare arms bunching up bigger than Zak's. He was huge. Alluna faltered in her steps, wanting to flee the other way. Remi definitely had a death wish. Remembering what Remi had said, Alluna let her gaze drop to the front of the reapers black pants. Sure enough, the outline of the death angel's cock strained against the laces of his pants.
"Hi. Ashriel, right?"
The reapers eyes narrowed, his eyes going over Remi before looking at her as well.
His eyes softened when he looked down at her, but iced over when they looked back up at Remi.
"Remien Fyre," the reaper's deep voice rumbled.
Alluna's knees began to shake regardless of the fact that the giant death angel hadn't looked at her with animosity.
"Anniel is dying to invite you over for a drink, but she's a bit shy."
Alluna's eyes went round at Remi's outright lie. The reaper's eyes also gaped, darting to where Anniel sat before narrowing to look at Remi suspiciously. He shot Alluna a hard glare and she just grinned hoping he didn't strike them dead.
Ashriel snarled at Remien.
Uh-oh.
"Look, I'm just trying to do her a favor, man. Don't shoot the messenger."
Ashriel looked back at Anniel. Alluna saw clearly the look of longing in his eyes and for a brief moment, felt sorry for him.
Ashriel shook his head.
"No?" Remi scoffed incredulously. "You're going to turn her down?"
