Prologue
Fern
Four months ago, summer 2045, southern New United States
“Seriously? The bats are choosing womenagain?” I say, exasperated.
Lora, my newly-promoted second in command nods over the printing press. We’re in the back of my home, my brewing room. She slots on the next letter.
“Yup, the next bride lottery is September twenty-first.”
“Bastards,” I spit, turning to grab the stack of paper.
“If Susie gets picked, she made me promise to...” Lora trails off as she finishes the last line of the pamphlet.
I grit my teeth, understanding the implication.
Taking a deep breath, I try to reassure her. “The odds are so low. Sixty-six women from the entire NUS?” I shake my head. “And us so close to one of their government centers? Nah,” I open the ink and grab a brush. “No way, what if our proverbial family made a fuss? They’re choosing them from far off, the north or the west.”
Lora’s intense blue eyes meet mine from the other side of the press. “You’re really not worried about it, Fern?”
“Nope. Not one fucking bit. Besides, if I go down, I’m taking one of them with me,” I flatly answer, pulling the handle of the press down firmly.
Chapter One
Archibald
“This one looks delectable,” Theo offers, pointing to the second screen.
I look up and study the document. Another human female, aged between twenty-five and forty years old. Big pale eyes, their odd colored skin, light brown hair that would be shocking on a gargoyle but is common among humans.
Shrugging I respond, “They all look the same to me. I don’t care about her features as long as she’s pliant and fertile.”
Theo chuckles, “C’mon Arch, we all know you enjoy a brat.” He raises his heavy eyebrows.It’s him. He’s the brat.
Ben frowns and his big hand rubs over his warm grey face, “A brat is fun, but an angry, scared human will not be playing. Some women will be truly resistant, though it seems more this year are feeling as though this is an honorable duty.”
A rustle of leathery wings from Theo. “It’ll be fine. Enough orgasms will reduce her to a puddle who will be wrapped around our fingers, begging for our cum to fill her.”
The fact that humans seem to react oddly to our seed is what started this project six years ago. Our population is declining at concerning rates, both male and female omegas now exceedingly rare. We will not be able to hold control of Earth unless we are able to stop this decrease in gargoyles. Ebenezeris one of the lead scientists on Project Selene. He’s had more interactions with humans than either myself or Theodore. Well, more delicate interactions, given that both Theo and I are part of the National Squadron. Our interactions are typically short and bloody. Though within recent years, I’ve been tapped as a politician. I fucking hate it.
I stretch, wings back and hands over my head. “I don’t fucking care. Pick one for me to stick my dick in, then you can both do the same.”
Ben lets out a sound of annoyance. “Arch, you need to take this seriously. Between the three of us, our score will probably be the highest this round; we’ll get first pick. And we’ll be the highest ranking chime to have claimed a bride since the program started. Eyes will be upon us.”
I grumble.I’m sick of duty.
I’ll never escape it though.
Theo puts a cool hand on my thigh. “Ebenezer is right. And if the most recent findings are true...” Theo trails off, letting the unspoken implications dance in front of our minds’ eyes.
Ben’s face is blank, his feelings hidden, as usual. I study him for a moment, trying to figure out why he’s so invested in whatever human we get. I mean, yes, she could bear our winglings, but I sense there is something else there.
I stand suddenly. “I don’t care. Pick one. I’ll do my duty.” I turn on my heel and head to the open balcony of our home. The air is cooling and I want to get a flight in before I’m forced to get some rest.
Chapter Two
Ebenezer
