GreenScales1520
I’m in Peru working on the final stages of building a bridge.
I’d forgotten that the brothers owned a company that built roads and bridges in areas where traditional methods didn’t always work. They were successful due to some interesting skills.
One was language. Between the two of them, they spoke dozens of languages, some of which I didn’t think were in common use anymore. But when you were over five hundred years old, you were bound to learn some languages that eventually went out of use.
Another skill was being nearly impervious to human made weapons. Along with being skilled builders, and having vast language skills, they were unparalleled in building things where others had failed due to difficult terrain, danger, or corruption.
Now I was finding out that Danzig liked to take pictures with baby llamas. I kinda liked it. I accepted GreenScales1520’s friend request and then scrolled through his posts. Most of them were food or adorable animals. Occasionally there would be a bridge or road. As I scrolled another message popped up.
GreenScales1520
I’ll be home soon. Can we take you out to dinner?
I paused. I’d met Danzig after being kidnapped along with my best friend, Mila. He’d been an important part of the rescue plan and protected us from gunfire by shifting into a giant serpent and wrapping his coils around us.
That was my first introduction to the hidden magical world around me.
After the danger was over, he’d claimed I was his mate. Then I found out that he had a twin and if I was mated to one, I was mated to the other. I was told that was how it worked with twin Jörmungandr.
I’d saidno thank you, and demanded to go home with Mila and her men, Gio and Carter.
They’d shown up at Gio’s house the next day and were refused entry. Then I’d moved into a condo with Mila’s sister and they were constantly hanging around until Gio threatened them again.
I don’t think they were scared of Gio, even though he was a powerful vampire. But they knew better than to hurt someone I cared about.
I was torn because I felt drawn to them, but I also knew that if I showed any interest, they would take that as me accepting the relationship.
I wanted to explore my life right now, I didn’t want to be boxed in by a couple of overprotective serpent shifters.
GreenScales1520
Did I upset you with the request? We could do ice cream instead.
Guilt at ignoring them on almost every front made me want to agree. But no, I needed to stay firm. I’d let social expectations and fear of ridicule dictate my adult life. I was determined to break those shackles. I refused to ever be emotionally manipulated again.
TheNewMe888
I’ll think about it.
As a refusal, it was weak, but it wasn’t a flat out no.
The office door opened, and I quickly flipped my phone face down on the desk then I looked up. I gave the woman walking in a big smile.
“Hello! Welcome to Masel Investigations.”
She hesitated in the doorway, probably because of my overly enthusiastic greeting. I toned down my smile and assumed a more professional voice.
“Do you have an appointment or are you a walk-in?”
“Um, I’m a walk-in,” she said, stepping further into the room. She was wearing a light gray pants suit with a cream-colored blouse under it. Several delicate designer gold necklaces were layered over the blouse and teardrop gold earrings shimmered in her ears.
Then I noticed her purse. I’d seen it in a boutique and was determined to buy it until I saw the price tag. Even the new mecouldn’t justify paying that much for a single item that didn’t have an engine.
This woman had money, or she did a good impression of it.
“What kind of service are you looking for?” I asked.
