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anymore, John.” Her lip curled up in a sad smile. Her wistful tone felt like a caress.
    “Then who…?” His words trailed off. He remembered when Gracie and he spoke to each other dirty and raw. Those days were gone.
    “Visiting scientists mainly.” His mind immediately went to Dr. Grathers, and a wave of nausea hit. She seemed to catch the look on his face, and her jaw dropped in disgust. “No, Karon. Not him. That is revolting, and I can’t believe you’d even think that of me.”
    He racked his brain for who else she could possibly mean. “But other than him the last person on the ship was…what, five days ago?”
    She nodded stiffly, and he got it. The succubus was starving. “Gracie, you’ve gotta…y’know. It’s unhealthy. There are five other men on board who’d be perfectly happy to…”
    Her tear-streaked face rose to him. “But I don’t want any of them. I only want you.”
    Her perfect features drew him in. There was no deception in her gaze and not even any hope, just honesty—that same honesty he’d have given his left nut for back when they were lovers. He studied her eyes, the slight flush of her cheek. Then his gaze travelled lower to where a single blue vein pulsed just beneath the surface of her pale-olive skin. The slow dance of blood echoed the throb in his gums. All thoughts of forgiveness or caring fled as, for the first time ever, his fangs erupted.
    “I want you too, baby.” It came out as a growl, right before he sank deep into the curve of her neck.

Chapter 3

    Kai grasped the handle and swung the door outward to find the young mere from the snowmobile. Without a hat, the boy’s red hair shone like a beacon.
    “Alara wants you to meet with her lieutenants this morning, down at the docks.” He bounced on the balls of his feet. “I’ll give you a ride down there. Y’know, if you want.”
    Kai regarded the lanky boy with interest. He was tall for a mere—almost six feet perhaps. “What is your name?” Kai asked.
    The boy reddened slightly, seemingly pleased to have gotten Kai’s attention. “I’m Olaf Mercer.” The mere looked up at him with round blue eyes that held an overflow of interest. Kai sensed that if allowed, this youth would speak uninterrupted for days.
    True to Kai’s estimation, the youth chattered non-stop during the short snowmobile ride to the docks. He regaled the dragon with stories of the island’s fiercest battles, worst snowstorms, and best parties. Kai found himself flattered by the mere’s attention. At least Olaf sought to make him feel comfortable, as opposed the princess, who antagonized him at every opportunity.
    Alara stood on the main dock, waiting while about seven males and females loaded up a mid-sized aluminum vessel with a re-enforced hull. Her white-blond hair hung loose today, sweeping around her shoulders and back. Her gray hat highlighted the cold beauty of her eyes and the angles of her features. Kai breathed deeply, willing blood to his brain and hoping to the gods to hide the hardening of his body.
    “Alara, I have reviewed your portfolio, and I am very impressed.” He’d searched for holes and inadequacies in the paperwork she’d given him, but every detail was in place, every item he requested present and accounted for.
    Her eyes widened. “Did you just pay me a compliment?”
    His jaw hardened. Had he? “However, I found some of your numbers surprising. Why would you employ so many troops during peace time?”
    She chewed her lip and darted her eyes to the side. A spark of concern pinched him at the meaning behind her expression. “It’s never peace time here. We’re a tiny mere settlement surrounded by shark-shifter waters.” Her eyes narrowed on his. “As the dragons knew perfectly well when they left.”
    He flashed her the whites of his eyes. “I was just hatched the year the dragons left this area.”
    Her lips twitched to the side as she nibbled her lip again. “So, you’re about my age? I’m