Greg… The Lair—5th Floor Meeting Room

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“Are you sure you saw an Egolar at Zia’s place?” Lucien sat on the edge of the designated plush loveseat his mate, Quinn had brought in as Clan seating for the mated couples to share during meetings. “I thought we got rid of them. You know, in our raid of that Club when they tried to snatch Wren.”

Lucien and Greg were the only ones on the floor, having one of their conclaves.

“They must be getting through the portal with the help of others willing to provide a breach for them.”

“It doesn’t make sense. I should be able to sense their presence in our territory surface side.”

“Yeah, but nothing has been normal. Not since our mates started showing up. Looking more and more like that other part of the Goddess prophecy has some merit to it.”

Lucien growled making the air ripple with a deep resonance. “I don’t care what that prophecy says, I’m still Leader of the Dragofin Clan, and we will always do our duty as the Guardian Warriors of this realm.” He shook off the stiffness of his tightened muscles to relax a bit. “Look, I just want to make sure before we involve everyone. There’s no good getting our mates involved if this is a case of shadows and phantoms. So, one last time, are you sure?”

After a quiet dinner, Greg and Lucien had come up to the meeting area to catch-up on Clan business. Zia had been cold and distant during dinner. Greg knew it was because she still pouted about not getting her way in his rooms earlier. This meeting and time away from him would give her a chance to settle in for the evening. Greg had to admit the time away from her was hard to process. Funny—he missed her already.

Without the rest of the members of the Dragofin Clan in the room, Greg noticed for the first time how cavernous the space was. It had to be large to accommodate them all, but now it seemed hollow and lacked warmth. Why the fifth floor dedicated to community and meetings for the Clan appeared to be empty and uncomfortable was new for him.

He eyed the entrance to the guest bedroom off in the distance.

Maybe Zia would prefer to have the guest room up here. That way, she’d have her privacy but be close enough for Greg to check on if she needed anything.

“Greg, are you listening to me?”

“Yes, I’m with you.” Greg ignored the scrutiny that rode Lucien’s face. He had drifted off once again. Lucien called him on it. Greg saw that as an accusal of his waning self-control to stay focused and alert.

“As soon as we knock out these points to discuss you can get back to your mate.” Lucien’s voice carried a light-heartedness to it, but Greg didn’t like how much off his game he was. Wayward thoughts, depleted energy, bone-aching fatigue, and something new—worry—were constant internalized companions.

Zia’s presence in the Lair wasn’t the blame for all his years of practice going out the window, though. Greg refused to acknowledge how drained his vitality still was. He’d have to spend way more time with Zia to regain his full power. He’d pushed how long he went not seeing her to the point of danger. Miss Connie had come to the rescue just in time.

“Having Zia here is splitting my attention. Pardon, won’t happen again.”

Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to make his leader stop the questions that steered his hyper-focus onto Greg. “Hey man, I know you’re trying to make sure your mate is settled, but I know you. There’s more to what’s up with what you have going on?” Lucien paused, for dramatic effect. When he spoke again, the words were more an indictment than a declaration. He expected more from Greg than a “fine.” His pronouncement left no room for misinterpretation or ambiguity. “Bro, you don’t look like you’re one hundred percent. What gives?”

Bypassing that last part, Greg stayed the course of the original conversation. “Egolars, yeah, I’m certain of it. The stench at the apartment was almost overwhelming. If I were to gage it, I’d say there were more than three of them, but I only saw one when we were leaving.”

Lucien’s face hardened to reveal more of his Dragon lineage. “How did Zia react?”

“She was a little shaken. I played it off that the scent was fresh as much as possible when Zia noticed my reaction.”

Not letting up for one second, Lucien asked in that demanding way of his, “How are you holding up?”

Greg didn’t miss the emphasis on the “you” in his question. His leader wanted answers. As Lucien’s second and loyalty-bound to the Dragofin Clan, Greg couldn’t sidestep any longer. He had to tell the truth about his health. Needing a shield against the vapid feel of their meeting room, he moved and turned his back to his brother in arms. There was no easy way to ease into the meat of the conversation Lucien demanded.

Greg couldn’t blatantly withhold information from Lucien. Saying the words out loud would make the possibility of failure real. He was so close to her and yet so far away. When the idea of having his mate became a real possibility, Greg had employed every bit of self-control to contain his desire for Zia. Never would he have thought their mating wouldn’t work out. Like his brother, Matt had with Wren; he worked harder for the chance to join with his mate more than any assault he’d ever encountered at the portals.

No use stalling any longer. He blurted out the truth—as much as he could stand to speak.

“If I don’t mate with Zia soon, I might not be able to continue as a Guardian Warrior in the full capacity of the position.” There it was out there—partially.

Lucien stayed still. Greg waited.

After a pause, so full the air wanted to scream, Lucien spoke in a controlled calm. His words did nothing to hide the anger that bubbled beneath them. “What exactly does that mean? Spell it out.”

“It means I’m taking my mating with Zia with measured determination.”

“I don’t doubt that, but you don’t have the luxury of time. Determined or not, you need to complete your mating.” Lucien deepened his tone to show his stern resolve. “Bro, soon is now. What’s your plan?”

Greg pushed back the acrid taste of anger that baited him to a reflex reaction of his base nature. He didn’t like Lucien’s treatment of his situation like he wasn’t doing everything he could to make it right for both Zia and himself. Fighting about it wasn’t the answer or prudent.

“I’m going to help Zia move and keep her safe. I have to win her trust. She’s still skittish about the whole situation with that Egolar. I can’t rush into the whole spiel about what I am and who we are—not yet.”

“I’m not going to pressure you, but hurry the hell up.” Lucien rested his head in his hand. He didn’t like any of this. When he looked back up at Greg, it was confirmed. “Why did you let your situation get this bad? Aren’t you and Zia in the mating thrall?”

“Yes, but it’s not a clear-cut mating with her.”

“And why not?” The booming voice Greg had come to associate with his leader filled the room. There was the Lucien he knew and served.

“She’s hurting, and I don’t know if I can stay away from her long enough to help her. If I move too fast, she’ll run.”

“Greg, I trust your wisdom, but based on what I’ve seen of her interest in you, that seems like the opposite of what she’s going to do.”

“Trust me, that act is a ruse. She’s fragile.”

“Have you determined what she is then? I didn’t want to bring that up just yet, but she’s been here most of the day with no symptoms of a normal human’s reaction. I lowered the wards enough to allow her entry. After she left this morning, I raised them back up to normal levels. Unless you’re hiding something about her current status, Zia still appears to be able to be in the Lair without harm.” Lucien leaned back and crossed his legs at the ankles. This time his stare wasn’t as harsh. “She’s not fully human, is she?”

Greg paced behind the large leather recliners of the great meeting room. The question made him stop short.

“No, she’s a Siren.”

“A Siren?” That pronouncement was enough for Lucien to sit up with greater interest. “Then why in the Goddess’ name would you want to stay away from your mate? She’s a Siren.” Lucien continued to track Greg as he ate up the length of that section of the room devoted to the lounging recliners and love seats for the mated pairs. Another few passes of his pacing and Lucien motioned to Greg’s recliner for him to take a seat. “Greg, brother, tell me why you’ve allowed yourself to become so drained and distant. Do you question the Goddess’ choice of a mate for you? Or, are you dealing with something deeper than that?”

Greg found his gaze wandering around the room—anywhere but on his leader, friend, and brother.

“If we must discuss me instead of the Egolar sighting, might we take this internally to a neural link?”

“Of course.” Lucien continued to lean forward, intense interest riding his face. Using their neural link, Lucien wasted no time getting to the core of his concern. “Now, why are your energy stores so depleted?”

“You noticed that, huh?”

“Duh, fucking yeah! Greg, you haven’t been yourself since poor Julia scrambled you up. I thought having Zia back would help you regain your strength and mojo. What gives?”

“Yes, it’s helped a lot, but She’s not ready to be mated. Luc, I won’t force the issue of mating until she is.”

“I completely understand that. From what I could surmise during your meeting earlier this morning, she had no qualms about her affections for you.”

“You’d be right but for the wrong reasons. Zia sees what we have as some game to be played and won. I tell you, she’s hurting—badly. And, before you ask, no I wouldn’t like to share why.”

Lucien ran a hand through his hair. That was never a good sign. This conversation wasn’t over by a long shot.

“Sure, that’s your right. Know I’m here if you need to talk or work it out about your mating. Since Zia is here, you should rebound in strength—right?”

“Yes, but it will take time to recover.” Greg wouldn’t sugar-coat the truth of his health status any longer.

“How long are we talking here?”

“Too soon to say with any accuracy. That’s why I have to tread with care. Zia is a snap decision away from leaving.”

“Yeah, I thought she was toying with you about that.”

“Nope, if only. Her actions say she’s here, but her thoughts have her straddling whether to stay or leave.” Greg dared look at his leader for support.

Dragon eyes peered at him with a mix of hard glares and sincerity.

“Do you not think you have a chance of tilting her to stay and mate with you? Hate to ask, but how confident are you in your ability to appeal to her romantic side? I only ask to gauge if what you say about her current status is true.”

“I’m confident that she’s my mate. I’m also not willing to say what she will or won’t do. There is the human element at play as well.”

“Greg, damn it. I thought you said she was a Siren.”

“She is, but that doesn’t negate all the years of human conditioning and heritage. Goddess only knows what she’s been taught as a coping mechanism of being a Siren unawares.”

“So, she didn’t know what she was?”

Greg had to admit to his best friend that his mate wasn’t brought up in the most healthy way of dealing with who she is. “No, and to make matters worse, she seems to have been taught the ways of the Seductress.”

“What the hell, Greg? I guess that explains why Quinn has daggers in her thoughts when it comes to your mate.”

“Yeah, but don’t judge her too fast. She didn’t know what she was doing was all that bad. I know that with time, understanding and training, she’ll embrace her true nature.”

Lucien didn’t hide the disdain riding his features. Greg had done Zia no favors by divulging that part of her traits.

“Luc, please? All I ask is that you give me a chance to work with her. Once she knows more about her true heritage, I’m almost certain Zia will embrace and excel at being the Siren she was meant to be. I believe in the Goddess’ blessing.” He didn’t try to hide the pleading in his eyes. “Give me time and run interference with your mate where Zia is concerned.”

Lucien ran another hand through his hair before answering. Greg waited, giving his friend and nigh brother time to process his request. Finally, words full of warmth flooded in. “And, if she doesn’t play nice or decides to go back home what does that mean for you and your health?” Lucien leveled a stern look his way. “Make it plain.”

Greg couldn’t fault Lucien for wanting to do his job and duty as the Dragofin Clan leader, but his questions were bone-achingly hard to answer.

“It’s too early to know if she’ll go back home soon or at all. We’re going back to her place tomorrow to finish moving her out. As for what happens if she leaves, I’m not sure how long I’ll have.”

“How long you’ll have until what?” Lucien stared hard, refusing to release Greg’s attention.

Audible and accusatory, the breath that left Greg echoed and rang like a death knell. “If I’m to believe the lore of how Gryphon’s mate, I’ll die if she leaves before we complete the mating.”

“What the fuck, man? That’s what you should have led with. You mean to tell me, if you don’t mate with Zia you’ll die?”

“Yes, once the mating thrall has started my life-force is connected to and derives source energy from the mating. Until it’s completed, I need to be with Zia.”

Lucien’s face was angular and flushed with blood. He was pissed. “You knew this and allowed Zia to go back home. Are you insane? She has the power to give you life or kill you, and you’re tip-toeing around. Man, Greg if you don’t jump on this and get your mating completed, I might kick your ass myself.” Lucien continued to stare Greg down. “I guess it makes sense then. You’re sick. It’s been a while since you and Zia connected. She dated that Egolar, got kidnapped, went home for a few weeks, and all the while you’ve been in the mating thrall. You allowed your life-force to dwindle down to this,” Lucien said, waving a hand at Greg’s body.

“Luc, you make it seem like I’m on death’s door. I still have time.”

“No, you don’t. What if we get called to the portal today? You’re not ready. You know it, and now I know it. There’s no way I’m letting you go to battle in this condition. We’re down a man. Jax can’t go in your stead until he completes the joining with his Dragon.” The air crackled with how much Dragon emotion filled the space. “Greg, damn it to hell.” Another breath to calm back down and the Dragofin Clan Leader started again. This time with less intensity to his words. “You know better. Allowing yourself to get to this point is unlike the wisest Gryphon I know. You’re my second. I need more from you as a leader and part of the glue that holds this Clan together. I need you ready and strong.”

Greg prided himself on being the most responsible one of the group. Lucien’s words speared a guilt strike to his heart. The words didn’t have to be said. Lucien was disappointed in him.

Disappointment was a foreign entity in Greg’s relationship with Lucien. One he didn’t like one bit. Determined to regain status in the eyes of his leader and closest friend, Greg set his intention to stop making excuses and deal with his life head-on.

“Got it, no more half-assing it. I owe it to the Clan and Zia to be my best.”

“Right you do.” Lucien’s expression morphed from scrutiny to contemplation.

Greg gave him a moment. When that moment grew past what would be usual for a response, he had to know what was going on. “Uh-oh, what is it? Man, you, all right? I don’t like when you make that face.”

After another second, Lucien’s face returned to normal. “This face?” Lucien said, poking a thumb backward. “Then you’re not going to like what I have to say next.”

“Which is?”

“Quinn just sent me a mental link.” Lucien took a breath as if to steady himself for the next information he communicated.

“I’m impressed you can have more than one neural link going at the same time.”

“Not for long. That’s why she made it quick. Greg…”

“What?” Greg didn’t like how his gut groaned at the thought of Quinn interrupting their meeting to send Lucien a message. It must be pretty important. She’d never done that before. “Come on and tell me. I have a feeling it has something to do with Zia if Quinn thought it important enough to say something during our meeting.”

“And, you’d be right. Look, I’m going to get it out there. Quinn wants to call a Clan meeting to discuss whether we allow Zia to stay here past tomorrow. She also wants me to ask you not to divulge any information about who and what we are until—”

“Until what? Why, what the fuck?”

Lucien held up a hand to stop Greg from escalating his anger. “It seems she believes Zia must be vetted before you move forward with a possible completion of your mating to her.”

“Why is that?”

“Because Quinn believes Zia’s intentions might not be on the up and up where you and the clan are concerned.”

Sizzling white-hot anger zoomed through Greg’s body too fast to control. Calm was far from his grasp. This was the leader of the Dragofin Clan’s mate saying his possible mate wasn’t here for the purest of reasons. Before he did something stupid, Greg chose to use words instead of more active measures. “I already told her about the mates being Seers and a Siren.”

“How did she react?”

“Like any other person would upon hearing about the world that coexists with the known reality. She’s not completely sold on it.”

“Good. Hold off on giving her any more information for now.”

“Haha, it would be Quinn to start up something.” Gryphon wisdom came forward to temper his words. This new development might blow up in his face if Lucien took offense. They couldn’t let the mates tear apart the brotherhood of the Clan. Still, his words tumbled out, too fast to edit. “I mean, who made her the mating police? Quinn knows nothing about Zia. How dare she accuse her of nefarious intentions?”

Greg ignored the low rumble from deep in Lucien’s chest. They all knew Quinn’s ways. She’d never liked Zia.

“The Goddess when she blessed the Clan with a Strategy Seer in my mate, that’s who.” Despite his words, Lucien didn’t cast any aggressive vibes toward Greg. “I can only imagine what I’d do if someone said the same about Quinn, but we have to use wisdom and caution with everything. Think. Has Zia done anything to make you think she has a hidden agenda?”

“No. She’s too busy trying to play with me to do much else.”

“What does that mean?”

Greg tried to brush that rash comment aside. “Oh, nothing. It comes from her Seductress side. Don’t worry, I’ve got it handled.”

“I hope so, for her sake.”

“Luc, she’s a guest of the Lair.”

“I know, but if she’s out to do us any harm, you know what must be done. Can you say one-hundred percent that she’s in the clear?”

Honesty rode him hard. “Not yet.”

“Well then, we take the necessary precautions.”

“Just like that, with no say? She’s my mate, for Goddess’ sake!”

Greg was back on his feet and pacing—no—more like stomping back and forth. Once he’d taken a few passes between the space where the chairs were and the conference table, Lucien’s voice drifted back into his mental space.

“Greg, I’ve suggested that before the entire Clan meets, you and I meet with Quinn, Wren, and Hildy to get a consensus on how to proceed. If nothing else, Hildy can get more information from Zia and Wren might be able to see enough to give clarity to Quinn’s suspicions.”

“Is that necessary? Zia isn’t a threat to the Dragofin Clan.”

“Maybe she isn’t, but I trust my mate and her ability. If Quinn believes we should take precaution, I want to give her the benefit of the doubt. It’s a mating thing. Once everything pans out, and you and Zia are mated, you’ll understand.”

“I understand that Quinn doesn’t care for Zia. Have you considered this need to dig into Zia’s background and life is a manifestation of Quinn’s dislike for her?”

Dragon eyes flashed in warning. “I trust my mate.”

“And, I trust my gut. Zia is innocent. She’s not here to do anything diabolical.”

“I agree. I also believe that she might not understand what she might be doing. We don’t know to what extent her Seductress tendencies run, yet. You’re still learning about them right?”

“Yes, but I don’t see her being as bad as Quinn makes her out to be.”

“Quinn reminded me how she left without saying anything to you twice—before she dated that Egolar, and when she went home after the kidnapping. I have to say those actions speak louder than words. If she were your true mate, wouldn’t she have been compelled to at least say goodbye?”

“She’s been hurt, deeply. I can’t answer for her every action. I won’t try. What I will do is work to help her heal.”

Lucien’s eyes softened to their normal state. “You’re my second. I still believe she’s your mate. As your mate, she’s here with my blessing, unless she gives me a reason to retract that grace. Like any Goddess-blessed mating, you need to spend time with her. How about we table this part of our discussion until tomorrow evening? That way, you’ll be able to help her finish moving and gain more insight into all things Zia.”

“I’m not going to spy on my mate.”

“No one’s asking you to. What you will do is be the Greg we all know and trust. You’ll be reasonable and let me know if she poses any threat being here at the Lair.”

“Wouldn’t the Lair have already done something to her if she were dangerous?”

“Not if her intentions were right for being here. Quinn didn’t say Zia is knowingly doing anything. She believes Zia’s presence is in some way tied to duplicity. That’s one of the main ways Seductresses work.” Lucien seemed to back off when he noticed Greg stiffen at that last part. “I’ve said enough on the matter for now. We’ll all meet tomorrow evening. Once you and the female mates have a chance to hear Quinn out, we’ll go from there. Fair enough?”

“She’s not the person Quinn thinks she is.”

“I hope not. Until we’ve had a chance to meet, don’t tell her anything about yourself of the Clan.”

Duty to the Dragofin Clan blossomed within as the loyalty and honor of being a Guardian Warrior rose to the forefront. “Of course not. You have my word.” The calling was more than his life. Greg did want one promise from Lucien, though. “I know you have a mate, and you must consider her first, but all I ask is that you not divulge any of the information I told you about what could happen to me if I don’t complete my mating with Zia.”

Lucien didn’t hesitate. “Of course not. That’s your business and right to privacy. I need you to remember that my mate is a Seer with the gift of strategy. She may glean your condition on her own. You see what she came up with tonight. Know that Quinn’s actions are for the survival and protection of the Dragofin Clan. She’s focused on that. If she finds out, it will be because of her abilities and not because I told her. So, are we good on that, at least for now?”

“Yes.” That’s all Greg was willing to say.

It took more effort to breathe with the new weight of worry for Zia to settle in. Another glance around the great room and the discomfort of being here hit him square in the chest. He still had a recliner when he needed a loveseat. His mate was here.

Only issue—the mate of their leader might not want her here. If Quinn and the other mates found any reason for Zia to be expelled from the Lair, Greg would have some major decisions to make.

Where had all the discipline from years of self-preparation as the senior Gryphon Warrior of this Clan gone? Facing possible death had never been this hard before. Lurking in the back of his mind were questions to answers he wasn’t ready to consider. His life and mating were up to the Goddess’ will and Zia’s innocence.

Lucien ran through a few other things he’d meant to discuss. He agreed to table the discussion of what to do with mates who didn’t exactly get along until later. Lucien wanted Greg to focus his attention on getting better and getting to the heart of what was going on with Zia. Only then would Lucien feel right about him completing his mating with Zia. As for Greg’s life-force and what would happen if he and Zia didn’t mate, neither of the men ventured to speak of it. That hurdle would have to be cleared if it presented itself.

Done with the meeting, Greg made haste to get back down to his quarters to check on Zia. A quick glance at the time had it late enough for her to be asleep.