His chest puffed up. “I know the exact time of everything, to the second, always.” Bragging now?
He launched forward, and she hurried off, moving deeper into the closet—where she oohed and aahed over the eclectic selection.
Halo tracked her every graceful movement. Eventually, she shimmied into the sexiest gown imaginable. A sheer green stunner to match her eyes, and perhaps every man’s downfall.
He reached up to tug at his collar, only to remember he wasn’t wearing a shirt. “I thought I remember recommending business attire.”
“Then your memory isn’t faulty,” she told him with a sweet smile. With a soft pull, her sable locks tumbled around her shoulders. “Business is my pleasure, and pleasure is my business.”
This female. He almost laughed, almost glowered. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel with the harpymph, because he continued to feel a bit of everything. Should he shut down? Go mad?
“Try not to distract me during the meeting, precious,” Halo said, only half teasing as he snaked an arm around her waist and dragged her against him.
She mumbled obscenities at him as he flashed her to the war room six minutes early. Roc and Taliyah stood together at the head of a long table, examining ancient scrolls. Translucent stardust sparkled over every inch of their exposed flesh, inciting the barest thrum of envy in Halo.
Two other warriors occupied the room. Roux Pyroesis and Dove...something. A legend among the harpies. Known for leading some of the world’s bloodiest campaigns in the war against...anyone.
Long ago, she’d died on the battlefield against Erebus, and the god transformed her into a harphantom. Now one of the most vicious species in existence, able to mist between the natural and spiritual realms. They fed on souls and had few weaknesses. But, because of Taliyah, these harphantoms were not like other phantoms. They were not bound to Erebus or controlled by his will. For now, they were allies to harpies and Astra alike.
The reason for the meeting became clear. Roux and Dove were to gather information, conducting Halo’s research for him, allowing him to focus on winning his harpymph.
Noticing his arrival, Roc waved Roux away. The warrior glanced at Ophelia, still wrapped in Halo’s embrace, and frowned. Each day, Roux reacted to Halo’s transformation—if that’s what it was—more intensely, as if the change in Halo was more pronounced. From controlled to tormented to...whatever this was.
Halo offered reassurance. —I’ve got this, brother. I will secure her.—
—She is a bit...different to your usual tastes. Be careful. The softer ones bite the hardest.—Roux was gone a second later.
Taliyah dismissed Dove, who glanced between Halo and Ophelia before vanishing in a light, barely perceptible puff of smoke.
Still Halo kept Ophelia pressed against his body, even as she wiggled around to face their leaders.
“I’ll start, since I’m short on time and required elsewhere.” Unlike Ophelia, Taliyah wore the standard harpy uniform. Metal breastplate, leather vest, and pleated skirt, with accompanying protections. “I understand we’re on day five of the repeat, but this is our only meeting. Which means you’ve waited five days to know why I demanded to meet with you in the first place. The reason is simple. I decided to transfer you to Ation, where you will—”
“What?” Ophelia yelled at the same time Halo barked, “That isn’t happening.”
Ation was a prison realm where many species trapped their most violent females. A world of great horrors.
Taliyah swung her gaze to him. “Are you presuming to tell me what to do with my soldier, Astra?”
“She isn’t yours, General,” he snapped.
“To whom does she belong then, hmm?” Taliyah asked. Her cold smile dropped the temperature at least twenty degrees. “Because I see no stardust on her skin. The only way I’ll ever relinquish her from my command.”
Working on it.
“You’ll relinquish your command when I take your job,” Ophelia remarked.
Taliyah shrugged. “Maybe. If you beat me hard enough.”
He gritted his teeth. “This is my task, General. Everyone falls under my rule.”
“Don’t worry,” Ophelia told Taliyah, using her cheery tone again—ignoring him, even as she curled into him, resting her head on his shoulder and petting his chest. “He won’t give me any orders that contradict yours. My darling insists I ride the pine.” Though she maintained a sugary tone, she scraped bloody furrows in his flesh.
His desire—his need—to safeguard her should please her. Females!
He would work twice as hard to ensure Ophelia enjoyed her safety. One day, she would thank him. He was certain of it.
“But, for future reference, maybe don’t threaten to incarcerate the girl who’s gonna save everyone.” The harpymph plucked her nails free.
Halo stiffened. What did she mean, save everyone?
“Did I say I was finished speaking?” Taliyah inquired in a slow drawl. “You weren’t to be a prisoner but a guard. A true honor. You learn the best tricks there. But I have since changed my mind. I will let you do as you have boasted and save everyone. Which means you will help Halo defeat Erebus in any way that proves necessary. Perhaps then you will earn your first star, and I’ll take your boasting seriously.”