S.A. Price Read Online Free

your part and everything will fall into place, ok?”
    She cocked her head to the side, her hand on her hip. “Sure, but you know when we’re down there I get to give you the orders.”
    He laughed patting her back as he led them out of their suite. “Only when we’re down there.”
    The walk was a short one and they did it in silence, him adopting a more submissive stance to her more dominant stride. He kept his hand reassuringly on the small of her back as they moved into the communal rooms where the meeting would be. As expected the Archons and their mates were already there. Each Archon was allowed one Defteros, and all but one had chosen their mate. The only unmated Archon had chosen one of her nest to stand in.
    ~13~

    He pushed any thoughts of Elise into the far corner of his mind; he didn’t need to worry about her today, about their failed romance. There were more important things at stake. As predicted the hush fell over the room as they strode in. Kira knew who they all were, he’d been very specific in his teachings, and she knew them all down to their preferred breakfast and drinks. Still she confidently looked around smiling at them, predator oozing out of her just as surely as the fear had been earlier.
    “I think introductions are in order.” She smiled again sizing them all up. “My name’s Kira, I and my nest have been occupying the Las Vegas territory for the past three years.” She walked forward to the table taking a jug of water Kira poured herself a drink and took a sip before continuing. “Behind me I think you’ll recognize John Merrick, he’s been with me for most of those three years.” He smiled at them his eyes glancing over Elise. Kira had done well, and she had to establish that she’d started the nest on her own.
    Elise smiled at Kira and inclined her head. "This is news to all of us, since last we understood, Las Vegas belonged to Olivia and the King snake nest.”
    “This meeting isn’t over territory is it? I, as well as the rest of us, have a very busy life, and it is well known that territory disputes aren’t dealt with in such a manner. Observing our laws, you should have waited till the new year." She shot a look at Merrick, one of pure venom and then looked about.
    The murmur from the other Archons cemented what the New York nest leader had said.
    Merrick frowned at Elise, ashamed to admit that he was just a little turned on by her words. The Archon always knew just what buttons to press and just how to say them; thankfully he'd known that it would be her to throw up this first challenge and not Olivia. Kira smiled at her and cleared her throat waiting for the attention to shift back to her before starting.
    "No, this isn’t about land, nor am I contesting or petitioning for it. Me and mine are secure in our positions, we don’t need any official ruling to tell us what we are and where we live." She smiled sadly as Merrick held his breath. This was the tricky part, "I'm afraid that the reason I've called you here is for something far more serious than a silly land dispute."
    Elise raised an eyebrow and looked around. "Indeed? Then tell us, young one," she smiled, not using the title of Archon when addressing Kira. "What has brought you and yours out of hiding in the city you seem to think you can hold and into the forefront of all those who have legitimate seats of power?"
    Kira refused to rise to Elise’s bait simply smiling at her. Merrick was willing to bet the girl’s jaws would be sore but she held her tongue. "What indeed..." She asked the room carefully taking her time and making them all wait. "Mer, love?" She asked him, no doubt throwing in the last for Elise's benefit. As discussed he passed her the files of the missing women and another folder of the dead men they'd come across. She took it before turning back to them. "How many of you have lost contact with your members over the past six months? Specifically females. Any disappearances? Trappings? Hunts