Erza returned to Gavin's side after a few songs, breathless and face flushed from exertion. "Come dance with me!" She pulled his arm and ignored his protests as a slower song played over the speakers.
"Erza! Wait a minute." Gavin cried out as he was pulled away from Kara. She pulled him onto the dance floor and wrapped her arms around his neck, her body pressed closed against his.
The soft curves of her body silenced any protests he could have made as he placed his arms on her hips. "Always so bossy." His quiet tone was playful as she smirked at him.
Her eyes danced with amusement as she leaned in to whisper against his ear. "You love it." Her breath scorched his ear as he grinned. He closed his eyes and chuckled.
"Yeah, but that's beside the point." He admitted without shame as he held her close and swayed to the music. All thoughts of the training, the mission, everything vanished while he held her on that dance floor.
"Time's like this almost make me forget." He whispered in her ear.
"Forget what, baby?" She leaned back to look in his eyes.
"Forget how insane my life has become in the last few months. Compared to all the chaos with the gods, the Demi races, all of it; this feels the most normal." His warm smile washed over her.
She understood what he was trying to say. She nodded and cupped his cheek. "Yeah, I get it. It seems we don't get much time to just be a normal couple these days."
Gavin closed his eyes, reveling in the tender touch from Erza as he nuzzled her palm. "It's nice to feel grounded every once in a while."
She leaned in to kiss his nose playfully. "But, you can't say that our life is never boring."
Before Gavin could respond, someone bumped into him from behind. Erza saw his eyes flash red in annoyance then quickly returned to their normal blue hue as he turned. Standing there was what could only be called a giant of a woman.
Erza noticed the sudden tension in Gavin's body, the way his tightened under her grip gave away his mood shift.
"Sorry to interrupt, but there are some interesting rumors going around about you two." A large female with reptilian scales that stood chest and head taller than Gavin was in front of him with her arms crossed. She had a devilish grin on her face as she waited.
This one is a Draconian Master Gavin. Veronica chided in.
I think I could figure that one out Veronica, but thanks.
Gavin eyed her cautiously. His blood burned and lungs tightened. Suddenly he was back on that volcanic plain watching five monstrous Draconians charge him. He recalled the smell of ash and sulfur, feel the ground trembling under his feet at their approach. Or was that the loud music? "What kind of rumors?"
She cocked her head to the side and ran her tongue down one of her razor-sharp canine teeth. "Oh, just the abnormal kind of stuff. Protection by the gods, holy mission." Her sarcastic tone grated on Gavin's nerves as he glanced around to see where the rest of his people were.
Aria and Lyla were nearby and watched the situation closely, Kara was walking over from the bar-her stride determined, and AJ was right behind Erza. Good, at least everyone is accounted for.
"Don't know whose making these rumors, but they are just rumors. Sorry about that." Gavin lied with a pleasant smile on his face, despite the apprehension in his stomach. Every cell in his body was on edge. Now isn't the time for a fight.
Her nostrils flared and the woman laughed loud enough to draw the attention of the nearby patrons. They quickly stepped back to give them room, expecting some kind of scene to unfold. "Don't give me that bull, wolf. I can smell your kind a mile away."
Gavin's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "What do you want?" His mana was boiling just under the surface. He recalled Kara's warning about conflict and fighting in Sanctuary. Still,I'm not the type to just sit by and be attacked.
Her smile widened as she took in his body language. "Easy wolf. I don't want a fight here." She leaned back, giving them some space. "Simply curious if the rumors were true or not."
"Nicole! Behave or I'll have to spank your ass." Kara barked as she walked up behind her.
Nicole's green eyes sparkled as she turned at the threat. "Don't tempt me with a good time Kara." She put her hands on her hips as she stood above Kara. "You know I bite harder than you spank." She flashed a grin at Kara, showing off her pointed teeth.
Kara snorted. "Please, tuck that attitude away before it gets you in trouble." She stood off to the side between Gavin and Nicole. Close enough to intervene, yet enough room to not encourage any stupidity.
"Gavin, this is Nicole Warsbey. A more recent pain in my ass. Like you, she's a total battle junkie." Kara introduced them with a sigh as she gestured between them.
Nicole held her hand out, dark brown colored scales flexed as she moved. "Nice to meet ya wolf. The fact that Kara is here, tells me all I need to know."
Gavin looked between Kara and Nicole's offered hand before he held out his. She took it into her own, her grip like steel as she shook his hand. "Same here, I guess."
Erza groaned as she stepped forward. "Seriously. Tonight's supposed to be about fun, not tense fighting." She popped him on the back of his head as she held her hand out. "Forgive him. He's a bit of an over-reactor."
Gavin yelped from the smack. More from the surprise than the actual impact as he rubbed the back of his head. Nicole chuckled and shook Erza's hand. "Sounds like he's got a good female to keep him straight."
Erza grinned at the tall Draconian. "Oh honey, you got that right. He'd forget to even eat his breakfast if I didn't remind him."
Gavin frowned. "Hey, I'm not that helpless on my own." He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the women.
"Oh sure your not. Just admit it. You'd be lost throughout all this if it wasn't for Erza." Aria called out as she stepped forward. She elbowed him playfully in the ribs.
Gavin swatted her hand away and gave in, cracking a small smile. "Okay, okay. You win."
Nicole smiled at the small group. "Any friend of Kara's is a friend of mine. I'm one of the bouncers at this club. You ever need anything, give a holler." With those words spoken she walked off into the crowd, her head and shoulders above nearly everyone else.
"Would you guys like to go somewhere quieter?" Kara asked the group as she gestured towards the stairs along one side of the wall.
The music had resumed its loud and upbeat tempo and was starting to give Gavin a headache. He nodded without looking at the others. "I'm curious about the rest of the club."
Before Kara could turn and lead the group away; a short, petite woman with long blonde hair pulled back in a high ponytail approached them. ""Can't you ever show up and not cause a scene Kara?"
Gavin frowned at this latest newcomer and let out a tired sigh. Then he did a double take. She was almost ethereal in her beauty. At first glance she appeared as a normal human that could have been a beauty model for a famous company, but after he looked closer, he noticed her ears were pointed. An elf!
"What do you want now Estelle?" Kara's voice was laced with something Gavin had only heard one other time. When Drake appeared.
"The owner wants to see your group." Estelle's tone was laced with cold hostility as she regarded the group.
Those words were enough to make Kara pale and step back. The only other time she acted that way, was when we met Lunaria. That caught Gavin's attention and he was immediately on alert as he narrowed his eyes at the newcomer. "Who's this owner, and why do they want to meet us, we just got here."
Estelle's emerald eyes flared and green mana filled the dance floor as an oppressive weight pressed down on everyone. Light's flickered, the music dimmed. The wooden floors creaked in response. "I suggest you find a different tone, pup. Not everyone is so thrilled that another Alpha wolf is among us."
Erza's mana flared in response to Estelle's threatening display as she stepped up beside Gavin. Brown hues of magic collided with the green in a vivid display. Nearby patrons gasped and hurriedly left the area in response. "And I suggest you drop your attitude. I don't know who you are, or what's going on. But frankly I don't like it."
Gavin kept his eyes on Kara, searching for any clue about what was going on and how to proceed. Meanwhile, Estelle took a step forward. "You are way out of your league little kitty. I'd step down before you cause a bigger scene. Now, Kara bring your charges and follow me." Estelle declared as she turned and headed towards a different part of the dance floor that held a single black elevator door clad with gold trim.
"Keep your mouths shut, no talking unless spoken to, do you understand?" Kara's harsh words cut through the music as she followed obediently behind Estelle.
"Kara, what is going on? Who is this owner?" Gavin asked as he followed the Valkyrie.
"I already told you wolf, Lady Tempestra owns all the Sanctuary clubs." Her words were quiet and foreboding as she glanced over her shoulder. "Congrats wolf." Kara let out a shaky breath. "You are about to meet another Goddess."