Chapter 37 Aniyah
ANIYAH
As soon as I entered the building, Van was there, waiting for me. He stood outside my office, eyes glued to his tablet, brow furrowed. I’d bet he was dealing with my lieutenants in other states, sorting out what I needed to handle and what he could take care of.
That intensity always did something to me, and now that I didn’t have to wait for our usual after-show fuck? My mind went straight to that filthy little place.
Before, I’d shove it down and tell myself to be patient, but not anymore. He was mine.
Peeling off my jacket, I let my wings unfurl, appreciating the shimmer of iridescence that told others I was taken.
I bit my lip, hovering for a second before silently gliding toward him.
The hallway wasn't long, but because I was trying to stay as silent as possible, it felt like it took forever to get to him.
The second my boots hit the floor with a heavy thud, I took the tablet and shoved him back against my office door.
“What’cha looking at?” I purred, eyes locked on his lips as he let out a surprised grunt.
“Tonight’s setup,” he breathed, his eyes eating me up like he hadn’t just seen me this morning.
I slid my knee between his legs, forcing them apart, then dragged it up his thigh. When his gaze flicked to the camera in the corner, then back to me, I saw the flicker of hesitation. He knew Ras was watching. He always was. But, damn it, that just made it hotter.
“Let’s give him a show,” I whispered, hooking my arm around Van’s neck and yanking him down.
I expected him to fold, to let me lead like he always did, but the second our lips touched, I felt it. The shift.
His arms wrapped around me, his tongue invading with purpose, fingers dragging up my spine to the base of my wings before he wrenched me back. Bent me. Took me.
The moan that ripped from my throat was raw, guttural, pulled from somewhere deep and aching.
One leg lifted and locked around his waist, my heel digging into his back as I rolled my hips into him, cursing the layers of fabric between us.
When we finally broke apart, we stayed close, foreheads pressed together, panting like we’d just sprinted across the damn continent.
“I think I can feel him vibrating with jealousy,” Van said smugly, his lips wet from our kiss.
I opened my mouth to agree, but my phone buzzed. Van stepped back immediately, knowing the rule: I had to check if it was my siblings.
With a huff, I pulled it out. Two texts lit up the screen.
Ras: Trying to make me jealous, huh?
Ras: It’s working.
I handed the phone to Van, and he glanced down. With a wide smirk, he turned toward the camera, gave a dramatic little bow… then flipped it off.
Adorable. Petty. Sassy as hell.
Gods help me, I think I’m really going to enjoy having mates like them.
The hot moment was gone, so I handed Van’s tablet back. I wasn't too mad about the interruption since I’d gotten a cute memory instead.
He tucked the tablet beneath his arm then cupped my cheeks. “Do you want me to talk to them about Glen?”
“Of course, not! You think I can’t do this?
” I scoffed and pulled away, my blood pressure rising by the second when I heard a set of footsteps coming our way.
I shoved those feelings away as Cara and Fashi strolled up with linked arms, teased hair, and shredded outfits.
They looked like they’d just survived the apocalypse, but they were smiling as if they’d just won the damn lottery.
“Boss!” they called, prancing over in nine-inch heels. “Look!” They motioned to their outfits. “We’re trying out a new scene tonight!”
I gave them an encouraging smile and a nod, pretending I knew what they were talking about. Behind me, Van leaned in and whispered, “Mr. Langston met the twins at the reopening last night and—”
“He fell in love with us, obviously!” They giggled in sync.
Cara reached out, petting the air dramatically. “We always wanted a kitty.”
That jogged my memory. Morento Langston, a cheetah shifter.
Rare, considering most non-were shifters came from Faerie.
They were always seen as second-class citizens until they crossed the Veil.
When they shifted, glowing lines lit their bodies like celestial tattoos, proof they weren’t from this world.
“We made a special night just for him!” Fashi clapped excitedly.
“We’re going to be plane crash survivors who end up stranded on an island, and he’s the lone native who's never been able to act on his... urges.” Her lips twisted in a dramatic pout as a single finger traveled down her face, mimicking the path of a lonely tear.
“Then,” Cara jumped in, clapping for my attention, “he sees us! Watches us bathe. And the urges take over, making him a ravenous beast.” Their eyes fluttered shut like they could already feel him. “He ties us up, shoves our heads in the water, and fucks us so hard we almost pass out.”
The sigh they released was more befitting a fairytale ending than what they’d described, but that was Cara and Fashi for you.
“Interesting,” I said, holding back a laugh. “Love the detail. Does Mr. Langston know about this plan?” Better to check since the last thing I needed was another Mr. Hirsh incident.
“Yes, of course! He said he wanted a jungle vibe, and we ran with it.” They nodded, practically vibrating with anticipation.
If I let them keep talking, they’d monologue the whole damn scene for me, and I didn’t have the time or patience for that. Glancing at my watch, I knew if I wanted to catch most of the security team, I needed to go now before shift change.
“Girls, I need to check in with security, but you’re doing amazing. Keep up the good work.”
Van gave me a little bow when I winked his way, and my heart thumped as my pussy clenched with need. Later, I told myself. I had a lifetime with him now.
“It’s hardly work for us, boss,” Cara said, waving her hand.
“If rent wasn’t a thing, we’d do this for free!” Fashi called after me.
I shook my head with a laugh. “Girls,” I said, walking backward, “never do anything for free, even if you love it. It cheapens the product.”
They nodded like I’d just dropped sacred wisdom. Van chuckled behind me, leaning against the wall with a smirk. I shrugged. Nothing was free in this world—just ask my mates. They had to work hard for me, and we were fated.
I turned and went down the hallway to the security room, taking a breath before I stepped inside.
The hum of typing and low voices filled the space. Screens lined the walls, shifting views from camera to camera, and in the center, a large holographic map flickered with colored dots and miniature people in motion.
My father, Falcon, had created these mobile maps, combining wind magic and technology. They gave the layout of any building and tracked its inhabitants by species with color-coded blips.
When we came into power, Calix had upgraded it. Now, it displayed a mini version of the being and even let you know which direction they were looking. After this incident, he upgraded it again, taking it even further.
It had been turned into a bloodhound system using the magical samples I’d collected on every employee’s first day. Want to know where someone was? The air magic embedded in the map could read a person’s aura and match it to the samples on file. It was impressive.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?”
The room went still, and heads whipped toward me. Eyes widened. Bodies tensed. I didn’t visit often, as this was usually Alic’s domain, so when I did, they knew it was serious.
“I’m not one to beat around the bush,” I said clearly. “We found Glen, but he’s dead.”
Murmurs broke out instantly.
“Do you think he did it?”
“He’s a traitor. Hope he got a traitor’s death.”
“What’s she gonna do to his mom?”
“Who’s gonna tell Natalie?”
That last one gave me pause. My brows pinched until I remembered Natalie had come into my office once, asking to file dating paperwork for her and Glen.
Van didn't mention it, and I hadn’t seen it in his file when I combed through his information.
Was it removed? Usually, Van filed those things, so he wouldn’t have missed it.
Pulling out my phone, I texted Van, asking if he remembered her filing that paperwork with him, then I walked over to Ryan, Alic’s second-in-command.
The vampire was clean, composed to the bone. He showed little to no personality, making him perfect for the job. “I want to let Natalie know myself. Can you show me where she is right now?”
He gave a sharp nod, black hair unmoving as he typed the command.
The holographic map spun, scanning floor after floor with soft breezes of air magic, but nothing popped up.
Frowning, Ryan tried again—still nothing.
That was when I knew something was wrong. Calix’s systems never failed. He tested everything to the brink. It wasn’t the machine. It wasn’t the magic. It had to be something else.
“Did anyone see Natalie come in today?” I called out to the room.
A small fairy with big, nervous eyes hesitantly raised her hand. “I-I saw her. Gina took her to the third floor. She looked like she was crying.”
The third floor. Again. And crying? Did she already find out? But how? Only Alic, Maso, and I knew about it at that point.
“I’ll go down there myself.” I turned away, lost in my thoughts.
Something didn't seem right. Things weren't adding up, and I still had to talk to her about Glen and see if he’d told her anything about what happened that night.
Ryan’s voice stopped me just as I got to the door. “Do you want backup?”
I looked over my shoulder, one brow raised. “You think I can’t handle one grieving girl?” What was up with all these men thinking I can’t do my damn job?
He stepped back instantly. I gave him a look that said to never question me again, but I softened it with a smile.
“I’ll call you if I need anything,” I said, heading for the elevator.
Walking down the hallway, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. I was missing something that felt just outside my line of sight.