G

Lex didn't know what time Sophia and he fell asleep but he knew the exact moment he woke up. An annoying ass voice was coming through the intercom. It created a waking nightmare that forces him to get out of the comfortable bed and cloud pillows.

He padded over to the front door and opened the door a crack. No sooner had he done that, did this little flat chest imbecile try to force her way through. It didn't make sense for her to even try, given his size compared to hers.

"You best stop and remember who you are dealing with." Lex opened the door to stare at Kathy who had three suitcases. "Why are you back?"

"Maybe you misunderstood something. I.." Kathy began to explain but his fatigue still nudged him.

He waved away her lousy explanation and pulled the suitcases in. Having to block Summer from coming in, only to slam the door shut once Kathy fully walked in.

"I'm going back to bed, you can do whatever but don't allow Summer in. I'm not in the mood to deal with that girl." Lex carried the suitcases into the room and crawled back into bed.

***

(Week two)

Broken parts, fragmented puppet arms, crystal spheres fractured into tiny shards littered the lab. Yet, the two red-eyed, crafters stared proudly at the five puppets building the sixth at rapid speed. Their backs straight and chin uplifted. The feeling of drowsiness dances at the back of their mind.

Progress!

The sixth puppet glowed brightly under the dark blue glow of the mana well. It's eyes flashed red four times before Its fingers moved. Then it took its first step, going from a slow, awkward walk to fully displaying fluidity of a flexible gymnast.

The sixth puppet moved to the alchemy table and began refining flora and fruits into liquids. It then spreads the liquid over a tray filled with tiny marble size holes. It placed an identical tray over the top and several runic circles spun around the trays. The moment it vanished, the tray floated up and twelve perfectly round pills were plucked out and placed in small containers. It continued this process until an entire shelf was filled with crystal vials.

"Four days and we are only just getting started." Sophia released a mighty yawn.

Lex rubbed his tired eyes. "It should become faster now. After thirty puppets, we can set up our own lab and save a little money."

Sophie already began walking to the bedroom. "Mm."

Lex chuckled but went to crash on the couch pushed up against the wall.

**(eighteen days later)**

Lex and Sophie walked across the entire shopping center. Their eyes study the size of the store's within the shopping square.

"This should be the best spot in my opinion. The crowd walks right past it and it's just tiny stores. But it covered a good plot of land." Sophia pointed at two fast food stores and a clothing store on the corner.

Lex waved for the thirty puppets to demolish the store. "It's fine with me. We are going to use space magic to make a minor plane inside, anyway."

The labor puppets rushed forward and ripped the building apart. Dismantling it like it was nothing more than Lego blocks. Leaving behind a dirt area that formed an L shape.

They moved on to digging the ground and laying a runic array. Six large black wells filled with silver and gold runes were placed in strategic points as if they were playing chase.

"It shouldn't take them long. Why don't you go get the other puppets to move out stuff over." Lex turned to a group of hardened looking warriors in mismatched plate armor.

Sophia nodded and walked off.

"Excuse me, Lord Dark. We heard that you were buying ore, flowers, and mana crystals by bulk." A rugged voice made Lex look at the lead warrior with a curious smirk.

"Yes but wait until my store finishes." Lex waved his hand at the puppets swarming over the framework that slowly formed a towering pagoda.

What look like petals of a flower extended outward from the ground. Each one ripples with silver runes that send waves of mana out. Harmlessly disturbing the dust and trash littered about.

In the centre of the flower rose a six story black and red Chinese style building, similar to a temple. The black wood outer framework followed by the red plank walls looked rather smooth and seamless. Like it wasn't a bunch of separate pieces but one whole.

"When have building stores become such a quick work?"

"When magic walked the lands."

"But that is really complicated work. It's a flower foundation and freaking six floor Asian style building built on top. That takes months of preparation and laying a solid foundation."

"Magic makes things happen. Stop over thinking."

"Yeah, don't you see the runic circles hovering around the puppets' hands? Can't confuse manual labor produced by your hands to magic."

"I am just saying this is incredible."

"We all agree. It looked amazing and seems like the Dark Wizard isn't the only one doing the same. Just that he's fancy with his puppets."

"Rich people get to do overbearing things."

"Is he recruiting?"

"Probably not right now."

"Why does he need to recruit when he can just drag a person through a dungeon?"

"Fair."

"He can drag me anywhere with those green eyes."

"Shameless."

The puppets disappeared inside and twenty more puppets showed up on the side of wagons being pulled by tigers. The new puppets unloaded crates and boxes, ushering them inside.

A shimmering blue barrier snapped over the pagoda just as mist settled over the top layer of the building. It soon formed a vortex of a denser cloud of mana. Mana that went from a gaseous state into a liquid rain that pelted the black and red shingles.

Sophie yawned and leaned against the wagon. "It actually works. I was scared you were going to make me figure it out."

"We went over it like twenty times with those small models. If it doesn't work, then we should lay on our swords." Lex shook his head.

"If you don't mind me asking, what is it you sell?" The same man asked.

"Alchemy-forged equipment, potions and pills, one-time use charms and magic items, and weapons suitable for Aura-users." Lex listed out.

"What is the difference between blacksmith armor and Alchemy?" Someone from a spreading crowd asked.

"Well, blacksmiths forged by banging out the impurities in ore and turning it into a blade. Then an enchanter comes behind and adds enchants but that limits the type of enchantment and amount." Lex grabbed his sword and pulled it out.

The black blade was devoid of the usual patterns formed from ink on runes and embedded silver or gold veins. Instead, when the mana was pushed into the blade, a dark green veins displayed on the blade. The twin ravens eyes lit up with bright, green flames.

A dark chill ran down the crowd's back. They took a step back but yearning swept through their grubby fingers.

"An alchemy blade starts with an enchanted core that already has up to forty-two enchantments. The blade is then refined on an entirely different spell that has purifying effects which makes the outer layer more amiable to mana. By the time, the cross guard and hilt is added, the enchantments can reach up to over hundred-fifty." Lex casually waved the sword towards the sky and a dense black crescent tore through the air. "For Combat Wizards, this is essentially a godly weapon that can utilize that last twenty percent of mana more efficiently."

"Is that all you are selling?"

"No, we are selling a lot more but you can check when we open. I'm not going to waste my breath explaining when you will be able to see…"

"It's finished." Sophia interrupted.

Lex turned around and saw the floating words, 'Ebony Rose'. He turned and walked in with Sophia. They directly passed through the open doors and were teleported to the sleeping quarters.

"Okay, catch you when I wake up." Sophia went into a room with her name on it.

Lex nodded and headed straight back to the room facing the long hall. He hit the showers and crawled under the handcrafted sheets.

**(Jan. 6th aka month and few days later)**

Lex pulled down his glasses and checked the time. The so-called city planning council meeting was being established in ten minutes. It felt more like a bunch of simps wanting to establish their prestige over the ordinary folks.

"I finished the reward system and the new encryption based on the dragon language. Anything else you need before I go hang out with my friends?" Sophia spun around.

Lex rubbed his eyes. He couldn't really think of any needs he had at the moment. Actually he just didn't want to think anymore. The dragon inheritance he received after he tweaked himself with fake dragon heart and fake dragon heart essence, left his mind at one of the lowest points he ever experienced.

Saying he had a bad hangover would have been a nice way to say he got fuck up but didn't touch a bottle.

"No, you can go." Lex waves his hand and stands up.

Lex snatched up his staff and checked his bracelet for his spell book and the lifesaving charms. He strolled out the door, teleporting the next step to appear outside the town hall.

The huge palace size grey building looked the most ordinary compared to the gilded buildings that stood above it. Yet, the foot traffic alone equates to all the surrounding buildings. For the five dungeons decorated the first lobby, which was the life vein of the yet established city.

Lex glanced at his Russian deputy, Tasha. She wore a beautiful red dress that hugged her upper body very well. Sadly, it led downward in bell shape but the lower part looked entirely like a closed rose. Ruin the perfect visage of the body that was gifted by God and perfected by man.

"Guild leader, you look exhausted." Tasha smiled and threw an annoyed glance at Brock.

Brock did a lazy wave to her and bowed to Lex. "My lord, we have made significant progress with the Raging Fire Plane. I believe that you will be excited to see the resources we bring back."

Lex's eyes lit up but then he heard the bell song and sighed. "Let's go in and get this over with."

They walked through the large open entry and past the set of security puppets. Ignoring the gathering crowds or the solo men looking for parties.

"Frost wizard! Looking for a party!"

"Level 30 warrior in enchanted gear!

"Looking for a level 30 Earth mage. Must have a spellbook with at least three crowd-control spells."

"It's nice to see the city expanding compared to how it was before." Brock muttered.

"Well, if they meet our standards, I'm sure they will join us too." Tasha glanced at the veteran groups resting at the food tables.

"Too bad, we met our limit regarding resources. If I had a few more warriors, I could push further into the plane." Brock cracked his knuckles.

"That has nothing to do with the amount of warriors and has everything to do with the fact that the elementals are immune to physical damage." Tasha zapped an arguing couple aside.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, we didn't mean to block your way."

They moved up the stairs and towards the left. Ignoring the complaints and apologetic nature of the lazy fucks standing in the middle of the hall when there was more than enough room to move aside for incoming traffic.

"What about the new recruits? How are they doing with the meditation methods?" Lex guided them into the centre of the building, past a flurry of multi color flowers.

"They are still in the Refinement stage but it has only been four days. We do have three new recruits who have above board talent that have reached spiritual establishment in under two days. But it's about accumulation after that point, so they are slowing down." Tasha reported.

"Single or compound?" Lex gestured at the open picnic tables off to the side of the large fountain.

They moved off the white, marble walkway and onto the vibrant green grass backed by towering cherry blossom trees.

"Single. We didn't want to overwhelm them. After all, I have the best talent and yet, I'm behind you and Brock." Tasha ran a hand over her bottom as she sat down.

"Don't blame us for being slow. Plus we both are using compound elements too." Brock crossed his arm and put his back to the skylight.

"No, you are using one compound method. Whereas, I am using two separate methods. Lightning-fire and Lightning-wind. You are just using the Lava method. Much easier." Tasha smirked.

A dark umbrella cast Lex and Tasha in shadows. The opposite side, a man in a thick, white robe lined with gold sat in a golden chair lined with runes that emanated a golden light. The man stared into Lex eyes with his own golden glow before turning to the entrance with disdain pushing out his laugh lines.

"Technically, I'm cultivating three methods. One to allow two different mana mixtures on top of the Dark-wind and Dark-water." Lex flaunted then stared at the three camo guys flanked by three people looking like useless politicians.

"The twins invited the government goons. Since they did establish themselves during the founding period." Brock turned his thick neck to stare them down.

"It's not like it matters. They will just send in spies to try and steal our tech. Better to just wipe them out." Tasha yawned.

"You sound just like a nut job. Kills this, kill that. Stop taking my job and be the pretty flower you were born to be." Brock fingers traced a long dark scar on his forearm.

Robin and Rachel walked to the center of the square. They both waved their hands and the noise from the outside world dimmed to silence.

"Okay, let's begin the second meeting since the founding of God's Rest." Robin sat down on a chair that appeared behind him.

"Why are those fools here?" Pop Charles opened the forum with a wonderful question.

Rachel tapped a screen border with pink hearts, it enlarged quite slowly. "We all know we are vying for time. So let's skip the awkwardness and focus on the big picture."

Pope Charles snorted and rested his hands on his scepter.

The screen finished enlarging and it showed a map of the city on both sides. It took a second to zoom in on the eastern coastline which we bordered.

"We cleared up many blocks surrounding our little dome. Recruiting vast amounts of the early veterans but more and more people are catching on. Migrating from towns or other parts of our city. Yet, we can't let them dictate how the city is to be built. So we need to plan this out well." Rachel continued speaking.

"Me and my sister have developed a baseline design but we aren't as knowledgeable in this field as some of you. It would be best if we jointly coordinate this." Robin added.

"I wouldn't mind allowing my specialist to design the city for you." One of the suits raised his hand with a lazy smile.

Pope Charles snorted. "That isn't what he said and do you even have the strength to be here?"

The brown haired man let out a chuckle. "My name is Thomas Parker, Senator of the state…"

Lex yawned. "He doesn't mean your former power but the fact that you are so weak that I can drink your soul with a glance." Lex's bright, green eyes rimmed by black, turned to the silly man.

Senator Parker hurried and closed his eyes. Digging out his glasses from his coat pocket and pushed them onto his face. "Is this how you act in a meeting of peers?"

Lex disregarded him and pulled up a screen. He split the city into four surrounding a circle. His fingers quickly worked at drawing out a large array made from countless small runic circles.

When he stopped, Pope Charles' subordinate began adding to it. Followed by Elizabeth and her two Alchemists. Just like that they rotated until a complex array took over the screen.

"Aren't the rest of you going to add in?" Senator Parker sneered.

A middle-aged man with a dad bod turned to the Senator. "You should stop talking after what your cowards pulled this morning."

The Senator frowned. "They only have one life. You can't expect them to throw it away for nothing."

"I agree. This is why no one will work with your people after this."

"Who are you to dictate this?" Senator glanced at Lex.

"I'm Ryan of the Phantom Wind Guild. The leader of the mercenary guild as well." Ryan squinted his eyes like he was talking down to a child.

The Senator snorted. "A nobody."

"I second his proposal to not associate with cowards." Yu-jun raises her hand.

"Third." Chandler of the Water Dragon Guild spoke out.

The Pope just raised his hand. Followed by Abram and Arthur behind him.

Robin sighed. "Motion passed. The Government faction can no longer accept joint-tasks. Now back to the main tasks at hand."

The Senator gritted his teeth but held his silence. His eyes went to the city display, ignoring the General sneering smile.

"As for the quarters.." Lex assigned names based on alliance.

Sticking Light, Thunder, and Metal Guilds with the Government and Military goons. Shadow, Wind, Water, and Ice on opposite sides. Neutral party in one square in-between them and Mercenary groups in another quarter. The center was labeled as a market.

"I don't agree with this." Pope Charles straight forward turned to glare at Lex, his aura spreading forth.

Grass and leaves whipped about as if they were in the midst of a storm. Sunlight from the skylight, marched forward with the momentum of cavalry.

Lex chuckled and released a portion of his aura. "Looking for humiliation?"

A mighty dragon roared, sending the shadows rushing forward like Olympic sprinters. Both auras spread around the twins but collided like children pulling on a favorite toy.

Pope Charles squinted and pushed a little harder. Light congealed into a cross, adding to the amount of light that tried to take a step further.

Lex released another increment and the wind stirred like an ominous sign. The ground covered by pure white light began to retreat under the silent fatherly pressure. The cross in the sky crumbled like a sprinkling of salt.

Pope Charles grabbed his scepter and pushed mana into it. "The light will never succumb to the darkness!"

Rousing a winged angel silhouette behind his back, yet the retreat only slowed to a crawl.

Lex raised his eyebrow and he released another increment. "I once heard a priest say, you never known the light until you walk in the dark."

Darkness spreaded out like spilt ink. Corroding the very ground the light had to stand on. Casting the source of light in the sky into eternal darkness. Leaving only the bubble of light surrounding the Pope and his three men.

Pope Charles gritted his teeth. "I admit defeat."

Lex withdrew his aura. "Then it's settled. We build our own quarters to our own themes. As for the middle? Make it a nice beautiful park, Desmond and Elizabeth."

Abram crackled with lightning. "What I want to know is, what are we going to do about the Dark Elves and Dark Dwarves that you put us in direct opposition to?"

Rachel raised her eyebrows. "Aren't you and Charles strongest against them? Or do I have my element sheet backwards?"

Pope Charles dap his head with a handkerchief. "What we really want to know is if we are going to be charged for defending the city or can we bring in and sell the war loot without taxes?"

Robin snickered. "Are you suggesting the same for McCallum? He's back against the ocean and we know how those sea tribes like to attack our fishing ships."

Pope Charles waved his hand, removing the question.

"Let's call the meeting. Send your puppets to build the grand array while we are here." Robin added.

"Please finish your quarter in four days to handle the influx of people." Rachel waves her hand, removing the barrier.

Everybody's second in command left but the Military group who didn't get access to the complete array. Each group fodder into their cloister to discuss the theme and distribution of their quarters.

Lex turned to his allies who crowd close. "I like the style of.."

"Don't say Asian and look at me." Yu-Jun pulled at her sleeve.

Lex glanced at her then just transformed the quarter according to his vision. He split the quarter into four squares. Building hills with rivers sweeping through. Gardens and pink orchids jogging lanes. He built a square in the middle.

Yu-jun's dedicated hands dove into a side near the coast line. While Chandler touched his chin and moved near Ryan who was also looking a bit out of place.

"Is it just me or the fact that McCallum artistic touch seems a little gay." Chandler whispered.

Ryan touched his nose. "I'm gay."

Chandler rubbed his short wavy hair. "My bad."

Brock laughed. "His teacher is Elven and Elves have a weird artistic nature."

"But that doesn't explain the way he dresses." Chandler pointed at Lex's black and red three piece suit.

Ryan nodded. "That rose is a nice touch but what about the bracelet or the long hair with two braids in front of his head."

Brock shrugged. "He's a wizard and the face of the guild. Well, the face of God's Rest."

Binna laughed. "You find his clothes odd but not the fact that he is wearing a choker or rose earrings? If his chest wasn't so wide, he would look better than all your wives."

Ryan sighed. "Gay. Husband."

"What I don't understand is how he is capable of living after fucking with his DNA and coming out like that?" Chandler grumbled.

"Dark inheritance deals in the study of anatomy and tons of luck mixed with alchemy. But the side effects are no joke." Brock shivered.

"Oh, tell us. What naughty things have the Dark One gotten into." Binna leaned forward.

Ryan and Chandler nodded.

Brock smirked. "He can't stay in the human form long right now. Or if he's distracted, he will turn into a Dragon-tiger. He likes raw meat but he eats cooked meat. Just that he has his own animal farm that he devours whole sometimes."

Chandler snorted. "I thought you were going to say he eats people or something."

Lex turned to them and they all looked down. "I drink blood. Do you want to see?"

Nobody said anything.

"Check out your side and see if you want to change something?" Lex pointed at the 3D display.

Ryan and Chandler shook their heads.

"McCallum.." Elizabeth walked over in her uniformed robes with the Alchemist symbol of mortar and peddle.

"Hm?" Lex turned into the Leader of all Alchemists.

"I would like to barter for usage of your puppets." Elizabeth stopped six steps away from him.

"Supply me with herbs at a discount and I'll be happy to loan them to you."

"Give me a market and I'll set aside the rare ones for you."

Lex held out his hand, charms clacking at his wrist. Elizabeth shook his hand and walked away.

"Why don't you look at her like you look at Valerie?" Yu-jun elbowed Lex.

"Flat." Lex's legs shifted.

The building shook and they heard many loud yells from drama queens.

"That is mighty generous of you. Body shaming women just because they aren't born a certain way." Yu-jun retorted.

Chandler snorted. "What type of man do you like?"

Both Binna and Yu-Jun turned to look at Lex and then the Blonde kid behind Pope Charles.

"Exactly. You are body shaming men." Chandler replied.

Binna shook her head. "No we aren't. We just like men with a strong build."

Ryan touched his nose. "That is the essence of body shaming. Preferring a certain type over another to the degree of aggressive bias."

Lex yawned. "Speaking of which.. I have a bunch of replies to my trophy wife selection."

A screen pops up and the group huddles around.

"Damn, is that a human? Look at the way her waist is my forearm." Chandler pointed.

"Those breasts aren't real." Yu-Jun snorted.

Lex laughed and swiped to the next.

"Long nose. Too much makeup and what is that nose ring? Why is it too high up?" Ryan crossed one arm over his chest and placed the other onto the forearm.

"I agree. Next." Brock added.

Lex laughed and swiped next. This girl was visually pleasing to Lex. Natural black hair and blue eyes that felt more like looking at a stormy sky. Nice breasts that didn't pop out as balls but it sat just right to seem like she had a big breast. Her torso was just a rectangle until the lines got to the waist that flared out. Just the thighs were worth giving her a deeper look. When one of the pictures showed her heft and then the cleft. It was more than enough to make him want to see her in person.

"Too chubby. An eight but that's it." Brock added.

Chandler frowned. "I have to say six."

Yu-jun shook her head. "What's so good about this fat girl?"

Lex looked at her. "Better than a board that can go out in tiny shorts but nobody notices."

Yu-jun pulled up the sleeves of her loose sweater. "Fight me."

Lex swipe left and this lady is definitely a ten in the face but.. she had no body and couldn't even show it off. Wore clothes to make her look better.

"Ten." Chandler spoke quickly.

Brock and Ryan looked at him. "Mm."

Yu-jun snorted. "Better not say anything."

Binna turned to Lex. "Why do you need a Trophy wife anyway?"

Lex smiled. "To wear on my arm when I host balls to flaunt my wealth and the fact that no man wants to look me in the eye."

"Wow.. you are so sexist. It's like we aren't anything more than breasts, pussy, and a pretty face." Yu-jun grabbed Lex's arm when the building shook again.

"No, you are a puppet." Lex brushed her hand off.

Brock and Chandler covered their mouths and looked away.

"Don't think I can't beat your ass." Yu-jun punches Lex in the side.

He brushed off the full body punch and started walking towards Tasha.

"Boss, keep swiping." Brock gestured at the screen.

Tasha squeezed in and looked with a frown. "Why don't you just ask Dana from Finance? She is ten or me? I'm at least a nine." She turned to Brock. "Don't you agree?"

"About Dana, sure. Sadly, she is engaged to an eight and gay. But I think she wouldn't mind being Parade on my lord's arm. Or he can ask Destinee. Even though she is a bit tomboy, she is single and doesn't fuck around. Plus she is ten and a squad leader that is at the peak of T2." Brock pushed a stumbling guy aside.

"I agree too. Halle is good too. Nine and she broke through to T3 on a compound element. Her husband is just an accessory from what I hear. Don't even sleep in the same room." Tasha added.

Lex yawned and dropped his arms over the second floor railing. He looked down on the mixed teams. "How about her?"

Brock squinted. "Isn't she that Military chick that often comes around and uses her looks to get info? She is a dime but I just don't know about her."

Tasha pulled up a screen. "Her husband died of cancer and she hasn't dated since. Focused on her work and sister family. Oh, the guys under her control quit and formed a mercenary company. Being going strong for a month, up north but they made their way over to us."

Brock hum. "The military sure is trying everything. But I would agree with her. You like the eyes and she has those piercing blue eyes. Perfect blend of blonde and black hair cut short enough to make her look absolutely stunning. In that full body dress with the open back, I'm already tenting. I approve of this one."

"But not me?"

"What do you think, my lord?"

"I am curious about the government's plans since they splintered." Lex pointed at the blonde that was throwing them many looks while wearing a white blouse and white loose pants.

Brock motioned for her to come up. "She is really brave."

"Ignorance is bliss." Tasha moved to a side table and sat down.

Brock patted Lex's back and went to hit the bar.

Marissa Sparks walked up to Lex with a smile, a gentle aura surrounded her.

Lex motioned to the empty booth and walked over. "I'm curious. Do you know how easy it is to obtain any and all information through magic?"

Marissa spread her hands. "I don't know but why don't we talk about what makes you curious enough to spy on me with magic?"

Lex waved his hand and a crystal orb shot from his bracelet and landed on the table. Light shot from inside and displayed a motion picture of Marissa in her fatigues accepting the missions to pick an inheritor and get close.

Lex ignored the sweat that beaded on her forehead. The way she pulled her hands off the table and caressed a charm on her bracelet.

He ordered food and then turned back to her. "Don't worry. I won't bully a girl but I will suppress the military if annoyed. Anyway, you applied to be my trophy wife and I really like what I saw and see now."

Marissa let out an audible breath and rested her forearms on the table again. "So I got the job?"

"Of course but the question is. Does this conflict with the memory of your husband? Is the sacrifice worth it to you?" Lex crossed his arms upon the table and leaned forward.

Marissa's brows furrowed and her lips parted and closed. She held silent for the time it took for the waitress to come out with his food.

Lex picked up his fork and dove into the pink sauce dumped on a pile of white, long shrimp.

"I don't understand how this will interfere with my dead husband. Was this an attempt to dig up old memories in a way to hurt me?" Marissa sounded oddly like the calm, after-rain.

Lex grabbed the black cloth that was provided as a napkin. The folded cloth touched his lips before dropping back down on the red rose tablecloth.

"I am wondering if this will make you wake up crying? Being in the arms of another man while your husband isn't even a year dead. Or if you are thinking that this is just business. A dutiful responsibility in order to save even more lives?"

"I still don't understand how this will affect you? Isn't this my personal business? Or do you get off on being an asshole because they call you lord this and Dark lord that." Marissa nostrils flared, a little pink swept across her cheeks.

She leaned forward and reached out with her delicate hand. Picking up a shrimp by the tail, being careful not to waste the pink sauce on top. Her pretty pink lips parted and her white teeth bit into the sauce covered shrimp. Her lips closed around the un-sauce part and she gently pulled backwards on the tail, leaving a little meat dangling from the twin fins.

Lex watched her eat the shrimp and a thousand words came to his mind. Yet, he turned with the smell that reminded him of the bakery that used to sell breakfast foods across from his school. That heavy scented baked bread filled more than just that shop.

It's the very same with this smell. Destinee sashayed over in Grey joggers and hoodie. Her black, curly hair bound up in a ponytail that still released just enough hair to highlight her grey eyes and the boundless stars across her face. Her pink lips covered in a layer of red that made you realize how similar to a shoreline her upper lip was. A pink sandy shore that curved with the bend of a river.

Destinee dropped down into the booth and turned to face Lex with her lips quirk to one side.

"So, you didn't make it down to my profile or what?"

Lex opened a screen with a flick of his wrist. He scoured the Trophy wives to find her profile and damn, did his pants tent. She not only sent multiple pictures but three videos that showed off every beautiful aspect of her life. From the fact that she was an imperfect beauty.

The scars on her stomach to the stretch marks, it didn't diminish any of the major aspects that called out to him. In fact, her effort to get tattoos to cover some of the worst scars actually made him feel closer to her. Like she had a story that could relate to his life.

Unlike the others, she included her daughter who looked twelve. Similar looks with the freckles and bright smile.

Guess, she is saying take her in and it includes her daughter.

That wasn't all. She had a white wolf as a pet. Many pictures of her cooking skill, many included her daughter's flour wrapped face. This was a perfect inclusion into her life.

Explains the bakery smell.

He scrolled through a few more profiles to see if anybody else did anything nearly as profound as she did. Even if they didn't know a little about my background, to include a little about yourself in that way...

"So, I am going to blame Brock and the fact that I haven't had any sleep." Lex ignored Marissa and turned to Destinee.

"That's fair but now that you did. What is your answer?" Destinee eyebrow pointed up.

"Marry me?" Lex pulled out a black box and flipped the lid to show a band that looked like a dragon tail. The gem itself was shaped like a miniature tiger with wings. It wasn't as in your face as a large diamond but the artwork said more in his opinion.

Destinee rolled her eyes and drummed her fingertips on the table. "Are you being serious, right now?"

"Why can't I?"

"Well, I'm not going to marry you. I really just want the benefits and to have the opportunity to do something else besides be a warrior in your army." Destinee closed the lid.

Lex smiled and the box disappeared. "That's fair. I was being rash." He turned to Marissa. "Well, I apologize but better.."

"You can't have two trophy wives? After all, what if she wants to do something else when you have a ball or something. Having a backup isn't a bad choice." Marissa clasped her hands together.

Lex shook his head. "I honestly was being lazy by picking the first that my Deputies agreed with. Sadly, you would be third in line if I chose myself."

Marissa fingernails dug into each other. "Don't you think this is a bit.. fuck up? With how you played with my emotions then toss me aside?"

Destinee leaned back and enjoyed the show.

"There was once a woman that I wanted to marry. We had dozens of talks that sometimes led to arguments about our future. The kids we would have, of course I wanted boys. But she ended up dying of cancer and I sat in a courthouse not even being able to see her. That left a mark on me and maybe I am trying a little to recreate that but it's something that doesn't just go by." Lex took a sip of wine and glanced at Marissa. "You can use the job as a way to ignore the past but I just don't find the whole denial thing attractive. It's just pathetic but I get it."

Marissa slammed back into the dark red, back-cushion. Her face was a rainy downcast.

Destinee turned in her seat and watched two more girls show up.

Lex knew of Dana from Finance. She often argued with him over every penny spent and was the second one to include her life. Even though it was a little dry.

As for the white haired girl, no fucking clue but they scooted into the booth like they were meant to be there.

Lex held up his hand as Dana moved to speak. "First, how did you all know I was here?"

"Brock." They said in unison.

I see.

Lex looked over at Brock's smiling face. The fucker even had the nerve to wave his fingers. Yet the words gay often comes from his mouth.

Lex turned to the platinum blonde and sighed heavily. She wasn't even close to the standard of the other two. In fact, she was more one-sided.

"Okay, so I already picked it and it's Destinee. After all, she included her life in the profile and I can get her desires."

Dana shrugged. "This is a new Era and most powerful men will have two or more women. I'm not even all that high maintenance, I just want a family and man I know that can and will take care of them. Also, you might want to read your profile again. I think Tasha and Brock are messing with you."

Lex's eyes froze and he scrolled to the top and read his post. The first half was as expected but the example of what to send changed. The introduction stated his goals and what he wanted out of life. It wasn't all that in-depth when he did it as he was eating at the time.

Yet, now it really profiled him and he knew Tasha worked as an FBI profiler. Which is how she met Nicole thick ass but fuck did she scour his life to come up with this.

Lex bit his lips and noticed that the pictures were split into several categories. Work, private, gym, and hobbies. They perfectly told a tale and it even included that damn angel who always find a way to call him stupid. Not only that but pretty boy as if looking good equate to being stupid.

Who doesn't want to be the most attractive self during the apocalypse. Every book always has pretty boys getting the most ass with very little emotional work.

"So what do you say, us four?" Dana grinned.

Lex turned to Destinee. "You won hands down. So if you don't agree then they will bounce. I only had one in mind."

Passing off the choice makes me look less like a sex hound but boy, oh, boy. I am going to break their backs in. No, breaks.

Destinee laughed. "I am fine with having sisters.

Lex finished his wine. "Well, you guys can move into my house whenever you are ready. I'm going back to sleep before tomorrow's escort missions."

Marissa raised her hand. "I don't know where it is."

Lex sighed and grabbed her hand. Next instant they appeared in his bedroom. He quickly rolled out of his clothes and stepped into the bathroom, releasing a lovely stream.

"Your room looks a lot cleaner than I thought it would." Marissa leaned against the doorway. Her eyes were greedy taking him in.

"I'm not a savage. I have puppets to do the cleaning." Lex released his human form and sigh as his tail slapped against the tile floor.

He rolled his shoulders and the sounds of crackling exploded out. He bent this way and that before stepping into the shower.

"So you decided to stop being human?" Marissa took off her slippers then her slacks.

"No, I made a mistake and didn't have a few ingredients to truly process the refined serpent blood that had a few drops of diluted dragon blood. In the end, I became this but I fixed the issues later for others but not myself. It was too late." Lex turned on the shower.

Marissa dropped her blouse and bra and set it onto the sink. She tried to hide the solemn mist in her eyes. Yet, Lex's eyes weren't on her body but focused on reading every muscle twitch to emotional fluctuations that caused her aura to roll and twist.

The moment she stepped into the shower, he allowed his body to display understanding and acceptance. Definitely as the speakers blasted out.

'Don't tell me this is all for nothing! I can tell you one thing. On the nights you feel outnumbered, I'll be out there somewhere.' - Dermot Kennedy (outnumber)

He grabbed her cheeks with both his hands. Ignoring the way her lips went from smiling to normal. The water that rose above the waterline in her eyes.

He lifted her face to meet his, savoring that initial taste. His fingers drank the salty, coolness when her tears rolled downhill.

Marissa jab her elbows into the bend of his arms. Letting her arms steal the top position to wrap around his neck and dangle over his back. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she focused on that spicy-sweet taste of the pink shrimp sauce.

Lex took a step back into the shower head's spit. They both ignored the scalding splattered as they lost themselves in a memory. The rise and fall of their chest sent up frosty mist that tangled with the steaming rain.

Marissa pulled her head back and glanced around the Single-person, walk-in shower. "Bed?"

Lex bit his lip and nodded. He walked with wide steps out the bathroom. Stepping on his clothes and over the discarded staff. His knee slammed into the bed, he ignored the pain rampaging at stubbing that funny bone.

Marissa's back bounced twice when she dropped onto the bed. Her legs parted and an icy feeling sent shockingly, tingles and heat flooding her brain. She arched her back and shoved her hips further into his mouth. Her fingers gripped his crown of horns. The ridges dig into her palm, leaving behind red lines.

"Sorry, D'Angelo.." She whispered. She stared at the ceiling depicting fallen angels.

Lex allowed her to pull him up by his horn. His rigid staff pointed forward, effortlessly entering her welcome hearth. He didn't focus on pacing or even stroking often. His lips jump ship from her lips to her neck and then her collar bone right down to her nipples.

It seems to be more than enough for both of them. Or more accurately, it led Marissa through one body wracking orgasm into multiple smaller ones.

"Shit! Shit! Stop for a second!" Marissa pushed against his shoulder. Her chest rising and falling like helpless log in a turbulent river.

Here comes the leaky dam.

Lex kissed his way down her stomach and only planted kisses.

One.. two.. ah there it is.

Sobs choked her. Her hand tried to grab onto her heart, leaving behind fingernail imprints instead.

It's kind of unfair that she looks that good while breaking down. Should I let her continue or go to sleep? Fuck! I should have listened to my brain. What if this happens more often than once, now I went and been a dumbass?

It only took her two minutes to throw off that oppression. She pulled Lex back up by his horns.

"Rougher!"

Lex obliged. His legs spread out like sails and his hips caught that north wind. He didn't worry about whether he was going too deep or if he was gripping too hard on her breasts and neck. She more than pushed at his hands when she couldn't take it. Turned her hips or rised off the bed when he hit the baby making spot.

Fuck! I'm about to bust and she still looks like a steamed crab. Fuck it. I want kids anyway. Worse off, I'll be on child support.

Lex leaned down and gripped her neck. He brushed his lips against hers and caught that hitch in the way her body had been struggling. Then it was like a release hit all at once on her furious inhale.

Such a hideous sound. Hope she doesn't do that often and keep to that sexy, hair-curling moans. I don't want someone running in thinking I'm being all Evil wizard and shit.

"Don't stop!"

Stop?! I have cool downs! Ain't no spell casting reduction here! It's all about the timing.

Lex rolled onto her right leg and pulled her with him. He changed his stroking to the sound of slow and chill R&B, the king of lovemaking music.

Marissa ran her hand down his bicep. Adjusting to the change of pace that went from love making to fast and furious back down to that, I just want to hold your bad ass, flow.

"I'm sorry for crying. It-it.." She took a deep breath and did a weird hand roll around her chest. "It just came up. I couldn't stop it."

Lex took the safe route and just listened. His hips didn't stop the slow roll. All he could do really with the way he laid and her long leg draped over him.

"Honestly, it's all your fault for bringing it up like that." Marissa gave a sexy chuckle. "Those green eyes are really too intense. Like you're staring right into my soul and shit. Makes it hard to breathe when you get to making love like that and then you just stare and stroke."

I mean, can I thank my pops for blessing me with good genes? But who is he going to thank for those nine generations of good luck?

"You done with your break? I really want to feel you in me." Marissa grabbed the back of his neck as she sought his lips. Pulling him back on top at the same time

Talk about a needy woman. Guess she got over the depression quickly. Call me Mr. Right because my dick is always on point!