by J. E. Cluney
Mr Oxley really did want to be prepared.
“Speaking of which, I think they just arrived,” Melinda sighed as she cast a weary look over her shoulder to the door.
How could she know that? Must be a witchy thing.
I rose, curiosity getting the better of me, and Sav stood up.
“Going to go see what the big deal is, eh?” Melinda mused before huffing. “S’pose I should too. See just what Johnathan has wrangled me into helping with. Won’t lie, staying in this mansion will be a treat. Save for needing to smoke, but he gave me a room with a balcony, so I guess that’ll have to do,” Melinda rambled as she followed after us.
Leon had informed us via our mind-link that they had indeed arrived, and he was heading to the front door to greet them.
“Do you think they’ll remember me?” Sav asked softly, and I reached out to take her hand.
She had mixed feelings about them, considering they were soldier children who’d gone after her.
I didn’t blame her for being cautious.
“Probably,” I murmured.
Why wouldn’t they? They were just being reformed, not having their memories wiped.
“I thought you didn’t meddle in the affairs of warlocks?” I mused as I glanced over my shoulder at Melinda.
“I don’t. But Mr Oxley assured me I wouldn’t be involved in anything to do with the warlock himself, just the children. Guess he knew I’m a sucker for helping kids,” she huffed.
Right. I couldn’t really see that, but then again, I didn’t know her all that well. Maybe she did have a soft side.
We met up with Leon in the foyer, and we headed to the door with Melinda in tow.
Leon pushed through the stained glass door, and I drew in a sharp breath as the convoy of SUVs rolled up.
Sav’s hand tightened in mine, and I tried to peek into her mind to see what she was thinking.
She was wondering if Lucy would say anything to her, and if the children would suddenly launch at her.
I assured her I wouldn’t let them lay a finger on her if they did, but I doubted they’d get past Mr Oxley anyway.
The SUVs engines shut off, and the doors of all five of them sprung open.
Men in suits got out first, accompanied by the children.
I felt Sav’s odd thought at seeing them all in normal casual clothing.
She preferred it over the uniforms they’d boasted last time she’d seen them.
Such young children too.
A curvy brunette in jeans and a tee climbed out of the last vehicle as well, looking a little uncertain as she glanced around, before her eyes settled on Sav.
She frowned, and a wave of relief washed over her features.
Sav saw this too, and I felt her relax mentally.
“Welcome, children, and lady, to my home. We call it the Institute of Supernaturals. It is as much my home as it is yours, now. And you will be looked after here, and safe,” Mr Oxley said, his voice loud in the darkened night.
Even I relaxed at his words, and I could see the children frowning softly, although they appeared to be relaxing a little after their drive here.
How strange. They were all so quiet, which was odd for children aged between six and ten.
There were only two girls, the rest were boys. I glanced around the group of children. Seven in total.
That wasn’t too bad.
“I’m sure you must all be hungry after that long drive. Leon here will show you to your quarters to put your belongings, and then he’ll take you to our dining hall, where we’ve got quite the feast prepared to welcome you,” Mr Oxley’s voice was gentle and welcoming, and I was still amazed at how well he handled everything.
The men with the children sent them off with only a few words, and the children looked to Leon to lead the way.
“Hi, I’m Leon. This is my brother, Damien, and my mate, Savage,” Leon said as the children crowded at the bottom of the steps and looked up at us. They had backpacks on, and were still silent.
Their eyes flicked between us, and a few of them frowned as they looked at Savage.
“We know you,” the eldest boy said.
“Yeah, we met,” Savage nodded, but she shot me a worried look. She had no idea what else to say. Was she meant to tell them where from?
“Declan had us attack you,” the older of the two girls, a blonde, murmured as her brow furrowed.
“That’s correct,” Sav nodded.
“Which was wrong. He was a bad man,” one of the boys said firmly.
Sav sighed at this. “That’s right. He was a bad man. But he’s gone now, and you’re going to love it here,” she smiled. “The food is awesome too.”
Some of the children seemed to perk up a bit at this statement, but the other still looked confused or even harbored blank expressions.
“Well, come on in, I’ll show you to your room. We’ll get you settled in then head to the dining hall for dinner,” Leon said, clearing his throat as he gave Sav and I a sideways glance.
The children started up the steps, and I watched as the blonde girl stopped before us.
“I’m sorry we attacked you, Savage,” she said softly as she gripped the straps of her bag.
Her hair had a single clip in it with a bow near her ear, and her long locks hung down over her purple shirt. She wore a skirt and black shoes, reminding me of any other normal schoolgirl.
“It’s okay, it’s not your fault,” Sav said gently. “What’s your name?”
“It used to be three, but they’ve told me my name is Hannah now. I like it better too,” she said, smiling for the first time since arriving.
“I like Hannah, it’s a nice name,” Sav said as she knelt down. “I’m sorry if I hurt you when you guys came after me. I was just protecting myself.”
“That’s okay, we know,” Hannah smiled. “Do you guys have a playground here?”
Sav shot me a worried look.
No, we did not, but I guess that’d have to change.
Her mouth quirked upwards at my thought.
“It’s getting built, so don’t worry, you’ll have one very soon,” Sav promised.
“I hope it has swings,” Hannah said before giving us a wave as she followed the other children inside the house.
“So, you going to build that playground?” Sav smirked as she stood up.
“Figured we can help. Dominic can probably use some magic to get it together quicker. Either that or we can pay someone to get it installed,” I mused. I’d rather just pay someone, they’d know what they were doing then.
“Use my cut from the last bounty,” Sav stated.
“You sure?” I frowned. She was quick to make that offer.
“They deserve a chance to be kids, and I want to help with that,” she stated.
I smiled softly at her, pulling her close and kissing her forehead.
God, how she’d grown in just the past month.
She’d been so anti-kids, and now, seeing her talk with Hannah so sweetly despite everything, made me love her even more. To think I’d once despised her a bit.
Things had changed massively.
But I loved this soft side of her.
She was perfect.
13
I turned away from Damien as Lucy started up the stairs.
All the men in suits had gotten back into their vehicles, save for the one from the first SUV that was quietly talking with Mr Oxley.
Dominic hadn’t come out, so I could only assume he was organizing food, while Melinda had hung back at the door when we’d stepped outside.
“So you made it. I wondered if you’d eventually bust out. Out of all of us, you had the best chance,” Lucy stated as she paused on the step before me.
Her face softened as she glanced over me. “I’m glad you’re safe. I was sure Declan was going to do something to you.”
“He tried. Wanted to mess with my mind to make me his personal bodyguard while still trying to breed me,” I growled softly.
“I’m sorry,” Lucy murmured as she cast her ocean blue eyes down.
“Don’t be. I got out,” I said with a shrug.
“I spent years in that wretched place. I never thought I’d get out of there. I gave in after a while, became like a pet to him,” Lucy murmured, and I could hear the spite and self-hatred in her voice.
This was nothing like the more confident woman who had greeted me in the cell.
Had she just been so used to acting that it had become natural, and now that everything had changed and she was free, she’d let the mask fall away?
“You did what you could to survive,” I said, giving her a small smile.
“How’s Izzy? Did she make it out too? The Council said all the kitsunes made it out, even the males. Some powerful witches who work in psychology have been working with them, they worked with the children too to rewire their brains,” Lucy said as she flicked her eyes to where I was holding Damien’s hand.
“Izzy is fine, she’s home with her mates now,” I assured her. “Guess it’s good that the males are getting help too. I thought some of them would be beyond saving,” I admitted. Especially the hulk of a man who’d gotten close to having his way with me. I’d rather he died. But maybe magic had screwed with his head too much and he wasn’t actually like that.
I’d probably never know.
“So, I heard two of the kids are yours?” I mused. Damien was growing restless just standing here while I spoke to Lucy.
Most of the SUVs had left, except for the first one, where the driver was still talking to Mr Oxley and handing over files and whatnot.
“Yes, little Hannah and Derek,” Lucy murmured, averting her gaze. “Hannah is eight, Derek is six.”
I could see that. Hannah had her ocean blue eyes, and the youngest boy had her dark brown hair and high cheekbones.
Lucy’s face was marred with guilt and dismay as she rubbed her arm while staring at a spot past me on the steps.
I knew she wouldn’t have wanted this life for them, but she’d had no other option.
“Wait, were you with the Collector for eight years?” I asked, staring wide-eyed at her.
Fuck being a prisoner for that long, I would’ve taken my own life to escape.
I also didn’t think Lucy looked all that old, in her twenties for sure. So when had she had Hannah?
“Nine, give or take a few months. He found me on my eighteenth birthday,” Lucy said softly. “I was bred until I conceived, and I had Hannah. She was the third child to enter the warrior program he had going on. I was at least allowed to see her, on occasion. She knows I’m her mother, but things are… weird,” Lucy admitted quietly.
I could imagine. Her child had been raised as a super soldier, things would definitely be strained between them now that Hannah was being retaught how to be a kid.
Was she angry at her mother for letting that happen?
My heart squeezed for her, and I reached out to hold her arm gently.
“It’ll be okay. It’s all over now, you can have proper relationships with your kids,” I assured her, giving her a smile.
She sighed, giving me a weak one in return. “I’ll do my best, that’s all I can hope for.”
I nodded at this as Mr Oxley finally joined us and the last SUV left.
“The children are still unpacking and getting settled, how about I show you to your room, Lucy?” Mr Oxley suggested.
She just gave him a grateful smile before flicking her eyes to me and nodding.
She followed Mr Oxley inside, and I let out a breath as I turned to hug Damien.
“Do you trust her? After she worked for the Collector for so long?” Damien growled softly.
“Mr Oxley would’ve seen if she had ill intentions, and I feel like I’m seeing the real her now, not the fake one I met back at the cell. That Lucy was too confident and sure of herself. Guess it was all an act. The life she’d grown used to has just crumbled around her, now she needs to pick up the pieces and start anew,” I said as I nuzzled his chest.
“You’re oddly nice about all this,” Damien noted as he kissed the top of my head.
“Should I not be nice?” I scoffed.
“No, it’s nice, seeing you like this,” he chuckled lightly.
“Maybe I just feel like I can relate to them all a bit. I can understand what they’re all going through,” I explained.
He was right.
I felt like I had changed a lot.
I’d probably have them to thank for that.
“So, any idea what Dominic is cooking up for everyone tonight?” I mused, imagining a nice roasted chicken or turkey, hell, even duck. Or lamb, pork…
“You’re hungry,” Damien smirked.
“Clearly,” I snorted. “Now take me to dinner.”
He just arched an eyebrow at me as I gave him a cheeky smile.
“So demanding,” he growled softly, but his eyes were alight with amusement and adoration.
“Comes with the package of Savage,” I laughed and winked as he took my hand. “Badass, snarky, kickass, and demanding,” I joked.
“Well, no arguments here. You definitely keep us all on our toes,” Damien said as he led me inside the institute.
Seven kitsune children.
Now this was going to be interesting.
The children seemed to relax more at dinner, some of them even talking. Leon had found us on our way to the dining hall, having already taken them there and had left them with Lucy and Mr Oxley.
He’d informed us they were opening up, and had seemed quite happy with their accommodations.
They’d been housed together when with the Collector, and when being reformed.
I guess that was a good thing.
They were like a close-knit family.
We joined them at dinner, Tristan and Wes appearing too as Dominic served everything up.
I went for the pork first, then the roast chicken on offer.
The kids looked overwhelmed by the food, some staring in wonder before they realized they were allowed to eat.
They dug in, and their soft chatter started up as they spoke to one another.
They were rather quiet for such young children, but I knew it was a side effect of their upbringing.
I’d been raised as a hunter, pretty much a soldier, just in a different way.
How had the Collector raised them?
I’d ask Lucy at some point, find out the details on their upbringing.
I wanted to know for some reason.
Instead, I watched as the children enjoyed dinner, talking with one another and casting us all curious glances.
I was earning the biggest array of looks, mainly confused and lost looks.
Lucy sat by Hannah, but Derek seemed to not care much for her company as he sat on her other side, facing away and talking to one of the other boys.
The other little girl sat on the other side of Hannah, helping herself to the dessert with wide doe eyes.
She was pretty damn cute when she wasn’t trying to attack me. I did remember her, how I’d choked her out.
I felt a bit guilty for having rendered all of these children unconscious at one point.
I hoped they harbored no bad feelings. They had been out to kill me.
‘Leon, did you find out if any of the other kitsunes were their parents?’ I asked mentally.
Mr Oxley would’ve been the only one who would know that, but Leon had been filled in on a fair bit more than us it seemed.
‘One of the other females, but she’s too broken at this point. They don’t know who the mothers are of the others, the DNA tests didn’t link them to any of the other women. Four of the kitsune males are fathers to them, but they need much more work to help them readjust to normal life. They’re probably still a danger at this point, even if the magic the Collector had on them has worn off. Some of them had been there for nearly a decade, so freedom isn’t an easy change,” Leon explained.
I just stared at my roas
t chicken, my appetite waning.
A decade under someone else’s control, their magic influencing you and messing with your mind. I knew that once it had stopped, they’d been more willing to go with the Council, but they were probably brain-fried and broken.
The witches who were working with them definitely had their work cut out for them.
What about the female kitsunes? How long had they all been there? Izzy and I had been their latest additions, but those others that had refused to talk to me, had they been there for years?
‘Most likely,’ Wes murmured, and I caught his gaze across the table as he gave me a sad smile.
My stomach knotted at the thought. Poor things.
‘You got them their freedom though,’ Tristan reminded me.
‘Not really. You guys came, Mr Oxley played a huge part too,’ I shot back.
I wasn’t some grand savior of them all.
‘But you struck him down,’ Damien growled softly, pride tinging his voice.
Well, I guess I had done that.
Not that the bastard had stayed dead.
Was there any news on that front? Mr Oxley hadn’t said anything, so no news was good news I guess.
I focused on my meal, relaxing as I listened to the kids talk about the things they wanted to do now, of toys and games and games of tag they had planned.
It made me smile, hearing what they wanted to do.
The boys and I sat in the library, awaiting Mr Oxley after he’d suggested we meet him there after dinner while he introduced Melinda to the children. She hadn’t been at dinner with us; she’d apparently eaten elsewhere.
“You think these kids will be okay?” Wes asked as he lay on the floor with his legs up against the side of the armchair Tristan was lounging in.
“Yeah, they’ve got Mr Oxley,” Leon said as he flicked through his phone. He and Damien were organizing the playground to be built, and had found a builder who could have it done in a day. A supe builder who used magical materials to speed up the process where needed. Quick-setting concrete? Of course! Super tough glue for parts that locked in place in seconds?