by Piper Rayne
Okay…
Humans ride beside us, oblivious to the supernatural beings occupying this vehicle. Imperial Bay hosts more tourists than locals with the waterfalls, lakes, and national parks. And for the water lovers, there’s sailing and the pier.
A place like this makes it easy for seven guys to pop up and disappear without attracting attention to ourselves. Which is ideal for this type of work.
The antsy energy of the troop makes it hard to focus. I strengthen my shield to protect her.
The princess and I sit in the third seat of the suburban with the mermen in the middle. I dial Kaden, searching the princess for her heartbeat. I lay a hand on her chest, feeling for the thumb of her heart. Then run my fingers over her neck, searching for the same.
Kaden doesn’t answer, and I leave a message. “Call me.”
Species in the Dakes Empire vary, but the sign of life remains the same for all except vampires. They use legions of them to guard the Elders and the Walker. But Talia isn’t a vampire, yet I can’t feel her heart.
Suddenly, the state of this mission takes a backseat to the woman resting beside me. This isn’t me. That I’m not this guy enters my mind more than once. But there’s something about Talia.
There are certain rules that guide our kind. I learned them from my father, and he learned them from his previous assignment as a scout for the Elders until he met my mother.
Hybrids are coveted and feared for our superior powers. We’re like the pure tribal members but better since we take on characteristics of both parents. Which puts me on the naughty list. The moment I cross paths with the Elders, I’m damned to a space in a cell next to my father. But the Dark One offered a fee that made this mission worth my time and the risk.
He told me about the place and the job. I avoid the fine print. The less I know the better is is for me to slip in and slip out. However, with Talia’s head in my lap, I work through what I know about this job.
The Dark One wants the queen. He plans to use the queen to get Gunner and his troops before the Dakes Elders.
Why?
Why what? Talia asks, not opening her eyes.
Just thinking. How do you feel? Do you faint often?
Faint? What’s that?
Talia fades off again. “Open your eyes, princess.”
“… I can’t.”
“You promised to comply.” I caress her head, smoothing down the length of her hair.
A soft smile touches her lips. I would if I could…
My find wanders to my childhood. He told me stories about our people and our work on earth. That I was special because I have the ability to live in my human form or my centaur form. But he warned me I’d always be different. That no one would understand me because I’m one of a kind.
Pops said it made me special.
What he deemed special I later made me an outsider. People fear what they can’t understand, and I’ll give no one the chance to comprehend the depths of who I am. That I live in a world of one, whether I like it or not.
But he never explained this. I look down in my lap. He never explained how someone could read my mind through my shield. Which is the single power that makes me a coveted mercenary and one of the most wanted keepers in the United States.
Others, like Gunner and his troop can only get in my head if I let them. It’s like a frequency or a high-tech satellite requiring premier equipment to access. But Talia did it without issue.
I run a hand through my hair, glancing up. The pier is a few blocks away. I slip a hand under Talia, lifting her until she’s cradled in my lap. No woman has trusted me enough to be this vulnerable. To sit in a killer’s lap isn’t at the top of any woman’s Wishlist.
The presence of an unexplainable peace surrounds us. I want to look down and see her face. Ignoring reality—that Talia fainted—I hold her close to me.
I remember reading my first mind at four years old since then I can identify and read humans, keepers, shadows, even insurgents. Which explains why Kaden would pay me a million dollars to oversee this mission.
What does Talia have to do with this? Did he know about her?
Xander…
This time I feel her energy disappear and a sense of darkness descends around me. Her heartbeat slips from my grip.
“Talia… Talia…” I shake her body. But she doesn’t move. She’s dying. “How can I help her?” I ask her guard in the seat in front of us.
“She needs water.”
Gunner slams on his breaks outside the resort. I stalk across the parking lot with long strides, pushing every living element from my path.
People rush out of my way. Animals scurry behind their owners. The elevator doors open. The room to the suite unlocks.
I don’t stop until I’m in the large resort-style bathroom. I turn on the water and lower Talia into the tub. The water runs as I search for signs that she’s still alive.
“Princess… open your eyes.” I touch her forehead. She’s still burning up.
I frantically cup handfuls of water covering her body. Not sure it will help or if it’s too late. The thought of watching her die seems unfair. After all the lives I’ve taken, even the one I took tonight. I find it ironic that I yield the power of life and death, yet I can’t save her.
I gather Talia’s angelic face in my hands, calling to her.
Talia… Come back to me.
I still can’t hear her heart, but I’m not surrounded by darkness. I hope it means the water is helping her restore her energy.
“What are we going to do?” Gunner asks from the doorway.
“We?” I stand, it’s only a matter of time before we go head-to-head. “Nothing. We’ll wait to see what Kaden says. It’s obvious the princess isn’t a powerful one. You should be safe.” I chuckle, remembering Gunner rolling around on the ground.
“And what gives you that impression?”
“Because you’re alive and for the record keep your hands to yourself.” I say just as my phone rings. “Yeah.”
“Do you have her?” Kaden’s voice booms through the phone, and I look at the woman lying in the bathtub.
“We have a woman, but not the queen.”
“Explain.”
“I’ll let your team lead handle the explanations.” I pass the phone to Gunner and lean against the sink. He takes the call out in the suite.
I cross my arms over my chest and take several deep breaths. Using my powers most of the day has me drained, but I need to see the next move before they do. I hear most of the conversation through Gunner’s thoughts.
Kaden holds a level tone, but Gunner is wired with an anxious vibration. The dilemma rests with what to do with the princess. We have a week before the Walker and his guards arrive on the same mountainside outside the Malawi Kingdom.
Asaad Walker is the reigning Walker of the Dakes Kingdom, he’s part human, part other, and part shapeshifter. He’s unlike the rest of us since he walks across the entire multi-verse. And the dude shifts to a big-ass lion and runs with vampires for guards. The shit is crazy, but I guess it’s not crazier than a man shifting to a horse-like creature.
Supposedly, his senior guard, Drake, has protected a reigning walker for more than a thousand years. Pops says it’s true. The jury is out for me. I saw the man, and he looked about thirty-five years old to me. I can’t confirm his age, but what I know is Kaden steers clear of both.
I look over at the princess and wonder if she needs more water. My head is throbbing after all the tonight’s activities. Dipping in and out of minds takes a great deal of focus and concentration. It will take days for me to get back to myself. She’s probably feeling the same. I plug the tub and turn on the water. Not too hot and not too cold. Then I stand back and pull the door closed.
I lower the lid of the toilet and sit beside her, pushing the water further up to cover her arms and chest. She stirs. Then I check for her heartbeat when Gunner inhales sharply. I glance back and his eyes are glued on the tub. Following his tr
ained gaze, I look down, shocked as the skirt morphs in a tail. I stand up but can’t turn away.
Talia slips under the water. The garments once covering her skin dissolve and the end of her tail extends out of the tub.
Well, I’ll be…
I don’t blink for fear of missing a second of this amazing transformation. Cream shells cover her full breasts. A slight glimmer illuminates her exposed skin as a trail of pearls appears along the curve of her slim waist, stopping at the top of her tail.
“Xander.” Gunner calls and I glance back.
Please don’t let him in…
I turn back and lock eyes with Talia. Her hair floating like a halo. I push him outside the door and lock it.
Her tail flaps extending beyond the edge of the large jacuzzi tub. And I can’t pull my eyes away. And for an unknown reason, I drop my shield. The full beat of her heart fills my body and my heart skips until they beat in tandem.
The LED lights shine against her iridescent scales. For a second they look teal, then purple, and sometimes green, and I wonder if they feel slimy or smooth. She squirms and I remove her glasses from my pocket, lowering until I slip through the water and position her black frames back on her face.
This shouldn’t feel this good. My body shouldn’t yearn for the feel of her essence lingering in my mind. The length of my manhood stretches to life, pressing against my jeans. I move and Talia holds my hands while I search, her eyes missing the sapphire blue once hidden in their depths.
Thank you, Xander.
You’re welcome, beautiful.
Her eyes squint and her mouth falls open. Little bubbles float from her nose. Are you jesting?
Never about such an exquisite sight. My hands ache to touch her flat stomach adorned with a pearl, to use my tongue to explore each precious gem etched in her skin.
Xander. She releases my hands, but instead of pulling away, like I should, I run my finger down her full lips. Her eyes widen and it could be from my touch or my words. I can’t seem to stop touching her, so I force myself to stand.
Banging comes from the door.
“Xander. Phone.”
I nod but don’t move. Are you trying to seduce me, princess?
She smiles and shakes her head. No, Xander. Just trying to ensure my men and I stay alive to return to my home. Will you help us?
A chill runs through my body. Of course, I’m turned on by her, she’s a mermaid. I slip behind my shield. “No can do princess.”
I turn and step outside to get away from her aura. She almost had me. I shake my head, but I can’t stop the beat of her heart vibrating through my chest. Another first.
It’s either her species or her.
I’d strengthen my shield, but it would keep me from sensing the emotions of the others. And with their heighten state of arousal and agitation its best I keep them away from Talia.
Stop. I tell myself, knowing she can hear me.
I can’t.
What are you talking about? I open the door and glance back at her.
I’ll stop when you stop. She sits up and the water swooshes around.
My tongue moistens my dry lips with thoughts of sampling the length of her elegant neck.
Turn off your mermaid vibes. My voice hovers near an internal shout.
“Mermaid vibes?” Talia laughs. “Sorry, never heard of them.”
“Bullshit.”
I slam the door and retrieve the phone from Gunner. He steps forward and I lean against the door.
“No one enters but me.”
“Says who?” Gunner asks and his men stand to their feet. Loyal little bastards.
“Says me.” I grunt a laugh and turn my attention to the phone. “Yeah.”
“We’re moving forward with the plan. Princess Talia is the last princess in the Malawi Kingdom and the heir presumptive to the throne since the others are assigned to other kingdoms. Queen Frances will have no heir without Talia.”
Talia’s heart stops, and out of curiosity I open the door. Our eyes lock and the hum of blue lingers in her eyes.
“She wasn’t part of my contract.”
“Fine. Keep the deposit. Gunner and his troop will keep her company for the next six days.”
My mind wanders to the woman in the bathroom. It shouldn’t but it does. Leaving her doesn’t feel like a viable option. I don’t have any ties to this woman, which makes my growing need to protect her infuriating.
“Xander, don’t forget what you’re doing there.” Kaden’s voice drops a notch. “Want to sample the merchandise? That’s fine. But you want to ensure the release of your father and collect the balance of your fee. This is a million-dollar job. Show me why you’re worth it.”
I have a goal here. And it’s not to satisfying my curiosity about the texture of her shells and her tail, or how it will feel with her lips against mine.
“Why?” I ask.
“Because mutts like you mean nothing to them. It’s keepers like Talia who help them cling to their need to control every aspect of our lives on earth. Gunner and his men are there to do a job, and you’re there to keep everyone focused on the goal.”
“And what’s that?”
Kaden laughs. “To bring the Dakes to their knees. I’ll be in touch and keep her away from the ocean.”
What am I involved in?
5
Today’s the second day as a hostage in a luxury suite, and I wake to the sound of laughter. I open my eyes and smile rolling over I follow the sound. Once I stop at the window, I see the source. Three kids are playing with what looks like bubbles.
How can they have bubbles without water?
One child holds a bottle, and the other has a little thingamabob in his hand. He dips it inside the bottle, then blows. And a stream of bubbles floats out and I laugh.
"That's amazing!" I say to myself since Xander locked me in this room. Alone.
I don't know the status of my guards or their plans for us. The kids continue to blow bubbles in the air, giggling as the wind drifts them off towards the sea. My constant companion since I’m stuck in this room with only my thoughts. And for some odd reason, I can’t get Xander out of my head.
The thought of him watching me shift covers my skin in goosebumps. I've never had such an intimate encounter. Not once did I consider covering my exposed body or turning away. Which seems ridiculous since the man is holding me hostage for who knows what. I felt like we had a connection after he kept Gunner and his men from harming me. Then I heard his conversation with Kaden, he saved me not to protect me but to collect a million dollars.
A million dollars.
I live my life in the belly of a lake, but even I know that means they want my mother, and they want her bad. Bad enough to risk running into the Walker and his guards. Bad enough to hold me hostage knowing it is a direct offense to my Kingdom and the Dakes Elders. Now the question is why.
I've asked myself this repeatedly and I end back where I began: I don't know. And without access to Colt and Adan, I can't brainstorm an escape plan, nor can I trust myself to do it on my own.
Not after I allowed us to fall into the hands of the enemy. I thought I had them until I overheated. I never had that happen before. But I never used my powers for such a long time.
Mother said my powers would fail me when I needed them most. She’s right.
Thankfully, Xander shielded me from the others. I look over at the door. I've filled my journal with long lists of questions. And I pray I make it back to Malawi to ask my mother.
How am I able to read Xander's thoughts? Why is he able to read mine?
The rules taught to me were clear that mind to mind connections stem from three sources: family, tribal, and my royal bloodline. Each has its limitations and its advantages.
I return to the bed and remove my journal from my backpack. I'm not sure how much Xander can read of my mind. Before I felt him and heard him, but I can't play it too safe because we're running out of time.
My journal
is old and holds the magic of the Dakes. I can use it underwater and on land. Normally, I think my thoughts and let the magical ink produce my words. But not today. I use a ballpoint pen I found in the nightstand's drawer to add a new entry.
Day 2: I need a plan to of escape!
I sit back and look back towards the laughter. This trip was supposed to be full of shopping and people watching, yet here I am literally sitting in my mother's place.
What would she do?
I tap the pen against my chin. I've run from my role as princess of Malawi, I doubt mother’s ran from anything or anyone in her life. She’d be worried sick if she knew that I'm stuck in this hotel with men like them.
I glance at the wall, and my mind wanders to Xander. I shouldn’t think about the way he made me feel. But my heartaches for a moment.
Why did he close me out?
One moment he was whispering princess in my head and the next nothing. Except his heartbeat. I can still feel it beating in my chest as if it’s my heart.
Why can Xander read my thoughts? He's not a member of my family. He's not a Malawi merman. Maybe he's a prince of a Dakes tribe.
I laugh. "Now way, Jose."
If Xander's a prince, I'm a jellyfish. Nothing about him says royal, he's too rough around the edges. He speaks and the other men move, although the tension between him and Gunner has heightened over our stay. Since the call from Kaden, Xander delivers my meals and locks me back in this room without a word of explanation.
I toss the journal, then whisper a spell to hide the ink, and like magic, my mother's words resurface. Her warning of my lack of practice rings true, and I hate that I was too naïve to heed her warnings sooner. I know the spells, yet I never had a use for them. Now I need them, but the thought of overheating again has me scared to try.
Pacing the floor, I focus my attention on my mother and returning home, to my room and my bed. And returning Colt and Adan home to their families. Without Queen Frances here, I’m responsible for ensuring no more mermen die under the weight of whatever Gunner and Xander are doing. This means I have to do something. But what?
"Practice." I nod and retrieve my journal. I'll start with the easy stuff. They can't know what I'm doing, and I can't let my mind linger on the thought for too long.