by L. S. Darsic
Getting out of the lead car is a beautiful man with brown hair and bright blue eyes who looks like he just got done at a photo shoot. As soon as the man steps out, the dogs and the twins are back to their protective stance. Real good I did at calming them down. The man doesn’t move forward but just stands by his car door waiting, for what, I don’t know.
Suddenly his voice is clear but calm “I am Brennus McTaverish, Chieftain O’ the McTaverish Nephilim clan” he says with a winning smile. None of us make a move but all three of the dogs shift their stance and growl. Shit, shit, shit. I don’t want this to make a bad impression!
“Hi, I am Alexandra Carro Stiggero” I say quickly while walking around the boys and dogs. The twins both start to protest but I send them a look to shut them up. Egypt on the other hand will not back down and runs to my side with a menacing growl.
“Egypt, relax” I whisper to her. “S-sorry about the guard dogs, we are all a little confused with the situation since we were not made aware there were more nephilim in the world until about 10 minutes ago” I laugh awkwardly “the dogs must be feeling our stress and reacting to it”. Hopefully they will not be offended by this. As I reply the rest of the group walks up to stand by me and the dogs again stand in front of all of us. What is with them? They are acting crazy.
“Welcome to Scotland lads and lassies. We had hoped you would have been more informed when you arrived in Ireland however Reed said he wanted to wait for you to call him first. I hope you will no be too put out with our surprise. As you know we canna have anyone know about us so we remain a secret, even to our own kind” Brennus replies kindly. His accent is not at all what I expected. Here I thought it would be hard to understand, full on gaelic or something. Instead he reminds me of an American with a touch of the Lucky Charms cereal guy but hot and not a cartoon. He is magically delicious looking!
“Now that I have explained a little, would it be possible to call off your beasties?” Brennus laughs lightly. Shoot! The dogs know how to make a warm welcome. After calling the dogs back they seem to relax a bit more around Brennus and hopefully won’t attack anyone who gets out of the vehicles. Stepping up to Brennus, I introduce Anja, Jace and Xander along with each of the dogs and who they belong to.
“They are beautiful beasties and care much for their owners as I can see” Brennus chuckles “now, let me introduce you to some of me clan” Brennus makes a motion with his hand and all at once the doors open but no one steps out.
“I introduce you to me mate Natalia” he says, out steps a beautiful blonde with ice blue eyes, she is so blonde and pale she looks like she is from Sweden or Iceland.
“Nice to meet you Natalia” I reply, Natalia inclines her head in acknowledgment but says nothing. Damn, I wanted to hear her accent to see if I can figure out where she came from.
“Next is me eldest son Ian” out steps a handsome white blonde haired man who also inclines his head in acknowledgment. Ok, these people aren’t the most talkative.
“Next is me one and only daughter Isabelle” a tall willowy woman with chestnut hair steps out and inclines her head at us as well. Next to me I can almost hear the internal chattering between the twins, jeez, they need to get a grip. They act like a bunch of pervy teenagers!
“And me youngest son Finn” Brennus states with a sweep of his hand and the most beautiful of them all steps out to greet us. Holy crap. This man is like a GQ model. Finn has dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes that are striking, the perfect combination of his mother and father. He looks us over with a smirk on his face that tells me that he isn’t all that impressed. Great, so he looks like a GQ model and is a dick, how fitting.
“N-nice to meet you all” I stammer, as a blush creeps over me when I notice Finn looks like he is eye fucking me and Anja, well let’s just make this even more uncomfortable. Egypt must feel my nervousness because suddenly she is right in front of Finn growling at him. Shit! Way to go E, make this even worse.
“Egypt, come here now!” I say between clenched teeth. Damn dog is just trying to embarrass me. Finally Egypt relents and moves back but still glaring at Finn.
“S-sorry about her. She had a long flight and is a bit crabby” I explain dumbly.
Finn looks back at me with a quirked eyebrow and another smirk on his face and says “well I’m glad she listens, I donna feel like today is my day to die” Oooooh my gosh he has the hottest voice. Like panty dropping voice that can make any girl do anything he wants. This man is the whole package. I bet he is so full of himself. What a little bitch, like Egypt could even hurt him.
“Ha, yeah she is really dangerous. Don’t worry I will protect everyone from my viscous dog” I say with a roll of my eyes, ugh, I can’t even talk to people without my sarcasm leaking out. I’m such a dick. Finn says nothing but the smirk gets bigger like it’s trying to creep into a full blown smile. Why the hell am I the only one talking? What, am I the leader of this circus or something? Looking over at the twins and Anja I see they are all a bit shell shocked.
Figuring they aren’t going to talk anytime soon, I keep talking cause I can’t seem to shut the hell up, so I say to Brennus “so who are in the other cars? I can sense there are more of your clan?”
Brennus smiles brightly and replies “aye lassie, you are right, the others in the cars are also part of the welcoming party. I will introduce you to them now” at this Brennus waves his hand at another vehicle and out steps another male and female, one with jet black hair and one with white blonde hair, both with ice blue eyes.
“Tis me brother-in law and sister of the Grant clan, Brandon and Brianna” both bow their heads slightly
“Me nephew Garret” another blonde one steps out and inclines his head
“And me other nephew Alec” out steps another god, this one with jet black hair and ice blue eyes. Jesus. Where did these people come from? He is just as hot as Finn is. Alec steps forward with a big grin on his face and gives Anja and I each a hug that we stiffly return as the twins glare. Wow, did not expect that! Friendly guy, at least one in the bunch seems nice.
“So how many other are there of your clans” I ask after Alec is done hugging.
Brennus smiles happily and says “och, now lassie you canna be expectin me to tell you everything now can you? Some surprises are just too fun to spill right away!” Oh man, that sounds promising. Here I thought my nerves were done now that I met everyone, nope.
“Alright then Brennus, if you give us all heart attacks and cause our hair to fall out from the shock, don’t blame us when we are so ugly you have to send us back home cause you don’t want to look at us” I argue back. God, I have word vomit again. Seriously, that came out of my stupid mouth. Look at me, the uncultured American! Despite my stupid word vomit they all seem to find what I said amusing and laugh. Even GQ model Finn has a big smile on his face and hot ass Alec is lightly laughing. I guess if they think I am funny they won’t kill me, yet.
“Let’s start loading up, Alexandra, Anja, Jace and Xander, would ye all like to ride together or pair off with one of me family members?” Talk about putting someone on the f-ing spot! Thanks Brennus.
“U-uh thanks for the offer Brennus but I think for now since this is all so new to us we would like to ride together. How about Anja and I ride with our dogs in one car, Jace and Xander ride together with their dog and the luggage? Will that work out alright? I don’t want you to think we are anit-social or anything I just-“ I am cut off by Brennus smiling and laughing softly
“Alexandra tis quite alright. You donna need to worry, we are not offended and we understand. Your arrangements will work just fine and we will get to know each other better at the castle.”
Well that was easy. Again, why am I the only one who can talk out of our group? Are they all suddenly mute? I look over at Anja and see she is staring at the ground and wringing her hands, ok, so she is super nervous. How weird, she is usually the outgoing one. I thought it was just me who was a nervous weirdo. Then I look over at the twins
, yup they are looking at anything but the new people in front of us. Who knew those two idiots would be nervous around anyone. Well, I guess it’s up to me again to get their asses moving.
“Hey, guys…..we have to move into the SUV’s now….” I prod. Well at least the dogs listen as I watch them run over to the cars. Grabbing Anja’s hand I drag her over to our car and push her nervous ass in there. I turn around to make sure the idiot twins get moving as well and behold my luck they finally move! I glare at them and growl at them to hurry their asses up and happen to hear a snicker, I look up to see Finn laughing at me. I paste a bright smile on my face and say “kids!” and shrug my shoulders like it’s an everyday occurrence that I have to do this. I shove my ass into the driver seat while Anja sits in the passenger seat with our dogs in the back looking happy to be moving again. Alright, now I just have to follow the convoy back to where ever they are taking us. Great. Piece of cake.
Oh shit. Mother f-ing buda! I look over to find there a manual gear shifter and not the automatic shifter I am used to. WHY ME? Seriously. Of all the shit luck, I don’t know how to drive one of these. We mostly have automatic cars in America people! Why can’t they have the same here! Great, more embarrassment. With a loud sigh I turn to Anja
“Don’t suppose you know how to drive a stick do you?” She looks up at me with wide eyes and busts up laughing
“Well yes, I know how to drive a STICK before but not in a car” she continues laughing. She picks now to wake her ass up and start crackin jokes? What an asshole.
“Thanks for the info An, but since neither of us know how to drive a stick we have to see if the twins know how, cause otherwise we are stuck with the new people” I reply in a snotty voice as I watch the info sink in and she slowly begins to become a mute again. Fuck. So I get out of the car and wave to the twins to roll down their window while the whole rest of the convoy is waiting for us to take off, shit!
“Hey do you guys know how to drive a stick?”
“Well I do but Xan doesn’t so that is why I am driving. You and An don’t know how to do you?” Jace replies. Well shit. Now we are stuck with the new people driving us.
“Can we fit in with you guys?” I plead to him
“I don’t think that would work Alex, not with us plus the big ass dogs we wouldn’t have room” Jace apologetically replies. I blow out a big sigh and feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise
“Can I be of assistance?” I turn so quick I basically run onto Finn’s large chest as he looms over me. Well helloooo there Mr. GQ, way to scare the shit out of me!
“Y-yes, we will have to rearrange transport because we didn’t know the SUV’s were manuals and Anja and I don’t know how to drive manuals. The twins don’t have room for all of us plus the dogs and Xander doesn’t know how to drive a stick. Any ideas?” I stammer out so quick I wonder if he even understood me
“I’d be happy to help, how bout you ride with me, Anja can either ride with the guys here or ride with Alec” Finn says with a genuine smile on his face, well shit, how do you say no to that?
“Hey An, do you want to ride with the guys or –“ before I can even finish she is barreling out the door and into the SUV with the twins. Well that solved that problem.
“Alright” I mutter under my breath and call Egypt over to get in Finn’s SUV. Well this should be fun.
Chapter 6
After I rearranged everyone, again, I jumped into the SUV with Finn, boy is this going to be an interesting ride. About ten minutes into the bumpy ride I couldn’t take the silence any longer
“Sooooo how far till we get to the castle?” I ask. Finn turns his head to look at me with that damn smirk firmly in place.
“Was wonderin how long it would take you to start talkin” he replies. Damn him. He must be one of those people who always think they need to be snarky, shoot, I am the same way.
Shaking my head “so you aren’t going to tell me?” another smirk from Mr. GQ model but no response. Well fine, I can not talk as well, jerk! I cross my arms and settle in to wait him out. Another ten minutes of bumps, jeez, does this place not have a road commission? I feel like we are just driving through a dirt two track.
“So is all your family this talkative? I feel like you all should be the ones talking my ear off and telling me everything there is to see and do around here. But nooooo, I have to keep up the conversation. Between you all and now my family doing nothing but staring, I might as well talk to walls” I bite out angrily. And cue the laughing hot guy sitting next to me
“I think you talk enough for all of us lassie” Finn laughs out at me.
“Lassie! I am not some dog.” I hiss at him in mock horror, as he looks over at me with a perplexed look on his face
“Dog? I dinna call you a dog” Finn replies looking very confused. Shoot! I forgot they probably wouldn’t know the reference to that TV show over here.
“Never mind” I mumble back. God I am so embarrassed.
“So Alexandra, where are ye from? See! I can make conversation as well” snarky Finn points out, I wonder if he ever is serious? I look over at him and huff, well fine, I will talk to him but it’s only to fill the gaps of silence that is slowly driving me insane.
“First of all, please call me Alex. Alexandra is way too formal for me. Second, I am from the United States of America, ever heard of it?” I admit, being snarky is fun and he deserves to get what he gives right back, of course he starts laughing again.
“You are going to be so much fun to have around….ALEX” well I suppose this is more fun than sitting in the other SUV with my family who can do nothing but stare
Sigh “alright, fine. I am from Chicago, it’s a decent sized city. What about you? Do you live in the castle with your family?” see, I can be polite and non-snarky!
“I know where Chicago is, in fact I have been there once. Too many people for my taste though. I do live in the castle with my family most of the time, however I do own an apartment Edinburgh for when I need some time to myself or we want to go to the city. Do you not live with your family?” Finn politely asks, wow, look at us, being civilized people!
“My family lives about an hour from where I live. I wanted to move to a larger city on my own”
“Aye, I did the same when I was your age” Finn says like he is some old man
“When you were MY age? It’s like not I am a child” alright, so I take offense. He isn’t THAT much older than me. Of course Finn’s only response is to smirk. He must have practiced that smirk because he is so good at it.
“Alright, fine. You are OLDER and kind of gross, there, happy?”
“Gross?!? Me?” Finn looks at me like I grew another head. Ha, take that ego! Obviously he can’t handle a joke, well I am not going to let him know I think he is drop dead gorgeous.
You know how in elementary school you were told that if boys are mean to you that it means they like you? Well same goes for 25 year old women such as myself, or maybe it just is me. Whatever. My style of flirting is being an asshole to someone. If I ignore you and barely talk then better look out cause I don’t like you. Really it’s pretty simple to figure out, I'm like a first grader.
“Sooooo, can you tell me about where we are going?” maybe he will tell me more than what his father said
“What would you like to know?”
“I don’t know, the history? How many people live there? How far is the town from the castle? Is there wifi? Do you have running water? I don’t know, the basics I guess?” So much for me not being a sarcastic asshole
“Well, there isn't enough time to tell you the history, you will have to see for yourself how many folks. The town is surrounding and within the castle walls and yes, there is wifi and at times there is running water” Finn smirks at me, again.
An eye roll is the only response I give Finn as I turn my head to look out the window. It’s still dark out so I have no idea what it really looks like here or even where we are going, awesome. This doesn’t make m
e feel safe at all. Poor Egypt is strung so tight she looks like someone shoved a metal rod up her ass.
“Relax E, we're alright” I reach back to pet her in hopes to chill her out
“Your wee beastie is just on alert and keepin her guard up until she feels more comfortable with where you are goin” Finn says gently. Well isn’t that nice, maybe he feels bad for us.
“Wee? Beastie? She is a Doberman…and weighs over 150 pounds…I would hardly say she is “wee” don’t you think?”
Finn laughs “aye, I would say she is “wee” but she is a good size for her breed and seems to care a great deal for you”
Jeez, if he thinks she is “wee” I can’t imagine the size of the dogs he has seen. I consider her a horse compared to dogs I’ve seen.