by I. T. Lucas
And the same went for cops, firemen, and any other dangerous profession.
But here she was, with a stepdad who was a combination cop and warrior, and a boyfriend who was a doctor, but a badass one who could fight.
Her mother would have scoffed at her, but Ella’s priorities had shifted. She valued Julian’s fighting ability more than his medical degree.
Knowing that he would defend her if necessary made her feel safe. Regrettably, though, he couldn’t help her in her dreams, and she needed to make a mental shift in preparation for her encounter with Logan.
Which meant putting Julian out of her mind and filling it with information about colleges.
Getting inside, she tiptoed to her room, hoping Magnus and Parker wouldn't hear her through their soundproof doors.
It was late, and she still needed to spend a couple of hours on her laptop, researching colleges. Good thing tomorrow was Saturday, and she could sleep in.
Almost three hours later, Ella was still at it, but her eyes were getting tired, and although she was making notes of the information she was gathering, the details were all starting to blur together. She couldn’t remember which of the colleges she’d checked out had a good nursing undergrad program and which had a good graduate program. Not to mention the different requirements each had for submitting an application.
Closing the laptop, she put it on the floor next to her bed and closed her eyes.
Sleep came almost instantaneously, and with it the dream.
“I’ve been waiting for you to start dreaming,” Logan said. “I prepared this beautiful setting for you. And then you failed to show up.”
They were lying on comfortable loungers on a sunny beach, the ocean in front of them lapping gently at the shore.
She was wearing a skimpy bikini, no doubt taken from Logan’s imagination because she’d never owned anything like that. His muscular torso was bare, proudly displayed for her enjoyment, and he had on some sort of tight-fitting swimming trunks that left little to the imagination.
Did he think that was going to arouse her?
Well, it was quite impressive, and she took a quick glance before looking behind her to see where they were. Ella had been expecting a hotel, but the structure behind them was a private villa.
“Where are we?”
“In Hawaii.” He motioned with his chin. “That’s my house.”
Was he telling her the truth?
This could have been the Doomers’ island. It was hard to tell just by looking at the color of the sand and the ocean. Logan’s house must sit on a big parcel of land because she couldn’t see any other houses in either direction. Then again, this was dreamscape, and Logan could’ve created whatever he wanted.
“Very nice. I’m duly impressed.”
Smirking, he flexed.
“I wasn’t talking about you. I meant the house and the private beach.”
“How disappointing.” He looked at her stiff nipples that the bikini top was doing nothing to hide. “And untrue.”
Ella crossed her arms over her chest. “I'm cold.”
Leaning toward her, he whispered, “Liar.”
“Think what you want.”
Looking smug, he went back to reclining on his lounger. “Did you have trouble falling asleep?”
“No, I had trouble staying awake. I was researching colleges. My mother is pressuring me to get an education.”
“Why? Don’t you want one?”
“I do, of course. I’m just not ready to leave home. What if the Russian is still looking for me?”
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Gorchenco’s accepted that you are dead. Your mother’s friends did a great job covering your tracks.” He turned on his side and pinned her with his intense eyes. “I was wondering about that. How does a dental hygienist know people who can pull together an operation like that? Who are they?”
Crap, she should have known that he’d research her and her family.
Think fast, Ella!
“My father was in special forces. His old buddies helped my mother.”
“Your father was a helicopter mechanic.”
“For a special ops commando unit.”
“I didn’t find anything like that in his file.”
Waving a dismissive hand, Ella snorted. “As if you would. Do you think information like that is accessible to just anyone?”
“I’m not just anyone.”
“Right. You are a big-shot warlord. But guess what? This is the United States of America. I’m sure that if the military wants to keep some highly-classified information well protected, they can.”
He smiled. “I’m actually glad to hear that. I was afraid that you and your mother were snatched by some secret organization that your government has for dealing with people like you, and that you were being kept locked in a research facility.”
She arched a brow. “Why would you think that?”
“Governments love to get their hands on people with special abilities.” His smile melted away. “Either to use them for secret missions or to experiment on them to find out what makes them special. I wouldn't want you suffering such a fate.”
He sounded so sincere that Ella wondered if it was a superb act, or if he really did worry about her. Most likely, Logan was worried about someone else getting their hands on her and her mother first. It wasn’t about her, but what he wanted from her.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t want that either. But no one other than you knows about us. We were always very good at keeping our ability a secret.”
“Very smart.”
“Thank you. But it was actually my father who insisted on the secrecy.”
“As I said, smart. The man protected his family.”
“Yeah, he did. He was a good dad. I miss him.”
Logan regarded her for a moment as if trying to decipher her meaning, but then he smiled and changed the subject. “So, Ella, what do you want to study?”
“Nursing. I’ve always wanted to be a nurse.”
“Do you have a specific college you're interested in?”
“Not at the moment. I’m just collecting information and checking what the admissions requirements are, and how much it costs, and if they offer scholarships. I can’t afford a fancy college.”
Logan’s eyes sparkled. “I have a friend in Georgetown. They have an excellent nursing program, and I can talk to him about arranging a scholarship for you.”
Fortunately, Ella didn’t need to stifle her excitement, just pretend that it was for a different reason. “That’s awesome. Could you really do that for me?”
“I’ll do my best. But if I get you an interview, can you get to Washington on your own?”
“Naturally, my mother would come with me.”
“Of course.” Logan smiled. “It’s not safe for a beautiful young woman like you to travel alone. Big bad wolf might get you.”
“Are you referring to yourself?”
He chuckled. “I’m big, and I’m bad, but I’m no wolf. A dragon maybe?”
Ella decided to play along. “I like dragons. But can you fly?”
“Regrettably, only on the wings of my imagination.”
“That’s a shame. I could have saved on airfare.”
Crap, now she had given him an opening to ask where she was flying from. She needed to quickly redirect the conversation. “Joking aside, should I wait for you to talk to your friend or should I apply to Georgetown first?”
“I’ll tell my friend to keep an eye open for your application. Fill it out as soon as you can. By the way, I assume you will not be using your real name, am I right?”
Crap, crappity, crap. What was she going to tell him?
She had no choice but to use the fake identity they’d given her and then make a new one.
What a mess.
Now she couldn’t even buy an airplane ticket with that name because he would be able to find her before she reached the university. The clan would have to get her a n
ew one.
“Tell your friend to look for an application from Kelly Rubinstein.”
His eyes glowed demonic red as he smiled. “Oh, I will, lovely Ms. Kelly Rubinstein.”
45
Ella
Despite going to sleep as late as she had, Ella jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom as soon as she opened her eyes.
The net had been cast, and Logan had swallowed the bait, licking his lips and imagining how delicious it would taste. The red glow of his eyes had been so strong that Ella had had to bite her lip to stop herself from calling him a demon, or a devil.
Although knowing Logan, he would have loved it. Especially if she’d added sexy as a prefix.
In her closet, she reached for a pair of jeans, but then changed her mind. Something nicer was needed for when she delivered the news to Kian.
After all, she was a spy, a femme fatale so to speak, and this morning she felt like dressing the part. Maybe she should throw on the black wig and sunglasses for good measure?
Unfortunately, her closet offered a limited selection. Once she started earning some money, she could do something about it, but for now, she had to make do with what was there or borrow clothes from her mom.
A simple gray sweater matched her one long skirt, and the black monster boots didn’t look too bad with that ensemble. A little mascara and lip gloss, and she was ready to conquer the world.
Or maybe just stomp over it with her boots.
In the kitchen, she found her mom making pancakes for breakfast, and Magnus sitting at the counter with a coffee mug in one hand and his phone in the other, no doubt reading the news as he did every day.
“Good morning, family.” She kissed Magnus's cheek and then walked up to her mother and kissed her too.
“Good morning,” Magnus stammered a little.
It was the first time she’d given him a good morning kiss, and he still looked stunned.
Vivian smiled. “You are in a good mood. Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
“It was too short, but I had a dream visitor. Mr. D took the bait. When I told him that I want to study nursing, and that I’m checking which colleges I can get into on a scholarship, he offered to speak with his friend at Georgetown University. Do you know what it means?”
Her mother’s hand flew to her chest. “That my baby is going to be in danger again.”
Ella rolled her eyes. “No. It means that Mr. D is in Washington D.C.”
“You need to tell Kian,” Magnus said.
“I’m going to text him. I just wanted to tell you first. I had to give him my fake name, which means I’ll have to choose another for later. I know it’s a hassle, but I didn’t have a choice. Mr. D said that he was going to tell his so-called friend to look out for my application. I had to tell him what name to look for.”
Magnus rubbed his jaw. “I wonder if he really has a friend there, or if he’s going to thrall or compel everyone on the admissions board.”
“Yeah, I had the same thought. I’m just sorry to give up that name. I kind of liked Kelly Rubinstein, age twenty-one. I’m so excited.”
Her mother braced a hand on the counter. “I’m feeling faint.”
In a blink of an eye, Magnus was next to her. “Let me help you to a chair.”
Her mother was such a drama queen.
“You should be happy, Mom, not hyperventilating. Things are moving along according to plan, and this is going to be over soon. I can’t wait to get rid of my dream visitor.”
Plopping down on a chair next to her mother, Ella took her clammy hand and warmed it between both of hers. “I want to start my new life, Mom, and I can’t do that as long as that Doomer is part of it. Everything is on hold until this is resolved. My education, my relationship with Julian, it all waits until I’m free of him.”
Vivian nodded. “I understand. But that doesn't make me any less afraid.”
“We are going to have plenty of Guardians with us, and Magnus and Julian are coming too. We are going to be safer than the President.”
Snorting, Vivian waved a hand. “All those Secret Service guys, and still some assassination attempts were successful. The President is not a good example.”
“How about when he is in the Oval Office. I’m sure nothing can touch him there.”
“Let’s hope so,” Magnus said. “I can imagine several scenarios in which not even the Oval Office is safe.”
She cast him a hard stare. “You are not helping, Magnus.”
“I’m sorry.” He sat across from Vivian and reached for her other hand. “I can promise you this, though. The two of you are going to be even safer than the President.”
“What’s going on?” Parker asked, coming into the living room. “Why are you holding Mom’s hands?”
“She needed a little reassurance,” Magnus said. “Come give her a hug. I’m sure that will help.”
Parker smirked. “I can do better than that. I can compel her not to worry over whatever she is worried about.”
“Don’t you dare.” Vivian pulled her hands out of theirs. “Come give your mother a hug. That’s all I need to feel better.”
Ella got up and wrapped her arms around her mother from one side, and Parker did the same from the other. “Then a group hug should be even better.” She looked up at Magnus. “Come on, big guy, don’t be shy. Join the hug and share the love.”
46
Ella
Come to my office in half an hour. Ella read the text and put the phone in her purse.
“What did Kian say?” her mother asked.
“He wants to see me in his office in half an hour.”
“Just you?” Vivian turned to Magnus. “Shouldn’t we be there with her?”
Magnus shook his head. “If Kian thought we should accompany Ella, he would have said so.”
“Can we just show up? He’s not going to kick us out, is he?”
Wrapping his arm around Vivian, Magnus kissed her forehead. “Patience, love. Ella will tell us all about it when she comes back.”
Deflating, Vivian rested her cheek against his chest. “It’s good that at some point I’m going to turn immortal because this stress is taking years off my life.”
“I hope that point comes sooner rather than later.”
Feeling like she was intruding on their moment, Ella grabbed her purse and headed toward the door. “I’m going to stop by Julian’s first.”
It sounded like a good excuse for why she was leaving so early, but on second thought she decided it was a good idea. Julian had made such a big deal out of being involved that he would appreciate her keeping him in the loop.
She texted him while walking. Put some pants on. I’m coming over.
Ha, ha, was his answer.
Smiling, she dropped the phone back in her purse. The downside of wearing a skirt was having to schlep something extra just so she’d have somewhere to put her phone.
Perhaps after the talk with Kian, Julian could take her to the mall. She could get one of those cross-body wallets. That shouldn’t cost too much, and she still had some cash left over from what Magnus had given her before.
Damn. She really needed to start earning some money.
Didn’t spies get paid?
Julian opened the door wearing pants and a smirk and nothing else. “Good morning, beautiful.”
Ella pretended to shield her eyes, admiring his muscular torso from between her spread fingers. “Cover it up. Your skin is so pale that it reflects the light and is shining it straight into my eyes. You are blinding me.”
Looking down at his chest, he flexed, showing off impressive pectorals and abdominals. “I’m not that white.”
She smiled. “I was joking, but really, Julian, cover it up.” Walking by him to get into the house, Ella balled her hands to keep from reaching for that glorious chest and touching him all over.
“Am I distracting you?” He followed her inside.
“Terribly.”
“Coffee?”
/>
“Thanks, but I already had some, and I don’t have time anyway. Kian wants me in his office in twenty minutes.”
That got his attention. “Why?”
Ella smirked. “The dream-walker took the bait.”
Reaching for her hand, Julian pulled her toward the couch. “Tell me everything.”
She resisted. “Put on a shirt, and I’ll tell you on the way. I want you to come with me to Kian’s.”
Heading to Julian’s house she hadn’t planned on asking him to accompany her, but now that she was here, it just seemed like the most natural thing to do.
“Thanks for asking me to join you.”
“Yeah, I hope Kian doesn't mind. But since it involves filling in applications to universities, I can claim that I brought you along for your expert advice on the subject.”
“That could work. Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He did it in less.
“I’ve just noticed that Ray isn’t here,” she said as Julian closed the front door. “Is he still sleeping?”
“Yeah. He partied until late last night.”
“Oh, yeah? Where?”
Julian waved a dismissive hand. “Clubs, pubs, wherever the hunting grounds were good.”
Right. She remembered Carol talking about it. Immortals prowled places like that for hookups. Did Julian?
She had no right demanding exclusivity from him, but she wanted it nonetheless.
“How come you didn’t go with him?” she probed.
He cast her an incredulous look. “I haven’t gone hunting since I saw your picture. Don’t you get it? You are the one for me, and I don’t want anyone else.”
Ouch. He must have a really bad case of blue balls, and she couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
Taking his hand, she leaned against his bicep. “I’m sorry. It must be difficult for you.”
He stopped and turned to her. “It’s not your fault, so don’t you dare blame yourself. It was my decision to wait. You were the one who was trying to rush things, remember?”
Ella felt her cheeks getting warm. She’d wanted to transition so badly that she’d convinced herself that she could go ahead with it, but Julian had seen right through her and had realized she wasn’t ready.