by I. T. Lucas
With a sigh, she put her forehead on his chest. “I don’t deserve you, Julian. How can you be so selfless?”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not selfless. I’m selfish. I want it to be perfect between us, and for that to happen, you need time to heal emotionally.”
If only it were true.
Well, it was partially true. Just not entirely. But she couldn't tell Julian that she suspected Logan of compelling her attraction to him because then she would have to admit to what went on in their dream encounters.
Julian wasn’t stupid, and he’d probably guessed it, but it wasn’t the same as being told.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
When they reached Kian’s office, his door was open, and they walked right in.
“Good morning, Kian. I’m so sorry to drag you here on a Saturday.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “I work on weekends anyway, and this is important. Tell me about your dream encounter and try not to skip over any details.”
She nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
Neither Kian nor Julian interrupted her story, listening intently to every word until she was done.
“I’m sorry about the fake identity,” she said preemptively. “I had no choice.”
“Don’t spare it another thought. We will get you another one. In fact, I don’t want you leaving the village until you get it. From now until you leave for Georgetown, Kelly Rubinstein goes into hiding.”
“I understand.”
And just like that, gone were her plans to have Julian take her to the mall. Worse, Monday she was going to shoot a video, and Vanessa had already announced it to everyone.
“Don’t worry about the plane tickets either,” Kian said. “Kelly Rubinstein will buy airfare from Dallas to Washington, but she is going to miss her flight. Or something to that effect. We will fly you there in our private jet.”
“I need to be in the sanctuary on Monday. Is there a chance those documents could be ready by then?”
“I will do my best, but I can’t promise it.”
“I have to be there. I have an event scheduled, and I would hate to postpone it.”
For a long moment, Kian rapped his fingers on the table, but then he nodded. “As long as you are not driving and someone takes you to the sanctuary and back, I’ll allow it even without the new papers. But nothing else. Don’t use your credit card for anything.”
He frowned. “Did you order anything online using it?”
Ella shook her head. “I didn’t use it at all. The one time I went shopping I paid cash for everything.”
“Excellent.”
“Ella’s travel arrangements to Georgetown should probably go through Turner,” Julian said.
“Naturally, I just outlined the possibilities so she wouldn’t worry needlessly. We will find a solution for everything.” Kian turned to Ella. “Do you know what’s involved in filling out a college application?”
“Not really. That's why I brought Julian along. To get into medical school, he must have submitted one hell of an application.”
“My mother helped. But I know what’s needed. What I don’t know is how to get her fake transcripts. Unless the real Kelly Rubinstein had very good grades before dying prematurely, we will have to hack into her school records and do all kinds of illegal stuff.”
“Roni will take care of that. All I need from you is a list of what’s needed.”
Julian chuckled. “Roni’s mate is a perpetual student. I doubt he needs me to tell him what’s involved in a college application.”
“Nevertheless, I need you to prepare it. Sylvia didn’t study nursing or anything related to it. I’m sure there is a difference and applying to study philosophy or some other nonsense like that is not the same as applying to medical or nursing school.”
47
Julian
“I was hoping to go to the mall,” Ella said as they left Kian’s office. “But that is out now. I’m back to being stuck here until my new fake documents are ready.”
Going down the stairs, he took her hand. “They might be ready by Monday. The forger is one of us.”
“That would be awesome.”
“How about I take you to the café instead?”
“Isn’t it closed on Saturday?”
“It is, but Jackson keeps the vending machines stocked, and there are always people hanging out there on weekends. It’s not like we have many options here.” He opened the office building’s front door for her.
Ella smiled up at him. “I could go for a pastry.”
“Let’s just hope we can find a table.” He glanced in the café’s direction. “Plenty to choose from.”
“I see Wonder and Anandur, do you mind if we join them?”
“As long as they don’t mind, I sure don’t.”
“Ella!” Wonder waved them over. “Come have coffee with us.”
“Am I invited too?” Julian asked as he pulled out a chair for Ella.
Wonder rolled her eyes. “Would you care to join us, Doctor Ward?”
“Thank you, I would.” He bowed his head. “But first I need to get nourishment for my lady. What would you like, Ella?”
“What Wonder is having. A cappuccino and a Danish.”
“Your wish is my command.”
“I’ll come with you.” Anandur pushed away from the table. “I’m ready for the second round.”
As they headed for the row of vending machines, Julian cast Anandur a sidelong glance. “How are things going?”
“That’s what I wanted to ask you. Why were you and Ella meeting Kian in the office on a Saturday morning?”
He should have known the guy wanted to fish for gossip. There was no harm in telling him, though. Soon enough all the Guardians would know what was brewing.
Except, it wasn't his story to tell. It was Ella’s, and it was up to her how much or how little she wanted people to know.
“You’re asking the wrong person.”
Anandur arched a brow. “Should I ask Ella?”
“It’s her story. I’m just the…”
What the hell was he?
The boyfriend?
The confidant?
“I’m just the escort.”
The Guardian gave him an amused look from head to toe. “I can see how you would be, but I was under the impression that only older ladies required escort services.”
Julian flicked his hair back and looked down his nose at Anandur. “I don’t discriminate based on age or ethnicity. Just gender. So you’re out of luck, buddy.”
Laughing, Anandur slapped his back. “Let’s get back to our ladies. I can’t wait to find out what this is all about. Seems big to me.”
Julian handed Anandur one of the cappuccino cups. “Can you hold it for me? I need to get the pastries.”
“I’ll take it to the table.” Anandur turned to go.
“Hold on. Before you ask Ella anything, I want to check with Kian if it’s okay for her to tell you about it. He didn’t give us any instructions, and I don’t want her to mess up.”
Looking disappointed, Anandur nodded. “Personally, I believe in doing first and if needed apologizing later, but it’s your call.”
Worried that Ella had already told Wonder, Julian rushed back to the table, but when he and Anandur got there, Wonder and Ella were talking about the sanctuary.
Thank the merciful Fates.
Putting the coffee and pastries down, he pulled out his phone and texted his question to Kian.
The answer was, Use your discretion.
Great. What was that supposed to mean?
“Well?” Anandur was looking at him with his bushy brows raised in a question.
“He said to use my discretion.”
Turning toward him, Ella asked. “About what?”
“Anandur wants to know what we were meeting Kian about. So, I texted the boss to ask if it was okay to talk about it, and that was his answer.”
“Use our discretio
n?”
“Yes.”
Pursing her lips, she shrugged. “If Parker knows, I don’t see the harm in telling Anandur and Wonder. But please don’t spread it around. I know that you trust each and every clan member, especially those living with you in the village, but I come from the human world where anything can happen, including family selling each other out or even killing each other.”
Anandur patted her back. “Not all of us are good. I’m well aware of that. Whatever you tell Wonder and me will not leave this table.”
When she was done, Anandur whistled. “This is huge. How come Kian didn’t tell at least the head Guardians about it?”
“I guess because he didn’t have a chance yet,” Ella said. “Kian told me about his plan only yesterday, and I put it into action during the night. It worked like a charm. So, I texted him this morning to let him know, and he wanted to meet me. That’s the whole story.”
Pushing the fingers of both hands into his crinkly hair, Anandur stared at Ella with awe. “I can’t believe it. I just can’t. After all these years we finally have a chance to learn that bloody island’s location, and it’s thanks to an eighteen-year-old human girl. The Fates must be laughing their asses off.”
Raising her palm in the air, Wonder grinned at Ella. “High five.” They smacked hands. “And once again to girl power.”
Smirking, Ella leveled her gaze at Anandur. “Speaking of girl power. I want to hear why and how Wonder kicked both your and your brother’s asses. I told you mine, it’s only fair that you tell me yours.”
Anandur glanced at Wonder. “Do you want to tell the story?”
She blushed. “I should, shouldn’t I? Ella was so honest about her dream encounters and the compulsion.”
“Are you embarrassed about it?” Ella asked.
Wonder nodded. “I don’t like flaunting my physical strength.”
Taking her hand, Anandur brought it to his lips. “Your story is about much more than that. It’s about courage, and about doing the right thing despite how difficult it was for you. You should be proud. And don’t worry about my and Brundar’s pride. I want everyone to know my mate is a hero and how proud I am of you.”
48
Ella
As Wonder told her story, Ella’s eyes widened with each new detail. She’d known the girl from the study sessions with Parker, and she’d heard about her defeating the undefeated duo, but she’d never heard about the Doomers she’d singlehandedly captured and kept imprisoned for months, probably saving countless women’s lives. And she’d done all that while living in a refugee shelter and working as a bouncer in a night club.
Providing meals for her captive Doomers had been a financial struggle, but she’d done it nonetheless, showing them compassion they hadn’t deserved.
Ella wondered if in Wonder’s shoes she would’ve been as kind to the monsters. Probably not, but could she have allowed them to starve?
Eventually, they would’ve gone into stasis, but Wonder had no way of knowing that at the time. Because of her amnesia, she hadn’t known who she was or where she’d come from, let alone who and what the Doomers were.
“That’s the most amazing story I’ve ever heard.” Ella put her hand over Wonder’s. “Anandur is right. You are a real hero.”
The girl blushed again. “I did what I had to under the circumstances. The Fates had put the right person in the right place at the right time. I was just a cog in their grand plan.”
Ella shook her head. “You’re too modest. Next time I’m in my mother’s bedazzling class, which is going to be this Monday, I’m going to make you a badass badge from rhinestones. And they are going to be all pink to symbolize girl power.”
“I love it,” Anandur said. “Can you make me one too?”
She arched a brow. “You want me to make you a badass badge from rhinestones? I don’t think it’s going to work for you.”
He put his arm around Wonder’s shoulders and leaned to kiss the top of her head. “Mine is going to say, my mate is a badass. And I’m going to wear it proudly. Make one for Brundar too. His will say, my brother’s mate is a badass.”
Wonder laughed. “I don’t think Callie would appreciate it. I think his should say my mate is an awesome chef.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Can you add a chef’s hat to your design?”
“Sure thing.” Ella pulled a pen out of her purse, took a napkin, and drew a quick mock-up of the badge she could make for Brundar. “How about that?”
“I love it. Can I show it to him?”
She handed the napkin to him. “Don’t forget to mention that it’s going to be made from rhinestones.”
Wonder glanced at Julian. “What would yours say?”
Poor Julian, it wasn’t fair of Wonder to put him on the spot like that.
Ella came to his rescue. “How about my mate is a dreamcatcher?”
And wasn’t that clever? She felt quite smug about coming up with that.
Wonder nodded. “I like it.”
Julian didn’t look happy, though, his brows dipping so low they formed an upside-down triangle between his eyes.
“I have a different idea. Ella’s will say—Ella Takala, Director of Save the Girls. And mine will say Ella’s deputy.”
Was he the sweetest guy, or what? But way too modest.
She took his hand and gave it a little squeeze. “Let’s wait with the badges until I actually accomplish something. I’m shooting the first video on Monday, and then Julian and I will probably have to edit the hell out of it before posting it on YouTube. Who knows if anything will come out of it? The idea seems good in theory, but there are no guarantees.”
“Who did you convince to go first?” Wonder asked.
Ella grimaced. “Myself. I need to show the girls that I can walk the walk and not only talk the talk. That’s the best way to encourage them to do it.”
“That’s very brave of you,” Wonder said.
Anandur nodded in approval.
Julian shook his head. “I don’t like it. That’s too much exposure. Did you forget that you are hiding from Gorchenco and now also from a powerful Doomer?”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Ella lifted her chin. “I didn’t forget a thing. We are shooting in silhouette, and we are going to distort my voice too. The whole point of me doing it is to show the girls that it’s safe and that no one will be able to recognize them from the videos.”
“What about the story itself? Gorchenco will recognize it. And once he has proof that you’re not dead, he’s going to hunt you down with every resource at his disposal. And those are vast.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “I’m going to change the details. It’s the gist of the story that counts, not the particulars. I want to emphasize that if it happened to me, it could happen to any girl.”
From the corner of her eye, Ella could see Anandur and Wonder’s heads turning as if they were watching a tennis match.
Julian’s eyes were glowing when he pinned her with a hard look. “Write the script of what you’re going to say. I want to go over it.”
Oof, he was so annoying.
She liked that Julian was protective of her, but she didn’t appreciate that he didn’t trust her to know what she was doing.
“I’m not stupid, Julian. I know what to say and what not to. I’m not going to write a script because if my story sounds rehearsed, it will lose its emotional impact.”
His tortured expression softened Ella a little, and she decided to give him a break. “Don’t forget that we are going to edit it later. We can argue about what to leave in and what to cut out then.”
He still didn’t look happy. “Every clan member in this village, and probably those in Scotland too will watch it. Do you really want everyone to know what you’ve been through? Unlike the other girls, you are not going to be anonymous. People are going to know it’s you.”
Stubborn man. Apparently, he didn’t know her as well as he thought he did.
“I’m
not going to provide any sordid details, if that’s what you’re worried about. As I said before, I want my video to serve as a warning to other girls and to their parents. I’m going to emphasize the methods traffickers use to lure unsuspecting girls away from their families, and the extortion tactics they use to make them cooperate. But instead of delivering it as a lecture, I’m going to tell a personal story, which is much more impactful.”
“Nevertheless, it’s still incredibly brave of you,” Wonder said. “I think you’re doing the right thing.” She cast an apologetic glance at Julian. “As Ella’s mate, it is natural for you to want to cocoon her in bubble wrap and prevent her from exposure to any danger. But you need to fight that instinct. It’s always hard on the partners. I worry every time Anandur goes on a mission, but I know that I have to let him go. Being a Guardian is more than a job for him. It’s who he is.”
Wow, that was a good speech. Ella would be surprised if Julian had anything to say after that.
“Anandur can take care of himself. He’s a huge male immortal with centuries of fighting experience. Ella is a human girl. The comparison is irrelevant.”
Ouch. That was insulting to Wonder.
But the girl was a badass even though she tried to deny it.
Smiling shyly at Julian, Wonder nodded. “You are right. Physically there is no comparison between Anandur and Ella. But her spirit is just as big, and her need to protect and to contribute is just as all-consuming as Anandur’s. This is who she is, not what she does. Do you really want to try stifling that?”
Touché, Wonder.
49
Julian
Wonder’s impassioned speech made Julian feel like an ogre who couldn’t see further than the end of his nose. He had a feeling that if Ella didn’t need him to show her how to fill out the applications, she would have gone home in a huff.
They walked in silence, with him brooding and feeling chastised, and her deep in thought about Fates knew what. Julian’s sense of smell didn’t detect anything overly troubling, but he’d learned that with Ella he could never be sure. The scents she emitted were so subtle that he often wondered whether she was a little like Turner, who didn’t emit any at all.