by Nini Church
Now, she knew Daisy and Deos cutely babbling strawberry helped her to stay grounded. Maybe she could just chant the single word silently in her mind and stop the blank spots from happening?
Even Thany and Rad were convinced she was healing, all her bits and bobs forming back together into a single whole when it wasn’t really happening.
“A journal can be a good grounding tool when you write down what you’re experiencing. If you want, you can list your daily events and tell how many blank spots are happening. Baby, it’s important that we get this under control.” Reno watched her closely as she dipped the tip of her spoon in the chocolate pudding.
His Aili was a very smart female, had a brain like a lightning rod and just as quick. He felt defeat wash over him, realizing she had manipulated them all into thinking she was getting better and instead she was simply managing a problem that wasn’t going away.
Even worse, in his estimation, she wasn’t sharing it with a single soul either.
Including him. That hurt.
Reno recalled that in every conversation with Rad about Aili, the big warrior insisted there would be setbacks. As in – five glorious steps ahead and three ugly steps back. Patiently and repeatedly, Rad explained that Aili’s healing journey might be hard in the extreme, but possible none the less.
Between Rad and Bethany and their beliefs Aili could heal, Reno had to believe.
It was all he had.
Chapter 19
As Reno tried to explain to Rad what was going on with Aili, Rad insisted he wait for Bethany.
Rad accepted it wasn’t good news from the little Reno revealed. A knock on the door and Thany entered the small sitting room, closing the door quickly for fear Met was sneaking behind her again. He never seemed to be far.
Oddly, she just realized he’d been absent the last couple of hours. All to the good as maybe she could relax and not be on defense, staying on her toes, never letting her guard down with Met and his fecking Godhood.
It was obvious both males were in a state with weary, worn expressions and body language. Thany greeted them, and went to stand by the window, suddenly feeling raw and jagged as she picked up their energies. Thany decided not to intrude and dig deeper to read their minds. “Reno?”
“Uh, it’s Aili.”
Thany turned from the window a golden aura of sunlight streaming around her, saying a blessing as her innate positivity ate the negative energy filling the small room.
Like Esme when she sent a blessing, Reno felt Thany’s too. “Aili’s not healing the way we think she is.”
Thany’s dove gray eyes darkened. “Explain.”
“She’s learned how to work around the forgotten stuff without telling anyone. She is doing her work and staying focused, but when she slips back, she’s learned to patch it so no one notices. Aili admitted to me she has blank spots in her recent memories.”
“Blank spots? Do you mean the Nothingness she refers to?”
“Uh, well...no. Fuck! I don’t know.” Uneasy, unsure, Reno threw his hands up as he got to his feet.
“Easy, bro. I think what Reno means is when this Nothingness comes, it leaves a blank spot in Aili’s memory. Right?”
Reno nodded, grateful that Rad pulled up the words he couldn’t find.
Thany moved closer to the two males. “I can see her carrying it off. She’s a brilliant lass. Catches everything, she does. How did you discover her secret?”
Reno’s eyes darted away, a faint flush disappearing over his face.
Thany smirked. At least their sex life was active again and that was excellent news as it would be a great tension tamer. Still, she waited.
“Aili slipped, admitting in a very real moment that ‘It all feels so real’. That’s how I knew something was up and she wasn’t there with me. An’ her eyes were glossy and blank.”
“Did the code word work?”
Reno nodded. “She snapped back instantly. Guilty as hell, she revealed a couple of blank spots. For example, she remembered us leaving the house yesterday, but after that nothing until we arrived at our destination. Aili confessed she didn’t remember what we talked about or anything else in between.” They had spent ten minutes with Aili’s back pressed into the nearest tree, foliage covering them as he stroked her, kissed her silly and she didn’t recall a damn fucking minute of it.
Thany smirked, but it disappeared instantly. Sounded like Reno had been all over his mate and hated that she didn’t remember. “Rad, your thoughts.”
Rad washed a big scarred hand over his face. “Hell, anything’s possible. Sorry, I disagree that she’s learned to hide what’s happening to her. I believe she’s simply coping the only way she can by denying and hoping the blank spots will eventually go away. Unfortunately, it’s very clear that within an hour or two?” Rad looked to Reno.
“Yeah, maybe less than that,” Reno grudgingly admitted.
“Over the course of a short period, Aili suffered two episodes that left her memory blank. How often it’s happening concerns me deeply. She’s gotta be at the end of her rope and probably why she slipped up.”
Thany mulled what Rad said, realizing he was partly right. Perhaps it would be best to take Aili home with her for intensive healing and find the tears in her psyche. Then, close the opened windows in Aili’s mind, allowing the Nothingness to wander in and out at will while stealing her memories. “I believe the best course of action is to bring Aili home with me…”
The door to the small sitting room crashed open, hitting the wall hard. Met stood in the doorway, arms rising to cross his massive chest, all seven feet of bronzed male beauty. He let his voice roll over the room, command written in his tone. “You can’t take Aili home with you.” He was done waiting for his Bethany. More importantly, he needed to show her what he’d finally figured out, what he’d discovered.
Thany gaped. Usually Met took an underdog position, but not this time. His power almost forced her to step back and it was then, she knew he could use it to make her do anything he wanted. She cringed inside and threw up a shield.
Too late, his pheromones already coated every inch of her skin, body tingling with pleasure. She shook it off and snidely asked, “Why can’t Aili come home with me? It’s the only way…”
“No, it’s isn’t. You’re not going home, ma pico, you’re coming with me. There’s something you must see.” He poured on the charm, sure he had her just where he wanted, but when Bethany grimaced, he switched tactics, once again defeated that his exquisite male presence didn’t hit her between the eyes the way it did every other single female he’d ever encountered. “Really, there’s something I need to show you. It concerns Aili.”
Instantly, Reno was on his feet, roaring, “I’m going too.” Was Met going to see Fate again?
Met shook his head. “Nuh, uh. There’s only room for two on this trip.” He moved swiftly, taking Bethany’s hand in his and showered them in gold dust as they faded from sight.
Reno and Rad didn’t wait around – Met and Thany could be gone for hours. Hell, days if Met had his way. Males pick up quickly when other males hold any interest in one female. Met had that with Thany. Big time. Both Rad and Reno chuckled at the same time.
“Ah, fuck. Maybe he doesn’t know about her reputation?” Reno grinned.
Rad shrugged. “Maybe he doesn’t care.” A sloppy smile slipped across his face. “Who knows, man, maybe Met prefers ball–breaker females.”
Reno cleared his training scheduled for the day, needing to be with Aili without letting on he was keeping a close six on her. But, more than anything, he wanted to be right there with her, helping every step of the way.
When Thany and Met didn’t return a couple of hours later, Cal toed into the great room where only Reno and Aili were snuggled into one corner of a long couch. “Can I talk to you two?” Dangling from between Caleb’s fingers was an earpiece and tiny square of pink.
“Hey, Wiz," Reno grinned, "what you got?”
“I, u
h, built Aili a small device. Needs to be on your hip next to your skin. It’ll read your brain waves. After your tests, I saw there were slight differences in your brain waves when the Nothingness turns up, your brain waves decrease and beta waves takes precedence.
“This little device will help keep your brain waves at an increased level. If you want to wear the ear clip, you’ll also hear Strawberry a couple of different ways.” Caleb grinned. “I taped both Deos and Daisy saying it.”
Reno chuckled and Aili reached for the device. “Will it shock me or just vibrate?”
“Vibrate. There’s no shock factor. You’ll have to adjust the level so it’s comfortable. It’s set on deep vibrate now.”
Aili pulled out the waistband of her hip–huggers. “How does it attach?”
“The flat side goes against your skin and there’s a coating of natural adhesive I developed that never wears away. If you don’t want it on your skin, just switch it around and attach the flat side to any material, it’ll still stick.”
Aili’s big chocolate eyes locked on Caleb. “You’re amazing you know that? You just admitted to developing a natural adhesive that could revolutionize surgery.”
Reno gaped in awe. This was his Aili, right here, right now, mind snapping with intelligence, realizing and understanding Cal’s innate genius to build whatever they needed. Cal was their MacGyver, giving it his best shot every time.
Caleb shuffled back, chin dipped to his chest. He never took credit, wasn’t his style. Besides, he built shit because he loved a challenge. “The vibration won’t stop until you manually turn it off. That yellow button, tap it once.”
Aili eyes were shining. “Caleb! You really are a Wizard. A true Brainiac. My god, we must put our heads together and talk sometime. I’ve got a million ideas.”
“Sure. Cool.” Caleb glanced at Reno and winked. “I’m going to hang with you two for a while. Catch the vibes.”
Aili hooked on the ear piece and adjusted it until it was comfortable. “So, it’s active?”
Cal nodded.
“Okay. I’m going to make a cup of tea.”
Reno waited as Aili trailed out of the room. “Thanks, man. You’re always looking after us. Really appreciate this one, though.”
Cal shifted in beside the big Jinn as they followed Aili into the kitchen.
Twenty minutes later, Aili almost jumped out of her stool as Deos and Daisy babbled the word strawberry in her ear and a deep bone vibration ran along her left side. It wasn’t unpleasant or painful – it was just an instant jarring return to reality. Eyes misty, Aili nodded her appreciation to Cal.
Reno pulled away from Aili, his heart sinking – fucking drastically, man. She hadn’t heard him whispering to her as she went through the motions of drinking her tea. Hadn’t heard his words of commitment or his love. Fuck, he’d have to remember to tell her again. When they were alone and he was sure Aili was focused and aware of what was happening around her. Maybe Cal’s device would work – maybe not.
Time would tell.
Chapter 20
Instantly, Aili’s device became known as Lil' Vibe. Sometimes it went off every few minutes and others not at all. There was no rhyme nor reason to when the Nothingness reared its ugly head, but since Cal adjusted the brain wave sensor to a finer pitch, the vibration started sooner, way before Aili drifted off. But truly, over the few hours she wore it, Lil’ Vibe really only helped manage the Nothingness.
It didn’t take the Nothingness away. Aili preferred not to consider that – not right now when she was starting to finally feel better. It was peaceful and she preferred not to disturb that by talking about her new worries. What if she permanently needed Lil’ Vibe to stay sane? What if she developed a resistance to the vibrations? Feck, she was driving herself nuts.
Reno noted Aili’s deep frown and the tense lines of worry around her eyes. He stood and stretched, offering her his hand. When she took it, his heart sang just as it did the first time. He loved holding hands with her and suggested they take a walk, work off some shit.
Zulu and Conn were shooting a game of pool with Caleb refereeing as Zu tended to bend the rules or tried to make them up when he missed a shot.
For once, the house was relatively quiet, the twins lunching in the kitchen, no doubt, covered in whatever they were eating.
Jericho was in his office working, scheduling rotational duties for his household and warrior contingent. He was grateful the pace of the day was smooth and steady. When done, Jericho swept up both twins and lit up the front stairs, both of them mouthing as if Abe's nipples were already wedged in.
Downstairs in the kitchen, Thany appeared, barefoot and swathed head to toe in a colourful silk sari that was almost transparent, but not.
Those in the kitchen gaped. Conn shifted his eyes away out of respect and Caleb simply appreciated her unadulterated beauty without intruding.
Fifi smiled and at Thany's glare it dropped away quickly. All most certainly was not well. Fifi lifted her hand, trying to signal to her friend to –
Brows arched and dove gray eyes beyond incredulous and focused squarely on Met – Thany was in a complete fury and didn't give a feck – she ranted, “In your bed? Did they think so? I don’t do that kind of shit. How dare you. Ye fecking bastard, I’ll….”
Met was beside her in an instant, curling her into his body using sheer strength as she stiffened like a board. “Hush now, ma pico, we’ve an audience – a growing audience.”
Thany bit her lip hard and after peeking around Met’s massive bicep, her face flushed deep red. Twisting to one side, she tried to get away from him, but his hands stuck to her like glue. “A Bordello? Really? You left me there!”
“Ma pico, you weren’t supposed to wander off.”
“You left me alone in a Bordello! Huh! They all thought I was for sale didn’t they – kept asking me my price..." Head whipping up and wearing an expression of sheer horror, Thany asked, “Is that what they all wanted? At the same time…? Now…I’ve seen it all.”
Jericho and Abe carrying a babe each mowed down the back staircase into the kitchen, not wanting to miss a minute of the fireworks they all expected. Already Daisy was crowing, “Bordetto! Borellooo!”
Fifi rushed to Abe and Jericho, opening her arms and taking both twins. In a flash, she disappeared into the great room. Elron followed right behind her. They’d tend to the twins until Thany was done in the kitchen.
Fifi’s ears were burning, she was dying to know what happened with Thany and Met. Her blue eyes twinkled – she’d been shopping once with Met and it had been a glorious experience!
Thany looked at Jericho and Abe, guilty as sin. “Oh, dear. Forgive me. I’m angry and wasn’t thinking.”
Abe smiled gently at Thany and eyed Daddio. “So far, it sounds like you might have a good case for being angry.”
Thany smiled distractedly while calling herself every name in the book. She’d been such a fool! “Metatron Evergreen, let’s get to what’s happened. I have to be gone.”
Met grinned widely, clearly incapable of holding it back as he shook his mane of golden hair.
Abe tried to get the old man’s attention to signal him to chill, dim it back. He had to be blind not to see Bethany was explosive.
Stupidly and God–like, Met ignored everyone else and leaned in, nose nuzzling her neck, taking liberties. “Ma pico, you can’t go anywhere just yet. We’ve been gone almost all day. You need to acclimatize to the Third dimension again before you can hop anywhere else.” Softly, he purred, “I’m here to help you with that.”
Distractedly, Thany ran a hand through her hair, pulling it back, away from her face. “Really? Like coffee? On Jupiter?”
Sheepishly Met admitted, “I thought you’d like the pink clouds.”
Thany rolled her eyes, exasperated, frustrated and more than willing to plant her fist right in his face. She trembled with anger that he dared paw her as if a possession he kept for amusement. Truly, she wanted to throttle
him.
Abe was all eyes and ears. In the world of Gods, Jupiter was the planet of love. To think he’d taken Thany there was a real eye opener. Obviously, Daddio had it bad for Bethany and he might end up making a complete ass of himself and have his heart broken in the mix. He shouldn’t be messing with Thany. At all.
Reno and Aili walked in the back door, hand in hand, immediately realizing they were right in the middle of Thany’s arrival – with Met.
Reno eyed Met who appeared happy as shit, wearing a swath of white teeth in a satisfied smile. Then, he saw Thany in a tight, see–through cloth of some kind. Hell, she was near naked – couldn’t Met see that? He all but rolled his eyes until realizing that Thany was hotter than a fucking pistol and she was aiming it at Met.
Aili nodded her approval. Thany was dressed only in a tight, very colorful and, almost transparent, sari that showed off her figure beautifully. Aili winked as Thany glanced at her and Reno. “Love those colors on you. Nice. Is it silk?”
“Comes from a Bordello where they have orgies. On Jupiter? After coffee…I think,” Thany mindlessly added, still not able to patch events together in a long enough string to understand exactly what had happened when.
Instantly, everyone’s interest was piqued as they waited for Thany to spill more tawdry details – like where were her original clothes. The ones she left in.
“Ma pico, hush now. I know you’re still in shock.” He rubbed her back then wound a big hand around her waist, pulling her in tight.
She tried to shove away from him, but he held fast. Met wasn’t smiling either and his golden eyes were serious – he had no intention of letting go of her, no matter how much she struggled. Thany lifted her chin, glaring at him. “Let’s get to the news. And, feck, stop pawing me.”
“I do not paw you, ma pico, but merely keep you safe at my side.”