“He’s been out most of the day, Miss. In fact, I should be getting back so that I’m there when he arrives.” Davis lifted his creaky body from his seat. “You know, I don’t think that boy would eat unless I made sure he did so. He’s been very…preoccupied lately.” He winked at Sam, and she felt her face redden. “It was lovely to meet you, Ms. Samantha.” He took her hand and placed a chivalrous kiss on top of it. “Please don’t hesitate to call on me if you require anything.” On his way out, he leaned down and gave Nonie a sweet kiss on her cheek and a pat on her shoulder. “Good night, and take care of my girl.” He shuffled his way out the door.
Sam sat in steely silence, staring at Nonie through squinted eyes. Nonie didn’t flinch and sat quietly sipping her tea as though nothing odd had happened. Sam crossed her arms. “Okay, Helen, so how long have you been canoodling with old Davis?”
“I don’t canoodle, missy. And if you want me to answer any of your questions, you will continue to call me Nonie, thank you very much.” She sat back in her chair, crossing her arms, looking back at Samantha.
“Okay, Nonie.” Sam raised her hands in defeat. “I’m sorry, but seriously, when did you and Davis start seeing each other? You know the hand-holding, the giggling.”
“Let’s just say Davis and I have common interests. After all, I needed a bridge partner, didn’t I,” she said with feigned innocence.
“Okay, a partner for your bridge game is one thing, but you two have clearly crossed the bridge.”
“Very funny, smarty pants.” Nonie gently swatted Sam’s arm.
“Look, Nonie.” Sam sighed. “I want you to be happy. I really do. It’s just going to take some getting used to that’s all.”
“I know. Believe me, dear, I never thought I’d have a relationship with anyone again. Your grandfather was the love of my life, and I always thought anyone else would pale in comparison.”
“Davis doesn’t?” Her question came out much more surprised than she meant it to.
“Oh no, he does.” She chuckled. “But you see I’m not looking for a great love. I already had that. I had it for over fifty years with Pop. Davis and I are good friends. We had a common interest, and it evolved.” She shrugged one thin shoulder. “What do you kids call it? Friends with benefits?”
Sam grimaced and held up her hand to stop Nonie from going into further detail. “Okay! I get it. He’s a companion. Please don’t tell me anymore.” Sam squeezed her eyes shut and shuddered. “Ew.”
Nonie laughed and took Sam’s hands in hers. “All right now. All I’m trying to say is that I had my great love. He had his.” Her wise eyes smiled back at Sam. “He was married, but she was taken from him so young. He’s been lonely for more years than I can imagine. Davis is a friend, a good friend. Once you have your great love, nothing and no one can compare. Pop was the love of my life. Nothing will ever change that. Believe me my dear, someday you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Sam smiled and squeezed Nonie’s hands. “Hey, you know what? I just realized something. We’re both dating the neighbors in the creepy house.”
“Speaking of which…Have you spoken with Malcolm since your date last night?” Nonie got up to clear away their teacups.
“Well, yes actually,” she said slowly.
Sam thought about the incident at the diner that day. She didn’t want to tell Nonie about Roger’s uninvited visit and erratic behavior. She knew that it would only upset her and make her worry. Besides after his run in with Malcolm she figured Roger was now permanently in the past and no longer an issue. But she knew that Millie would be spilling the beans about meeting Malcolm so she’d have to acknowledge it.
“He stopped by the diner…to say hello.” Before Nonie could ask anything more about it Sam quickly added, “Nonie, if you don’t mind, I’m going to finish unpacking and turn in. You know how lying in the sun for hours can take it out of you.”
“All right, dear,” she said hesitantly, “if you’re sure.”
“I am,” she said with a weak smile. “Night, Nonie.”
Sam placed a quick kiss on her cheek and went upstairs to shower and change for bed. She closed her eyes as she pulled herself up the steps trying to reconcile the latest piece of shocking news. “Nonie and Davis,” she said a few times under her breath, as though the more she said it, the more she’d get used to it.
“Well, I’d know better than anybody that stranger things have happened,” Sam mumbled as she went into her bedroom to change. She hated to admit it, but she couldn’t wait to fall asleep and dream of Malcolm.
***
Malcolm arrived home victorious with the necklace in his hand, and Davis was nowhere to be found. That made him nervous. Davis was always here. He had asked him to watch over Samantha; perhaps he was next door. Was she all right? Had something happened? Just as his stomach began to churn, he heard Davis come through the side door. He let out the breath he didn’t even realize he’d been holding. “What is this woman doing to me?” he said under his breath.
“She’s saving your life, that’s what she’s doing,” Davis said loudly from the kitchen. “Not just your physical well-being, but your emotional life as well, sir. If you don’t mind my saying so.”
Malcolm shook his head and smiled. The guy still had the sharpest hearing of any human he knew. He knew that all Vasullus family members were special, but not all of them had this old bird’s acute hearing. Still smiling, Malcolm walked into the large kitchen and held up the fruit of his labors. The little silver necklace glinted brightly in the cavernous gourmet kitchen. “I don’t mind at all, Davis, because you’re absolutely correct.”
“You’ve found it, sir! Wonderful! Ms. Samantha will be so pleased.” Davis began to putter around the kitchen, gathering together the ingredients for dinner.
“Speaking of Sam, did you see her?”
“Oh yes, sir. I got to meet her this evening. She’s even prettier up close. Quite a beauty, that one. She had been out all afternoon with a friend. I didn’t mind though.” He winked. “It gave me time to be with Ms. Helen. She’s a saucy old girl.”
“Helen? Do you mean her grandmother?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I didn’t realize you two were friends,” Malcolm said with some embarrassment. He’d cared for Malcolm’s family’s needs forever, and yet Malcolm realized he didn’t know much about Davis at all. Davis had a girlfriend. Malcolm smirked. The old dog.
“Oh yes, sir. Good friends.” He grinned mischievously. “She’s my bridge partner too.”
“Wait. Did you say Samantha was with a friend all day? What friend?” Could Roger have come back with Samantha’s blessing? Malcolm battled something that resembled jealousy. He’d never been jealous in his life.
“Ms. Kerry Smithson.” Davis put the pasta into the huge pot of boiling water on the enormous stainless steel stovetop.
Malcolm let his breath out, along with the tension that had so quickly bunched up in his shoulders. He scolded himself silently. How could he think for even one second that she’d be with Roger? He shook his head at his foolishness and rubbed the small bit of silver between his fingers.
“Her family has the house on the other side of Helen’s. Have for generations, sir. As long as your family has had this house, I believe.” Davis pinched salt into the pot.
“I see.” Malcolm absentmindedly stared at the silver treasure in his hand. “No sign of that fellow I mentioned to you earlier? The Caedo?”
“No, sir. But I do think you should notify the Council about that. Perhaps Sir Richard or your uncle Brendan should come here to provide you both with some extra protection? At least until the mating ceremony has been completed,” he added quickly.
“I know,” Malcolm said quietly. “I was just so preoccupied with finding this necklace for her. Quite frankly, I couldn’t do anything else until I found it.” Malcolm shook his head with a small smile. “You know, Davis, no one tells you how hard it is.”
“How hard wh
at is, sir?”
“This whole life mate thing. It may well do me in.” He furrowed his brow.
“Ah yes.” Davis smiled sadly. “Love of your life. We only get one of those. Even human beings, sir.” He sprinkled basil and oregano into the sauce bubbling up in a neighboring pot. “Sadie was mine. I miss her every day,” he said in a shaky voice. “She was taken from me so quickly, but I loved her a lifetime’s worth.” A pained expression came over him, and tears threatened behind his eyes. Malcolm knew that Davis didn’t want to break down in front of him. The old boy cleared his throat and focused more intensely on the sauce.
“I’m sorry.” Malcolm placed a strong hand on Davis’s shoulder. He’d always felt a kinship with Davis, but now he truly could empathize. The idea of losing Samantha the way Davis had lost Sadie terrified him. He knew that if something happened to her, he wouldn’t want to go on without her, and death would likely be a welcome relief.
“Not to worry, sir.” Davis sniffled and cleared his throat in an attempt to dispel the sudden onset of emotion. “Will you be having your dinner in your office this evening?”
“No. I’ll come in for it later. I’ve got to speak with Richard and Brendan about the man from the other night.” Malcolm turned to go to his office. “Davis?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I almost forgot to ask. Did Samantha’s paintings arrive?”
A large grin cracked Davis’s wrinkled face, and he clapped his hands. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry sir. I forgot to tell you. Barkley had them hung throughout the house in the locations that you requested.”
Malcolm smiled and took a deep breath. “Thank you, for everything. You know I don’t think I’ve ever said that to you before.”
“No worries, sir. You are more than welcome.” Davis bowed slightly with a smile. Davis was only about five foot ten and looked like he’d been shrinking for the past couple of years. He stood in that kitchen with a sauce-stained apron over a crisp white shirt, his signature bow tie and pressed pants, and still managed to look like the most regal gentleman Malcolm had ever met.
Smiling, Malcolm walked into the living room. Sure enough, set perfectly centered above the large fireplace was Samantha’s painting Woman and the Wolf. He suspected it was something of a self-portrait, although she probably didn’t realize it yet. He closed his eyes and focused on the painting. A slow smile spread across his face as her energy signature slipped over him. He opened his mind and concentrated on finding the other paintings. Each sent out a tentacle of energy that was distinctly Samantha. He sucked a deep breath and took it all in. Her sweet warmth and quiet strength rippled over him like the summer ocean. He felt his own strength increase, and his eyes shifted abruptly.
“Perfect,” he breathed. He knew that when she came into his home, she’d instantly feel at ease. Having her paintings here would give her the emotional equivalent of a blood transfusion.
Malcolm made his way back to his office with the necklace clutched tightly in his hand. In the office, he gently placed the jewelry on top of his desk. He laid it out delicately so that the chain would stay free of tangles and snags. His smile faded as he thought about the man from last night. The confrontation with Roger was nothing compared to what could happen if this Caedo got to her. Malcolm knew deep down that the man watching them at Paddy’s had been Caedo; there could be no other explanation. He’d reeked of hatred, bigotry, and rage. Malcolm hated to admit it, but he needed help. He wanted Samantha’s transition into their world to be as trauma-free as possible. He couldn’t possibly do that and devote his attention to seeking out the Caedo. No. He definitely needed help. His pride would have to take a backseat to her safety.
He stood in the center of the room, closed his eyes, and reached out to Richard and his uncle Brendan at the same time. He focused on creating a mental link with both men and did it with much better speed than he had in a long time.
Richard and Brendan, I need to speak with you both. I am certain that the Caedo have found us once again, and I believe we are being hunted.
Within moments, both Richard and Brendan materialized on either side of him. He immediately turned and embraced his uncle. Anyone could tell that the two men were related, although they looked more like brothers. Brendan was over one hundred years old. As with all Amoveo, the aging process slowed significantly once he’d found his mate. His uncle was also just over six feet tall with chestnut hair, although he kept his longer and tied back in a low ponytail at the base of his neck. The most obvious physical difference between the two men was their eyes. Brendan’s were almost black. He was his mother’s brother and a member of the Kodiak Bear Clan.
It was unknown which clan a child would favor until adolescence. In addition to the challenges of human physical changes, Amoveos also undergo their first shift to their animal form at the onset of puberty. Malcolm knew his father was very proud that his son favored the Eagle Clan and would often give Brendan a hard time about it. Brendan and his mate, Sophia, of the Fox Clan, had twins. His daughter, Mariana, favored the Bear, while her twin, Dante, was of the Fox Clan.
“Hello, Nephew. I see Davis is still feeding you well. Good God, you are a big fellow.” Brendan released Malcolm from a good old bear hug.
“Good to see you, Uncle Brendan. And you as well Richard.” Malcolm turned to shake his friend’s hand. “Thank you both for coming so quickly. Let’s go into the living room.”
Malcolm gestured toward the doorway and allowed the Prince to lead the way.
The three men entered the room, and Brendan stopped short. His gaze was fixed on the painting above the fireplace. “Is that hers?” he asked quietly.
Malcolm puffed up with pride. “Yes.” He smiled and stood next to his uncle and admired his mate’s work. “It’s quite good isn’t it?”
Brendan nodded slowly. “Her father, Lucas Logan, was quite a talented artist as well. Wasn’t he?” He delivered a sideways glance to Malcolm and crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s interesting. Her artistic abilities don’t seem to be diluted at all. It will be interesting to see if her Amoveo talents are as strong or if they’re diluted also.”
“Diluted?” Malcolm’s body tensed, and he eyed his uncle.
“Well, she is a hybrid Malcolm. We’ve never had one before. We don’t know what she’ll be capable of,” Richard interrupted and sat in the large leather chair next to the fireplace.
Malcolm’s eyes narrowed. “I see,” he said quietly. He instantly felt defensive. She was his mate. Hybrid or not, she was Amoveo. He felt some anxiety coming from Richard, but Brendan was a blank slate. Nothing.
Brendan slapped his shoulder and let out a short laugh. “Easy nephew, remember we’re all here for the same reason.”
Malcolm searched Brendan’s face and found the same smiling eyes he’d seen all his life. Some of the tension left his body, and he ran his hand through his hair with some embarrassment. “I know,” he breathed. “Please Uncle, sit down.”
Richard’s sharp eyes stayed fixed on the two men, and he cleared his throat. They seated themselves on the brown leather sofa across from him. “I filled Brendan and the Council in on the earlier issue you had with the dream interloper. As you can imagine, we are all concerned for you and your mate,” Richard said solemnly. His sharp gaze flicked between Brendan and Malcolm. “You are a very unusual coupling. The truth is that your mating could hold the key to our race not only surviving, but thriving in the future. It is in everyone’s best interest that you are protected. Brendan and a few of the others have been researching to see if we can find other humans like Samantha and her mother.”
“What happened last night?” Brendan interrupted.
“As I’m sure Richard delighted in telling you,” he began tensely. “I took Samantha out on a date.” He put his hand up to stifle any comments. “Yes, before you say anything, like a human.”
“I didn’t say a word.” Brendan smiled, his hands up in a position of surrender.
Malcolm shot hi
m a look of warning. “At any rate, we were listening to the music, and I suddenly felt this hatred. It rolled throughout the entire crowd in waves. I saw a man. He was definitely tracking Sam. I reached out to read him, and he blocked me,” Malcolm said with strangled frustration. He quickly waved his hand, and a fire burst to life in the fireplace next to Richard. He needed to put his anger somewhere, and the fireplace was as good a place as any.
“He blocked you?” Richard leaned forward in his chair. “He’s a telepath,” he said with disbelief.
“Apparently,” Malcolm murmured and stared into the fire.
“Well, we have heard rumors that the Caedo have been actively trying to develop certain psychic abilities. I must say the ability to block a telepathic probe is a good one,” Brendan said quietly.
Richard stood and paced restlessly in front of the fire, clearly concerned with this latest development. “Good for them, bad for us.” His apprehension flowed through the room and over both men. Malcolm and Brendan exchanged a look. There wasn’t much that rattled the Prince. “One of our major advantages was being able to ferret out what their plans were by searching their minds. But if they’ve learned to block that, then we really are flying blind.”
Brendan turned his attention to Malcolm. “You’ve got to take her away from here, Malcolm. You should bring her to one of our safe houses. They’ve found you both and will surely make a move on you sooner than later.” He laid a hand on Malcolm’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“Absolutely not,” Malcolm said. His golden eyes glittered with determination. “Her grandmother is everything to her. I can’t possibly take her away now. Besides she still doesn’t know…well…anything, really. I’m just beginning to gain her trust, and I can’t very well take her away from everything she knows.”
Silence hung between the men. Malcolm’s mind wandered to Roger and the way he’d tried to force himself and his very presence on Sam. He would never make her do anything against her will. His gaze flicked back to Brendan. “No,” he said adamantly, “we’ve got to find another option.”
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