Ada's Protective Mate

by Jo Palmer

  “You?” Ruine asked.

  “And me. Felt like my life was being sucked away, sometimes my very soul. The bastard even had the gall to say I didn’t have enough kick! I have oodles of kick, thank you very much! Right now, though, I’m just a bit tired.”

  “Let’s get you to Galdo.” Nate stood up with effort, helping Remi up. “You did real well, imp. And from what Ada’s told me, she thinks you’re pretty amazing.”

  Remi actually blushed. “Thanks, werewolf. She still calling you a dog?”

  “On occasion.” He winked. “I’m going with it's her type of affection. Let’s get you home.”

  “OK, I’ll fill you in on everything I learned about the wacko on the way back.”

  Hopefully by then, he’d know what had happened to Nico.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “So the bastard cleared out the cave and left me hanging there,” Remi explained at the safe house. The imp had demolished a large lasagna, a chicken pie, a plate of fettuccini, and a steak. Now she was onto desserts.

  Nate was impressed by her appetite. “Do you have any idea who this person is he says should have been in the cage?”

  “The woman? No idea. I did hear she was way ancient and could defeat him in a battle of magic. The woman partner, who I think has some sort of hold over him, that’s why he tolerates her, said she’d help get this mystery person Grydern’s after, but only if he helps her.”

  “Helps her do what?” Ace asked.

  “No idea, they never said—oh.” She frowned. “She did say something about mates, and kill or take the mate power.” She shrugged and demolished a piece of cheesecake in two bites.

  Scowling, Nate had a feeling the woman partner, whoever she may be, wanted Severo’s mate power, either to use or be destroyed. And Grydern definitely wanted to take it. Shit, they were all going to have to be extremely cautious if the psycho black sorcerer really had somehow managed to replicate the power bowl.

  But who was this female Grydern was after? More magically powerful…that did lead to a couple of contenders, but you throw ancient in the mix, and that had Nate immediately narrowing in on one creature. It did make sense in one way and had him thinking of the spirit from the tablet. From the look on the faces of those here, they were also speculating.

  “That’s enough questions.” Ada was hovering over the imp like a mother with her cub. It warmed Nate’s heart. He’d had flashes of insight into her softer, caring nature but never presumed to think she could be a protective mama wolf. “Remi’s been through hell; she needs to get her strength back. More triple chocolate mud cake, honey?”

  “Oh yeah, definitely!” Remi grabbed the plate Ada was holding and demolished the cake. “Can I just suggest the chef add more chocolate?”

  “Imps and their chocolate.” Divij appeared. “We are glad you are safe, imp Remika Alberts. After you have rested and been seen to by a healer, we will require a full run down of your time with Grydern.”

  “Gosh, didn’t I just go over all of it?” Remi fluttered her lashes. “Any more cake?”

  “Of course!” Ada frowned. “Where is Nico?”

  “Recovering. He was attacked by a group of enthusiastic Revmiras while searching Las Vegas for the imp.” Div sat beside Nate. “He is safe and comfortable. Damage minimal.”

  Nate was furious, waves of rage rolling off him. “Were the Revmiras caught?”

  “No. Blaine, myself, Chase, and Lucio were busy protecting ourselves and Nico. They are becoming very crafty in the way they attack. It is alarming.”

  “Come on, Remi, let’s get you cleaned up so the healer can check you over.” Ada smiled at Nate. “Thank you. I will always trust your word.”

  He jolted, vibrating on the seat. A werewolf’s word was his or her honor; for Ada to proclaim she would always trust his was giving him sacred trust, an honor beyond belief. But even more, the look in those beautiful eyes tied up his stomach and made him want to pounce.

  He’d noticed this morning, and at dinner last night, the brownie was far more receptive toward him. Did this mean she was feeling more than attraction? Was she, maybe, possibly, warming to him in more than physical ways? Damn, he wanted that. He wanted her, all of her. Attention, liking, caring, respect, lust, and mostly, love. He wanted her to know him fully, to think of him. The thought thrilled him.

  “I must return. Ace, come.” Dare stood.

  “Me? Why?” Ace peered up at his brother curiously.

  “Jaac has run off, we should at least look for our youngest brother.”

  “Ah, shit, that little fairy of mischief.” Ace and Dare disappeared.

  “Are you remaining?” Div asked Ruine.

  “Werewolves are searching for the annoyance; they don’t need me, and the fairy brothers must rest after how much magic and energy they used retrieving the imp.”

  “They used a lot of energy and magic in that cavern. Why did Nico keep himself blocked, Div?” Nate picked up a hotdog the imp hadn’t eaten.

  “Lucio said Nico felt he could deal with the situation, and your hunt was more important.”

  “That vamp has an overrated opinion of his fighting prowess,” Nate growled, running a hand through his dark hair and messing it more. “Where is he?”

  “At the vampire vortex.” Divij shrugged. “I feel Nico’s parents and Lucio have told him off enough. Whose idea was it to separate? We do not separate during these times of unrest. I have said this several times now, and every sentinel does not comply. I must take this to the council, and I am starting to think all creatures should remain in groups or return to Galdorcwide.”

  “I’d see that being received well,” Ruine said.

  “I understand why, Your Grace, but I do not believe it is practical.” Ada returned with a tray of drinks, Nate jumping up to assist her but being shooed back to his seat. “You should shower and let the healers check you over. Who knows what radical magic Grydern and his partner left in that cavern.”

  “That is a concern.” Div agreed. “Yes, you are right, Counselor Ada.” He sighed. “Impractical.”

  “Counselor?” Ruine queried.

  “What?” Nate sprung forward.

  “While you were retrieving Remi, I accepted an official position with the Galdorcwide Council as a lawyer.” Ada poured them each a coffee. “Later we will discuss the changes the council and Galdorcwide require, Your Grace.”

  “Of course, make an appointment with my assistant, and please, address me as Divij.”

  Ada inclined her head then smiled at Nate. “Remika is praising you, and Prince Ruine. She would also like to acquire your telephone number.” Ada glanced at the demon and rolled her eyes. “Prince Ace she is now cautious of, and his brother she is just enthralled by.” She smiled over this, a rather scary smile actually. Brownies were always scheming. Her attention fixed on Nate. “You must have been burned by the bars.”

  Nate shrugged. “I’m healing.”

  “Grydern knew the sentinels were close to locating his hideaway and must have had another setup. We are not going to find him easily, I fear.” Divij mused.

  “Nope, but we’ll hunt him down.”

  “We should return to Galdorcwide. I need to interrogate the imp and search the cave myself—”

  “Speak delicately to the tortured imp,” Ada interjected.

  Div, not used to being interrupted, frowned, then sighed as though put upon and nodded, casting a mild glare at Nate.

  “Of course. I wasn’t informed which area of the council you would be working for and representing, Counselor Ada.”

  “I petitioned for a position of Counselor for the poor, seen-as-lesser-creatures brownies, Your Grace. I will represent and defend them in every area and seek to improve conditions for them overall, including their inclusion on the council and in higher industry.” She dipped a cookie into her coffee.

  Nate tried not to groan. He foresaw trouble ahead.

  “I also was offered the position of council lawyer which I accept
ed, on the defending side,” she continued.

  He winced. Oh man, talk about conflict of interest. She smiled at him, and Nate’s worries blew away with the wind.

  “Go have your wounds seen to, werewolf. We should return to Galdorcwide to check on Nico,” his brownie ordered with soft sternness.

  Stunned, and warmed, he didn’t protest. Some healing lotions might help sooth some of the burns his natural healing was having difficulty with. He also wouldn’t mind a few moments to deal with his anger over Nico’s ambush and his arousal over his brownie mate showing such an interest in him. Yeah, it was because he’d retrieved her imp friend, but he was glowing and basking in her attention. There wasn’t anything wrong with being seen in a good light, it may highlight his other good attributes and awaken some inkling of affection, other than temporary lust. And there had been a few nice things said to him by his brownie before this, so he was beginning to feel some confidence she liked him.

  After a shower the healers lotioned him up, and the group was soon headed through the portal back to Galdorcwide and his errant vampire who needed a good telling off.

  Glancing at her phone, then at the odd-shaped building in front of them, Penny frowned and checked the mailbox.

  Yep, this was definitely the right address.

  “Is it tilting?” Ruine, the big hunky demon, shifted his head to the side, studying the slanting building.

  “It’s sinking into the ground.” Chase seemed pained just looking at the dilapidated old building with its sagging front deck, missing roof tiles, and fallen-down fence.

  The building’s appearance didn’t bother Ruine; he was always up for war, mayhem, and fighting and never minded getting dirty and wrecking things. As a blacksmith and carpenter, he liked fixing things and using his hands. But the place obviously gave Chase hives. He was right this minute scratching his forearm. For cousins, the demons were worlds apart, yet extremely close.

  Chase liked everything to be straight down the line, problems dealt with. This in front of them made his teeth hurt from clenching his jaw. Penny tried not to smirk and nudged a fence post. It crumbled to the ground kicking up dirt onto their shoes. Chase’s dark blue eyes flashed. Oops. Demons weren’t known for their easy-going, friendly, forgiving natures. Nope. Revenge, mayhem, a damn good time, and deal making, that's what got them off. Weird, lusty, hunky, fantasy-inspiring creatures.

  The building, which once may have been a charming little two story cottage, was on the outskirts of a tiny little town near a lovely deserted beach miles from the nearest anything. It was like life stood still and was forgotten, leaving whatever was here to crumble and wither away.

  It gave Penny the creeps.

  Hopefully this address didn’t pan out like the last four. There had been a glorious balcony apartment in Paris, a villa in Istanbul, a mansion in Hawthorne, England, that was basically just rubble, a small, neat little house in Montreal and now this. A derelict, crumbling old cottage along the coastline of New South Wales, Australia. An amazingly beautiful spot, sure, but the cottage made everything feel…desolate.

  The wind changed, and both Chase and Ruine drew in sharply. Demon senses were always attuned and alert.

  “Umm?” Penny opened the mailbox, wincing as it crashed to the ground and broke apart. “Oops. Can you fix that, Ruine?”

  “Not worth it. Got some glue or immortal magic?” The demon’s gorgeous black hair, silky straight, fell to his shoulders as he turned slowly in a circle. “Sense we’re being watched. Not sure where from.”

  Interesting, Penny mused, wondering why anyone would be watching, and how good the person or creature must be to slip mostly under big hunky Ruine’s radar. She twirled a finger at the mailbox, frowning as it joined back together completely wrong. Strange, just like the sinking house. She could sense something very elusive. It was like…an illusion?

  “Mail.” She slipped an envelope out and held it up. “Ms. Perry Twinkle…that’s a joke, right?”

  Chase smiled, blowing her mind a moment. Ah, how she lusted after the demon. Assigned to speak to the fairy who may have originally owned the crystal covered in bad fairy juju that werewolf Nate had found in Las Vegas had a few added benefits.

  One of course was running down information. She adored information, loved gathering it, gaining it, spreading it! Two, Ruine had elected to come along. He was curious about the connection to the crystal with Grydern, and as Chase was concerned about them being out of Galdo with Grydern and Revmiras running amuck, he came along also to ensure their safety. She could look after herself of course, but she wasn’t a nitwit!

  Grydern and the Revmiras were miseries and dangerous, and this way she got to spend her time with two incredibly hunky, lusty demons! What more could a girl want! Information, gossip, and drooling over the demon cousins. Umm, fantasies.

  And lastly, she got to meet—well, she might get to meet if this address or the last two on their list, panned out—the extremely elusive ancient fairy, who was going by the name Perry this decade. She was the most ancient of fairies, and possibly any creature. She was certainly much older than the Fairy Queen, Giselle, and the other royals of Galdo, and older than the wise council members and the grizzly demon who loitered in the demon caves behind the big hulking black demon castle.

  Demons required an image overhaul. Perhaps she could suggest this to Div and see if he could diplomatically put the idea to Chase. As it was, the demons were making their own problems by not updating and being just a smidge hip. They needed to let go of the old fable of demons being dark and sinister, it was far too cliché.

  Penny was certain the demon castle would look very trendy rendered and painted shades of slate gray and white. And some flowers wouldn’t hurt, or a tree or two in the barren gardens. All that black dirt was rather off-putting.

  The fairy though had Penny curious. She had heard about the creature once or twice, no one ever saw her except a few of the fairies when she went into a type of hibernation, sometimes for a decade or two, and more recently, centuries. She returned to Galdo, and the fairies watched over the ancient on in a special location no one spoke of, and as soon as she awoke, the fairy left. That had been a year ago, and in this time she had supposedly moved seven times, had not returned to Galdo, and had ignored a number of invitations from the Fairy Queen and others.

  No one would actually reprimand this ancient being. She was elusive and so awesomely powerful no would dare.

  “Supposedly,” Chase said.

  “Have either of you met her?” Penny asked curiously.

  “Seen her at a distance.” Ruine sniffed the air, still keeping a watch out.

  “No. Let’s do this.”

  “She’s here, isn’t she?” Penny asked a little excitedly. This fairy was a bit of a legend among creatures.

  “Some creature is; we shall soon discover who.” Chase nudged the gate open, it falling off its hinges and dropping into an overgrown shrub. He frowned at it a moment. “Fairies are nature lovers. They have an absurd amount of gardens, all well tended. Their residences are all overstuffed and full of art and shimmer. I have doubts this residence belongs to the one we seek.”

  “Absurd?” Penny grinned. “I take that to mean demons couldn’t care less about gardens.”

  “A waste of time.” Ruine trampled bushes and wildflowers behind her.

  “Fair enough, though you could always hire a gardener to maintain them. As it is, everyone says the demon castle is a bit…never mind.” She flashed a fake chagrined look as both demons’ eyes narrowed on her. Chase gave her the motion to continue what she was saying. “Nothing, forget it.”

  “What does everyone say?” Chase murmured, an edge to his voice.

  “That the demon grounds must be as barren as they look. Other creatures say demons just don’t know how to make things grow, only trample.” She smiled benignly. This was just sooo easy!

  Ruine smirked. “I like trampling.”

  “Of course you do, hon. And you are wo
nderful at it.” He was wonderful at so many things. Intimidation, fighting, demon dealing, stomping, crushing, partying, practical jokes, being a blacksmith, looking lusty and sultry and very touchable—sheesh. Penny shook herself. She needed to get laid.

  “Work with us on pretending to be our sister, darlin’.” Ruine gave a wink.

  “Sorry, slipped for a moment there.”

  “There is a grain of truth in among the coercion you spoke.” Chase glanced at the front three steps of the house. He looked reluctant to walk any further but was resigned to having to do so. “Ruine, have Glitterbug arrange for gardeners immediately. Demon soils are just as fertile as any creatures!”

  Damn men had a need to prove their prowess and fertility. Made them an easy target when trying to convince them to your way of thinking. Maybe she was a better immortal negotiator than she previously thought. Div would be so proud, she thought happily.

  Making it to the front door without the steps falling apart and floorboards snapping on the deck, Penny gingerly followed Chase to the front door with Ruine behind her. He was still keeping watch around the house and toward where he had motioned someone was watching them.

  This place was a crumbling shack. A dive! Fairies enjoyed luxuries, creature comforts, cities, lots of activity and others around. It made no sense the ancient fairy, Perry would be here.

  Still, with that look of reluctance, Chase knocked on the door. Immediately, surprising them all, it was flung open.

  They all stood in shock, none of them moving. Ruine even forgot to keep surveillance and Penny didn’t feel her phone vibrating in the pocket of her hip new jeans. Instead, they all stood staring at the person now standing in front of them.

  That was until she rushed out past them and flew down the steps to a tiny spot of grass on the front lawn. They all turned as the most exquisite creature any of them had ever beheld, deposited something so foul smelling it watered their eyes, onto the ground.

  “Gracious pleasures!” The petite, exquisite fairy said in a soft voice that had the most peculiar accent, a mix of new English, old English, and a foreign country somewhere long past forgotten. “I shall remember never to mix those three ingredients again!” She turned and smiled up at them, still standing on the porch. “Hello creatures of Galdorcwide, I welcome you.”