by Aine Massie
“Why didn’t you tell us that before, Jonathan?” Louie continued, as if it was one continuous thought.
“Calm down, please. Yes, she has the only Guardian we know of in the last three centuries as her bonded human. I–”
“Bonded? She bonded a Guardian to her?” Simon interrupted again, dread tainting his voice. Turning on me, he bellowed, “Are you insane?” The stranger, Simon, was visibly shaking at this news, his companion, Louie, wasn’t much better.
Grinning slightly, it was extraordinarily amusing to watch their reactions, I replied, “Perhaps. The jury’s still out on my sanity levels. But, yes, Declán is bonded to me and a Guardian. Why?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Simon replied scathingly. “Maybe because they hunt down and kill our kind. Maybe because no one has ever bonded one; or maybe because one has never been a part of a vampire House before. It’s not natural, it’s not right! They are our natural enemies!”
“No, he is not. I warn you, do not raise a hand – or other part – to him,” I said, darkness seeping into my voice. Even I shivered slightly at the anger and violence inherent in my words and tone. My voice was not loud but somehow that just made it worse. “No one is allowed to harm him or his family!”
I suddenly felt Nicholas’s hand on my right shoulder. “Calm. They may fear him, and what you have done, but they won’t harm him. Control,” he whispered softly in my ear. “Trust me, please.”
Watching as the two visitors continued to cower slightly under the thrall of my voice, I took a moment to centre myself before I sighed and began again. “Peace Simon. Peace Louie. I am just a little protective of Declán. If Nicholas says you won’t bring harm to Declán, the girls, or their families, then I will trust in that.” I reached up to touch his hand gently; it was still clamped on my shoulder.
Both men relaxed slowly as they listened and watched. “We’re sorry Anya, but we have never heard of such a thing. You are truly a strange and unique creature.” Louie suddenly went stiff, “Wait, this isn’t the human that was accidentally bonded to you as well Nicholas, is it?”
“Yes, due to my bond with Anya, I am also blood bonded to Declán.” Nicholas had a strange, hard tone while he spoke, and neither male seemed willing to pursue that line of questioning.
“If you would allow me to continue now,” Jonathan said with a mixture of humour and annoyance clear on his face. “Yes, Anya has a bonded human as part of her House. She also has this human’s sister and the sister’s lover under her protection and ours. There are two others of that have joined with her plus her ‘bloodless’ friend–slash–mother.” Then he added quickly but with a nervous tinge, “Plus the three of us, of course.”
Odd, why did Louie and Simon look like that? “No wonder you said she was not as defenceless as we had worried. Still though, they will not stop hunting her. They want her back,” Louie continued looking from Jonathan to me and back again. Simon was staring at Nicholas still and poor Amber looked just as frightened.
“They will not give up, we all know that. They have her being followed even now, though the last person they sent after her didn’t survive the confrontation.”
“I only hurt the one female. It was her own fault.” I hated thinking of Ashley. But, she was the only one I had actually harmed. A touch of petulance tainting my voice, I added, “Well, destroyed but still, she was the one that naively chose to bite Declán.”
“So,” Louie began hesitantly, “the rumours are true then? You destroyed Ashley?”
“Yes,” I said matter–of–factly.
Simon and Louie looked at each other, a wicked smile breaking slowly across each of their faces.
“But,” Jonathan interrupted. “Back to the matter at hand. Anya, we didn’t ask you here to have our friends shriek at you,” he said with a smirk. “We actually wanted to let you know that there are whispers about how powerful you are and that you have a small, yet absurdly powerful House. We also wanted to discuss modifying how things function between us all.” He had become serious and now looked severe and controlled.
“Well, we knew that they would not give up and after the three that came to find out if I was really the Assassin Abomination of the area . . . it would make sense. But what modification? Do you three not want to move with us now?” Would Nicholas stay here when I was to move soon? The very thought made my head spin.
“No, no Anya. You misunderstand, love,” Nicholas quickly countered, kneeling beside my chair. “Jonathan isn’t suggesting that we break our alliance – as if I could leave you – but rather we want to join, to band together more closely and formally.”
I couldn’t seem to find my voice or make sense of the mess that now swirled in my mind. What is he talking about? “Please, be clear and pretend I’m a little slow as that’s how I feel at the moment. What exactly do you want and why are we discussing this, much less the rest, with your friends here?”
It was Amber who had mercy on me and spoke up, finally. “Anya, we would never seek to take Nicholas from you. We could not abide causing either of you such pain and suffering. We were hoping to . . . combine into one House, with you.”
“I have enough trouble deferring to Star as it is. And you cannot stand non–vamps in your home. I will not bar Declán, Kayla, or Skye, and Star will always be welcome as she is my mother just as you are Nicholas’s.” Join them? Do they think I scare that easily?
Nicholas’s eyes hadn’t moved from my face the entire time, assessing my responses, I assumed. Possibly trying to read my thoughts, as well. “Anya, I think you misjudge what Amber is suggesting. We aren’t suggesting that you join us, but rather that we join you.”
“Join me? You mean like Geoff and Peony did?” This made no sense; they were already a family, why would they want to put themselves under like that?
I looked at Jonathan, waiting for his response as he was the head of Nicholas’s family – we all knew that. It only took a moment for him to clear his throat and reply. “Yes, Anya. That is exactly what we are proposing. Keeping things as they are now encourages weaknesses; flaws in our ability to defend and protect each other. Also, you are far more powerful than any of us, even with the power you have given Nicholas. It would not change our familial bonds any more than Geoff becoming your brother changed his bond to Peony.
“Plus, it means we could help guide and teach easier, and no one would think it strange for one of us to be with you or protecting you. You would be that much more of a force in others eyes.”
I must be more insane than I thought; he was making sense to me. “And this has what to do with your friends here? Are they witnesses or something?” One combined House . . . It would make us all considered more dangerous to those that seek to harm us and those we protect. Hmm . . .
“Not exactly,” Louie murmured nervously. “Part of it is so that we can make sure that the fact your House is stronger is known, but um . . . we want an alliance with you as well.” Simon looked just as nervous as Louie as they all waited for my answer.
Taking Nicholas’s hand gently, and looking carefully into his eyes, I thought this through. “Nicholas, you know you are a part of me, no matter where you are but do you truly want this?” Still in the same breath shifting to look at Jonathan and Amber, “And you, you wish for us to combine into one House with me as the head? Truly? Remembering all the oddities that you think me so strange for, bloodless immortals . . . humans . . .”
“Nicholas, beloved, are you sure about this?” I was still having trouble wrapping my poor, broken brain around what had just happened.
“Mmm, you have no idea how happy this all makes me. I won’t have to go home anymore,” Nicholas said with the cutest little smirk. “My only worry is when you tell the others that you’ve decided to be a full on Matriarch and that we need a mansion,” he continued with a chuckle.
“Oh you.” Only he could manage to make me feel like this might be a good thing.
Nicholas drew me into his long arms, pulling me down, s
o I was cradled against his chest. “Love, this will work out for the best. Have faith and relax some, please.” He was gently caressing my cheek as he continued. “My only actual worry is how Declán will take this. He’s still planning to move in with you, right?”
“I don’t understand. Why are you worried about where Declán lives?”
“I only worry in so much as how he will feel about such a full house and the fact that I’ll be living there too. I don’t want to give up things like this,” Nicholas murmured as he ran his fingers lightly across my cheek and down my neck, making me shiver slightly. “Declán might not like me being with you as much if we all live together.”
“Ah, you’re worried Declán will suddenly become jealous? Really? That’s funny. You know, he keeps worrying that you’re going to have the same problem with him. The only thing I honestly think will be an issue with him is the fact that he knows you and I have some form of intimacy but that I’m still anxious . . .”
“You, love, are going to have to figure out your fear issues. It’s not like Declán is actually as weak as a normal human anyway.”
“True, but well . . . there are also the human morals to consider. I don’t want him to regret us later. That won’t help things you know.” I could be just making excuses out of fear but hurting him was just not acceptable.
“You think too much, you know. We are supposed to be creatures of instinct and passion.” He sighed as he shifted slightly, putting my face equal to his throat. Mmm . . .
Without true thought or intent, I found that I was nuzzling into his neck, the craving for him welling up within my being until my body took over. I felt my fangs descending gracefully through the skin of his throat; the power and luscious desire driving me forward. As the ecstasy of drinking him in began, I could feel his teeth graze and penetrate my skin; he caught in the same nearly painful joy as I.
“How do you think you did on your finals,” I asked Declán as he flopped noisily onto the cushion beside me. “Excited yet?”
“Oh, they weren’t too bad. I’m much more concerned about next week.” His face fell into a slight pout as he looked at me. “I don’t like that you’re going away.”
“Declán, a ghrá, I have to go set things up for our move. You know that.” What I hadn’t yet discussed with him was the new modifications to our move.
“I know, but Nicholas and Jonathan gets to go.” His pout was becoming more pronounced, too cute.
“Yes, well, that is necessary. Besides, your parents are having enough of an issue with you moving in as it is.” I paused, still not sure how to explain everything that had happened at Nicholas’s home.
“Anya, what’s wrong? You seem off today. Are you still upset about Skye’s reaction?” His concern was truly endearing. Always so loving.
“Yes and no. I’m not happy that one of our group is blind to the dangerous truth of what I am, even though I told her the truth, but that isn’t what’s bothering me right now, not really. Some things happened after I left you the other night at the lake, which I still feel bad for doing like I did. However . . .” Why was this so hard? He won’t care that they are joining.
“Anya, just spit it out. Whatever it is will be fine, honest.”
I sat up fully, turning to face him directly. He followed my lead and faced me, as well. “I know that you said you wanted to move in with me when we moved. But, some things happened, and well, things are decidedly different now. I’m not sure you’ll still want that.”
“Different how?” Declán asked puzzled. What was he thinking?
“Jonathan, Amber, and Nicholas have asked that we become a combined house instead of two. I agreed, which means that when we move it will be all of us in one house.”
Declán stared at me for a moment with the most peculiar look before speaking. “One house? You mean as in one family grouping?”
“Yes.”
“But I thought you didn’t want to be under anyone else’s control. I mean, I know you’re forever sixteen and all but.” He didn’t understand. Figures. He saw me as being his age so, of course, Jonathan would be the head.
“No, no. You misunderstand. They want to join me, not have me join them. Jonathan believes we will all be safer and that it will show a more unified front to those that seek to control and change me. But, as I am the strongest of us, I will be the head of our House. And well, I worry about how you’ll deal with this. Are you sure you really want to live like that?” Not only is he human but he’s supposed to be one of those that hunt our kind, living with us seemed insane.
“Wow. It surprises me that you’d be cool with this considering how you reacted to the other Houses you’ve mentioned but no, you don’t get to get rid of me that easily.
“Will Nicholas be okay sharing living space with me though? I mean, he’s like you and I know you two are together too.” He was so cute when nervous.
“You know, Nicholas had the same worry about if you would be okay with him living there. You two . . .
“No, he isn’t going to have an issue. He and Jonathan are actually excited to set up a training area for you.” Their enthusiasm was amusing though I still worried about how well Declán would actually fare in a fight with one of us.
“However, that isn’t all you meant to ask. What is it that troubles you, since living with six vampires doesn’t seem to be an issue to you?” I could see he was trying to keep something from me, which I couldn’t allow right then. Open, honest communication is the only way.
Declán dropped his eyes and lowered his voice as he spoke, “Well, I was wondering about how things would . . . change between us once we lived together.” His face flushed the most luscious burgundy as he tried to find a way to ask about intimacy, I believe.
A nervous giggle burst through my attempts at control. “You are afraid? I thought you wanted more.” I tried to turn his face up, so I could see his eyes – he tried to fight me.
“No, I am only afraid that you will prefer what you have with Nicholas to what you could have with me. I’m just a human,” he mumbled.
“Cuir do mhuinín inár ngrá, a stór. Tá mo chroí istigh ionat.”
“Anya.” Declán sighed.
“Right, English . . . sorry. ‘Trust in our love, beloved. My heart is within you.’”
“It’s not that. I have faith in our love, it’s . . . I fear I will not be able to be what you need me to be. Does that make any sense?”
“Please don’t think like that, a ghrá. What I have with you is not the same as what I have with Nicholas, nor is what I have with him the same as with you. You are each unique and loving and wonderful. Even if you were both vampires or both humans, it would be different and special! Never fear that I feel less for you because you are human, please.” How could he not understand, not see how much he means to me?
“Anya.” I heard Nicholas’s sharp whisper. “I know you are with Declán, but you’ve got company. Star’s custom fitter is on his way over, now.”
Sigh. “Thanks, joy,” I murmured back – just for him.
“Declán, not to interrupt your worries but you’ve got company coming. The custom fitter is on his way. Can we finish this later?”
“And you know this how?” Declán was giving me the oddest look. “I know your ears are good and all but seriously?”
“Simple, Nicholas just said it was. He wanted to warn me.”
“Nicholas? He’s here, now?” He asked in surprise. Odd, he looked nervous.
“Yes. And he just let me know we have company on the way. Come on silly,” I chided, pulling him up out of the cushions.
Chapter Seventeen
“Anya, snap out of it. It’s time to go,” Geoff called. “If we’re going to make it there before it’s over you need to come on.”
Sigh. “Coming.” I wasn’t really looking forward to tonight. Graduation . . . I had been so wrapped up in trying to set things up for the move, working on my relationships with Declán and Nicholas, and worrying if ever
yone was safe that I hadn’t been able to relax at all. My nerves were shot. Oh yes, and I have a party to go to tonight. No worries.
Waiting at the bottom of the stairs for me were Geoff, Peony, Star, and Nicholas. You would think this was an actual achievement, like it is for Declán, with how they were acting. “You’re riding with me,” Nicholas quipped. “The others are riding together since they aren’t going to the after party like we are.”
“We are still going to be at the graduation though. I know you think it’s crazy, but it’s tradition, and well, you wanted in their world so, suck it up.” Star had almost made it through without giggling.
“Fine. You guys are something else. Let’s go graduate me then.”
Once we were all in our respective vehicles, – Nicholas driving his Shelby, of course – Nicholas decided to question me. “Dear, why are you so worried about tonight? This one should be easy; it’s just walking across a stage.”
“Oh, that part isn’t what’s worrying me. I’m worried about the party later . . . well, the risk of trouble again anyway. I don’t want a repeat of what happened at the club opening night and considering that’s where the party is. I know we’ve gone out since, but others have this unhealthy habit of interrupting our fun.” Would they try to cause trouble like the Ashley creature had?
“Ah, that makes more sense. I had not been able to get a focus for your anxiety and was confused.
“Don’t worry about tonight. This will be the last time you get to be just Anya for a while. Tomorrow we will head out on a plane to set things up for the move. Let tonight just be about having fun with your friends.” He entwined his fingers with mine and just held my hand as we drove. Declán and Kayla were riding with their parents. Skye was riding with her mom and stepfather. After commencement was over, we would all ride to the party in Nicholas’s car. He had decided to show it off as a special treat, making everyone happy it seemed.