by Aine Massie
Nicholas closed the door after we entered. “Declán, I am not seeking to take your reconnect time with Anya, but I wanted to see if you minded me going to see the girls. I know that Kayla wanted updates when we returned so I thought I would visit them now.”
Declán looked surprised but happy. “Sure, though I’m not sure why you’re asking my permission. They are your friends too ya know. You’re gone for a week or two, and suddenly you need my permission?”
“Well, no . . . um . . .” Nicholas mumbled looking down.
“Nic, you’re one of us. Part of the gang, or family or, however you want to look at it. Go hang out with the girls if you like.” Declán was giving him the same confused look I was, I think. Why would he even feel the need to ask? Weird.
Nicholas suddenly grinned hugely, kissed my forehead, and then sprang out my window.
“Wonder what that was about?”
“I have no clue, Anya. But, that means we’re alone for now, right?” Declán’s eyes were suddenly alight with hunger as I had not seen before.
“Mmm, yes.”
“Good!” Declán suddenly began showering my face, my hair with kisses. Pulling me to the bed, he didn’t let go until I was sitting across his lap, facing him. He pulled back just a little, looking at me like, like he hadn’t laid eyes on me in years instead of days.
“Missed me, I take it,” I murmured against his lips as he began kissing me again.
It wasn’t too long before I had to pin his hands down, pulling away from him. “Be good, a ghrá, please.” He had managed to get my top unbuttoned, as was his, but I couldn’t focus through his exploring of my body.
“No,” he growled, flipping us over, so I was now under him.
The shock of his being able to do that was so jarring that I suddenly froze. He should not have been able to do that! How?
My sudden lack of response seemed to snap him out of his fervour. “Anya? Sorry, I—” He moved quickly to lie beside me, caressing my face carefully. “Anya, why are you staring at me like that?” I could hear his voice edging up, but I couldn’t seem to find my voice right away.
“Why are you upset? I wouldn’t have . . . I would have stopped, you know that, right?” Worry twisted his beautiful features.
“How – how did you do that?” I choked out.
“How did I do what?
“But you . . . How did you forcibly move me like that? I had your hands pinned. I mean, I know I wasn’t using all my strength but still. You shouldn’t have been able to do that!”
“I don’t know. I just – wait,” confusion suddenly taking the place of worry. “You’re not mad, are you?”
“No, confused.” Maybe he really is stronger than your average human. Maybe.
“How about if I just hold you for a while then?” Declán sighed as he pulled me against his chest eagerly. I lay there for a long while, just listening to his heart as it calmed and regained its regular pattern. He began tracing up and down my spine as I lay there, seemingly content simply to hold me.
“Did you enjoy your trip?” He was trying to be calm, it was cute.
“Yes, though I don’t think I will leave you for so long again. I don’t like being away from you like that. But it is beautiful there.”
“It’s beautiful here,” he murmured into my hair, kissing the top of my head again.
Propping up on one elbow again to gaze into his dazzling sapphire eyes, “Yes, it is.”
We lay there so long he eventually fell asleep holding me. It was comforting that he was so comfortable with me that he could. Maybe his living with us would work out, just maybe. I enjoyed watching him for a time. Eventually I did gently move away from the bed, choosing to read some as I waited for him to awake.
“Anya?” he called groggily, looking around.
“Yes, a ghrá,” I murmured as I rejoined him on the bed. “I didn’t want to wake you. I was just over there reading.”
Cuddling me back into his shape, he began tracing the contours of my face, looking at me oddly. Nicholas sometimes had the same look in his eyes when staring at me.
“What are you pondering Declán?”
“I was just thinking that I’m the luckiest human ever.”
Time seemed to pass in uneven bursts. The time we spent away seemed like years instead of days yet the time to finalize things on this end seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. We were moving, beginning the newest phase of existence for us all. With this move came other changes, not just college and the combining of our houses into one but Declán would also begin his training with Geoff, Nicholas, and Jonathan. I still wasn’t ready for that. He could be so easily injured, or worse. All of them thought I was being stupid for worrying, but Declán would already have such a short life without risking it needlessly . . . Why could none of them understand?
“Da, relax, please,” Declán was saying for about the fifth time. “We will call when we get there. I promise.”
Liam wasn’t comfortable seeing his only children heading off to college. He worried tirelessly about their safety and about the distance. Caera wasn’t much better, but she tried to hide her anxiety.
“Take care of each other,” she was reminding them. Turning to me, she took a more serious attitude, “And you make sure to remind him that different flavours of chips do not a well balanced diet make.”
Laughing, to lighten the mood, I teased back. “Sure, no problem. So I have to pick him up some beef jerky and cheese whiz too, right?”
Caera and Liam burst into laughter at that. “Ri–i–ight,” she managed to choke out between giggles.
“Like Kayla would let me get away with that, if I tried,” Declán teased back.
“Final boarding call,” chimed over the PA.
“Now, come on Mom, Da, we need to get going if we’re ever going to make it there. Planes wait for no one.”
It was only a short time later that we were, finally, on our way. We had already tended to movers, deliveries, and timing. They would start to arrive shortly after we would, so that there would be no delay. It wasn’t as critical for most of us, but Declán would probably appreciate things like a bed at the very least.
Nicholas sat on one side of me with Declán on the other, neither seemed to want to let me go very far from them, silly boys.
Chapter Eighteen
Geoffrey had taken it upon himself to help Kayla and Skye with their transition. He had become very protective of them ever since the incident at the cemetery. Skye was still adamant that she would not accept the idea of vampire for what we were, but she was perfectly happy to hang out with us, still stuck on Nicholas’s idea of immortal instead of vampire. This made her happy, so it seemed like a good idea, for now. Kayla, of course, knew the truth but after her initial shock had become fast friends with both Geoff and Peony.
Geoff, Peony, Jonathan, and Amber had gone ahead a few days earlier. I had stayed back to travel with Declán and the girls, of course Nicholas stayed behind as well. When we landed, they were all waiting for us. Amber immediately came over to hug Nicholas, then Declán and me. She did not like having her family apart, even for a few days.
Jonathan tossed Declán’s keys to him. “Figured you’d want to drive,” he said laughing lightly.
“Thanks.” Declán caught them easily. “But, um, I don’t know how to get to the house yet.”
“Well, unless you’re planning not to let me ride with you, that isn’t a problem.” I playfully nudged him as he beamed at my side.
“No, of course you can ride.” Declán seemed happy.
Geoff dangled Kayla’s keys from his pinkie. “Don’t worry girls; I brought your ride as well. Everything you need right at first is packed into it, so all you have to do is go sign in, and we can get to unpacking you at the dorm.”
“Cool,” Skye squealed. “So, when do all meet back up? I wanna get to see your new digs.” She was smirking at Declán and me as she continued, “Unless . . .”
“Be good Skye,”
Kayla interrupted. “Let’s go get settled and let them do the same.”
“Come on girls, Geoff and I will help you,” Peony purported. “Unless,” she paused, suddenly looking serious, “you’re worried about us standing out too much.” This was the first time she had seemed nervous in so long, wow.
“Don’t be silly,” Kayla chimed taking Peony’s hand and starting to pull her along. “Skye, come on. We’ll hang out with everyone later.” It was so good to see them all getting along so well!
“You already have visitors, by the way,” Jonathan began trilling where Declán would have no ability to hear or understand. “You might want to have him drop you off and do his grocery shopping sooner, rather than later. It’s not a threat but . . .”
I nodded slightly. At least he needed to shop anyways, but still.
We all split up then, Nicholas going with Jonathan and Amber. “I want to be there before you in case your visitors show early.” Nicholas didn’t look worried, so I assumed things weren’t too anxious worthy.
“Declán, drop me off at the house, please. You still need to go get your human food. They didn’t think to stock up for you.”
“Oh, um, okay. I can do that. Anything I should know about the looks Jonathan and Nic gave you as we were leaving?” Declán missed nothing, unfortunately.
“Not that I know of right now. Jonathan was just updating me on the movement of others, others of our kind, in the area. You should be fine though. No need to worry.” He didn’t need to be worried when I didn’t even know who wanted to see me. Besides, as he wasn’t trained yet, it was better that others didn’t see him, yet.
“Fine,” Declán grumbled. I could tell he was unhappy but what else was I to do? He needed things, he needed to be safe, and I needed to be able to focus.
“Thank you, a ghrá. You are, as always, a gift to my heart. Drop me here and I’ll go on up. When you get back, I’ll show you everything. I promise.”
He conceded, reluctantly.
“Amber got you a GPS. It’s already preprogrammed with all the local things, including shopping areas. When done just hit ‘Home’ and you will find your way right back here.” Declán’s eyes were troubled, but he kissed my forehead, leaving me at the entrance.
I ran the rest of the way up to the house, noting two other scents that did not belong. Louie I recognized, but the other was new. Louie, interesting. He and Simon had mentioned visiting once I moved, but who was with Louie this time?
Nicholas skidded to my side as I reached the porch. “Hello, love. Louie is bringing a friend of his to see you. They will be back shortly. I know it’s probably a little weird, but he wants to make sure that others see you as something not to mess with so . . . he wants someone else to see the power of your voice and the fact you have a Guardian.”
“But Nicholas, Jonathan had me send Declán out for now. How will that help?” That made no sense to me.
“He had you do that, so they wouldn’t see that he’s untrained.” Nicholas wrapped his arms around my waist protectively, murmuring in my ear, “But they will be able to learn about him. Just having his things in the house means they can smell him. They’ll know you have a human and having been told he’s a Guardian, it won’t take much for Louie to make Declán sound powerful.”
“I still do not understand why your friend wants to help, us but I do appreciate it.”
“He thinks we’re strange for our love of humans, but he is a friend, plus, no one wants your power in the hands of any of the Elder Houses. But, relax. They will be here in just a few.”
Relax? Had Nicholas gone insane too? Oh well, at least he is my insane one. “Alright, let’s go play with your friends.”
In the living room, again arranged so the chairs were set in a fashion that left my chair in the head position, Jonathan and Amber were fussing with minor details when we came in. “Ah, good. Nicholas, I want you to stand at her right side during this. They know she is powerful, but most would assume that with her voice abilities she probably isn’t that well trained. Your presence at her side will make up for that. Once Declán becomes a visible power at her side you three will be truly frightening.”
“Still not sure I like this thing of being seen as an assassin, killer, or even frightening. I just want to be Anya.” Why can no one seem to grasp that? Ugh.
“Places,” Amber streamed silently.
Moments later Jonathan let in Louie and a petite female. “This is Nyx,” Louie explained. She was about four–feet eleven with white blond hair – an interesting contrast. Her eyes, while still black voids, seemed somehow to sparkle, accenting her exquisite beauty and her naturally sexy, pouty lips. It was slightly jarring to look at her, like something pulling at my mind.
“Anya, is that really you?” Nyx was giving me the strangest look. “And with your own House and guard? And such a cute guard too.” She looked at Nicholas how he or Declán sometimes look at me. I could feel Nicholas shift next to me.
“Greeting and welcome, Louie, Nyx. Please,” I continued gesturing to the two chairs reserved for them. Jonathan had gone over how to do this part repeatedly. “What can I do for you two today?”
“Anya, I wanted to reintroduce Nyx to you and help her verify what she has heard of you in the last century or so. She doesn’t believe me about what’s become of you.” Louie was smirking. He knew full well what I was capable of.
Nyx was still staring at me, focusing on every little motion it seemed. “Louie here says that you have fully managed to control your voice and have grown in power where it is truly devastating now. He also says you have a lethal vampire mate and a Guardian as a mate too. I can see the one beside you but where is your strange human?”
“He is tending to other things right now. You may get to meet him another time,” Nicholas interjected. Even I could hear the possessive tenor to Nicholas’s words. What was he picking up from her that made him so edgy?
“No need to be so protective young one,” Nyx cooed at Nicholas. “I mean your, I mean her human no harm. Louie has already explained that the last of us to try to harm him is now a pile of ash.” She wore humour so thick that I couldn’t get a read on her face. I knew everyone else could, but it was intensely frustrating.
“I just cannot imagine you being the one to dispatch her is all. Did you truly destroy Ashley?” Her focus was severe again.
“Yes,” I hissed, not thinking to control my voice. “She will never touch him or any other again,” I growled. I struggled to gain control over my voice; it was harder than normal.
Nyx and Louie, neither being used to my vocal outbursts, reacted severely and immediately. Louie was backing up across the room, eyes wild and growling. Nyx was holding her ground but was even wilder. She looked as though she was preparing to launch herself in attack. Jonathan and Amber were more accustomed to my control issues but were both fearful looking as well. Jonathan was trying to get a hold of Louie, but he was too scared to allow comforting.
Nicholas was the only one not preparing to attack or run, though he was shaking slightly. “Anya, love, please,” he begged as he moved in front of me.
As he shifted to defend me Nyx perceive this as an attack and lunged. Without thought, I jumped up and screeched, “No!”
They all stopped moving. Nyx stopped like the others but then began to shudder violently. Nicholas, realizing that my voice was physically harming her, grabbed her and flashed outside. I wasn’t sure that getting her away from me would help, but he seemed willing to risk it.
Closing my eyes, trying to focus and regain control I called for Jonathan. “Please, go help them. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
The others seemed to regain control of themselves at that point. Amber flitted outside to help Jonathan or to escape me; I was not sure which. Louie, on the other hand, came closer again. His eyes were no longer fearful, rather they were marvelling. “Anya? Can I help you?”
I wasn’t sure I even wanted to try to speak right then. What if my voice harmed hi
m when he was only trying to help? I shook my head tightly, afraid of myself or rather what I might cause. I paced to the window to see where the others were. Louie wasn’t going to give up it seemed, he kept pace with me, just a foot or so back.
The others were all out front, circled around the poor creature Nyx. She was so tiny, so little. Nicholas had her sitting, trying to talk to her . . . to calm her. It looked like he couldn’t break the spell of my voice by removing her from my presence. I could go try to release her but . . . No, she should not be left to suffer – fear or no fear.
Mustering my courage and trying to maintain calm, I walked carefully outside. I did not get too close but did focus my attention on her, alone. “Nyx, please be calm. I meant you no harm.” She shuddered one last time and finally was still.
“Nyx,” Nicholas tried again. “Can you hear me?”
It took a moment for her to gain her sense of self enough to speak. “Um, yes,” Nyx said, sounding weak. Nicholas extended his hand to help her up off the grass. He was always so kind. “Wow!” She was staring at me again, with wonder and fascination this time.
“I told you that she was not something to take on,” Louie teased. “And that was without her actually being angry with you.”
Nicholas had a smug look as he came back to my side. “Amazing isn’t she?”
“Truly,” Nyx replied softly. Her arrogance and flirtations were completely gone, thankfully. “Remind me not to upset her again.”
The sound of Declán’s truck caught Nicholas’s and my attention at the same time. Declán was almost to the house. Nicholas’s head snapped up staring at me, appraising my mood I believe. Leaning in, he murmured, “Maybe having him translate for you would be good right now. You still seem agitated, love.”
I nodded in agreement. I was unsure how steady my voice would remain, and I didn’t wish to harm or frighten anyone right then. I just wished I knew what it was about her that had my control so . . . out of control.
Declán slowed as he saw us all outside. Parking a little further back than he should have, considering he had human food with him, I could see him appraising the two newcomers. I just motioned for him to come over; thankful the reason we had met in the first place would come in handy now.