Unnaturals

by Dean J. Anderson

  `I don't know how to talk to you. I'm not good at this.' She scraped sliced onion onto a hotplate.

  Wilson tried to hide the sound his stomach made but she smiled more.

  `Food is a great equaliser. It helps break the ice.'

  `Yeah. Where's the steak? I'll think I'll have one too.'

  `Have one of these. I don't mind.' Renee mixed carrot and tomato in with the onion on the hotplate. `I'll have to do more when Mason gets up anyway.'

  `Um.' Wilson felt the unease creep back in.

  `It is a bit weird,' she said; her smile gone. `He's your father.'

  Wilson didn't answer straight away, preferring to watch the steaks cooking as Renee stirred the vegetables. `Yeah.'

  `We can decide to not talk about it if you wish.'

  She turned the steaks and Wilson controlled his hunger. Renee was trying. He should at least make the effort.

  `This situation is different.' He picked up some tongs and moved his steak. `Mum had her girlfriends. That was hard at first but she was still my mum. Plus, she didn't think I knew anyway.'

  `But you did?' Renee pulled a steak onto a plate.

  `Yeah, it was easier then.'

  `But not me?' She stirred the vegies, her hand white on the eggflip.

  `I don't know what to say.' He waved his hands around him. `This has happened overnight and the… You with him is hard.'

  `You think it is wrong?' The eggflip creaked in her hand. Colour built in her neck.

  The question made him stop. What did she really want from him?

  `No,' he said carefully. `I don't understand, but that doesn't make it wrong. They're my parents.' He rubbed his nose. `They are who they are, simple as that.'

  She scooped vegetables onto her plate. `Want some?'

  He grabbed a plate and Renee dished some onto it. Blood pooled on Renee's white plate. `You eat red meat then?'

  `Yep. I'm the only one who can.' Renee half-smiled at him. `You know about Darkells and red meat?'

  `Lilly told me.' He grabbed his steak and followed Renee.

  Her smile faded as they sat. `Lilly?' She stabbed the steak with a fork.

  `She's okay. Rose is a bitch though.' Wilson wondered why he had been so quick to jump to her defence. He ate, wondering where Lilly was.

  `Lilly's coming,' Renee said. `She knows I'm in here with you. That's why she's not come in yet.'

  He stopped eating as Renee sat back and focused on him.

  `She is afraid, Wilson. Lilly knows I resent what she said to me on the island. It was very hurtful. What's more, she thinks I want you.'

  `What?' Wilson blinked, shocked. `Why would she think that?'

  `Because you're Mason's son and probably immune to the curse, the one that stops me from being with a man.'

  `You're serious?' He looked the kitchen door, then back at Renee. `Do you? Want me?'

  `Oh, please,' she snorted. `You didn't even check me out when you came in. Most men can't help themselves, but since you didn't, we're fine.'

  `I, er.' She was right. It was a tiny blue bikini, and she was a beautiful woman, but he didn't see her like he saw Lilly or Sally.

  `Go get her, will you? She's heard everything anyway.' Renee waved a fork over her shoulder. `And I promise to stay out of her head.'

  `Right.' Wilson stared for a second, until she winked, then he went to the door. Lilly stood on the other side, almost white.

  `She was in my head, Wil,' she whispered, hugging herself. `I felt her. I…'

  Wilson led her into the kitchen, her hand clammy in his. It was wrong for anyone to be so afraid.

  `Renee, this is Lilly. Lilly, this is Renee.' He introduced them, ignoring Renee's expression. `Renee, I like Lilly. We've just met but I feel we're going to be good friends. Lilly is also very sorry for what she said to you on the island.'

  He waited as Renee struggled to speak.

  `Okay, then. Lilly, this is Renee. Renee is close to my parents and I feel she will be part of my weird family. I don't fancy her and nor does she fancy me, but I don't dislike her either. Renee also promises to stay out of our heads.'

  Both stared at him.

  `Good, excellent.' He let Lilly go and rubbed his hands together, hoping it had worked. `What would you like for breakfast, Lilly?'

  `I, um, eggs?'

  `No worries. Where are they?'

  `Top shelf. Middle fridge.' Renee pointed with her fork.

  Wilson looked at her. She shook her head, a smile forming.

  `Thanks. You want anything to drink while I'm there?'

  `Juice. Bottom shelf. Thanks.'

  `Me too,' Lilly said, leaning against the table, eyes on him.

  `Sweet. Anything else need clearing up before I cook some brekkie?' He really hoped there wasn't. Crap, he wasn't even sure if he'd done the right thing.

  `Nope,' Renee said, smiling. `I think that's about it, unless you want to sort out who's going to wash up.'

  `Me,' Lilly waved her hand. `I don't mind.'

  `There you go,' Renee said cutting into her steak while she glanced at Lilly. `Domestic bliss achieved, Wilson style.'

  `Yes, well.' He turned away looking at the row of fridges. `Breakfast is only the beginning.'

  CHAPTER 22

  Mason stretched, feeling around him. He was alone.

  `Morning to you, too,' he muttered, rolling out of bed and doing a quick scan of the lake house. The scorched wall and broken glass scattered on the floor remained as a sharp reminder of the night before. Clothes were laid out neatly on a nearby lounge chair.

  He slipped on a shirt, shorts and sandals. `Looks like I'm going to the beach today.'

  He still didn't feel ready to face the world. Or was it the women? He washed his face, then found a hairbrush and did a quick tidy up. `You ready for this?' he finally asked his refection. `Really ready?' He leaned closer, touching his cheek. `No stubble? Two days without a shave and no stubble and no grey hairs?' He nodded. His reflection nodded back.

  `What about scales?' A familiar tingle ran across his hand which darkened as scales formed. He pushed them down and his skin lightened as they faded. `That's getting easier.'

  He went outside, aware of a gnawing hunger. Another instinct made him stop and scan the trees. Nothing. Aromas teased him.

  `Steak and onions.' He smacked his lips as he detected another scent. `And Renee.' Remembering the kitchen door Wilson had used the night before, he smiled. Through it he would find food and Renee.

  Cold slapped at him. Unbalanced, he reached out. A cool metal handle greeted his hand.

  `Oi, where'd you come from?'

  Mason spun around; Ruth stood before him, plate in hand. He was in the main house. He looked down at the kitchen door handle in his hand.

  `I—'

  `Wondered when you'd surface,' she said, touching his arm. `Everything okay?'

  `Uh, yeah.' He swallowed processing what had just happened. `Where is everyone?'

  `All in the kitchen, except for Nikki.' Ruth moved closer. `She's a bit ill. Not sure what it is but we came up here early this morning.'

  `Is she going to be all right? I mean was it me, or what happened last night?' Concerned, he let go the door handle. Had he somehow hurt Nikki? He couldn't remember.

  `She thinks it could be from the island. And, last night, it was intense. A lot happened.'

  `Really?' he said. Ruth sounded not quite right too. And now he was looking, that wasn't the only thing he noticed. Where had the black miniskirt come from?

  `About last night. You okay with what happened? I mean, it was different.' She rubbed her thumb against his arm.

  `Yeah,' he said, enjoying the feel of her skin. `It was intense, but I think we still need some time to absorb what's happening. You look fantastic.'

  `Thanks.' She did a slow spin for him. He smiled as she wriggled her hips in the black miniskirt. The matching low-cut halter top stirred his interest.

  `From Nikki's wardrobe. It's a bit decadent I know, but I don't
think we're going anywhere today. Besides, it suits this place.'

  `More like you love wearing it,' he said, pulling her against him, tilting her head with a finger. `Don't get lost in all this.'

  `Maybe we're discovering our real selves,' she whispered stretching up until he could feel the heat of her lips. `It is you who's changing the most, not me.'

  `Uh-huh.' He slipped an arm around her and they kissed. Images of the night before flashed in his mind. Nikki and Ruth entangled as he lay with Renee. Intense? Oh yes!

  `You need to brush your teeth,' she said, pushing him away.

  `You're such a romantic, Mrs Douglas.' He squeezed her bum.

  She faked shock. `Are you flirting with me now?'

  `Maybe.' He wondered if he could whisk her away before they were noticed.

  `Stop it.' She let him go and he felt her indecision. She needed to tell him something, and was on the edge of doing so. His stomach interrupted, announcing his hunger and the feeling was lost. And besides, he trusted her.

  `Okay,' he sighed.

  She reached past him, opening the kitchen door. `Come on, let's eat. I've got to take some fruit up to Nikki.' She brushed past and he followed her towards the aroma of steak cooking.

  `Jeez, Mum,' Wilson groaned from the grill as they walked into the room. `Why are you wearing that?'

  `Stop moaning.' She headed for the bank of fridges.

  `It suits her, Wilson,' Renee said, empty plate in hand. `You hungry?' she said to Mason.

  `Yeah,' His stomach rumbled. `Starving, actually.' He stopped. Lilly sat at the table, eyes wide.

  `She's fine,' Renee said, hand warm on his arm. `We've cleared the air.'

  `Good.' He took a slow breath. `Hey Lilly.'

  `Hey Mr Douglas.'

  He winced at her nervous pitch. That night on the island felt like it had happened weeks ago, but this morning Lilly was only a girl, watching him with wide eyes. `Call me Mason, please.'

  She nodded, looking past him to Wilson.

  `I have to take this up to Nikki,' Ruth said appearing beside him with a plate full of fruit. `You off to see Ralph today?'

  `After we've eaten,' Renee said, dropping steaks on the grill. `I'll take Mason, if that's all right.'

  Mason felt his eyebrow twitch at Renee's loaded question.

  Ruth glanced at him as she put the plate down and faced Renee. `You don't need to ask me about such things.'

  Renee moved and he could feel the moment thickening. They were unsure of each other.

  `About now I should speak, shouldn't I?' Mason said.

  `It would help.' Ruth bumped against him.

  `Wilson has already done so for Renee and me,' Lilly said. `It does make it easier.'

  `Well then, I had better do my bit.' Mason said, half-smiling at the face Wilson pulled. `We do what feels right. If there's a problem, it's discussed.'

  He moved towards Renee, enjoying her nearness. `You and Nikki are part of the family. Last night proved it.' Mason put his arm around Renee's waist and watched Ruth. `It will be awkward for a while. There might be some conflict but we'll get better as we go.'

  `Renee,' Ruth joined them and took Renee's hand, `we all shared a bed last night, the most intimate thing a family can do. You don't have to ask me for permission to do anything, but it's nice you asked.'

  `Oh, god,' Wilson groaned. `Way too much info.'

  `I just don't want to screw this up,' Renee said. She pressed against him and he tightened his arm protectively.

  `Well, if you burn his steak things might get ugly.' Ruth winked. `I'll see you this afternoon, then?'

  `Should,' Renee grabbed the tongs and turned the steak. `Depends on how we go with Ralph. It might take us all day.'

  `Fair enough. Try keeping him out of trouble, will you?' Ruth picked her plate of fruit up again. `He seems to attract it.'

  `That's not fair,' he said, not letting Renee go.

  `Whatever.' Ruth left and Mason leant back onto the bench.

  `Hi,' Renee whispered, leaning into him while she worked the grill.

  `Hello to you,' he smiled. Her skin felt so soft under his hands.

  `Please tell me you're not going to be like this while we're eating?' Wilson stared at them from the table.

  `Stop whining.' Lilly punched his shoulder. `You're so lucky to have parents who are so open with you. I need sauce for my eggs.'

  `Where is it then?'

  `Pantry, middle section.' Lilly pointed across the kitchen and he moved off. Mason watched. And sought out Renee's mind.

  `What's going on with them?'

  `They're bonding. Not like us, but they do share a connection. Lilly was tortured by Bloodells and, if you look, Wilson has a protective aura that flares when he is with her. Only with her.'

  He widened his vision, looking at Lilly secretly. `How bad was she hurt?'

  `They tried to make her into a Bloodells while she was still a child.' Renee looked at him over her shoulder.

  `They stabbed her over and over with one of their bone daggers but she fought them off. And survived.'

  Mason watched Wilson join Lilly. Everything radiating from Wilson was protective. Mason had seen it before. With Ruth. In England all those months ago. Before they'd left him behind, killing Bloodells. `She was a bitch on the island.'

  `Rose was.' Renee moved away, grabbing plates. `Lilly is a passive and Rose always dominated her.' She dished out the steak and vegetables.

  `Until now.' Mason took a plate.

  `She blossomed.' Renee squeezed his hand.`Until now I never liked her, but now I do. It's like I can see who she is really is.'

  `So, Ralph would be the big black wolf then?' Wilson asked as they sat down at the table. `We saw him last night.'

  Mason nodded, cutting into his steak, his hunger sharp.

  `We heard you fighting.' Lilly said, around a mouthful of egg. `Wilson was worried but we stayed here, out of the way.'

  `Good idea,' Renee nodded. `What did you do last night?'

  `We ate. Watched as you flew over with Hunter.' Lilly made it sound so normal. `Then we spent the night together in the glass house. It was nice.'

  Mason chuckled as Wilson made choking sounds. He grabbed a cup of juice as Lilly ignored his spluttering.

  Mason ate, interested in exactly what she had meant by `spent the night'. He knew Wil. He wouldn't cheat on Sally.

  `There was no sex, Mason,' Lilly said with a gleam in her eye. Wilson struggled to stay calm. `I like this being open about what we feel. We only slept together. Nothing else. I respect his commitment to Sally.'

  Mason felt the need to say something, but Renee stopped him with a hand on his arm. `You've made a commitment to honour Wilson's intentions for Sally?'

  `Yes,' Lilly said quietly.

  More was going on here than he could understand. The undercurrents were strong. He would ask later.

  `I really, really like you Lilly,' Renee said, freeing his arm.

  `Can we please change the subject?' Wilson had regained is voice and Mason shrugged. Renee's unreserved acceptance of Lilly left him feeling relieved.

  `He's shy when it comes to talking about sex.' Lilly nudged Wilson. `But it's fun teasing him.'

  `Jesus!' Wilson muttered between mouthfuls.

  `I gather you have something planned for today?' Mason asked Lilly.

  `Maybe a swim in the lake.' Lilly pushed her empty plate away. Wilson brightened at her words. `Eleanor made it clear she didn't want either of us off the estate but there's a combat room in the house so we can do some training as well. Wilson can show me what he knows.'

  `Use caution there, Lilly.' Renee stopped eating to look at them both. `Wilson is changing as well. You should both be careful.'

  `I wouldn't hurt her.'

  Mason sighed at the look on Wilson's face. He had no idea of what could happen. `Just take it easy. Trust me. Accidents happen.'

  `Okay.' Wilson stood up. Understanding flickered in his eyes and Mason knew he had listene
d. `I gotta go call Sally first.'

  As he went out, Mason couldn't miss the flash of disappointment on Lilly's face.

  `I'll wash up then meet you in the study,' she called after him.

  Renee bumped Mason's leg with hers. `I'll be back,' she said, leaning in close. `We'll find Ralph and try to sort his crap out.'

  `No wonder he fights with you.' Mason ran a finger down her face, stopping at Renee's full red lips. `Blue does look good on you.'

  `I know.' She flashed a grin and stood up, her toned stomach and navel so close to his lips, tempting him to kiss them.

  `Go.' He pushed her away. `I'll help Lilly clean up.'

  Renee winked and vanished from the room.

  Mason sat for a moment absorbing her scent, aware of how strong his feelings had become for Renee. Plates rattled behind him.

  `Here. I'll help.' He carried the plates over to the big sink where Lilly busied herself.

  `You don't have to,' she stuttered nervously as he put the plates onto the sink beside her.

  `I don't mind.' He grabbed a tea towel and began to wipe up. `It takes half the time with two.' Mason smiled, trying to make her at ease. Lilly wasn't the thing he had punished on the island, and seeing her now made guilt edge into him.

  `Sorry about what happened on the island.'

  `Don't be,' she said, not looking up from the sink. `I deserved it. It was justified.'

  `Maybe,' he said, picking up another plate. `But I feel different about it now. I don't see you as the same person.'

  `No.' She scrubbed at a plate. `And you're not a terrifying monster, something that killed our kind for fun — the butcher of Unnaturals and a murderer. You're Mason Douglas.'

  Mason leaned against the sink; to hear the words come from Lilly — a girl washing up beside him — cut deep.

  Lilly glanced up at his silence. `I'm sorry,' she said, reaching out with a suds-soaked hand. `That was wrong.'

  He touched her hand with a finger. `We're both flesh and blood. We cry, hurt and love like everyone else. But in different circumstances… things change.'

  `Like when the Bloodells tried to kill you all.' Her blue eyes were no longer afraid to hold his.

  `Yes.' His lip curled. Even their name triggered anger.

  `Show me.' Lilly held her hand out again. `Show me what you are. But without the rage. Are you able to do that?'