by Viola Grace
Max smiled. “Gregori has been very secretive about his plans. I know my part in it and that is why I wanted Raven and Hellebore with me. I can’t have you, but they can pass for human.”
He continued eating until there was nothing left on the tray. “Two hours to sunset.”
“I can feel it. They are going to be here in force. If Hulorn wants to come in, let him pass.”
“I will be ready, now go brush your hair.”
She laughed, picked up the tray and headed back to the house. She washed her face, brushed her hair and held the baby for a few minutes, watching his serious little face take her in.
The moment his teeny fist grabbed her hair and yanked, she was smitten.
Raila laughed and paused as she got dressed. “Just pull your hair away.”
Max wrinkled her nose and played tug of war, gently, with the infant.
When she felt the heartbeats of the crowd gathering in the woods, she let Raila take the baby back. “It’s show time. Let’s see what he does.”
En masse, they went to the main floor and sat around the butcher-block table. Hellebore made tea, and they waited for the knock on the door.
Danlorn was in a bassinet next to his mom, and the ladies simply waited.
Max smiled when the knock came. She got to her feet and answered the door. “Come in.”
Hulorn came in with a rainbow bouquet of wildflowers.
Raila got to her feet and smiled. “Are those for me?”
“Yes. It is good to see you looking so beautiful.”
Max blinked at the awkward compliment but kept her mouth shut. This was no longer her operation. Raila was in charge of what happened next.
“Would you like to meet your son?”
The three guardians moved aside so that Hulorn could meet the little one with his eyes. The baby didn’t cry, didn’t squawk, nothing. Danlorn merely looked up at his father and sucked on his fist.
“He really is mine.” The wonder in his voice was apparent.
Raila laughed. “He really is. Don’t worry, he surprised me too.”
They smiled, and he held his son with one arm and took her hand with his. It was a private moment, but Max had to take care of the door.
The couple spoke quietly and two hours passed. When they were sitting with their hands twined and silence between them, Max stepped up. “Why so many of your people?”
He jerked. “They did not believe your report or the description of the photo. They want to see him.”
Raila suddenly became nervous. “How many are there?”
Max did a quick count. “Thirty-one heartbeats. We can take them.”
Hellebore nodded. “Not an issue. They won’t do anything to your baby, Raila.”
Hulorn agreed. “They will not hurt you or Danlorn. I swear it. I will not take him; they will not take him.”
Raila swallowed. “Fine. I will just feed and change him, and we will go out.”
They waited while she tended to her son. It was normal for the ladies, but Hulorn was fascinated. Raila took that opportunity to show him how to change a diaper. He took to it with intense focus.
Danlorn waved his arms when his butt was all clean and powdered, and Hulorn cradled him against his chest, the gleaming white onesie stood out against his skin.
Raila took Hulorn’s hand and nodded to Max. “Open it up.”
Max opened the door; she led the way down the porch and into the yard.
Tonho was standing in the centre, glaring at the midnight elves crowding against the tree line.
A male with the weight of age pressing on him came forward. “This is your son?”
“Danlorn. This is my son; this is his mother, Raila.”
The old male looked at the infant and stroked his cheek.
From her vantage point, Max could see the baby’s eyes open and the man jerked back in surprise.
The old male stared at the baby, then Hulorn and finally Raila. “Congratulations on your son.”
Hulorn sighed and the crowd stirred.
Tonho shifted to an at-ease stance and that let Max relax.
What followed was a ritual that left Max’s skin tingling and Hellebore humming under her breath. Each of the attending midnight elves gave energy to those who had brought the new member of their clan into the world.
Tonho was given his share, and his skin crackled with power.
Once the formal greeting had rendered little Danlorn unconscious, their party returned to the house so that the guest of honour could get some sleep.
Hulorn and Raila tucked their son into the nursery before retiring to her room to talk.
Max could hear their discussion but sat in the living room with her exhausted friends.
Tonho was still outside, but he had a thermos of tea to keep him entertained along with a joint of ham. He was fine for the night.
At two o’clock in the morning, she heard Rithak return. Max exited the house and met him in the front yard, explaining the situation as clearly as she could.
“Your sister and Hulorn are asleep in her room. Leave them alone for the night. They aren’t doing anything but sleeping.”
His features were shifting with shock. “He is here? She allowed him in her house?”
“He is and she did. He wishes to be in the child’s life, and he also seems to be inclined to get to know Raila better.”
She smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Come in and meet your nephew. He is just waking up.”
Her friends were passed out on the couch like demented bookends.
He gave them a curious look but followed her up the stairs.
She opened the room to the nursery and scooped up the little fella. “Danlorn, this is your uncle, Rithak. He sent me here to keep an eye on your mother, and then, you popped out.”
He sucked on his fist and stared up at her.
She turned and held him out to Rithak.
He took the child carefully, his huge hands creating a platform that the baby wriggled on. “He is so tiny.”
“Don’t mention that to your sister. He had to come out the same way he got in.” Max chuckled.
The door creaked and opened further behind them. Raila was standing there clad in a thin robe.
She whispered. “Rithak, you are back!”
He blinked. “I have a nephew.”
Raila went up on her toes and kissed his scarred cheek. “You do. He might also be a shifter. We won’t know for years.”
“He will always be welcome in our family. Congratulations on a healthy boy, Rai.”
The boy wailed, and Raila took him. She sat in the corner and discretely began to feed her son without turning the lights on.
Hulorn appeared in the doorway, his eyes lighting the room with an eerie glow. “Rithak. It is my pleasure to meet you again.”
Rithak stared at the half-dressed elf for a moment before he extended his hand. “Welcome to the family, in whatever capacity Raila decides you deserve.”
“I will take what she gives me and be glad of it.”
Rithak smiled, his sharp teeth gleaming in the light of Hulorn’s eyes. “That was the right answer.”
Max smiled. “Well, I believe we will be on our way. Raila, I am inviting you and your family to my Turning Night anniversary. I will have my secretary call with details, but I will understand if your new obligations hinder your ability to attend.”
Raila smiled. “I will see what I can arrange. Our clan was already invited and now that I have met the Abomination, I am eager to celebrate your entry into our world.”
Max blushed, kissed Raila on the cheek, Danlorn on the top of his fuzzy head and she shook Rithak and Hulorn’s hands.
She crept downstairs and shook Raven’s shoulder. “Raven. Put your shoes on, we are at grandma’s house.”
Raven blinked sleepily and scowled.
Hellebore got the same joke.
Max went around back and got Tonho, allowing him to take up the entire back seat. Hellebore r
ode her cycle and Raven nodded off in the passenger seat as Max drove them home.
Tonho called ahead and warned Anthony that there would be living guests.
Max stopped at the gates of the Guild house and let the troll on duty examine the contents of her car while warning the troll that Hellebore was on her way. Once she was cleared, she headed up to the main house and woke her passengers.
Anthony greeted them, perfectly attired, as always, in his impeccable suit and ponytail. “Glad to see you back in one piece.”
“Glad to be back. Where is he?”
“In the audience room. He isn’t expecting you.”
“Show Raven to a room, give Tonho a joint of mutton and Hellebore is coming up the drive. She needs a place to rest as well.”
“At once, Abomination.”
She made a face and headed off to the audience chamber. It was just past one A.M. so the visitor was probably a vampire.
Max entered the audience chamber and gave the formal nod required by her station. “Guild Master.”
Gregori froze mid-sentence and got to his feet.
With a blur of movement, he took her in his arms and his kiss was bordering on violent. He parted from her for a moment. “I had no idea what I was sending you into.”
She cupped his jaw. “It is fine. I managed.”
“You should not have been in danger.”
“I was only nervous when the baby showed up.” Max smiled. “That scared me.”
He blinked. “There was a baby?”
“Rithak’s sister gave birth and a custody issue arose. Nothing that I couldn’t handle and then run away from.”
Her lover and boss smoothed his hands down her spine. “You smell like elves and shifters.”
“Only where it doesn’t count. I am going to take a shower and get some restful sleep. The accommodations left a little something to be desired.” She patted his cheek. “Permission to be dismissed, Guild Master?”
“Granted. Get some rest. I will have Anthony bring you a snack.”
He set her on her feet and gently patted her ass. She sashayed out of the room without looking at his guest. She could deal with the rudeness reprimand in the morning.
Tonight, a hot shower loomed in her destiny.
Chapter Five
A silky gown with a matching robe fitted her curves and let her slide through the sheets with ease. It was like wearing Teflon to bed.
She had her hair up on her head in a loose bun with a dozen gemstone-studded pins. It kept it from getting rolled on if she was alone, and it was one of Gregori’s favourite toys when he was with her. He loved releasing her hair, one pin at a time.
She settled into bed and relaxed. The bed smelled like Max and Gregori, as it should. She inhaled deeply before she snuggled into the sheets and let sleep take her off.
Hands slid along the silk, waking her body. When she moaned and twisted, he started on the hairpins until the soft mass was held against his face and he inhaled deeply. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too. It was far too quiet over there.” She laughed and turned in his arms, her lips an inch from his.
He didn’t need urging; he closed the distance between them and tumbled her to her back. They fought, clawed and finally rocked together until Gregori bit her and she returned the favour.
After the storm, he cuddled her against him, stroking his hands over her body as if learning her again.
For five years, they had slept in the same bed every morning, and the day apart seemed to have shaken Gregori. He held her tight, his lips pressed to her neck. He stilled, and she could feel the day begin outside. He only needed to doze during the day, and he could stay awake if needed. Max smiled and let sleep creep in on her. She still needed her regular naps. Now, was as good a time as any.
At noon, she levered herself out of his embrace and took a shower. She used the second exit to the bathing room and entered her walk-in closet. Tights, high-heeled sandals and a long belted tunic with the pattern of a forest with silvery trees on it.
She twisted her hair up into a loose bun and pinned it in place with long silver spikes. With a swing her in step, she headed out of her closet and down the stairs. She found Raven and Hellebore easily. They were sitting together in the dining room with Anthony on duty.
“Morning, ladies.”
Raven smiled. “Morning, Max. I have called Eyleno. He will be here this afternoon.”
“Excellent.”
“He’s bringing my dress.”
Hellebore chuckled. “I am falling on the mercy of my hostess.”
“Not an issue, Hells, Galfor has left a few gowns for just such an occasion, but if you would come with me this afternoon, I have a few places I would like to visit.”
The ladies looked surprised, but they nodded. “Sure.”
Raven smiled, “Happy Turning Day.”
Hellebore blinked, “That’s right. Happy Turning Day.”
“Thank you, but apparently, it doesn’t kick in until after the moment at which I was bitten. So, at nine P.M., it is Turning Night.” She shrugged. “Vampire rules. It isn’t like I was actually turned after all.”
Raven smiled. “You became something else. That counts as a turning in my book.”
Max sat down and Anthony brought her her normal breakfast of eggs, toast, bacon, sausage and a cupcake.
Hellebore giggled, “You get cupcakes for breakfast?”
“Just seeing it improves my mood. Anthony picked up on that and now the rest of the staff chips in to get me one every morning.” Max smiled; the cupcakes were actually high-fibre muffins dressed up to look more attractive, but there was no reason to share that tidbit. The staff at the Guild Master’s residence always had her back.
Raven sipped at her coffee. “What is on the agenda today?”
“At four in the afternoon, we are going to return to the place this whole mess started. From there, we will follow my path until I ended up here.”
“Do we get to head into the desert?” Raven smirked.
“No, we are going to stop at the point where I was offered a chance at my life versus heading into the wilds in search of Gregori.”
Hellebore snorted. “Pity. I have always wanted to perform at Burning Man.”
“Get there on your own time, Hells.” Max wrinkled her nose.
They finished breakfast, and Anthony brought them each a change of clothing. A wardrobe for visiting shifters was always kept on hand. With his trained eye, Anthony could always find something appropriate for the visitors.
Raven turned the burgundy leather over in her hands. “Really?”
Max finished her meal and laughed, “It matches your eyes.”
Hellebore had a pile of clothing in blue and scarlet. It would be eye catching to say the least.
Anthony cleared his throat. “Mistress Galfor has just arrived, Apprentice. She wishes to do a final fitting for this evening.”
Max sighed. “Fine. Ladies, Anthony will get you anything that you need, and I believe that Galfor has brought a few extra gowns, with lacing, Raven.”
Raven grimaced. “Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish that I had a tolerance for magic, and then there is a baby that comes out breathing magical fire and I am very glad I don’t.”
Hellebore just drank her coffee.
“Please excuse me, ladies. I will conclude my business as soon as I can.” Max followed Anthony’s second, an eager young elf named Keeting. He was chronically nervous around her, but he did his duties with alacrity.
“This way, Abomination.” He said it without the sneer that many folk used. Why not? It was her title after all.
Mistress Galfor, the spider goblin, was waiting for her. A quick fit of the corset and long flowing skirts and Max was dismissed until it was time to get dressed.
“Galfor, is there a chance you can fit something to Raven and Hellebore?”
The goblin grinned, showing frightening teeth. “Of course.” She snapped her fingers and her assis
tant pulled out swathes of fabric that were truly lovely and well suited to the guests.
“Manual lacing and unenchanted fabric for Raven?”
“Of course. Anthony warned me what you would need.” Galfor smiled again.
Max patted Galfor on the shoulder. “He’s good like that. Thank you again for your assistance.”
“Any time. The Guild Master pays his bills promptly. This is my second favourite account.”
Max knew who her favourite account was. Everyone did. The Nexus paid her bills in raw magic and there was nothing more valuable to a goblin than raw magic.
With her fitting completed and her clothes back on, Max was free to attend to the minor matters of owning Club Nyt.
Renovations had been completed and the new DJ was packing in the crowds. When Max stopped Donnatha from killing Gregori by intercepting the curse she was flinging, it made her the recipient of all of Donnatha’s holdings. She had to wrangle them from a distance for the most part, but she made surprise visits twice a year to all of them, usually with Gregori looming behind her.
Liquor licenses, payroll, cleaning staff and security measures were all carefully screened and authorized. She sat and tapped her finger on her desk as she went through the new reports. Max made notes and scowled. She was going to have to visit Club Knight in the next few weeks. There was a distinct leak in the liquor numbers.
Donnatha had not had much of an imagination. She had had six clubs, all with a twist on the word night.
Max’s phone chirped, and she got to her feet. It was time to collect her friends and begin the evening’s rituals.
Raven and Hellebore were playing billiards in the game room. Max didn’t mention to them how many times that table had been used for other pursuits. It was a bit of a given.
“Ladies. Anthony has prepared tea for us out on the terrace.”
Hellebore made a face. “I am not much for tea.”
Max whispered, “Don’t tell him that. He does so look forward to my friends coming by. Most other supernaturals don’t like teeny sandwiches.”
Hellebore sighed, “If I must.”
Max led the way to the wide, sunny stone patio that prefaced the stone steps into the garden. The stone Donnatha knelt at the base of the path, a chilling reminder that picking a fight with the Abomination was not wise.