Bohdan shrugged. “None that I minded.”
“I am sorry that you lost her.” For the first time in three hundred years, Deuce felt comfortable saying those words to his brother.
Bohdan nodded, his expression hardening to granite. “Thank you.”
Tiny slivers of the pain Bohdan lived with leaked past his guard. Deuce wanted to drop to his knees from the enormity of what his brother suffered, but he didn’t. Couldn’t. To speak of the pain would be to make it real, and he didn’t know if Bohdan could survive a living, breathing recreation of the agony he suppressed.
“Maybe she will come in again.” It was the only solace he could offer.
Bohdan gave him a perfectly polite agreement that emphasized how hopeless his situation really was. “It is a hope.”
Not a huge one, Deuce knew. Though legends of mates reborn littered the stories of the Chosen, he couldn’t think of a single time it had ever happened. “It is a hope we will hold onto.”
He couldn’t fault Bohdan for the eyebrow he cocked at him. He never gave orders to his brother, but he would not surrender him to despair. If ordering him to hold onto hope kept him alive one more second, then he would give orders until all the Chosen passed over. Bohdan stepped over the man and stumbled. Deuce caught his wrist.
“You are still weak.” He extended his arm. Bohdan was shaking his head before he could present his wrist.
“You cannot afford the weakness.” He jerked his thumb in the direction of the human. “There are more of these about.”
It bothered Deuce that the human had been so near and tempting. The Coalition knew what comprised the nature of the Chosen and Others. Knew their habits and weaknesses. Not all, but enough to set a trap. “I find that fact too convenient.”
Bohdan paused in searching under the tent. “You think they are setting a trap?”
“Not with anything you can detect.”
“It is widely known that the Chosen hunt. And that they hunt alone.”
Bohdan eyed the man. Deuce could feel the energy churning his thoughts. “It would be natural for us to assume their sentries are easy pickings.”
“And for them to count on that.”
“But what could they gain by that?”
“I can only think of one thing.” The unease Deuce had been battling surged to the fore. “Complacency.”
He headed for the edge of the clearing, reaching for Eden with his thoughts.
Bohdan took the realization to the inevitable conclusion as they launched into the air. “They are not worried about breaking in, because they already have someone inside.”
“Yes.” The delay waiting for Edie to respond stretched to eons. Deuce swore and strove to keep his thoughts calm. Where was Edie? Waiting on her answer was an agony. As soon as he got back, he was locking her thoughts to his and to hell with the privacy she put such stock in. He called to her again. This time her response was immediate and crystal clear. Everything he could have hoped for. With the skill of one long used to telepathic thought, she projected across the miles.
A crystal clear, perfectly tuned, terrorized primal scream of his name.
* * * * *
Marlika reached across the table that had been set up in the suite to touch the dimple in Jalina’s cheek as the little girl waved her hands and cooed. “She likes her new carrier.”
Eden gave the brightly colored plastic carrier a rock with her toe. “Thank you for bringing it. And thanks for getting some clothes for me.”
“Deuce was not pleased with my choices for you.”
And that still tickled Marlika’s sense of humor. Eden could tell from the way she smiled. The clothes Marlika had picked were bright, sexy and formfitting. In other words, what every other woman her age was wearing. And she loved them. “He needs to come out of the dark ages.”
“All Chosen do.”
Eden couldn’t argue with that. The brightly patterned tunic she wore now was as comfortable as Deuce’s T-shirts, but much sexier. Deuce hated the low neckline. She loved it even more because of that. And jeans, well even new jeans were like old friends to her body. “At least he liked what you bought Jalina.”
Marlika finished off her coffee. “Next time I go back to that store, I’m taking a lot more money. There are so many cute things she must have.”
Eden raised her brows and took a sip from her own cup. “Must have?”
Marlika’s smile spread to a grin as she met her gaze. “Absolutely. Our little princess cannot do without.”
Eden propped her chin on her hand and put the cup down. “Since when is she a princess?”
“Since the day the Others found out of her existence. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a line of people out the door wanting to spoil her.”
“I noticed. It really has been a long time since the Chosen or the Packs have had babies.”
Marlika’s smile faded. “Too long, and the last few, I’m told, were so sickly it was painful to see them, and impossible to make them smile.” She chucked Jalina under her little chin. “But Jalina is so healthy and happy, she brings joy with just the sight of her.”
“And to think I was worried you all would resent her.”
“You cannot know what Jalina means to the Chosen or The Others. She’s hope, happiness, and pleasure.”
“I know what she means to Deuce.”
“He is truly a doting father. You will have your hands full when he decides it is time to find her mate.”
“There’s a long time between now and then.”
Marlika shook her head. “As fast as she’s growing, maybe not so long.”
“She’s sprouting like a weed all right.” Try as she might, Eden couldn’t detect anything about the woman to indicate that she was a werewolf. She’d been discreetly studying her through two-and-a-half cups of mediocre coffee, and so far not a stray hair, fang or claw had made an appearance.
“If you give me a hint what you’re looking for, maybe I can help.”
Oh good God, she’d been staring again. And this time she’d been caught. Just her luck. “I’m sorry. I just find it incredible that you’re one of the Others.”
“Would you be more comfortable if I wore a sign?”
“Seriously? Yes.”
Marlika drew back. Before the other woman could totally take what she said wrong, Eden clarified. “It’s not that I care, but unlike everyone else in this place, I’m the only one who can’t tell Chosen from Others, human from Chosen.” She dropped back into her seat and waved her hand dismissively. “Forget about choosing between the types of Others.”
Marlika’s even features relaxed into a small smile. “You’re stressed and out of sorts.”
Trust a woman to understand. “Absolutely.”
“By any chance is it near your time of the month?”
“I’ve decided that’s never happening again.”
“I’m sure Deuce will be disappointed.”
“Which is the whole reason I’ve decided to go on some sort of forever Pill.”
“You do not want him to have the pleasure of your flow?”
“I’m just having a really hard time thinking of it as a pleasure. About the only emotion humans associate with ‘that time of the month’ is ick!” She cut the other woman a pointed glare at her chuckle. “And that’s a capital I on ick!”
As if she could read her mind, Marlika said, “You are mated to a Chosen. Anything associated with blood is erotic.”
“Great. Just another of the great ‘grossities’ I have to get used to.” She grabbed up her coffee cup and swirled the pale contents. “And no, it’s not ‘that time of the month’.” Thank God. She had no idea how they would work out that discrepancy in taste.
“Dusan is your mate. He’ll find a way to make you comfortable with the idea.”
“Maybe I don’t want him to work this out.”
Marlika snagged a doughnut off the table. It was her tenth one so far. “You want to leave him?”
&n
bsp; “No, I just want him to work with me sometimes rather than presenting everything as a fait accompli.”
Marlika took a bite of the doughnut, chewed and shrugged. “That would be hard for him.”
“Why is it so hard?”
“Because his whole life he has trained for two things.” She waved the doughnut for emphasis, powdered sugar sprinkling the air like fairy dust as she elaborated. “To lead his people and to defend his mate. Being a warrior, he’s more inclined to action than to talk.”
“Being human, I want talk.” She brought her cup halfway to her mouth, took a deep breath of the fragrant aroma, and then replaced it on the table, untouched. If she had any more, she’d only succeed in proving Deuce right that the caffeine would make her sick.
“Do you need more coffee?” Marlika asked, brushing the powder off the wood tabletop.
“Nah. Any more and I’ll be dancing around the room.” Right after she heaved it up. She pressed her hand to her stomach. That third cup had definitely been a mistake.
“Which would be why Dusan did not want you drinking any.”
“He so doesn’t get the allure of caffeine.”
Marlika nodded and took a drink of her own coffee. “The Chosen do suffer from a few drawbacks.”
Marlika’s dry sense of humor was just one of the things that Eden had come to appreciate about her. That and her willingness to risk her life so she wouldn’t have to be alone. “I want to thank you for volunteering to keep me company.”
Marlika shrugged, her smile an open expression of friendship. “It’s not like it’s been a hardship. I’ve had a cute baby to play with and made a new friend.”
“Being with me is dangerous.”
“We’re in a compound bursting its seams with testosterone-laden Others and
Chosen who’re just itching for an excuse to fight. I wouldn’t call the risk high.”
“High enough that other women avoid me like the plague.”
“Don’t hold it against them. They’re humoring their mates, but it won’t last much longer.”
Eden’s heart made the jump from her chest to her throat. There was only one reason she could believe the men would stop worrying. “You think the Coalition will make a move soon?”
Marlika shook her head, the long, delicate gold chains dangling from her ears swinging, catching the light, reflecting it back in mesmerizing flickers. “I think the women are going to revolt.” She reached for another doughnut.
Eden watched in amazement as she made short work of it. “How can you eat that much and stay so slim?”
Marlika smiled and wiped a smear of power from the corner of her wide mouth. “One of the perks of being Pack. Fast metabolism.”
“I have so gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to this whole Chosen, Other thing.” She grabbed a doughnut. It would serve Deuce right if she got so fat she couldn’t fit through the door.
Marlika took the doughnut from her hand and dropped it back into the bag. She touched her finger to hers. “You have a daughter and a mate who honors you above all others. From now until the day you die, you will never know loneliness or want. Do you really find your situation so bad?”
The sadness in the other woman’s voice reminded Edie why this woman was allowed to befriend her. She had no mate, and if Deuce was to be believed, even if she had a mate, children were very unlikely. In comparison, she had everything.
“I’m sorry. That was totally uncalled for.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Marlika shrugged. “It is up to the Maker to provide a mate. If he does not, I will pass to the other side and wait for my mate there.” She said that so calmly, as if they weren’t talking about a life stalked by loneliness and a death with no memories to carry over.
“Just a curiosity, but how long do Others and Chosen live?”
“Chosen and Other males live indefinitely if they do not lose a bonded mate or die in battle.”
“I thought it was only Chosen who lived forever.”
Marlika laughed and rocked the little seat as Jalina fussed. “The Chosen and Others share many characteristics, but while Others have learned to blend with humans, the Chosen have a love of the old ways that interferes with their blending, giving birth to many legends.”
“That and the fact that they are nocturnal.”
She nodded. “There is that.”
Eden motioned to Jalina. “Is she asleep?”
“Like the angel she is.”
“Ha! You’re only saying that because you didn’t hear her pitching a fit after dinner this evening.”
“I’m sure she felt her reasons were valid.”
Eden rolled her eyes. “I can see I’m going to have to keep an eye on all of you. “
“I have no idea what you mean.” The abundance of innocence in Marlika’s expression told Eden she knew exactly what she was referring to. The other woman’s sense of humor matched her own. It felt good to have a friend. One she knew hadn’t been paid to steer her in the direction her grandfather wanted her to go.
“I know you’ve said it’s no hardship, but thanks again for being so good about all of this.”
Marlika waved off her gratitude. “What are friends for?”
Eden pretended to wipe crumbs from the table and blinked fast. Twenty-five and her first genuine offer of friendship. Damn, if she cried, she’d have to shoot herself. She brushed the crumbs into her hand. “Thank you.” As she wrapped the crumbs in a napkin, it hit her. “You mentioned that the men live indefinitely. What about the women?”
“We live perfectly healthy lives until…”
The “until” trailed the end of the statement. Eden grabbed hold of it and dragged it into the open. “Until what?”
“Until we either find our mate, or we reach one hundred years of age.”
“What happens at one hundred?”
Marlika shrugged. “We die.”
Eden blinked. Not sure she’d heard her right. “Say again?”
“Without a bonded mate, we die.”
Eden knew she was staring, but she couldn’t believe it. “Just like that?”
Marlika nodded, the only indication that the subject disturbed her was a tightening around her deep brown eyes. “Just like that.”
Good God! She crushed the napkin in her hand. She couldn’t imagine such a thing. No wonder her grandfather had been hitting dead ends. He thought the women held the secret to immortality. Another thought struck her. “How old are you?”
“Ninety-nine.”
“Just turned or well into the year?” It was a stupid, painful question, but she had to know.
“Just turned.”
The relief that swept over her was overwhelming, taking the depth from her voice and the breath from her lungs. They had time. “We have absolutely got to find you a mate.”
Again Marlika offered that smile that soothed and saddened. “It is not that easy.”
The woman was stunningly beautiful, kind and courageous. And she thought there’d be a problem? “How hard can it be?”
“We are not talking a sex partner, Eden. We are talking mate, the one chosen for me from birth. The only one who will complete me.”
“If he’s out there, we’ll find him.” The alternative simply didn’t bear thinking about.
Marlika shrugged. “I have decided ‘if’ is a very big word.”
“Have a little faith, Marlika, unless you want us humans labeling you a wuss.”
“I certainly wouldn’t want that—”
A knock at the door interrupted Marlika’s response.
Be careful.
Deuce’s warning hung in her mind. She caught Marlika’s arm before she could open the door. “Who is it?”
“It’s Pietre.”
She didn’t know any Pietre. “Who?”
“He’s one of the Pride,” Marlika answered, frowning at her.
Eden shushed Marlika with a flick of her hand as a wave of foreboding came over her. She grabbed Jalina’s
carrier and moved her away from the door, into the corner. Marlika gave her a sharp look and moved between the door and them, before calling out, “What do you need, Pietre?”
“I have a message from Dusan.”
“A mate does not need a message delivered.”
“He does when his mate is human and fearful of thought-sharing.”
It was possible that Deuce had been trying to reach her and she’d blocked him out, but she didn’t think so. Still… Eden took a step forward. This time, Marlika was holding up her hand. “Where’s Nick?”
“He took a break.” From the way Marlika stiffened, Eden got the impression that Nick wasn’t the type to desert his post.
Marlika motioned Eden back toward the baby, every nuance of her body language screaming danger, but the tone she used dripped helpless apology. “I can’t open the door, Pietre. Harley was very explicit in his orders.”
“My orders are to deliver this message in person.”
Eden got a sick feeling in her stomach. This wasn’t right. Marlika’s worried glance indicated the same sick feeling. She glanced at the intercom. “So slip it under the door.”
“It’s not that kind of message.”
“What the hell kind of message is it then?” She made it two steps toward the wall panel.
The door swung open with utter silence. “This kind.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eden would have felt better if the door had crashed open. If the man standing in the entry had sported a grotesque mask or at least a creature feature or two. She’d have been ecstatic if Nick wasn’t standing just behind him with a blank look on his face, hands lax at his sides, if Marlika wasn’t standing with that same unnatural stillness, watching him approach. Doing nothing. Saying nothing. She’d feel a lot better if the man flat-out wasn’t there.
In a perfectly normal, perfectly conversational voice, Pietre said, “I want the baby.”
It was the scariest thing she’d ever heard. With everything she had, she mentally screamed for Deuce, reaching for his strength as she moved forward, placing herself beside the silent Marlika. “You can’t have her.”
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