by Erin R Flynn
“I love to shoot you with a taser,” I offered, laughing when he called me several names under his breath. It lightened my mood at least and left me in a better mood than having images of Galvin do very dirty things to me in an elevator.
Well, apparently I did still have a line, and that was crossing it.
18
“Good morning,” I greeted the large group for the tour the next morning for the training facility. “A few things to make clear before we go in and so everyone is on the same page. First, Noah is here, as he was cleared for working with the FBI as head trainer here and is transitioning his responsibilities to Axel. Being a paranormal group leader does not entitle them to any sort of security clearance.
“Alpha Virgil is not here to see this even if he’s helped us now and again. It is a different level of clearance, and I want that noted.” I waited until everyone seemed to agree. “The facility is not open to the public. It’s locked down like Quantico training, and not just anyone can walk in off the street and check it out. That means not everyone gets to know what you’re about to see.
“Not just any vamp who works for the council is privy to this information. No Alpha that’s not been cleared can know. It also is like certain aspects of going to the White House. You may see it, but do not talk about it. I know we keep our mouths shut as a general rule, but as you’re all doing more and more PR and talking about this, I wanted you warned because the media knows this and will try specifically to get someone to slip.”
“What’s with the matching bites?” one of the Secret Service asked his buddy quietly.
I wasn’t the only one who rolled my eyes as we all heard him. “Take it like a friendship bracelet. You can take it, but it means more if you wear it.” I nodded to Bijan and Apollo. “We traded bites as a sign we are friends enough to trust each other with our throats, and if we hid them, it’s like being ashamed. It’s different than hiding a hickey, which can be seen as unprofessional.”
He nodded. “Thank you for explaining, Chief Thomas.”
“Anytime.” I nodded that I meant it. I would rather answer the same questions over and over again to different people asking because they cared to ask. “Now, we’re going to start with the tour, and then we’ll get to you think you can shoot an ancient.”
“That sounds like the newest reality TV show on the NRA network trying to sell more guns,” someone joked, and I chuckled. Yeah, it really did.
Food arrived since this was sort of a breakfast on the go early meeting. It was from a few places that would be fun for out of towners to try.
“Good morning,” Bijan greeted me quietly, moving so our backs were to everyone else and he was behind me. It worked perfectly when I looked over my shoulder and he gave me a soft kiss. “I was so jealous that Councilman Papadopoulos got to take you home last night.”
I leaned into him, turning around to face him. “We just slept. I had to handle some work things, and then I was so tired I couldn’t even keep my eyes open. Axel and Apollo just slept over.”
“I would like to see you tonight,” he murmured, leaning down to nuzzle my neck. “To taste more of you.”
“I thought you were flying out when the president did.”
“I found a few reasons to extend my trip.”
“I have the shifter party thing, but yes, after, if you can,” I agreed when he whispered in my ear exactly what parts of me he wanted to taste.
“I look very forward to it.”
I just bobbed my head when I moved away, flushing when I realized we had everyone’s attention.
“So how does it work?” one of the president’s aides asked me. “Do you schedule them all? Like the fairy husband gets Mondays?” The tension shot up at the man’s questions, the judgement clearly there.
I smirked at him. “Actually, I’m more like shotgun. Whoever calls me first gets me that night.” I smiled when several people gave me surprised looks. “Yes, that’s incredibly unflattering, but it’s not incorrect, and I’m not doing anything wrong, and I don’t have to justify it to you.”
“It’s fairly accurate,” Brian admitted, taking off his FBI cap and scratching his head before yanking it back on in his endearing way that showed his emotions and that he didn’t like the questions. “You’re so damn busy all the time and something is always getting added to your schedule that it’s a matter of who can catch you.”
I shrugged. “I’m not good at the relationship stuff so someone else had better handle it if they want plans. I never think to ask because I’m so used to being on my own.”
“So anyone can just call you and you put out?” the guy pushed.
“Over the line,” someone snapped. It took me a second, but then I realized it was the president. With one look the aide apologized and headed back to his convoy. Wow.
“Let’s get to the tour since everyone’s busy and we had to call in more people for security.” I winked at Christos who seemed a bit out of his element. “Thanks for coming though.”
“No, of course, whenever you need me, Alpha. It’s fine.”
I realized what I was getting off of him and burst out laughing. “Oh, are you looking for a reason to duck the visiting ladies?”
“Yes,” he admitted, clearing his throat when he realized how that sounded. “We’re a good pack to have an alliance with. Hagan and Reagan are with you, Nestor is married, Freddie is married, and Theon is involved with Alpha Simone.”
“Who people would have to be stupid to mess with,” I added, bobbing my head. “Yeah, she wouldn’t even blink while shoving her foot up someone’s ass for stepping on her turf while checking if her nails are still perfect because she’s always flawless.”
“Yes, that is how I would describe her,” Axel agreed. “A flawless beauty and controlled power.” He shrugged when I gave him a look. “Not my type, but I respect it.” Several people snickered like he’d just stepped in it, but I knew what he meant. “I prefer someone who doesn’t mind she’s in the mud instead of only jumping in when needed to. There’s something very seductive about hair being out of place and no makeup.”
Which was exactly how I’d been when I’d woken up snuggled against him. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, but I felt Eva before she pulled up, glancing at the president’s detail. “There’s going to be some posturing and greetings. Move in front of him, but do not draw your weapons. They won’t help, and she is not a threat. This is how we greet each other and handle this.”
“Crap,” one grumbled as the Secret Service moved in front of the president. Yeah, I felt sort of bad for them and how they were learning they were really guppies.
Then again, they should all be kicked in the head for not realizing it first.
I blinked, and Eva was there and grabbing Sousa by his fancy suit and slamming him into the concrete hard enough a huge area broke.
“Show me your fangs,” she demanded, pushing power into her voice. He did, and I gasped as she ripped one off, noting how much pain that caused Sousa. “You do not ever expect anything of one of my family again. You do not threaten them, or I am the price you will pay. Seraphine is a Dorcus, fully adopted and one of us. Unless you want a war with my bloodline you cannot win, you will remember that and this moment.”
“Yes, Matriarch Dorcus,” he hissed, sounding funny but not because the fangs were out, more one was missing and it sort of whistled.
Eva nodded and stood, unleashing her power, letting it keep unrolling and spreading until we not only bared our throats to her but we dropped to a knee out of instinct and survival. “Are there any more questions as to the power of those who stand behind Seraphine and where she stands on your hierarchies, or should I start getting angry?”
“The point has been made, Matriarch Dorcus,” Martin also agreed.
Eva started reeling in her power, turning to me and seeing Bijan kneeling as well. “I apologize, Mr. President, as Greece does not believe Iran should bow to us. The point had to be made with others here.”
“It is mine as well,” she replied as she came over to us, relief in her eyes as she saw me. “You look monumentally better than my last visit. I want this doctor to come speak with ours, as no one understands how you survived, but he worked miracles.”
“You terrify him, Grandmother,” I reminded her as I leaned in and kissed her cheeks, giving her a real hug. “You threatened to turn him into an expressionist painting if he did not save me. Mother said about the same.”
She winced. “We wouldn’t have. We were upset and you were so—it hurt to feel your pain, and we lashed out. I will make amends.” She greeted Bijan and glanced between us. “Iran has given you its protection?”
“Yes, but your granddaughter did not realize that was what I offered,” Bijan clarified.
She glanced between us again. “Does he wish to become your mating candidate or a consort?” Several people made shocked noises, and she didn’t even bother looking at them. “President Nuri might be president of Iran, but my granddaughter is more powerful when she recovers, and he has acknowledged that.”
“Um, no, as he’s needed in Iran,” I muttered, fidgeting with my shirt as I got agitated at the topic. “Can we please stop with the mating candidates? I won’t mate until I’m at least fifty. Maybe a hundred. Now everyone can stop trying to throw them at me or less so now that I’m weak I guess.” I blinked over at several of my people when I heard hearts pick up. “What did you do?”
Eva held up a hand to them. “Who do you think are your mating candidates or consorts?”
I blew out a harsh breath. “I don’t know. I can’t keep up with it all. Goran, Noah, and Dain are mine. Eugene, Brian, Hagan, and Reagan are mating candidates.”
“One more,” she chuckled, glancing behind me. I looked over at Carter, not hiding my shock well.
He smiled. “You are a wonderful woman, and I enjoy my time with you, but we’ve discussed our feelings on the subject, and mine have not changed. Unlike wolves or shifters who would gladly add their hat to the ring no matter who else is in the mix, vampires are not like that, and adding my name means they’d have to go up against me. Which would be stupid.”
“You’re making it clear to the crazies that they’ll have to go through you to get to me,” I muttered, smiling at him. “You’re so like my favorite person right now.”
“I’m lost,” Galvin sighed.
“You didn’t see the amount and range of courting gifts she received on Valentine’s Day as a new Alpha,” Brian explained. “Everything from blood red roses and offers to taste her from coven leaders to more disturbing ones.”
“And since,” Dain confessed, giving me a sad look. “We didn’t want to worry you. There were many that clearly said to pick them and they would protect you from what was to come or… Well, there was really no or as they thought you too weak to deny. Carter asked me while you were still out, and I agreed as your husband along with your parents.”
Christos’s situation made more sense then. I glanced at him. “So they’re throwing daughters or themselves at you.”
Eva saw where I was looking and chuckled. “You were no one in our pack, and I mean that not as an insult but of leadership rank, and now you are Beta here and quite the catch.”
“Yes, I find myself in that position, Matriarch Dorcus,” he replied, looking nervous. “Several offering to mother my child.”
“Oh dear. Would you like my help instead of your grandmother?”
“Yes, please, thank you,” he agreed, looking relieved.
I brought Eva over to the president who the guards had moved away from, clearly saying not to ignore him anymore and that was who to greet next even if just human.
“I’m supposed to greet those who are yours first,” she reminded me, her tone amused.
“If you greeted Brian before the president, he’ll be yanking on his cap so hard he’ll lose hair,” I drawled.
“Thank you, babe,” he said under his breath so the humans couldn’t hear. “Hello, Mrs. Dorcus, thank you for coming.”
She winked at him and turned to the president. “Mr. President, a pleasure to meet you in person.” She smiled when he took her hand. “Someday soon I hope you will visit one of our resorts in Greece with your lovely wife and we can make sure you get some relaxing on your packed schedule where media isn’t allowed. It’s the least my family can do for all your aid in trying to find Seraphine.”
“That sounds wonderful,” he admitted. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. I understand you’re also here are a representative of the president of Greece to see the full facility.”
“Well, as my granddaughter paid for it, yes, I wished to see it.” She smiled at most of the confusion. “Apparently they do not know you are how this happened, Seraphine.”
Haton quickly went into that explanation about what had happened in Vegas and how I’d donated the money afterwards while greeting Eva. Other pleasantries were exchanged, and then we headed for the tour. Noah and Monroe mostly led it since they were more involved than I was and well, Monroe was all our boss. It was about ten minutes in when I realized that Eva wasn’t just hanging with me but blocking me.
And from the president and his detail.
“They’re no threat to me,” I said at a level the humans wouldn’t hear.
“I believe you and that, but they are the only people here you would not defend yourself from,” she told me, giving me a loving look. “I would.” She leaned in and rubbed her cheek against mine in a wolf way, and I smiled at her. She was so damn protective of the people she cared for it was amazing.
We reached the end by the outdoor firing range and I felt the excitement of the group. And the amusement, clearly knowing what I’d said to Carter.
“You are such a snitch,” I accused Brian.
“I told because there’s nothing to be embarrassed with and I didn’t want Chief Havers to deny a request from the president or Deputy Director Galvin when they asked because he would do so to protect you,” Dain confessed. He shrugged when I gave him a curious look. “You love him and you wouldn’t want him in that position.”
“I’m glad you tend so well to my granddaughter and those she cares for,” Eva praised. “Your queen has educated you well in how to handle the matters of a powerful female that she has neither the time nor attention for.” She glanced at Laila. “I thank you for that, as I had other matters to attend to and didn’t have time to school him as her consort.”
Laila smiled. “I cannot take all the credit, as Dain was at court long before I took over and was well educated as to the customs of other species. It is amusing to see for myself now he is her husband as to how he acted when simply hers. Very amusing.”
As if to say how much more Dain pushed or was allowed to act more than a servant, he slipped some migraine pills in my hand as the tension and stress was getting to me. I thanked him and took them down with my iced latte as the Secret Service got into place along the firing side of the counters.
“I am missing pieces,” Eva admitted as Carter stretched.
Haton filled her in quietly, and I rolled my eyes when Eva burst out laughing. “Yes, she is rather amusing, but knowing her, there is about five other reasons she wants this done.”
It was hard not to flinch at being busted.
“You get one clip,” I told the humans. “Obviously stay in the confines of the range, and if Carter is hit, he’ll move off the range. If you’re out of ammo, step back.”
“How many bullets in the clips?” Carter asked, nodding when they called it back.
“Hey, not fair to know when you wouldn’t in a live situation,” someone complained.
“No, but I also wouldn’t let you get the drop on me and especially not have this many ever fire a gun at me, so I don’t want to get hit because someone has a clip that fits seventeen and I assumed fifteen or less.”
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“Ready,” the team leader called over after they cleared everything up. Carter moved onto the range, and he counted it down. “Three, two, one.”
And then Carter just wasn’t there. People were covering their ears even with the protection we’d handed out with that many firing their weapons. They’d stop shooting to try and find him again, and he’d stop so they could, otherwise we’d be there all day. One by one they stepped away from the counter, looking annoyed.
Carter came over to me when it was done, wide grin in place and kneeling before me. “I hope I pleased my mistress in accomplishing the challenge she gave me. I pray I’ve won her favor.”
I sighed. “Yeah, yeah, have some fun once our guests are all gone. I swear, you guys do whatever you can so you get a reward.”
“They’re always worth it,” Emilio muttered.
And I tended to enjoy them as well. I couldn’t even deny it.
I waved one of Bijan’s guys over, noting he glanced at his boss to check first. “You’ve not had any specialized training, right? You’re ancient but never have had any sort of warrior or security training.”
“No, Mistress, I have not,” he confirmed, giving me a confused look. “You wish me to go up against Carter’s task knowing I don’t have his training?”
“She’s up to something,” Apollo muttered. “Always amusing.”
“Yes and same rules.” I glanced over at Secret Service. “You lost, this is additional.”
They agreed, and the vampire seemed confused, but he was hit not far in and came off of the range, wincing as he did. We were ready, and Carter got out the bullets and gave him some blood.
“Remus, you’re up,” I said to him, smiling.
“Wait, now you’re having a nonancient go?” Apollo asked. “He can’t be more than two or three hundred years old. That’s nothing compared to Carter.”