JoJo had had her magic ability for as long as she could remember. In her life, she had met one or two other gifted individuals who were equally baffled as to where their abilities had originated. She had studied and researched the origins of magic but had never been able to explain it in a satisfactory way. Without a logical and reasonable explanation, JoJo had just come to accept that her magic was a fact. It wasn’t good or bad or anything else. It just was. And she could use it or not at will.
In her job as a nanny, she often had the opportunity to use her abilities for simple things such as tidying up or catching a child who was not within arm’s reach and was about to be harmed. Otherwise, she lived her life as an ordinary woman, drinking tea, going to the shops, and doing her job. She had never considered herself particularly special because of her magic, although she had made the choice fairly early on to keep it hidden from anyone outside her family. Her great-aunt Mary had a touch of magic and had discovered it in JoJo early on.
One day during the summer holiday, Mary had found her organizing her library. The books had been hanging in the air while JoJo categorized them alphabetically. Mary walked into the room and broke JoJo’s concentration, and all the books went tumbling to the ground, but not before her great-aunt Mary had witnessed them hanging in the air. After that occasion, Mary explained to her that many people in their family had possessed gifts and that it was fine for her to use her magic as long as she didn’t use it publicly. That had been a lesson JoJo had taken with her into adulthood and still held onto.
The next morning, JoJo prepared Tor for the barbecue, giving him a bath and dressing him in shorts, a tank top, booties, and sunscreen. Outside on the patio, Hanish stood at the grill, flipping hamburger patties, while Raiden stood beside him, drinking a beer at eleven o’clock in the morning. JoJo set up a play area inside a childproof fence. She laid down a blanket, toys, and a baby play-gym. Hanish had mentioned that his friends, the Flames, also had two young children.
He turned and looked at her, observing the play area she had constructed. “What a wonderful idea, JoJo,” Hanish said, holding his barbecue tongs.
“Thank you, Captain Storm.”
“You don’t have to call me Captain. You can just call me Hanish.”
“Thank you, Hanish,” she said, feeling sheepish. In her fantasy the night before, she had been calling him “oh God, yes.”
The patio door swung open, and out walked Yuki, Akash, and Ragnar Storm along with Krista Wilder, the realtor, who was in an odd relationship with the three men. JoJo hadn’t met Krista yet but had heard about her from the other Storms. Krista’s three lovers spent some time living at the Storm mansion, but most of their time was spent in Seattle with Krista. Raiden strode over to the trio, slapped them on the backs, and offered them a beer.
Krista glided across the patio, her flowing summer dress waving around her rounded form. She reached out and offered JoJo her hand. “I’m Krista Wilder. You must be JoJo Morris, the new nanny. Hanish was looking for a nanny for a long time. I’m so glad he found one up to his standards.”
JoJo took Krista’s hand. The women smiled at each other then glanced at the Storm men. They were laughing and talking around the cooler full of beer. Krista gazed up at her three boyfriends. Pride and love shone in her eyes. She rubbed her small baby bump then turned back to JoJo. “It will be good for them to have another woman around. They can all get rowdy and competitive, if you know what I mean.”
“I do. When the six of them are all in the house, I fear they’ll burn the place down. You should keep yours in Seattle full-time.”
“I’ll need them around when the baby comes. Good thing I’ve learned to keep them in line.” Krista winked at JoJo. “You seem to be the kind of woman who can do the same.”
“I pride myself on maintaining control in any situation.”
“You’ll have to around these guys.”
“To be honest,” JoJo said, suddenly feeling as though she could confide in Krista, “I’m not sure how long I’m going to be here. Don’t say anything to Hanish, but I seem to have developed an unprofessional attraction to the man. It wouldn’t be prudent to remain in his employ.”
“Have you now?” Krista asked. “I thought I saw something there. Don’t be too hasty in your decision. There may be some surprises yet to unfold.”
Krista’s boyfriend Yuki walked over and took her hand, excusing them as he led Krista toward the patio doors. Another group of guests appeared in the doorway. More insanely attractive men with their beautiful, bright-eyed ladies walked out onto the patio. Everyone smiled, laughed, and embraced. JoJo noticed one couple with children. The man carried a toddler, and the woman wore a baby sling.
Hanish approached and picked up Tor. “Come, JoJo,” Hanish said. “I want to introduce you to everyone.”
As a household employee, JoJo wasn’t used to being treated like a guest when friends arrived at her employer’s estate. But Hanish was treating her exactly that way. He introduced her to all the members of the Flame family. Commander Kian was a tall, dark-haired man with flashing blue eyes. He was married to a woman named Everly, and between them, they had two beautiful daughters, a young toddler and a newborn.
Then there was the big, burly blond man named Dax, whose wife was called Aria. She was lovely, petite, and curvaceous with a warm and generous smile. Dax and the dark-haired man called Aiden seemed to have a good-natured competition between them. Aiden was accompanied by his wife, Winnifred, a tall, curvy recent college grad whom she learned had painted the landscape that hung above the mantel in the Storms’ living room. Then there was Cato, a scientist. His computer programmer wife, Penelope, was developing a small baby bump of her own. Penelope had brought her sister, Flora, whom JoJo learned was completing her doctorate in genetic engineering.
When Flora, Penelope, and Cato arrived, Zephyr appeared on the patio, and the four of them sat down with Yuki, immediately beginning a conversation about science that went straight over JoJo’s head. Everly and Kian, the parents of the two adorable children, approached JoJo.
“You must be JoJo,” Everly said, reaching out to take JoJo’s hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.” Everly’s handshake was warm and soft, like her smile. She struck JoJo as a woman who was nurturing and loving and well-suited for motherhood. “I was a nanny myself for a time until Kian and I fell in love and got married.”
“You worked for him?” JoJo asked, becoming flushed. “How did you manage to transition from your professional relationship into a private one?” JoJo realized the question was inappropriate, but the words dripped from her lips before she could hold them back.
Everly laughed and rocked her cooing daughter. “It was a bit of a challenge at first. But we were both so attracted to each other that it couldn’t be held back for long. It all just happened naturally. Ember is like my own daughter now, and we’re one big, happy family. I see you’ve made a baby yard.” Everly pointed to the play area. “That looks like so much fun.”
Everly stepped inside the yard and placed Ember on the blanket. She sat cross-legged beside the child and began to unwrap the infant from the sling. Hanish handed Tor to JoJo, and she joined Everly in the playpen with the children. She sat Tor down beside Ember, and the two of them began to play in a friendly but disconnected manner that was typical of children that age.
Hanish and Kian walked back to the grill and began discussing barbecue techniques. Aiden pulled out his guitar and strummed while Aria tuned up her voice. The moment Aria began to sing, JoJo felt a shiver of energy run down her spine. It was the oddest sensation, and she couldn’t help but think it was because of Aria’s voice. Hanish flipped a burger, and Aria began to sing.
“This is an original song from their new album,” Everly whispered. “She and Aiden are going on tour soon. Winnifred and Dax are going with them. We’re going to miss them while they’re gone.”
“They certainly are talented.”
“The album has gone triple platinum. W
e never imagined it when we produced it in the basement. We are all so proud of them. Dax and Aiden have even stopped fighting. A little bit.”
“How long will they be gone?”
“The worldwide tour goes on for months. But they’ve promised to return home every few weeks to visit.”
“Your family must be really close.”
“We can’t live without them.”
JoJo saw the smirk on Everly’s face and wasn’t quite sure what she meant. She was beginning to think that the family had some strange codependency. They were all adults, so she didn’t understand why they would need to return home for visits every few weeks. But the questions dissipated as the music rose in her ears. She couldn’t help but feel the familiar tingling sensation of magic sweeping through her body. It sparked and burned as it whirled inside her. She’d never felt her magic activated like that before, and something about the song made her think that maybe Aria had magic too. It was a strange thought but one JoJo couldn’t dismiss.
When the burgers and hot dogs were served, everyone sat around the big patio table under the shade of the overhang. JoJo sat beside Tor’s high chair and fed him a smashed avocado, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Everly helped Ember eat the same thing across the table. The women’s eyes met, and they smiled at each other. Kian held baby Ray and fed her a bottle.
JoJo could hear snippets of conversations around her. Zephyr, Cato, Penelope, Yuki, and Flora were talking about genetic manipulation and vaccinations. JoJo had no idea what they were talking about, but it all sounded so fascinating, she couldn’t help but listen. It seemed the five of them were working on something they considered highly important, something that could save the world. She tried to pick up what exactly the vaccination was for, but every time they were about to broach the subject, one of them glanced at her then said something vague.
After everyone was done eating, a few of the guests decided to get into the pool. Dax and Aria were the first to jump in, followed by Aiden and Winifred. Raiden Storm did a cannonball, splashing everyone within range. Yuki and Ragnar stepped in a moment later, holding both of Krista’s hands, but Akash remained at the table with Kian.
Everly changed into a suit and stepped into the shallow end of the pool with her daughter. Ember splashed and giggled as the others threw a beach ball back and forth.
The scientists continued their conversation, and their discussion became more specific. At one point, JoJo thought she heard them say the words “dragon soul blood,” which didn’t make any sense. Maybe it was code for something else, something they didn’t want her to know about.
Flora, Penelope’s sister, kept stealing glances at Raiden in the pool. JoJo got the feeling the two of them were having some type of clandestine relationship. They had done the same thing at the table but hadn’t been openly affectionate with each other.
By the time the party was over, JoJo was feeling thoroughly confused by these families. They were the oddest, most attractive, most intelligent people she’d ever met. But there was something off about them, something she couldn’t quite place her finger on. After spending a lifetime concealing her own magic, JoJo was beginning to wonder if they had something similar themselves.
As the sun began to set, Hanish and the others bid their guests farewell at the front door, and JoJo took Tor upstairs to put him to bed. After a day like today, JoJo wasn’t any closer to making a decision about whether or not to stay. Krista had told her she should refrain from doing so because there might be more surprises on the horizon. But after meeting Hanish’s friends, she wasn’t sure she was prepared to find out exactly what those surprises might be.
Chapter 7
“Thank you for coming, Aria,” Hanish said out in the roundabout driveway. “We appreciate you making the extra trip.”
“I can’t leave without giving the House of Storms the buffer of my magic.”
“We’ll be back soon,” Dax said, putting his arm around her waist. “We’ve made all the arrangements to return at least every two weeks.”
“We just hope that’s enough,” Aiden said.
“We have important work to do out on the road,” Winifred said. “Your music is a balm that soothes the soul of humanity.”
“But without Aria and her music, we’re left nearly defenseless,” Akash said.
“With the new antibodies added to our weapons, we are far from defenseless,” Cato corrected.
“But every day without the speed buffer Aria’s music gives us, it becomes more difficult to connect with the vampires,” Yuki added.
“This is true,” Zephyr said. “But we calculated that we can get by with only being re-buffered every two weeks. This should be enough.”
“If there are any problems,” Aiden said, “we’ll call off the tour.”
“We don’t want you to do that,” Kian said, strapping his children into their car seats. “We all understand how important this tour is.”
“But not as important as protecting our own,” Aria said.
“It’s time to go,” Ragnar said. “Krista needs her rest.”
“Good night, everyone.” Hanish waved at his friends.
“How long are we going to be able to keep up the pretense with Ms. Morris in the house?” Zephyr asked.
“As long as it takes,” Hanish said.
“Captain Hanish, I have the results of the mating analysis,” Azure said through his mental link.
“What is it?” Hanish demanded.
“The meeting analysis of Captain Hanish of the House of Storms and JoJo Morris is positive. She is your fated mate.”
“I knew it,” Hanish said aloud, gripping his fist and clenching his teeth.
“How do you plan to proceed, Captain?” Zephyr asked him, having heard the same news through his own mental link.
“I’m going to make her mine,” Hanish said.
“Have you been studying the courting materials provided by Cato?”
“Briefly.”
“I suggest you give these materials extensive study, sir. Human courtship is… delicate.”
“The human is my fated mate. How difficult could it possibly be?” Hanish strode into the house, leaving his science officer standing in the front driveway. Hanish was not a man who liked to wait. He preferred to act. But in all his years as the captain of his ship and squadron, he had always listened to Zephyr’s advice. As much as he wanted to ignore it and rush up the stairs to JoJo’s room, throw open the door, and declare his undying love, he knew that was probably a mistake.
He growled as he stomped up the stairs and made his way to his bedroom, trying not to slam the door behind him. Then he collapsed in the big, comfortable chair in his sitting room and turned on the television.
“Azure,” he said through the mental link. “Please run the courtship materials provided by Cato.”
“Here are a list of resources,” Azure said.
Hanish waved his hand. “Just start with the first movie on the list.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The film began to play, and Hanish rolled his eyes at the ridiculousness that passed for comedy for humans. But as the on-screen couple began to connect and grow closer, he felt a seed of tenderness growing in his heart. By the time the film was over, he had to dab the corners of his eyes to keep the tears from flowing down his cheeks.
“Emergency alert,” Azure intoned through the mental link. “Security breach at the southernmost edge of the property. The intruders have vampiric signatures.”
“Sir,” Zephyr said through the mental link, “we’re under attack.”
“I’ll get JoJo and Tor down to the safe room. Zephyr, Raiden, meet me on the back lawn.”
He sprang to his feet and hurried down the hall to the nursery. After scooping Tor out of his crib, he knocked on the adjoining door to JoJo’s bedroom.
She answered the door a moment later, wearing a bathrobe, and her hair was loose down her back. She blinked at him from behind her glasses, more than a little confused
. “What is it, Hanish? Why are you waking up Tor? Is he ill?” She felt the child’s forehead for fever.
“We’re having a safety drill,” he said, taking her hand. “I need you to follow me.”
“A safety drill? What for?”
“In case of an attack,” he said on the way down the stairs.
“In case of an attack from whom?”
“I don’t have time to explain.”
They proceeded down to the basement, where he opened the door to the safe room and told her how to lock it behind her. The safe room had been outfitted with everything a dozen humans would need to live for six months. It was a large, comfortable space with many beds, couches, and a full kitchen with a stocked pantry. There was even a private nursery for Tor.
“You’ll be safe down here,” he said. “I want you to lock the door behind me, and don’t open it until I come back. I’ll call you through the intercom on the other side of the door.”
“Hanish, please explain what is going on.” She sounded nearly panicked.
“I can’t explain now. I have other drills I must perform. I’ll tell you everything soon. I promise.”
He had the deep impulse to kiss her confused mouth but instead turned and walked out the door. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure she closed and locked the door behind him. She did as he had instructed without any further questions. He nodded, grateful his mate was a rational and responsible person. He charged up the stairs to the first floor, burst out onto the lawn, and shifted immediately into his electric-pink storm dragon form.
“Status update,” Hanish said through his mental link to his two remaining crewmates.
“There is a group of at least two dozen vampires attacking our compound from three sides. They can’t attack from the west because of the cliff on that side, but they essentially have us surrounded,” Raiden told him.
“The group to the north is made up of more vampires, but from Azure’s analysis, we know they are young and weak,” Zephyr said. “The group to the south has fewer individuals, but an elder is among them. The group to the east is headed by the remaining coven leader named Victor. We know who he is from facial recognition and from the data I received from the House of Flames.”
Hanish: House of Storms (Dragon Guardians Book 6) Page 4