Brides of the Kindred Volume One

by Evangeline Anderson

  “Where the purple mists never recede,” Nadiah whispered. She put a hand to her head and her eyelids fluttered. “Oh, Lauren, I felt such fear for you!”

  Beside her, Detective Rast shifted again and cleared his throat. He looked like he wanted to say something but in the end he kept silent.

  “Thank you,” Lauren said to Nadiah. “It was pretty awful but I’m okay, thanks to Xairn.”

  “Sounds like you owe him a lot,” Olivia murmured.

  “I owe him my life,” Lauren said seriously. “Several times over.”

  “You may still be in danger,” Nadiah’s big blue eyes widened dramatically. “I’ve had another dream about you. At least, I think it was you.” She frowned. “Um, Lauren, do you have any giants in the town you live in? People of really large stature maybe around, um…I’m trying to work it out in your system of measurement…around twenty feet tall?”

  “Twenty foot tall giants? In Sarasota?” Lauren shook her head. “Uh, no, sorry but we don’t. Was that part of the dream?”

  “It was.” Nadiah looked frustrated. “You or someone who looked a lot like you was standing beside two giants who were kissing. The male had the female bent over his arm and they were frozen there, not moving. I saw you standing beside them and then suddenly you disappeared. And somehow…somehow I knew you had been taken someplace terrible.” Her voice dropped. “Someplace you might never return from.”

  “Do we really have to listen to this?” For some reason Detective Rast was glaring at Nadiah’s image on the viewscreen. “I mean, you had me going for a minute with the whole purple shadows and the blue and red clothes but giants kissing? Come on.”

  Nadiah stiffened. “Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen.”

  “I don’t have to understand something to know it sounds crazy,” he shot back.

  “No, wait a minute.” Olivia held up a hand. “You said the girl in your dream just disappeared? Like she’d been taken somewhere? Maybe transported by the molecular transfer beam the Scourge have?”

  “Oh no.” Lauren felt suddenly sick. “But that’s not possible! Xairn took me to O’ah to have my DNA altered specifically so the AllFather couldn’t kidnap me that way again.” She shivered and her mom wrapped an arm around her shoulders comfortingly. “Please tell me it can’t happen again.”

  “I know how you feel,” Sophia said sympathetically. “It happened to me too. It’s awful—like somebody put your entire body through a cheese grater.”

  “That’s exactly how it is.” Lauren shivered again and pressed her face to her mom’s shoulder. “Ugh, I really don’t want to think about it.”

  “I’m sorry.” Nadiah looked regretful. “But I thought I should warn you. Just in case.”

  “It sounds like Lauren will be just fine as long as she stays away from kissing giants,” Detective Rast said dryly. “Somehow I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”

  “Very funny.” Kat’s blue eyes flashed. “Did you ever think that since it’s a dream the giants Nadiah saw might stand for something else? Maybe they’re some kind of symbolism.”

  “The symbol of a fraud, maybe,” he growled.

  Olivia put a hand on her hip. “Seriously, Detective Rast, does it say ‘professional jerk’ on your business cards or what?”

  “No, it says that I find missing persons,” he snapped. “And I don’t need a bunch of psychic mumbo-jumbo to help me do it.”

  “I never offered you my help.” Nadiah gave him a look that could freeze a laser beam. “And don’t worry, Detective, I never will.”

  His striking green eyes flashed. “I wouldn’t take it if you begged me.”

  Nadiah put her hands on her hips. “Begged you? Are you out of your tiny human mind?” She sniffed and her eyes flickered down to his crotch. “Though I’m sure that’s not the only thing that’s tiny about you.”

  Detective Rast, who was as big as Xairn or any of the Kindred warriors Lauren had seen, raised an eyebrow at Nadiah. “Are you saying you want to come down and check out my equipment? Because that’s certainly what it sounds like.”

  Nadiah’s cheeks went bright red. “Of course not. I have no interest in your…your…in that!”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “They why were you looking south of my belt?”

  “I…I was looking at your weapon,” Nadiah protested. “I have no interest in anything else.”

  “My weapon, huh?” He smirked. “Well I think I can promise you it’s a larger caliber than you could handle.”

  Nadiah looked furious. “Why, you—!”

  “Okay now,” Lauren’s mom said, putting out a hand. “Maybe we should all say goodbye. It’s awfully late and I know Lauren is exhausted.”

  Lauren, who had been fascinated in the exchange between the detective and Sophie’s cousin-in-law, quickly manufactured a yawn. “Uh, yeah. I really am.”

  “We’re sorry for keeping you,” Kat said, smiling warmly.

  “And I apologize for disturbing your reunion with your kin,” Nadiah said formally. “Truly, it wasn’t my intent. I simply wanted to warn you to be on your guard.”

  “I will be.” Lauren smiled at her. “I promise. But don’t worry—I have protection.”

  “We know you’re in good hands.” Kat smiled at her. “Say hi to Xairn for me.”

  “I will.” Lauren smiled. “I hope to see you all in person soon.”

  “And don’t forget you promised to come for my baby shower and bring cupcakes,” Olivia said quickly. “I think we’ll need at least three dozen.”

  “Yeah, but what are the rest of us going to eat, Liv?” Sophie grinned at her sister and gave her a nudge. “You know I’m kidding. Though I think you ought to ask Lauren if she does some of the weird flavor combinations you’ve been craving before you place your order.”

  “Somehow I doubt there are any ketchup/sauerkraut/chocolate cupcakes on her menu,” Kat said dryly.

  “I can accommodate almost any request,” Lauren said, smiling. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up with a new flavor I can use. I’ll call it ‘pregnancy cravings’ or ‘eating for two’ or something like that.”

  “I seriously doubt you’d want to sell some of the things Liv has been eating,” Sophie said, grinning. “But you never can tell.”

  “We’ll contact you again when we plan the shower,” Olivia promised. “But now I think we should probably go. All this talk about cupcakes has made me so hungry.”

  “Liv, you just ate a whole carton of Chunky Monkey!” Sophia protested.

  “Right.” Olivia grinned unrepentantly. “And now I want some real food. Who’s up for pizza?”

  “I’ve got the ingredients at my place,” Kat volunteered. “As long as you don’t want anything weird on it.”

  “Nothing too strange,” Olivia promised. “Just pepperoni and mushrooms. And…”

  “And what?” Sophia demanded.

  “Well…” Olivia bit her lip. “Does anybody have any black jellybeans? You know, the licorice ones?”

  “Black jelly bean and pepperoni pizza?” Kat rolled her eyes and looked at Lauren. “You see what we have to put up with over here?”

  Lauren couldn’t help laughing. “I think it’s hilarious. And listen, Olivia, I promise to make any kind of cupcakes you want. Even sardine and pickle or anything else you can come up with.”

  Olivia rubbed her stomach. “Mmm, pickles. Has anybody ever had a pickle pizza?”

  “Stop!” Sophia sounded horrified. “Please don’t give her any more ideas,” she begged Lauren.

  “Sorry!” Lauren laughed again, delightedly. She could already tell she was going to love her new cousins.

  Kat smiled. “I think we’d better go now, Lauren. Got to feed the pregnant lady before she gets mean.”

  “Bye.” Lauren gave them all a little wave. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “Please do,” Olivia said, suddenly serious. “Sophie and I are so glad you’re home.”

/>   “So am I,” Lauren said. “You have no idea how glad.”

  Lauren’s mom nodded at the viewscreen. “Good night, girls. We’ll talk to you later.”

  “Call us anytime,” Sophia said. As their images faded slowly to a small glowing dot in the middle of the viewscreen, Lauren could still hear them arguing good naturedly about pizza toppings.

  “Aren’t they something?” Lauren’s mom smiled. “I swear your cousin Olivia is just like my little sister.” She turned to Detective Rast. “I think we can go now that we’ve informed the Kindred that Lauren is home safely, don’t you?”

  He nodded and shifted uncomfortably. “Of course. And I want to apologize for my, uh, argument with that girl—Nadiah. She just rubs me the wrong way but it wasn’t very professional on my part.”

  “You don’t think she’s right, do you? That Lauren is still in danger?” Abby’s voice was tight and she squeezed Lauren’s shoulder hard.

  “I’ll be fine, Mom.” Lauren kissed her cheek and tugged her toward the door. “Now could we please get out of the HKR building and get home? I really do need to take care of some things.”

  Her mom sighed as they walked out into the balmy Florida night. “You’ve only been home a day, honey. Why don’t you take it easy?”

  “My business isn’t going to run itself,” Lauren said, lifting her chin. “It’s been sitting empty, making no money for over a month and you know what rent on the Circle is like.”

  “I’ve taken care of the rent so don’t worry about that.” Her mom smiled reassuringly. “Seriously, Lauren, you’ve been through a very traumatic event. You should rest. You might even want to think about getting some therapy.”

  “Your mother is right,” Detective Rast said seriously. “I have the name and number of a counselor who works with victims who have been kidnapped and, uh, abused.”

  “I know what you’re implying but nothing like that happened to me,” Lauren snapped, frowning. “Xairn protected me and he never laid a finger on me.”

  “And I’m going to be forever grateful to him for that,” her mom said softly. “But don’t pretend to yourself that this didn’t happen. It did.”

  Lauren sighed. “I’m not trying to pretend it didn’t happen, Mom. But I can’t get over it if I wallow in self pity all day. I need to get on with my life. And as for getting counseling, you know baking is always the best therapy for me. Just let me make a few dozen cupcakes and I’ll feel like my old self again.”

  Her mother sighed doubtfully. “All right, if you’re sure…”

  “You have my card if you change your mind and want to talk to someone.” Detective Rast gave her a level look. “I really recommend it. But you have to do what you feel is right for you.”

  “I’m going to,” Lauren said firmly. She yawned, not faking it this time. “And right now what feels right is going home to bed.”

  “I’m sure you’re exhausted.” Detective Rast smiled. “I’m very glad you’re home safely, Lauren. Your mother was terribly worried.”

  “Thank you, Detective.” Lauren’s mother smiled. “Just send your bill to my e-mail and I’ll see that you’re paid.”

  He shook his head. “No charge.”

  “But you spent so much time on finding Lauren,” her mom protested. “Of course I’ll pay you.”

  Rast shook his head again. “I didn’t find her and bring her home myself. So no charge. I am very glad she’s home though.” He smiled grimly. “I wish all my missing persons cases turned out so neatly.”

  Lauren’s mom started to protest again but he simply shook his head and said, “Good night,” before leaving.

  “Wow,” Lauren murmured as they headed to their car, which was parked a few feet away. “Now there goes a guy with issues. Maybe he’s the one that needs therapy.”

  “He certainly did seem to have a problem with Sophia’s friend,” her mom agreed, as they got into the car. She looked troubled. “I wish he wasn’t so proud and stubborn! He’s spent all his time and resources on your case for the past month. I really need to compensate him for his trouble.”

  “Send him a check,” Lauren suggested. She yawned again. “Look, Mom, I really need to get home. I left Xairn there all alone and this is his first time on Earth.”

  Her mother looked at her doubtfully as she started the car. “Are you sure you want him to stay with you, honey? I mean, I could rent him a hotel room…”

  “Mom!” Lauren frowned at her. “I’m a grown woman.”

  “I know, I know.” Her mother sighed as she made the turn toward Saint Armand’s Circle. Luckily the Sarasota Human/Kindred relations building wasn’t too far from Lauren’s efficiency condo so they didn’t have far to drive. “I mean, he’s very handsome but he’s so big, honey. And he looks so, I don’t know…forbidding.”

  Lauren wondered what her mother would say if she could see Xairn in his pre-DNA altered state. Though she kind of missed his striking red-on-black eyes, she was glad he didn’t have them now. “Mom, Xairn would never hurt me,” she said firmly. “And believe me, he’s had plenty of chances. He protected me from the AllFather and saved my life over and over. He left his home and renounced his entire race to come stay with me. I love him.”

  “I can see that you do, honey. It’s just that I almost lost you—I did lose you. And I couldn’t bear to lose you again.” Her mom pulled up to the condo and parked beside Lauren’s car. The Kindred Ship Xairn had used to bring them back had turned into a small silver car which was parked around the back.

  “You won’t lose me.” Lauren leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I promise you that. I’m staying right here where I belong from now on.”

  “I hope so.” Her mom looked troubled. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

  Lauren laughed. “Mom, it’s three feet. But okay, if you want to.”

  “I do.” They both got out and her mother took her by the arm protectively.

  “Fine, Mom.” Lauren was pretty sure she just wanted another chance to check out Xairn, whom she’d only gotten to meet briefly before Detective Rast had called them to the HKR building. But if it made her feel better, Lauren supposed she couldn’t blame her. Her mom was actually showing great restraint considering the circumstances; Lauren didn’t mind showing off Xairn one more time if it put her mind at ease.

  “You know, the manger told me unit 12B is empty right now,” her mom said, pressing her arm. “It’s a lot bigger than this little place and it has two bedrooms. I could come by tomorrow and help you move in.”

  “Mom.” Lauren gave her mother a look of exasperated affection. “It’s bad enough that I’m mooching off you by living in a complex you own without taking the nicest condo in the place! Besides, I like my little efficiency. It’s cozy.”

  “But is it really big enough for two people?”

  “It’s fine,” Lauren assured her. “And don’t worry, Xairn packs light. In fact, he literally came with only the clothes on his back. I need to take him shopping tomorrow and get him some Earth clothes.” She smiled at her mom. “You can come too, if you want. It’ll give you a chance to get to know him better and we can do lunch.”

  “I’d like that.” Her mother squeezed her arm. “And, honey, don’t be mad at me for saying this but if you ever feel the least bit unsafe, just call me, okay? The place I’m staying is only a few miles down the road and I’ll be here in a heartbeat. I mean, I know you like this guy but let’s not forget he was basically the one who kidnapped you in the first place.”

  “No he wasn’t.” Lauren frowned. “His father did. Mom, how many times do I have to tell you Xairn won’t hurt me?”

  “I know you think that. But—”

  “Your daughter has nothing to fear from me.” Xairn was suddenly standing there, his arms crossed over his chest. He was so big that his shoulders filled the entire doorway. Lit from behind as he was, he looked like a monstrous shadowy figure emerging into the night.

  Lauren bit her lip. Her mom was right—he really did l
ook kind of threatening. Not that she felt threatened at all—she had perfect trust in Xairn. But she wished he looked a little less scary for her mom’s sake. She felt her mom stiffen beside her and for a moment she drew Lauren close. “Hello,” she said clearly, looking at Xairn. “I’m sorry if you heard that but I can’t help being worried about my baby. Especially after what she went through.”

  “Of course you’re worried, Mom,” Lauren said. “But please try not to be. If anything I’m safer with Xairn in the house. Can you imagine anyone being stupid enough to try anything with him around?”

  Her mother took another look at Xairn’s massive shape and gave a shaky laugh. “No, I guess not.”

  “There you go, then.” Lauren squeezed her arm reassuringly. “Can I go now?”

  “Just one more thing. Come here.” Her mom pulled her into a warm hug and held her close. “Oh sweetheart, I was so worried about you. I know you’re home safe now but just give me a little time to believe it. I was so afraid I’d never see you again.”

  “I was afraid of that too.” Lauren was surprised to feel tears pricking at her eyelids. “But I’m back now. Back to stay, I promise.”

  Her mom sniffed and Lauren realized she was crying a little too. “I thought about you, Mom,” she admitted in a low voice. “It was all that kept me going until I started to get to know Xairn.”

  “I love you, honey.” Lauren’s mom gave her a kiss on the cheek and then on the forehead. “So very, very much. Don’t ever forget it.”

  “I won’t.” Lauren sighed as her mom finally let go. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “All right. But I have one more thing to say.” Wiping her eyes, Lauren’s mom straightened her shoulders and marched up to stand toe-to-toe with Xairn. She was a good foot and a half shorter than him so the effect was kind of like a Pomeranian confronting a Pit-bull, but Abby Jakes wasn’t one to back down. “You take good care of my baby girl,” she said clearly, staring him in the eyes. “I appreciate you bringing her home safe but I still don’t know you well enough to trust you completely. Don’t make me regret leaving her here with you tonight.”