by Ashlyn Chase
“It’s not a social call.”
“Okaaaay. May I ask what it’s about?”
“It’s personal.” Nick thought he saw the kid’s eye twitch.
“Hmmm… When did you want to do this?” Adolf asked.
“As soon as possible.”
The kid shuffled his feet. “I need to go upstairs for a few minutes. Meet me back here in five.”
“How about if I meet you in the bar? I need to see my girlfriend, just to touch base and let her know I’m okay.”
Adolf’s eyes narrowed. “Is your girlfriend Ruxandra?”
Nick almost burst out laughing, but he managed to swallow it. “No. Why would you think that?”
“Because she’s the only paranormal in there at the moment.”
I wonder how he knows where she is. “I thought she was in jail.”
“They couldn’t make the charges stick.”
“How do you know all this?”
Adolf clammed up. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you want to see Mother Nature or not?”
“I didn’t mean to rattle you. I was just curious. Yes, I’d like to see Gaia as soon as possible.”
“Fine. I’ll meet you in the bar.”
Nick nodded and left the strange young man to his preparations—whatever they were. He couldn’t wait another minute to see Brandee anyway. He walked through the door to the bar and spotted her immediately.
She was waiting on a table full of locals, and as if she sensed him, she glanced over her shoulder. She squealed, set down her tray, and ran over to him.
Jumping into his arms, she yelled, “Nick, I’ve never been so glad to see you.”
He crushed her to his chest and then remembered not to squeeze too hard or he could squash her like a bug. That would be an awful way to say, “Hi, honey, I’m home.”
She leaned back enough to smile at him, then mashed her mouth to his. He had no idea how long they kissed. He felt slightly dizzy afterward, as if he hadn’t taken a breath for a while. Perhaps he hadn’t.
Ruxandra sauntered over to them. “At least someone in this dump is happy.”
“Nice to see you too, Ruxandra,” Nick said. He set Brandee on her feet. “Sweetheart, I just wanted you to know I’m back. I have one more thing to take care of. I hope it won’t take long, but if it does, I don’t want you to worry. I’m fine.”
She rubbed his biceps. “I missed you so much, Nick.”
“I missed you too.”
Ruxandra spun on her heel. “I’d better go before I vomit.”
As soon as they were alone again, Brandee lowered her voice. “Does it hurt?”
“The wound? Nah. I’m all healed and good as new. How are things around here?”
“About the same. As you can see, Ruxandra’s back, and Anthony is hiding in his office most of the time. Other than that, everything’s okay.”
“Good. I’ll be back as soon as I take care of this one important matter.”
She looked as if she was about to pout. “Is it dangerous?”
What could he say? If Mother Nature was in a bad mood, it might be. He didn’t want to lie to Brandee, but he couldn’t afford to tell her the whole truth either. Besides, he didn’t really know what the truth was at that point.
Nick brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I should be safe enough.” And if I’m not, I’ll get the hell out of there before she drops me into an active volcano.
Brandee gave him a smile that looked as sad as it did happy. “Don’t be long.” Then she drew a fingernail down his chest and a sly smile replaced the sad one. “I have a special welcome home planned.”
Please be sex. Please be sex. Please be sex. “I won’t be a minute later than I have to be.”
Nick didn’t know if he’d even be allowed to see the deity, but if perchance an audience was granted, lingering was the last thing on his mind.
***
Adolf opened the door to the bar but just stood in the doorway.
That’s right. The kid isn’t old enough to drink. He’s probably never been in here. Again, Nick wondered how Adolf knew what went on inside the bar. Maybe he watched customers come and go from an upstairs window. Yeah, that’s probably it. But a niggling feeling told Nick that might not be the whole story.
He kissed Brandee good-bye, then strode to the door and out onto the sidewalk.
“Ready?” was all Adolf asked.
“As much as I’ll ever be.” Nick steeled himself for whatever the kid had to do to transport him to the Council.
Instead of magic dust, the kid just walked off toward the nearest side street and rounded the corner. Nick kept up with him easily. They walked uphill, and Nick guessed they were going to the mysterious office building on State Street.
When they finally got there, Adolf opened the outer door and, with a sweeping gesture, indicated that Nick was to enter first.
Instead of following him in, the kid just said, “Get in the elevator. Press the button for the top floor, and good luck.”
“Aren’t you coming with me?”
Adolf worried his lip. “I don’t think so.”
“Are they expecting me?”
Without answering, the kid let go of the door and rushed off.
“What the…”
Nick’s stomach suddenly felt as if he’d swallowed a flock of hummingbirds. He straightened his back, lifted his chin, and said, “I can do this.”
At that moment, the elevator door opened. Shit. Are they listening?
He concluded they probably were and moved slowly toward the elevator. The doors remained open, as if waiting for him.
Everything will be all right. This is for Katie and Brandee. Mother Nature will see that as altruistic, right?
Stepping into the elevator, he continued his mental pep talk. Before he could push the button, however, the doors slammed shut and he took off like a rocket.
“Holy…”
When the rapid ascent stopped, his feet felt like they’d left the floor for a second. The doors whooshed open, and he paused a moment to take in the scene before he stepped out.
The glass dome overhead, the white-robed gentlemen strolling and talking to each other, plus the forest in the far-off area indicated he’d found what he was looking for.
It’s go time.
He stepped off the elevator prepared to ask one of the gods where Gaia might be when the woman herself came out of her forest and strode over to him.
“Nick Wolfensen, brave soul. What on earth would bring you here again?”
“Gaia, I need your help in two different matters.”
“Two?” She shouted so loudly that some of the gods stopped talking and stared at them.
“The first is something you’ll want to know about right away.”
“Don’t presume to tell me what I want. Just state your business quickly so I can spit you back out onto the sidewalk as soon as possible.”
Like gum. His mouth went dry, but he had to press on.
“Gaia, there’s a dragon on Long Island who is in police custody at the moment, but they won’t be able to hold him forever. He’s dangerous. I discovered his plan when I was protecting a fire mage here in Boston. He hired some thugs to kidnap her so he could use her for her ability.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Lovely.”
That’s all she has to say? One sarcastic word?
“I’m well aware of this dragon. He set the Chicago fire. That’s when I took his power to breathe fire away. Now you’re telling me he hasn’t learned his lesson and wants to burn down Boston too?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She raised one eyebrow.
“I mean, Goddess. He must have wanted revenge on you, and he was ready to use an innocent to do it. The girl hadn’t even come into
her power yet. She was just about to when he nabbed her.”
“I see.” She began to pace.
Nick wondered if she “saw” at all. Did she have to rely on mortals to be her eyes and ears on the street? Were her powers that limited? And if Mother Nature was his target, how did the dragon know she was based in Boston?
“Did he know the Council hangs out here?”
Her lips thinned. “Yes. I had him brought here for his punishment. I should have sent him back where he came from, but I was busy and angry, so I just spit him out on State Street and let him find his own way home.”
“I thought you could just poof anybody anywhere. You did it with me.”
She threw her hands in the air. “I have to be everywhere at once. Taking care of this, stopping that. Why can’t people just fuckin’ behave themselves?”
She halted and slumped over as if discouraged. When she straightened, she took a deep breath. “Wolfensen, I’m glad you came to me with this. I don’t know what your other question is, and I don’t care. This takes priority over, well, everything. I just let a dam break for this, so in case you were wondering, no, I can’t do it all. But I can and will deal with what’s-his-name.”
“Martin Irwin.”
“Yes. I had forgotten. Well, Martin’s ass is grass. I’ll be back momentarily.”
She disappeared into thin air. Nick didn’t quite know what to do. Should he wait for her? Or should he just leave and forget the other matter?
One of the gods strolled over to him. It was the same one Mother Nature had called “Apollo” before.
“You did well, Nicholas. What was the other question you had for Gaia?”
“I’m glad you asked. I’m not sure if I should discuss it with her or not.”
The god nodded sagely. “Perhaps I can help you with that.”
Nick took a deep breath and hoped for the best. “My girlfriend, Brandee, knows about me and Anthony and the bar, but she’s cool with it. She promised never to tell a human soul and I believe her completely. I want to marry her, but I don’t want Mother Nature worried about Brandee spilling her guts. Bottom line is, I don’t want to worry about Gaia sending me or my girlfriend to Timbuktu. A wolf never deserts his mate—willingly.”
Apollo smiled and a warm glow seemed to radiate from him. “There’s a saying: ‘Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness later than to ask for permission now.’ Or something like that.”
“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t tell her? And if she finds out, I should apologize?”
“Pretty much.”
“I’d never apologize for making Brandee my wife. She’s already my marked mate. I’d just be giving her the legal benefits.”
Apollo shrugged. “It’s up to you, but you know how moody the goddesses can be—Gaia in particular.”
“Why is that? Do goddesses have a monthly…event?”
Apollo laughed. “No. That’s one of the downsides of being a human female.”
“Or a werewolf,” Nick added.
Apollo set a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Look, I shouldn’t tell you this, but Gaia has a reason for all her frustration.”
“Really? She hasn’t always been like that?”
“Oh, heavens, no.” Apollo spoke in a whisper. “Keep this to yourself. I’m not even supposed to know, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out. Gaia is the primordial goddess. She was born of Chaos and she’s only had four paramours. She fooled around with Ouranos in the sky, and all the heavenly gods and Titans were born. Then she fooled around with Pontus in the ocean and all the sea gods came from that union.
“She even tried a tryst in the hell-pit with Tartarus, and the giants were born. Finally, she gave Zeus a whirl on Mount Olympus and guess what?” He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. “That’s how the rest of us showed up. That’s when she called it quits. She swore off sex, not knowing what other immortal creatures she might accidentally create. That was a looong time ago.”
Nick scratched his head. “So, you’re saying she’s sexually frustrated?”
Apollo shrugged. “It would seem so. I mean, she’d have no trouble enticing a lover and she’s still fertile. It was the aftermath that did her in. Can you imagine giving birth to giants?”
Nick shuddered. “Ouch. Well, that has nothing to do with me, so I think I’ll risk it.”
“Good luck with that.” Apollo slapped him on the back, then wandered off to join a poker game.
A moment later Mother Nature reappeared, brushing off her hands. “There. The situation is all taken care of, thanks to me.”
“What happened?”
“Well, first I had to find the right jail, because someone forgot to tell me which one our dragon was in.”
Nick remained silent despite wanting to point out that she hadn’t given him a chance to tell her much of anything.
“Then I appeared in his cell and removed his immortality. He took one look at me and had a heart attack on the spot. I love situations like that.”
“Like what?”
“Incidents that take care of themselves. In other words, self-solvers.”
Nick had to be sure. “So he’s dead?”
“As a doornail.”
“What about his men? He had a lot of people in his employ.”
“And they’re all singing ‘Ding Dong, the Dragon’s Dead’ right now.”
She seemed satisfied with the outcome and Nick relaxed a bit. “That’s great. Thanks for your help. My client can rest easy now.”
She offered him a rare smile. “And I thank you for your help too. I rather like Boston.”
It’s now or never, I guess. “Goddess, there’s one more thing I’d like to discuss with you.”
She sagged and rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot you had two questions for me. Well, what is it?”
“I want to marry Brandee—”
“And you’re asking my permission? How very old-fashioned of you.”
“No, not exactly. I realize that you’re concerned about humans knowing the ins and outs of the paranormal factions.”
“Yes, yes. We both know this. Get to the point.”
“I want you to know beyond the shadow of any doubt that Brandee can be trusted. She’ll never reveal what she knows to anyone. She promised Anthony and kept that promise, even when it would have been tempting to tell me what she knew. But she wants the truth. She’s my mate and I need to be honest with her.”
“What if you’re overheard when you’re opening up to her?”
“We won’t make that mistake again. Besides, if she moves into my place, the possibility of someone overhearing us becomes highly unlikely. I can’t let anything separate me from my mate.”
“Hmmm…” Mother Nature tapped her chin. “Your being overheard would be less likely if you two were living together.”
“Exactly. I had hoped you’d see it that way.”
“Fine. Marry the human as soon as possible.”
“I’m glad I have your blessing, but there’s one more little thing…”
“Oh, for the love of—All right. What is it?”
“As you know I have a very long life span. I was wondering if there’s anything you can do to extend Brandee’s life as well. The thought of her mortality shakes me to my core.”
Mother Nature reared back and stared at him as if she’d been slapped. “Haven’t you heard? You’re not supposed to mess with Mother Nature.”
He lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry. I just thought… Well, never mind. I appreciate what you did.”
“You’re welcome, but don’t push it. All right? It’s time for you to go. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I hope I never see you again.”
“Understood.” To tell the truth, Nick hoped he wouldn’t have to see her again either.
Chapt
er 24
For the next week, Nick and Brandee worked around her schedule so they could spend part of every day together. They met at her apartment and Nick usually brought takeout food. Right after the meal, they found their way to his apartment—and his bed. They couldn’t get enough of each other. They knew every inch of each other’s bodies and then some.
Today, Nick wanted to take her out and show her a good time. He and Brandee strolled slowly through the Museum of Fine Arts’ Impressionists exhibit, with his arm around her waist most of the afternoon.
“I’m glad you have this evening off,” Nick whispered. “I know just how to spend it.”
Brandee gave him a knowing smile. “In bed, I imagine.”
“What a good idea. I never would have thought of it.”
Brandee laughed. “Like hell you wouldn’t have.”
Nick gave her a side squeeze. “Actually, I thought I’d take you out to dinner, and the place I have in mind is kind of fancy. Do you have any formal dresses or skirts you can wear?”
“You mean besides my uniform?”
Nick groaned. “Please tell me you have another skirt besides that one. It probably smells like a brewery.”
“Yeah, I can come up with some options. What’s the special occasion?”
He smiled to himself. “You’ll see.”
He’d already bought the ring. A two-carat, emerald-cut diamond with a smaller diamond baguette on each side. He liked the gold wedding bands that went with it. Hopefully, she would too, and then he’d have them engraved.
He tried not to be nervous. She might think his proposal was awfully sudden, but he couldn’t be more sure.
“I know I can find something to wear. I have a very formfitting dress in blue silk. Would something like that be appropriate?”
“Perfect.”
“Now I’m super curious. Can you give me a hint?”
“Well…”
“Come on. Please?” She batted her eyelashes.
He laughed. “When you’re being adorable, I can’t say no to you.” He took a deep breath and hoped she wouldn’t guess and ruin the surprise. “I’ve heard you like the ocean.”
“That’s true. So it must be a place with an ocean view?”