My Guardian

by Alanea Alder

  Micah nodded. "I was, but everyone has been transferred down so the other witches don't have to worry about acting as transport; they've been moved to healing. It's not my strongest ability, so Adriel redirected me to you." He turned and looked her up and down. "And who is this Amazon goddess?"

  Eva smiled. "I'm Eva, Adriel's mate."

  Micah's face turned tragic. He mimed as if he were getting stabbed in the chest. "Cruel Fate! To see such an ethereal site and know that you belong to my brother warrior, the tragedy."

  "You're fun." Eva shook her head smiling.

  Micah turned to Ryuu. "Sir, if you would transport our delicate flower, I will assist my goddess." He lifted his arm, indicating to the tunnel.

  "Of course." Ryuu walked Meryn forward to the tunnel entrance.

  "Halt. No shifters are allowed down to the levels, they must remain here in the Grand Hall," the tunnel escort sneered at them.

  Meryn scratched her head. "But we came up from Level One."

  "I highly doubt that. Level One is reserved for vampire royalty, no shifters are allowed," he scoffed.

  "What about Broderick and Elizabeth Monroe; they're shifters," Meryn countered.

  The escort's eyes narrowed. "They are royalty. Broderick Monroe is mated to our prince's own brother and Elizabeth is their daughter."

  "And I am her sister." Meryn crossed her arms over her chest, glaring up at the escort.

  "Elizabeth Monroe has no sister. Now get back to your charity cot, cow!"

  Meryn's mouth dropped as her eyes filled with tears. Eva might not have known her long, but she was betting those were tears born of anger and frustration rather than fear or weakness. She wasn't in the least bit surprised when Meryn lifted her leg as if to kick the escort.

  "This. Is. Sparta!" Meryn crowed. She went to kick but couldn't lift her leg high enough. The escort laughed mockingly.

  Meryn turned to them. "I can't kick! I can't do my kung-fu!"

  "You know kung-fu?" Eva asked.

  Meryn shook her head. "No, but what if I wanted to learn one day?"

  "Get out of here, you useless sow!" The escort gave Meryn a not so gentle shove.

  Without even thinking, Eva turned her body and roundhouse kicked the man square in the chest. The force of her kick flung him back into the tunnel. It took a moment for him to catch his breath, and then he was hovering in mid-air.

  "Stupid bitch! Vampires can fly."

  Ryuu snapped his fingers. The escort's body jerked as blue light danced across his body; he froze and then plummeted down the tunnel. "They can also fall." Ryuu sniffed in disdain. He turned to Meryn. "Denka, are you hurt?"

  "I'm okay." Meryn answered before staring up at her with a look of child-like wonder on her face. "That was the coolest thing I have ever seen in my entire life," she said in whispered awe.

  Eva shrugged. "You're still young."

  Micah turned to her. "How did you know there was a net at the bottom of the tunnel?"

  Eva looked at him in surprise. "There's a net?"

  Micah held out his arm. "My unit leader is the luckiest bastard I know. My glorious warrior goddess, may I escort you down to Level One?"

  She placed a hand on his arm. "Yes, thank you."

  They watched as Meryn leaned over the edge of the tunnel. "This. Is. Sparta! Bitch!!" She did a small victory jig and then allowed Ryuu to escort her down.

  Maybe staying in a vampire city would be more fun than she thought.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Eva walked through the opened door behind Meryn.

  The handsome man who held the door open for them grimaced at the litany of curse words coming from the net below them. "Is everything okay? I am appalled that you would be exposed to such harsh language, little one." He quickly closed the heavy door, blocking out all sound from the hallway. Eva held her tongue. She had already heard some colorful language from the "little one".

  "Sebastian, this is Eva Mae Miller. She is my person and Adriel's mate. She'll be joining us for lunch. Eva, this is Sebastian, Magnus' squire."

  Sebastian's face brightened. "I have always believed the more the merrier. Congratulations on finding your mate. I must say, I am so glad our young Adriel found you; he was ever so worried."

  "She is amazing! She kicked that asshole escort right in the chest, then POW! He flew backward at least fifty feet. Then Ryuu froze his ass, and he dropped like a rock. It was awesome! That's what he gets for calling me a cow."

  Sebastian's eyes gleamed dangerously at the escort's words for a moment, but it disappeared when he turned and beamed at Eva. "Strong and lovely, was there ever a more intoxicating combination? Welcome to Noctem Falls dear. I hope that you will not encounter any more unpleasantness."

  Eva felt her face flush then marveled that this man had caused her to do so. She was over five hundred years old, had owned a saloon during the Wild West then a bar for over one hundred and fifty years. Not much on this earth could make her blush; yet his sincere praise had blood rushing to her cheeks. "He only flew about fifteen feet, Meryn," she corrected.

  "Whatever!" Meryn flung herself into a recliner that looked like it had been designed for someone twice her size. She reached down to the floor on one side and pulled out her laptop, which was connected to the wall by a long cord. She looked at Sebastian and stuck out her lower lip. "May I please have some pudding before lunch Sebastian? I think the baby is hungry."

  Eva watched as the squire melted on the spot. "Of course darling, I will be right back." He hurried away.

  Eva sat down close to Meryn on one of the many sofas. "Shameless hussy," she admonished.

  Meryn shrugged. "For his pudding, I have no shame."

  Micah sat down on the sofa opposite Meryn. "I get to spend time with two gorgeous women and partake of Sebastian's pudding; I must have done something right in a previous life." He leaned back getting comfortable.

  Eva looked around. She had never been anywhere so opulent. She was beginning to feel her humble Texas roots. "I understand why Magnus has a squire, he's the prince around here. Why do you have one?"

  Meryn tapped away on her keyboard while Ryuu busied himself at the sideboard making tea. "Because Aiden's mom said I needed one."

  "Why?" Eva was quickly learning if you wanted a direct answer from Meryn, you had to ask a direct question.

  "Because one day he's going to be the shifter elder, and I'll be Lady McKenzie. I'm kinda hoping that never happens; I don't really think I'm cut out for charity meetings and sewing circles."

  "That sounds ghastly," Eva shuddered. No one back home had squires. Even the local get-togethers were casual.

  "Thank you! Finally! I'd rather get bamboo shoots shoved under my fingernails than attend a high society charity luncheon. It would be less painful to siphon off funds from some unethical corporations and donate that, than rub elbows with a bunch of uppity assholes."

  Eva stared at the small woman. "I really do like you." It was true. Meryn's honesty and view of the paranormal world was refreshing.

  "I think I'm going to like you too, my person."

  "Are you really going to keep calling me that?"

  "If it's not broke... Anyway, y'all got attacked by ferals, huh? That sucks." Meryn stopped tapping, stared at her screen, and then resumed pecking away.

  Eva just gave her a droll look.

  Meryn turned when she didn't answer. "What?"

  "Is getting attacked by ferals so commonplace where you're from that you're this blasé about it?"

  Meryn nodded. "Well... yeah. I've been attacked by ferals..." she scrunched up her nose. "Personally, I think it's been twice. Then they attacked the city; that's when I got in trouble for coating Lycaonia's city square in flour glue. But in my defense, it was the only way to see the invisible bastards."

  Eva and Micah exchanged shocked expressions. She turned back to Meryn. "You're actually serious. How did you survive?"

  "This first time, my sprite friend went for help, then Aiden went all shifter
Hulk version and Loki'd the feral's ass. Whap, whap." Meryn mimed slamming something around. "The second time, my minion Wheels used a fireball spell to keep a feral from coming into the house. That was when Gavriel became super vampire. He was ripping out the feral's arms then beating them to death with them." When Sebastian came back, pushing a cart, her face lit up. "Magic pudding!"

  Eva saw how Meryn's words pleased Sebastian. "It is just a simple recipe, little one," he refuted, serving her a huge helping. He turned to Eva holding a bowl. "Would you like to try some?"

  She nodded. "Yes, thank you." When Ryuu walked around a moment later with a jasmine scented green tea, she knew she had died and gone to heaven. She could get used to being served like this. "Later, you'll have to tell me about your shifter Hulk version, minions, super vampires, and Wheels."

  Sebastian handed Micah a bowl and they all dug in.

  Meryn laughed and nodded.

  Behind them, the door opened then closed as Adriel walked into the room. He smiled. "Am I in time for pudding?"

  Micah stood and Adriel waved at him to sit back down.

  Sebastian nodded and scooped out another serving.

  Adriel pointed to the door. "Why is there a tunnel escort in the net screaming obscenities?"

  Meryn didn't even look up from her laptop. "Douchebag."

  "Ah. I see." Adriel walked over to Eva. She was about to scoot over more, to make room when he shook his head. "Stay comfortable. I learned later that you were one of the first brought in due to injuries. Are you well?" He sat next to her on the sofa. Though his words were spoken in a cool, casual manner, when he took her free hand in his, she could feel his heartbeat racing. He must have come directly to her after learning she had been hurt.

  "I'm doing right fine. I have pudding and tea; I couldn't be happier." He simply nodded without saying a word, but his heart rate began to slow.

  "Right fine," Meryn snickered.

  "You makin' fun a me?" Eva drawled deliberately.

  Meryn laughed. "I like the way you talk."

  The door opened and closed again. This time Magnus, Aiden, Gavriel, and Beth walked in with Tarak behind them.

  Magnus pointed to the door. "Why is there a screaming man in the net?"

  "Douchebag," Meryn answered again.

  "Ah." Magnus collapsed into an oversized chair and exhaled. He looked at the coffee table excitedly. "We are having pudding?"

  Eva turned her head so the prince of all vampires didn't see her smile at his question. Man screaming in a net, helpless. No worries. Pudding? Stop the presses.

  Aiden eyed Ryuu. "Why is he glowing blue?"

  Ryuu gave a delicate shrug. "He was disrespectful to my denka."

  Aiden turned as if to head back out. "Oh, he was, was he?"

  "Aiden, need cuddles," Meryn said.

  The Unit Commander did an about face and walked back over to the recliner. He scooped up his mate and sat down, putting her in his lap. He ran his chin over her head. Meryn hadn't even looked up from her laptop. Never before had Eva seen anyone so in tune with their mate. Meryn knew exactly what Aiden needed, and without giving it a second thought, gave it to him. Meryn yawned but kept typing.

  Aiden nuzzled the back of her neck. "Do you need to rest?"

  Meryn stopped typing and leaned back against her mate. "It won't do any good."

  Aiden looked around the room. "She had a hard time sleeping last night."

  Sebastian turned to them. "Do you require anything? New linens, more pillows, blankets, maybe a fan?" he suggested.

  "More like a pint of Nyquil and a fifth of vodka," Meryn yawned.

  Ryuu put down the tea pot and walked over to take her wrist. "You need to rest, denka; your body needs it, the baby as well."

  Meryn nodded and pulled her wrist free. "It's not that easy you know. I can't seem to get comfortable." She looked over the top of her laptop. "Sebastian has ordered some computer equipment for me. I have a theory on how I can get Wi-Fi and cell service in the city. I'm just waiting on an okay from Queen Aleksandra to have Etain put my master plan into action. In the meantime, if you give me your email address, I'll send you a map of the city. I digitized the one Beth gave me."

  Beth chuckled. "Of course you did. When did you contact Queen Aleksandra?" She dug into her bowl of pudding.

  "I didn't, but I had Amelia reach out to her since she's met her."

  "Makes sense."

  Eva felt her head begin to swim. "You know the Queen of the Fae?" She looked around. It dawned on her that she was casually eating pudding with the Prince of the Vampires. Who were these people?

  Beth turned to her. "We haven't been introduced. My name is Elizabeth Monroe; this is my mate Gavriel Ambrosios. Magnus Rioux is my uncle and leader here in Noctem Falls. The tall warrior behind me is my guard Tarak, and the large man cuddling Meryn is Aiden McKenzie. I'm assuming since you came down with Meryn you have already met Ryuu, Sebastian and Micah." Eva noticed that Beth was staring at where her hand was joined with Adriel's.

  "My name is Eva Mae Miller. I'm not real important like, just a bar owner from Texas. I came in with the folks from Wolftown. While we were up on that top level, I found my mate." She smiled at Adriel.

  "Oh my Gods!" Beth exclaimed. "I'm so glad you're here! He was so worried about you!"

  She eyed her mate. "Y'all are close?"

  He nodded briefly. "Bethy is the closest thing I have to family outside the units."

  Eva thought of Stefan and panic began to set in.

  Adriel squeezed her hand. "What? What has you so upset?"

  "Did you ever find Stefan Bolivar? Are he and his parents okay?"

  Adriel nodded. "I spoke with both Stefan and Demetrio. I let them know you were recovering and would be on Level One. They said they would be helping the others get settled."

  "Was Adora with them?"

  "I am assuming you're referring to the woman that had both of the male wolf Alphas jumping at her every command. Yes, she was there." His lips twitched in amusement.

  "Gods, I love that woman. She could direct an army without blinking. She was an enormous help in calming everyone down," Beth added.

  Eva had to smile. "She normally likes to sit back and let the boys handle things, but when there's an emergency, she just takes over."

  Aiden kissed the top of Meryn's head. "I know someone like that."

  Eva set her empty bowl on the coffee table.

  Beside her Adriel stood. "If you will excuse us? I would like to show my mate our living quarters." He turned to her. "I did not want to seem presumptuous, but considering the lack of storage space available, I left word that when your belongings arrived, they should be sent to my home."

  "Bow chica wow wow!" Meryn sang.

  Adriel just shook his head as Eva giggled and stood. "I'd love to see where you live." She turned and winked at Meryn. "If he's lucky, I'll let him make a dishonest woman of me."

  "Gods give me strength," Adriel murmured as he walked over and took her hand.

  "More like stamina," Meryn murmured, still glued to her laptop.

  "Meryn!" Beth chided.

  *****

  Adriel walked a bit behind Eva as they walked toward the transport tunnel. The poor bastard that had pissed Meryn off was now whimpering in the net below. But not even that could pull his attention away from the perfection before him.

  Eva's hips swayed back and forth, hypnotizing him. Meryn had been right; there was nothing sexier than jeans and cowboy boots. Except in his case, a cowgirl held him in rapture. Not just any cowgirl: his mate.

  Eva turned to him. "You're gonna hafta take it from here darlin'."

  For a moment, his brain ceased to function. "Excuse me?"

  She bit down on her plump lower lip, hiding a smile. "I can't fly."

  "Oh." Right, of course she couldn't. Shaking his head, he walked to stand beside her. When he wrapped his arm around her waist, he thought he'd never let go. "My apologies, but I will need to hold you close to carr
y you up." The way her eyes danced with mischief, he could see that she knew he was lying.

  She leaned against his body, pressing every soft curve against him. "Considering I'm planning on fucking you in the next hour or so, I don't think you need to be apologizing." Her lips seemed to caress his ear with every word spoken.

  "I am ever your most humble servant," he whispered back. He felt like crowing when he saw her shiver at his words.

  He easily lifted them up to the Unit Level. Not surprisingly there wasn't anyone guarding their entrance. With great reluctance, he set her down. When he went to step back, she grabbed his hand and smiled. "Lead the way."

  Adriel stared at their hands for a moment. He had never really held hands with a woman before. Bethy did not really count because if you did not hold her hand, she would end up killing herself walking to the bathroom.

  "I can let go if it bothers you." Eva's voice broke his train of thought.

  "No! I mean it is perfectly acceptable." He began walking toward his house.

  "You seemed really deep in thought. Wanna share?"

  "I was just thinking you are the first woman I have ever held hands with. Bethy does not really count because you have to hold on to her wherever she goes."

  Eva stopped. "What exactly is she to you? Don't think I haven't noticed the affectionate way you say her name."

  Was his mate jealous? He looked her in the eye and saw hesitation. He shook his head. "I have known Bethy since she was about a year old. That was when her father moved to Noctem Falls to begin research on creating a blood substitute. We all quickly learned that Bethy has the world's worst luck. She had broken every bone in her tiny body by the time she was three. She has tripped, fallen, crashed through, set fire, got trapped in almost every inch of this city. Magnus assigned her both a vampire guard and a witch healer just to keep her alive long enough to grow up."

  "Oh Gods! That poor woman. She's better now right?"

  Adriel shook his head. "No, but I think everyone around her is so used to it, we manage to avoid the dangerous injuries."

  Adriel pointed to the large building in front of them. "That is our meeting and dining hall. Each unit warrior has their own small house on this level. Unlike other cities, where the units live together in estates, we were given an entire level to keep us segregated from the upper classes, so we had enough room to build as much as we liked."