by JL Madore
Danel looked him over. “His color is coming back, but he’s not a hundred percent yet.”
Ringo shrugged. “S’all good. Nice to see you. Are you here for a visit?”
“A short one. Then it’s back home and back to work.”
“That’s too bad. It was the same way when we came for the funeral too. We hardly got a chance to visit.”
Kang looked to Ronnie. “How have you been doing? Sorry, I should’ve asked.”
Ronnie shrugged. “Good days and bad. It helps having my mama here though.”
“I heard about that. Congrats.”
Zane started crying, and that got Niobe and Sunshine wound up. In a matter of moments, the entire living room burst into a chaotic jumble of conversation, laughter, and brownie consumption.
Hark pulled Ren, Ringo, and Kang into the corridor and smiled. “You all looked a little overwhelmed.”
Kang chuckled. “So this is what a family is like, is it?”
Hark nodded. “And it’s only going to grow.”
When he shrugged, Ringo filled him in. “Storme’s pregnant. Phoenix has been saying it for a while now, but now it’s official.”
“Amazing. So, as a clouded leopard Shadow Caster, will she have a baby or a cub?”
“Gossiping about me, Atlantean?” Storme said, coming up the stairs from the tunnel and meeting them in the foyer. “And here I was, bringing you rings to keep your boys safe.”
She handed Kang a little latched box, and the contents rattled as they shifted within. “You need yours too, Hark. You weren’t here when we handed them out.”
Hark accepted the silver band and slipped it on his finger. “Thank you.”
“I come bearing gifts as well,” Kang said, pulling a set of leather cuffs out of his vest pocket. He turned to their little brother and handed them over. “A transition gift from your brothers in Atlanta.”
Ringo wrapped them around his wrists, and Ren helped fasten them. They were thick and beautifully crafted, the carving and tanning of the leather unlike anything she’d ever seen before.
“Thanks,” Ringo said, his enthusiasm back in full force. “These are awesome, and they’re handmade, right?”
Kang nodded. “In the pre-Qin dynasty days, when I was a boy, I was sold to a man who crafted leather armor. I picked up a few skills. These are made out of rhinoceros hide.”
Ringo fingered the relief in the design. “I’m honored, man. Truly. These are great.”
Kang patted his shoulder. “Wear them with pride, brother, for we are Nephilim.”
“Uncle Kang?” Sunshine called from the living room.
Kang smiled. “Yes? Is that the little blonde monkey who promised me brownies?”
“Sunshine,” she said, running out to grab his hand. “Uncle Seth’s gonna eats them all if you don’t come.”
“Well, then, we better hurry.” Kang scooped her up and kissed her cheek.
When Ringo followed them back into the living room, Hark eyed Ren up and down. “Are you all right?”
She drew a deep breath and was about to give him a hollow answer when she stopped herself and went for the whole truth. “I’m not sure.”
His smile dimmed, and she hated that she’d done that. He took her hand and retreated further to sit on the stairs. Shoulder to shoulder, she tilted her head to lean against him. “Tell me. What weighs on you?”
“It’s not you or us,” she said, sure of that. “I’m happy and excited to see what happens next with us. It’s not spending time with Ringo either. I adore him and am happy Lady Divinity still wants me to be his companion. It’s just”—she gestured to the living room, and the house in general—“so much. I’m used to quiet and solitude. I miss it.”
Seth must’ve said something stupid because there was a riot of laughter in the living room. Hark was glad to be in the hall. Ren wore the same look on her sweet face.
Ren was quiet, like him, and he realized maybe living there wasn’t the best start for them. “Do you trust me?”
Her expression broke into the kind of smile that warmed him from the inside out. “To my depths. Yes.”
He nodded. “Okay, come with me.”
Hark returned to the living room and looked at his family. As much as he enjoyed watching them mate up and the family grow, his beast could do nothing other than try to make his mate happy.
“Everyone?” he said, his throat clogged. “While we’re all here in one place, I’d like to say something. If there are no objections, I’d like to make a change to the garrison.”
When alarm hit the faces of his family, he raised a hand. “We all know my identity is burnt here in Toronto. I’m benched from rotation here for a decade, maybe two.”
“Being an immortal, that won’t last long,” Kyrian said.
“No, but in the meantime, I think Ren and I should make our home in the heavens. Ringo will begin his training soon, and Lady Divinity wants her close to him.”
“I have a better idea,” Kang said. “Come work in Atlanta for a couple of decades. I’m short two men, and you’ve got different experiences having worked here. We’ll help you train Ringo, and then, when he’s grown and ready, he can fill my gap.”
Hark looked at Zander. The Sumerian looked torn.
Tanek stepped through the wall and shrugged. “That’s a good plan, Kang.”
“Tanek,” Kang said, meeting him for a hard embrace. “Good to have you back, my brother.”
Tanek looked at the gathered family and smiled. “It’s good to be back.”
“I’d like to weigh in,” Ronnie, said, pulling Sunshine into her lap. “I’ve been struggling with letting my estate home go. I don’t want to, but my life is here now. Even if I go back for Hennington Foundation business, it will only be two or three times a year.”
“But you love that house,” Danel said.
“I do. And I love Aibileen and Jackson too. I want them to keep their jobs, and I want that house filled with love. Hark, I want you and Ren to take the house and use it as your own, for as long as you wish.”
“What?” Ren said. “We can’t take your home—”
“You can,” Ronnie said, gaining more enthusiasm as she spoke. “There’s plenty of space to train Ringo. It’s private, and maybe in time, Kang and our Atlanta brothers might make a home like this one. ”
Ren looked at him. “I’d rather that than have you inactive and removed from your purpose for decades.”
“Then it’s settled,” Kang said. “The three of you will come back with me, and we’ll work out the details. What do you say, Ringo? Are you game to get to know some of your other brothers?”
The kid looked sad, until Danel came over and slung his arm across his shoulder. “Ronnie and I will be there for her Foundation business.”
“And Phoenix and I are comin’ down to help with a new enemy darkening the streets of Atlanta,” Brennus said.
“We’ll make it work, son,” Zander said, dipping his chin. “What’s important is that you’re safe and you’re training. We need you strong to lead the next generation of Nephilim warriors. Don’t we, Nio?”
Zander’s little girl yawned and rested her head against his broad shoulder. “Nigh-nigh, Daddy.”
He rubbed her back. “Okay, little one. Let’s get you tucked in and off to dreamland.”
EPILOGUE
Two weeks after Kang came to Toronto, Hark carried Ren over the threshold of the Hennington estate home. They’d spent time in the heavens with the Seraph, getting Ringo’s training schedules in order. They’d packed Ren’s belongings to begin their new life together. And they’d spent a glorious time together on the bench by the water.
Hark set Ren on her feet and her skirt rustled around her legs. How he loved her long skirts.
“Do you think I could get a dog?” Ringo asked, following close behind them? The kid put his bags down at the bottom of the stairs and toed off his Vans. “I miss Stetson, and I’m used to taking him out for walks and picking u
p his poop. I would take good care of a puppy of my own.”
Hark shrugged. “It’s not me you need to ask, buddy. That’s something to bring up with Ronnie.”
“Nonsense,” Ronnie said, rushing into the foyer from the formal living room. “This is your home now. I told you, I want you to treat the estate as your own.”
Hark shrugged, surprised to see his sister-in-law. He let go of Ren just long enough to kiss Ronnie’s cheek. “What about your housekeeper? Will she mind the extra work a dog would cause?”
“She would not,” an elderly woman in livery said, joining them. Despite the woman’s size, she moved with a swiftness and grace of young maiden.
“Everyone,” Ronnie said, gesturing to the housekeeper. “This is Aibileen. I’m not sure if you had a chance to meet her the day of Daddy’s funeral.”
Hark bowed his head. “We did, briefly, but may I introduce my bride, Ren.”
Ren shook Aibileen’s hand, her eyes alight. “Ronnie speaks very highly about how you run this household. I hope our staying here doesn’t cause you too much trouble.”
“The more the merrier, sweet girl,” Aibileen said. “My heart is fullest when there’s work to be done and life being lived in these halls.”
Hark loved the smile on Ren’s face. His mate was truly happy . . . as was he. He loved his Cherub to the depth of her beautiful soul. She was luscious and passionate, and every instinct in his body roared to life when he thought of her.
He fingered the silver band on his ring finger. He knew it was from the wives and was about keeping witch magic from ruling them, but he wore it as a traditional symbol of what it represented. He was married now. Mated e’ermore.
He couldn’t imagine anything better than that.
Ronnie laughed at something he’d missed and she pointed to the living room door. “Come on, you three. Let me give you the tour.”
Ringo followed close behind her and he fell in behind Ren. “Miss Aibileen,” he said, as they made their way. “Is there a stream or a creek on the property? With maybe a little bench on the bank to watch the current flow by.”
“Oh, yes sir, there is. Mr. Howton spent many-a-night watching the ducks after dinner. It’s behind the house and just off to the left a ways.”
Ren’s cheeks flamed a beautiful blush pink as she flashed him a look to behave. He loved that he recognized her body language now, the two of them growing closer every moment they spent together. “I’ll make a point to take my bride for a walk later and find it. Thank you.”
Ronnie ushered them forward. They’d barely gotten inside the living room when their family threw up their hands and yelled, “Surprise!”
Hark read the banner over the mantle and gathered Ren to his side.
“Happy Birthday, Ringo,” Ronnie said, smiling from ear to ear. “And look . . . what’s this? A present for you?”
Danel came out from around the wall of Brennus, Seth, and Phoenix. In his arms, he held a long-eared, sad-eyed puppy.
“Happy birthday, little brother,” Danel said, handing over the dog. “Ronnie said that if you’re going to make it in the south, having a blue-tick hound was a good first step.”
Ringo’s grin lit up the room.
Hark couldn’t help but count his blessings. The kid was healthy and happy. Kang had a place for him to work and be useful. He and Ren were through the craziness of mating and making plans for the future. Life was good. Better, in fact, than he ever—
He pressed a kiss to the side of Ren’s cheek as the first wave of pain hit. Made sense. He was as whole as he’d ever been in all his long life. Unbuttoning his shirt, he readied for what was to come. “I hate to interrupt the celebration, my brothers, but I’m going to need you here in a minute.”
Zander took one look at him and nodded. “Ronnie, could you and Aibileen take the kids to the kitchen to get a snack. We need a moment here.”
Hark wiped a hand over the moisture dampening his brow and dropped. His knees hit the floor and rattled his teeth, but it didn’t touch the pain igniting in his back. “Z, do you have your dagger handy?”
“At the ready, my brother.”
“I’m ready too,” Ren said, kneeling beside him. Lying on the floor, she took his hand in hers and smiled. “I’m right here with you.”
“We all are, sugar,” Austin said.
Zander and his brothers closed ranks and the wives filed in behind them. This was his family, and he’d never felt so connected to them.
“Not gonna lie, Hark,” Seth said. “This is going to suck.”
“But what’s waiting for you on the other side is worth every bit of it,” Kyrian added.
Hark stared into his mate’s eyes and nodded. “I’m ready.”
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Reader Group – JL Series Updates
Aliens of Atlantis Series (Sci-Fi)
Book 1 – Taryn’s Tiderider
Book 2 – Kai’s Captive
Book 3 – Alyandra’s Shadow (Oct 2019)
Other Books
The Scourge Survivor Series (Fantasy)
Book 1 – Blaze Ignites
Book 2 – Ursa Unearthed
Book 3 – Torrent of Tears
Book 4 – Blind Spirit
Book 5 – Fate’s Journey
Or all in - 5 Book Box Set
Book 6 – Savage Love
The Watchers of the Gray Series (Paranormal)
Book 1 – Watcher Untethered (Zander)
Book 2 – Watcher Redeemed (Kyrian)
Book 3 – Watcher Reborn (Danel)
Book 4 – Watcher Divided (Phoenix)
Book 5 – Watcher United (Seth)
Book 6 – Watcher Compelled (Bo)
Book 7 – Watcher Unfeigned (Brennus)
Book 8 – Watcher Exposed (Hark)
In the Shadow of Vesuvius (Roman Time-Slip)
In The Shadow of Vesuvius
Author Notes
Written on 09/24/2019
Brennus and Colt. I must admit, when these two kept clashing in the past books, I had no idea where they were going. Were they fated? Would Jack be the one? There are times when the story fights me every page (clears throat – Seth) and there are times when the warriors’ stories flow as easy as quality Whiskey into a glass. Brennus and Colt were like that, and I think that energy translates into a good story. I hope you found it to be a good story, anyway.
I’ve got Taharqa teed up for the next Watcher book, I’m editing the first two Aliens of Atlantis books, and I’m writing a New Adult College suspense (a la Hunger Games) with my niece’s bestie.
You might wonder where we’ll go with the Watchers as Hark is the last warrior to find his mate. Don’t worry, I’ve got that planned out.
Please, if you enjoyed the story, give it a rating and/or a review. It not only helps me as the author, but also other readers find something new to read.
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Hugs,
JL
CHAPTER ONE
Forty feet from the open nest, the sea sparkled, late afternoon sun glinting off the Caribbean waters. The surface pocked with the freckles of a brief sun shower, and the midsummer breeze filled the air with the scent of brine and salt.
A magical moment, Kenzie thought, even with the hot white sand burning off the bottoms of her feet.
“There you go, little dudes,” she said, bending to release the last bunch of hatchlings into the water. “That’s all I can do. The rest is up to you. Good luck.”
Knee-deep in the water, she watched the ba
by sea turtles flit and flap their tiny flippers to turn out toward the open sea. Seabirds squawked, swooping to feed in the distance, and she wondered how many of the little guys would make it.
Not many. The odds stacked solidly against them.
She knew that feeling all too well. Since the Rising, whether surviving the ocean waters with sadistic sea monsters consuming everything in their paths, facing the fallout of the greed of mainland magnates, or getting targeted by mercenary pirates and poachers, far too many moving parts affected the future not to contemplate the worst.
But a girl’s gotta hope, amirite?
“You there! Stop!” Two armed mercenaries rounded the rocks on the far end of the cove and raised their weapons.
Kenzie sucked in a lungful of victory, diving beneath the cool, turquoise surface, just as the crack of shots began. The mercs were too far away and the churn of the water too strong for her to worry about getting pinged by a lucky deflection. Kicking hard, she followed her little turtle friends around the rock breaker to where she’d anchored her boat.
She surfaced slowly, eyeing the surroundings before breaching entirely. Her boat bobbed in wait. The rocks were clear and the ocean expanded into the distance for miles.
Sweet.
Lying back, she stretched and did a lazy backstroke toward her boat. Well, in truth, it wasn’t her boat. She’d liberated it from the Defiant’s floating inventory.
Annnnd when she said “liberated,” it was more like borrowed without asking. Better to beg for forgiveness than permission, right?
Taking in the setting, she tried to soak up the moment. The sky had ignited in bright colors. Pink, orange, and red streaked above and lit the ocean surface in a fire of sunset. Waves lapped at her body and splashed her cheeks.
Shadow would be pissed she disobeyed him . . . again. He’d be more pissed that she came alone.
Her soft laughter echoed against the hull of her boat as she reached it. “So worth it.”
It took only a few minutes to climb aboard, towel off, and retrieve the gun hidden in the secret compartment behind the drive console. The old outboard started up with a throaty rumble, and she headed out to sea and back to the Defiant.