by I. T. Lucas
Hopefully, she would like the idea.
The sound of Ana’s phone pinging with an incoming message stopped her mid-shove. She left the couch in the middle of the living room to get it.
“We have visitors in fifty-five minutes,” she said after reading the text. “Syssi and Amanda are coming over.”
Margaret swiveled the barstool around. “Remind me who they are?”
“Syssi is the boss’s wife, and Amanda is his sister. They both work in paranormal research, hoping to discover more Dormants.”
“Are they scientists?”
“Leon told me that Amanda is a neuroscientist, but Syssi is an architect by profession. She started working for Amanda to learn more about her own paranormal talent, but after meeting Kian and transitioning, she decided to stay in the lab and help Amanda with the research instead of pursuing a career in architecture.”
“Did they find many Dormants that way?”
“I don’t know. We can ask them when they come over.”
Margaret rearranged her skirt around her legs. “I wish I had something nicer to change into. I’m tired of wearing the same two dresses all the time.” She chuckled. “I shouldn’t complain. I’ve been wearing the equivalent of a uniform for nearly two decades. Those dresses are a vast improvement over that.”
“You’re waking up, discovering who you really are. Clothing is a form of self-expression.” One corner of Ana’s lips lifted in a smile. “Speaking of waking up. How did sharing a bed with Bowen go?”
Margaret felt heat rise up her cheeks. “It was nice.”
“Just nice?”
It was the best night of her life, and given that what they could share had been limited by the cast, it was only a taste of what was still to come.
“That’s all you are going to hear from me.”
“Meanie.” Ana shoved the couch back into place as effortlessly as if it was a chair. “The rearranging of furniture will have to wait for after the visit.”
She’d become really strong. If Margaret had been that strong when Roger knocked her around, she could have beaten the crap out of him.
The thought made her smile.
Maybe after she transitioned and became as strong as Anastasia, she could go back and confront him.
Nah, he wasn’t worth the aggravation. She was starting a new life with Bowen, she had her daughter back, and Roger was a pathetic loser she shouldn’t waste even a single thought on.
As far as she was concerned, he was dead.
The lightness that filled her following that simple decision was like a breath of fresh air. She should forget that he’d ever existed, but that was impossible to do. They’d created Wendy together, and her daughter would always be a reminder of him. Thankfully, the resemblance didn’t evoke any negative feelings. Wendy was beautiful, and some of it had come from Roger, but her character didn’t resemble his in the slightest. She was pure sunshine and positivity.
Ana fluffed the pillows, unfolded and refolded the throw blanket, and took a step back to examine her work. “Maybe I’ll just leave it like that.”
Margaret rolled her eyes. “That’s what I suggested.”
“I should prepare some snacks.” Anastasia walked into the kitchen. “I thought that they would come around noon, and I’d serve them lunch, but it’s too early for that. Any suggestions?”
“Maybe some cut-up fruit and nuts would do as a mid-morning snack? Or you can just serve the chocolates Bowen got me along with tea or coffee. Everyone likes chocolate.”
“I’ll prepare a fruit and cheese platter and serve it with crackers.”
“Even better.”
29
Onegus
Onegus glanced at his watch. It was nearly noon, and he hadn’t planned on calling Cassandra, but he had to at least hear her voice to ease the irritation crawling over his skin.
Only she could calm that incessant itch.
Last night, he’d kept her awake past one o’clock in the morning, and the memory of her stifled moans had kept him up much longer than that. His hand had been busy, bringing him one release after another, but nothing save for Cassandra’s slender neck could ease the pressure in his venom glands.
Perhaps he could meet her for lunch somewhere?
He fired her a quick message. Are you free for lunch?
Her return text came several minutes later. Sorry for the delay. I couldn’t hear the incoming message over the din in this store. What do you have in mind?
She was shopping?
Wasn’t she supposed to be at work?
Instead of texting, Onegus rose to his feet, closed the door to his office, and called her. “Where are you?”
“In Glendale. I took the day off to get a new dress.”
“Why Glendale?”
“That’s where my favorite store is.”
Glendale was about half an hour away, provided that there was no traffic, but it was Friday, which meant the worst traffic of the week.
With a sigh, he leaned back in his swivel chair. “What about shoes? Are you going to wear the same ones you wore to the gala?”
She laughed. “I’m starting to think that you are even more into shoes than I am. Do you have a shoe fetish?”
“Not really. I just have a thing for those particular shoes on those particular feet. Are you about done with shopping?”
“I’m an efficient shopper, and I only needed a dress. I already have the shoes and the jewelry.”
“You could’ve worn the same dress too. I don’t know why you bothered. I’m wearing the same tuxedo to the wedding that I wore to the gala.”
“No one remembers your tuxedo, and no one cares if you wear it to every function until it falls out of fashion. But whoever saw my pictures from the gala in the gossip magazines would recognize the dress. I needed a new one.”
“Is it sexy?”
“Obviously, but it’s also classy and elegant. Don’t worry, I’m not going to embarrass you.”
“The thought never crossed my mind. Can you meet me for lunch in the same place we met yesterday?”
She didn’t answer right away. “Is your place still full of people?”
“Worse. I had to give it up for an unexpected guest, and now I’m sleeping on a cot in my underground office.”
That was a lie. He’d spent last night in the Guardians’ apartment in the keep. The place was like a frat house, so he might spend tonight in one of the renovated cells in the dungeon, but he couldn’t tell Cassandra about either.
“Why are you the one in charge of taking care of the guests? It would seem to me that it’s beneath your station.”
Ouch.
“I’m part of a team of people who are in charge of coordinating everything, but I’m not in charge of the hospitality part. I coordinate the security, which is a huge headache with so many civilians coming in.”
“Now I get it.” She chuckled. “You are in charge of security and only moonlight as the face of your family business.”
“You’ve got it. My cousin, who is the real head of the business, doesn’t do well in social settings. I’m considered the charming one.”
“Oh, you are charming, which is great for attending the annual gala, but your day job explains your bossy attitude.”
“You like my bossiness, which reminds me that I still owe you a spanking.”
“Well, you can’t do that over lunch in a public place, so it’s not happening.”
Had he imagined it, or had she sounded a little breathy?
The hellcat was intrigued, and he was hard as a hammer. “How can we make it happen?”
“Instead of going out for lunch, you can come to my house. I’m walking toward my car as we speak.”
“What about your mother?”
“She has a nail and hair appointment at one o’clock, and she won’t be done until at least three.”
That was plenty of time, but he didn’t want her to miss out on time spent with her mother if that was the plan. “
What about you? Aren’t you joining her for the nail and hair thing?”
“Mine is tomorrow.” She chuckled. “I feel like I’m on vacation. I took the day off to go shopping, and tomorrow I’m getting pampered in a salon.”
“Speaking of vacations. You still didn’t give me an answer about going away with me.”
“To that secluded cabin? That’s not my idea of a romantic vacation.”
“What about a trip to Paris on a private jet?”
“Now you’re talking.”
She thought he was joking.
Paris wasn’t a good destination as far as inducing Cassandra somewhere secluded, but she was going to love it, and that made the trip worthwhile.
“I’m serious. After the family festivities are over, I can take you for a weekend in Paris. I’m sure you can swing that.”
“You said festivities? Is there something other than the wedding going on?”
It was so like Cassandra to latch on to the irrelevant part of what he’d told her. “My cousin’s birthday is the following Wednesday. But forget about that. What about Paris?”
“How soon do you need an answer?”
Onegus shook his head. With any other woman, it would have been an automatic and enthusiastic yes.
“We can talk about it when I come over to your place.”
She laughed. “I don’t think we will be doing much talking.”
30
Margaret
“Margaret.” The tall brunette looked as if she wanted to pull her into her arms like she had done with Ana, but the crutches gave her pause. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” She offered her hand instead. “I’m Amanda.”
The boss’s sister, who was way too gorgeous to be a neuroscientist, and who was very obviously pregnant.
“The pleasure is all mine.” Margaret smiled as she took the woman’s hand.
“And I’m Syssi.” The other pregnant lady offered her hand. “Welcome to the village.” She shook Margaret’s hand and then Ana’s. “I apologize for not welcoming you yesterday. With the entire family gathering for the wedding, Amanda and I had prior obligations we needed to attend to.”
“Perfectly understandable.” Ana motioned to the couch. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
Margaret made her way to the armchair and lowered herself into it gingerly.
As Amanda and Syssi sat on the couch, Amanda turned to Ana. “I didn’t have a chance to congratulate you yet. How does it feel to be an immortal?”
“Awesome.” Ana grinned. “I’m so strong now, and it’s not just physical. I feel like I can conquer the world.”
“Good for you,” Syssi said. “Do you plan on finishing your law degree?”
Ana nodded. “Eventually. For now, I want to play house with Leon for a little bit.”
“What about the voices?” Amanda asked. “Are they still bothering you?”
Ana hadn’t mentioned them, and Margaret felt bad for not asking. The voices had been the main reason Anastasia had joined Safe Haven. They had been a major disturbance in her life.
“I think Leon banished them.” Lifting both hands, Ana crossed her fingers. “May they never return. I certainly don’t miss them.”
“Interesting.” Syssi tried to reach for a piece of fruit, but her huge pregnant belly was in the way. “Maybe the sole purpose of the voices was to get you to Safe Haven so you could meet Leon. The Fates play a very long game.”
Ana rose to her feet and lifted the tray for Syssi. “Then it was worth the suffering, and not just because I met the love of my life thanks to the voices. If I hadn’t met Leon, I would have never found out about my dormant genes and wouldn’t have turned immortal.”
“About that.” Margaret motioned for Ana to bring the tray to her. “How does it work?” She took a strawberry.
“The transition?” Anastasia asked.
“Yeah. I know that you received a transfusion. But what was in it?”
Syssi and Amanda exchanged glances, and then Amanda cast her a pitying look. “Bowen hasn’t told you how a female Dormant transitions?”
She shook her head. “Is it different for males?”
“Oh, boy.” Syssi groaned. “Should we tell her?”
That sounded ominous. “Please do. You are scaring me.”
Amanda hesitated for about two seconds and then nodded. “Bowen should have told you, but with everything that was going on, he probably couldn’t find the right time. Usually, it’s the mate’s job to do the explaining, but since you are a confirmed Dormant, I guess it’s okay for me to tell you. You know about the fangs, right?”
“Of course.” Margaret felt her cheeks heating up. Thankfully, her skin rarely reddened, and she was able to hide her embarrassment.
Last night she’d experienced her first bite, and it had been better than any drug she’d ever messed with. Bowen had pleasured her orally and then bitten her inner thigh, sending her on a trip no psychedelic could ever deliver, but it wasn’t only about the intense pleasure and the chain of orgasms she’d experienced. The venom’s lingering effects were therapeutic and invigorating.
Margaret felt better today than she’d felt in years.
“In addition to the venom’s aphrodisiac and euphoric properties, it also acts as a catalyst, activating the dormant immortal genes.” Amanda leaned forward. “Have you experienced it already?”
With all eyes on her, Margaret was sure that the rising heat was visible on her cheeks. “Yes.”
“Did Bowen use protection?”
That was an intrusive question, but given Amanda’s serious expression, Margaret figured that it was somehow relevant.
“We didn’t get there yet.” She pointed at her cast. “Bowen is afraid of hindering my recovery. Besides, condoms are not needed. Everyone in Safe Haven was checked for STDs, and I got regular contraceptive shots.”
“I see.” Amanda leaned back. “The reason I ask is that to induce transition, two things are needed. The venom bite and insemination. The contraceptive shot wouldn’t have interfered with the process, but a physical barrier would.”
Margaret couldn’t believe that Ana had lied to her. Well, she could understand why Ana had done it initially, but she'd had plenty of time to correct the misconception after Margaret had learned about her transition.
She turned to her friend. “Did you make up the infusion part?”
“I received liquids intravenously, so I just went with your assumption.” She chuckled. “I learned from Leon how to walk the thin line between not actually lying but not telling the truth either.”
“You should have told me.”
“I’m sorry. At first, I had no choice because I needed to keep it a secret, and later, I just assumed that Bowen had told you.”
“In any case,” Amanda continued. “I’m pretty sure that your knee has to heal before you can transition. The process is very taxing on the body, and we have learned from experience that a Dormant must be healthy before it can begin.”
Syssi shook her head. “I don’t think that a broken knee is the same as a body weakened by pneumonia. We should check with Bridget.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Margaret said. “Anyway, Bowen is not going to have sex with me until the cast is off, and I’m in no rush. I can wait.”
“You should see Bridget anyway.” Amanda pulled out her phone. “Maybe Bowen’s bite can speed up your recovery.” She winked at Margaret. “How’s that as an incentive for lots of fun time?”
31
Cassandra
“The Uber is here,” Cassandra yelled from the first floor. “The guard just called.”
“I heard the phone.” Her mother came rushing down the stairs, her hair flowing behind her like a dark curtain.
“Have fun, Mom,” Cassandra called after her. “And I’m sorry I couldn’t drive you to the salon.”
“That’s okay.” Geraldine threw the front door open. “Say hi to Onegus for me.”
As the door closed behind
her, Cassandra let out a breath. How had her mother known that she was expecting him? She hadn’t told her about it, only that she needed to catch up on work. Had the mid-day shower she’d taken as soon as she’d gotten home given her away? Or was it her outfit?
She’d debated between a casual sundress and the black shorts she’d worn to their first date on the beach.
The dress was nicer, and Onegus appreciated her putting effort into dressing elegantly, but she remembered how he’d ogled her backside when she’d worn the shorts, so they won. A loose silk camisole with spaghetti straps went on top. It was dark blue, which allowed her to forgo a bra, and it draped very nicely over her small breasts.
It was a casual, slouch-around-the-house outfit, and Geraldine should have thought nothing of it.
Whatever.
Cassandra was a grown woman, and if she wanted to invite her boyfriend for an afternoon quickie, that was no business of her mother.
What she should be worried about was whether Onegus would make good on his promise to spank her and whether she’d allow it.
It was a sexy fantasy, and it got her tingly in all the right places. When her nipples stiffened, poking through the delicate fabric of her camisole, she cupped her breasts and breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm her raging hormones.
It didn’t help, and as soon as the guard at the gate called to let her know Onegus was there, her breathing turned into panting.
Damn, she was like a cat in heat.
“Not a cat,” she corrected herself. “A tigress.” One that was about to pounce on Onegus as soon as he crossed the threshold.
When the knock sounded at the door, she threw it open, grabbed the front of his dress shirt, and yanked him down toward her.
Luckily, he didn’t need to be told what to do next. Smashing his lips over hers, he cupped her bottom, lifted her up, and kicked the door closed behind him.
