by Alanea Alder
Adriel nodded. "Quite nicely, actually. The vendors have really outdone themselves. Not only are we getting some of the city's favorites, but they have tried new recipes. They cannot wait to share them."
She looked over at Magnus. He was still beaming.
"Two babies plus my two nieces or nephews from Meryn and Bethy." He was practically vibrating in his chair.
Kari could tell he was truly excited about the prospect of new life. Any doubts she had about moving to Noctem Falls were eliminated. This man needed all the support he could get. Kari was halfway through her sandwich when the door chimed. A moment later, a familiar face appeared and a handsome smile greeted her.
"Law!" she exclaimed.
She jumped up out of her chair and raced over to him. He swung her up into his arms and twirled around. Behind her, she heard a few choking sounds.
He looked down at her. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking her over.
"Yes, I am fine. Meryn saved me." She pointed to Meryn who was sitting on Aiden's lap.
"So she's the smart one who identified the problem."
"Yes."
"What problem is this?" Adriel asked looking confused.
"Meryn, go ahead; this was your idea," Kari prompted.
Meryn twisted her fingers, "Well it's just that I've noticed some things. Like Magnus gives an order and the warriors automatically look to Aiden to see if he agrees. If Aiden gives orders, some of the vampires look at Magnus to see if he agrees. And with Declan being hurt, I was afraid that if something happened to either of you, they would hesitate. We might end up losing you both."
Magnus, Adriel, and Aiden exchanged looks. From the rueful expressions, Kari could tell that none of them had noticed the problem.
Meryn scrunched up her nose. "Amelia's brother's name is Law. Is that you?" she asked.
"Yes, that's me." Law confirmed. "How do you know Amelia?" he asked.
"Amelia is my big sister cousin. Our mothers were sisters. That makes him my..." she paused. "My big sister cousin brother?" she asked the room. She turned her head. "Ryuu, how does family work again?"
Kari watched in amusement as Law's face froze. He blinked and then picked up his phone. He held it sideways, and it chirped like a walkie-talkie.
"Tom, send team seven down to Noctem Falls on the double; I need them here yesterday."
"Yes sir!"
Law clipped the walkie-talkie to his belt.
"Why add another team?" Adriel asked.
"I have two sisters here where the local populace is either attacking unit warriors or turning feral. One of them has a stalker. The other one is human. And both are pregnant. We're surrounded by men who can't even identify a major chain of command issue. Of course, I'm bringing in another team," Law answered sarcastically.
Gavriel scowled. "You know, he reminds me of someone."
Law turned and looked at Gavriel. His eyes widened, and he inclined his head. "Looks as though I'm not the only one keeping secrets."
Gavriel gave him a flat look.
Law turned back to Meryn. "The word that you're looking for is brother. I am your brother. Amelia is my sister, and you're her little sister, so that makes you my sister." He smiled. "I can't wait until Thane and Justice find out."
"Why didn't you know about Meryn being related to Amelia?" Kari asked.
"I've been out on assignment."
Meryn's hands slammed the table.
"Say that again." she insisted, looking excited.
Law repeated. "I've been on assignment."
Meryn gasped, both hands rose to her mouth. "Deadpool?" she asked.
Law's mouth dropped open. "Red Queen?"
"Holy shit!" Meryn exclaimed.
"No way." Law stepped back and swung the dining room door open "Gimli, Gambit, Legolas get in here." Three large men filed in.
"Yes, sir?" The tall elegant blond asked.
Law pointed to Meryn. "That's Red Queen."
The large man with a shaggy beard and hair barked out his laughter. "Get the fuck outta here!" He ran over and scooped her right out of Aiden's lap. "Where have you been? We almost died in Afghanistan. They replaced you with an absolute idiot."
"We have missed you, little one." The tall, blond man lifted her out of his companion's arms and set her on her feet before kissing her hand.
"Let me at her." The dark-haired man stepped forward, kissed her on both cheeks, and then once on the lips. "You are absolutely adorable, little bit." Aiden began to growl low in his throat. The three men ignored him.
Aiden stood and pulled Meryn away from them, rubbing his cheek where they kissed her, and they laughed. He sat back down, holding Meryn close in his lap.
Aiden said, "Meryn, how on earth do you know them?"
"I worked with them to help them kill people."
Everyone froze, and there was silence. Aiden chuckled nervously. "You mean like on your zombie game?"
Meryn shook her head. "Nope, I hacked systems, opened doors, watched out for them on surveillance, made fake IDs. That sort of thing."
The one Law called Gambit brought a finger to his lips. "Hush shug, you givin' away all our secrets."
"Meryn?" Aiden looked down at his mate as if he had never seen her before.
"They were all bad," Meryn assured him.
"Security, huh?" Kari asked flatly.
Meryn gasped and began to laugh. "I thought you came because you're Kari's brother, I didn't know you were part of her security force." Meryn hooted as Law gave her a flat look. She continued to howl.
Bethy looked at her friend in confusion. "Meryn, what's going on?"
Meryn pointed a finger at Law. "He's a genius."
Law nodded. "Well..."
Gavriel looked around. "I do not understand."
Meryn wiped her eyes. "If you are paranoid and you think that someone is out to get you, what you do?"
Kari frowned. "We would call in security." Her eyes widened and she looked over at her adopted brother. "Law!" she protested.
He held up both hands. "None of them were your contracts."
Gambit stepped forward. "Wait, sister?" he asked pointing at Kari.
Law nodded. "She's the ragamuffin I took in that I told you about." He turned to Kari. "Kari Delaney, I would like you to meet three of my oldest friends. Gambit or Emeric Foret, vampire." Emeric winked and blew her a kiss. "The rough looking redhead is Gimli or Gidan Campbell, a bear shifter. And our tall fae brother is Legolas or Idris Li'Mierlen." He turned to the table. "Meryn gave us call names the first day we worked together. She introduced herself as Red Queen, but we always called her Trouble."
Emeric looked Kari over. "Sir, this beautiful creature could never be a ragamuffin." Kari smiled at him and waved at the others.
Magnus turned to Adriel. "How do you think the team should be assigned?"
"Two on Kari..." Adriel started.
Law began to laugh and everyone turned to him. "I don't think you gentlemen understand. We only answer to the ones that call us in. That would be Kari and Meryn; they will decide where we go. We will do exactly as they order; no one can override their commands."
Magnus nodded, but didn't look very pleased. "I see."
Gidan put his hands on his hips. "You didn't say anything about taking care your sister."
Emeric shook his head. "We are gonna die. Law is gonna kill us if anything happens to these two angels."
"You want to head home?" Idris asked.
"No way!" Gidan replied. "We're not leaving our little queen here alone."
"I can look after my own mate," Aiden growled.
Grinning, Law turned to Kari. "So ladies, what are our orders?"
Kari looked at Meryn then turned and glanced at Declan, who was still stuffing his face. "Does having them here bother you?" she asked.
Declan looked up and shook his head. "The more people to protect you the better. Doesn't bother me at all."
Kari addressed Meryn. "All right, you're the one with the top s
core in battle combat or whatever. You decide."
Law looked impressed. "Really?"
"I tied with Byron," Meryn said, nodding.
"Byron McKenzie?" Idris asked.
"Yup, he's Aiden's dad."
"I always knew you were smart, Trouble," Law complimented.
"She is a little genius," Gidan elbowed Law.
"Of course," Law said, rubbing his ribs. "I let her direct us in the field, didn't I?"
They nodded. Meryn eyed him. "I was the only one good enough."
He just winked at her, and she laughed.
"Okay then," Meryn eyed Law. "We've got three four-man teams?"
Law nodded. "Yes, and my only request is that I personally guard either you or Kari."
Meryn she bit her upper lip. "Okay Emeric and Gidan can go with Kari. Law and Idris with me. Split the other two teams up as follows: two assigned to Beth, two to Aiden, two to Adriel, and two to Magnus."
Law nodded. "Good choices."
"Even though you were not assigned to your sister?" Magnus asked.
Law grinned. "Tell them why you chose that way, Meryn."
"Two reasons. One: Personal feelings may impact his reaction time, and he might not follow proper protocol, which would endanger others." Meryn said, holding up one finger. Magnus blinked. "And two is because I need to ask Law magic stuff."
Law frowned at her a moment before he walked over to her. When he laid his hand on her shoulder, he jumped back as blue sparks flew. Cursing under his breath his sucked on his fingers. He looked around the room and then glared at Ryuu. "And you are?"
"My apologies. My name is Ryuu Sei. I am Meryn's squire. I've been helping her shield emotions. She was not reacting well. It should be safe now."
Meryn began to frown and shiver. She looked back at her squire. "You're the reason I was feeling better?"
Ryuu shrugged. "In part."
Law laid his hand on her shoulder. "You do have magic. It's a small amount. Just enough to be bothersome."
"Empathy, that's what Kendrick said," Aiden added.
"You know Kendrick?" Law asked.
"Yeah, he moved to Lycaonia when Keelan's soul was ejected from his body," Meryn answered.
Law winced. "How much have I missed? Gods above, someone hurt Keelan! Is Lycaonia still standing?" he asked.
Meryn nodded. "Yeah, Kendrick's trying to stuff Keelan back into his body."
"What exactly happened to Keelan?" he asked.
Meryn glanced around the room. "That's classified."
Magnus and Adriel's eyebrows rose.
With his hand on her shoulder, Law leaned in. "If Kendrick OKs me, could you tell me then?"
"Sure, if he doesn't brief you himself."
Law closed his eyes. "Did Kendrick do the doors?"
"Yeah, but they're not working really well though."
Law shrugged one shoulder. "He's used to working with established witches. Your magic has been running wild all your life. You can't just shove this behind a door. You have to coax it there; otherwise, it will keep spilling out." Law removed his hand. "I'll work with you while I'm here. That should help."
"Thanks, crying and being all over the place sucks."
Law chuckled. "I can imagine."
Meryn turned to Magnus. "Where can the security peeps stay?"
Adriel turned to his Prince. "The teams for Kari and I can stay on the Unit Level."
Magnus tapped the table. "We only have three guest rooms on this level. Aiden and Meryn are in one of them. Young Avery is in the other."
"Six," Sebastian volunteered, stepping forward.
Magnus turned his chair. "Since when?"
Sebastian put both hands on his hips and stared down at his charge. "Since we started running out of room. The boys expanded the guest quarters for us."
"Nigel and Neil?" Magnus asked. Sebastian nodded.
Magnus shook his head. "Those little devils."
Law nodded. "I'd like to get settled in and start assignments. We'll be doing twelve-hour shifts. Meryn, I'll be working with you a bit more. Idris, get the men assigned to their quarters. Adriel, if you could have someone help them to get acclimated."
Adriel reached for his walkie-talkie "Casanova, can you come down Level One?"
"Yes sir."
"Casanova?" Kari asked out loud.
"Micah," numerous people responded. She laughed.
Bethy sat back smiling. "What else do we have for today?" she teased.
Magnus sighed. "The DeLaFontaine dinner."
"Douchebag," Meryn muttered. Law raised an eyebrow. She shook her head "Tell you later."
Magnus had a small smirk on his face, and he turned. "Law, will you be joining us for dinner?"
"Why would you join them, sir?" Gidan asked.
Law looked a bit uncomfortable. "My family is well known."
Gavriel, Aiden, Magnus, and Adriel began to chuckle. Law eyed Meryn. "I think maybe I should join you."
Meryn grinned "Game on."
Kari sat back down and indicated for Law to join her at table in the empty seat next to her. The men left with Micah to get assigned to their new quarters and be shown the city. She passed Law some of the sandwiches on her plate, and they began to wrap up their lunch. As people finished their lunches they left the room to get their assorted tasks completed before dinner.
She was walking out with Declan when she heard her name being called. She looked back to see Law jogging to catch up with her.
He looked down "So pregnant, huh? Emeric and Gidan will take good care of you."
Kari grinned. "Leaving you free to poke around."
He winked. "Meryn's squire has enough juice to take down an army. So she'll be okay with him while I snoop."
She laid a hand on his arm. "I am glad you are here."
"Me too, kiddo." Law ruffled her hair and then froze, looking at Declan. He dropped his hand. "Aren't lions supposed to be extremely possessive?"
Declan shrugged at the question. "I think my lion sees you as family. He knows that you will keep Kari safe so he approves."
"Lionhart? You're not at all like your brother."
"Who, Rex?" Kari asked. "He is very sweet."
Law snorted. "He's an arrogant ass."
Declan bristled. "It's just that he's that good."
Law smiled wide. "Just teasing. He'd swoon if he heard you sticking up for him like that. He dotes on you and Ari."
Declan grinned. "As if you now don't have six brothers and three sisters to take care of."
Law shrugged "Family's important. My future nieces and nephews come first though."
"Of course," Declan said.
"Speaking of family, where's Avery?" Law asked.
Kari sighed. "He didn't react well to the news of my 'second accident'." She held up her fingers in air quotes. "Tarragon had to sedate him. He and his mate will both be relaxing in Avery's room here on Level One."
Law's jaw tightened. "I'll check in on him and see what this new mate of his is like. I'm not sure I like the idea of my baby brother mated to a muscle-head."
"Hey!" Declan protested.
Law waved his hand. "Present company excluded of course." His eyes took on a devilish twinkle. "Maybe I should look in on Rex as well. I miss the time we spent together, one could almost describe those long weeks as magical," he sighed.
Declan's mouth opened, and he stared at Law.
Kari yawned, and Law steered her into Declan's arms, ignoring his shell-shocked expression. "She always tires after a healing, so go get her to bed before dinner."
"I can take care of my mate," Declan protested, still looking bewildered.
Law kissed her on the cheek then headed back to the dining room.
Yawning, Kari lifted them up to the Unit Level, and they made their way back to the house. Before she knew it, she was in their bedroom, and Declan had her undressed and in the bed.
"I think I like your brother. I wish you'd told me he was Law Ashleigh," Declan said.
"Why?"
"Because he's one of the most powerful witches in our world."
Kari snorted and buried her face in the pillow. "Surely not."
Declan poked her in the back. "Why do you think he was invited to dinner?"
She rolled over and looked at him. "He never said anything about being important."
"He wouldn't," Declan grunted. "I think that's why like him. I wonder if he was really involved with my brother?"
Kari hid a smile and ignored the question. She knew Law was having fun at her mate's expense, but she had to admit she was enjoying Declan's confused expressions too much to tell him otherwise. She crossed her fingers behind her head. "I wish I had known he was bringing me a security detail. We could have saved your father the trouble."
Declan pulled her into his arms. "You don't know my father; he won't be satisfied until you're surrounded by our pride members."
Declan buried his face in the back of her neck and placed a protective hand over her stomach. He began to purr. Ultimately, it was his purring that put her to sleep.
*****
When Kari woke up, Declan had already left. On the nightstand, a single flower waited for her with a note.
Heading out to meet with the guys before dinner. Bethy dropped off a present. Miss you already. Love, Declan.
The flower was beautiful; it looked like mother-of-pearl and shimmered in the light. She had a sneaking suspicion that he had plucked it from the Royal Gardens. Smiling, she immediately jumped out of bed to look for a vase. She pulled one from the cabinet in the kitchen then ran back upstairs before adding some water from the bathroom and putting it on the nightstand.
After she got out of the shower and did her hair and makeup, she looked around and there, lying across the chair, was a gorgeous black silk dress. It was the gift from Bethy. She wouldn't have to worry about what to wear while she was here. At least, not until the rest of her things arrived. She sighed, thinking about leaving her condo, and then put that thought out of her head. Tonight, she would concentrate on the DeLaFontaine dinner. She slipped her feet into her own black heels, touched up her lip gloss and winked at herself in the mirror. As she exited the home Gidan stepped in behind her. She nodded at him and made her way to the transport tunnel. As she walked past the unit estate, she heard a few whistles. She turned and waved.
