by I. T. Lucas
“Do you really care that they’ll become even more resentful?” he asked.
“No, I don’t. Just don’t complain to me when you receive the next petition demanding my dismissal.”
He laughed. “Agreed.”
2
Onegus
After reading the changes Bridget had made to his speech, Onegus shook his head. “The language is too strong for this type of event. The rich and famous come to these charity events to mingle, to be seen, and to have a good time. They don’t want to have the horrors of trafficking shoved down their throats.”
The parts Bridget had added had been taken from the speech she’d delivered in front of the clan’s big assembly. Her no-nonsense blunt words had struck a chord with the retired Guardians, motivating most of them to return to the force and join the war on trafficking. But motivating rich humans to donate to the cause required a more diplomatic approach.
Thankfully, the doctor didn’t seem offended. “I thought that was what Kian wanted me to do. Your speech lacks the punch to the gut that will make them pledge generously to the cause.”
He chuckled. “I’m afraid that your verbal punch would just sour their stomachs and induce nausea. Trust me, I know what I’m doing. Talking about the transformative power of the rehabilitation we provide to the victims will put a positive spin on the ugly subject that the donors will feel comfortable rallying behind.”
Leaning back, Bridget crossed her arms over her chest. “I trust your instincts. Feel free to remove the entire opening paragraph. What about the other changes I made?”
“Those are good. I’ll keep them.” Onegus collected the pages they’d worked on and put them in his briefcase. “Any chance that I can convince you to accompany me to the gala? I need a shield against the socialites. They swarm all over me at these events.”
“That’s the price of being so handsome,” Bridget mocked.
“Yeah, right. They think that I’m the rich philanthropist in charge of the international conglomerate that runs the charity organization.”
Bridget laughed. “You’ll survive. You can pretend to be nasty, and maybe they’ll leave you alone.”
“Are you kidding me? That will only make them bolder. Besides, I’m there to solicit donations, which means that I need to be charming and smile at everyone.”
Her expression turned apologetic. “I don’t like going to events without Turner. It just feels wrong to get all dolled up and not have him by my side. When you find your one and only, you’ll understand.”
“Fat chance of that.” He let out a breath. “Always the groomsman never the groom, which is fine with me. All my head Guardians are mated, and it’s making things difficult. I can’t send them on out-of-town missions because they can’t stand being away from their mates. A military organization can’t function like that.”
“Most of our missions are local.” Bridget glanced at her computer screen. “We’ve been running an average of fifteen missions a week for months now, and we haven’t made a dent in the local problem. I don’t see us venturing out of the Los Angeles area anytime soon, and if we do, it would be farther south, to San Diego, which is only three hours away. Being so close to the border, the city is a major hub for traffickers.”
Onegus was well aware of that, and he had even contemplated approaching Kalugal about using his men to expand the operations. The guy would most likely refuse, and Kian wasn’t keen on the idea either, but it was a possibility.
In the meantime, though, Onegus had the Kra-ell problem to deal with.
“Kian wants to send Arwel with a couple of Guardians to China, and to do that, he needs to convince Jin to go as well. That’s just wrong. She’s a civilian, and she has no business going on a reconnaissance mission that might get dicey.”
Bridget shrugged. “Eleanor is a civilian as well, and yet you had no problem letting her go on a reconnaissance mission.”
“That was different. First of all, Eleanor has experience in undercover work. Secondly, she’s training with Kri and is in top physical condition. And thirdly, infiltrating a cult on US soil and investigating its leader was a very low-risk assignment, especially given Eleanor’s compulsion ability. We had no way of knowing that Emmett was an immortal, or rather a long-lived distant relative of ours. Not only was he immune to her compulsion, but he also was much too strong for her to fight off.”
Bridget winced. “Eleanor was lucky that he didn’t kill her. She was powerless against him.”
Onegus nodded. “So was Peter, and he’s a trained Guardian. The Kra-ell are dangerous, and we need to find out what their plans are.” He tapped his fingers on her desk. “Emmett is not a bad guy, but his people sound no better than the Brotherhood. They keep humans enslaved in their compound, using them for breeding hybrids and as a source of nourishment. They also treat the hybrids as second-class members, and their leader sounds like a ruthless tyrant.”
Bridget sighed. “They have a different set of values and beliefs, and their social structure is very different from ours. That doesn’t make what they’re doing acceptable, but it also doesn’t make them evil.”
Onegus raked his fingers through his short hair. “That’s an old philosophical dilemma. The fact that they don’t think of themselves as evil doesn’t mean that what they do isn’t wrong. I don’t accept cultural or religious beliefs and practices as an excuse for mistreating people, their own or others. I also don’t care if their own people think that’s the way it should be because it was drilled into their heads that it is. If their actions cause suffering, then those actions are unacceptable. End of story.”
“I agree. But it’s not our job to go in and forcefully change things for the better. Our job is to provide information and nudge humanity toward equality and democracy.” She leaned forward. “Navuh and his scores of warriors are a much bigger problem than Emmett’s people, and we haven’t made any meaningful progress dealing with that threat, and not for lack of trying. Frankly, I don’t understand why Kian is freaking out about the Kra-ell. Their numbers are insignificant, and they haven’t caused us any trouble yet.”
Bridget was brilliant, and she ran the rescue operations efficiently, but her lack of military background was evident.
“Navuh is a known adversary. We know what he wants, how he thinks to achieve that, and we also know how to thwart his efforts for world domination. The Kra-ell are an unknown. We don’t know how many groups like Emmett’s are scattered around the world, and we don’t know what their agenda is.”
Bridget pursed her lips. “That’s where Jin’s special talent might come in handy. She’s the perfect spy, and she can blend in, provided that she masters Mandarin by the time they head to China.”
Onegus shook his head. “She has no training, and she’s hotheaded. I don’t feel comfortable sending her out on a mission even with Arwel and a couple of other Guardians to keep her safe. She might endanger them all.”
“It’s true that Jin is a civilian with no combat training, but she has skills that are much more valuable than any Guardian’s. The problem I see with that is her unwillingness to go. If she refuses, Arwel might turn down the assignment, and you will have to find someone else for the mission.”
Onegus grimaced. “You see what I have to deal with? No other chief has to worry about his troops refusing to go out on missions because they can’t be away from their mates.”
“Don’t forget that they are all newly mated,” Bridget said. “Perhaps in a couple of decades, they will have no problem leaving their mates for weeks at a time.”
“I don’t have decades to wait, and besides, I doubt that the bonds will ever loosen. I have nightmares about the entire Guardian force being mated and having no one to work with.”
Smiling, Bridget put her hand on his shoulder. “Have faith, Onegus. When the time comes, and everyone is mated, we will find a solution. We always do.”
3
Bowen
“You really don’t have to do that.” Marga
ret stood next to the open front door, leaning on her crutches. “I will be perfectly comfortable on the bench.”
“Right.” Bowen lifted one of the armchairs and carried it out to the front porch. “You’ll be more comfortable sitting on this.” He set it down in a sunny spot near the railing, where she would be warm.
“Thank you.” Margaret lowered herself carefully onto the seat and leaned the crutches against the wooden railing.
It was a beautiful day in the mountains. The sky was clear, the sun was shining softly, and the excited chirping of birds was announcing loudly that spring had arrived and it was time to mate.
Regrettably, he wouldn’t be joining the mating frenzy anytime soon. He wanted Margaret, but she was off-limits. First of all, she was in a cast, healing from an injury. But even if she was perfectly healthy, it would be a bad idea. He’d befriended her, cared for her, and he could never treat her like one of his random hookups, enjoying her and then vanishing without giving it a second thought.
The situation Bowen found himself in was frustrating.
He couldn't have Margaret, and he couldn’t go hunting for sex in the usual places where he found willing partners until he returned her to Safe Haven. Not that he was looking forward to the old, tired routine and the revolving door of sex partners. It reduced sex to a necessity like eating and drinking, stripping it of the emotions that made it so much more meaningful for mated couples.
For Leon, the chase was over, and even though Bowen was happy for him and Anastasia, he couldn’t help but envy the guy.
Thank the merciful Fates, Anastasia had transitioned successfully and with no complications, was feeling great, and the couple was on their way back to the cabin, which meant that he’d better start on lunch.
Newly transitioned Dormants were not supposed to eat anything heavy, but Leon had already warned him that Anastasia was ravenous and craved hamburgers.
Lifting the long-necked lighter, he glanced at Margaret. “Are you sure the smoke is not going to bother you?”
If the smell made Margaret nauseous, she wouldn’t eat, and he wanted to fill her belly with meat. She needed to get stronger.
“I like the smell.” Margaret smiled up at him. “And I also like watching you grill.”
“You do?” He lit the barbecue.
“You’re so meticulous, and you take pride in it. You enjoy doing things well.”
He could think of several things that he did exceptionally well, but they had more to do with licking and fondling than with cooking.
“Yes, I do.” He couldn’t help the nearly full octave drop in his voice.
Getting his meaning, she lowered her eyes as if he’d made her uncomfortable, but the slight scent of her arousal said otherwise.
Damn. He needed to get a grip. The poor woman had suffered enough. She didn’t need to pine after a guy who couldn’t return the sentiment no matter how much he wanted to.
“I’m going to get the meat.” He walked back inside.
In the kitchen, Bowen loaded a tray with the steaks that he’d left marinating in the fridge overnight, a pack of seasoned hamburgers, a beer for him, and a bottle of water for Margaret.
After putting the tray down on the wooden cart he’d placed next to the grill, he took the bottle and walked over to Margaret. “You need to stay hydrated.” He handed it to her.
“Thank you.” She took it without lifting her head from her phone.
After finally learning how to use the search function, Margaret was surfing the internet like a pro, collecting articles for her workshop and saving them to a note application he’d downloaded for her.
Bowen was happy to see her doing what she enjoyed, but it was also a reminder that she would be going home soon, and he would probably never see her again.
When the gate opened and Leon pulled the car up in front of the house, Margaret reached for her crutches. “They are right on time. Are the steaks about ready?”
“They are.” Bowen helped her down the stairs.
As the passenger door opened and Anastasia got out, he was taken aback. He’d expected her to look exhausted, but she looked radiant and beautiful. If he hadn’t known that she had just been through a difficult transition, he would have thought that she’d been to a beauty spa instead.
“You look amazing,” Margaret echoed his thoughts. “Are you sure it was food poisoning?”
“Yeah.” Anastasia hugged her friend. “I wonder whether the doctor put some magic elixir into the IV that I was hooked up to.”
Good one.
Evidently, Anastasia had learned from Leon how to twist words around, so she didn’t actually lie but didn’t tell the truth either.
“I hope you’re hungry.” He started loading the steaks onto a platter. “I made enough to feed a small army.”
Inhaling deeply, Anastasia closed her eyes. “They smell divine, and I’m starving.”
“Then let’s eat.” Leon took the platter from Bowen and headed inside.
“I wish we had a table on the porch.” Margaret followed Anastasia. “It’s such a nice day.”
Bowen closed the door behind them. “We can have one delivered.”
Margaret let out a soft sigh. “I’ll be going home soon, and I guess that the three of you will leave as well.” She looked at Anastasia. “I assume that you are not coming back to Safe Haven with me?”
“I’m not. But I’ll come to visit you whenever I can. I’ll probably go back to school and finish my law degree. I’m thinking about switching to nonprofit organizations.”
“Good for you.” Margaret waited for Bowen to pull out a chair for her. “Is there a chance that you’ll visit me too?”
“Of course.” He forced a smile.
Probably not. It was going to be difficult enough to say goodbye without dragging it out. A clean break would be best.
4
Kian
“Mother.” Kian bent nearly in half to embrace Annani’s petite frame. “How was your trip?”
“Pleasant.” She kissed both his cheeks before pushing him away to open her arms to Syssi. “And how is my favorite daughter-in-law?”
“I’m your only daughter-in-law.” Syssi chuckled. “But I’m doing great.”
Their embrace was a bit awkward given the big pregnant belly Annani couldn’t wrap her arms around, and then it started moving this way and that as Allegra responded to all the excitement.
“Oh, wow.” Annani released Syssi to put her hands on her belly. “That was one mighty kick, little one. Have mercy on your poor mother.”
“I don’t mind,” Syssi said, her voice tender with love for their daughter. “When she’s active, I know she’s okay. Sometimes, I get anxious when she sleeps, and I poke her awake to make sure she’s okay.”
Alena put her hand on Syssi’s shoulder. “I still remember each of my pregnancies and the irrational worry that gripped me whenever the baby was inactive for a while. But thank the merciful Fates, they were all born healthy.”
“You’re a pro.” Syssi smiled. “Let’s move the party to the dining room. I’m sure you’re hungry after your trip.”
As Kian followed the procession, he wondered about his eldest sister’s miraculous fruitfulness. She’d had all of her eleven children in relatively quick succession and then stopped. It had been many centuries since her last daughter had been born.
Had she been actively avoiding pregnancy? Or had her body decided that eleven children were enough?
Alena had done her part ensuring the clan’s future, and no one expected her to keep on producing babies. As it was, she deserved the title of Clan Mother no less than Annani.
“Are Amanda and Dalhu joining us for lunch?” Alena asked.
Kian pulled out a chair for his mother. “Amanda had a faculty meeting this morning that she couldn’t get out of, but she’ll join us for dinner.”
“Thank you.” Annani gathered the long skirt of her gown and sat down. “Any new developments with our newest dungeon guest
?”
Kian hadn’t spoken with her since Saturday, but he had no doubt that she was on top of things and had heard about the latest developments from Syssi and Amanda.
“How much do you know?” he asked.
His mother smiled indulgently. “The last time we spoke, you had not interrogated Emmett yet, and you were entertaining the idea that he might be a confused or insane immortal. Is that still a valid hypothesis?”
Kian shook his head. “Regrettably, it’s not likely. If it was, I could have put the entire thing behind me and concentrated on the upcoming celebrations. Stella came forward with a story that confirmed Emmett’s. It’s still not a hundred percent conclusive, but it seems that Emmett is telling the truth. In addition, I suspect that his group is not the only one, and that there might be many more of them.”
“Syssi told me about Stella’s confession.” Annani sighed. “Poor woman has kept the secret of who fathered her son for over twenty years. It must have been eating away at her.” Her eyes smiled as she looked at him. “I am surprised that you are not angry at her.”
“She vowed on Vlad’s life never to reveal who his father was. It was the only way she could convince the Kra-ell hybrid to let her go. I can understand her fear of breaking such a vow. In her shoes, I would have done the same. Just as there are no atheists in a foxhole, I bet most parents would not be willing to gamble on their children’s lives even when it’s only a superstition.”
“What are you going to do about the Kra-ell?” Alena asked. “Are you going to search for them?”
He nodded. “Emmett provided us with the exact location of their compound, but chances are that they are no longer there. After he escaped, they probably moved locations so he couldn’t sell them out. And if they hadn’t moved back then, they certainly did that after receiving his email about us. That being said, we might find clues that will lead us to them, which is why I want to send a team to investigate.”
