Bodyguard of Love

by Lane, Terri

  “Well then…before you look at the houses I lined up, when do you want to leave Portland and…everything?” he asked. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

  “Other than a family Kai, what will we be building?” I asked.

  “We have time to figure it out,” he said. I looked over at him as he climbed back into bed. He pressed a warm kiss to my belly before settling back against the headboard.

  “I’ve never had to play at a human life before,” I murmured.

  “How long can you play at a ‘vampire’ life?” he asked, there was a slight challenge in his voice. “I mean don’t you ever get bored seeing to the same things over and over?” he asked. “If it’s not petty battles with wolves, it’s war against hunters. Otherwise, what? You sit kept in your castles governing each other and tending to your ‘bloodlines’ like…I don’t know, ant farms,” he said. I sat up and leveled my gaze on his.

  “And your kind live so much better? Constant infighting and disorganization driving packs so far apart your numbers can’t help but to be low. No wonder you’re so eager to leave it all behind,” I shot back. “I’ve lived centuries before you and I’ll live centuries after. After you die and our child is grown I’ll have nothing. I’ll be just an outcast,” I said.

  “You’ll have our child and maybe even a couple more. With all the free time and energy, you’ll have, who knows? Maybe you can build up some brand-new empire where wolves and vampires live in harmony and hybrids are the knights of our world to combat the Hunters.”

  I drew one of the blankets around my shoulders and lifted my knees to my chest. “I think…perhaps we should look at houses another day,” I said.

  “Sophia, I just don’t want you to be scared to go live a new life with me. I want you and I want our baby,” he said.

  “I want our baby Kai…I’m just afraid of being—” I couldn’t finish my sentence. I was afraid of being without him. Because even though he sat arm’s length away from me, I worried that he was not in this forever...

  * * *

  “Sophia…” Kai called me back, but I’d already dressed and was ready to leave.

  “We’ll talk another time,” I said. I opened the door and left the apartment. The truth of things was that I’d outlive him for at least a century. I had my pure blood to thank for that. Wolves lived three to four times longer than humans and vampires outlasted them by often two centuries. It would be me and our child without him for a long time. We wouldn’t be the happy family he was so looking forward to. At least not as far as I could see it.

  I’d never felt as I did when I was with Kai and I knew I wouldn’t feel as such with anyone else. The thought of being without him was arresting. But I did fear leaving my coven for good, forsaking the only family I knew. There’d be no fall back. I’d be leaving for good, and truly on my own.

  “Sophia!”

  I turned around to see Kai quickly striding down the hall. We ignored the opening elevator doors and he tugged on my hand, pulling me back to the apartment.

  “Kai…I really don’t feel like discussing things further today,” I said, near exasperated.

  “I don’t want you going back to that house and convincing yourself to stay,” he said. “Talk to me, what are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking that I’m about to give up on security and order. That I’ll gain a passionate love that will leave me behind one day. I’m thinking about having a hybrid child and falling in love with him too. And that we’ll never have to stop keeping one eye open for fear of all our deaths.”

  “I know it’s asking a lot for you to give up almost everything you’ve ever known. But if you know you want to give birth to our baby and that you want to be not just in his life, but mine too, then I think your choice is already made,” he said.

  “I simply need time to come to terms with it,” I said.

  “No, no time. Who knows…with this war we may not have very long to choose to get the hell out of dodge,” he said.

  “Kai, I need time to process. You must give me that,” I said. He did not reply, and took a deep breath.

  “Okay,” he said finally. His expression was stony, but he didn’t say or do anything further. So, I left.

  When I returned to the house, it was nearly eight in the evening. I’d slipped in just before most vampires started their days. I felt strange; my body was completely energized yet mentally, I felt exhausted. My bedroom was quiet and comfortingly familiar. Kai was right, vampires were creatures of sometimes terminal habit. I hadn’t realized how hard it would be to give up my coven…to excommunicate myself as it were. But perhaps Kai was right. Maybe we could build an all-new era of peace and coexistence in the world of vampires and werewolves. Or at the very least I should let myself experience what it would be like to have a family…and a love that would stay with me even after he was gone. Many had written, sung, and acted out the worthiness of love over all else life can offer. Though the vampires had structure and a culture, we often lacked passion. Apathy was a side effect of our long lives and careful preservation of our ways.

  “Sophia?” called Alexis. She knocked on the door and waited for my reply.

  “Come in,” I said. I’d changed into acceptable vampire attire; black tights accompanied by a dark blue blouse. Alexis stepped into the room and a flash of relief crossed her features as she saw me pulling on a pair of boots. They were for fashion more than function.

  “Sorry to bother you so early, but I have word from the Vancouver coven,” she said.

  “Oh good, let’s hear it,” I said.

  “Well first—during the day we lost two more of our staked blood banks. We’re down to only two and we need at least four to keep the coven fed and able to remain within the house until the Hunter situation is taken care of,” she said. “That being said, the Vancouver coven is lending us a full team of their fighters in order to gain back some ground,” she said.

  “When will they get here?” I asked.

  “Tonight. They’ll arrive in just another hour.”

  “Well then, let’s go gather a team before the others arrive,” I said. Alexis followed me out.

  “You won’t be leading any fighting parties, correct?” she asked. I glanced at her and found she was expressing some genuine concern.

  “No, I’ll send Case and Nathaniel,” I told her.

  “Very well. So have you thought of a name yet?” she asked.

  “I’ve decided to…decide when the child is born. How can I name it if I don’t know what he looks like?” I said.

  “You think it will be a boy?” she asked. I simply shrugged.

  We found both Case and Nathaniel on the way to the gym. They were dressed for sparring.

  “Good evening Sophia, Alexis,” they greeted us.

  “Sorry to stunt your plans, but we need you both to pull a team together. I’m sure you’re aware of the blood bank losses,” I said.

  “Certainly, we can have two groups of seven pulled together at a moment’s notice,” Case said.

  “Very well, you’ll both need to be ready to go in an hour. We’ll be receiving a fighting team from the Vancouver coven then. They’ll help us regain some of our banks,” I told them. They inclined their heads and went to gather fighters.

  “Will you be joining either of the fighting parties?” Alexis asked me.

  “No…why would I? We have plenty capable vampires going,” I said.

  “Well, you’ve been absent a lot lately…” she said. I rolled my eyes.

  “Please, if you have a question as to my whereabouts, just ask. Don’t fish, it makes you seem less cunning than I think you are,” I said. Alexis smirked and pressed her lips together to try to hide it. “You’ll be running this coven soon. Most likely once after my child is born. You know how to delegate and handle various situations. But vampires get bored, and with that comes a great capacity for scheming. These vipers are your family, but if they sense any weakness they’ll attempt to swipe your footing right out
from under you,” I said.

  “No one has ever dared do such a thing to you,” she said.

  “That is because I had Damien…” I murmured. Fleeting sadness passed over both of us. “You should find yourself a second. When you do, it’s best to be genuine with whomever that person is. That way they never have room to doubt you,” I said.

  “You’re speaking as if you’ll be leaving Portland Coven,” she said.

  “I suspect my father will want me to be with him in Prime Coven when I give birth. That way his line will be all together,” I said.

  “Is that why you’ve been gone more often?” she asked.

  “My thoughts have made it impossible for me to sit still at times,” I said. “It’s hard for vampires to change,” I added.

  “But you’ve lived in Prime Coven for your formative years, the culture is the same there,” she pointed out.

  “True, but I’ve always had Damien standing behind me,” I said. Her gaze softened and I knew I’d thrown her off any suspicions.

  “Take this time you have now to find your second,” I told her. She gave me a puzzled look, but didn’t argue. Alexis left to go find herself a partner. I breathed a sigh of relief. I had two options, it seemed. Either get craftier in settling her suspicions of me, or call Kai and leave with him soon.

  Instead of getting lost in an endless cycle of thoughts about Kai, I chose to do some shooting practice. I didn’t realize how long I’d been shooting until Case called my attention.

  “Sophia, the fighters from the Vancouver Coven has arrived,” he said. I followed him out to the grand foyer.

  “Welcome neighbors,” I said to the group, who were loosely gathered at the foot of the curving staircase. They were dressed for fighting in usual black leather gear.

  The leader of the seven fighters stepped forward. She was a slender vampire with fiery red hair and odd amber colored eyes. “Sophia, I’m Regan. Paelin sends his regards and thanks on behalf of the Vancouver Coven,” she said.

  “Good to meet you Regan and the thanks is to you. I’m afraid this Hunter infestation has gotten entirely too trying,” I said.

  “Indeed, they are well organized and well informed. It’s uncanny,” she said.

  “Hopefully our teams can manage to regain some of our blood banks,” I said.

  “Case and I have our teams ready Sophia,” Nathaniel said.

  “Why don’t we all gather in the gym to talk strategy,” I said and beckoned Regan’s team to follow us back.

  “The Hunters know our collection schedules which is the problem. Every time we send out runners they’re either killed or come back for fear of being killed. The Hunters’ presence is heavy,” Regan said.

  “Someone fetch Alexis for me,” I said. Case was quick to do my bidding. Everyone was gathered in the sparring room within two minutes. Alexis looked the same as she did when we spoke earlier.

  “The objective tonight is to make a statement. Decimate their numbers and reclaim our blood banks. Spare a few in order to relay a message. It’s either we have our banks, or the humans suffer for our blood needs,” I told everyone. It was the natural course of things anyway. Should the Hunters make it impossible for us to collect blood, the ways of vampires would backslide several decades and begin stalking humans again. Case, Regan, and Nathaniel quickly mapped out strategy, then all three fighting teams mobilized within the hour.

  “Hopefully they return successful,” Alexis sighed. We stood together in the gym, looking out over the courtyard. The gate was closing after the last black SUV disappeared onto the main road.

  “If we don’t regain at least one bank…then the Hunter problem has truly reached home,” I said.

  “How do you think we will defeat them?” she asked. “They have information on what hiking trails we frequent, they know where our blood banks are. What’s to say they don’t know the locations of all our coven houses and safe houses? The Hunters aren’t just after deer and wolves anymore.”

  “I know Alexis,” I replied. “Though it may seem daunting, there is always a way to preserve vampire survival. We’ve never been eradicated before and we won’t show any weaknesses now,” I said.

  “I’ve come to understand what you meant…about having a ‘second’. Having someone loyal behind you while running the coven,” she said slowly. “A leader will need someone to keep them grounded. In sanity, in the goings on of the coven, in helping with greater conflicts…nearly everything,” she said. I nodded and gave her a small smile that she returned. “I am sorry…that you lost that with Damien’s death,” she added.

  I took a deep breath. I felt like dirt using Damien’s memory in such a way. But on the other hand, she was right in what she said about Damien.

  “Thank you, Alexis…and I am glad you’ve taken my advice to heart,” I said sincerely.

  * * *

  “Case…Nathaniel, are you all accounted for?” I asked them as they filed into the house. All three fighting parties returned just before dawn broke.

  “Regan lost one, and we lost Roy,” Case answered.

  “What’s the report?” I asked. The fighters seemed excited and energized as they lingered in the foyer. I waved Regan over and led her along with Case and Nathaniel to my study. Alexis was already there, speaking with Case’s younger brother, Nolan. They shared the same striking features – moss green eyes and silver blond hair that paired interestingly with their pale skin.

  “The blood banks were only being patrolled by lesser Hunters. None of them had the gear of those elites that patrol the woods,” Regan said. “We even managed to regain two of our lost blood banks across the river,” she added.

  “Which means the Hunters might return with their elites to keep us away,” I said. “As we have already done, Regan I suggest your coven change its collection schedules and randomize it as well,” I added.

  “We will, certainly,” she said. I could see she was still high on the excitement of a much-needed vampire victory, no matter how small it might have been and that we had both suffered a loss.

  “As for us; Case and Nathaniel, our runners will need escorts of at least three fighters when collecting from the banks. Make sure your teams rendezvous with Arien,” I said.

  “Of course, Sophia,” they replied in unison.

  “Good work for now all. Regan, you and your team are welcome here of course. Our guest wing is on the west side of the house there is plenty of anything you all might need,” I said.

  “Thank you, Sophia,” she said sincerely. I inclined my head, then took leave from the room. When back in my own bedroom, I debated calling Kai, then after twenty minutes, decided just to do it.

  He answered on the first ring. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t call,” he chuckled.

  “Of course I was going to call. I needed time to digest was all,” I said.

  “So, have you…digested?” he asked, humor in his voice. Even though it was silly in a juvenile way, I smirked.

  “I have…I’d like to see you and I’d like to pick a house,” I said.

  “And a date?” he asked.

  “And a date,” I said.

  “Excellent,” he said. “I’m so glad.”

  We made plans to meet in a couple of hours then ended the call. After that I showered and waited for the house to quiet down before I slipped out.

  Kai was shirtless when I walked into his apartment. I smelled bacon cooking and wrinkled my nose. “Good morning,” I greeted him. He smiled and gave me a soft kiss on the lips, before he bent at the waist to kiss my stomach as well.

  “Good morning,” he said.

  “You know, you don’t have to be shirtless to attract me,” I teased.

  “Oh, this doesn’t do it for you?” he asked and flexed his pecs. I laughed and followed him into the kitchen area. “You don’t eat regular food, do you?” he asked.

  “I can…but I haven’t in a long time. I don’t need to,” I said.

  “So, the baby will grow off of purel
y blood?” he asked.

  “Yes…otherwise I might have already had cravings for food,” I said. He nodded and made his plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. We sat at the breakfast bar together and I was oddly attentive to the way his jaw flexed as he chewed.

  “So where are the listings you wanted to show me?” I asked.

  “First…are you sure you’re okay with leaving? Because we can work something out if you aren’t. After you give birth maybe I can take—”

  “No, no…I’m fine with leaving. I’ve made my peace with it. I want a new life with you and our child…a life with different possibilities outside of a coven,” I said. “The idea of building a hybrid era sounds intriguing,” I added, only half joking.

  “Good, I’m glad,” he said, and let out a deep breath. He must have been tense before then. His body relaxed.

  “So ideally, when would you want to go?” he asked.

  “Within the week if possible,” I mumbled. I wanted to go before the big council meeting when I would be conscripted into some position of high responsibility.

  “Totally doable,” Kai said. He got up and quickly brought his computer. He pulled up the listings for me to scroll through.

  “I like this one in Bois-Franc,” I told him. It was a semi-detached three-story townhouse with high end finishing throughout. There was everything a homeowner could possibly need inside.

  “I had a feeling you’d choose that one,” he said. “Then maybe, after the baby is born and the dust dies down from our disappearances, we can get a bigger place near Algonquin or near the Vérendrye Reserve, or build one.”

  “I like that plan,” I said, smiling.

  “I’ll contact the realtor ASAP,” he said. Already he was typing up an e-mail.

  “You’re very efficient,” I observed.

  “My dad taught me that if I got everything that needs doing out of the way, I’ll have more time for bigger and greater things,” he said.

  “That is a good value to have,” I said.

  “Last night I had a dream about our baby…that it was a girl and not a boy,” he said. I looked at him with a dropped jaw.