Ada's Protective Mate

by Jo Palmer

  The door to the conference room was shut, and the last person in took the seat next to Penny, who was seated beside Ada. Penny was typing furiously away on her phone; presumably the immortal was gossiping, Ada hearing all the tales of gossip mongering from Remi. The man who had sat down looked similar to Penny with the same glorious toffee-colored hair, ice-blue eyes, and sharp, distinctive features. Tanned and gorgeous, the man wore an expression that portrayed extreme unpleasantness, though this did not deter Penny from leaning close to him and whispering something in his ear. She received a nod and went back to typing.

  The eyes and similar features were a giveaway. This was Penny’s older brother, Severo, and cousin to the powerful immortal, Divij Alto. From the reports Ada had heard, mostly coming from Remi, Sev wasn’t the friendliest creature, preferring his own company usually. He was a master blacksmith though, crafting the most exquisite weapons that all the sentinels and police, or patrollers as they were termed, used. He also made other objects and items that were in high demand along with another master blacksmith, demon Prince Ruine Diablo. Coming from such a powerful family, it was strange the immortal was not a sentinel. Apparently, as per Remi, Severo Galindo was not as magically charged as his uncle, parents, sister, and cousin. Those who thought this made him weaker were taught a valuable lesson though. Remi had an astounding crush on the immortal, Ada taking a few moments to study him and could see instantly why. He was all bad-boy and attitude, the perfect man as far as Remi was concerned.

  Her attention was drawn to the conference table where a big man, a demon with dark blonde hair and dark blue eyes, rose. With stomach clenched, heart aching, Ada put aside all other thoughts and focused on learning what she could to help her find Remi.

  “This meeting has been called because of possible news of the black sorcerer, Grydern Turner.” Crown Prince of the Demons, Chasen Diablo, announced in his very authoritative, yet deceptively quiet voice.

  He had a presence that could not be ignored and caught everyone's attention. Whether that was because he was a very powerful, deadly creature, one with astounding magic, strength, and smarts, or because of his well-deserved reputation that garnished respect, Ada did not know but would evaluate. She needed to know exactly who was involved in the hunt for Grydern, and ultimately, her best friend. Whatever she learned may be of some use in retrieving Remi safely.

  “On the day the threat of Revmiras is announced, Grydern attacks after six months of no one seeing or hearing of him, as though he vanished into a black hole. How can this be a coincidence?” A dainty looking imp spoke.

  Looks could be very deceptive. As a brownie, Ada was well versed in how to use appearance, voice, and anything else at her disposal, so was not about to judge the creature without seeing her in action. Mistakes like that could cause great offense, and as imps had powerful magic, Ada could end up an ass or something else just as embarrassing.

  “I believe it is not, Eleanor. Revmiras want creatures to rule the world, to not be secret. They wish to walk down a street in any town and city around the world and be looked upon with respect and awe for exactly who they are. Magical, powerful…superior.” The demon prince’s voice dropped seductively, leaving a feeling of unholy. “They lead the way to a believed supremacy, and to many creatures and humans destruction, possibly the worlds. We live in relative peace and harmony with the earth and humans, our lives are full and great. Humans and creatures are not yet ready to deal with one another on equal footing, respecting the differences and leaving one another without injury. Human governments would want to capture and examine us, experiment out of fear and gain knowledge for taking control if necessary. Each of you know how accepting a human has been when one is brought among us. It is very rare the human does not immediately think of ways to escape and kill us.”

  “Like that human your young cousin Dante is mated with.” A sentinel murmured.

  “This is unfortunately true, Tasmin. And on our part, do we not dismiss humans and interfere when it’s for our own purposes? Again, true. We cannot say that after a time we could all live in equality, but it would be a battle no one is yet ready for. And this leads us to Grydern, the black sorcerer who has defiled our morals, rules, laws, and beliefs. I do not feel he is in league with the Revmiras, but he would use them to his advantage. Today, an imp was taken, one who is above average in magic and intelligence. We know Grydern’s agenda and can conclude he snatched the creature to fulfill his plans. Everyone is redeployed to hunt Grydern. Tasmin, can you, Novell, Charity, and Eleanor continue the search for the ex-sentinel, Myles Byrnes. As he planted a bomb in one of the Vampire Council cars earlier today, there may be a link between him and Grydern. It is a logical link, if we consider the black sorcerer was aware of where Nathaniel was when the bomb was set. Which he may very well have as he called Remika Alberts’s friend, Ada Gerritsen to threaten her and mentioned Nate and Nico in his threat.”

  The sentinels nodded, some threatening retribution. Ada stood, everyone in the room immediately going quiet and turning to look at her with disapproval and suspicion. There was probably a protocol here. As an observer she was possibly not meant to be standing and speaking, and that was why she was receiving a lot of pointed disapproving looks, but she was not intimidated in the least.

  Though Nico hissing at his fellow sentinels and Nate moving swiftly to her side bemused her momentarily. Were they standing up for her, defending her against their comrades? She dismissed both men. There were far more important matters that needed to be dealt with right now, and she couldn’t take the time to wonder and work out the numerous, strange issues they appeared to have. She turned her attention to the demon, Chase, as he seemed to be the in charge.

  “You mentioned Grydern has an agenda, though neglected to elaborate. To be able to locate and lock him up, it’s important to have all the facts, regardless if you think them needed or not.”

  The demon’s fair brows rose, an amused smile coming and going briefly. Ada bristled at the look. She returned his look with a very haughty one of her own.

  Nate growled, body tense with aggression and half shielding her from the others in the room. She would roll her eyes at the werewolf’s behavior, not needing him to take offense on her behalf, but admittedly he and Nico were a very big advantage for her. She needed the sentinels to put in their greatest effort to find Remi.

  “I assure you, Ms. Gerritsen, I find nothing of Grydern irrelevant.” Dark blue eyes pinned Nate, and the demon sighed ever so slightly. “Wolves are annoyingly difficult to deal with during the first stages of mat—”

  “A delicate matter, demon.” The grand duke, Divij Alto interjected. “Nate, brownie Ada, please retake your seats so we may conclude this meeting and begin the hunt.”

  Nudged back into her seat by the werewolf, Ada sat stiffly. Nate sat beside her and planted a large hand on the curve of her neck. It was annoying because she didn’t need his protection, which this could be seen as, nor was she his possession. But shifting his hand would cause a scene, so she had to content herself with casting him an aloof, irritated glance that did nothing but get her a cheeky, wolfish grin and wink.

  His hand was heating her Ada managed not to squirm, but she had to work hard to push past the warm, needful sensations erupting from the contact. It was alarming how his touch evoked a side of her she never would have known she possessed, one that was purely feminine, physical, and lustful. The longer she was around him, the more her body craved his touch, wanting, fantasizing, and left shaken and completely unsatisfied. This was no spell. No, what was happening between them was very simple and basic. Attraction. If she were honest, which she would be only to herself, while the physical attraction was off the charts hot, she also found herself attracted to his personality. She enjoyed his cheekiness, the strong sense of duty he possessed and the caring he had for others. It certainly didn’t hurt he was so damn hot either! How she wished she had the time, and frame of mind, to figure this strange occurrence out, to resolve it once a
nd for all. No time though, and with her body in this state, no way to think clearly and make accurate, clear conclusions. So she must restrain herself, and him somehow.

  Holy hell, a werewolf having restraint! How absurd!

  “Get on with it, Chase.”

  “Very well, wolf.”

  “You have not answered my question.” Ada would have stood but was held in place by the werewolf’s hand on the curve of her neck.

  “I am about to, brownie.” The demon frowned. “Where was I?”

  “As usual, issuing orders.” The vamp, Lucio murmured with a yawn.

  “He’s always about the orders.” Prince Ace of the fairies popped a grape into his mouth.

  “Si, tedious.” Nico tutted.

  “Give him a break.” Blaine, a count in the werewolf hierarchy and cousin to Nate, smiled cheerfully. “He can’t help it; he’s a demon after all. That’s enough to make you feel sorry for the rigid control freak.”

  Chase didn’t look bothered or amused. “Thank you, but in future, Blaine, I think I can do without your support.”

  Grinning, Blaine shrugged. “Just trying to help, old friend.”

  “Fates blood, get on with it.” Severo snarled. Blaine winced.

  “I second Sev.” Prince Ruine Diablo, demon cousin to Chase, slammed a hand down on the table, somehow not breaking it. Demons had fearsome strength.

  With a nod, Chase looked around the room. “Just over six months ago, as most are aware, Grydern Turner was a valued member of the immortal development team. He had access to weapons, magic, and restricted objects. Unknown to most, Grydern found an old tablet that told of how to gain unfathomable power with the strengths of every creature combined. He became obsessed with the idea and stole the tablet from the High Council’s vault, along with a few other items, such as a sacrificial dagger holding dark magic and a set of old demon bracelets. For many years Grydern was known to be eccentric or…”

  Chase paused, then shrugged. “Off, shall we say? Unfortunately, we thought of it as social ineptness and didn’t see that he was ill and required help. The tablet he stole damaged him, twisting his mind till consumed with the idea of having unfathomable power, being a unique individual with the magic and strengths of every creature. He wasn’t aware the tablet contained its own blend of dark magic, a spirit in actuality, that did not corrupt but embedded itself into the mind of the possessor. With his mental problems and the spirit in the tablet now inside him and taking over, what emerged was no longer the Grydern of old, but a combination of him and the spirit. This spirit is a creature who was long ago banished to the tablet…one who was successful in creating a creature who possessed the qualities, magic, and strength of every paranormal kind and wielded this power to harm. If Grydern is successful in creating one of these creatures, well, the battle will be bloody.”

  Terrifying. Ada felt an overwhelming, disabling pain, her heart aching. Remi had been taken by this sorcerer. Was there even hope? How could there be? Grydern was a lunatic. He must have stalked Remi not out of sexual or romantic interest, but to steal magic and power from paranormals to make some strange, warped version of something altogether terrifying.

  “The black sorcerer is after the ceremonial power bowl. With the sacrificial dagger already in his possession, he will use this on his victims, each selected because of their power. From what we know of the spell, he sheds his victim’s blood with the sacrificial dagger and mixes each in the bowl, casting a spell and consuming.”

  “What comes from this will be almost unstoppable.” Divij continued after Chasen and a few moments of appalled silence. “Many centuries past, the previous creature to perform such an abomination was cast into the tablet but unable to be destroyed. With a combination of that spirit and Grydern’s, I do not wish to contemplate how difficult it will be to fight the black sorcerer. We are, as always, indebted to my cousin Severo for his suspicions of Grydern six months past. If not for him uncovering the immortal’s deadly intent, we may very well have been taken unawares. As it is, we have extreme difficulties in finding him, and the ceremonial power bowl he seeks to accomplish the spell.”

  “We don’t have the bowl?” Ada exclaimed.

  “No, but neither does he. I have many immortals searching for it.” Divij drummed his fingers on the table, face a mask of determination. “There is hope for your friend, Ada. The black sorcerer has to have blood from the flesh. Fresh, live blood. He cannot kill her, and he cannot perform the spell without the bowl.”

  Hope bloomed, Ada leaning forward. “Why can you not find him?”

  “He changed when taking in the spirit from the tablet. Penelope and I shall return to the witch’s house and see if anything lingers that will aid us.”

  “But why would he take Remi now, Div?” Penny asked. “Without the bowl, and as far as we know, not any closer to finding it, why take someone he would have to keep alive for who knows how long?”

  “A valid point. Perhaps the opportunity presented itself?” Ace suggested. “We are unsure.”

  “Maybe he is closer to finding the bowl than you realize.” Ada mused aloud.

  “Possible, of course, but doubtful.” Divij murmured.

  “You sound very certain for someone who doesn’t even know where this incredibly dangerous bowl is.” She snapped in frustration.

  Nate’s hand tightened on her neck, a warning to her to mind her manners, or a show of possession she didn’t know, but she saw how the immortal’s eyes snapped at her momentarily. She probably should be a little, at the very least, cautious, if not downright afraid. He was unbelievably powerful. But Ada understood the grand duke to be a reasonable person, not one to lash out. Reportedly, it took a great deal to get the immortal angry, but when he was, run like the Gods of wind.

  “You intrigue me, lawyer Ada.” He inclined his head and waved a hand absently. A phone appeared in his palm. “This is not for the records, Penny. The bowl was broken into four pieces a millennium ago and buried by four whose minds were wiped, and have since died. When a piece of the bowl is discovered and unearthed, a few highly magical creatures would feel this, like a cold draft ripping through them. Most unpleasant, I assure you. And if the black sorcerer had the bowl, he would fuse it back together. This we would definitely feel. Alas, the bowl must not remain buried, not with Grydern searching and now bringing it to the attention of others, such as the Revmiras who would prize the item to use in their battle against us. We must find each piece and decide what must be done.”

  “Destroy the fucking thing.” Ruine snarled.

  “Agreed, demon,” Nate said. “You and Ace need to find that bowl.”

  “Meeting over.” Nico rose and left the conference room.

  “We’ll be in touch.” sentinels began filing out, some simply vanishing from their seats.

  Not sure where they went from here, how they were going to find Remi when for six months no one had seen or heard from the black sorcerer, Ada remained seated. There was a lot to take in.

  There was limited possibility of Grydern being able to move quickly with Remi. Despite being an immortal and able to shift, and somehow having overpowered Remika, she was an imp and well able to interfere with his magic. There was a strong possibility the black sorcerer was using the demon bracelet he stole from the High Council vault, which could be used to drain Remi’s powers, thus making it easier to control her. If this were the case, then they could be anywhere in the world. Remi though would not give up easily; Ada must remember this and do whatever was necessary to help continue the search.

  “Stay here.” With a gentle squeeze at the base of her neck, Nate stood and went over to Lucio.

  His cousin Blaine sat in the seat Penny vacated when leaving a few moments ago with her cousin Divij.

  “We haven’t met—”

  “I am aware of who you are, Count Blaine of the Le Garde werewolf clan.” Ada dismissed him with a look, though couldn’t help but notice, yet again, how extremely fine he was. “You have the reput
ation among your kind of having a great throwing arm.” She curled her top lip disdainfully, eyes frosty.

  He smiled slowly, and then understanding dawning, Blaine’s smile turned rueful. When the brownies sneaked into the werewolf compound with measuring tapes and sacks, often they were caught and tossed from the high fence surrounding the property. From what Ada heard this morning, and from a few CreatureBook reports, the werewolves used the measuring tapes they took when capturing the creatures in their compound to see how far they’d thrown the brownies. So far Blaine was in the lead, closely followed by one of his many brothers or cousins, or second cousins or whatever.

  Severo snorted a laugh, leaning back in his seat and crossing big arms over his chest, drawing attention to his shirt. It sported a few holes and had blazoned across the front I’m making a wish: Die fucker, die. Blaine ran a hand through his light brown curly hair, his grin actually sweet and rueful. She could clearly see why he was in demand from the female population.

  “You’ll be happy to know your brownies have managed to slip out with a good amount of loot.”

  “Allegedly, so you say.” Ada smoothed a stray hair back into the bun. “And I tend not to trust the word of deceitful, land thieving dogs. Excuse me.”

  “Sure.” He shrugged, not bothered by her insult and testiness.

  Feeling edgy and confined, Ada weaved through the few remaining creatures in the room and out into the hall. The day had been long with very little achieved. They were no closer to finding Remi and for the second time in her life, she was at a loss, not knowing what to do and how to help. Never having wanted to feel that way again, Ada ensured she was always in full control and took steps to place herself in a position she was comfortable with. She couldn’t control others, only herself, but she could try to make sure the situations she was in worked for her.