DARK GUARDIAN CRAVED (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance Series Book 12)

by I. T. Lucas

  “Shh… little one, Nana is going to rock you back to sleep.” Eva started swaying gently on her feet and humming a tune.

  With a heart that was aching with the need to hold the baby, Syssi waited impatiently for Eva to be done, but it didn’t look as if Grandma was going to relinquish her treasure any time soon.

  Not unless Syssi asked. Shifting from foot to foot, she waited another moment or two until she could wait no more and blurted, “May I?”

  Eva kissed the baby’s forehead. “Here you go, little beauty. Your aunt wants her turn.”

  With slightly trembling hands, Syssi cradled her niece and brought her close to her chest. “She is beautiful, Andrew. Phoenix doesn’t look like a newborn. She looks like a three-month-old baby. Smooth skin, clear features, and a headful of hair.” Wispy dark brown strands. A couple of shades lighter than her mother’s, but it would get darker as she got older.

  Amanda pushed to her feet and leaned over Syssi’s shoulder to take a look. “I think she looks like you, Andrew. She has Nathalie’s coloring but your face.”

  “I think she looks like her mommy. Don’t you, sweet pea?” Andrew took his daughter from Syssi, holding her in the crook of his arm as if he’d been holding babies his entire life.

  But then he had, hadn’t he?

  Andrew had taken care of Syssi and their younger brother Jacob when they were babies. At fourteen, he’d assumed the role of a third parent in the household, not an older brother. And with their parents' busy schedules, he’d often been the only one she and Jacob could turn to.

  Syssi rubbed at her chest. Jacob’s loss was still as painful as hell. The sharpness of it had dulled a little over the years—she no longer cried her eyes out every time she thought about him—but it would never go away. She wouldn’t let it. If Andrew had a second child, a boy, she would ask him to name him after the brother they’d lost. But the problem was that after Nathalie’s transition, her chances of conceiving would become just as nonexistent as Syssi’s.

  God, how she wanted a baby of her own.

  “Go home, people. I’m going to stay here overnight with Nathalie and Phoenix.”

  “Nice name. I like it,” Syssi said. “Any symbolism behind it?” She suspected that there was.

  “Yeah, there is. Good night, everyone.” Andrew left without offering an explanation.

  Tight-lipped as always.

  Amanda stretched and yawned. “Well, I’m going to bed.”

  Syssi gave her a hug goodbye. “See you tomorrow at the lab.”

  Plopping onto a chair next to Kian, she put her head on his shoulder, drawing comfort from his closeness.

  He wrapped his arms around her. “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Oh no you don’t. Nothing, my ass. When you say nothing, I know a shit storm is coming my way. What did I do this time?”

  She kissed his cheek. “Not everything is about you, Kian.”

  Bhathian chuckled. “I thought you two lived in perfect harmony.”

  “We do,” Kian said.

  Syssi cast him an incredulous glance. “Kian is delusional. Perfect harmony doesn’t exist. Every couple has their spats.”

  “And here I thought that fated mates lived blissfully in love ever after.” Eva’s tone was laced with sarcasm.

  Kian lifted Syssi and repositioned her on his lap. “That’s right. In love forever. Besides, with no fights, there would be no make-up sex. A terrible loss.” He kissed Syssi’s neck. “I’m hungry.”

  She wasn’t sure which hunger he was referring to.

  “Me too,” Bhathian said. “Maybe Carol left some sandwiches in the kitchen.”

  As they headed over there, Syssi glanced at Eva. She seemed preoccupied. Syssi looked away, leaving the woman to her thoughts. Emotional drain affected immortals the same as it did humans, and it had been an eventful night.

  Eva must’ve sensed her eyes on her and turned with a faint smile ghosting over her lips. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.” Syssi expected more inquiries about matehood. The subject seemed to fascinate Eva even though it was obvious she thought it was bullshit.

  “How did Amanda know you were a Dormant?”

  That was a subject Syssi loved talking about, but seldom did outside the lab. “Her hypothesis was that Dormant humans exhibit paranormal abilities, and she tested it in her lab at the university. I was very good at predicting things.”

  “You said her hypothesis was. That’s no longer the case?”

  How very perceptive. But then Eva was a detective. She focused on those little things that gave people away. When she listened, it was with a different ear than an untrained civilian.

  “Amanda was lucky to find two. Me, and Michael who is a strong telepath. But we found no one since, even after doubling and tripling our efforts. One problem is that we can test only a narrow spectrum of paranormal abilities, and the other is that most immortals have no special talents other than thralling. And if they do it’s weak. Nothing our test would deem significant. Reluctantly, we were forced to accept that fate is a major player in this. Not an easy thing for a scientist to do.”

  As they reached the kitchen, the guys zeroed in immediately on the tray of sandwiches Carol had left. Syssi had had two of those during the long wait, which was one too many. But coffee was always a good idea. “Coffee?” she asked Eva.

  “Sure.”

  She turned to ask the guys, but Bhathian had already pulled two beers out of the fridge and was handing one to Kian.

  Syssi poured two cups and joined Eva at the counter.

  “Thanks.” Eva took a sip. “So what now? You’re just giving up?”

  “Not yet, I had another theory we decided to check out. I think Dormants and immortals feel an affinity toward each other, as do immortals to other immortals. Like recognizes like. The tricky part is how to get them together. We came up with the idea of having immortals volunteer at the lab, exposing the potential Dormants to more of us.”

  Eva nodded. “I get what you’re saying. I have just one little trick up my sleeve, but it’s nothing you guys would be impressed with.”

  “What is it?”

  “You’re going to laugh.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Okay. So I know what you mean when you talk about affinity. I sense it as well. When I meet someone that I feel is different, a misfit as I call them, I ask one question. What makes you special? And everyone I’ve ever asked answered truthfully. I know because some people told me very private things. I tried it with other questions, but regrettably it didn’t work with anything else. Considering what I do for a living, it could’ve been very helpful.”

  That was fascinating, and maybe could even prove useful to their research in some way. “I bet. Did you find anyone special?”

  Eva lifted three fingers. “My crew. Sharon can predict what people will say next, and she knows who is good and who is bad. Nick has a way with technology that seems magical. Tessa swears she has nothing special, but I think she hasn’t discovered it yet. She is the youngest of the three.”

  “Hm…” Syssi drummed her fingers on the stainless steel counter. “We could test the new theory on your crew. Get them to mingle with some of the immortals and then question the two groups, each one separately of course, to see how they react to each other.”

  “I can arrange a housewarming party,” Eva suggested. “And invite Bhathian and some of the extended family.”

  “That would be fantastic. I’ll talk to Amanda tomorrow morning and see what she thinks about it. After all, she is the professor, and I’m just the research assistant.”

  Eva regarded Syssi with her brows arched high. “Just a lowly assistant, huh? One who happens to see the future and come up with new theories when the old ones don’t work?”

  Well… when you put it that way…

  Chapter 7: Amanda

  “Where are you going?” Syssi asked when Amanda passed their onramp and conti
nued driving straight.

  “I want to buy flowers for Nathalie.”

  “Good idea. I’ll buy some too. How about a present for the baby, though? Do you think it’s okay now?”

  Following some silly superstition, Nathalie had refused a baby shower and any gifts prior to the delivery.

  “I promised her I wouldn’t buy anything before, but I think it safe to unleash my super shopping power and make sure that this baby is the best dressed little girl in town.”

  “Department stores or catalogs?”

  “Internet. I don’t have the patience for store-hopping the way I used to. But I like to browse in Dalhu’s studio while he paints. That way we both get to do what we like and be together at the same time.”

  “Do you mind if I join you? You can help me choose cute stuff.”

  Amanda put a hand on Syssi’s arm. “I would love to. We can invite a few girls and have a baby shower of our own, ordering shitloads of the most adorable baby girl clothes.”

  “And not invite Nathalie?”

  “Yeah, I see your point. But it will be some time before she can socialize, and the baby needs clothes. The silly woman didn’t buy anything. Not even diapers or bottles or blankets. Nothing.”

  “I’m sure Eva and Bhathian took care of it by now.”

  “I hope so.” Amanda slipped her Porsche into a parking spot right in front of the flower shop.

  Syssi unbuckled and stepped out. “How did you find this place?”

  “Remember the flowers I got Hannah for her one-year anniversary at the lab?”

  “Yeah, they were gorgeous.”

  “I got them here. I searched for a flower shop in Google Maps, and this was the closest one. Come on, I want you to meet Melissa, the owner.”

  Syssi cast her a sidelong glance. “Why? Anything special about her?”

  Amanda nodded. “I want a second opinion. It’s not so much about the woman herself as her plants. Talk about a green thumb. Everything thrives. I haven’t seen green this vivid since I returned from Hawaii.”

  “Could that be a paranormal talent? Coaxing plants to grow?”

  Amanda locked her car. “Who knows?”

  Syssi opened the door and held it for Amanda. There was a guy in front of them in the line, standing at the counter and tapping his foot impatiently while waiting for Melissa to be done with the elderly couple she was helping in the back of the shop.

  Syssi closed her eyes and inhaled. “It’s so peaceful in here.”

  “I know, right? Let’s take a look around. Which kind of flowers do you think Nathalie likes?” With so many beauties it was hard to choose.

  “I think it’s best to let the expert recommend a bouquet.”

  As they strolled down the narrow aisles between potted plants and buckets of cut flowers, Amanda was soothed by the smells and vibrant colors. Soft classical music was playing in the background, but she couldn’t make out the composer. Was she getting rusty? Usually, a few notes were enough for Amanda to recognize a classical piece and its creator. Maybe this was written by a lesser known one.

  “Amanda, good to see you again.” Melissa offered her hand.

  Good memory. Amanda wondered whether Melissa remembered the names of all her customers or just those she felt an affinity with.

  “You too, Melissa. This is my sister-in-law, Syssi.”

  The two shook hands.

  “How can I help you, ladies?” Melissa asked.

  “We need a bouquet for a new mother.”

  “Do you have a budget in mind?”

  “Unlimited. Make the best one you can.”

  A corner of Melissa’s mouth lifted in a smile. “I remember you saying the same thing the other time.”

  “Hannah loved the arrangement you made for her. It was worth the money.”

  “I’m glad. Would you like to take a seat while I work on it?” She pointed to a bench.

  That was a nice surprise. “You are going to make it right now?” The other time Amanda had to come back for the flowers.

  “I have time. It’s a quiet evening. No big orders to fill out today.” Melissa started collecting flowers from various buckets. “When I have an order for an event, it’s a madhouse in here.”

  “Do you have someone to help you?” Syssi asked.

  “I call the lady who sold me the place. She is always happy to get back to work, even though it’s painful for her with her arthritic hands. Sometimes, when there is a really big order, she brings her daughter along.” Melissa spread what she’d collected over a wooden work table and started weaving her magic.

  “What do you think?” Amanda whispered in Syssi’s ear.

  “You’re right. There is something about her. But it’s nothing like what I felt for you, or for Nathalie, or any of the others. It’s not like it’s a particular sort of feeling that I recognize. It’s a fleeting sense that she’s okay and maybe we can be friends and find out more about each other. Am I making any sense?”

  “I know what you mean. I was trying to figure out what it was too. Every person is unique. The only commonality I found was that in each case I was intrigued and wanted to find out more.”

  Syssi nodded. “Yeah, something like that. Also, I feel like I want to stay. But that might be because it’s so peaceful in here, relaxing. I wish she had a hammock somewhere so I could lie down. Do you think it’s her? It might be the effect of all the plant life.”

  Amanda shrugged. “I wish I knew. That’s why I wanted your opinion.”

  Syssi crossed her legs at the ankles and leaned back. “Next time, we need to bring a guy with us. Maybe the males have a better sense about the opposite sex.”

  “That’s a possibility. Any suggestions?”

  “I’ll think about it. For now, I just want to close my eyes and relax.”

  Chapter 8: Carol

  Carol put down a cup of coffee in front of Robert and sat next to him to drink hers. “I don’t know what the big fuss is. Sure, the baby is cute, but come on, all she does is eat and poop and eat and poop, and cry in between.”

  Robert palmed his cup and took a sip. “Did you get to hold her?”

  Carol shook her head. “I’m afraid I’ll break something. Her head just flops around like it’s hanging from a noodle.” She demonstrated. “Did you?”

  “I didn’t even get to see her yet.”

  “Do you want to?”

  Robert shrugged. “Not really. I’d have to stand in line behind all the females. That’s all they’ve been talking about lately.”

  With a sigh, Carol slumped in her chair. “Am I weird? Am I the only one who doesn’t get it?”

  “I can’t answer that.”

  “Can’t, or won’t?”

  “Can’t. I’m a guy, what do I know about maternal instincts?”

  “That’s true.”

  Talking about the baby filled up about two minutes, and now that it was done, Carol struggled to come up with what else to say. She and Robert had gotten a little closer since the night of the delivery. They had made a good team, working together as they had.

  If only it could’ve translated to the rest of their relationship.

  Robert could’ve made a great business partner if Carol ever decided to open her own restaurant. He was hard working and organized, two qualities which she lacked.

  “After Nathalie comes back to work, I’m thinking about going to culinary school.” Maybe that topic would fill a few more minutes.

  “Instead of interning with your cousin?”

  “Yeah. I kind of scrapped that idea. Gerard is a prick.”

  Robert took another sip and stretched out his legs. “What’s involved? Is it long?”

  “There are all kinds of courses—as short as six months and as long as a four-year degree. I would rather take a short one, but I need to find out if it’s enough to teach me what I need to know.”

  “And that’s what?”

  Carol shrugged. “For starters, I want to learn how to cook large qua
ntities. But who knows, maybe one day I’ll decide to open my own place.”

  Robert chuckled. “I think that before you decide, you should swallow your pride and work in Gerard’s kitchen for a few days. You may change your mind about how wonderful running a restaurant is.”

  “You’re probably right. Though if I ever decide to open my own place, I would do it with a partner. Someone who is good under pressure and hard-working.” She smiled suggestively, letting Robert know she was thinking of him.

  “I would love to. But unless you want to open it right here in the keep and become Nathalie’s competitor, you’ll need to find someone else. Kian is not going to let me out of here.”

  “He can’t keep you locked up forever. Eventually he will have to trust you.”

  “Do you want to suggest it to him?”

  Carol smiled and reached for Robert’s hand. “Let’s not put the carriage before the horse.”

  Robert scrunched his forehead. “What does a carriage have to do with anything?”

  Poor guy. With his flawless English, it was easy to forget that Robert wasn’t a native and had never learned the many idioms which were a big part of the language.

  “Darling, if you ever want to fit in, you should start dedicating some time to reading, or at least watching television. Things like this give you away.”

  His cheeks reddening, Robert shifted in his seat. “Tell me what to read and what to watch, and I’ll do it.”

  A man who was willing to listen and learn wasn’t a lost cause. “I’ll make you a list.”

  “It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

  Chapter 9: Eva

  “Where do you want me to put it?” Bhathian adjusted the large box of beers under his arm. Snake’s Venom, naturally. The immortals considered other brands no better than piss water.

  “We set up the bar over there.” Eva pointed to the patio.

  Everything was ready for the “housewarming party.” Their living room was too small even for the limited number of people invited, but although their back yard was barely the size of a patio, they’d managed to squeeze in two folding tables with six chairs each, and another long table to serve as a bar. The food had been ordered from Fernando’s Café, the tables and chairs had been rented, and the paper and plastic serve ware had been bought at the local supermarket.