by Alanea Alder
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Other Books on Amazon
My ONE AND ONLY
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Bewitched and Bewildered
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ALANEA ALDER
Copyright © 2018 Alanea Alder
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed "Attention: Permissions Coordinator," at the address below.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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P.O.Box 280
Moyock, NC, 27958
Digital ISBN- 978-1-941315-22-4
Print ISBN- 978-1-941315-23-1
Sacred Forest Publishing
Dedication
~Omnia Vincit Amor- Love Conquers All~
"Because tomorrow isn't promised." ~Serenity Meadowsweet~
PROLOGUE
Micah's eyes blurred from lack of sleep. His patrols were on Level Five today with Warrick. He fully planned on hitting every vendor dealing in caffeine on Level Six before reporting in.
He stared up at the false night sky in his garden. What he wouldn't give for just one single moment with his mate. If Fate kept her away and kept her safe, he knew that if he were given just one moment he could face a life without her.
Please, he begged. One moment to last a lifetime.
CHAPTER ONE
Micah walked between Meryn and Warrick as they waved to the skittish people on Level Five. Ryuu followed behind them, an ever-present shadow to his charge.
"They look like they're about to piss themselves," Meryn observed when level residents hurried into their homes, slamming their doors, when the trio walked past them down the long corridor back toward the transport tunnel.
Warrick sighed. "I knew it had gotten bad, but not this bad."
Micah nodded. "I've patrolled Level Five before, but you know we stay pretty close to the tunnel. It's been a long-standing custom for any citizen with a problem to meet with us there, I never really second-guessed it." He looked around. "I'm wondering how many of these people were allowed anywhere near the tunnel."
Meryn turned her face up at him. "Why not patrol the whole level?"
Micah's eyes widened. "Meryn, that would be like walking an entire city. I mean we're good, but we're not that good."
Meryn blinked. "Oh yeah, the beehive thing."
Micah chuckled. "The city isn't structured like a beehive."
"Whatever."
Micah was about to tease her some more when a small figure stepped out in front of them. He and Warrick exchanged pained expressions. They were familiar with this particular resident. He was an adorable menace, molded by his father to be a thorn in their sides. None of the warriors would ever hurt the little guy, but that didn't mean he wasn't a nuisance. When you're trained to take down ferals, a young vampire half your size wasn't much of a threat.
Micah looked between the young man and Warrick, he doubted that even standing on tiptoe he reached Warrick's sternum.
"You were banned from here. Go away. Shoo." The elf-like young man said making a 'shooing' motion with his hands.
Meryn tilted her head. "Huh? Warrick is the Founding Family head here now. So like the ban is totally a moot point."
"It is not muted or quiet," the dark-haired youngster countered.
"No. Moot, not mute. It means not valid anymore, not that the sound was cut," she explained.
The young man's eyes filled with confusion. "He did not tell me that."
"Who?" Meryn asked.
"My father."
Meryn looked up at him. "His father?"
Micah pointed to the man in front of them. "Meryn McKenzie, this is Pip Maverick. DeLaFontaine's biological son."
Meryn's eyes widened. "Gavriel said that DeLaFontaine didn't have any heirs or anyone to succeed him."
Warrick winced. "Technically he does not. Pip was never listed in the DeLaFontaine Book of Life."
Meryn frowned. "Why not?"
Pip blushed fiercely. "Because I was born damaged," he whispered.
"Well that's bullshit. I mean you don't look damaged." Meryn eyed him closely.
Pip looked at her surprised. "I do not?"
She shook her head. "Nope, you look normal to me."
"Father says I am slow. That he should have drowned me at birth," Pip admitted shamefully.
"Not to sound mean or anything but your dad is a huge asshole," Meryn said.
Pip's eyes widened and he looked around frantically. "You should not say such things. They will take you away to face my father."
Meryn snorted. "I'd like to see them try." She pointed to Warrick then behind her to Ryuu. "Warrick is in charge of this level, everyone answers to him now. And if anyone tried to take me away my squire would gut them."
"Most certainly denka," Ryuu confirmed behind them.
"I do not want you to get hurt. You are nice and explained things to me." Pip started to rock back and forth while his two small fists pounded his temples. "But Father told me I had to chase you away no matter what, even if I had to do bad things."
Meryn looked at them panicked. "Help him," she commanded.
Warrick quickly got down on one knee and gently took Pip's fists into his own large hands. "Pip, how do you know that your father wants you to be mean?"
Pip sniffed. "He told me during my last visit."
Warrick looked at Micah then back to Pip. "You visit your father?"
Pip nodded. "I am the only one who gets to see him since we are blood related."
"That may explain how the tunnel escort got instructions," Micah murmured.
Warrick nodded his head slightly to acknowledge that he heard him. "Pip, did you give anyone instructions on behalf of your father?"
Pip nodded slowly, fear in his eyes. "Was I bad? Am I in trouble?"
Micah was seeing a new side of Pip. Normally the tiny vampire would just throw things at them or yell things from the side streets. Maybe his previous behavior hadn't been his own doing after all.
Warrick shook his head. "No, you are not bad, nor are you in trouble." Warrick turned back to look at Micah
and Meryn. "What do we do?"
Micah knew what Warrick meant. With DeLaFontaine in the detention cells he wasn't sure anyone was looking out for the young vampire. He wasn't even sure that Pip knew how to fly he was that young.
Meryn stepped forward. "Pip, if you could do anything, what would make you happy?"
Pip's blue eyes grew wide. "Anything?"
Warrick smiled. "Yes, anything."
Pip smiled brightly transforming his entire face into something close to angelic. "I do not want to be mean anymore or do bad things. I want someplace safe to sleep and..." he hesitated.
"And," Warrick prodded gently.
"Food. Food whenever I am hungry," Pip admitted softly.
Meryn pushed Warrick's hands out of the way and wrapped an arm around Pip. "He's mine for as long as he wants me."
Warrick stood. "Now, Meryn."
She turned to face them eyes flashing. "No. I'm not saying it's y'all's fault, but this must have been going on for years." She pinned them both with an angry glare. "You want to help?" She waved around her. "Fix this shit. You're unit warriors designated to protect people, start protecting." She turned to Pip. "Come on little buddy. You're staying with me for a while."
"I am?" Pip asked. "What do I have to do?"
Meryn shrugged. "Keep me company and help me eat Sebastian's food."
Pip subconsciously licked his lips. "Eat?"
Meryn's eyes had a sheen to them. She swallowed hard before smiling at him. "Yup. He's going to love you. He lives to feed people." She tugged on his hand. "Come on."
Pip hesitated turning back to Warrick. "You are really the Founding Family head now?" Meryn waited as Pip asked for clarification.
Warrick nodded. "I am."
"Do I have to see my father anymore?"
"No. Not if you do not want to."
"Do I have to be bad anymore?"
"No."
"Am I allowed to use the transport tunnel and go with Meryn?"
"Any citizen in this city is allowed to use the transport tunnel," Warrick answered looking confused.
"Do I have to come back?" Pip asked quietly.
"Nope," Meryn answered. "In fact if you want to swing by your place and pick up your things you won't have to come back ever."
Pip shook his head back and forth. "I am not allowed to own things."
Meryn grinned. "You can now."
Pip straightened. "I want to go with Meryn and eat Sebastian food."
Warrick nodded and smiled. "Have fun."
As they walked away Micah could see that Meryn had a death grip on Pip's hand. Ryuu stepped between him and Warrick. "I am assuming you will do everything in your power to help Pip's situation?"
Warrick sighed. "Of course. Him and everyone else on Level Five."
Ryuu nodded tersely. "You have no idea how much his plight aligns with Meryn's childhood. In her heart she already considers him family and thus I consider him one of my charges." He met their eyes and smiled frostily. "I really do not wish to kill anyone while I am here... but I will if I have to." He bowed to them and quickly caught up to Meryn who was explaining Magic Pudding to a mesmerized Pip.
When they cleared the tunnel Warrick let out an explosive breath. "Gods! If I did not think that taking the Founding Family head position would keep Avery safer, I would happily tell Gavriel I decline the prestigious promotion."
"Better you than me," Micah teased.
Warrick gave him a sour look. "Where do I even begin to sort out this clusterfuck of a level?"
Micah thought about it for a moment. "Why don't you do what Kari did? Meet with the Noble Family heads and have them help trickle down information and policy change."
"Have you forgotten that the uncle who disowned me, is one of the Noble Family heads who now report to me?" he asked.
Micah blinked then laughed. "I had forgotten that."
Warrick rubbed his chin. "LeBeau is not that bad. But I have a feeling that my uncle will try to sabotage me at every turn."
Micah shrugged. "So replace him."
Warrick stared at him in shock. "We cannot do that!"
"Why not? It's how you got promoted."
"The circumstances surrounding my promotion were unique, impossible and extreme."
Micah stepped closer and cast a soundproof bubble. "Look. Meryn is right. There's a ton of shady shit going on around here that's been happening right under our noses and we missed it because we had to kowtow to tradition. Well you know what? Fuck that. We finally have a free pass and his name is freaking Dark Prince Gavriel Ambrosios. The entire city of Noctem Falls genuflects when someone mentions his name and for good reason. If your uncle gives you shit, tell Gavriel and get permission to have him replaced. Gavriel can do no wrong. We have a very small window of opportunity to finally help people. Take it." Micah exhaled.
Warrick simply stared at him. "You are right." He straightened then gave him a wolfish grin. "Let us head to Level One, check on Pip, then possibly meet with Gavriel about reorganizing some of the Noble Families."
Micah took down the soundproofing spell. "After you," Micah swept his arm down as he bowed.
"You know if I get to do what I want, I will need back up," Warrick murmured.
"It would be a profound honor and pleasure to assist you in that endeavor. In fact, I bet Declan and his brother Rex would also love to help, considering recent events."
Warrick laughed loudly. "And Declan says we never do anything nice for him."
Micah grinned. "Ungrateful bastard."
Laughing Warrick slung an arm around his shoulder as they walked toward the transport tunnel.
As far as patrols went, today was shaping up to be a great day.
*****
"Are you sure about this?" Radclyffe asked for the tenth time that hour.
Serenity Meadowsweet blew out an exasperated breath. "For the umpteenth time, no, I am not sure, but I'm going anyway."
"You mean we're all going." Radclyffe Juniper pointed his finger back and forth between himself and his mate Laelia.
"You don't have to come, in fact, it might be a better idea for the two of you to stay behind and manage the temple," Serenity suggested, pausing in her packing efforts.
"Don't be silly. You need us," her closest friend rebutted. Laelia Juniper was one of the sweetest women she had ever met. She wanted her friend's support desperately but knew that if they followed her to Noctem Falls, they could all get in serious trouble.
Serenity zipped her bag closed. She hadn't packed much, just a few changes of clothes. They would be providing magical support so there wasn't much to pack as far as supplies went. She turned to face her two best friends. "You realize that by coming with me to Noctem Falls we are going against the Witch Elders' dictate concerning Storm Keep's participation in this crisis?" They both nodded. "And by coming with me all three of us could be prosecuted when we return?" Again, they nodded.
Laelia swung her bag onto her shoulder and her mate did the same. "Not only are we not letting you do this alone, but we also happen to agree with you that it is our duty to provide help." She waved her hand around indicating to the room. "You're the Head of the Water Temple in Storm Keep. We're the hub for healing magic in the paranormal world. If we don't go, then who will?"
Radclyffe adjusted his bag. "Besides, if we weren't meant to help then there wouldn't be a Healer's Clause built into the quarantine protocols for the fae portals."
Serenity had been shocked when the queen of the fae reached out to her directly to ask if she was willing to enact the clause and go to Noctem Falls to assist in fighting the unknown sickness. The fae were unable to pass through to the vampire city, but the queen explained that if a portal was opened from within the Water Temple, healers could pass through to provide assistance.
Serenity had been honest with the queen when she said she wasn't sure what she should do, wanting to get her Elders' permission first. As a temple head she reported directly to the Witch Elder Council that ran t
he city. She had a feeling that had the city's council consisting of the four major races been included in the decision making, she would have been allowed to go.
Queen Aleksandra said that the decision was up to her and that she wouldn't advise anyone in Noctem Falls about the possibility of her coming until she had made up her mind.
Serenity knew she wanted to help and thought that going before the council would be a formality. She had been shocked by their unanimous decision to let Noctem Falls fend for themselves.
When she returned to the temple she knew she had to act quickly. She immediately called her brother and had him leave Eiré Danu through a portal to come to Storm Keep. He would be the one to open the portal to Noctem Falls for them. She wanted to keep the queen out of this traitorous venture as much as possible. No one would second guess her older brother Zachari coming to visit her, they were twins after all and visited each other often.
Serenity picked up her bag. "I'm leaving Troy in charge while we're gone."
Radclyffe nodded. "Great choice. He is as devoted to you as temple head as he is to rules and regulations. He can easily handle the council."
"Knock, knock. Seri, where are you?" a deep male voice asked. Moments later her brother was ducking his head to walk into her chambers. When he saw her, his smile widened. "There's my favorite baby sister!" He crossed the room and pulled her into a bear hug that had her spine cracking.
Despite being twins they looked nothing alike. He took after their fae father. Tall, golden and stunning. The two differences between him and full blooded fae males were the streaks of dark brown hair, visible even when pulled back in a ponytail as he usually wore it, and the dark brown eyes he inherited from their mother. Dark eyes amongst the fae were highly unusual.
She took after their witch mother with dark hair and magical gifts. However, unlike her brother she had their father's lavender eyes. Her mother always said that the two of them were the perfect blend of witch and fae.
