The Seven: Four tales of passion, danger and love

by Ciana Stone

  "You expected someone who sparkled and was consumed with angst perhaps?"

  Cam laughed heartily at that. "Shit on a stick. Ellie made me sit through one of those silly movies and what part I didn't sleep through I laughed at. So no, I didn't expect you to sparkle but to be honest I didn't know what to expect. It's not every day a man meets a Vampire.

  "And damn I have to say that even speaking those words feels strange as hell. But then not so long ago I would called someone crazy if they'd told me they could control fire, or that Fae weren't just fairytale creatures, so these days I guess I shouldn't be much surprised at anything."

  Augustus was impressed with Cam's grounded view of life. "I dare say there are quite a few people who do not share your open-minded view of life."

  "There are always people with closed minds. Some are just built that way. Doesn't mean we have to be."

  "Indeed."

  "That sounds nothing like Texas, brother, so tell me, where exactly are you from. Originally I mean?"

  "Rome."

  "Rome, as in Italy."

  "Yes."

  "And I'm guessing you're a sight older than you look?"

  "Correct."

  "So, if you don't mind. What did you do back when you lived in Rome?"

  "Ruled."

  Cam's eyes widened and then he threw back his head and laughed. "Well cut me off and call me shorty. You're—you're the Augustus? Adopted son of Gaius Cesar and Emperor of Rome?"

  Augustus inclined his head. "At your service."

  "No shit? Well hang on bro because I just might have a thousand or two questions."

  "Fire away."

  Just as they were entering the house, Layla's phone rang. "I'm sorry," she said to Ellie. "I need to take this."

  "Hi, Sheila, what's up?"

  "Where are you?"

  "At my friend Ellie's house in Florida. I told you about it. Why?"

  "I was hoping to get some time with you to talk about the publicity for your wedding."

  "I don't want any more publicity than we're already getting."

  "I know, but honey if – I don't know, say some group opposed to Augustus and his kind were to stage a protest or pull some stunt? Your book would go into the freaking stratosphere."

  Layla's back went ramrod straight. She and Augustus had agreed that they did not want their wedding to be a media circus. At least no more than Asha already had planned.

  "Look we already discussed this and the answer is no."

  "Layla, just think about—"

  "I said no. Bye Sheila."

  She ended the call and stepped over to the window beside Ellie. Cam and Augustus had moved to the front porch and were both sitting on the top step, talking away.

  "Wow." Ellie let the vertical blind swing back into place and looked at Layla. "Who would've thought? I mean, seriously. Vampires are real."

  "Tell me about it." Layla took a seat on the couch. "I love your house, Ellie."

  "Thanks, me too."

  "And you seem so happy."

  "I am." Ellie took a seat on the couch as well. "I never thought I could be this happy. But what about you? Has becoming famous and getting involved with Mr. Thurinus made you happy, Layla?"

  "Yes, I think it has. It's all been pretty surreal to be honest. Girl, I searched high and low for you when the book hit, but your cell phone had been disconnected and I didn't know where in Florida you'd gone."

  "I'm sorry. It was all pretty surreal for me too when I got here."

  "You mean finding out that your father and mother were Fae?"

  Ellie's surprise was clear on her face and Layla reached over to take her hand. "August was the one that found you for me. Or more correctly, his people were. And yes, they did look into your life and the people you're with. He can't always trust that he'll be accepted and his people are trying hard to integrate."

  "But how could anyone have found out about my parents?"

  "Beats me, but it might have something do with who was looking. August has a close friend who's Fae. Maybe they can vibe in on those things?"

  "I guess. But yeah, you're right. Finding out about my father and then…"

  "Then what?"

  "I, uh, I don't know …"

  "Ellie, what's wrong? It's me. You know you can trust me."

  "Yes, but—but it affects more than just me."

  "Cam?"

  "Yes, Cam, but his brother and sister and their families and—and other people. I mean, you understand, right? Can you tell me all about Augustus and his people?"

  Layla squeezed her hand. "I understand. That's not my tale to tell."

  "Thank you. If the others are okay with me sharing I will, but I have to talk to them first."

  "Talk to who about what?"

  Layla and Ellie looked in the direction of the door at the same time to see Cam and Augustus.

  Ellie cut her eyes to Cam. "Talk to family about – about revealing family stuff."

  "Oh. Well, then why don't we ask the family?"

  "Now?"

  "Sure, why not. Seeing as how August has been straight up about who he is, I don't see why we shouldn't return the favor."

  "Really?" Ellie felt a weight lift from her. She wanted to be honest with Layla but she couldn't make that decision alone. Having Cam's support made her feel a lot better. At least now she felt she could ask the others where they stood on things.

  "Sure. Why don't we have everyone over for a cookout?"

  "Here?"

  "Yeah or we could do it at the main house."

  "Well, we'd need to ask Lily about that."

  "Then we definitely do it here. I'll give her a ring. How about rustling up a couple of beers for me and August while I do that?"

  "Sure. You want something Layla?"

  "Yeah, let me help."

  "I'll join you and give Cam some privacy." Augustus followed the women into the kitchen.

  "What did Cam mean about you being straight up, Mr. Thurinus?" Ellie cut a look at him as she opened the refrigerator.

  "Augustus, please. And he was referring to me telling him who I am and was."

  "You mean you weren't always Augustus Thurinus?"

  "No, that I am not from Texas and was not always a rancher."

  "Oh, so what were you before?"

  "Many things."

  "Okay, so originally."

  Layla laughed as she took a seat at the kitchen table. "What?" Ellie asked in confusion.

  "Nothing, just bring those beers and have a seat."

  "Okay. You want one?"

  "Sure."

  Ellie brought three beers to the table and a bottle of water. She gave Layla and Augustus a beer, set one down for Cam and then took a seat with her water. "Okay, I'm sitting, so back to my question."

  Augustus looked at Layla as he sat and she chuckled again. "He was the Emperor of Rome."

  Ellie felt her mouth drop open in surprise. "You can't be serious? You're – you've – you've been alive that long?"

  "Yes."

  "God, you Vampires must really age well."

  Augustus chuckled. "That's one way of putting it."

  Something suddenly occurred to Ellie. "Oh my god, the cookout. Do you—eat?"

  "Yes, of course."

  "But – but you're a Vampire."

  "Yes."

  "So don't you – you know, need blood?"

  "Yes."

  "But you still eat?"

  "Yes."

  "So at the risk of sounding too curious, how does that work exactly? I mean, you obviously can be out in the sun or the last place you'd be is in Florida during the day. And you eat regular food. But you still need blood. So how much and how often?"

  "You remind me of Layla."

  "Oh?"

  "When we met, she was filled with questions as well."

  "And did you give her the answers?"

  "I'm still working on that."

  "Oh, which brings us to the juicy stuff. How exactly did you two meet?"
>
  Augustus and Layla both laughed and Layla answered. "That's kind of an interesting story."

  "So tell me."

  Layla laughed. "Okay, it was like this …"

  Chapter Fifteen

  If everyone could be like Ellie and her family, the Seven and humanity would have no trouble living together in peace.

  Ellie's sister-in-law, Lily is, according to Lily, part elemental and can control fire. Can literally create it and hurl it around. Cam's oldest brother Colton, can project energy like Thor with his thunderbolts. And his wife, Memory, can manifest things out of thin air.

  Ellie has quite a few abilities of her own but you'd never know any of them are anything other than regular people. That gives me, and I think, Augustus hope.

  And hope is something you can never have too much of.

  "Oh you definitely should use that in a book."

  Layla smiled at Lily Marsh, Ellie's sister-in-law. She had been a bit nervous about meeting the rest of Ellie's family but Lily was so genuine and down-to-earth that she made Layla feel at ease in five minutes.

  "No kidding." Ellie agreed. "That's better than fiction."

  "And pretty darn romantic." Lily added.

  "Along with pretty terrifying." Clint, Lily's husband added. "No offense but sounds like there's quite a bit of risk that goes along with your relationship."

  "That's true." Augustus agreed. "There are many humans who do not want to believe that my kind exist and other who do believe but fear us and see us as something spawned from hell."

  "But you're actually just a species of human, aren't you?" Clint asked. "I mean, you're humanoid and you originated on this planet."

  "Perhaps, our origins are murky at best."

  "Wonder what made you the way you are?" The question came from Lily. "I mean originally. There had to have been a starting point. Did your evolution start with humans – Neanderthal and Cro Magnum and all that and then branch off?"

  "That's a good question and one for which there is no answer. My mother is the oldest of the Vampire, as far as we know and she was born as such. Her parents were killed when she was very young and she doesn't know about any that came before her."

  "It's pretty remarkable when you think about it." Cam spoke up. "I mean, who would've thought that one day people like us would be sitting out on the porch, sipping cold brews and talking about things like Vampires and Angels and Fae. Kind of boggles the mind."

  "Speaking of Fae." Ellie got up to get another bottle of water from the iced tub of drinks on the porch. "I want you to know that two others will be joining us. My brother and a friend of his."

  "And they're Fae?" Layla asked.

  "Eldric, my brother is."

  "As are you." Augustus pointed out.

  "Yes, oddly enough that's true. Although I don't feel like it. I feel human."

  "As do I." Augustus said.

  "Really?" She reclaimed her seat.

  "Of course. We each feel completely normal with what and who we are because we know no other way to define normal."

  "That's true. And it shouldn't matter anymore than what color we are, should it?"

  "No. What matters is whether we can live together in a spirit of peace and cooperation for the good of all."

  "Well said." A voice came from the steps leading up from the back yard.

  "Eldric, Alex, hi." Ellie got back up and held out her hand to Eldric. "Please, I want me to meet my friends."

  Eldric accepted Ellie's hand and let her pull him forward. The woman behind him followed.

  Layla watched with interest. Eldric was an almost impossibility beautiful man, tall and lean with the most amazing eyes. His companion, Alex was a statuesque red-haired woman sexy enough to stop traffic.

  Eldric let Ellie lead him across the porch. Augustus rose as they drew near. "Augustus, this is my brother Eldric Whitehorse. Eldric, this is Augustus Thurinus."

  "Prince of Vampires." Eldric released Ellie's hand.

  "Prince of Fae." Augustus extended his hand. "It is an honor."

  Eldric hesitated. His eyes locked with Augustus' and held. No one said a word and after a few seconds, Layla realized she was holding her breath. When Eldric smiled and clasped Augustus' hand, she finally exhaled.

  "I have chosen the Light Path."

  Augustus nodded at Eldric. "Your path is your own and I honor it. Since the formation of the Council of Seven, the Light and Dark have found peace here."

  "It is not so in the other realm."

  "Which is why the leader of your people, Lucan Concoran, would like to meet with you. Your family is one of the oldest, most powerful, and respected of the Fae. Our people could use your assistance in our efforts to integrate into mainstream society."

  Eldric did not respond for several seconds but he finally nodded. "I will meet with him."

  "Thank you."

  "But for now." Eldric smiled. "Let us concern ourselves with more pleasant matters. Oh, forgive me, my companion, Alex Morgan."

  Augustus inclined his head to Alex. "Ms. Morgan."

  She nodded and gave Layla a smile then turned her attention back to Augustus. "I understand you and Ms. Storm—"

  "Summerfield." Ellie corrected. "Her real name is Summerfield."

  "Pardon, you and Ms. Summerfield are soon to be united in marriage."

  "Yes, we are, and that is part of the reason we're here." He looked at Layla.

  "Yes," she said. "Ellie, I wanted to ask you to be my maid of honor."

  "Are you serious?"

  "Yes."

  Ellie ran across the porch to lean over and hug Layla. "Oh thank you. I would really love to. Really. But I can't."

  Layla had not expected her to refuse and it really disappointed her. "Why not?"

  "Because I can't travel. Something about the placenta and the doctors have curtailed a lot of what I can and can't do."

  "Oh no. Oh oh, I understand. I do. I'm disappointed but I wouldn't want you to do anything that would hurt your baby."

  "I wish you could just get married here." Ellie sat on the arm of Layla's chair and then stood as the wicker glide rocker tilted precariously. "Sorry. But I do wish you could do it here. Oh!" She looked at Eldric. "Wouldn't Dad's house be the perfect place?"

  Eldric smiled. "Yes, actually it would."

  "Your father's house? I thought you said you tore it down when you built the new place?"

  "We did, but that wasn't his real home. I found his real home by mistake."

  "Pardon?" Augustus reclaimed his seat beside Layla.

  "It's where Eldric and I opened the portal and he came through."

  "Interesting."

  "It's beautiful. You'd just love it. In fact, we have time, let's go there."

  Lily was the one to object. "Have you forgotten all about taking it easy?"

  Ellie blew out her breath. "It's just walking."

  "Or riding," Cam offered.

  Ellie brightened. "Yes! So, Layla you and Augustus want to see? I'm not saying you should get married there but it really is beautiful."

  "I'd love to. Augustus?"

  "Yes, so would I."

  "Then it's settled. You all want to go now?"

  No one objected. Cam and Clint headed off to the barn to saddle a horse for Ellie. Lily and Alex remained behind. Until then Alex had remained silent but now she spoke up.

  "So, do you mind a question Mr. Thurinus?"

  "Augustus."

  "Thanks, Augustus. So?"

  "Ask away."

  "Will Layla be your first wife?"

  A knot of anxiety suddenly formed in Layla's gut. Why had she never thought to ask that question? Augustus had lived thousands of years; surely he'd had other wives. Other women he'd loved.

  Suddenly she had the urge to flee – to go find a safe hidey hole and tuck in to be alone with the miserable thoughts assailing her. She was such an idiot. She'd been so wrapped up in her own emotions and fears of what would happen to their love when she grew old that she'd
never considered the past. Was she just another woman in a very long procession that entered and left his life?

  The thought made her feel physically sick. When she thought of Augustus it was as the love of her life, her one and only. But how could he think of her in the same light when he'd had so many loves before her and would have so many more after she was dead and gone?

  "Excuse me." She got up just as Augustus opened his mouth to respond, and went inside, blinking to hold back tears.

  Ellie got up and followed. "Are you okay?"

  "No. No. Ellie what am I doing? He's … he's probably had a hundred wives and he'll have a hundred more when I'm gone. So what can I possibly be to him other than some temporary person who moves through his life?"

  "Don't you think he loves you?"

  "Yes, I do. But what does that mean to him? I see him as the one man for me – the man I want to build a life with, have a family with and – oh my god! Ellie, he could have a hundred children!"

  Ellie took her hands. "Layla, you're freaking out honey."

  "You're damn Skippy! Oh god, this is wrong, this is all wrong. What was I thinking? I have to go, Ellie. I have to go now."

  "Go where and why?"

  "Somewhere, anywhere, I just need to be alone – to think."

  "Well, you could say you're not feeling well and stay here while we go see the other house."

  "Yes, yes, that's a good idea. Thank you."

  "No problem. Look why don't you go into the family room and stretch out on the couch. That way if anyone checks it'll look like you're resting. We'll be gone for an hour or so. That'll give you time to think and calm down."

  "I don't know if I will but thank you." Layla gave her a hug and went into the family room to settle on the sofa.

  She'd just kicked off her shoes and unfolded a soft throw to spread over her when Augustus entered the room. "You're unwell?"

  "Probably just a case of nerves." She could say that and tell the truth. Her nerves were shot. "I just need to rest."

  "I'll tell Ellie we'll see the house another time."

  "No, you go. Please. It'd be nice to have an hour of quiet."

  "Are you certain?"

  "Yes."

  "Very well." He leaned down and gave her a kiss. Layla hated the way she tensed and knew from his expression that he felt it, but she laid down and closed her eyes.