by Sydney Addae
Anika sighed and laid on Sari’s arm. “I want Baron. Not just his blood. I want to carry the first in his line.”
“No. We don’t carry issue. We agreed,” Suri said, sitting up and looking down in Anika’s face.
Anika’s palm cupped Suri’s face for a few seconds and then she slapped her so hard, Suri fell out the bed. “I get what I want, Suri. Just like I wanted you, I want him. Don’t ever tell me no.”
Suri rose slowly. Anika’s palm print was clearly outlined on her face as her eyes bled to black. Her hand shot out and she grabbed Anika by the neck and squeezed as she lifted her from the bed.
“I also get what I want, you ungrateful slut, don’t forget that. You’ll never have Baron, not the way you want him anyway, I promise you that.” They stared at each other for a few seconds before Suri kissed Anika, hard. The two rolled on the floor, wrestling for dominance. In the end, Suri won as she normally did. Holding Anika in a vice grip, she ran her tongue over the back of her neck. The mixture of pain and sex always weakened Anika. Relaxed and safe in her lover’s arms, she released a sigh.
“So what is it about Baron that makes your pussy this wet?” Suri asked in a husky whisper.
“I don’t know. Different, I guess. After you see him, maybe you can explain it to me.” She turned and faced Suri, the two kissed again and held each other close.
“If he’s that different, I can’t wait to drink his blood,” Suri said.
“Not me. That’s too dangerous. You’ve been lucky so far, but no one knows what being last in line does to us. I don’t trust it,” Anika said.
“Good, more for me.” Suri looked at the clock. “I should be hearing something soon from the servants.”
Anika recalled the shield Baron threw up without hesitation, and the way he’d handled Rauff, his friend. Power rolled off him in waves licking her skin and the walls. She had never seen or felt anything like it before. “This won’t be as easy as the others, he’s not going to fall for their normal tricks.”
Suri pulled Anika close and kissed the top of her head. “Now or later makes no difference, I always get what I want.”
Chapter 16
“Baron, you can’t get mad with everyone who has a problem with us being together. That’s a part of life,” Simone scolded.
“What do you mean a part of life?” He stopped dressing for breakfast in the middle of the room. When he’d returned from the mountain early this morning he couldn’t sleep. Every imaginable rescue mission presented roadblocks he was unsure or unwilling to overcome. Dawn brought its own set of challenges and he was uncertain how to proceed. Marissa was far away on another mountain and he needed to go after her. Also, he needed a way to explain going after the child without alerting Simone of his origins or the possible fallout he’d face going after Marissa.
“Folks have problems with mixed relationships,” Simone said, glaring at him.
“Mixed relationships?” His brow creased as he waited for her explanation.
Sighing, she continued, “Blacks, Indians, Hispanics, and Whites dating.” She pointed her fingers at the two of them. “You know what I mean. You can’t fight everyone who has a problem with that. It’s been going on for years.” Dressed in a bra and matching panties, she walked over to him and placed her hands on his chest. Standing on her toes, she kissed his nose, then lips. A smile broke through her stern facade.
He stared at her for a moment, she was serious. “Yes, I can,” he told her, chuckling. “Simone, your beautiful complexion and nationality are the least of our problems. If someone has problems over us being together because we “look” different, fuck them.” Had she overheard him and Rauff last night and thought that was the cause of their disagreement? This morning she’d asked a couple of questions, made a couple comments about Anika, and then left it alone. Finding Marissa stole her focus.
Her raised brow questioned his remark. He shrugged and drew his shirt over his head. Skin color difference, no biggie, he thought. Specie differences, now that was a problem. Simone raised a finger to get his attention. They both looked towards the door as a knock sounded.
Baron walked over, put his hand on the knob and looked at Simone standing half-naked behind him. Lifting his brow as his eyes slowly went down her body, she shuddered. He smiled as she pulled on her jeans and t-shirt. Baron opened the door to Camilla. She offered him a slight smile and walked in twisting her hands. He leaned against the door.
Simone watched Camilla closely. “Baron, I’m going to go down with Camilla now. I need a few minutes to talk with her.” She pulled Camilla to the door, watching her friend the entire time. Baron looked at Camilla’s dark skin glistening with a light sheen of perspiration. Her eyes sparkled and then dimmed. Something was off and he still couldn’t get a read on either of them. No way would he allow Simone to wander too far from him. No one knew why Marissa had been taken or said much about her father. Prepared to listen to their conversation Baron walked slowly behind Simone and Camilla out of sight.
“Marissa has been hurt, Simone. I think her arm and some bruises. But,” Camilla quickly added. “She’s alive. Something Cresio couldn’t explain, she’s in the mountains. Just not these mountains, she’s been moved.” A small sound from Simone. Some patting and then Camilla continued. “He didn’t know why and he couldn’t get more information. Maybe Sharita can help.”
Baron paused slightly at the information, wondering who was Cresio, and decided to have the person checked. No one should have that information this soon unless they were somehow involved. The women had stopped. Simone’s light sobbing propelled him forward until Camilla’s next words stopped him cold.
“There’s more, Simone. There’s something off about Baron.” There was a pause. Baron hated he couldn’t be in the area without alerting them of his presence.
“What do you mean there’s something off about him?” Simone sniffed and hiccupped. A chair scraped. “Camilla, if your guide has information about him, tell me. I can’t take more of this cloak and dagger shit.”
“Cresio says there is more to him. I don’t think he’s human.” The announcement met with silence.
“Not human like Cresio or not human like on TV?” Simone asked in a low voice. Baron’s eyes widened at Simone’s comment. Cresio wasn’t human? What were they involved in?
Another chair moved. Heart racing, he closed his eyes and called his line. What should I do now? Within seconds the members of his line appeared and waited. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he inhaled, pulling his scrambled, surprised thoughts together.
“He wasn’t sure. He just said to be careful and alluded to the fact that Baron was very strong,” Camilla said. No one spoke for a moment.
“What do you think of Baron?” Simone asked.
Baron leaned forward, wanting to hear Camilla’s response.
“I think he feels very deeply for you, Simone. I’m happy you have him. Quite frankly, I don’t give a damn if he was the devil himself if he could bring Rissa home safe. You feel me?”
Simone chuckled.
“I mean I don’t get any “extra” vibes from him. And even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. I have a spiritual guide and attend séances on the regular, so you know I believe in otherworldly shit. Actually, anyone who believes in God believes in the supernatural. We just don’t want to deal with them. Shit, I think some folks would give God a hard time if He walked through the hood.” Strained laughter and then silence.
Baron slowly released his balled fist.
“The question is, what do you think of Baron?” Camilla asked. The chairs moved and their footsteps faded as they continued forward. He returned to his room, missing Simone’s answer.
“What the fuck was that?” he asked his linemen. Dropping into the chair, he waited for them to materialize.
“The pretty female has a guide. You can’t be surprised, Baron,” Ian said, chuckling at Baron’s sour expression.
“I do not need this complication” Baron snapped as Ic
ar and Brevar laughed as well.
“Many people have spiritual guides. It is quite common. There is acceptance of this practice,” Bulgar offered, opening his arms wide.
“Will the guide tell of my origins and violate the law? He has warned Camilla that I’m different. She has planted the seed in Simone’s mind. It is a violation that can cause problems.” He looked at the ghostly figures. “What should I do?”
No one spoke as they thought over the predicament. “As guides, we operate under slightly different rules. His warning against you could only happen if his charge may be directly hurt or involved in any way. Guides are limited in their knowledge,” Sven said into the silence.
“Yeah, they say and know just enough to get you into trouble,” Brevar said sarcastically.
“I will look into this, Baron,” Marius told him.
“Can someone please tell me about this anger riding me constantly? I mean I never got emotional before. My life has always been lived rigidly with rules and logic. Why did I have such a dislike for Anika? Rauff was right. A few weeks ago, I would have laughed with him over what happened last night. A few months ago, I would have paid for the opportunity to mate with Anika, yet earlier she left me cold.”
“Cold is not what I sensed,” Ian said. A few of the others laughed as Baron’s face heated.
“Are there any constructive ideas about what’s going on?” Baron snapped, turning away from Ian.
“You are the final product of your line, Baron. You are still you, but more. But even men who trained with monks had sex regularly,” Bulgar said in a conciliatory tone.
Baron’s brow rose and then he headed for the door. If they weren’t going to be serious, he refused to waste his time.
“Wait Baron, I believe what the good doctor was trying to say is that your personality has been slightly altered by us. You will feel things more because you are more. The sooner you realize and accept the changes, the better you will be.” Cull looked around as he finished speaking.
“However, your actions with the lovely Simone are your own. We have nothing to do with that,” Brevar told him.
Baron frowned as he thought over their words. “She touches me somehow. I...I, can’t explain it, nor do I want to discuss her. I have to think on it more.”
“Back to what we were discussing earlier, for now, I would ignore the guide’s appearance. Discover a way to get to the mountains and retrieve the child. It’s a large area and many of Rugger’s followers live in the range. They may help you. We don’t know what is happening, but I sense a foul plot afoot,” Marius instructed.
“Yes, I agree, Baron,” Rhiannon added. “You will need to be alert and use your skills to avert a catastrophe. Try diplomacy first.”
“If that doesn’t work, blow their asses up,” Icar said icily. He and Baron shared a private moment before Baron nodded.
Turning, he looked around noticing the different expressions ranging from angry to serene. So many personalities, it was a wonder he didn’t go mad. “I need to go, Simone is waiting for me. Thanks for your help and advice.” He nodded to them and left the room.
“Blow their asses up?” Bulgar mocked Icar as he turned to face his linesmen. “Are you trying to start a war?”
“No, but I won’t have a coward in my line. If a war starts because of injustice, I want him to be prepared to stand his ground and kick ass. I think it would be good for him.”
“I believe he will do that and more,” Ian interrupted. “However, there is much we need to do to assist him. Perhaps this guide, Cresio, can help pave the way for Baron to get Simone to the Allegheny Mountains. What do you think?” he questioned the group.
“We can try and see how it works,” Sven answered as they vanished.
Chapter 17
“Baron, Camilla and I are returning home to take care of a few things. Call me tonight and let me know if you find anything in the mountains,” Simone said after finishing her breakfast. All through the meal she and Camilla had avoided looking at the rest of the group. The conversation had been limited and stilted in his opinion. He’d waited to see how she planned on dealing with the information Camilla had given her. Her direct approach shocked him. Jonathan and Robert frowned at her. Tressie continued eating as if nothing had been said. Antwan and Kieran watched him.
After a few moments of silence, Simone looked up at Baron and then at the rest of the table. “What?” she asked Jonathan, who frowned at her.
“That’s what I want to know. What happened that you are leaving the mountains? We were barely able to get you to leave the campground last night and now you’re returning home?”
“Yeah Simone, what’s going on? Have you found out something that would help?” Kieran asked.
Simone’s mouth opened and closed. Looking at Camilla, who smiled at her, she frowned. Simone had confidence in Camilla’s usually reliable information. Two years ago, Camilla had warned her about a nasty residential appraisal and insisted Simone take Sharita’s handgun. That warning helped her survive a rape attempt. Camilla had also warned about Sharita’s death, which Sharita blew off. Time and again Camilla’s guide had helped with words of solace and direction.
“Camilla gave me some information that I want to check out,” Simone told the table as she moved food around on her plate. She respected Camilla’s religion, but had no doubt that other people thought it weird. She didn’t want to expose her friend to ridicule.
“What information?” Kieran asked.
Simone noticed he and his brother watched her and glanced around the table. Sitting up, she prepared to stall and dance around the issue, not wanting to get into what they were going to do.
Camilla touched Simone’s arm and spoke. “Most of you know I am a Spiritualist. I have a guide that I am in contact with frequently. Last night I had a, well, let’s just say we communicated. He informed me that Marissa had been moved to another mountain. She’s alive but has some minor injuries.” Simone watched the reactions of everyone at the table. Tressie, Jonathan, and Richard knew of Camilla’s faith and nodded in understanding. Antwan and Kieran appeared surprised. Baron had no expression on his face and appeared to be waiting. Simone didn’t know how to take that.
“What was your plan? Do you know which mountain? Do you plan to go there?” Baron asked, startling Simone. Although his questions were relevant, she didn’t have answers, and hoped Camilla could get more information when she was in her prayer room at home. “No, we don’t know exactly which mountain,” she drew out, looking at her plate. “We were going to see if Sharita could help with that information.” Simone glanced around the table to gauge expressions. Having a spiritual guide was one thing, talking to the dead another. This was something she’d never told anyone. She’d just started these with Camilla and felt a certain peace after both times she’d done one.
“Sharita?” Jonathan asked, surprised. “What do you mean? Like a séance or something?”
“Yes, a circle. I think she might be able to narrow it down. Point us in the right direction.” Simone waited for the jibes, surprised when everyone sat thinking.
“Has she ever communicated to you before? I mean has this ever worked? You’ve actually talked to her?” Tressie asked. Camilla smiled at Tressie’s eagerness. Simone nodded.
“When I got the word about Rissa, I passed out. They called 911. Sharita came and told me about Rissa. To make a long story short, she basically told me to get up and go find my niece.” Simone smiled as Tressie and Jonathan chuckled while nodding. They knew Sharita and could imagine the total conversation. Camilla’s words about Baron returned and she looked at him. He met her stare.
“I am not staying here without you, Simone. Either you believe Camilla or not. If you do, it would be rude of you to ask us to stay and search when you know nothing will be found. If it is a chance you are willing to take, then I take it with you.” Turning, Baron looked at Camilla. “Did you get any insight at all on how she arrived at the other mountain? That would help n
arrow the search,” he asked. Antwan and Kieran looked at Baron and then at Camilla.
“No Baron, that he gave me any information at all was a surprise. Typically, I get small pieces, so something important must be happening. I sensed some urgency mixed with caution. It gets hard sometimes to figure everything out.” Camilla shook her head.
Tressie reached over and patted Camilla’s hand. “It’s okay Camilla, it’s better to know now so we can focus in the right area. We’re packed and will check out after breakfast.” Finishing her juice, she asked, “Who’ll be conducting the séance, I’m sorry... casting the circle?”
Simone sat quietly watching in awe at the casual acceptance of a séance, spiritual guides, and things she had initially thought odd. Camilla had been a practicing spiritualist the past ten years, so she, Tressie, Jonathan, and Richard had been exposed and accepted it. But the quiet acceptance of Kieran, Antwan, and Baron baffled her. There should have been some kind of reaction. Was Camilla’s guide right about Baron? She frowned at the thought. His body felt solid, he was up during the day, the night he came over, there was a full moon and he didn’t go furry. She tried to remember all the old folklore she’d heard about creatures and came up blank.
“What are you frowning about?” Baron asked as he leaned near her ear.
Simone jumped, surprised. Placing her hand over her heart, she glanced at the others who were talking and leaned closer to his ear. “Do you believe in spiritual guides and talking to the dead?” she whispered.
He looked into her eyes for a moment. “Sure, why not?” he said.
She frowned, trying to decide if he were serious or playing with her. Since Baron had never played with her before she decided to take him at his word. Still, she couldn’t let it go.
“You’re okay with all this?” She waved her hand. “This doesn’t smack of spooky stuff to you?” she asked. Watching his mouth, she licked her lips remembering how amazing they’d been earlier this morning when she awoke with Baron between her legs having what he deemed his morning meal.
