by Sydney Addae
“You flatter me and it does my heart good. But it is our custom to present a gift to a Blood-mate in our line. Please accept this humble gift from me.” Halgreth smiled and waited.
Simone jumped up and ran toward him. Her arms went through his image and she turned with a sheepish look on her face. “Oops, sorry, I forgot. You look... nothing. Thank you, Halgreth, I am honored to receive such a wonderful gift. I will cherish it forever.”
“Since when did it become a custom to give Blood-mates gifts?” Baron asked his linesmen.
“Since we decided it was what we wanted to do,” Ian said.
“Don’t forget the lesson on Blood-mate later. Simone has to get home to her niece. She can’t stay late, so give the gifts without the long speeches, please,” Baron said.
“We’ll try, but this is our first impression and we want to get it right,” Rhiannon said, and Baron wondered what kind of magic she’d give Simone.
“And the last one is Rhiannon,” Baron said to Simone, who sat next to Bulgar across from them. His linesmen lounged around the den, sitting wherever they could find a spot, talking over themselves to grab Simone’s attention. At some point his Blood-mate moved from her spot next to him to sit in the midst of his kin, discussing the merits of herbs, warfare, art, history, and science.
“Hello, Rhiannon,” Simone said to the tall man dressed in black velvet as he stood to face her.
Rhiannon bowed and opened his hand. “Do you recognize this?” Baron leaned forward to get a better view. In the middle of his palm was the ring Marissa had given Baron.
She looked at Baron and then touched the ring. “It looks like my sister’s ring.”
“Not her ring. Pity she lost hers in California. This ring was made for you. Marissa had it right. Baron, place it on her finger, it will only fit one,” Rhiannon said, moving to the side. Baron took the ring and placed it on her right index finger.
“Perfect, you’re learning,” Rhiannon said, beaming at him. “Now cover the ring with your palm.”
Baron followed instructions and watched the excitement build in Simone’s eyes. Her reaction to his linesmen surpassed anything he’d imagined. She treated them as old friends, family, and his linesmen loved her for it.
Rhiannon murmured something and touched the back of Baron’s hand. The ring sparked and then dulled. “My gift to you is the ability to use some of Baron’s skills whenever necessary. No, you won’t become the nerd he is, but if you ever need to draw on any of our abilities that reside in him, you can.” His eyes twinkled as he leaned forward. “Including fighting and using any weapons. As his Blood-mate, you may become a target, we’ve given you everything from healing herbs, to combat weapons and strategies, to legal counsel, art, furniture, clothes, and the ability to absorb and use our collective knowledge. Welcome to our line, Simone.”
Tears ran down her cheeks as she reached for Baron and kissed him amid cheers from his linesmen. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for this, for loving me, for bringing us all together.”
He brushed a kiss on her cheek and held her close. “Who’s going to explain to us what’s involved with being Blood-mate?” Simone snuggled on his lap and turned to listen.
Chapter 30
Later that week Marissa returned to school. Simone and Camilla met for lunch to catch up. “So you and Lukian, is that still on? Off? What’s going on?”
Her friend smiled and took a sip of water with a sprig of mint. “I finally met a guy who gets me, Cresio likes him, and the sex is great.” She held up her hands. “I’m in heaven and plan to stay here as long as I can. Might even get into a little ménage action with Rauff. He and Lukian were lovers before.”
Simone choked on her drink and coughed so hard, tears formed in her eyes. “What? Ménage? You didn’t even share your books, or clothes, or room when we were younger. How’re you going to share a man?”
Camilla smiled and took another sip. “We’re talking about it, it may not happen, but two hot sexy men, intent on making me happy? Girl, I can’t not check into that. Plus, they’re rich as shit. I could open my own firm.”
Simone saw genuine peace and happiness in her friend, something she hadn’t seen in years. She squeezed Camilla’s hand. “As long as you’re careful and happy. Watch out for hunters and Fems. Remember, I told you about the one who wanted Baron.”
Camilla nodded. “No worries. How’s it going with you and the Baron?”
Baron and Rauff had had a long talk and as far as she knew, they were still friends, but not the same. He explained she and Marissa were first and he didn’t have time to hang out with Rauff anymore. Simone suspected there was more but never pressed him about it. “Great, things are coming together.” She glanced at her ring, which looked completely different on her finger than when Marissa gave it to Baron. Camilla complimented her on the design and never mentioned it looked like Sharita’s ring. Rhiannon had been right; this ring was for her.
“Marissa’s crazy about him. He’s a good guy,” Camilla said. “That man’s a keeper.”
“Yeah, he is.” Simone thought about last night, she and Marissa had spent the night at Baron’s place. After her niece fell asleep, Simone stayed up late talking to Marias the Just, Bulgar about herbs, and Halgreth created a special song for her. It had been magical. She slept better than she had in months.
“Isn’t that the girl who works for you?” Camilla glanced over her shoulder. Simone followed her gaze and saw Carrie sitting at a table with a guy who looked like an old lumberjack with short blond hair and huge bear-like hands. He cast a shadow over the much smaller Carrie.
Camilla slid her tablet across to her. “Watch what you say, they hear and see as good as Vamps. Talk about anything but our men,” was written in big letters.
Glad Camilla recognized the man as a hunter, Simone erased the message and nodded. They talked about Marissa, her school, Jonathan and Robert, and their plans for the weekend.
Once finished, they prepared to leave and head back to work. The guy had left Carrie’s table and Simone wondered if she could avoid her employee altogether.
“Hey Simone, Camilla, I saw you guys earlier when my dad and I walked in but didn’t want to intrude.” Carrie’s smile appeared genuine as she looked at Camilla and then back to Simone. “Are you headed back to the office? Can I catch a ride?”
“No, I’m not going there right now. I’m headed in the opposite direction to check on Rissa, she returned to school today. Can’t your dad drop you off?” Simone wasn’t sure why her gut clenched at being alone in her car with Carrie, but she refused to ignore the warning.
“He had to leave for an appointment.” She looked at Camilla and back at Simone. “It’s okay, I’ll call someone and see you tomorrow.” Carrie waved and headed outside.
“Something’s off about her,” Camilla wrote and showed Simone.
“Yeah. Let’s go, I need to check on Rissa.”
Camilla’s brow rose but she followed in silence. Simone waved goodbye to Carrie as she pulled out the parking lot and headed down the road. She answered her phone on the first ring.
“It didn’t take Carrie long to get another ride. Another car waited in the parking lot and they pulled out right after you in the same direction. I don’t think she plans to verify your story either. Be careful, I’m coming behind you,” Camilla said.
Simone looked in the rear view mirror but there were several cars on the road and she didn’t see Carrie. “What kind of car?”
“Dark gray four doors, Chevy.”
“Thanks.” She disconnected and called Baron. Since they hadn’t bonded, their mental links were sporadic and this was one time she needed to let him know what was going on. He answered on the first ring. “I’m on my way.”
“Huh?” She pulled into the left lane to take the next exit.
“Lukian just told me Carrie and someone else’s following you. When you pull off the highway, turn left beneath the underpass and pick me up.”
“What? You’re over here?”
“I’m wherever you need me to be. Turn off and you’ll see me. We’ll check on Rissa together.” He clicked off and her spirits lightened. Whatever Carrie and her father thought they’d do today, Baron would handle it. She turned off at the exit and made the left turn. Baron stood in the shadows and slid into the passenger’s seat as she pulled to a stop. Once the door closed she continued toward the school, which was 12 miles from the main road.
“Carrie’s been trying to get me alone for a couple weeks, but I kept putting her off.” She glanced at him. “What do you think she wants?”
“Me. They aren’t sure if I’m a vampire or not. I’ve inserted a device beneath my skin that masks my true nature.” He glanced at her. “They don’t know about the technology I’ve created to help our people. If we were bonded, you couldn’t tell them anything, no matter what they did.”
Her chest tightened. They’d discussed the bonding process with his linesmen and it was similar to a wedding ceremony without the minister and guests. It’d be just the two of them exchanging vows and sharing blood. Why she hadn’t agreed to it yet, she wasn’t sure. If she’d known it would make them safer, she would’ve done it. Hmm, maybe not. She didn’t know.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to temporarily block your knowledge of me and our people. The last thing I want is for them to continue targeting you and Rissa.”
At the mention of her niece, Simone nodded. “Do it.”
Baron took her hand. Heat raced up her arm and neck before settling at the base of her neck. She blinked and did a double take at the road. “Hey asshole, watch how you’re driving,” she yelled at the white car that cut in front of her. Another car pulled up beside hers and another pulled up the rear.
“That’s weird.” She looked in the rearview mirror and then hit the steering wheel as the car in front slowed to a crawl and then stopped. “Hey, you can’t just stop in the middle of the road,” she yelled and pressed her horn. Carrie stepped out from the passenger side of the car behind her and Simone released a breath as she opened her door.
“Get back into your car,” a tall, huge blond man said, pointing at her. Ignoring him, Simone looked at Carrie, who stood next to the passenger side. “What’s going on, Carrie?”
“Sorry, Simone, but we need to talk to him.” She pointed at Baron.
“What? Why? And who the hell is ‘we’?” Simone asked as Baron stepped out the car.
Camilla, Lukian, and Rauff pulled up behind the gray car Carrie had ridden in and walked toward them. Two more men, Baron called them Bacas and Strates, appeared behind Lukian and watched. The car on her left side pulled ahead of the white car and parked. Once all the cars emptied, six people, including Carrie, stood watching Baron.
“What’s going on, Carrie?” Simone asked again, sensing something was wrong but unable to place her finger on the problem.
“Come with us, Baron,” Carrie’s father said, standing the furthest from them near the car that just parked. Baron turned and faced him. For a few moments, he stared at the man, the next he moved and they both disappeared. Simone blinked and looked at the spot where he’d stood.
“Get her,” Carrie yelled, pointing at her. Someone grabbed Simone’s shoulder. She spun and kicked him in the balls, sending him to his knees.
Lukian jumped over the car and kicked another man running toward her. He flew over the car into the middle of the road. Two cars swerved to miss the man before stopping. Carrie ran toward Camilla and flew backward as Rauff somehow got between them, and punched the woman.
“Good,” Simone said.
Bacas and Strates fought two hunters while Lukian tossed another hunter across the road.
The next moment she was in Baron’s home. Camilla and then Marissa appeared, along with Rauff.
“What just happened?” Simone yelled, asking Camilla and then Rauff.
“What’s wrong, Aunty?” Marissa asked, wrapping her arms around Simone.
“Nothing, I’m just worried about Baron, that’s all.” She patted her niece’s back and watched Camilla as she looked around the den.
“Nice place,” Camilla said before taking a seat. “When your memories return, we’ll talk. In the meantime, we can watch a movie or something.”
Simone glared at her friend. “Do you know where Baron went? Hell, how’d he disappear so fast?”
Camilla looked at Marissa, then at Simone, and then at Marissa. “We’ll talk later, right now we can watch a movie with Rissa.”
Pissed but determined not to show it, Simone smiled down at her niece, took her hand and led her to the sofa. “Rauff, could you put a movie on for us please?”
Smiling at Camilla, he stood and walked toward the cabinet beneath the large, screen. Marissa jumped from the sofa and ran to Rauff. “I want this one and this one.” She pointed to several DVDs.
“Whatever you want, Pumpkin.” He bent down on one knee to look at the DVDs.
Marissa threw her arm around Rauff’s neck and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
Smiling, he touched the tip of her nose. “You’re welcome. Which do you want to see first?”
She touched one of the covers. Standing, he placed the disk into the player and walked her back to the sofa.
Jumping onto the leather couch, Marissa hugged Simone close. “Don’t worry, Aunty. Baron will be okay.”
Simone tried to smile, but deep inside she knew something was wrong.
Chapter 31
Baron and Cryden rolled onto the grass in the middle of an empty field. Both jumped up and charged. Cryden held out a knife and slashed downward in a wide arc. Baron hopped back and kicked the hunter beneath the chin, pleased when Cryden flew backward. Immediately, Baron leapt forward. Cryden rolled to the side.
“Oofff,” Baron groaned as he rolled to the side, missing the bottom of Cryden’s boots. Baron caught Cryden’s foot before it reached his face, twisted and pushed upward, sending the hunter backward. Baron jumped up and missed Cryden’s fist. He kicked Cryden in the stomach and then punched him in the jaw. Grabbing the hunter’s arm, Baron spun him around and threw him across the field into a large tree trunk. With blurring speed, Baron grabbed Cryden by his hair and slammed his face into the tree trunk again.
Blood ran down the face of the hunter. Baron picked Cryden up over his head and threw him against the tree.
Cryden yelled from the pain as he rolled down the tree.
Baron stripped the clothes from Cryden as the hunter tried to fight back with one arm. He found the stunner and looked at Cryden.
“You killed Sven, his son and so many others. Sven’s vengeance will not be denied. You’ll suffer before you die.” Baron changed the setting on the stunner from lethal and then touched the hunter. Cryden’s body jerked and shuddered on the ground. Baron lifted him and teleported them to the basement of Sven’s home.
He walked down the long corridor until he reached a wall. The door opened, leading to a set of stairs. The air was damp with a rank smell. At the bottom were several doors. Baron passed the first two and opened the third. He tossed Cryden inside and shot him again with the stunner. The hunter jerked. Hatred blazed from his eyes. Sven stepped forward and stooped over the hunter.
“Your days of killing our people are over. You killed my child and his mother for no reason other than hatred. Now you will feel the sting of real hatred for the next thirty days as your body deteriorates. Feel free to fight your way out, call your people, see if they save you.” Sven stood. “The interesting thing about these cages is we could never have put you in here if you weren’t guilty. Expect visits from every person whose innocent blood you shed.” Sven paused. “Especially my son.”
Cryden’s eyes widened as he looked around the small, empty cell. Sven disappeared. Baron stepped outside, and the door closed and locked on its own. Moving down the corridor, Baron refused to look into the cells he passed. Some things were better left alone.
Sven waited at the top of the sta
irs. “Thank you. I know you don’t like violence, but I needed to avenge my son, the Fem, and myself for what he did. I had forgotten everything until he spoke to you on the road. Then it came rushing back. That device needs to be destroyed.”
Baron didn’t know what to say. How do you accept thanks for allowing someone to use you as an instrument of vengeance? Seemed his linesman was justified in his actions. “I’ve redesigned the model for the Sentinels. Hunters modified the older models. The best I can do is create something that would counter the fatal setting. I’m working on that.”
“Good. That’s good news.” Sven nodded. “Anytime you need to use this place, feel free. It’s yours and makes a nice vacation home. Don’t worry about anyone slipping downstairs, I still control that.”
“Thanks. I’ll mention it to Simone. I’ve got to go.” Baron disappeared and landed in his home just outside the den. He listened for a few seconds. Marissa and Camilla were laughing. But he didn’t hear Simone. A second later the door opened, his Blood-mate closed the door behind her with one hand and placed her arm around his neck with the other. She pulled him close for a kiss so hot, he moved them to his bedroom and sent Rauff a message not to disturb them.
When they broke for air, he’d undressed them both and lay on top of her, panting. “This feels good, coming home to you,” he whispered against her ear.
“Yeah, it does.” She pushed against his chest and searched his face. “You’re alright?”
He nodded and told her about Sven and Cryden, leaving out the details of the cell. “What an asshole,” she yelled, shaking. “Poor Sven, and his son. I don’t understand why he’d kill the child.” She pulled him close and held tight. “They aren’t going to leave us alone, are they? I mean, he’s gone but others will come along.”
Baron wiped her eyes with his thumb. “We have Sentinels policing our people and hunters. Not all of them are as bad as Cryden. But we survive by staying a step ahead of them.” He kissed her cheek. “If we are afraid to live each day because of them, then we are already dead. I don’t fear the hunters; they have no reason to fear me either. Not as long as they do what they’re supposed to do, no more or less, then we are fine. Cryden crossed the line too many times. Carrie may grieve for him, but she’ll never see him again.” He squeezed her tight.
