“You just like saying that, don’t you?” Ryder grinned. “My mate.”
“Yeah, but that’s beside the point. There’s a lot going on that you aren’t aware of.”
“Oh, like the Midnight Ryder’s keeping in his guest bedroom for Caia?” Jae asked dryly.
Lucien groaned. He had no idea how the two of them had found out that Laila was a Midnight, and no idea how to explain the situation to them. More than that, however, he was curious as to why Ryder would keep Laila under his roof if he was aware of her heritage.
“How did you find out?”
“Reuben.” Ryder curled his lips up in distaste at the mention of the vamp. “The guy is weird, Lucien. Knew little Laila was a Midnight right off. I think you should interrogate him.”
“Oh there will be no interrogating of anybody,” Jaeden snapped, “Except perhaps Caia. We’ve been waiting, for what seems like weeks, for an answer to why she sent a Midnight to us and how she knew that Laila was a good guy.”
His ears perked at that. “So you believe Caia?”
Jaeden snorted. “Have you met Laila and Vil? There isn’t a bad bone in that girl’s body and I don’t have to be a tracer, or whatever, to know that. Plus, she told me what the Midnights did to her. If anyone has a reason to go a.w.o.l and join the other side, it’s that girl.”
“What happened to her?”
She shook her head, her face taut with restrained emotion. “That’s her private business.”
Lucien scratched his cheek feeling bemused. “I’m shocked. I thought when we told you I’d have a battle on my hands convincing you Caia is right.”
Ryder shook his head, sitting back down beside Jaeden. “Nah. Little Laila is a sweetheart, anyone can see that.”
Hmm, he wasn’t just talking about little Laila.
“What about other Midnights?” He ventured tentatively.
“What do you mean?”
Their expressions changed often as he told them about Caia’s certainty that the war as it stood made no sense, considering there were Midnights out there who did not believe in the destruction of other supernatural races. There were too many voices in her trace telling her they weren’t bad guys, that they just as much as she would like to see an end to the war. And then he broke the news of what Caia had found in the basement of the Centre. They both sat listening attentively, their eyes round with a mixture of disbelief and fear.
“Wait a minute.” Jaeden choked out when he was finished. “Caia’s going to usurp Marita?”
“Well,” Caia’s voice caught a hold of him like a hand at the back of his neck, “When you put it like that, it sounds crazy.”
“Cy.” Ryder stood up, his eyes blazing. “Are you serious? Are you seriously going to go to the Council and do this?”
At first, Lucien detected the uncertainty in her face, and then she looked at him and he could tell she was remembering what he told her about confidence. Her shoulders straightened and she swept her hair back off her shoulders, before retorting coolly, “Yes. I’m completely serious. It’s the only thing to be done.”
Jaeden snorted, “Oh, yeah cos’ there aren’t any other options here. It’s too risky, Caia.”
“You would rather I aid Marita in killing hundreds of thousands of innocent people.”
“Innocent according to you.”
Caia’s eyes softened. “It wasn’t a Midnight who attempted to kidnap you. And these people aren’t my uncle, Jaeden.”
“How dare-”
“I don’t mean to upset you. Don’t get me wrong, many of the older families abhor us. Some are just following a faith; it’s a religion to them. And others think it’s stupid. There are Daylights who are beginning to feel the same way. But there are also little kids being experimented upon and the only way I can get to them is with some major political backing. I can win this. We can win this.”
“We?”
Lucien cleared his throat. “I’m in this with her, which means the pack is. If you don’t want in, you leave the pack.”
Ryder grinned at him. “Final word of the Alpha, huh? You know I’m completely in, right?” He nodded to Caia. “I’ve seen this girl in action. My bet is on her.”
“Jaeden?” Caia asked tentatively. “I know it’s not the war you thought you’d be fighting, it shocked me too. I want to go back to everything being black and white, but it won’t. There are no other options.”
He watched Jae as she turned to lock eyes with Ryder. Whatever passed between them caused the tension to drain from her body and she turned back to Caia. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but... OK. I believe you. I’m in. I won’t stand by and let her get away with this.”
Caia nodded, only a slight curve to her mouth betraying her relief. “Good. I guess that means it’s time for me and Lucien to check in on Laila and Vilhelm. I need Vil to take me to the next Council meeting. It’s in two weeks time. Actually you guys have done me a favour.”
Ryder smiled quizzically. “How so?”
“I can use your mating ceremony as an excuse to stall going back to the Centre.”
Lucien chuckled. “Crafty.”
“Nice to be of help,” Jaeden grumbled teasingly.
Caia jumped a little at the sound of a door slamming shut, and turned as Vil slowly entered the sitting room with his hand tangled in Laila’s. The girl looked much healthier than the last time Caia had laid eyes on her. Caia would even go so far as to say she looked radiantly happy. Ryder and Jaeden really must have been treating them well.
“Caia?” Laila asked quietly, her eyes glancing from her to Vil.
Vil smiled affectionately at Caia and nodded.
The next thing she knew, the girl had her delicate arms wrapped around her, hugging her close.
“Callan.” Laila eased away from her gracefully, her eyes shimmering with gratitude.“There are no words to thank you for what you have done.”
Caia’s whole body thrummed with a golden peace at Laila’s proximity and once more that intangible quality in her trace flummoxed her. The girl was like sunshine and air, her presence so relaxing and sweet Caia couldn’t believe anyone could ever wish her harm.
Uncomfortable with the gratitude Caia shrugged abashedly, considering she now needed a favour from Vil.
“It was nothing,” she mumbled and held her hand out behind her for Lucien, knowing he would understand. At once she felt his warm, callused hand engulf her small one and her breathing eased. It was wonderful, after weeks of feeling alone, to finally trust someone, to be able to lean on him.
“It’s good to see you again, Caia.” Vil smiled warmly at her. “I was afraid something might have happened to you.”
She shook her head. “The attack went forward with the MacLachlans. We dealt with it.” She didn’t want to think about that night. “You should know that Marita can’t pick up your trace.”
The two magiks frowned, glancing at each other questioningly.
Caia grimaced. “I guess that means neither of you know why she can’t.”
Laila floated back to Vil’s side. “No, Callan. I’ve heard only a very old supernatural can mask their trace and Vil is just a boy.”
“Nearly a man,” he mumbled, drawing her close to him and puffing his chest out a little. Caia tried not to laugh.
“Why are you calling Caia, Callan?” Lucien asked in his usual tone, which to outsiders could sound a little reproving.
“Looks like I’m interrupting,” A new, unfamiliar voice greeted from behind Vil and Laila.
They moved out of the doorway to reveal a tall, good-looking young man with dark hair and eyes. His youth could be attributed to his cool, unkempt appearance, the dark jeans and black t-shirt, the silver thumb ring on one hand, the tattoo on his forearm, the silver coin fashioned onto thin black rope around his neck, and the small ring pierced through his lower lip. He had a dangerous bad boy quality and suddenly Caia understood why Ryder didn’t like his involvement in Jaeden’s life. The vampyre looked aroun
d the room at them all and then his eyes fell on her. Despite his smooth-shaven, wrinkle-free face, when Caia met those eyes with her own she felt as if she were looking into depths that had seen the world in all its forms many times over. The youthfulness combated a confident control she had never before come across.
“This must be the famous Caia,” he said, approaching slowly.
Lucien didn’t tense beside her, making her question whether or not she’d really seen the eerie fascination in his gaze, or if she was just being paranoid.
Jaeden stood up between them and smiled anxiously as she introduced him.
“Lucien,” her mate greeted him amiably enough, holding out a hand to shake the vampyre’s.
Reuben shook his hand with a friendly languor and turned back to Vil and Laila. “I don’t know if you have been formerly introduced, but guys this is Lucien, Caia’s mate.”
“How did you know they’re mates?” Ryder growled from behind them.
Reuben gestured to their hands clasped together. “Body language.” He grinned back at Lucien. “I overheard your question to Laila. You should know that Callan means flowing water. Laila’s people consider it rude to call anyone of importance or wisdom by their first name, so she’s calling Caia, Callan, by her element, a sign of deep respect.”
Laila smiled at him, nodding in agreement.
Caia was blushing.
Ryder was sputtering, “How the hell do you know that?”
The vampyre smiled in a way that Caia knew he was taunting Ryder. She was with Ryder on this one. Something was off about the guy. “I did a little research after I met Vil and Laila.” He shrugged. “Found out a little about their customs and such.”
“Why?”
Jaeden groaned. “Ryder...”
“It’s OK, Jae.” Reuben waved her off. “I just like to know who we’re dealing with.”
“We?” Ryder grouched. “Since when does this involve you?”
“Since he was made aware of Laila’s existence here,” Lucien’s voice rumbled with authority and a hint of annoyance.
Caia sighed wearily, her head aching with the thought of involving another outsider in her plans. And this particular outsider she wasn’t so keen on. She tugged on Lucien’s hand. “Reuben should stick around for now.”
The vampyre played with his lip ring, his fangs prominent. “Is that a request or a demand?”
“A demand,” she said with quiet dominion, surprising everyone, including herself. But Lucien was right. If she was to pull this off she had to begin acting like a leader. Unfortunately part of that meant laying down the law. “We can’t take the chance of you leaving and telling anyone about Laila.”
“He wouldn’t,” Jaeden assured her, “Believe me.”
Reuben straightened, his face free of amusement now. “Trust Jaeden. I’m her friend, which makes you all my friends. I don’t betray my friends.”
We’ll see.
Caia managed a nod and sighed, feeling exhausted. “OK.” She smiled at Laila and Vil. “Unfortunately, I think I really need to get some sleep, but I will be by tomorrow to see you both. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Wait.” Ryder clapped a hand on Lucien’s shoulder as they made to leave. “What about me and Jae? Our mating ceremony?”
In a perfect world Jaeden and Ryder should have had plenty of time to plan a ceremony, but it would be best if they were mated before things went to all Hades. Somehow she managed to convey this message to Lucien and he promised Ryder they would talk about it in the morning.
“Goodnight, Callan,” Laila called sweetly as Caia and Lucien left the apartment, and her face flooded with colour again as she thought of what Reuben had said.
Lucien chuckle. “Looks like you’ve got a servant for life in that one.”
“She’s just grateful.”
He shook his head as they climbed into his truck. “You were right. I can’t believe that girl is a Midnight. She’s as threatening as a butterfly.”
“Yeah, well Marita had her locked up as if she were Ethan reincarnated.”
He made a sound of disgust. “I knew I didn’t like that witch.”
The house was dark when they returned, Ella and Magnus having retired for the night. The thought of bed sounded amazing to Caia as she dragged her body up the stairs, Lucien’s hand steady on her back as she made her way down the hall to her bedroom. When she stopped at her bedroom door he grunted in amusement and took her by the elbow, leading her further down the hallway.
“What are you doing?” She whispered.
He looked back at her as if she were crazy. “You’re my mate now, Caia. That means my room is now your room.” He drew her into the master bedroom at the back of the house. Her pulse accelerated as they entered the largest room in the house, his huge king size four poster positioned in the centre of the room. She had never been in Lucien’s bedroom. It was comfortable yet masculine at the same time, with a sturdy desk positioned at the back of the room near his walk in closet and en-suite. At the window sat a chocolate leather corner sofa, some of his clothes draped haphazardly over it.
He laughed softly. “Get undressed, get in bed, and go to sleep.” He brushed a reassuring hand down her cheek. “You must be exhausted.”
Aware only of nodding in agreement and shuffling around to the other side of his bed, Caia’s mind was whirring. It had never occurred to her that when they returned they would be living... well... like mates.
The bed looked so good though.
Her hands fluttered to the hem of her shirt and a burst of nervousness knocked the exhaustion out of her. Glancing up to see if Lucien was watching her, the sight of him was enough to make her mouth go dry. He was crossing the room towards the bed, his shirt discarded on the floor, his hair mussed up and his face unshaven and drawn with tiredness. The moonlight spilled across the room, highlighting his hard, taught abdomen and the thick ropes of muscles in his arms. The sight of him reminded her of the night she had lost her virginity to him.
Instantly her libido kicked into gear.
I can sleep later.
With a flick of her hand the bedroom door swung closed and the key turned in the lock. Lucien looked up from unbuttoning his jeans with questioning surprise.
She smiled shyly at him. “Suddenly not so tired.”
His answering grin was so wicked her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.
***
“She’s back with the pack.” He gazed across the table at Nikolai. The magik looked worn out, his usually distinguished demeanour lessened by the dark circles under his eyes.
“Good. We have everything we need then?”
He shook his head. “There may be a complication.”
Nikolai shifted in his seat and he could tell he was trying not to roll his eyes. His expression read ‘not again’. “Da?”
He leaned across the Septum they had both been staring at with anticipation. “It has come to my attention that Caia is intending to go to the Council and ask to be put forward as a candidate for the Head of the Daylights.”
Nikolai snapped to attention, his black eyes darkening impossibly. “Kirios, you can’t be serious? My Coven will hear of this... it could jeopardise our plans.”
“You worry too much, Nikolai. My source tells me that the Council don’t reconvene for another few weeks. By then it will be too late.”
“Why mention it at all?” Nikolai grumbled.
He shrugged, relaxing back in his chair. “I just wanted to keep you apprised of the situation. Anyway, even if she had gone ahead before we could stop it, it would merely have been a hindrance, nothing more.”
The magik snorted, “Well, I am tired of hindrances. My Council are eating away at my nerves. I can’t wait to begin.” His eyes dropped to the Septum.
“So close.”
“Da.”
23 - The Council
Jaeden sat anxiously waiting for Caia in Ella’s kitchen, her cold hands wrapped around a hot mug of cof
fee the Elder had planted before her as soon as she arrived.
“I’m sure she won’t be much longer,” Ella assured her, two flags of colour on her cheeks. Magnus snorted and made a mumbling sound under his breath that sounded like “Yeah right.”
Jae tried not to laugh. Lykans were a pretty open bunch, but it was still uncomfortable for a mother to think about her kids having sexual relations of any kind no matter what age. A pang of jealousy hit as she heard a giggle from upstairs and the sounds of something clattering to the ground. At least Caia and Lucien were free to be with one another. She had to wait another frigging ten days because her honourable mate-to-be was old fashioned.
“What do you think of these?” Ella slid a bunch of fabric swatches towards her.
She frowned. “What are they?”
“They’re swatches for the chair coverings, for your ceremony. Julia put me in charge of decorations.”
Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Jaeden nodded at the plain cream swatch. “That’s nice.”
Ever since Lucien had gathered her and Ryder together with both their families yesterday to announce the ceremony could go forward, and preferably soon, her mother had been driving her crazy with recipes and talks of dress shopping. Everyone had burst into discussion, Yvana and Julia arguing over who would take care of the cooking and baking, Lucia asking if Cera would be wearing the same colour as Jaeden along with the rest of the women in the family. Only her father had quietened everyone with a direct question to Lucien. “Why has the mating to be so soon?”
Lucien had glanced at both herself and Ryder before telling the others solemnly that he had something extremely important to discuss with them at the pack meeting on Sunday. The answer to that question would be answered then.
“Will the fact that my daughter was nearly kidnapped again be brought up as well, because it doesn’t seem as if anyone is as bothered by that as I am?”
Well, of course she was bothered by it. The thought of going through that all over again... the thought was unimaginable. But she had Ryder now and he had stopped it. And yesterday Cy had promised to keep looking into it for her.
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