Blood Diamond

by R. J. Blain

  “Listen to her,” Elliot pleaded. “What did I do to you?”

  With a chuckle, Richard sat on arm of the couch near me. “I solemnly swear to beat your brother, should he fail to propose to his Fenerec girlfriend. Furthermore, I solemnly swear to beat you if you fail to do the same.”

  “That’s not necessary,” Evelyn replied, jabbing at the Alpha Fenerec, poking him in the side with a finger. “I can beat him myself, if needed. Which it won’t be, thank you very much.”

  “It won’t be necessary,” I muttered. My hand had mostly healed from her bite, and while she had left a bruise on my shoulder, I had every intention of never giving her a reason to want to leave—and every reason to say yes when I did propose to her. I believed in her promise to let me hunt her to my heart’s content. When I was done, she’d have a ring as beautiful as she was, and I’d give her the wedding she deserved.

  A proposal wasn’t needed; she had my promise already, and I had hers.

  I was determined to make Suzanne a fading shadow, insubstantial and powerless to separate me from Evelyn.

  My brother sighed. “You are all aware that there are restrictions on who I can marry, aren’t you?”

  “Change the rules,” I snapped, my annoyance spiking at the thought of our blood family once again ruining our lives. “Go tell them to fuck themselves and make new rules.”

  I sucked in a breath, dropping the brush to cover my mouth when I realized what I had blurted. Everyone stared at me with wide eyes. My brother’s mouth hung open, although he didn’t say a word.

  Evelyn broke the silence, kicking her legs and howling her laughter. She rolled over on my lap, grabbing hold of my neck to pull herself upright. Once situated to her liking across my legs, she kissed my cheek. “You’re so adorable.” Still chuckling, she grabbed the brush, hopped off of me, and retreated to the bathroom. “I need a shower.”

  “Well, if you had any doubts of your brother’s opinion, Mr. Anderson, you can lay them to rest,” Richard said, his voice rumbling from his amusement.

  “I can’t believe I said that,” I mumbled into my hands, feeling my face burn.

  Through the closed bathroom door, I heard Evelyn laugh again.

  “I will take your suggestion under consideration. What, pray tell, should I tell them to use when following your non-biased opinion?”

  I bit my lip in my effort to contain my growing need to laugh. When I could control myself, I said, “I have a set of golf clubs I would happily donate to the cause.”

  My brother cracked his knuckles. “Why don’t I come over there and blacken your eyes so we’re better matched.”

  “Children,” Zachary chided. “Play nice. There is a lady present.”

  “If you blacken Jackson’s eye, Elliot, I’m breaking your arm,” Evelyn called out. “No one will be beating my mate, thank you very much.”

  My brother’s eyebrows rose. “Mate?”

  I flushed and kept my mouth shut, knowing there was nothing I could say that wouldn’t offend someone—or leave me the butt end of a long-term joke.

  Richard saved me by chuckling. “What exactly were you expecting, Mr. Anderson? He is an earth witch and she is a Fenerec, a rather lovely one at that. They’ll be good for each other.”

  I considered if I could make a strategic retreat for the bedroom. Zachary clucked his tongue and said, “Interesting. So, when’s the wedding? Should I get out my dress uniform? I’m certain I could whip something together for this evening…”

  Evelyn opened the bathroom door enough to poke her head out. “I deserve a proper proposal and engagement, if you please. Stop bothering him.” She slammed the door, and moments later, I heard her turn on the shower.

  “Listen to her,” I pleaded.

  “I claim the honor and privilege of helping him pick out the ring,” Zachary declared.

  “No, I’m his brother. That’s my right.”

  “This is not up for debate,” I cut in desperately, relieved when my glare managed to silence both of them.

  “Listen, Dante. I already had to change the rules once for you,” my twin said, lifting his hands in exasperation. “You’re trying to kill us both, aren’t you?”

  My resentment flared, and I straightened, narrowing my eyes at my brother. While I still couldn’t believe Evelyn wanted someone like me, I couldn’t sit and let my brother lose his chance. He had changed the rules so that I could marry Suzanne without fearing the Inquisition’s wrath.

  If he could do it for me, he could do it for himself—and maybe even put an end to the necessity of a pure, null line ruling the Inquisition. If necessary, we had cousins—and a lot of them—who could pick up the mantle.

  I trembled as my anger spiked. “No, I am not trying to get us both killed. You deserve to love who you want to love, be she Normal, witch, or Fenerec. Take it from me, you could do a lot worse than a Fenerec.” For a long moment, I clenched my teeth before snarling, “She won’t abandon you.”

  My twin’s eyes widened and his color faded to a sickly gray. “Dante—”

  “Don’t you Dante me. Change the rules, Elliot. For your sake and for hers. If she chooses you, she won’t change her mind—ever. She’ll wait for you until the day you die—or she dies. Don’t do that to her. Neither one of you deserves it, especially if you’re as committed to her as I think you are. Don’t be like me, left alone and regretting it for years.”

  “Well, this is awkward,” Richard muttered. The Fenerec sighed. “Unfortunately, he’s correct. I didn’t want to mention this quite yet, but I guess now is as good of a time as any. The lady carries your scent, Mr. Anderson. Like it or not, it’s a problem you’re going to have to deal with. I hope you don’t have any Normal girlfriends in the wings, Your Eminence. Fenerec are all the jealous type, and for whatever reason, the mating bond has taken hold on the pair of you.”

  For a moment, I thought my brother was going to topple over in a faint. I was halfway to my feet when Richard’s arm slapped against my chest and he shoved me back down. “Easy, Jackson. If he makes a fool out of himself, I’ll catch him so he doesn’t crack his head on anything.”

  My brother closed his eyes and groaned. “She’s the one with the shaman boyfriend and two adopted kids, both of whom live with him, if you must know. You’re wrong.”

  “My nose doesn’t lie. Sure, I have to work a little harder to tell you two apart, but you carry Miss Vicky’s scent and she carries yours. Any Fenerec who catches a sniff will know,” Richard warned.

  I settled back on the couch, shoving Richard’s arm aside. “Welcome to my life, little brother.”

  Richard rubbed his temples, making thoughtful noises. “If it makes you feel better, you didn’t smell like her when we first boarded. Maybe she felt threatened by Evelyn and chose to stake her claim then? Either way, the mating bond has taken hold. Perhaps that might have something to do with your second black eye? All it takes is a Fenerec committing to someone who is likewise committed. It isn’t an exact art, and you won’t be the first or last pair forged accidentally. Just ask my mate and wife, as we’re such a pair. It is, however, quite permanent, for better or for worse. You better get used to the idea. Take your brother’s advice. Change the rules while you can.”

  “Why me?” Groaning, my brother bowed his head. “Don’t I have to agree to this?”

  With a shake of his head, Richard rose and crouched next to my twin, patting his shoulder. “It doesn’t work that way, sorry. Maybe you didn’t say anything, but pack magic doesn’t need spoken agreement. If both parties are committed, the mating bond can take hold. Usually it takes intent and effort—and sex—but not necessarily.”

  “What about him?” When my brother pointed at me, I lifted my hands.

  Richard snorted. “Take one good look at who we’re talking about here. He was likely committed the instant he decided to defy the Inquisition to save his little wolf. You saw what she was willing to do for him. If you have any doubt, maybe I need to beat some more sense
into you.”

  “I’d like to remind you all that I’m right here,” I complained. Arguing with the Fenerec wasn’t an option, not when he was right. Whether or not I had meant to create a permanent bond between us, I had decided to help her, and I didn’t back out of such a commitment lightly. I had liked her from the very beginning.

  Evelyn was easy to love.

  “You were carrying Evelyn’s scent from the start,” Richard informed me.

  “But doesn’t that mean Vicky had no reason to worry?” My twin scowled at Richard, looking away when the Fenerec went to meet his gaze.

  Getting up from his spot on the couch, Zachary grabbed my coffee mug and headed towards the kitchenette. “I think I need more coffee for this.”

  “You’re twins, Elliot. Even I’m hard-pressed to distinguish your scents. It takes effort, and I have to concentrate to tell you two apart. On a casual sniff? She probably confused your scents. That’d give any Fenerec reason for concern.”

  “Evelyn looked ready for a fight,” I said, thinking about the incident at the dinner table. My mood hadn’t been much better, I remembered with a grimace.

  “You’re hers to defend,” Richard said, grinning at me. “Just ask Nicole when you see her, if you don’t believe me. Ladies guard what is theirs, and if you’re wise, you won’t get in their way while they’re doing it.”

  “So, let me get this straight.” Pointing at my brother, I leaned forward, smiling. “My little brother, who has been fawning over Vicky, is now her mate as a result?”

  Our family was going to have collective seizure when they found out, and I looked forward to beating sense into all of them if they even thought of trying to interfere with my twin’s new relationship. I couldn’t help myself. Letting my smile widen to a grin, I said, “Copycat.”

  “You’re too relaxed about this,” my twin grumbled.

  “Have you looked at them? They’re gorgeous, both of them. Of course, Evelyn’s prettier, but you didn’t do bad yourself.”

  “You’re a pig,” Zachary said, bearing two cups of coffee. He handed me one, shaking his head as he chuckled.

  I feigned innocence. “Me?”

  “He’s a terrible, horrible, and unforgivable pig, holding doors open for ladies, displaying proper protective instincts, and caring for those he views as his. Absolutely unforgivable.” Evelyn emerged from the bathroom dressed in a spaghetti-strap shirt and a pair of tight jeans. She toweled at her hair. “However, Vicky is prettier.”

  “Absolutely not,” I blurted.

  When she laughed, I flushed.

  “Well, it’s true enough that this does cause some problems, although I think I can solve a few of them now. If I bring Vicky into my pack, it’ll offer you some protections. She’s unaffiliated, correct? I hold the Inquisition’s finances, and you being in a relationship with one of my bitches would give them a reason to back off—a billion reasons, really. That’s a lot of power.” Richard joined me on the couch, claiming the spot between Zachary and I, leaving Evelyn to perch on the arm. “While Jackson will give me headaches, you’re not nearly as dominant as he is. Vicky’s aggressive enough, but I’ve been Alpha a long time, and Nicole is easily her equal. Bringing her in won’t hurt the pack’s dynamic. If you can’t change the rules, I can twist their arm to protect you.”

  “She won’t accept it,” my brother replied, and the bitterness in his voice surprised me.

  Evelyn crossed her legs, resting her clasped hands on her knee. “Leave that to me. Sure, Vicky’s a rogue, but I’m sure she’ll listen to reason.”

  “You?” Richard growled, and I didn’t like the way he frowned at Evelyn. Tensing, I watched him, feeling the rumble of a wordless growl building in my chest.

  Leaning over, Evelyn kissed my cheek. “Yes, me. Is there a problem? We’ll be sisters, after all. Anyway, I’m older than both of you.” The challenge in her tone made me want to get between the two Fenerec. I shifted my weight, unable to tear my gaze from Richard.

  “And I take it you know how old she is?” Richard countered.

  “Sure, she’s Queen Victoria’s little girl. I knew her mother quite well. Ah, you were aware, yes?” Evelyn flushed, running her hands through her hair only to snag her fingers in a knot she had somehow created in the shower. I reached up and freed her before going to work once more untangling her hair.

  “I knew,” my brother admitted.

  Richard grumbled something before nodding. “Fine. I’ll leave Vicky to you. I can bring you both into the pack at the same time, once we’re in Yellowknife.”

  “Thank you. So you’re aware, I prefer a more submissive role in a pack. Relax, Jackson. He’s not going to do anything.”

  I couldn’t force myself to look away from the Alpha, sitting rigid as I watched him regard Evelyn with a faint smile.

  When he spoke, there was laughter in his voice. “There’s absolutely nothing submissive about you at all. You’re both going to give me headaches.”

  Evelyn covered my eyes with her hands, nipping my ear. Trying to duck my head away did me no good; she tightened her hold and sank her teeth into the side of my neck. “Behave.”

  “Where’s Alex, anyway?” Zachary asked. “He’s usually your shadow.”

  “Probably lazing in bed,” Richard replied, relaxing into the couch and kicking his feet up onto the coffee table. I freed myself from Evelyn’s grip and her teeth, elbowing her gently in the side.

  She poked me in the ribs, managing to tickle me in the process. Batting away her hands, I scooted closer to Richard, where I might be safe from her advances. She laughed.

  After taking a sip of his coffee, Zachary said, “It’s a Fenerec thing, isn’t it? You all like sleeping in given a chance. I’m astonished you’re up so early, Richard.”

  “My wife’s fault. She called, wanting to make certain I was still among the living. I think it’s a twins thing. Please tell me you aren’t a twin, Evelyn. Two sets is more than enough. Once Nicole finds out, she’ll never let it go.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m guaranteed unique, as I am an only child.”

  “It’s almost a shame you aren’t Vicky’s sister. That’d make it perfect. A pity.”

  My twin watched me with narrowed eyes. “You aren’t at all bothered by the fact she’s old enough to be our grandmother?”

  I turned to look at Evelyn. “Are you my grandmother, my great grandmother, or any form of distant grandmother?” It was impossible, I knew; the Anderson line had more than six hundred years of proud, Normal heritage, without a single witch or Fenerec tainting the bloodline.

  “Absolutely not,” she snapped. “That’s so rude.”

  I leveled a glare at my brother. “I am not bothered. Are you?”

  A puzzled frown marred his expression. “Huh. I guess I’m not.”

  “What’s the problem, then?”

  “No problem,” he replied, holding his hands up in surrender.

  Richard sucked in a breath, looking between us with wide eyes. “How old are you two?”

  “Thirty-two,” we chorused.

  I shook my head. “You should know how old I am, Richard!”

  “Quiet, you. Are you aware you don’t look a day over twenty-one?” he asked, furrowing his brow.

  Zachary burst out laughing. “You’re being generous, Richard. They don’t look a day over eighteen. Trust me on this one, I know. I met them when they were freshly minted adults. They’re blessed with eternally good looks, curse them both.”

  “Don’t throw stones, Richard. You’re no different, nor is your wizard wife.”

  “We’re Fenerec. We don’t age. You’re a witch, you do. Are you—wait, only one of you is a witch. That doesn’t make sense. A witch can use a glamour to look young, but only you could do that, Dante.” He stood, prowled to my brother, and took a deep breath. When he returned to me, he sniffed at me, his eyes narrowed and were rimmed in yellow. “And yes, I had a rough idea. I just didn’t think anything of it because I’ve known you
since before you turned into a giant.”

  I placed my palm on his forehead and pushed him away. “Keep your nose to yourself. No, I can’t do a glamour, if you must know. What’s your problem?”

  “I’m confused,” he admitted.

  “Well, that’s two of us.” He leaned closer to me, and I finally relented, letting him sniff at me, muttering a few curses under my breath. “That’s creepy, stop that.”

  “Stalled aging is a Fenerec trait,” he said.

  “So I’ve been told. We are not Fenerec, and I am the only witch.”

  Richard sank back down on the couch, staring at me. “This is going to drive me insane.”

  “Well, that’s a short trip for you,” I grumbled.

  Richard snorted and replied, “You’re not funny.”

  Zachary drained his coffee and stood. “All right. I think it’s time we broke this party up. We should give the lovebirds a chance to have some peace and quiet, something neither one has had since boarding. I have work to do. We’re still on tidal wave watch, since there’s been aftershock activity on the ridge all night long. I’m not expecting anything, but why take chances? If you’re hungry, Boss, give Max a ring. He’s your gopher for today. Also, Brandon asked me to tell you that he wants to see you sometime today about something.”

  I sighed. “Down in his pitiable excuse for an office?”

  “Yes.”

  Wrinkling my nose at the thought of having to face the cargo bay again, I shook my head. “No, thank you.”

  Zachary laughed. “You’ll have your very own army composed of at least two bodyguards and a Fenerec. You’ll be fine.”

  I recognized the inevitable when I saw it, so I surrendered with a long-suffering sigh, exaggerated for Zachary’s benefit. “I suppose if I must.”

  “You must. Sometime today. That means before midnight, Boss. Now, as for the rest of you—out! Give him a chance to get a shower and dressed… or not.” When Zachary waggled his eyebrows at me, I glowered at him.

  It didn’t take long for Zachary to herd everyone out of the room. Groaning my relief at their departure, I stretched my legs and propped my feet on the coffee table. “That was interesting.”