This has one of the god’s handy work in it. I’m also wondering if this will also affect humans somehow too.” Nikola helped Lissa sit up in Castor’s arms, covering her with a robe, as the vines retracted out the kitchen windows. He stood up, as did the other males, except for the ones who held the women in their arms, while all of them waited for further explanation. No one rushes Goddesses, or the queen of the fae.
“Um, excuse me, but could you explain this to us, please.” Nikola asked, Remi and Dominic at his side now, as they waited.
Gaia stood and moved to join the other two women, glancing at Lissa. “You are a beautiful woman Lissa, and you have my gift to communicate with plants, as Jaycee has my gift to communicate with animals. Lissa is pregnant, all your females are, but the children are different.” Gaia started to pace back and forth talking.
“The only other time this happened was when…” she stopped her face lost its color as she looked at Empusa. “The Gathering.” Chapter Eight
Lissa pushed at Castor’s arms, tired, pissed, and confused. “Let me go, now Castor! I want answers, and I’ll be damned if I sit here like a bump on a log.” She glared at Castor as the other females also fought with their men.
Finally Castor released her, helping her stand, for which she was truly grateful since her legs almost gave out twice. Nikola finally had enough so he pulled out a chair in front of him and plopped her down in front of him. “Don’t move.” He snapped his hands on her shoulder.
For some reason she knew not to push her luck, and turned her attention to the three powerful beings who stood before her, Jaycee, Suzanne, Cecil, Shelly, and Marsha.
“Okay you have our full attention, now explain what the hell The Gathering is, and what it has to do with all of us being pregnant, and our children, different.” Jaycee snarled, not caring who she was talking too. Remi held onto her shoulders, as Nikola held onto Lissa’s. Each of the men afraid their mate would do something to harm themselves.
Gaia, Empusa and Isabel all smiled looking at all of them. “It seems the fates have chosen well, but Jaycee, I want to make sure I’m right before I say anything more.” The ground beneath them shook, thunder and lightning lit the skies, wind rattled the windows and water could be heard crashing onto the rocks of the shore outside.
Goddess Empusa waved her hand, and the roof to the house disappeared. Above them the sky swirled, as if they were in the middle of a tornado. “What the hell is that?”
“It has begun.” Empusa glanced back at Gaia, who nodded, and once more the roof was replaced.
“Nikola take your mate and collect her friend, the one who is the reporter. You are going to need her now. This island that drew you here Lissa, is part of a new realm, which is forming, like that of the Fae world. This hasn’t happened for over ten thousand years, when the fae world was created, and right now humans and others must be warned, as to what is going to come. Not only are they going to be fighting the evil ones trying to take your place, but they are going to have to deal with part of their world changing.” Gaia knelt in front of Jaycee, and put her hand on her stomach.
“Your children have Remi’s, Dane’s and Mark’s DNA along with yours. There is no way you can have a child without all three of your mates’ DNA. So no matter who planted the sperm inside you, all of your men are the father of your children, as is the case with the other women here.” Gaia glanced at each woman and stood.
“Lissa, you are pregnant, but since it is so soon, I can’t tell how many children you will have. If, from what I’ve heard from the last time this happened…” Gaia shook her head as Empusa laughed, and Isabel cleared her throat.
“Since Shelly and Marsha are having two babies each, Jaycee and Cecil are pregnant with three babies; you and Suzanne should carry four babies.” Queen Isabel glanced at Nikola, then at Lissa.
“Every time you get pregnant from now on you will carry this many children.”
Lissa’s mouth had to be hanging open, there were no words, she was just stunned. Four babies, inside her, growing as she sat there. She shook her head. “There has to be a mistake. I can’t have four babies, I can’t even take care of myself. And why would anyone want to hurt us, or our children? It just makes no sense.” Gaia rose and tapped her finger to her mouth. “I believe the last time this happened it was recorded.” She glanced at Empusa who nodded.
“What is that old woman’s name, the one who records all our births and deaths? She would have the records.” Empusa and Gaia disappeared from the room, and Isabel laughed.
“They’ll be back as soon as they find that book, but as far as your question it’s quite simple really. If you die and so do your children, who do you think will take your place in the other realm, a new place to rule from the start? If you are dead then there is no one to stop them.” Isabel stepped up next to Nikola and ran her hand down his cheek.
“All of you should take some time, and adjust to what you have been told. We will meet here again tomorrow.” Queen Isabel disappeared from the room, leaving them all sitting there. The room was silent until Cecil rose, and started pulling food out of the fridge.
Marsha joined her when Jaycee turned, and glanced at Nikola.
“Okay, so we’re on an island, which happens to be turning into some other realm? We were chosen, and I’m always going to have three babies at a time?” Jaycee turned in her seat to stare at Remi.
Remi grinned down at her. “It seems we’ll have to wait for more information when they come back.”
Lissa got up, not saying a word, going out in the hall way, and headed toward the back door. “Where are you going?” Adonis asked showing up next to her.
“I want to see what’s going on outside. Could you zap me into a pair of jeans please, this robe just does not get it.” She pushed open the outside door, and stepped onto the back porch, which wrapped all around the house.
A pair of faded jeans and a black halter covered her, and she nodded to Adonis, sitting down on the swing staring out at the forest. “You know those vines that came into the kitchen?” She laid her head down on Adonis chest when he sat down next to her, and pulled her into his arms.
“Yes, I have to admit I’ve never seen anything like them before. Are they from our world, or are they part of this new realm.” He kissed her head and rubbed his chin on it, as he rested one of his hands on her breast.
“I believe both, part of the pumpkin family in our world.
From what I can remember it also grows a fruit, so some kind of a melon.” Lissa watched the sky above the island turn a dark red, as flashes of green, orange and purple lights filled the air.
“Adonis, is there anything going on with Nikola and the Queen, which I should know about?” Lissa glanced down at her hands.
Adonis stopped the swing. “Why would you ask me that? You know none of us can be with anyone else, but our mates.” She shrugged, and turned her gaze out at the rough water. “I know my kind, and your kind can’t, but I know nothing of the fae.
Don’t tell me you didn’t see how she acted around Nikola. I’m not blind Adonis, there was, or is, something between them.” The sound of the waves hitting the rocks calmed her, same as the mur-murs of the plants around them.
“It was in the past Lissa, and there will never again be anything between us, but we are good friends. She has found her partner, as I have found mine.” Nikola stepped around the swing, and sat on her other side, putting her legs on his lap.
“You should call your friend, and warn her that my warriors will be there for her soon.” He handed her a cell phone.
Lissa glanced up at the sky. “Is this going to work with whatever is going on here?” She punched in Leda’s number as Nikola nodded.
“It will work.” Nikola rubbed her feet, as she waited for Leda to answer. “The queen still thinks very highly of you. What happened that broke the two of you apart?”
Nikola grinned. “Are you jealous, Lissa?”
Lissa grunted, and got up as Leda answe
red the phone. “Hey lady, it’s me, Lissa. You ready?”
“Lissa what the hell is going on? Everyone is flipping out. The President has ordered martial law in Washington, and in many of the States.”
“Damn, that isn’t good. Listen, three men are coming for you.
They are going to bring you, and your things here to the island.
They aren’t going to do it the normal way Leda, so don’t flip out.
I’ll see you in a few, and we will share everything we know over dinner.”
Nikola moved in behind her, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed the back of her neck, and pressed his hands on her belly. “I want inside you again.” Nikola nibbled on her shoulder.
“Well this better be good, because I’m missing a lot of good stories here. Did you hear that Dearborn, Michigan was destroyed?
I mean the whole town wiped out, dead. No one knows why, or what happened. Oh shit, damn Lissa, you didn’t warn me these guys were ten’s. Jeez, what kind of men have you been keeping from me?”
Lissa laughed. “Honey, you haven’t seen anything yet. Wait till you get a look at the other men on this island. See you in a few.” She hung up the phone when Nikola turned her around to face him.
“And what other men have you been looking at?” If Nikola wasn’t so serious, Lissa would have laughed, but he had her trapped against the porch railing.
“You have to be kidding me. You’re the one who has the fae queen touching him and you’re asking me what men I was looking at?” Lissa frowned, and placed her hands on his chest. “Nikola I look at a lot of men. I mean this whole island is a walking testos-terone festival, come on. God, look at Remi, Dane and Mark, what woman wouldn’t stare at them. Shit, Nikola you yourself are one of the finest looking men I’ve ever seen. You could be in Playgirl, or on any runway, and in any woman’s arms you chose.”
“They are hot aren’t they, and yet half of them don’t know what we’re talking about when we tell them this.” Jaycee laughed, coming outside with Remi and Dane.
Remi winked at her, and Lissa could have sworn her face turned a bright red. “Cool it Remi, we’ve been through enough tonight, plus your brother does not need your teasing.” Adonis grunted and moved off the swing for Jaycee. “Adonis, we need to know what you can remember. Did you make contact with the other side earlier? Inform them of anything?” Remi went to sit down, but Adonis snarl drew his attention.
Lissa moved out of Nikola’s arms and wrapped her arms around Adonis’s from behind. “Easy wild man, he just wants to make sure, you would do the same it was him.” His body was tense, but he rubbed her arms, and pulled her around him and into his, kissing her cheek.
“Even with the degeneration Remi, I did nothing. I couldn’t betray my mates. I still owe Pierre an apology, it wasn’t his fault.” Adonis sighed, holding her tight as Nikola rubbed his shoulder.
“No one is blaming anyone, Adonis, it happens on rare occasions. Who knows with all this going on around us, something in the air could have brought on the change.” Remi frowned and glanced at both of them. “If that is the case, don’t you think it would be wise for Pierre to claim Lissa? Sorry Lissa, I don’t want another of my brothers going through this again.” Jaycee snarled from the swing, and kicked Remi in the ass.
“What the hell is wrong with you? The bonding should be a personal thing not a job. You sure take the damn romance out of everything,” she screamed drawing Pierre, Mark and Castor outside. Lissa wished she could flash out of there, her face had to be a bright red, but instead Leda appeared at the bottom of the stairs with one of Nikola’s men. “Leda!” She cried and ran to her friend ignoring everyone else.
* * * *
Nikola watched as both women hugged each other crying. “I swear Lissa, if you ever scare me again, I will personally stake you. I searched for you for years, I even had my father pull his friends in to help, but nothing.” Her friend leaned back and glanced up at him. “And you know how father can’t stand not knowing where I am. I had to tell him Lissa. He and mom both deserved to know.” Leda peeked up at them. “Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said ten’s. Okay which one is yours?”
With her arm wrapped around her waist, Lissa guided her friend Leda up the stairs. “Leda I would like to introduce you to my mates, Nikola, Adonis, Castor and Pierre.” Lissa nodded to each of them.
Leda slapped Lissa on the arm. “No freaking way? Four, you have four men? Okay, sign me up!” Leda pulled her hair back and offered her neck. “Come on, bring me into your world. You’ve already brought me half way in anyway.”
Nikola laughed as did everyone on the porch, lightening the mood. Yes, he liked her friend, and would make sure she was safe in this coming world.
He stepped forward. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Leda. Lissa has spoken highly of you.” He bowed, and kissed her hand.
“Okay what are you? Are you a vampire too?” She pulled her hand back, and studied him.
“Will you hush, and no, he’s not a vampire. He’s a warrior fae.
Now, I want you to meet Jaycee, Remi, Dane, and Mark. You will be interviewing Remi first, since many humans already know of him.” Lissa turned her around, and introduced the others outside.
Remi held out his hand and helped Jaycee up off the swing. “I can see why Lissa is so found of you. You are a spitfire, but don’t worry, eventually you will enter our world.” Jaycee took the woman’s hand and studied her. “Yep, if I’m not mistaken you’ll join our circle. No wonder they wanted her here.” she glanced at Remi and nodded.
Lissa stepped in front of her friend. “No one is touching my friend, Jaycee. I was forced into this world, I will allow no one to hurt her while she is here. I don’t care whose wishes it goes against...”
Nikola pulled Lissa into his arms and held her tight. “Easy baby, no one wants to hurt your friend, and if she is part of this, it is her destiny as it is all of ours.”
Leda patted Lissa’s arm, and grinned at her. “No one is going to make me do anything I don’t want to, Lissa. Now are you going to tell me what the hell is going on with the sky?” She pointed to the air above them that swirled, but was now a steady glow of red with dark black spots in it.
Tug stepped onto the porch. “Dinner is ready and on the table.” Nikola nodded and urged both Lissa and Leda inside, as he and Adonis grabbed her bags followed both of them.
“I swear Lissa, you were always lucky when it came to gorgeous men around you. Jeez look at his backside.” Leda elbowed Lissa, nodding to Tug’s ass.
Lissa leaned into Leda and whispered. “You do know they hear everything you say?”
Leda stopped, and stared at her, her face a bright red. “Shit, you did tell me that, didn’t you? Well, what can I say, they’ve got to know women would drool over them, for Pete’s sakes, they’re so hot.”
Tug laughed and bowed. “Why thank you, I’ll have to ask my mate if she likes my ass too?” Tug teased, when Cecil met them at the door way.
“That was not nice, and you have a fine ass. Now go help Clayton with Cade. He’s fussing up a storm with that tooth coming in.” Cecil kissed Tug’s cheek, and took Leda’s other arm, leading her into the dining room.
“All of our men are very attractive, but don’t you think what’s inside is more important than outside? I mean I’d hate to be stuck with a total jerk who knew he was good looking, no?” Cecil pulled out a chair, and nodded to Leda.
“Of course, you are right.” Leda frowned and glanced down at her lap as she sat down. “My fiancé was such a man, until something took him away. I might enjoy looking at Cecil, but I would never do anything. I’m here to do a job, and then I’ll go back to my children.”
Lissa glared at Cecil, and patted her friends arm. “Why don’t you and I go eat out on the porch? We can catch up on old times?
Plus, you have to tell me about your children. I’ve missed so much.” Lissa glanced up at Nikola, and he saw the tear slip down her face.
His stomach t
ightened, as he made it to her side, and kissed her cheek, wiping the tear away. “We would all love to hear about the outside, and what is going on. We have a lot to discus, Lissa. It’s just going to take time for all of us to get to know each other.” He turned and squeezed Leda’s shoulder. “I am very sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what it is like to lose someone you love, and to raise a child without help. Please tell us what is going on in Washington.” Nikola helped Lissa sit, as everyone sat down. While everyone started to fill their plates, the conversation continued.
Nikola sat down next to Lissa and Adonis, who nodded to him.
“Leda, let us explain to you who and what everyone is. That way it will be easier for you to conduct the interviews.” Chapter Nine
Lissa sat there chewing her food, but it had no taste. She watched as each person introduced themselves and what they were to Leda, while Leda took notes and ate. Every once in a while she would glance at her, and Lissa would smile, encouraging her to ask whatever she wanted. Yet at the same time, she wanted to drag Leda out of the dining room, and protect her from the truths that were being unveiled for her.
Pierre’s deep baritone voice drew her attention, and out of her fog. He was introducing himself and explaining what he was. A piece of carrot cake was placed in front of her, when she glanced up to see Cecil there. “I’m sorry Lissa, I didn’t mean to come off as if I was attacking your friend. Do you forgive me?” She stared down at the carrot cake and grinned. “If you keep making carrot cakes, honey, I’ll forgive anything.” Lissa laughed, and patted her hand.
“I think with everything going on, Cecil, we’re all on edge.
Every time we turn the corner, something new is being thrown at us. I guess it’s getting to us all.”
Cecil hissed, her forked tongue snaked out. “You can say that again. I would have liked to find out I was caring our children the normal way, not announced in the middle of the room.” Cecil rubbed her stomach as Clayton moved in behind her and hugged her. Leda turned in her chair and looked at the both of them. “Okay question. If this island is going to be some new realm, and all of you are going to be part of it, why help the rest of us who are stuck here? Because I can promise you right now everyone is going to be asking this. I mean to leave behind the fighting and the deaths.
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