Mac smiled and patted his arm. "Down, nerd boy," she said in a loving tone. "I have no idea what the plans are, and I haven't seen Davin since this morning. But if I can get you your parts, I will."
Alena turned back to Eden. "Would you like to go for a walk this afternoon?"
Eden smiled. "That sounds nice."
"There's a lovely path around the perimeter if you like the look of walls," Mac suggested. "If not, then there are some hidden ponds and caves back in the trees behind the building. There are footpaths and no wild animals. It's very private and beautiful." She wiggled her beringed eyebrows at them, and Eden blushed.
"I think I liked you better when you weren't talking," Alena joked.
The cheeky woman grinned. "I'm sure my brother would agree with you."
"I can't imagine my sister not being mouthy. I'm glad to have her back, just as I remembered."
"I can work out while you guys go out for a walk. I don't have any wood to chop here." Alec grinned.
The image of Alec chopping wood blazed through Eden's mind. Her mouth dried and she reached for her water.
"Careful, Alec, you'll change their mind," Mac teased. "They might come along with you so they can watch the show."
Alena threw her napkin at Mac who batted it away and laughed. Eden blushed.
"My dad had two wives," Cat said thoughtfully, watching them.
Eden froze. She felt mortified, but also intrigued.
"Your sister said the same thing the first time we met," Alena said. "I guess we're just too obvious."
"Oh, I think it's cute." Cat smiled shyly. "My moms were so close. They didn't like each other like that, you know, not that there's any problem with that," she stammered and cleared her throat. Eden and Alena both smiled at her encouragingly. "They did everything together, though. They would often sleep with my dad at the same time."
"Hmm," Mac hummed thoughtfully. "No jealousy? I mean, I had a couple of friends in secondary school that had several parents apiece of all different orientations and numbers and all that, but drama seemed to follow them around."
Cat shrugged. The memory of her mothers painted her emotions with sadness. "There might have been some jealousy, but it was well controlled. The majority of their issues came about because my techie mother had difficulty in the West. When my dad socialized, he usually took Jen's mom because it was more socially acceptable. He didn't do it unless he had to; neither Dad nor Mama Adelie wanted to hurt Mama Anna. Sometimes he didn't give a damn and took them both out, but it got harder as I got older. When Mama Anna died prematurely, it left Dad with a techie wife and both of them with broken hearts. No one understood but my sister and me."
Andrew squeezed the young techie's hand briefly. Surprise crossed her face, but she returned the squeeze before pulling away.
"But," Cat said, refocusing on the good, "they were all very happy together."
Mac smiled gently, realizing Cat’s fragility. "It's so nice to hear good stories. My one friend had three dads, but they cheated on each other all the time - even though they were all okay with each other dating. I guess they just got something out of cheating that they didn't get out of honest relationships." She shrugged. "And then another friend had two dads and two moms. They had some weird sex fetishes that my friend loved talking about. Now, that was some weird shit." She whistled under her breath, causing Cat and Eden to blush.
"Well, from someone that didn't have much of a family," Eden said, forcing her voice to be strong, "it's nice to hear about other families. Four mediocre parents are probably better than one barely-there parent."
Mac shared her self-deprecating chuckle. "Or one great parent, one horrible parent, and one horribly overbearing uncle." She lifted her glass and Andrew's met hers in a silent toast.
Eden sat back, comfortably full and enjoying the pleasant emotions that filled the room.
"Ready for that walk now or later?" Alena asked.
"Now is good," Eden said with a smile, "I've been sitting all morning after eating too many pastries." They both stood up from the table, and Alec followed them from the room. He left them with a hug that had Eden wanting more.
Eden winced when the bright sunlight hit her eyes after Alena opened the door. It was still a beautiful day, bright and cloudless.
"How are you doing really?" Alena asked. “Do you feel left out because Alec and I share a history? We don't want to leave you out, but we don't want to overwhelm you with our affection either." The other woman peeked at her from behind a fall of red hair.
"We're all handling the situation well, I think." She blushed. "I kissed him after you left this morning. It was just a little peck, but I thought it looked so nice when you kissed him so I did." She shrugged nervously. "It was nice."
"Just nice, huh? I guess I didn't train him well enough then."
Eden blushed brighter. The cool shadows of the trees enveloped them as they stepped off the cobbled path onto a dirt path that had seen recent maintenance. "Well, it was just a little kiss," she protested.
Alena laughed. "I'm just joking, Eden. I'm glad you kissed him, but I might be a little jealous."
"Oh," Eden stammered, her eyes wide. "I thought, because, well I thought it would be okay."
Alena stopped in front of Eden, bringing her to a halt. The beautiful mage grinned, not looking in the least upset. "I'm not jealous you kissed Alec. Envious would be a better word. I'm a little envious that Alec got a kiss and I didn't."
Eden sighed in relief. She didn't want to cause problems between the loving couple. Her eyes strayed to Alena's full, firm lips.
"That wasn't a plea for a kiss, beautiful girl. I don't want you to kiss me because you feel like you have to even the field."
Eden stepped closer. "I want to kiss you," she said honestly. Her gaze caressed the smattering of freckles across the mage's nose and then dropped to her mouth again. When they pressed their lips together, she sighed in pleasure. She'd wanted to kiss Alena again since the other morning. Compared to Alec, her lips were soft, and there wasn't the scratchy presence of facial hair. She smelled like roses instead of soap.
The other woman's magic burned around them and reached out to hers. Alena's pulse jumped under her hand, her desire perfuming the air between them. When their tongues met in a tentative dance, Eden's arms tightened around Alena. Need roaring through her, Eden stepped back with a gasp before she went further. Kissing Alec was like a slow burn; kissing Alena was like standing in fire.
"Well," the redhead panted. "That was more than nice." Their grins matched.
They walked side by side, talking about their childhoods. Alena pointed out flowers and birds, and Eden supplied the botanical name and common name for almost all of them, surprised when they sprang to her lips. They explored little pools covered with algae or crystal clear and small caves; a couple had childish crayon drawings on the walls. Eden missed her sketchbook. She’d have to beg some paper from the Brownies.
When the air turned chilly, they emerged from the woods back at the manor. Both glowed with happiness.
"I had a wonderful time." Alena's sincerity warmed the air around them.
"Me too," Eden replied, pushing emotion into her words so the other woman would know they were as true as hers. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For lots of things. I like getting to know you and Alec. I like spending time with each of you, both separate and together. I love seeing the way you care for each other, and I like hearing stories you've shared."
"We’ll spend more time together too." Alena grinned, and Eden echoed the other woman's happiness.
They entered the house lit with electric and mage shine, filled with happiness amid the craziness going on around them. Exhaustion dragged at Eden, though. Spending time with her crushes needed to wait for another day. After dinner, her focus was on sleep.
Chapter Eight
Mac
Davin and Jenira met Mac in the sitting room to lecture her about the surprise evening
excursion. Halfway through the briefing, Eli burst into the room. His usual, cocky demeanor seemed shaken and fresh blood stained his pants. Davin's explanation stuttered to a stop.
"You're still here. Good," the blood mage panted.
"Has something changed?" Jenira asked curiously. The warrior never appeared flustered, something Mac admired about her.
"Yes. Maybe. I don't know," Eli grunted. He ran a hand through his loose, dark hair. "I need to go with you." He didn't look at Mac, and the difference in his behavior sent a shiver down her spine. She slid a hand into Lightning's thick pelt. The animal enjoyed the physical touch, and she found comfort in his solid presence after her year of self-imposed isolation.
"Do we need to make changes to our plans?" Jenira prodded.
"I'm not exactly sure." Eli's tone rang with frustration, and he glanced at Mac out of the corner of his eye. "I just know that you have a high chance of failure, or worse, if I don't join you."
Jenira frowned, tapping her dagger on her leg. Mac rarely saw her without them in her hands. "And you can't tell us more?"
"I don't know more," the blood mage growled.
Mac stood up. "Well, if that's the case, let's just get going." She swiped a hand over her face. She wanted to leave so she could go back to bed. Her late night in the treehouse and her stressful tussle with the lynx that morning had drained her. The earlier attempt at a nap had morphed into a one-sided conversation with Lightning about the events of the last year.
"I don't like this," Davin complained. "Should we wait?"
"No, it must be tonight."
"Let's go, then," Jenira muttered, overruling Davin. They filed from the sitting room in a stiff-backed line.
Mac grabbed Eli's elbow when they stepped outside. "Is everything okay?"
The blood prophet grinned crookedly, but worry still filled his eyes. "Yes. It will be."
The last words were spoken quietly. Mac wanted to know more, but Lightning's sudden fear distracted her. The lynx's body was tight, and his hackles rose as he stared down the lumbering beast headed toward him. Headlights flashed off his silver eyes. She knelt and hugged the creature. "It won't hurt you, boy. It's just here to take us somewhere."
Jenira slid from the van. "Is he having issues with the vehicle? Once he's inside, he'll feel better," she reassured them. "The car is an unknown threat."
Mac sent a wave of comfort to the cat, although she didn't know if she was doing it correctly. When she attempted to push him towards the open side door, he remained frozen. Davin drove, and Eli sat in the bench seat pressed up against the window. The rest of the van was an open space for the parts they needed to transport.
"If you climb in first, it should help him," Jenira suggested. "His need to be with you will overcome his fear."
Mac stepped into the SUV, sitting next to Eli with plenty of space between her and the quiet blood mage. For a moment, Mac worried Lightning might run instead of following her. What if he decided she wasn't worth it? Fear and sadness swept through her. His concern turned to determination, though, and he jumped into the vehicle. Not content to stay on the floor, he hopped onto the seat next to her.
"Oof.” Mac groaned as the cat's bulk pressed her against Eli. Lightning tried climbing into her lap, but he was just too big. The lynx only seemed content when his head was on Mac’s thighs, and he was hogging most of the bench seat. Eli lifted his arm behind them, tucking Mac against his side. She could feel his heat through the light sweatshirts they both wore.
Davin scowled at Eli. "Maybe you should sit behind the seats."
Although his face was hidden from Mac, she heard the smug satisfaction in his voice. "That wouldn't be safe, would it?" His breath ruffled her hair.
"Rock's waiting," Mac reminded her uncle.
Davin squeezed the steering wheel so tight, Mac was surprised it didn't snap in his grip. He growled in his throat like a beast and stomped the gas, nearly launching them off the seat. Lightning snarled at him as if he knew whose fault it was.
"Relax, lass," Eli breathed, his voice too quiet for her uncle to hear over the rumble of the engine. "I told you I wouldn't bite. It's a long drive, and you'll be too tense if you don't loosen up a little."
Mac forced her muscles to relax. She didn't want Lightning mimicking her tension. Her hands stroked the cat's head, playing with the little tufts of hair sticking up from the points of his ears. Although he wasn't shaking anymore, she still sensed his anxious awareness. Sharp claws nearly pierced the material of Mac's jeans.
"Where are we going?" Jenira asked, turning in her seat.
Eli rattled off an address and relaxed in the seat. His fingers idly scraped Mac's shoulder, making her tense all over again. She swallowed hard, fully aware that if she turned her head to look at him, his mouth would be close enough to kiss. Her hands dug into Lightning's coat, and the cat shifted in response. He focused on Eli and yawned, his impressive fangs and all his sharp teeth on display.
"Careful," Mac murmured, "I might sic my guard cat on you."
Eli chuckled, the sound sensual due to their closeness. "I rather prefer your claws, little wildcat. You can sink them into me anytime you want."
Mac merely grunted in response. She swore he was full of shit most of the time and she was a convenient toy to tease. His gaze lingered a moment longer before shifting away and receding into his thoughts.
Lightning finally relaxed, and the soothing rumble of the car soon lulled her into the rest she'd been craving all day. She only dozed, sandwiched by Eli's and Lightning's heat. The prophet’s hand gently stroked her hair, and she allowed herself to enjoy it without worrying what it meant.
When Jenira's voice jolted her awake, she was almost sad to return to the world. She stretched and opened her eyes. Lightning's weight had numbed everything below her knees.
"Man, you're heavy, you big oaf," she groaned. The cat's eyes opened lazily, shining in the encroaching darkness.
The warrior woman turned in her seat again. "Davin and I are going to check out the place first."
"That's a good idea," Eli agreed.
The car stopped on a quiet street in the industrial section outside of Brenville. Warehouses and gutted factories surrounded them. The roads were so silent it was almost eerie. Mac hadn't spent that much time in this part of the city, even during her brief stint on the streets. Jenira told them to wait while she and Davin crept down the sidewalk.
Mac pushed Lightning gently off her lap. The cat obliged, stretching his front paws out and yawning again. She sighed in relief and stomped the pins and needles from her lower limbs.
"Lass," Eli said softly, "something might happen here. There's a chance we might encounter one of Mather's minions. Don't hesitate to zap them. Remember that your magic neutralizes his influence."
"Zap them?" Mac studied Eli's shadowed face. The area didn't have streetlights - no need to spend money on energy in this part of town. Only the glow of the moon lit his expression. "Zapping them will kill them." She wouldn't hesitate to kill if it was one of Mather's minions, but the blood prophet's mysterious warning bothered her.
His teeth flashed white in the darkness. "Not necessarily. Remember, you control how much wattage you release."
"Wattage? You act like my magic is electricity, not magefire."
"Just remember that," he replied cryptically as Jenira returned and opened the door. Mac turned away, nervousness ringing through her muscles.
"All clear," the warrior woman announced. "Come on."
Lightning immediately jumped to the ground. Mac moved slower; the inefficient stretch hadn't prepared her legs enough. She stopped on the pavement, groaning softly as the pins and needles in her legs slowly resolved. Eli hopped out, apparently as spry as when they'd entered the vehicle. Maybe the cat could sleep on his lap back to the castle.
The three of them walked down the street while Davin drove the vehicle closer to their destination. A bare bulb hanging from the ceiling lit the small warehouse they entered.
Tables displayed metal, wires, and other detritus that Mac couldn't begin to identify but Andrew would drool over. Some pieces were intact enough to remind her of the robots she’d fought, and uneasiness slithered down her spine.
Eli stepped in, far more alert than the situation warranted. Rock waited near one of the tables.
"Rock," Mac greeted her old friend with a happy smile. The huge man nodded, but otherwise maintained the usual, taciturn nature she'd always associated with him. He looked tired. "It's been a while, buddy," she added, punching him lightly on the arm.
They'd had some fun times together. It was Rock who’d taken her and Andrew partying for the first time. He'd introduced her to the special bourbon that could give mages a slight buzz.
Lightning started growling, staring at the huge man. "It's okay, boy, he's an old friend," she instructed her familiar. The cat maintained his warning. She figured Rock's size and silence might be intimidating to the cat despite her assurances.
"Okay, Mac," Davin said, gesturing to the tables. "Do your thing."
"So, I just zap all this stuff?" It seemed too easy. The blood prophet's gaze darted around the room, as if concerned someone might be hiding in the shadows. Jenira stayed on guard as well, holding her daggers. Why couldn't they just chill out? This was a simple snatch and grab.
Eli nodded tightly, his body rigid with tension. "You shouldn't need to touch every piece. They're on metal tables so the energy will transfer to every piece if you zap each table individually. The locket will need an individual zap, though. It contains more power than all these parts combined." He motioned to a door she hadn't noticed. Evidently, the locket was in a separate room. Mac shivered. The locket was freaky scary. She didn't understand how Eden managed to wear it all those years.
Mac stepped up to the nearest table, motioning for everyone else to step back. Lightning maintained his guard on Rock which made her frown in confusion. Rock was big but harmless. Shrugging, she focused her magic, careful not to draw so much that she lit up the whole room. She touched the metal tables, releasing a small burst that made each piece glow briefly. For a second, they appeared to be lit from within by blue fire. She blinked.
Enemies Allied Page 8
