by Anjela Renee
“Adrian, I see we woke you.” Kieran said grumpily. Adrian could tell by the scowl on Kieran’s face he had bad news.
“I am here to serve, my king.”
“I hope you had a pleasant sleep, enforcer Adrian.” Said, Cayden cheerfully. Adrian couldn’t believe they were twins; their personalities couldn’t be any more different.
“Yes, thank you Cayden. And how are you adjusting to life in the human realm?”
“It is so different, everything is done with machines. And the human women are so friendly.”
“Enough of the small talk.” Kieran said abruptly. “I contacted you because Cam got in touch with me last night.”
“This is good news right? Why do you sound upset?”
“She won’t tell me where she is, she wants me to move on and forget about her. I just don’t understand, this is not the Cam I know. She should be with me, she is carrying my child,” he demanded.
“I’m sorry to hear that Kieran.”
“This changes nothing; I want to proceed with the plan. I want Cam located so I can talk with her myself and Cayden will replace me at the Queen’s side. He is almost ready; we have been working together continuously. I will contact you when we are ready to proceed.”
“Thank you for keeping me updated. I will double my efforts to find Cam.
“Bye Adrian.” Cayden waved as the image disappeared.
*****
Queen Brianna stepped outside into the garden. It was a sunny pleasant morning. She was staying at a bed and breakfast in New Orleans Garden District. She wore a flowing sundress with purple flowers. Her shimmering skin seemed to sparkle in the morning sun. She sat down at a small table and waited while her lady in waiting got her morning meal. She decided after the last conversation with the Fae enforcer she needed to be in New Orleans to take care of things herself. She knew her husband was hiding out somewhere in the city. She was willing to do whatever it took to make sure she found Camilla before he did.
“My Queen I have brought your morning meal.”
“Thank you, Charity. Please have a seat while I eat.” The queen looked at the meal of various fruits on a plate and a steaming cup of Herbal tea. “This looks nice, thanks to you.”
“It is my pleasure to serve my Queen.” Charity was a Brownie; she wore a plain yellow dress. She had been a loyal to the Queen for eighty years. When the Queen had chosen Charity it was frowned upon. Fae started talking saying a brownie wasn’t worthy to serve a Queen. What all those looking down on Charity didn’t know is that she was a secret childhood friend to the Queen. She was the daughter of the Castle cook. They would play for hours in the kitchen while Charity’s mother cooked. They would hide when anyone came in just in case; it was one of the Queens fondest memories.
“You can call me Brianna. We are in the human realm now.”
“Are you sure? If word got back it would be terrible for you. I could never forgive myself.”
“I have never been ashamed of our friendship, and I won’t start now.”
“I know but it is best we keep it a secret.”
“You are my dearest friend, if that’s what you want that’s what we’ll do.”
Brianna remembered all the times Charity was of comfort to her after the death of her parents. Everyone at court was more concerned about how it would affect him or her to worry about a girl who was just orphaned and hurting. Charity and her mother were there for her when no one else was. She owed everything to them. To everyone else in the kingdom she was a cold strict ruler, nothing else.
“Brianna I would never question your decisions but do you really think we need to be here in the human realm to oversee the capture of the traitor?”
“I fear they will fall under the spell of Camilla’s innocence. They don’t see the traitorous woman I know her to be. I cannot allow her to take my husband. We may not love each other but he is mine; if I allow this to happen my authority will be undermined.”
“Then I will help in every way I can, I will ask around. Nobody ever sees me as a threat.”
Brianna smiled and took Charity’s hand. “You never disappoint me.”
“I love you too my Queen.” Charity giggled.
*****
Blake sat outside a house on Werecat Avenue in the Paranormal Subdivision. He rented a car for this purpose. He sensed a strong Fae presence in the modest home. There shouldn’t be any Fae on this street; this is where all the Werecats lived.
It had taken him a while to track the Fae presence here. He heard rumors that a Fae shifter lived here but the presence he felt was much stronger than just one Fae. It felt more like a group of them. It was still early and the house was mostly quiet. He felt one presence starting to move around. Just then he saw a woman emerge and she was a pregnant Fae. Bingo! He had a good feeling that was Camilla with her bright red hair. Unexpectedly his car door opened, he saw a fist coming toward his face, and everything went black.
Monroe pushed the man into the next seat after he was sure he was knocked out cold. It was a good thing he took some of Richard’s clothes. A naked man driving a car might gather some suspicious looks. Monroe wasn’t sure what this guy was doing lurking outside his house but he would find out soon enough.
Nobody messes with my family. Monroe drove two hours deep into the bayou until he reached a boat. He parked the car and dragged the stranger onto the boat. A short boat ride later they reached a small house in the middle of the swamp. He tied up the boat on the dock as the stranger began waking up.
Monroe laughed as the man began looking for his weapons. “I threw them all in the water so don’t bother. Come with me.” Monroe led him into the small house. An older woman came out from the kitchen and gave them both a stern look. She had silver hair all tied up on top of her head; a few curls fell into her face, and she looked very elegant. Not someone you would ever think would live in the middle of a swamp. She was tall and thin, and must have been stunning when she was younger.
“What is going on here?”
“He was watching Gretchen’s house.”
“Young man you better have a good reason for watching my Granddaughter’s house.”
Chapter 13
Kieran and Cayden sat in the hospital waiting room. Kieran was pacing impatiently as Cayden watched the T.V. mounted on the wall. A purple haired woman using Fae mist came out and sat next to Cayden.
“I am Cerise, come with me, both of you.” She said looking at both brothers.
Cayden and Kieran followed Cerise out of the lobby into an empty patient room.
“Sit down.”
Cerise sat down at one of the chairs. Cayden and Kieran remained standing nervously.
“Okay boys, everything is set. I need Cayden to change into a gown and I will take him to a room where he will be admitted. We’ll sedate him and give him some minor injuries. Cerise walked over to a cabinet in the room and took out a hospital gown and put it on the exam table.
“Change and I will be back to take you to a room.”
Cerise left the room leaving Cayden and Kieran alone.
“Well this is it.” Kieran said as he picked up the gown to hand to his brother.
“Don’t worry I will be fine, the queen is very pretty. I’m sure I can be happy with her.”
“Are you sure brother? We can call the whole thing off.”
“No! I want to do this.” Cayden grabbed the gown and started undressing quickly and put on the thin hospital gown.
“I will contact you soon, I promise.” Kieran said.
“Goodbye brother.” Kieran left the hospital room leaving Cayden all alone.
*****
It was later in the afternoon and Gretchen was getting ready for work. She had the early shift, 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. She’d just gotten out of the shower and was dressed. She started putting on her makeup when Cam came into the bathroom with her. She sat on the toilet watching.
“So, Cam how are you settling in?”
“Everything is great
. Your brother is so nice and helpful.”
“Did he do anything, to make you uncomfortable? I swear I will kill him if he did.”
“No really Gretchen, he’s very kind to me. I need to confess something, I did something very unbecoming that I need to tell you about.”
“Oh, don’t look at me like that I’m sure it’s not that bad. Whatever it is you can tell me.”
“I kissed him. I was feeling lost and lonely, and I’m so sorry Gretchen. He must hate me now I know it. What kind of man wants to be kissed by a big pregnant woman?”
“Whom are you talking about?”
“Richard! I’m such an idiot.”
Gretchen stopped putting on her makeup and looked at Cam in shock.
“Cam, Richard likes you. I’m sure he doesn’t think that. I’ll talk to him and it will be okay, I promise.”
“Thank you Gretchen. I’m so embarrassed, please tell him how sorry I am, and I promise to never to act like that again.”
“It’s alright Cam, I’ll fix this. Now go, I need to get ready.”
As Cam left the bathroom and was walking to her room, she saw Richard come out of his room. She was so humiliated after practically jumping him. How was she ever to face him again? She quickly ran to her room and shut the door.
A little while later she heard the front door shut as Gretchen shouted goodbye. She cracked the door and looked out and found Monroe sitting there. He pushed his way in and transformed to human form.
“So, we need to talk about our plan,” Monroe said as he stretched out naked on the bed. He was a very good-looking Fae, but she had no romantic feelings for him in the least. Most women would be putty in his hands with his beautiful long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. He had a flirty smile that she was sure he practiced regularly.
“So talk.”
“Do you know who the mystery Fae is that she was with on her run the other night?”
“I don’t know yet but I have a plan to find out. So leave so I can get ready to go.”
Monroe jumped up from the bed and gave Cam another smile before he turned back into a cat. Cam let him out of her room and firmly shut the door. She opened her closet, looking at her meager wardrobe. She would visit Gretchen at work and try to find out who the mystery Fae was. She settled for a pair of Jeans and a nice blue top. She put some makeup on and her only necklace to dress it up a bit. She definitely needed to go shopping for more maternity clothes.
*****
It was early in the evening; Gretchen just finished getting set up. The first few customers started trickling in as Laya arrived for her shift. She smiled brightly at seeing Gretchen would be working with her tonight.
“Hey stranger, finally tore yourself away from Tanek long enough to work with the little people.”
“Well you are little.”
“Hey no picking on the vertically challenged.”
“Sorry, you know I love you, shrimp.” Gretchen laughed as she put in her drink order.
“So how is it dating Tanek? He is so sexy.”
“It’s actually really great, we’re taking thinks slow, he’s such a gentlemen and understanding.”
Adrian walked into the club and spotted Gretchen right away laughing with the other waitress. He couldn’t get the image of her leaving with the vampire out of his head. He wasn’t dating her, but he needed to change that as soon as he could. He knew she was for him and he needed her. He sat down at the same table from the other night, hoping it would be one of her tables.
Gretchen just finished dropping off her drink order when she spotted Adrian sitting in her section. She felt her pulse speed up as she remembered their kiss and what it felt like being with him. She was so confused, how could she have these types of feelings for two men at the same time?
She approached the table and Adrian looked up at her and smiled.
“I missed you, my beautiful.”
Gretchen felt a blush spread across her face. He was damn sexy and she wanted to curl up in his lap. “What can I get you to drink?” she asked nervously.
“Please sit, Gretchen.”
“I don’t know, I have tables.”
“Just give me two minutes.”
Gretchen put down her serving tray and reluctantly sat down.
“Thank you, I saw you leave with the vampire. It upset me because I wanted it to be me you left with.”
“I’m sorry, it’s not something I planned; it just happened.”
“Is he the one who owns the club?”
“Yes, he’s my boss.”
“If you are willing to go out with your boss, don’t you think you could try going out with me too?”
Gretchen looked at Adrian and wanted to say yes more than anything. Would dating two guys really be that bad? She’d spent her life being so careful and safe.
“Give me your number, you can get back to work, and I’ll call you.”
“Okay, I guess that would be okay. I’ll be right back. Oh what did you want to drink?”
“Whatever beer you have on tap is fine.”
Gretchen rushed away to get Adrian his beer. She grabbed a business card and scribbled her number on the back to give to Adrian. Laya saw the whole thing and came over to find out what was going on.
“Okay spill. What’s going on with the two of you?”
“Nothing yet he wants to take me out.”
“What about Tanek?”
“I like Tanek but Adrian gives me butterflies and makes my heart race. I need to find out if it’s something worth pursuing. Besides I only went out with Tanek once. We’re not exclusive.”
“Just be careful. Men can be very possessive no matter what species.”
Laya grabbed her order and rushed off. Gretchen got Adrian his beer and headed back to his table. She set the beer down and sat at the table with him.
“Here’s my number. Call me; I need to get back to work.” Gretchen smiled
“I will call you late tonight; what time do you get off.”
“I get off at one.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Adrian got up and left a hundred dollar bill on the table and walked off.
Chapter 14
Cayden sat up in the hospital bed with the injuries the nurse Cerise had promised, as well as a splitting headache. He picked up a mirror that was sitting next to the bed and looked at his face. He had a black eye and stitches on the side of his head. He definitely looked horrible. He reached for Kieran’s cell phone, which belonged to him now, and dialed Adrian’s number.
“Adrian, this is Cayden. I’m in the hospital; the plan is complete. Please call the Queen.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, please call my wife.” Cayden hung up the phone. He anticipated the arrival of the Queen; she was so beautiful. He hoped he could be content with her, or at least they could be friends.
As he arrived at his apartment, Adrian hung up the phone. He shut the door and activated the Fae portal. Queen Brianna appeared looking very neat and proper but a little more casual than usual, and the surroundings were different. She had a single Brownie by her side, and no one else.
“Fae enforcer, what news do you have for me?”
“It’s Kieran. He had an accident and he is in the human hospital.”
Adrian never saw any emotions from the queen but she genuinely looked worried. She stood up and looked at her servant.
“I must go to him. Where is the hospital?
“I can send you directions.”
“Send it to my lady in waiting. You have the cell number; we just arrived in New Orleans.”
“Sending it now.”
“Thank you Adrian.”
The Fae glass was once again clear. So far so good. Hopefully the plan would work without fail.
Queen Brianna and Charity were in a car being driven to the hospital. She wore a plain pink sundress with white flowers and wondered if she should have changed into something more formal for the King. She was so worried fo
r Kieran, she felt sick to her stomach. He was her husband and she cared and worried for him.
*****
Cam arrived at the club where Gretchen worked. She watched as Gretchen talked with a male Fae who left shortly after their conversation. Cam thought about following him but decided in her condition she probably couldn’t keep up. She walked over to the bar and sat down and ordered a cranberry juice. Gretchen walked up after taking another order.
“Cam! What are you doing here?” Gretchen said as she slid into the bar stool next to her and gave her a quick hug.
“I was tired of being in the house; I thought I would see where you worked.”
“Order whatever you want, it’s on the house.”
“Thanks, I just ordered some juice. We haven’t really spent much time together since I moved in. I was hoping we could talk; get to know each other better,” Cam said as she sipped her juice from a straw.
“You know you’re right, it’s still slow. I’ll have Laya cover my tables and we’ll spend a little girl time together.”
“Really?” Cam said.
“Yes really. Why don’t you go to that booth in the corner and I’ll be right there.”
Cam took her drink and walked over to the booth. She sat down and watched the people in the club as they danced and laughed together. She spotted several Fae and other paranormal beings. It felt good to be out around other people; she had been so scared of getting caught that she rarely ventured out.
*****
Blake sat tied up after trying to convince the old woman who called herself Liana he had no interest in her Grandchildren. It was now dark outside, he was losing precious time, he had to find a way out of this situation, and fast.
“Mr. Blake, let’s start again. Why were you outside watching my grandchildren?” Liana asked once again.
“I was hired to find a Fae called Camilla. I was led to the house I was watching. There was a strong Fae presence where there shouldn’t be one. I was investigating; I’m looking for Fae — nothing more.”
“But you see Mr. Blake, my Grandchildren are Fae.”
