by Alanea Alder
"Look how little she is and pregnant too; why is he picking on her?"
"Is she not the one who just gave us Wi-Fi?"
All around them, more people were backing Meryn. Eva didn't care who said what; there were too many people crowded around them to keep Meryn safe. She stood on tiptoe and looked for an exit strategy.
"Come here, you little bitch, I'll escort you back up to the Grand Hall myself." Andre grabbed Meryn by the upper arm and jerked her whole body up.
Eva didn't even think; her hands shifted, and she sliced Andre's arm open. Hissing, he released Meryn and stood back, crouching in a defensive position.
Eva pushed Meryn behind her as Nigel and Neil stood on either side of them. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but they soon began to glow a faint green color. Nigel held up his left hand while Neil held up his right. Together, they released their spell that slammed into Andre.
Andre shook his head and then sneered at the twins. "Is that the best you can do? It did not even hurt," he said arrogantly.
Neil smiled devilishly. "Not yet."
The superior expression slipped from Andre's face as he grabbed his midsection. Everyone heard a large gurgle then Andre was grabbing his rear. Panic filled his eyes as he turned and raced toward one of the Level's bathrooms. He stopped halfway there, yelled, and then started running faster. The door slammed, and then there was silence.
It was muffled at first but slowly everyone around them began to laugh. The old man walked up and clapped Nigel on the back. "Well done, laddie, well done." He turned to Meryn. "You were not going to come up here and not visit, were you?"
Meryn was rubbing her arm, a distracted look on her face. "Actually, we were on our way to your stand. All I've been craving since I got here is your kebobs, those little meat pies, and Sebastian's magic pudding."
The old man wrapped an arm around her shoulder and escorted her through the dissipating crowd. He kept walking past the tables set up in front of his stand and sat her down in his small kitchen area. The twins sat on either side of Meryn, filling the small space. The older man pulled two skewers off a cooling rack and put them on a plate for her. He looked at the twins. "After a stunt like that, you can have whatever you like. It has been years since someone has put one of the Noble Family members in their place."
Nigel and Neil shook their heads. "Thank you, but we've already had two breakfasts today."
The old man sat down across from Meryn. "Is that what you were craving?"
Meryn was moaning and licking the juice that was running down her forearm. "I could live off these."
He turned to Eva. "You gonna sit down?"
Eva shook her head and leaned against the stand's frame. "I'm good."
"Suit yourself. My name is Aaron Culpepper. I am a sixth generation citizen here in the city," he said proudly.
Meryn shook her head. "I'm human so that doesn't mean much. What's that in years."
Aaron threw his head back and laughed. "Feisty little thing. Basically, what that means is that my family helped settle the city when it was being created."
Meryn frowned. "I thought the Founding and Noble Families created the city."
Aaron shook his head. "Do you really see a man like Andre DuBois doing anything more strenuous than pulling his head out of his ass everyday?"
Meryn giggled. "Nope. So y'all were like the grunt labor?"
He nodded. "You could say that. My family and families like mine are the ones that helped to carve the city out of the rock. We grow the food on the different levels and care for the animals. If a family has enough members where they are meeting quota then they can send members to the Marketplace to earn extra money, but even that is taxed by first the Noble Family and then the Founding Family."
"Sounds like a whacked out feudal system. Why stay?" Meryn asked, tearing into her second skewer.
Aaron shrugged. "There is nowhere else to go. With new dangers outside the city, the Nobles and Founding Family members are reiterating how lucky we are to live in the city. I have a feeling with space in the city going up in demand, we will have even more taxes."
"Can't you just tell Magnus?" she asked.
Aaron's eyes widened. "Not all of us are on first name basis with our prince. He does the best he can, but we all know he is walking a very fine line. The prince before him ruled the city with an iron fist, using fear and intimidation to keep people in line. Prince Magnus is more fair, but because he does not resort to fear and torture, the other families have been pushing to see exactly how much they can get away with."
"Can't y'all help him?" Meryn set her empty stick down on her plate.
He shook his head. "My first loyalty is to the Noble Family that oversees our quarter. Then to the Founding Family that oversees our Level. Even if I were in the right, if I went over the Noble and Founding Families' heads and went directly to Prince Magnus, I would be severely punished."
"That sucks!"
Nigel and Neil exchanged looks. "That's commonplace, Meryn. Even in the units, there's a chain of command for a reason. It does actually help keep things running smoothly."
Meryn strummed her fingers on the table. "He knew exactly who I was and still grabbed me. That is a blatant slap in the face to not only my mate but also to Magnus." She turned to Aaron. "What will happen to him?"
Aaron scratched his chin. "Depends on how the DeLaFontaine family views recent changes. If they support Prince Magnus, then what Andre did could impact their standing with the Prince. If they do not support Prince Magnus, then he will get a slap on the wrist. They will make a loud public apology of course, but nothing will be done to prevent it from happening again."
Eva snorted. "He'll have a hard time grabbing anyone if both arms are shoved up his ass."
Aaron smiled at her. "You going to do that?"
Eva shook her head. "I won't have to. Meryn's mate has to be one of the biggest shifters I have ever seen. He'd attack a hurricane to protect his mate, and if Aiden doesn't kill him outright, Meryn's squire can tie him in blue knots."
Meryn chewed on her lower lip. "What if we don't report anything?"
Eva eyed Meryn. "What are you up to?"
"I'm trying this politics thing like Beth does. Basically, it's like playing chess but with people. The only variable is not knowing for sure how a person will react." Meryn winked at her. "But I'm good at that, remember?"
Eva was about to say no when the scene from when she first met Meryn came to mind. Meryn was an empath! True, not a good one, hell, not even one that was trained, but she could read people. "What'dja have in mind, squirt?"
Meryn drew circles on the table with her finger. "If we don't report anything, then the first Aiden or Magnus will hear of this will probably be from Andre complaining about the twins. Neither my mate nor Magnus is stupid; it will take them all of about ten seconds to figure out what happened, and then Andre will have to deal with Aiden at the exact moment he discovers the man in front of him hurt his pregnant mate."
Aaron smiled wide. "And that is how you survive in the City of the Night."
Nigel and Neil looked nervous. "We still cast a spell on a member of a Noble Family."
Meryn turned to them and her eyes began to well up. "But... but... they were only trying to help me. He was hurting my arm so bad." She covered her face with her hands. "It's not like they hurt him."
Eva stepped forward to comfort Meryn when she heard a giggle. "You little actress!"
Meryn wiped her nose on her sleeve. "I've been studying politics back home. If everyone is going to hold my being a short human against me, I'm going to make it work for me."
Aaron got up and picked up two more skewers off the rack and placed them on her plate. "You do an old man's heart good."
Meryn pulled the piece of meat off the stick with her teeth. "I just hate assholes."
Aaron chuckled. "Then you are in the wrong city."
Nigel and Neil laughed. "We were nervous about coming here, but anywhere was
better than staying in Storm Keep. We're glad you're here, Meryn," Neil said, speaking for both him and his brother.
"If I get to eat more food like this, I'll be glad too." She paused. "I don't like it here though, despite the yummy food; it's too dark."
Eva leaned back against the wood frame. "It is called the City of the Night, Meryn."
Meryn shuddered. "I know, and I still don't like it here. It's like the shadows have eyes and teeth, and they're hunting us."
Eva's breath caught. That's exactly how she had felt when she first woke up, like she was being hunted.
Meryn finished her snack and stood. "Thank you for the food again. I don't have any money though."
Aaron scowled at her. "As if I would take your money young lady. You have done enough to keep me smiling for decades."
Meryn smiled slyly. "Does that mean I can come back for more?"
Aaron threw his head back and laughed loudly. "For you? Anything."
Meryn rubbed her belly. "Good, because I was serious. So far the only things I've been able to keep down are your kebobs, your neighbor's meat pies, and Sebastian's pudding."
Aaron's expression turned thoughtful. "I will have my sister deliver some skewers every afternoon until you leave; we cannot have that babe of yours hungry."
Meryn's face froze, and she looked down. "I didn't mean to get free food; I was just kidding."
Aaron looked around the room trying to gauge what he did wrong. Finally, Eva realized that Meryn wasn't used to kindness. She stepped away from the frame and ruffled Meryn's hair. "Just say 'thank you' Meryn. I doubt a handful of skewers will put him out much." She winked at Aaron.
"That is right. Plus, I get to brag that my kebobs are being served on Level One," he said gruffly.
Meryn looked up. "Really?"
He nodded. "Yes. Now scoot. It will not do your plan much good if you are not down there to witness it, am I right?"
Meryn giggled. "That's my favorite part."
Eva steered Meryn to the exit. "Of course it is, you twisted little thing."
Nigel and Neil waved and they started walking toward the transport tunnel. They were just about to head down when a loud crackling was heard amongst the four of them.
"Meryn, Eva, Nigel, or Neil come in," Adriel's voice called clearly.
Eva pulled the walkie-talkie off her belt. "Ah, hello?"
"You have to say 'over'," Meryn whispered.
Eva rolled her eyes. "Over."
"Eva. Thank the Gods! Where are you?"
"We're just leaving the Marketplace about to head down to Level One, why?"
"Go there immediately. Do not stop for anything, do not talk to anyone, just go to Level One and have Sebastian put the level on lockdown."
Meryn gulped. "We're in a world of trouble now."
"Heading down there now." She clipped the walkie-talkie on her belt. She had a bad feeling about this. "I don't think this is about us, Meryn."
Nigel held her hand as Neil took Meryn's. Nigel had a serious look on his face. "You heard our unit leader, let's go."
I just hope everyone is all right.
CHAPTER NINE
Sebastian was waiting for them by an opened door. "Thank the Gods you are okay! Hurry inside so I can lock up." They quickly walked inside, and Sebastian bolted the door behind them.
Ryuu was waiting for Meryn arms crossed. "I can't protect you if you don't keep me at your side."
"How did you find out about that asshole in the Marketplace so fast?" Meryn asked, looking astonished.
Ryuu's eyes narrowed. "What's this about the Marketplace?" He walked over and laid a hand on her shoulder. Seconds later, he was gently pulling up her sleeve to reveal a large bruise. The air around the squire began to crackle. "Who is responsible for this?"
Meryn gently extricated herself and patted him on the chest. "Don't worry, the twins got him sorted. I bet he's still in the bathroom."
Ryuu bowed to the twins. "You have my thanks for protecting her when I could not." He straightened. "Because someone thought it would be a good idea to sneak out."
Meryn shrugged, unable to meet his eyes. "I got hungry."
Ryuu exhaled and pulled Meryn into his arms. He gave her forehead a brotherly kiss then steered her into her favorite recliner. "While I am glad you're eating something besides pudding, I don't ever want to experience the fear I felt when I realized that dead bodies were being found and you were nowhere to be seen."
Eva held up her hand. "Hold your horses. Dead bodies? What in the Sam Hill is going on?"
Sebastian motioned to the sofas and everyone sat down. He went to the sideboard where it looked like an entire teahouse exploded. Eva had a feeling that Sebastian was a nervous baker. "Micah came down here looking for the twins. When we could not find you, he reported to Adriel on those new handhelds. What we did not know was that Adriel had just been called up to the Grand Hall by Alpha Bolivar to report that two of his pack members had been killed. When we could not find you, of course everyone panicked."
Eva sat back, her mind reeling. Who? Which one of her friends had been killed while she was finding her mate and eating pudding? "Did they say who?"
Sebastian shook his head. "I am sorry, no, they did not."
They heard tumblers moving and the door opened. Adriel and Aiden rushed in, looking around. Micah closed the door behind them. Aiden went directly to Meryn and scooped her up. "They couldn't find you." He sat down and buried his face in her neck.
Eva stood and went to her mate. "Who?"
"A couple, John and Emily Wolfrun."
Eva grabbed at his arms. "They have a little boy; he's only one! Is he okay?"
Adriel swallowed hard. "He is with Adora. Thanks the Gods he was in the crèche they created to watch over the little ones."
Eva felt her legs give out, and he simply wrapped his arms around her to hold her close, easily supporting her weight.
"How were they killed?" Meryn asked.
Eva turned. "Why do you want to know such a thing?"
"Because it will help us catch the killer." Meryn met her demanding stare. There were no traces of mischief or goofiness now. Meryn was angry, and she was serious.
"They were drained," Aiden said, sitting up straight.
"They didn't come here to be food!" Eva yelled.
"Eva, you need to calm down," Adriel said, trying to get her to sit down.
"I am calm! I've had it with vampires treating me like a second class citizen and killing my friends!" Eva took a deep breath. Her tiger was close to the surface; she had to do better than this.
"We do not know for certain that vampires are responsible," Adriel said evenly.
She glared at him. "Really? So the neighbors that they grew up with were just waitin' for us to come here so they could drain them, for no reason?"
Adriel rubbed the back of his neck. "All I am saying is that we cannot rule anything out."
Micah crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "It looks pretty bad, Adriel. In the short time I watched over Meryn, she was verbally and physically abused. If she's being treated like that as the Unit Commander's mate and Prince Magnus' adopted niece and special guest, how do you think the others are faring?"
Ryuu stepped forward. "She was accosted again today, in the Marketplace. Whoever it was left a bruise the size of his hand on her arm."
Aiden's canines dropped, and his back began to curve. He was about two seconds from shifting. Meryn lifted her sleeve. "Kiss it." Aiden began to sniff her arm, and then gradually his body got smaller. He kissed her arm gently.
Eva turned to Adriel. "It was Andre DuBois, a Noble Family member. He knew who she was and didn't fear retribution."
Adriel's eyes flashed with anger. "Regardless of their personal feelings on the matter of opening the city, they are honor-bound to respect Prince Magnus' rule."
Eva put her hands on her hips and tilted her head back. "Somehow, I don't think this is about opening up the city. They have issues with Magnu
s, and I have a feeling it's been brewing for a while."
"We did not have any problems until the refugees showed up," Adriel said sharply.
Eva felt as if she'd been slapped. "Really?"
She headed to the door and was surprised when Micah pushed away from the wall to walk with her. She wanted to slam the door off the hinges, but she didn't want to break Magnus' property.
"Can you take me to the Grand Hall?" she asked softly.
"Of course."
*****
Adriel stared at the door. His mate had just walked away from him.
"Dick move dude," Meryn said.
Adriel shook his head. "I am sorry, what? I do not understand."
Meryn gave him a dubious look. "Maybe you don't. Did you seriously forget that she is a refugee? You basically said you were fine without her."
Adriel turned over the conversation in his head. "No, that is not what I meant."
Meryn eyed him. "You really mean that don't you?"
"I do. I want to go to her, but we have a meeting in a few minutes." He raked his hand through his hair.
He looked at Meryn. "With Micah escorting Eva, you will need a new guard."
Meryn eyed the twins. "Can I keep them?"
Adriel looked at the youngsters in surprise. "Really?"
"They totally protected me in the Marketplace, plus Ryuu is getting them some books to study for their magic. They can study and protect me. I can start going over forensic facts, and we can watch Doctor Who, it's like four birds, one stone."
Adriel turned his attention to the two in question; they both wore hopeful expressions. If he let them stay here, they could accidentally blow up Level One. But on the plus side, it would leave two of his unit leaders free to move about without worrying about one of the twins running off. He pinned them with a murderous expression. "This is your one chance. Show me that I can trust you to keep her safe, and I will not recommend you both return to Storm Keep."
They both gulped. "We swear. Nothing will happen to Meryn. We like her."
Adriel fought to keep his serious expression when he wanted to smile. They were both so eager and willing to please. He could not even remember being that young.
