The nurse grinned at us as she gave us instructions. Then she shoved a baby into my arms, and I gaped at the little creature. Why had I even thought this was a good idea? The baby cuddled into me. She had to have been only about a month old, her eyes barely able to stay open as she smacked her baby lips.
She was so fragile, so innocent.
“Calm down, Laila,” Rhett said, and I tore my eyes away from the fragile thing in my arms and looked at him.
His calm reassurance relaxed me, and I was able to remember why I’d brought him here. Rhett looked absolutely hot cuddling a tiny baby against his chest. In Rhett’s human life, he had been a husband and father. The vampire who had changed him had massacred his family. But that part of his life, being a father, never left him. I saw that as he cared for the babies.
“What?” he asked when he noticed I’d been staring at him for the last ten minutes. I didn’t think he noticed that he’d been humming to the baby.
“You look great,” I said.
His gaze went down to the baby in my arms and softened. “So do you.”
“Have you thought about it?”
“About what?”
“Kids, and having more. You’re not getting any younger.”
He snorted. “I’m not getting any older either.”
That was true. Rhett was over six hundred years old. He’d lived multiple lifetimes at this point. His history was something I couldn’t fathom.
“I never thought about having children,” Rhett said after a few minutes. “I’m a vampire, that possibility was taken from me.”
“Adoption.”
He shook his head. “With what kind of life? I work. I have a job I love, and I spend more time at Biomystic than I do at home. I don’t have the life needed to take care of children.”
“But you want kids.”
“Kids are pure magic,” he said in a soft voice. “They are forever changing as they grow and learn. They try so hard to find who they are. Every day, they change, they learn new things, grow, and…” He lifted his head up and blinked furiously. “And to be a part of that, it’s a gift.”
“You should adopt.”
He shook his head. “As is, that isn’t happening.”
“You’re a dad, Rhett. You have always been a dad.”
Rhett’s voice grew somber. “You want me to be a father desperately for someone who doesn’t really care all that much for children.”
“What? I like children.”
Rhett gave me a twisted smile. “Say that again, but this time look like you believe it. Maybe don’t say it with such big scared eyes or while you hold the baby like it might try to eat you alive.”
I looked down at the baby I was holding away from me. “They scare me,” I mumbled.
He chuckled.
Frowning, I asked, “I didn’t think you’d react like this. I’d think me being scared of children would be a hard no for you.”
He shook his head. “When my first child was born, I was scared out of my mind. I kept thinking about what ifs. What if I dropped her? What if she gets sick? What if she suffocates? What if she chokes? What if she falls? During my wife’s pregnancy, I spent more time fretting than anything.” His smile was warm as he got lost down memory lane. I moved closer, fascinated by his expression. Happiness had transformed his expression, softened his features. He gave me a glimpse of who Rhett was as a human. “But when she was finally born and in my arms, it didn’t matter anymore. If she fell, I’d kiss her booboos. If she got sick, I would nurse her back to health. I’d watch her, play with her, teach her to be safe. She became my world.”
Dammit, he really did deserve another child. Not being a father meant there were kids out there who were really missing out on what he had to offer them.
“So you think all I need is a kid to stop being scared of them?” I asked.
“Maybe. It is a possibility. It can also be a deeper fear than that.” He sighed. “Laila, you grew up in foster homes. You saw a lot of darkness as a child. I wouldn’t be surprised if that has influenced your viewpoints of having children.”
“You’re cavalier about this,” I said slowly. “That’s a very serious discussion.”
He walked over slowly and leaned down, kissing my forehead, mindful of the two babies between us. “I’m a patient man and you’re nineteen. You have a long future ahead of you to realize that having a child is worth it. And if you decide you don’t want one, I’m not going to force it.”
“You sound like you’re in it for the long haul.”
“I am. There isn’t much I’m sure of, but you are one of them.”
My baby decided to ruin the moment by letting out a wail that only babies could make. I looked down at her like she was crazy. Rhett chuckled, put his baby back into the crib, and grabbed mine. The moment he touched the little thing, she quieted down, making smacking noises.
“Damn, you’re like a baby whisperer.”
His smile was heartbreaking. “Kind of like riding a bike.”
“But with more commitment.”
We continued to play with the babies until the nurse kicked us out. We’d just stepped off the elevator to the first floor when the alarms went off.
“What is that?” I yelled, covering my ears.
My question was answered by the shaking ground. People screamed, machines went crazy with high death screeches.
Security guards ran past us. I grabbed Rhett’s hand and dragged him with me as I followed. The alarms turned off, leaving behind the sounds of people’s misery. Someone was crying, nurses and doctors were yelling, and people were looking lost and confused. We went through a door and I came to a halting stop. Rhett grabbed my shoulders to stop himself from bumping into me.
In front of us was chaos. A hole was blown through a wall, smoke filling the air. People were being herded out of the space, and they all looked relieved to be exiting.
“You need to leave,” a security guard said, stepping in front of us, a line of dirt smudged across his face. “Please follow everyone to the exit.”
“Hi, I’m Rhett Gayle. I work at Biomystic Security. What happened?”
“Sorry, sir.” The security guard straightened up. Everyone knew about BMS and respected the employees. “There was a break-in. They blew through the warded door to get inside and stole supplies. We’re still trying to figure it out.”
“Can we see footage?”
“Yes, right away. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.” He eyed me before leading the way to their security room on the same floor.
He pulled up the recording and hit play. Nothing happened as the camera focused on a door. Then two figures approached, blurred out.
“A spell so electronics couldn’t video them,” I said.
One of them tossed something small at the door, and the ward placed on it flashed blue before disappearing.
“A ward bomb,” I added.
The second one tossed something else at the door, and it blew inward. They disappeared inside.
“Is there a camera inside?” Rhett asked.
“Hold on.” The security guard hit more buttons, bringing up a new camera angle. The two figures moved about the room too fast to be human. I watched the timer in the corner. Thirty seconds later, there was a huge dark blue, angry looking ball that enveloped them and they disappeared.
“What was that?” Rhett asked.
“Can you play that last part over again?” I asked.
The security guard did as I requested.
“Slow it down?”
He played it frame by frame. The dark blue ball started between the two of them and then spread outward. As soon as they were engulfed, it shrunk back down until it winked away.
“That’s a gate. They created a gate.”
“Is that like transportation?” the guard asked.
I shook my head and straightened from leaning to look closer. “No. Gates are keyed to specific destinations and can’t be changed. Everything they had, they
were prepared. And they have the moneybags in their pockets to fund all those expensive spells.”
“What do you think we are looking at?” The security guard looked at Rhett.
The door opened and a furious doctor came in. “Kels, what are you doing?” he snapped.
“Dr. Mendes. This is Rhett Gayle, from Biomystic. I was hoping to get their input on what happened.” He quickly filled him in on what we told him about the spells and the gate.
“They’re human,” Dr. Mendes said. “No doubt about it.” He tapped his nose. “Or at least mostly human. I think they have shifter blood in them too. At least enough to pull this off.”
“What were they taking?” I asked, and we played the video of them inside the storage room, moving it slowly.
Dr. Mendes watched carefully, his face growing pallid as he replayed it again. Finally, having enough, he stopped the video and straightened up.
“What?” Rhett asked.
“They took all the supplies they’d need to keep shifters sedated.” He scowled hard and rubbed at the back of his neck. “This isn’t good at all. I’ll need to call their Alpha. Or maybe the councilman? Damn.” He rubbed his face. “I’ll need to fill both of them in or they’ll feel slighted.” He shook his head and kept doing it as he left the room.
“I’m going to fill Venni in so he isn’t blindsided.” Rhett pulled out his phone and left too. I watch the video again before taking my leave. Rhett was talking with Dr. Mendes when I met up with him.
“Ready?” I asked. I rubbed at my arms. “I have a feeling the Alpha is going to be storming in here and that’s one show I want to miss. Our last meeting didn’t go so well, and I’m not in the mood to play with him.”
“Laila.” Rhett shook his head. “Come on. I think you need to take me home now.”
“Oh? I still get to do that? You’re not going to run off to Biomystic to report to your boss?”
“No. He’s aware, and besides, there hasn’t been a request for our help, so there isn’t anything we can do.” His gaze moved about the room briefly, watchful. “And I don’t want to be here either if their Alpha shows up. It’s best if anyone who isn’t a shifter stays out of his way.”
So I drove him home. The drive was quiet, and I didn’t know how to fill the space, just had the rare feeling of needing to fill it up with something. I loved silence, loved not talking about things, but what had happened at that hospital had me worried. Not just for Davies, a human with a drop of shifter blood, but also for Venni, the full-blooded wolf shifter, and even Alijah, the tiger shifter. The shifter world was freaking out, and that was going to leak out into the rest of the communities. If what Ami said was true, about the witches closing ranks, then it was already starting.
The shifters were going to lash out, and I wasn’t so sure who was going to suffer for it. The shifters, the humans, or everyone around them?
“Lombardi is good,” Rhett said.
“What does that mean?”
“It means that your fears won’t come true. He won’t let anyone touch any of his employees. They can howl all they want but anyone who works under Lombardi is under his protection. Think of him as the Alpha of his own pack.”
“Venni, Davies, and Alijah will be okay,” I said.
“Yes, they will be okay.” He flashed me a playful smile. “And if they try, I’m sure you’ll be right at the front lines, ready to turn them into toads.”
I chuckled. “Yes.” I nodded. “I definitely will be.”
“And I’ll be right there with you. While vampires like me don’t live in seethes, we still have the need to protect those under us. My people are those at Biomystic, and I’ll fight for them until there’s nothing left. Even then, I’m pretty sure I’ll find a way back to keep fighting.”
I reached over and grabbed his hand, squeezing it before putting my hand back on the wheel. “Thank you.”
I pulled up to the gate leading into Vireland. It loomed over us, a barrier between the city and the vampires who refused to live under the queen’s complete control. This was their way of adding in protection against the seethe. The vampires here had only one agreement and it had bound them together to form a sort of haven of their own to stand strong against their enemies. Otherwise, the bitch, Ceva, would try to either absorb them into her seethe, adding them to her harem, or they’d be killed, claimed as rogue vampires interloping on her territory.
Rhett gave the guard a wave, and we were let in. Rhett’s familiar house came into view. It was a simple two-story with a big driveway and an attached garage. After I nearly fried my brain, I had stayed there for a few days, under Rhett’s protection.
“Well, Mr. Gayle, despite what happened, I managed to bring you back home, safe and sound.”
He chuckled. “That you did. Are we ending this date properly?”
“How do I do that?”
He stepped closer. “With a goodnight kiss.”
“Oh? I thought that was only after the third date?” I teased
“Only for a human.” He crowded me. “You know we don’t work like that. When a supernatural wants something, they go for it.” He reached over and touched my cheek. His energy danced along my skin, and I closed my eyes. Rhett’s energy had a way of calming me, making me feel centered. I felt that now.
“You can feel what is between us, Laila. You don’t need to take the three dates needed to analyze if you really like someone or not. You already know.”
I smiled. “That I do.” I leaned in and kissed him.
He returned the kiss with a gentle touch, allowing me to take the lead. His kiss made me feel empowered as I pulled away from him and smiled.
“Until next time,” I said.
He leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss, just a brush of his lips against mine. “And next time, I get to take the lead.”
Laughing, I asked, “Did I hurt your ego?”
“I like to think I’m man enough to be able to step aside and let a lady lead and still hold onto my male ego.”
That had me laughing harder, and his smile softened as he waited me out.
“You’re amazing,” I said.
“You too, Laila. Now go home.”
He waited until I was to my truck before he went inside. As I drove away, I knew he still watched me.
The entire drive back to my house, I grinned big, and it only widened when I saw the familiar car in my driveway. I pulled up next to it and looked to the porch, where Dwight’s familiar figure sat on one of the chairs I had put out there.
‘“This is a nice surprise,” I said as I walked up the steps. Taking the chair next to his, I moved it closer to him, before settling in.
His expression instantly sobered me. This wasn’t a social call. His expression was grim, his body rigid.
“Or not. What’s wrong? Is Venni okay?”
“Everyone is fine, Laila,” he said, voice low.
“So what’s wrong?”
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. “The council members are being difficult. I just stopped by to make sure they aren’t trying to twist your arm into doing something you don’t want to.”
Leave it to the council to sour my mood. Completely sober, and a little pissed, I asked, “What do they want?”
“What they always want: to have control of an elementalist. They have asked to meet with you and your aunt.”
“And they went to you?”
He snickered. “They seem to think I’d side with them. I don’t know what gave them the impression, especially since I made my stance clear the first time you met with them.”
“Does this have to do with the shifters?”
“They’re under the impression that you can help them with an issue.”
“I will meet with them,” Atasha said, standing in the doorway of the house. Behind her, shadows moved as Rowan came closer.
“You don’t need to,” I said.
“I will.” She flashed a smile, teeth and all, and I was tempted to step awa
y from her. “You forget I play in Highborn court very well. I can handle the council here.” She turned and disappeared back into the house, leaving the door opened.
Dwight stood up. “I’ll let them know and set it up.”
“Be there for her?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t let them kick you out?”
The smile he sent my way was twisted and feral. “They can try.” He went down the steps and headed to his car. I stayed sitting there long after he left, trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Why did the council want to meet with the elementalists so desperately?
Chapter Thirteen
On Wednesday, Rhett was putting me through my paces as we fought. I put Ami’s training into practice, using just enough power in my hits to make them hard enough or to help me stay one step ahead of my opponent. Atasha’s training was helpful, too, since I hadn’t lost control and sent Rhett flying through a tree on accident. If I did put him through a tree, I wanted to be able to claim full credit for doing it on purpose. Not that he was making it easy to give me the chance.
Rhett was relentless. The grass stains on my clothes proved it. He used his vampire speed and I was on the ground gasping for breath. The only thing keeping me from feeling frustrated was the fact that he had a bruise still healing on his cheek.
“Can we just agree that if a vampire comes at me and wants me dead, then I’ll be dead. Your speed is impossible to keep up with.” I climbed back to my feet, trying to shake off the pain in my butt from the fall.
A muscle in Rhett’s jaw ticked as his eyes darkened with anger. “If a vampire comes after you, they’re dead. I won’t let them get their hands on you again.”
I had the misfortune of meeting Ceva, the vampire queen of Springer City. She even bled me to prove that she could. Rhett got me out, but he had to burn whatever wobbly bridge that had been between the two of them.
“There are ways to protect yourself against vampires,” Rowan said, stepping closer. He had been on the sidelines with Atasha for the last two hours, only watching like he always did.
“How so?” I asked.
Rowan’s gaze went to Rhett, and they had a moment of alpha maleness. After sharing whatever message Rhett wanted to, he nodded at Rowan. Rowan moved closer.
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