When they arrived at Elder Vi’Ailean’s estate Meryn could only stare. The shifter council house where Byron and Adelaide lived was a huge, brick mansion. The fae estate looked like something out of Lord of the Rings. The heavy gates opened to reveal a sprawling elaborate house that was built right into the trees. Vines and carved staircases wound around the base of each tree invitingly.
‘I swear if Legolas pops out from behind a tree Aiden is gonna be in trouble.’ Meryn muttered as Ryuu opened the carriage door and stepped out. He held a hand up to help her down. The problem with being five foot three in a city built for paranormals was that everything was higher off the ground. She hopped down and turned to Ryuu. He waited patiently for her to walk up to the house. She stared and he stared back.
‘Denka, I wasn’t the one invited, they are waiting to see you.’ He reminded her gently.
She nodded. ‘I know, but dammit, look at that place and look at me.’ She pointed down at her worn sneakers, jeans and Goonies tee-shirt then to the pristine manor in front of them.
Ryuu regarded her outfit. ‘Was there a dress code implied in the invitation for this visit?’ He asked brows knit together. She shook her head.
‘Then I wouldn’t worry about it. If it bothers you that much I will make arrangements for a tailor to visit so you will have attire suitable for your station. Though, I don’t think you’ll be as comfortable.’ Ryuu offered.
‘Maybe a dress or two, just for visits. I hate sticking out.’ Meryn turned and walked towards the front entrance. Ryuu just nodded and followed behind her. Meryn was agonizing over the thought of fittings when she walked through what felt like a force field. She froze. The October afternoon disappeared, even the sun felt brighter.
‘It’s okay Denka, it’s a containment spell. It’s how they are able to live in such open housing year round without worrying about inclement weather.’ Ryuu explained. Meryn turned and looked back at the carriage. It looked like a typical grey fall afternoon. But now that she was within the bubble the house shone brilliantly in the sun, giving it an almost unearthly appearance. She took a step back and it was grey and cool. She took a step forward and it was bright and warm. Laughing she bounced in and out of the bubble, before straddling it.
‘This is so cool!’
‘So this is where you’ve been.’ Elder Vi’Ailean walked forward with Vivian, both were smiling.
Meryn popped back inside the bubble. ‘Your force field thing is neat.’
‘We like it, especially during the winter. I am assuming this is your squire?’ Vivian asked. Ryuu gave a half bow.
Meryn nodded. ‘Yes, this is Ryuu Sei. He is new to Lycaonia too.’
‘A pleasure to meet you Ryuu.’ Vivian said.
Elder Vi’Ailean stared. ‘I didn’t think your kind left Japan.’
‘Normally we do not. My situation is extremely rare and complicated. However, after meeting Meryn, I do believe that I was brought here for the single purpose of being her squire.’ The fond expression on Ryuu’s face was evident.
‘What do you mean his kind?’ Meryn asked. Elder Vi’Ailean raised a brow to Ryuu who shook his head.
The Elder turned to Meryn. ‘That will be a mystery you’ll have to figure out later. Now, why don’t I escort you two lovely ladies to our gardens. You’re in for a treat Meryn, the passionflowers bloomed this morning, and the entire place smells divine.’ Elder Vi’Ailean held out both arms and escorted them to the garden.
When they walked past the entrance Meryn stopped and stared. Garden? The word implied a space set aside for pretty flowers and landscaping. This was no garden. This was a slice of paradise. Stumbling she made her way over to the small table and chairs that had been set up for her visit. She sat down across from Vivian but continued to turn this way and that trying to take everything in. She felt one of her moments coming on. She sat still and waited for her brain to catch up.
Hibiscus rosa-sinesis, Lavandula, Jasminum, Passiflora
She blinked and turned to her hosts. They were watching her carefully.
‘Sorry about that, I was taking everything in.’
‘What do you think about our garden?’ Vivian asked looking relieved.
‘It’s amazing. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect place.’ She paused. ‘Do you get Wi-Fi out here?’
Elder Vi’Ailean laughed and shook his head.
Meryn sighed. ‘Okay, almost perfect.’
‘I would take exception to that, but I know how helpful you and your laptop have been with the ongoing investigation.’ Elder Vi’Ailean said pouring her a cup of tea. Meryn looked at the cup and remembered the cake.
‘Oh! Ryuu, can you put that down here?’ Meryn pointed to an empty part of the table. Ryuu sat down the box and stepped back behind her chair. Meryn carefully opened it and lifted out the round, vanilla frosted cake.
‘Is that Marius’s Lemon Crunch Cake?’ Vivian asked, leaning forward.
‘Yup, Adelaide said to thank you for last night, she said you made the night pleasant.’ Meryn set the cake down. Immediately Vivian reached for a knife and cut it into slices. She lifted a piece onto a small plate and handed it to Meryn. Meryn lifted her fork and took a bite. This could easily become one of her favorite desserts. She turned around to Ryuu.
‘Did you want some?’
He shook his head. ‘Denka, you have to pretend as if I wasn’t here. A squire does not eat with their charges.’ Ryuu explained.
‘That’s rude!’ Meryn frowned. Maybe she hadn’t thought this whole having a squire thing through.
‘She’s so young. Makes me feel very old and jaded.’ Elder Vi’Ailean sat back with his tea.
‘I agree. We’ve had servants for so long, I’ve never even thought it might be considered rude.’ Vivian took a bite of her cake. At that point Meryn began to have serious doubts about her being able to fit into Aiden’s world. A warm hand on her shoulder had her looking up. Ryuu’s expression was kind.
‘It does not bother me Denka. It makes me very happy that you are concerned for my wellbeing, but you don’t have to worry about me. Serving you and seeing the world through your eyes is reward enough for me.’
‘If it were me I’d rather have cake.’
Ryuu’s mouth twitched, ‘Of course Denka.’
Meryn took a sip of her tea and was pleasantly surprised.
‘Honeycup!’ She took another sip.
‘I have such a sweet tooth, so Celyn always keeps it in stock for me.’ Vivian took her mate’s hand with a smile.
‘I have to have my tea sweet.’ Meryn looked out at the garden and blinked. She rubbed her eyes. Just on the corners of her vision she was seeing darting specks of light. She turned back to Vivian.
‘Thank you for supporting me last night. It really gave me the confidence I needed to face everyone.’
‘Don’t get me wrong my dear, I had already planned on inviting you over based on the glowing descriptions Celyn gave of you. But it was infinitely more satisfying to deliver the invitation in person at the ball instead of with a written card just so I could see the expressions on those nasty old harpies’ faces.’
‘Vivian.’ Elder Vi’Ailean chided with a grin.
‘Don’t Vivian me Celyn. Those women have been a thorn in my side since I arrived here two hundred years ago. I won’t stand by and see the same thing happen to Meryn.’ Vivian said waving her fork in the air.
‘So I’m not the only one who wants to stick them with a pin to see how loud they yell?’ She laughed when Vivian bobbed her head enthusiastically. Meryn squinted, the lights were getting brighter.
‘I knew you and I would get along the second you chastised Daphane Bowers, indirectly of course, about the clothing shops in front of everyone.’
‘I didn’t mind, but poor Adelaide nearly had a coronary shopping that day.’ Meryn shielded her eyes.
‘Okay, seriously! What in the hell are those little light?!’ She exclaimed.
Vivian gave her mate a triumphant look. ‘I knew she’d see them!’
‘See what? Fireflies?’ Meryn asked.
‘No dear, what you are seeing are the garden sprites. Not even all of the fae can see them. When I first mated Celyn, there were a lot of nasty insinuations that I wasn’t his true mate since I was human. The fact that I can see the sprites quieted down those naysayers almost immediately. There’s no doubt in my mind Meryn, you belong in Lycaonia.’
Meryn turned to face the garden straight on. The more she focused the clearer they became. Soon she could discern tiny body outlines. After a few minutes she could see them clearly. They laughed and played, dancing in the air and hiding behind flowers. Of all of the wondrous things she had seen since in arriving in Lycaonia, this had to be the best.
Meryn watched as one tiny male sprite made his way over to her. Unlike the others he didn’t dance or play, he stayed on the outskirts. Meryn scooped up a finger full of icing and extended it out to him. His eyes widened and he drifted down to the table. Hesitant, he reached out and took a handful of icing from her finger and began to eat.
‘I know what it’s like to not fit in. Everyone thinks you’re strange because you like to be alone, when really you just don’t know how to say hello.’ Meryn whispered to the tiny creature. He looked up surprised and nodded.
‘Me too. Sometimes I get so nervous I throw up.’ She confessed. The tiny sprite nodded vigorously and pointed to his chest.
‘You too huh? Maybe we introverts should stick together.’ She joked. A huge smile broke out on his face. He gave a single nod and darted to the prickly holly bush. Meryn turned to Vivian.
‘I thought your garden was amazing before, but the sprites make it magical.’
‘They were my only friends for a long time.’ Vivian said watching as one sprite pushed another into the birdbath.
‘Well now you have me.’ Meryn said without thinking and took another bite of cake.
‘Without guile, with no thought of gaining favor or station. A true offer of friendship. You couldn’t ask for a more precious gift.’ Elder Vi’Ailean said to his mate. She nodded a look of wonder and gratitude on her face.
‘I would love to be your friend Meryn McKenzie. There’s so much I can teach you about navigating the social waters here, especially how to avoid the sharks.’ Vivian said, happiness radiating from her.
Meryn shrugged. ‘Sharks don’t bother me. I’ll just shoot them.’
Elder Vi’Ailean chuckled. ‘I wish the reporters from the paper could have heard you say that. The article in this morning’s paper reported you to be a shy and sweet girl, too timid to answer for herself.’
‘Yeah, I kind of panicked when those reporters started shouting questions at me, so I let Byron answer.’ Meryn sat back holding her teacup to her chest.
‘Smart move.’ Vivian agreed.
‘Adelaide thought so too.’ Meryn was just reaching forward to put her cup down on the table when the small sprite from before emerged from the holly bush. He now carried a tiny cloth bundle. He flew over and landed on her shoulder.
‘Um, Vivian?’ Meryn turned to her host in confusion. Vivian was staring at them in shock.
‘He wants to go with you.’ She whispered.
‘What!’ Meryn reached up and carefully lifted the tiny sprite in her hands.
‘You don’t want to come with me! I don’t have a fancy house or garden, in fact I have no idea where I’ll end up living.’ The sprite just nodded.
‘I’m backwards and spend a lot of time alone on my laptop, I would be horribly boring.’ The sprite nodded enthusiastically.
‘Are you sure?’ Meryn asked. He gave one determined nod.
Meryn looked up at Vivian. ‘Is that okay?’
‘I think, maybe, you two belong together. He hasn’t been very happy here with the others and he seems to adore you. Just keep him warm as sprites are very susceptible to the cold.’ Vivian warned.
‘I will.’ Meryn gazed down at the sprite.
‘Do you have a name?’
‘If you still your mind, you will be able to hear him tell you.’ Elder Vi’Ailean told her.
Meryn looked at him aghast. ‘My mind is never still!’ Ryuu snorted. She turned around.
‘Yes?’
He straightened. ‘Nothing, Denka.’
‘Just think about him, look at his face, his clothes. That will help.’ Vivian suggested.
Meryn lifted the little guy until he was eye level. He was staring up at her hopefully. She took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind of everything but him. In her mind’s eyes she saw him standing there, in his brown trousers and dark green vest. He had shaggy red hair and bright green eyes that twinkled with mischief.
Felix. The whispered name floated through her mind.
‘He said his name is Felix!’ Meryn grinned down at her new friend who nodded.
‘Well the two of you have a standing invitation to visit whenever you like.’ Vivian offered.
‘Councilman! Councilman!’ An extremely tall fae male came rushing from the house.
‘You’ve been summoned My Lord. There’s been an attack on the outskirts of Lycaonia, it was ferals. They are reporting at least a dozen!’ The man’s voice shook.
‘What? That’s impossible!’ Elder Vi’Ailean stood.
‘Sire they are calling a council meeting with the other pillar cities now. Units Alpha, Gamma and Epsilon have been sent to the border.’ The servant explained.
Meryn gasped. Aiden!
Vivian turned to her. ‘Are you okay returning on your own?’
Ryuu stepped forward. ‘No one will harm my mistress.’
Meryn stood. She placed Felix on her shoulder.
‘Hang on.’ She told him and he grabbed a handful of hair above her ear. ‘Ryuu let’s go.’
‘I wish our visit could have ended on a happier note.’ Vivian fretted.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll come again soon.’ Meryn promised.
‘This way Denka.‘ Ryuu escorted her through the garden and back towards the carriage. Behind them Vivian was already giving orders to the servants to prepare bandages and medicines to be sent to the clinic.
The entire trip back to the shifter council house Meryn imagined the worst. She knew that Aiden had a job to do, but it was hard knowing he was in danger.
‘Denka, we’ve arrived.’ Ryuu informed her. He helped her down and she practically ran for the front door. She flung it open.
‘Mom!’ She shouted.
‘Oh thank all the Gods you’re safe! I was just about to send Marius to come get you.’ Adelaide emerged from the drawing room and rushed over to her. She pulled her into a tight hug.
‘Aiden and Ben have been sent out and Byron has been called into an emergency council meeting.’ Adelaide wiped her tears.
‘They’ll be fine, you’ll see.’ Meryn turned to Marius and Ryuu.
‘Maybe a cup of that calming tea?’
Marius nodded and turned towards the kitchen. Meryn wrapped an arm around Adelaide’s shoulders.
‘Come on Mom, let’s go sit down. They’ll contact us the second those feral things have been killed.’ Meryn steered the older woman back into the sitting room and sat her down. She couldn’t stand the look of worry etched on Adelaide’s face.
‘I know. Let me introduce you to a new friend.’ Meryn pulled back her hair.
Adelaide looked up. ‘Meryn, why is your ear twinkling?’
‘My ear isn’t twinkling, it’s my new friend Felix. He’s a sprite I met in Vivian’s garden. He decided he wanted to come home with me.’ Meryn smiled as Felix flew down and sat on the edge of the coffee table.
‘A sprite here? Oh Meryn you have no idea the honor that has been given to you. Sprites are amongst the most elusive and magical beings in the fae world. For you to not only be able to see him, but also to befriend him … ‘ Adelaide stared down at the coffee table.
‘He’s a loner like me. We understand each other.’ Meryn said.
‘We’ll of course have to build him his own house, complete with furniture and bedding. Oh! We can get clothes too!’ Meryn was glad to see her plan to distract Adelaide from her worry had worked. Felix began to dance around on the table in an exuberant fashion.
‘I think he likes that idea. You’re going to spoil him aren’t you?’
‘Absolutely.’ Adelaide reached over and took a cookie off her tea time tray and placed it on a napkin on the table.
‘I heard that they love sweets.’ She watched in fascination as Felix lifted the cookie and began eating. Meryn supposed from her perspective the cookie lifted up on its own.
‘Tea is ready.’ Marius said coming through the door with a steaming pot in his hand. He poured a cup for Adelaide and went to pour one for Meryn but she shook her head.
‘I’m okay. Ironically enough I do extremely well under duress. It’s the pleasant small talk that gets to me.’ Marius nodded and set the pot down.
An hour later Meryn was staring at Adelaide in wonder.
‘How come when I drink one cup of that stuff it practically puts me in a coma, but you drink like four glasses and you just relax?’ Meryn asked.
‘I’m a shifter dear, our metabolisms are different.’
‘Sneaky squire.’ Meryn crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Marius who turned his head away from them with a smile. Meryn was about to comment when they heard the front door slam open. Heavy footsteps sounded in the hall and a disheveled Ben appeared in the doorway, his face was twisted in anguish.
‘Aiden has been hurt, bad. They’ve taken him to the clinic.’ Meryn was already moving. Felix flew up to her shoulder and Ryuu was already at the front door. She heard Adelaide and Marius fall in behind her. Ben raced ahead of them and got back into the SUV he had driven over from the clinic as everyone climbed in.
‘Go faster!’ She snapped at Ben.
‘I’m going as fast as I can and still be safe. Just a few minutes more Meryn.’ Ben gripped the steering wheel tightly. Against her cheek she felt a tiny hand pat her comfortingly. She brought her hand up and stroked her finger over Felix’s shaggy curls.
To Meryn the road to the clinic seemed to go on forever. When the car finally came to a stop she jumped out and raced inside. Ben ran along beside her guiding her down a long hallway. Meryn knew what room Aiden was in since as it had many of the unit warriors waiting outside in a show of solidarity. Adam stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.
‘He’s okay. He’s going to be just fine. His body reacted beautifully to the stitches I put in. I estimate in another couple hours he’ll be able to shift and be as good as new.’
Meryn’s knees gave out and he easily lifted her into one of the chairs in the hallway.
‘Ben said he was injured badly.’ She said as she took deep breaths. Now it was Adelaide that comforted her. The older woman sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her.
‘He was. From what I heard of the battle half the ferals escaped and more were reported along the eastern border. He was lucky that the remaining ferals fled to regroup. I’ve never seen such a deep wound on a shifter heal well, so when Ben left earlier the prognosis wasn’t good. I’ve never tried internal sutures on a shifter before and I didn’t know how his body would react. It was touch and go for a while, but he’s strong, he’ll make it.’ Adam looked over his shoulder.
‘Excuse me, Aiden wasn’t the only one hurt.’ He turned and went back into the large treatment room.
‘Lady McKenzie, maybe the waiting room will be a more comfortable place to rest.’ A deep voice recommended. Meryn looked up. It was the gorgeous white-haired man she had met before; the leader of the Gamma Unit. She took a deep breath and stood. She needed to know what happened.
‘Sascha, report.’ She used the same crisp command she had heard Aiden use when her laptop was taken. Sascha snapped to attention in a knee jerk reaction before looking down at Meryn with a frown.
‘Maybe you should just go to the waiting area with Lady Adelaide.’ His tone wasn’t quite condescending but it was close. Without saying a word she lowered her backpack to the floor, unzipped it and pulled out a small black box.
‘Here we go.’ Colton muttered.
She smiled, he knew what the box was, because he had given it to her himself. She opened the box and pulled out her gun. Carefully she loaded it and put the shoulder holster on, and after a few adjustments it fit perfectly. She turned the gun over in her hands and looked up at Sascha who swallowed hard.
‘Listen up, all of you!’ She raised her voice so that it carried down the hall.
‘The few times I have met some of you I have either been crying due to an attack or laughing at the ball. Just so we are all clear, that isn’t the real me. The real me is a cranky, psychopathic bitch who is extremely possessive of anything that I deem of as mine; Aiden being one of the most important things that belong to me. And since he isn’t able to give you orders right now, you’ll have to make do with me. I want the ferals responsible for hurting Aiden found and eliminated. They pose a threat to the city and the people I have actually come to like and that’s not acceptable.’ She glared at the men were staring on in shock.
‘Lady Meryn, we have trained professionals who can handle this situation …’ Sascha started.
‘Well where in the fuck are they?’ The men flinched. Meryn didn’t know if it was because they weren’t used to women cursing or from the question.
‘Where is the Unit Commander? I demand to speak to him at once!’ A voice echoed down the hall.
‘Now what!’ Meryn practically shouted. She turned to see the vampire Elder Evreux bearing down on them.
‘I demand unit warriors be assigned to my home! It’s ludicrous that the council members have been left unguarded.’ Meryn saw Byron coming up behind him, his face like a thundercloud.
‘Elder I’m afraid that isn’t possible, all available warriors will be needed to set up a perimeter or patrol the city.’ Meryn said as she stepped forward. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sascha give a slight nod of confirmation.
‘Why are you even addressing this issue? Shouldn’t you be at home waiting for your mate to return with his tail between his legs? I heard he had been injured, what a disgrace for the Unit Commander!’
Meryn felt an evil smile form. The unit warriors around her had stiffened at Elder Evreux’s insult and Adair and Ben held Byron back as he snarled.
‘Just what I thought, a useless human for a useless …’ Elder Evreux started.
‘Shut the fuck up you slimy douche bag. Let me ask you something jerk off, in all the long centuries you’ve been around I’m assuming you learned how to use a sword?’
‘Yes.’ The Elder hissed.
‘Dagger? Rapier? Gun? Martial arts?’ Meryn continued.
‘Yes of course! What does that have to do with anything?’ He demanded.
‘Because that makes you more able to handle a feral attack than most of the city. Now shut your fucking mouth and get out of my way before I assign you to a unit for patrol.’ Meryn’s insides were shaking she was so mad. How dare he insult Aiden!
The vampire Elder’s mouth moved but no words came out. Just when she thought his head would explode he turned and stamped down the hallway. When the slamming door echoed through the hall Meryn turned back to Sascha.
‘Sascha take Gamma and two units of your choosing and set up an outer perimeter. The other two units set up patrols in the city. Alpha stays here to guard Aiden. Check in with each other on your handhelds every ten minutes.’ When she finished no one moved.
‘Today gentleman and someone find me a motherfucking map!’
Sascha smirking, snapped his heels together and gave her a salute, the men followed his example grinning from ear to ear. They dispersed. Meryn exhaled.
Byron pulled her into a hug. ‘That’s my girl!’
‘I think they were scared of my gun.’ Meryn held up the tiny revolver.
Byron nodded and with a straight face agreed. ‘I’m sure that’s why.’
Meryn put her gun in the holster and looked up at Ryuu. There was pride shining from his eyes that warmed Meryn. She rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath.
‘I will definitely need another cup of coffee.’
