H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1) (15 page)

He pulled back a bit so that he could look down at me, his sparkling, jade green eyes searching my face.

“I messed up and fell in love, which means that the thought of you being with anyone else, seeing all those guys constantly flirting with you, and knowing that we’re from two completely different worlds makes me feel threatened and possessive.” He went on to explain.

I gaped at him. “Coming from the guy who always manages to have all the females flirting and vying for his attention whenever he walks into any room.”

He smiled, flattered and knowing damn well that I was right.

“And there’s only one out of all of them that I want.”

His hands went to caress my cheeks, cupping my face and brushing back my hair and bangs.

“I love you, Kai.” He whispered in all serious sincerity.

I felt a rush of both panic and emotion pulling at my heart.

What should I say? I really do care about Marq but I don’t know if it was genuinely that kind of love for me. We don’t have a future as a couple for obvious reasons.

“It’s okay. I don’t expect you to say it back to me. I’m the one that broke our rule.” He said softly, leaning down and kissing me tenderly.

When we broke from the meaningful kiss, I caved.

“Saturday. How about dinner at your place?”

I had completely surprised him and he was beaming.

“If you’re serious, it sounds like a plan.”

“I wouldn’t have said it if I wasn’t.”

Marq was thrilled and I was excited too. I’ve always wanted to see where Marq lived and experience his undersea world.

Chapter 21

I
still hadn’t heard from Gage by the time I rolled out to head to Fin’s house. Well, I suppose if I had slept with him then I may have, which disappointed me into thinking that had to be the reason.

What an asshole.

Fin lived in a large home with a fantastic view of the ocean. It was set about half a mile back behind the shop that she owned in a homey strip of various locally owned shops.

She got a lot of good business from locals, tourists, and even us non-humans.

I entered through the shop first just to peruse her latest trinkets and decorative items and the bell above the door jangled softly, announcing my arrival. The sign said closed at eight p.m. but there were still quite a few customers browsing.

“Kai! Hey, give me a second. You can go on and head to the house. I’ll have one of the clerks relieve me and I’ll be there in a minute.” Fin waved at me from the register.

I met her, waiting for her to take care of the customer who had made a large purchase before speaking.

“You’re right, business is booming. I’ll give you more, I love those crystal lotuses over there.” I smiled and nodded to the set of three that were displayed on fake lily pads in the front window.

“They’re yours. I’ll wrap and have them ready before you leave.” She smiled.

Fin was in her thirties in human time years. If she didn’t really dress the soccer mom part, she could pass for being around my age. But I suppose with a successful business, a complete family with a husband and three little ones all under the ages of ten, she probably didn’t have much time to devote to being glamorous. “Thanks, Fin. I’ll wait for you though. Need any help?”

“Nah, I won’t be long.”

Fin had prepared a lentil soup, fruit, and several different types of vegan style sandwiches for dinner.

I was far from being a vegan, especially now, but the entire meal was really tasty. However, my hunger was far from satisfied and I knew why. Panic began to set in. What was I going to do? How and where was I going to find a Nocturna without staking some place out by myself for hours or pointlessly? I supposed that I could just follow any large crowd of people anywhere near the port.

After dinner, coloring with the girls, and serving as a model for various hairstyles involving beaded clips and ribbons, Fin and I finally settled in her den. She had already acquired quite of bit of books and newspaper clippings from the realm of our universes, and had them scattered about the wide coffee table.

I wondered where she had managed to get a hold of so many things so quickly but that was a secret. Fin had her ways and it was what she did best.

“You know I was really curious about your sudden interest in Aldeur.” Fin began as she sat down with a platter of herbal tea for us.

“Why’s that?”

“I mean, it’s a really well-to-do city, sort of a paradise or Utopia if you will, and they seem to think that they’re better than everyone else. Their population is exclusive and you have to pass a health and background screening just to be able to visit if at all. They really don’t put much out there about their business and city history.”

“I guess that’s understandable considering how many of the Ascendants are covertly running around waiting to find a weak link somewhere. I guess that’s why they were never overrun or invaded.”

Fin shrugged and sat down. She reached for a really old newspaper and glanced at it for a moment before handing it over to me.

“I wasn’t able to gather much, at least not on short notice anyway. I’ve never been interested in the history myself at all until you mentioned it.”

“Well, I was actually more interested in the Shields of the Citadel. A hunter by the name of Gage, possibly.” I clarified.

“Gage? Does he have a last name?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know it.”

She nodded. “Hmm. Shields of the Citadel. Very elusive but from what I do remember hearing about them in close circles, they are a very elite and highly-trained group of hunters and they’re also very private and close-knit. I think there’s a bit of Mage blood in their breeding background too. I’ve got a little bit of information on that here.” She leaned forward and began to leaf through a stack of papers.

A little bit of Mage blood? Well, that makes sense then. I knew there was something else to him.

She found one with an illustration of a coat of arms that bore a crawling black Jaguar, prowling and roaring with glowing white eyes, and revolvers crossed in the background with a staff in the middle of them.

Revolvers. Like the ones that were strapped to his body underneath his duster that night.

So far, all that he told me he turned out to be true.

Fin jumped up and raised a finger as if she had forgotten something when she saw me examine the photo closely.

“I managed to get a hold of this several years back. This one is just a replica and I thought about remaking others like it and selling them but I changed my mind. I didn’t want to treat a crest like that, real or not.” Fin picked up a decorated flat box and carefully opened it.

Curious, I waited for her to reveal what she was talking abou
t
—and when she did, I gasped in awe.

The mysterious crest of the Phantom Jaguars live and in person. It was beautiful; about the diameter of my palm, encrusted with black gems and two glowing white stones for the eyes. Its jaw hung open menacingly with fangs exposed.

She handed it to me and I took it carefully, marveling over it.

“Well, who recreated this one?” I asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. It was a trade from a trade from a trade. I never know the sources sometimes.”

“Is it an authentic copy?” I asked as I turned it in my fingers and admired the stones and hand carved silver.

“As I know, cosmetically anyway.” She smiled, “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? Even though they were private, the Shields of the Citadel were very well-known, which made many very curious. Ironically, it’s their constant elusiveness that actually makes them so popular, especially the Phantom Jaguars. The Citadel is where their hunters are trained following their rites of passage after their 12
th
birthdays. At any rate, you can have that one if you want it. What’s the story with this Gage anyway? Who is he and where did you meet him?”

“It’s a long story.” I sighed.

She grinned. “I see.”

I could already tell what she was thinking.

“Thanks, Fin. I really appreciate all of this.” I smiled, excited at having this piece in my possession. I tucked it safely away in the hidden pocket of my weapons belt.

“No problem, you’re welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t find out much more but I will.” She said writing down something in a planner, “I look forward to finding out more myself. I know they’ve been virtually undefeatable.”

Undefeatable. We had thought we were too until the invasion. I didn’t have many memories about it, just stories and flashes here and there. Both Cole and I were too young at the time to understand what happened and all we were left with was a chest of supplies, a letter from our parents and other family members, photos, and our own crest of tigers.

“If I knew where to start, I’d do some digging on my own too.”

Fin smiled big. “Now either he did something bad and pissed you off…or you have a serious crush.”

“Neither.” I lied.

She didn’t believe me, I already knew that. It was written all over my face anyway.

“Right. Well, so catch me up to speed. What all have I missed since I was last out there?” her eyes lit up when she asked.

“Well, you haven’t missed that much. Isis has been practicing her gravity magic… never volunteer and run while you can if she asks. And I just found out today that Clee and Cole are expecting.” I began to rattle off.

Fin beamed and then laughed.

“Thanks for the advice. I’ll have to send a gift and pay a visit soon now. I’ll bet you’re excited.”

“Very.” I nodded. “Also, there’s been Nocturnas running around lately and a few human corpses have already been discovered by the human authorities, so I’d advise you guys to be alert and cautious. We caught one stalking the island a couple of days ago.”

I was going to leave out my ordeal and the results for now.

She frowned. “On the island? How the hell did it manage to find it?”

“There was an accidental gateway opened there but we got it closed.”

Fin’s brows rose. “Accidental, huh? Bullshit, no such thing as an accidental gateway. That’s not a good sign. Did you guys get an imprint of the caster before closing it?”

“I’m sure Clee and Elvie did but as to any leads, nothing.”

“Hmm. I wonder what motivated the sudden surge.”

“Your guess is as good as ours. There’s no telling where or when another one will be opened.”

“Don’t worry, we’re taking all precautions and if you guys need any help, just ask. James went overboard making sure to mark everything both here and at the shop with wards and protective runes. Even the girls and I are sporting permanent inking.” Fin laughed.

I smiled. “That’s good. That makes me feel better.”

I continued to skim through the old clippings.

“Do you mind if I borrow some of these to read on my own time? I promise, I’ll take good care of them.”

“Sure, take your time and don’t worry about it. It’ll give me an excuse to finally head out to the bar and see everyone when you want me to get them. Let me get a water tight container for you.” She offered, getting up and heading out of the den.

I gently flipped through several of the pages in Fin’s absence when Gage’s name caught my eye.

His full name. How coincidental was this? I smiled to myself when I read it.

Del Croix. His last name was Del Croix and the only reason it was even listed was because his famil
y
— ruled Aldeur.

Fascinated, I read on. Apparently, his family had ruled Aldeur for many centuries and he was the last one to inherit the throne, but he disappeared and was assumed dead over twenty two years ago according to the date of the article. There was no other information as to why that was the case though.

Disappeared? Dead?

The thrill of knowing just that wee bit more about him was exciting, if this was him. I didn’t doubt that it wasn’t though.

It had to be because everything was adding up.

His wealth and his sub-domina, and he did say that he was from the Shields of the Citadel.  I remembering him saying that he had exiled himself shortly after he had been bitten and began to change.

He disappeared over twenty two years ago and his daughter was already a grown young woman. He didn’t even get the chance to bond with her at all. That was horrible.

Thinking about his tragedy made me think of my own to come. I too would be frozen at twenty four. Even though most of us had lifespans of nearly two hundred years, I’d be watching Cole and all of my other friends, even my niece or nephew grow old and eventually die while I still lived on.