My Guardian (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 6) (17 page)

By the time Eva was done with her coffee, Meryn's eyes were open, and she was staring at the twins. "They are like baby Keelans!"

Neil looked over at Meryn with a mouth full of food. "Ooo no, Keelan?"

Eva gave him a look. "Don't talk with your mouth full."

He chewed quickly and swallowed. "Yes ma'am." He looked back at Meryn. "Do you know Keelan Ashwood?"

Meryn's joy seemed to dim. "Yeah, I live with him at the Alpha estate."

"That's so cool!" Nigel said.

"Do you know his brother Kendrick?" Nigel asked, practically holding his breath.

Meryn nodded. "Yeah, we're like this." She held up crossed fingers. "He's staying at the Alpha estate; we watch
Doctor Who
together."

The twins looked at each other excitedly. "He watches
Doctor Who
?"

Eva looked from Meryn to the twins and back. "Who's Kendrick?"

"Keelan's brother," Meryn said.

"Only the coolest witch that has ever lived!" Nigel exclaimed.

"Yeah! We used to hang out around the archives when we were growing up just to catch a glimpse of him. He's so awesome," Neil sighed.

"When we could get our courage together, we'd go down and ask him questions so we could pass our warrior exam, though sometimes, he was in the middle of an experiment, and he'd threaten to disembowel us, but even that was cool," Nigel explained.

"He's really good peeps; he stuck up for me when the asshole committee members were trying to trash talk me in Lycaonia. He was like, 'I don't think so peasants' or something like that. And I was all like, 'Ha! Eat that!' and they had to just suck it up and take it. He was so badass," Meryn said, waving her hands about.

Nigel and Neil bobbed their heads up and down in agreement.

"
Denka
, what would you like for breakfast," Ryuu asked.

"Magic pudding," she promptly replied.

He inclined his head and then went to the kitchen.

"What's magic pudding?" Neil asked.

"Is it good?" Nigel wondered.

"It's the best pudding ever. It's the only thing that settles my stomach. After having a cup of coffee, I feel almost normal." Meryn looked around the room. Her eyes landed on the coffee carafe. She eased from her chair and tiptoed over to the sideboard. She poured herself a second cup and then snuck back over to the table. She added her cream and sugar and took a sip. "I've missed this."

Eva frowned. "Should you be drinking coffee, being pregnant and all?"

Meryn shrugged. "I feel better this morning than I have in weeks. I think the baby likes coffee, too."

"That remains to be seen," Ryuu said, walking in with a large bowl. He set it in front of Meryn and picked up her wrist with his thumb and forefinger.

"That's a lot of power," Neil said, shielding his eyes. Nigel had also turned away.

Ryuu looked at the twins and smiled. "Not many witches can perceive this type of magic. While I'm here, if you have any questions, you can come to me." He looked down at Meryn's wrist and a look of surprise appeared. "You're right
denka
; the coffee has actually helped your condition. Let's not overdo it though. Stick to two cups in the morning. If I don't see any detrimental affects to the baby, we can add another cup in the afternoon." He shook his head. "Your child
would
do better when exposed to coffee."

Meryn patted her belly. "That's my little Meryn two-point-oh!"

"Ah, sir, what should we call you?" Neil asked.

Ryuu placed a hand on his chest and bowed. "Forgive my manners, I was preoccupied by my
denka's
condition. My name is Sei Ryuu; you can call me Ryuu."

Nigel smiled shyly. "No one else besides Kendrick could see the magic we could."
 

Ryuu's eyebrows shot up. "You know Kendrick Ashwood?"

"Sort of. We just followed him around a lot when we were living in Storm Keep," Neil said, blushing.

"I'll speak with him later. I believe he is the best one to recommend learning materials for your type of magic. I'll arrange an assortment of books to be delivered later." Ryuu turned to Meryn. "
Denka
, while you are in your communications hub, I will be with Sebastian learning how to make your magic pudding."

"You're the bestest Ryuu!" Meryn threw her arm in the air.

Eva thought the poor twins were going to pass out from shock. Neil was even swaying slightly in his chair.

"Just for us?" Nigel whispered.

"From Kendrick himself." Neil turned to his twin. "Pinch me, are we dreaming?"

Absently, Nigel pinched Neil who squeaked. "Nope, we're awake."

"Ryuu, make sure you get everything they need. I'm hoping they can create cool magical devices like my sonic screwdriver. I am adopting them as my baby Keelans!" Meryn announced.

Ryuu placed a hand over his heart. "As you wish,
denka.
"

Nigel looked around confused. "What does that mean?"

Meryn waved her spoon at him. "It means I'll help look after you."

"But we've been assigned here; we're unit warriors," Neil said.

Meryn shrugged. "That's cool; Keelan's a unit warrior too."

"We tend to get in trouble..." Neil started.

"A lot," Nigel finished.

Meryn's answering smile was downright scary. "Then you're in perfect company."

Sebastian was still humming happily when he walked back in the room. He set a plate of breakfast in front of her.
 

Eva eyed the excited twins then Meryn, who she could tell was already up to something. She looked up and Ryuu winked at her.

Oh well, life was gettin' too borin' anyway.

"Sebastian, could I have another cup of coffee? I think I'll need it." Eva held up her cup.

Ryuu nodded his approval.

Sebastian poured her second cup. "I love having young ones about."

Eva grinned. "I guess it's not too bad."

*****

"Meryn, where do I put this?" Nigel asked, holding up a box.

"Can you unpack it? It should be the routers. I'll need them over here." Meryn was uncoiling cable after cable.

Nigel and Neil worked together seamlessly to unpack the routers. When they were done, they carried them over to the large workstation that Magnus had provided. One by one, they handed them to Meryn, and she began to hook them up.

When they were done, they all stood back.

"It looks like a summoning circle for computers," Nigel said.

"Hopefully, it will summon my damn Wi-Fi and cell service into this city." Meryn checked her phone. "Where is Etain?"

"I am here, my lady." Etain smiled as he walked in. "There was a bit of trouble on one of the levels, but when I explained that what I was doing would give them wireless internet, they were more than willing to help."

"A city of assholes, I swear," Meryn muttered.

Etain walked around the room and placed portal after portal, dozens of them, where the wall met the ceiling. Wiping the sweat of his forehead, he sat down in one of the chairs. "That should do it. I made the trip out to the cell towers first thing this morning. Work your magic."

Meryn was already moving. She checked the internet signal on each of the routers. She pulled out her phone and let out a loud whoop. She held up her phone. "Look, I have service!" She ran over to a large box and started to drag it across the floor. In seconds Nigel, Neil, and Etain were at her side. Etain lifted the box and carried it to the table. "What's this?"

"A present from the Alpha Unit." Meryn grinned.

Etain reached in and pulled out a small handheld. "Are these like phones?"

Meryn nodded. "They're walkie-talkies. I used them with the units back home. Once you establish what channels are for what type of communication, these babies will allow you to position the guys as needed. For example, channel one back home is for Aiden and the council members to make big decisions. Channel two is for the unit leaders to receive orders or relay their location. Channel three is for everyone to receive orders. These actually carry a tiny portal on the back of the battery panel so that you have reception no matter where you are. Cool, huh?"

Etain shook his head, grinning. "If I wasn't sure my commander would gut me, I'd kiss you for these." He handed Nigel and Neil their handhelds.

Meryn pulled out six and set them aside. "These are for me, Aiden, Magnus, Tarak, Kuruk, and Eva. When we leave, y'all will have two extra you can use as needed." Meryn tossed one to Eva.

Eva shrugged and clipped it on to her belt. "I'm feelin' very official over here."

Meryn clipped hers on her laptop bag. "Now, I just need to come up with code names for everyone."

Etain turned. "Code names?"

"Yup. The guys use them at home."

Etain picked up the box that contained the handhelds for the other unit warriors. "I'll get these passed out. Thank you, my lady; you've done this city a great service today."

Meryn tapped away on her laptop. "Now I can check my Sim city and FarmVille."

Etain looked startled and turned to Eva. "Did she just restructure the entire city's technology so she could play internet games?"

Eva gave a lazy shrug. Knowing Meryn, it was probably half true. "I can check on my cats, so I'm grateful."

Meryn's head popped up. "You have the cat collection game? Is it any fun?"

"I like it, but then again, I like cats." Eva grinned.

"Oh, yeah." Meryn went back to her laptop.

"Thanks again, Meryn." Etain waved and headed out the door.

"Late-tah," Meryn said without looking up.

Eva leaned against the wall. Maybe keeping an eye on Meryn would be easier than she thought.
 

A few minutes later, Eva realized how naive she had been in assuming Meryn would be content to stay in the communications hub with her laptop.

Meryn closed her laptop with a click and looked at the twins. "So, what do you do around here for fun?"

Nigel and Neil exchanged glances. "We haven't been here that long; we just moved here from Storm Keep." Together, they looked at Eva.

Eva held up her hands. "Don't look at me, I just got here yesterday."

"When we arrived, they took us to Level Six, the Marketplace, which was fun. Plus, they have yummy food." Meryn rubbed her belly.

Nigel and Neil grinned. "We can take you," they said together.

"Let's boogie!" Meryn stood, looped her laptop bag around her shoulder, and headed to the door.

Eva followed. "What about your squire?"

Meryn shook her head. "He is on a mission of utmost importance and should not be disturbed."

Eva was confused until she remembered that Ryuu was learning how to make that pudding Meryn liked so much. "Whatever you say, squirt; you're the boss."

Meryn stopped and turned. "I like the sound of that. I'm the boss." She turned and kept going to the tunnel.

The twins lifted the four of them effortlessly up the transport tunnel to Level Six. When they stepped on to the level, Eva heard a low hiss to their right. The transport escort from the day before snarled at them, his eyes red. Nigel and Neil stepped between him and where Meryn and Eva stood.

Eva had to admit, despite being small for witches, these two had courage. Over their heads, she left her eyes shift to her tigers and hissed back. The vampire snapped his mouth shut in surprise. Her tiger already considered the twins and Meryn cubs to be protected, and she didn't like the threatening manner of the escort.

"Wicked!" the twins said together.

Meryn pulled on her arm. "Come on! I smell meat kebobs!" Eva gave one last snarl and let Meryn pull her between the vendor stands. They had almost reached the outermost section when a large, richly dressed vampire stepped in their way.

"No shifters are allowed on Level Six; you are to remain in the Grand Hall until our prince has figured out what to do with you," he said, crossing his arms.

"Fuck. Again? Do I need, like, a visitor's pass or something?" Meryn complained.

"Listen buddy, I don't know who you are, but this is Lady Meryn McKenzie. She is a special guest of Prince Magnus," Nigel informed the sneering vampire.

"Yeah! And she's our commander's mate," Neil added for good measure.

"I am Andre DuBois, you pathetic excuse for a witch. And things were fine here before she and her mate came and started changing things. Noctem Falls is a vampire city; we do not need your kind here," he said angrily, waving his arms. By now they had attracted a crowd.

Eva sighed. They really needed someone like Beth, who was more politically savvy, because her solution involved putting this asshole in a body bag.
 

Around them, half the crowd muttered in agreement with Andre, some were silent, and some spoke out in Meryn's defense.

"You do not speak for all of us, DuBois! I met that little lady and her squire day before yesterday; they are fine people, shifter or human notwithstanding. She is welcome at my stand any day," an old man said before spitting at Andre's feet.

It was as if the old man's words shifted the mood of the crowd.

"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."