My Protector (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 2) (7 page)

"That's really neat." Elizabeth paused, her own coat was probably stiff as a board caked in mud, growing mushrooms in her trunk. She eyed the tiny Meryn. She was at least six inches taller than her friend.

"Could we head to the cleaners? My coat is going to need to be cleaned before I can wear it."

"That's cool. I know the witches that run the tailors shop that does cleaning and preserving. It's where Aiden keeps his dress whites." Meryn wrapped the scarf around her neck until her lower face disappeared. Elizabeth smiled at the young woman. By paranormal standards Meryn was still almost a child. Sisterly affection welled up inside her.

"You are too cute!" She laughed as Meryn tried to spit out yarn fuzz.

"I am not cute. I am sexy and alluring," Meryn protested.

"Sorry to burst your bubble short stack, but you're so cute, it should be illegal."

"You were an only child weren't you?" Meryn asked sourly.

"Yes and I have always wanted a sister. You're it."

"Is it just me or are you teasing me more today than yesterday?"

"Of course I am. I have adopted you so gloves are off. You now matter to me, so I don't have to be nice."

"Wait. So, because I'm now family you can be mean to me? How does that work?" Meryn demanded.

"Meryn, I grew up the only niece to the ruling vampire elder. I was constantly at court. I learned from an early age that it's just easier to be pleasant to the people who don't matter. I don't let them see the real me. But once you're my friend, all bets are off."

Meryn shook her head. "I'm exactly opposite. I don't talk to and am mean to anyone I don't know and am only nice to the ones I do know and like."

"Just different sides of the same coin. Now. What am I going to do about a coat?" Elizabeth frowned. Maybe she could borrow one of Gavriel's.

Ryuu walked in carrying her now immaculate looking full-length grey wool trench coat. "Lady Elizabeth, when taking out your luggage yesterday I noticed the state of your coat. I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of cleaning it for you." Ryuu held her coat open for her.

Elizabeth looked at Ryuu and smiled. "You're amazing, you do know that right?" She slipped her arms through the sleeves and inspected the wool. Not a single stain or mark. She stuffed her wristlet in her coat pocket.

Ryuu gave a nod, smiled and went to help Meryn who was turning circles trying to get her arm in her other sleeve. Once Meryn had her coat on they headed to her car. She smiled when she saw that someone had changed her back two tires. Living with a house full of men was looking better and better.

"Okay, where am I heading?" Elizabeth asked after they got in. She adjusted her mirrors before turning to look at Meryn.

"Go down this road until we get to the Shifter Elder's estate, you really can't miss it. That's where Aiden's parents live. I want you to meet Adelaide and Marius, from there we can head into the city and I can introduce you to Sydney and Justice at my most favorite place ever, their café The Jitterbug," Meryn said sounding slightly muffled from her scarf.

"Looks like we have a plan." Elizabeth put it in drive and rolled out of the driveway. Looking in her rearview mirror she hoped her mate was having a good day with his pissed off commander.

*****

"Why would she say that?" Gavriel heard his friend ask for the tenth time. The men were standing around the training grounds as Aiden vented.

"I have to admit, it's not like her. She'll tease as good as the next guy, but she never tries to hurt you," Colton agreed.

"Does a wedding mean that much to her?" Keelan asked.

Aiden shook his head. "I asked her about it once, she said there was no point because there wouldn't be anyone to invite from her side of the family. If she had honestly shown any interest I would have already planned the biggest wedding this city had ever seen." Aiden paced back and forth.

"Maybe she's upset about something else?" Sascha suggested.

"Do you hog all the blankets?" Quinn asked. The men turned and stared at him. "What? My mom is always complaining to my father about that," he said defensively.

"Let's look at this logically..." Ben started. All eyes swung to him. He backtracked. "Okay, as logically as possible when dealing with Meryn. She's pretty surface level when it comes to her emotions. If she's mad, she punches you. When she's happy, she jumps around and tries to kiss your face. So if she said something about matings maybe she's worried about something else in your relationship."

Aiden gasped and turned to his brother. "I think you nailed it. I..." he hesitated and looked around. The men gathered closer. Gavriel rolled his eyes, the warriors were worse than the old women at the sewing circle when it came to juicy news.

Aiden cleared his throat. "I told her she had to stop interrupting our training sessions and I asked her about children again," he admitted. The men sucked in their breaths.

"Well no wonder she was acting out this morning." Darian nodded.

"Why would she act out?" Aiden asked.

"Because, my old friend, she doesn't like being told what to do and she is terrified of bringing a child into a world where psychotic killers are killing and mutilating pregnant women and their unborn children," Gavriel explained. He paused and let the words sink in. Aiden turned milk white.

"There's no way I'd let anything happen to her or our child," Aiden protested.

"Not to sound like a bastard, but wasn't she attacked at the Alpha estate like a month ago?" Quinn reminded him. All eyes glared at the young witch. He held up his hands defensively. "It's true isn't it?"

"He's right. Of course she'd be scared. What can we do?" Aiden resumed his pacing.

Gavriel noticed that this had now become everyone's problem. The men all frowned and no one spoke.

"Maybe we could install some sort of alarm system at the house?" Keelan suggested.

Aiden looked at him like he was a genius. "Keelan, that's brilliant! What kind of alarm system?"

"Couldn't we just get what humans use? They are easy to install and would alert us if anyone tried to break a window or come through a locked door," Gavriel said suggesting the easiest solution.

"We can do better than humans!" Sascha scoffed.

"We sure can! Oh, I know. What if when the door opens an axe swings down and cuts the intruder in half?" Graham, the bear shifting Delta Unit leader, suggested. Gavriel stared. Keelan, Darian and Colton looked at each other nervously. They had to live there too.

"How would the axe know it wasn't one of us?" Keelan asked.

"Good point," Graham murmured, rubbing his bearded chin. The men all nodded.

"Isn't that your mate's car?" Darian asked as the car in question drove down the driveway.

"Yes and unless my eyes are mistaken, Ryuu and Meryn are with her," Darian said.

"That's perfect. We can install whatever protective measures we come up with to the house while they're gone. Okay men. Let's head to the armory and see what we have to work with." Aiden started walking toward the small building that housed all of their weapons.

The men followed behind Aiden talking excitedly. Only he, Darian, Keelan, and Colton lingered back.

"We're going to die, aren't we?" Keelan asked morosely.

"All in the name of love. Come on men, if we're quick enough we can keep them away from the explosives," Colton said.
 

Gavriel watched the dust cloud settle over the dirt road where his mate had just driven.

I hope your day is going better than mine, zain'ka moya.

CHAPTER FOUR

"Oh fuck me! I forgot about the damn sewing circle meeting. Abort! Abort!" Meryn cried from the backseat.

"Too late, we've been spotted," Elizabeth pointed to a woman was waving at them enthusiastically in front of the house.
 

"Damn, that's Horseface. There's no turning back now," Meryn groaned.

"Horseface?" Elizabeth looked at the woman and immediately saw why Meryn had dubbed this woman with the nickname. It wasn't exactly kind, but very accurate.

"I'm terrible with names," Meryn admitted.

When they came to a stop Ryuu got out of the car and held the door open for Meryn. Elizabeth got out and walked around to stand by her friend.

"Meryn, dah-liiing! We didn't know you would be coming today. How wonderful! I was just saying to Daphane how we missed you at our little meetings. Better late than never I always say. Who is your friend?" she asked, turning to her.

Elizabeth plastered a smile on her face and held out her hand. "I'm Elizabeth Monroe. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Rosalind Carmichael. Monroe? You wouldn't be any relation to Broderick Monroe would you?" she asked.

"Yes, he is my father."

Rosalind's hand went to her throat in a nervous gesture. "Oh dear, what an honor. Come on girls, this way. I'm sure we can brew some more tea for you two dears." Rosalind picked up the basket she had retrieved from her car and pointed to the door. Ryuu stepped forward and took the basket from her hands. Rosalind tittered at Ryuu blushing. Meryn rolled her eyes and followed the woman inside. Rosalind waved at them and went into the drawing room excited to be the one to share news that they were coming to their meeting.

"Meryn, what on earth are you doing here?" a soft voice asked, sounding surprised. A lovely woman dressed in a bright yellow dress walked towards them from the hallway carrying a small sewing basket.

"Hey Mom, I kinda forgot what day it was. I wanted to introduce my new friend. We didn't mean to crash your sewing circle meeting," Meryn explained, unwinding her scarf.

The lovely woman turned to her. "And who is your new friend?" she asked, smiling warmly.

"Adelaide, this is Elizabeth Monroe, she is Gavriel's mate. She's adopted me as her little sister because evidently I'm 'too cute'. Elizabeth, this is Adelaide McKenzie, Aiden's mother." Meryn said introducing them.

Elizabeth was immediately enveloped in a warm hug. When Adelaide pulled back, Elizabeth could see genuine affection in her eyes. "Welcome Elizabeth. Since you have adopted Meryn and she's my daughter that must mean you're mine as well." Adelaide's warm hands squeezed hers before she pulled Meryn into a similar hug. Adelaide pulled back and cocked her head to one side looking down at Meryn with a puzzled expression. She shook her head and grinned.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't be here unless you had forgotten the day," Adelaide teased.

"Mom!" Meryn blushed.

"Might as well come inside. We're just starting a new project. I was on my way back to the drawing room from upstairs. We're switching to a quilting project so I had to change baskets. I'll have Marius make a pot of Honeycup just for you and we'll put out a few teaspoons of warmed honey for Felix." Adelaide looped her arms through theirs and led them to the front drawing room. Ryuu followed. He walked over and handed Rosalind her basket. She giggled and blinked her eyelashes at him. He bowed in a gentlemanly way and walked over to stand next to Marius.

"Ladies, I'm excited to say that my daughter Meryn and the newest member of our family, Elizabeth Monroe, have decided to join us today." Adelaide turned to the tall silver haired man standing against the wall. "Marius, can you prepare Meryn's favorite tea and a treat for our sprite friend as well?"

Marius nodded. "Of course, my lady."

Ryuu turned to Marius. "It would be an honor to help you serve these lovely ladies today."

The women in the room giggled. Elizabeth met Ryuu's eyes; the barest of nods to the woman in the corner was all she needed. She nodded back and sat down, effectively putting herself between Meryn and the garishly dressed woman Ryuu had indicated to. Both she and Meryn placed their coats on the backs of their chairs.

"Elizabeth Monroe, a bunny?" the garish woman asked, her tone condescendingly neutral. Elizabeth watched Meryn hunch a little, she could tell that her friend was fighting to keep a scowl off her face. Poor Meryn. She hadn't been raised around women like this one; luckily she had.
 

"Actually it's
lepus curpaeums,
" Meryn corrected.

The woman smiled at Meryn patronizingly. "That's just another way to say bunny dear, why get so wrapped up in the technicalities? Of course as a human you wouldn't understand."

Meryn blinked, and then smiled. "So, if it's okay to call Elizabeth a bunny, then could I call you a bitch?" Meryn asked sweetly.

Adelaide started choking on her tea. Elizabeth turned to the flustered woman to divert her attention away from Meryn.

"I'm sorry, have we met?" she asked, assuming her most pleasant tone.

The woman looked embarrassed for a moment before she waved a purple handkerchief between them. "You must be new to Lycaonia. I'm so used to everyone here knowing who I am. My name is Daphane Bowers, pleasure to meet you. I have to ask, are you related to that brilliant, handsome scientist working on a blood substitute in Noctem Falls?"

"Pleasure," Elizabeth said, deliberately not answering the woman's question.

After a few moments of silence Daphane spoke up. "Are you, dear?"

"I'm sorry, there are many scientists working in Noctem Falls, which one were you referring to?" Elizabeth said, being as obtuse as possible. By drawing out this line of questioning she would make Daphane unintentionally highlight her true intentions. Elizabeth had played this game before.

"Broderick Monroe, of course. His assistant, Caspian Rioux, is the vampire elder's younger brother," Daphane clarified.

"Oh yes, you mean my father and his mate, Caspian. Yes, they are working on a blood substitute."

"Oh? Are they mated? I thought Caspian was his assistant. His good looks would simply be wasted being mated to another man," Daphane sighed.

Elizabeth smiled at the other ladies before turning to look at Daphane. "I didn't realize that the ruling houses in Lycaonia were so out of touch. That's just sad," she pouted then continued. "My fathers have been mated for over one hundred and fifty years, to think that you wouldn't know something that is common knowledge everywhere else is, well, forgive the term, but pathetic really." Elizabeth heard the tiniest of sounds and saw that Meryn's eyes were practically bugging out in the effort not to laugh.