• Stay Away

    Stay Away

    I was sitting in the room where Dorian left me in the dark. I didn’t care if I was being anti-social. Really wasn’t in the head space to deal with people. But that didn’t mean people didn’t find me. And that they did. My father was standing in the doorway watching me.

    “Funny how no one is really looking for you, but we seem to be able to find you. That little gloomy cloud floating over your head. I thought this was supposed to be a happy moment.”

    “It is,” I said softly.

    “Why don’t you look happy?”

    “I just found out you and Dorian could lose everything for being here.”

    He came in and shut the door behind him. “Ah. Dorian said his good-bye’s then.”

    “Something like that.”

    Kai sat across from me on the couch. “I know I don’t rate high on your family list, but you are my son.”

    “I know that, Dad. But Dorian …”

    “I know what he is, son. He’s what I couldn’t be – not then, and not now. But I want to know my grand kids. The other kids don’t need me. They don’t even want me in their lives.” He sighed. “Last night I did the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

    “Dad…”

    “No, Nox. I didn’t do it for you. And I didn’t do it for the bushel of kids you have. I did it for me.” He laughed. “I’m getting old. The hunt isn’t what it used to be. Hell I find that I like your tactics, your friends, the way it makes me feel when I see a family reunited with a member they thought dead.”

    “No son, I did it for me. I told Emilio I loved him. Told him he was the best friend in the world and I told him good-bye. Because of you, I found a woman I want to spend my life with. I have a cause worthy of fighting for, and a son I desperately want to get to know.  And his wonderful family who all make it so easy to love him.”

    Kai laughed. “I tried to stay away. I don’t have the will power Dorian has.”

    “Did you tell Dorian?” I asked.

    “Yes.”

    “That’s why he has the will power.”

    “He’s not leaving you because of me Nox. He’s not I swear it.”

    “But he doesn’t feel guilty for doing it because of you,” I growled out.

    “Nox he loves you.”

    “I know,” I said. “And he wants me to love you as much as I love him.”

    “I don’t need your love Nox. Nor Dorian’s pity.”

    I sighed and walked over to the door vacating my warm chair in favor of the waning sun.  “I can love you both you know. I do love you both. I’m sorry if I make it hard. But eighteen years of hatred is hard to get past. I’m trying.”

    Kai laughed. “I know. There was a time you would have growled at me for even stepping foot in your sacred space. Margo and I have moved in together, she’s moving her practice outside of the AU building, but it’ll take some time.”

    “If she can hold off on that,” I said turning towards my father. “I think I can help her out – give her neutral ground to work from – no dragon territory, no wolf, no vampire – safe and secure from all magics. The Venatori might hate me for it, but I don’t care what they think.”

    “They know that,” Kai said. “Dorian told you of the kill order?”

    I nodded. “Yeah. He told me to stay away from New York. But I won’t.”

    “He knows that. But he has to try. He loves you. And I’m glad he does.”

    “We should get back to the gathering.”

    Kai stayed seated. “I’m going to stay here a while. I’d like to revel in my son’s wake.”

    “What?”

    He chuckled. “You’ve been in here long enough your residual power lingers. It tickles my skin and reminds me I’m not just an old man.”

    “You aren’t old,” I said as I opened the door. The party was in full swing, though I didn’t think it was even close to 8pm yet.

  • Childhood Revisited

    Childhood Revisited

    Sage left to go help Mia, Jace was no where to be seen, “Did you not invite Jace?”

    Alex laughed. “He’s around somewhere.  I think he realized he fucked up 5 years ago.”  Alex quickly changed the subject, “Apparently Sage doesn’t drive?”

    “No. He has a fundamental fear with cars in general. The fact he rode in one at all is usually a feat of accomplishment for him.”

    “I get why the two of you are so close, but Mia? Doesn’t make sense.”

    I chuckled. “Mia liked us because we were off limits at first. She was always a rebel.”

    “But neither of you ever hooked up with her for real.”

    “Sage can’t touch people, and I like boys. Mia knew before I did that a girl didn’t make me happy. But I was never her gay best friend. Sure she dressed me up, taught me make up. But I also taught her how to throw a punch and to shoot a gun.”

    “I never had friends like that,” Alex lamented.

    “You had me,” I said. “I know I was a poor substitute for real world friends.”

    Alex interrupted, “Shut up, Nox.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “You weren’t a poor substitute for anything. I relished the fact you couldn’t remember the things I told you. I hated that you didn’t know I was real, but I told you everything, and never once did you judge me.”

    “So why do you think I’ll judge you now if you tell me things?” I said and sat up pulling out of his arms. Alex shifted so that he had a leg on either side of me and wrapped himself around my back. I leaned back into him and he sighed with contentment. 

    “It’s hard in the real world to get over that fear.”

    “So tell me in the dream.”

    “I want you to ask,” he said simply.

    I shuddered at the fear of another fight and I simply said, “I’ll try.”

    We left the touchy conversation alone for now. I was pretty sure I’d never get over the fear, but I’d try. Alex cradled me like I was hurt, and maybe I was. I was never right.

    “Nox,” Alex whispered.

    And I sighed pulling out of Alex’s arms. “I can’t sit here. I need to do something.”

    Alex stood up and offered me his hands and I took them. “Sand first.”

    I looked down at my shoes and legs and tried not to panic even as I was already pulling the sand from my body. Alex set an empty box on the decking. “For your trinkets.” He grinned at me and I smiled at him.

    “You aren’t allowed in the kitchen. Mingle with your family and friends,” he said. “No cooking.” He pointed at me with the look that said I’d be in for it if he found me cooking.  I was on vacation and he meant it. But wasn’t he?

    My father and Margo were here. Adrian and Leah too. I mingled with everyone.  I was surprised to see Jaxen and Blake chatting with Danny and Rosie.  I walked over to the pairs and smiled.  Rosie wrapped her arm around my waist and hugged me tightly.  “So good to see you happy mijo.”

    “Thanks, Mama Rose.  Alex is pretty great.”  I looked over my shoulder, he was chatting with Benji and Griffin.  They looked like a pair of old friends and I fought the urge to be jealous. 

    Adrian laughed as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, “Not used to your boy having friends?”

    I blinked at him, “I guess not.  But he needs them.” 

    Adrian turned me back towards the others.  “Agent Morgan and Lieutenant Mitchell Nox is putting together a meeting with the City officials.  He wants you there as people he trusts, Jin will send you the details.”

    Danny inclined his head, “Of course.”

    Blake on the other hand looked at me and frowned, “You didn’t think to tell me yourself?”

    I grinned at him, “I didn’t know I was either.  I mean I knew I wanted to, but I didn’t know I had the power to pull the City officials into a meeting.”

    “Reginald is helping a little.  He has contacts.  And he likes you.”

    Jaxen laughed, “Who doesn’t like Nox.”

    There was a tap on my shoulder and I turned around to see Marco with a wide grin on his face.  I gave my friend and teacher a hug and he pulled me off to the side taking me away from that conversation. “We missed you,” Marco said. 

    He guided me over to Dorian where I shared a hug with him as well.  He held on to me tighter than usual.  I asked, “What’s wrong?”

    Marco rolled his eyes as he put his arm around me and dragged me away from his husband. “First, Congratulations are in order,” he said in a heavy Italian accent. “And second, if Dorian or Kai are caught here they could be exiled.”

    “So why are they here?” I asked and turned immediately to look for them. “Because they love you.”

    “Thank you for coming Marco  I appreciate it I do, but don’t let Dorian lose everything.”

    Marco chuckled to himself, “No such sympathy for your father.”

    I glanced in my biological father’s direction and sighed. “I don’t want to see him lose everything either but…”

    Marco nodded. “It’s alright son, I understand. Dorian wanted to see you. See the children.”

    “I will tell him the same thing, but you two need to go as soon as he’s seen the kids.”

    Marco frowned. “Nox…”

    “I’m serious.”

    He sighed. “As serious as your guardian.”

    “Thank you,” I said. “Now go say hi to the kids.”

    I left my favorite teacher to go find his husband. Dorian stood in the doorway staring out at the beach in a far corner of the house. “I remember the night you almost drowned out there.”

    “Me too,” I said.

    “You’ve come a long way.”

    “So have you,” I added.

    He didn’t look at me as I stood next to him. “I was so afraid that day. You’d been happy moments before the water dragged you across the sand. I’m surprised that the crashing of the waves doesn’t scare you.”

    I shrugged. “I only remember the sand scratching at my face, my skin as I was pulled out to sea.”

    “If you hadn’t been Cesari you wouldn’t be here talking to me about your fear.”

    “But I am.” I sighed. “Dorian, you need to go.”

    He nodded. “I know. But I had to give you this.”

    He turned with a small box in his hand. “It was my mothers. She should have given it to Eli or Sahara, but neither of them cared for the human sentimentalities like she did.”

    “That’s why she had you.” I grinned at him.

    “I won’t have children to give it to. I won’t bring a child into the Venatori…” he thrust the gift in my hand. “Nox, the Venatori want you dead. Not exiled – dead. The house is yours.  It’s been yours since Marco and I decided that we weren’t having children. The Venatori don’t know you have it. Stay here, live a happy life. Don’t come back to New York.” He met my gaze. “Please, don’t come back.” He begged but he walked away after he quickly hugged me. 

    Dorian was walking out the door.  I called out his name, but he didn’t turn, though he did stop. “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

    He nodded and walked away. I felt the tears sliding down my cheeks as I opened the box. Etched in the top of the box was the simple words. “Something old. Something blue. Something borrowed.”

    Inside was a blue stone heart – the color of Alex’s eyes and I picked it up and felt the cool stone in the palm of my hand. It was attached to a delicate silver chain. I hung it around my neck. It was the last time I’d probably see Dorian. My heart was breaking.

  • Consequences

    Consequences

    Hunter and I chatted and watched people; he was five and people looked at me like I was enabling a child who could walk all by himself.  I thought I heard people say something even as I looked at them, but their mouths never moved. Things were a little fucked up.  Hunter was giggling over some dog playing in the crashing waves. “Do you want to get down and play?”

    The look of horror he gave me when I asked made me grin. “Okay then, I’ll hold you. You think you can hold on while I run back?”

    “A piggy back ride?”

    “As long as you don’t choke me.” I grinned at my son and his bright eyes.

    He nodded. “I promise.”

    Hunter clambered on to my back and I started to jog back to the beach house from the far end of the beach. That got more looks and a few stray comments too. But again I wasn’t sure I was actually hearing them – they were like echos and whispers of something else. 

    _No fucking shot.  Fucking kid on his back._ I heard almost clear as day and when I looked around I didn’t see anyone who was looking at me.  But as I spun around I spied Griffin following me.  I watched as he jogged towards me.  I waited, and he seemed to understand. 

    He was close and I threw up a veil around us that hid our voices but not so much us.  “I heard something.  No fucking idea how.”

    “What they say?”  Griffin asked with condescension in his voice.

    “No fucking shot.  Fucking kid on his back.”  I said with more annoyance than I had an anticipated.

    He looked around.  “Alright.  You go home immediately.  Don’t stop for anyone.  I got this.  Sounds like my friend is back.”

    I sighed but nodded. Hunter clung to my back and I ran home.  It wasn’t a fast run thanks to the sand but as fast as I could **humanly** muster.

    We neared the house and I slowed down, not really wanting to join the fray of my family. Or the impromptu party Alex was planning. And I knew Alex; this wasn’t showing me off, this was staking a claim. And not just to the beach bunnies on the veranda, but the world – to my friends.

    I could feel more magical energy in the beach house than when I left. Alex was throwing us a wedding reception. He couldn’t have planned it in advance – he hadn’t known we were coming. Except that Alex might have – for all I knew he had implanted the suggestion in my head and was just waiting for the right excuse to tell me.

    I wasn’t angry, though for all the masks I wore that was not one I was prepared to wear on what was supposed to be a vacation.

    Hunter let go and fell into the sand and darted for the patio rocks. He looked around with those big brown eyes and he smiled when I was the only one watching and the earth patterns around him sucked every last piece of sand from his skin and shoes and collected in his hand. With a simple weave of fire and then water to cool it a shimmering piece of glass lay in his hand. It looked like we were going to have a fine collection of glass shards by the end of the trip.

    I sighed and walked up to the stone steps myself and sat down to stare out into the water. The beach was busy, the sand was dotted with umbrellas and towels and loads of families. 

    “You okay?” A happy voice asked from behind me.

    I didn’t turn around to see my best friend, he came and sat down next to me and pressed his leg against mine and leaned against me. I missed Sage. He was a life line in my life.  “I’m sorry about Dee.”

    “It’s not her fault,” I said. “But I don’t think Alex will see it that way.”

    Sage rested his head against my shoulder. “She’s in the hospital. Having a mental break down. The baby is not doing well.”

    “Can I help?” I asked.

    “Nothing you can do unless you can make the voices stop,” he said calmly though I knew Sage was anything but calm right then. “It was just me at first,now it’s everything. She is mad one second then crying the next. Gleeful than all out raging at me.”

    “Did you ask her Dad about her history? Does mental break down run in the family.”

    “He’s cryptic about it all. Said he thought he fixed it. Said some name I can’t even remember that sounded like something out of a fairy-tale cured her of the voices.”

    “Phobeter?  I asked cautiously.

    “That’s the name, how’d you know it?”

    I sighed. “That’s the name of the demon that tortured me my whole life. Who she carried.”

    Sage gasped, “That’s what happened to you? When Dee…  Wait, is that connected?”

    I shrugged. “We can have Alex take a look at her dream self and see what he thinks, but my gut says her Dad made a deal with a demon and now the demon is dead. He fed on fear. If Dee is an empath and from the sounds of it she is, then she’d be the perfect siphon.”

    “How can this help?” Sage begged.

    “Teach her how to shield her ability. She should have learned at an early age, but she was like you, lost the parent that could teach her.”

    “You think her Mom was an empath.”

    “It’s hereditary.”

    “So, my kids could be like me?”

    I nodded. “Yeah, but they have you, Sage. And you are the best god damned technopath I know. You’ll be a great father and a great teacher.”

    He shoved me with his hip at the sentimental talk. “Thanks. Do you think you and Alex could help her?”

    “We’ll get your wife the help she needs. Alex might take some convincing.”

    “Convincing to do what?” Alex asked behind me. “If I didn’t know any better Morgan I’d think you were cozying up to my boy to steal him.  Did you make those calls?”  He asked Sage.

    Sage grinned and looked back at Alex. “I did, and I can’t steal him. He’s so lost down the Alex rabbit hole I could never reach him.” But his smile faded as he turned to do the original question asked, “I need help with Dee. Nox thinks the demon that had him was shielding her some how and now that its dead she’s feeling everyone again.”

    “She’s an untaught empath.”

    Alex sucked in a breath through his teeth. “I’ll do what I can when we get back home, but right now I gotta take care of my own.”

    Alex sat down behind me and wrapped an arm around me as he leaned back against the railing. “Nox, you okay?”

    I nodded, “Always with you, but Griffin’s looking into a strange voice I heard.”  I leaned back and kissed him. His arms wrapped around me and we sat in the awkward position while looking out at the water.

  • Getting Ready

    Getting Ready

    Morning came sooner rather than later.  My alarm went of at 6 but Alex glared at me and quickly silenced it.  “We are on vacation.” 

    “Sorry.”  I said as I laid on top of him and nipped at his neck, “Let me make it up to you.”

    _Sex or Sleep?_ It wasn’t my thought and I wasn’t sure Alex had projected it at me even as he had already decided by rolling over on top of me and pinning me to the bed.

    The strange thought slipped from my mind and there was no room except for Alex in my head.

    _I could get used to this._ 

    _Me too pretty boy, now shut up._

    ****

    I rolled out of bed while Alex was still curled up trying to catch his breath.  “I’m gonna get a shower, you want to join me.”

    Alex looked at me, “Boy, I can’t even right now.”

    I rolled my eyes, “I wasn’t suggesting another round. I know you like it when someone pampers you – washes your hair and all.  I promise I’ll behave.”

    Alex looked at the time on his phone and frowned, “It’s too fucking early.”

    I grinned, “Suit yourself.”

    ****

    A shower and cooking breakfast later Alex rolls into the kitchen.  “Smells great.”  He said rubbing his sleep addled eyes.  “I’m going to set that alarm for 8 if you don’t mind.”

    I nodded, “Okay.”

    Alex’s eyes shot up to meet mine, “Okay?  Just like that?”

    “It’s scheduled.  It’ll require yoga first thing and not sex, but yes, I can manage to change my schedule on a whim when it’s not a whim.”

    Alex stared at me and then frowned, “You sure?  I was just joking.”

    I leaned over the counter and pressed a kiss to his lips, “I’ll be fine.  I’m on vacation.”  I pushed the plate of pancakes, ice-cream and bacon over to Alex and he just smiled at me, “What’s on your agenda for your big bad party?”

    “I have to run by the catering place and pick up the food.  Ry said he’d get the decorations.  Mia’s bringing the cake.  Said there was this new place she wanted to try out in the City.  Sage said he’d bring the drinks.  I’m pretty sure he means the soda.  So I’ve gotta stop at the liquor store and fill some of the empty slots in Dorian’s bar.”

    “Which you already found?”

    Alex beamed, “Yeah.  Well Griffin actually.  He and Ant had a few drinks while talking to lighten the mood.”

    “Speaking of party.”  Ant said stepping out of the hallway into the kitchen wearing almost nothing.  “We need to cancel that.  Apparently there was a sniper out by the pool yesterday. Griffin chased him off.”

    “A sniper?”

    Griffin was following Ant, “Was in a blue sedan across the street, I asked him what he was doing and then he sped off squealing his ties.  No idea what he was doing.  But I think your boy here,” Griffin nodded towards me, “is a target.”

    I shrugged, “Wouldn’t be the first time.  We’ll keep a watch, round the clock.  And I can throw a wall of air up to stop any bullets that might try to hit anyone.”

    “Wait, you can do that?”

    Alex laughed, “He’s fucking king, of course he can.”

    I rolled my eyes.  “I’m Magnus.”

    Griffin’s voice rose, “Wait, your Venatori.”  He took a step back and frowned, “Fuck me!  Alex what the fuck are you  getting into?”

    Alex pointed at my temple, “He’s not Venatori anymore.  I told you, he’s king.  Fucking dragons bow to him.  Vampires swear fealty.  And fucking Alpha pack leaders bend the knee.  That’s why he needs protection.  The only thing you can’t stop is a direct challenge.”

    “When’d you get so good at the rules?” I asked Alex.

    He shrugged, “I dunno.  I guess I just started listening better.”

    “Yeah, that’s it.”  I poked fun at Alex.  “Not anything to do with those rules hurting people you love.”

    He shook his head, “Not a thing.”  Alex smirked at me.  “I don’t love anyone here.”

    I grinned at Alex and pressed a kiss to his lips as I walked past him.  “Party’s gonna happen.  Alex made plans.  Have it at night we can bring in more trusted guards.  Alec might have a few trusted guys. Vin can take a break. Check with Adrian see if he’s got any who’d be willing to come around.  I don’t know my dragons well enough.” _I should remedy that._ I thought.

    Alex chuckled to himself.  _After vacation._

    I waved my hand and lifted hunter up to my hip, “Wanna go for a walk on the beach?”  The fear in his eyes said no, but he held on for dear life.  “I won’t put you down I promise.”

    “He’s so you.”  Ant said.  “Earlier I had to coax him out on the sand with the others.  Told him your trick and it helped a little.”

    “Much appreciated.  Must be a family thing.”

    “Or a neurosis thing.”  Alex and Ryan said at the same time looking at one another and then laughing.  “I’m gonna do some errands, I’ll see you when we are both back.”

    I gave him a nod and I slipped my shoes on and headed out the door for a walk on the beach with my sand-phobic mini-me.

  • It’s All In a Dream

    It’s All In a Dream

    After dinner we all hung out on the beach.  Well the family was in the sand except me, Alex and Hunter, we opted to stay on the patio so as not to deal with the sand.  Alex was only there because I was.  He lounged in the chair with his eyes closed.  Like he was ignoring the world.

    I could feel the happiness from my kids.  All of them were having a blast – including Ant and Isabelle, who weren’t exactly my kids, but at the moment they felt like them.

    The sun set and we all watched the colors over the water.  And then were inside for a few video games.  Again Hunter and I refrained choosing to watch curled up together in Alex’s lap when he wasn’t taking his turn.

    Matt was crowned king of Mario Kart and Ant swore vengeance on the newly crowned king.  Tomorrows match up would be interesting.

    I tucked in Hunter next to Matt and Laker.  They were already curled up together when Hunter laid down with him.  My son curled up into Matt’s arms and they all looked cozy.  “This doesn’t bother you?”  I asked Matt.

    He opened his eyes and looked up at me, “So many times in the Venatori people wouldn’t touch me.  They were afraid of what I’d do, so no, this is awesome.  People willing touch me, even if it’s a pat on the back, it’s so good.”

    I smiled all to knowingly at Matt, “I know the feeling.”  I leaned down and kissed his on the forehead, “We love you here, no matter what.”

    He looked over at Laker who was smiling, “I know I didn’t really have a choice in all this since no one knew, but I’m happy here.  I love our family.”

    It was music to my ears.  “Me too.”  I said happily, “Thank you for helping with Hunter.”

    He ruffled the boy’s hair and grinned, “He’s my best little bud.”

    I walked out shutting the door behind me.  Alex was coming out of the girls other kids room.  He nodded towards the door, “Drake’s already passed out, off in dream land.  The other boys are good.”  I nodded.  We both tucked in the girls.  Both of us opting to give them both a kiss on the forehead before we slunk off to our own room.  Alone at last!

    “Alex…”  I said as I closed the door behind us.

    “I know Nox.  Griffin really isn’t a threat.”

    I smiled at him.  “I know.  He just knows you better than I do.”

    Alex laughed, “I seriously doubt that.  Pretty boy,” He said walking up to me and wrapping his arms around my waist, “I told you all about Griffin when we were kids.  I didn’t tell you about the specifics of sex but I told you all about him.”

    I sighed and pulled away from the man I loved and started undressing.  Over the course of the past few weeks my bed time attire had considerably dropped.  I was only in boxers when I crawled into bed.  The safety of Alex’s arms was more than enough to protect me.  And there wee no nightmares.  That in and of itself was hard to believe, that after years of them, I no longer was a slave to that demon.  Now I was in control of my own dreams and my nightmares were of my own making.

    The bed was comfortable but it wasn’t mine and that was going to be an issue.  Alex was hastily putting things away before he crawled into bed.  He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close against him.  The heat of his body was comforting and I relaxed.  I hadn’t even realized I was so tense in those moments before.  Like I as waiting for a fight, but it didn’t come.  Alex pressed a kiss to the back of my neck and nuzzled close to my skin. 

    It felt good to just be me and him for once.  I drifted to sleep with the arms of my love around me. 

    I woke and found myself in a strange place – well not so strange really, it was the white room with the colored blocks.  The window was open and I could look out on to my colorful dream landscape.  There was no wind, no whispers of monster.  Just the old room, felt almost dusty with lack of use. 

    There was a noise behind me and I turned to see a small me.  It was funny how much Hunter looked like me.  It was like watching my son playing with the blocks.  A kid from a popular TV show of the time stood above me talking and I had to focus on his words.

    “Aren’t you tired of playing with these blocks?”  He said with Alex’s voice and his eyes, but nothing else was Alex.

    I looked up and shrugged.  “Nothing else to do.”

    Alex’s younger self took me by the hands and pulled me away from the blocks and I followed them over to the bed where they sat and talked.  Alex told me about his day.  How he’d met another boy that his mom had been working with.  They played and wrestled around the floor before getting into trouble. 

    My younger self asked, “Why don’t we wrestle around?”  Alex’s expression was one of confusion, I’d remembered that we didn’t, and Alex was processing the memories. 

    He ran his fingers over my cheek and down my chin and smiled, I could feel the tender touch even though the boy wasn’t touching me.  “Maybe when you get older.”  And then I was whisked away in a black blur. 

    The dream shifted again.  Still the same room but this time I wasn’t playing with the blocks.  Alex and I were older, Neither of us looked like each other but it was painfully obvious which one was which.  Alex was kicking his feet against the bed, he was nervous.  “Griff and I did more than wrestle today.”

    I sat there with my attention rapt as I watched Alex.  The way I looked at him, even then.  He was the love of my life, and always had been. 

    “Did you enjoy it?”  younger me asked without any hesitation or jealousy.

    Alex’s eyes blinked at me in a foreign face, “Yeah.  Was the fist time I wanted to.”

    “He wasn’t your first though.”  I said, “That was a while a go.”

    “You remember that?”  Alex asked.

    I shrugged.  “I guess.  I don’t know.”  My grin changed to something far more sweet and shy, “I like when we do it too.”

    I laughed to myself, I was so fucking smooth.  I rolled my eyes.

    Alex laughed behind me, “How’d I know you’d be here?”

    The scene winked out as our younger selves kissed.

    I shrugged as I turned around to see not my Alex, but a version of him anyway.  My heart sank a little.

    Alex was there holding me in a moment.  “What’s wrong pretty boy?”

    “You aren’t you.”  I said sadly.  “You can be you in your dream scape, why not in mine?”

    A mirror popped up and Alex frowned.  “It’s just habit, baby.” His visage changed to what he’d been wearing that same day, “See, that’s better?”  He grinned at me, “Just remind me, I don’t do it on purpose anymore.”

    I gave a slight nod and wrapped my arms around Alex’s neck.  He was mine.  All mine. “I love you.”

    He nodded, “I know.”

    I bit his neck at his Star Wars reference and he groaned.  “You okay with Griff?”

    I nodded against his neck, “I’ll get over it.  You trust him, Ant trusts him.  So I’ll trust him.”

    “He’s not a bad guy.”

    I laughed, “He’s a lot more ‘bad’ than I’d like.  He’s the son of a con man, and is a hired gun.”

    Alex laughed.  “So are Jae and Seraph.  And so are you.”

    I sighed.  “I know.  Can’t we have just one goodie two-shoes as a friend?”

    Alex shrugged, “You know any?”

    Our conversation died off as Alex kissed me and we were alone in my dream scape with no worries of the black blur taking me away, or any pain we didn’t cause the other.  It was restful even if in the dream we didn’t sleep.

  • Taco tuesday

    Taco tuesday

    Inside the beach house the whole family was sitting down to a meal including Seraph and Jae.  Isabelle was sitting in Ant’s lap eating a taco that smelled divine.  I was that hungry – almost ravenous.  My stomach grumbled and I left Alex and Griffin standing in the doorway while I made my own plate.

    There was chicken and ground beef all seasoned to perfection. And of course the plethora of vegetables mostly for me.  Isabelle’s plate seemed to be full of them as well.  But most of the others were just meat and cheese and sour cream. 

    They were missing out.  Ryan was leaning against the counters while he ate.  He gave me a bright smile, “I’m glad you approve.”

    “Always.  You make life so much more interesting.  They are happy.”  I could feel that.  The whole room beamed with adventure right now.  I bored them that much.

    Ryan laughed, “Don’t start in on that.”

    Alex moved behind me and pressed a kiss to my cheek.  “Don’t start.  No one is bored.”

    I chuckled softly and sat down next to Rider on one of the couches.  No one was playing video games or watching TV it was just the dinning table wasn’t big enough for everyone.  And it was vacation.  We all sat around the living room chatting.  The kids ate at the table chatting loudly away with one another.  Quinn was on the other side of Rider slowly eating her own food.

    Griffin was behind me and he was whispering to Alex.  “So what kinda con you pulling here?  And why does he need protection.  Not from  you I hope.”

    Alex snickered, “No con.  He’s mine.  And he’s worth protecting.”

    “Your’s how?  He got money or something?”  Griffin sounded like he didn’t believe a thing Alex was saying.

    But it was Rider who spoke up.  “Hey new guy.”  He said with a grin as he stood up, “Everyone in this room can hear a whisper except Isabelle.  Just so you know there are no secrets around here.”  He looked at Alex with that over protective brother stance, “And if you ever think of hurting my big brother again you’ll have a whole lot to pay for.”

    Griffin laughed, “Look Alex the kid’s theatening you.”

    Alex smiled at Griffin and walked over to Rider where he was sitting, “I’m well aware of all the people who will hurt me if I leave him again.  And just so we are clear Grif, Rider could probably hurt me if he had the chance.  No one here is just human.  Including you.  So don’t pretend to take offense.”

    “Hey Rider,” I tapped his hand with the bracelet that was in my pocked and handed Rider his bracelet. “I don’t need this anymore.”

    “You still look like shit.”  he grinned, “But you do look better.”

    “I probably will but I need to be me. And I’m not me with that.” I grinned at my brother and picked up my son. 

    Isabelle stood up taking Ant’s plate with her to get them both more food.  Even though I was eating I still felt ravenous.  It was mildly concerning.  Isabelle was pretty and I swore I saw the beginning of the buldge.  She couldn’t be that far along.  I blinked again and Ant laughed, “Under normal circumstances I’d tell you off for that sort of reaction.”  My heart started to race and Alex’s hand was on my knee as he sat down in place of Rider.  Quinn curled up next to him.

    I looked at Ant and blinked my confusion. “Most people don’t panic when they see a pretty girl wearing nothing unless they like them.”

    “I like Isabelle.”

    “She doesn’t make you hot and bothered though.” Ant chuckled. “Like a normal hot blooded boy.”

    “She is a she and I kinda sort of like boys and I’m taken.”  I leaned against Alex’s arm and hoped we were okay.  _We are good petty boy.  Sorry about Griff.  He’s just a friend._

    Isabelle laughed and wrapped her arms around me and Hunter. “I like that the first thing out of your mouth is she’s a she, like you have never liked women.”

    Ant laughed. “He’s never liked women like he likes Alex. I know I’ve only known him for five years, but in those five years he has never openly stared at a woman and gotten a hard on. Have I seen him get busy with a girl – yes. In the moment yes, but she could be ugly as dirt to the rest of us – all he cares about is willing.”  Alex was smirking as Ant told Isabelle and the rest of the room all about my preferences.  I could almost feel the shock on Griffin’s face.  He didn’t believe it.

    I shrugged. “He’s right. Girls don’t do it for me. But it’s easier to get laid when you bat for the right team.” _I know._ I said to Alex in my head.  _I trust you.  I’m just getting a strange vibe from him._

    Isabelle sighed and rolled her eyes. “Is that what you are going to teach your kids. That sex is just sex and shouldn’t be between two people who love each other?”

    “Did you love the guy who you slept with the first time?” I asked.

    “I thought I did at the time.”

    “Love is fleeting when you are young. Sex is a physical reaction to a stimulus. You love who you love but sex is an enjoyable outlet as long as you protect yourself and others,”  I said.

    “And that’s what you want your kids to hear? You have four teenage boys living with you and you want them fucking their brains out?”

    I shrugged. “As long as they are safe and don’t get anyone pregnant.”

    Matt was the first one to interrupt.  “No chance of that happening here.”  Lake was a bright red ball of blush as his mate spoke the truth.

    Rider added, “And I’m always careful.”

    Ant pulled Isabelle away from me. “Nox grew up in a world where marriage isn’t a thing Izz. He’s not traditional. Look at him. Really Izz. Does he look like he’s going to have your moral standards?”

    She sighed. “But he’s worried about my reproductive organs.”

    I felt a small hand on my arm and Hunter was there with his empty plate and crawling into my lap.  “He little man.” I said softly so not to interrupt the conversation.”No. Isabelle I’m not.”I said to everyone, ” I don’t care about your reproductive organs. I care about your fucking life. And the life of the children you possess inside you. I won’t worry about your life if you think it means so little to me,” I said and walked away with Hunter in my arms.

    He wrapped his little hands around my chin and made me look at him. “Daddy, she’ll be okay. She’s with us.”

    “You mean after all this?”

    He nodded and I accepted that but it didn’t alleviate my fears but if she would be with us then that was good. And it means she made it through the birth of the twins. “You’re gonna have two new siblings.”

    “New brothers,” Hunter said.

    I sighed. “You know you make waiting hard.”

    Hunter giggled and buried himself against me. And we all finished dinner. 

  • Oh Jealousy

    Oh Jealousy

    All the kids got in the water at one point or another, we all played a little Marco Polo until Ryan called for dinner.  He looked at me and grinned as all the kids piled into the house dripping wet.  Hunter pulling up the rear sucking up all the water with an ingenious weave of air and fire.  It was something I would have to try at a later date.  I wondered how he figured it out.  He hadn’t learned it from me.

    Ryan shut the door behind him and I continued my laps.  I was hungry but I was still feeling the effects of my mental breakdown before.  A little physical activity alone was just what the doctor ordered – literally.  Ryan just gave me that look that said not you.

    I swam back and forth with my body guards just watching.  Well one body guard anyway.  Seraph went inside with the rest.  Jae stood watch on the lounge chair. 

    I heard the gate open and Alex talking on the phone.  “So tomorrow, bring that cake and your bundle of joy and we’ll celebrate.”

    He hung up and I could feel his eyes following me across the pool.  “He been in here the whole time?”

    Jae nodded, “The kids pulled him away to play a game with them, but yes, never got out.  But he looks better, so it’s good.”

    Alex laughed, “He always does better with some exercise.”  He winked at me as I came up and turned the other way.  When I came back he was sitting on the edge of the pool, his socks and shoes discarded by the wall and his shirt tossed to the side.  He wasn’t in the water yet, but he looked almost ready to jump in.

    I asked at the far end, “So what have you been up to?”

    Alex grinned, “Come here and I’ll tell you.”

    I swam to Alex and stood up between his legs.  His fingers glancing across my shoulders and down my arms before he settled them on my hips.  He looked at me with lust filled eyes and I heard the triad of thoughts running through his head.  I blinked and before I could say anything Alex pushed me backwards and I fell into the water gasping for breath flailing to catch my balance.

    When I came back up Alex was there hands on my hips.  He’d jumped in and slicked his hair back from his face.  My entire body reacted to the way he looked.  Water dripping from his nose, and hair, the sheen on his skin.  That sparkle in his eye.  “Fuck pretty boy.”  He grinned at me as he pulled me close to kiss.

    The kiss wasn’t desperate, it was hot and heavy but we took our time.  We had all the time in the world.  We were alone – save for Jae.

    But there was another presence soon.  I felt the eyes on the back of my neck before he cleared his throat.  “It’s always the water.  I do miss those days.”

    Alex broke the kiss and pulled me tight against him.  “I don’t.”  He was smirking as he turned around and swam towards the edge.  “Nox you’ve met Griff?”

    “Earlier today. Right after you left actually.”

    “Shit.”  He pulled himself up out of the water and sat on the edge beckoned me to come to him.  I had the urge to deny him, but I went anyway.  He was mine.  “You should have called.”  He said as I stood in front of him between his legs.

    “You were set on doing that party thing.  If he’s gonna be a bodyguard, Ant took care of him. How do you know him?”  I asked.  And I didn’t hid the jealousy in my voice.  Alex was plenty jealous but this was the first time I had been.  I wasn’t sure I liked it on me anymore than him.  I wasn’t seeking anything here.  There was no need to be afraid of the past.  We all had one.

    “Griff and I met when we were kids.  His dad and my mom hooked up on occasion and worked a few cons together.  After my mom tried to con his dad anyway.”

    “So just a friend.”  I said, though I knew it was more than that.  I could feel it from both of them.  Something was different between this guy and Alex compared to Benji’s relationship with Alex.

    “More like your friendship with Mia and Jace.”  Alex said reminding me I was still friends with people I slept with too.  Alex smiled, “He was the only other guy outside of my dream boy that I had sex with for fun.”  Alex admitted.

    That fact made me growl.  “And you trust him to watch my back with no ulterior motives?”

    Alex looked at me and frowned, “I trust Grif with my life.  And I’m trusting him to take care of yours. It’s no different than Ant or Sage, Nox.”  He grumped back at me.

    Griffin interrupted, “Look, pretty boy…”

    The look I gave him made him stop mid sentence. 

    “Can you back that look up.”

    I laughed.  “Try me.”

    Alex stood up and stepped between our gaze.  “I’m the only one who can call him that without a very violent reaction.”

    Griffin held up his hands, “Understood.  As I was saying.”  He said from behind Alex.  “Alex hired me to do a job.  I’ll do it until he lets me go.  I’m not going to let some asshole come within 50 yards of you if I can help it.  And on that note, someone had a sniper rifle waiting for you just before I got here. They hadn’t set up yet, but since Alex is hiring body guards for you, then I expect that it’s for you.”

    Alex turned to look at Griffin, “I… His life wasn’t under threat when I hired you.”  He pointed at me, “He does stupid things and I wanted to make sure he didn’t do them and get himself killed – again.”

    “My life is always under threat Alex.  Remember the Venatori aren’t exactly happy with me.”

    “What’s so dangerous about him?”  He asked Alex.

    I laughed as I lifted my hands and the entire body of water inside the pool rose with them. Griffin stared at me in awe and maybe even a little fear.  “Why aren’t the Venatori happy with him?” 

    I let the water back into the pool gently and crawled out of the pool to join them on level ground.  Griffin was a few inches shorter than I was but much wider – not that that was a particularly hard thing to manage.  But it made me feel a little better.  “I’m a thorn in their side just by being me, but when I’m kidnapped from under their noses they took offense to that.”  I sighed, “I’m hungry, Ryan made dinner, let’s go eat.”  I put my arm around Alex and waved for Griffin to go first.  He did the same as per body guard standards and let me go first.  I was actually hungry and I was tied of the power plays.

  • New BodyGuard

    New BodyGuard

    Outside all the kids were sitting around the pool.  The boys were all lounging in the chairs collecting rays.  Faelen sat under an umbrella with a book, covered in long sleeves and jeans.  I felt his shyness and wished I could help him overcome that, but I had my own issues about being covered.  This was family, but I was still not feeling myself. 

    Everything was a bit to overpowering.  Quinn was wearing a bikini lounging next to Rider’s chair on the ground.  He was like an over protective dog with his sun glasses looking out on to the pool.  I was glad he and Cass were taking it upon themselves to welcome Quinn into the family.

    The three little ones were all in the shallow end of the pool splashing and playing in the water. 

    Jae and Seraph were standing one at the rear gate the other at the front.  It was vacation not like I needed someone to watch my back.  They were wearing shorts and tank tops with black sun glasses and Jae wore a baseball cap.  They sort of looked like body guards on vacation.  They were diligent.  I couldn’t see their eyes but I knew they were watching my every move.  Shouldn’t they be watching everything else but me.  I can take care of myself.  I sighed.  I still didn’t really understand why I needed body guards.

    Outside the gates beyond Jae, there was a ruckus.  Shouting and then a squeal of tires as someone one speed away.  I wondered what that was all about.  But I did nothing other than look.  I felt strange.  There was a void of nothing out there in the distance.  And it felt like it was getting farther and farther away.

    I walked around the pool towards the gate to see what I could see of the aftermath.  But there was just cars parked in the street, a boy walking his dogs, and a man carrying a duffel bag.  I leaned on the rod iron fence as he came up to me with a big bright smile.

    “I’m looking for Alex Kennedy.”  He said.

    My eyes went wide, “Alex just stepped out.  I don’t know when he’ll be back.  I’m Nox,” I offered him my hand, “Can I help you?”

    His smile changed to a smirk as he looked me up and down, “Well, I don’t know.  He has a job for me.”

    Jae turned around and pulled his sunglasses down and laughed curtly.  “Bout time you showed up, Sarge.” 

    “You know him?”  I asked Jae.

    “Yeah, we were in the Marines together.  He’s why I have this job.”

    “I thought you were friends with Benji?”  I asked.

    Jae smiled, “I am but that was after the Marines.”

    I looked back at ‘sarge’, “And how do you know Alex?”  I said pushing the gate open.

    “He should tell you that.”  I got the feeling he and Alex were more than friends.  And he knew exactly what Alex was.  “I’m Griffin Anders.  I’m sure Alex hasn’t talked about me.”

    “He doesn’t talk about himself a whole lot.”  I said.  “Come on in, make yourself comfortable.  Until Alex comes back though I guess you aren’t on duty.”

    Griffin laughed, “Smart boy.  Though I’m not exactly sure why **you** need body guards at all.  Why anyone would want to hurt you is beyond me.  But hey if Alex wants to waste his money I’m game.”

    I looked at Jae, “Show him a room, if he’s staying.”

    Ant stood in the sun by the door, “I’ll do that.  I need to talk with him anyway.”

    I pointed to Ant.  “Anthony Giovanni, he’s head of my security.  He’s your boss.  You can take it all up with him.”  I didn’t like the guy, I just had this strange feeling about him.  He was keeping something from me.  Though I don’t know how or why I knew that.  My head hurt.

    I walked back around to the deep end of the pool and dove in to take my swim.  I could deal with that all later.  For now, I just wanted to swim.

  • Party Planning

    Party Planning

    Alex and I didn’t fall back into where we had been. The mood had been disrupted by the phone call. Alex stood away from me waiting. I smiled shyly at him and he chuckled, “Well get in your swim trunks.” He pointed to the suitcase that was still full of my things, “I don’t know where you want it all so I’ll let you do that.” He grinned at me. “I’m going to take Ryan and we are going to go plan this party.”

    “You don’t have to.” I told Alex.

    “Of course I do. I get to show you off, and besides we didn’t have a wedding or a reception so lets just do this one normal human thing.” Alex said.

    I gave him a slight nod. “You could just have let Anne Marie do it.” I said as I started unpacking my bag and putting it all away into drawers and the closet. Alex’s things were still in his bag too. The room didn’t looked lived in. “Maybe we should have summer clothes here. So we don’t have to bring so much stuff.” I said absently.

    “We could do that. But I don’t think Dorian’s other guests would like that.” Alex said.

    “Dorian doesn’t have other guests. It’s his families, but no one else uses it.”

    “Why not? It’s such a change from the city – a great vacation place.”

    “It belongs to Dorian. And Eli and Sahara aren’t exactly beach people.” I added, “None of his family really liked it here except his mom. Which is why D has it.”

    “He’s a momma’s boy.”

    I grinned, “He is, you’ve meet Emilio.”

    “Barely.” Alex said. “I want to plan this Nox.” He changed the topic back to it’s original topic and I sighed. “It’ll give me something to do. And you can relax.”

    “I wanted to relax with you.”

    Alex came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his body hard against mine. “Oh baby, we’ll relax plenty. I know parties aren’t your thing. It’s only for a few hours.”

    I nodded, “Don’t do anything huge, Alex. Family and friends and…”

    Alex interrupted, “The whole beach will show up to a party.”

    I sighed. “I know.”

    Alex chuckled and pressed a kiss to my neck. It was such a tender gesture and I melted into him. He made me better. In his arms I was happy, and nothing bothered me. But we couldn’t stay like this forever. That would be the life. Alex said in my head.

    “I brought you two swim suits, one for me, and one for others to see you in.”

    “I’m not wearing a speedo in public.” I said tossing it to the bed. “But for you anything.”

    Alex laughed, “That’s why I have the other Bermuda type trunks for you. I know how self conscious you are. But you know there is nothing to hide anymore.”

    I nodded, “I know.”

    Alex let me go so I could get naked. He stood by the dresser and watched. His eyes watching me, the way my body moved, the muscles flex and stretch as I pulled on each side of the trunks. His grip on the dresser was firm, his hands were losing blood flow in his effort to keep himself from touching me. I bit my bottom lip and he groaned. “Fuck!” Alex let out with a soft sigh. “And you don’t even try.”

    I laughed, “Well I was trying.”

    Alex chuckled and pushed himself off the dresser and wrapped his hands around me, his hands splayed along my bare back and there was only a moment of my own hesitation. The more he touched my back the easier it became. But I still flinched from nearly everyone else. Alex was safe. He was mine, and he had never judged me. But that pity was always there.

    He pulled me close and I wrapped my arms around him, “Oh baby, it wasn’t pity. It was sadness that someone would do that to you. And don’t tell me you did it to you, because you didn’t. That thing manipulated you, and it hurt you.”

    I let out a long sigh.

    “And then you killed it.” Alex said. “You are safe now.” He whispered.

    I just held on to him. I really didn’t want him to go. But he laughed, “You go swim some laps, cause I know that’s what you’ll do. You never take a break.”

    “I do too.” I sighed, “But …”

    Alex kissed me softly his hands on my face holding me so softly. “I know. Go feel better. I’ll be back in a bit. Maybe I’ll get Mia to help.”

    “She’d love that.” I said.

    Alex grinned. “I’ll give her a call.” He pushed me in the direction of the double doors, “Go swim. I’ll be back.”

  • Unexpected Phone Call

    Unexpected Phone Call

    I climbed out of the chair Alex and I were sharing. “You sure you want to have a party?”

    Alex chuckled as he stood up with me and pulled me into the bedroom I’d just woke up from. “Absolutely. I want to show these people who’s you are now.”

    “I thought you didn’t want to do the wedding thing?” I asked.

    “This isn’t a wedding, it’s a party. To celebrate us. And that is something I want to do. Plus, I get to show off my fucking hot husband.” His fingers lifted my shirt deftly over my head. While I tossed my shirt to the side to pick up later Alex’s fingers were all over my chest, abs and sides. “And there is nothing to hide anymore.”

    “Except the tattoos that came out of no where.”

    Alex smirked as he ran his fingers over the magical ink that represented him. “People see what they expect to see. I’m beginning to think that I’m not even real sometimes.”

    “What do you mean?” I asked.

    “I’ve always been able to blend in, it was part of my talents, but since meeting you I’m even more unseen.” My face must have shown discomfort or displeasure as Alex pulled me close against him wrapping his arms around my waist, leaving me to wrap my arms around his neck and shoulders. I loved being close to Alex, and without his own shirt on it felt too good – almost naught.

    Alex chuckled in my head, One track mind.

    I gave him a wry smile. “You are Chevalier now, of course you’d not be seen by mortals now. It’s part of vampire magic. Eventually you could learn to control some of Ant’s magic. Throwing a fireball won’t be possible, but lighting a candle or hiding in the shadows like Ry does should be possible. You and Ryan could be learning together how best to do that.”

    Alex laughed, “He said he could show me some tricks that work now, and then once life settled in we could play.” Alex cocked, his head to the side, “Though I’m not sure I want to play with him. He’s a bit not into guys but he always seems to be…”

    “He’s over 800 years old, he’s seen it all. A little guy on guy action is nothing to him. Just like Ant and Cari and probably all our vampire friends.”

    Alex sighed, “I find it so hard to believe he is sixteen and 800 plus years old too. I don’t know how to deal with that.”

    “He’s just Ryan, don’t worry about it.”

    My phone rang interrupting our conversation.

    “Hello?” I answered the unknown call.

    “Mr. Sétanta?”

    “Yes ma’am,” I said still unsure of who this was as I didn’t recognize the voice either.

    “I’m Sherry O’Brien down here at Oberon Charter School, where your children are supposed to start this next school year with.”

    “Yes, Ms. O’Brien.” I still had no clue what was going on.

    “I just received some bad news. Apparently we have over booked our enrollment and your children will be unable to attend.”

    I frowned. “Really? And is my bank account going to be refunded?”

    She spluttered. “Mr. Sétanta, our fees are non-refundable.”

    “I don’t give a flying fuck. You aren’t teaching my kids. You overbooked. This is not my fault. You will have the money in my bank account by the end of the day today, or I will be having my lawyers contacting you.”

    “Mr. Sétanta, that isn’t going to work for us.”

    “Then you will be seeing my lawyers first thing in the morning, Ms. O’Brien.” I hung up the phone.

    “Fuck!”

    “What was that all about?” Alex asked.

    “The school Dorian set up for the kids just told me they didn’t have room for them and don’t want to refund the money. Which tells me they have room, they expect to keep the money, and someone is trying to keep my kids from normal schools.”

    “You think it’s Venatori intervention?” Alex asked.

    “I know it is. I will have to see if Larry can get on it. I guess I need to hire a retainer for myself.”

    It was like the phone had summoned everyone from their tasks as they piled on to the veranda. Ant stood in the double door looking in at Alex and I wrapped around each othere, “Are we interrupting?” He laughed. “But, Mother said her people are your people, and they are more than happy to help you change the world one thing at a time. Why else would she give up Ryan.”

    “The others can do work for anyone, and while you don’t pay, your favors mean more,” Ant said.

    My phone rang again and I was grumpy, “What?” I asked.

    “Is that the way to answer your phone Mr. Sétanta?” Ms O’Brien scolded me.

    “To a woman who is being a jackass yes, ma’am it is. I told you my lawyers will be in touch with you tomorrow morning.”

    She spoke quickly before I had a chance to hang up. “I will have the money returned to your account by the end of business today, there is no need to have your lawyers here.”

    “If the money isn’t here by end of business today, Ms. O’Brien, you will be seeing my lawyer in the morning.”

    “Understood.” I hung up before she got the full word out.

    I sighed. “So now what?” I wondered what the Venatori were playing at. There was no point in keeping my kids from schooling in New York. There were a ton of options they couldn’t stop.

    “I can home school them,” Isabelle said as he stood next to Ant wrapping her arm around his waist. “I’m a certified teacher, but we can purchase on-line curriculum for each of them. I’ll get together with other home schools and extracurriculars for the boys, and you have their magical abilities all covered right?” She looked happy. “And we would be able to keep them safe at the Night Life building. Maybe even some of the other supernatural and wiccan children could join in to make it more like school.”

    My brothers wee sitting on the steps outside looking out at the water. Matt was cuddling with Hunter, reassuring him everything was alright. He’s just like his dad. Alex said in my head showing me images of Hunter freaking out because he got sand in his shoes, and on his legs and in his hair. Cass was perfectly fine in the sand she was giggling with Quinn. I was so glad the two girls were getting along so well. It made their lives easier. “What do you guys think?” I knew they’d been listening.

    “Dad would be happier if we didn’t get involved in all that New York Gang shit. So he’d be cool with it. And we know more supernatural kids than we do normal ones, so it’s cool either way,” Laker said.

    “And you already have a boyfriend – so meeting new people means nothing to you.” Rider laughed. “Having said that, I’m good, Nox I might want to take up Dance or Photography or something.”

    “Or Cooking,” I suggested. “I bet Marco would absolutely love to have another boy to boss around.”

    Rider’s eyes went wide. “But that won’t be something that I can do with girls.” But the look on his face was more convincing – he liked the idea of learning from a master chef even if there were no girls involved.

    “Alex?” He looked at me.

    “Quinn’s only ever gone to public school. No reason why I’d have a problem with Isabelle teaching her. Her mother might object but…”

    I smiled, “Hopefully by that time we’ll have custody.”

    Alex just grinned, I knew he didn’t think we had a chance in hell. But we already had a great track record thanks to the adoption records for Matt and Faelen. As well as the official guardianship of my brothers. That was temporary but still it said a lot that we had that trust from Jesse.

    Faelen sat shyly next to Matt and Hunter, he didn’t seem to care. “Fae?” I asked.

    “Whatever you think best.”

    “He reminds me you.” Alex said to me.

    I grinned at him, “I wonder why.” I stuck my tongue out at him.

    “Isabelle we’ll have to sit down and do some research and see what’s best for all the kids. But not now.” I said wrapping grabbing both the French doors with a bit of air and smiled, “I’m going to change, and hit the pool.” I said closing the door on them. Leaving Alex and I alone where we’d left off.

  • My Family

    My Family

    Everyone was out on the sand and I stood on the stone patio and watched them with a numb feeling from the rune. I wondered if it made Hunter feel bad, or Cass, or any of the kids.

    “You worry too much,” a voice said from beside me and I smiled.

    “Kinda who I am.” I sat down in Alex’s lap and leaned back up against him. “I’m sorry.”

    Alex wrapped his arms around me. “Can you worry about things later?”

    I shrugged. “I don’t know Alex. I don’t really know. I want to but I don’t like this thing.” I shook my wrist.

    “I know. But I needed you to calm down. And Rider was right he didn’t need it.”

    “Did he say how it made him feel?” I asked.

    Alex pressed a kiss to my neck and I leaned my head to the side so he could have full access. “I don’t think he likes it either. But none of the other kids are complaining. Hey, babe?”

    “Hmmm?” I asked.

    “Why are my marks staying so long?”

    “Cause I want them too.”

    “You want my marks on your neck?” Alex asked.

    I nodded. “I love it, Alex. I love having your mark on me. The tattoo, the hickies. I’d tattoo your name on me if I thought it would make you happy.”

    Alex laughed. “I’d love to see my name someplace on your body but Nox, really I have my mark on you, you wear my ring, you wear a watch I bought you, you wear the clothes I buy you. I have more than enough to claim you. I don’t need to see my name.”

    I grinned. “What if I made a bracelet with your name on it.”

    “I could deal with that. Make it part of our rune collection.”

    “Something like that.” I hummed contently in Alex’s arms. “How long was I asleep?”

    “Only a couple hours. Long enough for us to all get situated. Rider is staying with Fae and Drake in one room. Quinn said she’d stay with Cass. And Hunter is staying with Matt and Laker so we can have a few nights alone just us.”

    I interrupted, “Did you drive?”

    Alex shook his head, “No, Ant Shadow walked us here?”

    “How did Matt get here then?” I sat up and turned around to look at Alex.

    He laughed. “Apparently, the father his from Ant, the less his power affected the transfer of magic. Like a delayed reaction. It had to nullify everyone else before it could touch Ant, and the rune actually does the opposite for Matt, it seems to nullify his powers of nullifying… Isabelle doesn’t understand it anymore than the rest of us.” Alex continued on as if I hadn’t interrupted him, “There are a surprising amount of rooms here. Ant and Isabelle are sharing a room so I expect we’ll either hear a lot of humping going on or yelling – not the good kind.”

    I laughed. “Really hope they are on the other side of the house.” I was happy in Alex’s arms. I relaxed against him and he held me as we watched the kids playing in the sand. I shuddered at the thought.

    Alex chuckled. “There are outdoor showers.”

    “Magic works better,” I said.

    “Why aren’t you out there with them?”

    Alex held me tighter. “I was waiting for you to wake up. And I’m perfectly happy here laying in the sun. Though I do have this giant shade now, so I’m not exactly getting any.”

    “Would you like me to move?”

    “Not on your life,” he said pulling me tighter against him if that were even possible. “We’ll figure something out Nox. So don’t worry about any of it okay. Isabelle is fine. We don’t have to worry until after her twenty second birthday according to Ant, and he’s watched this happen for a long time. So lets trust him.”

    I sighed. “Okay. But can I take this off. I feel broken with it on.”

    Alex reached for my arm and pulled it closer to pull Rider’s bracelet off my wrist. I sank deeper into sadness but I was okay with that, I curled up with Alex and absorbed the love and warmth of him. Everything would be alright. That much I had to believe.

    “Hey Nox.” A voice said pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up to find a pretty blonde in a bright pink bikini standing at the edge of the patio looking in. “It’s been a while. Haven’t seen any of you this summer.”

    I laughed. “We’ve been busy.”

    “I don’t see your friends, did they all leave you or something?” she giggled.

    “Anne Marie this is Alex my husband. And we are on a family vacation. Besides Sage and his wife are expecting, and Jace and Mia live in Brooklyn now so I don’t see them as often as I used to.” Not to mention Jace is the reason Alex and I hadn’t met five years ago and Dee carried a demon that tried to possess me. My friends had fucking wonderful taste in people. But I loved them still, just might not get to see them as often.

    “Your husband? And you didn’t invite us to the wedding?” She pouted.

    “It was a small affair. Nothing flashy or fancy. Just us and our witnesses,” I said.

    “You should throw a party here then.” Anne Marie looked at her friend. I thought her name was Sydney, but I didn’t know her well enough. “His parties are so epic.”

    I rolled my eyes. “They weren’t my parties. They were Dorian’s. I don’t have that kinda money.”

    “I do,” Alex said.

    I turned to look at him. “You want to have a party?”

    “Why not, invite the whole beach, let me show off my pretty boy to the world. What could go wrong?”

    I looked up at Alex behind me, “Uh.” I could have a meltdown.

    Alex pressed a kiss to my forehead and smiled, “We might be able to throw something together in a few days. But we need some time to relax.”

    Anne Marie clapped her hands, “Really? I can help. I’m a party planner in the City. My clients all love me, I’ll do it for free even.”

    “I think we got it, Anne Marie, but thanks for offering.” Alex said, “It’ll be everything I can do to make sure he doesn’t get in the kitchen at all.”

    She laughed. “No problem but if you need help just stop on by, Sydney and I are staying next door.” She waggled her fingers at us, “I’ll see you two hotties later.” Sydney said nothing but she waved shyly at us as they both walked down to the water in next to nothing.

    Alex whispered in my ear, “If I didn’t know better I’d say you were flirting with them on purpose.”

    “I would never.” I said. Alex turned my head and kissed me softly. He was all I needed a nd he knew that.

  • Carnival Predictions

    Carnival Predictions

    The boys had everyone packed in record speed. Faelen was the only one who was dragging his feet. Well so was Isabelle. “I’m not family.”

    I smiled at the witch woman who was carrying our child. “No, but the bun in your oven says otherwise, and the vampire who’s taking us agrees.”

    “Anthony doesn’t know a god-damned thing.”

    I grinned at her. “Isabelle, he apologized. Give him a break.”

    She looked around and when she saw that we were alone she leaned into me and pulled me down to listen to her five foot something self. “I only do it because he’s too sweet.”

    I burst out laughing. “I’d never have said that about him, but you’re evil.”

    “Until these twins are born…”

    “Wait, what?”

    Isabelle grinned. “Didn’t I tell you? Between your boy, your weird ass heritage, magic, and the fact that predestined facts are in your favor.”

    “In my favor?” I frowned. “You are telling me, you are having not one, but two improbable children?”

    “It’s in your favor Nox.” Isabelle smiled brightly. She didn’t understand. I felt the entirety of my world shattering. The probability of my kids killing Isabelle before they were born just quadrupled. I sank to the floor unable to catch my breath.

    I saw the numbers floating in my head. I’d done the research so long ago, but those numbers still haunted me. Just as the words from the fortune teller did. It was supposed to be something silly when Rosie took me inside the tent with Sage and Carla. Ms. LeCart read Carla first. ‘A child born to the full moon.’ Which was truth, Sage’s sister was a wolf, and her daughter would follow in her mother’s footsteps even though the father was completely human.

    Sage’s was just as cryptic, ‘Lost and found, right in front of you.’ She never said what Sage would lose or find but it’s right in front of him. We may never know what the cryptic words were supposed to me.

    But she looked at me and shrank back. ‘Nothing but darkness.’ She crossed her fingers like you might with a vampire, and backed away from me. ‘A mother dies and brings the darkness in her wake.’ The images were playing over and over in my head. The numbers overlaying the words in my head. Isabelle’s face swam in my head, her eyes closed, her body limp. My heart pounded. I could barely breath.

    There was a crash down the hall that alerted my attention but I was unable to do anything about it. “What the fuck happened?” Alex said as he knelt down beside me trying to pull me into his lap.

    Ant was there too I saw his dark sneakers peaking out from underneath my curled form. “What did you tell him Izz?”

    “I just told him I was having twins.”

    I felt the glee in Alex’s body, but Ant growled out, “Fuck! That will do it.”

    “Why would twins make Nox go into a panic?” Alex asked.

    “He ever tell you how improbable it was that he was alive and so was his human mother?” Ant asked.

    “Probably,” Alex said, I could hear him rolling his eyes. “That’s all he’s thinking, that and some fortune teller’s drabble.”

    “It’s like point zero one percent chance that both human mother and child survive the birth of a half-Venatori child. One hundred percent of children who do are Magnus.” I recited without really hearing myself.

    “He’s not Venatori,” Isabelle said quickly. “He’s not anything we know of. And fortune tellers aren’t all fakes.”

    Ant sighed. “Look at it from his point of view, Izz. He grew up knowing he shouldn’t be born. The birth rate of human mothers and werewolf fathers is not nearly so bad, but the odds are not in their favor. Women who are impregnated with vampire semen and manage to conceive 100% of the time have dead babies – either in miscarriage, or in still births. Human women with male dragons don’t fair so well either. The odds don’t look good Izz.” Ant took a deep breath. “And Izz, you are coming up on your twenty-second birthday. You have never in any life lived much past twenty-two.”

    My heart pushed into overdrive – it almost hurt it was beating so hard. I couldn’t catch my breath as the dread seized my body. Holy fuck! Holy fuck! It was like a mantra in my head.

    “Jesus fucking Christ Ant, you had to fucking say that,” Alex growled angrily.

    Alex pushed a thought heavily into my body and my mind, Calm. Rest. Sleep. It was a mantra that soon pushed me into a slumber and I opened my eyes in the dream world. Except this time I didn’t wake up by a tree, I woke up in the middle of the fucking ocean on a small island with no one around except my blue eyed boy.

    I was standing in a tuft of grass like Alex was sure I was going to melt down any moment, but his constant Calm. Rest. Sleep. echoed in my head. I didn’t know how he could divide his attention. “Alex?”

    “I needed your body to reset.”

    I smiled and nodded. “I know.” I couldn’t panic in the dream. Alex was keeping it so. Again I didn’t know how but he kept me from what was going on outside like a shield.

    “It’s hard.” He grinned at me. “Nox. You have to let it go. Right now. The whole place can feel it.”

    “Feel what?”

    “Your fear,” Alex said. “Ant will figure something out. He doesn’t want to lose Isabelle. You’ll figure it out so don’t panic. Please, babe, just come back to me.”

    “I’ve not gone anywhere,” I started to say and then I was gone, away far away – washed away by a tidal wave of my emotions. Alex’s growl echoed in my head as I churned in the lost cause.

    I tried to swim, but the current kept sucking me under. And when I managed to find air, another wave would crash upon me and I would swallow the ocean again and drown in the depths of my own soul.

    And then there was a light and a sound, and a pop and then I stood in my world – by my tree under the strange sun lit starry sky, staring at the blue ribbon wrapped around a flowering tree.

    The next thing I knew I was blinking my eyes open staring at a strange ceiling with the ocean crashing just outside the double doors that were wide open on to the veranda. I could smell the fresh salt water and feel the warmth in the air across my skin. There was a distinct coolness on my wrist, in addition to my control charm. It was one of the kids bracelets – I wondered whose. But I felt better. Not like myself, but better. The thought of Isabelle dying tripped across the emotions, but it didn’t make me falter. I hated this thing, but right now it was allowing me time with my family. I would take it.

    I stepped through the open doors on to the veranda and watched the scenes outside the beach house that I remembered as a child. I hoped I hadn’t slept long.

  • Map!!!

    Map!!!

    So AJ decided that part of the editing phase of The Call of the Dragon was to create a google map of my world.

    Can I tell you how fun this is?

    Sadly we can’t see times for the walks in this view, but it’s really kinda cool to see it all and where it plays out in the story world versus the real world. AJ will fill out descriptions and stuff of the places of interest. And right now we are attempting to do my route through the city as necessary. So we’ll see how that all goes.

    It’s fun.

    So go look and see the map it’s pretty awesome!

  • Everyone Knows

    Everyone Knows

    We laid on the floor catching our breath. I had a simple realization that we’d forgotten something in our haste to get naked. My heart rate increase as did my breathing. Alex pressed a kiss to my neck and pushed a mental nudge into my train of thought. Stop panicking. We’re married. Well we weren’t but close enough.

    I sat up trying to catch my breath and calm my heart rate. “I know that.” I sighed, “I don’t want to get you sick.” I was clean. I knew that but that didn’t stop the anxiety, the notion that I was inferior.

    Alex guffawed, “Sweetheart, you haven’t had sex with any girl for over six months. A guy since Dan? And I know you got tested a while back.” He saw the results sitting at the top of my head when I agreed with him. Alex pulled me tightly against him. “And Nox, you can’t die. So I’ll ease your mind and get that blood test but I’m clean. Pretty sure you are the only one I’ve had sex with in a while.” Alex knew exactly how to calm me.

    I set to the task of cleaning us up, I waved my hand and poofed away with a puff of smoke. Alex rolled his eyes. I smiled at him. “You don’t have to do anything, but you’ll have to remind me till I get used to it. It’s not a reflection of you just my habits.”

    Alex grinned. “I know.” He always knew. He was in my head.

    It was another few minutes before we were both getting dressed and heading out the door. Jae and Vin were standing outside. Vin took my chin and craned my neck to the side. “Alex did a number on your neck.”

    I nodded proudly. “He’s biter.” Vin’s computer was sitting on the floor, he’d been busy at work while standing guard. I wondered if his time would be better spent in a more comfortable situation. “Vin, while you are doing the run through maybe you should give your shifts to Seraph.”

    He grinned at me, “We got that covered, big boss man,” Vin nodded towards Alex, “hired another guy, he’ll be in tomorrow. Took him long enough to get here.”

    Alex chuckled. “He was on covert operation. He had to finish it up. I pay more than the government.”

    I looked at Alex and wondered what he was paying my body guards. Don’t you worry about that. He laughed in my head, but his stoic smirk stayed in place.

    I took Alex’s hand and we headed to the bedroom. He leaned against my shoulder and laughed in a whisper, “That was some start to our vacation.”

    “I need a nap now.”

    Alex chuckled. “Me too.”

    I woke again in the middle of a puppy pile. Somehow Cass managed to crawl on top of both Alex and I – draped across our legs like some rag doll tossed aside. Hunter was curled up in his normal position between Alex and I with one arm wrapped around Alex and his head pressed against my chest. Rider was curled next to me with Laker and Matt beside him. Drake lay on top of all three of them. Quinn slept at the bottom of the bed, I wasn’t exactly sure how she didn’t get kicked with the five us being near or at 6 feet. She met my eyes and I smiled. I held my arm out so she could join us at the head of the bed.

    She looked scared. I knew how frightening this world was and I wished I could help her. But there was no hesitation as Quinn squeezed in between me and Rider and laid her head on my chest. Rider mumbled, “Hey Quinn,” as he rolled over and wrapped his arm around her, his hand draped over her hip and hanging above my own.

    Her eyes were wide and she looked trapped. “He likes to cuddle,” I whispered.

    “He’s too hot.”

    I lifted my brother’s arm from her waist and he pulled it away from us. “He understands. He’s a wolf.” That was when I realized Fae was missing. I sat up looking around the dimly light room to find he was lying on the floor holding Matt’s hand. I laid back down and asked my half awake brother, “Why is Faelen on the floor?”

    Rider shrugged. “I think he fell. He was curled up with Matt and Lake.”

    “We need a bigger bed,” I declared softly.

    Rider just smiled.

    Quinn sighed, “Does everyone do this all the time?”

    I smiled and pulled her closer. “Most of us have wolf blood, and before we knew that it was just liking to touch, but now we understand why.”

    “So everyone knows you and Dad were …” She blushed as she touched my neck, “Ya know.”

    I interrupted, “Having sex.”

    Her blush grew brighter. “And everyone is still okay being in your bed?”

    I shrugged. “Alex and I will behave ourselves. Just like Lake and Matt will. All part of pack rules that we all sorta know.”

    Alex growled, “It’s common decency. Just like it’s common decency to talk someplace else.”

    I stuck my tongue at Alex and grinned. “We need a bigger bed.”

    “If we had a smaller one, do you think it could be just you and me?” Alex asked.

    “How about a designated family bed, and a bed that is just ours?” I said. I had plans – big ones for that matter. But Alex could be angry if I started them now.

    Alex sighed, “What kinda plans?” There was a wink to his sigh and a playfulness in his mind. I knew where he was going with it but it wasn’t those kinda plans. And Alex’s mood fell slightly as he caught my plans.

    “But those plans are later plans. We got a vacation to go on,” I said the last part louder than I had most of our conversation and three teenage heads popped up.

    Lake looked at me, “Beach?”

    I shrugged. “Maybe.”

  • In Charge of Security

    In Charge of Security

    Our hallway make out section was interrupted with a clearing of a throat from a nearby room. Alex turned to look but I couldn’t. I was frozen in place trying to wrap my head around reality.

    “He always surprises me.” Vin said. “He gonna be alright, I have something I want to talk to him about.”

    Alex ran his fingers gently down my cheek, “You okay pretty boy?”

    I nodded slightly but still didn’t open my eyes. I wanted to stay in the moment, at Alex’s will. But duty always was calling. All the more reason I needed a fucking break.

    Alex laughed softly, “He’s here. Go ahead and talk but make it quick.”

    Vin sighed, “Ant put me in charge of finding our security breaches – since he knew I wasn’t a traitor.”

    Alex asked, “How’d he know that for sure?” He was skeptical of everyone so I let it go. If I didn’t trust Ant, and Ant trusted Vin then why should I question his loyalty. That’s why you have bodyguards. Alex said in my head.

    I sighed and opened my eyes to look at Vin. “Ant compelled him to tell the utmost truth and he could feel Vin’s betrayal. It’s a vampire master to normal vampire thing. It happens mostly when you pledge you fealty to a master not your sire. Or your blood line. It’s magic. Vin can’t lie to Ant – not ever.”

    “So the people who betrayed us, weren’t they all vampires?” Alex asked. “No wait, they are all heads of their lines and you they never swore fealty to anyone.”

    “Exactly.” Vin said.

    “But in that Nox, I don’t want you using your phone or laptop until I do a full security scan of everything. I think we have leaks.”

    I laughed. “I have the best cyber security protection available. There is not a hacker a live who is getting past The Wicked Truth’s line of defense. I might be bragging on Sage’s power, but Chevalier who is far older, and seen much more asks Sage for help. Sage has his fingers in our security.”

    Vin sighed, “I know and I don’t like it. I don’t like that he knows where ever you are, he creepily answers questions said out loud when you are working on something on a computer. He’s always there. How do we know he’s not the mole? He’s an amoral hacker. Who knows who has paid him to look into you.” Vin looked at Alex.

    Alex smirked and shrugged. He couldn’t add to it, he was right. He’d done exactly that.

    “The price of my best friend knowing everything about me is nothing Vin. Not for that line of protection, and the free use of an information whore.”

    “I want to do a bug sweep of all the living spaces. You might trust your hacker friends, but I don’t,” Vin said.

    “There are no bugs in here. That’s not how his power works. And no one can hack Sage.” I was getting angry but I covered it with a grin. “And I mean that quite literally Vin. Sage is electronically connected to my phone and my computer and anything it connects to. He attached nothing, he just touched it and talked to it. They became friends and now they are his. He’s a technopath, Vin. You can’t hack his brain. I’m not connected to his external monitors, which is why he hears me quickly and sees what I do through the camera if it’s on. It’s hardwired in his head.”

    “Why?” Vin asked.

    “Because we took comfort in it as kids, that we were always there for each other. He’s like my brother.”

    Vin sighed. “I still don’t like it man. I’m doing a sweep regardless. And I want to do one at his house.”

    I nodded. “Fine. Then you can sweep the top ten floors for magical users who can eavesdrop on my personal conversations and inside my head too. You’ll probably want a telepath to go with you. But the only one I trust is going on vacation with me in the morning.” I growled.

    “And don’t forget to go through all our bodyguards, our friends, the rest of the vampire council and so on.”

    Vin stared at me like I was insane. “If you feel it’s prudent to scan my best friends house for potential damage then you need to do it for everyone else. You will not single out my best friend.”

    “His fucking girlfriend…”

    I interrupted, “His wife.”

    Vin glared at me. “His wife…” he paused like he forgot what he’d been saying. He sighed with resignation. “His wife put you down with a kiss.”

    “All the more reason for everyone to be examined and vetted,” I said. I grabbed Alex’s hand and we started to walk away from the brooding vampire.

    “Wait. This is an order now?” Vin asked as he trailed behind me.

    “If you go to Sage’s house and do a security sweep. Yes!”

    Vin caught up to me. “You know how crazy that sounds?”

    I nodded. “No more crazy then saying my best friend has anything at all to do with hurting me.”

    “He’s a fucking hacker. His wife carried a demon that over took you. He hacked the Venatori because your fucking boyfriend, sorry, your husband, was trying to spy on you. You surround yourself with no-good, morally grey people and you don’t want me to do a security sweep?”

    I stared Vin in the eyes. He was a vampire and that was one of the biggest no-no’s in Venatori history, but I didn’t fear their gaze. And I definitely didn’t fear Vin, “If you feel the need to examine my best friend that closely then you will, without a fucking question, examine every fucking person I come in contact with, can come in contact with, or may possibly come in contact with.” I took a step closer to the vampire staring me down. “Is that clear? You will not single out Sage Morgan.”

    Vin stared at me for a long time before he gave a long slow nod. “I will see it done.” I was so angry I was fuming. My blood was boiling.

    There was a sudden jerk and I was being pulled into an empty room. We barely made it inside before Alex had me against the door and our lips were locked and hands were everywhere. Alex was distracting me from my anger and I fucking loved him for it.

  • Let Me Make It Up to You

    Let Me Make It Up to You

    My world was changing with every second that passed. Not even two months after my 25th birthday and I had found and lost the love of my life. Though even that was hard to explain in that I’d known him my whole life but didn’t remember him.

    I earned a clan of dragons by killing their leader. The hierarchy of the supernatural was always the most powerful on top. And defending my life and those of people I cared about gave me the power.

    And then with Alex’s help I beat back the demon that had controlled my life. It was freeing, but so fucking scary too. It was just another change I had to deal with.

    And then by some prophetic destiny Alex brings home a book that is meant for me. Fucking thing is gone now, but I know who took it. We need to get it back so they can’t figure out how to use it.

    But this book brought the Vampire council to my door step with their fucking problems. Their problems turned out to be my problems and we now have a much bigger worry than a few rogue vampires and therians accidentally revealing the supernatural to our human brethren.

    I have my own vampire blood line tied to me. Well not one, but two not to mention the tie that binds me to Ant. We all then find out about this triumvirate and soul mates bond. Alex becomes Chevalier to Ant and on top of our already intensive powers we now cross powers a little. I’m picking up random thoughts, Alex is seeing the vibe of patterns, Ant isn’t noticing much other than his lovely I can walk in the sun.

    Not to mention the fact that Alex and I have two kids on the way. Ours biologically, but Ant’s girlfriend and soul mate is our surrogate mother through magical means.

    And that’s just the personal stuff. We had a whole shit ton of community things to deal with. But I just couldn’t deal with it all. I needed a break, we could interrogate Valence later. We could do it all later.

    I had a to make it up to Alex. I was a dick and I felt horrible about being a broken mess. I wasn’t feeling much at the moment as the protective spell still coursed through my veins. It had saved my people, but I didn’t have the power to burn it off. I needed to recharge – food and sleep. But it left me feeling decidedly numb.

    Ryan followed me to my room, muttered he’d get it all settled and text me. He didn’t want to be obtrusive about his success or failure while he knew I had family things to deal with. I didn’t even know if Alex was still mad at me. It was late and I checked on each of the kids as I walked past their rooms to mine. Or I tried to; none of them where there.

    My heart skipped a beat as I thought of the places they could be but as I pushed open the door to my room everyone was snoozing on our bed. Alex sat on the edge running his fingers over Hunter’s cheek. He looked up when I walked in with a frown. I didn’t like that look.

    My love leaned down and whispered, “Sleep,” in Hunter’s ear and then came towards me and nodded in the doors direction. He wanted to talk – which was good – so did I.

    “Was there a nightmare?” I asked when Alex shut the door and started walking towards the kitchen. Food was always welcomed by either of us.

    He shook his head, “No, but we need to work on his shields, they’re weak.”

    I nodded, I was a little anxious about it all. I blurted out, “Are we okay?”

    He stopped our forward progress and pressed me against the wall. His lips pressed against mine and his whole body seemed to collapse against me. My arms snaked around his waist and pulled him closer. If we’d been anywhere else the clothes could have come off. But we were standing in the hall and while there was a certain amount of thrill in the act of getting caught, we didn’t need to get caught by the innocent souls down the hall.

    Alex broke away breathless, pulled himself away completely with a smirk. “We’re good. But we are going to fight.”

    I nodded. “I know. But it’s been a stressful month.” it had only been a month, everything still boggled my mind the amount of shit that had happened.

    “It has,” Alex agreed as he held out his hand for me to take his.

    I took it with a deep breath wishing it was more. “Which is why I had Ryan make plans for all of us to go on a family vacation.”

    “I know. But you think that’s really a good idea. We have traitors among us. The book was taken, Nox. I don’t like that thing being out in the wild. Much less in our house, but here it’s safe. With you. And where it belongs.”

    I put a finger to his lips and I smiled interrupting his rant. “It’s okay Alex. We have people working on it. And if we don’t we will before we leave in the morning. I promise. But we need a break. You and me. The kids. I need a fucking break.”

    “Can you even do that?” Alex asked.

    I snickered, “If I’m King, why not?”

    Alex chuckled as he pressed me against the wall again. “I’ll King you…” he said before pressing his lips against my neck and then sucking and biting hard. He had no need to mark me but he loved it so. And I loved the feel of his mouth on my neck. Even with the numbing from the rune still on my skin I felt more alive with Alex’s hands on me. His mouth. I wanted skin. I need him in away I never thought possible. He was like air and I was gasping for i

  • Dad Jokes

    Dad Jokes

    So today the prompt is container… is that a containim?

    Probably not as eye rolling as it sounds in my head.

    But it gets the prompt out of the way and I can go on about something else

    Camp starts in two days. But I have scheduled a weeks worth of The Power of Succession starting today! So everyday at 6am a new scene will post. Most of the changes are little, but AJ added in new scenes and rearranged a few things to make it all work out.

    Even though it’s not July 1 AJ is going to start editing today. So I’ll get my last monthly post in tomorrow and then you’ll likely be hearing from me on and off through the month in addition to the daily postings of the rewrite. Maybe by the time Lost in New York runs we’ll have book 2 The Shadowlands for ya’ll to read…. GRRR.. AJ! Only Yous Guys is worse…. so I guess I dunno I don’t talk like that!

    Speaking of Brooklyn accents, AJ’s has once again been toying with the idea of a podcast esque deployment of something. We were playing with the idea of some stories I might tell to the kids at a campfire. But AJ would need to literally practice her New York accent (cause she doesn’t have one), we’d have to write a script AND AJ would need to find a decent voice changing app/program cause she doesn’t want her voice out there. Or confused with me. So if anyone has any recommendations for that kinda thing let me know.

  • Stranded.

    Stranded.

    So AJ has the next book all plotted out! All because she said stranding me and Alex on an island would be fun, and it turned out be relevant.

    So book 2 of the Forgotten One is called The Shadowlands, and Alex and I are stranded in the guess where – the shadow lands. No spoilers anymore than that.

    July you will see the rewrite of The Power of Succession. As there are several newly added scenes and some fixes.

    Following the Power of Succession which is 12 Chapters long with 4 to 5 scenes per chapter. You will get Lost in New York which is 14 chapters with 3 to 5 scenes in each one.

    I will attempt to post something near daily, but probably not during July as AJ will be focusing on editing and not so much writing. But I hope not to leave you hanging with just story elements.

  • Milestones

    Milestones

    AJ finished Lost in New York. A milestone reached, a marker placed! (Marker was the prompt for today)

    And while AJ was planning out a m/m romance with an hea she found the plot for book 2 of the Forgotten arc.

    And now she’s playing with a jump in time.

    We can either have it be a short time jump (like an hour) or a big time jump (a few months, up to aging up the children.)

    There are merits to a time jump we can spend a month or more in this new realm and then return like nothing really happened in our families lives and to the over all plot.

    And then there is the whole let’s let the bad guys assume they won and then come back much later to rock their world. AJ did this in Revolution where Cari went to sleep for twelve years. It works to make the world a worse place. But is that the story we want to tell.

    I’d love to hear those opinions of those who actually like talking about this. It’s here mostly so AJ’s alpha can read it with out all the ping ping ping of AJ’s messenger going off lol. But I’d love to hear what ya’ll think. AJ writes for you (and herself, but she likes to at least think about what you guys see and want to see.)

  • Ugh

    Ugh

    Today’s prompt is not really all that inspiring. Shonda. The only thing this brings to mind is Grey’s Anatomy and that’s off air, AJ watches, but it’s off air… Waiting for next season.

    So that’s my rant! I don’t have anything to add to it. sorry.

  • Sharp

    Sharp

    All the different meanings of sharp in pictures:

    Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com
    Photo by Happy Pixels on Pexels.com
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    Photo by ArtHouse Studio on Pexels.com
    Photo by Ann H on Pexels.com
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    Photo by Cedric Fauntleroy on Pexels.com
    Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

The Mind of Nox

escaping into reality

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