My Commander (Bewitched And Bewildered Book 1)

Aiden woke the next morning and found himself smiling. He hadn’t slept so soundly in weeks. When he went to turn his head he felt a hand against his face. He sat up and looked down at the small body in the middle of the bed. Meryn for all her rules the night before had sought him out in her sleep. Like a stealthy assassin she had tunneled under her ‘Great Wall’. She lay on her back, sprawled arms and legs akimbo. Her mouth was open, she snored lightly and a thin line of drool traced down her cheek. His heart swelled in his chest. He had never seen anything more adorable in his life. Grinning from ear to ear he went into his closet and got dressed. When he saw the towel hanging from the door knob he chuckled. His mate so far had surprised him at every turn. He quietly opened the door and snuck downstairs.

When he walked into the kitchen, four sets of eyes turned to look at him. With the biggest shit-eating grin he could muster, he swaggered to the coffee pot. His men had decided to visit for breakfast.

‘Glad to see you got through the night without being knocked unconscious again by your tiny mate.’ Colton teased. Keelan chuckled and Darian laughed outright.

‘She is a delicate flower, she was scared.’ Aiden protested.

‘Where is the fucking coffee?’ A gravelly voice demanded from the doorway. Colton lost his composure and began laughing. Even his second in command looked away trying not to smile. Aiden hesitated at giving his mate coffee. She had been pretty high strung yesterday.

‘How about some juice?’ He offered.

‘How about you shut the fuck up and give me some coffee?’ Meryn stumbled through the doorway and collapsed into a chair.

‘Oh yeah, she’s real scared.’ Colton hooted and pounded the table laughing.

‘Why are you being loud? Is it fun being so loud, this early in the morning? Do you know what happens to loud morning people? They die. They die horrible deaths, mutilated in their sleep and are then buried with their balls in their loud fucking mouths.’ Meryn glared at him through half shut eyes. The men gulped.

‘Here you go baby, one extra large mug of coffee. Here’s the sugar and cream. Refills whenever you want.’ Aiden placed the coffee on the table in front of her and backed away slowly. Colton turned to him, his face pale. He shrugged. He had no idea what to do either. Slowly, as Meryn sipped her coffee, her eyes opened. She yawned and then stretched her arms up over her head. By her second cup she was looking around the kitchen. By the third cup she was smiling at everyone.

‘What’s for breakfast?’ She asked brightly.

‘Whatever the fuck you want.’ Keelan said, a look of amazement on his face.

‘Really? I’d kill for some pancakes.’ She sighed wistfully. Colton shot out of his seat like a jack in the box.

‘No problem. I know where Marius keeps stuff.’ He hurried over to the pantry and began pulling out ingredients for pancake batter. Aiden sat back in his chair and sipped his coffee. Served the man right for poking fun at his commander.

‘Do y’all have an espresso machine?’ Meryn turned to him.

‘You know what? We’ll head to town and get one, just for you.’ Aiden offered. He never wanted to see what his mate would be like without caffeine.

‘Really? They can be kinda expensive, it’s why I haven’t gotten one yet.’ She chewed on her bottom lip. And despite the dismemberment threat she had just made to his best friend, he thought she looked cute with her lip between her teeth.

‘We’ll all chip in, right guys?’ Darian said. The men all nodded.

‘Y’all are so sweet. Thank you.’ She smiled shyly at them. Gavriel met his eyes over Meryn’s head across the table and raised an eyebrow. Aiden grinned back. She may be nuts, but she was all his.

‘By the way. Who are you all?’ Meryn took another sip of coffee.

‘This is my unit. You’ve already met Colton; this is Gavriel Ambrosios, Keelan Ashwood and Darian Vi’Alina.’ Aiden pointed to each of his men.

She eyed the other three men. She pointed to Darian. He had delicate features but would never be called beautiful. He was too masculine, but there was something about him that was ethereal. His long blond hair was looped and braided down his back. His eyes were a soft lavender that you just didn’t see in humans. He was built but not as thick through the chest as Aiden.

‘Vampire?’ She asked. He shook his head and stood to his full height.

‘Holy shit! You’re taller than Aiden and he’s like freakishly huge.’ The difference between her own five foot three height and his made her feel like a toddler.

‘I am not!’ Aiden protested.

Darian grinned and sat back down. ‘Fae. We’re all between six and seven feet tall.’

‘I thought fae we the ‘wee’ folk.’

‘Yeah, not so much.’ Darian shrugged.

‘Vi’Alina?’ Meryn spoke it slowing to get the pronunciation correct.

‘Yes. The ‘Vi’ prefix indicates that I am the heir for my family line. ‘Alina’ is the name of my house. If I had brothers, the second born would be Ri’Alina and the third born would be Li’Alina.’ Darian explained.

‘What about the fourth born?’ Meryn asked. Darian shook his head.

‘We are so long lived that unless a tragedy occurs, no one after the third born inherits. They do not get a prefix for their name.’

‘So if I were fae I would be Meryn Vi’Evans?’ Darian nodded.

‘That’s cool.’ Meryn turned to Gavriel. She took in his dark hair and brooding grey eyes. Gavriel was less ethereal and more dark and dangerous. He was exactly the kind of man you would want to run into on a dark and stormy night.

‘You must be the vampire then.’ He inclined his head.

Keelan frowned. ‘Why couldn’t it be me?’ He demanded.

Meryn smiled and pointed to Keelan. He had a short auburn ponytail and amiable brown eyes.

‘Because you look too nice and are nowhere near as elegant. He just exudes dark prince.’ She sighed, Aiden growled. She punched his thigh.

‘Ow!’

‘She has violent tendencies just like you.’ Colton joked. Aiden flipped him off.

‘So that means you’re the witch. What can you do? Can you fly?’ Meryn leaned forward, eyes shining.

‘I get premonitions sometimes and I work best with fire and air. My brother Kendrick is stronger, he can manipulate all four elements, but he decided to be an archivist instead of a warrior.’ Keelan looked down at the table.

‘It’s a respectable profession Keelan, we have a rich history that must be maintained.’ Aiden gently reminded the young witch. He knew that had been a point of contention between the two brothers.

‘I know. It’s just frustrating that I’m struggling to learn the spells we need and he can do them without thinking about it.’ Keelan turned his coffee cup in his hand slowly.

‘And he’s about three hundred years older than you are. Cut yourself some slack.’ Colton pointed out. Keelan brightened.

‘I guess you’re right.’

Aiden sipped his coffee and enjoyed the sight before him. He couldn’t ask for more than his friends and mate sitting together at the breakfast table. Maybe this mating thing would work out after all.

*****

‘Hello boys, how nice of you to visit for breakfast.’ Adelaide and Byron entered the kitchen. Marius walked in behind them and immediately got to work on preparing breakfast, taking over from Colton. The unit members, including Aiden stood. Meryn looked around wondering if she should stand too. Byron walked over and kissed her forehead.

‘They are standing out of respect for Aiden’s mother. They were raised in a time where a man stood when a lady entered the room.’ Byron sat next to her and Adelaide next to him.

‘They didn’t stand when I entered the room, but then again, I guess I’m not a lady.’ Meryn poured herself another cup of coffee. When she looked up, she noticed that Byron was shooting daggers at the other men at the table who all looked properly chastised. Byron raised her hand and kissed it.

‘Forgive them sweetheart. It speaks to their characters not yours that they failed to rise when you entered the room. I’m shocked that my son would fail to do so. It’s a basic lesson in etiquette that I know was drilled into him when he was a boy.’ Byron patted her hand and continued to glare at the men.

‘Father, I’m sorry.’ Aiden immediately apologized.

‘It’s not my forgiveness that you need.’ Byron nodded his head to Meryn. Aiden turned to her.

‘I’m sorry my mate. I was still floating around from the great night’s sleep I had last night and wasn’t thinking properly this morning. Please forgive me.’ Meryn was surprised at how truly sorry he sounded, like he had committed some great offense.

‘Considering you kidnapped me, locked me up, threw me in your trunk and dragged me around by my arm yesterday, not standing at the breakfast table doesn’t seem so bad.’ She smiled brightly at him.

‘You’re not going to let me live that down are you?’ Aiden groaned.

‘Nope.’

‘What if I take you out and show you the city? We can go shopping. I know where we can get your espresso machine.’ Aiden took her other hand and brought it to his lips. Now here was the charming man from her dreams.

‘Then of course I’ll forgive you, now that you’re acting like your dream version. I like you better this way. More charming and less growly.’

Aiden’s face froze his eyes became haunted. ‘You dreamt of me before coming here?’

‘Yup. For weeks I fought against the urge to move. But it was like something was driving me forward. So I threw a dart at a map and ended up in Madison. After I moved into my apartment, I started having dreams. At first they were nice. You were wonderful and sweet. We would lay under these trees and talk. But then they got scary. Last night was the first night in weeks where I haven’t dreamt at all. I hated getting out of bed this morning since I slept so well.’ Meryn was reaching for her coffee cup when Aiden pulled her onto his lap. He held her so close she could feel his heart beating out of control against her cheek.

‘Son, what’s the matter?’ Byron demanded.

‘I thought they were just dreams.’ Aiden buried his face against her neck.

‘You’ve been having nightmares too?’ She whispered. He nodded.

‘Nightmares? I thought you said they were nice dreams.’ Adelaide asked sounding worried. Aiden lifted his head.

‘It’s like Meryn said. At first they were nice; we’d meet in a clearing in the woods and talk. But then the dreams turned into nightmares. In the dream I would search for her, but couldn’t find her. She would call out to me, teasing me and then it would get quiet. Then I would hear her scream, but I’m too late, she…’ He faltered. Meryn pulled away and looked around the table.

‘I’m murdered. A man that isn’t Aiden comes out of the woods and stabs me repeatedly, like he enjoys it.’ Meryn shuddered. In her dreams she could clearly feel the cold steel in her body.

Gavriel stood, chest heaving. ‘They cannot be prophetic. You have found your mate. She is safe.’ Gavriel’s normally grey eyes began to glow red. Aiden stood and placed Meryn in his seat. He hurried over to Gavriel.

‘Breathe my friend. Meryn is safe. So is your mate. Fate will find a way to bring her to us and then we’ll guard them both.’ Aiden had his hands on Gavriel’s shoulders. Keelan reached up to place a hand on Gavriel’s forearm.

‘Suadet, frater meus. Be at ease, my brother.’ Keelan whispered the phrase over and over again until Gavriel took a deep ragged breath.

‘Thank you Aiden, Keelan. I too have been having nightmares. I have to put my faith in Fate and pray my mate is delivered to me in time.’ Gavriel hung his head.

‘She’ll make it to Lycaonia and then the Alpha Unit will keep her safe.’ Aiden stood back and helped to ease Gavriel into his chair.

Meryn stood to return to her seat, but Aiden pulled her back into his arms and sat down, placing her once again in his lap. She was going to protest, but after seeing how affected Gavriel was, she knew that Aiden just needed to hold her. She looked at the elegant vampire and wanted to alleviate his worry.

‘Aiden is right, you know. I had no choice in coming here. I thought I had a bad case of wanderlust but now I know what it was. It was a relentless driving force. If something like Fate took the trouble to uproot me and move me here I doubt she would let anything happen to your mate before getting her here.’ Gavriel looked at her his eyes unreadable.

‘Do you really think so?’

Meryn didn’t hesitate before nodding. ‘Absolutely. Especially considering how many books and DVDs I had to pack. My sci-fi collection alone was like ten boxes. Trust me, you have no idea how hard Fate had to work to keep me focused long enough to pack my shit. I kept wanting to stop and read a book or watch a movie I hadn’t seen in years.’ The strain lifted from the vampire’s face.

‘Thank you Meryn. I do feel better knowing what Fate must have gone through to get you here.’ There was a trace of a faint smile on his lips.

‘You’re welcome.’ Meryn smiled, then thought about it. ‘Wait. Was that a compliment?’ She frowned. Colton swallowed a chuckle. Gavriel smiled at her.

‘I believe it was a compliment my dear. Fate, after all, has decided you were worth the effort.’ Adelaide injected. Gavriel nodded.

‘Oh, okay.’ Meryn turned so that she was facing Aiden. ‘After we go shopping, can we go get my stuff? I’ve pretty much accepted the fact that I’m not nuts and y’all aren’t lying. So I guess I’m sticking around for a while.’

‘You mean forever.’ Aiden said in a gruff voice.

‘So the rumors are true. My baby brother has found his mate.’ A deep voice rumbled from the doorway. Meryn turned and to her surprise two men who looked eerily identical to Aiden stood smirking at them.

‘Meryn, please ignore the pair of grinning fools that are my older brothers. Adam is the ugly one on the left and Adair is the uglier one on the right.’

‘There are three of you?’ She could tell they were related since they all looked just like Byron. Dark black hair and piercing blue eyes. Adam was just as tall as Aiden at six foot six, but with a much leaner build. Adair was shorter at six foot four but more muscled through the chest. Adam had kind eyes and Adair had a teasing smile. She couldn’t help waving at them.

‘There are four of us.’ A voice called out from behind the two brothers.

‘Move out of the way, she wants to meet the sexy one.’ The voice was light and sounded younger than the other two. Adam and Adair stepped into the kitchen to make way for yet another man. Meryn couldn’t help but stare. The last brother was as tall as Adair at six foot four, but that is where the similarities to his brothers ended. This one clearly took after his mother. He wore his long blond hair back in a ponytail and his brown eyes were warm and inviting. He was like the Greek Adonis come to life. He moved forward until he was able to pluck her hand from Aiden’s grasp and kiss her knuckles. Aiden growled at his brother.

‘My name is Benjamin. I’m afraid mother ran out of ‘A’ names and gifted me with a ‘B’ name like father.’ He winked at her devilishly. She giggled up at him and Aiden pulled her close.

‘Mine!’ he growled. Benjamin placed a hand over his heart and gave a low bow.

‘Of course brother. I was just admiring your beautiful mate. I can only hope that Fate is as kind to me when picking out my future snuggle muffin.’ He gave an exaggerated sigh. Adelaide laughed.

‘Quit teasing your brother. As you can probably tell, he’s the youngest.’ Adelaide patted Benjamin’s cheek when he walked over to kiss her good morning.

‘Are you all warriors?’ Meryn asked. She felt Aiden tense. Adam shook his head.

‘Adair and I are somewhat of a scandal. I turned down becoming father’s heir and taking over as Unit Commander and eventually Council Elder. It’s still unheard of to reject your family legacy, but I had no desire to become a warrior. I left Lycaonia, and studied medicine. I now operate the clinic that takes care of the unit warriors.’ Adam explained.

‘I didn’t want to command either. Until Aiden accepted I’m sure that Adam and I had been close to giving father a complex. His sons didn’t want to take after him.’ Adair gave a booming laugh.

‘I was hoping at least one of you would want to inherit. I knew that you each would have to find your own paths. Well, except for Ben. I fear he is determined to remain a little boy forever.’ Byron scowled at his youngest, who blew his father a kiss in response.

‘I turned down Unit Commander to take over as Head Master at the training academy.’ Adair explained.

‘And I am a warrior with the Gamma Unit, I serve under Sascha Baberiov.’ Benjamin added.

‘I’ll phone him later to recommend extra drills for you.’ Adair teased.

‘Sirs, ladies. Breakfast is ready to be served. In light of the large party I have set the dining room table.’ Marius announced. Meryn was set down on her feet. She tried to peek over to the stove, but servant after servant was streaming by carrying the food away to be served in the dining room.

‘Come on sweetheart, let’s get something to eat and then we can visit the city.

‘Sounds good.’ Meryn’s stomach filled with butterflies when Aiden reached down and took her hand. It was a simple gesture, but it felt right. When he looked down Meryn could tell he was staring at her flushed cheeks. He squeezed her hand tighter and led the way.

*****

Meryn felt a twinge of guilt when they walked outside and she saw the state of his trunk. When she saw that he was watching her, she grimaced and he blushed.

‘Sorry about putting you in the trunk.’ Aiden paused in opening her car door to apologize. Meryn blinked.

‘I was just about to apologize for denting your car.’ Meryn sat down and waited for him to get in. When he was in he turned to her.

‘I’ll have Darian fix it. He’s a genius with any type of craft. I think it’s the fae blood.’ He ran his hand over his thigh, wiping his palms. If Meryn didn’t know any better she would say he was nervous. How adorable!

‘So what do you do for fun?’ Meryn looked out the window and watched the scenery fly by. It was hard to believe there was an entire city beyond the trees that humans didn’t know about it.

‘I work out.’ Aiden licked his lips.

‘Of course you do.’ Meryn made a mental note to introduce him to her X-Box.

‘How do you keep humans from knowing about all this?’ Meryn pointed to the juncture of the road that opened up to an intersection where they could go left, right or straight.

‘The witches and fae renew a glamour spell every year at the winter solstice. After they complete the spell everyone goes to the Council Manor for the Midwinter Ball.’ Meryn felt her stomach knot.

‘Balls, like with poofy dresses and dancing and tiny sandwiches that don’t fill you up?’

Aiden’s head turned and he looked at her in surprise. ‘Yeah, I thought all women loved those things.’

‘Not this one. Do I have to go?’

‘Since I’m Unit Commander and my father’s heir, it’s expected of me to be there. As my mate it’s expected for you to be there.’

‘Do I have to go?’ Meryn repeated, feeling ill thinking about it. Aiden chuckled.

‘I’ll make sure you aren’t left alone. We have the All Hallows’ Eve Ball coming up soon, it will give you an idea of what to expect for Midwinter.’ Meryn placed a hand over her stomach. She felt woozy.

‘I hate people.’

‘You know with the kicking, screaming and assaulting people with toilet pieces I would never have guessed.’ Aiden snarked.

‘Har, har. You’re so funny. Seriously, can I just send a plate of cookies or something?’

‘Sorry darling, but you’re high society now.’

‘Bugger that!’ Aiden glanced at her, then back to the road.

‘I better warn my mother about tomorrow.’ Aiden grimaced. Meryn turned to face him.

‘Why?’

‘Because she is planning to introduce you to her sewing circle. All the founding family matriarchs will be there.’ He looked apologetic.

‘I think I’m going to be sick.’ She closed her eyes and leaned back in the seat.

Aiden parked and turned the car off. She heard him turn towards her.

‘Just smile and nod. My mother will do most of the talking. I have a feeling Daphane Bowers will be monopolizing the afternoon anyway. Her daughter-in-law is pregnant so she will be milking that for every scrap of attention she can get for a while.’ Meryn opened her eyes and lifted her head.

‘So she’s preggers. Big deal. They’ll probably do one of those diaper cakes or something. I guess I can smile and nod, but I’m bringing my laptop. I can’t sew for shit.’

Aiden gave her a funny look.

‘I don’t think you understand. Being pregnant is a true blessing. Witches can only conceive during the winter solstice, vampires during the spring equinox, shifters at summer solstice and fae during the fall equinox. It’s why each equinox and solstice is a huge celebration for us. As each of the four races can only conceive during these times, their children are usually born during a corresponding holiday. Witches are born around the fall equinox; vampires during the long, dark winter solstice; shifters around the spring equinox when most animals are born; and the fae around the summer solstice, at the height of summer when everything is in full bloom. Each race only has a certain time of the year that they are fertile and even then it’s not guaranteed that the couple will conceive. After conception only about sixty percent of all pregnancies make it to full term. It’s kept our numbers pretty low.’

There was a sadness in his eyes that she wished she could erase.

‘That must be hard. I’ll make sure that I properly ‘Ooooh’ and ‘Aaaah’ at the appropriate moments.’ Meryn promised.

‘You really are anti-social aren’t you?’

‘I like the guys and your family. But I don’t like being fake or being polite to assholes.’

Aiden’s mouth twitched. ‘Tomorrow should be interesting.’

‘I’ll be good. Promise.’ She looked around. ‘Where are we?’

‘This is the Council Manor. My father let me know that the council wanted to speak to me this morning at breakfast. He left about a half an hour before we did to let them know we were coming.’

‘Is it okay that I go in?’ She gawked up at the imposing building. It looked like the Library of Congress. Meryn watched the people walk by their parked car. The men were wearing official looking robes that gaped to reveal pressed and perfectly tailored suits and cravats. The women were visions of gentility in fall-colored full length dresses. She glanced down at her Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle tee-shirt with her hoodie tied haphazardly around her waist. She glared at Aiden. He didn’t even seem to notice. Damn the man. She hated sticking out. Aiden straightened his tie and pulled a military type hat from the backseat. Of course, he fit right in with his uniform. He opened his car door.

‘Father said it shouldn’t take long, they just want me to look into something. Then we can go explore the city.’ Aiden took her hand. ‘Ready?’

‘I guess so.’

He kissed her hand before letting it go and then got out of the car. He walked around and scowled down at her as she opened her own door, refusing to wait for him. She stuck her tongue out and he surprised her by laughing. Since he was constantly frowning, it made her feel good that she could make him laugh.

Meryn appreciated that Aiden took her hand and was leading the way otherwise she knew she would have run into something. The outside of the building was nothing short of amazing, but the inside took her breath away. The stone architecture peaked in rounded archways. The exterior windows tossed rainbows of color on the floors and walls with its stained glass. Statues and old oil paintings decorated the walls. Aiden literally pulled her along as she looked around in childlike wonder. When they turned the corner Meryn gasped.

‘What?’ Aiden asked.

Meryn stared at the statue in front of them.

‘Don’t blink. Don’t even blink.’ She whispered.

‘What in the hell are you talking about?’ Aiden looked around trying to identify a possible hidden threat.

‘You blink and you’re dead.’ Meryn stared at the two large stone angel statues on either side of a heavy looking wooden door unblinking. Aiden’s hand went to his sidearm.

‘Meryn that is just a statue.’

‘But what if it isn’t? I mean up until this week I didn’t think paranormals existed and now you’re all over the fucking place. I can’t take the chance.’ Meryn continued to stare at the statue.

‘Why don’t I ever understand a word that comes out of your mouth? It’s like you’re not even speaking English!’

‘Oh my God, what if the Doctor is real too! That would be awesome!’ Meryn felt Aiden pulling her closer to the doors, she refused to take her eyes off of the statues.

‘I give up! There’s something wrong with you.’ Meryn could hear the exasperation in his voice.

‘You just don’t speak geek. That’s okay, I can train you.’ Meryn closed one eye, then the other. Then opened them quickly. The statues remained statues.

‘These might not be dangerous.’ She let out a relieved sigh.

‘You think?’ Aiden asked acerbically. Meryn turned her attention to the highly polished dark wood doors in front of them.

‘Those are some impressive looking doors. Is it to keep us out, or them in?’ Aiden closed his eyes and looked like he was mentally counting to ten.

‘Most days to keep us in. Come in Aiden, let us meet your clever mate.’ A voice called from beyond the doors. Meryn covered her mouth with her hands. She kept forgetting about paranormal hearing. Aiden peered down at her, a smile twitching on his lips. He lifted the large iron ring and pulled the door open. Meryn watched as his biceps flexed under his long sleeved uniform shirt. Yum.

They walked on a soft red carpet up to a long wooden panel. Behind it sat four very powerful looking men. Only one of whom she recognized.

‘Esteemed council members, may I present my mate, Meryn Evans. Meryn, I have the distinct honor of introducing Lycaonia’s council members; Elder Celyn Vi’Ailean our fae representative. Elder Rowan Airgead our witch representative; Elder René Évreux our vampire representative; and of course you have already met my father, the shifter representative.’

Aiden bowed at the waist. Not knowing what to do Meryn just waved. Grinning broadly the large fae elder waved back. Byron nodded. The witch elder smiled warmly, but the vampire elder sniffed and turned up his nose. Meryn felt herself frown.

Please don’t let me say anything to get Aiden into trouble.

‘What was it that you wished to see me about?’ Aiden asked standing to his full height.

‘We would like for you to investigate a set of disappearances. Two paranormal couples living in Madison have vanished. The mother of one of the missing women is frantic. If you could take a few men out there and ask around, we would appreciate it. I know that would ease everyone’s worries.’ Elder Airgead explained.

‘Of course, sir. I’ll take some men out there later today.’ Aiden gave a half bow. Meryn debated on asking her question, but she figured that she wouldn’t find anything out if she kept her mouth shut. She’d take the chance of putting her foot in it for a chance to help.

‘Um sirs, your excellencies?’ Meryn hoped that she didn’t sound as nervous as she felt.

‘What is it child?’ Elder Vi’Ailean asked, his voice soft and gentle.

‘If you have any information about the missing couples I could try to track their last known movements and whereabouts using my laptop.’ Meryn stared at the tops of her scuffed up Converse.

‘You can do that?’ Elder Airgead sounded shocked. She lifted her head up and nodded.

‘I can track their credit cards, purchases, parking tickets, just about anything electronic.’ She explained.

‘All from your laptop?’ Elder Airgead asked.

‘Yup. Child’s play.’

‘Are all humans so well versed with technology?’ Byron asked sounding impressed.

‘No, though most can do the basics. I’m just very, very good.’ She couldn’t keep the trace of pride out of her voice. She felt Aiden’s warm hand on her lower back. He was showing her that he had her back, literally. Feeling braver she continued.

‘I can also compile both couples’ information to look for anything that ties them together, to establish a pattern. If we can find the pattern, we can establish a motive and narrow down the search to find the perpetrators.’ Meryn clenched and unclenched her hands at her sides. Years of watching CSI were starting to pay off.

‘Impressive. I had no idea my new, little daughter was so talented.’ Byron bragged.

‘We don’t interact with humans enough to keep up with their technology.’ The fae Elder admitted.

‘I don’t know why we even care what happens outside the city. The paranormals living outside of Lycaonia know the risks of trying to fit in with humans. If they really wanted to stay safe they would be behind the city walls.’ René said disdainfully. Beside her Meryn felt Aiden tense.

‘With all due repeat Elder Evreux, there are more paranormals now than there were even one hundred years ago, despite our declining birth rate. With fewer and fewer pack and pride wars and established feeding centers for the vampires, older generations are living longer. It’s extremely expensive for the average paranormal to live in one of our cities. It has become necessary for larger families to make their way in the human world.’ Aiden explained. From his slightly condescending tone, Meryn had a feeling it wasn’t the first time Aiden had presented this argument.

‘Paranormals do not belong amongst humans. They are nothing but insects.’ Elder Evreux sneered looking right at Meryn.

‘René, you will take back those words about my daughter at once. Before I make you!’ Byron stood to his full height as his eyes shifted to black. Meryn’s eyes widened. She glanced over at Aiden to see what they should do to see that his eyes too had also shifted and his canines had extended past his lips. In response Elder Evreux stood hissing baring his fangs.

‘Byron! René! Stop this at once.’ Elder Airgead moved between the two men, both of his hands glowing a faint blue color. Both men stood on either side of the witch breathing heavily and glaring at each other.

‘I meant no insult to your daughter.’ Elder Evreux bit off each word. Byron gave a curt nod and sat back down.

‘Holy shit balls! Papa bear is freaking awesome!’ Meryn whispered. Five sets of eyes immediately went to her. She stepped behind Aiden. She heard guffaws and peeked out to see that the fae Elder was laughing and wiping tears.

‘Meryn you are an absolute treasure. First Weeping Angels and now this.’ He took a deep breath and met her eyes.

‘Finally! Someone who’s intelligent!’ Meryn exploded.

‘I’m going to pretend you meant to exclude me.’ Aide’s voice was flat.

‘Sure. If that helps you sleep at night.’ Meryn bumped his hip with hers. He gazed down at her, affection in his eyes.

Meryn was no longer intimidated by these men. They may be all powerful and could shift into large predator animals and cast spells, but at the end of the day they were just men. Men she could handle.

‘Aiden, please feel free to bring your mate over for tea one afternoon. I would love to see her reactions to Vivian’s garden.’ Elder Vi’Ailean said standing. He then turned to Meryn.

‘My mate is also human, so don’t let some people’s old fashioned prejudices get to you my dear.’ He then turned and walked past Elder Evreux.

‘Be thankful I wasn’t the one who took exception to your words René. It would have taken more than Rowan’s spells to get me to back down.’ With a regal nod, he swept past René and left the room.

‘I swear you guys will drive me to drink. I should be allowed to sedate you three for meetings.’ Elder Airgead sat back looking tired.

‘Where’s the fun in that Rowan?’ Byron joked.

‘With your permission? I owe my mate a tour of Lycaonia.’ Aiden bowed.

‘Of course Commander. Meryn my dear, I hope that our display hasn’t soured you towards the city and our people. I think you will find some of the city’s sites to be amazing. Maybe you can blogger it on your laptop.’ Elder Airgead suggested. Meryn smiled.

‘You mean blog. Maybe. Do you have the information on the missing couples?’ She asked. Elder Airgead nodded and handed her a stack of papers. Meryn stepped forward and accepted them. She opened the flap to her backpack and shoved them inside.

‘I can’t wait to get started. I love projects. Thank you.’

‘You carry your laptop with you? Doesn’t it get heavy?’ Byron asked.

‘Nah, I’m used to it. I can’t live without it.’ Meryn swung her backpack on her shoulder.

‘Good luck on your project.’ The witch Elder sat back in his chair.

As they were walking out of the room Meryn looked up at Aiden.

‘Are all vampires douche bags? Because Gavriel wasn’t.’ Aiden grabbed her upper arm and almost began sprinting out into the hallway. Behind her, she could hear Byron’s booming laughter fill the council hall. Shit! She kept forgetting that there was no such thing as whispering around paranormals!