My Salvation (Bewitched and Bewildered, #14)

by Alanea Alder

“Maybe you should go to Aiden with this?” he suggested. Priest shook his head. “That man has more shit on his plate than anyone.” Heath went to speak, hesitated, then continued. “Go to Meryn.” Priest stared. “Excuse me?” Heath winced. “I know, it sounds a bit crazy, but by now, we’ve all seen her in action. Besides the commander, she’s the only other one who was present as each couple came together. She may have some insight into your nightmares.” Priest felt the stirrings of hope. “Do you really think so?” Heath chuckled. “Either she’ll be able to help or implode the situation so badly that your nightmares will be the least of your worries.” “I fucking hate you,” Priest muttered, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Meryn, huh?” Priest wondered out loud. He lay back down and stared up at the ceiling. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“What about our leases?” she asked. “Don’t worry about them. We paid for all three apartments for the next ten years. Vanguard can use them when they’re in town, and Ms.Johnson doesn’t have to worry about vetting new tenants.” Cas giggled. “She said she likes renting to you strong military boys.” Reston’s cheeks turned pink. “She’s a nice lady.”

Cas took another bite of pizza. She had never met a warrior that wasn’t a closet softie. Maybe that many muscles released a kindness hormone or something.

Cas grinned evilly, then reached for the bullhorn at his waist. He was all smiles as she played with his belt disconnecting the device. But when she brought it to her lips, he frowned in concern. Climbing on top of the van, she ignored Reston complaining about dents. “Hello, gentlemen,” she began. Immediately nearly a hundred handsome warriors were turning and smiling at her. “I believe you all are here to get verified.” “Yeah!” many yelled back. “Wouldn’t it go faster if you all stripped your shirts off and killed anyone with a red tattoo?” she asked. There was silence then the men began pulling off their shirts. “Cassandra Vi’Illiya, you are going to hell,” Reston chided. Pulling the bullhorn away from her face, she blew kisses at him. “Pass me my Diet Coke and Doritos bag.”

“Fine? She’s threatening me with violence over brownies,” Darian protested. Aiden looked over to the fae prince. “That really isn’t all that surprising. Chocolate is very important to females. And honestly, threats of violence are commonplace.”

She laughed. “Magicked contacts so I could live amongst the humans,” she explained. Reston sighed. “We suggested them after we had to kill her second stalker.” Cassandra was smiling and nodding until she heard that. “You killed them?” Priest held up his fist, and Reston bumped it.

She blinked, then looked down to watch her feet as they walked. “Weird, huh?” Meryn asked. She looked up to see the small woman watching her from her mate’s arms. “Weird?” “Going from being alone to having tons of people around you. I still don’t know how to ask for help. It gets easier, though, if you just let them do what they want.”

He batted his eyes at the flummoxed squire. “Please don’t make us cook and clean for ourselves. I suck at it, and she lives out of cardboard boxes.” Cas straightened. “Hey!” Eion smiled softly. “How could I dream of leaving two young ones like you unsupervised?” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “It is wonderful to finally have you home, even if you did bring in a stray.” “Hey!” Priest echoed his own protest.

“He is the best of both worlds. He knows how to be a fae, but I bet he reproduces like a shifter.” “Coll!” Cas screeched at her childhood friend again. Coll rubbed his ear. “What?” He pointed to his tree. “We need more branches, Cassie. Lots and lots of babies, please. I have been feeling puny for centuries.” Priest stood at attention. “I swear to do my duty, sir!” Coll began to giggle. “Oh, I do like him. You did very well, Cassie.” Cas rubbed her hands over her face. “I cannot win with three of you against me,” she said, thinking back to how eager Eion had been over the prospect of babies in the house. Coll pointed to the house. “Go get to know each other, then make babies!” Priest clicked his heels together and brought his hand up to his forehead in salute. “Sir, yes, sir!” Shaking her head, she dropped a kiss on Coll’s cheek, then walked past her mate to go back inside. “I won’t let you down!” Priest swore dramatically. “It’s all up to you!” Coll responded, playing into the drama.

She looked up at Cas. “You’re one of the fae who see emotion as color?” she asked. Cas nodded. “It’s not an exact science, but I try to use it to help others.” Lia nodded. “A wonderful gift to pass on to the next generation. The two of you are planning on having children right away are you not?” Cas threw her arms in the air. “I guess so.”

“Console.” He hurried to the wall beside the tv. “I have an Xbox and a Playstation.” She eyed his setup. “Same.” She pointed at the wall. “Do you think we’ll have room to mount a second tv?” “I’ll make room.” He stared at her. “Never in a million years did I think my mate would be a gamer. You’re just so…” “So what?” “Elegant. Articulate, gorgeous, perfect.” “Why can’t I be an elegant gamer? Is this a sexist thing?” He scratched his head. “I think it’s more a fae thing. They’re the race that has yet to embrace human technology.” “Well, this fae has lived her adult years amongst the humans and was there for every iteration of games as they evolved.” “Meryn will try to recruit you for Call of Duty. Tell her she’s out of luck. You’re on my team.” “I thought you didn’t play fps?” “I mean, shooting nazi zombies is always fun. She has Jaxon, Noah and now Nigel and Neil. She can’t have you too.”

“Is it just me or…” A milk-chocolate skinned goddess said as she approached. The redhead at her side just laughed. “Brie, be nice.” “I am being nice, Zoe. I haven’t at all said this looks like a knitting circle,” Brie said, shaking her head. “Wanna do keg stands?” Meryn offered. “Meryn, you can barely stand upright these days, much less upside down, and you can’t have alcohol,” Amelia pointed out. “Heifer,” Meryn grumbled.

“Who needs to go to Noctem Falls?” Aiden asked. This time five squads stepped forward. Aiden smiled. “You’ll be reporting to Adriel. One more?” In the corner two squads squared off to do rock, paper, scissors. The winning squad joined the other five.

Cas pulled out bottles from under the sink and looked at them. Most were her favorite scents. She checked for expirations and shook her head. Of course, Eion would cycle them out as needed. She debated for a moment, then decided on the sandalwood. It was a favorite, and she knew Priest would appreciate not smelling like jasmine. “Knock, knock,” Priest said, then swung the door open. He had already undressed and wore a towel wrapped around his waist. In his hands, he had a tray of snacks and desserts and the now opened bottle of wine. “Which flower will I smell like later?” he asked. “Sandalwood, you ungrateful wretch.”

She watched Meryn carefully, who was frightfully serene in her anger. “Meryn, who has the better ass, Broden or Ramsey?” Meryn blinked. “Huh?” “Personally, I think Ramsey has the better shape, but Broden has more junk in his trunk, you know,” she teased, keeping her voice light. Meryn blinked slowly. “Ramsey has the better ass of the two,” she said, sounding distracted. The blackness vibrated, then popped, dissipating completely. Meryn’s face turned thoughtful. “But, if we’re talking about amongst the warriors, Colton has the best ass I’ve seen,” she said, sounding more like herself.

She eyed the large animal that was dripping blood on the floor and brightened a bit. “Heck yeah! I haven’t had boar since my visit. I bet Creelee would like some of this.” Gilheim frowned. “Does your mate not hunt for you?” Meryn thought it over a moment. “He orders me brownies.” Gilheim looked over to where the men sat as if evaluating each individual. “Ah. I see.” He smiled down at Meryn. “I will hunt for you so that you and your child will stay healthy.” “Now, wait a damn minute,” Aiden said, standing quickly. All the men present bristled at the unsaid implications.

Aiden went to his mate and pulled her next to him. “I can hunt for my mate.” Gilheim tilted his head. “But do you?” The goblin then nodded sagely. “It is wise to know one’s limitations. There is no shame in not being able to hunt. That is why most villages have hunters. I will help feed Eamon’s daughter as I am a hunter for my people.” Aiden sputtered, unable to form words. Meryn shook her head. “I’ve been miserable eating fruit.”

“Hurry up! I wanna see if ferals turn into zombies if left locked up long enough!” Meryn said, pulling on Aiden’s hand. Anne shuddered. “I’m definitely staying here then, eating cake.” Kendrick kissed the top of her head. “Do not worry my love, they will not be around for long.” “Good,” she said, picking up her teacup. “Come on!” Meryn bellowed from the hallway.

Gaius threw his hands in the air. “So, I’m supposed to let all you children go fight ferals?” “Yes!” Aurora shouted. “No!” he shouted back. “That was a rhetorical question.”

“You cracked open the shell of the egg the eagles had trapped themselves in and showed them it was possible to co-exist with others. The trees feel so much lighter today.” Priest shrugged. “I just wanted a nest for my mate.” Cas scoffed. “That’s what you wanted. I wanted to tell your Elders to eat shit and die.” Coll giggled. “She’s sweet, but don’t get on her bad side.”

“Priest! Report!” Ari yelled from across the courtyard. Frowning, he ran over. “What’s up?” “Come on, orders to be given at Dav’s,” he said, then lifted his phone to his ear. “Gage, get your ass to Dav’s.” He hung up and exchanged worried looks with Brie. Priest groaned. “What the fuck now?” When they arrived at Dav’s, Aiden stood in front of a pacing Kendrick while Anne spoke to someone on the phone. Off to one side, Darian leaned against the wall with a murderous expression on his face. “Who are we killing?” he asked. Aiden and Kendrick looked at him. “The Committee,” Kendrick answered. “Well shit, let’s go,” he said, pulling out his sidearm. “That just upped your ranking,” Meryn said, whipping out her phone. “What ranking?” “Warrior sexiness ranking,” she explained.

“Sascha, you are to take Gamma and head directly to the Council Manor and back up my father, René and Celyn.” Sascha nodded. “Back them up against whom?” “Any force the Committee has invited to Lycaonia,” Aiden explained. Sascha whistled. “Are we sure we want to tangle with them?” Aiden snarled. “They’re trying to take Keelan.” Sascha’s face transformed from congenial to menacing. “Permission to kill first and say ‘fuck you’ later?” Aiden nodded. “I won’t technically order you to engage…” he started. Sascha held up his hand. “Aiden, we don’t do politics. They fuck around with warriors, they gonna find out.” “More points to Sascha,” Meryn said, still on her phone. Aiden ignored her.

“Come on, Meryn,” Aiden said, pointing toward Darian. “No.” “What do you mean, no?” “I mean, no. I’m staying here.” “What?” Aiden stared down at his mate, looking confused and a bit hurt. She waved her wrist about. “You really want me anywhere near those assholes when I still have my gun and newly discovered powers?” Aiden paled. “Good point.” He eyed Ryuu, Pierce, and the boys. “I leave the most precious thing to me in your keeping.” Pip hugged Meryn’s arm. “We’re gonna meet fae, order new weapons, and eat food. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy!” Aiden nodded, looking relieved, then he eyed the quartet. “Weapons?” Meryn frowned. “Maybe I should go with you. I can double-tap all of them and blame it on pregnancy hormones.”

“Gavriel…” Meryn started. “No one shall enter this house and live,” he promised. “I want you in the room with Keelan. We’ve seen dark portal fuckery here. I don’t trust them not to portal right into his room.” Only silence answered. “He fucking disappeared. How fast is he?” “No idea, Jaxon, but it’s badass.” “Bad ass,” Penny repeated. “Honey, it’s badass, one word,” Rheia corrected absently. Meryn nodded as she typed. “Yeah, unless you want to emphasize how cool something was, then you can say bad… ass.”

“Meryn McKenzie! How have you crammed months worth of corruption into a five-minute zoom meeting?” Rheia exclaimed. Meryn shrugged. “Talented, I guess.”

Trembling Priest stumbled toward her. Taking her hand, he gave her a trembling smile. “This was not on our list of things to do today.” She smiled and closed her eyes. “I was really looking… forward…” “To the spectacular sex? I know,” he joked, wiping his eyes with his free hand. “No…idiot. Our… Minecraft…game,” she said, then opened her eyes to look at him.

“Hey Ellie, did you page me?” a female voice asked. “Yeah. Serenity, can you use your magic to help the sedative along?” A pretty red-head appeared over him. “Oh, you poor thing. You’re exhausted.” “He is?” he heard his mate ask. “Meryn avoided the room because she thought he turned into a zombie,” Ellie said, grinning. “She hates zombies.” “Who doesn’t?” Cas asked.

Cas turned to Aeson. “Any fallout from the Committee randomly expiring?” Leon laughed out loud. “Who is there left that can complain? We sent a message, and it was heard.” Priest shoved a huge forkful of pancakes in his mouth. Heath covered his pancakes in syrup. “Did Kendrick ever make it back?” he asked. Aeson grinned. “Yes, and evidently wants to send Priest a bill for the therapy the twins need after seeing Priest’s third form.” Her mate inhaled in indignation and began to choke. Heath continued chewing as he stood and began the Heimlich. Seconds later, a wad of half-chewed pancake shot across the kitchen. Priest gasped for air. “That…that’s not fair.” Heath shook his head. “I may need therapy. Make sure you never do that in front of the kids.”