My Brother's Keeper

  Anne had to smile at the image of those three together. "They are good boys."

  Meryn nodded. "They make perfect minions."

  Beside her, Kendrick began to choke. He reached for his coffee and gulped a few times to clear his airway. "Minions! I completely forgot. Basil will be coming by today. I'll be showing him how I set up the tests for the different necklaces."

  Aiden looked over at Kendrick. "Thank you for teaching him. It really went a long way soothing hurt feelings about advancement. You wouldn't consider teaching a class or two to all of the unit witches while you're here, would you? I know that Noah is behind in his studies as well. When his parents kicked him out, his lessons stopped."

  Kendrick nodded slowly. "I could easily do that." He turned to Elizabeth. "You're the planner, aren't you?"

  Elizabeth laughed. "Yes, would you like some help?"

  "Yes, please."

  Elizabeth pulled out her day planner. "Do you need help organizing the class list, location or syllabus?"

  Kendrick winced. "All of it."

  Elizabeth stopped writing and closed her planner. "Got it. I'll just let you know where and when to show up and what you'll be talking about."

  Kendrick looked relieved. "Thank you! Teaching isn't really my forte."

  Elizabeth eyed Meryn. "I can understand that."

  Rheia looked down the table at Anne. "Anne, Meryn and I will be heading to the clinic for check ups, would you like to come along to see the location and meet Adam, our other doctor?"

  Anne nodded eagerly. "I would love to."

  Kendrick leaned in and kissed her neck. "Look at you, so excited at the thought of organizing latex gloves and tongue depressors."

  Anne turned quickly and licked his nose. "You're geeking out just as much at the thought of teaching Basil testing procedures."

  Kendrick wiped off his nose. "Touché."

  Amelia turned to her parents. "I'd like to visit with you as much as possible while you're here."

  Lily hugged Amelia. "Of course, Meryn, too. When she's ready."

  Meryn played with her danish. "It's not like I don't want to talk to you. I just don't know what to say. The only thing that comes to mind is, 'Your mother was a hateful bitch, and I'm glad she's dead,' but that doesn't seem like something you say over tea."

  Lily covered her mouth with her napkin her eyes dancing with laughter. "Oh Meryn! You could most definitely say that over tea, at least with your uncle and me. Remember darling, we knew her, too. I had to practically drag Marshall away from her house. He wanted to turn her into a toad, but I stopped him since she was still raising Violet."

  Meryn thought for a second. "No, not a toad, a slug. That would have been better."

  Marshall winked at Meryn, causing her to blush. "I agree one hundred percent. We could have taken turns with the salt shaker."

  Meryn laughed then stared down at her plate. "Perhaps later, after my appointment, we could visit together. Maybe talk about my mother."

  Lily's smile was wobbly as she blinked back tears. "I'd like nothing more."

  Aiden grumbled under his breath. "The more I hear about this woman, the more I support the idea of moving her grave to Lycaonia."

  Meryn laid her head contentedly on her mate's shoulder. "I don't think so. I wouldn't want her fouling the place up. Maybe somewhere nearby."

  Anne couldn't imagine what this woman could have done, but by the support the idea to move this woman's grave was getting from around the table, she was glad she had never met her.

  The doorbell rang signaling an end to breakfast.

  Anne stood with Kendrick. "You have fun today training your minion. Try not to blow anything up while I'm gone."

  Kendrick sighed. "You're taking the fun out of my morning." He rubbed noses with her. "Have fun counting bandages and taking everyone's temperature."

  "You know us nurses, we love to take temperatures," she teased.

  "Love you."

  "Love you, too. And seriously, no blowing anything up or destroying the house."

  "I'll do my best." Kendrick said magnanimously and swaggered to the door to greet Basil.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  They ended up taking Anne's CRV to the clinic since it hadn't been assigned a parking spot yet and was still out front. Meryn argued with Ryuu that she didn't need a babysitter, and she didn't want him in the room when someone was looking up her hoo-ha. Ryuu managed to look annoyed and worried about his charge at the same time as he helped her put on her coat.

  Once in the car and on their way, Meryn exhaled. "Freedom!"

  Rheia laughed. "Have you had a moment alone since you moved in?"

  Meryn shook her head. "Nope. I could kiss the one who cast the spell to put up the perimeter. Maybe now I can go to the city on my own and visit Sydney and Justice."

  Anne glanced to her right where Meryn sat. "I've heard their names before, who are they?"

  "Sydney and Justice run the coffee shop in the city called The Jitterbug. They're both sinfully gorgeous and so lovey-dovey it should be illegal."

  Amelia's ears perked up. "I think I watched an anime that had two men that ran a coffee shop in it. I'd love to meet Sydney and Justice, they sound fun."

  "They are awesome peeps. Too bad I can't sample any of their newest creations," Meryn sighed and rubbed her belly. She looked down. "You better be worth it, kiddo."

  Rheia cracked up in the backseat. "She will be."

  Anne smiled. "You're having a girl?"

  Meryn shrugged. "I don't know. I told Rheia not to tell me. So she keeps changing up the pronouns to confuse Aiden."

  "What about you Rheia, do you want to know?" Anne asked.

  "I wouldn't mind one way or the other. It might make it easier to decorate," Rheia replied.

  "So. You got claimed huh?" Meryn asked out of the blue.

  "Meryn!" Rheia gasped, sounding mortified.

  "What? She said she didn't mind telling me," Meryn pointed out.

  Anne couldn't keep the smile off her face. "Yes."

  "And?" Meryn fished.

  "And... it was magical, for lack of a better word."

  "My claiming was hot, but I don't think I would use the word magical. I got bit though." Meryn pulled down the collar of her coat to reveal two shiny pink scars.

  Rheia sighed. "I got bit too."

  Anne frowned. "I didn't get bit. Was I supposed to get bitten?"

  Meryn tapped the door. "I don't think so, maybe it's a shifter thing."

  Anne followed the road. "Maybe."

  After another couple minutes of silence, "Do you think I could use my sonic screwdriver as a wand?" Meryn asked.

  Anne could practically feel Rheia staring at Meryn. She looked in the rearview mirror.

  Yup. The I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-you stare.

  "What's a sonic screwdriver?" Anne asked, breaking the silence.

  "It's something the Doctor uses in that show I was telling you about. Keelan made me a magical version of one. Since Kendrick says I have some magic in me, I was wondering if I could use it as a wand to, you know, cast spells."

  Anne thought back to every instance she had seen Kendrick use magic. "Meryn, I don't think real witches use wands like that. I've never seen Kendrick use one."

  "I've never seen Keelan or Quinn use one either, Meryn," Rheia added from the back.

  "Hmmmm." Meryn stared out the window.

  "Besides, you're forbidden to use magic, remember?" Rheia reminded her.

  "If Amelia didn't get in trouble for turning herself into a dog, I think I'm okay," Meryn protested.

  "Is this it?" Anne asked as a large building came in view.

  "Yup, that's it," Rheia answered.

  Anne parked by the door and they got out. Rheia pointed out the different exam rooms and testing equipment as they walked by them.

  "What are all these boxes?" Meryn asked, pointing into the supply room.

  "Those are gifts from Éire Danu and Noctem Falls. A little birdie b
y the name of Elizabeth Monroe made some phone calls, and suddenly, I'm knee deep in much needed supplies," a warm male voice answered.

  "Hey Adam!" Meryn yelled, running up to the large stranger.

  Adam swept her up into a tight hug. "Hello, baby sister!" He set her down and looked at Anne. "And who's this? A new patient?"

  Rheia wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked her forward. "This is our new nurse. Adam meet Anne Bennett, Kendrick's mate. She was the one who helped me with the casualties from the hostage situation. I swear she was amazing. She always seemed to be exactly where I needed her. She's also the one taking care of Keelan for us at the house."

  Adam stretched his hand out, and when they shook hands, she noticed he had calluses on his palms.

  Adam rubbed the back of his neck when he caught her staring. "I started training with the Beta Unit. After the past couple attacks, I wanted to get back into top fighting condition."

  "Who in the hell would want to fight you? You're huge." Anne asked, looking up.

  Adam's booming laughter made her smile. He was so much more open and friendly than his surly younger brother. Then again, Adam didn't have a mate like Meryn to keep an eye on, either.

  "You'd be surprised how many ferals don't pay attention to such things." Adam held up his arm. "Ladies, let's get these exams over with so I can check on my little niece or nephew."

  Rheia turned to her. "Anne, could you go back to the supply room and try to get it organized? If we have enough supplies to spare, can you pack up some basics to take back to the house?"

  Anne nodded. "Sure thing. Kendrick's joke about me counting tongue depressors has come true."

  "Thank you so much. We won't be long, so don't feel like you have to organize everything. We'll leave the bulk of it for Adam to finish, but anything you can do to get him started would be a help." Rheia looked back to where Meryn waited for her in the hall.

  Anne shooed her away. "Go on, I'll be fine."

  Anne walked down the hall and went into the supply room. After about an hour, she had grouped boxes together and had opened enough of them to put together four field kits. If they needed anything else, they could grab it later. She swung the backpack full of supplies on her shoulder and stepped out into the hallway.

  The hairs on her neck began to stand straight up. Trying not to be too obvious, she stopped at the water fountain and turned her head to look down the hall. It was empty, but then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the air shimmer. It was a cross between what the air looked like before Felix had appeared and the heat waves that rose off the road on a summer day. Something was stalking her.

  She turned and fought every instinct screaming at her to keep her pace normal. She walked as normally as she could until she was in front of Adam's office door. "Guys, all clear to come in?" she yelled.

  "Yup, our legs are closed and we're clothed," Meryn quipped.

  Anne forced herself to laugh. She opened the door and closed it quickly, throwing the lock. Swallowing hard, she felt like her heart was in her throat.

  Adam stood. "Anne?"

  Anne shook her head, pointed to the door, and mouthed the words, Something is out there.

  Adam picked up the receiver on his desk phone and lifted it to his ear. Seconds later, he put it back on the cradle and shook his head.

  Meryn dove into her backpack and pulled out her phone. Her tiny fingers began moving. Seconds crawled by like hours. With tears streaming down her face, Meryn shook her head. "I never had this problem when Keelan was the one answering Aiden's phone," she hissed.

  Anne looked at Adam and Rheia. "Cell?" she whispered.

  "I left mine at home," Adam confessed.

  "Mine's in the car," Rheia said, her voice shaking.

  Anne was about to respond when the doorknob jiggled. Seconds later, something slammed against the door. Adam jumped over his desk and braced himself against the door.

  "Adam!" Rheia screamed as the door was hit again.

  Anne took a deep breath and thought of Kendrick. She found that warm energy from the night before and began to follow it. Slowly, very slowly she floated back toward the Alpha estate. When it came into view, she passed through the walls to the second floor.

  Kendrick was smiling and talking excitedly to Basil who was holding a crystal in his hands.

  Kendrick!

  Kendrick turned quickly in the direction of the clinic; there was no trace of laughter on his face now.

  Kendrick! Help!

  That was all she could say before she felt herself being pulled back. When she opened her eyes, Rheia cradled her in her arms.

  Anne looked around. "What happened?"

  Suddenly, Adam was jolted against the door. Whoever was out there was trying very hard to get in.

  "You collapsed. I thought you'd fainted, but your eyes were open." Rheia helped her to sit up.

  "I think I was able to reach Kendrick." She put her hand over her chest. "I'm sure of it."

  "I hope to the Gods you're right. This door won't last forever," Adam said, repositioning his feet.

  Rheia looked across the office to the window. "I suppose putting bars across the windows seemed like a good idea at the time?"

  Adam grinned. "We can open them from the inside, they can't be opened from the outside."

  Rheia stood. "Then why don't we just go out that way?"

  Adam shook his head. "That's how they lost you last time. I have a feeling we'd be running right into a trap. It's better to hunker down here." He looked at Anne. "How sure are you that help is coming?"

  Anne stood and faced the doctor. "Kendrick is coming for me."

  He nodded. "Then the best thing I can do is hold on. The only way they are getting to my baby sister is by walking over my dead body."

  Meryn smiled weakly at Adam then glared at her phone. "When I see Aiden, I'm gonna kill him."

  Behind Adam the door began to crack.

  Kendrick! Hurry!

  *****

  "Do you see why we use quartz now?" Kendrick asked.

  Basil nodded, his eyes glued to the crystal that was changing colors.

  Basil had soaked up everything he had taught him that morning, including the warding spell on the door. He couldn't have picked a finer student.

  Kendrick!

  Kendrick turned and looked around. He could have sworn he just heard Anne.

  Kendrick! Help!

  There was no doubt in his mind; that had been Anne.

  He whirled to face Basil. "Anne's in trouble. I need you to stay here. These tests are about finished. I need you to stay here and record the results for me; can you do that?"

  "Of course!" Basil looked scared.

  "Good lad!" Kendrick turned and ran from the room. "Sei!" he yelled as he ran down the stairs. Stress had him reverting to calling Ryuu by his first name.

  Ryuu appeared below him in the foyer. "Something has happened hasn't it?"

  Kendrick nodded, and they both ran for the door. They headed to the open field where the unit warriors were training. "Aiden, to me!" he yelled.

  Aiden's head snapped up. He saw Kendrick and Ryuu running toward him and roared. Kendrick knew that the commander had figured out that if they were running to them, then the women were in danger. Some of the men ran to the small back building and others ran to the garage.

  Aiden checked his sidearm. "What do we know?" he asked.

  "Nothing, only that Anne called for me."

  Ryuu looked at Aiden. "Denka is scared, but also angry at you."

  Aiden groaned and ran back to his bag. He dug around and pulled out his phone. He put it on speaker. "Baby, I am so sorry."

  "Later. Where are you?" Meryn demanded.

  "We're leaving here in about two minutes. What's your situation?"

  "Rheia, Anne, Adam, and I are trapped in his office. So far they haven't been able to get through the door."

  Kendrick felt his impatience building. He wanted to leave already. Behind them, SUVs began to
roll up as the other men jogged forward carrying bags of tactical gear. In less than a minute, the men had mobilized. Normally, he would just use his magic, but there were too many men, and he'd never been to the clinic before to gauge the distance.

  "Anything you can tell us about the enemy?" Aiden asked.

  "We think they are invisible ferals. They are being persistent and fucking annoying," Meryn yelled.

  "There's my Menace," Sascha said, nodding at Aiden.

  "Hey guys, you need to hurry, no shit," Meryn said. The hiccup in her voice had the men scattering.

  "Wait! Tell them that they are invisible but are shimmering, as if they are giving off heat waves," they heard Anne yell into the phone.

  Heat waves?

  "Let's move it! Lorcan, your unit is assigned house detail. We don't know where these bastards could pop up next," Aiden yelled.

  "Yes, sir!" Lorcan yelled back, and began positioning his men around the house.

  Kendrick, Gavriel, Colton, Darian, and Ryuu jumped into the SUV with Aiden. All Kendrick could think about was Anne. If anything happened to her, he didn't know if he would be able to follow her peacefully into the afterlife. He was seriously scared for the men he rode with. Beside him, Ryuu was vibrating with energy. He knew that the squire would be focused on one thing and one thing only, Meryn. Between the two of them, their enemy didn't stand a chance.

  *****

  When the men arrived, they simply kicked the door in and flooded the halls. When they got to the hallway leading to Adam's office Aiden held up his fist.

  Kendrick and Ryuu looked at each other and stepped in front of Aiden.

  "Wait, we don't know what's out there!" Aiden hissed.

  "Doesn't matter," Kendrick said and turned his attention to the hall. Thanks to Anne's description, he knew what to look for. To Anne's untrained eye, the invisibility spell through his magic looked like heat waves, which meant that he would be able to see them. "Can you detect them?" He asked his friend.

  Ryuu's hair floated around his body as if ebbing back and forth in the water. He shook his head. "No, but my magic can follow yours. What is the plan?"