Kendrick noticed that Anne had turned white. He leaned down. "What's the matter?"
She looked up at him, her blue eyes wide. "She said rambling, brainless monsters. That sounds a whole hell of a lot like zombies to me!"
Meryn looked at her. "They are not zombies because they don't go after people's brains; they kinda eat all the body parts."
Kendrick watched as Anne started to sway in her seat. "Just breathe. Nothing can get to you here, I promise."
Meryn shook her head. "Actually we've been attacked here twice."
"Meryn! Remember what I told you about being more observant to social cues?" Elizabeth hissed.
Meryn looked over at Anne, and her eyes got wide. "Sorry!"
Kendrick wrapped and arm around Anne and pulled her close. "That was before I was here. Nothing can attack this house and survive."
Anne looked up. "Promise? I swear, I normally have nerves of steel, but I just can't do zombies. When I was a kid I stayed up after my parents went to bed and watched Night of the Living Dead, I've been having nightmares ever since."
Kendrick took one more moment to enjoy the feel of her tucked in close before he gave her a final squeeze and let her go. "Promise. An army of those things could attack and they wouldn't make it to the first step of the porch."
Aiden snorted. "Don't make promises you can't keep. Those things are strong and ruthless. They think and they learn. They aren't like normal ferals."
"Reapers, call them reapers," Meryn interjected.
Kendrick looked across the table. "I never make promises I can't keep."
Colton laughed. "Come on Kendrick, you versus an army?"
Kendrick just stared at him.
Colton quieted. "Seriously?"
Kendrick decided that it was time to give the men a reality check. "Gentlemen, I have more than enough power to handle these so-called reapers and not break a sweat. You're used to working with witches that are under five hundred years old. Storm Keep will only allow young witches to serve in the units outside of Storm Keep. Once they hit five hundred years old, they have to return to the city where they continue their studies and are assessed. If they are deemed too weak to serve the city as a witch, they can resume their positions amongst the units; however, most do fairly well and go on to master their chosen field of magic."
Aiden stood, his face a mask of anger. "Why? Why are we struggling and losing good men when Storm Keep could turn the tide easily by sending out older witches?"
Kendrick shrugged lazily. "Why doesn't Noctem Falls send out their older vampires, those capable of mind control and illusions? Why doesn't Éire Danu let warriors use their portals? No, race is willing to give up their best and brightest; nor are they willing to share valuable secrets. These terms were agreed to when the pillar cities were formed and the units created. Besides, I don't think it's a simple case of throwing magic at something. Even if you had the power of the older witches at your command, it wouldn't do you much good. Most of them specialize in only one form of magic. I know men who have dedicated centuries to perfecting a single spell. You might get one or two spells out of them, and then they would be cannon fodder. You're actually better off with younger witches who can take orders and cast multiple types of spells repeatedly."
Aiden sat back down his brows pulled together. "What about you? I doubt you would end up cannon fodder."
Behind Aiden, Ryuu began to chuckle. "Heika is an exception to the general rule when it comes to the witches."
"So we kinda lucked out that he's Keelan's brother?" Meryn asked.
Kendrick smiled at her. "Pretty much."
Aiden scowled up at the squire. "Any other words of wisdom?"
Ryuu nodded. "You remember the old saying about these types of tricky situations?"
"Follow the money?" Meryn quipped.
Ryuu shook his head. "No. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
"I don't want to be closer to that douchebag," Meryn complained.
Kendrick snapped his fingers. "Meryn, you've given me a great idea."
"You're going to follow the money?" she asked.
"No, but if I can get ahold of enough necklaces, I may be able to trace the magic back to the caster. It all depends on how they were created."
"What do you mean?" Anne asked.
Kendrick wondered how he could explain higher magic in terms they would understand. "For everyday magic, the caster relies on his own power; it's like a well stored inside of them. But for higher, more complicated magic, a caster has two options: gain the power of a higher being or offer the universe something in exchange for what you are asking."
Anne's eyes lit up. "I know what you're talking about!"
Kendrick stared at her in shock. "You do?"
She nodded. "I saw this in Fullmetal Alchemist. I think it goes something like, 'Humankind cannot obtain anything without first giving up something in return. To obtain or create something, something of equal value must be lost; that is alchemy's First Law Of Equivalent Exchange.' In the show, two brothers try to resurrect their dead mother, but the price was too great. Just making the attempt cost one brother an arm and a leg and the other his entire body. His soul had to be attached to a suit of armor."
Kendrick fumed. "Between video games and anime, any teenager can learn the sacred arts; it isn't right."
"What video game? If it teaches magic, I'm so in." Meryn declared.
"It's an RPG; I can show you later," Anne promised.
Aiden, looking a bit pale, turned to Kendrick. "It's just a game right? They can't really learn magic, can they?"
Kendrick growled and thumped his fingers on the table. "I have no idea. Then again, I didn't know they were teaching the masses alchemy via anime either. Knowledge gained with no effort is like handing a child a loaded weapon."
Gavriel cleared his throat. "Your idea? I believe you were going to explain how you could discover the identity of the necklace creator."
Kendrick shook his head. He would have Anne show him this anime about alchemy later. "Right, my idea. So basically, exactly what Anne said. If the person who created the necklaces could not contract help with a higher being, then they would be subject to the laws of equal exchange. If that's the case, I can easily trace it back to the spell caster."
"How?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh! Because the caster would have had to offer up something of equal value, something they themselves owned. I bet it was their own soul," Anne suggested.
Kendrick stared down at her in amazement. "Are you sure you're human? So far, you have understood every aspect of magic I have discussed."
Anne nodded. "Of course I am, but I have always loved reading books about fantasy, playing RPGs, and watching anime." She smiled up at him.
"That is so cool! You know way more than I do about this stuff, and I've been living here for months. I bet you like Doctor Who, too." Meryn grinned.
Anne shook her head. "Sorry, no."
Meryn's smile disappeared.
Elizabeth chuckled. "It was bound to happen sooner or later."
"Wait!" Meryn stood. "You mean you don't watch Doctor Who? Like, at all?"
Anne shook her head again. "Nope."
"Does not compute! Does not compute!" Meryn waved her hands in the air.
"Denka, calm down. We need to start your meditation lessons sooner than I anticipated." Ryuu clucked as he gently pushed her back down into her chair.
Meryn took a deep breath and turned her gaze back to Anne. "You have to be in-Doctor-nated. Clear your schedule. Besides taking care of Keelan, you will be learning about the Doctor."
Anne crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine, only if you agree to watch my favorite anime shows with me."
Meryn nodded. "Deal."
Anne nodded. "Deal."
Colton shuddered. "Why do I feel like I just watched an unholy union?"
Rheia bumped shoulders with him. "Goof! I'd like to watch some of the anime shows, too."
Eliza
beth looked at Amelia who nodded. "Count us in, too."
Anne's smile lit up her whole face. "I've never had anyone else interested enough to watch with me before, just Keelan and Kendrick."
Colton looked at Kendrick. "Really?"
Kendrick grinned at him. "It had a great story. You should watch the one Anne introduced me to earlier."
Anne giggled.
Colton smiled at his mate. "Why not? I watch Digimon with Penny, and that's not too bad."
"You'll love it," Kendrick promised wickedly.
"If most of the serious discussions have concluded, I need to finish preparing dinner." Ryuu looked at his watch.
Aiden stood, rubbing his stomach. "Food sounds like an excellent idea. After a day like today, I'm looking forward to dinner."
"By the way Aiden, how did your father take the news about the Committee?" Elizabeth asked.
Aiden shook his head. "Mother will probably be making him his favorite Honey Bun cake for weeks." Aiden looked down at Meryn. "I wish you would learn how to make that cake; it is perfect for stressful days."
Meryn looked up at him confused. "You don't want blow jobs anymore?"
Aiden turned bright red. "Meryn!"
"What? Cake or blowjobs? You're not getting both," Meryn insisted.
Around the table the men turned their faces to hide their laughter.
Aiden got a calculating look on his face. "Let's go upstairs and discuss it."
Meryn giggled and jumped to her feet. Aiden swept her up and dashed from the room.
Once the couple was out of sight, everyone gave up on being dignified and laughed.
"He needed that levity; I've never seen Aiden so stressed," Elizabeth commented as everyone stood to leave the room.
"What Aiden forgot to mention is that the Committee will be stopping by sometime tomorrow to meet with you ladies. I am sure he is upstairs laying ground rules with Meryn now. Be prepared," Gavriel advised them.
Anne looked nervous. "Does that include me?"
Darian smiled at her in sympathy. "I'm afraid so. However, since you haven't been here long, they probably won't ask you any questions besides your name."
"Gods above, give me strength to help Meryn tomorrow," Elizabeth murmured in prayer.
"So mote it be," the men echoed together.
Kendrick had a feeling it would take every God listening to keep that spitfire under control. Smiling, he escorted Anne back upstairs to check on Keelan. He knew no matter what, Meryn was going to be Meryn. Without a doubt, he would be sitting in on those introductions with the Committee; he wouldn't miss it for the world.
CHAPTER SIX
Later that evening, after dinner, Anne found herself back in Keelan's room with Kendrick. Throughout the day, Kendrick had been attentive and supportive. He hadn't judged her for watching anime and even began watching it along with her, despite it being a boy's love series.
She peeked out at him from behind her iPad. She had tried to dive into a new book, but found that, for once, reality was better than fiction. Every time she started a sentence, her mind wandered back to Kendrick. Every time they touched, she could feel a jolt of raw need race through her body. When she had been scared at the thought of killer zombies, he comforted her. His arm had been warm, and the second he pulled her close, she realized she had never felt safer in her life.
But Keelan was her mate, wasn't he? She shook her head. He had to be; he had told his family that she was.
"Kendrick?"
"Hmmm?" Kendrick's eyes stayed glued to the massive book he had been reading earlier.
"Has anyone ever made a mistake claiming their mate?" she asked.
He closed the heavy tome and turned in his chair to face her. "There have been a few documented cases, mostly amongst witches, where a mistake was made. Why?"
"Why witches? Why not the others?"
"Because witches are the only race that finds its mates by having dreams; we rely on sight alone. Vampires and shifters can smell their mates, although with vampires, it's their mate's blood they scent, not their bodies. The fae can see the aura of their mates, but witches have only their dreams," he explained.
"But Colton said that he had dreamt of Rheia, and he's a shifter, right?"
Kendrick set the book down on the long table in front of him. "Sometime last year, the matriarchs of Lycaonia went to Elder Airgead with concerns that their sons' mates were out in the world and dying. So, the elder cast a spell that would bring their mates to them. Aiden was the first to dream of his mate, which was Meryn."
"All of the warriors are dreaming of their mates, even if they aren't witches?"
He nodded. "I believe that, since it was a witch who cast the spell, it influenced how the men would find their mates."
"And the women dreamt too?" Anne hugged her iPad to her chest.
Kendrick looked at her with a serious expression. "So I've been told. Why? Did you have dreams as well?"
Anne looked away. "Yes."
"Dreams are tricky. People usually remember what they see but not how they felt, and that can change the dream dramatically. Personally, I think they are the worst way to find one's mate, but who am I to judge?"
She heard him turn, and when she looked back, he had picked up his book again and was reading. Wasn't he going to ask her who she had dreamt of? Did he not ask because he knew she was Keelan's? This was so confusing!
She stood. "Keelan is all set for the night, I think I'll turn in. It's been the longest day of my life."
Kendrick stood, which made her smile. All of the men had courtly manners; the simple gesture made her feel special.
"Despite the outrageous changes in your life, I have to say you handled yourself with grace and intelligence. I know of much older individuals who would have broken down today, yet you came through the day shining brightly."
Anne felt her cheeks begin to burn. "I did faint when they first told me about Keelan."
Kendrick inclined his head. "As any normal person would do after finding out the dire circumstances of someone they care about."
Anne felt her eyes fill at his praise. "I don't think I could have done so well without you. Thank you, Kendrick."
"You are most welcome. Sweet dreams, Anne." Kendrick gave a slight bow.
Unsure whether she should curtsey in response, she did the next best thing. " 'Night," she mumbled and ran from the room.
She didn't stop running until she was leaning against the closed door to her own guest room. Drat that man for affecting her so much.
Mindlessly, she changed out of her clothes and into a sleep shirt. A quick trip to the bathroom left her with a clean face and freshly brushed teeth. She pulled back the covers and slid between icy sheets.
I bet Kendrick could warm these for me.
I mean with magic! Ahhh! Stupid hormones!
Anne pulled the covers over her head.
I wish I knew what to do!
Slowly her own body heat began to warm the bed and she drifted off to sleep.
*****
"Hurry up! Kendrick and the boys are waiting!" Keelan pulled her hand as they ran through the woods.
"Keelan, slow down!" Anne laughed. Keelan looked back at her, his usual smile shining brightly.
"I'm sorry for the confusion, it's my fault." Keelan navigated them through branches and low hanging limbs.
She was about to ask him what he was talking about when they ran out into a clearing. In front of them, a large picnic was laid out in the afternoon sun. Kendrick was laughing and wrestling with three auburn haired little boys who looked to be about three.
"Come on." Keelan tugged at her hand, but she couldn't move forward.
She knew without a shadow of doubt that the boys were hers. Tears filled her eyes; the children were so beautiful.
A cloud moved overhead, casting a long shadow. She looked at Kendrick then at Keelan. Who was the father of her sons? She looked back at Kendrick. He was sitting up, watching the boys as they started eatin
g their lunches. He was waiting patiently, a gentle smile on his face.
"Who is my mate?" she whispered.
Keelan leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. "Ask Darian."
She turned to ask him what he meant, but the dream began to fade. She screamed, reaching for the boys to protect them from the darkness.
"Anne!" She heard Kendrick calling out to her.
She opened her eyes and sat up, gasping for air.
"Anne! Are you okay?" Kendrick sat at the edge of her bed, a worried look on his face.
Remembering the happy dream with Keelan and her sons made the darkness of reality that much harder to face. She buried her face in her hands and wept. There was no happy family for her. Keelan still lay in a coma in the next room, and the boys' laughter was a fading memory.
Warm arms enveloped her in a tight embrace. She held on to Kendrick's solid frame and laid her head against his chest. She let the rhythmic thudding of his heartbeat soothe her. For the first time since her parents had passed away, she didn't feel like she was all alone. Everyday in school, she had passed by people, never receiving more than a second glance or a nod as they walked by. At the hospital where she had trained, the only physical contact she had was when she reached out to help a patient. Did he know how intoxicating the very warmth of his skin was to her?
After a few minutes, he broke the silence. "Do you want to talk about it?"
She sniffled. "How did you know I was dreaming?"
"I heard you call out."
"Oh, no! Do you think I woke anyone?" She didn't think she could face anyone else if they came to see if she was okay.
She felt him shake his head. "I don't think so. The only reason I heard you was because I had just awakened from a dream myself and was reading."
"What did you dream?"
"It was a warm dream. It was bittersweet because it was wonderful but had to end."
"It was almost like because it was so wonderful the act of waking made it a nightmare," she whispered.