Chapter 37 #3
“And you? Will you be joining Bonnie and me or do you have to talk business immediately? It’s nice to have a girl in charge for once.”
“I ate with Maddox earlier, but to be honest, I could eat something small—dessert maybe,” I said, sitting down at the table. Shane came over and took a seat next to Bonnie, and we all got to know one another a little better.
Heather was a strong woman, and she used it to build up other women. It was apparent when she spoke. I found her to be absolutely brilliant and was disappointed when I needed to excuse myself to spend some time learning more about her husband.
“No worries. We will find time to chat again; I am certain of it.” Her smile guaranteed it.
Looking around the lobby, I spotted Maddox and Matthew sitting at a table with Ronan. I had no idea what they were talking about, and their faces revealed nothing.
“What are we talking about?” I asked, walking up to the table.
“Nothing too terribly interesting. Just favorite pastimes and things we have experienced together. We were reminiscing.”
“Ah, well, did you get anything to eat? I can send a waiter over.”
“No, thank you, I am fine. Knowing Bonnie, there is a truckload of food in our cabin, and I don’t want it all to go to waste.” He stood up from the chair. “So, when are we going to find out why you brought us here, Joslyn?”
“Well, one of the reasons is so that I could meet everyone and get to know them. I will discuss the other matter tonight after you have had time to rest and get settled.”
“Fair enough. I am going to see what my wife is up to. See if we can get one of these guys to take us to our cabin.”
“There is a key in your bag for your cabin and also one for a golf cart parked out front. It will have the same number on it as the cabin you are staying in. Avoids confusion,” Maddox said as he and Ronan got up from their chairs.
“Cocktails at eight in the library?” Matthew said, turning around again.
“Yes, eight o’clock,” I confirmed.
“How long before the next arrival?” I asked, turning to Maddox.
“About half an hour,” he answered.
“Ronan, is Heather a cryptid or is she human?” I wanted to ask before I forgot.
“She is a shapeshifter just like Matthew. Oscar’s wife is a werewolf like ‘im and Caspien’s wife is actually a ‘uman. Witches tend not to marry witches, transfer of energy and all dat. Couples become power hungry and try to—do things dey shouldn’t. Cas is chill though, level-headed dude.”
“Thank you. It wasn’t even a question that I thought to ask—until Heather was in front of me. She was so beautiful, I assumed she was a cryptid.”
“That’s absurd.” Maddox broke in. “You are divinely beautiful and are a human.” He was utterly offended by my statement.
“I just meant that she is inhumanly beautiful,” I said, trying to cover my tracks and failing miserably.
The two men standing in front of me had a look of total bewilderment plastered on their faces.
“Just stop talking. You aren’t helping the matter. She is no more beautiful than you are, and I am so sorry that you can’t see that,” Maddox scolded.
“What ‘e just said,” Ronan proclaimed as he walked away, shaking his head.
Maddox placed his hand on the small of my back, and a chill ran down my spine. Dammit, I hate that I can’t control that reaction to him. I looked up at him and he was smiling devilishly.
“If you want, we can slip into a room somewhere and I can remind you how beautiful I think you are.” I blushed but controlled my breathing.
“I don’t think so, not right now. I have a mental list of things I need to do, and you, my love, are not on the list.”
He gave me an exaggerated pout and then smiled. I looked up and saw Matthew and his family heading toward the front doors.
“I will see you tonight. It was so nice meeting you all,” I said, waving my hand in their direction.
Heather smiled warmly and Matthew nodded. Shane smiled and made a small wave as he followed his parents out the door. Maddox leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“You did great.”
He pulled me into a hug and held me for a few moments. I could feel his nose on the top of my head inhaling my scent. Another thing that I found extremely sexy. I ran my hands under his sports coat and let my nails trail over his back, his shirt barring me access.
“I am going to need you to not start something that you absolutely are unwilling to finish at this moment.”
“Then stop sniffing me,” I responded as I slapped his ass and pulled away. “Behave.”
* * *
When the next vehicle arrived, we again stepped out to greet them.
Ronan opened the back door on the side of the vehicle that was closest. A striking woman stepped out of the car.
She was tall and broad, but was very feminine at the same time.
Her hair was long and a deep red—it was thick and healthy and cascading in curls all around her.
Her eyes were a beautiful gold color that hid amber flecks.
Her skin looked as though it had been kissed by the sun.
She was wearing a maxi dress. Something comfortable for traveling—how I also liked to operate.
She wore flip-flops and the brightest red nail polish on her toes and fingers.
She smiled at me and immediately closed the gap.
“You must be Joslyn,” she said, wrapping her arms around me.
“It is so nice to meet you. Your grandfather used to talk about you every chance he got.” I hugged her back.
Her comment put a smile on my face. The pleasant woman released me but kept ahold of my hands. “My name is Alexandra—call me Lex.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” I said when we parted.
When I brought my attention back to my surroundings, I realized that there were two more people standing there.
The man was absolutely enormous. He was a great deal taller than Lex, and she wasn’t short.
His hair was short, curly, and black as night.
His beard was trimmed close; his skin was tan, and his muscles bulged in every direction beneath his shirt.
“Oscar.”
I approached the giant man with my hand extended. He took my hand in his and gently shook it.
“Joslyn.” His voice was so deep. “This is my daughter, Uryah—you can call her Rye. We all do.”
He put his arm around a girl very near my own age.
She had curly red hair just like her mother.
Hers was a bit shorter though—just past her shoulders.
Her eyes were the same gold and amber mosaic, and her skin just as tan.
She wasn’t as tall as her parents and nowhere near as broad, but there was an edge to her that gave her an air of danger.
She wasn’t someone I would want to piss off, but she did look like someone I may want in my corner.
“Rye? It’s so nice to meet you,” I responded, offering my hand. She took it in hers and shook it.
“It’s nice to meet you. Phenomenal really, not that I didn’t like Ray because I definitely did. I’m just happy to see a little more heart and a little less testosterone. Men get worked up so easy.”
These women were not afraid to voice their opinions to these men, not even in mixed company, and that made me feel a kinship that I deeply appreciated. They were all making me feel very at ease and comfortable in my own skin.
“She will be the werewolf in charge when I step down. You two will be spending time together eventually.” He beamed as he talked about his daughter. It was very apparent that she was an only child and his pride and joy.
“Well, with a mindset like hers, I think we are going to get along just fine, and she will probably be one of my biggest allies.”
“Wise woman,” he said, smiling at me with perfect teeth and dimples.
“Well, come on, let’s go inside and get you guys set up and fed,” Ronan said as he guided everyone toward the lobby doors.
* * *
It was almost three o’clock when the final car arrived carrying the witch and his family. These were not bloodline members, but they certainly deserved the same respect. Especially since they were voted in; it was proven that people wanted them in that position—at least Caspien anyway.
His wife Katrina was human; she was also very beautiful. Her hair was light brown and cut into an angled bob. Her eyes were almond-shaped and blue, and she was very slender. She had long, thin legs and arms that added to her grace. She had the body of a ballet dancer, along with grace.
Caspien was tall with a narrow frame. He too looked like a dancer, and I wasn’t sure that he wasn’t. His arms and legs had definition that I could detect under his thin tee and golf shorts. His hair was dark brown, buzzed close to his head, and he was covered in tattoos.
His daughter and nephew looked a lot alike.
Initially I thought they might be brother and sister.
Then I remembered Maddox saying it was Caspien’s daughter and his nephew that would be accompanying them.
Sonya’s hair was long and straight. She didn’t look as though she had any gifts, but what were witches supposed to look like?
I was pretty sure there was no way for a human to detect a cryptid if they didn’t want them to.
Caspien’s nephew Andrew was lanky and long with piercing blue eyes and sharp features that matched the rest of his body.
He looked as though he didn’t mind causing a little trouble from time to time.
His hair was brown but slightly darker, and it was straight—not cut close to his head.
It was choppy and textured, framing his face and hanging in his eyes.
It was difficult not to stare at him. He was almost my idea of what a faerie would look like, minus the pointed ears.
Caspien dominated the conversation and introduced everyone. Katrina seemed shy and so did his daughter. I assumed I would get a chance to know them better over the course of the next few days. I hoped to anyway; I would probably be busier than anyone.
Maddox guided the last group into the building, and we showed them around and set them up with everything they needed.
We sat together and had some food before everyone made their way to their cabins to rest and get ready for this evening.
They would learn the full nature of my asking them to be here during the cocktail party.
At least that was the plan. Fingers crossed—everything goes well.
We walked out with the four of them and bid the witch and his family farewell for now.
We had a few hours to kill before we needed to even get ready.
Time to breathe was something that I was extremely grateful for.