Chapter 3
Beryl
Guardians of Glitter Bomb Territory
I was all for flying to the GGB by wing power, but Sermon wouldn’t hear of it.
“Not only will my shoulders kill me by the time we get there, but a hundred miles out from the coast and Gaia is going to ride on my back,” he said.
Most dragons didn’t mind their mates riding on their backs, but Gaia did it without shifting into her humanoid form.
“That’s because I’m not going to plunge to my death if something happens,” Gaia shrugged.
So, Other World gateways it was. It was my cousin Bernard who drove down to the lake to pick us all up in his friend’s truck.
It was extended cab, but the love birds decided to ride in the back.
Bernard and I talked about everything and anything to keep the topic from landing on Pras Lavender.
It had been his mate who found our grandfather’s book among his dead sister’s belongings.
So he had a front row seat to a lot of stuff I missed out on.
With the wind ruffling our hair, I had to ask how he felt about the memoir. He was a dad now. So maybe he hadn’t had time to read it, but there weren’t many people who were in the same situation as me.
“How do you feel about the memoir?” I finally asked, ripping the bandage off.
“I think it took balls to write it and tell the truth,” Bernard said. “But it doesn’t change anything. Pras’s life and death don’t change. Maybe having all of us know what’s going on helps Pras, but it only reminded me that most people in power are shitheads.”
“Roster’s blood is in our veins,” I whispered, hoping those braving the truck bed wouldn’t hear me.
“So is Pras Lavender’s and Haen’s. So are a lot of peoples’.
Look, Nash and I go round and round with what makes someone a villain,” he sighed, thumbs drumming against the wheel as he spoke.
“I don’t think having one for a grandpa or a great grandpa or whatever makes you one.
It’s not some title you can inherit. Do I feel bad for the people they hurt?
Yeah, I do, but I also feel bad for the people who were hurt by Grady Moore, that whacky elf who led the Meadow Clan, and others and I’m not related to the person who hurt them. ”
He was right, but I couldn’t shake what I was feeling. Something or someone wanted me in the GGB at that celebration, but it wasn’t a feeling I could explain. Maybe I’d have to fight Ferrick or maybe I just needed to bear witness to him leaving Earthside for good.
“You’re as antsy as Nashen and the others,” Bernard said.
“Why aren’t you?” I asked him.
“Because freaking out won’t stop whatever’s coming,” he shrugged.
“We hope for the best and prepare to fight the worst if it comes down to it, cousin. Seriously, that’s what I’ve learned from being a dad.
You worry that everything will go wrong but like ninety-five percent of what you worry about never happens.
I’m not saying not to be watchful, but when you see the farm, you’ll see why I’m not worried.
Security is high and people have come in from everywhere to help. No one wants Ferrick to get loose.”
A bear shifter stood at the only open vehicle entrance to Canton Valley Farm. I should’ve known who he was from all the times I visited the GGB, but I traveled so much that I was lucky I still recognized my cousin.
“Hey, Deon,” Bernard said, rolling down the truck window.
“Deon is from Philip’s brood,” my dragon chimed into my thoughts. “I think he might be Ruben’s biologically, but don’t use that word around the grouchy old bear.”
“I was wondering where Eran took off to. He hasn’t been away from those babies since they were born,” the bear shifter laughed.
“Eh, had to pick up my cousin and his friends,” Bernard said. “How’s it been today?”
“Had to turn back some curious folks who aren’t invited. Ty’s teenage daughter and her friends have tried to sneak in twice. Think they’re going to salt the ceremony grounds. Canton swears he’s about to lock them in the hayloft until this is over,” Deon laughed.
“Fayla is a piece of work,” Bernard nodded. “All good intentions, but she…”
“She’s a teenager,” Deon nodded. “We all got up to dumb stuff back then.”
A car pulled up behind us and Bernard waved to Deon before pulling forward.
“Thanks for letting us stay,” I said to Bernard.
“Don’t piss off the women or omegas. Don’t wake up Brazzen. Seriously, if he’s asleep you keep your mouth shut. Plus, watch out because he’s moving around and likes to hunt toes and if you kick my kid, I’ll toss you out the window. Same goes for your friends.”
I blinked. Bernard had never been a push over, but he’d definitely changed since meeting his mate and having a kid. Maybe he’d changed before that, but it had been too long since I had last seen him to realize it.
“I’m not joking,” Bernard killed the engine. “You can go on in. I need to take Eran his truck back.”
“Are you really okay with having us here?” I arched a brow.
“I am, but things are different now. We’re a family home and not a flop house.
Also, if Nashen hisses at or scratches one of you all, my first question will be what did you do to him or the baby.
Don’t pick up the baby unless he climbs on you or you ask Nashen first. Bree carries him around sometimes.
You’re not Bree. So don’t try that. She’s become Nashen’s new best friend. ”
“Are you okay with that?” I asked.
“Yeah. I like Bree,” Bernard shrugged.
“Then what are you annoyed with?” I asked.
“I’m not annoyed,” Bernard said. “I’m being careful. Careful of what’s going to happen tomorrow morning and careful about bringing three new to Nashen people into the house. That’s his home. You’re family and you’re welcome, but now it comes with a whole new way of being.”
“Is he like mean to you or something?” I arched a brow.
“To me? No. I’m his mate. To the baby? Absolutely not.
Brazzen runs the house. To people who cross secret lynx rules without knowing it?
Not exactly. He’s still postpartum and reacts like a lynx.
I don’t think we’ll have any problems, but if we do, I’ve talked to my parents and you all can stay with them,” Bernard said.
“Look, Nash and Brazzen are my whole world. It’s hard to explain but if they’re not happy, I’m not happy.
Literally, almost lost my mind when he had colic for a few nights because he was so uncomfortable.
I think if your mom hadn’t been there, I might’ve actually lost it.
So, I just want to get through this ceremony and have all the dead men gone.
Pras might’ve been an unsung hero, but it’s time for him to rest and leave the living to their lives.
Now, get out of the truck so that I can take it back to Eran. ”
“I get it,” I said and got out.
He said something about how I couldn’t possibly get it under his breath, but I let it slide. I hadn’t been there as everything unfolded with all the murders and almost murders. Not to mention the hauntings.
“He’s on edge,” my dragon chimed into my thoughts with the understatement of the decade.
I stood on the porch for a long moment while Sermon and Gaia climbed out of the back of the truck. Sermon handed me my duffle, and we all stared at the front door.
“Don’t think its automatic,” Gaia said, trying to break the tension.
Sermon laughed, but I frowned. Once upon a time, I wouldn’t have even knocked on Bernard’s door if he expected me. I didn’t knock this time either.
“I gotta pee,” Gaia said and stepped in front of us to knock on the door.
Bree, who I only recognized from photos and video calls, answered the door, a squirming lynx kitten crawling all over her arms and chest, half-resting against her big pregnant belly. I did my best to keep my thoughts off the family link, but she was the most pregnant egg carrier I’d ever seen.
“Tell me about it,” she grinned as Gaia slipped past her and headed to find the bathroom.
Bree leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and motioned for me and Sermon to come inside.
“Your mum and Bernie don’t like leaving the door unlocked for long.
Locks don’t stop ghosts, but if it makes them feel better,” she shrugged.
The living room looked, well, lived in. Boxes, pillows, strings, and other kitten toys covered all the empty spaces. I recognized a few of them as custom toys that were made by Eran.
“Don’t play on the poles,” Mum called from another room. “They’re for coming down. Also, don’t get stuck in the holes either.”
It took me a second to locate what she was talking about. Fireman style poles were in nearly every room. I’d seen such designs before at Bernard’s parents’ home but never expected him to go through with having them too.
Brazzen toppled out of Bree’s arms and she laughed. He padded over and looked up at Sermon and then at me. He hissed, the hair on his back rising high, and did that sideways jump things I associated more with domestic cats than lynx shifter kittens.
“Brazzie!” Nashen called out and a second later walked into the room.
He had long crimson hair and eyes to match.
He wore one of Bernard’s shirts that fell almost to his knees.
He barely glanced at me as he scooped up his baby and tucked the kitten down his shirt.
A second later, the shirt wiggled around as Brazzen shifted from a kitten to a baby.
“I thought so,” Nashen cooed. “You’re always a grump when you’re hungry. There is food in the kitchen. Take your shoes off. Then clean up whatever the lady dragged in.”
We stared at him for a moment before starting to take our shoes off.
“What? Bernie said to treat you like family,” he said, flashing us a half-grin and heading back through the house.
I was starting to wonder where mum was when she came into the living room with several blankets tucked under her arms. If I didn’t know better, I’d have sworn she was going to tell us to go sleep on the porch with the blankets.
“You’re building a nest here?” I asked, hugging her.
“I don’t think we’re going to make it back to our side of things before Bree lays her egg. Plus, it’s starting to feel like home.”
“How can you be on the Moonscale Council and live here?” I asked.
“By my birthright,” she shrugged. “What do you have against the GGB?”
“Mum, this is a farm and you’re--- You. There isn’t even an ocean here,” I said.
“Don’t need an ocean,” Bree said. “Need to stay hydrated. There is a difference. Plus, it’s only about an hour of flight time to the ocean and your mum flies me out plenty.”
“The baby won’t be a baby forever,” Mum added. “Then we’ll travel again. Traveling didn’t kill you.”
She was telling the truth but I still couldn’t imagine my mother being happy with living on a farm. I was about to ask her again if she was actually happy when the door swung open and Bernard came inside.
“Alpha?” Nashen called from the kitchen.
“It’s me. Everything is still on schedule for Pras,” he called back and motioned for us to follow him into the kitchen. He paused and looked around. “Gaia better not be lathering herself up in all the expensive elven lotions in the bathroom. Those are Nash’s.”
“Mated life has made you a grouch,” I said.
“Mated life has helped me set boundaries,” Bernard countered.
“I’ll go find my mate,” Sermon said and headed off.
Mum and Bree had already made their way back to the kitchen, so I asked Bernard what was wrong again.
“You stayed away this long why couldn’t you wait a few more days?” he finally spat the words out.
“Uh… I have the right to see Pras off. He’s my family too.”
“You’ve never met the man nor his ghost,” Bernard said, lowering his voice. “You could’ve saved your mum and Bree a lot off worrying by laying up on that island for a few more days.”
“Ber, I need to be here. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Don’t stress out the women, the omegas, or my baby,” Bernard said and patted me on the shoulder as he walked toward the kitchen.
“Hey! That’s everyone here except for us and Sermon!”
“That’s my point!” he smirked over his shoulder. “If my kid pulled what you did, I’d lock him in the cupboard until this was all said and done.”