Chapter Seven #2
Augustus thought it over. “If she works out, it’d be worth it.”
“The human world has gotten boring anyway,” Rory added.
“If I have to write up another contract for an entitled actor or senator, I’ll quit and become a warrior myself,” Connor threatened.
Aiden smiled. “I’d never turn down an Armstrong.”
Hunter smirked. “Not just covering the warriors’ asses now, is it? Not if you’re moving here.”
Meryn looked up at Kiera. “I added a new category to the database for suits. Hurry up and judge them before you start working, so you won’t be a workplace violation.”
Kiera laughed. “Thank you, Meryn. I needed that.”
“No charge.”
There were a few dings, and Meryn began typing. “Noah wants to know why I added a new category to the database.” She handed her phone to Nigel. “Can you get a picture of Rory? I need one shot that shows his face, the one that shows his collarbones from the shirt opening.”
Nigel took the phone and walked over. “Think of all the pretty young ladies that will appreciate your picture,” he said and held up the phone.
Rory smiled in a sensual manner, then posed with his head slightly back for the second picture.
When Nigel handed Meryn the phone, Rory looked at her. “Didn’t she say someone named Noah asked about the category?”
Nigel grinned. “Noah is pretty too.”
Rory shrugged. “I cannot deny anyone my visage.”
Ryuu walked in. “Lady Kiera, your uncle is here. I took the liberty of escorting him to the front waiting room.”
Kiera turned and looked at Hunter with trembling lips. “What do I do?”
Hunter smiled lazily, stood and cracked his knuckles.
She grabbed his hand. “You can’t beat him! At least… not yet, right?” she asked, looking to Meryn, then Augustus.
Augustus stood. “Cousin, let’s say hello to your mate’s family, then we’ll come back here and plan his demise.”
Hunter grunted, then held out his hand to help Kiera stand. Once on her feet, he wrapped an arm around her.
“Kendrick, take down that soundproofing, I wanna eavesdrop,” Meryn said.
Kendrick waved his hand and the ambient noises of the house returned.
Kiera stared, then shook her head.
“Bro, heads up.” Rory said, then tossed Augustus a leather portfolio.
“Thanks. Let’s go,” he said, and led them from the room.
*****
Kiera walked with Hunter into the drawing room.
When they entered, her uncle stood. She never quite knew what to make of him.
He looked just enough like her father that in the past it softened her stance and had her capitulating more than she should have, but after what the children told her, it made looking at him difficult.
“Uncle,” she said, as Hunter steered her to a small sofa across from him. Augustus took a wingback chair, set down the leather portfolio on the table between them and her uncle, and they all sat down.
Her uncle looked from the portfolio, to Hunter to Augustus. “My name is Ellar Sorrel, Kiera’s uncle. And the two of you are?”
“Hunter Armstrong, Kiera’s mate. This is my cousin, Augustus. Since you’re here, we wanted to take the opportunity to say hello.”
Kiera saw her uncle’s features tighten at the word ‘mate’.
Smiling pleasantly, he turned back to her. “Kiera, are Keran and Nicol with you?”
She nodded, then shook her head. “They’re staying at the Armstrongs. Myra and Johann absolutely adore them and wanted them to spend a few days there. I didn’t have the heart to say no when I saw how much they loved having grandparents for the first time.”
Her uncle raised a brow. “Grandparents?”
Hunter chuckled low. “We know you’re busy with the Academy and we’re young. We don’t mind taking the kids of your hands for a bit.”
“That won’t be necessary. They are my brother’s children, I have a duty to them,” Ellar countered.
“Uncle, you’ve done so much for us already. Now that I have Hunter’s support, taking my brother and sister in won’t be a hardship. I hate to imagine how much they have been a distraction to you,” she said, then smiled gently. “I know how much you love your work.”
For a moment, his expression softened, then he shook his head. “I expect them back in two days. We’ll have our normal family dinner, I’m assuming you’ll be there.”
Kiera squeezed Hunter’s hand desperately, but kept her voice calm. “Of course.”
Ellar stood, then looked down at Hunter. “No need for you to come. It’s family only,” he said, then gave a short nod, and walked from the room. Moments later they heard the front door open and close.
Augustus held up a finger when she opened her mouth. “Kendrick, can you come in here for a moment, I’d like to hear more about your book restoration project.”
When Kendrick walked in Augustus pointed to his ear, then around the room.
Kendrick’s eyes narrowed and he began to whisper softly. From under the table, a small glowing yellow speck floated towards him. “Covers and spines haven’t been the problem, it’s the interiors. Older inks fade dreadfully,” he continued, keeping up the ruse.
Over the next minute, no less than fifteen small golden motes of light had gathered in his hands. “If you want us to really make some progress, we’ll have to look into…” mid-sentence, he crushed the lights and they were gone.
They all made their way back to the living room where he cast another soundproofing spell.
Kiera sat down as her legs were just about to give out. “He bugged us, that fast?”
“Asshole,” Meryn muttered.
“Was anything said in here while we were gone? The soundproofing was taken down,” Hunter asked.
Pip giggled. “Meryn talked about her lovely visit with the council.”
Meryn flashed them a weird ‘v’ sign with her hands.
Kiera turned to Augustus. “Isn’t bugging a unit estate illegal?”
“Absolutely it is. Two problems.” He held up one finger. “One, we don’t have any proof. Two. Even if we did, they probably wouldn’t do anything.”
Kiera took a deep breath. “I don’t care if it’s a duty of not, we can’t send the kids back.”
Augustus picked up the portfolio and winked at her. “Of course not.”
“What was the deal with that anyway?” she asked.
“He knew I wasn’t simply sitting in because I was Hunter’s cousin. He probably assumed I was a lawyer. He eyed that portfolio thinking we had already drafted something,” Augustus explained.
She sat back. “The two days,” she whispered.
“Exactly. He bought himself two days to get his ducks in order. Not for the kids to visit my aunt and uncle.”
Hunter leaned forward. “What’s in it?”
Augustus opened it up. A lonely, empty legal pad was taken out. “Not a damn thing.”
Meryn rubbed her hands together. “I love it. You faked him out.”
“And bought us some time. He’ll regret giving me those two days,” Augustus claimed.
“Meryn, when can you secure those interviews?” Rory asked.
“One sec,” she said, took out her phone and started tapping. A minute later when she set it down, she was grinning slyly.
“What did you do?” Aiden asked.
“Why would you think I did anything?” she asked, looking innocent.
“Because you’re wearing your adorable, devious grin,” he said, then tapped her lips.
Her phone vibrated on the table. She picked it up and put it on speaker. “Hey Magnus, you’re on speaker, phone is on the dining room table.”
“Meryn, sweetheart, did I upset you?”
“You could never,” Meryn said.
“Then why did you reach out to Sebastian to ask me about an interview? As if you were some random parasite,” Magnus demanded.
“I didn’t want to be all spoiled and what not.”
“Humph! Are those brain-dead witches bullying you?”
“No, we are trying to show the peeps in Storm Keep that the unit warriors aren’t bad. So, our new public relations guy, who is Hunter’s cousin, suggested interviews with important leaders and stuff,” she explained.
“We have our own public relations team now?”
“I know right!” Meryn answered, sounding excited.
“Can I assume your new public relations associate is there?”
“Yes, Your Highness. My name is Rory Armstrong. I will be handling all public relation issues here in Storm Keep for Meryn and the unit warriors.”
“Excellent. Meryn, give him Sebastian’s email and send over a few times that work. I will get to it tomorrow.”
“Okie dokie.”
“Visit soon.”
“I will.” She disconnected.
Rory’s eyes narrowed. “Does that make me a random parasite?”
Meryn laughed. “He meant well.”
Moments later, her phone vibrated, and again, she answered it and placed it on the table.
“You’re here with everyone Auntie.”
“Meryn, is something going on there? Are you able to speak freely?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did I get an interview request you sent to Portia?”