Chapter Ten #2
He rubbed his forehead as he grinned up at her. “I’m going to be a real uncle, the kind that protects.”
“I think you’ll be great.” She kissed them both one more time, then went back inside. Kiera walked over to where everyone was waiting by the door. She looked from Meryn to Aiden and back. “I know we’re not walking.”
Meryn held up keys. “Kendrick is driving me, you, Pip and Ryuu over in Caiden’s SUV and the manly men are taking the ATVs.”
“Sounds good.”
“That’s only because you haven’t seen Genevieve’s tricked out van. That thing has a toilet,” Meryn said, following Pip out the door.
“That does sound nice.” She thought about it for a second. “Where does the poop go?”
Meryn turned and blinked. “I have no idea.”
“Probably a reservoir under the van,” Kendrick explained, then opened the door and helped Meryn into the back of the SUV.
Kiera and Pip joined her in the back, and Ryuu sat next to Kendrick up front.
Meryn frowned. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“Why does it matter?” Kiera asked.
“Cuz, I ordered like twenty-four of them.”
“Holy crap!”
“Definitely crap,” Meryn muttered.
Pip giggled.
Meryn continued. “What if you get in a car accident, like a fender bender and that thing explodes?”
Kiera started laughing, she couldn’t help it, Meryn looked so serious.
Meryn pulled out her phone and put it on speaker.
“Hello Meryn, to what do I owe the honor,” a deep voice asked.
“Magnus, I may have a poop problem.”
“I see. Should I send Ellie over?”
“Not that kind of poop problem.”
“My mistake. Can you elaborate for me?”
“I, in a moment of pure weakness and envy asked my Uncle Bren to order me these cool vans to act as mobile command centers for the units.”
“That sounds brilliant.”
“I thought so too, until Kiera asked where the poop from the toilet goes.”
“Ah, yes. I seem to remember a certain someone asking something similar about Noctem Fall’s city works.”
“Exactly. Do you think that refuse spell can be put on a poop tank?”
“I do not see why not. But, I have to point out that it was a witch’s spell, you are in the city of the witches. They may be best at troubleshooting that for you.”
“They’re a bunch of dicks.”
“I knew they were bullying you!”
“Actually, the Witches’ Council likes me.”
“How did you manage that?”
“I’m taking over the monitoring of all their human contracts to prevent a leak that could expose all paranormals.”
“There was a headache I did not know I had coming.”
“I have it under control, for the most part.”
“I will have Kari pull the file that pertains to the refuse tube installation and see if we cannot find a name for you.”
“Spank you!”
“You are most welcome, darling. And never feel bad about asking us for things you want and need. I know Brennus would be upset if he knew you felt like it was a moment of weakness to ask for something.”
“Magnus those vans are like hundreds of thousands of dollars and he’s getting me one per unit,” Meryn explained.
“Is that without upgrades?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. I will reach out to him and see if we can add bulletproof glass and heavy armor to these vehicles. Especially if you will be sitting in them someday.”
Meryn stared at her phone. “Don’t worry about that, it will be too much. Just get me the poop spell.”
“Do not worry, I will take care of everything.”
“Later.”
“Goodbye, sweetheart.”
Meryn sighed. “He’s so going to get that bulletproof glass and armor added.”
Kiera bumped her shoulder. “He sounds nice.”
“He’s super cool.”
“He spoils you too much, though I do agree that those mobile centers sound brilliant,” Kendrick said, turning into the parking area.
“Ready to lay the smack down?” Meryn asked.
Kiera shook her head. “You’re really giving him too much credit.”
“Let’s go!”
*****
Meryn stood in the tavern staring at the blond man at the bar. She looked utterly disappointed. She looked up at Kiera. “I could probably intimidate that yoyo.”
“I told you.”
Hunter, Aiden, Zev, and Rory all wore matching looks of pity mixed with disgust.
Pip patted her arm in a consoling manner. “You definitely did much better with Hunter.”
Meryn jerked her thumb over to the woman beside him. “That the side chick?”
“Probably. Chloe follows Jaden around all the time.”
Pip scrunched up his nose. “She’s pretty I guess.”
Kiera did have to admit, Chloe was beautiful. She was Jaden’s childhood friend who hovered at the edge of their relationship like a mosquito.
The woman they were staring at turned and noticed they had walked in. “Oh my gosh! Kiera!” She ran over and took her hand. “Please don’t misunderstand Jaden, he and I are just friends. He’s been looking everywhere for you.”
Kiera extricated her hand. “There’s no misunderstanding. I’ve actually found my mate, so all in all, breaking up was great timing.”
Chloe’s face froze. “Who?”
Kiera pointed to Hunter. “That one.”
Chloe’s eyes widened in appreciation. “Whoa.”
“Hey!” Jaden yelled, walked over, and pulled Chloe back. “What do you mean mated? You’re my girlfriend!”
“Ex-girlfriend. We broke up before I came back,” Kiera corrected.
“Does your uncle know?” he demanded.
Hunter stepped between them. “What’s it to you?”
Around them whispers were bouncing around the room.
“They broke up?”
“He said she used him.”
“For what? Kiera’s a good girl and she always earns her own money for her and her siblings.”
Jaden straightened, then pointed his finger in Hunter’s face. “Her uncle thinks I am a better match for her.”
Kiera scoffed. “So, a half-witch is better for me than a shifter?”
Jaden’s face reddened. “A half-witch that can actually do magic,” he threw back.
“Dude, even if half the shit you’ve been saying is true, she’s mated now, so like why are you fucking that dead horse?” Meryn asked.
Kendrick palmed his face and Aiden laughed.
Chloe’s big eyes blinked. “Miss, I think it’s beat a dead horse,” she said, in all seriousness.
Meryn looked at Chloe’s slightly vapid expression, then her eyes drifted down to where Jaden still gripped her wrist.
“Your uncle said we can register our mating and move into his estate.” Jaden puffed up. “We would be living right beside the Academy.”
Chloe reached up and tugged his sleeve. “Jaden, she said she is mated already.”
“Shut up! You’re an absolutely useless whore. I don’t know why I even brought you along.”
Chloe stared down at the floor. “So, you could stay at the Air Temple,” she said softly.
Jaden squeezed and Chloe bent her body toward him in an effort to break free.
“Pip,” Meryn said, in a dark voice.
Pip took a step forward, grabbed Jaden’s throat, and lifted. “You are not being very nice.”
Kiera had to stare. Pip wasn’t that tall, but he was easily keeping Jaden’s feet from touching the floor. When she looked down, she realized the small vampire was levitating off the ground.
Jaden immediately dropped Chloe’s wrist. The woman held it to her chest protectively.
“I heard that there was a ruckus,” a female voice said from behind them.
Kiera inclined her head. “Councilwoman.”
Daia Rosewyn nodded at Kiera and walked up to where Pip held the thrashing Jaden.
“I only caught the last bit, what was he saying?” she asked.
Meryn turned. “You’re the one from the Witches’ Council, the one who wanted the coffee shop.”
“That I am.” She waved at Pip. “I assume the dangling gentleman did something that warranted his lack of oxygen?”
“Dude almost broke Chloe’s arm,” Meryn responded.
Kiera stepped forward. “Jaden is under the delusion that he and my uncle can arrange my mating. Jaden in particular feels he deserves the prestige of being associated with the Head Proctor of the Academy. I tried telling him I’m already mated.”
Daia looked at the men standing off to one side. “Can I assume one of those two standing with the Unit Commander is your new mate?”
Kiera’s eyes were pulled from Jaden’s purple face, and she smiled at Hunter. “I am mated to Hunter Armstrong.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Councilwoman.”
“Chloe, would you like to press charges?” Daia asked, softly.
Chloe shook her head. “No.”
Daia laid a hand on Pip’s shoulder. “Wonderful work, young man. Can you set him down so I can talk to him?”
He smiled brightly at her. “Of course.” He simply let go and Jaden dropped to the floor.
Daia looked down at him. “I am very disappointed in you, Jaden Greymoon. Your scores were respectable when you were tested and here you are, bullying women.”
Jaden rose onto his knees. “Councilwoman, Kiera is my girlfriend.”
Daia looked to Meryn. “Was he this stupid before the oxygen deprivation?”
“Yup. Can’t pin that one on my Pip.”
Daia placed a hand on Kiera’s arm. “Kiera Sorrel has already stated that she is mated. Your previous relationship is very much a moot point.” Her expression hardened. “Furthermore, your disgusting behavior toward a daughter of the Air Temple is very concerning.”
“Councilwoman,” Chloe started, looking afraid.