Chapter Thirteen #3
“Total bust as in not happy with their score?” Daia asked.
“The Academy told them they didn’t have any measurable magic,” Meryn said.
“I see.” She paused. “You’ve already identified they have an unknown magic and neither Caiden Ironwood nor Kendrick Ashwood knows quite what to do with them, am I right? You’re calling me, because you obviously think the Academy was negligent.”
“Bingo! Also, it kinda got me wondering if they could get missed, who else didn’t get tested correctly,” Meryn pointed out.
“Where would you like to meet?”
“Can you come to the Nu estate?” Meryn asked.
“Meryn, you do know there is a current friction between the Ironwoods and the Witches’ Council, right?” Daia said. “I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea.”
“Yeah, but this is different than that.”
Daia sighed.
“People always be sighing around me,” Meryn said, scrunching up her nose.
Light laughter was heard from the phone. “I can’t imagine why.” She hesitated. “Can you ensure my safety? I’m not too proud to admit I am not even close to Caiden Ironwood’s power.
“No one gets to you unless through me,” Meryn responded.
There was still some hesitation.
“I’ll get my squire to fire up the espresso machine with special order, expensive coffee beans from Prince Magnus himself and brownies King Darian ordered for me from éire Danu,” Meryn cajoled.
“Deal!” Daia said. “I’ll be there soon.” Then she hung up.
Both Kendrick and Caiden were frowning.
Zev tilted his head. “She sounded…”
Meryn smiled. “Nice, right? I told you they weren’t bad.”
“They have to be,” Caiden grumbled.
“Dude,” Meryn said, in a flat voice.
Caiden took a deep breath. “My apologies.” He leaned against the deck railing. “What is wrong with this city?”
“I told you it sucked,” Meryn answered.
Konstantine leaned down. “I think that was meant to be rhetorical,” he said.
Meryn shrugged. “I ignore the rules implied with those.” She turned to Pip. “Can you watch for the door? I think she’ll be less afraid if you greet her.”
“Because I’m small?” Pip asked.
“Because you’re freaking adorable and you’re the kind of nice that shows in your eyeballs,” Meryn explained.
Pip stared. “It’s in my eyeballs?”
“Yup.”
Aiden shook his head. “Don’t tell him that.” He smiled at Pip. “What she means is that you are kind with a sincerity that is impossible to deny.”
“That is clearly what I said,” Meryn fussed.
“Should I take her to the dining room?” Pip asked, standing.
“Bring her out here,” Meryn said.
Anne placed a hand on her arm. “Meryn there’s no seating out here.”
Meryn didn’t say anything.
Kiera burst out laughing when she realized why the tiny woman wanted to stay out here. “Hunter, help her up.”
Hunter immediately stepped forward and easily lifted Meryn and placed her on her feet.
Blushing, Meryn mumbled her thanks.
Hunter steered her to Aiden so her mate could escort inside. “Meryn, you’re young, human, tiny, ginormously pregnant, the mate to our commander and little sister to our unit leader, if anyone gets free passes all day long on assistance, it’s you.”
“No matter what?” Meryn asked.
“No matter what,” Aedan reassured her.
“Can I get carried around all day?”
Zev nodded. “Absolutely.”
Kendrick waved his hand playfully. “Or we can just float you around like a beach ball.”
Meryn smiled sweetly at Kendrick.
The man’s playful expression disappeared. “What?”
Meryn just continued to look at him thoughtfully, then nodded, before waddling back inside the house. Pip and Aiden right beside her. Nigel and Neil trailing behind.
Hunter leaned down and looked at Kendrick. “Looking kinda pale there, superwitch.”
Kendrick stood. “It’s nothing.” He looked at Anne as he helped her to stand. “She wouldn’t do anything… permanent to me right?”
She reached up and patted his cheek. “Nothing you wouldn’t deserve,” she said, then took his elbow for him to escort her inside.
Zev grabbed Caiden’s arm after Kendrick went inside with Anne. “He’s your… you know,” he waved toward the city.
Caiden nodded. “Yup.”
“Meryn just…” Zev said, looking spooked.
Caiden just shook his head. “Psychological torture? Yup.” He smiled. “Serves him right. She’s not a beach ball.”
Genevieve stuck her head out the door. “We have a guest coming, should we break out the sandwich platter from the other refrigerator?”
Caiden walked towards his mate. “Good idea. I’ll start on a cold salad.”
She stood on tip toe and kissed him. “Thanks!”
They walked inside and shut the door.
Zev, Aedan, Konstatine, Hunter, and Kiera looked at each other.
Hunter rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s like my eldest cousin said. ‘We stay on her good side’.”
Everyone nodded.
Aedan held up his arm and gave a half bow. “After you all. Time to meet a ‘good’ Witches’ Council member.”
Hunter looked down at Kiera.
She shook her head. “I’m okay.”
“If at any point you want to leave, just tap my knee twice,” Hunter offered.
Aedan opened the door. “Or throw a napkin at one of us,” he said, smiling.
“Or just fucking bail,” Zev advised.
“Thanks guys,” she said, walking in last with Hunter.