Chapter Fourteen #3
Aiden spoke up. “Karl made it sound like he was doing the Appleblossoms a favor by maintaining their accounts for them before Zoe came of age.”
“If Karl had admitted to doing as much, we would have overruled his efforts,” Daia said.
“He freely admitted to it after the fact,” Meryn pointed out.
“I believe it would very much be a case of ‘asking for forgiveness not permission’,” Daia replied.
“Why does everyone want money?” Meryn asked.
Everyone turned to look at her.
“You know what I mean! Zoe’s money was taken and Kiera’s douche uncle wanted her…” She stopped. “Is this a pattern?”
Kiera turned to Hunter. “Nope,” she said.
He nodded. “My mate has ‘noped’ further discussion for now.”
Meryn stared. “I thought your string magic was cool, your ‘nope’ power is even better.”
Kiera laughed. “You can do it too.”
Daia drained her teacup. “I agree with Ms. Sorrel. I think we have gone over much this afternoon. Instead of going down rabbit holes, let us figure out our next steps.”
“Business as usual for now,” Caiden said. He looked over to Daia. “But maybe cut back on some of the rumors.”
Daia pointed to Kiera. “She has ‘noped’ new discussions.”
“The rumors aren’t from the Witches’ Council, are they?” Caiden asked.
Daia simply shook her head. “Nothing overtly planned, I cannot speak to what may have happened behind closed doors.”
Meryn pointed to Caiden. “Business as usual, like Caiden said. Nothing changes between the Witches’ Council and the warriors.
I’ll chase the money to see what’s going on there, and we find a way into the Academy.
Daia if you notice anything different with your magic that may be linked to that grey string, call me,” Meryn said, delicately placing her saucer over her teacup.
Daia stood. “Thank you, for your trust in me.”
The men stood.
Meryn waved her off. “I have a built-in asshole detector, so I didn’t doubt you.”
“What an amazing gift. It would make navigating politics much easier,” Daia said.
Meryn sighed. “Everyone says I’m not allowed to do magic or master politics. For like world safety or whatever.”
Daia winked at her. “Later when things… settle. Come visit me. I can go over the basics of political science.”
“Deal,” Meryn agreed.
Pip showed Daia out and the men sat back down.
Kendrick immediately turned to Kiera. “Whenever you are ready. I would like to run more tests using what Meryn showed you.”
Kiera looked down at her hands, then up at him. “You want to see who else may be affected by mental magic?”
He nodded. “This could change everything.”
Hunter wrapped his arms around her. “No pressure or anything,” he said, practically growling at Kendrick.
Kendrick smiled softly. “Of course.”
Meryn stacked the coffee creamer on the saucer.
“Humans want immortality, paranormals for the most part have varying degrees of that. And according to Lena, money isn’t that hard to get when you can live hundreds of years.
So, whatever that money is for has to be something a paranormal would covet. ”
Kiera thought it over. “Not every paranormal has money. I didn’t even know I had money until this week.”
Hunter nuzzled her neck. “I thought we were in ‘nope’.”
“I’m about to leave anyway and I’m curious,” she said.
Meryn giggled. “So, a broke ass paranormal has something that has the shady upper echelon of Storm Keep scrambling for money.”
Kiera was laughing when black cords wrapped themselves around Meryn. “Meryn!” She watched in horror as they floated around the small woman.
Aiden stood, gun half drawn. “What do you see?”
“Black cords.”
Ryuu simply appeared behind Meryn. “It’s him,” he said.
“Him who?” Kiera demanded. “What do we do?”
Aiden walked over to kneel beside Meryn, taking her hands. “We wait.”
*****
“Dude,” Meryn said, looking around. They weren’t in the normal swanky living room. This looked more like a rolling meadow.
“This is goodbye.”
She looked at Xavier. “You said that before.”
“I mean it this time. The final payment was made.”
“Soooo, you just gonna fuck off?”
He laughed. “No. I’m waiting for the Gods’ Assembly, then everything I have worked for will hopefully come to fruition.”
“Good luck?”
“If I get what I desire, it may not end well for you or this world.”
“Oh. Then I hope you fail.”
He chuckled. “You led me on a merry chase.”
“Wrong. I don’t run for anything.”
He hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something.
Meryn took a chance. “Wanna make a deal?”
His eyes brightened. “What did you have in mind?”
“Help me unravel the centuries of clusterfuck that is Storm Keep.”
His smile widened. “You anticipate me so beautifully.”
“What can I offer?” she asked.
“Revenge.”
“Cool, against who?”
“The one who caused the centuries of clusterfuck that is Storm Keep.”
“Terms?” Meryn asked, taking in his delighted expression. He wanted the freedom to make this deal.
“I give you one piece of vital information, that if you figure out what it is, will begin the ‘unravel’ process for you.”
“So, it’s based entirely on my ability to decipher your clue?”
“Yes.”
“Go on,” she urged.
“In return, when you figure things out, and you seek your justice, speak my name at the end, so they know I won.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. That would be more than enough.”
“You hate whoever this is, don’t you?”
He remained silent.
“Deal. What’s my hint?”
“The Witches’ Council weren’t the only ones handing out contracts,” he said, his eyes blazing red.
Meryn nodded and turned to leave.
“Meryn.”
She half turned. “Yeah?”
“Good luck,” he said, echoing her earlier sentiment.
“Thanks.”
As she walked, fog moved in across the grass, it went dark, and then she was back.
*****
Kiera watched as the black cords gently untangled themselves and fell away. “It’s gone.”
Meryn yawned. “What?”
“You know damn well what,” Kendrick said.
Aiden laid his head against her belly.
She ran a hand over his hair. “He said goodbye.”
Kiera watched feeling confused. “The demon did? Why do you sound sad?”
Meryn frowned. “I don’t know. He wasn’t all that bad. Gonna kinda miss him.”
Aiden against her stomach just groaned out loud then sat up. “You don’t miss demons.”
“Whatever.” She looked at Kendrick. “He said he was waiting for the Gods’ Assembly then everything he worked for should come to pass or something.”
Kendrick narrowed his eyes. “Did you make another deal?”
Meryn’s mouth dropped. “Were you listening in?”
Aiden thumped his head gently against her belly.
“What was it this time?” Kendrick asked.
“This time?” Caiden demanded. “This time?! As in she’s done this more than once!”
Meryn looked over to Kiera. “Men huh? So emotional.”
“I saw black cords around you.”
“Cool!”
Kiera couldn’t help but smile. Meryn had a way of making everything feel like it was gonna be okay.
“Not. Cool!” Caiden yelled.
“He’s handling this worse than Brennus,” Meryn observed.
“The deal? Meryn,” Kendrick said, reminding her.
“Oh. He gave me a hint, and when we finally find the bad guy I have to say his name. Like ‘Tell them Xavier sent you’,” she said, in a terrible New York accent.
“That’s it?” he asked.
“Yeah, unless he’s laid a trap where his name triggers a bomb or something, we should be in the clear,” Meryn responded.
“What was the hint?” Caiden asked.
“That the Witches’ Council weren’t the only ones giving out contracts,” she replied.
“That’s…” Caiden started,
Meryn turned to him. “Say impossible, I freaking dare you.”
Caiden shook his head. “Business as usual.” He looked toward the kitchen. “I’m gonna go start dinner.”
Aiden stood. “Drills?” he asked, looking at Hunter with a hopeful expression.
Kiera’s phone buzzed, it was Keran texting her using Myra’s phone to come back to play. She hopped off Hunter’s lap. “I’m heading to your parents’ to play with the kids before dinner.”
Hunter stood then looked at Aiden. “I’ll grab the guys. We can update them while you beat us,” Hunter offered.
Kiera knew Aiden needed to burn off his anxiety. The guys were saints for volunteering.
“Good man,” Aiden said. He kissed the top of Meryn’s head. Looked at Nigel, Neil, then Pip, then headed toward the back door. The boys moved closer to Meryn.
Hunter kissed Kiera sweetly, then followed his Unit Commander outside.
Kiera walked toward the front, then stopped by Meryn. “Why do you think I could see the black cords?”
Meryn laughed. “How could you not see them?”
“Fair point.” She ruffled Meryn’s hair, then went out the front door.
Spending time with Keran and Nicol in Johann’s garden sounded perfect to her right now.