My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(7)

Meryn shrugged. "They're not so bad. They don't wrap themselves around me like an octopus the way Amelia does."

Micah knew in that moment that the twins would walk through fire for the tiny human. He had a feeling Pip would be no different. He was about to ask what she meant when a loud alarm interrupted their lunch. All eyes turned to Meryn.

"What is that?" Gavriel asked.

"The front door alarm," Meryn explained.

"Front door?"

"Yeah, you know, the only door into the city. The big ass door. If that's not the front door, what is?"

"What does the alarm mean," Bethy asked.

Meryn tapped her lips. "Either someone is sneaking in, or someone is sneaking out."

"Well, which one is it?" Aiden growled.

Meryn shrugged. "No idea."

"How do we find out?" Micah asked.

"Go look," she advised.

Aiden and Adriel left at a run.

Meryn shook her head. "Seriously, I hafta think for everyone sometimes." She pulled out her laptop from the bag by her chair and opened it up. Everyone watched as the alarm blared.

With a few taps of her fingers the loud alarm stopped. She stared at her screen. "Well, it's someone coming into the city. Three someones. It looks like they are explaining things to Adriel." She closed her laptop.

"Adriel is leading them toward the tunnel so they are probably coming here."

Micah exchanged looks with Declan, Etain and Grant. "How in the hell did they get here?"

"We're about to find out," Meryn said grinning.





CHAPTER TWO





Serenity followed behind the huge Unit Commander. She felt like an idiot. Of course they hadn't been expecting them, they moved so quickly after the Witch Council meeting that Noctem Falls hadn't been notified. It was a miracle they hadn't been shot.

She was surprised when they floated down to Level One. From everything she read about the vampire city, Level One was known as the Royal Level. Queen Aleksandra told her that Prince Magnus had taken a personal interest in curing the virus, but she assumed that meant he publicly supported any medical efforts. Why were they here?

As they pass a hallway Aiden pointed. "The infirmary and labs are down that way, along with the meeting room the doctors have been using. Magnus spared no expense when ordering equipment. Before he got sick he was working around the clock in an effort to help the children." Aiden stopped and looked at them. "I have a deep respect for him as a leader," he said quietly before continuing past the tunnel.

Serenity exchanged looks with Laelia and Radclyffe. Aiden's quiet statement spoke volumes about the vampire prince. She was doubly glad she ignored the council to come. Men like Prince Magnus were rare, especially in leadership positions.

When Adriel opened the door without knocking, Serenity looked back at Radclyffe and Laelia. They both looked as surprised and nervous as she felt.

Adriel lifted his arm and pointed to the dining room. "Luckily you caught us at lunch time, so we will be able to get you up to speed."

When Serenity walked in she was shocked to see Kendrick Ashwood sitting at the table munching away on a sandwich. "Kendrick!" she exclaimed.

Kendrick looked up, inhaled and started to choke on his lunch. Aiden pointed and laughed. "Not so funny when it happens to you is it?" he teased as he sat down next to dark-haired young man.

Kendrick stood pounding his chest. Scowling at her fiercely he walked over to them. "What on earth are you three doing here?" he demanded.

"We've come to help," Serenity said simply.

Kendrick looked from her to Radclyffe then to Laelia. He pinched the bridge of his nose before giving Laelia a sour look. "You couldn't stop them?"

Laelia smiled and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. "We've missed you too." She looked around. "What's for lunch?" She glided easily past Kendrick to take an empty seat.

"Oh, I like her already," Rheia said. "Are you a nurse?"

Laelia laughed. "In a way, yes."

Kendrick exhaled and pointed to them. "This is Serenity Meadowsweet, the temple head for the Water Temple in Storm Keep. The two who should have hogtied her and kept her home are her best friends and water temple dedicates Radclyffe and Laelia Juniper."

Radclyffe clapped a hand on Kendrick's shoulder. "You're the only one who likes tying people up old man. Don't project that kink on to me and my mate." He walked past Kendrick to join Laelia at the table.

Kendrick rolled his eyes and pointed her to the table. "You might as well sit down."

She gave him a flat look. "Thanks ever so much," she said sarcastically taking the seat next to Radclyffe.

Kendrick sat down next to a woman who was trying to catch her breath from laughing. "Oh hush you," he said smiling.

"My name is Anne Ashwood, Kendrick's mate," the woman said introducing herself.

Kendrick looked around wincing. "We should do introductions again."

The dark-haired young man next to Aiden popped up out of his chair waving his hand. "Let me! Let me!" he begged.

Serenity was shocked at the gentle smile on Kendrick's face as he nodded to the youngster. He wasn't known for his patience in Storm Keep. In fact, she had heard many a witch create dares involving approaching Kendrick for a spell or advice. He was legendary for being grouchy and ill-tempered. Maybe being mated had mellowed him.