Shadow Watcher (Darkness #6)(33)

“And now you see.” Delilah laughed and led the way along the path, not bothering to go into the garden.

Next we saw another grassy area where cows and other livestock were held. They weren’t in great supply, but I noticed a dairy area and equipment I thought was for making butter. And this was why everything tasted so fresh. I’d thought we’d spent an arm and a leg on organic produce, but it seemed we made it ourselves.

I had been so preoccupied with learning my mage duties I hadn’t properly looked into how the Mansion ran. It was a glaring black mark on my job as co-leader.

“I didn’t take up all the operations right away, either,” Stefan said in an encouraging tone. “People at the Mansion grow up with all this, so we know most things going into a leadership role. Now that you are underway with your mage duties, I’ll start involving you in all this. It’ll help to share some of the duties.”

“Did you not pick up any of these tidbits when you were sitting in on all those meetings?” Ann asked. A grin peeked through her shock. She knew the answer, the jerk.

“Daydreaming,” I mumbled.

My hand got a squeeze.

Halfway through the tour my body started to ache. As soon as I visibly flagged, Delilah turned back toward the main house.

“I almost don’t want to get to your stage,” Delilah muttered. Tom rubbed her back.

“You’re telling me,” Ann burst out. “If I want a baby, it’s going to be born in a test tube.”

“You plan to live for another thousand years?” Charles badgered.

“If I need to.”

“Nope, won’t work. I want one sooner.”

Ann turned to Charles with an incredulous expression. “Is that right?”

“No fighting,” Delilah chastised. “You’re around pregnant people.”

Charles immediately humbled. Ann continued to stare.

We filed into the main house and found Genevieve sitting behind a computer. She stood immediately and motioned us to follow her. “We are putting you in the largest suite so as to accommodate all the visitors I anticipate you getting. You said Council member Dominicous and his mage Toa will be joining us, correct?”

“Yes. They will be arriving shortly,” Stefan answered.

“And of course the human magic workers.” Genevieve led us through a backdoor. A large facility, separated from the small main house, stretched out in front of us. Three stories and housing a whole lot of rooms, this place was as big as a hospital.

We entered the building. Plush carpet and beautiful window dressings greeted us. A sitting area held overstuffed couches and a sea of pillows while a refreshment stand was stocked with snacks and drinks and a small refrigerator.

“Jeez. This is like a five-star resort and a hospital combined into one.”

“When can I move in,” Paulie mumbled with wide eyes.

Two people on the couches turned awkwardly to look our way. I didn’t recognize them, but they said, “Welcome Mage,” immediately. Then, “Congratulations, Boss.”

“Hey, Charlene. You got a mate yet, or what?” Charles called.

“Haven’t chosen yet. Might leave my options open. Why, you asking?” a pretty woman with deep red hair asked.

“We’ll see if I can steal the Boss’ girl,” Charles retorted.

“I’ll bring flowers to your funeral!” The two women cackled.

“She’s insane,” Charles muttered to Jonas as we started to walk. “Too crazy for even you, bro. Baby or no, there is no way.”

Jonas snorted. “I gave her a try a while ago. She didn’t hold up and then started bitching about what a freak I was.”

“Bro, everyone knows you’re a freak. What was her deal?” Charles shook his head with a put-upon expression.

“That’s what I asked her. She tried to stab me.”

“Can you guys share your twisted sex lives another time?” I asked.

“Ditto that question,” Ann said.

I followed the others as we went down a hallway. Genevieve led us to a door at the very end. She stepped aside so Stefan and I could go in first. The room was huge with a waiting room in the front housing two couches, a loveseat and three recliners. Another refreshment stand was set up at the far wall, along with a phone and a bell. Through a door in the back was a large, four-poster bed dressed with down. I had a closet full of fuzzy robes and sweats, and a huge bathroom with a large bathtub and more refreshments.

I thought living with Stefan was luxury, but this was in another league all together. The Ritz would be hard-pressed to compete with this suite.

“Okay, love, I’m going to go take care of some things, then I’ll meet you back here.” Stefan leaned down to kiss me.

My heart started beating wildly. I clutched on to his hand unable to help myself, feeling a huge chasm of the unknown opening up around me. “Are you sure?” I asked. Tears came to my eyes.

“I do this whenever Tom tries to leave, too,” Delilah said softly. It sounded like she was talking to someone else, but I didn’t look over to find out who. I just stared at Stefan’s handsome face and willed him to stay with me.

“I’ll try to hurry everyone up,” Stefan said softly, putting his forehead to mine. “I’ll be back before you know it.”