CHAPTER ONE
Micah walked between Meryn and Warrick as they waved to the skittish people on Level Five. Ryuu followed behind them, an ever-present shadow to his charge.
"They look like they're about to piss themselves," Meryn observed when level residents hurried into their homes, slamming their doors, when the trio walked past them down the long corridor back toward the transport tunnel.
Warrick sighed. "I knew it had gotten bad, but not this bad."
Micah nodded. "I've patrolled Level Five before, but you know we stay pretty close to the tunnel. It's been a long-standing custom for any citizen with a problem to meet with us there, I never really second-guessed it." He looked around. "I'm wondering how many of these people were allowed anywhere near the tunnel."
Meryn turned her face up at him. "Why not patrol the whole level?"
Micah's eyes widened. "Meryn, that would be like walking an entire city. I mean we're good, but we're not that good."
Meryn blinked. "Oh yeah, the beehive thing."
Micah chuckled. "The city isn't structured like a beehive."
"Whatever."
Micah was about to tease her some more when a small figure stepped out in front of them. He and Warrick exchanged pained expressions. They were familiar with this particular resident. He was an adorable menace, molded by his father to be a thorn in their sides. None of the warriors would ever hurt the little guy, but that didn't mean he wasn't a nuisance. When you're trained to take down ferals, a young vampire half your size wasn't much of a threat.
Micah looked between the young man and Warrick, he doubted that even standing on tiptoe he reached Warrick's sternum.
"You were banned from here. Go away. Shoo." The elf-like young man said making a 'shooing' motion with his hands.
Meryn tilted her head. "Huh? Warrick is the Founding Family head here now. So like the ban is totally a moot point."
"It is not muted or quiet," the dark-haired youngster countered.
"No. Moot, not mute. It means not valid anymore, not that the sound was cut," she explained.
The young man's eyes filled with confusion. "He did not tell me that."
"Who?" Meryn asked.
"My father."
Meryn looked up at him. "His father?"
Micah pointed to the man in front of them. "Meryn McKenzie, this is Pip Maverick. DeLaFontaine's biological son."
Meryn's eyes widened. "Gavriel said that DeLaFontaine didn't have any heirs or anyone to succeed him."
Warrick winced. "Technically he does not. Pip was never listed in the DeLaFontaine Book of Life."
Meryn frowned. "Why not?"
Pip blushed fiercely. "Because I was born damaged," he whispered.
"Well that's bullshit. I mean you don't look damaged." Meryn eyed him closely.
Pip looked at her surprised. "I do not?"
She shook her head. "Nope, you look normal to me."
"Father says I am slow. That he should have drowned me at birth," Pip admitted shamefully.
"Not to sound mean or anything but your dad is a huge asshole," Meryn said.
Pip's eyes widened and he looked around frantically. "You should not say such things. They will take you away to face my father."
Meryn snorted. "I'd like to see them try." She pointed to Warrick then behind her to Ryuu. "Warrick is in charge of this level, everyone answers to him now. And if anyone tried to take me away my squire would gut them."
"Most certainly denka," Ryuu confirmed behind them.
"I do not want you to get hurt. You are nice and explained things to me." Pip started to rock back and forth while his two small fists pounded his temples. "But Father told me I had to chase you away no matter what, even if I had to do bad things."
Meryn looked at them panicked. "Help him," she commanded.
Warrick quickly got down on one knee and gently took Pip's fists into his own large hands. "Pip, how do you know that your father wants you to be mean?"
Pip sniffed. "He told me during my last visit."
Warrick looked at Micah then back to Pip. "You visit your father?"
Pip nodded. "I am the only one who gets to see him since we are blood related."
"That may explain how the tunnel escort got instructions," Micah murmured.
Warrick nodded his head slightly to acknowledge that he heard him. "Pip, did you give anyone instructions on behalf of your father?"
Pip nodded slowly, fear in his eyes. "Was I bad? Am I in trouble?"
Micah was seeing a new side of Pip. Normally the tiny vampire would just throw things at them or yell things from the side streets. Maybe his previous behavior hadn't been his own doing after all.
Warrick shook his head. "No, you are not bad, nor are you in trouble." Warrick turned back to look at Micah and Meryn. "What do we do?"
Micah knew what Warrick meant. With DeLaFontaine in the detention cells he wasn't sure anyone was looking out for the young vampire. He wasn't even sure that Pip knew how to fly he was that young.
Meryn stepped forward. "Pip, if you could do anything, what would make you happy?"
Pip's blue eyes grew wide. "Anything?"
Warrick smiled. "Yes, anything."
Pip smiled brightly transforming his entire face into something close to angelic. "I do not want to be mean anymore or do bad things. I want someplace safe to sleep and..." he hesitated.
"And," Warrick prodded gently.
"Food. Food whenever I am hungry," Pip admitted softly.
Meryn pushed Warrick's hands out of the way and wrapped an arm around Pip. "He's mine for as long as he wants me."
Warrick stood. "Now, Meryn."
She turned to face them eyes flashing. "No. I'm not saying it's y'all's fault, but this must have been going on for years." She pinned them both with an angry glare. "You want to help?" She waved around her. "Fix this shit. You're unit warriors designated to protect people, start protecting." She turned to Pip. "Come on little buddy. You're staying with me for a while."
"I am?" Pip asked. "What do I have to do?"
Meryn shrugged. "Keep me company and help me eat Sebastian's food."
Pip subconsciously licked his lips. "Eat?"
Meryn's eyes had a sheen to them. She swallowed hard before smiling at him. "Yup. He's going to love you. He lives to feed people." She tugged on his hand. "Come on."
Pip hesitated turning back to Warrick. "You are really the Founding Family head now?" Meryn waited as Pip asked for clarification.
Warrick nodded. "I am."
"Do I have to see my father anymore?"
"No. Not if you do not want to."
"Do I have to be bad anymore?"
"No."
"Am I allowed to use the transport tunnel and go with Meryn?"
"Any citizen in this city is allowed to use the transport tunnel," Warrick answered looking confused.
"Do I have to come back?" Pip asked quietly.
"Nope," Meryn answered. "In fact if you want to swing by your place and pick up your things you won't have to come back ever."
Pip shook his head back and forth. "I am not allowed to own things."
Meryn grinned. "You can now."
Pip straightened. "I want to go with Meryn and eat Sebastian food."
Warrick nodded and smiled. "Have fun."
As they walked away Micah could see that Meryn had a death grip on Pip's hand. Ryuu stepped between him and Warrick. "I am assuming you will do everything in your power to help Pip's situation?"
Warrick sighed. "Of course. Him and everyone else on Level Five."
Ryuu nodded tersely. "You have no idea how much his plight aligns with Meryn's childhood. In her heart she already considers him family and thus I consider him one of my charges." He met their eyes and smiled frostily. "I really do not wish to kill anyone while I am here... but I will if I have to." He bowed to them and quickly caught up to Meryn who was explaining Magic Pudding to a mesmerized Pip.
When they cleared the tunnel Warrick let out an explosive breath. "Gods! If I did not think that taking the Founding Family head position would keep Avery safer, I would happily tell Gavriel I decline the prestigious promotion."
"Better you than me," Micah teased.
Warrick gave him a sour look. "Where do I even begin to sort out this clusterfuck of a level?"
Micah thought about it for a moment. "Why don't you do what Kari did? Meet with the Noble Family heads and have them help trickle down information and policy change."
"Have you forgotten that the uncle who disowned me, is one of the Noble Family heads who now report to me?" he asked.
Micah blinked then laughed. "I had forgotten that."
Warrick rubbed his chin. "LeBeau is not that bad. But I have a feeling that my uncle will try to sabotage me at every turn."
Micah shrugged. "So replace him."
Warrick stared at him in shock. "We cannot do that!"
"Why not? It's how you got promoted."
"The circumstances surrounding my promotion were unique, impossible and extreme."
Micah stepped closer and cast a soundproof bubble. "Look. Meryn is right. There's a ton of shady shit going on around here that's been happening right under our noses and we missed it because we had to kowtow to tradition. Well you know what? Fuck that. We finally have a free pass and his name is freaking Dark Prince Gavriel Ambrosios. The entire city of Noctem Falls genuflects when someone mentions his name and for good reason. If your uncle gives you shit, tell Gavriel and get permission to have him replaced. Gavriel can do no wrong. We have a very small window of opportunity to finally help people. Take it." Micah exhaled.
Warrick simply stared at him. "You are right." He straightened then gave him a wolfish grin. "Let us head to Level One, check on Pip, then possibly meet with Gavriel about reorganizing some of the Noble Families."
Micah took down the soundproofing spell. "After you," Micah swept his arm down as he bowed.
"You know if I get to do what I want, I will need back up," Warrick murmured.
"It would be a profound honor and pleasure to assist you in that endeavor. In fact, I bet Declan and his brother Rex would also love to help, considering recent events."
Warrick laughed loudly. "And Declan says we never do anything nice for him."
Micah grinned. "Ungrateful bastard."
Laughing Warrick slung an arm around his shoulder as they walked toward the transport tunnel.
As far as patrols went, today was shaping up to be a great day.
*****
"Are you sure about this?" Radclyffe asked for the tenth time that hour.
Serenity Meadowsweet blew out an exasperated breath. "For the umpteenth time, no, I am not sure, but I'm going anyway."
"You mean we're all going." Radclyffe Juniper pointed his finger back and forth between himself and his mate Laelia.
"You don't have to come, in fact, it might be a better idea for the two of you to stay behind and manage the temple," Serenity suggested, pausing in her packing efforts.
"Don't be silly. You need us," her closest friend rebutted. Laelia Juniper was one of the sweetest women she had ever met. She wanted her friend's support desperately but knew that if they followed her to Noctem Falls, they could all get in serious trouble.
Serenity zipped her bag closed. She hadn't packed much, just a few changes of clothes. They would be providing magical support so there wasn't much to pack as far as supplies went. She turned to face her two best friends. "You realize that by coming with me to Noctem Falls we are going against the Witch Elders' dictate concerning Storm Keep's participation in this crisis?" They both nodded. "And by coming with me all three of us could be prosecuted when we return?" Again, they nodded.
Laelia swung her bag onto her shoulder and her mate did the same. "Not only are we not letting you do this alone, but we also happen to agree with you that it is our duty to provide help." She waved her hand around indicating to the room. "You're the Head of the Water Temple in Storm Keep. We're the hub for healing magic in the paranormal world. If we don't go, then who will?"
Radclyffe adjusted his bag. "Besides, if we weren't meant to help then there wouldn't be a Healer's Clause built into the quarantine protocols for the fae portals."
Serenity had been shocked when the queen of the fae reached out to her directly to ask if she was willing to enact the clause and go to Noctem Falls to assist in fighting the unknown sickness. The fae were unable to pass through to the vampire city, but the queen explained that if a portal was opened from within the Water Temple, healers could pass through to provide assistance.
Serenity had been honest with the queen when she said she wasn't sure what she should do, wanting to get her Elders' permission first. As a temple head she reported directly to the Witch Elder Council that ran the city. She had a feeling that had the city's council consisting of the four major races been included in the decision making, she would have been allowed to go.
Queen Aleksandra said that the decision was up to her and that she wouldn't advise anyone in Noctem Falls about the possibility of her coming until she had made up her mind.
Serenity knew she wanted to help and thought that going before the council would be a formality. She had been shocked by their unanimous decision to let Noctem Falls fend for themselves.
When she returned to the temple she knew she had to act quickly. She immediately called her brother and had him leave Eiré Danu through a portal to come to Storm Keep. He would be the one to open the portal to Noctem Falls for them. She wanted to keep the queen out of this traitorous venture as much as possible. No one would second guess her older brother Zachari coming to visit her, they were twins after all and visited each other often.
Serenity picked up her bag. "I'm leaving Troy in charge while we're gone."
Radclyffe nodded. "Great choice. He is as devoted to you as temple head as he is to rules and regulations. He can easily handle the council."
"Knock, knock. Seri, where are you?" a deep male voice asked. Moments later her brother was ducking his head to walk into her chambers. When he saw her, his smile widened. "There's my favorite baby sister!" He crossed the room and pulled her into a bear hug that had her spine cracking.
Despite being twins they looked nothing alike. He took after their fae father. Tall, golden and stunning. The two differences between him and full blooded fae males were the streaks of dark brown hair, visible even when pulled back in a ponytail as he usually wore it, and the dark brown eyes he inherited from their mother. Dark eyes amongst the fae were highly unusual.
She took after their witch mother with dark hair and magical gifts. However, unlike her brother she had their father's lavender eyes. Her mother always said that the two of them were the perfect blend of witch and fae.
Zach had some powers but not enough to warrant being tested by the Magical Academy. He cheekily told her that he could do just enough magic to keep his lady friends happy. She told him that she didn't need to know any more.
To make living in Storm Keep easier she took her mother's maiden name of Meadowsweet forgoing fae tradition. No matter what rules she bent or broke growing up she always had her parents full support. She could only hope they wouldn't be too upset at her for going against council dictates.
"Zach! Put me down," she laughed. No matter how long they were ever apart he always greeted her this way. He set her down on her feet, his face turning serious.
"Are you sure about going? I don't want to you falling ill."
"From what the queen told me so far it's only affecting shifters and vampires. Many witch unit warriors have been helping the sick and none of them have been infected. They need our help. It's what we've studied for," she answered.
He rubbed his chin. "I don't like it."
"You don't have to, you just have to open the portal."
"Even though we're twins you can't open a portal and I can," he shook his head. "Genetics are weird."
"I can split a river and you can't," she countered.
He grinned. "You've improved. When we were kids you had problems with mud puddles," he teased.
She gave him a flat look. "I am a temple head now."
"Yes mistress temple head, anything you say mistress temple head," Zach bowed low, his fingertips brushing the floor.
Serenity rolled her eyes. "You're impossible!"
Zach looked up and winked. "But you love me anyway." He straightened then turned to Laelia. "And how is my second favorite lady?"
Laelia blushed. "I am well."
Radclyffe shook his head. He was used to Zach's teasing. "You never greet me like that."
Zach looked surprised for a moment then leered at both of them. "If I didn't know how in love the two of you were I'd seduce you both."
"Zach!" Serenity screeched.
He turned to her frowning. "Have you been studying with a banshee?"
"Open the damn portal then go home!" she pointed to the blank wall of her chambers.
"I am never appreciated," he sighed. "I may hide out in Storm Keep for a bit. Allia Li'Aerlin wants to 'train'. She's been a bear to work with since she wasn't able to send her brother any troops, if she finds out I opened a portal to Noctem Falls she'll attack me in my sleep," he groused.
Laelia and Radclyffe were fighting back laughter as they walked over to stand next to Serenity.
"Allia and Ailain both spoil you since we're the next set of twins born after them in Eiré Danu," Serenity pointed out.
He rolled his eyes. "Being nearly three hundred isn't very old in the paranormal world, but in Eiré Danu it's a thousand times worse. I feel like a damn toddler."
"You are one of the youngest in a city of immortals," Serenity teased.
Zach gave her a flat look before opening the pouch at his waist to pull out a silver ring. "Her Majesty appreciates your attempts to protect her by keeping her out of this venture. That being said, she lent me this ring. It should open a portal directly to the Ledge of Noctem Falls. When the portal opens it will also bypass the spell that hides the door and open it for you. To pass through the portal you have to be a witch. I think it scans for magic to prove you're a healer." His handsome face sobered. "Be careful Seri. Don't hesitate to call if you need help. I'll chance going through the portal with my meager magical abilities to get to you."
Serenity hugged her brother tightly. "Love you."
He gave her one last squeeze and stepped back. "Love you too. Have fun breaking the law."
She gave him a salute then turned to face the wall. Zach slipped on the ring and opened the portal. "Gods' blessings be on you all," he whispered as they walked through.
*****
Micah thought that if Pip's eyes widened anymore they would simply fall out of his head. The poor boy had no idea how to take Meryn. Currently she was trying to get him to sit next to her in a chair. Micah looked around the dining room. "Where's Sebastian?"
Ryuu lifted Pip from where he was kneeling on the floor and sat him next to Meryn. "He is checking on Magnus." He looked down at the young vampire. "Sit next to Meryn if you would please. It would hurt her back to keep leaning down to look at you," he explained gently.
Pip's eyes filled with understanding. "I would not want to hurt Meryn." Of course he would sit next to Meryn for her own sake, not because he wanted to sit on the furniture. "The servants in my father's home usually put my bowl on the floor," he explained.
"They what?" a terribly cold voice asked. Micah was shocked to see that the question came from the normally pleasant Sebastian.
The Rioux squire walked into the room to stand behind Meryn and Pip. "Who is this?" he asked.
Meryn pointed to her new friend. "This is Pip, DeLaFontaine was his sperm donor. As you heard, he's done a bang up job of taking care of him." She looked up at the squire her eyes pleading. "He's hungry Sebastian."
Sebastian inhaled and looked down at the innocent face staring up at him. "Well, we cannot have that can we? Give me a few minutes to throw something together."
Meryn gave him a thumbs up. Pip held up his hand and curled his fingers down to give the squire a thumbs up sign as well. Sebastian patted them both on the head and quickly headed to the kitchen.
Meryn sighed. "Being hungry sucks."
Micah had a feeling she wasn't just referring to the annoying rumbling you get between breakfast and lunch. The look in her eye told a darker story.
Pip nodded. "It makes it hard to sleep."
"Even though you're tired and want to sleep your body keeps telling you to eat," Nigel said quietly.
Meryn looked at the twins that sat on her other side. "You too?"
Neil smiled weakly. "Sometimes there wasn't a lot of food at the orphanage, so we gave ours to the little kids."
Micah could only stare. His childhood hadn't been all roses and puppies but his grandmother made sure he had never gone without.
Meryn shook her head as if to chase away her thoughts. "Yup. But we don't have to worry about that now. We have Ryuu and Sebastian to feed us."
The twins smiled. "They rock!"
Pip turned to the witches. "Do you belong to Meryn too?"
Nigel laughed. "She adopted us as her brothers."
"Brothers? Not servants?" Pip tilted his head.
"What?" Meryn asked frowning.
"Did you not bring me here for me to serve you?" Pip asked.
"No! I wasn't kidding when I said I just wanted you to keep me company. If that's not what you want, you can do whatever. I don't see you as a servant." She jerked her thumb toward Ryuu. "I can barely handle having one."
Pip twisted his hand nervously. "I do not understand. What am I supposed to do to earn my food?"
Meryn's mouth opened and closed. "Ryuu? I need some help here."
Ryuu stepped closer to stand behind Meryn and Pip. "Master Pip, my charge views you as someone to be protected. She does not require payment for things such as clothes and food. You bring her happiness by simply accepting her kindness. If you feel you must do something in return, help me watch over her and keep her safe."
Pip nodded quickly. "I can do that. Meryn is nice. Bad things should not happen to her."
"You will do very well here," Ryuu said smiling.
"Are we keeping him?" Nigel asked his eyes filled with tears.
Meryn nodded. "He's one of us now."
"This is awesome! We now have another brother!"
"What?" a deep voice asked.
Aiden strode into the room scowling. Immediately Pip popped out of his chair to stand in front of Meryn. He stretched out his arms. "You will not hurt her."
Aiden stopped dead in his tracks and stared down at the young man who was about the size of one of his legs. "Huh?"
Meryn giggled. "Pip that's my mate Aiden McKenzie. He would never hurt me, I have access to his unconscious body."
Aiden rolled his eyes. "And you love me."
"And I love you," she added.
Behind Aiden everyone else began to file in for lunch.
Pip eyed Aiden suspiciously. He made a 'V' with his fingers and pointed to his eyes. "I will keep an eye on you." He sat back down in his chair and scooted closer to Meryn.
Aiden's mouth dropped as Colton burst into laughter. "Better sleep with one eye open tonight."
Aiden snarled at his best friend then realized that Pip was in his chair. Grumbling he sat down next to the odd vampire and one seat down from his mate.
"Who's the cutie?" Anne asked.
"Anne, everyone, this is Pip Maverick, my newest brother. DeLaFontaine is his sperm donor," Meryn announced.
Aiden inhaled and began to choke on his breadstick. "What? Again?"
"Yup." Meryn gave a single decisive nod.
"But you already have Jaxon, Noah, Nigel and Neil," Aiden stuttered.
"And? I can't have another brother?" Meryn asked.
"I think he is absolutely adorable," Bethy added.
Meryn turned to Pip. "Beth adopted me as her sister, so technically y'all are related too."
Pip turned his large liquid-like blue eyes to Bethy. "She's so pretty."
"Oh!" Bethy blushed then blinked. "DeLaFontaine?"
"Caught that did you?" Micah asked raising an eyebrow.
Bethy turned to Gavriel. "I thought you said he didn't have any heirs."
Gavriel stared at Pip frowning. "He does not. Pip's name is not in the DeLaFontaine Book of Life."
"Because I am broken," Pip whispered.
"You are not!" Bethy said indignantly.
Pip raised his head and looked around. "Really? Everyone in my father's home said I was good for nothing."
"That's why you don't live there anymore remember?" Meryn pointed out.
Pip's face contorted in confusion. "Then why did they say such things? Why did they do bad things?"
"Because they are assholes. Trust me, the world is full of them," Meryn said sagely.
Pip looked around nervously. "If you say bad things the men will take you away."
Meryn shook her head. "Not down here."
"I would like to see them try to take you or Miss Meryn away," Sebastian said darkly as he wheeled in a huge cart piled high with food. He steered it over to Pip first. "I did not know what you liked so I made bit of everything. Sandwiches, soup, finger foods, and even a pizza." He leaned down. "Save room for dessert," he said winking.
Pip's eyes locked on the cart. "I do not get served first," he said in a panicked voice. "I get the leftovers in my bowl on the floor." Pip looked as if he was fighting his body's knee jerk reaction to drop to the floor.
Everyone turned silent before the sound of groaning metal echoed through the dining room. Sebastian snapped the towel bar off his serving cart. "We do not do that here," Sebastian said softly. He picked up a pair of serving tongs and stacked sandwiches on Pip's plate. "Let me know which ones you like best."
Pip turned to Meryn. "I cannot eat all of this," he confessed.
Meryn smiled. "I think that sometimes too, but then poof, it's so good I eat it all."
Pip picked up a sandwich with a trembling hand and bit into it. "So this is what fresh bread tastes like!" he exclaimed with child-like glee. Meryn handed him a soft roll and Pip hummed with satisfaction.
Another snapping sound came from Sebastian at his cart. This time, the serving tongs, bent in half, were the object of his frustration. Micah turned his head to hide his smile. He had a feeling Sebastian would be having a few choice words with the DeLaFontaine squire.
Bethy spun in her chair to face Gavriel. "You..."
He raised her hand and kissed it gently. "Consider this situation taken care of. Warrick requested a meeting after lunch and I have a feeling I know what it may be about." He inclined his head toward Pip.
Warrick grunted and nodded. Avery rubbed his mate's back soothingly.
"I've never in my life been more ashamed to call Noctem Falls my home," Bethy whispered.
Adriel covered her other hand with his. "We must trust in Fate. A lot of wonderful things have come about in our darkest hours of late."
"He is right," Pip agreed. "I did not know what would happen when father went to the detention cells. But now we have Warrick to help us on Level Five and he looks huge like he can protect us. And I got to meet Meryn who introduced me to soft bread!" Pip bounced excitedly.
Warrick smiled at the way Pip described him. "I will do my best."
Aiden pushed over his bowl of soup. "Try dipping it in the chicken noodle soup, then eating it."
Pip tentatively reached out his precious soft roll and dipped it into the soup. When he took a bite his eyes rolled back in his head. "It is like magic!" he whispered in a reverent tone.
Aiden scooted the bowl so that it was squarely in front of Pip. "You work on that one."
"You're a good man Aiden McKenzie," Rheia said smiling.
Aiden blushed and shrugged his shoulders. "It's just soup."
"Wait until you try Magic Pudding, then dinner, then coffee, then breakfast, then tomorrow's lunch, plus snacks!" Meryn exclaimed.
Pip turned to her. "There's more?"
She grinned. "You have no idea."
"Let's take it one meal at a time denka. That way he can be surprised and enjoy each new discovery," Ryuu suggested.
"Good point," she agreed.
"Maybe we should introduce everyone," Micah suggested.
"That's a wonderful idea," Ellie agreed. She held up Benji. "Hello Pip, my name is Benji, pleased to meet you," she said in a squeaky voice.
Pip giggled. "Hello Benji," he said waving. Ellie went up and down the table introducing everyone and explaining who they were and what they did.
As soon as she finished Pip stood and pointed to each person repeating each name and whatever information Ellie shared. When he was done he looked down to Meryn expectantly.
She beamed up at him. "You're not slow, you're a freaking genius. How'd you do that?"
Pip sat back down. "It is easy if I put the information away correctly." He frowned. "But sometimes I do not understand what people tell me, not like everyone else."
Avery gasped. "You're like me! It's called having a photographic memory. But I have a hard time understanding some social cues if they aren't explained to me."
Meryn nodded. "Yeah, they fuck me up too."
Pip looked down the table at Avery. "I am not broken?"
Avery shook his head emphatically. "No! In fact you're special." He turned to his sister. "I've learned that being different isn't such a bad thing after all."
Kari leaned over and kissed him on the top of his head. Meryn watched carefully then leaned over and kissed the top of Pip's head. Pip touched his hair a look of wonder on his face. "My first kiss."
Meryn smiled. "I thought it only counted if you got kissed on the lips."
Pip kept his hand on his head. "No. That is the first time anyone has ever kissed me."
"I am so going to fuck that douchebag up," Meryn whispered under her breath.
Rex cleared his throat. "I didn't hear anything."
Gavriel shrugged. "I have no idea what you are referring to."
Pip frowned and pointed to Meryn. "She said that..."
Aiden wrapped an arm around Pip and covered his mouth. He leaned in and in a clearly conspiratorial whisper said. "They know."
Pip blinked and Aiden removed his hand. "Oh!" he then shared an evil grin with Meryn. "I get it."
Meryn smiled back at Pip before she began to frown. She stood, then walked to stand between the twins' chairs. She kissed both of them on the head then returned to her seat. They exchanged the same poleaxed expression.
"Just in case," Meryn said reaching for a sandwich.
"Look at you! Amelia would be so proud," Rheia teased.
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.