CHAPTER 35

~ The Hunt ~

 

Several blissful days after Callie “graduated” Booty Camp in such grand style, she and Susie are in the kitchen with baby Clara chatting over breakfast.  Susie knows her friend is distracted, in fact, she has been preoccupied and a bit distant for several days.  The younger woman has to wonder if something went the day Callie and her mates availed themselves of her “care package”.  But Susie will not pry.  If Callie wants to talk about it, she will.  In the meanwhile, Susie tries to lighten the mood. 

“How did you sleep last night?” Susie asks with a playful smirk on her face before nibbling on her slice of toast.  Callie is amused the girl is eating dry toast when she baked two massive pans of delicious cinnamon rolls this morning.  Whatever.  The girl is young, but set in her ways.  And her way is often to be playful and mischievous, and that is what she does right now.  Ever since that night with her mates in her study, Susie has been teasing Callie unmercifully for engaging in such a no-holds-barred sexy time while she had extra adults, who possess preternatural hearing, in the home.

“I slept wonderfully, thank you very much,” Callie replies without even a hint of a blush, even though she’s thinking about how the triad began their morning after a steamy night of intense lovemaking and only about four hours of sleep.  “How did you sleep?”  She blushes when she realizes this is the first time she has had the presence of mind to even inquire after Susie’s comfort in their temporary home.  “Wow, I’m such a self-centered ditz.  I mean… I should have asked before now, but how is the guest room?  Seriously, is the bed okay in there?”  Now, she is blushing.

Susie laughs, and tears off a piece of toast to toss it playfully at her friend.  “Now you worry?  And just how long have I been mooching off you guys while I played at being your assistant?”  She giggles and Callie rolls her eyes.  “The room is fine, you silly girl.  Lovely in fact.  The furniture is dated, but attractive and functional.  And the mattress, well that is apparently new because it is very comfortable.”  The feisty blond turns serious and says; “I know I told you I wanted to stick around to help you out, but honestly… my time here has been a godsend for me.”  She smiles sweetly.  “Thank you for that.  I needed to get away from all those distractions to make some decisions about my life.  Since I have been here, I have had plenty of time and peace to think about what is really important to me.”  The fiery blond smiles beatifically.  “The open acceptance and friendship I have experienced… from you, Val, heck, even Morrígan and Mara, has helped me to face a few truths about myself. 

“Such as?” Callie asks as she watches her friend carefully.

“Such as, I can’t run from myself.  I can’t run from my past.  And I shouldn’t have to.  Tulsa is my home, I grew up here, and I have wonderful friends whom I would miss terribly if I left.  So, after a lot of soul searching, I’ve realized that I am not willing to let anyone make me run away as though I have done something to be ashamed of,” She takes a sip of her coffee and grins happily when Clara knocks the spoon filled with baby cereal away from her mouth as Callie tries to feed her another bite of her breakfast.

Callie is wondering just who in hell made her friend want to run away, but she wisely does not ask.  Despite her very open, outgoing, transparent, and honest personality, Susie has proven over the last few weeks to be surprisingly closed mouthed about certain aspects of her life.  Going by Susie’s tone and demeanor, Callie suspects this is one of those times.

Susie is blissfully unaware of Callie’s inner turmoil and concern for her young friend.  “My time spent here at Lightning Ridge has been great.  I’ve had oodles of time to relax and reflect.  I’ve come to realize that I just do not want to leave the state.  Oklahoma is where I am meant to remain… at least for a while yet.”  She smiles, almost shyly as though admitting this is embarrassing.  “So, I’ve withdrawn from that doctorate program out in L.A.”  She smiles serenely and adds; “Lucky for me, OSU had not yet filled the position I turned down in the spring.  So, I get to stay in the area and by mid-August, I will begin my third year working toward finally getting my doctorate degree.”

“YAY!” Callie cheers before hopping up to rush around the table to hug her friend. “Susie, I am so, so very, very glad that you are staying.  I was sick at the thought of losing you.”

Susie returns the hugs with true affection.  “Ah, no matter where I end up, you will never lose me.  Sorry, chickee, but you and me, we are BFFs for life.”  She scrunches her face playfully.  “You couldn’t lose me if you tried.”

“Damn straight,” Callie affirms gleefully.  Both women laugh uproariously when a very excited Clara claps, giggles, and begins to babble excitedly to join in the fun.

Once the laughter dies down, Susie speaks again.  “I have everything I own packed up for the move to Cali.”  She giggles.  “Now I get to find a new apartment, unpack… all that fun stuff.”

“When do you need to go back?  And will you need some help?” Callie asks as she tries to keep the sadness out of her voice.  While her mates and her Immortal trainers are great company, it just isn’t the same as having Susie around all of the time.  Callie feels as though she has much more in common with young Susie than the ancient, world-wise supes who make up her new family.  While she is happy Susie will remain local, she knows she will miss spending every day with the vivacious, bubbly young woman. She smiles at Clara who seems to have noticed the somber shift in mood.  Fleetingly, Callie wonders if baby Clara understands that her Su-su is going away.

“Nah, I can get the Harper triplets to help me out.”  She grins playfully.  “It is good to be friends with powerful witches.  They can move furniture and unpack with their magick.  How cool is that?”  Her giggle is contagious, but Susie quickly sobers.  “But hey, I will need to get back to Tulsa in a couple of weeks. I’ll need to get a few things straightened out before I begin my coursework at OSU.”  Again, Callie has to tamp down the urge to pry because she gets the distinct impression her friend is talking about much more than apartment hunting and unpacking.  “I hate to leave you in a lurch…”

“Nonsense,” Callie assures her friend.  “You need to take care of you.”  She giggles.  “Hell girl, I have two frickin’ immortal mates, for cripe’s sake!  Surely, we can muddle through.”

“True dat,” Susie smirks.  “Two totally tasty males who distract you with their naughty sexcapades in the middle of the day… among other things.”

“Among other things,” Callie concedes, returning Susie’s playful grin.  When Clara signals that she is no longer hungry, Callie takes her half-eaten breakfast to set on the counter by the sink and to retrieve a cloth for washing the messy girl’s hands and face.

The only sound in the house is Clara’s fussy protests.  For such a cooperative child, Clara certainly hates having her face cleaned.  Susie is staring at Callie with such an intent expression that Callie quickly becomes uncomfortable. “What?”

“That’s what I am wondering,” is Susie’s cryptic response.  “You’ve been doing a great job carrying on all light and carefree, but I can tell something is bothering you.  So, spill.”

Callie nearly confesses her secret concerns which have been eating at her because the dragon did not finally make an appearance after she accepted both of her lovers at the same time.  But she just isn’t ready to admit to anyone, even Susie, just how troubled she is that nothing seems to have changed.  Instead, she chuckles while slowly shaking her head.  “I swear you have a touch of Tank’s gift of empathy.”

“Nah, I’m just pretty good at reading folks.  But seriously, what’s bothering you?”

Callie isn’t at all sure that’s all there is to it, but she doesn’t bother to disagree.  Instead, she tries to decide how much she wants to reveal.  Clara is finally all cleaned up and wants to play on the floor.  Callie settles her on the worn, but clean linoleum floor with a few pan lids and wooden spoons to keep her entertained before going to make more coffee.  Just thinking about what has her tied up in knots is enough to make her sigh as she drops the pod into the machine.  When she offers to brew her friend a fresh cup, the blond shakes her head and tells her to stop stalling. 

“Am I really that transparent?”  When Susie simply cocks an eyebrow, Callie can’t help but smile.  You really can’t get much past this young woman.  Nothing for it, she knows she has to give the girl something or she will continue to worry over Callie’s state of mind.  No sense in all of us fretting over the dragon being a no-show.  So, she returns to sit at the table with her fresh cup of coffee once it is ready.  Meeting her young friend’s eyes, Callie confides part of her concerns.  “It’s those naughty males you were going on about just moments ago.  They said they were going out to check the perimeter, but I could tell they have been having a disagreement about something.  Whatever it is, it started yesterday. I think they’ve gone outside to pound it out the way men often do.”

“Oooooh, that could be bad,” Susie concedes.  “No idea what it is?”

“Not a clue.” Callie bites her bottom lip as she taps the side of her mug with her index finger.  “You know, they are so accustomed to working out their issues without a third party mucking up the works, I’ve quite frankly been afraid to even ask them what is going on.”

Susie’s frustrated sigh tells Callie right away that she has somehow irritated her friend.  “You are not a third party.  You are just as much a part of that relationship as either of those males.” 

Callie waves that observation away with a negligent flutter of her hand.  “Oh, I get that.  I’m not talking about our relationship as a whole, I’m talking about the actual logistics, or dynamics, if you will.  If I stick my nose in their business whenever those two have a disagreement…”

“Stick your nose in?” Kazar demands from the kitchen door.  Callie startles so much that she spills a bit of her coffee.  Susie waves her off when she rises to get a towel and does it herself.  “Dammit, Callie Emma Boyd, I thought you had moved beyond feeling like an extra in our triad.”

“Well, I have,” Callie snaps back, planting her hands on the table top.  “But that doesn’t mean I want to be stuck playing referee for an eternity.”

By now, Nyle has joined them and adds his two cents.  “We do not need a referee…”

“Exactly!” Callie agrees, jumping to her feet.  “But I’d still like to know what the heck has you two coming back from a perimeter check…” Nyle grins delightedly because their irritated, but adorable, female actually makes quotation marks in the air when she says perimeter check. “… looking as though you’ve been put through a meat grinder.”  She jams her hands upon her hips and glares at her two lovers.  Her pupils have instantly elongated and her eyes are glowing brightly. 

“Did you fend off attackers out there?” She demands in a regal tone which brooks no dissent.  When both males simply shake their heads to deny the presence of an outside threat, Callie can feel her dragon easing back.  “So, that means you did this to each other?” 

Neither male speaks, but they really do not need to.  She can smell no evidence that they encountered anyone but each other.  And yet, both males are sporting ripped and filthy clothing, and there is a hint of dried blood and healing bruises on both of their faces and the knuckles of both of their hands.  “I mean seriously, guys?  Is this how you resolve conflict between the two of you?  You beat the shit out of each other?”

“Not exactly,” Nyle begins haltingly.  The males exchange looks which can only be described as slightly awkward and perhaps a bit guilty.  Susie takes that as her clue to vamoose.  Scooping Clara up into her arms, she announces it’s bath and playtime before practically running out of the kitchen with Clara in her arms and Callie’s brightly glowing eyes following her every move.

Once Callie is sure the human girl is well out of earshot, she turns to glare at her males.  “Not exactly?  What the hell does that even mean?  You guys look like you tried to kill each other.”

Kazar simply chuckles airily before he quips, “I do believe I will allow you to handle this one, lupus meum.” Callie watches as her lanky vampire strolls over to make his own cup of coffee with an air of carefree lassitude, which Callie isn’t buying for even a moment.  These males were so angry and frustrated when they left the house earlier that Kazar did not even take the time to feed his caffeine addiction.  She knows this apparently untroubled attitude isn’t the whole story.

Of course not, the tension and frustration had been building between her males all afternoon and evening.  By bedtime, it had become a palpable thing, living and breathing between the triad.  Unfortunately, Callie was left clueless as she waited to see how her males would resolve their issue, whatever it was.  But resolution did not come.  In fact, there was even a tenseness and strange desperation about their lovemaking last night.  Callie had hoped her males would open up to her and tell her what was on their minds, so she waited.  But she is not waiting any longer if it leads to violence between her males. 

“Thanks, a lot,” Nyle mutters, obviously not feeling even remotely appreciative of the gesture.  “That is so very kind of you, my male.”

Kazar’s shrug is smooth and his expression wholly innocent. “Seems only fitting to me.  After all, maritus, you did come out on top in our… discussion.”

Callie is convinced that “discussion”, at least in this instance, is code for “beat the shit out of each other”.  During her time in foster care, she saw many young males fight as though they were intent on murder, only to behave as best friends once the fists stopped flying. She fervently hopes that is not how her mates routinely choose to work out their issues.  There is no way she can stand by and watch the males she loves tear into each other over every little disagreement they encounter.  Not. Gonna. Happen.

“Aingeal mine, it is not what you are thinking.  We did not fight,” Nyle assures her from the doorway.  “Not exactly.”

Callie strides across the smallish kitchen with arms crossed in front of her.  Her intent was to come off as irritated, severe.  But Nyle and Kazar both see the gesture for what it really is… an indication that she’s alarmed and uncertain.  Crossing her arms that way is a useless protective move, meant to shield herself against hurt.  Callie is honestly scared that the two males she loves with all of her heart have been hurting each other, and Nyle has to swallow down his guilt to even breathe.

When she is standing directly in front of Nyle, she reaches down and lifts the remnants of a pocket which has been torn half off the old western style shirt her shifter lover is wearing.  She gives the frayed cloth a bit of a tug before dropping it, and then wiping her fingertips across the still damp smear of blood stretching across the faded plaid pattern of the cotton fabric.  Lifting her fingertips to her nose, she inhales and snarls. “Did not fight, huh?  Then please explain to me why in hell this smear smells of your blood and Kazar’s?  If you did not fight, why is your eye still swollen, and your lip still split?  Why does Kazar have that deep gash over his eye and blood crusted in his hair? Why!?!” 

That last word actually tears out of Callie with such uncertainty and vehemence that her lovers instantly feel overwhelmed with feelings of shame.  Before Callie can even blink, Kazar sets his mug down on the counter to fly across the room where he presses in behind his female.  Desperately needing to offer her comfort and reassurance, Nyle moves in nearer still to nestle against her front.  Together, these deeply bonded males sandwich their beloved female between them.  Kazar nuzzles her neck, just below her ear and whispers; “We did exchange a few harsh words, and a few punches.  But we were certainly not trying to kill each other.  Rest easy on that score, marita.”  A very small part of Callie’s mind registers this is the first time Kazar has called her wife, but she is too focused on the moment to really comprehend.

Nyle cups her face and looks deeply into her eyes.  “Beautiful, we weren’t even trying to hurt each other… not really.  We were both just trying to get the other’s attention.”  He smiles, almost sadly. “If you haven’t noticed yet, your males are both pretty stubborn.  Sometimes, when you have to deal with a stubborn jackass, you have to take a club to his head to make him heed your words.” 

The snort that comment incites from Kazar would be funny in other circumstances, but in this moment, Callie is not amused.  “The same can be said of a certain hard-headed wolf.”

“Fine, you were not trying to kill each other, so please explain the bruises, cuts, the blood, and the dirt on your clothes,” Callie pleads softly.  “Your scents are so co-mingled I’d never be able to discern one from the other if I were blindfolded.”

Her males chortle softly and Callie’s spine goes rigid.  “Easy, Callie. We are not laughing at you,” Nyle assures her gently.  He reaches up to trail the now healed, but bloodstained knuckles of his right hand down the length of her cheek.  “Anger, frustration, and passion are often closely related and overlapping emotions, éan beag.”

“What does passion have to do with your beating each other up?” Callie demands, her anger and confusion rising again.

“Think about it, amica mea,” Kazar coos patiently.  “A vampire and a wolf shifter, two savage and primal beings, who love each other passionately.  Two males who have been in a highly volatile state for far too long because their other mate is in mortal danger.  It’s a perfect storm of raging emotions… passion is simply the natural result.”

The faint scoff which escapes Callie’s lips is little more than an expulsion of air, but the relief she feels when she finally understands his meaning, is hurricane strong. Nyle’s smile when he knows Callie gets it is positively carnal and beautiful, at least to her way of thinking.  “Yeah, baby, we exchanged some heated words, threw a few punches, and ended up fucking our frustrations out.”

“Oh, thank the gods,” Callie groans as her head falls forward to rest on Nyle’s broad shoulders.  “I thought… I was so afraid… Oh, thank god.”

The old clock on the ugly avocado green stove is the only sound in the outdated kitchen outside of their breathing as Callie relaxes into the arms of her males and allows her fear to flow out of her body like water over glass.  Her males are fine.  Everything is good between them.  They will never expect Callie to choose sides or to play referee for them.  She may not have ever personally experienced the need to physically thrash out a heated issue with someone she loves, but she certainly recognizes her own relief in this moment… Until, she recalls that she does not know what issue caused such a strong reaction in her males.

Turning her head slightly, so that she can speak clearly, she seeks answers.  “So, you are both good, right?”  Once they both agree, she raises her head and nods.  “Good.  Good.”  She squeezes out of the embrace of her lovers and turns to face her males head on.  Instantly, they notice the elongated pupils and the faint, ruby red glow of her eyes.  “Good, now, please explain to me what issue caused such an explosive reaction in my males.  My much adored males, who love each other dearly.  Make me understand, please.”  Even though she said please, there isn’t even a hint of a plea in her tone or visage.  The Ruby Queen is most certainly in the house.

“Again, my wolf…” Kazar taunts, almost gleefully.  “You can have the honor of explaining.”

Nyle doesn’t flinch or cower from the power he sees in his female’s gaze.  “I’m leaving tomorrow.”  At Callie’s gasp, he steps forward, hand outstretched to comfort and cajole. But Callie isn’t having any of it.  That truth is plainly written on her lovely face.  “The Keepers who patrol the interdimensional gateways have found evidence of heavy traffic in isolated areas of their domain.  They have found the bodies of humans and weaker immortals who have been drained of their blood by Stone Colds and Blood Wraiths, and many have been feasted upon by Ghouls.  Callie, there is no doubt, the blood horde is hiding out in a hidden stronghold in the gateways.  I’m entering the gateway at Tulsa tonight with a small party of enforcers to do some reconnaissance.  We will meet up with one or two Gate Keepers to track down the horde.  Once we’ve located their nest, we will bring in reinforcements and wipe them all out.  Every last one of them.”

“No,” Callie says simply and turns to resume her seat at the table as though that one word settled the matter.  She sits, almost casually, and picks up her coffee cup.  Even though she grimaces at the taste of cold coffee in her mug, she sips it anyway.  Her males are fully aware she is putting on a performance for their benefit… and Nyle is having none of it.

“What the hell do you mean telling me no?  Are you my mother?  Are you my Alpha to give me orders like some young pup?”

“I am your mate,” she says almost gently.  She smiles up at Kazar when he brings her a fresh cup.  She turns to look at her wolf, and she can tell she got through… a bit.  In truth, her earnest reply is melting Nyle’s heart until Callie opens her mouth again and spoils it.  “Plus, I am your queen and you are my consort.  That means you remain at my side and… consort.”  Both her males know she doesn’t mean this, that she is only playing this card as an act of desperation, however, Nyle’s wolf simply won’t allow this to fly.

Kazar exhales gently as he moves to make a fresh cup of coffee.  This is going to be a long morning.  Once that task is completed, the vampire leans against the kitchen counter to watch the show.  Since he and Nyle have already thrashed out their differences, Kazar has grudgingly accepted the fact Nyle will do whatever Nyle believes best.  While he may not agree with his male, he respects his need to do this.  His love and admiration grows for the wolf as he watches him now.  Nyle has remained silent and stoic, no doubt trying to formulate a reply that will not cause this volatile situation to explode in their faces, but Kazar knows a storm is brewing.  Their young, very Alpha, somewhat impulsive, and very overprotective wolf mate is about to blow.  The Celt is simply far too dominant to placidly take orders he believes are wrong… from anyone.  Callie has no idea what a can of worms she just opened with her simple comment.

When Nyle speaks again, his calm tone and demeanor impress the ancient Egyptian.  “Callie, this task must be done.”  Callie opens her mouth to interject, but Nyle raises a hand to halt her words.  “And I need to be the one who does it.”  Callie snarls and turns her head to hide the tear which falls from her eye.  “I know you are afraid for me, but you have to trust me to do my fucking job, which is protecting you and our child.”

Callie whips her head around to glare at her wolf.  “Fine! Take Kazar with you!” She demands harshly, but Nyle simply shakes his head no and reminds Callie she needs at least one of her lovers at her side right now.  She desperately wants to insist that he take her along instead, but she knows that will never happen, not while their relationship is so new to them all.  Her thoughts are instantly on Clara, and she realizes she can’t do anything so reckless, at any rate.  But she cannot abide feeling this powerless either.  After all, she’s the godsdamn dragon queen, surely that means she has a say in this. 

She forces herself to calm enough to speak without yelling or sobbing, both are common reactions on the rare occasions that Callie becomes truly angry.  “I have to know someone has your back” Nyle nods and Kazar fully understands her position because it is one he shares.  He also has the added advantage of knowing their fellow enforcers well.  He can trust in the brotherhood. Callie does not have that connection to rely upon.  Kazar understands their mate will not be deterred from this course.    Callie must see it as well, because her control on her temper slips, as well.  “Nyle, I won’t allow this if you do not convince me these gatekeepers and enforcers will have your back!”  She rises to her feet and throws her hands into the air.  “I won’t lose you.  I forbid it!”  Calm, cool, and collected Callie doesn’t yell, and yet, her fear for her mate is making her do just that.  Repeatedly.

This time, Nyle simply smiles sadly, almost serenely, at her outburst. Despite Callie’s heightened emotional state, she can easily see his mind is made up.  She will not sway him with angry words and commands.  Wheedling and pleading would do no better.   Wisely, she settles for glowering at her wolf, and allowing the dragon’s ire to shine through her human eyes.  She may have lost this round, but she’ll be damned if she’ll let him think she is okay with this decision.

Nyle almost chuckles at this new tactic.  While her use of words such as allow and forbid have his wolf’s hackles up, the man understands completely.  She wanted to go after Dysnomia herself after the last attack and everyone she trusts counseled patience, using the time to build up her strengths and curry allies, which she has done admirably.  Callie is battle ready, whether the full dragon form ever emerges or not.  However, Nyle and his select band of brothers, have a real shot at eliminating the threat before Dysnomia can gather her forces to return and threaten his family.  He’d never be able to live with himself if he did not do this.  If he did not do everything in his power to keep his beloved mates and their child safe. 

“I must do this, baby.  And you cannot forbid it.”  With that pronouncement, Nyle calmly walks over to place a chaste kiss upon her forehead and mutter something about a shower and playing with their daughter before striding purposefully from the room.

She collapses in her seat at the table. Going after the stubborn wolf would do nothing but lead to an all-out fight, and Callie does not want that kind of relationship with her males.  She refuses to be the female who nags and yips at their heels so she can get her way.  Nope, she must think of something else.  Another way to make Nyle see how reckless this trip truly is.  How it would destroy her and Kazar if he were killed. 

Callie isn’t sure how long she simply sits there considering and discarding one tactic after another before Kazar removes her mug of stale, untouched coffee.  He replaces it with a steaming cup of the elixir and places a small plate with one of Susie’s delicious cinnamon rolls upon it.  “Eat, Callie.  Drink some fresh coffee.  Breathe.  And let the dragon be at peace.  We cannot change his mind, and honestly, at this juncture, I am not sure that we should even try.”

“How can you say that?” she demands sharply.  “I’m certain the risk outweighs the benefit.  You told me yourself that once inside the gateways, few can flash out of there.  So if they were attacked by a superior force, I can’t even count on an ally whisking our wolf to safety.”

Kazar chuckles.  “Puella, he’d never allow anyone to whisk him away in any event.  That male does not run from a fight…ever.  Besides, he can assume his Consort form in a battle.  Did you forget that little fact?”  That gives Callie a moment of pause.  “You know from experience how damn near impenetrable that dragon skin is, how sharp and deadly those talons and fangs are.  And let’s not forget the nasty pointed horns and the wings.  He could gore an opponent and fly out of the path of danger, if need be.” 

Okay, so yeah, she cannot argue those points.  They are the very same strengths she possesses and has reminded her males of on more than one occasion.   Their battle forms do offer a serious advantage, and that is how she convinced them to spar with her in their dragonskins, despite their fears that they could harm her.  But against a goddess?  What if he comes face to face with Dysnomia?

Kazar chuckles.  “By all the gods, female, I can see those wheels turning in your head so rapidly I am surprised there is not smoke coming from your ears.”  Callie chuckles reluctantly at her mate’s gentle chiding.  “Need I remind you of your own words on the day you claimed us as your sentinel consorts?”

Callie had been about to take a bite of the sweet, sticky goodness on her plate when Kazar questioned her.  She takes her time chewing before taking another sip of her coffee.  They both realize she is simply stalling to try to figure out where Kazar is going with this reminder. 

“I see that I do,” the vampire smirks knowingly.  “Lucky for us both, I have quite the memory.  You said, and I am quoting precisely, ‘We three will be one, in many regards.  But in many ways, I will have to stand alone, with you both at my side as my consorts.  But the responsibility of my decisions and actions will rest on my shoulders and my shoulders alone.  Are you both strong enough and truly willing to allow me to embrace my destiny and shoulder these burdens which are mine alone?’”  Kazar smirks because he knows he has Callie on the ropes with this reminder and the words that are about to come out of his mouth now.  “If you ask us to allow you to shoulder the right to make your own decisions and bear the consequences, do you not see you must grant us, as your mates, consorts, and protectors, the same respect?”

“Damn you, Kazar,” Callie sighs but reaches out to cover his hand with her own to soften the brunt of her harsh words. “Why did you have to use my own words and logic against me?”  Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes, but she wants to offer this small conciliation to her beloved vampire.

Her very ancient and very wise mate rises to his feet to grasp her lovely face in his hands.  He tilts her head back just enough so that she can meet his sagacious gaze.  “Because, my young but very astute queen, you already knew the outcome.  You already understood that if we truly love and respect our wolf, we cannot stand in his way in this matter, regardless of how much this frightens us.”

Callie opens her mouth to concede when Nyle, with Clara in his arms and Susie hot on his heels, rushes into the kitchen.  “She walked!”

“What?!”  Callie and Kazar respond in unison.  “How is that even possible?” Callie questions, looking from face to face.

Kazar shrugs.  “She is wholly unique, regina meis.  Our little dragonling princess and my little star - mea Bella, she is one of a kind.”

Nyle squats to gently place Clara on her feet. He holds on for just a moment, to make sure she will remain upright on her own power, before he slowly lifts his hands.  Clara, beautiful, sweet, and loving dragonling that she is, looks around the room at all of the expectant faces and smiles radiantly.  This amazing child knows she is well loved.  She knows she will always be safe with these people.  Her family.  With that knowledge and confidence propelling her forward, Clara takes that first step, before haltingly making her way across the small kitchen to approach her mother.  The baby can sense Callie’s love and pride and wants to bask in her Mamama’s devotion.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

“I’m riding up to Tulsa now,” Nyle says as he slips in behind Callie to wrap his arms around her waist.  “You still pissed at me?”

“A teeny bit,” she admits quietly as she relaxes her body into his welcome strength.  “Mostly, I’m worried.  I have a bad feeling about this…”

Nyle quickly turns her around to face him.  “Aingeal mine, I need to do this.  I’m the impulsive one, remember?  I have to do something!  Hells, I know it’s risky, but trust in my ability to handle it.”  The wolfish grin on his handsome face tells Callie he’s about to make a funny.  “Trust me, baby, they didn’t let me become a Twin Ravens enforcer just because of my pretty face and rockin’ hot bod.”  He leans down to plant a tender kiss on the top of her head.  He hesitates there just a moment, to inhale deeply of her clean scent of shampoo, delicious female, and deadly dragon queen.  He commits her scent to memory and prays she won’t nurse her anger the entire time he is gone.

When he pulls back to watch her face, he is happy to see love shining in her beautiful eyes and not annoyance or resentment.  “I have complete confidence in your abilities,” she assures him quietly.  “I just wish I could go or that you’d take Kazar with you.  I want to know for sure that someone has your back.”  Her smile is wan, but Nyle appreciates that she is making the effort… for him.  “I explained all that when we were all yelling at each other in the kitchen.”

The wolf smirks.  “Yeah, baby, I heard you, loud and clear.  I do understand.  Truly.  But there’s no way in hell I am taking you along on this hunt when you are the target.  At least one of your males need to be at your side until we’ve eradicated every threat, so, Kazar stays here with you.”

Callie reaches up to cup his bearded face between her hands.  “There will always be threats.  Freaks like Dysnomia are not the only ones who are not happy to see the Dragon Queens return, you know that.”  Nyle can only nod.  “But I only have one wolf, and he damned well better come home to me and our vampire.  You hearing me, my sexy mate?”

Nyle chuckles.  “A Dragon, a Vampire, and a Wolf walk into a bar…” He smirks when she smacks his shoulder.  “Baby, you gotta admit, that has the potential for one helluva funny joke.”

“Our triad is not a joke,” Callie says sincerely.

“No, my beloved female, we are most certainly not a joke.  You and Kazar, as well as our daughter, are the very best things that could ever have happened to me.  The three of you make my existence complete, and I have no intention of leaving this life any time soon.”

“You better not,” she sternly chastises.  “I’d follow your fine behind to Mag Mell and drag you back to be with me and Kazar.”

Nyle chuckles.  “Ah, beautiful, I’m pleased you are so certain that I am destined to end up in paradise and not the other place.”

Callie shakes her head and suppresses the smile her winsome wolf is teasing to her lips.  Lying her head upon his chest, she savors the sound of his heart beat, the scent of his body, and vows that she will hold him again… just like this.  For many, many years to come.  “I’d happily charge into the very heart of Damnú Síoraí for you as well.  You don’t deserve eternal damnation, and I’d not have it.”

He kisses the top of her head and whispers; “Well, that settles it then, doesn’t it?”  Callie chuckles quietly, as she struggles to suppress the sob that wants to rip from her chest.  But there is no way she’ll send her lover and mate off on a dangerous mission with visions of her tears and fears.

At the sound of two motorcycles roaring up the drive, Callie lifts her head and asks; “Are we expecting company?”

“Nah, it’s just Charmer and whoever he got to ride the Harley I borrowed from Nox Legion for the trip to Tulsa.”  He releases her and strides over to look out the picture window facing the front yard. “Yep, it’s Charmer and the goddess herself.”  The wolf shifter chuckles.  “I guess the goddess and the dragon queen are going to get in some girl time.”

“Probably not much,” Callie rejoins drolly.  “I bet she’s here for princess time.  Those two have become fast friends.”

Upon hearing the bikes, Kazar joins them in the living room.  Without uttering a word, the vampire stalks across the small room to grab his wolf lover in a bone crushing embrace.  The kiss these two long time lovers share is hot enough to catch the old drapes on fire, and Callie finds herself wanting to fan herself.  When Nyle finally pulls away to breathe, Kazar snarls.  “I know you are good at what you do, but you’ve never been on a mission when the stakes were this high.  Be. Careful. Maritus, come back to your mates.  We need you.”  Kazar turns to Callie and commands; “Come here, puella, make our triad complete.”

Callie instantly rushes into their arms, where Nyle captures her mouth for yet another soul branding kiss.  Normally, such a kiss from either of her mates would have her body heating up and would find her panties suddenly sodden, but in this moment, her heart aches far too much for passion to take hold.

“Be careful,” Callie whispers against Nyle’s ear when he finally ends the kiss.  “I will come after you.  That was not a joke.  I meant every word.”

“I know, mo bhanríon. I know.”  Her Celt kisses her lips tenderly before saying; “I’ll probably be gone for a while, so take pictures of our girl, will ya?  She’s growing so fucking fast, I don’t want to miss a thing.”  Callie agrees with a watery smile.