17. The Warrior

My maker and my mate are behind closed doors. It shouldn’t worry me, but it does. I pace a concerned line in the living room. Rolando tries to distract me, but I wave him away. I hadn’t expected Wren’s first meeting with Leland to be solo. She is so shy… Anxiety pits my stomach. I can’t hear much beyond the door. Most of our home has been fitted with additional layers of soundproofing. When a lot of us gather in one place, it is quite necessary. Something I’m sure the rest of the house is glad for now that I have Wren.

This is as much her home as it is mine. I’m sure Leland would welcome her to it, he is ever the man of chivalry and honor. The times we come from are so ingrained in him that sometimes I wonder if he truly realizes how much the world has changed. I try to slow my thoughts and reach out through the bond to see if I can understand what Wren is thinking. She isn’t closed in concentration now as she had been earlier.

Anxiety.

Mild terror.

I sigh, going slowly insane.

Rolando places a solid hand on my shoulder. “Oz, she’s not such a delicate thing. Relax, she’ll be fine.”

He’s right, I”m being ridiculous. I sit on the couch and run my hands through my hair. “I don’t know why it’s like this. I feel like I need to be there, protecting her.”

“From Leland?”

“No.” Not from Leland. He would never harm someone important to me, especially not someone I’ve bonded with in such a way.

Rolando doesn’t press the issue, but I can tell he’s annoyed with me. My son isn’t usually one to hold his tongue. I’m not just being ridiculous, am I? I am enthralled. Groaning, I force my body to lean back and relax, one muscle at a time. It takes focus, I close out everything else in the room. There is just me. Forced silence deafens me, and I take a few deep breaths.

I can hear a loud bout of laughter coming from the study. Leland and Wren laughing together. The last knots in my back release. She is doing fine, I’m worried for no reason. I shouldn’t be surprised in the least. Her compassion, ability to see into people for who they are, and sense of humor are the three things I love most about her.

Well, most about her personality.

Christ, what is wrong with me?

Rolando sits beside me in silence for a long while. His presence is a reminder to keep my shit together. It’s working, and I am much calmer now than I had been when they went in. I hear the door handle jiggle as my maker and mate came out, smiling.

I’m on my feet in less than a second.

Leland has his hand on the middle of Wren’s back as he guides her into the living room. He takes her hand and bows, kissing the back of it. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, Wren. Now if you will indulge a very old man, I’d like to have a few words with Oz before I return him to you.”

My turn.

“Of course.” Her tone is warm and happy, and it fills me with contentment to see her this way. I don’t like the darkness when it clouds her view of herself. Turning to me, she places a quick peck on my cheek. “See you in a bit,” she says before taking my spot on the couch beside Rolando.

Not soon enough, I whisper in her mind.

Entering Leland’s study, I take in the glasses on his liquor tray. That’s not a bad idea. I help myself to a scotch and sit in the chair beside Leland’s. It smells like Wren. My father tops off his bourbon and folds himself heavily onto his chair. He pinches between his brow before taking a deep swig of liquor, then another.

He seems older.

“What’s wrong?” I don’t like seeing him weak.

“I’m tired, Oz. Being the leader of the ruling coven here has taken its toll, and I’m afraid I have to set out again in a day or so.” He stares into the flames. The cheerful mask he so carefully crafted is missing. I’ve known Leland longer than anyone in our coven. I’ve been at his side for almost an entire millennium. He lets himself go when he is with me, trusting I will keep his secrets.

I am his most trusted.

His most loyal.

“There’s a rising coven from out of town causing trouble nearby. Sources tell me they’re due in our city tonight. Likely trying to challenge us for territory.” He frowns. He doesn’t like decimating covens unless necessary, but his demeanor tells me he already thinks it will be without meeting them.

“I haven’t heard any rumblings. You’re sure they’re here so soon?”

Finishing his drink, he turns to look at me. “They’re from out of state. They’re coming here specifically because I’m back, and my coven is here. I’ve had my eye on them for some time because their leader is…” He threw his glass into the fire, shattering it into dazzling pieces as the fire flares from the alcohol still stuck to its sides. “It’s Emerson Holt.”

That pit in my stomach is back.

Emerson Holt is my brother, Leland’s second-turned-vampire, and he is bad news.

“I didn’t even know he’d left Europe.” Surprise colors my voice. Our last sighting was about three centuries ago. We haven”t kept his company in over five hundred years though, not since there’d been a major disagreement on proper vampire etiquette. I close my eyes, remembering the bodies. The things he’s done.

“He slipped out two months ago, and I only heard about it a week after he’d left. Another week after, a new coven popped up in Delaware of all places.”

I snort.

Fucking Delaware?

Emerson must be desperate.

“I sent Naritaka to infiltrate and join the coven some time ago to see if Emerson could be tracked and stopped. They never met before, so it seemed like the perfect fit. Taka told me last night they are coming. Emerson knows there’s a mole and didn’t tell the group until the last possible second.” Lines tighten around his eyes. “I’m going to finally kill him, Oz.”

He has to kill his son, my brother.

Good.

“I’ll go with you. I can help protect-” Leland cuts me short with a stern glare.

“You will do no such thing. You will remain here and keep our home protected. You know what he’s capable of.” I nod. There is no use arguing about this.

“Fuck me.” I down my scotch, and we sit silently, studying the fire. I may not be able to go, but I can send the next best thing. “Take Rolando with you. And please bring heavy armament. Some guns this time, Leland.”

A grimace flashes across his kind features. He hates guns. “Rolando can bring as many as he and the others like, but I’ll be fine with my sword.”

“You won’t always,” I caution. We haven’t been around Emerson in so long, and I doubt he will pause before using automatic weapons against our creator.

“Fine,” he concedes. “I’ll bring the damn guns.”

We’ve acquired a decent-sized armory over the years, so we might as well put it to good use. I need to send someone for another haul as soon as possible. I like having many backups should the occasion call for it. With Emerson around, who knows what will be next?

“When are you going?”

“Leaving tomorrow just before sunset. We’ll feed on the way and arrive fresh.” I feel much better knowing that Rolando will be with him. No doubt, several of my brothers and sisters would be assisting as well, but I know Rolando will make Leland his priority. It seems business has finally concluded, and the sun will rise soon. I want to make sure he gets plenty of rest.

“We should all settle in for the day. Recharge before you head out.” He sighs unhappily. There are usually celebrations when he returns from his trips, but now he is going off to slaughter one of his own making. I can’t imagine the pain that puts him through.

“I suppose we shall. But before we do, we have one other matter to discuss.”

My ears perk up, sensing this is going to be about Wren.

“Oz, you have certainly found yourself an enchanting creature,” His eyes have that glint in them that I am so used to seeing. I beam. She is precisely that, enchanting. “The matter of your bond, though,” my smile falls. “It’s bordering on obsession, and I know you can’t help it. It’s already in your nature to worry over those you care for, and the bond has exponentially increased those tendencies where she is concerned. I already explained this to Wren, and I’ll explain it to you now. It’s normal. The compulsion and obsession will ease, and you will ultimately be left with something pure and strong.”

Obsession.

That sounds about right.

“Quite comforting because I was beginning to think I was losing my grip. It’s like I can’t bear to be away from her for no good reason. I left to get compelled humans and do some business for a couple of hours, but I was distracted the whole time I was gone.” I can think of nothing but her. I haven’t been so single-minded since I was human.

“It will be easier, especially the more you force it. I know it goes against your nature to leave the side of someone precious to you, but do try a little. She’s tougher than she looks.” He smiles broadly now. My beloved has warmed him over effortlessly, it would seem.

“I’m glad you approve.”

“Aye, and when this mess with your brother is finished, we will give her a proper welcome. She may not have had the pomp and circumstance we usually turn humans with, but we can throw her one hell of a party.” Leland rises from his chair, I follow suit, and he pulls me into a fatherly hug. “Congratulations, my boy. She’s exquisite and seems perfect for you.”

I return the embrace, and as we pull apart, I feel at peace.

My family is thriving.

Wren is not waiting for me on the couch where I last saw her. Sensing sunrise is only an hour away, I make my way to our room, running into Rolando on the landing. “Perfect timing,” I clap him on the shoulder. “Remember your uncle? The sadistic one?”

His expression darkens.

He remembers.

I try not to think about the bodies again.

There were children.

“He’s in town tomorrow, and Leland intends to put a stop to him at long last. Take what you need from the armory, ensure Leland has something that can fire many bullets quickly, and watch his back.”

“Of course.” Rolando is just as loyal as I am. I trust no one more than him to do this for me. “When are we leaving?”

“Just before sunset tomorrow. Get some rest, and don’t forget to eat before you massacre the miserable lot of them.”

Rolando snorts. “Yes, Dad, I’ll remember to eat my breakfast, promise.” Laughing, he clamors downstairs, likely heading to see what sort of weaponry they will need and get the specifics from Leland before hunkering down for the day.

Opening the door to our room, I see Wren stretched on the bed, eyes closed. She looks peaceful and relaxed. When she had been gone with Charlee the night she got her memories back, I made her a sculpture. One I haven’t yet revealed to her. I didn’t want to bring it up that night, because she had a lot more on her mind than a little trinket from me could help with. I can tell it still distresses her greatly.

Though I can’t deny my selfish desire to give her my present. Now that she’s had success in feeding, her memories are returned, and our bond is acknowledged and strong, I feel like it is finally time.

Sliding open the middle drawer of my dresser, I reach into the back where my small gift is tucked and hidden. It has been carefully not thought of and locked inside my mind in a place Wren wouldn’t find it. I haven’t wrapped it, having only completed my project shortly before they’d arrived back home.

Taking the sculpture in hand now, I set it silently on the bedside table next to Wren. Sliding behind her so she would have a clear view, I gently stroke her arm, plant a soft kiss on her shoulder, and breathe in her luscious scent.

Turning her head and opening her eyes, a smile reserved just for me crosses her beautiful lips. “There you are,” she whispers to me. I lean over and kiss her. While many of our kisses are full of heat, passion, and a yearning for one another, we have finally reached a point that allows us to share softer moments—full of sweetness and the promise of something solid and lasting.

“Here I am,” I stroke the side of her face with my thumb. “I have a present for you, little bird.”

Confusion settles on her face. “A present?”

“You created for me, so it’s only right I give you something I created for you.” I point beyond her head. She turns and follows the path, eyes settling on the little sculpture.

Bronze is a complex material to work with, but the only one that seemed right when I created the tiny wren settled on a branch—poised in such a way that it stood by itself, perfectly balanced. A quiet gasp escapes my beloved as she reaches for my work. “It’s a wren.”

“A bit on the nose, I know, but I wanted you to be represented among my other creatures,” I gesture to all of the sculptures she once admired when she arrived.

“Oz, she’s lovely,” I can hear her voice thick with emotion as she gingerly takes my work in her hands. I watch intently as she sits up and examines every angle of her gift, turning it in the light.

“I am glad you approve, my dear.” Unable to help myself from grinning, I welcomed the sight of her amazement. The way the light dances in her eyes. Casting in bronze isn’t easy, but having vampire senses certainly helps. It is a very delicate material once it’s been heated in my forge. The risk of melting is high if it gets too hot. It could break entirely as I hammer, incredibly brittle. Though it is sturdy once it cools and forms into the shape my hands instruct it to take.

My Wren is strong.

It is something that reminds me of her, how delicate and fragile she can be, but only beneath my hands. Reminds me that when she is independent of me, she can stand firm on her own.

Selecting the perfect spot for her gift, on a table near the windows, Wren hurries back to the bed, pushing me against the mattress and tangling her legs in mine. “Thank you,” she whispers, peppering my face with her sweet kisses.

I pull her into me, losing myself in her touch, her scent. I’ll give her everything she wants, anything she asks for.

I give her all of me.