Chapter Fourteen

Meryn looked around and simply went to her favorite couch. "What is it this time? A puppy drowned in a well?"

The demon gave her a droll look. "I told you it wasn't to my aesthetic."

She looked around. "Is it time to get my new memory?"

The demon shook his head.

"I thought you weren't going to talk to me again until that was ready."

"I have been thinking. I treat you like a human and I feel like that is an injustice to you. How would you like to renegotiate?"

"No way! You promised me…"

The demon held up his hand smiling. "I can still deliver on that promise, however, I would like to make you a new offer. Instead of giving you the memory of their deaths, how would you like it if I delivered them to you, wrapped up with a pretty bow for you to kill?"

Meryn eyed him. "Tell me plainly that it isn't a trick."

"Meryn, darling, this is not a trick. I was making arrangements to have things in place when I realized, that if it were me, I would want to land the killing blow myself."

Meryn chewed on her thumb. "Does it make me a bad person that I'm tempted by your offer?"

"You are seriously asking the wrong person."

"When you say with a bow?"

"Trust me, you will love it."

"Then I agree, because it's not just me that needs justice."

"Excellent. Give me a day and everything should be ready. They are panicking right now and ripe for destruction. You made my job so much easier with that stunt at the facility."

"Did you get what you needed?"

"From them? Yes."

"Why do any of this? Why kill so many?"

The demon shrugged. "I may have done things differently if I were planning things."

"What does that mean?"

"You have all the clues. I am confident you can figure it out."

"Give me another clue."

"What will you pay?"

"What do you want?"

He hesitated. "Give me a name."

Meryn stared. "Dude! You don't have a name?"

"We were not considered worthy of names."

"That's fucked up. Okay, you have a deal, let me think."

He let out a nervous chuckle. "It is just a name."

Meryn could see a vulnerability in his expression, that wasn't there when she walked in. This meant a lot to him. She thought back to all the people she had met, all the names she had known over her life. Smiling, she looked at him. "I'm going to give you my favorite boy name from when I was a kid. Xavier."

The demon seemed to swell, then settle back to his original size. He hugged himself, then looked down at his arms as if he were admiring a new outfit. "Why that one?"

"It was the name of my imaginary friend, it seemed appropriate."

He laughed, deep and rich. "I love it. Here is your clue. With what you know about me, investigate the first bead."

"It sounds like you want me to find you."

"Maybe I do."

"Goodbye, Xavier."

His eyes glowed. "Goodbye, Meryn."

*****

Kincaid watched as the person with the most protection sat alone, communicating with a demon. Two uncles, an athair , a mate and a squire all paced around one another. In any other scenario it would have been comical.

"What do you mean she's talking to a demon? And again?" Marshall demanded.

Aiden ran his hand through his hair. "He only communicates with her."

Amelia tried to calm her father. "He doesn't hurt her."

Ryuu looked at his charge's cousin. "He stopped her heart."

Amelia smiled weakly. "She said that was more of a learning curve trying to speak to one another."

"The black is fading, she's coming back," Cas announced.

Then as if nothing happened, Meryn yawned and reached for her coffee.

"Baby, are you okay?"

She looked up at her mate. "Yup, I'm fine. I keep telling you he's not that bad." She turned to her uncle. "Umm…"

Brennus paled. "Oh gods." He reached for his chair and sat down. "Okay, what did you learn?"

"He wanted to renegotiate, so we did."

Brennus jumped back up. "What! What did he want?"

Meryn scratched her head. "Nothing really, he wanted to give me the option of killing them myself."

Brennus stopped pacing. "That's it."

"Yup!"

Ryuu placed a hand on her shoulder. "Did you agree?"

She nodded. "We are all owed a pound a flesh. I didn't think it was fair if I was the only one that got that memory."

"What were the terms?" the queen asked.

"Just that instead of getting the memory of them dying, he'd arrange it for them to be kinda delivered. He said something about a bow."

"A bow? What does that mean?" Aiden asked.

She shrugged. "He said to trust him."

More than one person at the table groaned.

She turned to Thane. "If your Vanguard peeps want in on this to fulfill my dad's wish, they better get here. He said he'd be done in a day."

Thane looked to Darian. "Can you help me go pick them up? Knowing Ange, they're walking around in circles in Boston."

Darian smiled. "Of course."

"I want to be one of the ones that goes to this exchange," Lily said, in a voice that held no room for argument.

Marshall just eyed his mate.

They heard a knock at the door before it swung open and Molvan appeared. His normally kept hair looked like he had been pulling at it and his eyes were dark and had bags underneath.

"Molvan? What is it?" the queen asked.

"We don't have any room! Anywhere!" he raved, waving his portfolio around. "Our population in the city grew exponentially when everyone was called home. We just don't have the housing."

Darian stood and placed both his hands on Molvan's shoulders. "Take a deep breath. I'm sure we can figure this out." He plucked the man's portfolio from his hands. "I've been thinking about this. Thanks to Meryn's suggestion about the warrior estate, I've been kicking around some ideas with Rex Lionhart about condo style buildings and family apartments. It allows for us to build up, instead of out."

Molvan stared. "That could actually work. A few families have donated estates, but those could only house so many. If we asked for permission to build upwards, that could seriously alleviate our growing housing deficit."

"Which estates were donated?" Darian asked, flipping through the portfolio.

Molvan pointed out which ones.

Darian nodded. "They are centrally located. We could even build whole floors of just gardens. We have artisans and witches available. We do not have to stick to ugly concrete."

"I'm sure the local craftsmen would like to get in on a project of this size," Molvan pointed out.

"If we have dedicated family units, we could use trees as corner anchors to allow for more families to share the space," Darian said, handing the portfolio back.

Kincaid was impressed. The prince had been thinking of his people the entire time.

The queen sighed. "I understand now. Why House Alina was attacked. Why it is so cold and dark." She looked around. "I'm sorry it has taken me this long to remember."

Meryn stood. "Auntie?"

Darian and Oron moved as one to stand by their mother.

Darian took her hand. "Mother?"

The queen stood, holding Darian's hand. Her face took on an exalted expression. When she spoke, her voice had deepened.

"As above, so below. And so, the wheel turns. Ever shall we be the Land of Eternal Sun, but summer no longer. The mighty oak drifts off to sleep, dreaming of warmer days as another steps up to guide the way. All Hail Darian Vi'Alina, King of the Fae. All Hail, the Holly King!"

With her words the world shifted. Darian's knees nearly buckled as the sky outside brightened. Sun streamed in through the windows, not as bright as before the murders began, but brighter than it had been in weeks. The air was now clean and crisp, with a hint of snow and smoke. The atmosphere practically hummed with power.

The fae realm had been reborn.

As one, every fae in the room knelt to Darian, heads bowed. In the distance they could hear bells tolling and the low roll of the people's celebration as it washed away the darkness and grief. Their people still mourned but hope shined as bright as their new sun.

To his right Aiden buried his face in his hands.

"Godsdammit!"

*****

Kincaid held tight to Zadie's hand as they watched Aiden eat his way through his third platter of pancakes and bacon.

The queen looking younger and healthier than she had in years, sipped her tea looking smug.

Darian scowling, now seemed a bit taller as he carried his power about him like an invisible cloak. "Take it back."

She shook her head. "No dear. It was time."

"Time? Is that what you meant about the Alina House?" Meryn asked.

She nodded. "House Alina belongs to the Holly, they were always destined to become the next rulers. House Eirson wanted to eliminate that possibility." She sighed. "I probably would have figured out quicker it was time for his succession had we not had the murders."

Meryn narrowed her eyes. "No fading?"

The queen shook her head. "Not any time soon. I feel positively marvelous! It's been over a thousand years since I have felt so much energy."

Meryn pointed to the window. "I imagine you have a lot of juice now that you're not powering the sun."

The queen chuckled looking at her son. "He is the future of our people. I saw it so clearly when he was making plans with Molvan. He was seeing a version of our city I could not imagine. It was definitely time."

"I don't want to be king!" Darian said, nearly stamping his foot.

"Too bad," she answered. "I have only one job now and that is to be a grandmother."

"Cedric Ri'Emere, is nowhere near ready to join Alpha," Aiden groused. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Ahhh poor baby," Meryn said, gently moving the plate of pastries closer to her mate. "We'll figure it out. I'm sure Dav or one of the Old Guard would do a few rotations while Cedric finishes his training."

Aiden picked up a brownie morosely.

Meryn sniffled. "I'm losing my cousin too."

Amelia gasped. "We're not going home?" she whispered, before running over to hug Meryn. Soon both women were weeping softly.

Lily stood and went over to cuddle them both. "There, there girls. You are acting like portals don't exist. Amelia, your mate can open a portal anywhere. I'm fairly certain you visiting won't be an issue."

Amelia lifted her tear-streaked face. "Really?" she asked timorously.

Darian knelt beside her, taking her hand. "Of course! Lycaonia was my home for centuries. I would miss it too much to stay away entirely."

"It won't be the same!" Meryn wailed.

Amelia dashed at her own tears. "But, Meryn, think of it this way, you get bat caves in Noctem Falls and éire Danu. Plus, you'd be coming here a lot for your aunt and uncle, right?"

"And lots of different squire food," Meryn added wiping her nose on her sleeve.

"Exactly. We can do this," Amelia said, dabbing her own eyes with a napkin.

Meryn nodded. "We have to have visits figured out by the time your nugget is born. I want my kid to have lots of kids to play with."

Outside the bells began to toll again, but this time with an urgent staccato.

Darian stood and when he turned to look at the door Portia was already there. "The city is under attack. Battles are being reported in the Border City, over two dozen assailants and counting."

Darian turned to Aiden. "Help me defend my people?" he asked.

Aiden stood and checked his gun. "It would be a distinct honor, Your Majesty."

Kendrick pointed to the women. "We'll stay here at the palace."

Darian looked relieved at the offer.

Ari stood as did the rest of Tau. Kincaid kissed Zadie.

She pulled him back down for a fiercer kiss. "I'll be waiting for you with the children. They might be scared with the bells going."

"I'll be home soon," he promised.

Together with their new king, they walked through his portal into battle.

*****

Gage pointed and shot. "This shit is getting old fast," he complained.

Darian laughed. "Try doing it for centuries. Alpha has always had to fight ferals in Lycaonia."

The Old Guard had gotten the people to evacuate into buildings and shops and they were now, slowly eliminating the enemy as they moved through the Border City.

"Brie, do we have reapers?"

Wearing her goggles she nodded. "Just enough to be fucking annoying. Not enough to get a good sweep in."

Horns sounded from the far end of the street.

Everyone stopped and tried to make out what was going on.

"What the fuck have they come up with now?" Aiden asked, squinting against the brighter sun.

Kincaid saw a familiar form and whooped loudly. He ran out in front of his fellow warriors and raised both hands. Using air magic, he simply pushed the enemy down the street toward the oncoming force.

Behind him he heard Darian whisper. "It's the goblins."

They all felt a surge of magic as holly bushes appeared to line either side of the road, keeping the enemies from escaping.

The horns sounded again as the goblins wheeled around on their dire wolves to circle the enemy. Using long spears, they effectively created a blender.

Doors opened and the fae watched as their distant neighbors had answered the bells.

"I feel positively useless," Aiden said grinning. "Do you think I could recruit them for units?"

"Brie, we clear?" Ari asked.

Brie was wheezing, she was laughing so hard. "They couldn't escape the wind tunnel. They got caught up with the spears. We're clear."

The largest goblin dismounted the enormous wolf and walked over. He took a knee in front of Darian. "The goblins greet our new king."

Darian motioned with his hand for him to rise. "Gilheim, you are a friend, please stand."

Gilheim flushed a darker green and stood. "We felt you come into your power. You embraced the cooler weather and shorter days. We look forward to your rule."

Darian strode forward and offered his forearm. Gilheim took it and the goblins let out a cheer. Behind them the fae had started coming out of their homes. Nervously at first, but then with more confidence, they approached the goblins to offer their thanks.

The goblins looked gobsmacked. They stood with their hands on the backs of their necks, shuffling their feet around embarrassed.

Gilheim looked confused. "They do not fear us?"

Darian clapped him on the back. "The fae have learned what true monsters are. Tell your people they are more than welcome in the city. In fact, I'd like to visit and try that boar Meryn was talking about."

Gilheim straightened. "I will hunt it myself," he promised.

Kincaid felt his mouth water at the mention of the boar when his stomach twisted sharply.

"Ouch!"

"Caid, you good?" Ari asked.

"I think so, I…" he rubbed his chest. Fear. Terror was coming at him in waves.

Zadie.

He clutched at his chest. "Zadie! The kids!" he gasped. "This was a distraction!" He looked around, trying to figure out the fastest way home.

Darian raised his hand, then his eyes widened. "I can't open a portal."

Aiden stepped forward. "Why would that happen?"

"It won't open when ferals are near."

"Where were trying to open it?" Oron demanded.

"The palace. It's a defensive measure built into the foundation. With ferals near, you can open one from the palace out to evacuate, but cannot open one going to the palace to prevent infiltration," Darian said, looking sick.

"Men, run!" Aiden ordered.

*****

Zadie watched as the children colored at the long tables in the dining room. They had been making cookies, but had run out of sugar. Kyrn had smiled sheepishly at her when he admitted to making several dozen a day before he left to get some from Cord. Kincaid's parents had run down to the Border City to offer healing, leaving her with the kids.

She was helping Cody lay out his crayons when, as one, the children quieted. They all turned toward the door.

"Kids?" she asked.

Aeron stood and pointed to the kitchen. Like a perfectly aligned set of cogs, the five years old grabbed the infants and they silently filed into the kitchen. Aeron took her hand. She bent down, grabbed her backpack and he led her behind them, holding a finger to his lips. Aralea helped Giles with his siblings. When they were all inside the pantry, he closed the door and they all hunkered down.

In the distance she heard heavy footsteps.

She looked to Cody. Bad men . He mouthed.

Zadie realized that the children had been so in tune with their surroundings, they had recognized the sound of the men's footsteps from a distance and hid themselves.

Your fathers? She mouthed back.

He shook his head. The others .

Reaching into her backpack she felt every type of pissed to see she had neglected to charge her phone. Not that she had anyone's number anyway. Feeling disgusted with herself she went to hand her taser to Aeron, but he shook his head. Aralea held out her hand instead. Nodding, she pointed to the button to turn it on, then made a jabbing motion. The girl nodded.

She took out her pepper-gel and regretted how much she had used on the asshole witch. She shook it, she had less than half a canister to defend them.

Cody passed Dillon to Aeron. He met her eyes, then before they could grab him, he opened the door and darted outside.

She turned to Aeron. "Stay hidden."

She ran after the small boy. Seconds later she heard his voice from the kitchen. "My tummy hurts, I'm hungry. Help!"

When she raced in she saw he had tapped the crystal that allowed the squires to communicate with one another.

"Is everything okay there?" a deep voice asked.

"Help! The bad men are here!"

From the other side of the room the door swung open and men she didn't know moved forward.

She grabbed Cody, opened the pantry door and shoved him inside. She took up a position outside the door. When the first guy got close enough, she sprayed his eyes. He went down screaming. She went to spray the second, but her canister was empty. He brought his meaty fist down and clipped her cheek. For a moment everything went black, and she saw literal stars.

"Move, bitch," he growled.

"No, I do believe you will have to move," that same deep voice from before said from behind the men.

Zadie looked up, blinking repeatedly. Cord, Kyrn, and three other men was standing in the kitchen. And they all looked pissed.

The man holding her threw her to one side and tried for the pantry door, but it wouldn't move.

Kryn's face twisted. "Never again! You will never hurt this family again."

"Not while we live," Cord said, his hands glowing. Seconds later he threw bolts of pure light at the men.

"How dare you?" the familiar deep voice said, as he held both hands out in front of him and made a rising motion. The men levitated unable to get their bearings as gravity ceased to exist for them.

The last two stepped forward. One was dual wielding butcher knives as he sliced upward, then sideways. The second, using his clawed hands, pulled bowels out and let them spill away from the bodies.

Kryn simply used his great strength to rip the heads from their shoulders.

It felt like a lifetime, but in under a minute the squires had eliminated the squad sent for the children.

"Felix you can tell the sprites it's okay to let the kids out," Meryn said from the doorway where she had been watching with Ryuu.

Seconds later the door flew open, and Cody barreled at her, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry!"

"Don't be sorry. Your quick thinking saved us all."

Aralea looked down and stuck her nose in the air. "I didn't even get to use this," she said, holding up the taser.

Behind her the kids stared at the gore.

Cord's eyes widened. "Maybe we should get them to the classroom."

Zadie with Cody, stepped to one side. "Kids, the bad men are dead. They won't come for you anymore. And even if they did, these amazing squires are here to help keep us safe."

Giles took a single peek into the kitchen, then immediately spun Draven and the girls back into the pantry. The Eirson kids looked on, smiling in satisfaction.

"Zadie, let me introduce you to our amazing squires," Meryn said. She pointed to the one that had levitated the men. "This is Eion, he's the squire for Cas and lives like a couple houses down, same with Merrick." She said pointing to the one who held the butcher knives. "He's the squire who helped raise Priest. I think their house in on the other side." She then pointed to the blond. "That's Leo. Not sure how he got here so fast, but he serves the Lionharts in the city."

Leo flexed his hands as his claws retracted. "I had also gone to the palace for some spices. With Declan coming home for lunch every day. I found my supplies dwindling faster than usual," he explained.

Meryn wrinkled her nose at the mess. "Ryuu, can you get rid of this, it's kinda gross that it's in the kitchen."

Ryuu gave a half bow, then winked at the children. Moments later, water began to swirl, cleaning surfaces and floors and floating the corpses out the door.

"What the fuck!" the heard from outside.

Meryn giggled then looked at her squire. "Did you know they were there?"

Ryuu shrugged. "Maybe."

Aiden, followed quickly by Kincaid, skidded to a halt by the door. At their sudden stop, Ari, Gage and Priest slammed into them from behind.

Meryn watched as they all fell inward, cartoon style.

"There's our conquering heroes," she teased.

Kincaid looked up from under Ari. "Zadie, are you okay? Where are the kids?"

Zadie rubbed her face. "I'll be seeing double for a while. The kids are fine." She called backward. "Giles, the mess is gone, and your brother is here."

Giles walked in carrying Enid as Draven held hands with Ember and Hazel. "Kincaid…" He looked down. "Why are you on the floor?"

"Dammit Ari! Get off me!" Kincaid said, wiggling and trying to army crawl forward.

It took a few seconds, but the men got to their feet allowing Kincaid to reach her. The second his hand touched her cheek. She felt his magic healing her. "Ahh, that feels better."

It only took a few more minutes with five squires working to get the kitchen back to normal and a few batches of cookies in the oven.

"What happened?" Aiden asked.

Zadie shrugged. "Bad men showed up. Kids hid. Cody called for help. Bad man punched me, squires showed up, bad men died. The end."

Cord looked down at Cody. "Why did you say you were hungry when you called for help."

"Kincaid taught me those were squire magic words," he explained.

Zadie watched as her mate blushed and the squires laughed.

Merrick leaned down and ruffled Cody's hair. "He's not wrong. You were very brave to leave the safety of the pantry and call for help."

Kincaid looked down. "He did what?"

Cody pointed to the crystal. "When they was showing us around, they said that was a magic squire crystal. I knew the magic words, so I knew I had to call for help." He sniffed. "I was really scared though," he admitted his eyes filling.

Aiden reached down and picked up the boy, holding him close. "Being a warrior doesn't mean you are never afraid. It means you are afraid, but you do the right thing and protect others anyway. I'm very proud of you Cody."

"Warriors get scared too?" Cody asked.

"I get scared all the time." Aiden leaned in. "Have you seen who I'm mated to?" he asked, in a fake whisper.

Cody giggled.

Meryn rolled her eyes, then kicked the back of Aiden's knee.

Kincaid looked around. "Where are mom and dad?" he asked Giles.

"They went to the city to help in case anyone needed healing."

Aiden turned to Kincaid. "Your parents can heal?"

Her mate nodded. "It's the same as me. Even when my other magics were malfunctioning, I knew I could heal." He pointed to his siblings. "With five little kids running around I think it was a necessity."

Aiden nodded. "I can see that."

Giles exhaled. "Mom is gonna freak out."

Kincaid placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's because she cares so much."

"I know, it's just there's always so many tears."

Aiden put Cody down and pointed to the door. "Let's head back. Darian and Brie went directly to the palace so I know the queen will want an update."

Kincaid turned to Kyrn. "We'll probably be having dinner there."

"Very good."

Zadie placed a hand on Cody's shoulder. "Can you make sure Kincaid's mom gets extra hugs?"

"I can do that!"

Giles smiled. "We finally get some back up."

Aiden scooped up Meryn. "Let's report that our infestation was handled by our squires."

Zadie kept a hold of Kincaid's hand. It didn't matter where she was, when she was with him, she was home.