Chapter Three

Hari sent messages to her friends on the new phone that Zerul had provided. The trunk was loaded with bags. Zerul had simply ordered a bunch of clothing from different designers and had the driver pick them up while Hari picked out a new sweatsuit and some underwear.

“Have you notified everyone?”

“Yup. Even my lawyer. Serel was served at lunch just an hour before my place exploded in flames.”

“I see. Prolen will be mildly inconvenienced, but he will get over it.”

“He needs a new mistress that he can chew on? I know some ladies at the club who wouldn’t mind the gig.”

Zerul chuckled. “I will mention it to him.”

She stared as they drove through the gates of the governor’s mansion, and her stomach churned.

Zerul took her hand. “It’s all right, my treasure. Your last time here was horror. I intend for the rest of your life here to be a fantasy.”

“You know my kind of manifestation will be around for a really long time.” She looked at him. “You don’t know what you are in for. I will last a really, really long time.”

He laughed. “You are the first everborn that I have ever seen. I was delighted to have found you.”

“You are a vampire king without being a vampire. I am just fricking confused by your logistics.”

“Well, I drink blood and prefer the nightlife, so it wasn’t a stretch. I also consume sexual energy, so that is also something many vampires are familiar with.”

“Oh, great. You also mess around with memories.”

“I dabble.” He lifted her hand to his lips.

She snorted and saw something unexpected. “Is that an XIA vehicle?”

He smirked. “They came to deal with the fire mage. He is wanted in Redbird City.”

“Lovely.”

“It is convenient. I will log his testimony for who hired him to kill you, and then the team can take him away.”

“How did you get a team here so fast?”

“They were returning home, and their mayor asked me to take care of them for a few nights. It has been a difficult journey for them.” He kissed her knuckles. “He is going to be here for the party with his assistant. It should be interesting.”

She paused. “Isn’t the mayor of Redbird a vampire?”

“Oh, yes. One of the oldest, if not the oldest. He comes here every ten years or so, and his arrival keeps the vampires in line, so I don’t have to.”

“You have known him a while?”

“You could say that.”

The car door opened, and he exited, pulling her gently by his grip on her hand.

She was tired. Exhausted, but she lifted her chin and walked out with him.

Prolen met them inside the doors. “Miss, I am glad to see you alive.”

“Me, too.”

“Serel is being questioned regarding her involvement.”

“Good. My guess is that she was pissed about the lawsuit. She will be so happy that charges of attempted murder, destruction of property, and interference in commerce will be added to the list.” She smiled. “And since her father is bankrolling her hiring of the assassin, he gets to be charged as well.”

Prolen nodded. “As you should. She was offered, and I accepted, but I hear that you have more agreeable ladies to which I could be exposed.”

“I don’t have them, but I can ask them. They just want a bit of money and some fun nights out. Sex is also pretty important to most of them.”

Prolen grinned. “Good to know. Sir, your guests are in the main dining room having a meal. The food you ordered for Miss is separate and waiting.”

Hari nodded. “Good. He wouldn’t let me have food at the hospital.”

“I want you eating under my roof.”

“Controlling. Bastard.” She spoke slowly.

Zerul chuckled. “Correct. We have discussed this.”

She huffed, and he guided her deeper into the mansion.

They passed the ballroom, and she felt a twinge of fury. It faded as they continued toward the large dining room.

The quartet sitting together and laughing smiled as they entered the room, and the woman with long brown hair and brilliant green eyes came forward. “Lord Zerul, thank you for hosting us. Your city is extremely expensive, and the XIA and Mage Guild are cheap.”

“When Matthias asked me to host you, it was my pleasure. This is my consort, Anhara. Anhara, this is Beneficia.”

The woman stuck out her hand with a grin. “Benny.”

“Hari.”

Benny’s hair ruffled and rippled in a puff of air that didn’t have any discernable origin.

Benny looked at her. “Wow. You have an interesting lineage.”

“I will trust you on that. I ignore most of the things I have found out about my family.”

“Can you ask your parents?”

“Nope. Dad is dead, and Mom took off when I was two.”

“Grandparents? Aunts or uncles?”

“Nope.”

“Damn. Would you let me to an analysis while we are here?”

“Not today. I haven’t eaten today, and it was a helluva wakeup.”

“Oh, shit. Come and sit down.”

Zerul smiled. “Food is being held for her. I will return in a moment.” He paused and looked at Benny. “Don’t let her run.”

“Yes, Governor.” Benny smiled, and when he was gone, she asked, “You are planning on running?”

“No. He’s spent five years courting and helping me in the dreamscape. It’s time to surrender to the inevitable.”

“How romantic.” Benny chortled and walked over to the three men sitting at the table. Two out of three were eating. The vampire was reading his phone. “These agents are Argyle, Smith, and Tremble. My partners and mates.”

Hari nodded. “Hiya.”

Argyle inclined his head. The crimson-maned vampire smiled. “So, you are the one that Zerul has been lusting after for the last four years.”

Hari looked at him. “Did you know Eberhart?”

Argyle grimaced. “Only by reputation.”

“It took me a while to get him out of my hair and off my skin. But his last was definitely his last.” She inclined her head.

Benny grinned. “Don’t worry, Argyle. If you tick her off, I can restore you.”

Zerul walked in with a tray in his hands. “You can restore paste? There was nothing left of Eberhart larger than an inch. Bone, muscle, and skin... shattered.”

Zerul shifted the tray to one hand and pulled out a chair for Hari. “Sit, Treasure.”

She walked over and sat down a few seats away from the shapeshifter. The meal was warm, and it was huge.

He kissed the crown of her head and sat between her and the XIA team. Benny was staring at him and then started to chuckle. “Oh, I get it now.”

Zerul looked at her. “What?”

“You two are the same. Same energy, same vibe, same general genetic background. Sorry. Genealogy is my hobby.”

Tremble chuckled. “She’s made of everything. Apparently, Lady Anhara has her own blend that is throwing Benny for a loop.”

“Not a loop but really old straight lines.” Benny sipped at her drink.

Hari looked at her meal and picked up her fork and knife. She took some of the super soft beef in gravy, some mashed potato, and vegetables. It was pretty good, but it could be better.

She stood up. “Which way is the kitchen?”

Zerul put a hand on her shoulder and pressed her to sit down. “You can terrify my chef later. Right now, you are going to replace some of what you burned healing yourself.”

She shrugged and said, “A sprig of rosemary in the sauce would have added an acidic twist. The gravy is particularly rich.”

Zerul rubbed her back. “Eat. That’s an order.”

“Under any other circumstances, something would get bitten off.” She speared a carrot and snapped at it with her teeth.

“Noted, now eat.”

He turned and spoke to the others while Hari ate. There was a silver cloche that hid a giant creampuff. She picked it up and took a huge bite. She paused as the distinct flavours of chocolate, raspberry, and strawberry exploded. She wanted to moan but kept it to herself. The mains were good but could be better, but the dessert was amazing.

She savoured the creampuff and made her way through it.

She felt sad but satisfied when it was gone.

The coffee and water went down next. She was panting and exhausted when Zerul stopped his conversation and smiled at her. “Ready for a nap, treasure?”

She nodded. “Yeah. That would be good. Where am I going?”

He got to his feet and picked her up. She was nodding off. He carried her through the halls, and she muttered, “What was dosed?”

“The water. The doctor ordered sleep, and I knew you wouldn’t go through it lightly. It is just some melatonin. You will be back to yourself in an hour and can easily wake up if you need to.”

He walked up a set of stairs, and she dozed in and out. When he paused and doors opened for them, she mumbled, “You said I would have my own room.”

“You will. It isn’t ready yet. It was being readied for the party.”

“Oh. You have an extra bed in here?”

He smiled. “I am not going to tangle my body with yours until after the opener arrives. I want to make sure you don’t need to experience repeat discomfort.”

She blinked. “Shit. You figured that out.”

“Your body returns to its original state. The right opener can keep your body in a formation that won’t cause you injury if things get a little enthusiastic.”

“That is very thoughtful.”

“I am very thoughtful, and this benefits both of us.” He settled her on a bed that gave her the feeling of being on a sports field.

He settled her on a pillow, and a throw was pulled over her. No tucking in, no sudden nudity.

He stroked her hair. “I am going to make a few calls. You rest. Come find me when you are awake and alert.”

She nodded and grabbed the pillow, pulling it against her and burying her head in the fabric that smelled like him. He smelled good.

* * * *

Zerul looked at his found treasure and smiled. She was out. Her body had grabbed the excuse to relax, and she would be sleeping for a few hours.

He headed to his office and found the hair restoration specialist. He called and spoke to the man who would help the blue mane return to its former glory.

When he hung up from that call, he checked his messages, and the opener was running ahead of schedule. He would arrive that evening and be at their disposal until the contract was complete.

Anhara’s body wanted to return to its natural state, and if she tensed up, her sexual interactions would be painful, would heal, and then she would be wary with every subsequent encounter. He was not into trauma. He wanted her to come to him with enthusiasm and challenge in her eyes. Zeral wanted to see her sleepy in the morning as they went to sleep, outraged and charging into action when she woke in the evening.

The opener just wanted to be addressed as Opener when he arrived. It was a little antisocial but fine. It was assured that he could manage the spellwork required to manage opening an everborn.

Anhara would be handled with care. It was in the contract.

His mind felt the touch of hers on the dreamscape. Since the night they had first met, where he had seen the horrific experience she had been through, they had been bonded. It had been in his own best interest to make sure that she went through therapy and recovered from that evening. She had forbidden him from interfering in her life, as they had no connection aside from their time in the dreamscape. He was slowly crossing that divide, but he had to be careful. She had been betrayed frequently by those she trusted. He was not going to join that club.

He had waited for the slow caress in his mind that Anhara brought to him. Part of him was desperate to know where she had come from, but if her parents were gone, it would be difficult. For now, he had to be satisfied that his consort was perfect in all ways that mattered.

* * * *

Hari got up and stretched, feeling rested, and no more hot spots taunted her skin.

She was still wearing her shoes and felt horrible about being on the bed fully clothed.

She rubbed her eyes and looked around the room. Gold, blue, and magenta were the colours that he favoured. She looked at her hair and shrugged. Well, she was one of his favourite colours.

Hari stood and stretched again. She saw a collection of sticky notes near a door and wandered over.

Anhara, we are having guests for dinner, so please wear the dress hanging in the bathroom. Take your time. Freshen up, and dinner will be at seven. Snacks will be served in the ballroom.

Each of the sticky notes had a few words, and she crouched to read the last. Her stomach rumbled, and she looked into the bathroom.

The dress hanging there was a soft gold. Hari guessed that it was cocktail-style. She examined it and then headed into the shower, where she became an instant fan of his shower heads. They hit every spot just with a little effort.

She turned off the heads and wrung out her hair before using the thick and fluffy towels to dry off.

Upon investigating, there was underwear to match the gold dress hanging in a bag behind it, complete with shoes. She brushed her hair and flipped it behind her then got dressed. Her stomach was rumbling, and she straightened her shoulders and grabbed her phone. She smiled and answered Livia’s text as she walked down the stairs. She said that she was fine, recovered, and probably going to be calling the governor’s mansion home. She wondered what that would do for her work schedule.

Livia replied that Stuben had been asked to come in for the next few weeks. Livia had heard that the governor had shown up, and she had guessed that Hari would be out of commission until the ball, at least. She was doing damage control like she always did.

Hari smiled. It was a bit of a relief to have friends that she could count on. Liv’s story ran parallel to Hari’s, and they had similar physical characteristics. Liv was married, but she hadn’t met her husband. It was a proxy thing. The situation was weird, but Hari couldn’t throw stones.

Curious, she passed the ballroom and followed the liveried staff to the kitchen. The scents and sounds made her smile. She tucked herself into a corner and watched.

Hari smiled as there was cursing and slamming, but courses were still prepped and set to hold until service was ready.

When her stomach roared, it quieted the kitchen. Hari blushed. “Sorry. I will just go and find the snacks. Have a great night, everybody.”

She left and headed to the ballroom. Zerul looked up when she walked into the opulent space, and he separated from his conversational partner to come to her. “Hello, Anhara. You look rested and stunning.”

“You have a comfortable bed, and I was alone in my dreams, so it was restful.” She smiled at him.

“You were not alone, but I am glad they were restful.” He kissed her knuckles.

“You mentioned snacks?” She tilted her head at him.

He led her to the covered dishes and flicked them open with his fingers. The covers rolled back on tracks and showed a delightful arrangement of hot treats in a variety of proteins. She got a tiny plate and heaped it high before nibbling.

“Come. I want you to meet someone, treasure.” He smiled and slid an arm around her.

“I am not letting go of my plate to shake hands,” she mumbled.

He chuckled. “That’s fine. Your hands are not their concern.”

She walked with him and met the first set of people there for the cocktail hour. More people were arriving, and Anhara recognized a few who had frequented the club.

She met Prolen again, and he smiled at her. “I hear you have some friends who don’t have pending charges against them.”

“This is true. They also have souls, so much better all the way around.”

He nodded. “Well, if any of them have an evening off, they are welcome.”

She turned to Zerul. “Can I invite people?”

He grinned. “Of course. I am interested to meet your friends.”

“Thanks. I am feeling outnumbered.” She picked up the phone, tapped at it, got confirmations, and grinned. “Now, do I tell security that I have friends coming?”

“I will do it. What are their names?” Prolen smiled.

“Livia is my friend, then Sura and Minnie for you.” She blushed a little. “Oh, that sounds bad. They are both very agreeable with interesting hobbies. I had to guess at your personal interests.”

Prolen smiled. “I am certain you will choose appropriate candidates to replace Serel.”

“Well, some of the ladies have a thing for vampires, and others are terrified, so I went for the not-terrified ones.”

His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Wise choice.”

She smiled and checked her phone. “They will be here in an hour.”

Zerul frowned. “Who is Livia?”

“She’s my friend. She doesn’t show up on scans, and I am guessing that she stays out of my dreams. She would think it was invasive anyway. We were roommates back at the time of the last party. She helped me clean up and get my feet under me and kept me going when my life went to hell. She wasn’t much better, but together, we had each other’s back, and we built ourselves up from nothing.”

“You don’t understand. There is no trace of her in your mind when you sleep.”

“I know. She thinks it’s messy to leave traces of herself around, so she doesn’t.” Hari smiled. “I don’t know how she does it, but she disappears from my life the moment I fall asleep and returns when I wake up.”

“Are you sure she’s real?”

“You will see her in an hour. She’s never late.” Hari smiled. “She said she had something to wear, and I am curious to find out what she looks like dressed up.”

Zerul kept his arm around her. “I look forward to meeting your friends.”

“You keep that thought.” She smirked.