Page 18 of Beautiful Heart

After agreeing to be his representative with the women, Gerri spent an hour or two each night in meetings or on phone calls or video chats with female supernaturals of all varieties. She was surprised to find they had many of the same problems as bland women. The biggest issue was feeling safe as they walked the streets of the city. Apparently a number of the supernatural females had disappeared over the past few weeks, and the women were worried they might be next.

After a meeting with the council where she brought up the women’s safety concerns, she found herself ignored. As a bland, she was used to her ideas not being listened to simply because she was a woman, but as a member of the council, she should have an equal voice. She needed to be heard instead of poo-pooed before the subject was changed to something the elf leader wished to discuss.

As the meeting continued, Gerri stewed, wondering if she should discuss the issue with one member at a time instead of facing the entire council at once. It would take longer to effect change that way, but if she worked fast, maybe she could influence enough members to gain a majority before the next meeting.

By the time Dickinson called an end to the meeting, Gerri decided she needed help in shifting the men’s views.

Mystic’s All-Night Café was the center of supernatural culture and neutral ground, which was why council meetings were held in the private dining room.

After that evening’s meeting, Gerri followed Livingston out. She watched as Kingsley James, the city’s mage leader, joined a woman at a table at the back of the main dining room.

“Lena, this is Gerri Markham, Livingston’s woman,” Kingsley James said after giving the woman an embarrassingly long and deep kiss. “Gerri, this is Lena Wellings, my woman.

“She’s also an angel,” Livingston said.

“Hello,” Gerri said as she shook the other woman’s hand.

“Good evening. Welcome to the world of supernaturals,” Lena said with a smile that settled every jangling nerve Gerri had. “How was your first council meeting?”

“Very enlightening,” Gerri said, not sure she should say more in front of the men. “Maybe we could get together and talk sometime?”

“That would be wonderful. How about night after tomorrow? We can meet here without the men and Mystic can join us if she’s not too busy. I’m sure she’d be most interested in what we’ll be discussing.”

“That would be perfect,” Gerri said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I believe there’s a lavender scone and hot chocolate calling my name.”

The other woman chuckled with her and nodded. “Tomorrow night. Nine o’clock?”

“It’s a date,” Gerri said. She then headed to the counter in the back left corner of the room to check out the contents of the display case.

After placing her order, she wasn’t sure what to do. The few remaining council members were still talking in small groups as they slowly headed for the door.

“Mystic, double Gerri’s order, and make it to go please,” Livingston said as he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her body.

He pulled her back to press against his front, and she gasped at the long, thick erection that pressed into her body. A moment later, the man’s head dropped and he licked at the spot where her mating mark would be, once he bit her during their third mating.

She shivered, and wondered if that third bite would ever happen. “In a hurry to get home, my prince?”

“Mm-hmm…” He then kissed up the side of her neck and nipped at her earlobe. “Watching you take on the council, even though they blew you off, was an incredible turn-on. I might not even make it home. I may have to take you in the car on the way.”

His words immediately had Gerri’s body reacting. Her nipples hardened and her pussy dampened while her heartbeat and breathing began to pick up. “Yes, please,” she whispered as Mystic set their order on the counter.

In the next instant Mystic’s eyes went white and her voice sounded completely different than normal. “Take care, vampire princess. Trouble is coming, but know you can handle it, and by doing so will help the entire female population.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Mystic blinked and her eyes returned to normal. A shiver of fear raced through Gerri at the prediction, though she wasn’t sure why.

“Have a good evening, you two,” Mystic said before turning away without any further comment about the warning she had just given.

“Is that normal?” Gerri asked as she handed Livingston one cup and then picked up the other and the bag of goodies.

“That’s Mystic,” Livingston said. “Come on. I need to be in you in the next two minutes or things will turn ugly.”

“Yes, my prince,” Gerri giggled as he took her hand and led her from the café and down the alley to where Quinlan waited with the limo.

****

Though Mystic’s words sent a frisson of fear through him, Livingston refused to chain her to the bed to keep her safe. He couldn’t keep his mate locked up in their apartment, or even the building. She wouldn’t allow it.

He would just have to do all he could to keep her safe without her knowing. But the erection he had been sporting since his woman had stepped into her position as a council emissary was making him think planning for his mate’s safety could wait. For now, she was beside him and safe.

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