“Oh, shit. Right. But the other one is okay.”
“Yes. This is his family property, and their blood guards it.”
“Okay. Good.”
“And Lyric guards it. She’s... interesting.”
Zara chuckled. “Right. Emma is coming?”
“Yes. She’s on the way. I called a car service that I trust, and she packed your bags and her own. I am not taking chances.”
She held onto him and breathed him in. Nothing. Stupid restrictions.
Lyric chuckled. “Take her to the main house and introduce her to Dad. I am going to start beefing up the barrier.”
“Yes, Lyric.” Rayd was serious.
Zara held tight to him as he walked her toward the house.
* * * *
Lyric went to her magicrock and dumped energy into it, surrounding her vineyard and the entire property. Only the invited or those with friendly intentions could make it beyond her barrier.
Since discovering she could do this, Lyric had spent time learning more about those like her, meeting them, and understanding how their peculiarity worked. No two of the Elite omegas were the same. Some were strong, others sweet, and a few could even pull energy out of an Elite and turn him into a plain alpha.
Lyric had achieved the skills of protection and power. The demon that had attacked at the faire was currently nursing a lot of broken bones. When Zara had mentioned that he was approaching fast, Lyric had seconds to find him in the men around them. His run at them with blazing crimson eyes had given him away and made Lyric discard her normal restraint.
Lykon was going to have fun when he looked up from his forge. She had seen the fine work he was doing when they got back, and it indicated that he really liked Zara. He was making her a small pendant with her marks and one each for the others. It was good to see him interested in something that wasn’t just work.
Having a demon alpha for a brother had made life more awkward than it already was, but it had kept the Elite from darkening their door more than once. They had taken one look at Lykon with his eyes blazing and left. She had started dying her hair the same golden brown as her brother and father and gotten on with the need to find out how to use the energy that rose and crackled around her. When she started to work out, a means of focus became apparent. Strength was her thing.
She looked around at the neatly arranged vines that went as far as the eye could see. The rotors of the helicopter were visible behind the wind fence that Lykon had insisted they put up because Rayd often used that means of transport, and they needed to keep all emissions away from the vines. It wasn’t a bad idea. The landing site was two kilometres from the vines. It should be fine. Time would tell.
Lyric headed back to the main house, where she would be on demon watch until Zara was mated.
A car pulled up, and an elderly woman emerged with a concerned expression. “Is she okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. She’s fine. Rayd took her inside to introduce her to my father.”
“Who are you, dear?”
“Oh, Lykon’s sister. Lyric. I will be hosting you and Zara in the big house with my father. Their third will be coming earlier than anticipated, given the conditions, and they should be bound by next weekend.”
Emma grinned. “Really?”
“Really. It will be a relief. You have no idea how hard it is to find a mate for a giant fantasy nerd.”
“Oh, I have an idea.” Emma chuckled. “You have a strange look to you.”
Lyric checked, and she was wearing her beta shape. “Do I? Must be the faire garb. I will go change into jeans, and I can take you and Zara on a tour of the vineyard and winery.”
“There is a difference between them?”
“Sure. We grow the grapes, and then we make the wine. And then people drink the wine and tell us how clever we are.”
Emma chuckled. “I think I like you.”
“Thank you. It is high praise.”