Page 146 of The Vampire's Thirst
He yelled, “Bounty, Cadmon wants a get-together here. Me, Rein, Dax, the other commanders, and the arriving justices and lawgivers. Arrange it for tomorrow.”
She leaned against the doorjamb, her arms crossed under her breasts. “Yes, O loud one.”
Before following his two Firebrands to the stronghold’s portal, he snatched his double-edged dagger. No sense being too good a host. In the outer office near Bounty’s desk, Kae slept atop blankets on the floor. “Why do you have my daughter?”
“Don’t know. Skyler dropped her off early this morning with a sh … boatload of toys.”
With a shrug, Kole hurried into the hallway and to the stronghold’s portal.
At the gateway, Ram waited splay-legged, his Scottish dirk in his fist. Chay, alongside him, clutched a war hammer.
Some welcoming committee.
First through the portal was Aras. In his arms, he cradled an infant eagle shifter. Behind him were his female and a juvenile who positioned his body in front of his mother.
Kole lowered his blade, admiring the youth’s protective instincts.
“Thanks, Commander,” said the chief justice. “Our aerie is no longer safe.”
Next through was Viktor, bowing slightly at the waist, still favoring the formalities. Though Dante had killed the lawgiver’s offspring in a lab, the vampire didn’t blame all humans for the evil of one. He chose forgiveness rather than vengeance. “You remember Dania, my mate. Arisen Dawn has been outside our door in Bludhaven for days. It was time to slip away.” He stepped aside to reveal Norah. “This is the brave female who suffered at Dante’s hands along with my son. Ossar and Licia, her parents, are behind her. You’ve met them.”
“Welcome, Lawgiver,” said Kole. He nodded at the group Viktor led into the stronghold. “Chay, take these guests to Margo. We’ll talk later. Get settled in first.”
Viktor clapped a hand on Kole’s shoulder. “I cannot thank you enough. My family has seen enough tragedy.”
Nerina, another supportive lawgiver, greeted Kole as Ram stood guard, his back to the wall, his eyes on the arrivals. A stream of family members followed her. “This is my beloved mate. We will fight, Kole. Though not Firebrands, we are trained and not expecting a free ride in your stronghold. Behind him are my daughter, her satyr mate, and son.” She pointed at a voluptuous nymph with strawberry-blonde hair like her mother’s who held hands with an adult male on one side and a boy of about five on the other.
Ram sheathed his weapon before he hoisted the young satyr onto his shoulders, rewarded by the boy’s giggles. “Let’s worry about fighting once you have a safe place to bed down.”
After the guests were off to their unfamiliar quarters, Kole returned to his office where he allowed himself a moment to rest his head in his palms, elbows on his desk. This future was not what he wanted for his realm or Skyler and Kae.
As if on cue, his mate’s voice drifted in from the outer office. Despite dark thoughts of the future, a smile tugged his lips as he opened the door to herd his infant and Skyler inside. When the now awake child saw her father, her chubby hands clapped together. Her mouth opened with giggles, and her little feet bicycled. He scooped Kae out of her mother’s arms.
Kole’s gaze traveled up and down Skyler. Usually in heels and with every hair in place, today she wore khakis, boots, and a cotton shirt. All slightly askew. Icy-blonde tendrils escaped a messy ponytail.
When she caught him eyeing her, she said, “Just came from a workout.”
“In the gym?” He arched his brows, staring at her scuffed Dr. Martens.
“Uh. No. On the obstacle course outside. I figured I could use the practice.”
Kae distracted him by pinching his nose. He returned the favor with a tickle to the belly. “A visit is what I needed.”
“We won’t stay. You have a busy day ahead with more refugees. I have to check in at the Alliance even though I took the day off.”
Kole tossed his daughter into the air while Skyler closed her eyes, wincing despite the girl’s loud tee-hees.
Shifting Kae to the crook of his arm, he pulled his mate to his side with his free hand. “Have I told you how happy you make me, Frisca?”
“You have, but I can always hear it again.”
“If things go south, I want you and Kae to resettle on Earth. I’ve set up a condo in Chicago along with a bank account.” He reached into his desk drawer to retrieve a folder. “It’s all in here.”
Instead of taking it, Skyler snatched the girl from him, her mouth turning down into a frown, her words frosty enough to freeze his balls. “Don’t be ridiculous, demon. We will never abandon you. Just try to make us leave.” She spun on her heel and marched out, calling over her shoulder, “This subject is closed.”
He returned to his desk, determined to open the closed subject again and again until his mate agreed with him.
After a few hours of tedious paperwork, Kole answered a D-chip call. He tapped. He listened, his erratic breathing threatening to bring on his demon beast.
