Page 62 of Master of Kayos

Chapter Eighteen

Nikita

Nikita insisted onmaking cupcakes to celebrate.Papa T was eating healthy, but one cupcake wouldn’t hurt.When he told her he didn’t have cake mix, she told him she didn’t need it.She busied herself in the kitchen with Rory helping.While Nikita mixed, Rory talked about the twins and their antics.Nikita couldn’t wait to meet the two rambunctious boys.Hearing about them had her a little melancholy.She missed Jake and his sweet smile.With Kyllian wiping the packs’ memories of her, Jake wouldn’t miss her.Wouldn’t remember all the time they spent together with Nikita reading to him.Shifting and wrestling together.He was the only one not intimidated by her larger animal.She hoped time would lessen the pain, and that somewhere in the back of his mind, he would somehow recall having a big sister who loved him.

Even with that bit of sadness, that day was the best one of Nikita’s life.Only riding her dad’s Gryphon was more fun.Her dad.It was crazy how Kyllian already felt like more of a father than Blake ever did.Blake had loved her, but Kyllian adored her.When it was time for bed, Nikita took her new documents to the room she was staying in and placed them on the dresser.Somehow, Kyllian had made it so she was officially his.She figured her cousin Lucy had something to do with it.He had talked about his niece more than once.Nikita knew there was more to her story than he shared, but what he had said was enough to know Lucy was a brilliant hacker.After taking a shower, Nikita climbed under the covers and imagined what that would be like.She’d mentioned helping her mom with the family business, or learning from Bishop, but now Nikita thought she might like to learn from her new cousin.A cousin who was mated to a Gargoyle.

While eating cupcakes, Lucy called to fill them in on what was happening in New Atlanta.Nikita had listened to a story that could have been a thrilling novel or movie.Rory had cursed without apology when Lucy mentioned being shot at.Then she thanked Zeus that both Lucy and the human who took the bullet were both okay.After the call, both Sutton and Rory answered her million and one questions.Nikita often imagined there were other shifters in the world.Why would there only be wolves?And the past week proved her right.Wolves, Gryphons, and Gargoyles probably weren’t the only ones either.And now that her parents were together, surely they would have more kids.Would they be wolves, Gryphons, or a hybrid of the two?Like with Lucy and Tamian.Would their children be a blend?Nikita fell asleep thinking of all the possibilities.

The next week was a little crazy.Gram took Nikita shopping, going overboard with clothes and shoes.Her mom worked when necessary, which meant Papa T did as well.Pops had brought helmets for her and her mom, and with the new boots and thick jacket she got on her shopping spree, Nikita was ready to ride.While Quinn worked, Kyllian took Nikita riding.When it was her mom’s turn to go for a spin, Nikita spent time in the kitchen with Rory after she got her schoolwork done.Kyllian had called the school, weaving a tale that allowed her to finish out the year remotely.Nikita and Tarryn talked often and video chatted every night before bed.Nikita couldn’t share with her best friend how Kyllian made everything happen, and that sucked.

Gram and Pops stayed with them for a week.Nikita would have been sad about them leaving the next day, but Quinn was ready for them to move to Kyllian’s house and begin the next phase of their lives together.

Nikita woke that next morning to her dad cursing loudly.She rolled out of bed and dressed in a new pair of jeans and sweater.She had loved shopping with Rory who let her choose whatever style she wanted.Nikita had been tempted to buy one “hoochie” outfit to tease Kyllian with, but in the end, she didn’t want to waste the money.When she got downstairs, Kyllian was hugging Quinn.

“What’s wrong?Did something happen?”she asked, approaching them.

“The police are here,” Rory answered.

“What?Why?”

“That’s what we’re waiting to find out,” Papa T said, looking out the front window.

When the patrol car parked at the top of the driveway, Papa T opened the door, and everyone else followed him onto the porch.It was brisk outside, and Nikita wished she’d taken the time to put her shoes on.The cop got out, his hand on his pistol.

“Quinn Shepherd?”

Her mom stepped forward.“I’m Quinn.”

“You need to come with me for questioning.”

Kyllian tugged Quinn behind him.“What’s this about?”

“Miss Shepherd is under investigation for kidnapping Nikita Aberdine.”

“Kidnapping?How can my mom kidnap me?I’m her child.And my last name is Lazlo, not Aberdine.”Nikita closed the distance and grabbed her mom’s hand.

It was then Mercy got out of the backseat of the patrol car.“See?I told you.They brainwashed her.Her dad is beside himself.You can call him.He’ll tell you.”

Rory growled, and if Sutton hadn’t grabbed her arm, Nikita had a feeling there would be a fierce lioness ripping Mercy apart.

Kyllian relaxed his stance.“Officer, I can assure you I am Nikita’s dad, but if you won’t take my word for it, call this man she claims is Nikita’s father.Ask him for yourself.”

Mercy fisted her hands, her body shaking with rage.“You wiped his mind, didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.Nikita, honey, go grab your birth certificate.”Nikita did as he asked, grabbing both the paper and her shoes while in her room.She might be a shifter, but Upstate New York was still cold this time of year.When she returned, the second officer had Mercy by the arm, and her eyes were wild, flashing with the yellow of her Wolf.Nikita handed Kyllian the paper, then pulled on her socks and shoes.

Kyllian strode down the steps but stopped a few feet away.The cop was on the phone, his eyes trained on Mercy.“You have one daughter and her name’s Carrie?And she’s thirteen?I see.Yes, thank you.I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”He thumbed his phone off and took the paper Kyllian offered, proving her parentage.While he looked it over, Mercy became more agitated, yelling about mind manipulation.Nikita’s grandparents surrounded her, forming a protective barrier.She wasn’t worried, though.Nikita had seen Mercy’s animal enough times to know she was no match for a dire wolf, much less two of them and three Gryphons.Papa T would be able to hold his own as well.

“I apologize for the disturbance.”The cop handed the certificate back before addressing his partner.“Read this woman her rights for filing false charges.”

That was the moment Mercy truly lost it.She jerked away from the officer, shifting and shredding her clothes.“What the fuck?”The cop who’d been holding her stepped back, his eyes filled with fear.

“Oh, hell no.”Rory pulled loose from Sutton, shifting and ripping through her own sweater and jeans.Her tawny fur rippled with the change, and within seconds, she was on Mercy, taking her down.

“Rory, no!”Sutton then shifted, going after his mate.

The cops both had their weapons out at that point, and Nikita yelled to Kyllian, “Dad, they have guns.Voodoo them!”

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