The New World

“Fire?” I turned around in my desk chair and looked at Elric as he stood on the other side of my desk.

“I need to call you back JoAnne. And I’ll make sure Charles sets up a meeting,” I told the lady on the phone. “Right and thank you for the well wishes, I’ll make sure to send pictures of my babies soon, bye.” I hung up and motioned for Elric to take the chair. “What’s up?” I leaned back in my chair, crossed my legs and smiled at my old friend.

“With everything going on, I haven’t been able to talk to you about that phone call.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, yes! Who was it? What was it about?”

“You.” My brow lifted at that. I shouldn’t say I was surprised but I was.

“And what about me?”

“Word is spreading amongst the covens that you have split and I am the new Lord.”

“I fail to see why anyone would be asking though.”

“Because you had one of the strongest covens with some of the strongest backings. But with you not leading the coven anymore, other vampires are wondering if those under you are still loyal to you, or did they leave.”

“Vampires aren’t loyal Elric, you know this.”

“But we are to our Lord or Llady, and we would always be, and you know that. Most Lords or Ladys don’t leave their coven, they die. So with that rumor being that you stepped away, it seems some are questioning if I’m Lord in name only with you still controlling it.” The tone was very clear behind that statement. If I wasn’t in the picture for my coven, it would easily fall under many attacks as many feared me. But if I was there still, even in the background, than many would back away. But, on that same token, I would have man who would oppose me of being any type of Queen, if I was Lady still.

I ran a hand over my face and then through my hair, letting out a breath before I spoke, “who called you to ask about that?”

“Camilo.”

“Christ, this shit has reached the covens in Spain?” I stood up and looked back out the window and winced.

“Are you okay Fire?”

“Yes, I just haven’t feed like I should be, there’s been no time. And the babies take a lot.”

“Fire, you need to tonight, you can’t go on like this,” Elric stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder. “And you know you think more clearly where the blood is warm and flowing through your veins.”

“I know and I’ll let Grayson know tonight.”

“No way, I’ll square things away for you. I’m sure I know two ladies who would adore watching those babies.”

“Thank you.” He smiled at me as I glanced over at him. “I need you to go to Camilo and talk to him in person, gage his reaction and everything with your own eyes. I’ll help Derrick with things here while you go.”

“Of course, Fire.”

-----

“Do you know what you are looking for?” Grayson shot Dylan a look and the other man smiled.

“Midnight said he knew of a piece of land that would be perfect. I would guess that would mean that it would have advantage points to protect our home if need be.” They stopped and looked around. They had walked about three miles off the main road with a stroller and two cooing and gurgling babies.

“Well, the mountains at your back can protect you from any rear attacks,” Dylan said, his eyes focused on the mountain.

“Midnight said the property was a good 50 acre lot, which means that we could build something to escape into it.” Dylan turned and looked at Grayson, a smile on his lips. Grayson glanced up at him from checking on the babies. “What?”

“You’re thinking like wolf, like an Alpha.” Grayson lifted a brow in utter confusion at his friend.

“I am a wolf, how else should I be thinking?”

“You should be thinking like a man that is mated to a vampire and has some knowledge with the land and magic. You no longer need to rely on just you, Grayson. You have gifts from every one of us and honestly that makes you and Fire unstoppable.” Grayson tilted his head and nodded.

“You’re right Dylan. Yes, I’m meant to protect all my people, but there is so much more to me now.”

“Exactly. Tap in on all of that. Not that an escape through the mountain isn’t a bad idea, but use some knowledge of the witches, which can help. Use the vampires and their keen sense of hearing.” With that, Grayson cast another glance around, agreeing with Dylan. This piece of land was protected by the mountains at their back, a huge forest to their right and a lake on their left.

“Yes, this will be perfect, don’t you agree? And your pack is about 20 minute’s away due east of us. In fact, that forest is what borders your land. And Elric is 20 minutes, give or take, the other way. So, yeah, I’d say this was great.” Both guys looked down at the babies as they kicked their legs and smiled widely.

“Guess they approve,” Dylan said, clapping Grayson on the back. Grayson lifted out Rayne and handed him to Dylan while he took out Rosemina. “They don’t seem as bothered by the light as vampires are.”

“Fire and I think the healing genes of the wolf allow them even more leeway than normal.” Grayson bounced Rosemina, causing her to laugh. She cupped his cheeks and then with her slobbery lips, tried to kiss him. He knew they were growing fast and these were precious moments he would always remember, but part of him just wanted them to stay like this forever too.

“Who is your favorite uncle, huh little man?” Grayson glanced over at Dylan and shook his head.

“No, don’t you start that. Elric tired pulling that same crap.” Grayson sat down in the field and let Rosemina go, as she was already crawling. Dylan sat down next to him, allowing Rayne to do the same. “I know you’re a busy man but do you think…” Grayson’s words were cut off by a loud growl. Both men turned their heads but picked up on nothing. Once they heard it again, Grayson glanced at his kids, seeing Rayne sitting next to Rosemina, his hand touching her arm and she was on all fours, her head looking at the forest and the growls were coming from her. “Rosemina?” Grayson looked in the direction both Rayne and Rosemina were looking at, but he saw nothing, nor did he smell anything. He looked at them again, wondering if they were hearing something he wasn’t sensing.

Within the next instant, Rayne giggled and Rosemina followed. Grayson looked over at Dylan who merely shrugged. It was way too early for Rosemina to have her wolf. Grayson went to swoop them up when a shadow caught his eyes in the forest. Grayson turned, seeing a pair of eyes stare back at him, and then a bright bolt came from the child at his feet and went to the man who was standing there. Grayson looked down at Rosemina and then at Rayne who was still holding her arm, both of them looked up at him, both faces full of smiles.