“How lucky I am,” I slid my fingers through the length of his ombré hair. “How blessed. You know, Raza keeps telling me that I should explore the diversity of fey men but I think Danu knew exactly what she was doing when she sent you my way.”
“I can diversify,” Tiernan smiled. “If it's a beast in bed that you'd like to experience, I won't disappoint.”
He moved suddenly, hands going to the hem of my T-shirt, and ripped the material in half. I gaped at the falling pieces of fabric as he scooped me up and tossed me onto the bed. Before I could even lift my head, he was on me; mouth at my shoulder, teeth biting deep. I groaned as he yanked the jeans off my legs and then rose up to pull his own shirt off.
He looked down on me and smiled, more of a baring of teeth really, and then fell upon me. Beast indeed, he clawed and snarled and bit and licked his way across my flesh until I felt completely consumed. My legs shook, my head swam, and my fists clenched in his straining muscles as he barbarically brought us over the edge of ecstasy.
I guess Ihadwanted diversity after all.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The Barnett's lived in a lovely little home in Tahlequa. It was only about an hour away from the Tulsa Council House and we were a little early but when we arrived, Shaman Chepaney was already setting up on their front lawn. He had his deer hide out and the tools of his magic were spread across it. Behind him, the red brick walls of the modest home looked perfect nestled among the golden leaves of the elm trees, already celebrating Fall. It made a beautiful picture, something that belonged on a postcard or framed on a wall. You could never guess by looking at it that this was about to be the site of a supernatural battle.
Cat jumped out of the SUV first and ran across the lawn to the shaman, her Newfoundland glamour fully in place. Shaman Chepaney wasn't startled by her approach. In fact, he kept his focus on the task before him as he nudged her affectionately with his elbow. She sat down beside him and went still, watching him work.
The rest of us, which included Councilman Teagan, a slew of extinguishers, Tiernan, my Star's Guard, Raza (in human glamour), and Raye (minus his wings), climbed out of our vehicles and immediately went about our own tasks. The Kavanaugh twins had declared that they'd be needed at the Council House and so they had stayed behind. I was actually relieved to hear they wouldn't be coming. Their probing stares were so unsettling, almost as unsettling as their knowing smiles. Twins can be so eerie to begin with but when they're telepathic twins, it's ten times worse. I swear, if they started chantingred rum, I was going to lose my damn mind.
My Star's Guard helped the extinguishers set up a perimeter around the house, placing lookouts at strategic points. A few climbed up into trees and a couple even went onto the roof. The remainder took up positions directly outside of the house. The Barnett's were going to be more carefully protected than the President.
I stood with Tiernan, Teagan, Raza, and Raye in front of the house, waiting for Chepaney to finish his preparations but before he did, Mrs. Barnett came down the front steps and introduced herself to us. Mr. Chepaney had explained the situation to her so she wasn't shocked to see a bunch of people dressed for war roaming her property. Shewasrightfully concerned about her family though and asked us to join her inside while the shaman finished setting his magic trap.
“My husband is with Johnny,” she said to us as she showed us into her living room. “Johnny's our son. They're in the bedroom and Mark is trying to explain to Johnny about tonight but I was hoping that one of you might help. We really don't know what to expect. I mean, should I put away the breakables? Will there be fighting inside?”
“There could be,” I took one of the hands she was waving about nervously. “And I'm so sorry that this has been brought to your doorstep.”
She sighed, settling a little and squeezing my hand back.
“I promise you that we will do everything we can to protect your family and your property but there may be damage done,” I added grimly. “If you could put away any valuables, that would help. We'll try and keep the fighting outside but it will most likely begin near your son. He's what they're after.”
“Why?” She began to sob and of all people, it was Raza who came up and put an arm around her.
“Evil has no reason,” he whispered as he stroked her fluffy henna-colored hair gently. “There is no why, only what. What they will do and we will do to stop them. We are here to help you, Mrs. Barnett. Now what wouldyoulike to do to protect your family? What part would you like to play that would make you feel stronger, more in control of this?”
“I...” she sniffed and pulled back to look up at him. “Yes,” she nodded and swiped at her eyes. She stood straighter and took a deep breath. “Thank you, I needed that. You're absolutely right; it makes no difference why. The only thing that matters is what I do about it.”
I blinked in surprise. Who knew Raza could be so inspiring?
“So what would you like to do?” Raza asked her. “Would you like to fight? We can provide you with a weapon.”
“We can definitely make sure that you're armed,” Teagan interjected as he shot Raza a horrified look. “But perhaps you'd be more comfortable staying beside your family and protecting your son as we handle the battle.”
“Yes,” she seemed to think it over. “I don't think I want to leave Johnny.”
“Excellent,” Teagan smiled in relief.
“But I don't need a weapon,” she went on. “We have three shotguns and a rifle. We'll be fine.”
“Why don't you go and get them,” I suggested. “Lay them out near where you'll be sitting tonight. Keep them close but out of the way until you need them.”
“Alright,” she walked away much more confidently than she'd approached us.
“Would you like to fight?!” Teagan hissed Raza's words back at him. “What were you thinking, asking her that? We can't have civilians in the middle of a magic battle.”
“She's a mother,” Raza growled. “It's her right and honor to defend her child. You should never deny a parent the privilege of protecting their offspring.”
“Valid,” I held up a hand between the men. “And I'd say that was well handled on both your parts. Mrs. Barnett should be allowed to defend her child but she also needed some guidance as to where she'd be most effective at doing so.”
“So let's not argue about it,” Tiernan added. “We have bigger issues to deal with.”
