The Seven: Four tales of passion, danger and love (14 page)

"Here?"

"Yeah or we could do it at the main house."

"Well, we'd need to ask Lily about that."

"Then we definitely do it here. I'll give her a ring. How about rustling up a couple of beers for me and August while I do that?"

"Sure. You want something Layla?"

"Yeah, let me help."

"I'll join you and give Cam some privacy." Augustus followed the women into the kitchen.

"What did Cam mean about you being straight up, Mr. Thurinus?" Ellie cut a look at him as she opened the refrigerator.

"Augustus, please. And he was referring to me telling him who I am and was."

"You mean you weren't always Augustus Thurinus?"

"No, that I am not from Texas and was not always a rancher."

"Oh, so what were you before?"

"Many things."

"Okay, so originally."

Layla laughed as she took a seat at the kitchen table. "What?" Ellie asked in confusion.

"Nothing, just bring those beers and have a seat."

"Okay. You want one?"

"Sure."

Ellie brought three beers to the table and a bottle of water. She gave Layla and Augustus a beer, set one down for Cam and then took a seat with her water. "Okay, I'm sitting, so back to my question."

Augustus looked at Layla as he sat and she chuckled again. "He was the Emperor of Rome."

Ellie felt her mouth drop open in surprise. "You can't be serious? You're – you've – you've been alive
that
long?"

"Yes."

"God, you Vampires must really age well."

Augustus chuckled. "That's one way of putting it."

Something suddenly occurred to Ellie. "Oh my god, the cookout. Do you—eat?"

"Yes, of course."

"But – but you're a Vampire."

"Yes."

"So don't you – you know, need blood?"

"Yes."

"But you still eat?"

"Yes."

"So at the risk of sounding too curious, how does that work exactly? I mean, you obviously can be out in the sun or the last place you'd be is in Florida during the day. And you eat regular food. But you still need blood. So how much and how often?"

"You remind me of Layla."

"Oh?"

"When we met, she was filled with questions as well."

"And did you give her the answers?"

"I'm still working on that."

"Oh, which brings us to the juicy stuff. How exactly did you two meet?"

Augustus and Layla both laughed and Layla answered. "That's kind of an interesting story."

"So tell me."

Layla laughed. "Okay, it was like this …"

Chapter Fifteen

If everyone could be like Ellie and her family, the Seven and humanity would have no trouble living together in peace.

Ellie's sister-in-law, Lily is, according to Lily, part elemental and can control fire. Can literally create it and hurl it around. Cam's oldest brother Colton, can project energy like Thor with his thunderbolts. And his wife, Memory, can manifest things out of thin air.

Ellie has quite a few abilities of her own but you'd never know any of them are anything other than regular people. That gives me, and I think, Augustus hope.

And hope is something you can never have too much of.

"Oh you definitely should use that in a book."

Layla smiled at Lily Marsh, Ellie's sister-in-law. She had been a bit nervous about meeting the rest of Ellie's family but Lily was so genuine and down-to-earth that she made Layla feel at ease in five minutes.

"No kidding." Ellie agreed. "That's better than fiction."

"And pretty darn romantic." Lily added.

"Along with pretty terrifying." Clint, Lily's husband added. "No offense but sounds like there's quite a bit of risk that goes along with your relationship."

"That's true." Augustus agreed. "There are many humans who do not want to believe that my kind exist and other who do believe but fear us and see us as something spawned from hell."

"But you're actually just a species of human, aren't you?" Clint asked. "I mean, you're humanoid and you originated on this planet."

"Perhaps, our origins are murky at best."

"Wonder what made you the way you are?" The question came from Lily. "I mean originally. There had to have been a starting point. Did your evolution start with humans – Neanderthal and Cro Magnum and all that and then branch off?"

"That's a good question and one for which there is no answer. My mother is the oldest of the Vampire, as far as we know and she was born as such. Her parents were killed when she was very young and she doesn't know about any that came before her."

"It's pretty remarkable when you think about it." Cam spoke up. "I mean, who would've thought that one day people like us would be sitting out on the porch, sipping cold brews and talking about things like Vampires and Angels and Fae. Kind of boggles the mind."

"Speaking of Fae." Ellie got up to get another bottle of water from the iced tub of drinks on the porch. "I want you to know that two others will be joining us. My brother and a friend of his."

"And they're Fae?" Layla asked.

"Eldric, my brother is."

"As are you." Augustus pointed out.

"Yes, oddly enough that's true. Although I don't feel like it. I feel human."

"As do I." Augustus said.

"Really?" She reclaimed her seat.

"Of course. We each feel completely normal with what and who we are because we know no other way to define normal."

"That's true. And it shouldn't matter anymore than what color we are, should it?"

"No. What matters is whether we can live together in a spirit of peace and cooperation for the good of all."

"Well said." A voice came from the steps leading up from the back yard.

"Eldric, Alex, hi." Ellie got back up and held out her hand to Eldric. "Please, I want me to meet my friends."

Eldric accepted Ellie's hand and let her pull him forward. The woman behind him followed.

Layla watched with interest. Eldric was an almost impossibility beautiful man, tall and lean with the most amazing eyes. His companion, Alex was a statuesque red-haired woman sexy enough to stop traffic.

Eldric let Ellie lead him across the porch. Augustus rose as they drew near. "Augustus, this is my brother Eldric Whitehorse. Eldric, this is Augustus Thurinus."

"Prince of Vampires." Eldric released Ellie's hand.

"Prince of Fae." Augustus extended his hand. "It is an honor."

Eldric hesitated. His eyes locked with Augustus' and held. No one said a word and after a few seconds, Layla realized she was holding her breath. When Eldric smiled and clasped Augustus' hand, she finally exhaled.

"I have chosen the Light Path."

Augustus nodded at Eldric. "Your path is your own and I honor it. Since the formation of the Council of Seven, the Light and Dark have found peace here."

"It is not so in the other realm."

"Which is why the leader of your people, Lucan Concoran, would like to meet with you. Your family is one of the oldest, most powerful, and respected of the Fae. Our people could use your assistance in our efforts to integrate into mainstream society."

Eldric did not respond for several seconds but he finally nodded. "I will meet with him."

"Thank you."

"But for now." Eldric smiled. "Let us concern ourselves with more pleasant matters. Oh, forgive me, my companion, Alex Morgan."

Augustus inclined his head to Alex. "Ms. Morgan."

She nodded and gave Layla a smile then turned her attention back to Augustus. "I understand you and Ms. Storm—"

"Summerfield." Ellie corrected. "Her real name is Summerfield."

"Pardon, you and Ms. Summerfield are soon to be united in marriage."

"Yes, we are, and that is part of the reason we're here." He looked at Layla.

"Yes," she said. "Ellie, I wanted to ask you to be my maid of honor."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

Ellie ran across the porch to lean over and hug Layla. "Oh thank you. I would really love to. Really. But I can't."

Layla had not expected her to refuse and it really disappointed her. "Why not?"

"Because I can't travel. Something about the placenta and the doctors have curtailed a lot of what I can and can't do."

"Oh no. Oh oh, I understand. I do. I'm disappointed but I wouldn't want you to do anything that would hurt your baby."

"I wish you could just get married here." Ellie sat on the arm of Layla's chair and then stood as the wicker glide rocker tilted precariously. "Sorry. But I do wish you could do it here. Oh!" She looked at Eldric. "Wouldn't Dad's house be the perfect place?"

Eldric smiled. "Yes, actually it would."

"Your father's house? I thought you said you tore it down when you built the new place?"

"We did, but that wasn't his real home. I found his real home by mistake."

"Pardon?" Augustus reclaimed his seat beside Layla.

"It's where Eldric and I opened the portal and he came through."

"Interesting."

"It's beautiful. You'd just love it. In fact, we have time, let's go there."

Lily was the one to object. "Have you forgotten all about taking it easy?"

Ellie blew out her breath. "It's just walking."

"Or riding," Cam offered.

Ellie brightened. "Yes! So, Layla you and Augustus want to see? I'm not saying you should get married there but it really is beautiful."

"I'd love to. Augustus?"

"Yes, so would I."

"Then it's settled. You all want to go now?"

No one objected. Cam and Clint headed off to the barn to saddle a horse for Ellie. Lily and Alex remained behind. Until then Alex had remained silent but now she spoke up.

"So, do you mind a question Mr. Thurinus?"

"Augustus."

"Thanks, Augustus. So?"

"Ask away."

"Will Layla be your first wife?"

A knot of anxiety suddenly formed in Layla's gut. Why had she never thought to ask that question? Augustus had lived thousands of years; surely he'd had other wives. Other women he'd loved.

Suddenly she had the urge to flee – to go find a safe hidey hole and tuck in to be alone with the miserable thoughts assailing her. She was such an idiot. She'd been so wrapped up in her own emotions and fears of what would happen to their love when she grew old that she'd never considered the past. Was she just another woman in a very long procession that entered and left his life?

The thought made her feel physically sick. When she thought of Augustus it was as
the
love of her life, her one and only. But how could he think of her in the same light when he'd had so many loves before her and would have so many more after she was dead and gone?

"Excuse me." She got up just as Augustus opened his mouth to respond, and went inside, blinking to hold back tears.

Ellie got up and followed. "Are you okay?"

"No. No. Ellie what am I doing? He's … he's probably had a hundred wives and he'll have a hundred more when I'm gone. So what can I possibly be to him other than some temporary person who moves through his life?"

"Don't you think he loves you?"

"Yes, I do. But what does that mean to him? I see him as the one man for me – the man I want to build a life with, have a family with and – oh my god! Ellie, he could have a hundred children!"

Ellie took her hands. "Layla, you're freaking out honey."

"You're damn Skippy! Oh god, this is wrong, this is all wrong. What was I thinking? I have to go, Ellie. I have to go now."

"Go where and why?"

"Somewhere, anywhere, I just need to be alone – to think."

"Well, you could say you're not feeling well and stay here while we go see the other house."

"Yes, yes, that's a good idea. Thank you."

"No problem. Look why don't you go into the family room and stretch out on the couch. That way if anyone checks it'll look like you're resting. We'll be gone for an hour or so. That'll give you time to think and calm down."

"I don't know if I will but thank you." Layla gave her a hug and went into the family room to settle on the sofa.

She'd just kicked off her shoes and unfolded a soft throw to spread over her when Augustus entered the room. "You're unwell?"

"Probably just a case of nerves." She could say that and tell the truth. Her nerves were shot. "I just need to rest."

"I'll tell Ellie we'll see the house another time."

"No, you go. Please. It'd be nice to have an hour of quiet."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes."

"Very well." He leaned down and gave her a kiss. Layla hated the way she tensed and knew from his expression that he felt it, but she laid down and closed her eyes.

A few moments later she heard him leave and opened her eyes. For a few minutes she stared at the ceiling, listening to the people on the patio as they prepared to leave. When the voices faded, she got up and wandered outside.

She took a seat and stared off into the distance, trying to wrap her mind around her current predicament. She loved Augustus and probably would never love another man the way she did him, but she didn't want to be just another of his many loves. She wanted to be his ever after.

And the only way that was possible was if she was like him. That thought scared her. Being virtually immortal was not something a person was offered and it certainly was tempting. However, being immortal and knowing you'd always depend upon blood from other humans to sustain your life made her balk. It just seemed wrong.

Footfall in the direction of the steps had her turning in her chair. By the time she'd bolted to her feet the two men were on her. One punched her and had her doubling over. Before she could catch her breath and stand upright stars exploded in her head and then all light disappeared.

*****

"Layla."

Eldric, who was walking beside Augustus, stopped as Augustus went stone still. "She's in danger." A blink of an eye later Augustus was gone.

"Something's wrong." Eldric said as the others stopped to look back at him. "I have to help."

"We'll all go," Cam offered.

"Too slow."

With that, he flew into motion and for all practical purposes vanished from sight.

Ellie turned the horse she rode. "We need to get back."

"Whatever it is, they can handle it," Alex said. "But we can still go back."

"Amen to that." Lily agreed then added. "I hope they get there in time."

"So, do I." Ellie murmured, barely paying attention to what was going on around her. She'd learned to tap into Eldric's thoughts and for the moment was viewing through his eyes.

Augustus arrived a split second after the man hit Layla over the back of the head with a handgun. Before the man had time to fully point the gun at Layla's back, Augustus was upon him.

Eldric arrive on the scene to see Augustus grab the man by the arm with one hand and snatch away the gun with the other.

"No!" He shouted as Augustus made a move to tear the man's neck open with his teeth.

Augustus turned with a snarl, fangs bared, and eyes flashing. Eldric raised one hand and sent a bolt of energy into the second man who was lifting a gun in Augustus's direction. The blast sent the man flying off his feet and flailing across the porch and out into the yard to slam into the trunk of an old oak.