BOOK THREE in THE GUARDIAN'S SERIES
Book One: A Guardian's Touch, Book Two: A Guardian's Love , Book Three: A Guardian's Passion,
Book Four: A Guardian's Salvation
Disclaimer See Part 1
Feedback: Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com .
PART 5
Chapter 8
A soft knock sounded on the office door and looking up, Gabriella took off her reading glasses as she studied the woman standing in the open doorway. Her heart lurched at the look of love on the vampire's face. She came to her feet and rounded the desk to come to a halt before Trinity.
“Hey, honey. What a pleasant surprise.” Her amber eyes widened suddenly. “Did we have plans for tonight?”
Trinity bowed her head and took Gabriella's lips in a warm kiss. Using her tongue she pushed the brunette's mouth open and slipped in. A soft moan sounded and they pushed even closer to each other. It was only when breathing became a necessity, that they broke the kiss and stared into each other's eyes.
“I have missed you so much,” Trinity murmured and Gabriella melted at the yearning she heard in the husky voice of her partner. With her back at work, they didn't spent nearly enough time with each other.
“I've missed you too, baby. Want to go home now?”
Trinity hesitated for a split second before she shook her head.
“I was hoping we could talk.”
Gabriella's brows crawled up into her bangs as she took a step back so she had a better view of Trinity's face. “Talk? What would you like to talk about?”
Trinity scratched her chin, a gesture Gabriella knew all too well. Trinity was nervous. That worried her a little.
“The baby.”
“ Our baby, Trinity,” Gabriella absently corrected her lover as her hand moved down to protectively cover her flat abdomen. “What about our baby?”
Trinity reached out to Gabriella. “Shall we sit down first?” Gabriella allowed herself to be led to the sofa.
“What is wrong with our baby?” This time she didn't bother to hide the panic in her voice.
“Easy, baby. There is absolutely nothing wrong with our baby.” When she saw the doubtful look in the amber eyes, she nodded. “She is fine, believe me.”
“She? How do you…?”
“That is what I wanted to talk to you about?” Trinity interjected quickly.
“You know the sex of the baby? How?” Gabriella asked incredulously, her eyes shining brightly.
Trinity sighed deeply before she brought Gabriella's hand to her lips.
“I know more than that. Now promise me you will not interrupt me until I am done. Do you promise?”
Gabriella nodded hesitantly.
“OK.”
Taking a deep breath, Trinity took hold of Gabriella's hand as she began to talk.
*********************************
Trinity carefully studied Gabriella as the other woman sat there, her head bent as if in prayer. She had told her everything, about the Outlanders, the prophecy and her immortality. Since then more than 20 minutes had passed and still Gabriella hadn't said anything. She had just bowed her head and sat there in silence.
“My love…?”
“Give me a moment, please.” Gabriella's voice sounded hoarse and Trinity swallowed hard.
What was she thinking anyway, she berated herself. Where did she get off telling herself that she could love Gabriella and not have her dark, sinister lifestyle impact on her beautiful soul. She was so sure that she could protect Gabriella from any hurt. She was wrong. She had failed in her duty to protect the woman she loved from the horrible news she'd just given her. Maybe it would make it easier for Gabriella if she wasn't here now. Seeing her here, the monster that she was, could not help much while she was trying to come to terms with what she was trying to digest.
“Do…do you want me to leave?”
The dark head lifted quickly and vacant golden eyes probed hers.
“No. Stay.”
She nodded quickly. “I will stay. Do you need anything? Tea, perhaps?”
“No.”
Trinity sat back as she looked at Gabriella. She had lowered her head again and was just sitting there. The silence stretched and with every second that passed, Trinity's helplessness grew. She didn't like the fact that Gabriella was shutting her out and trying to deal with her pain and fear alone.
“What does it really mean to be immortal?”
Trinity's shoulders sagged in relief. She gently cleared her throat and reached for Gabriella's hand. Her heart soared when Gabriella grasped hers tightly.
“It means that you will not age at all and will look the same forever. Nothing besides…” She hesitated. “…besides decapitation will destroy you.”
The dark head lifted again and this time the amber eyes held fear. Trinity gently squeezed the soft, warm hand.
“Does this mean that I will have to move away from here so that people do not get suspicious?”
“No. There are ways of making you appear older.”
“How long will I be able to keep that up?”
“For as long as you want, my love.”
Gabriella closed her eyes for a while and once again silence reigned. Trinity watched her like a hawk.
“I know you are scared, Gabriella. Let me help you, please.”
Gabriella's eyes were still closed. “How?”
“Talk to me. Let me know how you feel and I will help you by telling you whether your fears are justified.”
Gabriella brought their joined hands to her abdomen. “I don't know what to feel or say right now. All I know is that I have a baby growing inside of me that I desperately want.” The amber eyes lifted to meet Trinity's green ones. “Just promise me one thing for now, Trinity.”
Trinity leaned closer and placed a tender kiss on her lover's cheek. “Anything, my love.”
The amber eyes were dark as they looked back at her. “Promise me that you will protect our baby. I don't really care about the prophecy and everything else. What I care about is the fact that we made this baby together. It's a product of our love. Promise me.”
Trinity splayed her fingers over Trinity's abdomen. “I promise you that I will protect the both of you with my life. I love you both so much.”
A brilliant smile formed on Gabriella's face as she looked at her and Trinity felt herself melt. How could she have been so lucky to have this woman in her life, to own her heart? She placed a tender kiss on Gabriella's smiling lips.
“I want to go home now. Please take me home…and stay with me.”
Trinity helped Gabriella to her feet, but instead of leading her to her door, she looked down into her lover's eyes. “We will get through this together, Gaby. Your immortality means that we will be together for all eternity and we will raise a happy, healthy baby together.”
“I know you will protect us and with you by my side, I am not afraid of what lies ahead.” Gabriella's eyes shone with unshed tears as she traced Trinity's jaw with a gentle finger.
Trinity held Gabriella to her, allowing a single red tear to slide down her cheek.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Slayer.”
*************************************
The house was quiet when she let herself in and for a few seconds she stood in the massive foyer wondering what to expect. She made her way over to her study and placed her briefcase on the large desk. Sighing she turned around only to come up short at the sight of her wife standing a few feet behind her. Inger just stared at the tall, rigid form, her heart aching at the sadness she saw in the silver eyes. To anyone else, Paloma appeared as usual; calm and collected, but not to her. Looking at her wife, Inger felt the hurt that the stoic vampire tried to hide. She saw the misery in the beautiful quicksilver eyes and the fear radiating from the taut frame.
“I have asked the cook to keep your dinner warm. The table has been set for you.”
With that said Paloma disappeared in a cloud of fine mist, leaving Inger feeling empty and alone. She dropped her face in her hands and sighed. What was wrong with her? She didn't want to be alone. She was scared and confused and needed Paloma. She wanted to be in Paloma's arms, feel her safe steady presence and be surrounded by her potent strength.
“Oh, Paloma…”she murmured softly and slowly slid down the desk until she was seated on the floor with her back against the desk. Warm tears leaked through tightly closed eyes as she remembered the pain and fear in her wife's eyes. What a jerk she was? In the past twenty years together, Paloma's love and support had been consistent. She had never waivered once in her love for her. An image of sad silver eyes filled her and she ached with shame and regret.
“I'm so sorry,” she whispered and felt a rush of fresh tears running down her cheeks.
She gasped when strong arms wrapped around her and she was lifted off the floor and pressed against a broad chest. Not opening her eyes, she knew who it was. She knew the touch, the scent…the love. A sob escaped her lips and she pushed her face into Paloma's neck.
“Shush, my love. I am here now.”
Hearing those reassuring words made her cry even harder. At the first touch of Paloma arms around her, her anxiety had lessened considerably. She could've had this relief hours ago if she instead of pushing Paloma away had allowed her wife to ease her mind. She allowed her arrogance to jeopardize their happiness.
“I'm so sorry, Paloma. Please forgive me.”
A finger under her chin lifted her face so that her eyes could meet the tender silver pools. The love in them was so breathtaking, causing an euphoric sensation trickling through her whole body. They stood like that, looking into each other's eyes, their hearts gently healing the ragged rift of disaccord.
“There is absolutely nothing to forgive, cara . You were scared and acted out of fear.” Paloma's lips gently brushed over hers. “I love you, Inger. I love you very much.”
Inger exhaled softly. All was right in her world again. No matter what the future had in stock for her, her strong, loving, dependable wife will always be there by her side.
“I love you with my whole heart, Angel Eyes,” Inger said with a dazzling smile. “Now put me down so I can eat. I'm starving.”
“Whatever you want, Mrs. Soleil. Let's go and feed our baby.”
Dinner was a quiet affair with Inger sitting in Paloma's lap as she ate her food. In between bites, she would look up into Paloma's eyes and smiled at her great fortune. Even if she lived for a thousand years, she would never ever be alone. What a comforting feeling, she thought.
Paloma helped her to clear her dishes and led her to their bedroom, where she helped her out of her clothes. Cuddled in strong arms, Inger gave in to exhaustion, watched over by beloved.
_________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 9
<Bright sunlight bounced off ash blonde hair as the toddler stumbled on unsteady feet, chasing after a butterfly.
“Careful, honey. Watch out before…”
The warning came too late and baby toppled over, causing its mother to surge to her feet. Before she could reach the baby, where it was sprawled on its tummy, large hands tenderly wrapped around the small body and cradled it against a broad chest. Smiling silver eyes looked down into the baby's sapphire gaze.
“You should heed your mother's warnings, little warrior.” With long lazy strides, Paloma came over to where Inger was seated on a soft blanket. “I believe this little tornado belongs to you, milady.”
Inger's heart swelled with love at the sight of her two favorite blondes. Nothing at all had prepared her for a moment such as these. Her family. She had a family of her own. Leaning over she caught her wife's smiling lips in a warm, loving kiss.
“She got her adventurous spirit from her Mama. They are both quite a handful, you know.” She uttered the words against Paloma's open mouth. “I am so totally in love with you.”
“Do you not think your wife will take offense at you kissing strange women in the park, milady”, Paloma teased softly and throwing her head back, Inger laughed heartily.
“She won't really mind. Because, you see, we have an eternity to make up for our mistakes. But…” She kissed her again. “…you don't feel like a stranger to me, warrior. I could swear we have kissed before.”
A soft gurgling sound pulled them apart and a wiggling little body forced itself between them, pouting lips rooting hungrily over Inger's chest.
“It's that time again.” Looking around to see if they are being watched, Inger unbuttoned her shirt, taking out a swollen breast. They both grinned when the baby hungrily latched onto its mother's nipple.
Paloma effortlessly lifted both onto her lap, cradling them to her while the baby fed. Inger felt Paloma's lips on her hair and smiled, happier than she ever thought she would be. >
Inger slowly swam back to wakefulness, the image of her little family lazing about in the park still fresh in her mind. She felt a stirring behind her and smiled. Paloma was here already. Just a few more months and their little miracle will be sharing this same space with them. She rolled over until she could make eye contact with her wife. She felt herself being submerged in warm quicksilver pools of love.
“I had a wonderful dream.”
A bright smile came over Paloma's face, making her eyes shine like polished silver.
“I know. You shared it with me.”
Inger burrowed deeper into Paloma's arms, sighing contently. “I can't wait for her to be here?”
“Me too, baby.”
Inger lifted her head and looked up into Paloma's face. Her eyes loving raced the beautiful face above her.
“She looks like you.”
Paloma smiled faintly. “She has your eyes. They look absolutely gorgeous on her. I think she will be a little heartbreaker one day.”
Inger rolled over onto her back, stretching her long frame. When she looked back, she swallowed hard at the intense look of need on Paloma's face. Her body responded almost immediately to the look.
“Oh, baby…” She pushed her hands under Paloma's black shirt. “Do we have time for this before you have to go?”
Paloma nodded. “We have more than enough time.”
Inger growled playfully as she leered at Paloma. “Are you on sunshine juice?”
Paloma stared at her for a second before she burst out laughing. Tahlia had cringed the first time Inger had referred to the daylight serum as such and had ordered the Consortium's scientists to come up with an official sounding name for the drug.
“Yes, I am on the daylight drug, but only for today. I was not sure if you would need me during the course of the day, so I asked them to prepare me for just in case.”
Inger's sapphire eyes darkened until they were almost black. “I love you, Paloma, and I'm going to show you just how much right now and every single day following today.” She rolled over the vampire and held her down by her strong shoulders. “Now do your part and let the party start.”
With a roll of her eyes, Paloma flicked her wrist and they were both naked.
“This is so unromantic,” Paloma murmured, making Inger chuckle softly.
“I promise to help you get dressed later. I find it to be just as arousing as taking off your clothes.”
Before Paloma could say more, Inger's stole the words from her lips. Her hands slowly moved down Paloma's muscled thighs, marveling at the contrast of hardness under her hands and the softness of Paloma lips under hers. A soft sigh escaped the vampire's lips, arousing Inger even further. Pushing herself up on her arms, she looked down into Paloma's eyes.
“Please, kiss my breasts.”
She straddled Paloma and smiled when the vampire lifted her torso of the bed, her eyes fixed on her nipples. She growled when Paloma's slick tongue circled a pink nipple while a gentle brush of a thumb pad over the other one made her jerk back suddenly.
Paloma hissed softly as the action caused the succulent nipple to slip from her hungry mouth. Licking her lips she looked up into Inger's eyes and grinned, her sharp fangs showing in the dim light of the room. Opening her mouth wide, she pulled Inger closer and bit into the soft swell of her breast.
Inger stiffened slightly, before she grabbed the blonde head in both hands, cradling it against her breast as she savored the sensation.
“Oh, why…why did you do that, Paloma,” she gasped, her voice heavy with regret as she felt the first stirrings of her climax at the base of her spine.
“We have the whole night ahead of us, love.” Paloma said soothingly as she lapped a few drops of blood from the twin pricks in her breast. Almost immediately the small puncture wounds closed, leaving the skin blemish-free. She slipped her hand between their bodies until she reached slick swollen heat of her wife. Still maintaining eye contact, she slipped a finger into Inger, watching the play of emotions on Inger's face. She exhaled softly when the Inger's body kicked into action. Strong thighs flexed as the brunette began to thrust into her abdomen, her mouth gaping as she expelled soft bursts of air.
“You like that?”
“Oh yes, baby. I like it a lot.”
Paloma smiled. “Good.”
********************************
A single drop of blood traveled through the air and landed on the pristine white suit, making its wearer hiss in anger as he reached for his handkerchief. Furious, the man tried to dab at the scarlet stain as the fight continued amidst jeers and calls for more blood to be spilled. Copernicus Bohm shook his head in disgust as he tried to save his $3 000 dollar suit.
“Are you okay?”
Copernicus turned his muddy brown eyes to the woman sitting next to him and grimaced. The woman's face was a cold mask of indifference as she looked at him. He disliked her intensely and would give half his fortune to get rid of her if only he hadn't needed her. She was the best bodyguard money could buy and also one of his best investments when it came to his ultimate hobby. Extreme Combat. Dismissing her without an answer, his gaze took in the scene before him
About ten years ago while watching a wrestling match he came up with the idea to‘re-invent' the sport. Now ten years later the sport has become a rich man's commodity. Large corporations, rich execs and millionaires have quickly taken to the sport. Business deals and agreements were sometimes made on the outcomes of fights. The best fighters that money could buy where pitted against each other. In that small roped off square, many a multi-million dollar deals have been clinched over the past decade.
Beira was the best fighter. The renegade vampire stood over 6 feet tall, heavily muscled and very dangerous. He personally knew how dangerous. She had made a few people disappear for him- never to be found. He had to admit that she was good for his ego and his reputation.
She was paid well and had amassed a fortune over the ten years she has been with him. Unfortunately her ego had grown at the same pace as her bank balance. Today she was an arrogant bitch, whom he can't do without at the moment. Her thinly veiled sarcasm and all-important attitude was grating on his nerves.
He looked up at the ring just in time to dodge an uprooted tooth as it sailed through the air in his direction. He refocused his attention to the fight just in time to see George Metzakis' champion hit the canvas, his lights effectively dimmed. He turned his head to the man seated two chairs away from him and grinned at the stunned look on the shipping tycoon's face. He recalled George making a wager with Leon Armas, CEO of the multimillion dollar IT Solution Corporation, based on the outcome of this fight. His fighter was worth $1.5 million dollars and was specially flown in from Taipei to take on Armas' fighter.
He was about to participate in the light-hearted teasing at the expense of the defeated tycoon, when his cellphone rang. Not many people had his personal cellphone number. In fact, only two people did. Valiant and Beira . With Beira sitting next to him, it could only be Valiant on the line.
“I hope you have good news for me?”
“I will let you be the judge of that, sir.
“What do you have?” Copernicus snapped, irritated by Valiant's evasive tactic.
“We have found out that the Pillars are carried by four Royals. The only problem is that these women are all mates of the Clan Royals.”
“Which Clan Royals?” Copernicus asked quickly. Having the Pillars reborn as Royals were bad enough, but having them reborn as members of the higher echelon was even worse.
There was a short silence on the other side of the line.
“The Queen and the Assassin.”
Copernicus was rendered speechless for a moment. Damn, how the hell could his life have come crashing down in the space of a few weeks?
“Pray tell what the good news in this situation is,” he snapped into the phone, his frustration growing the more he thought about his misfortune. He saw Beira getting out of her seat, looming over him. With an impatient flick of his wrist he sent her away, but not before she cast a disdainful look his way.
“The vampires have to sleep during the day, leaving the women unprotected. If we can get to them, all our problems will be solved?”
Copernicus' muddy brown eyes narrowed at this piece of information. Valiant was right. How could he not have thought about it? He needed to make this happen. He can't think of any other way of solving this problem. Kill the women and the babies and everything was settled. He bit down on his lower lip. No, that was not entirely true. If he killed their mates, the Clan will surely come after him and he will have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life.
“Are you still there?” Valiant asked calmly.
“Yes. Where are you now?”
“We are not far from their headquarters. They have slayers patrolling the city and we are keeping a low profile for now.”
“I have to think about this. I will get back to you soon.” His eyes hardened as he found Beira standing a few feet away from him, a smirk on her face.
“Trouble?” Her blue eyes were sharp as they looked at him.
“It's none of your business,” he snapped at her and turned away from her. A large hand landed on his shoulder and he turned around with a hiss. “Take your hands off me.”
The blue eyes hardened. “Careful, Copernicus, I might just take offense at your condescending attitude.” She slowly removed her hand from his shoulder. “Now, you pay me to protect you and I need to know of any threats to your life.”
He knew she was right, but of late his dislike for her had grown to such a level that he wasn't even sure if he trusted her enough to let her in on his plans anymore. He looked at her in silence, taking in her imposing figure and hard eyes. A plan formed in his head. He sighed deeply and nodded as he looked her in the eyes.
“An old enemy has resurfaced and I have no idea how to handle their reappearance.”
“Have you tried offering money?”
Copernicus nodded, waiting patiently laying the trap for her.
“What do they want from you?”
“It's more a case of what I want from them. They have something very valuable that I need.”
The huge shoulders lifted as the bodyguard inhaled, her eyes were cool as she studied him.
“How about a trade then?”
“I haven't tried that yet. But what do I trade. They have more money than I do.”
He saw her eyes widened at that. Up until this moment she had thought him to be the richest of the richest. Beira was a greedy woman and thrived on the power money bought. He saw the dollar signs in her eyes as she scrutinized him.
“Set up a fight then. If they lose, they trade whatever it is you want from them and I get a $2 million dollars bonus.”
Copernicus almost did a happy dance as the arrogant bitch walked right into his trap.
“And what if we lose?”
A brilliant lit the bodyguard's strong features. “Losing is not an option. I thought you knew that by now.”
Not wanting to sound too eager, Copernicus shook his head.
“I don't know. They are very powerful and have excellent fighters.”
Beira snorted and took a step back waving her hands over her tall frame.
“I'm undefeated in over ten years. If they had good fighters we should've crossed paths by now,” Beira said confidently.
Oh, you are way over your head here, missy, Copernicus thought coldly. No one was indispensable after all. Very soon he would be rid of her. In the meantime he will have to shop around for her replacement.