A Guardian's Love

A Guardian's Love

Disclaimer

The characters in the story are a product of my own imagination and hopefully have no resemblance to any living persons or vampires for that matter. But if it does it is entirely coincidental. Some of the places mentioned are either fictitious and or adapted to suit the plot of the story.

Sex: This story contains sexual content of a graphic nature between consenting adult women, thus if you are not 18 years old and not allowed to read content of this nature, please move on to other suitable stories.

Violence: Scenes of violence can be expected.

Feedback: This is my first try and not being a native English speaker, it's so much more challenging. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com .

PART 6

Chapter 8

Tahlia turned sharply and scanned the room to locate Jemima. She frowned when she found her chatting and laughing with one of the hunters.

<Did you say something?>

She got her answer when the Jemima turned around, her beautiful face reflecting confusion.

<No, love. Why?>

Tahlia weighed her options on whether to tell Jemima or to keep quiet. She didn't want to alarm her unnecessary. She shook her head and smiled at Jemima.

She saw the doubt on Jemima's face, but she still managed to pull off a light-hearted smile and turned back to the hunter she was chatting to. Just when she thought she had succeeded in having neutralized the issue Tahlia she heard her lover's voice, calm and strong.

<You never make mistakes. What's going on?>

Tahlia sighed. There was no use in lying to her.

She saw Jemima excusing herself from her group and coming over to her. The blue eyes were troubled. Tahlia gently touched her mind and brushed against a cloud of panic in her lover's mind. Jemima was scared that if someone had tapped in on her private mental path, that every mental path was compromised.

"Who is she and what does she wants from you?" Jemima's question was calm, but Tahlia could also hear the faint distrust in her mate's voice. She quickly reached out and pulled Jemima to her and together they moved to the opened patio doors. Outside she turned to face Jemima.

"I'm not sure if I should be alarmed or not." When she saw the unease in Jemima's eyes she shook her head. "The voice doesn't sound threatening. It's just that I can't place whom it belongs to. I know the voices of almost each and every Royal vampiress alive."

Jemima turned to look at the moonlit landscape.

"Maybe you need to open up and hear what she has to say. It could be very important."

Tahlia reached out and took Jemima's hand in hers. "It seems as is she is trying to reach someone else, but using my mental path. Maybe you are right. Maybe I should just open up instead of cutting her off every time."

A sudden flutter of movement in the garden caught both their attention and Tahlia quickly placed her body in front of Jemima's. They were at James' house and although they had spun strong safeguards to protect the house, humans could still slip though undetected and with so many of them working as blood cows for the renegades, they are easily manipulated and thus cannot be trusted. Two shadows emerged from the dark and Tahlia relaxed. Inger and Paloma stepped into the light, holding hands. They stopped and melted into each others arms as they shared a passionate kiss.

"At least our daughter is safe and … loved." Jemima's said evenly and Tahlia pulled her into her arms.

"Yes. Anyone messing with her will have to answer not only to us but to Paloma too."

Jemima placed a soft kiss on Tahlia's cheek.

"Anyone messing with her must surely have a death wish."

The couple moved back into the shadows and Tahlia and Jemima both knew what was happening under the cover of darkness. They looked at each other longingly. They had done the same so many times. Making love in the garden against a tree or on a soft patch of grass had been a regular occurrence for them in the beginning. Now … twenty odd years later they still slipped into the garden to make love under the stars. It was perhaps time for them set up another starlight rendezvous. Naked, Tahlia always looked incredible in the moonlight.

Jemima's arm snaked around Tahlia's waist as she pressed closer to her lover. Reliving the passionate encounters they've shared in the garden, had her yearning for her quiet lover. Tahlia looked down at her, her dark eyes probing.

"You are really fine with this?"

"Fine with what, darling?"

"Inger and Paloma?" The dark eyes studied her closely.

Inger pushed out a noisy breath and glance in the direction where her daughter and the Paloma were hidden in the shadows. She turned back to her lover and grimaced.

"I still would've liked for Inger to wait before getting involved with Paloma." The blue eyes were cloudy as the looked into those of her lover. "But she loves our child, Tahlia, and she has proven her love so many times over." She pressed her cheeks against Tahlia's chest, listening to her heart thumbing softly. "In the end all we want is for our daughter to be safe and happy. Paloma offers her both."

"Yes, she does, doesn't she?" She softly stroked the blonde head. "But does she really need to sleep with Inger? Can't they just…you know… hold hands or something until she's a little older…" Tahlia was interrupted by Jemima's refreshingly clear laughter. At least the doom and gloom look was not on her face anymore.

"If you haven't noticed, my darling, Paloma is gorgeous, and if Inger is anything like you, I'm sure her morals flew right out the window the minute Paloma's eyes fell on her."

Tahlia wanted to argue the point and defend both Inger and herself, but she realized too that what Jemima had said was true. She was there when Inger first laid eyes on Paloma. Her daughter almost tripped over own tongue at the sight of her friend. She on the other hand never stood a chance where Jemima was concerned. One look into those beautiful eyes and she was…is a goner.

"I know what you mean", she conceded softly and Jemima chuckled, her blue eyes sparkling with merriment.

"You both are too easy."

Footsteps sounded behind them and they turned to find James coming their way. After twenty years he had aged, but at 69 he still managed to keep his robust figure and twinkling blue eyes. Jemima immediately moved into her father's arms and purred softly when he vigorously rubbed her back, something he'd done when she was a girl. Jemima loved it.

"Tell, me what it is with the women in my life and dangerous vampires?" His blue eyes scanned the garden and looked back at Tahlia. "First my daughter falls for a dangerous woman and now my granddaughter is head over heels in love with a vampire assassin."

Jemima kissed her father on the cheek and went to stand next to Tahlia.

"They love us unconditionally, Daddy." She looked at her strong, dark lover with her heart in her eyes.

James smiled as her witnessed the look between the two women. He couldn't have done better for his little girl himself. He touched Tahlia's shoulder. A teasing look in his blue eyes. "Do you remember what a handful she was, Tahlia?"

"Oh yes…" Tahlia grinned broadly. "Especially as a teenager. She would sneak out at the oddest hours of the night to crash house parties. I must say I have spent more hours than I care to remember standing in dark corners watching teenagers puke all over themselves." Her black eyes smiled into James'. "Luckily she wasn't one of the puking ones."

Jemima laughed softly.

"I had to do the same with Inger. The child was out of control and would only listen when I threatened to ground her."

"Karma, my dear. What goes around comes around." James said in a sing-song voice.

There was blurred movement and Inger and Paloma appeared next to them on the patio. Almost immediately, Tahlia's sharp nose picked up the musky scent of spent passion and when she looked up at Paloma, the vampire warrior sported a love bite in her neck which was slowly starting to fade. Inger didn't fare well either. Her lips were swollen and her blue eyes looked dazed. James must've seen it too because he smiled back at Inger and took her by the arm.

"Hey honey, I don't think we've had that talk yet."

Confused, Inger looked at her grandfather. "What talk, Grandpa?"

"The birds and the bees' one, of course."

Inger blushed blood-red as she quickly looked at her parents.

"Grandpa…"

Laughing loudly, James pulled her with him into the house.

"Let's go see what your grandmother is up to." They walked away arm-in-arm.

Tahlia's black eyes bored into Paloma's silver ones. Oh, dear, will she ever get used to the fact that her childhood friend was actually sleeping with her daughter. Reluctantly she looked at Paloma, really looked at her. She was stunned by what she was seeing. Inger was right. Paloma was a striking woman. Her eyes travelled over her childhood friend's strong body and the scrutiny only stopped when they met an amused silver gaze.

Tahlia smiled faintly as she studied her friend. She was aware of Jemima looking at the both of them.

The centuries fell away suddenly and she was back on the cruel streets of Rome.

<The man was stronger than he looked and as hard as she tried to pry him off her friend, the more determined he became. His uniformed body was pressed up against the tall lanky one of her friend, holding her up against the coarse wall. She once again tried to pull him off, but he didn't budge.

She felt helpless as she searched the area looking for help, but they were in a very deserted area of town. They were on their rounds to collect dirty soldier uniforms for their mothers when the drunken soldier accosted them. She could see in his eyes what he wanted as they'd moved over Paloma's frame even before he had lunged for her.

"Wait your turn," he growled at her and Tahlia turned her head away from the overwhelming stench of drink on his breath. The man's rough hand ripped wildly at Paloma's threadbare tunic, groping at her young breasts. She saw Paloma's terrified eyes and knew that even if it killed her, she was going to do everything in her power to deter the man from further soiling her friend with his vile touch.

Era, a girl from their neighborhood, had gone through this brutal act and it had left her wandering the streets with a vacant stare for weeks afterwards. Marila, Era's mother had told her mother not long ago that her daughter was still afflicted by night sweats and that the man's seed had caught and that her daughter was breeding.

She met her friend's scared eyes again. No, not Paloma. With the trained eye of one who truly knew and loved women, she could tell that her friend was destined grow up to become a true beauty, the light to her darkness. Sisters in all parts but blood. This man was not going to defile her friend like that … not as long as she could prevent it.

Picking up a shard of a broken water container, she advanced on the heavily-breathing soldier and bashed him soundly on the head and shoulders.

"What…" He turned from Paloma and reached for her. His grimy hands had locked around her throat as he lifted her off the ground. "This will teach you to interrupt me." He then dropped her and lashed out with brutal kicks to her head and stomach. He only stopped when Paloma brought the shard; she had dropped, down hard on his head making him crumple into a heap.

Weakened by pain, they had carefully made their way back to the small house their family shared. Luckily their mother's were not home and Paloma continued to gently bathe her bloody body before putting her in bed. The silver eyes had studied her like a hawk before she quickly came to her feet.

"I will be back soon, Tahlia. Please be alive when I get back." The tears running down her friend's cheeks made her blink. Paloma never cried - never ever.

"I promise. Just hurry."

She must have dozed off because when she opened her eyes again, it was not Paloma's worried gaze which swept over her, but the teary blue ones of Aurora. Having her there was a cool balm to her throbbing body.

"Oh, my heart, I will personally make sure the beast never draws another breath again." With soft, smooth hands she had caressed her cheeks before planting a soft kiss on the corner of her lips. "My beautiful angel…" The blue eyes hardened suddenly. "I will have them cut of his arms and legs and leave him only his belly to crawl on."

She would've smiled if it wasn't so painful, but she had weakly squeezed her lover's hand.

"I will be fine, dearling."

Paloma had stepped forward and knelt at the side of her bed, her silver eyes solemn as they locked with hers.

"I will always be indebted to you, Tahlia. From this moment onwards, I will be at your service. I will protect you and yours with my life." She had placed a soft kiss on her sweaty brow. "I love you dearly, my sister.">

That day their friendship was elevated to another level. They had protected each other even at the expense of their own lives. That's why it hurt so badly when Paloma had disappeared. She wasn't there to protect her friend, her sister. She hadn't kept her promise.

Tahlia had opened her mind to Jemima while she and Paloma relived that day. She felt her lover's arm slip around her waist and held on tightly for a few seconds.

"I will go see if our guests need anything." Jemima said out loud and walked away and Tahlia followed her with her eyes until she disappeared into the crowded room.

The two master vampires looked at each other long and hard. They could always depend on each other. As much as it pains her to admit it, she couldn't be everything for Inger. A part of her daughter relied heavily on Paloma for her happiness.

"I would like to ask you formally if I could bind myself to your daughter, Tahlia." Paloma had chosen her words carefully, aware of her friend's mood. Tahlia completely adored her daughter. When Inger was younger, she'd always found them sitting in the park after dark, their dark heads close as they talked and laughed together. It wasn't going to be easy for Tahlia to fully release her daughter into her care. But she needed more, she needed to fully possess the Inger before she could be completely happy.

Tahlia's black eyes narrowed. "Are you going to make her Vampire?" Just the thought, made Tahlia's hackles raise. Inger shouldn't make this decision all by herself. She will have to talk to them first.

"No."

Now Tahlia was thoroughly confused.

"Only vampires can be bounded to each other and even then you know the intricacies of the process. If something should happen to Inger, you will be doomed to a life of loneliness, like Pierre."

The silver eyes were looking straight into hers.

"I love her enough to want to take the chance."

Tahlia turned away and looked out over the garden.

"Have you spoken to her about this?"

"Not yet. I wanted to speak to you first."

Tahlia turned back to Paloma.

"Speak to her first. But I want you to be very honest with her otherwise I will have to. Tell her how if something happened to her, the possibility exist that she might not be reincarnated for decades or even centuries and that during that time you will wander the earth alone. And that each rising walking into the dawn will be great temptation. You need to tell her all this."

Paloma frowned, but nodded. Knowing Inger, upon hearing this, she most definitely will refuse to marry her.

"What if she wants me to convert her?"

Tahlia's eyes grew sad. It was entirely Inger's decision, but it hurt nonetheless thinking of her cheerful daughter living the dark existence they do. "Then I hope you will ask her to please consult with us too."

"I will do that," she replied softly.

*******************

After class Inger went to the library to do some reading up for a paper. She was acutely aware of Paloma, her subtle presence in her mind and her physical presence sitting not far from her reading through a very serious-looking Latin volume.

Since they had made love at her grandparents' house, they had been inseparable. In class Paloma would cast a visibility spell, to cloak her presence and would stand guard at the door, her silver eyes not leaving her once.

Because she knew where she was standing, Inger found herself looking towards the door every now and then, prompting her professor to ask her if she had urgent matters to attend to before the lecture ended. With half the class chuckling, she had felt Paloma's smile in her mind and blushing furiously had made a point not to look towards the door for the duration of the lecture.

Paloma shifted and lifted her eyes from the book she was reading.

"If you want, I can get the professor back for having put you on the spot." Inger gasped and Paloma smiled. "I'm not talking about killing him. Maybe just to embarrass him a little too."

"No. I wasn't concentrating and he had the every right to poke fun at me."

Paloma nodded. "OK. But if you change your mind, I have the perfect hoax to make him the laughing stock in class for a change."

A shadow fell over them and even before Inger looked up to see who the person was as she felt waves of menace bouncing off Paloma. She quickly looked up and couldn't help but smile. Jeremy Givens was in her class and she knew he had been tying very hard to get her to notice him. She was flattered by his attention, not only because he was one of the most handsome boys on campus, but all the girls and even some of the female professors swooned when he was in the vicinity.

She looked up into his blue eyes and smiled. Her smile faltered slightly when she saw the ill-concealed look of lust in his eyes. She also knew that even with his back to her, Paloma could sense his lust. The air in the library was becoming stifling all of a sudden and Inger knew Paloma had something to do with the sudden ominous feeling hanging in the air. She had to get rid of Jeremy and fast.

"Hi Jeremy, how can I help you?"

The blue eyes glittered at her. "After the match tonight, we are going to a party. Is it OK if I pick you up at seven?"

Inger had to smile at his arrogance. At seven tonight she will most likely be lying in the arms of Paloma, but this boy didn't even consider the fact that she might be seeing someone. She slanted a quick towards Paloma and what she saw in the Vampire's eyes made her quickly turn back to Jeremy.

"I'm sorry, Jeremy, but I'm seeing someone. Thank you for the invitation though."

Jeremy shrugged, his teeth flashing a brilliant white.

"You should give the loser the boot. "He winked at her. "You belong on the arm of a real man, not a boy." Hearing that, Inger groaned under her breath. "If you can't, how about your friend here? I've heard that these foreign exchange students are quite lively. The guys will have a lot of fun with her." His blue eyes leered at Paloma. She was thinking of something to say to get Jeremy to move on, but she was too late.

The library suddenly erupted in jeers and laughter and when she turned to look at Jeremy it was to find him standing there with his pants pooled around his ankles, the cocky expression still on his handsome face. It took him a few seconds to realize that everyone was not laughing with him and was actually laughing at him. When he looked down he dropped his school bag and grabbed a book out of a nearby shelf to cover his privates. His face held a horrified expression.

"Natalia not interested in boy with tiny manhood." Paloma said in a heavy Russian accent loud enough for everybody to hear and Inger had to stop herself from doubling over with laughter. "Natalia she likes man with…" she gestured towards Jeremy's crotch. "…strong bazooka."

Amidst jeers and laughter a pale Jeremy pulled up his pants briskly and stormed out of the library. When Inger looked at Paloma the laughter died in her throat. The silver eyes held a look of death. "He got off lightly this time, but if he ever tries to mess with you, I will skin him alive. You are mine and I don't share."

Inger felt a chill run down her spine and knew that Paloma wasn't making an idle threat.

She quickly grabbed up her notes of the desk and pushed them into her shoulder bag.

"Let's get out of here." As far away from other people as she can before Paloma snapped.

**************

The warehouse looked deserted to the human eye, but the moment Paloma stepped in she smelt the foul stench of renegades. She signaled for Gene and Carlos to spread out and comb the entire interior while she went to work on the near-invisible clues in front of her. She was sniffing the air, analyzing the different smells and filing them in her mind. It will make it easier to identify who was in here in the last 24 hours. Except for the repugnant smell of renegades, there were also a great number of human scents.

Paloma quickly came to her feet and using preternatural speed, raced up the stairs to where the offices were located. Carlos and Gene were in one of the offices and they made way for her to enter. Four corpses were lying strewn on the floor of one of the offices and from where she stood she could see it was a vampire killing. Her eyes took in the puncture wounds on the arms and legs of the bodies. Blood cows. She then studied the gaping wounds in their necks. Whoever killed them must've either been in a hurry to feed or the intention was to kill. The latter sounded more plausible. She turned to the other two vampires.

"These killings were committed by one vampire. Do you know what it means?"

Gene nodded.

"A gluttonous appetite like this can only mean that the killer must be a renegade ancient who must've surfaced recently. Or perhaps the killer was just chasing the thrill of the kill."

Paloma nodded and left the office.

"I can't help but feel that we are missing something." She turned back to look at the corpses. "I have a feeling that Mercredi is already in town. But how did he sneak in without our sentries picking him up?"

She jumped down from the steel walkway and came to land on her feet. This time she carefully walked through the warehouse, her eyes darting from the floor to the walls to the ceiling. There must be something here.

*************

The green eyes cracked open and for a few seconds she didn't know exactly what could have woken her from the deep sleep. She lay quietly for a few seconds and then she picked it up again. A familiar touch. Vague, but close by. She felt a stirring in her mind and knew that Mercredi was trying to read her mind. She shut him out rudely and with a strong ancient mental block in place, she tried to reach out to the owner of the scent. She smiled when she made contact. Help has arrived. Finally.

****************

Inger looked up from her books when she felt the presence behind her. When she turned, it was to find Paloma sitting on her bed. She rolled her eyes when she saw the look in Paloma's eyes.

"I have to finish this paper tonight."

Paloma shrugged, her eyes still looking at her hungrily.

"I can wait." She swung her legs into the bed and with her hands folded behind her head, she looked at Inger. "I am very patient."

Inger felt her body respond to the hot look in Paloma's eyes. Maybe taking a five minute break wasn't such a bad idea, she though to herself as she studied the vampire stretched out on her bed.

"I am meeting with Michael and Joan in an hour. Do you think you will be done by then, because I do not want to leave you here alone?"

Inger quickly scanned through her notes. She would still need at least and hour to finish the reading report. She turned back to Paloma.

"Maybe you could pick me up afterwards?"

Paloma raised herself onto her elbow. "No." The silver eyes were serious. "I will wait for you."

"Why? I am not in any danger in my room?"

Paloma swung her feet of the bed and come to stand behind her. A slight shiver went down her spine at the light touch of Paloma's fingertips around her neck. Of late she can only look at Paloma and her body would rebel against common sense. Many passion-filled nights had started with a slow glance and a light touch from Paloma. Inger came to her feet and turning, stepped into Paloma's arms. Yes, she did feel safe in her arms.

"I can't shake the feeling that something big is going to happen soon. I will not let you out of my sight until I know that it is safe for you to wander around alone."

"Do you think that Mercredi is in town?"

Paloma nodded. "I am not sensing him - not yet, but we found the bodies of four blood cows earlier. It could be his handiwork." Paloma's eyes were hard. "As a human he was a cruel and dangerous man. As a monster with superhuman power; we will have to keep our eyes open." Her arms tightened around her and Inger looked up. "I do not want anything to happen to you, therefore I beg you not to stray too far from me, my love."

For seven years she had been fighting renegades successfully and had prided herself on that and had hated the idea of anyone coming into her life and telling her how to run it. She had even kicked against her parents' interference into her lifestyle. But with Paloma it was different. She respects her fighting skills and knew that she could take care of herself when needed.

"OK. I will go with you." She turned back to her desk to pack up her books. "Where are we spending the night?"

"If it's OK with you, we can sleep over at my place. I haven't been there for a while now."

Inger came upright from where she was in the act of sorting out her notes. These past weeks they'd either slept over at the safe house, her dorm room or at her grandparents' place and even then they were never alone. At Paloma's place they will be alone. She will be totally alone with her.

She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she failed to detect Paloma's presence in her mind. It was only when Paloma took a few steps backwards, a wounded look in her eyes.

"You are scared of being alone with me?" She's finally seeing me for the monster I am. I knew it was too good to be true.

Inger quickly stepped forward, but Paloma moved further out of reach. Inger became desperate as she felt the distance gaping between them. The silver eyes were hooded, hiding the pain.

"No, Paloma. You misinterpreted my thoughts." She reached out to Paloma and her heart jumped in her chest when Paloma took another step back. This action brought her against the bed. "I'm not scared of being alone with you. I feel safe with you."

"It hurts, Inger." Paloma sounded so forlorn, that Inger felt her heart lurch in her chest.

Keeping her mind blank to hide her next move, Inger quickly pounced on Paloma. A deep growl escaped Paloma's throat before they both crashed onto the bed.

Lying on top of her, Inger gently pushed the long blonde locks out of Paloma's face. Paloma was so much stronger than her and could actually swat her away like fly if she wanted too, but she didn't. Instead she just laid there, her silver eyes awash with sorrow.

"All those thoughts meant nothing, my darling. I love you and I want to be alone with you." Her voice was shaky and tears blurred her vision. "I never meant to hurt you. Please believe me."

Paloma's hand lifted and she gently touched the tears on Inger's cheeks.

"Say it again." The silver eyes were now wide with wonder. "Tell me you love me again."

"I love you," Inger whispered softly and planted a kiss on the sensual lips before she hid her tear-stained face in Paloma's neck. "They were just random thoughts. I don't even know where they came from."

Paloma's arms came around her and held her tightly. "Hush….I love you too, sweetie. I love you more than words can express."

Inger lifted her head, her face set in a deep scowl. She slowly rubbed over her wet cheeks.

"Sweetie?"

Paloma lifted a blonde eyebrow.

"What's wrong with it? You also call me sweetie and honey."

Inger laughed softly and hugged Paloma to her. The vampire's naïveté was so refreshing at times. In future she should be more careful with her thoughts. She'd noticed Paloma looking at her with something akin to worried anticipation over the past weeks. Now she knows that it was a fear of expected rejection and that it would take some time before her warrior was truly convinced of her feelings for her. She planted a soft kiss on the cool cheek and smiled down into the glittering eyes. She promised herself to assure her of her love every chance she gets.

"I love you, but please don't call me sweetie again. You sound like an older woman who's trying to take advantage of me."

"Who says it isn't intended that way?" Paloma said in a suddenly husky voice and flipped them over until Inger was lying underneath her. Inger reached out immediately to pull the blonde head down for a deep passionate kiss. For a few seconds they got lost in the taste of each other, before Inger broke the kiss.

"I love you," she gasped, her eyes soft and tender. "I don't have the words to make you understand just how much, my love."

The silver eyes were luminous.

"Then show me, cara."

******************

Tahlia surged into a sitting position and startled, Jemima quickly sat up too. The sun went down about half an hour ago, but the two of them were just lying on their bed cuddling and chatting, when the soft female voice rang in her mind. Tahlia's black eyes narrowed and Jemima immediately linked her mind with Tahlia's.

<Who are you? And what do you want with me?>

There was a short silence.

Jemima turned to look at Tahlia.

"Please don't identify yourself. We don't even know who this is."

Tahlia nodded.

<Your mate? What is his name?>

The pause was longer this time. And just when they thought she would not answer, the soft voice came again.

<Count Pierre Lafayette.>

Tahlia's black eyes widened a fraction, but no other outward sign portrayed her shock.

<How do I know you are who you say you are? Why don't we meet somewhere?>

And then the mental link was severed. Tahlia lay back slowly, taking Jemima with her.

"If that was Genevieve, then we know who our captured vampiress is. I will have to tell Pierre."

"I just hope this is not a hoax or worse, an ambush. Either way, Pierre will be devastated." Jemima sounded worried.

"You're right." A short silence followed. "Maybe I need to put Paloma onto this woman."

"Just make it clear that Inger is not to get involved. You know how stubborn she can be."

Tahlia pressed a gentle kiss on Jemima forehead.

"I will do that."

But Tahlia was more worried than she let on. Something was not right and she didn't want either Jemima or Inger caught up in this.

To be continued

Return to the Academy