Nita's Redemption, page 27
“You’re thinking really hard, brother. You might want to talk it out or quit ’cause that vein in the center of your forehead is freaking me out.” Honor ran her finger down over the spot she accused him of having the issue.
Tank shook his head. “You don’t want to hear what I was thinking.” He closed his eyes, working to relax and ease the tension from his mind and body.
“Hey, you two, I think we need to have a night off of pack lands. You know Zeus has protection wards over the pub that several of our packmates work at right? So, that must mean we can all go there and have a good time without worrying we would be attacked. Also, if we go in a large group, then who the fuck would or could hurt us? We’ll just make it a rule that we don’t go anywhere alone,” Samson one of the pack enforcers stated.
The male was almost as big as Tank, but he had shaggy red hair and green eyes. The females loved him for his corny jokes and his big brother attitude. Many times, when females needed an escort into town or further away, he and or one of the other enforcers went with them for added protection.
“That sounds like a fantastic idea. Let’s go run it by your dad, Tank. We were on our way there anyhow, so no need to do the mind link with him. Sometimes it’s better to give him the puppy dog eyes in person.” Nita widened her eyes while pressing her folded hands under her chin. She looked so fucking adorable Tank would give her anything she asked for. Hopefully his father would too.
“Let’s go, my sweet little puppy.” He waved at Samson as they went toward the alpha’s home.
“It was my eyes wasn’t it?” Nita swung their arms out farther, skipping to keep up with him.
Tank looked down at her, falling more in love with their female with every second he spent with her. “I think it’s you, mi srećo.”
Not wanting to see her skipping to keep up with his stride, Tank stopped and offered her a ride on his back. Her little whoop was music to his ears. His two best friends were waiting on the porch to the alpha’s home, smiles gracing their identical faces. They’d been up before him and Nita since it was their turn to train the younger wolves how to hunt and shift without getting stuck between forms. Although most don’t have an issue, if they’re young and faced with danger or an extreme situation, it was possible.
“Hey, how was training with the young wolves?” Nita asked.
Tank helped her slide down, making sure her feet were securely on the deck before letting her go. He slapped palms with each male before they went to the door. Abe wrapped his arm around Nita, telling her about some stories from their day.
“You’re fibbing. There’s no way that can be true. Link, did that boy actually shift only his lower half and get stuck that way until you called his dad to come get him?” Her voice held a hint of disbelief and horror.
“It’s true. Chad’s only six, and he was mad at Stassi, his cousin because she shifted earlier than him. She likes to tease him, and bam, he shifted but only half of him obeyed his command. I could’ve called your dad to help him, of course, but Chad’s dad requested I inform him so that they could work together. After his dad came, Chad was a perfect wolfie.” Abe grinned.
“Come on in, boys and Nita. Lorna made me brownies I might share if you quit yammering on my porch. Damn kids disturbing my movie with all that talking,” Brock muttered.
“He’s really a lot of bark, but his bite is worse.” Tank winked down at Nita as he held the door open.
“Um, aren’t you supposed to say his bark is worse than his bite?” She entered first, staring up at Tank for a moment before walking in all the way.
Tank tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “My love, I would never lie to you like that.”
The others laughed and made their way into the spacious living area, noses in the air while they inhaled the sweet scent of chocolate. They all loved Lorna’s brownies, cakes, pies, and cookies. You name a dessert, and Lorna could make it better than just about anyone.
Brock waited for everyone to get a plate with a huge piece of brownie before he settled into his chair, piercing Tank with a look. It was a stare that had a way of making Tank squirm when he’d been young. Now those glowing eyes still made him want to spill his guts.
“So, what brings my favorite grouping here? I wonder if that is the politically correct way to refer to your family?” Brock shrugged and waited.
“It’s been weeks since we’ve had any trouble, and well, I think everyone is getting antsy. I had a few pack members request an outing to a pub in town. Zeus already has protection set up around it since several of our people work there, so I don’t see it as an issue especially if we set up rules. For one, we make sure there will be enforcers in place, and for two, nobody goes anywhere unless they are in pairs or maybe even groups.” Tank spelled out what his thoughts were, resting his elbows on his knees while he held his dad’s gaze.
“You’ve thought about this thoroughly? What if there’s an attack in a human populated space like the town?”
Abe lifted his hand. “We will be there and will ensure that any battle or fight be quickly extinguished before it escalates. If a human is involved, we’ll do our best to make that human leave without issue. This is one night where we let our people go out and feel free for a moment. That’s all they’re asking. It fucking sucks that they’ve been made to hide behind invisible walls because of some fucktwats.”
His dad tried to hide his grin, but they’d all adopted words from the demon females. He, along with Abe, and Link had spent a lot of time with the females even when they were hell bent on seeing if they had the anatomy of horses. There was an innocence about them that made Tank and his brothers want to protect them, not mess with them. In truth, he was pretty sure none of the females actually wanted to have sex with them either, and luckily nobody had tried to put the move on any of them, or Tank, Abe, and Link would’ve had to put the hurt on the males who were dumb enough to try.
Nita interrupted his thoughts, moving in front of him so he had to look up. She had a sparkle in her eyes. Her lips turned up in a sweet grin. “I love my mates so fucking much.”
He wasn’t the least bit upset she’d been reading his mind. Nope, if it got him a lap-full of his mate, he’d love to have her in his mind all the damn time. ‘How do I get a naked Nita on my lap?’
‘Oh, that’s easy. As soon as we leave here, we have a date. I feel the need to have my three males show me how much they love me before we head to town, and you know...people.’ Nita kissed the side of his neck where her mark was, making him shiver.
“Alright, before the two of them have sex in my favorite recliner, the answer is yes. I won’t set a curfew, but I’d prefer everyone to be back here at a reasonable time. Say by one in the morning? The pub closes at twelve thirty on week nights. Nothing else is open in town, which means a half hour to get from there to home is good. Sound fair?” Brock asked, looking tense.
Tank looked over to where Abe and Link sat, wanting them to answer.
“I think that is very reasonable. Would you do your alpha thing and send a message through the pack link?” Abe asked, tapping his head.
Brock nodded, then got to his feet. “You got it. Now the four of you be on your way. You have several hours before y’all are gonna set out. I’m pretty sure you have a lot you’d rather do than sit around and shoot the breeze with your old man.”
Link hopped to his feet, scooping Nita out of Tank’s arms. “Yep, lots to do and you ain’t it.”
Tank snorted, getting up with a chuckle. His two best friends ran out the door, arguing over who was going to carry Nita while she tried to tell them she could walk. Life was so much better with the four of them as one grouping. Yeah, his dad had it right. They were a family, a grouping of four. They were complete together. It didn’t matter what they called it.
“Go on, join the rest of your family. Enjoy the rest of your day, and tonight be on the lookout. I know you want to have fun too, and I want you all to as well.” Brock looked up at the ceiling. “There’s a sense, a feeling that is making my wolf itch, or snarl. I don’t know how to explain it. I’d go along as added protection tonight, but I feel I’m needed here.”
He put his hand on his father’s arm. “Should we not go?”
“Truthfully this is a feeling I’ve had for weeks. So if I say stay, then the feeling is still here tomorrow and the next, then when will it be a good time? Go, have fun and be alert. That’s the best you can do. Hurricane and several of his pack are going. I trust him and Honor almost as much as I trust you, Abe, and Link. If anything goes wrong, we have backup.” His dad took a step back, wrapping an arm around Lorna.
“Alright, I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the brownies, Lorna. They were delicious as usual.”
Lorna smiled. She leaned over, grabbed a covered dish. “I made you and your family extra.”
Tank placed his right hand over his heart. “If I weren’t mated and you weren’t mated I’d claim you for your baking skills alone,” he joked.
His father mock growled as Lorna placed the dish in his hands. “Go on and get.”
“THEY’VE LEFT THEIR protected lands. Where do you think they’re going?” Chloe asked in an excited tone.
Antoinette slapped a hand over the young woman’s mouth. “For fuckssake, you scream like that, and you’ll wake the dead.”
Chloe’s eyes lit with fire, making Antoinette want to put a dagger through her heart. Maybe her blood could fuel the ceremony? She took a deep, controlled breath so she didn’t do something she’d regret, like actually kill the foolish woman. When they brought Papa Legba back, he’d give her abilities beyond their wildest imagination, then she’d be rid of the idiot.
The converted bus they’d brought from New Orleans was becoming too stifling. She had agreed to take the group a few towns over after Chloe had pressed the need to keep the women complacent. Antoinette thought it was better to keep them like zombies. The only purpose they served was to help fuel them with their energy once they began the ceremony. Which was why Chloe and Cheryl said the women needed a break or they’d actually...break mentally when a couple of the weaker ones had a slight issue. Antoinette was able to stabilize them, bringing their tremors to slight shakes until there were no signs that the women had suffered what she knew was probably a seizure. She hated to admit the others were right, so she didn’t. Antoinette disliked the thought of one of the women dying and losing the precious energy she’d cultivated within them over the last couple of years. They might’ve had a little innate ability, like being able to speak to the dead or maybe predict the future somewhat. With her help all the women with them were masters at their craft. They owed her. And now it was time for them to pay up, never mind the cost might be a part of their soul. They’d still be alive, albeit indebted to the male who they were bringing back to where he belonged. Papa Legba would give them power and wealth beyond anything they could dream of.
“The only way to find out where they’re going is to follow them,” she said, working to keep the harshness out of her tone. Taking a deep breath, she formed her lips into what she hoped passed for a smile. “Good job, Chloe. Let’s prepare to leave after the others are all properly settled.”
Chloe’s delight lit her entire face after Antoinette gave her praise. Foolish child. She spun around in order to hide her utter disgust after she’d exerted the effort to make Chloe think she was proud of her, wanting to hit out at someone or something yet she breathed deeply two breaths. The action settled her as she’d taught herself to do from her youth. Breathe in, breathe out, repeat several times if she needed before she drew blood of the innocent. It was why she’d been drawn to the seedier parts of Nawlins, where she could take out her frustrations on the homeless, the evil, the depraved, and nobody would miss them. A shiver rippled down her spine, memories making her giddy enough she wished she could travel back to those times where things were simpler. An image of Papa Legba appeared in front of her. Her eyes filled with anguish while she took in his distinguished features. He wore a black top hat on his head with what appeared to be a black velvet jacket over a red vest and black shirt. His pants were black but the longer she stared, the more fuzzier he became. His gaze was mesmerizing, and anger wove its way toward her with intent.
Antoinette blinked hard, keeping her eyes closed for a long ten count. Opening them, she was relieved to find the male was nowhere in sight. “Are we ready?” she asked Cheryl who was sitting in the driver’s seat. She was also older than Chloe and not as assertive but liked to be in charge of certain things.
Both females had black, curly hair that hit their shoulders and midnight dark eyes. Their skin was a rich brown tone while Mohini had been slightly lighter, not as light as the copper tone she was sporting now, nor was she as youthful in appearance. The animal blood clearly had what they needed to regain youth and possibly longevity. Papa Legba would be gifting her that too, but she was keeping notes just in case.
The huge bus fired up, startling many of the women on board. Antoinette stood by Cheryl, placing her hand on the back of the driver’s seat, and smiled back at her followers. Chloe’s form was in the very back seat directly in the center, her shrewd stare unnerved many. Not Antoinette though. Like her, Chloe didn’t budge when the bus began to move, unlike all the others who hadn’t been prepared for the slight jerking. Gah, she wanted to be rid of the entire group and be back home living the life she deserved. Soon she reminded herself. The memory of Papa Legba so close to her earlier was a stark reminder just how close she was to achieving the ultimate goal.
“Hold tight, mon amis. We are going to go and have a fun time tonight.”
Several women held up their hands, their faces pale. “Madame, I’m not feeling too good. It’s like the fluxion I had several years ago.” A small female near Chloe groaned loud enough her voice rang out over the others.
Antoinette walked down the aisle, touching the forehead of each female who claimed to be ill. They were not, but their bodies were going through a lot with being put in stasis and then awoken abruptly. Some had a slight issue trying to regulate. “I feel no fièvre in any of you. If I were to take any of your temperature, I’d wager you’d all be normal. I think the problem is probably due to riding in this big ole bus that is messing with all of our stomachs.” She placed a hand on her own while she made her way back to the front. The murmurs of agreement filled the air now instead of their mumbling about sickness. The absolute last thing she was willing to do was clean up after a bunch of women throwing up. She’d probably demand Cheryl pull over then set the entire sickness on wheels ablaze with a fire so hot it would destroy all inside.
“You are of course right. I already feel much better,” the woman by Chloe murmurs. Antoinette didn’t miss the way Chloe had her arm around the other woman.
“That’s good. Now it shouldn’t take us long to get where we’re going. We’ll stop and freshen up at the truck stop outside of town so you all can get clean and change into new clothes. We’re going to get out and have fun before we head out on our next adventure.” Antoinette slid into the empty seat across from Cheryl.
Cheryl’s hands were gripping the wheel so tightly everyone could see the whites of her knuckles through the thin skin covering the bones.
“You should ease up, vieille ami. They are looking at us as if we kept them stoned out of their minds. I’m tired of this game of... cacher-faite as I’m sure you are. I have a feeling we are close to the end.” Antoinette met Chloe’s startled gaze in the huge mirror mounted on the windshield as she spoke.
Chloe moved down the aisle toward her and her sister, resolve in every step she took. Antoinette waited patiently to hear what the female had to say.
“You call this a game of cat and mouse? Antoinette, these beings are much scarier than cats and mice. They probably eat them for sustenance when they’re out roaming or hunting.” Chloe’s sister Cheryl jerked, like the thought of being eaten by those huge wolf-like animals was disgusting.
“I will keep you safe, ami.” Antoinette had to keep all the women safe, at least until after they helped her get Papa Legba back. After that they could all perish for all she cared.
BAKRA ENTERED ZEUS’S living quarters, giving a loud “Hooty Hoo” the moment she smelled the sweet scent of something baking in the royal kitchen.
“Ah, Bakra, it’s so good to have you pop in. To what do we owe this visit on?” Zeus entered the large room, his white and gold attire blending with the décor. Of course she could pick out the little touches that Selena and her brood had made. Her eyes narrowed as they landed on a gallery wall that she was sure hadn’t been there the last time she’d visited. Goddess, how long had it been since any of her females came to visit the God and his female Hera?
“I was hoping to get clearance to visit Earth. More specifically the trailer park where Nita and her guys live. You know, your gaming buddies.” She held her hands up as if she held a controller, making little pew pew sounds like a good little gamer would.
Zeus snorted, rolling his silver eyes at her. “I do not make those noises. The boys might but not me. Is there a problem I should be aware of? Selena and the children are in Kansas City with Max. I believe Tamara and Malcolm were having some meeting and party there as well. I will call them if there is need.”
That was one of the reasons she loved the big male who could surely take out the entire world the humans called Earth if he so chose. Luckily for all of them, he actually liked humans. Probably because his youngest child had lived the first twenty-five years of her life thinking she was a mere human on Earth. Thank the fuck her mates found her before she came into her Goddess powers and imploded Earth herself.
“Bakra, are you feeling alright?” Zeus asked coming to a stop in front of her.
She worked to smooth her face into the sweet one he’d helped to create. There had been times in the last few years she’d almost missed the extra rows of razor teeth they sported as a demon females. Yet she too had been human once, long before Earth was inhabited with mankind. They’d been servants to Akra, a princess of a King of the Desert. Her twin had been evil through and through, which ended up being the death of not only Akra but her ladies. In the end, they’d found themselves sucked into Hell for thousands of years. Life was a crazy twist of fate. Had Akra been delivered to the Sultan as she’d been meant to, they’d all have died within a normal lifespan, and none of them would be alive today.
