Chapter 41

Remi woke up feeling charged. She didn’t know if it was the mate connection or pure adrenalin thinking about what was coming after dark, but she could probably run a marathon and still feel amazing. Darien had groaned when she asked if he was getting up, so she took that as a no and went downstairs without him.

She didn’t even make it all the way into the kitchen when Berk spun around and stared at her. She saw his eyes go to her neck, and then his mouth dropped open. Feeling self-conscious, she touched her neck. “It’s not visible, is it? I don’t want to freak out the normals.”

He shook his head, his mouth still gaping open.

“Okay, good.”

He suddenly gasped. “You agreed,” he waved the spatula around, “I mean, of course, you did, or the big guy would be doing self-mutilation penance.” He squealed. “Oh my god, if everyone weren’t going off to face their doom tonight, I would throw the most fabulous party,” he grinned, “ever.”

Going over, she poured a cup of coffee. “Did you have to mention the doom part?”

Berk closed his eyes and mouthed sorry. Turning back to the stove, he flipped the home fries. “So, what does Wolfman think of finally getting you?”

Just then, Remi could feel, actually feel Darien wake up. Along with his waking, she felt his irritation for leaving him there alone. “I think he’s on his way down now, so you can ask him.” She took a sip, “I had to persuade him to mark me.”

Berk frowned. “Why? He’s only wanted this forever.”

Setting the cup down, she went over and began wrapping the cutlery. “He wanted to wait until after tonight.”

“Really?” Berk tapped the spatula on the edge of the grill, “it’s a bonus for tonight, and you’d think he’d know that. You can draw on each other for strength.”

“He knows that—” Darien stood in the doorway, “doesn’t mean I’m taking a chance on anything happening to Remi tonight.”

Berk nodded, but Remi interrupted before he could say anything. “I’m going, Darien. Live with it.” Before he could say a word, she went out into the café.

She moved down the counter and then stopped when prickles of heat moved over her skin. Turning, she saw Darien leaning against the end by the door. He had a strange smirk on his face. “Did you do that?”

He shrugged, “part of the mate package.” He started walking slowly toward her. “We can project emotion to each other.”

“Really? That could be handy.” The way he watched her made her nerves buzz.

“I can feel what you’re feeling.”

Remi rubbed her hands together and tried to relax. “Sorry, I don’t know how to not feel.”

He grinned as he stopped in front of her. “I don’t mind. I’ve spent years trying to get inside your head,” he grasped her hip and pulled her closer, “and now I don’t have to guess.”

“I felt it when you woke up.”

Running his finger over her braid, he moved it to hang down her back. “You mean when I woke up alone, my mate gone without so much as a kiss?” He pushed the neck of her shirt aside so the mark was visible. As he did, she could see her own teeth marks on his arm. A mark he would wear with pride. He’d told her when he put salt on it so it wouldn’t heal the next time he shifted.

Remi shivered when he ran his finger over her mark. She leaned into him, wanting to be closer. That was new; she thought as heat and awareness flooded into her—making her want to climb him. Darien’s attention came back to her face, and her knees shook from the heated look he gave her. She suddenly didn’t care about making coffee or filling sugar containers. She just wanted to stand here and touch him, kiss him…

Someone coughed.

Leaning to the side, she saw they weren’t alone. In fact, the entire staff was huddled together, some leaning out of the door, others peeking over shoulders, everyone smiling at her.

Nadine smirked and then shrugged. “We’re here for a quick meeting before the vampires have to sleep.”

Sure enough, the four tall vampires stood at the back of the group, grinning at her.

“Meeting?”

Darien kissed the top of her head and turned around. “Is the council part of this?”

Iris shook her head, the new shade of bright pink hair not to be missed. “Nope.”

Darien started setting up the coffee brewers. “Good.”

Remi wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen the entire staff together before. “So, what’s going on?”

Deane and Ranae pushed their way through the group. Deane’s expression was more serious than Remi ever recalled. “We wanted you to know we’re all in.”

Ranae nodded, “members from each of our clans will be present tonight.”

Remi stood there, wide-eyed, not quite sure what to say.

“Elise and I are going to stay here tonight with the wolves and Cait.” Soren motioned to Elise, “Her brother is coming to stay with us. With the river so close to the café, they’ll be strongest here.”

Betany stepped up to the counter. “I’m going to stay back too,” she glanced around before continuing, “If there are injuries, I’ll tend them.”

Berk leaned out the server window from the kitchen. “Soren and I will have food,” he grinned at Pascal, “and blood prepared.”

Vie moved over with slow steps and sat on one of the stools. “I’ll be going with a few from Betany’s clan.” She shrugged, “I don’t have a clan, so…”

Remi leaned a hip against the counter. “I hear you there.” Her heart ached with both pride and worry. “None of you are expected to go.”

Iris snorted, “Of course not, but you’re ours to protect.” She waved a hand, “And not because you’re the Keeper. You’ve gone to bat for each of us at some point.

Finn stood behind her, “and protected us, even from ourselves.”

Nadine moved away from the door and came down to the brewers. “You believed in us when no one else would.”

Emery moved beside her and started pouring coffee, “or afraid to.”

“We don’t know what we’re dealing with…”

Pascal’s smile stopped what she was going to say.

“Actually, we do.” He motioned to Vienna, “Vie and I have been tracing those lines, or as many as we can.”

Nadine set a cup of coffee on the counter beside her.

Remi nodded her thanks and looked back at Pascal. “And?”

“Well, we already knew they had a mage, but I imagine Brome and Alaric can take him on without too much trouble. We only need him distracted so the rest of us can get close.” He paused for a moment, waiting for input she imagined, but none was offered. “There are a few vampires which will thrill Elaine and possibly Leontes. He does hate traitors of our kind.” He snorted, “There are a few minor shifters, but I believe Iris and her clan are up to that challenge.”

Iris made a noise that was either a giggle or a snarl. Remi wasn’t sure. “It feels like Christmas,” Iris sang softly.

Afraid to ask what that meant, Remi looked back to Pascal.

His expression was more serious. “There are demons of every flavor,” then he grinned, fangs showing, “Attis and I will handle as many of those as we’re able.”

Attis moved down behind the bar to the blood fridge and pulled out four bottles. He set three on the bar. “Nothing tangier than demon juice,” he opened the bottle and took a drink, “I look forward to the taste of fear.”

Remi’s stomach churned, but she kept that to herself and glanced from Finn to Emery.

Finn smirked and picked up one of the bottles. “Not to worry, we’ve been assigned the task of sticking to you like glue.” He offered a bottle to Emery.

Taking the bottle, Emery nodded, “Like a second and third skin.” He took a small sip and motioned to Darien, “Just like I’m sure your mate plans to.” He grinned at Darien’s confirming nod. “Congratulations by the way, and I think everyone will agree when I say it’s about damn time.”

She felt her cheeks flush and scrambled for a way to keep the subject off mating, despite the warm feeling Darien was sharing with her. “Does anyone have any thoughts on what I can do to help?” Remi looked at Darien, who was opening his mouth to speak, “Staying here isn’t one of them.” He closed his mouth and crossed his arms over his chest.

“You have more power over the clans than any of us.” Attis played with his empty bottle on the bar top.

“I doubt calling them to me will be of help.”

He smirked, “No, that’s true, but the Keeper—you, have more skills than that.”

“Really? Like?” She picked up the coffee and held the cup in both hands while hoping these supposed skills were something she could do.

Attis shrugged, “You can paralyze them…”

Pascal chuckled, “it’s more like freezing them for a few moments.”

Attis rolled his eyes at his companion. “You’ll have to wait until we have them all occupied, especially the mage and witches…”

“Witches?” Nadine turned a scowl on her face.

Vie held out an empty cup to her. “Yeah, at least two,” she glanced at Pascal, “we’re not sure how strong they are though.”

Nadine took the cup and turned back to fill it. “Leave the witches to me. I’m bringing two others from my coven, and between the three of us, we could peel the skin from any traitor a mile away.”

Eyes wide, Remi looked back to Vienna. She was smiling.

“Anyway,” Pascal gave Nadine a surprised look, “there’s most likely too many for you to hit them all at once, so we’ll distract and cut down the numbers a bit for you.”

“What about the normals?” Vie asked, looking over her shoulder at Pascal. “Who’s going to deal with them?”

Shocked, Remi set the cup down again. “There are people involved?”

Boden put up his hand, “Are you saying we’re not people?”

Leave it up to him to crack a joke at that moment. She glared at him. “You know what I mean.” Blowing out a breath, Remi leaned on the counter and looked down at it. “Not that I understand why me, why Serenity, but what stake would normals have in any of this?”

“That’s what I want to know.” Kyran came out of the kitchen and then stopped abruptly and looked around. “A little early for a party, isn’t it? Why wasn’t I invited?”

Berk chuckled in a dramatic way, “No one was able to get near you without a council member attached to your elbow.”

“Ah,” Kyran walked behind the counter and headed straight for the coffee. “Understandable, they’re a very serious bunch.” He fixed his coffee and turned to lean back against the back counter. “So, I’m guessing I missed the battle plan.” He didn’t wait for comment. “I’ll be the normal people’s justice—oh wait; I am the plain old no-special-skills cop.”

“You’ll need to stay clear,” Deane said quietly, “there’s going to be a lot of power surging.”

Kyran nodded almost nonchalantly. “No problem there.” He shrugged, “the way I see it is the normals involved are going to be paralyzed with fear or freak out and run when all this goes down. I just need to be on the sidelines and then grab them as they stumble by.”

Darien chuckled at that. It lasted about three seconds before his face turned to stone again. “Pascal, do you know how Remi can do that freeze thing?”

Kyran lowered his cup and mouthed freeze thing at Remi.

She shook her head, not wanting to try and explain what she didn’t understand. Remi looked at Pascal.

“No, I’ve witnessed it but have no idea how. Brome would know.” He smirked, “I think he’s memorized every move ever made by the past Keepers.”

Remi groaned. She wasn’t up for another lesson from the council.

Nadine gave her an easy smile. “It’s inside you, Rem, just like the calling was. You’ll find it.” She glanced around and then gave Remi a wide-eyed look and played with the collar of her shirt.

It took a second before she understood. Trying to seem casual about it, Remi pulled her braid back to cover the bite on her neck.

“I’d be running around shouting it from the rooftops if I was newly mated,” Elise said with a big grin.

Kyran hissed out a breath. “Mated?” He looked at Remi, her neck, and then back again. “How the hell long did I sleep? I missed the strategy meeting and a mating announcement…”

“Mated?” Garrett’s deep voice boomed from the kitchen door. He inhaled slowly and then smiled. “Well, thank the Gods, it’s about bloody time…” he stopped as he noticed everyone. Shaking his head, he came down to the counter, grinning at Remi. “Welcome, neacht.” Then he glared at his nephew. “What the hell are you doing down here?”

Darien stepped closer to her back and rested a hand on her hip. “Opening the café.”

Garrett snorted. “Is nothing like it was? Any newly mated pair I’ve ever seen all but vanishes for a honeymoon month.”

“A month?” Remi stuttered and then felt her cheeks heat when she realized why the couples would need to do that.

Glancing around for a moment, Garrett pointed to Berk. “Get your grill going and make me a brew while you’re in there.”

Berk opened his mouth and then saluted the big were before going into the kitchen.

Remi turned to the kitchen, but Garrett stepped in front of her.

“Not you. You get today off.”

“I…”

Wrapping an arm around her waist, Darien pulled Remi back from the counter. “He’s right. You have to figure out what this ability is before tonight.”

“I don’t need all day…”

“We’ll stay,” Ranae said and started to take the chairs off the tables. Deane went into the kitchen with a brief smile and nod.

Garrett grinned at her and then at Darien. “Off you go. We’ll see you at dinner.”

Attis went over and put his arm over Finn’s shoulder. “Dawn is a few minutes away. Time for vampires to retire.”

Nodding, Finn glanced at Emery. “I’m ready to drop, and he doesn’t even look tired.”

Lowering the bottle, Emery gave him a bloody smile. “I’m tired, just not ruled by the impending light.”

“Lucky bastard,” Finn mumbled as he walked down the bar.

Remi watched a few more minutes as everyone either went to work or wandered out the back door.

“Go,” Nadine said softly as she refilled the brewers. “I’ll text you when Brome is up, and you can pick his brain.”

Remi sighed.

“Go,” she repeated, “spend some time with your mate.”