Storm slid down on the floor, leaning on the back of the couch. Both Matty and Nolan behind her watching as she slowly went through the box her father had left her. Jewels like she had never seen before filled one container.
But when Storm dug deeper, she found the letter, and it was new. It hadn’t been sitting in the container. Hell, all but the jewels were recently put in their secret place, not having any dust or anything on them.
She took a deep breath and opened the letter, knowing her men waited as did the others.
My Little Storm,
I don’t have much time. As it is, I wasted what time I had to travel with your doc. We didn’t find the ones we were after, but I did find out this gang is also connected to whatever this GSP is that you and the others are searching for.
As soon as I knew that Keyys was up to something, I was ordered to go undercover. Whatever they say, I am not dead, just can’t allow my presence known to anyone, including you, my little girl. I am on my way to another location in or around Texas. Somehow, I will get word to you. Know I am with you on your special day, and I want lots of pictures. Please, give this other envelope to your mates, my little Storm.
Love you, my little Storm, always will.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked down in the box seeing the other envelope. “Perfect timing,” she said, lifting the letter up, standing up, wiping her face. “This is for you two. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go throw some cold water on my face.”
She leaned down and kissed Nolan’s cheek then Matty’s, making her way into the bathroom. Her mind partially blocked, Storm shut the bathroom door behind her and disappeared from the room. Going out into the desert, her favorite place, she would sit and watch the sunset.
No, if she were going to live, this thing inside of her would be gone for good. Storm sat down on her rock and stared out at vast canyons of the desert around her. It was time to remove this thing and take her life back.
But before Storm could do anything, she was once more back in their suite of rooms, staring at two very pissed-off mates, the king, and another man she didn’t know.
“This is our mate, Storm. Eldon. If you can help her before we spank her cute ass, please do,” Nolan growled, flames danced in Matty’s eyes as he leaned against the wall, watching.
“Hello, and I was going to remove the thing away from everyone, so no one would get hurt,” she glared back.
Nolan grabbed hold of her chin, his nose touching hers. “And what would happen if you removed it and it blew up? You think to sacrifice yourself? Did you think of Alex? Us?”
She pulled away from Nolan, glaring at him. “Why do you think I left?” Storm looked down at her hands. “I’m not about to let anything happen to you three or my father.” Storm glanced over at the door where Doc Lope stood. “I’d rather die than let that happen.”
Doc Lope growled as did her mates.
“I think we can prevent this,” Eldon said. “If you would stand up, please.”
That’s when Storm turned her full attention on the man. Eldon looked nothing like his brother. Where the king had almost white hair, his brother had black-as-night hair, down to the back of his legs and the deepest blue eyes Storm had ever seen.
“Storm,” Nolan growled as she got up and turned around, smiling.
You keep adding it up, little pixy. Your butt is going to be red by the time I get hold of it. You don’t need to be looking at him. Nolan growled.
Cool hands touched the back of her head, pushing her head down. “I knew it. Keyys is an armature, which is good news,” Eldon said right before the onset of pain in her lower head.
“Storm will have a headache and a little pain, but nothing was damaged, and the thing is out. Keyys had the right equipment, but the idiot didn’t know how to work it,” Eldon said, stepping back as Storm plopped down on the bed, curling up on it, closing her eyes.
“Little pain,” Storm grumbled. “I really do hate headaches.”
“How bad, Storm? Like your migraines?” Doc Lope asked as she felt the bed dip and knew he was beside her.
“A little more intense, I’m afraid,” Storm mumbled.
“It’s not really a headache but a small bruise where the offending thing was. It should ease up in the next hour or two as you heal,” Eldon informed her and Doc.
“In other words, for me about four hours,” Storm moaned.
“I don’t understand? Why would it take you longer to heal?” Eldon asked.
“Storm is half human. Everything runs slower in her,” Doc Lope explained before he leaned down, placing a kiss on the top of her bald head.
“Interesting. Anyway, did Briar, you, or her father inform her mates about what happens after being mated for twenty-four hours?” Eldon asked, stepping back away from the bed.
Storm opened up her eyes. “What happens to my mates? They don’t get hurt, do they?” Storm asked.
“No, they gain a little of our abilities, also. Ones that will control little pixies who take off by themselves,” Eldon said, giving her a look as he moved out of their bedroom but tripped over a rug that appeared out of nowhere.
“Stormmmm,” Doc Lope growled, glaring down at her.
“What? I didn’t do anything. Plus, I meant to put a rug there anyway,” she grumbled.
Eldon threw his head back and laughed. “Yep, she sure does take after her father. I’ll never forget the time he got Briar with a bucket of oil and feathers. His mom was furious, but I never laughed so hard.”
The king coughed, but Storm had seen the smile.
“Yes, let’s take this into the outer rooms, so Storm can rest,” Drake said from the doorway.
Storm said nothing but curled up with the pillow. Both Nolan and Matty came over and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
“Rest, little pixy, we’ll be back in a few minutes,” Nolan told her, closing the door behind him, leaving her alone.
“Finally, I thought they would never leave,” the screechy voice of Keyys said behind her. “Time to go bye-bye,” Keyys said, but Storm vanished before he could touch her, appearing at the pond where the others were.
“Nava,” Storm whispered before falling to her knees.
“Momma Storm,” Alex screamed as everything started to go black.
“Keyys bedroom,” she managed to get out she hoped.
* * * *
Nolan spun around and ran for the room, but Eldon was already there leaning against the wall. “The weasel didn’t think I’d know he was in the room. See, brother, this is what I mean, half of these cowards are lazy,” Eldon glared at Keyys as Nolan stepped toward him. “We would like to question him before you destroy him. I believe right now Storm needs you. Someone named Saxon is bringing her here.”
Nolan spun around, heading for the door, Matty ahead of him. “I get his ass when you are finished,” Nolan growled.
“We’ll see if anything is left when I’m done,” King Briar said, disappearing with Keyys and his brother.
Running down the hall, both of them met up with Saxon, a crying Alex, and Darla, who came around the corner from the other direction.
“What the hell is going on? Why are these people getting into our home?” She turned and glared at Drake. “How can we keep our children safe if they keep getting in? I thought you had a pixy put safeguards up?”
“I’m working on it, Darla. I’m afraid I’m going to have to change everything,” Drake said, wrapping his arm around her, holding on to her tight.
A single tear rolled down her cheek. “Ringo,” she whispered, watching as Doc Lope took Storm from Saxon’s arms.
“She’s used to much energy, magic. See how her skin is clammy, Nolan, Matty?” Doc Lope said as they made their way back to their rooms. “She used to do this in the beginning when Storm learned she could do things. But it would wipe her out for a whole day. With the pain from them removing that thing from her head and this, she’s going to be out at least a day.”
Doc lowered Storm down on the bed and covered her with a sheet. “Is it going to be safe to have this wedding?” Doc Lope asked, turning to Drake.
“We’re going to have a small one with just family and a few friends. The party has been canceled with everything going on, but we have offered to host the little ones’ Halloween party. We can’t disappoint them,” Nolan said, pulling Alex over to him and hugging him. “She’s going to be fine. Just needs lots of sleep. I tell you what, why don’t we have that picnic here. We can start planning the wedding and your Halloween party.”
Darla nodded. “I’d like that. Something to take all of our minds off what has happened. Drake, you get with whomever you have to and get security done. I want our children safe. We’ve already lost one,” she whispered.
“Done, and I’ll have the cook bring up more of this fried chicken he cooked up for Elf and Nava. I’m sure they would love to come help plan the party, too,” Drake said as they all moved into the family room where Saxon and Kayden and their mates stood waiting.
“Do you mind having your picnic here?” Nolan asked. “I really don’t want to leave Storm.” Nolan sat down on the floor, pulling Alex down into his lap as Matty sat down next to him.
“Not at all. We need pads of paper and pens so we can write all this stuff down. Saxon, in our room...” Nava said, and he nodded.
“Got it; anything else while I’m there?” he asked. “You want dry clothes?” he asked, and his woman laughed.
“Yea, just grab what I was wearing earlier and Ana’s clothes, too,” Nava said, looking over at Doc Lope, who leaned against the door, watching as everyone sat down on the ground.
Nolan knew it had to be hard for Doc Lope to watch his mate as a child, especially since this child had been hurt. Yes, Doc Lope was a special man, and he was proud to have him as a father.
“Crap,” Nolan said as he heard the voices coming down the hall.
Matty laughed. “Family, I take it?”
“You won’t be laughing long when they all pile in here. I have a feeling we’re going to have to move to someplace bigger.” He frowned and glanced at the door where Storm slept.
“You two go and plan. I’ll stay here with my daughter ‘til you are done,” Doc Lope said as Ana came over to him, smiling up at him, holding up a picture to him.
“For you,” she said, holding up a colored picture. “It’s a picture of you as a wolf. I dreamed of you running in the woods last night. You were so sad,” the little girl said.
Doc Lope knelt down, taking the picture. “I was worried about my little girl. Storm is in there sleeping. Thank you for the picture, Ana, I’ll keep it always. What are you going to dress up as for the Halloween party?” he asked.
“I’m going to be a bride,” she leaned over and whispered. “I know it’s not real, but one day, we’ll have our wedding.” The little girl touched Doc Lope’s cheek. “I know,” she said and turned, skipping back to Nava, her mother.
“How?” he asked, looking up at Saxon, who shook his head.
“She has visions, our little Ana. We believe with Ana being more relaxed and safe that her gifts are coming into her slowly.” Saxon glanced over at Elf as he moved in behind Ana. “Even Elf has noticed a few things she can do now that she had no idea she could.”
Kayden snorted. “And sometimes at the worse times,” he snorted, and Elf smacked him on the head, glaring at him. “What?” He reached over and yanked her into his arms, careful of the little one she carried in her arms, kissing her.
Ana giggled. “They do that a lot, and so does Momma and Daddy.” Ana leaned over. “Kind of disgusting. I mean, think of all the germs.”
Nolan laughed at the doc’s expression. “You sure you don’t mind?” Nolan asked.
“Go, I have no problem spending time with my daughter since I don’t get to see her much anymore. Plus, I have a beautiful picture to stare at,” Doc said, winking at Ana as Nolan’s family started to come in the room.
The first ones being his mother and father with Alastar and Cahir leading them. His mom came right to him, wrapping her arms around him. “I’ve heard all that has happened. Rest assured, we are here to help. But, sweetie, this room is a little small for our family,” his mother whispered, and Drake snorted.
“Let’s go to the room where the Halloween party for the little ones will be. We can get a feel of it and plan.” Drake moved his two daughters in his arms toward the door as Darla came over and introduced herself.
“Mom, Dad, this is Matty, one of my mates,” Nolan yanked Matty over to get kisses from his mom and a firm hug from his father.
“Please, follow us, Mom, Dad,” Nolan said, urging them toward the door when everyone stopped and was staring behind him. “So help me, if you are out of bed, I’m spanking your butt,” Nolan growled and turned to see Storm leaning against the doorframe.
She smiled. “I had to say hi since your family came all the way from Ireland.”
Nolan ran for Storm as her legs gave out. “Storm, you just don’t listen,” he grumbled, kissing the top of her head.
“I know how important your family is to you.”
He sighed as his mom and father came over and placed a kiss on Storm’s cheeks. “You get some sleep, young lady. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other since we just learned Alastar might have met his mate, too, it would seem?” His mother trained his brother with a look Nolan knew too well.
“Mom,” Alastar growled.
“Alastar, you do not growl at your mother.” His father smacked him upside the head, and Nolan couldn’t help but laugh.
“Just wait, little brother, just wait,” Alastar grumbled as Doc Lope came over and took Storm out of his hands.
“Go spend time with your family while my daughter and I talk, and she rests,” Doc Lope growled.
“Mom, Dad, this is Doc Lope, Storm’s father,” Nolan said.
“Adopted,” Doc Lope said.
“Father,” Storm said back, glaring at him, and he laughed.
“Even when she is sick she’s sassy. It’s a pleasure to meet you both. We’ll speak soon, I’m sure.” With that, Doc Lope took Storm back into the bedroom and slammed the door.
Matty laughed and wrapped his arm around Nolan. “I do believe Storm is getting talked to.” Matty escorted him and Darla out of their rooms, leading his parents toward the small ballroom, Darla called it, which it wasn’t unless you call a football field small.