Chattanooga Supernaturals: Riding The Storm Part 10

Eric wasn't aware of the undercurrents, but he still took offense. "Ranger! You're getting out of-"

"No, Eric," Kendra interrupted. "It's okay, I can answer his questions. I like knowing you have someone who loves you enough to give me the third degree."

Kendra hadn't looked away from Ranger as she spoke to Eric, and she kept her eyes on him as she answered his question. "Because he's so alive, so full of energy, life. He doesn't let fear hold him back - if he wants to do something, he does it. I enjoy spending time with him. We're still figuring things out, but I guess we're both hoping we can find a way to make things work."

"Why might things not work?"

Kendra looked at Eric, then back at Ranger, debating the best way to answer without lying. "That's kind of personal, but since you asked, I'm infertile and Eric wants kids."

Ranger looked shocked, and his focus switched to Eric. "You've let a relationship get to the point where you're talking about kids and I don't know about it? You told me you were seeing someone, but... "

Eric shrugged. "Sorry, I didn't want to jinx things."

Ranger eyed him a few seconds before changing the subject. "Well, it's close to midnight now and I have to be at work at nine tomorrow morning. I can stay up a couple of hours, but should probably head to bed around two in the morning or so."

Eric looked at Ranger's bottle. "I see you've already helped yourself to some beer, I'll get one for me. Kendra, wine?"

"Yes, please."

Alone with him, but not out of earshot of Eric, Kendra asked, "So Ranger, where did you fly in from?"

His smile was feral, and he let his wolf look out his eyes as he answered, "Sorry, my location is usually cla.s.sified information."

"Ah. Well then, what are you doing for this security company?"

"They handle security details for some pretty famous people, and they have contracts with major corporations to set up their security systems, as well as to offer additional manpower for special events."

"When we hire bouncers for the bars we have to be careful about hiring ex-military. We like for our bouncers to defuse a situation, and ex-military usually just wants to toss people out on their a.s.s. So, I guess I find it odd that a security company is looking to hire from the military for that kind of work."

Knowing Aaron Drake and the jobs he handled, she didn't find it odd at all, but wanted to hear his response.

"I'm not the kind of ex-military you're used to seeing. Defusing situations is one of the things I'm trained for. I'm also trained to kill everyone en ma.s.se if the situation can't be neutralized, of course, but in many cases a political solution is much preferred over wholesale slaughter."

Kendra raised her eyebrows. "Indeed. What languages do you speak?"

"Sorry, that's information they'd prefer I not tell civilians."

"Well, if I can't make small talk by asking questions then I'm not sure what to say at this point. Maybe you can tell me embarra.s.sing stories of Eric growing up?"

"Ah, like the time he jumped off the roof of the house holding a sheet over his head like a parachute? He was about seven or eight at the time. I thought his mom was going to kill me, since I'd let him come watch us jump earlier in the week."

Kendra laughed. "Yeah, that's the kind of stuff I want to hear." She looked at Eric as he returned. "Were you hurt?"

"I jumped off a two story house onto hard dirt, of course I was hurt. And when mom got me home from the emergency room with a cast on one ankle and a wrap on the other, she took a belt to my a.s.s before she gave me the pain pills, just to make sure I didn't do it again."

Ranger laughed. "She threatened to take a belt to my a.s.s, too. I told her I'd just enjoy it too much, and she got p.i.s.sed and told me to get the h.e.l.l out of her house."

Kendra let her eyebrows lift in question, and Ranger grinned at her reaction. "No, I wouldn't have enjoyed it. She knew I had some s.e.xual kinks, but didn't know what they were, so I figured I could throw her off balance - and it worked. Kind of."

"How much older are you than Eric?"

"Eleven years. I tried to be a father figure to him during his teen years when his dad couldn't be around, but in a lot of ways I guess I was more big brother than father figure."

"Then I'd guess one of the reasons you accepted this job was because it put you in a city Eric has chosen to spend a lot of time in?"

"It was certainly part of it, though I knew I'd be off on a.s.signments most of the time. I know there's no guarantee he won't find another city with even more fun to be had, but he's spent a good bit of time here for several years, and it seems to have turned into kind of his home base. Once I decided I wasn't going to stay in the military forever, this firm seemed a no-brainer since they're one of the world's most elite private security companies. The fact their home office is here was just icing on the cake."

Kendra excused herself around one thirty, to be sure the men had some time to talk without her around. Eric walked her to her car, and held her head to his chest as he said, "I'm sorry we didn't get to come home and make love. I was looking forward to it."

She pulled back, gave him a peck on the lips, and said, "There'll be plenty of time later. Spend time with your uncle."

His goodbye kiss made her want to fly him to the top of the hill and ravage him, but she slid into her car and headed home.

She contacted Abbott as she drove.

Abbott? Are you where you can talk?

Yes, Kendra. Everything okay?

Yes, I'm fine. Eric's uncle showed up, and he says he works for a local elite security company. He's ex-special-ops, so I'm guessing he works for Drake. Can you get with him and see what you can find out about someone named Ranger? He's a werewolf, so he realized I'm a vampire. Neither of us said anything to tip Eric off, so I don't think Eric knows what his uncle is.

I'll talk to Aaron and let you know what he says.

Chapter Eleven.

When Kendra arrived home, she noted a car she didn't recognize parked out front. As she drove by, she saw a New York license plate.

The vampires all parked in either the huge garage, or in an area at the back of the house designed so you couldn't see how many cars were there from the front. This was an elite, high-dollar neighborhood, built around a golf course, and it would be best if no one realized how many people lived here.

Only people who'd never been to the house before parked in front.

Kendra parked and entered through the back door as always, and went through to the great room, curious about who the visitor might be.

As she walked in, she froze. Several seconds later, she managed to say, "Norris," in a normal voice.

Norris got up and walked to her, hugging her. "h.e.l.lo, love."

"But, I thought you were... we all thought you were..."

"Dead. Yes, I know. To be honest, I'm still not sure how I managed to pull myself back together." He gave her a gentle smile and caressed her cheek, his eyes looking her over as if he'd truly missed her and couldn't believe he was finally with her again. "I just know I woke up nearly five hundred years later, underground. I dug my way out and stayed in Romania a while, until I could build up some wealth again, then moved around Europe, looking for you. It wasn't until I made it to the United States that I finally heard word of where I might find you. I've been in New York a few months, and I thought about calling first, but I really wanted to see you when we first made contact."

Stunned, she let him hold her as she tried to process the fact he was alive. She'd mourned him all those years ago - she'd once loved him with all of her heart. And now, here he was, standing in front of her, his strong, lithe arms around her.

But, what about Eric? He'd said they weren't exclusive, but she knew Norris wouldn't feel the same about Eric... not unless Eric was officially her human companion, anyway.

Plus, the last time she and Norris had been together, she'd been submissive to him. In fact, he was the last man she'd submitted to, until Eric. She was pretty sure she was more powerful than Norris now - would he be interested in a relationship where she was the more powerful one? She wasn't sure.

"Norris, I don't know what to say. I'm in shock, I think. And, it's been so long." She hugged him, luxuriated in the feel of him for a brief second, and then forced herself to let go and step back. "I'm really glad you're alive. Have you met with Abbott yet to get safe pa.s.sage in his territory? He didn't mention you were coming - did you ask him to keep it a surprise?"

"No, I haven't spoken with The Abbott, yet. I wanted this to be a surprise, so I'd know how you reacted, and I couldn't be sure he'd honor my request. Thus far, your reaction isn't making me feel all warm and fuzzy, Kendaline."

Kendra opened herself up so Abbott could hear the conversation. "Norris, it's been over a thousand years! You must give me a chance to put all of this together. Meanwhile, I can't believe you went into a territory without obtaining permission from the Master of that territory! I hope you didn't think I'd make everything okay since I happen to be third in command here. It's Abbott you've insulted, not me, and it's Abbott you'll have to deal with."

Norris just looked at her, as if he didn't believe what he was hearing.

And then Kendra realized... "Wait, Gavin's out of town, making me temporarily the second in command. You really did think I'd make everything right with Abbott for you, didn't you? Dammit, Norris! You can't walk in here and take advantage of me first thing! I'm not the same woman I was a thousand years ago. I suggest you get on the phone, now, and grovel to Abbott, as I refuse to intercede. Once the two of you figure it out, then you and I can talk. Maybe."

She stepped into the center of the great room and looked at the vampires. "I don't know who's been talking to him, who told him when Gavin would be gone, and where the house was, but I suggest you do your own groveling with Abbott."

Kendra turned and went through the kitchen, into the pantry, and then opened the hidden door to the bas.e.m.e.nt and her suite of rooms. Twenty minutes later, she heard Abbott in her head.

Kendra, it's too close to dawn to send him away, so I gave Fawne permission to put him on the top floor for the day, and he's been told to leave my territory as soon as he arises. He may then call me from Kentucky to negotiate entry in the proper manner, if he wishes. The irony here is that if he'd called me before he came, I'd have let him in with no negotiations.

Right, but this is Norris, and he's never been one to respect rules or authority when he can get around it. I'd just as soon you not offer him pa.s.sage into the territory for a while, if you can do it without causing political problems with Marco up in New York. I can't believe I once loved him as I did, Abbott. And when he hugged me, I still felt something for him, but I guess I've grown up, finally. I'm not attracted to the bad boys anymore, and he was always a very bad boy. I just need to stay away from him.

I'll call Marco, and will let you know what he has to say.

Kendra went to her bathroom to draw herself a bath. She had a huge tub, and when she was upset, she took a hot bath. She carried her cell phone to the bathroom and sat it on the table beside the tub, just in case someone she wanted to talk to called.

She hadn't been in long when she heard Abbott in her head again.

Marco isn't very happy with Norris right now. He's calling him all the way home to be dealt with. Marco says if I don't want to offer Norris pa.s.sage into my territory later, he won't take it personally, under the circ.u.mstances.

Thanks, Abbott.

Norris is asking to talk to you while he's here tonight, before he has to leave upon arising.

Of course he is. She started to refuse, but changed her mind. Norris wouldn't be back anytime soon, and she still cared enough about him to want to know how he was doing, and what he was up to at home. Okay, tell them I'll be up when I've finished my bath. I don't want him to have access to the bas.e.m.e.nt, if that's okay with you.

You're correct, it wouldn't be appropriate. I'll let them know you'll be up in a while to talk to him.

Kendra took another twenty minutes in the tub, and then dried off and dressed in a designer, flowing, pantsuit and some of her favorite shoes before going upstairs to talk to Norris. She needed all the self-confidence she could muster to face him and not let him make her fall in love with him all over again. She was not the same woman she was back then, and she didn't want to go back.

When she stepped into the great room he was sitting on the sofa talking to a couple of the younger vampires, but he stopped in mid-sentence to look at her.

"Abbott said you wanted to talk to me tonight before you went home tomorrow?" she asked.

"Kendaline, I'm sorry I came like this... I just thought... I'm sorry. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"

"Yes, but I'm not taking you there. If you want to talk then I suggest you begin talking, and, I go by Kendra now, as I'm sure you've been told."

"I've changed, too, Kendra. It's been more than a thousand years for both of us. I know we may have changed so much we can't make it work now, but I still felt something when we hugged." His eyes looked serious, sad. "I still want you, and I'd like to take the time to get to know you again, see if we are still compatible. We were once planning to marry, Kendra. What if there is still something to build on?"

"Norris, just go home and deal with your own Master, and then work on negotiating whatever you can with Abbott. Once upon a time, I took great pleasure skirting the rules, and you and I got along great. But now I'm one of the people in charge, responsible for enforcing the rules and keeping some order amongst our people. I've grown and changed, and I can't imagine how a relationship with you could possibly work."

"Okay, Kendra, but... the moon is almost new. What about a night flight together? For the sake of old times? We still have time before dawn."

After sharing just that with Eric tonight, she didn't want to do it again with Norris. "No, but I'll spend some time with you since you're here for the rest of the night with Abbott's permission. We have a nice garden area outside, let's go into the night air and talk."

Kendra kept a few feet between them, and Norris didn't push to keep her closer. They walked the gardens and then sat in a seating area, in separate chairs. She found out he was working off Broadway as a dancer - he'd had to start his own theater in order to do it, and no one who knew him as a dancer realized he owned the theater, but it was the only way to be sure all rehearsals and shows would take place at night. The director only knew the theater owner had wanted to hand pick a few people, and Norris was one of the dancers he'd specifically wanted.

Norris was an incredible dancer and entertainer, and she was happy for him. When they went inside thirty minutes before dawn, he took her into his arms and kissed her, and she let him, though she kept a tight lock on her emotions and thoughts. She felt Norris trying to share his, but whatever bond they'd once had, he could no longer share if she didn't let him in.

Kendra was indeed more powerful than him, now, and Norris had to keep the kiss sweet and tender, as he was no longer strong enough metaphysically to dominate her. However, the kiss still told her this was the same Norris she'd once loved, and the chemistry was there. She sighed inwardly and reminded herself he had a life in New York, and her life was here. Not to mention, she couldn't see Norris ever choosing to submit to anyone s.e.xually.

When the kiss ended she took a step back, unsure of what to say, and he asked, "Are you seeing anyone, my love?"

Kendra wasn't exactly sure how to answer, but she knew her housemates could hear, so she answered for their benefit. "I'm grooming a human companion, at the moment."

"Be safe, then, and as soon as I fix things with Marco, I'll see what I need to do to convince The Abbott to allow me back in his territory. I'm sorry for the way I came, and I won't make the same mistake again."

Kendra wished Eric hadn't been so clear they weren't exclusive, because then she'd have had a reason to not kiss Norris goodbye - and their final kiss practically made her come undone.

Chapter Twelve.

Kendra had an email from Eric when she awakened, asking if they could make arrangements to tell Ranger what she was, noting it was going to be hard to explain why she was only around at night, and why she didn't eat with them.

Eric was the one who'd need to be told about the existence of werewolves, and she'd have to get the local Alpha's permission before telling him. Not to mention, she couldn't tell him about Ranger, specifically, no matter what. Only Ranger could tell his own secret.

With a sigh, she replied to the email, saying since Ranger would only be in town a few days, it might be better for her to just stay away, to cut down on questions.

Thirty minutes later she felt the buzzing vibration she'd get when someone bound to her was considering telling the secret. She followed it, knowing where it would lead before she tracked its origin.

Since Kendra didn't have a mind link with Eric and couldn't warn him without phoning him, she let Abbott know what was going on and asked him to let Eric know he was treading on dangerous ground.

And then it hit her. Eric was just another form of the bad boy she used to be attracted to. The danger element was different, as he got his jollies by hang gliding and parachuting instead of breaking laws and rules, but the need to defy society's norms was still there, as was the need for the thrill of an adventure, the jolt of adrenaline. d.a.m.n, maybe she hadn't outgrown her bad boy fascination, after all.

She also realized she didn't have anything to do tonight, and decided to take a trip to The Library and check on progress.

As she was pulling out of the driveway her cellphone rang, it was Eric. "I didn't tell him anything, I was just thinking in my head that if I let him test the game for me it might be obvious to him what you are. As I was telling him the storyline, I considered how he might figure things out, since he's so suspicious of you. I wasn't going to tell him."

"You were laying the foundation for him to figure it out. It's like Abbott said, the binding keeps you from telling in any way - even by dropping clues and hints. Look, if Ranger's going to be here long term, we'll figure something out, but he said he'd be here less than a week. Please trust me not to intentionally put you in a position to keep an impossible secret."