Night Finds (3 page)

“If she wasn't a witch, he might have made it out of things with only his jimmy missing, but since she was one of the baddest witches in town, he got royally messed up. She started by burning his fields, which pushed his financial standings into the ground. He tried to borrow his way out of the mess, but the missus took it upon herself to tempt the local bankers with her forbidden fruit and made them see things her way.

“All sorts of other things happened, but in the end he was left destitute and she took her kids and left. Shortly after her departure, an unexplained fire happened in their bedroom while he was sleeping. Only the bed burned and him with it. I spent some time talking with her about it and she isn't as bad as you say. She has had a lot of trouble in the men department over the years because she has tried to stick to humans, but she recently changed that cycle and things are working out a little better for her.”

Jake hasn't left town recently, so I know the witch he speaks of is a local. I know a lot of the witches, but I only tend to bad mouth one of them and it is totally because she is a nut job.

“You are joking, right? Alex is not moving me into a house that Hilda lived in with her cheating husband over a century ago. If Peanut wasn't with in ear range, I would so be cursing right now.”

Witches can live for centuries, and if they are strong enough and have the right ingredients, they can probably make themselves immortal. I know Hilda is capable of accomplishing that task. I just don't want to believe she has resided in the place I am moving into.

“You dislike most witches you come across and you aren't afraid to vocalize it. Why do you think it is Hilda solely based on his description?” Sebastian asks.

“Because this is my life we are talking about and that woman likes to haunt me at every turn. If her dead husband isn't wandering the halls, I bet her memories will be. Witches can do that, you know. They leave behind psychic impressions to screw with the people that move in after them. I am going to have to find someone I trust to come in and do a cleansing. Alex didn't happen to have one done already, did he?” Finding a witch I trust is going to be a daunting task.

“I don't think he has,” Jake says from the back. “Hilda has been helping him out, though. Trying to make sure all of the refurnishing is done correctly. She is out there most days and maybe she cleaned things up for us. Her boyfriend is going to be staying there and I imagine she will show up every once in a while to visit. She will probably flush the memories all out free of charge, if she hasn't already.”

I am still convinced she dosed Marcus with something. I haven't seen them together, but rumor is they have been seeing each other regularly after he went on a date with her in payment for some magical help to retrieve Sebastian. I know he was just as turned off by her as I was, so what happened between then and now is a mystery to me.

“I am still not sure this will work out. I was starting to accept the situation, but this has me wanting to run the other direction.” As I am saying this, I am already pulling up into the long drive that leads back to the manor house.

It looks like the drive is freshly paved, which is nice because I know it was gravel or dirt recently. When I get up to the house itself, I about crash the car before I am able to get it into park. The place looks unbelievable.

The white pillars announcing its stately presence are freshly painted and have no vines blocking their prestige. Full disclosure, I might have checked the place out more than a couple of times. It always seemed so alone out here and I have felt that way many times in my life. When the mood came on, I would take a long walk out here and wander the grounds. Even though I think the house is really creepy, we did eventually come to an understanding.

“Welcome to your new home,” Alex says rushing down the front steps to greet us.

“Don't think a gardener and a few coats of paint are going to get you out of the trouble you are in, wolfman.” I get out of the car to go meet him. Sebastian and Jake start to unload the cargo.

“It does help my case just a little, I am sure,” he responds as he wraps me up into a hug, being careful not to squish the baby. “How did Peanut enjoy her first shopping trip?”

“I hope she hated it. If not, you guys are going to have to take her once she is born. I have had my once a year expedition more than once already this year. By the way, Peanut is now known as Sophia Rose. We are naming her after Sebastian's mom,” I pull back from him and gaze up at the house a little more. The thing is really massive. That is at least something that it has going for it. I should have plenty of room to hide from the guys when they start ticking me off.

“I heard what you two decided on and I like it. I agree with Sophia that Rose is a perfect middle name for her. Why don't I take my two girls on a tour of the estate while the rest of the crew gets the nursery setup? I need a chance to plead my case and a little alone time would be nice. We haven't had any for a while. With Peanut, I mean Sophia, in your tummy we won't technically be getting any now, but we can make do.”

Who better than the mad scientist that put this all together to lead me on our tour? “Lead on, Alex. I am slightly interested in seeing what you have done to the place.”

“We both know that is a fib. You cannot wait to see what has changed since the last time you visited.” He grabs my hand and leads me around to the side of the house.

It looks like the tour is starting outside. I just hope we aren't heading to a garden. Little Sophia may get her way on her middle name, but the real life version of roses make me itch in large quantities, much like most other things.

Chapter 3

Still waiting for my cannon

“The grounds do host a very large greenhouse and garden, but that is not where I am taking you. You will have to find them yourself if you want to visit them. Hilda insisted that they be brought back to their former glory because she spent a lot of time off in that area. When you hear the stories of what she has done to the people that have wronged her in the past, you try to stay on her good side.”

The path we walk down looks to be crushed rocks of some sort. Knowing Alex, they are probably marble or granite. I don’t know how expensive those materials would be, but he doesn’t like to skimp. The large yard is professionally manicured and I am sure Clyde is loving that detail. I see some construction being done on what has to be the exterior guards’ residence. It is a three story building that looks like an apartment complex. It doesn’t seem like there is a lot of work left to be done on it.

“They will be moving in within the week. Until then, we do have a few staying in the manor, just to be safe. What I want to show you is around the corner here. I want you to remember that you are pregnant and getting excited may cause premature labor, so try to keep things under control.”

It must finally be my cannon. I have been requesting one forever and no one believes I really need one.

“Before the big reveal, why don’t you tell me how you came to own this place and just how involved Hilda has been in everything. Did you sacrifice more dates with Marcus to get her on your side? That is about the only way I can see for her to be any assistance.”

We pause in our steps so he can respond. “No, you haven’t seen her for a few weeks and you will be surprised when you do. Marcus has proven to be helpful when dealing with her, but I don’t think she would have given me too much crap without him. I bought the house from her years ago. It was really weird at the time because she found me and offered it to me for a hundred bucks. She didn’t look the same back then and I almost felt bad taking advantage of her. Even in the shape the place was in, it was worth well over a million dollars.”

“Great. The voices in her head planned this all out. I don’t think that is a selling point.”

“Perhaps not, but this will be.” He grabs my hand and drags me around the corner.

The first thing my eye sees is a giant obstacle course with monkey bars, belly crawl, wall climb, tire run, and a few balance beams thrown in for good measure. Now that looks fun. I look over to the left of the course and see a shooting range set up. There are some nice standard targets spread out on a field with a few extra fun ones around. The fun ones include spinners and targets with people I don’t really like on them. They even included Ben on one of them.

“I am not sure I want to shoot him,” I say nodding towards that particular target. I am still not talking to the demon. He has tried to pop in a couple of times to check in on my pregnancy. They were really short visits when he got the cold shoulder from me.

I know I am being childish about him figuring out who my mother is and keeping it from me, but that doesn’t mean I will stop being upset. I figure another week or two and I may be over it enough to speak to him.

“That one is for me. After you have forgiven him, I will still not like the jerk. He wants to put a baby in you and only me and Sebastian get that honor. Come on, let’s go see what we put together for Sophia and those future children,” he claims and takes a hold of my hand.

I don’t see why the obstacle course isn’t suitable for them. With parents like us, they are going to be learning to fight before they can even walk. I wonder if they make little pint size punching bags.

“Don’t you think it is weird that you and Sebastian have both claimed my womb?” I think it is really creepy. I love both of the guys, but I will never understand how this is supposed to work. It is something I bring up and think about often. I still haven’t received an answer that satisfies me.

“We all love each other. There isn’t anything weird or creepy about it. I won’t say I am going to try to steal any alone time with Sebastian, but through you we have formed a bond. Not long ago, I would have said that was impossible. As you know though, I don’t have any problem with you guys doing the kinds of activities that created little Sophia. At this point, you are the only one that still gets spooked by the way things are going.

“We were both scared about what your reaction would be when you woke up to find us both in your bed. He and I had been talking about it for a while and we finally just decided to try it out. You don’t like being cuddled too much, which makes it easier on us. Tuesdays he gets to be close to you and I get Saturdays. The other nights we just each have our own space.”

I do find it a little funny that they have cuddle time with Nyx penciled in on their schedules. Maybe after a century of us all being together I will be as blasé about it as they are. Until then, we will just make sure I don't sleep with sharp objects nearby.

Alex brings us to a halt and turns me so I can see what he has put together for the future hordes of children he is planning. By the look of things, my count isn't far off. He has brought me to an area on the west side of the house that almost looks like another dwelling.

It is a mini castle playground set that has swings and slides, like I assume any playground has, but this one comes equipped with a castle and a moat. I haven't seen any crocodiles roaming the streets of Night Owl City, which I hope continues because I am sure any future boy children we might have would try to procure a few for their moat. I probably shouldn't put that past the devil kicking inside of me now. I can see her riding a crocodile down the driveway before showing it its new home.

“You are giving her ideas. She may block you from hearing her, but she is always listening in on what you are thinking,” Alex says as he drags me over to the swings. “Sit. Let me push you for a few minutes.”

I do as commanded a little reluctantly. “I thought I was supposed to be getting a tour of my new home. We haven't walked enough that I need a rest and I really want to get a look inside.”

“In a second. First, I have been thinking a lot about a particular human custom that I wanted to discuss with you.”

I don't like that lead in at all. In fact, I think I should take off in a run as fast as the beer gut will let me. “Not a very interesting subject I assume.” I stay where I am and kick my legs out taking myself higher as he pushes me.

“In our world, mates are just mates. We don't really become husband and wife in any big ceremony. It is just understood that we are stuck together as long as we both live,” he says.

“Okay, I acknowledge that to be a true statement, but I would like to point out that most human marriages don't last like the paranorm ones do.”

“I cannot dispute that. I don't want us to get married, so you can stop worrying that I am trying to ask you. What we have is perfect and I was just hoping I could get you to wear my ring. You spend some time in the human world, even if it disturbs you, and they are accustomed to seeing that symbol on women that are already claimed. I will be marking you, probably soon, although who knows if when your angel stuff kicks in we will feel the need that this month triggers for other wolf mates. Until then, and even after, I would love for you to wear this ring,” he says and grabs me to stop my momentum. He wraps his arms around me and he holds out a small black box.

Shocked is a little bit mild for what I am feeling. I didn't see this request coming ever. “I am not exactly a jewelry type of girl. I thought that was well-known.” I grab the box anyway; curious to see what he thought would win me over.

“I think you will be surprised,” is all he gives me.

I open the box and I have to agree with him. There is no super huge diamond residing within. Instead I am greeted by the rim of a bullet attached to a silver looking band. The bullet is stamped with TC on the top and 9MM Luger around the bottom. It looks just like one of the bullets I buy. I take it out to get an even better look.

“It is one of your bullets. I had it saved after Jonas pulled it out of me the first night we met. I didn't expect to use it in this capacity, but when I got the idea to get you a ring, I couldn't think of anything more appropriate to symbolize our relationship.”

I obviously didn't know what shock was when I thought I was experiencing it before. “You not only saved the bullet I shot you with, but had it made into a ring for me. I love it,” I say and slip the ring onto my ring finger on my left hand. It fits perfectly, which was expected, and I like that it is low profile so I don't have to worry about it catching on something. Huge and pointy might have been fun in a fight, but for every day wear, flat is good.