Aiden nodded and they walked to the front of the store.
Colton lifted Keelan into the back of the SUV and shut the hatch.
"Colton, you couldn't put him in a seat?" Aiden asked frowning.
"He'll be fine, just drive carefully," Colton said hopping into the back.
Once they were on their way, silence filled the cab.
"You know he'll never go to the store with us again after this, right?" Darian asked.
That was all it took, first Gavriel then Aiden started laughing. Colton put his hands behind his head and chortled.
Darian shook his head and smiled.
There were worse ways to spend an evening.
*****
Amelia opened her eyes when she heard Darian return. She had been dozing off and on since he left.
"Did I wake you?" he asked stopping in his tracks.
"No, I've been awake for a little while. Any problems picking up the prescription? I didn't give you any of my ID."
He shook his head. "No, I was able to get it with no issues." He set a bottle of water on the nightstand, opened the paper bag, and pulled out a small bottle. He broke the tamper proof seal and gently tapped out a pill for her. He handed her the medicine. She placed the pill under her tongue gratefully, willing it to dissolve and kick in as soon as possible. Prying one eye open she looked longingly at the water but knew it would have to wait until the nausea subsided to take a sip.
"I'll sleep in the guest room." He turned to leave.
"Please stay." All she could think about was Darian wrapping his arms around her and never leaving. She wanted the problems of the world to stop at their bedroom door and leave them alone.
Quietly, he stripped off his clothes and climbed in behind her. On any other occasion, she would have done anything she could to seduce her mate. Their one night of lovemaking had left her with a taste for more, but she could barely keep her eyes open.
"Sleep, my love. Tomorrow is a new day." He kissed her shoulder and pulled her close to his body.
When the medicine started to kick in, taking the edge off her migraine, she let out a sigh of relief; sleep wasn't far behind.
*****
"How in the hell did you drug Keelan?" Rheia demanded checking Keelan's pupils the next morning at breakfast.
"I slept great," he said, yawning.
"You were completely non responsive, I thought you quit breathing at one point last night." Rheia glared at her mate who chuckled. Colton swallowed his laughter and turned his attention back to his omelette.
Amelia stretched. "I feel great, too. No trace of a headache now."
Rheia finished with Keelan by taking his pulse. "No more Valium for you."
"Yes ma'am." He grinned shyly.
Rheia sat down and pulled her medical bag into her lap and put her penlight away. "I need to get with Adam later and create a list of medicines and how different paranormals react to them."
Gavriel leaned forward. "Not to ruin anyone's good mood," he turned to Aiden, "what do we do now?" Everyone got quiet.
Aiden leaned back in his chair. "The council has reclaimed the remaining necklace from Adam and has it under guard. Now that they know what they are dealing with they are starting a new barrage of tests."
"You're kidding me, right?" Amelia said, feeling her blood pressure rising.
Aiden winced. "I wish I were."
"Aiden, it's no longer just a necklace. Those beads are people! They are trapped in a moment of pure terror, we have to destroy the necklace and set them free!"
Aiden turned to her sorrow on his face. "If it was up to me, it would have been done yesterday. But the council has taken over the investigation; it's out of my hands."
"So what do we do?" Meryn asked quietly.
"We do what we always do. You and Beth will take over my office to do your computer magic. Penny will go to school. Rheia will head to the clinic, and the men will begin our morning drills." He looked at Amelia. "You are to rest. I'm exhausted today just from watching you yesterday."
Rheia nodded. "I agree, Amelia. You stay put today."
Amelia snuck a glance at her mate. While getting ready this morning, she had noticed that he was even more withdrawn than normal. He felt emptier now than before they had made love.
"I'd like to watch you all train if that's okay? I'm comfortable on the training field. I grew up on one." She gave Aiden her ten thousand megawatt smile.
He smiled back at her. "Of course, but no joining in. I heard you hold several speed records in Storm Keep."
"I'll just watch," she promised.
Aiden stood. "Okay people, let's start our day."
Amelia turned to Darian and grabbed his hand. When he looked down, his eyes were devoid of emotion. "I'll cheer you on, okay?"