The Guardian's Bond(2)

“Right,” Mari groaned. “Funny kid. Real funny. Now get this damn thing off me.”

Livi smiled as she lifted the tooth, grimacing as the sting of electrical currents swamped her body. “Christ, he was a tough fucker,” she groaned, the heaviness of the charm fighting her efforts to remove it from her aunt’s neck. Growling, she let all the land’s energies go and called upon her inner wolf, shifting partially, her sight going Lyken. She quickly ripped the charm up and off. She dropped it quickly as her hand burst into flames. One of the elves said ‘she had it’, as a cold mist encompassed her hand and arm, putting the flames out. “Thanks, Rhin.”

“No problem kiddo, glad to have you back.”

“Do you think you could have left him awake to interrogate?” Drake asked as he knelt down by the man.

“Sorry, Dad. He pissed me off,” Livi said, shrugging her shoulders. “I need to call for a meeting with the Elder Council,” she said as she met her grandfather’s gaze. “Okay, Pappy?”

“I’ll set it up.”

Livi laid her head against his shoulder when he gave her a big hug. “Missed you, Pappy,” she whispered.

“Missed you too, sprite.”

“You could have let us know you were coming,” Tom said.

Livi smirked. “No time.”

“There’s always time, like when you came on shore. But did you? No, you had security forces rushing toward you to stop the unknown coming in fast from the sea.”

Livi straightened, top lip curled up. “I was hurled out of the ocean by a Kraken and made it to Aunt Mari just in time. Where were you, Tommy? I didn’t see you until I was halfway onto Alston, and it took you long enough to get here. If you can’t keep up, then maybe you should step back.” Her eyes narrowed as he kept her gaze.

“It’s Tom or Thomas, and if you ever smack me like that again in the middle of a…”

“You’ll what?” she asked stepping toward him, hands on hips, a smile playing on her lips. She cocked her brow. “You liked it and you know it.” Head tilted, Livi grinned. “Tommy.”

“Alright you two, that’s enough,” Drake said. “Tommy, take him to the interrogation room. Livi, I’m sure your mother is waiting to see you.”

Livi smiled at Tommy with a shit-eating grin. “Sure, Dad. I just want to make sure Auntie’s alright and then I’ll head that way.” Livi stayed until the security forces left with her father.

“Yeah, Livi, egging Tommy on and pissing him off is a good way to say hello,” Mari chuckled.

Turning, Livi noticed that her Uncle Rhys, the Vampire Beven Coven Leader, was holding her aunt in his arms. “Awww you know, he always sticks it to me when he gets a chance.”

“Come here and give me a hug. It’s good to have you home.”

Livi smiled as she wrapped her arms around the both of them the best she could. A deep, peaceful breath escaped her as she closed her eyes. “It’s good to be home.”

* * * *

Livi smiled, leaning on the counter in Pappy’s store. While she loved her parents and brothers, she’d chosen to stay with Pappy, so she was helping him out in the store as he gossiped with an elder elven leader. Her nostrils flared and eyes rolled as the door opened. “What do you want?”

“Is that any way to treat a paying customer?” Tommy asked with a smile.

“Only those who show up just to piss me off,” Livi smirked. “Aren’t you on duty?”

“Yes, and I’m making my rounds.”

“Well, as you can see, the store is secure.” Straightening up she extended her arm, waving it toward the empty expanse of the store. “So you can leave now, ba-bye.”

Both of them turned when the doorbell tinkled. Livi smiled as a young man walked in. “Well, hello there.”

“Hi,” he said as he stepped to the counter.

“How can I help you?”

“Well, I don’t know if you can tell me where the police station is in town. I just got off the bus and then noticed my wallet was gone just as the bus was leaving. I think the guy sitting next to me lifted it.”

Livi grinned as she pointed at Tommy. “Here you go, one of Alston’s finest.” Her smile widened when Tommy frowned.

“I’ll notify the next town’s station so they can be on the look out,” Tommy replied as he leaned back, arms crossed over his chest.

“Aw thanks, I appreciate that. My name’s Barrett, Barrett Jameson.”

Livi smiled as she shook his outstretched hand. “Hi Barrett, my name’s Livi and this is Timmy, I mean Tommy.” She beamed, sensing a wave of anger from Tommy as she slowly slid her hand from Barrett’s.