My Champion(16)

"Someone has been going stir crazy," the dark haired one jerked his head toward his friend.

"I miss you guys so much. I never liked people before finding Aiden, so this is new for me." Meryn rubbed her breastbone.

"We miss you too, you nut. Everything is so quiet around here," the dark haired one complained.

"You have company?" the blond asked.

Meryn huffed. "Okay, introductions again." She waved to the screen. "Everyone, the pretty one is Noah Caraway, the dashing one next to him is Jaxon Darrow. They are my minions. I am training them in my Jedi computer ways." She turned and pointed behind her. "Guys, the red headed twins are Nigel and Neil Morninglory; they are unit warriors here. The adorable one with the big expressive eyes is Avery Therian, and the woman behind him is his sister, Kari Delaney. She just found out that her mate is Declan, the cool lion shifter I texted you about."

Kari waved at the two 'minions' as everyone said hello. She noticed that Noah looked a bit sadder than when they first connected.

"So what world domination plans have you created since you left?" Jaxon asked.

"Well, I completely set up the wireless and cellular network for the city, and today, we started working with flying drones. I hope to use them as weapons and as our eyes in the sky to help the warriors," Meryn babbled.

The twins cracked up. "That's the responsible answer; the truth is she wanted internet to play Farmville and watch Netflix. The drones are part of a plan to send a diarrhea spell to the detention cell to get back at the guy that nearly gutted Declan," Neil explained.

Jaxon's eyes widened, and a low growl was heard. "I thought you were supposed to be safe there. How did Declan end up gutted?"

Everyone turned to Kari, and she spread her hands. "I only have the barest of facts. He was acting as a mediator on Level Six between a Founding Family vampire and a wolf shifter. They were fighting over a woman, and Declan stepped between them." Kari didn't know how much information had been released, so she decided to err on the side of caution when it came to revealing facts.

"Exactly why that fucker needs to pay," Meryn said vehemently.

"Yeah," the twins agreed together.

Noah began to look more uneasy. Meryn frowned. "Noah, are you constipated? You look like something is bothering you."

Jaxon groaned and buried his face in his hands.

Noah's mouth opened and closed like a guppy. He finally shook his head and looked down.

"Not the right thing to say?" Meryn asked, looking around.

Avery shook his head and Kari shrugged. She had no idea why the young blond was upset.

"Noah, you know that denka is at a disadvantage not being in the same room as you; she can't sense how you are feeling. I'm afraid you will have to be very direct with your concern," Ryuu advised, smiling gently.

"Concern?" Meryn's head whipped back around to the screen. "What's wrong?"

"Are you replacing us?" Noah blurted, the color draining from his face.

"Huh? No. Why?" Meryn sputtered.

Kari looked from the twins to the two men on the screen. "Ah."

Ryuu looked at her and nodded.

"What!?" Meryn demanded.

Avery took pity on her. "Noah is worried now that you have Nigel and Neil, you won't need them anymore."

"That's ridiculous. Noah and Jaxon are my minions. I found them; they're mine. Nigel and Neil are my Baby Keelans..." Meryn paused. "Oh. I can see how that can be confusing. But I feel the same about all four of you."

"How?" Noah asked, biting his lower lip.

"Hmm. Not like Aiden, because we don't have sex."

"Thank the gods," Noah whispered.

"Not like Ryuu, because y'all don't feed me..." Meryn scratched her head, looking truly confused.

"Denka, do you care about them?" Ryuu asked.

"Yes, of course."

"Worry about them?"

"Yes."

"Want them to be happy?"

"Duh."

"Then what type of family member do you care about, worry over, want to be happy, that are usually close in age and male?" Ryuu prompted.

Meryn frowned. Kari could imagine the wheels turning a mile a minute in her brain. Finally, Meryn's face lit up. "They are like male versions of Beth and Amelia. That would make them my brothers!" Meryn announced happily. Her eyes narrowed, and she grinned. "I have brothers now; brothers are cool."

Kari took in the four men's faces and smiled. She could see how Meryn's words affected them.

Noah dissolving into tears broke the silence. Jaxon rubbed his back gently, his own eyes shining brightly. Nigel and Neil were clutching each other's hands so hard Kari was afraid they were going to snap off each other's fingers.