My Champion(23)

"It has its moments. Rex is the oldest, then me, then Ari. My father is the elder at Éire Danu, and Ari stayed behind with him to serve as second in command to Brennus, the queen's consort. I came out here to Noctem Falls. At the time, Rex was up for promotion to work with the queen, but after I transferred, he put out feelers and became the Elder here instead. I think he just wanted to spy on me."

Kari rolled her eyes. "Or it could be that he is your big brother, and he cares about you."

Declan shrugged. "Could be."

Kari eyed her mate. "You have a very typical middle child syndrome. That is why you are a natural mediator."

Declan thought about it. "I can see that. It makes a lot of sense when you put it that way."

"Do you have any friends here in the city?" she asked.

"A few. I hang out mostly with the warriors from the Eta Unit and some of the warriors from the other units. Before Aiden, Meryn, Gavriel, and Bethy came to the city, our job consisted of a simple patrol and then we would be free to pursue our own hobbies. Since they've arrived, it's a bit different. There's been more camaraderie, looking out for each other, and talking amongst the warriors. In Eta, we were always kind of tight; we just never knew how to talk to Adriel.

"I knew he was a good guy because I work with him the most, but it's almost like he kept up this mask because he felt like he had to, and I can see why. Politics in the city dictate, if you are a vampire of any rank, you can't rub elbows with the plebes. That was the way Adriel was raised. The Founding Families believe because he is the Unit Leader, he should keep a distance from his men.

"I knew he never wanted that, but it wasn't until Eva arrived that his shell began to crack. I swear to the gods, yesterday, he made a joke," Declan said excitedly.

Kari smiled. "Is it really that big a deal that he cracked a joke?"

Declan nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, he tries so hard to keep his emotions to himself that, every time he slips up by smiling, laughing, or getting angry it's kinda like he's letting us see him. I think the guys have come together more in the past week than they have in the past decade."

"Is it true that you all live in separate houses on the Unit Level?"

He looked at her strangely. "Is this an interview?" he asked wryly.

She winced. "Sorry, I tend to revert back to authoritative mode when I get nervous. And conducting interviews is usually how I get to know people."

"People? You mean employees, what about your friends?"

Kari just looked down. "I have never had many friends except for Avery and Law."

Declan's eyebrows snapped together. "Law? Law? How do I know that name?"

Kari shrugged. "Law is the one who made me evacuate to Noctem Falls; he was worried that something might happen because Avery and I live on our own."

Declan nodded his approval. "That sounds like a good idea. I'm glad he sent you to us. Pretty soon, we won't be able to take in many more refugees."

Kari nodded. "That is what he told me too."

Declan was nodding, and then he stopped. "Wait a minute, do I make you nervous?" he asked.

She looked at him flatly. "You know you do."

Declan opened his mouth to speak as the door opened. They both turned as Magnus and Adriel walked through.

Adriel looked from Declan to her. "I am sorry to interrupt, but we were heading to the living quarters now and we would like to help you get him settled." Behind them, Etain and Grant walked in. Once again, Kari was reminded how extremely large the warriors were.

With Etain on one side of Declan and Grant on the other, they very gently began to lift him from the bed. They wrapped his arms around their shoulders and carried him forward.

Grant grunted. "Man, you need to lay off of old man Richter's meat pies," he teased.

Declan shook his head. "No way, they're too good."

Etain shifted his weight. "You're heavy."

"It's all muscle," Declan protested.

Magnus looped his arm through hers, and they walked behind the men heading out of Broderick's lab and infirmary toward the living quarters.

Sebastian met them at the door and nodded. "We moved the ladies to Aiden and Meryn's room so that little Meryn could lie down."

"Thank you Sebastian," Magnus said nodding.

They walked past a very elegant looking antechamber before turning down a long hallway.

Magnus pointed. "These are the guest quarters. Meryn and Aiden are in the guest room to the right. We have put you and Avery in the one first on the left and we have set it up so that Declan is in the last room on the left, next to yours."

As they walked past the room Meryn and Aiden were sharing, people began to file out. Gavriel, Doc St. John, Kuruk, and Aiden came out of the room to stand in the hallway.