My Champion(64)

"Speaking of the fair," Kari started. "What will everybody be contributing?"

Meryn waved her hand in the air. "I can use my drone to take pictures for people. That way we will have the entire thing documented."

Declan pointed to himself and Bethy. "We're talking to the vendors up on Level Six to make sure we have enough food. We've been having to place extra orders to the city estate. If the taste testing is a reflection of what will be available at the fair, I'm going to hurt myself eating."

Adriel looked at his clipboard. "Looks like Goddard is working with the units. They are going to be doing unit led activities for the children, including games. Eta has been acting as escorts for any vampire from the Noble and Founding Families to go to Level Six, but so far, there have been no new matches." He flipped a page. "Nigel and Neil are now with Emlyn Blackwood working on the net. It ripped when someone kicked Mr. DeLaFontaine into it."

Meryn lifted her foot and punched the air. "Ninja kick!"

Adriel laughed and ruffled her hair.

"You and my mate should not be allowed to be together."

"Don't hate on our badassery."

"Well, it sounds like we at least have starting points for the rest of the day," Magnus added. He looked at Kari. "I will see you in the office."

She nodded. "Of course."

They left as a group and everyone scattered to go their different ways. Kari was surprised when Meryn hung back with Ryuu. She matched her pace to Meryn's. They walked slowly back towards Magnus' quarters.

Meryn looked up at her, stopping. "Doesn't your company also deal with security?"

Kari smiled. "Well knowing you, I am pretty sure you have already looked at that. You know we do."

"Can I hire them?" Meryn asked.

"You are mated to the Unit Commander. You are a guest of Prince Magnus, in his personal quarters. You have an amazing squire, and you are surrounded by unit warriors. Why on earth would you need additional security?"

Meryn shrugged and began scuffing her foot on the stone floor.

"It's just that eventually when shit really hits the fan, and it will, I'm afraid that even Adriel will hesitate between protecting Magnus and Aiden. In his hesitation, we could lose them both."

Kari had a moment of clarity. "That was why you were really upset. It was not because Doctor Who was removed from Netflix. After Declan got hurt, it all started to come together for you. It got real."

Meryn looked up and met her eyes. "I was upset when I first heard about Declan's injuries. Then everybody was racing around helping, and I realized it could have just as easily been Aiden. He is just like Declan; he's the type to just jump right in, and he could have gotten really hurt. Then I thought if that could happen by accident, what could happen if someone was actually trying to hurt them. Adriel's loyalties would be torn between his Unit Commander and his prince. The vampires of the unit warriors would be torn. I think most of the shifters would help Aiden. I'm not sure about the fae or the witches. I think in those chaotic few seconds of confusion, we could lose a lot of people."

"Meryn, you are brilliant."

"Yeah, I know."

"If you do not mind, I can make some suggestions to Declan about hosting some drills or maybe just assigning the men people to protect, that way the men know instinctively where to go."

Meryn shrugged. "I think practicing will help, but how much practice can they possibly get to override centuries of association? It's the Prince of the Vampires we're talking about."

"Good point. Listen, I will call the head of security myself this afternoon. Since most of the security that works for me are paranormals, they should be able to get here right away. They just have to go to the closest portal."

"They will report to me right? Not Magnus or Adriel or Aiden. To me," she asked.

"Yes. That is the way it works. If you enter into the contract, they will belong to you. You can have them protect you, Bethy, Aiden, anyone. They will report to you and do as you ask."

"Good." Relief filled Meryn's eyes.

They had just walked past the transport tunnel when Kari began to feel dizzy again. She called out to Meryn, but then looked down. She watched the floor move under her feet, and suddenly, she was looking down the Transport Tunnel.

"Kari?" she heard a voice ask.

She blinked, and it seemed like the blink took forever. She blinked again; the dizziness overwhelmed her, and just before she lost consciousness, she heard a scream.





*****





When she woke up, she looked around and groaned; she was back in the infirmary.

"I am really beginning to hate this place," she muttered.