H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1) (28 page)

Chapter 41

Gage’
s
description of what happened to me definitely left me stunned but not because I was afraid of or repulsed by it, it was just new and freaky to me.

It was something that my uncles, aunts, and the two monks that cared for us when we first entered the human world had tried to explain to us. It was to prepare us for our future as Hybrid Hunters but I never gave it much thought, in fact, none of us did back then, until now.

Memories of their words resonated with me when Gage described it, and now it all made sense. Now I understood what that flash of distortion was on his face was too. The mirage had appeared when the fight had been just me and him.  He attacked those Nocturna with the fate of certain life or death hanging in the balance.

That Jaguar that was a large part of him as a Hunter, just like the Tiger was for me.

With no fear or confusion, I came to accept it proudly. It was who I was now, what we are as Hunters, and what we were meant to be with the spirit of Guardian Tiger Gods in our genetics.

It had taken over and kept me alive so that I could ultimately defeat my enemy.

It was the end of summer and we threw a huge barbecue feast on the beach with food, magic, and games for the kids one last time until next summer. It was one of my favorite times and even Fin showed up with her kiddos to see everyone and catch up.

While everyone else enjoyed the festivities, some of us adults spent it working. We had to redo the wards and runes to better mask the island from whoever wasn’t already a patron. The new rule was, if you weren’t wearing the runes somewhere on you, much like a club stamp, then you wouldn’t be able to see the island at all let alone get into the bar.

Not having the required rune sequences somewhere on you would completely redirect any would be boaters or travelers, causing directional confusion. As far as any navigations systems, those would be totally rendered useless.

We weren’t sure how well it would work but it was necessary with the possible threat of retaliation from the Ascendants. We have no idea who all and how many might have gone back through the gateway to avoid being killed.

I didn’t do much but I helped a little. I was still healing and bandaged but I was alive because of my friends and our commitment to always have one another’s back.

No word or sight of Nailah, which really bothered me because she was just in as much danger as we were now. For now, I pushed all of that and everything that’s happened aside, simply wanting to enjoy the food, drinks, and the rambunctious company of all our friends and their families.

It was long past sundown after cleaning up the remnants of the celebration and everyone had retired either back home or back to the bar to hang out as usual.

Syhenna and her friends showed up but Marq was nowhere to be seen. I felt horrible and I wondered if he felt as if he were no longer welcomed with Gage around.

Walking along the beach with nothing but the light of the clear, night sky, along with the gentle sound of the waves, I wistfully glanced out over the moon reflected ripples of waves blanketing the ocean. The sky was quickly fading into a darkening purple-blue color at the horizon.

Barefoot, I stepped into the water letting the frothy tide roll in and rush past my legs in a cool bath that made me shiver momentarily.

“Are you okay?” Gage lingered, noticing my reluctance to join everyone inside just yet.

“Yeah. Just taking a minute to savor the last summer evening of the year.” I sort of lied.

“I see.” He came up behind me, his hands were warm on the sides of my arms when he stroked them comfortingly.

“Marq didn’t come to the barbecue, he always has for the last four years. I just wanted to talk to him.”

I felt my gut clinch, wondering what Gage would think or say to my honest statement.

To my surprise, he leaned down to kiss my neck tenderly.

“I’ll wait for you inside then. You know what to do it if you need me.” He said softly and then he was gone.

Wow. Gage had no problems or any feeling of insecurity over Marq. I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less than that level of maturity from one who used to rule over an entire city. It made me smile thinking of him and how lucky I felt right now.

But once I was truly alone again, my mood changed back to heartache.

Normally, I would simply call Marq but this was another form of communication that he insisted worked, though I wasn’t sure how or what the physics were behind it. I guess it wasn’t physics at all, it was magic.

I sighed as the warm, fragrant wind blew my hair lightly across my face.

“I missed you today, Marq. I can’t stand the thought of not having you in my life at all, so I don’t want you to think for one second that I don’t want to see you or that you aren’t welcomed at the bar anymore. You’re a huge part of my life and you mean too much to me for things to end up like this. I still care about you, a lot, and I do love you like a really good friend does another.” I licked my lips, kind of feeling silly with nothing but the surf to accompany and respond to my words, but I continued on anyway as the cold water continued to lap at my feet and legs.

“It’s just that, I think that I’d be better off with Gage. He’s a really great guy and I really like and care about him. Now you know what I’ve been dealing with and what’s happened to me. I hope that you can understand this because your happiness means a lot to me. I still want to come down for dinner and to hang out with you at your place just like I promised…if you still want me to.”

I waited for several minutes, taking in the usual night sounds and scents. Nothing but the surf responded.

Well, I said what I needed to say. If he decided to call me later, I guess I’ll have to repeat it again but I’d be happy just to hear his voice.

A sudden, unnatural rush of water sluiced over the sand around my feet, softly bubbling and churning before gently rolling back out with the tide.

I grinned when I saw what it had left behind.

Water filled each groove of the letters etched into the sand in front of my toes but I could see the message perfectly in the darkness.

‘If you’re happy, I’m happy and I’ll always love you, too.’

Smiling, I finally returned to the bar to join everyone else.

“Yo
u
know what would really work? If we could just add some extra space to the bar and get some pool tables, and maybe put in a small dance floor by the stage. We can have live music and bands playing once or twice a week.” Isis presented with enthusiasm as she plunked down onto a barstool and proceeded to use her break to polish her nails a cotton candy, bright pink color.

“Live music? That’d be awesome.” One of our regulars, an eavesdropping, young male fire user seated next to her, commented.

“See?” Isis gestured towards him and grinned.

“I don’t know, it sounds like a lot of work and expense and you know how I feel about too much advertising, especially right now.” I replied.

Isis puckered her lips and proceeded to air-dry her nails to a complete and perfect shine in two seconds flat before she spoke again. “What advertising? Do you know how many musicians we have in our circle who are dying to showcase their talents? Come on, Kai, it’ll be a cool addition. We can renovate and get it all done in about a week tops, and all we need is a blueprint and a unanimous decision. I’m sure Cole will go for it. I mean, after a while, you’ve got to think about expansion. It’s getting crowded in here as it is.”

“I agree. Jax and Stone had to break up two fights and toss four guys out on their asses just last week.” Noemi commented when she came to pick up her order.

“What does that have to do with the bar being crowded?” I narrowed my eyes.

“I’m just saying. People tend to get testy when they’re elbow to elbow.” Noemi held her hands up and chuckled.

“We definitely could use more space and I like the idea of pool tables. We already have karaoke night, why not add some competition with games?” Riza added.

Gage was listening quietly, amused while sipping on his Cognac.

He supplied us with a huge stock of it and it wasn’t reserved just for him when he was there. It was now an expensive and special occasion house treat that brought in good money because it was popular.

“Money isn’t an object if it’s something that you really want to do.” He said to me.

I appreciated his offer but I didn’t want it to seem like his money was a convenience for us…even if we were officially dating now. There was still so much I wanted to know about him though, like his background, everything about the facilities that he created   and what they actually do ther
e
.

“That’s really generous and sweet of you but I don’t want you to think that you need to fund everything that I decide to do. You already got me a new custom Quadski.”

Actually, the one Gage got me was five times better than the one that I had, so I was definitely happy.

He didn’t mention the possibility but I would love to meet his daughter one day too, even though that meeting might not go so well…awkward wouldn’t have even been the word for it.

“That was nothing. If you need or want it, all you have to do is ask. I don’t throw around money lightly, only to causes and those that matter to me. You, on the other hand, are on a more personal and privileged level with me than the majority.”

“Aww, how sweet!” Isis squealed with a smile and winked at me.

Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I couldn’t help but smile. “Alright,” I caved. Truthfully, I did like the ideas they all presented. “Write up the plansand offer up the ideas at the next meetin
g
.
Cole isn’t hard to convince.”

Isis clapped her hands together and then raised them over her head, curling her hands into fists as if in victory. “Yes! Also, we need to get together and plan both Cole and Clee’s wedding and baby shower soon, too.” Isis reminded me before turning to tend to a group of regulars that had just seated themselves.

I shook my head with a smile.

“Now that’s something you don’t see every day.” Gage suddenly commented. With a quirked brow, I turned and followed his gaze down the length of the bar counter.

My brows furrowed quizzically.

No, no we don’t.

How she had gotten in here and slipped pastJax and Ston
e
—and without the right runes had been my first question, the next was where in the hell were her parents?

“Excuse me.” Her voice was sweet, like crystals and bells.

Her arm was raised and she was waving me down with a small hand. With her creamy porcelain skin, egg-shaped face with large, blue eyes, and a glittering pink high-pony tail, she was the very epitome of nursery rhyme adorable. I marveled at the intricate design of the ring of vines, leaves, and colorful flowers that adorned her head like a tiara.

I didn’t recognize her attributes outright but by my guess on appearance alone was that she had to be the offspring of an Earth elemental.

Curious, I responded to her beckoning while scanning the floor of the bar beyond for any recognition of similar beings that could be her parents. Maybe they were new here and didn’t know. That was highly possible and I’d give them the benefit of the doubt if that was the case but they still shouldn’t have been able to get in without being given a rune stamp.

Her presence was already garnering curious jovial expressions from everyone, including the staff, but it was Isis and Jax who decided to head over and inspect what was going on.

Though she was a tiny thing, she was definitely not unnoticeable. In fact, seeing her sitting on the barstool, reminded me of someone placing a small doll or a puppet on it. The counter was level with her small chin and she could barely see over it. “Um, can I help you, sweetie?”

She smiled brightly, her colorful hobo style purse strapped across her small body. Her spindly legs were encased in sparkling gold tights, and her gold, low-heeled loafers with shiny buckle accents dangled nearly two feet above the floor. Her sparkling blue eyes beamed and her thin, blue brows rose,

“I hope so. This is a quaint and cozy little hovel you have here. I’d like peach nectar and gin on the rocks with hibiscus and honey, please.” She ordered.

The five of us unanimously exchanged stunned glances with mouths agape at her eloquence and her concise order. It wasn’t unheard of for elementals not to ever give their children alcohol but I didn’t allow it here, and certainly not after five p.m. That rule had been set in place because of the adult conversation, the smoking herbs, and the fact that Marq was basically a walking pornographic spread for Playgirl magazine sometimes, even in low-hanging, form-fitting shorts.

“Hovel? That’s a little rude.” I frowned at her.

Though the bar wasn’t gargantuan, the décor was geared more towards being eco-friendly and everything ran efficiently. The solar paneled windows on the roof, the teak wood walls, a few paintings done by our own patrons, plants and flowers indigenous to the island, and the stained cement floor could all be classified as nothing fancy but certainly not a hovel.