My Guardian

Meryn, looking embarrassed at the praise, concentrated on her pudding. "Thanks. I just hate being without the internet. I have to be able to look stuff up and access my files any time I want to."

Magnus held up a hand. "You are telling me, as of tomorrow afternoon, the entire city will have Wi-Fi?"

Meryn looked up. "Yeah. I mean you already had the service run to the city or we wouldn't have the Ethernet wires; that was the hard part. I'm just setting up a wireless network using some high-tech routers. I'll post the network name and general Wi-Fi password on all the levels so people can start using it. There's actually very little set up to be done once the portals are in place."

"Meryn, I feel like I should reward you somehow. Is there anything you would like for solving one of my longest standing complaints?" Magnus offered.

"Do you have one of those vaults Gavriel told me about? Do you have gold coins piled up like in DuckTales?" Meryn asked looking excited.

Magnus frowned, looking confused. "I do not know what DuckTales are, but yes, we do have a Rioux vault. As long as it is not a family heirloom, you are welcome to take something for your reward."

"Awesome! I get to go treasure hunting. I can't wait."

Eva thought Meryn looked like a kid the night before Christmas; she was practically bouncing in her chair.

Beth turned to Gavriel. "Did you want to check on the Ambrosios vault while we're here?"

Beside her, Eva felt Adriel stiffen.

Gavriel shook his head. "There is only one thing I would be interested in retrieving, and the last time I checked, it was not there. I have very little use for treasure; I have everything I need by my side." He raised her hand and kissed it gently.

A faint buzzing had everyone checking their phones.

Aiden held his up and shook it. "It's mine." He glanced down and handed it to Meryn. "I can't deal with him anymore, have fun."

Meryn's face lit up. "Is it Sascha again?"

Aiden grunted and took a huge bite of noodles.

Meryn's fingers tapped away on the phone. Giggling, she set the phone down and looked around the table. "Ever since Aiden put Colton in charge, Gamma's unit leader, Sascha Baberiov, has been texting Aiden non-stop."

Gavriel chuckled. "What did this last one threaten?"

"He said he was going to tie Colton to the bell towers and use him for knife throwing practice."

"What did you advise?" Gavriel asked Meryn.

"To make sure Rheia was on stand-by with bandages."

Aiden groaned. "I won't have any units in Lycaonia when we get back."

Aiden's phone buzzed, Meryn picked it up and began laughing so hard that Aiden plucked the phone from her hand. He looked down, started cussing, and stood. He was already dialing when he walked from the room.

Beth's eyes were huge. "Meryn, what happened?"

"Rheia texted a picture of Colton running after Sascha; he had three small knives sticking out of him."

"Oh dear," Beth murmured.

Gavriel turned his head away as his chest shook with laughter. At that moment, he reminded Eva so much of Adriel it was eerie. She would get to the bottom of this Ambrosios name mystery if it was the last thing she did.

"I would wait for Aiden, but he already knows." Magnus picked up his wine glass. "Adriel, you and your mate have been invited to dinner tomorrow night with the heads of the Géroux and BelleRose families. I cannot invite the entire Eta Unit, but I did want some familiar faces there to make it easier on Meryn."

Adriel inclined his head. "Of course, we will be there."

Eva felt a moment of panic. She was looking around the table when Beth caught her eye and nodded. "I'll help you get ready. We're about the same size, even if you're a little taller. My full length dresses will look perfect on you."

"Thank the Gods!" Eva said leaning back. "We weren't able to bring much, and what we were able to pack is somewhere between here and Albuquerque. But I can tell you this much, I know I didn't pack anything formal."

"Why would you dear? This was only supposed to be temporary, remember?" Adora reminded her.

Just when she thought her mind would explode with all the plans she needed to make to transition here, she felt a light kiss on her cheek. Adriel's calm gaze helped her to catch her breath. He smiled. "One day at a time. Nothing can be solved overnight."

Stefan laughed. "Except Noctem Falls' Wi-Fi problem evidently."

Adriel gave Stefan a flat look and turned to Demetrio. "Did you need this one? Do you have another offspring to carry your name?"

Demetrio chuckled. "We have another son. He ended up leaving his unit and working with the Vanguard."

Meryn snapped her fingers. "That's why their name sounds familiar. I just added his name to the database. Cristo Bolivar, right?"

Adora nodded. "Yes, that's our eldest."

"Come find me tomorrow and I'll get you ready," Beth promised.

Eva gave a pointed look to Meryn. "Doesn't she need your help more?"

Beth gave an undignified snort. "No. She has the Gown of Éire Danu; the little monster can be ready at the drop of a hat."

Meryn crossed her arms and sat back. "I don't know why I have to go. I'm just going to pretend to be mute."

Demetrio leaned in close to his mate. "And you wanted girls," he teased.