My Guardian

Eva sat back, her mind reeling. Who? Which one of her friends had been killed while she was finding her mate and eating pudding? "Did they say who?"

Sebastian shook his head. "I am sorry, no, they did not."

They heard tumblers moving and the door opened. Adriel and Aiden rushed in, looking around. Micah closed the door behind them. Aiden went directly to Meryn and scooped her up. "They couldn't find you." He sat down and buried his face in her neck.

Eva stood and went to her mate. "Who?"

"A couple, John and Emily Wolfrun."

Eva grabbed at his arms. "They have a little boy; he's only one! Is he okay?"

Adriel swallowed hard. "He is with Adora. Thanks the Gods he was in the crèche they created to watch over the little ones."

Eva felt her legs give out, and he simply wrapped his arms around her to hold her close, easily supporting her weight.

"How were they killed?" Meryn asked.

Eva turned. "Why do you want to know such a thing?"

"Because it will help us catch the killer." Meryn met her demanding stare. There were no traces of mischief or goofiness now. Meryn was angry, and she was serious.

"They were drained," Aiden said, sitting up straight.

"They didn't come here to be food!" Eva yelled.

"Eva, you need to calm down," Adriel said, trying to get her to sit down.

"I am calm! I've had it with vampires treating me like a second class citizen and killing my friends!" Eva took a deep breath. Her tiger was close to the surface; she had to do better than this.

"We do not know for certain that vampires are responsible," Adriel said evenly.

She glared at him. "Really? So the neighbors that they grew up with were just waitin' for us to come here so they could drain them, for no reason?"

Adriel rubbed the back of his neck. "All I am saying is that we cannot rule anything out."

Micah crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "It looks pretty bad, Adriel. In the short time I watched over Meryn, she was verbally and physically abused. If she's being treated like that as the Unit Commander's mate and Prince Magnus' adopted niece and special guest, how do you think the others are faring?"

Ryuu stepped forward. "She was accosted again today, in the Marketplace. Whoever it was left a bruise the size of his hand on her arm."

Aiden's canines dropped, and his back began to curve. He was about two seconds from shifting. Meryn lifted her sleeve. "Kiss it." Aiden began to sniff her arm, and then gradually his body got smaller. He kissed her arm gently.

Eva turned to Adriel. "It was Andre DuBois, a Noble Family member. He knew who she was and didn't fear retribution."

Adriel's eyes flashed with anger. "Regardless of their personal feelings on the matter of opening the city, they are honor-bound to respect Prince Magnus' rule."

Eva put her hands on her hips and tilted her head back. "Somehow, I don't think this is about opening up the city. They have issues with Magnus, and I have a feeling it's been brewing for a while."

"We did not have any problems until the refugees showed up," Adriel said sharply.

Eva felt as if she'd been slapped. "Really?"

She headed to the door and was surprised when Micah pushed away from the wall to walk with her. She wanted to slam the door off the hinges, but she didn't want to break Magnus' property.

"Can you take me to the Grand Hall?" she asked softly.

"Of course."

*****

Adriel stared at the door. His mate had just walked away from him.

"Dick move dude," Meryn said.

Adriel shook his head. "I am sorry, what? I do not understand."

Meryn gave him a dubious look. "Maybe you don't. Did you seriously forget that she is a refugee? You basically said you were fine without her."

Adriel turned over the conversation in his head. "No, that is not what I meant."

Meryn eyed him. "You really mean that don't you?"

"I do. I want to go to her, but we have a meeting in a few minutes." He raked his hand through his hair.

He looked at Meryn. "With Micah escorting Eva, you will need a new guard."

Meryn eyed the twins. "Can I keep them?"

Adriel looked at the youngsters in surprise. "Really?"

"They totally protected me in the Marketplace, plus Ryuu is getting them some books to study for their magic. They can study and protect me. I can start going over forensic facts, and we can watch Doctor Who, it's like four birds, one stone."

Adriel turned his attention to the two in question; they both wore hopeful expressions. If he let them stay here, they could accidentally blow up Level One. But on the plus side, it would leave two of his unit leaders free to move about without worrying about one of the twins running off. He pinned them with a murderous expression. "This is your one chance. Show me that I can trust you to keep her safe, and I will not recommend you both return to Storm Keep."

They both gulped. "We swear. Nothing will happen to Meryn. We like her."

Adriel fought to keep his serious expression when he wanted to smile. They were both so eager and willing to please. He could not even remember being that young.

"I will hold you to that. She is your responsibility now. I have a feeling we will need Eva more in dealing with the refugees than on guard duty." He sighed. "Once she is speaking to me again that is."