“Yes, but Surne has been alone too long so we need to show him what it is to tease and play. Can’t always be about serious crap.”

  “I agree, we’ll show him, but, Cassidy, when we go to the old part of the city, you will stay close to us. That is not up for discussion,” he said, pulling on a handful of her hair till her head tilted back. “Understood?”

  “Wow, your eyes have flashes of red running through them, very hot…” Cassidy said, reaching up to touch him, but he nipped her finger.

  “Cassidy…I will have your word about this.”

  “Fine, I won’t take off unless one of you is with me, but you are not fun, Mr. Grouchy pants.” Cassidy yanked her finger back.

  Hugh laughed. “I do believe, Cassidy, that I can actually relax now. Congratulations, Malachi. Surne has informed me of the honor that has been given to you. The three of you will need each advantage to keep up with my daughter.” Hugh kissed her cheek. “I told Barry you would stop by on your way out. He is coming out of the fog, and he needs to apologize to you.”

  “Nothing is his fault. How do we show him this?” Tears rolled down her face. “You know Barry. He’s going to blame himself for everything.”

  “Would you mind if I spoke to your son? I know something of this species. I really believe if your son understood what they did to him, it would lighten his burden,” Surne offered.

  Cassidy smiled. “I would be truly grateful for anything you can do to help.”

  “I stopped by before coming here, but he wouldn’t listen to me. I got kind of mad at him,” Nessa said.

  Sean snorted. “Not kind of. She called him a lug head and stormed out of his room.”

  Cassidy laughed. “Okay, let’s go see our lug head and tell him go get his head out of his ass.”

  They headed out into the hallway where Cassidy’s friend waited for her. At once, she moved to the window and placed her hand on the wall. “Soon we’ll be able to swim together again. Go feed, my friend,” Cassidy said, smiling and watching as he turned, leaving them.

  “Why so sad, Cassidy? He’ll be back,” Malachi said.

  “Not for a while. It’s his time to find a mate.” She looked over her shoulder at him. “Like I have.”

  “Let’s go visit your son. We have twenty minutes before we meet the others.” Malachi tucked her into his side, Surne on her other, and Krill leading the way as they moved toward her son’s room.

  “I do have to say, the markings are different, but I have to agree with Mom, they’re hot,” Nessa told her mom.

  Sean growled and slapped Nessa’s butt. “You don’t need to be thinking someone is hot.”

  “Jeez, you’d think I was sleeping with the man,” her daughter growled back at her mate, rubbing her ass.

  Faith and her mates arrived, and she stopped and stared at Cassidy’s three men. “Wow, things changed fast. Why didn’t we get markings like that?” Faith asked. “They’re hot. Wait, did you get one, too, Cassidy?”

  “Um, yea, but no one will see it unless I’m wearing a bathing suit. The markings are amazing, but then again, all of them were hot before their markings,” Cassidy teased.

  “Behave, brat.” Malachi yanked on a piece of her hair.

  “So, are we ready to go exploring?” Faith said.

  It still amazed Malachi how much Cassidy and Faith were alike and open to sharing their daughter Nessa. No grudges that he could see. “Cassidy needs to pay a visit to her son first and, if I’m not mistaken, Nessa is going to give it another shot, too?”

  Nessa nodded. “He’s a pig head, but yeah. Only because I love him. Otherwise I would have thrown a hammer at his stupid head.”

  “Did you see below?” Faith asked, winking, and Cassidy threw her head back laughing.

  “Hell yeah, and it’s impressive. Now I just have to see if he knows how to use his package the right way. I mean, you know how some men can be hung like an elephant, but not know how to use it.”

  Her father choked, and everyone turned to look at her, Faith and Nessa busted out laughing.

  “Oh my god, you are so right! Do you know how many men I found that just think putting it in… Hmp.” Gordon covered Faith’s mouth.

  “Enough,” he growled. “We don’t need to hear about your past men.”

  “And not to worry, my little one,” Surne informed her. “Tonight, I will make sure you get a nice taste of what I’m going to spend years doing to you. I’ve studied over six-hundred species and learned many different ways to make love to my mates.”

  “Well hell.” Cassidy took a few breaths waving her hand in her face. “It got warm in here, didn’t it?”

  “You keep it up, and this search will wait.” Malachi slapped her butt. “Get in there and see your son.”

  * * *

  Cassidy still couldn’t get Surne’s statement out of her head. Six-hundred different societies and different sexual positions, two cocks on one man, not to mention she had three mates who all were major alpha. Cassidy was in serious trouble.

  Surne was sitting down speaking with her son, explaining a few things about the creatures that had invaded her world. It was one thing Cassidy did not want to hear about and from the looks of it, neither did Faith or their daughter.

  All three of them had moved to the back of the room when Surne had started to talk to Barry. Yes, Cassidy hoped his talk would help, but it wasn’t something she would have ever shared with her children.

  Faith leaned over. “I forgot to ask. My other daughter, Chance, and my son Denver would like to come here to meet Nessa. Would you mind?”

  “Why would I mind?” Cassidy turned and stared at the woman. “You are part of Nessa. Of course, she should get to know her other siblings. Didn’t your daughter just have a baby?”

  “Yep, I now have three grandchildren, which is weird in itself.” Faith placed her hand on her lower stomach.

  Cassidy hugged her. “Do they know?” she whispered.

  Faith shook her head. “Tonight, but then again.” Faith frowned and glanced over at Xfra who had a big smile on his face, staring where Faith had her hand. “Well damn, they already know about the baby. So, much for a surprise.”

  “I have a feeling it’s going to be very hard to surprise them, which will suck around the holidays,” Cassidy added.

  “I’m done with my story, ladies,” Surne said.

  Cassidy sat on her son’s bed. “Did it help? Are you done blaming yourself for something you couldn’t have stopped?” she asked, reaching up and brushing part of his dark hair away from his face.

  “Mom, I understand it wasn’t me, but it still hurts to think I hurt you and Nessa. The stuff that this thing made me do…” Barry sighed. “But your mate’s words helped, and his magic, whatever he did to me, distancing me from some of it helps.” Barry took her hand and squeezed.

  “Three men, Mom. How are you handling that?” Barry asked.

  “How would any woman feel having been told that she had three men for life. Scared half out of my mind, but I also feel at peace.” Cassidy glanced over at Malachi who was speaking with the other men.

  As if sensing her staring at them, all three of her mates turned to look at her. “Everything okay, my little one?” Surne asked.

  She nodded, before turning back to her son. “See, it’s like they know when I need them and I don’t know how to explain this, but just being next to one of them, a calm comes over me,” Cassidy said. “Soon you’ll understand, when you find your family.”

  “What if I found her while I was infected and don’t remember?”

  Surne placed his hands on her shoulders. “You would know, but from the memories I have seen, you have not yet met your chosen one.”

  “Thank you.” Barry glanced at the end of the bed where Nessa was standing. “I’m sorry, squirt. I didn’t mean to get nasty with you earlier. I’m surprised Sean didn’t beat me in the head.”

  “And have the wrath of Nessa coming down on my head?” Sean slung an arm over her shoulders. “I don’t think so. What is between you two is between you two. Now, if you had tried to hurt her physically, I would have stopped you.”

  Nessa smiled down at Barry. “We have some major catching up to do, and the twins have missed their uncles, so do not think of leaving for a bit.”

  Roman, who leaned against the wall nearby, said, “We’ll be here for a few weeks, at least, so not to worry. Plus, I need my fix with the twins.”

  “Good. You can help our grandparents watch them while we are off looking for treasure,” Nessa said.

  “You think it’s wise to go there? You know the walls aren’t holding up too well there.”

  “I’ll be fine. All three of my mates are coming plus the other men.” Cassidy stood and stretched before bending over and placing a kiss on her son’s cheek. “I love you, munchkin. Get some sleep. If you’re up to it, maybe you can eat with us tonight. God knows what your grandmother will have planned.”

  Hugh cleared her throat. “Formal, young lady, and don’t say a word. You left breakfast early, and we understand, but tonight you are not getting away.”

  “Formal?” she squeaked. “How many guests?”

  He smiled, and Cassidy knew it was bad. “Well, if we are counting your mates’ families and others…a lot. We will be using the hall in the east wing.”

  “Oh my God, you never open that hall.” She frowned. “I haven’t been in it since I was small.”

  “Yes, it’s been a long time. That’s why it’s taken your mother a whole week to have it cleaned and ready,” he told her, turning her and pushing her toward the door. “Go. Get out of here before I forbid this.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Malachi watched Cassidy and the others spread out, searching the ruins of hall with a badly warped floor. Water had seeped into the room, and Malachi could understand King Hugh’s worry.

  Cassidy pointed to the doors at the other end of the hall. “Those go into a cave, deep underneath the city. I’ve been slowly exploring it. The king does not allow many to go there, since it’s falling apart.”

  “And how was this hall connected to this cave? Does your father know about it?” Surne asked, looking at her.

  “Well, I kind of had help digging a tunnel to connect the two since the other rooms kind of fell onto themselves, revealing the cave.”

  “Cassidy, that is not an answer. Does your father know what you have done?” Malachi asked.

  “Kinda,” she said, ducking into the tunnel.

  “Why do I get the feeling our woman is in way over her head here?” Krill said. “And who the hell helped her build the tunnel from here to there anyway? Do you know how furious the king is going to…?”

  “Cassidy Lynn!” King Hugh yelled into the tunnel. “I had no idea this area was this bad or I would have not allowed this,” he said to all of them.

  Surne shook his head. “She would have done it anyway. There is a compulsion inside her that even I can’t get rid of and it has nothing to do with the Preying Liches. So, is it not better she had her guards with her, instead of searching by herself?”

  Gordon glanced over his shoulder to Surne, knowing he could tell if there were others here on Earth. “Do we have another species to worry about here on Earth?”

  Malachi reached out and pulled her back into his arms, rubbing his cheek on the top of her head.

  “No, whoever this was came here before I found your world and that was over three hundred years ago,” Surne informed them.

  “It’s still kind of creepy, thinking I have this compulsion thing going on. Do you think it is from the object itself or these people?” Cassidy asked. “And is that why your people are searching for it, too?” She pointed back at the tunnel from which one could see out into the floor of the ocean.

  Surne and Xfra both snarled and disappeared.

  “Okay, was that good or bad?” Cassidy asked, looking up at him.

  “Neither. Their species from what I understand is very possessive, and having unmated males around you does not sit well. I’m still having trouble understanding how they can walk on the ocean floor without breathing.”

  “That is kind of weird, but then again I can’t swim like Krill and Dad can, either,” Cassidy said. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I should have told you, but I had to do it.”

  Hugh stepped up to Cassidy and cupped her cheek. “I understand, but I don’t like it one bit. I want to know who helped you with this without me knowing about it, because no one adds onto my city without me knowing.”

  “Dad, I kind of begged them, plus, you did tell my guards to help me,” Cassidy said.

  “Watch you, not help you create this…” Hugh said. “How did you even know if it was safe, Cassidy, it had to take you a very long time.”

  “Daddy,” Cassidy said, sliding her arms around him and placing her head on his chest. “I wasn’t that stupid. One of the guards’ father was one of the engineers who helped you build the city. He insisted that his father come and check it out before I was even allowed near the tunnel and I understood he told you about it?”

  “I don’t remember…” Her father glared down at her. “I do believe I’ve been played by my own daughter.”

  At the sound of a laugh, Cassidy turned to see her brother, Jordon with a huge grin on his face.

  “I was wondering when Dad would find out about your little ventures.”

  “Don’t you say another word. Remember what I have on your ass.”

  “Why do I get the feeling you are trouble.” Alexander earned an elbow to his gut from Maria.

  “You leave her alone,” Maria said.

  Surne and Xfra returned. Surne glanced at her brother Jordon before looking back outside again.

  Another man emerged in the tunnel. “Wren, welcome. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.” Surne turned to Jordon. “Your name is Jordon, correct?”

  “Surne, what’s going on?” Cassidy asked.

  “Yes, why are so many of your species here? You told me your kind rarely come together, but there are quite a few of you here,” Faith echoed.

  “Like us, they are searching the area, but it would also seem a number of our kind are finding their families here on Earth,” Surne announced.

  “Oh, this is priceless,” Cassidy said, laughing.

  “Shut up, Cassidy. This can’t be right,” Jordon said.

  “There is no mistake. You are one of my mates. We are still missing two others, though,” Wren replied.

  Cassidy’s father stepped forward and held out his hand. “I’m Hugh Byrne, Jordon’s father and the ruler here. Maybe we should take this conversation somewhere else.”

  “Do you think one of their kind is our mate?” Maria asked Alexander, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

  “Woman,” Alexander growled, smacking her ass, “let’s get this done.”

  “I love you, Alexander, and wouldn’t trade you for the world.”

  “Okay, ladies, let’s go exploring,” Cassidy said, but Malachi and Surne pulled her back between them.

  “Only with us at your side,” Malachi said.

  * * *

  Cassidy rolled her eyes and pointed toward the left. “I need to go down there,” she said. “I came down here last week, but I couldn’t go any farther.” She looked up at Malachi. “You might be a pain, but I’m kind of glad you are here. Because whatever is down here, it’s weird. One minute it’s pulling me closer, and the next, I get this slimy feeling.”

  Malachi grabbed onto her, holding her still. “You came down here by yourself, and you would have come down here again today?”

  Malachi was shaking with anger.

  “No, I wasn’t going to come down here by myself,” she said. “As you might remember, I asked if others wanted to come. Plus, we just met two days ago. So, what I did last week shouldn’t matter. Are you done flipping out? Can we go?”

  Malachi didn’t say a word. Just his stare had her shrinking backward and saying she was sorry. “Malachi, this is going to take some time for all of us.”

  “Proceed,” Malachi said, but held onto her waist as Cassidy moved down the tunnel. Once more, the slimy feeling came over her, stopping her.

  “What is that?” Faith shivered.

  “Yea, I feel it, too. It has my stomach turning,” Maria said, her hand on her midsection.

  Both Surne and Xfra stepped forward. “It’s a security measure, trying to keep anyone from coming down here.” Surne glanced over his shoulder at them. “We will go first just in case they have added something else. You should be good now.”

  Cassidy took a deep breath and sighed. “Thank you. I thought for sure I was going to lose my breakfast.”

  “Me, too,” Faith said. “I still have that nasty taste in my mouth. Anyone got any gum?”

  “In your back pocket,” Xfra said as Krill moved up, taking Surne’s place next to her. He took her hand and brought it up kissing it, winking at her.

  “I never knew you were a Casanova, Krill,” she teased.

  Malachi snorted, pulling her forward as all of them continued down the tunnel.

  “You know all we need is the more commonly sound track from The Twilight Zone,” Maria said.

  “Okay, this is creepy enough, girlfriend,” Faith said. “And I hope you know I don’t do creepy. Had enough of that to last me a lifetime.”

  “You should have stayed back there, Faith. You didn’t need to come,” Cassidy said. “I know creepy it is, but I can’t explain…Wow.” Cassidy stared at what appeared to be some kind of underground home. “This could put any human house out of commission. Absolutely beautiful. Surne, is there anything or one inside?” she asked, as both Xfra and Surne moved around the massive place.

  There was nothing else there. This house was built into some kind of mountain behind it. Cassidy went to move to the side and sucked in her breath. The ground dropped away into a black pit.

  Malachi, next to her, frowned. “I have to say, this is getting weirder and weirder. Anything on the other side?”

  Gordon and his brother shook their heads. “The ground drops away. I can go down and see if there is something there?” Gordon said.