Page 38 of City of Love

“You know I do,” Vik laughed. “I did, however, notice Benjamin Smythe’s carriage heading this way. Which I suppose is not surprising being that he’s on the Council and this is the biggest party in town. But I figured you’d want to know.”

Gideon’s posture morphed instantly from relaxed to rigid. Lexi touched his arm, a gesture that usually calmed him, but he barely responded, placing his hand atop her own but continuing to scan the crowd, searching for someone, when apparently, he found who he was looking for.

Beneath her palm, the muscles in Gideon’s forearm flexed into fighting mode as a rather pale man, short of stature, waved at him and began making his way over to them.

And that man had a face she recognized all too well. He was the ghost who’d stared back at her in the vision on Market Street.

She didn’t need to be an empath to note that his sudden easy-going step and bright expression had been clumsily adorned the moment he locked eyes with Gideon.

Somehow this guy didn’t fit in with rest of the people she’d met in that world. He lacked their relaxed confidence which came from living in a world where there was little fear or want. It was obvious the man did not feel comfortable in his own skin, or perhaps his own civilization. Walking among his people, he was like a dinghy bobbing on an ocean full of tall-masted ships.

And he was insincere from stem to stern.

“Gideon, so good to see you here. And you, Vikkras and Alana,” the man said, reaching out to shake hands.

“Benjamin,” Gideon said, perfunctorily returning the handshake.

“And this must be your new woman. Word travels fast around here, you know.” He reached to shake Lexi’s hand as well, revealing no sign that he recognized her. Then surprisingly, awkwardly, he pulled her in for a quick hug.

Lexi could have sworn she heard Gideon growl. Before Benjamin had even released her, Gideon subtly pulled her away from him, tucking her to the side and practically behind himself. Gideon’s actions verged on rude, yet she found herself grateful that he’d done so.

“This is Lexi, yes.”

“How nice that she’s able to visit us on this celebratory day,” Benjamin said.

“Indeed,” Gideon replied. “But if you don’t mind, we were just on our way to meet Julian.”

“Of course, of course. I merely wanted to say hello before the four of you disappeared into the crowd. Please, enjoy your day,” he said, his broad smile like a strong cologne, masking the odor of resentment. Then he turned and headed back toward the main festivities.

“That was interesting,” Alana said.

Lexi put an arm around Gideon’s waist and pulled him closer to her, feeling him take a deep breath, relaxing a little.

“It couldn’t hurt to keep a few pairs of eyes on him if possible,” he said.

“You got it, brother,” Vik confirmed.

“Come on,” Gideon said, taking Lexi’s arm. “Let’s take you over to meet my cousin. We can grab some food from the cook-out too.”

As they crossed the expansive grounds toward the beautiful stone house, the place buzzed with hundreds of people. People… and all the methods of transport that had brought them there. There were horses, carriages, bicycles, and more flying machines, including gliders of the type Vik had flown, as well as some strange contraptions that looked part bicycle and part insect—very Leonardo Da Vinci, she thought. Several hot air balloons were being anchored around the perimeter of the property.

They heard the sound of children laughing and a few firecrackers going off as they made their way across the ranch. In front of the large home, a feast was spread out, the scents making her mouth water. Roasted fish and game, dumplings and puddings, scrapple and apple pies. The drink of choice seemed to be hard apple cider. And everyone was imbibing, young and old alike.

The four of them took plates and began piling the food on.

“Hey, save some for me,” said a giant bear of a man striding toward them.

Lexi gaped up at this amazing anomaly of a person. At well over six feet tall he looked like a Viking warrior with long, dark brown hair, a couple of small braids woven into it here and there, and a devilish goatee. Various Celtic symbols crafted in metal and embedded with the crystals so pervasive to this world hung as pendants around his neck. Yet he wore leather chaps over denim jeans and a lasso sat at his hip, his powerful chest bare and slick with sweat, proving that he was actually working this ranch and not simply lording over it. He wore a huge smile on his face and carried an unlit cigar in one hand.

And he had a kitten on his shoulder.

“Lexi, this is my cousin Julian, our host today,” Gideon said. “Julian, this is Lexi Cross.”

As she reached out to shake his hand, Julian shoved his cigar at Gideon. “Hold this, cousin.” He then took Lexi’s hand into both of his with genuine affection. “I’m honored to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she said, truly meaning it. When they stepped apart, she looked toward the kitten. “And who is this?”

“Oh her? That’s Bunny Boo, of course,” he said with his deep voice, reaching to take back his cigar as if it were an appendage that had been temporarily missing.

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