Page 59 of Custodian

Cali chased after her, “Wait. What? Help Jazz settle in?”

“Oh, did I forget to mention that?” Max snapped her fingers before smiling, “Jazz is moving in.”

“Your human friend, Jazz? The one who stored all your stuff for you?” Cali asked, trying to follow the conversation. Max was clearly having one of her random moments.

“Yep. Jasminka. She’s great. You’ll love her.” Max assured Cali.

“Oo-kaay. And why exactly would your very human, non-warden, non-paladin friend be coming to live with us?”

Max shrugged, negligently, “Because we’re going to need her. She’s a doctor.”

“A doctor?” Cali questioned, feeling more confused by the second.

Max blinked and nodded her head slowly, “Yeah, you know, those people with medical degrees who help heal the sick and injured.”

Cali rolled her eyes, “I know what a doctor is Max. What I don’t know is why we would need a human doctor here. We’re not human. Besides, we have you. If anyone is injured, you can just mojo all the scratches away.”

“True,” Max’s voice was as perky as ever but Cali could have sworn she saw strain in her eyes. “But it never hurts to have extra help. And what if I’m all mojo’d out? Jazz is a surgeon – a truly excellent one. She’ll be a real asset, especially when it comes time to deliver the baby.”

Cali stilled, “What? Deliver the baby? You’re going to have some stranger come in here and deliver my baby?” She knew her voice sounded shrill, but she couldn’t help it.

“No,” Max held Cali’s gaze, “Not some stranger. I’m going to have a trusted friend, someone who has been kind and loyal to me in my past life, who also happens to be highly skilled and decorated in her profession, to come in here and ensure the safety of my best friend and nephew.”

Cali pursed her lips and held her tongue. She didn’t want to piss the other woman off. “Have you told the others about this?”

Max shook her head, “Not yet. Why?”

“It’s just ... Max, humans aren’t allowed to be told our little secret,” Cali explained, patiently.

“Pfft!” Max slashed a hand through the air. “Jazz already knows all about me.”

Cali gulped, “She does?”

“Sure. Well, I mean, not the whole daughter of Mother Nature thing specifically. But she knows I have super powers,” Max assured her – quite merrily.

“Super powers?” Cali parroted, wondering what fucked-up lottery she’d won that meant she was the poor soul forced to have this conversation with her liege.

Max seemed oblivious to Cali’s tension as she nodded her head, “Uh huh. That’s what we used to call my abilities way back when. Don’t worry, Jazz is loyal. I saved her life once. In fact, she saved mine once too. She’s good people.”

Cali sighed, suddenly craving a nap, “I don’t doubt that, honey. You have good taste in people. It’s just –”

But Max cut her off; “Trust me. It’s going to be fine,” Max fist-bumped her before leaving the room.

Cali really hoped they weren’t famous last words.

TWENTY-NINE

Standing at the edge of the cliff, Max thought the view was spectacular. In every direction, as far as the eye could see, deep blue ocean met the dawning horizon in a magical display of colours. She watched as the sun crested, the orange orb still muted enough so she could track its movement as it slowly rose, illuminating the day yet to come. Unfortunately, the view to her right was not as picturesque. Hundreds of bodies lined up in front of the fancy mansion on the edge of the cliff. Some were clothed sensibly with sturdy boots and held weapons, but most wore tattered rags, sported claws instead of blades, and were sickly, deathly pale. The only thing they all had in common?

Their eyes were all black as pitch.

The shock of seeing so many bodies had reality returning swiftly and the ramifications of what she was about to do had bile rushing to her throat. “This can’t be why I was made,” Max whispered, turquoise eyes desolate as she watched the writhing mass of evil bodies in the distance. She didn’t see Ryker move but he was suddenly in front of her, cupping her face in his large hands. His russet eyes held hers captive as he spoke;

“It’s not. You were made for me.”

His lips brushed hers, once, twice, and a third time. The kiss was soft and sweet as if they had all the time in the world. Max was still a little out of breath when he pulled back, despite the leisurely pace. She stood up on her toes so she could wrap her arms around Ryker’s neck, smiling and shaking her head; “How does the man who called me a liar and told me I looked like shit, always know the exact right thing to say now?” she asked, absently playing with the hair on his nape.

Ryker grinned, “I’m complicated.”

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