Page 37 of Dreaming of Darkness

“And since you are unmarked, our bond is still tremulous, new.” I stroked my claws against her dress, the fabric irritating me as it kept her silk skin from my touch. “They are just making sure they have a chance to see what you’re like. And it’s making every part of my stupid demon brain go wild.”

“What would help?”

My laugh was rough, and I curled her in my hold, moving us back down the street once more, “Nothing you’re ready to hear about, mate. Trust me.”

Bailey looked up at me, eyes crinkling at my mischief, as we made our way further down the street. “We are starting with the Core, our central building. I believe it would be similar to your city hall building? We keep our records there; all meetings are held there in an open forum, and it houses offices for the chief.”

“And your grandmother is the chief?”

I shrugged a little, “Only in name. My brother has been acting chief for a long time now. He has her support and will be heronly choice when the time comes for her to step down.”

“She can do that any time?”

I nodded, steering her around across the hub of roads directly in front of the core, then up the small arched bridge that carried us across the small creek that wrapped around the Core building.

“Any time. She keeps saying she’s waiting for a sign. Since none of us know what that means, we will continue on.” Bailey’s soft noise of awe makes heat race to my face. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful, like a fortress!”

“When we were a larger group, but less advanced, most of our people lived in temporary housing around the outside of the Core. But as less young were born, and our people had more time. We followed in humanity’s footsteps and began to build more permanent homes.”

Her neck was on a swivel as we moved through to the wide-open front doors of the Core and moved inside. There, just as expected, my grandmother stood sentry.

“Brace yourself,” I whispered, my throat suddenly tight as the two most impactful women in my life laid eyes on each other for the first time.

“Grandmother,” I offered a short bow and then ushered Bailey forward. “This is Bailey of the Sullivan’s; she is my mate.” The words slithered off my tongue as easily as I had hoped, my entire body flushing as my grandmother’s cool eyes settled on my human match. Bailey’s spine under my fingers was ramrod straight.

“Bring her forward, Traum,” Grandmother said, her once brilliant blue eyes soft with silver and age. “I want to see her.”

Ignoring the hushed whispers from around us, Bailey and I took a step together. My grandmother, who was petite, even for human standards, gazed up at Bailey with a blank expression. Then, quick as lightning, her pale red hand was wrapped around Bailey’s hand. It only took a moment, but that’s all she needed. Igrowled a low warning, she could’ve simply asked to read Bailey’s subconscious, but instead she had taken it.

“What’s happening? Traum? Chieftess?”

Grandmother’s head turned, like a bird of prey observing its next meal, but then she released Bailey with a soft chuckle. “My grandmother is the most powerful dream walking in our village, her power to guide and follow people’s needs is legendary.”

Bailey didn’t seem to understand the weight and power it took my grandmother to read people’s subconscious needs, but she would someday.

“It is a common ability in our people, even if Grandmother’s is stronger than average,” I stepped slightly between the two females, “And even if I’m sure you would’ve offered her your skin to touch if she’d asked, like a polite leader.”

“Polite?” Grandmother scoffed, “There is no better test of someone’s true intentions than to startle it out of them.”

“Grandmother, that is insane. You know that right?”

She grinned at us, worn fangs still white. “Perhaps, but it serves me right. All this one had in her mind was visions of you. And I did not need to experience those.”

Bailey made a gagging noise, her hand flying to her mouth as she wordlessly stared at my matriarch. “I’m so sorry, I meant nothing by it.”

“No, no, darling girl, you meant everything by it,” Grandmother said, stepping forward and this time holding her hands up and wide. “And I’m pleased you find so much joy with my Traum. He’s a good boy.”

My eyes were rolling so hard they hurt, when Grandmother actually fluttered her clawed fingers in the air, beckoning Bailey in for a hug. Slowly, Bailey’s shoulders lowered, her hands slipping from their pose hiding her mouth. And with only a small flicker of assurance sent for me, she bent and let Grandmother wrap her in a tight hug.

Bailey’s posture was stiff for only a moment, as Grandmother’s hands clasped her tightly. “Welcome to the family, dear girl.”

I stepped back, the frustration I had for the whole situation dying on my tongue as I saw the look on Bailey’s face. I remembered her words from some of our first visits. That her family wasn’t involved in her life at all. But as my grandmother’s dark claws ran soothingly up and down Bailey’s back, I saw the realization settle on my mate’s face.

My family would be hers.

Pleasure and relief warred in my chest as I finally raised my head and looked around us. Albtraum was also here, looking comically large with the sling that carried his daughter stretched across his chest.

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