Bonds of the Mazza Read online

  I glared at the offending hand. I would never do that. Why would I even want to touch Yunez’s silky, black locks anyway?

  A small chuckle rumbled out of Yunez as he moved far enough away, so he wasn’t in my immediate bubble. “Aamori will be knocking on the door in about three minutes. Rand, can you greet her and show her what good hosts we are?”

  “Aamori?” Rand perked up and immediately made a beeline for the front room.

  “What’s Aamori doing here?” Nato crossed his arms and gave Yunez a suspicious eye.

  “Helping your cause. You’re welcome for using my vast connections to further your agenda.”

  “Like our agenda, really isn’t your agenda.” Jari shook his head.

  “So… Who’s this Aamori person?”

  Egan stopped glaring at Yunez to answer my question. “In Fennina, there’s not really a democracy like there is here, but it’s not really a dictatorship either. Each house has a head or leader, and together, the four of them make the ruling decisions for the Fennin. They don’t bother themselves with the little things, there are courts for that, but they are all about strategy and politics. They are constantly trying to get one over on the other houses to favor their own people.”

  The set up in Fennina didn’t quite make sense. Everything I’d experienced so far, led me to believe there was peace among the different houses. My Lusty Legion was a great example. Childhood friends—each from a different house—banded together to make something of themselves. Coming together, when they could have easily stepped on each other to survive, was one of the things I loved most about them. That kind of acceptance tempted me when I should have run far and fast.

  “That sounds like the houses don’t get along. I don’t know very much, obviously, but what I’ve seen, there are not any stigmas between the houses at all. Look at you all. And then the others at Mehki’s lodge.”

  “We’re also here in the Earth realm. Most of the Fennin here are the younger and more liberal generation. When we cross over, you’ll see the difference. It’s why so many Fennin prefer to stay here.” Nato stabbed serving spoons into each bowl.

  “Including you guys?”

  “Including us,” Egan nodded.

  “Aamori, welcome.” Rand’s voice carried through the house.

  “Rand from House of Janer. How coincidental seeing you here.” Aamori’s voice was deep and velvety smooth. Her words caused me to stiffen. No one was supposed to know he was here of his own volition.

  “The last I heard, Rainer was shouting to anyone who would listen that you were abducted. I’m not an expert on the practice, but you don’t look to be a prisoner. Especially by answering the door.”

  I narrowed my eyes at Yunez, the bastard. He knew what she would think by having Rand greet her. He winked, then watched the hallway in time to see Aamori step through.

  Aamori was what dreams were made of. If Yunez was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen, then Aamori held the woman’s title. She had smooth mocha skin that shimmered in the light and sleek caramel hair pulled up into a high and intricate bun, with silver string woven through.

  Her gaze immediately fell on me, and she quirked a brow.

  “Well, well, well. Yunez, you sly old man. I’m assuming you didn’t call me here to discuss the attacks on Rainer’s compound as I thought.”

  Yunez walked up to her and kissed her lightly on the apple of her cheek. “Nonsense. That’s exactly why I called you here. Let’s sit down and we can chat all about it.” He looked over his shoulder at the men. “Why don’t you LL’s bring the food, while Isolde and I show Aamori the way to the dining room.”

  Yunez held out both arms for Aamori and me to take. She graciously slid one hand around his arm and waited for me to take the other. Unsure of the real purpose of her visit, I was a little apprehensive to go along with his plan. But he was the puppeteer and Yunez had way more information to go off of than I did, so I snaked my hand through the crook of his elbow.

  The Lusty Legion and Rand followed behind with savory dishes and delicate plates for the table. For a safe house, the set up really wasn’t so bad. Even though it only was about ten steps to the dining room, rather than the forty it took at Rainer’s place, the table was long enough to seat fifteen, easy.

  Yunez led Aamori to the seat next to the head of the table, then pulled her chair out. I tried to pull my hand away to grab my own seat, but he clenched his arm to trap my fingers. I rolled my eyes when I thought he couldn’t see.

  Once she was seated, he escorted me to the seat directly across from Aamori, and when I was on my way down Yunez pinched my ass, which caused me to jump, squeak, and bang my knee on the table.

  Aamori glanced up from the napkin she spread across her lap, looking at me like I was missing one too many fries in my happy meal.

  “Sorry, the seat was cold.” God, that was lame.

  “The velvet seat was so cold it startled you?” Disbelief threaded Aamori’s words.

  Yunez, the fucker, chuckled and took the seat at the head of the table. “Her chair is right over a cold air vent.”

  Aamori nodded her head and except for the clatter of the dishes on the table, it was silent. Sage set dinner plates before each seat and Egan followed behind with fancy wine glasses. There were already pitchers of tea and lemonade on the table. It was weird we were using the glasses for non-alcoholic drinks, but I guessed I shouldn’t be nitpicky.

  When everyone was seated, we dished out the food, and passed each bowl around in true fashion of a family style dinner.

  “So, Yunez,” Aamori drawled, “You didn’t mention that you were housing Rainer’s kidnapped son. He looks pretty content in his captivity.” Her gaze roved over Rand like she wouldn’t mind holding him captive, and I instantly bristled. That was a weird reaction. I forced myself to loosen up, because I didn’t have any tie to Rand and I never would. Of course, that was assuming Sage and I could figure out a way to take our friendship to a relationship. Could I even call it a friendship?

  Rand arranged his face into something expressionless and simply stared at her. Wasn’t he all excited to get the door before? None of the guys were looking at Aamori, it seemed they were a little uncomfortable with the situation.

  “Rainer is such a diva. He always has been. Obviously, Rand isn’t in any danger, but that wouldn’t look good for Rainer if that came out, now would it? What other tales is he spinning?” Yunez poured tea into his cup and dug into his food.

  This must have been some kind of etiquette because everyone immediately followed suit.

  “He had some very interesting things to say. For one, he said there were attacks on his property that were alarmingly similar to what we experience in our Fennina settlements. I don’t know if I believe that. In all these decades there have never been attacks outside of Fennina,” she scoffed.

  “Why do you believe that the attacks couldn’t happen here?” Yunez paused in his eating and stared at her contemplatively.

  “Yunez, why would the humans attack their own realm?” She raised a delicate brow.

  Hold up. This conversation could potentially shed some light on the attacks. Excitement buzzed down my spine as I perked up and paid more attention. I assumed we were eating dinner with an ally, but maybe friendly strategic planning wasn’t the purpose of Aamori’s presence at all.

  “I’m not confirming I believe Rainer’s cause one hundred percent, but I also can’t deny the possible causes for the attacks are slim. Very slim. In fact, all the reasons I can think of that could potentially be behind the attacks do not support attacking the human realm.”

  “What have your guards discovered in the attacks? I assume you’ve investigated the Wasaeris in your territory?” Yunez leaned his chin in his hand, looking bored with the conversation.

  Next to me, Nato slid his hand into my lap. I swatted him away as his fingers tried to creep up the inside of my thigh. This was important stuff. Now was not the time to get adventurous in our relationship. />
  Without looking my way, he smacked my fingers and locked my hand in his.

  “That’s an insult. Of course I had the guards investigate. There was no suspicious activity reported by the survivors, and there are no clues to point us in any direction.”

  Next to Aamori, Sage bristled. When I glanced at him, he ground his teeth, staring hard at his plate. Talking about the attacks so unemotionally had to be hard for him.

  A few days ago, Sage and I shared a moment. It was incredibly personal and eye-opening into the asshole that was Sage. All my guys lost their families when they were young, but Sage was much younger than the rest. He ended up living on the streets for a couple of years. It wasn’t until he ran into Nato and Egan, literally, that life started looking up for him.

  “At least we are investigating. That is more than I can say for Halfei and Senadia. I hear they are not trying at all, but leaving their people to flounder.”

  Nato and Egan whipped their heads to glare at Aamori. She wasn’t making any friends with this group.

  Aamori absently fingered a thin gold chain hanging around her neck, not sparing a second thought to the rest of the attendees at the table.

  “Funny you mention that. As one of the last elders of our people, I think it’s high time to get involved. I’ve already secured accommodations in the three other main territories. I’ve amassed the team you see here tonight to assist in the investigation. Do we have your blessing to stay in your towns so we can have our own look? The more eyes on the portals the better chance we have of catching the culprits.” Yunez spoke with an air of superiority.

  It was surreal to see how Yunez interacted with the woman. With me, he was infuriating and endearing, seeming to take pleasure out of getting a rise out of me. With Aamori, I got the feeling she meant nothing to him other than a means to an end. He might be friendly but if she didn’t provide the assistance he wanted, he would easily go around her.

  Aamori cupped the charm in her hand as she scrutinized Yunez. Her lips pursed into a thin line and she squinted her eyes. Based on the contemplative look she was mulling it over. Finally, she leaned back in her seat and dropped her hand to her lap.

  “You’re asking for free reign in my portal towns and to have my guards not interfere. Why would I give you that kind of access? This could be a coup for the House of Zien to take over more territory.”

  Aamori leaned over her plate and sneered when Yunez rolled his eyes.

  “Slow your roll, woman. When have I ever cared about such politics? I follow my own agenda, and I always have.”

  “And that agenda is…” she trailed off.

  “The survival of our people. The same agenda the rest of the Fennin would do well to adopt.” Yunez was so serious, I did a double take to make sure it was really him. The few times I’d been in his presence, he was all jokes even when he shouldn’t have been.

  I couldn’t ignore the delicious smell of dinner any longer, so I picked up my fork and began stuffing my mouth. The turkey was amazing and flavorful, but not good enough to distract me from the scene in front of me.

  Yunez cut his eyes to me as if he felt my gaze. Tingles shot down my spine and my fingers tightened on the fork. Damn him and his weird appeal. It was only a brief moment before he resumed his stare down with Aamori.

  A sock covered foot connected with my calf and skimmed up the back toward my knee. I squeaked, and all heads whirled in my direction.

  “Isolde, is something the matter?” Yunez crossed his arms on the table, but the twinkle in his eyes let me know it was his toes currently caressing my leg.

  What the fuck is Yunez doing?

  He was playing freaking footsie with me. These men needed to learn to keep their hands—and feet—to themselves.

  I threw my hand over my face and faked coughed, as I jerked my leg away. He wasn’t having any of it. He easily found me again under the table, but this time he trapped my leg between both of his. Yunez leaned forward and hardily slapped my back.

  “Nato, pour Isolde some more tea there.” Yunez went from patting to rubbing my back.

  Nato did as instructed and pushed the glass into my hands.

  Down the table, Egan growled softly. There was a fire in his eyes as Egan lasered in on the hand caressing my back, and a bright smile slid across Yunez’s face.

  A loud gasp pulled my attention back to Aamori. She covered her mouth and nose with both hands, the color draining from her face.

  “You… You’re the Mazza that Rainer was going on about. I should have put it together since you’re here with Rand.” Her gaze darted to Rand and back to me before she focused on Egan.

  “Rainer was under the impression you were only bonded with Nato, but that’s not quite true is it?”

  “No, I’m also bonded to Egan.” I coughed to clear the scratchiness from my voice. No way would I tell her about Jari, too. Should I have even told her about Egan? Damn Egan for acting like a pissed off puppy. “Why does that alarm you so much? Your reaction is a complete one-eighty to what I was treated to at Rainer’s.”

  Aamori cut her eyes at Yunez and responded, “Mazzas are cause for great change, that is true. But it is not always good change.”

  Chills ran down my spine at the suggestion. This woman was basically accusing me of being a potential threat.

  “I’m fairly liberal and against animal testing. I doubt I could cause much more damage than the attacks are causing.” This woman pushed all of my hot buttons. I hated people who were judgy and chose only to see surface level. She boxed me into this tidy space that said I was the Mazza, taking away all of my humanity. This was a glimpse into how I would be viewed as a tool or weapon instead of as a person. And I didn’t fucking like it. “You can rest assured I am overseeing Isolde’s bonds and no harm will come to our people through her or her Lusty Legion.” Trust Yunez to phrase it that way.

  Aamori’s forehead creased in confusion and all but voiced, ‘huh.’

  “Isolde here felt she needed a name for her bond mates. They all agreed on Lusty Legion because they’re all so… Lusty.” He flashed sharp canines in an amused smile.

  Our guest’s gaze lingered on my Zien mark and then Nato’s. “So your Caen and Zien mates have been solidified. Have you completed the rest of your bonds?” She asked with false indifference, wiping the corners of her mouth with her cloth napkin.

  I didn’t know where the feeling came from, but all that played through my mind was deny, deny, deny. “No, I still have two more to complete.”

  “Not if I have anything to say about it,” A smirk teased the edges of Jari’s mouth, but played along.

  “Interesting. I offer sanctuary in my territory as long as you need it Yunez, providing that Isolde is with your team. I would hate to see her harmed and I will do what I can to keep her safe.”

  “Brilliant,” Sarcasm weighed down Jari’s word so much, it surprised me it didn’t smack the table.

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now since we’ve enjoyed such a fantastic meal, thanks to Nato, why don’t we go to the cottage to discuss my plans? I have a map there we can look over.”

  Yunez stood from his seat and gestured for Aamori to go ahead of him. Both left without so much as a finger wave in our direction.

  We all sat there dumbfounded until the door closed behind them.

  “What the hell was that about?” I pushed my chair away from the table.

  “It looks like Yunez is trying to be diplomatic in his plans for Fennina. And here I thought we’d go incognito.” Nato shook his head.

  We all stood and started clearing the table as we continued the conversation.

  “Was it just me, or was that woman a Rainer supporter?”

  “That was the head of the Janer house. In Fennina, the world is divided into four territories, and the head of each house rules their own territory. I don’t think Rainer would have gotten as far as he has without her support.” Rand supplied.

  “Why does he have to be under her
house? Didn’t you all live in the same Fennina town when you met Sage?”

  “That’s different. We were children and even now, we don’t hold much status. Except, maybe for Rand. The elite of our kind always live within their house territory.” Egan brushed his fingers against my back as he passed.

  “So what, two elite members of different houses couldn’t marry?”

  “They could, but it would be highly frowned upon.” Jari took the plates from my hands and filed out of the dining room into the kitchen.

  I went to the front room and peeked through the blinds. The soft glow in the window of the cottage let me know they were inside the main room. Shadows danced as they moved about, probably viewing the map from different angles.

  “How big is Fennina? Will we be able to travel between towns easily?” I yelled, still looking at the cottage.

  Nato came up behind me and rested his chin on my shoulder. “It’s fairly big. Maybe about half the size of Earth but it’s separated into four territories. Traveling will be… not easy exactly, but also not difficult. More like time-consuming.”

  The door to the cottage opened, but I could barely make out their forms as they exited. One shadow moved toward the road and the other walked to the house. Not wanting to get caught spying, I backed into Nato, then shoved him towards the kitchen.

  He laughed and wrapped his arm around me. “You know that Yunez is the closest thing we have to all-seeing, don’t you? I’d be highly surprised if he didn’t know that you were standing there peeking out at the cottage.”

  “Doesn’t matter. There’s a difference between him knowing, and him catching us.”

  When we walked back into the kitchen, the counters were cleared and the dishes loaded or hand washed. Huh, not bad. Maybe this group love thing might have more than one benefit after all. It would take triple the time for one person to clean everything on their own.

  Yunez entered the house and I swiftly spun around, grabbing the dish cloth off of the sink and wiped down the clean counters. Jari belted out a loud guffaw and Nato chuckled quietly. I wasn’t sure if the others had any reaction because I kept my gaze firmly on my hand making circular motions.