DAUGHTER!

Elicia:

“Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Your son clearly tried to tell you about what he wanted in life, but you were so tenacious to see he had to lash out to make you understand. And You! Your stubbornness, which is the same as your father’s, caused you to completely abandon your family in times of need and pain. Shame on you both.” All of their faces stunned stupid, standing up, feeling like my skin was crawling with a million little bugs.

“I was abandoned outside of a firehouse, raised by strangers, ostracized because I was different, used and tossed away like I was trash. Do you see me crying over spilt milk? No, because I found family in the strangest way possible. These four behind me should be screaming at the top of their lungs for being born into that hellhole, practically raised by a child who was tortured and trained to kill then sold off to the cruelest evil to walk this land. I may not like their pasts, but it’s who they are today that makes it matter. I will not let my children be subjected to this petty-ass-bickering. If you want anything to do with your grandbabies, then I suggest you squash this disagreement because Randi loves that man right there, and he loves Randi. Get used to it because it’s already done and set in stone.” Flopping down with a growling hiss as the guys rubbed my back in soothing circles as Rex looked over at his father with tears dripping down his cheeks.

“Spoken like a true Kashif woman. Your grandmother and mother would have been so proud of you young lady.” Rex leaned over the table high-fiving me with a bright smile as Malik saluted his wine glass with a playful wink.

“So, Elicia Nightshade, you mentioned grandbabies?” Malik perked a playful brow at me as Rex gave me this look of ‘oohhh, girl, you have some explaining to do’ as the guys choked on their wine, looking at me crossed-eyed.

“It’s actually DeWalt. I used my mates last name because I wasn’t sure if I could trust you earlier.” Looking over my shoulder at the deflated expressions that consumed my handsome men with grumbling scoffs.

“We can change that.” Chris growled lowly in our link, causing my core to tremble in a heated wave of shivers squirming around on the pillow as it pressed into my core.

“Well, you have been blessed with protective mates. They came barging in here like crazed lunatics, ready to burn down the place while you were getting cleaned up. I understand your hesitation, but I would never disrespect my late daughter and your grandmother. I don’t need to be haunted by angry women, especially those two.” Laughing lightly as Rex served up a plate of rice and different toppings, drooling at the sight of food.

“It’s koshari.” Rex smiled brightly as he handed me the plate with a playful wink.

“So, Malik, you mentioned Elicia’s mother. What was she like?” Ben smoothly spoke as they sat back watching me chow down on the delicious food, sipping my water to clear my mouth before I choked at the smoldering gazes licking those plump lips.

“She was a caring soul. Her love of life was infectious, and she loved her family, especially her baby brother.” Malik smiled at Rex as he listened to his father speak about her like she was still alive.

“Sounds like someone we know.” Roger whispered next to my ear, coughing on my water as he gently rubbed along my back, causing the throbbing to surge in intensity as their purring grunts vibrated around my body.

“Smells like Kitten needs some ‘playtime’.” Elias kissed my cheek softly while purring the words in our link.

“Not helping.” Growling out through my teeth as they enjoyed teasing the pregnant woman’s hormones.

“Azqa or Prue, carried the ‘oracle’ trait like her mother, your grandmother. The trait is passed on to the first-born daughter, leaving the mother completely. Their magic still remains but the ‘oracle’ abilities are no longer active because the child possesses them to learn and grow their abilities. Each generation adds to the knowledge and strength of the original bloodline.” Nodding to his explanation, taking another bite of food. Gagging back the sudden urge to puke as the fluttering knots swirled wildly in my stomach, rubbing my stomach softly as the guys turned their attention to me.

“You feeling sick?” Chris handed me a fresh glass of water, squeezing fresh lemon into it before taking a sip.

“Just queasy.” Grabbing a few crackers as Malik motioned Sada over to the table.

“Sada, can you prepare some ginger root tea?” He motioned to me with a soft smile as Sada nodded her head, leaving quickly.

“Your grandmother drank it constantly with her pregnancies. It will help settle the little ones down enough to replenish your nourishment.” Nodding to him as Sada returned with a fresh pot of hot water and a cup with actual ginger root slices.

“Thank you Sada.” Nodding to her soft smile.

“What do you know of your mother? It truly saddens me that you never experienced her love for life, but I can see that whoever raised you did it with loving hearts.” Smiling brightly, tasting the ginger root soothe the queasy sensation that gripped my stomach as LC and Derek flashed through my thoughts then the fire that consumed my childhood home.

“I just recently learned that she took her own life to protect her unborn child. There’s still questions as to why she chose to end her life, but I know she did it out of love.” Feeling my lip trembling as the sudden surge of emotion flooded my senses, setting my tea cup down with trembling hands as the guys quickly cuddled up against me.

“You said your father is unknown, correct?” Nodding as tears slipped past my eyes, quickly wiped away by Ben and Roger.

“Actually, we got some information to fill you in on.” Rex pointed his finger to the guys smiling brightly as the sound of rushing footsteps echoed through the room. Turning around to see the guards taking positions at the entrances as three men approached through the dimly lit courtyard.

“What is the meaning of this?” Malik growled out as he stood with a firm fist to the table, jumping to my feet as the room began to spin, clenching tightly to Roger’s shirt.

“Sorry for the intrusion Sultan, but I was worried about my daughter.” That husky timber sent a wave of sickening shivers up my spine as two guards stepped aside to allow the three men entrance.

“DAUGHTER!” Whisper shouting as the room spun faster, feeling the guys swaying as they huddled around me.

“You have some serious balls coming here Myles.” Malik growled out lowly as he tried to cast some kind of spell, but his shocked expression alarmed me. Gripping tightly to Roger’s chest as they stepped back from the last three men we expected to see.

“Boys.” Titan chuckled darkly as Bain tossed a wink in my direction.

“Hey Sis. Miss me?” He teased mockingly, hissing out as the room began to blur together in swirling colors.

“Don’t fucking speak to her.” Elias pushed out in front, his claws elongating as his body trembled against the violent growling shaking from his chest.

“How was the wine? I heard it was extra special tonight.” Myles laughed sinisterly as Rex collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.

“Rex!” Reaching for him as Malik stumbled over to his unconscious body, placing a shaky hand to his chest.

“What do you want?” He coughed out in a raspy wheeze as his breathing began to labor, collapsing next to Rex.

“I think it’s obvious what we want, isn’t that right Elicia.” Bain slid his cold amber orbs to me barely holding on to Roger’s chest as his body trembled under my fingers.

“Over our dead bodies.” Elias growled out, rushing forward as Bain slammed his fist into his chest knocking him back to the ground in a stumbling fall.

“We can make that happen, but first, we want to play.” Bain laughed into the smoothed stucco ceiling like a maniac as my legs slowly gave out, collapsing to the ground in panting breaths.

Reaching for Elias as his brothers lunged at Bain, growling, scuffling in tangled limbs as my vision blotched and spotted. Reaching out through the blurry fogginess as the scuffling chaos crashed in around me, dropping to the cool tiled floor as darkness washed over me.