Unnaturals (7 page)

`Max's call this morning.' Ruth interpreted the look on Mason's face. `It was about the Bloodells wasn't it? If Max knows, then the Fund does. Max is coming here, isn't he, and he's not coming alone?'

`He's not.' Mason paced around the table, past Renee whose eyes were alight with excitement.

Damn, Ruth thought, she's as bad as him.

`Just so we're clear here,' Nikki said, looking around, frowning. `You're saying that Bloodells are on their way here, as we speak?'

`I'll go.' Renee stood up and vanished in a swirl of red, leaving behind the momentary taste of a strong scent that was cloaked by Nikki's sweetness as she stood to watch where her sister had gone.

`She's fast,' Mason said, joining Nikki and handing her a glass. `Where's she gone and who else is on the island? And, what's more, why are you here on this so-auspicious day?' Ruth heard the calculation in his question. A hint of distrust that he'd need to work out of his system. They were good questions, though.

`Thanks.' Nikki took the glass and either ignored Mason or failed to understand what he was really asking. Ruth poured herself some more wine. She sipped and stopped. Gaia's energy laced the wine, tickling her tongue. Potent.

`You don't stop with the questions, do you?' Nikki said, avoiding giving answers.

`Nope.' Mason sipped his wine. Nikki mirrored him. `You going to answer or do I have to beat it out of you?'

Ruth spilled her wine. `Mason!' The dry smile on Mason's face was unexpected. She stopped mid-stride. `Jesus, you were kidding.'

`Yeah,' he said with a lopsided smile. `Seems you didn't quite get the humour.'

`Neither did I for a second.' Nikki put down the wine glass and went to Ruth. `Now you're covered in wine.'

Ruth let Nikki take off the wine-stained sarong. Squatting, one hand on Ruth's hip, she used soft long strokes to cleanse her legs. Ruth touched Nikki's hair, running her fingers through it.

`Lucky you didn't spill it in your lap,' Mason said, eyebrows raised. Ruth ignored him. `Are we going to discuss rules before the brat comes back?'

`Rules?' Nikki ducked into the kitchen with the sarong. Ruth heard the tap running, then Nikki was back, tilting her head at Mason, inviting him to explain.

`Ruth likes you.' He leant against a post on the patio. `Usually we talk about this beforehand, but Ruth is Ruth and when she likes someone,' he shrugged and drank some more. `We haven't survived this long as a couple without our problems, but when it comes to this, there are rules. Our rules.'

`You weren't kidding when you said you both were open and direct.'

`About this we are.' Mason finished his wine. `Ruth needs to be herself, but this is different.' He looked up and Ruth touched her neck, wondering if he was going to say no. They both had to agree, or it would feel wrong for her. It had to be mutual. He nodded. `Nikki's different, Ruth. It's too fast too soon. I'm not sure I can…be myself anymore, even less if Nikki is part of this.'

`Mason.' She went towards him. He held a hand up, eyes showing his hurt.

`Ruth, I can feel it too. Nikki is everything you desire, her scent is right for you.' He held up his empty glass. `The wine was laced by something from Gaia. I can taste her touch, potent and delicious. This island is magical. Everything is pushing us towards this, but,' he shook his head, `I don't trust myself, Ruth.'

Mason looked at Nikki. `You like her. I don't blame you. Ruth has that something that just makes you want to lose control.'

Ruth knew he was looking at Nikki as a woman for the first time. `You're what she likes in her partners.'

`This is weird,' Nikki said, putting her wine glass down. `Having this conversation is weird. It's usually so different, so secretive.'

`We can't be secretive, even less so now.' Mason flexed his neck. `I just think this should slow down. Not stop. I don't want anyone getting hurt.'

`So, slow and steady it is then?' Ruth felt her heart skip. She wanted Nikki so much but couldn't hurt Mason.

`I'm not sure how you two do this but I, don't, I can't have a man,' Nikki said.

Ruth reached out, feeling her pain.

Mason turned away. `We, ah, I don't do that, Nikki.'

`He has never wanted anyone other than me,' Ruth said, putting her arm around Nikki.

`Oh,' Nikki whispered, leaning in to her. `This is surreal, and all in one day.'

`Yes, yes it is.' Mason still faced the forest. `The brat is coming back, so I'll be quick. One, there are no secrets between us. Two, if you become lovers, Wilson will know, so be ready for that. Three,' he turned to face Nikki. `Do anything to hurt this family and I will—'

Renee reappeared in a soft gush of air. `Well, the shit has hit the fan.' She stopped and looked at them. `Everything all right here?' Finally she picked up her wine glass and took the last sip.

Ruth let Nikki go and sat at the table. Nikki followed.

`Just spilt some wine,' Ruth said, taking a long drink.

`Any more left, then?' Renee looked at her empty glass.

Ruth closed her mouth as Mason opened the second bottle.

`Thanks,' Renee beamed, glass held out. She had changed her clothes and scented her hair. The `sweaty' description no longer fitted. `Mother wants us off the island, now.'

`We can't just leave. What about tonight?'

`Mother was adamant. Forget the ceremony and get our backsides back to the mainland.' Renee sat back, looking surprisingly relaxed given the urgency of the message she was delivering. `I haven't told the others anything yet. I'll leave that up to you, sis. Damn, this stuff is good.'

`You both need to leave.' Mason stood, wine glass falling onto the patio.

`What? Why?' Renee spluttered, still seated.

Ruth put her glass down, knowing the wine had finally affected Mason beyond his control. His physical reaction was obvious and, as Renee sat looking stunned at his sudden dismissal, Ruth saw it become obvious to the redhead.

Nikki's eyes widened. `Come to the nightclub tonight—'

Mason was tearing his shirt off.

`When he's calmed down.' Nikki's lips brushed hers and then she was gone, the lingering taste of spices teasing her senses.

Nikki dragged Renee off the patio.

`They could have stayed,' she said, standing and taking her top off. Mason quivered, watching her.

`No.'

`Why not?' She reached over and slid his shorts down, brushing against his hardness as she stood up.

`Because — I want you.'

His eyes burned for her as she sat on the table. `Come here.' She pulled him in, his hardness pressed against the fabric still covering her sex. `I want you.'

Her bikini bottom was torn off and he paused, ready. Ruth could feel her body hum with energy and anticipation as she reached down and held him firmly.

`I want it, Mason. Make love to me like we're meant to. Discover me again.' She pulled him into her and Mason didn't hold back. Ruth howled in delight as the sound of pleasure roared in her ears.

Nikki ran. Renee followed, stumbling behind.

`Enough!' Renee stopped suddenly, unmovable.

`We can't stay here. We have to go.'

`No.' Renee's tone was hard and flat.

Nikki stepped back. It was too late. Renee was aware of what had just happened.

Nikki called her gift; ready for the coming fight, but knowing it was one she might not win. `Renee, please.'

It was much too late. Green eyes went black.

`He was immune. I didn't see it until… The wine was laced with something, wasn't it?
Wasn't it
?' Renee's face creased, caught between rage and delight.

`Yes, Gaia had touched it somehow.'

`Damn it, Nikki.' Renee smashed her fist into a tree, shattering the wood. `If we'd stayed longer...'

Nikki braced herself. `We had to go. He wanted us to leave.'

`I didn't. Neither did Ruth. She wanted you so bad it oozed from her. Fuck!' Renee shredded the tree trunk with her nails.

`Listen.' Nikki tried to stay calm, but Renee was right. `Yes, I want her. I want to be with her. But we had to leave. Mason asked us to go. If we'd stayed he might not have been able to control himself. He could have killed us, Renee. He nearly did already today and I couldn't let that happen again.'

`Bullshit!' Renee crouched, hair forming into a thick ponytail on her back. `This is about me, the freak, screwing up your chances with Ruth. Can't have me pissing Mason off, can you?' Her voice dropped as she flexed her neck. `Can't risk losing the chance of screwing Butcher's wife, can you? The ultimate fuck!'

`Shut up!' Nikki lashed out; streams of white energy coursed from her at Renee.

`Oh, come on, sis.' Renee leapt through the blaze of energy. `It doesn't work on me, remember.
I'm
the freak!'

Nikki twisted away and Renee's razor sharp nails flashed by her face. `I've never called you that.' She faced Renee, ready. `You keep saying it, not me.'

`Everyone in the clan does. I'm the half-cast freak with no gift.' Renee snarled and dropped onto all fours.

Nikki tensed, knowing what she had to do. `Stop now, before you go too far. You've let your anger take over.' Nikki called up an earth shield as Renee leapt.

`He was immune!' Renee screamed, driving her fist through the wall of earth.

Nikki buckled at the force striking her shield, but held. A slab of earth rose up and rolled around Renee, trapping her.

`It won't hold me.' Chunks of rock cracked as she writhed.

`No, it won't'' Nikki closed her eyes, focusing. `But the swim will calm you down.' Energy rose up at her command and Renee howled. Nikki opened her eyes and watched as Renee hurtled through the air, far out over the ocean, before cracking her earth bonds apart.

`Hmm. She is strong-willed, that one. How long has she been immune to our energy?'

`Always,' Nikki sagged. A long shadow moved out of the trees. `Tashia—'

`Hush.' Long fingers touched her lips as Tashia knelt to speak to her. `Your sister's secret is safe with me. As always, little one, you have my support, but it is a dangerous secret you keep from the others.'

`I know,' Nikki sighed, touching Tashia's long face. `It is so good to see you again.'

`Mmm, yes.' Long fingers reached out to touch Nikki's side.

Nikki winced. `Oh shit, she did get me.' She explored her body, feeling blood.

`It's deep. You're not healing? Her touch does that too — slow the healing?' Tashia lifted Nikki's blouse, touching the pain.

`Ah! Yes.' Nikki bit her lip as Tashia's powerful healing gift worked on her.

`There. It will be sore for a while but should be truly healed for tonight. If we are still to have the ceremony?' Tashia stood up, looking down towards the villa, just visible through the trees. `Hmm. So it is true. He is here. And busy, it seems.'

`Don't you start,' Nikki muttered as she heard Ruth's faint cry. A shimmer of energy rippled out from the villa.

`Very interesting.' Tashia held her hand up, sensing the energy as it passed. `Earthbound energy. They create it with sex?' she asked, peering through a branch to look at the villa.

`It's complicated.' Nikki touched her wound and winced again. Renee had never cut her so deeply before. `You're out and about early. Did Mother ring you?'

`No, she rang the twins and they told me. 'Tis not natural to speak into such things as telephones.'

`Still holding out on technology? At least you've embraced more suitable fashions.' Nikki smiled, eying Tashia.

`Mmm, yes.' The tall woman held her arms out and spun round slowly. `I refuse to wear the scraps of material they consider clothing, so I found these.'

Nikki shook her head, scanning the ocean for Renee. `You've embraced jeans and shirts, but not shoes?'

`I will not wear the disgusting things they call shoes today. Too small.' Tashia reached down and took her hand. `She will come when she is ready.'

`Goddess, I hope so.' Nikki looked at Tashia's hands totally encasing hers, hands that had once given so much pleasure. `If anyone asks, Renee's out patrolling the island.' She turned and headed towards the resort, letting Tashia's hand go.

`Ah, you wish for me to lie?' Tashia asked, loping past.

`No,' Nikki said, eyeing her. `Just avoid mentioning anything you saw this afternoon.'

`Ah yes, done. Besides, I think the news you have will ensure the others are distracted.'

`You haven't said anything to the others?'

`That is your task, Nikki. You're the Magi here, not me. The twins won't say anything either.'

`I bet they won't.' Nikki grinned at her. `And how did they seduce you into their world?'

`Only one of them did, little one.' Tashia flashed a smile. `Jealous, are we?'

`No,' she said, looking around as they reached the resort. `I wish we had our unit further away from the main section of the resort.'

`Let them look,' Tashia said, slowing her stride as other people stopped to stare. `Miekia said to say I was a basketball player from Ukraine if anyone asked. The purple hair is my trademark.'

`So very modern of her.' Nikki opened the door to the unit and Tashia ducked as she followed her in.

`Mmm, much better.' Tashia stripped off in the air conditioning. Nikki watched, still amazed by the fine silver lines covering Tashia's body, remembering how they glowed when… `Sure you wouldn't like to join me before the ceremony?'

Nikki blinked and blushed. She had been fixated on Tashia's smooth body. `Uh, you already have company.' She nodded at the sounds from the room next door.

`I'm sure she wouldn't mind.' Tashia slipped over to her, putting a hand on Nikki's face. `If we're going to war you should have some time with us. It's been so long, little one.' She traced a finger down Nikki's neck and into her blouse.

`Tashia.' Nikki pulled her hand away. `I can't. Not now.'

Tashia smiled. `Mmm. There's another.'

Nikki fell onto the couch. `Maybe. It's sudden, but intense. So intense it hurts.'

`Is she here? With the others?' Tashia sat down beside her.

`She is here but,' Nikki ran her fingers through her hair, thinking of Ruth, `she's not one of us.'