A Christmas Tail (3 page)

“Yes and she’s doing quite well after the shock of her kind of writing. You see on their world sex is a very private thing, something not spoken of. Needless to say, this author is trying to change this and doing a great job, from what I’ve heard.”

Betsy walked over to the closet and opened it. On the floor lay an old blue teddy bear. Betsy sat down on the floor and picked up the bear. “I have a box for one of my children. Every holiday or birthday, I’d made sure to buy the newest toy or the most popular item. Do you know Mandy will be ten next year, while Jordon will be six in three weeks. Another year without them in my arms...” she whispered and hugged the tiny bear.

Kneeling beside her, Barry wiped the tears away before lifting her up into his arms. “It’s getting late and you need to rest. We’ll come back here tomorrow and start working on the house, but for now you need to sleep little kitten.” Both Orion and Davis stepped out of the way and followed them out of the room.

“We haven’t seen the rest of the house,” she protested, but laid her head on his chest.

“We’ll explore more in the day time. You need to rest and I want to take a look at the scratch. Don’t forget you are going with Lacey to Dan’s parents’ house in the morning to discuss her wedding.”

“I was kind of hoping to forget about that. I don’t do well around a lot of people,” she mumbled as they transported her back to the compound.

“You are the only family Lacey has left. She needs you to be by her side and you need her too. Did you know Dan and his family have called all their human contacts to find your children? Isaac has even risked punishment asking the
Tetraheroes
for help.” Barry lowered her feet to the ground when they entered the main kitchen.

“What? Why would he do that? I didn’t ask him. He shouldn’t have done that.” She spun away from and moved to the fridge, grabbing a coke out of it. “Now if something happens to him, I’m going to feel awful.” Betsy swung one of the kitchen chairs around and straddled it as she opened her pop.

“I did it because we can use the help and I’d do it again. Children should not be without their mother,” Isaac stated coming into the kitchen with Lacey. “You’re hurt. Have you allowed Barry to heal you?” He arched his eyebrow and stared at her until she was squirming in her chair.

“Damn, you have the king stuff down pat,” she mumbled. “But no, it’s just a scratch. I’ll take a nice hot bath, clean it up and I’ll be fine.”

“Bullshit,” Lacey said, coming over and lifting the coat she had on. “Your back has blood all over it and it’s fresh. Who did this?” Lacey snarled. “Are they dead?”

“Three of them are dead, but one got away. Some kind of gang. If you will excuse us, I’ll take her...” Barry stopped beside her and frowned, but only for a minute before he bent down and picked her up again. “Orion, fix Betsy some hot soup and bring it to our room.”

“There is no need. I have a plate for all of you in the oven. We’ll bring them down to your quarters?” Anthony questioned and he nodded.

“Give us about twenty minutes while we get her washed up and healed. Thank you Anthony,” Barry said, moving out of the kitchen and down the hall.

“Now wait a minute. I didn’t agree to this. I’m staying with Abby. I can take my bath there,” Betsy tried to object but Barry turned left instead of right.

“Do you trust me, Betsy? Do you trust us?” Barry asked glancing down at her as he turned another corner coming to a door which opened by itself.

“What does that have to do with anything? I don’t even know you!” She looked around the room. It was three times the size as Abby’s and at the back end she noticed a bed that had to be six times the small twin she slept on.

“That is a good point. You stay here and we’ll get to know each other. I can promise you this, Betsy.” He placed his finger under her chin and brought her attention back to him. “We will not do anything you don’t want to do, but I really believe it’s best you stay with us for now. Inside you know you belong with us here.” Barry placed his hand over her heart while behind her Orion reached up and slid the coat down her back, exposing her chest to them.

She covered her breasts with her arms, shaking her head. “I listened to my heart twice and all it got me was hurt and pain. How can I be sure?” she flinched when Orion took a washcloth to her back and started to clean the blood off of her.

“Betsy, I can’t promise we’ll not hurt you. In every relationship there are times when words or actions cause pain, but I promise you we are not going anywhere. You are stuck with us and I know we can make this work if you give us a chance.” He held out his hand, waiting for her to place her hand into his. To trust him, them.

“I might run when I get scared,” she stated putting her hand into his and staring into his eyes.

“Then we will follow and bring you back, facing every scary thing together. You will never have to face anything alone unless you want to. Even then you might have one of us with you, but we pledge to give you the space you need.” Betsy winced when Orion came to the spot on her side that had been hit.

“This is more than a scrape, kitten,” Orion grumbled. “I need her to lie on the bed so I can heal her correctly. The wound is still bleeding and the bullet didn’t graze her, it went right through her side.” He frowned at her as she glanced up at him. “I’m surprised you are even walking around. You have to be in pain.”

Before she could say a word, Barry led her to the bed and pointed to it. “Lay down Betsy, so we can take care of you.”

She rolled her eyes and climbed onto the bed. “I’ve lived for years hiding my pain. If I ever called out, the punishment was three times worse. I’m sure you cam see the scars now.” Betsy glanced back at the three men who surrounded the bed she lay on. “I warned you. I wasn’t pretty.”

“Heal her, Orion. Davis, start a nice warm bath for our lady and you.” Barry turned his gaze on her. “Just because you have a few scars, does not mean you aren’t beautiful.” He took off his dress shirt and she moaned, burying her face into the bed.

“No, your scars don’t make you look bad, but you’re a man, Barry.” She brought her hands in front of her and looked at the rough scars on them. “Woman should have smooth skin, not bumpy and rough.” She slid her hands under her thighs and lowered her head on the pillow when Orion sat down on one side of the bed and Barry on the other.

Without a word Barry took hold of her arm and lifted her hand out and raised it up to his mouth, kissing each mark. “With each touch it will remind me to spoil you, that you have suffered enough in your lifetime and need loving and caring,” he whispered leaning down and kissing her lips softly.

“Her bath is ready?” Davis announced, breaking the spell she had been under. But Betsy knew without out a doubt that the three men had opened a small hole in the wall that surrounded her heart and were slowly working on possessing it.

Chapter Two

Barry glanced at the bathroom door and took a drink of his beer. His little kitten might be all fierce on the outside, but he had seen the soft cuddly woman inside. “We have our work cut out for us gentlemen,” he said, blocking her from hearing them. “Our woman might act tough, but I believe she needs our full attention and guidance.” He got up and went to the door, knowing Anthony, Isaac and Lacey were coming down the hall.

“How is she? Is she going to be okay?” Lacey asked as she stepped into their room and scanned it.

“She’s in the tub, Orion has healed her and she’s coping as best as she can, considering everything she’s gone through.” Barry turned to take a better glance at his mates’ sister. Where Betsy was quiet and assessing everything around her, Lacey plunged right in.

“You’re not rushing her, are you? I’m surprised she agreed to be here and not with Abby. What did you do?” she growled and Isaac laughed, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

“Calm down, Lacey. You know for a fact your sister wouldn’t have stayed if she didn’t want to. Give my men some credit here.” He nipped her ear and glanced up at Isaac. “Well, two of my men that is. How are you doing Barry? We haven’t spoken much since Orion was hurt.” Isaac pulled out a chair at their table and placed Lacey in it.

Orion snarled. “There is no need to bring that up. It was all my fault. There is no need to question our
orak.”

The bathroom door flew open and Betsy stepped out with a towel wrapped around her. “What’s wrong?” She asked glancing at Orion.

“Nothing is wrong, I’m sorry I interrupted your bath, little kitten. I just get a little protective,” Orion said., going to Betsy and rubbing his cheek on the top of her head. “Go finish your bath, we’ll wait.”

“Why is someone threating one of you? Lacey what did you say now?” Betsy asked and Lacey laughed.

“For once it wasn’t me and it’s nothing to worry about, but I would appreciate you putting on some clothes. My men might not stray, but they sure don’t need to see my little sister practically nude.”

Betsy rolled her eyes and shook her head, before turning back into the bathroom, but not before he noticed her pat Orion’s arm trying to give him some comfort. “Like your men would even look at me when they have you,” their little kitten mumbled and slammed the bathroom door.

As soon as the door shut, Lacey looked at Barry. “Please don’t hurt her, she’s all I have now with Maya gone.”

For the first time since meeting this woman, Barry saw the pain behind her eyes that matched that of her sister. “I promise to put your sister first,” he glanced at the door. “I’ve known darkness for a long time and I know what it can do to a person.” He looked back at Lacey. “The both of you shouldn’t have gone through what you did, but hopefully we’ll be able to give her hope and maybe even some new dreams. After all, it’s the Christmas season and miracles do happen. I have found my family when for so long I never believed I would have one.”

Isaac leaned over and squeezed his shoulder. “You will be a great leader for your family and maybe this will give the four of you something to concentrate on while you learn about each other. We have word from one of our men in London that a number of children were placed in orphanages. My brother had been working and following Lacey’s father and knows for a fact that his group visited that city at least once a year. I’m having a list complied as we speak and will deliver it to you. I thought the eight of us could go together. Dan can make the arrangements as soon as you agree.”

“What about your wedding?” Barry asked and noticed Lacey already shaking her head.

“Our wedding can wait. My niece and nephew can’t.” Lacey glanced at the bathroom door. “I failed my sister once and I won’t do it again.”

“You didn’t fail me, Lacey. Even though not long ago I believed you did in my heart, I know you couldn’t have saved me. So it’s true? There’s a lead on my babies?” Betsy slid into the chair Davis had pulled back for her.

“Looks like we’re all going to London. Dan is talking with his family now, the plane can be ready to go tomorrow morning. The other women are staying here and will help get our new land ready,” Lacey reached over and squeezed Betsy’s hand.

Anthony placed a plate of food in front of her. “Eat, all of you,” he ordered as he placed a plate in front of himself and Orion.

Barry shook his head and smiled. “Who am I to turn down your food? What time do you want to leave tomorrow? Are we sure the contact is right about this? Betsy doesn’t need to get her hopes up and have them shattered again. She’s been through enough already.” Barry looked up at Isaac. “How is your brother Lark doing?”

Isaac lifted Lacey up and took the chair while placing Lacey in his lap. “Lark is doing well. He has Sally and they both know they need to search for their other
weru.
He doesn’t blame you, Barry. Lark knows the situation. You were called in for you three to act like a family. He’d like to come with us. and help with the children to make sure they are healthy.” He glanced over at Orion, who shrugged.

“I have no problem with him coming. He will always be a good friend to us and we would welcome the help with finding our children,” Orion stated, leaning over and squeezing Betsy’s arm. “They are our children now Betsy.”

“Orion is right, little kitten. When we get Mandy and Jordon back, they will have a family waiting for them,” Barry stated watching her play with the food on her plate. A single tear slid down her cheek.

“What if they are happy where they are? Do we have the right to take them away from a good home?” Betsy looked up at him, then at Lacey. “Would it be wrong to interrupt their lives?”

Not being able to stand seeing Betsy hurting so much, Barry rose and moved to her, lifting her up into his arms, sitting in her seat. She fussed for about two seconds, but gave up when he just held her tight surrounding her with warmth and comfort, nothing more. “There is no reason to think about that right now. Just concentrate on finding them. We’ll deal with whatever problems arise when they happen.”

All other thoughts and questions stopped when alarms sounded throughout the complex. Betsy jumped up and was already at the door with Lacey right next to her before any of them knew what was going on. Barry jumped up and grabbed hold of Betsy while Isaac did the same with Lacey.

“Let’s go. We’ve been breached,” Lacey snarled and fought to get down as did Betsy.

“Enough!” Isaac yelled, stopping Lacey’s struggles and Betsy’s. “We are surrounded by our warriors. Do you really believe anyone would be able to get in here!” Isaac demanded, the King’s voice coming out had all of them lowering their heads to him.

“But you don’t understand,” Lacey whimpered. “That is the tunnel warning, they’re already inside the compound.”

Isaac glanced at Anthony, who nodded. “Show me, you know how? And you stay behind us at all times. Remember you are carrying our children.” Isaac’s tone was demanding, and Lacey nodded.

“We’ll cover the rear, the women can be between us,” Barry stated as they took off toward a part of the compound that he hadn’t been in before. The tunnels were old and cold.