Page 40 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

Everyone was feeling lazy. Yesterday was a good day, but tiring—there was nothing like having a big holiday feast and celebrating a holiday like Christmas.

Everyone helped to cook, preventing the burden of cooking from falling on one or two people.

And Twyla and Akiva made sure that they did any last-minute decorating at Cerys and Brax’s house.

Leah had confessed last week that Simon and Shiloh were super excited to have Santa visit, but they were concerned that he wouldn’t be able to find them since they’d moved around so much.

We assured Adir and Leah that they had nothing to worry about on that front and to leave it to us.

With the amount of traveling and their lack of jobs, they were saving their money as much as they could.

It was the smart thing to do, and we encouraged them to do it.

However, there was no way we would allow two children to be disappointed.

They tried to tell us not to worry about it, and they’d make up for it when they were back to being established.

The other Sentinels and I informed them we were excited to do it.

It would be practice for Brax and Cerys in a few years, and if Akiva and I were lucky, maybe us in a year or two after them.

Again, not knowing precisely what kids their age would like, Twyla, Cerys, and Akiva shopped for them together, and then she and I went together, the way Cerys and Brax did.

The guys and I didn’t give each other gifts, but I wanted to give them to Akiva, as well as something for Cerys and Twyla.

I had my woman’s help to pick out the latter two.

For her, I insisted I’d do it myself. I refused to cheat and have the other women do it for me.

The visit from Santa had been a huge success.

Shiloh and Simon were ecstatic with the things they received.

Their parents were teary-eyed over it. Twyla and Cerys loved all the gifts from my friends and me.

Akiva had protested when she saw boxes for her under our tree at our house on Christmas morning.

But I refused to listen to her. She’d gone behind my back and done shopping for me.

I admonished her for wasting money, but she smiled and said it wasn’t a waste. It was our first Christmas.

The feast was amazing, and we all overate and then ate more.

Football was watched, and so were some Christmas cartoons the kids loved.

All in all, it was a very successful day.

The only downside was that we had to endure Hadar’s scowling face.

He was no better than the last time we saw him.

I thought he was worse because there was no doubt that Akiva had been claimed.

I watched him sniff and then get a thunderous look on his face when they first entered Brax and Cerys’s home.

I met his gaze and let him see the triumph in me.

It was late evening when we left the couple to rest and privately celebrate.

All the cleaning had been handled before we did, though.

Today, we just relaxed and planned how to spend New Year’s Eve.

Akiva and I offered to host a get-together, but it would be for shifters only.

She’d met the Bhaer family, but there were six others she hadn’t.

Those in Asa’s group were asked to join us.

It would be a good time to ensure they knew everyone they could ask questions of and who could provide help.

Besides, it was time to update everyone on our efforts to warn others and what we knew regarding the Knights. We wished we had more to tell them.

There would be light snacks and drinks, not an actual dinner, but the way Akiva was making lists and checking things off, you’d think we were, and that the president of the United States was coming.

I teased her about it, which made her narrow her eyes at me and threaten to go on a sex strike.

I told her to try it and see what happened.

It would soon be dark. I suggested we take a walk and see if it helped her relax.

If we or our bears happened to feel amorous, all the better.

Akiva hadn’t minded the suggestion. The temperature was supposed to drop to forty-five tonight.

That was nothing for our kind. However, I did make her wear a jacket when we left the house.

The sounds of the various animals and insects were different at night than during the day.

We enjoyed listening to them calling out.

It was like listening to a symphony. Being away from a town, the night sky was full of stars.

It was unbelievably gorgeous. The sky at night always fascinated me when I could view it away from artificial lights.

We’d been walking hand in hand through my property for about an hour.

I was giving her a tour of it, so she would know where mine ended and those of the other Sentinels began.

When possible, we’d found ways to buy up land and homes to create a considerable section of property that was all ours.

Extending from the other side of Royal’s acreage was the Bhaer family’s land.

Akiva and I were resting on a downed tree.

I had a broken branch in my hand. I had my flashlight on for this part.

We could see well enough in the dark without it when walking.

I was sketching a map of all the holdings of the Sentinels and other shifters in the area in the dirt.

I’d wait to show her where the cells were.

Those were there for when we had to hold shifters until we could carry out their sentence or turn them over to the Council of Oracles. Thinking of the Oracles made me frown.

I should’ve known Akiva would catch it. “What’s wrong, Fen?”

“Nothing,” was my automatic response.

“It’s not nothing. Talk to me,” she asked.

“It was an errant thought about the Council of Oracles. Since they went into their protect their own asses mode, they’ve been quiet on all other fronts.

We haven’t been asked to go after any rogues or carry out sentences.

It’s been radio silence. It worries me. I hate to think they’re up to something, but what else can I think?

They’ve proven they’re not exactly trustworthy, or at least not always. ”

“Do the other Sentinels feel the same?” she asked.

“They do. We’d visit the Oracles in person if it weren’t such a far trip.”

“You know, I’ve heard of them but never where they can be found. They’re shrouded in mystery like the Sentinels are.”

“They’re in Greece in the area of Delphi, where they’ve been since ancient times.”

“I’ve never been there and I don’t know Greece’s geography,” she stated.

“It’s about six miles or thereabouts from the Gulf of Corinth.

It sits between tall rock towers that form Mount Parnassus.

We don’t go unless we have to turn over a rogue for sentencing by the Council.

Rarely did they want to see the process in person and take care of it themselves.

It’s been a while since we’ve done that.

When we’ve done it in the past, if it didn’t require all of us, Brax would go. ”

“Why him versus one of you?”

“He’s Greek. His parents are still there in Corfu. They were the ones who the Black Plague changed. They were here visiting for the wedding. He’s been trying for years to get them to migrate here. They keep saying no, but with the twins coming, there’s hope they may.”

“It’s funny to think of you guys being so old, even though intellectually, I know many shifters are hundreds of years old. Where are you from originally, Fen?” As she asked, she snuggled into my arms. We were now leaning against a tree, seated on the ground with her on my lap.

“I’m a good old Englishman. I’m from the Cumberland district, the city of Carlisle.

It played a significant role in history because it was located near the Scottish border.

Like Abraxas, my parents were the first generation of shifters.

When I was a hundred, my parents were in their bear forms in the woods.

We still lived in England then. They were accidentally killed by hunters while in their animal forms.”

“Oh my God, I had no idea. I’m so sorry. That must’ve been terrible. What did you do? Did you or do you have other family?”

“There’s no way you could’ve known, so there’s nothing to be sorry about.

It was horrible, and I admit, I was pissed.

It took everything in me not to go after the men who did it.

However, they didn’t know and were hunting to provide clothing and food for the winter.

After that, I began to travel and live not only in other parts of England and the UK but also in many areas of Europe.

Eventually, I decided I wanted to live here in the United States.

I have some very distant cousins. The last I heard of them was about fifty years ago. We’ve never stayed in touch.”

“I wish I knew who my mom was and where she came from. I often wonder if there are other family members I could connect with. And then there were the other children she had, and they sold. What became of them? Were their lives good ones or nightmares? Do they know where they came from?”

“Starlight, if there’s a way to find any of them, we’ll do it.”

“Starlight?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder, giving me a cute, puzzled look.

“I was trying to come up with a pet name for you. I didn’t think you’d go for honeypot.

” Her growl made me chuckle. “So I thought of what Nova meant and your name. Akiva means shelter or protector, and a nova is a new star that appears and then fades. I was thinking about how incredible you are and how you make me feel, and for some reason, I ended up with Starlight. Do you want me to think of another?”

“No, no, you can call me whatever you want. I like it. But it means I’ll have to create something equally unique for you. Sugar Bear just doesn’t get it.”