In a Stranger's Eyes Read online

“He’s gone,” Kieran called from the sofa as he flipped through the channels on the television. “He and Lynk went to Haven, but they should be back soon. Aslan’s in the kitchen cooking dinner, though.”

  “What are they doing in Haven?”

  The werewolf turned to look over the back of the couch and shrugged. “Council business. That’s all I know.”

  “I thought the coven they took into custody was brought to Snake River?” He glanced at October with a furrowed brow.

  “No, we just loaned some Enforcers for the hunt. That’s all.” With such a large coven of his own to manage, he rarely got involved with the affairs of others. This situation had been a bit personal after what had happened to Raith’s brother, Thane, at the hands of one of his own, however, and he’d felt obligated to offer some sort of assistance.

  “Okay, well, tell him to find me when he gets here. I’ve got some info about Mikko.”

  “Will do,” Kieran responded with a wave over his head as he turned back to the widescreen.

  “We need to talk to Aslan about Kaito anyway. Come on, babe.”

  “Raith, we just got here, and we have all weekend. Why don’t you enjoy your family and leave the other stuff for later?”

  “I’d rather just get it over with. I won’t be able to relax until we deal with it.”

  It was such a typical Raith response thatOctober didn’t bother to argue. “Okay, we’ll do it your way.”

  “I thought I heard you guys,” Aslan said by way of greeting when they stepped into the kitchen. Wiping his hands clean on a dishtowel, he hurried across the tiled floor to pull Raith into a hug. “It’s been boring around here without you.”

  Raith returned the embrace with the classic, onearmed “bro clench” but stepped away quickly. “I seriously doubt that, but I missed you, too.” He bumped his shoulder against Aslan’s and grinned. “So, what’s for dinner?”

  “Hot dogs and french fries, by special request from your nephew. That child is becomingvery demanding.”

  His description of Wren was comical, especially since he had the goofiest, lovesick smile on his face when he said it. That wasn’t the part October was focusing on, though. He shared a look with Raith, knowing his lover had caught the problem as well by the expression on his face.

  “Are you making anything other than hotdogs?” Raith asked.

  Aslan frowned and cocked his hip out to the side. “I hadn’t planned on it, but I suppose I could. Why? I thought you liked hot dogs.”

  “Well, we brought someone special with us, and he’s a rather picky eater.”

  “Oh?” Aslan arched both eyebrows and folded his arms over his chest. “Would this ‘someone’ be an adorable little vampire by the name of Kaito?”

  “That’s the one,” October confirmed. “I’m sure he’d eat hot dogs, but we promised that he didn’t have to anymore.”

  “Anymore?”

  “Well, see, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. He came from a situation kind of like Wren’s, probably worse, and we need to ask him some questions. We have no idea how to go about questioning a four-yearold, though.”

  “Since you have experience with children,” October added, “we were hoping you’d be able to help.”

  To his surprise, Aslan snorted and shook his head as he turned back to the oven to check on the fries.“You’ve spent as much time with kids as I have, probably more considering you have younger brothers. I don’t think you give yourself enough credit, Raith. Wren adores you, and you’re awesome with him.”

  “Yeah, but…” Raith trailed off and scrubbed a hand through his hair. “It’s easy with Wren, because I’m just Uncle Raith. We hang out and have fun. I’ve never had to do any of the hard stuff before.”

  “Enough.” October normally didn’t comment on Raith’s self- depreciating statements, but this was too much. “Draga, are you even listening to yourself? You don’t do anything important? You helped Kaito get over his fear of sleeping alone. You make sure he’s fed and bathed. You spend hours painting, coloring, or reading with him.”

  He was in awe of his mate. October didn’t know much about children, having never really been around them, but he enjoyed spending time with Kaito. Still, he had to work at it. He was always struggling to know what to do and find the right words. Sometimes he even envied Raith because the man had a way of making parenting look so effortless.

  “I couldn’t have said it better.” Aslan nodded in approval. “Kaito knows you, Raith. He trusts you. You’re probably the first person who has ever cared about him in his life. Just talk to him, and he’ll talk back.”

  There was something very special about Raith Benjamin Braddock, something that drew people to him, even with his usual gruff demeanor. He was a beautiful person, both inside and out, and he seemed to be the only one who couldn’t see it.

  Well, October was just going to have to find a way to change that.

  “I’ll go check on the boys,” he offered, sensing that his mate needed a minute alone to compose himself.

  Raith’s eyes shimmered a little in the overhead light, and he cleared his throat roughly as he found something very interesting to investigate on the far wall.

  “Oh, good.” Pulling open the door of the freezer, Aslan surveyed the contents as he spoke to October. “Could you please ask them to get washed up for dinner?” His nose wrinkled as he pulled out a sealed bag and held it up for inspection. “Does Kaito like chicken nuggets?”

  “I don’t think he’s had them, but he’s pretty easygoing.” October dipped his head in gratitude. “Thank you, Aslan. I’ll get them clean and to the kitchen.” He caressed Raith’s shoulder and squeezed his elbow before disappearing down the hallway.

  He was halfway to Wren’s room when it hit him. It was probably a menial task to most, but the simple act of getting the children ready for dinner struck October as surreal. It was a domestic chore, but one that gave him great joy. It was normal, and normal was something that had been missing from his life since the day he was born into that dysfunctional family.

  These everyday events were gifts to him, not something to begrudge. This was how a real family interacted with each other. Sure, they had their disagreements. The kids would drive them crazy, and they’d lose sleep worrying about one another. Sacrifices would be made, but it was all so they could gain something even better.

  This was family, and by some miracle, he found himself a part of it. It had only taken a thousand years, but he finally had a family to call his own, and he’d do whatever it took to make sure no harm ever came to any of them.

  * * * *

  “So, is Kaito’s stay in Snake River just temporary?” Raith settled down in one of the chairs at the table and grunted. “Yeah, we’re looking for a permanent home, but it’s not easy. How do we know who to trust with him?”

  “You love him,” Aslan replied simply as he pulled plates and cups down from the cabinets.

  “Yeah, I guess I do.” It was the first time he’d ever admitted it out loud, and it felt good to get the confession off his chest. “He deserves better, though.”

  “And why do you say that?”

  “Aslan, you know what I am. You know what I’ve done. Would you really put a child into the hands of someone evil?”

  His brother-in-law started to giggle. After a few seconds the giggle became a chuckle, and before Raith could figure out what was so funny, the guy was leaning against the counter and laughing his fool head off.

  “What is it with you Braddock men, anyway? Did you know that Torren thought he wouldn’t make a good father?”

  Raith shook his head. “Torren is a pain in my ass.” The guy was his brother, and he loved him dearly, but there was always going to be some goodnatured ribbing there. “He’s an amazing dad, though.”

  “Exactly,” Aslan said with an emphatic nod when he pulled himself together. “What about me, Raith? Most people would say I’m too young to be a parent. I don’t have the most illustrious pas
t, and I hear dead people—most of them aren’t the nicest of people, either. Would you say that I’m not a good father to Wren?”

  “Never.” Yes, the things Aslan had said were true, but they in no way affected his ability to care for Wren. He loved that boy more than anything in the world, and he went above and beyond to make sure his son knew it every single day. “Wren couldn’t have asked for better parents if he’d handpicked you and Torren himself.”

  A fond, half smile tugged at one corner of his lips as he pierced Raith with his gaze. “Thank you, Raith, but you’re missing the point. You’re never going to find a family for Kaito, because he already has one. Stop fighting it so much and just let it happen.”

  “When did you become so wise?”

  Raith still remembered the day he’d met Aslan. It hadn’t been the happiest of meetings, and he was surprised Torren had forgiven him so quickly after he’d accused his brother of mistreating his mate. Small, fragile, alone, and scared, Aslan had basically been crying out for a protector. Yes, he was young, and Raith had thought him a bit flighty in the beginning, but he’d never doubted Aslan’s intelligence. Apparently, mated life suited him well.

  “I’m not wise, but I’ve seen enough bad in the world to recognize the good. You’re one of the good ones, Raith.” His head tilted to the side, and he fisted his hands on his narrow hips. “Tell me something. How does it make you feel to think about giving up Kaito?”

  It felt like someone was stabbing him in the stomach with a whitehot poker. He knew there were good people in the world, people who could care for the small vampire and maybe even love him. Raith had a hard time believing that anyone would ever love Kaito like he did, though. In less than a week, the boy had burrowed into his heart, and all Raith wanted to do was wipe away his suffering and ensure that it never happened again.

  The timer on the oven beeped, and Aslan grabbed an oven mitt to extract the tray of chicken nuggets. “You don’t have to tell me,” he said over his shoulder. “I can already see the answer on your face.”

  Raith didn’t know if that was true or not, but he didn’t get a chance to argue his case any further. Little footsteps pounded down the hallway, accompanied by the sound of giggles and hushed voices.

  “Did you wash your hands?” Aslan asked when the two mischief- makers burst into the kitchen.

  “Yep,” Wren answered, holding his hands out for inspection.

  “And did you pick up your toys?”

  Wren sighed as he looked over at Kaito to roll his eyes. “Relax, Pops, I got this.”

  “Wren Braddock!” Aslan’s gaze darted to Raith, who threw his hands up in surrender.

  “Don’t look at me. I’ve been gone all week, and I definitely didn’t teach him that.”

  Aslan paused for just a second before his eyes narrowed. “Kieran,” he mumbled under his breath. “Okay, up at the table, boys. Do you want apple juice or milk?”

  “Milk,” Wren answered while Kaito just looked on in confusion.

  Leaning toward Raith, he tugged on his sleeve, urging him closer. “Do I want milk?”

  It was the little things like this that broke his heart and made him want to wrap the child up in a bubble of safety. “It’s up to you, little man. We talked about this, remember. It’s okay to make choices.”

  Kaito thought it over for a moment, folded his hands on the tabletop, and looked up at Aslan. “Can I please have some apple juice?”

  Hands landed on Raith’s shoulders, and October bent to place a soft kiss on the nape of his neck. “You are amazing, draga.”

  For once, he actually felt pretty amazing. “We need to talk,” he whispered back as he took his lover’s hand and squeezed.

  “Yes. I know what you’re going to say, and the answer is yes.”

  Spinning in his chair, Raith wanted to makesure that he’d heard correctly and that they were indeed talking about the same thing. “Are you sure?”

  October watched Kaito with the most adoring look in his eyes, and his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed hard. “It’s up to him, but I’m sure.” He bent again and kissed the top of Raith’s head. “We’ll talk about it more later.”

  “Done.”

  Raith had no idea how Wren had managed to speak the single word with all the food crammed in his mouth, and he had to look away to hide the smile on his face. Kaito looked amused, but he said nothing as he picked up a french fry and dipped it daintily into his ketchup. He hadn’t touched his chicken, though.

  “What’s up?” Raith asked as he reached across the table to pluck a nugget from Kaito’s plate and pop it into his mouth. “Don’t you like them?”

  “I dunno.” He eyed the breaded nuggets suspiciously. “Are they good?”

  “The best.”

  Kaito picked one up and held it up to sniff at it. “What is it?”

  “Chicken.”

  The boy wrinkled his nose and dropped the food. “No thank you.”

  Whether a byproduct from all the hotdogs he’d been forced to eat or simply a taste preference, Raith had noticed that Kaito never touched any meat on his plate at meal times. “Okay, but you’re going to have to eat more than fries, buddy.” If the kid didn’t want to eat meat, Raith wasn’t going to force him. There were other ways to get him the nutrients he needed. “How about a peanut butter sandwich?”

  Kaito beamed and bobbed his head. “Yes, please. No jelly, though. I don’t like jelly.”

  Chuckling as he rose to prepare the sandwich, Raith mussed up Kaito’s hair as he passed. “I remember.”

  “Daddy!” Wren squealed. The legs of his chair skidded across the tiles, and he sprinted toward the doorway of the kitchen, jumping into the air for Torren to catch him. “You’re home! Uncle Raith is here. That’s my new friend, Kaito. He doesn’t have a daddy. Can he live with us?”

  “Whoa, slow down, Wren.” Torren laughed and rubbed his nose against his son’s. “You smell like ketchup.”

  The comment about Kaito’s lack of parents caught Raith off guard, and he nearly dropped the jar of peanut butter. What else had Kaito revealed to the little pixie? Peeking at his mate, he knew October was mulling over the same idea that had just struck him. Maybe they’d found a way to get the information they needed without scaring Kaito or upsetting him. Hopefully, with Wren sitting right beside him, he wouldn’t be so nervous about telling his story.

  “Can we have ice cream? Will you build us a fort? I cleaned my room, and I didn’t yell all day. I made you a picture. Do you wanna see it?”

  As Raith listened to his nephew babble, he couldn’t wipe the silly grin off his face. Kaito wasn’t quite that comfortable with them yet, but he’d get there. Instead of dreading the nonstop questions, Raith actually looked forward to it.

  He’d had another epiphany while talking to Aslan, and there was something else he needed to do. Unfortunately, it would be several more hours before he could get his mate alone. If hedidn’t lose his courage, however, it would be a night neither of them would forget.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I have Enforcers on their way to the McCarthy family estate in Louisiana as we speak. If Mikko is there, we’ll find him.” “And you spoke with Nicholas?” Torren asked.

  October inclined his head. “Yes, he was very cooperative and is

  also sending Enforcers from his own coven. We should know something by tomorrow evening.”

  “And you’re still holding Phillip?”

  “We thought it would be a good idea to keep him close until we find Mikko,” Raith answered. “If something goes wrong, we might need more information.”

  It didn’t escape October’s notice that he had conveniently left out the part where he’d syphoned Phillip’s magic. At the present, it didn’t affect anyone but Raith, so he saw no reason to divulge the information. He’d already said his piece on the subject, and worrying the others or having Raith’s brothers berate him wasn’t a productive course of action.

  “Okay.” Torren linked his
hands together between his splayed kneesand bobbed his head. “You did good, Raith. Thank you. I guess there’s not much left to do until we find Mikko and Thane gets stronger.”

  The newest Braddock to take up residence in the house was another concern for October. “How is Zasha?” His assistant had taken a leave of absence to spend time with his mate while Thane recovered, and October had only spoken to him twice in that time. With Thane so weak, it wouldn’t be ideal for Zasha to feed from the man, but he did need to feed.

  “Zasha is a big boy,” Raith reminded him as though reading his thoughts clearly. “He knows what he needs to do to stay healthy.”

  There was a big difference between knowing something and actually doing it. There was also the ingrained need of a vampire to feed from his mate and only his mate. The idea of taking blood from another was practically nauseainducing for him, and he didn’t think he was alone in his feelings.

  “I’m not so helpless that I can’t take care of my mate,” an indignant voice said from behind them.

  “He’s a damn fool,” Zasha added as he helped Thane into the only unoccupied seat in the living room and eased down on the arm of the chair beside him. “From what I understand, it runs in his blood.

  October glanced toward Raith and chuckled. “That it does.”

  “Agreed,” Aslan added with a roll of his eyes at Torren.

  “Absolutely.” Kieran cuddled Lynk in his lap and nuzzled the side of his neck. “I kind of like it, though.”

  “Good answer,” Lynk replied with a kiss to his mate’s cheek.

  It was an incredible feeling to be treated as an equal. No one gave October special treatment or acted as though he was anything more than just one of the guys. Gideon was his friend—probably his only friend—but it wasn’t as though they hung out regularly, drank beers, and watched the game on the flat screen.

  The only problem was that hedidn’t know how to be just a regular Joe. He’d spent the past few hundred years shaping himself into a leader, and turning all of that off wasn’t like flipping a switch. “You’re being careful, right?”

  Zasha snortedand stroked Thane’s dark hair back from his face. “Yes, sir. I take a sip every four or five days, just to appease him, but I get most of what I need from donor bags.”