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The cavern itself was massive, larger than any he’d ever seen except one in the Himalayas a couple of centuries ago. Rumy’s cavern was easily five hundred feet in height at its tallest point and well over two miles long, maybe even more. But it was the sound of children in the distance, all headed toward the villa, that got to him. So many in one place was nothing short of a miracle in his world, though he was pretty sure that Shayna had it right, that human females had brought their enhanced baby-making abilities into the mix.
“This is like a dream,” Shayna said. She slid her hand in his and squeezed, adding another layer of ache to his heart. She looked wonderful, her blond hair parted in the middle, brushed to a shine, and reaching to mid-back. He ignored how young she looked and how young she actually was compared with his four hundred years.
He watched more villagers arrive, adding to the already groaning buffet table, setting down the dishes they’d prepared. He’d lived a warrior’s life for such a long time that the sight of traditional home-cooked meals, from all parts of the globe given the range of ethnicities represented, made him long for a different kind of life.
Mostly he ate food on the run at human fast-food restaurants anywhere around the globe, or at any of several excellent restaurants in The Erotic Passage. But he couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat down to a family meal.
“I know I had soup just a bit ago, but I’m still really hungry. Can you believe the aromas coming from that table?”
“No, I can’t.”
The next few minutes were spent greeting Rumy again as well as Eve. Rumy also introduced them to his security team, made up of no less than thirty men, most of whom had married former slaves.
Shayna saw Yvonne, the woman who had served as her nurse, and joined her to meet her family. Eve followed and both Marius and Rumy enjoyed watching Yvonne’s husband avoid looking at Eve’s ample and well-exposed chest.
Rumy elbowed him. “She’s a good person. Shayna, I mean. I take it she saved your ass again by donating.”
“Yes, she did.” He told Rumy about what had happened in Costa Rica and on the flight to Cuba, which had Rumy whistling. He then eyed Rumy. “You have one helluvan operation here. Was this always your plan? To rescue slaves?”
“Not hardly. It just sort of happened. Yvonne was the first. She belonged to Daniel, a favorite of his, and you can imagine the hell she went through. He made a fortune off her and of course used her himself. One of my men who worked undercover at the Dark Cave system got her out of there, which meant I couldn’t send him back. I knew your father would have hunted her to the ends of the earth to bring her under his control, so I took her in. After that, well, I couldn’t help them all but if I heard of women who’d escaped, I’d search for them and bring them here. As rare as it was to get out of the Dark Cave system alive, I thought they deserved a shot.”
“You’ve done a good thing.”
“Least I could do.”
Rumy glanced at the blood-chain at Marius’s neck and frowned. “And you’re sure you’re still connected to Shayna?”
“We are. I know it’s seems strange, but we don’t have the usual proximity issue, and I can carry her in altered flight without a problem—but no, I can’t tell you why. However, I can tell you what she’s experiencing moment-to-moment, as clear as a bell, so I know the bond holds.”
“Well, this is a real mystery.” Rumy rubbed his lower lip, just between his fangs. “But that might explain why, when I told Gabriel what was going on and suggested he have the set of double-chains ready for you, he said it wouldn’t be necessary.”
Marius was grateful in this situation that Gabriel hadn’t pushed the issue, but he wondered what it was Gabriel knew that he didn’t.
Rumy’s phone rang and he stepped away, only to cover the phone and turn back to Marius. “Something at The Erotic Passage.” He grimaced. “One of the club owners. No big deal but I’d better take it.”
Marius nodded. He turned his attention back to the potluck. The children had already started going down the buffet table, and mothers hovered nearby to help them fill their plates.
Eve left Yvonne and Shayna, and returned to stand next to him. “Isn’t this a surprise? Rumy’s commune?”
Marius smiled at her. “Astonishing. And he just told me about Yvonne.”
Eve’s gaze traveled her direction. “Yeah, she gives me perspective. I’ve lived an exceptional life. I’ve always done as I pleased and I’ve never had to deal with anything like what these women have been through. Daniel needs to be put down.”
“Yes. He does. No question.”
He waved an arm to encompass the full stretch of river. “Do you know what’s funny about this? I always thought Rumy kept a harem of women here to satisfy his every whim. I imagined orgies at his villa. Never kids, families, or potlucks, for God’s sake.”
“I know. It’s extraordinary, but then I’ve had all these years to get used to it. Of course, that meant I had to pretend I’d never been here, and I really had to keep my trap shut about how great he is. But I’ve helped as best I could with the transition for these women.”
“So you’ve been coming here for years.”
“I have.”
He felt Shayna reach for him telepathically. He caught her gaze from across the lawn. What is it? he asked.
Would you mind if I sat with Yvonne and her family? Now that you and I don’t have a proximity issue, I’d love to get to spend some time with her kids and her husband. I have so many questions.
He couldn’t help but smile. He recognized the particular thrill Shayna was experiencing when she knew she had a rare opportunity to explore an aspect of his culture, something she might not get to do again. He wouldn’t have denied her for the world.
