Cory was in shock, he couldn’t believe his dad was making this easy, letting him take Maddie wherever he wanted. "Thanks, Dad, it means a lot to me. This will help her to understand what a warrior is."
Shade nodded. "Si, but this is not a free pass to go exploring the whole damn camp. It is dangerous being around the warriors, especially ones learning to control weapons and their attitudes. "
Shade stood and wandered around, looking at all the tools hanging from the wall. "So, how are things going with Madison?"
Cory followed his father’s movement around the shop. "If you're asking if I’ve fed from her, the answer is no." His face turned red and he could feel the heat creeping up his cheeks. "And no, I haven’t slept with her yet, either. She seems to be undecided about all of it. I know she loves me, but Luca said to let her set the pace. I’m not pushing her, Dad. I need her to make that decision on her own. It has to be hers to make, so when she comes to me, she comes knowing all there is to know."
Shade turned around and winked at Cory. "When the hell did you get so smart? Waiting is a good thing. You have time, both of you. She is special, and I can tell she loves you, and letting her decide is good."
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud ruckus outside. Shade looked in the direction of the door. “Well, son, it sounds like the warriors are back from their expedition. Damn good thing we live in the county, cazzo, that rowdy bunch could wake up a small country!"
Walking to the door, Shade turned before going out. "Protect her while she is in this camp, it is dangerous. Don’t hang around too long with her here. Let her see the shop, and what you do for the warriors, and how valuable you are to the coven. How valuable you are to me, because I have no idea what I ever did without you."
Cory stood and walked to him, giving him a hug. "I feel the same, and thanks, I’ll make sure she’s safe here."
Shade walked out the door, yelling in his booming voice at the warriors and Cory smirked. "Yep, that’s my dad. Kicking ass and taking names."
61
It had been a few weeks since Madison had learned the truth about Cory's family. His father said she’d be under their protection, and a warrior would be assigned to her at all times. Madison wasn’t certain how she felt about that, and she wondered if Shade had assigned the warriors to protect her or to make sure she didn’t talk about what she knew. Either way, it made her a little nervous to know she was under constant surveillance.
Cory still came and went, their relationship developing its own routine. They saw each other almost daily. She loved him, and even though he’d slept over a few times, he wasn’t putting any pressure on her to move the relationship to the next step. She felt both relieved and disappointed at the same time.
She was working at the potter’s wheel, enjoying the feel of the wet clay as it spun in her hands, almost lost in meditative thought as the vase took shape beneath her experienced hands, when she heard a knock at the door. She paused the wheel and wiped her hands dry on a cloth, wondering who might be visiting. Cory had said he had some work to catch up on in his shop and he wouldn't be by tonight. Walking to the door, she peered out the window before opening the lock to see Shannon.
Madison's heart was pounding, her first thought being something must be wrong. Why would Shannon come here? She wasn't even aware Shannon knew where she lived. Opening the door quickly, Shannon gave her a bright smile and held up two bottles of wine.
"Hey! Sorry to barge in on you. Cory said he had to work tonight, and I thought you might like some company."
Madison was surprised to see her but swung the door open, welcoming her into the space. "Come on in. I was at the potter’s wheel, but I'm happy for some company."
In the back of her mind, Madison wondered if this was part of the surveillance. Shannon stepped into the living room, made cozy with an eclectic collection of pillows, all in different colors and fabrics and a lot of plants. Her apartment was very organic, and reflected her personality to a tee.
Madison waved her in the direction of the long bench sofa, piled high with pillows, which sat against the large window. "Have a seat. I'll get us some glasses."
Shannon set the wine bottles down on the coffee table and curled up on the old but very comfortable sofa, as Madison returned to the room with two wine glasses and a corkscrew. She opened a bottle and poured the wine, sitting down next to Shannon. Madison had spent very little time with Shannon, and always in the company of others. She found this sudden visit curious. "So, what brings you here? I wasn't aware you even knew where I lived."
Shannon took a glass from the table, sipping at the white wine. "We all know where you live now. Shade gave strict instructions, as you're aware, you’re to be protected at all times. Luca and Marcello coordinate as to which warrior will be assigned to provide coverage."
Madison took a sip of her own wine. "I'm sorry, Marcello?"
Shannon shrugged. "He was one of the warriors you bumped into the night you accidentally wandered in the direction of Shade's office. He oversees the camp. You know about the camp, right?"
Madison shook her head yes, then no. "Uh, sort of. I mean, I hear them refer to the camp, and warriors, but no. I guess I don't really understand the camp."
Shannon gave her a long look before answering. Reaching over, she placed her hand on Madison's knee. "Do you love him?"
Madison nodded. "I think I’ve always loved him, even before I was ready to admit it. Cory was able to just, you know, meet me where I am. He didn't expect anything from me, didn't want to change me."
Madison smiled at her. "I know this is hard, Madison. I know this feels overwhelming, and confusing. I know you wake up in the middle of the night sometimes and think, 'what have I gotten myself into?' Am I right?"
"Yes, I do. It feels more than a little surreal. But I hope everyone knows I’d never say anything. Is that why you’re here?"
Shannon laughed. "Madison, I'm not your keeper. Trust me, if Shade felt, for one minute, you were a threat to his coven, we wouldn’t be having this conversation."
Madison swirled the wine in her glass, watching the liquid as it created a small vortex of energy in the center of her glass. "But there is surveillance?"
Shannon nodded. "I know, it's overkill. You're in no danger, but Shade is a master, he protects what’s his, and right now, like it or not, you’re a part of his coven. And since you’re not a vampire yourself, he’ll provide you with the protection of his warriors."
Madison nodded slowly. "Do you have warriors who protect you?"
Shannon smiled. "I have Luca. And if Luca isn’t accessible to me, then someone is assigned. But I spend more and more time at Bel Rosso. Shade will be happy when I just move in permanently, and Luca and I are moving toward that."
Madison relaxed a little as she realized this would be an evening of girl talk, and Shannon was the one person in this madness who she could relate to. "So, how long have you been with Luca?"
Shannon's smile lit up the room. "Almost four years now. And they’ve been the best years of my life. We’ll seal the blood covenant soon, and I’ll move in. Of course, I could have moved in anytime. The invitation has always been there. But I had my own job, and I needed to hang on to it. I needed time to figure out where I fit, so I understand what you're going through."