The vampire is staring at me. "Agreed. But first, time out. What ghostly companion?"
They listen as I describe the bracelet Athanis left me with, and how I see and hear him from his separate foothold in this plane of existence we yet share until he is reaped.
"There is a female spirit who also watches over Heidi," I finish. "My mate must have a fae-charmed object much like mine. She and her companion seem close."
Asher makes a face. "Let me guess—it's the blue-haired girl in all the pictures."
I follow his gesture to see images upon on the wall of Heidi's sitting room and nod. "That is the one."
"Ghosts. Fuckinggreat,"the magic-user huffs, which confuses me because he clearly does not find it great.
He may be unhappy with the dead who guide us, yet I am grateful that Athanis could guide me swiftly away from the fae facility to my mate's dwelling.
I look back at the others. "We must speak of how to convince my mate that she is worthy of more love, lest any of us feel the hellish sorrow of her choosing one and rejecting the remainder of us."
"Aw, hells. He's right. If she didn't pick me as herone boyfriend, I'd fucking drop dead," Zak agrees. "'Kay. Four boyfriends it is, then."
Ian frowns. "Where are you coming up with four?"
Zak nods his chin toward the magic-user. "You, me, Naked McGee, and Smoothtalker over there, obviously."
The vampire peers at Asher with narrowed eyes. "So you'renotjust her bodyguard. Liar."
Asher folds his arms, his stance immovable. "What lie? I'm keeping my hands to myself until this job is over. But if Heidi's not matched into a full quintet by the time the shitstorm ends, you can bet your dead ass I won't bejust a bodyguardto her anymore."
Ian considers this as he looks between us. "Fine. Then she can have three boyfriends, because I'm going to be her fucking husband."
Husband? The word resonates in my head through the ear device, but it only makes me picture a mate. I look at Athanis, confused.
"A wedded one. Joined not only by fate, but also by social customs and choice," he clarifies.
"I wish for this as well," I say immediately, eager to claim my mate in all possible ways.
"Me too," Zak nods, smirking up at the blessed one. "And Smoothtalker can be her little side piece, if he ever even gets a chance with our girl."
I am pleased these strong suitors are in agreement with me. It is the way of shifters to seek out our fated ones, be they one or many, and to care for them however we can. These are strange males, but seeing how protective they were of my sweet mate when I arrived, they will do all they can to care for her.
Just as I will.
Asher rolls his eyes at Zak. "All right, motherfuckers. If you're all serious about convincing Heidi to date all of you, here are three ground rules. First, give Heidi her space and don't try to pressure or coerce her. Second, you all need to be wearing mytherun at all times—and don't fucking touch her without herexpresslyasking for it first."
"No worries. She begged for it once. I'll get her begging again," Zak grins.
"Shut up," Ian sighs.
I look at the blessed one, nodding. "I agree to these earth rules. What is the third?"
"Not earth,ground—you know what? Never mind," Asher mutters before giving us a serious look. "Here's the third rule. When Heidi decides to go to the Seeking, whether it's in a few days or a year from now, you three can't start any bullshit with heractualmatches, whoever they may be. There will be no getting in the way of the best possible future for Heidi, even if it means letting her go."
Ian and Zak grow strangely quiet at this new rule.
"Seeking?" I ask.
Asher explains that in this modern day, descendants of monsters—legacies—are matched by the gods into fated groups which complete one another's souls. The way he describes it, it is not so different from a Mate Hunt, only there is no chasing under a full moon. Instead, holy magic reveals one's missing soul pieces, who are later bound to the heart of their central "keeper."
I am lucky, for I already know I am her mate. When she does go to the Seeking, I know it is inevitable we shall be bound together.
But now I understand why the vampire and the infernal one are disquieted. If they are not revealed to be chosen by the gods for Heidi, they will lose her.
