Our laughter filled the room, a light moment amid the chaos. The scene might have been corny, but it felt perfectly right—a rare moment of peace as we navigated the storm inside and out.
"Fate, you really do enjoy your games, huh?"I mused silently. "Couldn’t you make this just a bit easier?"
Take Cover!
Lucas
“Thestormisreallypicking up,” I murmured, my gaze fixed on the boarded windows. The howling wind seemed almost a reflection of the chaos churning inside me, especially after learning that Talon’s lion wasn’t certain about our connection. The revelation stung, but what gnawed at me even more was the thought of my brother warning him off. I clenched my fists, the anger at Brian simmering just beneath the surface.
“Yeah, that wind is fierce,” Talon agreed, his voice pulling me back from my brooding thoughts as he reached for the TV remote. The screen flickered to life just as the weather anchor came into view.
“Hurricane Ada is definitely a storm for the record books,” the news anchor reported, her tone serious as she continued, “It not only formed quickly, but has shot across the Gulf. Here on the west coast of Florida, we’re already feeling its effects.”
I watched, transfixed, as the radar image displayed the storm’s menacing swirl. It was small, yet it packed a formidable punch—a dark, spiraling giant on the screen.
“Damn, it’s almost on top of us. Insane how fast this thing developed,” Dominic said, echoing my thoughts. His voice was a mix of awe and concern, a stark reminder of the urgent situation we faced.
“Have you gone through a lot of storms? I mean, I’ve seen plenty growing up here, but you being a demon, I assume you’ve seen a lot more than me,” I said.
Dominic smirked. “Is this your way of asking how old I am?”
I shrugged. “Yeah, I’m still curious about your demon half.”
Talon didn’t speak, but nodded in agreement.
“I’ve been around a very long time—millennia,” Dominic admitted.
“Wow, that’s wow. Well, since you’re a lot older than us, have you ever heard of having two mates before?” I asked.
“Yes, have you? I was wondering about that, too. I think it may be why my lion is so confused,” Talon added.
Dominic nodded sagely. “In the nether realm, it’s not unheard of. Demons can possess fragmented souls.”
I frowned. “Fragmented souls?”
“Demons inherently lack a soul,” Dominic began. “Our mates, or ‘Duša’, essentially become our souls, our anchors. Some demons, however, have more than one fragment in their soul, leading to multiple mates. Hell, I knew this one demon had eight fragments to his soul—a whole harem of men and women.”
“Eight!” I said, surprised. Holy shit, could that —
“Could there be another mate out there for us?” Talon asked before I could form the question.
Dom’s eyes grew introspective. “I doubt it. If there were, they'd be with us now. I suspect that once we bond, everything will become crystal clear.”
Talon snorted, “Quite confident about this bonding, aren't you?” I couldn't help but chuckle at the playful banter.
Dom’s expression softened. “Hope has been a rare commodity for me lately. But seeing both of you here, not running away? That instills hope.”
“I regret avoiding you and how I acted after the bathroom incident,” Talon murmured softly, his voice tinged with remorse.
“I forgive you,” Dominic replied, his tone gentle.
The mood was teetering on the edge of becoming somber again. Keen to steer the conversation away from dwelling on past regrets—though admittedly curious about the bathroom incident—I lightened the mood. “Speaking of demon stuff, can we see your true form? Are there horns or wings? What color are you? I bet you’re blue—like Smurf color blue,” I teased, trying to coax a smile.
Dom’s smile faltered, and the atmosphere tensed in a way I had hoped to avoid.
“Dominic?” Talon's voice was soft, filled with concern.
“I—I can’t access my demon powers. A long time ago, I was betrayed, and my powers were stripped.” His voice cracked, and tears glistened in his eyes briefly before he looked away, wiping them away quickly. “It’s been a long time since I was in my demon form. I’m basically a glorified human now. Yes, I have a bit more strength and a seemingly endless life, but that’s about it.”
