“I see you managed to not get wet.”
Emory shuddered. “Only in the shower. ” He looked at the dead kelpies, features drawn with real regret. “Why do they never just leave?”
“Wish I knew. Hopefully, word will spread among their kind, and they’ll know these shores are protected. We had no choice.” Like his friend, Dax really did hate taking lives, but it happened sometimes in this line of work he’d chosen. He’d intended the job to be temporary, a blip in between his studies, but he loved the close-knit family he’d found. So years had passed, and though he’d started to feel restless, he had no plans to leave anytime soon. More degrees could wait.
After all, he had many years still ahead of him.
“Do you think that increase in magic you talked about is what attracted the kelpies here?” Emory squatted next to the one he’d killed. It had started to shift back into its water form as it died, so it was a macabre mix of tentacles and horse.
“Possibly. I’ve been meaning to ask Xavier about it. I feel it constantly now, like prickles on my skin. My mother has mentioned it, as well. I inherited that ability from her. She believes more preternaturals will be drawn to the area.”
“Let’s hope they’re the nicer ones. Or better yet, maybe it will attract another jinn. We don’t have anyone who can turn to smoke to sneak into locked buildings anymore.”
“Finn did leave us high and dry. But I guess he’s earned the chance to travel with his soulmate.”
“It’s still wild, him falling fortheAjax Craig.”
Dax nodded. “It is. Hard to believe that rock star is one of those humans who can see through our magic.”
“What I don’t understand is how so many of us lived for so long without knowing about these humans.”
Approaching vehicle lights grabbed Dax’s attention for a moment before he answered. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that and have actually done a research paper on it. I believe it’s a newer anomaly—possibly a product of evolution. I do think they’ve been around but probably learned early in life to hide their reactions to us. Like us, they stay hidden. The fact our small group has met so many is still something I’m pondering.”
Emory grinned as the cleanup wizards got out of the car and came toward them. “Well, if anyone can figure it out, it’s you. Are you hoping to find your soulmate, Dax?”
“You know I am. Just as I know you have absolutely no interest in having one of your own.”
Emory waggled his brows. “Variety makes my life interesting.”
“There’s nothing like the comfort of having a partner. I still miss the two I had in the past.”
“I know you do.” Emory clapped a hand on Dax’s shoulder. “I hope for you, my friend. Hope you find that soulmate.”
What Dax didn’t tell him was that he had the strongest feeling he would be meeting his soulmate soon. That feeling had only gotten stronger since he’d learned humans were a possibility.
The problem was, humans had never been an option for him. Not with his supernatural strength. However, if his recent conclusion on his research was correct, all that could change.
Chapter Two
Everett
Everett Page felt a fresh wave of grief as he stepped over the threshold of the massive house he’d inherited. His grandfather had been the last of his family left. No more would Wilson be greeting him with a welcoming grin. His warm, generous nature had filled this house with love, and now that was gone.
Everett tried to focus on what needed to be done now. His overall list of to-do items threatened to overwhelm him, but he’d kept today’s list short. Get the estate sale company established and pack a little of the study. Unfortunately, he had agreed to a blind date that night. His grandfather would have been thrilled because the man had worried about him being alone, but Everett just dreaded that night.
He hated blind dates.
His best friend, Trilla, had a way of talking him into doing things he didn’t like, and she swore up and down this guy was perfect for him. Everett was pretty sure that wasn’t true. He’d dated many men over the years and never come close to finding anyone he wanted with any sort of permanence.
Though he always tried because more than anything, Everett hated being alone. His grandfather had known that.
His footsteps echoed in the massive foyer. He’d grown up in this home, exploring the countless nooks and crannies, and sharing dinners with Wilson in the kitchen because neither of them had liked eating at the big table in the dining room. And he’d spent many a dark night with his head buried under the covers as a young boy because the old house made lots of noises at night.
Everett had lost his parents in a car accident at the age of eight. That loss had left him with heavy emotional scars.
But his grandfather had been loving and kind and welcomed him with open arms. It was just the nights he’d had issue with—still did to some extent. Insomnia was his constant companion. And since he planned to stay here while the estate sale company catalogued everything for sale, he knew he’d have even more trouble sleeping since he wouldn’t be in his own bed. And also, because he’d be going through his grandfather’s study by himself. That office was where Wilson had spent most of his time, and it was crammed full of all the things he’d collected over the years that meant the most to him.
Wilson had been a bit of a hoarder.
