Simone smiled as she watched Angelle looking down at Odin. “He’s an Ice Demon. Don’t worry, he’s not evil. Just surly. He ages at a different rate than humans do. You know, cometo think of it, most other paranormals age more slowly than humans do, as well. They all have different life spans, but all are longer than a human’s.”
“So, he’s aging very slowly, and you’re aging normally. Doesn’t that frighten him?”
Simone shook her head and leaned closer. “No one told you this stuff yet, did they?”
“Apparently not,” Angelle said.
“As long as you are mated to a paranormal, your aging matches theirs. You will age at an equal rate to your mate. Everyone here does the same. So, Kamilah ages in turn with Brannaugh, who is so old he won’t even discuss it.”
“I met him, he’s one of the aristocracy from the times of pompadours and men wearing stockings and fancy shoes,” Angelle said, lowering her voice to a whisper. “He’s very intimidating, but very pretty, too.”
“He is! He’s Odin’s best friend. And the time period Brannaugh’s from… is an example of my point. You’ll find so many different people and customs here. In Brannaugh’s case, he won’t outlive her. She’ll simply match his lifespan because she’s his mate.”
“Wow.”
“It is a very wow thing,” Simone said.
“What are you two out here whispering about?” Avaleigh asked as she paused on her way downstairs to spend a little time with Daniel.
“Things I was not aware of yet,” Angelle said. “I suppose I should have been, I mean, you and Daddy, Bane and Janie, everybody back home that’s human but with a shifter mate. You all look so fantastic because they’re not human. They age more slowly than we do, and so do you since you mated them. That’s why you all look so young.”
“You know that,” Avaleigh said.
“I do?”
“I know you did at one point. I know we touched on it briefly a long time ago — I think. Maybe you just assumed it was an everyday thing where we come from and didn’t think about it again.”
“Maybe. I always thought I’d live and die alone. Maybe I didn’t want to think about it.”
“Funny how life happens when we’re busy thinking we know what’s on the way,” Simone said.
“That is true!” Angelle said. Then she gestured toward Simone. “Mom, this is my new friend, Simone. She’s Odin’s mate. Simone, this is my mother, Avaleigh. My father, her mate, is down there with the guys. His name is Daniel.”
“Oh, the Dragon! Yes, I met him. A very nice male,” Simone said. She smiled at Avaleigh. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Thank you. I’m very happy to meet you as well. We have drinks and snacks inside to hold you over until the meat is ready!” Avaleigh said. “I’m going to spend a little time with my mate,” she said as she continued on down the steps.
Angelle could see blue mists beginning to swirl in her family room from where she stood on the porch talking with Simone. Her brows raised in surprise, causing Simone to look in the direction Angelle was.
“Oh! That’s Lucitari. And I bet she’s got Murder with her.”
Angelle looked at Simone with a blank look on her face.
“She’s Lore’s sister. Murder is her mate, he’s a Gargoyle.”
“Ohhh, okay. I remember now. Sorry, there’s been a lot of new people today.”
Simone laughed.
“Why is that funny?” Angelle asked.
“Because Lore and Terrus just arrived with their mates,” Simone said, lifting her chin in the direction of the fire pit. “And they’re not the only ones. Gaston and Phrygia were relaxing atthe waters’ edge with Anton and Serena and their kids, which isn’t all that surprising because Gaston and Anton are Gator shifters. Serena is also an aquatic background, too, but I’m not exactly sure about her origins. I haven’t seen her parents, Serafina and Simon, yet. They may be spending the day with Seth and Esma. Seth is their son, Esma is his mate, she’s a Phoenix. Simon most definitely prefers his privacy to any kind of gatherings so they probably won’t make an appearance today, but, Boon has been very good to them so they will probably pay you a visit later on when it’s just them.”
Angelle glanced down toward the fire pit, the roasting hog and everyone around the fire — then glanced over toward the bayou at a small group that sat laughing and enjoying each other’s company. All the faces and names she had to remember were dizzying. She closed her eyes and squeezed them tighter for a few seconds before opening them and smiling at Simone. “I can do this, right? It’s alright. I’m alright. Everything’s alright. Right?”
Simone laughed as she reached out and looped her arm around Angelle’s. “Let’s go get a drink, take a breather, meet Lucitari and Murder, then we’ll take a trip downstairs to meet Lore and Evangeline, and Terrus and Maura. Then we’ll take another break and go meet Gaston and Anton and their families.
“I’ve met Lore and Evangeline and liked them both very much. I’ve not met Terrus and Maura. Maura is?”
