“What exactly are the four siblings? I mean, species-wise,” Angelle asked.
“They’re the four original elementals. They keep the world in balance. Air, earth, water and fire. Air would be Lucitari and all that lives there. Earth would be Terrus. Water would be Lore — in fact when he was without a corporal body, he often spent days and weeks near Enthrall’s fishing shack by the shoreline. It was the only peace he got.”
“Then Acaelo would be fire.”
“Exactly. But like I said, Acaelo was the strongest and tended to be more hands on in all their areas of the world, rather than keeping to his own responsibilities. I think they could always do whatever they wanted or needed, but deferred to one another in certain instances out of respect for their particular responsibilities. Lily, like I said is the strongest of them all now, though she’s not an original Elemental. And Tempest got her magics from Lily, passed down from mother to daughter.”
“That’s fascinating.”
“It is. They all work in harmony now. They each have a responsibility for a particular portion of balance, and they depend on the other three to do their part to keep things as they should be.”
“So, they’re ancient — the oldest of the old. They’ve seen everything.”
“They have.”
“How was Lily chosen to be one of the four?”
“She was Lore’s daughter once upon a time. Cursed by Acaelo to be reincarnated through time to live punished over and over again for Lore’s actions against him.”
“Oh, my God! That’s horrible.”
“She doesn’t remember most of it. And to her, her father will always be our father, Carnage. But she does have a special bond with Lore. He’s now our Uncle Lore, but they’re more, somehow.”
“I think I understand. I thought our clan and our people were unbelievable. But yours, it’s literally magic. Everything is suffused with ancient magic and people that none of my world believe exist, or ever existed.”
“You’ll be surprised at all the people who live in our community.”
“More fascinating than the Elementals?” Angelle asked.
“Some. We’ve got Anton and Gaston — they are Gator shifters. And Enthrall — he leads our community — is a Vampire, as is his family. But I think I already told you about him. Then there’s Destroy — he’s a Gargoyle and served under my father in their military. He helps Enthrall keep the community safe and just. Destroy’s mate is a witch. And then Aubreigne… Aubreigne is unique. Her mother was a Siren, and her father was a demon. She’s mated to… that’s a long, long story, but let’s just say he’s a Gregorian priest who was lured into an eternity he didn’t bargain for. He was saved by Aubreigne and several of our people and they have been happy since. Aubreigne’s daughter, Deaumanique, and Enthrall’s son, Shane, are mated. Then there’s Simon and his mate, Serafina, they’re, well, they’re just unique. They have gills on their upper necksjust below their ears. They are as at home in the water as they are on the land. They have two children, who have grown up and mated others in our community. Oh, I can’t forget Brannaugh. He’s a Dark Fey. And Dima, he’s become my father’s best friend. He’s a really good male.”
“Is Dima a Fey also?”
“No, Dima is what I think you’d call Sasquatch.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“I didn’t think they were real.”
“No one does. That’s part of how they stay hidden.”
“And I’m sure you’ll meet Odin, too. Odin is a good male, though he has a hard time believing it. He encountered a lot of prejudice over the course of his life, but he’s not bad. I promise.”
“What is Odin?”
“He’s an Ice Demon.”
Boon glanced over his shoulder and chuckled at the expression on her face. “You’ll see. You’ll eventually meet him.”
“Is that everyone?” Angelle asked.
“I forgot to tell you about Murder. Murder is a Gargoyle and served beside my father. He was a General in the Gargoyles’ army as well. He is mated to Lucitari. And that’s not all, but I’m sure it’s the basis of the community. Most have had children who’ve all grown up and have mated and built their own lives, too. Some have had children who grew up and moved away. Except Lore. He’s never had a child. He and Evangeline never had kids.”
“Is Evangeline human?”
“She is now. When he met her, she was an Angel. But that’s a whole other story, and part of the reason Lore was punished for a long, long time.”
