“Lore is dark? We just met him yesterday. I thought you said he was an original elemental,” Angelle said.
“He is. But at one time he was compared to Pan with the trickery and self-indulgence. Some even hint that he’s where the original Pan legend originated because of his antics. After he was cursed he even had to consume souls to survive. It was the only sustenance he could partake in. Don’t worry, though. He only consumed the evil people he found. No innocents,” Carolenasaid as though she was discussing her favorite recipe. “And then we’ve got Dima, but I don’t consider him dark. He was just afraid to be seen.”
“What species is Dima?” Avaleigh asked.
“Isn’t he Sasquatch?” Angelle asked, looking at Boon.
“He is. He’s my father’s best friend,” Boon said. “Don’t forget Odin,” Boon said to his mother.
“That’s true. Odin is a very kind soul, an insecure one because of the way he was treated all his life by not only those who feared him, but by his own kind,” Carolena said. “Humans were terrified of him. They spurned him, even those he’d known as a child and thought to be his most trusted friends. It broke his heart and his trust. His own people tormented him and most likely would have killed him if they could have found him simply because he’s not dark like them, or as he was meant to be. He was a bitter, lonely, resentful male at one time. He’s much happier now. He’s mated, and he and his mate live here in Whispers. It’s very heartwarming to see the strides he’s made in being proud of the male he’s become. And his mate adores him. I dare say she’s one of the strongest females I’ve known. I believe she’d yank him up if he ever doubted himself again.”
“And Odin is a what? A viking?” Daniel asked.
Boon and Carolena shared a knowing look. “No,” Boon said. “He’s an Ice Demon. I think I told you a little about him,” he said to Angelle in particular, asking her without asking her to trust him and give Odin a chance.
“I remember. I look forward to meeting him,” Angelle said.
Boon smiled lovingly at her and took her hand in his again.
“Who else?” Carolena said more to herself than to anyone in particular. “Oh, there’s Esma who is a Phoenix. She’s not dark, but she did hide herself away with the dark ones. Esma is mated to Seth. And then there’s Maura who’s a Banshee. She’s mated to Terrus, and she’s really a lovely woman.”
“And Aubreigne, mustn’t forget Aubreigne. She has never really been one of the dark paranormals, but when threatened, or when those she loves are threatened, she can be a threat in her own right. She’s a hybrid — Siren and Demon mix. She’s also one of the most kind, most considerate, helpful females who live in Whispers. She’d help anyone. Her mate is Amilanu. He’s human now, but was an eleventh century monk who was tricked into becoming the vessel for Satan’s earthly presence before we tricked Satan to take on another willing host and trapped him in Hell so that Amilanu could go free.”
Daniel looked over at Angelle. “Are you hearing this?”
Angelle grinned happily at her father. “I am. Is it wrong that I’m feeling more comfortable anticipating meeting the darker side of Whispers than I am the other side?”
“Why would you even say that?” Daniel asked.
“Because they feel like they’ve never belonged or been understood. I’ve always felt like that, except when I was home with you and our clan. And even then I felt like I wasn’t quite where I belonged sometimes.”
“Because your soul knew I was out there somewhere, waiting for you. Now you’re where you belong,” Boon said.
“You know what? I think Boon’s right. So, now the only question is do we get our own house for when we visit, or do we just stay with you?” Avaleigh asked.
“May I answer that?” Boon asked.
“Go right ahead,” Angelle said.
“For now, you stay with us. I’ll build a small cabin on our property for your use when you’re here. It will exclusively belong to you. I promise it will be very comfortable, very nice. A bedroom or two, a kitchen and a living room.”
“Bathroom!” Avaleigh said.
“Naturally,” Boon said with a chuckle. “Nothing as large as our home, but a nice little place to call yours while you’re here.”
“I like that. I like that a lot,” Avaleigh said.
“Me, too. If you don’t mind, I’d like to help you build it,” Daniel said.
“You’re more than welcome to,” Boon said.
“Wait, you’re all getting ahead of yourselves. We haven’t even finalized our mating yet,” Angelle said.
“No, but I have faith that you will realize you can’t live without me,” Boon said. “I’m a lot to get used to. But then you’ll find it hard to let me go. Impossible really,” he said teasingly.
Angelle laughed. “We’ll see.”
“Okay. But I already know.”
