“You smell funnier.”
Nick laughed and had to shush Robin again. “What happened?”
“Found out some stuff. God of Metal, at your service.”
“Metal?”
“Yep.”
“Ravens and metal? That doesn’t make sense.”
“That’s what I said.”
“Course, they are really into shiny things.”
“I thought that was crows,” Sawyer said.
“Like I know. Still, makes sense. Plus, you’ve always had a weird thing for black birds.”
“I have?” Sawyer asked.
“Yeah. When you were little anyway. You’d caw at them like you were— hey, maybe you were talking to them.”
“Maybe,” Sawyer said. “I don’t remember.”
“Is that what you wanted to tell me? Because I’m thinking the giant tiger is big news, too.”
“That’s my guide. He’s the only way I can get to the god realm.”
“Did you go?”
“No. Not yet. I don’t have my powers yet. Not sure what’ll happen if I try to go like this.”
“Huh. But you have all of your guardians now. Shouldn’t you be all whole or whatever?”
“Yeah. But I don’t feel any different. At least not yet. That’s Pip over there getting crushed by his mom. He’s the new one. Palinourous had him locked up with Byakko.”
“That’s the tiger’s name? Lame. I’d have called him Tony. Get it? Tony the tiger. He’s grr-reat.”
Sawyer couldn’t help but laugh. “Pip named him Tony, too.”
“Glad you’re smiling,” Nick said. “But you didn’t call me here for news.”
“He’s gonna be mad,” Sawyer said. “I’m worried he’s going to come after you and the kids.”
Nick glanced at his mate before turning back to Sawyer. “That’s what I’d do if I was him. We’re your weak spot.”
“My pack will protect us,” Jedrek swore. “I will request the other champions stay with us to provide added security. Zaire will reinforce the wards with the coven. We will do everything we can to keep the children safe.”
“I know,” Sawyer said.
He glanced around the room at his mates and guardians. Pearl had abandoned Nick and gone to sniff at Byakko. The tiger looked bored by the entire thing, even though he made sure to keep Sawyer in his line of sight at all times. Sawyer made sure Pearl was safe, then turned his attention back to the room. Pip was still being smothered by his mom. Sawyer had never actually seen anyone give a hug like that, especially while sobbing about her baby boy. It was intense. And looked really uncomfortable. Pip’s brother kept trying to help him, but their mom wasn’t having any of his nonsense.
Eventually, Sawyer would need to explain to Pip exactly what was going on. He didn’t seem to understand what being a guardian meant. And he definitely hadn’t picked up on the fact that they were all mates. Thinking back on Dakota’s face when Pip had leapt into his arms and started kissing him, Sawyer bit back a smile. It had been nice to see a chip in Dakota’s armor, no matter how small it had been.
“We need to get back,” Nick said. “I want to get everyone prepared.”
“Be safe, Nick. And if something happens—”
