“I get what I’ve always called flickers. Like flashes of your human form and your other. Yours is different though. You’re…not a shifter. But not human,” Atlas said.
“Half dryad and half fae,” Adam replied.
Atlas nodded before averting his gaze. “It’s amazing, really.”
“Are you seeing Adam through the flickers?” Bel asked.
“Yes. Sorry.”
“I can take my mate home,” Mal offered. His voice was deep but kind. “We don’t want to cause the young man harm.”
“Not yet. Please excuse the rudeness of not being able to look at you as we speak,” Atlas offered.
“I won’t hold it against you. And I’ll give you my phone number. We can call and text until we figure this out,” Adam offered.
He nodded. Disappointment filled him. It was going to be hard to make friends when he couldn’t even look at them.
“I’m sorry,” Bel told him quietly.
Atlas turned and buried his face in Bel’s chest. “It’s fine.”
Bel held him close as he rocked Atlas. “I know you wanted to make friends with them.”
“Yeah. Going to be hard when I can’t even look at them,” Atlas shared. Who would want to be friends with a weirdo like him? It hurt Atlas’s heart really.
“May I approach?” Lucifer asked quietly.
“Would that be okay?” Bel asked. “Lucifer won’t hurt you.”
Tilting his head back, Atlas peered up at the demon prince. Atlas trusted Bel. Could see in the big demon’s eyes protectiveness and…affection maybe. He nodded. “Okay.”
Atlas tracked Lucifer from the corner of his eye as he moved closer.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to try something,” Lucifer said.
“What?” Atlas asked.
“As much as my young mate talks about the magic in this realm, and it is powerful,” Lucifer said, “I carry the strongest magic. I’d like to see if I can put a temporary barrier up. To allow you some peace for a few hours. It won’t last long.”
“Long enough for the dinner party?” Atlas questioned.
“That is my hope. Nothing would be permanent,” Lucifer assured him.
“Okay.” Atlas gripped Bel’s sides. “Will it hurt?”
“No,” Lucifer said. “You won’t feel a thing. Just close your eyes.”
Atlas closed his eyes.
“I’ve got you,” Bel whispered. “You are safe.”
Warmth filled him as Lucifer cupped the back of his head. “You have a beautiful aura,” Lucifer said. “You are strong, smart, with a good heart, and a need to protect.”
“Uh, thank you,” Atlas said.
“You recently suffered a great loss. I’m sorry about that,” Lucifer said quietly.
Atlas stiffened. He didn’t want to think about that.
