Jamison comes up and lays a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Glad you agree. Maybe you should run for one of the mage seats. I’ll back you.” Charlie looks surprised, but Maverick’s quick to shake his head in agreement. “Think about it. We could use someone like you.”
Jamison curls his arm around me and places a kiss on my temple. “Mercer and Caron will be here in a few minutes.”
After promising Maverick and Charlie I’d see them soon, I walk outside with Jamison to wait for the two of them. “Are they bringing the panels?”
He nods. “Looks like we’re only missing one. Do you have any ideas on where it could be?”
“Not a clue,” I reply with a wrinkle of my nose. “Ares did help me during the battle, though. So, maybe he’ll send one our way soon.” I’m explaining the blades when I see Mercer, her pink hair perfectly styled, and the ice-blond elf Jamison and I saw the day we parked the Porsche at the British museum who I assume is Caron. The two look good together.
Mercer holds out her hand, and I take the two panels from her. For the first time since I’ve known her, she looks relaxed. “No wonder you like stealing things. It’s fun.”
“Thank you. We couldn’t have pulled this off without you,” I tell her.
Hawthorne comes up beside us and reaches a hand toward Caron. “Thank you both.” He pauses, then looks at Jamison, who nods. The two of them proceed to explain how the new democratic council will work and their recommendation that both Mercer and Caron consider running for one of the positions. “We could use fresh blood that isn’t mired in the past hierarchy bullshit.”
They look at each other, silently communicating for a second before turning back to us. “We’ll consider it. Over the years, we’ve compiled a list of things that we’d do differently if we were in charge. But Harlequin also needs us, especially now that Bennett is gone.”
“Take your time,” Jamison advises them. “It’s a big commitment. And we’re enforcing the need to run more frequent elections, so if you can’t do it now, maybe you can in the future.” He shakes both of their hands. “Thank you for your help in retrieving the panels.”
The two of them leave, and I stare at the panels in my hands. Doran’s sketch didn’t do the top panel justice. Brilliant colors depict the six gods: Hephaestus with his hammer in hand, Athena in her helmet with her spear. Ares stands with his shield raised toward Hephaestus. Apollo and his sister, Artemis, stand together with their bows. Demeter wears a serious expression on her face. In a circle, around the altar, several of them stare down at the center where an ornate key lies flat. The same key that’s in my vault. I study the box. Four side panels along with a top and bottom panel. We have all of them except the bottom panel.
Jamison taps the side panel Mercer just gave me. “What’s the symbol mean?”
“The double eagle wearing a laurel crown is the symbol my father used to represent our kingdom,” I tell him, lightly tracingthe relief. “They made the story on the box a reflection of my life—both past and present.”
They begin breaking down the tent behind us. Jamison picks up the bag beside him. “Ready to go home?”
“Do you know how good that sounds coming from your lips? Or the others?” I smile and link my fingers with his. “Do you have enough juice to get us there?”
He pretends to consider it, then growls in my ear. “More than enough to get us home and show you my appreciation for calling Charlie in to help me.”
Hawthorne leans in. “Where’s Mathias?”
I look around, realizing I haven’t seen him in a while.
Gatlin touches down in his gryphon form and opens his talons, setting Mathias on the ground in front of us. He then transforms and heads off to get some clothes. “He needs blood.”
Eyes half-mast, Mathias looks at me, then turns his head.
Alarmed, I hurry over. “Why did you wait so long?”
Jamison comes over and gives him a hard look. “You know better.”
Clenching my jaw, I push my sleeve up and hold out my wrist. “Mathias, this is ridiculous. If I’m the only person you will take blood from, how am I supposed to know if you don’t tell me?”
Jamison’s mouth quirks up at my irritation. “You need to tell him it’s freely given, or he can’t take it.” He narrows his eyes at him. “Take her blood. We’ll talk about this when we get home.”
Mathias spears me with a contrite look. “I didn’t want this to be one more thing that might pressure you into deciding.”
I brush his hair back. “You’re an idiot. Take what I freely offer.” With a pained expression, he sinks his teeth into my wrist. I smile, knowing he’s going to see I’ve already made up my mind to accept the bond between us. Seeing him surrounded and in danger today made things crystal clear for me.
He breaks off and stares at me, his dark eyes intense and direct. “You’re sure?” I nod, and he licks his lips and draws my head down for one of his delicious kisses. “Thank you. I can’t wait to make you fully mine.”
Gatlin comes striding back out, dressed in camouflage pants and a dark T-shirt that’s stretched across his large chest. He flicks a glance at the four of us and helps Mathias to his feet. “Let’s go home.”
Standing, I sway, feeling the effects of the day and the blood Mathias just took from me. Hawthorne scoops me up in his arms while Jamison opens a portal. It takes but mere seconds to cross the pond, but this time, Jamison does sway a little. Guess we’re all worn out.
The large white farmhouse with its wraparound porch is a welcoming sight. All four of them stop to stare at it, then turn to me.
