Grace cooked, and because he excelled at everything, the food he made was Michelin-star worthy.
He and Scar were going to have to figure out what they liked to do during downtime. Maybe try out some bigger amusement parks, like Universal Studios, or Six Flags.
“I think I better go calm my partner down before the vein in his neck explodes,” Mirage muttered, leaving his side.
The atmosphere settled him in a good way.
He’d grown up an only child. He never thought he’d know what it felt like to have brothers or a big family.
Now he did.
He tilted his head, pressing into the huge condo, letting it speak…searching it.
There you are.
He crossed the floor and dropped down onto Scar’s lap.
“I love it when you do that,” Scar said, pulling him close.
“How the hell do you do that?” Zorion asked from the direction of the cork board.
“Each of you are distinctive.” He shrugged. “If I’m not recognizing you by your voice, all of you have other tells.”
“Oh yeah?” Mirage challenged. “What’s mine?”
“Mirage, you breathe through your nose. There’s a very subtle wheeze to it because of your deviated septum, and since you’re never less than a foot from Grace, it’s easy to pinpoint him too.”
“Well damn.” Mirage gritted. “Thanks for telling everyone I have a deviated septum.”
“Opps,” Gage smirked.
“And me.”
“Valor, you’re outside so much, you always smell like nature. You’re also the heaviest out of all of us, so I can hear you coming a mile away. Zorion, your movements cut the air differently, you don’t step so much as place yourself. And because you prefer the late hours, you always smell like the chill of night air.”
He realized everyone had gone silent while he spoke.
“Interesting,” Ex said. “But I know I don’t have any tells.”
“Oh yes you do. They’re just more unique.” Gage thought about it before he said, “Ex, you have two auras. One when you’re alone, and one when you’re close to him.”
Someone swallowed roughly.
“When you’re away from Meridian, your aura frays at the edges. Your breaths are faster, closer together, as if your soul can’t settle.”
“Holy shit,” Ex sighed.
“When he’s with you”—Gage’s voice softened—“your pulse slows and your movements steadied. You also play and joke around more when he’s nearby, as if he just puts you in a good mood. But even if I couldn’t feel your auras, you carry a very noticeable scent of heat and spice from his fancy cigarettes.”
No one asked him to explain Meridian’s presence, but he knew they were waiting for him too.
“Meridian,” Gage said gently, his brows furrowing as he searched for the right words. “I feel pressure when you enter a room. Gravity. The closer you get, the heavier it becomes.”
Gage blinked, another feeling rising.
“Your darkness is like a dozen shadows gathered in one place. A coldness that settles over wherever you stand.” Gage smiled, turning toward where he felt Meridian on the other side of the room. “It’s frightening to some…but not me.”
The silence thickened before Meridian said calmly. “Good…will never fear evil, Saint.”
