Casting my gaze to the ceiling briefly, I say a silent plea to anyone who may be listening, asking them to just let it be a good thing and not a bad, life-threatening thing again. Nothing super complicated.
“Ah, here it is,” he mutters as he pulls out a book that looks far older than even the ones that the Elders gave us.
Huh, that reminds me that we were supposed to be called to some sort of meeting. I hope they procrastinate on that for a bit longer. I don’t want to meet them. Although hopefully they’ll decide to snub us or something since I haven’t taken their so-called advice at all, and I’m doing my own thing. To be honest, they are so far down the list that I’m not even remotely concerned.
“I’m guessing that you have an idea of what is going on?” Raiden asks curiously.
Michael looks up, his eyebrows furrowed, “I’m still not sure, but I can’t not mention it because if it’s true, then it’s a big deal.”
“Awesome,” I mutter accidentally out loud, and Coen hides his laugh in a cough.
I scratch my cheek with my middle finger, making him smirk.
“So this is not common knowledge, but a long time ago, gargoyles had true mates. We’re not really sure what happened, but eventually the bond just stopped happening. True mates just don’t exist anymore. The signs of a true mate were that gargoyles sensed when their mate was in danger, saw visions of the danger even if visions weren’t a part of their usual magic, and could even telepathically warn them. Their magic would also change. There are a couple of other things, but they weren’t written down. It literally just says, and other changes in every single book that I’ve read about it.”
“So, you think we’re true mates?” Griff asks thoughtfully.
“There’s only one way to find out for certain,” Michael says.
Sex? No, it can’t be that we’ve already done that. Although maybe that means that we aren’t? Maybe we should do it again, repeatedly, just to make sure.
Focus.
Fight something? I don’t know what that would prove, but I’m always up for a little bloodshed unless of course I have to fight against Griff, in which case it’s not fucking happening.
Before my misplaced anger can grow to ridiculous heights, Michael thankfully carries on talking.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing crazy. You don’t even have to leave the island. There’s a ceremonial altar in a cave on the far side of the island, near the cliffs.” He writes something down on a piece of paper andthen hands it to Griff, “To figure out if you really are true mates, then you need to go there, add a small drop of blood from each of you, and say these words,” he nods to the piece of paper in Griff’s hand. He continues, “If you are true mates, then the blood will form into a bloodstone, and your bond will be cemented. I would suggest that you go first thing in the morning, before the sun rises. It’s quite a trek, and it’s going to take a day or so for us to gather the ingredients that you need for the wards anyway, so you have some time to kill. Don’t worry, it is a very private thing. You can either go just the two of you or your whole family.” He looks over at us, “The only thing that I ask is that if it's true and you really are true mates, please could you let me know? It means that things are changing, and the old ways may be coming back. I will be able to keep a closer eye out for other potential true mates and send them to do the ceremony as well.”
“Of course we can do that,” I reply before anyone else can. It really won’t negatively affect us in any way and could potentially help other true mates find each other. “Since it hasn’t happened for so long though, don’t get your hopes up too much that true mates are back.”
Michael smiles, “Don’t worry, I am more than aware that it’s a long shot. Now, I am going to assume that everyone is getting antsy waiting for us by now, and by everyone, I mean your mother, Griff. Let’s get going.”
The others all smile and follow Michael out of the door, but once we’re in the hallway, Griff pulls me back slightly.
“Are you okay with this?” He asks with concern.
I smile, “I’m assuming that you’re talking about the true mate thing, in which case of course I am. However, if you’re talking about meeting your mother, then, erm, I’m definitely not nearly as sureabout that because it’s terrifying. Wait, are you okay with it? The true mates thing, not seeing your mother.”
Griff smiles as he pulls me toward him and wraps me in his arms, his heartbeat immediately calming my panic. Which admittedly has more to do with meeting his mom than anything else.
“To have you as my true mate, which I didn’t even know was a thing until a few moments ago, would be an honor,” Griff mutters into my hair. “And my mom is going to love you.”
I shift, looking up at him, and then stand on my tiptoes and pull him down for a kiss. When I pull back, I mutter, “Aw, and to think I used to call you my big grumpy friend.”
Griff chuckles as he threads his fingers through mine and we walk after the guys, “Yeah, you’ve totally ruined my reputation.”
I burst out laughing.
We all head back through the house and then out of the front door. The guys all slip into casual conversation with Michael, and I’m glad that they do because I’m trying to stop myself from spiraling back into a pit of panic.
Griff said it would be fine.
I trust Griff, so it’s going to be fine.
I’m so glad that he is holding my hand because I’ll admit that I briefly considered turning back around the moment that we make it through the trees and into a clearing full of gargoyles, all of whom turn to look at us when we walk past the final row of trees.
Thankfully, they don’t stare for too long, and most of them go back to what they’re doing, giving me a chance to look around.
