“They do.”
“I’m not sure what Axel’s is…” I caught the slight flare of recognition in Chylath’s eyes, so obviously he did. I wouldn’t ask about that though. If Axel hadn’t made it common knowledge, then obviously it was private. “But I know that Dathal has amazing intuition and can call for those silver daggers tattooed on him. Not sure where he calls them from, though.”
“So you want to know what magic I have?”
I nodded. “As your temporary partner, I’d like to, yes. But if you’d rather not share, then of course I understand.”
Chylath studied me for a long moment, and I fully expected him to tell me it was none of my business, but he surprised me. “As part of the fae guard, I also possess the ability to call for my weapons.”
That piqued my interest. “What weapons do you use?”
Instead of answering, he started to undo the front of his uniform, revealing smooth brown skin and the edges of a vibrant tattoo. When he finally bared the top half of his chest, I stared in awe at the intricate design running down the centre. Deep reds, greens, and blues combined to form a beautiful pair of knives, crossed over each other. “Like Dathal’s klaryth daggers, but the blades of mine are longer.”
“What are yours called?”
He touched a hand to his chest, tracing the ink. “These are klarythlyn.”
I stared at the tattoo maybe a little longer than was appropriate, but it was captivating, and I’d never seen a fae guard tattoo before. It was the only explanation I had for why I didn’t sense Max’s arrival until he was stood in the doorway clearing his throat.
“Are we interrupting?” His voice was rougher than I was used to, the underlying growl unmistakable.
My gaze snapped to his, excitement zipping through me at the possessiveness rolling off him.
I sat back in my chair, unable to fight the smile trying to break free. “Not at all. Chylath was just showing me his tattoo.”
Max’s gaze flicked to Chylath, lingering on his chest, and his lips twitched. “I can see why you were so captivated.”
My wolf stirred, and yeah, maybe it wasn’t so funny being on the other side.
“Oh wow,” Gabriel said, sliding in past Max’s huge frame. “That’s beautiful.” He looked at Max, then me, and snorted. “That leather uniform really sets it off, right?”
Chylath was openly grinning now, and even with the scent of shifter possessiveness filling the room, I suddenly realised this was the most normal I’d felt in almost three months. Max and me ogling a hot fae and both feeling jealous about it. I laughed, grabbing onto the moment with both hands. “It really does,” I said, answering Gabriel.
“Is that the same as Dathal’s tattoo?” Max asked, coming further into the room and standing by my desk. His hand landed on my shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze as he brushed past to lean against the wall.
That fleeting touch settled my wolf, jealous feelings morphing into warm contentment. Shifters generally experienced heightened emotions, which had its drawbacks, obviously. But moments like this? Like Max had sucked all the negative out of me and replaced it with happiness, it made it all worth it.
However fleeting it might be.
Chylath fastened his uniform, then relaxed back in his chair. “Dathal wears klaryth daggers.” He tapped his chest. “These are klarythlyn, but I call for them in the same way.”
Gabriel fidgeted, clearly wanting to ask more.
Chylath also noticed. “You can ask me anything you want,” he said. “I have nothing I need to hide. In fact,” he added, looking around the room, “since my time through the gateway is finite, maybe it would be better to do this now and get it out of the way?”
“Okay.” I glanced at Max, who shrugged.
“Works for me,” he offered. “Mase?”
Gabriel nodded. “I guess. I have nothing to hide either. As long as it’s only about me and nothing to do with my pack.”
“Your pack?” Chylath cocked his head to the side. “You are part-fae, are you not?”
“I am. But I’m soulbonded to Rys Calder of the Dark Forest Pack.”
“Ah, of course. Lady Sarhin did mention that. Forgive me for forgetting.”
Gabriel smiled. “It’s no problem. And in case you’re confused why these two call me by different names,” he said gesturing to me and Max. “My full name is Gabriel Mason, but my nickname is Mase.”
