“When you put it that way… it seems kind of obvious. Ledger’s second in command at the bookstore is a dragon shifter, I just never really thought about it long enough to ask the bigger questions.”
Kiara looks at me with sympathy, letting me off the hook. “They're what gives the compound the magical glow laced into all of the rock, mimicking night and day down here; they’re in tune with the sun.”
“So how did they know to flash red when the wards broke?” Ledger asks.
She looks at him like he's dumb, and it makes me feel a little better about not being the only one playing supernatural catch up for once.
“They felt them break and sensed the danger. The warning wasn't for us, it was them communicating the danger to each other, and we benefit from it. They've evolved to realize calling out to each other makes it easier to be found by hunters.”
Suddenly, Steve lands on my shoulder, talons digging into my flesh. Afraid to so much as breathe, I watch nervously out of the corner of my eye, not wanting to startle him. For all I know, he’s going to burst into flames and burn half my hair off.
For several tense minutes, he simply preens, a littletoocasually, barely acknowledging me. Then, fast as lightning, he snaps at a few strands of my hair, ignoring my yelp as he takes off with them tightly clamped in his beak, landing in his nest. Without sparing me a second glance, he gently wraps the teal strands of my hair around the egg amongst the rest of the turquoise dust.
Wincing, I rub at my tender scalp. “Do I even want to know what he wants with my hair?”
“Consider it an honor, they hate most mysts. And if it gets Steve to fucking chill, I’llpay youto let me me give you a haircut.” She huffs, annoyed. “Even his mate ditched his ass to handle tending the egg solo, he’s so neurotic about it.”
Kiara is busy bent over a nest, a silver glow emanating from her hands as she keeps her back to us. “People think it's their ashes or feathers that make them valuable, and sure, they’re useful to a degree. But therealpower is in their tears. All my years working here, and the only time I’ve seen one cry is when some idiot stole an egg to try and raise it as a pet. One drop, and he couldn’t use his powers for weeks, and since then, every phoenix has dive bombed the stupid oaf as soon as he’s in sight. They may look majestic, but these fuckers hold a grudge.”
She shakes her head with a fond smirk and waves me over. “Here, you can help me. Parents abandoned this one, so I’ve been trying to tend to the nest and pray to the Fates it’ll work. Slowly rotate the egg so it can soak up the warmth from your hand. Then we’ll bury it in the ashes.”
Save the magic phoenix baby. Sure, no pressure or anything.
The guys give us the illusion of space, exploring the rest of the hatchery while keeping half an eye on me the entire time. Honestly, it’s the most space I’ve gotten since I was kidnapped, and I’m both relieved they don’t consider Kiara a threat, andanxious at the newfound space after getting used to them living halfway up my butt.
She drops her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Those mates of yours seem like a handful. Are you planning on snagging a few more while you’re here, or is your bondgroup at capacity?” When I raise an eyebrow at her, she lifts her hands in surrender, laughing. “You wish. No, not asking for me, or even for a friend. But rumors make their way even this deep in the tunnels, and I hate to tell you, but you’re the most exciting thing that’s happened in ages. I’m just shamelessly living vicariously through you.”
I buzz my lips on a heavy exhale. “I’ve got my hands full with four fated mates. Any more, I’m pretty sure we’d all kill each other. The bathroom schedule is already at the point of drawing blood.”
Her eyes widen in shock. “Fated? Damn, they conveniently leftthatout of the rumor mill.”
“Is that… bad?”
She scoffs, helping me bury the egg and letting the gemstone dust absorb the heat of our hands. “Are you kidding me? I think it’s a sign that things are changing. The Fates finally deigned to give a mimic some badass protectors so you can live without jumping at shadows.” She sighs wistfully. “It’s all any of us dream of, honestly. Or at least, those of us brave enough to admit it.”
I frown, the reality of how she must have grown up starting to click and carefully asking, “If you didn’t have to worry about anyone forcebonding you, what would you do with your life?”
Kiara’s eyes flare in surprise. “Honestly… I’ve never really let myself think too hard about it. It’s always been a matter of what I was qualified for and what the community needs. Which locals I could see myself potentially settling down with despite the fact that none of them have really stood out to me and I wasgetting to the point of resignation; choosing the least offensive options available. Because any new recruits would either be kids, or mimics coming out of really shitty situations, and I’m not sure I’m willing to bet my future around the off chance that the perfect mate will magically show up one day.”
My heart hurts for her. Sure, she’s grown up somewhere safe, but she’s sure as shit not happy.
Shooting a quick glance to the guys to make sure they’re distracted, I hesitantly whisper, “What if you came with us when we left?”
She sucks in a sharp breath, and the look on her face is so hopeful, it’s heartbreaking. “Seriously?”
Nervously, I wet my lips. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s dangerous out there, especially for a center.” I gesture at the tattoo on her wrist she usually keeps hidden beneath long sleeves and go on to repeat what Ledger explained to me about the supernatural world. “Admittedly, I’ve had limited exposure to myst society, and that colors my perspective. I think the people here have only experienced the worst the world has to offer, though,and that makes them biased as well. Nowhere is wholly good or bad. But if you’re willing to fight for it… I think the world might surprise you with all it has to offer.”
Exhaling a weary breath, I glance around me and admit, “Forewarning, it’s nowhere near as magical as this. Us humans seem to have sucked the magic out of everything and forced it underground. Maybe you’re better off down here, away from all the bullshit. No worries about backstabbing motives and greed driving people to hurt others. It seems simpler here, and that’s magical in its own right.”
Kiara looks at me funny. “Well there’s your mimic problem, ding dong. You still consider yourself human.”
I freeze, fingers buried in purple ash and realize… she’s right.
“If you want to see somethingreallymagical, I could take you out past the ruins,” she suggests.
Immediately, Bellamy whips his head towards us, clearly eavesdropping. “Are you insane? Did you forget what happened the last time you went poking around in its lair?”
Kiara rolls her eyes. “Ugh, you’re never going to let me live that down, are you? I told you, it was my fault for startling the poor thing.”
