“Sam is going to lose his mind when he sees you!! Where have you been?!” I slap her on the shoulder.
“That is a long story that requires drinks, but I think I have something that will help you.” She steps aside and I feel the air change in temperature.
“Elena!” I walk straight into her calming embrace. She just has a way of making me feel like everything is right in the world, even when everything around me is starting to resemble a dumpster fire.
“Finally, girly. It has been too long and I’m afraid you have suffered.” She holds me at arms length and takes a full perusal of me. “You have overexerted yourself, that is for sure, which is to be expected when doing magic without guidance. First things first, do you have a bracelet for Sierra here?”
I nod. I made one for her with a yellow strand from the bracelet she got me with the guys. I have actually carried hers with me everyday, like a talisman, waiting for the day I could give it to her, because it would mean she was here with me. I fish it out of my cargo pocket.
“Excellent, let’s take this outside.” Sierra, Lil, Jena and I all turn to go out onto the patio behind the kitchen. We set up facing each other and I slip the bracelet on her wrist and hold her hand.
This time when I work the spell, there is no anxiety surrounding it. The spell is actually comfortable and warm. I don’t know if that is because it’s Sierra, and that is just what she has always been for me, or if it’s because Elena is here with me. The biggest difference is the closing of the spell. Sierra repeats the incantation back to me, but Elena added some words that I’ve never heard or read before. Anam Cara. She doesn’t explain, just watches as the tattoo forms on our wrists. It’s a thin double band around her wrist which frames the moon cycle tattoos from the boys. She’s my outer layer, the first line of protection right next to Sam.
“I am curious how you managed to make the spell permanent on your skin, though, that is an interesting touch and I fully approve. It’s a nice backup if your bracelets break.”
“I was kinda hoping you could tell me about that. It only happened with my pack members and Sierra. I thought it was a pack thing until right now. Like maybe the warrior brand was the equivalent for my team.”
“Really? Nothing happened with your team members?”
“No, or any of the other Elite warriors I have been able to get bracelets on. The spell doesn’t exhaust me, but I am tired after doing four or five of them in a row. So it’s taking time getting them all done.”
“I told you magic has its cost, most of the time it is your energy. So you must really think through your spells and choose carefully and wisely. Jena, let me see your warrior brand, please.” She holds her hand out expectantly.
Jena walks forward and holds her wrist out. The little crescent shape on the inside of her wrist looks just like it always did to me. The opening of the shape towards her elbow and the tribal looking markings filling the center are softer than the ones in mine. Then I noticed it.
“Why does yours look angry? It has a red tint around all the edges, like the tattoos is fresh.” I step forward and touch her brand. I don’t remember them having any color before. Lil, let me see yours. Lil shows me hers and it also has the red tint. “What the hell is that?” I look at Elena.
“I have a theory, but let’s give it a couple days and see what comes of it. Next line of business will be this barrier that is up, but I think you should go greet your king, he just arrived.”
I didn’t even hesitate. I pushed past the girls and rushed back through the house and to the front door. Alpha Reggie was barely out of the truck when I jumped at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and making a poor attempt to wrap my short legs around his waist.
“Umpf! Hello to you too, Little One, I have missed you.” He hugs me back and then sets me down so I can hug Luna Anne.
“What, no jumping hug for me too?”
I laugh. “Give me a couple seconds to run to the porch and I can fix that.”
“Nope, I’m good just like this. Thank you very much. How are you? Really?”
“Not great, but there isn’t a whole lot in my control right now, which sucks the most.”
“Little One!”
A second oversized SUV pulls up with Nickolas and Osiston in the front seats. I don’t know if I have smiled this much ever. I am so excited to see all of them, I might actually cry. I walk to each of them, though, letting them pick me up and hug me like a little doll. With them it’s the only time I don’t mind feeling like a little girl being protected and I don’t know why, but it feels so great, I don’t care.
The back doors open and Mina climbs out and my eyes almost pop out of my head. “No way!!! Are you serious?!?” | walk up to her very small but obvious baby bump. She nods and gives me a hug.
“Don’t be mad, but we are only here for Lucas’ celebration and then Xander and Oscar want me back at the castle for obvious reasons.”
“Oh Goddess, NO! I could not be mad about that. This is so great, I’m going to be an auntie!” I clap my hands and bounce up and down with her.
“Hey, stop stirring up our kid!” Xander walks around the truck
“Oh, shut up.” I reach up to hug him too, then Oscar. “Okay come inside we need to get everyone set up and then my team has work to do. The guys are all out working on things, but they should all be back for dinner. I haven’t seen Ava since the hospital.” I look over my shoulder at Luna Anne. “I think Brett is with her, we haven’t seen him either, but Lenny assures me she’s been taking them food. Things have changed a bit since you all were here last. Alpha Reggie you and Luna Anne will be in the same room as last time. Xander, Oscar and Mina will be in Xander’s room from last time. Nickolas and Osiston you can have the last two rooms on the second floor and the rest of the warriors with you can stay at the house at the end of the block. If that’s okay with you Alpha Reggie.”
I look over my shoulder, just now realizing I gave instructions to people who are authorities over me.
“I like your plan, Little One.” He chuckles. “When we get settled would you have time to show me your war room and we can get started filling you in on our own adventures.”
“Of course.”
