"I'll stay in the guest room up here. She's going to need more than me though, and I think Tallis would be the best option. It only makes sense that McKee and Taryn go with Gear and the others to mask them. It'll be easier to chase someone if they can't sense there is someone chasing.
"The stronger, older bodyguards need to go be with the family heads. There shouldn't be any gaps in protection with so many of you in one place. The house will hide Aria's essence just fine. Tallis is strong enough to do some damage, should someone break through our crests - though that's never happened before. I think we might stand a chance together if we had to. Aster should probably stay, too, in case someone does get hurt. Chris should go with Gear and them to provide them with some extra masking."
So I gathered that Aster was a healer and Chris was a bodyguard. So what was Ash, Gear, and Jay?
Iris looked over at Tallis, then at Jay. She seemed to find that to be acceptable terms. She nodded at Jay. Then she went on to speak in a cautious tone.
"Keep her and yourselves safe. If something feels off, run." Her voice trailed off as she disappeared suddenly. So she was fast.
Now I was aggravated at how slowly she had made me walk while she was in her old lady costume. Ash bobbed in suddenly.
"Ayla is staying, too. You may need her in case the atmosphere gets a little too crazy." Then she winked at Jay and mouthed "you're welcome." She turned to leave before he got the chance to silently thank her.
Jay smiled and winked at me as he walked out. McKee scowled angrily as he stormed off, defeated. Then Gear walked toward us.
"Promise me you won't do anything with my sister. Not tonight - preferably never -but especially not tonight. I need you to be alert and focused. Her life could depend on you." He had so much worry in his voice.
"I promise. I won't do anything inappropriate. I'm on a job and I trust myself to take it seriously. I'll stay with her as much as I can tomorrow, too."
Tallis also sounded very serious… too serious. Gear had officially ruined our hormonal buzz. Great.
Gear reached out and shook his hand. Then he took Olivia's hand and they ran out to start their search.
Jay and Ayla were in the room just two doors down. We could hear them giggling and whispering. I heard Ayla say something about her first time feeling excited. I rolled my eyes and then looked at Tallis who was sitting by my window, staring into the pitch black night.
"Why do we have to be so serious if they don't have to be?"
Tallis chuckled, still looking out the window.
"They just found each other. They’re soul mates. They can't help it. Everyone knew that, including Jay, which is why he said he couldn't do it alone. For the first few months after meeting your soul mate, you can't think, or focus, or do anything but lose yourself in that person. The only thing that can shake you from it is self defense. If there's a fight, he'll be ready. But other than that, he's going to be completely wrapped up in her for a while."
That statement disturbed me. I almost felt like crying. "So you know you're soul mates the instant you meet?"
He didn't seem to notice the pain in my voice. He continued speaking casually unaffected and staring out the window. "Yeah. It's too strong to deny and there's nothing like it."
"You have personal experience?" I could hear my voice choking up slightly as I asked that question.
He turned to face me. His voice was sincere. "No." He smiled at me. "My mom and dad explain it pretty well though."
I was still choking back my overwhelming urge to burst out into tears. "So I take it that I'm not your soul mate?"
I got sick. I couldn't believe I just sounded so whiny and devastated. I barely knew him.
His mood changed and he stepped away from the window before walking over to me. "I didn't say that. I don't know."
Now I felt like he was trying to spare my feelings. "You said you knew it instantly."
He shook his head, smiling. Oh his smile was so perfect. "When you're eternal. Not until then. So we won't know until you transform."
I sighed out in relief. "Do you think we're soul mates?"
Again, I was the whiny girl acting far too clingy. I couldn't stop myself though. There had to be a reason for the madness.
"I think we're talking about too much for one day, and I think you should sleep." He was avoiding answering my question. With too many tears wavering, I decided to drop it.
"Are you sleeping?"
He smiled and looked away. "Yeah. Aster is going to keep an eye out and wake me if I'm needed."