"There was a turf war between our two territories a while back. I was maybe ten at the time. Something about a spy, or something, set it off. My brother's team was attacked while defending the border, and he died protecting the others while reinforcements came. I don't trust them at all; nobody needed to die over a land dispute. Not to mention, if a spy got caught, it should have been a high council issue. Not handled by everyday soldiers," he explained, a glossy sheen to his eyes as he held back tears. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I crawled over to him, sitting in his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck.
"I'm so sorry," is all I could find to say. I didn’t want to make it worse, but I wanted to hold him until his sadness passed a little. He grasped me tightly, his arms wrapping around my waist as he held me close.
"Thanks, babe," he said softly, his voice wavering for a moment. The car remained silent, until it finally came to a stop. I had been so caught up in Aeson’s story, that I hadn’t even seen where they’d taken me.
"The zoo?" I questioned, a bit confused, but also not complaining. Who doesn't love the zoo?!
Tristan laughed at my thoughts, before he explained. "It'll be populated, so no chance of them approaching us. Let me call the dean really q
uick, before we get out." He pulled out his phone and waited for a moment before someone picked up. "Hey Dean Warrick, it's Tristan. We've got a problem. Someone from the Citrine Knights is here at the school. We left and were trailed, and we haven't fully secured the target yet. We've narrowed it down but no outward abilities have shown yet, she's a late bloomer." He was quiet for a few moments before hanging up with a ”Yes, sir.”
"So?" Calev questioned after Tristan got off the phone, unbuckling and turning in his seat now that he was parked.
"He said to lay low, keep observing, or even nudge her along. And that they'll send a detail to watch outside of the school for backup. He'll message us the car identification and names soon, so we will know who to watch for. He also didn’t sound convinced about us not knowing. I’m guessing the school board mentioned we were with her," he explained with a sigh.
"I'm sorry, guys. I didn't mean for this to happen. Should we just head back now?" I asked in a defeated tone. I wasn't going to put them at risk over this.
"No,” Calev said quickly, his eyes unfocused while he thought over everything. “I'd like to know how their radars picked you up this far out, and why Dhara's really here. I think we should let you talk to her. We'll always be nearby though," he added, his eyes studying me for my reaction.
"Not to mention, there's still some more magic in there you haven't unlocked. You're not a full siren, and I'd rather us know more, before subjecting you to the testing they'd want to do. Not that it'd be bad, just invasive," Aeson explained, his magic glowing as he talked. His eyes were faraway as his magic moved over me. The tingling over my skin picked up as it spread, a soft warmth enveloping me as he scanned my magic. "There's something more there than there was before, and I think it's close to the surface, and powerful. Far more powerful than your siren magic." He gave a soft shudder as he pulled his magic back to him.
"Could that be the reason they picked it up? She's so strong?" Evander asked curiously, his fangs showing as he nibbled on his lip. My eyes were drawn to his lip, ignoring the conversation around me. Despite all of the hanging out we had done, they were so limited around humans, that I couldn't see the full extent of what they were. I had been curious about his feeding, and he’d once mentioned that he had to feed once a month on a living subject. I know he said the others usually offer, but what if I did?
"Evander, stop. You've got her all hot and bothered with your lip biting. We need her to focus," Tristan said, sounding amused.
"We've got to work on my blocking skills," I groaned, hating that I couldn’t even keep my thoughts to myself. My cheeks flared with embarrassment at being called out.
"Agreed, but it's so much more fun to watch you blush. Plus, it does our egos good to know how you daydream about us. Don't worry, I'll share their thoughts next time I catch one of them daydreaming about you," Tristan reassured me. The other guys huffed, making me giggle with curiosity at how they pictured me.
"We're getting derailed again. Focus, Little Psycho," Calev teased, giving me a sultry smile that was so not helping.
"What if they knew her parents? Or her parents are Citrine Knights," Lachlan asked quietly, sobering us all up with that thought.
"Fuck, I didn't even think about that. It would make sense that they’d send her outside of the community, if they were trying to hide her," Calev said, letting out a string of colorful curses under his breath.
"I get that it's a territory thing, but why are they so bad?" I asked, wanting the brunt of the ugly truth. If my parents were the bad guys, I wanted to know.
Tristan let out a long sigh, before explaining further. "They aren't bad, per se. They just believe in the purity of the races, so our kind don't die out. Even though the council has its own research team that studies the genetic side of supernaturals, and reassures us that bloodlines don't die out because of mixed pairings, they want only vampires with vampires, bears with bears," he waved his hands, "you get the idea. I'm guessing if your parents were, in fact, from the Citrine Island, then they hid you to conceal their breaking of the law. They aren't kind with their punishments, and would likely have dealt with that kind of transgression severely. It's treason in their territory. Despite the council's warning that they can't punish with death anymore, I'm sure they still have some shitty punishments in its place."
My head reeled as I tried to wrap my mind around everything he’d just told me. The thought of my parents suffering was hard to swallow, but the fact that I may have been wanted had hope blooming in my chest, even though I tried to hold it back. What if it wasn't safe to keep me? What if they spelled my magic to stay locked in, so I wouldn’t have to face that same kind of ridicule or 'shame'?
"Let's go," Evander said softly, sensing my mood and wanting a distraction. The others all got out, but Aeson didn't move, and I made no move to follow just yet.
"Don't worry, babe, we'll figure it out," he said softly, kissing my neck and making me shiver at the sensitive touch. "Thanks for earlier. I don't usually get emotional, but I can't help but hate them for what they took from me."
"Always. I'm not just here for the good times, I'm here for it all," I reassured him, gently running my hand over his jaw, before turning him to face me and pressing my lips softly against his. He wasn't one for subtlety, so he quickly deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping along my lips to beg for entrance. I gladly let him in, letting him fully taste me as I wiggled against him. His free hand stilled my hips, and a low groan came out.
"Fuck, babe. You can't tease me like this, I'll be walking around the fucking zoo with a raging boner." I snorted at his words, but stopped the movement I hadn't even realized I was doing.
"Sorry," I said quietly, nipping his bottom lip. "Let's go before the others get antsy," I joked, scooting off his lap and stepping out the door. Tristan had a grin on his face, winking at me when I stepped out. A flash of my face entered my mind, before it moved to an image of Aeson ripping my clothes off. Fuck, I guess he feels the same about me. Glad I'm not the only one thinking about how much I want them.
"You definitely aren't," Tristan whispered as Aeson groaned from inside the SUV at something Tristan said to him through their connection.
"Come on guys, I want to see the otters!" I cheered, focusing on something other than my ridiculous libido.
"She's going to kill us all," Aeson complained playfully as he climbed out of the car.
"Hey! I'm innocent," I pouted, linking my arm through Evander's and leading them to the ticket booth.