"That sounds terrible," he said, wrinkling his nose. "I can't imagine not having so many people around. We're pack supernaturals at our core. I think that's why Calev and I fit into this group so easily. We all have different pasts, but here we have a team that helps fill that gap."
"I'm glad you guys were the ones to find me," I started, "If it were anyone else, I fear I'd be a test subject or alone still."
"Nah, I have a feeling we would have found you anyway. If not now, then down the road at some point," he said, taking my hand and pulling me out of the bed. "Come on, we're hungry."
"Hold on, you ordered french toast AND gyros?" Evander groaned, sounding completely grossed out. "I drink blood, and even I think that's gross."
"Food is food! It's not like I'm dipping french toast in my tzatziki," I laughed, reaching for my soda and taking a drink.
"Says the guy who eats peanut butter dipped oreos," Aeson called out from the other end of the table, earning a glare from Van.
"Yeah, because they’re delicious, you ass," he called back, looking genuinely offended.
"Here's your appetizer, can I get you anything else?" our waiter asked as he sat our food down. We all just grunted our answers, already digging into the pita, fava, and chicken skewers. He chuckled at our reaction and walked away, leaving us alone with our terrible manners.
When I had polished off my portion, I sat back and appreciated the restaurant. They had local memorabilia decorating the walls, along with some other random things, creating an odd sort of collage. Closest to us was an oar with a bite taken out of it and purple paint splattered over it. Weird.
"That's not paint, babe," Tristan snorted, "it's blood. Water creatures tend to have purple blood when they're in their full form."
"And they hung it on the wall... of a restaurant... where I'm eating?" I asked, my stomach churning at the idea. What the fuck?!
"It's been sealed, read the plaque," Aeson pointed out. The little plaque was on the side, and I had to strain to read the tiny letters.
The actual oar from the first mermaid sighting by a human. The mermaid in question was mid fight with a shark shifter when they were spotted. It was confiscated thanks to famous historian Darius Renato, who took it from the scene where he posed as an investigator. It was sealed and preserved as a piece of American supernatural history. Its original home was in the Council Hall Museum.
"Still gross," I pointed out, wondering if my blood would be purple as well. "So, do any humans know about us?"
Calev nodded, lowering his voice to a quiet whisper that wouldn't be overheard by nearby patrons. "There are the occasional people who find out but get laughed off as conspiracy theorists, and then there are certain government officials who know. The only other exception is mates. Certain species tend to find human mates, but they have to register with the council. Generally, they move to one of our territories, but some prefer the human world and have to keep things under wraps."
"My mom is human," Aeson added, "but my dad's magic was strong enough that good old genetics and luck gave me powers. It's rare that a child is born without powers. Those with powers are generally more diluted, but not all."
"Here are your meals," the waiter called out as he approached, probably a warning because of all the whispering. We all leaned back and smiled, trying to be the picture of innocence.
"Thank you," I sang out as he slid my two plates toward me. We all fell back into silence except for the sounds of silverware and chewing. As we finished, we all leaned back and rubbed our bellies, way too full to function just yet.
"So, we stay here and what?" I asked, frustration welling up again. "Clearly, we aren't going to randomly figure it out since it's not your average skill."
"I think we should start with Lilah. When she's not bartending, she's in school to be a geneticist," Calev revealed. Everyone around the table turned to him with shocked expressions.
"He says casually," Tristan deadpans, waving his hand in Calev’s direction. "You don't think that would have been important to know before now?"
"So we are bringing our girlfriend, a biological mystery who wants to avoid being tested on, to a geneticist in the making?" Lachlan growled, his eyes flashing from their usual color to a golden honey.
"Rein it in, buddy. I didn't mention it because I wasn't considering it an option. But I'm bringing it up now, aren't I?" Calev shot back, his tone a low hiss edged in stone.
"You're right, it's not an option," Lach seethed, the table splintering slightly under his grip.
"Stop," I called sharply, both of them snapping their heads in my direction to take in the look of anger on my face. "It is still my life, and I will decide if we tell her or not. I haven't even met her. For tonight, we go home and plan for the future."
May 1st
Evening
Aeson
Watching Lennox put the others in their place when their anger got the best of them was sexy as hell. She had such a commanding presence for someone who had seemed so timid when we met her. Her sea green eyes flared with authority as she stared them down, her pouty lips pursed as she waited for them to chill.
"Let's go," Tristan encouraged, getting up and heading for the cash register. We all followed him, Calev and Lachlan still looking angry, but properly chastised. I wrapped my arm around Lennox and leaned in to whisper in her ear.