AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Foiled,” I sighed. “What’s the symbol on the gate and door?” I asked once he’d set me back on my feet.
“Our symbol,” Caleb answered.
“Huh?”
“Every clan has a symbol,” he explained. “Now that I’m taking on the mantle of King of the Hybrids, we needed a clan symbol.”
Turning back towards the door, I walked up to inspect it. It was a combination of wolf for the werewolves, dragon wing for the dragon shifters, fire for the mages, tree for the elves, and musical notes for the sirens.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered and stroked my fingers across the burned wood.
“Riddick designed it,” Caleb said.
“You did a great job,” I praised and turned to give him a smile, smiling wider when I saw the red on the tips of his ears.
“Speaking of you taking on the mantle, is there going to be a ceremony?” Branson asked. “Don’t you always hold a ceremony for a new crowning?”
“Each clan holds their own, but since we don’t have our clan fully formed yet, we won’t hold one,” Caleb said and I could not only see the sadness in his eyes, but hear it in his voice.
“No,” I said immediately. “No, we’re going to have a ceremony. It doesn’t matter how small our clan is, we are going to crown you.”
“It’s not necessary,” Caleb said.
“On the contrary, it’s more than necessary, it’s required,” Triston said. “Ember is right, as our king, you are going to get the whole thing.”
“Our clan no longer consists of just the five of us,” Branson reminded him. “We have other members now.”
“And it will send a message to all hybrids out there, to let them know we are here and welcome them to join us,” Branson said. “We can have pictures from it sent to the news outlets and post on our socials as well.”
“Well, it’s going to have to wait until we figure out this curse mark,” Caleb reminded us.
I flinched. “Sorry.”
All turned to me.
“Why are you apologizing?” Branson asked.
“Because I’m the one who got it and spread it to you all.”
“You didn’t ask to be cursed, Ember. You can’t think it’s your fault.” Riddick shook his head. “The fault is on the one who cursed you to begin with.”
“Are we here to isolate ourselves?” I asked. “That will be hard to do without me going to the bedroom.”
“We are going to sleep in the living room,” Riddick answered.
“Wait, we really are staying the night here?” I asked, looking around at them.
Caleb nodded. “We brought food since the pantry and fridge aren’t stocked yet.”
“Oh.” How was I going to finalize my anniversary plans now? I was still debating how I wanted to handle the delivery of the mating stones.
“You sound disappointed,” Branson commented.
“No, I just had a few things to do at the house.” I still had a couple of days. “It will be nice to spend our first night together here.”
“Let’s carry in the supplies,” Caleb said and headed out the front door.
Branson and Triston followed, but Riddick stayed with me.
