Sally seems to be the driving force behind the family gatherings. She has been teased about the group text, and I get the feeling that once you are invited to join it, you are in the family for good. She is the teller of all the stories. Her hand circles her stomach as she talks about a dragon breathing fire at a human's head. I’ve never met a rabbit shifter, vampire hybrid, and I’m curious about her power. Her child is going to be one-of-a-kind.
Watching the group's interactions is fascinating. I don’t spend much time around people, and never in large groups. Most of my time is spent in solitude, tracking, and talking to myself. Bash and Ryker haven't paid much attention to anyone except their mate. Micah converses with everyone, yet his gaze follows his mates' every move. Daisy leaves the room, and the ancient vampire becomes twitchy. Heath is attempting to ignore my presence, his mate is leaning close, doing all she can to help him relax. Haven’s mates are reserved, and I don’t know them well enough to know if that’s natural or because of me and Rylee.
The laughter in the room signifies the end of the story, and Sally excuses herself. Her mates don’t look happy about her walking away from them. Allie winks at me and follows her. As interesting as this is, I would rather be alone with Rylee. Herscent has burrowed under my skin, and sitting beside her isn’t close enough. My fox is loping in my mind, impatient with the need to go slow. Rylee is a red fox. I can sense it, yet her animal is hiding. When shifters meet another, we can usually get a sense of the power the other holds, and hers is minimal. I’m not sure if she knows her potential. Perhaps she was taught to be afraid of what she can do. I wish I could read her mind. She’s good at hiding her emotions, and although I can tell by smell to a certain extent, I’d rather the words come from her tempting mouth.
“How’s your wound?” Haven asks quietly.
“Like it didn’t happen,” Rylee mutters.
“Did it scar?” Haven’s expression shows regret, and I want to know the reason.
“No.” Rylee brushes away her concern, and I know it’s because I can hear them.
“Are you hurt?” I ask, and she turns to me. Her mouth opens, but she’s hesitant.
Before she can answer, we hear the rabbit moving quickly outside the door.
“Micah,” Sally calls, popping her head around the door frame. “A man grabbed Daisy.”
“Fuck,” Micah growls, standing at a speed humans couldn’t track. “He’s dead,” he snarls, blurring out of the room.
All of the male vampires except Luca disappear, and Sally smiles at me.
“This is the chaos we spoke of,” she informs me.
Bash warned me that going out with the family to a club would probably involve blood. Micah will make sure the man regrets his actions.
“Is Daisy okay?” Marie asks.
“Umm…” She looks over her shoulder briefly. “She’ll be fine, but he left marks. The man who squeezed her ass will not.”
“Oh, shit,” Serenity breathes, and I feel the power that Micah releases. It flows into the room, and I grit my teeth.
“My bestie is fierce.” Sally grimaces.
“Damn.” Rylee flinches, and I grab her hand.
“Heath, would you help contain Micah?” Sally asks.
The snake shifter speaks softly to his mate before moving toward the door. Sally steps inside the room as he passes.
“Stay with Haven,” Hunter demands, and follows Heath. Bane wraps his arm around her, and Lawson and Remy move closer to her.
“That’s powerful,” Haven gasps, feeling the pressure of Micah’s anger.
If a vampire is old enough and has gained enough power, they can deploy a gift. It’s as if they are reaching inside your body and twisting your organs. Usually, they direct it at the people they want to incapacitate, but, fearing for his mate, Micah has leaked into the club. The pressure expands, and I worry about the effects Micah’s skills will have on my mate, and Sally, and Marie’s baby. Everyone in the room feels it, but no one can control the power of an ancient. Vampires can take the pain more easily than shifters.
“Ezra?” Rylee frowns as I release her hand.
“Don’t move,” I order, and walk toward the door.
I rarely use all of my gifts. My ability to shield others from pain is usually something I would only use for people I love. I don’t know any of these shifters, but my mate loves them. In some countries, a white fox is considered a spiritual being, bringing blessings and love. I’ve never thought of myself that way, yet I can take the pain, and channel it. Although the only place it can go is inside me.
Standing in the doorway, I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and push out my gift. I’m hit in the chest with Micah's magic.Fuck, he’s been around a long time. I understand his need to protect his mate, but he needs to reel it in.
“What’s happening?” Rylee asks, and I open my eyes.
“Holy shit,” Juliana gasps, and I know my eyes are glowing.
