Page 189 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Eduard could only nod his agreement. He glanced toward the bed where Andvari sat beside Sawyer. He looked like he was in shock. His body trembled as Andvari pulled him closer. Henry’s eyes were equally wide. He stared over at Eduard as if he hoped for some answer that would make all of it go away.

He wished he had answers, but this type of magic was dark and hadn’t been seen for as long as Eduard could remember, and he could remember a long time. There were rumors, of course, of clan members who had been banished resorting to the old ways, but they’d always been treated more like urban legends than anything else.

Besides, the hellhounds were enough of a deterrent that no one really worried about that type of thing. They had their own supernatural police force, for lack of a better description, who handled any supernatural being who got out of line. Eduard could only imagine what their alpha would say when he learned of this newest debacle.

Cecil appeared at the door carrying a small tray, his face creased in a concerned frown. Eduard gave Draco a gentle nudge toward the bed before heading over to the butler.

“Ms. Robinson suggested something sweet would help Master Sawyer with his shock. I’ve brought him his favorite soda and some of Vivian’s chocolate chip cookies. He’s not eaten yet today.”

“Thank you, Cecil. Why don’t you go ahead and have Vivian prepare something for us.”

Cecil smiled softly. “The young master already asked for a light lunch to be prepared for the two of you. It will be ready shortly with enough for all. The moment I shared the news with our chef, she began cooking.”

Of course she did. Viv would probably cook enough to feed the entire work crew in addition to them. And then she’d start baking. “When you bring lunch, please bring something special for Pearl as well. She saved his life today and deserves a treat.”

Cecil nodded as he passed Eduard the tray, and then left the room. Eduard pushed the door closed and returned to the bed. Draco had curled up on the other side of Henry, sandwiching the two younger men between him and Andvari. Pearl was lying across all of their legs, her nose buried in Sawyer’s belly. After setting the tray on the bedside table, Eduard carried the glass of iced soda with a striped paper straw to Sawyer and pressed it into his hands. “Drink,” Eduard said.

Sawyer glanced at the cup, and it made him smile a little. “Cecil and his silly straws. One time I ask for a straw, and now he always gives them to me.” He took a small sip of the drink before leaning his head onto Andvari’s shoulder. “I can’t believe someone made Mr. Bledsoe try to kill me.”

“It’s powerful magic,” Eduard said.

It brought Eduard’s mind back to his previous train of thought. The magic was rare, and more powerful than he’d seen. More dangerous, too. The rules against involving humans were strict and using magic on one to force him to kill? Eduard couldn’t think of anything more worthy of a visit from the hellhounds.

But their bell hadn’t been rung… or however the goddess notified them of infractions involving humans. Eduard would never dream of questioning the hellhounds and their mysterious ways. But they hadn’t shown up this time.

One thing Eduard was sure of though: if Meshaq or one of his pack members had known, then they would have been there mere moments after the event occurred. So whoever the magic user was, they were working beyond the awareness of the hellhounds.

Which shouldn’t be possible. And yet… the hellhounds weren’t beating down their doors. And they were getting ready to take Sawyer into a city where any one of the millions of people who lived and visited could be vulnerable to this unknown magic that was practiced under the radar of the very beings whose sole purpose was to protect humans from exposure to it. He sat on the edge of the bed and rested his hand carefully on Sawyer’s ankle. He stroked his thumb over it slowly while his mind continued to race in confused circles.

“Eduard?” Sawyer asked quietly.

“I’m fine, love.”

“You’re not fine. None of us are. But what are we going to do?”

And that was the question, wasn’t it? Because keeping Sawyer safe was their top priority. But keeping him happy? Well, that was something Eduard wanted as well. The two priorities didn’t mesh, however, and Eduard had no idea how to answer Sawyer’s question. It was clear that Sawyer wasn’t even safe in their home, even with the additional measures they’d taken with the wards and the vampire guards.

“Eduard, stop thinking and start talking,” Sawyer said. “I’m freaked out enough without you going quiet on me.”

Eduard gave Sawyer’s ankle a quick squeeze. “I don’t think it’s safe for us to stay here, at least not while the construction is going on, and we have to allow the wards to remain open to humans.”

Sawyer nodded. “I agree. But where can we go? And don’t say that we’ll go to New York, because if this person can use magic against the mailman I’ve known my entire life, how vulnerable will we be in a city full of humans? We’d never be able to cover up anything that happened in the city. As much as I want to go, I know we can’t. I will definitely expect a rain check though on my gift after all this is over.”

“Of course,” Eduard said. “I do have another suggestion. I would like to go to my estate. It will be a way to ease you into our society while putting you in a place where few humans have access. We’ll have much more control over security as the estate is located on an island and has much more limited access.”

Sawyer gave him a look, one that showed he realized there was a catch. His mind was really a beautiful thing. The more time Eduard spent with him, the more he understood why the monumental task of being the chosen one had been placed on his young shoulders.

“What’s the downside?” Sawyer asked moments later.

Andvari snorted out a laugh and Draco groaned. He buried his face in Henry’s neck and pulled both of their young lovers closer to him.

“It’s not that bad,” Eduard snapped.

“Tell me,” Sawyer demanded.

“Griffins are…”

“Snobs?” Sawyer suggested gently.