We had just arrived after I showed that I can give, take, and control life. I am still unsure about all of this. I want to help Elena, but can I do it without exposing myself or my mates? I want us to stay hidden as long as I can or at least until we regain some control over our abilities and this Haze is over.
“What you just did was truly amazing,” Vlad said approvingly.
“I uncover more every day or so. More since finding and spending time with my mates. Will…” I start to say before he finishes my thought.
“Yes, Katie will be protected here. We do have humans that live here in exchange for their blood donations,” Vlad answers reassuringly.
“You better or…” I attempt to say.
“Eva, all are treated fairly,” Vlad says in a firm tone.
Marcus looks between Vlad and me before asking, “Out of curiosity, can you feel our emotions?”
I nod, “Yep, including your presence and the strength of that presence.”
“Other beings as well?” he inquires. I nod in response as he continues, “That's extraordinary!”
A sly grin dawns my lips as I tell him, “Oh and Marcus don't give up on finding a mate. You lost one, but she wasn't the only one for you.”
I smile because I caught a glimpse when I sat by him briefly on the plane. Vlad's were jumbled just like my mates until they revealed to me. Why I wish that there was an unfriend button. Adding mates just isn't fair and I worry that animosity and jealousy will surface. I don't want to be the cause of my mates growing to hate each other.
Raising an eyebrow, Marcus asks, “You saw something, didn't you?”
I giggle, “Can neither confirm nor deny.”
Vincent shakes his head, “You’ll get used to her infuriating ways.”
I laugh, “Says the peanut butter to my jelly.”
Katie laughs, “That's a good one and it shut him up too. I'm getting hungry though.”
I sigh, “I still am.”
Vincent says to me, “You used your powers so that's likely why.”
My stomach growls, “I need real food.”
Vincent nods, “I miss your cheesecake bites already.”
Vlad snaps his head in shock, “Brother, we don't taste good.”
Vincent chuckles, “Oh, you'll see.”
We stroll through the castle. Vlad's people come and speak to him. He pretty much dismissed them coldly. Whatever it is not my concern at the moment, he will learn to treat others better.
We get to the kitchen. Sam and I start figuring out what we will make as a man approaches. He's a vampire that's older than Vincent. I weed through his thoughts, and as it turns out this man is the one who sired both brothers. His name is Artemis Crowley. He appears in his mid to late thirties with dark sandy blonde hair and a well-groomed beard.
“So good that both of my sons are under the same roof once more,” he says as he extends his hand to Vincent.
“Whoa!” Katie exclaims.
I giggle as I point my wooden spoon at her, “Katie no!! Remember a vampire stays the age they were at the time they were turned. He's older than Vinny.”
“Eva!” Vincent yells. I raise an eyebrow at his attempt to chastise me. He looks away, “It can wait.”
I smile but Sam has to tease him, “So an old vampire can learn new tricks.”
“Sam!” I warn.
He grins wolfishly, “Snow White, I meant it in jest.”
I poke him in the chest, “You had better!”
Steven turns to Katie, “Surely they're not!”
Katie informs him, “Watch their eyes.”
Exasperated, he says, “But the Haze is over mostly until the next full moon.”
Eric turns to Steven, “It never is completely for us. It just loses its intensity after the full moon passes. At least that is how it is for now.”
“Well, I'm glad I'm a normal wolf then and can enjoy my Haze partner whenever unless the full moon rises and my control slips,” Steven says.
“You're a cute wolf too,” Katie tells him.
I can feel Artemis’s disapproval, “Old man before you say a thing about my choice in travel companions, these people are my family. I'd happily end anyone for them!”
Artemis snaps at me, “You should watch how you speak to an elder.”
I scoff, “Well, I'd wager anything that my soul is vastly older than yours and my body can do things like none you've ever seen.”
I slightly suppress his will to show that I mean business. Artemis smirks, “Nice try.”
“I wasn't fully trying. That was only a tease,” I confidently respond.
I lick the batter from my spoon which makes Vincent grin. Vlad looks at him, “Brother?”
Vincent’s grin widens as he answers his brother, “Just watch.”
I don't want them to influence this in any way so I tell them to hush just as Artemis used his speed to approach me but I ported to the chef's table. “Too slow,” I taunt.
“You ported. You're no witch or vampire!” he exclaimed.
I intend to show him a glimpse of what all I can do. So I shift and lick Vincent. As I shift back, the windows burst open, and in comes a flock of owls. I walk back to finish cooking as I have the owls encircle Artemis to keep him subdued until I am ready to address him again.
Sam grins approvingly as he talks to Artemis, “Now you see why I called her Snow White.”
I giggle and kiss his cheek as Artemis asks, “How?”
“I can control anything living or dead. No spells needed,” I state nonchalantly.
Sam and I finished preparing dinner. We made steaks, baked potatoes, a salad, and some chocolate cake for dessert. Eric eyes the food hungrily, “Ah, food.”
I let the owls leave and close the windows with my powers. “Now that we have established that you shouldn't remotely attempt to belittle me, can we have dinner and a conversation?” I ask Artemis.
He nods, “I had to see if you were what Vincent claimed you were. The composure you have under pressure and the control is impressive. Also, I can't read your mind or your human’s.”
I look Artemis in the eyes, “Her name is Katie. I made sure you can't read hers. Only my mates can read mine. Before you can say that's not possible, save it. Nothing about me is normal or possible. Currently, I'm undefinable.”
Vlad looks at me and sighs, “I'll figure it out just will take some time, and if your powers are still evolving maybe longer.”
I say matter-of-factly, “They only truly evolved when I met those three, and I guess now you too.”
Vlad shakes his head, “I will burn you.”
A demonstration is in order, “Eric, an assist please,” I say.
Eric creates a ball of fire in his hand and I pick it up and hold it for a minute before placing it back in Eric's hand as I tell Vlad, “See, I'm fireproof.”
Vlad blinks, “You still have your powers too!”
“Yes because I'm actually fireproof no aurora or spell is making me that way, I just am,” I tell Vlad.
“I had to use a spell that an enchantress taught me to ensure that any of my lovers were protected from my flames,” Vlad reveals.
“Even the Order that fought in the war didn't have these abilities,” Artemis says.
Vincent nods, “Now you know I spoke the truth, my love is a goddess or an angel.” He looks to Vlad, “Try the food.”
“Why? It won't have a taste,” Vlad snorts as if it is the most insane thing he has heard.
“You are so wrong about that,” Eric tells Vlad.
Vlad rolls his eyes, “Fine, give me a piece of the meat then.”
Sam serves him while I happily eat my cake. Vlad cuts himself a piece of steak and places it in his mouth. I feel him vibrate with pleasure as he says, “Fuck! This is good!”
Vincent smirks as he finishes chewing, “Told you!”
Vlad looks around, “How is this possible?”
Eric grins, “Eva is how. It's a perk of being bound to her.”
I try to explain, “And no we don't really know why, same as with the hazing thing. My telekinesis started when I turned 25. The rest after my mates although I've always had the ability to read people a bit. Why I'm a good investigative journalist.”
“What of your family?” Artemis asks.
“All dead and I never knew them as I lived in an orphanage,” I say.
“Are you certain?” he asks me.
“No, it’s what I was told,” I reply.
Vlad looks at me with equal parts awe and disbelief, “Well, this will be interesting.”
I look at him, “Oh there's tons more, but only select company should know.”
Vincent looks at his brother, “Trust us on this.”
Artemis looks between Vincent and Vlad, “I can't hear your thoughts, sons.”
I smile, “Sorry, I like some privacy plus some intimate details are reserved for my mates' ears only.”
Artemis looks at Vlad before he settles on me, “So, Vlad too?”
I nod, “Possibly.” I know that it is far more than a possibility but I'm just not ready to accept it yet.
Eric looks me in the eye, “Eva, you're just going to have to accept that some things are beyond your control.”
I frown. I relish control. I also worry that my home with them will be disrupted. I can't take on another mate. I just can't! I have to find a way to fight this pull. I have grown to love Vincent, Sam, and Eric. Could I grow to love Vlad? Maybe, but I don't want to find out. He's still broken from losing Elena. But I'm broken too, is it because I have not fully bonded with my last mate?