Harem Nights

Harem Nights
We all enjoy the huge smorgasbord before us. Mike made seven desserts. How he found the time remains a mystery. Do trolls have some kind of magic other than the daylight thing Eric told me about? “This might sound stupid, but are there books that could help me understand all of the Underworld, or at least some of it?”

Malcolm shakes his head. “No handbook. Just ask and we will help the best we can.”

“SIA is kinda the handbook if you look at it. I have a history of various supernatural beings in my archives,” Eric says.

“Then do trolls possess magic besides making daylight?” I ask.

Mike chuckles. “You are curious how I made all of this in just a few hours, aren't you?”

“Yes, because even a team might not have gotten it done so quickly,” I reply. I have a theory that no one at this table is normal, despite what Beings they are.

“Trolls don't normally have more than just light magic. I have always been a bit different,” Mike explains.

I raise an eyebrow. “You don't say.” 

He chuckled. Niko held up his hands as he said, “That is going to take getting used to.”

Mike replies, “I can be amused.”

“The most we usually hear are grunts, not laughter that shakes the ground,” Niko emphasizes.

“It fucking doesn't!” Mike quips.

Malcolm sighs. “Big man, it does. You just don't notice it.”

“I agree with Mikey.” Mike laughs again, but this time the glasses on the table shake a bit. “Fine, maybe it shakes a little. But anyway, Mike, why do you think you're different?”

Because they told me trolls are grumpy, and at most, you might feign indifference towards me. They say trolls hate anyone who isn't a troll.”

Mike looks at Chase and Niko before he says, “Well, these assholes are right. It took me decades to learn to tolerate them and even longer before I liked them.”

“But you like me, or else I wouldn't be here, much less considered a part of your clan,” I reply.

Mike nods. “You are correct. It's not your allure because that doesn't work on trolls.”

Malcolm explains, “Correct, Mike, usually a Siren's allure only works on mortals and most supernaturals that possess darkness like vampires, werewolves, mages, and demons.” I bite my lip. He smiles before he says, “No, that's not why you are our mate. I told you why earlier.”

Niko looks at me. “Remember, we don't go batshit crazy.”

Trent laughs. “Because you are already fucking crazy, Niko.”

Niko laughs. “Different kind of crazy. However, you seem bitter that your allure does not affect her.”

Trent huffs. “I'm the fucking most powerful incubus that we know exists and nothing.” I just giggle. He looks at me. “Oh, I will get to you.”

“Have fun trying,” I tease. 

Niko laughs harder. Trent glares at him. “Oh, fuckoff!”

“I love seeing you flustered, Trent. It is a bit of a turn on,” Niko replies with a huge smirk on his face.

“Malcolm, are you going to do anything about them?” Eric asks.

Malcolm chuckles. “No, it's very amusing.”

Chase growls. “Would you all stop trying to seduce my girlfriend!”

“Chase seriously,” Eric pleads.

“This is all kinds of fucked up,” Chase grumbles. 

I can sense his agitation. So I get up from between Mike and Trent and go sit on Chase's lap. I cup his face as I look into his mesmerizing eyes. “Now listen. We talked earlier, and nothing has changed. This still isn't easy for me, and maybe never will be, but I know it's hard for you, too. You told me that there are indicators.”

Chase nods. “I did.”

“This isn't my telepathy because we hear and feel each other. Niko says my allure doesn't work on those that are meant for me. Am I making you want me?”

“No,” he quickly replies.

“Do you think that I'm making any of them?” I ask.

He took his eyes away from mine and looked at the other guys. “No.”

“Did any of us choose this arrangement?”

“No.”

“Then go easy on them. Mates can't physically hurt each other, right?”

Chase nods. “Yes.”

“Did you trust them before you met me?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“Then trust them more so now. Please, I need all the stability I can get.”

“Emma.” Chase kissed me, and a warmth traveled through my body. He is my rock. He is my safe port in this insane world that I've stumbled into. We pull away breathless, and he rests his forehead on mine. “I'm sorry.”

“It's okay. We both let out a breath before we turn to the others,” I say.

Trent looks at Chase. “Chase, I wasn't trying to provoke this time.”

Chase nods. “I know.” He strokes my hair as he addresses the group. “I think we are all frustrated and concerned.”

Niko nods. “Because none of us expected this.”

Malcolm adds, “I couldn't agree more.”

“We will all have to learn to table our aggression. We fighting amongst ourselves will be of no use to Emma. Plus, it poses as a distraction,” Eric acknowledges.

“We can't afford to be distracted. Maximus will come for her sooner or later,” Niko says.

“We so should have killed him when we had him in custody,” Trent muses.

“You know that's not how we do things,” Malcolm sternly replies. “Each Underworlder has value, even scum like him.”

Mike growls. “But if he touches her…”

Malcolm interrupts, “Then that will be the last person he touches.”

“If he's killing the Underworlders, wouldn't that justify killing him?” I inquire.

“Yes,” Eric replies.

“Emma!” Chase warns.

“Use me as bait.”