had actually missed them during the last month; they were his brothers now too. Logan had probably saved his life, and Ivar would do anything for that demon. He regained his seat. Five of his brothers, those created by the painful ritual of the Seven, had hidden him, protected him, and helped him for the three months he’d been back from hell. “You want me in a meeting? With other people?”
“I’d hardly call them people,” Ronan drawled, looking up as two males entered the room. “Family doesn’t count.”
Ivar partially turned. “Welcome back.”
Logan Kyllwood flashed a smart-ass grin. “You still batshit crazy, Viking?” He drew out a chair and lowered his muscled body into it.
“Yes,” Ivar said shortly, missing his days as an actual Viking before the world had changed. Out of habit, he shared Logan’s grin, even though he didn’t feel what a smile was supposed to feel like. Not anymore. He’d do anything for the young warrior. He owed him. “Unlike your mate. Now that’s a sane female.” There was no doubt Mercy O’Malley was crazier than the rest of them put together. Most fairies were. As was Logan’s mum. Maybe that was his type.
Logan snorted. “She’s not crazy. Just high energy.”
Fair enough.
Garrett sank into a seat with a sigh of relief. He’d been dealing with the Realm, the coalition of immortal species run by his family. His genetic family. The youngest Kayrs soldier glanced at Ronan. “Hello, Great-Uncle.”
“I thought we’d finished with that nonsense.” Ronan rolled his eyes. “You didn’t realize I existed until three months ago, so shut up.”
Garrett chuckled. “I know, but it makes you feel old and me delighted. I must be an imp.”
Ivar zeroed in on the seriousness lurking in Garrett’s eyes. The kid was supposed to smooth things over with the vampire king and the Realm in general. The Seven had kept their existence a secret for a thousand years, until they’d lost members and had to recruit, which had ended up outing them. Well, to nation leaders, anyway. “I take it your mission to smooth things over with the Realm wasn’t roses and hugs?”
Garrett lost the grin. “Nope. The King of the Realm is a little pissed that he’s still dealing with the, ah—”
“Cluster fuck,” Logan said helpfully.
Garrett cleared his throat, his metallic gray eyes sizzling with intelligence. “Yes. In his words, with the mess we all have created by, ah—”
“Just existing,” Logan added. “Or rather, perverting the laws of nature and the witch nation, binding our torsos into impenetrable shields, and creating a force called the Seven.”
Garrett cut his best friend a look. “You are not helping.”
“Not trying to help,” Logan drawled.
Garrett grimaced. “I just spent the better part of a month being yelled at by several uncles, several aunts, and my mother. It was a shitstorm, and not all of us have a new mate who’s happy to see us, like you do, Logan. Some of us are mateless, you know.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “I know for a fact that you spent last weekend with a couple of feline shifters. Not one, but two. Female shifters are very bendy. So don’t tell me you’re pent up.”
Garrett’s lips twitched into a smile.
Logan cleared his throat. “I’ve been dealing with the Fae nation and trying to glean as much information about teleporting as they have learned. Unfortunately, they haven’t actually studied the ability any more than we have.” He leaned forward. “I’ve been talking to Kane Kayrs a lot, and he’s getting caught up on the science behind teleporting.”
Ivar glanced at Garrett. “Your uncle is willing to help us?”
Garrett nodded. “Yeah. Kane is intrigued by the whole notion, and since he’s the smartest being on the entire planet, I say we tell him everything. We need to find the best human physicists and get them working with him. It’s a good plan, Ivar.”
Ivar nodded. “Agreed.” He had to get back to that one hell world and save Quade Kayrs. His eyes met Ronan’s, which all but glowed with guilt and pain. Ronan had escaped the bubble world where he’d been trapped, but Quade was still stuck in his. “We’ll get him out, Ronan.” It was a vow, and Ivar meant every word.
Garrett scrubbed both hands down his face. “I don’t think I’m a good diplomat. It’s so much easier to just hit people.”
“The kid reminds me of his father.” Ivar glanced at Ronan. “Though I agree. I liked it so much better when we were a secret.”