at the nape of his neck. His hazel eyes gleamed with restrained humor and intelligence. “Greetings and salutations, I am Mason Roche.”
Cheeks returned the greeting. “You have something to add, Mason?”
The man stepped forward. “My mates and I are not bonded to either woman. I offer my help, in whatever form you would need.”
I looked around at the rest of the group. “And your mates are?”
Two guys at the back raised their hands. “Lukas and Atlas,” the redhead said in a British accent.
“I, too, would offer my help.” Another guy from the back said. He moved forward to stand beside the Warden. “I’m Jeremiah, Warden Lieutenant.”
“Hollyn? What do you think?” I asked her. Careful to use her real name. I wasn’t giving any of these assholes intimate knowledge of my girl.
She nodded. “That is fine.” She turned back to Mason. “Are you a god?”
He smiled. Shook his head. “No, goddess. I am merely a created being.”
Kiema raised a hand. “Mason has immense power.”
“And you two?” Cheeks nodded at Lukas and Atlas.
“We’re considered Prime Directs through our connection to Kiema, but we’re not gods. I’m a null and Atlas is a shifter.”
My ears perked up. “What kind?”
“Wolf.” The guy with the chin-length white blonde hair said. He didn’t add anything to his answer.
I nodded. “Dragons.”
Atlas smiled. “Ten is our only dragon. But outside of him, we don’t know too much about them. I would love to ask you all some questions. Help us expand our library of knowledge.”
Cheeks turned to Jeremiah. “And you’re a Warden. What skills or power do you possess?”
His expression went a little slack before he got himself under control. “I’m Fae.”
We waited for more explanation.
Ari chuckled softly. “Those evolved, ancient beings I was telling you about?”
I shook my head. “You’re going to have to tell us again, Ari. Che—Hollyn’s been in trouble since then.”
Ari smiled. “They carry elemental magic as part of their genetic makeup. They are magic. Wardens are the vampiric Fae who are the strongest of their race.”
“Vampiric like Le Stat or Dracula?” Tove asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Jeremiah and the big guy shook their heads, rolled their eyes. “No, we do not feast on the blood of humans,” Jeremiah said.
“Then why call yourselves vampires?” Tove asked. I snorted mentally at my brother’s depressed tone.
Jeremiah smiled. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
Tove laughed.
Cheeks brought more star shine into her hands. “Then I suggest you keep your mouth shut, you fucker. You touch any one of them and I’ll blaze you straight to whatever you consider hell.”
Tove leaned forward. “It’s a movie quote, Hols. He was being funny.”
She shook her hands, let the bright light dissolve. “Right. I knew that.”
“You live on Earth, and you didn’t know that was a movie quote? Did you grow up under a rock?” the twin with light brown eyes said.
Cheeks turned to him. “No. I grew up in a nudist cult. Where did you grow up that you know the movie quote?” She jutted her chin up.
The guy’s mouth dropped open. “Legit? You grew up with a bunch of whackos who liked running buck naked?”
The man’s twin shook his head. “Please ignore Asher. He’s our village idiot.”
Cheeks nodded. “Oh. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize he was challenged.”
The visiting group laughed as if she’d just said the funniest thing they’d ever heard.
I take it that was another joke, she said mentally.
Yeah, Stretch. They’re just having fun.
She sighed heavily. I really need more lessons.
We’ll teach you, cheeks. We’ve got you, I said.
She turned to me, blew me a kiss. Winked. Good. I’ve got you all, too.
Kiema wiped at her eyes. “That was hilarious.”
Esmerelda turned. “Well, if you’ve enjoyed your moments of laughter, we do still have a battle to plan.”
The group cut off like a sword sliced through their throats. “Right. Sorry.” Kiema’s cheeks heated. “We’ll leave you to your planning. If you need us, just reach out to the Wardens. They can contact us.” She rose to her feet. She stepped forward, held out her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Hollyn.”
Cheeks kept her hands to herself. “You as well, but I’m not touching you again.”
Kiema smiled, dropped her hand. “We’ll have to chat one of these days when you’re not in danger. I think I like you.”
Cheeks said nothing.
The visiting group waved goodbye as they passed back through the front door. Only those who had said they would help stayed behind.
Which left us with close to forty people in our penthouse. I sighed. I wanted