Buttercup (Spell Library #10) - Helen Scott Page 0,37

that means they can use me as a mark to add to their quotas."

"Why are you exempt?" I asked as I began to chew on the inside of my cheek, nerves flaring in my belly.

"Because I'm a monk, as we discussed. Since it's kind of a spiritual position within my species it gives me more room to work and leaves me exempt from quotas, just like your churches are exempt from taxes."

"Huh, that's so weird, but fascinating. I had no idea all this was going on," I mumbled, more to myself than anyone else.

"A demon monk?" Logan asked, sounding incredulous. His eyes were wider than I'd ever seen them.

Magnus nodded. "It's complicated. I'll explain it to you another time if you stick around."

The barb didn't go unnoticed by either of us. I turned and frowned at the demon who just shrugged, completely unapologetic for the comment. The door downstairs opened before I could respond and Casper shouted up, "It's just me, and I found a guy named Ausar lurking outside who says he's your mate too."

The grumble from Ausar was barely audible, but it made me smile nonetheless. My sphinx was a bit grumpier than any of my other mates which surprised me. When the two of them appeared at the top of the stairs Casper came and sat next to me on the couch, which left Ausar with nowhere to sit since Magnus and Logan were taking up the two armchairs.

I didn't have to ask anyone to do anything though. Magnus quickly moved and picked me up, sitting me back down a moment later, only this time I was on his lap and my feet were over Cas's legs. The heat of my demon quickly warmed me all the way to my toes, even though they were currently in my kelpie's cool hands.

Cas handed me my coffee and I sipped on the sweet, warm liquid, letting out a sigh of satisfaction.

"Don't make noises like that while you're on my lap, sweetness," Magnus said with a low growl.

I giggled, like a lovestruck idiot, which I guess at that point I was.

"So," I said after clearing my throat and willing the blush on my cheeks to fade. "Logan, these are my mates, Magnus you already met. This is Casper and Ausar. Guys this is Logan, he's a bartender at Vee and a vampire. He also thinks I'm his mate, and I'm inclined to agree with him. The last few days I'd felt like I was being pulled in all different directions, but now? With all four of you here, I feel peaceful, like I'm where I'm supposed to be." I looked over at Casper before turning to face Magnus, which made him groan in my ear, and the sound went straight to my sex. "I don't know how okay you are with being two mates out of four, but I hope you are, because I care about you, both of you," I said as I reached out and took Casper's hand with my free one.

"Ausar? Aren't you the cop whose sister was killing vamps?" Logan asked.

My sphinx visibly tensed. "I am sorry if you knew someone she hurt. I wasn't aware of the depth of her hatred. Be assured though, she is safely contained in Silver Springs Penitentiary. I even work as a guard there now, just so I can keep an eye on her. I don't trust the other guards not to be manipulated by her beauty and trickery, even without magic."

"Not trying to call you out, just curious," Logan said. "Sorry your sister was nuts."

"Thank you," Ausar said, looking as though he felt awkward as fuck with the direction the conversation had gone.

"So, we're all good with one another?" I asked.

"I'm good with whatever makes you happy, sweetness," Magnus whispered in my ear, his lips grazing the delicate edge.

"Variety is the spice of life. Isn't that what they say?" Casper asked as he held out his arms to me.

I went to my kelpie eagerly. His body was cool against my heated one, and when his arms wrapped around me and pulled me close, I couldn't help but sigh with happiness. He nuzzled into my neck and I let my head fall back onto his shoulder, giving him more access. He kissed a line from my jaw to my collar bone.

"Seeing you with them doesn't make me jealous anymore," Logan said, curiosity sparking in his voice.

I lifted my head and looked at him. "So, you're okay with this?"

"I think so,"