Chapter 15

“What?”

Elias’ glower and Kian’s confused, furrowed brow filled Sylvie’s field of vision as she sat on the edge of the bed, half-wrapped in a bedsheet.

Rowan stood hunched in the doorway where Elias had thrown him and dug his lengthening nails into the hardwood of the door.

“The bond is incomplete,” he growled.

“We know.” Elias’ scowl could kill a man—one who was still buck-naked and doused in sweat.

Sylvie blinked tiredly between them, the afterglow of sex draining the last of her energy.

“Calm down.” Her words fell on deaf ears as Rowan stepped towards her, his mouth morphing slightly until his sharp canines glistened in the moonlight. She stood on wobbly feet as Elias flashed forward and shoved Rowan back to the door.

“Hey,” she mumbled, stumbling towards them. “Stop it...”

Before she could trip on the sheet tangling between her legs, Elias’s cool arms wrapped around her and cradled her head, brushing the damp baby hairs from her forehead. She almost let the whole world melt away under his light-eyed gaze until he gently passed her to a pair of warm hands.

Kian sighed, draping his arms behind her lower back and kissing her swollen lips softly. She melted into him, letting his calm energy roll through her. It felt so good to be touched by them again. She didn’t realise how much she missed their presence— their love— until then.

“Why did you mark him?”

“I’m sorry. I just had to.” Sylvie’s eyes popped open as she realised what she had said, but Kian scoffed.

“Did you just say you’re sorry? You’re insufferable.”

With a laugh, he waddled her back to the bed and sat her down before fetching a pair of sweats from his drawers and throwing them at Rowan.

“Well, it looks like you’re stuck with us now.”

Rowan returned to normal, pulling on the clothes with a growl.

“How can I be with the beasts stealing my people?”

Elias’s returning grumble stirred butterflies in Sylvie’s chest before her fury set them alight.

“What did you just say?”

Rowan’s eyes snapped to hers, but he said nothing.

Closing her eyes briefly to compose herself, she clenched her teeth until they squeaked. How dare he accuse any of them of stealing his people when her introduction to him was a kidnapping and worse...

“You know what, fuck you! You kidnapped me! I did nothing to you. Not once.” She bundled the sheet higher around herself and stood feeling steadier on her feet. Then, staring him down, she stormed towards him.

“I’m not going to defend myself, you piece of shit. Get the fuck out of here.”

Elias’s sudden grip on her body stopped her from slamming her shoulder into Rowan, but only just.

“Your emotions are heightened from the bond, be careful, kitten.”

“No! Fuck him!” Her lip wobbled as she spun and buried her face in Elias’ chest. “Make him go away,” she mumbled, hiding the treacherous tears. Dammit, she didn’t want to cry—stupid shifter.

Kian's sigh sounded behind her, and she melted as he ducked his lips to her head, placing a chaste kiss.

Then, turning to Rowan, he inclined his head to the door. “Follow me.”

Sylvie let out a strangled noise, about to protest when Elias gripped her chin and drew her gaze away.

“It is time for you to rest. We will talk more in the morning.”

The door closed behind both men, and she scowled.

“I don’t want to talk in the morning. I want him gone!”

“If you didn’t want him as your mate, why did you mark him? I heard your question. It wasn’t on impulse; you chose to bind him to you.”

She looked away guiltily, but he tugged her chin right back. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know what?”

“I wasn’t thinking, alright? It just happened, and now I’m not feeling the stupid fucking heat; I don’t want him anymore.”

Elias grunted and hoisted her up, walking to their bed. They’d need a bigger one if Rowan were staying — no, stop. Sylvie bit back a groan as Elias tucked her beneath the covers and sat at her side.

“Are you not curious about the accusations he is placing on us?” Elias’s gently furrowed brow chipped away at some of her hatred. He was just so cute.

“A little.”

“If there are born Vampires kidnapping shifters from their homes, it is worth investigating.”

Sighing, Sylvie rolled on her side and curled her fingers in his shirt, thumbing the crisp seam.

“Why do you have to be so noble.”

“You would have me do nothing?”

“Of course not. It’s just... it’s like no matter what I do, crazy shit comes my way. Like shifters and vampires warring against each other? I just got used to faeries.”

Elias nudged her over and lay on his back, hands behind his head.

“I know you don’t like it, kitten. But this is Fate. It isn’t something to be controlled. It’s a life to be lived. You will symbolise hope for people once they discover your mateship bonds. Especially the shifters, but I imagine the vampires will idolise you too. ”

Sylvie’s throat burned as she suppressed her fear.” But that’s the problem. I don’t want any of that. I want to be normal...”

Elias hummed softly.” My love, we’re you ever normal? ”

The words were so quick with the lightest mocking quality that Sylvie couldn’t swallow the giggle that crept up her throat. “Elias!”

“What? Did I tell a lie?”

“No,” she conceded. “But you didn’t have to be that honest.”

His throaty chuckle warmed her cheeks, which she buried into his side. “Go to sleep. And when you wake, we can discuss our next moves.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she murmured against him, yelping when a sharp slap bit her ass cheek.

“Watch yourself. You might explore domination with Hex, but don’t test me.”

She bit her lip and nodded, rubbing her burning cheek against him.

“Yes, Elias. I’m sorry.”

He pulled her up until her head rested against his chest and draped his arm across her waist.

“Go to sleep.”

She held back her sarcastic ‘yes sir’ and let her lids finally shut.

“-Four women in the last five months and seven men before that. We have no idea what they’re doing with them, only that we never see or hear from them again once they take them.”

“And the mind link?”

“Not even that. It’s as if they’re not on the Earth plane anymore. We would all feel the mind link sever if they were dead.”

“I know how shifters work.”

“And how is that?”

“I read.”

Rowan’s low humph to Kian’s sarcasm pulled a small smile from Sylvie’s lips. She tugged on some jeans and a tank top before padding from the bedroom with Elias’ shadow falling on her back. Shivers tingled along her spine as his fingers trailed across her shoulder.

“It doesn’t hurt?” he asked, sliding his hand down to capture her fingers.

“No. It feels good.”

“Good.”

Kian’s voice echoed down the hall again, stealing Sylvie’s attention.

“You’re certain they’re born vampires?”

“Yes. The attacks have happened at night and during the day, and the creatures are far too controlled and calculating to be turned.”

“The Vampire realm has been closed off to the human one since the division-”

“That’s what we believed, but they must have a way.”

The two men paused their discussion from the breakfast island as Sylvie entered. She smiled at Kian and completely ignored Rowan as she walked to the fridge, pulling out a nectarine.

“Morning, Princess. Did you sleep well?”

“Mhmm.” She took a bite of the fruit and wandered over to Kian, standing on her toes to plant a cold kiss on his warm lips.

“And you, husband? Did you sleep well?”

Her gaze slipped to Elias, and she chuckled softly as his red eyes flashed in a warning.

“Very well.” He kissed her forehead and pushed a plate on the counter towards her, a huge sandwich precariously sitting atop it.

“I made you this.”

“Looks great.”

He stopped her thanks with another tender kiss and lifted her onto a stool between his arms. The position had her facing Rowan, and she glued her eyes to her plate as she ate.

After a few bites, she frowned. She shouldn’t be the one looking away. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Her scowling face lifted, and she met him head-on.

It was apparent he had been staring, and his jaw twitched, making her smirk.

“Well,” she said between mouthfuls. “Continue your story. I’d like to know what exactly you’re accusing me of.”

“I never accused you-”

“I believe you called me a beast that stole your people. Actually.”

“I shouldn’t have-”

“No,” she cut him off with a scathing growl. “You shouldn’t have. Now finish the damn story.”

Elias’s low chuckle warmed her cheeks, but she kept her gaze level.

“It is finished,” Rowan replied, his jaw working as he spoke between clenched teeth. “Every month, another one of my people is taken by born-vampire scum to the Silver City.”

“Impossible,” Elias spoke from the end of the counter, his chin resting on clasped hands. “We already spoke of this, and it is impossible. I was the last born-vampire to leave Argyncia before the portals were destroyed.”

“Argyncia?” Sylvie asked, swallowing a piece of crust.

Elias’s eyes cut to her. “The kingdom I was born in.”

Rowan scoffed, and Sylvie didn’t miss the look Elias flashed him. A look that said, ‘Be quiet’.

But why? Was he keeping something from her?

“Perhaps,” Kian started, resting his chin on Sylvie’s head. “Perhaps, we should take this seriously, E. We could have a war if Hayes found a way to get through. Especially if he’s taking shifters.”

“I thought we agreed not to speak that name again.”

Sylvie stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at her mate as if seeing him for the first time. “What is going on? Who’s Hayes?”

Elias’ jaw clenched as he dropped his gaze from Kian. “Someone I never want you to meet. He is a vindictive bastard that would make Trion appear weak.”

Memories of Trion’s grinning face made her stomach roll, and she leaned back into Kian’s chest. Immediately, her anxiety eased, and his lips dropped to her ear. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she replied with a tightlipped smile, shaking her head like the memories of him would fly out her ears. “So, what can we do? Let’s say it’s all true,” she returned her attention to Rowan despite Elias’ frown. “What can we do?”

Rowan sighed, averting his gaze. “I have a few ideas.”

Kian hummed behind her and kissed her hair. “Spoken like a true leader.”