“Am I really that bad?” Hurt was evident in her tone, as her lips pressed tightly together.
I dropped my arms and took a hesitant step toward her. “It’s not you. It’s just, when you got married to Kenneth, I liked him. He made you happy. As you guys became closer, I realized I didn’t fit in here, and I missed Dad.” That was a total lie, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. “I finished school and started to make a life for myself when I got dropped, quite literally, back into yours. It’s a lot to take in in one day. Hell, I really need to talk to Dad.”
“Kenneth already took care of your father. He sent the boys to mind-sweep your dad into believing you came up for a visit.”
My mouth fell open, appalled she could be so casual about this whole thing. “Mom,” I practically growled, and her back stiffened. “What does that even mean? You know what? This day has really been shit. A boy died, and his magic went into me, and now you tell me that either Zander or Hale went to mind-sweep Dad? What the hell is wrong with you people? Shouldn’t you all be planning a funeral? Or taking food to that poor family?”
Mom’s lips parted as her eyes widened in shock. Immediately, I regretted my words. Her lips pressed as anguish flashed in the depths of her soul-searching eyes. When she spoke, it was the barest whisper. “That boy’s name was Philip. He had a full life ahead of him. He trained so hard because he wanted to become a Warrior, but most of all he wanted to be someone great. Philip died an honorable Lydent death because he sacrificed his light in the end—for you. The Spirit Whisperer might have given him a nudge, but in the end, it was his decision.” She stepped forward, her gaze intent on mine. “I can never be what you have become. I will never be the mate my husbands have lost. I know they love me as a human, but a connection between Lydent mates is sacred. I was just lucky enough Kenneth fell in love with me, and the others followed. Carly, you are only one of four Lydent women in the whole state. And you met two of them today. The women in the world of magic are scarce, and Philip just gave the Lydents something to rejoice about. You. His memory, his gift, will not be forgotten. So, don’t judge until you know everything.”
She swung around and walked to the door. With her hand on the doorknob, she paused. “The celebration of Philip’s life will be tonight. They will release his body to the earth then dinner afterwards. I hope you’ll come. The least you could do for him, for his family, is honor the gift he gave you by honoring him.” With that, she walked out and shut the door.
I moved to my bed, flung myself onto the many pillows, and screamed. Heaven help me.
Chapter Three
I stayed up in my room, a million thoughts going through my mind, and eventually rummaged around the room until I found a notepad and a pen. I decided to write down all my questions and then demand some answers.
My questions filled three pages of the notepad before I found myself doodling. It was a pretty good drawing of the silver tattoo my stepbrothers got when they turned thirteen. Some tradition or something Mom explained when I caught a glimpse of it on the back of their necks, both in the same spot. After learning all four of them had it, I wanted one, too. Of course, my eleven-year-old mind had no idea what it was or why they had them, I just wanted to be one of the guys. Fit in. They told me I couldn’t have one.
I remembered that as the day when our friendship began to change. We still hung out, and when I turned fourteen, my interest shifted. Kenneth took notice. That same summer, I went to visit my dad and didn’t come back. Oh, I went to visit my mom every now and then, and the guys demanded my attention. As I got older, they became more protective. They saw me as their little sister; I saw them as more.
Staring at the drawing of the guys’ mark, it taunted me, reminding me something was off with me. I wasn’t very good at drawing before, but I drew a perfect replica of the tattoo. It reminded me I carried someone else’s light. My body was no longer my own, or at least, it felt that way.
Frustrated, I tossed the notebook aside. I didn’t have any clothes, my makeup, or even my shoes. I could wear the outfit Myra put me in for Philip’s celebration of life, but what would I go to sleep in tonight? And what would I wear tomorrow?
I’d just gotten off the bed and straightened the dress I wore when a knock sounded at the door. I figured it was either Uncle Henry or Uncle Patrick. It was weird calling them that now, but I’d called them uncle since I was twelve. It would feel weirder not to after so long. The knock sounded again, and someone entered. Instead of one of my uncles, my stepbrothers walked into my room.
I yelped when Zander scooped me up around the waist and swung me around. “If it isn’t Callin’ Carly,” he teased, using the childhood nickname they used to call me because I’d call out for people instead of finding them first. “Always causing trouble.”
My hands rested on his arms as he set me down. His moss-green eyes, unlike his dad’s dark ones, glinted with amusement.
“Not all the time,” I sassed back, then wrapped my arms around his stocky frame while he wrapped his around my shoulders and hugged me to his chest. I relished the moment as I rested my head on his shoulder before Hale tugged me away and into his warm embrace.
Hale’s cheek rested against my hair as he sighed into it. “Missed you, Car. It’s been too long since your last visit home.” The sound of his deep baritone, unlike his younger brother’s smooth one, caressed my skin like a lover’s touch. I’d been away too long. I’d missed that sound.
My hands rubbed against his muscled back, his t-shirt lifting slightly at the movement. “It’s only been six months. But, I missed you, too, Hale.”
I stayed for a second longer in his embrace, then pulled back to find Zander lounging on my bed. His straight black hair, cut into coif-style, gave him a trendy appearance. “My room looks lovely decked out in girl shit. But...” He waved his finger in the air in a circle, and my bedding changed to blue-striped sheets and pillows followed by a denim comforter. “I like my bedding better.”
I chuckled and then let out a screech when Hale pushed me onto the bed and into Zander’s body.
“We need to try it out,” he reasoned playfully.
Zander scooted over, placed me in the middle, and agreed. “Always love company.”
Hale took up residence on the other side and settled in. He flicked his hand, and the ceiling I currently stared at became an endless sky of stars. “There, that’s better.”
Zander grunted and pulled his arm out from under his head to reach down beside me and searched for my hand. His fingers slid across mine and gripped it in a comforting squeeze. “See, now you know my sheets are better.”
I smirked. “No, you just didn’t like the idea of lying on purple.”
“She nailed it.” Hale laughed.
It got quiet, and noises from the house below filtered up to us. I gazed up at my ceiling at the glittery stars. “Did you do this a lot? The stars?”
“Yeah,” Zander answered.
Hale shifted to his side so he faced Zander and me. He pushed back a piece of loose hair and tucked it behind my ear. “Not to beat around the bush, but you doin’ okay with all this, Car?”
My lips tilted downward. I kept my gaze up and couldn’t answer. Was I doing okay? No. Not really.
“So, what’s a mind-sweep, and why did you do that to my dad?” My eyes bulged with a sudden thought, and I tossed him an accusing glare. “And have you ever done that to me?”
Zander’s fingers tightened on mine as Hale’s expression darkened. He gave a hollow laugh and turned to lie back down. “First question outta your mouth, you’re worried about your piss-ant dad.”
That ruffled my feathers. My dad may have made a few too many mistakes, but at least I didn’t have to step on eggshells around him. I answered simply, “He’s the only dad I have. Now, what’s a mind-sweep, and how do you do it?”
“Not every Lydent has the gift,” Zander answered. “You have to be born with that power.”
I rolled my head his way. “And you
have it?” He nodded. “How does it work? Is there a chance people will remember after time has passed?”
He smirked and squeezed my hand. “You haven’t yet.”
I sat up on my elbow and pulled my hand from his to smack his chest. “You did not!”
He laughed, and Hale chuckled from behind me. “More than once. You’d think after the third time of catching us using magic we’d learn, but no. And poor Zander was forced to take our secrets from you once again.”
Dropping back to the bed with a grunt, I asked, “Can it fry a brain?”
“If you’re not careful.”
“What about the magic school—”
“Hydrent,” Hale supplied.
“Yeah, how long do I have to go for, and what do they teach?”
“You’ll learn the basics of our history, your light skills and talents, fighting skills, as well as how our society works. As far as pacing goes… for you, since you’re older, as fast as you catch on,” Hale explained.
“Do you guys get regular jobs? Are any Lydents in prominent positions around the world?”
The two of them chuckled, but Zander answered, “Yes. And yes, but we never disclose who we are to any human unless we marry one. And then, it’s strictly to your spouse only.”
My brows furrowed as I remembered what my mom said earlier. “My mom called them mates. Is there a difference?”
Hale rested his head in his palm. “Mates are who we are destined to be with. Because so few Lydent women are born, some of us join with a human instead.”
“What about the magic? Will mating with—”
“It’s not mating,” Hale shot off.
“Oh. Well, with marrying a human, will the magic be passed on?”
“Some,” Hale answered again. “But their magic is weak, and a Lydent and a human only produce boys.”
“What about your mom? She was a Lydent, right?”
“Yes, but she and our dads, they weren’t really mates. My mom’s mates were Warriors—”
“What’s that?”
“Like police for our kind,” Zander answered.
“Yes, like I was saying,” Hale continued. “Our mom’s mates were Warriors, and they died in the Royal Bombing.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” My heart hurt at the thought of the boy who died, Philip, having a mate and never being with her. “Then your mom met your dads? And she died?”
“Yes,” Hale’s voice grew soft. “Typically, mates get sick easily after the bond-mate is severed. It’s even worse when all of them are gone. She died giving birth to Zander.”
I sniffed as I closed my hands over each of their own and squeezed, thinking about Philip again. “I’m sorry.”
Hale sighed, and Zander untangled our fingers as his brother slid an arm around my waist and turned me to him.
I curled into his chest and let out the silent tears I’d held in since Philip died beside the pool this morning. “What if Philip had a mate? I should have been quicker, blew my whistle sooner, and maybe he would have lived.”
I felt Zander at my back, soothing me as well. “Oh, Car, it’s not your fault. Accidents happen, no matter if you have the light or not. He wouldn’t want you to cry. Hell, if he were here now, he’d probably be tryin’ all sorts of ways to impress you.”
I chuckled into Hale’s chest.
“He was a good kid,” Hale added. “He’d want you to go tonight and look over his achievements. And Baxter and Colten will be there,” Hale tried to bait me. “You know they’ll want to see you. You always got along with them.”
I did want to see them. My crush didn’t just extend to my stepbrothers; it extended to their two friends as well. And if my suspicions were correct, Colten might feel the same about me.
I rubbed my face into Hale’s shirt to wipe away my tears, and then moved away. If Kenneth saw us like this he’d blow a gasket, but we were always like this...at least when we were alone.
“Did you just wipe your snot on me?” Hale demanded.
I gazed into his laughing green eyes and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. “You’re the best.”
“Hey!” Zander griped from behind me. “What about me?”
I rolled over to find him pouting. He pointed to his cheek and turned. I leaned in and let my lips lightly graze across his stubbly cheek then pulled away.
He grinned. “Thanks!”
“Carly!” Mom called out. “It’s time to go.”
My stepbrothers rolled off the bed, and Zander walked around to join his brother. The two of them each held out a hand, and I gripped them as they pulled me up and off the bed.
Zander’s lips curled up as his eyes twinkled. He tugged me away, out of his brother’s hand, and shimmed us out of there, leaving Hale and everyone else behind.
~
We reappeared in the middle of the woods among a crowd of people heading toward a substantial white building, which reminded me of an airplane hangar with its curved roof. As the sun faded, large lamp posts turned on, brightening the dirt pathway up to the building. People shimmed in around the sides in flickers of light, and it surprised me none of them toppled over anyone. How did they gauge that?
Zander held onto my hand as we made our way inside the building. The scent of freshly mowed greens filled the gigantic space and tickled my nose. When I glanced down, grass carpeted the floor, and vines covered the walls. Potted apple trees, staggered throughout the space, made it feel more like an orchard than the inside of a building. Stars mimicked the night sky, giving the feeling of a never-ending ceiling. The crowds of people didn’t even seem to notice.
Zander stopped at a tree and picked the fruit. “Eat the apple, sweetheart,” he urged, holding it out to me. “It holds his memories. This is the way we remember his life. Just for tonight.”
I took it and ran my hand over its red peel. The light within me pulsed as I held it. The enchanted apple recognized me somehow. I wasn’t ready to see the memories, but part of me—the part that was his—wanted me to. I gripped the apple and glanced up into Zander’s thoughtful gaze.
“I think I’ll save it for later,” I told him, and his expression sobered.
“Of course.”
We walked around, and Zander introduced me to some gentlemen. They knew about me and were awed to have such a gift bestowed upon their race. Some asked if I had my mark yet.
That ruffled Zander’s feathers, and he promptly answered, “No.”
Unsure what they meant, I asked him after we walked away.
He sat us down on a bench beneath a tree. “It’s something you’ll learn about at Hydrent tomorrow, but I can explain now.” He turned his back to me and pulled down his collar to show me the tattoo I’d drawn earlier. “You’ve seen it before.”
I traced the curves of the design before tugging my hand away, and he turned around. “What does it represent? Why do you have it?”
A blush stole up his cheeks as he sat back against the bench and held my hand. “We get the mark when we’re thirteen. It’s like going into puberty except we get sick, like the flu for a whole day while the mark burns into our skin. Its symbol is different, unlike anything a tattoo artist can do because it’s given to us by the Spirit Whisperer. It’s like a birthmark.”
My brow scrunched. “But a birthmark is unique to that person. You and Hale have the same mark.”
He nodded. “As do Baxter and Colten.”
“Why? Does it have something to do with the group marriage, like the one my mom’s in?”
“Yes and no. It’s been this way for generations, but a long time ago it hadn’t been.”
I bumped his shoulder. “You didn’t answer my question.”
He smiled. “I guess I didn’t.”
He stood and pulled me along. “Hale is trying to find us. We’d better get moving.”
Zander guided me along, stopping to talk to a few people, until Hale finally found us. And he wasn’t alone. Baxter and Colten
were with him, too.
Baxter embraced me first, his tall, athletic build towering over my frame as I practically stood on tiptoes to reach around his neck. The memory apple was hard to hold onto, but I didn’t drop it.
He held me close and whispered, “Stirring up trouble again, aren’t ya.”
I smiled into his shoulder. “No, trouble just seems to follow me.”
He let me go, his blue eyes twinkling. “Well, lose him.”
I turned away, my cheeks bunched up from my goofy grin, and let Colten gather me into his muscular arms. “You’re not going away again, are you?”
“That sounds an awful lot like you want me around.”
“I do. How else am I going to convince you to run away with me and tell everyone to fuck off?”
I pulled back abruptly, shocked by what he said. The others stood off to the side, talking amongst themselves, oblivious to the fierce possessiveness in his voice. “What? What do you mean by that?”
His golden eyes burned deep amber as his gaze narrowed. His mouth pressed together. “It means what I said. You’ve known I’ve always liked you, but the curse and the mark held me back. Now it doesn’t. You’re one of us.”
I put my hands on my hips. With the apple in the one hand, it made it hard to do with my elbow sticking out further, but I did it and glared at him. “Well ain’t that a shit way of telling me you like me.”
His face softened before he turned away, and he dragged a hand through his short, sandy locks. “Shit. Sorry.”
Noticing his irritation with himself, I shifted near him, grabbed his hand, and gave it a squeeze. “I guess it’s okay.”
“Hey,” Hale turned toward us as a delicate chime sounded. His gaze briefly rested on our hands before glancing up. His mouth tightened. “It’s time for the ceremony.”
Falling For Them Volume 2: Reverse Harem Collection Page 99
