by Aleah Raynes
He stopped me from closing it off completely. “Before you close the shield, you need to create a key of some kind. It can be a word that you say when you want to use it. That’s the easiest for me. I say a few words and it opens. When I’m done, I repeat the words and force it closed.”
He made it sound too easy. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Say the word and we’ll close.”
With a nod, I said, “Zoeyanne.”
He didn’t miss a beat and neither did I. It was odd to feel so comfortable working with him so fluidly to close the diamond glass shield around the psychometry thread. Once it was closed, the visions disappeared.
Cal withdrew from my mind and we were back in the apartment’s living room. He smiled at me, both his hands framing my face. Before I realized what I was doing, I lifted my hands to cover his. A flash lit up his brown eyes right before they lowered to my lips.
My heart froze for a moment before pounding in my ears. What would it feel like to kiss him? Especially since my gift was locked away. I leaned in a fraction of an inch.
The sound of the kitchen door opening broke whatever trance or moment we shared. My cheeks heated and I sat back into the sofa just as Tyler and Drew came in with bags of fast food in their arms.
Cal jerked to a stand and left the room. My gaze followed him as he disappeared down the hallway.
“What’s going on?”
The harsh, protective tone in Tyler’s words made me wince. I met his stare with a glare of my own. With my eighteenth birthday in a few months, I was far from his kid sister anymore. Before the guys could speak, I stood and fisted my hands at my side. “Not that it is any of your business, but Cal helped me build my first shield.”
Tyler frowned and glanced over my shoulder. I looked back and noticed Reed and Kent were standing behind me, side-by-side with their arms folded. I rolled my eyes. Not them too.
When I met Tyler’s gaze again, he handed me a burger and fries. “I will never stop being your big brother. It’s in the job description to be overprotective.” Then he spoke to the room loud enough Cal could hear him from where ever he escaped to. “If you fuck with her or hurt her in anyway, no one will be able to stop me from kicking each one of your asses.”
There was a knock on the door. No, not a knock. More like someone pounding. I nearly jumped out of my skin. A warm hand curled around my upper arm and I was glad my shield was secure. Glancing over my shoulder, I met Reed’s stare. The corner of his lips curved, but it didn’t scare away the tension in his features.
There was something going on. As soon as we were away from my brother, I was going to find out what.
Drew opened the door and stood to the side. I took an involuntary step back at the sight of Sawyer filling the doorway. Just then Cal appeared from the hallway, then walked to the door. His brother didn’t move. Tension hung in the air around them as they stared at each other like they were having some kind of silent conversation. Or unless Sawyer was a telepath, they actually were having a conversation.
After a moment Sawyer, barked, “Team meeting. My place. Now.”
Then he left. Cal followed without a word. Kent passed me in pretty much the same fashion. Reed, however, handed me my gloves and bag, then laced his fingers with mine to tug me out the door. I heard Tyler let out a soft curse right before the door closed.
Chapter 3
Sawyer’s place was two floors up and about three times the size. It was also homey and inviting, much different than I imagined. Although I wasn’t sure what to expect. A bachelor/rocker pad?
I really shouldn’t have judged him by the shaved head and the tattoo peeking out of his long-sleeved shirt. Or the small gauges in his ears.
Dark, almost black, hardwood floors stretched throughout the apartment. The walls were painted a creamy white.
When I stepped inside the living room, I smiled at the mismatched furniture. The sofa was a beige, soft leather. A brown micro suede loveseat sat across from it. I chose to sit in the navy-blue recliner while the guys milled about the apartment, doing what, I hadn’t a clue.
Glancing up, I fought a gasp at the wall of glass. I stood and drifted closer to it and noticed the balcony beyond. I found the door off center to the right. It blended into the rest of the wall.
Footsteps behind me drew my attention and I turned to see Sawyer’s scowl. He dropped onto the sofa close to me and stared. “Your brother pisses me off.”
I shrugged and slid my gloves on out of habit. Plus, it was comforting in a way to have them on. Like I could block out the world. Silly, yes. I didn’t care. Taking a seat, I studied him. He wasn’t as grumpy as he pretended to be. “It’s one of his many talents. It’s second to being annoying and overprotective.”
A low chuckle escaped Sawyer, surprising me. But the scowl was back as the others joined us. Reed sat on the loveseat. Kent sat next to him. Cal took the seat on the sofa with Sawyer.
Once everyone was settled, Sawyer spoke. “Dalton is working. I’ll fill him in later. First, Tyler is not a kidetos. He doesn’t have authority over any of you, including Rylee—not anymore. She is under our protection and part of our team.”
Reed nodded. “Drew told me this morning he’d be out late. I assumed he and Tyler would be working a case, or training, or whatever they do when together. I didn’t know they be there.”
I pressed my lips together to hold in a giggle. Drew and Tyler had been a couple for as long as I could remember. They were inseparable.
“Not your fault. I don’t doubt they have stuff to do, but I knew Tyler and he would put off anything to check into his little sister’s team.” Sawyer sighed and scrubbed a hand over his shaved head. “The rules are simple and every team has their own. Ours are don’t share our missions with other teams, unless it is necessary, and respect one another’s space. Now that Rylee is here, I’m adding a couple more. She is not to be treated like a girl, and she will have one of us with her at all times. The latter is a given considering we are her guardians.”
Confused, I met the stare of each of them. “Does this have to do with me being a Thornehart? Is that why my life is in danger?”
Sawyer snapped his gaze to the others and glared. “I thought we would explain to her together.”
Reed shrugged. “She needed to know to trust us. Plus, her father and brother hid her away all her life. This is all new and confusing. I’m surprised she’s gone undetected for the last six months since her powers awakened.”
“Fair enough.” Sawyer rubbed his bald head again and blew out a breath. “How much have you told her already?”
Cal spoke. “Just about her birthright and that we are on the edge of a civil war.”
“The war has already started.” Sawyer snorted then looked at me. “Are you hungry?”
I perked up. This I could handle. Using my conjuring power, I willed the food we left at Reed’s apartment to appear on the coffee table. “Tyler bought us something before you showed.”
Reed, Cal, and Kent reached for the bags and started passing out burgers. Sawyer smiled and shook his head. “So you have the summoning power down. We’ll work on the psychometry. Learning to shield it is only the beginning, but Cal can work with you on that.”
I nodded and ate my burger. While the guys did the same and carried on random conversations, I studied them. Each one different in his own way, yet they seemed to move as a unit. Each aware of the other but comfortable. It made me wonder how long they’d been a team, and it also made me feel like an outsider.
And since they were in a sharing mood, I’d ask my questions. “Tell me more about the prophecy and why I’m so important.”
The guys stilled, glanced at each other, and when Sawyer nodded, Cal answered. “The prophecy states that the chosen one will possess powers stronger than anyone had ever seen. She will end the war and be able to imprison those who are loyal to Satan. Archangel Michael didn’t get fancy with riddles. He wanted to make sure everyone understood his intent.”
I met Sawyer’s stare and lifted my brows, waiting for his input. When he didn’t say anything after a few moments, I asked, “What happens next?”
“You will stay here.”
I laughed. “My dad will not go for that.”
“Your father doesn’t have a choice. Your powers have awakened. Under Capissian law, you are not under his guardianship any longer. Since Lucia has already made several threats on your life, you are under my and my team’s protection.”
I glared at him. He had another thing coming if he thought he was going to boss me around. “What types of threats?”
“She has offered rewards of power and other things if you are brought to her alive. She makes it no secret she wants you out of the picture so she can rule the Capissian people.” Sawyer lifted a brow in challenge.
I crossed my arms. “You can’t keep me locked up.”
The corners of Sawyer’s lips twitched. “We don’t plan to, but you won’t go anywhere without one of us at your side.”
Cal let out a chuckle and said, “Sawyer, tell her how teams are formed.”
Sawyer stilled, glared at his brother, and let out a low growl. “The Order believes teams pick themselves.” Cal and Reed coughed. Sawyer worked his jaw. “The Archangels came up with a way to ensure the Capissian bloodlines stay strong and pure. They matched all their descendants with each other. Everyone was born with a soulmate. However, the war has killed off most of the women. Many believe the Cranes no longer want the purest bloodlines to govern us anymore. I think there is a bigger reason.”
Sawyer paused and glanced at the others before meeting my gaze. “To make up for it and to keep the bloodlines going, groups of families were formed. One female, three or more men.”
I stared at him, waiting for him to continue. When he didn’t, I glanced at the others. Reed smirked and added, “Whatever spell or magic that binds soulmates has evolved to accommodate the family groups. We are drawn together. Our magic in our blood accepts…no, that’s not right. It connects us. Like we just know we should be together. For us guys, it’s not sexual. But once our female joins, we have to learn to share her.”
“And she has to accept all of us,” Kent finished in a soft tone.
My mouth dropped open as I stared at Sawyer. Were they saying we were fated to be together? Like soulmates? The five of them and me? I started to shake my head. Maybe I misunderstood what they were saying. Yet, the Order put me with them for my protection, right?
So, they each had another soulmate out there. What happened when she came forward?
I hadn’t realized I started panicking until Cal was inches from me, his hands on my cheeks, framing my face. I focused on his brown eyes as I took deep calming breaths.
“Are you okay? What happened?” Cal scanned my face, his brows bunched in worry.
Something uncoiled deep in my soul. The fluttering pinpricks in my belly sparked again like it did after he helped me shield my power. An undeniable attraction flared to life. Then I remembered when I first saw all of them in the office of the school. Awareness, like I knew they’d be there, waiting, settled into my chest at the sight of them.
My soul and my magic recognized them, called out to them.
They were my soulmates.
I sagged into Cal, resting my forehead to his. “I don’t understand how any of this could work.”
Cal stood, lifted me in his arms, and then sat in the chair, placing me in his lap. “Neither do we. Even though we’ve known our mate would come to us. We’re not prepared for it to be you.”
“It’ll take some time to figure out how this will work.” Kent’s voice drew my attention to him. He frowned as if thinking about something. Then he shook his head and lifted his gaze to meet mine and gave me a warm smile.
Sawyer nodded. “Lucia had put a bounty on your head the day you were born and put into hiding. I don’t doubt she knows you are here.”
Holding a hand up to stop him from continuing, I asked, “Why wasn’t I kept in the school? Its whole purpose is to protect us, right?”
“To keep us safe from the human world. From what Tyler said, your mother died protecting you. Did you not move a lot when you were little?” Sawyer lifted a brow.
“Yeah, but…never mind.” Dad said we moved so he could make more money as a teacher. In reality, he always had a job at the Thornehart school. “Lucia would had singled me out while I was young, without my gifts, and unable to protect myself.”
Because I’d only come into my powers about six months ago. I was trackable and because of that I need to be with my team.
He covered my hand with his, drawing my attention back to him. “You are safer here with us, now. We are better prepared and stronger. The apartment building has wards surrounding it and so does this apartment. Lucia Crane will stop at nothing to make sure all the Thornehart females are dead. That includes hurting or using your father and brother to get to you.”
“That’s why it was important to us to get you into the team as fast as possible,” Reed added.
I guess I wasn’t so sure about the bonding with five guys thing. “I don’t want to jump into any type of relationship until I’m given a chance to get to know you. I might not like any of you.”
Sawyer chuckled and stood. “You’ll like us, in time.” He held out his hand. “Come. I’ll show you to your room. Then we’ll start with your history lessons.”
Nothing like getting right to work.
Chapter 4
The room was the master suite and had been recently cleaned. The scent of lavender and lemons drifted in the air, tingling my nose. It wasn’t a strong odor. I was just sensitive to certain smells. Citrus was one of them.
Cal came in and plopped on the high, four-post bed, stretching out across it. “I’m kinda of jealous you have the biggest room.”
I smirked to hold in my giggle at his teasing tone. “I really don’t need a big room.”
Sawyer walked past me to the French doors leading to the balcony. He opened them wide. Crisp, clean mountain air blew into the room. I inhaled, taking it in. Then I drifted to the balcony and stepped out.
The sun was starting to set, casting an orange and peach glow through the clouds and behind the mountains. “It’s beautiful.”
“The best view in the apartment.” Sawyer’s soft tone surprised me.
I met his gaze and studied him for a moment. When I first saw him at the school, he appeared pissed, like he’d rather have acid dropped in his eyes than be there. Now, he seemed relaxed, but still on edge. Before I could call him on it, Cal came out and leaned against me.
I smiled at him. Cal was easy to get used to. His energy was calming. Leaning back against him, I asked, “Do all of you live here?”
Cal wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. Sawyer narrowed his eyes for a brief moment before averting his gaze to stare at the mountain view. “Cal, Kent, and myself live here. Reed bounces between here and Drew’s. Dalton lives two apartments down the hall.”
I nodded and stepped out of Cal’s embrace. Kent took that moment to stick his head out. His gaze met mine and he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Rylee’s dad is here.”
Great. I dropped my shoulders and made my way to the living room. I loved my dad, but I wasn’t looking forward to the discussion about me moving in with my team. Now that I repeated the words in my mind, I could totally see how my father wouldn’t take it very well.
When I entered the living room, my dad was standing at the wall of windows overlooking the valley with the mountains in the background. Without turning to us, he asked, “Is it safe with all these windows?”
Sawyer placed a hand on my lower back and gently nudged me forward. “They have a special coating so no one can see in. Plus, the apartment and buildi
ng are surrounded in wards.”
Dad nodded then faced me. His brows dipped. “I’ve been briefed on the team. I’m not sure if I agree with them putting six pure bloods together.”
“We’re stronger together. Plus, she is our soulmate.” Sawyer moved the windows.
“What about Dalton?”
Sawyer snapped his attention to my dad. “Dalton has been loyal to the core. He has disowned his family. Even changed his last name to his mother’s maiden name.”
Dad averted his gaze. “I can’t help but worry.”
Worry about what?
Reed stepped forward, taking my hand in his. “Dalton met her at the school. He’s in. He had some things to take care of tonight.”
My dad blew out a breath and motioned to my luggage next to the sofa. “I brought your things.”
My chest tightened. He was being so calm about the whole thing, it made me wonder if he knew this day would come. I rushed to him and hugged him close. “Thank you.”
He hugged me back and kissed the top of my head. “Sorry I didn’t tell you about any of this. I had to protect you until it was time to turn you over to your team.” He placed a finger under my chin and lifted. His blue eyes held sorrow in them. “They will protect you.”
Would they? I still felt like they weren’t telling me everything. Like where exactly did I fit into this war besides being a target for the enemy because I was prophesized to save the world. “Apparently, I have a lot of learning to do.”
I meant the words to be light, but they came out as sarcasm.
Dad stared at me for a moment. It seemed like he wanted to say something, but he didn’t comment. At least not to me. When he released me, I eased to the sofa and sat next to Kent who was texting. A moment later, Cal sat on my other side with the remote in his hand.
“It’s not like you won’t see her. When the fall term starts in a couple of months, she’ll go to regular classes with Kent and Cal. Plus, you are welcome to come by, or we can visit you. Just call.” Sawyer’s tone was soft but commanding.
