Chapter 3
I admit, Fiona’s stubbornness was making me want to do something to prove we were here to help. Her refusal to eat bothered me. I wanted to reheat the leftover food from dinner, make sure she ate every bite, and eat until I was satisfied that she was full and content.
However, her dismissal of herself and her family as unimportant enough for anyone to care, let alone the Sentinels, had been the last straw.
Without thinking, I stood and tore off my shirt so she could see my tattoo.
I wanted her to notice it glowed. But it wasn’t enough.
I had to have her hand on it. It was only partially to prove it grew hot—the other reason was the overwhelming desire to feel her skin on mine.
My inner cat was demanding it. Rogue was still telling me she was our mate, and I needed to mark and claim her.
Her cry of shock at the touch of my skin made me hold her hand in place even when she tried to tug it away.
The tat wasn’t hot enough to burn her, though it was capable of being that way if I willed it so.
The feel of her skin on mine had my cock coming alive.
Never had a mere touch of a hand on my chest caused this.
It wasn’t until I saw what appeared to be panic in her gaze that I let go of her hand.
Instantly, I felt bereft, which was ridiculous.
My anger began to cool. I reached out, snagged my shirt off the table, and slipped it on.
I didn’t bother to tuck it into my jeans.
It would help hide my burgeoning hard-on.
I sat back down. I needed to get control of myself. If I kept this up, I’d turn her against me permanently. That was the last thing I wanted. Not even an hour in her presence, and I was craving to be with her constantly. Was this what happened to Abraxas and Fennick?
Gunnar broke the awkward silence. He stood and pulled up his shirt. His tattoo glowed, but he didn’t make her touch it before he dropped it and sat. It was a good thing he didn’t. If he had, I would’ve probably hit him. Fiona was only to touch me.
“Did we prove that we’re the real deal and that the Sentinels are more than interested in those that aren’t only rich and influential?
Every shifter and supernatural deserves our protection.
Unfortunately, there are only so many of us to cover vast areas.
The two of us and our friends – Abraxas, Fennick, Nico, Royal, and Banner are the Sentinel phalanx here in the United States.
We have responsibility for the entire country.
“The tip line was created to help us learn about issues like the ones reported here. If it is true, we have to figure out who is behind it and put a stop to it. Nature is taking a big enough chunk out of our species. And we have the threat of the Knights of Pytho to worry about. We don’t need others killing us off,” Gunnar explained.
“D-do you believe the Knights of Pytho are real? That Pytho has returned from Tartarus to eliminate all of Apollo’s children, his creations, as payback?” Fiona asked.
I answered, “Yes, we do believe it. Not only has Apollo told us Pytho is real and a threat, but we have also encountered someone who was a Knights’ follower.
She was human, but we suspect they recruit certain individuals and use them to do their bidding.
We haven’t met any of the Knights yet, but we believe they’re out there, preparing, plotting.
We don’t know when or where they’ll strike.
Who knows? Maybe this problem Gal told us about here in Phoenix might be connected to them. ”
Her eyes widened as she sat forward. “You spoke to Apollo? How?” she asked breathlessly.
“Yes, not only spoke, but they’ve seen him, more than once,” her brother excitedly answered for us.
“As for how, it’s been at his discretion. We don’t go calling on him. But he has come in times of doubt or trouble to show others he takes his Sentinels, Chosen Ones, and Precious Ones seriously. He’s not happy when we’re screwed with,” I informed her.
“Have you seen an actual Precious One?” she asked next.
“We have. In fact, we see one all the time. She’s mated to our friend, Abraxas, and she’s expecting twins,” Gunnar replied.
Fiona began breathing faster. Her hands were white where she gripped the table. “You’re joking,” she said, somewhat stunned.
Taking out my phone, I found Brax’s number and called him. He answered on the third ring.
“Hey, what’s up? Everything okay?” he asked.
Even though we were all Sentries, and some were older by several decades, Abraxas was our unofficial leader.
“Everything is fine, other than we’re trying to convince Galen’s granddaughter that we’re not lying and out to hurt them. She asked about Precious Ones. Gunnar told her about Cerys. Fiona seems to be having a hard time believing it,” I told him.
“Just a second,” he answered.
In less than a minute, Brax’s voice was back on the phone. “I’ve got Cerys here.”
“Hello, Keir, Gun. Mr. Katz, Ms. Katz, and the second Mr. Katz, I’m Cerys.
I’m sorry that we can’t be there in person at the moment.
Brax came back to be with me. But rest assured, if there’s a need for him and the others to return, they will.
I hope to meet you all in person soon. So, Ms. Katz, you don’t believe there are Precious Ones?
Or that I’m one of them and pregnant with shifters? ” Cerys asked kindly.
“I-I’m sorry, but it is a bit much to take in.
We read the explanation in the communication sent to all shifter households.
It was shocking to say the least. And while I’m willing to believe they might exist, I find it astonishing that one is the mate of one of the Sentinels of Apollo in the States.
And that you’re pregnant. Keir said with twins.
Oh, and please, call me Fiona,” she added.
Cerys chuckled. “Hey, I understand it. I was blown away when I found out. Apollo, appearing out of nowhere, not long after I discovered the existence of supernaturals and shifters and that the man I love is one of them, almost knocked me over. My grandmother, Twyla, took it in stride. She said she’d always known or suspected their existence.
She didn’t freak out when Apollo popped up in Brax’s backyard from thin air.
“Anyway, I digress. I can send you paperwork that proves I’m one hundred percent human.
My labs differ slightly from yours. And the sonogram that proves I’m carrying twins.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t show that they’re shifters like their daddy.
You’d have to be in my presence for that.
But I swear on the lives of my children that what Gunnar and Keir are telling you is the truth.
And Apollo can choose to come to you at any time. ”
There was a couple of seconds’ pause before Cerys continued, “Agápi mou, my love, could we go to Phoenix and meet them? It’s a lot to absorb on faith alone.
I know you hate to take me far from home, but the babies aren’t due for six more months.
I’m healthy and so are they. There’s nothing that says I can’t go.
Even if you want to fly, it’s permitted. I’d like to meet Fiona and her family.”
“Astéri mou, my star, I don’t know if we can all get time off at the same time.
We did it today, but it wasn’t easy. I agree that it is a lot to take on the word of strangers.
I’ll see what I can do. But if we go, you’ll have to swear to take it easy and let me know if anything feels off,” Abraxas warned.
I had no doubt, if Cerys wanted it, and it sure sounded as if she did, then our friend would bend over backward to give it to her. The love and concern throbbed in his tone. Then there was the sound of what I knew was a kiss. Gunnar grinned across the table.
“Thank you. I’d love to meet you if you can come, but don’t endanger your babies for me,” Fiona stated.
“I won’t do anything to endanger them. I’m a nurse, so I know a lot more than the average person. Alright, enough of that. Have we at least made you willing to consider what those two are telling you is real?” Cerys asked.
As we talked with Cerys, I noticed that Fiona's rigidity had softened. She even smiled a little during the conversation. I felt more hopeful.
“I feel better. I’ll be honest, I’m an analyst. I study things, and it takes me time to absorb everything.
You’ve given me food for thought. Thank you for speaking to us.
I appreciate it very much. Now, it’s late, and you need your rest. I hope we do get to meet one day. Goodnight,” Fiona told them pleasantly.
A few more greetings were exchanged before they disconnected. When they did, I ended the call on my end.
“Can we answer any other questions?” Gunnar asked.
“Yes, you can, but my first question, before we get into the letter and the message that brought you here, is, are Precious Ones only mated to Sentinels? Is that why no one else has met one?”
“No, they aren’t only mated to us. We’re not sure with the other phalanxes of Sentinels around the world if any are mated to one.
We don’t communicate much, though we’re trying to change that.
Our friend, Fennick, is mated to Akiva. She’s not a Precious One.
At first, everyone thought she was a bear like Fen.
However, we later discovered to everyone’s amazement that she’s part witch.
So see, you never know what you might find,” I told her.
“A shifter and a witch? I didn’t know that was possible.
Wow, I guess I have a lot to learn. But that’ll have to wait.
We need to speak of the tip Gal left. You should’ve told us.
Please, don’t do anything like that again without talking it through with us,” she admonished him, though only slightly.
“I won’t. Daideo already told me I was wrong to do it,” Young Galen admitted.
“We don’t want you or anyone else to get hurt, Gal. There’s so much ugliness in the world. And you take people at face value,” Fiona told him.