Chapter 27
“Quin?” called Mason, climbing into the motorhome.
“Yeah…back here.”
Walking around several suitcases, boxes and rolled-up bedding, Mason finally found his brother, stripping the sheets from a bed. “Whatcha doing? Is something wrong with them? The salesman told me the bedding was new, a gift from the dealership.”
“Ahh, why linen sheets? You do mean linen-linen, right?” asked Mason.
“Of course I do. Why do you wear a linen shirt on a hot day? Because it’s breathable, duh. It’s the same with linen sheets. Instead of waking up all sweaty and nasty, I’m fresh and beautiful…ready to start my day.”
“But don’t you shower in the morning?” asked Mason.
“Of course, I do.”
“Uhmm, right. Never mind.” Mason gave up trying to understand his brother’s logic. Surveying more suitcases, he wondered how it was all going to fit. “You know, we’re only going to be gone two weeks.”
Glancing over his shoulder, Quin replied, “I know and I packed accordingly. Each suitcase contains two days’ outfits and their accessories.
The ones I’m wearing on the trip are over there.
My heels are packed in that suitcase, my jewelry is in that small case and my makeup is over there.
I was planning on unpacking each outfit and hanging them up so they wouldn’t be wrinkled but…
” Sighing, Quin pointed to the closet. “There’s no way they’ll all fit in there and I definitely cannot choose among them because they’re all my favorites so I’ll just have to steam them once we get there. ”
“Maybe, you could just hang the outfit you plan to wear to meet our cousins in the closet. That way, you won’t have to worry about it when we arrive,” offered Mason.
“I think I will do that. I packed everything I need for our arrival in that small suitcase. Hunt promised I’ll have time to get ready before we roll up to their place. Do you know what kind of mattresses they have? I hope they’re not too hard. I’ll have an awful creak in my back if they are.”
“You can always sleep out here in the motorhome.”
“Hmmm, maybe. I did sit on the mattress and it’s okay…
not great, but I can always add a memory foam topper to it.
” Standing back, Quin surveyed the bed. Then picking up his pillows, he fluffed them before arranging them at the head of the bed.
“There, that’s better. Now all it needs… hun, would you bring in my comforter?”
“Sure.” Digging through the pile he had passed, Mason found it and passed it to his brother.
“Thanks.” Shaking it out, Quin arranged it on the bed, fussing until it was just so.
Watching his brother, Mason’s eyes narrowed. Trying to figure out what was driving his brother’s obsession with perfection. “Quin,” he said softly, “come here.”
Shaking his head, Quin kept his eyes lowered, unwilling to let his brother see his tears or reveal his fears as he continued straightening the things on his nightstand. Suddenly, he felt his brother’s arms turning him around before wrapping him in a hug.
“Honey, everything will be all right,” Mason crooned.
“But what if they don’t like me?” mumbled Quin.
“Not like you? Of course they will…how can they not?”
“What if they make fun of me?” Quin asked, his voice trembling.
“We’ll beat them up before we leave, I promise. You know Hunt will never let that happen.”
“What if they do it behind Hunt’s back, you know, like the kids in the pack did?” asked Quin.
“Then you tell me, okay and we’ll leave. Quin, honey, if anything happens that causes you to be uncomfortable, if someone says something that hurts you, promise you’ll tell me.”
“But what about Mom’s request?” asked Quin.
“What about it? We’re doing what she wanted but we don’t have to stay the whole two weeks if our cousins are mean to you. Fuck them. We’ll leave and have some fun on the way home. Would you like to stop in Vegas?”
Nodding, Quin raised his face, excitement chasing his tears away. “I’d love that…so many shows I want to see…I’ve been practicing my lip syncing and maybe we can find a place where I can show you how good I’ve become.”
“Sounds perfect. In the meantime, I don’t want you to worry about what might happen in California. Instead, why don’t we organize this mess?”
“Okay.” Dashing the last of his tears away, Quin smiled at Mason. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Mason grinned. “Now tell me what I can do to help you sort this out.”
~/~/~/~/~
Even though Reif joked about what the Oracle was going to tell them, deep down he was nervous as hell.
For the hundredth time, he wished he’d confided in his father when he discovered his Fated Mate.
If for no other reason, just to find out how sea dragons mated so he could’ve prevented the pregnancy.
No…that’s not right…I want my babies…all five of them.
Sitting next to Brian on the sofa in Logan and Kieran’s suite, Reif hoped this wouldn’t take long; there were other things needing his attention—like keeping his mate safe while he hunted for the green diamond.
After what happened in the pool, he was sure Kieran would help him since they were now friends.
The only concern he had was how his mate would feel about Reif’s plan.
But first the Oracle. Damn. Just the thought of her ratcheted up his worries again.
Glancing sideways at Nessie, his tension eased when he saw how relaxed his mate was.
Maybe I’m making this into a bigger deal than it is.
Hearing the door open, Reif’s gaze shifted, eager to see an Oracle in person.
“Hi, Oracle,” Kieran said, “Reif and Brian are waiting for you in the living room. Ian just finished examining Reif’s sea dragon and they are going to be parents of five adorable little Nessies.
Isn’t that wonderful? Five babies at once.
I can’t imagine what that will be like but I’m betting they’ll need some help.
Oh, they should have the babies in California because then all of us can help and I know Daniel, Jake, and Jessica will love having more playmates.
Of course, they will need a pool but I’m sure that won’t be a problem. ”
Listening, Reif groaned inwardly. If Kieran kept this up, every shifter in Scotland would know about him being a pregnant sea dragon—including the man—and that would not be a good thing.
As Kieran came into view, Reif stood, getting his first look at a real Oracle.
Holy fuck! She was stunningly beautiful with a smooth face and long silver hair falling in layers around her face, highlighting her sculptured cheekbones and soft lips.
Her ice-green eyes were like lasers that latched on to him instantly as she glided toward him.
Bowing his head, Reif said, “It’s an honor to meet you, Oracle.”
Oracle’s light musical laugh floated through the room. “Oh no, Reif, the honor is all mine. And Brian, I am so glad to finally meet the famous sea serpent.”
“Thank ye,” Brian murmured.
Sitting down in the club chair opposite them, Oracle said, “My message from the Fates is for Reif alone.” Holding up her hand to stop any objections, she continued, “However, it is up to you as to who else is present.”
Holding Brian’s hand as they sat down, Reif said, “I want Nessie to be with me.” Then glancing over to Kieran, he continued, “And Kieran and his mate.”
Nodding, Oracle began, “Reif, the Fates send their greetings to you along with their congratulations on finding your Fated Mate. You are the first sea dragon in a thousand years to do so.”
“I don’t understand. The Fates stopped giving us mates a thousand years ago so why the hoopla now about me?” asked Reif.
“I am not sure I understand you.”
“I mean, up until I was born, sea dragons always found their mates but that changed. As far as I know, I’m the first and only one to do so in the last thousand years,” Reif explained.
“Did the other sea dragons reject the mates the Fates chose for them?” asked Oracle.
“No. I’m not making myself clear,” Reif said.
“Oracle,” said Kieran, “I think what Reif means is the other sea dragons never found or even knew who their Fated Mates were and that’s why they didn’t claim them.”
“That’s right,” Reif said. “Everyone thinks the gods are angry at us which is why they allowed us to be used again.”
“Who’s using you?” asked Logan.
Fearing he said too much, Reif muttered, “Not important.”
“Naw, mate, this is important,” Brian said. “We have babies to think of now. Do ye want them to do what ye are forced to do?”
“They won’t be, once I complete my mission,” muttered Reif.
“Ye canna know that,” Brian said.
“I do. They swore to my father they’d accept punishment from the High Council if they broke their word.”
“Reif,” Oracle interjected, “something is very wrong here. I give you my word neither the gods nor the Fates have abandoned the sea dragons. Many times, the Fates have given me messages to pass on to different sea dragons if they claim a Fated Mate, but none have done so until you.”
Kieran sat down next to Reif. “Do you trust me?”
Reif had no problem answering this time. “Yes, I do.”
“Please tell us about the ones who are using you and your people.” Kieran said, softly, resting his hand on Reif’s arm. “I promised you help…let me do it.”
Reif glanced at Brian and, after receiving an encouraging nod, hesitantly related what had happened so many years ago and why the elders concluded the gods were angry with his people.
Shaking his head, Reif concluded, “The gods promised we would be left alone, hidden from the rest of the paranormal world so we could raise our children, confident they would never suffer the torments that our creator forced upon us. And for many years, that’s what we did as we faded from memory.
Go ahead and check. Sea dragons are extinct…
even the High Council’s website lists us as such.
No one in all these years ever discovered the island the gods had given us when they freed the sea dragons from the clutches of our creator.
But all that changed a thousand years ago when witches and vampires appeared in our town square.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the gods told someone where to find us. ”
“Let me get this straight…ever since then, your people have been forced to steal for these assholes?” asked Logan.
“Yeah, but last year my father made a new deal with them. All I have to do is find the green diamond, hand it over, and then we’ll be free…
no more stealing, no more threats. That’s what drives me.
If all I have to do is find a stupid jewel in order for my people to be free, then that is what I will do,” Reif said, emphatically.
“You said that they promised your father?” asked Oracle.
“Yes…upon punishment from the High Council if they break their word,” Reif replied.
“Was this witnessed by someone? Did they sign an agreement?” asked Oracle.
“I don’t know about a witness but there wasn’t any formal agreement drawn up for them to sign,” Reif answered.
“If the gods disclosed your location, then why can’t we find Angelopoulos on a map?” asked Logan.
“I don’t know. Did you look at a paranormal map?” asked Reif.
“Yes. And how come no one else knows about your existence? If the gods betrayed you to these men, why didn’t they tell others?” Logan asked.
“Oracle, what do you think?” asked Kieran.
“Logan raises some very valid questions. None of this makes sense, Reif. But I do not have answers to give so I will have to speak with the Fates and give them this new information.”
“What aboot his search for the green diamond?” asked Brian.
“Reif should continue,” said Logan. “If Oracle finds out the gods are behind this, then Reif will have the power to force these assholes to sign an agreement that will be legally binding.”
“That’s good, but so far, I’ve struck out and, without additional information, it doesn’t look like I’ll be finding it,” said Reif.
“But that’s before you had our help,” Kieran smiled.
“My mate’s right,” agreed Logan. “And we have access to resources that are unavailable to you.”
“Reif, do these men…and the vampires and witches…have names?” asked Oracle.
“Yes, but I don’t know them. My father might,” Reif answered. “It’s too late tonight, but I can call him tomorrow.”
“When you find the green diamond, who do you give it to? One of the witches or a vampire?” asked Kieran.
“Oh, none of them. I deal with their representative,” Reif said.
“What’s his name?” asked Brian.
“Don’t know that he has one. We call him ‘the man’,” Reif replied.
“What kind of paranormal is ‘the man’?” asked Logan.
“Sorry, don’t know that, but I think he’s a hybrid of some kind—that’s just a guess, though,” Reif said.
“One other question, Reif,” Oracle said. “Would you meet with a friend of mine, Mystia? She’s a witch and I am hoping she might help find the witches who have held your people hostage all this time.”
Glancing at Nessie, Reif asked, “Okay with you?”
“Ay, the faster we find these fuckers, the faster ye can relax and that’s guid for our babies,” replied Brian.
“Good,” Oracle said. “She will be in contact with Logan to arrange a time. Reif, do you have any other questions for me before I leave?”
“Just one, but you might not know the answer.”
“Go ahead but even if I know the answer, I might not be able to tell you. I have a lot of knowledge but not all of it can be disclosed until I am given permission by the Fates,” explained Oracle.
“Fair enough. Why does my sea dragon have five eggs instead of the usual one?” Reif asked.
Smiling, Oracle said, “The Fates were worried about the sea dragons dying out since they haven’t been claiming their Fated Mates.
Since you are the first sea dragon to claim your Fated Mate in a thousand years, the Fates decided to give you more offspring to make sure sea dragons would survive.
Initially, they planned to give you ten, but after debating it, they decided on just five. ”