I could feel Berserker jerking on the reins of my control. He wanted out, and he wanted his mate. This locked up in different areas bullshit was about to get a lot of people killed. I practiced the breathing techniques Xander and I had learned in therapy after my father killed mom. The same ones he used on Scarlet. Thinking about my mate being that close to a breakdown had Berserker bum-rushing the leash I had on him. Breathe in. Hold it.Hold it.Exhale."Ten, where the fuck is all this Earth magic supposed to be? I don't feel a Gaiadamned bit different," I snarled mentally to help distract myself. "I do not know, brother. It is as if the magic has disappeared altogether. This is not the Earth of my youth," he answered. He sounded both saddened and angry. "I feel like something is trying to suck or siphon my magic," Kiema said. "It's almost like we're in a vacuum of some kind and once it locked on to us, it began trying to slurp me up one big gulp after another

"Are you going to keep notes on this interaction as well?" I asked Atlas as we made our way into the gigantic foyer of the hotel. He slung his arm over my shoulders. "Do you want me to?"I looked up into his face. Grabbing my courage was nearly as difficult this time. I flashed him a smile, nodded. "Then that's what will happen, little sister."My heart caught in my chest at the term. I'd gained so much more than just mates when I accepted my guardianship. Beyond the family I'd acquired, I hadn't felt so strong and brave in my entire life. I had something to offer, something to claim. The give and take in this group was as close to equal as it could possibly be. And it was a beautiful thing to see. A heavenly thing to be part of. Atlas gave me a squeeze before letting me go. I quickened my steps to catch up with Kiema at the front of the group. I tugged on her waist before she got too far away again. Being the shortest, with stubby little legs no less, made me feel like

I dug my nails into Asher's arms, my entire body vibrating with rage and fear. This woman claimed to be my mother. But according to Alok, she was also the person who wanted me dead. Kiema burst up, fists clenched, her face spelling out Nix's murder. "You're the one who wanted Scarlet dead?!"Wind rose up in the room, whipping everything around in a small tornado. Kiema's silver eyes washed to complete liquid silver. "You made a mistake. Scarlet is one of mine. You'll go through me to hurt her.""And me," Saint said as he rose to his feet. His form wavered at the edges as Ten tried to break through."And me," Ransom and Kord both stood up. Their forms also on the verge of shifting. "And us," Lukas and Atlas said. Lukas stepped away from his partner, his hands loose and ready at his sides. Atlas' top lip pulled up in a snarl. "And us," Xander and Taryk said from behind me and Asher. I didn't turn, but I knew their magic flared and pushed at their control. Asher's arms r

Scarlet couldn't catch a fucking break. The yearning I saw on her face...it reminded me of my own right after I'd lost my parents. That whole-body desire to be with someone again. To be known by that other person and to know that other person to the soles of your feet. "Gentlemen," I said as I stood. I put my own hands in the air. Everyone else joined me in submission. "What are a Prime Direct, seven shifters, a Valkyrie, and a null doing on Earth? Why weren't we alerted to your visit?" the bigger of the two men said as he stepped back from Taryk. Giving himself room to maneuver, I imagine. Ransom stepped forward. "How do you know what we are?"The bigger man who had given himself more space was bald, had tattoos running up his neck and under his shirt. His face was symmetrical and he had tri-color irises that melded into deep blue eyes. "Because it's our job to know. Why weren't we alerted to your visit?"Kiema stepped forward this time. Her mates snarled low.The

"So let's talk about this Reckoning, shall we?" Atlas said as we moved into the other room. "I'm still looking for that food," Kiema said as she rubbed a hand over her belly. "But sure, let's talk about how we're all going to ascend into the new gods and goddesses. That won't bring about indigestion at all."Atlas chuckled as he took a seat next to Lukas on the smaller couch. "I'll keep an ear out for the food delivery. Does that work for you, Kiema?"She nodded as she settled down on the couch next to me. Saint was on her other side as Ransom plopped into a chair sitting at a right angle. "Okay, so the Reckoning," I began, rubbing my hands up and down my legs. I tried to remember Asher's words on being cool. That man should teach classes on charm. I wonder if I could get him to do that? Our walk through the Gateway had been more than enlightening. In a number of ways. You're a nerdy guy, Kord. Own it. But keep it chill, let others come to you for knowledge. Don't jack the