Something is off about her. I can’t put my finger on it. “Aether?” Darren asks, looking back at me with worry in his eyes.
Dakira points her long slender finger at the ring Bill gave me.
“She’s bound by the light of Fae and the darkness of Aether. Very few can do that and live. I believe her ability to wield the Matestone and the sureness of the bond she has with your Pod keeps her energies in balance. If that were to change....” Her voice is still light and melodic, but I can detect an underlying threat.
Uh.
What.
Dakira is seriously freaking me out and I do not appreciate her tone.
Darren and the rest of my guys exchange a long look. Before I can ask more questions, the announcer starts reading off the first heat of the surfing tournament and we turn our attention to the water where the surfers on brightly colored boards are barely visible paddling out to the breakers. I don’t follow surfing much, but the lack of safety boats out in the water confuses me.
I lean into Earl and his arm swings around my shoulders to pull me in closer. It actually distracts me enough that I forget what I am going to ask for a full second.
“Where are the safety people? What happens if someone gets hurt?”
Dakira’s laugh grates on my nerves. “Magic, dear one,” she points with an exaggerated whisper at the edges of the cove. At first I don’t see anything, but then, squinting, I see the shimmery edge of something in the corner of my vision. It reminds me a little bit of the barrier Timoteo had thrown up when I wanted to speak to him in private.
Hm. Well. I guess that’s ok. I’m still feeling anxious so I reach out, bringing my Pod closer to me. Dakira watches with interest.
“Are you really that bonded with them? Already?” she asks, studying the way I center myself so that each of them is touching me.
“Yes.” I’m snappier than normal but I can’t shake the feeling that this is a test and Dakira is looking for my weaknesses.
I must pass because her entire demeanor relaxes and she reaches down to dig in her purse. Apparently the Fae also carry around their entire life in a bag because it takes her a while to find what she’s looking for. I am slightly disappointed when I see that it’s a crumpled up napkin. She snaps her fingers and it starts to glow slightly. Now it’s a glowing napkin. Neat.
“Veronica, Daughter of Summer, Fated Queen of the Misty Cove Sea Lion Pod, do you accept your destiny?” her voice is soft, but the power of it ripples over my skin.
I don’t hesitate in my answer. For better or worse, this is my Pod. Fate may have destined us to be together, but I choose them everyday and they choose me.
“I do.”
She looks relieved and stands, her attendants moving in formation behind her.
“Good. Then let this be a blessing for you: may your love know no lasting anger, may your nights know no loneliness, may your spirit know only peace, and may your duties be carried out with honor. Merry meet, Guardian.”
I swear her eyes twinkle with mirth when I open my mouth to ask what the hell this Guardian business is, but then she poofs right out of existence.
One minute she’s there, the next minute she’s not. All that is left is the glowing napkin on the sand.
I kick at it gingerly with my foot and then reach down to pick it up.
Written in the center of the napkin are three names and a date 6 months from now:
Chuck
Dorin
Kalena
THE MESSAGE “GUARD the stones” is written in impossibly perfect calligraphy at the very bottom.
That’s it.
“BILL!” I yell, twisting my ring with all my might.
When he doesn’t appear, I sigh and lean into my guys. Whatever this Guardian business is, we’ll figure it out together.
Dakira was right about one thing: my destiny is at home in Misty Cove.
EPILOGUE
~ 6 MONTHS LATER ~
The bright winter sunshine streams through my windows and my covers are so warm and cozy. Yawning, I sit up and notice that my bed is strangely empty of other occupants. It is such a rare occurrence that I burrow under the quilt again and stretch out like a cat. I am tempted to roll around in the sheets, but the chilly air convinces me not to. Most nights, at least two of my guys sleep in here with me. Last night, I had all four. They said they were coming in to protect me from the squall. By the time they were done protecting me, I’m not sure I would have noticed a hurricane if it moved through the bedroom and started dancing a polka.
One of them left a to-go cup of coffee for me on the nightstand and I lean over to grab it, still not ready to leave my nest. When I agreed to this and claimed them, they promised me that they would spend a lifetime taking care of me. The last 6 months have been so amazing that I often pinch myself to make sure it’s all not some crazy dream.
We’ve grown together as a pod. Unlike human relationships that can take years to feel comfortable, ours already has the well-worn comfortability of a long-term relationship. We just fit.
The only thing we’ve fought over, other than the covers, has been my desire to have something independent from the Pod. Something for myself. If I’m going to live here and be part of this community, I want
