Once my shoulders fully relaxed after we talked for a few more minutes in the empty store, Riff chuckled and declared it time to go. I guess Char was almost back with the groceries, so we needed to get dinner started. Smiling, I waved bye but got pulled into two hugs instead. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face on the way home, and Riff grinned, seeming to reflect my pleasant mood. My hand was on the door to my apartment when I remembered my conversation with Marcus yesterday. “Don’t be like that, Angel, seeing you happy makes me happy too, you know,” Riff sighed. When I looked at him, he ran a hand through his hair and blew out his breath. “But yes, feeling how buoyant you are lifts my spirits. That’s part of your magic, your ability to lift the spirits of others with your happiness.”
“If you say so,” I sighed. I didn’t like manipulating others through my emotions. It sounded wrong and felt like a violation of them. How could they protect themselves from this ability of mine? Why did I have this ability, or better yet, why did my emotions affect them? Was it me, them, or a combination that made it possible? Could I turn it off or prevent it from happening? Could they? Marcus said I couldn’t control them, but if someone’s emotions ruled them, then was that not precisely what would happen? Panic built in my chest, and as he seemed to when I was upset, Marcus rounded the corner. This time, however, his expression was wary.
“Stop panicking,” he scolded, and I flinched with a soft hiss. “Yes, I feel it. Yes, that’s how I know when you need me. No, I didn’t know you cried for help until I watched the video. I came because I felt your pain and fear, checking the camera on my way. As what I am, you could say I am the most attuned to you, Riff is second, with Char third. In theory, it should have been Dakota second, but he prefers where he’s at. Dakota, as you may have noticed, is not one to seek control. He would rather follow than lead, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Other than Kyler forced him into a position of leadership after he and Riff had their falling out.”
Biting my lip, I frowned, and Marcus chuckled. “Yes, you sensed his unhappiness and how he is softer than Riff and Kyler. You told me that the other day, remember? That is a small part of what you do, soothe the hurts you see, and the ones you feel. You inspire the feeling a young child experiences upon coming home to discover mom made cookies, and they just came out of the oven.”
Chuckling, I shook my head in denial and glanced at Riff for backup, but he snickered and pointed at Marcus. What? That can’t be right. Why was I, the poor orphan, so important? I mean, from what they were saying, it seemed like I was important. That couldn’t be right. I didn’t matter. The only person who would notice my absence, who would grieve, was Matty.
“You know I would grieve your absence, right?” Riff asked, and I stiffened only to hiss out my pain. When my eyes met his, he smiled and scratched the back of his head.
“You belong to us, little stray,” Marcus chuckled in the way of an explanation, and I huffed while crossing my arms with my gaze switching to his. “Contrary to what you may believe, your kind don’t do well alone. Like I said before, you lack the teeth required to survive the streets. You’ve survived alone so long because of your determination to protect Matty. Your strength lies in your protectiveness, and in the size of your beautiful heart. So, little stray, you are ours, and we intend to keep you.”
“I want to stay,” I admitted shyly, “more than I’ve wanted anything besides Matty safe.” Upon thinking of Matty, my brow furrowed, and I glanced at Marcus in surprise.
“Yes,” he chuckled to answer my silent question. “Matty bonded with you in a way as well and senses your feelings strongly enough to guess your thoughts too. And he can do so better than us, but that’s normal.”
Sighing, I shrugged and stepped around him, only to get pulled into a hug, then Marcus ruffled my hair and left. I guess this was another one of those things I’d understand once I knew the full story. So, no point in worrying about it for now.
Riff followed me, looking wary until I shrugged with a slight smile. I’ve long since learned to roll with the punches and to not question things I shouldn’t. Shaking his head, Riff kissed my forehead, and we entered the kitchen to find Char waiting with a scowl. He brightened when he saw us, however, and I sighed with relief that I hadn’t upset him. In fact, he stepped forward to pull me into a hug, sighing with relief once his forehead rested on my shoulder.
“Did something happen?” I asked worriedly, and he chuckled.
“Someone happened, but I’d rather not talk about it,” Char chuckled, although his shoulders tensed. Nodding, I patted his head, smiled when he looked surprised, and pulled out plates and such for cooking
