Page 46 of Brandt's Rule

“Carnage! Says the General’s name was Carnage. Damn, that’s a cool name. I might name my kid Carnage,” Barron said as he scanned the write up on the monster fans website he’d stumbled onto. “Says he defied the King and all their people were set free. But it also says it’s a legend. It’s fiction, not reality.”

Brandt met Barron’s gaze. “Shifters are legend, too. Hadn’t you heard?”

“So you’re telling me your mate is a Gargoyle?” Barron almost shouted in denial.

“No. I’m telling you that she told me a little about her people, and the name of that army was definitely what she said and Carnage is her grandfather’s name. Damn,” Brandt said, sitting back and chewing on the inside of his lip as he remembered the other things she’d said.

“What? What else?” Barron asked.

“She asked if I knew of the four elementals that were the original beings on Earth. Water, earth, wind, and fire.”

“They make some pretty cool music,” Barron said with a snicker.

“Not the band. The elements.”

“Okay, most of us have. We’re more in touch with nature than most. Shifters here…” Barron said.

“Yeah. She also said that somehow her mother holds part of the energy of the original elementals and it filtered to her through her mother.”

“Man, Brandt, this is some crazy shit. This is outrageous. You really believe this?”

“I don’t know what to believe. I do know that her strength is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. She gave me just a sample, and it almost knocked me on my ass.”

“So, if this is true… she’s got Gargoyle blood in her, elemental magic, and she’s directly descended from one of the original ancient Dragons and carries some of his abilities, too.”

“I need to talk to Uncle Maverik,” Brandt said.

“Yeah, and in the meantime, don’t piss her off. Just in case any of this is true.”

They sat quietly for fifteen or twenty minutes before Brandt finally looked over at Barron. “She call or text you yet?”

Barron checked his phone again before he shook his head.

They sat for a little while longer in silence, before Barron had enough. “I’m tired, I’m going to bed.”

“Let me know if she calls, alright?” Brandt said, tapping his temple.

“You know I will. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m sleeping in. Don’t wake me,” he said as he walked away.

“Good rest,” Brandt said, lifting his half drunk beer in salute to Barron getting some rest.

Brandt sat there for a while, his eyes closed, listening to the sounds of the night again, considering shifting and going for a run. He’d just about decided to when Tempest’s voice resonated in his head.

I’m home. In my bed. Safe. Alone, I might add.

Brandt sat up straight. How can you do that? You aren’t clan. We aren’t mated, and you aren’t here, he sent back to her.

How can you do that? You easily answered me that first night outside my apartment. You weren’t supposed to hear me, Tempest countered.

Brandt didn’t answer right away as his mind whirled, but Tempest felt his confusion over it.

Obviously there’s some kind of connection, she said, her voice echoing in his mind.

How do you feel about that? Brandt thought back at her.

I think you should have kept your phone is what I think, Tempest answered.

Brandt smirked and shook his head. He could hear the amusement in her voice as it resonated in his mind. I’ll see you tomorrow? he asked.

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