Page 28 of Called By Fate

"I will be, my Pet. Don't you worry." His nickname for me coming out in a public setting is a little jarring, but fuck if it doesn't turn me on even more, but I keep myself in check. If it weren’t for the slight flush in my cheeks, and Reed reading my every thought, I’m sure no one would know.

"Make sure you check with your friend, Malachi, at the compound. He didn’t seem to like the Elders any more than we do. And Oliver's Circle. They’ll want to come," I say, and Elian’s nose wrinkles.

“Who is Oliver?”

“You know, the scrawny guy I saved at the compound. Shrimp?”

“Ah, yes,” he says as the memory comes back to him. “Okay, but I could use some help with all of this.” He turns his stare to Dante and Kaos and waits for them to notice, which they do, but are as confused as I am. Elian, asking for help? The world really must be ending. “What? They respect you two. They fear me.”

"Fair enough," Kaos responds with a sigh. "At least you can work on mending those relationships while we're doing this."

“Sure, I'll go,” Dante says with a smirk. “But only in case you two fuckers scare them away with your frowny faces and reading their every move. Someone needs to have some flare.”

“I can shield you from my fathers,” Niall cuts in, and I remember him saying something about that the day they brought Ash back. He shielded them so the Elders didn’t know they were with us.

"Right then. Anyone else have any business to discuss today?" I ask, motioning for anyone with something to add to go for it.

“Actually, if everyone doesn't mind, I'd like to properly introduce you to my faction. They're, uh, sort of dying to meet you all. Your names are legendary,” Reed says to the rest of my mates. Then, he looks to me. “I think a few of them are speculating that the prophecy is about you.”

That makes me nervous. The Light Weavers have been passing that down as a bedtime story. What if I don’t live up to their expectations?

Regardless, I still say, “Sure, Red. I think we'd all love to meet your faction.” Because I’m totally not facing this alone.

“Can someone remind us of this prophecy again?” Adam asks.

“Sure can,” Matilda responds and starts reciting it from memory.

“Born from the night,

Into the shadows and darkness alike,

One with the power to bring them to their knees,

A force to reckon she shall be.

To right their wrongs,

And mete justice with ease.

She will be fate’s guiding light,

She will be night’s enforcing might.

Her heart so pure,

With the strength to endure,

Only she can unite us,

Only she can save us from them all.”

While the trio is mulling it over, Reed smiles at me and pushes his glasses up his nose. “Come on. Let's go meet everyone,” he says, getting up from his chair. He waits for me to walk past him before he whispers in my ear, “And you’ll never be alone again, Love.”

11

Things went better with my faction than I expected, thanks to Auryen last night. Based on the shock on their faces and their confused thoughts, which I tried to be respectful of, they were leery, but also hopeful. There’s a fine line I try to ride, as having the ability to read minds means I’m privy to some very personal thoughts that some people would rather I didn’t know.

With my position and title now, I also need to know what my people are thinking so I can better protect them and Sadie. My ability gives me an advantage, but one I refuse to abuse.

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