Page 97 of Gifted Destiny

“Your aura has shifted,” Avery remarks, easily changing the subject as his eerie silver eyes examine my brother. “You used to spark with magic – too much.”

“You’re right. I’d been holding too much magic for too long. My hatred for our father and his demands led me to store my magic inside me. I became an overcharged battery, which is the real reason behind the storms I caused. Now that I’ve bonded with the library, she skims off the excess before it builds up and takes on a mind of its own. It doesn’t require any conscious effort on my part.”

“Does that mean …?” Kodi does his best impression of a sad puppy. “Will you not have any extra for me?”

“Do you have anything on your mind other than sex?” I chastise the ghost.

Kodi concentrates so hard on the question that my lips twitch involuntarily. “Yes and no. What would you think about if you couldn’t eat, sleep, or work out?”

The thought horrifies me because those three things – and sex – occupy my mind ninety percent of the time. I offer him a nod. “Point taken.”

“Zosia can give you her excess magic now, Kodi,” Bren says, ignoring our brief exchange. “Once she learns how to take it from the library and channel it through her instead of absorbing it.”

“Speaking of giving, where’s your mate mark?” The ghost changes subjects so rapidly that my head spins. “You got oneright?” He studies Bren and Zosia as if he could undress them and find it himself.

The subjects of his scrutiny widen their eyes and share confused glances. It’s clear that they haven’t considered this matter yet. “Did we?” Zosia whispers.

My brother closes his eyes briefly before grinning widely. Lifting the ragged hem of his t-shirt, he reveals a tight band of black script on the upper part of his right ribcage. I marched closer to squint at the words.

“Destiny is a matter of choice, not chance,” Kodi reads aloud as he joins me. The ghost snorts. “Of course you’d get a quote.”

Bren nods, considering, as we look toward our mate. Still in sphinx form, she unfurls her wings. I expect the same quote, but hers are different. Scrawled neatly upon the inside ridge of her right wing are the words, “Our history is not our destiny.”

It’s fitting, but my mind questions the mechanics of Destiny. Is it the same as Fate, which is considered predetermined? A stinging pain makes me lift my shirt and inspect my ribcage. “The stars may hold our destiny, but we decide to accept it,” I read. It’s a fitting answer to my mental question, and I don’t mind the additional ink. It will be a good reminder if I ever falter.

“Ooh. I get another one, too, right?” Kodi asks as he bounces up and down. His face contorts like he’s on the toilet before he flickers into solidity and lifts his shirt. His original mate mark covers every inch of his chest. His expression falls but Avery clears his throat. The damn vampire is far too silent. I’d forgotten he was there.

“Check your right forearm,” Avery advises. “I see a spark of new magic.”

Kodi drops his shirt and twists his arm to look at the underside. “Death transforms life into Destiny.” He repeats the words again before pumping his fist in the air. “I love it!”

“And if someone could please read mine,” Avery says after Kodi is finished preening. He bares his upper rib while Zosia moves closer. The script on his white skin looks like molten gold.

“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life while alone,” she recites.

“How true.” Avery’s tone is syrupy sweet as he follows his observation up with a kiss.

“So, brother? Are you upset that the quotes aren’t credited to the original speaker?”

Bren considers my question before shaking his head. “I’m not. I believe we’ve earned the right to each of ours. Besides, most aren’t verbatim.”

“Screw the credit,” Kodi snorts. “Do you feel robbed because you only got one tattoo, and we each have two now?”

Zosia turns back to us. “I don’t think I have room for more,” she jokes. “Pretty soon, I’ll be covered.”

“I have another,” Bren says so quietly that his words are nearly lost in the ruffle of Zosia’s wings. My brother turns and points to a small symbol behind his left ear. It looks familiar, but I don’t have to search my memory for its meaning.

“Ah,” the vampire hums. Zosia must be sharing her sight with him. “The crown chakra symbol symbolizes understanding and enlightenment through a greater connection to the universe.”

“And inside it is theAumsymbol, which dates back to the very first known civilizations. Scholars have debated its meaning for centuries, but I personally like that it symbolizes infinite knowledge,” Zosia finishes as she researches the nearly infinite information stored within her mind. She pads over to Bren with a shy smile and he reveals the same symbol behind the cat ear upon her head. In human form, it will be in the same place as hers.

“Is it okay?” Bren asks quietly.

“It’s perfect.” Her honest answer is accompanied by an adoring look that Bren returns.

While Kodi teases Zosia about being more tattooed than a punk rocker, I lean against the wall and fold my arms over my chest. A profound sense of rightness and belonging settles deep within me.

When we first arrived, I felt like I didn’t belong. Now, I know that my presence is vital to the team. Zosia is a gift from Destiny itself, but that gift includes this place and my fellow guardians. I knew this with certainty when I saw how different I could have been. I was meant to be here. I have found my home and family for the duration of my unnaturally long life.

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