Page 44 of Echoes of Desire

“Yeah, he’s a monster,” she laughs.

I make a note to learn more about the quiet Obsidian male and turn to look for my men.

“By the firepit,” Ma says quietly.

“How can you tell?” I ask just as quietly. “No one is even looking in this direction.”

“The little details,” she explains with a smile. “I’ve never had it as difficult as you. Do you have a way of figuring out which two they are from here?”

Not wanting to explain it, I simply look in the direction of the firepit, place my hand over my heart, and wait for one of them tolook in our direction. Seconds later, two arms rise and tap their chests.

“Found them,” I smile. “But I can’t look away, or I’ll lose them again.”

“Go to them then,” she laughs. “I’ll go get the cheesecake.”

“Getting to know our Ma, baby?” Jasper asks as I approach.

“Something like that,” I answer, tucking the journal into my bag. “She’s going to get cheesecake. I hope there’s strawberry toppings.”

“There’s always strawberry toppings,” someone says.

“Sweetheart, this is Ghost,” Jaxon introduces. “He’s one of our blood brothers and the club's President.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. President,” I tease with a curtsey. Ghost laughs and bows in return.

“You know,” Ghost says when he straightens. “I may make it a new rule that everyone has to bow or curtsey before me. I rather liked that.”

“As if I’d ever bow to you,” someone says.

“And that’s Venom,” Ghost says. “He has Dissociate Identity Disorder. So, if he says something out of character, then it’s most likely one of the three inside his head.”

“Oh dear, I don’t need more than one personality per person,” I laugh uncomfortably. “I’ll never remember all of you as it is.”

“I explained about your face blindness while you were in with Ma,” Jaxon says. “I hope that was okay. I didn’t want them asking you questions that made you feel uncomfortable.”

“I don’t mind at all,” I answer truthfully. “At least now they’ll know why I won’t ever remember them until my brain connects the physical clues. But nobody move from the spot you're in while we’re talking, or I’ll lose track of who you are.”

Ghost chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gives me a knowing look. “Don’t worry, Raven. We’ll make it easy for you. You’ll figure it out in time. We’re not exactly a quiet bunch,after all.” His voice carries an amused undertone, and I can feel the weight of his words settle around me like a comforting blanket.

“I’m sure I will,” I say, offering a smile that feels a little strained, but I push through it. The weight of everything is still a lot to carry, but these moments, these people, they’re making it just a little easier.

Jaxon steps closer, his hand brushing mine, a reassuring touch. “You’re doing fine, baby. Don’t stress it.”

“I’ll try not to,” I reply, swallowing the tightness in my throat.

Venom, standing behind Ghost, looks at me with a glint of mischief in his eyes and points to his head. “Don’t worry about remembering all of us in here, darlin’. Just remember, if you’re ever confused, just ask me. I’ve got the whole ‘multiple personality’ thing down to a science. Practically a personality professional.” He grins, his tone teasing, but I sense a deep layer of sincerity underneath it.

“Maybe you should make a name tag for each of them,” I joke, trying to ease the tension that still lingers in my chest. “Or a handbook. That way, I don’t need to feel like I’m failing every time someone new speaks up.”

Jaxon lets out a low chuckle, his hand lingering on my hip before he pulls away. “Venom’s personality handbook? You’d be the first one to get a copy, Raven. And it’ll be the most confusing thing you’ll ever read.”

“That’s a promise,” Venom adds with a wink.

I laugh softly, the sound surprisingly light. “I’ll take my chances. As long as you don’t change personalities mid-sentence. I think I’d pass out from the confusion.”

“That’s the fun of it,” Ghost says, his grin widening. “Keeps life interesting.”

I nod, trying to relax into the atmosphere. Everyone here seems to understand the quirks and challenges I face, and intheir own ways, they’re making me feel more at home. More accepted. Even with everything I can’t see, it feels like I’m finally starting to find my place.

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