Page 26 of Guardian of Shadows

“She and Yari have gone to speak to Mórdrake on Elle’s behalf.” Brent explained everything else while he turned the bacon and Trinity put away the groceries.

Trinity grabbed a soda, popping the top and taking a swig. She let out a belch, and Elle giggled. Trinity winked at her. “I do have manners, just not at home. If you want, you can drop your glamour around us. We’re used to Yari’s ears.”

Since Anthony always saw Elle’s true countenance, he didn’t realize she was glamoured up.

“Thanks.” Elle waved her hand in front of her face. “I’m so used to having to shield myself from humans, it’s second nature to hide my ears.”

Trinity hopped up on the counter close to where her twin was cooking. “Since I haven’t met my mate, I haven’t transitioned into my Gargoyle yet, but I have a feeling you hiding your ears will be like me having to be careful of my fangs and claws. I’ve seen this one” — she pointed at Brent with her can — “and our cousins lose their shit more than once. You’d think the gods would’ve figured out a better time than during puberty for full-bloods to transition. Raging hormones on top of dealing with the change? No thank you. And Brent meeting Cassi when he did wasn’t the most opportune moment in his life. Honestly, I’m glad I haven’t met my mate yet.”

Brent tapped Trinity’s leg, and she hopped down, taking her empty can to the pantry. Without being asked, she retrieved plates from one of the cabinets, knives and forks from a drawer, and napkins from a holder on the counter, all of which she placed on the table. The siblings moved wordlessly like a well-oiled machine. Brent plated the bacon and started on the eggs, while Trinity popped bread into the toaster, then opened the fridge and removed butter and several types of jam and jelly.

“I’ll make biscuits tomorrow,” Trinity said as she buttered the toast.

Brent dumped the eggs in a bowl, and he brought it with the bacon to the table. “Help yourselves.”

Anthony held out the eggs for Elle to scoop onto her plate. “Like I told Brent, you don’t have to go to any trouble.”

“The UrBan gang will expect them. We usually eat breakfast together on Sunday, but since you and Elle were... resting, we postponed it until tomorrow,” Trinity said with a straight face.

Elle gave the bowl back to Tony. “The urban gang?”

“Yeah, UrBan is Urijah and Banyan’s shipped name. Like Brenton and Cassiopa are Brentopa. It’s not as cool as UrBan. You and Elle would be...” Trinity held the butter knife aloft, thinking. “Is Elle short for something?”

“Yes, Elledan.”

Trinity resumed buttering, then brought the plate of bread to the table and sat next to her twin. “That’s even harder than Brent and Cassi.”

Brent took the bowl of eggs when Tony passed them across the table. “Maybe you should let that ridiculousness go.”

“Hey, I didn’t start it. Sienna did. You going to tell our cousin she’s ridiculous?”

Brent pulled the bowl back when Trinity reached for it. “Yes, if it means she stops shipping couples.”

“No, you won’t.” Trinity smirked, and her brother handed over the bowl.

“No, I won’t. But I still think it’s silly.”

“Of course it’s silly, but she’s eleven and thinks Cassi’s the coolest thing since fake tattoos.”

Brent laughed. “That’s because Cassi gives her dragon rides.”

“I want to ride a dragon,” Anthony muttered, and everyone laughed. He turned to Elle. “You didn’t tell me that was a thing.”

Elle shrugged. “I didn’t know it was a thing.”

“Speaking of ink, I noticed Yari had a tattoo on her arm,” Anthony said.

“It’s not a tattoo. It’s a guardian mark,” Brent explained. “When the guardian takes the oath to protect the dragon with their life, the dragon shares their mark with their guardian. Dragons also pass along a similar mark to their mate.” Brent pushed back his sleeve, showing a vibrant design in a kaleidoscope of colors. “Imagine my surprise when that showed up on my arm after we mated. Pretty cool since Gargoyles can’t get ink.”

“Damn, that’s awesome.” Anthony was a little jealous, if he were being honest. With their skin being impenetrable, Gargoyles couldn’t get tattoos.

The four of them chatted about Norway while eating, and once they were finished, Anthony asked to borrow a vehicle. “I’d like to take Elle shopping.”

“Since you aren’t familiar with the area, I’d love to go and show you the best places,” Trinity offered.

“That’d be great. Let me clean up the dishes first.” Anthony knew it wasn’t necessary, but he had been raised with manners.

“I’ve got this.” Elle waved her hands above the table, and all their plates plus the serving platters and utensils disappeared. “I wasn’t sure if you were finished with your coffee, so...”

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