Page 70 of Guardian of Shadows

“Me? That’s you, you big goof.” When he set her down, she turned to Elle. “Hi, Elle. I’m Seven. It’s so nice to finally meet the one who tamed this guy.” She slapped Tony on the stomach with the back of her hand, and he let out an oof. Seven hooked her arm through Elle’s and directed her to the bar. “Sit here.” Seven held out a tall stool, and Elle climbed on. Seven then went behind the bar and asked, “Sugar or salt?”

“I...” Elle looked at her mate for assistance.

“She’s never had a margarita, Trouble.” To Elle, he explained, “Some people like salt with their margarita, but since it’s kind of a sour drink, some like a sugar rim to counteract the tartness.”

“Let’s try sugar, please.”

Seven turned the glass upside down, pressing it to a pad, then she dipped it into a round container of pink crystals before pouring the liquid inside. She cut a lime wedge and secured it to the rim. “Bottoms up.”

Dakota pulled a beer from one of the many taps and slid it to Tony. “When did you become a bartender?” he asked Seven before taking a long pull from his glass of what Elle assumed was his favorite IPA. She had tasted the bitter stuff and hated it.

“When a couple of the full timers got the crud and Kody needed someone to fill in. Besides, doing the books only keeps me busy a couple hours a day, and I get bored.”

Over the last few weeks, Elle had tried several mixed drinks. Some she liked, and some she didn’t, but after the first sip of what tasted like raspberries, she decided this was her favorite. She licked the sugar before taking another sip, and the next thing she knew, the glass was empty except for the ice. Seven arched a brow, and Elle slid the glass forward.

“Okay, hotshot, you better slow down,” Tony warned. “Those pack a punch.” He had given her the nickname after they tested how far away she could hit the bullseye with her bow. It had been pretty damn far.

“I’ll punch you,” she joked, and everyone laughed.

As with most times the Clan got together, Elle was introduced to so many strangers who were considered family. Dakota’s best friend, Jolee, was also a wolf shifter, and her mate, Ollie, was a lion. Lydia, another of Tony’s cousins, was there with her polar bear mate, and their two friends, Dooley, another polar bear, and his mate, Kennedy, an arctic fox.

“I thought we were supposed to hide what we are because of the humans,” Elle said after the not-so-quiet introductions.

“Oh.” Dakota waved a hand around. “We didn’t take any reservations for the weekend, and I gave all the human staff time off so we don’t have to worry about outing ourselves. We’re used to speaking in code and being careful, but we wanted you to feel free to be yourself.” Dakota cocked her head to the side, and Elle got her meaning. She removed her glamour, and there were several gasps.

“Did I forget to mention my mate is a light fae from a different realm?” Tony asked, grinning.

With the spotlight on Elle, she spent the next couple of hours sipping margaritas and answering questions about the fae, dragons, and Evyndral.

After gathering in the restaurant for lunch, they returned to the bar area, and someone turned on music. Dakota and Seven served drinks, everyone danced to the fast music, and when a slow song came on, Tony pulled Elle into his arms. They swayed together, forgetting about everyone else. Elle couldn’t stop smiling. Her mate was so handsome. And funny. And... Elle might have gotten a wee bit tipsy.

Tony retrieved their luggage from the Jeep while Elle sat with Lydia and Kennedy. She wanted to know about Alaska since she couldn’t imagine somewhere so cold until Bas explained Norway’s weather was similar.

When Tony returned from the room they were staying in, he was carrying her parka and gloves. “Put these on. There’s something I want to show you.” She did as he asked, and then he led her to the large deck on the front of the lodge.

“Oh, my goddess! It’s snowing!” Fluffy white flakes swirled all around, and Elle clapped her hands before trying to catch a snowflake. It was absolutely magical. There had been snow on the ground in Norway, but Elle had never seen it fall from the sky.

“Do they not have snow in Winterhaven?” Tony leaned against the railing, smiling as she danced around.

“No. It’s just cold.”

The door opened, and several others joined them. Lydia started singing about letting it snow, and Beck grabbed her around her thighs, hoisting her over his shoulder. “Sugar, what have I told you about that?” he asked, smacking her on her ass.

“But, My Bear, you love my singing.” Lydia was laughing, so she obviously didn’t mind hanging upside down.

“Kennedy!” Dooley shouted as a cute little white fox scampered down the steps. Elle ran to the railing, watching as Kennedy zoomed around the grassy area being covered in white stuff, yipping. Beck set Lydia on her feet, joining the others as they watched the fox play. Bright blue eyes turned upward, as her tail swished behind her. She gave another yip, and Dooley shook his head. “Fine.” He strode down the stairs and from one instant to the next, a large white bear joined his mate.

“Aren’t they afraid of being seen?” Elle asked.

Dakota tipped her hat back. “Nah. Bas closed the gate at the bottom of the hill earlier, plus, the last time Nikita and Mads visited, they set up some type of interference in case someone decided to fly drones above the property.”

Elle stepped in front of Tony so he would wrap his arms around her. She didn’t mind the cold if she got a magical show out of it. And if she wished they would get snowed in for a few days? Well, that was her business.

They did not get snowed in, only because Tony had a four-wheel-drive Jeep. The white stuff continued coming down, covering the ground and surrounding trees with several inches. Elle had a wonderful time between playing outside and getting to know her new family better. It was easier to remember who was who when Tony suggested adding a photo to their contact information in her phone. Instead of leaving late Sunday, they spent one more night and left early Monday morning to return home.

Elle hated leaving Kody and the others, but she was glad to see their house when Tony pulled down the driveway. Nekoma came out of the barn when Tony parked in front of the garage. He waved and smiled, then retreated back inside. That was weird.

Tony helped Elle down from the Jeep, but instead of gathering their bags or heading inside, he tugged her toward the barn. “I have a surprise for you.” They stepped through the open door, and Nekoma was in the back corner, bent over a fencing of sorts. “Go on,” Tony urged. When Elle reached her brother, he turned, and in his arms was a fuzzy, gray kitten.

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