Page 43 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
“So what exactly is the issue right now?” I ask.
“Not all members of our clan are born with the destiny to protect the line,” the Oracle chimes in. “Only those born withinherent magical gifts are designated as Guardians. They are required to stay here in service of the clan for their entire lives.”
My eyes widen. “They can’t leave? Sounds a bit like a prison sentence, if you ask me.”
Kelwyn sighs. “It is not an easy burden to bear, but it is an honor and privilege to have been gifted by the Goddess with abilities to safeguard not only our own people but the rest of the world. You must understand, Noah, if the power of the ley line were to fall into the wrong hands, it could spell doom for our entire realm.”
This is definitely some heavy shit. But I still don’t understand where I fit into the whole situation.
“Although there is much danger and hardship associated with being a Guardian,” the Oracle explains, “it also comes with great reward.”I give an awkward chuckle. “Well, I sure as shit would hope so. Wouldn’t want to think this goddess you all believe in is just expecting you to be self-sacrificing schmucks with no compensation.”
The Oracle smiles softly. “The reward the Guardians receive is the promise of a fated mate.”
My mouth hangs open. “No shit. That’s a real thing?”
Everyone nods solemnly.
“Is it like the stuff I’ve encountered in books? I’ve only read about the fated mates thing in romance novels.” I flush a little. “I’ve dabbled in a few of the Otherkind ones by Ryder St. James, but I thought a lot of that was just fiction.”
“Some depictions of fated mates in human culture are accurate, and others are not,” the Oracle says. “What I can tell you is that fated mates have been chosen long ago by the Goddess and destined to be together. A guardian’s fated mate is one who always possesses a power or ability that complements their own and helps them better undertake their duty while also better safeguarding them from danger.”
“Wow, that sounds pretty cool. It’d be nice to have a partner who could help you with your work, I’m sure.” I frown. “Is that all the bond is?”
Kelwyn coughs. “No, of course not. That is but one aspect. Mates also feel an instant and powerful attraction, an almost mystical pull toward each other, that cannot be denied. For them, there will be no other, only their fated mate or mates. They will be united in the kind of powerful union only that magical dynamic can produce. Their lives and souls are intertwined and connected forever after they complete their union.”
It sounds kinda romantic, but also a smidge terrifying.
I look around. “So, how many of you are with your fated mates so far?”
There’s an uncomfortable silence, and the only sound in the room for a moment is the crackling of the logs on the fire.
Eventually the Oracle speaks again. “We have gone far too long without the appearance of a fated mate among our kind. However, my most recent visions have foretold that things will now change with the coming of the Conduit. Other fated mates will also come to bond with members of our clan, thus strengthening our ranks and our ability to protect the line.”
Wait.
Hold up a minute. Did she say…?
“Otherfated mates?” I manage to whisper.
She turns those mysterious eyes on me. “Aye, Noah Price. You’ve already felt the pull that Kelwyn described, have ye not? You are the fated mate of our clan’s Barrier Master, Elryk DarkWing.”
My head whips to the side to stare at Mr. Sexy Thighs. His jade-green eyes regard me with a strange mixture of yearning and sorrow that I can’t fully understand.
However, I also can’t deny the Oracle’s words. So much of what she’s saying would explain the unusual strength andimmediacy of my attraction to Elryk, and my desire to know him better. To share our bodies with one another. To touch him and have him touch me.
But all of this is incredibly overwhelming. I don’t even know where to begin.
“Hold up. I don’t have any magical powers. How can I be a fated mate without them?”
Knowing my luck, they’ve made some kind of terrible mistake.
The Oracle shakes her head. “You are a Conduit, Noah Price. Although you may not have realized your power until recently. Most likely the moment you arrived in London.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking abou—”
I freeze, my mind immediately flicking back to that bizarre moment when the plane touched down and it felt like I’d been electrocuted or struck by lightning while sitting in my seat.
Talk about the worst case of static shock, ever!
