Crais(64)

Only one breed of life-form was this perfect. Walkers.

Brace shifted forward, moving across the room faster than I could track. I held my breath waiting for the explosion of power. Brace was always protective but it had reached epic levels since his return. But instead of the battle I’d expected the three of them met in a fierce hug, Brace scooping the other two up and spinning them around.

My jaw fell open. It was probably inches from dragging on the floor. Clearly, they knew each other. Talina placed her hand on my face, closing my jaw.

“Sorry,” she whispered, “I was worried you were going to get carpet-burn if your chin dropped any lower.” Her eyes twinkled.

“Wow, it looks like your hot-as-hell mate has his own set of hot friends.” Lucy turned to me, her blue eyes registering her interest in the newcomers. “Who are the blondie twins?”

I shrugged. I had no idea. But she was right: they very much looked like twins.

The three of them conducted a rapid discussion, before both sets of icy blue eyes shifted to lock on me. I felt a warm acceptance from the man, but there was something hesitant in the woman’s gaze. I clashed eyes with her, and I swear she immediately judged me and found something lacking. She dismissed me by turning away. Brace faced the room, the pair falling in on either side of him.

“I want to introduce my oldest friends, the wolf twins, Magenta and Colton. They’re Abernaths and have defected from Que to join our battle.” He pulled them further into the room to introduce everyone.

Wolf twins? That was a strange introduction.

Josian stepped forward and did that Walker-handshake greeting. I realized this was the first time I had seen a full Walker female. Magenta had a hardness about her, her beauty tempered by a diamond strength. One difference with us half-Walkers is we’re much more human than a full Walker, every flaw and emotion out there for the world to see.

I noticed a definite interest from Lucy when Colton took her hand and kissed it gently. I nudged her. She did not need to fall for a damn Walker. That could only end in tears.

I was the last one to be greeted. Brace pulled me into his arms. My heart jumped as his strength encircled me. Our melding bond sprang to life, the golden aura surrounding us.

“This is Abigail. My life,” he said.

Colton nudged Brace aside and wrapped me up in a Walker hug. I refer to it like that because they all hug the same way: full-bodied bear hugs. I chuckled, patting his back a few times. He was warm, the way Brace always felt. Walkers definitely ran hot. He leaned his head in close and took a deep breath. Did he just sniff me?

“Okay, that’s enough. Hands off.” Brace snatched me back, although his glare didn’t faze Colton at all.

He just laughed out loud, a deep masculine sound which filled the room and had Lucy and Talina not so discreetly fanning themselves.

“Abigail and I are going to be great friends,” he said, his confidence obvious. “So you’re just going to have to deal.” He flashed me a set of brilliant white teeth, another Walker trait.

“Don’t forget who got their ass kicked last time we battled, Colt. I will bury you.” Brace sounded serious but his grin implied otherwise.

Magenta cleared her throat then, distracting the men. I faced her, attempting to mould my expression into a friendly welcome. Her features remained impassive and unreadable. Examining her, I wondered why her parents had named her after a deep red color. She was the palest person I’d ever seen.

“Don’t mind my sister,” Colton started. “She doesn’t like competition, especially in the form of a stunning red-haired mystical half-Walker.”

Magenta growled at her brother but didn’t bother to respond. Meanwhile I was going nuts trying to figure out what Colton meant. In what way could I be competition to her, except if it came to Brace? I narrowed my eyes. I didn’t care how gorgeous and powerful she was. If she came near Brace I was going to take her apart and put her back together inside out. She wouldn’t be very pretty then.

I like this side of you, Red. Your tendency toward violence is quite the turn-on. Brace picked up my thoughts as he crowded closer to me. But you have nothing to worry about. Magenta and Colt are my oldest friends ... the only real family I had growing up.

Oh, you and I are definitely going to be having a little chat later, Brace. He had some explaining to do, especially about Magenta.

Looking forward to it. His words sent bursts of heat through my body. He’d layered them with so many more meanings then the words suggested.

The twins moved, distracting us.

“I’d like an update on everything that has happened since you left, Brace.” Warmth entered Magenta’s dulcet tones as she faced him. “And we have a list of Abernaths who want to attend the gathering.”