A slight smile crossed her face and her eyes lit up, the green so bright, with these fine traces of blue. Damn her for having awesome turquoise eyes.
“So you wanted to know about the supernatural world,” I said, waving a hand behind me. “The Compasses might just be the perfect examples, since they represent four of the five races.”
The quads hadn’t said anything more, they were standing in their ‘intimidation’ pose, faces expressionless, except for the locked-on gaze. No wonder Mischa was cowering like a lamb thrown to the lions.
“Okay firstly as I said, there are five races. The one not represented here are the demi-fey.” I listed out the creatures which fell under this banner. Mischa’s face went a sickly white color as she realized the true extent of our world. “The demi-fey only live within the protected supernatural communities. The few times they have made themselves known to humans … well, let’s just say things went a little haywire.”
I was the queen of understatements. Think Loch Ness, Bigfoot, and gargoyles.
“We have a lot of trolls here. They mine underground for gold and gems. Subsequently everyone in Stratford is filthy rich – not that we have any need for money. Most of the demi-fey are from the dying lands of Faerie.” I stood and moved next to Jacob. He smelled of forest and cold night air; his white-blond hair had a few leaves in it. “And so is Jake. He’s a full fey, descended from faerie.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” he said, smiling at the stunned girl. He flashed two straight rows of very white teeth. Mischa probably didn’t recognize the threat in them.
It wasn’t unusual for the quads to be so protective, but I was a little surprised they viewed any threat in Mischa.
“Fey have a special affinity for nature and the four elements.” I finished.
Jacob quickly demonstrated his skills by calling – one after another – fire, wind, water and earth. The ground rumbled as he shifted the rock beneath us, thankfully he didn’t feel the need to create a full-blown earthquake.
I touched the smooth silkiness of his shirt. “The fey are quite alien. Jake’s been domesticated by his brothers and myself, but generally they stick closely to their own kind and spend lots of weird group bonding time in the forest.” Jacob cuffed me gently behind the ear. “You’re dismissed.” I lifted my hand and waved him away. I felt his chest rumble as he moved back to stand behind the couch.
“Ty,” I raised my eyebrows at him. “Front and center.”
I didn’t shift my head, I could smell the magic coating his skin. He’d been casting spells in the forest. “Tyson is a wizard; they’re magic users. Males are wizards, females witches, and if they’re particularly powerful and advance to the next level, they’re known as sorcerer and sorceress.”
Tyson saluted her, his hands touching the brow of his auburn hair. His honeysuckle eyes watching closely, but he didn’t say anything.
“Magic users gather power from nature, from the energy within the Earth. They’re the closest to humans, less ‘supernatural abilities’ than the rest of us. They use words, and spells to direct their energy. And they are scary and sneaky motherfuckers.”
She flinched a little at my cursing. I hid my grin but the Compasses didn’t bother. All four of them cracked dimpled smiles.
“Max,” I said, ignoring them.
The massive vampire stood at my back, his distinct power wrapped around me.
“Maximus is a vampire.”
Mischa’s hands went over her mouth, but instead of the fear I expected there was something else in her gaze. She didn’t smell afraid, she was reeking of … interest. I met Maximus’ eyes and raised my eyebrows at him a few times. He was damn attractive, but poor Mischa had no idea she was letting him and the rest of us know her feelings. I continued speaking, hoping to distract her amorous thoughts.
“Vamps are like the legend, but also not. They’re blood drinkers, but also require food. Sun does not harm them and they have super senses. Speed, sight, taste, touch and smell. They can compel any being weaker – don’t let them lock you in their gaze. If they’re stronger than you, they’ll own your mind.”
I was pretty sure she wasn’t even listening to me, since she was still staring him straight in the eyes, lucky Maximus didn’t take advantage. Braxton replaced him before I could call for the dragon.
“Braxton you might have seen in the town hall. He’s a shifter of the dragon persuasion – which is rare and dominant. There are many different shifter forms. Our family is wolves, second most dominant form, but every group argues about the power ladder.” Lions in particular were real snooty about thinking they were at the top. “Generally, shifter children are the same animal as their parents, but if you have a split mating then the animal can go either way, but never more than one animal. Shifters have earth energy also. We’re strong, heal incredibly fast, can detect truth from lies through the fluctuation of scents and hormones–”