“If you’ll take this to Mrs. Lewis, I’ll get notes ready for her. She doesn’t usually have much to do now that her kids are grown, and she really likes it here. I’m sure she’d be excited to keep the store open for me, and she usually spends everything I pay her here. If she can’t, I’ll figure something out. I should be able to get everything in order so we can get out of here fairly quickly.” Rain began running around the shop as she spoke.
Rain rambled off more plans, and Alyssa felt her tension and pain subside a little with every word and movement as they readied for their trip. She would definitely be making some massive changes.
She went over and spoke to Mrs. Lewis, and Rain had been correct. The older female was thrilled to watch the shop. The female was in her sixties, with rosy cheeks and a smile that said she knew everything and found it all quite amusing. Alyssa had always liked her. She was grinning by the time she made it back to the shop.
“Mrs. Lewis said to give her an hour and she’ll be here to take over.”
Chapter 3
Guardian Compound, Tetartos Realm
Gregoire and Uri teleported onto the balcony of the manor after their patrol on Earth Realm. Havoc, his brother’s hellhound, was between them as they entered through the French doors. He was still a pup, but the beast was nearly as tall as Gregoire’s hip. His ears stuck in points, and his red eyes were bright with energy. He ran ahead when the door opened and hopped on the couch and faced them as his body wagged. He was a spirited beast since they’d taken him hunting. Their patrols had never been as easy as they were since Havoc started going along. The animal attracted demon possessed and was able to feed off their evil energies. Uri and Gregoire had always needed to detain the possessed because they were technically humans with demon parasites, so the Guardians couldn’t harm them without consequences. Their darkness was food for the pup just as the world’s energies were fuel for Immortals.
Uri ran his hand under the back of his longish dark hair, and his silver eyes glittered as he spoke. “I need to head to Alex. She’s over checking on her brother and Sam; she’s worried for them.” They were all concerned for Erik and his mate. They’d rescued Sam from their enemy, but not before she’d been raped. If Alex hadn’t had the unique ability to hop into others’ minds, Erik may never have found his Mageia mate, and Alex and Uri may never have mated either. It was all connected and odd. Alex and her brothers had been hiding on Earth Realm since the Immortal exile by the Creators, centuries ago. It was her brother’s need to find Sam that brought her to Uri for help.
“What does Sirena think?” he asked. Sirena was the Guardian healer, and he knew she’d been checking on the two constantly. They all knew that once Erik awoke from his spell-induced sleep, he would need to mate with Sam. The Immortal mating frenzy would make his need great, and after all Sam had been through, they were concerned about whether she could handle it. Gregoire’s teeth gritted hard. He couldn’t imagine having to deal with what the male would suffer knowing he hadn’t rescued her before the bastards had raped her.
“I have to get out of here,” he said to his brother. He had a few more things he wanted to arrange before claiming his mate, and his need to get to her was growing. He planned to seek Drake that evening.
“Sirena thinks he’ll wake up soon. Sam refused to allow Sirena to extend his sleep again. She said she can handle it. They’re worried that keeping him out of it will cause him more pain when he finally wakes up. Sam’s a strong female. She let me in her mind to help with some of the fears and the mental impact of the rape; it’s still there, but she’s fighting the effects.”
“She understands he’ll be working completely on instinct when he sees her?” Gregoire asked.
“Yes, and she’s refused to leave his side. She knows he saved her life, and watching over him seems to help her heal. Her instincts may not be as sensitive because of her mortality, but I’m impressed with the female.”
Uri stilled. A second later he turned his head in Gregoire’s direction. “The Lofodes Aletheia just informed me that Adras needs to see you right away.” Aletheia were the only race with extensive telepathic range, and the manor was far from any city in the Realm. Gregoire saw his brother’s confused look, but his heart had started pounding a heavy beat as he turned to the balcony.
“You good, man?” his brother asked.
“I have to go.” Gregoire didn’t like the worry that pitted in his gut as he exited onto the balcony and teleported away. His little mate’s father would never contact him unless there was a problem.