Page 54 of Dreaming of Darkness

Arafel nodded, “Some bloodlines are thicker than others. We have long considered reimagining our meeting space in the living world. Reinventing it, infusing it with Underworld power once again.”

My fingers tightened on Traum’s hand. “What are you saying?”

Lucia pointed at Traum, “The incubus people are able to generation and extend their powers from great distances. Through dreams and the living world. You are, in a word, selfsustaining.”

“What my mate is trying to say, is that you would be an ideal leader for this new Underworld base.”

“In the living world?” My heart was racing, the pieces suddenly coming together with a crash.

Arafel’s eyes were focused on Traum, “You two would be our liaisons, our primary contacts as we set up a council to help manage the town.”

Traum held up a clawed hand, “I’m no leader.”

“You wouldn’t have to be, not really. The town will be governedby a full council and overseen by one of my trusted Brotherhood warriors as well. But we need someone to exist there, who is tied to the Underworld. You could siphon power or gift it as needed. Your gifts have been noted for years, Traum. You are the best possible option.”

“We are offering protection to any Other or Other hybrids that seek it. But we are not forcing them.”

“A world where they can drop their glamor and move among friends will be a powerful draw,” Arafel nodded, “We will be implanting spells into those who move to the town as well as those humans who live within it. The Other will be disguised to any passerby or those unaffiliated with this world. But once they leave city limits, that spell will go away.”

A town, in the living world, full of Others and Other hybrids. We could live with people and Others. A place our children would be accepted and protected. It wouldn’t be his world or mine, but a mash-up of both. I glanced back at Traum, the serious set of his jaw confirmed that he was clearly thinking about this too.

“That sounds like a lot of ‘somedays’. When are you doing all of this? What if it doesn’t work?”

Lucia and Arafel shared a long look, “Then we will offer you the same options you had before, and we will honor them.”

Lucia smiled at Traum, “You could open doors for bonded couples across many Other creatures. There are families that will be reunited. Think of the potential.”

“I am,” Traum said, his voice soft. “I would be an idiot to not want this happiness for any of my kin.”

I let out a ragged breath. He was going to do it. Oh God–we were going to do this. Start an entirely new life together, in a place that needed us. Well, it needed him.

As if hearing my words, Traum’s head snapped to me, “And Bailey, she stays—.”

“We would never dream of parting a bonded pair,” Lucia winked,“If you ever get to the bonding part. We believe that your mate would a perfect fit for liaison as well. You may hold the power, Traum, but she knows how the living world works.”

“When?”

Lucia shrugged, “As soon as you two want.”

“Wait–” I looked around us, hoping for a clue, “Where do we even start with this?”

Arafel grinned, “We have located a town, nameless as of now, but will be perfect for us. We have already inflated the local government, police force as well as school. And you are close to the hub for supernaturally accepting humans.”

My mind blanked. “And where is that?”

“So you’re saying you will do it?” Lucia gripped Arafel’s hand as she spoke.

Traum released a long breath, then looked at me. “What do you think?”

“I think this feels right,” I whispered. “I want to help.”

Traum nodded, then curled me close, “We accept.”

Lucia smiled at me; her face full of joy. “Pack your bags then, looks like you two are moving to New Orleans!”

***

Traum

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