Page 25 of Shadowed Spirits

“Gross!”Russ sticks his tongue out in disgust. I try to hold in my laugh, but a small giggle slips out at how offended he seems.“We don’t eat kibbles. We hunt for our food.”The rottweiler’s chest puffs out in pride at the mention of hunting. I really hope they won’t drop dead animals at my door to provide for me like cats. That’d be pretty gross.

I swallow nervously as I try to imagine what a twenty-five-foot hell dog hunts for food. Probably creatures much bigger than me. “No hunting humans on Earth, okay?”

“Why?”Cer rumbles.

I sigh because I’m really not the one to be convincing anyone not to be violent or cause destruction. Hunting around for something to say, I finally reply with, “Because it’ll get me in a ton of trouble if people are disappearing from my town.”

“Fiiiiine. We won’t hunt humans. They’re not much fun to chase, anyway. Too easy.”Russ’s voice sounds like a petulant teenager, causing my lips to quirk up.

“So, are you guys following us back to our suite?” I wonder where they usually sleep. Will my room back home even be big enough for them? I’m so not prepared to care for a massive hell dog.

All three of their heads shake at the same time.“No,sagana.We have matters to take care of here.”Cer’s raspy voice sounds like he swallowed a bucket of rocks, and I wonder if he’s always sounded like this. I suppose I can ask him later.

“All right. Well, be safe. If you need me, just come find me.” I reach out a give each of them a few scratches behind their floppy ears. It’s adorable how a brutal-looking hell dog melts into a puddle of goo at some pets.

Once I’m done petting them, Cerberus steps back and slowly grows to their full size. Cer lowers his massive black-fur-covered head to stare into what feels like my soul. “Call for us if you need us. It is our job to take care of you, so do not worry about us.”

With a dip of their heads, Cerberus turns to Hades. He walks up and gives Cer’s nose an affectionate pat. “I’ll miss the three of you. Although, I can’t be mad at you protecting my little brother’s accident- and trouble-prone mate. Just, come visit when you can? I’ll always keep the forest stocked with your favorite snacks.”

After giving Hades a gentle bump with their snout, Cerberus spins around and lopes back into the shadowy forest.

I snort at his description of me. He isn’t even slightly wrong. “What, exactly, is their favorite snack? Or do I even want to know?”

“Stags. They seem to like the crunch antlers provide over the females.” Hades shoves his hands into his pockets. “You’re welcome to stay out here as long as you want, earthling. I’ve gotwork to finish up. Come see me in the morning before you leave, Leviathan.”

“Will do.” Levi claps hands with his brother, and they pat each other on the back before Hades makes his exit.

We stay and chat with everyone else for an hour or two before I’m so tired, it’s hard to keep my eyes open. Bishop notices and pulls me into his hard chest. “You ready to go?”

I give him a small nod. “I think so. I’m exhausted.”

“Let’s get you to bed, sweetheart.” Bishop presses a kiss to the top of my head before reluctantly letting me go so I can say my goodbyes.

Seph is the first one to come up to me. She wraps me up in a motherly hug. After a few moments, she reluctantly releases me. “It was lovely to meet you and your mates, Izzy. I so look forward to getting to know you better.”

I give her a tired but genuine smile. “You too, Seph.”

When Levi said we had to go to the equivalent of Hell to find his brother, I envisioned a barren wasteland full of monsters. I certainly didn’t think I would find my potential great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents, who not only don’t despise me but actually want to get to know me. It’s a huge change from how my dad’s parents actively hate my guts. While I want to trust them, it’s hard. I’m just waiting for them to realize I’m fucked up and defective. Everyone eventually does.

Zeus approaches me next. He holds his arms out awkwardly for a moment, seeming unsure what to do. I step into him for a quick hug before pulling back. His burning ozone and rain smell is weirdly comforting. “Sorry about the rough introduction, Izzy. I also can’t wait to spend more time with you.”

“No worries. I’m a prickly asshole, so I get it.” Zeus lets out a startled laugh at my description of my personality. I give him a half smile. “I look forward to checking out your library when I have time.”

“You’re welcome in our quarters anytime. Or, well, almost any time.” Zeus’s cheeks turn pink, and he ducks his head. I’m pretty sure my face turns bright red at being told I can hang out with my potential great-grandparents any time they aren’t getting it on.

Poseidon barks out a laugh. “Well, on that awkward note, it was great to meet you. Hopefully we’ll see you around here more often.” Zeus punches him in the arm for laughing, which makes me smile. It’s heartwarming to see the easy camaraderie between the three of them.

“Yeah, maybe.” I can’t make any promises, because everything in my life is constantly in flux. I don’t even know if I’ll still be alive next week, so it’s kind of hard to make any plans. Besides, I have to solve the whole Doyle issue before I do anything else.

I know worrying doesn’t solve anything, but it’s hard not to fret. The anxiety churns in my gut the whole way back from the dining room and as I get ready for bed. I let the guys go first, so I’m the last to get ready. I take a quick shower, as tempting as it is to stay under the hot water forever. Once I’m dressed in a band tee that I jacked from Bishop and brush my teeth, I exit the bathroom, my feet dragging with every step. I’m so ready to get to bed.

Bishop meets me at the foot of the bed, dressed only in black boxers. I try not to drool over his washboard abs and rock-hard pecs. My eyes wander to the large cross tattoo on his side. I wonder what his parents would think of him being my mate and all the danger I put him in. They probably wouldn’t approve. That thought has me wilting, but I try to shove it out of my mind.

Bishop gets away with ordering me around way more than anyone else because I know why he does it. His parents and brother dying in a car accident plunged his whole life into chaos, with losing his family and having to move from the only homehe’s ever known. Now, he’s a bit of a control freak to ensure nothing like that ever happens again. I know it’s tough on him that I’m in constant danger, so I give him a pass, most of the time, when he lets his inner dictator out.

Once I’m done staring at his muscles, I glance up into his baby blue eyes. That must’ve been what he was waiting for, because his mouth kicks up in a smirk. “You wearing panties?” I can feel a blush creep up my cheeks as I look at my other four mates, who watch our interaction from the bed curiously. Bishop grips my chin and forces me to look up at him. “I asked you a question, sweetheart.”

I swallow hard before nodding. “Yeah.”

---