Page 108 of Mysteries, Menace, and Mates

Rael leaned over him, his eyes twinkling. “So phones have these things called alarms. You’re supposed to turn them off, not lie there and ignore them.”

Horvan grabbed him and pulled Rael on top of him. “And good morning to you too.” The feel of Rael’s morning wood against his own gave him all kinds of delicious ideas.

Do I get to join in?Dellan snuggled against Horvan’s side, joining them in a three-way kiss.

A phone ruptured the tranquil moment, and Horvan groaned. “Okay, which one of you didn’t leave your phones on silent last night?”

Dellan snickered. “That would be you.”

Rael peered at the phone. “And it’s Aelryn calling.” He clambered off Horvan and grabbed it, handing it to him. “Might be important.”

“At this hour?” Horvan sat up and clicked on Answer. “Good morning. Well, it’s morning here. I have no idea what time it is where you are.” Aelryn had mentioned traveling at some point.

“Are you sitting down?”

Something in Aelryn’s tone pierced the post-sleep fog that still enveloped Horvan’s brain. “What’s up?” He clicked on speaker.

“You know Orsini brought in scholars to document the artifacts?”

“Uh-huh. Jake mentioned it.”

“Well, it seems word has gotten out about the contents of the caskets.”

He frowned. “How can it have gotten out when I’ve already been talking to leaders for the past two days?”

“I’m not talking about leaders—I’m talking about your normal, everyday shifters. And it’s growing.”

“Whatis growing?”

“You’d better prepare yourselves.” There was a pause. “You, Rael, Dellan, Jake…. People want to meet you.”

“Excuse me?”

Rael and Dellan sat up, staring at him.

“I can’t believe how fast this has spread. We’re picking up talk in the US, Europe, Australia, everywhere…. The prophecy has gone viral.”

Horvan rubbed his bald head. “I don’t get it. Those leaders I spoke to, they didn’t appear particularly bowled over by the prophecy.”

“Only now those same leaders are facing questions from their own people. Questions such as why was this kept from them? How long have we known about it? Does everyone get two mates? And the most prevalent question seems to be… when can we meet the shifters from the prophecy?”

He frowned. “I don’t like the sound of this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy if they’ve heard about it and believe it, but wanting tomeetus? The next thing you know, we’re gonna have a cult following.”

Another pause. “Horvan… we’re already there. I’m getting requests to set up meetings with you.”

He snorted. “I can tell you what my answer is gonna be right now.” No way was he going to let his family become some kind of sideshow.

“And I agree with you, one hundred percent. But all this attention, it’s having an effect. Those leaders who are facing a barrage of questions can’t show themselves to be disbelievers. They have to be seen to support the prophecy.” He paused again. “And there’s something else.”

“Seriously?” Horvan groaned. “Now what? They think Jake is the messiah? Or is he Ansfrid reincarnated? Because right now this whole business is getting weirder and weirder.”

“Nothing like that. In fact I guarantee this will make you smile.”

Horvan could hear the excitement in Aelryn’s voice. “Then tell me. I could use a smile after that bombshell.”

“Leaders are reporting the emergence of… mates. From all over the world, people are finding their mates. And a pattern is forming.”

“What kind of pattern?”

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