16. Lorna

Less than an hour later, we were back on the road. Once again, Damon's demon was sprawled out in the back seat and would be until dawn. I sat in the front with Kenrid, tapping my fingers on my thigh. One of the local pop-rock stations played the latest tunes on the radio, the volume loud enough to hear but not blaring.

Nowhere near loud enough to distract my mind from wondering what the hell I'd just done.

I'd lost my mind, that's what. How could I possibly think it was a good idea to physically bind myself to two different men? Not just any men, but two men I didn't really know.

Yes, they'd saved my life a couple times and rescued me from Conrad's prison.

Yes, my magic called to them, making me feel like they'd been in my life for ages.

Yes, the sex was amazing!

But I'd really only known them for a few days, and I knew nothing about their personal lives. I'd never jumped into a relationship without at least doing a background check on my potential boyfriend.

Creepy? Yep. But I didn't want to date someone with a history of theft or rape or murder or whatever. The thought never even crossed my mind with these guys. My magic had just reached out and snagged them—claimed them—without my permission.

For just a moment, my brain tripped over my magic. Seriously though, how could it not? I had another whole person sharing my mind.

I agree with your magic, my dhampir said as if on cue. Damon is right. You shouldn't second-guess it. Magic knows what it needs to survive. Apparently, we need all of them.

I started to argue, but maybe she had a point. Damon's blood—that chocolatey goodness—had been just a little too tempting. Had it not been for Kenrid, I might've done something I couldn't live with. It wasn't the first time Kenrid kept me in check. I had to admit he was good for me.

So was Elliott. I hadn't thought so until he"d talked me out of my murderous craze. The hazy memory muddled my thoughts for a moment.

I told you I got this,my dhampir hissed. Stop overthinking it. We have a chance for a new beginning with four hotties who want to protect us.

Really? I snapped at her. These two hotties made it sound like Elliott is going to be seriously pissed off when he finds out about what we just did. And Nathan wasn't exactly pleasant when he left us at the airport.

And if Elliott really is our mate, he'll get over it. I don't know what to think about Nathan. She paused for a second, then added, I really want his blood,but I'm afraid of what it'll do to us.

Frowning, I glanced over at Kenrid. I wanted to believe my dhampir, mostly because I wanted to keep Kenrid and Damon, but also because I didn't want to be the reason their friendship with Elliott and Nathan shattered. None of them had told me how long they'd been together, but it was obvious it'd been a while. They were dedicated to each other and their clan. It'd kill me if I destroyed that.

"You're awfully quiet." Kenrid's comment startled me. He didn't take his eyes from the road, but I had no doubts he was talking to me.

"Just thinking," I said.

"Don't think too hard." He glanced at me for a second, a grin brightening his eyes. "You've given me a gift I thought I'd never have. None of the Exiled have ever met their soulmate. I assumed I'd spend the rest of my life without one. Without you."

I pulled my gaze from him, trying desperately to hide the tears burning my eyes. His affection for me was so obvious, and here I was, doubting my decision.

I choked down my emotion and drew in a deep breath. "I'm worried about how everyone will react when we get there," I said. "Your comments about Elliott …" I stopped, not even knowing how to explain what I was thinking. "Will he be able to feel the magic connecting us?" I twisted in my seat so I could see Damon in the back. "Is he going to lose his temper again and attack you? Will this drive a wedge in your friendship? What about your team? Your duty to your clan? And Nathan?"

I absently rubbed the new magical tattoos on my chest, my physical connection to these two men. My skin didn't feel any different.

A thick fog filled the back seat, and seconds later, Damon's human form emerged. He scooted to the center of the bench seat and leaned toward me.

"Elliott's wolf will be furious at first, but the human side of Elliott will not let his wolf hurt me," Damon said. "Actually, he can't hurt me, and I'd never injure him. We've been friends for a very long time. He'll see reason after he releases his anger."

I frowned, hating that they'd be fighting at all. Apparently, Damon wasn't concerned. If I hadn't felt Elliott's magic wrap around me in the airport parking lot, remembered his tender touch as he helped me wash away the evidence of my rampage at Conrad's, and the possessive way he held me, I'd argue with Damon. But I couldn't.

"What about Nathan?" I asked.

"That's a discussion the four of us will need to have," Kenrid said. "But it's also something you don't need to worry over. We'll make this work."

I wanted to believe them. Really. But it was so hard not to doubt their words. It was also difficult to imagine myself totally dependent on someone else. And that's exactly what would happen when I arrived in New Orleans. I'd have nothing of my own except a handful of clothes. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to use my debit or credit cards. Conrad stole me for the fae. They'd be watching my bank account for any signs that I was still alive.

I slumped in my seat and closed my eyes, letting my hand fall away from my chest. So much uncertainty waited for me. I'd spent a lifetime organizing my world, keeping everything exactly the way I needed it, and it only took a few weeks for all of it to come crashing down. I hated my lack of control, and I had a feeling it wasn't about to get any better.