Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Adam

"I'm sorry," Seb said quietly. "You got this from where?" He held the scroll like it would bite him.

"A Count!" Ari screeched.

The front door of the Archives slammed open.

A portal opened next to them.

"Guys!" Adam held up a hand.

"Like THE Lucifer?" Seb asked.

"What the Hell, Mal?" Ari yelled.

"What's wrong?" Ash rushed to Seb's side.

"Ari?" Atom stomped from the front door.

"Guys," Adam repeated.

Except that was when Ash spotted the huge tattoo that now covered Mal's throat and dropped to one knee before pulling Seb down with him. Atom had just come around the table and his eyes widened. He lowered himself before yanking Ari out of his chair.

Mal turned and glared at Adam. "I told you this would happen."

Okay, Adam had been wrong. These were their friends. Their family. "Could you guys get up?"

Ash was the first to move. He rose to his feet, bringing Seb up with him, then tucked Seb behind his back.

Adam narrowed his eyes. What did Ash think Mal was going to do?

"How—" Ash shook his head. He glanced at Adam and his eyes widened.

"Yes, yes, my eyes glow. I'm aware of that. Can we please move past this?" Adam bitched.

"We really can't," Atom said. He held Ari close to his side. "A Count. A new Count hasn't been made in… I don't know when."

"Well, it happened, and we need to talk about it. But you're upsetting my mate!" Adam stomped his foot. "So, stop it."

They all stood staring at each other without speaking. This was really starting to piss Adam off.

"Calm." Mal placed his hand on Adam's shoulder.

Right! Adam had received new powers. He'd accidentally started a fire in the bathroom earlier when he couldn't get his hair to lie flat. Adam took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Focus. It would be all okay.

"What's happening?" Seb asked quietly.

"Adam is still getting used to his new powers," Mal said. "Just give him a moment."

Once the anger had eased some, Adam opened his eyes. He addressed his friends. "I know this is a big deal, but we need you to support us."

"Of course we support you." Ari stepped out of Atom's arms and pulled Adam into a hug. Even though Ari was not much bigger than him, Adam buried his face in Ari's shoulder.

It hadn't been an easy morning. Mal hadn't actually gotten any information about what powers they'd been given. Adam wanted to smack his mate. He would have asked more questions, but Mal had just accepted the gifts, drank, and then come home. Mal couldn't even explain where he'd gone.

"We're still…us," Adam mumbled.

His minions hadn't responded any better than their friends. The three demons had dropped to their knees and refused to call Mal anything other than Duke. It was a mess.

Like, Adam understood that Lucifer had been giving them a blessing, but some more information would have helped as well. It was frustrating! His stomach started to burn.

"Shh." Ari rocked him from side to side. "It's okay. We still love you." He drew back but kept hold of Adam's arms. "You're still our family."

Adam's insides cooled.

"I'm sorry." Seb pushed himself into Adam's arms. "I was just surprised. And hey! I am so proud of you that after being mated for less than a week, you got your mate a promotion! Go you!"

"I totally did," Adam said with a laugh.

"I wouldn't say—" Mal started.

Adam turned and poked Mal in the chest. His very wide chest. Damn, Mal was even yummier and Adam could just eat him up. There had to be some place private around here where he could get his mate deep inside—

Ari cleared his throat. "Uh, maybe don't think whatever youre thinking. You're making me hot just standing next to you."

"Shit!" Adam jumped back. This was going to be harder than he expected.

"Incubi?" Ash asked as his jaw dropped.

"Not fully," Mal said. "I think between the two of us we picked up aspects of every demon in the realm. Its a working theory right now. We're still…testing our abilities."

Seb turned to Adam and smiled. "Spreadsheet?" he asked so hopefully.

This time Adam couldn't even argue. "Spreadsheet."

"Yay!" Seb clapped his hands.

"It makes sense though." Ari wandered back over to the table and began to push papers around. "The two of you represent every demon in the realm now. That has to be valuable as changes are made and mates found."

"What are you looking for?" Seb joined Ari at the table.

"I have a book here with all demon births. I think it will help making the data of your spreadsheet."

"Oh yes!" Seb sorted through the books on the table.

Adam turned to smile at his mate but found Mal being hugged by Atom and Ash. They were going to be fine. Thank fuck! Crisis adverted.

Mal had been really worried about how their friends would respond to his new abilities and title. Adam had tried to assure his mate that it would be fine but even he had started to worry.

Adam let Mal have a few minutes with Ash and Atom and made his way closer to the table.

"I can't believe he… he…knows who I am," Seb whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" Adam asked.

Seb's gaze darted around. "What if HE's listening?"

"Then I don't think whispering is going to do you any good," Adam pointed out. "Plus, he gave you a scroll. That is a pretty big fucking deal."

"Yeah." Seb nodded. "No pressure or anything. What if I can't figure out why mates stopped finding each other for so long?"

"Lucifer isn't like that." Ash joined them before he pulled Seb under his arm. "He's showing his support, but he also knows that you can only do your best."

Seb turned to his mate slowly. "You…have met Lucifer?"

"Yes?" Ash sounded unsure.

"Sometimes I want to shake you. How could you have not told me?" Seb demanded.

"I thought…" Ash rubbed the back of his head. "You would know. I think it's safe to say that I've met most everyone."

"Everyone!" Seb threw his hands up.

"You do know that if you start to accompany your mate, there is a good chance that you'll meet most…everyone?" Mal asked.

Seb perked up. "That's true. I am going to be the most well-traveled human ever!"

Adam waggled his brows. "Yeah, you are."

Seb flushed before fanning his face. "Adam."

"Shit!" He couldn't even tease his friends! He flopped into his chair and pouted.

"You will learn to control your powers," Atom sat next to him. "It takes us all time to learn, but rely on your mate. He'll help you through it."

Adam beamed at Mal as he joined them at the table. "I do have the best mate ever!"

"Do not!" Seb said crossing his arms. "I do!"

Ari snorted. "Youre both wrong."

Mal laughed and the sound, even though it boomed and echoed around the Archives, was a relief to hear. This was family.

"And I need an office," Adam said. "I don't want to work from home and have demons I don't know coming into our safe space."

"You are more than welcome to use any space here you'd like," Ari said.

"I was hoping youd say that!" Adam grinned.

"I think I already told you that," Ari reminded him.

Adam just wasn't sure if the invitation still stood. "There might be a lot of traffic," he confessed. "I know you like your quiet." He didn't want his friends to be uncomfortable.

"You could have an outside door that leads straight to your office space," Ash suggested. "Maybe have an outside door that opens to a reception area and have your office separate? You could have the entrance to the Archives in your private office."

"Your minions will have no problem setting this up for you. You should also think of getting a couple more to help set up this project so youre not running the house staff ragged," Mal said.

"More minions," Adam said dreamily.

Seb's phone rang and he almost dropped it as he laughed. "Sure. Give Adam more minions! That's a good idea."

"I'm going to have a hundred," Adam informed him.

Mal pinched the inside of Adam's leg and he yelped. "Not a hundred."

Ninety-nine it was then.

"Axel's home!" Seb said, pulling the phone away. "Dinner tonight?"

Adam glanced at his mate, who nodded.

Great, he just knew his family was going to freak out.

* * * * *

Adam

"And your now what?" Nate demanded.

"We don't actually know," Adam confessed. "I'm still me but…more."

"It's so cool!" Bryce gushed. "I can't look away from your eyes."

Yeah, that was a problem. He could glamour them, Mal had shown him how, but Adam wanted to be himself around his family. "Should I—" He waved at his face.

"Don't you dare!" Lawson grabbed his hand. "We love you. You are perfect the way you are."

"Thanks." Maybe it was easier for the humans in the family to accept the changes because since they'd met their mates, everything had changed for them. The older members wouldn't stop looking at Adam like he'd grown another head.

Sitting around on the back deck as they talked and let the wonderful dinner settle in their stomachs was heartwarming. Adam didn't want to ever lose this connection to his brothers.

"Lawson is right, Adam," Axel said. "We love you. But we are going to worry. Not only are you in a new realm, but you have taken on a lot of responsibilities in a very short time. Going against in the status quo, even if it's the right thing to do, can be dangerous."

"Oh!" Adam perked up. "I thought maybe you all were freaked out about my eyes or—"

"Never!" Sam practically jumped out of Shawn's lap to grab Adams hands. "I know that I'm new at this, but your eyes are awesome! And so are you!"

"Thanks." Adam had been growing close to Sam and Ansley since they'd joined the family.

"You need to be careful though," Drake said. "There could be some demons that won't like the changes you want to make."

There already were.

"Special gifts from Lucifer." Adam waved to his face. "Master of the realm and now a Duke." He grabbed Mal's hand. "I get what you guys are saying but I'm pretty damn protected. Plus I can literally"—he grinned at Mal—"blink myself anywhere in the realm."

Mal rolled his eyes. Holy Hell! That was adorable. Adam crawled into his mate's lap and kissed him. "I love you."

"Love you too," Mal mumbled. "Even when youre ridiculous."

That reminded Adam. "And don't forget my minions," Adam told his family.

"Minions?" River asked. "You get minions?" He turned to Rainier. "You're a king. Order me some minions!"

Adam laughed. "They're the best. I only have three right now but I'm going to have ninety-nine."

"Not ninety-nine," Mal told him.

Ninety-eight it was.

"I want to know more about the minions," River demanded.

"The fae realm does not have minions," Rainier said. "But you might want to schedule some time to see your parents. Word has already traveled to the fae realm as well and your mother worries."

His mother was always worried. That was why Adam had finally left home.

Bryce gasped. "You're fae!"

Adam groaned. He glared at Rainier, who looked apologetic.

"Yes," Adam confirmed. Bryce's game of figuring out what they all were was still in full swing. One little hint couldn't hurt. There were a lot of fae species.

Bryce jumped to his feet. "Wood nymph!" Bryce pointed a finger at him.

Adam's was not the only jaw that dropped.

"What? How—"

"I got it! I got it!" Bryce wiggled his ass as he sang.

"Well, technically," Adam started.

Bryce turned. "Dryad."

Fuck him! Adam grinned. "Yes."

"Yes!" Bryce threw his arms up in the air. He jumped forward and pointed at Gavin. "Last one."

Gavin, motor oil-stained jeans, sleeveless black T-shirt, scuffed boots, and dark goatee, looked like your typical bad boy biker. He was much more than he looked. He was always going to be the toughest for Bryce to figure out. Although Adam had lasted pretty long. "Bring it on, baby boy," Gavin challenged the Alpha mate.

Alpha growled.

Gavin smirked.

Bryce laughed. "I will! I am so close."

Adam didn't know if that was true.

"Now tell us about your trip," Nate said, pulling Bryce down into the lounge chair with him.

"It was…" Bryce said. "Weird."

"I like weird," Seb said. "Tell me all the weird."

Adam leaned toward Lawson. "Where's Levi?" There was only one missing member of the family.

Lawson glanced up.

The roof. Adam should have known that. He started to slip off Mal's lap when Lawson caught his wrist.

"He's…" Lawson hesitated.

"I know," Adam stressed.

Lawson's eyes widened. "You do?"

"I'm taking him home with me. Give him some time away from here."

"Yeah, that might be a good idea. He just sits up there and watches. It's breaking his heart."

"I'll do what I can," Adam promised.

"I'm glad you know," Lawson said.

"I didn't think he told anyone else," Adam responded.

"I had to drag it from him and promise not to share with the others. Everyone knows there's something wrong but just not how serious it is."

"Okay." Adam turned and brushed his lips over the shell of Mal's ear. "I'll be right back."

Mal nodded. He'd been listening. And he knew. But he would keep the secret.

Adam slipped away as Bryce told his story about meeting the dragon clans. His gaze caught his Alpha's and Axel nodded. Yeah, the family was worried. Adam didn't know what he could do for Levi than offer him a safe space to heal his heart. Hopefully, if the guy that Levi had been pining over really was his mate, then there would be no coming back from that broken heart.

The house was quiet as Adam entered.

Familiar scents greeted him, and Adam found himself running his hands across the walls as he walked up the stairs. When he'd left the fae realm, he'd been so young. He'd wanted to find excitement and a place to belong. He'd found family and now more.

The third floor had a small cutout that went to the roof. Adam climbed up and pushed the cover aside so he could squeeze through. He spotted Levi sitting on the edge of the roof like a stone. He wasn't. Not in stone form. He had his knees drawn up to his chest with his chin resting on them as he stared away.

"Hey." Adam sat beside his friend.

"Hi, Adam," Levi responded quietly.

"We missed you downstairs," Adam said.

Levi nodded. "I can still hear you. That's great, about your gifts, what youre doing for the demons."

"Thanks." Adam leaned his arm against Levi's. "I was hoping you would still want to come home with me. Tonight, if you want." He prayed his friend would say yes. Instead, he sat as Levi didn't say anything at all. "Levi?"

"Why do you think he does it?" Levi asked softly.

"Does what?" Adam knew they were talking about Levi's mate.

"Takes men home. Never the same man twice." Levi shuddered. "Night after night."

And Levi had been watching? No wonder he was so miserable. Levi was torturing himself.

"I will never be able to able to match that experience," Levi said. "Not when I've never…been with anyone in that way."

Was Levi a virgin? No, that was not important. "You don't have to," Adam assured him.

Levi shook his head. "It's so important to him. He keeps trying. Night after night and he is never satisfied. How could I—"

Adam wrapped his arm around Levi's shaking form. "It won't matter," Adam told him. "Not when it's your mate. When it's your mate, it's special and wonderful. Perfect."

"I wish I was different," Levi stated as he laid his head on Adam's shoulder.

Turning his head, Adam kissed Levi's temple. "I don't. You're perfect the way you are. I know youre hurting now but there could be a million reasons for why your mate acts the way he does. Give it time. Come spend a few weeks with me and see how you feel after some distance. Whatever you want to do after that, I'll help in any way I can."

"This must be why no one ever left the clutch before me. Living as a human is hard." Levi sighed. "But I'm glad I did leave. I'm glad I have a new family." He turned his head. "Will you take me to your new home now? I'm tired."

"Come on." Adam hugged Levi before helping him stand.

Adam's heart broke for his friend, and it was hard to keep it inside him. His core heated. He tried to close his eyes and breathe but Levi stumbled, and Adam caught him. Had Levi lost weight? Those dark circles under his eyes had certainly grown. It was unfair! Levi was the sweetest man in the world, and he deserved to be happy. Adam saw red.

"Shh." Mal's strong arms came around him and Levi both. "It's okay. It's all going to be okay."

Adam calmed. The fury that had been consuming him popped out of existence. When Adam could think clearly, he saw Mal gently holding Levi while rubbing Adam's back with his free hand. Levi's face was buried in Mal's neck and his breathing had evened out.

"Thanks," Adam said. "Is he asleep?"

"I put him to sleep," Mal said. "His pain. I could feel it from below. He needs to rest."

Adam didn't know his mate could do that. "He does."

"How about I pop him home while you gather some stuff for him? I'll keep him asleep and have Notel watch him."

Relief flooded Adam. "Yes, please. That's a great idea."

"I'll be right back for you." Mal kissed Adam before he popped away.

Adam rubbed his hands over his arms at the chill in the air. Hed adjusted to the heat of the core and in only a short sleeve T-shirt, it was chilly. A second later Adam wore his favorite hoodie.

He smiled.

His mate was just full of tricks, wasn't he?

Adam made his way down the cutout feet first. Hands gently grabbed his legs and helped him down. He blinked up at his Alpha.

"Is he okay?"

Adam nodded then shook his head. "No, but he will be. We just need to be there for him. Mal took him to our house to get some sleep."

"Lawson and Drake are packing him a bag."

"You know?" Adam asked surprised.

"I can guess most of it," Alpha said. He drew Adam down the hall. "I'm connected to all of you as much as I am the land. I can feel it when you hurt. I can also feel how happy you are. Mal is a wonderful mate. A great addition to the family. And I am proud of you as well. You are going to do amazing things in your new realm. But don't forget your family here."

"I won't." Adam hugged Axel as they reached the stairs.

"Good. We'll be down to visit soon," Axel told him.

Adam grinned. "You're going to love my minions!"

Axel laughed. "I can't wait to meet your new family. Next time bring them along. Ari and Atom as well."

Adam drew back. "Really?"

"Any family of yours is welcome here. Always."

"I think Ari would really like it here. That's great."

"Then bring them with you." Axel urged Adam down the stairs. "And take care of our gargoyle."

"I will," Adam vowed.

"Adam!" Bryce yelled up the stairs. "Can you turn into a tree now?"

Axel chuckled next to him.

"I can't believe he guessed," Adam groused.

"He's been working very hard. The spreadsheet Seb made him helps."

"Don't mention the spreadsheets," Adam complained. "So many spreadsheets!"

"You'll live," Axel said as he patted Adam's back.