Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

M organ bit her lip to keep from gaping at the boldface lie Thanatos spoke, but something inside her trembled at his claim—a ring of truth to it—and a tiny doubt wormed its way into her brain. Her stomach somersaulted wildly at the thought of claiming Caedmon as hers.

She glanced at the rest of her mates, but they didn't react at all to the statement.

While the knot of anxiety in her gut loosened that they obviously didn't believe the lie, it didn't explain the twinge of disappointment that tightened around her heart like it was being crushed.

She never expected to have one mate, much less five.

She didn't need the complication of adding another.

And yet, the pang in her chest became an ache at the denial.

Then she shoved all the nonsense of mates to the back of her mind and focused on the current threat. The metal wolves slowly prowled forward, their movements liquid, like metal was flowing under their hide.

The way the light hit them made the wolves look otherworldly.

The fae guards noticed them first, and it was almost comical to see the thin veneer of politeness torn away. Two were furious, not taking their attention away from the threat stalking them. They went back-to-back with Aoibh in the middle. A third one swallowed hard, fear widening his eyes, unable to mask his terror. The last one, the one who'd looked almost happy to see Atlas, appeared fascinated.

But the biggest reaction was from Aoibh.

She looked enraptured, no doubt wondering how she could be able to make them her own.

While two of the wolves stalked forward to stand protectively in front of her mates, the other two wolves took up residence on either side of Morgan. She placed her hand on the nearest wolf. The beast's rumble of appreciation sounded like two metal pieces were grating against each other. It leaned into her, tipping his head to allow her to scratch its ear. To her surprise, the metal was silky smooth and warm to the touch.

When she turned to face Aoibh, the wolves mimicked her, their mouths dropping open to show razor sharp teeth—literally. "Before you leave, release the wolves. Give them back their ability to shift."

Aoibh shot her a look of dislike, clearly annoyed Morgan would think to demand anything from her. "Why even bother? They're barely more than beasts either way."

Her reply was so callous that rage swirled in Morgan's soul, demanding vengeance, and she narrowed her eyes. "While you might see the wolves as beneath you, remember that I'm at least part god. In the hierarchy of things, that means you are beneath me. Do you really want me to play god with the fae? Do you want me to mettle in your business like you have in mine? Because I have no problem fucking up your life. It would be my pleasure."

Morgan gave her a very toothy smile, enjoying the way a muscle near Aoibh's eye twitched, and Morgan knew she'd scored a point.

She waited for Aoibh to lash out, but instead of being offended, the fae conceded the point with a reluctant nod. "Since wolves are your familiar, you just need to return their magic to them, something either you or a strong alpha should be able to do. Faerie magic is not…compatible with wolves. If they try, I can't guarantee that they won't be…altered."

A shiver went up Morgan's spine at the way Aoibh spoke, like she was intrigued at the possibilities. A small smile lifted up the corners of her lips, no doubt trying to get a rise out of Morgan.

The twat would do it just to piss her off.

Morgan just raised a brow and crossed her arms. "Try it. Let's see how long it would take me to track you down. I wonder how the rest of the fae would feel to know the elves were experimenting on other species."

Morgan would swear to the gods that Aoibh just rolled her eyes. It happened so quickly that she couldn't be sure. Her gaze landed on Caedmon, and she shook her head almost pityingly. "Once upon a time, he was one of our greatest warriors. It's sad to see him reduced to this. I don't blame you for not finishing the mating."

Morgan felt like she'd just been wacked in the face by a two-by-four. Unaware of the bombshell she just dropped, Aoibh headed toward the door, her guards falling into step around her.

Morgan took a step after them to demand answers, but then closed her hands into fists to stop the impulse. The last thing she wanted to do was reveal her ignorance at what the fuck she just insinuated.

Aoibh paused at the door, shooting Atlas a dark look so sour that it could curdle milk. "You can't trust the dark fae. You should kill him before he betrays you."

Morgan was offended by the callous statement, her confusion replaced by sheer dislike. Atlas was the most loyal and honorable man that she'd ever met. That Aoibh claimed otherwise made her suspect the bitch was evil to the core.

Before Morgan could protest, Aoibh waved her arm, and the doorway became a portal. Beyond the room lay a green expanse of rolling hills so bright that it hurt her eyes. The trees and vegetation seemed sentient, the sky a shade of purple that looked alien. In the distance, large spires reached for the sky, the buildings gleaming like they were made from pure stardust.

The instant the last of them stepped through the doorway, the portal closed with an audible pop. Thanatos wandered toward the door and lifted a hand, then the air rippling before a crackle filled the air, much like the fizzle of sparklers. He nodded and dusted off his hands. "The portal has been sealed so they won't be able to return that way."

He turned toward her with a bright smile—like her world just hadn't just imploded.

She wasn't sure where to start first.

That she was possibly the granddaughter of death or that he had practically been living in her backyard without her being aware of it. It now made sense how she was able to access Tartarus, how she became the key—it ran in her blood.

That Atlas was related to that creature who wanted to kill them all.

Or that she had another mate and no one had fucking told her.

So many fucking fun choices!

She didn't even have to think.

She whirled and glared at her mates.

All of her mates.

The wolves gathered at her feet, turning to growl at them as well.

"Maybe one of you would like to tell me why the hell you're all lying to me?" She snarled the question, but it did nothing to ease the gaping hole in her chest at the deception.

She thought she could trust them, but now she went over every interaction with them, wondering what else they were keeping from her.

The guys winced, like she'd reached in their pants, grabbed their balls, and gave a vicious twist.

And damned if she wasn't tempted, but she didn't trust herself to get too close to them, not when her magic churned with agitation just under her skin, anxious to be called.

Ryder looked sick to his stomach, while Draven peered down at his feet like a child called to task. Atlas, Ascher, and Kincade stood to attention like troops being dressed down.

Kincade rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "It wasn't our place to tell. We?—"

"Not your place?!" Her temper skyrocketed, and her necklace warmed and melted down until a single heart dangled from it, black cracks scorching the shiny metal. "You're supposed to be my mates. My?—"

"Stop." A vicious growl tore from Ascher, his clothes smoking as he stormed toward her. Hackles rose from the wolves at her feet, but Ascher just snapped his fingers to quiet them, and they docilely lay down with their heads on their paws.

When she would've backed away, not wanting him near, he grabbed her shoulders and refused to release her. "You will listen before you cast judgment."

He didn't say anything else, just waited for her confirmation.

It took much longer than it should have before she could get herself under control. She shivered, despite the warmth pouring from him, a bitter cold stone resting where her heart should've been. Only when she gave a small, jerky nod did she notice that his hands were trembling.

"Please don't say anything until I finish. I will tell you everything, then you can ask any questions." Again, he waited for her to nod.

This time, it was easier.

"You didn't grow up in the supernatural world like us, so you know very little about mates." He peered down at her, his riveting blue eyes earnest. "There is an order to things with mates. The female makes all decisions. Who is chosen. Who they favor. It isn't the place for other mates to say anything."

"But you each knew I had no knowledge about mating rituals." It was all she could do not to kick him in the balls. "How was I supposed to know? "

Because how stupid could she be not to know that she had another mate?

"They were waiting for me to formally approach you." Caedmon stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. Ascher backed away to give them space, and she nearly hauled him back to her side.

She'd faced down death more times than she could count, but she had the hardest time not fidgeting under Caedmon's intense gaze. She crossed her arms, instinctively wanting to protect herself. "I don't understand…why did you hide that you were my mate from me? I can understand your displeasure?—"

A bark of laughter escaped him, a true smile gracing his face, and his whole expression softened. And damned if her daft heart didn't flutter in her chest as the imposing man went from intimidating to heart throbbing in a blink.

She felt betrayed by the change. She licked her bottom lip, her mouth suddenly dry. "Um, I don't understand."

"I'm what the fae considers ancient. I've been around before civilization came to Earth. I've fought battles and wars that many don't even remember. I've seen species come and go. In all that time, I've never found a mate. After centuries, I just accepted I wasn't found worthy." His yellow eyes darkened and shimmered with emotions as he stepped closer. "Until you. I gave up hope of ever finding anyone. Now I know that I was just waiting for you."

He moved until no space remained between them, stealing all the oxygen in the room. She couldn't seem to find two brain cells to rub together. "Why didn't you tell me? Were you ashamed of me?"

"No! Never! I didn't approach you sooner because you were horrified by the very idea." He gave her a wry smile that was more of a grimace. "I was hoping once you got used to me, your feelings would change. That you would eventually learn to love me."

He twitched like he was going to move, then stopped himself, almost as if he were afraid of her reaction .

She reached up and rubbed a spot on her arm, then stopped short and jerked her hand away from the hunter's moon etched into her skin. She wanted to smack herself in the face for not realizing it sooner. "It's a mating mark, isn't it?"

While her mark was a small symbol, his was a giant moon that covered him from shoulder to shoulder. The images were so detailed that craggy rocks and shadows were visible.

And every time she'd touched the mark over the last few weeks, he must have felt it, like her hands were running over him. Heat rushed into her cheeks, and she wasn't sure if she was more embarrassed or disappointed that she missed sharing the experience with him.

Then her mind tripped over the troubling words Aoibh said, and Morgan's gut clenched. "What did she mean the mating wasn't complete?"

Unease flickered in his eyes, his spine straightening even more, if it were possible. "Years of being the beast have altered me on an elemental level. While you are mated to both man and wolf, the beast needs to finish the mating."

A slight blush warmed his ears, and she wasn't sure if he was embarrassed or mortified. It was quite possibly a little bit of both. She did her best to ignore the way her neck tingled at the thought of his bite. Her gaze flicked toward Ryder, and her own cheeks heated as memories of when he claimed her bombarded her.

Instead of being perturbed or possessive, Ryder gave her a knowing grin that made her blood heat, completely confident in his place in her life.

Then she frowned and glanced back at Caedmon. "Why was Aoibh so insistent on getting you back? Wouldn't she consider you tainted and unworthy?"

He swallowed hard, his hands curling into fists, his shoulders wilting just a fraction…and yet he refused to look away and hide.

Exposing every secret, every insecurity for her to judge.

Atlas came up behind her and placed a hand on her hip. " Though he sacrificed everything to save Faerie and their way of life, it changed him. Caedmon is no longer considered a true fae. If Mother ever got her greedy hands on him, she could do whatever she wanted, and no one would protest."

Morgan's nose crinkled like she smelled something bad, and she shook her head. "No, it was more than that. This was personal."

Caedmon grimaced, a shudder going through him, and Atlas heaved a sigh. "Fae live for a very long time. It's why they have so many rules and play games—they've had decades to hold grudges and perfect their revenge. Mother isn't an ancient, but she has spent centuries accumulating her power.

"Every decade or two, she selects a warrior to become her lover. She tears them down until they are nothing but a shell that doesn't think or do anything without her permission." The hand on her hip tightened and bit into her flesh hard enough to leave bruises.

Morgan covered his hand with hers, disgust curling her lips. "Slaves."

"No." Atlas shook his head. "They willingly follow her. It's like they no longer have a will of their own."

Morgan's gaze flashed toward Caedmon, and her stomach heaved at the thought of this proud fae being erased. "And she wanted you."

"She's been trying to get her claws in me for centuries. I've managed to elude her for decades. I suspect she was pissed that I didn't fall at her feet in appreciation of being chosen, and she volunteered me to be sent to guard the gates of Tartarus." He gave a negligible shrug. "Because if she couldn't have me, no one could."

"And now she knows you survived. Tainted or not, she's not going to give you up so easily." She leaned against Atlas, needing the support for what she was about to suggest. It was crazy and stupid—and her skin tingled with excitement at the thought of claiming him. "You can't go back. It would be a death sentence…or worse. "

"And if the only way to protect me is to finish the mating?" Caedmon shook his head and took a step back. "You're not ready for that."

Her heart lurched at the distance he put between them, his rejection like a hot knife sliding into her gut. "Don't be an idiot. You?—"

"You already saved me once—the instant you looked down on me in the pit where I was trapped." He reached out hesitantly, his fingers barely brushing across her cheek before he retreated another step.

It felt like he was slipping through her fingers, like she was losing something precious, and the panic tightening her chest made breathing nearly impossible. "What about your family? Can they?—"

"He's an ancient." Atlas wrapped his hand around her waist, trying to comfort her, as if he felt the acid eating away at her insides. "His family has been gone for centuries."

Her throat tightened at the thought of him being all alone in the world, with no one to trust or rely upon.

Then her resolve firmed.

That was before.

Now he had them, and she wasn't going to let him down. She pulled away from Atlas and grabbed Caedmon's arm before he could vanish altogether. "You're an assassin like us. You belong with us, and you know it. If you try to leave, we will follow. If they come for you, we will fight."

Caedmon kept his back to her, his shoulders slumped, his chin on his chest. "I can handle whatever the fae want. I can?—"

"What do they want?" Draven interrupted, his blue eyes stormy. Energy hummed around him, the need for action making him twitchy.

"To take my magic," Caedmon answered automatically.

"To use him like a tool, like they used the wolves," Atlas replied almost at the same time.

They both glanced at each other, and her stomach clenched like she'd been sucker punched. "What are you not telling me? "

Thanatos cleared his throat, drawing her attention. "Fae consider themselves better than everyone else, having generations to perfect the idyllic version of themselves. Consequences are severe for any who fall outside those perimeters. Despite all he had sacrificed, Caedmon had always skirted the edges of society."

The god pushed away from the wall where he'd been leaning, his presence taking over the room.

"Since he's been both blessed and cursed by the gods, the fae no longer consider him elven. It will be open season on him."

Anxiety sent her pulse pounding in her ears, and it was all she could do not to rip open a portal and go after the fae.

Kill them before they could tell anyone else that he was alive.

As if reading her mind, Thanatos stepped between her and the portal sealed. "They'll try to control him first."

Morgan snorted at the thought of anyone trying to force Caedmon to bend to their rules.

He only did what he wanted.

Humor danced in Thanatos's bright green eyes for only a second before it faded. "If he refuses to obey, then they'll breed him in hopes that his abilities will pass to his offspring, where the children can be taught obedience from birth."