Chapter Sixteen

The sun has finally set, meaning the shadow will be here soon. Lexia is still sleeping. I consider waking her, but she hasn't slept well for the last few days. She obviously needs it. We will travel for most of the night, so it's best she gets rest while she can. She can get a normal routine once we are safe at my home in the mountains. The home was appointed to me by the radiants as a safe house. Sometimes radiants go on assignments that are dangerous and time consuming, and we need a place to lie low and recuperate. Many radiants have access to this home, but it is almost never used. We prefer to stay in low key motels in the area we are working in. They aren't the most comfortable, but it is convenient when it comes to work. Still, when I check in with my superior, I will make sure he is aware that I am using the house so no others show up.

The house is nestled high on Robinson Mountain in Montana, close to the Canadian border. There are no roads that reach it, no trails either. The only way to get to and from is by light traveling, which is basically space jumping—something all radiants can do.

There have been many assignments over the years that start out like this—me not knowing what is going on right away. I'm sent to where I am needed, where there is a shift in the dark and light balance, and it's my duty to figure out why and fix it. Most times, it is obvious, but not always. Like now. I feel the shift here, and there is no doubt it is coming from the increase of shadow activity within this realm. Shadows have rules to follow, and not all are their own, but ones set by the original beings of this world to make sure it is sustainable. Balance is key. So, the question remains—why? Why are they doing this? More often than not, it is rogue shadows I deal with, or some other species of dark being, like demons. I send them back to wherever it is they belong, and their own kind deals with them. It is not my duty to punish, only to restore the balance.

Lexia made a comment about this being something big, and I agree with her.

A human mated to a radiant and a shadow? It isn't just rare, it's unheard of. Humans rarely have a mate attachment to anyone. They don't work the way we do. So, for one to have two otherworldly mates, it's… it's something all right.

I stir the tomato sauce on the stove to ensure it doesn't burn as I try to piece things together, running through memories of past cases in hopes something will stand out. Perhaps this is related to a previous case? A rogue shadow or demon who is back for revenge? Angrier than ever? It's happened. But it doesn't feel right.

The handmade spinach and feta ravioli are boiling away in the silver pot and should be done any moment. I want Lexia to enjoy a delicious meal before we go on the road. Plus, I love pasta. Who the hell doesn't?

My mind doesn't stop as I recall case after case, but nothing sticks. Finally, once the ravioli are done, I stop thinking about it all together. Maybe taking a break will help.

I scoop out the pasta and place them in a glass baking dish. The sauce takes a few more minutes, and when it's done, I pour it over the ravioli, then cover it all with shredded mozzarella and parmesan. It goes in the oven for only long enough to melt the cheese. I watch it closely through the window, and when it's done, I pull it out. I'm placing it on the counter when I feel a shadow approach. A glance out the kitchen window shows Vesperon walking up the stairs. I breathe a sigh of relief, noting I will not have to fight someone, and instead, can enjoy the food. Human food is a terrible addiction. One I crave when I am in my own realm.

"Freaky," I mutter, turning toward Vesperon as he enters the kitchen through the wall.

"We do not have time for jokes. I have important information," he says, leaving no room for humor.

Shadows are known for their serious nature. They don't joke; they take everything literally, and they tend to be dramatic. So, his intensity doesn't rile me—a radiant who is the complete opposite of him, light-hearted, and enjoys having fun.

"And what would that be?" I lean against the counter, crossing my arms. I watch the creature, noting he is more difficult to see as he walks deeper into the room, beneath the light. He is tall and lean, but muscular. Each ridge of muscle is accentuated with darker shadows. From the rips in his arms to his abs. A tall, formidable shadow creature that could scare humans into medical emergencies. And my mate by proxy. It's almost laughable.

"Where is Lexia? We must prepare to leave," he says as he walks down the hall without waiting for an answer.

"She's still asleep!" I call through gritted teeth, then hurry after him.

"She must wake." He storms into her room, walking right through the partially opened door.

I press it open all the way, but don't go in further. I should give them a moment, but… I'm not that nice. Vesperon stops by her bedside. He reaches for her, brushing his fingers down her cheek, but she doesn't stir at his touch.

I'll admit, that hurts my heart a little. Both for him and for her. To be someone's mate and not be able to touch them… that is a torture I would not want to live through. What I feel toward her is difficult enough to handle, and it's merely a strong attraction. Had she never mentioned seeing my golden marks, I'd have just assumed I needed to get laid. But having that knowledge of her seeing them, it changes everything. It puts everything in a new light, because that strong attraction makes sense now. And knowing she likely is my mate, and something is stopping us from feeling it fully, that hurts in its own way. What if I never get to feel it fully? What if we never get our chance together?

This shadow has been in pain the moment he realized she was his mate because not only has he never been able to touch her, but she didn't recognize the mate bond at first. How long did he wait for her? Knowing shadows, he'd wait forever. But this, watching him now, it's why I offered to wake her yesterday. He may have thought I was being an ass or possessive or trying to make him angry, but I was only trying to help. It's in my nature to be kind and thoughtful, which is part of the reason radiants don't deal with punishment. We are good at the core and want to see the good in people. It's why it is so difficult to become an agent. It takes hundreds of years of training and tests to make sure you are the right type of being because it's not for all radiants.

With a sigh and a heavy chest, I walk into the bedroom and sit beside where he is standing and run my fingers down her face, the same place he tried to wake her. He feels like a warm mist upon my skin. I feel his eyes on me, but don't look at him. I only look at her. His gaze is intense, and I hope it's out of gratitude and not anger. When she stirs, I go back to the door so when she opens her eyes, it is him she sees.

See? I'm nice and thoughtful.

"My love," Vesperon whispers.

"Ves? You're here?" she says sleepily, shifting and causing the sheets to rustle around her. "What time is it?"

"I'm sorry to wake you, but I have important information I must share, and we do not have much time."

She sits up, rubbing her eyes and looking around the room. Her eyes settle on me. "Why'd you let me sleep so long?"

She's adorable when she's grumpy.

I shrug. "You were tired."

She gets out of bed and the three of us move to the kitchen. The food is still cooling down, so I leave it for now, but pour Lexia a large mug of coffee and prepare it the way she likes, with the hazelnut flavored creamer in the fridge. The emptiness of it tugs at my chest every time I see it. I don't like the way she has been living—as if she has no will to do so. There is nothing in this home that says she enjoys her life, and that upsets me. It's all very plain and boring.

Vesperon stands by the table with his back to the door, facing Lexi and me, and explains.

"I met with the shadow witch just before coming here and she's given me helpful information. Our plan was to leave, but that is no longer the smart thing to do. There is a spell she put on me to allow Lexia into the shadow realm. She must come with me. We can complete—"

"Why in the world would you do that?" I bark as I place the mug on the table in front of Lexi, spilling a bit of coffee. I grab a towel to wipe it up, trying to keep my anger in check. She will not be safe in the shadow realm, spell or not, and I don't like him suggesting such a thing.

"So we can mate." As if that is the only thing that matters? "To form the connection and make me whole—for her safety," he says darkly.

"Is that worth the risk?" I ask, feeling a tinge of jealousy swirling in my chest. Though, I've no idea why. I could mate with her. I am in a solid form. He isn't. Yet, she and I haven't spoken about the possibility we are mates, not in depth, and she seems as if it's the last thing she wants to talk about.

Honestly, there isn't much conversation to have. I've gone through every possibility multiple times and the only thing that makes sense is that we are, in fact, mates. Something is stopping us from feeling it fully. I considered her joke of being a mythical being, but that's unlikely. She's human. I can sense it.

"Taking a solid form in this realm will help all three of us. After what the witch told me…" Vesperon shakes his head, then looks at her. "It is our best option. You must understand I would never put you in harm's way, but if I can't protect you…"

"I can't go into the shadow realm," I say, pressing my hand to my chest. "She won't be protected."

"I will protect her," he growls, glaring at me. His hands ball into fists.

"It's not enough," I respond. "And I'm certain you know that."

He stalks toward me, standing chest to chest. He is a few inches taller than me, his dark shadow looming over me like… well, like a dark shadow. If I were a human, I'd be absolutely terrified. He truly is what nightmares are made of. But I've dealt with shadows for thousands of years, and the scariest ones don't scare me, never mind this one who will not harm me because of his mate. Shadows are loyal, and he would not harm someone she cares about. He does not want to hurt her. Therefore, he will not hurt me.

"Are you saying I cannot protect my own mate?" he asks, his jaw clenched tight.

"Guys, please don't fight," Lexia pleads as she looks up at us, her face paling. "I just woke up, and this is hard enough to deal with."

"I'm just saying it's dangerous," I explain, but don't take my eyes from Vesperon.

"And I will guard her with my life," he adds.

"And when yours ends, so will hers. It's not worth the risk," I grit out.

"We only need to be in there for a short time," he argues.

I huff out a laugh. "And you're proud of that?"

Okay, so maybe the nice part isn't always true. I do love a good insult now and again.

He clenches his jaw, stepping so close I feel his chest brushing through mine. How can something so scary feel so soft? The anger coming from him is so thick I can taste it, yet he feels like nothing more than a fluffy cloud. I rarely feel other beings' emotions, but his are dripping from him.

"Lumen, please let Vesperon explain."

I ground my teeth together, then step back. "Fine. I'll listen, but that doesn"t mean I'm agreeing to it."

When there is some space between us, he presses his palms together and a sheet of paper forms that flutters to the ground. Vesperon shakes his head as he watches it. "I was unsure if it would allow me to hold it. The witch said it was spelled, but…"

"It wasn't made in the shadow realm," I say softly, reaching down to pick it up as another wave of guilt and pity flows through me. What it must be like to work in a realm where everything is against you… "What is this?"

"The prophecy stating we, along with a grey, are to save the world."

I freeze, blinking a few times before I snap out of it. I look up at him, meeting his hard gaze. He gives the smallest nod, silently answering the question I couldn't form into words.

A grey?

Yes. A grey.

I open my mouth to say something about that, when I sense a shadow within the ward. I jerk in that direction. Vesperon turns at the same moment, no doubt also sensing the shadow that's just approached. I stuff the paper into my pocket, knowing I need to protect it at all costs. This very well could be the answer we need.