Chapter Twenty-One

Once Lexia is sound asleep, I carefully climb out of bed, so I don't wake her, but don't leave the room right away. She's so beautiful, so calm in sleep, it's a treat to watch her. Of course she's beautiful during the day too, but she carries this worry with her. This constant anxiety that I hate for her.

I've been doing this for thousands of years—fighting battles that seem impossible to win in the beginning, but I'm still here. Meaning, I've won them all. We will win this one too, it just may take a little longer. It isn't her fault she can't understand this. She's human. It's out of her realm of belief. I just wish I could turn all that concern she has into something else. I run my hand over her hair, then lean down and kiss her forehead before leaving the room and going into Vesperon's.

I don't require sleep the way he and Lexia do. I don't require much of anything to survive. Sleeping is something I do to pass the time, and it's a reason to cuddle with Lexia.

I find Vesperon sitting at the oak writing desk, hunched over the journal that we have plans to dissect.

"Any luck?" I ask, walking deeper into the room. There are no lights in here because they aren't needed. Though I am not one with the dark like Vesperon, I can see without light.

"No."

There is a slight undertone of annoyance in his voice. This shadow's personality ranges from sweet to murderous. It's entertaining.

"Let me take a look."

I stop by his side, rest my palm on the desktop, and look at the journal. The words on the pages are written in English words.

I read out loud, "The first is the third and sixth on the seven-hundred and twelve. Turn around seven times. Now do it again." I furrow my brow. "This sounds like a terrible rendition of the Hokey-Pokey."

"What is the Hokey-Pokey?" Vesperon asks.

"Never mind. It's not important." I tap on the book. "Don't take this the wrong way, but was your friend nuts?"

"No," he bites out. "Jhaixl is one of the most intelligent guardians I know."

"Was he drunk when he wrote this? I mean, what kind of code is this?"

Vesperon sighs. I flip a few pages and scan the words. They all have very similar wording. It makes no sense.

"I've read this forwards and backwards," Vesperon begins. "From bottom to top, and nothing makes sense."

"Walk backwards into the half empty space. Jump four times, and it's right there?" I read from the page I am on.

Vesperon shrugs, rubbing his hand along his forehead.

"Is it possible this is an anagram?" I question.

"Most likely not. I spent a full two hours trying to work out the first sentence."

"In another language?"

"This is information that could get him killed, so it's possible he hid it well enough, but it doesn't seem like Jhai. Though he is smart, he prefers to do things the simple way."

"So, we're overthinking this?" I suggest.

"Possibly."

"Did he say anything when he gave it to you? A hint or something?"

"He did not even mention it was in code. He only told me to read it and memorize it."

"Why would you need to memorize his journal?"

"I assume so I can be rid of it. If it is found, they will know it is his, and if they crack the code…"

I nod, then turn to lean my hip on the desk. "And you're sure you can trust this person?"

He looks up at me, frowning. "I wouldn't waste my time if I didn't think so. She is my mate too."

I give him a smile, but it doesn't feel like a happy one. "I wasn't trying to say she wasn't, Vesperon. You're the one who is struggling with her having more than one mate. Not me."

Maybe there is a little jealousy floating around in me, but it's not over sharing her. It's just about Ves having her already, and I don't.

He grits his teeth, lets out a sound of frustration, and buries his nose back into the book. With a shake of my head, I leave the room. I don't doubt he will spend his entire night going over that journal and trying to figure it out. Hopefully, he does. And hopefully when he does, it is something we can use.

He's better off working on it himself, so we don't argue over it. We were going to do it together, but I can tell he is in a foul mood and would prefer to look at it alone. So, that's what he can do. I'll check back with him in a little bit.

I go downstairs to get a snack. Earlier I'd made a batch of chocolate chip cookies, so I grab a few, a glass of milk, and sit at the table. It isn't long before the shadow man makes his way down. I watch him carefully as he walks toward me and stops in front of the table.

"I do not have a problem with you," he says.

"Okay…"

"I am not struggling with Lexia having more than one mate."

"If you say so." I bite into my cookie.

"Do you have to be so cocky all the time?"

I swallow my cookie, wash it down with some milk, then say, "I don't try to be. Don't take it personally."

He narrows his eyes. "My issue isn't you, specifically, radiant. It's the fact I am here in this realm and a shadow. It's the fact I cannot touch my mate. It is learning that we have been together before, and each and every time, whoever is behind this, has taken her from me. Do you know what that means?"

A lot of things come to mind that I could blurt out, but I don't. Instead, I just say, "What?"

"It means they are likely to do it again."

I shake my head. I feel for the guy. That sucks. "I won't allow that."

"And what makes you think you will be able to stop it?"

"Call it a gut feeling." I bite into my last cookie and chew thoughtfully as the shadow watches me.

"Why do you eat that stuff?" he asks suddenly.

"Because it's delicious."

"It is filled with unnatural things. Things not meant for human consumption."

"Well, I'm not human, so…"

"But you make it for Lexia, and she is human. Aren't you worried it'll make her sick?"

I chuckle. "No. Humans can handle all this stuff just fine. Trust me, they've been doing it for years." I drink the last bit of my milk, then bring my dishes to the sink. When I turn, he is still there. "I know it's hard for you to believe that anyone could feel about her the way you do, and maybe I don't—not yet—but a mate bond is a mate bond. Don't look at it in the way of another creature caring for your mate, think of it in terms of the bond. Maybe that will make you feel better." I head toward the stairs but stop before I pass him. "Her safety is my top priority. Have a good night, Vesperon."

Knowing he and I will get nowhere tonight with that journal, I go upstairs. Once in Lexia's room, I undress down to my boxers, then crawl into bed. She hums happily when I pull her body to mine, encompassing her in my warmth. I kiss the back of her head, and then I fall asleep.