Chapter Twenty-Seven

Nothing shocks me anymore. It's sad but true. Too many bad things have happened in my life. I've been opened up to non-human things—to magical worlds. To death and… horrible things that shouldn't happen to anyone, but especially a child. How can something shock me anymore?

My father killed himself.

My mother was murdered.

My innocence was taken from me by a cruel, disgusting man.

I'm mated to a shadow creature, a light being, and whatever this grey thing is.

Which is why, when my hand presses against something warm and firm that I can't see, something that feels like a human chest, I'm not surprised. In fact, I'm relieved.

Perhaps I should be scared. This means there is some kind of being sneaking around our house without our knowledge. But it doesn't scare me one bit, because I know who it is.

"You didn't leave," I whisper to him. "Why are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding," he answers snidely.

I smirk. "No one can see you. That's hiding."

"Lexi, who are you talking to?" Lumen asks. I glance at him over my shoulder and smile. He doesn't smile back. He only looks concerned. Even Ves has pulled his attention from the movie and is looking at me oddly.

"To the grey who was just here," I tell them. "Don't you hear him?"

They both shake their heads.

I turn back to the grey and slide my hand up to his shoulder, then down his toned arm and to his hand. He lets me touch him. He isn't moving. So, I link my fingers with his, and raise it up. Such an odd sight to know my hand is holding another's, but not be able to see it.

"Are you only allowing me to hear you?"

"I do not know how you are hearing me. No one should be able to."

"Sounds familiar," I mutter. Then I drop his hand and step back. "Can you show yourself?"

It's a few seconds before he does. It isn't a quick pop, but more of a shimmering of color until he's solid.

"How did you do that?" he asks with a pout. "No one should be able to touch me when I'm nothing."

"Maybe you aren't actually nothing," Lumen says from behind me, causing the grey to scowl.

"Or—" I say quickly, before they can start an argument. "There is another explanation."

"Like what?" the grey snaps, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I can see Lumen's gold marks because I'm his mate. So maybe I can feel you when you're invisible because you are the missing mate."

"I'm not invisible. I'm nothing. And greys don't have mates."

"Neither do humans," I argue with a smile.

He opens his mouth, then snaps it shut.

"Why did you run out of here?" Lumen asks, lifting his chin to the grey as he moves beside me.

"As you can see, considering I am here, I didn't leave," the grey remarks.

"Then why did you pretend to leave?" Lumen crosses his arms over his chest, mimicking—probably mocking—the grey. I sneak a peek at Ves, who is still sitting on the couch, watching with interest. Like we're better than the Harry Potter movie on the TV. I'll take that as a compliment. Ves has been sucked into the Wizarding World.

The grey runs his finger along his bottom lip, regarding Lumen. "I'm not sure I can trust any of you," he says, gesturing to all of us and taking a step back.

"And you think we trust you?" I add.

"I'm not sure what to think," he admits.

"Welcome to the club," I say with a smile, opening my arms wide.

"Maybe you should tell us what you know," Lumen says carefully. "You obviously know something."

Ves moves to my other side. I don't want to bully the grey, but if he has information, then we need it.

"I don't know a thing," he hisses.

"And I don't believe that for a second," Lumen snaps. "You got spooked, you—"

"I was not spooked," the grey grinds out. "I just… needed to think."

I'm not sure I believe that. He's being pretty defensive, which makes me think something freaked him out and he knows something but doesn't want to tell us. I guess I can't blame him for that. He doesn't know us or have any reason to trust us.

"And you can't do that like this?" Lumen gestures at the human form of the grey.

"No, actually I can't," the grey answers firmly. "I focus better when I don't expel energy into this." He gestures up and down his body.

"I think you're lying," Lumen growls, stepping toward him.

I grab his arm and tug him back. It does nothing to move the brick-wall of a man, but I still try.

"Well, I don't care what you think," the grey sneers.

"You should."

"Why the hell would I?"

"Because—"

"Because what?" the grey growls, stepping to Lumen so they are nose to nose.

I sneak a look at Ves. His eyes are wide and intrigued, as if he's waiting for a fight to break out and won't be upset about it.

I knew Lumen letting him watch MFC fighting was a bad idea…

I stare between Lumen and the grey, wondering what the hell I'm supposed to do to stop this. What happens if they fight? I'm only human. I can't stop them. Before it gets to that point, I squish my body between their chests. I'm facing Lumen, because I felt weird brushing my boobs against a stranger. Only I realize how bad of an idea that was when I realize where my ass is… I quickly press my hands to Lumen's chest, using the solid weight of the grey behind me as leverage to push Lumen a few steps back.

"Fighting isn't what we need to do. Lumen, go sit on the couch. Ves?"

"Yes, my love?" He takes a step forward, smiling softly. Lumen still hasn't moved to the couch, and I keep my hands on him in case he plans to lunge. His gaze is burning straight ahead, right over my head, and I bet the grey is doing the same thing.

"Can you move the chair across from the couch for the grey to sit?"

"Slate."

"Excuse me?" I look up at the grey over my shoulder.

He waits a beat, then brings his gaze to me and his eyes soften. "My name is Slate."

I smile at him. "I'm Lexia."

He nods and moves to the chair that Vesperon moved. Lumen watches him like he's a rabid animal about to attack, but at least Slate seems to have relaxed.

"Where do you want me to sit, my love?" Vesperon asks with a cheery smile. Ves is so loyal and protective, always there when I need him. Willing to do anything and help anyway he can.

"Kiss ass," Lumen mutters and I shoot him a glare.

"You can sit with Lumen," I tell Ves, but keep my gaze on Lumen, who finally moves to sit on the couch. Ves sits beside him.

I have no idea why I feel so confident, but I plan to grasp onto it for as long as I can. Someone needs to take charge, and these guys clearly can't handle it. They're too busy having a pissing contest. Typical men. Funny how that doesn't change depending on the type of creature they are.

"The only way we're going to figure anything out is by being honest," I begin, looking between the three of them and raising a brow.

"I agree," Vesperon says with a nod.

Lumen scowls at him, and I hold back my laugh. Vesperon isn't kissing my ass. This is just how he is. Lumen should know that by now.

"I will start by telling you what we know, then you can share what you know. Does that sound fair, Slate?" I turn to him.

"Yes, I suppose." He flicks away something on his pants, then clasps his hands together and brings his gaze to me.

I carefully explain what we know. I give him the information about the prophecy, about the stuff that happened in the shadow realm, about the shadows hunting me down, Lumen showing up, us coming here to hide. He listens, nodding his head as he takes in my words.

"Is that about all of it?" I turn to Lumen and Vesperon when my mind goes blank.

"Yeah, I guess that's about it," Lumen says with a huff.

"Now it's your turn," I say to Slate, keeping my tone calm.

He's staring at the ground, legs spread apart, forearms resting on them. He almost looks like he just got horrible news and doesn't know how to handle it. Maybe he did. Maybe this is bad news for him. Who the hell knows?

"I don't know much," he says with a slight shake of his head. He looks up, his gunmetal grey eyes meeting mine. "At least, not that I can remember. Years ago, probably thousands, I learned of a prophecy that is similar to this one. They're too similar to be completely different, yet I can't imagine it changing as much as it has."

"Prophecies change over time," Lumen butts in.

"Let him finish," I chastise.

"I know," Slate grits out. "Usually not this much. The prophecy I know of, the one about a shadow, a radiant, a human, and a grey, says we are the ruin of existence, not the saviors."

I suck in a breath as those words sink in.

"The ruin?" I ask.

He nods. "It's possible things have changed in all that time. I mean, the universe is constantly growing and shifting to allow itself to sustain, so..." He huffs out a laugh. "I mean, greys don't even have mates, but I do?" He chuckles again, shaking his head. "It's beyond belief."

"Humans don't have mates either," I remind him. "Imagine my surprise to find out I have three."

"Yes, well…there is no grey in history to have a mate. Ever. Greys don't have anything. We represent nothing, and we literally have nothing."

"I don't understand…" I say, turning to Lumen and Ves for an answer, even though the person I should want the answer from is Slate.

"There are instances of humans being mated to otherworldly beings," Lumen explains patiently. "Usually with shadows, as odd as it sounds. Humans don't usually have mates, but they do often enough that it isn't a surprise."

"So, you're saying that you're the only one?" I ask Slate.

"That's what I'm saying."

"How will we know for sure?" I ask carefully.

He smiles, but it isn't a happy one. It's forced. Cocky. Arrogant.

"The fact you felt me when you shouldn't have is the only sign I need," Slate says.

"Same way you see my markings," Lumen adds softly. He doesn't sound happy about helping Slate's point.

We're going around in circles; the same information being repeated as if it'll give us a different answer. Isn't that insanity? Close enough. This entire thing is insane, so it's fitting.

"You didn't know you were my mate at first," Vesperon says thoughtfully. "Though, I believe that to be the work of magic."

"Could all of this have to do with magic?" Lumen suggests. "Maybe whoever is aware of the prophecy?"

"The same person who went after me? I suppose it is possible, but how would they get spells put on a radiant? And even more difficult, a grey?" Ves adds. "And there was nothing said about Lexia having other mates previously, only me."

"Previously?" Slate questions.

"Lexia is some sort of reincarnation. She and Ves have been together before," Lumen explains quickly.

"Gods above," Slate says, running a hand down his face.

"Is there anyone else we can ask for help? Anyone who may know something?" I ask.

"I don't know anyone in this realm," Lumen says with a shake of his head. "And there aren't people in mine who typically hold knowledge like this."

"I cannot go back to my realm for anything," Vesperon explains. "It is good we figured out the mating thing here."

He's right. It is good. I don't want to go to his realm—ever. Not only because of what's going on, but because it sounds creepy as hell. Complete darkness? All the time? No, thank you.

I slowly turn my gaze on Slate, raising a brow.

His eyes widen. "I don't know anyone who can help. I mean, maybe I could hunt down the grey who gave me the prophecy in the first place, but hell if I remember who it was."

"Are there people who hold prophecies in your realm?" I question. "Like a witch or prophet?"

He shakes his head. "I don't believe so. There is no hierarchy or even labels. We're all there, existing to keep balance."

"That sounds boring," Lumen mutters, and I shoot him another glare. Any chance to shoot out an insult.

"It's not," Slate grounds out. "We get a lot of freedom and as long as we don't mess with the balance, we're free to do what we want. It's kind of fun. Laid back."

"Well, lucky you," Lumen snarks.

I roll my eyes. "You really need to stop, Lumen."

"Me? Why me?" he argues.

"You're jumping down his throat every time he says something," I argue, gesturing to Slate with my hand.

Lumen scoffs, then shakes his head, turning away to stare out the windows. His jaw tenses, and I feel bad he's upset, but he's not being fair.

"I can travel back to my realm and see if anyone knows anything," Slate suggests.

"That would be helpful. Thank you, Slate," I say as he gets to his feet. "Oh—you're going now?"

"No time like the present." He moves to walk by me, but I stop in front of him. He raises a brow as he looks down at me.

"How do we know you're actually leaving this time?"

"Because I'm telling you I am."

"You said that last time." He tilts his head to the side, looking at me with an amused smirk. "We're truthful in this house. We don't lie and we don't trick. If you're saying you're leaving, then you leave. Got it?"

He purses his lips, then nods once. "Yeah, I got it."

I hold his stare for a moment longer, then move to the side for him to leave.

He goes to the door and pulls it open but looks back at us before he steps outside. The cold air breezes through the house, causing goosebumps to cover my skin. There's humor shining in his grey eyes, and for a moment, I think maybe we shouldn't trust him.

"You should really use your locks," he says casually. "The universe doesn't let me pop into homes unannounced. When I came in, I used the front door." He steps outside and shuts it behind him.

Well… I guess he showed us.