Chapter 5

5

“ W hat the hell was that?”

Mikhail heard Sabre’s question. He couldn’t help it, given how loudly it was shouted. But his attention was fixed on the now-empty doorway where the most intriguing female he’d ever seen had just rocked his world to its foundations.

His heart thundered in his chest as realisation washed over him like an icy wave. Jinx—the wild beauty with eyes in two different shades and black and white striped hair—had called him her mate. Demons didn’t have fated mates, not like werecreatures. To them, finding one's fated mate was a rare and precious thing. Nature itself designed perfect pairings, matching two souls that complemented each other in every way: biologically, emotionally, spiritually …

And sexually , his mind added. He’d seen the way mated werewolves went at each other, and it was something else. He shuddered, thinking, I could have that with Jinx. But even as every fibre of his being cried out to chase her down, Mikhail forced himself to turn away from the door. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, nails biting into his palms as he struggled to maintain his composure.

“Did Jinx just say what I think she did?” Brax spoke up.

“She said Mikhail was her mate,” Sabre responded. She marched over to Mikhail, poking him in the chest. “Is it true? Is Jinx your mate?”

“She seems to think so,” Mikhail hedged, not ready to discuss the matter.

Sabre narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “And you? What do you think?”

He wanted to lie and say he thought Jinx was mistaken. But he’d already wronged Sabre in so many ways that he just couldn’t do it. “There’s an attraction … a pull,” he admitted.

“A mate pull?” Sabre pressed.

He roughly ran his hand over his head, looking up at the ceiling. “Demons don’t mate like that.”

“Are you really trying to bullshit me?” Sabre snapped. She pointed to Brax. “I happen to be bonded to a demon myself.”

Mikhail looked between Sabre and his brother, choosing his words carefully. “From what you’ve both told me, that seems to be an extraordinary circumstance. And likely more to do with your angelic heritage than Brax’s demon side.”

“Wow.” Sabre stared at him incredulously. “What the fuck happened to you when you were out there being a rebel? You’re lying to me. Why are you lying?”

“I’m not lying, Sabre.” He looked to his brother for help, but Brax appeared torn. Gage’s face told a tale of an imminent arse whipping, so there would be no assistance there either. Turning to Draven, he said, “Draven, you’re a guardian. You know everything there is to know about demons. Do we have soulmates?”

Draven shook his head. “It is not the nature of demons to have fated, biological mates. That instant recognition of one soul to another, that unbreakable connection of the heart? It doesn’t exist for demons.”

Sabre immediately began swearing at Draven, who took the verbal violence in stride. Mikhail sighed, feeling a sense of relief. But Draven spoke again before he could thank the angel for being the voice of reason and backing him up.

“But that doesn’t mean demons can’t claim a mate. It doesn’t mean the bond between lovers is any less significant just because it is made by choice. In fact, I would say, it makes it all the more special.”

“He’s right,” Brax said, coming to stand behind Sabre. He ran his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. “Demons love deeply. We’re also very territorial,” he continued, placing a kiss on Sabre’s neck just below her left ear. “Once we decide someone is ours, that's it. Nothing and no one can come between us. Sabre is mine just as much as I am hers.”

“I don’t doubt that, Brax,” Mikhail assured him. “But you are not me.”

He could see that nobody understood. And because Jinx was so beloved, nobody wanted to understand. But it didn’t change reality. Brax was second-born; Mikhail was first. Those few minutes between them taking their first breaths made a world of difference when it came to choices. Essentially, Mikhail had none.

“I know that,” Brax stated, now standing beside Sabre as a unified front. “I’m just saying that your emotions can be a match for hers. There’s no need for imbalance or a power struggle. I promise you.”

Mikhail let his head fall forward, staring at the expensive black shoes he wore. They were polished perfectly and fit his feet like a glove. A quick glance in front of him revealed Brax wearing his usual battered combat boots. Imbalance was unavoidable. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his dark slacks and looked up. “I believe you. I do. And I appreciate all this, but it’s a moot point.”

“Why? Because you don’t want her?” Gage asked quietly, his black gaze steady and direct.

“That’s not—” Mikhail broke off. He looked around, seeing the pinched expressions of everyone in the room. There was a shit load of judgement going on. “It’s really not your business,” he said in the end.

“I’m sorry. Would you care to repeat that?”

Sabre’s arctic tone told him he was moments away from getting shanked. He threw his hands in the air. “Listen, this is a shock, okay? I don’t understand what’s happening myself. And given Jinx practically ran from the room, I’m thinking she’s just as confused as I am. I believe it’s fair to say I’m not discussing the situation with anyone at this time unless that person is Jinx. Don’t you?”

Sabre glared at him for a few seconds before her shoulders slumped. “You’re right. Of course, you’re right. I’m being a bitch.”

“Your natural state,” Draven chimed in.

“I will pluck you bare,” Sabre threatened Draven before turning back to Mikhail. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

“A black hole to open up and swallow me?” Mikhail offered with a grimace.

Sabre marched over to him, shoving him in the direction of the exit. “If you’re lucky, Jinx is still on the grounds. She takes the secret entrance off the corridor to Brax’s quarters. It opens up directly into his private garden area.”

“I know where the secret doors are,” he grumbled, allowing Sabre to propel him forward. “This is my palace.”

“Great. Open a portal. Find Jinx. Talk to her. Don’t let anyone see you that shouldn’t. You’re still dead, remember?” She clapped him on the back, then stood with a happy smile on her face.

Mikhail shrivelled where no one could see. He hated to wipe that smile off his best friend’s face. He looked to Brax, who shrugged his heavy shoulders before making a shooing motion with his hands. Defeated, Mikhail closed his eyes and focused his mind, reaching deep within himself to tap into his legacy and the wellspring of power he knew resided there. As he concentrated, he felt a tingling sensation spread from his core, radiating out through his limbs. The air around him began to vibrate with unseen energy.

He thought about where he wanted to go—the garden beneath Brax’s bedroom window—before picturing the magical gateway in his mind's eye. It was a shimmering, translucent doorway suspended in midair. As the image crystallised in his thoughts, reality began to warp and bend before him. The very fabric of space seemed to ripple and distort, folding in on itself like a piece of origami. A faint outline appeared, traced in pale blue light. It grew more defined as he poured his will into manifesting it fully. The portal took shape, its edges glimmering with an otherworldly iridescence. Mesmerising patterns of energy danced across its surface, shifting and changing in a constant, hypnotic display before it settled, revealing the garden.

With grim determination, Mikhail stepped through the glowing threshold of the portal, thinking that his council of war had turned into a war of the heart. And he knew who the winner would be.

No one.

Least of all him.