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“Damn,” Nyx said, licking his lips salaciously. I chuckled as I saw him shift his weight and work to tamper it down. “Gotta focus on the Crossborn presentation… gotta focus,” he started uttering like a mantra.

“Right there with you,” Vorzyr said, even as heat blazed in his eyes as he looked me up and down. “I need to focus up for this meeting with Cornelius.”

“We’ll be fine,” Kai assured him. He told Nyx, “I’m done with the facts and figures for your presentation. You’re all set.”

“Thank you so much, Kai.”

“Anytime.”

“I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you at Grandfather’s to—”

“Stop,” Vorzyr said, cupping my cheek. “Like Kai said, we’ll be fine. And this invitation from Ryker is important. You absolutely need to do this.”

“He’s right,” Kai added. “No apologies. This is your moment. Take it.”

“You’re being so sweet. Beyond just best behavior territory.”

“It’s weird as fuck to us as well,” Vorzyr jested.

“Hey,” Nyx cried. “He’s been working really hard at it long before today.”

We all chuckled at that, the levity doing wonders for all of us.

And then I wrapped my arms around them and pulled them in close, the three of them responding until we were all entangled in front of my closet.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll be sure to bring the dirtiness later,” Kai uttered. He brushed his thumb over my cheek, both dark amusement and lust dancing in his eyes as he rumbled, “Our dirty little slut.”

“All ours ,” Nyx uttered

“Goddess,” Vorzyr growled, possessiveness and earnestness warring for top billing.

I loved it. All of it.

They were here with me in every way.

They were here in spite of what was coming, of the burden bearing down on me from on high, of the complications that being with me brought along with it. The dangers, the challenges, the endless fight it would surely be to be called mine.

They saw beyond all of that.

They felt beyond all of that.

And I knew now, as I looked out at all of them, that I loved them for it.

The words… I wanted to speak them.

I wanted them to know just how deep it ran for me, just how permanently etched they were into my heart, my body, every fucking where.

But with my duty and training coming with Cassius, with the unstable nature of it, what they were each dealing with as well… it wasn’t the right time.

I didn’t want it spoiled.

I’d never had something like this before. Something that belonged to me in such a deep and honest way, so raw and all-consuming.

It meant more to me than I could fully quantify.

And because it did, because they did, I had to give it the reverence that it deserved.

“Halo?” Nyx’s voice sounded, and I looked to see him lifting his head, a deep frown creasing his brow. He was obviously feeling an influx of wild emotions from me.

“I’m okay,” I assured him. “It’s all… it’s all perfect.”

And then I sank into them, drinking in their warmth and every ounce of their closeness, reveling in what this had become between us.

Everything.

As Nyx and I rematerialized, I kept my hand in his.

Actually, I squeezed it all the more firmly, the weight of today hitting me as I took in the mammoth white stone fortress that was the Guardian Compound.

It stood tall and mighty, reflecting the real world impact that the Movement itself had upon the supernatural world.

The walls shimmered with Grandfather’s silver magic like mine, as well as Pops’ vibrant-green, symbols of strength but also the promise of protection.

Just like the towering silver gates at the threshold.

Marble paths led up to the entrance where statues of faceless Guardians stood tall and proud. Sentries in black hooded robes walked the grounds gracefully and on constant high alert to both receive and defend.

I’d seen pictures of this place, but they couldn’t hold a candle to standing here and marveling at it in person.

I could feel the pulse of my family’s magic and power from where I stood, their deep, centuries-long connection to this place.

And even now with not all of them being actual Guardian members anymore, they were so deeply driven by their work that ensured the health, safety, and prosperity of the supernatural world.

The weight of that legacy was staggering.

And I’d never come close to being able to touch that, to being a part of it.

Until this moment.

“They know why you couldn’t be there for their meeting with Cornelius.”

I eyed Nyx, his words pulling my attention away from studying the Compound and all it represented to me.

Before I could get a word out, he told me, “They understand. This moment is a definitive turning point for you, both with your family, and regarding your position in the supernatural world. Kai and Vorzyr get that. Just like they get my Crossborn duties.” He eased his hand from mine, then reached up and tucked some stray strands of my hair behind my ear with that sweet, yet sensual touch of his.

“Besides, let’s face it, the two of them there without us to reel them in is exactly what’s needed for the nature of their meeting.

Cornelius is gonna test their conviction, I’m sure.

And they bring that out in one another in spades.

You and me… we balance that out, tether them to their humanity and sanity sometimes as well. ”

I chuckled at that. “That’s undeniably true.” My gaze went to the tablet that he was clutching in his free hand. “You’re ready for this, you know?”

I’d reviewed his proposal after Kai had done his part, and it was absolutely solid. The passion in it was definitely something that would resonate with Gramps, and the backup of the facts and figures would send it over the top.

He smiled excitedly. “I am, yeah. I’m meeting to go over splitting the talking points with Velra beforehand. We’ve got an hour or so. I sent her Kai’s part to review. So once we do that, we’ll be all set.”

I leaned in and brushed my lips over his cheek.

“What was that for?” he asked, eyes shining at me.

“I’m proud of you. With Crossborn, with how you fight to be yourself despite everything, your positivity and light in the face of it all, and how you crack yourself open for us in such a courageous and beautiful way. It’s awe-inspiring, Nyx.”

“Thanks, Halo. Courage becomes you, too. In a staggering way. And coming here today is gonna be another step in that direction.” He stroked the arm of my fancy coat.

“You didn’t need any of this, by the way.

We just saw you wanting something to ground you for when you came up here.

I can feel your nerves through the courageous determination, because there’s a lot of weight that comes from being called here, especially after all this time.

But it’s not a test, Ariana. The way you told us that Ryker asked you up here, and the timing of it as well, it’s about inclusivity, about them finally passing their test on how to treat and view you.

So use it as a fact-finding mission while you’re up here today, to take everything in, and start thinking about where you want to fit into the supernatural world, what you want to do and become.

Not where anybody else does. And let the rest go, especially the bargain and Cassius. Just take it all in and enjoy, okay?”

I grasped his hand on mine and held it between us, brushing my lips over his knuckles, then turning it and kissing his palm. “Thank you, cutie pie.”

He moved to lean in and kiss me, but a sudden ice-cold chill permeating the air around us pulled him up short, and had the both of us tensing.

I caught sight of a slight shimmer disturbing our surroundings.

And then a young woman materialized before us, her ombre hair flowing about her. It wasn’t windy, so the movement of it was borne from magic. It was both eerie and ethereal.

Amethyst eyes burned into mine as we took one another in. A black corset top was molded to her toned form, giving way to a pair of deep purple leather pants, silver and gold chains and charms adorning both. Her smoky eye makeup and black lipstick added to her intensity.

And then that tension was smoothly dissipated as she offered a restrained smile and held out her hand to me. As she spoke, her breath frosted the air between us. “Nice to meet the infamous Ariana Martel. I’m Velra.”

I clasped her hand. “Nyx has told me a lot about you and the work you’re doing. It’s impressive.”

“Thanks. He’s been gushing about you and the boys, too.”

I eyed Nyx and he grinned. “I wouldn’t say gushing.”

“Sure,” Velra said.

“Ready to get to work, little sis?” he asked her.

Little sis. That was adorable. And most definitely him.

“Ready, willing, and able.”

Movement by the entrance doors caught my attention, and I saw Pops stepping out, obviously having sensed my arrival.

I wasn’t surprised. Me teleporting in would have been felt by all powerful beings within the walls of the Guardian Compound.

When we’d first materialized, I’d seen some of the robed guards still and spin our way on high alert.

At least until they registered my identity rather than just my power.

The daughter of the Head of the Guardian Movement.

Cornelius Martel’s granddaughter. That sort of thing.

Nyx and I said our goodbyes and I watched him bound off excitedly with Velra. She was far less bouncy beside him and more serious as she took the tablet from him and examined it intently in a focused state that kind of reminded me of Kai.

And then I focused on why I’d come here.

On Pops standing there waiting for me.

I sucked in a breath and started over to him.

Here goes nothing.

Today had been a lot more than an introduction or a mere overview of the Guardian Movement and its role in the supernatural world.

It had been an immersion.