Page 191 of The Lost Ones

“Once it’s up, we will be completely safe right?” Levi asks cautiously.

“Yep, that’s why its so expensive. It will only last two and a half hours though.”

Ghost and Knot appear and make their way over to me both in their raven forms. I expect it of Ghost as he has always been a raven and Nyx told me he might not ever get another form. But Knot has her fox form and I’m quite fond of it. I miss it if I’m honest. I hope its not gone forever.

As if hearing me, she perches on my lap and transforms into her fox form. I smile as I stroke her and she licks my fingers sending me a message at the same time.

“They’ll keep watch too.” I say explaining the message I just got.

I don’t really understand how I can understand them and how they understand me. We just do.

“Even better.” Kysen says, “Clypeus.” He mutters in Latin and there’s a burst of light and magic as the stone disintegrates.

I watch as the magic expands around us stretching high above us and below us too. There’s enough room to move around inside the circle but not much. Once its expanded as much as its going to the sheen of magic disappears and it becomes invisible. I was slightly worried that it would be obvious and then we’d end up attracting attention it would be just my luck for us to sleep peacefully for a couple of hours only to awake to find us surrounded by people waiting for the protective shield to drop so they can challenge or kill us.

We all settle down and I end up wedged between Levi and Maverick, it’s seconds before I fall asleep the magical drain taking it’s toll and dragging me under.

******

I’m in that state between being awake and asleep where I’m sort of aware of what’s going on around me but I’m not entirely sure if I’m dreaming or not.

“What the hell?” Jax says sounding confused and sleepy and damn right cute.

The exclamation didn’t sound particularly alarmed so it doesn’t wake me up properly and I try to go back to sleep properly not ready to wake up yet and enjoying my cuddle immensely. Maverick’s arm tightens around my waist as he pulls me back against him even tighter and Levi buries his head further into my neck as my arms wrap around him.

“Seriously guys. Wake up!” Kai says as I feel him kick one of the guys cuddling me. We’re so close together that I can feel it reverberate through all three of us.

“Ouch, did you have to kick me so fucking hard dickhead.” Maverick grumbles as he untangles himself from me and gets up.

I sit up with him Levi doing the same and stretching, giving me a gorgeous glimpse of abs.

“What the fuck?” Levi says glancing around us and bringing me back to the situation.

“That’s what I said!” Jax exclaims.

We can’t have been asleep for the full two and a half hours as the protection shield is still up and surrounding us on all sides is an array of different animals some I recognise from the Earth realm and some are completely foreign to me. They don’t seem to be aggressive or anything like that and they’re all getting on with one another although I’m pretty sure that some of them should be attacking the others.

“Where did they all come from?” I ask.

“Hunter must’ve summoned them,” Kysen replies sounding slightly baffled as he looks around at them all and rubs the back of his neck.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.” Hunter says sounding even more confused.

“You didn’t need to. It doesn’t work the same with supernaturals as it does with normal creatures. You’re an alpha and a damn strong one at that. Even though you don’t know the extent of your gifts yet and are still learning. These creatures would’ve sensed that your power level was low and that you were weakened so they’ve come to protect you whilst you were vulnerable. There’s no competition to be the alpha or try to move up ranks in this situation. They all know that you are the strongest and will protect them if needed therefore they all band together to protect you.”

“That’s pretty fucking amazing.” Hunter says and we all make sounds of agreement.

Mav pulls out a notebook and starts sketching the creature closest to him, a mix between a stag and a lion I think. That’s the best I can compare it anyway.

I didn’t know he could draw. It makes me sad that there’s still some pretty big things that I don’t know about them.

“How do I thank them and get them to go back to their homes now?” Hunter asks curiously walking closer to the barrier.

As he does the nearest animals get as low to the floor as possible and bare their necks. Hunter immediately transforms into his wolf and walks around the circle dipping his head.

“That’s incredible.” Kysen mutters, “To thank them and let them know that their duty is fulfilled you simply think it and then project it to all of the animals.” He says louder to Hunter.

After a few moments the animals start to dissipate and Hunter transforms back into his human form.