Chapter 26 Daxon POV Ashrian's place wasn't what I expected . I thought vampire lairs would be dark crypts or blood stained dungeons full of cloaks and caskets and fuck all else . Instead , I found books . So many damn books . Shelves towered from floor to ceiling , filled with hand written journals , ancient scrolls , maps marked with blood trails and sigils I didn't understand . A massive desk dominated the center of the space , littered with papers , feathers , glass vials , and black and silver daggers so old they looked like they belonged in a damn museum . " This is ... your house ? " I asked slowly , stepping over a runed circle etched into the stone floor . " I figured you'd be sleeping in a coffin or something cliché . " Ashrian gave a dry chuckle , tossing a thick leather satchel onto the desk and beginning to fill it with documents . " I did that once , for the aesthetic . Got a kink in my back for a century . " Despite myself , I smirked . I wasn't here to like the guy . And yet ... everything in this place screamed protector . Not predator . He moved through the space with purpose , grabbing specific books , tucking in rolled maps , and checking a locked cabinet where I caught the glint of fae charms and protective talismans . " This one , " he said quietly , holding up a worn journal bound in silver threaded leather . " It's a record of every hybrid I've helped hide . Nearly four hundred over the last 150 years . " I froze . " Four hundred ? " He nodded , tucking it carefully into the satchel . " Most were children . Some were born in labs , bred like livestock . I got them out . Or I tried . " Talon stirred in my chest , ears perked . " He's not lying . " I watched Ashrian move , fast but graceful , the edge of urgency in every motion . He wasn't packing to run , he was evacuating . Strategic . Efficient . Like a soldier who knew this safehouse was compromised and time was short , On a wall beside the hearth , I spotted something that stopped me cold , a painting . Faded but beautiful , a fae woman with a baby in her arms . She had Elowen's hair . Her eyes . Ash caught me looking . " That's her mother . She gave it to me ... years ago . Swore to me that her daughter would save them all . I didn't believe in prophecies back then . " " And now ? " I asked , voice quieter than I meant it to be . He looked straight at me . " Now I've touched her magic . Now I feel the pull . " 1/3 12:00 Mon , Sep 22 Chapter 26 Talon huffed , not in warning , but in understanding . He's one of us . " I grabbed the photo to give to Elowen . She'll appreciate seeing her mother . He nodded . 64 I didn't answer right away . Just helped him gather the rest . Weapons . Rations . Crystals and coded scrolls . Before we left , he paused by the doorway . He looked back once , shoulders heavy . " This place was my peace , " he said softly . " But she's worth more than peace . " Something inside me shifted . I'd hated him . For being a vampire . For touching what was mine . But the truth was ... he was fighting the same damn war I was . And he'd been fighting it alone . 1 clapped him on the shoulder . " Come on , bloodsucker . Let's go home . " His eyes gleamed with something almost like relief . And for the first time since he showed up , I didn't hate him for it . Elowen POV The portal shimmered like someone had sliced open the air with a silver blade . I barely had time to toss the throw blanket over my legs and shove my empty cupcake wrapper under the couch cushion when they stepped through . Daxon first , grim and gorgeous as ever , his jaw clenched and hair tousled from the wind . His golden eyes swept the room like a goddamn searchlight until they landed on me , and softened instantly . And then Ashrian followed , cool as night , carrying a worn satchel that definitely screamed classified shit inside . His obsidian eyes flicked to mine , and something in my chest thumped so hard I swear the air vibrated . Lyssira was going wild like a damn pup in our mind link . " Mate . Mate's back . Our tall , broody , bitey one . I want to lick his fangs . " I snorted and Ashrian grinned wickedly , showing off those sexy fangs . My thighs quivered as my arousal spiked and I snapped , " You're not helping , Lyssi . " ' I am absolutely helping . Bite the tall one , ride the growly one . We are WINNING . " Talon ( grumbling into the link ) ' She's not wrong . " Me ' Oh my goddess , you're both feral . " Talon , " No , we're both mated to a walking orgasm and a shadow prince . You're just late to acceptance , sweetheart . " The boys grinned and nodded their agreement because everyone could hear this mind conversation and my cheeks flamed red . Ash set his bag down and straightened , brushing off invisible dust like a literal vampire runway model . Daxon dropped onto the couch beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders like it was his full time job ... which honestly , it kinda was now . " Miss me ? " he murmured into my hair . 2/3 12:00 Mon , Sep 22 Chapter 26 : 64 Before I could answer , Ash was suddenly in front of me too , holding out a crystal with ancient sigils glowing along the edge . " This holds everything I couldn't carry . Names , Safe houses . If I die , it goes to you . " I blinked . " Well , damn . Hello to you too . " Lyssira in our mind link , " Ugh . He's noble . I hate how wet that makes me . " Ashrian's huge grin made me giggle . Talon mumbled , ' I swear to the moons , if she ever calls me noble , I'm yeeting myself off a cliff . " Ash tilted his head . " You're blushing . " " I'm overstimulated , " I hissed under my breath . Daxon grunted and laughed , pulling me tighter . " You'll be over something if you keep looking at him like that . " Ash just smirked . " Jealousy looks good on you , Alpha . " Lyssira purred , " Let them fight . Winner gets to knot us . " My cheeks burned as the boys laughed . " LYSSI STOP . " The banter spiraled in my head as they unpacked , coordinated with the Alpha's staff , and briefed the Luna . I was supposed to be listening to strategic updates about Scotland and danger and mission prep . But honestly ? All I could think about was that damn prophecy . Fated mates . Plural . And judging by the way my body reacted just being near these two ? I was so very screwed . And not nearly enough . Chapter Comments 4 е Write Comments SHARE 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!