Thunders Fate Book One: Nightmare's Delight

Chapter Three

Genesis

"This is the company lodge that's been reserved for our case. Our goal is to draw as little attention to ourselves as possible, otherwise, the townspeople may realize that we don't belong here. Small towns tend to notice when new people arrive, and that would not be good for us or the agency." Alexander and Cedric followed close behind me as I took them on a tour of the cabin. 

"My room is straight down the hall; there are empty rooms scattered throughout the house, choose whichever ones you want. The only rules I have are: No outsiders are to step foot in this building since corporate wouldn’t be very pleased and we could all receive punishment as well as a demotion. And don't enter my room under any condition, unless someone is dying, okay?" I smiled bubbly looking between the two. Alexander nodded and smiled at me, whereas Cedric had his stern face on, although I could see a twinkle in his eyes.

Searing pain struck through my skull pulsing as Cedric tried to break past the mental walls I had put up after we left the diner. I didn't like the fact that he could read my mind, it felt intrusive. My thoughts were m own and he needed to learn how to deal with it. I looked between the duo once more. I still can't believe how opposites they are. Alexander was outgoing and could probably get any girl he wanted with as charming as he is, whereas Cedric looked dark and dangerous making him impossible to approach if he was on his own. 

"I'm going to my room," I announced as I turned and headed towards my room. Cedric tried once more to break my mental walls, my head throbbed and I set up an even stronger wall. This gargoyle is going to be a new adjustment.  

I closed him out shaking my head in frustration, the unfamiliar feeling of having another person's thoughts intruding on my own made me uneasy. Making sure the door was locked and shut I decided to take a nap, I  never usually interacted with other agents this much. Even though I had just slept a day ago, I felt exhausted interacting with those two. I slid into a loose t-shirt and a pair of shorts, letting the cool fabric soothe my warm skin. Crawling under the covers I let sleep quickly pull me away.

Blood flowed around me, the metallic smell making its way onto my taste buds. I cringed back, flapping my wings as hard as I could, and called on the lightning that flowed throughout me. Strike after strike I fired at the blurry enemy hoping I was making some type of damage. An ear-piercing scream pulled my attention, my vision blurring softly as my body began to drop towards the earth.  

I sat up quickly, my hands wandering around me searching for what I knew had been gone for years. That familiar ache spread throughout my chest before dying down. My hands were clammy and my lips were dry. On occasions, I had visions, this one more of memory...if I was remembering it correctly. Sighing, I slip out of bed and head into the bathroom for a shower. Goddess knows I needed it, I hated waking up sweaty.

After my shower, I slipped into an oversized white sweater and a pair of jean shorts along with my black slippers. I let my long white hair down flowing around me in waves. It has gotten longer again, I should cut it soon. I will after the anniversary...just not now. 

Approaching the kitchen I overhear Cedric and Alexander bickering. Tapping into my enhanced hearing I slowed my heartbeat and breathing covering up my presence completely. It was a skill I learned from Eric, he really was a great mentor. 

"At least talk to her. I'm not trying to be your mediator all the time. The last time I got pulled in, she threw a paddy at me." Alexander fumed.

"Bloody hell, that was over a year ago. Alexander, I'm begging you. She won't leave me alone and is constantly blowing up my phone. How are we supposed to get work done if my fiancé won't leave me alone?" Cedric's voice rose slightly. 

Fiancé? Was he just spouting nonsense of me being his mate then? I let my heart get back to its regular pace, and let out a loud sigh and thump on the ground letting them know I was coming in.

"Good evening ladies!" I smiled brightly entering the kitchen. Cedric and Alexander's heads snapped in my direction. Alexander greeted me with a smile showing off his pearly white teeth, whereas Cedric stared at me blankly with an unreadable expression.

"How was your rest?" Alexander asked as he went back to cooking whatever was on the stove. 

"It was okay." My heart skipped a beat at the thought of my nightmares. 

"How about we discuss this case further over dinner." He smiled presenting two plates of pasta, he placed a plate in front of me with an adoring smile catching me off guard and making me blush.

"I'm going for a shower." Cedric deadpanned leaving the room. I watched his retreating back, questions, and what-ifs began flying through my mind. Cedric was mysterious to me. He didn't seem like the type to open up. Compared to when earlier he's become rather silent and cold, it seems like things have changed. That conversation between him and Alex seems to like it may be the culprit.

"Are you alright, Love?" Alexander asked, waving his hand in front of my face. I shook my head getting rid of my clouded thoughts. 

"Yeah, Just a lot on my mind. Although, is Cedric always like that? He seemed... I don't know, a little more open when we first met." He scratched the back of his head thinking about what to say next. 

"I don't really think it's my place to put his business out there. Let's just say he's having some issue with his Fiancé back home." I nodded solemnly. Cedric is becoming more and more suspicious in my eyes, something just isn't right about him. Alex and I began eating. Light conversation flowed between us, almost as if we knew each other for years. I took the time to appreciate his features, the way his eyes would crinkle when he would laugh. Or the way his hair shimmered in the florescent light. 

"Okay. Back to the case." I clapped.

"It’s clearly a vampire."

"We don't know that for sure." I retorted.

"The bite wounds explain it all. The only mythological I know to make those marks are vampires. Not only that remember the bodies were drained of blood. "

"Some demons can make those marks as well. And don’t forget the others like the occasional bites from wolves. What doesn’t make sense is why, and how, they were drained of all of their blood." Alexander rolled his eyes.

"Well, what do you think we ought to do about it then? It's close to impossible for demons to even get near towns. Let alone any mythological that could be out for blood. Many of the towns I have visited have been assessed by S.I.A is confirmed to have anti-demon charms surrounding them. The only way for them to even attack a human is to lure them outside of the city." Everything seemed to have clicked.

"Remember all of the bodies have been discovered on the edge of the town, ten feet away from the barrier. So it couldn't be a demon, they wouldn't be able to live amongst humans let alone get past the sacred barriers."

"The only other way the humans could have been led out then---"

"Would be for another human to bring them out themselves." Alexander and I stared at each other baffled. An unknown human was luring teenage girls out of the town and delivering them to a mythological, possibly as bad as a demon.

"You're both wrong." Cedric’s strong voice echoed throughout the kitchen. He stood in the doorway in dark jeans and a white t-shirt that hugged his muscles. My mouth started to water at the delicious man standing in the doorway.

"For now, we have no clue what it could be. We’ll need to visit the crime scenes and gather as much evidence and information as possible."

“Also, rule out the demons. We all know they are more likely to be messing around a church or family home.” Cedric added. 

"So we're possibly dealing with a far more dangerous case than we thought," Alexander spoke up, breaking the silence that had fallen on the room.

“We need to check on the bodies, as well as with the local coven. I’m sure the Primus is more than willing to provide us with any unusual occurrences in town.” 

"Well boys, it seems like we're goin' Vampire Huntin'!" I grinned speaking in a southern accent.

Alexander and Cedric shared a look before they broke out in laughter. Alexander held onto the counter doubling over as giggles and sniffles left his lips. Cedric howled in laughter throwing his head back and clutching his stomach. The sound of their laughter made me shiver in satisfaction, something in me was desiring these men far too much. Laughter filled the room as we continued laughing at my terrible fake southern accent.

"Darling, you are an absolute joy to be around!" Alexander smiled, wiping the tears from his eyes. 

"I like to say that I know my way around a joke sometimes." I smiled, nudging his side. Those same sparks ignited over our contact, and this time I caught the smallest twitch from Alexander's hand. His eyes darkened but the smile never left his face, maybe he doesn't like being touched. I shifted away slowly, putting space between us hoping that he'd be more comfortable.

The rest of the night was spent getting to know each other and discussing the case. Alexander was the middle child of his family along with two sisters and an older brother. His older brother, Harry, was the current throne holder in his family at only 26 years old. His family all stayed in the U.K. and he was the only one out of his siblings to have been recruited to join S.I.A. For the past year and a half, he and Cedric had been traveling around the world dealing with various cases.

"My parents do show concern of course. My mum is a worrywart, she was completely against me joining S.I.A at first. My father convinced her to let it go after I got the company to take Cedric along with me."

"I remember when Christa begged you not to go--" Alexander started but Cedric Cut him off. 

"Shut it." He growled. 

"No," I started, time to get some answers to this mate s**t. "Who's Christa?" I asked with a smile. 

"Cedric’s Fiancé of course." I widened my eyes in surprise, shock taking over my expression. I played dumb not knowing what he was talking about to not give away that I already knew that he had a fiancé.

"Damnit." Cedric cursed under his breath.

"I didn't know you had a fiancé, Cedric." I chimed smiling wickedly at him catching him off guard.

"They got engaged the year we left. Christa had always been following Cedric around like a lovesick puppy." Alexander smiled nudging Cedric, who looked anything but happy talking about the current situation. 

"Alexander..." Cedric growled under his breath.

"They had always been close, and at some point, they started dating. 5 months later and they're engaged." Alexander said clasping Cedric on his shoulder. Alexander smirked triumphantly as if he scored a point to some game they were playing. 

"Funny..." I said through the mind link. "I wasn't informed of you having a fiancé...Especially if we are supposed to be mates." Cedric growled through the link. 

"éan leanbh, let me explain-" I shut off the link, my mind pulsing as he attempted to break the mental barrier. 

"That's such a beautiful love story." I smiled clasping my hands together over my heart. Cedric glared at me suddenly getting up from the couch and storming out of the living room and out of sight.

"He always gets so emotional about her." Alexander chuckled awkwardly.

"Actually, I wanted to tell you something, Genesis." Alex started, his face quickly changing from joking to serious.

He continued. "You see...The three of us grew up together, Christa being the mediator whenever we had our disagreements. They imprinted on each other over time and it's a touchy subject for Cedric since he wanted her to find her destined mate. He doesn't care for finding his own. But Christa has been adamant on them being mates." He stopped and took a deep breath. Taking my hand in his, my skin erupted in that familiar tingle I had with Cedric.

"Thinking about them has pushed me to think about similar subjects," Alexander stared deep into my eyes, his expression soft and tender. "There's something about you that draws me in. I'm not sure how to explain it. But I’m almost sure of it...you’re my mate." Alex said hesitantly. I felt the heat creep up my cheeks as he watched me. I was at a loss for words, I had noticed the shocks whenever he touched me, even if it was a slight graze. Were two mates even possible in the shifter world?