Anna
Cara waited for me in the foyer. “Duty calls.” Matt matched me for a few strides. “I’ll meet you in weapons class. Strewth, with the way I feel, I’ll be lucky to shift for special abilities training.”
Weapons? Only then did I remember that today was sword and knife practice. Not a good day to be tired as hell.
“Another session of shaking cliffs into the sea,” Mari said with a sigh as she trailed after us. “I’d rather change form. And then I have to learn to fight with a sword?” The ogress appeared distressed.
“You have to know how to defend yourself and your team,” I reminded her.
Her mouth pulled straight. “Yes. I know.”
I left them and joined Cara. “Why isn’t Sebastian back?” I asked her as we walked through the building.
Cara’s face creased into a tired smile. “He had Jacques send his Phoenix—she teleports between realms to carry messages. He’s checking on a lead, expects to be back sometime today.” She patted my arm. “Don’t worry. Sebastian can look after himself.”
I remembered the swirling, leaping warrior on the rooftop. “Yes, I suppose he can,” I agreed. “I just want to know what he found out.” Which wasn’t entirely true. I was desperately worried for Talakai. But I was also worried for Sebastian.
Cara’s steady gaze measured me for a moment. “You are connected to all three, aren’t you?”
I searched her expression for recrimination and found only patience and understanding. “I can’t explain it, but I think so, yes,” I said. I bit my lip. “Matt and I—well, we have something special. I have no idea why I’m also attracted to Sebastian. And I barely know Talakai, but still...”
Cara’s smile widened. “Fate often works in mysterious ways.”
Fate. Fated mates, living dreams. “I’ve dreamed mostly of Matt, but all three have been there in a few.”
If anything, her expression grew more content. “I thought so.”
I shook my head. “Sebastian—I don’t even think he likes me. Sometimes he seems attracted, but—” I wanted to be more graphic, but she was his friend.
Cara actually laughed. “Yes. He can certainly be difficult.”
“So maybe it’s really just about Matt, and the others are figments of my imagination.”
Cara’s eyes danced. “Perhaps. But I sense something between you and Sebastian. And I thought I did with the Dragon, too.”
I stared at her. “But what does it mean?” My voice was sharper than I intended.
“Sabres mate in triads,” she said. “But there are other dynamics. Lately, with the shortage of females among shifters, it seems multiples are becoming more common.”
“Multiples.” It was a statement, but my mind spun.
She nodded. “Like Maddy and her Dires.”
“Matt said that was a pack.”
“It is, but it is also a mated quad. With her as alpha.” Her eyes twinkled at me as she opened the gate to the back field, and we headed down the now familiar path. “Which might be a similar dynamic to your own situation.”
My eyes widened. “I’m not an alpha.”
She laughed again. “Have you not sensed the power that sometimes flows from you? You stood up to Darius, and he wasn’t just an asshole. He was also a powerful alpha.”
It was true, I had. But an alpha? My mind only came up with one response to that. “Great. I’m a monster for more reasons than just one.”
Her brows tweaked. “Many alphas can be a pain in the ass, but most aren’t monsters in the way you mean. Darius was just an ass, basically. Alphas are vital in times of need—their ability to take charge and make fast decisions can save a situation, and lives.”
I supposed that made sense. If properly targeted, that power could sweep others into action in a heartbeat.
We reached the clearing, and she sat herself down. “Now. I know it’s hard, but let’s see if you can focus on the task at hand.”
