“Exactly, but this philosophical discussion isn’t helping us solve our immediate problems,” Wes said. “We need a plan on how to approach this so Yakov doesn’t get spooked and destroys any evidence he might have before he runs off into the night. Have you two given any thought as to whether you’ll claim each other as a couple, or if you’d prefer to wait until Ra’s with you?”
“I think we’d prefer for the claiming to be between the three of us,” Kirill said slowly.
“I agree - but wait.” Arvyn’s head shot up. “Does that mean if Ra gets attacked by someone mortal, that there’s nothing he can do about it? Is that why he has us as mates do you think? Because if he can be attacked and he can’t defend himself, then we need to deal with this problem in the coven first, then get in touch with Ra. It won’t be safe for him otherwise.”
“I’d never take you into the coven unclaimed, beloved.” Kirill’s heart damn near stopped beating at the thought. “It wouldn’t be safe for you either, especially if there’s more people infected with Yakov’s brand of crazy than I thought.”
“You don’t need to worry about Ra,” Cass said with a grin. “Gods can protect themselves provided they aren’t the ones to start the conflict. Ra hasn’t been known among the gods as a fighter, but then he’s never had anyone to fight for before. I think being with you two will change that.”
“And on that note,” Wes tapped on his phone screen again, “I’ll just give Ra a call. Paulie sent me the number. It’s damn near daylight. We all need rest, and I think it’d be a good idea for you three to start working on your bond before we make our grand reappearance back at the coven, don’t you?”
Kirill could hear the ringing through Wes’s phone and then the sound of a phone ringing behind him. Confused, he swiveled in his seat, his mouth dropping open as a figure slowly appeared. Sharp features, full dark pink lips and a straight nose with nary a blemish. Bright green eyes twinkled under an untidy mop of straight black hair. The vision’s smile was slightly hesitant, as though the god wasn’t sure of his welcome.
“Busted. I haven’t learned how to turn my ring tone off yet. Hello, Kirill, Arvyn.” The figure gave a short bow from his seat. “My name’s Ra, Father of Everything. I believe we’re fated mates.”
There’s a good chance I’m going to be fucked by a god half my size and I just might like it. Kirill jumped to his feet, Arvyn standing tall beside him. The wolf was vibrating, and Kirill could see his nostrils flaring. Kirill put a hand on Arvyn’s arm. He wasn’t sure what the protocol was for greeting a god, even if the one in question was their mate.
Chapter Seven
Ra hadn’t been able to sit at Paulie and Zeus’s house, not after Paulie’s emphatic comments about all gods being basically useless in the mating game. Sure, he wasn’t mortal and most of the interactions Ra had with others involved them doing a lot of bowing and scraping trying to keep in his favor – that’s why he liked hanging around with Zeus. But a lot of Ra’s restlessness, or boredom as Zeus kept calling it, stemmed from the loneliness he felt.
Eavesdropping wasn’t something he was proud of, but after listening to the discussion his mates were having with Cass and Wes, Ra was glad he hadn’t made his presence known sooner. Ra’s happy-go-lucky attitude went a long way to covering up the insecurities he always felt interacting with earth bound people. Having to answer questions like did he expect to be worshipped and whether or not he could handle himself in a fight were not what he considered ‘first date’ conversations.
And even now he was second guessing his decision to show himself. Kirill and Arvyn were alike in that they were both tall, Kirill slightly wider built than Arvyn – but it was more than their size that was similar. Both men held the aura of confidence that came from knowing where they stood in their world. Ra’s heart was beating so fast he was surprised it wasn’t visibly rocking his rib cage. He doubted his legs would hold him if he stood.
“You were eavesdropping?” A hint of fang showed through when Kirill spoke.
Ra lifted his shoulders slightly before letting them drop. “There didn’t seem to be a good time to let you know I was here. The conversation seemed intense and I didn’t want to intrude. But I couldn’t stay away either. I thought…” Ra hesitated. Finish your damn sentence. These are your mates. “I thought you two needed time with each other before I came barging into your lives, but I found it impossible not to be near you in some way.”
“You have a unique advantage over us,” Arvyn said, and Ra couldn’t pick up how he was feeling from his tone. “Being able to sit not five feet from us, and us not able to scent or discern your presence in any way…”
“I didn’t mean any harm,” Ra cut in quickly. He tried a smile. “Should you ever decide to claim me as your mate and beloved, then you’ll always know when I’m near, no matter what form I’m in. You’ll be able to sense me always.”
Arvyn nodded and opened his mouth to say something, but as he did the bell over the door jingled and three young men stumbled in, laughing and joking with each other. They completely ignored the tableau in front of them, pushing and shoving each other as they made their way to the counter.
“Eggs!” One of them pounded loudly on the counter. “I need eggs.”
Ra’s fingers twitched, the urge to just send the youngsters out the door again really strong, but a slight shake of Kirill’s head stopped him.
“Have you eaten?” the vampire asked him quietly. “Only, I’m thinking we need to go somewhere private… not the coven at the moment but a hotel or…”
“I don’t want to stay here.” Ra got up and moved around the table. “If you can trust me…” He looked over to where the waitress with a clenched jaw was ringing up the boys’ orders. “Outside. I can take us somewhere private. On this realm,” he muttered when a flash of uneasiness crossed Arvyn’s face.
“This has been an overwhelming night,” Arvyn said by way of apology. “My instincts are screaming one thing…”
“But your head is screaming something else.” Ra dropped his head as his heart sank into his boots. “I totally understand. You can get my number from Wes anytime…”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Kirill snarled. “We need to talk.”
Kirill’s tone stiffened Ra’s spine. Drawing a small circle with his finger, he ran a ward around himself and his mates, shielding Cass, Wes and the other inhabitants in the diner. As soon as it was in place, he let his power build. His jaw set, his eyes firm, Ra glared at the now-stunned vampire.
“I understand this is all new to you. I totally get that having me in your mating mix wasn’t something you’d ever considered. Mating is a whole new concept to us gods as well, but the one thing that comes through loud and clear is that a mating, no matter who it’s between, is equal. You do not dictate to me what I can and cannot do, the same as I would never presume to do that to you. You have no idea, do you?”