Phoenix Reborn (Alpha Pack, #7.5)(7)

But so what? He lived in a compound full of paranormal beings. Who cared if anyone saw him messing around with his miniscule abilities? They might give him a hard time because he hadn’t said anything about them, but not because he possessed them in the first place. Of course, his so-called powers were no big deal. In fact, his skills were downright embarrassing compared to the cool shit the others could do.

Placing the cup on its side, Noah stared at the object, concentrating. Focusing all his energy, he pointed his index finger at it and made a slow circular motion in the air. The cup began to turn in place in tandem with his finger. Chuckling, Noah made it spin faster. He didn’t have many talents, but this one, among a few other minor parlor tricks, had always made him laugh. His friends, too, when they were kids, or at least the very few he’d ever dared to show them to.

The words “parlor trick,” however, dissipated his good mood. Maybe if he could learn to perform bigger magic, like Kalen or Blue, he’d be more. More than a simple, weak human. Somebody his mate could be proud of.

Don’t change how you dress, or anything about yourself.

But Noah doubted he really meant that, deep down. How could he, when he could barely tolerate the thought of being Bondmates?

A sound at the door alerted him to the fact that someone had entered the room without him realizing it. Noah glanced over to see Blue, their resident Fae prince, regarding him with fond amusement.

The prince’s real name was Sariel, but he was widely known as Blue for his huge, gorgeous blue wings and matching hair.

“Hey,” Noah said, smiling. “What’s up?”

“I got word of your tussle with the tiger shifter. How are you feeling?” The prince moved to the chair Nix had vacated.

“Tired and sore. But glad to be alive.”

“No doubt.” He eyed Noah critically. “You’re looking well. More so than you probably should, even after Zan’s healing.”

“Maybe.” He frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to figure something out.”

“Perhaps that’s because I am trying to figure something out.” Moving his gaze away from Noah’s face, he stared at the cup on the rolling table for a long moment before pinning Noah with his golden eyes.

“I’ve been wondering for a while now . . . are you ever going to reveal to the others that you’re a Halfling?”

Noah’s jaw dropped open and he stared at Blue, stunned. “Say what?”

“A Halfling,” the prince repeated. “Half Fae, half human.”

“I know what a Halfling is, but why in the hell would you think I’m one? I’d know something like that! Wouldn’t I?”

Blue blinked at him. “You mean you didn’t have any idea?”

“Oh my God! Of course not!” He winced to hear himself practically yelling at Sariel. “Sorry. I’m just sort of shocked. How can you tell?”

“I’m a very powerful and ancient Fae,” Blue reminded him. “If another Fae were to cross into the human realm, I’d sense him from across your world. Sensing you in the same building wasn’t much of a challenge.”

“Huh. I don’t know whether to laugh or be insulted.”

“I don’t mean it to be insulting,” Sariel said quickly. “My abilities are simply fact, just as yours are.”

“Oh sure,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “My near-useless dab of elementary magic is a fact. Maybe I can look deep into their eyes and tell them what color underwear they have on, or levitate a rolling chair. I’ll be the envy of the whole Alpha Pack. I can’t imagine why I haven’t told them what I can do.”

His friend made a noise of disapproval. “That’s no way to talk, especially when you can learn to open up your abilities and sharpen them.”

“How?”

“I can show you, if you want.”

Noah stared at Blue, unable to believe this stroke of uncharacteristic good fortune. “Hey, if you can lift me anywhere above the level of magic school reject? That would be totally awesome.”

“Great! Kalen can help us.”

Kalen Black was the team’s Sorcerer/Necromancer/black panther shifter. He was also Blue’s half-brother. Kalen and Blue were badass, and together they could probably rule the world if they wanted. Fortunately for mankind, they were nothing like their evil sire, Malik, the deceased Unseelie king.

“That’ll be cool—if you’re sure he won’t mind.”

“The only thing he would mind is if he found out I helped you and he didn’t get to be a part of it. It won’t be a problem, it’ll be fun.”

“All right,” Noah said, excitement growing. “Blue, this could be it. This could be the thing that shows Nix I’m worthy of him.”

“Oh, no. You have that all wrong.” The prince’s lips turned up. “Your mate is going to finally see whether he is worthy of you.”

*

That kiss.

Nix had no real clue where he was going as he left Sanctuary. In a daze, he walked down the front steps, bypassed the hangar, and kept right on going until he reached the edge of the forest. Once there, he picked a trail at random and plunged forward, not really caring how far he went.