House of Darken (Secret Keepers #1)(94)

Colita answered: “There was only one set of four before you. One of the men was hit by a car and killed. Luckily his wife was pregnant at the time. His daughter became one of the secret keepers in your four.”

“So if one dies, you have to replace the entire four?” I wondered out loud.

Her smile was kind. “Yes, because the bond is broken.”

They left then before I could think up any more questions. I had probably learned enough that day to keep my mind busy for a lifetime anyway. As soon as the door closed, Star burst up from her chair and threw her arms around me again.

“I can’t believe you were in the land of Imperial. You were in the justices. You could have been reset!”

She’d been saying this over and over since we all got back, her arms strangling me like she was worried that if she let me go I would disappear. The only time she had stopped was when the council arrived.

Untangling her arms, I sucked in some deep breaths. “I’m fine,” I reassured her again. “Lexen and Daniel were with me almost the entire time.”

I turned my attention to the overlord major. “Are the Finnegans still okay?”

“Yes,” Roland answered immediately. “As soon as they got word to me, I stationed guards on them. They’re keeping Daelight Crescent locked down. The Finnegans have been informed that you are safe. They can’t wait for you to return home to them.”

I swallowed the rough lump in my throat. Ace had really come through for my family. Apparently he had been in on the big secret. All of the security was. And he had a means to get a message to Overworld.

“Will I be able to return to Overworld?” I asked, needing to know while also dreading the answer.

Lexen let out a rumbling growl that sounded very animalistic. Some of his dragon soul was making an appearance. “You’re one of the few humans who will always be able to wander between the worlds. Once you learn the network, you can use the transporters just as we do.”

He tore his gaze from mine to meet each of his family’s. “Colita was correct, my draygone soul has chosen Emma. We’re going to take it slow, but if I have anything to do with it, my little human is going to be around a lot.”

The guy had smooth moves, that was for sure. I couldn’t disagree, because in my heart there was nothing I wanted more than to stay here in Darken. In this house filled with a family I adored. With the man I more than adored. It was bittersweet, learning the truth of my parents’ deaths, and my true purpose as a secret keeper. But there was also some hope. Hope that I might eventually find happiness and a home again.

Roland and Ambra both walked over to stand before me and Lexen and I waited to hear their response. How would they feel about a human and their future overlord together? I knew from Lexen it had never happened before…

Ambra’s hug took me completely by surprise as she squeezed me so tightly all the air exited my lungs in one big oomph. “Welcome to the family,” she cried. “I couldn’t have chosen someone better for Lexen. You have a strong heart and soul. You’re a survivor.”

Do. Not. Cry. Do not cry!

“We’re going to be sisters!” Star squealed.

I snorted, swallowing down my emotions. “Hold up, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. I only just turned eighteen.”

I was so tuned into Lexen that I noticed immediately when he stilled. “We missed your birthday?” he asked me.

I smiled, shaking my head at him. “Not a big deal, seriously. It’s just another day.”

“We don’t celebrate birthdays here,” Jero said. “But we know they are a big deal on Earth. We’ve seen all the squealing teens when they turn the big one-eight. You should have told us.”

I shrugged, aware that Lexen still looked upset. “I didn’t even know. It was only when Lexen told me the date in the justices that I realized my birthday was yesterday.”

“You spent your birthday being held captive? Hurt?” Lexen was pissed, and before I could answer he swept me up in his arms and was marching out the door.

Laughter sounded behind us, Jero calling out a few suggestive things, which no doubt had my face turning an interesting shade of pink.

“Put me down!” I struggled against him, wanting to walk.

Lexen ignored me, his march losing no speed even as I struggled. “My draygone soul does not like that we missed a special day for you, Em, so please let me make this up to you.”

His voice was gruff, but not quite as rumbly as before. Conceding defeat, I relaxed back into his arms. “Fine, but I am warning you, if you continue to use your strength to push me around, I’m going to fight back. And I fight dirty.”

The hard rigidness to his jaw relaxed a little. “Is that right? Well, rest assured, I will never use my strength to do anything other than protect you. Your body. Your heart. Your soul.”

As lines went, that one was pretty freaking stellar. My friends back home would have said it was cheesy, but I never understood why someone expressing a strong level of caring for someone was deemed corny. I found it sweet.

“I’m not sure I understand this dragon thing,” I said quietly. “But I’m really glad your soul found a mate in mine.”

He growled, pulling me closer and burying his head into the space between my head and neck. As he pressed his lips to my bare skin, I tried not to breathe embarrassingly loud.