Gray

Chapter 16

Silas

Luke stormed into the room and made a direct line to Gabe, then punched him. "What the fuck was that for?" Gabe yelled, rubbing his jaw.

"That's for making Gray feel like we didn't want her," Luke hissed. "I get the dream thing freaked you out, but imagine how she feels for one minute. She thought she was just this normal woman living her quiet life and then we all showed up and everything she knew is suspect now. Hell, she even asked me if I thought she was real."

"What?" I sputtered, standing up from my chair. "What do you mean she thought she wasn't real, what else would she be?"

Luke's head dropped, "She is afraid she's some kind of leftover memory or an actual ghost. She's worried she isn't our bond and it's all an illusion."

"She marked you," Sean whispered as he reached his hand out to Luke's neck. He pulled his shirt collar down, clearly displaying the bite mark.

"Damn straight she did!" Luke smirked, "And I marked her too, right after I fucked the hell out of her. She's ours and I won't let her doubt that for a second. Whatever is going on, I think sealing our bond is the safest thing to do. I mean, that can't be faked."

"I didn't mean to hurt her feelings," Gabe said softly. "I just don't understand what is going on, and it's messing with me. Hell, Luke, I've spent thousands of years seeing and hearing spirits, but here...nothing. It's unnerving."

"What I don't understand is why is the town and her friends suddenly back. Or is this just what happens when she sleeps?" Owen posed. "I think we need to go back to shifts like we did in the trailer."

"I think we need to let ourselves get pulled into her dreams, memories, or whatever they are. Each one seems to give us another clue," Victor added. "I'd like to ask her about filming her as well. We have no idea what happened outward appearance-wise with Gabe, but we know how much changed with Kota. Maybe those details can help us figure out what is going on and who she was or is."

"Where is she now?" I asked Luke.

"Helping Clara fix dinner."

"Well, let's talk to her and see what she is willing to do," I replied. We headed into the bed and breakfast. Her laughter filled the air as she talked with Clara. We all lingered at the doorway just watching her. My heart felt calm when I was near her. Luke was right. We didn't need to fear the bond, no matter what else was going on, that was real and all that mattered. Her eyes lifted and settled on us as a soft smile spread over her face. I stepped into the kitchen and like magnets, we quickly pulled toward each other. "I've missed you, i psychí mou," I whispered in her ear.

"I've missed you too," she answered. "You aren't upset about Luke, are you?"

I cupped her face, kissing the tip of her nose before pressing my forehead to hers, "You are ours, Gray. Every bond you form only strengthens all of us more. I'm glad Luke was there when you were upset and needed reassurance. It is all our job to keep you happy and safe, love."

She laid her head on my chest as I scooped her up. Clara laughed at our antics as I carried her into the front room. I sat on the sofa with her in my lap while the others hovered nearby. Gabe stepped closer and knelt before her. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "I'm sorry if I hurt you or made you think I was rejecting you, Gray. I admit I got scared. I don't understand how to help or even where to start. I avoided you because I thought I was failing you, not because I didn't want you. Hell, I want you so much it hurts, but if I can't protect you then am I worthy of you?" Tears streamed down his face as he finished. She leaned forward and pulled him to her as she stroked his hair and shoulders, comforting him. Victor came to sit next to us and began explaining his ideas. She sat in my lap as she continued to hold Gabe's hand.

"Do you all think this would work? What if I pull you somewhere dangerous?" Gray asked.

Nate chuckled, "I think you're forgetting who we are, my eternal. We can more than take care of ourselves. Let us focus on helping you."

"So how do we do this? The rooms here are too small, and the river is still too high to reach my cabin."

"We can set up in the larger travel trailer," Victor answered, "While it won't hold all of us, it will hold most. We can trade out shifts so that everyone has a chance to stay with you if that sounds okay for you."

"That sounds okay, but can I ask a favor?" I felt her body tense as if she thought we would say no.

"Anything, baby girl," North said.

"Can you set up cameras here too? I want to know what happens to the house, Clara, and well, everything when I sleep. You said it all looked like a ghost town that first time. I'd like to see it myself since I can't always remember everything that goes on." She spoke so fast that she was breathless when she finished.

"That's a great idea, Gray," Victor praised her. Her body perked up at the compliment as she began to smile. "I should have thought of it myself. We can put some tripods in the rooms and set up sleeping bags or even tents in here for those who aren't with you. That way we get more data. Thank you for thinking of it, love," he said, then placed a gentle kiss on her head.

We divided up into teams with Kota, Nate, North, and Gabe staying in the house, while the rest of us were in the main section of the trailer. Luke and I had made a large pallet of sleeping bags and air mattresses on the floor for all of us. Victor had cameras from almost every angle and even one trained on the door to the bathroom, just in case.

"Sweetheart, would you mind if I put a heart monitor on your wrist? It works like a smartwatch so that I can track how your body is reacting," Sean asked her as he demonstrated the settings. She easily agreed and we all settled into the covers.

Her fingers intertwined with mine as I wrapped my arms around her. "I love you, Gray," I whispered as my lips grazed along her earlobe. She made a soft sound and then whined as Luke settled in front of us, his hands tracing the outline of her breasts through her thin shirt.

"I don't think that's exactly what Victor had in mind when he said recording," Sean chuckled as Gray blushed. It didn't take long for her breathing to even out and my eyelids closed.

Author's Notes:  Hmmm...what will be the next clue?  How do you think HE fits into all of this?  Who is HE?

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