~~

Trinity

~~

"You really think so?" I smiled at the two of them, thankful that they thought that my babies were so special.

"Yeah, both of them are leaders; you can see that, but in different ways." Landon was smiling as he looked at the babies.

"What do you mean?" I was confused for a second. I know what I saw in them, but I didn't know what exactly it was that he saw in my children.

"I think what Landon is saying is that Reagan and Rika are both meant to lead when they're older, which is fine because there are two different leadership roles for them." Trevor was explaining it for me. "Reagan is a lot like Reece in his personality. He is outgoing and gets along with most people easily. He seems like he would be a good pack leader. Rika on the other hand looks a little more diplomatic; she draws others to her, much like you. If you ask me, that makes both of you fit to be Queen. When you step down, Rika will be there to lead in your stead."

I thought about what he said for a moment, my eyes moving between Reagan and Rika as I did so. I had known that their personalities were different, and I never once treated them like they were one thing instead of two, but the fact that others outside of me and Reece could already see these important truths about my children was amazing. I also hoped that I didn't put too much pressure on them as they got older. Reece and I had both been sort of forced into our roles. Neither of us really had a choice for what we ended up becoming. I didn't want to do that to my children. If they didn't want to bear the responsibility of the world being on their shoulders, then I wouldn't do that to them. They deserved to live their own lives.

"You know, Trinity, I think you've changed things in this world. For the better of course." Landon's words pulled my attention back to him and Trevor. "I won't pretend that our world was in the worst state possible, but we also know that it was far from perfect. As a whole, we of the shadows have a long way to go before we can achieve anything even remotely resembling peace. But I think with you in the leadership position, we've already started moving in the right direction."

"I don't really know about that, but I will try my best." I grimaced, trying not to let my insecurities show too much.

"No, he's right, Trinity. You are the leader that we all needed. Even if we didn't know it before we had you, we can all see how our lives are slowly changing for the better. And I know that I personally will be here by your side to watch over you and protect you and your children." Trevor's words rang with sincerity and conviction as he basically made this vow to me.

"As will I." Landon smiled as he started what constituted a vow for him as well. "You, Reece, and all your children, the twins and any others that you may have, all of you are special. We can see it, we know that it is true. And the two of us will never abandon you. You can count on us, no matter what."

I felt a ripple in the air, and the magic began to build. I knew that they had just made a binding contract with me, whether the two of them knew that or not.

A moment after the magic began to buzz in the air, there was a quick flash of white light, and words were spoken in that phantom like voice that I had heard before.

"Welcome to the Goddess Guard, use your new abilities to serve your Queen well."

When the voice and the light faded away, both Trevor and Landon looked at me with surprise while Reece and Vincent walked over to stand on either side of me.

"Well, that was unexpected." Reece laughed.

"What just happened?" Trevor was confused and Landon looked like he was too shocked to speak yet.

"The Goddess has recognized the two of you as members of the Goddess Guard." Vincent answered for him.

"And what is the Goddess Guard?" Landon had apparently found his voice as he asked.

"It is a group of specially gifted warriors that are expected to protect Trinity with no questions asked."

"Well, we would have already protected her. But this is cool too." Trevor laughed.

"Trinity, did they get powers as well?" When Reece asked that, it made both Trevor and Landon perk up.

"Powers?" They asked me at the same time.

"Yes, most of the people that get the pretty little light of hers end up with a special ability. I for one have several." Reece puffed himself up to sound more important.

"Yeah, well, you're the King; of course you'd have more, you pompous ass!" Trevor laughed at him.

"Yeah, stop trying to diminish this for us." Landon chuckled at him.

"Shut up!" Reece snapped at them. "Did they get powers or not? I hope they didn't."

I looked at them with the eyes that I looked at all the guards back when I had accidentally blessed them. I searched them for their new abilities to find out what it was that they were able to do now.

"Yes, they did get abilities. Oddly enough, they have the exact same abilities. I guess the two of you are more alike than I thought."

"What ability do they have?" Vincent asked me while I was busy laughing.

"They're armored. The fur in their animal forms will be hardened like steel; it will be a shield and a weapon. It also looks as if they can get bigger and faster in their animal forms, they will be like giant versions of their animals. Maybe the Goddess got confused because they were so close, she just gave them both the same things."

"That's odd, but pretty interesting." Reece looked as curious about this as I felt.

"How do we use these powers?" Landon smirked.

"We'll help you figure it out. We've all had practice accessing the Goddess-given talents we have." Vincent's smile was helpful, but also a little mischievous. I remember when he first got his abilities, and no one knew how to use them.