The Stitcher's cottage smelled like burning herbs, and I'm not talking about a pleasant potpourri aroma. The smell was thick and strong as hell. Trying not to gag on the smoke attacking my lungs, I covered my nose as Marlena guided us through a mudroom into a dining room.

Justin followed closely behind her while I slowed, noticing about a dozen cats lying about the floor, table, and chairs. With their tails lazily curling up and down, they all watched us suspiciously as Lucas tugged me forward.

She's much more powerful than we expected. An unfamiliar feminine voice said in my head. I've felt nothing like her in all my lives.

And much uglier. I thought she was supposed to be pretty. Another male voice said in my head.

She is pretty. Shut your disgusting mouth, Xavier. The female retorted as a stark white cat meowed at me.

I wonder how she handles so many mates. She only has two hands, and she doesn't even have claws. The male voice sneered in my head. And she is ugly. Butt ugly. I don't care what you say, Lavinia.

That's when I realized it was the cats talking in my head. They were speaking to each other, and I could hear them.

I like her, and her boys are handsome. She chose well. I hope all her mates are as good looking as these three. A new male voice announced.

I grinned.

"What?" Lucas whispered.

"They like you guys," I whispered, gesturing toward the cats.

Hearing my words, all the cats began meowing at me.

"You can hear them?" Tyler's whisper held a curious edge to it.

"Yeah," I whispered.

"Who trespasses here?" A man bellowed from the darkness ahead. "I demand that you leave my residence before I turn you into rodents!"

"No, Stitcher. We have done all you asked and paid handsomely for this meeting. I apologize for our tardiness, but we had a deal. It's your turn to uphold your end of the bargain. We haven't yet met face to face. I am Justin Castor of the Moon Clan." Justin's words were full of authority and self-confidence as he gestured to us." This is Lucas of the Earth Clan and Tyler of the Fire Clan. And, of course, Ember Pearl, daughter of the Great Sun King."

Gazing at Justin's profile, I studied him in awe. He was so damn hot when he demanded that people listen. It was sexy as fuck.

"I said no to this meeting, Marlena!" The man hollered as I glanced around the dark living room.

Smoldering coals snapped and crackled in the tiny stone fireplace, serving as the only form of light. The hot herbal odor in the compact living room was stifling, weighing down on my shoulders.

Marlena stood next to Justin, unmoving, still under his power.

"Marlena, thank you for guiding us inside. I release you." Justin glanced at Marlena.

Instantly, Marlena's face came back to life as her eyebrows drew together in anger. "You are no better than your father! How dare you force me to invite you inside against my will!"

"I did what needs to be done. We have no evil intentions. We simply needed to speak with Gideon." Justin casually shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets.

"Gideon, please accept my apology. Prince Castor used compulsion on me. Please do not hold this against the Sun Clan." The whites of Marlena's eyes were big as saucers against her dark eyelids.

Gideon stood from his wooden stool, showing how tall he was. This dude had to be over seven feet tall. He was wearing a thick black robe with the hood drawn up, making it impossible to see the details of his face in the dim light. "Leave us, Marlena. We will speak about your weakness later."

Marlena's eyes grew even larger before her gaze narrowed on me. "If you are truly from my bloodline and claim to be a Sun Guardian, you will not jeopardize our pact with Gideon, girl. Take your mates and leave. Now."

Shifting awkwardly, I considered saying something mean, but instead, I held my tongue. Justin asked me to keep my mouth shut, and that was what I had to do for now. Besides, I'd been a Sun Guardian for approximately ten seconds, so exactly what loyalty did I have to this woman? That was when I recalled the fact that she hated my mother and had barely helped me. Fuck her and her bullshit. Justin was my Clan. I only followed him and my guys.

Marlena's nostrils flared as she glared at me. "If you are not loyal to me, then you can no longer claim to be my family."

Gritting my teeth, I took an angry step toward her. This bitch had some nerve. No wonder my dad kept her away from me. She was about as loyal as a fucking dog in heat.

Justin stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Marlena. Let her be angry, Angel. Her life has been full of misery and difficulty. Don't worry. She won't abandon you. She's just upset with me for controlling her.

Releasing a hard breath, I let my gaze fall to the floor so I could pull myself together. Justin was absolutely right. I didn't know her, and I had no relationship with her. I didn't owe her anything, and she didn't owe me anything. She'd been kind enough to help me before I went to Purgatory and she was here. She'd sought out her Master Stitcher for us. She deserved gratitude. Not anger.

"That's fine, Aunt Marlena," I said nicely, and Marlena sucked in an angry hiss as I continued. "Thank you for asking your Master Stitcher to help us. I know you didn't have to do that, and if you say we are no longer related, you still deserve compensation for your efforts. I have nothing to give you now, but please find me after I have fully formed my powers. You have my word that I will pay you back ten times over."

Justin glanced back at me. His lips tugged up into a soft grin, revealing his dimples. Good comeback, Angel.

Marlena's anger melted off her face and transformed into a shocked stupor.

"My, my," Gideon said from under his thick hood. "That was unexpected. How did you do that, child?"

"Do what?" I stared into his gloomy face, trying to find his eyes.

"Change your emotions so easily. You went from anger to gratitude within seconds. Most have difficulty drastically changing their emotions so quickly." Gideon studied me carefully as a cat began rubbing its side against my ankle.

Glancing down, I smiled as the white cat meowed and purred. "I don't know. It just makes sense. Marlena doesn't know me, and I don't know her. She's done so much for us, and she deserves to be paid for her help. I never meant to cause so much trouble."

"Curious." Gideon mused as his focus fell to the cat swirling around my ankle. "Lavinia appears to be quite taken with you."

"Lavinia? Is that her name? Cats usually don't really like me." Letting go of Lucas's hand, I knelt and smoothed my hand over the cat's fluffy white fur.

"You are mistaken, child. I keep no human pets. They are a frivolity I have no patience for." Gideon's gaze settled back on my face. "Lavinia is an Enchantress, and she dislikes most souls."

In response, Lavinia howled a meow at Gideon before she jumped into my arms, shocking the shit out of me.

"Whoa." I wobbled unsteadily. Clutching her close to my chest, I struggled to find my balance as I stood and smoothed a hand over her soft fur coat.

You must keep all your knowledge to yourself. Gideon might trick you if you are not careful. Lavinia said in my head as she purred in my arms.

But I know nothing. I just found out what I am. I said in her head.

You know more than you realize. Once Gideon helps unlock your lineage secrets and blood knowledge, he might use them against you. Do not trust anyone. Even your mates. Souls can use anyone against you. Lavinia rubbed her cheek against mine before she spontaneously leaped out of my arms.

"Interesting. Were you conversing with her?" Gideon's deep, gritty voice pulled my attention back to him.

Do not tell him anything. Lavinia opened her mouthful of sharp feline teeth and hissed at Gideon before turning and sauntering back toward the kitchen.

"What do you mean? I was just holding her." I shrugged while keeping my voice even and confident, so Gideon wouldn't question my honesty.

Gideon's gaze stayed on me for a long moment, gauging. Then his head turned toward Marlena. "Leave us, woman."

"But..." Marlena's wide eyes swept over every person in the room. "I need to know that I have not compromised our pact."

"The Sun Guardians will still be under my protection. Now go." Gideon's voice reverberated throughout the room. He wasn't overpowering like Justin, but the authority in his voice was impossible to ignore.

"Thank you, Master Stitcher. Please call upon me if you need anything." Marlena bowed her head and backed out of the room without looking at me.

Gideon didn't answer Marlena as she left. The front door of the cabin shut, and Gideon released a lengthy sigh. "I very much dislike that one. Her fickle nature bothers me greatly."

Was he talking about Marlena? Figuring he was, I tried not to smile as Tyler closed the space between us, standing against my back. Lucas entwined our fingers, and I squeezed. I glanced at Justin in question, wondering what came next.

"Gideon, her power only grows. We must do the ritual now." Justin crossed his arms.

"Alright. First, I must take some of the child's blood." In two giant strides, Gideon opened a large cabinet and pulled out a black dagger and a wooden bowl.

Glancing at the guys, I started trembling slightly. "No one said anything about a knife."

Imagining what Gideon wanted to do with the dagger, I shrank back and accidentally hit Tyler. His hands landed on my shoulders before they started gently massaging.

"It's okay, Shortie. We may need to supply evidence of your bloodline to challengers." Tyler said as I pressed my back against his front. I knew we had shit to discuss, but I wanted to feel his warmth and love.

No matter what happened in our past, I knew Tyler loved me, which meant more than my anger. Taking every piece of comfort Tyler was trying to give, I released Lucas's hand and spun toward Tyler and hugged him. His arms immediately encompassed me, smoothing over my back.

"Now, now," The Stitcher chastised. "Do not become a fearful human after showing so much restraint only moments ago."

Are you okay? Tyler asked in my head. I won't let him cut you. One of us can do it.

"Don't you have the proper medical supplies? That old nasty knife is a little over the top. Don't you think?" Releasing my hold around Tyler, I spun to face Gideon.

Tyler draped his arms around my neck and tugged my back against his chest, resting his cheek to the side of my head.

"Medical supplies? A Stitcher never uses the repulsive methods of humans." Gideon glared at Justin. "This is preposterous. Have you not prepared her at all?"

"Didn't Marlena relay any of my messages?" Justin stepped in front of me as the room vibrated with power. "Our mate just found out what she is, Stitcher. Do not take my friendly behavior as a token to speak to us with disrespect. You will treat us with the utmost respect. Ember is your Queen, and we are your Kings."

With one harsh laugh that sounded more like a snarl, Gideon threw his head back. His hood fell from his head, and I gasped as I backed further into Tyler.

The Stitcher's skin was light gray, and someone had cut into it, leaving crisscross scars like a chessboard. His enlarged irises were pitch black, matching his long black hair that was pulled back to the nape of his neck. One stray lock of hair had come free and hung next to a square scar on his cheek. His lips thinned as he bared his sharp teeth.

Tyler instantly threw me behind him as Justin and Lucas stepped forward.

"Back down, Gideon," Justin instructed angrily. "I don't want to have to use compulsion."

Gideon snarled and snapped his pointy teeth. "You think you can control me?"

"I don't want to control you." Justin snapped. "We prefer to form an alliance with you, but we're questioning your loyalty. We know of how many secrets and souls you've traded to gain more power. You're well known for your betrayals."

"Betrayals? I never betray those who deserve my time. I do, however, reserve the right to cease loyalty if I no longer support my leaders." Gideon's voice was gritty and full of malice.

Let's go. I said to the guys in their heads. I don't want this asshole's help. He's messing with us, and he's not making any sense.

We don't have another Stitcher to help us, Gorgeous. We need him if we want to live any semblance of a normal life. Lucas replied.

Fuck. I didn't want to depend on this sketchy scarred prick, but if he was our only option, I had to set him straight.

Without another thought, I huffed and stalked around the guys.

Angel, stop. Justin looked my way and shook his head, but I ignored him.

"Do you vow to never harm my mates, my protectors, or me, for all time?" I squeezed my fists as I willed him to answer.

Gideon's black eyes flicked my way and pierced a hole through me. Justin grabbed my wrist, encouraging me to back away from Gideon, but I wasn't backing down from this dude. There was no way I'd show Gideon that I was afraid of his bullshit.

Justin didn't release my wrist as he stepped to my side.

I refused to take my eyes off Gideon as we battled for dominance. "Well? Do you vow your loyalty or not?"

Hisses and long-winded meows came from the cats. They were moving around our feet now. No. They were moving around my feet.

Gideon's long thin nose twitched before he glanced down at the cats showing me their loyalty. "Very well, child. I vow to never harm you, your mates, or your loyal protectors."

"Good. Now hand over the fucking knife," I demanded and reached toward Gideon.

Gideon's grasp tightened around the hilt of his dagger. He didn't want to give me his tools. I could only guess he was protective of them.

"I won't do anything stupid. You'll get your stuff back. Do you need my blood in that bowl?" My eyebrows bunched together in question.

Gideon glanced at the wooden bowl, and his lip twitched. "Yes. I need it full to the brim."

Shoving down the fear, I tried not to think about how much blood I had to donate. "Fine. Just give me the bowl and the knife. I'll give you whatever you need. I just want to get this shit over with."

Gideon's lips tipped up ever so slightly in amusement as he glanced at his knife. He shook his head in defeat as he handed me his supplies. "As you like, child."

It was hard to grab the items without touching his nasty black fingernails, but I managed.

Falling to my knees, I inspected the blade. "Has this ever been sanitized? I don't wanna die from an infection."

"Sanitation is unnecessary. My tools are protected by the purity of the Ancients." Gideon spoke as if that was the only way to sanitize his tools.

"Are you fucking joking me?" I threw a glare at Gideon. "Haven't you ever heard of disease? When's the last time you cleaned this thing?"

"Never." Gideon's dark gray lips pressed into a tight line.

"Well, damn." I cringed in disappointment as I stuck the blade into the fire to let it sterilize all the old shit off of it. "I'm glad I asked. Do you want me to die from some ancient disease like cholera or leprosy? Keeping your tools clean is a no brainer, dude. I thought you were a master or some shit. Don't masters have students? For their sake, I hope their moms taught them how to clean their tools properly because that's just gross. Justin, will you do me a favor and wash this bowl?"

Gideon released an amused chuckle as he sat on his stool and kept his eyes on me.

Justin grinned just enough to reveal one adorable dimple as he took the bowl and disappeared into another room. Tyler sat next to me, but Lucas stood stoically behind me. He was guarding me, tense and ready to pounce. His muscles pulsed as his eyes stayed glued to the Stitcher.

When the blade was orange, I used the poker to drag it from the fire and started inspecting all the intricate designs embedded across the hilt and blade. I'd never seen anything like them. The artwork was amazing.

Justin walked back into the room as the metal began turning black once again.

"So, should I just cut into my palm, or does it have to be somewhere special?" I asked, hoping they wouldn't say I had to cut somewhere crazy.

"The inside of your upper arm is best. You need to cut just deep enough to maintain a solid blood flow. Do you want me to do it?" Tyler's blue eyes swept over my face in concern.

I shook my head. "No, but I won't be able to hold the bowl. Will you hold it?"

"Of course." Tyler ran his knuckles down my cheek as he moved closer and I gave him a grateful look.

"Angel," Justin squeezed my shoulder as he knelt and handed the bowl to Tyler. "I can make the cut. You don't have to do it."

"It's okay. I can do this." I pulled up my sleeve, bunching the hoodie's thick fabric under my armpit.

Justin grimaced and nodded. "I'm here if you need me."

I sent him a tight grin. "Thanks."

Testing the temperature of the knife, I found it was cool. Holding the blade to my tender skin, I noticed when the engravings started to swirl and morph along the metal. My face twisted in pain as I applied pressure until the blade bit into my skin. Then I yanked down with a gasp.

Even though it wasn't hot anymore, the metal sizzled against my skin. I opened my trembling hand, allowing the blade to clatter to the floor while struggling to hold my arm over the bowl.

I couldn't help but notice my blood sizzling and boiling on the edge of the knife. Then the metal began to transform from black to white to silver to gold. Wooziness hit me hard as the thick line of blood poured from my arm and streamed into the bowl.

"Fuck, Shortie. You didn't have to cut yourself so deep." Tyler's voice was full of worry as he supported me with his free hand. "Get her something to bandage this up. I think she sliced her fucking artery in two."

Justin rushed into the next room, and Lucas was suddenly at my back, holding me steady.

The revolting herbal smell of the cottage faded and suddenly changed to something else. It was sweet and floral. Watching the blood flow and fill the container, the designs around the rim of the bowl shimmered and morphed into strange squiggles and geographic symbols.

"Here!" Tyler handed over the full bowl to Lucas. Tyler dragged me into his lap and applied pressure to my wound.

Gideon stared in amazement at the now golden knife in his hand. His fascinated gaze shot to the bowl of blood. It was turning gold. "It is truly you. You are the Bringer."

"You were still questioning?" Justin shouted angrily as he handed Lucas the towel.