The Unveiling (D'Shar Men 2)

She was witty. He liked that.

“I like Sci-fi shows and movies. The past five years have been all about work. So I’m working on filling up spare time.”

“Good answers. If I said I liked to read would you hold the fact that I was a Librarian against me?”

“Not at all.” He shook his head. “I’m a fan of historical literature myself.”

“Really?” She leaned forward, interest clearly sparked.

“Oh yeah. I’ve read many of the ancient tomes over the years.”

“From the royal library? The very thought of being inside that place makes me drool.”

“Perhaps you could stop by and see it sometime. My brothers like to tease me about it. So, it’s nice to meet someone who shares my passion.”

“Let’s see if we can make it two for two. Do you like to cook?”

“I don’t burn water, but I can’t make anything complex. You?”

“I love to cook, admitted Food Network junkie.”

“Not a bad thing.” Her smile grew brighter. This wasn’t bad at all. Beckey had a way about her that set him at ease. It was like talking to an old friend he’d known forever.

****

“What’s the verdict?” Mars asked on the way home.

“Beckey’s beautiful and easy to talk to, but there was no…”

“Zing?” Kade’s voice chimed from the backseat.

“Exactly.”

“You have better luck, Kade?” Bastien turned to face him.

“I’m not sure. We exchanged numbers and talked about getting together sometime next week.”

“Look at Kade growing up and on his way to getting a girlfriend,” Mars said.

“Shut up.” Kade sounded almost bashful. Bastien coughed to his laugh. There was no point denying it; The Purge had begun to fade.

Chapter Four

A knock sounded. Who would be stopping by at such a late hour? She'd be asleep if it weren't for the ceremony she was sketching out for a new couple she'd met with earlier. Concerned, she grabbed her fuzzy, baby blue robe off the back of the chair she'd been seated in and hurried to the door, peering through the peephole. It was her best friend and fellow priestess, Drusi. Her round face was pinched in a pained expression, and her blue eyes were wide and full of panic.

She opened the door and the petite woman hurried in, wrapping an arm around her waist as she shifted her weight from side to side. Nervous energy poured from her in waves. "Drusi! What's wrong?"

"I saw him tonight— my mate. At first I wasn't sure, but now he is all I can think about." Her body swayed like a branch in the wind, and Rivka jumped into action, guiding her to sit in the chair she'd vacated.

"Sit down, honey. What happened?"

"I was at the M'Shar birthing, and he was a family member. The brother of Tersen, the newborn's father. His name is Likron, and the minute I set eyes on him I knew he was different. At first I thought it was a simply attraction. I noticed him but then work engulfed me. I didn't give a second thought to it until I was in the car, fighting the urge to go back to the home I'd just left." Drusi shook her head and laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. "How can I care so much about a person I didn’t even know existed up until three hours ago?"

Rivka rubbed her back. She was happy for Drusi, but saddened. Now she was the last. At thirty-one, Drusi had been right behind her in the line of those who'd yet to find their mate. Now it was a lonely road she must travel alone.

"It's okay, Dru. This is the way of things for us. Right now he's going through the same thing wherever he is. Tomorrow he'll seek you out, and you'll go away for the seclusion where you can bond in peace! This is the moment we've waited and prayed for!" Rivka bent and embraced her friend, savoring the warmth and comfort she'd always brought with her presence. Tomorrow everything will change.

"I never expected it to be so scary," Drusi whispered.