"Rise and shine sleeping beauty, because we have a day of training." Graysons voice rang out into my head making me grumble from sleepiness but not quite waking up.

"It's too early for this Grayson..." I mumbled.

"Nothings to early for me." Grayson said cheerfully. I moaned out in response of his attempt of getting out of the super comfortable bed.

"Come on Erin. Don't make me get me a bucket of water." He said, I could practically hear the grin in his voice of absolutely wanting to pour water on me. I'd like to see him try.

I didn't respond and snuggled more into my blanket as Grayson shook me once more to wake me up.

I heard him sigh seconds later and heard his footsteps walking off. Satisfaction brought me over before regret washed over me as he came back with a bucket of water splashing me soaked. I gasped awake and shot up from the ice cold water.

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Grayson grinned at me. I narrowed my eyes at me. Giving him an "Are you serious?" Look.

"You didn't warn me." I mumbled out making Grayson bust out laughing. I quickly uncovered myself with the covers and ran over to Grayson trying to hug him which he quickly sobered up and started running downstairs.

"You jerk come here!" I yelled as I ran after him almost slipping down the wooden steps. But catching my balance quickly by grabbing the hand railing. Grayson just laughed at me as I made my way carefully down the steps, only to be stopped by a voice.

"You two look awfully playful on this fine morning." An all too familiar voice interrupted our moment. I turned towards the kitchen area to find Sebastian, drinking a hot coffee.

"I'm sure you didn't make any coffee for us?" I asked covering myself so that my bra was not showable to him. He raised his eyebrows at my appearance. As I did the same. He looked good in a comfortable outfit. A white t shirt with track pants his figure looking as fit as it did when it was in a tux.

"Of course not. You weren't up early enough and I decided to not make you coffee but I made Grayson some." Sebastian smirked as he obnoxiously sipped his coffee.

I glared at him.  Looking him up and down. But gave up and turned around to go upstairs.

"Your looking quite wet there Erin. Did something happen?" Sebastian called out.

"Oh I wonder why. Why don't you ask the dingus right there laughing his ass off. Good day to you gentleman, I'm going back to bed." I snapped out as I stomped up the steps.

"You won't be going back to bed because I'll just get another bucket of water." Grayson laughed out.

"Oh no you won't mister." I said glaring down at him.

"You wanna bet?"

"No."

"That's what I thought. Training starts soon."  Grayson smirked at me as he went to join Sebastian in the kitchen. I rolled my eyes and continued my way up to the loft.

*~*~*~*~*~*

An hour later I meet them outside waiting patiently until they came outside. I was wearing yoga pants and a gray shirt with a hoodie. My red hair pulled back into a ponytail. My hands behind my back waiting for them.

"I'm waiting gentlemen." I called out to them. As they finally stepped outside. Sebastian was still wearing his white shirt and track pants and Grayson had the same thing.

"Ready to get your ass whooped?" Grayson smirked as they stood in front of me.

"I'd like to see you try." I grinned back. A challenge clear in my eyes.

"Children, calm. Erin focus." Sebastian said making me snap my gaze towards him as he got his stance ready.

"I want you to punch me." He ordered out.

"What?" I said startled almost that he ordered that.

"I said, hit me." He said beckoning me forward.

"Do it Eri or he'll hit you." Grayson said standing in between us on the sideline. I rolled my eyes. And charged out giving a war cry towards Seb. Who quickly dodged my punch and flipped me on my back. Making the air go out of my lungs.

"Shit." I gasped out.

"Rule number one. Never charge headfirst without any type of calculation or plan of attack. That will make you dead." Sebastian said. Looking down on me.

" I thought we were going to be learning magic." I said as Grayson helped me up.

"Your not ready yet. You need to learn the basics of defense and offense. If one of the mimics or stingers ever come near you need to be able to defend yourself." He said.

"But, me punching and kicking would do nothing against them. I'd just hurt myself." I said. Curious as to how on earth I could punch a stinger let alone a mimic...

"Well, it'll also help you in other events such as hitting other people that happen to be an ass to you. It'll help you grow stronger as a person with this training and it'll also help you with hand magic." Sebastian said.

"So, What you're saying is, my skills could help me out in the future when I learn how to use my magic?" I asked cocking my head to the side slightly getting the concept of this.

"Yes. It's how I learned to conquer my magic and it was how Grayson did the same." Seb said.

I nodded understanding "well let's get to it then."

Sebastian nodded and we continued training with different tactics on how to kick or punch or do anything else. Grayson also stepped in to do some pointers, and has me doing laps on the path in the forest.

"Good work today Eri. You're getting stronger by the minute. Soon you'd be able to conquer Sebastian against his magic." Grayson said as I sat down on the porch deck stairs panting at the hard workout we had today.

"I highly think that'd be impossible. Sebastian would have my ass before I could even say mouse." I said rolling my eyes. As I took a sip from my waters bottle.

"You got that right. No one is even capable of beating me in a magic duel." Seb said giving Grayson a cheeky grin.

"I'd like to see you two go against each other one day." I said looking between the two.

"Ha, wouldn't that be a trip. I'll take you on with that King." Seb said.

"It would obviously be me coming out as the winner." Grayson smirked at Seb.

"I wouldn't boost your ego up too hard there Gray." I said patting his shoulder as I stood up and stretched my sore muscles. Seb chuckled as Grayson rolled his eyes at me.

"Ye have little faith in me Eri." He said.

"You're so weird." I rolled my eyes at his statement.

"It's true! You never have faith in what I do!" Grayson called after me as I headed inside. Sebastian following after me.

"I always have faith Grayson you just don't see it." I said as I walked towards the loft stairs to take a shower.

"You two quarrel like a married couple." Sebastian muttered looking at me up and down. While giving me a weird expression that I couldn't place... I shrugged it off as I ran up the stairs to the safety of the bathroom. I groaned as I saw the wet bed sheets from earlier this morning.

~*~*~*~**~

As I came out of the bathroom a towel fully wrapped around my body dripping wet against the carpeted floor. I saw a familiar figure standing next to my bed.

"What do you want Caris?" I asked. Holding up the towel to keep it from falling. My hair dripping wet on the side of my face.

"I've just come to check on how things were doing here. Sebastian said that you'd be here." Caris murmured. His hands toying with the bed comforter. He was dressed nicely in a black and white tuxedo, his hair messy all over the place as if he didn't even bother fixing it this morning. His green eyes practically glowing in the dark staring at me, waiting, for me to say something.

"Oh... You didn't need to. I'm perfectly fine with Grayson and Seb.." I murmured looking down

"I know.. I just had to make sure you're okay..." Caris said cocking his head to the side.

"Are you one of them? Or are you real?" I whispered out stepping forwards.

"One of the mimics?" He asked.

I nodded. Taking another step closer.

"No. I would know if I was." Caris said.

"How do I know I could trust you?" I asked another step.

"Because Grayson and Sebastian wouldn't have let me up here if I was." He said assessing me up and down as I kept coming closer until we were mere inches apart.

"That's not a good enough reason. But it's true they wouldn't." I said

"You recall the wound I got yesterday from the stinger yah?" Caris asked gesturing to his side where his wound is.

"Of course."

"Mimics can't have wounds. It's the only flaw they can't mimic from a person. When a person has a wound or any scars, they can't mimic it because their own flesh would burn and easily kill them." Caris said bringing a hand up to my face and cupping my cheek.

"Then show me." I whispered out. Looking him in the eyes and searching them for answers. If he's telling the truth.

Caris let out a long sigh and unbuttoned his jacket and pulled up his dress shirt. Showing me a mean ugly scar that was still clearly shown not yet healed completely.

I brought my hand to touch his scar, to which it shuddered under my touch at my cold fingers. Tracing it.

"Does it still hurt?" I murmured out. Breaking the silence.

"Not as much... Inna did a pretty good job." He said

"Right... of course she did." I said.

"Am I interrupting something?" A voice snapped us away from each other. Caris pulled down his shirt when I looked down.

"You were. But I'll let it pass." Caris said shrugging on his jacket. I looked up to see Grayson looking between us with his stormy gray eyes. Swirling with suspicion and another emotion I couldn't quite place.

"I would hope so. Erin dinners ready downstairs. And Caris, Sebastian would like to speak with you." Grayson said staring down Caris as if he dares to take a step towards me. He was my protector after all... but I felt an unnecessary pull towards Caris. To which was an unknown feeling towards me.

"Right. I'll see you Erin." He said giving me a longing look, but headed towards the stairs. Passing Grayson on the way down. Who followed to leave me dress myself in peace.

The thought of me and Caris's moment made me feel like I forgot to breathe in that exact moment. Because I let out a sigh of relief as the two men walked down the steps to talk with Sebastian.

Why do I feel this way towards him? Is it something that will come to me when I earn my powers? Or will it come to me naturally as we grow accustomed together, because I don't quite know Caris yet?

So many questions that I have about my future and where it would bring me. So many questions that I have about this whole mess. Questions about me and Caris's relationship.

I sighed as I pulled on some comfortable clothes for bed. I trotted down the steps to find the three men surrounding the granite counter top. Drinking some beers at the moment discussing something serious.  They looked up as they saw me walking down the steps. I greeted them with a small smile and joined them by sitting next to Grayson.

"What have I missed?" I asked as I reached for a chip that was in a bowl which was sitting next to a bowl of salsa in the middle of the counter.

"Nothing really. Just figuring out how to keep you safe if anyone happens to leave the house." Grayson said filling me in. Putting an arm around my waist to which Caris burned holes into.

"If someone was to leave the house to run some errands, there would always be someone with you. Either me, Grayson or Caris." Sebastian said.

"I thought Caris was only here for a little bit." I said my eyes snapping to him. Who gave me a sheepish smile.

"I thought they could use an extra hand in protecting you. If two of us needed to leave if they were called, I would be here. And if one of us was to leave two of us would be here if something decided to attack us. Then whatever beast or if Frause decided to come here which I would think is highly unlikely. Therefore I am the back up in case of emergency." He said popping a chip in his mouth with salsa on it. The oven beeped telling me that food was ready as was I. My stomach grumbled with approval with the smell as Sebastian went over to the oven to stop it.

When Sebastian turned around all I smelled was the pizza that laid before me on the cutting board that he put it on. He went over the pizza with a pizza cutter, making them into pieces like you'd see on a math problem.

"Mmm Frozen pizza the best pizza." I said my mouth salivating at the smell.

"When it is... but New York still has the best pizza ever." Grayson said leaning over the counter to grab a plate then a pice for himself. Then handed me a plate which I took gratefully.

"True that." Caris mumbled out as he nommed on a pizza.

As I took a bit out of the pizza I took I forgot how hot it was, to which, it burned my mouth and I had to spit out on my plate. Caris chuckled at me as I grabbed my glass of water.

"Shit that's hot." I said as I swallowed.

"Haha, don't say I didn't warn you." Sebastian chuckled out

"But you didn't say anything." I said shooting him a look where he chuckled again.

"Exactly." Seb grinned at me. I rolled my eyes and blowed off the piece that I spit out.

"Eww you're so gross Erin." Grayson said scrunching his face as I chewed and swallowed. I shrugged at him and we continued eating in a comfortable silence.

"So what are we going to do if something does happen?" I asked swallowing my last piece. And taking a sip of my water.

"Well, we'll obviously protect you with our magic. Since you can't harness anything just yet. As you're birthday nears you'd start to feel a pull, a gentle one... When that happens little by little you'll notice different things of what you're doing or you won't. It'll be like your subconscious is doing it for you. Like for example, if you have a spoon in your tea, and it somehow starts swirling the tea on its own. The little things like lighting a candle on its own. That's how you know that you're magic is slowly coming together." Sebastian said.

I nodded understanding of how it works. "So you're saying if I happen to walk by an unlit candle and when I come back into the room then, it'll be a lit candle?"

"Exactly." Caris nodded at me. I glanced at him and gave him a small smile.

"Until that starts happening then we'll train you into your magic so you know what to do." Sebastian said as I downed the rest of my water. I got up then took my plate to the trash. A sudden tugging feeling happened as I glanced at Caris. I sighed.

"Caris can I talk to you outside?" I asked breaking their conversations. Grayson furrowed his brows at me.

"Of course princess." Caris said winking at me and sauntered his way out on the deck. Grayson rolled his eyes at him. I shrugged and followed him out.

"So what's this about princess?" He asked as I closed the door behind me joining him on the swinging bench. It squeaked as I sat down it slightly dipped as I almost lost my balance out of surprise.

"You feel the pull don't you?" I breathed out, releasing a breath that I didn't know I was holding.

Caris gave me a long look before speaking, it's almost as though I had caught him in action.

"I knew that we had the pull when I first met you." Caris said

"So what does this mean?" I asked

"It means. That you princess, are my bond mate. I've waited so long for you. To find you. I was surprised when the scent hit me." Caris said as he brought a hand to my face cupping my cheek. I bit my lip to which his eyes darted to my action.

"What do you mean the scent?" I asked

"A scent that you would know that you had found your bondmate... I never knew until I saw you if you were it." He said shaking his head in awe.

"So, does Grayson and Sebastian have one?" I asked

"Grayson's wife, I presume he talked about it yes?" He asked before continuing

"Yeah, I asked about why you and Grayson left when I was at the cafe." I said.

"Well, His wife had passed on during the war, because she was apart of the powerful elite group that protects the queen. So I had to tell him about his wife. It was only necessary to do so." Caris murmured.

"So she was his Bond?" I asked

He nodded solemnly. Sighing out and looking over me.

"That's terrible." I murmured. How Grayson had to go through that pain, my protector.

"It's how life is baby girl. I really didn't want to tell him because I knew it would kill him on the inside, but, as I said before it was necessary. And he needed to know. He couldn't go home to a dead wife, that fought brilliantly in the war. The Queen loved her, she was depressed after a while when Grayson's wife passed on. I didn't blame her. Aurelia was loved by everyone." Caris murmured. Looking down at our entangled hands his leg moving slightly to move the swinging bench.

"I'm sorry she had to go that way." I said as I kissed his cheek, which he slightly stiffened at. I pulled away only so slightly until he put his lips on mine.

It was bliss. I never felt any sort of kiss like this one, not even Grayson could make me feel all tingly and warm inside. I leaned more into the kiss wanting more, it was a moment I never wanted to have ruined. I knew the two guys were staring at us because I could feel them bore holes into our heads. It's as though they want to burn Caris to ash for doing such a thing.

I don't blame them at all for feeling jealous. But he's my bond, my light, I'd be with him forever. We soon pulled away, too soon if I might add for my likings. Our foreheads touched each other's and our breathing slowed from kissing.

"That was amazing Eri." Caris murmured rubbing his thumb on my cheek.

"Thank you." I breathed out. Calming my erratic heart that I'm sure that he could hear right about now. He moved his head up so he could kiss my crown, and pulled me close to his chest. We stayed out there facing the water on the swinging bench until the sun went down. Just chatting and holding hands maybe kissing every now and then.

I just wished it would stay like this. Peaceful, staring at the beautiful sunset. It was bliss. Amazing bliss.