As I looked around the now familiar temple of our goddess, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was really necessary for us to keep having these dream walks to freaking Greece. Honestly, we could have a dreamscape in any location. Maybe we should try for something tropical next time? I was startled from my thoughts when I heard footsteps.

I turned to greet my brothers, along with Jude and Oni. Kyle was looking around the temple with an awed, reverent look on his face. “This is amazing, you guys. It’s like you can almost feel her presence here, you know?”

Jude chuckled, rolling his eyes at Kyle. “Sure, but can we talk about the goddess later? We’re more interested in finding out if you guys hit the standard hole-in-one, as it were. I see the mating marks, but as you know, I can’t smell pregnancy as soon as you damn cats do.” He lifted a brow as he waited expectantly for Kyle to respond. “Well, is he or isn’t he? We have wagers riding on this one.”

Jonny answered for Kyle. “Sammy boy is definitely preggers. And judging by the scent, he’s having multiples.” He shot me an easy smile. “Since I can’t touch you or stick my ear to your gut right now, would you care to share how many heartbeats you’ve detected?”

Kyle and I shared a smile before I turned back to my brothers and their mates. “Let’s just say that I hope this pregnancy doesn’t break the portal like our dads’ did, because I’m having another terrible trio.”

Jonny whooped out a laugh. “Triplets? Seriously, you’re going to have three babies at once? Holy shit, bro. Get your sleep now, because the twins are killing me and Jude.”

Oni clapped his hands together with an excited look on his face. “Wait, hold on! I have news! I just realized—you’ve been gone for three weeks and out of touch, so you don’t know what else happened after you snuck away from the party! You aren’t the only newly mated members of our group now.”

I smiled indulgently at Oni. “What couple don’t I know about? Are we talking about Ian and Destiny? Or did something else happen? I’m pretty sure they get together before…” Connor cleared his throat to cut me off before I could reveal any other secrets our future knowledge had shown me and my brothers.

“Dammit, I was hoping you were too busy being cumdrunk to have any visions. But yeah, Ian and Destiny scented each other at the same party you guys did, and they’re mated now too.” Oni gave a cute giggle. “Uncle Sean was practically in tears, he was so happy. Now he’s telling Ian and Lulu that one of them owes him a grandchild, if not both. He says it’s bollocks that everyone else is getting grandpups but him. We haven’t seen them either, they went back to Dublin to Ian’s place to have some alone time. Things have been quiet with both you and Destiny away from the compound the past few weeks. Plus it was nice having Kyle and Ian around.”

“Sorry to ruin your surprise, Oni. Though at least Kyle’s agreed to move into my empty house with me back home, so he’ll be around permanently when we get back. But yeah, my brothers and I actually foresaw all the matings in our pack long ago, as you should probably be aware. I’m glad it’s finally happening for everyone though. It’s past time, you know? And hey,” I shrugged a shoulder, “maybe Uncle Sean will get his grandpup sooner than later, you never know.”

Kyle snorted. “I love you, baby. But I’m gonna go on record that you and your brothers are fucking know-it-all showoffs, no offense.”

Connor rolled his eyes and shot Kyle the middle finger salute. “Yeah, because who’d possibly find offense with that one, right? You’re all just jealous because you don’t know what’s coming ahead and we do.”

Our moment of gossip and teasing was cut short when Easton came strolling into the temple between two of the open-air pillars. “Good to see you lads, and in such high spirits too. I’d remind you to use caution, though, even in this in-between place. There is more than one god or goddess, as you’ve seen, and they often work at cross purposes. With power like they wield, no place is safe if they want to listen bad enough.”

Jonny stepped forward, crossing his arms over his chest. “Yeah, about that. I know you and the goddess know more than you’re telling us. Can you perhaps tell us who or what this person is who’s been present for both of our attacks? It’s like she’s trying to make us fight each other and cause problems. We think her name is—”

Even though Jonny’s lips moved, no sound came out when he tried to say Ariana’s name. Easton wagged a chiding finger while Jon held his throat in dismay. “Sorry to silence you there, laddie. You must not say any name you are given for her. Ever. Remember, there is much power and majick within a name. If you must know who she is, do some research. I can’t tell you, even if I dared speak her name, but I can suggest that you were right about her wanting you to fight. Look for an entity whose power might rival that of milady Artio. One who is known for sowing seeds of strife and discord, and compelling people to do her evil bidding.”

Easton paused for a moment to smile at us. “Good on you all, by the way, for using the verbena powder. It blocked her from being able to compel you more than she did. If it weren’t for that, who knows what she might’ve accomplished. You boys need to take care and stay on guard. The time is growing short and she will be working harder to stop you from achieving your destiny.”

I chewed my lip, unsure if we were up to the task ahead of us, even with our combined powers. Kyle had no problems with confidence though. He leaned forward to catch Easton’s eye. “Is this where you give us the clue so we can get started? We can’t get to work without it.”

Easton chuckled, his musical laugh bouncing through the open air. “Aye, you’ve a good point, mate. All right, laddies—listen close.” With that, he turned and walked to stand between two pillars, his hands folded behind his back as he took up his now familiar stance where he stared out into the coming dawn while almost robotically reciting his message from the goddess.

Easton glanced over his shoulder with a cocky grin. “That’s all I have for you. Good luck, and may the protection of the goddess be ever around you.” With that, he gave a jaunty wave and dashed down the steps, quickly disappearing into the shadows.

Jonny turned to me then. “Obviously we need to get together to discuss this with the rest of our pack. How much longer do you guys plan to be gone? You have a fair trip ahead of you to get back, right?”

Kyle shrugged and answered before I could. “We probably won’t stay much longer, but we can always come back sooner if you think we should. I mean, it’s not like the Isle of Man is that far from County Cork, especially by air.”

Jude shook his head with amusement when Jonny started cackling triumphantly. “Sam’s brothers swore up and down that they’d figure out where you two were hiding out for the past few weeks. I can’t believe you walked right into that one, Kyle.”

Kyle waved a hand. “It’s cool, we probably would’ve headed back today anyway. We’ve had a great time, but now it’s time for a different kind of action.” He rubbed his hands together with an excited gleam in his eye. “But yeah, let us wake up or zap back to our bodies or however it works after one of these dream walks and we’ll just pack up and head home.”

Jonny shook his head quickly. “Hell to the no! No way are you coming back today. You guys stay put, we’ll come to you… today, in fact. I don’t know about everyone else, but I want to go visit Aunt Effie.”