Branches of Life

"When I was in my fifties, I found the rift to their realm. I wasn't looking for it, didn't know it even existed or what it meant until I witnessed the realm myself." Wyatt placed the rest of the food on the counter.

Using a few hand gestures, he made a round wooden table, with six matching chairs appear out of thin air. The platters of food flew onto the table, along with plates and silverware—obviously not real silver, otherwise we summoners couldn't use it.

I took a seat between Ander and Ari, with Koa directly in front of me—damn him—sitting between Starling and Harmony. Wyatt remained standing, leaning against the counter as he waited for us to get settled.

"What's it like?" I asked, loading up my plate with french toast, eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and pancakes.

"There's a river that runs throughout the realm, separating the different regions from one another. From what I saw, each region was different, varying from extreme climates to land masses."

I took a bite of french toast, biting back a moan. "Like what?"

"There was a region full of erupting volcanos and lava rivers. One made up of waterfalls. I only saw a few of the regions, I don't know how many there are. Nor do I know the number of creatures living there. I didn't step foot in any of the regions. I stayed on the river the whole time, but even the river isn't a safe place to be." He sipped from a mug he didn't have before.

"And where is this rift?" Koa asked, jumping straight to the point. I kind of wanted to learn more about these different regions and find out how many he saw, but that wasn't why we were here.

"That's a little more complicated." Wyatt sighed, rubbing his free hand down his face.

"Uncomplicate it," Koa said with a slight growl. Wyatt wasn't bothered by his demand, casually leaning back against the counter and taking a long pull from his mug. A picture of careless ease. A growl rumbled Koa's chest as Wyatt remain quiet, clearly not a fan of being ignored. Too fucking bad. Now he knew how the rest of us felt.

I kicked out under the table, hitting what I thought was Koa's foot. At Harmony's sharp hiss, I knew I missed my mark. Oops. "What the hell?" She whined, looking between Ari and me.

I gave her a small apologetic smile before kicking more to my left and making contact with someone's foot. Hopefully Koa's. His attention shot over to me as he lifted a brow.

"I should take you over my knee," he growled. I had never been one for spanking, it just wasn't my kink, but the thought of his hands on my body, had heat pooling low in my stomach.

"Like I'd ever let that happen," I said flippantly, trying to appear unaffected by him. I turned my focus back to Wyatt, ignoring Koa's intense stare boring into the side of my face. "What's complicated about the rift?"

Wyatt placed his now empty hands on the counter behind him. "When I entered the rift, I was in Alaska, but when I exited, I was in the Himalayas." I shot Koa a smug smile, feeling a small amount of victory that Wyatt answered my question instead of his.

I crunched on a piece of bacon, contemplating his answer. A moving rift? Was that even a thing?

"Did you exit the same rift you entered through?" Harmony's question received a deadpan stare from Wyatt.

"I think that means yes," Ari stage whispered, reaching across me to steal the syrup from Ander.

"I've heard of moving portals, but not rifts." Ander frowned as he sat back, making me feel better that he also never heard of moving rifts. It made me feel less stupid. Even though I doubted it was common knowledge, otherwise we would've been forced to learn about them growing up. "How much more power would it take to create one?"

"Moving portals require only a little more energy. Now a rift? Let's just say, it's not some young, weak, and naive Mythic helping them out. They know what they're doing." Wyatt hesitated, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "And remember, it may not have been a sorcerer or sorceress that created it."

Growing up, we were taught the differences between portals and rifts. Portals could take you anywhere within the realm you were currently in. Only sorcerers and sorceresses were able to create them. Rifts were different. They were used to jump between realms. Most of us used the rifts that were scattered throughout our realm, but some Mythics were powerful enough that they could create their own. Most never did. Unlike portals, rifts could be created by not only sorcerers but blood mages and elementals with the right tools.

"Can you locate the rift?" Starling smothered a yawn with her hand. When was the last time she slept? Looking around at my friends, I sensed their energy waning now that the adrenaline of the fight had worn off. I had slept for several hours in the car and even I could go for a nap.

"What would you do if I were able to find the rift? Would you report it, hoping they believe you, and send someone to investigate before it moved?" Wyatt dodged her question, cocking his head to the side as he waited for her answer.

Koa's expression basically said he thought Wyatt was a dumb fuck. "We would find the one responsible."

"And how would you accomplish that?" Wyatt asked, dark amusement coloring his tone.

"We're going through the rift. That is if you can find it. I'm starting to believe you don’t know how to find this rift," Koa calmly answered. Despite how close he was to losing his temper. I shook my head at that random and out of place thought. What the fuck? Shooting a glance back at Koa's face, I frowned at what I saw. He appeared bored by the conversation, lounging back in his chair like he didn't care about this conversation. Where the fuck did I get the notion he was about to lose his shit?

Wyatt chuckled, but there was no warmth or humor in it. "Oh, I can. I just don't know why you think I'd want to help you. I didn't care to find the ones helping the creatures then, and I certainly don't care to know now. You've come to the wrong sorcerer, I left all that shit behind years ago."

In a split second, Koa's chair skidded back into the wall behind him as he stood. Never mind, my instincts were spot on.

I was on my feet in an instant, darting toward Koa and grabbing his arm to stop him from attacking Wyatt. If he pissed Wyatt off, he could get seriously hurt, and the thought of that happening scared the shit out of me. Koa tensed under my grip but didn't shake my hand off as I yanked on his arm. He even allowed me to turn him around. Before common sense could kick in, I raised my free hand, tracing his clenched jaw. Koa's eyes drifted shut as he sucked in a deep breath.

Common sense finally kicked in and I removed my hand from his face. His eyes snapped open meeting mine. "Let me try," I murmured. He studied my face for several moments. Whatever he saw there had him giving a tense and resigned nod of agreement, before sitting back down on his discarded chair.

I couldn't believe that worked. Of course, now I had to find some way to convince this rude ass sorcerer to help us.

I took a deep and centering breath before facing Wyatt's blank expression. Why did I always find myself surrounded by Mythic men, who were experts at hiding their thoughts and emotions?

"All we need you to do, is find the rift for us. We'll take it from there."

"And why would I do that?" Wyatt challenged, crossing his arms.

"Because despite your, I left that shit behind years ago attitude, you're still a Mythic. Even if you don't live there anymore, our realm is still your home." At his derisive laugh, I held up my hand and pressed on before he could say anything. "And it was invaded by vampires. We all know that if they did it once, they can and will do it again. Next time we might not be as lucky as we were."

He didn't say anything at first, and I had no clue as to which way he was leaning. Not with the way he continued casually leaning back against the counter. The only things that betrayed his casual act were his eyes flicking over each of us, and his fingers tapping out a rhythm on his arms. "There's a good chance one of you could die there. Especially if you're planning on entering the regions."

Any of us dying wasn't an option, but I didn't say that or contradict his words. "I can't just go home and do nothing. Not when I know this other realm exists and that one of own is helping them."

Wyatt groaned, scrubbing his hands down his face. "Since I've been through the rift, I should be able to find it again. It'll take me a couple of hours to gather the supplies and cast the spell. I will find the rift and take you to it, but that's it." He held my stare until I nodded in agreement and relief.

He gave us each an appraising look before pushing off the counter. "You should rest, you all look like shit. I'm assuming you cloaked your car." He directed the last part at Ander, waiting until he nodded. "Concealment rune?" Ander nodded again.

"I'll find it. I have a spare bedroom you can use, along with my bedroom. You're welcome to use my shower. Please, for my sake, use it," Wyatt said over his shoulder as he exited the kitchen. Leaving us in silence, wondering how he could be helpful and rude in the same sentence.

"He has such a sparkling personality," Starling muttered, shaking her head.

Ari, Harmony, and I shared a look before shouting, "I'm showering first!"

We collectively gasped and shouted over one another.

"I'm covered in the most blood!"

"I'm the oldest!"

"I almost died last night!"

I dropped my face into my hands. "You have got to stop using being born first as a reason."

"Like Ari's blood argument is much better. You barely have any on you," Harmony griped pointing at Ari.

Ari gasped. "Well, it's more than you have." Ari turned her focus to me, lifting her brows. "Low blow Jay, using your near-death experience to your advantage." I shrugged, unapologetic. All was fair game when it came to getting first shower dibs.

Knowing we wouldn't be able to solve this with the three of us, we turned toward Ander, who had his head leaned back against the top of the chair with his eyes closed. "Harmony had first dibs last time, so she'll go last. It's Ari's turn to go first," he said without opening his eyes.

"Ha!" Ari cheered, showing off what a graceful winner she was.

We placed our dishes in the sink and found our way back to the living room, where our bags were piled on the floor. "It's kind of worrisome how fast he found our car," Starling murmured as she pulled her bag from the bottom of the pile.

Concealment runes were good for hiding things from humans, most necromancer's creatures, and weaker Mythics. It didn't hold up against a sorcerer, who knew what he was looking for.

"I'm using the spare bedroom since you three are hogging the shower," Starling called over her shoulder as she left.

I snorted shaking my head, while Ari let out a long whistle. "Looks like the girl has some bite in her after all. I like her." Ari grabbed her bag and threw it over her shoulder. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a nice and relaxing shower waiting for me." She spun on her heel and left down the hallway.

"You're not getting the other bedroom," Harmony said in a rush as she pointed at Koa. Bathing and sleeping arrangements were another one of those times when Harmony's calm and reasonable demeanor vanished. So long as you didn't play any games with her, and there were multiple beds and baths, you would never see this side of her.

Koa caught onto this, and he raised his hands in defeat, a small smile lifting his lips. I had to look away before I was distracted by that damn smile of his. I swear if I ever saw a full smile from him, my willpower would crumble before my very eyes.

"You look exhausted. You didn't sleep much on the car ride, did you?" Harmony asked after giving Ander a quick appraisal. I knew Ander well enough to know, he didn't sleep for a single second during the car ride. Not only because he was probably worried about me, but because he still didn't trust the siblings.

"Come one, you can share with me," Harmony offered holding out her hand to Ander.

"I'll be fine."

Harmony and I both gave him disapproving stares, until he sighed in defeat, grabbing both their bags and followed her down the hallway. Leaving me alone with Koa. He paused his perusal of the room, arching his brow at me and tilting his head toward the doorway they just exited. "It's not like that with them, or any of us." I looked away wanting to smack myself for tacking on that last part.

He made a noncommittal sound, that spoke of his disbelief. I bit back more denials, confused as to why I needed him to understand, that Ander was like a brother to us—especially me.

As I racked my brain, trying to find a way to change the conversation and stop making an idiot out of myself, a memory came to mind. A fond smile tugged on my lips.

"Have you ever been to the Aurora court?" I blurted, trying to distract myself from the fact Koa had been staring at my lips. His gaze shot up to mine, and he shook his head.

"It's beautiful," I sighed, as memories from ten years ago pulled me in.