Chapter 4 - Fates, Fins, and Fangs

"THOSE FUCKING IDIOTS!"

So, that wasn't exactly the response I'd expected from my friend when I told her about my predicament. But this was Gesa we were talking about. The woman was the sole reason I'd learned to grow a backbone. She didn't exactly do subtle or beating around the bush to spare anyone's feelings.

"Fuckers!" a small voice parroted.

Gesa glared down at her son, hands on her hips, her expression promising punishment. "Do not repeat, Asa. You know better."

The little boy grinned, unrepentant and completely unafraid of his big, gruff, muscle-bound mother. "Fuckers, fuckers, fuckers."

Gesa didn't even hesitate to snatch the kid up by the scruff and march him out of the room. "Hisashi!" she called out. "Take your Satan spawn and teach him some manners. I've got company."

I smothered a laugh when a small girl joined them, an exact replica of her twin brother. "Who's a Satan spawn?" she asked curiously.

Gesa crouched down by them and very seriously, and without cracking a smile, whispered, "You both are."

A good-looking guy with broad shoulders and platinum blond hair that was shaved on one side came down the stairs, regarding his partner and offspring with raised eyebrows. He saw me sitting in the living room and gave me a wave and a fond smile. "Hey, Troy. I've got a book for you to check out when I'm done reading it. All about ancient oracles."

I smiled back. Hisashi was one of the nicest guys I'd met. And he was the perfect father for Gesa's kids, since he put up with the energy and the snark from the kids and Gesa without ever losing his temper. "Come on then, spawn," he said happily. "Who wants ice cream?"

Both kids jumped up and down. "I want fucking ice cream!" the boy called out in a singsong voice.

Gesa threw up her hands and gave Hisashi a "see" look. Hisashi just shook his head. "If that's the worst word he picks up around here, I'll be really surprised."

Gesa narrowed her eyes at him and he relented. "No swearing until you're an adult, please."

After receiving a couple of solemn vows to behave, he led the kids into the kitchen for treats so their mom could explain polyamory to me. It was good sometimes, to have such weird friends.

Gesa flopped down on the couch next to me and sighed. "I'm so not cut out for this parenting thing," she said, shaking her head. But I could hear the happiness in her voice, despite her outward appearance. She loved being a mom. And she loved the strange arrangement she had with her lovers. I'd never met anyone as strong and comfortable in their own skin as Gesa. She and her lovers were the first people I met when I moved here after losing my parents. Gesa had been my first real female friend here, even though she was quite a bit older than me. And the relationship I had with her and her lovers was a strange, but perfect, mixture of best friend and parental wisdom.

"So, let me get this straight," Gesa said, her golden-brown eyes boring into mine. "Those assholes had the nerve—"

Someone came in the front door, and the blond rolled her eyes. "Never a second of quiet," she muttered.

A stocky guy with a messy, dishwater blond ponytail and a couple days' worth of beard came striding into the room, his mismatched blue and gray eyes narrowed, and a scowl marring his ruggedly handsome features. "That damned guild just can't keep their opinions to themselves," he growled. "As if I'm some untried youth who doesn't know his ass from a spellb—" he stopped and nodded at me. "Oh. Hi."

I watched as Halstad bent to kiss Gesa, then continued on toward the kitchen. "I'll just.... Lunch."

I laughed as the usually silent man left before he could be pulled into girl talk. "Is he okay?" I said with a laugh.

Gesa shook her head. "He's just pissed off at the guild. The construction guild. Where he works. Nothing new."

I sighed. Things were always just a little bit...odd around here. But I had learned that it didn't pay to ask questions about what they all did for a living, or the odd conversations I sometimes overheard. These people had taken me in and treated me like family when I needed it most. I wouldn't repay that by asking invasive questions.

"What should I do?" I asked when we were alone again. "I mean...I never really thought I'd be into the poly thing. But...I'm really attracted to both guys, Gesa. And Rhys...Rhys. He basically implied he'd be okay with it. But how do I...you know, bring it up with Chike?"

Gesa groaned. "You know I hate talking about relationships and emotions, and shit."

I smiled and ignored her grumbling. Sure, she pretended that wasn't her forte. But I knew better. She was such a softie when it came to her lovers. And it wasn't like I had anyone else to talk to about this. My aunt would die of mortification. And probably throw a bible or two at me, just for good measure.

"Love is different for everyone," Gesa finally said. "So, what a relationship looks like for you won't be the same as ours."

I remembered the first time I had realized Gesa was dating more than one person. My mind had been blown. But...it had somehow just seemed...right. The love they all had for each other was obvious to anyone who spent more than a few seconds around them. And that was all that mattered.

"How did you talk to them about it?" I asked, picking at a loose thread on my jeans. "How was it not weird?"

Gesa huffed a laugh at that. "It's always going to feel weird, if you've been raised to think a certain way." She shrugged. "I was raised in a culture where these things are normal and accepted. But I never really thought I'd have a...group. Because where I grew up, that kind of thing was only for powerful men."

I nodded. It wasn't something I'd ever thought would be for me either. Though I had to wonder just what kind of family Gesa had grown up with, if poly was the norm, and men had such control. I knew she wasn't from around here, originally, but she'd always been sort of hesitant to talk about her family—or "the cult," as she'd taken to calling them when I was around.

"I never really had to talk it over too much with any of my partners," Gesa said slowly. "Things just kind of...fell into place naturally. I think as long as you are clear on what you all want, it will be fine."

Then her face returned to the glaring from earlier. "But regardless of who you decide to fuck, those two idiots are treading a dangerous line."

"What? Why?" I was so confused. Of all the responses, I hadn't expected Gesa to be angry at Chike and Rhys. "They didn't do anything wrong."

She sighed. "No. I suppose not. But...Troya, if you want this, please, please make sure to take the time to think it through and make sure it's what you really want. Okay?"

I was taken aback by the intensity in her eyes. She was trying to tell me something, but I was completely clueless. Maybe her relationship with the others wasn't as effortless as they made it seem? Or maybe she just thought I was too young and impulsive to really know what I wanted.

I sighed. Maybe she was right. "I'll try to take it slow," I agreed.

She nodded slowly. Then she stood, wiping her hands on her pants. "Sorry to cut this short," she said, turning to grab the holster and gun lying on the side table. "But I just took a job, and I need to head out."

I stood. "Sure. Thanks for the advice. And be safe!" Gesa worked as a bounty hunter and also did security for a rich businessman who ran half the city. She insisted he wasn't a mob boss. But I had my doubts on that one. Especially with the way Gesa and crew got whenever their work was mentioned. I should probably be more concerned about it than I was, but I trusted Gesa. She had the biggest heart of anyone I knew.

I heard Gesa's phone ring as I reached the foyer. I was pulling my shoes on when she answered. "What do you want, idiot? Yeah, I heard. She came to me for advice." She huffed in annoyance. "You do realize he's going to fucking kill you, right? I can't protect you if this goes bad, Chike. Not from him. Not from either of them. This is stupid and reckless."

I stuffed my feet in my shoes as fast as I could and pulled the door closed softly behind me. Was she talking about me? What the hell was going on?

Oisin was walking up the drive as I left. His sharp, pretty features stretched into a fond smile as he greeted me. "Hello, darling. Coming or going?"

I shook my head. "Going. Definitely going."

He tilted his head, causing his long flame-red braid to fall over one shoulder. His green eyes twinkled with mischief. As always. "Why do I sense you're up to something, dove?"

I fidgeted under that perceptive stare. "Nothing. It's nothing." I glanced over my shoulder to make sure Gesa hadn't followed me out. Then my mouth ran away with me. "What did Chike talk to you about in the bar last night?"

The redhead arched a perfect eyebrow at me. "We talked about you, of course. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

I pressed my lips together. "Why would someone be upset if I started dating Chike?"

Oisin tipped his head back and laughed. The sound was musical. For one brief second, I swore I smelled the scent of fresh growing things, and my feet had the sudden urge to dance. Wiping tears of laughter away from his eyes with one graceful hand, the pretty man gave me a sly look. "Why would you think anyone would be upset?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. That was something he did. Answering questions by asking more questions. "I might have overheard something by accident," I ground out.

The door opened and closed behind me and I closed my eyes in frustration. Shit. Gesa came up behind us, giving me a curious look as she headed to the car that sat in the driveway. "Still here, Troy?"

I shrugged.

Oisin raised his nose a notch and waved her away. "You know how people adore me, Gesa. Carry on with your own life."

She rolled her eyes and muttered something about walking cocks before getting in her car and pulling away.

I started to walk past Oisin, but the redhead's whisper stopped me in my tracks. "Powerful people," he said softly. "Powerful people would be upset if you started dating seriously, Troya." He winked at me. "Which doesn't mean you have to give a fuck. But...maybe be sure about what you want before you commit to that kind of headache. For your sake and Chike's."

I watched him disappear into the house. What the actual hell?