"How bad is it?" I link with Ezekiel as I carry Leah to the kitchen island. It reminds me of when she discovered what I look like. Leah was bombarded with information that overwhelmed her. It shouldn't have been dumped on her with such intensity.

Over the past four days, Leah's read the two books the girls brought her. Downloading information into her pretty little head.

I lie beside her every night, combing my fingers through her silky hair as she breathes softly against my chest. In those moments, I feel content with the way my life is going.

I've waited thousands of years for this female. There's nothing I won't do to keep her in my arms where she belongs.

That's why my brother and sister, along with Leah's royal guards, are here. She needs to know their faces in case they need to extract her from a dangerous situation.

My tails whip menacingly with the thought of Derrek's claws anywhere near my catuca. They have a mind of their own when it comes to our female. Since Ezekiel let it slip what's touching her, my tails can't stop stroking her. One is constantly wrapped around a limb, while another caresses her flesh to keep her calm and relaxed. The other two do whatever the fuck they want.

"It's not good. He's brought in the Earth governments, brother. When Fire Starter explained how Derrek weaved his magic words to control people, I didn't think to this extent. He has to have magic we don't know about. Without it, there's no way he could have brought the largest countries to his side in such a short time." Ezekiel walks into the kitchen with bags of food in his hands.

Anniki follows behind him with drinks and a gift bag dangling from her arm.

"What do they expect to accomplish? Catier is a planet. She won't bow to Earth's governments."

Ezekiel snorts. "Forgive me for not speaking out loud." He tilts his head at Leah.

She waves his hand as if it's nothing. "You're speaking with Damon, which means it's important. I'm sure you will tell me what I need to know when the time comes."

"She's perfect, brother."

That she is.

Ezekiel sets the food down and begins unbagging everything. "You're rather trusting after everything you've been through, Leah."

Shrugging her shoulders, she takes the drink Anniki hands her. I can feel her shoulders tense slightly with this new female in the room. She's no idea who she is, and Ezekiel hasn't introduced our sister. He wants to see how Leah reacts.

Is she jealous or cautious?

"You've told me everything before, Ezekiel. You haven't kept secrets unless they pertain to things not in my control. You're also the royal commander. That's your job, not mine. I don't deserve to know all the details of what you're dealing with. You tell me to jump or run, and I'll do so, but all the logistics aren't my thing. If you have information about my parents, please tell me, even if it's not good news." Leah doesn't avert her eyes from Ezekiel.

Over the centuries, I wondered how my catuca would fare with my siblings. The look on Anniki's face tells me they are both proud of the female in my arms. Leah isn't foolish enough to run straight into Derrek's greedy grip. She doesn't whine or complain about being stuck within the house or having guards watching her and the surrounding area when she does venture out.

"That is true. I've come with information regarding your other mate. It's not good, Leah." He dishes out all the food.

Anniki stays silent. Observant.

Leah looks to her but waits patiently.

"Hit me, Ezekiel," Leah says before shoveling a heaping amount of food into her mouth.

If I'm not preparing her meals, food is delivered from Lios. Two of her guards watch the restaurant owner prepare the dishes. We can't be too cautious about Derrek's manipulative ways. He will drug Leah if it gets her to him.

Ezekiel pulls a chair around the island to sit. "Derrek has amassed the backing of over half of Earth's presidents. We figure he has magic on his side. Which also explains how he blocked Damon's bond on your eighteenth birthday."

"What does he expect them to do?" She's not freaking out yet, but I can see the crinkle at the corner of her mouth. It's only a matter of time.

Gripping her shoulders, I kneed the knots out. A strained groan is muffled by the mouth full of delicious meats she's chewing on—Lio's food is her new addiction.

Besides my tongue swirling around her clit, that is.

If it weren't for my brother and sister sitting across from us, my mouth would be sucking her clit brutally until she shatters. Licking my lip, I can still taste her sweet cream. I dig deeper into her muscles to distract myself from my hardening cock.

"We—" he holds a finger up as his mind goes elsewhere.

Leah doesn't freak out; she's grown accustomed to Ezekiel spacing out while his men link him. He does it for her benefit; he was born a multitasker, after all.

"Damon, they are awaiting introductions. Shax and Vine have received word from our informant. It's worse than we imagined." Ezekiel stands up. "Where do you want to do this?"

"Here. She is relaxed and comfortable. If you trust them with my catuca's life, I trust them to guard their queen."

Ezekiel gazes at Leah, his eyes searching, inspecting. "Your personal guards are here to meet you, Leah. This is for your safety as well as everyone around you. If there's ever a time when one of them makes themselves known to you, you follow their direction to the T. Do not ask questions or fight them. They are there to get you to safety. The threat level will increase once you have an heir in your belly. These ten demons have worked their asses off to be the best there are in our world at protecting their asset. And you, Leah, are everything to them."

She sits straighter, setting her fork down. "Don't they have a catuca? I can't expect them to live without one."

Ezekiel shakes his head. "They don't have one, Leah. When demons are born, they are given a blood ranking. Over the years, I've hunted these ten down. They were born to protect their queen. What I haven't told my brother is how many heir protectors I've discovered."

I narrow my eyes at Ezekiel. Each of my children will have ten protectors. "Tell me," I growl. He can't keep this information from me. These will be my children.

He smirks but keeps silent.

The little scrunch to Leah's brows makes my balls tighten, and cock eject copious amounts of cum in my pants.

Both my siblings ignore it. They know I can't help it. At least not until I'm fully bonded with my catuca.