Blair POV.
Breakfast was a surprisingly communal affair. Zacky made up more pancakes, while Val started cooking bacon and eggs and Matt made coffee for everyone, a surprisingly difficult task, since everyone wanted their coffee different.
Johnny stayed sat down with me, talking me through The Otherworld a bit more, he was joined by Synyster, who actually seemed a little less … well sinister, although he was still grumpy, but I got the impression that this wasn’t anything new. And between them I learned about Banshees and Selikes, Daoine Sidhe and Coblynau, Centaurs and Satyrs and so much more. I never even realised that half of these creatures were in fairy tales, never mind being actually real.
“Danger will be able to explain more about Faeries than we can, but that should tide you over until you two meet.” Finished Johnny, as everyone sat down with us at the island.
“Thanks.” I smiled at him and took in the plates of food that Zacky and Val had put down. “And thanks for this guys, it looks amazing.” Val grinned.
“I like you, you’re polite, you can stay.” She pronounced, making the guys laugh as they all began to help themselves to food.

No-one seemed to care that I was a vegetarian Dhampire. I suppose that when you lived in a world that brought fairy tales to life, then you’d see stranger things.
“So, are you all Vampires?” I asked shyly, pouring myself a glass of orange juice. Everyone shook their heads, before I could ask, Zacky spoke up.
“Introduce yourselves.” Since I already knew who everyone was, his order made no sense to me, but everyone else seemed to get it.
“Full blooded Vamp.” Mumbled Matt around a mouthful of bacon. Val elbowed him in the side. I was starting to get the impression that they were a couple.
“Vampire with the unfortunate pleasure of being Mated to him.” Val jerked her head at Matt, who just laughed.
“You love me really.” I didn’t quite understand her phrasing with the word mated, but that was a question that I filed away until later, paying attention to everyone else as they explained what they were.
“Vampire.” Grunted Synyster through his breakfast. Val rolled her eyes at him.
“Ignore his Royal Grumpiness, we all do. He’s usually like this, you’ll get used to it eventually.” She explained, smiling. It was a smile that you couldn’t help but smile back at.
“I’m complicated.” Pronounced Johnny, grinning proudly. Everyone else either laughed or shook their heads at him. I raised an eyebrow and took a sip of my OJ. “My dad’s a Werewolf, but my Mom is half Vampire, half leopard Shifter, which means that I’m a mix of all three.”
“And that makes him odd.” Pronounced Jimmy, ruffling Johnny’s hair. Johnny swatted him away irritably.
“Fuck off dude!” Jimmy just laughed.
“Never! Vampire, by the way.” He replied, winking at me. I smiled. I couldn’t believe how relaxed I was around these guys.

Everyone chatted happily while we ate. When we were done, I helped Val clear the table. She took in the guys and shook her head.
“Go on, go talk business. We’ll clear up your mess.” Matt opened his mouth to respond but she waved her hands at him in a shooing gesture. “Go, shoo. It’s fine. We’ll bond over the dishes.” When they didn’t move immediately, she pointed at the door. “Be gone!” They all jumped to their feet, scurrying out of the room. Matt paused on his way out to kiss Val on the cheek, before following the rest of the guys. She smiled at me. “Do you want to wash or dry?”
“Wash. I don’t know where anything goes.” She nodded and grabbed a dishtowel as I began to run some water.

We worked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes until I restarted the conversation. “I’m surprised that you don’t have a dishwasher.” She smiled.
“We do, I just thought that we could get to know each other.” I smiled back. We chatted about trivial things like the music we liked and fashion for a while. It was Val who changed the conversation topic. “I’m surprised that you’ve taken this all so well, to be honest. I was worried that you would react badly to everything.” I shrugged as I put a plate on the draining rack.
“I did to start off with, but …” I shrugged again. “I don’t know. After Zacky left last night I spent ages just sat thinking. Nothing else seemed to stick. I could almost feel that he had been telling the truth. I don’t know how to describe it, but…” I trailed off as Val was nodding.
“That’ll be the supernatural in you. Anyone who walks in The Otherworld is known as a supernatural. We’re more sensitive to magic than Humans, with every Supe having their own speciality. Werewolves are especially good at hearing lies. Subconsciously your wolf was doing just that.” She shrugged. “I’m not great with the wolf stuff, Sil…your Alpha will be able to explain it all better.”

I chose to ignore her slip with words and ask her something different.
“Earlier, when you were introducing yourself, you said something that I didn’t quite understand.” She looked at me curiously, so I continued. “What did you mean when you said that you were Mated to Matt?” She smiled.
“He’s my Soul Mate.” I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
“Isn’t the whole Soul Mate theory, just…well…a theory?” She shook her head.
“Many Humans think that it is, but that’s simply because it’s less common for Humans to find their Soul Mate. They’re less in tune with the world’s natural magic.” She explained. “Everyone has a Soul Mate, whether they’re Supe or human, as a Supe you’re more in tune with magic, and the Soul Mate Connection is caused by magic, that’s what makes you more likely to find your Soul Mate.” I nodded, understanding her logic, if slightly confused by all of this talk of magic.
“Have any of the others found their Soul Mate?” Val nodded as she dried up the final plate.
“Jimmy and Zacky both have. You’ll meet their Mates soon.” She smiled and put the dish towel on the side and picked up the stack of plates, transferring them to a cupboard. “Y’know, I’m really excited about having another girl in the house. It’s about time that this place had a bit more oestrogen.” I laughed and began to pass her dishes to put away.

~*~

It was about half an hour later when Zacky and Johnny walked back into the kitchen. Me and Val had finished with the dishes and were just sat gossiping over a cup of coffee at the kitchen island.
“Glad to see that you two are getting along.” Commented Zacky. We both smiled and laughed. “Are you done gossiping with Blair yet? Or should I come back later?” Val got to her feet, draining the rest of the mug.
“Of course. She’s all yours, I’m heading over to see Danger and Leana anyway.” She raised an eyebrow at Zacky. “Anything you want me to pass on?” Zacky shook his head.
“I’ll catch up with them when I take Blair over in a few days. See ya later.” She put the mug next to the sink and walked out of the room waving a hand over her shoulder.
“See y’all later.” I waved back before turning to face Zacky.
“So what are we doing today…” I frowned. “…Tonight?” Zacky smiled.
“Hopefully proving to you that we’re not making all of this up.” He gestured to the door. “Come on.” I got to my feet and followed both of the guys out of the room. “Yesterday you had trouble believing me about Werewolves. I’m going to prove to you that I’m telling the truth.” He slid open a patio door and stepped outside, turning to face me and Johnny. “That’s where he comes in.”