"Don't. Magnus, just don't. Later. You can berate me later all you wish, just not now." Gavriel brought a hand up and rested his forehead against it. How was he supposed to keep Beth safe when he could barely function himself?

"Hell, Gavriel, I'm sorry. How bad is it? I won't waste my breath asking which transition this is for you, since I know you won't answer, but know that you're family now. I would never do anything that would hurt my Bethy. You have your reasons for keeping your age a secret. If it's important to you, it's now important to me." Magnus's voice sounded sincere.

Gavriel closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. "I've lost count. But this one, it's the worst it has ever been. I can't get enough blood, the hunger, it's always there. The only time it recedes even for a little while is after I feed from Beth. I'm not sure if her being my mate is what makes the difference."

"If it's as bad as you say your body is preparing for a major power increase. It's not even December, Gavriel, how much longer do you have? Most vampiric apexes happen around Long Night."

"My apex should be hitting soon. I don't remember much about my childhood, but I do remember my mother telling me I was special because I was born early, I think my birthday is soon."

"You don't even remember your birthday anymore?" Magnus asked softly.

"I have forgotten more than our entire race remembers." Gavriel opened his eyes; leaning back further he stared at the stark white ceiling.

"By the First Blood, you're serious aren't you?" Magnus whispered.

"I'm afraid so. Let's just say there is much I could correct even within our history books," he said, hoping Magnus would read between the lines concerning his age.

He heard papers being moved and typing. "I'm making an announcement to our people regarding your mating with Beth. I'm also going to make it known that unless I find a mate of my own and produce an heir, I am naming Beth the heir to my house and you the heir to my council seat. The people here in Noctem Falls know and respect Beth despite the fact that she is a shifter. They will listen to her should something happen to me." He paused and lowered his voice. "I spoke with Beth earlier, something is coming and I want our Houses to be joined and impregnable before this unknown threat descends upon us. We may avoid possible threats if the enemy has to take on Houses Ambrosios and Rioux combined," Magnus said.

Gavriel heard the sound of more papers rustling. "You don't have to do that, you still have plenty of time to find your own mate. You're not that old Magnus."

Magnus laughed. "Gods, you actually make me feel young and that is saying a lot, my friend. Look at it this way, our enemy may assign me a protection detail to avoid having to deal with you."

Gavriel smiled. "That's probably at least half true."

"You didn't call to harass me did you?" Magnus asked.

"No, actually I called to get Broderick Monroe's phone number."

"I'll text you his information so you can add it to your contact list. Are you sure Beth is well?"

"She took a tumble down the stairs and I almost swallowed my tongue. I was hoping Broderick could provide some insight on how he was able to raise her to adulthood in one piece." Gavriel's phone chimed as the contact information came through.

Magnus started to chuckle. "Neither Broderick nor Beth know, but Caspian came to me right after he mated with Beth's father. She was only about one years old at the time; I don't think he had slept in days. Every time he turned away, she found herself in some new life-threatening situation. What scared us all to death was that she never cried or tried to find help. One day I found her limping through the palace hallway with her arm dangling broken at her side. Poor Cas was at a breaking point. From the age of two until she was thirty, I had one witch healer and one vampire assigned to her almost around the clock. By the time she was thirty she knew to find someone or call out for help when she got hurt. I won't tell you how much I had to pay for the severance package for the two on her protection detail, but I will tell you it had to cover PTSD therapy, the poor bastards." Magnus chuckled again and Gavriel put a hand to his stomach, he felt like he was going to be sick.

"Still, despite her unnatural bad luck, I've never had a more dedicated assistant. It took me years to find a replacement after she decided to leave home to see how humans lived. No one was even half as competent as she was. I don't suppose you would be interested in giving up being a unit warrior to move back to Noctem Falls? Beth could go back to pretty much running things for me and you could make sure that our people don't forget what you look like," Magnus wheedled.

"I'm afraid not. I am needed here; you'll just have to keep replacing your secretaries," Gavriel teased.

"Damn. Keep me posted about what is happening out there. Bypass René and call me directly." Magnus instructed.

"Make sure the secretary knows to put me though," Gavriel said sourly.

"Hah! Give Beth my love."

"I will, thanks again, Magnus."

"Anytime."

Gavriel hung up feeling exhausted. Knowing Magnus, his mate had grown up with the highest level protection detail money could buy and she had still managed to hurt herself on a regular basis. Was she cursed? What had Magnus called it? Unnatural bad luck? Shaking his head he dialed the number for Broderick Monroe.