Salerion

Throughout the story, you take care to point out how protective Tyler feels and acts towards Elijah. This seemed like a natural thing given their close friendship. In this chapter, though, you mention a "twinge of jealousy" and that Tyler "felt it was his job", etc. I guess even that might just be what a best friend feels, but... Tylers dedication to his friend sounds like it is above and beyond the ordinary. As much as I would wish it were the norm, not every close friend is of the 'I would die for you' variant. My impression is that Tyler is definitely that kind of friend, though. Good for Elijah! Just a thought: If the ultimate in closeness between people is being soulmates, does that have to imply being romantically involved? Might there not be something equally rare with regards to friendships? What kind of connection would Lex see when looking at Tyler and Elijah, I wonder? Hopefully we will find out! 🙂 At any rate, it sounds like Tyler would fit in very well with pack dynamics or when finding a mate: The instincts are already there and, once turned, that would only be heightened, I suppose. He would probably prove a fierce defender of pack, family, friends and mate. I like him. 😉

I have the weirdest feeling that there is some sort of link between the spirit quartz Reilly's mother gave him before she died and that part of Kage left with(in) Elijah. But even if there is no connection within the context of the narrative, they both are tokens of a kind of love that endures even though the loved person has passed on. I quite like how all the hardship the characters had to (and will have to) endure is balanced by love, both in memory and in the present - even though Elijah apparently still has to meet his true love. Also, is it weird to imagine that Kage's energy will manifest (Cassiel's words) as a light shifter? There is no shadow without light and light seemed to be all that was left when Kage died and, just perhaps, having been taught how to love by Elijah was what made that possible in the first place? Looking forward to the rest of the story!