Chapter 25 Aurora
TWENTY-FIVE
AURORA
“I’m worried about starting a wildfire,” Aurora said as the flames raged.
Viv looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “Give Mr. Vamp a few more minutes to crisp, then we can put it out.”
Aurora couldn’t argue with that, but they might as well start with the trees.
A cursory investigation revealed that the fire was magically contained to the Thornfield compound, preventing it from spreading to the surrounding forest. Even though Aurora had destroyed the binding magic, the fire’s link to the boundary spell must have kept it in check.
While trees and buildings within the grounds turned to ash, nothing beyond the borders caught fire, so it seemed there was nothing to worry about.
The Lockwoods, who had been nearby creating the diversion, helped Aurora and Gia put out the flames, finally extinguishing the house once Viv deemed Franco properly destroyed.
As they’d hoped, a group of Thornfields had come to investigate what the Lockwoods were up to in the park, but when the fighting broke out, and they realized they were free, they wasted no time escaping.
It seemed not a single living Thornfield had stuck around, and Aurora didn’t blame them. She hadn’t been the only coven member longing for freedom. Or vengeance, as evidenced by the dead bodies of Stan’s entire advisory panel, as well as the man himself and Aurora’s mother.
Maybe witnessing her relatives’ gruesome end would have hurt more if they hadn’t buried her, knowing she’d suffocate when she returned to her body. As it was, Aurora didn’t want to spare any more feeling for them than they’d spared her.
The humans were long gone. Well, not all the humans, Aurora noted. Gia’s mobster brother still hovered awkwardly along the periphery. Aurora couldn’t tell if Gia was too dazed to notice or was simply ignoring him.
Aurora wouldn’t blame her if she were.
“Before we go, I’d like to ask him some questions.” Aurora pointed to Marc.
Gia blinked at her brother. She seemed exhausted—no, dead on her feet. Being covered in dirt and blood didn’t help. Aurora was sure she looked just as bad. As one might expect after crawling from a grave and then fighting for your life.
“That’s probably a good idea.” Gia sighed and called out to him. “What are you still doing here, Marc?”
He hurried over like he’d been waiting for permission. Blood splatters stained his fancy suit, a pained expression on his face. “I wanted to know what you’re going to do now.”
“None of your business.”
Marc flinched.
“What are you doing here in the first place?” Aurora asked before he could collect himself. “How did Franco find Gia?”
Marc ran a nervous hand through his hair. “Father suspected Gia might come to Shearwater Landing.”
Aurora had meant here at the compound, not in the city, but she let him continue.
“Once Father’s witch was able to track you successfully, Gia, he knew he’d been right.
You found your link to the Shearwater Landing witches.
Father had reached out to this coven before”—he waved a hand vaguely, indicating the destroyed compound—“about an unrelated alliance, but the Thornfields weren’t interested.
He made another offer after you ran, and must have said something right because they agreed immediately. ”
Aurora rolled her eyes. “More like Stan’s scheme with the Nightingales fell through, and he was desperate.”
“Sure, whatever. I don’t know the details.” Marc scowled, barely averting his attention from his sister.
“Father agreed to ally with the Thornfields if they helped us bring you home. He was busy for the last few days meeting with the coven leader behind closed doors while witches and Salvator tracked you and kept tabs. But Gia, he wasn’t a…a vampire.”
Marc might not know the details, but Aurora suspected Trey had been involved. He’d never been there for her soul or the Lockwoods at all.
“He was a vampire,” Gia said curtly. “He’s been messing with my mind since I was a child.
I had to get someone to undo his hypnosis.
I saw him drink blood in the memories he erased.
The fact that he erased my memory at all is evidence enough.
Even if you didn’t know before, come on, Marc, open your eyes.
Franco could have hypnotized you to believe he was mortal and that you’d inherit his empire. ”
“But—”
“Didn’t you see his eyes glowing? He wasn’t human, and he wasn’t a witch, or why would he need me to use magic?”
Marc inspected his surroundings, as if he might find answers in the ashes. “You’re right about the magic. Okay. But I’m so confused. Why am I remembering things differently all of a sudden?”
“Differently how?” Aurora asked.
“Now that I think about it, I have seen Father’s eyes glow before, but if you’d asked me this morning, I’d have sworn against it. Everything in my past feels weird. Contradictory. I don’t understand.”
Surprise widened Gia’s eyes, and the silence stretched, strained between the siblings.
Aurora spoke up hesitantly. “If Franco hypnotized you, now that he’s dead, his hold will fade and reveal the truth. Your past might seem muddled if he covered up more than his vampirism.”
Marc seemed to deflate. “Fuck. Okay. Do you think… Could he have made me follow him all this time? I remember believing him and wanting to be his heir, but it feels strange now. Like a dream.”
Gia’s expression crumpled. “He could have forced you. Oh my god, Marc. I never thought. Not even after I realized what he’d done to me.”
Aurora hoped Marc had been under a thrall. There was a huge difference between Marc willingly following his father and being kept under a vampire’s spell. “If you hurry and check now, a vampire might still detect the fading mind alterations. Then we’ll know for sure.”
Even if it was too late to see the evidence, Marc would know as his true memories surfaced. But Aurora had a feeling Gia would need solid proof to ever trust her brother again, and she wouldn’t mind the confirmation herself.
Marc only seemed more lost than ever. “I’m sorry, Gia. About Ma.” His voice broke, and his eyes turned glassy.
She regarded him with increased sadness. “Me too.”
“That’s what feels the most strange. I swear, I’d never…” He choked on a sob.
Gia’s voice was thick with emotion. “I hope that’s true. We’ll ask Viv to look at your memory. Okay?” She turned and walked away, like she couldn’t bear to face him a moment longer.
Aurora followed, leaving Marc behind. She caught Viv’s eye, where she hovered near Sam and the other Lockwoods, and pointed at Marc.
With Viv’s enhanced hearing, she’d likely heard their conversation, and sure enough, the vampire smirked and sauntered over to Marc without question.
“Do you think hypnosis is really the reason Marc stood by Franco?” Gia asked. “Do you think he forced Marc to stay at his side? To not care he’d killed our mother?”
“It’s possible. And unless Marc is an excellent actor who actually knows everything about vampires, I’d say he’s behaving exactly like someone coming out of hypnosis.” He seemed like a completely different man than the one who’d accosted Gia on the street earlier.
“God, I hope you’re right.” A tear traced the curve of Gia’s cheek. “Then at least one person in my life wasn’t totally awful.”
Aurora wrapped an arm around Gia. “Viv will sort him out and let us know. But I think we should head home.”
Gia slumped against her. “You’re coming with me?”
“Of course.” That had never been in question. “If there’s one thing we need right now, it’s each other.”
Aurora stirred, waking from a deep sleep, her body loose and rested. Damnation, it was good to sleep again.
Her stomach twisted with hunger. Yesterday, they’d returned to the condo, showered, and crawled into bed. Aurora couldn’t have looked at food if she’d tried, but now, she was painfully aware of how long it had been since she’d eaten.
She rolled over in bed, finding Gia already awake and watching her with one hand tucked under her cheek. It was light outside, so she assumed they’d slept all night. The first of the sun’s rays shone in, bringing out the gold highlights in Gia’s dark hair.
“Hey.” Aurora’s voice came out thick with sleep. “How are you doing?”
“Not bad. Sorry if I woke you.”
“I’m not. I slept like a rock.”
Gia smiled. “You obviously needed it.”
“And you?” Gia seemed tired. How long had she been lying awake?
Her smile faded. “I had too many dreams. My mind’s overloaded, and I’d say I’m worried about getting a migraine, except they were never real.”
“The pain was real.”
“Yeah, but it’s still strange to wake up and remember everything I used to know was a lie.” Gia scooted closer. “How are you doing?”
“I’m glad it’s over.” It would take a long time to process everything that happened to the Thornfields, especially her mother and uncle, but at the moment, the weight that had been lifted overshadowed everything else.
Gia reached for Aurora’s hand. “I’m glad too. I didn’t want you looking over your shoulder all your life, wondering if they’d come after you once you escaped.”
Aurora had to admit, knowing the Thornfields wouldn’t come calling was as big a relief as being free of the binding. “What about you? Will you have to worry about your father’s men?”
Gia’s lip curled. “I don’t think so. Why bother with me when they can return to Ashton Lakes and fight over who’s the new head of the organization? Besides, I don’t think any of them are bullheaded enough to come for me after yesterday.”
Unease washed away Aurora’s relief. “You think?”
“I’m almost certain of it. Franco’s death is an opportunity. His men were loyal to him, but not past death. Franco’s power is gone. The only reason Salvator or the rest might come for me is if Marc takes over and orders them to. And it seems he won’t be doing that.” Her brow furrowed.
“What’s that look?”
“Franco’s men were loyal, but how much was hypnosis?” Gia sighed. “It doesn’t matter. Point is, I’m not worried anyone will cause me trouble. I can kill them far easier than Franco was killed, and they know it.”
Aurora’s stomach twisted unpleasantly. “I’m sorry I channeled you to kill him.”
Her eyes widened. “Why?”
“It’s what Franco did to you, and I didn’t ask if you were okay with killing him. We’d only discussed channeling to fight my coven.”
“That’s not true. I asked you to channel me because I trust you and the choices you make. If you hadn’t made tough calls, Franco would have won.”
“Maybe, but you can still feel conflicted about it.”
Gia considered a moment longer before saying, “I wouldn’t have made a single choice differently.
I wanted him dead, and right now, I’m glad I was able to use the horrible things Franco forced me to do to beat him and help you.
And I told Viv to finish him off. That was my call, not something you should feel responsible for. ”
“You’re right,” Aurora conceded.
“Maybe I shouldn’t feel good about his death. I might see it differently one day, once time has passed. Who knows? Guilt could set in.” She gave Aurora a vulnerable look.
Aurora scooted closer. “I’m not judging you for how you feel about it any more than you’re judging me for how I handled things.”
“I know you’re not. But I want to make it clear: I’m never planning to use magic like that again.”
“Me either. Life as a witch doesn’t have to be bloody or full of terrible curses. I promise.”
A small smile pulled at Gia’s lips. “Thank god.”
Aurora’s stomach growled ridiculously loud, and she smashed her face into the pillow. Way to kill a heavy moment.
Gia laughed. “You must be starving.”
Aurora turned, peeking out with one eye. “Not starving, but I could probably eat an entire breakfast buffet.”
Gia’s laugh deepened. “Let me see what I can do about that.”