Chapter 20
As he took a step back against the wall, Fane’s eyes bulged.
I noticed, once more, how similar our eyes were, reminding me that my own blood had kept the priestess’s plan for me and my mate secret. My breath caught when cold realization settled deep within my chest. “That’s why you took Josie, Keith, and Lucy to the store, isn’t it?” The place had seemed so quiet, but I’d been enjoying my alone time with Raffe.
Fane averted his gaze to the floor, confirming everything I needed to know.
Guilty.
“What?” Lucy asked breathlessly as she turned to him as well. “I mean, you wanted to leave later for the store, but we needed supplies, and nothing was going on, so I didn’t think—”
“Faith asked me to occupy you all, so Skylar wouldn’t get distracted during her training.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “They didn’t give me specifics but mentioned that their tactics would be alarming. However, that was the only way to get Skylar to learn control, and I needed to get as many of you to leave with me as I could. I didn’t know they would threaten Raffe.”
“They’re coven. Of course they’re going to use a person’s vulnerabilities against them.” Raffe stood as still as a statue next to me. “What did you expect from the word alarming?”
“I … I don’t know.” Fane huffed and jutted out his chin. “And I didn’t ask. You all came here, putting my family in danger, so I’ll do whatever is needed to protect us.”
Octavia gasped. “Fane, you can’t mean that. Skylar is—”
“Just stop.” Fane slashed out his hand. “I know what you’re going to say, but is she really? I don’t even know her, nor did I have the choice whether I wanted to or not.”
My lungs stopped working. I selfishly hadn’t put myself in his shoes. We’d arrived here with Raffe on the brink of death and Dave not doing well, and I hadn’t considered how my presence would affect him.
Grabbing Fane by the arm, Dru seethed, “What do you mean you don’t know her? We talk about her often.”
“Yeah, you two talk about a baby you gave up and how you wish things could be different. She’s the child you long for and want to know.” Fane’s nose wrinkled. “I never said I didn’t know about her, but her presence had always hovered over our family, stealing the happiness from the holidays, and even in my own moments of happiness, her absence affects us. It’s like you gave up the wrong child.”
Lucy gasped, and a hand went to her chest. Guilt weighed on me.
I’d always wanted to know why my parents didn’t want me. I’d assumed it was because of my power, and Octavia had confirmed my worst fear. Learning I had a brother had caught me off guard. But maybe he and I had similar issues stemming from opposite sides of that situation. I feared I was the child they’d never wanted, and he’d grown up wondering if they would’ve preferred to keep me instead.
“Spare me the dramatics. Your choice not to tell us had nothing to do with them giving her up and everything to do with your character as a person,” Raffe snarled.
We were ganging up on Fane, and it didn’t feel right, not after what he’d said. I stepped closer to Raffe, allowing our arms to brush, and linked with everyone. I understand you’re all upset. I am, too, but maybe give him a break. We’ve all made mistakes, and no one asked him if he was okay with us coming here.
She’s right. Lucy lowered her head. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if my mom disappeared and came back with a bunch of supernaturals. He even mentioned in the car ride that he’d never been around our kind.
“Look, I see now that I made a mistake.” Fane bumped his head against the wall. “And it won’t happen again.”
“You’re damn right it won’t happen again.” Keith stepped closer to us. “If any of my pack members get hurt, it won’t just be the coven members who’ll feel my wrath.”
“If you can forgive me for what I did, then surely you can get past what Fane did.” Dave cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck.
Josie cut her eyes to him and shook her head. “Ignore him.”
She wasn’t thrilled with Dave’s interjection, and if he were my mate, I wouldn’t be either.
The only person who wasn’t losing their mind was Adam, who kept watch by the window. He was the most rational one of us, which we desperately needed right now.
Raffe’s anger spiked again. “Oh, I want him dead. He’s the reason Skylar got kidnapped by those crazies. The only reason I’m leaving him alone is because he means something to Josie, but one more step out of line—especially if it involves Skylar—and I won’t hesitate again.”
All of this fighting among ourselves was getting us nowhere, and there was only one way to handle it. “Everyone makes mistakes, and Fane is right. We should have made sure that Dru and Fane were okay with us coming here and especially staying. We are putting them at risk because we all know Olwyn won’t give up searching for us.”
I turned to Fane and noticed he and Lucy were staring at one another again. Something was going on between them.
Wanting to make things as right as possible, I inhaled. “Fane, would you like us to leave?”
“Skylar, no.” Octavia clasped her hands. “You’re our daughter, and you need protection. We won’t make the same mistake again.”
I couldn’t believe how quickly my heart had thawed toward my biological parents. When I’d first met Octavia and learned who she was, I couldn’t have imagined being okay with her presence, yet within days, I’d come to care for Dru, Octavia, and even Fane. “I appreciate the offer.” I smiled sadly, hoping they understood I wasn’t trying to snub them, but rather, I wanted a relationship with my brother, one that incorporated respect. “But this is Fane’s home too, and he needs to be comfortable with us.”
Dru sighed and nodded. “I get that and respect it.”
“But do I have a choice?” Fane arched a brow, staring Raffe down.
Fair. This was the safest place for us. We didn’t have to worry about our limited funds, and the area had been private property for years. Raffe wouldn’t want us to leave even though the coven members nearby had soured it all.
Curling one side of his lip over his teeth, Raffe opened his mouth to answer, but I linked only to him, Please don’t push him. If he doesn’t want us here, I want to respect his wishes. Think about it from his perspective. If someone showed up at our place wanting protection from powerful people, would you want them to stay?
I considered myself a kind and compassionate person, but when it came to putting Raffe in danger, I wasn’t sure what my decision would be. He was the most important person in my life, and I would never want to take unnecessary risks with his safety.
He must have felt the same way because his anger thawed, though his unhappiness remained stifling. Fine, but only because this is important to you. But dammit, Sky. I don’t know where to take you to keep you safe. This coven has me questioning this place too.
I believed Priestess Caroline when she promised she wouldn’t hurt us again. I didn’t know how to explain it to him other than it was as if magic had laced her words, binding her to them and me … as if I could sense them in my soul.
“See, he won’t even answer my question.” Fane snorted.
“Don’t press me,” Raffe gritted. “You’re right. I want to tell you that I don’t give a fuck. As long as Octavia and Dru don’t mind having my mate here, we aren’t leaving. But because of Sky, I’m willing to agree. If you want us to leave, we will. No questions asked.”
Lucy gasped and bit her bottom lip as Keith linked, Man, where are we going to go? We have no fucking money. We might as well pony up and go back to your dad’s pack with our tails between our legs.
Shut up. Adam shut the blinds. That’s not an option, and you know it.
Then what is? Josie asked. We need a way for Dave to get blood without drawing the attention of other supernaturals.
Why did everything keep stacking against us? I must have pissed off someone good to be dealt a hand like this.
“Son, it’s in your hands,” Dru said and rubbed Octavia’s shoulders.
Fane leaned forward, catching Lucy’s attention, and said, “Of course all of you can stay.” His body relaxed. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to any of you, but I also want to make sure my parents are safe. I also never imagined the coven would do something like that to you. I’ve never seen Priestess Caroline harm a fly, let alone another person.”
The tension in the room eased, and my lungs filled a little easier. I hadn’t been sure what Fane’s answer would be, and I was so damn thankful he’d said yes. My body sagged against Raffe, and he wrapped an arm around my waist, anchoring me to him.
Now that this was over, I wanted to rest. I had no idea when the coven would summon me for the next test. Knowing them, it wouldn’t be long. With how strongly my magic had fritzed, if any one of the Veiled Circle’s disciples had felt it, they’d find us. I could only hope there was a reason the coven members and Octavia had chosen to settle in this spot. It was a ways from the city, and they avoided other supernaturals like the plague.
“Okay, good.” Octavia’s smile seemed forced, but she patted Fane’s arm. “That’s settled. I’m going to get dinner cooking. After what Sky and Raffe went through, they should eat and rest more.”
Fane winced, but his expression smoothed within a second.
I wasn’t sure if his reaction was from guilt or because she was taking care of me again. Either way, I wasn’t trying to make his life hell.
“Dave and I can help you cook,” Josie offered, taking Dave’s hand.
“You don’t have to.”
“I love cooking.” Dave shrugged. “I know it sounds weird, with me being a vampire and all, but food and the way the rest of you enjoy it has always intrigued me. I took some cooking classes in Portland.”
“Really?” Josie tilted her head back. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”
“Good ones, I hope.” He shuffled his feet.
Octavia gestured to the kitchen. “How can I say no to that? More hands will make it go quicker.”
Josie and Dave followed her while Adam and Keith headed to the door.
Adam linked, We’re going outside to keep an eye out. I understand that the coven promised not to pull a stunt like that again, but I want to make sure they don’t do anything else today while Skylar’s exhausted. I already fucked up by sleeping through the first attack, and I won’t make that mistake again.
My heart ached. I hated that he felt that way. We could’ve woken him. None of us had expected them to pull something like that, so if anything, we were all to blame.
As I readied to speak, Raffe linked, Sounds good. Let me know if you need me out there too.
With those coven members, it’s best if you stay close to Sky. Their sorry asses could cloak themselves and stab her in the back. Keith opened the door and glanced over his shoulder to examine the room again like he expected to find Caroline behind us.
A chill ran down my spine. I truly didn’t understand the scope of what the covens were capable of. Slade and Olwyn clearly kept things from me, focusing on trying to get me on their side without revealing too much. They hadn’t needed to be vicious … until now.
Raffe led me back to our room, leaving Lucy and the others in the living room. When we entered the room, he sighed. “That damn cat is taking over our bed. The more time I spend with her, the more I agree with naming her Keith. She’s a pain in the ass like him.” He held the door open wider and stared at the cat curled in the center of our bed. “Out!”
Cat-Keith hissed but obeyed, giving him the side-eye as she stalked out.
I mashed my lips together, trying not to laugh as Raffe shut the door, climbed onto the bed, and opened his arms.
My attention landed on his neck, where they’d held the dagger against him earlier. Though it was scabbed over, the memory caused cold tendrils of fear to constrict my chest. Once again, I’d come so close to losing him. I didn’t understand why; every time we turned around, our bond was threatened.
His face softened, and he patted the spot next to him. If you don’t get your sexy ass over here now, I will make you.
I laughed, surprising myself. I might want you to force me.
He licked his full bottom lip, and warmth spread between my thighs. My mate was the most caring and sexiest man alive, and he was all mine.
Everyone is awake in this house, and you’re exhausted. His irises warmed to cobalt, my new favorite color, replacing lilac, which had been my favorite color forever. If you make me, I’ll be eager to take you, and then I’d be ashamed of myself. I need you rested because danger has a knack for finding you.
He knew my weakness and fought dirty, but I found myself crawling onto the bed next to him.
Pulling my back to his chest, he nuzzled his face into my neck, and the buzz of our connection sprang to life and took my breath away. I couldn’t imagine a world without him by my side anymore, and the thought of losing him petrified me more than anything.
I don’t want you training with those coven members again, Raffe linked, running his fingertips over my arm.
My body shuddered, already melting at his touch. I don’t have a choice. I despised their plan, but it worked. For the first time, I was able to control my power. I’ve never done that before.
Next time, they could hurt you and not me. Raffe huffed. I refuse to let that happen.
They won’t. I don’t know how to explain it, but I know she won’t. I turned and faced him.
His irises had returned to an icy light blue, revealing his intense struggle with this decision. Babe, I can’t risk losing you.
I feel the same way about you, but she’s right. My power … it’s growing. I refused to consider that Priestess Caroline had been right to use Raffe against me. What they’d done had been too cruel for me to ever approve of it. I’d never wish anyone to watch their fated mate in a situation like that, but it had been effective. If I thought they’d chance doing something like that to us again, I wouldn’t consider risking it. But I believe they won’t, and I need all the help I can get. We can’t hide forever. Whether it’s Olwyn finding us, or the Veiled Circle taking over like they plan, we’ll eventually have to come out of hiding. We both know we can’t sit back and let innocent people get killed or mistreated. And we can’t continue to allow supernaturals to deny their heritage.
He blinked slowly, and the edges of his mouth tipped downward. I hate that you’re right. All I want to do is hide you away and keep you safe. And maybe if the wolf shifters hadn’t been so hard on vampires and coven members, the Veiled Circle wouldn’t have gotten off the ground. The coven is the only way you found answers, and my species could have ruined that for you.
I cupped his face with my free hand and kissed him. I leaned back, needing him to see the expression on my face as I said, “You aren’t to blame for any of this. We had a rocky start, but we figured it out, and you’ve been nothing but supportive of me and our relationship. Hell, you left your pack and future to stand beside me. I don’t want you to feel any guilt because our relationship has only made me stronger. But I need to train with the coven, and if they do anything that makes either of us uncomfortable, I won’t train with them again.”
“I’d do everything all over again as long as I wound up with you.” Raffe’s hands tightened on my waist. “You’re my everything, and my entire goal is to protect you. If training them will make you feel safer, we’ll try it one more time, which means that getting rest is most important.” He pulled me close to him again, and I nestled my head on his chest.
“Now sleep. I’ll wake you up when it’s time for dinner.” He kissed the top of my head.
Nestled in his arms, safe and secure, I listened to his heartbeat and drifted off to sleep.
The next day, I trained with Priestess Caroline outside my biological parents’ house. Adam, Keith, and Raffe stayed out front with me, keeping an eye out for anything that seemed off. I suspected that Caroline had come here to prove she wasn’t up to anything.
Lucy stayed in the house with Fane, Octavia, and Dru while Josie and Dave staked out the back to watch for any coven members trying to sneak in that way.
Luckily, nothing was amiss, but I understood why Raffe wanted to be cautious.
I’d hoped that, after my breakthrough yesterday, I could master my power again. Today, I could actually feel the vibrations merge into one distinct collection, and I managed to blow up two apples and a rock no larger than a golf ball, though it had taken nearly eight hours and a ton of concentration. I’d had to force myself to remember the ways I’d been tormented to get my power to spark. Between the bad memories and the exertion, I could barely stand on my feet.
By that point, the sun had set, which meant I’d trained the entire day and accomplished only three lousy things. How the hell was I supposed to fight in a potential war when manipulating such small things strained me?
“You did well.” Priestess Caroline bowed her head. “We’ll train more tomorrow. Make sure you get lots of rest.”
“We’re already done?” Luckily, I was too tired to throw a temper tantrum, so I didn’t stomp my feet, but giving up didn’t feel right.
Skylar …Raffe warned, stepping next to me, sensing how exhausted I was.
Damn fated-mate bond. Not really, but this was one of the times the benefits were less than ideal. If I didn’t push myself, who knew how long this would take to master?
Keith stood behind Priestess Caroline across the driveway near the tree line. He’d insisted on staying directly behind the priestess in case her “coven-ass tried something sneaky again.”
“Uh … Sky, look at the sky.” Keith pointed upward like I didn’t know which direction to look in.
From our left, Adam groaned and rubbed his temples. “How long have you been waiting to say that?”
“Don’t get upset because I said it first.” Keith stuck out his tongue, proving he’d lost his mind to boredom.
“What I think the young shifter is trying to say is … it’s late. You need rest, or you won’t be able to train tomorrow.” The priestess smirked, seeming more human than supernatural again.
There was no winning against the four of them. “Fine, but I need to do better tomorrow.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” The older lady patted my shoulder. “You’ve only been able to harness it for a day.”
Maybe, but we had too much at stake for my progress to be this slow.
Dinner’s ready, Lucy linked to us, and my stomach grumbled.
Priestess Caroline headed toward the woods and her home while Raffe, Adam, Keith, and I went back inside. Raffe stayed close by, no doubt feeling my exhaustion through our bond, but I didn’t want the others to worry about me. I needed them to know I could be strong.
Each step was harder than the last, but I managed to make it up the stairs and sit down at the table without collapsing.
You’re pushing yourself too hard, Raffe linked, kissing my cheek as he sat beside me. He placed his large hand on top of my thigh, the buzz springing to life even through my jeans.
Octavia, Lucy, Dru, and Fane had lasagna, salad, and chicken laid out on the counters, and Raffe jumped up and made us each a plate.
Fane slid into the seat beside me, glancing around. He swallowed loudly. “Sky, I’m sorry about yesterday. I know it sounded like I resent you, and that’s not fair.”
“Hey.” I reached over and placed my hand on his arm.
Is everything okay over there? Raffe linked, concern brewing between us.
Yes, you can listen in if you want. I wouldn’t ever hide anything from Raffe, but I focused on my brother. “I get it. I had a hard time growing up, wondering why they didn’t want me. I can’t imagine feeling like you were sharing them with someone you didn’t even know. I’m sorry too.”
Fane hung his head. “Lucy told me you’d understand. I hoped she’d be wrong. It would be easier if you were upset with me because I was acting like a child.”
“Childhood is where we get most of our baggage.” I bumped my shoulder into his and smiled. “But I’m willing to help you with yours if you’re willing to help me with mine. I know we won’t ever have the relationship we’d have if we’d grown up together, but I’d like to have one now if you’re open to that.”
“Even after how I acted?” He pursed his lips.
“Only if you want. No pressure.” Maybe my biological family and I wouldn’t have a traditional family relationship, but I’d like to have something with each one of them.
“No, I’d like that.” He nodded. “I don’t hate you even though it sort of sounded like it. I hated not having a say in them giving you up or in you coming back. But I always wondered about you and what you were like. Growing up here was lonely. Mom and Dad didn’t want to risk me going to school or venturing too far in case a supernatural figured out what our family was.”
I forced my hands to stay in my lap, but I wanted to hug him. He’d had a lonely childhood too, similar to mine but for different reasons. We had so much in common but under very different circumstances. “Well, you have me now.” I wanted to mention Lucy, too, since they were spending a lot of time together, but I kept that off-limits. I needed to take our relationship one day at a time and not push him. I wanted him to set the pace.
“I like the sound of that.” He smiled and stood awkwardly. “Uh … I’ll be right back. I’m going to get some food.”
As he hurried off, my cheeks ached, and I realized how big I was smiling. Maybe coming here was the best decision I’d ever made.
Unlike the night before, dinner tonight was filled with lively conversation. I was too tired to really contribute, but I smiled and watched as my pack, biological family, and Dave discussed shows, movies, and politics.
The night was fun and flew by.
I’d gotten clean and was crawling into Raffe’s arms in bed when exhaustion set in.
When it felt like I’d just fallen asleep, Lucy pack-linked, The priestess called.
The door to our bedroom slammed open, and Raffe and I sat upright to find Fane rushing inside, pale.
The perimeter has been breached, Lucy finished as Fane rasped, “Someone is coming.”