Chapter 7 #2
Azriel grunts and moves to grab me a mug, filling it nearly to the brim before dumping just enough of my favorite creamer in there.
“Thank you.” I smile at him and take the mug. He meets my grin with one of his own before his eyes slide to my aunt.
“Anything for family.”
I sputter at the same time Loreli’s eyes narrow, and she swears under her breath. “I’m sorry, what just happened? Family?”
Azriel nods his head, but his eyes are lit up, those violet orbs almost glowing. “We should talk.”
“What he means to say is that he stole your blood and brought it to a priestess who was able to discern the types of magic you have and where they hail from,” my aunt jumps in, her face flushed, her brow almost hitting her hairline.
Guilt makes my stomach sink. I forgot that I’d given Azriel my blood willingly, despite my aunt not wanting me to, when my magic returned. It was over a year ago, and there had been no answers until now. I forgot about it, just as I thought Az had.
“Lore—”
“Did you give it to him? Even after I told you both it could be unsafe.”
My throat feels tight, knowing I went against her. Safety didn’t even cross my mind at the time. All I wanted was answers, and I trusted Azriel to have my best interests in mind. “I’m sorry.”
She huffs and pushes herself back from the island counter.
Her arms wrap around her waist. She won’t look at me.
“So neither of you even thought about what could happen if those results got into the wrong hands? You lost your memories, Skallan. We still don’t know how exactly the accident happened. ”
I grimace at her use of my full name. “That’s why I was okay with doing it. We needed answers, and I thought if we knew more about my blood, my magic, or who I’m related to, it might answer questions about what happened. I didn’t just lose my magic, Aunt Lore, I was disconnected from it.”
“And now an angel priestess also knows about your origin. How are we to know that any of the angels didn’t have a hand in your falling off a cliff?
And now this priestess in particular knows how unique and gifted you are?
” Loreli argues back, her eyes filling with tears.
Her hands are shaking, and I’ve never seen my aunt so worked up, so terrified.
“Loreli.” I reach for her, but she holds up her hand to stop me.
“I hope you’re not suggesting that one of my kind would turn on family?” Azriel’s eyes shoot to my aunt. A thin layer of anger veils his words.
Loreli’s brow rises. “Are you saying they’ve never crossed over lines before?”
“Not when the person in question is clearly related by blood,” Azriel bites out, but my aunt stands her ground.
“Until they think she’s dangerous.”
“Okay, both of you need to tone it back and tell me what’s going on.” I glance between my aunt and my best friend. The latter’s jaw is clenched tightly.
“The priestess was able to give me some answers. She couldn’t decipher everything because some of the strands are clouded.
For some reason, she couldn’t read your witch line or reaper lines.
They wouldn’t reveal themselves, or they need more time.
But you are part angel. The markers match mine, which means we come from the same line,” Azreil explains, while a smile plays on his lips.
“So we’re like what? Related? Is that even possible?” My eyes widen, and he laughs.
“It works differently for us. As long as we have the same markers, we have the same blood. Essentially, you’re my sister.” He grins proudly.
Aunt Loreli scoffs and leans her body against the counter for support. I can see the way her shoulders slouch and the energy seems to be sucked out of her. Her head lifts, and our eyes catch.
“Why are you worried?”
She sighs, and her hands run through her hair.
“Because history often has a way of repeating itself. In the past, witches with two or more extra bloodlines were considered dangerous. They were hunted. Accidents happened. All because they dared have a little extra magic.” She looks at Azriel, and her eyes sharpen.
“I’ve heard the same rumors as you. The Nexa.
If she’s back, she needs a husk. Even if she wasn’t previously using Skully, there’s a chance she could be sought out now.
Especially if word gets out that Skully is part witch, reaper, and now angel, what do you think they’re going to assume? ”
Azriel’s hands clench. “I’d never let anything happen to her. We don’t know if she could be a possible husk for the Nexa or if she already was. It’s not like we have to tell anyone. Were you planning to tell him this time?”
Loreli goes rigid. “I had to tell her father last time. I was bound by his magic to let him know.”
“Did he make you promise again this time?” I ask, going to my aunt and taking her hand.
“Last time he could sense the shift of her magic, but he hasn’t even reached out to check on her.
” Loreli shakes her head, her eyes full of sadness for me.
Her words barely hurt. After the hospital and the accident, my dad let me go again, just like when I was little.
I am used to it. He has been absent most of my life, and I can’t remember the nine months I lived with him anyway.
I don’t know if he will reach out to me, and I don’t care.
Only I know I can’t reach out to him or anyone from River Falls.
Whatever magic Madden held when he warned me away, it was sticking, and I didn’t mind one bit.
“So we don’t say anything. This is new to me, but I finally connected to my magic.
I feel like myself again. Right now, the Nexa isn’t an issue.
If she’s back, she isn’t in me,” I say while making myself meet each of them with my gaze.
“I don’t care if I’m not wanted in River Falls. I have a life here.”
“Then I think we have a plan,” Azriel says, and I see a flicker of pride in his eyes.
Loreli sighs, but she still meets my gaze. “I won’t reach out to him, but if he contacts me, I’ll have to tell him. I do agree with you, though, Skully, we don’t know enough about the Nexa situation yet. For now, let’s just keep what we found between us.”