Jake
I’ve been standing outside Fernhollow Vet for the past twenty minutes, waiting for Jasmine to walk out the front door. I wanted to surprise her, since this will be the first time since we’ve seen each other since the demon attacked me.
The front door opens, and laughter follows. The woman Jasmine is walking with sees me, then says something to Jasmine. Jasmine’s brows narrow in response, then she looks my way.
I wave.
Her eyes widen. Happiness floods our connection.
“Hi,” Jasmine says, stopping a foot in front of me.
“Hi, Jaz.” I grab her chin and press a kiss to her mouth. “Uh, hi, sorry,” I say when I look at her friend. I take a step back and hold out my hand. “I’m Jake.”
“Oh, I figured.” The woman shakes my hand. “I’m Katrina. She’s talked about you nonstop.”
“Kat!” Jasmine playfully slaps her friend on the arm.
Katrina holds up both hands and walks backward toward a black sedan. “I’m just telling the truth.”
Jasmine rolls her eyes. “Why do I tell you things?”
“See you after vacay! Nice meeting you, Jake!”
I chuckle and wave, then turn to Jasmine. “She’s nice. And vacay?”
“We shut down for a week.” She laces her fingers in mine as we walk toward her apartment.
“Ah, so we can hang out nonstop next week.”
“Yeah, I suppose we can.” Jasmine smiles, then unlocks the door.
The more time we spend together, the more it feels right. It’s like I’ve found my other half, the missing piece to my puzzle, and the things I’d do for her are endless.
When I tell Silas, he’ll understand why I kept it from him. If anything, Junie will help him see I never kept the secret out of spite. I’m keeping these secrets to protect Jasmine.
Decades ago, when demons were in our realm more regularly, there weren’t problems. Surely, we can find a way to coexist. I watch as she moves into the kitchen, grabbing us dinner, and I struggle to understand how the world can’t accept her.
She doesn’t have to change. And I’ll do everything in my power to ensure she understands that.
“Are you deep in thought over there?” Jasmine walks over to the couch in the living room with cold pizza. “Sorry, I don’t have much in the fridge. We can order something.”
“No, this is great. I love cold pizza.” I grab the plate from her and take a bite. “I’m thinking about you, but that’s nothing new.”
“Oh.” Jasmine chuckles, then takes her own bite. “Anything top of mind?”
“Mm.” I shrug. “I’m thinking about your shadow magic.”
Jasmine stills, then her face contorts. “Why?”
“You shouldn’t be disgusted about your shadows. I think they’re beautiful.”
“You’re only saying that because I used them the other day.”
I shake my head. “My point still stands.”
“I like my magic, all of it, but the memories that are associated with it aren’t pleasant.”
“I get that.” If I expect her to be honest and open with me, I need to do the same. “A few years ago, I nearly lost people I love. Every time it snows, I think about those moments. It was when we first met Junie, our luna. Silas despised her at first.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yes. But it didn’t take long with them, especially when they learned about their fated bond.
Most don’t know this, it’s kept hidden, but rogue wolves came and nearly ruined everything.
They captured Junie and saving her was the tipping point for my panic attacks.
I saw a specialist after that, went on medicine. ”
Jasmine’s hand rests on my thigh.
“Is that why you want to join the Council?”
I shrug, leaning back. “I’ve spent the last few years hiding in Starview, keeping an extremely close eye on everyone close to me. At some point, I stopped living, you know? So, the Council spot seems like a good answer to help me get back to my roots, which is helping others who need it most.”
Jasmine nods. “I get that. I’ve been in Fernhollow for ten years, but I never truly felt at home here. Until you, I never let anyone close enough to get to know me. It’s terrifying when you know you aren’t accepted, even if you did nothing wrong.”
“Would you want to fix that?”
“Hm?” Jasmine leans back on the couch and pulls her knees up to her chest. “Fix what?”
“Demons not being allowed in this realm.”
A smile forms on her face. “Of course I would.”
“What would you think about us working together to find a solution?”