Chapter 14
Packing my bag after Botany, I realize I forgot a book I will need for my Latin class after lunch.
I decide to run to my dorm before lunch so I’m not in a rush afterwards, hurrying into my room and grabbing my book off my desk.
When I turn to leave, a package on my bed catches my eye.
Since packages normally get left in the office and you have to go pick them up, I’m guessing Marshall left it for me, so I leave it to deal with later.
I move to walk out of the room and it's like an invisible tether pulling me back, demanding I open that package now, so I slowly walk over to the bed, sitting cautiously down next to the box. It’s wrapped in a dark gold paper, and tied with an emerald green silk ribbon.
I take my time opening it, making sure not to rip anything since it seems expensive.
Picking it up, the first thing I notice is the weight.
It looks small like a jewelry box, made of some kind of dark wood, and the lid is engraved with a crest that looks like the symbol from my power assessment.
I slowly lift the lid. Inside is a beautiful dark bronze pocket watch that looks like it could be hundreds of years old.
Unlike any timepiece I’ve ever seen however, it has six hour hands instead of one, each pointing in different directions.
The chain at the top is small and dainty looking, but as soon as I reach out and grab it to get a better look, a jolt of static flows through me.
I’ve never felt magic like this before, almost like a mix of different elements.
It’s intoxicating. I feel something settle in my chest as the magic dissipates.
The watch hands are now spinning wildly, but I push aside my confusion when I notice an ivory envelope under where the watch sat.
On it, my name is written in a beautiful cursive script.
Why do I get a suspicious feeling that whatever it contains is going to be bigger than finding out about my magic?
Magnolia,
I know you are sure to have questions, as I did when I received this watch.
However, at the time, I didn’t know where I had come from.
When I received this artifact, with a vague letter from some distant relative that couldn’t explain to me who they were or anything about my family, it obviously left me with more questions than answers.
Whoever wrote mine only told me about this watch and what it does, but didn’t tell me a name, or who my family was.
I couldn’t do that to you. So I guess I shall explain that first, my dear girl.
This watch will change so it has an hour hand for each soul mate you have, and the hands will only move if they are close.
I’m not sure what the range is, but I’d assume in the same town, at least. It’s how I found your dad, after all.
My watch had five hands, but only one ever moved.
I always figured eventually I’d find the rest of my circle, but I was never in a rush.
Your dad was everything to me, then you and your brother came along, so I never truly felt like my life was incomplete.
Every species, family, and circle is different in how they find each other.
However, every bond will have a mate mark, that is true for everyone.
As for us, and our circles, only the center gets an artifact, and according to my research it’s only certain bloodlines.
As for this watch: the faster the hand is spinning, the farther away your mate is, but as you get closer it will slow down, then stop when pointing to your mate.
It is my greatest hope that they treat you like the amazing young woman I know you will be, my darling.
You're currently ten years old, playing in the yard with your brother. Last night I had a dream telling me I needed to write this letter, so I have a feeling that means I won’t be around to watch you open it and subsequently find your loves.
I hope that’s not the case, but I do not know what the future holds for me.
Just know, my sweet girl, that I love you and your brother with every fiber of my being.
You two are the best things to happen in my life, never doubt that.
Be well, and live life to the fullest. I hope and pray that you, Marsh, and Dad are safe and happy.
Maybe one day he will find the rest of our circle and find happiness again if I am gone.
Love Forever,
Momma
I don’t realize that I’m crying until a tear hits the paper.
Seeing her handwriting on paper so long after losing her, having a new little piece of her…
it’s a gift. I can’t wait to show Marshall, though part of me hates that I got something from mom and he didn’t.
Even though it was out of my control, I know it’s unfair that I got to see her in that dreamscape, and now this.
Picking up the watch, all the hands are still spinning but none are moving fast. Does that mean they are all close?
Wait… one hand for each mate… and there are six fucking hands. You have got to be shitting me.
Maggie, where are you? Coming for lunch?
Shit! Marsh, you scared me. I’m headed that way. We need to talk.
Now what? Even in my head he sounds tired.
I’ll tell you when I get there, just grab me some food.
I close the connection, tossing the book I came for and the note from Mom in my bag, but I can’t bring myself to let go of the watch.
It’s like it's stuck to my hand. Marsh is really gonna lose his shit. Six mates? I bet he’s going to love that.
I sigh as I close the door, knowing there’s nothing I can do to change either my situation, or how Marsh reacts.
When I make it to the dining hall, I find my brother and Malise sitting at a table in the corner.
I glance down at the watch that’s still in my hands to see one of the hands has stopped spinning.
It’s pointing directly at Rehan, who is walking toward me.
That explains the weird pull, and the feeling I get when he’s close.
He’s mine. I don’t know if I feel more relieved, or scared about what this means for my future.
He smiles as he makes it to me. “Hey Siren, I was starting to wonder if you forgot that I was wanting to eat lunch with you?”
“Um. No, I… uh, had to run to my dorm first. I’m actually sitting over there with my brother and roommate. Um, you can join us, I suppose?” Great job, Mags. You sound like a bumbling idiot.
“I’d love to meet your brother!” His grin widens, but there’s a mischievous look in his eyes.
“First day and I already get to meet the family? I’m flattered, Siren.
” He places a hand on my lower back, leading me towards where my brother is sitting and glaring daggers at us. This is going to be so much fun.
Behave, Marshall, or I’ll tell Dad you were the one that wrecked his pick-up truck after you snuck out.
Harsh! Fine… I guess I’ll mind my manners, if he does.
When I sit down, my brother slides a plate over towards me. “Is this shrimp and hushpuppies? Yum! Thanks, Marsh.”
“You’re welcome.” He places a bowl and dressing pack in front of me as well. “Here is your caesar salad, with ranch instead. I figured you would want lighter food today.”
“You were right.” I’ve already got a bite loaded on my fork, halfway to my mouth when I remember I didn’t come alone.
“Marsh, Malise, this is Rehan. Rehan, this is my twin brother Marshall, and our roommate Malise.” I take a bite of my boiled shrimp while they all exchange pleasantries, humming happily as the flavors burst across my tongue.
“This school has the best food, don’t they? So, how’s everyone’s first day going?” Malise asks, trying to cut the tension, Fates bless her.
It seems to work as Marsh perks up a little.
“Amazing, actually! I love my classes so far. Plus, there is a guy in my Potions class that is drop dead gorgeous. Did you enjoy Botany, Mags? I know you were excited about it.” He glances between me and Rehan, not quite rudely but it’s definitely pointed.
“Oh, it was great! We all got to pick out the plant that calls to us; I chose oleander, Rehan picked deadly nightshade.” The aforementioned made sure his chair was as close to me as possible when we sat, and the pull to him is still there, but it’s not as all consuming as it was earlier.
He keeps brushing his leg against mine, and that alone is certainly making me want to rub against him like a cat.
“So… twins? That’s got to be a lot of fun, right?” Rehan asks, looking between me and Marsh. I can’t tell if the innocent-sounding question is honest curiosity or if he’s deliberately baiting my twin.
“It definitely can be, sometimes,” I respond, kicking the twin who is now glaring at Rehan again.
The kick seems to have done the trick. Marsh looks appropriately chastised.
I don’t know why he has always acted like this toward any guy that’s been interested in me.
It can be really annoying and draining to feel like I need to live two separate lives.
But seeing how I will have six freaking mates, his overbearing ass will have to learn to deal.
I don’t even want to think about the possibility of my brother not accepting my circle.
I take a peek at the watch, surprised to see another hand has stopped and is pointing to my left. Before I can get a chance to look around and try to find mate number two, the watch is snatched from my hand.
“What’s this Mags?” Marsh asks, examining it.
Well, I guess it’s time for that uncomfortable conversation now. Great.