Chapter 15
AVA
Valen pushes the door to a stationery shop open, and a bell chimes our arrival.
I look around, surprised when I find Jade standing behind the counter. Valen said he was bringing me somewhere but didn’t say it was to see Jade.
“I can guess why you two are here. Follow me.” She nods for us to follow her into the back.
She perches on a large chair and motions for us to sit while taking a bite of an almost finished apple I didn’t notice previously in her hand.
I take the couch across from her, with Valen at my side.
His whole left leg presses against my right, and I appreciate the feeling of stability it gives me.
A reminder that no matter what, he’s got me.
It’s a whimsical space back here, between the olive-green velvet couch and the gauzy beaded purple curtains. There’s a core part of me that feels at home with the energy of the room.
“Ready to try again, sans the entourage?” Jade asks, smoothing a hand down her burgundy skirt.
“Valen’s trying to help me out and the others want to support, but I guess it didn’t pan out the other day, did it?” I’m rambling and making little sense, thanks to my nerves. “They might’ve done more harm than good.” I tuck an errant strand of pink hair away.
Jade takes one more bite and tosses her apple core into a trash can across the room in a way it should be impossible. Physics seem to bend to her will.
“It’s nice you have the support system you do, but for now, it’s best to have fewer people involved.
Let’s get down to business.” She wipes her palms on her skirt.
“I feel your power, and it’s strong, but it doesn’t want to come out yet, as we found.
” Her blue, almost purple, eyes narrow as she thinks.
“It’s going to take some digging on my part. ”
“Can I ask you a few questions for now since the power thing is at a standstill?”
Jade nods for me to continue.
“What can witches do? I know what I’ve seen in shows and movies, but it could all be fake. Did you always know you were a witch? Do you have other witch friends? Do we ride brooms?”
“Whoa.” Jade holds her hands out. Her nails are long and sharp on the ends, painted a plum color today. “Slow it down. I promise I’ll answer all your questions, but one at a time, please.”
“Sorry.” I wince. “I’m clueless. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that I’m a witch.”
She gives me a sympathetic smile, and her glossy black hair falls over her shoulder in effortless waves when she glances off to the side.
“I always knew I was a witch, as the gene is passed strictly from mother to daughter or father to son for warlocks.” Her eyes grow distant.
“My powers manifested when I was a little girl. Unfortunately, my mom was with me when it happened, and it resulted in her death.” Jade’s eyes glaze over with unshed tears, and I reach over to place a hand on hers.
“Powers can manifest in times of great stress, and that’s exactly how mine did.
” She slides her hand out from mine and plays with a frayed piece of her jeans.
“My mom owned this apothecary shop and dealt with all kinds of supernaturals. She was well-known for her powerful spells, and they came from far and wide to see her. She also had a passion for stationery, which made the shop a perfect cover. I remember sitting in her lap as she cut and arranged her pieces.” Jade smiles sadly.
“Being that powerful meant she had enemies too, and a warlock who felt wronged by her painted a target on her back. We were out shopping when we were attacked. Mom was bound, and I watched helplessly as they beat her. Wanting to do something, I fought until my powers manifested, and the explosion of magic did what I wanted it to. It killed the bounty hunter. Unfortunately, it also killed my mom.” Jade sighs and paces around the room.
“Jade, I’m so sorry.” Not knowing what else to say, I leave it there. There’s nothing I can say or do to make up for that kind of tragic loss.
“I’ve had plenty of time to wallow. My dad blames me for the situation, even though it’s not like I was trying to kill my mother,” she bites out. “I keep the store running on both sides because it makes me feel close to her.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m sure she’s very proud of you. And fuck your dad for being the way he is.” I flip my hair over my shoulder and shrug.
Jade laughs and sits back down in her wingback chair.
“To answer your other questions, there are many covens throughout the United States. Witches tend to keep to their own kind, but certain ones, like my mom, help the supernatural community at large” She picks at a flaking piece of nail polish.
“Brooms are a harmful stereotype but technically can be done.” Jade’s eyes dance with amusement.
“As for what we can do with our powers, it depends on the witch. Let me try and feel for your magic again.”
I place my hands in hers like the other night.
She closes her eyes and her dark brows wrinkle. A small tingling sensation starts in the middle of my chest, and I try to open myself up to her even though I don’t really know what I’m doing. The feeling grows and feels like it’s on the precipice of something when it fizzles out.
“Damn.” Jade looks at me thoughtfully. “Hang on.”
Walking over to one of the shelves, she pulls out an old book and flips through until she finds the page she wants. Running her finger over the text, she mumbles the words to herself until she taps victoriously.
“Aha. I’ve never encountered this before, but I think your magic was locked by someone.” With a snap, she closes the book and places it back on the shelf.
“Who would’ve done that and why?” I wonder aloud. Everything about this is confusing. Could it have been my birth parents? If my mom was a witch—which she had to have been—then why would she have wanted my magic bound?
“Who the hell knows? You’re from a powerful bloodline, so maybe your real parents did it to protect you,” she says, somewhat echoing my own thoughts.
“Can you feel that it’s locked?” I lean forward eagerly. I want answers, even if it means learning I can’t access my magic.
“It’s an odd thing.” She drags her finger down another book’s spine.
“I feel your magic pulsing inside you, but it feels like a ball of yarn all tangled up in itself. I was hoping I could coax it loose with my magic, but it’s not that simple.
” Her silver bracelets jingle as she puts a hand on one hip.
“I’m going to teach you some exercises to see if it helps.
Valen’s your mate, so maybe you should try some with him to see if it helps.
After all, he’s a part of your soul.” She says it like it’s common conversation, and as someone who isn’t caught off guard often, I sputter.
“We’re not bonded yet.”
She arches a brow. “Well, bonded or not, you are mates. I’m giving you some homework tonight.
Sit with him like we’ve been doing and focus on that pulsing core you have.
I can work on untangling it, but it’ll go faster if you can do it too.
” She paces the small room. “Try to focus on unraveling that ball of power and use his presence to ground you. We’re going to try everything we can to access your magic.
Meanwhile, I’ll keep researching here.” Jade claps in finality, and I stand up, a tad disappointed to once again have made no real progress.
“Jade?” a deep voice calls from the main store area.
“In here!”
A large, imposing figure ducks under the curtain and finds us hidden in the back. He must be privy to the witchiness, because he doesn’t bat an eye at all the odd goods throughout the room. With light hair swept to the side and blue eyes, he reminds me of Spencer.
Turning to me, his eyes widen, and I recognize the subtle heat behind them.
Oh no.
“Hey, just checking in for my shift.” He speaks to Jade but continues to stare at me.
“Thanks, Liam.” Jade snaps her fingers at him when he doesn’t look her way. “Bad idea, my guy. She’s got a vampire hot on her trail, and you don’t want to mess with him.”
My cheeks heat at the memory of Valen possessively snapping over me earlier.
“I’m sure I could take him.” Liam puffs out his chest, and I recoil.
Valen leans around me, baring his teeth. “Want to bet, warlock?”
Liam takes a step back.
“I’ll say something nice at your funeral,” Jade mumbles, patting his chest.
Moseying our way to the front, the small TV on the wall catches my attention with a breaking news banner.
“Ten dead and five kidnapped in a developing story. Left bloody and maimed, the bodies are being identified as we speak,” the news anchor states in his monotone voice.
“Holy shit,” Liam mumbles.
Whipping out my phone, I find a link to the article online and text it to Zav.
Me: Did you do this, Picasso?
It doesn’t take long for my phone to buzz with his answer.
Zavier: Ew, how dare you compare my work to that slop. I take great care when crafting the scene and wouldn’t be caught dead signing that.
Me: You’re so weird. You need to find a new hobby.
Zavier: You need to be claiming your man. If you’re not quick, I’ll swoop in. I’ll treat him right.
Me: Leave Valentine alone.
Zavier: OMG. VALENTINE.
Zavier: His name is VALENTINE?! Oh, this is rich.
He sends several cupid GIFs back to back.
“Fuck.” I didn’t mean to expose his full name, and now I’ve opened Pandora’s box. I eye Valen, who’s standing beside me but facing Liam, still giving him a full glower.
My phone buzzes repeatedly, but I ignore it since I know Zav is having a field day and I’m not brave enough to check the texts.
He can’t find out about Valen being one of the first vampires or it’ll get even worse.
“Our reporter Caitlin is on the scene talking to Captain Barnes of the Chicago police department. Here they are now.” The news anchor steals my attention once more.
“It’s an unfortunate scene to see unfolding.” Captain Barnes scrubs a hand over his head. “We’ll do our best to get to the bottom of it, but we haven’t seen anything like this in a while.” They continue to discuss vague details since I know he doesn’t want to scare the public without facts.
“Has the Mayhem Murderer returned?” she asks a tired looking Captain Barnes.
“This doesn’t seem to fit that killer’s MO. If anything, I’d say we’re looking at gang initiation activity.”
I tune out the rest as my thoughts spiral. With everything I know now, I’m not buying that it’s gang activity.
I have confirmation from Zav that it wasn’t him. So who could it be? Genevieve is gone, but based on what Celine has said from her time in captivity, there might be more at play. The people, or more likely supernaturals, who held Valen must be more extensive than we know.
What if they try to get Valen back? Obviously, he was an asset. Having him taken must have been a huge blow to their operation.
They can’t have him. The possessive thought takes root deep inside me. I might have trouble acknowledging that he’s my mate, but there’s no denying the pull I feel for him.
I steel my resolve and decide right then that I need to unlock my powers as soon as possible.
Not only for myself and my own curiosity, but for Valen.
If they come for him, they’re going to have to get through me.
I need to be ready. We might not have sealed the mating bond and are still learning about each other, but I find myself pulled closer to him as each day goes by.
I’d love to see them try to take him from me. I might be small, but I’m not afraid.