Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
Iwas drowning on dry land. No idea how long Cernunnos stood talking to the woman calling herself Minka; no clue what they spoke about. The only thing I knew was fear and horror, and if the earth would have swallowed me up in that moment, I would have gone gladly.
Evie knew nothing about my former life, only a mix of truths and untruths, the lies much bigger than the small glimpses I’d allowed her.
I told her I didn’t know my father. True. I think I told her I was placed into another home at thirteen. Also true, but I didn’t correct her when Evie once assumed I’d spent my entire life in foster care.
I told her I was ninety-something. Lie.
I could no longer remember the truths or the lies I’d told, and because of it, I avoided speaking of my past. Not because I was ashamed, but because I wouldn’t be able to bear the look in Evie’s eyes when she knew the horrors I’d undergone.
White noise roared between my ears, turning everything muffled and static.
Phantom pain began in my feet and pricked up my calves to my knees and thighs, the remembrance of a hot poker digging into my skin followed by the subsequent scarring and limping.
The realization she could have something more permanent to brutalize led her to search the land for a vampire without the scruples to care that turning a child was breaking all the cardinal rules of their kind.
I was aware enough to know this woman did not know who I was. Cernunnos’s glamour held even against her disturbing stare, and I shoved my hands in my pockets so no one would see how they shook.
My mouth was dry, each breath a painful drag of air. I needed to go. I needed to get away from this smell, from this place, from these witches, from her—oh gods, I was dying and everything hurt and how could this be happening to me—
Wind tore at my skin and hair, a frigid blast of cold ripping through the world.
“Breathe, Moira,” a savage voice commanded.
“I—I—I can—can’t—” My teeth chattered. “Sh—sh—sh—”
Strong warm arms wrapped around me, someone tugging me into the curve of their body. Blessed heat I wanted to burrow inside. “Moira. One breath, cridhe daor. Just one.”
A warm hand on my back rubbed circles. I dragged in a breath, only to let out a harsh, racking sob.
“There,” the voice murmured. “Another.”
When the sobs finally came, I couldn’t stop them.
I was helpless as a babe outside in a thunderstorm.
Hot, furious tears streamed from my eyes, and I was embarrassed and tried to stop but couldn’t, and so they came and came and came, and the male I was wrapped around didn’t tell me to stop or chastise me.
He simply held me until I was a burned-out shell, too exhausted to do anything but blink up at the ceiling.
Cernunnos held me, a warm hand toying with the strands of my hair. I stiffened and tried to extricate myself, but his arms tightened.
“No.”
A simple command and one I thought I should resist but was too tired to try.
We sat in a cozy room with wood paneled walls and glossy wood flooring.
A fireplace burned merrily a few feet away, the soft pop and crackle of wood the only sound besides our breathing.
The furnishings were sparse and well loved.
A couch with a burnished-wood frame was opposite us, next to a well-used navy-blue recliner.
The coffee table was scarred and nicked but well cared for, a handful of books scattered across the surface. A colorful rug lay underneath, mixed with gorgeous shades of blue, maroon, and cream.
There was a kitchen close by, a small area with a stove, a retro-looking fridge, and a sink. No microwave or any modern appliances. A dented percolator sat on top of the stove.
“Where am I?”
“My home. It is not much, but I can have anything I want and choose to live simply. The world has too much noise, and I like to come here when I want to be quiet.”
“It’s lovely,” I murmured, knowing he would sense the truth in my words.
A pause, followed by a surprised tone. “Truly?”
I nodded, my head against his lean chest. “It suits you.”
His hand hadn’t stopped rubbing circles over my back. “Would you like to talk about it?”
“Would you tell Evie?”
A tear slipped down my nose.
“She doesn’t know?”
“No one knows.”
He inhaled a heavy breath. “Moira.”
My fists clutched his shirt. “Cernunnos. No. You cannot tell her about this. Please.”
“I will not agree to lie to my daughter.”
I stiffened and was about to extricate my way out even if I had to fight until he said the next words.
“If Evie does not ask, then I will not tell her. I will never bring up your pain, Moira. Never. You have my word.”
My eyes closed. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“I hid your pain from that woman as soon as I sensed it. I assumed you would have revealed yourself to her if you wanted her to know your identity.” His voice turned gentle. “You know her.”
No. I’d never known her. I’d only known her cruelty. “She’s my mother.”
A sharp inhalation. “She was…not good to you.”
I shook my head.
“Ah,” he breathed. “I’ve known no greater pain in my life than being without my daughter. Being intentionally cruel to someone you created is the most egregious of sins.”
“Tell me what she said.”
The circles paused. “Moira. You can change the subject with Evie and dodge her questions, but I pulled you out of your own personal hell. While I do not demand an explanation, I would like one. Your phone has been ringing off the hook. Ethan is beside himself—”
I stiffened. “How does Ethan know what happened?”
“You will have to ask him yourself, little vampire.”
I frowned.
“Soren had to retreat after the witches decided since I gave them the timeline of vacating by tomorrow, they should make their move tonight.”
Well shit. “Is he alright?”
“While I believe dying would teach the Lord a valuable, albeit permanent, lesson, I thought you might be upset if I allowed him to perish while on your watch. I sent aid.”
He sounded amused.
I popped my head up and peered at him. “What kind of aid?”
“A team of cat shifters owed me a favor.” His chest rumbled with a chuckle. “Soren was involved with one of their members not too long ago. Should be an entertaining time.”
My lips twitched. “Serves him right for being a total hoe.”
“Indeed. Now, Moira. Tell me why you flared with magic and began to glow when fear paralyzed you.”
I dipped my head, but Cernunnos lifted my chin with his index finger. “And tell me why, when you dropped all your guards, I smelled dark magic surfacing deep within your blood.”