Chapter 19
Dressed in a sensible black knee length dress, I hold Megan’s hand tightly as the casket is lowered into the ground.
It’s a somber affair, and very few people are present.
It’s sad really; no one is here to mourn his life, they are all here for Megan.
The funeral is short and to the point, no one to drone on about what a great man he was, no overly ostentatious floral arrangements that will just go to waste.
The cloudy day sets the mood. A life was lost, but in turn, a life is being regained. Megan is free; finally.
When I reached Megan’s house a few days before, Megan took one look at me and crumpled into my arms. No words were said; we didn’t need them. I knew exactly what Megan was going through.
It’s the release of a burden that has held on a little too long that causes the onslaught of emotions breaking free in Megan. Like an old weathered dam that can no longer hold back the flood.
I know because I have been right where Megan is, a long time ago.
But while Megan has me, I had been all alone.
A scared eighteen year old, no family to help as I buried my parents.
An accident took them both, and as a result I was also freed.
Freed from the disdain, disapproval, and toxic narcissism of my parents.
But that freedom also came with uncertainty.
I was so young and na?ve, and without anyone to hold me back, it was overwhelming.
College allowed me to explore. I had originally set my major as business management and communications, but had quickly determined that was not for me.
With some trial and error, I found my place, found my friends, and found my path in life.
But that was then. I guess that’s life. It’s always changing, always evolving into something new.
Only time will tell if those changes are good or bad.
Later that night, after everything is cleared away, we sit in front of a warm fire in Megan’s sitting room. Travis’ snoring fills the silence, his paws twitching sporadically from whatever he’s dreaming of. Don had gone to the hotel, knowing we needed the time alone. I miss him already.
“So, are we gonna talk about how the man you just met drove you all the way here, that there is something very different about you, or that you haven’t mentioned any of this any time we’ve talked in the past few weeks?”
I sigh, rubbing my face. It has been a long few days and I’m feeling the effects of the stress and lack of sleep.
I’m sure I also look like shit under all this makeup.
“I didn’t want to worry you, or bring my drama into the picture when you had so much to deal with. Plus, I’m still processing some things of my own.”
“That’s bullshit, Kinley. My drama is nothing new. You could, and should have told me. The tension that’s been rolling off of you and Donovan since you got here has already told me that something serious is going on, so spill.”
I take a good long look at Megan, sadness and exhaustion still lining her face.
Should I really burden my friend with this? Am I even allowed to tell her? Fuck, I should have asked Don.
“I don’t even know where to begin, or if I can even tell you everything. It’s so complicated, and doesn’t involve just me.”
Megan scoots over and takes both of my hands in hers. A vibration slowly begins to build where our hands are connected. It spreads, twining its way up my arms until it settles right on my chest. My eyes widen as I look from our hands up to Megan’s face. Megan smiles sadly at me.
“I always knew you were special. I’ve felt the draw between us, how our magic seemed to weave together, but you just never were able to notice it back.”
What the actual fuck.
I’m speechless, but I don’t draw my hands away. Even if I hadn’t been aware, I always knew that Megan was meant to be in my life. There has been a connection between us from the very beginning.
Is this why?
“Are you like me?”
Megan shakes her head, and my heart falls a little.
“I never knew what you were, just that our magic was complimentary. It’s never been this strong, though. Is Don the reason your magic is suddenly this vibrant?”
I nod, because, as far as I know, he is the reason.
“But what are you if you’re not like me?”
She raises her eyebrow at me. “Do you think there is only one type of magic?”
“I didn’t even know about magic until a few days ago, so don’t give me that look.”
“Fair enough. I’m a witch. My whole family are witches.”
“Witches? Really?”
“Why do you seem so surprised, don’t you change into an animal?”
My eyes widen. How the fuck could she know that?
An embarrassed blush spreads across my face.
“Actually, I can’t; there is something wrong with me.”
A concerned look sweeps across Megan’s face. “What do you mean? It doesn’t feel like something is wrong. In fact, your magic finally feels complete. You feel whole, Kinley.”
I shake my head.
“There is something wrong. I can’t access my magic or shift. The guys can feel it, but something is blocking me from fully following through. I also have no recollection of why. I am apparently a mystery, but somehow, even though I’m a dud, I still managed to mate Donovan.”
A squeak brings my attention back to Megan, who is gaping at me.
“Wait, you’re mated? You dirty bitch! How could you and not fucking tell me!”
Her high pitched squeal, rings sharply in my ears. It also causes Travis to snort awake, he lets out a disgruntled growl when he quickly realizes it’s nothing important. He flops back down just as Megan tackles me in the tightest hug.
“Megan, too tight,” I manage to get out with a gasp.
She releases me, but doesn’t take her hands away.
“I didn’t know that I could tell you. With the whole not a human thing and what you were going through…. And just everything. I couldn’t burden you with this.”
“Kinley, you never have, and you never will be a burden to me. You’re my best friend, my sister.”
Tears fill my eyes, and looking at Megan I see that hers are also.
“I understand why you didn’t tell me. If your magic has been sequestered away this whole time, you wouldn’t have known what I am. But now that you do, you better spill everything.”
“Wait, did you know what the guys were? And how have I never even gotten a hint that you were magical?”
She blows out a breath, giving me a guilty look.
“They are Clan, right?”
I nod.
“Clan are kind of hard to read magically, at least for most witches. We can usually sense the females, but the males only feel a little magical, unless, of course, they are shifted. So, while I thought I was picking up some hints of magic, it was impossible for me to actually tell what they were. I just knew they weren’t witches, and I didn’t get any threatening magical signatures off them so I knew you would be safe. ”
“But what about you? How have I never known about you?”
She gives me an apologetic look. “Most Covens are very strict on who we can and can’t tell.
Mine especially, the only real reason I’m even allowed out on my own is because I was married to Todd, and I visit my brother frequently.
Also, my magic doesn’t do well around others in my Coven.
Anyways, we can talk more about that later.
To answer your question, I wanted to many times, but even though I knew you had some type of magical signature, I didn’t want to put unwanted attention on you.
My Coven would have made me put a gag spell on you.
Because for all they know, you are human, and there are very strict circumstances in which humans can know about us.
But hey, now that you are officially not a human, we can talk magic all day long. ”
She smiles widely at me, while I’m still kind of reeling from all of the information she just gave me. She takes my hands back, squeezing them comfortingly.
“It’s going to be so nice, being able to talk to you about everything now. But speaking of talking, you have some explaining of your own to do.”
“I think we are going to need wine for this, or at least I am.”
Megan raises an eyebrow.
“That good?”
With a guilty look, I shake my head.
“No, it’s actually pretty bad. Donovan is the good part.”
“What the fuck, Kinley. It’s only been less than a month, how is it bad?”
“Wine, first. I need courage.”
“Goddess, help me, fine. I’ll go get the wine, but then you’re telling me everything. No more secrets. That is going to be our new motto, for the both of us.”
While I wait for Megan to come back, I text Donovan.
Me: Did you know that Megan is a witch???
Don: No…but that kinda makes sense. You doing ok? I keep getting moments of sadness and stress down our bond.
Hmmmm, that’s interesting. I wonder why I don’t get anything like that from him. I’ll have to remember to ask him about that later.
Me: I’m ok… it’s just a lot. Is it OK if I tell her everything?
Don: You can tell her whatever you want. If you trust her, then I trust you to make the right decision. You gonna stay the night there?
Me: I’m not sure, it’s getting hard to be away from you honestly.
Don: Just tell me when and I’ll come get you, ok?
Me: ok
I set my phone down when I hear Megan coming back. Megan notices and smiles.
“Bet it’s not easy being away from him, huh?”
With a sheepish smile, I nod in agreement.
“It’s really not. It’s still really new.”
“How new?”
I blush, “Ummm two nights ago new.”
“Oh my Goddess, Kinley! How are you even functioning? I’ve heard it’s so bad to be away from your mate the first few weeks or even months.”
“You needed me.”
“Shit, that asshole sure does have terrible timing.”
Having just taken a sip of my wine, I snort and almost choke. “Jesus, Megan the dirt hasn’t even settled.”
She just shrugs. “Still. Ok then, let’s make this quick so you can go jump his bones.”
My eyes roll. “Ok, but you can’t interrupt me no matter what. Even when you get pissed at me for not telling you, got it?”