Page 27 of Enchanting Her Monsters
“He was my target on an ASO job. I had to seduce a special individual, learn his secrets, and then eventually kill him. He was highly unusual, as he was a product of a demon and Elven mating. Both lines were from powerful, high-born blood. He was a double spy for the two realms. Brilliant and talented.”
“And I was an accidental pregnancy from that job? A fucking mistake?”
“No.” She smiles wistfully, her gaze far off, remembering. “As I got to know him, I soon discovered he was immune to my lust witch magic. We fell in love anyway—truelove. Lust witches never get to experience actual love. So you can imagine how overjoyed I was to find him. But our circumstances made it so we had to hide our relationship. I fed Galiana lies. And he told me the truth of my family’s murders—that Galiana was behind them all and used it to turn me against supernaturals.”
“What the hell is wrong with her?” I blurt out.
“Broken. Angry. And power hungry. Power is all that’s ever mattered to her.”
“What happened between you and my father?” I ask.
“When I found out I was pregnant with you, we knew Galiana would want to kill you just for the fact you were of mixed blood. He helped me create the binding and concealment spell that was embedded in your body. We brainwashed your magicless adult sister since she would be the perfect hiding place for you. Then I had to disappear and only visit when I believed it to be safe and to reenforce the spell work.”
“No wonder Ruth hated me—hated you.”
“I don’t blame her.” My mother frowns, and I sense she isn’t as callous as I’ve imagined. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you growing up… or now. I wish I could train you, but it’s taking all I have to communicate for this long.”
“What about my father? Is he still alive?”
“I never saw him again. He had to go into hiding too, so Galiana couldn’t kill him. And to protect your existence.”
“He might still be alive?” I ask, wondering if I want to find him or let it be.
“It’s possible.”
I refocus on what’s happening now. “It doesn’t appear Galiana’s goal is to kill me anymore.”
“No. She’s found another use for you—your unique powers. But if she gets you back in her clutches and you don’t prove useful or under her control, she will end you.”
I’d rather die than allow Galiana to harm other people, and especially not my mates, with my power. “You don’t want me with my mates, but they are protecting me. So whatareyou suggesting I do?”
“Go back into hiding… but not with them. They will attract attention. They are easier to track. They will compromise you.”
How dare she screw with my life and then expect me to give up the only people I trust and who actually care for me?
“No. I’m not making the same mistake you made. I’m keeping my loved ones near me. Look at what you sacrificed. It was all for fucking nothing.” Tears threaten to pour from me. “You ruined my life. You lied to me. How can I trust a fucking thing you say? I can’t talk to you anymore. Unless you can give me information that canreallyhelp me right now, then I don’t want your?—”
“Jadeana!” my mother snaps. “You need to…”
Her voice fades, reality pressing in on me. Someone shakes me to bring me out of my trance.
“Jade?” Calder calls me, panicked.
I blink against the bright light of the sky and raise my hand to shield my eyes. But no, when I look, it isn’t the sky, but Calder’s wings alight with a blazing fire. He’s kneeling over me and appears frantic.
Osen pushes forward when he sees his lover. “Calder,” he says with my voice sounding rough and concerned.
Calder sees it’s Osen in charge of my body and not me. He leaps back to his feet in surprise and snarls at us. “What have you done?”
“Me?” Osen says in shock. “You woke us.”
“Us?” Calder shakes his head in confusion, then glowers. “If you took Jade’s body against her will, I won’t forgive you this time.”
“I didn’t!” Osen shouts.
I take control and ask, “What’s wrong?”
“You were passed out and non-responsive,” Calder says, indignant but less upset. His flaming wings die down.
