Page 75 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck
“Since she was born? They aren’t handed out until a Fae is fifteen, and that’s only if that Fae is destined for the Keepers Guild.” As Stratton glared at him, power came pushing off him, causing static to build in the air at an alarming rate.
Worry for Rachael and the baby left Drest easing her back as he shook his head. “Strat, get a grip before someone ends up hurt!”
ChapterTwenty-Five
Rachael
I lookedup at the wall sconces as they flickered. This felt different from what had been happening over the past few days and not like what happened sometimes when Drest and I were intimate. It had a bizarre bluish-purple color to it.
Lightning flashed outside, lighting up the window and the foyer in short intervals.
Drest grabbed me. “That’s not from a normal storm.”
I looked out the window and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The lightning had created a huge star shape in the sky each time it flashed.
Drest gripped me tighter “No. You don’t think…?”
“Think what?” I asked.
Drest met my gaze. “Has Victor been here recently?”
“Victor?” I asked. Why on Earth was he bringing up Victor? “No. No one in the family has spoken to him in the last few years. The last time he was in town was shortly before Amice gave birth. You know they were close friends, right? She knew Victor before she ever met my brother even. I think Victor may have introduced her to Henry. Why do you ask?”
Drest glanced at his cousin just as the lightning ended.
Astria grabbed for Stratton’s pant leg and gave it a few good tugs. I was so shocked to see her going up to a stranger that I just stood there. She was still crawling, even though she was four and very capable of walking.
Stratton bent next to her, pushing hair from her face as he did
Astria stood and then leaned against him while he remained bent. Her focus went to his Hunter’s ring. “It’s pretty.”
She was talking to someone other than me and Drest. At the memorial service, she’d not uttered a word to anyone. And she’d not said anything to anyone who had come by the house over the last month to pay their respects and check in on us. This was huge, and I had a hard time containing my emotions.
She studied Stratton carefully. “You’re old.”
Drest laughed.
Stunned that she’d say something so rude, I pointed out as much. “That’s not nice to say.”
Astria looked at me. “But he is old, Aunt Rachael. Real old. Older than the house even, and that isold.”
Stratton laughed softly. “She’s not wrong. I’ve had hundreds of years, so I am probably older than the house. I’m not sure how she knew that though.”
“Wait until she learns I’m a little bit older than you even,” said Drest.
“I already know that, Uncle Drest,” stated Astria with a grin. Her attention returned to Stratton. “You made it glow before.”
He glanced down at his ring. “I did.”
“Don’t,” she warned.
“Don’t what?” asked Stratton.
“Make it glow,” she whispered. “He’ll know.He’llcome. He won’t like you making that glow.”
“Who won’t?” questioned Stratton.
Drest chuckled. “Oh, she’s probably talking about her goblin.”
