“If it’s been that long, then your powers are going to start coming through,” Del said.
“They already are,” Cole said.
“They are?” she asked in confusion.
“Yes,” he said but didn’t explain further.
“You mean the mark from the dragon,” Orin said.
“No,” Cole said.
“I was still taking the potion regularly then,” Lexi said.
“That mark appeared because your ability broke through the binding potion in reaction to touching a dragon,” Cole said. “The night you woke me from my nightmare, you also had a mark on your forehead.”
“I did?”
“Yes. I thought it was because you hit your head on the bedframe when you fell out of bed, but now I think your powers were trying to break through the binding powers of the potion to protect you. The potion is highly effective, but your powers are seeping through.”
“Fascinating,” Orin murmured as he rubbed his chin and studied her raptly.
When Lexi gave him the finger, he smiled. Torn between hitting him again and ignoring him, Lexi opted for the second option. She didn’t want Cole to have to intervene again.
“Okay, so no one knows much about the arachs, but they could control the dragons?” she asked.
“They had a special affinity with the dragons for sure,” Cole said.
“The arach lived among the dragons and withstood all fire, including that of a dragon’s. Some say they possessed sun and moon magic, but it’s all rumors and myth,” her dad said.
“And a lot of it was probably started by the arach. They guarded their magic and abilities closely,” Cole said. “They were also rumored to make things grow as well as kill them.”
“So, there’s no knowing what could happen to me or what I can do once the potion completely wears off?” she asked.
“You can take control of the dragons and take them away from the Lord,” Orin said.
Everyone ignored him.
Lexi rubbed at her temples as she tried to process all of this. She decided talking it out would help her. “Okay, so I’m not half human and half vampire. Instead, I’m half vampire and half arach. So—”
“No,” her father interrupted. “You’re not half arach.”
When she lifted her head, the sadness in his eyes caused her to brace for a punch because whatever he was about to say was going to be another blow.
He took a deep breath before letting it out. “You’refullarach. I’m not your birth father, Andi.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
When Lexi swayed,Cole slipped his arm around her waist again and pulled her close. He’d never seen anyone go from so red from embarrassment to that pale so fast.
Cole had no idea what to say, and Del looked as helpless as a newborn. Unfortunately, Orin didn’t have the same issue.
“That’s even better,” Orin murmured.
“Better for what?” Lexi snapped before anyone else could react.
“For us.”
“For uswho?” Lexi demanded. “None of this makes anything better foryou! And I’m so glad that me learningeverythingI’ve ever known is a lie is so wonderful for you.”
