“Yes, we will,” Kaylia retorted.
Cole’s eyebrows rose over the vehemence inher tone. She’d just gotten involved in this, but for the firsttime, he believed she might be on their side and wouldn’t have todie.
“I trust her as much as I do you,” Del saidand shot a pointed look at Orin.
Cole suspected it would be a long time beforehis friend forgave Orin for imprisoning him. But they would worktogether, for Lexi’s sake. That didn’t mean either of them wasgoing to like it… which was evident as they scowled at eachother.
“Why don’t you know about your abilities?”Kaylia asked again. “Howhave you managed to stay hidden forso long?”
“How did you end up with the harrow stone ifit’s an arach possession?” Brokk asked.
“What about my questions?” Kaylia asked.
“Later,” Cole replied brusquely.
Kaylia sighed, and one of her eyes twitchedas she spoke. “I knew some arach; that’s how I ended up with theharrow stone. When the war between them was really starting to rampup, my friend Fenmenor showed me how to use the harrow stone andgave it to me for safekeeping.
“I placed the curse on the stone because Iwasn’t as capable as an arach to guard it. I figured that when hereturned for it, I would remove the curse, but I never saw himagain.”
Cole wasn’t sure if it was an act or what,but he saw true emotion in the crone’s eyes for the first time.That sheen in them might have been tears, but she blinked them awaytoo fast for him to be certain.
“So, the arach trusted you,” Lexi said.
“Fenmenor did, and I knew others too,” Kayliareplied. “I can help you with your abilities.”
“Do you know what her abilitiesare?”Cole demanded.
CHAPTER 3
“Well,” Kaylia hedged. “No, not really. Thearach were very private about that and kept a lot of what theycould do hidden. But I can show you how to use the stone, we knowthey could withstand fire, and we also know they could throw fire.You must be able to do those things.”
“Not yet,” Lexi admitted.
“And why not? No one has answered that for meyet.”
“Because we kept her powers suppressed fromthe time she was a baby,” Sahira replied. “We believed it was thebest way to keep her safe.”
“Who did?”
“Me and my brother,” Sahira said and noddedtoward Del.
“They’re my aunt and my dad,” Lexi said.“They kept me alive and safe.”
“She didn’t know what she truly was untilrecently,” Del said.
Kaylia studied Del like he was some kind ofalien frog monster. “Youtook care of her.”
“I told you, you have a lot to learn aboutvampires,” Del replied.
“He’s a great dad,” Lexi said defensively. “Inever would have guessed he wasn’t my real father or that Sahirawasn’t my aunt until they told me the truth. I’ve always beenloved, and if you don’t like them, then wearegoing to havea problem.”
Cole smiled at the crone while her mouthopened and closed as she tried to form words and failed.
“We’re not going to have a problem,” Kayliafinally said. “I’m just surprised to learn such a thing aboutvampires.”
“We’re not monsters,” Brokk retorted.
“Most of you are.”
