Did he know about my mom? I wanted to ask him, but now was not the time.
“I don’t plan on telling him.”
“Tiberius will find out eventually,” he warned. “My brother has spies everywhere.”
“I know.” Until Raven appeared and sent my life into freefall, I’d mostly ignored his creepy little acolytes, but since the soul-bond made itself known, I’d been careful to stay away from the likes of Demelza. She was all too happy to pass on gossip to her father, who’d happily use it to curry favor with Dad.
“Look, Raven. If you come back with us now, we can discuss the ramifications of having multiple mates and organize visits once I’ve reinforced security around the farm.”
“I’m not going anywhere!” Goddess, the witch was stubborn. The way she stamped her little foot almost had me smiling.
Adam was less amused. “I’m trying to keep you safe, Raven!”
“We can keep her safe, mage.” I watched in fascination as fur sprouted on the bear’s arms and his tee stretched to breaking point. “I suggest you listen to my little mate. She’s no longer your responsibility.”
“She’ll always be my responsibility!” Adam’s eyes flashed in anger as he clenched his fists. I wondered what his magic affinity was. Dad had fire and ice magic while I was a storm mage. Adam was likely a double elemental mage as well since the goddess had blessed my grandfather with both fire and earth magic.
From the way the air heated around the mage, I guessed fire magic, but he could have other unusual talents like I did. The Vane family tree had many such anomalies.
Adam’s gaze softened as he focused on Raven. “I promised your mother I would protect you, sweetheart. Please come back with me.”
“Emotional blackmail,” Zane scoffed. “Nice.”
Raven looked torn, which tugged at my heartstrings despite my desire to keep my distance.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t.” Her lip wobbled as her eyes grew glassy with unshed tears. “I have my bear and…friends…now.”
Was she friend-zoning me? I wasn’t sure I liked that, even though I’d done everything to push her away.
Adam closed his eyes for a moment before nodding in resignation. “Promise you’ll contact me if you need help. Anything at all, Raven. I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”
Adam hugged Raven before turning to me. “Be careful, Alaric. Your father is very single-minded in his ambitions.” An understatement if ever there was one.
“I am aware.”
He pushed a piece of paper into my hand. “This is my number. I’d like it if we stayed in touch.”
Meeting him yesterday had been a shock, but it was becoming clear my father’s brother was nothing like the monster who’d sired me.Thank fuck.
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
He nodded and patted me on the shoulder. “Make sure you keep Raven safe,” he said to all of us. Zane rolled his eyes while the bear chuffed irritably.
“That goes without question,” he said. “I would die for my mate.”
“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Adam said with one final glower at the lot of us before he and the sour-faced witch left.
“Little mate, call your familiar. It’s time to go before the headmaster closes the wards to first-years.”
Raven nodded, and a few seconds later, her familiar appeared.
“Time to hit the road, fun crew!” Zane slapped me on the shoulder.
I resisted the urge to smite him with a lightning bolt.
14
Raven
