“No.” I shake my head firmly. “You’re not a prisoner here, Annika. You’re protected here.”
Her eyes flash with disappointment. “I promised my sister—”
“And you will see her again,” I interrupt quietly. “But not yet.”
She looks at me, searching my face. “Why?”
“Because what happened tonight was only the beginning,” I say. “Your power is awakening, but you don’t know how to control it yet. The demons know your powers are awakening. That’s why they’ll come for you.” Images flash through my mind of the inferno she unleashed, the raw, terrifying strength in it.
“If you leave now,” I continue, “you’ll be walking straight into their hands.”
Silence stretches between us until, finally, she exhales. “What happens now?”
I hold her gaze steadily. “Now you learn how to use your power.”
Her expression tightens momentarily, then slowly, she nods. “Okay.”
For the first time since she arrived in this valley, it feels like we might finally be on the same side. And she makes noprotest when I lift her hand to my lips and press a kiss to her knuckles.
“That’s all you need to do now, Anni. Focus on your powers. I will not pressure you into anything.”
She stares at me longingly, as if trust is building in our shared gaze, her gentle nod still slightly hesitant, but there to show her agreement nonetheless.
“Thank you, Heinrich,” she whispers timidly, and I give her hand a gentle squeeze.
“No, Anni. Thankyou…for existing. Thank you for healing me.”
This time, when she gives me a nervous half-smile, hope sparks in my chest again. Even if it’s faint, I’m certain that things between us will change. They must. She is fated to be mine, after all.
Chapter 15 - Annika
“Wait, Annika,” Anastasia calls from the side, stepping up to me and placing a hand on my shoulder, which prompts me to look up with defeat in my eyes. “Why don’t we take a quick break?”
I purse my lips, biting my tongue to stop the protest hanging on the tip, nodding hesitantly while remaining too embarrassed to meet Heinrich’s gaze. I know he’s watching me from the porch; I can sense his looming presence in the air I breathe, the scent of his cologne and natural body odor strong enough to keep my shoulders rigid.
I don’t really want to take a break, but we’ve been at it all morning, and I’ve been trying to get some control over my powers, with little success. Anastasia doesn’t give me much choice when she takes my hand and leads me toward the porch, where I’m forced to face Heinrich and feel like he’s internally criticizing my inability to control this power I know little about.
It’s not like Anastasia hasn’t told me everything there is to know, but she’s an earth-wielding werewolf, and her magic isn’t like the fire I’m supposed to wield. My magic snapped awake when the demon attacked two nights ago and came after me at the cabin, but it was spurred on by the attack, and not by my control.
Still, I haven’t been able to find that control over my powers, and I’m losing my patience. Finding control over my magic is how I’ll be able to see my sister again, and I’m furious at myself for failing.
When Heinrich reaches out a hand toward me, I’m hesitant to take it, but when I place my trembling hand in his, I’m instantly hit with a wave of warmth and comfortthat compels me to look up and meet his eyes. Instead of disappointment, I find only recognition of the defeat I feel inside, and a sense of sadness as if he feels the way I’m feeling. I guess I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all—the fated mate bond thing, and being a witch—so I haven’t fully grasped that Heinrich is not the enemy, but rather, on my side.
He wants to see me succeed, but the question still remains if perhaps he only wants that for his own benefit. That’s why I’m here, after all.
“Would you like some herbal tea?” Anastasia asks when we’re on the porch, and Heinrich leads me to the patio seating, holding my hand as if I’m a fragile creature. I probably shouldn’t keep my hand in his, but the comfort he brings is much too appealing to let it go just yet.
As I take a seat, I nod tentatively at Anastasia, saying, “Just don’t lace it with any mystical stuff.”
This earns me a faint giggle, but I’m hardly amused, and Anastasia stops laughing before she disappears into the cabin, leaving Heinrich and me alone for a moment.
“You’re doing well, Annika,” he comments as if to lift my spirits, and I scoff, blowing out a frustrated breath through puckered lips.
“You don’t need to lie, Heinrich. We both know I’m failing dismally, and if we were in the office, I’d be fired by now.”
His brows furrow slightly as he reaches over the table, placing a hand on mine where they’re linked nervously. “This is not the office, Anni. You are not under any pressure to perform here.”
“Except, I am, Heinrich.” I sigh heavy-heartedly. “I saw that demon with my own eyes. I k—Ikilledit…” I enunciate theword slowly, a shiver coursing down my spine, and that’s when he gives my hands a gentle but firm squeeze.
