Page 46 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she says, accepting.

“Mom, is there any other species I could’ve inherited traits from besides shifters and witches?” A flash of pain contorts her face, but she quickly schools her expression. “Well, Maddox, your father, he and his family took keeping the bloodlines pure very seriously. You’d only have had shifter lineage from him. My side is a bit different.”

“I’m sorry, did you say Maddox?” Skyler interjects. “As in Maddox Windsor?” Mom’s breath hitches. She raises her eyes to Skyler as if he’s turned into a ghost. “You... know him?” Skyler runs a hand across the back of his neck, rocking uneasily on his feet.

“I know of him. He was supposed to be the alpha of the pack that resides here in Tarot Lake,” he pauses, searching for words. “Word got out that he was mated to a different species, and when the time came for him to claim his position, he was challenged.

“The challenger ruled that the only way Maddox could yield and flee with his life would be to give up the name of his mate. He refused to tell them. He knew if he did, the pack would kill her. He sacrificed himself.”

A tear glides down Mom’s cheek, her gaze falling to the floor. “Sacrificed himself…” her voice shakes. I reach out to steady her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“We were to leave together,” she whispers, clutching my hand. “I had just told him about Amethyst.” She looks at me. “He left your necklace that night and told me we’d be safer elsewhere. When the time came, he didn’t show. I never saw him again. I assumed he didn’t want to be a father... I feel a fucking fool.”

Instinctively, my hand reaches for my necklace, brushing the bare space where it should be instead. I make note to grab it off my nightstand; it feels infinitely more precious now.

My heart breaks for Mom. Skyler takes her hand in his, surprising me. “You couldn’t have known, you can’t blame yourself. His secrecy and his sacrifice kept you and Amethyst alive. Safe. You have my sincere condolences, and my utmost respect. You rose to the occasion, gifting the world with this beautiful, brilliant woman.”

He pulls me closer, and Mom offers him a single nod, swiping a tear from her cheek. “Take care of her.” His grip tightens on my hip as he assures her, “With my life.”

With a grin, she returns to answering my earlier question. She holds herself together shockingly well, but she must be falling apart from this new revelation of my father. She clears her throat.

“Bee, my grandmother used to tell me stories about how allegedly our family descended from angels. Next to nothing is known about them, and this would have been hundreds, if not thousands of years ago. But if it does run in our family, it’s possible you could have inherited some properties.”

Fog still clouds my mind from my encounter with Enzo. Something he said breaks through to the forefront. I never believed it. That an angel’s blood could add centuries to a vampire’s life span.

“Of course,” Skyler’s voice is giddy, “I remember being taught about angels. I was schooled within the pack. Our history is a bit more intense. One of the few things known about them is their unique eye colors, said to hold small essences of light itself.” Admiration shines in his eyes, “Rather fitting I think, Sunlight.” I thread my fingers through his familiar warmth blooming in my chest.

“Enzo. He mentioned angel’s blood adding centuries to a vampire’s life span. Is that why he hunted me? Does it explain my ability to heal without shifting?” Skyler and Mom nod in unison. “It must,” Skyler answers. I run a hand through my hair, pushing it behind my ear. “I have entirely too much to study now. Please don’t let me have any other species in my blood…”

With a chuckle, Mom excuses herself. “See you tomorrow, Amethyst. I can rest easy now knowing you’re safe. My bed is calling my name. I love you. And again, it’s nice to meet you.”

Skyler tilts his head to her, and I wave as she pops out the door. My heart hurts for her. I need to be there for her now more than ever.

“Night, Mom, love you too.”

Thirty-One

Amethyst

“Ibelieve you owe me a frolic beneath the moon.”

I nearly choke on my pizza as laughter bubbles over. Catching my breath, I scold, “You cannot say frolic while I’m eating.” Skyler chuckles, a downright seductive smirk tugging at his lips.

From his porch, the full moon shines brightly across the surface of the lake. The view is truly breath taking. His house and the land surrounding it must be one of the most beautiful spots in Tarot Lake. I relish the sweetness of the last pineapple alongside the tang of pepperoni before standing.

“How do I do this?” I ask, almost dreading the answer. Skyler joins me, laying his hand atop mine on the balustrade. “It’s as natural as breathing. You are a wolf. Allow your instincts to take over.” I clutch my other hand to my chest. “I haven’t been able to except for when I was dreaming.”

“Start small,” he suggests, gliding his thumb across my bottom lip. “Let your fangs elongate. Imagine what you saw in your dreams.” My cheeks heat as delicious dreams flood my mind. My chest warms, heart racing. I squeeze my thighs together as the exhilaration reaches my core.

Skyler allows his own fangs to sprout, only encouraging my fantasies. With a deep breath, I close my eyes and envision that cream wolf. I think of the way it felt when we became one. The enhancement of my senses, the quickness of the blood flow. Brushing my tongue over my teeth, I focus my energy on the canines and let go, casting out any subconscious reservations.

“Yes!” Skyler claps. “That’s it, Amethyst, keep going.” I feel the fangs stretching over my chin and let the sizzle of power continue. My head tingles, hearing suddenly crisp, picking up tiny details of the forest I hadn’t noticed before. My spine curves, adjusting to having four legs.

The bones stretching and reforming are uncomfortable. Though not painful like I expected. I guess I can thank my sensual dreams for that. Below me, a thud ripples through the grass.

“Jump down and join me, love. You did it.” Skyler’s voice caresses my mind. “Imagine what you want to say and I will hear it. Any wolf can communicate in close proximity, but mates can always speak into each other’s minds.” My eyes widen as I take in the rich scenery. The lake sparkles, the prismatic depths calling to me.