Page 21 of Sight of Fate

She leans back and sighs. “There are a lot of supernaturals in this world. Most of us, like witches or shifters or vampires, can pass for human, but little things give us away. Like having a vision in a room full of people or moving faster than the eye can follow.”

My mouth opens. Closes. Did she say vampires? Words escape me as my brain tries to grapple with the idea of others existing in the world.

“Greystone Vale is different. Macklin, Teague, and Andros created the Vale to provide supernaturals with a city where we can live without the fear of discovery. Where we can display our powers and be ourselves. Now there are twenty-nine Vales across the world. Oak Vale, Highland Vale, etc.”

Her head tilts as if she’s assessing me. “For the most part, humans don’t know we exist, and since you were raised as a human, this is probably a huge shock. But if you give us a chance, you’ll find a home where you don’t have to hide who you are or what you can do.”

Not have to hide. The concept is so foreign to me, especially after the last two years. All I’ve done is hide. Not just from Hank, but from everyone who tries to get close.

I pick at the loose piece of skin on the side of my fingernail, afraid to ask, but I need to know the consequences. “There were a lot of people at the Wolf’s Den.”

She waves a hand. “Think nothing of it. My family has been here for a long time. They’re used to seers.”

I let out a huge exhale. “How do humans not know about this place? My GPS led me here.”

She lifts a shoulder. “Magic. You saw it on the map because you’re a supernatural. Greystone doesn’t appear for humans. Not on a map. Or in person. If they come in via the pass, the road ends at the base of a mountain. If they’re hiking, they get the urge to turn back. Unless they’re with a supernatural, they can’t enter. My mother led my father here, but now that they’re bonded mates, he can come and go.”

Freedom. To live. To work. A place where Hank can’t find me. Where nobody cares if I see things others don’t. Or if I’m a witch. I hate that word. It’s haunted me since Hank screamed it at my thirteen-year-old self after he tried to burn me to death. Sucks to learn he might have been right.

“That sounds amazing,” I squeeze out, my voice tight from all the hope and fear clogging it. “I’ve been afraid…of everything. For so long. Touching people. Having a vision in public. Someone capturing it on camera. Losing control.”

She frowns. “I’m sorry you were made to feel like your visions were a burden or something to hide. To the supernatural world, seers are valued for our ability to help navigate what the Fates may have in store for us.”

Not only the freedom to be who and what I am, but to actually feel like my ability is a gift instead of something to actively avoid or grudgingly tolerate? That seems too good to be true.

Raine snags the necklace around her neck and holds it out for me to see. Dangling on the end is a black stone wrapped in wire. “But I don’t like the fact that you passed out. You need a lodestone to balance you and a coven. Witches are stronger together.”

My lip wants to curl as she says coven and witches, but I don’t want to offend her.

“Go see Joy or Clarissa at the apothecary. Tell them to give you one like mine,” she urges. “This will help steady the power coursing through you when a vision hits. Right now, your power is spiking when the vision hits, then dropping dramatically.”

She looks at me as I sit there in silence. “There’s a lot to think about, but having someone who understands helps.” Her gaze slips to her right, and she subtly nods as if there’s someone standing beside her. I frown. “I have to go, but I’ll check back with you in a few days.”

“Thank you.” I twist the sheet between my hands. “For telling me about…” It’s still so crazy to me; I can’t say it out loud. “Everything. I was kind of freaking out.”

A tired smile graces her lips. “Happy to help. And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll help me.”

Yawning, I rub my gritty eyes and sit up. She’s gone. That’s odd. Did I fall asleep?

Teague strides in and sits down in the chair beside the bed, his sterling eyes more of a stormy grey as he scans my face. “How are you feeling?” His voice is husky and full of concern.

The tension inside my chest eases the minute he’s beside me in a way I don’t understand.

Macklin enters, hands in his pockets, eyes lowered.

I bite my lip, wondering if he’s angry with me.

Teague reaches out and tugs on it with his thumb, then takes my hand in his.

I stare at our joined hands. How can I feel so comfortable around him when we just met? Is it because I haven’t had any visions around him?

“Tired. Better. I…Raine helped,” I stutter, forcing myself to concentrate.

Teague glances at Macklin, the two communicating silently. “Raine was here?”

That’s odd. “Did you not see her?”

“We must have missed her,” Macklin inserts smoothly. “What did she tell you?”