AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I scoffed. “And you do?”
“I don’t pretend to.”
I puffed out my cheeks. “I know what love is, okay. Astor made me feel safe. He took care of me.”
His eyes narrowed. “You don’t seem like someone who needs taking care of.”
I rubbed the side of my arm. “I was never really good at using my powers, and Astor knew that. Everyone else kept pushing me to try harder when I couldn’t do it. But he accepted that I couldn't and didn’t push me when I stopped going to lessons.”
“It sounds like he didn’t challenge you at all.”
“He was gentle. There’s a difference.”
“Perhaps,” he said slowly but didn’t look at me. “I need to prepare for Velda’s visit.”
His face was unreadable, and curiosity lowered my barrier, allowing the anger he felt to flow in. It was muted under the suffocating sadness, which I presumed was brought on from Velda’s visit.
“Sebastian.” I spoke gently, caressing his name. “One day, when this is all over, I’ll make sure Velda pays for what she did to your family.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I may be many things, but I’m not a monster.” I repeated his words back to him. Although I wasn’t sure how I’d achieve such a task.
He paused in the doorway. “You won’t need to. One of my last acts before I leave will be to kill her.” We stared at each other for a few seconds before he spoke. “Erianna’s back. Enjoy your time in the lake. You weren’t made a sorceress for no reason; magic is a part of you. Embrace it.”
With that, he was gone, and Erianna appeared at the door, holding a thick leather jacket. “It’s wool-lined inside.” She whipped her head back. “What were you and Sebastian talking about for that long?”
“Nothing important. Mostly about what Sebastian would want after becoming mortal.”
Her eyebrows raised. “I’m surprised he opened up at all.”
That made me feel even worse. “What about you?” I asked the question which had been circling my mind since this all came out. “Wouldn’t you want to become mortal?” It wasn’t possible if there was enough blood for only one dose, but I was curious why she was so willing for Sebastian to take it.
“Not really. Zach and I have been alive for far too long to know how to fit into that world again.”
“You’ve never wanted a family?”
“I have one.” She smiled, looking at the door. I knew she meant Sebastian and Zach, but I couldn’t help but wonder if she was lonely. Sometimes, when she didn’t think anyone was looking, I could see her smile waver, and a sadness swam in her brown eyes. “Let’s go to the lake before Velda arrives.” She spat her name and threw me the jacket. “Follow me to the roof. I’ll fly us there.”
SEVENTEEN
“It’s pointless,” I declared, throwing my arms up in the air. The magic pulsated beneath my skin, but every time I tried to welcome it as a part of myself and cast a small spell, doubt trickled in, and nothing happened. “I’ll never be good enough.”
Erianna’s face crumpled, whereas Zach just rolled his eyes from the wall he leaned against.
“It’ll happen,” Erianna promised and sat cross-legged on the armchair. “In time.”
“We don’t have time.”
Zach cut in, tucking a lock of silver hair behind his ear. “We will make time. Your powers will be helpful if we’re backed into a corner.”
I threw myself back on the bed, letting out a long groan. “I can feel Laveniuess’s energy, but it’s like it's blocked by something. I spent an hour freezing my ass off bathing in that lake, and for what?”
“Velda’s gone, so that’s one good thing,” Erianna said.
“I suppose.” I let out a heavy exhale.
“It’s a good thing you’re not dramatic or anything,” Zach said, deadpan.
