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I nodded calmly, but my heart beat like a drum. “This is my opportunity to know more about being a witch. I want to learn, Simon.” I made sure I was earnest about what I was telling him, because if his gifts were anything like mine, he’d know if I was only telling half-truths.
He looked torn. His eyes glanced around the room. Then he leaned over the table to whisper, “Look, I don’t want to scare you, but our leader has warned us that there are otherworlders who might interrupt the ceremony. It’s dangerous.”
“I laugh in the face of danger.” I leaned back and crossed my arms.
“I’m being serious, Charlie,” he hissed.
I relaxed and sighed. “I know. I’m sorry. Look, I haven’t had an easy life. Trust me to take care of myself.”
“You don’t understand—”
“I’m not going to let my new family face dangerous otherworlders without me,” I said in a no-nonsense tone.
“All right, but you have to promise not to get involved.”
My grin was the size of his plate. “I swear.”
“Okay. Give me your number. I’ll text you the coordinates. It’s about a ten-minute trek from the main road.”
CHAPTER27
CLAWDIA
The door slammed shut behind Charlie, who was off to meet his ex-girlfriend to talk about his witch heritage. While I was glad he had a clue to his past, I was jealous it came from Lydia. And anxious that he’d see her and remember his feelings for her. But I didn’t want to analyze that too closely.
Unsure what to do with ourselves, Daithi, Zaide, and I turned to stare at each other.
“I will be resting and reading. Try not to have any emergencies which need magical attention.” Daithi sighed.
He glided to his room, too beautiful for such an angry demeanor, with his green hair curled up from his neck and his skin shining. He looked better today. Less stricken with panic and tiredness.
Moving from the kitchenette to the living room, I sank into the cushions next to Zaide with a sigh. On the television, a news presenter named those who had gone missing this week. It was so depressing I turned it off.
Zaide put his arm around me and pulled me into his chest. Staring down at me with an indulgent smile, he said, “It is just you and me, Little Cat. What shall we do to be useful?”
Still feeling slightly shy about everything, I didn’t want to invite more conversation about last night’s revelation.
“We could read books too?” I smiled half-heartedly and pulled out of his grasp to reach for the pile of books on the side table.
“No!” he shouted and pulled me back into his arms. I hit his strong, hard chest at an uncomfortable angle, and with a cricked neck, I glared up at him.
He could have just said no without restraining me.I harrumphed as I rearranged myself.
Panic lit his expression, and I tilted my head curiously. “Why not?”
“Well … I … It’s … No … We …” He tripped over his words, and his cheeks turned to a lovely rose gold color, which I took to be an embarrassed blush.
“Zaide?” I questioned again.
He coughed. “I’m … conducting some … personal research.”
“You don’t need help?” I asked slowly.
He looked away from me as the rose color in his cheeks deepened. “No,” he croaked.
If he doesn’t want to tell me, I’ll just look at the books when he isn’t around.I thought mischievously.
I stared at him, assessing his reaction. He was so big and fierce looking with his purple scars and eyes, but he was a gentle giant. It was one of my favorite things about him, that I felt so safe in his large hands. He blushed again as his eyes met mine, and I smiled. He was so sweet. And although I was horribly curious, as my cat side demanded I be, I knew it wasn’t a vindictive secret. He wouldn’t hurt me.
