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I snort, picturing Oz being sullen and withdrawn. It’s an Oz I’ve never known. I feel at ease around my coven leader and slowly drink the rest of my glass, declining a third.
“I also heard about what happened with that man from your past.” I can sense myself growing distant immediately, wanting to disassociate from anything to do with Spencer. Leland’s hand rests on my forearm, and I stare into his soulful brown eyes. “All of my children have killed more than one human on accident, Wren. I can see your pain about it, your pain about leaving your life behind. I truly wish I could go back and make sure you were given a choice.”
A sigh escapes his lips, and he places his other hand on his first. “Unable to fulfill that wish, however, the best I can offer is comfort and companionship from our coven. We are here to support you, and I hope you find peace here.” A tear escapes my eye, and I quickly wipe it away. Leland is kind enough to pretend not to notice.
“I hate to get deeper into the pit of despair,” He pulls his hands back from me and reaches into his pocket for something. It is small, a folded piece of paper, and he extends it to me. A newspaper clipping? I take it from him and carefully unfold it, only to see myself staring back at me. “We need to decide what to do about your death.” My face is listed as a missing person, and the article that goes with it speculates that I survived the crash. Due to “missing personal effects.”
Fuck.
My wallet.
My duffel.
My phone.
I could kick myself.
“Do I need to let them find my things?” I ask, unsure what he means by deciding what to do about my death.
“Oh no, not at all. No, my dear, I mean, if you would like to return to your parents I can make that happen. We can easily develop a cover story if you wish.” I take a deep breath. Oz’s apple didn’t fall far from Leland’s tree.
“I’ve decided to remain hidden and let them assume I didn’t survive.” My throat clenches and hurts as pain constricts my chest. It is so hard to say out loud.
Leland nods and reaches his hand back to my arm. He gives it a quick rub and fatherly pat. I like him, he is kind. I can see why he has everyone’s respect and loyalty.
“Why did you make Oz stay outside?” I whisper, still confused about that matter.
A loud, boisterous laugh thunders from his belly. “He hovers.” He smiles at the fire and adds, “I wanted to meet you without the pretenses. Get to know the real you, and not the girl enthralled by the bond.”
I am briefly offended, but then I feel the truth of his words.
He isn’t wrong.
We have been all over each other and around each other. We’ve had very few separate moments since I first woke up in Oz's room. It is like we can’t help it. I need to be near him, and when I’m near him…
“Is it normal?” I wonder, unsure if Leland will know the answer.
“The obsessive compulsion the two of you share?” Throwing me a knowing look. I nod, embarrassed. “Entirely.”
A massive sigh of relief.
“When vampires find their mate, they are drawn to one another. Eventually, you will be able to stand being apart as long as you need to be, but when it’s new, all couples I’ve met go through a period where they might as well be glued to one another.” He smirks. “I imagine it’s worse in your case?”
“Why’s that?” I ask, confused. Then it dawns on me.
“He hovers,” we speak in unison, both laughing.
“So the more we practice distance, the more we can control the pull we both feel?” I am so incredibly relaxed. The drink has done me good. That, and Leland is just enjoyable to be around. I find it hard to imagine now that I had been afraid of him before.
“Bingo.” He gestures towards the door. “Eventually, the bond pull settles. You’ll still be enamored with one another, certainly. But you won’t feel like it’s something else driving you anymore.”
I smile, pleased that I wouldn’t lose these feelings that have grown, but also glad we will find a better balance.
“What about my other self,” I ask, biting my lip. “We didn’t merge.”
His face takes on a serious expression. “That is something I am unfamiliar with as well. I agree with the others that it was due to your memory loss upon turning. It can be corrected, but not until you learn to trust her. She is also you, you know.”
I frown. “She’s killed two people and wants to kill more.
