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By the time she completed the translation, the sun was peeking over the horizon. She rubbed her tired eyes as she stared at the documents, with comments and highlights about parts she wasn’t sure about. Two ingredients in the middle escaped her. They could either be rock salt or sea salt. She’d look at it again once she was more awake.
But she read over the explanatory paragraph again.
“It is general knowledge every being in the universe has a soulmate.”Olivia frowned. If only whoever wrote this could see the world now.“Yet, most people go about their lives without ever finding theirs and rather decide to settle into a life of doldrum with someone they deem good enough. This author is not criticizing such behavior. Considering all the variables, that two people must be alive in the same few short decades and they must live near one another, the chances of discovering one’s soulmate is smaller than locating a lost shell on the beach. Thus, unsurprisingly, many settle for the easier path.
“Out of all the races inhabiting this dimension, those long-lived ones have a significantly better chance, namely the vampires and the fae. For vampires, their mate is truly a path to salvation, for their heart will resume its beat. Once the mating bond is complete, the vampire’s soul will return. Perhaps this explains the irresistible pull of the mating bond, for the vampire shall think of nothing else until it has completed the bond.
“But what of those who wish not for a mate? Those who prefer to make their own way in life than follow the dictates of fate? This humble author is one. I have hidden away on this island, away from my erstwhile mate. In the few hours where I manage to wrestle my mind away from the vampire bent on shackling me, I have experimented and created this spell to erase the incessant pull of the mating bond.
“I wish I could destroy the ephemeral link between my mate and I, to free myself forever from this needling longing. Alas, with the clarity this spell provides, I shall dedicate my years to formulate a spell to break the mating bond altogether.”
Olivia’s hand traced the ink on the crinkling paper. Had this spell worked? Will she find another spell destroying the mating bond in the later pages? Or had her ancestor failed and returned to her mate in the end?
If her eyes weren’t already drooping closed, she would’ve kept searching the grimoire. Strange. Her limbs were so heavy, even though she hadn’t used any magic. She had no reason to be so tired. Pulling all-nighters was a normal occurrence.
Her heart felt empty. Numb. Like the days after her parents’ deaths. Her emotions wrung dry completely.
Erase the incessant pull of the mating bond.
Wait. Was this feeling of despair due to the mating bond? Because Marek was gone from the city? The ever-expanding hole in her chest. Where Marek’s fierce and implacable presence, unbeknownst to her, had taken root?
Olivia rubbed at the ache over her heart, feeling worse than before. On the bright side, she had a solution to end her pain.
When Olivia woke up that evening, her first thought was of Marek. She felt better, less tired, her brain sharper and clearer, but the oppressive weight over her heart remained.
She checked her phone. Nothing.
He hadn’t even texted her to let her know if he’d arrived in Denver safely.
Why should he after how they’d left things?
Olivia threw back the covers and sat up with a huff. Like it was her fault? He’d been the one who left in the middle of their fight.
And she had better things to do than worry about him. If he didn’t want to talk to her, then fine. Soon, she wouldn’t want to talk to him either.
If the spell worked.
After Olivia showered and got dressed, she reviewed the translation again, specifically the ingredient list. While she recognized some, like foxglove and frog feet, she had no idea where to procure them. Where on earth sold Lion’s Whiskers? And yes, she’d triple-checked that translation.
This wasn’t a field she was an expert in. Good thing she knew exactly where to get help.
“Tristan, where is Andrea?” she asked the AI.
“Please wait,” Tristan said. Seconds later, “She is in the café on the third floor.”
“Thank you.”
Normally, she would call Andrea up here, but she still felt cooped up. Everywhere she looked reminded her of Marek. She checked on Betsy—no change—and sent a prayer to the powers that be to keep her sister alive before setting off to find Andrea.
The third floor was busier than hers, with groups of humans and vampires rushing past her. Though the vampires didn’t have their wings out and wore business suits, telling them apart from humans was easy as pie. They moved with an inhuman grace, and their magnetism drew the eye. A few gave her side glances and smirked, but no one approached her.
Unbothered by the looks thrown her way, Olivia followed the signs to the café. The place was bustling with vampire and human customers. She’d heard of cafés that served flavored blood, but Tucson didn’t have one.
Despite the crowd, one area in the back near the window was devoid of people.
Except for Andrea.
And the vampire towering over her with a scowl.
