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“Okay, so I’m going to cast a spell. It looks like it’s a witch’s spell, so my magic might not work exactly the same. I do think it’ll have the same results though.” He glances up at me as he chews on his bottom lip.
“I trust you, Jack.” And I do. I trust all of them with my life, and now, I guess my magic.
Jack nods once more before focusing back on the book. He begins to chant, and I have no idea what language he’s using, but goosebumps rise along my skin. I can feel the magic rising in the air as his hand flies through movements, never stuttering over the words.
When he lifts his head from the page, there’s a glow to his eyes that’s new. I can’t seem to look away as he moves closer. I can feel his magic caressing my skin as his eyes seem to delve into my soul.
“Oh,” he says a moment later, tilting his head. He shuts the book, letting it fall to the floor. I wince at the mistreatment of the book, but I still can’t seem to look away from Jack. His hands come up to cup my cheeks once more. “Someone put a block on your magic when you were very young. I can see it.”
When he hisses, I jerk away from him. “Are you okay?”
Jack shakes his head, eyes no longer glowing. “I’m fine. The good news is I know how to unblock your magic. I think you’re going to be surprised when you find out just how powerful you are, Belle.”
“Don’t hold us in suspense, Jack,” Derek growls, a scowl on his face. “How do we fix her magic?”
“All four of us will need to do the spell I just did so we can see the magic inside of her. The block is only meant to hold until her fated mates can release it.” Jack shakes his head. “That’s why it’s been misbehaving. It was trying to tell us that we needed to set it free.”
“Really?” I ask, my voice quiet. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.” He bends over to pick up the book and find the spell again as all four of them crowd around me. “Would you hold the book open for us, Doll?”
I nod, taking the book from his hands and turning it around so they can all see it. All four of them chant the words while Jack is the only one who does the hand signals. As one, all four sets of eyes begin to glow. They each lay a hand on me, and I can feel each of their magic stroking my skin.
My eyes widen as I feel something release inside of me, my magic flying from its confines. The five of us are blown apart, and I find myself on my back staring up at the ceiling. Tears stream down my face as my magic swirls around me and inside of me. It’s so much better than I could have imagined. My magic really does exist.
“Ummm... Belle? I think you’re going to want to see this.” Nick’s voice is filled with awe.
I sit up slowly, trying to figure out what he’s talking about. That’s when I see an apparition in the middle of the basement where I once sat. It’s a woman, and when it turns to face me, I can barely believe my eyes.
“My baby.” It’s my mom’s face and voice, but I know she isn’t really here. I don’t know if it’s her spirit or just a piece of magic, but it doesn’t stop me from jumping to my feet and crashing into her arms.
I hadn’t been sure that I’d be able to touch her, but she holds me in her arms as I sob. I pull back when I hear someone clearing their throat, and that’s when I remember that I’m not alone in the basement. I pull back, swiping my hands over my face to wipe away some of the tears as I glance at each of my men.
“This is my mom’s...” I trail off, turning to look at my mom. “I don’t know what you are. A spirit? Apparition? Magic?”
She laughs. “How about a combination of all three? I am dead, but you already knew that. I was able to trap a part of my spirit inside of you when I blocked your magic.”
“But why? Why did you block my magic?” I can’t help but ask.
She sighs, a sad smile gracing her lips. “Your dad killed me, Belle. He had already started seeing the woman who became your stepmother. She was already spreading her poison. I don’t know if he knew he was killing me or not, but my tea was being laced with something. I didn’t know until it was too late. I couldn’t let either of them know you had magic. If they were willing to kill me, I didn’t want them to do something similar to you. I had to protect you.”
She looks around at my mates. “I knew that one day she would meet her fated mate, or mates in this case. I knew that once she met them they’d be able to protect her in a way that I couldn’t. I wish that I could be here alive to meet all of you, but this is better than nothing. Belle, I’m glad you were able to escape that cult, but I’m sorry I couldn’t help you over the years. I saw everything that happened to you, and it broke my heart that I couldn’t help. Watching the way that boy treated you after he took your virginity—I would’ve killed him if I could. But what’s done is done.
“I don’t have long now. I wish that I could stick around and teach you about your magic, but I know your friends and your mates will make sure that you learn how to wield it. I love you so much, and I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become. I love you.”
Her form begins to waver and I reach out to grab her, not ready for her to leave me, but my hand just moves through her.
“No, Mom! Don’t leave me. I need you!” I scream, continuing to try to grab ahold of her as she fades more and more.
She gives me one last sad smile, and then she’s gone.
My knees give out on me, and I would’ve hit the floor if Nick and Jack hadn’t both grabbed my arms. They sink to the floor with me, wrapping their arms around me as Derek and Cypian kneel before me, each laying a hand on one of my legs. No one speaks as I sob for the mother that I feel like I’ve lost all over again.
Chapter Fourteen
Jack
HoldingontoBelleasshe grieves losing her mom all over again. I feel lost because there’s not a damn thing I can do to make her feel better. I helped her unblock her magic, which is great, but now I feel like I’m the one who has caused her pain. I hate it. I wish I could bear it for her, but I know that isn’t possible.
