Jennifer blinked her tears back and gave me a quick nod.
Naomi watched the exchange, her brow furrowing with questions and I shook my head. She let it go and focused back on the conversation, but I could tell she understood. She blinked, studying the woman at the table with the same admiration as I felt for both Jennifer and Steve.
“What was your favorite era?” Jennifer asked.
My gaze moved to Naomi. “Right now,” I said with no hesitation.
A snort from the couch pulled my attention and CJ sent a glance over his shoulder, his derision snaking over me like a hangman’s noose.
I knew it was poor manners but I shot the question out anyway, “What the hell is your issue?”
CJ stood, turning toward me. “You. You’re my issue,” he pointed at me. “They think you’re something special, but all I see is someone who killed for sport like my father did. But in this case, you did it for centuries, upon centuries.”
“Damian didn’t kill for sport,” Naomi said before I could form a response.
CJ challenged her with an arch of his eyebrow.
“He’s right,” I said, pulling her gaze to mine. “I killed with abandon, but I only killed those worthy of death. So in that way, I differ from your father.”
“Who are you to judge,” CJ said and I stood, crossing the distance, extending my hand.
“Go ahead,” I challenged, knowing he had the same power to siphon memories as Steve.
He looked at my hand and the muscles in his jaw jumped. When his gaze locked on mine, he reached out. The moment skin contacted a rush of memories assaulted me. Sound swirled around me and a power I couldn’t comprehend gripped every muscle. CJ’s memories flooded my mind, just like Steve’s had, but there was something else that came with them that hadn’t been transferred when Steve did his mind meld.
Just before his grip loosened, I felt the power crawling back into its host and the room came into clear view. In my mind’s eye, I reached out, grabbing hold of the last ribbon of magic, feeling a piece tear off and settle inside me.
CJ’s gaze hardened and he yanked his hand from my grip. He stepped back, rubbing his palm, just staring at me. He looked down at his hand and back, like I was still the shadow being, his silence just as unnerving as the flurry of memories.
Whispers, like faint echoes caressed my ears but I kept my gaze on CJ, waiting for his judgment. Instead of speaking, he slowly lowered to the couch.
He licked his lips, formulating broken thoughts before speaking.
“You really are an angel’s descendent.” It wasn’t a question, just a statement that I let hang on the air for a full beat.
“Do you think I’d really spend the last few hours bullshitting you?”
“Actually, that’s exactly what I thought. I couldn’t read much from either of you.” He glanced between Naomi and I. “I just thought you were here to pull one over on us and you somehow snowed Uncle Steve. I couldn’t figure out what your deal was.”
“And now?”
“At least I know you’re not a liar,” he said.
Chapter 14 - Damian
Naomi offered me a tired smile as I sat down on the edge of the bed.
“I’m not tired,” I said and brushed the hair from her face before planting a soft kiss on her lips. The whispers continued and I shook my head, wondering just what the hell I was hearing. “Do you hear anything funny?”
She shook her head. “Why?”
“Because, I feel like I’m in a theater and everyone is whispering.”
Naomi let out a little laugh and I could have sworn she said, you’re so weird sometimes, but her lips never moved. Still, it was her voice in my head and I studied her.
“I’m not weird,” I said, testing the waters and her eyes widened.
Holy shit, you can hear me?
I started laughing. It had been a couple of months since I could hear her in my head and I missed being able to read her. On the heels of realizing I could hear her thoughts; I realized the buzz I was hearing were the random thoughts of the others in the household. My smile faded and I glanced at the door.
“I think I may have transferred a bit of CJ’s talent when we shook hands,” I said and brought my gaze back to hers. If I’d pulled in a little of his mind reading ability...
Before I could complete the thought, a knock on the bedroom door interrupted us.
“Come in,” I called and stood, half-expecting CJ.
When Steve pushed open the door, I met his stare.
“We need to talk,” he said.
I nodded and turned to Naomi. “I’ll be up in a while,” I said and headed out of the room, meeting his gaze as I closed the door.
“CJ thinks you may have gotten some of his shine.”