“They look fine.” Lillith walked over and reached for them, but her hand landed on the force field. “What the…? Is that a barrier?” She pushed her hand against it, but it didn’t budge. “That’s weird. I can’t feel anything, but something is holding me back, and it’s invisible.”
“Has anyone had luck with something like this before?” Katherine stood beside Lillith and squinted at the forcefield. “I don’t see a damn thing.”
“It’s some sort of transparent cage the fae have wrapped around them.” I didn’t know how else to describe it.
“Sadie got Donovan out, but she’s struggling now.” Egan rubbed his chin. “Maybe it’s because the fae aren’t threatening you anymore. Maybe you need something like an inciting event.”
“Maybe.” Did I work better under pressure? Or was the magic inside me activated under high stress?
“Try to push deeper.” Winter stepped behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s in your blood.”
“What do you mean?” The answer was clear, but I was too scared to consider it. It’d been nagging me for days, but I’d kept pushing away the possibility. However, today was a new day, and I was done running.
“I tried to tell you the other day,” Winter said as she pulled my shoulder, causing me to turn to face her. “Tyler isn’t your father.”
“Can you stop?” Lillith pointed at Roxy and Axel. “We need to get them out of here, not have family story time. The fae could come back to finish the job.”
She was right, but I had nothing to work with.
“It’s relevant at the moment.” Winter met my gaze. “She’s the only one who can get them out of there.” She paused and stared at the ground like she was searching for the strength within. When she finally looked at me again, I knew her next words would change my future forever. I wouldn’t be denying it any longer. “Your father was fae.”
Maybe that should have shocked me, wrecked me even, but it didn’t. I’d already known this deep inside me, and the words resonated in a way that both made sense but also made things more confusing.
That was why I’d felt a connection with the fae in the bathroom back at Kortright. Why I had rose-gold hair, which was never seen before in the shifter community. Why I could feel the fae when they transported here and whatever magic churned inside me.
The surge of emotions overwhelmed me. I didn’t understand the thoughts and feelings.
Cassius sounded shocked as he said, “You’ve got to be joking. That’s impossible.”
“Unfortunately, she’s not.” Titan seemed even less thrilled. “This is one reason we’re hiding here.”
Their reactions mixed with my already raging feelings and pushed me closer to the edge. The magic rumbled, the static electricity taking hold again. The magic was tied to my emotions, which was extremely problematic and volatile. That was exactly what Roxy and I had been training the boys out of with their wolves.
I needed whatever charged it. I closed my eyes and focused on the barrier in front of me.
“Sadie …” Egan started, but I held a hand up before latching onto the barrier.
I needed to use the energy productively while I had it. Electricity thrummed throughout me. It was so damn intense I’d bet my hair stood on end. That was how raw it made me feel. I tapped into the magic, and fortunately, it worked like it had with Donovan.
The magic pushed through my body toward my hands and poured into the barrier. The force shocked me, but whatever held them evaporated. “There.” I dropped my hands to my sides and ignored the power still pulsing inside me. I had nowhere to direct it other than inward. I refused to risk hurting anyone here.
Roxy stood on all fours while Axel stretched out.
Dude, being squashed sucks. Axel whimpered. I can’t imagine living in a cage.
I can agree with that. Donovan’s guilt flowed through the bond. I feel bad for all those pets we had growing up.
Don’t, Axel said, attempting to comfort him. They were our foster parents’ pets, not ours.
“You ready to come back with us?” Winter glanced from my pack back to me. “Since you want to talk and all?”
There was no way in hell I was going back to Titan’s pack and potentially getting stuck there. “How about you come back to Cassius’s?” I had a feeling Titan wouldn’t let her come alone.
Winter nibbled on her lip. “Don’t we want some privacy?”
“Uh …” Titan tensed. “I’m coming along.”
“Donovan needs to change, and I’m sure Egan could keep Titan busy with research or something.” I wanted to be on familiar grounds, but I hated to take advantage of the vampires’ hospitality by inviting people over. “It is a huge-ass house.”
“Sure, you can use the library,” Lillith jumped in, having my back. “Tons of old books, and it’s even soundproof.”
Ew … Roxy linked with me. Does Cassius have a librarian fetish?
A smile spread across my face, and I couldn’t hold back my snort. I’m sure you’re the only one who had that thought.
Although … Axel interjected. That does sound interesting. Maybe—
No. Donovan grimaced, even in wolf form. Stop. We don’t want to hear it.
I agreed and pushed the inappropriate conversation out of my mind. I turned my attention to Cassius and Dawn. “If that’s okay with you.” They’d done so much that I needed to at least get their blessing first.
“It’s your home too.” Dawn smiled comfortingly. “Of course, you can use the library.”
“Okay, then.” Winter shrugged, giving in. “That’s fine. Let’s go.”
Titan scowled, clearly not happy. “But if there’s one disrespectful thing said …”
I understood his concern. He already thought I’d been unnecessarily cruel to Winter. “Then you’d be more than welcome to leave.” I wouldn’t let him bully or force me into behaving differently, even if his intent was to protect his mate. “Unlike us heading to your pack, we won’t force you to stay against your will.”
Titan’s nostrils flared as his face turned pink. “Now listen here—”
“Stop it.” Winter placed a hand on his shoulder. “If that’s where she wants to have the conversation, that’s where we’ll go. Besides, you and Cassius have worked together for years. You know we can trust him.”
“He’s not the problem.” Titan’s eyes shot daggers at me. “I’m more worried about the girl who has influence over you.”
“That girl is my daughter.” Winter pointed her finger in Titan’s face. “And if she wants to talk to me, I will listen. If you’re going to cause a problem, I can come back home when we’re done and I’m ready.”
The alpha’s shoulders hunched, and he sighed. “Fine, but I will force you to leave if it goes south.” He touched her arm, but his eyes remained sincere. “Even if I must use the alpha will.”
He didn’t trust me. Well, the feeling was mutual. At least, we had something in common. “Let’s go. No reason to stay out here like targets.”
“I’ll catch up.” Titan gestured to his pack. “Let me handle a few things.” He turned and headed over to his wolves.
I’ll head back and change. Donovan trotted off but slowed. I want to be ready in case you need me when the conversation goes down.
I somehow fell more in love with him since he wasn’t forcing his presence on the conversation. Please stay close. I don’t want you getting attacked without backup again.
He paused and waited for me to catch up to him. Soon, the nest, my pack, Egan, and Winter all headed back toward the mansion.
The entire walk back happened in complete silence. Every single one of us was on edge, afraid that the fae might pop up again. Luckily, during the trek back, nothing out of the ordinary happened. We’d grabbed the bag of clothing on the way back, and as soon as we made it to the back porch, I handed it to Lillith to take up to our rooms. Donovan, Roxy, and Axel ran inside behind her, ready to get changed.
“Let’s go put up our supplies,” Cassius said as he lifted his guns.
The rest followed after him, leaving me, Winter, and Egan on the back porch, waiting for Titan.
“Thank you for helping us today.” Egan gave her a small smile. He stepped toward the door before stopping again. He cracked his knuckles and caught my eye, asking me an unspoken question. He wasn’t sure whether he should leave me alone with her or not.