Page 7 of Make Me (Immortal Vices and Virtues: All Hallows’ Eve #1)

Vaelora glances behind me. I can hear the faint sound of what I believe to be drums, but when she ignores them, so do I.

“When you asked that witch to bind your wolf spirit,” she says, slower now, like she’s choosing every word with precision, “she didn’t just cage the beast. She stole her essence. The core of who you were meant to be.”

Her gaze changes, not in condescension, but in something resembling sorrow.

“That’s why you don’t feel the bond as Talon does.”

My mouth opens, but no sound escapes. My heart thunders in my chest, ice rushing through my veins. How the hell does she know what I only just found out?

Vaelora watches me quietly for a beat longer before delivering the next blow. “Yes,” she says gently. “He’s actually your mate.”

I feel like I’ve been punched.

“But I can’t have him.” My voice is weak. I don’t want to believe this is real, yet my instincts tell me she’s not lying.

She moves toward me, slow and deliberate. Then, to my surprise, she rests a warm hand on my shoulder. Her touch is grounding and comforting in a way I’m still hesitant to trust, even though it doesn’t seem like I have a choice.

She squeezes gently, her tone dipping into something like kindness.

“You can have him. Or you wouldn’t be standing here.

But to claim that future, you’ll have to seek out another witch.

One with the power to undo the curse you welcomed into your body.

You must reclaim every part of yourself—the beast, the girl, and the warrior fae.

” She steps back. “Only then can you have what you most desire.”

Gods, am I stupid for wanting to believe her? To allow myself to open my heart and let that fragile, reckless hope crawl back in? It might be the most dangerous thing of all, and I’m not sure I can.

“Why should I trust you?” I ask, forcing my voice to be steady. “And how do you know all this?”

This time she smirks. “Because you know I’m not lying, and I know because of my own secret.

One I’ve never told anyone else. But I’m willing to share it now because under all that razor-edged armor you wear, there’s a woman worth knowing.

” Her gaze sharpens, full of quiet conviction.

“And I’d like you to trust me, Kasha. Even if it means I have to offer up some of my own faith first.”

Silence stretches between us. Not cold, but not quite warm. Just long enough for the cracks in my walls to start showing. Tiny fractures spidering out behind my ribs, impossible to ignore.

“Fine,” I mutter, the word pulled from somewhere weary but real. “Share your secret, and I’ll find a way to believe everything else you’ve already said.”

Vaelora’s chuckle echoes gently through the corridor. “One day, you’ll be free of this pain,” she says. “But until then I hope this helps.”

Her eyes hold mine, steadfast and unblinking, and gods, I want to look away. But I don’t. I can’t.

“I’m the world’s first—and likely only—true matchmaker,” she confesses, her voice turning almost reverent. “I went to that same witch long ago. I asked for the power to find the perfect mate in exchange for my ability to heal.”

She exhales slowly, and there’s a new heaviness to her. A sorrow just barely concealed behind polish and poise.

“She granted it, of course. Eagerly. But I made the mistake many of us do with magic like hers.” A hollow smile curves her lips. “I forgot to be specific.”

Her expression darkens, haunted now. “I can find the perfect mate. For everyone other than myself. When I cross paths with someone whose soul hasn’t yet met its match, I know . Instinctively. I can feel the thread. I know who they’re meant for and whether both halves are ready to meet or not.”

This makes me swallow thickly. “I’m sorry, Vaelora. I didn’t know. But maybe there’s something to be done. A loophole, of sorts.”

Her eyes shine with gratitude. “I used to hope for that, but I think I’m right where I was always meant to be.

” She gestures to the mansion around us.

“I’ve found comforts in my own ways and when I get to do things like this party?

I know I’m exactly who I’m supposed to be.

” Her smile is radiant now. “Between me and you, dozens of mates will be claimed today. Futures all changed for the better. So, don’t pity me, Kasha.

I have the greatest job in all the worlds.

I get to bring people their joy. Their completion. How could I ever regret that?”

I could think of several reasons, actually. But gods, good on her for choosing to be a better person than me. For turning tragedy into purpose. No wonder I tried to hate her. She’s everything I haven’t allowed myself to believe I’m capable of being.

“I’m sorry,” I say, quietly. “For treating you like shit when you never deserved it.”

She doesn’t correct me. She just watches.

“I’ll go see Natalia. She’ll know of a way to remove the block,” I add, voice steadier now.

And if I’m really going to start being honest, I already know I want Talon, even though I know nothing about him, even though I can’t feel the bond. Just the possibility of that future…

The moment I saw the promise in his eyes earlier was all I needed to send me over the edge. I might not have wanted to admit it, but he probably could’ve broken me down without Vaelora telling me this truth.

I’ve gotten just that desperate.

But I don’t care any longer. Not in the slightest.

Her smirk returns, faint but amused. “You might want to find your mate first. He’s currently trying to tear through my spell to get to you. It’s causing a bit of a scene.” She takes a single step back. “I’ll be seeing you, Kasha.”

“Yes,” I say, meaning it. “You will.”

And just like that, she disappears into the shadows, leaving only the echo of her steps behind.

A heartbeat later, the wooden door I slipped through earlier shatters inward, sending splinters of energy and wood into the air as Talon crashes through it like a storm unchained. His eyes are wild, glowing faintly. Chest heaving and jaw clenched.

“Are you okay?” he growls, voice low and laced with barely restrained panic.

I can’t speak, but I nod.

And for the first time in much too long, I allow myself to feel it.

Hope.