Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

Rogue

“ Y eah, okay, you’re ripe,” Gemma says as we land in my bedroom back at our house. “That was close.”

“What the hell just happened?” I groan, falling onto my mattress.

My mind races.

Owen called me his mate, and something deep inside me agreed.

It wasn’t even my magic.

It was my soul that was in agreement.

More than that, he looked like he was in agony. The thought makes my skin ache, pulsing with discomfort.

I need to be there, soothing his bear and reassuring him that I feel the connection too. I blurt out as much, rubbing my burning eyes.

“Fuck no,” Gemma says, shaking her head. “Not until he gets his animal under control.” She gives me a pointed look, planting her hands on her hips. “You have no idea what his bear was planning to do to you. It was brutal.”

My body lights up at the thought of what that would feel like, and a pulse throbs through my lower stomach.

“I’m okay with that,” I say, but it comes out slurred.

“Damn, you’re all fucked up.” Gemma sighs. “Okay, don’t move. I’m going to get Mom.”

“No!” I screech.

Only, she’s already gone.

Seriously?

Could my life get any more embarrassing?

Maybe I shouldn’t ask that.

The universe might take it as a challenge.

I love my sister.

It’s also practically impossible to kill a nightmare, so it’s easier to remind myself that I would miss her if she was gone.

Gemma snorts, clearly having read my thoughts.

My mother frowns, pushing her cool hand to my forehead. “You’re feverish.”

“Yeah, and Owen was about to go berserk to get to her,” Gem says with an obnoxious lilt to her tone.

My eyes narrow.

That was a weird way to put it, but I’ll bet she does find this funny.

She can find humor in almost anything.

Just wait until it’s her turn to suffer.

Anytime anyone shows interest in her or if she finds her mate, I’m going to make her life hell.

“He called her his mate,” she tattles, beaming.

I frown even harder.

“Well, that’s a conversation Owen and your fathers should have…

” Mom grimaces. “Preferably, after the fact and once your bonding is solidified. They’ll be less likely to try to kill him if they know you’ll feel it through the link.

They also understand the nature of matebonds.

It’s not something either of you could have helped. ”

I’m not sure she believes a word she just said. My magic found it to be an ambiguous statement that couldn’t be judged as completely truthful or a lie, but I appreciate the effort.

“Speaking of mates,” Gemma says. “What happened to the handsome warlock you left with last night? I truly thought there was some connection between the two of you. I mean, outside of him being our suspect.”

“Cohen is innocent.” I groan, shoving away my mother’s hand.

Mom takes a seat next to me and gives an expectant look. “Canoodling with suspects now?”

Gemma snorts again.

She really is on my last damn nerve.

I sigh. “You know better than anyone that just because the paranormal council is interested in someone, it doesn’t mean they’re guilty.”

My mom is probably still on one of their watch lists or something from everything that happened back in the day when she left Faere.

“That’s true enough,” Mom concedes, patting my thigh. “I just worry about you girls.”

Thinking of Faere reminds me of the sithen.

Calyx and Cohen are probably still camped outside of Owen’s, losing their minds over where I disappeared to.

“Do you know what a sithen is?” I ask.

“I do.” My mother nods, making her long pinkish-blonde hair fall around her face. She looks no older than me or Gemma, which would be weird for humans, but I’ve always considered it a gift.

I’ll never have to mourn her or my fathers. They won’t wither from old age or die. There are limitations to their immortality, but they’re safe enough.

“A sithen is an area where the veil between the human and fae realms is very thin. It’s said that anyone who wanders for long enough with a need to escape to another realm will eventually be drawn to one if their intentions are pure of heart.

” Her eyes narrow, and she studies me even more carefully. “Why?”

I swallow around the lump in my throat, looking between Gem and Mom. “I think I found one. Or it found me?” I tell them about the house and even briefly mention Cohen and Calyx. “I don’t know how to explain it, but the energy there is comforting. It feels almost familiar.”

“Ha! I knew there was something going on there.” Gemma grins. “You got that vision, and you and Cohen were all looking at each other with heart eyes.”

“That’s what you chose to focus on?” I ask, scoffing.

“Meena did warn us that your future was closely tied to the energy of Faere,” Mom says, frowning. “I have no aspirations for a family reunion with your aunt, but I’m only a phone call away.”

My jaw falls.

That’s the first I’m hearing about any visions Meena has had about my future, and also…

Isn’t she supposed to be…

I don’t know, mothering and protecting me?

What happened to the coddling from my childhood?

“You’re an adult,” Mom says, smiling softly.

Can she read my mind?

That’s just creepy.

“Parenting is a balancing act,” she says, shrugging. “I have no desire to stand in the way of either of your futures. We’ve raised you well, and you know we’re available if you need us, but now is your time to step into the world and make your way.”

“That was actually really sweet,” Gem says. “I think they just want to mate us off, so they can get back to having an empty nest.”

I snort. “We don’t even live there anymore. They also have years until the younger kids will be of age.”

“They have to start somewhere.” Gemma laughs. “Does that mean you think Atlas will let Owen live?”

My mother grimaces, and that probably says it all.

“They’re working toward the goal of accepting the two of you as adults.

All fathers have to come to terms with the fact their daughters will eventually find mates of their own.

” Mom pats my thigh. “I would love to hear more about Calyx and Cohen, but I’m afraid that if I’m away for much longer, your fathers will come searching.

Owen is a good man. If nothing else, they’ll find comfort in knowing he’ll protect you with his life. ”

She nods, agreeing with herself.

I think she might be delusional, but it does help put me at ease just a tiny bit.

“My quickenings resumed soon after I accepted my connection with Atlas,” Mom says, like it’s her personal mission in life to make me vomit.

I do everything in my power not to think about how we got five younger siblings.

“It’s very possible meeting your mates has triggered yours.

However, my magic is certain I can lessen the symptoms. Would you like that?

It might give you extra time before it hits fully. ”

My mouth goes dry.

This is so weird to talk about with my mother , but yeah, I want more time to come to terms with things before being forced into a heat.

“Please.” I smile tightly. “I can’t be stuck at home for a week or more. I still have to help Calyx locate his phylactery and figure out why Delta is acting so shady.”

Mom’s hands glow with her light pink magic, and she gets to work.

Gemma catches my eye. “I want to hear more about that once I get Mom back home.”

I nod, letting her know I’ll fill her in fully, but an even more terrifying thought crosses my mind.

Owen called me his mate.

Calyx is convinced of the same.

Not to mention Cohen.

I feel a connection to all three, but Owen is actively hunting Calyx and Cohen for the paranormal council.

What a shit show.

Gemma pops back in from returning Mom to her house, and I fill her in on everything.

“And you think, what? That Delta had something to do with Calyx’s phylactery going missing?

” Gemma frowns, lying on her stomach next to me on my bed.

“I’m not saying it’s impossible, but if that’s the case, she’s excellent at shielding her mind or any thoughts or fears regarding what might happen if she gets caught. ”

“Maybe she’s not running things but is involved with whoever is?” I rub my forehead and shrug. “I don’t know, but Calyx isn’t behind the Market Heist Crew. If his magic is being funneled to fuel those crimes…”

A pit forms in my stomach at the thought.

The paranormal council is known for how lazy it can be when it comes down to it. If a case can be wrapped up neatly in a bow… They don’t necessarily care if the correct person is placed behind bars.

“Okay, well, don’t worry about that too much,” my sister says. “We won’t let that happen. I’ll do a little covert searching. See what I can find out if I spend a day or two following Delta when she doesn’t realize she’s being watched.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Nah, I’ve got nothing better going on, and you deserve a chance to spend some time getting to know your mates.”

I sigh. “Except Owen has no idea I found our suspects?—”

The energy in the room changes, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Gemma’s eyes widen, and she makes a grab for me, like she’s about to siphon us from the room.

However, Calyx steps through the portal that forms near the door to my bathroom, and I shake out of my sister’s hold.

Cohen stumbles through a second later, shoving his huge glasses back up his nose.

“Princess, you just earned yourself a trip over my knee. Trying to escape me already?” Calyx laughs but freezes when he spots Gemma.

She disappears from the bed and reappears in front of the lich. “I’d be very careful about how you speak to my sister.” The smoky tendrils of her magic spill from her skin and dart for Calyx.

Her head tilts as he locks his knees to keep from hitting the ground.

It’s not a pleasant experience when she infiltrates someone’s mind. Just like her biological father, Malice, she’s able to induce realistic nightmares that produce a visceral response.

“Hey, Gemma.” Cohen waves, skirting around Calyx as the lich trembles. He reaches the edge of the bed and leans over, brushing his hand over my forehead. “You’re much cooler. Are you feeling better?”

“Him, I like.” Gemma laughs. Nodding to Calyx, she goes on, “This one? The jury is still out.”

“Enough!” I lean forward, jabbing a finger at her. “Don’t hurt him.” I have to focus to keep my magic from attacking. That’s my sister, who I love dearly, but my instincts hate knowing she’s torturing Calyx.

She rolls her eyes. “It was fun while it lasted.”