Page 7 of Twilight Echoes (A New Dawn #7)

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A very kicked off her shoes, tucking her feet up under her butt, and stared across the room where Darrell stood by the bar, nursing a beer, while deep in conversation with her father, Jackson, and Trask, who decided to spend the night.

Darrell’s confession had caught her off guard. She’d spent years pining after him yet was unable to bring herself to approach him, even when she had more than one opportunity over the years.

What would a man of Darrell’s status see in a scrawny teenager?

Of course, she had a bigger confession she should make. But what would he think about that? No. She couldn’t tell him. He’d think she was not only crazy, but she’d probably scare him off.

“What’s going on, dear?” Her mother sat in the middle of the sofa between Avery and her sister. “I can tell when something is bothering you.” Her mother had always been her biggest cheerleader in life. Her mom had style and grace and a heart of gold. As a human, she came from wealth and power, so it hadn’t been difficult for her to ease into the role of the wife of one of the most powerful wizards in all the covens on Earth.

As a fairy, her mother didn’t yield any power at all. A few specks of dust here and there. They had all wondered if it would grow stronger as the girls came into their fairy side, but that had yet to happen.

And according to Trask, it might never happen.

“I’m overwhelmed.” Avery swirled her wineglass, watching the dark-red liquid hug the sides. “I have so many conflicting emotions, and I can’t sort through them all.” Not to mention she was keeping a secret from her mate.

God, that sounded so weird, even in her mind.

“That’s why you two need to spend time together. When I first met your father, I didn’t understand how I could be in love so fast and so deep in a matter of days.” Her mother had been dating someone else when her parents first got together, even though her father tells the story of how he’d been in love with her since she was ten. And perhaps that was true. Their relationship in the beginning had caused quite a scandal in both their worlds, but they were the happiest couple Avery had ever seen, and both believed in the concept of soulmates, always telling their girls when they found the one they were meant to be with, they’d know.

Avery no longer questioned whether or not she was Darrell’s mate. She felt that deep in her core. She knew it to be fact. Not only did she accept it, but she welcomed it.

How that happened in a few days, she had no idea.

“Amanda and Jackson struggled with it, too. They didn’t have that sharp connection because of Aunt Alley’s blocking spell,” her sister Arianna said.

Amanda was three months pregnant, but out of fear for her safety, no one thought she should leave the farm. The place was a damn fortress, even though it didn’t look like it. But Trask, Dayton, and other paranormal beings had created a protective shell around the farm. No one was getting in, or out, unless invited to do so.

“I’ve accepted him,” Avery said. “We all know I’ve had a crush on him forever, so it’s not that.”

“Then what’s troubling you, dear?” her mother asked.

Avery had never focused on the idea of having a family. Or even getting married. That concept was so far off in the future that she couldn’t even wrap her brain around the idea. She’d been so driven regarding her dreams, especially after Darrell had moved to the West Coast, that even dating hadn’t been something she had much of a desire to do. All that mattered was being the best ballerina she could for as long as it lasted.

But hearing about Darrell’s father and the rest of his pack made that seem trivial now.

“I’m worried about Darrell,” Avery said. Her entire life, she’d been told there was only one man for her, and she now believed that person was Darrell. Her parents never, not once, made fun of her obsession with him over the years. Actually, if she allowed herself to really think about it, they encouraged her to meet him every time they went to one of his shows. It was as if they knew, but that wasn’t true.

“We all are,” her mother said with a soft, yet strong voice that commanded everyone around her to listen. “But your father made some headway tonight. We’ll get the answers we need and reverse this horrible spell.”

“Mom is right. There is no way Daddy’s going to let this happen. Neither is Trask. Too much is at stake. For all of us,” Arianna said, leaning forward, resting her hands on her lap. “But that only scratches the surface of what’s really eating at you right now, isn’t it, Twinkle Toes?”

“I hate it when everyone calls me that,” Avery muttered.

If her father and Trask couldn’t reverse or banish the spell, Darrell could die and potentially soon, as in months or even weeks.

Avery glanced toward Darrell. Their gazes locked. Her breath hitched as they shared a long intense moment.

Living without him would be worse than anything she could imagine.

Not being able to make love to him, if only once, would be just as bad.

“Are you okay?” Darrell’s voice bounced in her brain like a ball hitting a wall.

“I must be crazy.”

“You’re not nuts. As my mate, we can project to each other this way,” Darrell projected. “And you’ll be able to speak to Amanda like this. And Jackson, as well as other wolves.”

“Can he hear us right now?”

The sound of Darrell chuckling filled her mind. “No. But we could pull him in if you wanted to.”

“Can you read my mind?” she asked.

“No. I have to be invited in. Same way I invited you into my space.”

“So, I can ask you to leave my head?”

“Of course.”

She lifted her wine and took a big sip. “But I also could talk dirty to you if I wanted to and no one would hear me, now would they?”

“Please, I beg of you, don’t do that,” he projected. “I might not be able to hide certain physical reactions to that.”

Her face heated.

“You’re adorable when you blush.”

“Go back to your conversation with my father,” she projected.

“As you wish.”

“We’ve been calling you that since you were one,” her mother said. “And what is this your sister is babbling on about? What else could possibly be bothering you? As if you don’t have enough to worry about.”

“Mother, really. For such a smart lady, you often miss the big things.” Arianna cocked her head. “Our little one here has never… you know.”

“Arianna. Must we talk about that?” Avery sighed. Sometimes she hated being in a close-knit family of mostly all females. It was great growing up with all sisters. They bonded over everything. They shared everything. And her mother had been their backbone. Their father had often felt a little left out and tried to hone in by taking them fishing, camping, and hunting. Worse, he’d sometimes resort to a spa day.

But he was always there for them, no matter what.

And everyone knew Avery had spent more time chasing her dreams than chasing men.

“Oh. That. Well, it’s not rocket science. It’s normal. Natural. And honestly, instinctual. But we girls can go into the other room and have a little chat like we used to.” Her mother waggled her brows.

“Good grief. No,” Avery said. “Besides, I’ve watched a few porn movies. I know how it’s done. And I have a vibrator. It’s not like I’ve never pleasured myself,” she whispered. While in public, she and her sisters always behaved as the world expected the royal family to conduct themselves, but in the privacy of their own home, outside of their once-a-month family dinners, they were normal everyday people. However, being that blunt tended to upset her mother.

“Well, good. Then perhaps there won’t be any surprises,” her mother said.

Tonight, it didn’t seem to faze her mom in the least.

“But I’m here if you have any questions and so is your sister.” Her mother lifted her glass and took a sip with her pinky perfectly poised.

Freaking wonderful.

“Dad told me that he’s meeting with the head Wizard of Witches of the Willows tomorrow,” Arianna said.

“Hopefully they can find a way to unlock that spell and banish it.” Her mother patted her leg with her other hand. “We all need to believe they can do that.”

“What if they went underground and the dark world is protecting them?” Avery set her glass down and hugged herself.

“Then we’ll contact the Demon of the Darkness. Wouldn’t be the first time your father dealt with that ugly creature,” her mother said, pursing her lips, making a face as if she’d just bitten down on a lemon.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Arianna said, scooting to the edge of the sofa. “I’m going to head home.”

Jackson sauntered across the room, giving her a hand. “Did you drive?” Jackson asked. “I’m happy to give you a lift.”

“I came with the stupid bodyguard my father has assigned to me.”

Jackson laughed.

“Call me when you know anything.” Arianna kissed her mother and Avery on the cheek, before making her way across the room, where Darrell and her father were still talking.

“I wonder what they are discussing,” Avery said, contemplating using her own magic to listen in.

But that would be rude.

“Let’s go over and find out.” Her mother rose, smoothing down her skirt.

Avery followed her mom across the living room with a pounding heart. Her mouth went dry.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I disagree,” Darrell said as she stood next to him, wishing he’d hold her hand or put an arm around her.

Any sign of affection might help ease her nerves.

“You can disagree all you want. You’re not going,” her father said in a firm tone. The same one he used when he’d ground her for something. “I need you and Avery to stay near each other at all times.”

“I concur.” Trask lifted a tumbler and took a slow draw as he leaned against the mantle.

“Both of you keep saying that. Why?” Darrell asked.

“Because we don’t know what we’re walking into.” Her father held up his unlit pipe. Her mother had instituted a new rule. No more smoking in the house. She hated the damn thing and wanted her father to quit.

So did Avery and her sisters.

“We have to consider the coven is prepared for us to come,” Trask said. “It’s best if Albert and I deal with this. We have the strongest magic and the last thing we need is to worry about you or Avery.”

“I can tell you’re leaving something out.” Avery knew by the way her father and Trask avoided giving a detailed explanation that they were holding something back.

“Dear, you should tell them,” her mother said.

Her father scowled.

“Tell us what?” Avery glared.

“Please, sir. It’s one thing to ask us to sit back and do nothing. But to not tell us why isn’t fair.”

“That’s a reasonable request.” Her father nodded. “I was able to deconstruct some of the spell from what came out of the two of you and found something very disturbing.”

“What’s that?” Avery grabbed Darrell’s biceps and squeezed. Her heart contracted, tightening in her chest so hard she could barely breathe. It was as if she’d been hurled through the air and landed flat on her back, knocking the wind out of her.

“There was a binding component to the spell, but I don’t know how it works. It wasn’t specified. Or maybe it wasn’t even cast properly,” her father said.

“I’ve been working on dissecting what we have of the spell.” Trask set his glass down. “I can tell you that whoever cast it was an immature witch or wizard.” He raised his hand. “That doesn’t mean a young witch or wizard. It just means the spell was rushed. Or whoever cast it didn’t adjust the cauldron words to meet the purpose.”

“I’m sorry.” Darrell rubbed the back of his head. “I don’t understand.”

“Every spell is written generically,” Avery said. “That way it can be altered quickly to fit any given situation.”

“This was a destruction spell meant to wipe out a group of people,” Trask said. “But it’s only affecting males. Either the witch didn’t know that, or she accidentally altered it that way. The binding portion of the spell appears to be an addition to the spell.”

“You mean like it wasn’t supposed to be there to begin with?” Avery asked. “Is it possible for others—for witches—to know a wolf imprinted?”

“A seer in training might be able to do that,” Trask said. “Or one who has great empathy. Or even one with the ability to see the past. So, yes. It’s possible.”

“Oh no. That’s interesting and not good,” her father said, waving his finger between Avery and Darrell. “Trask, do you see that?”

“I do.” Trask nodded. “I didn’t expect the binding portion of the spell to happen quite like that.”

“What does that mean?” She glared at Trask.

“Look at your fairy dust,” her father said.

She glanced up, and her dust made a circle around her and Darrell. “I’m getting used to this happening.”

“It’s not just that.” Her father waved his finger. “Your outermost aura layer just connected to Darrell’s.”

“We’re sharing my aura,” she whispered. “How is that even possible? I’ve never heard of that happening before.”

Darrell glanced between her and her father.

Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. Aura is made up not only of who a person is but also carries a part of their soul. Without it, any living creature didn’t exist. Separating from your aura meant death.

“Why is her aura doing that and what does it mean?” Darrell asked.

“She’s your mate. She’ll do what she has to in order to protect you, and right now, the only thing keeping you from dropping dead in a few weeks is her fairy dust and aura,” her father said behind a tight jaw.

Avery couldn’t imagine how difficult the reality of the situation was on her parents.

Her father looped an arm around his wife, pulling her in tight, and kissed her forehead. “If Avery isn’t in close proximity, pulling her aura away, there is no telling how quickly you will die. While I believed it was important for you to be near each other, now it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Why do I get the feeling there is more?” Darrell asked.

She tucked her head under the crook of his arm, wrapping hers around his middle. “It’s sucking my life out of me.”

Darrell jerked back, pushing her to the side. “Are you telling me that keeping me alive is killing you?”

“It’s not that cut and dry,” her father said.

“No. No. No.” Darrell shook his head, rubbing his temples. “I won’t allow my mate to put herself at risk. We’ll separate, so her aura?—”

“You can’t do that, son.” Trask rested a hand on Darrell’s shoulder. “She accepted fate, which is why her aura could layer on you. If we don’t reverse this spell, she will die anyway. Her aura gives us more time, if we need it.”

“Whether we like it or not, he’s right, son,” her father said.

“I need to get out of here.” Darrell moved toward the foyer. His dark eyes were speckled with orange balls of fire. “I need to run. Think.”

“If you shift, you weaken both you and my daughter. If you’re away from her for too long, the aura that covers you now will never make it back to her, and she’ll die. You both will die. Now, please, we all need you to stay here, close to Avery, and let me go talk to the head wizard in the morning.”

Avery inched closer, but as soon as she reached out and touched Darrell, he shot his arms out to the sides.

“So, if I hadn’t come here, seen her—this wouldn’t be happening because she wouldn’t have known.” Darrell’s words tumbled out of his mouth in a harsh tone.

“Don’t do this to yourself,” Avery said.

“Can I be in a different room without risking the aura to split?”

“It’s better not to have a wall between the two of you,” her father said softly. “This isn’t easy for me or Avery’s mother. We’re talking about the fate of my little girl, but it’s bigger than that. We have the Legend of the Fated Moons to consider. Jackson’s children are at stake. Your pack could be wiped out. I won’t let that happen at the hands of black magic.”

Avery held her breath, staring at Darrell. His nose flared. The veins in his arms bulged. The anger that seeped from his pores burned her skin.

“Darrell,” she whispered, resting her hands on his shoulders. “We need to trust my father, Trask, and the council on this.”

“What about my pack? Last I spoke with my mother, things were the same, and no one was getting sicker.” Darrell tugged her to his chest, threading his fingers through her hair.

She closed her eyes, feeling the beat of his heart against her cheek. With one long exhale, every doubt that had crept into her mind was gone.

“With your permission, Trask can cast a short-term spell to help them fight the effects they are suffering. It doesn’t last more than seventy-two hours, but that adds three days to whatever timeline we are looking at.”

“Do it,” Darrell said with conviction. “I’ll call my second-in-command and let him know, but I want you to consider letting Avery and me go with you tomorrow.”

“That’s not a bad idea, dear,” her mother said. “Especially if you find an anecdote at the source.”

“It’s too dangerous,” her father said, pursing his lips.

“Mom’s right. If there is a cure, we should be there.” Avery didn’t often question her father, but she’d dig her heels in when it came to her future.

“You always take your mother’s side.” Her father rubbed his temples.

“It’s not about sides, Dad.” Her father had always been a stubborn man, but he never had a problem doing the right thing, even if it bruised his ego.

“Sir, I mean no disrespect. However, I’m going, which means Avery has to come too. I don’t like it any more than you do, but I don’t think we have a choice.”

“Sorry, Albert. They’ve changed my mind. Having them near the source is a good idea,” Trask said.

“I’ll agree, but only if you do exactly what Trask and I tell you to do, young man.” Her father waved his finger in Darrell’s direction.

“I want to move my pack closer to the source, and if necessary, we need to be able to defend ourselves,” Darrell said. While his muscles relaxed a tad, his body remained rigid. The alpha wolf in him threatened to break free, but she could tell the man did his best to remain in control.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” her father said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Get some sleep. We leave at seven in the morning.”

Avery closed her eyes as her father kissed her forehead, her cheek still flattened against Darrell.

Her mother’s warm fingers gently rubbed her back as she leaned in and whispered, “I left the box of the things you collected on your bed.”

Avery stayed in Darrell’s arms until she could no longer hear her parents’ footsteps. She tilted her head, catching his gaze. “I think you’re kind of stuck with me now until death do us part.”

His lips twitched. “That’s so not funny.”