“But maybe this will help him feel at home here,” Cordelia argues.
“It might, but even good news can be overwhelming.”
“Dove’s right,” I agree. “Don’t forget, less than a week ago he thought he was human. We’ve grown up knowing about fated mates—Jared hasn’t. It could make him feel trapped, like he has no choice.”
Cor sighs in defeat. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I just want you to be happy.”
My smile falters, but I rally. “I am.”
“Sel,” Dove’s tone isn’t unkind, but it’s clear she’s not buying what I’m selling. “It’s OK to be disappointed. It’s admirable how you’re considering Jared’s feelings in all this, but you’re allowed to be upset your mate doesn’t recognise you.” My eyes water, and I stare into the bottom of my glass trying to control my tear ducts with sheer force of will.
“It’s not his fault.”
“No,” Cordelia agrees gently. “But that doesn’t make it any easier. I should have thought of that before pushing you to tell him. You’re worried he won’t feel the same, aren’t you?”
I nod. “If he can’t feel the bond… There have been times I thought he was drawn to me, but what if that’s only because I’m the one who told him the truth about supernaturals?”
“I don’t think that’s it,” Dove says. “You said he mentioned feeling like he had to find you while his amulet was off?”
“Yeah, but the power surge?—”
“Probably stopped him from recognising the bond. I bet next time he removes the amulet he’ll feel the mate bond for real.”
“You think so?” I ask hopefully.
“It would make sense,” Cordelia agrees.
“Hang in there. Fate knows what it’s doing. When the right time comes for you to tell him, you’ll know.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 14
Jared
Huxley lured me over to Hunter’s Moon with the promise of a cold beer and hot meal after our demon lesson. It’s safe to say today went a lot better than yesterday’s shitshow. Not that I blame Hux for what happened, especially not after he explained how abnormally large my power surge was. Apparently it’s not enough for me to be a demon—I have to be an incredibly strong one at that. The idea’s going to take some getting used to after going twenty-eight years thinking I’m human.
Once again, the place is busy, but we manage to snag a couple of stools up at the bar.
“You did really well today,” Hux says, passing me a menu.
“You’re a good teacher.” I was hesitant to try again after the power surge, but we realised that since then, even with the amulet on, I can still access my magic, just a diluted version. Huxley’s taken to referring to the pendant as my training wheels—mildly insulting but not inaccurate.
“With how quickly you’re improving, I think you’ll be ready to try taking the amulet off again pretty soon.”
The now-familiar tug in my chest becomes more insistent, drawing my attention to a table over by the stage.Selene. WhenHux gave me the rundown of what abilities I can expect to have as an insight demon, he didn’t mention anything like the strange pull I feel towards her. I’m worried it’s a bad sign—according to Hux, I’m already much stronger than the average demon—so I’m keeping it to myself for now.
Greedy for any glimpse of the witch I’ve quickly become enchanted by, I watch her talking animatedly with a blonde and a redhead. Her dark hair is loose around her shoulders, and her full lips are painted the colour of fresh berries. A dark-purple top contrasts beautifully against her pale skin, and black jeans highlight her waist and sinful curves. I’m not the only one who’s noticed how gorgeous she looks either. Some arsehole approaches their table, and I stifle a growl. Something else I’ve noticed since connecting with my magic—I’m experiencing more… primal urges. Huxley laughed himself silly for five minutes before assuring me it was normal. He’s delighting in what he’s dubbed my ‘demon puberty’ a little too much. Selene shuts the guy down, and he shrugs off the rejection, heading back to his friends. I’m about to head over there to say hello and shoot a death glare at anyone else I catch looking her way, when a large shadow falls over our section of the bar.
“What can I get for you?” A gravelly deep voice asks.
My polite smile falters the moment I lock eyes with the man behind the bar.
“Hey, Garrett.” While I suspected he might still work as a bartender, with everything else that’s been going on I’d almost forgotten running into Garrett was a possibility. Now that he’s here in front of me, I’m not sure what to say.
My former best friend freezes in shock. His reaction makes me feel a little smug—Garrett was never the type to rattle easily. He looks different. Older, though that’s not unexpected. Yet, where I feel like the last few years have chewed me up and spat me out, it’s obvious Garrett’s been thriving. The dark waves heused to be self-conscious of now brush his jawline, and he’s even more built than before. At 6ft 4” Garrett’s never been small but, back when I knew him, his build was almost lithe—now he looks like he could break a tree trunk in half with his bare hands.
“Jared?” He blinks down at me, dumbstruck. “What are you doing here?”
