“You are tainted with evil. You are now filthy and vile; you have contaminated yourself with evil magic. It now flows in your veins,” Jake said.
“So?” Jazz said, staring at him in anger. “Why does it matter to you?”
Jake turned to look at her, unable to control his feelings.
“It matters because you are my mate,” he said, his voice soft yet dangerous. “It matters because my bear craves your bear- Because my soul desires your soul.”
“You don’t know what I have been through,” Jazz whispered. “You don’t know the years of abuse I have withstood. I was alone in a dark, cruel world. The woman who raised me couldn’t protect me; she couldn’t save me. I suffered years and years of physical and emotional abuse. Because I was alone. Because no clan wanted to accept me. Because no humans wanted to be my family. I had no one.”
“So, you let evil touch your blood? You-” Jake said, but was cut off by a bitter laugh from Jazz.
“All I ever had was grammy. My grammy. She couldn’t protect me or save me, but when I came home bruised and broke, she cried for me. She loved me and cared for me as best as she could. She tried to help me in every way she could. Whatever her weak body allowed her to do for me, she did,” Jazz whispered, looking him in the eye.
“No, she is dying. My grammy is dying. And if I have to bear the touch of evil in my blood, so be it,” Jazz said.
“I cannot accept someone with evil in her veins as my mate-” Jake said.
“You don’t have to,” Jazz replied, her voice firm. “You don’t have to accept me as your mate. You don’t have to accept me just because our souls echoed when we saw each other. Or just because our hearts resonated with the word ‘mate’. The fire goddess might have made us mates, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept each other. It is good if you leave me now before we develop any actual feelings for each other. I have been alone all my life; I don’t need you in it.”
“You cannot justify what you did,” Jake said, quietly.
“I don’t have to,” Jazz replied. “I did what I had to do to save the only person who has ever loved me. I will bear what little evil is now in my blood proudly.”
Jake didn’t reply. He was too overwhelmed with emotions he didn’t understand. Instead, he turned around and called out for the guards to open the cell door. Then, without looking at her, he walked away.
∞∞∞
“You have tightened all security measures as I asked?” Jake said to Lawrance, as he took a round of the grounds.
“I included some extra measures too. There is a proper report on your desk,” Lawrance said.
“The Anya clan’s leader requested a meeting with you,” Bane said. “And the great festival is approaching as well.”
“I almost forgot about that,” Jake said, frowning. “Who is hosting the festival this year?”
“The Ura clan. They have already sent the invites to our clan,” Bane replied.
“Then we need to prepare gifts to take along with us,” Jake said. “Get Armando on it. Tell him to arrange gifts for the clan leader, his wife, and his son. Also, arrange gifts for their council and anyone relevant in their clan. We also need gifts for the clan leaders of other clans that will be visiting.”
“Yes, sir!” Bane said.
“Are all the soldiers recovered? Do we have anyone left in the healing chamber?” Jake asked.
“Zao,” Lawrance said. Jake turned around and looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
“Zao has been in a trance-like state ever since you defeated him. He hasn’t spoken or showed any signs of any activity. Physically, there is nothing wrong with him,” Lawrance explained. “Mentally, it seems like he really took a blow.”
“What is the healer saying?” Jake asked, frowning.
“That there is nothing wrong with him physically,” Lawrance repeated himself. “Whatever it is, it is a mental problem, and the healer says that she has nothing to do with the realm of the mind. She recommended a psychiatrist.”
“Do we have one?” Jake asked.
“Of course, not-” Lawrance’s reply was cut off by a sudden scream that echoed through the walls. Jake cast one glance at Lawrance before he ran towards it.
Chapter 13
Jake
