"Exactly," he replied, his grin somehow both irritating and comforting at the same time. "The Key Stone Prophecy is the first step to setting the balance across the world. It will allow our kind to come out of the shadows and stop hiding who we are."
"Who are we hiding from?" I questioned, my brow furrowing in confusion.
"From the humans," he answered, his tone matter-of-fact. "They don't know that a whole world, a more powerful world exists beneath them." I shook my head, memories of conversations with others in the supernatural community flooding back to me. I'd heard so many variations of the same idea before, that we should reveal ourselves to the humans and live openly among them. On some level, it made sense. We could accomplish so much more if we didn't have to constantly hide our true identities. But I also knew that power had a tendency to corrupt, and there were far too many instances of human cults needing to be shut down when some vampire or faerie or witch decided they were a god amongst men.
"Grant," I began, hesitancy threading through my voice, "I understand what you're saying, but I've seen firsthand how power can twist people, make them do terrible things. Is it really wise for us to expose ourselves, knowing the potential consequences?" He leaned in closer, his eyes boring into mine as he whispered, "That's where you come in, beautiful. Your unique abilities, your strength, and the power you have yet to fully tap into, they're all meant to help maintain that delicate balance between our world and theirs."
My chest tightened, my breath caught in my throat as I took a step back from the bars. Sighing, I slid down to the floor, letting my back rest against the cold metal. The questions bubbled up within me like boiling water, but I couldn't keep them contained any longer.
"What if I don't want this?" I blurted out, staring at Grant with eyes full of uncertainty. "What if I don't want the power, the responsibility? What if I just want to be a normal werewolf and live a normal, boring life?"
"Normal?" Grant laughed, his eyes shining with amusement. "Erica, you're anything but normal. You may think you're defective, but you're already more powerful than you realise."
"More powerful?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "How can you say that when I can't even shift?"
"Ah, but there's more to you than meets the eye," he said cryptically. "For one, you're the only werewolf I know who can touch silver without feeling its effects." I narrowed my eyes at him, suspicion gnawing at the edges of my mind.
"How do you know that?"
"Because I saw it for myself," he replied, his gaze never faltering. "The chains in the Shadow Night pack's dungeon had no effect on you. And right now" - he gestured towards the bars I was leaning against -"you're resting against silver-infused metal, yet you feel no pain." I stared at the bars, my fingers trailing over their cold, metallic surface. The realisation that they were infused with silver and didn't affect me was both unnerving and intriguing. I glanced back at Grant, a mixture of frustration and curiosity swirling inside me.
"Maybe it's just more proof that I'm not a real werewolf," I muttered, trying to make sense of it all. "Just another defect." Grant laughed, shaking his head.
"You're only deluding yourself, Erica. You're far more powerful than you realise." He paused for a moment, studying my face. "For instance, I know you can tell the rank of a werewolf just by looking at them." Confused, I looked at him and said,
"Anyone can do that." But Grant shook his head again.
"Actually, no. It's not a common werewolf thing. It's a common witch thing."
"Maybe that's why you're so attracted to Jasper," Grant continued, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Excuse me?" I glared at him, feeling my cheeks flush with indignation. "I am in no way attracted to Jasper." Grant smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Must be another superpower you have, the ability to delude yourself. I saw how you reacted to him, Erica. His Alpha power called to you, even without the spell." My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to find words. How could he possibly know what I felt or didn't feel for Jasper? And what did it all mean?
"Wait... what spell?" My eyes widened in shock and disbelief, my breath hitching as I struggled to make sense of his words. Grant just grinned cryptically, but didn't answer. Instead, he continued,
"You know, Jasper isn't a bad guy, considering the shit he's had to deal with." I scoffed, unable to hide my irritation.
"Yeah, sure," I muttered sarcastically, crossing my arms defensively.
"Look, he's messed up, no doubt about it," Grant conceded. "But he'd make a good king to your queen." My eyes narrowed dangerously at him, my heart pounding in my chest.
"What are you talking about? Liam is my fated mate, not Jasper."
"Sure he is," Grant said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But he can't actually claim you now, can he?"
"Wh-what do you mean?" I stammered, feeling a cold dread wash over me. Grant leaned forward, his expression darkening.
"The reason I told Jasper that you couldn't shift was because Liam needs to be in wolf form to complete the bond and break the curse."
My eyes closed involuntarily, the weight of his revelation pressing down on me like an unbearable burden. Was everything I believed about myself and my relationship with Liam being torn apart before my very eyes?
"Is there a way to unlock the cage that's holding my wolf and witch?" I asked desperately, opening my eyes to meet his gaze once more. Grant's grin returned, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.
"You'll need to speak to my mother for that one," he said, a hint of mischief coloring his voice.
Chapter 35
