“Your body,” he said, spitting the word.
I looked down at myself and gasped as I understood. My belly had swollen even further--so much that it genuinely startled me, leaving me speechless.
“What sort of spell have you put on yourself?” Blaze demanded.
“I didn’t do anything!
His grip tightened me, almost as if he was afraid I would cast a spell on him and he wanted to keep me under control.
I scowled, swatting his talons away. “Let go of me. There’s something I need to tell you. Actually, it’s somethingeverybodyneeds to know!”
I glanced over at Ramsay and Colton, who were still baring their teeth but at least holding back while I spoke. But there was still a crowd gathered around Eric--a mix of wolves, humans and gryphons--and I didn’t want blood to be spilled.
“Call them off,” I snapped to Blaze. With more severity I added, “Noro too.”
“And why should I?” He narrowed his eyes. “Just to hear whatever lies you have to say?”
“It’s not a lie!” I shouted. “Just listen to me! I’m not the only omega anymore!”
Disbelief crossed his face. “What?”
“Call them off,” I repeated, punctuating every word. “Now.”
Blaze hesitated. There was real curiosity in his face, but at the same time, I knew he didn’t want to be taking orders from me. Finally the need to know won over and he let go of me, then roared over the crowd, “Stop!”
The gryphons halted at once. I watched as Noro stiffly returned to the ground. His eyes were glassy, just like Neil’s. I wished desperately I could break the spell. The protective swarm of wolves and humans surrounding Eric paused, too, though less eager to listen to Blaze’s command.
My heart ached as I recognized more of them in their stillness. My parents, and my mates’ parents, and even the Madame and her human followers were here. Did they all come just for my sake? Had they climbed this dangerous mountain and walked into gryphon territory forme?
After Blaze released me, Colton and Ramsay rushed to my side, flanking me like two angry and protective statues. A wave of relief came over me as I dug my fingers into their fur and inhaled their familiar scents. If the situation was any less dangerous, I might have cried with joy. But right now, I needed to concentrate.
“Speak,” Blaze commanded me, lashing his tail impatiently.
I faced him. “Like I said,” I began, raising my voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “I’m not the only omega anymore. I don’t know how, but I used my magic to turn a beta gryphon into an omega of his own free will.”
Murmurs broke out amongst the gryphons. Blaze flexed his wing sharply to silence them.
“How can that be possible?” he demanded.
“The same way it’s possible for you to mind control people,” I growled. “Using clear magic.”
Blaze looked appalled--not only that I’d called him out in front of his entire pride, but that I’d done something that never would have occurred to him. To use my magic forhealinginstead of manipulating and fighting.
A dark female gryphon I recognized as Peregrine came to Blaze’s side, frowning slightly. “Is that true, Matheson?”
I didn’t know if she was referring to the mind control or the healing. “It’s all true. Blaze has the ability to use clear magic. In fact, he used it on me--and now he’s using it on Noro.”
Shock rippled through the crowd--fighters on both sides of the battle looked horrified. Without orders from Blaze, Noro stood still and unmoving.
“He is lying,” Blaze stated firmly, though he glared daggers at me. “I’m no mage. When have I ever used magic? Has anyoneseenme do it?”
“Oh, quiet down, boy.”
The crowd parted to let through an aging, grey gryphon. Tholan shuffled towards Blaze with a look of deep disappointment.
Blaze tried to hide it, but I noticed the way he shrank slightly under his gaze. “Father.”
“You and I both know you’re a mage,” Tholan snapped. “So shut up and listen to what this young man has to say.”
