“That’s why I never questioned you about the shield. I could have been wrong. I’ve been out of practice all those years in the hospital. While the spell suppressant faded over time, I was rusty when it came to using my magic. And tapping into my powers to help save Evangeline’s life when she was almost killed by her ex nearly took it all out of me. Plus, I didn’t sense any malice from you.”
“You said humans are easier to read. You don’t think I’m human?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I’ve long believed monster hunters are cursed beings. They skirt a line between supernatural and mortal worlds.”
I never truly considered hunters to be supernatural, but I suppose we kinda are. I also believe that we are cursed, just like gargoyles and vampires. We were given strength. We were given the ability to decipher monsters disguised as humans. But we were also plagued with hate and greed.
We can still die and be injured, but our injuries heal slightly faster. We also age slower. My father is sixty-five but aside from his white streaked hair, he resembles a forty-year-old man in age.
But we also don’t live for hundreds of years. Or a thousand like Xander and Locheran.
As for Mira not knowing about an O’Hern daughter, I’m not surprised. I doubt anyone did. Especially after I refused to take part in the family business.
“You need to tell them,” Mira says, her voice full of understanding. No judgment. No fear of what I’m capable of.
A sense of relief washes over me at the idea of finally letting this secret go.
It’s why I have no hesitation, and say, “Okay. I’ll tell them.”
“They’ll understand.” She stands and walks to the door. “Now, let’s bring them back in and try to figure out this fated mate bond between you and the gargoyle soldier.”
Chapter 12 – Locheran
When we walk back in, my body immediately goes to Farrah. I can’t stop it. The mating bond wants us to be together.
I just hope she does too.
I expect her to flinch or step away, but she doesn’t. Though I can tell she’s uncomfortable. Or nervous. Perhaps both.
“Are you okay?” I ask and attempt to put up shields to prevent my thoughts from adding to her stress.
My hand clenches by my side, aching to take hers in mine.
“I hope so,” she mumbles, grabbing a glass of water from the kitchen and walking to the recliner.
She sits, her back straight and hands in her lap.
“I have something… to tell you all,” she begins, biting her bottom lip to buy her some time.
Evangeline sits on the couch diagonally from Farrah. I take the other side, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. I sit on my tail to stop it from flailing around in its anxious state. Xander stands behind Evangeline; arms crossed. Her mother sits in a chair at the kitchen table.
Farrah’s right leg shakes, and she twists her hands in her lap. I can hear how fast her heart beats. Her anxiety calls to my own, and I realize I can’t stay still either. Standing, I cross the room to an empty space to pace, attempting to quell the urge to expand my wings. All I want to do is scoop up my mate in my arms and break her living room window to fly us away.
Her eyes follow me before shifting back down to her lap.
“My family…” She lets out a breath, long and slow. Her thoughts are running a mile a minute, but I’m able to make out the words,just tell them, before she speaks. “My father is… Mally O’Hern.”
“What,” Xander growls. His wings instinctively unfurl, and his claws extract, readying for battle.
I stop pacing and stare at Farrah, my tail whipping back and forth behind me. My wings stay flush to my back despite the instinct to follow my king’s stance.
“I’m not… I’m not like them. I refuse.”
The caution pouring off Xander recedes slightly. Still, he stays near Evangeline as if Farrah’s father will walk in the door at any moment and attack.
“One of the hunters killed after the sphinx was kidnapped was my younger brother.”
“Oh no, little Ethy?” Evangeline gasps.
