Emily falls quiet and pushes the laptop away. “They don’t know…”
“They don’t know what they’re going to do with Jessica?” Elias asks.
She shakes her head.
“Emily, what did you find?” I ask.
“Nothing. I’m just thinking. So hear me out.” She rubs her hands over her face. “Shadow is a gifted magic wielder.”
“With the potential to be evil,” Sodie snorts.
Emily shoots him a glare. “Whatever. What they don’t know is that Shadow’s magic isn’t really anything special.”
“What do you mean?” Luke asks.
“His magic isn’t something he was born with, besides transporting.”
“You’re right. He developed his other gifts after the accident,” Chris adds.
We all swivel our heads to look at one another, unsure of the connection.
Emily sees our confusion. “Shadow inherited his brother’s magic and the ability to see magic in others, among other things, after he almost died. I don’t think he can pass that on through his DNA.”
“So…” Elias encourages her to continue.
“They want Shadow to lead this new generation of the Resistance, but who they really want or need is actually Jessica. If they discover what she is capable of—what she can really do now that her magic is no longer hindered by those drugs—who knows what they’ll do to her? More specifically, who knows what they’ll make her do for them to gain more power?”
Chapter 65
Secret Magic Wielder
SHADOW
Six Years Ago
Ilie, unmoving, on a dirty mattress on the floor.
Dr. York’s nurse bends over me, cleaning my wounds. My body is weak. Pain radiates over every square inch, and I have never felt so exhausted in all my life. A heavy fog threatens to consume my mind. I try to fight it. I need to remain clear so I can stay alert. If I can muster some strength, I can fight my way out of here.
My head feels heavy, and my eyelids threaten to close. I watch her. She looks remorseful, but I don’t pity her. She’s a traitor. I take in a deep breath when a sudden sharp pain stabs me in the ribs.
My eyelids fall closed. The whole time I suspected Beaver, but I could never find anything substantial to use against him. He’s an idiot, always acting like he has something to prove, which made him an asshole. Otherwise, nothing.
That’s because it was the last person we ever suspected. She has worked for the guard for so many years. Her son isa guard. Her mate, before he passed, was a guard. Is her son involved? That’s too bad. I liked him. He seems honorable and trustworthy. He’s also one of Jessica’s favorite people. I hope he doesn’t have anything to do with this shit. It would hurt her.
I hear voices in the distance. I try to open my eyes, but they don’t fully open. The voices get louder, closer now, but it’s like my head is underwater. I move my jaw back and forth, and my ears pop. Ah, much better. I can hear clearly now.
“Fine. Do what you need to. Then, we can move forward with our plans,” Wade says. I can’t move my head to see who he’s talking to. Footsteps echo in the empty warehouse.
"I believe you've already met Mimi.” Wade crouches down in front of me. “She’s a great nurse, isn’t she? She’s been a wonderful asset to our group. Did you know that, in addition to her useful medical skills, she too possesses magic?”
My muscles twitch. I’ve seen her aura, but it was more like most dormant magic wielders. Much like her son’s.
“She possesses the ability to remove memories. Since Byron’s need for you is done, we can finally move on with my plans. Of course, we will need to continue with your treatments until I trust that I have your full loyalty.” He chuckles to himself. “Who am I kidding? Once I remove all of those memories of Anders, you will be mine again. And when Byron is done killing all of your guards and the royal family, you will be the next Alpha King under my control.”
"Fuck you!" I spit in his face.
He pulls a handkerchief from his suit pocket and wipes his face. “Fix him, and remember to keep him alive.”
