“It’s just not going well with Owen,” I say, not wanting to get into it. “I’m exhausted, and it’s not getting any better.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Sadie says, sitting down next to me and rubbing my shoulder. “But I have good news.”
“Oh?”
“I did some research, and your family history follows a similar pattern to mine. That might mean you’re a witch, Trina!”
“I don’t think so,” I chuckle.
“I think it’s worth checking out. If your powers are completely dormant, it would explain why I can’t detect them. How much do you remember of your childhood?”
A sharp pain lances through me, as if a big iron door in my mind threatened to open and was forcefully slammed shut again.
“I… don’t want to talk about that.”
“Okay,” Sadie says, rubbing my arm again. “I understand. I just think we should definitely give this a try.”
“I’d rather not.”
“But this could be it, Trina. The solution to helping the pack.”
It dawns on me that if the solution is found, I can get away from Owen for good.
“I’m not sure I agree that I have magic or anything like that,” I reply. “But we should probably try. I’ll talk to Owen tonight.”
“Great. I’m sorry it’s not working out well, Trina, but if we can trigger your powers, then everythingwillwork out. I promise you that.”
A tangle of questions rises in my mind, and I want to ask Sadie about the situation between her and Rhys—if sex really was the catalyst, and how it came about after he literally kidnapped her. I can’t straighten out my thoughts well enough to ask the question, and she leaves the room with a light wave and a promise to catch up soon with ideas on what to do next.
***
After so long avoiding Owen, I’m completely wrung out with anxiety by the time I get home. Instead of dodging around the house, I go straight into the kitchen. Owen turns away from the bench to look at me in surprise.
“Trina,” he says. “I’m making dinner. Would you like some? I’m making tacos.”
“Sure,” I answer, knowing I won’t be able to eat. “I need to talk to you, though.”
“Oh?” He turns around, and his face is wearing that tender look I saw the night of my bad dream, and his big green eyes are glowing with the colors of the forest in spring.
Stop it.
“Sadie thinks she found something that proves I’m actually a witch, like her, and I might have latent powers.”
“Okay,” he says, his eyes darkening as he frowns. “That’s not exactly ideal.”
“What do you mean?”
“The packs don’t like humans, but witches are our enemies. Even since Sadie came and helped Silver Valley pack, there are a lot of pack members who don’t like it.”
“Well, none of that is my concern,” I almost snap, plowing forward. “I don’t really like the idea myself. I’ve only agreed to it because I want to find the cure and get back to my life.”
“Trina, we talked about this—”
“Yes, we did!” I snap, my voice finally rising. “And I told you I wasn’t going to stay with you.”
Owen comes around the counter, waving the spatula as I stride towards him, getting up on my toes and balling my hands into fists.
“We’re married,” he says angrily. “By ancient law. You are an essential element to curing the pack, and I can’t just—”
