“Oh, dear,” Helena says, clucking her tongue. “That’s horrible. Having your magic bound can be a painful thing.”
“I never noticed,” I admit. “I guess because I was raised human, I didn’t know better.”
“Well, I’m so happy you’ve found your true heritage. You’re safe and welcome here.” She pats my hand.
There’s something about the way she says it that has my throat closing up.
“Should we play a game?” Jade asks. “Something with magic.”
When Penelope hops up and returns with a box of The Game of Life, I start laughing. “What does this have to do with magic?”
“You’ll see.” Jade winks and gives my elbow a playful nudge. “It’ll be good practice for you.”
The practice turns out to be using my magic to move the game pieces, spin the wheel, and pick up the cards. It sounds easy enough, but for a novice like me, it’s tiring. As much fun as I’m having, I can’t help but worry that if this alone weakens me, how can I possibly help Valen and my friends? How can I break the spell my ancestor cast upon him?
After three long rounds of the game, I’m drained and exhausted but still happy. It was fun to laugh and joke with my own kind.
My own kind—how strange is it that I’m beginning to think of myself as something other than human?
Several other witches came over to watch our game and offered me advice on how to better control my magic and avoid fatigue. While it was a tad overwhelming at times having people spout so much information at me, I know a lot of the advice will be helpful.
After we’ve said goodbye to Helena, Penelope, and a few others, we leave the room and head back to the elevator.
“How do you feel now?” Jade asks.
“Sad,” I answer honestly.
“Sad?” she blurts. “That wasn’t my goal.”
“I just mean … seeing how much of a community you guys are and realizing that I’ve missed out on this my entire life, it made me a little sad.”
She gives me a soft, understanding smile. “You’ve found us now, Ava.”
She gives my wrist a gentle squeeze as we step onto the elevator.
“Do you think I’ll ever be able to do it?” I ask her, my eyes glued to my boots.
“Do what?” Confusion fills the question.
“Break the spell on Valen.”
“I have no doubts,” she says with a confidence I’m sorely lacking. “But first we have to find out exactly what the spell was. I’ve been researching during every spare minute I have.”
“Thank you,” I tell her sincerely, pulling her in for an unexpected hug in the lobby.
“You’re welcome.” She squeezes me back. “Do you want to come back to the store or go home? I can drop you off anywhere.”
“Home,” I answer. I’m too tired to practice more magic, and I’m missing my vampire.
It’s crazy how quickly that word has changed. Where it once meant a place, it now refers to a person.
Valen is my home. My safe place, where I always want to be.
CHAPTER 50
VALEN
I might not haveneed for human food, but I’ve found that I do love preparing it. I’m not sure if it’s the cooking itself I enjoy or the pleased hum from my mate when she tastes something she likes. At first, I was an awful cook, but then I took it as a challenge.
