I haven’t told Ava of the things I’ve learned yet because I don’t want to scare her. I didn’t want to give her the information until I had a clear path to help her, and that’s why I’m here now.
“Getting involved in this could getmekilled,” Jade says, tapping those long nails against the arms of her chair. “Lucky for you I like a little thrill in my life. But I still expect payment.”
“Done,” I answer and snap my fingers at Zav. “Give me your wallet.”
Zav frowns and grumbles under his breath as he sits up to get his wallet from his back pocket. He passes me a credit card. “I feel like a glorified ATM.”
An hour later I’ve filled Jade in on as much as I can and have made plans for her to come to the apartment this weekend. Zav and I are headed for the door when she calls out. “Wait, I have something for you.”
I pause, confused. Zav arches a brow in interest.
She disappears into the back and comes back with a squirming honey brown ball of fur that she immediately thrusts into my arms.
“This belongs to you,” she announces, petting the dog on the head. He looks up at me with big brown eyes, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.
“What is this?” I ask, holding the dog out. Its tail wags wildly.
“That’s a Pomeranian,” she answers, already walking away. “And your familiar. He showed up here about a week before you did and showed me that you’d be coming and that I needed to help you.” She looks back over her shoulder. “You’re welcome.” She points at Zav and says, “And your familiarhatesthe name Midnight.”
CHAPTER 13
VALEN
A scream ripsout of Ava when she opens the door and the dog rushes at her. Initially, I think it’s initially in fear, but I quickly realize she’s squealing in excitement. She throws her bags down and scoops up the Pomeranian.
“Who are you?” Ava flips him over in her arms and holds him like a baby. “You sweet, perfect angel,” she coos while the dog’s tail wags a mile a minute. She looks to me for answers, and I slowly walk over.
“This is supposedly my familiar,” I respond, dumbfounded, and let my fingers graze the top of the tiny dog’s head. “I’ve heard of familiars before, but didn’t realize I’d have one or that Midnight is Zavier’s.” I tickle his furry belly.
“What’s a familiar?” she asks distractedly while she eats up the kisses the puffball gives her. His little pink tongue darts around her cheek and is an adorable sight.
“To my knowledge they’re a guide for supernaturals. They’re not restricted to any particular kind of being, butwitches can communicate with them via emotions.” I huff a laugh thinking of Zavier’s horror-stricken face when the witch told him his cat hates his name. Not that he chose it. Fate somehow sent him to Celine’s father, knowing it would all work out. “They don’t tell you what to do or where to go exactly, but they can show you you’re on the right path in life and provide support.” Glancing at Ava, I realize that if I hadn’t gone to Jade, I wouldn’t have found my familiar.
“He’s like an emotional support Pom, isn’t he?” Ava freezes. “Oh my God, that’s it!” She holds him out in front of her while his little feet dangle and looks in his eyes. He sticks his tongue out and swipes her nose, pulling a giggle from her.
“What?” I tilt my head in question.
“His name! He’s a little cheerful puffball, so it only makes sense to call him Pom Pom.” Ava states proudly, and the dog yips in excitement. “See? He loves it.”
He squirms in her arms until she lets him down. Then he runs over to me. Sitting perfectly between my legs, he looks up expectantly, so I scoop him up, and he curls into my arms.
“Is your name Pom Pom?” I ask out loud. The dog yips once more before drowning me in kisses. A laugh bubbles out of my chest, and I can’t help the swell of emotion that comes over me in that moment. It’s been a long time since I had something to care about, and now I have Ava and my familiar.
Ava watches us with a content expression, and I hand Pom Pom to her once more. He settles against her chest, tail still wagging and tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.
“You said witches can feel their emotions? Why can’t I feel his?” She frowns once she processes what I previously said.
“I’m sure it will come in time. Once you’ve practiced and have fully tapped into your power,” I reason, hating the downward pull of her lips. “You’ve thought you were human up until now. Your magic is inside you but has not beenunlocked yet.”
“How do I access it is the question,” Ava muses and tosses her pink hair over her shoulder when Pom Pom tries to chew on it.
“I have a solution.” I sit on the couch and cross a leg over my knee. Ava sits beside me and plops Pom Pom down in the middle of us. He immediately starts gnawing on the pillow fringe. “I located a witch named Jade. She’s going to come here this weekend to help you learn more about your heritage and hopefully guide you to begin to tap into your power.” I stroke the Pomeranian’s back and marvel at his soft fur. “I wish this was something I could help you with, but you need another witch.”
“Really?” Ava turns to me excitedly. “You found a witch for me to talk to?” Hope sparkles in her light blue eyes, and I smile, knowing I’m the one who put it there.
“I did. I vetted her to make sure she will not harm you.”
Silence descends between us, and I lose myself in her cerulean depths before she launches herself at me. For a moment I stiffen, but then I grab her and haul her into my lap before Pom Pom gets crushed by her enthusiastic hug. Her viselike grip isn’t unwelcome. I continue to be amazed by how at ease I am with her touch. The bond hums in contentment at our touch.
