For our daughter, is scrawled on the yellowing envelope.
Using my pastel green nails, I pull up an edge on the back and tear across. A folded piece of paper lies beneath, and I slip it out with reverence. This is the last known connection I have with my biological parents. Unfolding it feels monumental.
The handwriting is impeccable and fills the entire page. I blow out a breath and read the letter aloud, wanting to include my mate in this moment. He’s been on this entire journey with me, after all.
“My darling girl, if you’re reading this letter, it means you’re seeking answers, and I’m sorry I can’t be there to answer them. Trust me when I say that giving you up was the hardest thing your father and I have ever had to do. Looking at you now while I write this with your father outside, I’m trying to memorize your giggles and your sweet smiles. Being a parent is the ultimate gift, and the few months we’ve had with you have been the most rewarding of our lives.
“If all of this is true, why did we leave you behind? Dark and dangerous forces are hunting us, sweet girl. You are a verypowerful witch, just like those in our line before us. Others covet our magic, and one evil entity in particular has set its sights on us. At first, James and I thought we could hide away until the threat passed, but unfortunately, that’s not an option. This war is bigger than us, and I refuse to let them snuff out your light. To protect you, your father and I have placed a lock on your magic so they can’t find you. Your power is like a beacon, and the lock can hold them off. Eventually, your core will become too bright to contain and unlock naturally if there isn’t already an event to trigger it. I pray you’re well equipped.
“Your name is Nova. My bright, shining star, I knew you’d come into this world with a vengeance even when I was carrying you. We chose your name because we knew what a bright star you’d be. We told the adoption agency your name was Ava to protect you. It’s not exactly the same, but it feels close enough to your true name to bring some peace to my heart.
“I am so sorry you’ll have to face this world without us. Ideally, we make it through this and can reunite. Until then, I’m making sure the couple that adopts you will shower you with the love and care you deserve, although it will never be enough. You deserve the world, and whatever you grow up to be, know I’m proud of you. We both are. I love you so much, my sweet, beautiful girl. If we don’t meet again in this lifetime, may we meet in the next life and forever more.
Your mother, Hannah.”
Tears drip onto the paper and smudge some of the ink. I hurriedly wipe it off before it does more damage and crush the letter to my chest. A sob wrenches out of my throat as I mourn parents and a life I’ll never have.
“Come here.” Valen pulls me across the console and settles me across his lap. He sings softly, a beautiful song in a language I’ve neverheard.
I can’t find the words to process what I just read. I’ve always been okay with being adopted and I love my adoptive parents, but this opens a wound I didn’t know I had. Learning my bio parents loved me and were given a shitty hand in life is crushing. They sacrificed themselves for me and ensured I lived a better life. It feels so unfair.
Anger surges through me, and I push off Valen, not wanting comfort. Opening the car door, I pace in the parking lot, looking off my rocker I’m sure, and let out a gut-wrenching scream. Valen is there, tugging me back into his arms. I push at his chest, and he lets me, until I crumple once again and he sinks to the ground curled around me.
“It’s not fair. Why?” I sob.
“I do not know, Starlight. You can’t let their sacrifice be in vain. We must learn all we can about what’s going on and make sure you’re ready before we unlock your magic. It sounds like whatever hunted them will then turn its sights to you.” His arms tighten like he can shield me from what’s coming.
Steadying my breaths, I decide I’m going to take down whatever went after my family. Fuck those who try to hurt those I love. It ends now.
CHAPTER 26
VALEN
Ava’sdelicate eyelashes flutter against her porcelain skin as she slumbers. As a vampire, I don’t need nearly the amount of sleep or rest that humans do. After being held captive for so long however, my body has needed to catch up, and I typically sleep on a similar schedule to her. It seems I’m almost back to normal now, but I still pretend to go to bed with Ava every night.
I like being close to her. I don’t know if it’s because she’s my mate or if it’s just her, but I always feel calmer when I can touch her. My trauma doesn’t feel quite like it’s going to swallow me whole.
Tugging her closer to me, I nuzzle her hair and inhale her sweet scent. The urge to mark her as mine is ever present, but I resist. I can be patient. For her I can do anything.
The drive back from the agency was a quiet one. I could sense Ava’s inner turmoil as she digested all she had learned. After living life one way for so long, it’s hard to accept a new path that is forged before you. Her powers will manifest oneway or another, and based on her parents’ letter, they will come with great darkness. I need to go back to the library and research harder, as well as communicate with Jade. Whatever this entity is, we must be ready.
I fear not being strong enough to protect her.
While I have managed to gain weight and muscle in these short few months, I know I am still not to my full potential. The idea of someone coming after her and me being helpless to do anything haunts me.
Ava mumbles in her sleep and shifts restlessly.
She starts to sob in her sleep, and not knowing what else to do, I kiss her. Sucking her lip into mine, I bite gently and thankfully feel her respond. She stiffens before melting into me. Placing one last kiss to the corner of her mouth, I pull back.
“Hi.” She blinks tired eyes up at me. “What happened?”
I wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. “I think you were having a bad dream.”
She nods. “I dreamed of my parents—my biological ones. I wanted to stay, but they told me I had to go.” She stifles a yawn. “I hate that they were forced to give me up and died anyway.”
“I’m sorry.” I kiss her forehead. “Try to go back to sleep. You need your rest.”
“I don’t know if I can,” she sighs.
