The growl that ripped from Brayden’s throat shook the windowpanes of the entire cottage.
“Or…” the Elder Fae said, taking a sip of his tea, and I swear that was enjoyment dancing behind his eyes. “SheisLena, and Wren’s spell of unlocking her powers worked but she’s lost her memory.”
Brayden looked at me and there was so much desire in his gaze that heat shot down my body and pooled between my legs.
Oh mama, get me out of here before I combust.
“Stop messing with us!” Brayden snapped at the Elder Fae. “You’ve been alone too long and are reverting to your old ways.”
The old man seemed unbothered by the accusation. “Whether Averly is Wren or Lena, she still needs her powers suppressed or the Fae Lords will kill her.” He stood from the small table he had been sitting on and walked towards me.
I took a step back, my gaze flicking to Brayden. He must have seen the fear on my face because he stepped closer to me.
“Will it hurt her?” he asked.
Now we’re asking the important questions.
“Oh yes. Very much,” the Elder Fae replied and I squeaked, backing up fully until my back hit the door.
Brayden’s Adam’s apple bobbed and he looked down at me, his eyes burning with intensity. “I don’t see any other way…”
“Listen, I’mnotgood with pain—my receptors are amplified or something so I apologize if I punch you,” I told the fae.
He gave Brayden ashe-better-be-kiddinglook and Brayden stepped up behind me. “I’ll hold her arms.”
Panic rose up inside of me and a whimper formed in my throat. “Wait a second. What exactly are we doing here? Will I still be able to shift?” I was going to be hunted down by the Fae Lords, I wanted to be able to defend myself a little.
The Elder Fae drew closer and nodded. “You will smell and act as an ordinary wolf but deep inside of you will be contained one of the greatest powers in the known world. That of a Greywolf.” There was respect in his tone I wasn’t prepared for. It made me feel like maybe I should be more grateful for being one of these super rare wolves, but I wasn’t. I was just overwhelmed.
“And if I need to release this power?” I mean, freezing those wolves the other night had freaked me out but it also came in handy. What if down the line I needed it?
“You come back and see me,” he said. “The Elder Fae, forever at the service of the Greywolf family,” he said with sarcasm, flicking Brayden a long-suffering look.
Okay, that wasn’t ideal since it sounded like he kind of hated helping us, but I was going to take what I could get.
I braced myself as Brayden slipped behind me and held my wrists behind my back.
I flinched. “Just do it.”
The Elder Fae gave me a curt nod and then rubbed his wrinkly hands together as if trying to warm them.
No pain, no gain, baby. Let’s do this. Everything is fine.
My heart rate reached epic levels when Brayden’s lips skimmed my ear. “You’ll be okay. Whether you’re Lena or Wren, both are two of the strongest women I know.”
His words washed over my body and seeped into my soul, instantly calming my nervous system.
The fae grabbed my face and cradled my entire skull in his hands. His eyes glowed silver with a hint of purple, and a slow vibration pulsed through his palms and into my brain.
“Somuch power,” the Elder Fae marveled.
“Can you tell if she’s Wren or Lena?” Brayden’s tone was hopeful.
The Elder Fae shook his head. “Just that she is in fact a Greywolf with full use of her power.”
I grinned. “This isn’t so bad actually—” My words cut off into a yelp as the vibrating turned into a searing hot burn.
My brain is on fire.
