“So,” Ben says, his mouth turning down as he heaves an awkward shrug. “In the thousand times that I imagined meeting you…it never went like this.”Elias stays still for a moment before his shoulders twitch and he lifts his head to look Ben in the eyes. “You mean you never imagined introducing yourse
“But the corruption will spread,” Elias says, kneeling down on Gabriel’s other side and reaching across him to squeeze my shoulder. “It’s not worth it, Ariel – what I watched Gabriel go through? I can’t watch you do it too.”“Corruption?” Ben asks, his voice suddenly frantic. “What are you talking a
Delighted, I drop Gabriel’s hand and leap to my feet, dashing for the side of the cage where Jacks stands.But then I stop in my tracks, stumbling over my feet, my lips turning down in a harsh frown. “Jackson,” I growl, standing straight and putting one hand on a hip, using the other to point to the
“Is this your other mate?” the girl asks me, wandering over to look down at Gabriel. Then she looks up at Elias. “Or is it that one?”Elias laughs a little and shakes his head as Jacks, Ben, Jesse, and I join the two of them, forming a semicircle around Gabriel’s body.“It’s that one,” I say, gestur
“Holy shit,” Jesse breathes, and I glance up to see him staring in awe at the little flame floating before me, even as Midnight squeaks in fear and tucks herself behind him, clinging to his hand. “Are you – can you do anything with it?”“I think I can,” I whisper, looking over at Jacks, who I know f
“Okay,” Midnight says, shaky. “Um. If they’re family, I’ll take them.”“And then back to Moon Valley?” I ask, hopeful, knowing that Midnight can do it.Midnight’s eyes fly wide.“We’ll talk about that part of the plan later,” Jesse says, shooting me a warning look. At the same moment, Midnight bares
I do my very best to imitate my mother in this moment, trying to fall into that deep mediative state she uses when she heals people. Because I have to go into my soul now, and into Gabriel’s, to try and help him. Ben – he’s handling the physical healing of Gabriel’s body.But I’m here to concentrate
“There there, little baby,” I murmur, thinking of all the nice soft things my mother would say when we were kids, and we were hurt, or sad, or wanting. “We’ve got you now. We’ll keep you safe.” I take some of the fire and coat my hands with it, brushing it against his face, drying the residue of oil
Ariel bursts out laughing and gestures out to the rest of the roof. “Of all the interference to our plans, you’re going to point out this tiny, adorable, sleeping infant pup as the problem!?” Both boys look down at the little dark-haired baby, whose amber eyes flicker open to betray her mother’s w
Jesse sighs, glancing at his watch and then looking to the door, an undrunk glass of champagne in his hand. “Where the hell is your damn sister?” “Your damn cousin,” Rafe murmurs, draining his glass and then pouring himself another. “You’d better stop that,” Jesse says, turning his head to Rafe
She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. “We’re not dating or anything,” she snaps. “Just…because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn’t come running up here just because you’re single – I thought you were going to die –“ “Sure, you didn’t,” Jesse says,
“I love you, Jesse,” Midnight whispers, watching him, her little mouth trembling, her entire body feeling weak. “I love you too, Mids,” he replies. “Always.” She nods once. And then disappears. Midnight fights hard against her emotions as she flits through the castle, moving back and forth bet
“I’m saying,” Midnight says, freely crying now, cupping Jesse’s face in her tiny hands. “That I – I don’t want to have your pups, Jesse. Ever. Ever. I don’t want them.” She shakes her head, vehement. “I think I’d be a bad mom. I’d leave them at the grocery store and forget they were there. I – I jus
She has to admit though…the stars are a pleasant addition. Midnight’s wolf gives a little worried howl, sprawled out in her soul, her little legs too weak to carry her much or far these days. But Midnight smiles a little and strokes a mental hand over her wolf’s fur, pleased to see her free and cl
“What,” Jackson asks, frowning down at the little rectangular stone in his hands. “Is it like, special?” “Jackson!” Midnight hisses, standing on her toes to smack him on the chest. “They’re invaluable! This is only the second I’ve ever seen in the world! And I only know of one besides that other o
I laugh, pointing at the big plate of apple pie on the table. “Well, I’m glad to see that you’re feeling cheerful,” I say, grinning at her. “I am!” she says, happily plopping down next to Jesse and reaching for the pie, pulling it all onto her lap and digging in with a fork. “I don’t think that an
Jesse’s eyes open first, and then Midnight’s, slow and sleepy. “How do you feel?” I ask quietly, leaning towards her, able to see her better now in the dawn light that streams through the windows. “What happened?” Jackson asks. I turn to see him standing at the door and I smile, reaching out a h