Page 53 of The Heart of the Dragon

My mother sighed heavily. "Rose, when you were born, we were tasked with keeping you hidden and safe from the Dark Fae until the time you were meant to fulfill your destiny. If that ever came about. There are no guarantees. And even if your father is dead, and I mean IF, he was not the only one who knew of your existence and the omega power you possess. I don't think any of you truly understand what that means or you wouldn’t be taking this so lightly. That's why we had to keep you bound?—

"You could have told me the truth by now. I'm an adult. I deserved the truth. What was the point in keeping me in the dark all this time?”

"We had no choice, sweetheart. It was the only way we knew how to protect you." My father's voice was laced with regret.

I shook my head, feeling overwhelmed. "I can't— I need some time to think about all of this." I glanced over at Magnus. "And I need to talk to them as well. They seem to have the answers you're not providing."

My mother reached for my hand again, her eyes pleading. "Rose, please. You have to understand. We did what we thought was best. We love you more than anything in this world."

I pulled my hand away, unable to find the words to respond. The betrayal was too raw, the hurt too deep. "I just— I need some air. I need to get out of here for a while."

Before anyone could stop me, I turned and headed for the door, needing to escape the suffocating atmosphere in the house. I stepped outside and gulped in a deep breath of salty sea air, hoping it would clear my head.

"Rose, wait." Magnus appeared at my side, his hand on my arm.

I tried and failed not to squirm under his touch. But my brain was on overload. Fae. Dragons. Dark Fae. Magic... Anyone in their right mind would need some space after these kinds of crazy revelations.

I pressed my fingers against my temple, begging for the agony to stop. It was overwhelming.

"Rose, you can't break that spell. It's too dangerous." My mother and father were standing in the doorway, fear etched across their faces.

"I need to think." I spun on my heel, my mind spinning wildly as I walked away from the house.

"Just don't do anything rash, Rosebud," my father said gently. "You're angry now, and that's understandable, but we still love you."

My chest constricted at his words. I loved them too and always would, but I couldn't listen to them right now. I needed honesty from someone who didn't have a stake in my future. Someone who understood what was going on.

"Kitra!" I called over my shoulder.

"Right behind you," she said, from only a few feet away.

"Do you have to read my mind?"

"I wasn?—"

I shook my head. "No, I meant can you control whether you read my mind or not."

"Yes," she answered truthfully.

"Good. Then promise you won't do it again without my permission."

"I can't do that. What if you fall unconscious and need my help?"

"Oh good Gods. Don't be so dramatic."

"But—"

"Fine. If I'm in imminent danger or unconscious, you have my permission. But that's it. Otherwise, stay out of my head."

"Fine," she said, sounding about as excited as I did.

When we exited the house, I headed straight for John's SUV. I couldn't believe how much had transpired in so little time. It was no wonder I felt on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

"Where are we going?"

"I don't know. Anywhere but here."

"Are you up for a drive or did you want to go back in and talk to them at some point?"

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