Page 49 of Secrets in Salem: Part One

"Yeah, I get it," I answer, slouching in my seat, no less pissed but understanding a little better. Kind of. I think. Okay, not really, but I guess I can make an effort to. "So you can't share a whole lot, but I still need something to go on, Aleric. Anything at all. That's all I'm asking. For something that I can work with so I know what I'm dealing with. I don't want to keep walking blindfolded through life, receiving blow after blow without any way to protect myself. At least if you share something with me, I'll be a little more prepared."

He watches me closely for a few minutes, several emotions flickering across his vision so fast that I can't actually keep up with what I'm seeing. After what feels like forever, he finally nods, a strip of blond hair falling in front of his face. He brushes it back in that sexy way guys seem to do, turning my insides to mush, before relenting. "That's fair. I'll tell you what I can, but you have to give me something in return, alright? Consider it a trade."

My eyebrows furrow. This is information I should be getting without a frigging trade. What the hell? And yet... curiosity is that little bitch on my shoulder whispering to agree, to find out what this trade is. Damn hussy, thinking with her vagina.

With a steady nod, eyes hooked on his, I hold my hand out and almost whisper, "Fine. It's a deal."

A full beaming smile breaks out over his handsome face, and he slips his larger hand in mine before I can pull it back. He shakes our hands once and seals our agreement by repeating, "It's a deal, Dove."

Ah, shit. What have I just done?

Chapter 26

Willow

"Alright, come sit over here and I'll tell you what I can," Aleric orders, letting go of my hand before shuffling back onto the bed to sit against the headboard. He taps the spot beside him, and I roll my eyes, clenching my teeth to keep from smiling. I do, however, get up and climb on the bed to sit beside him, stretching my legs out in front of me while my back sinks into the pillows. If there's one thing to be said about Micah's bed, it’s that it sure is comfortable.

Once I've settled, I look over at the Adonis of a man beside me and say, "By all means, please start explaining before I lose my mind entirely."

"You're so dramatic, you know that?" he teases, giving me another mocking raise of his eyebrow.

I don't answer, simply returning the gesture while I wait none too patiently for him to get to talking. He snorts, settling against the bed, his warm arm brushing against mine since we're sitting so close to one another. "Alright. So, I guess I should start by telling you you're right about changing into something powerful. I can't say what just yet, but you might be the most powerful being on Earth right now. Your bloodline is insane, and there's only one other being like you in existence."

Nodding slowly, I let that absorb, feeling several brain cells explode with surprise. I mean, I don't know why I'm surprised. This was to be expected, and already partly confirmed. Maybe I'm not ready for this conversation after all.No, snap out of it, Low. You can do this.

"You're a creature born of Hell. Your power surpasses anything in existence, and it's powerful but erratic while you transition. You need to learn control, or you could hurt innocent people. That's what my brothers and I are for. We're going to protect you, help you, and make sure you make it through the transition with as few casualties as possible. You won't be alone through this, alright?" Aleric continues passionately, a determined frown on his face I find entirely too endearing. I should focus on the conversation at hand, and not at all how cute he looks when he's adamant about something.

Blinking rapidly, I play his words over in my head. My stomach sours, and my heart sinks. Quietly, I question, "As few casualties as possible? As in, therewill becasualties?"

Aleric turns his face toward me, sympathy swimming in those gem-like eyes, and he replies cautiously, "Dove, you're a creature of Hell. Casualties come with the job. But if my working theory is correct, I don't think you have to worry too much about it."

"Why not? What's your theory? Why don't I have to worry if I'm going to kill more people?" I rapid fire, sounding a little more hysterical with every question.

In a move entirely unlike Aleric, he slips his hand down my forearm and clasps mine with such a sweet hold I'd have thought it was Micah had I not been looking directly at Aleric's face. My heart skips a beat, stumbling over itself, before starting a rhythm entirely too fast to be normal. Keeping his voice low and sincere, he promises, "You don't have to worry. Let us do that for you. All you have to do is focus on you, alright? We'll take care of you. We've got you."

A flash of a memory sparks in my mind so suddenly, I gasp.

Bundled up in Aleric's arms, his naked chest pressed against my cheek, I melt into him while he rubs soft trails over my bare back. His touch is as light as a feather, gentle glides of his finger over my sensitive skin drawing goosebumps across my flesh.

"I don't know if I can do it," I whisper, tracing circles over his chest.

He breathes deeply, arm tightening around me before drawing me over his body and loosely hanging his arms around me. With a smile that could disarm the strongest warrior, he looks down at me and whispers, "You can do it. You're the strongest being I know, Dove. And you won't be alone. We'll take care of you. We've got you. Okay?"

Inhaling sharply, I sit up, wide-eyed and shook. My body is trembling and my voice raspy when I strain out, "What the fuck was that?"

"You saw that too?" Aleric asks from beside me, and I startle. How did I forget he was right beside me? Wait... did he...?

Turning my stunned gaze in his direction, I croak, "You're telling me you just saw that? That wasn't just me?"

He shakes his head, his features twisted in a look of pure bafflement. I feel you there, my guy. Lifting my hand now that he's released it, I look it over. Twisting it back and forth, I scan every line and print of my fingertips, palm, and bend in my joints.

"That wasn't normal, right?" I breathe, looking back up at a stunned Aleric who doesn't look away from me.

Once again, he shakes his head, eyebrows drawn into a confused frown. "Never happened before. We should probably wake Bishop and Micah and tell them."

For some stupid reason, my attention goes to the fact that the two are sleeping in the middle of the day instead of what I just witnessed. Apparently my brain is broken or something. "Why are they sleeping? It's almost one in the afternoon."

Aleric gives me a look of pure exasperation and blandly says, "We were all woken by your disappearance after a night of hell. I should have been sleeping too, but I thought you deserved answers. Now we have another thing we need to think about. Come on, Dove."

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