Page 35 of Alan

Of course. She was just as confused and off-balance as her friend. “It’s a great shame, to be sure, the way you found out about it all.”

“If I had my druthers, I would’ve chosen some other way,” she agreed in a soft voice.

“This makes you quite special. You realize that, I imagine.”

“I’ve never wanted to be special. I’ve only ever wanted to be me.”

“Aye, but we often do not have the luxury of choosing,” I pointed out. “I did not choose to take Gavin’s place at the head of the clan—and I certainly didn’t choose for him to be removed from us so suddenly,” I added, grimacing.

“No, I suppose you wouldn’t have.”

“Certain aspects of our lives are thrust upon us,” I observed. “It is up to us to do our level best with what we’re given. What more can we do?”

“You’re very wise.”

“I’ve had a very long life.”

She smiled, though there were tears in her eyes when she looked at me. “I need to ask. I hope you know that I need to ask.”

I sighed. “Aye. I’ve expected it.”

“You really don’t know? He never told you who my father was?”

“I’m sorry. He did not. I wish I could put your mind at ease.”

She nodded, as though she’d expected as much. “When you’re an orphan—or, at least, when you’re living without parents—you tend to imagine who your parents really were. Some kids would make up stories about their parents being undercover agents somewhere, like in the FBI or something, and that one day they’d reunite. Or the parents were famous, like royalty, and the kids were kidnapped and never returned. That sort of thing.”

“I’ll wager you would never have come up with the truth on your own, even in your wildest imaginings.”

She smiled again. “No. Not in a million years. I only wish I knew what it all meant. It was one thing to find out I was a Blood Moon Priestess, but this? No offense, but it’s sort of trippy.”

“None taken. I’m certain it is.”

Keira bit her lip, and this time there was no question whether or not her chin quivered. “I want so much for Em to accept me for who I am, because without her, who can I talk to about it? I love Tamhas, you know I do, but he wouldn’t understand what it’s like to be an outsider coming into this new world. Only she would.”

“And she will. When she comes back to us, she will.” I was more determined than ever to make it so.

Keira had already been part of the clan, truly a part, once Tamhas declared her his mate. That connection was stronger than ever now that I knew she shared the blood of the dragon.

We went back then, walking side-by-side, and I could honestly say I was glad to know she was one of us—not because lack of dragon blood would have made her unsuitable, but because we had an excuse to get to know each other a bit better.

Selene had moved Emelie to a room within the cave, one not currently inhabited by a witch. The coven had dwindled considerably in size, totaling eleven in all when I could remember there being many dozens. There was no shortage of empty space available.

The room was sparse, lit by dozens of candles burning their cold flames. The fire in the hearth, carved into the wall opposite the bed, crackled with real warmth.

“I thought she might react better if she woke up in a room such as this,” Callie explained. “With a fire burning and candles flickering. It might help soothe her.”

She seemed to genuinely care, which I found touching. “I’m sure it will. She will appreciate it.”

“I do hope so. She seems like a nice girl. Confused, overwhelmed, but a good soul. I can see why she and Keira became so close. And we are all pleased to know that Keira had such a good friend in the outside world.”

She smiled at Keira, who did her best to return it. She was clearly uncomfortable—there was no telling if and when she would ever be completely at-home with her fellow witches.

I sat beside Callie. “There might be something we can do. Something to help Emelie out of the state she’s in.”

“Have you spoken with Selene about it?”

I shook my head. “I wanted to bring the idea to you, first. I had the feeling you would be more receptive.”

“You thought I’d be more likely to agree, as she is likely to turn you down,” she translated, not unkindly.

“In a sense, yes.”

She sighed, glancing at Emelie before asking, “What is it you had in mind?”

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