Page 41 of A Bloodline Redeemed

“You’re alive,” I sobbed against their shoulder.Their clothes were baggy and grungy, clearly stolen from someone much larger, and well-used.The shirt I snuffled into smelled like cigarette smoke and sweat.But under that,Hasumi.Fresh, clear water and thatsomethingthat was uniquely them.I clung to their slender frame and bawled like a baby, completely ignoring my surroundings.

A flare of heat at my side let me know I wasn’t the only one who was overcome.But Aahil’s voice was sharp and angry when he spoke.“Where have you been?You were alive this whole time, and you let us think you were dead?!”

I reached out a hand blindly, fumbling for him, then wrapping my fingers around the jinn’s wrist.“Aahil,” I choked out.“It doesn’t matter.”My fingers burned where I touched his skin, seared by the fire magic that he was struggling to contain.But I held on tight.“It doesn’t matter.They’re here now.”

“Little flame,” Hasumi said, their soft voice as calm as ever.“I wanted nothing more than to return to you.”Their graceful fingers stroked through my hair, then reached out to touch Aahil’s cheek.“I was… dispersed.Scattered by the black magic of the cult’s spell.It took more effort than I want to admit to put myself back together.And I was not able to fully maintain my physical form for more than a few moments until just now.Until I was closer to you.Until I was finally reunited with my family.With my mates.”

I pulled away enough to swipe my hand over my wet face and look into those precious eyes I thought I’d never see again.“But it’s been so long… you couldn’t transport to us or something?”I didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth here, but… Aahil was right.It had been so long since we lost our water weaver.It killed me to think of them out there somewhere, scattered and lost, for so long…

Hasumi gave me a soft, wry smile.“I probably could have managed eventually, if I had used all of my regenerating magic.However, there was someone who needed me more.”

I frowned at that.Who could be more important than us, than the people who loved them?But my frown didn’t last more than a second before Hasumi stepped aside and held out a hand.“Come little ones.I know it is frightening, just be brave for a little while longer and you can rest.”

My frown disappeared, replaced by what must be a look of utter, slack-jawed surprise and confusion.Children.Babies, really.Two little red-headed twins, barely more than toddlers, dirty and half-starved.They held hands while the little girl clung to Hasumi’s shirttail with her free hand.They couldn’t be more than five years old, maybe younger.Powerful.The golden glow of both their aruas was so strong it was nearly blinding to my supernatural senses…

And on the little boy’s shoulder, sat my fucking familiar.Bis cringed guiltily and waved a little paw at me.“Hello, mamma.”

I shook my head.I didn’t even bother to ask how he had followed us here.I probably didn’t want to know.“You are in so much trouble, young man.”

Then I turned my attention back to the twins, modulating my voice as I crouched down to eye level.“Hello there.I’m Andy.You poor things, were you out there, fighting?”I gestured at the small skirmishes that still raged around us as the fighting died down.

Both kids looked at me warily, then turned their gazes to look up at Hasumi for guidance.They regarded the water weaver with an unwavering trust, tinged with a bit of awe.

Hasumi just smiled that calm, soft smile and ruffled each of their curly red heads in turn.“It’s okay, darlings.I promise you, these adults won’t hurt you.”

Then those turquoise eyes met mine, and Hasumi gave me a small, gentle shake of their head.“The were being held by the cult, near where we fought in the fae grove,” they said in a hushed voice.“I couldn’t leave them there.I stayed with them while I regained my abilities.Until I could feel you close by.Then I freed them, so I could bring them to where they belong.”

The little girl scuffed her feet, looking around at the circle of big people before glancing up at Hasumi again.“Did you lie to us?”

The soft, sad accusation in that little voice nearly broke my heart.

I watched as Hasumi crouched down and regarded the girl seriously, as if they were addressing an adult, an equal.“I didn’t lie to you, Moon.But I didn’t tell you the whole truth about who I am, either.I wanted to help you and give you comfort.At the time, I thought it was best to let you believe whatever gave you the most comfort.But I’ve never lied to you about my desire to protect you.I’ve only ever wanted to free you from those horrible people and bring you to my own family, where I knew you’d be safe.”

She regarded Hasumi with wide brown eyes that were too old for that little face.“So, you’re not the goddess?”

I arched my brows, regarding Hasumi in silent surprise.Theydidlook ethereal.I supposed the children’s assumption made sense.

Hasumi shook their head.“No, little one.I’m not the goddess.Though, once upon a time, long ago, some people called me a deity.My name is Hasumi.I am a water weaver.An elemental.I was wounded when I met you, and I’ve been recovering over time, which is why I can finally maintain my physical form, after all this time.”They held out their arms in invitation, but didn’t force a hug, letting the children decide what they wanted.

I could sense no magic coming from Hasumi, other than the general calm they were pushing ateveryone.They weren’t trying to make the children trust them using magic.They just patiently waited for them to decide whether or not this adult could be trusted.

It was only a few seconds before both children threw themselves into Hasumi’s arms.

The water weaver stood, effortlessly tucking a toddler against each side as if it was easy to just lug around multiple small witches.As if they handled children every day.It was a strange sight.Strange, but… beautiful.

I was getting way too emotional.It had been a long freaking day.

“Well, then,” the water weaver said, arching a brow.“Are we still needed here?Or should we leave the rest to the rebels and our field mage friend and return home?”

For the first time, I could hear a hint of emotion in the water weaver’s voice, betraying their impatience.Hasumi wanted to go home.They didn’t want to win a war or snuff out supremacists.They simply wanted to be back with the people they loved.Back where they belonged.

My heart ached.I wanted that too.But I was barely even surprised when a strident female voice shattered our brief moment of hope.

“Rebels!Give us the Lovell witches,” the prime of the O’Leary coven shouted as she stepped out from the portal that had just appeared, flanked by dozens of strong witches from ancient bloodlines.“Or die like the filthy blood traitors and beasts you are!”she gestured sharply to the side, and a blood-curdling scream rent the air.

It all happened so fast, and shields didn’t seem to do a damn thing to stop whatever magic she used.A bolt of magic tore through the nearest group of rebels, dropping them to the ground as it raced toward their center.

Bella’s scream turned into a choking gurgle as she convulsed on the street.

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