Page 73 of The Second Sight
“I expect her to choose her people over a vampire,” Romeca shot back. “Especially when there’s a human girl who needs rescuing.”
The mention of Brooklyn redirected my thoughts to the immediate threat. “Then help us save her,” I urged. “Brooklyn is innocent in all this. She’s being held captive because of her connection to Kasi.”
Romeca’s hesitated. “Why should we risk our lives for a human girl? Our numbers are already dangerously low after the Bambara.”
Something inside me snapped. The careful control I’d maintained for decades cracked. “Because that’s exactly what my wife did for your people,” I growled, my voice dropping to a dangerous register. “Basirah went to Goree Island to warn the yumboe about the Bambara Brotherhood’s massacre of the Aziza fairies.”
Romeca’s eyes widened, recognition flashing across her features.
“Yes,” I confirmed, taking a step toward her. “My vampire wife risked everything to save fae lives. And how was she repaid? Desmond Moreau captured her. He burned her alive on that stupid Island. That’s why I hate fairies,” I snarled. “Your kind accepted Basirah’s warning, fled to safety, and left her to die. Not one of you came to her aid when Desmond found her.”
Romeca stood her ground, unafraid of my display. “Yes, Basirah came to warn us. If you hate fae so much, vampire, then how can you claim to love Kasinda? She is half-fae. The blood you’ve tasted carries our magic.”
Her question sliced through my anger. “You think I love her because she resembles Basirah,” I said, my voice deadly quiet now. “That I’m trying to replace what I lost.”
“Isn’t that exactly what you’re doing?” Romeca challenged. “Kasi bears the face of your vampire wife.”
How dare this fairy presume to understand the depths of what I felt for Kasi? How dare she reduce my love to mere replacement, as if Kasi were interchangeable with Basirah?
“I love Kasi for who she is,” I stated, each word deliberate and weighted with truth. “Yes, her resemblance to Basirah initially caught my attention. I won’t deny that. But it is her spirit that captured my heart.” I held Romeca’s gaze, refusing to look away. “We are fated mates. Our souls are bound across time.”
Romeca studied me, searching for deception. “Fated mates,” she repeated skeptically. “A convenient belief.”
“Basirah died over a century ago,” I continued, my voice quieter now but no less intense. “I’ve walked this earth alone since then, feeding but never connecting, existing but never truly living. Until Kasi.” I met Romeca’s eyes. “I will not lose another woman I love to Desmond Moreau. I will not fail Kasi.”
The sorrow in my voice must have reached even Romeca. Her posture softened. “You truly love her,” she said, the statement neither question nor concession.
“More than I thought possible.” I admitted. “Which is why I will do whatever necessary to protect her from the Bambara.”
“There is something you should know,” Romeca finally said, her voice calmer than before. “About Kasinda’s heritage.”
“I’m listening.”
“As a half-blood, Kasinda’s fae abilities have manifested later than a full yumboe’s would,” Romeca explained. “Her precognitive dreams are just the beginning. With proper training, she could develop other gifts.”
“Such as?” I asked, my curiosity genuine despite my suspicion.
“Possibly wings,” she said simply. “Not all half-bloods develop them, but with her bloodline, the potential exists.”
The image of Kasi with fairy wings was strangely appealing. Yet I sensed there was more to Romeca’s revelation than mere information.
“And how would one determine if she has this potential?” I asked, already guessing the answer would involve some fairy ritual.
“She must be bathed in an enchanted solution,” Romeca confirmed. “Water infused with moon sand, fairy dust, and certain natural herbs that stimulate dormant fae genes. The ritual must be performed under the waning moon which happens to be tonight.”
“Convenient timing.”
“Perhaps fate,” she countered. “Or simply practical necessity. If Kasinda is to face Desmond Moreau, wouldn’t you want her to have every possible advantage? Wings would give her mobility, a means of escape if needed.”
Her logic was sound. “And if this ritual awakens her fae nature, what then? Will she be more fairy than human? Will her connection to this realm weaken?”
The unasked question hung between us.Would she still want me?
Romeca seemed to hear the silent inquiry. “The ritual doesn’t change what she is, it merely awakens what’s dormant. She won’t grow wings overnight, but it will awaken them if they exist inside her.”
“I won’t deny Kasi any power that might help her survive what’s coming.”
“Then you’ll permit the ritual?” Romeca asked, a note of surprise in her voice.
