Page 81 of The Mating Frenzy
Finally her mother’s skin turned golden with glowing health. She opened her eyes and slowly satup.
Crying out, Ella huggedher.
“Honey, I don’t know what happened. Everything is a blur. I feel as if I’ve been asleep in an ice cave.” Her mother pulled away, searching her face. “Are you all right? You lookdifferent.”
Ella kissed her cheek. “I’ve come into my powers, Mom. I know who Iam.”
Nellie sighed with apparent relief. “Then my work is done here. I can releaseyou.’
Ella helped her mother off the table. “What are you talkingabout?”
Nellie looked peaceful. For the first time in years, the lines of strain were gone from her face. “I’m not your birth mother, Ella. Neither was your father. We were appointed by the goddess to raise you, watch over you, until the time when you came into yourpower.”
She hugged her tight. “We could never have children of our own, and we loved you like our owndaughter.”
Another revelation. “Who are my birthparents?”
“Your mother is Lupine, and your father is a Changeling Shifter. They loved you, but understood you needed to be safe, here in the Skin world, until you decided to accept, or reject, your destiny as a werewolf of the Wyld to protect the Crystal Wizard andOthers.”
Wonder filled her. Such a sacrifice her parents had made. “Can I meetthem?”
“Yes, but not for a while. First you must learn how to use your powers.” Nellie gave her a long, thoughtful look. “All the while I was here, I could hear Danica chanting to the Dark Lord. There are many others like her, Ella. You must be the new force that helps to stop them. It means you will seldom spend the same night in the sameplace.”
“I’ve always wanted to travel,” she admitted and Nellielaughed.
“As long as I can come home to you, Mom. You’re my realmom.”
Nellie hugged her again. “I’d lovethat. “
Darcy held out her hand. “Come on, Nellie. I’ll take you out to dinner. I imagine you’re quite hungry. And then we’ll go back to my house. I’ll find you some newdigs.”
“What happened to my house?” Nellieasked.
“Long story,” Darcysaid.
Darcy and Nellie walked outside, and then drove off in Darcy’ssedan.
Outside, she snuggled against Kieran. “And now what? Where are wegoing?”
“You are returning to the condo where we first met.” Kieran removed the car keys from his pocket, enfolded them into her palm. “The entire complex belongs to Xavier. He will give you shelter there. Take the car. There’s plenty of food and what you need. Xavier will begin your training to teach you how to use your powers. He’s a good wizard, Ella. Trusthim.”
“I trust you, Kieran. I loveyou.”
But he gently untangled himself from her. Sorrow filled hisexpression.
“I can’t stay with you, Ella-mine.” He took her hands, kissed them, his expression tormented. “I must return to my people, and leave you to your duties. If I am with you, you will be more focused on me than yourtraining.”
“Kieran, no,” shewhispered.
“Please, don’t make this harder on me than it already is. I’m dying, Ella. I don’t want toleave.”
“Thenstay!”
“I can’t!” Moisture sparkled in his eyes. He swallowed hard and fisted his hands. “Gods, I want to stay, I need you like I need my next breath. But those dark creatures of evil must be destroyed. I need you, but the world needs youmore.”
“We can fight together. You can teach me.” She reached out to him, her hands glowing white. Dismayed she droppedthem.
Kieran shook his head. “See? You have little control over your powers. They are embryonic. You need Xavier to show you how to control them. You cannot be the warrior you were destined to become if I remain here. I have not the means of showing you how to fight with thesepowers.”
